Conchision 309 



lowers of the pursuit against the arguments of the great 

 majority of the people, who decry racing on account of its 

 attendant evils. As a means of gambling only, racing 

 would have but a short life before it. 



In the accessories of racing — though not in the horses 

 themselves, except in the item of speed — a great improve- 

 ment has taken place, especially in the matter of comfort 

 and facilities for seeing. This has been largely due to the 

 advantages offered by the managers of enclosed courses, 

 who vie with each other in catering for the patronage of 

 the public. What was good enough for our grandfathers 

 is no longer good enough for us, and a higher standard of 

 comfort is assured at all well-managed race meetings. 

 The tracks, too, are equally looked after, and, being well 

 covered with herbage, which is duly watered and rolled, all 

 objectionable turns done away with, railings instead of posts 

 at the turning-points, and " straight miles " and " six 

 furlongs," the jockeys of the period know little of the 

 rough country courses that their predecessors had to 

 jeopardise their lives and limbs over in the usual exercise 

 of their profession. 



Cricket has also shared in the general improvement. 

 Picturesque pavilions replace the former scanty accommoda- 

 tion that sometimes even consisted of only a few wooden 

 benches, while the " pitch " itself more nearly approaches 

 the smoothness of a bowling-green, than the ill-cared-for 

 grounds on which the " All England " and " United All 

 England " elevens were wont to meet the local " Twenty- 

 twos " during their country tours. The improved 

 conditions under which cricket is now carried on make it 

 possible to compile the enormous scores that are now so 

 frequent, for unless the wicket " breaks " in the course of 



