BRITISH TURF. 253 



pleasantly situated on the river Lea, 21 miles (N.) 

 from London, and containing about 5,000 inhabi- 

 tants. The races take place in the beginning of 

 August, and occupy two days. The stakes are 

 the Hertfordshire Stakes of 15 sovs. each, &c., 

 with 40 added ; the Ware Plate of 15 sovs. The 

 Manor Stake of 3 sovs. each, with 25 added ; the 

 Cup Stakes with 50 ; the Ladies with 40, and the 

 Tally-ho Stakes, with 25 sovs. added. 



The Hoo. — This seat of the Right Hon. Lord 

 Dacre was purchased by the trustees of the grand- 

 father of the present noble owner, of the Keates, 

 who for several generd,tions held possession of the 

 Manor. The mansion is spacious and built of 

 brick, covered with stucco, and the park is w^ell 

 wooded, and picturesque. The races at this place 

 were commenced in 1 82 1 , by the Hertfordshire 

 Club, and for many years afforded excellent sport 

 to numerous and fashionable visitors ; but of late 

 years they have lost much of their attraction. The 

 races here take place about the end of April, but 

 the one day's racing being now almost entirely 

 Hunters' Stakes, ridden for by gentlemen riders, 

 is of merely local interest. 



Royston, a town partly in the county of Cam- 

 bridge, but chiefly in Hertfordshire, situated in a 

 very bleak open country, 20 miles (N. byE.) from 

 Hertford, and 38 (N.) from London. A house was 

 built here by James L, who made it his occasional 

 residence, for the enjoyment of hunting and hawk- 



