Chap. 1.] GENERAL HISTORY. 27 



The state of Lancashire during this time (1646-50) was " sad and 

 lamentable." " In this Count}' hath the plague of pestilence been 

 raging for these three years and upwards, occasioned chiefly by the 

 wars. There is very great scarcity and dearth of all provisions, 

 especially of all sorts of grain, which is fully six-fold the price that of 

 lata it hath been. All trade, by which they have been much 

 supported, is utterly decayed ; it would molt any good heart to see the 

 numerous swarms of begging poor, and the many families that pine 

 away at home, not having faces to beg.' Very many nowe craving 

 almes at other men's dores, who were used to give others almes at 

 their dores — to see paleness, nay, death, appear in the cheeks of the 

 poor, and often to hear of some found dead in their houses, or high- 

 ways, for want of bread. "^ Lancashire continued in an unsettled state 

 until after the rebellion of 1745, after which year, as is well known, 

 trade, learning, and comfort have flourished to an a'most unexampled 

 extent. 



It was shortly after these stirring times (1655), that Ralph Eadcliffe 

 laid the stone which is now in "Written Stone Lane, Lono'ridffe, " to 

 lye" (as he said) "for ever." This stone is in an old Eoman private 

 road, called Written Stone Lane, in the township of Dilworth. It 

 can be approached either from the old or new roads to CUtheroe. 

 The best approach is from the old road. Just after passing the 

 Dilworth reservoir, you turn to the right down a narrow lane, and 

 soon find yourself in a deep ravine with often a rapid stream flowing 

 down it, and with taU hedges of hoUies on each side. Follow- 

 ing this road for half-a-mile, you turn sharply to the right, and 

 there, at the entrance to a farm-yard, you will find the object of your 

 search. A huge stone about eight feet long, two feet wide, and 

 eighteen inches deep, with the following inscription on it : — 



RavFFE Radeliife laid this stoue 



To lye for ever. A.D. 1653.= 



'A noteworthy trait in tlie character in his " History of Lancashire," and 



of the Lancashire people, as exemplified Hardwiok, in his " History of Preston," 



during the sad times of the late Cotton ;,'ive a wruuj,' desciiption (Baines yivea. 



Famine. the correct date) of the inscription on 



-"A true representation of the sad this stone. They both render the legend 



and lamentable condition of the County thus : — 

 of Lancaster." — "t'heth Ser.," vol. ii. "Rafe Radoliffe laid this stone here to 



'It is a curious fact that both Baines, lie for ever. A.D. 1007." 



