OTHER SEATS OF HORSE-RACING. 47 



all who witnessed them. They were beloved of 

 the King — "the good old King George III." — 

 who, for a number of years, never missed being 

 present. He was, at any rate, never absent when 

 the hundred guineas was run for, which he gave for 

 horses that had been out with the stag-hounds. 



The gambhng pure and simple which, for a long 

 series of years, was a leading feature of the Ascot 

 festival, is not now tolerated, although unlimited 

 betting is permitted. There were E. O. tables by 

 the score, the owners of which were made to sub- 

 scribe a hundred guineas for the benefit of the 

 racing fund. These tables were established in tents 

 and marquees, where all were suited who pleased 

 to try their fortune ; even those who gambled 

 with pence were made welcome. In these " Royal 

 old days," Ascot, in the way of the times, was 

 quite as fashionable as it is to-day. Every house 

 and cottage within two miles of the course was 

 occupied either by pleasure-seekers, or persons 

 who had business to transact in connection with 

 the horse-races. The rents charged were exor- 

 bitant ; the persons who could give accommo- 

 dation having learned to make hay while the sun 

 was shining. But sport was good, and the sur- 

 roundings were exciting. A feature of the scene, 

 which has long since been dispensed with, was 

 the hundreds of booths erected for the accommo- 

 dation of visitors. Some of these canvas houses 

 were most commodious, and were used both for 

 dining and sleeping in. The King and Queen 

 and " the first gentleman of Europe " used to pass 

 along the lines of the booths. 



" Royal Ascot " is richly endowed with racing 

 prizes, and it is gratifying to know that, although 



