The Sun.
London, England, 1856-06-13 00:00:00

THE CIIP DAY.

The morning dawned ominously, and heavy
leaden-tinted clouds scudded drearily before the
wind. Still the sun occasionally peeped gaily forth,
but the lucid intervals were scarcely cheering or
encouraging. Pleasure folk, however, were not
dismayed, and had full reliance upon the Queen's
usual good fortune with regard to the weather.
Pedestrians, therefore, trooped hopefully towards
the course, whilst vehicles from Windsor thronged
the road, and the " drives" through the Park.
Ladies dresses, however, were grievously damaged
by the dust which the traffic and the wind raised
in dense blinding clouds, whitening the gar-
ments, and spoiling the appearance of the
visitors. Despite ttie dreary skiey influences,
the prospect of interesting sport, and the visit of
her Majesty and illustrious guests to the Heath
were attractions powerful enough to command an
immense attendance of general company. Not un-
der the most propitious circumstances as regards the
weather, and not even excepting ,the occasion of
the visit of the late Emperor Nicholas of Russia
in 1844, was so vast a concourse of persons seen on
the Heath. The scene was strikingly gay and
picturesque. Along each side of the running-
ground, from the top turn to beyond the distance
were double lines of people. The space opposite
the Grand Stand was crowded by carriages filled
with ladies, whose rich and many-coloured dresses
imparted a peculiarly gay aspect to the scene. The
Grand Stand was thronged from basement to roof,
and in the enclosure and saloons it required no
little physical force, to elbow a way through the
crowd of persons of both sexes. The royal stands
and private stands too were, of course, well
attended.

Under the direction of Mr. Skinner, ample ar-
rangements were made for the accommodation of
the visitors. In anticipation of the increased at-
tendance, too, the police regulations were extended,
and in addition to the efficient body of men under
Superintendents Walker and Hughes, and Inspec-
tors Tiddy and Banks of the A division, 150 men
were engaged under Inspectors Leicester, 0, Fir-
man, B, and Jackson, D. Inspector Whicher, of
the detective force, had several officers in plain
clothes under his command. The knights of in-
dustry were, therefore, kept at a respectful dis-
tance, and many of the fraternity received a gentle
hint on their arrival at Ascot, and quickly returned
to London.

As the time approached for the commencement
of the proceedings the weather became more lower-
ing and gloomy, and a piercingly cold wind con-
tributed to the general discomfort. Soon after the
horses were saddled for the first race the standard
was hoisted on the Royal Stand. Her Majesty's
carriage, preceded by the Earl of Bessborough, the
Queen's huntsman and outriders, was seen slowly
to descend the hill down the "new mile." There
were eleven open carriages, five of them drawn by
beautiful grey ponies, and the effect was pic-
turesque and striking in the extreme. As the
cortege approached the stands, and as one by one
her Majesty, Prince Albert, the Prince of Prussia,
and the Regent of Baden, were recognised, loud
and prolonged cheering burst forth simultaneously
from all sides. The official list of the illustrious
viAitors will be found on reference to the Court
Circular. No sooner had the Royal party entered
the stand than the first race was run. When it
was decided the people made a general rush to the
enclosure in front of the Royal Stand, and gave
another loud and hearty cheer. This demonstra-
tion was renewed with increased vigour several
times in the course of the afternoon when her Ma-
jesty appeared at the window. Perhaps the general
feeling of gratification was heightened by the fact
of the Court having been absent from the Heath
last year.
Between the first and second races the long-
pending shower fell, and sent people into the stands
and scampering into booths to obtain shelter. It
was, however, of short duration. Still no sun
brightened the dreary afternoon, rain drizzled down
at frequent intervals, and the sky became darker
and more lowering.
The Cup attracted only a small number of com-
petitors, and, with the exception of Manganese,
whose success was deemed a certainty in what are
termed " well-informed quarters," the field was
supposed to comprise no animal of very superior
racing ability.

Atstartin-g 2 to I was betted on Manganese, the
hopes of her backers beinc, strengthened by her
blooming appearance. She was, however, easily
defeated, and deep was the sensation created.
When she was called upon by her jockey, she
seemed incapable of making a finishing effort, and
the race resulted in favour of Winkfield, an animal
trained in the neighbourhood, and trusted by no
one except its owner, who, in addition to backing
it " outright," took 200 to 100 that it would beat
Saucebox "for places." His triumph was hailed
with loud cheers, and to the fielders it gave great
cause for gratulations and rejoicings.
The Cup, which was exhibited in the saloon of
the Grand Stand, attracted considerable attention.
It is nearly three feet in height, independently of
the base, and illustrates the mythological tale of
Perseus and Andromeda. The artist has repre-
sented the serpent twining round the rock, and
making his way up to the place where Andromeda
is fastened. Perseus is on his winged horse, at-
tacking the monster with the sword with which he
slew the Gorgon, and is defending himself with
the shield of Medusa. The execution is very effec-
tive, and the outline very fine. It was manu-
factured at the establishment of Messrs. Garrard,
jewellers to the Queen, from designs and models
by Mr. Cotterill.

The New Stakes brought out twenty runners,
and to genuine turfites afforded by far the most
interesting race of the day. Goldfinch, who cave
with a very high reputation, was supported with
much spirit ; at one time 5 and 6 to 4 were laid on
him. At last he was backed at evens against the
field. He was, however, defeated by an animal
not mentioned in the ring. The winner was after-
wards objected to on the plea that he was not the
proper age. An examination of the horse's mouth
will take place this day (Friday).
The New Stakes decided, the Royal visitors
quitted the course amidst great cheering and waving
of bats and handkerchiefs. They who followed her
Majesty's example had cause for satisfaction, for
after the race was run rain set in, and fell with
drenching effect.

The business of the meeting was most efficiently
conducted under the direction of the clerk of the
course, Mr. Edward Hibburd. The other officials,
Mr. James Manning, clerk of the scales ; Mr. H.
Hibburd, starter • and Mr. Clark, the judge, as
usual, discharged respective duties with the
utmost promptitude and regularity.
As a proof of the immense attendance, it may be
stated that 1,700/. were taken at the Grand Stand,
whilst the immense stock of provisions supplied by
M. Careless was entirely exhausted.
In addition to the Royal party, we noticed
amongst other fashionable visitors during the three
days:—The Duke of Cambridge, Duke of Beaufort,
Duke of Cleveland, Duke of Newcastle, Duke of
Wellington, Duke of Buccleuch, Dike of Mont-
rose; Lords Broadalbane, Derby, Abercorn, Spen-
cer, Eglinton, Bessborough, Palmerston, Cardigan,
George Lennox, James Murray, Bruce, Euston,
Churchill, Holmesdale, Southampton, Marcus Hill,
Wilton, Grey de Wilton, Zetland, Exeter, Maid-
stone, Chesterfield, W. Powlett, Stradbroke,
Anglesey, Exmouth, Drogheda, Edward Russell,
Drutnlanrig, Stanley, Howe, Keane, Powis, Bath,
Vane, Duncan, Robert Clinton, Clifden, Clanri-
carde, March, Newport, Enfield, Thynne, Howth,
De Manley, Londesborough, Stafford, Eyelyn,
Raglan; Sir Robert Peel, Sir Joseph Hawley, Sir
W. W. Wynne, Sir W. Codrington, Sir George
Armytage, Sir Thomas Burke, Sir John Tyrel, Sir
J. W. Hogg, Sir Henry Meux, Major the Hon.
James Macdonald, the Hon. Major Forrester,
Hon. Admiral Rous, Hon. Rowland Hill, Hon.
Col. Somerset, Hon. Col. Lowther, Hon. L.
Heathcote, General Peel, Major-Gen. Berkeley
Drummond, Col. Seymour, Captain Brabazon,
Captain Arcladall,
1 Captain, Little, CAptailz White,