-^ . Reign of Queen Victoria, 1 837- 1 901 



much so that the final di\adend on the last five shares was 

 ^175 each. A considerable part of the money dealt with 

 in the way above described was obtained from the charges 

 made for stands for carriages, erection of booths, betting 

 on the course, etc., etc. The sum obtained from these 

 sources, although in the first two years only representing 

 some ^300, rose in the third year to ^1,500, and steadily 

 increased. The assistance of Mr. Higgins, architect, was 

 obtained, and his designs being approved, the contract 

 was placed in the hands of Mr. Cuthill, of Windsor, who 

 commenced building at once. 



To give some particulars regarding the size and accom- 

 modation of the Grand Stand, as it was in 1839, will be 

 interesting. It consisted then of a ground fioor, drawing- 

 room, and balcony on the first floor, and a flat roof Its 

 elevation was 52 ft., its length 97^ ft., or, including the 

 balcony, which extended beyond the building, 121 ft. The 

 ground floor was 90 ft. long, and provided with ten rows 

 of benches rising in tiers one above the other, and was 

 capable of holding 1,200 persons. 



The balcony was supported on iron pillars in Corinthian 

 style, and a paved colonnade running beneath afforded 

 shade and shelter from sun and rain for visitors occupying 

 seats on the lawn in front. The principal entrances were 

 at the back of the building, with stairways at the end 

 leading to both balcony, drawing-room, and roof On the 

 first floor, besides the drawing-room, were several retiring 

 and refreshment rooms. On the ground floor was a 

 spacious ■ saloon, adjoining the betting-room, which was 

 provided with benches and large oaken table ; on the left 

 was a similar room devoted to general purposes. The 



79 



