Royal Ascot ^ 



men's tickets, 12s., ladies' 9s. And still the sun shone 

 and the races were run, and, as it proved, the sport was 

 better than usual, and the brilliant company which included 

 their Majesties, with the Prince and Princess of Wales 

 and most of the Royal Family, were entertained on the 

 Thursday with six as fine heats as were ever run, and so 

 well were they contested that it was with difficulty that 

 the winner of either plate could be declared. 



There was an exciting incident in the closing meeting 

 of the last century over some trickery in one of the gambling 

 booths. It appears from a report at the time that a gentle- 

 man's servant entered one ot these tents, and staking his 

 money on one of the E.O. tables, lost not only his money^ 

 but his watch and everything about him. He denounced 

 the proprietors of the booth as rogues and thieves, where- 

 upon a riot ensued. The owners of the other booths 

 joined their companions in misfortune, and the whole gang 

 fell upon a sergeant and his men, and cut and bruised them 

 so severely that a party of Light Horse had to be sent 

 for from Windsor, and it was not until their appearance 

 that the upholders of law and order were rescued. Many 

 arrests were made, but only three could be identified as 

 having taken part in the disturbance ; these were sentenced 

 to long terms of imprisonment, and so great was the feeling 

 against them, that they had to be conveyed to the Berkshire 

 county gaol in a coach and four, under an armed escort 

 of Light Horse. 



This did not cause the authorities to prohibit the gaming 

 saloons on the Heath, although, a few years previously, 

 owing to the brawls and fights that took place in Windsor, 

 notices were posted in the streets by order of the Justices, 



48 



