Arden Hall. 105 



more peaceful character, would naturally be transferred 

 to the latter, and after the lapse of a little time, nothing 

 more than the name would survive to tell the story. 

 Originally it was Arderne, as in the reference by Webb, 

 in 1622, to another seat of the family, "A fine house 

 belonging to Henry Arderne, Esq." In any case, the 

 prefix of an H appears to be erroneous, if nothing worse. 

 The last of this name was the Richard Pepper Arderne, 

 born at the old hall, and educated at the Manchester 

 Grammar School, who in 1801, three years before his 

 death, was raised to the peerage, with the title of Baron 

 Alvanley. Arden Hall is not only remarkable in being 

 built wholly of stone, when so many other mansions of 

 the period were timber, but in the high-pitched roof of 

 the tower a feature rarely observable in such edifices. 



Leaving the hall, the road descends rapidly towards 

 the river, here crossed by a stone bridge, shortly before 

 reaching which there are some cottages upon the left. At 

 one of these, with the name "Thomas Ingham" over the 

 door, a nice tea may be obtained. It is not a very 

 attractive place to look at, but the parlour (at the back) 

 is as comfortable as any lady could desire ; the provision 

 is excellent, the attendance prompt and respectful, and 

 the charge so moderate that it seems wonderful how it 

 can pay. Forget not that in visiting such places the 

 obligation is mutual. Excursionists have no sort of claim 

 upon private houses, and should be glad to recompense 

 with liberality the kindly willingness to accommodate, 

 save for which they might have to plod for miles hungry 



