Country Rambles - free ebook by Leo H. (Leo Hartley) Grindon

COUNTRY RAMBLES.

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Country Rambles,

AND Manchester Walks and Wild flowers: BEING RURAL WANDERINGS IN CHESHIRE, LANCASHIRE, DERBYSHIRE, &amp; YORKSHIRE. BY LEO H. GRINDON, Author of “The Manchester Flora,” “Manchester Banks and Bankers,” “Lancashire: Historical and Descriptive Notes,” and other works. If thou art worn, and hard beset With sorrows that thou wouldst forget; If thou wouldst read a lesson that will keep Thy heart from fainting, and thy soul from sleep, Go to the woods and hills! No tears Dim the sweet look that Nat

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PREFACE.

THE following pages consist, in part, of a reprint of the little volume published in 1858 under the title of Manchester Walks and Wild–Flowers ;—in part, of brief excerpta from the author’s accounts of trips made by the Field Naturalists’ Society, as given in their Annual Reports, 1860–1881. A very considerable amount of new matter will also be found. Giving descriptions in a novel and welcome manner, of pretty places in the neighbourhood previously unknown to people in general, and indicating i

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CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY.

The meanest floweret of the vale, The simplest note that swells the gale, The common sun, the air, the skies, To him are opening Paradise. WIDE as may be the circle covered by a great town, we come to the country at last. Let the bricks and mortar stride far as they will over the greensward, there are always sanctuaries beyond—sweet spots where we may yet listen to the singing of the birds, and pluck the early primrose and anemone. We need but take our survey from a sufficiently high point, to s

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CHAPTER II. THE ASHLEY MEADOWS, AND THE LOWER BOLLIN VALLEY.

SPRING VISIT. O Proserpina, For the flowers now that, frighted, thou let’st fall From Dis’s wagon! Pale primroses That die unmarried, ere they can behold Bright Phœbus in his strength. SHAKSPEARE. THE part of the country round Manchester which supplies the greatest number of different wild–flowers, and of rare kinds in particular, is unquestionably the neighbourhood of Bowdon. Next in botanical interest come the Reddish valley, extending from Stockport to near Hyde, the Disley hills, and the del

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CHAPTER III. ROSTHERNE MERE.

When the month of May Is come, and I can hear the small birds sing, And the fresh flourès have begun to spring, Good bye, my book! devotion, too, good bye! CHAUCER. THE path to the Ashley meadows offers the best point of departure also for far–famed Rostherne, for although the distance is somewhat less from the “Ashley” station, the old route past Bowdon vicarage remains the most enjoyable. Going behind it, through a little plantation, we proceed, with many curves, yet without perplexity, into t

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CHAPTER IV. CARRINGTON MOSS.

“Will you walk into my parlour?” said the spider to the fly: “’Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy.” OLD SONG. SHOULD any of our unknown companions in these rambles be vegetarians, they will please here take notice that Carrington Moss is in the summer–time a scene of ravenous slaughter such as cannot but be exceedingly painful and shocking to them. It will appear the more repulsive from the high character for innocence ordinarily borne by the destroyers, who are the last bein

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CHAPTER V. GATLEY CARRS.

We live by admiration, hope, and love, And even as these are well and wisely fixed, In dignity of being we ascend. WORDSWORTH. THERE is not a more delightful ride out of town, at any season of the year, than through Rusholme and Didsbury to Cheadle. The country is on either hand fertile and pleasantly wooded, and in many places embellished with handsome grounds, while gardens and shrubberies succeed one another so fast that the road seems completely edged with them. The variety of trees presente

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CHAPTER VI. BY THE NORTH–WESTERN LINE THROUGH STOCKPORT.

Oh, my lord, lie not idle: The chiefest action for a man of great spirit Is never to be out of action. We should think The soul was never put into the body, Which has so many rare and curious pieces Of mathematical motion, to stand still. WEBSTER. BEFORE the opening of the “Manchester and Birmingham”—a title now forgotten, the line having been absorbed into the London and North–Western—the road through Rusholme, Didsbury, and Cheadle was the accustomed highway to Congleton, viâ Wilmslow, to whic

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CHAPTER VII. BEESTON CASTLE.

This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses. This guest of summer, The temple–haunting martlet, doth approve By his lov’d mansionry, that the heavens’ breath Smells wooingly here. SHAKSPEARE. WHEN for our country pleasure an entire day can be commanded, Crewe, ten or twelve miles from Chelford, and thirty–one from Manchester, marks the way to Combermere Abbey and Beeston Castle—places alike of singular interest, though of totally differen

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CHAPTER VIII. THE REDDISH VALLEY AND ARDEN (OR HARDEN) HALL.

What exhibitions various hath the world Witness’d of mutability in all That we account most durable below! Change is the diet on which all subsist, Created changeable, and change at last Destroys them. COWPER. IT speaks not a little for the vigorous and buoyant life of the immediate neighbourhood of our town that so few examples are to be met with of decay and ruin. Turn whichever way we will, we find new houses, new factories, new enterprises, but scarcely an instance of wasting away and dilapi

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CHAPTER IX. ALONG THE MACCLESFIELD LINE.

It is fine To stand upon some lofty mountain–thought, And feel the spirit stretch into a view: To joy in what might be if will and power For good would work together but one hour. Yet millions never think a noble thought, But with brute hate of brightness bay a mind Which drives the darkness out of them, like hounds. J. P. BAILEY. STOCKPORT, the uninviting, in whatever direction we look to escape from it, is a point of rare value for departure for scenes of interest—this mainly because of its st

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CHAPTER X. DISLEY AND MARPLE WAY.

So shalt thou keep thy memory green, And redolent as balmy noon With happiness, for love makes glad; Child–natures never lose their June. S. E. TONKIN. WHEN the L. and N. W. opened its branch from Stockport to Buxton, June 15th, 1863, every one loving the country had visions of immense delight among the sweet and then scarcely known hills of Disley and Marple. Previously, they were no more than an element of the scenery observed from the Buxton coach. Since then we have better understood the mea

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CHAPTER XI. BY THE MIDLAND LINE.

But the dell, Bathed in the mist, is fresh and delicate As vernal corn–field, or the unripe flax, When through its half–transparent stalks at eve The level sunshine glimmers with green light. S. T. COLERIDGE. THE opening of the Midland line through Marple, like that of the L. &amp; N. W. through Disley, was hailed with immense delight by all lovers of country rambles. Access thereto previously was possible only on foot, or by canal, and in either case the journey was rather long. Chadkirk, s

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CHAPTER XII. THE NORTH–EASTERN HIGHLANDS.

My heart leaps up when I behold The rainbow in the sky— So was it when I was a boy; So is it now I am a man; So be it when I shall grow old, Or let me die! WORDSWORTH. FOR our present purpose it is convenient to include, under the general title of the North–eastern Highlands, the vast mountain district, occupying portions of three counties, which extends from the Peak to the neighbourhood of Greenfield. Reached in part by the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire system, in part by the L. &amp

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CHAPTER XIII. BAMFORD WOOD.

So rich a shade, so green a sod, Our English fairies never trod; Yet who in Indian bower has stood, But thought on England’s “good green wood?” And bless’d, beneath the palmy shade, Her hazel and her hawthorn glade, And breath’d a prayer (how oft in vain!) To gaze upon her oaks again? HEBER. FORTY years ago no part of our neighbourhood more abounded in natural attractions than the district which comprises Moston, Blackley, Boggart–hole Clough, Middleton, Bamford Wood, and the upper portions gene

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CHAPTER XIV. MERE CLOUGH.

O ’tis a quiet spirit–healing nook Which all, methinks, would love; but chiefly he The humble man, who in his early years Knew just so much of folly as had made His riper manhood more securely wise. COLERIDGE. MERE Clough! Where is that? Such will probably be the reception of our present title, at least in thought, by not a few of those whom we hope to be the means of introducing to this romantic little glen. For it is positively surprising how much of the rural beauty of our neighbourhood is un

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CHAPTER XV. HORSEFIELD’S PREDECESSORS AND COMPANIONS.[24]

Though I be hoar, I fare as doth a tree That blosmeth ere the fruit y–woxen be; The blosmy tree is neither drie ne ded; I feel me nowhere hoar but on my hed; Mine harte and all my limmès ben as green As laurel through the year is for to seen. CHAUCER. A CHAPTER may here be legitimately devoted to the men in whose wake Horsefield and Crozier followed and to their own principal companions. The history of these men is peculiar. It is not simply that of individuals, but inseparably identified with t

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CHAPTER XVI. VIA CLIFTON JUNCTION.

As the stern grandeur of a Gothic tower Awes us less deeply in its morning hour, Than when the shades of time serenely fall On every broken arch and ivied wall, The tender images we love to trace, Steal from each year a melancholy grace. ROGERS. CLIFTON Junction may be regarded as the railway entrance to east and central Lancashire, since at this point, while the original line runs on to Bolton, there is divergence to Bury, whence, in turn, we get to Accrington. After Molyneux Brow, the first st

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CHAPTER XVII. PRESTON AND SOUTHPORT WAY.

The Bridegroom Sea Is toying with his wedded spouse, the shore. He decorates her tawny brow with shells, Retires a space, to see how fair she looks, Then, proud, runs up to kiss her. ALEXANDER SMITH. CAMDEN, in his famous seventeenth century tour, says that he approached Lancashire from Yorkshire, “that part of the country lying beyond the mountains towards the western ocean,” with “a kind of dread,” but trusted to Divine Providence, which, he said, “had gone with him hitherto,” to help him in t

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I. PERMANENT RESIDENTS.

The Kestrel, or Windhover ( Falco Tinnunculus ), Morris, vol. i., pl. 17. Common, building in woods, especially where little disturbed by visitors. One of the most beautiful and harmless of its race, and remarkable for hovering over its prey, which is often a field–mouse. It may be seen suspended in the air by quick, short flapping of the wings, sometimes for five minutes, then dropping down upon its victim with wonderful speed and force. The Sparrow–hawk ( Accipiter Fringillarius ), i., 19. Com

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II. PERIODICAL VISITORS.

The Wheat–ear ( Sylvia Œnanthe ), iii., 142. The earliest of our summer visitants, coming by the end of March, but staying in the fields not longer than two or three weeks, when it moves off to the mountainous districts to breed. Very fond of placing its nest in deserted rabbit–holes, and in cavities in old stone walls. The Grasshopper Warbler ( Sylvia locustella ), iii., 143. No one who has heard this bird can ever forget it, the note resembling the voice of the grasshopper, but prolonged into

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III. CASUAL, STRAY, AND OCCASIONAL BIRDS.

Several of the birds named below are permanent residents in the British Islands, and others are regular visitors to this country. They are put in the present place because seen near Manchester only at uncertain intervals, or as casuals, the only one that can be looked for with any degree of probability, being the sea–gull. The visits, as will be seen from the dates, have in some cases occurred at periods so far back, that except for completeness’ sake, they would scarcely be worth mention. I quo

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IV. INTRODUCED AND NATURALIZED.

The Common Pheasant ( Phasianus colchicus ), iii., 169. In “Preserves.”...

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CHAPTER XIX. NATURAL HISTORY IN THE LIBRARY.

As he who southward sails, beholds each night, New constellations rise, all clear and fair; So, o’er the waters of the world, as we Reach the mid zone of life, or go beyond, Beauty and bounty still beset our course; New beauties wait upon us everywhere, New lights enlighten, and new worlds attract. J. P. BAILEY. THE immense value of the Manchester libraries to the student of Natural History has already been mentioned. Treasure–houses at all times, it is impossible to over–estimate the privileges

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I. LONDON ROAD STATION.

( a )— London and North–Western. (1) Through Stockport. To Cheadle Hulme, 8¼. „ Handforth, 10½, for Handforth Hall, Norcliffe, and Oversley. „ Wilmslow, 12, for Norcliffe, Lindow Common, the Morley Meadows, and the Upper Bollin Valley. „ Alderley, 13¾, for Lindow Common, Alderley Edge, Birtles, and Capesthorne. „ Chelford, 17, for Capesthorne and Astle Park. „ Crewe, 31, for Wrenbury, 39½, en route for Combermere. „ Crewe, 31, for Beeston and Peckforton. „ Crewe, 31, for Shrewsbury, 63¼,

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II. VICTORIA STATION.

( a )— London and North–Western. (1) Through Miles Platting. To Stalybridge, 7, for Staley–brushes, “North Britain,” and “Bucton Castle.” „ Mossley, 10½. „ Greenfield, 12¾, for Bill’s–o’–Jack’s, “Pots and Pans,” Seal Bark, and the “Isle of Skye.” „ Saddleworth, 13¾. „ Marsden (through the tunnel), 18¾, for Wessenden Clough. „ Huddersfield, 26. „ Leeds, 42½, en route for Harrogate, 60½, Ripon, 72, Fountains Abbey, &amp;c. (2) Through Ordsall Lane (Chat Moss line). To Eccles, 4. „ Patri

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III. CENTRAL STATION.

( a )— Midland. The distances are differently stated. Those given below are from Bradshaw’s 3d. Guide. Through Didsbury , 5¾. To Heaton Mersey, 7. „ Romiley, 12¼. „ Marple, 14. „ Strines, 16. „ New Mills, 17½. „ Chinley, 21¼. „ Chapel–en–le–Frith, 23, for Castleton. „ Miller’s Dale, 31¼. „ Monsal Dale, 34. „ Hassop, 36¾. „ Bakewell, 37¾. „ Rowsley, 41¼. „ Darley, 43½. „ Matlock Bath, 46¾. „ Derby, 62¾. ( b )— Cheshire Lines. (1) Liverpool Line. To Urmston, 5. „ Flixton, 6¼. „ Irl

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IV. OXFORD ROAD STATION.

(1) Bowdon Line. To Old Trafford, 2. „ Stretford, 3½. „ Sale, 5. „ Brooklands, 5¾. „ Timperley, 6¾. „ Altrincham and Bowdon, 8. (2) Liverpool Line. To Broadheath, 7¾. „ Dunham Massey, 10. „ Heatley and Warburton, 11½. „ Lymm, 13. „ Thelwall, 14½. „ Latchford, 16½. „ Warrington, 17¾. „ Hale Bank, 26¾. „ Speke, 29. „ Edge Hill, 35. „ Liverpool, 36¼....

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