The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1879-07-24

Dy tlllS dlGcTdIlSu IACz puOl1S1 naVC q SAoy
given them to recover from the turmoil
and excitemont of the Derby, and are
thus enabled to enter with greater relish
into the more quiet but not less pleasura-
BILE amusement of the Oaks day. This
interval is also of great service to those
who have fillies entered for 10th races.
The old course, now seldom used ex-
cept for the cup, is two miles, Of an ir-
regular circular form, the first mile up
hill.
The new Derby course, as it is called,
is exactly mile and a halt, and some
what in the form Of al horseshoe. The
first three quarters offa mile may be
considered as straight running, the bend
in the course being very trifing and the
width very great; thegnext quarter of a
mile is in gradual tut and is called
Tattenham Corner; tie East half mile
from this is straight. The first half mile
is on the ascent, the next third of mile
is level, and the remainder is OH the des-
cent, till within the distance where the
ground rises again. The Derby is one
and-a-half-mile race for three-year-old
colts and fillies, and is usually won in
from Pm. AS. to Pm. 52.5s. The stakes
vary, according to the number of the
subscribers.
It has been said, with more truth than
usual, that call the world and his wife
goes to the Derby" From an early hour
in the morning continuous stream of
humanity, in vehicles and on foot, pours
forth from London southwark, the head
Of the current reaching Epson by nine
o'clock, or even earlier, and the end not
till past mid day. The convcyances in
which the Londeners disport themselves
on this great occasion are of the most
motley description and indicate clearly
the fascination that the Derby
has for all classes of per-
sons. There arc the well-appointed
drags, which have multiplied exceeding
ly since the modern revival of coaching,
and the disappointed buses and wagon
cites, with four horses, which seem never
to have been yoked together before, and
suggestive of a doubt whether they will
make the double journey without mishap.
There are the quiet private carriages and
pair, and the more snowy vehicles with
the almost extinct race of Positions, the
sporting publ1can's Whitechapels, the
one-horse carts of petty tradesmen, of
costcrmongcrs, of "dealers.' Here and
there is an undertaker's business chaise
with business horse in it, the smart
hanson with its bower of gauze, the four
wheel "growlcr,,' pony carts with animals
hardly bigger than Newfoundland dogs,
and street barrows drawn by wonderfully
fast trotting donkcys-cum m1ltis aliis
quos nunc describere lonquna est. On each
side OF these is an equally unfailing
stream of pedestrians-for thousands
bravely walk from London to the Downs
Bicyclists Ga sort of cross-breed between
pedestrians and vehicular riders) are in
full force, and from time to time seem to
put fresh life into jaded horse as they
flash by on silently revolving wheels. 1t
was said some years ago, when
the railways offered such great
facilities for getting to the scene of action
that ''the glories of the road' would grad
ually fade. But the yearly increasing
number of Derby-goers have falsitied this
prophecy, and the road is as crowded and
lively as ever. Not the least important
feature Of the pageant is the ''station-
aries" whose amusement is to watch the
passing cavalcade. The gatherings of
men and boys along the route, and the
maidservants at the upper and the mis-
tresses at the lower windows OF the
houses, and the pupils of the various
schools, propped up on platforms behind
their walls, form a conspicuous feature
of the scene.
The Downs themselves, when the null
titudes have fairly arrived, can only be
compared to an enormous ant-hill, COW
cred with human beings to the number,
perhaps, of a quarter of million. There
is incessant motion among the crowd, ex-
cept for the few brief moments when
each race is being run. The Grand Stand
and it's inclosure seem so densely packed
that they would scarcely hold another
form. This structure, which is exceed
ingly handsome and commodious, was
erected in 1929, the expense being
estimated at G13,S9O, which sum was
raised by means of shares. The interior
comprises several rooms for rcfreshment,
and saloon 1O1 feet in length and 80
feet wide. The whole length Of the
building is 1876 feet, arranged for the ac
commodation Of 5000 persons, with seats
on the roof for $500 more. Besides this,
there are numerous other stands, which,
with booths and shows of every descrip-
ton, line each side of the course for
considerable distance. The appearance
of the course previous to the start for the
Derby, with the vast multitude which
covers all gazing in one direction, is
sight of thrilling interest, and unlike any
other that can be witnessed in the world
The horses are saddled and led about for
some little time previous to starting, in
the warren-a paddock near the course
to which the public are admitted on
foot on payment of a shilling, and which
attracts vast crowds, some from curiosity
to see the condition of their favorite hors-
es, but the greater number to stare at the
nobility, as nearly half the male portion
of the pcerage may be met with on this
spot.
As the moment for the race approaches,
the betting becomes more fast and furious.
This goes on on all the stands and in all
the Enclosures, in the Grand Stand partic-
ularly, and especially in that portion of it
devoted to the members of Tattersalls.
There is betting, too, outside, where the
"list men, arc busy at their special func-
tons. 1hey appear with the names of
their firm on their hats and bags, and
believing odds like double -barrelled fat
bulls of Bashan. Some terribly rough
and sinister-espected customers are among
them, but as rule they are straight in
their dealings, and will generally pay
you when you back the winning horse
for this reason. if for no other. namely.