CHAPTER I. 



Through days and weeks 



Of hope, that grew by stealth, 

 How many wan and faded cheeks 

 Have kindled into health ? 



The old, by thee revived, have said 



" Another year is ours ! " 

 And way-worn wanderers, poorly fed, 



Have smiled upon thy flowers. 



Wordnvorth. 



ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF SOUTHPORT. 



<g OUTHPORT is situated on that part of the coast of 

 Lancashire which lies between the estuary of the 

 Mersey and the mouth of the Ribble, at a distance of about 

 eighteen miles from the entrance to the former. Throughout 

 almost its whole extent, the sea-border here presents a con- 

 tinuous range of sandhills, upon the outer or western side of 

 which there is a broad belt of level sand covered with water 

 at high tide, but left bare during a considerable portion of 

 every twenty-four hours. Inland from the sandhills the 

 country is flat for a distance of several miles, but then rises 

 with very agreeable undulation, the highest points command- 

 ing fine views, and memorable as having been in by-gone days 

 the locality of beacons. 



