894 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



TREGONWELL FRAMPTON. 



Tregonwell Frampton was keeper of the 

 running- horses at IVewmarket, to Wilham III., 

 Queen Anne, George I., and George II. For 

 a number of years he was styled the father of 

 the Turf, and died on the 12th of March, 

 1727, aged 86. 



Frampton was born in the reign of Charles 

 I., during whose troublesome reign horse- 

 racingr commenced at Newmarket, and is 

 perhaps more celebrated as an adept in the 

 crossings and manoeuvres of the course than 

 for either humanity or punctilious honour. 

 A n attempt has been made (a feeble one ap- 

 parently) to shield him from the former 

 charge. 



Frampton was the owner of several lun- 

 ning horses ; and, amongst the rest, of one 

 which was matched to run against Old Mer- 

 lin, at Newmarket. Merlin was placed under 

 the care of one Heseltine, a groom at New- 

 market; whom Frampton's groom endea- 

 voured to prevail upon to run the two Horses 

 a private trial at the «tated weights and 

 distance agreed upon in the match, observing, 

 by that means they might both make their 

 fortunes. Heseltine refused, but in such a 

 manner as to give the other hopes of bringing 

 him to compliance. 



In the meantime, Heseltine took the oppor- 

 tunity of communicating, by a letter sent 

 into Yorkshire, the proposed offer to Sir 

 William Strickland, Bart., who was princi- 

 pally concerned in making the match. The 

 Baronet returned for answer that he might 

 accept it, taking care to deceive Mr. Framp- 

 ton's groom by letting Merlin carry seven 

 pounds more weight than that agreed upon. 

 Heseltine shortly afterwards consented to the 



proposal of Mr. Frampton's groom, who had 

 secretly received instructions precisely simiiai 

 to those given to Heseltine. 



These grooms therefore prepared the Horsos 

 accordingly, and ran the course agreed to in 

 the articles; when, after an excellent ruu. 

 Merlin won the race by something more than 

 his own length. This being: communicated to 

 each party by their secret and faithful grooms, 

 each flattered himself with certain success. 

 Sir W. Strickland very naturally concluded 

 that, as Merlin had proved himself superior 

 with even seven pounds extra on his back, he 

 would very easily win the race ; while Mr. 

 Frampton was decidedly of opinion that, as 

 his Horse had run Merlin so hard, carrying 

 seven pounds more, he could not fail ulti- 

 mately to win. In consequence, proposals 

 were made and accepted to an enormous 

 amount, to a greater an extent even than was 

 ever known ; some gentlemen (in the secret) 

 staking not only all their cash, but their other 

 property also. 



At length the hour arrived when this im- 

 portant business was to be decided : the 

 Horses started ; and the race was won by 

 Merlin by about the same distance as in the 

 secret trial. In a short time the secret be- 

 came known ; and, though it had originated 

 with Mr. Frampton, it is certainly not a little 

 singular that Sir W. Strickland should adopt 

 the very same expedients. 



Several gentlemen were completely rumed 

 by this race ; and it excited so much attention 

 throughout the countrv, that the circumstance 

 was at length noticed in Parliament, and a 

 Bill soon after passed in consequence, to re- 

 strain the rage of betting. 



By this Bill was enacted, " that no sum of 

 money, exceeding ten pounds, betted, laid, or 



