RACING ADVENTURERS. 267 



and much of the cash made in St, James's Street 

 was paid away to the stockbrokers. Another 

 branch of turf business which Crockford conducted 

 at one time was that of " squaring" the books of 

 smaller betting men than himself ; he could always 

 be relied upon, even at the last moment — that is, 

 immediately before a race — to lay the odds against 

 such horses as a bookmaker was " bad " against, 

 and required therefore to back back again, so as 

 not to run greater risk than was compatible with 

 an honest desire to meet engagements, and pay 

 what was seen to be due after the race was 

 determined. 



The palatial gaming club erected by Crock- 

 ford was at one time looked upon as one of the 

 wonders of London ; two or three houses had been 

 knocked down to provide a site for it, and no 

 expense was spared to render it commodious and 

 luxurious, and make it attractive to visitors, who 

 were waited upon by footmen in gorgeous liveries, 

 and had their palates tickled by the gastronomic 

 delicacies of Monsieur Ude. There were over 

 eight hundred members, and the house was placed 

 under the management of a committee, to whom 

 Crockford conceded all they asked. Gambling, 

 as a matter of course, was the business or re- 

 creation of all who came to the place ; figuratively 

 speaking, the rattle of the dice was heard morning, 

 noon, and night, thousands of pounds changing 

 hands as if they were so many halfpence. 

 " Crockford's" cost an enormous sum of money ; 

 the building of it, I have been told, was carried 

 on regardless of expense by night as well as by 

 day. All its appointments were sumptuous, the 

 cellars were filled with the finest of wines, and the 



