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ANTI-BETTING AGITATION IN ENGLAND. Notwithstanding the . extraordinary popularity of racing in England with all classes, from King Edward down, reformers are not lacking who would abolish the sixrt for the sake of eliminating betting on the races. They are active and persistent in their efforts to secure legislation by Parliament that would bring about the desired results, but so far their efforts have produced no substantial success. Not Infrequently they have met discouraging opposition where they expected the contrary, as in the case of a recent meeting in Birmingham, of which London Sportsman says: "Signs are not wanting that the anti-gamblers are waxing faint. I note that more than one Balaam was present at the annual meeting of the Anti-Gambling League, which was held in Birmingham the other day. The lord mayor G. II. Kenrick presided, and this, prima facie, would add to the Importance of the proceedings: but, unfortunately, from the anti-gamblers point of view, this lord mayor chilled his audience which did not exceed forty, chiefly clergymen and ladies with words of common sense. He said It was perfectly true that the gambling spirit was implanted in human nature in every part of the globe. When one inquired into it one found the desire for gambling among quite savage nations. It pervaded both civilized and uncivilized people. Remembering this, he thought they ought to exercise great care in any steps taken to lessen the evil. While trying their utmost to lessen the evil, they must bear in mind the nature of the people, and not rush into methods which might provoke retaliation from the other side. He held that a great deal of gambling arose from the fact that it was not considered objectionable by a great number of people, and was encouraged in certain quarters. Therefore, the society should consider very carefully the particular methods they would initiate as likely to effect a change of habits. Something might, no doubt, be done by legislation, but. for his own part, he had a profound distrust of legislation. He thought they might set on foot some movement which would make gambling less fashionable. Here was discouragement indeed for the anti-gamblers, who were deterred, in effect, from continuing to galp cheap and easy notoriety by attempted legislation, and recommended to undertake the impossible task of becoming leaders of fashion! Ihe Bishop of Birmingham went "one better than the lord mayor, for. whereas the latter had stated that lie personally did not feel the slightest desire to hazard even a tive-franc piece at Monte Carlo, the Bishop boldly admitted that he could not say that for himself. From early youth he had always been alive to the fascination of gambling for the excitements sake. There was a vast monotony in the lives of a great many people in our great towns in one way, and iu the country places in another wav;: and there was an extraordinary fascination In the excitement of committing oneself to chance something unexplained and unknown, which kept one from the mere monotony of life. It was said bv one gentleman that drink was the best way out of "Manchester. Gambling was one of the shortest wavs to relieve the monotony of a life that was dull and depressed." .
