28o MINOR EVILS OF THE RACE-COURSE. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



MINOR EVILS OF THE RACE-COURSE. 



Evils of suburban meetings ; first-past-the-post betting — The suburban meeting 

 and its frequenters ; practicable restrictions on the behaviour of the masses — 

 The extermination of the welsher possible through institution of outer ring 

 for protection of small bettor — Restraint in use of language ; example of the 

 influence of order in Inspector Tanner ; responsibility of the clerks of the course 

 — Removal of the ballad-monger — Beneficial result of reforming the customs 

 of the course — Dramatic restrictions, a lesson in point — Necessity to restrict 

 sale of drink and dancing — The race-course as it was (1817) — Admiral Rous 

 on the powers of stewards and others — Apology for introducing the topic. 



The suburban meetings, as they are called, are those which 

 cast the greatest blot on the reputation of the turf. It is only 

 a natural result that in the neighbourhood of large towns, 

 more especially of the metropolis, races should attract a con- 

 course of people amongst whom manners and morality are 

 only conspicuous by their absence. The racing, too, is popr. 

 Even for large stakes, good horses seldom compete at such 

 places ; and indeed few run at them, for the races are mostly 

 plates. 



The disgraceful exhibitions often seen at such meetings 

 were recently made more objectionable by the introduction 

 of " first-past-the-post " betting, which was simply this : the 

 horse that is first past the post, and is so placed By the judge, 

 wins the race so far as his backers are concerned, for they are 

 paid. It does not matter what the horse may be, or his age. 



