A LEADING ARTICLE.
THE PLEASURES OF SPORTING.
THE consulter of Johnson’s Dictionary under the term of Sport, or Sporting, would be led into a great mistake by the Doctor’s definition. The word, with the great Lexicographer, signifies nothing but Diversion, Amusement, Play:—but I shall submit to the reader, with a few facts, whether it has not a more serious connexion, or to speak technically, whether it should be Play or Pay.
SWEEPSTAKES:—“EVERY JENNY HAS A JOCKEY.”
When I was a young man, having a good deal of ready money, and little wit,—I went upon the Turf. I began cautiously, and as I thought, knowingly. I studied the studbook, and learnt the pedigree of every new colt—yet somehow, between sire and dam, continually losing “the pony.” My first experiment was at Newmarket. By way of securing a leading article, I backed the Duke of Leeds, but the race came off, and the Duke was not placed. I asked eagerly who was first, and was told Fourth. The winner was a slow but strong horse, and I was informed had got in front by being a laster. This was a puzzle, but I paid for my Riddlesworth, and prepared for the Derby. By good luck I selected an excellent colt to stand upon—he had been tried—it was a booked thing—but the day before the Derby there was a family wash, and the Laundress hung her wet linen on his lines. I paid again. I took advice about the Oaks, and instead of backing a single horse, made my stand, like Ducrow, upon four at once. No luck. Terror did not start—Fury came roaring to the post—Belle was told out, and Comet was tail’d off. I paid again—and began dabbling in the Sweepstakes, and burning my fingers with the Matches. Amongst others, a bet offered that I conceived was peculiarly tempting, 20,000 to 20 against Post Obit—a bad horse indeed, yet such odds seemed unjustifiable, even against “an outsider.” But I soon found my mistake. The outsider was in reality an insider,—filling the stomachs of somebody’s hounds.—Pay again! I resolved however to retaliate, and the opportunity presented itself. I had been confidently informed that Centipede had not a leg to stand on, and accordingly laid against him as thick as it would stick. The following was the report of the race: “Centipede jumped off at a tremendous pace,—had it all his own way—and justified his name by coming in a hundred feet in front.”—Pay again! These “hollow” matters however fretted me little, save in pocket. They were won easy, and lost to match—but the “near things” were unbearable. To lose only by half a head,—a few inches of horse-flesh! I remember two occasions when Giraffe won by “a neck,” and Elephant by “a nose.” I was almost tempted to blow out my brains by the nose, and to hang myself by the neck!
On one of those doubtful occasions, when it is difficult to name the winner, I thought I could determine the point, from some peculiar advantage of situation, and offered to back my opinion. I laid that Cobbler had won, and it was taken; but a signal from a friend decided me that I was wrong, and by way of hedge, I offered to lay that Tinker was the first horse. This was taken like the other, and the Judges declared a dead rob—I mean to say a dead heat.—Pay again!
A likelier chance next offered. There was a difference of opinion, whether Bohea would start for the Cup, and his noble owner had privately and positively assured me that he would. I therefore betted freely that he would run for the Plate, and he walked over!—Pay again! N.B. I found, when it was too late, that I should not have paid in this case, but I did.
The Great St. Leger was still in reserve. Somewhat desperate, I betted round, in sums of the same shape, and my best winner became first favourite at the start. Never shall I forget the sight! I saw him come in ten lengths a-head of everything—hollow! hollow! I had no voice to shout with, and it was fortunate. Man and horse went, as usual, after the race, to be weighed, and were put into the scale. They rose a little in our eyes, and sunk proportionably in our estimation. Roguery was sniffed—the Jockey Club was appealed to, and it gave the stakes to the second horse. All bets went with the stakes, and so—Pay again!