118 RAMBLE OVER DERBYSHIRE HILLS AND DALES, 
upper ground of which we explored by the dim evening light, as 
far as its junction with Middleton Dale. Cucklett Church* 
was shrouded in shadow, and, standing beneath its rocky arches, 
CUCKLETT CHURCH. 
we could scarcely see between the dark overhanging branches of 
the surrounding trees to the bottom of the Dell: 
** So hushed, so shrouded its deep bosom lies.” 
At the extremity of this secluded ravine, on the point of rock 
guarding its eastern entrance, we had a most beautiful view of 
Middleton Dale, though perhaps too dark to show it to the best 
advantage. Wending our way back again by the same rough 
route, through the long and dewy grass, we next went to the 
churchyard, just to notice the positions of the cross, Catherine 
Mompesson’s tomb, etc., so that we might arrange for the 
morrow. It was a glorious evening, and with pleasant remini- 
scences of a former visit, I proposed a walk through the village 
and on to the Sheffield Road, towards the Riley graves, and we 
* ¢*©Cucklet, or Cuckletts, is the name of certain fields, or plots of land, 
west of the rock where Mompesson preached; the name is said to be a corrup- 
tion of the words, Cook’s Lot,—that is, land that once belonged to a family 
named Cook.” — Wood. 
