187 



In English racing establishments each horse has, as a rule, a boy to 

 himself, therefore there are some 7,100 boys employed in the racing 

 stables in England, besides the head lads. This added to the 900 

 employed similarly in Ireland shows that we have some 8,000 young 

 men employed in the racing stables of the kingdom — a number equal 

 to that of more than ten regimeyits of the line ! And they have a 

 better time and are much better treated than the soldiers. 



To go into a calculation of the annual cost of the requisites for our 

 racing stables is not necessary, as it is provided for in the " keep " of 

 the horses. The amount for that item alone runs into a great many 

 thousands of pounds per annum, as all saddlers right well know. 



When we come to consider what has been spent upon the stables 

 at Newmarket and other places, with dwellings attached, which 

 for style and comfort quite equal those provided for Royalty, the 

 amount becomes absolutely appalling ! The sum has to be counted in 

 thousands and it runs into many millions. 



As in hunting so it is in racing — all the money spent upon the sport 

 goes through countless channels from the richer to the poorer man. 

 Thousands of men who at one time were in a very low monetary con- 

 dition have become well off directly through this gigantic circulating 

 medium. 



Unlike hunting, however, racing is a business. Nor is it carried on 

 under the sufferance of any one or any thing. It is self-supported 

 and self -sustained. Racing, too, sends money flowing into a great 

 many reservoirs. The money spent upon hunting has practically but 

 one — the pocket of the farmer. 



Racing has enjoyed a growth of popularity within the past few years 

 perhaps unprecedented in the annals of any other institution in the 

 kingdom. No doubt that popularity is mainly to be attributed to the 

 inborn love we as a nation have for the sport, pure and simple. At 

 the same time, a vast deal i^ to be attributed to a cause far away 

 inferior. I allude to the propensity for betting which has taken root in 

 the public within the past thirty years. Racing in its own innocent 

 sport-productive vocation unfortunately affords a ready means for 

 indulging the pernicious vice of gambling. A fact very sad and 

 deplorable. 



There is no manner of doubt but that racing will continue for many 

 years to be the most popular of all British sports. How long this will 

 continue to exist no one can predict. The zenith must, however, be 

 attained at last, and when there remains no further means for ascent 

 — what then 1 The descent must be made. The period of that 

 calamity is probably far away in the future. No one now alive may 

 perhaps see it, but come it ivill. As long s we have nobility and 

 gentry possessed of integrity and of great wealth, as we have at 

 present, and as long as that community embarks in the ship the same 

 love of sport which they do at present, and as long as they select from 



