Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-11-05
AN ITALIAN
Ell o R Sc r A CE.

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A trumpet sounding soon called univers
sal attention to the course, very different
indeed from that Ascot Heath, but to me
Infinitely more amusing from its novelty.
The broad sweep around the amphithea-
tire was now cleared, and the crowd re.
strained within proper limits by the yehe.
ment efforts of the reale gendarnai, who
were, of course, found here, or strange in
deed would it have been. When they had
somewhat disminished the crowd, some
men, dressed as Turks. ran around the
course to assure themselves that all was
right. The horses then made their ap-
pearance from under the triumphal arch
at the opposite end of the amphitheatre.
They were tall lsnky looking beasts, such
as would be denoninated weeds by
cavalry officers. all bone and legs, with
empty, crumpled-up bodies, really quite
wretched to see. These unpromising an
imals were mounted by little urchins, ap-
parently net more than eight years old,
habited as Turks, in gay-colored turbans,
and full futtering trousers pretty look
ing dress, but strikingly unsuited for the
purpose. as was socn demonstrated by
their losing all said turbans.
+ Those little creatrres-in number, six
nov walked their horses around the
arena, Being greeted with shouts acclama-
tions, and largos and yiyas and braves,
and every other word in the expressive
vernacular Indicative of rapturous de-
light. The jockeys preceded by the be.
fore mentioned grown up Turks. holding
a slender strip Of white ribon before the
horses, by way Of restraining their ardor.
Vain device. The horses alarmed at the
noises, excited by the scene, and terrified
at the foolish strip of ribbon that futter-
ed before their eyes, not in the slightest
degree caring for the powerless little.
jockeys on their backs, who tugged and
tugged at the reins in futile efforts, soon
began to kick and plunge most tremeni
E3usly. Some set of at f4lI gallop, others
| tried to rush into the centre of the enclo-
sure, and all were in a state of absolute
insubordination. A scene of iuexpressa-
BILE confusion ensued, truly Italian in its
noise and grotesqueness. The two Turks
doing no earthly good, rushed ABOUT in
frantic agitation, screaming, swearing
and shouting; now selling one horse then
another; stamping, roaring, and increas-
ing the general confusion and uproar.-
The skinny racers became more and more
excited at the increasing noise, and
threatened every moment to precipitate
their baby riders under their hoofs.
When the habbub had reached its
grand climacteric, an officer dressed. in
full uniform rushed from a little box
placed at one side of the course, and strid-
ing furiously towards the horses and the
Turks, and commenced series Of gestic-
ulations Indicative of anger, such as new
er think, was witnessed before or sinc5.
His arms and legs, partaking of his inter-
nal motions, seemed to revolye around
his body like a windmill His indigna-
ton at the horses, at the Turks, and at
the white ribbon, exceeded all utterance
or description. This last very inoffensive
and useless article he seized and flung to
| the ground, then with d stick which he
held in his hand, he then commenced be-
laboring the Turks without mercy, who
scudded away right and left; he kicked
the horses who appeared inclined to re-
turn the compliment; and stamped and
talked until he was crimson. All at once
when the turmoil had reached its acme,
he retreated into his lstte box as sudden.
ly as he hadNemerged from it, and was
seen no more.
But at this moment, when every one
! was on the tiptoe of expectation. the
trumpet sounded again loud and shrilI,
and off the horses rushed without moro
ado. Round and round they scudded,
faster than the wind, heller SHELTER, cast
ing up whirlwind Of gravel stones
The little jockeys infants as they were,
kept their seats in a marvellous manner,
and urged on their steees with frantic
cries. The turbsns had fallen off on their
first circuit, and lay on the ground as
they few by. Three times did the horses
pass the gallery ina sort Of devils ride, so
rapid as to make one tremble; and then
amid the applause Of The multitude, clap.
ping Of hands, and all kinds of kooting,
halloing and screaming, the'trumpet again
sounded. Lo! the least of the little crea-
lures had wont Itwould appear that one
Of the grown up auxiliary Turks had
very strong interest in the event, for when
he beheld the result, he commenced cut
ting variety of somersaults in the cen
tire of the course. Having given this vent
to his feelings, he then seized the little
jockey in his arms. embraced him yehe-
mently, ended BY hugging the horse, and
covering him with kisses.
The winning horse was then paradesf
around the course, the little rider bear
ing in his hand large far-a sum
amounting to twenty pounds sterling be.
ing the value Of the stakes. When after
few minutes, the horses disappeared, all
was over-the races had terminated, last.
ing only about an hour, one start only be.
ing attempted. 1t realiy did seem much
ado about nothing, with a vengeance.