The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-03-06 00:00:00

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLE CHASE

Yesterday, the Grand National Steeple Chase, which for
some months has created intense interest in the sporting
world, took place at Aintree. The race last year, comme-
morated as it has been by a series of well engraved plates,
which may be seen at most of the sporting houses in the
countr , was very popular, and several events connected with
it will long be remembered.
From, we may say an earlyhour, enthusiastic stragglers were
seen in pedestrian humility, making their way towards the scene
of action, many of them, relieving themselves for the day, from
the turmoils and trammels of city life, and anticipating a
day's enjoyment and freedom on the turf. The day was ex-
ceedingly tine ; nothing, indeed, could exceed the beauty of
the weather. Over night there had been a frost, sufficient
to form a coat of thin ice upon the ponds. The sky was,
however, cloudless ; and the sun, which at this advanced
period of the spring begins to assume his ascendancy, shone
out refulgently ; and though the air, there being a slight
breeze from the eastward, was rather chilly in the shade,
those who kept, like brother Jonathan, " going ahead,"
soon became warm and exhilarated. The country, consider-
ing the leafless season of the year, had no appearance of
bleakness; but on the contrary gave indication, that with
the first change of wind, the vegetable world will rapidly
burst out into verdure and beauty. The road which, ex-
cepting near the town, is macadamized, was as dry and dusty
as in zle, and the pedestrians found the centre generally
more agreeable than the foot-walks, which are in some parts
broken or roughly paved.
Towards noon, vehicles of all descriptions began to roll
along, loaded with passengers. Shandries, spring carts, and
other machines, were at first conspicuous; as the day ad-
vanced, carriages of a higher order, from the car and omni-
bus to the gig, the curricle, and finally the coach and four.
At twelve o'clock the course was comparatively thinly at-
tended, and a feeling prevailed, from the then nakedness of
the grand strand and the minor stands, that the races would
not be very numerously attended. Minute after minute,
however, served to dissipate this apprehension. The whole
line of road from Liverpool to the ground had become the
bed of a continuous stream of pedestrians, and of riders
borne on wheels or on horseback. The concourse rapidly
thickened in front of the stands, and soon afterwards
at the several points in the course marked out where
the most difficult leaps were to he taken by the riders
Pe- the prize. Eventually the Grand Stand, Mr. Parr's
lofty stand, and many of the others, 'became crowded with
spectators, notwithstanding the fact that, unlike a common
race round the course, they could see comparatively little of
the sport, the ground marked out receding from them to the
east, in an oval form.

To the credit of the county and town magiStrates, gambling
was almost entirely banished from the course. A few simple
games, and " lucky lottery bags," the adventure to each not
b exceedino• a penny, took the pace of the ruinous hazard and
rouge et noir tables of former years. We saw but one
" thimblerigger," and he was at the far end of the course ;
he had but a small piece of square board, which, while he sat
on the grass he placed upon his knees, and besought the ad-
venturers to stake their money. Few, however, gave coun-
tenance to the impostor, and he seemed to be in continual
terror of detection by the police.
The booths, immediately before and after the " chase,"
were thronged to repletion. Some of them were so beset
' with thirsty customers, that there was " no admittance"
even " on business," and parties who were successful enough
to obtain a glass of anything could scarcely find room to
raise it to their lips.
A great number of vehicles of all descriptions were on the
ground, and many hundreds of horsemen. The " Sefton
Arms," at the entrance, was thronged throughout the day;
and the east front became a regular stand for omnibusses,
coaches, and cars, which kept plying to and from the town
during the whole of the day.
The appearance of the course, and the ground marked out
for the contest, became exceedingly animated towards two
o'clock. The flags outside of which the riders in the race
had to run, and which were, for the most, red, with a St.
George's cross, were plainly distinguishable from any Point
within the circuit thus described; and at all the principal
leaps the curious continued to congregate, until they formed
long, dense, and black masses. On the off side of the course,
where the first two leaps were to be taken, on each side
the lane, the spectators in the higher field formed a Conti..
nuous line of upwards of a quarter of a mile in length.
At the other dangerous points to the eastward, and particu-
larly at the railing and hedge and ditch, where Capt. Beecher
fell last year, and at the brook near the canal, vast numbers
had also assembled. The whole of the interior of the course
was also enlivened by carriages, horsemen, and pedestrians.
THE STEEPLE-CHASE COURSE.
The distance to be run was between four and five miles—
say about four miles and a half. The ground to be travelled
over differed very little from that of Mast year's " chase" ;
for it was indispensible that a view of the race should be
obtained from the stands (the centre of equestrian business);
and the fields to the eastward, confined northward by the
canal, were alone available.

The starting point was from the south bend of the course,
not far from the stables. The first leap was into the lane
on the east, over an iron rail of 3 feet 5 inches in height.
The lane is about 11 yards in width. The next leap is
diagonally across, and the highest of the whole. It consists
of a ditch, a cop, and a hedge. The height, to clear the
hedge is 7 feet 11 inches. The adjoining field is one half
ploughed, and the other half stubble. And we may here re-
mark, that a much greater surface of ploughed land was to be
run over this year than last.
The next or third leap was over a ditch, hedge, and cop,
the base or horizontal line to clear which was 10 feet. A
soft harrowed field was then to be gone through.
The fourth leap was of a ditch, &c. base of all 16 feet, al-
lowing for clearance.

The fifth leap was similar to the last, but not so great.
After passing a small field, an easy leap led to a rough
ploughed field of considerable length.
The sixth leap was one of the most difficulty--a rail, and
ditch of considerable depth. To clear all, horsemen estimate
that a span must be made the base of which would be 20 feet
5 inches.

The course next sharply rounds the corner of a meadow,
where a leap (No. 7) of considerable height must be made,
but of no great danger. The rise is 6 feet against a cop and
broken hedge, and the affair is accomplished in a " general
scramble" up stairs.
Nothing important occurs until close to the canal, and just
on the turn to go home. Here the leap (say No. 8) is one
of great extent, and of considerable danger. It consists of
first a cop and rail, of 4 ft. 6in. in height together; and next
a pent-up brook or sheet of water, three feet deep. The
base to be spanned in this leap was not less than nine--
teen feet. The ground on the alighting side is lower
than on the side from which the leap is taken. Here
last year, one of the horses dislocated its neck. We
must remark, however, that this, and all the other great
leaps were reduced to a small degree, by the narrowing of
ditches, the lowering of railings, &c.
The next (No. 9) was also difficult. It consisted of a
ditch, with a rail on the other side of it, the ditch to be
leaped first. The base, to clear all, is 13 feet. This is a for-
midable obstacle; the rail being on the landing side. Here
last year, one of the horses fell, and died on the spot.
After an unimportant leap, we come to the two lane leaps
(No. 10), at the canal bridge. The first is 4 feet in height,
over a rail and broken hedge; the second (the lane only in-
tervening) over a clipped hedge, of about 5 feet in height.
The horses are then in the ground on which the race course
is staked out, and the only remaining leap (No. 11) is over
the dry stone wall nearly opposite the Grand Stand, the
height of which varied from 4 feet 6 in. to 4 feet 10 in. The
horse in the inner part of the course would here have the ad-
vantage.

THE RACE.
Shortly after three o'clock, the duties of weighing having
been completed, the following horses made their appearance
on the course as competitors for the prize :
A SWEEPSTAKES of 20 sovs. each, 5 forfeit, with 150 sovs.
added, for horses of all denominations, carrying 12 stone
each. A winner of four Steeple Chases in 1839 to carry
51b extra ; of five, 71b extra. The second horse to have 30
sovs. out of the stake, and the third horse to save his stake.
No rider to go through any gateway, or more than 100
yards along any road or footpath. Any of the horses en-
tered for this race going over any of the leaps in the
Steeple Chase Course before the race. to be disqualified.
Riders to weigh before starting, for their own security.
The winner to pay 10 Sovs for expenses.
Mr. Elmore's Lottery (Mason) blue
Mr. W. A. Rose's Spolasco (Owner) black
Lord Macdonald's The Nun (Powell) blue and white stripe
Mr. Villebois's Jerry (Bretherton) tartan
Lord Waterford's The Sea (Owner) light blue
Columbine (Won) dark blue
Mr. Justice's Hasty (Rigg) yellow, and silk sleeves
Mr. Barry's Arthur (M`Donough) green
Mr. Power's Valentine (Owner) lilac
Lord Howth's The Augean (Christian) light blue
Mr. T. Whittaker's Cruickshank (Grey) scarlet
Sir Edward Mostyn's Seventy Four (Oliver) scarlet
Mr. T. H. Wakefield's Weathercock (Barker) blue, wh. stripe

The Sea carried 31b; extra.
The word having been given, the horses started off tolera-
bly well together. Lottery contrived to get the lead, fol-
lowed by all the others in animated style. On passing the
iron rail Lottery was still the first, the others close on his
heels at a slapping pace. All of them leaped the rail easily.
The hedge and cop on the other side was also overcome pretty
smartly. In crossing a wheat-field some distance below,
Lottery, as some said from being held in, and others from
want of bottom, lost the lead. The Sea and Lottery leaped
No. 7 together, followed closely by Spolasco. Cruickshank
was the next, and, having accomplished the leap, he fell upon
his knees. Weathercock, rode by Barker, was within a few
feet of him, and succeeded in clearing the fence, but came in
contact with Cruickshank, who had not recovered his feet.
The force of this unfortunate collision threw Barker over
the head of Weathercock (who was also thrown down)
upon his back, and the horse not only fell, but tramp-
led, upon him. He was found with his neck doubled,
as it were, upon his chest. Mr. Whitty, who fortunate-
ly was present, immediately took him up, and perceiving
he was in a lifeless state, called for medical assistance.
At this moment there were no symptoms whatever of anima-
tion. Dr. Collins of Norton-street, and Mr. John Davies of
Islington, were a few yards distant, and they proceeded, with
most praiseworthy promptitude, to render all the assist-
ance in their power to the unfortunate man. Dr. Collins
inquired from thespectators if any of them had any spirits ; it
happened that a person had some, and they were administered.
He was then removed to the house of Mr. Curry, a farmer,
about 150 yards distant; when there it was found there were
not the slightest manifestations of pulsation. However by
the continued application of mustard plasters and other re-
medies of a suitable nature, symptoms of reaction even-
tually set in. Before our reporter left the course he
Mr. called at Mr. Curry's house where he saw
Collins, by whom he was informed that although brain
fever had commenced, his opinion was the patient would ul-
timately recover. Barker, we understand, is a young man
24 years of age, of very fine appearance. To return to the
race. After some unimportant leaps, the hoises arrived at
the brook, No. 8. Columbine and Arthur were first to take
the leap. The Sea (Lord Waterford) came next, followed by
the Nun, hastily. Arthur fell on alighting, and rolled upon
his rider, who, however, speedily recovered himself and went
on, much bemired. Jerry was the seventh, and Seventy
four last. The next leaps were accomplished by all
the horses without anything that calls for observation.
On turning the angle and entering the training course, the
view from the grand stand of the horses coming up for
the grand teazer of the stone wall near the winning post
was most interesting. Every eye was intensely bent on
the competing animals. Excitement was at its pitch
as they neared the wall, which, by-the,way, was cruelly
too high. The height of it, as will be seen, was variable,
the end nearest the grand stand being the most for-
midable. _Valentine and Lottery reached it at the same
moment, but in consequence of the latter not rising
sufficiently soon, he breasted it, and fell at the other side ;
Valentine cleared it in a beautiful manner. Whilst Lot-
tery was in the act of rising, Columbine and the Nun
came up almost close to,.ether. and leaping the wall in
the same place, jumped upon. Lottery, and the whole
fell together. Won, the rider of Columbine, attempted
to extricate himself, and as he was in the act, Seventy-
four came up, and taking the wall in the same place,
jumped upon the other horses, and catching Won by a kind of
oblique blow, knocked him into the middle of the course,
where he lay, with his face to the ground, motionless, and
stretched out as if he had been killed dead. A general cry
of horror was raised at this spectacle, especially as all the
other riders who had been thrown were mere or less hurt.
Won was taken up in a state of insensibility and carried into
the weighing house, where he was attended by Dr. Tho.-hurne.
The rest of the horses leaped the wall pretty well. Dr. Thor-
burne having succeeded in restoring anin:ation to Won, found
that he had been severely struck upon the back part of the
right shoulder, and was seriously bruised upon the head.
Indeed it was only through the protection afforded by the

! shoulder bone that the spine had escaped. We ascertained
before leaving the course, that through Dr. Thorhurne's
skill and attention, Won may be expected to recover rapidly.
Powell's leg was hurt, and the others received mere contu-
sions, some of which, however, were of an ugly character.
In the second round, he ditch (No. 7) was cleverly passed,
At the brook, another horse fell, and kicked out, but with-
out injuring the rider, who remounted. Seventy-four did
not come up again. At the Canal Bridge. in leaping the
clipped hedge, Spolase° fell, and his rider was slightly
stunned, but remounted with assistance, and rode on.
On entering the usual race course, it was visible that the
poor animals were much distressed. After a smart running
they passed the winning chair, in the following order, Jerry
being in advance several lengths :
Mr. Villebois's Jerry .... .
Mr. Barry's Arthur
.........
Mr. Power's Valentine
The others nowhere.
The race was considered, by every one competent to fo.
an opinion, to have been run unprecedeutedly quick.
Before starting the odds were 5 to 2 agst The Nun
4 to 1 agst Lottery ; 5 to 1 agst Seventy-four ; 8 to I.
agst Arthur; 15 to 1 agst Cruickshanks ; 16 to 1 egsi:
Jerry ; but after the accident at the wall, the figures were:—
Arthur against the field even betting. After Arthur fell at
the drain Jerry was backed against the field even.

BRETHERTON 1
RIWONOUGH 2
OWNER 3

A HURDLE SWEEPSTAKES of ten Says. each, with thirty
sous. added. Two miles. The winner of the Great Steeple
Chase to carry 51b extra.
Mr Fever ns Rust .. .. (Brown 1
Mr Ainsworth's Defence .. (Bretherton
)
. .. (Newman

Mr Godwin's The Duenna

Mr W. H. Hornbv's The Lady .. • • • • (Powell) .4
Mr Ainsworth ns Caleb .. .. (Dawson) 0
Lottery did not start for this race. The bettiag was as
follows :-6 to 4 against Rust, 2 to 1 against the Duenna,
4to 1 against Defence, 6to 1 against the Lady. There were
two hurdles on the usual course, but they were which may be
called teazers. The nags got elf pretty well, Caleb taking
the lead, and improving it till he was in advance of his com-
petitors from a hundred to a hundred and fifty yards. On
arriving at the first hurdle, however, he refused to take it,
nor could all Dawson's art supply him with the necessary
courage. In the mean time the others came.up, leaped the
hurdle beautifully, and poor Caleb returned to his stables.
A good race followed. All the horses leaped the second
hurdle in capital style, and a smart contest took place, Rust
winning by about two lengths.
Thus terminated the day's sport. Marred as it unques-
tionably was by untoward and painful accidents, it must be
taken as having given every possible satisfaction to all who
feel interested in such means of amusement.

•
Jerry, the winner of this arduous race, was once the pro-
party of the present owner of Lottery, who sold him about
a year and a half ago to Lord Suffield. About two years ago
he beat old Vivian, and others; he was, however, last year
beaten by Sir William, at the Melton Steeple Chase, on which
occasion M`Donough rode the winner.

MEETING IN THE MUSIC HALL, TO PETITION
AGAINST CHURCH EXTENSION.

Yesterday, at noon, pursuant to notice by placard, a meet-
ing was held at the Music Hall, 80ld-street, for the purpose
of petitioning the legislature against church extension. When
we entered the hall, and saw assembled a very numerous au-
dience, we were struck with amazement, and feared that-the
demon of misrule had obtained an ascendancy in the public
mind far greater than, as we afterwards discovered, it really
had. We heard the triumphant shouts of a dominant party
—we saw hats waving in the air—but, strange to say turn-
ing to the platform, we saw chagrin depicted in the counten-
ances of the individuals there congregated. What did this
mean ? Our query was soon answered. Three cheers for
church extension rent the air. Three enthliAastic cheers for
M`Neile followed; as many for BradshaW and others; un-
til, unable longer to contain their disappointment and indig-
nation, the prime movers of the anti-church-extension party
began to show a great degree of restlessness. Mr. Rathbone
threatened to use his preroaative,as a magistrate, and call
in the posse comitatus. A 7 voice here intimated to the
worthy gentleman that this mode of proceeding was
not one likely to change the opinions of those present!
the majority of whom were evidently against the gen-
tlemen on the platform. It having been moved and
seconded that Mr. Blackburn should take the chair, a
voice from. the body of the meeting proposed Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Rathbone, doubtless afraid to take the sense .of the
meeting on the subject, opposed this on the ground that the
meeting was called for specific purposes, and that no one had
any business there who did not agree with the principles on
which it was called.

Mr. BLACKBURN, having taken the chair, said a few
words, to the effect that the opponents of Church Extension
never disturbed meetings held in support of it. The meeting
professed to be admirers of Mr. M'Neile. (Loud cheers for
Mr. M'Neile, and a feeble attempt at a groan.)
At this moment, Mr. WHATHAM, having obtained per-
mission from the Chairman to address the meeting, came
forward, and was received with loud plaudits. He spoke as
follows :—" Gentlemen, I am exceedingly sorry to push my-
self forward in a position anything but congenial to my feel-
ings. But I think,—and my friends must hear me calmly,
thoua my sentiments may perhaps not be agreeable to their
feelings,—that, as the advertisement calling this meeting in-
vited those only who were favourable to its objects, we are
merely on sufferance here, and should by no means disturb
the proceedings. You profess yourselves admirers of Mr.
M'Neile. I believe you. But Mr. M'Neile would not ap-
prove of your conduct on the present occasion. Let these
meetings be undisturbed—their object will be futile—WE
shall ultimately gain our ends, but by honest, straightfor-
ward, and manly means. In conclusion, I beg that those
who do not choose to leave the room with me, will offer no
further opposition." Three cheers were given for Mr. What-
ham, Sir Robert Peel,. and others, when the majority of the
meeting dispersed, leaving a scanty group to listen to the
eloquence with which they were about to be enlightened.
The business of the meeting was about to proceed, when
the CHAIRMAN stated that another gentleman (whose name
did not transpire) wished to address his friends, if any re-
mairled. The gentleman then came forward, and spoke to
the following effect :—He was no friend of the meeting, but
had come to hear what arguments would be urged against
Church Extension. He had not come with the intention of
disturbing the meeting. It had been said that persons had
been sent to create a disturbance. lie denied- it. Mr.
M'Neile would not stoop to. such low, mean, and base means
as sending people to a public meeting to oppose it. Mr.
111`Neile was ready to argue calmly. Ile was not afraid of
discussion, or of hearing the arguments of opponents • and
if they advanced anything erroneous and unscripturai that
day, there were other times for exposing their fallacy.
(Cheers.)

The meeting now proceeded to business. We can give
but a slight sketch of its proceedings. We regret to say,
that there was more acrimony and bitter enmity expressed
by the dissenting ministers against their Christian brethren,
than was consistent with a true religious feeling, or with
their own professions. The following is a brief abstract of
what took place :
The CHAIRMAN commenced by intimating that he was
unfit to occupy the chair, but that the cause was so good that
it wanted no adventitious aid. He bothered the meeting by
some curious notions of equality ; told them they had all the
truth, reason, and argument on their own side; and con-
eluded by calling upon the Rev. W. KELLY to address the
meeting. That gentleman rose to propose the first resolu-
tion, the tenor of which is so palpably absurd, that we de-
cline inserting it in our columns. Of a piece with the reso-
lution were the arguments of the reverend gentleman. He
got involved in the question of church-rates, and contended
that the step between the obstinate refusal to pay church-
rates and subsequent imprisonment was little less than that
between imprisonment and immolation at the stake ! Having
given the meeting this specimen of the fertility of his imagi-
nation, he concluded by moving the first resolution.
JAMES BRANCKER, Esq., in seconding the resolution, ran
from the church to the corn-laws, and concluded with some
moonshine about free trade.
The resolution was then carried.
The Rev. Mr. THOM rose to propose the second resolution,
to the effect that a parliamentary grant for the building of
churches would be unjust.
CHARLES ROBERTSON, Esq., in seconding the resolution,
said that religious belief was eta generis, and that legislative
enactments were mischievous ! and concluded an evidently
cut-and-dried speech against the parliamentary grant, by
saying that he did not expect churchmen to overcome their
"prejudices" and make common cause with them ; but that
he would " tear off the mask and show the monster in his
native hideousnesss !" They were not going to yield up their
rights to " intolerant faction," and their voice; although
drowned by the clamour of " wassailers," would soon.ring
the " death-knell of every barrier to civil and religious
liberty !"
The Rev. Mr. MARSHALL said, that be had fought the
battle of Church Extension in-Scotland, and won it—for the
time! He supported the resolution, which was carried.
J AMES MULLENEUX, Esq., proposed the third resolution—
against church-rates.
Mr. WYLIE seconded the resolution, which was carried.
Mr. RossoN favoured the meeting 'with an account of the
Church revenues ; talked a great deal about Ireland and her
martyred Church ! and concluded by moving the fourth re-
solution, in which the ecclesiastical courts met with their
share of abuse.

Mr. OLIVER JONES entered into a tirade- against eccle-
siastical and diocesan courts, and seconded the resolution,
which was carried.

Mr. RATIIBON E then rose to move the adoption of a peti-
tion, deprecating any parliamentary grant or allowance for
building of churches, protesting against church-rates ; abus-
ing the ecclesiastical courts; and concluded by praying the
House to refuse any grant from the treasury fpr the purpose
of building churches: also praying far the removal of church
rates; the abolition of criminal jurisdiction in the ecclesias-
tical courts ; and the immediate liberation of Thorogood,
and other persons imprisoned for church-rates." , •
The Rev. Mr. PARKER, a Catholic priest, ran back to the
period antecedent to the reign of Henry V111;'; invOkul the
and concluded by seconding the motion,
which
hatred of Englishmen, ,n the words of Dr. Doyle, to church
r t s andu.as
carried.tithe s ;
The CHAIRMAN then said the business of the meeting was
closed, and it accordingly dispersed.

APPOINTMENT.--The Rev. Peter Browne, A. 8., some
time Curate of Oswaldwisle, has been presented by the Rev.
Fielding Ould, to the Curacy of Christ Church, Liverpool.
We perceive that Mr. David Hug,hcs has been appointed
master of the Lyceum News Room, in the place of Mr. J.
G. Jones, who has received the appointment of secretary to
the Collegiate Institution.
SHIP LAUNCH.—To-morrow, will be launched from the
building yard of Messrs. Robert Clarke and Sons, a fine
handsome ship, burthen 410 tons, for L. J. Hutton, Esq.,
of this town, and intended for tae East India trade, for
which she is admirably adapted. She is to be commanded
by Captain Gibb.
NEW SEED POTNTO.—In the year 1837, Mr. Hannay,
Dalquhaitn, received from a friend residing in the State of
Venezuela, South America, a small quantity of native seed,
about one-fourth of a bushel. His friend stated, that the
potato was scarcely eatable at the place where he procured the
seed, but that he thought our climate and soil would bring
them about to be a very useful kind. When Mr. Hannay
got them, they were about the size of potato plumbs, but
they have increased in size each succeeding year, and are now
as large as the most useful of other kinds. They grow very
luxuriant in show, and when in bloom present one aplendid
cover of pink blossom. Mr. M`Diarmid, of the Dumfries
Courier, remarked, that he could compare them to nothing
in appearance but one extended bed of roses. The seed must
be all cut, and planted at least ten inches apart, as they are
so prolific, they would not attain to the size if planted nearer.
Mr. Hannay would recommend them to be planted by the
middle of April, as they are a late kind. .The produce last
year was from 30 to 35 bolls per acre, and if they had been
heavily manured, there is no doubt but that they would have
reached 40 bolls, as many people who got a small quantity
from him last year, had a produce at that rate, We under-
stand it was on account of the failure of the other Winds; that
Mr. Hannay was induced to send to the original:emmtrY of
the potato fora change of seed, and the Prince Regent notate
appears to meet his most sanguine expectations.--,Gallowal:
Register.

W
OMEN OF HONORURU.—I have repeatedly -sflen worn ti
with hair of two, and, in some instances, of tlui'ee distine
colours. Deep black and chestnut brown, not promiscuoush
mingled throughout, but lying in separate was:it's.;. and in the
r are instances of which 1 have spoken, they were black,
brown, and a kind of ash colour, giving to the head a most
singular appearance. I had supposed that this parti-colored
character of the hair was the effect of.art,- but was soon ill.
formed to the contrary, and perceived that by the natives
themselves it was considered a deformity.—Townshend'x
Sporting Avenrsions in the Rocky Mountains..