18 INFLUENCE OF THE TURF 



associations ; Doncaster, where the clans of 

 the north foregather to Avitness the struggle 

 for the " Coop " ; or the great St. Leger, 

 where the Derby form is triumphantly vindi- 

 cated, or, with equal frequency refuted by 

 some flying filly in the mare's month, or 

 colt which has wonderfully "come on " since 

 the summer contest ; Royal Ascot too, and 

 " glorious " Goodwood, with many another 

 arena of the national sport, less renowned, 

 yet equally dear through personal association, 

 or that glamour which enshrines the memories 

 of famous horses and men. Despite number- 

 less sketches and memoirs of its past glories, 

 the full romance of the Turf has yet to be 

 written, and when it is it should be a Avork 

 of absorbing interest to a large proportion 

 of the British public. 



But what is to be said for the great argu- 

 ment which the apologists of the Turf have 

 from time immemorial advanced on behalf 

 of a sport which, intrinsically a noble and 



