Old Virginia and her neighbours

:240 OLD VIRGINIA AND HER NEIGHBOURS.was far too strong among the Virginians. Lawswere enacted against it ;gambling debts were notrecoverable ; innkeepers who permitted any gameof cards or dice, except backgammon, were subjectto a heavy fine besides forfeiting their licenses.^An interesting newspaper notice, in the year1737, shows that some of the innocent open-airsports of mediaeval England still sur-A ruralentertain- vivcd : " Wc havc advicc from Hanmeut.over County, that on St. Andrew's Daythere are to be Horse Races and several otherDiversions, for the entertainment of the Gentlemenand Ladies, at the Old Field, near CaptainJohn Bickerton's, in that county (if permitted bythe Hon. Wm. Byrd, Esquire, Proprietor of saidland), the substance of which is as follows, viz.It is proposed that 20 Horses or Mares do runround a three miles' course for a prize of fivepounds." That a Hat of the value of 20s be cudgelledfor, and that after the first challenge made theDrums are to beat every Quarter of an hour forthree challenges round the Ring, and none to playwith their Left hand." That a violin be played for by 20 Fiddlers ;no person to have the liberty of playing unlesshe bring a fiddle with him. After the prize iswon they are all to play together, and each a differenttune, and to be treated by the company." That 12 Boys of 12 years of age do run 112yards for a Hat of the cost of 12 shillings.1 Hening, v. 102, 229-231 ; vi. 76-Sl. Washington was veryfond of playing at cards for small stakes, also at billiards ; andhe sometimes bet moderately at horse-races. See Ford, loc. cit.