LIFE OF MYTTON. 19 



this ancient mansion there was a preceptory of 

 Knights Templars, and afterwards of the Knights 

 Hospitallers, under a grant from Queen Elizabeth 

 (who confirmed the alienation of the property from the 

 Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, to whom it was 

 given by an Earl of Arundel who possessed it after 

 the Norman conquest), when purchased, or rather 

 exchanged for, by Edward Mytton of Habberley. 

 There was also formerly an abbey in the village of 

 Halston, taken down more than a century ago ; but 

 there is the church or chapel of Halston now standing 

 on the domain, exempt from episcopal jurisdiction, 

 and without any other revenue than what the chaplain 

 may be allowed by the owner of it. 



Having described ancient, I proceed to modern 

 Halston ; and, unless very fastidious indeed, my 

 readers will agree with me in thinking that it 

 ought to satisfy the desires of every moderate man. 

 In the first place, its location is good. Away from 

 any great road, it is within easy reach of two — 

 the London and Holyhead, and the Shrewsbury 

 and Chester — without being subjected to the incon- 

 venience of either ; and the lodge gates open 

 upon an excellent cross turnpike-road, leading from 



