The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-09 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUll'._

Six,—According to the "babbling dame, Tradition,"
Euclid, some twenty centuries ago, was disgraced "for
teaching his scholars a mathematical figure in his school,
whereby he showed that all men's lives tended to one
centre—handsomely to get money out of other men's
pockets, and' into their own." Times have won-
del fully altered since then ; what the learned
of those days thought disgraceful, we fast youths
of the nineteenth century consider quite "the thing,"
the acme of all learning, the grand desideratum, and for
the most part the great end or object of every
individual's existence, at least in this shopkeeping
empire. Bet the great desire to relieve your fellow-
men of their superfluous " extract ef California," as a
facetious member of that half-and-half imbibing tribe,
denominated " medical students" (students they're
termed par excellence, for what is dubious; when I
formed a portion of the medical brigade, four- fifths of
cur studies were devoted to the ballet, the concoction
of punches. the merits of various specimens of
" the weed," the Coal Hole, Cyder Cellars, and
other interesting things and places), termed the
auriferous " circulating medium," has led more than
once lately to the obtaining it in any but a handsome
way in the sporting world; I need only point to Ascot,
Newcastle, and-one or two smaller meetings, as well as
at the forthcoming Liverpool, as furnishing instances
closely approaching swindling, . but as it is a ticklish
subject I will proceed no further in it; these hints will,
probably, hit in the right quarters.
*4 But what's this to the purpose? you will say,
Gentle reader; nothing; a mere speculation,
For which my sole excuse is—'tis my way,
Sometimes wills, and sometimes without occasion,
I write what's uppermost, without delay."
The Liverpool re-union will in all probability not be
above the average, either. n attendance or sport, but
will be a little more attractive than the late July meet-
ing at Newmarket, over which the lamented death of the
greatest politician of the present age, Sir Robert Peel,
passed like a blight.
The Croxteth Stakes, for which Colliegwood is en-
tered, opens the game to-morrow; then follows the
Bickerstaffe, o'er which a spell of witchcraft will be
thrown; then, without there should be an emeute
in favour of Lord Eglinton for the Two years old
Produce, the harpsichord may play sweet mu-
sic to the jingling of eight or nine hundred
soya., by way of accompaniment ; after which,
should his Grace of Richmond think it worth his while
for 75 soya., he will be very officious in the result of the
Sefton Stakes. Understanding that The Knight of
Avenel will not go for the Three years old produce, in
his absence, without hesitation I award the stake to The
Italian, of course Sir J. Hawley with Cranberry or
Tingle will be second.
The Venus filly will probably win the Mersey in the
absence of Hippolytus and Storm; and The Knight of
the Garter or Pirouette the 10 Soya. Stakes, although the
Irisher's admire Clasher, and Barnrick, who might per-
chance do the business, but the Knight, say I, for choice.
On Thursday, a small field of from seven to ten will be
found at the post for the Liverpool Cup, to be selected
from the following:—

at. lb
Vampyre, 6 yrs 8 5 Wild Rose, 4 yrs ... 6 6
d Dough, 5 yrs
d Backbiter, 5 yrs 7 9 Juggler, 4 yrs
d Uriel, 4 )rs
d St. Rosalie, 4 yrs 6 124 Seignor of Holder-
Maid of Team Val- I nest, 3 yrs 5 0
ley, 4 yrs
Keleahea, 6 yrs 6lO 3 yrs
Cockermouth, 5 yrs 6 13 Sprite filly, 3 yrs 4 10
Those marked with the letter d are doubtful starters.
In Nos. XII. and XIII. of these Notes, I gave it as
my opinion that Cockermouth or. Wild Rose would win
the Liverpool Cup, and that the Maid of Team Valley,
Backbiter, and Windischgratz would form the lot imme-
diately in the rear of the winner; throw Backbiter out,
and induct Vampyre in his place, and I am of the same
opinion still.
The remaining races on Thursday and Friday I will
dispose of in a few words. Woolwich, Uriel, Muffatee,
and California are fancied for the Derby Handicap;
Fleur de Seine, for the Free Handicap; and Probity and
French Susy for the Grand Stand Stakes; on none of
these stakes have I any opinion whatever.
Pirouette, with Queen Bee in attendance, will win the
Aintree Handicap; the Bee Hunter (if he runs) the
Knowsley Dinner Stakes; and The Italian, the Liver-
pool St. Leger. Chatterbox is coming to have a shy at
one of the last,two-mentioned races, and in the absence
of Bee Hunter or The Italian would most certainly win.
A Bolton correspondent, who signs himself " A Sub-
scriber for the last three years" to The Sun, and who
complains of the appearance of these notes being too
close upon the decision of the race for speculators
" resident in small towns to obtain the °ads,"
will find by reference that I am the only one
of the quintette of prophets who ever give my
opinion on any race whatever more than a few days
(generally a couple) before the race is run. I occa-
sionally, on principal races, such as the Derby, the
leading handicaps, &c., dip, from a week to a year,
and even more than that, into futurity ; but
as regards all small races, I never publish my opinion
until the day or so before that on which the race is to
come off. I will, however, attempt to meet the views of
my correspondent, especially as I am aware that The
Sun is considered the only evening representative of the
sporting world. I am, Sir, yours, &c.,
THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF.
July 9, 1850.

st. lb,

GAS Ex.rLosiox.—On Sunday night about nine
o'clock, the inhabitants of Word were alarmed by a loud
report, which appeared to come from the neighbourhood of
the prison on the London-road, at a short distance from
Ilford, and not far from the station-house of the N division.
Several persons ran to the spot, with some of the constables,
when they were astonished at seeing a toll-house, which
consisted of two rooms adjoining each other, by the road
side, a complete wreck. The inmates, who at the time con-
sisted of three men, a woman, and a child, were groaning
piteously. They were attended instantly by the surgeons of
the town. As they were ascertained to have received most
serious injuries, they were placed in covered vans and re-
moved to the London Hospital. The occurrence took place
under the following circumstances :—A strong smell of gas
had been observed for some time. One of the inmates
lighted a candle, and was going into the back room, when
an immediate explosion was the consequence. The infant,
which was in its mother's lap, was torn from her and carried
through the window, and the premises were instantaneously
shattered to pieces. The two men, Morris and Sarner, are
in a dangerous state, and there are but faint hopes of the re-
covery of the woman.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office from the Governors of the North American Colonies.
Dispatcheswere Bent off yesterday evening from the Colonial-
_ office for the Governora of Ceylon and /long-Kong.