Newmarket Heath.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 216, 20 August 1887, Page 7

Newmarket Heath.

Nkwjiaukkt TTevth, the racing head-quar-ters of England, in its way, is one ot the most picturesque spots of the British Isles, the rich green swjud, level and undulating in turn, spreading away for mile? in each diieetion. Newmarket and its heath are replete -with histoiieal reminiscences, as even two centuries fcincc they wore the scene of fashionable gatherings, where the King and his eouit indulged in racing, gambling, cock-fighting, coursing, hawking and love-making to their hearts' content. Thus the spring meeting of 1083 was attended by Charles IT., accompanied by his wife, Catherine of Bragatmi, who with a dowry of an East Indian island gave England the nucleus of the present Iniian Emphe. Tieie was also theie the Duke of York, the King's brother, after whom New York if named, with his wife, the daughter of Lhx iccllor Hj de, w hose estate included the piesent Hjde Park, and whose two granddaughters were afterwaids Queens of England. The court wa« accompanied by the corps diplomatic, by no end of com t officials, and last, but not least, by four of the royal mistresses. We learn that the sporting fraternity Hocked fiom all parts of the country to take part in the royal pastimes. A great many country ladies were attracted by curiosity to see" the couit beauties, so admirably depicted by I>ely in the Hampton Couit collection. Theie woe Barbaia Palmir, Duchess of Cleveland ; Louise de Queronaille, Duchess of Portsmouth ; Hoitensia Mancina. Duchess of Mazaiin ; and Eleanor G wynne, Duchess of St.Albans. The great Napoleon used to »ay that he made his piinces and dukes out of mud, but the meny monarcli made his duchesses out of still more questionable materials.