■^ Modern Ascot 



In the balcony beneath the glass roof, which is kept cool 

 by running water continually flowing over it, private tables 

 are reserved, while lighter refreshments are served in the 

 pretty Japanese tea-room, so that the resources of Mr. 

 Browning are severely taxed to meet the requirements of 

 the thousands who have to be catered for during the race 

 week. 



After luncheon we either hurry back to our seats to 

 follow the next race, or wend our way to the paddock. 

 All the morning long people have been passing and repassing 

 through the tunnel that leads from the Grand Stand lawn 

 to the grassy paddock, where one has an opportunity of 

 inspecting the candidates for the various races. The scene 

 in the paddock is an animated one. Beautiful women in 

 lovely dresses stroll across the soft grass, admired and 

 admiring ; for, brilliant as are the costumes when seen 

 together on the lawns, in the paddock there is more scope 

 for viewing them, and they appear to better advantage. 



Some of the horses that will compete for the Gold 

 Cup are being paraded round the paddock. Conscious 

 of their own dignity, the beautifully groomed animals show 

 themselves, and comments and criticisms are frequent and 

 enthusiastic. They are soon joined by Persimmon, who 

 has been stabled at the Royal Hotel, and has but just 

 come over. 



The jockeys don their colours, and, the preliminaries 

 over, the numbers are hoisted for the Gold Cup. Back 

 goes every one to his place in stall, box, coach, or on 

 lawn ; the Ring shouts itself hoarser than ever, the last 

 offers are being booked, all are on tiptoe of excitement 

 as the horses canter past the stands on their way to the 



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