Life at Edmondthorpe 



grandest country, and so could best console him for his removal 

 from Lincolnshire. 



Finally, it was decided to make the new home in the central 

 and compact little county of Rutland; partly, I cannot help 

 thinking, because it bordered on Lincolnshire, but chiefly no 

 doubt because with four celebrated packs available : the Cottes- 

 more, Belvoir, Quorn, and Mr. Fernie's, it afforded a certainty 

 of the best possible sport. The Masters of these packs were 

 also well known to my brother — Lord Lonsdale, Sir Gilbert 

 Greenall, Colonel Forrester, and Mr. Fernie — and their prowess 

 in the hunting field appreciated by him. A very pleasant 

 reminiscence, too, both had of Leicestershire hunting and the 

 " Cottesmore," for a year previously when they were staying 

 with Lady Downshire (Lady Yarborough's niece), who, by the 

 way, is a great follower of the hounds herself, they enjoyed a 

 grand day with this pack. On this occasion Lady Yarborough 

 rode her wonderful old grey mare and followed my brother 

 over every obstacle. Those who know the Leicestershire 

 country will understand what this means, especially negotiating 

 the celebrated Wissendine Brook. 



[Note by M. E. R., 19 19. — Last January, when staying 

 with my sister-in-law at her present residence, Wing 

 Lodge, Leigh ton Buzzard, and we were having a tete-b-tete 

 dinner, I recalled this historic first day's hunting in Leicester- 

 shire to her remembrance. She laughingly said, "Why I 

 jumped it twice that day; the hounds checked and turned 

 back." 



" Was it difficult to negotiate ? " said I. 



" Not a bit," she answered, " I just cantered up to it, 

 following Maunsell's lead, and popped over."] 



Eventually, Edmondthorpe Hall, four miles from Oakham, 

 once the seat of the Smith-Barrys (now the Lords Barrymore), 



159 



