My Racing Adventures 



as hinted, a small boy on a pony (probably done 

 to a turn) it is the bliss supreme. 



I also used to go at a later period with the 

 Epsom Draghounds, now defunct. That used to 

 be great fun ; we were always sure of a good 

 gallop and plenty of "lepping." The line of 

 country was selected with care so as to bring 

 in as many "raspers" as possible, the pace was 

 pretty hot, and "grief" was abundant. Many 

 of the local jockeys and trainers were regular 

 followers of that merry little pack. Amongst 

 those who went consistently well were the late 

 John Jones, who was a first-rate man to hounds ; 

 Robert I 'Anson, who may be seen riding a 

 hack every morning on Epsom Downs with the 

 enthusiasm of a neophyte ; Jem Adams, who still 

 takes a hand occasionally in " schooling " gallops 

 over hurdles ; and members of my own family. 

 Our heart was in the game ; it was, therefore, 

 usually played with zest and animation. " Skirt- 

 ing" tactics were forbidden. A man who did 

 not ride straight was soon out of it, and what he 

 saw of hounds after the first five minutes would 

 not have enabled him to construct a fairy story 

 as to his feats of daring in the field for the delecta- 

 tion of his wife before she began to shudder. 

 Many of us go wonderfully well in a chair 



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