THE MIDLAND COUNTIES. 253 



ing through rich pastures intersected with hedges, mak- 

 ing it peculiarly favourable for this sport. The county 

 is famous for its Stilton cheese, and for the farm of 

 Dishley Grange, once occupied by Bakewell, from whence 

 emanated the great principle of the transformation in 

 breeds of domestic animals, one of the most valuable 

 conquests of human genius. 



Notwithstanding its traditional prosperity, Leicester- 

 shire did not altogether escape the effects of the crisis. 

 Like most grass countries, its. very success had sent it 

 to sleep, and, as is generally the case with such coun- 

 tries, it had permitted too great an invasion of small 

 proprietorship and farming. When the fall came, both 

 small proprietors and small farmers found themselves in 

 difficulties. Some changes among the occupants became 

 necessary, and these very soon took place. The small 

 county of Rutland, containing only ninety-five thousand 

 acres, is very similar to Leicestershire. 



Staffordshire affords probably the most striking ex- 

 ample in England, with Lancashire, of the influence 

 which the vicinity of manufactures exercises on agricul- 

 ture. The mountains which run through it, naturally 

 barren and wild, rise to a thousand feet and more above 

 the level of the sea. The manufacturing districts are 

 situated exactly in the least fertile parts, and are divided 

 into two classes : the potteries in the north, towards 

 Lancashire, and the iron works in the south, extending 

 all the way to Birmingham. Owing to the extraordinary 

 progress which these manufactures are making every day, 

 the population of the county exceeds six hundred thou- 

 sand, upon an area of seven hundred and thirty thousand 

 acres. With such a mass of population the land must 

 be stubborn indeed which cannot be forced to produce. 

 The annual produce of the potteries alone is estimated 



