THE STABLE-BOY AND HIS TEMPTER. 269 
CHAPTER XXVI. 
PRACTICABLE REFORMS. 
The stable-boy and his tempter, the tout—A method to frustrate espionage ; its 
working and advantages explained—The light-weight jockeys and their 
riding ; numerous accidents through incapacity of boys; necessity and 
advantage of having men in the saddle—A protest by able jockeys suggested 
—Doubtful result of Education Act—A growing evil, ‘‘ galloping for a start,” 
and its remedy—Sales with engagements considered in reference to reform of 
present hardships—Four days a week racing commended and advantages 
shown—Judicious enactments of the Jockey Club, 
OF all remedies in turf matters, not any would be more 
desirable than one that should defeat the wretched system 
of espionage; and I therefore venture to suggest a simple 
method by which the tout may be in a great measure rendered 
harmless, if he be not totally checkmated. 
Contrary to the generally received notion, it is not on 
the downs, but in the stable, that the tout works so much 
harm. On the former, he is seldom in the right place at 
the proper time; but from boys in the stable, he derives 
information as to all that is going on inside—for as matters 
are now conducted, nothing escapes detection. The boys, 
be they big or little, good or bad, know every horse, and 
whether he be ill or well, lame or sound ; and more—whether 
the lameness be of a trivial or fatal character, or the illness 
likely to be of short or long duration. Once in possession 
of these facts, they communicate them nightly, as far as 
