364 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book VI. 



carrying weights, physicking, &c., being the same very nearly 

 as now. Charles II. altered the bell upon which the exploits 

 and pedigree of the horse to a bowl, were engraved." — Fosbroke, 

 "Encyclopedia of Antiquities," p. 691. Lond., 4to, 1840. 



" Popular sports and games were less pursued now than 

 formerly, from the various changes in the mode of living. 

 James I., indeed, delighted in hawking, which kept that sport 

 in a little longer. His son Henry and most of the courtiers 

 spent much time in tennis and the new game of pall-mall, 

 which consisted of striking a ball through a hoop at some 

 distance from the ground. Billiards were also growing very 

 fashionable, but the old rough sports of bull and bear-baiting 

 and cock-fighting remained for the stern hands of Cromwell 

 and his officers to put down. In order to encourage the 

 people in their games, and vex the Presbyterians, who had 

 annoyed him by their rigid observance of the Sabbath, James 

 put forth a Book of Sports allowable to be used on Sundays 

 and holidays after prayers, which was read throughout the 

 parish churches of the kingdom, and was afterwards revived 

 by Charles I. under the advice of Archbishop Laud. . . . 

 Horse-racing was now very much extended, and the breed of 

 horses very greatly improved in consequence ; furious riding 

 and driving were reckoned, indeed, among the characteristics 

 of an Englishman. The amusements of the citizens chiefly 

 consisted in bowling, dancing, cards and dice, billiards, plays, 

 balls, &c. The lord mayor kept a pack of hounds, which had 

 the privilege of hunting in Middlesex, Herts, and Kent. The 

 lower classes of Londoners enjoyed themselves with foot-ball, 

 wrestling, cricket, nine-pins, quoits, bull and bear-baiting, &c." 

 — Eccleston, p. 437. 



END OF VOL. I. 



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