corresponding with her shoulders, are remarkably deep and roomy; her back ribs sufficiently open to admit of fine action in the hindquarters, which are very lengthy, with finely-developed muscles both in the thighs and second thighs; her hips are rather high and wide, affording great power of leverage; her hocks clean and strong. Like all the stock of her sire, she possesses an unusual degree of stoutness of heart and constitution, a fact borne out by her style of running for the Derby and Oaks. The pedigree of very few mares will bear the scrutiny which Deception's will. Her blood is uncontaminated by incestuous strains. Looking into the ancestry of our best racing stock, the Eclipse, Sir Peter, or Highflyer blood, Deception claims a happy combination of all. Her sire (Defence) is by Whalebone out of Little Folly by Highland Fling: he therefore conveys to his progeny the Waxy, Pot8os, Prunella, Eclipse, and Herod blood.

At Bath Spring Meeting 1838, Deception was beaten for the Western Stakes of 30 sovs. each, with 30 added, by Westonian and Lady Geraldine.

In June, at the same place, she won the Kelston Park Stakes of 30 sovs. each, h. ft., with 20 added, 7 subs., beating colt by Sultan out of Clara. Betting: 6 to 4 on the winner.

At Goodwood, she ran second for the Lavant Stakes, 50 sovs. each, 30 ft., having been beaten by Wapiti (Sister to Wintonian).—Betting: 2 to 1 agst Wapiti, and 7 to 1 agst Deception.

At the same Meeting, she was again beaten by Wapiti for the Molecomb Stakes of 50 sovs., h. ft., 19 subs., beating Vale of Belvoir, The Courier, colt by Priam out of Weeper, and Falsetto.-Betting : 4 to 1 agst Deception, and even on the winner.

In August, at Salisbury, she won a 30 sovs. Sweepstakes, h. ft., nine subs., beating Sister to Carnaby, filly by Sultan out of Mrs. Baggs, and filly by Emilius out of Farce.

At Epsom 1839, she was beaten for the Derby Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., by Bloomsbury, although a good second.

At the same Meeting (rode by Day), she won the Oaks Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., 95 subs., beating Carolina and Louisa, which were placed-La Bellezza, Dolphin, Hesione, Mickleton Maid, Recl, &c.Betting: 13 to 8 on the winner, 9 to 1 each agst La Bellezza and Louisa, 10 to 1 agst Dolphin, 10 to 1 agst Hesione, 11 to 1 agst The Shadow, &c. &c.

At Bath (rode by Trenn), she won a Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., 23 subs., beating Westonian by Camel, and Science by Defence. Betting: 6 to 1 on the winner.-Mr. I. Day (owner of Science) has claimed the Stake on the ground that Deception and Westonian went on the wrong side of a post. Mr. Wreford (owner of Westonian) has also objected to the pedigree of Deception.

DECEPTION is entered for the Drawing Room Stakes of 25 sovs. each at Goodwood, and a Produce Stakes of 50 sovs. each at Stockbridge.

VOL, XIX-SECOND SERIES. - No, 111,

T

THE DUTIES OF STEWARDS OF RACES,

AND OF EVENTS WHICH COME UNDER THEIR NOTICE.

Motives for accepting the Appointment, and the Gratification arising therefrom-Excellence of the Rules of the Jockey Club-Private Rules necessary at Country Meetings-Weighing Jockeys, and Rules relating thereto-The Starter--The Distance Chair-The JudgeHandicapping-Race Ordinaries-Decisions on Charges of Crossing.

ONE of the numerous offices of trust and responsibility which Country Gentlemen are called upon to perform is the very important one of Steward of the Races in the immediate neighbourhood of their residences. It is a post of honor, which cannot fail to afford considerable gratification. Viewed as one of very great responsibility, the nomination carries with it a high compliment, and the pleasure is enhanced by the reflection that they are presiding over the amusements of thousands. Whilst one of our great National Sports is the subject, the various associations cannot fail to render the appointment an event of much satisfaction.

It frequently occurs that gentlemen of property and influence, on account of their known integrity and zeal for the welfare of their neighbours and the prosperity of the county in which they reside, are called upon to accept the undertaking, although racing has not hitherto formed a part of their amusements. They are consequently but little versed in the laws; and to such persons, feeling, as they must, an anxious desire to acquit themselves with credit to their own abilities and justice towards all parties, the undertaking becomes the more responsible. A careful perusal of the Laws of Racing in the Book Calendar will in a great measure obviate the difficulties on this point; at the same time it may not be amiss to remark that the last year's Calendar should invariably be selected, because of the alterations which the Stewards of the Jockey Club find it necessary to make in consequence of the various events which from time to time present themselves.

Men are apt to judge of others in a great degree by the ability which they display in any engagement which they may be employed upon: therefore it behoves every one about to undertake such an important trust to make himself perfectly acquainted with the Laws by which racing is governed, and, as far as can conveniently be acquired, a knowledge of the recent events which have transpired. To betray an ignorance of subjects the most universally known naturally produces a contemptuous feeling on the part of those who are better versed with the usages of the Turf; but to become master of the leading circumstances which are required of a Steward does not demand much study, and therefore appears the more unpardonable if neglected.

Throughout life we may observe that a man is esteemed or thought lightly of in proportion as his services are essential to society. A greater eulogy cannot be attached to any man than to display his services to the public, and to enumerate the advantages which mankind may have gained by his exertions. A man when he enters a theatre is struck with the view of so great a multitude assembled to partake of

one common amusement, and experiences from the scene around him a greater degree of sensibility or disposition of being affected by the sentiments expressed in the course of the exhibition than he would do by witnessing the performance in solitude. Sharing in the sensations of his fellow-creatures, his feelings are prepared to enjoy and appreciate the incidents of the drama. A race-course may justly be compared to a theatre. It is a scene of gaiety and excitement, which cannot fail to strike every beholder with the different passions and characters of the human race, each of whom in fact becomes a performer in the spectacle. From the accurate calculator who makes betting his profession, to the casual speculator who hazards his half crowns at roulette, down to the simple rustic who foolishly stakes his little hoard on his imaginary keenness of vision in supposing that he can discover under which thimble the little pea is secreted-in each of these performers the ruling passions of the human breast are clearly depicted, and easily discerned, and to the observers of men and manners cannot fail to afford ample scope for contemplation.

Although it is difficult for human foresight to provide for every event which may arise, and much more so to be prepared against the craft and ingenuity which dishonest men may display to evade justice, taken altogether, the Laws of Racing, as enacted by the Members of the Jockey Club, are concise, comprehensive, well arranged, and furnish rules and decided cases applicable to most occasions that are likely to transpire yet it should be observed those Laws are made relative to Newmarket only, and are extended to Provincial Meetings by the authority of the Stewards of those Meetings.

Independently of the Laws of Racing in force at Newmarket, a few Bye-Laws and Rules adapted to such circumstances as Country Races may require are generally advertised; and although the Committee and Clerks of the races usually relieve the Stewards of the trouble of proposing them, it is not amiss for every Steward to make himself acquainted with what are contemplated in due time; and, should he find any rules omitted, or others not clearly expressed, which may have the effect of preventing disputes, to take care that such additions or amendments as he considers necessary be duly advertised in the Racing Calendar. Attention to such little matters very frequently prevents disputes, which ought to be guarded against with the utmost

caution.

Many persons are required to attend to various duties, and on the directions given to them will in a great measure depend the probability of disputes arising. Amongst others must be appointed a

MAN TO WEIGH THE JOCKEYS,

who should be directed, as each jockey is weighed, to ascertain his name and the horse which he is going to ride, and enter those particulars in a book, together with the weight. Should the rider be more than the required weight, a memorandum must be made of that actually carried, and a return made to Messrs. Weatherby to that effect. Strict attention should be paid to this, as also to the declaration, in case of carrying overweight, being made by the proper persons in due time. The 44th Rule of the Jockey Club expresses when and how the declaration is to

be made, and it ought to be held in observance at all races*. Carrying overweight leads to much imposition, not merely as relates to the betting on the race, but as to the weight imposed in future Handicaps. The frequency of jockeys riding several pounds too heavy, without any notice being taken of it, calls for the attention of the Stewards at every Country Meeting.

When the jockeys are weighed after the race, the person having charge of the scales must be particular as to the correctness of each rider's weight; and should any one be deficient, having once left the scale, on no account should he be suffered to re-enter it. It is admissible for him to have the bridle brought to him if required; but, to save trouble, it is usual to allow one pound for a single and two pounds for a double bridle. A circumstance occurred some years since at Stourbridge, which, from want of attention to this point, produced a law-suit. One of the jockeys was short of weight: he left the scale, and walked a considerable distance down the course in search of the Steward, whom he requested would see him weighed. This was complied with he was found to be weight, and the race was awarded to his horse. After a pedestrian tour through a dense crowd he must have been a fool he could not procure a pound or two to make up the deficiency!

It scarcely appears necessary to point out the necessity of a jockey being sufficiently heavy; but I recollect a circumstance of one having lost a stirrup iron, and he was about a quarter of a pound too light. One of the Stewards was inclined to have waved the objection upon the principle that so trifling a deficiency could not effect the running of the horse, and would have excused it had not that honest straight-forward fellow Mytton, who was the other Steward, most positively stuck to the point.

The office of starting the horses frequently devolves on the Clerk of the races it is one of considerable importance, especially in short contests, but, with a little practice and attention, is easily accomplished. If properly managed jockeys will start themselves. The only thing requisite on the part of the starter is to prevent any from obtaining a great advantage over others. When he sees they are all prepared and well together, he has nothing more to do than ask, "Are you all ready?"—which is intended as a note of final preparation: and, seeing that they are, to give the word "Off!" It will seldom be necessary to call them back. If, however, he perceives at the last moment that any are in an unfavorable position, he should not exclaim, "Off"—it is that order being given too hastily which causes so much confusion.

A man stationed at a little distance up the course with a flag-the starter having a similar one which he drops when he determines the start to be fair is an admirable plan, and ought to be universally adopted. The person having the care of the flag in advance must keep his eye on the starter, and the moment the latter drops his flag the other is to do the same.

*For the Rules and Orders of the Jockey Club, see Vol. xxiii. N. S. p. 297.