Royal Ascot 



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SOME PAST AND PRESENT OFFICIALS. 

 There is no doubt that the popularity and prestige of 

 a race meeting is greatly dependent upon the enthusiasm 

 and energy of its officials, and the respect and esteem in 

 which they are held. 



The office of Judge is no sinecure, and it is not every 

 man that has sufficient alertness and accurac}- of eye, to say 

 nothing of steadfastness of character, to fill the position. 

 F'rom his coign ot vantaoe in his box he watches throup-h 

 his orlasses as the horses come into the straioht, and, with 



his trained eye, 

 quickly singles out 

 those that will be 

 in at the finish. As 

 they come near, with 

 his attention concen- 

 trated on the oppo- 

 site post, he picks 

 out the first three, 

 and WM t h o u t bias, 

 without heedino; the 

 babel of tongues 

 that shout the num- 

 ber of the horse they 

 hope will be called 

 the winner, he gives 

 his decision, and the 

 numbers are hoisted. 

 The verdict is pro- 

 nounced, and the 

 judge solemnly — as 





JOHN HILTON 



272 



