need do no more than think of that imperishable one, "exempt from public haunt," where Rosalind found her verses, with its stream-side where the Poor sequester'd stag, That from the hunter's aim had ta'en a hurt Did come to languish. The "forest," so late as two centuries ago, comprised no fewer than eleven thousand acres of wood and wilderness. Much has now been brought under cultivation, so that only about eight thousand acres remain untilled, and of these about one-half have been planted with Scotch fir, whence the peculiar and solemn aspect which masses of conifers alone can bestow. Entering this part of the "Vale," we are at once attracted to the beautiful park, woods, and waters, distinguished particularly as "Vale Royal," or in full, Vale Royal Abbey, the mansion,--the ancient country seat of the Cholmondeley family--being nearly upon the site of the famous monastic home founded in 1277 by Edward I. Lord Delamere liberally permits access to the grounds, the approaches to which are eminently sweet and pleasant. The railway should be quitted at Hartford, quiet lanes from which place lead into the valley of the Weaver.[9] Thence we move to the margin of Vale Royal Mere, with choice, upon arrival, of one of the most charming sylvan walks in Cheshire, obtained by going through the wood, or a more open path along the opposite shore. To take one path going, the other returning, and thus to secure the double harvest, of course is best. So, for the final homeward journey, which should not be by way of Hartford, but _viâ_ Cuddington. A drive through the glorious fir-plantations which abut upon Vale Royal carries the privileged to another most beautiful scene,--Oulton Park, the country seat of the Grey-Egertons. Here again is a sheet of lilied water; here, too, are some of the noblest trees in Cheshire, including one of the most remarkable lindens the world contains.