The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-07 00:00:00

DEATH OF SIR HENRY DES VCEUX, BART.

It is with much regret that we announce the demise, on
Saturday afternoon last, at hie seat, Drakelow Hall, near
Burton-on-Trent, of Sir Henry William Des Voeux, of
Indiaville, Queen's County, a true lover of sport, and
ono of the most staunch supporters of the Turf in
its integrity. Straightforward in all his transactions,
and running his horses at all times entirely apart
from monetary considerations, the success of his stable
was always hailed with enthusiasm. Sir Henry was
born Dec. 16, 1806, and married July 16, 1839, Lady
Sophia, youngest daughter of the seventh Earl of Co-
ventry, and widow of Sir Roger Greeley, Bart. The
deceased baronet is succeeded by his half-brother, Mr
Frederick Asshe, son of Sir Charles Des Voeux,
second baronet, by Lady Cecilia Paulet, daughter of
the late Marquis of Winchester. Sir Charles DOS
VO3IIX, the first baronet (created in 1787), was a
distinguished servant of the East Indian Company, and
Governor of Slasulipetam. The following memoir, pub-
lished in Baily's ilagazine but three short months since,
was embellished with a striking likeness of the deceased
baronet. We little thought, when scanning the familiar
features, that we had looked upon them in the flesh for
the last time :

" Sir Henry Des Vceux, of Indiaville, in the Queen's
County of Ireland, is descended troin an ancient French
family, at the head of which was President de Bacque-
fort, President of the Parliament of Rouen. This gen-
tleman had two sons, the second of whom assumed the
surname of Des Vceux, and took up his abode in Ireland,
having incurred the displeasure of his family by aban-
doning their religious faith, namely, that of the Church of
Rome. He was a great scholar, and much distinguished
for his polemical writings, for which the Univer-
sity of Dublin conferred on him the honorary de-
gree of Master of Arts. Sir Henry Des Vceux,
of whom we are now treating, is the son of Sir Charles Des
\Tunis, the second baronet, a distinguished military offi-
cer, and who, when serving with the Duke of York dur-
ing the campaign in Holland, was so severely wounded at
the battle of Alckmaer by a cannon shot that his right leg
had to be immediately amputated. Adopting his
father's profession, Sir Henry entered the army,
and remained in it until he attained the rank of lieut.-
colonel, when he retired upon half-pay. His connection
with the turf was brought about in a great measure by
his being an intimate friend and neighbour of the late
Lord Chesterfield, who made him a present of Dilbar in
1845, and from her he bred Drakelow, Diligence,' and
Heartbreaker, besides others of less note. He also joined
Torn Taylor's stable, which was at that time, although
small, perhaps the most aristocratic and best conducted
in England, and had as much success as could be antici-
pated from its strength. In 185.1, when General Anson
wont to India, Sir Henry purchased Muffatee, from whom
he bred the appropriately-named Comforter, a horse
which, it will be recollected, was a frequent winner
On Tom Taylor giving up training, Sir Henry Dos
Vceux ceased to keep horses, and entirely devoted him-
self to breeding, in which he may be said to have been
tolerably fortunate, for from his brood mares have sprung ,
among others, Crown Prince, Lady Sophie, and Knight
of the Garter. Iu reviewing the career of Sir Henry Des
Vceux on the turf, we venture to state that no owner
of horses over ran more straight or more honour-
ably ; that market considerations never influenced him,
nor were his horses ever withdrawn from any contest
because the public had anticipated him. In short,
ho raced as became an English baronet, a.ud hence the
popularity of his colours and his stable, for ho regarded
the turf as it should be considered, viz., as a sport, and not
as a means of eking out au income ; and, if he had had
more imitators, racing would not have been assailed with
the tierce diatribes which are now poured forth against it,
and to refute which the best energies of advocates and sup-
porters have to be called into action."

DEATH OF LORD BRIDPORT.—The Right Hon
Samuel Hood, second Viscount Bridport, expired
at his seat at Cricket St. Thomas, Chard, Somerset, yes-
terday morning, in his 80th year. His lordship was born
on the 7th of December, 1788, succeeded to the title
upon the decease of his third uncle uu the 3d May, 1814.
He married ou the 3d of July, 1840, Charlotte Mary, only
surviving daughter and heir of the Right Hoe. and Rev
William, first Earl Nelson, by whom he had several chil-
dren. The deceased nobleman principally lived during
the last few years of his life at his seat at Cricket St.
Thomas. He is succeeded in the title by Major-Gcueral
the Hon. A. N. Hood.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—One Shilling Day, Monday,
Jan. 6.—Adlnissiou3 on payment, 1,761 ; ditto by tieasou
tickets, I,ol7—total visiters, 2,778,