TURF. ^ 391 



The various modes of practice and imposi- 

 tion are too numerous and extensive to ad- 

 mit of general explanation ; the purport of 

 the present epitome or contracted description 

 being intended to operate merely as a guard 

 to those, who are totally unacquainted with 

 the infamy of the party, whose merits we 

 mean ta describe. 



The principal (that is, the ostensible pro- 

 prietor of the horse for the day) is to be found 

 in the centre of the '" betting ring/' 

 previous to the starting of the horse, sur- 

 rounded by the sporting multitude ; amongst 

 whom his emissaries place themselves to per- 

 form their destined parts in the acts of villany 

 regularly carried on upon these occasions ; but 

 more particularly at all the meetings within 

 thirty or forty miles of the metropolis. 

 In this conspicuous situation he forms a 

 variety of pretended bets with his con- 

 federates, in favour of his own horse ; such 

 bait the unthinking bystanders immediately 

 8\ya!low, and proceeding upon this show 

 of confidence, back him themsekes : these 

 offers are immediately accepted to any 

 amount by the emissaries before mentioned. 



