The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-29 00:00:00

MALTON.

Grand Cross, Taraban, and Wild Wind had a
mile and three-quarters spin with Knight of the
Crescent, very fast, on the Grimston side of the
wolds. Skylark and Applecross did a mile and a
half fast, and Ploughboy went nearly two miles and
a half. War led Corybantica and Rondinella a
mile and a half. Knight of St. Michael and West-
wick did two miles,but Verdi was merely cantering.
Southminster was giving Thorsgiil and the Spy
mile gallops.

WHETHER NINA BALATRA IS MR. ANTHONY
TROLLOPE'S --lf criticism be not a delusion from the very
bottom (writes a reviewer in last Saturday's Spectator),
this pleasant little story is written by Mr. Anthony Trol-
lope. We have no external evidence for saying so, and
there is the presumption against it that Mr. Trollepe's
name is worth a great deal in mere money to the sale of
any book. Still, no one who knows his style at all can read
three pages of this tale without detecting him as plainly
as if he were present in the flesh. Indeed, the
present writer has applied what the scientific men call the
best test of scientific knowledge—the power of prediction
given by the hypothesis that "Nina Balatka" is written by
Mr. Trollops. The critic said to himself, "if it is written by
Mr. Trollops, I shall soon meet with the phrase, 'made
his way," as applied to walking where there is no physical
difficulty or embarrassment, but only a certain moral hesi-

tation as to the end and aim of the walking in question,"and
behold within a page of the point at which the silent re-
mark was made, came the very phrase in the peculiar sense
indicated. And of such test-phrases we could indicate a
dozen or so which, as far ar we know, are found in Mr.
Anthony Trollope's stories, and in those alone. We do
not know why the eminent novelist in question should
have boon unwilling to give his name to this little tale
It contains, to be sure, none of his English store of expe-
rience cf society, and not much even of the social nuance
of the country he describes; and its strong point is
not Mr. Trollope's strongest point, namely, manners
subtly described with a flavour of satirical humour ; but
for all that, and perhaps in consequence of the absence of
this illimitable subject on which he refines so skilfully
there is a force in the main idea of the tale, and a grace in
the picturesque framework of Prague scenery and customs,
which adequately supply the place of the author's usual
skill in tracing the refinements of English social habits.
ABDUCTION OF A GIRL BY A MARRIED MAN

—On Tuesday, at the assizes for the North and East Ridings
John Benion, a respectable-looking middle-aged man, wits
indicted for unlawfully taking Emily Frances Barris, an
unmarried girl, under the ago of 16, from the possession of
hor parents. Benion kept a publichouse at Cottingham, near
_ _

Hull, xnd the girl Harris, with the consent of her parents,
occasionally assisted him in the business. He appears to
have formed an attachment for her, and she for him, for on
her friends removing her home, in consequence of suspect-
ing that all was not right, they still met. It was shown
that the girl would not remain at home, and persisted in
going to the defendant, and it was alleged that he exercised
an influence over her which made him liable to the law.
The girl herself was put into the box, and she said that it
was from her own will alone that she refused to stop at
home, and insisted upon going to the defendant. The jury
found the defendant guilty, and sentenced him to four
months' imprisonment.

THE SEVERE WEATHER Of late has caused great
mortality among the lambs.
FIRE AT SIR H. PARKES'S RESIDENCI, JAPAN.—
On the 25th of January, at half-past 6 o'clock p.m., a fire
broke out in the roof of the house, No. 16, the residence
of Sir Harry Parkes, the British Minister, at Yokohama.
The roof ignited either from the overheating of the flue
from one of the stoves, or from sparks falling on the
roof and driving in under the tiles, and the flames
spread rapidly through the whole building. Lady Parkes
calmly gave directions as to the children being placed in
safety, and only when she found that nothing could be
done did she leave the burning house. Much help being
at hand, a good deal of the furniture was got out, and Sir
Harry saved the more valuable of his papers, &c. Several
engines were quickly upon tho spot, and with them every-

thing possible was done, but their greatest use was in
keeping the fronts of opposite buildings wet so that the
sho were of.sps.rks fell partnlessly. Much activity was shown
by the soldiers of the 9th Regiment, of which a detach-
ment arrived very promptly on the scene, accompanied by
Col. Knox and other officers. Several naval officers and
sailors were also present. The governor of Kanagawa
arrived very early, as did also M. Leon Roches, the
Freneh Minister. They expressed their sympathy with
Sir Harry and Lady Parkes, a sentiment that is most
heartily shared by every person in the settlement. The
fire occurred just when all the family were occupied in
preparations for an evening party, to which a very large
number of guests had been invited.—Japan Herald.
HonsE FAIRS IN RUSSIA.—There are every 'year
in Russia 380 horse fairs held in 193 localities. The average
number of those animals offered there for sale every year
is calculated at-263,000. -