I7S RECORDS OF OLD TIMES 



entered rather fully into this matter, as it will 

 scarcely be believed how the gradual development 

 of the modern steeple-chase took place. It may be 

 mentioned that, except special prizes offered by 

 Masters of hounds in the neighbourhood, and men 

 who hunted with them, the cups and otherwise were 

 given by the members of Parliament for the boroughs 

 and counties adjacent. The stakes were moderate, 

 say from 20/. to 25/., and the entrance money i/. 

 to 2/. From one to two races per day, they gradually 

 increased to three, or at the most four, never 

 exceeding the latter number. As, at the time, every 

 course in England was a natural one, it was im- 

 possible to fence it in ; therefore there could be but 

 little chance of gate money, and all the expenses 

 came from private subscriptions and the charge for 

 carriaofes into the winnincj field. It was a most 

 pernicious custom, prevalent at many races, for men, 

 and even ladies, to ride over the course along with 

 the jockeys and the horses running ; nothing could 

 be more prejudicial to real sport than this practice. 

 Often these amateurs would get in the way of the 

 riders, and, as was generally the case, would blunder 

 or fall at a fence, throwing a steeple-chaser down, and 

 thus destroy any chance of his winning. I studiously 

 and effectually put a stop to this practice, by strictly 

 forbidding horsemen on the course, but I permitted 

 their presence in the winning field, if accompanied by 

 a lady. This put a stop to the obnoxious system. 

 When it was proposed that the Grand National 

 Hunt Steeple-chase should come to Aylesbury, it was 



