The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-17 00:00:00

vious twenty-four hours. "All Ireland," said a gentleman
to-me this morning, "is off to Punchestown. There is not
a soul in the city." I need net say that the declaration of
the gentleman in question was not literally true, as places
of business are open, and the local population are all at
work or moving about in large numbers ; at the same
time, the crowds who have left Dublin for the races
cannot be estimated under less than tens of thousands.
From the earliest hour, and by every conceivable mode of
conveyance, they are off, to see again the Prince and
Princess, and enjoy the wild sport of " the Epsom of
Ould Ireland." The weather is again most propitious—a
bright sun and a clear sky—and promises to continue so.
Ido not myself go to the races. I know, however, that
from your reporters or sporting correspondents you
will receive in good time a full account of them.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of
Wales left the Castle for the course at half-past twelve,
the band of the 63rd Regiment playing " God save the
Queen," and the people, who had assembled in large num-
bers in Castle Yard , cheering enthusiastically to the frequent
recognitions of the royal party. They took the southern line
of qtrays to the Kingsbridge Station, where suitable prepara-
tions were made for their reception, and drove over in
four carriages-and-four with outriders. The first carriage
contained their Excellencies the Lord-Lieutenant and the
Marchioness of Abercorn, accompanied by Prince Edward
of Saxe-Weimar ; the second, their Royal Highnesses the
Prince and Princess of Wales, his Royal Highness the
Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Tech ; the third, Lady
Carmarthen, the Hon. Mrs. Stonor, Sir W. Knollys, and
Viscount Hamilton ; and the fourth, Ladies G. and A.
Hamilton, Lord Claud Hamilton, and Major Gray.
The passage from the vestibule of the station to the door
of the State saloon was carpeted with scarlet cloth, and a
passage was kept by a body of the metropolitan police, under
the command of Chief Superientendent Campbell, and
Inspectors Doran, Cunningham, Freney, and Burke. In
front of the principal entrance a guard of honour of cavalry
police was drawn up under the command of Inspector
Connellan. The special train consisted of the State saloon
carriage, two first-class carriages, break, and van, the whole
being drawn by a powerful locomotive which was gaily
decorated with evergreens. The State saloon carriage was
richly upholstered in blue silk and damask, with white
and blue fringes, and luxuriously furnished with fauteuils
and reclining chairs. Previous to the arrival of the royal
party there were assembled on the platform the Duke of
Cambridge, Prince Tech, the Earl of Mayo, the Earl of
Shrewsbury and Talbot, Lord H. Lennox, Colonel the
Hon. A. Hardinge, Hon. E. Edgcumbe, A.D.C., Sir
James Fergusson, Lord James Butler, Sir John M.
Stewart, the Earl of Mountcharles, Mr. Gustavus W.
Lambart, Lord Strathnairn, Hon. Luke Gerald Dillon
Mr. Cockerell, &c.
The Lord-Lieutenant assisted the Princess of Wales to
alight, and then, offering his arm, conducted her to the
saloon carriage. The Princess was loudly cheered as she
moved forward, and she graciously acknowledged the re-
ception by repeatedly bowing. Her Royal Highness wore
a (dress of pale green silk, richly trimmed with lace, and a
Light-coloured zephyr burnous. Her bonnet was
of white lace, adorned with some simple flowers.

The Prince of Wales conducted the Marchioness of
Abercorn to the saloon carriage, and was heartily cheered.
His Royal Highness wore a light-coloured overcoat, drab
trousers, and black hat. The other members of the party
follqwed, and took their seats in the first-class carriages
provided for them. The saloon carriage was occupied by
the Lord-Lieutenant and the Marchioness of Abercorn,
the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Ladies Hamilton,
the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Teck, Prince Edward of
Saxe-Weimar, the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot, the
Earl of Mayo, and Sir Wm. It`nollys. At twenty minutes
to one o'clock the signal was given, and the special train
moved off amid tremendous cheering. .

I mentioned in a previous letter that a fine statue of
Burke. by Foley, had been placed on its pedestal in front of
Trinity College, and that it was expected to be inaugu-
rated by the Prince of Wales. I now learn that his
Royal Highness has consented to inaugurate the statue on
Tuesday next. The statue is said to be one in every way
wertby of the eminent sculptor and still more eminent
statesman.
As Tuesday is to be the day of the Royal Dublin
Society's Cattle Show and conversazione, at which his Royal
Highness is to be present, the probability is the inaugu-
ration will take place before the show. Indeed, I have
reason to believe that the senate of the university mean to
confer on the Prince and a number of other distinguished
personages the honorary degree of LL.D., that the cere-
mony will take place in the theatre of the university, and
that from the theatre a procession will be formed to the
statue, when his Royal Highness will direct the statue to
be uncovered.
While referring to the subject of the Royal Dublin
Society's Cattle Show, which is to be held in the extensive
ball and courtyards attached to Leiaster House, in
Kildare-street, I may state that its attractions will eclipse
all the displays of former years. The entries are much in
excess of any previous show, and the -list of exhibitors
is also more extensive. There are two prize cups—
one value £155, the other £l5O besides prizes
from £2O downwards, irrespective of gold, silver, and
bronze medals, certificates, and other commendations.
The sum received for entrance fees amounts to upwards of
£4OO, and the number of exhibitors exceeds 200.
While I write the royal party have not returned from
Punchestown. The city continues in its gala dress ; flags,
banners, arches, and devices remaining as before ; and the
weather is bright and beautiful as a day in June.

The Mont Cenis!Railway is to be opened in May. The
delay has been caused chiefly by the tardy construction of
the locomotives, which are necessarily of a peculiar make,
but which it was necessary to have made in France in con-
sequence of the fact that Mr. Fell had patented the
itivention in France, and the French Government forbids
the importation from abroad of machinery so patented.
But for this restriction the line might have been opened
several weeks ago.

It is stated that the Viceroy of Egypt is seriously ill.
His Highness is 52 years of age. His heir apparent is
only five years old. The Pall Mall Gazette imagines that
the youth of Ismail's son may lead to complications, inas-
much as it is usual to choose the eldest surviving member
of the ruling house, and not the direct lineal descendant
of the deceased ruler, when a vacancy occurs. Our con-
temporary is misinformed. That rule does, indeed, pre-
vail in Turkey, but by the Sultan's firman of May 14,
1867, the succession to the throne of Egypt is made
hereditary in the family of the present Viceroy. In fact,
" Viceroy " is an incorrect term, though it is generally
used. By the same firman the title of " Khedeve," the
Arabic equivalent of " King," was conferred upon Ismail,
who is now entitled to be spoken of as his Majesty. It is
not a little singular that both our Royal guests of last
year, the Sultan of Turkey and the Khedeve of Egypt,
should be in a state of health giving rise to the gravest
anxiety.

Her Majesty has been pleased to name Wednes-
day, the 13th of May, at half-past eleven o'clock, for the
ceremony of laying the first stone of the new St. Thomas's
Hospital.

Owing to a severe attack of bronchitis, Viscount
Lismore was unable to act as steward of Punchestown
Ices during the visit of their Royal Highnesses the Prince
nd Princess of Wales.

RELEASE OF COLONEL NAGLE.—Colonel W. J.
Nagle, who has been confined in Mountjoy Prison since
last May, and whose trial for participation in the Jacknell
Expedition at Sligo had been postponed for want of
foreigners to serve on the jury, has been released from
custody on condition of leaving the country immediately.
11l health was the immediate cause of his release, the sur-
geon of the Mountjoy Prison having, it is said, reported
that further confinement would endanger his life.

THE STIRLING BURGHS.— A special meeting of
Isir. Ramsay's committee has been held, at which the list
of voters was carefully gone over, and the result of the
canvass in this burgh ascertained. There were also laid
before the meeting reports from the other burghs by
parties who were considered well qualified to judge in the
matter. Air. Ramsay's supporters now feel absolutely
certain that he will be returned by a large majority.
Indeed, it appears that this is the only burgh in which
anything like a contest will take place, and even here it
is expected that Mr. Ramsay will have a small majority.
—Scotsman.

THE SCOTCH REFORM BILL.—At a meeting of
the New Reform Committee of Hawick, to consider the
prospect of obtaining a separate representative for Hawick
and Galashiels, extracts were read from letters received
from several M.P.'s on the subject. Some of them, though
not all of them, were favourable to the proposal. Mr.
John Bright promised to " support any scheme which has
the favour of the Liberal Scotch members, in whose judg-
ment I have great confidence ;" and he believes that
" they will agree on amendments to be proposed in the
Government bill, and that their amendments will be sup-
ported by a majority of the House."

Ex TRAORDINARY ROBBERY. —A robbery of a most
extraordinary character has been perpetrated at Leeds.
Jr.N John Tuer, a clerk in the employ of Mr. John Dyson,
corn miller, Tenter-lane, was on the point of leaving the
place ; but as soon as he had reached the door he was
seized by three men, one of whom held him by the throat,
whilst the others tied his bands and feet. They ther
carried him to a stable close by, left him there, ane,
returned to Mr. Dyson's office, the door of which wa,
open ; and, finding the keys, they opened the safe an(
abstracted £4OO which it contained. The cries of Mr.
Tge; cpped an alarm, and he was. found in the