BRITISH TURK. 397 



friends observed that as he had beat the other 

 with some pounds more weight, he would win 

 his race easy. On the other side, says Mr. Framp- 

 ton, as my horse ran Merlin so near with seven 

 pounds extra weight, he will win to a certainty. 



Immediately after, proposals were made on both 

 sides to a very enormous amount, and accepted ; 

 and it has been asserted that there was more 

 money betted upon this event than was ever before 

 known ; some gentlemen not only staking all the 

 cash they were able to advance, but their other 

 property also. 



At length the important hour arrived for the 

 determination of this great event, and each party 

 was flushed with success ; the south country gen- 

 tlemen observing to those of the north, that " they 

 would bet them gold whilst gold they had, and 

 then they would sell their land." The horses 

 started, and the race was won by Merlin, about 

 the same distance as in the secret trial. In a 

 short time after, the truth became known. 



Merlin was rode by Jerome Hare of Cold Kirby, 

 near Hambleton. 



In consequence of several gentlemen having 

 been entirely ruined by the above event, a law was 

 soon afterwards passed by the legislature, against 

 the recovery of any sum of money exceeding ten 

 pounds, betted or laid between any parties for the 

 future. 



