3 I 6 HISTORY OF THE 



Dalbiac, and is now the residence of Charles 

 Blackman, Esq. 



On Banstead Downs is the Oaks, originally an 

 ale-house, which was purchased by General Bur- 

 goyne, who built an elegant dining-room, and 

 fitted up the place for a hunting seat. It was sold 

 by the general to the Earl of Derby, one of the 

 most accomplished sportsmen of his day, who 

 greatly enlarged the house and enclosed much of 

 the adjoining common, so that it is now sur- 

 rounded by plantations two miles in circumference. 

 Here was given the celebrated *' Fete champetre," 

 in celebration of the Earl's first marriage, which 

 furnished General Burgoyne with the subject of a 

 musical entertainment, entitled the " Maid of the 

 Oaks." 



In 1779 the Earl of Derby originated the famous 

 stakes, called the Oaks, after this seat, and in the 

 following year, the Derby, so named out of com- 

 pliment to its founder, both of which stakes have 

 been run for annually at Epsom ever since, and with 

 the great St. Leger stakes at Doncaster, may with 

 justice be denominated the most popular and at- 

 tractive races in this country. 



A Spring meeting has been established at Ep- 

 som which takes place in the beginning of April, 

 but is very thinly attended, and the sport is very 

 indifferent. 



The grand racing meeting commences on the 



