334 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book XIII. 



likely to depart, a movement many were anxious for, 

 most people being of the opinion that under the 

 circumstances they " left a very good town when they 

 came from London." The next day Lord Arlington 

 writes from Euston that the news from Newmarket 

 only related to the northerly wind and the want of 

 rain, which made the country thereabouts less pleasant 

 than was to be desired. The king and the Duke of 

 York managed to make the most of so unpleasant a 

 situation by being " early abroad," and visiting and 

 dining with the local celebrities. Many of the Privy 

 Councillors were at Newmarket, which, in the opinion 

 of Mr. Coventry, " was not a clime for such congrega- 

 tions," particularly as no council was held, although 

 some important affairs of state urgently required 

 attention at the hand of the Committee of Foreign 

 Affairs, who, however, did nothing. 



On the 8th a change in the weather took place. 

 The kino- went to Euston for a short visit. The 

 following Friday " was appointed for his remove from 

 hence to the Duke of Albemarle's house and from 

 thence on Monday following to London, but whether 

 the raine wee now have may not invite his Maj*^ to a 

 longer Stay," was more than our informant could 

 decide. '■ Up to the i8th there is very little informa- 

 tion of the doings at Newmarket. No state business 

 was transacted ; that was deferred until the return of 

 the court to Whitehall. There was no time for 

 business. " We have been almost all day morning and 

 afternoon in the field & his Maj*^ is at this time at 



* H. Thynne to Mr. Secretary Williamson. Ibid. 



