Chap. 5.] TOPOGRAPHY AND AGRICULTURE. 117 



rises the dense smoke of Blackburn ; in front, Goosnargh, Broughton, 

 Alston, Wliittingham, and the forest of smoke-emitting chimneys of 

 Preston (too far away to contaminate the purest of atmospheric breezes 

 around you), and the widening ship-laden mouth of the Eibble dotting 

 the estuary of the old Eoman port. Beyond this, Liverpool, and far 

 away again the tips of the Welsh mountains struggle with the clouds 

 for identification. To the right, a long expanse of the coast, upon 

 which you can distinctly recognise the principal buildings of Lytham, 

 Blackpool, Southport and Fleetwood. At your feet, among the in- 

 numerable homesteads, cosely lies one looking much like a bird's nest, 

 a house encircled by a plantation, the blue smoke curling up in fantas- 

 tical wreaths, giving an impression of rustic peace and comfort, in 

 itself quite a picture, and a theme for contemplation when we know 

 that this is 'Woodgate,' the birthplace of Canon Parkinson." 



The author of the "Old Church Clock," in a poem called "The 

 Prospect," gives a fine description of the varied and interesting 

 scenery commanded from the summit of Parlick Pike : — 



A PROSPECT. 



With labouring step and panting breast 



I climb':! yon mountain's side, 

 Whose fountain-deck'd high towering crest 



O'er loc'lis the region wide ; 

 And o'er a scene of hill and vale 



My gladden'd eyes I threw, 

 Such as ne'er grac'd a poet's tale, 



Nor pencil ever drew. 



Far to the east, where Hodder flows, 



Wild Bowland's crags are seen, 

 Whose wa%"ing wood its shadow throws 



Yon verdant knolls between ; 

 There once the roebuck bounded free, 



There rxing the winded horn, 

 Where now but spreads the greenwood tree, 



The haiel and the thorn. 

 Northward a glowing scene expands— 



The silver Lune is there ; 

 And Morecambe, with its glittering sands, 



And ancient Lancaster. 

 While o'er the scene, of darksome blue, 



The Cumbrian mountains rise. 



