The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-02 00:00:00

HAY MARKETS.

SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, 2/ 15s to 5/ Os ; clover
ditto, 3/ 153 to 6/ 09 ; and straw, 1/ 16s to 2/ 2s per load.
Supply good, and trade rather dull.
CUMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, 31 Os to 51 ss; clover
ditto, 3/ 15s to 6108 ; and straw, 11 16s to 2/ 2s per load.
A fair average supply, and a moderate demand.
WHITECIIAPEL.—Meadow hay, 2/ 18s to 51 03; clover
ditto, 4/ Os to 6/ Os ; and straw, 1/ 16s to 2l 2s per load.
Supplp good, and trade tolerably firm.

SPORTING NOTES'

-
THE GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLE CHASE.
The interest which attached to the Grand National
Steeple Chase increased up to the very moment of start-
ing. Various circumstances conspired to strengthen
and sustain it ; the most important and effective being
perhaps the uncertainty which existed relative to the
intentions and motives of the Miss Mowbray and Half-
and-Half parties. The movements in the turf market
connected with certain animals were peculiarly perplex-
ing, and they were seemingly made with a kind of
" thimble-rigging " determination to deceive and mis-
guide the uninitiated. Oliver's three horses were
" worked" in the market with wonderful dexterity, and it
was as difficult to discover the intended animal as to de-
tect the little pea. Peter Simple, Half-and-Half, and
Maurice Daley were in turns backed on Tuesday
night with a striking show of spirit and con-
fidence, although, as midnight approached, cer-
tain " ambiguous givings out " excited a suspicion
that Maurice Daley would after all carry the money,
His upward tendency in the betting was therefore steady
and decided. The suspicions which had been aroused
were not unfounded, and when it became known on the
course on Wednesday that Tom Oliver would ride
Maurice Daley, the horse instantly became an immense
favourite, and indeed appeared likely to deprive Bourton
of the lead in the betting.
On Monday, the opposition which had been daily gain-
ing force was fully directed against Miss Mowbray, and
on Tuesday night so determined was it that her most
sanguine supporters were discouraged, and she was
driven out of the market. My notes from Stretford
doubtless prepared my readers for this movement. Miss
Mowbray's retrogression in the betting scarcely produced
the effect which it was perhaps intended, or which was
calculated upon—namely, the advance of her stable
companion, Oscar. People justly regarded all pro-
ceedings respecting " Dockeray s two " with dis-
trust, and their dealings with them were regu-
lated by a judicious caution which was not a
little significant. Early on Wednesday morning, the
scratching of Miss Mowbray was generally talked about,
and although she was not actually struck out, yet any
odds were offered that she would not start. Still many
incredulous good easy people believed that her party
dared not so openly defy public opinion, as to bring
Miss Mowbray to Liverpool, ostensibly to meet her en-
gagement, and then withdraw her at the last moment,
forgetting, no doubt, that such a proceeding was not
without precedent. At thirty-five minutes past two, a
notice was posted in the " ring" that Miss Mowbray
was scratched. This announcement scarcely created a
sensation, for every one was prepared for it, but no
attempt was made to disguise—even in the presence of
the actual owner of the mare—the feelings of indignation
and contempt which it aroused. Of course, in certain
quarters, this proceeding was lamely excused, and en-
deavours were made to extenuate the seemingly shame-
ful conduct of the Miss Mowbray party. The mare, it
was asserted, was "amiss" ; her legs had given
way under her necessarily severe preparation. It
was true she had done little or no work since her
arrival at Aintree, yet her party were apparently a long
while before they decided upon her inability to run.
She was not struck out until an hour before the race,
and the only nfbtive which could have actuated her party
not to scratch until the last moment, was that of making
money out of her. If she was really amiss and unable
to run, it was a duty which her owner owed to himself
as well as to the public, in consideration of the vast sums
of money for which she had been backed, to lose no time
in officially announcing his declaration of forfeit. But
many persons discredit entirely the cause of her with-
drawal, and sneeringly assert her only injury to be
a sprained eye-brow. Experience has doubtless made
them sarcastic and suspicious, for the Miss Mowbray
party have more than once scratched a first favourite at
the eleventh hour. I shall make searching inquides into
this seemingly shameful affair, and if my suppositions
confirmed. I shall not hesitate to expose the wrong-
doers.

I have little time to give an account of the race. Bour-
ton, won from end to end, and I believe had he carried
half a stone heavier weight, the result would have been the
same. Spring and Crabbs, the once scarcely-thought-of out-
siders, whom I selected as being likely to prove formid-
able opponents to the favourites, were second and third.
Maurice Daley never figured prominently in the race,
and they who made a " pot" of Half-and-Half found it
flat, stale, and unprofitable ; he broke down. Oscar,
too, tumbled, but at the time was not up with the lead-
ing horses. The only important accident was that which
happened to Bedford, who broke his leg. Altogether
the encounter for the Grand National was marked by
few contretemps. On Saturday I may have more to say
respecting the doings of the gentlemen patrons of the
sport. "The labour I delight in physics pain."

Birkenhead, Wednesday Night.-AFRiISH MAN,

CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS .DAY).

NEW COURT.
(Before the Recorder.)

THE RYE ELECTION.—CHARGE OF PERJURY AGAINST THE
MAYOR OF RYE.
Jeremiah Smith, an elderly gentlemanly-looking man,
the present Mayor of Rye, surrendered to take his trial
for wilful and corrupt perjury, committed by him on the
sth of March, before the Rye Election Committee.
Tfie defendant pleaded not guilty, and was seated
during the trial behind his counsel.
The Court was densely crowded by a great many of
the most influential persons of the borough of Rye and
surrounding parts of the country.
Mr. Montague Chambers, in opening the case to the
jury, said it was a painful duty he was called upon to
perform ; it was one of the greatest import to the de-
fendant, from the position he held in the borough,
whilst upon the part of the public generally, its
Importance could not be in any way magnified. It ap-
peared that, at the general election of 1852, Mr. A.
Mackinnon was returned as member for Rye. After
the election a petition was presented against the election
of Mr. A. Mackinnon, containing charges for treating
and general corruption. Upon this petition the present
defendant wee examined before a Parliamentary com-
mittee at great length, concerning a dinner which took
place a few days before. The defendant, (Jere-
miah Smith) having been sworn, said that the dinner
was given by Mr. Curteis, the opposing candidate, and
that he the defendant had nothing to do with Mr.
Mackinnon ; that Mr. Mackinnon had nothing to
do with paying the bills for that dinner ; that he
had nothing to do with paying Mr. Mackinnon's
bills, and that he had never seen any of Mr. Mackin-
non's money. The committee, it further appeared, un-
seated Mr. Mackinnon, and recommended in their report
that the borough of Rye should not be allowed to have
another writ issued. A.further enquiry took place, and
upon that investigation defendant was examined, and he
then said that all ho had said upon the former occasion
was untrue, that he bad no intention of stating what was
untrue until he had made one false step, that he was
truly sorry for what had taken place, that he had done
it to screen Mr. Mackinnon, and that having now made
this admission he was more comfortable, as he had re-
iieved his mind and had an opportunity of setting the
matter right. It was upon this admission that these
proceedings were taken.
At the conclusion of the opening statement the ex-
amination of Mr. Mackinnon was proceeded with. He
stated that just before the election be drew out 2301.
from a bal.k in the town. What did you do with the
money ? I was told to put it into a particular place.
—Where was that place ? Behind the cushion of the
sofa at the Red Lion. I put it there. (Great laughter.)
I did not see any one there. Ido not know who took
it. I was not consulted about the dinner. I did not
know what the money was wanted for.
Lawrence Reeve, a farmer of Rye, said that be
took a roll of paper from behind the cushion. He did
not know what they were ; it might have been notes.
I gave them to Temple ; he did not seem surprised.
The Recorder examined this witness very closely,
and after fencing with the question for some time, said
his belief was that they were notes.
Mr. Herbert Mascall Curtis proved that Smith had
been their agent for years ; that he had given authority
to Smith to give an invite to the dinner, and that he
had drawn the form of invitation. He did not know
who paid for the dinner, but requested that the charge
might be put down to his account. He only knew that
it was some sneaking scoundrel who bad promoted this
prosecution. He knew it was not the Government.
Mr. Montague Chambers said he was sorry for it.
The Recorder told this witness that his language was
most improper.
The witness, in a very excited and most incautious
manner, repeated the remark.
The Recorder begged that he would be more guarded
in his language, as this was not the place for such re-
marks, and he should not allow him to make them.
The evidence of the innkeeper receiving the money
from the defendant closed the case, and Sir F. Thesiger
was addressing the Jury when we went to press.