346 CENTURY OF ENGLISH FOX-HUNTING 



the gate-money meetings. But what would be the 

 result if sport were not carried on by private enter- 

 prise, as represented by gate-money meetings ? A 

 sporting meeting requires a managing executive, 

 whose duty inter alia is to maintain order, so that 

 its patrons may be protected from ruffianism. It 

 would clearly be impossible to perform this duty 

 without the help of paid officials. 



Let me for one moment particularise ! A man 

 pays his money at a gate-money meeting, expecting 

 that he will not only witness good sport, but also be 

 protected against thieves and bullies. If he is dis- 

 appointed in either expectation, he will not patronise 

 the meeting again, and ultimately the private enter- 

 prise which founded the meeting will be ruined. 

 What would become of Sandown Park, Hurst Park, 

 and Kempton Park, if order were not enforced ? 

 They would follow the fate of Hampton and Croydon 

 races, and be killed by the bullies and thieves who 

 haunt every place where a crowd is to be found. 

 The same arguments hold good in the cases of 

 cricket and football, with the addition that without 

 doubt the play is infinitely superior to what it was in 

 the days of open gatherings, so that young players 

 watch the game with the motive of learning a lesson, 

 which will benefit them when playing in their own 

 small matches. Thus a general improvement in the 

 game takes place, the reputation and local popularity 

 of the small clubs are increased, membership is 

 eagerly sought for, and young men who had been 



