TURF. 391 



The various modes of practice and impofi- 

 tion are too numerous and extenfive to ad- 

 mit of general explanation ; the purport of 

 the prefent epitome or contracfled defcription 

 being intended to operate merely as a guard 

 to thofe, who are totally unacquainted with 

 the infamy of the party, whofe merits we 

 mean to defcribe. 



The principal (that is, the oftenfible pro- 

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

 in the centre of the ** betting ring/' 

 previous to the ftarting of the horfe, iur- 

 rounded by the fporting multitude ; amongfl 

 whom his emiffaries place themfelves to per- 

 form their deftincd parts in theacSs of villainy 

 regularly carried on upon thefe occaiions ; but 

 more particularly at all the meetings within 

 thirty or forty miles of the metropolis. 

 In this confpicuous fituation, he forms a 

 variety of pretended bets wath his 

 confederates, in favour of his own horfe; 

 fuch bait the unthinking byftanders immedi- 

 ately fwallow, and proceeding upon this fhew 

 of confidence, back him themfelves : thefe 

 offers are immediately accepted to any 

 amount by the emiffaries before-mentioned, 



C c 4 and 



