THE TURF 35 



said Frampton to his satellite, ' my fortune 

 is made, and so is yours ; if our horse can 

 run so near Merlin with seven pounds 

 extra, what will he do in the race ? ' The 

 betting became immense. The south- 

 country turfites, who had been let into the 

 secret by Frampton, told those from the 

 north, that ( they would bet them gold 

 against Merlin while gold they had, and 

 then they might sell their land/ Both 

 horses came well to the post, and of course 

 the race came off like the trial. 



The Jockey Club law is very strict as to 

 trials at Newmarket, notice being obliged 

 to be given to the keeper of the trial-book 

 within one hour after the horses have been 

 tried, enforced by a penalty of ten pounds 

 for neglecting it ; and any person detected 

 watching a trial is very severely dealt with. 

 Nevertheless, formerly, watching trials was 

 a trade at Newmarket, nor is it quite done 

 away with at the present day ; though we 

 have reason to believe that the bettor who 

 should trust much to information obtained 

 by such means would very soon break down. 

 It often happens, that the jockeys who ride 

 trials know nothing of the result beyond 



