New-York tribune., 1906-06-17

Nowhere in the world. save in Great Britain
ss horseracing endowed with the glamour and
pomp of official pageant. and it is only In
England that duty well taste compels the
sovereign TO attend any races in state. True ii
is only meeting that is thus invested with
this Importance, namely, that Of Ascot, which
takes place this week. and which, in the absence
Of royal visitors from abroad, VIII be signalized
by the presence Of a daughter OF the President
OF the United States, and by attentions which
she is destined TO receive on this occasion from
the King and the royal family. In spite OF the
amazing intimaton of Bishop Potter, on his
arrival from Europe, a week ago, TO the erect
that the alleged friendship on the part OF the
English for America is mostly "gush'-a state
Ynent all the more surprising when it is borne
tn mind that the Bishop is president of an as
sociation known as the Pilgrims organized for
the express purpose. of promoting friendship be-
tween the two great English speaking nations
Edward VII like his mother before him, never
misses an opportunity TO manifest his warm
regard ana cordial good Will for America It Is
indeed. the keynote Of his policy, and his gov
ernrnent and his people not only follow his cue
but are in hearty sympathy with him In the
matter The visit Of Mrs. Longworth to Eng
land affords them an opportunity of giving an
EXPRESSION Of these sentiments by the welcome
Chief Magistrate of the United States, and al
though she holds no official rank the courtesies
bestowed upon her must be regarded as some
thing more than A mere personal compliment
namely. as tribute Of friendship TO her native
land That is why Ascot this year should
possess more than ordinary interest TO people
on this side Of the Atlantic The American note
will predominant and it viii be known as the
American Ascot.
Although i was George " who inaugurated
The custom Of attending the races at Ascot in
state yet the connection Of the reigning family
with this particular race meeting. which takes
place within the borders of Windsor Park, is
very old indeed. Il is on record that King
Charles II was wont to attend the races there,
while II is an historical fact that Frederick.
Prince Of Wales father of King George Ill flung
z bottle at the winner it on the home
ward stretch, prompted thereto by the fact that
he had placed his money on another horse. Fort
unately the bottle fell short. His brother
William. Duke Of Cumberland. popularity known
as the butcher" owing to the savagery he dis
played at the Battle Of Culloden, took the races
= under his especial patronage, got them into reg
n ular shape and started the racecourse in its
u present form. Another step made when
King George III gave plate in 11S5 TO be run
FOR al Ascot, and from that time royalty has
been in the habit Of going regularly 10 Ascot
George ed
2 meeting there. not even after his memorable
conflict with the Jockey Club in 1872 which
led him 10 retire from the turf until after his
accession TO the throne. nearly thirty wears
later. During that period he was never seen o.,
any racecourse except at Ascot. explaining his
presence there with the remark that .SureI,,
man can go on 4 racecourse which is part OF
MS fathers park Georges trouble with the
Jockey Club arose in connection with the charge
Of one of his horses being pulled" at Newman
ket and as the accusation was proved n the
satisfaction OF the stewards Of the Jockey Club
they issued a decree warning off" for life. not
only his jockey, but also his trainer which he
naturally regarded a reflection on himself
The so-called warning of" the Heath at New
market is the most drastic punishment that can
be imposed on any man. no matter what his so
cial status, for # is sufficient to bar hin, from,
every raoecourse throughout the civilized world
10 condemn him to the ostracism Of his equals
and the contempt Of his interiors. and 10 bra,d
him with an infamy that any one who has
crop OF sporting blood III his veins, or any sense
or honor regards as worse than death.
Queen Victoria, during the first tpentv-sever
years of her reign, was in the habit Of enter
tanning each summer large party Of foreign
and English royalties at Windsor Castle for the
Ascot race week, driving every day from tho
'@s''e 70 the course with an immense amount OF
pump ana picturesque ma gniicence Indeed
Emperor Nicholas Of Russia was so IMPRESSED
WIN the splendor OF this unique Spectacle in
4o4o that he declared his intention of present
ing gold cup every year, and continued to do
50 until his death, during the course of the
Crimean War In 1884. It was known as ..Tbe
Amperors Cup" and when in that same sum-
fner Napoleon III visited Ascot in state as the
guest OF queen Victoria he asked TO be allowed
10 take the place OF the AIuscovfte monarch as
the annual donor Of an imperial trophy and
presented II each year until his overthrow, in
lefo' since which time the prize in question has
-peen known merely as The Gold Cup" and has
been PAID for out Of the race fund
y 1t is the royal procession from the Castle 70
the course which constitutes. especially to for
eigners, the most imposing feature of the Asco,
races Until the royal buckhounds were aho;-
ished a few years ago. It was always headed bv
ehe master OF the pack one of the great officer.
OF tne court. in his gala uniform OF green and
So'o' adorned with silver couples and followed
bs gorgeous array OF hurasmen grooms out.
f'r's etc. all In their respective state lver4As
-'a superbly mounted; and then a series "a
e'ate cafTages-and-four. driven by position,
ahu containing first. the dignitaries of the
householo; then the English and foreign
tlNs and lastly thetsovereign and any Wis