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

LITERATURE.

Our Cruise in the Claymore,wlth a visit to Damascus
-and the Lebanon. By Mrs. Harvey, of Telswell-
Bury. Chapman and Hall.
This volume furnishes us with some entertaining
;Al :counts of the various places of note through
w hick 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.
Thee are a few sketches here and there of the
mast 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 Scileik
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, ah commu-
nication between the upper rooms is by means of
outer staircases and balconies, now perfect bowels
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. Never 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 at
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 au exciting episode in their wanderings,
an.d 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 Pfeiffer. 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,
where 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 m as 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, and com-
pleting two " journes 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 goat 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. Croly,
with extracts from h?s Speeches and Writings.
By R. Herring, author of " Paper and Paper-
making," &c. Longman.

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 ithe 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 of the
Board of Trade. By George Robert Stephenson,
Esq., C.E. R. Clay.
George Stephenson forced railways into England,
Robert Stephenson developed what could be done
by engineering science, but the author of this pam-
phlet forgets what is due to the public, and looks
only to the interest of shareholders and railwaydirectors. He advances many plausible theories
and facts known to all engineers—that high speed
is detrimental to the permanent way of a:ny rail-
way, and that the wear and tear of the rolling stock
is increased in a like proportion, but he forgets
that it was the penny wise and pound foolish policy
of railway companies that led them to lay down
of metals should
ONLY TWO LINES OF RAILS in the first construction
and thus hampered the de,eloadiro,eraint.dofsttrroandgel.y lilrme.
ehiartil)aosusrenigineerstraffie, and good
proposed, some thirty years
pressed upon some of the lea_. mg directors of our
should not run on tshheort_si
bt le) e
laidn k known lines,
o
ghted
their
of rails. Too late they find that
and mineral trains same lines
policy entails loss. Bat are the public to suer for
are their want of foresight P Fast trains
come a necessity, and owe
la now be-
g coute 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 de-
cidedly successful. At Nottingham the sport was unusually '
exciting, beginning with the Trial Stakes, in which the
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 rush of the two-
year-old Beverley, whose party " stood " Lord Stamford's
colt, and subsequently refused 200 soya for their own. The
Sherwood Handicap, decided for the first time since its
establishment without a gentleman " up," will be remem-
bered with good cause by those who recklessly betted 5 to
2 and 3 to 1 on Kinnersley, seeing that before he was fairly
collared by his solitary opponent, Rupee, the odd-'un laid
back his oars and cut up a bigger cur than ever. For the
Castle Plate the "pieces" were likewise freely put on Neo-
phyte, until at last he was sent to the rightabout, and
slight odds were betted upon Spicebox. ; the upshot, hew"
ever, being that Ellen bowled over the pair. Looking at
his Carlisle performance (when he won with nearly a couple
)f stone in hand), not a few considered the Nottinghamshire
Handicap a " gift" to Prince of Denmark, although a slight
preference was accorded to Calpe in the Ring ; and next to
them Heiress was supported for money at 4 to 1, her stable
companion Industrious being an absentee. Heiress el)"
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. Hambleto
Lass next pulled oft the " Shorts," and at the hammer wee
knocked down for 70 guineas to Mr. Saxon, who in the'
evening made a " termer" by his bargain, and the mare
goes into Hopwood's stables. The old number, half-a-
dozen, sported silk for the Robin Hood Stakes, in which
the colours of one of the noble stewards were again suc-
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 colt
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 afternoon's
sport, was perhaps the most exciting event of the day from
the defeat of Nutbush, who stumbled near the distance, by
Dr. Nichol, who was steered by Little Midgley with the
calmness of a veteran. All the races closing over
night having filled, left eight events for decision on
the second day, when the crowd was enormous Tao
weather was propitious, though a few showers would
have been acceptable to lay the dust, which rose in clouds
from the newly made grounds. Business was resumed with
the Bunney Park Stakes, for which Barricade was thought
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 the
withdrawal of Paradox, whose number was exhibited on the
telegraph, there would have been a dozen runners for the
Nursery Plate, which was set for two o'clock, though it
was nearly three cre the start was effected, partly owing to
the conduct of certain jockeys, who were subsequently
"carpeted," and to the limited width of the new half-sole
course at the starting point, which wo are informed will )0
enlarged by next year. Grant was a regular " hot-un"
the Ring, but she performed indifferently, and tho winner
turned up in Seahorse, who, in Fordham's hands, cane
through and won cleverly. It may be mentioned that it
first 4 and 5 to 1 was taken about Cutler, though he was
finally returned among the outside division. The Portland
Plate was won by Malta, after a waiting race; after which
the Chesterfield Handicap was placed to Mr. Payne's credit
by the aid of Voltella ; and next the Queen's Guineas
proved the "certainty" it was booked for Bivouac.
The remainder of the racing presented nothing
for special remark. Tho list of sport at Stam-
ford, on Thursday, comprised seven items, the
opening race the Stamford St. Leger deriving
additional interest from the circumstance of The Lawyer
rather unexpectedly "putting in an appearance." He was,
of course, made a "hot" favourite, and beat Malta in A
style that would have delighted the hearts of his numerous;
friends in the "Emerald Isle." Alchymist, who was
backed very freely for the Two Year Old Sweepstakes,
bowled over his two opponents—Exchequer and Discretion.

—very easily, the latter, who ran in a most slovenly man-
ner, being last all the way. A round dozen started for the
Burghley Handicap, a large field considering the distance,
for two miles and rather more than a quarter is not a very
favourite "spin" now-a-days. The betting on this race
was rather brisk and for some time Carbineer and Weather-
bound were nearly equal favourites. The former, howe7er,
eventually " took the lead," which was more than he aid

in the race, for he never showed very prominently in it;
and when Amy—who made most of the running—was dis-
posed of within the distance, the race was reduced to a
match between Weatherbound and Newstead, the Cam-
bridgeshire victress, after one of the gamest struggles ever
witnessed, beating her fix() year old competitor, to whom
she conceded 81b. by a " short" neck. Weatherbound, of
course, wins her party a tolerably good stake, as
the second would have done his had ho " brought it
off," as he was backed rather heavily. The morning
of Friday broke dull and lowering, and towards
noon the rain began to descend steadily, and continued with
more or less force throughout the greater part of the day,
which, as a matter of course, considerably detracted from
the enjoyment of the sport. The card, as on the previous
day, again wore an attractive appearance, the Clifden Cup
and the Stamford Cup alone being "a host" in themselves.
The first named popular race brought out a dozen starters,
Sporting Life, who was 'generally considered to be most
leniently handicapped, being made a warm favourite. Like
the favourite for the Burghley Stakes, however, she cut up
indifferently, and the issue was finally left to Lord Exeter's
good looking Knight of St. Patrick and Count Batthyany's
Suburban, the former getting home first by a head. An

objection, however, followed, the Knight, it was stated
having swerved across Suburban within the distance, and
prevented him from winning. The weighing room was
then " cleared "—a proceeding which considerably delayed
the other races—and after a protracted investigation by the
Stewards the race was awarded to Suburban. The third

Wothorpe Biennial Stakes proved a very easy victory for

Lord Stamford's King of Hearts, and in the Scurry
Confidence had little difficulty in disposing of the favourite,
Greenwich Fair. The main interest of the day was cen-

trod in the Stamford Cup, from the circumstance of the

starting of 01 timist, who won so cleverly, beating Bivouac
and Duleibella, that it lcd to many subsequent inquiries of
" AVhat against him for the Goodwood Cup ?" No doubt

he will start first favourite and be near pulling it off.
The meetings of this week will not produce any large
fields, as a great many of the horses engaged are under
orders for Goodwood.

The only closed race at Ascot is the Ascot Stakes, which
Mr. Jacobs may secure with either Amsterdam or Von

Strom.

The events to bo decided at Marlborough and South
anipton do not require any consideration.
The Goodwood Stakes, as I said when the weights ap-
pearcd, will go to Starke or Eleho—the former for choice

—and Optimist has little or nothing to fear in the Cup.

A FRESH MAN.

BETTING AT MANCHESTER—SATITRDAY.
GOODWOOD STAKES.
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 Ilenham Lass (taken)
33 to 1 agst Voltella. (taken)
GOODWOOD CUP.
4to 1 agst Optimist (taken and offered)
6to 1 agst Mons. Etoile, (taken)
6to 1 agst Ben Webster (off., take 7to 1)
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 Voyallieu (offered)
33 to 1 agst Starke (taken)
33 to 1 agst Parmesan (taken)
ST. LEGEIL.
9to 4 agst Kettledrum (wanted)

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Fitzsimmonsheom Robertsse versri
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Fitz-
simmons was charged with stabbing a schoolfellow, named.
Joseph Roberts under the following melancholy circum-
stancesother little boys present,
Friday
liament-fields, Toxtet P , nlast.
:—Both the ladsh waleirce,
the character of highwayman,
takeßoberts giving him an
old rusty oyster knife for the purpose of sustaining the
theytAhfatte, After enjoying
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character. The play was progressing favourably, and
Fitzsimmons had exclaimed, on seizing Roberts, " Your
money or your life," the latter of course refusing, when
the former, assuming a tragic position, cried out, raising
the knife, "Now for the awful deed !" and suiting the
action to the exclamation, plunged the rusty old knife into
poor Roberts's breast. A sad scene now ensued—Roberts's
shirt and vest soon became crimson with blood, and the
poor lad, supported by Fitzsimmons, who was almost wild
with grief, was gradually sinking from loss of blood, when
the other lads, who had run away when they saw the blood
on the wounded boy's breast, returned with some men, and
Roberts was ultimately removed to the Southern Hospital,
where the doctors gave up all hopes of recovery, the wound
being of a most frightful nature, and the hmmorrhage very
great. In his deposition the dying lad freely forgave Fitz-
simmons, saying—" I am quite sure he did not intend to
injure me. He was not in earnest." Tho magistrates
decided that there was no ill-feeling evinced against
Roberts by Fitzsimmons, and attributed this sad and
melancholy occurrence to foolish play on the part of the
boys. Fitzsimmons was discharged, and left the court
about the same
crying bitterly. Both boys are age, viz.,
14 years,

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