In the Shires. 83 



ciate. The rooks of Rutlandsliire are intimately 

 connected with those of Lincolnshire, and being so 

 closely allied to the land, are naturally highly Con- 

 servative. 



The gardens and hothouses are filled with the 

 choicest and rarest flowers, ferns of every description, 

 orange-trees, choice and beautiful primulas, crocuses 

 the size and colour of which I have never seen 

 equalled ; and I have no reason to doubt that as the 

 spring advances these beautifully-tended grounds will 

 be a sight worth seeing. 



After this, I look over the house, which is in accord 

 with everything else in this charming establishment. 

 Family portraits for generations back adorn the walls 

 of the hall ; pictures of favourite hunters and racers, 

 some beautiful as mere paintings — all most interest- 

 ing to those who are learned on such matters ; con- 

 spicuous amongst the number is King Lud^ with 

 Custance on his back, and I especially note one of a 

 grey horse, to which no name is appended, but, from 

 the costume of the jockey and groom, I judge it must 

 date far back. 



On Saturday the Cottesmore met at Beaumont 

 Chase Lodge, near Uppingham. I had the ofier to 

 ride Bridegroom, a noble horse, that took the first 

 prize for hunters at the Eastern Counties Show, held 

 at Lynn ; but not being able to prolong my stay for 

 that purpose, and not caring to ride a horse of the 

 value of £400 over the heavy ground, I accepted a 

 mount on Beverley, a five-year-old horse, by Theo- 

 bald, dam by Wild Hero, very temperate, a fine 

 fencer ; master of any reasonable weight, but a trifle 

 raw. 



6—2 



