OTHER SEATS OF HORSE-RACING. 33 



the classes were more in evidence : county people 

 came in their own carriages, often from con- 

 siderable distances, to be present at their local 

 meetings, " ladies in gay attire, and gentlemen 

 in brave apparel;" but county ladies are somewhat 

 chary at the present time of braving the rough- 

 and-ready element which has become incidental 

 to modern racing, and the very pronounced 

 rowdyism by which it is accompanied. 



The spectators of the various races who 

 assemble on the course near Liverpool represent 

 all classes, the middle class element being par- 

 ticularly strong. The favourite race at Aintree 

 at the spring meeting is the Grand National 

 Steeple-chase, On the day set apart for the 

 decision of that event, the trains and other 

 conveyances from the great port take tens of 

 thousands to the scene, all anxious, if not to 

 witness the exciting event, to gamble upon it, 

 for it is not the sport that attracts the multitude, 

 it is " the money." Men go upon racecourses for 

 whom the horses and the work they are set to do 

 have no charms ; what they interest themselves 

 about is the state of the odds. "Oh," said a 

 so-called Liverpool " sportsman," " I don't care 

 a copper about seeing the race. I never look 

 at the performance. The horses go up in the 

 air and come down in the ditches too often for 

 my taste ; one trembles for one's money as one 

 sees the exhibition." There are doubtless many 

 who hold similar opinions ; indeed, it would be 

 curious to know what proportion of the thousands 

 who attend such a meeting as that held at 

 Liverpool are there only for the sake of the 

 sport, not probably ten per cent, of the number ! 



D 



