RECECOURSE REFRESHMENT ROOMS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1051, 9 November 1877, Page 3

RECECOURSE REFRESHMENT ROOMS.

As a rule luncheon rooms on racecourses in the colonies arc liberally provided and largely patronised, and on the Christchurch course this is eminently so. It scarcely seems to be so on all occasions in old England. In the 44 Sportsman ” newspaper the following amusing yet severe description is given of the luncheon room at the Goodwood races: 44 This room, some 30ft. by 25 square feet, has a stone flooring and bare color-washed walls, ornamented for the week with fragments of fir branches and small silver balls- - a combination suggesting to the thoughtful observer that some common sort of Christmas tree may have been wrecked hereabouts, and that the caterer has employed the flotsam and jetsam for decorative purposes. Across the room, from door to wall, aro spread three or four improvised tables, having for seats such wooden forms as aro commonly used in rural taprooms. These tables are laid out with coarse but plentiful food, and at a given signal the public are let in; not, however, before paying the 5s entrance fee—a capital arrangement for the caterer, because many of the public, having paid the entrance fee, turn sick at the appearance of things, and so are unable to eat. The caterer is not a loser by the public fastidiousness. A strong man of unrefined appearance, and not troubled with the sentiment of politeness, may fare coarsely and plentifully for his ss. If he happen to choose the hour or two preceding the great race of the day he will probably find the tables full, and have to wait standing upon the stone floor greedily eyeing the lunchers. Presently a seat will become vacant, and be will, Assyrian like, come down upon it as a wolf on the fold. He will probably find in the front of him a soiled cloth, some broken bread, a dish of lobster shells flung pell-mell on the top of a dish of beef or tongue. To his right there may be a piece of a carcase of roasted bullock, and to his left the remains of a cold shoulder of mutton or lamb, cut to the pink, blood-extruding bone. As no attempt will be made on the part of the very few and very stupid waiters to clear away the debris , the strong one may lay hold of a plate from a pile placed on the floor against the wall and fall to. It is probable that no objection will be raised to his eating whatever ho could grasp. He will n«t be wanted to purchase drink; indeed, he will not be attended to in any way unless he shout himself hoarse, and probably lose the chance of seeing the sport. It is obvious that no man with any self-respect would take a lady into such a place a second time.”