Delamere Forest. 149 



called the " Grand Junction." This is the line to use 

 for natural-history visits to Oakmere and other noted 

 pools, &c., in Delamere forest that famous wilderness, 

 made memorable, in one way among a thousand, by 

 Ethelfreda, the noble-spirited daughter of King Alfred, 

 building in it the once important town or fortress of 

 Eddisbury. The site of the old fortress is still indicated 

 by extensive earthworks, surrounded by a dry ditch, and 

 situated in an enclosure, formerly called the Chamber of 

 the Forest, and now the " Old Pale." It is considered 

 the highest point in this part of Cheshire. The forest 

 itself, even so late as two centuries ago, comprised no 

 less than 11,000 acres of wood and wilderness, and in 

 the time of Henry VIII., according to Leland, abounded 

 with deer. Very much has now been brought under 

 cultivation, so that only about 8000 acres remain, half 

 of which great surface has been planted with trees, larch 

 and Scotch fir predominating, and giving it in conse- 

 quence that peculiar and solemn aspect which woods of 

 Conifers alone can bestow.* 



Warrington is the point of departure also, vid the line 

 to Chester, for Halton Castle, Rock-Savage, and Frods- 

 ham, the "Beacon Hill" at which place is well worth a 

 visit. Arrived at Chester, forty miles from Manchester, 

 we have at command, by going up the Dee in gondolas, 

 " Eaton Hall," the princely mansion of the Marquis of 

 Westminster. No one who loves architecture should 

 * Fide " British and Garden Botany," p. 767. 



