568 THE HORSE. 



Fitting encouragement can be given, by means of the Royal 

 plates and otherwise, to the rearing of horses for the turf, 

 without connecting with its concerns the personal acts of the 

 Sovereign. 



Of the other great supporters of the turf, from the period 

 of the American war down to our own times, were Earl Fitz- 

 william, who succeeded to the stud of his uncle the Marquis 

 of Rockingham, and died in 1833 at the age of eighty-five, 

 having been about sixty-two years actively connected with 

 the turf; the Dukes of Grafton, Hamilton, Dorset, Portland, 

 Bedford, and many noble persons more, all keepers of large 

 studs. Of commoners the list is very extensive. Amongst 

 these it will appear strange to include the illustrious name 

 of Charles James Fox ; yet so it was. Mr Fox's own stud 

 was not remarkable for its goodness, but he betted largely, 

 as was the fashion at the time, and it is said with success. 

 At a match at Newmarket in 1772, he is said to have won 

 about 16,000 guineas, by taking the odds on a horse that lost 

 by half a neck. On coming into office with Lord North, in 

 1783, he suddenly gave up his stud, and abandoned the racing 

 clubs ; but this was only for a season, for, when still in office, 

 in the same year, we find him at the meetings of Newmarket 

 exhibiting all his accustomed eagerness, his marvellous and 

 versatile genius appearing to vulgar observers as much in its 

 proper sphere at the betting-post as in the senate. Approach- 

 ing nearer to our own times, we find the name of Sir Henry 

 Vane Tempest. This gentleman was early on the turf. A 

 famous match of his is familiar to all sportsmen. His horse 

 Hambletonian, got by King Fergus, dam by Highflyer, gran- 

 dam by Matchem. ran a match with Mr Cookson's Diamond, 

 descended from Herod, over the course at Newmarket. The 

 match was for 3000 guineas, besides large bets between the 

 parties. So close was the contest, that, even within a few 

 strides of the winning-post, the horses were head to head, 

 when, by a grand effort, Hambletonian, ridden by Buckle, 

 came in by half a neck. Incredible sums depended upon this 



