io6 Northwich. 



lies north-east by south-west. The discovery of the salt 

 was made, it is said, by accident, during a search for 

 coal, in or about the year 1670. In consequence of the 

 drainage of the brine, and occasional giving way of the 

 roofs of the mines, there are many curious examples of 

 the sinking of the ground above. Houses lean to one 

 side, and deep cavities are formed in fields. 



In the neighbourhood of Northwich, as about Knuts- 

 ford, there are many handsome seats and parks, the 

 latter generally containing a mere. Especially is this 

 the case with Marbury, Pickmere, and Arley. W. Har- 

 rison Ainsworth, son of that fine-spirited old Manchester 

 solicitor, who was mainly instrumental in the develop- 

 ment of Market Street into its present form, has given 

 interest to that one at Marston by making it the scene 

 of his tale of " Mervyn Clitheroe." Between the two 

 first named, on an elevated knoll, stand the interesting 

 village and church of Great Budworth. Delamere 

 Forest lies to the south, and a ride of eight miles 

 through its pine-woods brings us to OULTON, the beau- 

 tiful seat of Sir Philip de Malpas Grey-Egerton. Here 

 again is a sheet of water of considerable extent, with 

 charming park, gardens, and plantations, the latter hold- 

 ing some of the noblest trees in Cheshire, and one of 

 the finest and most remarkable lime-trees in the world. 

 So admirably are the grounds laid out, that in mak- 

 ing the circuit we never see the same portion twice, 

 and at every turn appear to be visiting a new district 



