142 HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL SKETCH OF 



every young lady came in for her share of the com- 

 pliment ; the only distinction being observed was, 

 that the best airs and the lono^est time were devoted 

 to those for whose favor the entertainment was 

 specially provided. 



The season was always closed by the races and 

 the Jockey Club ball. The St. Stephen's race- 

 course, about half a mile from Pineville, is one of 

 the oldest and best in the State. The track runs 

 over a level surface, and within it is a large pond, 

 which, being drained and kept clear of trees, affords 

 from every point an undisturbed view of the horses 

 throughout the race. After the settlement of Pine- 

 ville, the races were established for the end of Oc- 

 tober ; and as the season is then comparatively safe, 

 lovers of sport would there meet from various parts 

 of the country. The races, which at that time con- 

 tinued two days, were ushered in by a dinner and 

 concluded by a ball. About fifty years ago, dancers 

 of both sexes drew lots for both places and partners, 

 so that there was, for the first two sets at least, no 

 liberty of choice ; but the practice was discontinued 

 too early for us to have any knowledge of it but 

 from tradition. The purses were altogether made 

 up by a moderate subscription, as no money was 

 taken at the gates ; and though the subscription 

 was general, the stakes were too moderate to tempt 

 the cupidity of professional sportsmen ; so that, I 

 believe, no horse of distinction ever appeared on 



