8 ON A>'D OFF THE TOKF. 



Turfites all over the world are very mucli alike, 

 but I doubt if there cau be i'ouiid as much enthusiasm 

 ill a race crowd in any part of the globe as there is 

 in the Colonies. No matter under what circumstances 

 racint^ takes place, the people enjoy it, and even the 

 downfall of favourites has not much effect upon them. 

 On the turf in the Colonies is an exceedingly pleasant 

 existence. There are the usual ups and downs con- 

 nected with it, and the same amount of bad luck and 

 good luck. The same superstitions exist as in the 

 old land, and racing men are wont to regard certain 

 signs and omens with an amount of awe not under- 

 standable to ordinary mortals. There is the same 

 prejudice against walking under a ladder on a race 

 day — not for fear it might drop on the pedestrian's 

 head, or because a brick might come down unex- 

 pectedly, but because it is unlucky. 



I was seated in a tramcar one morning when a 

 particular friend of mine stepped in and sat down. 

 Suddenly, without a word of warning, he jumped up 

 and rushed out again. 



I looked under the seat to see if a dog had been 

 secreted there, and had gone for his calves, but there 

 was nothing to cause alarm in that direction. 



Much to my surprise I saw him come in at the 

 other side of the tram and quietly sit down. "What 

 is the matter? '' I asked. ''Too much whiskey last 

 nisrht ? '' 



