242 RACECOURSE AND COVERT SIDE. 



than seven years old, if he is so much, and he 

 cuts his small jokes with an effort at cheerful- 

 ness that is strangely saddening. The child- 

 clown is saying his lesson — a lesson learnt with 

 study and appHcation, as any one may tell, and 

 he struggles bravely to do as he has been 

 taught. 



We pass on to the next door, where a lady 

 and gentleman sword swallowers are busily 

 devouring whole armouries, if one may credit 

 the picture outside, which give a gentleman 

 frantically thrusting swords down the throat of 

 the gifted creatures within, while gorgeously 

 dressed spectators look on with combined horror 

 and admiration. Another show — so low has the 

 poor old business fallen in these incredulous days 

 — contains a medium, who is ready to produce 

 spirit writing, and who spells it " writeing." 

 Banjos, tambourines, drums, and trumpets are 

 flying about the air, and the authenticity of the 

 whole business is guaranteed by a gentleman 

 who signs himself " Doctor Slade." 



While inspecting such novelties and wonders 

 as these, time naturally flies, and a bell pro- 

 claims the clearing of the course for the great 

 race of the day ; and by the time we are back 

 again in the stand, the police are making some 

 way with their difiicult task. 



