174 THE TURF 



the secret, as well as those not in the ring 

 are of course put hors de combat by such 

 proceedings ; their opinion of horses, formed 

 from their public running the only honour- 

 able criterion being sacrificed by this com- 

 promise. But we will go one point further. 

 It is proceedings such as these that are too 

 often the cause of gentlemen on the turf 

 swerving from the straightforward course ; 

 men true as the sun in all private trans- 

 actions allow themselves to deviate from 

 the right path on a race-course, in revenge 

 for what they deem to have been injustice. 

 We could name several honourable and 

 highly minded gentlemen who have openly 

 avowed this : c Our money has been taken 

 from us,' they have declared, * without our 

 having a chance to keep it, and we will 

 recover it in any way we can.' In truth, 

 we are too much inclined to believe, that 

 a modern Aristides has fearful odds against 

 him on the English turf at the present time. 

 Look, for example, at the sums paid for 

 race-horses, which we think must open our 

 eyes to the fact. Three thousand guineas 

 are now given for a promising colt for the 

 Derby stakes ! But how stands this favourite? 



