The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-30 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES

THE PAST AND THE FUTURE.
Amidst the hurry and the excitement which attended
the Houghton, it was impossible to estimate calmly or
impartially the actual importance or direct effect of the
incidents which marked the sport. The meeting was
worthy of the Metropolis of the Turf, and the interest
which centred in the proceedings was from beginning
to end unflaggingly sustained. Each day had its dis-
tinguishing "feature." The "Criterion" on Monday
was hardly regarded as a criterion of the competitors'
ability. Rifleman's success was deemed a foregone con-
clusion, and his defeat therefore created a sensation. It
the running for this event was correct, Para's perform-
ance would indioate Wild Dayrell to be the best public
Derby horse out. I, however, am disinclined to believe
that Rifleman was beaten on his merits, and should lie
again meet Para I shall expect to see him prove his
superiority. The Cruiser, who ran second, was before

the race, and is indeed now, much talked about in con

nection with the Derby. He, however, displayed no
indication of hie boasted flying capacitiew.
The systematic deception which was practised on the

public With Early Bird and Monie Moses for the Cam-
bridrihire, is, I am glad to say, likely to be fully ex-
posed. The long records of turf chicanery furnish many
a parallel instance, perhaps of deliberate dishonesty, but
they may be searched in vain to discover a case more
glaring and shameful. Monie Moses I recommend to
the notice of handicappers ; Mr. Topham and Mr. John
son are, however, not likely to forget him next spring.
It has been correctly stated that the race for the Cam-
bridgeshire was, from start to finish, between two horses

only. It may, indeed, be thus briefly described.
Seherz made all the running, and won somewhat
cleverly by a head. To account for the prejudice which
existed against Scherz, down even to the very hour of
starting, is difficult. At times people "peppered " him
as if he were the safest horse in the race to lay against.
One fact was patent ; few persons believed in his re-
ported racing merit, and this circumstance, coupled with
that of his being a "foreigner," induced them to take
liberties with him. The losers on the race are of course
numerous, and some of them are very heavily "bit."
Indeed well founded doubts are entertained of the satis-

factory character of the settling, and throughout the
winter money in the ring will be scarce enough. This
state of affairs will spoil sport so far as steeplechases are
concerned, and the promoters of those " cross country
events " are likely to have all the fun to themselves.
Tne objection which Mr. Dennet made against Scherz
was deemed an ungraceful and vexatious proceeding.
He had, however, doubtless sufficient justification for his
conduct, and I trust the matter has been explained in a
fair and unexaggerated manner to Baron Mollendorf.
The notes which I despatched from Newmarket on
Monday contained much important information, the ac
. .

curacy of which has been fully established. In those
notes I stated my distrust of Orinoco, and my want of
confidence in his chance. Against the. field I selected
Rattle and Helena, anti stated my intention to reserve
Scherz as a " cockboat," being only deterred from
placing implicit faith in his pretensions, because the
movements respecting him placed him under suspicion.
Helena did not start because her legs filled, a scrap of
information I picked up too late to render it of any ser-
vice to the reader. I may, however, take some credit
to myself for selecting the absolutely first and second
horses in the race !

John Osborne had a good thing in Lady Tatton for
the Nursery, not so certain parties in Cheddar for the
Houghton Handicap. This latter event, indeed, seemed
" made" for Cheddar, who was at one time in good
price, but before the betting closed he made a most
suspicious retrograde movement. By the way an in-
fluence which is most improper and unfair seems to be
exercised by a certain stable over the Handicaps made
at Newmarket, and for the credit of the Jockey Club
and the satisfaction of the public the sooner it is counter-
acted or removed the better. Without difficulty half-
a-dozen handicaps this season may be indicated which
were made for animals belonging to one stable. True
it is those animals did not win them, yet their weight
was so glaringly favourable that the public was induced
to back them.
I have already briefly referred to the defalcations of a
Manchester tout who was entrusted with the execution
of the " Muscovite commission" by Messrs. Greville
and Payne. This fellow got the " money on" in due
course, the horse won, and away he started immedi-
ately after the race, in order, as he informed the owner
of Muscovite, to obtain payment of the bets without
delay, because he said the Manchester men were slippery
coves. He set to work and did collect the money.
Some persons, I believe, he waited upon in the
morning before they were out of their beds. The
money which he received he refuses to part with,
impudently writing to the duped owner of Muscovite,
and informing him that having been requested to edge
he thought the party was not very sweet on Muscovite,
and was therefore induced to lay against the horse on
his own account. The cunning double game played is
evident. No wonder rogues batten on the Turf when
gentlemen willingly and voluntarily place themselves in
their power. Report states that the owner of Musco-
vite will scarcely get 1,0001. of his large winnings. He,
doubtless, deplores the error which induced him to em-
ploy a man like Perkins, with the full knowledge that
among the Manchester Division are men of tact and
probity who would have ably executed the commission,
and honestly rendered up every farthing of the money.
The Worcester Race Committee are really good
fellows, and work energetically and with a cordial co-
operation, to carry out efficiently 'their undertaking.
Their well-directed efforts are evidently appreciated by
owners and trainers of horses, and the support which
they receive affords no matter for surprise. Their
management is founded on no sordid, money-getting
policy, but is regulated by a strong spirit of liberality
and enterprise.
The meeting will commence to-morrow, when the
legitimate events will be decided. Flatman left New-
market this morning expressly to ride Rataplan for the
Worcester Handicap, and I shall expect to see him sport
the "puce with white sleeves" triumphantly. For the
Two-yr-Old Handicap, Equivoque and Lady Tatton are
my fancies. The Deformed, Butterfly, and Citnic na
shall do battle for me for the Flying Stakes. The Steeple-
chases are not worthy of notice.
Scherz will start for the Handicap at Epsom, and
should he be neither sick nor sorry after his recent
running at Newmarket, I shall again place faith in him.
In his default, either Little David or Mishap may win.
The Beddington Stakes will, perhaps be won by either
Thor or Flageolet. For the Bentinck Plate, Early Bird
and Speed the Plough are most noteworthy.
October 30. A FRESH MAN.

THE BAND OF THE FRENCH GUIDES
AT WINDSOR CASTLE.

WINDSOR, SUNDAY NIGHT.

Most people are aware that during the whole of the
summer months, and the first portion of the autumnal
sojourn of the Court at Windsor Castle, the bands of
regiments in garrison play in the gardens of the East
Terrace every Sunday afternoon. To-day the place of
one of the regimental bands was supplied by the band
of the French Guides—Les Guides--which formed the
leading musical attraction at the Crystal Palace on
Saturday. That such would be the arrangement did
not transpire until this morning, or the attendance of
icompany on the terrace would have eclipsed all former
occasions. The band arrived by special 'train at the
South-Western Railway Station shortly before one
o'clock. They were accompanied by Mr. Crombie, the
Secretary to the Company, and were received by one of
the Royal servants, who conducted them at once to the
Castle. As they marched up Thames-street-hill in their
gay uniforms, they looked extremely well and called
forth many exclamations of astonishment.
On the arrival of the band at the Castle, they strolled
about the park and looked over the stables. At two
o'clock they marched up from the riding-school to the
East-terrace. As they came up, her Majesty, the Prince,
and the whole of the Royal children might be seen at
the South window of the Victoria-tower, earnestly
gazing at them. On their descending into the parterre
they were allotted the space usually occupied by the
cavalry bands. In addition to the band, there were 7
privates of the Guides, formed in line on the left side
of the circle, under the command of a non-commis-
sioned officer of the regiment. The whole were under
the command of Captain Baron Verdier. The band,
56 in number, commenced by playing " God Save the
Queen," her Majesty, the Prince, and the whole of
the younger branches of the Royal Family listening
attentively, and gazing on the animated scene before
them from the window of one of the private apart-
merits. They afterwards played several pieces, the most
striking of which were a march by Meyerbeer, the over-
ture to Zampa, and a very brilliant polka. At 3 o'clock
the fine baud of the Royal Horse Guards (Blue) arrived,
and relieved the Guides by playing alternate pieces.
At half-past 3 o'clock, her Majesty and Prince Albert,
with the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, Prince
Alfred, and most of the Royal children, walked upon
the terrace. Her Majesty was accompanied by Prince
Nicholas of Nassau and the Earl of Aberdeen, and at-
tended by the Countess of Desert (Lady-in-Waiting),
Miss Seymour (Maid of Honour in Waiting), Lord de
Tabley (Lord in Waiting), Lord Alfred Paget (Equerry
in Waiting), Major-General Berkeley Drummond (Groom
in Waiting) Colonel F. H. Seymour, and Major-Gene-
ral the Hon. C. Grey. After the august party had
promenaded the terrace for some time, Colonel Biddulph
was sent, by command of her Majesty, to desire the
presence of Captain Baron Verdier and his brother
officer, both of whom were presented to the Queen.
With Baron Verdier her Majesty conversed most affably
for some .time. The French officers then joined the
retinue and remained on the private terrace until half-
past 4, when her Majesty and the Prince, with the
Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and Prince Alfred
made their way through the dense crowd, and proceeded
across the Home-park to Frogmore on a visit to her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. Thus ended one
of the most remarkable events in the history of the royal
borough, and one which our forefathers would never
have supposed to be within the range of possibility.
French soldiers occupied the gardens of Windsor Castle
—an officer belonging to the Etat Major of Franco
chatted familiarly with the Prime Minister of England,
the Queen looking smilingly on, in the presence of thou-
sands of her loyal subjects. To use Lord Aberdeen's
own expression, the entente cordiale was complete. After
the bands left the terrace, the Guides were plentifully
regaled in the steward's roe& of the Castle, and their
animated cheers showed that they wore well pleased
with their visit. The vole party returned to London
by special train from the South-Western terminus at 7
o'clock in the evening.

DEATH OF PRINCE VINCENT.--Prinee Viticeni Count
do Milazzo, on of the King of Naples, died at Caserta
on the 14th, of apoplexy. His Royal Highness was
born oa the 26th of April, 101.