The Sun.
London, England, 1869-04-02 00:00:00

NATIONAL. SPORTS.

Considering the inclemency of the weather the Epsom
Spring Meeting has been remarkably successful. Turf
worshippers are always prepared to rough it at spring

meetings, and by Tuesday the tremendous gale, which
worked such ill at Dover, had considerably moderated.
It was bitterly cold on the Downs, but there was nothing
to complain of. The racing will be found to present many

features of interest. In the Trial Stakes, Blue flown and

Formosa, the winners of last year's Derby and Oaks, ran,
The odds were 5 to 2 on Blue Gown; 10 to 1 against

Formosa. Both animals were ill very fine condition, and

;he odds seemed strangely disproportionate. So the event

proved ; for Blue Gown had much difficulty in getting
rid of the Oaks winner, and succeeded in pull.
ing the race off by not more than a head.
If the racing world were susceptible of learning
by experience, the City and Suburban Handicap might
prove a most valuable lesson, but the racing public
will not "profit by loss." Having won a trial with Blue
Gown and the Palmer, Vagabond was supported
to such an extent that the public, anxious to
secure the good things before the stable commie.
sion was executed, brought the horse down to 5 to 2.
Sir Joseph Hawley, however, could not be expected to
tolerate this price, and accordingly, on Monday afternoon,
Vagabond was scratched. If the public will indulge in
premature backing, it must be prepared to take the
consequences. Alpenstock succeeded Vagabond as first
favourite, La Belle Helene and the Drummer coming
next. But positions changed a little before
the start was made, Alpenstock being then at
4to 1, and the Drummer at sto 2. The start was not
effected until an hour had been lost. It was a very strag.

gling start, of which Poinsettia got the best, but she
retired at the mile post, and on entering straight
nothing looked better than Vacuum; Alpenstock, how-
ever, who had been lying about fifth all through, had the
race in hand within the distance, and won easily from
the Drummer and Birthday, whom a head divided.
The winner was immediately quoted at 10 to 1 for the
Two Thousand, and 100 to 6 for the Derby ; but the next
day's performance made all the difference in these prices.
After coming in third for the Great Metropolitan,
Alpenstock receded to 100 tc 8 for the Guineas, and 50 to
1 for the Derby—a position which is not likely to be
materially altered during the next two months.
The weather on the second day was miserable. In
the morning it was dull, cold, and damp, and in the after-
noon very little improved. Whatever interest there was
centred in the Great Metropolitan. Alpenstock and the
Drummer started equal favourities at 3 to 1, 100 to 30
being given against the Vagabond. But the latter was
charily believed in after the escapade of the previous day,
and the interest of the race was confined chiefly to the
match between the Drummer and Alpenstock. The
result very clearly proved that the latter could not yield
the other 101 b. The race was never in doubt. The
Drummer ran like a stayer, was always in front, and
won easily by three lengths. Vagabond was only fourth,
and the result so far is a decisive proof of the utter
uselessness of private trials when unsupported by
the test of public form. Drummer deserved his victory.
He is a good horse, not handsome, but neat,
and full of life and activity. But why this race should
justify his being quoted at 6 to 1 for the Two Thousand it
is impossible to tell. Winning the Metropolitan is not
coming in first ovtr the Rowley mile. The Drummer will
meet with very different opponents at Newmarket. The
event of this meeting has been the scratching of
Vagabond. This measure caused tremendousuproaramongst
those who had foolishly lavished their money upon the
horse without consulting the owner's intentions ; but im-
partial judges will support Sir Joseph Hawli y. It is
hardly to be expected that an owner will run his horses
purely for the emolument of other people. The rash
backing of Vagabond amounted to a conspiracy to
prevent Sir Joseph from investing upon him.
The cricket season has yet to commence. The ban
weather prevented the Colts Match at Newmarket from
coming off ; but there are now signs of improvement, and
we shall doubtless soon be in full swing.
An attempt was made to resuscitate the "noble art'
in the Manchester district on Tuesday. William Brown and
John Miller tried conclusions at catch-weight for £25 a
side. The affair was " successfully brought off." The
betting was 2 to 1 on Brown, who secured the victory
after some very indifferent pugilism. The referee decided
against Miller on account of a fall, but Brown would have
won had the contest been finished.

The Attorney-General's bill to abolish imprison-
ment for debt has been published. It does not extend to
Scotland or Ireland, and is to come into operation at the be-
ginning of next year. It abolishes imprisonment for debt,

except in some few cases. These are default in payment of
—l, a penalty ; 2, a sum recoverable summarily; 3,
money in the hands of a trustee; 4, costs for misconduct
by a solicitor or attorney ; 5, salary for the benefit of
creditors; 6, sums its respect of which orders are
made in the Coulity Courts or inferior Courts.

The power of committal for Email debts by County
Court judges is retain( d, but the term of imprison-
ment is limited to three months. Persons in custody at tho
commencement of the act aro to be discharged. A de-
fendant about to leave England may be arrest, d. The so•

cond part of tho bill enacts that fraudulent debtors may be
imprisoned for two years with bard labour.

Another colliery fatality is reported from near
l3rierley Hill. On Wednesday two " doggies," named
John Willetts and Healy Careless, were engaged in re-
pairing a shaft at the pits belonging to Messrs. N. llingle
and Co. After they had in some measure completed their
work they signalled to be drawn up, and the engine was put
in motion for that purpose. As the rope and cage neared
the top of the shaft, Careless noticed that it was going very
fast, and made efforts to get out. Whilst he was doing this
the cage rose above the pit mouth, ani was in danger of
being drawn over the pulley, upon which he made a spring,
and foil down the pit shaft, a distance of more than one
hundred yards. Ile was taken up dead, and shockingly
disfigured. In the meantime, Willetts had been drawn up
to the pulley, and thrown out, but he fell upon the bank,
and sustained a severe fracture of the ribs. But faint hopes
are entertained of his ultimate recovery.