570 THE HORSE. 



tern an engine of mere mercenary calculation. In this class 

 are comprehended persons of various ranks of society, from 

 the lowest retainers of the course, hostlers, discarded jockeys, 

 and blackguards of every degree, to those who have the 

 means to make good their engagements. The former are 

 mere ruffians, known under the name of blacklegs, and fit- 

 ting subjects for the pillory or the whipping-post. Many of 

 the others are adventurers, who are not less alien to the 

 legitimate business of the turf, who contribute nothing to its 

 support, and who merely make it the subject of a calculation 

 of chances for the purposes of profit. Some of these adven- 

 turers, indeed, acquire studs, and then take their station 

 amongst the contributors to the actual business of the course, 

 the origin of their connexion with it being forgotten in their 

 success. It is impossible, indeed, to draw a line of demarca- 

 tion between such persons and those who merely bet as oc- 

 casion offers. Numbers of these last are of the more opulent 

 classes, as country gentlemen, the wealthier yeomen, and 

 persons of trades and professions of all kinds. And besides 

 these, are the ordinary frequenters of the racing grounds, 

 who assemble merely to enjoy the spectacle, and bet, because 

 it amuses them, on the favourite horses, or in such other 

 way as the feeling of the moment dictates. It it plain that 

 these classes are distinct in their relations to the turf from 

 the class of gambling adventurers. The bet with them is 

 merely part of the sport, and the test of judgment on the 

 chances of the winning and losing horses. But doubtless 

 there is a mixed class of feelings introduced, and no certain 

 means exist for discriminating between the regular gambler, 

 who speculates upon the events of the turf with the same 

 feelings as on the chances of the dice, and those who make 

 the business of betting secondary and subservient to the plea- 

 sure and interest they derive from the spectacle itself. 



The institution of the Course is plainly one in accordance 

 with national character, and interests deeply a great part of 

 the population of all classes. The prevailing fondness for 



