The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1833-10-18 00:00:00

HOLYWELL H,JJNT MEETING.

. .
This meeting, which was The object of much attention to the
porting gentlemen of Lancashire and Cheshire, commenced On
fuesday last—as regards the weather, we cannot sayauspiCiously,
but the term may be applied correctly to the spurts-provided,
which partook of a very spirited and excellent character, par-
ticularly the race for the Mostyn Stakes—overibe mile, winch
was admirably contested, and won cleverly by the crack
Welshman," Jack Faucett. Jack, as an outsider, it will be re-
meinbered, was much fancied for the late Doncaster St. Leger,
and by his feats over this heavy course, by winning the Mile,
the Taffy Stakes, and the Tureen, he has proved himself to be,
what his admirers have persevered in supposing him, viz., one
of the best three-year-olds of the day. On the first day of the
meeting, the morning broke most beautifully, and those visitors
who came to Cambria's coast by the steamers, in parties of plea-
sure, were amply repaid by the agreeable voyage for the misery
they endured at the race ground from the subsequent bad state
of the weather. Seeing the fineness of the morntn', the skilled
in weather wisdom prognosticated a charming day, but the
wretched figure the attendants cut from the effects of rain
and mud ou their return in the, evening, exhibited proofs of
wadi disappointment. Never could sportsman, or even our
ancient friend, the oldest inhabitant, experience a more com-
pletely drenching day than it unfortunately turned out; indeed
the name of the meeting could not be more applicable to the
appearance of the place, with the exception of the word Holy,
for had the races been held at the bottom of a well, and the
spectators placed around the aquatic course, they would scarcely
have been more tniserable. rota twelve o'clock in the day,
until the conclusion of the races, the rain poured down in torrents,
mill the course and all its contiguous filth, was literally deluged
by Water, which when amalgamated with the soil, the composi-
tion produced thereby was admirably adapted for giving the
appearance of wearing Napoleon boots up to the knees, both to
quadrupeds and bipeds. Another unfortunate circumstance
connected with this Welsh wilderness was, that the visitors had
little or no shelter from the pitiless pelting of the storm ; the
races are held about two miles and a half from the town of Ho-
lywell, upon a common or desert, without the ghost of an habita-
tion in view ; under such trulypitiable, (some who have no com-
miseration or who were not there, may say ludicrous,) circum-
stances to cheer our drooping spirits, there were certainly two
covered stands, but they only served for objects of envy to many
of ihe hay' drowned; the largest and most comfortable was nicely
boxed in with windows like a hot-house, and appropriated solely
to the accommodation of the nobs and the nobesses. The other,
which the members of the hunt politely allowed the visitors
access to gratis, was neither capable of holding: the numbers
who required shelter, nor sufficiently protected from the wind
and rain to render their situation tolerably comfortable. We
looked in vain for such comfortable refreshment booths as are
kept by our Lancashire bonifaces at Manchester and Liverpool
races. .At a considerable distance from the course, five or six
orry. apologies for huts were erected, each scarcely large enough
to swing a cat, though from inundation quite calculated to drown
bag: 'I. o -get to these hovels it was requisite to wade nearly knee
deep in mud, and all for the gratification of receiving, instead
of shelter, a salubrious shower bath from the frequent bursting
of the temporary coverings, or if refreshment in the shape of
alrinkables was wanted, a kind of liquor, by the Taffys termed
brandy, tasting very much like treacle and water flavoured with
pitch. Such were the agreeables experienced on the Holywell
race course, particularly pleasant to those who went for enjoy-
ment, as to those who went for profit and speculation; the wars
of the elements appeared to have little or no effect upon them,
their attention being rivetted to the result of the contests, and
whether their pockets swam with water ()moth was immaterial,
so as there was plenty. of gold for ballast. Notwithstanding
this dreadfully inauspicious weather, the sports turned outbetter •
than expectation; it was thought that the heavy state of the
course would make a considerable difference in the odds, espe-
cially on the Mostyn• Stakes ; such however was not the case;
those who had previously backed the two first favourites, the
Chancellor and Perseverance, seemed determined to abide the
result, and very little edging was attempted. The Chancellor
was the favourite for choice; at starting, however, there was but
a trifling difference between the two, 6 to 4 was bet against him,
2to l agst Perseverance, 41 to 1 agst Birdcatcher, 8 to 1 agst
Jack Faucett, 10 to 1 agst Falconbridge, and 10 to 1 agst Tra-
veller. A short time before the race Her Highness was backed
at-5 to 1, but it was ultimately determined nut-to start her, pro-
bably in consequence of the state of the course. The unfavour-
able state of the weather did not prove the cause of keeping
away all the ladies of the neighbourhood who usually grace the
sports by their presence, as the enclosed stand presented an
elegant display of fashion and beauty ,• thewhole of the members
of the Hunt were clothed in their red hunting habiliments, in-
cluding the noble Marquis of `Westminster, (who appeared in a
red coat, white breeches, top-boots, and white hat with crape,)
Lord Robert Grosvenor, Lord Mostyn, General Yates, Sit
Richard Bulkeley, and Sir Thomas Massey Stanley, Baronet.
Amongst the noble and distinguished personages present, we
also noticed the Earl of Wilton, Sir P. G. M. Egerton, Bart.,
Sir Edward Mostvn, Bart., Pyets Mostyn, Esq. Wm. 'Yates,
Esq., Sir E.G. Smythe, Bart., Sir Watkin Williams Wynne,
Bart., the Hon. Charles Stanley, the Hou. Henry Stanley,
M.P. for Preston, Sir John Williams, Bart., R. W. Vaughan,Esq., Owen Fuller Meyrick, Esq., F. R. Price, Esq., William
Stanley, Esq., the Hon. R. B. Wilbraham, Captain White, R.
M. Biddulph, Esq., J. Cotes, Esq., E. L. Gatacre, Esq., and J.
Douglas, Esq. 'I he following is the result of the races :-
- TUESDAY.—The sports of the day were to have commenced
with the race for the Sweeepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., one
mile and a half, for which Caliban, ch f by Waxy Pope, and br
c by Filho were entered, but they were walked over for by Ca-
liban. The Produce Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for
the produce of snares covered in 1829, two miles, were won by
the Marquis of Westminster's Controller, allowed 31b, beating
Mr. F. R. Price's The Governor, by Filho da Puta. Three
were entered, but the above two only started. Controller was
the favourite long before the race, and at starting 5 to 1 waslaid
on him. He took the lead, never was headed, and won easily.
He was rode by Calloway. The Chieftain Stakes of 50 sovs.
each, h. ft., for horses then three years old, the Mostyu
4 subs., were won by the Marquis of Westminster's Bridegroom,
by Filho, (Calloway,) beating Sir Richard Bulkelev's Katinka,
sister to Miss Maria. The betting was 2tol on the 13ridegroom,
who won easily. The next race was for the Mostyn Stakes of
'lO sovs. each, the Mostyn mile, 32 subs., which were won by
Jack Faucett, three years old, ('Lye,) beating the Chancellor,
Birdcatcher, Perseverance, Caliban, Traveller, and Falcon-
bridge. The judge only named 'the four former horses, which
*ere placed asnamed above. The-whole seven had' 'a` most ex--
cellent start, Perseverance taking the lead, which he maintained
until they arrived at the top of the hill coming home, all well
up, the Chancellor lying second, Jack Faucett 'third, and Bird-
catcher fourth. About 200 yards from the winning post, Per-
severance fell into the rear, just previous to which, his owner
'cried out an even thousand on Percy, which, however, was not
taken. The Chancellor immediately took the lead, followed
close by Jack Faucett and Birdcatcher, the three being nearly
abreast. Near to the stand, Lye made a spirited push and
passed Chancellor cleverly, the latter flogging hard. Jack
Faucett maintained his position to the winning-post, and won by
a length. The betting at the start was sto 2 agst Perseverance,
6 to 4 agst the Chancellor, 4 to i agst Birdcatcher, 8 to 1 agst
Jack Faucett, 10 to 1 agst Falconbridge,.and 20 to 1 agst the other
two. The' jockeys and horses on coming in were covered with
mud. The Champagne Stakes of 50 sous. each, h. ft., for two
year olds, the last half mile, 9 subs., the winner to give two dozen
of Champagne to the club, were won by Mr. Mostvn's Queen
Bess, by Chateaux Margaux, (Lye,) beating Mr. F. Price's
The TtiliP,
Lord Westminster's b c by Camel, and General
Yates's ch c Noodle. Vittoria was entered for this race, and
being expected to start, 2 to 1 was bet on her, but when it was
ascertained that she was not intended to go, similar odds were
bet upon Queen Bess, belonging to the same stable; 3 to 1 was
taken agst Camel, and 4 to 1 agst The Tulip. The Taffy
Stakes of 25 says. each, for three year olds one mile and three
quarters, 5 subs., were won by 'Mr. Moslyn's Jack Faucett,
beating Lord 'Westminster's Decoy, and Mr. Price's The Go-
vernor; 3to 1 on Jack Faucett, 2 to 1 agst Decoy, 4 to 1 agst
The Governor. Won easy.
WEDNESDAY.—"The blessing of St: Swithin" was again ex-
'perienced to-day—the rain pouring down in torrents the whole
of theatternoon. The attendance was by no means so numer-
ous as yesterday. and although the weather had the effect of
keeping away numbers, the assemblage of fashionables and
sportsmen was equally as large as on the first day. The noble
Marquis of Westminster, and Sir Watkins Williams Wynne,
who may be considered as " Fathers of the Hunt," were ar-
' ticularly
_conspicuous in riding about, regardless of wind or
rain. We understand that " l'he Holywell Hunt" was esta-
blished about seventy years ago by the present Marquis of
Westminster's father, and was originally a hunting, coursing,
and racing meeting; on alternate days, but for years past it has
been a regular turf meeting, having become exceedingly popu-
lar, not only amongst the noblemen and gentlemen of England
and Wales, but as a great sporting treat, and speculating meet-
ing. The- sportsmen present, whose speculations in the events
were most heavy, were chiefly from Manchester and Liverpool.
This evening, after the races, Mr. Etty, the clerk of the Man-
chester races, received intimation thit F. R. Price, Esq., and
the Hon. Henry Stanley, M.P. for Preston, had consented to
undertake the office of stewards at the ensuing Manchester
meeting; the fact will, without doubt, be gratifying to the feel-
ings of our Lancashire sportsmen, as both gentlemen are known
to be great patrons of the turf, the chase, and the pit. In ad-
dition to the distinguished characters on the course yesterday,
we noticed to-day the Earl and Countess of Glenmore, Sir S. It.
Glvnne, Bart., and the Rev. Thomas Pennant.
The first Stakes (the Post) of 100 sovs. each, li ft, two miles,
were walked over for by Lord Westminster's Maid of Honor.
Zorilda was brought up, but taken back to the stable. The Sil-
ver Tureen of the value of 100 toys., the gift of Sir Richard
Williams Bulkeley, added to a Handicap Sweepstakes of 20
sovs.. each, for horses bona fide the property of Members of the
Holywell Hunt, 2 miles, 6 subs., was won by Jack Faucett,
(Lye,) beating Birdcatcher and Maid of
,Honor. The betting
was 6 to 4 on Jack, 2 to 1 agst Birdcatcher, and 3 to 1 agst
Maid of Honor. A well-contested race, won by about a length.
The Gold Cup value 100 sovs., the remainder (if any) in specie
b_y•Subscription of 10 sovs. each, with 50 sovs. added by the
Club, 3 miles 8 subs., was won by Sir R. Bulkeley's Pick-
pocket, (Darling,) beating Speculator; none others started.
This was a most excellent race, Pickpocket was not expected to
win, and 5
,to 4 was laid on the loser—won by bout a neck.
The Pengwern Stakes of 30 sovs. each, 8 subs., were walked
over for by Birdcatcher.
To Conclude the meeting harmoniously, a grand concert is to
be held next Wednesday at the town of Holywell, under the
patronage of Sir Stephen Glynne, Bart., and led by Mr. Gorst,
of Chester, assisted by Stubbs's Liverpool Harmonic Band.

A.SPANISH ASSASSIN.—The following atrocious attempt at
assassination, which has unaccountably been overlooked by the
press, was made on Friday last, in Great Eastcheap, in the open
day :—At about half-past one o'clock a man who sells ginger
beer at the corner of the above street, leading to London-
bridge, observing a scuffle between two gentlemen, apprently
foreigners, went up to part them, but before he had time to do so
one of them had stabbed the other in the lower part of the back,
just over the kidney, with a stiletto, on withdrawing which
:from the wound the assailant repeated the stroke, first in the
angle of the chin, and afterwards ou the head. Immediately
on being parted from his victim the assassin took to his heels
down Martin's-lane, Cannon-street, but being closely pursued
he threw away his stiletto, which was picked up by a boy at the
moment that Mr. Athill, a clerk in the house of Sheriff Pirie
and Co., of Freeman's-court, Cornhill, seized him. Further
assistance being obtained, he was coveyed to the Mansion-house,
where he gave his name Gregorio Guinea, a Spanish refugee,
residing for some time in the metropolis. The important case
of the -British leaf seizure being before his Lordship, and the
wounded man not being present, he was consigned to the
Compter. On subsequent inquiry it was discovered that the
victim of the above horrible attempt, whose name is Dominico
Ruiz de la Vega had been passing quietly along, when the •
villain, without the least immediate provocation, came softly
behind him, and plunged the stiletto, which he had concealed
in the sleeve of his coat, into his body. There had been an old
quarrel between them, it seems, the result of which was the
assassin had been bound over to keep the peace towards
Don Ruiz; in default of which he had been sent to pri-
son for two months, and it was in consequence of this im•
prisonment that ie above-recited specimen of Spanish
vengeance took place in the streets of the British metropolis.
Don Ruiz, on being freed from his assassin, as well as he was
able fled down Cannon-street, until by loss of blood he became
so weak that he could.proceed no further, when, luckily, Mer-
rilies, the street-keeper. of Walbrook Ward, caught him in his
arms, and proceeded with him instantly to the house of Mr.
Smith, surgeon, at the corner of College-hill, from whom he
received the most ready professional assistance, London Pa.