The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-29 00:00:00

SUN OFFICE, Six o' Clock. i Shr'

TATTERSALL'S. 1820

(THIS EVENING.)

DERBY.
9to 1 agst King Tom (taken).
22 to 1 agst Ruby (taken).
33 to 1 agst Knight of St. George (taken).
40 to 1 agst Scythian (taken).
Nothing else done.

I SPORTING NOTES. co

STRAWS ON THE SURFACE.

Steeple-chase meetings are appointed to take place at
Stretford and Westbury next week, when the racing
"interregnum" will be at an end. The gathering at
the first-►mentioned place will, perhaps, consist princi-
pally of " Manchester men," but the promised sport is,
nevertheless, likely to excite a wide-spread interest, and
occasion some brisk speculation. The entries for the
principal events were numerically strong ; the forfeits
were declared yesterday (Tuesday), but the acceptances
have not yet been published.

The "Stilton Affair" seems destined to remain unex-
plained, and the " nobblers" are, it is said, hardening
in confidence and assurances. The plaintiff refuses to
come into court ; he has withdrawn from the action,
and paid the defendant his taxed costs. Public expec-
tation has," therefore, been annoyingly disappointed.
Still it is questionable whether the persons notoriously
implicated in this disgraceful transaction will be allowed
to avoid punishment. A full and impartial investigation
of the case by competent legal authorities would, doubt-
less, be attended with exposures discreditable to certain
individuals of high standing in the sporting world.
The "sweet do-nothingness" which is at present en-
joyed by the sporting fraternity is a sufficient apology
for the brevity of my notes. For many a day no sport-
ing incident of even temporary importance has occurred
either to excite interest or stimulate curiosity. A report
of a fire at the London Club made a slight "sensation,"
and although it proved partly true, yet it was greatly
exaggerated, and the damage done was too slight to
occasion any inconvenience to the members.
Dec. 28. A FRESH MAN.

THE LEEDS CTIAMBER OF 'COMMERCE AND
THE BOARD OF TRADE.

The Board of Trade have at length seen the necessity
for an improved classification of woollen and worsted
manufactures exported. Up to the present time, as all
connected with these departments of trade are aware,
the published tables of exports and imports periodically
issued by the Board of Trade have adhered to a system
of classification so imperfect that it has been impossible
to ascertain the relative proportion of woollen and
worsted exports. This has very properly come under
the notice of the Board of Trade, who have consulted the
Leeds Chamber of Commerce upon the propriety of a
new classification. The following communication was
received by Mr. Cawood, secretary to the Chamber last
week, from the Board of Trade upon this subject :
" Board of Trade Statistical Department,
Dec.l2, 1853.

" Sir,—A change in the classification of woollen manu-
factures in the accounts of trade being under the considera-
tion of the Board of Trade, I forward to you a copy of the
specifications proposed, as I am desirous of having the
opinion of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce on the subject
and any suggestions it may have to offer.
" I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,
" R. W. FONBLANQUE.