The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-03 00:00:00

SCULLERS' RACE for £lOO

This afternoon Ben Edwards, of the Tower, and Geo.
Shepherd, of Chelsea, rowed from Putney to Mortlake for
£lOO, and Shepherd won easily.

ASTLEY'S THEA7RE ROYAL.

The production of Mr. Disraeli's " Alarcos " at
this theatre on Saturday night was looked forward
to with considerable interest. Though long known
to the readers of Mr. Disraeli's novels, this play has
never had assigned to it the prominence which it
seems to us eminently to merit. Tragedy, even
under the inspiration of a Shakspere, [seems to
have lost its charm for the play-going public,
and the light dramatic pieces of French
origin, which have so long been in vogue,
are unquestionably the only performances that are
really in favour. It says something therefore for
the enterprise of the present management of Astley's
that a uew, hazardous, and independent path should
be struck out by it. The production of anything
from the pen of the distinguished man who holds
the reigns of Government of this kingdom would
be sure to command attention, notwithstanding
that it has become the custom of several of our con-
temporal ics to ridicule, deprecate, and discover the
" cloven hoof" in each line and each sentence which
emanates from it; but the success of a piece like that
of " Alarcos" eminently depends upon the garb in
which it is presented co the public. It is question-
able whether the author ever intended the play for
stage representation at all; but whether he did so
or not, we are sure he would feel thoroughly satisfied
with the manner in which it has now been presented.
The scenery was excellent, the acting good, and
whatever adverse criticism may be expended upon
the play itself by political partizans, we are sure the
public will appreciate at its just value both the
singular merits of the piece and the enterprise of
the manager who has brought it forward. In the
farce which preceded "Alarcos," entitled "An Oh-
ject of Interest," the acting of Miss Emily Scott,
Mr. H. Norton, and Mr. J. Royston was very
commendable, the piece itself being full of humour.
Altogether the opening night was a decided success.

THE CALAMI7 Y 1N A MANCHESTER
MUSIC; BALL.

TIIE INQUEST ON THE BODIES.

The inquest oa the bodies now lying at the
infirmary was opened before Mr. Ilerford, the city
coroner, on Saturday morning. Teem were a
large number of persons press:Lit to speak to the
identification of the bodi..s, and to the frightful
accident which occurred on the previous evening.
The Coroner said it would only be necessary to
call one witness to speak generally to the affair,
and •

Inspector James Alatthews was sworn—He said
he had examined the Victoria Music-hall. The
broken gas•pipe which was said to have been the
cause of the alarm, and the balustrade on the stair
which had given way under the pressure of the
crowd. He had also seen the 23 bodies lying at
the Infirmary. The person who bad given the
alarm of fire had not been discovered.

The Coroner said the proper course for the jury
to pursue would be to adjourn the inquiry into the
circumstances attending this unfortunate accident,
and it was for the jury to say to what day the in-
quest should be adjourned. The jury would have
to view the bodies, and it would be necessary for
them also to examine the interior of the music-hall.
The inquiry was then adjqurned.

MANCHESTER, Aug. 3.
The boy who was suffering from concussion of
the brain died last night, making in all 24. The
12 persons in the infirmary are progressing satisfac-
torily.

MARKE7S-7 MS DAT.

CORN.

The harvest progresses most satisfactory. The trade
in the provinces is quiet.

At Mark Lane this morning the attendance was better,
several arrivals from the North swelling the ;number of
buyers, and the tone of the trade much less depressed.
At last Friday's offers, that is is to 2s decline on the
rates of Monday last, there ivere few buyers of new Eng-
lish wheats, the large reduction was only in a few cases
accepted. A general clearance being made at the decline
of ls., and in some instances even last Monday's rates were
said to have been obtained.

Foreign wheat wm in liberal supply, and moved off
steadily, at is to 2s loss money on the week.
Flour the turn cheaper.
Grinding barley easier to buyer, there being several ar.
rivals of foreign.

Beans and peas in steady request.
Russian oats 3d. cheaper. Other quotations unaltered.
Supplies largo.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.
The market was again heavily supplied in face of a ma-
nifest want of demand in the dead market.
The stock, however, showed the effect of drought and
want of food, the condition being generally indifferent.
Of beasts there were 34 from Scotland, 3,186 from the
English pastures, and 1,890 from abroad. The few really
prime realised full price; while the general trade was
depressed.

Of sheep and lambs 35,250 came to hand, 6,020 being
foreign. Prime English mutton maintained its value, but
middling qualities sold cheaper. Veal depressed, 328
on sale, 313 being foreign.