The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-21
NEW YORK HERALD SUNDAY MAY 81 ls7l-oUADRUPLE

eight thousand persons; and although tho
charge for admission to those not belonging to
the clubs is generally very high, there is sell
dom seat to DO had for love or money when
the race commences.
Nor Is 1t alone in wealthy England that
every seat commanding view of the great
contest is eagerly purchased. Even in Ireland
prices are paid for the privilege Of the stands
which would seem incredible to oil who have
not attended any Of the principal rae courses
In that country. Thus, for example, who
would not find 1t difficult to believe that at the
races Of Punchestown, near Kildare, about
twenty miles from Dublin, the price Of ad-
mission to the stand is three sovereigns-the
ticket for the three days costing five sove-
reigns-about twenty-eight dollars2 These
were the rates last spring; yet the stand was
well filled, although capable of accommodating
nearly, II not quite, three thousand persons.
Bat here we are reminded of certain features
In the European courses which are not yet
fully appreciated in this country. A great
attraction at all the principal races, especially
in the British Islands, is the ample opportunity
afforded the spectators of carriage driving as
well as horseback riding, on the grounds con-
nected with the course. None but those who
have witnessed this advantage can form any
families in England thus attend In their car
riages the ladies using the latter as salons.
These carriages are to be seen at almost every
corner of the course, surrounded by gay and
fashionable groups-some on horseback, some
in smaller vehicles, and some on foot, and all
are in more or less lively motion during the
intervals between the different heats
The inducements to visit the course pre-
sented by these scenes alone may be easily
understood, especially II it be borne in mind
that beauty, wit and culture, as well as rank
and fashion, lend them their most fascinating
charms. 1t is true that on the stands as well
as in the carriages ladies are to be seen who
may be truly said to "blush at their own
loneliness, and among the number may be
found not few American ladies who at home
would scarcely dare to grace such scenes with
their presence. At the same time there are
many who are delighted to drive or ride about
the course who would soon get wearied on the
stands.
Now, were 1t not well that our jockey clubs
would bear this in mindp If the poorest coun-
tries in Europe can afford ample grounds in
connection with their race courses because
those grounds present strong attraction pre-
cisely to those without whose support such
invigoratng, manly sports cannot be main
tanned anywhere, surely the Great Republic
ought to be able to do likewise for the same
reason. But we can only hint at the matter in
this article. We cannot even allude to the
difference between trotting and legitimate
racing, or to that between tue wagon and
the saddle. Still less could we be expected
in an Introductory article to compare
the hunter with the Arabian, the fat race
with the steeple chase, DC. but our readers
know from experience that it is not our habit
to overlook any legitimate means of render
ing life agreeable and attractive to them by
neut-alizing, as far as possible, it's gall and
worm uood