26 The Bramhall Valley. 



a paved road, turn up on the left hand, and continue as 

 far as the white cottage. The land upon the right is 

 cathedral property, and is signified to be such by some 

 hollies in the hedge, that have been clipped into a rude 

 representation of an ecclesiastical edifice. Turning in 

 behind the cottage, we go past the cluster of buildings 

 calle*d Wall-bank farm, and descend, with a fine view 

 of the valley and distant hills, to the borders of the 

 brook. Ordinarily, the current is rapid, but much de- 

 pends on the season. If Middlewood be made impass- 

 able by the " useful trouble of the rain," then we may 

 expect plenty of water here in the Bramhall valley; 

 otherwise, the scant stream is impeded by innumerable 

 little peninsulas, half sand, half pebble, that reveal the 

 angry character of bygone floods, though planted often 

 with masses of sturdy butterbur. The opposite slope is 

 hung with trees of many kinds, constituting in the collec- 

 tive, Great Reddish wood, and upon our own side there are 

 pleasant little groves, and calm green fields, along which 

 we pursue our way, meeting no one, and overtaken by 

 no one, till in the distance rises Millbahk farm, with its 

 three great yews. Approaching the farm, then ascend- 

 ing " Button-lane," Marple church soon appears upon 

 the hill in front, and in a little while comes in view again 

 Hazel-grove station. The length of the walk is about 

 three miles and a half. 



The month of May, however, though a capital time 

 if the season be fine, must by no means be relied upon 



