Marple Aqueduct. 35 



diately we are over there is seen upon the left an en- 

 trance to the sloping and wooded ground upon the river- 

 bank, with a broad path beneath the trees. Ascending 

 thereby, about half-way up is a pair of holly-bushes, 

 one upon each side of the path, where it is well to turn 

 round and survey the majestic aqueduct, and the lofty 

 railway viaduct that forms a background to it. The 

 rare combination presented in these two works is suf- 

 ficient to repay a visit. Aqueducts are common enough, 

 and so are viaducts, but it is seldom that we have the 

 opportunity of contemplating, at the same instant, a two- 

 fold row of arches of such grandeur, the viaduct consist- 

 ing of no less than thirteen, with a uniform span of fifty 

 feet. The height of the viaduct above the river is 135 

 feet, or thirty-eight greater than the arches of the aque- 

 duct. The first stone was laid September 24, 1861 the 

 last in rather less than twelve months afterwards; so 

 great are the powers and triumphs of the engineering of 

 to-day, compared with those of only seventy years ago. 

 Both structures are independent of brick. 



Keeping up the path past the hollies, and going over 

 the crest of the hill, we next descend to the romantic 

 hollow upon the left, close to the river ; then mount the 

 field-on the side opposite to that by which entrance was 

 made, and so to the brow again, where we get a charming 

 view of Chadkirk Vale. Through the valley winds the 

 Goyt; the prospect is everywhere full and diversified; and 

 in front, towards the left, halfc-oncealed among trees upon 



