104 
A good many years ago I found that he was on the highway 
to become a poet. ‘l’his was no surprise to me. Cowper began 
his poetry at an age later than that of our friend. Cowley’s 
poetical promenade was the result of the accident of finding 
Spenser’s ‘‘ Faeire Queene” in his mother’s room. And it was by 
a fortuitous attendance at an international gathering of crafts- 
men that the fountain of Castalia was visited by our friend, 
In the year 1894, there was published in the Journal of 
Decorative Art, a poetical description of what took place at the 
first annual gathering of the craft, held in Manchester. Our 
Poet had got to work, and was giving his impressions of things 
seen at this international meeting. He had found his happy 
pastime. 
Heredity having been stated to be contributory before 
personal evolution commences, I must refer briefly to his for- 
bears. On the paternal, side his ancestors were located at 
a charming, and romantically situated, old Manor House on the 
western slopes of Pendle, and what is almost unique about here, 
as far as I know, one line alone, with ne’er a break, for seven 
hundred years, has held the property. The view from the house 
is, perhaps, the finest in the district, embracing, as it does, the 
Fells of Longridge and Bowland, with the majestic forms of 
Stoneyhurst and Clitheroe Castle right in front, while far away 
to the right, couching in dignified isolation, Penyghent and 
Ingleboro’ can be seen. ‘Two streams, which are torrents in 
wet weather, join together just below the base of old Pendle, and on 
the lingular of land thus formed, Little Mearly Hall is situated. 
Henry Nutter sang— 
“The streamlets near Mearley dashed by in a flood, 
And Pendle’s proud summit was capped by a clud.” 
Our friend felt with the keenest appreciation his direct connec- 
with this house of ancient fame. After one of our visits there 
he produced— 
BONNY LITTLE MEARLEY. 
What visions rare the old house brings, 
Of story and romance, 
Through reigns of thirty queens and kings, 
As mind gives backward glance ; 
From John’s stern days in flawless line 
History shews quite clearly, 
One race has owned by right divine 
Bonny Little Mearley. 
Since that far time, when first grantee 
Held lands for service paid, 
But three surnames in pedigree, 
As owners are arrayed. 
