RUTLANDSHIRE

RUTLANDSHIRE, an English county, nearly in the centre of the kingdom, and the smallest of all the divisions so denominated. It is bounded by Lincolnshire on the east and north-east, by Leicestershire on the north-west and west, and by Northamptonshire on the south. Its length, from north to south, is sixteen, and its breadth, from east to west, is twelve miles. The square contents are 200 miles, or 128,000 acres. It is divided into five hundreds, and contains two market towns, Uppingham and Okeham, and 49 parishes; being a greater number, in proportion to its extent, than any other county in the kingdom.

It gives only one title at present, that of Duke, to the family of Manners; two former peerages, that of Ferrars of Oakham, and Noel of Exton, being extinct. Only two members are returned to the House of Commons from the county, and none from either of the towns. In judicial affairs, it is on the midland circuit of the judges; and in ecclesiastical matters it has formed, since the year 1541, a portion of the bishopric of Peterborough.

The appearance of this small county is pleasing to the traveller. It is much diversified by ranges of moderate hills, running from east to west, in some parts well timbered. Between these ranges of hills the valleys, of about half a mile in breadth, are luxuriant and verdant. The principal vale, called Catmose, is in the centre of the county, having to the north a tract of table land, overlooking the well wooded plains of Leicester, Lincoln, and Nottinghamshire. The eastern part is more diversified; the southern division of it consisting of a beautiful valley, stretching towards Northamptonshire, and the western, bordering on Leicestershire, being abundantly wooded.

The soil on the east and south-east parts is chiefly shallow, resting upon a basis of limestone, composed of clays and loams. The other parts consist principally of a tenacious but fertile loam; but the vale of Catmose enjoys a most fertile soil of good clay, or red loam, or a grateful mixture of both those earths. A peculiarity of the soil is a redness which

generally prevails, and which tinges all the waters of the country.

Mr Parkinson, surveyor for the Board of Agriculture, estimates the land of the county in the following manner, viz.

The woods of this county were far more extensive in former ages than they are at present. The ancient forest of Leafield, and the chase of Beaumont, though now under the plough, once occupied a great portion of the surface. The climate is generally accounted peculiarly soft and healthy; and the elevation is of that medium kind which equally exempts it from the pernicious effects of moist exhalations and cold mountain fogs.

The agriculture, though it has partaken of some modern improvements, is not conducted, upon the whole, in the best manner. In some parts, the reprobated system of two corn crops succeeding a fallow is still continued. In other parts, after a fallow, barley is sown with clover; the clover is mowed two years, or sometimes fed the second year, and then, after one ploughing, the land is sown with wheat. In some cases, on the lighter lands, the four course system of turnips, barley, clover, and wheat, is followed. The wheat of Rutlandshire is highly valued for seed, and much in request in even very distant counties. Nearly two-thirds of the land are tithe free, and in all the late inclosures, provisions to that end have been inserted in the acts of Parliament for effecting them. The cows of Rutlandshire are remarkable for the richness of their milk, though they yield but a small quantity. The rich cheese, commonly known as Stilton, is chiefly

made in the dairies of this county. As many oxen are brought from the more northern countries, and fattened in Rutlandshire, as are bred within it: the annual number of each is from 2700 to 3000. The sheep are more numerous in proportion than horned cattle. Mr Parkinson calculated them to be about 80,000; consisting of old and new Leicesters, of South-downs, and a few Lincolnshires. It has been remarked, that though the quality of the wool has increased in fineness, the diminution in the weight of the fleeces has of late years more than counterbalanced that advantage.

The small rivulets that water this district run into the two rivers, the Guash, or Wash, which passes through it, or the Walland, which forms its southern boundary. The latter river is navigable only to Stamford, on the confines of Rutlandshire; but is useful in opening a communication with the ocean. A canal has been constructed from Oakham to Mel-

ton Mowbray, by which a supply of coals has been drawn from the mines of Leicestershire.

Rutlandshire is neither a manufacturing nor a mineral district, but depends exclusively on its agriculture. By the returns in 1801, the inhabitants were 16,356; viz. 7978 males, and 8378 females; in 1811 the numbers were 16,380, viz. 7931 males, and 8449 females; in 1821 they were 18,487, viz. 9223 males, and 9264 females.

The residences of noblemen and gentlemen in this county hold nearly the same proportion as in the other divisions of England; the most remarkable are, Ayston, G. B. Breidnell, Esq.; Burley on the Hill, Earl of Winchester; Cotsmore House, Earl of Lonsdale; Exton, Colonel Noel; Lyndon, Thomas Barker, Esq.; Normanton, Sir Gilbert Heatheote; Ryall, Matthew Pierrepont, Esq.

See Parkinson's Agricultural Survey; and Beauties of England and Wales. (w. w.)