The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-21 00:00:00

GOODWOOD DURING THE RACE WEEK.

Under the marquee, which was always erected on these
occasions, the merry laugh of the owner might be heard,
now conversing with his old friend the Admiral (nous), or
listening to one of the brilliant sallies of repartee from his
Parliamentary colleague, Lord Derby—expatiating upon
the merits of his stud with General Peel, of his flock of
southdowns with Lord Strafford—now enjoying the say-
ings of that best of Company, George Payne—listening
to some fun that his brother Lord William had got up—
good-humouredly bearing the sly bits that were thrown
at him on the subject of Protection, some wicked wag, of
course a relative, having, at the breakfast table, pinned
a label on a huge loaf, " Free trade," and on the most
diminutive roll one of "Protection." Then, as the car-
riages arrived, the Duke, with the utmost cordiality, and
an absence of all formal ceremony, would welcome those
invited to enjoy the hospitalities of the week. On the lawn,
under the colonnade, in the High Wood, in the park, stud-
ded with fir trees, groups might bo seen of those staying in
the house. But the dressing-bell is heard, and as the
Duke kept up his habits of punctuality, he was ever ready
at his post to receive his guests, and woe to her or him
who was absent when dinner was announced, as good-
humoured raillery was sure to be the result. At 8 o'clock
the dinner was served in a room originally intended for a
picture gallery, but converted into a ball-room on the corn-
ing of age of the present Duke. The table was decorated
with several handsome specimens of gold and silver plate,
among them being cups won by the late Duke at races or
agricultural meetings. In addition to these were pieces of
plate presented to his father—one large tazza being made of
snuffboxes given to that Duke while Lord-Lieut, of Ireland,
and bearing the names of the towns that presented them.
After dinner, a talented artiste from Chichester was engaged
to play quadrilles, waltzes, and polkas ; and the usual
dining-room being cleared, the young people danced until
past midnight, whilst a whist table and a billiard-room
offered their attractions to the elder generation. A custom
prevailed during the race week which somewhat sur-
prised the late King of Holland, the Due de Nemours, and
other foreigners. The moment that the ladies retired from
the room, the list of the following day's racing was read
aloud, and bets offered upon the several events ; and, al-
-1 though the betting was not high, except on particular occa-
sions, or when some inveterate bettor was present, the ex-
citement kept up was great, On the Cup Day, from time
immemorial, the health of the noble owner of Goodwood
was proposed by the person of highest rank in the com-
pany, and briefly responded to by his Grace, * * The
Duke, during the race week, generally got down by
half-past eight, breakfasted alone, or with a chosen friend
at nine, and, would devote an hour, before going to the
races, to showing his flock to some brother agriculturist.
In the meanwhile his guests dropped into the breakfast-
room at intervals, or while away the time before the
beginning of the races in the tent, on the lawn, or the seats
under the colonnade, which was always a favourite lounge,
As 12 o'clock strikes, a close carriage and four, the postil-
lions in red and white striped jackets, the footmen in rich
white and red liveries, turned up with silver and turned
down with yellow, an open landau and pair, brougham, a
phaeton, a break with post-horses, aro at the door, with a
few ponies and horses for those who like a canter over the
Downs—and there might be seen a phalanx of beauty and
fashion. The well-bred Chesterfield mounts his phaeton,and
takes by his side the gallant James Macdonald, whose Crimean
deeds have rendered him truly popular, The duke, accom-
panied by his brother-in-law Anglesey, or Admiral Rous,who
may sing " All in the Downs the fleet are met," applying
Dibdin's nautical song to the races on the Southdowns,
wend their way to the course on horseback ; while the brave
Duke of Cambridge, the enlightened Duke of Bedford, and
the gallant Eglinton—both now, alas I no more; the
brilliant Derby, the unassuming Exeter, the well-informed
Hartington, the popular Strafford, the sensible Peel, the
agreeable Canterbury, the North Brit on Glasgow, the lively
animated George Payne, the duke's brothers, George, Wil-
liam, and Arthur, his grace's son, B enry, Alexander, and
George, attend to the ladies ; the gallant Prince Edward of
Saxe Weimar and the Princes, the Earl and Countess of
Bessborough, following in a neat open carriage. A portion
of the grand stand was divided off for the Goodwood party,
and luncheon was sent there from the house. After the races
tea tables—for fashionable lords and ladies cannot do with.
out their " kettledrum" an hour or two before dinner—were
laid out in the garden in front of the conservatory. On the
last day of the races, the Friday, a party from Goodwood
generally went into Chichester for the ball, which was in
most years well attended. On Saturday the stable yard, in
the good old posting days, might be seen full of carriages,
from the lumbering coach to the neat mail phaeton,
and a regular regiment of post horses was assembled to
convey the guests away. In railway days flys were in
attendance, and by Dad-day scarce a visitor was left. All
left, however, with but one feeling, that of gratitude to the
noble host and hostess for a Most delightful week,--Life of
the buke of Richmond,