[247] In consequence of his death, on the 15th of June, 1852, after this paper was written, the farm now belongs to the author.
[250a] In this closet is a curious substitute for what was unknown when the hall was built—a water-closet. A narrow flue descended into the garden from the closet, and was so built as to appear on the outside as part of the stack or range of chimney-flues; the stone side-supporters of its seat remain; and the soil and every thing offensive used to fall from it through the flue to the ground on the outside, at a hole below in the stone-work, which still remains, and which was purposely left open at the bottom of the chimney-stack, from whence it could be removed when found necessary. I have seen similar (which are, I believe, not uncommon), at Carlisle Castle, adjoining the apartment said to have been the place of confinement of Mary Queen of Scots, at the ancient tower, forming part of Brimstage Old Hall, in Cheshire; at Ludlow Castle, Goodrich Castle, Stoke Saye Castle, and several other old castles in England.
[250b] Such as Chorley Hall, Little Moreton Hall, and Moat Hall, and the site of Alderley Hall; the latter was burned down in 1779, and all vestiges of the walls of the mansion are gone.
[253a] The paper upon the old church of Wilmslow was read by the author in person, before a meeting of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, on the 3rd of May, 1849, and the thanks of the meeting were voted for it to him.
[255a] At present they are not all perfect.
[255b] The piscine is very rarely found on the north side of any church or chapel.
[256] As the ancient family of Handford, of Handford, in the adjoining pariah of Cheadle, bore the etoile or star in their arms, it might be inferred that the ornament had been introduced from that circumstance, if the stars had been painted on shields (like armorial bearings); but that is not the case; as they are painted on circular ornaments.
[257a] Now nearly hidden from view by a quantity of ivy, which has carelessly been suffered to grow over it.
[257b] I seldom see such an example of bad taste, without thinking of a passage, written in some work of imagination (it may be one of Goldsmith’s, for ought I know), which I read when a boy, mentioning an inscription by churchwardens, to the following effect, “Repaired and beautified by Samuel Smear and Daniel Daub, churchwardens.”
[258] Why should we not here notice the grave of a brave man, a native of Styal, in the parish of Wilmslow, who did honour to Cheshire and to his regiment? In the churchyard, near the south side of the chancel is a raised tomb, to the memory of Captain John Worrell, son of Henry and Mary Worrell, of Styal. The following is a copy of the principal part of it:—