Page:Walks in the Black Country and its green border-land.pdf/452

438 solidity of trunk. One measured three feet round at the bottom where it began to climb. Another flattened itself against the iron-clad oak, until its spread of solid wood was full three feet broad and six inches thick. The little green leaves with which it trims all the branches and twigs of the giant oak, are so many small dogstars heralding the approach of the great tree's own foliage. Parts of the old abbey still remain—the old gateway quite entire. The stables are of modern structure and constitute a kind of half moon of buildings, enclosing a space of a full half acre. With their gate-house, and the long covered walk extending to the mansion, they almost constitute a castle of themselves. Indeed, if they were ruined to the right aspect, they would attract visiters and admiration for their architecture and elegance of finish. As Lord Leigh was at home, we did not ask permission to see the interior of the house, which, from published accounts, must be fitted up with great taste, with all the luxuries and adornments which wealth can command.