To Epsom Downs to the Great Derby Race. In a Barouche, with a Party,
over Vauxhall Bridge, and by Clapham, carrying Hampers with Store of
every Thing needful for a brave Lunch. The Windows and House Fronts
crowded, and School-Boys mounted on Walls and Gates, and they and the
Urchins in the Street shouting, as though we were going to the Races for
their Amusement. But Lack! to see the pretty smart Damsels come out to
gaze at us, or peeping behind Blinds and Curtains, all in high Glee, and
good Humour do wonderfully heighten Beauty, as I do tell my Wife. The
Road through Trees and Orchards, and the Sun shining through the young
Leaves and on the Horse-Chestnut Blossoms, and the Flowers looking
bright like the Lasses. So we on, till into the Ruck, which is the Jam
of Carriages caused by the Stoppage at the Turnpike: and did banter each
other and them about us. Across the Course to the Hill, the Admission
cost us L1. Good Lack! what a Crowd of People collected to see which
out of six-and-twenty Horses should run the fastest, and what a Medley
of Vans, Omnibusses, and Taxed Carts on either Side of the Course with
the People in Front of them, and the Grand Stand crowded with Heads,
plenty as Blackberries, and seeming like a huge Mass of them. A Throng
of Carriages about us, whereon young handsome rakish-looking Gallants
with Mustaches and Cigars. Here and there, in open Coaches, Ladies in
lilac and blue Dresses, and pink Bonnets, and gay Ribbons, all Manner of
Colours, looking, with the parti-coloured Flags over the Booths, mighty
lively. Presently a Bell rung and the Course cleared, but then to see an
unlucky Dog running to get out, and the Mob yelling at him, and the poor
Dog in his Fright rushing straight on like mad! Then the Horses with the
motley Jockies on them prancing up and down before the Grand Stand, to
show their Paces to the Folks in the Betting Ring. At last, they taken
to the Post, and so started with much Cheering, and came easy round
Tattenham Corner; but presently away in good earnest, like Shot! The
Chief Struggle between the _Flying Dutchman_ and _Hotspur_, but
Yellow-Cap did win by half a Length. The Winner declared by his Number,
hung out in Front of the Grand Stand, and to see the Flock of Carrier
Pigeons sent up to bear away the News; but MR. WAGSTAFFE do say they
were Nothing to the Pigeons left behind. The Race run in three Minutes,
but to think of the Money lost and won in that little Time! My LORD
EGLINTON and the Public, as I hear, do gain much, and the Ring and
Rogues do lose, which I am glad of. After the Race to a brave Lunch; but
the Gipsy Women and Children did come and beg Morsels out of our Plates,
which in the Midst of all the Luxury was a sorry Sight. Then about the
Course to see the Company and the Flinging at Snuff-Boxes, and the
Thimble-Rig, and some playing at Roulette and Hazard, but the Police did
seize and break several of the Tables, and take away the Stakes. Great
Sport returning Home, with the Shouting for the Winner, and trumpeting
on Horns, and tossing of Snuff-Boxes and Toys to the pretty Lasses at
the Windows.
[Illustration: _A PROSPECT OF GREENWICH FAIR._