THE TURF 8 1 



years old, but transmitted a more numerous 

 and better stock to posterity than any other 

 horse ever did before, or has ever done 

 since amongst others, Highflyer. From 

 the death of Charles n. till the period of 

 the duke's coming upon the turf, racing had 

 languished, perhaps from want of more 

 support from the crown and the higher 

 aristocracy, and his royal highness was the 

 man to revive it. 



1 But,' as has been observed, 'this was 

 not effected without an immensity of ex- 

 pense, and an incredible succession of losses 

 to the sharks, Greeks, and blacklegs of that 

 time, by whom his royal highness was sur- 

 rounded, and, of course, incessantly pil- 

 laged. Having, however, in the greatness 

 of his mind, the military maxim of " per- 

 severe and conquer," he was not deterred 

 from the object of his pursuit, till, having 

 just become possessed of the best stock, 

 best blood, and most numerous stud in the 

 kingdom, beating his opponents at all points, 

 he suddenly "passed that bourne from 

 whence no traveller returns," an irreparable 

 loss to the turf, and universally lamented by 

 the kingdom at large.' 



