^Nimrod ' 



The stables and other conveniences for hunters in the 

 town and neighbourhood are upon a very superior scale, 

 and the greater part of the studs remain there all the year 

 round ; though, from the comparatively small quantity of 

 arable land in the county of Leicester, and the very great 

 demand for forage, oats and hay are always considerably 

 dearer here than at any other place in England. The sum- 

 total of expenses attending a stud of twelve hunters at 

 Melton, including every outgoing, is, as nearly as can be 

 estimated, one thousand pounds per annum. In all stables, 

 the average outlay for the purchase of horses is great, — 

 at least two hundred guineas each hunter ; and, in some, 

 the annual amount of wear and tear of horse - flesh is 

 considerable. 



At no distant date — within at most thirty years — Melton 

 Mowbray was an insignificant-looking little town. It is 

 prettily situated in a rich vale, through which the river 

 Stoure passes, but had nothing an artist would have called 

 a feature about it, except its beautiful church. But of late 

 it has put on a very different appearance owing to the 

 numbers of comfortable houses which have been erected 

 for the accommodation of its sporting visitors, who now 

 spend not less, on an average, than fifty thousand pounds 

 per annum on the spot. It stands on one of the great 

 north roads, eighteen miles from Nottingham, and fifteen 

 from Leicester ; which latter place is also become a favourite 

 resort of sportsmen, as it is well situated for the best part 

 of the Quorn, and Lord Lonsdale's countries, and many 



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