Birtles. 131 



of the metal to the sandstone containing it is only about 

 one-half per cent, a proportion so small,' that in former 

 times it could not possibly pay the cost of extracting, 

 whence probably the abandonment of the original works. 

 Modern chemistry has devised so cheap a process for 

 the purpose, as to render the mine, instead of useless, 

 highly productive. The ore is first reduced to the state 

 of powder, then treated with hydrochloric acid, and the 

 metal finally precipitated with scrap iron. 



Connected with Alderley Edge there is an excellent 

 walk, perhaps it would be better to say, carriage drive, 

 round by BIRTLES. Going along the Congleton road, 

 and passing Alderley church, we come to a four-armed 

 guide-post. Here turn up the hill on the left (another 

 way to Macclesfield), and by and by upon the same side 

 appears a handsome modern stone residence. This is 

 " Birtles Hall," rebuilt about forty years ago. Keep to 

 the left, where a little bridge crosses the water, obtaining 

 the front view of this really fine mansion, then go past 

 Birtles church, covered, like the adjacent rectory, with 

 ivy, though built so lately as 1840, and in due time the 

 Macclesfield road, vi& the " Wizard," is reached. The 

 walk is rather a long one perhaps scarcely suited for 

 summer, and for that reason just the kind we want on 

 a frosty day. Then we discern the white-stemmed 

 birches, and the limbs of many another beautiful tree 

 that in summer is lost in a thicket of leaves, and can 

 study their various architecture, and think of the three 



