Newmarket [antikvár]

FOREWORD The title of this book naturally suggests that it deals with Horse Racing, but it does not convey the fact that the author has struck out for himself a new line of Turf literature. It is the first effort, and a very charming one, to give us an authentic and carefully verified account of the sporting, social and political history of Newmarket. Captain Siltzer is to be congratulated on his genuine enthusiasm in making researches and discoveries, and on his skilful presentation of them to the public. His readers will not feel that his anecdotes are too well known, as he hints, but will wish there were more of them. Everyone who knew Newmarket forty years ago will share his hatred of the architectural monstrosities which have disfigured the town since those days. But one need not agree with all his strictures, or with all his views. Although I sympathize with his regrets over the disappearance of some relics of the past, I cannot, to take one example, share his grief at the loss of the "Red Post." He writes: "It was one of the few rehcs of the past . . . almost an heirloom. Why was not sympathy extended to an ancient memorial of racing days on the great Heath ? " I am sceptical as to the venerable antiquity of the timber of which it was composed, and can explain the vandalism which he deplores. It may not be generally known that our Jockey Club architect had warned us that the Portland Stand at the top of the town was dangerously insecure. We might have become liable to prosecution for manslaughter if a crowd of spectators had caused its collapse.