170 



Ramblings of An antiquary. 



opposite us is the old fireplace, "6 ft. 7 ins. by 5 ft. 4 ins. 

 deep "(fig. 3). "Two rooms open into the hall: one now used 

 as the kitchen has " the usual old-time . . . chimney and 



Fig. 3.— Fireplace, Mickleovei Hall. 



ingle nook"; the other, which is panelled with oak, has a 

 fireplace similar to that in the hall, but the base of the stone- 

 work frame is rather more elaborately moulded. Above it is 



Fig. 4. — Mantelpiece, Mickleover Hall. 



the neatly-designed mantelpiece (fig. 4), bearing the letters 

 "ra" (although the upper letter may be "g"), and the date 

 1655. "From the arrangement of the brickwork it can be seen 



