212 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book X. 



national pastime in after-days, when he was greater 

 than the greatest king or kaiser ? 



But Cromwell's marvellous life and actions do not 

 concern us further than those incidents relating to his 

 support and opposition of the turf and rural " sports. 

 Paradoxical as this sounds, it is, nevertheless, true, 

 since he was, beyond doubt, a thorough sportsman, 

 and probably loved racing in his heart of heart. 

 Many instances are recorded in which he left the cares 

 of state, and the anxieties of his campaigns to enjoy 

 the pleasures of hunting and hawking.* He was 

 nearly killed when attempting to drive his coach in 

 Hyde Park. He kef)t race-horses, he imported Arabian 

 horses, he bred race-horses, and may he not have run 

 them ? His opposition to the turf did not arise from 

 any personal ill-feeling to horse racing per se ; it was 

 attributable to the political tactics of the Royalists, 

 who, under cover of such meetings, and knowing the 

 popularity of the sport with the public, organized and 

 promoted them (in some cases) for ulterior objects. 

 And another element in the case was the hypocrisy 

 of the Presbyterian fanatics, w^hom Cromwell was 

 obliged to humour. 



Although there is no actual evidence that the 

 Protector ever attended a race meeting, or run any 

 of his horses, there is sufficient proof of his having 

 owned and bred those noble animals. As we have 

 already seen, he obtained some of the best horses at 

 the royal stud in 1650, and in 1655, at the Restora- 



• See "The Moderate Intelligencer," and " Whitelock's Memorials,'' 

 passim. 



