Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
24th May 1834
Ascot Heath Races
In reminding our friends that we are again approaching the eve of ascot Races, we have the pleasure to inform them that present appearances (and the entries are all made) give promise of unrivalled sport; while as regards all the accessories of good running - a close, springy and level turf, and a well ordered race-course, - our veteran clerk of the course (Mr.Jenner) has spared no pains, and left nought to be desired. But what have the Directors of the approaching Oxford Festival been about, in fixing it to take place in the same week as our Races ! They have surely committed a grand oversight, the immediate effect of which (if the Festival be not previously postponed) will be that this gratifying musical entertainment will be miserably attended; for it may be fairly presumed that the major part of those who, under other circumstances, would have been auditors, will follow Their Majesties, and the Nobility and Gentry of England, to the Royal Race Course.
The delightful band of Foot Guards played on the Terrace for some time this afternoon; tomorrow, as on every Sunday afternoon during the summer, the bands of both regiments quartered here will play on the Terrace.
The Lord Chancellor and his family arrived at the Christopher Inn, Eton, on Saturday, but took their departure for London on Sunday evening. His Lordship attended St.George's chapel on Sunday morning.
Signor Paganini's Concert at the New Rooms, on Tuesday evening, was attended by upwards of 200 of the most respectable inhabitants of Windsor, Eton, and the neighbourhood; and the company - judging from the rapturous applause that followed every performance of the Signor's - was highly delighted and astonished. Miss Watson's singing was very pleasing; and had Miss Wells not been prevented, through indisposition, from attending the concert, we think the company generally would have been better pleased; to compensate, however, for her absence, Paganini gave, in addition to the pieces announced in the hand-bill, "St.Patrick's Day," - on one string. Paganini performed at Maidenhead, on Wednesday, and High Wycombe and Uxbridge on Thursday, and at each place his concert was well attended.
Mr.Henry Kendon, (Dancing Master to the Royal Princes), had the honour of receiving her Majesty's commands to direct the Juvenile Ball, which takes place on the 30th instant at St.James's Palace.
Cricket
The Married and Single of the Windsor and Eton Junior Cricket Club, played their match in the Brocas, on Tuesday last, which terminated in favour of the Single, by 4 wickets. The following was the state of the game:-
Married
Single
First Innings
76
First Innings
71
Second ditto
66
Second ditto
73
Total
142
Total
144
Among the players we noticed several promising young hands. Mr.G.Weight batted in a very scientific manner; and a little more practice and confidence will most assuredly place Mr.T.Capes amongst the first on the list. The bowling, on the whole, was excellent, we think the club is enabled to turn out a better eleven this season, than they have done for years past.
On Whit-Tuesday a respectable company of tradesmen, farmers, &c., of Datchet and villages adjacent , assembled in Church Field of the former place, for the purpose of recreation. Cricket, quoits, &c., we the amusements resorted to, which commenced at twelve, and continued till five o'clock; after which the parties (between fifty and sixty in number) sat down to an excellent dinner, provided by the landlord of the Royal Stag, Mr.Land, in a tent pitched in the field for the occasion; when after several hours social enjoyment they retired, highly gratified with the pleasures of the day, and the excellent accommodation afforded them by their worthy host.