2i6 THE TURF 



When these figures are displayed, backers of successful 

 horses go, not to the bureau where they have made 

 the bet, but to a corresponding one, the number of 

 which is indicated on the ticket, and hand the voucher 

 over to an official inside, who makes a rapid calcula- 

 tion, names the sum he has to pay, goes over the 

 figures in the rare event of a dispute about the total, 

 and hands over the money. The whole amount wagered 

 has meanwhile been added together, a percentage has 

 been deducted (for the poor and the race fund), and 

 the balance proportionately divided between backers of 

 the winner and of the placed horses. Nothing can be 

 fairer ; but owners of horses and those who are closely 

 connected with various stables and accustomed to bet 

 perceive an objection to xh^ pari-r?i2tluel. In England 

 a man backs his horse, or his friend's horse, and if he 

 is a good fellow is delighted to advise any one in whom 

 he is interested to follow his example. He has got 

 his lo to I, or whatever it may be ; and however " hot " 

 a favourite the animal subsequently becomes, the fact 

 does not affect him. But in France, and wherever the 

 pari-mutuel is used, the more a horse is backed — the 

 more tickets that are taken — the smaller grows the 

 yield for each investment ; and the temptation to re- 

 ticence, or falsehood, about a horse's chance, is conse- 

 quently strong. 



In conclusion, I do not think I have said anything 

 in this chapter that will be construed into advocacy 

 of betting. There can be no possible doubt that 



