Tab ley Park. 37 



round cups of the Peziza glow like so many vases of 

 deepest carnelian. In the aspect of vegetation in early 

 spring, as it discloses itself at Mobberley and at equal 

 distance north of the town, there is the difference of a 

 full month. Such at least was the case in 1858, the year 

 in which these lines were written. There is no occasion 

 to return to Ashley by the same path. Mobberley station 

 is scarcely more than a mile from the village, and of 

 course would be preferred when the object is to reach 

 the latter promptly. 



Knutsford, celebrated as the scene of Mrs. GaskelPs 

 "Cranford," commands many pleasant walks, and is the 

 threshold not only to Tatton, but to several other parks 

 and estates of great celebrity. Booth Hall, with its 

 noble avenue of lindens, the winding sylvan wilderness 

 called Spring Wood, and its ample sheet of ornamental 

 water, decked with lilies, and in parts filled with that 

 most curious aquatic, the Stmtiotes, is of considerable 

 historic interest; Toft, a mile to the south, with its 

 stately avenue, now of elms, in triple rows ; and Tabley, 

 about a mile to the west, the park once again with a 

 spacious mere, also have high claims upon the attention 

 of every one who has the opportunity of entering. 

 Tabley is peculiarly interesting in its ancient hall, which 

 stands upon an island in the upper portion of the mere, 

 and dates from the time of Edward III. Only a remnant 

 now exists, but being covered with ivy, it presents a most 

 picturesque appearance. When will people see in that 

 peerless evergreen not a foe, but an inestimable friend, 



