268 HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

 GEORGE 11. (1727—1732). 



Colonel Francis Negus, Thirty-sixth Master: June 11, 1727, to September 9, 

 1732. — Annual Cost of the Pack. — Records of the Runs from 1728 to 1732. 

 — Ascot Races. 



The circumstances attending the accession of George II. are 

 more or less detailed in all the standard works published on 

 the history of England, which see. With the political sur- 

 roundings recorded therein we have very little concern, 

 consequently we shall confine ourselves to the reconstruction 

 of the Royal Household so far as it bears upon our subject. 

 One of the first appointments made by George II. was that of 

 the Earl of Scarborough to fill the long-vacant office of Master 

 of the Horse, which was received with acclaim. The intelli- 

 gence produced exuberant delight at the Royal Mews, where 

 the effigy of the Duchess of Kendal was burnt amid great 

 rejoicings. The Earl was very popular with every one who 

 had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was a great favourite 

 with the new King, by whom he was presented with a 

 warrant on the Jewel Ofiice to receive, by virtue of his ofiice, 

 1,000 ounces of silver plate, " the same to be made into such 

 articles and after such fashion as his Lordship shall direct." 

 The next important office in the Household, which was prac- 

 tically vacant during the whole of the preceding reign, was 

 the Mastership of the Buckhounds. To fill this post Colonel 

 Francis Negus was apparently promoted on the very day of 

 the King's accession. Although we have not been able to 

 find the warrant of his appointment to the office of Master 

 of the Buckhounds, we know beyond doubt he received the 



