Institution and Early Growth 



creasing, the fall of Marlborough gave them the opportunity 

 to come to power. 



Such was the state of politics during Anne's reign. 

 On the other hand, literature during this period advanced 

 by leaps and bounds, the arts and sciences were being 

 cultivated, com- 

 merce increased, 

 and agriculture 

 flourished, and it 

 was only natural 

 that sport should 

 again receive 

 Royal favour. 



We can ima- 

 gine the Queen, 

 on one of her 

 drives through the 

 country in the 

 early summer of 

 ly II, stopping on 

 the Common at 

 Ascot, and her 

 sportsmanlike eye 

 at once taking 

 in the natural 

 advantages offered for her favourite sport, giving orders 

 for a course to be at once prepared, and then announcing 

 her intention of presenting a plate to be raced for. 



The royal commands were quickly obeyed, and we find 

 in the London Gazette, of July 12th, 171 1, an announcement 

 that " Her Majesty's Plate of 100 guineas will be run for 



15 



QUEEN ANNE 



