Mottram-in-Longdendale. 171 



after returning to the station, the Mottram moors. The 

 ascent is of course steep in any case. Should it be pre- 

 ferred to keep close by, after crossing the river, ascend 

 the western incline of the valley for a little distance, 

 then enter, upon the right, the pretty grove called 

 " Bottoms-Hall wood," the winding path through which 

 conducts imperceptibly back to the village. 



The " Mottram " now being spoken of, is, of course, 

 quite a different one from that near Prestbury, and for 

 distinction sake, is geographically called " in-Longden- 

 dale," the other being properly " Mottram-St-Andrew." 

 The district of which it is the heart constitutes the north- 

 eastern extremity of the county of Cheshire, the very end 

 of all, in the extreme east, being " Featherbed moss," 

 divided from Yorkshire by Salter's brook. It is noted 

 for its bold and romantic scenery, and for the altitude 

 of the locality of the church, which becomes, in conse- 

 quence, a conspicuous object for many miles in all direc- 

 tions, much after the same manner as that of Marple. 

 The date of the original building was 1478. In 1855 

 the whole fabric was renewed, and in respect of its orna- 

 mental and architectural details, ancient and modern, it 

 is now exceedingly interesting. The tower contains 

 eight musical bells, the ringers of which are famed for 

 their scientific handling of the ropes. 



Once in the midst of these hills, it is impossible to go 

 wrong for delight of eye. Fixing a point beforehand is 

 nevertheless the most advantageous ; and so, skipping , 



