1638.] COLONEL HENRY VEIUWEY. 153 



glad to hear something that was of infinite gratification 

 to himself, he continues, " I rod a mach, of six mile 

 with a Dutch man for ^50, and won it, but it was not 

 for myselfe, but for a friend of mine." This, he adds, 

 in allusion to a request for a horse which Ralph had 

 thought better to decline, " this is to let you knowe, 

 had you sent me a courser, it would not at all have 

 made me more in love with rasing." 



In the autumn of 1639 he obtained his lieutenancy. 

 By this time he had become well satisfied with his 

 profession, and had around him a knot of suitable 

 companions, was friendly with his captain, one of the 

 noble Veres, and seldom troubled his friends in Eng- 

 land, except with an occasional request for a horse, 

 and it seems circumstances eventually arose by which 

 he probably attained his desire in that particular. 

 Unfortunately, we can find no further account of this 

 distinguished patron of the Turf, who pursued the 

 " sport of kings," under such extraordinary difficulties. 

 He subsequently returned to England, entered the 

 army, became a colonel in the royal forces, and died 

 unmarried.''^ 



" Ascombe Moor,f near York, had races in the 

 time of Charles I. 



Black Hamilton, or Hambleton J Hills, ^^^^l^^' 

 were long celebrated for such meetings." — Ascombe Moor; 

 " Historical Notes on Doncaster Races," by Hamilton. 

 W..Sheardown, Esq. XoUerton. 



* The " Verney Papers," edited by John Bruce, Esq., Camden Soc., 

 vol. hv. 



t Ascombe is two miles west of York. 



X Hambleton is four miles south-west of Selby, in the west Riding. 



