Middlewood. 19 



a light bridge over the self-same stream that was crossed 

 at entering, and then going a few yards along the by- 

 road, with the ravine upon our right, in front we see a 

 neat cottage, with oak-painted window-shutters. Along- 

 side of it is the entrance to Poynton wood, passing through 

 which we enter Poynton Park, a property of Lord Ver- 

 non's, and thence, though the way is rather tedious, we 

 find our way to Hazel-grove station. The entire distance 

 from Disley to the latter place is about four miles. Mid- 

 dlewood is not "preserved." It is semi-private, never- 

 theless, so that it is rare, on going through, to hear any 

 voices but our own, and those of the birds. On proper 

 application being made to Mr Legh, permission to re- 

 spectable people to walk through would no doubt at any 

 time be accorded. In Poynton Park there is a fine 

 sheet of water. Close to the Hall there are likewise 

 some remarkable lime-trees, of considerable age, and 

 well presenting the characteristic feature of this tree 

 when old. The centre of the tree, in age, becomes 

 filled with shoots and twigs, so that to climb into it is 

 impossible. But this fits it to become an asylum for 

 little birds, who take refuge in the leafy jungle when 

 chased by hawks. 



Middlewood abounds with objects pleasing to the 

 student of nature, as do the fertile meadows between 

 Disley and the Telmateia hill. Daffodils in the latter, 

 and purple crocuses ; in the wood, the beech-fern ; and 

 near Poynton, a stream full of the Nitd'la translu'ccns. 



