8o THE TURF 



be asked how these persons employ or 

 amuse themselves during the dead months, 

 of which there are five. At Newmarket, 

 we believe, just as they did in Holcroft's 

 time, in visiting their friends, coursing, and 

 cock-fighting the latter a favourite amuse- 

 ment, but with no species of gambling, 

 beyond a few shillings on the event of a 

 course or a battle. A few also take the 

 diversion of hunting, or any other outdoor 

 amusement that keeps the body in play. 

 Most of them have neat and well-furnished 

 houses, and appear to enjoy the comforts 

 of life. 



Among the conspicuous characters on the 

 English turf of past and present days it is 

 hard to say who stands foremost, but we 

 suppose we must give the pas to the Duke 

 of Cumberland, great uncle to his present 

 majesty, as the breeder, and to Mr. O'Kelly, 

 as the fortunate possessor of Eclipse, and 

 other horses whose character and fame have 

 never yet been eclipsed. It will also be 

 remembered that the duke bred Marsk, the 

 sire of Eclipse; and Herod, who not only, 

 like Eclipse, beat every horse that could be 

 brought against him, at four, five, and six 



