The Sun.
London, England, 1870-04-15 00:00:00

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

THE sentence upon the Duke of Montpensier
would have been amazing, had not the Pierre
Bonaparte trial so exhausted our powers of astonish-
milt that nothing in the way of continental
ju'licial freaks can excite more than the
most languid surprise. The court-martial has
sentenced him to one month's exile from Madrid,
and to pay twelve hundred pounds to the family of
Don Enrique, the unfortunate quarrelsome prince who
was killed in the duel. No ono expected that a
court-martial would inflict any very heavy punish-
ment for such an offence. Duelling is lightly
thought of in the Southern States of Europe, and
it is not likely that any person who had
killed another in " fair fight" would be
severely visited, much less a prince who had at one
and the same time put a troublesome man out
of the way, and proved the existence of courage
which he was thought not to possess. But the Spaniards
are not satisfied with letting off the Duke lightly;
they perforce must insult and deride justice by
pronouncing a sentence which is no punishment
whatever. in acquittal would mean something, but
this verdict is sheer nonsense. The Duke has to pay
£1,200. Nn English rough, who might happen to
dispatch his adversary by an unlucky blow, would not
be happy to give sixpence for the benefit
of the deceased's family; and the Duko of Mont-
pensier is so rich that £1,200 will be to him but as
sixpence. He must reside for one month away from
Madrid. Well, the Spanish capital is, of all places
in the world, the most disagreeable as
a residence. It is Greenland and the
Desert of Sahara combined. Bleak, piercing
winds alternate with a pitiless, baking sun.
It is hard to imagine that banishment from such a
place can be considered a punishment. In fact, the
Duke of Montpensier has not resided in the Spanish
capital until within the last few weeks. It is only
very lately that he astonished the Madrilenos
by suddenly reappearing amongst them ; and as he
has been absent so long, another month's sojourn in
the country cannot hurt him. Altogether the sentence
is ridiculous; but then Spain is a country in which
the law is systematically defied and made to look
ridiculous.

BILLIARD MATCH FOR THE CHAMPION

SHIP.

The second billiard match for the championship
was played last night at St. James's-hall, Piccadilly,
between John Roberts, jun., and William Cook, the
stakes being £lOO a-side, irrespective of the Cham-
pion's Challenge Cup, valued at £l2O, and a gold
Maltese cross, of the value of £5, which becomes the
property of the winner. Rather more than two
months ago—viz., on the 11th of February—the first
match was played for the Challenge Cup, between
William Cook and John Roberts, the elder, who had
been champion from the year 1849, and it resulted in
a clever if not a easy victory for the former. Cook
was not allowed to rest upon his laurels, for a match
was at once made with John Roberts, jun., the son
being determined, if possible, to avenge his father's
defeat.

The competitors dh the present occasion have
previously met twice, and both times Cook proved
successful, although Roberts made a good fight in
one of them, having reckoned 969 to the winner's
1,000. Roberts commenced the game by a miss,
Cook following his example; Roberts next sc red
6, and Cook 3, the fanner then making a fair
break of 21, which brought his score up to 27.
Cook followed with 2, an .l then failed to iucrease
his reckoning. Roberts then took the balls and
ran his ca..; up to 57 by some quick acrd decisive
I lay, when he gave way to Cook, who increased
h s score to 40. Some very midlling play full )wed
on both sides, Cook presently running up to 58,
agAnst Roberts's 66, and as the latter failed t
sco:e Cook's gatue was soon called at 91, then at
102, to Roberts 69, and 120 to 111.
At five minutes to 11 Roberts made a magnificent
break of 47 ; his score standing 961, aaiust his
opponent's 502 ; Cook added 2, and then ❑either
oc.,red, Cook a second time in succession failing to
make a figure. More small breaks and the game was.
CoJk, 522; Roberts, 977. The latter next made 21,
but missing a comparatively easy stroke, the score
stood Roberts, 998 ; Cook, 522. The latter failed to
execute his stroke, and Roberts, by an easy cannon,
won the game at 10 minutes past 11 o'clock, nearly
500 ahead.

Cook played a losing game throughout, and
althcugh he once or twice showed some of his old
form after resuming pray at 10 o'clock, yet he was
utterly unable to cops with Roberts, and suffered an
unexpectedly easy defeat.