The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-31 00:00:00

THINGS IN GENERAL.

The frost has disappeared roost opportunely for the
Manchester men, whose annual revels on New-year's-
day at Stretford are not likely to be interrupted. The
appointed sport is not of a character to require comment,
and both in quantity and quality it is likely to be very
insignificant. Still the hard-worked denizens of the
cotton-spinning metropolis will doubtless discover in the
racing the elements of excitement, and will be enabled to
employ their time and attention pleasantly enough.
The. Waltham Abbey Steeplechases, as usual, pro-
yoked a wrangle, and under the present management
their popularity seems to be impossible. Two races
were, or are, in dispute. Report states that the steeple-
chase was on Monday decided in favour of British Yeo-
man, who came in second, but no official notice of such
a decision has yet been promulgated. How gentlemen
could allow their names to be associated with such an
undertaking as that at Waltham is a matter of surprise.
For the betting men generally, who are calling out most
lustily about the doings, I have no pity. Experience
should have taught them what to expect. They deserve
no more commiseration than those persons who will
trespass upon that portion of the ice marked dtlanger-
ous," and who consequently get a good immersion for
their foolhardiness. Really the jumpers are in a bad
plight. Every steeplechase meeting that has been cele-
brated this season has been a failure. The good time
coming must be seen through the reverse end of a teles-
cope, for it is very far off. Mr. Newcombe Mason .is
busily employed canvassing for the Oundle meeting,
where, with judicious management and fair play, an at-
tractive gathering may one day be established. The
Grand National Steeplechase at Liverpool is, however,
the only cross-country event which now excites interest,
and where the horses are to come from to make up a race
for it I am unable to determine. There is scarcely a
modern steeplechase horse left that would be capable of
cutting a respectable, appearance in the hunting field.

Business at the Corner has been conducted in the
usual jog-trot manner, and no demonstration of im-
portance has been made in connection with either the
Chester Cup or Derby. Loyola, however, seems likely
to be spiritedly supported for the Two Thousand,
which seems likely to be a profitable betting race.
The nominations for the principal spring events will
be made on the 6th of January; those for the Chester
Cup on the Ist, as usual. Until the entries are pub-
lished it will be impossible to see clearly the prospect
of sport. Still, despite the crippled state of the turf
money market during the past season, there is likely
to be no diminution in the quantity of the racing
provided by the different clerks of courses.
I regret to announce the death of Mr. William Ruff,
for many years the well-known turf reporter to the Lou-
don press. His death took place yesterday afternoon.
Dec. 31. A FRESH MAN.

BETTING AT MANCHESTER—TUESDAY.
LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
100 to 6 agst Escape (taken)
100 to 5 agst Teddesley (taken)
100 to 5 agst Bourton (taken)
10 to 1. agat Henderson's lot (taken)
Two THOUSAND GUINEAS STASES.
4to 1 agst Loyola (taken)
6 to 1 apt Vidette (taken)
8 to 1 agst Drumour (taken)
CHESTER CUP.
50 to 1 agst St. Giles (taken)
50 to 1 agst Alice Wentworth (taken)
1000 to 15 agst Rogerthorpe (taken)
1000 to 15 agst Comedian (taken)
DERBY.
11 to 1 agst Blink Bonny (taken)
14 to 1 agst Loyola (taken)
20 to 1 agst Tournament (taken)
1000 to 40 agst Lady Hawthorn (taken)
1000 to 30 agst Athlete (taken)

WALTHAM ABBEY STEEPLECHASES.—We understand
that the steeplechase for which Janus came in first has
been decided in favour of British Yeoman. We have,
however, received no communication on this subject or
relative to the Hunt Steeplechase, also disputed, from
the clerk of the course or any official person connected
with the meeting. •