Rariora

DDWs March 2014 Vocabulary Challenge - Rariora

Today's piece of useless information:
I have a collection of rare racing books. That is, books about flat racing between 1878 and 1896. Why? Well, one of my ancestors had four brothers, all successful jockeys; two of whom died young, and the other two of whom were, at the time, famous. And they rode between 1878 and 1896.

This particular book is "Racing Reminiscences and Experiences of the Turf" by Sir George Chetwynd, BART.. He was an owner and gambler. Unfortunately he doesn't mention the jockeys much (not many were considered, "gentlemen" - and my relatives certainly weren't).

The author wasn't a great writer... but some of the passages are interesting, and clearly indicate the time, and world view of the class the author came too:

"...an American gentleman, who had lately come to England, and who raced in the assumed name of "Mr Alden.' He was supposed to be wealthy, but a great speculator in the City. Whatever he came with he certainly left in a year or two with very little, leaving nothing but debts behind him, amongs others I being a sufferer to the tune of 1,500l. which I had to pay for him. Most of us thought he was a good natured fello, and his vulgarity rather amused us,..."