tinguished in the shape of racing, The King of Morven disposing of his opponents with the greatest of ease. Then arose manifestations of impatience for the grand coup of the day-the Champagne Stakes, one of the most interesting of autumnal races, which came off in this fashion: The CHAMPAGNE STAKES of 50 Sovs. each, h. ft.; for two years olds; colts 8st. 7lb., fillies 8st. 5lb.; the second to save his stake, and the winner to give six dozen of champagne to the Doncaster Racing Club; Red House in; 35 subs. Mr. B. Green's b. c. Assault, by Touchstone out of Ghuznee→→→ E. Edwards 1 Nat 2 ...Marlow 3 Mr. Mostyn's b. c. Loadstone, by Touchstone... Mr. Conway's gr. c. Snowball, by Sleight-of-hand.. Whitehouse 0 .W. Abdale 0 Mr. Bowes's ch. c. Brother to Lunedale, by Hetman Platoff.. F. Butler 0 Lord Eglinton's br. c. De Witt, by The Provost..........J. Marson 0 Betting: 6 to 4 on Assault, 5 to 2 and 3 to 1 agst. Loadstone, and 100 to 12 agst. Lady Mary. The result of this lively encounter--for Loadstone was only beaten by a neck, and it must not be forgotten that Edwards administered the whalebone pretty freely-shows that of the two-year-olds Mister Green's stable is the best for the public. Quadruped achieved an easy triumph for the 100 Sovs. Sweepstakes, which brought the first day's programme to a finish. The next day, "the grand day" of the meeting, was the anniversary of the all-absorbing St. Leger. Forasmuch as the burghers charge a bed for the night as elsewhere they put you in bed and board for a week, now that the rail makes it possible, people on a large scale come to see the race and go away again as soon as their curiosity is satisfied, Can there be a more rational course, from such a cause? One is told that the charges have been reduced of late days; but as how? They require half a guinea a night for a closet, with an apology for a shake-down that occupies the whole of it, and a guinea for almost every other necessary of (racing) life. To their credit (and your own ready money), be it said, the fashion of the food and the manner of its service are in general unexceptionable. They practice the virtue of cleanliness with a most admired devotion. They set before you a rational repast wherewith to break your fast, in lieu of the pelucid bohea, the attenuated dry toast, and that excuse for butter, the "pat," which serves up the meal called breakfast at lodging-houses in other countries. They respect the swine befittingly while alive, and treat its remains decorously when it is no more, Nowhere do they embalm the departed so scientifically; nowhere does it more becomingly revisit the glympses of the epicure. And then their stout-where do they get their XXX ? -there's no such liquor to be had in the metropolis. It is produced to you in toper stone bottles-fresh, fragrant, and full of flavour-all body and soul, not so say it profanely-but I have a passion for perfect stout. Mutton, I should think, attains a fair maturity in the vicinity: saddles from the wolds, six years old, may be seen during the meeting on many a table, pouring forth their juices rich and racy as curaçoa. I had almost forgotten the muffins: not the master of the doats on muffins with a love more endearing and intense they have them always when I am there, probably they have them all the year round a paradise, if there indeed muffins be perennial. The record of the Rooms on the preceding night must not be overlooked. The chambers, above and aloft, were thronged with bulls and bears, to say nothing of the pigeons and scabby sheep. Above, the fallen angels got the worst of it, all to sticks. The Hades people were cleared out to the tune of £5,000, they said; but a lower average would be nearer the mark this was above stairs. Below they were only preparing to drain the Augean. The betting, as regarded Foreclosure, was universally understood to be "gag," as also that his owner would, on the morrow, declare-as he did to win with him—as he didn't. When he announced his design of winning with that nag, it was as good as stating he meant to lose with the other. In the face of this our public laid odds on Cossack. Both thought they were wise in their generation: alas, for poor human nature! But a fico for business, and all hail to the fun. These rooms are tolerably near perfection in all that tends to promote devilment, from rouge-etnoir to gin cocktail; but there is one gigantic objection-all the barmaids are men. Next year, pray, gentlemen, parade us a team of virgins in smiles, white muslin, and rose-coloured streamers. Sherrycoblers go up fifty per cent. in the hands of nymphs of the North Riding. About midnight, the apartments being of the temperature and fragance of the hold of a slaver with a full freight, I went home and to bed. I only wished that some cherry-trees of my acquaintance had encountered in the spring such a course of tobacco, such as I had been subjected to on that eve of the Great St. Leger. We will now suppose it Wednesday, all sunshine and holidayism. The town overflowed with the human tide, but it was somewhat muddy: the million is the better of being filtered. We are on the course-a populous promenade to the Red House, skirted on either side by chariots and less classical equipages. That is the course-the Red House is encompassed less brilliantly, but within there is never a fitter homestead for a British yeoman, from Dover Cliff to the Border. I dare to say there are legions of benighted individuals who treat the Red House as some nomines umbra-an indication of where a barn once bloomed. Poor wretches! if they were only permitted to taste the Cognac and Hollands this farm produces, and which the proprietor thereof so prodigally produces also, how soon would they change their notion! Friend Wood, may I never have worse luck in the world than to meet as hospitable welcome as thou hast given me, or to drink thy health in liquor as good as I have quaffed beneath thy roof-tree!......The Grand Stand was a bumper. Lignum-vita's liquid has got into my parts of speech, as once it got into my head-I had nearly committed myself by saying into my brains. They took £2,460, I think, the two first days, and that while the money market was suffering from a fearful tenes mus. In the ring, while Mr. Pedley's declaration not to win with the favourite kept the animal at evens against the field, Lord Eglinton's assurance that he meant to conquer with Van Tromp, if he could, elevated the Dutchman to the second place in the betting. The speculation was very "flat" in more senses of the word than that in which Shakspeare uses it, and generally "unprofit able," in the meaning every one attaches to the term. To sum up the characteristics of the St. Leger, it was as full of chicane and questionable dealing as any of its predecessors-hardly as gentlemanly as one could have desired, but a pleasant, rough-and-ready sort of affair for all that. The running began with the Municipal Stakes, a match between Surplice and Miss Orbel, of which the colt had the best by 10 to 1 in the ring, and ten times as much in the race. An hour was allowed between this and the great event, which finally was thus put on the scene :The ST. LEGER STAKES of 50 sovs. each, h. ft.; for three year olds; colts 8st. 7lb., fillies 8st. 2lb.; the second to receive 300 sovs., the third 100, and the winner to pay 100 towards expenses; St. Leger Course; 146 subs. Lord Eglinton's br. c. Van Tromp, by Lanercost.. ..Marson 1 0 0 Mr. Mostyn's br. f. Swallow, by Lanercost Betting: 5 to 4 on Cossack, 4 to 1 agst. Van Tromp, 11 to 2 agst. Foreclosure, 7 to 1 agst. Planet, 12 to 1 agst. Eryx, 25 to 1 agst. Philosopher, 35 to 1 agst. Swallow, and 40 to 1 agst. Jovial. The field was, both in quality and quantity, a bad average. The start was a good one, the last off being Foreclosure, who was last in likewise. The running was all made by Cossack, who led to the distance, a little generalship between Van Tromp and his aide-de-camp Eryx causing them to change places in one part of the race for a few seconds; but the Dutch horse, as the very knowing called him, was always ready to run over the crack. The whole thing, in fact, lay between them; the other half-dozen were out of it altogether. Inside the distance Marson made more use of his nag, collared Cossack, beat him at the stand, and went in first by two liberal lengths, winning, as the judge pronounced, "the easiest Leger he had ever seen run for." Now have a word about the policy of the strong play made by Cossack, which many of the authorities have found fault with. Cossack is the grandson of Blacklock, one of the best four-mile horses that the turf has seen, as also one of the worst-hearted; once caught he was beaten, for struggle he would not. May not the taint be in the third generation, and may it not be absolutely necessary to keep him clear of his field? Was it not so ordained in the Derby? I have already given my impressions of the line pursued with Cossack and Foreclosure: I quote the opinion given of it in Bell's Life, to show that I am not singular in my views. On Van Tromp's number being telegraphed, it observes "The multitude seemed almost mad with joy, not only from the race having been won by a nobleman universally esteemed, but from the defeat of those to whose machinations they considered they had been made the wilful dupes, and even those who were admitted losers unhesitatingly expressed their delight in the conviction that the best. horse' had won. All anxiously inquired for the position of Foreclosure; but, as the really competent judges had foretold, he was actually the last in. It was said that on being shut out he was pulled, but many doubted that he had the slightest pretensions to be otherwise than where he was found a singular proof, it was generally remarked, of the questionable character of the trial in which his merits were said to have been tested, and of the use to which the issue of that supposed trial had been applied. So far as the resolution to punish those who had presumed to bet against him without leave or license' went, the end was fully attained; and many had to rue their misplaced confidence, and the success of the trick by which they had been made the sufferers. That Cossack ran on his own merits, and that his owner fully anticipated his success, we have not the most remote doubt; and that he would have had a much better chance if Foreclosure had made play for him, and thus allowed Templeman to get a pull at him, is equally clear; but that Foreclosure was ever expected to have a chance the public will never believe, however consummately skilful,' as was remarked by a noble lord of some turf experience, the plot was concocted. We regret, for the sake of the turf, that such should be the general impression; it would be unfair not to say that the trainer is in no way chargeable with being a party to the transaction, having simply obeyed the instructions of his employer. It has never been asserted that Foreclosure was a better horse than Cossack; and the only surprise is that the public should have been led to believe he was better than Van Tromp, or the other horses opposed to him. The whole affair, however, has led to a feeling far different to that of sympathy towards Mr. Pedley, whose disappointment seems to have induced a feeling rather of pleasure than of an opposite character. We must express our own sincere regret at the complexion which the whole matter has assumed, and the distrust which it must hereafter engender." The Selling Stakes New Era won very sportingly, and Loadstone beat Countess for the Produce Stakes (run a match) in a canter; it had previously been made a compromise, not communicated to the jockeys! The Corporation Plate Luminous carried off, in two heats; and the company went off to dinner, with appetites contingent on their luck or losing. 66 On Thursday Old Boreas reigned paramount; indeed, from the absence of many of the profession, one might say that it was long since so multifarious a set of legs had been carried off the ground. The consequence of the absence of these there were experienced in abundance "heavy blows and great discouragement" to the tribe, whose entire hopes were thus cruelly blasted. It is to be wished that on the occasion of the next performance of Raising the Wind," the representation will not be attended with so serious a termination. The Foal Stakes consisted of a walk over by Bingham. The Doncaster Plate was contested by Blackbird, Discontent, Jovial, Mainbrace, ViceConsul, New Era, Nerissa, Shelforth, Mowerina, Burlesque, Wilderness, and Winchester. Blackbird made very easy work of it. After this had been disposed of, came the event most anxiously looked for : The GREAT YORKSHIRE HANDICAP of 25 sovs. each, 15 ft., and only 5 if declared, with 200 added by the Corporation; the second to receive 100 sovs., the third to save his stake, and the winner to pay 30 sovs. towards expenses; the winner of the Leamington Handicap 91b., or of any handicap amounting to 200 sovs. with the winner's stake, after the declaration of the weights, 5lb. extra; St. Leger Course; 88 subs., 50 of whom declared. Lord Warwick's b. h. Yardley, by Sir Isaac, aged, 7st. 5lb.. Whitehouse 1 Mr. Mostyn's b. c. King of Morven, 3 yrs., 6st. 5lb. (including 5lb. Mr. Meiklam's br. h. Lightning, 6 yrs., 8st. 91b. ...... ... .... .... 3 .Templeman 0 Nat 0 .Longstaff 0 . Crouch 0 W. Marson 0 .....Williams Duncan 0 Mr. Merry's bk. c. Pilgrim, 4 yrs., 6st. 12lb..... Mr. L. Fox's b. c. Shelforth, 4 yrs., 6st. 4lb. Mr. J. H. Blair ns. b. c. Punch, 4 yrs, 5st. 9lb. Planner 0 .G. Abdale 0 .J. Evans 0 .G. Oates 0 .Dockeray 0 ..Donaldson 0 ...Prince 0 Charlton 0 Betting: 3 to 1 agst. Palma, 6 to 1 agst. Yardley, 6 to 1 agst. Alliance, 10 to 1 agst. Lothario, 10 to 1 agst. Vanish, 10 to 1 agst. Sagacity, 10 to 1 agst. Tragical, 12 to 1 agst. Pilgrim, 100 to 6 agst. King of Morven, and 15 to agst. Lightning. The old horse accomplished a performance of great merit, which deservedly earned his noble owner a fitting remembrance of his steed's powers. The Scarborough Stakes-being run for by Christopher, Black Dwarf, and Meaux, and won by Christopher-brought the day's proceedings to an end. The last day was devoted, in the early part, to settling on the Yorkshire Handicap-an arrangement not attended with so many unpleasant consequences as experienced on the previous great event. Brocardo had no difficulty in vanquishing The Traverser in the match for 500 sovs., for the latter broke down. The Two Year Old Stakes gathered together Assault, Volley, Convict, Snowball, and Queen of the May-another triumph for Assault. In succession came The Cup of 300 sovs., with 50 added for the second horse, added to a Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each; three year olds 7st. 7lb., four 8st. 12lb., five, 9st. 5lb., six and aged, 9st. 7lb.; maiden horses at starting never having received 100 sovs. as second horse, including their own stake, allowed weight in the following proportion:-Three year olds 5lb., four 9lb., five and upwards 14lb. (matches not to be reckoned as winnings); the winner of the Derby, Oaks, the Doncaster St. Leger or Cup, Ascot Cup, or Goodwood Cup, in 1846 and 1847, 71b. extra; Cup Course; 15 subs. Mr. Bouverie's War Eagle, by Lanercost, 3 yrs., 7st. 7lb. ..S. Mann 1 Betting: 2 to 1 on The Hero. The favourite had the lead to the distance, where War Eagle began diminishing his advantage, and eventually won easily by a length; not at all surprising, when it is considered that there were several drawbacks to the favourite-weight, his Warwick performances, and his running for the Queen's Plate at this meeting. Lanercost's star is brightly beaming, in thus furnishing the winners of the St. Leger and of the Cup in one anniversary. The Park Hill Stakes had for their winner Ellerdale, the beaten nags consisting of Slander, The Provost filly, Swallow, and Palma. After Van Tromp had walked over for the Gascoignes, Clementina, Lazarillo, and Sally Maggs entered the lists for the Three Year Old Stakes, and came in as we have placed them. The last race of the meeting-the Town Plate, in heats—was won by Tim Whiffler, defeating Luminous and Lady Mallorie. Thus terminated Doncaster Races for this year of grace-may we be grateful for all its mercies; and with that meeting most conveniently may be wound up the catastrophe of the month's racing. The great northern turf tryst, it is to be regretted, by no means advances in the matter of morality. Perhaps this is especially for the discomfiture of the |