96 A GEOLOGICAL KAMBLE TO IXGLEBOnOUGH. 



turmoil and noise of the busy town, for a few daj's quiet ramble in the 

 country. In threading through the streets of our large towns we are 

 reminded at e.very step of man's doings, of his power and wealth. But 

 when we have got well into the coimtry, especially among the hills and 

 dales of Craven, look aroiuid us which way we may, what glorious 

 prospects meet our Avondering gaze ! Wild heathery moorlands, and 

 majestic hills moimting heavenwards, faced with stupendous gray crags, 

 which, here and there, are relieved by clusters of fir and mountain ash. 

 And valleys Avitli silvery streams, merrily leaping from crag to crag, in 

 whose sylvan dells, those solitary, yet beautiful bir.Is, the gray wag -tail 

 and the dipper love to dwell. AVhile far adown the widening valleys are 

 green fields and cornlands interspersed with many a wooded copse ; 

 through which the little beck born amongst the moiuitains, slowly 

 meanders, receiving branch after branch, until it swells into a mighty 

 river, that may be traced far in the dim vista, until its glittering waters 

 are lost in the ocean. It is amongst such delightful scenery as this that 

 we feel the power of the words " God made the country." Man and the 

 works of man dwindle into insignificance when Nature spreads her mani- 

 fold beauties before us. What are even those magnificent works of art 

 and industry which all great towns afford in comparison to such gigantic 

 works of Xature as Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, Kilnsey Crag and many 

 other noble scenes in Craven ? While we stand before them in reverence 

 and awe, we see as well as feel, that a mightier hand than man's has been 

 the builder and a more gigantic intellect the designer. Nor is it alone 

 while wandering amid such glorious scenes as these, that we feel their sooth- 

 ing charms. For often while surrounded by the cares and anxieties of toil 

 and business, the recollection of the many happy days spent amongst them 

 infuses into our flagging minds fresh life and vigour. While Nature 

 yields such true and lasting enjoyments, the naturalist, may well e.xclaim, 

 in the sublime language of Wordsworth, 



'■ Therefore T am still 

 A lover of the meadows and the woods, 

 And mountains ; of all the mighty world 

 Of eye and ear, l)Oth what they half create, 

 And what perceive; well pleased to recognize 

 In Nature ami the language of the sense, 

 1 he anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse, 

 1 he guide, the yuardiaii of my heart and soul 

 Of all mv moral lieing.' 



