Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-05-24

PeculiariIies OF the English sys-
lena.
Spirit of the Times.l
1t may be of interest to take a
look at The way betting is done in
England, in view of the fact, per-
haps, that the English mode may
come into use here, now that our
American system has been legis-
lated out of existence. Auction
pool selling is unknown here, and
is entirely an American institution.
French pool selling was in vogue
at one time on English race tracks,
but it was quickly suppressed, and
consequently never hOurished to
any extent.
There is no admission to "The
Field" of an English course, which
is thrown open to all. In the vi
cinity of the grand stand there are
two Enclosures, one being the " In
ner, or Tattersall's Betting Ring"
and the other the "0uter Betting
Ring" The entrance fee to the
outer ring is, say, seven shilllngs
English and some five shillings
additional is charged for the entree
of the inner ring q am speaking of
the daily admission fees). The
inner ring joins the saddling pad
dock, where all the contestants ap-
pear previous to a race, and, on
some courses, an extra charge is
made for admission to this. The
inner ring is patronized by the
wealthy classes-race horse owners,
the large betting men, and profess
sional book-makers, who are many
of them members of TattersalPs.
The members of the Jockey Club
also, who are sportively inclined,
rendezvous at misplace. There is
no ready money, no hand to mouth
betting here, no money changes
hands on the ground, but all the
bets are matters of honor, and the
account is settled at Tattersalls on
the following Monday, which is al
ways an "otf" day in racing circles
in England. Professional betting
men who occupy the outer ring are
often members Of TattersalPs, and,
at the same time, do ready money
betting, taking the money offered
them on bets just before race, and
settling at once after the race has
been decided. These men gener-
ally give tickets numbered in rota-
ton, making it convenient to
strangers, who can thus settle with
out going to Tattersall's for the
purpose. Almost all these men
have something to distinguish them
by, generally bag slung by a strap
from the shoulders, with the name
and address of their firm stamped
consPicuously thereon in gilt let
ters. In this bag they carry tickets
and money, and all have clerks to
assist them.
Swindlers often prepare them
selves in the same way, and, chang
ing their name and address, move,
after every race, to another part of
the course, and commence anew.
The betting men in the open fields
are more numerous, and make
themselves conspicuous by peculi-
arity of dress, many of thtm look.
ing like clowns, as they wear hats
and clothes of all The colors of the
raiAbow. These men generally
have slip of pinned on their
coats giving the state Of the odds.
There are many of these profess
sionals as honest as their more arls-
tocratic brethren of the inner ring,
and they are ready to accept bets
from shilling to five or ten
pounds. Dealing with a class of
bettors who are not accustomed to
any nonsense, they are always pre-
pared to settle at once after a race.
The field betting is ON the "first
horse passing the post" short
weight, or any other contingency
which may arise, and give the race
to another horse, not counting with
this class Of bettors. AS soon as
the leading horse passes the win
ming post, his number is immedi-
ately, in fact instantly run up, and