22O Country Rambles. 



square form of which gives it an appearance of great 

 solidity, is almost sacred, having once been the residence 

 of Humphrey Chetham. Part of it is stone, part black 

 and white, the latter with gables, and the storeys succes- 

 sively overhanging, the former with an embattled parapet. 

 Inside there are old carved ceilings, with doors of 

 massive oak, and much besides that talks pleasantly 

 of the fashions of three hundred years ago. Of late 

 years a good deal of "restoration" has been carried on, 

 happily with so much judgment that the original features 

 are in no degree obscured. 



Hall-i'th'-Wood is in its associations one of the most 

 interesting spots in England, since it was in the large 

 upper chamber, the one with a window of no fewer than 

 twenty-four compartments, that Samuel Crompton con- 

 structed the exquisitely skilful machine upon which the 

 cotton industry of Lancashire arose to its present magni- 

 tude and importance. The way to it is from the little 

 wayside station called the "Oaks," crossing the fields, a 

 pleasant walk of about a mile. The hall stands upon 

 the edge of a cliff, at the foot of which flows a little 

 river called the Eagley, one of the early collectors for 

 the Irwell, the scenery on every side just such as 

 would recommend the site to that fine old race of country 

 gentlemen, neither barons nor vassals, under whose 

 authority marks so enduring as these old Lancashire 

 halls were impressed upon the land. When Crompton 

 lived at Hall-i'th'-Wood, it was embosomed in trees, 

 many of them so mighty that when cut down it was like 



