114 THE BLUE RIBBON OF THE TURF. 



of Westminster have, however, driven us out from our 

 time-honoured locality, and we have secured a spot 

 as near to the Corner as we could get; but al- 

 thouo'h we have changed our habitation, we have not 

 changed our principles, and we hope to be still 

 honoured with the confidence and patronage which 

 we have for so many 3'cars enjoyed. A hundred 

 years ago horse-racing and betting were confined to 

 noblemen and gentlemen, and bookmakers were as 

 little dreamt of as railways or electric telegraphs. But 

 bookmakers have since arisen, and horse-racing has 

 become far more popular, even amongst persons in 

 humble ranks, who some few years since would as soon 

 have thought of keeping a tame elephant as a race- 

 horse, or of "making a book." In 1815 my grand- 

 father opened a small room for the accommodation of 

 bookmakers, who had hitherto been accustomed to 

 walk about the yard picking up a stray " pony " when- 

 ever they could. That room has become an institu- 

 tion of the turf; and in our new premises neither 

 time nor money has been spared to make the room 

 fitted for the object for which it has been erected. I 

 attribute the great success of m}^ family as being due 

 to their untiring industry and integrity, and the up- 

 rightness of their dealings. My grandfather used to say 

 that he told more lies than any man in England, but 

 that, like those of a counsellor, they were all " briefe-l " 

 to him. I beg, in conclusion, to tliank the company for 

 the honour they have done us by attending here this 

 eveninsjf, and for the kind and confidential manner in 

 which they have spoken of our firm ; and I assure you 

 that no effort on the part of either myself or my 



