GRAND NATIONAL HUNT RACE 179 



imperative, if they used my course, that the ' Long 

 Meadow,' as it was called, of twenty-five acres, 

 which was the winning field, should be wired and 

 fenced in, with plenty of policemen to prevent people 

 from trespassing without payment of a shilling. 

 There was some difficulty in making the arrange- 

 ment, as a public footpath crossed one end of the 

 winning field. This trouble was, however, sur- 

 mounted by appointing four men to hold a rope 

 across the track of the horses, and providing 

 policemen to keep the people movmg on. The 

 meeting was a great success, the course was in 

 perfect order, the crowd was immense, and upwards 

 of 1,200/. was taken in the two days. The Prince 

 of Wales intended to be present, but was detained 

 at Berlin, on his return from Moscow. Every 

 preparation was made for his reception. The Great 

 Western Railway platform had been lengthened at 

 the station, so as to reach the bridge over the stream 

 into my garden, through which he was to pass to 

 my house, into the main street of the town, where a 

 coach and four was to be in readiness after luncheon 

 to convey him and his friends on to the course. It 

 was a great disappointment, as I had prepared 

 luncheon for forty or fifty in my dining-room for 

 his party, and had to put up with the latter, and no 

 Prince. There were three drags waiting at the 

 front door to convey the distinguished visitors to 

 the scene of action. The sport was excellent. Lord 

 Strathmore rode and won two races gallantly, and 

 Lowlander, the best horse of his year, made his 



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