Mobberley. 95 



grows abundance of wild thyme, scarcely known anywhere 

 else within the limits of the Manchester Flora. Pass- 

 ing this, at Caldwell's farm we enter the fields, and on 

 emerging from them, at the distance of half a mile, pro- 

 ceed along Town-lane and Damstead-lane, and so into 

 the village. Town-lane Hall, close by, has the odd 

 reputation of having been struck by lightning three or 

 four times. Here we again place our feet upon the turf, 

 face to face with Mobberley church, the square stone 

 tower of which rises beautifully above the trees, upon the 

 brow of a park-like slope, a charming subject alike for 

 artist and photographer. The view from this point in- 

 cludes Alderley and the hills beyond, and is the most 

 picturesque in Mobberley. Approaching the church, 

 there is abundance to give pleasure. Limes girdle it with 

 agreeable shade ; next the chancel stands the accustomed 

 and here stately and undilapidated old yew; and to 

 complete the beau ideal 'of the country churchyard, quaint 

 epitaphs are not wanting. 



Opposite the lych-gate,* by the side of the road, stands 

 an ash-tree of rare and singular elegance, the long, slim 

 pendulous branches being self-woven into a cupola of 

 green tresses. A little beyond it are some of the tallest 

 elms to be seen near Manchester, common things, no 

 doubt, but admirable of their kind, and to be looked 



* The covered entrance where, at the time of a funeral, the 

 bearers rest the coffin, Anglo-Saxon lie, German leiche, signifying 

 " corpse." 



