The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-24 00:00:00

SPORTING NO TES.

NOTIONS ABOUT NORTHAMPTON.
By legitimate turfites to-morrow will be deemed de
"opening day" of the racing season. Those who are
not engaged in electioneering affairs, or those who can
possibly snatch a couple of days from the toils and
' cares of business, will assist at the Meeting at Nor-
thampton, where a sufficiency of sport wil be provided
to satisfy the most ardent lover of racing. Seven events
per diem will be decided, and for the majority of them
the fields will be large and the results of peculiar im-
portance with regard to •coming events, whose "sha-
dows" will be cast somewhat plainly before on the course
at the cordwainer's city. My " advices" received, this
morning, from Northampton, are most satisfactory.
Several horses have already arrived, and despite
the attraction of the Birmingham Steeplechases,
"sporting characters" may be seen lounging their time
away in the vicinity of "the George." The running
ground is in excellent condition, and if the weather be
oily fine, one of the most successful meetings ever held
at Northampton will be celebrated.
About fifteen runners will be brought out for the
Northamptonshire Stakes. Since the Doncaster meet.
ing St. Giles and Skirmisher have alternately held the
"premiership," and at my present writing it is difficult to
determine which has the largest and most influential
body of supporters. Despite St. Giles's somewhat
clumsy exhibition in the North, I am induced to believe
that he is a horse of more than average meat, for not
only has he been heavily backed for this event, but
also for the Metropolitan and Chester Cup. Still
from his size and appearance I shall not be surprised to
see him perform better later in the season. Not that I
intend to desert him on this occasion, for I have not so
high an opinion of Skirmisher to make me believe him
capable of giving 4 lbs and beating St. Giles. Lerd
Zetland's horse, last year, displayed a "temper" which,
if retained by him, will always prevent my placing im.
plicit faith in his pretensions. Another cogent argument
against him, and one in favour of Adamas, is furnished
by the fact that he twice succumbed to Adamas last sea-
son, when Adamas was scarcely fit to run. Adamas too
showed so much improvement last year, that I sin com-
pelled to deem him worthy of the greatest trust,
especially as he seems to possess gameness
and is apparently built for staying. His race with
Saunterer in the Chester Autumn Meeting would, in my
opinion, be alone sufficient to direct attention to his
chance. In all probability Fordham will ride him, but
should that jockey be "claimed" for some other animal,
a light-weight equally clever will have the mount. Sir
Colin has been so knocked about in the market that
whatever his merit may be I am not disposed to trust
biro, and I shall be as little surprised at his starting first
favourite as at his being ultimately scratched. Codring.
ton has a great advantage in the weights, and does not
require to be " half b. goad horse" to beat the three-yr-
(gds. That he will run fcrward I fully expect, but that
he will beat the three leading favourites I do not believe.
Should Porto Rico have lost his soft heart and have re-
tained the "form" which he once unquestionably pos.
eessed a "form" which induced his then. owner
and friends to indulge in sanguine expectations
of his carrying off the Two Thousand and Derby, I
should not look for a more worthy champion than Porto
Rico, who, I fancy, will yet recover somewhat the repu.
tation which he has lost, albeit like his ill-fated brother,
Orinoco, be may prefer a mile to two miles. For old
acquaintance sake, and the remenatrance which I retain
of the slashing race which he once ran with Kalipyge,
I shall not record my vote against Porto Rico. Of the
other high weights my preference is for Assager, albeit
he is popularly supposed to be only a "miler," but who
leeks as strong as a l.ttle cart horse, and, for aught I
know to the contrary, may be as formidable over a
long course as over a short one. I am not for Lawn,
whose chance is a forlorn one. This assor. ion is not made
for the sake of a disgraceful pun, but is justified by the
horse's .bitter bad running. Aniati has been backed,
and is fancied by his party. Both South-Western and
the E!cot's dam colt will, however, keep him safe. The
former will, to use a hackneyed phrase, "beat more than
beat him ;" and, after all, there may be more things
dreamt of in my philosophy than seeing Mr. E. R.
Clark's colours borne first past the post. On an impar-
tial consideration of the chances, however, I have arrived
at the conclusion that the most worthy animals to fill
the first three places are
ST. GILES, ADAMAS, and PORTO RICO.
For a cockboat I shall select Assayer.

Report states that a probability exists of M.D.'s being
being hrought out for the Trial Makes, and, should it
be correct, his performance will be regarded with much
interest by his Derby backers. Mr. Parr, however, may
be more inclined to play the Old Trick.
For the Stand Rate the mort noteworthy names are
Mary, truntingt:;n, and Coal Black Rose.
Should no "legal accident " interfere with Gemma di
Vergy's starting for the Whittlebury, I shall let him re-
present my interest. The Nene Stakes I assign to
Tome Deer.

Tno Earl Spencer's PlAte is the principal item upon
Thursday's list. Vaulter, Hospitality, and John Peel
have received good support for it, and the first men-

tioned, according to his running at Salibbury, is certainly
entitled to the confidence placed in him. I, however,
am inclined to give my adherence to Little Gerard,
Mabel, and Jebn Peel.

The Happy Land w 11 doubtlt,ss follow up his Salis-
bury successes by winning the Althorp Park Stakes.
For the Cup my fancy points to Apathy and Poodle. I
am at present inclined t) cast in my net with Fisherman
for the St. Liz HaLdicap. Stormsail may carry me
raft ly through for tl.e Delapre.
March 24.

A FRESH MAN.

TATTERJILL'S-MONDAY.

The Nnrthampton events chiefly occupied attention.
Early in the afternoon 5 to 1 was taken freely about
Skirmisher, and G to 1 was currently offered, " bar sne,"
for tot Stakes. Towards the close, however, a mow-
n:int was made iu favour of St. Giles, who "for money"
hai perhaps the call of Lord Zetland's horse; 5 to I
might have been obtained about either. Adamas was
supported at 7 to 1, and ultimately half S point less was
booked about him. Porto Rico was in good demand, at
7 and 8 to 1 ; thq,latter odds being, however, offered at
the close. Very little business was dote in favour of
Sir Celia at the price quoted.

Vaulter, Hospitality, and John Peel were in much
request for Earl Spencer's Plate.
Two THOUSAND.-5 to 1 was booked ton good sum
about Vidette. Sydney, against whom in City circles
100 to 8 and 10 to 1 had been laid, was backed for abou
4001., at 8 to 1.

Lir DERBY.-10 to 1 was taken repeatedly about
Blink Bonny. The investments which came under our
notice amounted to nearly 5001. Areenal was backed
for money at 25 to 1.

CLOSING PRICES.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES.

sto 1 aget Lord Ribbleslale's St. Giles (t and off)
5 to 1 agst Lord Zetland's Skiimisher (t and off)
13 to 2 agst Mr. Mellish's Adamas (taken)
7to 1 apt Mr. T. Parr's Sir Colin (t and off)
Bto 1 aget Sir J. Hawley's Porto Rico (taken)
9to 1 agst Mr. Thomps Codrington
20 to 1 agst Mr. Henderson's The Assayer (offered)
20 to 1 agst Mr. E. R. Clark's South-Western (oil)
12 to 1 agst South• Western and Elcot's dam colt
coupled (taken)
25 to 1 agst Skirmisher winningthiseventandVedette
the Two Thousand (taken to 201.)
EARL SPENCER'S PLATE.

Peterbel (taken)p
4to 1 agst Mr. St. John's Vaulter (t and offered)
(taken)
sto 1 agst Mr. Ridley's Hospitality (taken)
7to 1 agst Colonel James's John Peel (taken)
21
00
tt
oo
11
agstsg s t
LMorr.
dGc.
hPe as
Yt
enrefi es l dA 'isa
CHESTER CUP.

1000 to 20 agst Lord Chesterfield's Typee (taken)
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
9 to 2 agst Lord Zetland's Vedette (take sto 1)
6to 1 agst Mr. Howard's Schiedam (taken)
Bto 1 agst Baron Rothschild's Sydney (taken)
4000 to 60 agst Vedette's winning this event and Lady
Hawthorne the Derby (taken) _
2uoo to 30 agst Sydney's wino ng this event and Blink
Bonny the Derby (taken)
DEBBY.
to 501.)
16 to 1 agst Mr. T. Parr's m.m. (taken
gent (taken)
10 to 1 agst Mr. W. I'Anson'a Blink Bonny (taken)
20 to 1 agst Lord Londeebotrt: b
sugLady Hawthorne (t)
20 to 1 agst Lord John S.o?__„_,s Sprig of Shillelagh
20 to 1 agst Mr. CoPPertn"l"
Mr. (taken) rd's Arsenal (taken)
1000 to 15 agst Lord
25 to 1 agst izetw:nd's Skirmisher (taken)

inople, which brings Int& igence to the 12th,
Constant
ivento
themselvesforeig ninfaTmuirlkieesyw. hoThmeaeyssfeneel.
CoLonsaTrorr Tunx.Ev.7Byiai. recent arrival from
learn that the Sultan published a firman, ordering
required for such settlers will be that they
shall
disposed
lbaencdo tmso e conditiona
establishl
subjectsibe given
of the Sultan and swear fidelity to
him. The colonists are to have full freedom of religion,
and have their own churches,
MEANING OP THE WORD "LORCHA."—The Portu-
guese, who visited China at an early period, would pro
bably build and employ small sailing-vessels for the river
and coasting trade, and give to a ship of this kind the
name of lancha, which in their language signifies a
launch, pinnace, or small ship, The English would be
very likely to transmute lanches into lorcha, Our naval
nomenclature is indebted for many of its terms to the
Portuguese, and some of the transmutations aro curious
enoughi—Notes and Queries.