280 MINOR EVILS OF THE RACE-COURSE. 
CHAPTER XXVII. 
MINOR EVILS OF THE RACE-COURSE. 
Evils of suburban meetings; first-past-the-post betting—The suburban meeting 
and its frequenters ; practicable restrictions on the behaviour of the masses— 
The extermination of the welsher possible through institution of outer ring 
for protection of small bettor—Restraint in use of language ; example of the 
influence of order in Inspector Tanner ; responsibility of the clerks of the course 
—Removal of the ballad-monger—Beneficial result of reforming the customs 
of the course—Dramatic restrictions, a lesson in point—Necessity to restrict 
sale of drink and dancing—The race-course as it was (1817)—Admiral Rous 
on the powers of stewards and others—Apology for introducing the topic. 
THE suburban meetings, as they are called, are those which 
cast the greatest blot on the reputation of the turf. It is only 
a natural result that in the neighbourhood of large towns, 
more especially of the metropolis, races should attract a con- 
course of people amongst whom manners and morality are 
only conspicuous by their absence. The racing, too, is poor. 
Even for large stakes, good horses seldom compete at such 
places ; and indeed few run at them, for the races are mostly 
plates. 
The disgraceful exhibitions often seen at such meetings 
were recently made more objectionable by the introduction 
of “ first-past-the-post” betting, which was simply this: the 
horse that is first past the post, and is so placed by the judge, 
wins the race so far as his backers are concerned, for they are 
paid. It does not matter what the horse may be, or his age, 
