PETWORTH 199 



Paddocks, furnished with well-constructed sheds, for 

 the reception of two, or three at most, colts or fillies, 

 when rising two years old, were enclosed with brick or 

 flint walls ; each paddock had its attendant, to feed and 

 water his own particular charge ; which then, when fairly 

 handled and broke, was sent to the trainino; stables on 

 the Downs, where the animal was prepared to become a 

 candidate for those great prizes so many of his lordship's 

 horses carried away. It is only by such management 

 and by such means, joined with a perfect knowledge of 

 the properties of particular breeds, and first-rate judgment 

 in selecting that with which to cross and im23rove his 

 own, that any man can command a flourishing racing 

 stud ; and this falls to the lot of but few. 



This magnificent establishment, so worthy alike of its 

 purpose and its noble owner, was founded or commenced 

 more than a century since by " the proud Duke of 

 Somerset," as he is termed, in contradistinction to the 

 first of his family, the virtuous, talented, and popular, but 

 unfortunate Protector, who deserved the title of Great — 

 and descended with the mansion and estate to the late 

 proprietor, who presided over it with so much benefit to 

 the turf and to the nation. It has long since become 

 extinct as a first-rate racing stable, and the stud dispersed 

 all over the kingdom ; but the blood of old Gohanah still 

 runs in the veins of the most celebrated horses of the 

 present day. 



I cannot forbear relating an anecdote here of that 

 haughty old nobleman, the Duke, though the reader may 

 say, what has this to do with stage-coaches ? But, as the 

 incident occurred at the princely mansion I have had 



