XI 

 TOUTS AND TOUTING 



BY A TOUT 



The word " Tout " has not a very pleasant 

 sound. Tout, in racing parlance, is a spy on other 

 people's business, and spying is an occupation 

 which has never been looked upon with other than 

 a feeling of aversion by most folk, however much 

 they may benefit by the work the spy does. But 

 the tout has become from long usage tolerated, 

 and his doings at present by no means awaken that 

 strong resentment which was the case years ago, 

 when he carried on his avocation in the fear of 

 what only too frequently occurred — bodily ill-usage. 

 Ever since races have been run touts have existed, 

 but only when huge sums were wagered on 

 matches, handicaps, and other events, have they 

 been able to make a living at the game. 



With the march of time the employers of horse- 

 watchers have totally changed. In the early days 



R 



