The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-30 00:00:00

A ITG UST 3O, 1850,

LITERATURE.
MEMOIRS OF EMINENT ETOIVIANS;
with Notices of the _Early History of Eton College.
By E S. Creasy, M.A.
"Floreat Etona" is very appropriately the motto of
this work, which commemorates the glories of Eton
College—a college which we are here reminded " for
four centuries has given this country a bright and un-
failing supply of men duly qualified to serve God in
Church and State. She has for four centuries been the
nursing mother and the shelter of statesmen, generals,
philosophers, poets, orators, judges, and divines." This
enumeration is fully corroborated by the biographies
which follow. Chatham, Fox, Canning, Sir Robert
Walpole, Fielding the novelist, the poets Gray, and
Shelley, and Waller, and an almost innumerable mul-
titude of others, names more or less celebrated, are
sufficient evidence of the interesting reminiscences as•
sociated with the "antique towers" of Eton. These
various biographies have lost none of their interest by
the manner in which they have been here set forth
by Mr. Creasy, himself an Etonian, and a staunch
lover and supporter of Eton and Etonians. A
little of this partia,ity is, perhaps, apparent
in the biographies, but the subjects of the memoirs
are for the most part men so estimable and deservedly
popular, that the laudations of their fellow-collegian
are generally judiciou'. Some of the biographies, as
those of Sir Robert Walpole and Lord Chatham, are
sufficiently elaborate to admit of an interesting enu-
meration of the principal events in the lives of their
subjects, and in some cases, as in the life of Chatham,
extracts of Parliamentary speeches are given, and
serve as characteristic examples of the eloquence of
the orators of Eton. Again, the lives of the poets
are graced with specimens of their works, Gray's
We being necessarily introduced in a work relating
to the college which it immortalises. Alluding to
Johnson's criticism.on this ode, in which criticism it
is observed, "that the.•prospect of Eton College
suggests nothing to Gray which every beholder
does not equally think and feel," Mr. Creasy
very justly rejoins—" Perhaps every beholder (or at
least every Etonian beholder) may at the prospect of
Eton College equally think and feel what Gray did,
but who before Gray ever expressed those thoughts
and feelings, and who, since Gray, hat not experienced
them the more vividly and the more pleasingly, by
reason of the beauty and truthfulness with which
Gray has expressed them.", In addition to the bio-
graphies,. which of themselves render this work both
valuable and attractive, inasmuch as they present a
series of memoirs of some of the most remarkable
Englishmen of modern days, the various vicissi-
tudes of the college are recorded since its foundation
by Henry VI., some four centuries ago. No
Etonian possibly can dispense with this work, but
its general interest is such as to render it attractive
to many readers who are not equally bound to respond
to. its motto, " Floreat Etona."

EL DORADO; or, Adventures in the Path of Em-
pire. By Bayard Taylor. 2 Vols.
This is an interesting and very amusing picture
of life in California, together with an account of a
voyage thither by way of Panama, and some expe-
riences of Mexican travelling. When Mr. Taylor
commenced his perilous expedition he found among
his fellow-voyagers persons of all kinds and charac-
ters, not even, as he facetiously observes, sea-sick-
ness, next to death, the greatest leveller, could assi-
milate such incongruous companions as the marvel of
California had assembled together. Unlike his corn-
paniens, however, Mr. Taylor was not allured by any
golden visions, consequently his observations and his
record of those observations claim the merit of im-
partiality. The idea given of the life and labours of
the golthdiggers is very vivid. The value of these
volumes is increased by an appendix, containing the
report of. the HOD. F. Butler King on California, and
the work altogether is well qualified to realise its
author's wish by serving as a memento of the mar-
vels associated with the name of California, and a re-
cord of that exciting epoch, when

she dream had come again
Of a treasure land, where a daring hand had only to
glean for gain."
The volumes are illustrated with views of the coun-
try, and sketches of some of the scenes described.

MEMOIRS and PAPERS of SIR ANDREW
MITCHELL. By Andrew Bisset. 2 Vols.
The editor of this very valuable and interesting
work tells us in his preface that he had recently oc-
casion, on account of some family affairs, to look into
the manuscript papers of Sir Andrew Mitchell, the
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
from the Court of Great Britain to that of Prussia
from 1756 to 1771, a period embracing that of the
momentous seven years' war. Mr. Bisset was struck
with the interesting nature of the documents, and
very favourably impressed by the character of Sir
Andrew, finding him to have possessed (a rare
quality in a diplomatist) a "bold, blunt, straight-
forward " manner, combined with extraordinary
tact and sagacity. "Finding also," continues Mr.
Bisset, " that my own impression was more than
borne out by the opinion of impartial judges, it
seemed to me that there ought to be some published
record of his services." The task of undertaking
this publication Mr. Bisset has taken upon himself,
and by so doing he has entitled himself to the grati-
tude of all who may happen to peruse this work—one
of the most interesting works of its kind (to say
nothing of its historical value) that we remember
reading. We cannot give a better idea of the nature
of these papers than by again quoting the preliminary
remarks :—" One principal feature," writes Mr.
Bisset, " of the Mitchell papers is that they furnish
a narrative written on the spot, in camps and on bat-
tle-fields, of some of the most remarkable military
operations that have ever been performed on the
world's stage. The writer of them narrates the
operations in clear and simple language, and, like a
man of sense as he was, abstains from all military
criticism of his own. But as be enjoyed in a high
degree the confidence and esteem of Frederick, he is
frequently enabled to give that great soldier's criti-
cism of his own operations, and occasionally of his
own faults, as well as those of the enemy ; so that the
papers possess some portion of the interest and value
which would belong to diTatches written on the
spot by one of the greatest commanders Of ancient or
modern titnea." Sir Andrew Mitchell appears to have
been possessed of a manly and independent spirit, as
is evidenced on more than one occasion by his con-
duct towards Frederick, and towards his own Govern-
ment at home. Thus we read of his indignant refu-
sal to chronicle and transmit to his official employes
the trivial remarks and private conversations
of the King, especially those in which they them-
selves might be concerned, and he adds, "I
should blush for the vocation I follow
if I were compelled to descend to such disgraceful
meddling." This passage is quoted from Thiebault,
but it is amply corroborated by many incidents in
the original papers. As an evidence of the terms on
which the ambassador stood with the King, and as a
sample of the interesting matter contained in these
manuscripts, let us quote the following letter (vol. 2,
p. 153) which is highly characteristic of both King
and ambassador, and equally honourable to both :
"HR. MITCHELL TO THE EARL 01' HOLDERNESSR.
" Private, per Lambe,
" Frey berg,
" 30th March, 1760.
" About a week ago when I came to dine with the
King of Prussia, I found a book laid upon the table,
which, he told me, he intended for a present to me ;
the title of it is ' Euvres du Philosophe de Sans
Souci.' He said it was of his writing, and had been
the occupation of his leisure hours, that it contained
some imitations of Horace, Lucretius, and Ovid; that
he never intended it for the public, though a few
copies of it had been thrown off at his own press at
Potsdam, some of which he had given to particular
friends &c. ; that lately the book had been surrepti-
tiously published in France and since in Holland. * *
In the meantime he desired me to read over what he
gave me, and dropt a hint that he should be glad it
was known in England that this book had been
published, not only without his consent, but against
his will.' This declaration I considered as a sort of
apology for the book, and had nothing more at heart
than to look into it immediately; but my curiosity
had like to coat me dearVor the Philosophe the
next day asked my opinion, and observing that I was
shy and reserved upon the point, pressed and encou•
raged me to speakjtreely, which I, not caring to dis-
semble, complied with snore easily, as there are really
more things to be admired than blamed in the book.
I praised with decency and without exaggeration,
and blamed with freedom where 'Thought I was well

founded ; and this has afforded matter of conversation
for five or six days at table, when only his Majesty
was present. Tne particulars are too minute to be
transmitted, therefore I reserve them till I have the
happiness to see you in England. It is but justice,
however, to acquai❑t you that the King heard with
candour and with temper my trifling remarks, and at
the sarna time to declare that of all the authors I ever
conversed with the rhilosophe de Sans Souci bears
criticism the best."

MIRACULOUS ESC A PE.—L EWES, WEDN ES DAY.—
Yesterday a ticket-collector at the London and South Coast
Railway station here, named Isgar, was, literally, within a
hair's breadth of losing his life. He was on the rails below
the platform, when he saw a train entering the station and
just upon him. He shouted to the driver to stop, though he
felt that it was useless to do so. It was equally imposible
for him although a light and active man, to gain the plat-
form. In this dreadful position Isgar, with admirable pre-
sence of mind, threw himselt on his face, feeling assured that
the bodies of the carriages would pass over him safely
enough, but dreading lest he should be crushed by the ash-
box, which hangs much lower. His fearful position was
seen by the station clerk and other porters, who fully ex-
pected that he would be found clashed to pieces when the
train had passed. There was one moment of agonising sus-
pense, and then up leaped Isgar, his forehead scratched by
the ground, showing how clos ly he had clung to it as his
only hope f life, but not injured in any other way. Isgar,
it should be stated, is an exceedingly small made man.

The first emigrant ship from Birkenhead left that
place on Tuesday. 13uenos Ayres was the destination.

TINE ARTS.
VOICES OF THE VI-

GLIT. Illustrated by
Mrs. Lees.
An elegant ornament for the drawing-room table
has been presented to the fashionabl6, world by Mrs.
Lees. A folio volume, most delicately bound in the
palest blue and gold, containing six graceful sketches,
illustrative of some of the very beautiful and popular
poems of the popular American poet Longfellow.
The first poem illustrated is " The Prelude," or intro-
duction to "The Voices of the Night"—
"Pleasant it was when woods were green,
And winds were soft and low,
To lie Heald some sylvan scene •
Where the long-drooping boughs between
Shadows dark and sunlight sheen
Alternate come and gu."
(If the figure in the illustration stretched
" Beneath some patriarchal tree"
- -

be intended for the poet, Mr. Longfellow will have
little cause to feel flattered.) The next illustration,
" The Hymn to the Night," is more successful. The
figures of the kneeling. maiden and of the angel are
both exquisitely graceful and delicate. The whole
composition is suffused with the same spirit of repose
which characterises the poem—

" 0 holy night, from thee I learn to bear
What man has born before;
Thou layest thy finger on the lips of care,
And they complain no more."
"The Reaper and the Flowers," that beautiful poem
on the death of children—
"lt was for the Lord of Paradise
He bound them in his sheave,,"
" The Footsteps of Angels" and " The Beleaguered
City" are the subjects of the remaining plates. The
execution of come of these illustrations is very in
ferior to the conception—in " The Footsteps of
Angels," for example, those solemn and tender lines
which of themselves conjure up a picture such as few
painters could pourtray :
"Ere the evening lamps are lighted,
And like phantoms grim and tall
Shadows from the fitful fire-light
Dance upon the parlour wall,
"Then the forms of the departed
Enter at the open door;
The beloved, the true-hearted,
Come to visit me once more.
*

"And with them the being beauteous,
Who unto my youth was given,
More than all things else to love me,
And is now a saint in heaven.
"With a slow and noiseless footstep
Comes that messenger divine,
Takes the vacant chair beside me,
Lays her gentle baud in mine."
These lines, as illustrated by Hrs. Lees, are very far
from doing justice to the poet's idea. Yet it Mr.
Longfellow might be justified in complaining of the
treatment he has received in one or two of these illus-
trations, the very production and publication of this
elegant volume is another proof of the high estima•
tion in which the true-hearted author of the " Psalm
of Life" is held in the old country.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
EG EIA M RACES.—YESTERDAY.
The effect of a marked improvement in the card will
apparent in the number of well-filled special trains dis-
patched yesterday morning from the Waterloo-bridge
terminus, and in the company assembled on the course;
that it was up to the mark in fashionables, or that the
betting fraternity showed in as much force as usual, we
do not say, but, numerically, it bas not been exceeded
for many years; the meeting, theretore, irrespective of
the racing, may be said to have gone off with tolerable
success. The managers are entitled to praise for their
efforts to pr.mote sport, and to " make things go plea-
sant" to the visitors. They would have succeeded better
had there been a sufficient number of police to keep the
course properly, and to check the pickpockets. The
robberies were carried on with a boldness and success
which reminded us of the "good old times," and elicited
complaints from all quarters.
The racing commenced shortly after two o'clock, and
terminated at five.

Elacchcap• Sweepstakes of 10 glom each, 5 ft, with 30

added. One mile.

Lord Exeter's Visite, 3 yrs, Est 411) Harlock) 1
Mr. Lumley's Hood, 3 yrs, 6st (J. Smith) 2
Mr. Bingley's Christiana, 4 yrs, Bst 51b (Thick) 3
Mr. Carew's CEdipus, 4 yrs, Tat 91b...(R. Sherwood) 4
Major Martyred The Moor, 9at 6lb (W. Abdale) 5
Betting-6 to 4 agst Visi(e-2 to 1 apt Christiana—
and 3to 1 agst (Edlpus. A very fine race between the
first three; terminated in favour of Visite by a neck,
Flood beating Christiana by a head.
Queen's Plate of 100 ga.; three yrs old, 7st 51b; four,
9st llb; five, 9st 11114 six and aged, lOst 21b. Two
miles and a die.

Lord Exeter's Little Jack, 3 yrs (I Mann) 1
Major Martyn's The Swede, 3 yrs (G. Brown) 2
Count Batthyany's Valentine, 3 yrs (Crouch) 3
Sir G. lieuthcote's cby Velocipede, 3 yrs (Sherwood) 4
Betting-7 to 4on Tile Sa ede, and sto 2 Elgin Little
Jack; the others not backed. Little Jack made strong
running from end to end, and won in a canter by three
lengths. Run in 3 min. 47 secs.

ThißAilway Stakes of 5 sous, each, with :25 added; for
two yrs old, sst 81b; three, 7st 91b; four, Bst 71b;
five, fist 101 b; six and aged, Bst 121 b; mares and
geldings allowed 31b; winners extra; the winner to pay
5 soya. to the fund, and to be sold for 100 sots. if de-
manded, and allowance if to be sold for less. (6 Subs.)
Mr. Roberts's Heroine, 4 yrs (501.), 7st 91b (Brown) 1
Mr. Death's Montpensier, 6 yrs (501.), Bst (Abdale) 2
Mr. H. N. Powell's Fisticuff, (501.), ist 11th (Sharp) 3
Mr. Humphries's Carbuncle, (501.), 7st 41b (Cheswas) 4
Betting-5 to 4 agst Heroine, and 6to 4 eget Mont-
feusier. Heroine made nearly Blithe running, and won
in a canter by three lengths.
The Surrey and Middlesex Stakes of 25 sots. each, 15 fc,
and only 5 if declared, with 50 added; the winner to
pay 15 soya. to the judge, and to subscribe to the race
in 1851. Two miles and a distance. (20 Subs., 11 of
whom declared.)
Duke of Hertford's St. Rosalie, 4 yrs, Bst 51b (Pettit) 1
Lord Exeter's Little Jack, 3 yrs, 7st 21b...(J. Mann) 2
Mr. Francis's Repletion, 4 yrs, Bat 71b...(W. Abdale) 3
Betting—Even on St. Rosalie, and 5 to 4 agst Little
Jack. Little Jack cut out the work at a bad pace to the
distance, where he was joined by the favourite and Re-
pletion, the former taking up the running half-way up,
and winning easily by three lengths. Run in 4 min.
7 secs.

The Egham Stakes of 5 son. each, with 25 added; for
three years old, 7st; tour, Bst 4113; five, Btt 101 b; six
and aged, 9it 11b. Mares and geldings allowed 31b;
winners extra; the winner to be sold for 300 soya. it
demanded, and allowances if to be sold for less.
Ileatg, one mile.
Mr. Payne's Brington, 4st 91b (to be sold for 501.) 1 1
Mr. Itaretsbottom's Beebee Bunno, 7st 41b (1000 4 2
Mr. S. Scott's Marquis of Conyngbain, sst 71b(501.) 3 3
Mr. Carew's Neruinton, 4 )rs, 6st Mb (tool.) 5 4
Mr. Lumley's Hood, 3 yrs, sst (50/.)
Eacb beat won by two lengths. The winner was sold
by auction for 701.

BETTING ON THE COURSE.
LEAMINGTON STAKES.
4 to 1 sgst Tophana (taken 18 to 1 ugst Miss Ann
freely)

ST. LEGER.
Even on Voltigeur 18 to 1 agst Cyprus
sto 1 agst Pitsford (taken) 20 to 1 agst Bolingbroke
9 to 1 agst Beeh tinter

CANTERBURY RACES.-THUItSDAY.
The City Members' Plate of 501. Vests, one mile and
a half. (3 Subs.)
Mr. Richardson na Nutbrown, 3 yrs (Plummer) 1 1
Mr. Iliggins's California, 4 yrs (C. Boyce) 2 '2
Mr. Sherrard's Florence Dumbey, 6 yrs (Etwall) 3 di
East Kent Handicap of 10 sous. each, 5 fc, and 2 only it
declared, with 80 added; the winner to pay 10 sov,
towards expenses, and thu second to ri.ceive 201.
About two miles. (19 Subs., 7of whom declared.)
Mr. flawkins's Marchioness 4 yrs, 6st.. (Sherrard) 1
Mr. E. R. Clark's Rodney, 4 yrs, 7st (Dockers)) 2
Mr. Hooper us Landseer, 4 yrs, --(Lowe) 3 4
Mr. Anderson nu f by Redshank, 3 yrs, sst 121 b
The Ramsgate Plate of 301., added to a Sweepstakes
of
3 sous. each; the winner
wfinn(e3rsutoba.be) sold fur 2004
one mile and a
AM,
rr..
sllimorrundobuy's 0
ds,sll)d Fox,
~uTu c(klesro,l.s)()C.
rs Flnooori.)sb, j
(Eytyboant? 1 l
) 2
dr
Mr. Anderson's Diana, 3 yrs (501.)...(G. Mann) 0 dr
The Ladies' Purse, with a Sweepstakes of 2 BOYS.
each added (6Suh6sl.b),(mr. sul
wsswiwon
oinndsa),esbneatetirnbgyL la)cl3n
Tucker, 5 yrs, lost
Fordwiek, aged, and two others not placed.
TAUNTON AND WEST SOMERSET RACES.
TUESDAY.
The Taunton Stakes of 10 boys. each, 5 ft, and only 3
if declared, with 40 soya, added. One mile and a
half. (17 Subs. 9of whom declared.)
Mr. Scott's Landseer, 4 yrs, 7st .....,,.....(Williams) 1
Mr. Winch's Zack; 3 yrs, 7st 10lb (W . Treen) 2
Mr. Cowley's Second Sight, 4 yrs, Bst 101b(Cricktnere) 3
Mr. E. Scobell's Fugitive, aced. 7st Blb (Water) 4
Woa easy.
The Ladies' Plate of 25
suvs. added to a Sweepstakes
of 3 soya, each, once round and a distance, was won in
three well-contested heats by Mr. Southby's Vesta,
aged, 9st 10Ib (Yeates), beating Mr. E. Brayley's
Harum Scarum, 3 yrs, Tat Bib (Williams), Mr. Poult-
ney's Quiver, 4 yrs, Bst 121 b (W. Treen), and Captain
Potts's colt by Galanthus, out of Ariel, 3 yrs, 7st Bib
(Ellett).
The Selling Stakes of 5 soya. each, and 25 added, one
mile and a half (5 Subs.), were won cleverly, in three
heats, by Mr. Sudd's Salute, 3 yrs (W. Treen), beating
Mr. Lovett's Hest' away, 5 yrs (Yeates), Mr. Evans's
Bella Donna, aged (Donaldson), and two others.
The Innkeepers' Plate uf 25/., added to a Sweepstakes
of 3 soya. each, once round and a distance ;(5 Subs.),
were won in two heats by Mr. Treen's Woodlark, 4 yrs,
Bst Blb (W. Treen). beating Mr. Nicholl's Jain cf
Berwick, 3 yrs, ist 4lb (Iliett), and Captain Crofton's
Chicot, 4 yrs, Bat 81b (W. D4‘).

The Borouh WEDNESDAY.
g Members' Pfaie of 501., added to a Sweep-
sialis of 5 sovs. each. Heats, once round and a as-
tatine. (5 Subs.)
Mr. Jenkins's Larkaway, 7st 71b (T. Burn) 1 1
Mr. Clark's Mude Safe, 3 yrF, 7st 71b (Hiett) 3 2
Mr. Itobinson's Confidence, 3 yrs, 7st 71b (Gunter) 2 blt
Mr. Winch's ZAdoc. 3 yrp, ist 71b (Banbury) dis.
rhe Tzademen's Plate of 25 sovs., added to a Sweep-
stakes of 3 soya. each. One mile and a half. (4
Subs.)
Mr. Covdey's Second Sight, 4 yrF, Bst 121 b ... 0 1 1
Mr. Treeu's Woodlark, 4 yrs, Bst 121 b (Yates) 0 4 4

Mr. Winch's Zadoc, 3 yrs, 7st tilb (W. Treen) 0 2 2
Mr. Nichell's John of Berwick, 7fittilb (liktt) o'-3 s
The first was a dead heat ; the others were won by a
neck.

I 11;
/7."-

44.

The Hurdle Stakes cf 3 sous. each, and 15 added, Once_
round and a distance (3 Subs.), were won in two heats,
by Mr. Southby's Vesta, egeu (Mr. Reilly), bestineMr. -
Smith's Mias Fanny, aged (Mr. A. Wilkins), and Mr.
Powell's Subduer, aged (Mr. W. Haddy).
A Free Handicap of 2 sovs. each, and 10 cove. added,
once round and a distance, was won in two heats,
cleverly by Hasteaway, 5 yrs, Bst (Treen), beating
Chioot, 4 yrs, Bst 71b (Crickwere), and Helm, 4 yrs, 6st
121 b (Hid°.

GOODWOOD RACES.
A Cup, value 3001., to be called the Goldianiths' Cup,
will be given )early by Messrs. Hunt and Roskell (late
Storr and Mortimer), of Bond-street, to the Goodwood
Meeting. It is proposed to be a race for two-year old
colts and fillies.

ET
CRI.
ELEVEN 'OF ENGLAND CK
v. TWENTY-TWO OF
PETERBOROUGH.
Three days' play, consuming Monday, Tuesday, anti
Wednesday, brought this match to a close. the 22 proving
victorious, as, by the odds and power of fielding, they
ought to have been, or have remained " unboasted and
unhonoured th' annals of the tented field." The score
is Riven below, and will surprise many from the admi-
rable success which attended Tinley's bowling against
Fuller Pdeh's batting, to say nothing of the fall of other
wickets, whose guardians were considered " a tower of
strength," before the "shoi.ters" of Mr. Buttress:—