RACING IN THE ' PROVINCES? 97 



powerful stable, and latterly a squadron of cavalry might have 

 been stalled where but a few years ago there was scarcely 

 spare standing-room for a hack. 



So, merged in the fortunes of Danebury, waned the renown 

 of the Stockbridge meeting, till, with the exception of the two 

 events above referred to the Hurstbourne Stakes and Stock- 

 bridge Cup or when now and again a two-year-old of good 

 report came forth for the Mottesfont, Troy, or Champagne, the 

 races sank to the merest plating level ; but, let the racing be good 

 or bad, what man is there who, having once experienced the 

 indefinable charm of Stockbridge, does not long to go there 

 again ? For there you can see races as you can nowhere else. 

 Stands there are, one for the use of the general public, and 

 one (built by private subscription from a fund started in 1866 

 by Sir John, then Colonel, Astley) the property of the Bibury 

 Club ; but stroll on to the course, and take up your place 

 where you will, either within or without the enclosures, there is 

 so much space, and such is the conformation of the ground, 

 that, from the fall of the flag you shall behold, not, as is 

 usually the case, your neighbour's hat, or the fringe of a lady's 

 parasol, but every change and incident of the contest, to the 

 final struggle out of the treacherous dip to the winning-post. 

 Here, too, by those whom it interests, may be watched every 

 stage of the amateur's progress ; for our most famous gentle- 

 men-riders have graduated on a course which the professionals 

 declare taxes their judgment and skill more than any other in 

 England. 



Since the death of John Day in 1883, the establishment 

 and training grounds of Danebury have passed into the hands 

 of his son-in-law, Tom Cannon ; a man ' many-counselled ' and 

 of much sagacity, under whose management Stockbridge seems 

 likely to renew its youth, and continue to flourish exceedingly, 

 a living proof that ; Palings do not a meeting make, nor iron 

 rails a course.' 



H 



