CHAPTER II. 



"There is wind on the heath, brother !" 



— George Borrow. — Lavengro. 



" A land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven." 



"DOSSENDALE, as I first remember it, over forty years ago, 

 ^^ was in some respects different from the Rossendale of to- 

 day. Its population at that time was about one half what it is at 

 present, and the district was altogether more rural and sylvan in 

 character. The introduction of the railway about that period was 

 the beginning of a revolution which is still in progress. Increase 

 of population, and improved carrying and travelling facilities have 

 their advantages in the enhanced value of land and other property 

 which results ; but they have their drawbacks also ; and whilst 

 submitting to, and even welcoming, the inevitable, we are con- 

 strained to bewail, with Mr. Ruskin, the havoc that is wrought in 

 Arcadia when trade and manufactures prevail. 



As is said of other manufacturing districts, so with equal 

 truth it may be said of Rossendale, that " here they grow factory 

 chimneys instead of trees." But notwithstanding the presence of 

 the numerous tall chimneys, there are some charming bits of 

 scenery in Rossendale. Amongst these may be mentioned the 

 view of the \\"aterfoot and Hareholme valley, and the village of 

 Newchurch, obtained from the opposite hill sides below Coupe 

 Law ; of the Dean Valley from Seat Naze, or from the ridge above 

 Broadclough ; and the Sunnyside and Crawshawbooth valley from 

 the slopes of Chapel Hill. But, indeed, the panorama that extends 

 on every side, as viewed from any of the hill summits in the district, 

 is of an agreeable and imposing character. The constant presence 



