The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-17 00:00:00

this instance, tended to alc4 the original brilliancy of
the colours and the deliciously contrasted greys, the
value and management of which none so well understood
as this great master of composition and colour.
Parliament is called upon to put a stop to this
waste of ways an means, and I believe the largest
proportion of those who feel an interest in art
would be proud to see any money, that can with
propriety be devoted by Government to the purpose,
spent in the first place in the erection of a fitting build-
ing for the eihibition of the munificent gift of Robert
Vernon—as an inducement to further bequests and pre-
sentations ; and, that desideratum being effected, then
to the annual purchase of native, rather than " old"
works, especially under the present system.—.Et.W.

SPORTING NOTES.

ODDS AND ENDS.

So far as steeplechasing and horse-racing are con-
cerned, the current week will be " drawn blank."
Still tnrfites will have sufficient to occupy their
attention in the preparations for the approaching
gathering at Northampton—the first really important
legitimate meeting of the season. The betting on the
"Stakes" has been somewhat limited, but Winkfield has
been in much request. Wells is engaged to ride him,
and well-founded confidence is placed in the horse's
chance.

The two days' racing at Salisbury last week was
marked by several incidents of prospective importance.
With judicious management the meeting is likely to be-
come as popular as any of the early Spring gatherings.
By the way, strange stories were tad at Ssliebury of
the eccnitricities of the "Squire," who hag, in high
dudgeon, removed his horses from Warrener's. A
pretty quarrel it seems has arisen, and the " Squire
is likely to be involved in legal difficulties.
Some surprise has been excited thatso absurd a letter
as that which appeared in the Times on Saturday last,
condemnatory of steeplechasing as a cruel and barbarous
sport, should have obtained insertion it, that influential
jot:rnal. The writer's squeamish sympathy and Resa-
Matilda horror were most amusing to people who know
anything of steeplechasing or the busting field. Why,
bless his sensitive and timid nature, does be know that
there is not half the danger to life and limb in a steeple-
chase that is daily experienced in the bunting field ? He
belongs to that &ass of people who would have ail
healthful and hardy sports abandoned for Sybarite ease
and slothful enjoyment. Of course, he would decry
cricket because fingers are occasionally broken or shins
damaged in the pursuit of that invigorating game. Boatir g
and yachting, too, he would doubtless put down, because
people who engage in them are sometimes drowned.
Fishing is, of course, in his opinion, a barbarous pas-
time, because the "finny tribes" are hooked bleeding
from their native element. Shooting naturally horrifies
him, and the thoughts of hunting must bring tears down
his " sensitive nose," because a pack of hounds scud to
the hcundsman's cry in chase of a poor tiu'id hare, a,
stag, or a fox. Mr. Leech's humorous and graphic pic-
tures of the moving accidents which fox-hunters encoun-
ter by flood and field must fill this considerate creature's
soul with horror and dismay. Out upon such maudling
sentiment and mock sympathy as that expressed by this
precious correspondent of the limes.
Another hard blow has been dealt at the system on
which Selling Races are now invariably arranged.
Clerks of courses have thought proper to set the Jockey
Club law at defiance, and to ignore altogether the New-
market role of claiming. Th'e following resolution will
therefore be moved, and doubtless adopted, at the next
meeting of the Jockey Club :
" That the stewards of the Jockey Club shall not han-
dicap for a race at Newmarket, or at any meeting of
which they are ex-officio stewards, any horse that, after
the passing of this resolution, shall run for a selling race
not under the Newmarket rule of claiming."
This resolution will out off a great portion of the re.
venue of certain clerks of courses, but it will at the same
time impart something like honesty and fair play into
Selling Races. A FRESH MAN.
March 17.