The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-13 00:00:00

THE ST. LEGER.

The St. Leger excitement is gradually approaching its
culminating point. Already are the streets of Doncaster
echoing to the arrivals of man and beast, and by the time
these notes are placed before the public the majority of the
racing visitors will be located in the town. All persons
agree that a meeting of surpassing success will be cele-
brated, and the lodging-house keepers are quite joyful at
the increasing demand which is being made for sleeping
accommodation. Taking all things into consideration—the
sunny fineness of the weather and the interest which the
principal events excite—people are justified in anticipating
a meeting which will be marked by incidents of pleasantness
and importance.

The withdrawal of Fitzßoland, and the introduction of
Volta into the betting, have contributed to sustain the
curiosity with which the great event is regarded. Scott's
lot, however, engrosses nearly all attention, and people are
not a little perplexed to understand the movements which
depressed Toxopholite and forced up Volta in the betting.
The premier's horse never had a great reputation for stout-
ness, and although he inherited his sire's speed, it
is supposed that he lacks those staying powers which
are essential to constitute a good horse. These noti6ns,
which are widely entertained by thepublic, were strengthened
by Tox's Derby running, for„at the hill, he died away, to
nothing, and they received some confirmation, by the des-
perate ssruggle which he was compelled to make at Ascot
to get out of Mentmore's way. The fact, too, of his being
amiss at Goodwood is not likely to diminish the hostility of
his backers, who argue plausibly enough that an infirm
horse is not the most trustworthy for a great race like the
St. Leger. As a set-off, however, they have all John
Scott's skill and experience, and I confess that I should not
like to be against a horse with which John fancies he can
win a St. Leger. Volta must have done something in pri-
vate to cause the strong demonstration which was made in
her favour on Friday last. The mare's running this year
has been more than respectable, and perhaps Mr. Nichols
may renew with her his Newminster and Wenlock
triumphs. If any animal from Whitewall win the St.
Leger that animal will be Toxopholite.

The Sunday Times states that the cherry jacket of Sir
Joseph Hawley will not be absent from the race, but that
it will be borne on the back of Eclipse. In
this case, it certainly does seem probable that
Sir Joseph may yet win the three great events
of the year. That Eclipse has sound recommendations is
undeniable, for it must not be forgotten that he once ran a
dead heat with Beadsman, and that he once beat Fitz
Roland. The horse is now reported well, and should he
really be the property of Sir Joseph, it must be conceded
that the "lucky baronet," in purchasing him, has exercised
tactics worthy of him in his Ban and Aphrodite days.
Tupgill rests its hopes on The Hadji and Gildermire.
The former is entitled to notice on account of his Derby
running, but it must be confessed that his subsequent per-
formance with Duneany at Manchester was not calculated
to produce a very high opinion of his racing merit. If
Gildermire figured in her true form at York, and if Go-
verness be not sent to the post in better trim than she was
in at Goodwood, the two Oaks mares can have little chance
of playing a prominent part in the St. Leger encounter. I
shall not, however, be surprised to see Gildermire make a
much more respectable figure on the Doncaster Town Moor
than she did on the Knavesmire at York.

The retrogression of East Langton has been ominous
enough, and it does not say much for his reported trial with
the broken down Fitz Roland. East Langton seemed to
me a sound useful little horse, but he never appeared to
.possess first-class pretensions. Taking the most favour-
able view of his chance, I cannot deem him good enough
to win a St. Leger, albeit Knight of St. George, Saucebox,
and Warlock prove that a second-rate horse may now and
then " do" a first-rate thing.
Within the last three days Sunbeam has been placed
under suspicion, and it is even said that Blanche of
Middlebie has taken the shine out of her in trial. For
Sunbeam, however, I shall entertain a strong partiality,
despite the damaging reports which are in circulation
about her. She is a slapping, fine mare, and the flat
course is likely to suit her. Mr. T. Parr has been nursing
and saving Kelpie, on purposefor this race, but the Squire
of Wantage does not, I oPine,yosess another Saucebox. I
shall not refer to the other animals likely to go to the post,
butlishall at once give my preference to
TOXOPHILITE AND ECLIPSE.

The Handicaps and the minor races do not require elabo-
rate discussion. The field for the Great Yorkshire will be
very limited, and really I do not see anything likely to inter-
fere with the chances of Zuyder Zee and Scribbler.
Merryman and Cavendish are the principal nominations
for the Champagne Stakes, and if they meet much interest
will be excited My choice will fall on Merryman. For
the Revival Plate I shall select New Brighton and Shafto.
Princess of Orange and Evelyn appear to be as note-
worthy as anything amongst the entries for the Doncaster
Plate. For the Portland Plate the following lot is worth
standing :—Kestrel, Lord of Lorn, Duneany, Garnish, and
Fusee.

When the entries for the Cup are placed before me I will
briefly refer to them.

A FRESH MAN.

DONCASTER, SEPT. 12.—The following horses have
arrived :—Prioress, Babylon, Artless, Jordan, Young Hope-
ful, Crafton, Scribbler, Mentmore, North Lincoln, Vulcan,
Adulation, The Courier, Farmer's Son, Gainester, Beau,
Prelude, Haresfoot, filly by Teddington out of Maid of
Masham, Pandora, Compromise, Ignoramus, Vedette,
Night Ranger, Volatile, Shafto, Dumfries, Zitella, Mon-
tague, Minnie, Cavendish, Layton, Julia, Eclipse, Queens-
town, Flitch, eta, Maggie, Massacre, Antidote, Quick-
silver, Lady Rohallion, Lance, Turret, Cannie Bairn,
Kelpie, Fisherman, Saunterer, Tournament, Merryman,
Press Forward, Harry, Senorita filly, Lottery, Proud
Preston Peg, Lady Alice, Brother to Bird-on-the-Wing (3
yrs), Syllabus, Brother to Bird-on-the-Wing (5 yrs), Cox-
wold, Archduchess, colt by Hernandez (4 yrs), Ditto,
Bashi Bazouk, Malachite, Gladiator, Prince of Denmark,
Hesperithusa, Leukothia, Ellerdale's dam filly, Ellerdale
filly, Empty lounce Miss Jersey, Mrs. Stowe, Duncany,
A Polley, Barbata filly, Broadlands, Gift, and Peggy Taft.
The ground is in first rate condition.
MALTON.—About 30 horses leave here by special train
this day (Monday) at 11.30.

TATTERSALL'S, SATURDAY.
ST. LEGER.
3to 1 agst Toxophilite (taken freely)
7to 1 agst The Hadji (taken and offered)
9to 1 agst Volta (taken)
9to 1 agst Eclipse (taken and offered)
12 to 1 agst Governess (taken)
12 to 1 agst Sunbeam (taken and offered)
20 to 1 agst Blanche of Middlcbie (offered)
20 to 1 agst East Langton (offered)
60 to 1 agst Knight of Kars (offered)
1000 to 10 agst Mentmore (taken)
1000 to 10 agst The Farmer's Son (taken)
GREAT YORKSHIRE HANDICAP.
Bto 1 agst Prioress (taken)
10 to 1 agst Scribbler (taken)
100 to 8 agst Ethioritin (taken)
CHAMPAGNE STAKES.
sto 4 agst Merryman (taken)
7to 2 agst Cavendish (offered)
6to 1 agst Malachite (offered)
-CESAREWITCIr.
100 to 6 agst Roman Candle (taken)
1000 to 30 agst Rocket (offered)
50 to 1 agst Melissa (offered)
1000 to 10 agst Beadsman (taken)
CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
40 to 1 agst Volta (taken)
1000 to 15 agst Goelette (taken)

The American ship Harvest has just arrived at
Cowes with' a cargo of timber, consisting of the fancy and
woods
moade thefAne nca,s
passageuch aacsromssaptlhee, &c.
TbeutihaeHfularves
in
eleven days.
DEATH OF THOMAS ASSIIETON SMITH, ESQ.—
This gentleman, the proprietor of the rich and extensive
slate quarries of Llanberis, expired at 10 o'clock on Thurs-
day evening,at his Welsh residence, Vaynol, situated on
the banks of the Menai, near. Bangor. He had been gra-
dually sinking under the infirmities of age for some time.
but was in sufficient health to drive to Port Dinorwvic,
whence the slates are shipped, about a week ago. Mr. Smith
was well known as the greatest foxhunter and most daring
rider in England. For many years he was leader of the
Melton Hunt, and his ambition was to have the best
mounted huntsmen and whippers-in in the kingdom. His
keenness and prowess as a huntsman earned for him the
title of the "British Nimrod." His inimitable stud and
celebrated pack of foxhounds were principally kept at his
seat at Tedworth, in Hampshire, where he passed most of
his time ; but when in the Principality he regularly visited
the quarries and manifested the liveliest interest in the wel-
fare of those he employed. Although quick in temper, he
was equally prompt in warm and generous impulses, and
his_ loss_ will be felt severely by many among the thousands
of workmen he employed. The political principles of Mr.
Smith were of the old Conservative school, and he repre-
sented-Carnarvonshire formerly for some years. He was
the builder of the largest-sized and greatest number of
yachts oluny one private person in England. On the news
of his death reaching Carnarvon the flag of the Royal
Welsh Yacht Club, of which ho was Commodore, was
hoisted half-mast high, and other tokens of respect shown
to his memory, .