264 RACING. 



refrain from wasting the subscription money on any of his 

 own selections. 



Once, and once only, did the writer of these presents press 

 home the question as to who the much-vaunted issuer of certain 

 daily prophecies really was, and after a severe cross-examina- 

 tion elicited that the seer was, as far as anybody kneiv, a French 

 waiter at a London hotel much frequented by Americans ! ! 

 But rack and thumbscrew would have failed to extort the secret 

 of why one palpably possessed of second-sight was content to 

 remain a waiter. 



It must be clearly understood that in the above somewhat 

 sweeping denunciation of tipsters are not included the prophets 

 of the sporting press. They are generally wrong, as everyone must 

 be who attempts the impossible feat of naming every winner 

 for each day's racing ; but at least they do not pretend to in- 

 fallibility, they often back up their forecasts by excellent reason- 

 ing, and there is no extra charge for admission to the Wizard's 

 Cave. 



As the Jockey Club ostensibly ignores betting, two courts, 

 the Committee of the Rooms at Newmarket, and the Committee 

 of Tattersall's, have been organised for the purpose of arbitra- 

 ment and judgment in all matters of dispute having connection 

 with betting transactions.. These two Committees have a code 

 of rules which, though not officially sanctioned by publication 

 in the Book Calendar, are yet virtually recognised as binding 

 by all Turf authority. 



The first named, the Committee of the Rooms at New- 

 market, assembles at Newmarket only during the progress of a 

 meeting, but can be appealed to each morning before the com- 

 mencement of the races by notice duly lodged with the secre- 

 tary on the previous evening, so that he may have time to warn 

 the defendant to appear. 



The Committee of Tattersall's, of which five form a quorum, 

 meets in more spasmodic fashion, and is not so readily con- 

 vened at its own residence ; hence adjournments, delays and 

 inconvenience often result. 



