352 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book XIII. 



hair brown, mounted on a black Gelding, with some silver 

 hairs on his forehead. Whosoever can discover the afore- 

 said persons, or give information of the Gelding taken 

 away, let them repair to Mr. John Todd Haberdasher of 

 Hats in St. Edmondsbiiry, or Mr. Gervase Locks Haber- 

 dasher of Hats upon London-bridge, [by whom they] shall 

 be well rewarded." — The "London Gazette," May g, 1678, 

 No. 1301. 



The October meeting proved to be a right royal 



one, as it was attended by the ..king and court, and 



extended over a couple of weeks. The 



October. .^ , r r^ i 1 • • 



Prince of Orange was expected, but it is 

 doubtful whether he attended this rdiinioii at head- 

 quarters or not. The Duke of Monmouth, Lord 

 Arlington, and all the principal ministers of the state 

 and the household assembled in force. Many of the 

 committees were also at Newmarket, although they 

 might as well have remained in London for all the 

 business that was transacted by them. But the post 

 that went every night from London to Newmarket 

 " during his Majesty's being there " brought down 

 many letters and despatches if it brought back few 

 answers. The murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, 

 the popish plot, the negotiations at Nimeguen, and 

 minor domestic affairs are mentioned in connection 

 with this meeting at Newmarket in the State Papers, 

 and the contemporary literature of the time, although 

 we cannot find a single reference or allusion to the 

 races.'" 



* State Papers, Dom., Charles II., bundle 2\<^, passim. The " London 

 Gazette," sub dafo. Harleian MS., 1523. 



