The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-15 00:00:00

THE SUIN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 15, 1866.

the style often runs into what we call loud, and our
neighbours, in precisely the same spirit, designate
as tapageux, or noisy. It was the highest ton not
lon g since, and may be so still, to have bouquets
sent specially from Nice, where Alphonse Karr, a
-well-known novelist and satirical writer, has a
!garden, and who, upon the receipt of twenty francs
dr so, will send you to Paris a bouquet of the most
delicious violets de Parme as comfortably en-
sconced in its travelling case as a grandee in his
own coupe.

The grisette, with a pot of mignionette, or a rose
on her work table, in the little chambrette, on the
floor that is next to the sky, is a picture that
Eugene Sue and other French novelists have made
familiar to the world ; and an acquaintance with
French society in general will soon explain to the
foreigner how it is that the dealers find customers
for the myriads of cut flowers and plants, which
are to be seen at all seasons in pretty shops and
overflowing markets in almost every quarter of
the city.
All the ladies of France, from the inhabitants of
the Tuileries to the humblest cottager and domestic,
expect bouquets of flowers from relatives, admirers,
and friends, on their saints' or fete days, which
take the place of birthdays with us unsaintly Pro-
testants, and he is an unwise or an impolitic man
who neglects the gracious custom. It is true that
amongst the wealthy and extravagant the bouquets,
like the bonbons which are presented on New Year's
day, often assume the form of diamonds, pearls, or
other jewels, exquisite fans, caskets, china vases, or
other elegant and often expensive articles de luxe,
but the bouquet is still the rule, and is only ob-
served by the great mass of the people.
Paris used to be famous for her• flower girls, and
some of these nymphs of flora are quite historical
personages ; no theatre, no place of public entertain-
ment, was complete without its flower girls, and
when nature added personal to floral beauty, these
young belles were almost as celebrated as the ac-
tresses, for whom many of the bouquets were pur-
chased. The idler who ate his ice, or sipped his
orgeat at the cafe, constantly found a rose or a
small bunch of violets by his glass, and saw a pair
of youthful eyes looking for the few sons which were
not often withheld ; but this custom ran into ex-
cess, and became a nuisance, and the cafe flower
girl is now rarely to be seen, except upon holidays
and fete days. A few specimens of the species only
_ _

exist at present, and their rarity adds greatly to
their renown. Isabelle, the flower girl of the
Jockey Club, as she is called, is the queen of the
present day ; no race or steeple-chase, no great
popular entertainment, at which the upper ten
thousand are to be found, is complete without
Isabelle. Another priestess of Flora, named:Anna,
was quite the rage last year at Ems and elsewhere ;
but the flower girl, the true bouquetiere, is almost
extinct.
The municipal authorities of the city may almost
be said to have dethroned the poor flower girls dur-

ing the last few years ; the goddess of flowers rarely

had such devoted servants as Baron Haussmann,
the Prefect of the Seine, and the municipal coun-

cillors of the capital of France. They present all
the world with flowers, for the eye and nose, if not
for the hand, and, what is better, they do not ex-
pect any direct contribution in return. Not only
are the old Bois do Boulogne and metamorphosed
Bois de Vincennes and Champs Elysees resplendent
with flowers and flowering shrubs, amongst which
masses of rhododendrons and magnolias,, brought
from Holland for the ornamentation of the last-
named promenade, deserve special mention ; but
several new public gardens and innumerable squares
have been formed, remodelled, or planted anew in
the English fashion. Amongst these the Parc Mon-
ceaux is the most charming. This place, which was
once the private property of the Orleans family,
and, for a short time during the Republic, the seat
of the national workshops, was laid out with great
taste four or five years ago, and has ever since been

the pet garden of the city of Paris, and one of the
prettiest public pleasure-grounds in Europe. There
are several other gardens of considerable size in
various parts of the town, besides the squares formed
about the beautiful old Tower of St. Jacques, in the
Rue de Rivoli, the Museum of Cluny, and other
public buildings, around fountains, and at the
intersections of many of the new streets and bou-

levards.
Over all these, Flora seems to have scattered the
glittering and perfumed products of all quarters of
the globe. The public gardens of Paris present
such a mass of indigenous and exotic trees, shrubs,
and flowers nearly all the year round as no other
city can show. And all this does not exhaust the
flowery resources of the prefect and council of the
Seine, for whenever an entertainment takes place
at the Hotel de -Ville, or in any other establishment
under the control of the city authorities, the con-
soles, the fire-places, the stair-cases and halls, and
almost every unoccupied corner, teem with cut
flowers and flowering plants of the greatest beauty
and in the utmost profusion.
Where do all these floral luxuries come from ?
from Algeria or from Cochin China? Does Baron
llaussmann receive tribute in the form of flowering
plants from Italy, Egypt, and Mexico ? Doubtless
the original sources are to be found in many cases
in the sultry regions of the tropics, amid primeval
forests, and where the wild man chases the still
wilder game, but the immediate source, the direct
fountain of supply, is the garden in the city of
Paris !

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

DONCASTER SPRING MEETING-WEDNESDAY.

Though a sharp frost set in during Tuesday night
(causing the roads to be as hard as nails this morning), the
weather on the second day of the meeting was much plea-
santer than on Tuesday, and the sun shining during the
morning, no doubt tempted a larger attendance of local
company, with whom the steeplechase events are always
most popular. The sport commenced at 1.30 with the
Betting-room Stakes which only brought out a small field,
and though Sycee was easily beaten on Tuesday by Mon-
tagnard, the latter, now on 71b worse terms with Mr.: Mac-
kenzie's filly, had no chance with her, and the talent, who
spotted Sycee, landed the opening event. The Chester-
field Handicap produced an excellent race between an out-
sider Nizttn3, and one of the leading favourites, Skylark,
the latter of whom won easily at the finish. Two out of
the three succeeding events were won by the favourites,
and the steeplechase, though it failed to bring out a large
field, was an interesting race, both in the betting and run-
ning, Pigeon, on whom a shade of odds was laid, finally
being cleverly beaten.
The Betting-room Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 50 added,
for 2-yr-olds and upwards ; weight for age, with penal-
ties and allowances ; the second to save his stake. 5
furlongs 152 yards. 21 subs.

Mr. Mackenzie's Sycee, 2 yrs, 7st 41b (in 71b ex)

(et'moron) 1
Mr. T. Farr's Opoponax, 2 yrs, 6st 111 b (car 7st 21b)
(Hopkins 2
Count de Lagrange's Montaguard, 2 yrs, 7st 71b (in 71b ex
(Morris 3
_ _ . . .... . . .

Festival and Scipio also ran.

Betting-7 to 4 agst Sycee, ito 1 agst Festival, 4to 1
agst Montagnard, 100 to 15 agst Opoponax, and 8 to 1 agst
Scipio.
The Chesterfield Handicap a 100 soya, added to a sweep-
stakes of 5 sous each, 2 ft, for 3-yr-olds and upwards;

-----
weight for age ; winners after the publication of the
weights, extra. One mile. 23 subs.
Mr. It. Jones's Skylark, 5 yrs, 7st 101 b (Carroll) 1
Mr. Goodlass's Nizam, 3 yrs, sst 81b (Edwards) 2
Mr. Hudson's Duty Free, 3 yrs, sst 121 b (Cameron) 3
-- - -

The following also ran :—Miss Williams, Kingfisher,
Inheritress, and Vigorous.
Slieve Came was weighed for, but on going to the post
he overpowered the boy, and clearing the rails, bolted
across the moor, and was subsequently withdrawn.

Betting-3 to 1 each agst Duty Free and Skylark, 6to
1 agst Kingfisher, 7 to 1 agst Vigorous, 8 to 1 agst Slieve
Carne, and 10 to 1 agst Inheritress.

The Hunters' Stakes of 3 sous each, with 50 added, for 4
yr-old hunters and upwards ; weight for age ; thorougl
breds and winners extra. Two miles on the flat.

subs.

Mr. Calder's Marksman (hb), 5 yrs, 12st 71b (J. Osborne) 1
Mr. Ringrose's Lady Sykes (hb), 4 yrs, list 41b
(Mr. C. Boynton) 2
Mr. Holiday's Owswick, 6 yrs, 12st 41b (J. Knott) 3
The following also ran :—Our Jim, Bubble, Phillis,
Elsham, Rinderpest, Comus, and Elsinore.
Betting-3 to 1 each agst Lady Sykes and Elsham, 7to
2 agst Marksman, and 100 to 15 agst Our Jim.
The Scurry Stakes (handicap) of 3 sot's each, with 25
added, for horses of all ages ; winners after the publica-
tion of the weights 71b extra. 5 fur. 152 yds. 5 subs.
Mr. C. Peck, jun.'s, Chessman, 3 yrs, 7st 91b ...(Carroll) 1
Mr. W. King's Star Cross, 3 yrs, 7st 21b (lleartfield) 2
Mr. R. Calder's The Comet, 5 yrs, Bst 101 b (Morris) 3

Berezina filly also ran.
Betting-2 to 1 on Chessman, 5 to 1 agst The Comet,
and 100 to 12 agst Star Cross.
The felling Handicap Ilurdle Race of o eon each, .with 40

added : winners extra ; the winner to be sold for 50 sovs.
About a mile and three-quarters, rover eight flights of
hurdles. 8 subs.

Mr. Saunders' Jacob, aged, 10st llb . (J. Knott 1
Ti Mr. R. Walker's mballah, 6 yrs, 91,1 t 101 b (Owner 2
Mr. R. Barker's Arbitration, aged, 9st 41b ...(Mr. Skeen 3

Veluti also ran.
Betting-5 to 4on Jacob, sto 2 agt Veluti, and 4to 1
agst Umballah. _ _

The Great North of England Steeple chase of 10 soya each,
sft, with 100 added ; winners extra ; the second to re-
ceive 25 soya out of the stakes. About three miles and
a half. 27 subs.

Mr. Hudson's Meanwood, aged, lOst 91b
_gage) 1
Mr. G. Walker's Pigeon, aged, 11st 13113:(Mr. J. Walker) 2
Mr. J. Foster's Foresight, 6 yrs, Vast (Waddington) 3
Betting-6 to son Pigeon.

Mr. Hardy, of the City Grounds, will give a stake for
horses in the borough of Bradford, in addition to the
customary stakes. The Bradford pets are being exercised
daily on the above grounds, and some good racing is ex-
pected.

MELTON HUNT STEEPLECIIASES.—This meeting will
come off at Burton, near Melton, on Saturday next, the
day after Croxton Park races.

SALAMANDER.—Mr. Studd, the owner of this
horse, has won upwards of .£35,000 on the Grand National
Steeplechase. The public, it is said, are not winners, as
the fact of Salamander having been backed on Monday week
at Tattersalls' to win the owner an immense stake was
not only withheld from the London morning papers on the
following day, but Salamander's name was entirely omitted
from the list of quotations! If the' simple announcement
that Mr. Studd had backed his own horse had been pub-
lished, several of the public who know him to be a capital
judge would have followed suit, especially as they would
feel satisfied of having a " live " run for their money.

AQUATICS.

THE UNIVERSITY CREWS.

The opportunities of seeing the Oxford eight are now
getting small by degrees and beautifully less, and the
crowds who accompany it on the banks of the Isis increase
in inverse ratio. Many Cambridge men have been able to
avail themselves of the opportunity afforded by the athletic
sports, and, from what we could learn, the sight was not
very cheering to them. As one of the crew is in for a
University examination, the Eight was late in starting on
Monday, but, nevertheless, went over the long course.
They were expected to start for Putney last (Tuesday)
night; so that Londoners will soon have au opportunity of
judging for themselves the capabilities of the crew.
The Cambridge crew remain the same as given last
week. On Monday, the row was made to Baitsbite and
back, and yesterday (Tuesday) over the usual Putney
course on the Cam. This day (Wednesday), the Cantabs
will appear before the London public on the Putney water.
We subjoin the names and weights ofthe crews :