105 



ing, as it were, before their mental vision, rendering them uncertain, for 

 a time, whether the animated scene around them, the exciting race, the 

 moving figures, had been real all, or only one of those pictured illusions 

 in some wonderful phantasmagoria, which are seen, sometimes conjured 

 up by necromantic art, neither a reality nor yet a dream ! 



This race was a magnificent wind up, indeed, to the sports of the 

 week, and proves the good judgment of the Club in terminating our 

 Races with a description of race that must always insure, when the 

 horses are at all equal, excellent sport. Being but a single heat, there 

 can be no waiting for chances, but every one must make play ab initio, 

 if he wishes to console himself at the finish with the agreeable re- 

 flection, that Finis coronat opus. 



Our Races have taken place about a fortnight earlier than usual of 

 late years, the time of holding our meeting having been changed from 

 the last to the Jirst week in February. We hope this change will 

 eventuate well, but we confess we have our misgivings as to its policy. 

 In our recollection, once before has this been attempted. It was fairly 

 tried, and failed ; the members of the Club, " for good and sufficient 

 reasons, thereunto them moving," soon changing back again, the expe- 

 rience of a few seasons proving that it would not answer. From the 

 reorganization of the Club in 1*786, our Races have been held towards 

 the end of February, with the exception of a few years, when, owin^ to 

 unavoidable circumstances, they took place a little earlier. In 1818, 

 an eftbrt was made to alter the rule so as to fix the Races permanently 

 for the first week in February ; by a very unanimous vote it was re- 

 solved, that the annual Races should in future be run on the first Wed- 

 nesday, and two following days in February. This arrangement con- 

 tinued in force until the year 1822, when, by an equally decided vote, 

 the time was extended to the first Wednesday after the second Monday/ 

 in the month. This was gaining a little, but it seems not all that the 

 majority thought likely to be conducive most to the interest of the Club 

 and best accommodate its meeting to those of other Clubs in this State 

 and Georgia, for at the very next meeting, 1823, an overwhelming vote 

 fixed the Races for the last Wednesday in February ! and this, ever 

 since, has been the date of our Races up to the present season. 



We have said we hope the change will eventuate well. The only 

 fear we have is on account of weather — though the month of January, 

 and as far as we have got into February, has been uncommonly fine 

 this season — more like spring than midwinter ; nevertheless the weather 

 at the beginning of this month is generally inclement, consequently un- 

 favorable to racing. 



