-^ Institution and Early Growth 



in cash as the King's Plate. Horse racing, however, 

 throughout the country, languished considerably, and as 

 regards Ascot, practically ceased, and it is not until 

 August 15th and i6th, 1720, that we again find horses 

 running there. Then two Plates of ^o guineas were run 

 for by hunters " used in hunting twelve months last past," 

 which had never run for money or plate. They carried 

 1 1 St. the first day and 1 2 st. the second, and were 



SOME COSTUMES OF THE PERIOD 



entered "with Barlow in Hatchet Lane" before August 8th; 

 entrance fee was 2 guineas, 4 guineas if entered at the 

 starting post; "a contributor" had only to pay i guinea. 

 The entrance money went to the second horse. Two 

 years later " 40 Guineas " were announced to be run for 

 on August 1 8th, "by horses that have stag-hunted in 

 Epping or Windsor Forest with the King's hounds before 

 the 2nd instant, and have never won ^5, to carry 11 St., 

 three times round the four-mile course at one heat ; to 



