-^ Institution and Early Growth 



betting was paralysed, and large sums were lost, with 

 the result that in some cases, instead of paying, "bookies" 

 decamped. In the race Lord Jersey's Glencoe, ridden by 

 Robinson, won cleverly by a length. 



The King was not present at the races, his state of 

 health being far from satisfactory ; and according to Mr. 

 Greville, he was " in dreadful low spirits, and quite unable 

 to rally," 



Unfortunately the closing year of the reign saw a sad 

 falling off in the races. Owing to lack of public money 

 very few horses were entered, and complaints were strongly 

 voiced in the Press of that day regarding the prizes given, 

 as compared with the money collected. Many and various 

 representations were made to those in authority that the 

 ground should be let by tender, the vendor being permitted 

 to take a small fee for every carriage standing in the enclosed 

 space next the rails, and the money thus raised put to 

 augment the stake fund. What the result of these negotia- 

 tions were we leave to another chapter. 



Before leaving this period of the growth of Ascot races 

 it will be interesting to comment on the various courses as 

 they were a hundred years ago. The records show that 

 races run on the New Mile Course started from the east 

 end of the course, by Mr. Fowler's Lodge, and, running 

 straight up the course, ended at the winning-post ; the Old 

 Mile was from the north end up the Old Hill to its juncture 

 with the New Mile, and then bearing to the right direct to 

 the post. 



The Swinley Course and Mile-and-a-Half ran from the 

 Swinley Post and along the valley to the Old Mile, and 

 through it to the winning-post. 



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