BRITISH TURF. 335 



menf are few. The inhabitants at different periods 

 have been as follows, viz :— in 1801, 73,670 ; in 

 1811, 85,753 ; in 1821, 106,722. 



Two days' racing takes place here in the be- 

 ginning of October, but the stakes being few and 

 of trifling value for so large and wealthy a town, 

 they attract a poor attendance both of company and 

 horses. The principal stakes run for in 1838 were 

 the Birmingham Stakes of 10 sovs. each, with 50 

 added ; and a silver cup, value 40 sovs. added to a 

 Sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each, for all ages. 



Coventry. — An ancient city, and a county of it- 

 self; 10 miles from Warwick, 18 from Bir- 

 mingham, and 91 (N.N.W.) from London. The 

 river Shirburn and the Radford brook unite within 

 the town, which contains 21,242 inhabitants. The 

 weaving of ribbands forms the staple trade of the 

 town. The theatre is open during the races, which 

 take place in the middle of March, and continue 

 two days. In addition to a silver cup, about £100 

 raised by subscription, is given away in stakes. 



Warwick. — The capital of the county, pleasant- 

 ly situated on the river Avon, 90 miles (N.W.) 

 from London, and containing 8,235 inhabitants* 

 The castle is one of the most splendid and entire 

 specimens of feudal grandeur in the kingdom. 

 Many of the public buildings of this ancient town 

 are handsomely constructed, and it contains several 

 valuable institutions. The theatre is opened during 

 the race week, by the Cheltenham company ; there 



