also started, but were not placed: 5 to 1 agst. Mendicant: won by a length. In 1846, at Newmarket First Spring Meeting, Mendicant, ridden by S. Day, won the Thousand Guineas Stakes of 100 sovs. each, h. ft. (twenty-six subscribers), beating Mr. Bowes's Mowerina (2), Lord Orford's Prussic Acid (3), Duke of Bedford's Taurina, Lord G. Bentinck's Ennui, Mr. Osbaldeston's Gazelle, and Mr. Wreford's Wilderness: even on Mendicant won by half a length. At Epsom, ridden by S. Day, she won the Oaks Stakes of 50 sovs., h. ft. (one hundred and forty subscribers), beating Mr. Wyatt's Laundry Maid (2), Lord Glasgow's filly by Retriever out of Emilia (3), and the following not placed :—Mr. Preston's Osprey, Mr. Bowes's Mowerina, Mr. Bowes's Ukraine, Mr. Littledale's Fantastic, Sir C. Monck's Vanish, Mr. Death's Camelia, Mr. Drinkald's Ohio, Mr. Johnstone's Fair Helen, Lord Orford's Prussic Acid, Lord Chesterfield's f. by Emilius out of Morella, Mr. Coombe's sister to The Nob, Lord G. Bentinck's Princess Alice, Mr. Gratwicke's The Flitch, Mr. Osborne's Hopeful, Mr. Bristowe's Marietta, Duke of Richmond's Cuckoo, Mr. Burke's Astonishment, Mr. Mathew's Chamois, Lord Albemarle's Nell Cook, Mr. J. H. Whitfield's Miss Verb, and Mr. J. Day's Miss Slick: 9 to 4 agst. Mendicant: won easy by two lengths. At Liverpool, ridden by A. Day, and carrying 7st., she was not placed for the Liverpool Cup; won by Mr. Meiklam's Lightning, five years old, 8st. 61b.; Lord Eglinton's Plaudit, 4 yrs., 6st. 6lb., second; and Lord Warwick's Yardley, six years old, 7st. 10lb., third: 6 to 4 agst. Mendicant. SUMMARY OF MENDICANT'S PERFORMANCES. In 1845, she started once without winning. In 1846, she has started three times and won twice. £ The 1,000 Guineas Stakes, at Newmarket, value clear 1550 3850 Mendicant is not in the St. Leger, nor, indeed, anything at present, beyond a small produce stake at Oswestry; and even for that we should consider her as a very doubtful starter, from the fact of her having paid forfeit for everything, good and bad, since her defeat at Liverpool. THE REGATTA WEEK AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT. BY THE EDITOR. Whatever may be said of the decline and fall of certain of our sports that once were popular, no one can deny that yatching goes on and prospers. It could scarce, indeed, be otherwise with a pursuit so eminently adapted to the national character; especially at a time when the amateur sailor has all the world of waters before him for his place of cruise. A noble, manly means of enjoyment is it certainly, and free from all the objections to which too many sources of excitement are exposed. Gambling is no ingredient in this elixir of the spirit: neither is it, of necessity, an expensive amusement; reference being had to the class that adopt it. It is a goodly, healthful, and appropriate sport. Let that suffice for its claims on our patronage, without going into the question of its use in a social or political point of view. Let us hold our peace about it as a training school for the navy, should any unlucky chance ever call for an immediate supply of able seamen. There is no need that utilitarianism should be at the bottom of everything. If there was, it is to be feared your yacht sailor would not be found very effective for the service. People talk nonsense when they bring forward the national good that the sport of yachting does in the capacity of a marine school. Its system is far too Sybarite for the course of life and duty required of your regular hard-weather Jack. One thing is it to skim the Solent in white trousers and a cap full of wind, and another to round the Horn with a frost-bitten nose and a hurricane at work blowing the marlin-spikes into shaving-brushes. Melodramatic mariners are all very well in their way; but when it comes to fighting a gun on the stump of the leg that is left, or reefing topsails when "hold on by your eyelids" is the word, give us sterner stuff. : During the last two or three years yacht-clubs have been springing up all round the coast (royal yacht-clubs for the most part), for these societies have very fitly been held worthy of the sovereign's countenance. Foremost among them is the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, to which I had in some wise the honour of being sponsor. When first the idea was entertained of establishing an amateur sailing society at Ryde, it was proposed that it should be called the Osborne Yacht Club, in honour of her Majesty's residence in the Isle of Wight. I suggested that the name of the queen would be a far more euphonius title, and one more likely to reflect dignity upon such a club and thence the designation under which it has at present the high honour to hail. Last year the club had its opening regatta-a very spirited beginning. In the present season, as will be seen anon, the regatta at Ryde was one of the best, both as regard sport and support, that has ever been celebrated in the kingdom. We will, however, come to it under easier sail. First it shall be told, that after a most pleasant summer in its native waters, the Royal Thames Yacht Club ported its helm for the westward, having fresh fields of glory open almost from Beachy Head to the Land's End. The Mersey sent forth its fleet for the Needles; Erin, her best barks across the Channel towards another tight little island; and early in the autumn a brilliant pleasure squadron had brought up inside the Wight Cowes Roads and Southampton Water being literally white with the canvas that crowded them. Till very late years these noble estuaries were, so far as relates to a pleasure marine, solely tenanted by the vessels of the Royal Yacht Squadron. It was but three seasons ago that the Royal Thames Yacht Club established for itself a local habitation at East Cowes. The Royal Southern Yacht Club only opened its club-house at Southampton last month; and that intended for the head-quarters of the Royal Victoria Club is at present in process of building at Ryde-to be opened, according to the contract, early in the ensuing summer. All this looks couleur de rose; but should it be asked "Surgit amari aliquid?" alas! that truth compels the reply to be an affirmative. In the squadron things are still" aristocratic" enough; but they are far from " gentle.' A feud is brewing, which threatens to "draw blood another day." Some time since, a gallant earl, who has at tracted a great deal of notice in his military capacity, was proposed for ballot as a member, and, in due course, duly black-balled. His proposers and friends took fierce umbrage at this, and threatened to black-ball every one that should in future go to election, no matter who it might be. Now, as one black ball in ten, I believe, does the business, a score or so could hold the electoral Thermopylæ against the whole force of the society, brought together at the quarterly meetings. Moreover" pity 'tis, 'tis true"-a bitter spirit is in existence against this society in other quarters besides at home. It enjoys certain privileges likely to create jealous feelings; and enforces them, it is said, in a fashion not calculated to soothe. I believe I am not alone in anticipating a heavy blow for it when the day shall arrive may it be long averted-that shall deprive it of its present truly noble, truly amiable commodore. Lord Yarborough has, indeed, been the star of its fortunes: steering by which it so long avoided the waters of strife; his banner of peace ever streaming in the van. The Royal Southern Club had not yet set its house in order when discord crossed the threshold. A more suitable rendezvous cannot be conceived than it has erected, facing the Royal Pier at Southampton. The architecture is in the best taste; so are all the appointments: the accommodation is as complete as the situation is admirable. Woe is me, that with such social appliances and means to boot, its members should have gone to loggerheads; but such is the sad fact. It seems to be a very pretty quarrel as it stands; but not a very comprehensible. As, however, the casus belli is actually coming before the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, we are likely to hear more about it, though we should not understand it any the better. As I have only heard one side of the question, and not approving of King James's practice in such a case, I think it better not to give any opinion. In the Victoria Club all, however, is "harmony and joy." Excellent practical rules have been enacted for its regulation, and proper practical men see that they are carried out. Ni fallor, the day is coming in which it will rank A 1 in the pleasure navy of Great Britain. In my regret for the belligerent attitude assumed by the members of the Royal Yacht Squadron, I forgot to add the pain with which I learnt that their secretary had found occasion to ruffle his feathers also. Let him be assured" he never did what did become him less:" there is something grand, if not grateful, when the tempest is on the face of the waters; but a puddle in a storm is, indeed, a sorry sight." 66 The first week in August gave to the sailing world the regatta in Southampton Water; at the termination of which the Isle of Wight became the yachting cynosure. To the professed amateur of aquatic pursuits it has many more attractions than those held out by its sailing matches merely. For the most chaste models of naval architecture, for the most finished specimens of nautical taste and handicraft it is the museum of the seas. If the Board of Admiralty have eyes, with what sort of feelings must they look upon the piece of amphibious Tunbridge ware in which the Queen of the Isles is turned adrift, and upon the style of craft which Joseph White provides for one of her subjects, the peerless schooner of a hundred tons, looming less than the Victoria and Albert's barge the clipper, that in the true spirit of the image, "Walks the waters like a thing of life!" class that adopt it. It is a goodly, healthful, and appropriate sport. Let that suffice for its claims on our patronage, without going into the question of its use in a social or political point of view. Let us hold our peace about it as a training school for the navy, should any unlucky chance ever call for an immediate supply of able scamen. There is no need that utilitarianism should be at the bottom of everything. If there was, it is to be feared your yacht sailor would not be found very effective for the service. People talk nonsense when they bring forward the national good that the sport of yachting does in the capacity of a marine school. Its system is far too Sybarite for the course of life and duty required of your regular hard-weather Jack. One thing is it to skim the Solent in white trousers and a cap full of wind, and another to round the Horn with a frost-bitten nose and a hurricane at work blowing the marlin-spikes into shaving-brushes. Melodramatic mariners are all very well in their way; but when it comes to fighting a gun on the stump of the leg that is left, or reefing topsails when "hold on by your eyelids" is the word, give us sterner stuff. During the last two or three years yacht-clubs have been springing up all round the coast (royal yacht-clubs for the most part), for these societies have very fitly been held worthy of the sovereign's countenance. Foremost among them is the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, to which I had in some wise the honour of being sponsor. When first the idea was : entertained of establishing an amateur sailing society at Ryde, it was proposed that it should be called the Osborne Yacht Club, in honour of her Majesty's residence in the Isle of Wight. I suggested that the name of the queen would be a far more euphonius title, and one more likely to reflect dignity upon such a club and thence the designation under which it has at present the high honour to hail. Last year the club had its opening regatta-a very spirited beginning. In the present season, as will be seen anon, the regatta at Ryde was one of the best, both as regard sport and support, that has ever been celebrated in the kingdom. We will, however, come to it under easier sail. First it shall be told, that after a most pleasant summer in its native waters, the Royal Thames Yacht Club ported its helm for the westward, having fresh fields of glory open almost from Beachy Head to the Land's End. The Mersey sent forth its fleet for the Needles; Erin, her best barks across the Channel towards another tight little island; and early in the autumn a brilliant pleasure squadron had brought up inside the Wight Cowes Roads and Southampton Water being literally white with the canvas that crowded them. Till very late years these noble estuaries were, so far as relates to a pleasure marine, solely tenanted by the vessels of the Royal Yacht Squadron. It was but three seasons ago that the Royal Thames Yacht Club established for itself a local habitation at East Cowes. The Royal Southern Yacht Club only opened its club-house at Southampton last month; and that intended for the head-quarters of the Royal Victoria Club is at present in process of building at Ryde-to be opened, according to the contract, early in the ensuing summer. All this looks couleur de rose; but should it be asked " Surgit amari aliquid?" alas! that truth compels the reply to be an affirmative. In the squadron things are still "aristocratic" enough; but they are far from " gentle. A feud is brewing, which threatens to "draw blood another day." Some time since, a gallant earl, who has at The tracted a great deal of notice in his military capacity, was proposed for ballot as a member, and, in due course, duly black-balled. His proposers and friends took fierce umbrage at this, and threatened to black-ball every one that should in future go to election, no matter who it might be. Now, as one black ball in ten, I believe, does the business, a Score or so could hold the electoral Thermopylæ against the whole force of the society, brought together at the quarterly meetings. Moreover" pity 'tis, 'tis true"-a bitter spirit is in existence against this society in other quarters besides at home. It enjoys certain privileges likely to create jealous feelings; and enforces them, it is said, in a fashion not calculated to soothe. I believe I am not alone in anticipating a heavy blow for it when the day shall arrive may it be long averted-that shall deprive it of its present truly noble, truly amiable commodore. Lord Yarborough has, indeed, been the star of its fortunes: steering by which it so long avoided the waters of strife; his banner of peace ever streaming in the van. Royal Southern Club had not yet set its house in order when discord crossed the threshold. A more suitable rendezvous cannot be conceived than it has erected, facing the Royal Pier at Southampton. The architecture is in the best taste; so are all the appointments: the accommodation is as complete as the situation is admirable. Woe is me, that with such social appliances and means to boot, its members should have gone to loggerheads; but such is the sad fact. It seems to be a very pretty quarrel as it stands; but not a very comprehensible. As, however, the casus belli is actually coming before the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, we are likely to hear more about it, though we should not understand it any the better. As I have only heard one side of the question, and not approving of King James's practice in such a case, I think it better not to give any opinion. In the Victoria Club all, however, is "harmony and joy." Excellent practical rules have been enacted for its regulation, and proper practical men see that they are carried out. Ni fallor, the day is coming in which it will rank A 1 in the pleasure navy of Great Britain. In my regret for the belligerent attitude assumed by the members of the Royal Yacht Squadron, I forgot to add the pain with which I learnt that their secretary had found occasion to ruffle his feathers also. Let him be assured 66 he never did what did become him less:" there is something grand, if not grateful, when the tempest is on the face of the waters; but a puddle in a storm is, indeed, a sorry sight.' 66 The first week in August gave to the sailing world the regatta in Southampton Water; at the termination of which the Isle of Wight became the yachting cynosure. To the professed amateur of aquatic pursuits it has many more attractions than those held out by its sailing matches merely. For the most chaste models of naval architecture, for the most finished specimens of nautical taste and handicraft it is the museum of the seas. If the Board of Admiralty have eyes, with what sort of feelings must they look upon the piece of amphibious Tunbridge ware in which the Queen of the Isles is turned adrift, and upon the style of craft which Joseph White provides for one of her subjects, the peerless schooner of a hundred tons, looming less than the Victoria and Albert's barge the clipper, that in the true spirit of the image, "Walks the waters like a thing of life!" |