ENGLisn EACEK.] M O D EE N VETEllI X AR Y PK A CT I C E. [enolish baceb. 



of the sport, in protecting the foxes, so essen- 

 tial to the amusement of the chase, and is 

 looked upon as a favourite in his aristocratical 

 ueiehbourhood — a circumstance which insures 

 to him respectability and position. 



In France, where, comparatively speaking, 

 there is little disproportion of wealth, it would 

 be, we think, impossible to create any hunt- 

 ing establishments that would be of a nature 

 sufficiently large to be an encouragement for 

 superior-bred horses. As to breeding these 



for the turf, we believe there will be a very 

 few studs of tliorougli-bred luirses kept. 

 Looking, then, at France in this view, we do 

 not think she will take the palm of breeding 

 the best horses from us. Neither do we 

 think sucli horses necessary for Franco ; if slio 

 obtain a good breed, it is sufficient for all 

 useful purposes, without straining after that 

 which, without inordinate wealtli, might prove 

 an incumbrance rather than an interesting 

 posesssion. 



CHAPTER IV. 



BREEDS OF ENGLISH HORSES. 



THE RACER. 

 Before entering on our description of the 

 Eacer, we will briefly trace the rise and pro- 

 gress of the English race-course, which has 

 long enjoyed a world-wide renown. 



It has been customary, says the elder 

 Eandal Holme, one of the city heralds, time 

 out of mind, upon Shrove Tuesday, for the 

 Company of Saddlers of the ancient city of 

 Chester, to present to the drapers a wooden 

 ball, embellished with flowers, and placed upon 

 the point of a lance. 



Mr. Lysons, in his Magna JBrittania, men- 

 tions some old articles of a race, for two bells, 

 among the corporation records, the earliest 

 date of which was 1512. 



This ceremony was performed in the pre- 

 sence of the mayor, at the cross in the Eoody, 

 an open place near the city. " But this year 

 of 1540," continues Holme, " the ball was 

 changed into a silver bell, valued at three 

 shillings and sixpence, or more, to be given to 

 him who shall run the best and furthest on 

 horseback, before them, on the same dav, 

 Shrove Tuesday." 



In 1610, Mr. Eobert Ambrye, or Amory, 

 ironmonger, sherifl" of the City of Chester, at 

 his own cost, did cause three silver bells to be 

 made, of good value, which bells he appointed 

 to be run for with horses, " upon St. George's- 

 day, upon the Eoode Dee, from the new tower 



to the netes, there turning to run up to the 

 water-gate ; that horse which come first there 

 to have the beste bell ; the second to have the 

 seconde bell for that year, putting in money 

 and sureties to deliver in the bells that day 

 twelvemonth." The other bell was run for on 

 the same day, upon the like conditions. These 

 trophies were taken to the course with much 

 pomp and ceremony. Chester races are now 

 held the first week in May, which comes as 

 near the original time (old St. Greorge's-day) 

 as possible. 



These bells were denominated St. George's 

 Bells, and, in the last year of the reign of 

 James I., 1634-'5, John Brereton, innkeeper, 

 Mayor of Chester, first caused the horses 

 entered for this race, then called Sfc. George's 

 race, to start from the point beyond the new 

 tower, and appointed them to run five times 

 round the Eoody ; and, according to the 

 younger Eandel Holme, " he who run the last 

 course, or trayne, received the bell, worth 

 eight or ten pounds, and to have it for ever, 

 which monies were collected of the citizens 

 for that purpose." By the author's having 

 added that the winner of this race was to 

 have the bell for ever, is implied, that it had 

 been formerly used as a temporary mark of 

 honour by the successful horseman, and after* 

 wards returned to the corporation. This 

 alteration was made April 23, lG2i. 



(35 



