Todmorden. 197 



Early literature may some day, perhaps, throw further 

 light upon it ; meantime, we can repose in the conscious- 

 ness of how well the appellation is deserved. 



Descending from Blackstone-edge, it is best, on ap- 

 proaching the Lydgate Inn, to cross the fields upon the 

 left, and so through the ferny glen called Clegg's-wood. 

 A few more fields, all very pleasant, then bring us to the 

 margin of Hollingworth Lake, the distance from which 

 to Littleborough is considerably under a mile. 



Todmorden, soon reached after running through the 

 Littleborough tunnel, is situated at the junction of three 

 picturesque valleys, with a surrounding country of hill 

 and glen, and full of fine moorland scenery, such as 

 may well have called forth the noted descriptions given 

 in " Scarsdale." Many spots of historical interest are 

 pointed out in the neighbourhood. Along the eastern 

 hill-sides, eighteen centuries ago, marched the legions 

 of Agricola; Todmorden Hall was one of the chief 

 houses of the ancient and powerful family of Radclyffe, 

 famous in chronicle and in legendary song; Whitaker, 

 the antiquary, and Archbishop Tillotson were both born 

 in the vicinity ; and coming down to our own day, and 

 noting its specialities, those Athenian characters who, in 

 respect of ferns, are ever wanting " some new thing," are 

 in Todmorden amply provided for.* The high grounds 

 that overlook the town supply abundant scope for en- 

 * At Messrs Stansfield & Son's Nurseries. 



