202 



ASHGILL; OR, THE LIFE 



the proprietor of the paper. The libellous nature of 

 the contribution was proved, and the Doctor was com- 

 mitted to prison for a period. 



In connection with the " Derby Dispute," the 

 Sportsman gave the following account : 



" Outside Tattersall's always presents a curious scene 

 on the Monday after the Derby, but never was the 

 appearance of the crowd like that of yesterday. There 

 was, as usual, a motley throng of the minor betting men, 

 the smaller backers, the hangers-on of the Turf, and the 

 regular loafers and idle folks generally. Nothing was 

 talked about but the latest Derby sensation, and the 

 panic that had arisen in the East appeared to have 

 extended to the far West. Books and pencils were 

 flashed, but for the moment the occupations of both 

 were gone. Backers of Pretender in vain essayed to 

 soften the strong hearts of layers into a distribution of 

 ' coin.' Layers now and then attempted, with equal 

 want of success, to tempt backers into speculation on 

 future events. Gentlemen coming down in cabs, 

 especially if they wore an air of importance or 

 mystery, were eagerly interrogated as to the latest 

 news. The seediest lounger, on whose outer man 

 his ' uncle ' would have declined to have lent 

 twopence, talked over the matter as seriously as 

 his neighbour who had thousands depending on 

 the issue. Curiosity in what was going on inside 

 the sacred portals of Tattersall's was intense. The 

 doorkeeper was regarded with something of awe, 

 and the policeman on duty received homage as a useful 

 and meritorious public servant. He who was fortunate 

 enough to get a peep inside when the gate was opened 

 was envied; he who could point out the dignitaries in 

 the passage was generally supposed to be in a position 



