SHROPSHIRE 199 



for him during the two years he was in Leicestershire, which much 

 exceeded that of any previous or subsequent period. For the first 

 year, it amounted (for hounds and coverts) to the large sum of 

 3,160/. And here I must be permitted to mention the hberal and 

 straightforward conduct of Sir Francis Burdett, which was related to 

 me by a member of the Melton Old Club, and therefore I can vouch 

 for the truth of it. My friend was endeavouring to start the sub- 

 scription for Sir Bellingham, and paid Sir Francis the well-merited 

 compliment of soliciting his name at the head of the subscribers. 

 "What sum shall I write ? " said my friend. "Put me down for 

 three hundred pounds," said Sir Francis ; " and if that is not sufficient 

 I am good for two more." There was no occasion, however, to tax 

 his liberality so far. 



Sir Bellingham Graham was very fortunate in being able to 

 requite all this kindness of his friends by the sport he shewed them 

 when he hunted Leicestershire. I was told last year at Melton, by 

 one of his many admirers there, that the second season his old pack 

 (which hunted twice a week) killed every fox they found in the first 

 six weeks. 



I asked Sir Bellingham why he quitted Leicestershire — certainly 

 the first hunting country in the known world, and where he had 

 an establishment so suited to it. His answer did him honour. 

 His returns to his tenants, during those disastrous years were, he 

 said, so great, that he could not have continued in it with justice 

 to those who were dependent on him. With such a subscription as 

 his, however, that it should have cost him any serious sum, is the 

 best proof of the magnificent way in which he hunted it. 



Of Sir Bellingham Graham, as a horseman and a performer over a 

 country, I need say but little. The Earl of Darlington, in his Field 

 Book for 1810, in which he enters the proceedings of every 

 day's hunting, thus mentions Sir Bellingham as a youngster : 

 '• Sir Bellingham Graham was out on this day, atid rode con- 

 spicuously and well." Now, many a young man has ridden con- 

 spicuously ; but his Lordship's addition of the word " well " cannot be 

 lost upon us. Every man who has seen Sir Bellingham can bear 

 record, that he ranks among the very best heavy weights England 

 has ever produced. Much as I myself have admired his powerful. 



