CHAPTER XIV. 



MERE CLOUGH. 



O 'tis a quiet spirit-healing nook 



Which all, methinks, would love ; but chiefly he 



The humble man, who in his early years 



Knew just so much of folly as had made 



His riper manhood more securely wise. 



COLERIDGE. 



ERE CLOUGH! Where is that? Such 

 will probably be the reception of our 

 present title, at least in thought, by not 

 a few of those whom we hope to be the 

 means of introducing to this romantic 

 little glen. For it is positively surprising 

 how much of the rural beauty of our neighbourhood is 

 unknown, even to those who delight in country scenes 

 and the fresh air of the fields ; and how often the very 

 existence of it is unsuspected till some fortunate accident 

 brings home the welcome truth. Nowhere within the 

 same very short distance of Manchester is so much 

 woodland beauty to be found as in Mere Clough and its 

 immediate neighbourhood; nor is any place within four 

 miles of the Cathedral the avenue to so many pleasant 

 auxiliary walks. In botanical riches Mere Clough is 



