The Bollin Valley. 75 



Warrington and Knowsley. The fish that would seem 

 to have been generally taken for it near Manchester is 

 the true dace, that which is called " dace " being in 

 reality the " roach." The trout found in the Bollin are 

 the fattest and best-flavoured in Cheshire ; for although 

 discoloured, the water is not rendered unwholesome. 

 Thirty-two have been taken hereabouts in the course of 

 a few hours, and no doubt there are plenty quite as 

 good still to be caught. The streamlet which enters the 

 Bollin at Cotterill likewise abounds with trout, and they 

 may be taken as low down as Warburton. Trout are 

 remarkably energetic fish. At Ashley-weir they may be 

 observed, when the water is high enough, striving, three 

 or four at a time, to leap up the falls, and, if the stream 

 be somewhat flooded, they often succeed. 



The Bollin valley was probably often visited in 

 youth by the celebrated Thomas Assheton Smith, the 

 most conspicuous and accomplished sportsman, as well as 

 the first horseman, of modern times. Ashley Hall was 

 the family-seat of the Asshetons, his immediate ances- 

 tors, and the estate only passed from his possession in 

 1846, when it was sold to Mr Wilbraham Egerton, 

 father of the present Baron Egerton, of Tatton Park. 

 A fine old place is this, with its environment of tall 

 trees, rookery, and ancient garden, containing, among 

 other curiosities, the quince. Historically, also, it is 

 very interesting. Here, in 1715, when the Chevalier, 

 Charles Edward Stuart, raised his standard, met the 



