NEWMARKET REMINISCENCES 201 



The same Englishmen who gathered in crowds 

 at Ascot to cheer the Royal procession, and were 

 at Epsom equally demonstrative, made no sign 

 at Newmarket — at least, not before or after 

 racing. 



One mostly feels sorry that one's memories 

 are memories and no more. Here is one bygone 

 which was not a truly enviable distinction. Head- 

 quarters, you know, is usually very trying for the 

 ordinary punter. Only bookm.akers and the truly 

 inspired ever seem to win there. Ending a bad 

 season on the Heath as he began, a defeated 

 sportsman announced at the close of the Hough- 

 ton Meeting his intention of then and there 

 washing his hands of Newmarket racing. *' You 

 will have to go a long way from the stand to do 

 it," quoth a friend; ''you can't wash your hands 

 here, not if you offered a fiver." Neither could 

 he — I mean the washing — which seems to me to 

 be rather a pity. He would be safe enough in 

 chancing the five pounds, not for ever, though. 

 At last, staggered but rejoiced at the marvellous 

 innovation, quite by chance I discovered a real 

 wash-basin, not a property affair, but with real 

 water, real soap, and a real towel laid on. Not 

 only one, but a pair of these treasures were 

 modestly concealed behind the cloak-room door 

 of Tattersall's ring. All comes for him who 

 knows how to wait is quite true, perfectly 

 correct. I only waited ever since the Rowley 

 Mile stand was built, say, a quarter of a century. 

 If you know how to wait long enough all does 

 come, though you and the arrival may be antiques 

 before the ship comes home. 



