Farewell to the Belvoir, 363 



convey their stud, wMcli consists of upwards of 40 

 first-class hunters, accompanied by their companions, 

 the goat, the owl, and the bantams, which form part 

 of this extensive establishment, straight away to 

 Cheshire. 



On the following day I paid a farewell visit to 

 Barleythorpe, in order to see the kennels of the 

 Cottesmore hounds, previous to their transfer from 

 the Earl of Lonsdale to Lord Carington ; and, as I 

 travelled vid Oakham to this quiet hamlet, I expe- 

 rienced to the full the delightful changes of our 

 variable clime, a bitter biting wind and a hot sun 

 being the order of the day. Having expressed my 

 wish to see the hounds, Neale, the huntsman of the 

 Cottesmore, readily accompanied me, and showed me 

 over the kennels, which are admirably situated and 

 replete with every convenience. There I saw up- 

 wards of 70 couples of first-rate hounds, in racing 

 condition, looking, if possible, more fit to go at the 

 close of the season than they did at the commence- 

 ment. Under the new management there is but little 

 fear that they will continue to show the same excellent 

 sport that they have done in the past. A better 

 country, a finer pack of hounds, or a more persevering 

 and workmanlike huntsman, it will be dijfficult to find. 



Then Mr. Weatherston, who has had charge of the 

 Barleythorpe stud for the last eleven years, showed 

 me over the stables, and I was struck with the excel- 

 lent condition of the nags, which, notwithstanding 

 the long and severe season's work, appear to be in 

 right good form. 



Whenever I have had the pleasure of visiting the 

 home of the Cottesmore I have never failed to ask 



