Читать книгу Lord William Beresford, V.C., Some Memories of a Famous Sportsman, Soldier and Wit онлайн

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Cards never really fascinated Lord William as racing did, and in later years he seldom touched them, but in the ’sixties and early ’seventies there was an epidemic of high play which nothing seemed able to restrain. If cards were forbidden for high stakes at clubs the members used to hire houses and play, or go to hotels, even play in their bedrooms if nowhere else was available. Sharp practice, however, was not in vogue at that time; it followed later, many stately homes being broken up in consequence.

Poor old Raleigh! I wonder if to-day any of the ghosts of the past re-visit it and look on in wonderment at the changed conditions. Now, it is a club for overseas soldiers, who seem to have caught a little of the infection, for during the heavy snow-storms of the early part of this winter (1916) the present club men gathered on the roof and hurled snowballs at the passing taxi and ’bus men, while a crowd gathered to watch the fun. The cabmen and other recipients of the missiles seemed to enjoy the joke, glad to see the soldiers amusing themselves after their strenuous time at the front. Truly change is the order of the universe, one of its most unalterable laws, and we must march with the times, in step to its music. Much as we may look back on the golden “have been” days, we must not allow ourselves to become old derelicts, towed along in the wake of progress, but adapt ourselves to the many changes, though never ceasing to regret the loss of friends and playfellows of the olden days.