140 Capesthorne. 



To account for the origin of this floating island 

 there is, of course, a legend, based, in the present 

 instance, on the loves of the fair Isabel de Vere 

 herself the daughter of a golden lineage and a certain 

 Sir Reginald, (surname unrecorded,) who had achieved 

 renown at Agincourt The Lady Isabel lived in a 

 cottage hard by, having been wronged of her posses- 

 sions by one Sir Hugh de Moreton. This fact she con- 

 fided to Sir Reginald, who attacked the despoiler, but 

 unsuccessfully ; a stronger friend came, however, to the 

 rescue, and the next Christmas night Sir Hugh died 

 suddenly. Then the lady resumed her rights ; and Sir 

 Reginald, among others, thought she would make a 

 pretty bride, more than a little jealous at the same 

 time of the attentions paid by certain rivals, and vowing 



at last, that 



" Until the island moved along 



The bosom of the mere, 

 He would not look upon the face 

 Of Isabel de Vere." 



By and by he fell sick ; Isabel watched by his pillow ; 

 and eventually love and faithfulness were rewarded by 

 Heaven sending a hurricane that tore the island from its 

 anchorage. 



Capesthorne Hall, now, alas, despoiled of some of its 

 best portions, is of red brick, with stone-dressings, and 

 surmounted by pinnacles and turrets. In style, it is 

 partly Elizabethan and partly after the age of Louis 

 Quinze. A noble terrace, and a conservatory, designed 



