•PORTING TOUR. 400 



and Military," the "Sportsman," the " Talli-ho," the " Out-and- 

 Outer," the " Swell," were all considered and canvassed, and its 

 being called the "Aristocratic " at length turned upon whether they 

 got Lord Scamperdale to subscribe or not. This was accomplished 

 by a deferential call by Mr. Viney upon Mr. Spraggon, with a little 

 bill for three pound odd, which he presented, with the most urgent 

 request that Jack wouldn't think of it then — any time that was most 

 convenient to Mr. Spraggon — and then the introduction of the 

 neatly-headed sheet-list. It was lucky that Viney was so easily 

 satisfied, for poor Jack had only thirty shillings, of which he owed 

 his washerwoman eight, and he was very glad to stuff Viney's bill 

 into his stunner jacket-pocket, and apply himself exclusively to the 

 contemplated steeple-chase. 



Like most of us, Jack had no objection to make a little money; 

 and as he squinted his frightful eyes inside out at the paper, he 

 thought over what horses they had in the stable that were like the 

 thing ; and then he sounded Viney as to whether he would put him 

 one up for nothing, if he could induce his lordship to send. This, 

 of course, Viney readily assented to, and again requesting Jack not 

 to think of his little bill till it was perfectly convenient to him — a 

 favour that Jack was pretty sure to accord him — Mr. Viney took his 

 departure, Jack undertaking to write him the result. The next day's 

 post brought Viney the document — unpaid, of course — with a great 

 " Scamperdale " scrawled across the top ; and forthwith it was 

 decided that the steeple-chase should be called the " Grand Aristo- 

 cratic." Other names quickly followed, and it soon assumed an 

 importance. Advertisements appeared in all the sporting and would- 

 be sporting papers, headed with the imposing names of the stewards, 

 secretary, and clerk of the course, Mr. Viney. The " Grand Aristo- 

 cratic Stakes," of 20 sovs. each, half- forfeit, and 5Z. only if declared, 

 &p. The winner to give two dozen of champagne to the ordinary, 

 and the second horse to save his stake. Gentlemen riders (titled ones 

 to be allowed olbs.). Over about three miles of fine hunting coun- 

 try, under the usual steeple-chase conditions. 



Then the game of the " Peeping Toms," and Sly Sams," and 

 11 Infallible Joes," and Wide-awake Jems," with their tips and dis- 

 tribution of prints began ; Tom counselling his numerous and daily 

 increasing clients to get well on to No. 9, Sardanapalus (the Bart., as 

 Watchorn called him), while " Infallible Joe " recommended his 

 friends and patrons to be sweet on No. 6 (Hercules), and " Wide- 

 awake Jem " was all for something else. A gentleman who took the 

 trouble of getting tips from half a dozen of them, found that no two 

 of them agreed in any particular. What information to make 

 books upon ! 



" But what good," as our excellent friend Thackeray eloquently 

 asks, "ever came out of, or went into, a betting book? If I could 

 18 



