THE OAK. 13 



There is another site resting on an elevated 

 part of the extensive park at Lyme, with a 

 northerly aspect, called the 'Lantern Plan- 

 tation,' forming a striking feature, rising as 

 it does immediately at the back of that noble 

 mansion: so called from a building within 

 it, now almost buried among the trees which 

 surround it, and is of as ancient date, or more 

 so, than the more conspicuous edifice and 

 landmark ' Lyme Cage.' It contains 33a. 3r. 

 28p. statute measure. The lower part of it 

 was planted probably about 1800, or not long 

 after, by the guardians of the late Thomas 

 Legh, Esq., chiefly with fir timber. The 

 upper part of it was planted by the late Mr. 

 Legh himself, in 1818-1819, and in both 

 instances a greater proportion of firs over 

 other trees were planted. This would have 

 been an excellent site for the growth of ash and 

 sycamore in preponderance, with a sprinkling 

 of larch, Scotch and spruce firs, as ornament. 



A plantation of still more recent date has 



