The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-06-17
AT THE DERBY RACES.
New Havener Describes What He Saw There-A Lively spectaole-Roads Filled With Vehicles Going to the Races-Foy- altY Present.

There-A Lively Spectacle-Roads Filled With Vehicles Going to the Races-Roy- alty Present.
 London, New Wadsworth, s. w., June 3, 1897, Derby Day.
 Have just returned from the Derby; the scenes and excitement having talk en away all inclination for sleep, will give a little of my experience of the world renowned Derby. I have often read of the Derby and seen caricatures of the scenes on the road to Epson 1 Downs. I joined a party that had four horse drag. We left London at 1O:SO a. m., and arrived on the Downes at 1:3O taking three hours to go the eleven miles. The road the whole dis tance was just one mass of vehicles of every description. The elegantly equip ped coach of the nobleman with it's | four splendid horses, and coachman and footnian and grooms in gorgeous liver ies and running close alongside of it 8 costermonger's donkey (not much larger than a Newfoundland dog) deck ed out in gay colored ribbons and drawing little car. The costermonger l and his girl or his wife and baby all fellow travellers I saw hundreds of lit tie pony traps filled with pleasure seek CTS. There was one which ran along side of our drag most of the way; it was small concern driven by a young man, but he had six young ladies in the cart, and their hats were so loaded with gay colored flowers that he ap- peared to be driving a perfect flower garden. Three of them faced to the back of the cart, and they had all they could do to keep the prancing horses of the coach following them from putting their noses in their laps. The sides of the roads were filled with pedestrians who were footing 1t to the great race There was a line of mounted and foot police all the way to keep everyone moving; but with all that, every now and then there was & block for several minutes, and the drivers would walt for the police to wave them on with their outstretched hands. Everybody was exceedingly good natured and jol- ly. After getting past Clapham Com mon we went through lovely coun- try, consisting of gentlemen's man. sions surrounded by beautiful grounds and parks. In one park we saw quite number of deer grazing. Further on we came to immense fields planted with all kinds of vegetables of every descrip- tion. At one field I noticed large wa tercress grower. Of course, there are a great many old fashioned inns along the road, and the scenes outside those must be seen to be appreciated. A great many of the coaches had bugles or comets, and when they stopped at an inn for refreshments, the musician would play dance tune, and then there would be no lack of partners to trip the Tight fantastic" toe on the nice green turf, and English turf is nice and vel vety There were several minstrel troops performing at different inns on the road. At some places on the road we saw parties who had stopped and spread white cloth on the grass at the roadside and were taking their lunch. I noticed they were mostly well supplied; whole hams, joints of pork and beef, pies and cakes, bottled stout and ales, and some few had kettle of hot tea. Many of the cottages along the road had tables set out in their lit-
 tie gardens and dispensed tea and bread and butter. The pedestrians were those who patronized them most Although everyone was jolly, I did not see a single case of drunkenness on the road.
 i When we arrived at the Downs af-
 ter taking up position, the horses were taken out, and we spread oul table in the carriage The first race
 was just starting, but all we cared for was the Derby at o'clock. Soon after
 dinner, took walk and saw the hun.
 dreds of gipsy carts, the boxing booths the Aunt sally's, and everything else
 that we had read about as appertain-
 ing to a race course was there in al ,, it's glory We then made for the start
 ing point. Having had a good view of the start we prepared to get on the road before the crush The trip home
 was the same. The prince and princess of Wales were there with a number o1 royalty, but we could not see much o1 them, for it was as much as your life , was worth to get in the crowd. How. ever, I was very glad indeed that , went, as it is entirely different to oul
 race courses.
 f Tomorrow I am going on a voyage of discovery to see If I can find half z dozen seats to view the jubilee proces , sion at price that will not break tht ! bank. Will send you my experience i , it will interest you. T. HURLE. , |
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