In the issue of _The War Office Times_, May 25, 1905, occurs a flagrant puff of a bookmaker, who without the humour of a less eminent _confrère_ who described himself as a “brass finisher” in the census returns, calls himself a “high-class turf-accountant.” “We strongly advise any of our readers who require a high-class Turf-accountant to send for Mr. ----’s book of rules, bound in leather, which will be sent post free to applicants. We have convinced ourselves that this is a thoroughly genuine business, and, as such, we have no hesitation in recommending it to our readers.” I have the book “bound in leather,” and a good many others also, which I acquired for the purposes of this article. And precious and elaborate productions they are! The ingenuity of red morocco and gilding, of alluring propositions and the suggestion of a bludgeon-sturdy honesty deserve the highest praise. I was especially delighted with the telegraphic code of one hero, which used the names of fish to symbolize the amount of “investments.” “Salmon,” for example, means “put me ten pounds on.” All the denizens of ocean are used save one.... With commendable modesty, or possibly a fellow feeling, this worthy has omitted “shark.” One has said enough to outline--I hope vividly and strongly--how Sport is being spoilt by gambling. Sport, thank goodness, is not yet retrograde owing to this curse. But it may be. Let us all remember that progress is merely the power of seeing new beauties. The more Sport progresses unhindered by gambling, the sooner will it take its high place in life and fulfil its noble destiny. And every sportsman can do something to help that progress. The fiery Erasmus writes this of Sir Thomas More, who was a thorough sportsman, to his German friend, Ulrich von Hutten:-- “Gambling of all kinds, balls, dice and such like he detests. None of that sort are to be found about him. In short, he is the best type of sportsman.” “_Nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus._” * * * * * NOTE.--_Since this essay was written, three short articles appeared in the sporting columns of the _Daily Mail_ which are a striking corroboration of my contentions. All the articles appeared within a few days of each other, and I print parts of them as an appendix._ FOOTBALL AND ALCOHOL HOW PLAYERS MAY LENGTHEN THEIR CAREERS By William McGregor. I dealt a few days ago with the question of what constituted a sensible diet for footballers, and hinted that the so-called special training which teams undergo on the eve of a great encounter was often prejudicial rather than beneficial.