negotiable head-quarters for one that has no contempt for his ease and pleasure: should you doubt it, try the Regent for a week.

The race-course lies beyond Warwick, taking the observation from Leamington. It is, as perhaps everybody knows, close to the county town, prettily situated, but indifferent for the purposes of racing, being too hard when the weather is dry, and too soft when it is wet. Now, though the sun shone during the race-days, there had been much rain previously; and the ground was awfully heavy. For this reason-as, indeed, for other causes, no "lines" were to be had. The affair was a very pretty affair in itself, beyond which it did not extend. The sport commenced with the Scurry Stakes (amateur riders), and this Mr. Rowlands, on Bruce, won by a length, beating a bad lot of three, whereof the worst was Helena, with her owner, Sir John Gerard, up. There was some bungle about Khondooz that was telegraphed at the last moment, but didn't. go. Elimea was the favourite at starting; but somehow Mr. Clifton waited too patiently, so that, when the ground was to be made good, there wasn't time to do it in. The science of measuring pace and distance is one that needs the great teacher experience more than any branch of the equestrian art. The Trial Stakes brought out seven, the whole of them three-year-olds, which, at the light weight put on that age in mixed races, must go for little in the matter of estimate. The distance was a mile, done with great earnestness, the state of the ground considered. Sponge won on the post by a head, beating The Great Western; Liston third. The winner is in the Derby, but his victory did not bring him into the betting upon that event. Next came the Woodcote Stakes for two-year-olds, colts carrying 8st. 71b., and fillies 8st. 4lb., with the ordinary allowances for "maiden" papas and mammas. Two went, and Lammermoor won-a youngling of Mr. Green's flock. It was, however, a very so-so performance, and will hardly help him to friends for the Derby or Leger of '49, in both of which he is. The Willoughby Handicap was another amateur exhibition, in which several stars graced the scene. Seven started; the course two miles; and the finish between two. These were Master Stepney, steered by Mr. Bevil, and Icicle, ridden by Mr. Rowlands; the horse winning by a neck.

A Free Handicap, for three-year-olds and upwards, drew five to the post; and this Master Downes, in his sixth year, carried off. Hereupon arose a dispute; for Mr. T. Parr, the owner of Marietta, that ran second, insisted the young master's parentage was too carelessly dealt with in his early years to entitle him to the privileges of proper identity. In 1846 we find him before the public as the son of one father-videlicet, The Mummy; subsequently he claimed the honour of having had two-that is to say, The Mummy, as aforesaid, and Tamworth. The authority referred to didn't seem to think it any matter how many fathers a horse might have; but of course the point was too knotty for a county steward to dispose of. The affair will therefore be sent up to the turf chancery-the Jockey Club. The Farmers' Plate produced six champions, and two heats-The Morsel the winner; and the four matches between Messrs. Alleyne and Clifton being compromised by the latter for a consideration, the business of the day, as far as racing was concerned, was brought to a close.

What betting occurred during the evening, or what else was done, we may dispense with inquiring, and proceed to Wednesday's sport. This, too, was very ample, beginning with an amateur stake hight The Debdale, with half-a-dozen starters. A sort of a wrangle preceded the race, which Lord Strathmore won with and upon Red Lancer. This young nobleman merits success, for he surely endeavours to deserve it. No matter where or how-with the sunlight sparkling on his satin toilette, or up to his ears (indeed, over his head and ears) in mud; lame or sound; good, bad, or indifferent-you never miss him when there is anything to be done becoming a cavalier sans peur in the matter of Olympics. The Two-year-old Stakes induced four out of the six subscribers to show. It moreover produced a very pretty struggle (to look at) between the winner, Lammermoor, and a filly called Selina. The horse was a good deal "gruelled," however; and as the time was over a minute and a-half, the course being the T.Y.C., the pace was not a flying one. The Castle Stakes, The Great Western walked over for, receiving two forfeits of 10 sovs. each. This brought us to the betting event of the meeting-The Great Warwickshire Handicap; forty subscribers, and geven to the post. For this the Irish nag, Ballinafad, became the great creature, 5 to 4 being the highest offer against him. For a decent four-year-old, 6st. 9lb. is not an over-dose of avoirdupoise, it must be admitted. It was an exceedingly picturesque party for a considerable portion of the distance-indeed, till Ballinafad left his company, and won in a canter. The Emerald-islander was now looked to for the Chester Cup-another sop for the book-makers. A Chicken Sweepstakes, for three-year-olds and upwards, brought forth a sporting field of a baker's dozen. Ferryhill-a Derby nomination, entered to be sold for £50-won by a head, with Ġst. 4lb. up. The Beaten Handicap Columbus won; and so the list was run off. It will be seen that the amount of races far exceeded any former anniversary; and Warwick bids fair to be the most important of the early meetings.

And now, welcome, violet-breathing Spring, "wind-winged emblem" of the sport we love! All hail, young mother of hope! Come, with thy life of life, the eternal trust which looks back upon evil days as upon the winter of discontent, destined to disappear before eternal sunshine!

ALARM.

THE PROPERTY OF C. C. GREVILLE, ESQ.

ENGRAVED BY E. HACKER, FROM A PAINTING BY J. F. HERRING, SEN.

Alarm, bred by Captain Delmè in 1842, is by Venison, out of Southdown, by Defence, her dam Feltona, by X.Y.Z., out of Janetta, by Beningbrough Drone Contessina.

Venison, by Partisan, out of Fawn, by Smolensko, perhaps the most successful stud-horse of the day. (Vide List of "Stallions for the Season," in the present number.)

Southdown, bred by Captain Lamb in 1836, never appeared on the Turf, and as yet has thrown nothing worthy of ranking with her second son and first hope.

Alarm is a bay horse, standing fifteen hands two inches high, well furnished throughout, with excellent shoulders and quarters, deep in the girth, and uncommonly even-looking to the eye, though perhaps rather giving the character of a useful than remarkably handsome race-horse. He has good bone and substance, capital legs and feet, and according to those who should know best, 66 was never lame or sick in his life."

PERFORMANCES.

In 1844, Alarm, then two years old, ridden by S. Mann, won the Champagne Stakes of 30 sovs. each, h. ft., with 50 added (15 subs.), last three quarters of the New Mile, at Bibury Club (over Stockbridge Course), beating Mr. J. Day's Winchester (2), Lord Chesterfield's Lady Wildair (3), and the following not placed:-Mr. J. Day's Nutbourne ; and Mr. W. Etwall's Egis. Won cleverly by a length.

Soon after this favourable début, Alarm passed from his breeder's into his present owner's hands, and we find him accordingly, in 1845, as Mr. Greville's Alarm, ridden by Flatman, not placed for the Derby-won by Mr. Gratwicke's The Merry Monarch. For this race Alarm had long figured as a prominent favourite; and it is still thought by many good judges that but for the accident previous to starting he could not have lost. It may be remembered that as the horses were drawing up together, Libel jumped upon Alarm, who, in his alarm, got rid of Nat, and went away for the Steward's Stand, striking himself very severely against the chains. He was caught, remounted, and started; but too much upset at the time to take his proper place in the

race.

After being very judiciously nursed through the summer, he was brought out again in the last of the Newmarket October Meetings, when ridden by Flatman, and carrying 7st. 9lbs., he won the Cambridgeshire Stakes of 25 sovs. each, with 100 added, a mile and a distance, beating Event, 3 yrs., 6st. 2lbs. (2), Yardley, 5 yrs., 8st. (3), and the following not placed :-Trueboy, 5 yrs., 8st. 5lbs.; Mentor, 3 yrs., 7st. 7lbs. ; Example, 4 yrs., 7st. 9lbs.; Espoir, 4 yrs., 7st. 9lbs.; Young Lochinvar, 5 yrs., 7st. 8lbs.; The Baron, 3 yrs., 7st. 8lbs.; Ironmaster, 3 yrs., 7st. 4lbs.; Hope, 3 yrs., 7st. 2lbs.; Titmouse, 3 yrs., 7st. 2lbs. ; Wolfdog, 3 yrs., 7st. 2lbs.; Duc-an-Durras, 3 yrs., 7st. 2lbs.; Ould Ireland, 3 yrs., 7st.; Connaught Ranger, 3 yrs., 7st.; Secundus, 4 yrs., 6st. 12lbs.; Wee Pet, 5 yrs., 6st. 11lbs.; Everton, 5 yrs., 6st. 11lbs.; Elemi, 4 yrs., 6st. 9lbs.; Chertsey, 3 yrs., 6st. 7lbs.; Flattery, 3 yrs., 6st. 71bs.; King Cob, 3 yrs., 6st. 7lbs.; Croton Oil, 4 yrs., 6st. 6lbs.; Venus, 3 yrs., 6st. 4lbs.; Best Bower, 4 yrs., 6st. 2lbs.; and Jet, 3 yrs., 4st. 7lbs. 9 to 1 agst. Alarm, who won easy by two lengths.

In the previous meeting he received 250 forfeit in a match against Old England, across the flat, giving 5lbs.

In 1846 Alarm, ridden by Flatman at Newmarket Craven Meeting, won the Claret of 200 sovs. each, h. ft. (6 subs.) Ditch-in., beating Mr. Irwin's Ould Ireland. 7 to 2 on Alarm, who won by half a length.

In the same meeting he received 250 ft. from Lord Glasgow's c. by