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SOCIAL PHASE OF ASCOT MEETING. It was a "black Ascot* this year, owing to the mourning for King Edward. Tie attendance was far short of. the usual crowd, but the event Is in i vitably one of the greatest ones in Hie British racing calendar. A writer in the Gentlewoman gives the following account of it: "An army f gardeners and decorators has been busy for days preparing Ascot for its annual gaiety. The royal enclosure looks smart and trim with Its red brick, fresh while paint and profuse gliding: !t is a Bowerj place, with Its border of ivy-leaved geraniums and its roses on the band stand and on the set .-en of the luncheon balcony. At this moment the beds of rhododendrons are a blaze of white, pink and crimson blossoms. "There are three stands in the enclosure — the Jockey Club stand, the stand for ticket holders and the royal siand, now so badly deserted. The grand- Stand, as it is termed, occupied by the rank and file of the race-going public, is of course outside the, bounds of th - royal enclosure. "The paddock is a popular resort, democratic and .cosmopolitan. It lies to the left of the enclosure and. passing in. one notices the part of the stand assigned to the press and to Jockeys. Ascot race course is not the l ost in the world, but it affords one of the most striking scenes In the universe. We may scoff at the exeluslvoness of the royal enclosure, but nowhere can the pride of life be seen to letter advantage. This iuuch-talked-of space is a small stretch of sunburned grass where no chairs are allowed but where garden seats are placed at intervals. "Even now many people seem to 1* vague on the subject of enclosure tickets. These belong to no one by right, not even to peers and pi I I tajl ii Thev can, however, lie claimed as an admitted privilege by members of the myal household. These passes pie allotted by Lord Churchill, who fulfills part of the duties of that now extinct office, the master of the Buckliounils. "The cirek is kept extremely select. A ladv pavs 0 anil a man 0 for admittance. The above rules arv at present in force, but there may of course be changes in 191!. , Application is made at a stated time to Lord Churchill at the Lorn Chamberlains office, and if granted the tickets- arrive, each with a badge on which the owners name Is yvritten, and this fiolfa the time one arrives at Ascot must l e attached to gown or coat in a conspicuous position. "Luncheon is a feature of the occasion, the tents fowling a long line known as Luncheon avenue. Hospitality is dispensed also in convenient rooms at the back of the stands ami on a terrace laid out with small tables. But perhaps the most popular luncheons are those given by smart clubs and by the officers of well-known regiments. Among these latter who entertain are the Brigade of Guards, the Oreenjackets. the Cavalry Club, the Highland Brigade and the Royal Artillery. The Bowery annex outside tlie liuards tent makes a sitting-out place that is much appreciated. The Badminton Crab, the Sports Club and the Bachelors Club nlso entertain, and the latters feast is presided over hv William Gillette. Last year the Marlborough Club gave a dainty renast at small oval tables. "All the arrangements arc made with much precision. A special force of police, about 1.200 in number, are on duty, they have a police station and barracks, which are used only on these occasions. A speeial police court is presided over by a Bow street magistrate. "The ways and manners of a smart raw party are most amusing. At Ascot women are apt to breakfast in their rooms or else they come down in simple frocks of cotton, serge or muslin, according to weather and temperature. Then they walk, play croquet or go for a spin in a motor. After that conies the grand toilet of the day, for by 1 oclock every owe is on the race course."
