NEWMARKET
—is the name of a small town, about sixty miles from the Metropolis, and ten from Cambridge. In itself it lays claim to little attention, but is rendered of much celebrity by the beautiful country by which it is surrounded, and the periodical RACING MEETINGS there established; constituting a kind of carnival to the SPORTING WORLD, that, to be properly conceived, must be seen; and to be enjoyed, must be understood. During the whole of each meeting it is a complete MART of BUSINESS in the midst of dissipation, forming a scene of profit and loss, pleasure and anxiety, exultation and despondency, beyond the power of the most fertile pen to depict. Nothing, perhaps, can more nearly equal the general confusion, the various passions, and variegated countenances, (as agitated by the pecuniary sensations of each,) than the contortions of disquietude, and gesticulations of mental misery, upon the Exchange, when some sudden political shock produces a dreadful and unexpected fall in the price of stocks.
Newmarket derived the origin of its brilliancy from King James the First, after whom its pleasures lay nearly dormant, till the gay court of Charles the Second renewed its sport with renovated splendour; having laid the foundation of the present regular meetings, and erected a building for the accommodation of the royal retinue, which is still retained in the possession of the Crown, as a princely residence whenever the Sovereign, or any part of the royal family may be disposed to honor the spot with their presence. The meetings consist of seven in every year, and are thus distinguished: the Craven Meeting; the First Spring Meeting; the Second Spring Meeting; the July Meeting; the First October Meeting; the Second October Meeting; and the Houghton Meeting; during the whole of which (the July and Houghton excepted) the sport generally continues for SIX days, beginning on the Monday, and terminating only with the week. The heath, as it is called, is a most extensive tract of land, and beautifully diversified in its prospects; it contains TWENTY different courses, of various lengths, and almost opposite descriptions, adapted to horses of every age and qualification; where, during the exercise hours in the summer season, may be seen from a hundred and fifty to two hundred of the finest and best bred horses in the kingdom, displaying their various powers in every direction. For farther particulars see "Horse Racing," "Jockey Club," and "King's Plate."
In addition to all which it may not prove inapplicable to observe, that a correct and faithful recital of every Racing Transaction at Newmarket, and every other place of SPORT, is published in the form of a newspaper, once a fortnight, during the whole of the season, from April to November, and is transmitted, free of postage, to individuals (who are SUBSCRIBERS) from one extremity of the kingdom to the other. At the end of each year, it is repeated in a handsome volume upon fine paper, with various additions, including the WINNERS of the different PLATES given by his Majesty; the particulars of the sweepstakes, and subscriptions entered into; and a list of STALLIONS of eminence intended to cover the year ensuing. This most respectable and authentic convenience to the sporting part of the world, is published under the title of "The Racing Calendar," at a subscription of only One Guinea per annum, by Messrs. E. and J. Weatherby, No. 7, Oxendon-Street, near the Haymarket. The latter of whom has likewise accommodated the public with a "General Stud Book," containing the pedigree of almost every HORSE, MARE, and GELDING, of note, that has appeared on the TURF for the last fifty years and upwards; together with some account of the foreign HORSES and MARES from whence is derived the present breed of RACERS in Great Britain and Ireland. This is a most elaborate, useful, and entertaining production, well worthy the attention of every enlightened sportsman in the kingdom.