270 Indian Racing Reminiscences. 



to themselves and their friends. There are several 

 lawn tennis grounds, swimming baths, cricket fields, and 

 a racquet court. Close to the station there is a perfectly 

 level racecourse, a little over i mile and 5 furlongs 

 round, with light sandy " going," and having a large 

 and handsomely- built grand stand, which was con- 

 structed by that indefatigable promoter of sport. 

 Captain Charsley Thomas. Outside the flat track there 

 is a carefully-arranged steeplechase course, the fences on 

 which, v/ithout being in the slightest degree unfair, re- 

 quire some " doing." As the greater part of the country 

 round Meerut is light, sandy soil, covered by that finest 

 of all grass, " doob," and as there is no law of trespass 

 in India, the trainer has the fullest opportunities for 

 exercising his cattle ; while there are numerous banks 

 and watercourses to delight the heart of a cross-country 

 rider. The Meerut hounds generally show good sport ; 

 there is capital pig-sticking not far away, and abundance 

 of antelope and small game shooting within easy reach. 

 Above all things, the hills are so close, that if one starts 

 from Meerut in the evening, one can easily breakfast at 

 an early hour in Mussoorie, where the climate during 

 the hot weather surpasses in excelbncc the finest South 

 of England summer. 



