244 THE SPORTING WORLD. 



finances by means I shall not enter into here, 

 being totally in their nature, out of sporting 

 events. 



It would be folly to wonder at, as it would 

 be useless to personally censure, the very low 

 for being excited and amused at such exhibitions, 

 but that any one approximating to the character 

 of a gentleman, or being in other respects a 

 respectable man, can feel gratification in mixing 

 in them can but create in others unmitigated 

 disgust and contempt. 



It is to be regretted that many very young 

 men, not mind ye sportsmen, but aiming at 

 the prestige of a sporting character, are often 

 seen in such places, and who pique themselves 

 on being on intimate terms with Jack so and 

 so, or Bill such an one, from these characters 

 being known as first-rate in the fancy. I do 

 not say that such pursuit, like gaming, is sure 

 to lead to ruin, but it plants the germ of low 

 pursuits in the mind instead of commendable 



