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SOME ANCIENT ENGLISH RACING. It is worth recording in connection wifh the recent very successful meeting at Chester that races were established there so far back as A. D. 1512. It is Mated by Handle Uobne, of that city, thai towards the latter part of Henry Vlll.s reign, mi Shrove Tuesday, the Company of Saddlers of Clu-ter pre-Bcnted to "the drapers a wooden ball embellished with llowers. and placid upon tin- point of a lance. This ceremony was performed in the presence of the mayor at the Cross of the Boody, or Roodee, an open place near the cily. but this year 1540 the ball was changed into a silver bell, valued at three shillings and sixpence or more, to be given to him who shall run best and furthest en horseback before them on the same day. Shrove Tuesday. These bells wen- denominated St. Georges bells." Later on. in IfiO!. Robert Ambrye. sometime sheriff of the city of Chester, caused three silver bells to be made "of good value." which bells he appointed to be run for with horses on St. Georges day upon the Roodee. the first horse to have tin- lest bell ami the monev put in by the horses that ran — in other words, a sweepstake, the bells to be returned that day twelvemonth, as challenge cups are now. Towards the expenses he bad an allowance from the city. Challenge bell- continued to be flic prizes at Chester until about 1024. when .lohn Brereton, mayor of Chester, altered the e.uir-e. .mil caused the lenses to run live times round tie- Roodee, the bell to be of good value, -S40 or Sr.O. and to tie a free hell to be le 111 forever— in other words, a presentation and not a challenge prize. — London Sportsman.
