Clarsl. HORSE. 5 



race of hotfes. Giraldus Camlrenjis, who lived in 

 the reign o^ Henry II. takes notice of it, and Michael 

 DraytOHj cotemporary v;ith Shakefpear^ fings their 

 excellence in the fixih part of his Polyolhion. This 

 kind was probably deftined to mount our gallant 

 nobility, or courteous knights for feats of Chivalry^ 

 m the generous contetls of the tiit-yard. From thefe 

 iprung, to fpeak the language of the times, the 

 Flozver of Courjers, whole elegant form added charms 

 to the rider-, and whole adliivity and managed dex- 

 terity gained him the palm in that field of gallantry 

 and romantic honour. That this was the chief ob- 

 je6l of cultivating the mixed breed, is very probable, 

 for racing in its prefmt form was not introduced 

 into England^ till the reign of James I. the earlieft 

 notice we have of the diverfion being in that reign. 

 Croydon in the fouth*, and Garterly -f in Torkjhire^ 

 were then famous horfe-courfcs. That it was not ia 

 vogue in the preceding reign, is rcafonable to 

 imacrine, for among- the numerous entertainments ex- 

 hibited at K.enehvcrlh by Elizaheth\ favourite on her 

 'vifit there, and when no amufement then praililed 

 was omitted, we do not find horfe-racing among 

 them. 



Not that v/e deny this diverf.cn to be known in thefe 

 kingdoms in earlier times ; we only afiert a different 

 mode of it, gentlemen being then their ov^n jockier, 

 and riding their own horles. Lord Herbert of Cherbury 

 enumerates it among the fports that gallant philofc- 

 pher thought unworthy of a man of honour. " The 

 *' exercife, (fays he) I do not approve of, is running 



* OJvsrni work?, 452. f Drajtons, PoljoH-iatiy fong 3d. 



^ ^ " of 



