Year: 1875




THE COURSE AND THE SCENE OF THE COMING
CONTESTS BEAUTIES or THE sEAsHoRE AND
SCENERY FROM THE GROUND.


NEWPORT, r. L., August 81 1875
great deal has been said in favor Of the seeple-
chases which take place here the 4th and 9th
OF September but it would be very difficult to exag
gerate in faithfully describing the scene Of the contest
or the romantic appearance of the vicinity 1t is
tanly one OF the lovely spots in the country, To
roach II one has to drive down the Bath road Arry
ing nj the "hrst beach" you OF the road and you
have splendid stretch sand for half mile tho
waves breaking beneath tho wheels Of the carriage.
Here is novel scene such only be at
Margae or rrouvile The tide Is low and a number of
bathers are punging payiuy into the tiny breakers
they roll in one after another Along the sand between
the ocean and the bathing houses Is line of carriages
numbering about two hundred the owners of which
are, for the most part, sporting in the water while
friends are convcrsing with them from the edge of low
water mark II is about eleven O'Clock the weather Is
and clear


THE VOICES OF THE BATMRRs
resound from the water and rcmnd the observer of the
morning play hour of a country boarding school Pass
ing from the sands to the road the end OF the first
beach, the drive winds along between romantic looking
rocks followed out, probably centuries ago by the
waves of the ocean, that burst on the shore
half a mile distant Turning abruptly TO the right
we come again to the ''second beach, and
again drive the horses along the very edge of waves
The fresh, delicious air seems to III the lungs; the
whole aspect is grand and enchanting Twelve or
fifteen miles distant a number of vessels whose
white sails appear like pure linen in the distant sun
light, all apparently heading for the The aroma
the seaweed infuse zost into the amos
phere. Hero and there 1ocks of small snpe rise and
lutter ont the This drive Is about a mile
in length, and on the days of the the tide will be
lower than it was this morning, that six
vehicles may be driven abreast To the right, and
stretching out into the Atlantic is Sachuest Point the
elevated ground which the are to take place
As approach the bluff tiny red and white flags
which mark


THE sTEEPLEcHAsE COURSE
and approaches to be The land lies almost
north and SOUTH and is washed by the waves on three
sides This neck of land is divided into fields by
walls, almost into squares and is covered mostly with
thick green turf On the eastern side the neck are
the stands, for the judges another for sub
scribers and others From there, indeed from the
stone walls the whole be traced by of
the flags The scenery from the judges stand is really
delightful To the east the East River which
into Naragansett Bay is the celebrated West Island Club
fishing grounds, the club house being clearly visible
II seems to be tho only building the island Round
further to the left stands the village of
Little Compton, whose white buildings and
tall church spires readily attract attention. The
eye then follows round to the west and southwest
and contempates the beautiful landscape the villas of
Newport, the long line of residences that line Bellevue
avenue and the barren rocks that loom up between the
town and Sachuest little place called Paradise.
Strange to say, in the rocky cln the west side of
the shore of the 'second beach" is immense open
ing thirty feet Deep five feet wide and extending
back into the shore about fifty feet, which genius
has named "Purgaory, probably to spite the of
Paradise 1t is certainly looking assure, but
the probable absence of the heating element renders the
name somewhat inapposite.


STARTING POINT.


The horses will from the judges stand taking the
first wall to the northward about 100 yards distant They
will then follow along the eastern Shore taking the walls
and hurdles III the marked out and return south
ward after gradual turn taking about ten jumps, the
as in the first half including the water leap ops
posite the grand stand The may be through
out from the walls from ordinary carriage for the
site is SO admirable that you stand any part of
the turf and yet mile of the track


This is declared by of the most competent turf
to bo the finest site for seepechasing in the
try. The turf is thick the climate is delightful the
cents and descents gradual and has more the appear
of good od-fashoned English hunting fields than
course


The interesting surroundings, the splendid drive
along the ocean, the general romance of the scenery
seem to mark 1t the spot above all others where
yearly contests of this kind should take place num-
Der of gentlemen inspecting the o-day and
seemed delighted with it, Some of the horses
pected here tomorrow and arrangements have been
made to have several men at the wharf when the New
York boat arrives to conduct the horses and their
tendants to suitable quarters.


The races to commence at three O'Clock Satur-
day afternoon


WEIGHTS sTREPLECHAsE


The following the weights for the handicap steepe
chase:-


Lbs. Lbs
Deadhead ............ 1854 Shaughraun ......,, 1I9