Royal Ascot ^ 



conflagration to the estate of Mr. Richard Cobclen, and the 

 stables and yard buildings of Mr. Edward Hibburd (the Clerk 

 of the Course) were also attacked. Here a desperate attempt 

 was made to stem the outbreak, which now threatened the 

 Grand Stand with total destruction. After repeated efforts 

 on the part of many helpers, advantage w^as gained over 

 the furious flames, and the fire was effectively got under 

 before the Grand Stand itself was touched, although some 

 of the sheds and fences were slightly burned. In all 300 

 acres of fine park land — heath, fern, and fir-trees — were 

 destroyed, and much of the beauty of the landscape was 

 lost to the visitors that season. 



The year 1856 saw the opening of the new line between 

 Ascot and Staines, and the diminished number of vehicles 

 and the tremendous crowds assembled, showed how much 

 the people appeciated the innovation. On the other hand, 

 the new line had met with great opposition from certain 

 quarters, and was looked upon with scant favour by those who 

 preferred the good old coaching roads from London, or the 

 drive through the forest from Windsor. It is interesting 

 to note that, to commence with, five trains a day ran each 

 way. The race for the Hunt Cup this year was in many 

 respects remarkable. There was a field of twenty-eight, and 

 the weights were so well adjusted that in descending the 

 hill, the horses presented the appearance of a line of cavalry 

 charging, so regular was their order, and it was not until 

 nearly the finish that Mr. Muirland's Forbidden Fruit 

 gradually drew out and won by a neck. 



What with the new railway, fine weather, and the 

 presence ol' the Queen and her Consort, with Prince 

 Frederick William of Prussia (afterwards Frederick III.), 



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