2 1 4 Country Rambles. 



get to Summerseat, distant from Manchester thirteen 

 miles. The river, soon lost sight of after passing Moly- 

 neux, here comes into view again, winding among trees, 

 and with steep declivities right and left. The eastern 

 side of the valley is abundantly wooded, and although 

 broken by little ravines, offers a delightful walk of about 

 two miles to the village of Ramsbottom. To begin 

 it, cross the little aqueduct over the gorge, then keep 

 straight on beneath the shadow of the wood. Beside 

 this pleasant path wild raspberries grow in plenty, and 

 ferns, and on the sunward edges of the steep brows above 

 the stream, not yet much sullied by "works," in Septem- 

 ber it is sweet to sit down to rest and talk, noting as we 

 chat the lilac blossoms of the heather. It does not, as 

 in the wilderness, monopolise the ground, but springs 

 delicately from the turf, here a little and there a little, in 

 quantity just enough to remind us that it is one of the 

 friendly plants, those of the same spirit as the anemone 

 and the celandine, which never care to live alone, but 

 "love their own kind and to dwell among their kindred." 

 For the curious in other matters, up above again, on the 

 highest point, there is the celebrated tower which com- 

 memorates the "Cheeryble Brothers," William and Daniel 

 Grant. Looking across the river, the opposite bank is 

 remarkably different, the slopes being almost treeless. 

 Gradually swelling, at last they expand into a vast tract 

 of moorland called Holcombe Hill, well chosen for the 

 erection of the far -seen landmark called the Peel 

 monument. 



