Royal Ascot ^ 



lively scene, and, as in olden days, the lordly coach and 

 the humble cart run gaily side by side towards the scene 

 of the day's sport and enjoyment. 



Once outside Windsor Station, a babel of welcome greets 

 one. "Ascot, sir? 'Ere ye air, sir, seat for Ascot, just off" ; 

 and as the coaches and wagonettes and carriages are filled, 

 off they go, hundreds of them, a long procession, all on 

 pleasure bent. The drive from Windsor to Ascot, according 

 to the road you take, is from five to seven miles, and the 

 way lies through Windsor Forest. Acres upon acres of 

 lovely country, and mile after mile of luxurious foliage — 

 oak, elm, and beech, radiant in all their June beauty — 

 delight the eye and charm the senses ; here a herd of 

 deer are seen ; there, amongst the bracken, hundreds and 

 hundreds of rabbits scamper about, quite unmindful of the 

 close proximity of man. 



As the carriages from Windsor round the Avenue, the 

 lirst view of Ascot Racecourse is indeed a striking one ; 

 the great mass of humanity, dense as ants, and the white 

 expanse of canvas, like the encampment of some vast 

 migration. Even at this distance, however, the dresses 

 and parasols of the ladies upon the Lawn have all the 

 appearance of a gaudy bed of flowers. 



The route from Windsor has also its disadvantaofes, 

 the clouds of dust that are raised by the long procession 

 of vehicles detracting greatly from the pleasure of the 

 drive. Ascot station is conveniently situated, not ten 

 minutes' walk from the Grand Stand, and the scene there 

 on a bright morning in Ascot week is animated and 

 exciting. Visitors arrive in thousands — the aristocracy and 

 the well-to-do, the sporting gentleman and the politician, 



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