THE MODERN MANIA FOR HORSERACING.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2614, 13 April 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE MODERN MANIA FOR HORSERACING.

If you enter into conversation with a casual stranger, say, in a train in London itdoos not matter whether first, second, or third class, you are always safe if you talk about racehorses. This habit of mind is growing almost to a mania, and many people who do not really care about the subject, and uro not gamblers at all pre tend a kind of propitiatory conversational interest in it, partly proceeding from (in obscure vanity and desire to be considered knowing. The mania is having an effect even on the language. What is common than to hear a person upoketi of as an " outsider" —a vague term of abuse, •which, on the turf, ahsa definit) meaning. Women seem to have caught up all the cant of the thing as well as mou, and, if you merely remark that is a fine day, will probably reply that it is good weather for Kempton and Sandown. I fancy the actual gambling, however, it is what attracts women. A man may talk racing, and know the name of horses, and the odda, simply to bo thought 'in the know,' and venture a languid " ten bob," with a friend who is as big a fool as himself ; but ;t woman wants to get something and does not care so much about making a theatrical effect of being a sporting character. But she can make a hero of a successful jockey, for he gets her some: thing. The upper classes have always patronised the turf, and, therefore, do not come within my present purview. The remarkable thing is that apparently the only solitary and unique result of compulsory elementary schooling is that every lad in a long overcoat, with the collar up, and a shallow hard felt hat, too lari»e for his brainless noddle reads ' odds' in newspapers which concern themselves with such studies. He may occasionally read criminal literature but he always gets up ' odds.' His favourite opportunities are Sunday mornings, before the " houses" open, and while hia boots are being blacked ; and any evening iu one of the " houses," where a ragged and filthy newspaper devoted entirely to gambling may be seen gratis. Every eabtnau, every omnibus driver, even porters at stations, and, of course, all publicans and potboys, get up " odds." It is one tiling they are in earnest about besides making money. It is a religion. The Gentleman.