'
'Indeed! Why, you go through a deal!'
'Ah, sir, a great deal indeed! Why, we sometimes lie hours and
hours between two feather-beds--to melt away our extraordinary
weight.'
'But will you give me leave to examine your present dress? Hum!
Two flannel waistcoats, a thick cloth coat, a Bath surtout! It
is a vast weight to carry this warm weather. I only hope you
won't sink under it.'
'Never fear, sir, I do not doubt but I shall do very well.'
The rewards of victory were as plain and simple in the Grecian
games as they were distinguishing and honourable. A garland of
palm, or laurel, or parsley, or pine leaves, served to adorn the
brow of the fortunate victor, whilst his name stood a chance of
being transmitted to posterity in the strains of some lofty
Pindar. The rewards of modern days are indeed more substantial
and solid, being paid in weighty gold or its equivalent, no
matter whether obtained by the ruin of others, while the fleet
coursers and their exulting proprietors stand conspicuous in the
list of the Racing Calendar. The ingenious and ironical author
of 'Newmarket, or an Essay on the Turf,' in the year 1771,
bestowed the following titles and honours on the most famous
horse of the day--Kelly's Eclipse:--'Duke of Newmarket, Marquis
of Barnet, Earl of Epsom and York, Viscount Canterbury, Baron
Eclipse of Mellay; Lord of Lewes, Salisbury, Ipswich, and
Northampton; Comptroller-General of the race-grounds, and Premier
Racer of All England.
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