LONDON:

Printed by T. C. Newby, No. 11, Little Queen Street.

PLEBEIANS

AND

PATRICIANS.

VOL. I.

B

PLEBEIANS AND PATRICIANS.

CHAPTER I.

FAMILY CHANGES-THE MANFORDS.

"'Tis a world of changes,—

And whether up or down-the change is irksome."

Anonymous.

FORTY-EIGHT years ago, the parish of

Shawton, forming one of the north eastern extremities of Cheshire, was as beautiful and

picturesque in its appearance, as the most