350 History of the E^iglish Landed Interest. 



another, Bakewell was considered a courteous specimen of 

 society. His whole life even to its meals was the common 

 every-day routine of the well-to-do grazier. At midday on the 

 hard benches of his kitchen every grade of social distinction 

 was to be found partaking of his famous mutton and beef. His 

 parlour walls had resounded with the admiring expressions of 

 every European tongue. He had talked farming-shop to Ger- 

 man Highnesses and Russian Counts by the score, but to the 

 last he remained that strange mixture of simplicity and 

 shrewdness which is the unique possession of the British 

 farmer. Aft^r his visitors had partaken of true English hospi- 

 tality, the object for which they had come was speedily taken 

 in hand. Two veteran herds, each with his staff of office 

 (hazel sticks), proceed to parade the different cattle. John 

 Breedon, after thirty-two years' practice, and his comrade, 

 William Arnold, after twenty years', had become so disciplined 

 to this service that they knew their duties to perfection, and 

 could point out the various beauties of each animal quite as 

 well as their master. William Peet, the oldest retainer of any, 

 awaited the visitors at the stables. If Bakewell happened to 

 be from home, Honeyborne, his nephew, presided and did the 

 various honours. There were all the punctiliousness and order 

 of a barrack. The master, though the essence of obliging ur- 

 banity, would not put either himself or his livestock out for any 

 consideration. Fixed hours governed his own habits as well as 

 those of his sheep and cows, and it is doubtful if the most 

 highly privileged visitor could have got his host to set back 

 the hands of the clock for his convenience had some mishap 

 of the road delayed him beyond the proper hour. At eight 

 o'clock Bakewell breakfasted ; at one he dined ; at nine he 

 supped ; and at eleven he went to bed. Regularity he found 

 tended to keep his household in health, and he applied the 

 same specific to the inmates of the cowhouse and stable. 

 Every beast knew to a moment wlien its turn would come for 

 the parade, so chewed its cud free from disturbance and alarm. 

 To all, however, who conformed with his rules Bakewell 

 afforded a liberal share of his busy afternoons. No one was 

 expected to leave till he had not only tasted the far-famed 



