212 REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 



number and class of the horses, the condition of the grand 

 stand, of the ball and supper-rooms, which had been greatly 

 improved by the erection of the large enclosure, there was an 

 immense improvement over previous years. Considering the 

 obstruction caused to the preparation of the course, and the 

 various other works taken in hand this season, by the terribly 

 late and heavy rains during October, everything was in most 

 excellent order, and the man would indeed have been fastidious 

 to complain of the programme of amusements. All the regular 

 camps which yearly formed for Sonepore, and many new ones, 

 holding in some cases a large number of visitors, had early in the 

 week taken up their sites. The Calcutta visitors were more nu- 

 merous than in any previous year. The 8th Kings, who replaced 

 the Connaught Rangers at Dinapore, brought over a camp 

 and regimental band, and in addition to these, an unusual 

 number of small camps had been started. Most of the district 

 officials and heads of camps had been on the ground for a week 

 before, seeing to all the necessary arrangements, but the 

 afternoon train on Friday brought in the bulk of the visitors. 

 The lotteries on the first night filled at such a rate, that the 

 Secretary had his fingers quite cramped taking down the 

 tickets. Bravo was made favorite for the Lilliputs, although 

 many of the public fancied the Calcutta representative, Sprite, 

 who was to be steered by that fine rider, Jimmy Robinson. 

 The Behar Stakes had four starters out of the five entered, 

 and Finesse and Talkative divided favoritism on account of 

 their being older than Harry Abbott's pair. Lord Harry was, 

 of course, considered a moral for the Hutwa Cup, and in spite 

 of Exbank's dickey leg, he was thought good enough to be 

 made second favorite ; while Knightsbridge and Referee both 

 carried their owners' coin. Munwyrtina and Padlock were 

 about equally sought for by backers in the Bettiah Cup, while 

 Vedette on his Motiharee running was supposed to be out of it. 

 IVJidas had most support for Messrs. Thomas and Moran's 



