126 



Every one anticipated a good race, and as the horses were saddled 

 and mounted, the betting still went on with spirit — on all sides might 

 be heard, " I'll bet you, sir !" " Done !— done !" 



But they are off — on they speed. Hark ! to the ominous hum of the 

 crowd ! See the agitation of the field, undulating to and fro, like stormy 

 water ! — the horses have gone round the Course, once, twice, in close 

 companionship — they enter the third and last mile — beautifully they 

 pass down the back stretch, every eye following their quick movement, 

 as they skim along smoothly as swallows — they turn the corner into the 

 straight run home — none seemed disposed to lag behind, to tire, or give 

 the contest up — they are all together as yet, at the top of their speed. 

 Birds that wing their airy way, fishes that cut the seas, are not more 

 swift than they, nor move with greater ease — " the cry is. Still they 

 come !" Reube, who had been a little in the rear, has crept closer up — 

 he has reached the girths of the foremost horse — he's at his head — he's 

 a little in front ! — he leads the field by a neck ! — the excitement is at 

 its height — up the Course they fly, the animals seeming to imbibe a 

 portion of the popular excitement — they pass the distance post — the 

 scene is drawing to a close — nearer and nearer they approach — they 

 are close to the string — one more; jump ! — they have passed under it all 

 near together, but the judge has given the heat to Reube, Millwood 

 second. 



As the horses dash by the goal, with the swiftness of a cannon ball, 

 the fixedness of attitude, the almost breathless stillness of the moment 

 before, is changed in an instant to one universal movement, to one 

 simultaneous shout of exultation, that makes " the welkin ring," suc- 

 ceeded by a furious galloping of horsemen from every direction, and a 

 rush of all the pedestrians on the ground towards the Judges' chair, to 

 learn the issue of the race. 



Thus, notwithstanding the extraordinary amount and character of the 

 sport previously enjoyed, this last race afforded a splendid finish to the 

 whole. It was like the last scene to some melodrama, well got up — the 

 very effect which most dazzles the spectator is the signal to drop the 

 curtain ! 



I cannot close this report of what transpired at the present meeting, 

 without a recapitulation of some of its events and peculiar features, 

 which may serve still further to refresh the memory of many who at- 

 tended our races, and bring back much that was agreeable. 



The weather has been favorable throughout, the sport excellent, the 

 attendance on the Course numerous, almost beyond precedent, and, I 

 need not add, highly select, for the stand was daily filled by the fairer 



