The Sun. — London, England, 1866-04-02 00:00:00

The Northumberland. On Saturday another great effort was made to move this magnificent ship from her present critical position, and -which, we regret to say, like the pre vious attempt, proved totally in vain. Everything which the skill of nautical men, Admiralty officials, and able engineers could suggest was done, and the most stupendous forces both of fitation and pressure were brought to bear upon the hull, but failed to move her in the slightest degree. It is true that the enormous floating powers applied at the stern lifted her at irregular intervals as the tide rose, but the forward part on the ways remained firm, which were jammed with such severity that nothing could overcome the resistance. A full account of all the mechanical appliances to be used on this occasion appeared in The Sun of Saturday, and to this detail, as far as concerns what was done during the actual attempt to move her, very little remains to add. In addition, however, to the pontoons, barrels, and lighters to lift her, and the hydraulic presses to push, it was also decided to employ actual horse power to pull on tackles, rove so that when once the ship started she could be kept going. To effect this a powerful double purchase was rigged on both sides of the vessel, and the hawser taken down through blocks moored firmly into the ground of the yard. To this 16 powerful horses were at tached on each side of the ship to draw upon them with the utmost strength when the operations be gan. They were not, of course, so much intended to help in starting the hull as by running away with the tackle to help to keep her going when once she moved. This keeping her in motion is, of course, the great difficulty. Hydraulic rams can only start the enormous hulk, and hawsers worked from cap stans are useless when the vessel moves, as they cannot gather in the slack fast enough to keep any pull upon her. The notion of the horses, therefore, was by no means a bad one, as even the failure of Saturday showed, when the united efforts of the animals working together through double purchases wassufficient to break away the most powerful fas tenings from the ship's side. Beyond these efforts, supplementary ways, well greased, had been fixed inside the old ones, and the present cradle had been broadened by two feet of massive timber-beams and I still further strengthened by diagonal wrought iron braces. Additional backing was also placed be hind the hydraulic rams, which were "stayed" with huge timbers bolted together down and through the launching ways, and almost going into the concrete foundation. The eight huge Admiralty lighters were moored stem on under her stern. In stead, however, of being chained under it, which would certainly have given them very con siderable additional lifting power, the chains were only brought on board and hove taut with rope tackles. This was an absolutely necessary precaution, for it was probable that if the Northum berland went at all she would go quickly, and unless the crews of the lighters cut away their fastenings more q uickly still, she would sink them under her in deep water, like so many walnut shells. All these preparations had been carried out with the utmost core, and we may add with the utmost judgment, and on this point we may say that too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Luke, the Admiralty super intendent, who, with his officers and men, has worked with the most untiring zeal and energy night and day to assist the efforts made at Miliwall to float the ship. On Saturday the Northumberland presented a most curious appearance. Though not waterborne, the lighters, barrel; and pontoon; of course, were so, and she seemed to be afloat in the most unusual and heterogeneous mass of objects that ever surrounded a ship. The tide was slow and sluggish, and the very little wind that was stirring was against its full flow. Yet at about 1 o'clock confident hopes were entertained that it would be high enough to float the vessel easily soon after 2in the afternoon. The most intense interest was evinced in all the details connected with the gigantic operation,- and long before the hour fixed for the attempt to start her the yard was crowded with high nautical authorities, ivil engineers, peers, and gentlemen of every rank. Levels had been carefully adjusted to the stern and midships section to detect if she moved either ver tically or horizontally even by the eighth of an inch, and soon after 1 o'clock, when there were very little more than 20ft. of water under her stern, it began to lift slightly till it was more than half an inch raised from the ways. As the tide flowed more strongly her liveliness, though never visible to the eye, could be easily marked by the instruments. Every five minutes reports of the depth of water and rise of the stern were brought to Sir John Hay. These showed that the tide for its time was much less than had been calculated on, but they also proved that the Northumberland was steadily lift ing aft. Her stern rose at least two inches off the ways, and at the midships the lift was about half an inch. Beyond this point, however, there was no mo tion, or rather buoyancy ; for it is under the bows that the ship has caught, and there she is in no way waterborne, nor can she be so until she gets off the ways entirely. Some doubt seemed to be felt whe ther it would be wise to make the attempt at all under thedisadvantages of what was evidently going to be a short tide. Yet, as 2 o'clock came on, the stern was so visibly affected by the enormous power of flotation under it that it was determined to make the trial. This was deferred, however, to the latest moment of the flood in order to gain the aid of every half inch depth of tide that might get round her. To do this with the utmost certainty the condition and appearance of the flood stream was reported every minute, and the crews in the lighters chained under her were ordered to tighten the tackles to the utmost to lift her. This they did with such effect that those in charge on the deck of the Northumberland hailed the dockyard officials below them, and said that the lighters on the starboard side were in dan ger of going down, they were so near .the water's edge. At once then the bugle sounded, and every man was ordered to his station, and went to his post with a quiet good order that seemed almost like military training. Those in charge of the pontoons stood ready to open the valves and let them sink directly the ship was under way ; the crews of the-lighters prepared to cut themselves adrift from the pon derous hull before it sunk them. Detachments manned the handles of the hydraulic pumps, and all was ready. At ten minutes past two the second bugle note was given, and the dog shores were knocked away with a thundering boom, and the chain cables which held her to the anchors on shore flew out with a terrific din from the hawse holes, and all went to work. The 15 inch hawser, which was worked by the steam capstan from a dredging machine moored in the river, was drawn absolutely straight under the tremendous strain which was put u pon it. The teams of horses also were brought struggling lip till they broke away all the tackles to which they were attached ; at the same time the hawser attached to the steam capstan broke like a thread and sprang curling back into the river. These, though powerful auxiliaries, were not depended upon as much as the efforts of the hydraulic r ams. It will be recollected that there 600 ton werethree nearly 1,000 tons power placed under her bows to lift her upwards, and two of levelled at the cradles to thrust hesr power each were Fora long time they were kept working and the incline. I the ship seemed to be moving slowly, though for some inches. Unfortunately, however, thisaliwy, optical delusion caused by the post Whi c h aa . w On a l y an to record her movement, and which was connected put with the ponderous timber backing of the ranasb hig crushed slo,wly back. It is diffiult to describe I the crush which this ram on the starboard side made. It destroyed and splintered up one of the most power ful timber backings of its kind ever constructed. The ram on the port side appeared scarcely to be doing its work, for, when the tide fell, it was found that not as much as a chip of its backing had been in _ jured, which certainly could not have been the case had it been working without leakage, and at its full power. In spite of everything, however, the ship did not move an atom, and the piling under the two rams which were best at work was giving way so rapidly, and, in fact, had given way so completely, that was Useless to continue further. The signal drum, therefore, was beaten, the efforts to launch ceased, and the work of securing the hull began again. This was so well and quickly done that in little more than half an hour the ship was moored and shored up as before. A council was then held among the engineering and nautical authorities, atl which it was unanimously decided to make another attempt to move the ship to-day. Greatly to their credit, all the Government dockyard men at once, without exception, came forward and through their officers volunteered to give up their Easter Monday holiday to assist at the effort. When it is recol lected that Easter Monday is the one great dock yard holiday of the year, when the men receive their• day's pay as well as their day's leave, the generous spirit with which they have acted in thus volunteer ing will, we are sure, be appreciated as it deserves. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. -~_ LICHFIELD SPRING MEETING. MONDAY, APRIL 9. Weights for the Anglesey Plate. Six furlongs. Age st lb Grinder ... ... 4 812 Wynnstay a 8 8 Goldylocks ... 5 8 7 Gamecock ... ... a 8 5 Alice Lee ... 5 1 5 Belle of the Ball ... 6 8 5 Overstone ... 6 8 4 Gordian Knot ... 5 8 3 Echo ... ... 3 8 2 Musketeer... 4 7 7 Humphrey-- ... a 7 7 Polly My Love ... a 7 5 Weights for the Hur Age st lb Marble Hill ... all 0 Charming Woman a 10 8 Roadster ... a 10 8 Agestll Sweet Anne ... 3 7 5 Hidalgo 3 6 11 Ignatius ... ...3 6 11 Gundred ... 3 6 9 Easton Lass ... 3 6 9 Cantharides ... 3 6 8 Lady Calthorpe ... 3 6 6 Edgebaston 3 6 4 Petra filly .., 3 6 4 Sparkle ... •.. 3 6 4 Ada... ... 8 6 2 Ile Race. Two miles. Age st lb Gamecock ... a 9 6 Overton ... a 9 6 Turnham Green 5 9 6 Humphrey._ „. a 9 5 Betsy Copland 6 9 4 Love Letter 4 9 3 King Tom 5 9 0 Cambroe 4 9 0 Jacob ... Equinox ... Jack's Alive Turcos ... John Gully ... a 10 2 ... 6 10 0 ... 6 9 11 ... a 9 11 ... 5 9 10i TURF NEWS, &c., FROM NEWMARKET. Arbutus has arrived at G. Bloss's stable. Maid of Lorn has left P. Price's stables for Germany. Brother to Gladiateur has arrived from France, and joined Jennings's string. M. Lunel has engaged stabling at W. Martin's for the ensuing meeting. At Messrs. Barrow's Paddocks, mare by Fazzoletto, Miss Hinds, and a mare by Flying Dutchman will be put to Thunderbolt. Adelaide has arrived at these paddocks to foal. On the 22d inst., at the Palace, Mr. Godding's Bargain, a foal by Y. Melbourne. We have been favoured with delightful weather through out the past week. Trainers and jockeys taking advantage of this, have bad their hands full, and plenty of work has been got through. The nags are looking fit and well, and a successful meeting is anticipated. NEWMARKET RACES. Notice is hereby given, that in future a toll of ss. will be demanded for every carriage or other vehicle going on to the Heath. The gatekeeper at the entrance of the road leading from Newmarket will collect the toll, and give a ticket, which must be given up at the gate placed at the other end of the road, near the weighing stand. Carriages coining from Burwell, or in that direction, may enter at the side-bar, near the new saddling stables, where a man will be placed to receive the toll, and no car riages will be allowed to come on the Heath except by one of the two roads above named. Carriages leaving the Heath and returning to it during the day will have to pay each time. By order, March 26, 1866. C. WEATHERBY. Ahnerie, the steeplechase horse, dropped down dead while galloping on Monday last. J. Searle, of Epsom, is open to an engagement as trainer and would have no objection to go abroad. Dubious was scratched for the Opera Bunt Stakes and the Nanteor Stakes at Abergavenny directly the weights appeared. The flat racing season in France commences on Monday next, at Longchamps, the Paris Spring Meeting having been fixed for April 2,8, 15, 22, 26, and 29. Mr. Joseph Casson's bay gelding by Strychnine, out of Helen Augusta, 3 yrs, has been named Fred Taylor. He his been put into work for steeple-chasing. Le Sport states that in consequence of the heavy rains during the week the horses at Chantilly have been exercised on the course, the gallops in the forest being impracticable. Mr. Burton, who was so seriously injured while riding Blotting Paper in the Scurry at Kidderminster on the 11th inst, and only partially recovered his consciousness on Saturday last, is now, we are glad to say, slowly improv ing. The Duke and Duchess of Beaufort left Northampton on Thursday last for Badmington. The noble duke has been suffering from a severe attack of gout, which has preVented his leaving Northampton since the races. Thomas Lye, the Lambourne trainer, died on Wednes day morning last, from the effects of an internal injury sustained whilst dismounting from his hack on the pre vious Sunday. He was civil, obliging, and much respected Originally he was intended for an architect. NORFOLI.—A steeplechase has been arranged to come off at Haddiscoe on Tuesday, April 3. HARPENDEN RACES.—The idea of extending -this meet ing to two days has been abandoned, and it will be held on the Friday before Epsom as heretofore. BEDMUSTER.—This horse is put to the stud. He stands for the season at Mr. George Holmes's veterinary establish ment, Beverley. CANTERBURY EASTER RACES.—A meeting of the hunting and military elements will take place on Tuesday next. The programme will comprise five races. WORCESTER SUMMER MEETING.—The Earl of Coventry, the Hon. F. G. Morgan, and W. G. Craven, Esq., have ac cepted the stewardship of these races. BASCHURCII STEEPLECHASES.—The objection to Mr. E. Burton's Jack for the Open Steeplechase was overruled by the stewards, and Jack gets the stakes. IpswicH RACES.—The Rondlesham Stakes, with 100 sovs added, for two year olds, half a mile, closes on the 10th proximo. DiatllAM RAems.—We understand from the clerk of the course that Three per Cent should not have been included among the acceptances for the Durham Handicap. FOILDHANI.—We regret to hear that Fordham's sprained wrist is likely to prevent his appearing in the saddle or dven being present at the forthcoming Newmarket Craven Meeting. RICHMOND RACES, SEPTEMBER, 1866. The Basby Stakes of 5 sovs each, 3 ft, with 25 added, for two and three years old, weight for age, will close and name on Thursday next. GRAND NATIONAL HUNT AND WEST SOMERSET STEEPLE CHASES.—in consequence of the Military Plato not filling, a new race has been substituted, to be named the Dorset shire handicap, with 100 sovs added. REVIVAL OF BROOMYAMD RACES.— After a lapse of many years an effort has been made to revive this ITerefordshire meeting. An excellent bill of fare has been issued, and the races are fixed for the 26th of April. MALLOW STEEPLECHASES.—These races, which have so successfully been carried out for the last two years, are to come off early in May, the arrangements for which have again been entrusted to Mr. E. O'Rierden, Mallow. THE CARLOW DRAG HUNT.—This hunt comes off on Easter Monday, over a splendid country, kur miles run, and ends at the famous racecourse of Ballybar. First prize £2O, £l5, and £lO. A great number of horses are entered. ROTHBURY STEEPLECHASES. — In consequence of the Scottish National and other meetings clashing with this popular gathering., the stewards (Sir J. S winburne, Burt., high sheriff of tho county ; Lord Binning, H. Parker, and W. Foster, jun., Esqs.) have deemed it prudent to postpone these sports from April 26 until Thursday, May 3. THE SHEFFIELD INUNDATION FUND.—Tiao treasurers of the Bentinck Benevolent Fund have received from Mr. J. Stephenson the sum of £353 12s. 3d., being half the sub scriptions collected by Met4srs. Stephenson and Morris, less amount paid back to subscribers. CATTERICK BRIDGE RACES. —This meeting will be held on Thursday and Friday next. There is a very fair pro gramme, which includes two steeplechase; one of the con ditions of which is that " with respect to gentlemen riders, the Grand National rules are not in force." YORK STEEPLECHASES.—This meeting will take place on Wednesday next, the day between Durham "going," and, and Catterick races. We hear that the ai ground a is capital 1 y Company have announced issue that they will as the North Eastern Railway w tickets for the day from all thei r sta ti on s, no doubt there will be a large attendance of the general public as well as of racing men. THE RAWCLIFFE YEARLIN 08.—The annual sale of the R awc liffe stud yearlings will take place at Messrs. Tatter sall's on Monday, the 7th Ma , y, minster, Stoc w , when upwards of twenty k ell Voltigour,- Young YMnealibloinugrns'e,brygNnoerawnius, Tho . r m a n d b y, o fr ß , uc t c h a e n eer, particulars G unb oft, and Leamington, wil l be dispose which will ecusrtly appear. Tire SANDBiCK HUNT AND 107 .bt CSSARS S TEEPLE- MUSES will come off at Retford, Lincohigiire, on Monday next. S even events are announced in the programme, all of which h ave closed with good entries. The "added" money amounts to £320, exclusive of the Subalterns' Cup, value 60 guineas, the race is fixed for h alf -past twelve, and the las t at gift of Cornet Wilson. The firstfive ?c lock. GALLOPING.—A match came off on Monday last, for £lO a - side, near th e Ri s i ng Sun, Woodford, between Mr. Amos's ' black cob Peter and Mr. Izzard's chestnut mare Maid of the Vale ; distance ono mile. Mr. Steve Boswell piloted the mare, and Joe Brown the cob. Mr. W. Pea was starter, and Mr. Harry Tucker judge. The start was a good one, but after going a few strides the black wont to the front, and .held the lead for three-quarter s of a mile ; the mare then went up, and Mr. Boswell, by dint of good horseman ship, completely outrode his opponent, and the knight of the cleaver, seeing he had no chance, pulled up 100 yards from home. PEDESTRIANISM. HACKNEY WICK. - As is usual at Mr. Baum's grounds, the programme issued by the Cornwall and Devon Wrestling Society was of first-rate character, £lOO being set apart by the com mittee for prizes in wrestling in the " anciente" pastime of the fair " back fall," for foot racing, pole-leaping, and other sports. Great improvements have been made in the grounds, under the able superintendence of Mr. James !Nisbet, the well-known contractor, of Hackney. Notwith ' standing the counter-attraction at all other establishments, fully 300 persons assembled on Friday, and under the able management of Mr. William Price all was carried to a suc cessful issue. A large body of police were present under Inspectors Bywater and Bush and Sergeant Busane, but their duties were almost a sinecure, so good was the order maintained. As the sports extend over to Easter Tues day, a short resume of yesterday's proceedings is only now necessary more especially; there were, however, many celebrities present among the athietx, and no little interest was manifested as the giant 013aldwin entered the grounds towering above all others, supposed to be the coming champion of England. The sports were com menced as usual with Foot Racing, the first being A HANDICAP OF 300 YARDS.—The 30 competitors were divided into five heats, the winner to _receive £5, the se cond £l, and 10s. for third. First Heat—Small, with the shortest start of 40 yards, easilyson; passed Dennis,th e other , five e w r afisv second. Second competitors, and in the and won Second Heat—O'Malley, 60, won a good race by two yards ; Hudson ran most gamely as second, and Barton, 44, close upon the latter, third. Third Heat—Wilson, 63, won at last by five yards, but up to more than 200 yards it was a fine contest ; Caravan, 47, was hseHcoenadt,—ldhisthweraeswatroeththerrefienoetrhaecer , st i rt c r en s. ded in Phillips, 52, winning by half a yard only, Busher, with the greatest advantage of 63 yards start, not being caught until nearly upon the tape ; Howard, 55, was third, before two other starters: _ _ _ Fifth Heat—W. Davis, 55 ; won by two yards ; Robin son, 52, was second ; Tristam, 56, Cox, 58, and Nicol, 65, were beaten off. Final Heat— Small, 40, O'Malley, 60, Wilson, 63, Phil lips, 52, and W. Davis, 55, now came to run off fortheprizes. Small made the running at a clipping pace, and had nearly got in front up the bill ; he was Aisappointed, however, in going round the pagoda turn by Phillips, and had nearly got to be leading man when close to the tape. One of the most magnificent races ever witnessed ended in O'Malley and Wilson making a dead heat ; Small was only beaten a foot from the two, Davis only a foot behind the latter, and Phillips fifth, nearly close up to Davis's shoulder; in fact, there was scarcely a yard between the five. Wilson and O'Malley divided. THE GREAT ONE MILE HANDICAP.—There were 48 en tries divided into six heats: but as only the preliminary trials were run yesterday, it is but necessary to say that the first was won by Sutton, 160 yards start ; Corkey, 145, second ; there were six other starters. In the second heat Goulding's Lad, 200, won by three yards ; Fisher, 200, was second ; three others started. In the third heat, Coe, 160, won by three yards ; Moore, 200, was second ; the others beaten off. The fourth heat fell to J. Amos, 200, who dis tanced his competitors, who all gave up. The fifth, Young Book, 220, won, the other five not finishing; and the sixth was also of a like easy character to Roberts, 200, six others giving in. The final heats will be run off on Easter Monday. LEE CORNWALL AND DEVON WRESTLING.—After the above the manager, the once famed Jemmy Truscott, entered the ring (which was surrounded by a dense crowd). His well-known cry of "A hat, a hat !" was quickly responded to by T. Hinton (D.), speedily followed by the celebrated John Bescombe (C.) After a spirited bout of eight minutes, Hinton was thrown by the "pull under." John Slade, the Devon champion, next came against Bescombe, when the " time " was played, so John Bescombe became the first standard .of the day. No one would come against Slade, so two fresh hats were called, and R. Pearce (C.) and G. Pratt (D.) responded ; the former won by the in-lock. Hinton (D.) again entered with Pearce, playing time, so the latter was also made a double player. Hinton stood the ring, when Pratt (D.) came; the latter, after a few minutes' spirited play, was thrown by the back : lock, Hinton thus becoming the third standard. R. French (D. and T. Warl ters (D.); the latter soon disposed of his opponent by the cross-buttock. H. Stevens (D.) next came against Warners; time was played, so Warlters also became a double player. Stevens stood the ring, when Slade came against him, and in one minute threw Stevens, so Slade became the fifth double player or standard. John Luxton (Somerset) and Wm. Massey (C.) next came together; a very spirited bout of five minutes ended in Massey being thrown by the in lock, amidst loud cheers, the best trial of the day. Fred Gould (D.) entered, amidst loud applause, against Luxton, for ten minutes it was a fine display, when, time being called, Luxton became a standard. Gould stood the ring, when J. Pennington (D.) entered; Gould soon disposed of the latter by his favourite "heel." And so finished the sports of the day on darkness coming on. Seven standiirds were thus made ; the remainder will have to be contested for on lr,aster Monday, when the first round of •tbet-double players will be commenced. THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 2, 1866. CLAY HALL, OLD FORD. There was a large muster on Friday at the above well known suburban retreat, and the sport was excellent. Al though the ground is not usually devoted to pedestrian sports, at holiday times the proprietor issues a good pro gramme, which, as yesterday, gives satisfaction. The first contest was for the THIRD ANNUAL RACE, for a fine silver cup for first, and a gold ring for second, given to be contended for by Mr. Porter, of Dockhead. Five came to the post; and, after a fine struggle, D. Marney won by a yard, Holmes second, and Osborne, two yards behind, third. WALKIN) MATCH.—Four contended for prizes similar to the above. A laughable affair ended in Oxford winning; the others giving up. There were several off-hand matches, which require no comment. Mr. Neville was the referee, and J. Baldock, of Stratford, was the starter. The sports will be renewed on Monday at one o'clock. BOW. The Prince of Wales's Ground had also a large muster, nearly 2,000 being present. The running matches were well contested, and under the able management of John Goulding, the pedestrian, all was excellently carried out. The grounds were in good order. Jem Howes was starter. Tho once-famed champion, James Pudney, gave the prizes for competition, and Goulding was the referee. The fol lowing took place : THE HANDICAP OF 120 YAUDS.—There were 68 entries, who were divided into 12 heats, which were won by Sogarty, Pinnock, Holkine, Bower, Nichol, Cousins, Sim monds, Tuker, Johnson, Sullivan, Hartland, and Dennis. The above 12 were again drawn in three heats, when Sim mends won the first by a foot ; Bower won the second by a foot ; and in the third Pinnock came in first by a yard. In the final heat, Pinnock, 15 yards start, won easily by two yards; Simmonds, 14, was second ; and Bower, 12, a bad third. Fotit MILESIVALKLNG ITANDICAP.—ThOre Were 17 com petitors who came to their respective marks, but Davison 550 yards start, Stockwell, 100, and Redfern, GOO, soon singled themselves out. At two miles Redfern had the lead, which he held to the end, winning easily ; Stock-tell second, about 50 yards in front of Davidson, who finished third. R. Brown, 750, was disqualified. Larly in the morning a Handicap, distance 120 yards, for small prizes, given by Messrs. Swain and Hoskins, Came off. The competitors were divided into six heats, and ran as under : First Heat (starting at half-past eight). —Simmons's Lad, 22 yards start, first ; Beaufort's Novi ce , 2, sec ond. Won by a yard. Second Heat.—Was a walk over for Mitchell, scratch. Third Heat—Biron, 12, first ; Lewis's Novice, 7, second. Won by two yards. Fourth Heat —Deeble, 12, won by half a yard ; Green's Lad, 10, and Brooks's Novice, 25, ran a dead heat for se cond place. Fifth Heat—Simmons, 16, First; Cockshot, 12, second. Won by half a yard. Sixth Heat—Trallis, 8, first; Riddell, 12, second. Won by a yard and a half. Final Heat—Deeble, Ist; Simmons's Lad, 2d; Trallis, 3d. Won by half a yard ; a good third. J. Goulding was starter, and Mr. Swain was referee. GREENWICH. At no former period, during the palmiest days of the fair with its popular attractions and Richardson's show, has Greenwich been more crowded by visitors than on Friday. The park and Blackheath were thronged by immense mul titudes, who indulged in the usual amusements of kiss-in the-ring, the rapid descent of One-tree-hill, donkey riding, &c., and who found no difficulty in " scraping" acquaint ance with each other by means of those small wooden con trivances termed "the fun of the fair." Notwithstanding the constant trains, the railway company was severely taxed to afford the means of transit for the thousands of passengers, and large numbers had to remain until a late hour. BROMPTON. Notwithstanding the countor attractions at various me tropolitan grounds, at the Agricultural Hall and Hackney wick in particular, there was a large attendance on Mr. E. Jones's West London Cricket-ground, to witness Messrs. Rogers and Jones's open Sheffield Handicap of 225 yards, the first prize being £2O, the second £3, the third, £1 55., and the fourth 15s. The ground was in excellent order, and praise is clue to Mr. Jones, the referee, and Mr. Rogers as starter, for the manner in vv hfcli they brought matters to a satisfactory close. There was a numerous entry, and the men were divided into heats, as follows : First Heat—This was won by Blandford, of Southwark, 72 yards start, by two yards and a half ; Darby, of Chelsea, 82, second. Second Heat—F. Oliver, of Whitefriars, 77, came in first by two yards ; Collins, of Battersea, 79, second. Third Heat—This was a splendid race, but in the end, Drew's Novice, Westminster, 75, won by one yard ; Rob bins, Southwark, 76, second. Fourth Heat—This was won by Waghorn, of lilatf9rd, 75, who deliberately stopped three yards from the tape, so as to let Hughes, of Kensington, 80, pass him; but the referee decided that \Vaghorn had won, apparently against his desire. ' - ' ' ' Fifth Heat—Carter's Novice, 79, won in a canter; Thomas, West Ham, 76, second. Sixth Heat—Munns, of Plaistow, 76, landed himself a winner by one yard ; Brown, of King's-cross, 80, second. Seventh Heat—Hurst, of Finsbury, 72, came in first by one yard ; Churchill, New-cross, 77, second. Eighth Heat—Cameron, of Millwall, 79, won a good race by three yards ; Sanson, of Hounslow, 72, being second. Ninth Heat—Ford, of Lambeth, 72, won by two yards ; Norray, of Vauxhall, 80, second. Tenth Heat—H. A. L., of Brompton, 82, was the win ner by one yard and a half, Batten, of Chelsea, 83, was second. Eleventh Heat - G. Hicks, of Thames-street, 77, breasted the tape first by three yards ; Grace, of Tottenham, 79, second. Twelfth Heat—W. Nash, of Lambeth, 78, and Atkins, of Pimlico, 79, after three or four false starts, got off, but had not run more than 20 yards when both came to a stand still, and refused to run in the proper direction, so that Mr. Jones decided that it should be no race. AQUI-VI IC 0. AQUATICS ON THE TYNE. The prospect of sport on the Tyne during the present holidays is this year unusually good. The Northern Rowing Club had a four-oared scratch race between six of their crews. To-day a handicap scullers' race takes place at Dunston, under the management of Mr. Jewitt, the cele brated boat-builder. On Monday next Taylor and Win ship contend from the High Level Bridge to the Meadows House for £5O a-side, and in the course of the same after noon Tulip and Bright contend over the same course for £2O a-side.. Both Taylor and Winship have recently been doing some excellent work. Winship rows much quicker than before, and his chance seems good; but the Ouseburn section are perhaps the most sanguine, and from our latest accounts Taylor seems to be the favourite at sto 4. The final deposit is due this evening, when the time of the match will be fixed and other arrangements agreed upon. TESTIMONIAL TO CIIAMBEE.S.—On Monday evening last, a testimonial, in the shape of an electro-plated inkstand, was presented to Bob Chambers, the celebrated oarsman, by the members of the Royal Farmers' Lodge, Manchester Unity, Ryhope, near Sunderland. HAMPSTEAD UNITED CLUB.— The annual meeting of this club was held on the 14th inst., when the report and balance-sheet for the past year were submitted and ap proved. The secretary reported the club to be in a very prosperous condition, and that during the recess the ground had been entirely re-turfed. The thanks of the meeting were accorded to the secretary for his services for the past year, and to the newspapers, for insertion of the club's pro ceedings. Several matches have been already arranged. CRICKET IN IRELAND.—Our cricketing friends in Ireland are bestirring themselves. The Phoenix Club held a pre liminary meetin g on Thursday, and the Leinster and S andy mount Clubs have played their opening matches, with what result we have not yet heard. CRICKET IN AMERICA.—The season for this manly sport is dawning, and already the managers of the various clubs are making arrangerients for the forthcoming season which, it is anticipated, will be a more brilliant one than its immediate predecessors. As soon as the frost is out of the ground, operations will be commenced for putting their play grounds in order, which have been somewhat deferred on account of the protracted stay of Old Jack Frost. SCOTCH TOWN COUNCILLORS AND BOOKMAKERS. In the report of the Edinburgh meeting, a corres pondent has alluded in pretty plain terms to the conduct of certain individuals at a recent meeting of the Musselburgh Town Council. The upshot of the matter was that Provost Laurie informed the meet ing that Baillie Miller was going to propose that bookmakers should not be allowed in the grand stand at the forthcoming race meeting, but thatthey should have an enclosure to themselves. Baillie Miller then stated to the. sapient assembly that such was his idea, for, added he, "if Mr. Lees (the town clerk) wrote to the racing club in name of the coun cil, and got their consent to do what was proposed, young men would not venture into the ring, as the sheep would be separated from the goats." Conse quent on the allusion to sheep and goats a sugges tive inquiry arises whether the baillie would not find himself much more at home among animals of an other class ; at all events, in a naturalist's point of view, we should unhesitatingly " write him down an ass." The other Solons present who took part in the sage discourse included Baillie Leit ch, Treasurer Allen, Councilors Ronald, C, Smart, Thomson, and Scarlett, and, save and except Councillor Thomp son, who showed some common sense in thematter, a more wretched display of ignorant, empty-healed _conceit and intolerance has not lately been brought under our notice. A letter was really sent to the racing club, who, it is superfluous to say, treated it with the contempt it merited. It is, however, most amusing to find that sundry of the above-named town councillors betook themselves to the race course last Saturday afternoon, although Councillor Scarlett—who, as poor Robson used to say, " is as bad as the others, and a good deal worse"—gave vent to the expression at the meeting of the Town Council, " You will never get honest men to go to the race course." " loot, mon," how about your brother councillors ?. No one in his senses, we are aware, would say they are wise men, but the red-hot Scarlett's estimate is a sweeping one with a vengeance. Seriously, however, such a miserable exhibition of ignorance from a lot of beings who are supposed to manage matters for other people is truly humiliating. But we incline to the 'lotion that, despite all the rank stupidity displayed, they have been taught a lesson not to interfere again with the affairs of their betters on matters they are in despicable ignorance of.—Bell's Life. Cotton in Am9rica. In order to pay American debts abroad, people naturally look to the exportation of cotton, and are anxious to have the annual cotton crop restored to its old volume. I have already sent information abroad on which reliable factors here estimated the probable crop for 1866 at about 1,800,000 or, pos sibly, 2,000,000 bales. In the past few weeks ; how ever, there has been some revision of estimates, but I the general tendency among those who have studied the matter is to adhere to the estimate of 1,800,000 bales. The New England manufacturers, who de sire to unduly depress the market, are circulating reports and estimates that the crop for 1866 will reach 2,500,000 or 3,000,000 bales. On the other hand, however, the Secretary of the Treasury, :rho for some reason, in spite of his error last year, per sists in making small estimates, has given out that but 1,000,000 bales will be raised. He has made no official statement to this effect, but has permitted Ithe publication in Washington newspapers of letters addressed to him from Southern planters arguing that the crop cannot exceed 1,000,000 bales. The New York Tribune prints letters stating that the crop will reach 3,000,000 bales, while the New York Daily News thinks it will be 2,000,000 bales. The editor of De Bois's Review, who has just completed a tour through the cotton States, estimates the crop I at but 1,500,000 bales, and says : These figures are not likely to be increased by anything that is now to happen, and may be greatly reduced by the ignorance, neglect, or desertion of the labouring forces iwhich, judging from the experience of all other countries, is more likely to occur than not, and reduce the crop to 1,000,000 or 1,200,000 bales. No account is taken in the calculation of the application of white labour to cotton beyond what was applied to it before the war." The Columbus Sun, an influential journal in the interior of Georgia, estimates the crop at from 1,200,000 to 1,500,000 bales. The .New Orleans Times, the journal of largest circulation at that great Southern port, estimates that the number of cotton producers in the South has been reduced by the fortunes of war from 1,200,000 in 1860 to 485,000, and upon this states the crop at 1,500,000 bales. Messrs. Neill, Brothers, and Co., of New Orleans, universally regarded as reliable cotton. factors, in their circular of March 6, consider that a yield of from 1,500,000 to 1,800,000 bales might, with average weather, be looked for, and that 2,000,000 bales would not be a surprising yield. They say the reports from the cotton States are quite favourable ; that Tennessee and Texas will raise as much this year as any year before ; and that the reports from the Atlantic States justify a larger estimate for them thin has heretofore been made. In all these statements two facts are observable. Manufacturers and journals in their interest make large estimates, because that will depress cotton ; while, on the other hand, the planters and every one in their" interest make small estimates, as they naturally claire to keep" up the price. On the whole, it appear; that 1,800,000 bales is quite a fair estate of the crop, and one which will probably be justified by the results. Congress will, it is thought, place a duty of sc. a pound upon all cotton raised, and this may interfere with the production. The people, however, are against all Government interference with the great staple. They say the Treasury agents sent South have already stolen $100,000,000 in cotton, and are never to be brought to account for it, and if a cotton tax is collected it will open the door to more frauds. The United States have a great desire to assume their ancient control of the cotton-market, and any measure that will interfere with production will meet with great opposition.—Times' American Correspondent. MINING INTELLIGENCE. In an address delivered by 11. Greeley, on the occasion of his taking the chair as President of the American Institute, we find the following respecting the mineral resources of the United States. He is certainly excellent authority :—A word as to our mineral resources. We are now producing some what less than $100,000,000 of gold and silver per annum from our mines ; which is more than the annual product of the whole world forty years ago-- probably more than was produced in the palmiest days of South American and Mexican gold-mining. Yet, large as the amount is, it is not a beginning. That it will be trebled within the next ten years, provided our great Pacific Railroad shall meantime be completed, few will doubtwho have any acquaint ance with the facts. I trust the attention of the Institute will be given to this vast and growing in terest—that we shall be able in some way to aid its development—and that in time the most complete and instructive cabinet of American minerals in existence will be that of the American Institute. I would have specimens of the precious metals from every locality ; but not of these only. There should be some place where the chemist, the prospector, the mine owner, the metallurgists, could compare criti cally the iron ore of Lake Champlain with that of Western Connecticut and that of Lake Superior, so as to determine wherein they agree and wherein they differ. In the first great World's exposition of products at London, 1831, I was not asked for specimens of California gold ; but the most eminent authority in British geology asked me for samples of our Lake Superior iron—then newly discovered —and I was able, on my return, to obtain and send them. COLORADO. Mr. Samuel Bowles, editor of the Springfield (Mass.) Republican, made an extended tour last summer through the mining regions of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific coast. As an intelligent observer, candid in his statements, his opinions are worthy of consideration. He says, speaking of gold mining, " Looking back over our mining experi ence, and taking the average testimony of each dis trict as equally trustworthy, I find myself impressed with the superior richness of the Colorado gold mines. The ore averaged as uniformly $lOO a ton as that of either Nevada, Austin, or Virginia, or of California, does $5O. The extraction is not as com plete because of the more intricate nature of the precious deposits ; but means to overcome this, though of course at enlarged cost, seemed to us suc cessfully initiated while we were there, and, we hear, have since been perfected." Beyond all dispute, the proportion of precious metal in the Colorado quartz is wonderful. The Mining Index says—When such a man as Mr. Bowles, of Springfield, Mass., after making extended observations in nearly all the mining regions, tells us that he found himself impressed with the convic tion that Colorado ores will as invariably yield one hundred dollars to the ton as those of California and other places fifty dollars, we may be sure that there is some ground for the conclusion. IDAHO. A correspondent of the Sacramento Union writes thus from Red Warrior, Alturas county :—All kinds of mining have been suspended at Idaho city, al ways excepting quartz mining, and the Illinois lode that I spoke of in my last visit to Idaho has proved itself beyond the expectations of all. My last news is that the ledge is sixteen feet in width ; the mill, which is the private property of Combs, White, and Harmon, runs twenty Stamps ; some fifteen hun dred tons of rock are out, which will average forty dollars per ton ; the mill is a superb one, made by H. J. Booth and Co., San Francisco, of about 70- horse power, audits-cleanings up have not been less than $6,000 per week. Some parties clean $5,000 and $6,000 psr week froth' their placer claims on Elk Creek during the regular season, and as they are among the original discoverers of the Great Bannock Basin, of which Idaho city is the grand centre, they are deserving of a much more extended and favourable notice than this short paragraph. I also learn that a New York company have a 20- stamp mill, called the Chickahominy, located in the vicinity of the Illinois, The Freedmen. We extract the following from The Freedman, monthly magazine Mr. Henry S. Foote, ex-Governor of Missis sippi, who, in the Senate at Washington, threatened to hang Mr. Hale, Senator for New Hampshire, has published a book on the war, in which he says : "African slavery is indeed gone for ever; and I am confident that there is not one thousand intelli gent persons in that region, of all the slaveholding class, who Would now resuscitate this defunct sys tem, even if they had the power to do so. The re sult should not now, and I am well assured it will not hereafter, be a source of permanent regret to the white population of the South ; they will, in deed, be far better off in time to come without slavery than with it. The whole Southern people will be far more prosperous hereafter than they have been heretofore ; labour in the South will be more diversified, and be likely to yield more solid benefit of every kind. Manufacturing and mineral ixdustry will now be seen to flourish for the first time in that great and prolific region ; and even Southern commerce may hereafter attain a i more healthful and self-isupporting•existence." In respect to the treatment of the newly-made freel men he says : "It is really astonishing to he - at - time' men in 'this enlightened age should for a moment hesitate in regard to the propriety of allowing per sons of African descent to testify in courts of jus tice, especially in cases where their own life, liberty, or property are involved; it is heartlessly unjust to the black man to assert that he is not a respector of truth, and less inclined to the exercise of justice than the white man. I have lived amongst this race all my life, and what I now say on this subject is the fruit of more than half a century's experience and observation." The American Freedmen's Aid Commission states that in South Carolina, where the work was first begun, and where the subjects were among the least • promising, the results have been such as to convince the most sceptical. llerds of human chattels, im pelled by force, have been converted into commu nities of human beings regulated by law. Ten thou sand ignorant blacks, degraded to the rowest point within the power of slavery, have been lifted up to a condition of comparative intelligence. These now constitute a self-supporting, law-abiding, wealth producing community ; and one more orderly or better behaved may not easily be found. An influential meeting was held at Masborough, Yorkshire, on March Ist, under the patronage of the local magistracy, the clergy, and the ministers of the neighbourhood. Addresses were delivered by the chairman, Dr. Fred. Tomkins, and Dr. Hol brook, who attended as a deputation from the British and Foreign Freedmen's Aid Society, and by the Rev. Fred. Falding, D.D. An influential committee was formed to act as an auxiliary to the above society. The Rev. Dr. Falding has kindly consented to act as secretary. A meeting was held, on March 12, at Wellington road Baptist Chapel, Shacklewell. Wm. Willis, Esq., LL.D., of the Inner Temple, presided. The meeting was addressed by the chairman, also by the Rev. W. Allan, Dr. Fred. Tomkins, Dr. Hol brook, the Rev. J.. Stanton, Rev. Dr. Waddington, and other speakers. A committee was formed to act in furtherance of the objects of the British and Foreign Freedmen's Aid Society. Gen. Grant has been presented with $105,000 by the leading citizens of New York, as a testimonial of the appreciation in which his eminent services are held. The total imports at New York for 1865 amounted to $217,808,327 ; the total exports of petroleum for the same year from the United States were 29,805,523 gallons, valued at $17,313,1414. SPIRIT OP THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. THE " SPECTATOR" ON MR. GLADSTONE'S CON CESSION.—" Remember you? Certainly. With pleasure, my man," said Marryat's Peter Simple, when the coachman asked in customary phrase for his douceur, and could not imagine why the coach man, whose wish had been complied with, looked so savage. Mr. Gladstone, we dare say, equally fails to comprehend why Lord Grosvenor did not accept his concession of Friday night. The earl, speaking for all, whether crypto-Tories, like Lord Elcho, or since Liberals, like ourselves, who desire to see the Reform Bill made complete, had given notice of a resolution pledging the house to accept no imperfect measure, and the Government felt itself in danger. It was perceived in a moment out of doors as well as inside that the member for Chester spoke for the Whig territorialists, and without their aid a compo site Cabinet like the present is, on a bill such as it produced, certain to be defeated. It was necessary to bend, and Mr. Gladstone in a towering rage—he has a good deal of Peel's feeling about aristocratic dictation—offered the House a compromise almost as imbecile as Peter Simple's promise of cash. He would have a bill drawn up expressing the Govern ment view on the subject of redistribution, and after the great division would lay it on the table, not to be debated or even discussed, but to be looked at and talked about in lobbies. He would not consider his bill even as a promise, but simply as a " view," as the sort of thing which, if everything went straight, and no war broke out, and no leading minister died, and no other topic came up, and public opinion remained firm, and the position of parties remained unchanged, the Government, if it could find time, might at some future period ask Parliament to accept. And the journals which are trying so hard to pump up enthusiasm, which exultin meetings that are only half filled, and sing pwans about the power of the masses who are scarcely interested, call that a concession. What does Mr. Gladstone imagine to be the virtue of a bill which is not to be passed, which will be three times less clear than one of his own sentences, and which is no more a pro mise than a draft on the Bank of Elegance is a negotiable instrument ? The bill will teach some forty members or more that it is intended to ask them to commit suicide for the benefit of the coun try, and will justify them in the eyes of their consti tuents in voting against any reform whatever. But what else will it do ? It will not avoid the absur dity of voting in one year for the enfranchisement of men whom it is resolved to disfranchise in the next, but actually increase-it ,by all -the difference between a Ministerial wish and a Ministerial plan. It will not remove the doubt as to the effect of the Franchise Bill in transferring power, for it conveys no guarantee stronger than a Ministerial speech might do. Suppose the schedule contains the names of twenty boroughs to be suppressed and twenty constituencies to be enfranchised. Where is the proof that Mr. Bright will not want sixty disfran chisements ? or that the Tories may not plead with effect the claims of populous counties ? or that the country, suddenly aroused, may not demand some larger, or smaller, or totally different scheme ? Where is the provision against those accidents which are always recurring? Between this session and the next Napoleon may be dead, and Reform mean man hood suffrage ; or we may be at war, and reform mean a philosophic dream of the past ; or some new question may have arisen, before which Reform will have lost even the little interest it now excites. Mr.:Gladstone would certainly not accept a bill at twelve months' sight on a firm which may not be in existence as sufficient payment of taxes, yet that is what he is asking his opponents to accept. Indeed he demands cash down before he signs his bill, for everybody is to vote the second reading of the Re form Bill, that is, to " affirm the principle" of a blank reduction of the franchise before the Government Bill is produced. The Cabinet seem to calculate that Liberals will hesitate to oppose a proposition to which they stand so deeply pledged. Like astute usurers, they call on the creditor to admit his lia bility for disputed interest, and then they discuss in a friendly way the possibility of arrangement. There is acuteness in that idea, but it is not the sort of acuteness which prevails with the House of Com mons. The Ministry, if it does not take care, will rouse the pluck of that body, and that feat once accomplished, they and their bill will disappear together. There are no doubt members whose con stituencies would judge them exclusively by their vote on such a division, but then these men are secure supporters of Government already. It is the really independent class, the men whose electors will not, and indeed cannot, dismiss them without grave reason, whom the Government want to secure, and they certainly will not be secured by any device so childish. Their constituents will see as clearly as themselves that a bill expressing a Ministerial " view" is not the same thing as a schedule added to the franchise act, that the concession proposed by Mr. Gladstone does not secure a final settlement of the embarrassing question, and that above all there is no guarantee against a dissolution between the carrying of one bill and of the other, that is, no guarantee against the transfer of redistribution from the hands of the present Parliament into the hands of one a third more democratic. Indeed this last danger is not only probable, but nearly certain. Suppose the Franchise Bill passed, and the Redis tribution Bill brought in. It will have against it, in addition to the natural opponents of any improve ment, some forty or more menaced members, and will be thrown out. Government must then dis solve, and Mr. Bright's end will be at once secured. Redistribution will be entrusted to a house elected by a very low franchise, and elected for the especial purpose of making the bill sufficiently wide. Is that what the constituencies want? If it is, the Ministerial offer is a clever one, for members must on such mat ters obey, more or less, the impulse given them from below. But we deny that they want it. Webelieve that they dread it, and that any member who has the courage to show distinctly and clearly from the hustings that the Government proposal hands over redistribution to a new constituency, will be supported in rejecting it. We are told that mem bers will quail, that the hundred or so of extreme votes in every borough will be thrown against any man who votes for Earl Grosvenor's motion. We doubt it, for men are never heartily earnest to di minish their own power; but be it so, and for every vote so lost the member will recover two from the sensible section of the Tories, who see what the point at issue really is. It is simply this. Unless the bill is complete willomp vleteottwe a transfer two consequences of powerencesa re certain— Parliament without knowing bow much it transfers, and the redistribu• tion entrusted to the seven-pound householders, instead of being settled by the ten-pounders. We are marching through Coventry, we know, with a frightfully ragged lot, but that has nothing to do with the really imperial question at stake. It will doubtless be as annoying to many Liberals to find themselves acting with men who, like Mr. Lowe, hate the workmen, or like Mr. Horsman, believe that insult and epigram are identical, or like Lord Elcho, fling cigars to a crowd as arguments good enough for non-electors, as it is to us, but in war time men who are fighting a good cause must put up with ragged recruits. The fault of such com pany is not theft's; but that of the Government, which by its half prepared bill has placed them in such a dilemma that they must choose between annoying a party and betraying a future of the country. The Cave of Adullam was a nasty place, no doubt, with very indifferent company, but still one must not forget quite so completely as Mr. Bright did that after all the future of Israel was protected in that cave. The Government is trying to pass this bill, as if it were a bankruptcy Act, but it is no light thing to define the class to which for one generation at least the rule over the British Fmpire—over, that is, one fourth of the human race—is to be entrusted. It is no light thing to - change even the tone and bias of a constituency which could in a day decree that China should be conquered, or Poland liberated, or the advance of the world be arrested by a needless defiance to America. It is no light thing to risk the authority and the stability of the solitary popu lar Assembly now existing wiiich is at once old, and sovereign s and free. The future of an imperial race depends on the structure of the House of Commons, and to risk its deterioration, or rather to lose a great opportunity of improving its character for the sake of a few votes in petty boroughs, is something worse than folly. The admission of working men to their share of power will, we believe, greatly improve the tone and invigorate the spirit-of the assembly which rules the British Empire. I The transfer of all power to them by ,a succession of blank reductions, will lower the' tone and impair the spirit of the same Assembly. That is the issue at stake, and members who think with us that the Government Bill must at no distant date ensure the second result, while it is not only possible but easy to secure the first, are bound to face their constituencies as clearly as we face ours, confident that as the world is made and Englishmen are constituted, it is never the frank who are ultimately misjudged. With the future of an empire, at stake, they may well risk a few hostile votes, to be hopelessly outnumbered by those they will conciliate, and even encounter placidly the political opprobrium of being called Lord Elcho's friends. THE " SUNDAY TIMES" ON MR. -DISRAELI AS LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONSIII recent years the leadership of the House of Commons has been held alternately by two distinguished states men—Lord Palmerston and Mr. Disraeli, each of whom held it twice. Probably, Lord Palmerston was the most successful leader of the House of Com mons of the century, not excepting even the late Sir Robert Peel. He had all natural qualifications for it— tact, readiness, resource, lucidity of speech, quickness of perception, a perfect exemption from .1,..‘ , -• all political bigotries, and, above all, unfailing geni ality. Besides this, however, his experience of the ways, customs, institutes, regulations, and orders of the house was prodigious ; and he had just enough sense of the absurdity and undignity of mere offici ousness to keep him from impetuous judgment, ner vous apprehension, and premature interference. The high esteem in which, for these qualities, Lord Pal merston was held, made him virtual master, apart from the position of leader ; and, even when on the Opposition benches, his presence in the house formed a restraint upon all those motive forces to irregula rity which it is well nigh impossible altogether to extirpate from any assembly more or less popular in its character. It is a curious fact that the Liberal party, so rich in old servants of the crown, had no successor to Lord Palmerston in the particulars now spoken of. In the House of Commons there were among his followers many who had shared with him the honours and the responsibilities of official life for a long series of years, but not one on whom the mantle of his authority had fallen. If age and mi nisterial experience could secure the silent and spon taneous allegiance of the house, surely Sir George Grey, or Sir Charles Wood, might have aspired to the succession. But nobody ever thought of such a thing. It is even more curious, however, to remem ber that Palmerston's actual successor was promoted to the unofficial throne simply because he was more necessary than anybody else to the administra tion, and not at all because he was felt to be more than anybody else endowed with the attributes suit able to it. So far was this from being the case that " everybody entertained a suppressed conviction that Mr. Gladstone was peculiarly disqualified for the post. He had no personal following. He was known to have a temper too open to provocation, and sen. sibilities too easily irritated and inflamed. His own political whereabouts was undefined ; for Mr. Glad stone is one of the men who show how earnestness of conviction may belong to mind in a perpetually transitional state. He maintains his conviction with the moral assumption of a doctrinaire, though he is always shifting his ground. This may not prove lack of virtue or feebleness of conscience, but it is pheno menal development, and not adapted, therefore, to inspire quiet and implicit confidence in the breasts of a miscellaneous association cf men like the House of Commons. The leadership of that house, in fact, is an office imposed upon the Chancelloil of the Ex quer, and to the luties of which he is striving by severe self-discipline and self-restraint to accommo date himself as well as he possibly can ; and not one into which he has been guided by the law of adap tation—the essential fitness of things—which I may venture to denominate the providence of propriety. It is rather unfortunate for Mr. Gladstone that the Speaker should have fallen ill just when his own ca pacities as leader were being putto the test. It would be exceedingly unbecomir g on my part to impute any deficiencylo the Deputy Speaker. ,I have no impulse to do so. £n the contrary, lam inclined to praise the modesty which he has exemplified in a positipn of considerable delicacy. He cannot as sume the airs, though he must sustain the responsi bilities of the chair. He must not obtrude the scep tre which he only vicariously wields. But the result of this is that the discipline of the House is sensibly relaxed. Now, Mr. Gladstone has, in two or three instances of confusion which have arisen, maintained a not masterly inaction. He has simply kept his seat, growingly confounded by the growing con fusion. Mr. Deputy Speaker, bound, as he is, to avoid the remotest appearance of arrogance, has stood in need of moral encourage ment. That encouragement it was the especial business of the Chancellor Of the Exchequer, as leader of the house, to supply. But the embarrass ment that challenged the Deputy Speaker's modesty seemed to paralyse Mr. Gladstone's sense of obliga tion. Mr. Disraeli, however, has opportunely in tervened, and saved the house from perplexity and humiliation. Once, when two honourable members were contending for the right to address the house, when the contest was becoming unseenly, he, by a sentence spoken exactly at the right moment, gave the Deputy Speaker the opportunity of asserting his official authority. The difficulty terminated in a moment. Again, when a question of order arose, one member accusing another of having made` use of unparliamentary language, and angry'-feelings were begining to exhibit themselves, the right horn gentleman, by skilfully drawing_ a, very nice: dis tinction, set the whole rnatter.at rest, to the great comfort of all concerned. —These are, in themselves, comparatively slight-incidents ; but in their bearings and involvements - their importance can hardly be exaggerated. In relation to the parliamentary posi tion of `Mi. Disraeli, they are exceedingly interest ing, and should be, to those who are often found sneering at the right hon. gentleman usefully in structive. There are a set of political , writers who have acquired the habit of describing Mr. Disraeli as the most transparent adventurer—universally recog nised as such— in modern political society ; as a man whom nobody esteems. They say he leads his party, not because his party like him, or have any confidence in him, but simply because nobody has the moral courage to disclaim his authority. A more shallow'mistake was never made. Since Pal merston's death, Disraeli has been the only personal power in the House of Commons. He is its best member. That is, his judgment in any critical mo ment would be most generally looked for, and cer tainly most lenerally accepted - when given. The house kno*s its own men : those men who most clearly understand its customs ; who will most quickly detect and most aptly avert its dangers ; who will most promptly intervene to protect its threatended dignity ; those who will at once most zealously vindicate and most judiciously check its license. And among all those to whom it can refer for services thus momentous and 'thus delicate, Mr. Disraeli, by common consent, stands at the very head. His bitterest enemies admitted that when he held the post of Ministerial leader of the house he discharged its duties with exemplary discretion. He knew• when to give way and when to resist ; when to soothe and when to command He was never rude ; and yet never 41 he betray any infirmity of pur pose, or what is still worse than that, any incapa bility of resolve. His decisions were instantly formed ; but they were always courteously enforced. He was, in the true sense of the word, a moderator and a guide. In more trying times he has given more emphatic indications of the, pates and at tributes which constitute a great Parliamentary chieftain •, and, in this respect at least, I look for ward to the future with the firm assurance that he will still more triumphantly distinguish himself. COUNTRY MARKETS. NORWICH SATURDAY. There was only a limited attendance at this market to' day, and although trade is slow, all good dry samples o f wheat were taken off at last week's rates. ' The trade-in barley is now confined to but few samples, for which ex treme rates are demanded ; this checks business, but late prices are well maintained. White wheat (weighing 641 b), 50s to 54s ; old red ditto (weighing 651 b), 48s to 50s ; new red ditto (weighing 601 b to 631 b), 42s to 47s ; bast malting barley (weighing 521 b to 531 b), 36s to 38s ; runs ditto (weighing 511 b to 521 b), 34s to Ns; distilling ditto (weighing 501 b to 521 b), 30s to 32s ; oats, 24s to 26s ; beans, &7s to 39s ; peas (maple), 36$ to 38s per qr. Flour, 31s per sack. YORK-SATURDAY. We had a seasonable show of wheat to-day, and the con dition of the grain was pretty fair. There was only a short supply of barley, for which there was a fair demand, and the extreme rates of last week were maintained. Rather more doing in oats, and late rates were easily made. There was a small quantity of beans on offer, and prices tended upwards • the demand was good. New White wheat, 48s to 52s ; new red, 44s to 478 per 36 stone. Barley, for malting, 38s to 40s. per qr. ; grinding, 32s to 34s per 30 stone. Oats, new, 24s to 28s per 24 stone. Beans, new, 42s to 45s per 40 stone. NOT TINGHAM-SATURDAY. There was a fair supply of wheat ozi. We have had favourable has during the week, and a good breadth of seed been sown. The demand ruled inactive, and the prices of last 'week were hardly maintained. A mode rate supply of barley, and prices of the finest qualities a shade higher. Old white wheat, 57s to 60s ; old red, 50s to 53s ; neve white, 54s to 58s ; new red, 46s to 50s per 36 stone. Oats, old, 30s to 355; new, 26s to 30s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 50s to 52s ; new, 44s to 47s per 38 stone. Births: CAMPBELL- On the • 30th ult., at 43, Lowndes-square, the wife of A. H. Campbell, Esq., M.P., of , a daughter. DRUMMONID—On the 31st 'ult., at Falcon Lodge,.Putney, the wife of Walter Drummond, Esq., of a son. PEEL—On the 30th ult., at Highlands, East Bregholt, Suf• . folk, the wife of Fredk. Peel, Esq., of a son. - - • Marriages. WISE _SHARP —.On the 29th ult., at St. Margaret's Church, Plumstead, Andrew Wise, Esq., M.R.G., to Marie Jane, oldest daughter of John Sharp, Esq., of Eastnor, Here. fordshiro. WILLIAMS RANIE—On the 31st ult., at St. George's, Han over-square, S. W. Williams, Esq., of - Edgbastou m ingham, to .4mily, widow of the late Capt. F. J. Rants, formerly of the 95th Regiment of Foot: Deaths. BEBEzz—On the 28th ult., at Camberwell, E. John Breeze, Esq., formerly of Woolwich, aged 70. • BaYDONE—On the 29th tilt,, at Petworth, Sussex, James M. Brydone, Esq., re ti re d staff surgeon, Royal Navy, aged 87. COUPLAND—On the 30th ult., at t6DOOII-grove, Syden ham, John Coupland, late of Liverpool, aged 70. FanEn—On the, 29th ult., John H. Fisher, of Paistow, Essex, GOOLD—bit`thBA9 th ult., at Osborne House, Palmerston road, Southsea, Hugh Goold, Captain RN., aged 80. KEBLE—On the 29th ult., at Bournemouth, the Rev. John Keblo, vicar of Hursley, aged 74. London: Printed and Published by WILLIAM AN:JACO& of No. 112, Strand, Painter, at Taz SUN OJico, No. 112 , Strand, in the Free Mot of the gs.voy .in the CouritY o f Middleses.7-111ondsy, Apr. 12,1866.