1 1 8 Country Rambles. 



the branches above are still vigorous and clothed every 

 season with unabating foliage. 



Three or four miles beyond North Rode ancient 

 Congleton comes in view, opening the way, if we care 

 to enter Staffordshire, to Biddulph Grange, renowned for 

 its gardens. Mow Cop, just on the frontiers, awaits those 

 who love mountain air. Trentham Park, fifteen miles 

 further, or about forty-three from Manchester, is the seat, 

 as well-known, of the Duke of Sutherland; and not far, 

 again, from this is the Earl of Shrewsbury's Alton 

 Towers. To reach the latter, we diverge from North 

 Rode along the Churnet Valley line, the same which 

 leads, in the first instance, to the beautiful neighbourhood 

 of Rushton, famed for its ancient church, the untouched 

 beams of the same date as Beeston Castle; then past 

 Rudyard Lake and the delicious woods appertaining to 

 Cliffe Hall. The view from Rushton churchyard is one 

 for painters. The valley, receding southwards, encloses 

 the smooth expanse of Rudyard, which, though no more 

 than a reservoir, has all the winning ways of a Coniston 

 or a Windermere, seeking to elude one's view by reliance 

 on friendly trees. In the north and east the hills rise 

 terrace-wise, range beyond range, each remoter one of 

 different hue, Shutlings Low, that beautiful mamelon, 

 towering above all, and more effectively than as con- 

 templated from any other point we know of. After this 

 comes the lovely walk through the woods themselves, 

 the water visible, intermittently, all the way, with at last 

 pause for rest, in Rudyard village. It is not a little singular 



