At the boat-houses, where the shells of the rival crews were concealed from the gaze of the crowds, outside, the jam was frightful, and very dangerous, as the police every few moments had to back their horses into the crowd to keep a passage-way clear, and on several occasions were compelled to charge the dense masses of men, women, and children.
Some time before the race came off, I made my way along the towing-path as well as I could through the swaying, surging crowds, for the purpose of taking a look at the amusements they were enjoying.
There was a large crowd around a man who stood before a circular table, the top of which revolved on a pivot. The surface was painted and divided into four triangles by colored lines. In each angle was painted the name of some famous horse, such as "Formosa," "Pretender," "Blue Gown," and "Lady Elizabeth." An indicator, like the hand of an eight-day clock, swung on a pivot in the centre of the circle.
A spectator being invited to place sixpence on the name of some favorite horse, the proprietor of the show gave the circular board a spin, and if the indicator stopped opposite the name of the horse where he had placed his money, he gained a shilling. The fellow who had this machine in operation was a hard-looking case, in a greasy cutaway velvet coat. His oratory was to the point and business-like.
"Down vith yer sixpence; and make yer bets, gentlemen. My hindicator is sure as the clock of St. Paul's and twice as waluable ha hacquisition. I don't care vether it is Formosy or Purtendir that yer bets yer bob hon. Yer take Hoxford or ye take 'Avard—
Hi gives 'er a spin
Han lets yer vin;
vich is poetry, and if ye dosn't vin, I gits the tin; vich is po-e-try agin, and is halso a favrite hexpression of the Chanselur of the Hexcheckever ven he piles hon the blessed taxis has 'as made me sell hall my property to havoid a bust hup. Try yer luck agin; thank ye sir. Formosy, sir, sure to vin or lose."
Close by this amusing blackguard is the stand of the root-beer, ginger-beer, and bitter-beer seller, who is crying out from behind his little cart:
BOOTHS AND SHOWS.