and who were chaffed by, and gave saucy answers to, the beaux. In a play by Thomas Southern (the author of _Isabella_ and _Oroonoko_), published in 1693, called _The Maid’s last Prayer_, _Or_ Any, _rather than Fail_, we find (p. 37) Lord and Lady Malapert discussing the propriety of visiting their country seat. L. MAL. Well, well, there are a thousand innocent diversions. LA. MAL. What! Angling for Gudgeons, Bowls, and Ninepins? L. MAL. More wholesome and diverting than always the dusty Mile Horse driving in Hide-Park. LA. MAL. O law! don’t profane Hide-Park: Is there anything so pleasant as to go there alone, and find fault with the Company? Why, there can’t a Horse or a Livery ’scape a Man, that has a mind to be witty. And then I sell bargains to the Orange Women. [Illustration] [Illustration: decorative bar] CHAPTER IV. Foot and horse racing in the Park--Prize fighting--Duelling--The duel between Lord Mohun and the Duke of Hamilton. Then, also, there were races run in the Park, both horse, coach and foot. In Shirley’s _Hide Parke_ we read,-- L. BONAVENT. Be there any races here? MR. LACY. Yes, Sir, horse and foot. * * * * * MISTRESS BON. Prethee, sweetheart, who runnes? LA. An Irish and an English footeman! M. BON. Will they runne this way? LA. Just before you, I must have a bet! [_Exit._ M. BON. Nay, nay, you shall not leave me. MISTRESS CARROLL. Do it discreetely, I must speak to him, To ease my heart. I shall burst else. Weele expect ’em here, Cousen, do they runne naked? M. BON. That were a most immodest sight. M. CA. Here have bin such fellowes, Cousen. M. BON. It would fright the women! M. CA. Some are of opinion it brings us hither. Harke what a confusion of tongues there is. Let you and I venture a paire of Gloves Upon their feete; I’le take the Irish. M. BON. ’Tis done, but you shall pay if you lose. M. CA. Here’s my hand, you shall have the Gloves if you winne. M. BON. I thinke they are started. _The Runners, after them the Gentlemen._ OMNES. A Teag, A Teag, make way for shame. LA. I hold any man forty peeces yet. VENTURE. A hundred pound to ten! a hundred peeces to ten! Will no man take me? M. BON. I hold you, Sir. VEN. Well, you shall see. A Teag! a Teag! hey! TRYER. Ha! Well run, Irish! BON. He may be in a Bogge anon. [_Exeunt._ The horse race is thus described. _Enter Jockey and Gentleman._ I. What dost thinke, _Jockey_? II. The crack o’ th’ field against you. JO. Let them crack nuts. I. What weighte? II. I think he has the heeles. III. Get but the start. JO. However, if I get within his quarters, let me alone. [_Exeunt._ _Confused noise of betting within, after that, a shoute._ M. CA. They are started. _Enter Bonvile_, _Rider_, _Bonavent_, _Tryer_, _and Fairefield._ RI. Twenty pounds to fifteene. L. BON. ’Tis done we’e.