250 HISTORY OF THE 



to the Herefordshire Sweepstake, of 5 sovs. each, 

 by the county members. 



HERTFORDSHIRE. 



Races were formerly held annually at Brocket 

 Hall, the seat of Lord Melbourne, which may be 

 quoted in evidence of the great influence these 

 sports possess over popularity in this country, for 

 it has been generally supposed, that to these races, 

 his Lordship, (then the Hon. Mr. Lambe,) was 

 chiefly indebted for his seat in parliament for the 

 county. 



The races at Barnet (11 miles from London) are 

 not worth mentioning in detail. 



St. Albans, a town of great antiquity, and 

 celebrated as having been the theatre of many re- 

 markable events in the history of this country. It 

 is 22 miles from London, and contains upwards of 

 5,000 inhabitants. Races w^ere got up here at a 

 place called Noman's Land, by Mr. Thomas Cole- 

 man, of the Turf Hotel, and many years connected 

 with the Turf, and to whom the town is indebted 

 for the establishment of the celebrated St. Albans' 

 Steeple Chase, which takes place here annually. 

 Since the establishment of Gorhambury races, 

 this meeting has been given up. 



Gorhambury Park. — This seat of the Earl of Ve- 

 rulam is celebrated from its having been the pro- 



