gbt Vrobintes.

Ascot Races began with auspicious weather and a rich programme, on Tuesday. Several alterations held been made in the arrangements, all tending to theeomfort of the visiters and the convenience of the patrons of sport. Not a gambling-booth was to be seen. The stakes were well supported by subscriptions and were more than commonly valuable; and some handsome additions had been made to the list for the week. The chief noveltywas the first of a series of magnificent prizes given by the Emperor of Russia to commemorate his visit to this country last year, and to encourage the sport and breed of racehorses. "It was," we are told by an annalist of the turf, "the express desire of the Emperor that his gift should be for the 'best horse e. that the conditions should be weight for age, and free from the allowances and penalties that have converted most of the principal races Into handicaps, for which, in order to give the moderate and bad animals a chance, it is necessary to impose such enormous weights on horses of repute as to prevent their running with any reasonable prospect of success. In fact, the Queen's Plates, the Assoot, Doncaster, and two or three other cups, are now the only prizes of any value left open for good horses to contend for. His Majesty's wish was complied with strictly ; the weights of the old Ascot cup were adopted, and 'The Emperofa Cup' will in future assume the character of a champion-trophy for the best horse of the year." On Tuesday, the ground was thronged; and the meeting was honoured by the presence of the Sovereign and her illustrious visitors. Soon after one o'clock, the Royal carriages, seven in number, approached the Grand Stead, attended by many horsemen, and preceded by the Master of the Buckhounds. In the first carriage were the Queen and Prince Albert with the Duke and Dutoliess of Nemours- in the rest, the remainder of the party and the suite; the Prince of Leiningen being among those in the second, with the Count De St. Anlaire; the Earl of Aberdeen in the third. In the first -race. eight horses ran for the Trial Stakes of 51. each, with 501. added; Mr. A. W. gill's Libel, ridden by Arthur, winning. The next race was that for the Ascot Derby Stakes of 50l. each—three horses: winner, Lord Exeter's Wood-pigeon (Mann). Ascot Stakes, of 251. each, in two classes, the second in each class to receive 801.: first class—sixteen horses: winner, the Duke of Richmond's Lothario (Nat); second, Mr. Meiklam's Inheritress (Lye). The Queen's Gold Vase—five horses: winner, Mr. A. W. Hill's Sweetmeat.

Sweep- stakes of 2001. each, (4 subscribers)—two horses: winner, Colonel Peel's colt by Slane out of Cobweb. After this race the Royal party left the ground. Then followed the Ascot Stakes, second class, for which fourteen horses ran; Mr. Payne's Queen Mob (Nat) being the winner; Mr. Johnstone's Annandale (Riley) second. This was a race of some vicissitude-

BETTING-2 to I against Annandale (taken freely) ; 6 to 1 against Queen-Mat.; and 10 to 1 against Poor Soldier, Snbduer, and I-am-not-aware. Tax Itaca.—Lyons cut out the work in the early part of the race, followed by Bata pergolaria, Stamp, I-am-not-aware, and Annandale ; Queen Mab lying in the rear. They ran thus to the top, when the running was taken up by Satyr, and carded on at a good pace to the last turn ; the front rank being composed of the same horses that had been in advance at starting. Queen Mab sow drew up, and oame first into the straight, followed by Satyr and Annandale ; at the distance Satyr showed ahead ; but at the stand was again deprived of his lead by the Queen, who held it to the finish, and won cleverly by a : Annandale, who came at the last, beating Satyr for se- cond by a neck.

The Welcome Stakes, of 201. each, with a bonus by an independent subscrip- tion of 51. each, were run for by ten horses; and won by Mr. airily's Weatherbit, (J. Day junior.)

Wednesday is considered an "off-day," and the company was less numerous; but the sport was excellent. More than fifty horses ran for eight prizes; the winners being as follows—Coronation Stakes of 100/. each, Lord Chesterfield's Stitch (Nat); Sweepstakes of 50/. each, Lord Stradbroke's Idas (Nat); Fern Hill Stakes of 151. each with 50/. added, Lord George Bentinck's Cherokee (Abdale); Royal Hunt Cup of 200/. by subscription with 100/. added, Lord Stradbroke's Evenus (Mann); Sweepstakes of 50/. etre ,h Sir Gilbert Heathcote's Brother to Valentiesiino walked ever; Great Ascot Produce Stakes of 1001. each with 2001. added, Lord George Banana's Cowl (Nat); Albany Stakes of 501. each, Lord Chesterfield's Lady Wildair (Nat); Town Plate of SOL each, Mr. Grreville's Deer- chase (A. Dickenson). For the last race twenty horses started; but for the Royal Hunt Cup the number that started was thirty, which makes the race remarkable- Birrrism—S to 1 against Semisetia ; 8 to 1 against Queen Mab ; 8 to 1 against Coesfighter ; 10 to 1 against Inheritress; 10 to 1 against Khorassan ; 10 to 1 against Evenus; 16 to 1 against Alaniode ; and 20 to I against Knight of the Whistle. 'Ins Race—By far the largest field of horses ever seen at Ascot was started on very fair terms ; all but Antler, who stopped as soon as he left the post, getting away In a cluster, Mr. Payne's two, Evenus and Khorassan, heading the nick. They ran in close order to the road, where Evenus obtained a slight lead, Mr. Payne's two still up, and Mongrel in a capital place, an immense number of horses still running forward. At the stand, Mongrel made his effort, and headed Mr. Payne's horses, but never quite got up, Evenus, after a pretty race, winning by half a length ; Queen blab an Indifferent third, Sir Francis fourth, Lothario fifth, and Alamode sixth ; Senilseria ran well for three- quarters of a mile, but tired, and at the finish was nowhere.

Thursday proved to be a very grand day—hot, thronged, bustling, and full of good sport. The cortege from Windsor Castle made its appearance about one (Tack; much in the same order as on Tuesday, but somewhat more numerous. The Datchess of Kent, Prince George of Cambridge, Sir Robert and Lady Peel, were now of the party. Soon after their arrival at the Grand Stand, the races be- gan, with the one for the Queen's Plate of 100 guineas; for which six horses ran: winner, the Duke of Bedford's Minotaur (Lye). The next was the race for the New Slakes of 10/. each with 101. added—eighteen horses: Lord Lonsdale's colt by Bay Middleton (Bartholomew). After this race, the Royal party retired to lunch. For the St. James's Palace Stakes of 100/. each only two horses ran: the stakes were won by Lord Stradbroke's Ides (Lye). The Emperor of Russia's Plate, valued at 500/., was given with a sweepstakes of 20/. each, 26 subscribers; the ran was "once round and in," about two miles and a half. Only four horses started, all of note: the winner was Lord Albemarle's Emperor, ridden by White- hofise.

THE BETTING.-7 to 4 on Faugh-a-Ballagh (offered in thousands); 5 to 2 against Alice Hawthorn ; 6 to 1 against Cowl ; and 10 to 1 (nominal) against The Emperor.

Tan RACE.—Faugh-a-Ballagh took the lead at a strong page, The Emperor lying next him, Alice Hawthorn third, and Cowl, who never appeared in front, last. The Intervals between the horses increased after making the turn at the top of the course ; but not the slightest change in the order of running was observable until they reached the Brick-kiln ; where Alice Hawthorn took the lead, the favourite lying second, and The Emperor third, well up. They ran so to the distance ; where The Emperor and Faugh-a-Ballagh went to the mare and defeated her; the running was then taken up by The Emperor, who carried it on right gallantly to the end ; and, amidst cheers that bespoke the estimation in which one of the most amiable men on the turf is held, won by two lengths; Alice a bad third. Cowl broke down at the last torn.

Twelve horses ran for the Visitors' Plate of 1001. by a handicap of .51. each, 52 subscribers, the surplus to the second: winner, Mr. A. W. Hill's Libel (Arthur); second, Lord Exeter's Wee Pet (Mann). After this race, the Queen and her companions left the ground, for Windsor. Both in going and coming, her Majesty was much cheered, and looked well and pleased. Two more stakes re- mamed—a sweepstakes of 100/. each, won by Lord Chesterfield's Javelin (Nat); and the Sviinley Stakes of 251. each, for which Mr. A. W. Hill's Sweetmeat walked over the course.

The company on the ground yesterday was chiefly confined to the sporting classes; but the racing was good. These were the winners: of the Chesterfield Stakes of 1001. each, Lord Exeter's Wood-pigeon (Mann); the Borough Members' Plate, Mr. A. W. Hill's Beaumont (Calloway); the Wokingham Stakes of 5d each—first class, Lord George Beni/rides Discord (Nat); second class, Mr. Howe's chesnut colt by Batcatcher (Pettit); third class, Lord Stradbroke's Evenus (Nat); Sweepstakes of 3001. each, (three subscribers,) Mr. Combe's Keeley walked over. Thus closed the sport, and the meeting broke up.

There are reports of another affair like that of Old England. It is said that a large BUM was offered to John Day junior, " to ' pull the Melody colt (now aUed Discord) for the Derby, in Little Wonder's year, (18400 which offer was refused, and subsequently communicated to the owner, Mr. Etwall. A statement to this effect has been laid before the Stewards of the Jockey ChM; John Day, we are informed, persisting in his story. On the other hand, the party upon whom this very serious imputation has been thrown not only meets the charge with a flat denial, but declares that he is prepared to establish by his book, and by let- ters from John Day junior, that so far from being in a position to wish to have the horse beaten, he had actually backed him, for himself and the individual whose integrity he is asserted to have assailed, to win a large stake." It is un- derstood that the case will be investigated today. (Saturday).

About a thousand Wiltshire agricultural labourers have met at the village of 17pavon and passed resolutions against the Corn-laws. The speakers appear to have been all labouring men, with one exception. All complained of the misery they suffered from low wages, and declared that they were almost starved. One man said that he had a wife and five children to support on seven shillings a week. There were twenty-one meals to he provided out of one shilling; leaving no provision for clothes, firing, candles, and soap ! When he came home, two or three of the children were generally gone to bed; and when he came in they be- an crying, "Father, bring me up a piece of bread." He had often heard. this cry during the winter, and even withm the last week. What could he do? he had no bread to give them. The men seemed to fear that their masters would discharge them for attending the meeting; the chairman of the present assemblage having been discharged for speaking at a former one.

Sir James Graham has ordered the discharge of John Grantham, on the 15th instant, from Buckingham Borough Gaol, where he has been confined for about four months, in consequence of his effects not being sufficient to realize 8/. Is. 8d., the amount of surcharge for having snared a hare in the hamlet of Lenborough. After a fortnight's imprisonment, he paid 51. 16s. fine and costs for the above offence, which was preferred against him by the Duke of Buckingham's game- keepers. On his hberation, fresh proceedings were taken against him on the same charge; and he was, as above stated, again committed to gaol, there to lie dining her Majesty's pleasure.—Times.

The Home Secretary has also released two men who were committed from the Abingdon Petty Sessions to prison, for two months with hard labour, in default of paying a fine for trespassing with other men, in search of game, on lands belonging to the Earl of Abingdon. Fifty pheasant-wires were found set-in the cover whe-e the men were trespassing. Mr. George Fish, a Nottingham gentleman, has been killed by the explosion Of a fowling-piece, which forced a ramrod through his head. It passed through the upper lip, the jaw-bone, the base of the skull, the brain, and out at the back of the skull, towards the right side. The surgeons had great difficulty in drawing it out; and the patient died in a week.

An explosion of gunpowder occurred in a shop at Durham, on Monday, which is likely to be attended with fatal results. A boy had charge of the shop, and it is supposed that he dropped a spark from a candle an to a packet of gun- powder. The whole front of the house was blown into the street; and a young woman who was in the second floor was carried out and buried in the ruins; she was so much injured that her recovery is doubtful. The shop-boy, and the wife and child of the tradesman, were found in the rains within the house; the woman and child were little hurt, but the boy is dreadfully burnt, and is not expected to live. A vast quantity of glass was shattered in the neighbourhood, and the explosion was felt throughout the city.

A steamer, to be called " The Lady of the Lake," has been launched on the Windermere. This is said to be the first steamer on any English or Irish lake.