26 The American Thoroughbred 



ings until the Civil War put an end to its 

 grandeur. 



And this seems fitting time and place to tell 

 those persons who imagine that racing has al- 

 ways been the pastime of the low and the sus- 

 pects of humanity, what a sport it was in that 

 splendid Southern day when the aristocracy of 

 the country gave themselves to it for their chief 

 pleasure, not as their occupation. From this 

 same gentleman, Dr. Irving, we quote a descrip- 

 tion of a meeting under the auspices of the 

 South Carolina Jockey Club, that some idea 

 may be had, not only of the enthusiasm attend- 

 ing upon the exercises, but to give an idea of 

 the quality of the people who presented them- 

 selves for the enjoyment of a racing day: — 



" Respectable strangers from abroad, or from 

 other States, are never allowed to pay for admis- 

 sion to any of the Stands on the Course. On 

 their arrival they are immediately considered 

 guests, and provided with tickets and a ribbon 

 \^\\\(z\\ frank them everywhere, entitling them to 

 the hospitalities of the club during the whole 

 meeting. 



" The arrangements on the Course are such as 

 to insure good order and etiquette; refinement 



