116 A HISTORY OF LONGRIDGE. [Chap. 5. 



CHAPTER v.— TOPOGEAPHY AND AGEICULTURE. 



Eomantic scenery- R. Parkinson — Canon Parkinson's "Prospect" — Jeffrey Hill — 

 "Scarsdale "— Baines — Tootal Height— J. Weld, on Tenlaes— E. Kirk — J. 

 McKay Legends : Ned of the Fell — Ghosts— Landowners — Court Leet — Agri- 

 cultural Produce — Acreage — Agi-icultural Statistics — Farming in 1700— Prices, 

 1720-60— Peter Walkden — Farming in 1790 -Leaves from a Farmer's Diary, 1816 



1839 Charities : R. Houghton's — T. Houghton's -Jenkinson's — Gregson's and 



Eccles's — Berry's — Roades's— Townley's — Population. 



The scenery around Longridge is of the most beautiful and varied 

 kind ; while I do not think any more extensive view can be obtained 

 than that from some of the heights in the neighbourhood. 



Many writers have given glowing descriptions of the views about 

 here, but perhaps one of the best is given by Mr. Richard Parkinson 

 as a contribution to the " Old Church Clock." I venture to extract it 

 for my readers' benefit: — "If you stand on the ruins of Clitheroe 

 Castle (10 miles from Longridge) and look to the north-west, a noble 

 expanse of country stretches out before you. At your feet rolls the 

 well-known and romantic Eibble ; further on its grand tributary, the 

 Hodder, pops out in places, glistening in the sun, gliding between the 

 limestone hillocks or woody dales of Bowland or Browsholme. To 

 the left the hoary tips of Mytton and WhaUey crop out, and the long 

 range of Longridge Fell stretches out towards Preston, shutting out 

 the time-honoured valley in which nestle Stidd and Eibchester. In 

 front, a vast view is commanded. To the north rises the precipitous 

 barrier known as Bleasdale Fells, and at the easterly points of this we 

 find the sweet little anglers' rest known as White Well. Abutting 

 from the last named mountainous chain stands Parlick Pike, a hill 

 some 1,500 feet high, and on its summit (5 miles from Longridge) we 

 will suppose ourselves standing. No spot in England that I have seen 

 commands a finer view than this. Its lop is almost flat, and is crowned 

 by a stone edifice,' the erection of which is traditionally alluded to as 

 having been directed by some evil spirit. From this point spreads out 

 like a map a country of which any dukedom might be proud — Chip- 

 ping, Chaigley, and Bowland to the left, with the grey and time- 

 honoured Clitheroe Castle. Bej-ond the vast ridge above Stonyhurst 



• Long since disappeared. 



