town of Gosport at one o'clock in the morning, and arrived at the Golden Cross, Charing Cross, at eight in the evening; thus occupying nineteen hours in travelling eighty miles; being at the rate of rather more than four miles an hour. This journey is now performed in eight hours.

We are quite ready to admit, that this immense change in the rate of travelling, viz.--from four miles to ten in the hour ought to be-in a great measure, laid to the account of the great improvement which has taken place in the state of our turnpike roads, which in those days, but too often merited the description given of that between Preston and Wigan by Arthur Young, in his "Tour in the North of England," published in 1770.*

* "I know not," writes Mr. Young, "in the whole range of language, terms sufficiently expressive to describe this infernal road. To look over a map, and perceive that it is a principal one, not only to some towns, but even whole counties, one would naturally conclude it to be, at least, decent; but let me most seriously caution all travellers who may accidentally purpose to travel this terrible county, to avoid it as they would the devil, for a thousand to one but they break their necks or their limbs by overthrows or breakings down. They will here meet with ruts, which I actually measured, four feet deep, and floating with mud, only from a wet summer; what, therefore, must it be after a winter? The only mending it receives in places, is the tumbling in loose stones, which serve no other purpose but jolting the carriage in a most intolerable manner. These are not merely opinions, but facts, for I actually passed three carts broken down in these eighteen miles of execrable memory."

While, however, we allow the present improved roads their proper influence, we must maintain, that without the corresponding improvement in our breed of coach-horses, produced by the importation of Eastern horses for racing purposes, and which improvement, was brought to its present perfection by the continuance of racing, the increase in the rate of travelling would have been trifling. It is, therefore, as having enabled us to avail ourselves of the speed and lasting qualities of a breed of horses far superior to the old, that improved roads have conduced to form our present rate of travelling, and they were accordingly increased as this important result became further developed and appreciated, in such a degree, that in 1829, we find the turnpike-roads covered an extent of 24,541 miles.

How this important branch of national prosperity will be affected by the present rage for railroads, must, at no distant day, form a most serious subject for the investigation of the legislature. It is true, that Dr. Mc. Culloch maintains, that although railroads will cause the discontinuance of horses upon the direct line, the increased general traffic will make it necessary to employ as great a number of horses as will be displaced.

Against this, however, we must oppose the fact, that the opening of the railroad between Manchester and Liverpool, a distance of little more than thirty

miles, had the effect of dismissing from employment nearly 1000 horses.

But, as our present object is rather to explain how great has been the influence of racing in promoting commerce, and in forming and preserving our national habits, customs and manners, we leave to others the defence of the vast interests involved in turnpike trusts, as well as those of our and respectable coaching establishments, with their fellow-sufferers, the post-masters, tradespeople, &c.

numerous

Can we, for a moment, lose sight of the important fact, that it is to the residence of our nobility in their ancient halls, and to the races and magnificent hunting establishments they maintain or largely contribute to, we are chiefly indebted for that excellent tone which pervades the English character, the good effects of which are visible

in

every class, from the peer to the peasant. This union between all ranks in this country, but existing, more especially, among our rural population, has long been at once the admiration and envy of foreign powers; some of whose most eminent political writers* have attributed the preservation of our nobility and our institutions, to this cause, when other countries were dissolving under the awful crash of the first French revolu

Among others, Mr. Cooper, the celebrated American author.

tion, and the dreadful anarchy and warfare which it, for years, created throughout the whole of Europe.

Certain it is, that whenever danger from without, or the attempts of anarchists at home, have threatened this country, since the expulsion of James II, the yeomanry have never failed to throng to the national standard, under the guidance of our nobility and landed gentry; and nothing can exceed the courage and good understanding with which both classes have acted on such occasions.

But it is not only in this sense that the national character is benefited. Our upper and middle classes, shunning the frivolous pursuits of the effeminate nobility of the continent, and following manly exercises in the fresh air of their native plains, hills and woods, invigorating both their minds and bodies; while their offspring, partaking these effects, grow up bold and vigorous, for the defence of their country, both by sea and land, and fitted for all the active and laborious pursuits of life.

In addition to the vast sum of money which is annually run for in stakes, plates, matches, &c., a large amount is circulated by the breeders, and more especially the owners, of race-horses,* among

* In 1821, the number of race-horses in respect of which assessed duties were charged amounted to 579; in 1833, to 1007.

farmers, tradespeople, and the lower classes, from among whom, they draw their numerous grooms, helpers, &c. Again, we must take into consideration the money expended by the thousands who annually frequent our numerous race-courses, to enjoy the innocent and cheerful amusements of the turf, in health and good fellowship.

In the literature of the country, the turf maintains two weekly newspapapers,* four monthly magazines, viz:-the Old Sporting Magazine,† commenced in 1792; the New Sporting Magazine, started in 1824, by Nim South, a favourite writer, for many years previously, in the Old Sporting Magazine; the Sporting Review, edited by Craven, who left the Old Magazine to begin this, in 1837; and the Sportsman,|| originated in 1829. All these publications are got up in the best style, with embellishments, and present to their numerous readers, articles evincing much and varied talent on every subject of sporting interest; the price of the three former being 2s. 6d. per number, of that of the latter, only 1s. 6d.

In addition to these, we have Weatherby's

* Bell's Life in London, published by the proprietor, Mr. Clement, in the Strand, and the Sunday Times, published by John Kemble Chapman, Fleet Street.

+ Published by M. A. Pitman, Warwick Square, Newgate Street. Published by Spiers, Oxford Street.

§ By Ackerman, Eclipse Sporting Gallery, Regent Street. By Rogerson, Norfolk Street, Strand.