The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-03 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,-" Here we are within a month of the North-
ampton meeting, and no analysis of the Northampton-
shire Stakes. It is too bail, much too bad," I fancy I
hear my readers say. They shell, however, be kept so
longer in suspense, for I will forthwith commit to paper
my gleanings on this now somewhat celebrated handi-
cap. The race has been established eight years. It was
won in 1844 by Vitellius, when 4 years old, carrying 7st,
and the favourite at 3 to 1 at starting; in 1845 the,aged
Discord with Bst, like his predecessor the favourite at 3
to 1, won a fast run race easily; in 1846 the five-years
old alerpeth, at 7st 910, and 7 to 1 in the betting,
geared the post first; in 1847 Wolldog, 5 yrs, Bs' 1110.
second favourite at 9 to '2, seat the crack geelid colt, 3
yrs, 4st 71h, who was at 5 to 2, very cleverly; in 1848
Lady Wildeir, then in her sixth year, Bst 51b, at 16 to
1, won very easily, the creek, Baninesfan, 4 yrs, 7st,
backed at 5 to 2, running third; in 1849, Feenhiil, 4 yrs,
6st 81e. quoted at 8 to 1, was the wint,er, the favorite
being beaten early; in 1850, Priestess. 4 yrs, Est 101 b,
the extreme outsider in the betting, 40 to 1 having been
offered against her and no takers, won cleverly; the
crack Osterly, 4 yrs, 7st, hacked at 7 to 2, finishing a
good third; and in 1851, a little legerdemain on the part
of the clerk of the weather, enabled the outsider Valen.
tine, 4 yrs, 6st 11b, with Pandemus and Selina. two out-
siders, second and third, to beat the three cracks, Leger-
demain, 5 yrs, 7st 11tha at 7 to 4; St. Rosalie, 5 yrs, Bst
31b, at 7to 2, and the Ban, 3 yrs, sst 101 b, at 6to 1. By
these antecedents it will be found that in two instances
out of eight the first favourite was the winner; in three
instances the second favourite; and in the remaining
three it was won by outsiders; the favourite, however,
obtaining, in five cases out of the eight, a place. It will
be seen, also, from the foregoing statement, that a three-,
years old never accomplished the feat of winning this
stake; but that the four-years old class have won it four
times, the five-years old twice, the six-years old once, and
an aged animal once. The nominations, with the exception
of the present year, have made a general advance in
number since 1844; in ;that year there were 71; in
1845, 85; in 1846, 79; in 1847, 101; in 1848, 101; in
1849, 113; in 185 a, 120; in 1851, 128; and in the
present year 101. The acceptances have in no instance
exceeded forty-seven, and this year they number three
dozen. Alec Taylor has a couple of the Fyfield nags
ameng the acceptances, namely, Teddington, who figures
as the top of the Handicap at Bst 131 e, and Story-
teller, also a four-years old, with only 7st up.
Wollatog in 1847 carried Bst 1 lib, and won by half a
length; but be was a five-years old, and a very game
one withal. Can Teddington at a yetr less, anii two
pounds more, secure victory- over this, the severest or
the Spring Handicap courses? I think not. Storyteller
by Ascot, out of Testatrix, has been fancied by some
people; but my accounts inform me he is an animal
of the mediocre class, and alai that they are not at all
sanguine at Fyfield of winning the Northampton-
shire Stakes tette him. Butter, of Newmarket,
also has a brace figuring ernoug the acceptances.
Captain Ruus's nomination (Landgrave), who at six
years, Bst 41u, does not read elthogeeher amiss,
but I think that Mr. Greville's nag bottles up his
cnauce tolerably safe ; and Hesse Homburg. 4 years, 7st
51b, who, lam given to understand, is not iniended for
this event. Sir T. Munro's nomination, the King of
Oude, 5 years, Bet 31b, I consider is a losing *peculation
-at least in this race. Dilly has a solitary animal in
preparation for this race, in Mr. Greville's game old
Cariboo, 5 years, who, at Sat 31b, will make bete all the
top weights. This son of Venison and Jawaicia, in 1849,
won two races out of six ; in 1850 out of ten spins he
was victorious thrice and rite a dead heat once ; last
year he came out in his best form, winning nearly every-
thing that besieged for, being triumphant in six instances
out of nine. His last performance at Lichfield was a treysterteue one, as he was beater., strange to say, by the King
of Oude, who, in my opinion, is not within seeeu pounds of
him. His chance for this event I hold to be very superior,
anti feel very much inclined to put him down as the ab-
solute_ winner. He has been hacked rather extensively
of' late; among others, by the coreferleretes, and is now
first favourite. He locks and goes well; is in first-rate
torn); and Dilly entertains but little doubt, but that he
will sweep the Great Northemptonshire Stakes of 1852.
I shall resume my remarks on this race to-morrow.
A curious work now lays benere me which I have just
received from the pualiahing office ,,f Mr. G. Vickers,
entitled `• Wile's to Win the Der by ?" professing to give
a solution of the Derby problems, and a general
unmasking of the tipping gentry ; with other matter
concerning the odds and propeett. All this is by
some gentleman, who has assieeed for the nonce the
rather peculiar nom-de-guerre o the " Wizard of
the Nettle." The sue j; of this panaphlet are handled
most artistically, in a style et once troll and dashing.
That portion devoted to the consideration of " The
Odds." contains an idea, not altogether new, with respect
to taking the betting at " The Corner" as the best
guide to the winner; it certainly is as good a criterion
as any for the Derby and some other races, where weight
for age, and even weights are carried, but is not appli-
cable to handicaps. The " Tipsters" are treated in the
most unmerciful manner, knocked known right and
left, like so many ninepins; the exposé must have a
beneficial effect and prove to the world, that what it can
obtain for fivepeece or sixpence from the daily and
weekly sporting papers-that, in all probability, being
the source from which the tipsters derive their exclusive
information - will be hardly worth while to give
half a guinea, or even a crown, or indeed anything
for, their selections for the Derby being those already
chosen by the leading sporting writers of the press.
Under the head of " The Prophets" the Wizard is
rather complimentary than otherwise to the sporting
correspondents of the papers; and states in the following
lines what has certainly become a truism, that " what is
well paid for is invariably well done; and as the ma-
jority of these gentlemen are amply remunerated for
their labours, depend upon it they never lose a chance of
promoting their own popularity." Yates, it seems,
though admitted by him to be the most popular prophet,
does not come up to his ideas of a sporting writer, and is
very hard upon him accordingly. The list of probable
starters. with their jockeys, is a curious dip into futurity.
The Wizard has also furnished the world with the auto
graphs of the leading tipsters. " The solution of the
probleM" I need say nothing about, the public must
judge for themselves. The pamphlet. on the whole,
must be read to be appreciated, and ought to be perused
by every son of the Turf.
I am, Sir, yours. &c.,
THE Stand t' OF THE TURF.
March 3, 1852.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
LIVERPOOL SPRING MEETING.
The following is a compl.te list of the h,rses that
had reached Aintree tit four o'clock yesterday (Tuesday)
sf4,.rnoon :—Abbess ot J,rveaux, 5 yrs—Melfrd, aged
—L cis, 4 yrs—f by Hat kaway, eat of Z .ltnyra, 3 yrs—
Banshee, 3 yrs—Don Carlos, 3 yrs—liilquade, 4 yrs—
Flung, rfoid, 4 yrs—Sir Charles /slap', r. 3 yrs—true
Girl, 4 yrs—liter Simple, nsql—Nt:ria Day, aged`
Joan of Arc 6 yrs— ag,d—Ev„rton, ac,ed
—Carrig. aged—M,urice Dal: y, rigeO—Vlctrpss, aged
—lt,y al Blue, 6 yrs—Sir John, uged—Lucy weak, aged
Chiefiair, , Azed—Bourton, aged—Bedford, 6 yrs—Agis,
aged—Miss Mowbray, eged—ilardwick, aged—Warner,
aged—Dolly's Brae, 5 yrs—Silent Friend, ag de—La
Gazzi Ladri., 6 yrs—Bedrerd, 5 yrs—Arlon, aged—
Lamientie, 5 yrs—Cogia, 6 yrs.
Be,idv% the above, several others for the Trial and
Selling Stakes.
Twenty-five are expected to run for the Steeplechase,
and ten for the Cup.
Surprise is declared to be amiss, and will not start.
LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY MORNING: The following
stakes closed last nlght:

• The Trial &Arts.
Mr. Osborne's Lady Agnes, 3 yrs—Mr. Rothwell's
Lenny WI-tent, by Lanereost, 3 8 rs—Mr. Wilkins na
Allan-a- dale, 3 yrs—Mr. Buckley's Royal George, 3 yrs
—Mr. Russell n'i Sir Charles Napier, 3 yrs—Mr.
Morris's, Vatican, 6 yrs—Major PIA and Mr. Williams
did not name.
The Optional Selling Stakeft.
Mr. Rothwell's Emerystoue, 3 yrs, (501)—Mr. Hall's
f by lictinan Plata', dam by Jereed, 3 yrs, (500—Mr.
Harrison's Toy, 4 yrs, (300—Mr. Stehbiug's Iby Bird.
entcher, out of Celeste, 3 yrs, (301) Mr. Murphy's fby
Harkaway, out of Zelwyrs, 3 yrs, (300.
Scramble Handicap.
Mr. Johnson's Lady Jersey, 6 yrs, Bst I.olb—Mr.
7staloib—
Jeffery's Forest Deer, 4 yrs, Bst 31b—Mr. Harrison's
Toy, 4 yrs 3st 31b—Mr. Osborno's Lady Agnes, 3 yrs,
7st 10th—,Mr. Stebbing's Sir Charles Napier, 3 yrs.,
blurn.h
7st ~lb--Mr. Mr, ROthwell's Lenny Whew:, 3 yrs, 7sl 61b
Rothwell's Ernerystone, 3 yrs. 7st 61b—Mr.
Raphael's dam,Z 3 Owen
c DY
I by Harkaway, out of Zelmyra, 3 yrs,
yrs,. 60 istr. .I.l.arli's f .by- Hetinan Platoff, d by Jereed, 3
General Pollock, out of
yrs, 6st.
LATEST BETTING.

0 to 1 agst Chieftain STRILPLECHASE
12 to 1 agst Abd-el-Kader
10 to 1 ugat Miss Mowbray —(t)
10 to 1 agst La Gazzs 13 to 1 agst Vietreas
Lath a I 13 to 1 agst Maria Day.
10 to 1 agst Warner 115 to 1 u st C "
20 to 1 agst any other gat
SPRING CUP.
5 to I sgst Abbess of Jer- 157
ttkol
11
anggsstt
ill,,euhnigae.rford
vc DUX

COWES, ISLE OF wiGunr.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESP ,NDENT.)
REMOVAL OF THE COURT TO THE ISLE oF %Vicar,.
ELT jA exrcted Mt 03b,,ree Romp-, ure la.
turday next, when sowing rod phalli:rig will be the
order of the .
da The Royal children have each a
garden, and the y
eld-r ones display much anxiety to
excel in their arrangorernt and productions,
One of our hutcl,e rs bus to•rhAy touived a number of
i.f tout,t.,,D i',•,211 Wale:, and sirloins of
Scograid fur the rop.i nit'
a"' w" heave no doubt, he iiiy,,tiftd roy Al

trovbegP.
MARINE VILLAS AND BUILDING TliurS-
day tom Frtthy 14%1', a nuteber vf hour's Uhi o.ixty-•.wo
il,ts 0:1 n I, the pr.perty of the !ate ,Lho FAtale:3,
Fi 9•r
were I'Y Cowes is so el. self
eweiled Pv"P"'tY t7%tlt, the sale ot building land OM'
roihdifite, ttru views was (Oita hit cvitut, st,d t a *je.'
town was erowdkd lo xttt:.
bitifigs ware very
apirited,lind the wh;Ap leisitsed good oricis.

Oii S-,turd,•;y, 11r. Berkefsy--13
of Dunley,
was returning home from shooting (tucks, and on reaching
the rear of his dwelling he st,tTped.
, as it is supposed, to draw
the charge from his gun. N‘ hile 10 the act the piece ex-
ploded, and the contents lodgedin Mr. ni
---ozaomit's heart,
causing instantaneous death.—Cheltenham Journal.

LITERATURE.
HISTORY OF 7 HE ISLAND OF CORFU,
AA; , TgE R B /;,/ YYP ,7 F..
D IN /..sh. I :ir ) _By fern 8, Pod' -,7
Artillery. Colburn.
This work presents us with a very fair description
of Corfu, the most important of ,he seven lonian
Islands. It has always been considered of great con-
sequence. Homer, in the " Odyssy," mentions it as
a place Of resort in the voyage of Ulysses. There is a
long account of the ancient history of Corfu, de-
scribing its first comparative freedom, being set apart
as a fabulous land, and, subsequently, how it was
corrupted in later times by the pernicious influence of
Rome. Its fortunes are then traced through the
middle ages, when it was overrun by numerous tribes
of barbarians, including the Buns, the Vandals, the
Grohs, &c. Atier various changes and struggles, the
island became the property of the Venetians, where
they fixed the head-quarters of their fleets
of observation. The modern history of Corfu next
appears; it was frequsstly besieged by the Turks,
but they were defeated ; at last it was conquered by
the French Republic, and became the property of
France, under Bonaparte. The latter gave them up
to Russia, but Napoleon again insisted on their being
restored to him after some time. Admiral Col-
lingwood, in 1809, learning that the inhabitants
were desirous of throwing off the French yoke,
attacked the enemy, and having conquered he
established a British officer as chief in every island.
The last part treats of the lonian Islands under
British protection. The first British representative
was Sir Thomas Maitland. He was well suited to
his position : his most decisive measure was that of ,
taking the Church revenues from the administrators,
who were making fortunes for themselves
and neglecting all else. By this means roads were
cut throughout the island, the town was improved,
the churches repaired, and yet at the end of the year
there was a surplus of 117,357 Spanish dollars. Lord
Nugent, a subsequent governor, directed his attention
to the courts ofjustice, but all his exertions did not pre-
vent his making many enemies in those who shrunk
from the supremacy of the law. The Legislative
Assembly had serious; differences with his successor,
Sir Howard Douglas ; but, notwithstanding all the
jealousy and insidiousness of the natives, the work
goes far to prove that the islands, undo-r the protec-
tion of the British, enjoy greater privileges than the
rest of Greece, with its so-called freedom, but its
really dependent and miserable condition. Thus the
volume in question is a faithful record of the varied
ar.cl eventfut history of the Greek island. All rnust
approve of the purpose of its publication, for one of
the chief advantages of Ruch literature is the inforrna••
tion those at home derive from the perusal of
foreign subjects. An intimate acquaintance with a
scene of histvric importance is a valuable acquisition
to all classes of readers.