DEAR MR. PUNCH.--Several people who do not know me as the writer of the "Selections," have told me that they took the tip about "_Balmoral_" for the Manchester Cup, but backed it to _win_ instead of to be _last_--thereby winning money!--now--of course the last thing a tipster wishes, is that his prophecy should turn out successful, therefore I am delighted at the result, as also was Sir MINTING BLOUNDELL, who won a good stake, and is the only person who knows the secret of my incognito. He congratulated me most heartily on my success, which he said was the more wonderful as he knew the owner did not much fancy the horse!--but, as I told him--if owners of race-horses knew as much as some of the public--(to say nothing of the prophets)--they would never lose the money they do, and would probably give up racing! The selection was entirely my own "fancy." I need scarcely say, I never _ask_ an owner anything, and if he volunteers the information that he thinks his horse "has a good chance," I find as a rule, it's just as well to "let the horse run loose," as they put it; though that is an expression I never quite understood, as I've never yet seen a horse "run loose" in a race, except on one or two occasions when the jockey has been thrown at the start--which now I come to think of it, may be the origin of the expression! So Ascot is once more a departed glory! We all shivered on Tuesday, got roasted on Wednesday, were comfortable on Thursday, and resigned on Friday--and on the whole the toilette show was successful; though I fancy some of the best gowns were held over for Goodwood--_one_ of mine was at all events--but my goodness!--if only our great grandmothers could have seen some of our modern petticoats!--more elaborate than any _dress_ they ever saw!--but then, as Lord HARPER REDCLYFFE said, our great grandmothers never got off and on coaches with an admiring crowd looking on, as _we_ have to do now-a-days; and you have to be pretty smart not to get hung up on the wheels--though as Lady HARRIETT ENTOUCAS said, "my dear Lady GAY--what _is_ the use of wearing all this loveliness unless one--" but perhaps it will annoy her if I tell what she _did_ say! The Royal Hunt Cup was a beautiful race, although the winner was not supposed to be the best of "JEWITT's lot;" but I am told he is one of those who "will not do his best at home," being beaten in the trial--and after all, how _very_ human that is--for how many men one knows who are perfect _bears_ in their home circle!