Climate, Soil, and Agriculture.—The climate differs in no perceptible degree from that of the surrounding counties of Leicester, Northampton, and Lincoln. Of the laud in the county thcro is hardly an acre west.. RutlandAhire is a grazing county. Much attention is paid to roaring choice animals, both oxen and sheep. The face of the country is agreeably diversified, affording good sites for country-seats, parks, and pleasure-grounds. The best pastures are on the liar clay, which, with a portion of °elite, red sand, and maga/elan limestone, forma the prin cipal soil of the county. Some low meadows subject to be flooded lie along the rivers Welland, Wash, and Chater. Shartlorns are the general favourites with those who pay partianlar attention to their stock. Other breeds are frequently met with, such as North Devon, Hereford, and Scotch. The mikh-cows are chiefly short-horns. A good deal of Stilton cheese is made in the west of the county, espe cially In the districts of Leighfield Forest and the plain of Catmoss. The sheep are generally of the improved Leicester breed. The farm horns are large; strong dray-horses are bred in the county for the London market. The hogs which are fatted are mostly of the Berkshire or Suffolk breed.
Among the mansions of this county, three are remarkable for their spaciousness and architecture, and also for the extensive grounds in which they stand. Normanton Hall, the residence of Sir O. J. Heath cote, is situated two miles north from the Ltiffenhun station of the Syston and Peterborough station. It (*mists of a centre, flanked by wings, each front presenting a majestic simplicity united to great architectural beauty. Burley House, the seat of 0. Finch, Esq., is about a mile east from Oakhatn. It was the residence of the noble family of Harrington in the reign of Elizabeth, and was purchased afterward, by the Duke of Buckingham, who enlarged the mansion, and entertained here, on several ocemions, James I. and Charles I. Daniel Finch, Earl of Nottingham, having purchased tho estates, erected the present magnificent residence. The building is in the Doric order. The centre of the north front is 196 feet long, and con nected, by a colonnade of 32 columns on each side, with the offices. Exton Hall and park, the residence of the Earl of Galnsborough, is about two miles eat of Burley Park. The mansion is built in the Tudor style. Exton Park abounds in the finest specimens of oak, ash, beech, and elm trees.
hicitions, Towns, &a—The divisions of the county are as follows: —Alstoe Hundred, north; East Hundred, east ; Martinaley hundred, central; Oakham Soke, west ; Wrandyke Hundred, south and south east. There are only two market towns, OACHAII and Uneticansat.
The following are the more important villages, with the parish population.. in 1851, and a few other particulars r- Barrowdes, population 718, is 10 miles S.E. from °Ahem, on the left bank of the Welland, which here bounds the county. An estab lishment for the manufacture of carpet-rugs, white leather, parchment, and glue, employs some of the inhabitants. Belton, population 403, about 4 miles V,. by N. from Uppingham, near the left bank of the Eye Brook. contains several well-built houses. Besides the parish church there are a chapel for Baptists and a Free schooL Matting is carried on. Eremites, population 411, about 2 miles S.W. from Oak ham, in a retired valley near Leighfield Forest, has a venereble gothic church, with a tower and spire; a chapel for Baptiste ; and a National school. Coner.tom population 735, about 44 miles N.E. from Oakham,
occupies an elevated site, and has a reapectablo appearance. The church is a fine gothic edifice. There are National school*. R. W.
Baker, Esq., introduced here the system of allotments of land for cultivation in mall patches; founded the County Friendly Society; instituted prize-ploughing matches; and in other modes promoted the general welfare. The Cottesmore Hunt' has a pack of about 70 fox hounds, and a stud of horses of considerable value. Empingham, population 938, about 64 miles E. from Oakham, contains a handsome cruciform church, of Norman and early English character; in it is fine window filled with ancient painted glass, exhibiting numerous armorial bearings. The Wesleyan Methodists have a chapel, and there is an Endowed National school. Exton, population 832, about 5 miles E.N.E. from Oakharn, has a handsome gothic church, with n tower and spire. Schools for girlA and infanta are supported by the Countess of Gaineborough; there is also a Free school fur boys. Greetham, population 718, about 6 miles E.N.E. from Oakham, a long straggling village, possesses an ancient parish church with a tower and spire; also National and Infant schools. Forster's charity, founded in 1692, for the instruction of children in Greetham and several neighbouring parishes, produces above 4001. a year. Keeton, population 1138, a well built village, 9 miles E. by N. from Uppingham, stands in a valley on the left bank of the river Welland. The church is cruciform, with a tower rising from the intersection, surmounted with a spire 180 feet high. Parts of the west front are Norman. Quarries of good free stone for building are in the vicinity. Langhaw, population 629, about 2 miles N.W. from Oakham, has an ancient church, with a tower and spire, erected about 1235; chapels for Wesleyan Methodists and Baptists ; a British school and a Freo schooL Liddington, or Lyd dington, population 604, a long straggling village, once a market-town, 24 miles S. from Uppingham, has a parish church, a chapel for Wesleyan Methodists, a Free school, and an hospital, called Jesus Hospital, founded in 1600 by Lord Burghley for a warden, 12 brethren, and 2 nurse* Luffenharn, .North, population 442, about 7 miles E.N.E. from Uppingham, has a handsome gothic church, with a tower and spire; and a Free school. Latenham, South, population 437, about 6 miles E. by N. from Uppingham, possesses an ancient gothic church, with parts of Norman character. In the village are National schools. Market Orerton, population 493, near the north border of the county, 6 miles N. from Oakham, formerly possessed a market. The parish church is a neat early English structure, with a tower. Ilyhall, population 1075, including 285 labourers on the works of the Groat Northern railway, situated 3 miles N. by E. from Stamford, is a village of considerable size. It contains a handsome church, with a tower and spire; National schools ; a largo corn-mill; and an establishment for the manufacture of agricultural implements. IVA issendine, popu lation 795, about 4 miles N.N.W. from Oakham, possesses a handsome church, with a square tower; chapels for Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists; and a Free school. Malting is carried on.