The Sun.
London, England, 1869-04-09 00:00:00

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P.RINOP A.RT,EfUII IN IPELAND.

Dublintcorrespondents, writing on the visit of Prince
Arthur to the Puncbestown Races, agree that it added
more to the celebrity of the place than to the pleasure of
his Royal Highness. The eccentricities of Irish weather
are proverbial, and Tuesday afforded an opportunity of
seeing them displayed in efforts which may have been very
interesting to observers of atmospheric phenomena, but
sadly disappointing to others. It is rather tantalising to
be told that the landscape is picturesque, that the
country through which the course lies is undulating and
verdant, covered with thick hedges, intersected with high
banks, and girt with a bright little stream in which many
an impetuous rider has come to grief, when its beauties
and its dangers are alike obscured by mists and mud.
There is little attractive or exciting in such a prospect,
and it requires a strong effort of the imagination and an
exercise of patient faith of which few are capable to invest
it with agreeable attributes. It is little satisfaction to see
the grand stand filled with the fairest forms when they
droop without the sunshine, and to know that
everywhere around them are elements of ani-
mation and interest when they lack the cheer-
ing ray to sti►ruiate them. Tents and coloured
streamers floating above them, and sounds denoting
a desperate attempt at revelry within—a chaos of vehicles
of every kind, from the dashing four-in-hand to the pea-
sant's low-backed car—crowds of people skirting the
lines, crowning the bill tops, or moving about like shift-
ing sands in restless masses, the excitement of the
" ring" and the -medley of incidents and accessories are
all familiar features of the racecourse, which possess a
certain interest even when seen under the most disadvan-
tageous circumstances. But Irish life and character are
net fairly developed under such depressing influences as
prevailed on Tuesday, when the lustre of Punchestown
was sadly dimmed. The unfavourable appearance of the
weather in the morning discouraged many from attending,
and the number present fell short of last year, when, -
however, it was larger than usual ; but still there were
several thousands on the course, who came from every
side by road and rail, animated with a desire to see the
young Prince, and ready to endure every possible discom-
fort in order to accomplish their cherished object. Rain
had fallen on the previous night, and the ground was in a
-pal& state ; but it was hoped the weather would relent,
and permit this national festival to pass over with untar-
nished splendour. At the most critical part of the day,
however, after the first race, and when expectation was
strained to the highest point to witness the contest for
the Prince of Wales's plate, the rain came down in
torrents, and there was little to be seen but a forest of
umbrellas. The spectacle was interesting only from its
discomfort. All its chief attractions disappeared, and
the multitude were reduced to a pitiable plight.
The effect of the rain upon the ground altered the
fortunes of the competitors, and made success
depend upon other conditions than swiftness. The Prince
was during the day the chief object of interest to the con-
course of spectators. He was warmly greeted on being
recognised, and returned with evident appreciation the
salutations of the multitude. His royal Highness left
the Viceregal Lodge with their Excellencies the Lord
Lieutenant and Countess E'pencer shortly before twelve
o'clock. The viceregal party formed a brilliant cavalcade.
In an open carriage with his Royal Highness were seated
Lady Spencer and the Hon. Miss Vesey, accompanied by
the Hon. Captain Villiers, A.D.C., and Captain
Bridges, A.D.C. A carriage followed, in which was
his Excellercy the Lord Lieutenant, accompanied
by Lady de Vesci, Lady Charles Bruce, Captain
Kearney, A.D.C., and Lieutenant Lascelles. In another
carriage were Lord de Vesci, Lady Sarah Spencer, Miss
Vesey, and Mrs. Leslie. The following noblemen and
gentlemen accompanied the viceregal party : Lord
Suffield, Lord George Paget, Mr. Burke, Major White
Melville, Major H. Seymour, Captain Wellesley, Colonel
Elphinstone, Lieutenant Pickard, Mr. Roundell, private
secretary to his Excellency, and Mr. C. Boyle, assistant
private secretary. All along the route to the King's bridge
terminus groups of people assembled to catch a glimpse of
the royal visitor and bid him welcome, and at the terminus
there was a dense crowd in waiting, who loudly cheered.
Lady Spencer wore an emerald green silk dress,
which was received as a delicate recognition of
the national sentiment. The viceregal party arrived
on the course shortly after 1 o'clock, amid the acclama-
tions of the people, and in spite of the unpropitious
weather the scene presented at the Grand Stand was
extremely gay and brilliant. There was a pleasant
encampment in its vicinity, where the officers of the 9th
Lancers found willing allies in performing the duties of
the field. All the Stands were Oar( n,ged with gentlemen
of rank, many of whom had come from remote parts of the
country. His Royal Highness and their Excellencies
remained until the close of the races, and were cheered as
they returned in their equipages to Sallins, wherea special
train was in waiting to convey them to town.