1635.] A REV. FATHER OF THE TURF. 131 



complaine to the Archbishop, Master Hudson is sent for and 

 examined (that being a Schollar) who made him a Horse- 

 racer. He is required to restore the money, and he denyes 

 it. Therefore he is put into the Commission Court the Arch- 

 Bishops old powdering Tub, but having not yet taken Orders 

 for the Ministery, for he was beneficed afterwards in Lincolne- 

 shire, and married also after that, he was inforced to dismisse 

 him again e. 



" These arts, and such as these were did bring him ac- 

 quainted with Sir Edivard Nicholas Secretary of State, and 

 the King being to depart disguised from Oxford, non more 

 fit person could be thought upon to conduct him then Master 

 Hudson, who was an excellent Horseman (a rare commenda- 

 tion in a Schollar) and besides being a Yorkshire Gentleman 

 he was perfectly well acquainted with the wayes. But the 

 King (I hope) will now shortly follow a better guide, and 

 better Counsellours and returne unto his Parliament." 



The preceding extract is probably the earliest 

 account of a horse-race that has ever appeared in any 

 newspaper. Unfortunately, the writer eschews dates, 

 therefore it is uncertain to say precisely when this 

 race in Hyde Park took place. However, as the 

 Court of High Commission (which is the Archbishop 

 of Canterbury's " Old Powdering Tub," referred to 

 by the Puritan scribe in the " London Post ") was 

 abolished in 1640, it is evident that Hudson's coup in 

 Hyde Park occurred prior to that time ; probably in 

 the year 1635. 



Turning to the registers of the Court of High 

 Commission, we find this clerical turfite arraigned 

 before the Inquisitioners at Lambeth on October 15, 

 1635, where he appeared, was sworn to answer certain 

 articles (not specified), and was " monished to be 



