The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-15 00:00:00

SPORTS 1N AM-ERICA.

Wilkes' Spirit of the Times answers a correspon-
dent, who asks, whether Aor B wins a bet under
the following circumstances :—A bets that a certain
vessel will be launched on the 3d of the month ; B
bets that she :will not. On the day named, she
starts, but stops 200 feet from the end of the ways,
and 50 men and a steam-tug are employed for two
weeks to get her into the water. The Spirit answers
unhesitatingly, that',A wins, as the intent was clearly
as to when the attempt to launch her would be made.
Although we have some diffidence in giving an
opinion in direct contradiction to that of the sport-
ing newspaper of America, we certainly hold that
the rules of betting iu this case would make B the
winner. Betting is guided by the dry laws of fact
and not intention. Where an actual occurrence,
demonstrated by the clearest proof, takes place, the
actual fact alone, decides the event. If A intended
to back the opinion that the vessel would be ready to
be launched, he ought to have said so. B might have
carefully calculated the cla ances of failure in launchi n g
and backed his opinion- on the double probability
that she would not be ready at the time, or, if ready,
would fail in being launched. If so, B's sagacity
and more intimate knowledge, is used against him,
because, he whylecides the bet does not compre-
hend the calculations on which B.'s opinion wat
based. In this case, the question hinges on the fact
was she launched on the 3d or not ? She was not
then launched—therefore B wins.
The Young Men's Gymnasium Association in
Cincinnati is in a flourishing condition. Two new
bathing rooms to accommodate the large number of
members have just been added, making in all, nine
first-class bathing rooms.
Mr. Joseph Dion, the billiard champion of Ame-
rica, was expected in New York from Montreal.

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ro-gilt and elegantly-mounted articles. Bibles, Prayer-
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prices from the largest stock in London.
The British regatta in Paris, which is under the
patronage of the Emperor of the French, the Prince of
Wales, and the Duke of Edinburgh, and is open to the
whole world, will take place on the Seine on the 9th of
uly and four following days, when the following prizes
and others that may be added will be competed for :
Class A—Amateurs—( the prizes in this class will be.cups,
with a silver medal for each man in the boat winning the
first prize.) —Eight-oared boats (entrance £5): cup, value
£l2O. Four oars (entrance £3): cup, £6O. Pair oars
(entrance £2): first cup, £5O ; second cup, £25. Sculls
(entrance £1) : first cup, £lO ; second cup, £2O ; third cup,
£l5. Canoes (entrance 10s.) : first cup, £2O ; second cup,
£l5; third cup, £lO ; fourth cup, £5. Class B—
ate
oars : first, a purse of £lOO ; second, £5O ;
third, £25. Pair oars: first purse, £5O; second, £25;
third, £l5. Sculls : first purse, £lO ; second, £2O ; third,
£l5. Class o—Man-of-war's men-Ist first, a
purse of £35; second, £2O ; third, £l5. 2d division : Ist
purse, £3O ; 'second, £2O ; third, £l5. Class I) —dYacpt
men—lst division : first, a purse of £3O ; secon, ,
third, £l5. 2d division : first purse, £3O ; second,
__£t2l-120(1
third, £l5. Entries must be made betweeni y
secretary of
Juno t
the
el 5, committee,inclusive,
ltbry. ect l
ea
sd:Llrovu :y.digooddne t
ParisTt ee
Exhibition, South Kensington Museum,.
committee will select a course about a mile and a half in
length. The coinmiitee undertake to convey from a depot
iu or near London, to Paris and back again to London,
any boat duly entered for a race, and to. provide a suitable
place for its custody and protection during the regatt . • n
ocean race for yachts will be hereafter announced.