246 Country Rambles. 



of all the surrounding country, unfortunately prevent this 

 noble building being seen to advantage. It is a 

 marvel, nevertheless, to all who approach. The Scaris- 

 brick family has of late years experienced changes. The 

 present owner of the hall, by marriage to the daughter 

 of the Lady Scarisbrick who died in 1872, is the Marquis 

 de Blandos de Casteja. 



Southport should be visited for the sake of its un- 

 usually good Aquarium, with Winter Gardens above, a 

 flower-show all the year round ; for the beautiful Church- 

 town Botanical Gardens, the fernery belonging to which 

 has no rival, as regards our own neighbourhood, except 

 at Tatton; and for the Birkdale sandhills, no dreary place 

 except to the dreary-hearted, but in their way so remark- 

 able and picturesque, so richly stored with curious plants, 

 and breathing an air so soft and salubrious that in the 

 north of England they stand alone. In their wild 

 and ever-changing complexion they supply enjoyments 

 quite distinct from the uniformity of a corn and 

 pastoral country. Standing upon their spear - clad 

 ridges, we seem to be surveying a miniature Cordillera. 

 In winter the northward and eastward slopes are flecked 

 with snow, while the southern and western ones bask in 

 the sunshine; mosses of all shades of green and coppery- 

 gold strew the former parts with little islands of sweet 

 brightness; and in July the open plateaux are crowded 

 with the white cups of the parnassia. Up to about twenty 

 years ago, no place in the entire county, excepting 

 Grange, was so rich for the botanist as Southport in 



