Lyme Park. \ 2 3 



Middlewood, unfortunately for its primitive charm, has 

 recently shared the fate of Gatley Carrs, so that the path 

 is now very inconveniently obstructed, and the Bramhall 

 part of this pretty brook, instead of being the inferior, is 

 to-day, perhaps, after all, the most pleasing. Com- 

 parisons may be spared. The meadows it traverses were 

 never wanting in any substantial element of pastoral 

 charm, and if a thing be good absolutely, what need to 

 ask for more ? The way to them is via Cheadle Hulme, 

 then to Lady Bridge, as far as Bramhall-green, there 

 crossing the road, and stepping anew upon the grass, 

 where the path returns to the water-side. Hence, we go 

 on to Mill-bank farm, told at once by its three great 

 yews, and for the return may take Hazel-grove. 



The broad green slopes and expanses of Lyme Park, 

 though they partake of the loneliness of the neighbouring 

 moors, are, as indicated above, pleasant at every season 

 of the year. Nature, in truth, is always good, no matter 

 what the season is, if the people are so who seek it. As 

 we traverse them, in the south-west the eye rests upon 

 the great plain that stretches to Bowdon; upon the left, 

 on a swelling height, is the far-seen square grey tower 

 called Lyme Cage, clearly intended, when built, for a 

 huntsman's refuge; and passing this it is not far to the 

 hall, upon which, being in a hollow, one comes so 

 suddenly as to be reminded of the adventures of the 

 knights-errant in tales of chivalry. A very fine quadrangu- 

 lar gritstone building, partly Corinthian, partly Ionic, 

 some portion is nevertheless of the time of Elizabeth. 



