1 76 Wood/iead. 



one inch deep over the surface of the 19,000 acres of 

 collecting-ground, is equivalent to nearly 430 millions of 

 gallons.* 



How many a day's enjoyment, amid the very scenes 

 this book describes, has been neutralised by that self- 

 same rain ! While the ladies vainly seek to protect lank 

 wet muslin with dripping parasols, and bachelors in the 

 rear are shaking with internal laughter, no one gives a 

 thought to the Woodhead moors. But ruin to the one 

 is profit to the other, and if the landscape be drenched, 

 there are millions of gallons for domestic comfort. Not 

 pleasant is it, certainly, when we have started in the 

 sunshine, to find some dark cloud beginning to dissolve; 

 worse still, when it turns to a steady down-pour, or 

 when noiseless and slanting lines forbid all hope ; yet, 

 though all plans be spoiled, if there come but a gleam 

 from the west, there is still a solace to be extracted, 

 for never is the sense of the life and energy of nature 

 stronger than when the sun is shining upon trees and 

 plants besprent with rain-drops. 



Mounting to the moors, at the entrance to the Wood- 

 head tunnel, (by the brook-side,) we come to a clough, a 

 waterfall, and the beginnings of the river Derwent ; cross- 

 ing the Etherowe, there is a fine walk to Tintwistle, 

 and thence over the moors to Staley-Brushes. All this 

 while, be it remembered, though travelling by the Shef- 

 field railway, we have not once touched Yorkshire, 

 * Manchester Courier, Jan. 13, 1 866. 



