212 Hoghton Tower. 



hued. Traversing this little beech-grove, and skirting 

 the brink of a great stone-quarry upon the left, we may 

 find our way, by steep and winding paths among the 

 trees, to the valley below, where runs the Darwen 

 on its way to the Ribble. Between the foot of the 

 wood and the bank of the river, lies, however, a broad 

 water-shed. To cross this, move a little distance to the 

 right, where there is a bridge. The proper name of this 

 valley is said to be the "Orr;" the inhabitants call it 

 the " Owls' hole." In early summer it yields the Arum 

 and the Stellaria, and many other pretty wild-flowers; 

 and in autumn there are ripe red raspberries and sheaves 

 of ferns. Presently we find the valley spanned, at the 

 height of 116 feet above the bed of the river, by the 

 railway viaduct, and about half a mile lower down, at 

 " Hoghton Bottoms," the scenery again becomes roman- 

 tic, though the path is not so practicable. 



In 1617, James I., on his return from Scotland to 

 London, passed through Lancashire, and stayed three 

 days at Hoghton Tower, namely, from August i6th to 

 1 8th, during the whole of which time the weather is 

 recorded to have been "verie hotte." Splendid festi- 

 vities were kept up while the king remained, and during 

 their progress, it is said, arose the questionable legend 

 of " Sir Loin." Otherwise, the tower is not distin- 

 guished in history. The only important event told of 

 it in connexion with military matters, consisted in a 

 terrific explosion of gunpowder, which occurred in one 



