The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-05-31 00:00:00

THE DERBY DAY.

That the principal day of the Epsom Summer Race
Meeting holds its own as the great English carnival
there can be no kind of doubt. With increased
facilities of locomotion, there has of late years been a
gradually increasing attendance, which to-day shows
no falling off. Although the great conveniences
offered by the railway companies Lk, ve caused a
great many to give up the old-fashioned style of
travelling by road, there was on Wednesday but little
perceptible diminution in the number of vehicles.
Many and anxious were the early glances from bed-
room windows to ascertain the state of the weather.
None too cheerful were the prospects as the sky
was leaden and looked much like rain. But
towards eight o'clock the sun broke through,
and by the time that the first contingent were on
the road it looked as if the threatened rain Would
hold over.- So early as nine there were already a good
many vehicles on the way, these wore principally
carts and vans laden with edibles and potables for
the comfort of the inner man. An hour later, 'how-
ever, the road was fairly thronged. From the
East-end of the town came brakes, cabs, dog-
carts with fast trotters, and omnibuses, while
from the western quarter the chief contingent
to the rapidly increasing crowd of vehicles were drags
barouches and landaus. In one respect all were
alike, the well-filled hamper slung below, and bring-
ing with it visions of lobsters and popping corks.
Down through Clapham and the pleasant Surrey
lanes, now glorious in the full wealth of their foliage,
a large number of people were gathered to watch
the gay party passing, and exchange friendly
greetings.
London Bridge and Victoria Stations displayed a
most animated scene, as a continuous stream of people
poured in, on foot principally, and passed slowly but
continuously before the pigeon-holes where the tickets
were taken. Barricades at certain points prevented any
confusion taking place; and additional servant S of the
company, scattered all over the platforms, greatly facili-
tated the seating and stowing away of the passengers.
;Train after train was despatched at regular intervals;
crowded with people, and at half-past nine the
cheap service terminated, and the fast trains com-
menced running. There was a visible change in
the appearance of the crowds as the last cheap
itrain steamed out of the station, but the new-
comers appeared on the platform in just the
same dense and interminable stream as their pre-
decessors. The carriages quietly filled up as each
fresh train drew up, and the trains were despatched
at regular intervals, timed by an admirable system of
signals, adopted so as to secure the greatest security
to all who travelled. The South-Western Railway
tapping the Waterloo and West-end districts, ran
cheap trains, and carried down immense numbers
of people to Epsom. As this is the shortest
route it gave people time to traverse the intervening
distance between the town and the downs comfort-
ably. The special fast trains which followed carried
great numbers, and at all the stations the most com-
plete arrangements were made for dealing with the
traffic. At all the stations the travellers were de-
spatched in an orderly manner, and, judging by the
merriment which prevailed, the travellers appeared to
be in the very jolliest of humours with themselves and
with all around.
Early in the morning there was a numerous com-
pany present to watch the gallops, and sportsmen
were much pleased with the way in which Queen
Adelaide did her work. Harvester was also out,
accompanied by Mr. Barrow, the veterinary
surgeon, but his going was such as to induce
the belief that if he ran he would be likely to
break down. This opinion, however, proved erroneous.
In the neighbourhood of the Stand there are few
alterations, though some for the improvement of
general comfort might easily be carried out. Amongst
these would be the building of a telegraph office in
place of herding the clerks together under a marquee.
The race resulted in a dead heat between St. Gatien
and Harvester, Queen Adelaide occupying the thit-I
place. Stakes divided; 15 horses ran.