43 
William, by legislation, endeavoured to 
procure improvements in the public high- 
ways, whose condition in many parts had 
become dangerous “by reason of the great 
and many loads which are weekly drawn 
through the same.” The records of subse- 
quent years, however, showed that the state 
of the roads continued to leave much to be 
desired. 
QUEEN ANNE (1702-1714). 
The arrival in England of the Darley 
Arabian in 1706 was a fit opening of 
the era of prosperity on the Turf which 
dawned in Anne’s time. The Queen, from 
the beginning of her reign, evinced her 
g, and added several 
royal plates to those already in existence—at 
desire to promote racin 
the instance, says Berenger,* of her consort, 
Prince George of Denmark, who is said to 
have been exceedingly fond of the Turf. 
A writer in the Sporting Alagazine of 1810 
gives the following account of the circum- 
stances under which the royal plates were 
given :— 
* The History and Art of Horsemanship. By Richard 
» v.euger, London, 1771. 
