The Sun.
London, England, 1852-11-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY E:VENING, NOVEMBErt, 22, 1852.

GREAT CRY AND LITTLE WOOL.

SPORTING NOTES.—No. CCCLII.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

An awful clatter has been raised about an alleged
piece of appropriation by no less a personage than
the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Last Monday,
in virtue of his office, he had to move some resolu-
tions with regard to the public funeral ; and in
doing so he made a speech which might, perhaps,
be rather more elaborate than suited the occasion,
but was still much admired, and, what is more,
made a very deep impression. It was speedily dis-
covered that one passage in it was almost identical
with a quotation that appeared four years ago in
one of our morning contemporaries. This, of
course, was a grand discovery. A shout of " Stop
thief !" was raised, and a whole pack of jealous
litterateurs were immediately on the scent of their
offending, rand pe:"- Kis too successful, brother.
The robbery was pos'ced in the evening Hue and
Cry with all the particulars, description, date,
injured party, and everything but the height,
dress, and hair of the culprit. So serious, so
distinct, and so undoubted was the crime, that the
detectors expected at least to see a conscience-
money' paragraph from the distinguished plagiarist
restoring the stolen passage to its rightful
owner with suitable apologies. For our part,
the thing appeared so trivial, that we were
only sorry a speech which we had read
with pleasure should be liable to any
exception whatever. It was evident that Mr.
Disraeli had adopted a practice deliberately re-
commended and extensively practised by no less
an authority than Cicero—viz., storing in the
memory a variety of " topics" or common:places,
and producing them whenever matter might be
wanting, or the thread of the speech lost for
the moment. The passage in question, describing
the peculiar difficulties and excellences of military
genius, is exactly such a topic as Cicero meant, and
is one which even now, after this terrible exposure,
our younger readers might do well to store in their
memory. As for plagiarism, there is not a great
orator or poet who has not been a plagiarist, and
that on a very extensive scale. The calendar
would include every author worth reading since the
world began. Divers of our contemporaries, how-
ever, having neither bowels of compassion nor
even common sense, as it appeared to us, fell foul '
of the alleged robber with honest rage and awful
severity. In the fury of their censure they gave
up all discrimination. The man, the very tone of
his voice, and the passage itself, were all abused ;
the article from which it was first taken was de-
scribed as trashy ; the French marshal about whom
it was said to be written was pronounced third-
rate ; and M. Thiers himself came in for some'
spatterings of the wide-spread vituperation.
A letter which we publish from Mr. Smythe
shows that the affair is by no means exactly as
these candid gentlemen have hastily assumed. As
far as regards the morning contemporary quoted in
the above-mentioned Hue and Cry, instead of Mr.
Disraeli being indebted to it for the passage in
question, it was indebted to Mr. Disraeli. We
believe the real truth to be much as follows :
A good many years ago Mr. Disraeli had the
happiness to receive a copy of the Revue Trimestre,
containing a favourable notice of his novel Vivian
Grey, then lately published, and was encouraged
thereby to look into the rest of the articles. Among
them was one not particularly on Marshal St. Cyr,
who was then alive, but on military genius, or
some such wide subject. That it was written by
M. Thiers rests on no other evidence than that
M. Thiers, who was then scarcely known, was
a contributor to the Revue Trimestre. Mr. Dis-
raeli was pleased with the article, committed
some of the passages to memory, and the passages
so learnt have furnished successively a striking
paragraph to a morning contemporary and to
a speech in the House of Commons. All
this is very natural. But why did not Mr.
Disraeli give the name of the author ? We
believe it is not known. The passage is from an
anonymous article in a review, probably, but not
avowedly, by M. Thiers. To give the name of an
authority is always difficult in a speech ; much
more so when it is a review or other periodical.
But the fair account of the matter is, that Mr.
Disraeli found himself in the passage before he had
time to affix the proper title-page, introduction,
and table of contents. It is one of the evils of a
well-stored memory that a man cannot help quot-
ing ; but nothing destroys the interest of a speech
and the confidence of the hearers so much as avow-
ed quotations. In many cases the hearers and the
passage itself gain quite as much as the speaker can
possibly do by the omission of the author's name.
It is so, on the admission of Mr. Disraeli's most
merciless critics, in the instance before us. In the
ardour of depreciation, they tell us that M. Thiers,
the article, the Revue Trimestre, and Marshal St.
Cyr are all one as bad as another—trashy, obscure,
third-rate, French, false, and everything that is
bad and insignificant. Yet the gem extracted out
of this rubbish, and inserted in a speech, is so con-
spicuous and admirable that a whole mob of authors
run mad to deprive him of the supposed glory
attaching to its authorship.
Now, we beg to suggest to these gentlemen,
whether it is worth their while to be flinging as
much dirt as they can on the only litterateur who
has ever yet succeeded in breaking that solid aris-
tocratical phalanx which has hitherto monopolized
the high offices of the State. Why aro authors to
drag down every one of their fraternity who may
happen to become a Minister of State ? It is thus
that literature cuts its own throat in this country.
We may depend upon it, that authors will never
have their proper consideration, in the face of
dukes, millionaires, squires, and prize cattle, till
they are loyal to their own body, and help one
another to rise, when the opportunity offers. Chas-
tise Disraeli's political errors as much as you please,
but don't help the country party to throw off the
accomplished horseman who is riding them with
such admirable effect. We are delighted to
see them put through their paces by one not of
themselves. They would rather, of course, he were
a descendant of William the Conqueror, even though
he had a dozen bars of bastardy in the quarterings
of his shield. -Unfortunately, however, the aris-
tocracy of England is not fertile in ministerial or
any other talent, and they are forced to look
intellect.
Their not only for money, but even for
Their necessity is the opportunity of literature, and
we trust it will turn to good account.—Times.

The racing year in the olden time closed with the
Houghton-Meeting at the end of October ; what is termed
the "legitimate" season (for what reason I scarcely
know) still does so. The season, however, really does
not terminate until to-morrow, when Shrewsbury Meet-
ing will wind it up. There are two meetings this week,
Aberystwith and Shrewsbury, both of which come off
to-morrow. The Cardiganshire Stakes at the former
will, I have but little doubt, see Gamecock first, Buscot
Buck second, and The Gift third.
The Aberystwith Open Steeplechase, out of its eight
acceptances, will, most probably, have six or seven at
the post. As yet California has been the only horse
much backed, Esmeralda but occasionally coming in for
a slight support. The top weight, St. Helier, completely
unused to the peculiar kind of course over which this
steeplechase is run, will, I should say, stand but little
chance of competing successfully with his Welsh rivals.
Captain Powell's chesnut gelding is an useful ani-
mal, and will, no doubt, run well on this occa-
sion. California is not only the fancy at Aberyst-
with, but also in London, not more than 2 to 1
being able to be got in town, although a point more has
been laid at the seat of action. His chance is good, and
he is almost certain to be one of the first three. Esmer-
alda knows the course well, having travelled over it
several times, and always running forward, which she
will do, lam convinced, on this occasion. Lottery is
weighted very nicely ; and, in my opinion, has the best
chance of any in the race, Esmeralda being his most
dangerous opponent. Harkaway I have no penchant
for. He, with Petworth and Ferryman, though lightly
weighted, are deficient in the speed possessed by the
others. Taking all things into consideration, I opine
the result will show LOTTERY in the first place, Esmer-
alda and California in the second and third position ;
Captain Powell's chestnut gelding and St. Helier follow-
ing them in.
What little betting has been done on this race ,is at
the following prices :-3 and 2 to 1 about California ; 7
to 2 and 3 to 1 about Esmeralda ; 4 to 1 each against
Captain Powell's gelding and Lottery ; and 6 to 1
against Petworth. St. Helier not mentioLed.

The first day's races of the Shrewsbury Autumn Meet-
ing (Tuesday) will commence with the sstley House
Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with 25 added, for two-years-old;
colts 9st, and fillies Bst 101 b. T.Y.C. The winner to
be sold, &c. ; and to close and name betveen four and
six this evening.
The Shrewsbury Handicap of 50 sovs., added to a
Handicap Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, 2 ft., &c. ; about
two miles and a quarter, with penalties for winning,
which will only affect the Little Fawn, whose weight,
including the 71b, will be 7st 51b. Twenty-eight ac-
ceptances out of an entry of thirty-seven is something
more than good—it is excellent ; andif only a moiety can
be induced to figure at the post, a good race must be the
natural consequence. The Alp, 6 years, 7st 81b, is held
perfectly safe by his neighbour in the weight—the Little
Fawn—who will run uncommonly well, obtaining,
according to my view of the
which
the
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treated
run,
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;eahniads
handicapper,
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js
somewhat doubtful. I should advise, however, his being
held harmless. Goldfinder, I believe, is a non-starter.
Candlewick, if she runs, will doubtless finish forward.
The same remark will apply to Aaron Smith. Titter-
Stone has no chance whatever. Doubt, at 6st. 101 b.,
ought to be about winning. Caurire, at the same
weight as the preceding, has no chance. Ditto Allegro.
lanthe, I should say, will find the distance too far.
Unity has been entered for a variety of stakes, but never
obliges her backers, nor anybody else, with a sight of
her lovely person. Lindrick will stop at home. Kite-
flyer, it is said, will go • if he does, of course Aaron
Smith will be out of it. Varp is a thorough bad one.
Little Davie has no chance at 21bs. less than Kiteflyer.
The-five-years old Charley, . with 6st. 11b. up, is let
loose ; but notwithstanding he is so favoured, I
fancy he cannot win. King of Troy and Lorry-
whent, at 6st. each, are very fairly in. The
Surveyor, at the same weight, is likewise fairly
treated. Mary Ann, I understand, does not run.
Old Snowstorm, with the feather of sst 131 b up, is, lam
afraid, a very bad spec. The Priest, I confess, I know ,
nothing about. Thunderbolt, Bit of Blue, and Cheroot,
are inferior to Barbata and Miss Jemima ; none of the
lot, however, are likely to win. To sum up, the Little
Fawn, Lough Bawn, Doubt, and Lord Caledon's and
to be in front at the finish ; and if I place DOUBT first,
Mr., Copeland's starters, would seem to be the lot likely
with the Little Fawn and Wadlow's starter second and
third, I think I shall be as near the actual result as
human foresight can possibly predict.
The Column Handicap, of 50 sovs., added to a handi-
cap sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, 2 ft., &c. ; one mile and
a quarter. Without wading through the pretensions of
the 33 acceptances for this, I will jump to the conclu-
sion by giving it as my opinion, that Warwick, Lady
Amyott, Master Slender, and the couple of top weights,
will be the foremost horses in the fray—WA.Bwim mid
LADY AMYOTT being first and second.
The Steeplechase and Hurdle Race I will notice to.
morrow.

THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF,

MISS WHITE'S LETTERS TO MISS DIANA

CAMPBELL.

LOSS OF FOUR LIVES FROM THE FLOODS IN

SURREY.

The inundations in Surrey are now, and have been,
for the past week, so extensive as to have made all com-
munication to the different towns and villages extremely
dangerous on foot, and, in many parts, even so by horse
conveyance. The inconvenience sustained, and contri-
vances resorted to, has led to the following melancholy
loss of life at Walton-upon-Thames, a village near
Chertsey, upon the South Western Railway. On Satur-
day evening, about five o'clock, Sarah, the wife of
James Lilley, together with her son, a boy about
twelve years old, and her daughter, aged fourteen,
together with their father, had been employed on
App's Court farm, in the occupation of Mr. William
Careless, and were returning home from their work at
the above hour to their cottage, which is at present, in
conseque*ce of the floods, completely surrounded by
water. The farm of Mr. Careless is surrounded by a deep
moat which separates the cottage of the unfortunate de-
ceased and another from the farm where they had been
at work, and their ordinary mode of getting to this cot-
tage was by moans of a path running along the side of
the moat, and then over a high embankment at the end
of it. This embankment is now about three feet under
water, and therefore to get to their cottage they had re-
course to a beer cooler, about seven feet long, four feet
wide, and only seven inches in depth, for the purpose of
being punted across the moat, which is in its present
state thirty yards wide, On the evening in question the
three persons above named, viz., Mrs. Lilley, and her
son and daughter, having returned from the farm,
were waiting at the edge of the moat for the return
of the husband of Mrs. Lilley, who had gone to
the stables, to punt them across in this beer cooler,
he having previously to leaving them told his wife to
be sure and not attempt to cross the moat until he came
back, which caution, however, appears to have been ne-
glected, as the deceased Thomas Jarvis, a shepherd in
Mr. Careless's employ, who was feeding some sheep in a
turnip field a short distance from the moat, is supposed
to have offered, or was solicited, to ferry the three per-
sons across. The four persons were all seen by Ellen, a
younger daughter, who was standing at the cottage door,
to leave the bank in a beer-cooler together, being punted
over by the shepherd with a long pole. She immedi-
ately afterwards heard cries for assistance, and upon
running out of the cottage she saw them all struggling
in the moat, and the beer-cooler floating filled with
water. Assistance was procured as speedily as possible,
and the bodies were got out, but unfortunately life was
found to be extinct in them all. They were conveyed to
the Castle Inn, where they now await an inquest.
THE GREAT BRITAIN.—The seventh edition of the St.
Helena Advocate, dated the 29th September last, has
been forwarded to us. It contains an interesting account
of the voyage from Liverpool to St. Helena; but the
most amusing part of the publication are the advertise-
ments addressed by the passengers to their friends at
home. They speak most eloquently of "home, sweet
Eotnhgelrasn, d "
for
rod ever,"
saveer,„ thea n dQu ,e, en
e; Th"
home." Some of them are headed " All well ;"others,
" Erin go bragh ;" others, All serene up to now ;"
landand swomheere
fewFree"romld
dwells." The language of all is simple and touching ;
but
while one or two merely declares that the under-
signed " are all right and jolly,"• •
the majority of them
breathe such words of affection as " •
Kind love and re-
membrances to friends and relative "s.

GRATUITY TO THE TROOPS WHO ATTENDED THE DEUCE'S
FUNERAL.—We have much pleasure in being able to
announce that the Secretary-at-War has consented to
allow a gratuity of a shilling each to all the non-commis-
sioned officers and men employed in the procession, or
on duty in aid of the civil power, during the funeral of
the late Commander-in-Chief, 011 the 18th inst.—United
Service Gazette. •