Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-03
THIS BEATS THE DERBY.
Cup Day In vIctoria-The Great Austria
liau Racing Event.


No one who has not visited Australia
can have any conception of the interest
which attaches TO such race as the Mel
bourne Cup, winch. with its sweepstakes
from the l49 entries that were made IN 1890
its trophy of Ei50 value, and us added
money OF 10000, amounting altogether TO
el3,OS0 is the most important money con-
test in the world. On the day of its occur
renee all business is suspended by mutual
consent throughout Victoria, the banks
and government offices are all closed, aud
by II o'clock the streets of Melbourne are
as silent and deserted as if the city were
stricken with plague. For week before
the event the railway trains from sydney, 70
the number OF seven or eight IN day, ana
all the lntercolOnial and mall steamers from
that city and Adelaide are taxed 10 their ut
most capacity, and the Accommodations of
Melbourne. as well as of all the nelghbor-
ing town, are taken up by the immense
cOncOurse of visitors. The facilities for
reaching FlemingtOn are so good, however.
and the course itself 30 spacious, that,
even at the great race OF the Centennial
Year, when more than l40. 900 persons were
upOn the grounds. one saw the event with
perfect comfort. and was transported TO
and from the course without hye-min-
utes' waiting at either end or the line.
The admirable temper and sobrety of the
such a result. During the four days meet
ing of 1888 only five arrests were made on
the grounds. and none Of these were for
serious offences. The crowd at an Austria
han race-meeting is often rough IN appear
ance, but IN orderliness and good nature
can hardly be excelled.
RAcE-TRAcK SCENE.
What NAV be termed the middle class"
e tbo Nintor1a Racing ('lubba natr1uQ :
found in the half-crown enclosure of the
Hill" This includes reserve Of seven
teen acres directly above the grand-stand,
from which il IS separated by a fence and
ditch. A covered stand, accommodating
over 5000 people, crowns the summit OF
the slope and commands a magnificent
view of the course more than hum
dred feet below; two brass bands
play necessarily between the races
for the delectation OF the nm" pa
irons; bars, tea and luncheon-rooms
and oyster-counters dispense refreshments
in Swiss chalets. Chinese pagodss and
other picturesque buildings; coat-rooms
and lavatories for men, and retirlng-rooms
for women are provided. and hot water
for tea-making is ready at all times with
out charge. The attendaLce upon the
HIP is q shade more respectable than
that upon the Flat" and is COM
posed or equally strange elements. mere
is the prognosticator of results III
the events of the day, selling cards for five
shilllngs each which bear the names Of the
winners, and driving a roaring trade-he
and his customers seeming alike un-
troubled by the reflection that man of
such prophetic powers could pake his for
tune before the day was out by keeping
his knowledge to his own benefit. Here.
too, are the tribe OF Hill" book-makers,
class peculiar, loud-voiced. sharp IN
feature and eye, and clad in the ex-
traordinary habiliments which the art
ist has described in his illustration.
This individual is arrayed in coat and
trousers OF crimson cretonpe. embellished
with floral pattern in yellow, and hat of
the same adorned with white ostrich
feather. Among his compeers may be
seen pair IN coats and caps of cardinal
red plush; second couple are gorgeous
IN swallow-tail coats of cerulean velvet
and tall hats plated with goid-leaf. pre-
senting q splendid appearances IN the sun /;
Others are attired in garments of sateen.
silk, or calico in every eccentricity of pat
tern and cut that lunatic designer could
originate or O tailor with the deiir,uns
trepsens construct. !