12 THE TURF 



stud-groom to Cromwell, was a conspicuous 

 character of those days ; and, according to 

 some, the White Turk was his individual 

 property. Charles n. was a great patron 

 of the race-course. He frequently honoured 

 this pastime with his presence, and ap- 

 pointed races to be run in Datchet Mead, 

 as also at Newmarket, where his horses 

 were entered in his own name, and where 

 he rebuilt the decayed palace of his grand- 

 father James i. He also visited other 

 places at which races were instituted, Bur- 

 ford Downs in particular (since known as 

 Bibury race-course, so often frequented by 

 George iv. when regent) as witness the 

 doggrel of old Baskerville : 



* Next for the glory of the place, 

 Here has been rode many a race. 

 King Charles the Second I saw here ; 

 But I 've forgotten in what year. 

 The Duke of Monmouth here also 

 Made his horse to sweat and blow, 5 etc. 



At this time it appears that prizes run for 

 became more valuable than they formerly 

 had been; amongst them were bowls, and 

 various other pieces of plate, usually esti- 

 mated at the value of one hundred guineas ; 



