20 RACING. 



his views on the various breeds of horses which he knows. He 

 praises the barbs, and talks of an old French nobleman, who 

 served under Henry IV., having told him that he had often 

 seen these upset the large Flemish horse in the tilt. He also 

 mentions the solidness of the bone of the barb as compared 

 with all others : ' Having a hollow scarcely large enough to 

 insert a straw, while on the other hand in the same bone of a 

 Flanders horse you may almost insert your little finger.' This 

 is a fact as regards our thoroughbreds as compared with all 

 other breeds in this country. 



When Charles II. was restored arts, sciences, and pleasures 

 followed in his train, and were also restored to a nation from 

 which the troubles of a preceding reign and Cromwell's inter- 

 regnum had driven them away. The laughter-loving monarch 

 greatly encouraged racing ; he gave public rewards and prizes^ 

 and delighted in being a spectator of the contests of the course. 

 When he resided at Windsor the horses ran on Datchet Mead ; 

 but the most distinguished spot for these spectacles was 

 Newmarket, a place that from the firmness of the ground 

 was first chosen and has ever since been devoted to these 

 sports. 



The glory of this scene now burst forth in its grandest 

 splendour. The King honoured the races with his presence, 

 and established a mansion for his reception. He even con- 

 descended to be a competitor, kept and entered horses in his 

 own name, and by his attention and generosity added dignity, 

 importance and lustre to the institution over which he presided. 

 Bells, the ancient reward for swiftness, were now no longer 

 given ; a silver bowl or cup, of the value of one hundred 

 guineas, succeeded the tinkling prize. On this Royal gift the 

 exploits of the successful horse, together with his pedigree, 

 were usually engraved, to publish and perpetuate his fame. 

 Several of these trophies are now to be seen in the possession 

 of the descendants of sportsmen. The Duke of Newcastle 

 informs us that Charles II. had much knowledge in horses, and 

 was an able and experienced rider. 



