163 



CHAPTEE VIII. 



THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845. 



THE winter of 1844-45 was very severe and pro- 

 tracted, commencing on the 4th of December 1844 

 with sharp frosts, which continued with little 

 intermission till the 23d of March 1845 two days 

 before the Northampton meeting. So severe and 

 wintry was the weather a week before the races 

 that it was thought they would have to be post- 

 poned, there being 19 of frost from the 14th to 

 the 17th of March, and 11 on the 21st. In 

 order to utilise to the fullest extent the great 

 advantages afforded by the exercise - grounds at 

 Goodwood, which are completely sheltered by 

 plantations and trees, Lord George caused straw- 

 beds of immense magnitude to be laid down, the 

 outer ring being nearly half a mile in circum- 

 ference, within which two lesser rings were formed. 

 As these straw-beds were some distance from the 

 stables, it was necessary to make an approach to 

 them by covering a track or path with litter, 



