OUTSIDE CORRUPTION OF BOYS 225 



the boys' wants is brought in by the Captain, and 

 for such of them as are approved written orders are 

 given. The boys are paid extra for riding in trials, 

 and for every race won the boy who has had charge 

 of the horse receives a sovereign. On its merits, 

 and without giving a thought to what the boys in a 

 training stable formerly had to go through, I think 

 this is an agreeable kind of a life for a lad who 

 passes the prescribed course at Kingsclere. And 

 also I may add in other stables. His is not one 

 monotonous mill-horse round. He sees a great 

 many changes. For example, he goes out racing 

 with his horses, and is well taken care of while he 

 is abroad. If he behave himself during his appren- 

 ticeship, although he may not develop into a jockey 

 or trainer, there is always a chance of his obtaining 

 a situation as head lad, or, failing that, of getting a 

 place amongst horses in a gentleman's family. Then, 

 lads who have learnt their business in such a stable 

 as mine are in request elsewhere than in England. 

 As to the temptations which surround the occupa- 

 tion of stable-boy in a training stable, well, it some- 

 times happens that a boy is corrupted by outside 

 influences. There are unhappily always parasites 

 of the Turf to be found who are only too willing, 

 for the sake of "information," however worth- 

 less that may be, to suborn and bribe a stable-boy. 

 So much for the youth and the favourable condi- 

 tions under which he is enabled to learn his business 

 at an establishment like mine. 



1 The following letters from a bookmaker to one 



Q 



