260 HISTOEY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. 



stock— hounds and horses included.* The Jews made their 

 first appearance on the turf, and came through the ordeal 

 with credit, Baron Schwartz and Mr. Gomes Arras having 

 carried off the principal honours at Epsom. — 1721. The King 

 at Hampton Court for the summer season ; the Prince at Rich- 

 mond. No hunting news. — 1722. In September George I. 

 paid his first formal visit to Windsor Castle. No reference 

 to hunting. — 1723. The King reported to be hunting in 

 Hanover. The Prince held his court at Richmond during the 

 buck-hunting season, but no details of the sport transpire. 

 It seems, however, that the Royal Buckhounds pretty 

 frequently hunted in the vicinity of Windsor and Epping 

 Forests. 



In July 1724 it was publicly announced that several fine 

 hunting horses were bought for his Majesty, who intended 

 going to Windsor to reside there for some time, " to take the 

 diversion of stag-hunting." This state visit was postponed 

 until the 14th of the ensuing month, when his Majesty, 

 accompanied by " the young princesses," arrived at the Castle. 

 In the meantime an installation of the Garter was held there, 

 the first of this reign, which was largely attended. " Never 

 was such a scene of roguery carried on in so short a space, 

 and with such wonderful dexterity ; for, in short, allmost 

 everybody was robbed, and yet nobody in particular seen or 

 suspected of doing it." On the first Sunday after his arrival 

 at the Castle the King dined there in public, " when a great 

 number of the country people came thither, and were admitted 

 to see his Majesty at dinner." During this royal sojourn the 

 King, " attended with divers of the nobillity and other persons," 

 frequently went shooting and coursing in the Great Park and 

 Forest. On August 27 his Majesty was reported to be " shoot- 

 ing from 8 in the morning till almost 5 in the afternoon" 

 — the royal bag comprising the sum total of 2^ brace of 

 pheasants and 1^ brace of partridges. On September 5, 



* " They write from Newmarket that several of the fine Race Horses have 

 been converted into Notes and Specie for their more convenient Running in 

 Change-Alley." — The Weekly Journal, July 2, 1720. 



