294 THE HORSE. 



to be applicable. Money for every sporting purpose 

 was current in a flowing tide, no interruption from the 

 political dispute on gold and paper. As to Epsom and 

 Ascot, the chosen few only could see the races ; the 

 majority journeyed only to behold enormous assemblies 

 of population. It is discouraging, that notwithstand- 

 ing all the solicitude and care actually taken, an acci- 

 dent happened at Ascot, on the Thursday, almost im- 

 mediately on the horses starting for the Royal Stakes. 

 Dockeray upon Lord Exeter's Ada, having the inside 

 ground, seeing a man on horseback exactly in his 

 way, pulled aside to avoid him, when the fellow from 

 stupidity or affright, got still more into the way, and 

 Ada coming in contact with his horse, fell, and rolled 

 over his rider, who luckily escaped with a few bruises. 

 Robinson upon Sycorax, had a very narrow escape, 

 clearing the intruder by about half a foot. To take 

 this matter into serious consideration, the life and 

 limbs of the riders, the safety of the horses, perhaps 

 of a horse of high worth, upon the safety and success 

 of which, vast sums may be depending, surely no 

 precautions can be too great, or too minute and par- 

 ticular. In country courses populously attended, and 

 where so many Johnny Raws, flushed with the sports, 

 exhibit their freedom from all thought and all care, 

 it would not even be too much to rail in the course 

 for a mile ; or sufficiently, both at the starting place 

 and ending ; the expense could form no object. 



The nominations for the Derby at Epsom, Don- 

 caster, and York, for the present year, and there for 

 years to come, are numerous beyond all precedent; 

 the sums in sweepstakes are heavier than ever, but 



