his endeavours to provide amply for the amusement of the numerous class that affect equestrian performances. The Magician," at the OLYMPIC, is, of its class, one of the best pieces provided for those whose taste is prominently pointed to the drama Fitzballian;" but, from the many previous successful achievements in stage writing by the same hand, we are disposed to look for more substantial fare from Mr. Shirley Brookes. Al fresco amusements have suffered to a great degree from the long rain of St. Swithin. VAUXHALL and CREMORNE, notwithstanding the showers-not of applause-which have fallen upon these gardens, have received their due share of visitors. The directors are indefatigable in their exertions to provide for the public. Van Amburgh and his lions have been added to the attractions of Juba, Pell, &c., &c., at Vauxhall. Of the equestrianship we cannot, with the candour of Sporting Reviewers, declare that it has not been matched. The balloons form food for speculation at Cremorne amongst those who delight in aërostatic competition. The WALHALLA is undergoing extensive alterations, prior to the opening at the latter end of the month as a salle de danse. With the adventitious aid of a band of distinguished merit, it is reasonable to augur that an establishment of the kind in a locale like Leicester Square will be voted, by those whose Terpsichorean taste is bountifully developed, to be "the thing" for "gay young fellows full of fun and full of glee," like Master William Taylor, whose gallant exploits have had full justice rendered them by the pleasant pen of the poet. STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. RACING MEMS.-Lord Clifden's horses, including the cracks, Surplice and Honeycomb, have been removed from Goodwood, and are now in work at Newmarket, under the care of the younger Stephenson, who has had a horse or two of his lordship's all the season. Mr. Dixon's horses have left William Sadler's for William Day's stables. Mr. E. W. Topham, clerk of the course at Chester, succeeds the late Mr. Etty as clerk and lessee of the Liverpool course, Mr. Etty, jun., having declined office. Mr. Twamley, clerk of the course at Warwick, died at his residence in Church-street, on Thursday, the 24th of last month, and Mr. Samuel Merry, so well known in connection with the steeplechases, will officiate at the ensuing meeting. Guildford assizes decided another of those curious cases of which the turf has lately furnished so abundant a supply, and in which no less a nag than Sir Tatton Sykes figured as the causa belli, Mr. E. R. Clarke, it appears, according to the verdict, having obtained possession without caring to pay for him, either before or after the bargain was bound by the removal of the horse. The nearer the St. Leger approaches a decision, the more open a race does it become. If Goodwood disposed of the formidable Surplice, York has done as much for the great Flatcatcher, and the still more honoured Springy Jack. Had these two but won their races as cleverly as they were beaten, it might have been " reduced to a match," as they say in the Produce Stakes. According, however, to the present reading of the return, Justice-to-Ireland becomes first favourite at very short odds, not from any asserted self-improvement, but from the mediocriter performances of his most dreaded opponents. Still this is but a negative virtue after all, and by public running the mare ought assuredly to stand first, even in the face of Lord Stanley's letter to Messrs. Weatherby, in which he declares that it is yet doubtful whether Canezou will go for the Leger at all, or be saved for her other engagement, the Park Hill Stakes. These kinds of declarations have too generally meant anything but what their first reading might imply; but this, with such a man as Lord Stanley, could never for a moment be the case; though we think that, upon reflection, his lordship will be inclined to follow up so excellent a performance as that for the Ebor Leger by at least "a shy" for its namesake at Doncaster. Surplice, who has been coming again ever since his retreat, looks likely to be a strong favourite once more; while Beverlac, Besborough, and Co. must have sufficiently satisfied their friends by the exhibitions they made last week. On the other side, again, Springy Jack and Flatcatcher will not lack support, supposing them to come well to the post; and, admitting so much, who shall say but what they may run first and second even yet? The Derby betting merits no comment beyond the further defeat of Garrick and Borneo, and, we should so presume, their retirement from the list. With the exception of a slight improvement in Executor and Vampyre, the above quota tions agree very closely with the York prices. EMBELLISHMENTS. THE HERO-WINNER OF THE EMPEROR'S PLATE AT ASCOT IN 1847 BY HARRY HALL. CONTENTS. 49-64 R h. m. d. h. m. SETS. 1's Fifteenth Sunday af. Trinityr 6 3 4 afternoon 2 M Pheasant Shooting Begins. 3 T BIGGAR OPEN COURSING MEET. 4 W MONMOUTH RACES. morn. aftern. h. m. h. m. 4 7 4 22 s 5 34 58 15 4 37 4 54 666856 5 11 5 26 s 5 29 7 9 41 5 46 6 4 810 35 6 26 6 50 5 T LINCOLN RCS. CHESTER RCs. r 6 9 6 F s 5 25 911 34 7 18 7 52 8 33 9 16 8 Sixteenth Sunday af. Trinity's 5 2111 0 39 9 56 10 36 9 M NEWMARKET 2nd OCT. MEET. r 6 1612 1 4911 1311 46 10 T CESAREWITCH STAKES DAY. s 5 1613 3 11 W Old Michaelmas Day. CASHEL r 6 2014 4 21 12 T NORTHALLERTON R. [STEEP. C. s 5 12 F 13 F PRENDERGAST STAKES DAY. r 6 2316 6 12 12 23 14 S 7 S London Ycht. C. M. at Blackwall r 6 1310 Morning. 4'notide 0 12 0 36 0 57 1 21 1 41 RISES afternoon. 15 Sebenteenth Sundayaf Trinityr 6 2618 7 21 8 5 717 6 38 2 43 3 6 3 28 3 49 s 5 319 8 11 4 12 4 33 r 6 3020 9 7 4 58 5 21 s 5 4921 10 9 5 45 6 11 6 39 7 8 19 T. 20 F 21 S r 6 332211 15 s 4 5523 r 6 3724 0 21 9 7 9 50! 22 Eighteenth Sunday af.Trinity's 4 5125 1 29 10 31 11 7 23 M NEWMARKET HOUGHTON MEET. r 6 4626 2 3511 40'notide 24 T BARNET S. CH. THE CAMB. S 4 47 27 25 W St, Crispin. 27 F THE NURSERY STAKES DAY, r 6 54 4 7 36 4 13 4 27 THE RACING IN SEPTEMBER. BY CRAVEN. "Ludere par, impar: equitare HORAT. During the last twelve months reference has frequently been made in these pages to the system of racing sweeps and lotteries: its rapid progress was anticipated, and its character was canvassed. It was predicted that such a scheme would not long retain the outward pretence of an amusement, nor be suffered to exist as a class monopoly. These views proved to be correct. The newspapers advertised racing lotteries involving from fifty to one hundred and fifty thousand pounds each; and racing lottery offices took their places beside the ordinary marts of business in our streets. The matter now assumed a social importance, which drew upon it the notice of the legislature. A few of those members who, from time to time, venture to intrude upon parliament a mere English and domestic question, asked of the Home Secretary whether it was the intention of Government henceforth to treat the Lottery Act as an obsolete measure. A sort of a rejoinder followed, to the effect that all journals containing advertisements of racing sweeps in future would be subjected to a prosecution; and a statement to that effect was sent by the authorities of the Home Office to the Solicitor of Stamps. The result was, that the following week the especial advertising organs of those investments contained but a few mysterious allusions to the brilliant speculations which were wont so lavishly to occupy their columns. This justifies the conclusion that the executive had decided the principle of these new contrivances was mischievous, and that it would be for the popular benefit that they should be suppressed. Abstractedly, the mere newspaper paragraphs could do no harm; if the matter to which they related was lawful and right, they left it as they found it. I assume no one will contend that a "sweep" is lawful, according to the letter and spirit of the statute which prohibits lotteries in this kingdom; and at the same time that an advertisement announcing it is illegal, and subject to the penalties set forth in the Act of the 6th and 7th William IV. This disposes of so much of the argument as relates to the question to be dealt with here. The issue as regards the fact may safely be left with those whose duty it is to see that it be conveniently ordered. The consequence of the step (the premier pas) thus taken was naturally to discompose the bile of those likely to be affected by it. One maleontent has addressed the following instance in favour of the system to a weekly journal. He states that a working man in his neighbourhood entered into one of his, the writer's, Derby Sweeps about three years ago; that, having saved £5, he bought a ticket and won the prize of £500. "With this money," says the writer, "he embarked in a little way of business, and is now doing well," sides to every medal, according to the Italian proverb. As opposed to But there are two |