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CHAPTEE VIII. 



THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845. 



The winter of 1844-45 was very severe and pro- 

 tracted, commencing on the 4th of December 1844 

 Avith sharp frosts, which continued with Httle 

 intermission till the 23d of March 1845 — two days 

 before the Northampton meeting. So severe and 

 Avintry was the weather a week before the races 

 that it was thought they would have to be post- 

 poned, there being 19° of frost from the 14th to 

 the 17th of March, and 11° on the 21st. In 

 order to utilise to the fullest extent the great 

 advantages afforded by the exercise - grounds at 

 Goodwood, which are completely sheltered by 

 plantations and trees, Lord George caused straw- 

 beds of immense magnitude to be laid down, the 

 outer ring being nearly half a mile in circum- 

 ference, within which two lesser rings were formed. 

 As these straw-beds were some distance from the 

 stables, it was necessary to make an approach to 

 them by covering a track or path with litter, 



