A racing man is apt to become incapable
of concentrating his mind on anything except his one pursuit. Hundreds
of thoughtful and cultured people race a little and bet a little by way
of relaxation; but these take no harm. It is the ignorant, ill-balanced
folk, without higher interests, who suffer.
Well-meaning persons spend money on respectable institutes for working
men, but the men do not care for staid, dull proceedings after their
work is over; they want excitement. A moderately heavy bet supplies them
with a topic for conversation; it gives them all the keen pleasures of
anticipation as the day of the race draws near, and when they open the
paper to see the final result they are thrilled just as a gambler is
thrilled when he throws the dice. No wonder that the mild and moral
places of recreation are left empty; no wonder that the public-houses
are well filled. If I were asked to name two things which interest the
English nation to the supreme degree, I should say--first, Sport;
second, Drink.
Pages:
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123