“Our Van.”

RACING.

With quite a flourish of trumpets the flat-racing season began simultaneously with the going out of steeplechasing. I do not hesitate to attribute this to the weather, which was exceptionally fine for the first week of flat racing. It can be, and usually is, exceedingly bitter at Lincoln; and those who grumbled at the wind either had no previous experiences to fall back upon, or were troubled with poor memories. The Carholme has so bleak a situation that we are bound to catch any wind there is, and, unfortunately, at this season of the year it blows either into or along the enclosures. There is a meeting between North and South owners and trainers, and the special train from London on the first day bore with it quite as many well-known figures on the Turf as one expects. Amongst them was our amateur owner-jockey—a description which differentiates decidedly from jockey-owner—Mr. George Thursby, not long returned from a winter sojourn in Jamaica. The climate there is so conducive to indolence that Mr. Thursby found himself 19 lb. over weight, 10 lb. of which was got rid of on the way home by the drastic method of assisting the stokers. The keen racing brigade was well represented, and it is as well that the persevering army of backers should be so, for we cannot too soon begin taking notes for future use against the bookmakers. The greatest enthusiasm was aroused by the Batthyany Stakes, in which Rising Falcon, last year’s winner under 9 st., was trying again with 9 lb. more. Even under this burden he started joint favourite with Canty Bay, the fact that he was ridden as usual by Madden, thus making a pair that well understood one another, not being without influence. As matters turned out Madden was wanted. He did not hesitate to push Rising Falcon for all he was worth, and his winning was not in doubt until he was within a hundred yards of the post. There Golden Gleam and Early Bird drew upon him so rapidly that he was all but caught, for he had a short head only to spare from Golden Gleam when he passed the post. The next two, Early Bird and Golden Coin, were also separated by short heads, so the finish may be imagined. Madden came in for quite an ovation, and was actually seen to smile.

ASCETIC’S SILVER.
Photo by W. A. Kouch and Co.]

The Lincolnshire Handicap day, upon which the pecuniary success of the meeting mainly depends, was very disappointing to the executive, the attendance being quite poor for the occasion. The field, which consisted of twenty-four, has been described as a poor one for quality, but it seemed to me to strike the average. We cannot have a Bendigo or a Clorane every year; as a matter of detail, a horse of this class appears about once every ten years. According to the papers, certain horses were at the top of the betting quotations, but as a visit to the leading club five days previous to the race revealed precisely three bookmakers, representing only two firms, seated at the fire, it is probable that the volume of betting was not great. There was some on the day of the race, however; and in these days of degenerate wagering it was interesting to learn that one layer stood £30,000 against M. Ephrussi’s Ob. It was not difficult to lay that amount, for the lowest price at which the French horse was quoted was 20 to 1, plenty of smaller money being got on at 25 to 1. Ob had won three races in France under good weights as a four-year-old; but probably his failure to make any show in last year’s City and Suburban made the greater impression. The English money was chiefly for Roseate Dawn, upon whom Newmarket pinned its faith, and Dean Swift, the last-named coming with such a rush in the betting as to oust Roseate Dawn from favouritism. The public were not far out, for if the race had been run over again Dean Swift would probably, and Roseate Dawn possibly, have been returned the winner. The delay at the start was something terrible, but a very good one took place. Dean Swift and Roseate Dawn, however, began so badly as to look quite out of it in the earlier stages of the race, whereas Ob was amongst the leading lot; the actual first being the last Cambridgeshire winner, Velocity, and Catty Crag. Each in turn fell away, and Ob was left in command. Dean Swift bore down upon him, with great effect, a very exciting finish resulting. Dean Swift actually got his head in front, but Ob finished the straighter and won by a head, Roseate Dawn making up some lengths from the distance, and finishing a length behind Dean Swift.

For the Brocklesby it was elected to plump for the St. Simon—Satirical filly, chiefly on the strength of a trial at home with a stable companion that won the day before. In appearance she justified the comparisons that were made to a hare and a whippet respectively, but she was all the more thought likely to win over the four-furlong scramble so early in the year, better furnished ones in Luisis, a bay filly by Orvieto—Filipena, and a colt by Galashiels—Brenda, being looked upon as likely to be seen to advantage later on. No doubt they will be, but as they were they were more than equal to the Satirical filly, who had every chance to win, for she was once in front, but was beaten fair and square.

Lincoln itself has not gone with the times in keeping the town clear of thieves and similar undesirables. One of the hotels greatly frequented by racing people was “gone over” to some purpose. Until recently “till frisking” was a favourite pastime of these gentry at Lincoln, but hotel-keepers have learned to protect themselves by means of pugilistic looking barmen more at home at the East End of London, probably. In the meantime the need of the town is a chief constable such as we have at Chester and Brighton. Brighton, at race times, is a place completely changed from what it was a few years since, when it was not safe to walk the streets in the evening.

“Of course there will not be so many present this year, because the King is not coming.” This, with variants, was a frequent remark made anticipatory of the Liverpool Spring Meeting. But the prophets were wrong, for the crowd on the Grand National day was greater than ever. On each of the three days the paddock was a sight, and it is palpable that with the better classes of Liverpool the races have become more popular than ever. The weather that prevailed on all three days left no excuse for non-attendance, there being plenty of sunshine and a splendid light for seeing the racing, this being no small matter on a course measuring two miles and a quarter in circuit. On the first day the Union Jack Stakes for three-year-olds and the Liverpool Spring Cup were the chief events of a card containing eight races, the unusual number being necessitated in order to bring the programme within the conditions. The Union Jack Stakes might, on occasion, serve as an early public trial for the Derby, and, as a matter of fact, Mr. L. de Rothschild’s Radium had actually been nibbled at for the Epsom race, although his connections were under no illusions as to his lack of quality. But the public thought they knew better and took even money about Radium, whereas another de Rothschild, Mr. J. A., from the Continent, really owned the pea in Beppo, who won in nice style from Bridge of Canny, Radium third, well beaten. In the Spring Cup, Ypsilanti was expected to carry his 9 st 2 lb. first past the post. But there were others too much for him; Flax Park, who is one of those that dislike the look of the starting-gate, leading from end to end. A bay colt by Isinglass—Queen Fairy, named Gnome, showed good form in the Molyneux Stakes, getting away so badly as to appear out of it, but mowing down the others in fine style in the end.

It has been the fate of thousands to attend Aintree for the purpose of witnessing the Grand National and see little or nothing of it, but snow has been the cause. This year, however, in the finest weather there were several who saw nothing of the race, the reason being the simple one that the stands were overcrowded with those that came. An hour before the race was due prudent spectators took their seats on the roof, and those who dallied over the horses in the paddock arrived aloft to find the passage to the top choked with waiting people. For some time previously the racing world had been divided into two sections, one section declaring that John M.P. would not get the course—not half of it, said a subdivision of this section—the other section believing that he would make light of the jumps and win with ease. But the unexpected is always lying in wait upon competitors in the Grand National.

That those who believed in John M.P. were largely in the majority was shown by his being made a strong favourite at 7 to 2, the second favourites being at 10 to 1. A judge of a steeplechaser could scarcely do otherwise than declare for John M.P., for he is about the ideal of what a chaser could be, and nothing better has been seen at Aintree. Then it was difficult to see which of his twenty-two opponents possessed sufficient class to be entitled to win in his place, for they all had flaws in their credentials for winning over such a country. Given that John M.P. was to fall, which of the others was to stand up all the way?

That was the difficult problem to be solved. Drumcree, the winner in 1903, would probably get the course, but he had been on the shelf for two years, and his appearance at Kempton Park did not suggest sufficient go to win again, even with the best of them on the floor. The sequel spelt catastrophe for John M.P. He did not fall, but what he did do amounted to the same thing, so far as his chance of winning was concerned. He travelled exceedingly well for over a mile, and when he went some lengths clear between Becher’s and Valentine’s brooks, it seemed as though his natural speed was carrying him to the front without an effort. At the jump before Valentine’s, the course takes a curve to the left. Just here enormous numbers of spectators are always assembled, and much enthusiasm is displayed, the appearance of John M.P. leading clear being naturally productive of an extra amount. It is reasonably thought that the cheering distracted the horse’s attention. He was certainly not minding his business, and before he was aware of it he was at the fence, under the guard rail of which he slipped, going into the ditch. For the rest, Aunt May, getting the course for once in a way, showed momentarily in front a mile from home, and Ascetic’s Silver, Oatlands, Gladiator, Timothy Titus, Red Lad, and Pierre were all in the hunt. One by one they fell out till only Ascetic’s Silver, Red Lad, and Aunt May were left. Ascetic’s Silver was the only one to jump the remaining fences cleanly, and he did so in a way that was worthy of his jumping blood. He raced away from the other two, who bungled the last fence and gained a most meritorious victory. Whilst one cannot win without the horse, much of the merit must be given to Mr. Aubrey Hastings, trainer and rider of the winner. The time has gone by when the gentleman trainer was an object of commiseration with the profession, for he is now quite a power in the Turf world, and the circumstance is a remarkable one. Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Hastings in thus consummating a long period of patience, not unaccompanied by some personal inconvenience.

To continue the story of John M.P., the circumstances of his mishap were such that he was started on the following day for the Champion Steeplechase, again being a good favourite. His jumping soon became a subject of remark, for he screwed badly at three fences. The distance is three miles, and more than half a mile from home John M.P. was a beaten horse. He jumped the remainder of the fences, but he passed the post very tired.

The thing was inexplicable, and, in one respect, though certainly not in another, it was a relief to learn later on that John M.P. had strained himself badly on the first day on the occasion of his mishap, and that, on the whole, it was a wonderful thing that he got the course in any shape or form.

The Champion Steeplechase had a painful sequel. Apollino had won the race last year, and by reason of penalties for winning four races over £100 each, should have carried 12 st. 4 lb. The fact was as clear as noonday to any one perusing the conditions, and the correct weight duly appeared on the card. The jockey was weighed out in accordance with this, but eventually started carrying only 12 st. After a meritorious display Appolino repeated his last year’s victory, and, apparently, another 7 lb. would have made no difference. Alas, on returning to scale an objection was lodged on the score of wrong weight, and the stewards had no alternative to disqualification. Plenty of people in the ring, be it remarked, had worked out the matter for themselves and shouted their readiness to back the second, who was Royal Bow II., as soon as he had passed the post.

With Northampton already forgotten, it was a pleasure to take one’s way to Newbury, which reigns in its stead, and appears likely to do so for some time, if appearances go for anything. By means of a chart the Great Western Railway show how very simple it is to reach the course from anywhere else in England. Going from London, last year’s experiences were repeated, trains doing the 53 miles from Paddington under the hour. The meeting was lucky in having lovely weather, and the drying winds had made the going quite firm, dust even flying on the course. Fields were large, one totalling thirty, and there seemed to be plenty of people. Large attendances will be necessary if the system of good stakes is to be persevered in, for simple arithmetic showed that these were far from paying their way. This is a little difficulty from which no racecourse, however popular, can be exempt, and the question of finance will crop up at Newbury, as elsewhere. What strikes one at Newbury is the absence of much of the stress and worry that attend most meetings. In the members’ enclosure are seen many faces that are not familiar on the metropolitan courses, and the feeling of being locally supported is prominent. The lovely surroundings and ample space give the place a freedom that is very welcome. Mr. John Porter, in his position of Managing Director, is always on the spot, rendered quite young again with new duties. He had introduced a novelty from Australian racecourses in the shape of a stewards’ observation stand, a skeleton structure of considerable elevation designed to enable stewards to see for themselves what has transpired during a course of bumping or crossing. The stand was placed forty yards or so above the winning post, and it is thought that it would be more serviceable at about the distance. Whether stewards would care to walk this distance for each race may be doubtful. Stipendiary stewards would, of course, do so as a mere matter of routine duty. We can imagine the berth being an exceedingly cold one during spring and autumn racing.

On the first day we had the Newbury Spring Cup of £1,250, distance a mile. The Thrush looked splendid, and Ob’s Lincoln penalty giving him the same weight of 9 st., he was practically out of it with Thrush, who had won over this very course at the opening meeting in splendid style. Roseate Dawn and Velocity were running; Roseate Dawn doing well, though not well enough to beat Succory, who won rather easily. On the second day the Kingsclere Stakes of £1,000, distance a mile and a quarter, saw Colonia making her essay as a three-year-old. She ran badly, but not more so than many anticipated, from her appearance in the paddock, although she was lively enough in the canter, and was beaten when a mile had been covered. The race was won in sensational fashion, Madden on the Gressoney colt, having made the best of his way home to such purpose as to appear to have the race at his mercy. Bridge of Canny, Maher up, came on the scene at the distance, however, and gained rapidly. Still, his getting up did not seem feasible, but a terrific finish, which took us back to the old times when electric rushes on the post were the rule rather than the exception, gave Bridge of Canny the race by a head. This success gave Maher his five hundredth winning mount in England.

FRENCH RACING.

The French racing season always begins on March 15th and closes on November 15th, the four intervening months being occupied with cross-country sport, which is often of the highest interest, as there are so many valuable prizes to be won that it answers the purpose of owners to pay very high prices for horses that have figured to advantage on the flat. Thus, there is a steeplechase of £5,000 representing genuine added money, while, in addition to this one, there is another (the Grand Prix de Nice) of £4,000, and there are several others that range in value from £2,000 to £1,500 each. No wonder, therefore, that cross-country sport in France is very prosperous, and that the class of horse running is much better than it is in England; but, none the less, genuine sportsmen hail the advent of the flat-racing season, which has begun auspiciously enough, so far as actual sport is concerned, though a shadow has been cast across its track by the additional misfortunes which have befallen M. Edmond Blanc. It will be remembered that his formidable stable was visited last year by an epidemic which struck down all his best three-year-olds (Val d’Or, Jardy, Adam, and Genial), and deprived them of their best races, notably of the Derby, which Jardy or Val d’Or could either have won, and of the Grand Prix de Paris, which Val d’Or had “in his pocket.” It is true that Val d’Or recovered his form after the Grand Prix, and beat Cicero, at a difference of 3 lb., in the Eclipse Stakes, but he went amiss again after that, and nothing more was seen of him or of Jardy, the latter of whom nearly died after running when unfit in the Derby. But it was hoped that the mischief had been stamped out of the stable, so that we should see Val d’Or, Adam, Jardy, and Genial coming out as four-year-olds in their best form, and that two of them would be sent over to England to compete for the £10,000 prizes in which they were engaged. But this hope has to be abandoned, at all events so far as Val d’Or and Adam are concerned, for they have both gone amiss, or rather have met with an accident which has made it necessary to remove them from all their engagements. The mishap to Val d’Or is all the more provoking, because it is understood that he was doing remarkably well, and it is, comparatively speaking, a slight compensation to M. Blanc that he should have since sold Val d’Or to an Argentine-Republic breeder for over £20,000, as he would have fetched that and more after his racing career was over. The case of Adam is not less vexing, for this brother to Ajax was always regarded in the stable as being better than either Val d’Or or Jardy, and he, too, had done well since last season, until he met with the accident which has brought his racing career to an abrupt conclusion. Adam has not up to the present found a purchaser, and he has gone to M. Blanc’s famous stud, where he will rejoin his brother Ajax and his sire, Flying Fox.

Whether M. Blanc will do as well this season with his three-year-olds as he did last year and the two preceding ones remains to be seen, but the odds are that he will not, and if he gains a victory in one or other of the French classic races it will probably be with one or other of his two fillies, Blue Fly and Belle Fleur, while the former may possibly come over to England and run for the Oaks at Epsom, though she would have powerful opponents to quash in Flair and Waterflower, both of whom would have the advantage of being on their own ground. It is a great handicap for a horse to have to make the journey across the Channel, as we have so often seen, but there will be no representative of the French stables in the Derby this year. Whether Jardy will come over later for the Gold Cup at Ascot, or the Princess of Wales’ and the Eclipse Stakes, will depend, of course, upon the progress he makes between now and then, but there is another good race in which Jardy can run at home, there being the Prix de President de la Republique of £4,000, with no penalties or allowances, which is run for at Maisons-Laffitte, and in which such English celebrities as Pretty Polly and St. Amant are engaged. It will be remembered that Pretty Polly’s sole defeat was sustained in France, when she was beaten by a French colt that ought never to have finished in front of her, and it will be interesting to see how he fares when he meets her again in July, always provided that the encounter does not take place a month before at Ascot.

The three-year-olds in France this season do not appear, with two or three exceptions, to be more than moderate, the best of them all being Mr. W. K. Vanderbilt’s Prestige, a colt by le Pompon (bred by M. Edouard Blanc) who has won all his engagements, seven as a two-year-old and four this spring, in most decisive fashion, but he is not, unfortunately, engaged in any of the “classic” races at home or abroad; the best of the others being M. Edmond Blanc’s Blue Fly who ran second to him upon one occasion, and who is in the French Derby, the Epsom Oaks, and the Grand Prix de Paris. She would be favourite for the Chantilly Race were there any betting on future events, and she is well bred enough for anything, being by Flying Fox—Bluette, dam of that good horse Omnium II. The best of the colts engaged in the French Derby are Organiste, the property of M. de Brémond, whose colours were carried at Epsom seven years ago by the ill-fated Holocauste, who fell and broke his leg, and Ganelon II., who is owned by Count de Moltke; the latter colt is a grandson of St. Simon, his sire, Lauzun (by St. Simon—Merrie Lassie) having been bred by the King at Sandringham, and having won a good race or two before being sold to a French breeder. Ganelon II., who is one of the first of his get, looks like being a credit to his sire, for he has now won all his three engagements in a canter (beating, in one of them, Organiste), and gives one the impression of being a colt of high class, though Organiste may have made more improvement from two to three, as he was very backward when he finished second to Ganelon II. last autumn.

HUNTING.

There are but a few words needful to wind up the story of the season of 1905–6. It has been one of the most open ever known. Sport has varied, since scent has, of course, not been equally serviceable everywhere, and accounts range from the Heythrop, which has had a notably bad scenting season, up to the Badminton, the Cottesmore, the Fitzwilliam, and the Albrighton, all of which packs have had extraordinarily good seasons. The last named, hunting over a country not generally remarkable for carrying a scent, have had an unusually good season. The Master, Colonel Goulburn, and the huntsman, Morris, are new to the country, so that the record of kills—sixty-five brace—accounted for is all the more creditable, especially as it represents a number of quite remarkable runs. There must be a certain feeling of regret in the thought that the Quorn hounds will leave their old kennel this season. The new establishment at Pawdy Cross Roads may have more convenience, but it cannot have the associations of the old one, which invited the admiration of our grandfathers. “The kennels and stables at Quorn are superb,” wrote one who saw them in Mr. Meynell’s time; “they are within easy reach of the forest of Charnwood, and we hunt there long after the good country is shut up, in fact, until May-day.” Men make shorter seasons in the Midlands now than they did in Mr. Meynell’s day, but we kill more foxes; as in the five years from 1791 to 1796 the Quorn Hounds only averaged 36½ brace of foxes. The new kennels have every convenience, and we may be sure that Captain Forester and Tom Bishopp will not fail to have an always improving pack to live in them. No country has afforded more sport than the Fitzwilliam, which has found foxes for three other packs besides the Milton. Mr. Fernie’s hounds had a final day in the woods near Colly Weston on April 10th. There were plenty of foxes, seven being viewed in one covert, but there was not much scent to hunt them with. Such a show of foxes at the close of the season makes it clear what honest and careful preserving can do, since no less than four different packs have been in these coverts during the season. The ideas of people on fox preserving differ in an amusing way. I was discussing the other day the prospects of a certain country whose very existence hangs in the balance with two men. The hunting man thought there were very few foxes. The shooting man assured me there were plenty. But I think, perhaps, the late masters would differ from him.

The season of 1905–6 has been remarkable for the small number of changes of mastership, and the ease with which vacancies have been filled up. The two most important alterations do not, indeed, arise out of vacancies at all, but from the masters being joined by partners. Thus Lord Charles Bentinck becomes joint master of the Blankney, and Lord Algernon Percy returns to his former post with the North Warwickshire as joint master with Mr. J. P. Arkwright.

Among the new masters’ appointments since I wrote last are Mr. Swire to the Essex, and Mr. Neven du Mont to the East Sussex. The last-named gentleman is not an Englishman, but he is a very good sportsman, and he is to have the support of Sir Anchitel Ashburnham-Clement, to whom Sussex foxhunters owe so much. But if masters have not changed, many huntsmen and whippers-in are shifting. Gillson, who has been for some years with Mr. Preston Rawnsley in the Southwold country, has been appointed to succeed F. Gosden with the Meynell. Gillson’s brother goes to the Bedale from the South and West Wilts, with which pack he has shown good sport. There was no huntsman more respected and admired than the late George Gillson of the Cottesmore, and it is pleasant to see his two sons doing so well. An excellent servant, too, is George Shepherd, who is to be kennel huntsman to Lord Southampton with the Grafton. He has just finished a most enjoyable season with the Blankney. That pack has scarcely missed a single day. A promising man, too, is J. Baker, who has been first whipper-in to the Fitzwilliam, and is said to be going to the Cambridgeshire, a country where a good man can show much excellent sport. Then Freeman goes to the Pytchley in place of John Isaacs, who retires with a testimonial after twenty-six years in service with the Pytchley.

Exmoor stag-hunting closed on April 11th, after an unusually brilliant season. The final fortnight after spring stags was a most successful close to the sport. The best run was on Friday, 6th, from Venniford Cross. Sir Thomas Acland’s coverts, as usual, when this fixture is on the card were drawn, and at one o’clock a stag was found, or rather two, but one soon disappeared, while the other went on. There had been just a sprinkle of rain the day before, and in spite of an east wind and brilliant sunshine hounds ran well, even over the plough. The first part of the run from Selworthy to Venniford Cross was bright and full of dash, and hounds swept on to Tivington Plantations, hard on their stag, which by this time had shed one antler. Then he laid down and allowed the field to go close to his lair, till hounds were too near to be pleasant, then he sprang up with a tremendous crash and literally hurled himself through the bushes and trees. He did not stop again till he reached Stonley Wood, some seven or eight miles from the start. Twice he came down to the stream below Monkham Wood, and we all thought the end had come. But in the course of the hunt in Monkham he shed the other horn, and thus lightened climbed the steeps of Langridge, and taking a line past Treborough Church, one of the highest placed buildings on the Brendon Hills, he went down to the water in Haddon coverts. Strange to say all trace of him was lost here, and he was given up. As hounds ran they covered about fifteen miles, and the pace was good. The field, including a good many strangers, was scattered, and only a few got to the end—the Master, the hunt servants, and one lady from Minehead, Mrs. Blofield. For my part, I could not get beyond Stonley, and not a few were left here. The day was warm, the pace was good, and fourteen stone riding the line honestly was bound to come to the end of the horse.

I am able on good authority to assure the readers of Baily that there are plenty of stags and hinds for next season and for many more after that. This season was better than last, and the next will be even better if the weather is favourable. There are, as I have said, plenty of stags for sport, and not so many as to interfere with hounds. They have been thoroughly and systematically hunted, and thus are more likely to run. Mr. R. A. Sanders remains Master of the Devon and Somerset, Mr. E. A. Stanley and Sir John Amory provide the subsidiary packs, and in these three masters are three men who can hunt a red deer with a skill, keenness and science well worthy of the sporting traditions of Exmoor.

The close of the season has been clouded by several rather serious accidents and one fatal one (Mr. Bovill was killed while hunting with the Warnham Staghounds). The cause of this last fall was said to be wire. At all events, the summer is the time to try to lessen this scourge. I am firmly convinced that wire should never be marked in countries where the use of this fencing prevails. There is sure to be some place where there are no warning signs, and it is here that fatal accidents so often happen. There is one step that might be taken and ought to be taken. Men who hunt and are favourable to hunting should remove all the wire that is under their control from their own properties, whether they themselves hunt in the country or not. Then those who have influence with their tenants should endeavour to reduce the quantity on land they own but do not occupy. There is nothing more certain than that if all the wire was taken down by hunting men and hunting landlords on land in their own occupation it would greatly reduce the quantity and would set an example sure to be followed.

Mr. David Ker, who has held the mastership of the County Down Staghounds for two seasons, has retired, much to the regret of his followers. Captain Hugh Montgomery, only son of Mr. Thomas Montgomery, D.L., of Ballydrain, co. Antrim, has been elected as Mr. Ker’s successor, and he should do well, as he is popular, a keen sportsman and fine horseman.

SOME SPRING PRODUCTIONS AT THE THEATRES.

At the Adelphi Theatre Mr. Otho Stuart is scoring heavily with his series of Shakesperian productions. Miss Lily Brayton and Mr. Oscar Asche are the aptest pupils of the Benson school, and the immortal Bard in their hands shows to very great advantage.

“The Taming of the Shrew” made a great hit, and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was delighting the town when it was withdrawn to make room for “Measure for Measure.” It seems rather a bold venture to put up this play, as the original text makes it a play to which every young girl might not like to take her mother. But as arranged and produced by Mr. Oscar Asche there is slight risk, and the comedy runs along through its ten scenes in the nicest way.

To Miss Lily Brayton belong the chief honours of the evening, and her study of Isabella, sister of the guilty Claudio, is as charming as is her appearance in the white uniform of the probationer. Mr. Oscar Asche is as virile as ever in the part of Angelo, the demoralised deputy, with a passion and beard happily reminiscent of Mr. Pinero’s Maldonato—who gave the cheque book to Iris and finally smashed the furniture of the flat. Who shall say that Maldonato was not a lineal descendant of the determined Deputy of Vienna?

Mr. Walter Hampden presents a Duke full of dignity, considering that the conduct of Vincentio in lurking about his city disguised as a friar, when he is supposed to be out of town, is as undignified an act for a potentate as one can well imagine.

Miss Frances Dillon makes the best of the ungrateful part of the slighted Mariana, who in the gloomy shades of the “Moated Grange” brings off a coup of which Monte Carlo might well be proud.

“Measure for Measure,” written by Shakespeare, is undoubtedly strong meat, as produced by Mr. Oscar Asche it is in every way a digestible, and better still, a most palatable dish.

“The Beauty of Bath” at the new Aldwych Theatre is probably the most successful show in London at the present time, and our thanks are due to Mr. Seymour Hicks for a most delightful entertainment.

It is all against the canons of so-called musical comedy that either the music or the comedy should be too fresh or original, and probably any adventurous spirit who attempted to deal in such dangerous goods as an entirely new and original comedy-opera would speedily find himself amongst the registrars and receivers in Carey Street, W.C.

And Mr. Seymour Hicks is at the head of his profession, and knows what his public wants. From the story of Cinderella he fashioned the phenomenally successful “Catch of the Season,” and now from an idea in “David Garrick,” and the marked resemblance in personal appearance of his brother, Mr. Stanley Brett, to himself, Mr. Hicks has evolved the story the “Beauty of Bath,” who comes to town, falls in love with a prominent actor, and finds herself at the end of the play engaged to marry his double, a dashing naval officer.

Miss Ellaline Terriss makes a perfect beauty from Bath, Mr. Stanley Brett is the distinguished actor, and Mr. Seymour Hicks is breezy Dick Alington the sailor hero of the story, with a large fortune and a long and exacting and admirably played part. Mr. Hicks is at his best in a pathetic scene between Dick and his mother upon the return of the former from China. And in the second act his scene of pseudo-drunkenness au David Garrick is very well done.

In “Bluebell” he was not on the stage nearly enough to satisfy his admirers, who, in the present production, are delighted to see more Hicks. Amongst other members of a long cast, that accomplished actress, Miss Rosina Filippi, does wonders with a part which seems scarcely good enough for her; and Master Valchera as a call-boy, adds to the popularity he won as Bucket, the page-boy, in the “Catch of the Season,” and Miss Barbara Deane sings as charmingly as ever.

Beautiful ladies in beautiful costumes form a prominent and most attractive feature of the entertainment, and the Twelve Bath Buns, as they are styled, might any of them challenge the “Judgment of Paris.”

The two scenes, representing the foyer of a theatre and a ballroom, are very fine, and reflect the greatest credit upon Mr. W. Hann, the painter: and altogether there seems to be nothing but praise for everyone concerned in this handsome production.

Why the Comedy should not be a more lucky theatre is a problem which we have never heard solved in a satisfactory way. It is very conveniently placed and is a nice enough house, and yet a long run there is more or less a rarity. Following the short run of “The Alabaster Staircase,” a revival of “A Pair of Spectacles” presented those consummate artists, Messrs. John Hare and Charles Groves, in their original parts, but even this did not fill the bill for long, and upon April 5th, Mr. Chudleigh reverted to an old-time method of his at the Court Theatre, and put up a triple bill. The first piece is by Mr. Austin Strong, the author of “The Little Father of the Wilderness,” which a few months ago afforded Mr. Huntley Wright a good opportunity of displaying his ability as a pathetic actor.

“The Drums of Oude” deals with an incident in the Indian Mutiny, where a small body of English troops are in peril and it is a question of death before dishonour when, at almost the last desperate moment reinforcements spell rescue. The chief feature of this little drama was the very telling performance of Mr. Matheson Lang as the resolute Captain Hector Macgregor. The rest of the evening was devoted to two pieces by Mr. J. M. Barrie—“Punch,” a toy tragedy in one act, and “Josephine,” a revue in three scenes.

“Punch” deals with the misfortunes and ruin of the senior dramatists before the growth of Superpunch. Besides Punch and Judy, the other two characters in the tragedy are ὁ χαριεις a fishmonger’s boy, who announces that he represents the voice of the public. Mr. Barrie is such a profound and elaborate jester that one looks closely for a joke in his every word, but this ὁ χαριεις is too perplexing for us, unless, indeed, the explanation offered by a super-Scotchman be the correct one, that a fishmonger’s boy would, of course, carry ice. This is bad enough, but we would rather adopt that view than believe Mr. Barrie to have put up a fishmonger or butcher’s boy to represent δι χαριευτες the Attic “men of culture and taste.” However that may be, the other character in the tragedy is not so involved, and before Superpunch had come on the stage we were prepared for the notorious Bernard Shaw beard, and for the complete triumph of the new man. We should think it improbable that “Punch” will enjoy such a long run as is usually the case with anything from Mr. Barrie’s fertile pen.

“Josephine” is called on the programme “a Revue,” but this is unfair to a distinguished institution which belongs to Paris, and we prefer to call “Josephine” a political skit. The story is of the household of sleepy Mr. Buller, where his three Scotch sons take it in turns to play at being eldest son, and mismanaging everything, with flirtations with Mavourneen Blarney to pass the time, and more serious engagements with Josephine. Bunting is a youngest son, representative of the growing Labour Party, and Fair and Free are two beautiful ladies who each claim to assist in the housekeeping, with disastrous results.

The three scenes are made up of personalities at the expense of Lord Rosebery, Mr. Balfour, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, and, of course, Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, who is represented in woman’s clothes by a male actor. This might be regarded as an error of judgment, were it not that Mr. Dion Boucicault plays this difficult part with the best of taste and discretion; at the same time we see no reason why the part should not have been played by a lady, as is the case with Mavourneen Blarney, who is admirably represented by Miss Eva Moore. We cannot find much to say in praise of “Josephine,” but there is much to be said in praise of the company who play it.

As we have said, Mr. Dion Boucicault does wonders for the part of Josephine. Mr. Graham Browne is excellent as James, whose golf-clubs and dilettante attitudes proclaim him the late Prime Minister; and Mr. Kenneth Douglas and A. G. Matthews are excellent respectively as C. B. and Lord Rosebery.

Mr. Louis Calvert is nicely sleepy as John Bull, and Miss Grace Lane and Miss Mabel Hackney, as Fair and Free, look very charming, and indulge in some Grigolati work on a wire, although we cannot quite make out why they should. It seems impossible that Mr. Barrie’s jokes should ever be anything but successful, so probably these will enjoy a long vogue, but personally we would prefer to see such an excellent company of actors and actresses playing in something in which they have a chance of showing to better advantage.

At the Haymarket Theatre the welcome revival of “The Man from Blankley’s” is proving a great success, and eight times a week Lord Strathpeffer has been dining with the Tidmarshes and their strange acquaintances.

Mr. Anstey’s story of how his lordship found his way into the wrong house in Bayswater, and being mistaken for the hired guest from Blankley’s emporium, spent a perplexing evening amongst strangers, is extremely funny. And it is made funnier still by the fine company playing at the Haymarket. Mr. Charles Hawtrey is immense in his original part of Strathpeffer, and Messrs. Henry Kemble and Aubrey Fitzgerald as the pompous uncle, Gilwattle, and the brainless Poffley are inimitable. Moreover, Mr. Arthur Playfair resumes his part of the hired butler, out of which he extracts any amount of undignified fun. Mr. Weedon Grossmith now plays the host, and fits the part to perfection. Of the ladies Miss Fanny Brough is as humorous as ever in the rôle of the worried hostess, and Miss Dagmar Wiehe, a new-comer, is very charming and natural as the Governess.

“The Man from Blankley’s” is just about the most amusing unmusical entertainment in London nowadays, and is a very prominent example of the success which can attend a revival of a popular play done by a first-class company.

We were interested by the remark of a very wise woman who traced a great similarity between “The Man from Blankley’s” and that great masterpiece, “His House in Order.”

In each case there is a girl very much out of her element amongst the strangest beings that imagination could depict, and in each case there comes to her rescue a man of distinction. The Tidmarshes live in Bayswater, and Mr. Jesson lives in the provinces. It was amusing to hear the comparison of the two plays, but we have no space now to do more than make a passing reference to the ingenuity of our wise friend.

At the Lyric Theatre, Mr. H. B. Irving is to be complimented upon his good work as the adaptor, producer, and interpreter of a very interesting play.

“Jeunesse” is the name of the work by Mr. André Picard, as produced at the Odéon Theatre, but since the title “Youth” has already been appropriated for an English play, Mr. Irving has been well advised to call his production by the name of the heroine, “Mauricette,” for she is the keynote of the whole composition.

It is a pathetic little story, this, which comes, unlike most French successes, healthily enough into a London theatre without any excision or operation of the scalpel of the censor.

Roger Dautran is a senator in the prime of life—that is, from the point of view of a man of fifty—he has a most devoted wife, past the prime of life—from the point of view of the man of fifty—and childless. Dautran has a large heart and a great yearning for sympathy from the other sex, and he frankly admits that if ever he has made a telling speech in debate, his only inspiration has been the presence of a sympathetic spirit in the ladies’ gallery. So the impressionable senator, finding home-life somehow incomplete, has drifted into the habit of consistently dining out, and leaving his devoted wife to the desert, of tedium of an improving book to read in nice large print.

On the first night of our acquaintance with the restless Roger, he is just off to dine at a restaurant, when his wife presents to him a girl whom she suggests she shall retain in their household as companion for them both, to lend a fragrance of youth to their dull, middle-aged menage. Mauricette is a beautiful child, eighteen years of age, and so soon as Dautran has seen her he elects to dine at home that very evening, and for the next six weeks it would be good betting that he never dined out.

After six weeks we find the party very much united at Dautran’s country house; to the delight of his wife, the senator has become quite redomesticated, but the pity of it is that this has only come about at the expense of the heart of poor Mauricette, who has fallen in love with her elderly admirer, who in his turn can think of nothing but her and himself.

The second act is full of good things; a doctor, the type of youth in the district, and a protégé of Dautran, thinks it would be a very good thing for Mauricette and himself if they married, and tells the girl so with the full approbation of Mme. Dautran, who by this time is getting a little tired and doubtful of her scheme for the re-domestication of her husband. Mauricette has no room in her heart for the doctor, and asks for time to consider his offer, but closely following upon this she is exposed to an offer of a less honourable nature from a visitor to the house, and in less time than it takes to tell there is a terrible storm raging in the drawing-room, and Dautran is inadvertently but obviously proclaiming his love for the girl. Mauricette, to put matters right, agrees to marry the doctor, and forthwith leaves the house, to the grievous distress of Dautran.

In the last act we find, six months later, Mauricette married to the doctor and the best of friends, but Roger still holds her heart. He is bent upon again seeing her, and so an interview is granted by permission of the doctor.

At first Mauricette talks affectionately to Roger without looking at him, until in a very dramatic moment she looks up, sees his grey hair and careworn face, and recoils from the man who had taught her to love him. And so youth mates with youth, and the doctor is made happy.

Miss Dorothea Baird is a charming Mauricette, and deserves the highest praise for her performance. Since her great success as “Trilby,” she has not, in our opinion, had such a good part, and she certainly makes the most of it. Mr. H. B. Irving gives us an extremely clever study of Roger Dautran, especially in the last act, where the senator is made to realise that he is beaten by the clock.

Mr. Leslie Faber has an unsympathetic task in playing the doctor, who is the representative of youth, but he succeeds in his difficult task. Miss Marion Terry supplies a large share of the success of the evening, her study of the loving wife, who, in her anxiety to please her husband, introduces a very pronounced element of discord into the home, being extremely clever.

“Mauricette” is altogether charming.

GOLF.

The annual match between the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge was played this year at Hoylake, this being the first time a northern green was chosen for the contest. In accordance with custom the match was decided by holes, and Cambridge won by no less than 30 holes against 7. Oxford only won a single match, and halved another. Her captain, Mr. G. E. Grundy, played Mr. A. G. Barry, the amateur champion, and, after playing two rounds of the course, they had a tie. Mr. Barry’s brother played a good match with Mr. R. H. Hill, whom he defeated by two holes.

The Mid-Surrey Club won the first foursome tournament for London clubs. Its representatives were Mr. S. H. Fry and J. H. Taylor, who, in the final tie, beat, by 9 up and 8 to play, Mr. W. Herbert Fowler and James Braid, of the Walton Heath Club. The latter couple showed poor form, much to the disappointment of their friends.

The Inter-county Tournament, arranged by the Cricketers’ Golfing Society, was won by Yorkshire, which in the final round, played at Walton Heath, defeated Sussex by 3 points to nothing. The winning county was represented by Mr. Ernest Smith, the Hon. F. S. Jackson, and Mr. T. L. Taylor; and Sussex by Mr. G. Brann, Mr. W. H. Dudney, and Mr. C. A. Smith. Each of the former trio won his match. This was the first Inter-county Tournament, and it was considered necessary to play it under handicap, but it is to be hoped that on a future occasion it may be possible to put the competitors on their merits.

Muirfield witnessed some good play at the spring meeting of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. Mr. Charles L. Dalziel carried off the club medal with a score of 80, while Mr. John E. Laidlay, tied for second place with Mr. A. W. Robertson-Durham with 83. Mr. Laidlay won when the tie was played off. Mr. Leslie M. Balfour-Melville, another ex-amateur champion, took 89 for his round. The course is reported in splendid condition for the Open Championship in June.

Last year eight of the Edinburgh clubs possessing private greens inaugurated a foursome tournament, and this year they repeated it. On this occasion play took place on the links, at Duddingstone, of the Insurance and Banking Club. The local club was the fancied winner, but in the final round it was defeated by the Murrayfield Club, which, with four strong representatives, won by a single hole.

Newcastle in County Down saw the first of the championship meetings of the year. There the ladies of Ireland held their annual meeting, and they showed their interest in it by turning out in very large numbers. For the second year in succession Miss May Hezlet and her sister, Miss Florence Hezlet, competed in the final round, and again the former won by 2 up and 1 to play. Miss May Hezlet has now won this championship on four occasions, and the Ladies’ Open Championship twice.

Sporting Intelligence.
[During March-April, 1906.]

Following an operation for appendicitis, Colonel Stanley Arnold, of Barton House, Moreton-in-Marsh, died on March 14th. A prominent member of the Warwickshire Hunt Club and of the Heythrop Hunt, the deceased was a good preserver of foxes.

At the meet of the Quorn at Frisby-on-the-Wreake, on March 16th, the Duchess of Sutherland met with a mishap. As hounds were moving off to draw, her horse slipped up, and the Duchess was thrown into the midst of a crowd of horses, carriages, and motor cars. Her Grace sustained some injury to one leg, and had to be conveyed to her hunting quarters at Pickwell Manor.


At the age of 74 years, Mr. Hopton Addams Williams succumbed to an attack of pneumonia and pleurisy, on March 25th, at his residence, Penarth, Llangibby. The deceased, who joined the late Mr. John Lawrence in the mastership of the Llangibby in 1897, had since the decease of Lawrence continued in office. He was always fond of outdoor sports, and it is said he had not missed the New Year’s Day meet of the hounds for close on sixty years. According to Baily’s Hunting Directory, we find the family had been closely connected with the Llangibby for many years, Mr. W. Addams Williams being the first Master, 1790–1814, while other members held office until 1856, when Mr. John Lawrence took over office.


On March 29th the Rev. Sir William Hyde-Parker was presented with a handsome silver centrepiece and a silver hunting horn in recognition of his services for four seasons as Master of the Newmarket and Thurlow Foxhounds, which he is giving up. The presentation took place at Brinkley Hall, at the closing meet of the season, in the presence of a large number of hunting people belonging to Cambridgeshire, Essex, and Suffolk.


While out hunting with the Cheshire Foxhounds, on March 29th, the Marquis of Linlithgow met with a serious accident, sustaining fracture of several ribs, injury of the lung, and dislocation of the collar-bone. His lordship was removed to his hunting quarters at Higginsfield, Cholmondeley, and makes satisfactory progress.


The Grand National course of four miles and 856 yards was covered on March 30th by Ascetic’s Silver in 9 min. 34⅖ sec., the previous best being 9 min. 42⅖ sec. by Cloister, also a son of Ascetic.


Writing to the Field of March 31st, Mr. W. B. Thornhill, Castle Cosey, Castle Billingham, gives the following account of the remarkable capture of a salmon: “The following may be of interest to your readers, and I shall be glad to hear if such a thing has ever occurred before to your knowledge. On Wednesday, March 21st, I was with a certain noble lord trying for a salmon in this neighbourhood; he only had a trout-line with him, and put up a single gut trace and a blue phantom; he got into a fish, but his trout-line broke, and the fish got away with phantom, trace, and a small piece of line. I was fishing the same water on Monday, 26th, with a single hook and worm for a salmon. I got what felt like a nibble and then a run. I raised my point slowly, as I did not wish to break in a stone, when to my surprise my hook came out of the water with a bit of gut attached. At first I thought, of course, of the lost fish, and supposed that the gut would slip off my hook when it became tight, but it did not. My hook had got into the loop of the broken trace, two feet behind the fish. I saw the position then, and played and landed the fish, which scaled 15 lb. As this seems such a tall story, I may add that I can produce half a dozen eye-witnesses to the fact if necessary, and vouch for it myself.”


In the following issue of the same paper Mr. Caryl Ramsden, writing from White’s, relates another strange experience. “It is with no desire to ‘cap’ your correspondent’s story that I relate the following true story, which can be vouched for by a salmon-fisher of much experience. On a well-known beat on a Welsh river a salmon was hooked on a prawn. The angler had a long line out, and the line broke. Standing at the time far back on a long slab of rock, the angler had time to seize the broken piece, and after hand-lining the fish, joined it again to the line on the rod. Again he broke the line, and the fish was apparently gone for ever with prawn, hooks, wire trace, and line. While he had luncheon he told his gillie to try down again with a prawn, and although it may seem incredible, the barb of one of the gillie’s hooks fastened itself in the small eye of one of the swivels of the trace which was still fixed in the lost fish. The gillie played and landed the lost salmon, and then this remarkable discovery was made. Compare the size of the eye of a swivel and the loop of a gut cast, and the deduction as to which is the greater chance is clear.”


There was a large attendance of polo men at Albert Gate on April 2nd, when Messrs. Tattersall sold the polo pony stud of Messrs. E. D. and G. A. Miller. Twenty-nine lots were catalogued, and sold without reserve, yielding an average of 137 gs., the total being 3,992 gs. Heartsease made top price, 380 gs. Others: Mavourneen, b., 200 gs.; Sobriety, b., 240gs.; Dolly Grey, gr., 210 gs.; Quickstep, ch., 130 gs.; Free Trader, b., 135 gs.; Miss Gordon, ch., 110 gs.; Tintack, bk., 135 gs.; Wallflower, br., 200 gs.: The Cub, br., 200 gs.; Miss Doris, b., 105gs.; Number Four, ch., 91 gs.; Lady Dorothy, br., 115 gs.; Sylvia, gr., 160 gs.; Country Girl, br., 80 gs.; Winsome, b., 150 gs.; Rose, b., 150 gs.; Miss Robinson, br., 110 gs.; Melayer, ch., 125 gs.; Blair, br., 86 gs.; Socialist, br., 150 gs.; Radical, br., 120 gs.; Ladysmith, ch., 100 gs.; Butterfly, b., 54 gs.; Rake, b., 76 gs.; Swift, br., 145 gs.; Life Buoy, ch., 81 gs.; Pretty Boy, br., 54 gs.; Pretty Girl, ch., 160 gs.


The members and supporters of the Taunton Vale Fox Hunt and the Taunton Vale Harriers, at a dinner held at Taunton on April 2nd, presented Sam Brice, the retiring huntsman of the Harriers, with an illuminated address and a cheque for £150. Brice has for some time past been the oldest active harrier huntsman in England, and has held his position with the Taunton Vale pack for thirty-two years.


As the result of injuries received when riding Seymour in the Lydd Steeplechase at the Folkestone Meeting, on April 9th, Richard Woodland died at the local infirmary on the following Saturday.


Mr. James S. Darrell, of West Ayton, Scarborough, died at his residence on April 10th, aged 75 years. Mr. Darrell was a prominent Yorkshire sportsman, a well-known breeder, exhibitor, and judge of hunters.


The executors of the late Sir James Miller have sold the famous horse Rock Sand to Mr. A. Belmont, U.S.A., for £25,000. The son of Sainfoin and Roquebrune, Rock Sand was bred by his late owner and foaled April 17th, 1900. He won the Derby, Two Thousand Guineas, and the St. Leger in 1903, and the Jockey Club Stakes in 1904. Of the twenty races he started for he won sixteen, the value of the stakes being £45,618.


Mr. Henry Lockwood, Master of the Colne Valley Harriers, has received a presentation from the followers of his pack on the Saddleworth side. This took the form of a silver cup, bearing the following inscription:—“Colne Valley Harriers. Presented to H. Lockwood, Esq., Master of the Hunt, by Lancashire friends.”


It is stated in the Field that last year, on Archduke Frederic’s Belize estates, the following were killed: 32,895 hares, 16,502 partridges, 12,611 rabbits, 10,367 pheasants, 7,112 crows and magpies, 4,137 dogs and cats, 4,048 squirrels and hedgehogs, 2,104 hawks and falcons, 1,959 duck, 1,725 weasels, 944 polecats, 696 hinds and young deer, 672 roebuck and 397 does, 478 snipe, 410 woodcock, 404 quail, 378 foxes, 264 stags, 126 herons, 85 martins, 84 wood pigeons, 74 wild boars, 57 hazel hen, 47 kites, 46 bustards, 43 capercailzie, 34 waterhens, 28 badgers, 17 otters, 13 eagles, 12 wild geese, 7 wild cats, 4 owls, 3 cormorants, 1 black game, 1 eagle owl, and 2,152 various. Grand total, 99,537 head.

TURF.

KEMPTON PARK.
March 16th.—The Rendlesham Hurdle Handicap of 212 sovs.; two miles.
Major Joicey’s ch. h. Plum Pecker, by Persimmon—Ornis, 6 yrs., 10st. 4lb.E. Driscoll1
Mr. F. Phillips’ ch. h. The Choir, 6 yrs., 11st. 4lb.E. Morgan2
Mr. W. J. Crooks’ b. g. Henley, 5 yrs., 11st. 5lb.L. Sherwood3
5 to 1 agst. Plum Pecker.
March 17th.—The Spring Handicap Steeplechase Plate of 250 sovs.; two miles and a half.
Mr. Cotton’s ch. g. Phil May, by Milner—Sister May, aged, 11st. 10lb.J. Owens1
Mr. B. W. Parr’s ch. m. Aunt May, aged, 12st. 7lb.Mr. Persse2
Mr. P. Danby’s b. m. Miss Tessie, 6 yrs., 10st. 4lb.G. Clancy3
9 to 2 agst. Phil May.
HOOTON PARK.
March 16th.—The Great Cheshire Steeplechase of 825 sovs.; two miles and a half.
Mr. W. M. G. Singer’s b. g. Bellivor Tor, by Wolfs Crag—Belle Haine, aged, 10st. 10lb.D. Morris1
Mr. T. Ashton’s b. g. Seisdon Prince, aged, 10st. 10lb.J. O’Brien2
Sir Peter Walker’s ch. g. Flutterer, aged, 10st. 10lb.E. Sullivan3
10 to 1 agst. Bellivor Tor.
March 17th.—The Hooton Park Hurdle Race of 1,000 sovs.; two miles and a quarter.
Mr. Thompson’s ch. h. Leviathan, by Isinglass—Galiana, aged, 10st. 10lb.G. Wilson1
Mr. J. Buchanan’s ch. h. Vril, 5 yrs., 10st. 8lb.J. O’Brien2
Capt. F. Bald’s b. g. Rosebury, 5 yrs., 10st. 8lb.F. Mason3
5 to 2 agst. Leviathan.
LINCOLN SPRING MEETING.
March 26th.—The Batthany Plate (Handicap) of 500 sovs.; five furlongs, straight.
Mr. Ned Clark’s b. g. Rising Falcon, by St. Issey—Magpie, 6 yrs., 9st. 9lb.O. Madden1
Mr. Arthur James ch. c. Golden Gleam, 4 yrs., 7st. 7lb.R. Jones2
Mr. A. H. Ruston’s b. g. Early Bird, 6 yrs., 7st. 2lb.E. Charters3
5 to 1 agst. Rising Falcon.
The Chaplin Stakes of 300 sovs.; one mile and a quarter.
Mr. A. Stedall’s b. f. Olitzka, by Ocean Wave—L’Excepcion, 8st. 2lb.O. Madden1
Mr. L. de Rothschild’s b. c. St. Amadour, 8st. 5lb.K. Cannon2
Mr. R. Dalgleish’s b. c. Buckminster, 9st.W. Griggs3
8 to 1 agst. Olitzka.
March 27th.—The Lincolnshire Handicap of 1,000 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each; the Straight Mile.
M. Ephrussi’s b. c. Ob, by Bocage—Glave, 5 yrs., 8st.G. Bellhouse1
Mr. J. B. Joel’s ch. g. Dean Swift, 5 yrs., 7st. 11lb.H. Randall2
Mr. L. Robinson’s b. c. Roseate Dawn, 5 yrs., 8st. 5lb.W. Halsey3
20 to 1 agst. Ob.
The Hainton Plate (Handicap) of 400 sovs.; one mile and a half.
Mr. S. Loates’ b. c. Mr. Whistler, by Velasquez—Chantres, 4 yrs., 6st.C. Heckford1
Mr. J. F. Appleyard’s ch. c. Given Up, 5 yrs., 7st.A. Templeman2
Mr. L. Robinson’s b. f. Laveuse, 5 yrs., 7st. 2lb.W. Saxby3
8 to 1 agst. Mr. Whistler.
March 28th.—The Brocklesby Stakes of 200 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for two-year-olds; four furlongs and fifty yards, straight.
Mr. G. M. Inglis’ b. f. Luisis, by Orvieto—Philopena, 8st. 7lb.B. Dillon1
Mr. J. B. Joel’s bay colt by Galashiels—Brenda, 8st. 10lb.H. Randall2
Mr. Arthur James’ bay or brown filly by St. Simon—Satirical, 8st. 7lb.H. Jones3
20 to 1 agst. Luisis.
The Doddington Plate (a welter handicap) of 250 sovs.; one mile and a quarter.
Mr. N. H. Scott’s b. c. Brettanby, by St. Simonmimi—Assiduity, 5 yrs., 8st. 6lb.J. Murray1
Mr. C. Mynors’ b. c. Alresford, 5 yrs., 7st. 9lb. (car. 7st. 10lb.)H. Randall2
Mr. G. H. Freeman’s b. h. Santa Claus, 5 yrs., 7st. 8lb.J. W. East3
100 to 8 agst. Brettanby.
The Kesteven Plate of 200 sovs.; one mile and three furlongs.
Mr. L. de Rothschild’s b. f. Quinade, by St. Frusquin—Blade, 3 yrs., 6st. 3lb.T. Jennings1
Mr. B. Kilmer’s ch. c. Devereux, 4 yrs, 9st. 2lb.E. Wheatley2
Mr. W. H. Schwind’s b. c. Fraxinus, 4 yrs., 9st. 2lb.W. Higgs3
100 to 8 agst. Quinade.
LIVERPOOL SPRING MEETING.
March 29th.—The Liverpool Spring Cup of 1,000 sovs.; Cup Course (one mile and three furlongs).
Mr. P. Cullinan’s b. c. Flax Park, by Bushey Park—Flax, 4 yrs., 7st. 4lb.F. Hunter1
Sir J. Thursby’s ch. c. Standen, 4 yrs., 7st. 7lb.J. H. Martin2
Mr. L. Robinson’s ch. c. Glenamoy, 5yrs., 8st. 3lb.W. Halsey3
100 to 8 agst. Flax Park.
The Molyneux Stakes of 10 sovs. each, with 200 sovs. added, for two-year-olds.
Mr. J. Wallace’s b. c. Gnome, by Isinglass—Queen Fairy, 8st. 7lb.J. Jarvis1
Mr. J. B. Joel’s br. c. Diary, 8st. 7lb.H. Randall2
Lord Derby’s bay filly by Melange—Jolly Jenny, 8st. 4lb.O. Madden3
6 to 5 on Gnome.
The West Derby Stakes of 200 sovs., for three-year-olds; seven furlongs.
Capt. J. G. R. Homfray’s b. or br. c. Land League, by Desmond—Combine, 9st.W. Higgs1
Mr. L. de Rothschild’s b. c. Guise, 8st. 7lb.K. Cannon2
Sir E. Cassel’s br. g. Goldrock, 9st.W. Halsey3
5 to 4 agst. Land League.
March 30th.—The Sefton Park Plate of 459 sovs., for two-year-olds; straight half-mile.
Col. W. Hall Walker’s ch. c. Polar Star, by Pioneer—Go On, 8st. 6lb.B. Lynham1
Mr. E. Barlow’s br. f. Quaver, 8st. 6lb.H. Randall2
Sir R. W. B. Jardine’s b. f. Edict, 8st. 6lb.E. Wheatley3
2 to 1 on Polar Star.
Grand National Steeplechase (a handicap) of 2,750 sovs.; Grand National Course (about four miles and 856 yards).
Prince Hatzfeldt’s ch. h. Ascetic’s Silver, by Ascetic—Silver Lady, 9 yrs., 10st. 9lb.Mr. A. Hastings1
Mr. E. M. Lucas’s ch. g. Red Lad, 6 yrs., 10st. 2lb.C. Kelly2
Mr. B. W. Parr’s ch. m. Aunt May, 10 yrs., 11st. 2lb.Mr. H. Persse3
20 to 1 agst. Ascetic’s Silver.
March 31st.—The Liverpool Hurdle Handicap of 500 sovs.; two miles.
Capt. C. P. B. Wood’s ch. c. Amersham, by Marco—Shardeloes, 4 yrs., 10st. 13lb.F. Morgan1
Mr. S. M. Nolan’s bl. h. The Arrowed, 5 yrs., 11st. 8lb.R. Morgan2
Capt. F. Bald’s b. g. Rosebury, 5 yrs., 10st, 9lb.G. Goswell3
7 to 2 agst. Amersham.
The Earl of Sefton’s Plate (handicap) of 500 sovs.; Anchor Bridge Course (six furlongs).
Mr. H. Barnato’s ch. c. Auriform, by Cyllene—Auricula, 4 yrs., 6st. 10lb.J. Howard1
Lord Derby’s b. g. Persinus, 4 yrs., 7st. 3lb.W. Saxby2
Capt. F. Bald’s b. h. Gold Lock, 6 yrs., 7st. 8lb. (car. 7st. 9lb.)O. Madden3
10 to 1 agst. Auriform.
The (Twenty-sixth) Champion Steeplechase of 1,000 sovs.; about three miles.
Mr. John Widger’s ch. g. Royal Bow II., by Royal Meath—Bow Legged Bet, 5 yrs., 11st. 5lb.Mr. J. Widger1
Mr. W. Welch’s b. g. Mahratta, aged, 11st.A. Newey2
Capt. M. Hughes’ b. g, Vaerdalen, 5 yrs., 11st.M. Harty3
100 to 8 agst. Royal Bow II.
WARWICK CLUB MEETING.
April 2nd.—The Kineton Two-Year-Old Stakes of 5 sovs. each for starters, with 100 sovs. added; four furlongs and a half.
Lord Wolverton’s b. colt by Orme Perleonie, 9st. 2lb.H. Jones1
Mr. M. Gurry’s b. f. Geoffros, 8st. 8lb.W. Griggs2
Sir E. Cassel’s ch. f. Komombos, 8st. 8lb.W. Halsey3
11 to 10 agst. Perleonie colt.
April 3rd.—The Grove Park Two-Year-Old Plate of 200 sovs.; four furlongs and a half.
Sir M. Fitzgerald’s ch. c. The Cherub, by Cherry Tree—Sister Angela, 8st. 11lb.J. H. Martin1
Mr. John Bremer’s ch. c. Never Beat, 9st.A. Templeman2
Mr. R. McCreery’s ch. c. Paso Robles, 8st. 11lb.H. Pike3
4 to 1 agst. The Cherub.
NEWBURY SPRING MEETING.
April 4th.—The Newbury Spring Cup (a handicap) of 1,250 sovs.; one mile, straight.
Mr. T. E. Liddiard’s br. c. Succory, by Symington—Bi-Metallism, 3 yrs., 6st. 5lb.J. Plant1
Mr. L. Robinson’s b. h. Roseate Dawn, 5 yrs., 8st. 9lb.W. Halsey2
Capt. J. Orr-Ewing’s b. c. Thrush, 4yrs., 9st.H. Randall3
100 to 8 agst. Succory.
The Spring Three-Year-Old Maiden (at entry) Stakes of 300 sovs.; one mile, quite straight.
Lord Dalmeny’s br. c. Ramrod, by Carbine—Esk, 9st.W. Higgs1
Mr. E. A. Wigan’s br. g. Æolus, 8st. 11lb.B. Dillon2
Capt. J. G. R. Homfray’s b. c. Marlow, 9st.W. Halsey3
6 to 5 agst. Ramrod.
The Thatcham Long Distance Handicap of 200 sovs.; one mile and a half.
Mr. O. W. Rayner’s ch. c. Feather Bed, by Ravensbury—Bed of Roses, 4 yrs., 7st. 2lb.A. Templeman1
Lord Penrhyn’s br. g. Haresfield, aged, 8st. 13lb.H. Randall2
Mr. F. Gretton’s b. f. Zelis, 4 yrs., 6st. 3lb.J. Howard3
9 to 2 agst. Feather Bed.
The Chieveley Handicap of 300 sovs.; five furlongs, straight.
Capt. Greer’s ch. c. Rocketter, by Gallinule—Volante, 3 yrs., 8st. 5lb.W. Higgs1
Mr. A. Stedall’s ch. c. Melane, 3 yrs., 7st. 1lb.C. Trigg2
Mr. T. Worton’s b. c. Scrambler, 4 yrs., 8st. 10lb.Wm. Griggs3
7 to 2 agst. Rocketter.
The Kingsclere Stakes of 1,000 sovs., for three-year-olds; one mile and a quarter.
Lord Derby’s b. c. Bridge of Canny, by Love Wisely—Santa Brigida, 8st. 3lb.D. Maher1
Mr. W. Bass’s ch. colt by Love Wisely—Gressoney, 8st 8lb.O. Madden2
Mr. J. B. Joel’s br. c. Prince William, 8st. 9lb.H. Randall3
2 to 1 agst. Bridge of Canny.
The Carnarvon Stakes of 200 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each; five furlongs, straight.
Mr. J. B. Joel’s br. c. Diary, by Diakka—Supplement, 8st. 10lb.H. Randall1
Mr. R. McCreery’s ch. c. Paso Robles, 8st. 10lb.H. Pike2
Lord Villiers’ b. c. Hawthorn, 8st. 10lb.A. Templeman3
2 to 1 agst. Diary.
The Marlborough Handicap of 400 sovs.; seven furlongs straight.
Sir R. Waldie Griffith’s b. f. Charis, by Cyllene—Sweet Duchess, 4 yrs., 7st. 7lb.Wm. Griggs1
Mr. F. J. Benson’s b. h. Morgendale, 6 yrs., 8st. 7lb.G. Manser2
Mr. L. F. Craven’s ch. c. Sir Daniel, 4 yrs., 8st. 12lb.G. McCall3
10 to 1 agst. Charis.
EGLINTON HUNT MEETING.
April 5th.—The Scottish Grand National Steeplechase Handicap of 500 sovs.; three miles and a half.
Col. M. Lindsay’s b. g. Creolin, by Arklow—Creosote, aged, 9st. 13lb.A. Newey1
Mr. C. R. Hodgson’s b. m. Do be Quick, 6yrs., 11st. 8lb.T. Dunn2
Mr. H. Allison’s b. h. Hackett, aged, 9st. 9lb.G. Goswell3
10 to 1 agst. Creolin.
April 7th.—The Derbyshire Plate (a High-weight Handicap) of 250 sovs.; one mile and a half.
Mr. Lionel Robinson’s b. f. Laveuse, by Laveno—Irish Girl, 5 yrs., 8st. 5lb.W. Halsey1
Major Edwards’ br. c. St. Kevin, 4 yrs., 7st. 8lb.W. Griggs2
Mr. George Faber’s b. h. Mountain Rose, 6 yrs., 9st. 1lb.H. Jones3
6 to 4 agst. Laveuse.
The Osmaston Plate of 200 sovs., for two-year-olds; four furlongs, straight.
Mr. J. B. Joel’s ch. c. Earlston, by Love Wisely—Monday, 8st. 8lb.W. Griggs1
Mr. Vyner’s ch. f. Saucy Queen, 8st. 5lb.B. Dillon2
Mr. R. Sherwood’s b. f. Tacitan, 8st. 5lb.W. Halsey3
2 to 1 agst. Earlston.
NOTTINGHAM SPRING MEETING.
April 9th.—The Nottingham Spring Handicap of 500 sovs.; one mile and a quarter.
Mr. L. Robinson’s b. c. Challenger, by Isinglass—Meddlesome, 5 yrs., 9st.W. Halsey1
Mr. J. Barrow’s b. c. Gallinago, 4 yrs., 7st. 1lb.A. Templeman2
Mr. Vyner’s ch. h. Killigrew, 5 yrs., 7st.W. Saxby3
100 to 7 agst. Challenger.
April 10th.—The Newark Plate (Handicap) of 200 sovs.; the Straight Mile.
Mr. E. Foster’s b. f. Rolandine, by Ravensbury—Queen Marguerite, 3 yrs., 6st. 4lb.J. Howard1
Mr. J. Milnthorp’s ch. f. Meelagh, 3 yrs., 6st. 5lb.A. Vivian2
Mr. C. B. L. Fernandes’ b. c. Ripon, 4 yrs., 7st. 2lb.J. Cockeram3
7 to 2 agst. Rolandine.
LEICESTER SPRING.
April 11th.—The Billesden Plate (Handicap) of 200 sovs.; one mile, straight.
Mr. G. Parrott’s b. g. Truffle de Perigord, by Perigord—Bit of a Devil, 4 yrs., 8st. 2lb.B. Lynham1
Mr. J. T. Wood’s Filippo, 4 yrs., 8st. 4lb.O. Madden2
Mr. Jersey’s b. c. Sea Lion, 3 yrs., 6st. 9lb.J. Plant3
100 to 8 agst. Truffle de Perigord.
The Melton Plate (Handicap) of 200 sovs.; five furlongs, straight.
Mr. A. Stedall’s ch. c. Melane, by Freemason—Melanie, 3 yrs., 7st. 4lb.C. Trigg1
Mr. A. H. Ruston’s b. g. Early Bird, 6 yrs., 8st. 7lb.E. Charters2
Sir H. E. Randall’s ch. c. Sir Edwy, 3 yrs., 6st. 7lb.J. Howard3
5 to 2 agst. Melane.
April 12th.—The Leicestershire Spring Handicap of 300 sovs.; one mile and a quarter.
Mr. C. S. Newton’s b. h. Extradition, by Prisoner—Panama, 5 yrs., 8st. 4lb.O. Madden1
Mr. L. Robinson’s b. m. Laveuse, 5 yrs., 8st. 4lb.W. Halsey2
Mr. L. de Rothschild’s ch. h. Kunstler, aged, 7st. 3lb.J. Plant3
9 to 2 agst. Extradition.

SHOOTING.

March 15th.—At Monte Carlo, Prix des Roses Handicap, Count Luca Gajoli and Mr. Asplen divided first and second.

March 21st.—At Monte Carlo, the Prix des Palmiers, Mr. Roberts, Mr. C. Robinson, and Herr Hans Marsch divided first, second and third.

March 27th.—At Monte Carlo, the Grand Prix du Littoral Handicap, Count Luca Gajoli won the gold medal, and divided first and second with Signor Fortunio.

FOOTBALL.

March 17th.—At Edinburgh, England v. Scotland, former won by 3 tries to 1.*

March 17th.—At Dublin, Ireland v. Scotland, latter won by a goal.†

March 19th.—At Cardiff, England v. Wales, former won by 1 goal to 0.†

March 22nd.—At Paris, England v. France, former won by 4 goals 5 tries to 1 goal 1 try.*

April 2nd.—At Wrexham, Wales v. Ireland, drawn, 4 goals each.†

April 7th.—At Glasgow, England v. Scotland, latter won by 2 goals to 1.†

April 21st.—At the Crystal Palace, Football Association Cup Final, Everton v. Newcastle United, former won by 1 goal to 0.†

* Under Rugby Rules.

† Under Association Rules.

RACQUETS.

March 31st.—At Queen’s Club, the Amateur Championship (singles), Major S. H. Sheppard beat P. Ashworth in the final.

April 6th.—At Queen’s Club, the Amateur Championship (doubles), F. Dames—Longworth and E. H. Miles beat Major S. H. Sheppard and P. Ashworth in the final.

ROWING.

April 7th.—Oxford v. Cambridge (the University Boat Race). Putney to Mortlake. Cambridge won by 3½ lengths. Time 19 min. 24 sec.


Baily’s Magazine

OF

Sports and Pastimes.

DIARY FOR JUNE, 1906.
Day of Month.Day of Week.OCCURRENCES.
1FEpsom Races. The Oaks.
2SKempton Park Races.
3SWhit Sunday.
4MHurst Park, Redcar, Wolverhampton, Hooton Park and Hexham Races.
5TuHurst Park, Redcar and Wolverhampton Races. At Lord’s, Middlesex v. Somerset.
6WBirmingham Races.
7ThManchester Races.
8FManchester and Brighton Races.
9SManchester and Brighton Races.
10STrinity Sunday.
11MLincoln Races. At Lord’s, Middlesex v. Notts. At Oval, Surrey v. Sussex.
12TuLincoln and Lingfield Races.
13WLingfield and Beverley Races.
14ThBeverley and Lewes Races. At Lord’s, Middlesex v. Yorks. At Oval, Surrey v. Kent.
15FLewes Races.
16SHurst Park Races.
17SFirst Sunday after Trinity.
18MAt Lord’s, Middlesex v. West Indians.
19TuAscot Races.
20WAscot Royal Hunt Cup.
21ThAscot Gold Cup. At Lord’s, M.C.C. & Ground v. Worcestershire. At Oval, Surrey v. Oxford University.
22FAscot Races.
23SWindsor Races.
24SSecond Sunday after Trinity.
25MAt Lord’s, M.C.C. & Ground v. Cambridge University. At Oval, Surrey v. West Indians.
26TuGatwick and Newcastle Races.
27WGatwick and Newcastle Races. Royal Agricultural Society’s Show at Derby (4 days).
28ThNewcastle and Folkestone Races. At Lord’s, M.C.C. and Ground v. Oxford University.
29FSandown Park and Birmingham Races.
30SSandown Park and Birmingham Races.

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BAILY’S MAGAZINE
OF
SPORTS AND PASTIMES
No. 556.       JUNE, 1906.       Vol. LXXXV.