254 



The only notice that we have of Dragon, in the annals of the turf, 

 is, that he was twice beaten at Newmarket, by Bay Bolton ; as to the 

 accusation of Dr. Hawksworth, the best mean now left for judging of 

 its authenticity, seems to be a recourse to the public newspapers, be- 

 tween the years 1710 and 1720, which could not possibly have re- 

 mained silent on such an extraordinary fact. Among the many stra- 

 tagems attributed to Mr. Frampton, his unsuccessful cross, in the fa- 

 mous match with a favourie Horse against Old Merlin, over Newmar- 

 ket, has ever been most distinguished by public notice. Old Merlin 

 was but in the second generation from four earliest known racing blood, 

 being a grandson of the Uelmsley Turk, the property ofVilliers, the 

 first Duke of Buckingham. He Avas supposed to be the best Horse 

 that had ever appeared in England, and both his racing, and success af- 

 terwards, as a stallion, fully confirmed that character : Our racing 

 accounts do not extend so far back as the time when Merlin was in 

 training, commencing whilst he was a stallion. He was living in 1714. 

 In all probability then, the match about to be described, was run, either 

 in the reign of King William, or early in that of Queen Anne : which, 

 indeed, may be ascertained, for its effects, in the ruined fortunes of se- 

 veral gentlemen, having been noticed in Parliament, gave rise to the law 

 against the recovery of any sum exceeding ten pounds, Avon by betting. 

 Having no other authority, 1 have extracted the following detail from 

 Mr. Pick's Turf Register : 



" Merlin was matched for a considerable sum of money, to run 

 against a favourite Horse of Mr. Frampton's, at Newmarket. Imme- 

 diately on its being closed, there was great betting between the north 

 and south country gentlemen. After Merlin had been some little 

 time at Newmarket, under the care of one Heseltine, Mr. Frampton's 

 groom endeavoured to bring him over to run the two Horses a private 

 trial, at the stated weights and distance agreed upon in the match; 

 observing, by that means, they ynight both make their fortunes ! Fleseltine 

 refused, but in such a manner as to give the other hopes of bringing 

 him over. In the mean while, Heseltine took the opportunity of com- 

 municating, by letter, into Yoikshire, the proposed offer to Sir William 

 Strickland, Bart, Avho was principally concerned in making the match. 



Sir 



