The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-17 00:00:00

COLONEL THOMPSON.

The Horse Guards have made a tardy step in
the way of justice, by placing the author of the
Corn-Law Catechism on the list of Colonels, from
which he had been excluded in 1846 by an official
manoeuvre. But do they not mean to restore him
to his proper place in the list, which is at the head
of all the Colonels of 9th Nov., 1846 ; or is it
to remain on record that an officer was put at the
bottom of the list,,,,p.nd, lost, eight years' rank and
standing, for having, in and out of Parliament,
assisted in obtaining Free Trade for the country ?
Since they have conceded one point, they have
virtually conceded the other.

SPORTING NOTES.

NOTHING NEW AT NEWMARKET.

I have collected but a scanty stock of information
since my arrival at Newmarket on Saturday. Like Mr.
Jupe, I have missed my tip, for I have discovered
scarcely a secret worth knowing. Here, too, it is in-
deed " hard times" for the course, although in parts
well topped with herbage, is likely to exercise a
telling effect on the tender-footed. Still, a large
number of horses is in the town—the Northern
and Southern stables in particular being numerously re-
presented by the "long strings" of John Scott and
Dockeray. Few ♦isitors have, however, yet arrived,
and business at the different inns is anything but brisk ;
but the town is crowded with touts, who, as usual, offer
their opinions with an obtrusive familiarity peculiarly
annoying and offensive. By the way, much dissatisfac-
tion has been expressed by the suspension of the custo.
mary "special" from London. They, therefore, who
left town this afternoon did not arrive at Newmarket
until half-past six o'clock, upwards of five hours having
been occupied by the journey ! So great was the dis.
approbation of the majority of the turfites who mns•
tered on the platform at Shoreditch on being informed
of the discontinuance of the usual accommodation, that
they almost to a man resolved to become occupants for
the nonce of third-class carriages, their fare for which
was six shillings and three halfpence each, whereas they
would have willingly paid four times the amount had a
special train been provided for them.
The success of Virago for the Newmarket Handicap
appears to be in the opinion of all persons reduced to a
certainty. I had no opportunity of seeing her at exer.
cise this morning, but I met her in company with
Diana, proceeding through the town. From the hasty
glance which I bestowed upon her, I was, of course,
unable to judge correctly of her form, although I at
once detected a somewhat suspicious appearance about
one of her hocks, which was in part denuded of hair,
and seemingly showed traces of a recent curb. This
whin, after all, may be founded in error, but should the
ground continue hard, her owner himself may, under
existing circumstances, doubt the policy of allowing her
to start. At present, however, I shall not desert Vi-
rago's colours, but should the sanguine expectations of
her backers be doomed to disappointment, either Poodle
or Bracken will, I fancy, achieve success. I shall make a
small venture with Adine as a cockboat.

Baalbec and Fact are the only animals " fancied" for
the Itiddlesworth. Of the two I prefer the former.
Marble Hill is here in company with Baalbec. He is a
large and somewhat well made animal, and his chance
for the Two Thousand is deemed by many shrewd judges
not utterly insignificant.
The Craven Handicap on Wednesday numbers only
sixteen acceptances. Ephesus, Orinoco, and Jack Frost
apparently possess the most formidable chances. The
Column Stakes will perhaps bring out Prince Arthur,
who was among the first—if not the first—of Scott's lot
that was backed for the coming Derby. The race will,
I anticipate, be principally between him and Bessus. I
shall not touch upon the events set down for decision on
Thursday and Friday until Wednesday.

Dark clouds are gathering fast, not a star is to be seen,
and there is every indication of rain. The running
ground may yet, therefore, be in a more satisfactory
condition than it is at present.

A FRESH MAN.

Newmarket, Sunday Night.

THE GRAIN TRADE.

The annexed account of the total suspension of the
grain trade of the Danube, consequent upon the recent
operations of the Russian army, is from the circular of
Messrs. Thomas Booker and Co., dated Galati, the 27th
of March :

"The prohibition on the export of all grain took effect
on the 19th inst., and has since been peremptorily enforced.
Business has consequently been brought to a dead lock,
and nothing like accurate quotations can be given, although
very low prices would be accepted for the stocks in store
here, consisting of something like 150,000 quarters of
wheat and Indian corn.

"On the 24th inst. the pontoon bridge was launched,
and on that and the preceding day some 40,000 Russian
troops were poured across the Danube into the swampy
country of the Dobrudscha,. Simultaneously with this
movement, another corps d'armee of some 35,000 men
crossed at Ibrail, one of about 50,000 at Ismail, and a
fourth, consisting of about 40,000 men, from different
points in Little Wallachia.
" Several vessels are yet detained here, owing to their
passage being obstructed by the pontoon bridge. Two
English vessels and a steamer have been fired into while
proceeding down the Danube, and one, the Bedlington,
sunk. . .

" Under the existing inauspicious state of affairs we are
compelled for a while to withdraw our establishment. It
is our present intention, however, at the conclusion of the
war (which we presume, sooner or later, must have an
end), again to commence operations in Galatz ; feeling
sanguine that, although the present military occupation
may for a time inflict a severe blow on the prospects of the
Principalities, it can only check, not crush, their vast and
as yet but partially developed agricultural resources."

Her Majesty will give a juvenile ball on the let of
May, in celebration of Prince Arthur's birthday.
The Marquis of Anglesea remains in rather a feeble
state of health at Uxbridge House, but, we believe, no
immediate danger is apprehended by his Lordship's
medical attendants.

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where their Graces intend to remain during the holidays.
The Duke and Duchess of Wellington, who have
arrived in Paris, from a tour in the Italian States, are
expected to arrive in Belgra,ve-street at the end of the
week, for the season.
The Duke of Newcastle (Colonial and War Minister)
returns to Portman-square to-day from a visit to the
Queen, at Windsor Castle, where his Grace has been
staying since Saturday. The youthful Earl of Lincoln
has arrived as the noble Duke's mansion from Oxford
University.
The Earl and Countess of Cawdor have left South
Audley-street, on a visit to Lord and Lady Mary
Brackley at Burwood-park.
The Earl of Cardigan has arrived in Portman-square
from Deene-park, Northamptonshire, where his lordship,
we understand, has been staying a few days arranging
some private affairs preparatory to leaving England to
join the array at the seat of war, with the rank of Bri-
gadier-General, commanding the Light Brigade of
Cavalry. His lordship's regiment, the 11th Prince
Albert's Hussars, is expected daily to embark for the
East.
DEATH OF THE' RIGHT HON. HENRY HOBEIOUSE.—
This honourable and venerable gentleman died at
Hadspen-house, Somerset, on Thursday, in his 78th
year. He was nephew of the late Sir Benjamin Hob-
house, and cousin to Lord Broughton. He was Under-
Secretary of the Honie Department from 1817 to 1827,
and by his death a pension of 1,000/. per annum reverts
to the Treasury.
PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS.—On Saturday a return was
printed by order of Parliament, showing the increase and
diminution which had taken place last year in the public
departments. The increase in the number of persons
was 1,478, and the total sum 105,672/. 7s. 7d. The di-
minution was in number 236, and in amount 48,0131.
13s. 6d.
ROYAL PANOPTICON, LEICESTER-SQUARE.-- This inter-
esting exhibition is making progress in popularity. We
regret to hear that Mr. E. M. Clarke, managing director,
.has suffered so severely of late from ill-health, mainly
induced by his official labours, that he has been compel-
, led to tender hie resignation of that office,