nct.
He left his widow handsomely provided for, and she in her turn returned
a magnificent collection of family treasures to his nephew, Charles
Meadows, who in 1806 was created first Earl Manvers. An extract from her
will is interesting reading:--

"And I also give and bequeath unto said Charles Meadows all the
Communion Plate which belonged to the chapel of Thoresby, and which
was taken away with the other vessels and sent by mistake to St.
Petersburgh in Russia, and my gold desert plate with the case of
knives forks and spoons of gold and four golden salt cellars all
engraved with the arms of Kingston and also one large salt cellar
called Queen Elizabeth's salt cellar together with all my other gold
and gilt plate whatsoever, either for use or ornament."

Then, after a long list of other riches, one reads:--

"And I also give him my nine doz. of Moco handle knives and forks
mounted in gold which I bought at Rome, and likewise the whole
length portraits of the late Duke of Kingston and of the present
Duchess of Kingston, to be put up at Thoresby which as well as all
the plates shall be reputed as an heirloom to the said house; and I
also give him the several pieces of cannon and the Ships and vessel
on Thoresby Lake".

In the eighteenth century several quaint ships embellished the lake. The
last, we learn, was broken up more than half a century ago; and, as they
must have seemed singularly out of place, one is not disposed to regret
their disappearance.

OLLERTON

There is one splendid approach to Thoresby, now, unfortunately enough,
barred from the public. To reach this from Ollerton one crosses the
bridge, turns to the right for a few yards, then on the left sees beyond
a stout palisading the celebrated Beech Avenue. The first time I visited
this place was on a stormy evening in August, about sunset-time. The
western sky was overcast with grey low-hanging clouds; at intervals rain
fell in brief showers. Once breathing the atmosphere of this strange
seclusion one forgot the quaintness of Ollerton and the pleasing
wildness of the forest: here the formality brought a suggestion of some
old French colour print--the avenue might have been the state road to
some royal chateau.

[Illustration: OLLERTON]

Four rows of gigantic beeches stretched for almost half a mile from the
roadway; between the second and third might still be seen the old pebble