148 ABSENCE OF WATERFALLS 



Do not suppose that the question indicates any dissatis- 

 faction akin to that of the Greek without his sea, or any 

 desire to depreciate the charms of North Staffordshire. I 

 love a waterfall with an intensity of feeling wholly in- 

 capable of expression, and possibly this affection has led 

 to the enquiry ; but I am not insensible to other beauties, 

 nor am I conscious of any feeling of dissatisfaction with 

 the development of natural charms under any conditions? 

 even on the plain of Cheshire or in the fens of Lincoln- 

 shire. 



This by way of preface : now for the question, "Why 

 are there no Waterfalls in North Staffordshire ? " 



Let us consider what are, at a first glance, the apparent 

 essential component parts of a waterfall. A stream of 

 water and a rock. No one will deny the abundance of 

 water in North Staffordshire. Some may say there is too 

 much ; others may say it is not always to be met with 

 when and where they desire to have it ; but of the ample 

 natural supply no one can doubt. Look at our charming 

 rivers the Trent, Dove, Manifold, and Churnet, and their 

 minor tributaries. So of rock there is abundance, even in 

 the immediate neighbourhood of Stoke-upon-Trent. We 

 cannot go by railway from Stoke into Cheshire on the 

 north or into Shropshire by way of Market Drayton on 

 the west, without passing through or under rocks. We 

 have them in highly picturesque forms at Mow Cop, The 

 Roches, and at Swithamley, at Congleton Edge, and Cloud 

 and also on a smaller scale in travelling by road or by 

 railway from Stoke to Leek, and at Wetley Rocks ; and 

 these are only a few among numerous other examples. But 

 you may say, " Very true ; but water and rocks are not 

 in combination in these spots." Well observed, but explore 



