Glossop. 173 



against the sky, raay.be discerned the jutting rocks called 

 the "Worm-stones." Down in the hollow stands "Gnat- 

 hole Mill," gray and ivied, as befits the oldest in the 

 district, the date of the erection being about 1760. The 

 cloth manufactured at this mill is the peculiar drab worn by 

 Quakers, and is reputed the best of the kind in England. 



Pursuing our course up the hill, we presently reach 

 Lees Hall. Here a steep lane turns down upon the 

 left, leading to " Lees-hall dingle," a pretty little retreat, 

 which yet is not a solitude, so full is it of life, with a 

 babbling stream, bound with tribute for the Etherowe, 

 and a waterfall, half-hidden by the trees. Beyond the 

 waterfall the bank is covered with the Phcgopteris, or 

 beech-fern. The great elevation immediately above, is 

 "Whiteley Nab," and should on no account be left 

 unclimbed. Glorious views are obtained from the sum- 

 mit, and, on summer mornings, very early, are visible 

 even Chester and the sea. 



Retracing our steps, we cross the brook a short dis- 

 tance below the waterfall, then proceed along the field- 

 path into the road, Gnat-hole mill reappearing in front, 

 and then almost immediately turn upon the right into 

 a beech-wood, called " Gnat-hole dingle," dry and plea- 

 sant as beech-woods always are, and with another stream 

 and waterfall. Emerging from the dingle, those who 

 are tired readily find their way back to Howard-town : 

 the hearty should first go a little way up the road above 

 Gnat-hole mill, and glance at Castle hill, (an ancient 



