The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-25 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

BELFAST, July 23.--Flax :—Rather an increased
supply was exposed for sale in the various markets
of this province throughout the past week ; an
animated demand continues to prevail, especially for
the better descriptions ; prices remain firm and un-
changed. Yarns :—Very little improvement has
taken place for home consumption, orders for ex-
port were not numerous, nor to a large extent.
Stocks have rather increased, save in some few num-
bers of line wefts. Prices generally are unchanged ;
still the tendency is downwards. Handloom linens
(brown) :—Save for the superior descriptions of
cloth for dyeing and Hollands, medium and fine sets
of linen handkerchiefs and cambric handkerchiefs, a
total absence of all animation has existed for all
other goods in this department. Powerloom linens
have also been neglected, except roughs, some manu-
facturers being oversold at full rates. Drills and
damasks have also been in moderate request.
Bleached and finished linens were not much in re-
quest for home account. A moderate amount of
business was transacted on continental account.
The business done on American account was com-
paratively trifling. Stocks cannot be said to have
increased ; prices are without change.

AWFUL VISITATION AT THE STRAND THEATRE.—
Last night Mr. S. F. Langham, the deputy coroner
for Westminster, held an inquest at King's College Hos-
pital on the body of Mr. William Simpson, aged forty
years. Mr. Tom Surridge, licensed victualler, and pro-
prietor of the Black Horse Tavern, Coventry-street, Hay-
market, said that he had known the deceased for several
years. Ho was a man that used to bring information to
persons interested in proceedings on the turf. He was last
seen alive by witness between eleven and twelve o'clock
on Friday morning last, when he appeared to be in good
health. Deceased was then quite sober, and he never
drank in the morning. William Edinburgh said that
he was the fireman at the Strand Theatre. On Friday
evening, about ton minutes past eight o'clock, he
heard a disturbance in the gallery, and after making
his way there ho found the deceased in a fit. Witness
assisted to get him out to the steps of the theatre, when
he recovered, but when he reached the street he had an-
other fit, and the police had him put in a cab and conveyed
to the above hospital. Police-constable Redford proved
going in the cab to the hospital with the deceased. He was
then alive. Witness found 3s. and a pocket book upon
him. Mr. Shingham Smith, house physician, said that
he saw the deceased about 9 on Friday night. He
appeared like a man fast recovering from an epileptic fit.
He was attended to, but died in a very short time after
admission. The post-mortem examination proved that
deceased's kidneys were double the size than usual. The
brain was softened. The liver was tolerably healthy. The
state of the kidneys would produce the fit. Verdict—
Death from disease of the kidneys.

A DISPUTED BET. —A case which has excited
some interest in Belfast was laid before the stew-

ards of the Down Royal Corporation Races last week.
About two months before the Derby a person called
upon a well-known bookmaker in Belfast, and asked the
price of Hermit for tLe Derby, on behalf of a gentleman
who had comlnissioned him to make the inquiry. The
price was stated to be 10 to 1, and, on being informed that
the money was good enough, the bookmaker entered the
bet of £5OO to £5O, and a receipt for the £5O, marked
"unpaid" was given. We believe there is no dispute
that there was sent a short time before the race to the
bookmaker a cheque for £5O by hand, and there is also no
dispute as to the fact that the cheque was not offered to
the bookmaker previous to the race, although the person
by whom it was sent states that he called at the book-
maker's place of business, and found that ho was not at
home, and therefore did not leave the cheque. Hermit, as
every one knows, won the Derby, and on the £5OO being
demanded, the bookmaker refused to pay. The question
on the above facts is—was the bet what is known in turf
circles as a " confirmed" bet ? No doubt, had the book-
maker thought it was, and been put in possession of the
£5O, he could, if the horse did not answer his book, have
made eight or ten times as much by backing the horse a
week before the race, as he stood to lose over the bet men-
tioned. This is a very fair argument in the bookmaker's
favour. On the ether hand, there is the argument that
the bet was booked, though the money was not paid. The
case was brought before the stewards of the Down Royal
Corporation Meeting, who sat with closed doors, although
the defendant, as the bookmaker may be called, requested
that the Press should be present, as ho said he did not
acknowledge that the stewards of the Maze Meeting had
any power in the matter, and ho wished a full and fair re-
port of the proceedings to bo laid before the Stewards of
the Jockey Club, whose decision he would abide by. The
stewards, including Lord Downshiro, Captain Gray, Mr.
Winder, and others, decided on the facts as stated above
against the bookmaker, and so the matter at present
stands.—Northern Whig.

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.—Ismail Pacha, ac-
cording to the Egypte, as soon as he arrived in Paris, made
a gift to the Empress of the tree and the ground surround-
ing it under which, as tradition says, the Virgin rested
during the flight into Egypt. Every one in that country
knows the Virgin's tree. His Highness has enclosed in s
small coffer a portion of the earth in which it is planted, a
piece of the bark, and the hodget, or title to the property,
which were presented to her Majesty.

GALLERY OF ILLUSTRATION.--The joint benefit
of Mr. and Mrs. German Reed and Mr. John Parry will
terminate the present season at the Gallery of Illustration
on the sth of August. I' be " Dream of Venice " will
then be represented for the 140th time, and will be fol-
lowed by Mr. John Parry's "Merrymaking" and other
entertainments. The occasion of publicly acknowledging
the services of these popular artistes is one:which the
lovers of a refined and, at the same time, animated and
brilliant class of amusement ought not to miss.
THE PARIS EXHIBITION.—The select committee
appointed to consider and report on the advisability of
purchasing articles at the Paris Exhibition for the benefit
of British schools of science and art have just issued their
report. They advise that such objects bo bought as will
be useful to the manufacturing industry of the country.
The committee think that the sum spent should not, under
any circumstances, exceed £25,000, and that no object
should be purchased except such as shall be recommended
by a commission, consisting of gentlemen distinguished for
their artistic and scientific attainments.
MANSION HOUSE.—The customary banquet to
her Majesty's Ministers at the Mansion House has been
fixed to take place on Wednesday, the ith of August, and
the Earl of Derby, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer
and the rest of the members of the Cabinet, have accepted
invitations from the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress on
the occasion.
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.—The annual
conversazione of the above society took place last evening
at South Kensington. The conservatory was thrown open
for the reception of members and visitors at nine o'clock,
and vas fitted up ill precisely the same style as on the
occasion of the Sultan's visit on Monday last. Refresh-
ments were served in the corridors. The company sepa-
rated shortly after twelve o'clock.
THE CATTLE PL...GUE.—Iti the week ending July
20th only one fresh case of c.Atle plague was reported. It
occurred at Long Sutton Crosses, in Lincolnshire. The
animal attacked died, and 22 healthy cattle were slaugh-
tered to prevent the spread of the disease.
THE Loss OF HER MAJESTY'S SHIP OSPREY.—A
naval court of inquiry was to assemble at Simon's Town
on the 19th ult., the day of the mail leaving for England,
to investigate the circumstances under which the Osprey
was wrecked.
BATHING IN REGENT'S PARK.—Sir F. Goldsmid
has written to Mr. Beare, the hon. secretary of the Regent's
Park Bathing Association, to say that the difficulties
which he perceives iu the way of proper arrangements for
bathing in Regent's Park, together with the strong objec-
tions which his neighbours entertain to the project, will
prevent Liza from assoutilais to it Critic.