Kir.;!. J STATE OF THE HEATH. 241 



Unfortunately, no further information is given 

 about those " distinofuished horses," and whether Cole 

 or the Miller won is now forgotten.* 



In August the surveyor of the stables to the king 

 again brought his little bill of ^^73 5 8^-. lod. for repairs 

 and buildinofs at Newmarket before the lord treasurer. 

 The account was passed, docqueted, entered, but not 

 settled.f 



On the 20th his Majesty wrote to Sir John 

 Cotton, ^"^ directing attention to the state of the grounds 

 about Newmarket. During the Commonwealth it had 

 been ploughed with narrow ridges, which he conceived 

 might render hunting [racing] dangerous. Notice 

 of this danger was to be given to the towns there- 

 about, and, from the respect the inhabitants had for 

 his safety, he trusted they would forbear making 

 ridges otherwise than formerly. J About this date the 

 king was expected. Colonel Robert Ker received a 

 warrant for ^200 for his expenses " in bringing hounds 



* On the i6th of March the Duke of Monmouth visited the University 

 of Cambridge. In order to give greater honour to the duke's visit, the 

 king, on the 13th of March, issued letters empowering the University to 

 confer the degree M.A. on the duke, and on such persons as he should 

 desire to recommend. The duke was accordingly admitted to that degree, 

 as were thirty-four others whom he nominated, amongst whom were Sir 

 Thomas Hatton, Bart., Sir William Whitmore, Bart., Sir Geoi'ge Elwes, 

 Sir Thomas Whitmore, K.B., Sir Richard Hopton, Sir Thomas Ross, Sir 

 Christopher Baker, and Sir Levinus Bennett. The University entertained 

 the duke with a banquet and comedy at Trinity College, and the king is 

 said to have been highly gratified with the attention paid to the duke on 

 this occasion. — Cooper's "Annals of Cambridge," vol. iii., p. 509. 



t Account of John Bayspoole, Esq., Surveyor of the Stables in the 

 Mews, amounting to .1^250, being part of ^^ 660 i^s. to him impressed upon 

 account for the rebuilding of his Majesty's stables at Newmarket, and 

 other work at the Mews, &c. — Audit Office, Declared Accts., Works, 

 Bundle 2476, Rot. 251, MS., P.R.O. 



% Ibid., vol. l.vxix. Entry Book 15, p. 172. 



VOL. II. R 



