THE YORKSHIRE MEETINGS 135 



that most of the carriages were drawn by six horses apiece, 

 that outriders accompanied them, and also that partisanship 

 ran high amongst the owners of the horses. No doubt the 

 custom of " cross and jostle " was much resorted to in those 

 days, and though a better state of affairs prevails now, 

 " cross and jostle " at York is not altogether a thing of the 

 past, as the following will show. Some time in the seventies, 

 when the late Major Dixon used to act as starter at York, 

 he was one of a party who were staying at the Station 

 Hotel. Another of the same party had a shockingly bad 

 day on the Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning gave out 

 that he was not going to bet that day, as he knew of 

 something good which was to run on Thursday for which 

 he intended to wait. " How will you get through the day ? " 

 queried a friend. " If you go to the course you are sure to 

 bet." " I'll tell you what to do," said Major Dixon ; " come 

 and stroll about outside with me, and see the starts." This 

 suggestion was acted on, and a few hours later the disconso- 

 late punter saw a large field come down to the five-furlong 

 post. There were about a dozen runners, and James 

 Snowden was on the rails, while Fred Archer had drawn 

 the outside number. It must be mentioned that the old 

 five-furlong course then in use was by no means straight, 

 and that the "elbow" was so near home as to make an 

 inside position a very great advantage. There was the 

 usual manoeuvring, and then the flag dropped, Snowden 

 and Archer both getting off well. Our punter had moved 

 about a furlong up the course, and turned round as the 

 horses approached him. To his surprise he saw Archer 

 shoot right across from right to left, come bang into 

 Snowden and his mount, and fairly knock them out. 

 Indeed, Snowden was as nearly as possible over the rails, 

 and the force of the collision was so great that his horse 

 dropped back last, and never was in the race again. Up 

 hurried Major Dixon, full of excitement. " Did you see 

 that ? " he asked, and then, hurrying on, shouted, " There 

 will be an awful row when they get to the weighing-room, 

 and of course they will want me." About half-way down to 

 the stands the Major hurried, and then pulled up to take 



