OTHER SEATS OF HORSE-RACING. 51 



in the third racing season to ;^i,500, and the 

 money received from these sources of Income Is 

 annually Increasing. About ^15,000 were ex- 

 pended a few years ago in Improving and adding 

 to the accommodation provided by the grand stand, 

 every department of which Is now regulated by 

 the Master of the Buckhounds ; and as the re- 

 newed lease obtained from the Crown has still 

 over forty years to run, it Is probable that 

 additional improvements will be entered upon. 



The Ascot Meeting is the next great event in 

 the turf world to the Epsom Summer Carnival. 

 How rich and varied the stakes are which are now 

 run on the Royal heath, has been Indicated. The 

 various courses are in fine condition ; and the 

 attendance at the meeting, which lasts for four 

 days, and with which no racing fixture Is allowed 

 to clash, Is, in fine weather, enormous; and, although 

 It appears to be Impossible to eliminate the welshing 

 element, Ascot is kept tolerably free as yet, notwith- 

 standing Its proximity to London, from the rowdy 

 element. 



During the lifetime of Prince Albert, Her 

 Majesty frequently patronised the meeting, riding 

 up the course with a numerous suite in what was 

 called " Ascot State." The Prince and Princess 

 of Wales now take Her Majesty's place in this 

 ceremonial, and as they come upon the scene re- 

 ceive a most cordial welcome from the assembled 

 thousands. The fashionable day /^r ^;r^^//^;2^^ is 

 "the Cup day," a day on which the upper ten 

 assemble on the Royal heath in their greatest 

 numbers, "the ladles ablaze with dresses of 

 gorgeous hues, tempered with trimmings of taste." 

 This racing trophy — the Cup — which many 



£ 2 



