CHAPTER X. 



DISLEY AND MARPLE WAY. 



So shalt thou keep thy memory green, 



And redolent as balmy noon 

 With happiness, for love makes glad ; 



Child-natures never lose their June. 



S. E. TONKIN. 



HEN the L. and N. W. opened its branch 

 from Stockport to Buxton, June i5th, 

 1863, every one loving the country had 

 visions of immense delight among the 

 sweet and then scarcely known hills of 

 Disley and Marple. Previously, they were 

 no more than an element of the scenery 

 observed from the Buxton coach. Since then we have 

 better understood the meaning of those grateful lines, 



You gave me such sweet breath as made 

 The things more rich. 



For if the fronts of these beautiful hills be sometimes 

 rugged, there are none that the western breezes better 

 love to caress, nor are there any that welcome the sun- 



