Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 edition. Excerpt: ... IV. No sooner had one county of interest been left than we entered another. It was a great satisfaction to know that, ride where one would, new attractions were always to be found. Derbyshire, the next county on our route to the north, is famous for its scenery, its waters, its Chatsworth, and its Haddon and Hardwick Halls. The great "Derby" races are not held in Derby, but more than a hundred miles to the south, at Epsom, in Surrey, fourteen miles southwest of London. To be sure, races are held at Derby, the county town of Derbyshire, but they are rather local, and not to be mistaken for the " Derby" races at Epsom. The great Epsom meeting is on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday immediately before Whitsuntide, the "Derby" being on Wednesday, the "Oaks" on Friday; called so after one of the Earls of Derby, and his seat, the Oaks, which is in the neighborhood. Next in importance to the Epsom races are the Doncaster races, at Doncaster, in Yorkshire, held (1879) on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, September 9, 10, 11, and 12. As the "Derby " is the chief feature of the Epsom races, so the "St. Leger" is that of the Doncaster races; named after LieutenantGeneral St. Leger, who originated it in 1776. Of the Doncaster races more will be said later on. Our morning examination of the great breweries at Burton-upon-Trent, in Staffordshire, and the proper sampling of Bass's finest ale, prevented a very early start; but at last we were again in the saddle, and pushed on to Derby, where we found it advisable to take the train for Matlock Bath, arriving there at 2.30 P. M., and stopping at the New Bath Hotel. Matlock Bath is resorted to for its medicinal springs, and the many interesting excursions near by. The village lies in a dale...
