RACES AT LONG ISLAND. 11 



course, our horse and waggon were put into a court, and we 

 proceeded on foot. 



The Union Course is private property, and completely 

 shut against the public by a fence of strong upright posts, or 

 stakes, enclosing a considerable space of more ground than is 

 occupied by the course. For a considerable distance on each 

 side of the winning post, the exterior fence consists of strong 

 boards impervious to vision, on the top of which are stands 

 capable of containing many thousand people. The interior 

 margin of the raceway is fenced by a low open paling, except 

 opposite the winning-post, where high upright stakes are sub 

 stituted. A portion of ground including part of the raceway 

 is thus enclosed for the accommodation of the horses, and 

 those more immediately interested in them, by the stands on 

 one, and close upright stakes on three sides, with large gates 

 crossing the raceway, which are kept open during the time of 

 running. A quarter dollar was exacted on passing the outer 

 barrier of the course, on entering which, we found the first 

 race concluded. Inheriting a smack of the jockey, my first 

 object was to obtain a view of the horses ; and on applying 

 for admission into the enclosure where they were walking, I 

 learned a ticket was the only passport ; but preparations for 

 starting commenced, and the first two-mile heat was run, 

 according to my watch, in three minutes and fifty-seven 

 seconds. My anxiety for a sight of the horses increasing, I 

 applied to a gentleman, seemingly of importance in the racing 

 circle, to be allowed to approach them, and was informed that 

 on paying three dollars, 12s. 9d. sterling, I would obtain a 

 ticket of admission into the enclosure. The terms on which I 

 could come near the horses appearing extravagant, I content 

 ed myself with peeping through the stakes at a distance. It 

 would be unfair to attempt a minute description of the ani 

 mals, under the circumstances in which I was placed, but they 

 seemed not quite so strong as English race-horses, though 

 more sprightly and graceful in the mode of carrying their heads 

 and tails. 



There are few finer sights in England than a well-attended 

 race-course in good weather. All ranks, from the king to the 

 beggar, male and female, assemble in their best equipages 



