The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-31 00:00:00

.ASCOT BACES.-(TILIS DAY.)

Despite the somewhat doubtful aspect of the
loather, sufficient animation was witnessed at the west-
eta this morning to denote an exciting event, though of
yarse the fares of 12s. 6d. and 15e. to Ascot on the " Cup-
o are not so inviting to the general public as the
rota figures. The principal point of departure was the
soh Western Railway terminus, and the extraordinary
sober of Hansom cabs plying in the direction
01 the station across Waterloo-bridge, rendered
usually quiet office of toll-keeper there somewhat
vinous. From 9 o'clock the traffic commenced, and from
still half-past 11 the bridge was literally lined with ya-
wed. After that the number became limited to those
Ids availed themselves of the late trains. The scene at
*railway station was a busy one, and not uninteresting,
ty dresses of the lady visitors displaying every modernised
billion and description of colour. In addition to the six
oar/ boxes for taking tickets there were three double
sea and a single one in various parts of the platform,
ore the intimation was made to " Book here for Ascot."
Altogether 13 of the company's servants were engaged in tak-
jig money. It was computed that over two miles of CST'
Ages would be employed in conveying the visitors, and
tot the number of passengers would reach 13,000. A
rat many also booked at the Great Western terminus
Windsor, but the most popular route was that from
Taterloo, from which the company alighted " within
ip yards of the Grand Stand." The number of =-
loge visitors was not so numerous as has been witnessed,
tot this may perhaps be accounted for by the fact that
p large a gathering are already quartered in the
tr.inity of the heath.
" Oxley's authentic card" gives the following list of
sorters for the Gold Cup :—Duke of Beaufort's Mr. Pitt,
:yrs.; Mr. Chaplin's Breadalbane, 4 yrs.; Marquis of
Casting's Ackworth, 5 yes.; Count F. de Lagrange's Gla-
&deur, 4 yrs.; Count F. de Lagrange's Le Mandarin,
qrs.; Mr. Merry's Primate, 3 yrs. ; Mr. C. Peck, jun.'s
f. Regalia, 4 yrs.; Mr. H. Savile's Sealskin, 3 yrs.;
Lon]. Stamford's The Peer, 3 yrs.; Lord Stamford's Archi-
medes, 4 yrs ; Mr. Mackenzie's Brown Bread, 4 yrs.

ASCOT-HEATH, THPRSDAT.

The meeting to-day is one of the finest that ever graced
the heath upon a " Cup Day." From au early hour the
preparations for the departure to the course by train from
Windsor, Staines, and in the vicinity of
Egliam have been upon the most extensive
male. From seven o'clock till noon train after train
has been despatched from Waterloo, crowded with fashion-
able company. The platforms of the Windsor branch, just
previous to the starting of each train, were like rich
parterres, so gay were they made for the nonce by the
graceful toilettes of the fairer portion of the royafteurs.
At half-past 10 o'clock her Royal Highness the Princess
Mary of Cambridge, attended by Colonel Home Purses,
and accompanied by the Duchess of Mecklenburg Strelitz,
Lady Geraldine Somerset, and Lady Macclesfield, drove to
the Waterloo terminus, and alighted at the south plat-
form, where they were met by Mr. A. Scott, the traffic
manager, Mr. Williams, passenger superintendent, and
Mr. Verrinder, who bad the honour of escorting the royal
party to a saloon placed in the middle of the train, which
was full of passengers.
Her royal highness and company slighted at the Sun-
ningdale station for the purpose of proceeding to Fitness-
park, where the Prince and Princess of Wales are staying.
The Great Western Railway special trains brought
great numbers of visitors from Paddington and the
stations of the Metropolitan Railway. These, on their
arrival at Windsor, found an ample supply of omnibuses
and vans which offered for a moderate charge a pleasant
and easy means of reaching the course from the royal
borough.
At Ascot station a busy scene was enacted. Here Mr.
Godson, the superintendent of the line, was in attendance,
and as the numerous trains were emptied of their occu-
pants they were sent on to Ascot (West) station, and
placed upon one of the lines, where they accumulated in a
long line of nearly two miles of carriages.
At the moment of forwarding this despatch the people
upon the heath and the visitors on the grand and other
Manila were momentarily increasing and awaiting the
arrival of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Their royal highnesses, with the Duke of Edinburgh, the
Prince of Denmark, Prince Teck, the Princess Mary, the
Duchess of Mecklenburg, Lady Geraldine Somerset, Lady
Macclesfield, &c., were to drive in Mate from Titness-park,
aad up the centre of the course to the Royal Stand. The
outriders and postillions were to wear their scarlet and
geld liveries. After the races the Prince anti Princess
were to return to Titness-park and give a grand dinner
party, the company including Lord and Lady Mangy,
the proprietors of Titness-park.
The Prince and Princess will remain at Titn ess-park
till Monday neat.

(152 ELECTRIC TELIGILLPH.)