NEWMARKET 201 



vehicles not numerous, their erratic mode of driving 

 has not been of much importance ; but here, when 

 they get into the stream of cabs, &c, going down to 

 the stand, nothing but a 'Varsity hack in a 'Varsity 

 dog-cart could save them from total and irremediable 

 grief. But it is a sight to see the knowing old hack 

 seize the bit between his teeth, and getting his head 

 well down, so as to neutralise any well-meaning but 

 ill-directed attempt at guidance, tear down full 

 speed, close in rear of some galloping cab, and land 

 his passengers, in spite of their exertions, all safe, 

 but rather scared, at the stand. Then the reckless 

 way these youths bet ! To hear them talk, you 

 would think they were more up in racing matters 

 than the oldest member of the Jockey Club, instead 

 of being utterly ignorant of the respective horses, 

 owners, jockeys, or performances ; their actual know- 

 ledge never extending to more than the horses' 

 names, and very often not so far as that even. The 

 amount of " tips " they have is something wonderful, 

 supplied by their " gyps," I should imagine ; and 

 the best thing one can hope for is, that these gentry 

 may be paid by a percentage on their master's win- 

 nings, for in this case I think the perennial fountain 

 of tips would soon dry up. 



It is very curious to look down from the stand 

 on to the outer ring just previously to the starting 



