The New York herald., 1870-10-07

-FOUR CAPITAL RACES.
Corsican Wins the Handicap Sweepstakes,
KingAsher the Champion Stakes,
Harry Bassett the Nursery
Stakes and Oysterman, Jr.,
the Steeple Chase.


commenced yesterday at Jerome Park, and will be
continued on alternate week days until Saturday,
the 18th inst. The occasion is OF unusual interest
In the sporting and fashionable world. Great pre-
parations have been made to render this meeting
attractive OF the kind that has ever taken
place the United States. A larger number OF
horses has been entered for these races than was
ever at any Of the previous meetings, and the
ladies prepared TO appear In all the mag
nhcence OF the new tall fashions. But
the opening day proved unpropitious for the splen-
did display that expected and ladies and gen.
tcmen alike were disappointed chilling wind
blew from the northeast, and the weather all day
was cloudy cold, ana damp. III the morning
the exceedingly unfavorable condition OF the
weather created q very general impression that the
Inauguration or the fall meeting would be post
poned until to-day; but, though the sky was over
cast with threatening clouds, the impending rain
storm kept OF, and the races were run us had been
announced
The American Jockey Club has speedily attained
the exalted position Of exemplar OF the turf. As
sporting organization 1t has superior In the world.
No royal races IN England the Continent OF
Europe conducted with more propriety or
attended by finer class OF people than those at
the elegant racing ground In Jerome Park. Not at
the celebrated meetings OF the Derby, the Oaks,
the st. Leger or the Coodwood, in England,
nor at the imperial races at Chantilly,
and Longchamps, in France, at any OF the finest
tracks in Germany has there been witnessed
more interesting and splendid scene tnan can be
enjoyed IN our own midst 10y the citizens OF New
York. Jerome Park is unequaed anywhere as a
racing ground. Its natural advantages are else
where unsurpassed. Situate ut a convenient dis
tance from the city, being easy OF by rail or
road. 1t is on occasions like the present general
<.f
an exciting sport. Though the gathering yesterday
was comparatively limited numbers 1t presented
favorable and suggestive contrast TO the crowds
usually at races in other parts OF the world.
The highly respectable character OF the company
confirmed the prevalent opinion that horse racing
Is with Americans pastrne which is loved for the
sport itself and for the greed OF gain. All the
arrangements were prepared and carried out IN the
most satisfactory manner. The company was
exceedingly select, and nothing transpired TO
mar the pleasure those who were pre-
sent. IL Is true that the unfavoraole state
OF the weather prevented many persons from
attending ana the display OF fashion was
not 20 great as 1t would otherwise have been; but
there fair representation or the fair the
ground ana the racing excellent.
The scene from the grand stand was beautiful ana
unique The smooth track, with Its graceful curves;
the elegant club house opposite, standing on IA
v0red natural knoll, and the BACKGROUND OF stately
trees combined form landscape such as no other
race course IN Christendom can present. To the
right and left, behind the enclosure of the track
groups Of carriages arranged and on the rs-
ing ground to the left OF the quarterstretch, anu
Just outside the limits OF the PARK, the rising
ground through which Central avenue is cut, was
covered with crowd OF spectao ors, who enjoyed
free view OF all the races.
The scene at the club house was animated ana in
teresting In the extreme. Stylish establishments
were driven up In quick succession TO the door,
gentlemen and ladies' OF wealth and fashion,
showing every evidence OF culture and refine
ment. alghted and took UP their positions on
the balcony, which commands fine view OF
the homestretch and the winning post Several
thousands OF spectators had arrived before the hour
appointed for the racing TO commence. Just before
the first race came OF the sun peeped out from
hind the dull, heavy clouds and warmth and bright
ness thus temporarily impaired added much to
the pleasure OF the people, wno were now
looking with interest 10 the Inauguration
OF these autumn races. Meanwhile members OF the
club, with their families, kept coming and the
sporting men within the quarterstretch enclosure
in front OF the grand bus3 canvassng the
characteristics OF the horses and booking their bets.
SOMETHING ABOUT FASHIONS.
stylish landau, with pair OF clean-stepp ing
Days, up DeslUc the broad NeFanu1 OF the CluO
House. From it alights brunette, IN an exceed
ingy rich costume OF black Lyons velvet the SKIRT
OF comfortable walking length, made entirely
without trimming. Tie paetot ls long and grace
ful, lined with satin and Is fastened up the front
with rich and tasteful ornaments OF passenenterle
II IL artstlcdy ooped at the sides under large orna.
ments TO correspond. The outer sleeves are long
and open, and are also lined with satin. the collar
is en- 7euers. To finish this elegant toilet q round
hat OF black velvet sits on the raven tresses
and is trimmed with scarf OF purple
crepe de Gnne' loops oi piick vevet ana an undu
lady, with that delicate tlnge OF brown In her
braided hair which forms the most beautiful setting
TO woman's face. Her dress Is garnet Irish pop
lin. trimmed with rich tassel fringe and bands OF
garnet velvet. deep nounce borders the skirt and
Is partially covered by handsome fan plalts OF oval
pieces, trimmed with narrow fringe The overskirt,
rounded back and front and open at the sides, the
tight fitting basque, with pointed front, and gypsy
hat OF garnet gros grain decorated with autumn
flowers, set or this handsome toilet TO advantage,
Nearly all the cloaks worn by the ladies on this
occasion were OF tue form OF tunics or halffttng
casaques. Some initiated velvet coat, with gros
grain vest, cuffs and revers, and others were re-
miniscences OF last season In the puied skirt and
jaunty jacket. There was quite an interesting dis
play in the jewery line. some beautiful medalllons
OF the Louis Qunze style, with paintings enamel,
set round with small pearls and Renaissance bijou-
teric, with subjects in nligree work, black
crosses.Byzan,ne, Maltese and Roman IN iorm. and
laps-lazuli, agate and maachlte III Inaterlal-were
endless
On tine veranda, when the bell rang for the first
race, were grouped together some pretty toilets.
One was black silk, with tlghtftting basque OF
purple velvet, and round hat OF the same CORE
spond. A scarlet shawl fell In graceful folds nom
the shoulders. Byzantine jewelry.
WHO WE'RE THERE.
The Queen OF Song, Mile. Christine Nilsson, leaned
the balcony, her fair expressive face lighted up
with pleasure ana qualification. She wore an ex-
quisfely fitting black silk Dress entirely trimmed
with black Chantily lace, over white muslin bands.
The underskrt was in narrow hounces, headed with
white muslin, and the corsage was covered with
q sort OF Vatican Grape. pretty little bon
net trimmed with blue, sat on her auburn
curs. She was accompanied by Judge Slough
ton and lady, Miss Stoughton, General ingalls,,
Fields Among the other distinguished people pre-
sent were Messrs. Leonard and Lawrence Jerome Mr..
Louis g. Morris, Mr.. Sanford, Mr.. Constable, Mr..
W. u. Duncan, Mir. Carroll Livingston, Judge Mon
son. Mr.. kettletas Mr.. Redmond and lady Mr. and
Mrs. Belmont, Mr.. and Mrs. Kearney Warren, Mr..
and Miss Travers Mrs. Charles Morgan, Miss S.
TnMDRend Misses Vail, MiaS YirpInla PurAY