THE RAM INN. 27 



which he had passed just before, and catching 

 up the burning* scent of the four stags, they im- 

 mediately gave chase. As they drew near to the 

 vehicle, their loud notes, or what fox-hunters call 

 "their music," alarmed the stags, which galloped 

 at full speed into the little town, and dashed into 

 the wide-open portals of the inn which stood on 

 the site subsequently occupied by The Ram. The 

 doors were immediately closed, and the lives of the 

 stags saved from their eager pursuers. This occur- 

 rence happened about the middle of last century, 

 and was the cause of the name, " Ram Inn," being- 

 bestowed upon this noted hostelry and posting- 

 house. In 1775, it was kept by a Mr Barber, who 

 hailed from the Bull Inn at Barton Mills — the last 

 stage on approaching Newmarket from the Suifolk 

 side, and close to which Sir Charles Bunbury's 

 seat. Barton Park, was situated. Many famous 

 race - horses were bred there by the Baronet in 

 question, who lived to be the senior member of 

 the Jockey Club, and Father of the British Turf 

 Sir Charles Bunbury, who was an excellent sports- 

 man, died in 1820, and owned in his time some 

 famous horses, such as Bellario, Eleanor (winner of 

 the Derby and Oaks), and Smolensko, the winner 

 of the Two Thousand, the Newmarket stakes, and 

 Derby. I have often heard Admiral Rous recount 

 that the first race for the Two Thousand ever seen 

 by him was that won by Smolensko, in 1813. It 

 is a thrice - told tale that, after the Derby, Sir 



