The Sun.
London, England, 1852-10-18 00:00:00

THE LONDON SHARPER AND THE

READING FLAT.

A most amusing instance, displaying the verdancy
of one of our Reading gentlemen, came under our
notice this week. Mr. B---, a small tradesman in
this town, it appears, a few days ago purchased a horse,
bridle and saddle, at what he considered a bargain.
Being anxious to dispose of it as quickly as possible ho
determined to sell it on Saturday if he could, and took
it down to the cattle market for that purpose. The
horse, however, failed in captivating the eye of any
purchaser, and the owner very disconsolately was bring-
ing it leisurely back through the market-place, when he
was stopped by a rather gentlemanly-looking fellow, with
his bat cocked on one side, highly polished boots, &c.,
and asked what he would take for his " nag." They
entered into conversation and adjourned to a public-
house on Highbridge. After sundry offers, the gentle-
man from town offered Mr. B in the genuine Yan-
kee style of barter, six sacks of vetches for his horse.
A. sample was produced, and every way met with ap-
proval. But not knowing their value precisely, and
thinking it would not do to be taken in in this wicked
world, he sagaciously asked the value of a sack of
vetches; this he found to be something like U. This
was too good an offer to be allowed to pass, and the
horse-dealer therefore accepted it. His " friend," how-
ever, thought he was giving the seller too good a bar-
gain, and seemed to hesitate. This only increased his
anxiety to effect the bargain, and he therefore consented
to give the horse, saddle, bridle,the
Great ss. for the vetches.
The London youth wrote out an order, directed to
Great Western Railway Co., "Please to deliver to Mr.
-- six sacks of vetches.—Your's, c
jun., Swiss Cottage, Maidenhead." This&no:etejt. Swallow,
washe a i r
lbandedway,
over to the seller, who at once proceeded
and inquired for the vetches. He was of course in-
formed that there were no vetches there, much to his
surprise and alarm, and he at once proceeded to Maiden-
head, to Mr. Swallow, when he discovered, still more to
his discomfiture, that the whole affair was wholly " a
sell," and that Mr. Swallow, jun., had not been at Read-
ing. He returned to his residence at once, and made in-
quiries, but all in vain: the horse, and bridle,ne andan h
d saddle,and man, and five shillings, had all gone,
left to mourn over his loss, and say within himself,
"what a flat I've been to be sure!'' He afterwards found
out, however, that the horse had been sold to a man in
the Butts, who, who, as a particular favour, allowed him
to have it back again for paying 12s. 6d., and so ended
this eventful history.—Berkshire Chronicle.

FRIGHTFUL CASE OF SUICIDE.—On Monday, the
I.lth
inst.,a manufacturer,whose place of businesswas in Glass-
ford-street, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a
razor from ear to ear. The fatal act was done by the deceased
in his own house, and in the presence of two of his children,
who are young persons. He only survived about two minutes,
having literally bled to death. The deceased was a widower,
and is said to have been labouring under a melancholy de-
pression of spirits on account of being somewhat unfortunate
in business. He was about 45 years of age.—North British
Daily Mail.

X collier was killed last week by an explosion of
fue•dawp A a colliery in Dolylais.

No. CCCXXIX.

PONTEFRACT AND HOLYWELL HUNT
MEETINGS.
(To the Editor of the Sun.)
SlR,—The racing commences at Pontefract with the
5 soya. Handicap, with 50 added by the Members of the
Borough (once round and a distance, about two miles),
which will, in all probability, be carried off by Little
Davie, 3 yrs, 5 st 13 lb, or Paquette, 4 yrs. 6 st 3 lb.
The Park Hill Stakes from the Wood-End, (about
three quarters of a mile) seems destined to be carried
off by Master Norton, or Landlords.
The Pontefract Stakes (ono mile) seems manufactured
for the particular behoof of Dawson or Osborne : the
Twiu, 4 yrs, 6 at 3 lb, being, not unlikely, the winner.
If either Tickton or Luxurious start for the Castle
Stakes I need look no further for the winner.
Of the Holywell Hunt Races two only will require
any comment.
The Mostyn Stakes (over the Moystyn mile) will, I
presume, have Lady Azeyott and the Little Fawn first
aud second.
The Holywell Hunt Purse looks uncommonly pro-
mising tur Lady Bibina, 6 yrs, bet 101 b, or Wilmont,
5 yrs, 6st 10 lb. Ibis is not badly in at 6st 21b.
Cock Pheasant, after winning the 10 Sons. Sweep-
stakes for two yrs old last Thursday, was claimed for
40 Soya., and goes into Martin's stable Horseheath.
Lapidist, whose reserved price at the sale of Col.
Peel's Stud last year was 3,000 guineas, was claimed by
Mr. S, Merry for 300 Sovs. after winning the 10 Son.
(first half Ab. mile) Sweepstakes on Thursday last.
Gorgey was introduced into the market last week as
Daveson's Derby horse. If he has nothing better for
that race, his chance of carrying it off is small indeed.
The animal bids fair to be a tolerable second rate, but
nothing more.
The Edgware Steeple Chases are postponed until
Monday, November the Bth. The Handicap closes to-
morrow, weights to appear on Saturday, and accept-
ances declared on the 28th instant.
George Bless of Newmarket, who until lately had the
care of Sir R. Pigotts's horses, has been engaged by Mr
Mare as his private trainer.
Owners and trainers of horses are reminded that the
Paddock and Selling Stakes, the Darden& Plate and
Scramble Steeple Chase, at the Epsom Autumn Meeting,
the Two year-old Stake at the Spring Meeting, 1853,
and the Woodcote Stakes for two years old at the Sum-
mer Meeting, 1853, also several stakes at Doncaster ;
close and name (the first four to Mr. Darling, and the
remainder to Messrs. Weatherby) on Tuesday Novem-
ber the 2d.

The weight for the Epsom Autumn Steeple Chase
and Free Handicap Hurdle Race are to be published to-
day ; and acceptances must be declared by 6 o'clock
p.m. on November 2d.

Several of the:Stakes—the Great Warwick Handicap,
Leamington Welter Cup, Hurdle Race, and Grand Open
Steeple Chase at the Warwick and Leamington Novem-
ber Meeting close on Wednesday ; the weights to be
published on Saturday.
Cambridgeshire " waifs and strays" te-morrow. I
am, &c., THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF.
Oct. 18.

THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE STARES.—At the Weet End
yesterday, Babett was backed freely at 5 to 1, and 20 to
I offered against Lady Evelyn.

RACING FIXTURES FOR 1852.

OCTOBER.
Holy well Hunt
Richmond
Brighton

NOVEMBER.
Worcester Autumn ... 2 Stretford
Epsom 4 Warwick
Liverpool Autumn 9 Aberystwith
Cowbridge Hunt
Northallerton ll

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SPORTING NOTES.