Farewell to the Belvoir, 361 



the large sum of 3^000 guineas. Then, through the 

 courtesy of Mr. Sicklen, who has filled the post of 

 steward of this palatial abode for the last 30 or 40 

 years, I am permitted, after wandering through the 

 range of noble rooms, to view the splendid collection 

 of plate, comprising services of the most elegant and 

 elaborate designs, countless costly racing cups, gold 

 and silver salvers, all of which had been in use the 

 previous evening at the banquet provided for the 

 numerous visitors at the castle. Then, after a some- 

 what hurried visit, during which there was only time 

 to take a cursory glance at all the treasures before me,. 

 I was introduced to Mr. Ingram, under whose charge 

 are placed the beautiful and extensive gardens, and I 

 derived, I think, greater gratification when I strolled 

 through the beautiful grounds than I did even from 

 the view of all the wonders within the castle walls. 



Spring flowers of every description were to be seen, 

 grouped together with such marvellous taste and 

 exquisite skill and judgment as to produce a result 

 I have never seen equalled elsewhere. To enumerate 

 all the flowers, or to describe the rare and happy 

 combination of colours, is beyond my power. These 

 gardens are formed on the castle slopes, and are very 

 extensive and kept in wonderful order. Wire-fencing 

 keeps off" the attacks of the many hares and rabbits ; 

 but the pheasants wander over them at will, making 

 inroads on the bulbs of the crocuses, especially those 

 of one particular colour, for which they have a predi- 

 lection. Innumerable squirrels inhabit the stately 

 trees; and within a few yards of the Castle a fox, 

 or rather a family of the vulpine race, have a local 

 habitation and a name for discretion, as they scrupu- 



