IO2 Country Rambles. 



way to it being by Levenshulme and Reddish,* inquiring 

 there for the Reddish paper-mills, which lie in the valley 

 on the Lancashire side of the river, and are approached 

 by a steep descent, with beautiful views of the surround- 

 ing country in front and upon the left. Crossing the 

 river by the mills, mounting the hill, going through a few 

 fields and a grove of trees, right before us, sooner than 

 expected, stands the hall, a large, tall square building of 

 grey stone. At first sight, it appears to be in tolerable 

 preservation. The remains of the old sun-dial are still 

 visible, the diamonded casements of some of the windows 

 are perfect, and the exterior generally is undefaced. But 

 the illusion soon passes away. Penetrating to the inside, 

 the great hall a noble apartment, some eleven yards by 

 eight is found heaped with rubbish and fallen beams ; 

 the ceiling, once ornamented with pendent points, is all 

 gone, except a small portion in one corner; it seems a 

 wonder that the roof still cares to stay. A slender turret, 

 rising above the rest of the fabric, includes a circular 

 staircase, leading to the gallery of the upper floor. Here 

 the diamonded casements reappear, looking full into the 

 western sky, and over the trees and river winding at the 

 foot of the steep; and here we discover the loveliness 

 of the site. Abundantly wooded, strewn with fertile 

 meads, and opening out in every direction pretty views 

 of distant hills, with yet more distant ones peeping over 



their shoulders, there is not a more picturesque valley 



_j 



* At which last-named place there is now also (1882) a railway 

 station. 



