The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-18 00:00:00

APRIL 18, 1851.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sln,—" Ecce iterum Marinero!'" Yes, ;'llr. Editor,
I have boon struck with some remarks cl yours in your
number of March 29, on the subject of tee again
threatened motion of that enemy to the navy, Mr. Jo-
seph Hume. You say—" It would appear as if the cus-
todians of those interests regarded extreme age as a
necessary qualification for fulfilling the duties of a flag-
officer, as was thought by some to he the case among
the Popes at Rome, and among the Doges at Venice."
You then go on to enumerate certain worthies, ancient
as well as modern, who achieved splendid victories at a
comparatively early age; and the inference you draw is,
that flag-officers should attain that rank at least before
they arrive at a certain age. You are perfectly right,
and the " custodians of those interests," whomsoever
they are to whom you allude, must be perfectly wrong.
But, unfortunately, your ideas on the subject, and the
plan you propose for carrying out those ideas are utterly,
at variance. " properamus ad unam." The cap-
tain grows old together with the admiral. How then, by
stopping all promotion until the list of flag-cflicers is re-
duced to 100, or by checking it by promoting one for
three vacancies, are we to have younger admirals?
Under the present system we have only one who is
under 60 years of age, whilst of the whole list 30 only
are under 65. What then is to be done? I propose the
following plan for your consideration. Place all the
flag-officers above a certain age on a list by themselves;
calf them the " Honourable List," if you please (old age
is honourable), or any other term not likely to hurt the
feelings. We do not like " superannuated." This
would leave a certain number on the active list.
Let that be the list of admirals—and as they reach the
ago fixed upon, let them also go on the " honourable"
list. For every vacancy on this considerably reduced
number of flag-officers (they would not amount to 50,
taking 70 es the age for the " honourable" list) a cap-
tain should bo promoted; but should he have reached
the age for this list before it comes to his turn for his
flag, he should be compelled to take the retirement
established by the Order in Council of 1846. Further,
the captain's retirement should be thrown open to the
whole list, age and not seniority being the qualification;
and in this way that list would be reduced and kept
under. These arrangements would, of coarse, involve
some little expense for a time, but there would be a ma-
terial annual decrease; and as in the navy estimates for
this year there is a saving of nearly 200,0001., of which
upwards of 15,0001. is in the item of half-pay and
superannuation allowances, I think a trifling annual sum
might be afforded for the purpose of renovating the ser-
vice. I think, too, that the " Honourable Gentleman"
who is making such a " dead set" at the old war-officers
might find more highly paid game at which to level his
shafts of economy, than seeking to deprive them of the
object of their fair ambition when almost within their
grasp; particularly As those officers, after a service (the
seniors) of half a century, and having held the rank of
captain for thirty-five years, are receiving from Govern-
ment the munificent sum of 14s. 6d. per diem; or, income-
tax deducted, about 2571. per annum, the salary of a junior
clerk in a public office.
I am, Sir, yours, &c.,
London, April 5. MARINERO.

SPORTING NOTES;
No XXXVI.
THE NEWMARKET FIRST SPRING MEETING.

" We have our eyes upon them, and their deeds
Come to us on the wind."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
sporting writer of the present day ought to
be gifted with the eyes of Argus, and the qualifications
of Briareus, to come anywhere near the expectations of
the racing public. They not only cat it down as a rule
that he should know everything connected with the
turf the instant it occurs, but also expect through him
to receive it minus additions or subetrections immedi-
ately likewise ; and should it be wrong in any particular
from want of accurate information, his most potent ma-
jesty, " the public," kicks up a considerable dust there
and then, never taking into consideration the difficulty
there very often is in arriving at the key-stone of a ru-
mour, and the extraordinary quarters many of the
reports come from. I I,hould arneelngly like to see how
the execution of this portion of my work for a week.
one of the bipedal particles of of T: AM I would fancy
These remarks have been brought into existence by the
numerous applications I have received concerning Lady
Evelyn, Grecian, Iris, Payment, Aldircdite, &. c., &c.;
but, like those well-known sentences of the immortal
Shakspere—,‘ I can call spirits from the vasty deep;
but will they come when you do call them?" I might
say, You can call upon .7 he Spirit for mysterious scraps
of information; but, can you raise them from the oepths
of his mental machinery if they do not exist there? But,
to get to business, I will begin with a few odds and ends
that will probably be of some service to a large portion
of the sporting community. It was announced at Tat-
tersall's yesterday, that the starting of the Flying
Dutchman for the Emperor's Plato entirely depended en
the figure he might cut in the great match at York.
Grecian was declared not to start for the
Two Thousand Guineas. It was also said that
Scott would not have either Storm or Newminster
at Newmarket for the Guineas, and that if any-
thing started from his stable it would be Olympian. It
was also reported that Iris was not up to the mark, and
consequently, that her running for the 1,000 Guineas
. was very dubious; fact, our report went so far as to
say, that she was either going or had gone home.
Citadel, while oat at exercise yesterday morning at
Epsom, broke her leg, and was shortly afterwards des-
stroyed. 800, who has been backed a good deal at the
list houses, does not run for the Guineas. It was also
reported that Lightfoot, carrying a topping weight, had
had a trial on Monday with Voltigeur, Radulphus, and
the Red Deer colt, and that he was beaten a length by
the great gun of last year. I cannot vouch for the truth
of this. The mild weather has set injust in
time for the holidays, and the First Spring Meeting at
head-quarters, which, I anticipate, will be a little more
brilliant than its predecessor, 'yclept The Craven. It
commences on Monday with a sweepstakes of 50 sovs.
each, A.F., 10 subs, a moiety of whom may be found at
the post, viz.:—Balsamo, Bst 71b; Juggernaut, Bst 71b;
The Trapper, Bst 71b; Phlegethon, Bst 411 e; The Squaw,
Bst. I feel inclined to go for the first and last named,
with The Trapper and Juggernaut third and fourth,
and Phiegethon last. A sweepstakes of 200 soya. each,
Ab.M., 5 subs., will have Coticula and Barcelona first
and second. Uriel, in my opinion, if well, can actually
accomplish the task of giving 351bs to Nondescript in
their match over the ditch mile. Bordeaux, in his couple
of matches, receives forfeit in the first from Merry Peal;
and will win the second over the T.Y.C., giving California
91bs. On Tuesday, the day destined td give us an insight
into the qualities of several Derby candidates in the
race for the Guineas, the sport commences with the 300
sovs. Stakes, 100 ft, for four years old colts and fillies
8.C., which the Duke of Bedford has won four times in
the last seven years, with Minotaur, Panther, Leopard,
and Quasimodo, in 1844, 1845, 1846, and last year; and
will accomplish the same feat this year with Bordeaux,
without Tomboy finds himself at home on the long dis-
tance of nearly four miles and a quarter; at any rate
this couple will be first and second; Nutcracker and
Zadnc third and fourth. Next on the list for decision
stands the key to the Derby, the Two Thousand
Guineas Stakes, for which the following will, in all pro-
bability, go to the post, viz, :—Exeter, Glenhawk, Census
or Hyppolytus, Midas, The Confessor, Hernandez. colt
by Touchstone out of Mountain Sylph, CEolus,
and perhaps ,one from Day's stable, and
Olympian. My opinion of the chances of the
above I gave in my analysis of their
merits, as far back as February or January; at which
time I selected Grecian, Newminster, and the Squire's
colt to furnish a close race home, ending as 1 have
placed them; but, in consequence of the declension of
the stars of Scott's and Day's stables, I must entrust the
Mountain Sylph colt with the important task cf render-
ing my judgment triumphant; should he not be quite up
to the mark at the time of running, then commend me
to The Confessor or Hernandez, former for choice; and
were I requested to place them as they stand in my esti-
mation at the present moment, it would be thus:—
MOUNTAIN SYLPH COLT 1

THE CONFESSOR
HERNANDEZ
MIDAS 4
(To be concluded tomorrow.)
I am, Sir, yours, &c.
THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF.

April 18, 1851.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERSALL'S—THURSDAY.
A few investments were made on Hernandez and Glen-
hawk for the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, but the only horses
really in force were The Mountain Sylph colt and The
Confessor, it being difficult to say which had the call at
the finish. Confessor also came into high favour for the
Derby, Bonnie Dundee having several friends. 700 to
100 was laid once against Primo Minister (offers after-
wards to take 1,200 to 200), and 8 to 1 to a considerable
amount agst Teddington; 20 to 1 offered agst New-
minster, and 1,000 to 10 laid agst Grecian. The Ches-
ter Cup movements were confined to an improvement in
Rhesus, Nancy, and Russborough, and a decline of
three points in Montague. Latest prices:—
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES.
3 to 1 agst Mr. Osbaldeston's Mountain Sylph colt
—7 to 2 taken freely
10 to 3 agst Sir J. Hawley's The Confessor—taken
6 to 1 agst Lord Enfield's Hernandez
8 to 1 agst Mr. E. R. Clark's Glenhawk
30 to 1 agst Sir R. Pigot's Bolus—taken
Grecian was declared not to start at half-past four r.m.
CHESTER CUP.
8 to 1 agst Mr. Treen's Rhesus, 5 yrs, 7st—taken
13 to 1 agst Ld. Strathmore's Montague, 5 yrs, 7st 21b
15 to 1 agst Mr. l'ilaugan's Russboroug,h, 4 y rs,Bst6lb
100 to 6 'apt Mr. T. Lister's Nancy, 3 yrs, 4st 121 b—t
18 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's The Italian, 4 yrs, 7st 51b
20 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Vatican, 5 yrs, 7st 101 b
—taken

DERBY.
6 to 1 agst Mr. Halford's Prime Minister—taken
8 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Teddington—taken
12 to 1 agst Mr. J. Clark's Marlborough Buck—taken
15 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's Constellation
20 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Bonnie Dundee-25 to
1 taken freely
25 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Confessor—taken
30 to 1 agst Mr. G. Higgins's Theseus—taken freely
1,000 to 20 agst Mr. E. R. Clark's Glenhawk—taken
100 to 1 agst Mr. Howard's Grecian
OAKS.
7 to 1 agst Mr. Gratwicke's Hesse Homburgh
8 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Aphrcdite—t to 1001.
8 to 1 agst Lord Stanley's Iris
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN AND VOLTIGEUR.--We are
authorised to state that whatever may be the result of
the great match between the above horses, it will not be
determined until after it liss been run whether the Fly-
ing Dutchman will start for the Emperor's Plate or not.
A sicailar announcement having been made yesterday at
Tattersall's, the public will do well to retrain from api-
cal:l6llg on the Ascot event until after the York Spring,
Meeting.
Mr. Payne's Citadel broke her leg yesterday morning
at Epsom, and has since been shot.

MANCHESTER, APRIL 17•—
STATE OF TRADE.—
The indications of a falling market are very
plain to- d ay, es-
pecially in yarns. There is always considerable
irregularity
when changes are taking place, whether they be to the ad-
vantage of sellers or to their disadvantage ; and the aspect of
things this morning has been one of much fluctuation, when
compared with the characteristics of Tuesday. In some in-
stances, low prices have been taken, and that feature of the
day's business induced more inquiry generally. It is scarcely
possible to quote any description of yarns that are in request,
but as an illustration of what is stated above, we may re-
mark that 40's double, an article largely exported to Naples,
was in comparatively large request, and was throughout the
day the readiest to sell, but at a decline in price. The news
'as to cotton brought by the Arctic has had little effect,
holders apparently clinging to the belief that cotton must go
up at the ports of America, with as much pertinacity as pur-
chasers assure them that it must come down. The dealings
at New Orleans have strengthened the want of confidence in
the apparent largeness of the crop. In cloths we have no
demand. The private letters by the Indian mail are not
considered favourable. Sales at Bombay had been large ;
but the exchanges having given way excessively, the returns
are much worse than they were, And the consequence is the
utmost caution on the part of the buyers here for that
market. These tidings are dispiriting, for, if the exchanges
had been in our favour, from the reported state of the stocks
at both Bombay and alcutta, we must have experienced a
large demand both for grey shirtings and madapollams.
RAPID DELIVERY OF LETTERS.—POST-OITICII
NOTICE. The extended adoption of street-door letter-boxes,
as recommended in the notice to the public of May, 1840,
has considerably promoted the rapid delivery of letters. The
Postmaster-General, in renewing this recommendation, takes
occasion to advert to the great increase of Post-office duty
which will arise out of the approaching Exhibition, and whica
will render it still more important that the postman should not
be unnecessarily detained. Householders who have not al-
ready provided street-door letter-boxes, are therefore re-
minded that it is peculiarly desirable that such provision be
made before the Ist of May.
THE POISONING CASE IN NOTTS.—This long-pro-
tracted tracted investigation came to a conclusion this day (Thurs-
day),fEast-
at twelve o'clock. Yesterday the town street
was lite-
rally the place where the murder was committed,
the result of
rally besieged with crowds of people awaiting the
The
the inquest, both the prisoners being
coroner (Mr. C. Swann) summed up greatwe
After the night, and the witnesses spoke in the ms'thotset decisive manner
prisoner Ingram,
as to the purchasing of the poison
with the
and also at the desire of the deceasefdb'syth:iji
co-
roner had summed up, the whole
ee
degreeid ed
u ex-
ceptionpon of one man, were almost ioratnediaintelsyondl
their verdict; but this individual, being
uajrodreirt o f
re-
lated to the female prisoner, held out for fifteen hours, at the
the jury,
end of which time be agreeodfi,v,iNtlbutflule
was returned
and consequently a verdict
against Robert Ingram and Elizabeth Barber. The female
prisoner was greatly affected, but Ingram did not appear to
be much moved by his awful situation. The most extraor-
dinary excitement was manifested both in and out of court
during the whole of the proceedings. The prisoners, upon
the conclusion of the inquest, were committed to the county
gaol at Nottingham, to take 41eir trial at the next Notts m-
aim for wilful murder,