New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-09
THE DERBY DAY.
A DISTANT VIEW FROM A PRIVATE BOX.

The decay of the Derby is o favorte theme on
paper; has been so long favorte that 1t is quito
time for the quckeyed critics of the daily press to
take up parable of different sort. Elsewhere
than on paper signs of this decay may be sought
in valn Certainly they were not visible yesterday.
7 looked for them. or rather set out meaning to
look for them, but it would have been just as hope
full to look for dry land in the middle of the Allan
tic The half million or million of people on EPSON
Downs clearly did not journey there on any errand
of criticism or scepticism, like mine. My
Derby sensations came to a climax three
wears ago. Never again shall I see American
horse gaoping home in front, and the tears of de-
light springng in the eyes of beautiful and bril-
liant American girl as she gazed on the unhoped-for
triumph of her own colors. Iroquoiss year began,
or nearly began, new century of Derbies, but
there is little to show that the American effort to
challenge English supremacy on English turf is to
be maintained. Nor need we much care that it
should be. America has something better than
horseracng to attend to. at home and abroad.
With which brief piece of morazing, for con-
science sake may be permitted to enjoy what is
ENJOYABLE in scene which has long been familiar,
and is always novel The secret of this freshness
is no great secret after all 1t consists in not going
too often to the Derby, and never going twice In
quite the same way, or in similar company. My
hint to the amateur would be to SEQ the popular
side of this great carnival then, and as many
Others for many Others there are as chance may
throw in his way. Mr.. Labouchere, who enjoys a
surprise, supported on Tuesday the usual motion
for the adjournment Of the House of Commons,
because he said, the Derby is red-letter day In
the peoples enthusiastically democratic
picnic, where equality ruled supreme high and
low rich and poor going out to enjoy the fresh air.
If. added Mr.. Chamberlain's lieutenant
there was any boisterous bllarty among them,
il was owing rather to natural good spirits than to
alcoholic spirits. man of less courage than Mr.
Labouehere may be excused for declining to say
which sort of spirits have most to do In promoting
such merriment as there is.
Mr. Laboucheres zeal for popular pleasures is a
fine thing and there is enough to justify it, but the
Derby is an aristocratic pastime as WELL The
stewards of the Epson meeting are the Earl OF
Cadogan. the Earl of March, the Earl of Zetland
the Earl of Rosebery. The Jockey Club, which
presides over racing matters throughout England,is
not exactly composed of plebeans The owners OF
horses starting to-day for the Derby include the
Earl of Ellesmere Viscount Falmouth, Lord
Hastings SIR Frederick Johnsione, and the Earl of
Bradford. Last years Derby was won by the Duke
of Westminster. 1t IL needless 10 multiply names.
Everybody understands that a sport like racing can
only be carried on by rich men, and that the rich
men who have leisure and taste for such amuse-
ments comprise in England a great number OF titled
persons beginning with the Heir to the Throne 10
the Prince of Waes's Derby dinner last
night at Marlborough House were hidden
some fifty guests, all members of the Jockey Club.
Out of the fifty fifteen only were commoners; of
these fifteen but seven are plain Mr.; aud of the
seven Mrs, one was Rothschid. Not much of
the popular picnic about this.
hava
in the arrangements of the course, the
Grand Stand, and even in the means of
getting there The days when the Prince and
his companions went down TO EPSON by road are
over if they ever existed. They go by train-an-
other democratic Innovation Mr.. Labouchere may
say, but travellers by the same line who chance TO
20 about the time may have different story to
tell. Two railways have stations at Epsom-the
London and Southwestern and the Brighton line,
the latter with station on the downs half mile
from the Grand Stand, and with. | suppose the
larger share of tho traffic The ordinary trains arc
stopped from early mornings special trains are put
on at very special prce indeed, the sum extoTted
for return ticket being nearly three times the reg
uar price and to be fair all round, the time OF the
tourney is increased in like proportion A
special train is kept waiting for the Prince
of Wales and his party, and all other trains are
kept waiting when once this royal express has
started Nobody has objected to this last act OF def
erence to the Crown, objects audibly. Still, II
is not exactly a case of equality ruling supreme.
Nor does equality fare much better on tho course.
II you drive, it means paying from SO to $50 for
ground on which your carriage is stationed. If you
get your living as a professional bookmaker. Il beg
your pardon tor supposing it,. you must pay - 90
for place in the ring, So for standing room on the
reserved lawn. The authorities at EPSON have not
q. L..
where their believing would not deafen their
patrons. For the privilege of entering the Grand
Stand the price is also 81 so; aud you may have
reserved stall for $40; or private box
by subscription for perhaps ten times that sum.
twenty times according to size and location.
Special stands and galleries arc set apart for dis
tingushed persons; q gallery for the Prince and
Princess of Wales a stand for the Jockey Club
another for other peculiarly favored mortals-guests
of the stewards, perhaps The officials and per-
formers are all on favored footing enclosures
exist for the horses and for the Jockeys who TO
ride them To the former, known as tho paddock,
YOU may gain admission for 81 50 and this is. /
believe the lowest sum charged for any privilege
within the power of the prOpretors OF the course.
Mr. LabOuchere's democratic picnic IS held outside
the bigh-priced precincts, and it is perfectly true
that If you are content to take part in it foot you
NAV SEQ SOihothhs Va az" i"A vi" '"'"J ''""'
perhaps If very fayorably placed, several yards Of
the course and the actual contest.
A friend was good enough to give me place in his
private box in the Grand Stand. and 80 saw the
1O4th Derby as one of tho un-democratic minority
for whom, according to Mr.. Labouchere the spec
tacle is not meant The view is simply superb. All
the vuganty of the scene tue betting ring excepted,
is at distance. The multitude has the majesty it al
ways has from being multitude. Acres and acres
Of humanity are spread out before you Nobody
ever knew more beautiful day. The owners of
the course have not thought it worth while to
souander any part of their enormous profits on
watering the roads, and the whirlwinds of pulver