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Ascot race week commenced most auspiciously, both as regards weather and attractiveness of programme. A sporting authority says- " Ascot never offered so brilliant a series of prizes for competition as on the present occasion; and never, perhaps, was a strong list better timed. The amateur

racing is a new feature in the programme, of which the only flaw is the small

number of acceptances for the two classes of the Ascot Stakes, ran on Tuesday. We should not omit to refer to Friday as exhibiting a proof of sterling improve- ment. Formerly it was a day after the feast,' in the fullest sense of the phrase: it will now be a feast of itself, the engagements, including the magnificent prize given by the Great Western Railway Company, being seven in number, with the certainty of at least one extra class of the Wokingham. The arrangements on the Heath, and of matters incident to the racing, are much the same as last year. The course, from the judicious use of guano and other manures, is well covered with grass, and in an infinitely better condition than any one could have expected from the late hot weather—better, in fact, than it was ever known."

Tuesday was the first day. Owing to the absence of the Queen, the at- tendance was not so numerous as usual, still it was satisfactory.

The Trial Stakes, of 5 sovereigns each; B subscribers. Won by Mr. E. R. Clarke's The Conjuror (Whitehouse); beating Sir J. Hawley's A-la-mode and three others. The Ascot Stakes, of 25 sovereigns each; 125 subscribers; first class. Won by Sir G. Heathcote's Akbar (Chapple); beating Lord George Bentinck's Marquis of Conyngham and six others. Second class; won by Mr. Herbert's Petitioner (W. Marson); beating Lord Orford's Footstool, and six others. Asco Derby Stakes, of 50 sovereigns each, 13 subscribers. Won by Sir G. Heathcote's Brother to Valentissimo (Chapple); beating Lord Exeter's Demetri, and some others. Sweepstakes of 100 sovereigns each, 5 subscribers. Won by Lord Or- ford's Prussic Acid (Nat); beating Mr. Osbaldeston's King Charles, and Sir G. Heathcote's colt by Amato. The Queen's Gold Vase, added to a Sweepstakes of 20 sovereigns each 10 subscribers. Won by Mr. J.Dawson's Grimston (Lye); beating Lord Waterford's Corranna, and five others. The Welcome Stakes, of 20 sovereigns each; 28 subscribers. Won by Colonel Anson's Iago (Butler); beating Lord Exeter's St. Demetri, and five others. Sweepstakes of 100 sove- reigns each; 14 subscribers. Won by Lord Chesterfield's .Arkwright (Nat); beating three others. Sweepstakes of 50 sovereigns each; 7 subscribers. Won by Lord Exeter's colt by Hetman Platoff; beating three others.

Wednesday being an" off-day," there was a diminished attendance; but the racing was excellent.

Sweepstakes of 60 sovereigns each, Lord Exeter's St. Demetri, (Galata colt,) (Mann); the Fern Mil Stakes of 15 sovereigns each, Lord George Bentinck'a Blackcock (Abdale). the Royal 'Hunt Cup, value 200 sovereigns, Mr. IV. S. Stan- ley's Leconfield, (Carter,) beating twenty others; the Coronation Stakes, of 100 sovereigns each, Mr. Ford's Guaracha; a Sweepstakes of 25 sovereigns each, Lord Lonsdale's Jericho (Bartholomew); a Sweepstakes of 10 sovereigns each, Mr. Merton's Evenns; the Windsor Town Plate of 50 sovereigns, Lord G. Bentinck's His Serene Highness (Kitchener); a Sweepstakes of 50 sovereigns each, Mr. Coombes foal by Glaucus, (Bartholomew); the Swinley Stakes, of 26 sovereigns, Lord Orford's Footstool (Mann).

On Thursday, the principal race of the week—that for "The Emperor's Vase," a magnificent substitute for the old AscotCup—took place. It is remarked that this was the first time since the Queen's accession that she has been absent on the grand day; nor was Prince Albert present. How- ever, Ibrahim Pacha attended; and the desire to behold the Egyptian Prince, together with the fine weather and the expected sport, collected a vast concourse on the Heath.

The Pacha took his place at the middle window of the Royal Stand. He was plainly dressed in a blue cloth wrapper, over a jacket of the same colour, very slightly embroidered; he wore the common Greek cap of red velvet, without or- naments: from beneath his wrapper, on the left side, appeared the plain hilt of a large yatagan. Major Dickson explained to him the nature of the coarse, and its different lengths for different races. He seemed to take a lively interest in the ex- planation: his features were full of vivacity, his gestures quick,. and somewhat exaggerated la Francaise. The different contests excited his intense attention and admiration; that for the Emperor's Cup was a well-contested race in the opinion of most persons, and Ibrahim Pacha never took his eyes off the horses from first to last. It was the first great quadrupedal contest he ever saw; and it appeared from his countenance to afford him much satisfaction. Immediately after the next race, his Highness left the coarse. He was pretty generally cheered as he departed. Prince George of Cambridge was on the course, and was very assiduous in his attentions to the Pacha.

The racing commenced before two o'clock, and did not terminate till past six. Her Majesty's Plate, of 100 guineas, was won by Mr. Drake's Bold Archer; Sir G. Heathcote's colt by Hetman Platof walked over the course for the Sweepstakes of 50 sovereigns each; the St. James's Palace Stakes, of 100 sovereigns each, were carried off by Lord Chesterfield's The Free Lance. The grand races was for a piece of plate, value 500 sovereigns, given by the Emperor of Russia, added to a sweepstakes of 20 sovereigns each. The winner was Mr. Greville's Alarm; Lord Lons&le's Jericho was second, and Lord Water- ford's Wolf-dog third. Twelve started. The distance was about two miles and a half.

IA-num.-3 to 1 against Alarm, 9 to 2 against Wolf-dog, II to 9 against Jericho, 7 to I against Orlando, 8 to 1 each against Miss Sarah and The Baron, and 18 to 1 against

Corrauna. THE Rzcz.—After a delay of nearly a quarter of an hour, occasioned by Orlando

having thrown his Jockey and broken his bridle, they got off at:the first signal; COrranntt at once taking a decided lead, followed by Jericho, Wolf-dog, and the Pen i colt; the rest laid up. The speed, slow a* first, mended at the Swinley post, but without any effect on the positions till the hones neared the last turn. Alarm then took the fifth place from the Pert colt ; The Baron, Miss Sarah, and Mentor, also lying forward. They came thus to the distance, where Miss Sarah, Corranna, The Baron, and Mentor, were defeated, and Jericho went on with a slight lead of Alarm to the half distance ; the latter then challenged, secured the race In about half-a-dozen strides, and won in gallant Style by a length; Wolf-dog third, Corranna a bad fourth, and Mentor fifth. Bun In

four minutes forty seconds. - ' The remaining' races were—the Visiters' Plate, of 110 sovereigns, won by Count Bathyan j's Gannet; the New Stakes, of 10 sovereigns each, with 100 added, won by Lord George BentinCk's Slender; the Dinner Stakes, of 100 sove- reigns each, by Mr. Coomb's foal Glaucus; and the Stand Plate, of 70 sovereigns, by Mr. Meiklam's Philip. The races closed yesterday; the chief feature of the day having been a prize given by the Great Western Railway. The attendance was confined to sportsmen.

The following were the races and winners—Match for 100 sovereigns, half-for- feit; Duke of Bedford's Taurina received forfeit from Mr. Death's Camilla. Match for 300 sovereigns; Lord Waterford's Wolf-dog. Second Class of the Wokingham Stakes, 5 sovereigns each; Mr. O'Brien's The Traverser. The Borough Members' Plate, of 50 sovereigns, added to a Sweepstakes of 5 sovereigns each; Mr. Mostyn's Alvanley. The Great Western Railway Company's Stakes, of 300 sovereigns, added to a Handicap Sweepstakes of 10 sovereigns each; Mr. Meiklam's Light- ning. The Wokingham Stakes, First Class; Mr. E. It. Clark's Conjuror. Sweep- stakes of 300 sovereigns each; Duke of Bedford's Leopard. Military Stakes, of 10 sovereigns each, with 30 added; Mr. H. Lowther's Lyons.

The Earl of Mount-Edgeumbe, being unable from indifferent health to take part in the Corn-law discussions in the House of Lords, has addressed a letter from Bath to Lord Stanley, explanatory of his reasons for giving his proxy vote in favour of the Government measure. He still thinks that much danger attends the experiment; but, looking at the state of parties, and the force of opinion in favour of the change, he does not see how it could be safely resisted. The whole letter is creditable to Lord Mount- Edgcumbe's coolness and clearness of head; but the postscript has a pecu- liar significance- " P.S.—Since the above was in print, I have beard of the meeting at Lord John Russell's, and seen the report of Lord George Bentinek's speech. Not doubting, that from a Government they did not wish to thwart the Irish measure would have been accepted by both, I am only confirmed in my belief that the suggestions I have ventured to make are well worthy of attention, come from what source they may. If Lord George BEntinck intends to take office with Lord John Rus- sell, or, with his cheerers, to form a fellow joint to Mr. O'Connell's in his Lord- ship's tail—although nothing, in my opinion, can justify the violence of his lan- guage—his conduct may be in accordance with his public duty. The formation of a Government by his party alone is held, by all I have ever met with, as a chimera only calculated to raise a smile. The talent to vituperate and destroy a Minister does not prove the ability to be one; and the determination to impede all government—aid none—though the expression of it may excite party cheers, will not gain the nation's confidence. The opinion that it is for the public good that the Queen should have an efficient Government is not entertained by the Duke of Wellington alone."

Mr. Finch, M.P., has informed his tenantry in Rutlandshire that he shall not in future preserve the game on his estates, and that they have his per- mission to shoot on their respective farms.

The Middlesborough and Redcar Railway was opened for traffic on Thursday last week, amidst great festivity.

A great increase has taken place in the traffic on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway this year; which for the five months ending with May, is upwards of 5,800/. better than the same period of last year. Last week the receipts were 2,2001.; being 613/. more than the corresponding week of 1845.—Newcastle Journal.

The 7'isaes correspondent, writing from Liverpool on Saturday, says of the building strike—" Affairs have undergone little change during the past week. The masons are still off. Most of the hands engaged in the other branches are again in employment."

The guns at the top of the keep of Dover Castle are to be dismounted, and others of a larger calibre mounted in their place; and the fortifications round Dover and the line of coast are to be placed in the best possible state of defence. We hear the Royal Artillery are to be greatly aug- mented. The detachments round the coast are to be reinforced, and com- panies to be sent to Sheerness, Pembroke, 8ce.; these ports not having had any of the Artillery stationed at them for a considerable period.—Dover Chronicle.

• The treasurer to the Guardians of the Poor of Birmingham, a Mr. Welch, has been committed to prison on a charge of embezzling some 1,1001. of the parish money. The defalcations extend over the years 1843, 1844, and 1845, and are of such a nature that they could not have arisen from ordinary error or negligence. The swindler Wyndham had played off a number of his tricks very success- fully at Leamington. The Leanungton Courier observes—" It is most remark- able that he has hitherto escaped detection, having been published in the Banker's Circular of the 20th of March last as a notorious swindler, and having from that time to the present assumed the same name as mentioned in that pub- lication; and also having succeeded during the last eight or ten weeks in de- frauding bankers in all parts of England."

Thomas Cheesman, a waiter at the Camden Hotel, Tunbridge Wells has at- tempted to murder Frances Sanders, a fellow servant, for preferring another swain to himself. On Sunday week, Cheesman, seeing the young woman walking in the fields with the favoured lover, took a clasp-knife from his pocket, and, sharpen- ing it on a stone, declared that if Sanders did not leave the arm of the young man, and walk with him he would cut her throat. She, however, as well as her

companion, thought that man was merely holding out some idle threats which he did not mean to put in execution; and therefore they walked on and took little or no notice of him. But Cheesman continued to follow them; and at length made a rash at the female and cut her throat, inflicting a very serious wound. Re is in custody.

The investigation into the hideous poisoning eases in Norfolk has been brought to a close. A chemical examination of the five bodies last exhumed has detected arsenic hi two of them; in the other three, which had been buried many years and were almost dissipated by decay, no poison was found. Arsenic was dis- covered in earth taken from the churchyard three feet distant from the remains: the medical men said other cases had occurred of the substance existing in burial- ground soil, but no explanation could be given of its source. A surgeon who at- tended the family spoke very positively to the three children in whose remains no arsenic was found having died of natural disease. No further light was thrown upon the matter. The Foreman of the Jury made some observations on the "wilful" wickedness and ignorance of the lower classes; and condemned, in the name of the Jury, the negligence which had existed in not holding more frequent inquests in cases of sudden death. A verdict was then returned, "That Maria Lacey and Maria Green died from the effect of arsenic; but by whom adminis- tered there is no evidence to show." An open verdict was given with respect to the other bodies. The re.porter states that during the last eighteen or twenty years old Balls was principally dependent on his married daughters for subsist- ence; and the supposition is that he poisoned his grandchildren in order that their parents might be better able to supply him. That he committed suicide,

fearing his crimes would be detected, there is no doubt; for after having adminis- tered arsenic to the infant of Pestle, the poor little thing vomited a piece of its lungs; and finding the mother was going to have it examined, he became greatly excited, observing, his death was near at hand, although he was in a better state of health than usual. In six hours afterwards he was a corpse. In addition to the many deaths charged aga'nst old Balls, it is now believed that he murdered his two sons, who have been dead niece than ten years, and his father and mother. That they died very suddenly, and in a mysterious way, is the general talk."

A man has been killed on the South Devon Railway, from his own temerity or thoughtlessness. Appointed to watch the machinery now erecting at the Countess Weir engine-house, he appears to have sat down at night on the atmospheric pipe, and then to have fallen asleep; for a train which came along destroyed him t his body was found on the line next morning, nearly all the head having been carried away by the engine striking it.

On Wednesday, a labourer, named James Wakefield, while at work in a field at Kingsley, was what is commonly termed "sun-struck," and died immediately.

On the following day another labourer, named James Burgess, at Netherton, was killed in the same sudden and dreadful manner. Decomposition was so rapid that each of the bodies was a mass of putrefaction an hour after death. Inquests were held before Mr. H. Charton, Coroner; and verdicts in accordance with the evi deuce were returned.—Liverpool Courier.

During a violent storm at Todmorden, last week, the lightning struck a cotton- mill; the chimney was knocked down, and the building set on fire; but, fortu- nately, no one was hurt, and the workpeople soon extinguished the flames.

Last Thursday night, about ten o'clock, as a number of persons were crossing Ulverstone Sands, from that town to Flookburg, on their return from the fair, they missed their way, after fording the channel. They fell into a hole known as

the Black Scar, and horse, cart, and passeng.ers,. nine in number, went down and never rose again. Several carts were following. in the right track, but no trace of the accident was seen, and pone of the parties in them were aware of the accident until the following morning. Six of the bodies were found in the hole on Friday, with the horse and cart; but the other three had not up to the evening been Xis- covered.—Preston Chronicle.

An old man has been gored to death by a ball, near Stratford-on-Avon. The deceased was leading the animal by a chain fastened to a ring in its nose; he riet

down to rest himself on a bank; and the bull immediately attacked him. With Some' difficulty it was killed by a number of people who assembled with weapons of all kinds.