cavalry they rattle by the Stand. "Was the course cleared but a moment ago, it is crowded 



enough now, as each one is anxious to see how his favom-ite goes, and nothing but the 



narrowest track is left them between the ranks of the spectators. There is the chestnut 



pulling, romping, tearing in front, his jockey calling " Hi, hi !" to those idiots who will 



cross from side to side just as the horses arc coming, greatly to the danger of their own 



life and limbs, as well as of those of the rider. How differently the brown goes, as with 



arched neck, and taking well hold of his bit, he sweeps over the ground with lengthy 



stride, and action true as clock-work. Behind come the ruck, and last of all the slug, 



who, even in the preliminary, requires a touch of the persuaders and a considerable 



amount of riding to keep him to his work ; and the wicked bay, whose tail betraj^s even 



now her inclination to stop and kick. Let us not, however, despise even these ; the 



slug may settle into his stride, and go a rattler when warmed up to his work, and 



the wicked one may, in the excitement of the encounter, turn from the error of her 



ways. But the canters are at length over, the slug stopped without difficulty opposite 



the chaii", and the chesnut pulled up half a mile beyond it, while the rest have been 



pretty equally distributed between them ; so once again they are got together, and on 



their journey to the post. Did we say it was a pretty sight ? We did it no more than 



justice. And whether it be on the crowded Downs of Epsom, before the aristocratic 



lawn of Goodwood, or in the horse-loving Xorth, or the Town Moor of Doncaster, we 



know of few so heart-stii'ring to a real sportsman. There is one place — K^ewmarket — 



where all else connected with the turf is seen to perfection, but this one grand 



sight is missed. At Epsom we have taken our chance of a scramble to see the 



finish as Ave could, in order that we might be at the post when the brilliant 



throng files out of the paddock at the wicket opposite Sherwood's house, and in 



a gay phalanx di-aws up ahead of Mr. McGeorge, on the opposite brow, there to 



wait, amidst the suspense of thousands, until at last the flag shall be lowered to 



an equitable start. We had seen them as they circled round in Indian file ere the 



paddock was left for the com-se ; anxiously had we watched the canters, and 



with haste sped away to the starting-post. Where could the lover of equine beauty 



see it in greater perfection than here, as some six-and-twenty thoroughbreds are set going, 



stopped, tiu'ned, and pulled up with every variety of attitiide and movement of which 



their muscles are capable — a very horse ballet in reality '? But at length they are away, 



and we join the rush across to the hill, there to Avatch the result, for long ere this the 



stands are closed to us, and glass in hand avc must uoav see the race as best we may. 



Very difterent is the quiet look at the nags as on the Cup-day they parade before the 



Stand at Goodwood, Avhere, obedient to the starter's signal, they wheel and turn Avith the 



precision of cavalry ere they are broiight in line and dispatched on theii- stamina-trying 



journey aAvay roiind the hill. Second only to this — if second — is the parade of the St. Leger 



candidates, and here, as at Goodwood, the whole can be seen from the Stand Avithout 



incouA'cnience, and each one can scan his faAOiu'ite to his heart's content, and for 



those Avho care for more than the L. S. D. of racing, there is no greater treat than this. 



At NeAvmarkct, as Ave before obserA'cd, this is lost, and he who would see all the competitors 



must be ubiquitous indeed, unless he is Avilling to lose the finish and meet them Avhen 



they assemble at tlie pobl ; for some are saddled in one place, some in another, some 



paraded publicly in the bird-cage, others sent by roundabout ways to the back of the 



ditch, and then saddled, mounted, and cantered ; so that the eyes of an Argus and 



the speed of a Meteor coidd not compass an inspection of all, and be in time to indorse 



Mr. Clark's verdict at the ending post. But Ave have been a long time getting our 



competitors to the post, and must perforce cut short all fm'ther remarks and at once 



place them in the starter's hands, only hoping that the hot chestnut will be as patient 



as is consistent Avith liis nature, that the bay mare Avill break the leg of neither man nor 



horse, that they may have a fair start and the best win. 



