114 CENTURY OF ENGLISH FOX-HUNTING 



the Burton country he moved into Nottinghamshire, 

 to what was then known as Mr, Jack Musters' country. 

 Differences of opinion, which it is unnecessary now 

 to discuss, ensued. Mr. Musters would not allow 

 him the use of the old kennels, so he was obliged 

 to build new kennels at Thurgaton, while there were 

 other causes which gave rise to friction. Osbaldeston 

 soon abandoned the country and went to the Ather- 

 stone, to which the Derbyshire country had just been 

 united, and commenced his reign by drafting the 

 best part of Lord Vernon's pack into his own. Here 

 he remained till Mr. Assheton-Smith resigned the 

 Mastership of the Quorn in 1 8 17, by which time, to 

 quote the words of " Nimrod," he had raised himself 

 to the very pinnacle of fame as a breeder of hounds. 

 Practically he reigned over the Quorn till 1828, when 

 he was succeeded by Lord Southampton, though for 

 fourteen months he was out of the pigskin, owing to 

 a compound fracture of the leg, sustained through Sir 

 James Musgrave jumping on the top of him. Those 

 who witnessed the accident, amongst whom was 

 " Nimrod," thought that he would never ride again, 

 and it was only the untiring nature of his constitu- 

 tion which enabled him' to do so. As it was, he was 

 always afterwards nervous at being crowded at his 

 fences. For one season after he resigned the Quorn 

 to Lord Southampton he was out of office. Then 

 the Pytchley became vacant, and the Squire, as he 

 was now universally called, took up his quarters at 

 Pitsford, then the residence of Mr. Payne. He also 



