The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-18 00:00:00

S__ I 1 iv

LITERATURE.
THE SIEGE QE DAMASCUS. I?
A'isbct.
This is an historical romance of the seventh c ttiris?-
describing the siege and capture of Damascus bitliaaeli-i.;al.
Arabs whom that wealthy and flourishing peoiAttl
• 11.;f1,7
despised and ridiculed. The great object of the writer
seems to be to show the great amount of wickedness
that existed among the monks and prelates of that
time and country. But he has in some points al-
lowed his hatred of hypocrisy and idolatry to urge
him to make no distinctions, and to attribute to all
I countries and all creeds those evils which existed in
one particular church. It is also somewhat
singular, that while the author cannot con-
demn too strongly the idolatry and superstition
of the people in respect of the monks, he in-
variably suffers the predictions of the astrologer
Pane to be fulfilled, and even writes as if he believed
his arts had occasioned the various events that con-
firm his prophecies. The hero, Jonas, though a power-
ful and courageous character, is not to be admired
or imitated in his conduct. He is at first a wavering
and theoretical Christian. Then, urged by mingled
feelings of love, hatred, and indignation, he becomes
a Moslem and renegade, then, disgusted with the
world, he retires from it to a quiet and secluded
valley, and finally becomes fire -worshipper ! Such a
vacillating line of conduct is scarcely worthy of so
patriotic end generous a dispcsitiou. The various
events and characters are well described, and display •
considerable knowledge of the age and country and
the habit! of the Arabs and Damascenes.

V 7%).-

NEW MUSIC.

1. invitation a la Valse ; 2. Chanson di Ete—Not-
turno, pour le ...Pianoforte. Jejferys, Soho.square;
3. Morceau de a
nicert, Capriccio pour le Piano-
forte. Wessel and Co.
John Rogers.
Composed by'
The " Invitation" is for Ned after the model of
\Veber's celebrated work. It c,
lmmenees with a grace-
ful and flowing cantabile, irr three-quarter time,
leading to a waltz, which, while distinguished by,
fresh and sparkling melody, and scholarly modula-
tions, is worked up with musicianv skill. It can
acarely fail to become popular.
The " Notturno" and " Capriccio" offer some diffi-
culties, which demand an executant like Air. Rogers
himself to do them justice. The first (" Chanson
d'Ete") opens with an elaborate and spirited prelude,
which introduces us to a melody of peculiar grace and
freshness—first accompanied by skipping chords, then
varied for the left hand alone, and conauding with a
resume of the opening movement.
The " Moreeau de Concert" affords an ,example of
skilful and effective part writing ; like the former
compositions, it is distinguished by melodNms and
captivating themes, the harmonic treatment o: which
shows a Beethovenish tendency, highly creditable to
Mr. Rogers' taste. These works, each differing in
style, are developed with the skill of a zealous ,And
, talented artist.

SPORTING NOTES•

No. CVIII.
YORK AUGUST MEETING. THE GREAT

YORKSHIRE STAKES, &c.

" In every rustling wind the victor hear,
And Marlborough Buck in every contest fear."
ApinsoN's Campaign (slightly altereti).

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
em enabled to speak more positively this
morning with regard to the starters for the Ebor Handi-
cap; they will number from ten to twelve, and are the
following:—Maid of Masham, Clothworker, The Italian,
Lady Ilylda, Champion, Nancy (d), Haricot, Hunger-
ford, Candlewick, Aristos, and one or two others. It is
my opinion that if they all run, the leaders in the fray
will be The Dalian, Nancy,Maid of Masham, and Haricot,
the first and last of these, the former as being the
money horse, the latter as being the best " in," for
choice; the two mares, as a matter of course, close up.
It ought to be borne in mind by dabblers in the odds
that when The Italian met " the crack" (Nancy) in the
Chester Cup fray, he gave her for the year 351bs, and
more than that, was not then thoroughly himself, yet
was well up at the finish; he has to concede a very dif-
ferent weight now, only Sibs, consequently as he
is in :first-rate fettle, ought to be the winner, or
very close upon the victor's heels. Haricot's nume-
rous performances as a three-years-old were decidedly
superior, winning, as she did, in nearly every in-
stance ; this year, as yet, she has not done
anything worth recording. The Maid of Masham,.with
the stiff weight of Bst 71b up, I expect to see in the third
position; she may get nearer, or, perhaps, compass the
winning feat; if she accomplish this, she will in truth
prove herself a clipper and no mistake. The Slashing
Nancy is surrounded by so much mystery that I have
nought to say concerning her; I fancy, however, at the
weight, if she starts, it will only be to be beaten for the
first time this year.
Friday's list leads off with the Consolation Scramble
Stakes, which, with the Members' and her Majesty's
Plates, have yet to close. Sir Rowland Troachard
and Balsamo will fight out the Bramham Park
Stakes, the former, in all probability, just get-
ting the best at the finish. The field for the
Great Yorkshire Stakes of 10 sovs , with 100 added, for
three yrs old, colts Bst 71b, fillies Bst 21b, one mile esad
three-quarters, now in its ninth year, may possibly he
composed of the following :—Ariosto, Azeth, The Barr
(d), Black Doctor (d), emus (d), Marlborough Buck,
Nancy, Neasham, Newminster (d), and Crookshanke.
Ariosto, I fancy, requires a shorter course to display
his abilities upon; Azeth and The Ban, at the best, are
but second-rate cattle. The Black Doctor I have heard
nothing about of late; the distance would suit him ad-
mirably, but I'm afraid he would not fancy the weight.
Ccreus is to be tried in the race for the Ebor St. Leger on
Wednesday; if becomes off victorious there, it is just pos-
sible he may "run up" for this stake. The Marlborough
Buck, backed by the Venison and Defence blood flowing
through his veins, is the most mischievous looking
horse in the race, and, if they mean him, I have not the
slightest hesitation in awarding him the palm of victory.
Pompey's daughter, Nancy, with 51b allowed her for sex,
ought to be somewhere near the front, but to my eye
will not turn out to be the winner. The speedy son of
Hetman Platoff and Wasp is much fancied in the north
and also in the City, and immense sums have been in-
vested on his chance, but.without I am sorely deceived,
at the best he will have to be contented with " playing
second fiddle." Crookshank's chance requires no
consideration; and Newminster is by no manner of
means a certain starter, or he would have disposed of
the lot, perhaps, with the exception of The Buck, in the
most cavalier style imaginable. If he runs take care of
him, and keep him on the right side of the book. Not
taking Newminster's chance into consideration, I should
place the others thus—
THE MARLBOROUGH BUCK ... 1
NEASHAM ••• ... 2
NANCY or ARIOSTO
The Gimcrack Stakes depend so much on the result of
the Prince of Wales's Stakes that I shall postpone my
remarks on this particular stake to Thursday next, merely
observing meanwhile, that the Bird-on-the-wing and
Agnes Wickfield look the most attractive at the present
moment. Speculation on the Ebor Handicap, Great
Yorkshire Stakes, and St. Leger, has been very brisk
since Saturday morning, and has led to several changes`
of importance, especially in Hernandez and Newminster
for the St. Leger, Maid of Masham for the Ebor Handi-
cap, and Marlborough Buck for the Great Yorkshire
Stakes. The market this morning is uncommonly firm for
the favourites, but very queer for the outsiders. The
following are the latest quotations:—Dundas Stakes
—3 to 1 on the field; 5 to 1 agst Crookakanks; 10
to 1 agst Oxford Blue. Ebor St. Leger—Eren on
Newminster; 3 to 1 agst Confessor; 6 to 1 eget Cnas.
Prince of Wales's Stakes-2 to lon the field. York-
shire Oaks-3 to 1 agst Tightwaist, 4to 1 taken;
7 to 2 agat Unity; 4 to 1 ogst Nrivandi4re; 5 to 1 eget
Iris; Bto 1 agst Brehm. Confidence, I believe, does pot
run. Ebor Handicap-3 to 1 agst Nancy (nomin.al); 5
to 1 agst Maid of Masham; 7 to 1 agst The Italian; 7
to 1 agat Hungerford; 10 to 1 agst Haricot; 10 to ag'S
Champion, take 12 to 1. Chesterfield Handicap --2 to I
agst Vanguard, take 5 to 2; 3 to 1 agst Prince Carts!loo
colt; 6 to 1 agst Melody; 12 to 1 agst (Wort Bluei
100 Soya Plate-4 to lon the field. Co„unts' P
to 1 agst King of Trumps; 5 to 1 agst r-4"
named. Great
York
Cup—Clincher fancied, bnt no price name _
Yorkshire Stakes-2 to 1 agst The Marlborough Buck;
6to each agst
3 to 1 each agst Neasham and Nancy;
Ariosto and Newminster. ?rtoes2t
agst
stLuegeerrß—sn4dtcozl;lla4gatoa
Newminster, 9 to 2 taken;
1 agat Hothorpe. I am, Sir, yours, &c.,
THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF.
Aug. 18, 1851.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
IN
LATEST BETTING IN TOWN.
EBOR HiNDICA.P.
3 to 1 opt Mr. Martinson's Nancy
=
1:3
toto 1
2 agar
tt
Mr.
Mr.
meWrikatira
haer::lMtaaliiadnof Mash
to 1 agst Mr. Morris's Rungerford
GREAT YORKSHIRE STARES.
2 to 1 agst Mr. Clark's Marlborough Beak
3 to 1 agst Mr. hlartinson's Nancy
3 to 1 agst Mr. Wilkinson's Newham
ST. LEGER.
9 to 2 agst Mr. A. Nichol's Newminster
9 to 2 agst Lord Enfield's Hernandez
for oioo
Liolrcßoil.;
bblesdale has purchased Colonel Peers stud
notwithstanding the change of ownership,
the public sale of the first portion will take place this day.

HENLEY-oN-LsamEs.--There is no longer any
doubt that the potato blight of former years has this season
appeared in various parts of this district; crops that a abort
time since were quite free from any appearance of blight, are
now unquestionably tainted, although is most instances only
in the leaves of the plant; but should the loss not exceed
0
moderate per-centage, the larger proportion of land planted,
and the prolific yield of the present year, will prevent any
deficiency being experienced in this useful edible.
CHURCH RATES.—A very numerousr.rneeting of
the ratepayers of the parish of St. Mary•le-Strand was eld
on Saturday, in the Vestry-room, for the purpose of making
a church-rate, and on other business; Arr. Churchwarden
Hughes in the chair. Mr. Glenny proposed that the church—
wardens be allowed 3001. for the necessary repairs of the
church, and that a rate of le. 3d. be allowed. Mr. Pearce
having seconded the motion, Mr. Valentine proposed, as an
amendment, a rate of la, which, having been seconded, was
put and carried.
We observe that Captain J. Estridge has been con-
firmed in the appointment of garrison engineer and civil
architect at the Bombay presidency, vice Crawford, *ppplute4
superintending euigneer, railway department.