Forest of Rossendale. 279 



trees and under-growth have disappeared from the face of the 

 country. True, the hills remain as of yore, which is something to 

 rejoice at, and the Irwell and its tributaries still meander down 

 the valleys, though sadly wanting in the pellucid brightness that 

 characterized them in the past. The change is one that has 

 overtaken other places besides Rossendale, and it seems as though 

 it were an inevitable result of the presence of a human population, 

 where the numbers are considerable. Let it- be hoped that the 

 time will come when it will be possible to reconcile the now 

 opposing conditions, or at least to render them less marked and 

 objectionable. The dream is one which is worth cherishing, and 

 it may perhaps be turned into a reality when a sincere and united 

 effort is made for its accomplishment. 



The immediate result of the fulfilment of the decree of Henry 

 VII., for the disforesting of the Forest of Rossendale, was to 

 cause an influx of population into the district, who were afterwards 

 to introduce those manufacturing and industrial pursuits which 

 have since proved an inexhaustible fountain of enrichment, such as 

 the agricultural improvement of its soil is powerless to supply. 

 Ever since that period Rossendale has been growing in importance, 

 by slow gradations at first, sometimes so as scarcely to be perceived, 

 but afterwards with rapid and surprising strides. The advances 

 which have been made during the present century are remarkable. 

 We are each accustomed to listen to the stories of the Patriarchs of 

 the villages — those who have passed a long life-time in the district 

 — how that things are strangely altered since the time when they 

 knew every face in their different localities, and could salute each 

 inhabitant as a familiar acquaintance. 



During tlie reign of Henry VII., we have seen that the 

 population of Rossendale numbered only about twenty souls, 

 whose occupation was that of keeping the Deer. After the Forest 

 was apportioned out into vaccaries or booths, and granted to 

 certain of the inhabitants by the king's commission, the population 

 began to increase, and agricultural pursuits constituted their chief 

 daily employment. 



