THE TURF 137 



Day; but see how he is wasted to bring 

 himself to the weight! Observe the 

 knuckles of his hands and the patellae of 

 his knees, how they appear almost breaking 

 through the skin! But if he have left 

 nearly half of his frame in the sweaters, the 

 remaining half is full of vigour; and we'll 

 answer for it his horse don't find him want- 

 ing in the struggle. Then that slim young 

 jockey, with high cheek bones and long 

 neck, in the green jacket and orange cap 

 surely he must be in a galloping consump- 

 tion. There is a pallid bloom on his 

 sunken cheek, rarely seen but on the face 

 of death, and he wanted but the grave- 

 clothes to complete the picture. Yet we 

 need not fear ; he is heart-whole and well : 

 but having had short notice, has lost fifteen 

 pounds in the last forty-eight hours. They 

 are off again ! a beautiful start and a still 

 more beautiful sight ! All the hues of the 

 rainbow in the colours of the riders and 

 the complexions of their horses ! What a 

 spectacle for the sportsmen, who take their 

 stand on the hill on the course to see the 

 first part of the race, and to observe the 

 places their favourites have gotten ; they are 



