1 1 6 Norcliffe. 



Here, mingled with gay azaleas, are the most splen- 

 did rhododendrons that will endure the open air ; 

 and early in June, when they are at the acme of their 

 purple beauty, truly there is no spectacle more ravish- 

 ing. Everything else is in keeping. Laid out in 1830, 

 under the immediate directions of Mr Greg, no grounds 

 in the neighbourhood have attained greater perfection ; 

 and the noble-spirited proprietor may well feel his inter- 

 est in them not only unabated, but increasing daily. It 

 is probably the most romantic place of the kind near 

 Manchester, and certainly there can be none more per- 

 ennially green and cheerful. Almost as on the banks of 

 old Clitumnus, 



" Hie ver assiduum, atque alienis mensibus aestas !" 

 The walk through the sylvan part of the grounds 

 brings many beautiful wild-flowers into view. Here, in 

 the month of May, are to be found the wood-millet, 

 Mil'ium effdsum, the prettiest, after the Briza, of the 

 English grasses, and exceedingly abundant ; plenty also 

 of the prim little woodruff, holding up handfuls of snow- 

 white crosses, and, when dry, smelling like a hay-field ; 

 with great banks of the golden dead-nettle, and in the 

 open spaces, among the springing grass, the beautiful 

 blue pagodas of the bugle, Ajuga reptans. The river at 

 the foot of the hill is the Bollin ; and it may interest 

 some to learn that the stone of which Mobberley church 

 is built, was got from the cliff that rises upon the oppo- 

 site margin at Quarry Bank. 



