DISASTROUS RESULTS OF BOYS RIDING. 273 
of many others, being only one out of numbers. This 
danger is in itself a proof of the necessity of doing away 
with these pigmies as jockeys. If clerks of courses and 
handicappers will continue to adhere to the present ridi- 
culously low scale, and the Jockey Club do not take the 
matter into its own all-powerful hands; then, it may be ex- 
pected that the legislature will interfere, and by fixing a 
minimum weight of seven-stone, confer a benefit on the racing 
community, and put a stop to a reckless and useless waste of 
life and limb. Action was taken, not very long ago, with 
respect to performances on the trapeze and other things, in 
which the sacrifice of life had been trivial compared to that 
which is caused on the race-course. In fact, it is almost a 
common occurrence to hear that this or the other jockey has 
-been killed on the course or maimed for life; the result of 
the sensational exhibition of tiny lads, who would be in the 
proper place out of harm’s way in a dame’s school, instead of 
endangering not only their own but the lives of all jockeys 
unfortunate enough to be riding with them, besides risking 
injury to spectators who are frequently knocked down and 
ridden over. 
It is a wonder to me that the old jockeys do not ina body 
respectfully solicit their employers not to ask them to ride 
in such company, or indeed with any one under seven stone. 
Should a deputation selected from our able riders ask per- 
mission to wait on the Jockey Club, or one of the stewards, 
to represent the real state of the case, I think that very 
likely the request would be granted, and the grievance com- 
plained of, be redressed. The evil unfortunately is on the 
increase; and nothing will in my opinion, as I have said 
before, stop it, but the raising of the weights to a seven- - 
stone minimum. 
T 
