-^ Institution and Early Growth 



present at the races, the enthusiasm and cheering were 

 tremendous. Ttie attendance was unusually large, and most 

 of the leaders of the Turf were present. Among the prin- 

 cipal personages were the Duke of Grafton, Marquis of 

 Lome, Lords Grosvenor, Clermont, Barrymore, Jersey, 

 Walsingham, and others. Spite of the auspicious con- 

 ditions of victory, fine weather, and royal patronage, the 

 sport was very poor, and there was no race calling for 

 special note. When driving down the lines in the royal 

 train of carriages, an accident befell the Princess Elizabeth 

 and her two ladies in attendance, the Ladies Carolina 

 Waldegrave and Charlotte Bruce, who were in the carriage 

 with Her Royal Highness. The leading horses took fright 

 at the cheers of the crowd, and so much affected the shaft 

 horses that they nearly overturned the carriage, and then 

 bolted. Her Royal Highness and her attendants, thanks 

 to the prompt exertions of the crowd, were quickly extri- 

 cated from their perilous position with no more injury than 

 a severe shock. 



That was in 1794. The following year the rejoicings 

 were over, and the troops and the ships had returned 

 home. Lord Howe's victories were obscured, and the 

 people were called upon to do their part in the extension 

 of the Empire. And their share was to pay the bill 

 Parliament presented. Taxes and duties were imposed, and 

 the poor British public was sad. . It even affected Royal 

 Ascot, and a Mr. Graves, who arranged the popular balls 

 at the Assembly Rooms in Egham, was under the "dis- 

 agreeable necessity," to use his own words, " of raising 

 his charges owing to the high prices of provisions and the 

 new duty on wines. Prices would, therefore, be — gentle- 



47 



