The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-13 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

NOTIONS ABOUT THE DERBY.
Although somewhat limitei in its range, speculation
on the an-by daily increases in significance and import-
ance. The " operations "of the presumed cognoscenti
in turf tactics are watched with eager and deepening
interest, and the fact cf two "dark horses " occupying
prominent positions in the betting has caused them to
be regarded with peculiar caution. The decline of Grte-

culus E3uriens was rather sudden, albeit not unexpected,

for popular prejudice ran high against him. People are

slow to believe that he is tae extraordinary animal that

report describes, and entertain suspicions that Scott's
lot comprises a more formidable Derby candidate.
They who have closely watched the market and the
tendency of speculation, seem hardened in their hos.

. _
tility to the " Greek," in consequence of the in-
creasing and spirited opposition which he en-
counters from a certain noble lord. The prejudice
which is entertained against Grwculus Esuriens, how-
ever, is perhaps scarcely warranted. In consideration of
the large sums of money which have unquestionably
been invested on him, I am induced to believe that his

party had cogent reasons for deeming him a superior
animal, and that they were not merely using him as an
instrument to deceive and blind the public. Report
states that prior to the last Goodwood Meeting, while

•
Scott's horses were located at Leatherhead, Grxculus
was most satisfactorily tried. The truth of this rumour
lam unable to determine. Experienced judges who
then had an opportunity of seeing the horse at exercise
were certainly disappointed and dissatisfied with his
appearance. He was described as being fiat, narrow,
slack loined, and what not. A. letter of advice,
which I have recently received from Malton,
informs me, however, that he has much grown
and improved, and that he is, in the expres-
sive language of my correspondent, "as long as a
church." The little cob-like Bonnie Morn leads him his
gallops, and it is said that two of his strides are not equal
to one of Grmculus Esuriens. Notwithstanding the
partiality evinced in certain influential quarters for De
Clare, I am inclined to place him under suspicion. That
he is touched with the constitutional weakness belonging
to his dam's progeny it is reasonable to suppose, and
an animal of whose staying powers doubts exist is not
the best to trust in a severe race over the Derby course.
De Clare's easy victory over Dirk Hatteraick at Doncas-
ter was almost as great a surprise to his "stable" as to
the public. Besides, Dirk Hatteraick was then shin-
sore, and some pounds inferior to his proper form. The
importance which is therefore attached to this per-
formance is scarcely justified. Bonnie Morn is undoubt-
edly a good little horse, but not quite good enough to
win the Derby. Some people fancy that after all he
will be found on the day the best of Scott's lot. At
present Ido not entertain this opinion. I have no great
partiality for small horses over the Derby course, al-
[ though the "pig," Daniel O'Rourke—an animal much

inferior to Bonnie Morn —succeeded by a fluke in win-
ning the blue ribband and the tuff. The " dumpling"
Tadmor—a little horse, somewhat of the make and shape
of Bonnie Morn—ran third, and other small horses have
finished in forward positions. .A.urifer has been talked
about, and "long shots" have been fired at others com-
prised in Scott's lot, but a probability exists that they
will not put in an appearance when the muster roll is
called.
The steady support which St. Hubert receives indi-
cates considerable confidence on the part of his backers.
Still the " General " pooh poohs his pretensions and
bears up gallantly Sir Oulston. The public performer
certainly has the fairer claims to support. Still, Oul-
ston's running for the Clearwell was, notwithstanding
his rumoured unfitness, sufficiently unsatisfactory to
raise doubts as to his alleged racing ability. The in-
vestments on him and his stable companion, however,
are numerous and heavy. On Thursday last Captain W.
backed him for a "monkey" at 6 to 1, whilst the owner
looked on complacently. The layer was Mr. Bond,
whose odds were certainly liberal, considering the
relative prices at which both horses were quoted.
Lord of the Isles proved himself at Goodwood to

be a youngster of no ordinary promise. The display
which he made of his racing powers was at least indica-
tive of much future excellence ; and this circumstance,
and his indisputable good looks, induce me to regard his
chance for the Derby as somewhat formidable. The
position which he occupies in the betting is unquestion-
ably his by right of merit. The same cannot with
justice be said of certain other horses who now figure
prominently in the returns from The Corner.
Rifleman is unquestionably a game horse, with a
good turn of speed. His running for the Nursery at
Goodwood, and his subsequent performance with Don-
nie Morn, proved that he possessed that quality in an
eminent degree. Still, I entertain no sanguine expec-
tations of his Derby chance. The " Squire" is, how-
ever, confident, and talks as if the race was over, and
the victory recorded in favour of Rifleman. Dirk
Hatteraick's running last year was, at least, uncertain,
and afforded no trustworthy criterion of his alleged
racing powers. His supporters boast loudly about his
merits, which I am inclined to believe are somewhat
slender. The fact of the Newmarket touts entertain-
ing a partiality for Polydore is sufficient to create a
prejudice against that horse. Polydore, I confess,
possesses no attractions for me. His performance for
the Clearwell showed him in his best form ; but if he
and Ouleton were again to meet over the same ground,
and the same weight, which would be the favourite !
The Cruiser makes steady headway, notwithstanding
the strong tide of opposition which occasionally sets in
against him. He is somewhat small, but not badly
shaped. I shall not be surprised to see him ultimately
occupy a prominent place in the betting. Wild Dayrell
I shall class among the "dangerous outsiders."
THE DERBY IloasE for 1855, is the title of a care-
fully-written pamphlet on the subject which now occu-
pies so much of the attention of turfites. The author,
" Gilbert Gurney," states his opinions clearly, and in a
straightforward manner, and has evident confidence in
their soundness. He sums up his argument with the
somewhat striking declaration, that, "if he comes to the
) post all right, Rifleman will win the Derby of 1855 !I!"
A FRESH MAN.
. January 18.

INVERNESS AND ELGIN JUNCTION RAILIVAT.—We
are glad to learn that the progress of the arrangements
is such as to hold out every prospect of the promoters
being in a condition to being their bills before the pre-
sent session of Parliament.—lnverness Courier.

THE CIVIL SERVICE —Prisons Department—Mr. J.
Foster has been appointed governor of Lincoln-Castle
Customs—Mr. Robert Hicks, clerk at Grimsby, has
been promoted to he sub-collector at Ramsay, Isle of
Man, vice Mr. J. H. Davidson, promoted to be comp-
troller, &c., at Westport, Ireland ; Mr. J. Billings has
been appointed a gauger in London ; Mr. T. Lavington
has been appointed a gauger in London ' • Mr. J. Brown
has been appointed a gauger in London ; Mr. A. T. White
has been appointed a gauger in London ; Mr. J. Far-
quhar has been appointed a gauger in London ; Mr. J.
Gibson has been appointed a gauger in London ; Mr. A.
Bethell has been appointed a clerk in the office of Comp-
troller of Accounts, London Docks; Mr. J. Flynn has
been appointed clerk in the office of Comptroller of Ac-
counts, St. Katherine Docks ; Mr. J. M'Gilchrist has
been appointed clerk of primal business in Loudon ;
Mr. J. Smith has been appointed clerk to the Comptroller
of Accounts, Legal Quays, London ; Mr. W. M'Cormick
has been appointed an extra clerk in London ; Mr. Z.
Clark has been appointed tidewaiter in London. Inland
Revenue Department, Excise Branch Mr. George
Moodie, examiner, is appointed supervisor of Ramelton
District, Londonderry Collection ; Mr. Richard Pape,
collector of Plymouth, has been apptinted collector of
Ipswich (Suffolk Collection)—salary, 4501. Irish Poor-
law Commission—M. A. G. Dillon, fourth-class clerk,
Poor-law Office Dublin, has been promoted to a clerk-
ship in the Ohief Secretary's Office, Dublin Castle. The
appointment of fourth-class clerk in the Poor-law Office,
Dublin, is vacant, caused by the promotion of Mr. Dil•
lon, 801. per annum.--Civil Service Gazette.
MEETING OY SHOEBLACIES.—There are four societies
in London for employing boys from the ragged schools
as shoeblacks posted in the streets. On Thursday even-
ing all the boys, more than 130 in number, were assem-
bled at a united tea-party in the lesser hall, Exeter-hall,
and as they were dressed in their respective uniforms,
red, blue, yellow, and dark blue, the scene was one of
unusual interest. The hall was profusely decorated with
flags and other ornaments, and very soon filled by a large
number of ladies and gentlemen. The Earl of Shaftes-
bury presided on the occasion, and expressed the high
satisfaction with which he regarded the rapid progress
of this movement. These societies were at once educa-
tional, industrial, and reformatory, and they exercised an
influence through some 50 ragged schools over a large and
important, but hitherto neglected, class of the people.
The first formed society (the boys of which wear a red
uniform) had succeeded so well, and had established
its financial position so satisfactorily, as to induce the
formation of three other bodies, all conducted on the
same plan and for similar purposes. Thus the number
of the shoeblacks in London- had been doubled during
the last six months, and seven or eight other towns had
also begun to employ them. The earnings of the boys
of the original society were stated to be 10s. a-week,
even at this, the most unfavourable season of the year ;
and by their healthy and cheerful appearance it might
be judged how well they were cared for and instructed.
Several hymns were sung in chorus, accompanied by
the organ ; and after addresses from one or two friends
of the institution had been listened to, a testimonial, in
the shape of a handsome silver-topped cane, was pre-
sented by the boys of the red brigade to their superin-
tendent. The shoeblacks, preceded by their banners,
and loudly cheering, then marched off to their dormi-
tories, and the meeting dispersed, every one being
greatly pleased with the good behaviour of the boys, and
the evidence thus afforded of the results of religious and
moral training when combined with active industry.