The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-22 00:00:00

war,

Our Cruise in the Claymore, with a visit to _Damascus
and the Lebanon. By Mrs. Harvey, of Telswell-
Bury. Chapman and Hall.
This volume furnishes us with some entertaining
accounts of the various places of note through
which the travellers passed. Although numerous
works of travel have appeared concerning these
countries, there is always something interesting to be
gleaned in the records of the East, and the descrip-
tions here met with are very pleasingly written.
The diary begins with a voyage from Beyrout to
Damascus, which furnishes us with many details.
There are a few sketches here and there of the
most striking objects that meet the eye. A Druse
Woman is thus mentioned—" There we saw for the
first time a Druse woman with her horn." This
is a most singular head-dress, projecting about
a foot and a half beyond the forehead, and support-
ing a thick white veil, which is carefully wrapped
round the face and figure, especial care being taken
to conceal the mouth. None but the married
women wear this " horn," which is given by the
husband on the wedding day ; among the poorer
people it is generally made of wood. but the rich
have it of silver and even of gold. They carry this
absurdity into the toilette of children as appears
from the account of a Druse baby's attire. "The eyes
were painted with antimony, while the tears caused
by the operation had washed long streaks of black
down its poor little cheeks ; on its head it had
three caps, the upper one being of velvet, perched
quite on the top of its head, and ornamented with
diamonds." There is a long account of Damascus,
which is very well worthy of notice. There is
always considerable interest attached to this won-
derful spot, on account of the elasticity of its exis-
tence. In " Tancred," it is said, " the rivers of
Damascus still run and revel within and without
the walls of which the steward of Sc'aeik
Abraham was a citizen." The English
consul's abode appears a most charming place
from the details here mentioned. "From
the shade of a lofty alcove, paved with marble,
and curtained by the large branches of climbing
plants, we looked upon a garden glorious with
flowers, in the height of their summer beauty, in
the centre was a large marble tank, surrounded by
water plants, little jets d'eau at the corners refreshed
the water, keeping up a constant tinkling music;
the house being built round the court, all commu-
nication between the upper rooms is by means of
outer staircases and balconies, now perfect bowers
of vines and roses, the brown carved wood only
peeping out here and there amidst the masses of
green. The rich luxuriance of a southern clime is
here, this is the land of the citron and myrtle,
and the air is perfumed with the fragrance of
the orange-blossom, while the eye is charmed with
the clusters of golden fruit. Newr had we seen
such jasmines and roses ; even the geraniums were
of a double size, and amidst the darker foliage, the
bright flowers of the pomegranate and oleander
seemed like little clouds of scarlet and pink."
Afterwards the travellers proceeded to Baalbcc and
Tyre. They arrived there at a critical period when
the massacre of the Christians took place. Hearing
reports of the disturbances they had hurried to gain
their'yacht, and from thence they could see " The
mountains beyond Beyrout, red with the flames of
burning villages, and even the flashes of musketry
were distinctly seen on deck ; the consternation in
the town was extreme." These adventurous travel-
lers had thus an exciting episode in their wanderings,
and these circumstances of course add considerably
to the interest of the work. There is an exciting
account of the scene that took place at Tyre, where
the idea prevailed that the yacht Claymore was a
small man-of-war, and therefore they were enabled
to be of great service to the unfortunate inhabitants.
This little work is well written, and contains much
to attract attention in its animated descriptions of
places that have a Scriptural association and a his-
torical interest ; while, added to this, there has
been an excitement felt in many quarters regarding
recent events. It is therefore a very desirable
volume for the perusal of the general reader.

The Last Travels of Ida Pfeifer. With a
Memoir of the Author. Routledge.
The volume before us is, unfortunately, the last
account we shall receive of the travels of this ad-
venturous lady, who has obtained an extended re-
putation even in these days of wanderings and
explorations. The work in question has two espe-
cial features of interest, in the biographical memoir
of the author, and in the account of that perilons
visit to Madagascar where she was attacked by
the illness, which subsequently proved fatal.
Madame Pfeiffer was staying in Madagascar at the
time of the last persecution of the Christians, and
in common with the other Europeans there expected
nothing less than death or torture. After an in-
terval of terrible suspense the sentence of banish-
ment was pronounced upon them, the Queen fearing
to murder white people. The magnanimity, how-
ever, was not so great as it appeared to be since the
malevolence of the tyrannical queen had attached
conditions to their removal which were intended
to prove fatal, and which were the cause of great
and lasting suffering to the enterprising feminine
traveller. Knowing that some of the party were
attacked by the disastrous Madagascar fever, the
queen had given orders that the journey from the
capital to the coast should be as dilatory as possible,
and accordingly instead of eight days they were
made to pass eight weeks in traversing marshy
lands and forced to stop in the most unhealthy
places. They were likewise refused the smallest
comforts and forbidden to hold communication
with any one. Fortunately the lady who had
boldly faced so many dangers survived the ill-treat-
ment of the barbarous Queen Ranavola, but she
never recovered her health, and after lingering
some time in the Mauritius she returned to Europe,
whore she soon after expired to the great grief of
her family and friends. The memoir which is pre-
fixed to this work will be read with interest. It
gives a concise account of the life of this celebrated
woman and of the difficulties which she encoun-
tered. In the days of her eccentric childhood she
wished to be a soldier, and was bitterly grieved
when attention to more feminine pursuits was in-
sisted on. When forced to abandon the idea of mili-
tary glory, she replaced it by the love of travel, and
this passion she retained to the end of her life., Again
she was unable to follow her wishes, and in amore
important question she was also disappointed.
Her mother refused to sanction her affection for her
tutor, a man of character and ability, and after
much unhappiness she was induced to marry Dr.
Pfeiffer. She did not begin the travels which have
made her name famous until she was forty-five
years of age, and had completed the education of
her two sons. Her means were extremely limited,
nevertheless, she contrived to visit in turn
every quarter of the globe, besides exploring
many places little visited by Europeans, dud com-
pleting two ‘` Jo. urnes round the world." The writer
of the memoir justly observes, "If we compare the
results of Ida Pfeiffer's undertakings with the
limited means at her disposal for carrying out her
plans, her achievements appear marvellous. She
traversed nearly 150,000 miles by sea and 20,000
miles by land ; and the funds for these travels were
obtained entirely by wise economy, and by the
energy with which she kept the goal continually
before her eyes." Her description of the Island of
Madagascar will be new to many. She gives a
melancholy picture of the state of the people under
the tyranny of their wretched sovereign. The style
of the narrative, like all Mdme. Pfeiffer's works, is
fresh and simple, and is fully in accordance with
the straightforwardness and absence of pretension
ascribed to her.

A Few Personal Recollections of the late Dr. Cray,
with extracts from his Speeches and ►Yritings.
By R. Herring, author of " Paper and Paper-
making," &c. Longman. _ _

sa•
The late Dr. Croly bore so deservedly high a
reputation as a man of learning and ability, that
extracts from his works can scarcely require criti-
cism. The present selection includes passages from
his prose and poetical writings on a wide range of
subjects, displaying their author's eloquence, study,
and sound sense. The " Personal Recollections"
give some interesting details respecting his life,
and !the outlines of conversations which he held
with the writer. No doubt the volume will prove
very acceptable to the large circle who hod in well
merited esteem the memory of Dr. Croly.

High Speed on Railways. A Letter to the Right
Hon. T. M. Gibson, M.P., President
Board of Trade. By George Robert Step
hoensone ,
f th
Esq., C.E. R. Clay.
George Stephenson forced railways into England,
b
Robert Stephenson developed what could e done
by engineering science, but the author of th pam-
oks
phlet forgets what is due to the public, anis d lo
only to te interest of shareholders and railway
directors. He advances many plausible theories
and facts known to all engineers—that high speed
wise and pound foolishpolicys
rail-
is detrimental to the permanent way of any
way, and that the wear and tear of the rolling stock
is increased in a like proportion, but he f
elopment of trade. forgets
ago, and
that it was the penny
of railway companies that led them to lay d
ONLY TWO LINES OF RAILS in the first construction
n
We
apnrodptohsuesd,herZeeittttyheyderr.s
upon some of the leading directorsstrongly im-
pressed
then known lines, that four lines
of our
es
be laid down on their passenger of metals should
and mineral trains should not run traffic, and goods
of rails. Too late they find on the same line
policy entails loss. Bat r that a short-sighted
re
their want of foresight , ',' , the public to suffer for
) A ucceoit, Fast trains are now be-
comef, and co? t •
4 0 qto coupe must bo

maintained, so that railway companies must lay
down new lines, or bear the expense of their own
improvidence.

SPORTING NOTES.

The Nottingham and Stamford meetings were both Tr
the
meeting successful. At Nottingham the sport was unusually
exciting, Y
exciting, beginning with the Trial Stakes, in which h
meeting of Malta and Lustre was regarded with no little
interest. The former, although incurring a 91b penalty
from being entered not to be sold, was made the favourite,and looked like winning at the half distance, where his bolt
was shot. It afterwards required all the skill of the rider
of Wynnstay, the winner, to stall off the rift& of the
,two-
year-old Beverley, whose party " stood " Lord Stamford s
colt, and subsequently refused 200 sovs for their own. The
Sherwood Handicap, decided for the first time since its
establishment without a gentleman " up," will be remeal"
bered with good cause by those who recklessly betted 5 to
2 and 3 to 1 on Kinnersley, seeing that before he was fair?
collared by his solitary opponent, Rupee, the odd-'un laid
r
back his ears and cut up a bigger cur than ever. For the
Castle Plate the " pieces" were likewise freely put on Ne°:
phyte, until at last he was sent to the rightabout, and
slight odds were betted upon Spicebox ; the upshot, how:
ever, being that Ellen bowled over the pair. Looking In
his Carlisle performance (when he won with nearly a couple
of stone in hand), not a few considered the Nottingharnshire,
Handicap a " gift" to Prince of Denmark, although a slight,
preference was accorded to Calpe in the Ring ; and neat to
them Heiress was supported for money at 4 to 1, her stable
companion Industrious being an absentee. Heiress ap-
peared unable to move, and cut up wretchedly. The issue
was confined to the favourites, Calpe making a good fight
of it from the distance, but never overhauled the Prince'
who obtained the verdict by half a length. Harableton
Lass next pulled oft the " Shorts," and at the hammer WO
knocked down for 70 guineas to Mr. Saxon, who in the
evening made a "tanner" by his bargain, and the glare
goes into Hopwood's stables. Tho old number, halft
dozen, sported silk for the Robin Hood Stakes, in whic'
the colours of one of the noble stewards wore again true:
cessful on King of Hearts, after a remarkably fine contest
with Antares. The County Members' Plate also proved a
slashing affair, and resulted in favour of the Miss Eva Olt'
by a head, the closeness of the finish being attributable to
the winner's saddle slipping round at the critical moment
But the Stand Plate, reserved to wind up the afternooe°
sport, was perhaps the most exciting event of the day fro°
the defeat of Nutbush, who stumbled near the distance, by
Dr. Nichol, who was steered by Little Midgley ;pith tbo
calmness of a veteran. All the races closing over
night having filled, left eight events for decision 00
the second day, when the crowd was enormous- The
weather was propitious, though a few showers would
have been acceptable to lay the dust, which rose in clouds
from the newly made grorrads. Business was resumed With;
the Bunney Park Stakes, for which Barricade was though.'
to have so good a chance that as little as 5 to 2 was taken,
about him at the opening; eventually he receded to "liberal
odds," and Middleton Maid won cleverly. But for taw
withdrawal of Paradox, whose number was exhibited oath°
telegraph, there would have been a dozen runners for the
Nursery Plate, which was set for two o'clock, though
was nearly three ere the start was effected, partly owing to
the conduct of certain jockeys, who were subsequentv
"carpeted," and to the limited width of the new half-or,,
course at the starting point, which we are informed will
enlarged by next year. Grant was a regular "hot-nn"
the Ring, but she performed indifferently, and the WO;
turned up in Seahorse, who, in Fordham's hands, cal%
through and won cleverly. It may be mentioned that
all
first 4 and 5 to 1 was taken about Cutler, though be
finally returned among the outside division. The Fortin,
Plate was won by Malta, after a waiting race ; after WhiA7t,
the Chesterfield Handicap was placed to Mr. Payne's ore:9
by the aid of Voltella ; and next the Queen's GithLe,v-
proved the " certainty" it was booked for Bivouac'
The remainder of the racing presented /iota.'"
for special remark. The list of sport at Sts
he
ford, on Thursday, comprised seven items,
opening race the Stamford St. Leger deris;°.
additional interest from the circumstance of The La°lo-
rather unexpectedly "putting in an appearance." lie .91
of course, made a "hot" favourite, and beat Malta ,„-
-;
style that would have delighted the hearts of his nunlere j
friends in the " Emerald Isle." Alehymist, who
backed very freely for the Two Year Old Sweepstahrd
bowled over his two opponents—Exchequer and Digerati--
—very easily, the latter, who ran in a most slovenly ref;
nor, being last all the way. A round dozen started for
Burghley Handicap, a large field considering the distal:l;i.
for two miles and rather more than a quarter is note leo
favourite "spin" now-a-days. The betting on this tar
was rather brisk and for some time Carbineer and Weather,
bound were nearly equal favourites. The former, hosreldi- a
eventually "took the lead," which was more than he 3;
in the race, for he never showed very prominently
and when Amy—who made most of the running--Ito
posed of within the distance, the race was redneeuc,o-
match between Weatherbound and Newstead, thevir ever
bridgeshire victress, after one of the gamest struggLe' 1,00
witnessed, beating her fire year old competitor, to ;of
she conceded Sib. by a "short" neck. Weatherbouna,
as
course, wins her party a tolerably good stake, it
the second ;would have done his had ha " broughtd
off," e. ho was backed rather heavily. The moral:
of Friday broke dull and lowering, and tcuce_'-4:
noon the rain began to descend steadily, and continued SV--
more or loss force throughout the greater part of the
which, as a matter of course, considerably detracted ire
to
the enjoyment of the sport. The card, as on the Preto?
day, again wore an attractive appearance, the Clifden
and the Stamford Cup alone being " a host" in thenilselleo,
The first named popular race brought out a dozen gal _A 'cot
Sporting Life, who was 'generally considered to be 10
leniently handicapped, being made a warm favourite. M; tip
the favourite for the Burghley Stakes, however, she lel
indifferently, and the issue was finally left to Lord ILe„„y'S
good looking Knight of St. Patrick and Count BattbY7o
Suburban, the former getting home first by a heacl'terl
objection, however, followed, the Knight, it was B—faol,
having swerved across Suburban within the distance' SAS
prevented him from winning. The weighing room ,4e4
then " cleared "—a proceeding which considerably ac"-ty
the other races—and after a protracted investigation ilea
Stewards the race was awarded to Suburban. The for
Wothorpe Biennial Stakes proved a very easy victorYfri
Lord Stamford's King of. Hearts, and in the Sc,illi.itst
Confidence had little difficulty in disposing of the Cale' ceo'
Greenwich Fair. The main interest of the day wasie
tred in the Stamford Cup, from the circumstance e; roc
starting of Optimist, who won so cleverly, beating 13'!les
and Duicibella, that it led to many subsequent Win tilA
" What against him for the Goodwood Cup ?" --()
he will start first favourite and be near pulling it oft' lot
The meetings of this week will not produce anYitolef
fields, as a great many of the horses engaged are -
orders for Goodwood.
0,130
The only closed race at Ascot is the Ascot Stakes/ •Voil
Mr. Jacobs may secure with either Amsterdam °I.
Stroom.
fit'
fiell
The events to be decided at Marlborough au"A
anipton do not require any consideration. or,
The Goodwood Stakes, as I said when the web eutsloiv
peared, will go to Sts.rke or Eleho—the former for a'
—and Optimist has little or nothing to fear in the
A FRESH I\l4-

BETTING AT MANCHESTER—SAnutnOe
GOODWOOD STARES.
3to 1 agst Elcbo (taken and offered)
7to 1 agst Starke (taken)
Bto 1 agst Brownie (offered)
9to 1 agst Shipwreck (offered)
10 to 1 agst Schism (offered)
12 to 1 agst Canary (offered)
20 to 1 agst West End (taken)
25 to 1 agst Denham Lass (taken)
33 to 1 agst Voltella (taken)
GOODWOOD CUP.
4to 1 agst Optimist (taken and offered)
6to 1 agst Mons. Etoile (taken) to 1)
6to 1 agst Ben Webster (off., take 7
Bto 1 agst The Wizard (off., take 10 to 1)
10 to 1 agst Thormanby (taken)
11 to 1 agst Doefoot (taken)
12 to 1 agst Diophantus taken)
12 to 1 agst Ivanhoff (offered)
12 to 1 agst Royallieu (offered)
33 to 1 agst Starke (taken)
33 to 1 agst Parmesan (talon)
ST. LEGER.
9to 4 agst Kettledrum (wanted)
tt
A SAD AFFAIR he the Liverpool Police 00:
on Saturday last, a fine little fellow named IlenrY .oea
simmons was charged with stabbing a schoolfellow, ca
Joseph Roberts under the following melancholy oil' via'
stances :—Both the lads were amusing
liament-fields, Toxteth-park, Liverpool, on Fridalfloseci
After enjoying themselves for some time Roberts Prc'eroent4
that, with the assistance of some other little boys
character. The play was pro
they should play at "robbers," and Fitzsimmons
take the character of highwayman, Roberts giving :111,„the
old rusty oyster knife for the se of sustititull'
purpose
rata, tif
Fitzsimmons had exclaimed, on seizing Roberts, wlleo
money or your life," the latter of course refusing/
cola
the former, assuming a tragic position, cried outitr , Ole
the knife, " Now for the awful deed 1" and in,ao
action to the exclamation, plunged the rusty old lo'ldorto
poor Roberts's breast. A sad scene now ensued--itud tlivj
shirt and vest soon became crimson with blood, !st 10,,
poor lad, supported by Fitzsimmons, who was nin",v
with grief, was gradually sinking from loss of bln°01"01)1o/
the other lads, who had run away when they saw
on the wounded boy's breast, returned with some
Roberts was ultimately removed to the Southern f 3 woe,
where the doctors gave up all hopes of recovery' tlinsgov,e,r;
being of a most frightful nature, and the btonaorro. co yi,;,
great. In his deposition the dying lad freely foor, 3.11t00d,,0
simmons, saying—" I am quite sure he did 21 ts.istrAF,s
injure me. He was not in earnest." The 0.5,60019 j
decided that there was no ill-feeling evincoaso
Roberts by Fitzsimmons, and attributed this
rt of to
melancholy occurrence to foolish play on the
boys. Fitzsimmons was discharged, and loft 1.,0
• 0- bitterly, Both boys are about the solo "
cryin„,
I yora, gressingthfearaysoeuives
:00t,