The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-21 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE.-PRELIMINARY

REMARKS.
Early Bird was scratched, after having well " served
his turn" in the market. Monie Moses may be deemed
virtually struck out, for the hostility which he has en-
countered could only have been occasioned by a certainty
of his ultimate withdrawal. Orinoco has now superseded
Rattle in the betting, and Scherz, the German horse,
has been advanced to a prominent position in the list of
quotations. I shall not now enter into a discussion of
the chances, but shall, as usual, despatch my notes from
Newmarket on Monday, by which time I shall have bad
an opportunity of picking up and examining much interest
ing information. My present inclination may be briefly
stated. Orinoco, Scherz, and Helena stand foremost
in my estimation. Circumstances, however, may cause
me yet to substitute Rattle for one of the horses above
mentioned. Advises from Newmarket inform me that
Scherz did not sweat yesterday as was expected. A
report, too, was circulated that he was coughing, but

like the rumours from the seat of war this requires con-
firmation. Some decisive movements in the Turf mar-
ket will, doubtless, be made at Tattersall's this after-
noon. 11, however, shall start for Newmarket this even-
ing, in order to be out early on the exercise ground in
the morning.
I will briefly pronounce judgment on the Criterion
Stakes, the only event of importance to be decided on
Monday. Should Rifleman be brought out, I shall,
despite his extra weight, deem him capable of achieving
success, albeit, he will, perhaps, encounter no insignifi-
cant opponent in Saraband.
By the way, the Man in the Street, has just tipped
me on the shoulder, and whispered mysteriously a par-
tiality for Quince.
October 21.

A. FRESH MAN.

BANKRUPTCY
,COURT.-(THIS DAY.)

(Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.)
IN RE SEAGRINI-JUDGMENT.

This bankrupt was described as of Winchester, solici-
tor, scrivener, and gas manufacturer. He applied a few
days since, and after hearing arguments pro and con, his
Honour adjourned the case for judgment until to-day.
The bankrupt had bees undersheriff for Hampshire,
and was connected with the gas company ; he had also
held a great number of official appointments. The point
reserved was whether it could be fairly implied that the
bankruptcy was occasioned either wholly, or in part,
from unavoidable circumstances.

The case has already been fully reportad.
His Henour now in the course of a long judgment
said he could not bring himself to the conclusion that
the bankruptcy had arisen from any misfortune, and he
could only grant a certificate of the third class to be sup.
pended for six months' from the date of the bankrupt
passing his last examination (28th July last).

MARKET NEWB-(THIS DAY.)

COVENT GARDEN.

.
There was a good demand for fruit and vegetables to-
day, as follows :
FR ufm.—Pine apples, English, 3s Gd to 6s per lb; apricots,
is to 2s Od per doz. ; hot-house grapes, 2s Od to 4s per lb ;
English ditto, 6d to is Gd ; melons, is 0(1 to 3s each
peaches, is Cd to 6s ; nectarines, Is Od to Gs per dozen ;
apples, Gs Od to lOs Od per bushel ; pears, 2s Od to
4s Od per half sieve; Orleans plums and green gages is to
is Gd per punnet ; ditto, 2s to 3s Gd, and common plums,
is 3 i to 3s Od per half sieve; cherries, Gd to is per pound ;
lemons, 2s to 3s per doz. ; oranges, lOs to —s per 100; fil-
berts, 85s to 1058 per.loo lbs; cobnuts, 80s 90s; almonds,
2s to 3s per lb. ; walnuts, 8d to 10d per 100; figs, is Od
to 2s Gd per lb.
VEGETABLES.—Cabbages, Gd to is Od per dozen ;
red ditto, 2s 0,1 to 4s per dozen ; French beans, is
Gd
to 2s Od per half sieve ; brocoli, 4d to 9d per bundle ;
potatoes, 50s to 105 s perton; vegetable marrow, Gd to is each;
peas, is &Ito 3s 0(1 per bush.; broad beans, Od to is per half
sieve ; turnips, 2d to 4d per bunch ; carrots, 3d to Gd per
bunch ; cucumbers, ld to 4d each ; garlic, Os 8d to
Os 8d per pcund ; spinach, is Od to is 6(1 per sieve ;
onions, 2s to 4s Od per bush. ; Spanish ditto, is to 3s
per doz. k leeks, ld to 2d per bunch ; shallots, 4d to 6d ;
horse-raddish, 2s Od to 5s Od per bundle ; parsley, 2d
to 3el per bunch ; celery, Od to is 3d per
bundle ; endive, 9(1 to is Oct per score ; beet, id to 2d
each ; parsnips, is Od to 2s Od per dozen ; small
salad, 2d to 3d per punnet ; mushrooms, is 3d to is 6d per
pottle ; artichokes, 4s to 5s per doz. ; cabbage lettuces, Od
to le Od per score ; sorrel, 6d to is per half sieve ;
radishes Gd to 9d per dozen hands ; tomatoes, 5s Od to
7s per half sieve ; chillies, 1s to is Gd per 100.

TEE

FEET,

The Secretary of the Admiralty presents his compli-
ments to the editor of the Times, and a statement having
appeared in the Times' correspondence in that journal
on the 18th inst. relative to the ill-treatment of a Russian
officer, a prisoner of war on board the Belleisle, a report
on the whole circumstances was immediately called for
from the commander of that ship ; and the Secretary of
the Admiralty now bogs to forward to the editor of the
Times copies of the explanation, which has been received
this day.
Admiralty, Oct. 20.
"Her Majesty's ship Belleisle, Hamoaze, Oct. 19.
" Sir,—ln reply to your memorandum, with their Lcrd-
ships' letter of the 18th inst., referring to a paragraph in
the Times of the same date, I beg leave to enclose a state-
ment of facts from Dr. M'Kechnie, connected with the
Russian prisoners while iu hospital on board this ship,'
every word of which, as far as came under my observation,
I can fully corroborate, were it necessary. All the prisoners
es pressed perfect satisfaction at their really kind treat-
ment while in hospital, and, I believe, left the ship with
regret.
` It was after the prisoners hail left that the wounded
Russian officer complained of his loss, and Sir Charles
Napier called my attention to it. Immediately I took the
officer on board again with the interpreter, and in their
presence searched every bag and bed belonging to the crew
thoroughly ; the ship at the same time was well overhauled
by several officers, the sergeant of marines, and ship's cor-

paral.
" The wounded Russians from one fort, Nottich,' were
brought on board this ship at daylight the morning after it
was taken, under the directions of Mr. Martin, the surgeon,
and myself. Mr. Martin wont to the larger fort of Bomar-
mind, and was told at the gate that the wounded there
were taken care of by French medical officers. It was the
eYening of the following day before the last wounded
Russians, of which number Gessaiff was one, were brought
to us by one of the Arrogant's boats.
" Trusting that the report now made will be satisfactory
to their Lordships,
"1 hare, kc.,
"JAMES HOSICEN, Commander.
"Admiral Sir W. Parker, G.C.8."

" H.M.S. Belleisle, Ilamease, Oct. 19.
" Sir,--Tho correspondent in the Times of the 18th Oct.
appears to allude to a wounded Russian prisoner, named
Gessaiff, who was received on board this ship with 12 others,
at Bomarsund, on the 18th August. These wounded men
were brought on board in one of the boats of her Majesty's
ship Arrogant, under the charge of the surgeon of that ship,
having been found in different parts of the principal fort,
where they had been lying for three days, without appa-
rently much attention having been shown them.
" On admission, this man was found to have several scalp
wounds, and lying in a drowsy, semi-comatose state, which
continued for several days. No one on beard here was aware
that this or any other wounded Russians were officers, all
being similarly attired in their long coarse great-coats.
They were all undressed under the superintendence of the
medical officers, and placed in their respective beds, in a
part of the hospital deck appropriated to themselves.
" The clothing of these men was found in a most wretched
condition, being covered with filth, blood, and vermin, in
consequence of which it was necessary to purify, wash, and
air it in the rigging. All the woollen clothing, with the
great-coats, were sprinkled with chloride of zinc, and hung
in the rigging for several days.
" No one belonging to this ship ever caw the medals
which are said to have been stolen, and no one could have
been aware that paper money was stitched between the
lining of the great-coat.
" Not during the whole period that Gessaiff was on
board the ship—viz., from the 18th of August to the 11th
of September—did he ever make any statement about the
loss of his money or any article belonging to him, although
he had been visited several times by the interpreter be-
longing to the Duke of Wellington, and was aware that
two of his countrymen bad given up their money to one
of the medical officers, which money they had returned to
them on leaving.
"On the morning of the 11th of September the signal
was made to send all the Russian prisoners (patients) on
board the Zephyr for passage to Abo. The clothes of all
the Russians on board wore brought up from the storeroom,
from which each man selected his own garment, as, from
their similarity and our total ignorance of the language, it
was impossible to aid them.
" With regard to the charge of unkindness which is
alluded to, I will not do more than say that one and all,
on hearing that they were to be returned to their own
country, in a most fervent manner expressed their regret,
and begged to be permitted to accompany the ship to Eng-
land, and through the interpreter, gratefully acknowledged
the kindness and attention which had been shown them by
the whole hospital staff. This can be substantiated by ono
Russian prisoner discharged, cured, to Millbay, and another,
convalescent, to Stonehouse Hospital.—l am, &c.,
" A. WKECHNIF:, Inspector.
" Commander Hosken, H.M.S. Belleisle."

THE ARCTIC SEARCH.

The result of the late court-martial on Sir Edward
Belcher pains rather than surprises us. The commander
of the finest Arctic expedition that ever left our shores
—that in which the hopes of hundreds were centred as
their last ark of safety—has abandoned his ships and re-
turned home. He shelters himself under the ample dis-
cretionary power given hint by the Admiralty instruc-
tions, and the Court had no alternative but to acquithim
on this plea.
In the official orders of Sir Edward Belcher the desire
of the Board to put an end to the long-protracted search
is palpable ; but under a sense of duty and high respon-
sibility, their instructions to this effect are accompanied
by conditions, exceptions, and powers which would have
enabled a zealous and single-minded commander to effect
almost anything that was required fur the discovery and
rescue of those whom he was sent to save. The real
discretionary power given to Sir Edward Belcher, and of
which he boasts so much, was to do that which the Ad-
miralty hoped it might be unnecessary to do—to pro-
long what they desired to put a stop to.
Sir Edward Belcher turns away from this aspect of
the trust reposed in him, and limits the exercise of his
discretionary functions to a disregard of all these preg-
nant provisions. His conduct has met with its meed of
justice ; his sword has been returned to him, but it is
not wreathed with laurels.
In justice to the Admiralty, however, •it should be
remembered that, if their words were in any degree
equivocal or loose as applied to the prolonging of the
search, their measures for making it practicable were
not to be mistaken. Sir Edward Belcher might have
road the meaning of his instructions by the light of that
heavily laden steamer and those two store-ships which
loomed through the fog as he was leaving the depot
and harbour of rendezvous, under sail for England, the
whole of the crews of his six ships (Assistance, Pioneer,
Resolute, Intrepid, North Star, Investi4ator), crowded
into one, so that not a soul was left behind to do
any portion of the work which he had abandoned.
Those ships from England were laden with
fresh stores, fuel, provisions of every description, but,
above all, with fresh men, ready and able to work, and
prepared to take their turn in the hardships of an arctic
campaign, and relieve their debilitated and invalided
comrades. But it was of no avail. Sir Edward Bel-
cher had made up his mind—he made a re-distribution
of officers and men in the three ships.now afloat under
his command, and straightway sailed for England. Well,
indeed, may it be said, in the sad prophetic words of
one of those the most deeply interested in these arctic
expeditions, that "the glory which once invested them
is about to set in clouds and darkness."
We deplore the fate of poor Franklin and his com-
panions, left to perish, perhaps, on those identical
northern shores to which the late commander has given
a name, and has marked upon his chart, but which have
not been explored. The gallant Collinson, also, has
been left to his fate, but it is not a hopeless one. Sir
Edward Belcher informs us that a record has been left
behind, advising Captain Collinson to return by the
way that he came ; but he forgets that Captain
Collinson was pushing forward and eastward, and would
struggle long and hard before he betook himself to any
retrograde movement, and that, if at last he found it
necessary to resolve non such a step, it would be quite
independent of any " recorded" ad ice in a paper left in
a channel obstructed by ice. We hope for a better re-
sult to the persevering exertions of Captain Collinson
than that he should be forced to retrace his passage to
Behring Strait. Perhaps it may be reserved for him to
bring home in triumph that deserted ship, the Resolute
_sound, we are told, as ever she was—with her pen-
dant flying, which was reluctantly abandoned by the
noble Kellett, in obedience to his chief. Another
ter, however, must in all probability pass over the heads
of the devoted Collinson and his crew before this or any
other mode of deliverance can be effected ; and this
delay, fraught with so much gratuitous risk, might have
been avoided, had ho been timely sought for this sum-
mer, by exploring parties from the Resolute and Intre-
pid, which are stationed exactly in that part of Barrow's
Strait, whence they could have been despatched with
'he greatest facility.—Morning Chronicle.

OAK VIMSLTS PlNE.—With regard to the loss of the
Arctic, our readers will be surprised to learn that she is
reported to have been planked with pine instead of oak.
Every one at all conversant with shipbuilding is well
aware that pine is exceedingly brittle, and has little or
no elasticity in it ; whereas there is a rebound in oak
plank, which nearly fills•up a hole made by the passage
of a cannon-ball through it. Besides, the strength of
oak far exceeds that of pine. It is, therefore, probable
that if the Arctic had been planked with oak she might
not have received such serious injury from the collision
with the Vesta as to have caused her loss. At any rate,
it is probable that much more time would have been
afforded to the passengers to effect their escape in the
boats had the Arctic been planked with oak. We ob-
serve that the ship's boat which arrived at Renews had
no compass in it. Surely there was great neglect in not
having a small compass permanently attached to each of
the ship's boats, so that, in case of need, there should be
no necessity for running about a sinking ship in search
of compasses for the boats.—Nripping Gazette.
THE NEWCASTLE FIRES.—The subscription for the
relief of the sufferers by this sad calamity promises to be
among, the 'nog magnificent ever collected in this coun-
try. Up to Friday morning it amounted to 7,0001., and
among the subscriptions sent in we observed the Earl of
Carlisle, 2001. ; the Duke of Northumberland, 105/. ;
and subscriptions from working men in all parts of the
country. 357 families have been relieved by the coin-
rnittee, who are also exerting themselves in providing
furniture and dwellings for the poor creatures burnt out.
We are informed that the claims sent in for losses are
of the most modest description, and the gratitude of the
poor for the timely relief afforded them is most affecting.
THE FRNNCII AND ENGLISH MAILS.—Owing to the
tempestuous' state of the weather the French mail packet
did not leave Calais with the mails on Wednesday at the
usual time. The next mail train from Paris was very
much behind, but, on arrival, the Royal mail steamer
started in the teeth of a gale of wind, and crossed the
Channel in safety, and the mail came up to London by
the eight o'clock train. The French steamer came over
after. So that the mail that left Paris at a quarter to 12
on Wednesday noon did not reach London until some
hours after tho mail that left Paris by the 7.30
train the same day.