174 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book IV. 



It is obvious the weather put a stop to anything 

 in the shape of field sports at Newmarket, and it is 

 therefore no matter of surprise that no mention of any 

 outdoor events are chronicled during the spring visit. 

 In the absence of more congenial topics we may 

 mention that Sir George Chaworth obtained the 

 reversion of the office of constable and keeper of 

 Bristol Castle, Andy Boyd ^looo as a free gift, 

 Thomas Kaye a presentation of the rectory of Branes- 

 borough, in the diocese of York, Nicholas Hoare a 

 gunner's place in the Tower, the Earl of Salisbury ^900 

 for the almshouses next the king's stables in Cheshunt 

 and ^200 for Park Grove in Enfield Park, the Earl of 

 Dorset licence to enfranchise the copyholds belonging 

 to some of his manors, George Herriot ^2952 odd 

 for jewels and goldsmith's work for Prince Charles, 

 together with similar cogent matters ; from which it is 

 evident stress of weather did not interfere with the 

 importunities of the suitors who beset the Court, and 

 that Newmarket maintained the reputation it acquired 

 in the dispensation of favours, in spite of the inclemency 

 of the season. The Cambridge comedians endea- 

 voured to enliven the surrounding dulness, but in 

 this respect they were not particularly successful, as 

 the weather threw a damper on their acting, and 

 probably the elements kept away the fair sex, and 

 without the presence of the ladies the best theatre and 

 the best acting is as jolly as a Scotch sabbath. f 



On the 6th of February, 16 14-15, a letter, "pro 

 Rege," was addressed to Sir Nicholas Bacon,^^ Sir 



* State Papers, Domestic, vol. y^c.., passim. f Birch MS., 4173. 



