BRITISH TURF. 333 



in a vale, open to the sea on the south, 69 miles 

 (E.) from Chichester, and 64^ (S. E.) from London, 

 and contains about 6000 inhabitants. At the dis- 

 tance of eight miles from the town, on a spot on 

 which he subsequently built the Abbey of Battel, 

 William the Conqueror defeated Harold in that 

 battle which decided the fate of England. The 

 mildness and salubrity of the air render this town 

 a favourite resort of invalids, for whose amusement 

 there are many places of public resort. 



The races, which were established in 1827, take 

 place about the end of September, and continue 

 two days. In addition to the Town Plate of .50 

 so vs., and the St. Leonards' Plate of the same 

 amount, about 100 sovs. is given aw^ay in stakes 

 from the fund. 



Lewes. — The chief town of the county, is si- 

 tuated on the river Ouse, 7 miles from Brighton, 

 38 from Chichester, and 50 (S. by E.) from Lon- 

 don, and contains 7083 inhabitants. This town 

 contains concert and subscription rooms, public 

 libraries, &c., and a small theatre which is open dur- 

 ing the race week. The race-course is one of the 

 finest four-mile courses in the kingdom, and has a 

 commodious stand, erected in 1772. It is situated 

 on the downs in the neighbourhood of the tow^n, 

 which are of a chalky soil, and covered with the 

 rich herbage which gives to the famous South- 

 Down mutton its admired flavour. The races 

 take place about the middle of August, and con- 



