20 The American Thoroughbred 



the races possessed at that time, and for many 

 subsequent years, ' for all sorts and conditions of 

 men ' — youth anticipating its delights for weeks 

 beforehand — the sternness of age relaxing by 

 their approach — lovers becoming more ardent, 

 and young damsels setting their caps with greater 

 taste and dexterity — the quality of the company 

 in attendance — the splendid equipages — the 

 liveried outriders that were to be seen daily on 

 the course — the gentlemen attending the races 

 in fashionably London-made clothes — buckskin 

 breeches and top boots — the universal interest 

 pervading all classes, from the judge upon the 

 bench to the little schoolboy with his satchel on 

 his back — the kind greetings of the town and 

 country — the happy meetings of old friends 

 whose residences were at a distance, affording 

 occasions of happy intercourse and festivity — the 

 marked absence of all care, except the care of the 

 horses — the total disregard of the value of tifjze, 

 except by the competitors in the races, who did 

 their best to save and economize it — everything 

 combined to render race-week in Charleston 

 emphatically the carnival of the State, when it 

 was unpopular, if not impossible, to be out of 

 spirits, and not to mingle with the gay throng. 



