202 THE HISTORY AND ART 



fake of fpeed only, that they became quite ufelefs, 

 when a public fpiritcd gentleman obferving this error, 

 left thirteen hundred guineas, for thirteen plates, to 

 be run for at fuch places as the crown fliould appoint, 

 whence they were called royal plates ; upon condi- 

 tion, that each horfe ihould carry twelve Hones weight, 

 the belt of three heats over a four-mile courfe : no 

 authority, however, is cited to fupport this account, 

 and the regiflers of the lord chamberlains, at the 

 Jewel-office, and of the king's mafter of the horfe, 

 evince the contrary, and prove the plates to be yo/(?/y the 

 royal bounty. 



George the Firft, towards the end of his reign, dif- 

 continued the P/ates, and gave the fum of one hun- 

 dred guineas in their room. The royal bounty, con- 

 veyed in this fliape, was certainly more judicioufly 

 conferred, if confidered in a public and national light, 

 inafmuch as it was more ufeful and efficacious : for,, 

 notwithflanding that a nobleman, or perfon of fortune, 

 might eye the Czip upon his fide-board with a confci- 

 ous pride and pleafure, the Guineas will fpeak more 

 perfuafively to the private perfon and farmer, as they 

 will help at leaft to repay the expences of keeping the 

 horfe which won them ; and anfvver many other ne- 

 ceflary purpofes. 



In the thirteenth year of his late majefly, an acft was 

 paired for the fuppreffion of races by Poiieys, and other 

 fmall and weak horfes ; by which all matches for any 

 prize -under the value of fifty pounds are forbid j and 



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