The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-20 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

THE CHESTER CUP CHANCES.
The Handicap for the Chester Cup, which was this day
placed before the public, will gratify curiosity and create
quite a sensation in sporting circles. At the Club the
weights have been eagerly discussed, and, of course,
opinions differ widely as to Mr. Topham's estimate of cer-
tain horses' ability. Still the majority of persons are of
opinion that the allotment of the weights has been made
with a strict regard to impartiality, and with a thorough
knowledge of the antecedents of the animals entered. Ce
twin horses, too, that last year obtained an undesired
notoriety have been properly marked by such a weight as
will effectually exclude them from the race. The handica
is a light one, and as one, if not both, of the top weights is
sure to accept, there is no possibility of the scale being
raised. The difficulty will, therefore, be to procure boys to
ride, and amongst the light weights are certain horses that
will require a deal of " steering" round the tour: e. Of the top
weights Saunterer, with his steadying 9st., will doubtless
Command supporters, and Leamington and he are the most
attractive names in the heavy division. Underhand is fairly
in, and he will doubtless be amongst the "contents."
7st. 12M. will prevent the most sanguine admirers of
Eclipse from indulging in great expectations of his chance
and Mr. Ten Broeck will, perhaps, place his trust entire
in Barbarity, as Prioress, it is said, is turned loose in
paddock at Newmarket. Polestar is as leniently treated as
her owner could expect, and as her late want of form would
warrant. East Langton, who was all to pieces at the
" back-end "of last year, must not be overlooked.
The course will suit him, and his weight is not
unfavourable. Of the 7st. lot, Argosy, Villikins,
and Gildermire will command attention. The Alder-
man's mare is thoroughly game. Villikins proved
Newmarket that he could race a bit,—and Gildermire has
undoubtedly ability albeit she is not always trustworthy.
Both Tunstall Maid and Wrestler seem to me placed on
advantageous terms; from the manner in which the latter
has beenbaeked, and from the form which he once displayed,
it could not have been expected that he would have obtained
a more lenient impost. Sam Spode, who has figured fre-
quently and prominently in the betting, has, to my thinking,
received a stopper with 7st. Jordan, 6st 101 b, and Physician,
fist Blbs, are both treated with consideration. Of the two, bow •
ever, commend me to the " M.D." who is undoubtedly in
on very advantageous terms. If Riseber be the Riseber he
was as a three-year-old, I should not like to be against
him at est. 31b. If the:horse be only sound, he will be dan-
gerous ; but I am inclined to believe that Mr. Topham had
cogent reasons •for treating him so tenderly. Pensioner is
not handicapped on such easy terms perhaps as his backers
anticipated, Sand, to my thinking, Compromise—as well in
as anything—will keep him safe. At Ascot last year, Pen-
sioner conceded Compromise 41bs., and beat him by a head
only; at Chester he will have to give him 101 b. The next lot
that attracts my attention comprises—Herne, Queenstown,
Satinstone, Drogheda, Flitch, Solomon, Old Robert, St. .
Clarence, Shuffle, Birmingham, Aston, Old Point, and
Marine.

The number of acceptances will doubtless exceed that
ever before obtained for this race.
" Ruff's Guide," which has been necessarily delayed in
order that the changes of names should be altered, and that
some important additions should be made to it, will be pub-
lished this day.

A FRESH MAN.

THE CHARGE AGAINST TWO PHY-
SICIANS IN DUBLIN. .

The two physicians, John Edward Protheroe and
Charles Evans Reeves, were brought up again, on
Tuesday, at the Police-court, Dublin, on the charges,
the particulars of which were given in The Sun of
Mon day last.
Mr. J. E. Walsh, Q.C., and Mr. W. Ryan, with
Messrs. Smith and Whitcstone, solicitors, appeared
for the College of Physicians; and Mr. J. A.
Curran, with Mr. Charles Fitzgerald,jun., attended
on behalf of the prisoners.
Mr. Stronge, one of the magistrates, said he
understood that a statement was made by one of
the witnesses on the last day, that the certificate of
character of Dr. Protheroe was not written, as it
purported to be, by Dr. Reeves, but by Protheroe
himself. He wished to know whether that state-
ment appeared on the depositions, as it was a very
important one, as showing preconcert between the
accused.

Mr. Fitzgerald said that Mr. Ryan opened the
case with an assertion that the fact was as his
worship stated, but no evidence of it was given.
Mr. Smith, solicitor, said Dr. Steele stated that
he believed the certificate was in the handwriting
of the prisoner Protheroe.
The Clerk read the information made by Dr.
Steele.

Henry Lockyer, the London detective, had his
information read to him. He desired the follow-
ing addition to be made to it :—After I arrested

Protheroe in London, he said he attended and
passed his examination, and got his diploma at
"Sir Patrick Dunn's ;" I think he said "Dublin"
also.

To Mr. Curran—l asked him no questions, but I
stated the nature of the charge against him. He
made the statement to me voluntarily. I subse-
quently cautioned him against making statements.
After 1 brought Dr. Protheroe to the station-house
in London, Sergeant Keegan came in with Dr.
Reeves, who called out, " Protheroe, old fellow, how
are you P" and he said, " Very well." (Laughter.)
I found a card case in Protheroe's pocket, and took
from it a card, on which was engraved " Dr.
Protheroe."

Mr. Walsh, Q.C.—That is very important, as
showing that the prisoner styled himself " doctor."
Mr. Curran-1)o you mean to say that Dr.
Reeves addressed the other prisoner as " Dr. Pro-
theroe ?"

Witness—No, he said " Protheroe, old fellow."
Protheroe said he passed at " Sir Patrick's ;" I
think he said "Dunn's" also.

Sergeant Keegan, of the G division, was next
examined. He stated that when Protheroe was
arrested he said he passed an examination at Sir
Patrick Dunn's Hospital, but he was not sure whe-
ther the prisoner said " Dublin" or not.
Mr. Walsh, Q.C., said it was not intended to call
witnesses. He apprehended there was a perfectly
clear case of concert established between the pri-
soners. They found .one gentleman of the name
of Reeves writing no less than three letters in the
name of Protheroe—then coming over from London
to the College of Physicians, and passing an exa-
mination under the same name, and finally getting a
diploma for " Dr. Protheroe" to practise. Here
was a plain case of forgery and personation. not
they found a gentleman in London of the name of
Protheroe practising with the identical diploma,
so obtained by Reeves. Under those circum-
stances he thought that a jury would not hesi-
tate a moment in saying that all this was done
by pre-arrangement between the prisoners. If
the certificate of character had been identified as
the handwriting of Protheroe, the case would
be placed beyond all doubt. There was, however,
such a prima facie case established as warranted
him, on behalf of the College of Physicians,
who were discharging a public duty in prose-
cuting, to hold the prisoners to substantial bail that
they would abide their trial at the next commis-
sion. The College of Physicians did not desire to
put the gentlemen to unnecessary! trouble; but it
was perfectly plain that gentlemen in the rank of
life of the prisoners would not hesitate to pay £2OO
or £3OO to avoid the exposure of a prosecution for
the offence charged against them, and therefore the
bench ought to enforce substantial bail.
Mr. Curran said there was no forgery or perso-
nation in the case. The accused denied that they
were guilty of what was charged against them ;
but assuming that the facts were as they appeared
on the informations, he still submitted that they
disclosed no offence known to the law.

Mr. Stronge said it occurred to him that if the
gentlemen were let qut on their bail it would be
impossible to enforce their recognisances in Ireland.
They had no property in this country ; the recog-
nisances would resemble a fgreign judgment to be
realised by an action, and could not be estreated by
any summary process. He might be wrong, but
his opinion was as he had stated.
__ _

M. Curran said if the parties did not appear a
warrant could issue for their apprehension.
Mr. Stronge, in reference to the offence charged
against the prisoners, said it was au offence against
the public welfare to obtain, by conspiracy, a
diploma for a person not qualified to practise.
It was an offence at common law to conspire to
do any act by which the public were damni-
fied or injured, even although the act itself
Was not an indictable offence. It was better; how-
ever, that the law of the case should be discussed
before a higher tribunal. Therefore, he thought
that his colleague would agree with him that the
case ought to be sent for trial, and that a substan-
tial rule of bail ought to be imposed upon the
prisoners. •
Mr. Curran said his sugo
gestion as to the bail to
be required not having been acted on, he would
apply for the unconditional ,discharge of the pri-
soners ; and asked where was the proof of any
conspiracy by the prisoners in Ireland?
Mr. M'llermott, magistrate, said that point had
occurred to him, and he had looked into a case respect-
ing it. It was quite true that there was no evidence
of Dr. Protheroe`having appeared in Ireland at all ;
but if a conspiracy between the prisoners was once
proved, it was settled law.that the overt act of one
affected both.

After some discussion, Mr. Stronge said the
bench were disposed to make the following rule of
bail :—Two householders in £lOO respectively for
each prisoner, besides his personal recognisances in
the sum of £3OO.
Mr. Curran suggested that two householders in
£5O each should be taken ; but the bench refused
to lessen the rule, unless with the consent of tha
prosecutors, which not being given, the rule men-
tioned by iffr. Stronge was settled.
The prisoners were then removed.