The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-15 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

THE CRAVEN MEETING-.
The increased supply of sport provided for the ap•
proaching Craven Meeting is a satisfactory indication of
the desire which exists among the members of the Jockey
Club to arrest the diminishing popularity of this spring
gathering at head quarters. The establishment of new
stakes has given a full and somewhat attractive appear-
ance to the programme, and turfites nay at least expect
an average number of races per diem. The hardness of
the ground, however, may render the fields limited, as
owners of horses will be little inclined thus early in the
season to hazard the chances of a break-down.
Forty-three standing and proposed engagements are
comprised in the programme ; a cheering prospect of
sport for the five days. During the week, too, it is pro-
bable that Dervish, Bessus, and other Derby horses will
put in an appearance, and an opportunity will then be
afforded of judging of their present form and condition.
The " closed" stakes and matches on Monday's list
require little discussion. For the 50 soya. Sweepstakes
for fillies, both Beatrix and Apropos have an allowance
of 4 lbs., and one of them will, I fancy, be capable of
achieving success. Bessus is the only animal of racing
pretensions among the six nominations for the 100 soya.
Sweepstakes. Census will perhaps have little difficulty
in defeating his opponents for the 50 sovs. Sweepstakes
for three-year-old colts and and fillies.
The Matches will doubtless be regarded with muck
interest, and speculation on them will perhaps be some-
what actively pursued. The race between Sittingbourne
and Pelion over the T.M.M. will be peculiarly interest-
ing. The former, unless ho has utterly lost the powers
which he possessed at the commencement of last season,
ought to obtain the palm of superiority, although the
distance may be somewhat in favour of Pelion. Orinoco
is too moderate an animal to concede 3 lbs. to Barbatus.
Poodle will doubless be capable of giving Doublethong
5 lbs. and g beating. I shall take Invasion against
Caracara.

So uncertain and unsatisfactory is my information re-
lativa to the Newmarket Handicap, that at present I
shall express no settled or lengthened opinion on the
chances of the probable competitors. Should Virago go
to the post, I shall place some confidence in her ability
to follow up her Epsom successes. The other animals
that appear next worthy of notice are. Poodle, Bracken,
and Adine. I start for Newmarket, however, to-day,
and shall take an opportunity of seeing the different
horses at exercise, and endeavour to gather some parti-
culars respecting them. Whatever information I may
collect shall be published in my" Notes from Newmarket"
on Monday.
Report states that West Australian, Dervish, Otolano,
Beiardo, Umbriel, Appollonius, Prince Arthur, and
Bracken, are under orders for Newmarket.
A meeting will take place to-day at the "Surrey
Corner" for the election of a committee, and to arrange
preliminaries for the transaction of business. My absence
from town will, 1 regret to state, render me unable to
attend it. The promoters of tue undertaking appear to
be actuated by a liberal and enterprising spirit, and
cordially wish them success.
April 15.

A FRESH MAN.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT-Aprg 12.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE.—The Earl of Wilton,
commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, arrived at
Aris's Hotel last evening. His yacht, the Zara, is
lengthening in White's yard. Amongst the other arri-
vals are the Earl of Lichfield, the Hon. Mr. Vernon and
Lady Harriet, Lord and Lady Shelburne and family,
Sir Frederick and Lady Thesiger, J. Bold Hoghton,
Esq., John Kenyon, Esq., F. Marsh, Esq., and
Booth, Esq., and family. The other hotels here have
been unusually full of company for so early in the season.
It is reported that Gurnard Bay has been surveyed
for the purpose of ascertaining as to its capabilities for
being formed into n building-yard for monster iron
steam-ships and for dry docks, for which it seems to be
admirably adapted.
THE WEATHER.-With the exception of one or two
trifling showers, we have had no rain since the 11th of
February, and it is now seriously wanted, as the barley,
vetches, &c., cannot be got into the ground. At noon,
on Monday, there was a very large and remarkable ring
round the sun, such as was never before witnessed here.
MuNicirAL ELECTION.-Mr. Francis Pettis being
elected an alderman of the borough of Newport, causes
a vacancy in the council ; and John Henry Hearn,
Esq., the late town clerk, has offered himself as a can-
didate for the office ; as has Mr. Maurice Dear, of
Cowes. The burgesses have to decide on one of them on
Monday next. The borough has been in the hands of
the Tories ever since the passing of the Municipal Act,
and they will struggle hard to keep it ; but should Mr.
Dear gain the election, the charm will be broken, as
the Radicals will muster tea councillors to the Tories'
eight.