HUNTING TOURS. 39 



important consideration, which must not be 

 omitted ; it is a most agreeable country to 

 ride over. Without bearing the character of 

 insignificance, the fences are generally nego- 

 tiable, the land sound, with a fair proportion 

 of grass ; indeed, so far as my own observa- 

 tion enables me to form an opinion, the inno- 

 vations of the plough have not, comparatively, 

 been so extensive of late years as in other 

 parts of Leicestershire. A smaller stud will 

 suffice than either in the Quorn or Mr. 

 Tailby's countries. The Ashby de la Zouch 

 side is good, extending to Gopsal, Bosworth, 

 and Hinckley, and so it is bearing eastward 

 to the precincts of the Quorn. There is also 

 a fine sporting country around Newnham 

 Paddox and Coomb Abbey, easy of access 

 from Rugby and Leamington, but it is 

 heavier, and the fences are stronger. Between 

 Atherstone and Tarn worth there is a fine 

 tract of land. Westward of the last-named 

 town a poor soil prevails, and scent, an im- 

 portant element, is generally deficient. 



