The most astounding 'event' of late years was that of 1867, when
the horse Hermit--previously represented as being in an unfit
condition even to run, won the race--to the unspeakable ruin of
very many, and inflicting on the late Marquis of Hastings the
enormous loss of about L100,000, which, however, in spite of
unseemly rumours and, it is said, hopes of that nobleman's ruin,
was honourably paid, to the day and hour.
But if ruin did not immediately come upon the young marquis,
still the wound was deadly, inflicted as though with the ferocity
of a demon. In his broken health and rapid decay sympathy was
not withheld from him; and when a premature death put an end to
his sufferings, and was speedily followed by the breaking up of
his establishment and the dispersion of his ancestral effects,
most men felt that he had, perhaps, atoned for his errors and
indiscretions, whilst all united in considering him another
unfortunate victim added to the long list of those who have
sacrificed their fortune, health, and honour to the Gambling
Moloch presiding over the Turf of England.[74]
[74] The 'Odds' or probabilities of horse racing are explained in
chapter VIII., in which the entire 'Doctrine of Chances' is
discussed.
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