BETTING. 251 



in the construction of our stands, we endeavour to place the 

 ladies as far as may be out of reach of what they call the 

 shrieking of those horrid ring-men ; but let us be honest, and 

 confess that we do this rather because we want the fair ones 

 out of the way when we are transacting business, and that nine 

 out of every ten of them would, if they had their choice, prefer 

 being so situated that they could bet in running, which in their 

 case means an imaginary possibility of betting after the winner's 

 number has been hoisted. 



Let any turfite try to picture to himself the appalling gloom 

 of a ring silent before the race. The hush which follows the 

 success of a heavily backed favourite is, we admit, not altogether 

 ungrateful to the nerves of his overwrought supporters. 



One thing, however, is certain — that as long as we have 

 racing we shall have bet Ling— that ceaseless war between layers 

 and backers will still be waged ; though the odds (in every 

 sense of the word) are so enormously in favour of the former, 

 yet are the ranks of the latter quickly closed up after defeat by 

 fresh champions. 



Each stepping where his comrade stood 

 The instant that he fell. 



At present we see no sign of a final Armageddon. Of 

 these two opposing armies, the paradox of whose life is, 

 that neither could exist without the other, precedence shall be 

 given to the layers of odds — the betting fraternity as they are 

 rightly called— their cohesion and identity of purpose giving 

 them just claim to that title ; for they act as much in unison 

 as a Roman legion, though each man has to fight singly and 

 desperately for his own hand, as was the case with that fierce 

 soldiery. 



The generic term ' Bookmakers' is now almost a misnomer, 

 implying, as it does, that a man who lays claim to that title 

 makes an all-round book on any and every race where the 

 possibility of so doing presents itself — i.e. that he is willing to 

 bet against each runner if the market is good enough, or, in 



