368 HISTORY OF THE 



town ; and although a course of this nature was 

 much inferior to that on the regular turf, yet these 

 races were persevered in with a spirit and satis- 

 faction rarely witnessed in other places. Leith 

 races were as ancient as the period of the Resto- 

 ration, when out-of-door amusements came much 

 into fashion ; and for fifty years after tliat event, 

 this pastime seems to have divided the attention 

 of the boisterous young men of the country with 

 cock-fighting, and still more brutal amusements. 

 From the Restoration till the year 1816, these 

 races appear to have been continued annually, 

 with very little intermission. 



** They generally occurred in the last week 

 of July, or the first week in August, and lasted 

 for four or five days. The race-week was then 

 reckoned the carnival of the metropolis, which 

 was crowded with persons of fashion from all 

 parts of the country, who came to enjoy the 

 sports of the race- ground, as well as the balls 

 and assemblies which took place in Edinburgh 

 in the evenings. During the whole week, but 

 principally on Saturday, the sands were the scene 

 of the most boisterous revels, and of not a few 

 skirmishes and battles betwixt the town-guard 

 and the lower classes from the city. The outer 

 edge of the shore was lined with booths, or taverns, 

 and places of theatrical amusements, and the pier 

 served on the occasion as a most excellent stand 

 for the spectators. Latterly it was felt by those 



