Grampian Club > Scotland, social and domestic

Public Sports. 199
Leith, Peebles, Cupar-Fife, and other towns. In 1608
the Town Council of Paisley constituted an annual
horse-race by special edict, and voted a silver bell to
decorate the winning horse. The resolution of the
Council is in the following terms : —
"April, 1608. It is concluded that ane silver bell
be made of 4 oz. weight, with all diligence, for ane horse-
race yearly, to be appointed within this burgh, and the
bounds and day for running thereof, to be set down by
advice of my Lord Earl of Abercorn, Lord Paisley, and
Kilpatrick."
The restoration of Charles I. led to the following
advertisements being published at Edinburgh in 1661 : —
" The Horse Race of Lanark, instituted by King Wil-
liam about 600 years since, but obstructed these
twenty-three years, by the iniquity of the times, is now
restored by Sir John Wilkie, of Foulden, as being
loath so antient a foundation should perish, and for that
effect he hath given gratis a piece of plate of the accus-
tomed value, with a silver bell and saddle, to the second
and third horse ; it is to be run the third Tuesday in
May."
" The Race of Haddington is to be run on the 22
of May next ; the prize is a most magnificent cup.
This same antient town, famous for its hospitality, has
many times sadly smarted by the armies of enemies,
yet this glorious Revolution hath salved up all their
miseries, as very well was made appear by the noble
entertainment given to the Lord Commissioner at the
Lord Provost, William Seaton, his lodging, when his
grace made his entry to this kingdom."*
* From "Edinburgh's Joy for His Majesties' Coronation in England,"
a scarce Tract in the Advocates' Library.