BRITISH TURF. 403 



the latter was altered to lOst., 3 mile heats;) 

 and in 1763, one to Carlisle, for 5 yrs. old horses, 

 8st. 71bs., 3 mile heats. 



The first account of the royal plate at Edin- 

 burgh was published in 1728, when it w^as ran for 

 by 6 yrs. old horses, 12st. 4 mile heats ; but as 

 very few horses of any note ran at Leith, it was 

 not regularly inserted in the racing calendars, as 

 those run for in England. In 1752, it was altered, 

 and ordered to be run for by 4 yrs. old, 8st. 41bs. 

 5 yrs., 9st. ; 6 yrs., 9st. lOlbs., and aged, lOst. 

 31bs., 4 mile heats; except in the years 1756, 

 1757, 1758, and 1760, when his Majesty's plate 

 of 100 gs. w^as divided into two plates, 50 gs. each, 

 and run for as such. 



Before we proceed to give the pedigrees and 

 performances of the most celebrated race-horses, 

 beginning with the immediate descendants of the 

 eastern horses, given in our fourth chapter, and 

 carried up to the present day, we think the fol- 

 lowing extract may prove both interesting and 

 curious. It is from an old work published in 

 1680, in the reign of Charles II, entitled, The 

 Compleat Gamester ; or Instructions how to play at 

 Billiards^ 8fc., ^c. ; together with all manner of usual 

 and most Gentile Games, either on Cards or Dice, 

 to which is added the Arts and Mysteries of Riding, 

 Racing, Archery, and Cock-Fighting , 



" For the compleating a gentleman's delight in 



D D 2 



