Nothing has been written for mere "cheap-trippers." The book is addressed to the intelligent, the peaceful, and the cultivated; those who, when they visit the country, desire to profit by its inestimable sweet lessons. In many parts it is addressed especially to the young, who have ductile material in them, and are the hope of the future for us all. Neither has it been written for learned botanists or antiquaries. The botanical details are simply such as it is hoped may encourage the beginner. My main desire is to be educational, and by this I would be judged. Many of the places described or referred to are strictly private. Permission to view them must therefore be asked some days before. Common-sense and the courtesy of civilized beings will prescribe in every case the proper method of procedure. I have, in conclusion, to express my thanks to the artists who have so pleasingly illustrated the work, Mr. W. Morton, and very particularly, Mr. Thos. Letherbrow. By some odd _lapsus calami_ the passage from Wordsworth on page 139 has been mis-written. The third line should read, "So was it when _my life began_." LEO H. GRINDON. MANCHESTER, MAY 1st, 1882. [Illustration] CONTENTS. Page CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY 1 CHAPTER II. THE ASHLEY MEADOWS AND THE LOWER BOLLIN VALLEY 13 CHAPTER III. ROSTHERNE MERE, TATTON, DELAMERE 31 CHAPTER IV. CARRINGTON MOSS, DUNHAM, LYMM 47 CHAPTER V. GATLEY CARRS, WYTHENSHAWE 68 CHAPTER VI. NORCLIFFE, ALDERLEY EDGE 84 CHAPTER VII. COMBERMERE, BEESTON CASTLE 93 CHAPTER VIII. THE REDDISH VALLEY, ARDEN HALL 100 CHAPTER IX. PRESTBURY, POTT SHRIGLEY, GAWSWORTH, ALTON TOWERS 111 CHAPTER X. DISLEY, LYME PARK, TAXAL 121 CHAPTER XI. MARPLE, CASTLETON, MILLER'S DALE 129 CHAPTER XII. KINDER SCOUT, STALEY BRUSHES, SEAL BARK 139 CHAPTER XIII. BOGGART-HOLE CLOUGH, BAMFORD WOOD, HARDCASTLE CRAGS 151 CHAPTER XIV. MERE CLOUGH, THE AGECROFT VALLEY 175 CHAPTER XV. THE OLD LANCASHIRE BOTANISTS 194 CHAPTER XVI. ROSSENDALE, WHALLEY ABBEY, CLITHEROE, PENDLE 213 CHAPTER XVII. RIVINGTON, ASHURST, LATHOM HOUSE 232 CHAPTER XVIII. THE LOCAL ORNITHOLOGY 257 CHAPTER XIX. NATURAL HISTORY IN THE LIBRARY 291 SUMMARY OF RAILWAY STATIONS AND DISTANCES 303 INDEX 313 FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. Page ROSTHERNE MERE. Drawn and Engraved by W. Morton, _Frontispiece_.