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MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS.

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ORIGIN OF EPSOM RACES.

In a pleasant little volume modestly entitled Some Particulars relating to the History of Epsom, the following facts are collected with much diligence.  At the present season, they may be acceptable to our readers.

“When these races first commenced, we have not been able with certainty to trace.  Few writers, who mention the district, do more than simply state the fact, that horse races are annually held at Epsom.

“Whether they were at first periodical or occasional, we will not presume to determine, though the latter is, we think, the most probable.

“Races, it is generally agreed, took their origin from, if they did not give birth to, the Olympic games.  The first information we have of their existence in this country is in the reign of Henry II.  At that time, and for many ages afterwards, the sport must have been merely a rude pastime, perhaps as destitute of the science of the present system, as of the vices, which are too generally engendered by it.

“There can be no doubt, that Epsom downs (or as they are frequently, though erroneously written in old writings, Banstead downs) early became the spot, upon which the lovers of racing indulged their fancy.  And, perhaps, the known partiality of King James I., for this species of diversion, will justify us in ascribing their commencement to the period when he resided at the palace of Nonsuch.

“The following extract from Clarendon’s History of the Rebellion, will shew, that during the troubles of his unfortunate successor, Charles I., races upon Epsom downs, were viewed as no uncommon occurrence.—­’Soon after the meeting, which was held at Guildford, 18th May, 1648, to address the two Houses of Parliament, that the King, their only lawful sovereign, might be restored to his due honors, and might come to his parliament for a personal treaty, &c.—­a meeting of the royalists was held on Banstead (Epsom) downs, under the pretence of a horse race, and six hundred horses were collected and marched to Reigate.’

“King James had imbibed a predilection for horse races, before he ascended the English throne; they were in high estimation in Scotland during his minority, previously to which, the English parliament seem to have turned their attention to the subject.

“We find, that in the time of Henry VII. and his successors, Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, several acts of parliament were made to prevent the exportation of horses to Scotland, and other parts.

“There is an entry in the Lord’s Journal, June 15th, 1540—­’At length, the bill is read this day, for encouraging the breed of horses, of a larger stature, and despatched with unanimous consent, and without a dissenting voice.’

“The great men of Elizabeth’s reign, appear to have been fully disposed to profit by the example and injunctions of her father.  Italian masters were invited over; the art of managing horses became an universal accomplishment, among the nobility and gentry of England; but most of the professors, both of equitation and farriery, were foreigners.