The Sun. — London, England, 1866-12-27 00:00:00

THE ATLANTIC YACHT RACE, (From the Correspondent of the Times.) OFF COWES, Dec. 26. The Ocean Yacht Race is ended. The Henrietta passed the Needles at 3 46 p.m. yesterday, winning the race and the £lB,OOO stakes. The Fleetwing arrived here at 1 a.m. to-day, and the Vesta at 4 a.m. The three yachts are now lying at anchor in this harbour, and crowds of people are visiting them and admiring their sharp lines and natty rig. The citizens of this town vie with each other in courtesies to the American yachtsmen, and the hospitalities of the Royal Yacht Club have been tendered them by the secretary, Captain Brown R.N. The Vesta reports no special incident during her long voyage. The Fleetwing had rather a rough passage, and six of her seamen were, unfor tunately, washed overboard from the cockpit. Of the trip of the Henrietta, with which yacht my for tunes were linked during the race, I am able to give you a more detailed account. The logs of the other boats will be sent to you for publication as soon as possible. We left New York city on Tuesday, the 11th inst. ' The excitement about the race, which had been gradually increasing during the fortnight be fore the start, seemed most intense when the day of departure at length arrived. All the vessels in the - harbour and boats upon the river were gaily decked with flags. Numerous excursion steamers were chartered to escort the contestants to Sandy Hook. At the docks, where lay the tugs which were to convey the yachtsmen on board their craft, great crowds had collected, and cheered heartily as the tugs steamed off. The day was clear, cool, and bright, and the fresh westerly wind was just what the voyagers most desired. The yachts were anchored off Staten Island, and there the scene was even more animated than in the harbour. Steamers full of cheering spectators sailed around the little vessels. The music from the band upon the River Queen, chartered by the New York Yacht Club, was echoed by the bands upon the excursion steamers. The United States revenue cutter fired a salute. The hills of Staten Island were dotted with observers, and flags flew, from every villa. A fleet of pilot boats clustered off West Bank to accompany the yachts to sea. The forts which line the entrance to the harbour dipped their colours. As the New York Yacht Club steamer passed the Henrietta the distinguished officers and gentlemen on board gave three hearty cheers for "the only man who goes in his own boat." The enthusiasm was as remarkable as the good wishes, loudly expressed by every lip, were hearty and sincere. It required an experienced eye to detect any im portant differences between the three yachts as they lay at anchor. All are of nearly the same burden, the Henrietta registering 205 tons, the Vesta 201, and the Fleetwing 212, American measurement. The Henrietta and Fleetwing are keel-boats ; the Vesta has what is termed a" centre-board," or false keel, like the celebrated yacht America. Of course, the three yachts had been very carefully equipped, carrying spare sails and spars, wire rigging, and extra tillers. In the Henrietta, sailed Mr. Bennett, the owner; Messrs. Jerome, Knapp, and Fisk, judges and guests ; Captain Samuels, Sailing -master Lyons, and a crew of 24 men, including Mr. Jones, first officer ; Mr. Coles, second mate ; a carpenter, sailmaker, and two stewards. The Fleetwing, owned by Mr. George Osgood, was commanded by Captain Thomas, with a crew of 22 men ; and Messrs. Centre and Staples, of the New York Yacht Club, went in her as judges. The Vesta, owned by Mr. Pierre Lorillard, carried Messrs. George Lorillard and Taylor, as judges, Captain Dayton, and a crew of 23 petty officers and seamen. Each of the yachts had previously won several closely contested matches, and only the popular prejudice against " centre-board" vessels in rough water gave the other two boats an advantage over the Vesta in the heanywagers staked upon the race. At eleven o'clock the racing signal of the Hen rietta was displayed, and the yachts were taken in tow by the tugs for the starting point off Sandy Hook. Accompanied by innumerable steamers, propellers, yachts, and pilot-boats, and amid re newed cheering and excitement, they were hauled down through the Narrows and assigned their re spective stations. Precisely at one o'clock Mr. Fear ing, the starter, gave the signal for the race to begin. In a moment the tug lines were cast off and sails hoisted. The Fleetwing, occupying the most northerly position, first felt the breeze and danced away over the waves, the Vesta following closely. The Henrietta, lying nearer the shore, had decidedly the worst of the start, but regained her position as she dropped away from the land. The tugs and steamers sailed in line after the yachts, and pre sented a most picturesque sight. The wreck of the Scotland was in full view, grimly reminding the yachtsmen of the dangers they were about to brave. The strains of " Auld Lang Syne" from the steamers recalled to the adventurers the friendsthey were leaving. Then a cloud obscured the sun, the wind gradually rose, the yachts increased their speed, the good-bye cheers were faintly heard, the lightship of Sandy Hook was passed ; the open sea was before us, and the voyage had commenced in earnest. At 245 p.m. the Neversink Highlands" s un k out of sight. The yachts were then abeam of each other, the Henrietta having caught the ten-knot breeze. All canvas was set, and the Vesta sailed wing-and-wing. Daylight now rapidly faded, and the sun disappeared in a glory of crimson and gold. The tug Philip, which -had been chartered by Mr. Lorillard to accompany the Vesta until nightfall, turned homeward with a farewell hurrah, and the crews of the yachts bade good bye to the United States with answering cheers. Each captain now chose his own course, the Fleetwing keeping to the northward, the Henrietta holding the European steamer track, and the Vesta evidently making for the northern passage. At 6 p.m., the wind blow ing steadily from W.N.W., we lost sight of the Fleetwing in the darkness ; but the Vesta was still abreast, looking like a phantom ship in the dim starlight. The Henrietta now increased her speed, rocking over the waves as gently as a cradle, and at 8 o'clock the Vesta had disappeared. We saw neither of our rivals again until they came into Cowes. Songs and stories in the cabin, and heavy snow squalls on deck, marked our first night at sea. The next day was bright and cold ; we carried all sail, making 11 knots an hour until noon, when the Henrietta was struck by a heavy snow squall, and the topsails had to be taken in. During the 23 hours we had made 225 knots by observation, and 237 by log, and found oursolvzs in lat. 40.7 deg. and long. 68-52. The wind was northerly, and came in strong gusts. At 4.15 p.m. we passed the steamer Cuba, and at 9 o'clock another steamer, to both of which we showed our racing signals, receiv ing prompt replies. Several sailing vessels were sighted, but .they all kept away from us as soon as we showed our dark blue flag, as if believing the canard that the yachts were Fenian privateers. The weather grew more stormy towards night, and our little boat was at times half under water, but be having most admirably. The mainsails were reefed before midnight, but as the weather thoderated the reefs were shaken out and both jibs set. Messrs. Lyon and Jones, who headed the two watches into which the crew Was divided, vied with each other in handling the yacht carefully, and through this storm, as throughout the entire voyage, the Hen rietta had all the ca nvas she could say y safely carry, but her not an inch more; consequently ,peeu, was steadily maintained, but nothin g was strained, and nothing carried away. At noon on the second nautical (lay we scored 210 miles by chart, and 2 32 by log, the discrepancy being accounted for by a current which had drifted the g yacht over 20 miles to the south-west. Clear, sun _ shiny weather during the day, and brightmoonlight, with occasional snow-squalls at night, cloned the record for the 13th of Dec. The next morning the weather was cloudy and warm, and the sea had fallen. Some of the guests enjoyed their siesta on deck; The servants, unexpectedly appearing in white trousers, scorned like ghosts from the long departed summer. Nothing was in sight upon the ocean except flocks of gulls and Mother Carey's chickens. At noon we had made 203 miles by a fine observation. In the evening the placid moon shone silvery upon a sea as smooth as the Thames. Reclining in the comfortable cabin, with Chateau Margaux and Partagas within easy reach, the guests listened to the captain's stories of haunted ships and suicides at sea, and dismal wrecks in the Southern Ocean. Towards midnight, however, the scene changed, and repeated squalls, with rain and hail, struck the tiny craft and bowled her along at the rate of 11, 12, and 13 knots an hour. At sunrise the next morning a snowstorm began. The sea and sky seemed one, and both were a deep slate colour. The men, half white with the snow, moved slowly at their work. The dark horizon was no iceably narrowed as the snow drifted .down. The Henrietta hissed through the water that foamed upon the deck. To leeward a spar from some wreck lifted itself to the view, like a great skeleton finger, indicative of ruin. All our surroundings were mournful and depressing. No observations could be taken, but by dead reckoning we had gained 225 miles during the past 24 hours. As night fell the yacht sailed faster and faster, until as we looked over the side where the waves came cascading over the diminutive bulwarks, we seemed to be fairly flying along. The sky cleared, but the wind freshened at sunset, , and the light sails were hauled down and the mainsail reefed. The yacht quivered like a racehorse over-driven, and the pumps, which were tested ev9ry hour, sounded dismally, but showed no leakage. Sea after sea boarded the staggering mat. A wave came burst- ing through the skylight into the cabin. All night long this heavy weather continued, but the yacht ran so easily before the free wind that everybody slept as quietly as if the Henrietta were the Great Eastern. In the grey of the following morning, Sunday, the 16th of December, we passed a brig bound to Newfoundland, and her crew, who had evidently heard nothing of the yacht race, climbed up the rigging to stare at us as we dashed swiftly and silently by, like the Flying Dutchman. We were now crossing the Grand Banks, and at noon we had sailed 246 miles for the day, and were one-third the distance to Cowes. The - wind still remained northerly and the yacht kept her course without variation. At 2 o'clock the captain, officers, and yachtsmen assembled in the cabin for Divine wor- ship. While the winds whistled shrilly without and the waves splashed across the decklights overhead, the prayers for the day were repeated, and a chapter from the Bible and one of Jay's brief sermons were read. At 10 p.m. we were off the Grand Banks and off soundings, going at the rate of 12 knots an hour. Heavy seas still boarded the vessel, nearly washing overboard one of the crew. The wind still held from the north, and all hands were not too sensible to credit the captain's superstitious stories, and refrain from changing their attire lest that should bring a change of wind. The night passed quietly and the ship averaged 11 knots, in spite of the seas that constantly hammered her like marine Vulcans. The next day found us in " the roaring forties," which we had been taught to dread. The character of the ocean had entirely changed. Instead' of danc ing over short, chopping waves, like those of the English Channel, we appeared to be passing on ranges of water hills. Running thus in the trough of the sea, there seemrd to be no horizon. The water, glazed by the snow that fell almost constantly, had the cons;stency of oil. The sky was filled with dull, leaden clouds, but the barometer rose steadily. The wind, which had been rather doubtful during the morning, blew from the north once more. A fine observation gave us 280 miles for the yacht's pro gress during the preceding 24 hours. In six days and 14 hours we had sailed half-way across the At lantic. In the afternoon a beautiful rainbow brightened the horizon ; but this " bow of promise" proved most deceitful, and brought us renewed hail and snow squalls instead of pleasant weather. -Dur ing the night the wind shifted to W.S.W. We " jibed" ship and hoisted the squaresail, but were forced to lower it again in a few hours, as the signs of dirty weather ominously increased. The effect of " jibing," we may explain to the uninitiated, is to change the cant of a vessel from one side to the other. Naturally, then, the guests, who had gone to rest when the yacht had an incli nation of 45 degrees in one direction, suddenly awoke, cross and sullen, when they were rolled over in their berths by the careening of the yacht to 45 degrees the other way. The weather was now exceedingly threatening. The mainsail was double reefed, for the first time, and the vessel put in order for a storm. At noon we had run 250 miles. The S.W. wind freshened after noon, and at 4 p.m. blew a regular gale. The mainsail was furled and three reefs taken in the foresail, and the jibs taken in. Even with this small spread of canvas the yacht was driven nine miles an hour. On deck the rain and spray shut in the vessel like a watery curtain. Below the pitching and tossing rendered it im possible to sleep ; a bucket of water was placed near the stove to extinguish the fire should necessity require ; the deck lights leaked unexpectedly and uncomfortably ; holes were bored in the state-room floor to let out the water should the skylight be broken in ; the servants were dashed about the cabins as if shot from invisible catapults ; the guests had enough to do to hold themselves insid e their berths. Under these circumstances; which would have delighted Mark Tapley, everybody became again good-humoured. Just at midnight the struggling yacht was stunned by a tremendous sea that burst over the quarter, struck full upon the foresail, and then fell heavily upon the deck, staving in the yacht's boat. Simultaneously the carpenter rushed wildly into the cabin, pale with alarm, and shouted, " Mr. Bennett, we must heave her to. She's opening forward, sir." With great good sense nobody stirred save Mr. Bennett, wbo quietly informed Captain Samuels of the carpenter's report. As quietly the captain came down from the deck and examined the su pposed leak, which turned out to be nothing but th e bilge-water oozing through th e i nner planking, near the cook's berth. The gale strengthened how ever, and at last the captain decided that the Hen rietta could be driven no longer. is reparations were the ship made to heave to, whic h simply l ay i ng head to wind, under close can vas, so that s h e r id es as if at anchor. The storm trysail happened to be stored in the cabin, and as the sailors came silently down, oiled the tackle, and carried the sail up to the deck, the scene reminded one of the bringing forth of the pall for a ,funeral. A pause, in a race like this, seemed the burial of all our hopes. Never theless, it was some consolation to be informed by Capt. Samuels that in his 30 years' experience he had never seen a vessel that could face such a gale so long, and charitably to hope that our rivals were having better weather than ourselves. Once hove-to, the yacht rocked lazily and plea santly. The waves rushed and the winds howled past, but did not disturb her. Before noon the next day, December 19, the wind had lulled and the ship again started off briskly, as if rested and refreshed. Everybody now ch ange d hi s a ttire, and for once an old superstition proved true, for the wind shifted to the north and west again. The sun shone pleasantly, but the sea was still running high, the waves blown about like the sandhills of a desert, disclosing strange mirages of tents and sails as they revealed scraps of the horizon here and there.. We made our shortest distance on this stormy day, gain ing only 113 miles. At 3 p.m. we were going 13 knots, and kept up this pace for several hours. In the evening we sailed calmly in the mellow moon light that marked our track before us with its sheen. The cabin fire was allowed to die out, and overcoats were discarded. The seas rose on either side like walls, and the yacht glided swiftly between them at the rate of 12 knots an hour. There could have been no stronger contrast to the. incidents of the previous night. Sailing along at the same pace the next morning we scored 260 miles by noon. The clouds, mov ing in a grand procession from east to west, and forming in solid masses behind us, promised a con tinuance of the fair wind. At 3 p.m. we passed the steamer Louisiana, bound west, making out her name from Marryatt's signal flag. That night everything was cheering. The yachtsmen sung lus tily in the cabin, and the sailors answered as lustily from the forecastle. The captain turned in for the first time since our start. • But nothing is so vari able as the weather, By 1 o'clock the next morn ing there was a dead calm, and we came on deck after breakfast to find a warm, summer day. The yacht was scarcely moving through the water ; the sails hung drooping from the yards ; the ocean was perfectly smooth. The stillness was remarkable. There was no ripple of the waves, no rustling of the sails. Of course another superstitious change of toilet ensued. One of the servants was discovered to be a professional barber, and a shaving shop was improvised, everybody contributing oils, pomatum, and perfumery. There was a general " rejuvena tion." Those who had not been shaven for ten days came from out the barber's hands as from a disguise. Bits of unsuspected finery, such as fancy neckties and scarf pins, were displayed. One would have thought it a gala day ; but in truth nothing could have been worse for us than this calm. Wel come even another gale, so that it came from the west. All this mummery was again effectual. About 11 a.m. a fine breeze sprang up from the south, and under full canvas, sails drawing well, the Henrietta cut her way through the calm ocean. The cabin was too warm for comfort, and the yachtsmen re clined on deck, like turtles in the sun. A school of porpoises passed the ship, and the second mate started a legend, which I cannot but believe apo cryphal, that the yacht was going so fast as to strike one of the fish and cut it in two. Better evidence of her speed is to be found in the log, which records that she sailed 157 miles that day, despite the time lost by the calm. By night we were making 11 knots, with everything as snug and trim as on the first day out. A soft, balmy morning succeeded, and we were roused up at sunrise to salute a Bremen steamer, that dipped her colours as she passed. The yacht now ran easily, like a machine, rolling up 252 miles by noonday. At 3 p.m. we fell in with a Scotch mist, and in the midst of it spoke the packet-ship Philadelphia, 11 days out from Liver pool. The captain of the Philadelphia doubly en couraged us by reporting that he bad heard nothing of the other yachts and that the winds were westerly. The next day, Sunday, Dec. 23, we logged 196 miles. There was a brief calm at daybreak, followed by light S.E. winds. At noon Divine service was held in the cabin. The wind gradually rose during the afternoon, and, as usual in the evening, the good yacht rallied splendidly, increasing her progress ra pidly from 7 knots up to 12, at which rate she was dashing along as the moon rose bloodred in the hazy English sky. The excitement in regard to the race now reached , fever heat. All jokes and stories be came stale, and nothing was talked of but yachts and time and winds, and the probabilities and pos sibilities of the contest. In every distant vessel wo saw a Fleetwing ; every star near the horizon was transformed into the Vesta's signal light. At 8 p.m. we were on soundings, and at 12 midnight off Cape Clear. Thus the next morning, Dec. 24, found us in the Chops of the Channel, hoping to eat our Christmas dinner at Cowes. It was a murky, foggy, dark, damp, disagreeable morning, and even at noon it was impossible to take a solar observation ; but, by dead reckoning, we had made 172 miles. The carpenter, who had given us one sensation by dis covering a spurious leak, now treated us to another by announcing that the Fleetwing was in sight. Everybody clambered upon deck. Binocular glasses, eye-glasses, spectacles, and telescopes were brought to bear upon the imaginary yacht, which was soon made out to be an English topsail schooner bound the other way. Indignation followed excitement, and both quickly merged into a hearty laugh. Nearing the land of Christmas Carols and of Dickens upon Christmas-eve it was impossible to go to rest. After a late dinner we had our Christ mas songs and stories, and among the former was a ditty composed in honour of the Henrietta, and sung to the familiar air of " Sweet Evelina." SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. EALING CHRISTMAS ANNUAL STEEPLECHASES WEDNESDAY. Stewards: Duke of Hamilton, Lord Coventry, Lord Poulett, Lord Charles Ker, Colonel Knox, C. H. Carew, and S. T. Baker, Esqs. Clerk of the Course and Judge: Mr. T. Marshall. Handicapper : Mr. J. F. Verrall. Clerk of the Scales : Mr. M. Verrall. Favoured as the Ealing Meeting was to-day with bril liant weather, and falling on Boxing-day —one of the most popular of Cockney holidays—it could scarcely have been other than successful ; but the enormous attendance ex ceeded the most sanguine expectations of the promoters, whose coffers will be very considerably augmented from the proceeds of the gates. The Great Western Railway Company ran special trains from Paddington at frequent intervals, and each of them was heavily laden with plea sure-seekers, while the flys and other conveyances for the accommodation of visitors also did a good business at the Ealing end of the line. The course is pleasantly situated about ono mile and a half from the Ealing Station, but be ing composed of low-lying land and undulating, the recent rains had had the effect of rendering it somewhat soft, but the committee had provided plenty of straw in the ring, and laid down planks from the gate to the entrance to the Stand, so that walking in the mud was much obviated. The " going," however, was somewhat heavy, but the weather keeping fine all the afternoon the outing was a very enjoyable ono for the Londoners. As will be seen from the appended returns, the fields for the five races set for decision to-day were very large; but as the details are given below comment on the running is unnecessary. The committee of management made excellent arrangements, notwithstanding which the shades of evening set in before the last race was decided. AP Northampton Windsor Spring 4 Edinburgh Sp. Meeting 6 Newmarket Craven 8 Curragh 31) Chester (continued) York Spring 7 Salisbury Doncaster Spring Bath JU: Ascot Summer 4 Windsor Summer Manchester Summer Hampton l3 Odiham l7 Bibury Club lB The Maiden Hunt Steeplechase of 50 sous ; llst 71b each ; half-bred horses allowed 71b ; the winner to be sold for £100; certain penalties and allowances. About three JU: Carlisle 2 Newmarket July 2 Pontefract Reading Liverpool July Meeting 10 llungerford Nottingham July AUG Goodwood (continuod) 1 Ripon Brighton • • 6 Brighton Club 8 I Lewes Egham ... • l3 Wolverhampton l3 Stockton Oxford ••••• 15 Hastings SEPTE. Warwick Margate Curragh Leicester Abingdon Doncaster miles. Mr. Wesley's Hungerford, by Windhound —Mite (not to be sold), list 51b (Col. Knox) 1 Capt. Shaw's Young Aladdin, 6 yrs (.£100), list 71b (Pickett) 2 Mr. G. Hughes's Caller 0 u (h b) (£100) 10st 91b (Laxton) 3 Mr. J. Gilkes's Fairplay (late Chirp), aged (X 5), list Mb . Grant 0 Mr. Hobson's Vision, 6 y (Mr rs (£5O), 10st 91b (Owner) ) 0 Mr. W. Jones's Zeloo (h b), 6 yrs (not to be sold), llst 51b (Capt. Harford) 0 Mr. Morris's Old Ireland (h b), aged (£100), lOst 91b (car. llst) Barton)Owner 0 Mr. Williams's Confederate (£5O), li s t (T. B) 0 Betting-9 to 4 agst Hungerford, 4to 1 each agst Vision and Zeloo, 6 to 1 agst Old Ireland, 10 to 1 agst Confederate. Hungerford made nearly all the running, and won in a canter by six lengths from Young Aladdin. Caller Ou was a bad third, and Vision was the only one of the others that passed the post. An objection was lodged against the winner on the ground of not being a maiden horse, but after consideration the Stewards overruled it. The Grand Annual Handicap Steeplechase of 100 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 15 sovs each, 10 ft, and 3 only if declared ; the winner of any handicap steeplechase value 100 sovs after Dec. 11 (at 10 a.m.) 101 b extra ; any other winner 51b extra ; about three miles and a half. • . Mr. Tubb's Meerschaum, aged, 10st 111 b (Capt. Harford) 1 Mr. C. Green's Reporter, aged, list 41b...(Mr Mumford) 2 Lord Poulett's Benazet, 6 yrs, 12st 71b ...(Mr Edwards) t Mr. C. Somers's T he Rogue, aged, list (J. Knott) f Mr. Lynton's Hornet, 6 yrs, 12st 41b (Griffiths) 0 Mr. Studd's Shangany, 5 yrs, 12st 21b (Mr. Thomas) 0 Mr. C. M. Bond's Gardener, 4 yrs, lOst 111 b (Ryan 0 Mr. J. Daily's Jack's Alive, 6 yrs, lOst 91b (Ablett) 0 Mr. Beadman's Threadbare, 4 yrs, lOst 91b (JJ. Page 0 Betting-7 to 4 agst Hornet, 4to 1 agst Benazet, 100 to 15 each agst Jack's Alive and Threadbare, 10 to 1 agst Meerschaum, 100 to 9 agst Shangarry. Meerschaum, after going a short distance, took up the running, closely attended by Reporter and Hornet, Shangarry, a couple of lengths in their rear, heading the others, the extreme tail being brought up by Gardener. On passing the Stand for the first time Hornet took up the running, Shangarry and Meerschaum going on head and head clear of Jack's Alive, Reporter, and Rogue, Gardener still being many lengths in the rear. At the succeeding fence Threadbare refused, but got over at the second attempt, and went on in pursuit. Meerschaum, on the far side, again took up the running, his immediate attendants being Shangarry, Hornet, and Repor ter; and this order was maintained till descending the hill, where Jack's Alive joined the leaders, but as they were pass ing the Stand a second time The Rogue rushed to the front, Jack's Alive simultaneously giving way. After clearing the next fence Meerschaum ran up to The Rogue, Shangarry getting badly over, thereby losing a lot of ground; on the far side, Meerschaum had increased his load to at least half a dozen lengths, Reporter going on second, followed at intervals of about a couple of lengths by Benazet, Hornet, and The Rogue, none of the otjiers persevering with the exception of Shangarry, who was beaten on the top of the hill. An interesting race ensued from the last fence, but Meerschaum, having much the best of it, won, after a punishing finish, by three lengths from Reporter. At least 20 lengths in rear of Mr. Green's horse The Rogue and Benazet finished a dead heat for third place, having struggled home completely pumped out. Shangarry alone of the others walked past the post. Threadbare, when beaten off, fell at the fence on tho far side the second time round. IMBER. Richmond.. 1V bile these festivities were in progress we had made Scilly Island lights at 7.45 p.m. The current drifting us to leeward, we steered S.S.E. for_ an offing, and passed the islands hand somely, having made no tack since we left New York, and having only varied 11 miles from the straight line between the two points. So admir able a landfall reflects great creiit upon Captain Samuels. At 3 a.m. we passed the Lizard Light, going 12 knots an hour steadily, the Henrietta, like a well jockeyed racehorse, reserving her best pace for the finish. Running close to the bold coast, we sighted the Eddystone, Start Point, and Portland Bill, and at 12 40 p.m. on Christmas day took on board a Cowes pilot. A heartier cheer never rent the air than that which greeted the pilot's announce ment that no other American yacht had passed up the Channel. The race seemed won, and as a sud den blaze of sunshine lit upon the chalk cliffs of Old England in silvery glory, it was like an illumina tion of welcome. Under every stitch of canvass, with even her staysail set, and with her racing flag and Yacht Club ensignlproudly floating in the stiff breeze, the Henrietta dashed by the Needles, and Messrs. Jerome and Knapp, the judges for the Fleet wing and the Vesta, decided that all the conditions of the race had been strictly complied with. Down went the racing flag, and the private signal of Mr. Bennett took its place. As the yacht turned up the Channel to Cowes the land shut out the wind, and, like one who has finished a long and toilsome task, the brave little yacht decreased her speed and floated leisurely Along. Her blue lights and rockets an nounced her arrival here, after having crossed the Atlantic to the Isla of Wight in the unprecedented time of 13 days, 22 hours, and 46 minutes, mean time, and that without having carried away any of her light sails or spars, or even so much as a shred of canvas or stand of rope. As she dropped anchor she was cheered from the Royal Yacht Club-house and by the peopleof Cowes. Capt. Luard, of H.M.S. Hector, by direction of the Admiralty, at once sent a midshipman on board to offer Mr. Bennett the facilities of her Majesty's dockyard at Portsmouth for repairing any damages the yacht might have sus tained, but this offer was gratefully declined, since no repairs are needed. And thus the winners of the blue riband of the Ocean Derby enjoyed their Christ mas dinner in Merrie England, and toasted the Queen, the President, and the Henrietta. The Selling Steeplechase Plate of 30 sovs, for 3-yr-olds and upwards; weight for age. About two miles. Mr. %V. W. Baker's Gorshawk, by West Australian, aged (ao, list 121 b (Mr. Mumford) 1 Duke of Hamilton's Wedding Peal, 4 yrs (X3O), list 31b _ _ (J. Page' Mr. Oldreeve's Lot 84, aged (£ 3 O), list 121b...(8. Laud' Mr. IL Cranshaw's Tourist, 6 yrs (X3O), list 121 b W (Barr y; Capt. Shaw's Tambour Major, 6 yrs O) 12st 51b .-- - (Pickett: Mr. Jones's Helice, 4 yrs (X3O), list 3 113...(Waddington . Mr. Franks's Salamis ' aged (£3O), list 121 b„, (Griffiths' Mr. Church's White Stockings, aged (X3O), list 121 b (Mr. Grant) 0 Mr. C. Somers's Finale, 3 yrs (X3O), lOst 31b (Kennedy) to Betting-3 to 1 agst Gorshawk, 4to 1 agst Wedding Peal, 9to 2 agst Salamis and Tourist. Gorshawk, with the exception of a short distance, made play throughout, and won in a canter by six lengths from Wedding Peal. Lot 84 was a bad third, Tourist fourth, Helices fifth, White Stockings sixth, and Tambour Major last. None of tho others passed the post. Salamis fell at the first fence, and was not further persevered with. The winner was bought in for 100- guineas, and Mr. R. Church claimed Hence. • The Tradesmen's Cup, value 25 guineas, for horses the property of persons residing within 25 miloF.l of London ; list 71b each ; winners over a country once, 71b; twice or more, 141 b extra ; horses having won a steeplechase value 50 sous not qualified for this race. Once round. Mr. William's St. Maximum, by Father Thames—Emma - Donna, 12st 71b (Rickaby) 1 Mr. Frank's Bandoline, list 71b Lord Poulett's Father - O'Leary, 6 yrs, list 71b (Mr. Edwards Mr. Miles's Fairplay, 12st (Capt. Harford; Mr. W. Marshall's Lady Sarah, list 71b (Mr. Mumford' Mr. Clare's Mrs. Naggleton (late Molly), list 71b _ - -. (T. Ablett 0 Mr. A. Yates's Confusion, list 71b (Owner 0 Mr. H. F. Jackson's Ebor, 11st 71b .....(Owner 0 Mr. A. Jacobson's Ilarkaway, list 71b Owner 0 Mr. Shepherd's Rattler, list 71b (Owner 0 Mr. Halliday's Barabbas, list 71b.. (J . Knott 0 Mr. C. Hodge's Ingratitude, list 71b J. New 0 Lord C. Ker's Clarina, list 71b ( Owner 0 Mr. F. Allen's Comet, list 71b (St a t es 0 Mr. C. Somers's Lydia, 11st 71b ....(Kennedy 0 Mr. Steller's Over-the-Sea, list 71b ...(Mr. Grant) 0 Betting-3 to 1 agst Confusion-6 to 1 "bar one." Father O'Leary cut out the work to the brow of the hill, when St Maximum and Bandoline, who had boen waiting, headed the leader, the first-named of the pair winning very easily by four lengths; Father O'Leary was a bad _ _ THE GRlFFlN.—Besides being an heraldic em blem, the griffin was an animal in whose existence the early naturalists firmly believed. Its supposed eggs and claws were carefully preserved, and aro frequently mentioned in ancient inventories and lists of curiosities. "They showed me" (in a church at Ratisbonne), says Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, in one of her letters, "a prodigious claw, set in gold, which they called the claw of a griffin ; and I could not forbear asking the reverend priest that showed it whether the griffin was a saint. The question almost put him beside his gravity, bat he answered, ' They only kept it as a curiosity.' " Tho sup posed eggs (no doubt ostrich eggs) were frequently made into drinking -cups. The Tradescants had QUO in their collection, kept in countenance by an egg of a dragon, two feathers of the tail of a phoenix, and the claw of a ruck, "a bird able to trusso an elephant." Sir John t ß h i a g t ht t3nlnervbenydl yousnTfratvhdias, dc h , f x u l x vi be . Mandeville gi ves t h e natural history of the griffin in his as l t `r w om as hi l m ar w ge e r learn and stronger than "eight lions or 100 l " eag es, so that he could with ease fly off to his nest with a great horse or a couple o f oxen yoked together, 'for," says he, "he has his talouns so largo and so long, and so gra upon his feet as thowghe thoi weren hornes of grete oxen, or o f bugles, or of kijgn."—Hotten's History of Signboards. A PiTmAN's VIEW OF THE QUEEN.-" ITOOray hooray !" oi shouted ; for oi woe wat yow. call transported. T' Queen, oi do believe, seed me, for she looked at me, and shook her handkercher. When t' Queen wos gone, oi looked down, for oi am higher than Mo lly, and oi sez, " What do yow think on't, Molly ?" and she wos a cryin. ' Sez oi, " Did oi stamp yo ur t oes, Molly ?" for oi thcwt p'r'aps oi might dun so in my joy. She sez, " No." Then sez oi, " Wet are yow a cryin for ?" "Oi doant know," sed she; " but if oi ha' sin' t' Queen, of am cryin' because oi am glad ; and if oi ain't si n hur, oi am a cryin` because oi am sorry." ()emu's tears is queer things. "Not sin her," sez oi, "Molly ? whoy that wos hur, that stout, motherly-lookin' ooman, just the thing for a queen ; for hur face sez that she's got a mother's hart, and that she looks onus all as bein' bur lads and wenches?" "Wos that hur ?" sed she. " Whoy she was dressed plain." "Plain ?" sez oi, "Molly ?" and oi put on such a look. "Plain ?" sex oi again ; and of stopped, for it wos a solemn subject, and oi wished to make a impression. " Would yow ha' her dressed any thing but plain? She ain't cum hero tew day as t' big folkses queen ; she is cum as t' people's queen. If she'd a cum all goold and feathers, the big folks would ha' sed, She's ourn ;' but she's cum jest t'way to say tow us, 'Oi loike yow, moi lads and wenches, aswell as oi loike others.' God bless hur !" sez oi ; " and, Molly, oi feel that if any body wos a goin' to hurt hur, that oi should let yow go home alone, and oi should foight for hur until oi could neither dee nor feel."—Dickens's "41( the Year Rome. third. The Castlebar Plate of 40 sovs (handicap); any winner after Dec. 14 (at 10 a.m.) 71b extra ; about two miles. Duke of Hamilton's Sinite, aged, 10st 101 b (J. Page 1 Mr. J. Daily's Sir Bobby, aged, 12st 71b (T. Ablett 2 Mr. Ellison's St. Maximum, aged, 10st71b(Mr.Mumford 3 Mr. J. Davies' Oscar, 6 yrs, list 71b (Rickaby 0 Mr. Hobson's Liston, 6 yrs, list 41b (Owner 0 Major Martyn's Arens, aged, lOst 71b...(G. Waddington 0 Mr. Frank's Bandoline, aged, lOst 41b (Griffiths 0 Lord Poulett's Wheldrake, 5 yrs, llst ...(Mr Edwards 0 Mr. Ricard's Pirate, 4 yrs, lOst (Rickards 0 Mr. S. Severn's Approver, 4 yrs, lOst (carried 10st 41b (Halley 0 Mr. Hall's Kingsbury, 6 yrs, 10st (J. Llsedge 0 Mr. Bilham's Rochester, aged, 10st 71b (J. Reeves 0 Mr. Henry's Jassy, 4 yrs, 10st 71b (States) 0 Betting.-4 to 1 each agst Sir Bobby and Oscar, 7to 1 agst Sicite, 8 to 1 each agst St. Maximum, Jassy, and Liston, 10 to 1 agst Bandoline. Arcus immediately after starting took up the running, followed by Wheldrake, Bandoline, and Jassy, the remain der going in good order, with the exception of St. Maxi mum, who brought up the rear. All got well over the first fence, but at the second obstacle Pirate rushed at it and came down. Passing the Stand Jassy headed Arcus and Bandoline, Oscar going on fourth, Liston fifth, and Sir Bobby sixth. Some distance in the rear of the others followed Wheldrake, St. Maximum, and Rochester, many lengths in rear of the last-named being the remounted Pirate. After clearing the next fence Rochester stopped, and could not be induced to cantiuue tbo contest, while Jassy at every stride lost ground, eventually being headed by Bandoline, Sir Bobby, and Arcus, Sinite, who had been running well within herself, taking her place with the leaders the moment Page called upon her. Half a mile from home Bandoline was beaten, and Sir Bobby took up the running, followed by Sinite, Bandoline, and St. Maxi_ mum at wide intervals ; but as they descended the hill to the last fence, Sinit e , f u ll of runn i ng, wen t t o the front, and won by s i x l engths from Sir B o bb y, w h o fi n i s h e d a length in advance o f ping thr oug h a l o t o f beaten horses. Ban d o li ne was fourth , Liston trotting in St. Maximum, the last-named run fifth, and Arcus sixth ; nothing else passed the post. RACING FIXTURES FOR 1867. [JANUARY. Manchester 1 FEBRUARY. Lincoln Spring ********* 19 N o tti ng ham 26 Barrow 2l I Derby 1 Liverpool Spring MARCH. ...... 5 'Epsom Spring 26 Chelmsford Spring,,,,,, 12 L ewe s Spring 2B West Drayt0n......,..,,. 1 9 C rox t on Park 29 J 3 romley issiimmosis m 21 THE SUN, LONLON, THURSOA,.Y EVENING, DECEMBER 27, 1866. Thirsk Durham .. 22 Newmarket Ist Spring 22 Catterick Chester 3O Y. Harpenden Epsom Summer 2l Newton 29 Croydon Stockbridge l9 Chelmsford Newcastle — 25 Curragh Worcester Summer 27 Ipswich 27 ,Y. Down Royal Corporatn l7 Stamford Huntingdon 23 Winchester Southampton GJodwood York August Dover ... 22 West Drayton 22 Plymouth ..... 23 Canterbury Lichfield Derby Summer Weymouth Tunbridge Hendon l9 Monmouth Manchester Autumn 2O 5 Newmarket Ist October 24 10 Walsall 25 OCTOBER. Northampton Autumn. 1 Curragh Edinburgh Autumn ... 2 Newmarket Houghton Newmarket 2d October. 7 Worcester Autumn 29 Cheltenham l5 01111111011 IMINIMMII TT 7J NOVEMBER, Liverpool Autumn 5 I Leamington Hunt Shrewsbury ll STEEPLECHASE FIXTURES FOR 1867. TANUARY. Manchester. FEBRUARY. Carmarthen Birmingham l2 Derby Windsor MARCH. Liverpool Spring Grand Military - 21 Chertsey Malton ..... 13 AP York Sevenoaks RIL. I Kildare Hunt LOURS ING. COURSING MEETINGS TO COME. DECEMBER. Name. Judge. Days of Running Corrio, Lockerbie Mr. Warwick JANUARY, 1867. Huntingdon Club Mr. Warwick l, 2, Lincolnshire, Holbeach Mr. Spafford Coole, co. Cork (Open) Third S. Lancashire, (South port (Open) Mr. Westropp 9, 10, 11 Spelthorne Club Mr. Warwick 9, 10, 11 Border Union (Longtown) Cumberland Mr. Warwick l5, 16 Barton-on-Humber, Lincoln. Mr. Spafford Altcar Club, Lancashire ••••••• Wigtonsh. Club (Stranraer) Mr. Boulton Little Crosby Mr. Welding County Louth Club, Ireland Mr. Spafford Ridgway Club, Lytham - 3O, &c. FEBRUARY. Raiford, Lancashire Cardiff Club Mr. Warwick l4, 15 Waterloo, Lancashire......... - Taniworth, Staffordshire ... Mr. Warwick 26, &c. MARCH. Irish Grand National (Open), county Louta Ardrossan, Sharphill • South Lancashire (South port) Champion Mr. Westropp l4, 15, &c Leinster (Open) Courtown... Mr. H. Springall l9, '2O Scottish Open, Lanarkshire - 2 G, &c. SEPTEMBER. Brampton, Cumberland _____ll§r. Warwick OCTOBER. Ancaster and Willoughby, WLincolnshiro Mr. Spofford Extraordinary Inquest. At noon yesterday Mr. Richards, deputy coroner, held an inquiry at the Adam and Eve Tavern, Lower Homerton, relative to the supposed murder of the illegitimate female child of Mary Ann Shinn, a domestic servant. Mr. Charles Debenham, linendraper, in Upper Clapton, said that on the sth December Mary Ann Shinn came into his service. She had been engaged for him as a domestic servant by his sister at Bury St. Edmunds. She came from Brandon. Her age was 21 years, and she was.single. On last Friday she complained of being a little ill. Mrs. Debenham asked her if she was in the family way ; but she positively denied that she was so. The next morning witness observed a great difference in her appearance as she was going about her usual avocations ; his wife observed the same, but attributed it to want of her usual crinoline. Later in the day Mrs. Debenham had her suspicions aroused, and Dr. Dudley Kings ford was sent for. Mr. Charles Dudley Kingsford, M.R.C.S., said that he was requested by the wife of the last wit ness to examine her servant. He saw Mary Ann Shinn, who appeared in the best of health, and who denied that anything was the matter. Ultimately, however, she said that she had had a miscarriage. She was then ordered to bed, and after a little time she confessed that she had had a child, and that the body was in the chimney. He searched for it and found a full-timed female child wrapped in a bundle above the top of the register stove. He made a post-mortem examination that day, and found a punctured wound at the right side of the neck divid ing the jugular vein. It was a clean deep wound, the breadth of half an inch, and was very deep. He believed that it had been inflicted with a pen knife. It had been inflicted during life. The child weighed six pounds, and was of the ordinary size. The lungs were perfectly healthy. He had no doubt the child had been born alive, and had a separate existence from the mother. The body was generally healthy. The punctured wound in the neck would produce death. If a surgeon had inflicted the wound it could not have been done more accurately or with greater neatness. It was inflicted in a fold of the neck where it altogether escaped witness's observation at first. The young woman told him she had been confined on the night before he was called in to see her. Inspector Bywater said that the accused was at present in custody. She had been removed under his orders and by the permission of the surgeon, to the workhouse infirmary. She was not at present, however, aware that she was in custody ; he took measures to have her removed as if by order of the doctor, for he was fearful of the effect upon her if she were told the fact at once. Mr. Kingsford said that the young woman seemed to be in a state of great terror as to what would become of her if the matter were found out. She for a long time :stoutly maintained that nothing whatever was the matter with her. The Coroner said that before the verdict was returned it would be only fair to give the accused the :opportunity of giving any explanation that she might have to offer. He would, therefore, adjourn the case until such time as the young woman should be sufficiently recovered to come before the court. The proceedings were adjourned accordingly. RAINE'S CHARITIES.—DRAWING FOR THE £lOO MARRIAGE PORTION.—The 26th of December in each year being one of the days appointed for the interesting cere mony of "drawing for the marriage portion of £100," in accordance with the provisions of the will of Mr. Maine, an eminent Wapping brewer, who died in the early part of last century, bequeathing a sufficient sum in real property for the purpose of qualifying 40 girls to become candidates, under certain restrictions, for the receipt of a marriage portion of £lOO twice a year, the drawing of the prize fur bestowment on the Ist of May nest took place yesterday. There were several well-qualified candidates, and the one who obtained the prize was, in the next place, to seek a properly qualified and duly certified young man "of the parish of Wapping," to become her husband. After most minute inquiries have been made by the trustees as to the character and position of the young man chosen by . the "bride elect," and upon a satisfactory report being made by the trustees, the marriage of the "happy couple" is fixed to take place on the ensuing "May-day," in the presence of the governors and friends of the institution, who being convened subsequently at the schoolhouse at dinner, present the £lOO in a purse to the bride and bride groom, the ceremony being unique and most interesting to all parties. monli UST. SPIRIr OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. TIMES.—The Americans have once more done a thing never attempted by any other people. They have set three pleasure yachts to race against each other at headlong speed across the broad and stormy ocean, from New York to Cowes, and, not content with the longest race, they have added to the dar ing feat by rewarding the victor with about the largest money prize ever proposed in such a contest. The Henrietta, the Vesta, and the Fleetwing started from New York at 1 p.m. on the 11th inst., and the first of the three which arrived at Cowes was to re ceive a prize of $90,000, or no less than £lB,OOO. The victory has been already won. At 5 40 p.m. on Christmas-day the Henrietta appeared off Cowes, having accomplished the passage from New York in 14 days, 4 hours, and 40 minutes. What this means the reader will understand when we say that the quickest passage across the Atlantic ever yet made by a sailing vessel was only performed in 13 days and 8 hours. In fact, the voyage would have been a fair one even for a powerful steamer. The umpire in the match left New York in the Scotia, and did not get here much too soon to see the winner appear. The two rivals of the Henrietta were only a few hours behind her. No observer of American charac ter will be surprised at the interest which this un precedented contest excited on the other side of the Atlantic. For some days before the start New York was alive with excitement, and the sensation was all the more intense from the evenness of the match. It does not appear, indeed, that the Henrietta was the favourite. Odds were laid at the last minute upon the Vesta, though the beauty and promise of the other two were thought astonishing. There is only one circumstance which may be supposed, per haps, to explain the result. "The eye of the master" is a potent spell, and the owner of the Henrietta took passage in her himself. The Vesta and the Fleetwing were intrusted to their respective cap tains, while their owners remained in New York ; but the Atlantic Cable will have completed the marvels of the story, and the issue of the race will have been known in America as soon as it was published here. A communication despatched from our Government to the United States' Consul at Southampton is evidence not only of the interest taken in the event, but of the perilous character of the race itself. The Fleetwing, it will be obse rve d, had six of her c rew swe pt off by a sea in mid pas sage. Admiral Pasley was directed by the autho -1 rities to hold himself in readiness to offer the racing vessels the assistance of the dockyard, and the coin-pliment was deservedly paid not only to these re presentatives of a friendly and kindred people, but to the daring spirit of adventure in which the match had been conceived and executed. There is, indeed, no other such match on record. Some of our own merchantmen have occasionally raced against each other from China to England, but these were large clipper ships striving to get a few hours' start in the way of business. It was reserved for the Ameri cans to send three yachts to do in the Atlantic what is usually done in the smooth waters of an in land sea,, and to carry on a race of this kind, not for a few hours, but for a whole fortnight, through night and day. The success, however, of the Hen rietta is as complete as that of the America a few years ago, and far more surprising. The America was simply an example of new principles dexterously applied to shipbuilding; this ocean yacht race has brought high national qualities into play, but in both cases the Americans were true to their own . pretensions and shot clear ahead of the Old World It is remarkable that yachting, in which the Americans have thus excelled us, has always been regarded as the peculiar pastime of England, and it is true enough, no doubt, that in no country is the pursuit invested with so much favour and popularity. But our yachtsmen take things comfortably. We build our pleasure-boats really for pleasure and sail them for pleasure. An Englishman's yacht is his home, and the home often of his family, too, for weeks together, and considerations of convenience are allowed to preponderate in the design and equip ment of the craft. The Americans are both less do mestic and more adventurous. They want yachts which can do what no other yacht has ever done, and they get them. Perhaps the comforts of these vessels might not be exactly suited to our tastes, but they teach us something nevertheless. It is well for progress that there is a nation which knows no trammels of routine and shrinks from uo experiment, however hazardous or audacious. The Americans have always, and naturally, been distinguished for shipbuilding and seamanship. They have set us the example in half-a-dozen new models, and they are pursuing the same course now, but we shall, perhaps, not be wrong in considering this ocean yacht race as expressive of another and more general spirit which has been remarked for some time past as on the in crease in the States. The Americans are fast be coming a sporting people. They are establishing races, and conducting the m as th ey are con d ucted i n the ld World. That irresistible spirit which trans figures our whole metropolitan population on the Derby Day is rapidly developing itself on the other side of the Atlantic, and we may expect before long to see all such sports as popular in America as they are here. We rejoice at the sign. As it is our be lief that national character is substantially improved by such pastimes, we are sincerely glad to find the Americans moving in that direction. They have got all the qualities of sportsmen. They are adven-. turous, fearless, fond of excitement, persevering, and acute. What they can accomplish as well as design this very yacht race shows. It is no slight thing for the owner of a pleasure boat to bring her from one side of the Atlantic to the other in the depth of winter with such skill and rapidity that the passage could hardly be exceeded by strong and well-handled steamers. Probably few people ex pected to see the visitors so soon, but the public will certainly be pleased to hear that a suitable reception bad been already designed, and that a grand enter tainment will be given to the gentlemen on board the racing vessels on Monday next. We can have no feeling of jealousy in such a matter as this. We will not say that Englishmen could not have accomplished such a race, but the idea would per haps hardly have occurred to them. Its novelty and boldness are eminently characteristic of Americans, and they may depend upon it that they will lose nothing in this country of the credit to which such success entitles them. PosT.—As the time for the meeting of Parliament approaches, and town begins to fill up with the harder working men of public life, the interest felt in the position and prospects of parties naturally in creases. This interest is heightened, too, by the re membrance of the peculiarity of the circumstances under which the late Cabinet resigned, and of the conditions under which the present Ministry holds the reins of power. A great deal has been said about taking office in the face of a majority; but it is nevertheless certain—and, indeed, it is not likely at this time to be seriously disputed—that Lord Derby's Administration did, at the time of taking office, re present more nearly than that which it ousted from the Treasury bench the opinions of the majority of the House of Commons on the one vital subject of Reform ; and, great as was the regret expressed by a portion of that majority at.the necessity for losing the services of such able men as those who composed the late Cabinet, there is no doubt that the cost had been counted, and that it was considered a necessary price to pay for escape from the im position of the Russell-Gladstone views (and in some degree, too, from their manner of enforcing their views) on this question. Whether the pre sent Government does now represent the opinion of the majority on that same question it is useless to ask, because it is impossible to discover at present ithether it does or not ; but the situation presents some features which are well worthy of attention, and which are calculated to throw light at any rate upon the difficulties surrounding the question, as to the vitality of the Ministry, which, as is usual at this time of year, all politicians are now going about asking each other. As regards numerical strength, the Ministry and the Opposition are pretty much in the same respective positions as the end of last ses sion left them. The Ministry have gained a few elections during the recess, but not sufficient to be of any importance, and the nominal forces on either side can be gauged therefore pretty accurately. Reform, however, is still, as it has been f or a l ong time, the chief object of political solicitud e , an d th e impediment to legislative progress in every other direction, and has very fully shown that on this question numerical force furnishes no test of actual strength, and that there exists a moderate section of politicians who do not agree with the views of either the more timorous of the Conservatives or the more enthusiastic of the Liberals, and who are sufficiently powerful, by uniting with either of the extreme parties, to prevent the other from having its wicked will of the question. The lesson to be learnt from this state of things is obviously that which Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald inculcated upon his former constituents at llorsham a week since, that no settlement of the question of Reform is possible without a compromise ; and, indeed, what with unredeemed pledges and unsuccessful performances, the whole thing has got into such an imbroglio that, unless a spirit of concession is shown on both sides, there is manifestly no hope of any issue at all being found to it. This, then, is the old question which the Ministry has to face on meeting Parliament, and upon which it must very shortly elect to take one of two courses. It were useless to guess which of them will be chosen, or whether, indeed, a third may not yet be found ; but those which are at present apparent present diffi culties of no inconsiderable degree, and such as can be met by no ordinary solution ; and the dilemma, as it now appears to stand, is—Reform or no Re form. It has been assumed in certain quarters the latter alternative will be chCsen---that the Conser vative party will, as it might very logically and NIMMEIIMI - _ reasonably take the ground that as Reform has been tried so often and has failed every time, and as, moreover, it is positively through the failure of their opponents in the last trial of it that they themselves are now in power, they will therefore trouble them selves and the country with it no more, but devote themselves to administrative improvements and the redress of the countless abuses which have so long been kept waiting. The wish that such a course may be taken is possibly father to the thought, for there is scarcely a doubt that in such a case the op position would measure their strength at once upon an amendment to the address; and if, as is probable, notwithstanding the defections of last session, they mustered in sufficient force to snatch a victory, the Ministry would then be almost forced, in justice to their own supporters, to a dissolution—and a dis solution professedly on the question of Reform or no Reform—would probably make things consider ably worse instead of better, not only for the Con servative party, but for the country at large. It would, in fact, give an opportunity for galvanising into something like life the cry on which so many and such feeble changes have lately been rung, and of carrying out upon a still larger scale the mass meet ings and monster demonstrations with which recent experience has already made us familiar. It is pos sible, however, that Lord Derby's Cabinet may again try its hands at Reform, and it is also very possible that, warned by past example and past failures, it may succeed in framing a bill calculated not to please all, for that no Reform Bill will ever do, but to embody with pretty fair accuracy the moderate views which obtain among the majority of thinking men both in and out of Parliament. This contingency has been foreseen, and some of the more advanced Liberals have provided for it.by an nouncing that they cannot, and will not, believe that any good bill can come out of a Conservative Government, and that even if it does they will not give it a fair consideration. That threat, however, is of but little value, for the whole country is most anxious that the question should be settled ; and if such a bill can be fr?med there is no doubt that, come from whatever quarter it may, it will obtain sufficient support to carry it through. There are crying abuses enough around us, and it is most de sirable that Reform should stop the way no longer. Next session 3vill at any rate, it is to be hoped, bring a settlement of the question satisfactory in itself and offering some guarantees of finality. COUNTRY MARKETS. SHEFFIELD-WEDNESDAY. Tuesday being Christmas-day our market was held this week on Monday. There was only a middling show of wheat, and trade ruled dull at about former rates. Barley slow,and rather lower in price. Oats firm. Beans are not in demand. Red wheat, per load of 3 imp. bushels....23s Od to 24s 61 White do do ....25s Od 278 Od New red do do ....21s Od 23s Od New white do do ....24s Od 26s Od Beans do do ....20s Od 22s 01 Peas, per qr -s 6d 19a 63 Grinding barley, per qr 355 Od 385 Qd Malting barley, oo 4OB Od 48s Od Oats, do ' 27s Od 325 (xi F10ur....1s 10d to 25 ad per 141 b, LYNN-MONDAY. There was about an average attendance of buyers to-day at our market. The demand for wheat was limited (the market being held a day earlier than usual), and samples changed hands at is per qr advance. Best barley steady, and fully as dear as last week; ordinary sorts dull. Oats rather more active. Beans and peas firm. New wheat, 54s to 58s ; new red, 40s to 48s ; old white, 67s to 71s ; old red, 59s to 63s per 36 stone. Barley for malting, 46s to 52s ; secondary, 37s to 38s. Oats, now, 24s to 28s per 24 stone. Beans, small, 42s to 445. Peas, 36s to 40s per 28 stone. MARKET HARBOROUGH.-MONDAY. Old white wheat, 55s to 72s ; new red,:sos to 678 per 36 stone. Barley, fine, 52s ; other kinds, 238 to 36s per 30 st. Oats, new, 228 to 23s ; old, 30s to 34s per qr. Beans, old, 50s to 555; new, 46s to 48s per qr. Foreign Mail Packet List. MAILS DUE. Australia and New Zealand, via Southampton ,Deo. Ditto, via Marseilles Jan. 13. Brazil and Cape Verds. by British packet Jan. 4- Ditto, by French packet Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and 3t. Helena Dec. 21 China, Penang, and Singapore. via Southampton Dee 20. Ditto, via Marseilles Deo. 28 Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton Deo. 14 India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton Dec. 2) Ditto, via Marseilles India (Bombay), via Southampton. Dec 20 . Ditto, via liarseiilea . adalta, Enrpt, and Aden, via Southaavton Dec. 2). Ditto, via Marsoinc. Dee. 23. Itauritius, via Southampton Ditto, via Marseil .Jan. '9. Newfoundland l'ortugs, Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon... United States and British North America, by Bri tish packet, , Ditto. by United States packet, via Southamp ton Ditto, via Cork . •• Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonderry ..Dec. 1. Welt Coart of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe Jan. 3. West Indies and Pacific (except Bahamas and Honduras) ............. ............ ....Dec. 29. Bahany...4, via New York. Jan 1 1 . Cuba ald Mexico Dec. Bermuda, via Halifax " Jan. 2 16 . UNITED STATES POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS. Mails for the United States are made up in London every Saturday evening, Wednesday morning, and Wednesday evening. Letters for the Saturday and Wednesday evening mails must reach the General Post-office by 6 o'clock p.m., and those of the Wednesday morning mails by 6 o'clock a.m. that day. Newspapers must always be posted half an hour earlier. The Wednesday and Saturday's mails are taken up at Queenstown, on the following dill by the Liverpool steamers. The Wednesday morning mails are taken by the Southampton steamers. Mails from the United States are due in London en Mondays and Thursdays of each week. Periodical works not of daily publication, issued in the shape of pamphlets, may be sen t t o the United Statest California, and Oregon , by packet, at the following rates —Not exceeding 2 oz., ld. ; above 2 oz., but not exceeding 3 oz., 6d.; abo ve 3 oz., but not exceeding 4 oz., Bd. ; with an addition of 2d. for every additional ounce up to 1 6 ounces, above which the privilege does not extend. the same rate of postage, any pamphlet not weighing wer e than 8 oz (even though it be not a periodical publication) may be sent to the United States, California, and Oregon. This postage is only the British portion, a further sum being charged on delivery. The periodical works or pamphlets must always be sent in a cover open at the ends (not more than one being sent in a single cover), and the postage must be prepaid. Other printed papure 43r books (except those specified above), addressed to the places above named, are liable to letter rate of postag(?. There must be no writing, or other marks upon sucn periodical works, pamphlets, &c., or upon the covers, ex cept the names and addresses of the persons to whom they are sent ; nor upon the covers must there be any printing , except the names and addresses of the persons to whom they are sent and the names and addresses of the senders Any other writing, &c., will render the packetsliable to letter rates of postage. SMOKING IN A MINE.—John Turnbull, a pitman , was brought before the Tynemouth county magistrates on Monday, charged with smoking in the workings of Barg" worth coal pit about a month ago. Smoking had been pro hibited in the pit, and in the section of th e m i ne wrought with safety lamps a pitman, named Thomas C o l e , smelt th reek of tobacco, and turning round to the prisoner, he sai d , "You are not smoking there 2" The prisoner replied he was just taking two or three draws. Cole then knocked the pipe out of the prisoner's mouth and stamped on it. V ie bench, after hearing the evidence, considered the cam proved, and expressed their determination of making ° severe example of the prisoner by committing him for Or weeks to Morpeth Gaol, with hard labour. At the Sun' . derland Police-court Thomas Burn, a young man 17 Ye t° of age, was charged with having taken a pipe down BY' hope pit, though it was forbidden. The pipe had been taken out of his jacket pocket. Ile was sentenced to 1, days in Durham Gaol, with hard labour. Births. Asnwner— On the 18th inst., at Bretforton Manor 110 0e ' Evesham, the wife of W. H. Ashwin, Esq., of a son. PRICE—On the 19th inst., at 12, Henry-street, Doughty° street, the wife of Robert Wm. Price, Esq., of a son. REEVES—On the 21st inst., at Fernbank, East Sheen, Si ll ' rey, the wife of Henry . Reeves, Esq., of a son. • STIELMERDINE—On the 23d inst., at Hope-end, Eccles, t ' wife of Ben. Shelmerdine, Esq:, of a daughter. Marriages. • CHADWICK GRUNDY— On the 22d inst., at All Sajo i f i Stand, Frederick Thomas, eldest son of Thos. Chadivic Esq., The Grange, Wimslow, to Mary Edith, eldet6 daughter of Alfred Grundy, Esq., Undorly, Stand. h CODnINGTON— WALLOP —O n th e 20th i ns t., at the P 9 1 ,4 6, church, Pains w ick, Joh n C o d r i ng t on , Esq., of Clo",°t; Devon, to Matilda L ou i sa , y ounges t daughter of the ,6 John C. Wallop, Esq., of Collins House, Painswick . Deaths. CROLE —On the 19th inst., at Twickenham, p Esq., aged 84. LLOYD —On On the 21st inst at 31 Glasshouse-street, street, Mr. Thomas LlOyd,laied 43. 13&"`—On the 21st inst., at St. Leonards-on-Sea, 13 &"` - ' eldest daughter of the Rev. Barrington Mills, aged ' l ;7, RIOBY—On the 21st inst., at 7, Park-lane, Piccadilly, ue"' Rigby, Esq., aged 56. SEWELL —On the 23d inst., at St. Clement's-hill, Norwich' Sarah, the wife of Mr. Philip E. Sewell, aged 44. WYNCH—On the 21st inst., at Tunbridge-wells, the wife of the Rev. Henry Wryneh, aged 77. Charlottut London : Printed and Published by Wll - 4 L !AU ANDItg of No. 112, Strand, Printer at Tits SUN 011 1 0 e, N O :2 - of O n yx Strand, in the Precinct of the Say3y, in the ', Iktigcliefiez--Thurbday, December 27, 184 in • , c i • dd. row, 1.4 ME atte9l Th( 35,00( ante f Th( are as The assets paid (3 the viz. :- On Tot Unt at the the is inters, Roe nameC terest thus a To ceived The calved The caived The allotm shares the ha The ceived The interei titled whole back, • fore ti] a guar form, per sh consid No.— To th Gen Payne, of £2 above numbo numbs tus, an sign tb Comps thorise of the The Prospe the Bi Applies T HI NOI APPL will b instant for Cot w~ Send Plain man az The pi buttons fee 10s. Engrav family price £ green tr obtainir hame, fataily • bOUni4 Pi fr ec Whi, Wit! Age ofle pan: F ISSI E. B 1 Till T Capi ini Sh fei Fr :jr Al Lii Jol He J. Metr, nous Prt Strepi Me St. C