The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-30 00:00:00

SPORTING OPINIONS.

(From the Sporting Life.)

The expectant racing community are to a certain
extent no longer " waiting for the verdict" of the
Spring handicappers, and it must be confessed that
they are now provided with ample material for di-
gestion and reflection. Billiards, which have en-
grossed so much attention during the vacation, have
fairly gone to the wall, and as all successful British
undertakings either open or close with a banquet,
the Victoria Club on Monday night entertained Mr.
Perry at a dinner, and afterwards made the pro-
moter of the billiard tournaments a handsome pre-
sentation. That this compliment was thoroughly
merited no one will qUestion who has observed the
energy, courtesy, and tact of the gentlemaa who ha:
voluntarily taken upon himself the onerous duties
'of Clerk of the Cloth and handicapper. Thus in a
'few days the scene will be changed, and bookmakers
and backers will plunge into that boisterous se L of
speculation which in Irks the advent of gentle
Spring. mace 1, even now the reporters whose
business it is to chronicle the betting will find them-
selves suddenly troubled with an accumulation of
work in compiling the long lists of the odds which
way be expected to emanate daily from the Club.;
and Tattersall'.:. Opinions are, as usual, still diverse
as to the precise merits of the three-year-old cracks,
and some enlightening movements will now soon be
anticipated as the various Candidates progress in the
work of preparation. No little Conversation had
been created by Sir Joseph Hai% ley's commissioner
coming first to the fore, and on Saturday last in-
vesting in htindreds on both Rosicrucian and Green
Sleeve for the Derby, and:'-almost in the same
breath making what must he-regarded in the light
of a decided demonstration against Lady Elizabeth,
seeing that the big bet he laid decidedly shook the
firmness of tli6 Queen of Daneb.ury. The bets which
the commissioner accepted were 6,000 to 400 about
Rosicrucian and 6,000 to 500' about Green Sleeve,
supplementing this with an outlay of 1,800 to 300
against Lady Elizabeth. These three transactions
have a right to render the supporters of the cherry
jacket especially satisfied with the spring prospects,
and for ample reasons. In the first place they de-
cidedly confirm the statements of the present health
and improvement of the two cracks, Rosicrucian
and Green Sleeve, and argue the unabated confi-
dence of the pillars of the Kingselere establishment.
We may also imply, from these three significant
bets, that Sir Joseph Hawley, one of the shrewdest
judges on the Turf, still holds the opinion he has
maintained for a considerable period, that he has
another Derby at his disposal with Rosicrucian and
Green Sleeve—that he has no fear of Lady Eliza-
beth, and, having beaten her once, believes that
when next they meet his colours will still be tri-
umphant.

(From the Telegraph.).

Consequent upon the acceptances for the Spring
Handicaps being due to-day, there was considerable
activity prevalent in metropolitan racing and bet-
ting circles. Several speculators and others who
have been absent from London for some months
made their reappearance, and the result has been a
marked impetus to business. A curious result of
the approaching return of the turf season is the re-
vivification of the miscellaneous characters—touts,
loafers, and others—who have been in obscurity all
the winter. How do these " peculiar people" exist
when racing flourishes no longer? many persons
might ask, and it would puzzle the most experienced
observer to render a complete answer. The pros-
pects of Lincoln and the Spring Handicaps have
brought them into renewed life again, and they may
be seen once more shuffling about street corners and
alleys, and, seedy and almost shoeless as they are,
protesting that they "know a good thing" which is
to place them once more in the possession of pockets
full of money.

(From the Sportsman.)

The appearance of the acceptances for the Chester
Cup, Grand National, and all the remaining Spring
Handicaps, will fairly start the spirit of speculation
throughout the length and breadth of the United
Kingdom, and the turf campaign-of 1868 may now
be said to have began, although active field opera-
tions will not commence: until the gathering at
Lincoln. It is positively refreshing to once more
see the lists of quotations at Tattersall's and the
Clubs assume their wonted dimensions; while the
assemblies of members at those marts of speculation
have some legitimate occupation, in place of forced
comments on the current events of the day. The
few intervening weeks that exist between the pre-
sent period and the Lincoln Meeting will give
abundance of occupation to bookmakers, and the
time will not hang heavily on their hands now that
public backers have fairly taken up the Spring Handi-
caps as wagering mediums. Mr. Topham may be
congratulated on the flattering list of acceptances for
both the Chester Cup and Grand National. For the-
cross-country event, 59 of the 107 originally handi-
capped have acknowledged themselves satisfied with
Mr. Topham's treatment. Among those who have
not accepted there is no animal on which there was
a decided run before or since the weights appeared,
and backers generally may congratulate themselves
on this lucky fact. Among those, however, about
whom long shots were accepted some time since may
be mentioned Globule, Steamboat, Bon Espoir,
Pensioner, Snowstorm, L.S.D., and Switcher (late
Lucullus), who have not accepted. When the
weights first appeared I cursorily reviewed them,
and as at present it would be detrimental to my
readers to ancilyss them minutely, so many horses
being in the same interest, I shall wait until the
market status is reliable before doing so, but I may
mention that the few I spoke favourably of supply
the front rank in the betting. The Chester Cup
acceptances, notwithstanding the damaging effect
the lenient treatment Viridis had received was sup-
posed to exercise, are exceedingly good, 56 only of
the 139 entered paying 5 sous forfeit.

Yesterday, in Mr. Frere's court, the standing
orders were declared to have been complied with in
respect of the following railway bills :—The Metro-
politan and St: John's-wood ; the Tottenham and
Hampstead Junction ; the Great Marlow ; and the
Glastonbury and Street. Tramway. The opposed
Ltchen Bridge Bill passed standing orders. There
was:no appearance in the case of the Wimbledon
and Wands Worth Canal Bill. Before Mr. Pal-
grave, in room 17, the standing orders were de-
clared to have been complied with in respect of the.
Carnarvon and LlanbeFia Railway Bill; the New
quay and Cornwall Junction Railway (Devia-
tions) ; the London and North-Western Railway
(Branches, &c.). The promoters of the Lymington
Harbour and Dock unopposed petition did not
appear. The.opposed bill of the Sirliowy Railway
was considered and adjourned until to-day ; the
Maryport Improvement and Harbour was adjourned
until to-morrow; and the isle of Wight Central
Railway Bill was adjourned until to-day.
ACCIDENT ON THE LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE
RAILWAY.—Yesterday morning an alarming accident
occurred at the junction of the Bacup branch line of rail-
way, near
Stubbins station, on the Lancashire and York-
shire Railway. On the arrival of the 8.10 train from
Ramsbottom the engine, instead of passing the points in
the direction of Bacup, ran on the main or Accrington
line ; the first coach, however, a third class, containing a
few passengers, took the Bacup metals, and was, conse-
quently, thrown on to its side. Fortunately, the train
was slackening to stop at Stubbius station, its speed being
henceperhour;as brought
retiiaiog
a n ca
the lazes
kbeapretlythseix miles per
and the train w
im-
mediately without any further mishap. The pg - -
in the overturned carriage escaped w. th shakingSb°llg(l.6
1 a and a
little fright. It is not. yet known whether
the fault lay
with the points or the • pointsman.

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ST. GEORGE'S OPERA HOUSE, LANGHAM-PLACE,
OXFORD-CIRCUS..—We see. that Mr. German Reed is about
to follow up his present success in the representation of
Comic Opera, with the engagement of Madlle. Liebhart,
who will make her Mut ou the English stage in Auber's
" Ambassadress," on Saturday evening, February 8. A
new tenor, Mr. Wilford Morgan, of whom report speaks
highly, will appear at the same time. The Contrabandi,sta
and Offenbach's extravaganza, which are now drawing
crowded houses, will then be played alternately. While
adding another morning performance to his programme,
Mr. German Reed has wisely limited his evenings to four,
to husband the vocal powers of his company, and secure
their efficiency. The Opera House will, in future, be
open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
evenings, and for morning performances on Tuesdays and
Fridays.