OUR LONDON LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 6417, 10 October 1883, Page 1

OUR LONDON LETTER.

[Via Suez.] OUR LONDON FLANEUR. SOCIAL, LITKBARY, AND THtfATBtfAL GOSSIP, London, August 24. The "dead season " is now at its height, and a walk along the deserted streets and squares of the West End would depress even Mark Taplev himself. Everywhere shutters are up and blinds down, even those who permanently reside in town having gone away in order to avoid the dreary dulness of the last weeks of August, But if the West End is a howling wilderness, the region around the Strand is not. _ Never have I 3een so many "country cousins" in London as there are now. They come up by "cheap trip*" to see the Fisheries Exhibition, and you meet them walking about Westminster in large gangs eyeing with open months the gilding of the clock-tower or the Bplendld frontsge of the Houses of Parliament. Our tired legislators will be allowed to separate to-morrow, and very glad they all seem to get away. During the last ten days of the session the sittings more than once lasted over fifteen noun, and the Irish members made themselves unceasingly troublesome. Talking of Irishmen reminds me that Carey, the fellow who so readily arranged the murder of others and showed such reluctance to be the subject ci similar attentions himself, has left behind him some letters considered to be an excellent study of hypocrisy. They will probably bo published in book form and be widely read ; though why anyone should care to peruse the lucubrations of such a blackguard it seems hard to say. The theatres are doing very poor business at present; in fact there has not been a new plajr of any importance produced since " Freedom commenced its nuceessf ul career now nearly three weeks ago. Of course all the " country cousins " patronise Drury Lane; and both "Kip Van Winkle" and "The Merry Duchess " still draw fairly well. The only novelty on the cards is & comedy entitled " The Glass of Fashion," which will be produced in September, at the Globe. Dropping in casually at the Savoy Theatre on Saturday week to renow my acquaintance with " lohnthe," I discovered I had perchance lighted on what the critics are wont to term an "interesting occasion." It proved to be the night of pretty Miss Fortescue's farewell to the stage, prior to her marriage with Lord Garmoyle, and her friends had assembled in strong force to inundate her with bouquets and otherwise express kindly feelings After the performance there was a grand supper at the Continental Hotel, at which Lady Donoughmore and other leaders of society allowed themselves to be introduced to the bride elect. It is Bald Miss Fortescue went on the stage in order to support a widowed mother. She is the niece, not the daughter, of Finney, the wealthy coal merchant, and has for some years been entirely dependent on her own efforts, The young lady made her first appearance in the chorus of the "Cloches de Cornevllle," at the Globe, She afterwards appeared at the Opera Comique in "Patience," where she won the favor of " Pinafore " Gilbert, to whose influence she in a great measure owes her advancement. Miss Fortescue is the only member of the Saroy Company whom Mr 3 Gilbert (a very frigid little woman) ever consented to receive at their own house. She will be proud now of her discernment. Lord Garmoyle (familiarly known as "Gumboil") has caused his distinguished parent, the ex-Lord Chancellor, many a paDg. He is an "arch-masher,"and was for a long time believed to be at the feet of Nelly Farren (Mrs Soutar). ' Vanity Fair,' with a characteristic disregard for peoples' feelings, says Lord and Lady Cairns are broken-hearted at the idea of the mesalliance. As a matter of fact they are nothing of the kind. Lord Cairns has written a very kind letter to Miss Fortescue, and the latter goe3 on a visit to her future husband's relations next month. The promenade concert season has commenced, and thousands of folks flock to Coven* Garden'r.ightly, glad to have an opportunity of hearing artistes like Foli, Enriguez, Maybrick, and Rose Hersee, not to mention the superb bands of the Guards and Coldstreams, for the small Eum of Is. I think I can give you the "straight tip" as to what will be the most popular waltz of the coming winter. It is called " In the Moonlight," after Lady Arthur Hill's famous song of that name, and introduces a number of favorite melodies. This waltz and Luke Wheeler's "Chic" polka are played every night now at the promenade concerts, no matter what else the programme may consist of. I hear from a private source that the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, and other members of the Royal Family are in ft fever of apprehension lest the Poet Laureate should make the Queen ridiculous by some overstrained tribute to the virtues of that much-fussed-over menial the late lamented John Brown. It seems the Queen sent for Tennyson the other day, and was closeted with him for nearly half an hour. The conversation is known to have been principally about the deceased gillie, and as that worthy was usually- pretty civil to the poet the worst is feared. Her Majesty's judgment seems sound enough on businfiss matterß, but her regard for Brown carries her to extravagant lengths. If you want a really fresh and interesting story to read let me persuade you to procure without delay Miss Constance Woolson's " For the Major," which Sampson, Low have Just issued at ss. There is nothing sensational in it, but a breezier, better-toned tale one seldom comes across. I have also greatly enjoyed reading "Errant: a Story of Latter-day Chivalry," by Percy Greg. This is not a new book, but may be asked for with confidence. The earlier scenes of the story are laid In India during the mutiny, and the latter in America during the civil war. Mr Greg is an adept at describing battles, sieges, etc., and those who begin the book will not lay it down in a hurry. Miss Braddon'a "Golden Calf" hafl been issued in the familiar two-shilling form, and, of course, sells largely. Chatto and Windus havealso added Leith Derwent's "Our Lady of Tears " and Mrs Houston's " Sink or Swim " to their florin series. Neither of these stories, however, are worth wasting time over.' The second number of the 'Gornhill's new series shows no improvement on the first, and it Is very generally felt that Smith Elder made a mistake in departing from the original scheme of the magazine. Mr Anstey, at any rate, will never become a great novelist unless he materially alters his method. The August portion of the " Giant's Robe " consists principally of a not very humorous anecdote about an intoxicated gander, the plot of the novel proper being scarcely advanced at all. The padding of the 'Corchill' is also very poor. The 6hort stories strike me as not even up to the familiar • Family Herald' level. SPORTING NOTES FROM HOME. London, Augusi24. The entries for the big autumn handicaps at Newmarket ate to hand, and proclaim that the racing season of 'B3 is already on the wane. Both events have obtained a fair subscription, the Cesarewitch closing with 111 and the Cambridgeshire with 137 nominations. I think I have before explained that these two races are to Englishmen what the Melbourne Cup is to an Australian. We take a proper pride in our classic contests, and are more or less interested in the big stakes of the spring and summer; but the supremely important question of all is, "What will win the Cesarewitch or the Cambridgeshire ?" The explanation of this lies, as you may suppose, in the fact that more money can be won over one of these races than over half-a-dozen Derbies. Books, par cxevvpie, were open on the coming contests long before the entries were made known, and already several animals, popularly supposed to be in reserve for the long-distance handicap, have been backed to win many thousands. . ..,, When I wrote last the " Sussex fortnight was drawing to a close amidst very bad weather, and tportsmen at Brighton felt anything but pleased with themselves. The racecourse of London-super-Mare is oneof the most treacherous in England. Horses invariably display extraordinary form there ; and if the " ring" do happen to drop a little money at Goodwood, they are quite safe to recover it with interest the following week at Brighton. This year the meeting proved, as usual, disastrous to baekers, and they journeyed on to Lewes in the lowest of spirits. The Ashley Stakes (worth close on L 1,000), for two-year-olds, was the chief event of the first day, and brought out a fair field, though the presence of Peck's invincible filly Superba frightened away several notable juveniles. Superba carried the extreme penalties, which made her weight 9st 41b, as against the Bst 111b of Mr Rothschild's Woodstock and the Bst 41b of Captain MachelTs Fantail. Camlet (9st 41b). Damietta (Sat 4ib), and Philosopher (Bst 111b) also ran. To give a stone to smart youngsters like Fantail and Damietta was a sevene task to set the handsome daughter of Sterling and Highland Fling, but Peck himself seemed confident, and after a little chaffering backets found they would have to lay 7 to 4 on the fllly in 0" 'er to obtain a share of the good thing." About the other runner^all; sorts 01 i prices were laid, Woodstock and Fantail being most in demand at 7 and 8 to 1 Unlike many "good things," this one did not "boil over/' but the gentry who laid L 7 on Superba for the sake of winning L 4 experienced

a bad two minutes at the finish. Peck's filly came out as usual opposite the stand, and -appeared about to canter in; but the great Weight soon told, and, tiring to nothing, Archer only just managed to squeeze her home in front of Fantail, whom most people thought had won till the numbers went up. Later in the afternoon another smart two-year-old filly —to wit, Lord Grosveuor's Reprieve (by Queen's Messenger out of Prowess)—made mincemeat of a small field in the Grtat South of England Breeders' Foal Stakes, of L6OO. Here again it was a case of 7 to 4 on the favorite, but Reprieve never gave her backers a moment's uneasiness, winning easily from Cannon's JNautch Girl and Mr Miinlcj's Pizarro 11. Quite the sensation of the season has been ihe scratching of Galliard for tho L.ger. Most people think Lord Falmouth's colt should have been first in the Dei by, and ever since Ascot he . haa been backed to win oceans of monoy at Doncaster. It is absolutely estimated that wwre than LlO 000 of public money in small sum 3, varying from 53 up to LI, fcaa been lost through the horse's withdrawal from the great race of the North. Lord Falmouth, however, did the right thing in promptly scratching Gallinrd dirvctly his case was found to be hopeless, What caused the breakdown no one seems to know exactly, but the majority of turfites usually explain the matter by observing: tersely "It's 'is'ock." With Galliard scratched, Elzevte 'under suspicion, and Highland Chief going badly in the market, the Leger has assumed a very open appearance. Backers now are recurring to some of their old love 3, and Royal Angus, Tho Prince, Ghulehurst, and Ladlslas have all had large sums entrusted to them this last week. Hauteur, too, has recovered from the accident that prevented her running for the Oaks, and in a quiet way Goldfield is sometimes nibbled At. Last treek the big race meetings were at Xea*pton Park, Windsor, and Stockton, and 'ihis week Northerners and Southerners have joined issue at the always popular York reunion. .Kempton does not call for much notice, the sport being principally of a plating description, but at Stockton good fields and close finishes were the rule. On the first day the Stockton Handicap, of LSCO, over a mile and threequarters course, brought together six fairiah •animals, of whom Mr M'Cann's, three-year-old filly Boadice* (fat 101b) was most fancied. The dinner, however, appeared in a turned-loose ahc-year-old mare, the jady Princess Bladud (by King Lud Poldoody). who beat Boadicea rather easily ; Mr Bowe's Sweet Auburn (3 yrs, 6st 31b), third. The '.winner's starting price waß stol.

The Hardwicko Stakes, of L6OO, for two-year-olds, was the chief event of the freOond afternoon, and for this Mr Hendry's Richmond (by Bold Dayrell—Miss Harriott) was made a strong favorite in a field of seven. The only other fancied was Mr Gerard's St. Medard —who had a pull of I3lb In the weights—and to tliese two the finish wa3 left. A.t the distance odds were offered on St. Medard winning, but Watts lode Richmond with great determination, and got him home first by a head. The Rotmd Tower Plate, of 500 sovs, for two-year-olds, was the only event of importance at the Windsor meeting, Sifc youngsters came to the post, but the face was considered such a certainty for Mr Leigh's Fantail (by Hermit— Stockdove), who you may reraember'made a great fight with Superba at Lewes, that the long odds <of 100 to 30 were laid on her, and 7 to 1 offered *' bar one." Fantail won easily enough by two lsngths from Mr Blanton's Votary, Baron Bothsohild's Diplomate third. York racecourse, known far and wiJe as the Knavesmire, ltos about a mile away from the city, a&d In Bno weather is a very pleasant l)laco. Unfortunately the ground is a little marshy, and two or three days' rain roduces it to the condition of a quagmire. The sport at York, however, invariably proves first-class; and many a time and oft it has been the scene of the downfall of a Leger favorite. It was on the Knaves mire, in the Great Yorkshire Sfr*kej, that The Miner conquered the famous Blair Athol, and Apology succumbed to Trent. Here too the deatu knell of the till then invincible Wheel of Fortune was sounded, and Dutch Oven ran so badly that to back her to win at Doncaster seemed madness. The Great Ebor Handicap is ths "big dish" of the York meeting. As a long distance event (two miles) it compares unfavorably with the Qoodwood Stakes, but often brings about a most exciting race. Tuk year Coirie Roy, the heroine of tbs Cesarewitch and Goodwood Stakes, was. honored with top weight of 9dt 121b; and though such an extreme penalty had never, Vu the history of the race, been carried first past the post, she was promptly installed favorite at a shade over 3to 1, Others heav.ly baoked before the Ring met on the enclosure at York were Lord Ellesmere's Lizzie (3 yra, fat 8lb), who was second to Corrie Roy at Goodwood, Mr Jardino's Muriella (3 yrs, 53t 101b); t-nd Mr I'Anson's Beaumaris (3yrs, 6st). York meeting opened on Tuesday last, when the Yorkshire Oaks, for three-year-old fillies (which has fallen to Lord Falmouth five times in seven years), was the principal item on the cards. This year his lordship had Britomartis (by Wild Oats—Nike) to do battle for him, and the filly, upon whom a shade of odds (5 to 4) were laid, had small difficulty in beating Mr Scarry's Bay Agne3 (secondl, Mr Bow«s's Golden Star (third), and two others. The only other event of importance that day was the Convivial Stake 3, for two-year-olds, in which the Stockton hero Richmond failed to concede 101b to the '" dark " Dunsdale (by Macgregor— Clifden Jewel), a colt belonging to Mr James Lowther. There were only four others, and lackers laid 3 to 1 on Richmond, so you may guess what a shout arose from the bookmakers when Dunsdale beat him without an effort. As the time for the decision of the Ebor Handicap approached Corrie Roy Went very badly in the betting, both Muriella and Lizzie becoming better favorites. There was a rush too on. Hagioscope at tine last moment, Beaumaris going back in consequence.

The Grkat Ebor Handicap Stakes, of 500 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 20 sovs each, hj ft, only oif declared ; winners extra; second received 100 sovs out of the stakes, and the third to save stake. Two miles over the Old Course. Twenty subs. Sir F. Johnstone's b m Corrie Roy, by Galopin— Corrie, 6 yrs, 9st 12b .. .. (C.Wood) 1 Mr R. Vyner's eh hj Hagioscope, by SpeculumSophia, 5 yrs, Sst 101b .. . (Griffiths) 2 Mr C. Perkins's be Reaumaris, by Rosiorucian— Bonnie Bell, 3 yrs, Gst .. \. (F. Barrett) 3 The Dethroned (7st Sib), Lizzie (b'st 81b), Seamore (6st 41b), Ploughboy (6st 21b). and Muriella (sat 101b) also started. Betting: 9to 4 against Muriella, 9to 2 Lteic, 5 to 1 Oorrie-Eoy, 7 to 1 Hagioscope, 8 to 1 The Dethroned and Beaumaris, 25 to 1 Seamore, The race proved a hollow affair. Beaumaris made the running, followed by Lizzie and Seamore, with Muriella well up. The favorite was beaten half a mile from home, and soon after Beaumaris compounded, leaving the lead with old Hagioscope. Corrie Eoy came on at the bend for home, and, passing Hagioscope like a flash of lightning, won in a common canter by three lengths, a neck separating Hagioscope from Beaumaris, who was third. Isonomy won the Ebor with 9jt 81b, but Corrie Roy's victory with 9at 121b is a much greater performance. When the mare returned to the paddock such a cheer arose as is seldom heard on a racecourse. The only other race at York to which I have space to refer is the timehonored Great Yorkshire Stakes, for three-year-olds. The Forty-first Year of the Great Yorkshire Stakkh, of 15 sovs each, 10 ft, with 500 added, for three-year-olds. Colts, Sst 10lb; and fillies, Sst slb; penalties and allowances. Second received 100 sovs; third, 50 sovs; and the breeder of tho winner 100 sova. One mile and three-quartors. 108 subs, 55 of whom pay 3 sovs each. Duko of Hamilton's b c Ossian, by Salvator—Music, 9st (including 41b extra) .. .. (J. Watts) 1 Mr C Perkins's b c Chislehurst, Sst 101b (C. Wood) 2 M. C. J. Lofevre's hj c Ladislas, Oat (carried i)-t lib, including 41b extra) .. .. (F. Webb) 3 Grenville (8»t 101b) Britomartis (Bst 51b, carried Sit 71b), and Oonsuelo (Sst), also staried

Betting at the start: 11 to 8 "against Chislehurst, 7 to 2 Ladislas, 9 to 2 Oasian, 6 to 1 Britomartis, 7 to 1 Granville. Oonsuelo made running for his stable-com-panion, and showed the way from Grenville, followed by Ladislas, with Ossian lying next, and Chislehurst and Britomartis bringing up the rear, and so they ran in Indian file '•> tb-> Middlethorpe turn, by which time tho le:u : had fulfilled his mission, Ossian then came vu_ Attended by Britomartis, Chislehurst, and Grenville, and without any material change they ran to the distance, where Britomartis was beaten, and Ohislehurst cime with a wet sail and challenged the Dak? of Hamilton'a representative. but after a splendid finish failed to reach him, and was dtfeated by a neck; two lengths divided second and third. Grenville was fourth, and Britomartis last. Time, as taken by Benson's chronograph, 3min. lOsec. Value of the stakes, L 892. The above races worked a groat chango in the St. Leger betting, which, at the time of writing, Is 9 to 4 against Highland Chief; fi to 8 to 1 Ossian ;Bto 1 Royal Angus; ICO to !) Chislehurst ; 100 to 7 Elzevir; 100 to 50 against Ossian first, second, or thirl.

EXTRACTS FROM THE 'EUROPEAN MAIL.' The ' Mark Lane Express' says :—" Someono who does not send his name has sent to this office Bomc very fine cars of mains!ay, a white wheat with red rough chaff; r.lso some very (rood ears of cono or rivetts, and some New Zealand wheat called 'Antipodes.' It is dangerous to sow wheat from l<ew Zealand or Australia in this climate. It may do remarkably well in a genial season, but as a rulo win from a warm climato does badly in l country." A correspondent, writing to the snme paper from the Cartmel district, in Cumberland, says:—" Our experience of Now Zealand wheat has not been unfavorable for this ungenial climate, with onr heavy rainfall and cold Bammers. Wanting; a change of seed in September, 1881. and not Ving able to find a good sample of rol ch:df white (which we prefer on account of its htitf str-w withstanding our rain and storm}, f yet «..m>i Teahmd. It turned out a fol cr=;p .ixi'.i .;,-x,d sample, in spite of a wet, cold MimnH-r, ime-n better than most other wheat in the neighborhood, Thi3 year it again looks well. In a field of moss ground, on the Holker farm, sown part with red and part with New Zealand, the latter »«e up badly, and it was doubtful., how it

I would turn out. It is now a fairV good crop, but not so good as the red wheat : but neither look so well as some fields of New Zealand on Wlndermoor (low ground). There are also some good fields of Nfcw Zealand wheat on the limestone." The impression among many farmers la that New Zealand wheat does well tho first year, but badly afterwards. The Emigration Department of the Now Zealand Agent-General's Office is just now very busy indeed. In the last week of July and the first week of Auguit no fewer than 1,300 emigrants were despatched in four vessels, and, judging by all appearances, the Colony will gain thereby some very desirable accessions to the directly productive sections of the community. At *ho meeting of the Kapanga Company, according to 'Money,' a good deal of distrust was exhibited with respect to the capability of Oapfain Thompson's management of the property in New Zealand. This gentleman has run through t.hreo capitals, and the Company ho is now managing is the third re-construction of the original concern. In these circumstances it is f'.-h by the shareholder.? that it is high tim« a change was made, but the graat difficulty which beset the directors is the distance at which the property is situated. More m<nuy is wanted, but it is obvious that it will not be forthcoming in any large amount unless a little more confidence bo infused into the shareholders with regard to the management of the property on the spot, It is expected that the Committee appointed by the Colonial Office to inquire into the present state of affairs in the Western Pacific will make its report by the end of August. By the will and codicil of Mr Richard Crawford, after providing for certain legacies, the residue of his property - including land in New Zealand and Australia—goes to his wife. During the past fortnight the market for frozen meats has continued firm, and supplies have only been moderate. The balance of the shipment of mutton per British Queen has been disposed of at from (s&d to 7£d per lb. Considerable progress has been made with the consignment par Lusitania, some 2,50.0 carcasses having been sold at from Od to per lb. The John Elder, bringing 1,501 carcasses of mutton from Sydney, arrived in dock on July 30, and the whole shipment has been cleared at prices ranging from 5d to (id per lb. The sheep, though in good condition, were much too small, weighing on an average but little over 401b each. Three shipments are afloat from New Zealand; the lonic, with 10,000 carcasses rf mutton from Tort Chalmers, is expected in about a fortnight; whilst the Mataura, from Auckland, and the Opawa, from Bluff, bringing about 7, fOO and 6,500 carcasses respectively, will probably arrive early next month. From Sydney, two consignments of about 5,000 carcasses each, per Chimborazo and Cuzco, are advised as on their way, The former vessel will probably be in dock this week. A fresh enterprise in connection with the refrigerated meat trade is announced by tho ' Texas Live Stock Journal' as being proposed to be started in Fort Worth by the Continental Meat Company, of Victoria (Texas); and that journal is of opinion that it is now but "a question of a short time " when Texas beef will be marketed as dead meat.