386 HISTORY OF THE 



dukes ; a proof of the progress the taste for racing 

 had already made in England. 



From this book it would appear that the cities 

 and towns in England where races were then held, 

 amounted to one hundred and twelve, and in Wales 

 to five ; while at the present day they amount to one 

 hundred and forty-three, including Scotland and 

 Ireland ; it being always remembered that at many 

 of these places races are held twice annually, and 

 in some cases even oftener. 



The most correct set of racing records of the 

 early history of the British Turf are in the pos- 

 session of Messrs. Weatherbv, of Oxendon Street, 

 the proprietors of the Racing Calendar, the 

 nephews of James Weatherby, many years keeper 

 of the match book at Newmarket. This is a work 

 which succeeded Cheny's, and which boasts of 

 1371 subscribers, including 174 persons of rank. 

 This useful work is to be found in almost every 

 country in Europe. 



These gentlemen, the Weatherbys, who are 

 generally esteemed for their urbanity and un- 

 blemished character, have likewise in their library 

 an old work published at York, in 1748, entitled 

 an '' Historical List of all the Plates and Prizes run 

 for on Clifton and RawclifFe Ings ; also since they 

 have been removed to Knaresmire, near the city 

 of York ; likewise how the mares came in every 

 year at Black Hambleton, &c., &c." 



The earliest race mentioned in these works, is 



