The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-17 00:00:00

Death of Captain Becher.

We have to announce the death on Tuesday last,
of this well-known sportsman, the father of steeple-
chase riders, and whose deeds in the pigskin some
30 years back have immortalised him in the annals
of that sport. Capt.B.,:cher was born in Norfolk, and
was the son of Mr Becher, a farmer in that county,
who was conspicuous as a horseman and the last of
the leather-breeches school. Gipt Becher commenced
his career on a pony, and was remarkable as well for
the boldness of his riding as for the judgment he
displayed in the hunting field. Being popular with
the noblemen and gentlemen in his neighbourhood,
he received the appointment of captain in a yec*
manry regiment, which gave him a status among
his contemporaries of much boatfit throughout his
career. In 1830 he first came out at St Albans,
where, on Mr Angerstein'a Tattler, he rode second
to Lord Ranelagh's Wonder. At the same place, in
1832, for the Grand Steeplechase, ho was third on
Corinthian Kate to Moonraker, ridden by Dan Sef-
fert ; and in 1834 he was in the same position on
Z'gzag to The Peat, who was steered by Jem
Mason. At Northampton, two months afterwards,
his luck changed, and he began on Vivian a series
of victories which raised his reputation to the
highest pitch, for he won the Northamptonshire
with him, beating Vanguard and Liverpool; and
afterwards the Grand Aylesbury Chase, beating
Laurestina and 18 others, including Lord Water-
ford's Lancet and Mr Elmore's Grimaldi. So cha-
grined was the Marquis at his defeat that he imme-
diately challenged Vivian with his second string,
Cock Robin, to run over the Harborough country
for £2,000. Captain Lamb, the owner of Vivian,
accepted the offer, and, after a fine race, by Captain
Becher's superior jockeyship, Vivian won cleverly.
In 1830 he won the St Albans Chase on Agnes, for
Captain Fairlie ; and was second on Caliph, at Chel.
tenham, to Patrick on Boabdil. In 1836 he won
the Waltham Abbey on Grimaldi ; and at Ayles-
bury he was second to Powell on Saladin, for the
heavy weights steeplechase, bdt won the light
weight on him, beating Grimaldi, Yellow Dwarf,
and the Pony. At Egham he was second, with
Vivian, to Powell on Red Deer ; and he likewise
won the Liverpool on The Dake, beating Dick
Christian, Polyanthus, and several others. At
St Albans fortune again smiled on him, but
the battle was dearly paid for, as his
horse—the far.famed Grimaldi—died after pass-
ing the winning flag. Worcester saw him win with
his favourite, Vivian, whose name had begun to be
quite a household word among the followers of
steeplechasing; but at Leamington he wee very
unexpectedly defeated on him by Flacrow, ridden
by that well.known Leicestershire yeoman, Mr.
Haycock; Lord Waterford, on Yellow Dwarf, being
third, and Lord Clanricarde, on Carlow, fourth:
At Northampton he was again a thorn in the side of
the Marquis of Waterford, as he beat him on the
Crow with Mr. Fairlie's Wing, with whom also he
won the East Grirstead chase. In 1837 he won at
Bath with Fieschi; and at Dunchurch with 71b.
extra, on Vivian, he defeated Jerry and a very large
field. Bat in the following week Jem Mason on
Jenny turned the tables both on him and Flacpw.
Cheltenham saw him again a winner this year on
Vivian, before a very large number of horses. In
1838 he was not so lucky, as he only won the
Northampton on Vivian, and ran second with him
at Daventry to Lottery. After this he retired on
his laurels, his frame requiring rest from the many
severe accidents he encountered during his career,
and which caused him afterwards to walk lame. In
appearance Captain Becher was strong as a Her-
cules, and he could endure any amount of labour
and fatigue. In knowledge of pace he was second
to none, and in finding out the weak parts of a
country he was very clever. Against his integrity
nothing was ever alleged, but he failed to make
hay while the sun shone, and retired into privacy
upon a competency on his wife's side, which ren,
dered the close of his chequered career calm and
P• lacid He was buried at Willesdon cemetery on
emP
sh° Eden,
two
Sbeaetnurdhaiys llaasttter-d ay
in
theamong whom we
noticed his old friend, Mr. Pitt, acc-mipnied by
associates,Preeie e of
a iccv
who had
Smith.Me sr s . C.
The
rndmloVu.Aelros ore,ll
included
Dobree, his brother•in-law, and Dr. Price.

THE WORLD OF MAGIC.—On Professor Ander4
son's kind invitation upwards of 500 of the juvenile popu-
lation enjoyed a perfect treat, while witnessing the perfor-
mance of the renowned professor at St James's Hall on Sa-
turday last, being his sixth morning performance. The
children from the Royal Caledonian Orphan Asylum, at-
tended by their excellent band, in their national costume,
were especially noticed. The professor donned the native
tartan. The hall was crowded.

FEBOAT SERVICES.—Daring the storms
of the past year the boats of the National Lifeboat
titration say, d 417 persons from different wrecks on our
pts. The Institution also expended' £13,819 3s. 2d. in
e ame period on lifeboat establishments, in addition to
granti.ng 1;1,351 6s. d. as rewards for saving 714 shipwrecked
persons by its lifeboats, and other means.
The Committee of the Institution earnestly APPEAL to
the public for ASSISTANCE to enable them to meet the
continued heavy demands on the Institution's 137 lifeboat
establishments. Contributions are received by all the London
and country bnikers ; and by the Secretary, Richard Lewis,
at the Institution, 14, John-street, Adeiphi.

TaEATRE ROYAL DRURY.LANE.--
Managers, Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton.
THIS EVENING, a new and original Farce, by Edmund
Falconer, entitled THE O'FLAIIERTY 'S. M. Edmund
Falc,oner; Messrs G. Delmoe, Barret. Fitzjames, &e.; Miss
Jludspeth, Miss E. Falconer, Mrs. 11. t
Vandenhoff, &C.
After which, at a Quarter to Eight o'cl cko,
CreswiirShakespere's
Play of CVMBELINII. Mr. Phelps; Messrs. ,
Blarston, Walter Lacy, Edmund Phelp4,
anday,
Helen
Loors open at ha f-past Six —Commence at Seven.

I}U'r YE- LA
DAM.NIFS'SION.SI,IaidEwAitZEtOrhe—DSreEesACSi2i-Ne,
Upper Boxes, or Pit, until next September, to all public per-
formances, only Two Guineas each. Apply to C. W., 3, `Pal-
cot-place Wes*, Bennington-road, S.

TEIEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.-
Lessee. Mr. Buckstone.
Ting EVENING, MADEMOISELLE DE BELLE ISLE.
Dlessrs. Bowe, Farren, Gordon, Baird, &c. Mesdames
Beatrice, Ange', &c.
Alter which, PRESENTED AT COURT. Messrs. Buck-
stone, Rowe, W. Farren, Rogers, Clark, Braid, &c. ; 3les-
ciarues Snowdon, Griffith, Mil, Wright, Lovell, &C.

And ACCIIIJS AND ARIADNE.
To commence at 7.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE,
Under the sole management of Mr. Fechter.
This Theatre will OPEN on SATURDAY• October 22,
with a New Drama, entitled the KING'S BUTTERFLY,
in which Mr. Fechter will perform the principal character.
The Scenery painted by Mr. William Callcott.
The Box-office open daily from Eleven till Five.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.
THIS EVE NING, BORNM urra TOy. GOOD LUCK. I eddy
Orl, afferty, r. Dominick
Aft,ar which, THE bTREET3 OF LOITDON. Messrs.
D. FR her. D. Murray"; J. Nelson H
Vining J. W. Ray,
Forrestie„r. H. Mellon ; Mrs. Henry Marston, Miss Emma .
Barnett, And Miss Fsnny Gwynne.

Ew THEATRE-R() YAL, ADELPHL—
sjie E'opristor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster.
Novelty and A.i.frJetion -Third Week of Arr. John Collins,
the popular Irish Comedian and Vocalist, who is only en-
ga_4ed for a limited n, =her of nights.
THIS EVENING, and during the Week (by desire), the
Comedy of THE IRIS!' AMBASSADOR. Sir Patrick
O'Plenipo, Mr. John Collins (with the song of "The Bold
Soldier Boy"), supported by Messrs. Billington, Stuart,
Stephenson, C. J. Smith, R. Romer; Mrs. Billington and
Miss Henrie,ta Simms.
To conclude with the celebrateJ sr,rlo-cemic Drama, by S.
Lover, Bag., of RORY O'MORE. Rory, Mr. John Collins,
with tele songs of - The Wi low 3lacizree," and " The Sprig
of Shillilah." The other characters by Mr Billington, Mr
Paillips, Mr Paul Bedford, Mr Stuart, Mr Stephenson, Mr
C. J. Smith.; Mrs. Alfred Mellon and Miss Kate Kelly, &c.

Commence at 7.

ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. Benjamin Webster.
EMINENT TALENT AND COMEDY.
Thig popular Theatre is Open for the Winter Season.
THIS EVENING, UNDER. THE ROSE.
At a quarter to 8, Mr. Arthur Sketchley's highly successful
and original Comedy of HOW WILL THEY GET OUT
OF IT?
Mr. J. Maddison Morton's New Comedy Farce, entitled
WOOD OCK'S LITTLE GAME. Mr. C. Mathews, Mrs.
Frank Matthews.
Those celebrated artistes, Mr. and Mrs. C. Mathews, are re-
engaged. Mrs. Stirling, Mr and Mrs. Frank Matthews, Mr.
F. Robinson, Mr. Ashley, Mr. J. Clarke, Mr. Chamberlain,
Mr. Johnstone, Mr. W. H. Eburne, Mr. H, J. Xoutague ;
Kiss Wentworth.

ROY AL STRAND THEAT RE.
Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough.
TIII3 EVENING, JNLIMITED CONFIDENCE.
Followed by, at Eight, MIL KY WHITE. Messrs. Craven,
Stoyle, James ; Mesdames Swanbor nigh and Mande7s.
After which, the great Burlesque, THE MILLER AND
HIS MEN. Messrs. Fenton. James, and Thorne ; Mesdames
wanborough, Simpson. Johnstone, Hughes, and Carson.

COALS.—The LILLESHALL COMPANY'S
COALS.
Direct from their own Collieries.
Marquis'.
Top 245. „ Deep ....225. „
Well screened and delivered within five miles of their De-
pots, Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, South Wharf,
Paddington, W., and Maiden-lane, N.
nest Coke

Terms cash.
JOHN SCOTT, Sole Lgcnt.

T" THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,
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No. 4, Connaught-terrace, ilyde-park.

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WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
T 315 DA-z.—Morning, 2h. 59 n.--Afternoon, 3A. 25m.
EO-xounow.-Morning, 3b. 43.n.—Afternoon, 4L 10m.

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-.1
'The.
~

LONDON, MONDAY, OUT. 17, 1361.

Mr. GLADSTONE'S remarks at Manchester were
characterised by much the same tone which
distinguished his speeches at Liverpool. It not
b ing the first time that the right hon. gentleman
had spoken publicly in Manchester, he was
enabled to draw a comparison between the past
and the present, which was alike instructive and
interesting. He truly stated that the years of
progress, of suffering, which had since passed had
given them all much valuable experience, and
exhibited to them in its true light the character of
their country and countrymen. In no better place
could the Chancellor of the Exchequer have made
this remark than in Manchester, the centre of the
district in which so much suffering has been
nobly borne and well endured. In taking
a retrospective glance at the period which
had passed since he last addressed them, Mr.
GLADSTONE expatiated upon the great change
that had taken place in the discussion of our
foreign policy. In past days this was confined
to the periods when any particular instance arose,
but now all that refers or relates to other lands ere
constantly considered by the Legislature, the press,
and the people. It was a happy expression of the
right hon. gentleman's that we have now no
" natural enemy" In olden days it was the fashion
to consider that this country must have some spe-
cial and particular antagonist—some nation that
was to be regarded iu the light of a deter.
mined foe ; but the spread of enlighten-
ment and the interchange of communica-
tions hive done great things in the way of
effecting a change in this important particular.
A Minister of the Crown holding a responsible po-
sition in the councils of his Sovereign can hardly
announce a more cheering fact than that we are at
peace and likely to continue on good terms with
other countries of the world. Mr. GLADSTONE'S
remarks were in a general sense. He did not touch
noon the particulars of recent events in the north
Of Europe, but it cannot be said that the last two
years have witnessed the successful government in
effecting what he tightly says ought to be our aim
and end in the communications that we have with
other countries, " that they should adopt for their
standing guidance of conduct the principle of re•
ecting the rights of one another." With respect

the American war the Chancellor of the Ea-
ch:quer deel‘.red that they held that we had
no right to interfere with the Americans
settling their own effairr, but he gave it as his own
opinion that " he had always had great doubts as to
the probbility of reducing to subjection any large
portion of a country that ra tnifests a determined
di6position to separate." The sight hon. gentleman
ILA the perspicuity to declare this some time ago,
when he said that JEFFERSON DAVIS had made the
South a nation, and succeeding events have fully
borne cut the validity of his opinion. Most far-
sighted observers of fortign policy have come round
to this vieN of the question by this time, whatever
their desires as to the result may be, and' this cons
vicf ipn ECTVES to increase the feeling of rec,ret at the
great sufferings that have been so nettllessiy inflicted
and to a far greater extent in
here in England,
America. Mr. GLADSTONE'S concluding remarks
upon the distress that has cecurred in the northern
districts were very effective. lie truly said that
the recollection of the last three years is as Worthy

of consideration as the brightest records of success
in manufacturing and commercial skill, for the
" moral aspect" bears so much interest and value.
" We have seen a population, counted almost by
millions, cast into distress, and we have Bean those
millions meet and encounter distress." Speaking of
the measures adopted for the relief of the distress,
Mr. GLADSTONE truly stated that it was a great
feature in itself that so much should have been done
to alleviate the misfortune in a spontaneous manner.
" To think that the wants of hundreds of thousands,
almost millions, could be met as they have been met—
not by the agency of Government—not by convoke
ing Parliament, and passing special laws—not by
the employment of an army of official persons ecnt
forth at the public charge to ascertain, to record,
and to regulate that relief—but by the voluntary
action of the community itself; by the mixed influ-
ence of Christian charity and practical wisdom
thoroughly combining together ; by the power and
organisation made applicable on a gigantic scale
to the relief of a gigantic calamity, is almost new in
the history of the country." The Chancellor of the
Exchequer has done well to speak in appreciating
terms of the glorious spectacle that has been
exhibited by the North of England ; it is
one which any Minister should recognise, and
it has been of signal service in displaying the
extent of the improvements that have taken place
of late years among the community. Education
and the increase of reading among the lower
classes have been potent auxiliaries in helping
on this good work; their mighty influence was
not felt till a momentous occasion called forth its
powers and developed its resources, but having
once been appreciated they can never be forgotten
nor despised again. Mr. GLADSTONE effectively
closed his address by expressing a hope
that the results of this struggle would be to ina•
prove the future condition of trade in the 4.•Torth
—to establish it on a Armer basis—so that the
resources of many countries might be pressed into
the service, to supply the "industry to which the
whole world is a debtor, for there is no portion
of the world which is rot a debtor to the cotton
industry of Lancashire."

The great colliery strike in the Midland Counties
is virtually at an end, and there are probably few
persons who would desire its continuance. After a
duration of fifteen weeks they have been compelled,
by the exigencies of trade, to abandon their pur-
pose, and to break up their organisation. With
the exception of some unwarrantable outrages,
which have recently tended to alienate public sym-
pathy from their cause, the general behaviour of
the men has been quiet and orderly, and those ex-
ceptions were probably regretted by no one more
than by the body of the colliers themselves, whose
good name was thus imperilled. But after this
protracted struggle of conflicting interests, the men
have had the sense to see that their cause wcs
growing only more hopeless as time went on, for
the demands of the great coal consumers were
being supplied from the north and from the west,
so that even now the strike is ended, its conse-
quences are likely to be felt in the new element of
competition which it has brought into the market.
The only strength possessed by men on strike is
their power of compelling their masters to accede
to their terms from the impossibility of carrying
on their trades without labour, But when a fresh
channel of supply is opened it is no longer a wai
in which both sides are fairly matched, and the
question is which side can hold out the longest,
but the whole -weight falls on the men and
their families, and it only remains to
be seen to what extent these will carry their
useless privations. The large supplies of coal,
amounting, it is said, to 10,000 tons daily, which
are now coming into South Staffordshire, entirely
independent of the collieries of the Black Country,
must naturally excite considerable apprehension
in the minds of all connected with the local trade,
and, therefore, it is not surprising that the men
themselves should take some steps towards altering
the state of affairs. Accordingly on Saturday
afternoon a meeting of the Bilston colliers was
convened, for the purpose of hearing an address
from Mr. SAMUEL GRIFFITHS, a well-known and
highly-popular metal broker of the neighbourhood.
There was a very large attendance of men notwiths
standing that the notice had been short, and:they
listened to Mr. GRIFFITHS'S address with remark-
able attention. That gentleman spoke at some
length, and argued strongly against the continu-
ance of the strike, saying that although he thought
they had been justified in striking, yet the con-
dition of the iron trade rendered the struggle per.
fectly hopeless. This was very unwelcome news to
the men, but they received it very quietly, and two
of their own leaders had the courage and good
sense to step forward and move that, in consequence
of the convincing nature of Mr. GRIFFITHS'S
arguments, work should be resumed on Monday
next. The motion having been pat to the
meeting, was received with dead silence, which
was perhaps as might be expected, but after the
meeting the committee resolved to break up, leave
ing every man to do as he thought proper. So that
the great strike is really at an end, for, of course,
it would be useless for a part to hold out while others
worked, and a good muny men are certain to re-
turn to work as soon as the organisation is
broken up. It is to be hoped that the losses and
sufferings which it has entailed will not have been
fruitless, bat that masters and men will alike have
learned something from them. The misters cannot
be said to have altogether triumphed, for as we
have said the new arrangements for supplying
Welsh and Northern coals are likely to prove
injurious to them, while the men have only too
much cause to remember the strike. It is on the
wives and little ones that the chief weight of these
strikes falls, and they are therefore to be doubly
deplored. At the same time the masters would do
well to remember that it is their own tyranny and
selfishness that drives men to combine against
them and seek that protection from union which
they cannot get from anything
else. They are
quite acute enough to see that wages which go
down so promptly in bad times do not rise as
quickly in good ones ; in fact, do not often rise at
all. Self-interest is too often predominant with
employers, and who can wonder that the employed
are ready to extort from fear what they cannot get
from justice ?
.The system of intimidation to
fellow-workmen, and of dictating to the employers
what men they shall engage or what wages they
shall give, is altogether contrary to English prin-
ciples of fair play, and it is these tendencies that
are the great evil of strikes. There is room for
improvement on both sides, before either fully re-
cognise the truth that their interests arc, in fact,
identical.

According to the promises given at the Ports-
mouth banquet last week, the Ministry will yet be
called to account for the extraordinary doings with
respect to the Royal Sovereign. There was no
wonder that the topic should be brought forward
on the occasion in question, for Sir JAMES ELPHIN.
STONE, IMP. for Portsmouth, is one of the popular
representatives who are more feared than loved by
supine Lords of the Admiralty and their misma-
naging subordinates. The hoe. member and his
friend,
Admiral Sir Josh HAY, have done good

service to the public on many occasions, by calling
attention to several instances of mal-administration
in nautical matters, and it was not likely
that so flagrant a case as that of the Royal
Sovereign would escape their notice. Sir JOHN
HAY remarked that Captain COLES' plan had been
only too successful to please those in office, while
Sir JAMES ELPHINSTONE said with truth that the
principle of the turret had proved so satisfactory
that Government could not discard it ; but what did
they do? " They took a class of ship unfit for the
purpose, cut her down and converted her, and thin
commissioned her by a most distinguished cflicer.
In three months the Royal Sovereign was a pattern
ship for the British navy, and the❑ she w s ordered
to be paid off." Sir J. ELPHINSTONE could not
acquit the authorities o❑ the scare of ignorance,
for Admiral DACRES and the whole -Channel
Fleet had had an opportunity of inspeetit g
her when Captain OSBORN visited Portland, and
no doubt, said the hon. member, the admiral blessed
his stars that the Royal Sovergn was not an enemy.
Bat however convincing such practical evidence of
her success, it was easy to find an excuse for putting
so formidable a rival out of the way, and we appre-
hend that Lord CLARENCE PAGET will find his part
of the Parliamentary catechism not very easy. In
political matters the existing Administration did
❑ot fare much better, and Mr. FITZGERALD was
very happy in exhibiting their deficiencies in the
three points on which they mike their boast—
Peace, Retrenchment, and Reform. The banquet
which was given in honour of Sir JAMES ELPHIN..
STONE went off brilliantly, and was a most worthy
expression of public feeling towards a very able
and useful member. We need such guardians of
the public interest, and in nn quarter is their
vigilance more needed than in those mysterious
regions where work is always going on, and money
being always spent, to very little practical purpose.