HUNTING TOURS. 129 



western confines, two miles only from Oak- 

 ham, and would be better distinouishable 

 as Burley-on-the-Hill. This mansion was 

 erected upwards of a century ago by the 

 Earl of Nottingham, and is a most spacious 

 and superb specimen of architecture. The 

 park is extensive, and adorned with the 

 mighty oak and other venerable specimens of 

 forest timber. Grimsthorpe Castle is situated 

 nearly on the northern extremities of the 

 Cottesmore country, and, standing on an 

 elevated site, produces impressive effects 

 when seen from a considerable distance. 

 Part of the castle is said to have been erected 

 as early as the reign of Henry III., and con- 

 siderable additions were made during the 

 reign of Henry VHI. by the Duke of Suffolk, 

 in order to entertain his sovereign in his 

 progress through this part of the kingdom. 

 The park is of vast extent, and in it the 

 monarchs of the forest rejoice in venerable 

 antiquity and majestic growth ; nor are the 

 autlered monarchs less cared for, as is manifest 

 by a fine herd of red deer, while foxes are 

 preserved by the head keeper vrith the utmost 

 precaution, and as the boundaries of the 

 Cottesmore country are not extensive, the 



G 5 



