ROBERTSONS
GUIDDE
CAL
ROCHDALE
DA
690
R55
R6
1876
DA
690
655
RG
الاماه

THOS. WHIPP & SON,
45, Yorkshire Street, Rochdale,
Manufacturers of High-class Keyless
GOLD WATCHES
JEWELLED THROUGHOUT,
Compensated, Adjusted, and Timed to a few
Seconds per Month; Price, 60 GUINEAS.
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Compensated for Changes of Temperature, on
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The Keyless Work may be depended upon as being first-
class, great care being taken in its construction.
For further particulars apply to
THOMAS WHIPP & SON,
45, YORKSHIRE
STREET,
ROCHDALE.
ESTABLISHED 1846.
A. H. Price &C. P. Price
GENERAL DRAPERS,
HOSIERS, & SILK MERCERS
FUNERAL FURNISHING & FAMILY MOURNING,
MILLINERY AND DRESSMAKING,
BABY LINEN, AND LADIES' UNDERCLOTHING,
DRESSES, SKIRTS, &c.
Ladies' and Gent's Gloves, Ties, and General Outfittings.
CARPETS, BEDDING, LINENS, &c.
No. 16, YORKSHIRE STREET,
AND
THE WALK, ROCHDALE.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS
ON
ROCHDALE PAST AND PRESENT.
FROM THE ROCHDALE OBSERVER," FEBRUARY 20TH, 1875.
"Almost every notable event, and certainly every useful and
established institution in the town and neighbourhood are minutely
and laboriously described, and we are all admiration at the industry
which has got together so large a mass of local contemporary history.
It would be impossible in our space to give a satisfactory des-
cription of this very useful work; the simple table of contents
itself occupies nearly four pages, and is merely a bald title of each
article, the article itself being often several pages in length. It is
sufficient to say that anyone desiring an exhaustive sketch of what
Rochdale has done during the century, and is doing now, will find
it set forth in this handsome volume in a satisfactory and readable
manner. In a work so full of dates, names, and facts, it would be
impossible to avoid errors, and these of course can be attended to
in a future edition. Upon the whole we have been exceedingly
pleased with this first attempt to give a modern history of Rochdale,
and we feel sure that the public will, by a large demand for it,
reward the industrious author for the immense amount of time and
labour which he must have spent in its production."
FROM THE ROCHDALE OBSERVER'S" CORRESPONDENT IN AMERICA, MAY
STH, 1875.
"That the Rochdalians in St. Louis hail this work as a 'missive
of love,' I need hardly say; that we all endorse Mr. Robertson's book
as a fitting souvenir, may, perhaps, occasion no surprise. It is
pronounced by all who have seen it in St. Louis to be a very good
and fair description of the town, and a valuable accessory to the
guide book in visiting it."
66
FROM THE ROCHDALE TIMES," FEB. 20TH, 1875.
"It is a matter of wonder that a town like Rochdale, in the
history of which there is such a wealth of romantic story and curious
2
antiquarian lore, should possess practically no chronicle of its past
glories, or of its present prosperity. This incongruity appears to
have struck Mr. Robertson very forcibly; and the result is that he
has brought before the Rochdale public an historic guide-book,
every line of which bears witness to the painstaking research which
is the leading characteristic of the whole volume. Judged purely
from a literary point of view, the publication is highly creditable;
and beyond this the author has collected a mass of facts, ancient
and modern, which to the ordinary reader would be of interest, but
to those who take pleasure in recalling the many curious traditions
and legends of our town, would prove a fascinating study. The
volume is enriched by beautifully executed illustrations. Taking
the work as a whole, we cannot too highly compliment Mr. Robertson
on his production, and we may add that Messrs. Schofield & Hoblyn,
the printers and publishers, have executed their part of the work
most admirably.
FROM THE
MANCHESTER EXAMINER AND TIMES," MAY 18TH, 1875.
"If in every town of Lancashire some such patient and industrious
compiler as Mr. Robertson would do for his native place what Mr.
Robertson has done for Rochdale, he would deserve the gratitude of
his townsmen. It is sometimes supposed that nearly all our manu-
facturing towns are mushroom growths of yesterday; but Rochdale
is not the only place in the county which can boast of its antiquities.
Of these Mr. Robertson has something to say, but much more about
the causes and consequences of modern prosperity of the border
town. Rochdale itself, its principal buildings, and the chief at-
tractions of the neighbourhood are described in detail, and not the
least interesting chapter in the book is devoted to the Right
Honourable John Bright, an engraving of whose house is one of
its numerous illustrations."
FROM THE
RELIQUARY ARCHEOLOGICAL QUARTERLY JOURNAL AND
REVIEW," EDITED BY LLEWELLYAN JOWETT, F.S.A., JULY, 1875.
"Stepping out of the usual groove of guide books, Mr. Robertson
in his 'Rochdale Past and Present,' takes a new stand and devotes
no small space in his pages to anecdotal and chatty matter, which
has the effect of making his volume one of the pleasantest and most
readable of its class. In his book, now before us, its author gives
all kind of useful technical information, but in doing so makes it
subservient to that of a more general character, with which every
page abounds; and in addition to this, there are special chapters on
ancient families and distinguished men of the place; and the old
volunteers and their modern successors in arms; on the eccentric
3
characters who have at one time or other enlivened the town by
their droll ways and 'cramp' sayings; on the old customs of Rush-
bearing; on remarkable crimes committed in the locality; on the
manufactures of the district-from cotton and carpet to steam
engines, and from iron foundries, to silk and hats; of the literature
of the place,-its writers, its publications, and its newspapers and
It
periodicals; and many more chapters of at least equal interest.
will thus be seen that 'Rochdale Past and Present,' is a volume of
more than ordinary merit, and one that may be bought not as a
'Guide' alone, but as a book to be read and to be enjoyed."
66
FROM THE MANCHESTER COURIER, MARCH 1ST, 1875.
Though an ancient town, dating from Saxon times, it is only
within the present century that Rochdale has risen into importance
and taken high rank among English Boroughs. It was first made
a parliamentary borough in 1832, when the population was 19,041,
which at the last census had increased to 63,473, showing a remark-
able growth in the course of forty years.
Mr. Robertson sketches
the rise and progress of the flannel, cotton, and other trades carried
on in the borough, and gives some amusing sketches of various
eccentric characters who have made themselves famous in the dis-
trict. Rochdale has the credit of originating the co-operative
movement—at least so far as its equitable features are concerned,
which has now extended to most of our large towns. It was in
1844, when twenty eight members, each depositing a pound apiece,
commenced the Equitable Pioneer's Society. The history of this
remarkable association is briefly given, and in the work will be
found detailed accounts of all the public buildings, which ornament
the town, and the public improvements which have been made in it
during recent years, especially since its incorporation in 1856."
FROM THE LATE EDITOR OF THE ROCHDALE PILOT," AND NOW THE
OHIEF OF THE REPORTING STAFF OF THE GLASGOW EVENING STAR.'
"I never saw an edition which was better fitted to lie on a library
table, or find a temporary home in the rug of a railway traveller.
You have the proud satisfaction of knowing that you have produced
the most readable, and at the same time the soundest work on local
institutions which has been brought out in the north of England,
and one which could have been equalled only in a university city.'
FROM THE BACUP TIMES," APRIL 17TH, 1875.
"So far as we know the date when the last attempt was made to
write anything that purported to be a history of Rochdale, is so
1
remote from our own time that it is almost lost in antiquity. And
then in population, in manufacturing industry, in institutions,
having for their object the social, educational, religious, and even
political improvement of the people, the progress of the town has
been remarkably rapid, so that it was high time for another
historian to arise who had seen something of its growth, and
who would be able, with a fair measure of justice and impartiality,
to place it on permanent record. Mr. Robertson fully meets
this requirement. During his many years' residence in Rochdale,
he has mixed up more or less with its various public movements,
and has not failed, when anything of more than ordinary interest
has transpired, to act promptly on Captain Cuttle's sage advice
'when found make a note of.' He also availed himself of
all other peculiar sources of knowledge; he has not only pored
over dusty documents, but he has prevailed upon all the older
inhabitants to whom he could gain access, to minister to his
thirst for information, and the result is that we have a book
which, though by no means bulky, does very great credit to its
author as a compiler of local history. It is the fruit of great in-
dustry, patient research, admirable tact, and careful judgment. The
style in which the book is written is very easy and clear; and when
the author has occasion to enter into what would otherwise be 'dry
details,' which necessarily happens sometimes, the attention is very
much relieved by the introduction of apt poetical quotations, which
the author has been at the pains to collect from various sources,
and which he knows so well how to manage. He also tells some very
characteristic and humourous anecdotes. We have said that the
author is impartial, and certainly from a perusal of his book it would
be difficult to learn what are his own views on questions political,
religious, and ecclesiastical, so fair and even complimentary is he to
all men, of all creeds and of all parties. The reader will look
through the book in vain for an ill-considered, harsh, or bitter
word.'
((
FROM THE BURY TIMES, APRIL 17TH, 1875.
The author has made no effort at fine writing, but has gathered
together a mass of information on the different topics of which he
treats, which must be of great interest to those interested in the
town. The arrangement of the work necessarily makes some of the
sections read somewhat unconnectedly, nevertheless it is a work of
considerable value, and will aid in rescuing from oblivion many
incidents which are fast becoming lost in obscurity unless preserved
in some such book as the one before us. It is astonishing what may
be done by an earnest searcher after facts in respect to our Lan-
cashire towns, and we could wish that some one would perform a
similar duty for our own."

OP
7
GA
THE
TOWN HALL, ROCHDALE
ROCHDALE
PAST AND PRESENT
A
HISTORY AND GUIDE
WILLIAM
BY
ROBERTSON,
REPORTER.
WITH TWENTY ILLUSTRATIONS.
SECOND EDITION.
"Go, little book, from this my solitude!
I cast thee on the waters-go thy ways!
And if, as I believe, thy vein be good,
The world will find thee after many days."
ROCHDALE:
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SCHOFIELD AND HOBLYN.
[All rights of reproduction are reserved.]
1876.
..
?
Siber
6-11-457
52728
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

HE First Edition of this Work was exhausted
earlier than expected; and in collecting infor-
mation for a second and enlarged edition,
new matter of an interesting character was
found so plentiful that a second volume has
become indispensable. The present edition is merely
a re-print with corrections, and fourteen additional
illustrations. These, it is hoped, will considerably
enhance the beauty and value of the work, and render
it still more worthy of being placed on the drawing-
room table, and in the library.
The Second Volume above referred to, will appear
as soon as possible. It will be quite as large, if not
larger, than the first, and will contain instructive,
interesting, and amusing information never before
presented to the public, and which it is considered will
not be unworthy of being placed on permanent record
in its pages.
We are informed that our little book has been sent
in large numbers to various parts of the globe, and we
are inclined to be jocular, and compliment ourselves in
the hacknied phrase of newspaper correspondent writers,
that it must indeed have had a very wide circulation.
This information sets our mind upon the wing, and we
fancy that we see Rochdalians reading it in "fair and
sunny France"; in romantic Switzerland; in the realm
of Holland; across the broad Atlantic, where brother
Jonathan reigns supreme; on "India's coral strand "
";
in Australia, so thickly inhabited by our own race; and
iv.
PREFACE.
if it has imparted "good news from home" to former
dwellers in Rochdale, and if in fancy the Town Hall
chimes have touched a tender cord when playing
"Sweet Home," and "Should auld acquaintance be
forgot," and reminded them of the good old folks at
home, we are pleased in being the instrument that has
awakened such fond recollections.
It may be interesting to the reader to learn that
"Rochdale Past and Present," has not had much rest
on the shelves of the Public Libraries, and has been
well-thumbed and "dog-eared." The cloth on the
cover, which was a bright crimson, has been toned down
to a dark mahogany colour, and the golden view of the
Town Hall has almost disappeared, leading one to
suppose that the book had been smoothed in the
pocket-pored over at the hearth-pondered over in
the open air, and that its readers with its aid have
“Lived in long-past years."
In the Public Library in the Town Hall, the two
books in the reference department have been taken out
200 times from March, 1875, to February 29th, 1876.
In the lending department, two copies have been out 90
times, which is treble that of any other work. At the
Store Library, in Toad Lane, two copies have been out
thirty-eight times, and it must be remembered that at
each of the branch libraries of the Store, there are
copies, which have been thoroughly overhauled, yet the
sale exceeded the most sanguine expectations.
These facts are some slight recompense to the com-
piler, and show that his labours have not been in vain.
ROCHDALE, APRIL, 1876.
!
PREFACE.

a
HIS work has been written for the purpose of
supplying a want which has been long felt,
and contains a variety of information which
has never before appeared in print.
It would have been easy, with the materials at hand,
to have largely extended the work, and the task of
condensing the matter at disposal has not been un-
attended with difficulty.
Our information has been derived from sources which
we believe to be trustworthy, and we have endeavoured
to be correct in our statements of fact. Probably, how-
ever, some inaccuracies may be discovered, and this is
perhaps inseparable from a work of the kind. Any
errors or omissions that may be pointed out will be
carefully noted, and corrected or supplied in a future
edition, should such be necessary.
If in any instance our remarks tend to give pain to
individuals we can safely aver that we have not "set.
down aught in malice," and have simply endeavoured
to be just. Our lighter sallies we hope may create some
amusement, and may possibly relieve the work from
any tediousness of detail that may be apparent.
iv
PREFACE.
That the book will be found useful we have little
doubt, and if the public should honour it with their
approval, we shall be most happy to publish a new and
greatly enlarged edition. Any information that may
be supplied for future use we shall be glad to receive,
and we trust our readers will kindly bear this in mind.
We cannot conclude without sincerely thanking our
friends and coadjutors for the assistance they have
rendered to us in the compilation of the work, and we
gratefully acknowledge the obligations under which
they have thus placed us. Information has been most
readily supplied in every instance, and it is pleasant to
recall to mind and record here the favour which has
been shown to us by many influential persons in the
town. But for their aid we should have been compara-
tively helpless, and if the work possesses any merit, it
is mainly owing to the kind offices of many valued
friends and fellow-workers.
ROCHDALE, February, 1875.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Introduction
1
Government of the Town..
Mayors
9
18
•
Corporation Arms ..
Members of Parliament
Description of the Town Hall
Bells and Chimes
Pleasure Grounds
Public Baths
Gas Works
Water Works
Manure Works
Fire Brigade
District Coronership
Interesting Records
County Court
Police Force
Police Courts
Borough and County Magistrates
Post Office
Free Public Library
Cemetery
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS:—
Introductory
St. Chad's Church (Tim Bobbin's grave)
St. Mary's Church (The Baum Rabbit Ghost)
19
19
21
• •
38
40
48
50
53
56
59
62
64
68
71
74
75
90
288
78
85
96
97
105
St. Clement's Church
St. Alban's Church
113
114
St. Edmund's Church
St. Peter's Church
116
•
119
•
vi
CONTENTS.
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS-Continued.
St. Mary's Church, Balderstone ..
All Saints' Church
St. John's Church, Smallbridge
Christ Church, Healey
St. Stephen's Church
St. John's Catholic Church, Ann-street
PAGE.
121
123
126
128
129
130
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
132
..
•
Baptist Chapel, West-street
133
Particular Baptists, Hope-street..
136
Baptist Chapel, Drake-street..
137
Ebenezer Baptist Chapel, Water-street..
139
Providence Chapel
140
Milton Congregation Church
144
Methodist New Connexion
146
Primitive Methodists, Smith-street
147
Society of Friends
150
Wesleyan Methodists, Union-street
151
United Methodist Free Church
157
United Presbyterian Church
159
Unitarian Chapel, Blackwater-street
Unitarian Chapel, Clover-street ..
Holland-street Church
Chapel for the Destitute
Sunday Schools
EDUCATION:
Introductory
School Board
•
160
161
•
166
. 167
175
178
181
Grammar School
184
Moss School
189
Science and Art Classes
191
Public Elementary Schools
193
The Right Hon. John Bright, M.P.
194
ANCIENT FAMILIES:
Byron Family
201
Entwisle Family
205
•
Royds Family
208
Milne Family
212
CONTENTS.
vii
DISTINGUISHED MILITARY MEN:-
Lieut. Hopwood
Cornet Grindrod
Lieut. Butterworth
The Old Volunteers
The 24th Lancashire Rifle Volunteers
The Yeomanry Cavalry
ECCENTRIC CHARACTERS :
Doncaster Races and "Bull Hole"
Novel Mode of Borrowing Money
Jone o' Bradshaw ..
Johnny Baa-Lamb and St. Crispin
Old Doctor
The Republican Tinker
Bull Robin
Old Barnish
Crazy Michael
George o' Pinders
PAGE.
213
214
215
217
219
222
225
•
227
228
229
232
232
233
234
236
237
Crazy David
238
Barefoot Sam
238
Paul Pry
240
Jane Clough, of Bagslate
241.
Maltoot and his epitaph
242
Rush-bearing
245
Old Market or Town Cross
247
Rochdale Market
249
Infirmary
The Pack Horse
The Waggon
The Stage Coach
The Railway
The Canal
The River and its Tributaries
Rainfall..
251
254
256
256
257
260
263
266
Health of the Town
267
Equitable Pioneers' Society
Theatres
268
274
St. Alban's Nursing Institution and Boys' School
282
viii
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Geology and Mineralogy
285
Rochdale Union
288
Remarkable Crimes
291
Merchants' and Tradesmen's Association ..
296
Chamber of Commerce
298
Important Trades of the Town
302
Hand-loom Weaving
303
Shuttle Gathering and the Destruction of the New Bailey
304
Disputes and Strikes
306
Another Riot: Two Persons Killed
307
Parochial Constables
308
Plug Drawing and the Charter
309
The Cotton Trade
D
•
1 311
312
The Carpet Trade
Silk and Hat Manufacture
Foundries and Machine Works
Literature, Publications, and Periodicals
A Ramble Through the Principal Streets
Hollingworth Lake and Blackstone Edge
ILLUSTRATIONS:
Town Hall
. 313
314
315
322
..
342
The Park, Grammar, and Sparrow Hill Schools
The Cemetery
•
40
90
The Residence of the Right Hon. John Bright, M.P. 194
Hollingworth Lake
Hollingworth Lake by Moonlight
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS:
The Post Office
St. Chad's Church
St. Alban's Church
•
St. Edmund's Church
St. Mary's Church, Balderstone
All Saints' Church, Hamer
St. Stephen's Church
Baptist Chapel, West Street
..
•
•
· •
Milton Church, Smith Street
Primitive Methodist Chapel, Smith Street
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Union Street
United Methodist Free Church, Baillie Street
Unitarian Chapel, Blackwater Street
Rochdale Union Workhouse, Dearnley .
•
342
347
78
.97
114
•
•
116
121
123
129
•
133
+
144
•
•
•
147
151
•
•
•
157
•
•
•
160
. 288
INTRODUCTORY.
R
"The Norman shall tread on the Saxon's heel,
And the stranger shall rule o'er England's weal;
Through castle or hall, by night or by day,
The stranger shall thrive for ever and aye;
But in Rached, above the rest,
The stranger shall thrive best."

OCHDALE is of great antiquity, and is, no
doubt, of Saxon origin. The name, "Roch-
dale," has been the subject of some little
controversy, and various derivations have been
suggested as being alone correct. In the
Norman survey the name is spelt "Recedham ;" and
"Gamel," a Saxon thane, appears at that time to have
been lord of the place. At or soon after the Norman
Conquest the river was named the "Rach,” whence we
have “Rached," and "Recedham," the latter signifying
the habitation on the "Rached." Then we have, sub-
sequently, "Racheham," "Ratchdale," "Rotchdale,"
and, finally, as at the present day, "Rochdale." Clearly,
the river flowing through the town gives the name to
the town itself; and, so, we have "Roch" from the
river, and "dale" from the valley or low-lying land
through which the river flows. That a castle existed in
Rochdale, prior to the Conquest, seems to be established
if tradition may be relied on; nevertheless, there is no
mention of such an erection in the survey we have
0
2
INTRODUCTORY.
referred to. In our day the site of this castle is pointed
out with some degree of assurance; but we think this
must be regarded as simply conjectural. "Castleton,"
one of the townships within the municipal borough, is
said to derive its name from the fact that in this division
was situated the castle of Gamel, the thane or lord, and
this locality is supposed to have formed the town of
ancient times which has, in the course of many gene-
rations, spread itself and become the important and
wealthy town of Rochdale in which we have the happi-
ness to live at the present day. "Castlehill," the
late residence of Mr. Samuel Lomax, deceased, is
pointed out as the site of the ancient castle of Gamel,
and in the valley immediately below a spot is known as
'Killdanes," in memory, as tradition asserts, of warlike
encounters between the Saxons and Danes, in which, by
all accounts, the Danes suffered immense slaughter.
It is an undoubted fact that the Church of St. Chad's
was in existence previously to 1193, as an ancient
record proves this to have been the case, Geoffry,
Dean of Whalley, being in possession of the Church
prior to that period, as rector. Indeed, the year 1180
has been assigned as the time when the Church was
erected. The glebe lands of St. Chad's are of consider-
able value, and are now vested in the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners for England, under an Act of Parliament
passed in 1866. In that year it was stated that the
value of the living was £5,000 per annum.
The parish
is of very great extent, and is situated in the Hundred
of Salford. It is one of the largest parishes in the
kingdom; but it is of the town that we have more
particularly to speak. The municipal divisions of the
INTRODUCTORY.
3
borough, which are the same as the Parliamentary,
are the following:-Castleton Ward, North; Castleton
Ward, East; Castleton Ward, West; Castleton Ward,
South; Spotland Ward, East; Spotland Ward, West;
Wardleworth Ward, East; Wardleworth Ward, West;
Wardleworth Ward, South; and Wuerdle Ward.
According to the census of 1871 the population of the
respective townships forming the parish was as follows:
Blatchinworth and Calderbrook, 6,691; Butterworth,
7,923; Castleton, 31,331; Spotland, 35,596; Wardle-
worth, 19,300; and Wuerdle and Wardle, 8,988; and
the total population of the parish (including Todmorden
and Walsden, 9,332), according to the same census,
was 119,161. The population of the municipal
borough is estimated 65,458, and the number of voters
is 12,891. A comparison of these figures with those
of the immediately preceding census shows an immense
and rapid increase in the numbers which the town and
parish now contain; and reference to other statistical
returns proves that the wealth of Rochdale has kept
pace with the increasing population. A single glance
around us will give indubitable evidence of the im-
mense wealth of which Rochdale is the centre; its
warehouses, mills, foundries, and manufactories of
various kinds meeting the eye in almost every direction.
The Rochdale of the present day can bear but little
resemblance to the Rochdale of only fifty years ago; and
as our increase in wealth and population is so immense
and rapid, the Rochdale of our time will, in like
manner, bear but little resemblance to the Rochdale
which will show itself to the gaze of our posterity
fifty years hence, when we who are now so proud of our
4
INTRODUCTORY.
"
good old town are slumbering beneath the clods of the
valley. It may be, and it is no poetic dream to imagine
so, that the Roach will in that day have become
a clear and unpolluted stream in which the trout and
other delicate denizens of fresh water streams will
disport themselves; and when the angler, standing on
its tree-embowered banks, may find excellent sport to
repay him for his patient labours, or it may be that
"The river then shall boast its pigmy boat,
Urged on by pains, half-grounded, half afloat,
While at her stern an angler takes his stand,
And marks the fish he purposes to land;
From that clear space, where in the cheerful ray
Of the warm sun the scaly people play."
Rochdale was enfranchised under the Reform Act
of 1832, and returns one member to the Imperial
Parliament, the present member, Mr. Thomas Bayley
Potter, son of the late Sir John Potter, having
held the seat since the year 1865. He succeeded
the late Mr. Richard Cobden, on the lamented death
of that honourable gentleman. The number of
electors on the Parliamentary list is 10,566; and there
are 10 polling places provided for voters. The principal
manufactures of the town and neighbourhood consist
of cotton and woollen fabrics, and cotton spinning, and
Rochdale may be considered as the seat of the woollen
manufacture for the kingdom. A considerable trade is
carried on in these branches of industry, giving
employment to vast numbers of men, women, and
children. Carpets are also manufactured, and there are
dyeing, bleaching, and silk spinning works. Rochdale
is famed for its machinery, and there are several large
establishments devoted to this important manufacture
INTRODUCTORY.
5
as well as large iron and other foundries, and steam
engine and boiler making works.
In the neighbourhood of Rochdale there is a large
number of valuable coal mines, affording an abundant
supply of that important product. The stone quarries
of the locality are also numerous, and the supply of
stone is abundant, and the quality good.
The public improvements which have been made in
the town in the course of the last forty or fifty years
have been numerous and advantageous to the inhabi-
tants.
Our streets present a marked improvement in
every respect, and the general appearance of the town
is far more pleasing than it used to be in years gone by.
These changes have been effected by the local authori-
ties under powers conferred on them by Parliament;
and although the expenditure upon these objects has
been necessarily heavy, few persons can complain that
the outlay has not been judicious, and, for the most
part, absolutely necessary in the general interests of
the people. The opening up of new and important
thoroughfares in several parts of the borough has
conduced to the public welfare; and perhaps no im-
provements of late years are more to be commended
than the new and handsome thoroughfare from the
Manchester-road along the street past the Town Hall,
and the wonderful change which has been effected by
the formation of the Bury New Road. These are only
samples of the good work which has been accomplished
by the Corporation, and for which we are of opinion the
burgesses ought to be grateful. The sanitary condition
of the town has been materially benefited by the
changes which have been effected; and in the course of
6
INTRODUCTORY.
a few years more we hope that still further alterations
in the same direction may be carried out. Of late years
the sewering of the town has received special attention,
and it need scarcely be added that this particular subject
is well worthy the closest consideration and care on
the part of those who have the health of the inhabitants
at heart. It must be obvious that whatever tends to
improve the health of a town is in strict keeping with
the spirit of the times, and nothing reflects greater
credit upon the governing powers of a great centre of
commercial industry such as ours, than clean, spacious,
and well-lighted streets, and a complete and efficient
system of drains and sewers. In sanitary matters, at
any rate, we are clearly in advance of our forefathers,
for their notions on such subjects were of the
narrowest and most unpractical kind; but then we live
in more enlightened days, and it would be sad indeed
if the lessons which time and experience have taught us
did not result in material and satisfactory progress in
the path of improvement.
The churches and chapels in Rochdale are numerous,
and many of the former are of great beauty. In the
succeeding pages, the various places of worship are
noticed, and detailed particulars given respecting many
of them, which may be interesting and useful.
We have quoted at the head of these observations a
few lines which allude to the proverb "that the stranger
shall thrive best in Rached," but we have done so only
for the purpose of remarking that we distinctly object
to any such ridiculous notion being entitled to the
slightest consideration or belief. Such a statement is
no more true of Rochdale than of any other town in the
INTRODUCTORY.
7
kingdom. Here, as elsewhere, industry and integrity
win the day; and if the proverb, or whatever it may be
called, were in any sense peculiar to Rochdale, we
should be in a sorry plight at the present day; and we
should not be able to point to our modern magnates who
are native here and to the manner born," who flourish
among us so honourably, and who are so deservedly
respected and esteemed. So
Despite the old proverb which folks oft rehearse,
And which some one has turned into excellent verse,
The natives take issue on subject so grim,
And regard the assertion as moonshine or whim.
For the truth is that here, as in places elsewhere,
The man must succeed who does things "on the square;'
And nor native nor stranger can hope to win fame,
If patient endeavour surround not his name.
Heaven's blessing on good, honest work must prevail,
Whilst inaction and fraud must as certainly fail;
And if natives and strangers together unite,
The name of old Rached will grow still in might.
Of the families of the worthy men we have been
alluding to, it was our intention to have spoken at
length in a later part of the present little work, if our
space had permitted; and we could then have shown
how, from small means, aided by untiring effort and
honourable conduct, the heads of many of these families
built up patiently, and little by little, the substantial
structure of wealth and consequence which their de-
scendants possess at the present time. We have no
doubt that sufficient materials for such a purpose would
have been readily supplied to us; for what can be more
creditable to any man than that he should have made
his way in the world by his own exertions, and left
behind him a good name and honestly-acquired wealth
8
INTRODUCTORY.
""
for those who succeeded him? We feel that none of
these families can look back at their, in some cases,
humble origin, without feelings of a pride which does
them honour; and the wealth which has been acquired
for them, and which they have been able to increase by
"following the same rule and minding the same things,
enables them to find employment and the means of
livelihood for thousands upon thousands of their fellow
men who throng their busy mills and manufactories,
and who thus help to develop the wealth and commerce
of their native land.
With reference to the public improvements of recent
years, we may mention the magnificent Town Hall
of which Rochdale can boast. Externally the building
attracts attention from its great beauty, and, internally,
its completeness and exquisite adornments must be
closely inspected in order to be appreciated. Within it
is a perfect study, and in all respects it is a building
which has not many equals. Local critics, now and
then, find fault and complain of the needless expendi-
ture which has been incurred in what is sometimes
termed a merely ornamental edifice; but remarks of
this kind are not now very frequent, and there seems
to be a sort of quiet pride that we have in Rochdale a
hall for the conduct of the public business of the town
which is worthy of the attention alike of the connoisseur
and of the man of practical ideas. A full description of
this building will be found in the ensuing pages.
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.

HE town of Rochdale had not a defined boundary
until the year 1825, when an Act was obtained
by which it was enacted that a circle with a
radius of three-fourths of a mile, measured
from the Old Market Place, should constitute
the town of Rochdale; and all those householders,
owners or occupiers of any messuage of the value
of £35 per annum, except licensed victuallers, were
appointed and declared to be Commissioners for the
purpose of lighting, cleansing, watching, and regulating
the town, and to make certain improvements. The
authorities, previous to this date, were the County
Magistrates, who held Petit Sessions to dispose of civil
and criminal cases, and, with the Overseers and
Churchwardens, carried out the Poor Laws, and
appointed the Parish Constables; the Lord of the
Manor, who held a Court Leet, and regulated market
tolls, &c., and the Highway Surveyors, who managed
the streets. In each of the townships of Castleton,
Spotland, and Wardleworth, there was, also, a select
vestry, which joined in the management of Parish
affairs.
From 1825 to 1844, the Commissioners of Police
managed the town's affairs with considerable credit.
For some years they held their meetings at the Welling-
2
10
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.
ton Hotel, but in 1839 they erected the Commissioners'
Rooms, in Smith Street, and from that period until the
erection of the Town Hall, of which more anon, these
Rooms were the seat of government.
Amongst the leading Commissioners at this period
were Messrs. Samuel Taylor, Jacob Bright, James
Butterworth, Abraham Brierley, Thomas Chadwick,
Benjamin Heape, Robert Leach, Joseph Butterworth,
Lawrence Hardman, William Whittle Barton, George
Ashworth, John Howard, Joseph Wood, James Gibson,
Thomas Booth, Charles Butterworth, Wm. Chadwick,
John Chadwick, Samuel Lomax, John Roby, Matthew
Greenlees, Thos. Robinson, Joseph Sellers, John Petrie,
Wm. Littlewood, John Whitaker, and James Leach.
The first elected Commissioners who made the
declaration under the Act of 1844, were Messrs. James
Leach, Thomas Booth, Richard Ashworth, Joseph
Bottomley, Edward Taylor, James Erving, John Hoyle,
Thomas Livsey, John Mason, John Petrie, Wm.
Brown, James Grinyer, William Pilling, Richard
Simpson, William Warburton Whitley, Wm. Bartlemore,
Thomas Fisher, Robert Heap, Jesse Hall, Robert
Pagan, John Dania, Benjamin Greenhalgh, John
Turner Littlewood, Thomas Leach, Joshua Radcliffe,
Edmund Barrow, Wm. Crawshaw, Wm. Holt (Mardyke),
Wm. Standring, James Thompson, George Adamson,
William Whittle Barton, William Holt (Roche House),
Thomas Howarth, Robert Kelsall, John Milnes,
William Petrie, George Proctor, Joseph Sugden,
John Tempest, Charles Walker, John Whitaker,
Thomas Robinson, Samuel Holland, James Gibson,
Thomas Shaw, Thomas Turner, Richard Whitworth,
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.
11
W. M. Dunhill, T. Ashworth, G. Mansell, J. Howard,
Robert Taylor Heape, Benjamin Bright, and Jas Booth.
The chairman of the commissioners was styled, for
convenience or courtesy, the chief-constable. There was
also a treasurer and a law clerk, the latter only receiving
a salary of twelve guineas per annum for his attendance
at the monthly meetings. The constabulary of the town
consisted of a head-constable and two assistants, and
some half-dozen night watchmen. The scavenging of
the town was done by contract for some time, but it was
soon found needful to alter this method and employ a
scavenging staff. The commissioners contracted for the
lighting of the town with the gas company, which had
been formed in 1823. The charge for each public lamp
was a constant source of dispute betwixt the gas company
and the commissioners. The lowest price was 42s. per
lamp to burn 1,500 hours.
The defects of the Act, and the absence of power to
manufacture gas, wherewith to light the town, led the
commissioners and the ratepayers to apply for another
Act, which was obtained in 1844. By this Act, the £35
qualification was continued, and the commissioners were
elected by the £10 householders who were on the Par-
liamentary Register, and were limited in number to 60;
Wardleworth electing 27, Castleton 21, and Spotland 12.
The authority of the commissioners was considerably
extended; the power to pave and sewer being granted.
An effort to procure power to form baths and recreation
grounds was defeated by the strenuous opposition of
several wealthy ratepayers.
The power to make and sell gas was, however,
conferred, and this may be said to have been an
12
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.
important turning point in the history of the town.
dispute of some three years' continuance, between the
commissioners and the gas company, culminated in the
decision by the commissioners not to light the public
lamps for one season, and for the next year to light
them with oil instead of gas. Connected with this
dispute, the gas company professed inability to supply
certain ratepayers with gas, and also some public lamps,
and applied to Parliament for increased powers. Thus,
the gas company and the commissioners were seeking
the same power. At the suggestion of the Committee
of the House of Commons, an offer to sell the gas
works to the commissioners was made. The price
asked was £24,000, this being double the subscribed
capital.
At a commissioners' meeting, it was moved by Mr. W.
W. Barton, and seconded by Mr. T. Livsey, "That the
gas works be not purchased, and that new works be
erected." An amendment was moved by Mr. Edward
Taylor, and seconded by Mr. Robert Kelsall, "That
the gas works be purchased for £21,000," which
amendment, after an exciting discussion, was carried
by a majority of three, and the works were accordingly
bought by the Town; the purchase being completed
in November, 1844, by the ceremony of delivering a
sod and the key, which was done by Mr. Samuel
Lomax, of Townhead, manufacturer, the chairman
of the company, and Mr. J. S. Lancashire, manager
to Mr. W. W. Barton, who had been appointed to take
possession on behalf of the commissioners.
The progress of the gas works since that day will be
learnt elsewhere, but it may be proper here to state
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.
13
that at a very large public meeting of the ratepayers,
held in 1843, before application was made to Parlia-
ment that it was resolved that all the profits derived
from the manufacture of gas should be appropriated to
the improvement of the town; such as widening streets,
the erection of bridges, building a town hall, &c.
Several important improvements, namely, the widening
of Toad Lane, Blackwater Street, and the Old Market
Place were named in the Act.
The improvement of Toad Lane was not carried out,
but the others were accomplished within five years,
the time allowed by the Act, and have been paid for
entirely by the profits of gas. These widenings of the
streets of Blackwater, part of which is now called Lord
Street, and the Old Market Place, now a continuance of
Yorkshire Street, completely altered the characteristic
of the centre of the town.
Scarcely had the projected improvements been com-
pleted, and the attention of the commissioners given to
the requirements of a rapidly increasing population,
when it was found that the Act was defective in giving
the required powers to a body disposed to secure the
health and comfort of the inhabitants it governed. In
the year 1848, Parliament passed the 'Public Health
Act,' and the discussions and enlightenment consequent
on the passing of this measure, gave the commissioners
to see the defects of the Act of 1844-and accordingly
in 1850, it was resolved to apply for increased powers
to pave, sewer, and cleanse the town, to regulate the
buildings and remove nuisances. This effort was subse
quently opposed by a majority of the commissioners, and
the application was deferred till 1853, when an Act was
14
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.
procured with larger scope, including the erection of
baths, the formation of recreation grounds, and the con-
construction of a cemetery; and it also conferred on every
householder the right to vote in the election of com-
missioners. The Rate Book was the Register of Voters,
and the inhabitants of houses of less than £10 yearly
value had the power to pay the rates and deduct the
amount from the rent, if the owner did not pay the rate,
so as to secure their votes. There was not known in
England so complete an enfranchisement as in this Act.
But there was also a power for owners to vote under
what is known as Sturges Bourne's Act.
The number of commissioners was reduced to 42, of
which Wardleworth returned 18 commissioners, Castle-
ton 15, and Spotland 9.
The borrowing powers were limited by the Act of
1825, to £2,000; by that of 1844, to £48,500; and by
the 1853 Act, to £80,000.
Though it will be seen that the improvement com-
missioners had practically all the means required for
well regulating the town's affairs, so far as related to
the health, comfort, and convenience of the inhabitants;
yet it was agreed that there was a deficient power,
namely:—that the commissioners did not, as a corpora-
tion, possess political power, nor govern the town
completely, as a corporation created by Royal Charter.
Thus the constabulary was directed and controlled by
the county magistracy. The chairman of the commis-
sioners had not the same prestige or political influence
´possessed by a mayor in the eye or ear of Parliament,
a mayor being at once recognised whilst a chairman
That the returning officer for borough
was not.
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.
15
elections would be the mayor. That a mayor could at
any time call a public meeting of the inhabitants.
That the power to vote under Sturges Bourne's Act
was not as equitable a mode as that of the Municipal
Corporations Act. These reasons were doubtless
influential in inducing the inhabitant householders to
petition Her Majesty for a charter of incorporation.
There were, however, other causes at work which assisted
in bringing about the conclusion to petition. Thus, in
carrying out the Act of 1853, the necessary cost incurred
began to cause complaints against the commissioners,
and against, more especially, the surveyor, Mr. W. W.
Barton, and there was some floating notion that a
change of government might be advantageous. This
idea was carefully fanned by those who had failed in
causing the surveyor to swerve from what he believed
to be right to the public. The agitation for a charter
of incorporation was carried on with vigour, and the
town became divided into two parties; one party
strongly advocated that the borough should consist of
eight wards, and the other that it should have only three
wards as under the commissioners. The latter party
was successful, and accordingly Castleton, Spotland, and
Wardleworth were declared to be the wards. The
charter of incorporation was granted by Her Majesty
on the 9th of September, 1856, and it directed that her
trusty and well-beloved subject, Zachary Mellor, and
failing him, her equally trusty and well-beloved William
Whittle Barton, should prepare the first register of
voters. The first council met on December 19th, 1856,
in the Commissioners Rooms, Smith-street, by permis-
sion of the commissioners and elected the mayor and
aldermen and town clerk.
16
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.
The first council consisted of Mr. Jacob Bright,
mayor; Aldermen John Tatham, Thos. Livsey, G. L.
Ashworth, Joseph Brierley, R. T. Heape, John Schofield,
A. H. Royds, Jas. Pilling, jun., A. Stewart, George
Healey. Councillors John Whitaker, Joseph Wood,
Thos. Robinson, George Mansell, Edward Taylor, John
Thomas Pagan, Edmund Ashworth, John Chadwick,
Thos. Ladyman, Robert Jewison, Jonathan Nield, Wm.
Todd, Wm. Simpson, John Holland Butterworth,
Henry Whitehead, Robert Taylor, Peter Johnson,
John Nuttall, Jesse Barrow, James Holt, James Edsforth,
James Atkinson, Charles Milne, Samuel Taylor, jun.,
Edmund Lupton, John Cropper Brierley, Samuel Stott,
William Boothman, Edward Clegg. Mr. Zachary
Mellor, was appointed town clerk.
The council appointed a Watch Committee, and
decided to have the control of the constabulary, and
therefore the county constabulary were withdrawn from
the borough. The inconvenience attending the existence
of two corporate bodies in the same borough was soon
felt, as fully one-half the members of the council were
also commissioners, and it was decided to apply to
Parliament for power to transfer the government of the
commissioners to the corporation, and an Act, 20 and
21 Victoria, cap. 50, was passed, to which the Royal
assent was given on August 17th, 1857, and the
transfer to the corporation of the powers of the com-
missioners and the authority to put in force the Act of
1853, took place on the 13th of January, 1858, in the
Commissioners' Rooms in the presence of both bodies.
The Town Council met in the Commissioners' Rooms until
1871, when the Council met for the first time in the
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.
17
Town Hall, the mayor, G. L. Ashworth, Esq., presiding.
The municipal boundary and the parliamentary boundary⚫
of the borough were the same until 1868, when the
parliamentary was extended. It soon became apparent
how desirable it was that the municipal boundary
should be coterminous with the parliamentary; and
it was so, too, because of the large population adjoin-
ing and bordering on the borough boundary, whose
dwellings and surroundings were not in a condition
of sufficient healthiness-and there was no power
existing to improve them. These populations were
also supplied with gas and water by the corporation,
and there was no good reason why the two populations
should not in all things be one community.
It was decided in 1871, to apply to Parliament for
an Act to extend the borough, and also to amend the
Act of 1853. There was also a petition to the Chancellor
of the Duchy of Lancaster, to appoint a borough
bench, which was granted on 20th September, 1872.
"The Rochdale Improvement Act" became law on
July 25th, 1872, and amongst other matters, enacted
that the municipal borough should be coterminous with
the parliamentary borough, and should consist of ten
wards, and that the council should be dissolved on the
1st of November next ensuing, and that at the first
election each ward should send three councillors, out of
whom ten aldermen were to be chosen. It is perhaps
without precedent that an entire council should have
been obliged to be re-elected. The contest which arose
was fought chiefly on political grounds; the chief cry.
however, being the cost and alleged extravagance in the
expenditure on the town hall-the fight was a fierce
18
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.
one. The burgesses returned 35 Liberal councillors, who
had been charged with extravagance, and 5 Conservative
councillors who were supposed to be economical. As it
may show the severity of the contest it will be interesting
to state the numbers who voted for the elected coun-
cillors as well as the names :-William Tuer Shawcross,
mayor, 479; Alderman George Leach Ashworth, 589;
Edward Taylor, 599; James Booth, 595: George Man-
sell, 568; Robert Taylor Heape, G09; John Tatham;
Charles Whitaker, 468; T. B. Willans, 432; William
Simpson. Councillors Samuel Tweedale, 585; Thomas
Schofield, 439; Robert Adamson, 558; Thomas Reid,
467;
John Dearden, 363; James Webster, 477;
John Hoyle, Wardleworth, 468; Joshua Lord, 414;
Joshua Stott, 421; F. T. Phillippi, 428; William Baron,
473; Robert Brierley, 421; Henry Fishwick, 415; Wm.
Lord, 551; John Tweedale, 582; Thomas Watson, 540;
W. J. Petrie, 562; J. S. Hudson, 563; James Tweedale,
539; J. S. Littlewood, 595; Charles Preston, 574;
Joshua Heap, 911; Joseph Handley, 490; J. T. Booth,
505; Benjamin Butterworth, 501; Peter Johnson, 559;
James Sharrocks, 596; John Leach, 594; John Robin-
son, 498; and Robert Leach, 529.
THE MAYORS.
The following have filled the office of mayor since
the incorporation of the borough:-
Jacob Bright..
1856-7
Robert Taylor Heape 1857-8
Andrew Stewart
Thomas Ashworth
1858-9
1859-60
·
•
Joseph Hamilton Moore 1860-1
John Thompson Pagan 1861-2
Geo. Leach Ashworth 1862-3
Samuel Stott
John Tatham.
Samuel Stott
* • •
•
•
•
•
John Robinson
Charles Whitaker
George Mansell
1866-7
1867-8
•
•
1868-9
1869-70
• • • •
T. B. Willans
G. L. Ashworth
W. T. Shawcross
W. T. Shawcross
Charles Whitaker.
1863-4
1861-5
S. Tweedale
1865-6
J. S. Littlewood
4
...
1870-1
•
1871-2
•
1872-3
•
•
•
1873-4
1874-5
•
•
1875-6
THE BOROUGII ARMS.
19
The corporation had Arms granted by the Herald's
College in 1857—of which we here give an imprint :

The heraldic description is "Argent, woolpack,
encircled by two branches of the cotton tree flowered
and conjoint proper: a bordure sable charged with 8
martlets of the field, and for the Crest Or, a wreath of
the colours a millrind sable, and above, a Fleece Argent
banded Or."
THE MEMBERS FOR ROCHDALE.
Rochdale was enfranchised by the Reform Act of
1832, and privileged to send one member, the number
of the inhabitants then being 19,041. The right to vote
was limited by that Act to householders who occupied
dwellings of not less than £10 yearly value. The
number of voters was 687, the extent of the borough
being a radius of three-fourths of a mile from the old
market place. In 1868 the borough was enlarged and
the number of voters was 9,280, the right to vote
having been extended to all inhabitant householders.
In 1871 the Ballot Act was passed. The number of
votes on the Register for 1875, is 10,560.
20
THE MEMBERS FOR ROCHDALE.
The following are the elections since the Reform Act
of 1832:-
1832 Dec. John Fenton (L)..
277
John Entwisle (C)
246
James Taylor (L)
109
1835 June John Entwisle (C).... 369
John Fenton (L)………….
""
1837 April John Fenton (L)
326
383
""
Clement Royds (C) .
339
James Fenton (C)
1837 July John Fenton (L)... . .
Capt. Alex. Ramsay (C)
1841 July W. S. Crawford (L)....
")
1847 June W. S. Crawford (L). . No contest
1852 July Edward Miall (L)
374
349
399
338
529
>>
Capt. A. Ramsay (C).. 375
1857 Mar. Sir A. Ramsay (C)
534
486
Edward Miall (L)
1859 April Richard Cobden (L) No contest
1865 April T. B. Potter (L)
""
W. B. Brett (C)
646
496
1865 July Thos. B. Potter (L). . No contest
1868 Nov. T. B. Potter (L)
""
4455
W. W. Schofield (C) .. 3270
4498
R. W. Gamble (C) .... 3998
1874 Feb. T. B. Potter (L)
""
THE TOWN HALL.

OCHDALE has few buildings with any preten-
sions to architectural beauty, and it is therefore
no difficult task for the stranger to find his
way to the Town Hall. It is a handsome
Gothic edifice, so richly ornamented as not
inappropriately to have been compared to a cathedral.
It stands upon a site round which, as years roll
on, it is more than probable a large number of
banking houses and government and commercial
offices will group themselves; and, erected as it is
upon a portion of ground which has been newly laid
out for building purposes, and which is so rapidly
improving that it promises to become the modern
division of the town, it may be considered as already
occupying a central position. Not only is this the case
as to its situation-it also represents the concentrated
business of the town; and besides its Council and other
Chambers and its Hall of Justice, it can boast of a Free
Public Library, which offers to the inhabitants every
facility for the study of literature. And it is a palace
of art, as a visit will unmistakably show. Admirably
adapted for municipal buildings, a Gothic style has
enabled the architect to display a beauty and harmony
of detail most pleasing to the aesthetic taste. Full advan-
tage has been taken of the ample scope it invariably
22
THE TOWN HALL.
affords for outside decorations; while the interior has
been fitted up so magnificently in every respect that
there are few municipal structures in the country to be
compared with it. It was opened by the mayor, George
Leach Ashworth, Esq., with great pomp, amid general
rejoicings, on September 27th, 1871.
The building is 88 yards in length, its extreme width
being 41 yards. One of its most remarkable features
is its imposing tower, which stands 134 feet high at the
north-east corner, and is surmounted by a beautiful
spire, 106 feet in height, making altogether 240 feet.
The spire, which is crocketted and panelled, and richly
gilded, is finished with a figure of St. George and the
Dragon. The tower rises in five stages, in the upper-
most of which is the clock, enclosed in a square gilt
cast-iron frame work, the bells being in the lower
stages of the octagonal spire. These bells chime the
hours and quarters as at Westminster, and there is a
carillon apparatus which plays fourteen tunes on
twelve bells—the public having each day the benefit of
a new tune, which is repeated three times every three
hours, though of course the programme is exhausted once
a fortnight and has to be revived. This the apparatus
itself effects, the tunes being successively taken up at
midnight. It has been suggested that 14 more tunes
might be provided at a cost of only £50, and by
these means, as the music would recur only once
a month, sameness would be avoided, and the conse-
quent satiety. We place the suggestion at the
disposal of some musical member of the corporation,
trusting that under his ægis it will be carried out long
before a second edition of the present guide is called for.
THE TOWN HALL.
23
Standing in front of the Hall we cannot help noticing
over the entrance tower thirteen niches, which in course
of time will be adorned with the sculptured figures of
eminent statesmen and men of science. Just above
these niches the canopies are brought into prominent
notice by a series of beautifully carved animals in
miniature, and in the position of gargoyles, a shield
being placed under each niche. Between these we see
a row of angels holding a continuous riband, and,
suspended from a smaller foliated string course, a little
below the other, are two large shields, on which are
very skilfully wrought the arms of the county and
borough. A graceful running foliage pattern between
the columns embellishes the doorway, the caps being
carved into oak and maple leaves, while heads of Her
Majesty Queen Victoria and the late Prince Consort
form the terminations to the labels.
The main portico, with its handsome buttresses and
parapet, is in the centre of the front, the principal
carving about it being the crockets, gargoyles, and
finials. The intersections of the buttresses, with a
string course under the parapet, are filled in each case
by two fierce looking animals, while on the top of the
parapet, above each of the four buttresses, is a large
gilded stone lion, the two outside lions holding a shield
with the borough arms carved out upon it, while the
two middle shields display the arms of the county and
the Salford Hundred. The roof of the great hall above,
the magnificent interior of which we shall describe as
we proceed, is said to be only excelled, so far as regards
its span, by the roof of Westminster Hall itself. It is
executed in deal and is of excellent workmanship and
24
THE TOWN HALL.
durability. Conspicuous in its centre is a ventilating
spire, reflecting as it were the light of the large one;
and it is capped by a nice vane. Between the two
entrances we have mentioned is an arcade spanned by
two arches, the centre pier of which has a splendid
groined and carved canopy. This arcade is in front of
the mayor's rooms, on the ground floor. Above it is a
passage leading from the tower staircase to another
which gives access to all the roofs; and this staircase is
surmounted by a beautifully carved spire. Outside
the Free Public Library, and over the Refreshment
Rooms, which are situated above the mayor's rooms, is
an elegantly traced and carved balcony, supported on
moulded stone corbels. On the other side of the main
portico is the magistrates' private staircase, entered
from the corridor in front of the public parade room,
and giving access to the grand hall, the borough court,
and the magistrates' retiring room at the west end,
there being a handsome balcony over the police parade
room, similar to that over the mayor's rooms. A stone
battlement, a pointed roof, and gilded vane, surmount
the magistrates' staircase. The chief constable's house
stands at the south-west corner, and is a handsome
dwelling, five storeys high. Its main staircase is of
octagon plan, and is surmounted by a pointed roof and
gilded vane. At the west end of the Town Hall is also
an octagon staircase precisely similar to that at the east
end. At the back of the Hall appears in bold relief the
grand staircase, with its magnificent stained glass, while
next to it are the entrances to the large vaults stretching
under the entire building. The fire engine station is
on the ground floor, a little further to the south-west.
THE TOWN HALL.
25
Altogether, the stone work of the Town Hall appears
to advantage under the Gothic style, which has been
faithfully adhered to throughout, and its otherwise cold.
grey aspect has been not a little relieved by the charm-
ing effect of the gilded spires. A general coup d'oeil
of what we venture to call "this unique specimen of
municipal architecture" may be obtained from the
engraving which forms a frontispiece to this guide; and
if our readers in glancing at its proportions, thus reduced
to a focus, are prepossessed with its external beauties,
we feel convinced their surprise and delight would be
heightened could we present to their vision an equally
faithful portrait of the interior. The eye becomes not
only dazzled with its gorgeous appearance, but charmed
as it peers by day into the life-like pictures in its
coloured windows and it has been said again and again.
that by gas light the great hall assumes the aspect of
some magnificent oriental temple.
From an inspection of the exterior we go back to the
base of the tower, and enter through the porch into the
vestibule, which may be regarded as an epitome in
itself of the style of the whole building. The labels of
the inner porch, for instance, are remarkable for two
heads, one representing a young swell, and the other a
"girl of the period," and this idea is enlarged upon in
other portions of the hall, where at almost every step
we meet with different illustrations of the style of head
dress of various periods, whether monarchical, knightly,
ecclesiastical, or civil. Then, again, on entering this
porch we are reminded by a broad frieze of the clothing
in vogue before the invention of spinning and weaving;
for we see figures of the bear, the beaver, the lion,
3
26
THE TOWN HALL.
the tiger, the panther, the goat, the fox, the stag, and
the tailor bird. The panels in the ceiling illustrate the
handicraft trades, beginning with the baker and butcher,
and successively enumerating twenty-seven, such as
the tailor, carpenter, mason, candle maker, collier, &c.,
&c. The windows are filled with the shields of
England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales; and in the
tracery appear the crosses of St. George, St. Patrick,
St Andrew, and the badge of Wales. The windows
of the staircase adjoining the porch are filled with
stained glass, of square quarry pattern, arranged in
horizontal lines, with quarries of golden fleece, and
others of the shuttle. The crest of the borough is a
fleece argent, and is frequently emblazoned throughout
the hall. The three large tracery pieces in the staircase
windows just mentioned are set off with the plough,
the sower, and the fleece, all relating to the woollen
manufacture of the town. There are similar windows
at the other end of the building, having reference to
cotton spinning; the quarries are adorned with cotton
pods and leaves, while the tracery shows the cotton
plant, and the machinery used in the manufacture.
We must not, however, "anticipate," for we are still
in the vestibule at the north-east end of the building.
The carving in the vestibule is very elegant, and we
notice two miniature lions holding up the shield of
Rochdale. All these things give us, as we have said
before, a general though faint idea of what is to be
seen in the main portion of the interior.
We enter the mayor's reception room, the ceiling of
which has a light turquoise blue ground, ornamented
with clusters of gilt stars, and gold swallows and
THE TOWN HALL.
27
butterflies. The sides of the beams, which are
beautifully painted, have splendid illustrations, on
gold ground, of seven well-known fables of sop.
The frieze is filled with branches of English forest
trees, and amongst some very effective designs, which
give employment to both the eye and the mind,
is a representation of Day, by an owl worried by small
birds, and of Night, by small birds getting punished in
return. The walls are diapered with a handsome pine
pattern, in sage green and gold toned down. Some
very light stained glass is seen along the top of the
windows, English fruits being introduced into the
lights, while the tracery portrays morning, noon, even-
ing, and night. The story of Jack and the Bean-stalk
adorns the quoins of the windows; and, in fact, in this
apartment, as in all others, every bit of space has been
more or less beautified by the decorator's art. Support-
ing, as it were, the beams where they join the walls,
are four sculptured figures, which were intended for
grotesque likenesses of the then mayor (Alderman Geo.
L. Ashworth), with the Town Hall in his hand; Mr.
W. H. Crossland, the architect; an Alderman in his
gown (Mr. E. Taylor); and a Councillor (Mr. W. A.
Scott). Amongst the portraits suspended in this room,
we may mention a capital likeness of Bright and Cobden,
by Fagnani: the former is reading a pamphlet, and his
friend appears to be listening attentively. There is
also a life-size portrait of Alderman T. Livsey.
It was presented with an address to Mrs. Livsey by
the Alderman's friends "as a testimony of their esteem
for his public services, 1852," and was presented to
the corporation in 1874, by his daughter, Mary
Livsey.
28
THE TOWN HALL.
In the mayor's parlour, which we enter from the
apartment just described, we see running along the
ceiling a tree of the fabled orchard of the Hesperides,
producing golden fruit, guarded by dragons. The
peacock, the bird of paradise, the humming bird, and
other beautiful birds are perched in its branches, which
spread all over the ceiling. In medallions on a frieze of
magnolias are several English songsters, and some
others on the walls are conventionally treated. Some
vine branches grace the beams; with storks in various
attitudes. The windows have some exceedingly good
imagery of the months of the year, and the four
seasons. The sculpture represents the praise of wine.
The furniture in the mayor's rooms is of Dantzic oak
elaborately carved, the chairs being covered with blue
morocco, with the borough arms embossed in gold on
the back. The window curtains are made of French
tournay. The carpets, which are of a chaste design,
are the best Turkey. The portraits here exhibited are
those of Jacob Bright, the first mayor of the town,
painted by W. Percy, and presented by the members of
the Council in 1856; and of Alderman Geo. Leach
Ashworth, chairman of the Town Hall Building Com-
mittee, painted by Ph. Westcott, and presented to the
corporation by public subscription.
It
The council chamber adjoins the mayor's rooms.
occupies the whole width of the building from front to
back, and measures 60 feet in length, by 24 in width.
It has four handsome arches in Bath stone, the mould-
ings of which are adorned with carved pateras, the
spandrels being worked into a beautiful foliage. The
illustrated subjects which run round the walls near
THE TOWN HALL.
29
the ceiling represent the great inventions which have
given an impetus to the manufacture of woollen, silk,
and cotton fabrics, the great staple trades of the town.
They are quite a study in themselves, illustrating the
progress made from the simplest handwork to the almost
perfect machinery of the present day. The names of
the inventors and their likenesses, when these could be
procured, are given. A rich frieze, with a wreath
of cotton foliage, and beautiful designs of the plough,
the shuttle, and the spindle, grace the ceiling. The
diaper of the wall is suggested by the cotton plant
and teazle. The stained glass in the windows is
very light, and the subjects introduced are the arms
of the Duke of Bridgewater, Sir Richard Arkwright,
Sir Robert Peel, and Sir Titus Salt, as men who,
though not inventors, have materially assisted-by
their intelligence and active influence-the progress
made in the textile manufactures. The furniture is
very sumptuous, and upholstered in crimson morocco.
Stepping out of the council chamber we reach the
exchange, which is just within the grand central
entrance. It is 72 feet in length by 39 in width. It is
remarkable for its beautifully groined roof, supported
by pillars of Aberdeen, Peterhead, and other granites;
its richly carved Bath stone caps and bosses; its tiled
floor, and its stained-glass windows. The carving is
especially effective, both as regards design and execu-
tion, the foliage of the Bath stone caps being as perfect
an imitation of oak, ivy, and maple as it is possible to
conceive, intermingled with the leaves being some native.
animals and birds, such as the squirrel, owl, hawk, &c.
The label mouldings over the doorways leading to the
?
30
THE TOWN HALL.
council chamber on the left, and the ladies' cloak room
and the lecturer's retiring room on the right, are
terminated in easily recognised heads of celebrated men
and women. Alternating each other over the tiled floor
are the arms of the Duchy of Lancaster and the arms
of the borough (surrounded by cotton plant foliage),
and the arms of England. In the stained windows,
looking upon the main road, are the arms of the conti-
nental nations who are regarded as the best customers
of the manufacturers of Rochdale, viz.: Sweden and
Norway, Prussia, France, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark,
Austria, Greece, Turkey, Belgium, Russia, and Portugal.
Above these are the principal plants used in commerce:
wheat, tobacco, tea, coffee, pimento, indiarubber,
indigo, orange, hop, flax, hemp, jute, &c. The windows
at the further end are filled with square quarries, stained
in various devices.
The grand staircase leading from the exchange to the
great hall has a very noble appearance; indeed, it has
been stated on good authority that there is no other in
England which can be considered its equal. There is
an artistic effect about its lofty groined ceiling, its
marble hand-rail, and shafts, and its traceried Bath
stone balustrading which can only be realised by
personal inspection; and, as we ascend, the eye is dazzled
with the resplendent rays streaming in through the
large stained window before us, its nine lights being
entirely filled with the full blazon of the royal arms of
England, and, as we look, they seem to rest upon red
and white roses entwined with the arms, supporters,
crests, and well-known badges of Great Britain. This
is brought out into stronger relief by the windows on
THE TOWN HALL.
31
either side being merely filled in some centre openings,
the one displaying the blazon of the county arms, and
the other the arms and the crest of the corporation.
In some of the lights above and below, and in the other
windows of the staircase, are the arms of the corporate
towns in the Duchy of Lancaster, the principal manu-
facturing towns of Yorkshire, the ports from whence
our manufactures are shipped to other ports, the
countries that supply us with materials for textile
fabrics, and finally, those of the Levant Merchants, the
West India Merchants, and the East India Company.
All these arms are beautifully coloured, and in every
respect will bear minute inspection. A tribute is also
paid, in the tracery of the side windows, to the great
services rendered to modern progress by the ship, the
steamer, the railway, and the telegraph. And the
sculptor, to crown the beauty of the more solid portions
of the stone-work on which the eye finally rests, has
chiselled out, with cunning art, some running foliage
upon the sprandrel heads to the traceried balustrading,
and the carving here and in connection with the bosses
is somewhat akin to that in the exchange. The four
seasons of life are beautifully symbolised at each side
of the two doors leading from the staircase into the
great hall. The busts of John Fenton (the first M.P.
for Rochdale) and Cobden stand on the first landing;
and they are life-like portraits.
The great hall is one of the handsomest rooms in
England. Its extreme length, exclusive of the orches-
tra, is 30 yards; its breadth 20 yards; and its height,
from floor to apex, 68 feet. It will seat twelve hundred
persons; and though generally used for public meetings,
32
THE TOWN HALL.
concerts, and banquets, it has been found extremely
well adapted for bazaars and balls. The principal
feature of the hall is the series of stained windows
filled with the kings and queens of England, including
Oliver Cromwell. Such sumptuous decoration has only
been attempted in one previous instance that of the
House of Lords. The figures are under canopies, on
quarry grounds, the quarries being painted with the
initials and badges of the sovereigns. The first king is
William the Conqueror, the series ending with William
IV. Cromwell appears in subdued colours, between
Charles I. and Charles II. The figures of Henry VIII.
and Queen Elizabeth have been pronounced as excep-
tionally fine, and the difficult treatment of the four
Georges has been thoroughly well surmounted. The
armorial bearings of the sovereigns fill the lights above
the figures, the first being the generally received two-
lion shield of William I., the next one calling for notice
being that of Henry II., who has the three lions; and
this has been the shield of England up to the present
time. Those who are familiar with the subject will
remember that upon his marriage with Eleanor of
Aquitaine, who wore but one lion on her shield, Henry
II. added it to the two lions he had previously borne,
and thus the two shields merged into one of three lions.
The badges of the royal houses are shown in the tracery
of the windows. First in order come the carbuncle and
broom plant of the Plantagenets; then the red rose,
antelope, and chained swan of Lancaster; next the
white rose, falcon, and fetterlock of York; and the
badge of red and white rose and portcullis of the Tudors,
which follows, is succeeded by the red and white rose,
THE TOWN HALL.
33
shamrock, and thistle of the present day. The figure
of our gracious sovereign, Queen Victoria, has been
reserved for the centre of the circular window over the
organ chamber. She is faithfully represented; and, as
the fountain of honour, is surrounded by the collars and
badges of the orders of knighthood. Opposite, is a
similar window, with the portrait of Prince Albert.
Surrounding the prince, in the quailefoils, are emblems.
of painting, sculpture, science, architecture, commerce,
manufacture, and agriculture. Underneath this window
is the large subject of Magna Charta, by Mr. Holiday,
of London. It is quite a study in itself. The attitude
of the insurgent barons appears to be that of a dignified
firmness, without violence, while the king, who is com-
pelled to sign everything, yields the various points with
an appearance of good grace, though secretly determined
to recall those privileges on the first opportunity.
Still he must not be supposed to display too amiable an
acquiescence, as this might have revealed his real
feelings; he is, therefore, granting them their rights
sullenly, his manner betraying an effort to brave out
the situation as best he can. The most noteworthy
feature about the carving in the great hall is that of
sixteen large size angels, magnificently executed,
holding gas pendants. Animals appear in the corbels
and the base, and the labels round the hall are terminated
in heads of prominent male and female celebrities
of the fourteenth century. The roof timbers and
panels are elaborately adorned in gold, and the
colouring is exceedingly rich, the several arms, badges,
and legends of Great Britain being painted in black,
red, and white in the panels, while the red rose
34
THE TOWN HALL.
tree of the House of Lancaster sets off the seven
principals. The gold soffits of the latter are especially
noteworthy for the brilliance and lightness they impart
to the roof. Most successful has been the treatment of
the splendid diaper covering of the walls and the rich
mouldings and jambs of the windows in a sort of pine
pattern, the colours being black and Indian red. The
arcade at the west end of the hall is enriched by some
delicate running foliage, consisting of vine, thorn, and
oak leaves. The gas fittings are most elaborate, the
grand room being lighted with sixteen chandeliers,
each composed of two tiers with a large number of
burners, the effect being very brilliant at night, when
the most salient features of the hall are brought out
very prominently.
The refreshment room adjoining the east end of the
great hall is large and commodious, being 40 feet by
20 feet; the six corbels in this apartment are
appropriately carved into designs of game, wild ducks,
pheasants, &c. The sun, moon, stars, and the signs
of the zodiac form the ground work for the decoration
of the ceiling, and the adornment throughout is as
effective as elsewhere. There is a hoist, which is used for
bringing things up from the kitchen below, which, by
the way, is fitted up with every apparatus required in
the culinary art.
Next to the refreshment room is another apartment
of the same size, devoted to the meetings of the various
committees. Its corbels represent the various passions.
of human nature; three of the carved illustrations
appearing on the one side and three on the other.
Pain, for instance, is depicted as a victim to the pangs
THE TOWN HALL.
35
and horrors of the toothache, while Pleasure is the same
individual enjoying his porridge after the cursed mas-
ticator has been extracted, which has been effected by
a Tim Bobbin doctor, with pincers; the fun being
evident. Greed is illustrated by a miser and his money-
bags; Avarice by the man who would like to get them,
and is determined to carry out his object by deception
or murder. Law is seen as a watchman of the olden
time, keeping his eye upon the intending robber.
designs are captivating from their very grotesqueness.
The town clerk's, the borough treasurer's, and other
public offices, are in this part of the building, and the
public enter by the door at the extreme east end.
There are mezzanine rooms provided, on the ground
floor, for the use of the hall-keeper.
The
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.
This department is entered at the west end of the
town hall. The public offices, and the chief-constable's,
and watch committee's rooms, are on the ground floor,
and from the passage leading thereto we enter a large
room, where the police may parade in wet weather.
Ranged along two sides of this room are eight cells and
one bath-room for the prisoners. Ascending by the
staircase, above the west end porch, we reach the
borough court, which adjoins the great hall, and is
immediately over the parade room, from which the
prisoners are brought into the dock by a circular iron
staircase, so that they do not come in contact with the
public. The court is 51 feet in length and 34 feet wide,
There are seats on each side of the dock from the
36
THE TOWN HALL.
passage into the gallery above. The walls of the court
are of a greenish grey colour, with a broad frieze in
devices of the Duchy of Lancaster, the ceiling being
enriched with the shields of the county and borough,
and the rose-en-soleil of England. Over the oak dado
are figures of greyhounds (which support the arms of
the chancellor of the Duchy) and crowned Lancaster
roses. The three three-light windows in front are filled
with figures of eminent men.
The three central ones
are Somers, Mansfield, and Ellenborough, three of
our ablest administrators of law in the three great courts.
On the dexter side are the three great jurists, Jeremy
Bentham, Lord Bacon, and Sir Edward Coke; while on
the sinister side are the three great defenders of our
rights, King Alfred, Pym (who has given us the best
definition of law), and Hampden. The windows at the
back of the gallery, opposite, are filled with grisaille
glass, rose pattern, with the borough arms in the centre
in cotton foliage.
Leading out of the court is the magistrates' room,
which is one of the most pleasant apartments in the
hall. It overlooks the pleasure grounds. The panels
of the ceiling are partially filled with the armorial
bearings of former mayors, the first being the arms of
Mr. Jacob Bright; and as there are more panels than
there have been mayors, they display, for the time being,
the arms of the borough and duchy. The walls, as far as
the dado, are hung with embossed leather, with a
beautiful pattern of the pomegranate. The furniture
here, as elsewhere, is made of the best Dantzic oak;
and the utmost care has been taken in the adaptation of
the woodwork to the rich decorations, the carving being
THE TOWN HALL.
37
splendidly executed. The magistrates have a private
staircase, which takes them right up to court, or they
may enter their room by a gallery before going into
court.
Next to the magistrates' room is an office for the
magistrates' clerk.
THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
This library, which was opened on September 18th,
1872, is on the second floor, and is approached by the
staircase at the east end of the town hall. It occupies
a room 52 feet by 40 feet. The two windows display
figures of Guttenberg, the inventor of printing, and
Cadmus, of writing. The papyrus plant is appro-
priately taken for the subject of the grisaille work in
one of the lights below, and geometrical and ornamental
lines in the other. Here are three niches with elabor-
ately carved bosses, crockets, and pendants in Bath
stone, and some elegant spandrels. In the library
there are 16,669 volumes.
The total cost of the Town Hall is estimated at
£155,000. The principal work in the erection of the
building was carried out under the superintendence of
the architect, Mr. W. H. Crossland, of Leeds, by the
following principal contractors :-Messrs. Warburton
Bros., of Harpurhey, the shell and foundation of the
building; Messrs. Heaton, Butler, & Bayne, of Garrick-
street, London, the decoration of the large hall, borough
court, magistrates' room, mayor's parlour and reception
room, council chamber and vestibule, and also the whole
of the stained glass; Mr. W. H. Best, of Rochdale, the
38
THE BELLS AND CHIMES.
decoration of all the other rooms; Mr. Thos. Earp, of
London, the whole of the carving; Messrs. Wirth,
Bros., of Regent-street, London, the joinery; Mr. W.
Snowdon, of Rochdale, the furniture; Messrs. Smith &
Sons, of Birmingham, the locks; Mr. H. J. King, of
Rochdale, the ironmongery; Messrs. Gillett & Bland,
of Croydon, the clock and chimes; Mr. Taylor, of Lough-
borough, the bells; Mr. W. Lott, of London, the
gilding of the exterior; and Messrs. Hodkinson,
Leicester, & Poynton, of Coventry, the gas fittings.
THE BELLS AND CHIMES.
There are thirteen bells in the tower, of which the
largest, the tenor, weighs two and a half tons.
The chimes are struck on the first, second, third, and
sixth bells, and the hour on the tenor bell. The tunes,
which number fourteen, require the whole of the bells.
Indeed, one or two more would add much to the beauty
of the melodies; notwithstanding, the tunes are played
most effectively, and their names show that they are
representative. The order in which they are played is-
"The Easter Hymn,' "Rule Britannia," "St. Patrick's
Day," "Auld Lang Syne," "Partant Pour la Syrié,"
"Yankee Doodle," "The German Watchman's Song,"
104th Psalm," "God Bless the Prince of Wales,
"Caller Herring," "God save the Emperor,
""Russian
National Hymn," "Swiss Boy," and "Home, Sweet
Home."
""
It will be seen that not only our own national tunes
are given, but those of the chief nations of Europe,
our colonies ("Home, Sweet Home"), and the United
THE BELLS AND CHIMES.
39
States. The words to most of the tunes are known;
there may, perhaps, be one exception in the German
Watchman's Song, which might be confounded with the
War Song, but it is the song commencing:
"Hark! ye neighbours and hear me tell,
Ten now strikes on the belfry bell,
Ten are the Holy Commandments given
To man on earth, by God in heaven." &c.

THE PLEASURE GROUNDS.
"Here the fine setting of well-shaded trees,
The walks there mounting up by small degrees,
The gravel and the green so equal lie,
It, with the rest, draws on your ling'ring eye.
Here the sweet smells that do perfume the air,
So please the smelling sense, that you are fain
Where last you walk'd, to turn and walk again."
PUBLIC park in the midst of a manufacturing
town, such as Rochdale, is a privilege of the
highest value, for here not only the children of
the rich may pass joyful hours of recreation,
but those of the poor may here, for a time,
forget the miseries and privations of their crowded and
ill-ventilated cottages, and without feeling themselves.
trespassing, gambol and frolic, or sit at their leisure,
enjoying the open air of heaven.
Here the convalescent may stroll about, or may rest
on the seats so numerously and thoughtfully provided;
and while that sweet scene around cheers his reviving
spirits, may, in a grateful mood, thank the Creator who
has raised him up from his bed of sickness to feel once
more the exhilarating breeze play on his pale and
sunken cheek. Here we also see
"The hawthorn bush with seats beneath the shade,"
which do not require a great stretch of the imagination
to suppose are
"For talking age and whispering lovers made."


い
​THE PARK GRAMMAR & SPARROW HILL SCHOOLS.
THE PLEASURE GROUNDS.
41
Here the aged may repair and while away their time;
and, perchance, the frolics of the children call to mind
the delightful rambles which their native fields and
meadows afforded to their earlier years, review their
past lives with complacency and an approving conscience,
and reflect on their "eternal home.” Here the un-
fortunate artizan, wandering from town to town in
search of employment, may find a short respite for his
aching brain and limbs ere he "plods his weary way"
to another town; and here the spendthrift and drunkard
may, in seclusion, brood over their self-inflicted troubles,
and resolve on a more creditable course of life for the
future. With these reflections, which seem to rise
naturally from a contemplation of the beautiful scene
which is here spread out before us, we will proceed to
give such a description of the park and pleasure.
grounds as we hope will prove interesting to our
readers. And we think it must be evident that few
of the recent improvements made by the corporation.
of Rochdale reflect more credit on that body than the
change which has been effected in the Sparrow Hill
and Broadfield.
The corporation wisely determined to secure this
property, and employed competent persons to prepare
designs as to the laying out and arrangement of the
ground. The designs sent in by Messrs. A. Stansfield
and Son, of Todmorden, were adopted, and the result
is now as presented to the eye of the visitor. The con-
clusion to which the corporation came was, at the time,
somewhat severely criticised, and not without some show
of reason. It was stated, over and over again, that
vegetation of any kind could, under no circumstances,
4
42
THE PLEASURE GROUNDS.
be expected to flourish or even survive in the middle of
the town; and that such an outlay as the completion
of the scheme would require would be nothing less than
a sheer waste of public money.
The result, however, has proved unmistakeably the
propriety of the course adopted by the corporation, and,
we think, it may be said that the town of Rochdale is
in possession of a privilege which it is in no way dis-
posed to underrate.
On leaving the Town Hall a spacious boulevard of
some 900 feet length opens out to Manchester-road, and
is now the most deservedly popular and beautiful
approach to the town. A row of elm trees is planted
on each side the boulevard, and so placed on the outer
side of the footpath as eventually to give grateful
shelter to foot passengers in hot sunny weather. Each
side is bounded by slopes planted with evergreens and
other shrubs and trees. By a broad flight of steps
and somewhat steep winding walks, in the first Sparrow
Hill, the visitor may reach some points of vantage for
distant views well worth the trouble it may involve.
The same remark applies to the second Sparrow Hill,
with this exception that the gradients of the roads are
much more easy, and are accessible from two points-
one from the thoroughfare up the Sparrow Hill, and
the other from the westerly end of the boulevard.
The Park, commonly known as "Broadfield," is an
irregular plot of ground some sixteen acres in extent.
By a considerable and judicious outlay it has been
enclosed with substantial boundary walls, surmounted
with handsome palisading. The laying out of the park
may be said to embrace two distinct styles of gardening
THE PLEASURE GROUNDS.
43
-the natural and the artificial. The lower and more
irregularly formed portion being better adapted for the
former, and the flat or table land for the latter. This
course has been adopted mainly in deference to the
wishes of the General Purposes Committee, in order to
produce a greater amount of variety in the limited space
at disposal, and so please the various tastes of the
burgesses.
Entering the park from the westerly side of the
boulevard, in front of the handsome Presbyterian
Church, the first object which meets the eye is the small
sheet of water, supplied partly by the drainage of the
ground above, and partly from a source previously
existing. The supply of water is abundant and good,
as the health of the various waterfowl with which the
lake is stocked testifies. A small island of rhododen-
drons in the centre is introduced, so as to break the line
of sight and increase the apparent extent of the water.
Passing up to the higher ground, between luxuriant
banks of evergreens, interspersed only by bright glades
of verdant lawn, the visitor leaves on the right the
boys' play-ground, more than half an acre in extent.
In the extreme west corner is the portion set apart for
the gymnasium. Both this and the play-ground are so
screened by dense shrubberies and raised mounds as to
shut them out from the sight of the visitor who comes
with quieter views of enjoyment. The new schools near
to the west entrance are objects of interest in this
particular portion of the park, and seem to form most
fitting and appropriate surroundings. A principal
road leads from this point along the south-westerly
margin, the terrace of houses being well screened by a
wide border of shrubs and trees.
44
THE PLEASURE GROUNDS.
Passing from this point in the direction of Sparrow
Hill Schools, the visitor reaches "Flagstaff Hill," the
highest portion of the park. From this eminence a
fine view of the surrounding country can be obtained.
The spires and towers of no less than nine churches and
chapels are visible from one point, and, as objects of
interest in the immediate neighbourhood, St. Alban's
and Castle Hill are prominent. In the distance is also
seen the thriving town of Heywood, and the horizontal
outline on the north-westerly side is bounded by Rooley
Moor, with its silvery line of sinuous road leading to
the ancient Forest of Rossendale. A little to the west of
Rooley Moor is plainly visible a cottage which is said to
be exactly four miles from Rochdale. On the same
side but more to the north are Rushy Hill, Brown
Wardle Hill, and Middle Hill, and still more con-
spicuous, the well-known and picturesque "white house"
on Blackstone Edge. While in the lower part of the
park the visitor must not omit to notice "Cant Hill'
well, where there is an almost unvarying and abundant
supply of pure spring water. The well is approached
from the thoroughfare in front of Sparrow Hill Schools.
Cant Hill has often given rise to little disputation as
to its etymology. Some contend that it is owing to the
well being a gossiping or tattling place; some that the
water of the well had some famous curative powers for
those who came regularly to drink its waters; whilst
others, and with certainly more show of reason on their
side, say that Cant Hill is the "recovery" or strengthen-
ing hill, as it was and we hope will continue to be the
custom for convalescents to take a walk to the top of
the hill for the sake of the refreshing and invigorating
THE PLEASURE GROUNDS.
45
breeze. In the year 1845, the Rev. Dr. Molesworth
erected the present stonework over the well, and
dedicated it "for the use of the poor," and warns the
mischievous "for their sake do no damage." Over
it he inscribed a scriptural passage: Whosoever
drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever
drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never
thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in
him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
Formerly Cant Hill water had a great reputation as
making better tea than that from any other source,
and even now, it is not uncommon to see the people
fetch it for this purpose, from even the most remote
parts of the town.
Passing towards the more formal part of the park,
we have on the right the girls' play-ground, a large and
almost circular plot, snugly enclosed with high mounds,
grassy banks, and dense shrubberies, and though within
but a few yards of the main thoroughfare through the
park, it will eventually have the appearance of as much
privacy as the croquet lawn of a private family.
We now come to the more level or geometrical portion
of the park, which is approached by two entrances, both
opening out of the Broadfield walk.
One of the main features in this portion is the sunk
panel on the north-westerly side which is intended to
serve as a bowling green, &c. It is entered on the
north and south sides by two flights of steps. A broad
grass terrace margins the panel, with scroll-work and
small circular and other beds for spring bulbs and
summer bedding plants. Each side of the terrace is
bounded by broad walks in lines parallel, and these
46
THE PLEASURE GROUNDS.
again are flanked by broad bands of shrubberies on
their outer margin. There are two other entrances
besides those previously named: the principal one
opposite the vicarage gates, and the other from Park-
street, off Drake-street.
To
For the mind of the botanist, the gardener, and the
educated public, there is another form of interest
attaching to the pleasure grounds, and that is the
native habitat of the plants. Our world-wide commerce,
and the enterprise of our countrymen, have been the
means of bringing to this land almost everything
that is beautiful and interesting in the vegetable
kingdom; and, owing to the moderation of our climate,
we can place side by side in our gardens and pleasure
grounds choice specimens from various latitudes.
take a few instances only, we have the curious
monkey puzzle or Araucaria imbricata, with its rope-
like prickly branches, from the Chilian Andes mountains
in South America, where it bears an edible cone
the size of a child's head; there is the Pinus Austriaca,
the thick and sombre branches of which wave
on the slopes of the Tyrol; we have also the Rhodo-
dendron, of the Swiss Alps, the Rhododendron ponticum
and Azalea, from the Caucasus; the Privet and the
Aucuba, with its yellow-spotted leaves, from Japan;
the Berberis Darwinii, from South America (named
after the great biologist), struggles for an existence in
our smoky atmosphere; the hardy little Pernettia comes
from the wilds of Terra del Fuego; the Ledum, with its
small leathery leaves, which have been used as tea,
flourishes in the swamps of Canada; the Liriodendron
or Tulip tree also comes to us from North America,
THE PLEASURE GROUNDS.
47
and, finally, there is a young specimen of the big Pine
trees of California, the Wellingtonia Gigantea, which
attains in its native land a height of over three
hundred feet.
“Flowers are scattered with a generous profusion in
every part of the habitable world; in the snowy arctic
regions, and in the sunny lands of the south; on the
hoary Nile, and in the sparkling rivulets of our own
loved land; on the sandy plains of Africa, and in our
quiet fields and woods; in the lonely isles of ocean, and
on the shattered ruins of our halls and towers, nay, on
the very walls and roofs of our cottage dwellings;
beneath the foot of the laughing child, and round the
grave of the grey-haired man.
"In all places, then, and in all seasons,
Flowers expand their light and soul-like wings,
Teaching us, by the most persuasive reasons
How akin they are to human things.
And with child-like, credulous affection,
We behold their tender buds expand;
Emblems of our own great resurrection,
Ebmlems of the bright and better land."

THE PUBLIC BATHS.

R
OCHDALE is not celebrated as a place of resort
for valetudinarians seeking bathing facilities;
and, indeed, since the fouling of the rivers
Roach and Spodden, and the increase of popula-
tion on the banks of the canal, the natural
bathing places have been destroyed, but through the
exertions of the late Mr. Alderman Moore, and
Mr. Alderman Taylor, and other gentlemen, public
baths were erected in Smith Street, in the year 1868, in
which the inhabitants may now have the full advantage
resulting from bathing. The practice of bathing
undoubtedly reaches back to the earliest times, and the
most ancient historical accounts, as well as the popular
myths, make mention of it, but there is no trace in
Rochdale of ancient baths. Bathing is a very important
agent in the preservation and restoration of health.
Besides promoting cleanliness, the refreshing and
invigorating effects of cold bathing, in its various forms,
have always been acknowledged, as have, also, the
soothing effects of the warm bath, but the virtues of
water, as a curative agent, have been more fully
developed in modern times. The baths were designed
by Mr. E. N. Macdougall, the contractors being Messrs.
J. Parker and Son, and have cost £9,500. They are
built, in the Italian style of architecture, of brick, and
stone dressings, having a façade of 113 feet long, of
THE PUBLIC BATHS.
49
two storeys, the principal entrance being of stone, with
plain moulded heads.
The baths appropriated to the ladies are on the left,
and those to the gentlemen on the right of the entrance.
There are two large swimming baths, 65 feet 6 inches
by 39 feet, and 38 feet high. The water is kept tepid
by means of steam. In the galleries surrounding the
swimming baths there are slipper baths. In addition
to the above, there are excellent and peculiar Turkish
baths, which were made after a plan arranged by
Mr. Milligan, the manager of the baths. The
peculiarity of these baths is that the bather can breathe
a cool atmosphere whilst the body is enclosed in
hot-air, so that the most susceptible may take the baths
without danger. In the year 1868, the total number
of bathers visiting the Rochdale Baths amounted to
33,849; in 1869, the number increased to 35,266; in
1870, the number decreased to 31,832; in 1871, to
31,435; but increased, in 1872, to 34,114; in 1873,
decreased to 33,016, but at the end of September, 1874,
being six months from April 1st, they numbered.
32,437.
THE GAS WORKS.

SHE works are situate at the foot of Castle Hill,
on a part of a space known as Kill Danes, and
were erected in the year 1824, by John
Malam, gas engineer. The directors were
John Roby (chairman), Thomas Booth, Samuel
Lomax (Townhead), Joseph Wood (Bank), John
Eccroyd (nail maker), Abraham Brierley, and John
Chadwick. J. S. Lancashire, was appointed manager.
The works were constructed for the manufacture of
gas and coke, the coke ovens being similar to those
in use at coal pits. The separate manufacture of coke
was soon discontinued. At first the works were equal
to a make of about 20,000 cubic feet per day. At that
time there was no such thing as a station meter, and
there are no reliable figures, but it is supposed that
not more than 15,000 cubic feet of gas were consumed
per twenty-four hours in the depth of winter, whilst
about this quantity is now turned out in five minutes.
The works cost about £11,000. The opening was
celebrated by a grand balloon ascent by Mr. Sadler,
who was accompanied by Mr. Roby; and the day was
made a general holiday in the town. The balloon
descended near Bacup.
From the year 1823 to 1844, the works continued in
the hands of the gas company; and, in the latter year,
they were purchased by the corporation for the sum of
£27,700.
THE GAS WORKS.
51
The following statement shows a marvellous increase
in the consumption of gas:-
In the year ending March
The money amount of gas sold to
private consumers ...
The No. of feet of gas made
The No. of Consumers ...
The No. of street Lamps
The length of main pipes laid in
Miles
The Mortgage Debt
27,919,000. 52,286,000 94,343,000 223,086,000
1844
1854
1864
1874
5,683
8,014
14,159
34,495
904
2,650
10.756,
16,959
263
501
677
1,420
10
24
43
65
27,700
31,450
53,349
132,115
12,995
21,297
44,482
cannel...
5s. 2 d.
9s. 41a.
17s. Od.
3s. 10d.
3s. 102d.
38. 93d.
Ss. 9d.
6s. 10d.
17s. 73d.
¡12s. 8d.
17s. 4d.
258. 4d.
The profits paid towards the Town
Improvements have been £78,774,
being in each of the ten years...
The average selling price of gas in
the years ending.......
The average cost per ton for coal..
""
These figures naturally lead the mind to investigate
the extent of the works at their commencement and at
the present period. In 1824, there were eighteen
retorts and two gas holders, with a capacity or storage
room for 36,000 cubic feet. In 1844, the retorts num-
bered fifty-seven, and there was a storage room for
118,000 feet. At the present date, there is a retort house
100 yards long by 45 yards broad, containing 341
retorts; on each side of the beds of retorts is a coal
store, where 6,000 tons of material may be stacked
ready for a winter's consumption. A purifying house.
35 by 21 yards, a fine massive stone building of two
storeys, containing six purifiers, each 24 feet square by
4 feet deep. The ground floor being used as a revivi-
fying floor.
There is also another purifying house, oxide shed,
two large gas holders, tar and ammoniacal liquor tanks,
station meters, condensors, &c.
A splendid stack of buildings used for engines,
exhausters, boilers, workshops for blacksmiths, fitters,
52
THE GAS WORKS.
joiners, meter makers, stores for meters, pipes, and all
other materials.
In other buildings are similar appliances required in
the manufacture of gas, all being of the most approved
construction.
Conspicuous amongst the erections are the scrubbers,
like two massive towers, with houses on top of each,
standing 50 feet high, 12 feet diameter, used for the
purpose of cleansing the gas from ammonia and other
impurities.
The room for storage consists of three holders, the
largest of which was completed last year, and is a
telescopic gasholder 126 feet diameter and 52 feet high,
the tank being 26 feet 6 inches deep. The holder has
a capacity of 632,000 cubic feet. The total storage
room is 1,150,000 cubic feet.
The whole works now cover nearly seven acres, and
have been not only extended but remodelled, chiefly
since the year 1871, and they are allowed by eminent
gas engineers to be equal if not superior to any of a
similar size in the United Kingdom. The alterations,
extensions, and improvements have been designed by
the present manager, Mr. Samuel Hunter, C.E.
3
The works are now equal to a supply of 12 millions
cubic feet each twenty-four hours, and the increase in
the consumption of gas being so rapid it is expected that
further extension will be required within a very short
time.
THE WATER WORKS.

B
EFORE the year 1760, the inhabitants of
Rochdale had to rely on pumps and wells for
the supply of water. The chief of these were
situated at Leyland's Brow, better known as
"Packer Spout;" at the "Wet Rake," near
the junction of Oldham and Milnrow Roads; the pump
in the Lowergates, opposite to the Amen Corner; the
pump at the Bishop, near Temple-street; the well or
spout supplied by a stream on the east of Blackwater,
near Barrack Yard; Kitchen pump, at the end of
Bury Road; the spout at Coldwall Brow; Wardleworth
Wells; and Cant Hill Well, but nearly all are now
gone; the sewerage of the town, and the increase of
buildings having destroyed them.
The first reservoir was constructed about the year
1760, by Messrs. Ralph and Samuel Taylor, and John
Clegg. It is situated in Leyland's Brow, near the
church steps, 25 feet above the centre of the town. Its
low level confined the supply only to the inhabitants
who resided in the lower parts of the town. However,
its value in giving a supply of water inside the house
led to the formation of a Water Works Company, who
purchased it for an annuity of £80 per annum; and, in
the year 1809, an application was made to Parliament
and power obtained to use the Noon Sun Spring on
Cronkeyshaw, and to make large reservoirs to supply
54
THE WATER WORKS.
the town. The Acts of 1816, 1839, and 1847, gave power
to enlarge and form Jepheys, Buckley Wood, Hamer
Pasture, and Brown House Wham reservoirs; and
mains were extended in all directions. In 1866, the
Town Council purchased the Water Works, giving the
shareholders an annuity of £5 12s. on £56 paid stock,
there being in all 1,332 shares, and Parliament
authorised the Corporation to borrow £200,000, and to
purchase land for the making of new reservoirs, one at
Spring Mill, another at Cowm, and small service
reservoirs at Knot Hill, Shawforth, and at Buersil Head.
The construction of Cowm reservoir was commenced in
the year 1867, and is very near completion at a cost
of £189,567. The Spring Mill reservoir is in course of
construction, and the cost up to the present time
amounts to £24,162. The gathering ground of the
Water Works Company was 700 acres, and the capacity
of the reservoirs 147 millions of gallons. The Cowm
reservoir will have a gathering ground of 955 acres,
and a capacity of 228 millions of gallons. The gather-
ing ground of Spring Mill reservoir will be 558 acres,
and its capacity 133 millions of gallons. The whole works
are estimated to give a supply of 20 gallons per head
to 104,500 of a population; Cowm being able to supply
42,500; Spring Mill 24,500; and the old works 37,500.
The whole reservoirs will hold 250 days' supply at the
rate of 20 gallons per head per day, but in practice,
this supply will be diminished by the compensation,
and cannot be reckoned at more than 160 days available
supply. These conclusions are arrived at by the calcu-
lations that one acre will supply forty-four persons,
the rainfall being estimated at 42 inches, the compen-
THE WATER WORKS.
55
sation to the owners on the stream at 10 inches, and
the evaporation and loss by flood at 24 inches.
The construction of Cowm reservoir was a most
expensive affair, caused by unexpected difficulties.
Treacherous ground was found in sinking the trench on
the westerly side, and the work had to be carried on by
night as well as by day for several months. However,
at last, the difficulty was surmounted, but then a second
presented itself in the shape of a fissured rock in the bed
of the reservoir, and under the embankment. A large
portion of the rock had to be removed and replaced
with concrete. This caused another delay and increased
expenditure, but at last it has been made a very fine
reservoir, and the four filtering ponds have been con-
structed on the improved system of fine sand and gravel,
resting on layers of boulders, the whole being 3 feet
6 inches thick. Pretty cascades will be formed by the
water as it leaves the reservoirs, and can be seen to
advantage from the three stone bridges which span the
bye-wash and compensation channel. These works
have been designed by Messrs. T. & C. Hawksley,
consulting engineers, and carried out by Mr. H. Rofe,
the resident engineer and manager of the works.
T
THE MANURE WORKS.

IKE other towns in Lancashire and Yorkshire,
Rochdale has undergone great changes, and has
experienced great difficulties in being relieved
from its sewerage and refuse matter.
Some fifty
years ago, it was a source of profit to property
owners, as it was common with the neighbouring
farmers to give a liberal sum per annum for the privi-
lege of removing the midden-steads. Soon after the
passing of the police Act of 1825, the rapidly extending
population made the ownership of the midden-stead
less profitable, and the town had to undertake the duty
of removal, which was done by contract.
The con-
tractors found no doubt, for some years, it was profitable
to sell the manure. The last contract by the town was for
£1,300 a year. The neglected and ill-conditioned state
of the midden-steads was such that it led to a low
state of habit, and was a lively cause of the spread of
disease through the town. In 1864, Mr Alderman
Taylor (chemist), wrote at the request of Mr. Alderman
Mansell, who had the management of this department,
to the Scavenging Committee, detailing a method by
which, in his view, that which was a nuisance, and
expensive, might be turned into a profit, and so arranged
as not to be a cause of the spread of disease. This
proposition was not at once received; indeed not until
J
THE MANURE WORKS.
57
The
three years after was it seriously entertained.
growing difficulties were such, that the committee
resolved that a trial should be made of the scheme
proposed, and also of any other plan that might be
suggested. A twelve month's trial was then made, and
the scheme which is now in general use was adopted.
This plan, which has received the name of
"the
Rochdale system," we shall now briefly describe. Its
first principle is, that all excreta and refuse of the house
shall be removed at least weekly; that the refuse be
separated into its constituents of ash, cinders, vegetable
matter, iron, glass, pots, &c. The ash and excreta are
then manufactured into manure by a special method
devised by Mr. Alderman Taylor, and the other refuse
used or sold; so that the great nuisance of modern
towns called the "tip," is not required, and that which
has been hitherto a great cost to towns, will become a
source of profit. Repulsive as it might seem, yet, it is
nevertheless a most interesting sight, especially to
farmers, and all persons interested in the sanitary
questions of the day, to see the method of dealing with
this refuse of towns. The works are situated at the
junction of Entwisle-street and Smith-street, and are
well worthy of inspection. From every part of England
eminent visitors have expressed their surprise and
appreciation at the effectiveness and completeness of
the scheme; and, amongst official visitors, the special
Inspector of the Local Government Board of England,
and the special Inspector of the American Government
have declared it to be the best in England or America.
This manure, which was at first used with some doubt
and fear by the farmers, is now bought in large quan-
5
58
THE MANURE WORKS.
tities, and there are most abundant testimonials of its
great value.
On the date we write, October 28th, 1874-in the
week previous there were removed 84 tons of excreta
and 143 tons of refuse, from 4,434 closets and ash-
places. The quantity of manure made was 74 tons.
The number of houses thus relieved from the refuse
was 7,995, and 116 mills.
The work is accomplished by twelve horses and
twenty-four men; twelve horses and eight carts in
collecting, and sixteen men in the manufacture.

Dr
THE FIRE BRIGADE.
Valour and strength are the Fireman's need,
And to carry his life in his hand;
In the hour of peril to toil or bleed
In the midst of a noble band.
To gaze on the flames with undazzled eye,
As the eagle glares on the sun;
To spare no pains, and to heave no sigh,
'Till he knows that his work is done.
Where shall we find him? Oh, such men, I ween,
Are found in the ranks of our valiant Sixteen.
Then honour the Fire Brigade,
May Heav'n all their efforts aid,
Bold and undaunted and gallant Sixteen !

UR good old jog-trot ancestors were not, we
should imagine, much troubled with great
destruction of property by fire in their quiet
days, and it is well they were not. We have no
desire to throw cold water on our forefathers,
but, in truth, their apparatus for extinguishing fires was
of a touchingly simple and primitive kind. And this is
how they acted :—When a fire was discovered the watch-
man (usually a slow-going and asthmatic ancient), gave
the alarm with his rattle, with all the intensity which his
feeble strength allowed, and the captain of the watch,
heading his troop, which he picked up here and there.
as quickly as possible (which was not very quickly),
waddled to the scene of the conflagration, armed with
buckets, which, by the way, were not always water-tight.
There were no mains in those days, but pumps, some-
60
THE FIRE BRIGADE.
times containing water, were scattered all over the town,
and their rusty and ungreased handle joints kept up a
chorus of the most creaky and unmelodious music. As
the march of improvement continued its course, a couple
of miniature fire engines, known as box-engines,
were provided by the authorities, but they barely met
the requirements of even those days, on account of their
positive feebleness. Over fifty years ago, the Commis-
sioners of that time, formed a fire brigade, and Mr.
Frank Wynn was appointed the captain. Mr. Samuel
Taylor followed, and about thirty-seven years ago Mr.
John Eccles was placed at the head of that department
as engineer. Two large fire engines were purchased
from Messrs. Walker & Co., of Bury, but they were
re-sold, as they were found to be too heavy to be
satisfactorily worked. Thirty-six years ago, Mr. Eccles
made two new engines, "Niagara," and "Extinguisher,'
and twenty years after, he made a more powerful
engine, "Thetis ;" and in the same year, a fire escape
was purchased from Messrs. Joy & Dearden, of Man-
chester. In 1874, a steam fire engine, made by Messrs.
Merryweather & Son, of London, was bought for the
sum of £750, and this engine is capable of throwing
water 220 feet high with four three-quarter jets.
The corporation has now at its command "Niagara,'
"Extinguisher," "Thetis," and the steam fire engine
mentioned. Possessing, therefore, a fall so powerful
(as the
Niagara," the presence of a sea deity
Thetis," and an engine of the greatest motive power—
steam-available, surely Mr. Eccles and his able asso-
ciates could put an "extinguisher" on Mount Etna if it
should be considered desirable to try the experiment.
THE FIRE BRIGADE
61
Like Mahomet and his mountain, if Etna will not come
to Rochdale to have a "damper" put on, then, in the
case supposed, the fire brigade will have to pay a visit
to Etna.
Returning to patent facts, however, we must state
that the pressure of water in the mains is not equal
to that in surrounding towns, as in some it can be
thrown 200 feet high, whereas in Rochdale, in the
highest part of the town, it can be thrown but 30 feet
high, and in the lowest, only 100 feet.
The present
brigade numbers sixteen. Mr. John Eccles is the head
engineer, and Mr. Alfred Eccles assistant engineer.
In the Town Hall tower there is a self-acting fire
alarm bell, erected by Mr. Henry Butterworth, of Lord-
street, which can be heard a distance of four miles, the
alarm apparatus being worked by a lever fixed in the
police office.
The maintenance of a well-trained and efficient fire
brigade, with engines and other apparatus of the most
recent and approved kinds, cannot be over estimated in
the midst of a wealthy community like Rochdale, and
we are glad to observe that the Council has made such
provision (water excepted) as should, we think, be
sufficient to cope with any emergency that may arise.
The requisite pressure from the mains is certainly a
matter that calls for prompt attention; for, without a
powerful and plentiful supply of water, the utmost
exertions of the brigade, energetic as they are at all
times, and the most scientifically constructed engines,
will avail but little. Verbum sap.
THE DISTRICT CORONERSHIP.

க
SHE Rochdale Coroner's District formerly com-
prised an area of 114,564 statute acres, and
at the census in 1861 contained a population
of 295,736 persons; but in 1870, when a
revision of the districts took place, it was
considerably reduced, and it would be a work of great
difficulty to approximate its present extent in acres.
and number of inhabitants. It may be briefly stated
that the towns of Rochdale, Oldham, Middleton, Hey-
wood, and the adjacent villages, and also the towns of
Bacup, Todmorden, and the intermediate places from
Rochdale are comprised in the "Rochdale District."
The honourable office of coroner is one of the most
ancient of our institutions, dating even from time
immemorial. Coroners were known in the reign of King
Alfred, and were officers of high dignity, of which they
were, however, considerably shorn by the provisions of
Magna Charta and subsequent legislation. Still, at
the present time, in addition to their judicial functions,
coroners have ministerial authority analogous to that
of the high sheriff of the county, in whose stead they
can execute processes if required.
Formerly, coroners were paid by fees and mileage,
and were often censured for holding inquests un-
necessarily to increase the emoluments of the office;
THE DISTRICT CORONERSHIP.
63
and by 23 and 24 Vict., c. 116, it is provided that they
should be paid by salaries in lieu of fees; the salaries
being subject to quinquennial revision. This provision
would appear to have failed in its purpose of settling
the causes of former differences between the county
justices and the coroners, inasmuch as for many years
past strong efforts have been made by the former to get
the office abolished, and the latter have been somewhat
harassed by persistent enquiries into cases of inquests.
alleged to have been unnecessarily held. There can be
no doubt that the existence of coroners' enquiries
acts as a safeguard of our personal safety, and to a
great extent as a powerful deterrent to crime. So it
must have been regarded by a select Committee of the
House of Commons, as, when considering a Bill for the
abolition of coroners' enquiries, they asserted that it
was not advisable to interfere with the discretion which
had been vested in coroners' from time immemorial.
The appointment of county coroners is by an election
at which freeholders of the county alone can vote. The
present coroner, John Molesworth, Esq., was appointed
on January 26th, 1870, at the Lyceum, Baillie Street,
and there being no other candidate, the nomination and
election occupied but a few minutes. This was not,
however, the case with his predecessor, Thos. fferrand
Dearden, Esq., as he had to contest the election, and at
tremendous expense, if the statement be correct that
the cost of the election amounted to a sum equal to
Mr. Dearden's income from the office during the first 15
years! The office had been held by members of his
family for upwards of a century at Mr. Dearden's death,
which occurred on Jan. 2, 1870, his uncle, Thomas
64
THE DISTRICT CORONERSHIP.
Ferrand, having been appointed in 1795, and his (Mr.
Dearden's) great-uncle in, or about, 1767. There is no
record at hand to show who were the preceding coroners
of the district.
INTERESTING RECORDS.
Upwards of thirty years ago, there were, in proportion
to the inhabitants fully as many cases of murder,
suicide, and infanticide as there are in the present day.
The latter crime seems to have been then of more
frequent occurrence than latterly; certainly, a greater
proportion of such cases were detected at that period
than is now the case.
A few remarks, based on extracts from the Coroners'
Court Roll, may not be unacceptable at this point. In
former times, the nomenclature of persons was, as may
be supposed, considerably varied, and Christian (?)
names now seldom heard of were formerly to be met
with, as for instance, Gamaliel, Hippolite, Avarinah,
Jebazy, Isaacan, Issachar, Halcamus, Lancelot, Dianus,
Sylva, Enniel, Lois, Maroner, to say nothing of the
whole run of scriptural appelations. In 1782, a boy of
twelve years, named Sir Andrew Chadwick Taylor, met
with his death accidentally; as, likewise, in 1800, did.
Duke Haigh, aged six years. The name of "Captain
is often given to a child never designed for either army
or navy, and that of "Doctor" to others, in no view of
their becoming learned in the clerical, legal, or medical
professions.
""
The variety in verdicts affords some little matter for
remark. 'Died by the Visitation of God." Were
INTERESTING RECORDS.
65
"twelve good and lawful men" of this Borough to
meet by the coroner's summons to enquire into the
cause of a sudden death, and the above verdict were to
be returned, the outside public would hold it to be
inconclusive of the cause of the death, even if not
broaching on irreverence. Still, in cases of sudden
death, the cause being perfectly natural, the above
verdict was almost invariably returned, and its use was
not entirely discontinued till the year 1863, when the
present expression, Died from natural causes, was
substituted. The verdict referred to was not confined
to sudden mishaps, for it was returned in the cases of
death from fighting and wrestling.
In cases of suicide, a verdict of felo de se was very
rare indeed in past years, and is never returned in the
present day, owing, no doubt, to the Christian view that
no man can in his proper senses take away his own life.
Still, there are a few instances where felo de se has been
the finding of the jury- the dead being interred at
midnight, without the Christian rites of burial, but
without the former barbarity of driving a stake through
the body, before its interment in four cross roads.
Deaths by boiler explosions, machinery, and colliery
accidents have been much less frequent of late years.
than formerly, and, in respect to the latter class of
accidents, this district has been amongst the most
favoured, for a long period, in its immunity from such.
serious losses of life as have occurred in other districts.
A peculiar usage, formerly attaching to deaths by
accident, is worthy of mention, viz., the levying of
deodands. Formerly, every personal chattel causing
the death of a person was forfeited to the king, or its
66
INTERESTING RECORDS.
value assessed, and applied to pious uses and distributed
in alms, but by the Statute 9 and 10 Vict., c. 62,
deodands were abolished. The formation of the Man-
chester and Leeds Railway (and especially the Summit.
Tunnel) was very productive of fatalities to the workmen
employed. From February, 1838, to September, 1840,
no less than 41 fatal accidents occurred in and about
the tunnel, and in ten of these cases deodands amounting
altogether to £35 16s. Od. were levied.
Deaths by Justifiable Homicide were, and still are, of
rare occurrence. In November, 1836, a man named
Thomas Dronsfield, in attempting violence upon one
Thomas Bottomley, was killed by the latter, and his act
was considered a case of justifiable homicide. An earlier
instance occurs where two of the Scotch rebels, on
entering this neighbourhood, made a demand upon a
farmer, who threatened to shoot them if they did not
leave his premises, and on their refusing he carried out
his threat to the fullest extent. Other cases (though
very few) are on record, of deaths caused by persons in
self-defence. In 1795 (August 4), two men were shot
at Rochdale whilst rioting, and a verdict was returned
that they were "killed of necessity, and in defence of
His Majesty's subjects."
It has been said that Fate bears some mysterious
connection with figures, and that a fatality attaches itself
especially to the number three. Whether this statement
be true or not we are unprepared to say; but, in tracing
events coming within the coroner's jurisdiction for
upwards of a century, we find many strange occurrences
which would seem to support the theory. In some scores
of instances which might readily be quoted, there have
INTERESTING RECORDS.
67
been three deaths from the same or similar accidents, at
the same time, or immediately succeeding; or three
persons whose surnames, or Christian names, or initials
were alike, follow each other on the Coroner's Rolls,
although their deaths occur in different parts of the
district.

THE COUNTY COURT.

HIS Court was established in March, 1847,
under an Act passed in the previous year.
Up to that time, and from 1839, there was a
court for the recovery of small debts, called
the "Rochdale Court of Requests." Courts,
of the like kind were in existence in various towns in
the kingdom; but the Act of 1846 abolished all such
courts, and established one uniform mode of procedure
for the recovery of small debts and demands throughout
England and Wales.
The first Judge of the County Court was J. S. T.
Greene, Esq., who had held a similar office in the Court
of Requests; the Registrar (or Clerk) was James Woods,
Esq., and the High Bailiff was Mr. Henry Lord.
The two latter had also held similar offices in the
abolished Court of Requests. Mr. Greene continued to
be Judge until 1859, when he was removed to another
district, and C. Temple, Esq., Q.C., was appointed in
his place. The latter, on his death, was succeeded by
John Osborne, Esq., and this gentleman was followed
by the present Judge, Crompton Hutton, Esq. Mr.
Woods occupied the office of Registrar until 1867, when
he died; and Robert Jackson, Esq., was appointed to
succeed him. The High-Bailiffship was filled by Mr.
Lord until his death, in September, 1873, when the
offices of High-Bailiff and Registrar became united in
one officer, the present Registrar, Mr. Robert Jackson.
THE COUNTY COURT.
69
The original district of the Court was of considerable
extent; but in 1858 an outlying part was taken away
to form a portion of the Bacup County Court District,
at which place no court had previously existed. At
present, the district extends over the townships of
Blatchinworth and Calderbrook, Butterworth, Castleton,
Spotland, Wardleworth, and Wuerdle and Wardle.
The number of cases annually entered in the Court
has varied from upwards of 4,000 (before the District
was divided) to 2,900, or thereabouts, in 1873. In
former years, the Court exercised jurisdiction in Insol-
vency and Bankruptcy. The latter jurisdiction was
taken away under the Act of 1869, when the Oldham
County Court was constituted a Bankruptcy Court for
Rochdale and other places. With the exception of
Bankruptcy and Admiralty, the Court has the same
jurisdiction as the other County Courts, namely, Equity
and Common Law. The Equity jurisdiction is
restricted to matters not exceeding £500 in value, and
the Common Law jurisdiction to claims for debts or
damages not exceeding £50.
may
The mode of procedure in the County Court be
briefly mentioned:-A plaint is entered, upon which a
summons issues to the defendant to appear on a given
day, when the cause is dealt with by the Judge or
Registrar. Non-payment of an amount adjudged is
followed by execution against goods, or by a judgment
summons and commitment. The fees are regulated by
the Lords of the Treasury, and have undergone various
revisions. The present scale is as follows:-Plaint, 1s.
in the pound; Hearing, 2s. in the pound; Admission,
1s. in the pound; Judgment Summons, 3d. in the
70
THE COUNTY COURT.
pound (with a fee for service of 6d. or 1s.); and
Execution or Commitment, 1s. 6d. in the pound.
Parties may appear by attorney, and there are in the
town several able advocates who practise in the Court.
The sittings are held twice every calendar month at the
Public Hall, Baillie Street. Subjoined is a statement
of plaints entered from 1866 to 1873: — 1866, 2,942;
1867, 2,525; 1868, 2,824; 1869, 3,036; 1870, 3,217;
1871, 3,516; 1872, 3,435; 1873, 2,937.

QUS
THE POLICE FORCE.

EW institutions have undergone more changes
during the past fifty years, than the systems
adopted for the prevention of crime and the
detection of offenders. Up to 1823, Rochdale,
as well as other places, including the great
Metropolitan District and city of London, was watched
by old men known by the cognomen of "Charlies."
The appearance of these guardians of the night as
occasionally represented in dramatic entertainments,
and as described by Shakespeare, must have been
extremely ludicrous.
To assault " Charlie," to overthrow his "box," to
take from and spring his terrible rattle, to extinguish the
light in his antique lantern was considered capital fun.
If assaulted, poor old Charlie was powerless to pursue.
He was, as a rule, physically infirm, very often asthmatic,
generally under the influence of gin or beer, always
wrapped in great coats and capes. Such men did not,
indeed could not pay much attention to the apprehension
of offenders against the law.
The only duty they discharged with any approach to
efficiency was the "calls" relative to the hour of the
night and the state of the weather. At times, no doubt,
their articulation was very imperfect, if not altogether
indistinct.
72
THE POLICE FORCE.
An additional duty to which they paid particular
attention was the calling up of servant girls, a duty, it
is said, that “Old Charlie" seldom neglected. Many
of the old residents remember several persons who held
the office of watchman as far back as 1820. It is
reported that one of those vigilant officials, called “Old
Stock," was musically gifted, and that he accompanied
the monotonous call of "Two o'clock and a stormy
morning" with an enthusiastic scraping of his fiddle.
This musical watchman was a great favourite with
female servants, for it is asserted that he often neglected
"going his rounds" to give them a little music. It
seems, however, that the musical part of his duty was
chiefly confined to Monday mornings as the clock
struck twelve, at which time the watchman commenced
to fiddle for the purpose of arousing servant girls-that
being the "washing day." The servants of those days.
must have commenced work at such an early hour of
the morning as would seriously alarm the domestics
of 1874.
The last watchman employed by the inhabitants was
named Lord. He had no pecuniary allowance for
discharging the duties of his office. His nocturnal
wanderings were confined to the centre of the town.
All the compensation he received was what the in-
habitants voluntarily gave him.
In 1825, an application was made for, and a local Act
obtained which, amongst other regulations, contained
provisions for the watching of the town. Immediately
the Act came into operation, the Commissioners
appointed twelve watchmen and a captain of the watch
who, for the first time, were paid out of the rates.
No
THE POLICE FORCE.
73
chief-constable was appointed until after the riots in
1829, commonly known as the "New Bailey Fight."
After those disturbances the Commissioners decided to
appoint a chief-constable, which appointment took place
in August, 1829. Mr. Charles Johnson, of Manchester,
was selected to fill that office, which he held for about
seven years. He was succeeded by Mr. Samuel Mills,
after whom the situation was filled by Mr. J. Butter-
worth, till the formation of the county constabulary.
From that date, up to its incorporation, the town was
watched by county police officers. When incorporated,
and the council elected, it was resolved to maintain a
separate police establishment. Accordingly, a borough
constabulary was formed, and Mr. Callender was the
first chief-constable appointed.
The borough police commenced duty on the 13th
April, 1857. Since Mr. Callender's time the office has
been held by Mr. Sylvester, Captain Davies, and the
present chief-constable, Mr. Stevens.
The force consists of chief-constable, four inspectors,
seven sergeants, and fifty-one constables, total sixty-
three. The force was augmented in 1872, in conse-
quence of the extensions of the borough from forty-four
to the number given. The constabulary of the borough,
according to the report of Her Majesty's Inspector, is
maintained in a state of great efficiency.
6
THE POLICE COURT.

HE institution of Justices of the Peace is very
ancient. Previous to 1327, there were Con-
servators of the Peace in every county, chosen
by freeholders out of the principal men of
the county to perform similar duties; but by
a statute of Edward III. a change took place in the
practice, and ever since the election of justices has been
taken from the people and exercised by the crown. The
appointment has always stood high in popular estima-
tion, and is eagerly sought after by men of station. As
it is practically in the hands of the Lord Chancellor, it
is a frequent charge brought by one political party
against another, that the appointments are given as
rewards for political services, but owing to the frequent.
alteration of power among parties of late years, the
undue preponderance of one set of politicians is speedily
neutralised by the acts of their successors. Up to the
year 1839, however, all the magistrates in Rochdale
were members of the established church, when for the
first time a dissenting magistrate was appointed in the
person of Mr. George Ashworth.
Our inquiries enable us to point out the various places
in which petty sessions have been held in the town and
borough for a long time past. The corner of Cheetham-
street was an old place of meeting of the magistrates,
in a house which stood near to the shop now occupied
by Mr. Taylor, the earthenware dealer. From this
THE POLICE COURT.
75
there was a migration to the Old Swan Inn, somewhere
near where the White Swan now stands. When this
was abandoned the next place of meeting was near the
present County Police Office, in Yorkshire-street. The
Wellington Hotel was next selected, and then, no doubt,
for good cause, another change was made, and the petty
sessions were held for a great number of years at the
Flying Horse, in Packer-street. It is within the
recollection of many of our readers that the next place
chosen were the Council Rooms, in Smith-street, which
were always found not only inconvenient in point of
accommodation, but also somewhat undignified in appear-
ance as a suitable place for the administration of justice.
Then followed the latest change of all, namely, that to
the "Palace of Justice" in our magnificent Town Hall.
The sittings of both borough and county magistrates
are held here, on the respective days appointed; and
thus, for a time, a long time, one would suppose, Justice
has found rest for the sole of her foot. A more appro-
priate spot could scarcely be found, except that it is
sometimes said there is rather more atmospheric air
stirring thereabouts than is exactly necessary or agree-
able.
Mr. John Lee, one of the earliest of the clerks to the
magistrates, resided on the premises now occupied by
the county constabulary. Mr. Wm. Taylor was the
next magistrates' clerk, and Mr. James Woods and Mr.
Robert Jackson followed. About the year 1839, when
Mr. George Ashworth was made a justice of the peace,
a Primitive Methodist minister was given into custody
by the Rev. Mr. Steele, a magistrate, and curate of
Littleborough Church, for preaching in that village, but
76
THE POLICE COURT.
he was released on the order of Mr. G. Ashworth, who
afterwards appointed Mr. William Heaton as his clerk,
and from that date the clerkship to the magistrates was
divided into two departments. Prior to the incorpo-
ration of the borough, in 1856, there appears to have
been no specially recognised chairman of the bench, the
practice being for the senior magistrate on the rota for
the day to take the chair. For years the local authorities
were of opinion that it was derogatory to the dignity
of the Mayor of Rochdale, as chief magistrate of the
borough, that he should not occupy the chair at the
petty sessions, and no doubt that was one reason why
steps were taken to obtain a separate commission and a
borough bench, which were granted by the Lord
Chancellor in October, 1872.
We understand that in days long past-say forty
or fifty years ago-it was the invariable practice for the
magistrates of the day to give the chair to the Rev. W.
R. Hay, the vicar, even although he might happen to come
into court after its opening. This may be explained
for the reason that the Rev. Vicar had had a legal
education, and could, therefore, guide the bench to right
decisions in all difficult matters on points of law. The
position was not assumed as of right; but conceded
from pure courtesy and respect, and for the reason
before mentioned.
As soon as the borough bench was established there
was a change made in the mode of paying the magis-
trates' clerks. Mr. Joseph Heap, who was previously
joint clerk with Mr. Robert Jackson, was appointed
sole clerk to the borough bench, at a salary of £500
per annum; and as the police court fees now amount
THE POLICE COURT.
77
to about £900 a year, it will be seen that a considerable
profit is realised by the corporation from this source.
The following are the names of the magistrates:
THE BOROUGH.
Robert Taylor Heape, Esq., Highfield; Jonathan Nield,
Esq., Dunster; James Butterworth, Esq., Rake Bank;
Richard Hurst, Esq., Spring Hill; Robert Leach Twee-
dale, Esq., Healey Hall; Clement M. Royds, Esq.,
Greenhill; James Brierley, Esq., West Hill; James
Petrie Esq., South-street; Edmund Ashworth, Esq.,
Oakenrod; Thomas Booth, Esq., Harelands; John
Leach, Esq., Moss House; Henry Fishwick, Esq., Carr
Hill; John Tatham, Esq., Moss Cottage; Thomas
Healey, Esq., Howarth Cross; Charles Whitaker, Esq.,
Rylands; William T. Shawcross, Esq., Heybrook;
Robert Jewison, Esq., Yorkshire-street.
THE COUNTY.
Rev. F. R. Raines, Milnrow; James Maden Holt, Esq.,
M.P., Stubby Lee, Bacup, near Manchester; James
Holt, Esq., Yorkshire-street; Geo. Tawke Kemp, Esq.,
Beechwood; John Aitkin, Esq., Lane End, Bacup;
Charles Cheetham, Esq., Ryecroft House, near Hey-
wood; Thomas Bright, Esq., Greenbank; Edward
Greenwood Kay, Esq., Mill House; John Tweedale,
Esq., Beightons; R. H. Hutchinson, Esq., Greenbooth ;
James Griffiths Dearden, Esq., Orchard; Joseph
Brierley, Esq., Lauriston House; Joshua Radcliffe,
Esq., Balderstone Hall; John Robinson, Esq., Mount
Falinge; Edward Hoyle, Esq., Bacup; Henry Newall,
Esq., Hare Hill, Littleborough; T. B. Willans, Esq.,
Harefield Hall, Heywood; James Heap, Esq., Cliffe
House, Milnrow; E. A. N. Royds, Esq., Brownhill.
THE POST OFFICE.
"Heaven first taught letters for some wretch's aid,
Save banished lover, or some captive maid:
They live, they speak, they breathe what love inspires,
Warm from the soul, and faithful to its fires.
The virgin's wish, without her fears impart,
Excuse the blush, and pour out all the heart;
Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul,
And waft a sigh from Indus to the pole."
1

T is unnecessary to enlarge upon the benefits of a
well-organised and efficiently conducted public
postal service in an
country such as ours.
enlightened and wealthy
Without the help which
the post office affords to
every one in the realm,
from the highest to the lowest, it would be difficult, if
not impossible, to carry on the ordinary affairs of human
life. We have the happiness to live in a country, and
at a time, when the daily operations of the postal
service are seen in their utmost efficiency; and almost
every one can bear witness to the great improvements
which have taken place from time to time within recent
years, all tending to the convenience and advantage of
the public. The rapid and regular means of postal
communication which now exist, aided, of course, by
the railways and ocean steamers, must strike the mind
with wonder; and it is evident that such a´method of
communication, by letter, with every part of the world
could only be provided and carried out by the powerful

JULY POST OFFICELLULE
THE
POST OFFICE
NO
WD Pan
214
THE POST OFFICE.
79
state-sustained machinery which we find in connection
with our post office establishment. Not only is this
secured to us, but it is supplied, also, at the smallest
possible cost. A "Queen's head" carries a letter from
one end of the kingdom to the other with safety and
expedition, the outlay being one penny only; and even
for the still smaller expenditure of a halfpenny, the
"Times" newspaper, supplements and all, can be sent
from Land's End to John o' Groats! With Dominie
Samson, we can only exclaim, "Prodigious!" With-
out the post office, commerce would dwindle and fade ;
the stability of kingdoms and peoples would be
jeopardised; and we can easily imagine into what
desperate straits true lovers would be plunged if the
postal authorities were to become bankrupt or "shut up
shop." The sweet and tender nothings with which love
letters are crammed would be written in vain, and the
"soft intercourse" to which Pope alludes in our motto
at the head of this section, would be rendered utterly
impossible, and chaos would, indeed, have come again.
But it is not in the transmission of letters only that the
post office is found so really valuable. Its book and
sample post; the post-card system; and its money order
and saving bank departments, are all most important
boons to the public in almost every part of the kingdom.
That the post office does its work well, not only in these
matters, but also in its telegraphic operations, the public
are well convinced; and, although in its saving bank
department, the rate of interest allowed to the depositors
is small, this is more than counterbalanced by the
absolute security which is obtained for the sums
deposited. That a great undertaking like the post
80
THE POST OFFICE.
office should be free from blame at all times is more
than could be expected, but the complaints are few
indeed compared with the vast and extensive duties
which it performs. Perfection is not to be obtained in
any human institution whatever, but it may be safely
stated that the post office keeps abreast of the times,
and does its utmost to perform its duty faithfully and
honestly to the public at large; and there is no doubt
that the strict supervision which is exercised by the
various heads of departments is productive of much
good. The year 1840 brought about a great alteration
in the postal system of the country, owing, mainly, to
the exertions of Mr. (afterwards Sir Rowland) Hill.
The immediate effect of the introduction of his plans
was a marvellous increase in the number of inland
letters transmitted through the post; and the system of
a tariff of payment by weight, regardless of distance,
was a marked and salutary improvement upon the old
system which existed of a varying rate, regulated by
distance and weight. This, coupled with the use of
postage labels for the prepayment of letters, has been the
means of making the post office one of the most valuable
and deservedly popular services of the country. And,
with regard to postage labels, it may be observed that at
the present day there is scarcely a civilised country under
the sun which has not adopted, and which does not now
use that method of prepaying letters carried by the
general post. But to England belongs the honour of
inaugurating the system; from which honour, however,
the name of Sir Rowland Hill can never be disconnected.
A grateful country rewarded Sir Rowland for his great
services in the paths of postal reform; and we cannot
THE POST OFFICE.
81
think of the post office in this country without cordially
recognizing and duly appreciating the good work which
he was the means of effecting.
The post office in Rochdale has been as unsettled as
the "Wandering Jew" ever since its introduction, and
it is to be hoped that it will soon settle down in Packer-
street, in the handsome residence which is now being
provided, and there prosper and gather moss. The first
time we met it was in the building which is at the
present time occupied by Messrs. Porritt, at the corner
of King-street, on the South Parade; and it has
been dodging about that neighbourhood ever since.
From thence it was removed to the corner of Drake-
street, to the shop now rented by Miss Ashworth;
next its sorrowful countenance was seen in the premises
now occupied by Mr. Frankell, at the bottom of Drake-
street. Then it took shelter at the bottom of the Walk,
but returned to its old haunts, and nestled for a time in
the building which now serves as the County Court
Offices. It next put in an appearance at Messrs.
Wrigleys' premises, at the bottom of Yorkshire-street,
and found its way into Baillie-street, in Mr. Hurst's
buildings. From these it found a temporary abode in
the Town Hall Chambers, South Parade, and then it
struggled into Drake-street, at the end of Nelson-street,
where it is at the present time sojourning. In the year
1835 the charge for postage of a letter, from London to
Rochdale, was 11d.; from Liverpool, 7d.; and Man-
chester, 4d., but if it came round by Bolton, from
Manchester; it was 6d. After that came the uniform
charge of 4d., and gradually it lowered to the settled
price of 1d.
82
THE POST OFFICE.
The new post office, which is in course of erection in
Packer-street, is three storeys high, 105 feet in length,
and 35 feet in width, built of stone, from the Warwick
quarries; and the back part of the building, in Fleece-
street and King-street, is faced with Pratt's best
pressed bricks. The public offices are spacious and lofty,
and very suitable for the various uses for which they
are erected. The sorters' room is at the rear of the
building, and is 50 feet 10 inches long, and 26 feet 6
inches wide. The roof is glass, and there are windows
along the side, so that there is ample light for this
tedious work. The telegraph instrument room is on the
second floor, and it is 96 feet long by 19 feet 5 inches
wide. There are also clerks' and letter carriers' retiring
rooms.
The postal arrangements in Rochdale and district
have been much improved of late years, and now three
times a day, in the borough, the inhabitants enjoy the
pleasure of hearing the "Postman's knock." About
fifty years ago the post office business was carried on in
an imperfect and unsatisfactory manner.
The post
masters in those days were not very amiable, and were
"slow coaches," but their movements were only in
keeping with the defects of the general system. The
remote villages must have suffered great inconvenience
in the days we speak of, from want of proper postal
facilities; but now thirteen of the adjacent villages have
branch offices, where, in addition to ordinary business,
money orders are issued and paid, namely, Milnrow,
Whitworth, Smithy Bridge, Smallbridge, Pinfold, Bam-
ford, Blackpits, Healey, Shawforth, Wardle, Spotland-
road, Townhead, and Oldham-road. The town is now
THE POST OFFICE.
.83
supplied with the convenience of twenty-four pillar and
wall boxes, a comparatively modern improvement to
which our forefathers were entire strangers. The num-
ber of mail bags despatched daily from the central office
amounts to forty-four, and the total number of letters,
&c., delivered weekly, in Rochdale and the district, is
40,000. The officials who accomplish this work are
Mr. John Downes, the post master (who was appointed
to the office on the retirement of Mr. J. Matthews, who
had been postmaster for many years); Mr. Stephen
Platt, first clerk, three sorting clerks, two junior clerks,
ten letter carriers, three double" auxiliary letter
carriers, and seven rural messengers.
The general
despatch leaves at 8-30 in the evening, and the last
despatch, for all parts, at 9-45.
(6
Previously to the transfer of the telegraphs to the
post office, which took place on the 5th of February,
1870, the premises for telegraphic business were in the
occupation of the Electric and International Telegraph
Co., and have since been retained by the Department;
but as the business has, since the transfer, greatly
increased, the accommodation is now very inadequate.
This, however, will be remedied when the new premises
to which we have referred are entered upon. As an
instance of the requirements of the telegraphing public
of Rochdale, the circuits, which were only three in
number at the transfer, have now increased to about
twenty, giving direct communication with London,
Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Halifax,
Bolton, Oldham, Bury, Todmorden, Bacup, Little-
borough, Middleton, Bluepits, and other parts. The
sub-offices having telegraph accommodation are Whit-
84
THE POST OFFICE.
worth, Smallbridge, Milnrow, and the receiving office
in Oldham Road. Mr. Gregson is the superintending
clerk of the telegraph department, and has held the office
for some years.
The charge for sending a telegram, to any place in
the United Kingdom, is 1s. for the first twenty words,
and 3d. for each additional five words or part of five
words. No charge is made for the address, or for
delivery by foot messenger, within a mile from the
terminal telegraph office, or within the limits of the town
postal delivery, even when the distance exceeds one mile.
American telegrams may be sent from the Rochdale
office at from 3s. to 5s. 6d. per word, regulated according
to the state with which the communication is made.
Continental rates, for telegrams of twenty words, are as
follow:-Austria, Hungary, Bavaria, Baden, and North
Germany, 7s.; Belgium, 4s. 2d.; Corsica, 5s. 10d.;
France and Denmark, 5s.; Greece (according to route),
14s. 4d. to 19s.; Italy and Papal States, 8s. 6d.

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

a
HE history of this institution in reality should.
only date from the adoption of "the Public
Libraries Act of 1858" by the burgesses.
of Rochdale. But it must not be left unre-
corded that the calling of the public meeting.
for this purpose was the result of a long continued
agitation in the local press, by which means the public
mind was made fully conversant with the scope and
meaning of the Act, and the many and great advantages
which would accrue to the town by its adoption.
The public meeting called by the Mayor was held in
the Public Hall, on the 25th May, 1870, and it is to be
regretted that conflicting interests were so strong, that
it was only by a narrow majority that Rochdale was
spared the everlasting disgrace of having refused to
avail itself of the "Libraries Act." This, however,
did not arise from a feeling that a library was not
wanted—but rather that a free public library would tend
to injure certain institutions that already existed. Such
fears are now proved to have been groundless. At the
next meeting of the Council (2nd July, 1870,) it was
reported that the Act had been adopted "by a public
meeting of the burgesses," and the "General Purposes
Committee with power to call in the assistance of gentle-
men outside the Council," was appointed a committee
under the Public Libraries Act.
86
THE FREE LIBRARY.
In the following November, the first library committee
was formed, and consisted of the following gentlemen,
viz.:-The General Purposes Committee, Mr. Councillor
James Booth, Major Henry Fishwick, and Messrs. R.
Jewison, William Leach, James Ogden, George Webster,
and J. J. Curtis (the last six named being non-members
of the Council).
This committee at once commenced its duties-books
were purchased and taken charge of by the various
members of the committee, until a suitable place could
be found for their arrangement pending the completion
of the town hall.
After some little time a warehouse (now pulled down)
at the end of Packer-street was taken for that purpose,
and here the volumes were stowed away-arranged in
catalogue. From here they were removed to their
present shelves in July, 1872.
The public opening ceremony took place on Wednes-
day, the 18th September, 1872. Previous to the public
meeting on that occasion, a preliminary or semi-public
assembly was held in the library itself, when short
speeches were made by the Lord Bishop of Manchester,
the Mayor, Councillor James Booth (the chairman of
the committee from its first foundation), the Rev. W.
N. Molesworth, M.A., and Edmund Ashworth, Esq., J.P.
The meeting in the large hall immediately after this,
was attended by upwards of 1,400 people, and was
addressed by the Mayor (W. T. Shawcross, Esq.), Mr.
Councillor Booth, Alderman G. L. Ashworth, J.P., W.
W. Schofield, Esq., J.P., the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop
of Manchester, Mr. J. R. Shepherd, the Rev. H. W.
Parkinson, R. M. Pankhurst, Esq., LL.D., Lieutenant-
THE FREE LIBRARY.
87
ན།
Colonel Fishwick, F.S.A., Mr. Robert Jewison, and
Alderman Willans, J.P.
From the third report of the library committee, dated
31st March, 1874, we learn that the number of borrowers'
cards issued up to that date was 2,998, the issue of
books from the lending department amounted to 60,760,
being a daily average of 204 volumes.
The reference department had issued 24,604 volumes,
being an average of 91 daily. The total number of
volumes then in the library was 15,707, the total cost of
which was £2,515, or an average of 3s. 23d. per volume.
Full and accurate catalogues of both departments have
been prepared by Mr. Hanson, the librarian, and pub-
lished.
Of the lending library it will be sufficient to state
that it contains all the current literature of the day, and,
considering the short time since its opening, it is as
complete as it possibly could be with the funds at the
committee's disposal.
Of the reference department we could say much more
did our space permit, for (although yet in its infancy) it
contains very many works which might with advantage
be particularly mentioned; books which it is a great boon
for the inhabitants of Rochdale to claim as their own;
books which are not to be found in many public or even
private libraries in England, and which, in a few years
hence, will scarcely be obtainable at any price. We will
also draw attention to the collection of specimens of
early printing, which consists of about forty volumes,
printed between 1472 and 1575. The earliest printed
volume in the library is a Latin book in oak binding,
entitled "Turrecremata (Cardinalis J. de) Explanatio
88
THE FREE LIBRARY.
in Psalterium," which was printed by the celebrated
J. Schuszler. The Latin bible (oak bound) printed at
Cologne, by Peter Quentel, in 1527, is also noteworthy.
The woodcuts in it are by Anthony Von Worms, a Ger-
man engraver, who flourished about 1530, and have the
two qualities (dear to the collector) of scarcity and
merit. The works of Josephus (in German) from the
Strasburg press, 1575, is splendidly illustrated by
Tobias and J. C. Stimner, and C. Von Sichem. Of the
modern works, we may add that no less than fifteen
pages of the catalogue are included under the general
head of Rochdale. The fifty-three volumes of Public
Records, (including the "Ducatus Lancashire," "Valor
Ecclesiasticus," &c.) presented to the library by the
committee of the Rochdale Circulating Library, (this
library, long known as Hartley's Library, because the
entrance to it was for many years through the shop of
Hartley and Howarth's, now Mr. Henry Howarth, is
a private subscription library, and was established
1772,) are a great acquisition
Upwards of 100 versions of the bible (or a part of it)
in various languages and dialects, including the raised
letters for the blind, are here collected; many of these
were presented to the committee.
To illustrate how far every branch of literature is
here represented, we note amongst the Friends' or
Quakers' books, the large folio edition (1753) of Besse's
collection of "Sufferings of Quakers," Smith's "Catalogue
of Friends' Books," and by the same Author, “Anti-
Quakeriana."
It may be useful to state, with reference to the
lending department, that persons desirous of becoming
THE FREE LIBRARY.
89
borrowers of books, may do so in three days after´
the presentation of a voucher, signed by a burgess
promising to make good any loss or damage which may
arise from injury or detention of a book. Small fines are
inflicted for keeping books beyond the time allowed for
reading. If a book be not returned at the end of the
fourth week, proceedings may be taken to recover the
value, in case of refusal to return the same. The loan
of a book may be renewed, if not finished with by the
borrower, upon application at the library, when the
renewal will be entered on the borrower's ticket. And
the renewal may be repeated again and again unless the
book should be wanted by some other person, in which
case, it can be renewed only once afterwards. All books
must be returned to the library on or before the last
Saturday in July in each year. Tickets are not trans-
ferable; and no books are issued without production of
the ticket. Nor are books exchanged on the day of
issue. The library is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.,
except on the special days mentioned in the rules; and
catalogues and all other information can be obtained
on application at the library.
But we must pass on to other topics, yet we will com-
plete this short sketch of the Rochdale Library by
saying that it is by far the pleasantest retreat in the
town, for, as Chaucer has it:
(C
him was lever han at his beddes hed
A twenty bokes clothed in black or red
Than robes riche or fidel or saulrie."
7
-J
THE CEMETERY.
"The sculptured urn, the mimic bust,
The grave in pomp array'd;
Serve but to teach us man is dust!
His life a fleeting shade.
Stop, stranger, whosoe'er thou art,
And to thyself be just:
These mouldering tombs address thine heart:
Catch wisdom from the dust,"

T must be obvious to the reflecting mind that a
Cemetery is an undoubted improvement over
crowded burial places in towns, which from their
situation echo the constant din of traffic, and the
war of ribaldry and dissipation. The practice of
sheltering graves in cemeteries with trees, and adorning
them with flowers is attended by valuable sanitary
results by absorbing what is deleterious, and such as
are wholly unattainable when burials are made amidst
streets and houses, while the sight of luxuriant ever-
green shrubs, and of fresh and beautiful flowers in their
season, soothes and consoles the mind, by virtue of
their sadly pleasing associations and emblematic teach-
ing, and, at the same time, the atmosphere is improved
and renovated. It ought also to be remembered that
the place of interment of departed relatives and friends
is the Mecca to which our memory ever turns, be our
pilgrimage in life where it may. Slightly altered how
pleasing and appropriate are Goldsmith's lines:-
Where'er we roam, whatever realms we view,
Our hearts, untravelled, fondly turn to you;
Still to our loved ones turn with restless pain,
And drag at each remove a lengthening chain.”

toneman & Co
345
PLINA
THE CEMETERY.
W Dickes fe
THE CEMETERY.
91
The peaceful associations of the grave are beautifully
described by Washington Irving, in the following
words:"It buries every error-covers every defect-
extinguishes every resentment. From its peaceful
bosom spring none but fond regrets and tender recollec-
tions. Who can look down upon the grave of an
enemy, and not feel a compunctious throb that he
should have warred with the poor handful of dust that
lies mouldering before him?" "There" saith Job,
"the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary
be at rest. There the prisoners rest together; they
hear not the voice of the oppressor. The small and the
great are there; and the servant is free from his
master." There can be nothing more touching to a
contemplative mind than to "pace with measured steps.
and slow," the paths around which lie interred the
mouldering remains of those who once lived and moved
in our midst. Here lie in peace the loving father, the
kind and affectionate mother, the staunch and ever
faithful brother, the bright-eyed and beautiful sister,
and the firm and never failing friend. How still, how
calm, how silent! No tumult now; no angry passions;
no resentments; no envy. Proud man! gaze on these
mounds which cover the relics of poor mortality, and
lay to heart the lesson which they teach. Beautiful
maiden! with blooming cheek, fresh with health and
vigour, see, within these graves, are those who were
once as beautiful and gay as you. Their race is run;
their career is over! Pride, be humble; beauty be
modest. And to this complexion must we all come at
last! And yet we shrink from such contemplations.
What these dead are "why fear we to become?"
92
THE CEMETERY.
Surely this pleasant resting place should make us all in
love with "easeful death," and induce us to address
that pale phantom by the most endearing names! Oh!
when to us the end shall come, as come it must, may it
be said of each one, in the words of the greatest master
of our language :
'Nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving of it; he died
As one who had been studied in his death
To throw away the dearest thing he owed
As 'twere a careless trifle."
But let us change the theme, and proceed to a
description of the Rochdale Cemetery, which contains
so many mournful and abiding objects of interest, and
which attracts so many visitors for the purpose either of
viewing its beauties, or of paying a tribute of affection to
the memory of departed friends.
This beautiful resting place for the dead lies about a
mile and a-half west of the town on the Bury road.
The ground stands at an elevation of 500 feet above the
level of the sea, and commands an extensive view of
Blackstone Edge and the adjacent hills. In passing
under the Gothic archway, the carriago road divides,
that leading to the right conducts to the portion set
apart for the Church of England; that to the left leads
to the ground appropriated to the different non-con-
formist bodies. The Catholic portion of the cemetery
lies to the north. The aspect of the cemetery is varied
by rising and sloping ground, and is made picturesque
and beautiful by curved walks and beds planted with.
trees, evergreens, and flowers. The division between
the consecrated and unconsecrated ground is marked by
THE CEMETERY.
93
geological specimens placed at the edge of the carriage
walk, so that no very obtrusive barrier appears to
divide different sections of the Christian Church after
death. The Chapel on the consecrated part of the
cemetery is in the Norman style of architecture, the
design of which was selected by the late Bishop of the
diocese, and although not very elegant in the exterior, is
very light and commodious within. The services are
performed by the Vicar of Spotland and his curate.
The building on the nonconformist portion of the
ground is designed to represent an Ionic Temple, and
is very classic and elegant. The services are conducted
by the Registrar, but ministers of all denominations
attend to conduct the funeral service when required by
their friends. The Catholic chapel is a neat Gothic
building, but not frequently used, as in a majority of
cases the service is performed before leaving the
residence.
The attention of the visitor is generally arrested by
the number and variety of costly and beautiful monu-
ments erected to perpetuate the memory of departed
friends in walking through the grounds he is struck
with the names of some who have occupied honourable,
influential, and useful positions in the town of
Rochdale. Magistrates, mayors, ministers of religion,
and members of Christian churches, are called to mind.
The first monument visible on entering is that of
Alderman Livsey, whose political principles some years
ago so largely influenced the working-men of Rochdale.
The granite pillar near to this perpetuates the memory
of his friend, John Mason, the founder of the Globe
Works,
94
THE CEMETERY.
Nearer the nonconformist chapel, we are reminded
by a white marble monument of Alderman Thomas
Ashworth, J.P., who was for many years an influential
and valued member of the town council; near to him
lies Mr. Alderman Moore, a warm and generous friend
of all good men and good objects. Not very far from
him is seen the name of one, precious to many who
were influenced through life by his instruction and
discipline, William Littlewood. Approaching a more
secluded and beautiful part of the cemetery is seen a
tall obelisk in memory of George Ashworth, and his
most worthy and excellent son, George Leach Ashworth,
whose beneficial influence over the town will be felt for
many years to come. Near to this spot is the monu-
ment of Robert Kelsall, J. P., and also the resting place.
of Samuel Bright, who died in Geneva, and was buried
here. Close by, lies the body of the Reverend H. W.
Parkinson, widely known as a worthy and able advo-
cate of civil and religious freedom, and the founder and
for more than twenty years pastor of Milton Church,
Rochdale. Monuments will be seen of other ministers
who had long laboured in the town, and whose memory
is still precious to survivors. The Rev. John Kershaw,
Rev. James Molineux, and Rev. John Peters; and on
the consecrated ground, the Rev. W. J. ffarrington,
of St. James's, Rev. J. W. Parker, vicar of St. Alban's,
and many others, who were excellent and influential
members of society, will be found resting in this quiet
and beautiful place.
The cemetery at present contains 13 acres, but an
addition of about 12 acres will shortly be enclosed, which
is greatly needed, as about 20,000 bodies have been
interred here within the last twenty years.
:
THE CEMETERY.
95
The grounds are very tastefully arranged and well
kept; and the credit is chiefly due to the Rev. Robert
Jones, the respected Registrar, who is a very skilful
amateur florist, and who exercises a kind and watchful
care over the lovely and sanctified domain of “God's
Acre."
"God's Acre! Yes, that blessed name imparts
Comfort to those who in the grave have sown
The seed that they had garnered in their hearts,
Their bread of life, alas! no more their own.
"Into its furrows shall we all be cast,
In the sure faith that we shall rise again
At the great harvest, when the arch-angel's blast
Shall winnow, like a fan, the chaff and grain."

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

ரு
HE town of Rochdale and district will compare
favourably with any other town of the same
size and importance with regard to the num-
ber of its religious institutions, although it
has not much to boast of on the question of
architecture; but there are to be found in our midst
several worthy and beautiful specimens of the builders'
art. Sabbath morn is ushered in by a total change
on the Town Hall chimes from secular to sacred pieces,
the first of which is played at midnight, such as the
Easter Hymn and the 104th Psalm on alternate
Sundays.
"How still the morning of the hallow'd day!
Mute is the voice of busy labour.
*
With dove-like wings, Peace o'er the borough broods:
The massive mill wheel rests; the anvil's din
Hath ceased; and all around is quietness and peace.
*
The pale mechanic now has leave to breathe
The morning air pure from the stenching smoke,
While wandering slowly up the Roach's side,
He meditates on Him whose power he marks
In each green tree that proudly spreads the bough,
As in the tiny dew-bent flowers that bloom
Around the roots; and while he thus surveys
With elevated joy each pleasing charm,
He hopes (yet fears presumptuous is the hope)
To reach those realms where Sabbath never ends."

Dick Iwon
OF
4
Terry Stonemank!
ST CHAD'S CHURCH. ROCHDALE
IC
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
97
A stranger passing through Rochdale on that day
would see the streets thronged with respectably-attired
and well-behaved people, and might infer that the
respective places of worship were well filled, but this is
not exactly so, as there is ample room for more
worshippers in many of them. In very many of our
churches and chapels the empty benches and pews
give abundant evidence of the indifference so often felt
by the general public to matters of such vital impor-
tance to their personal well-being. Not that Rochdale
can be said to be peculiar in this respect; the attending
places of worship being to many thousands a "custom
more honoured in the breach than the observance," and
can be witnessed in every town in the kingdom, as well
as in our own populous valley of the Roach.
ST. CHAD'S.
The mother church of the parish is of great antiquity,
and stands on a commanding eminence, the ascent to
which is by a flight of 124 steps. The church was
erected in the 12th century, and has undergone various
changes, alterations, and renovations. The local legend.
is, that the site of the church was, in point of fact, the
place chosen by spirits and fairies for the purpose.
On
several occasions, as the story relates, the materials.
brought together for the erection of the church, on an
entirely different site, were removed from the place
originally selected to the hill or eminence on which
St. Chad's stands. That this removal was the work
of superhuman agency, was the firm belief of our
forefathers in those far-distant days; and we should be
98
ST. CHAD'S.
sorry to do or say anything which could in the remotest
manner interfere with this time-hallowed belief, which
has been handed down to us, and which, with vast
numbers among us, is received with the greatest defer-
ence and respect.
The site ultimately adopted, under such supernatural
pressure, led, of course, to the formation of the
celebrated church steps; to ascend which is always
considered a necessary piece of work to be performed
by all visitors to our good old town. To come to Roch-
dale and not mount the steps is considered a breach of
good manners, as well as a serious deprivation of a very
agreeable exercise. The steps, in fact, are among our
most cherished possessions; and they form a most
important thoroughfare, with which it would be very
unwise to intermeddle to the great prejudice of the
inhabitants.
It is to be very much lamented that the graveyard of
St. Chad's should have been suffered to fall into the sad
state in which it is to be found at the present day.
Many years ago, part of the yard was enclosed so as
to preserve it to some little extent; but this has been
of comparatively little use as to the preservation of the
tombs and gravestones. Meditation among the tombs in
St. Chad's yard is, consequently, not the easiest possible
thing in the world; the deciphering of the inscriptions,
with the lessons which they should convey to the
contemplative mind, being now attended with many
difficulties. Here and there is to be found a racy
inscription or epitaph; but, generally speaking, not
much is to be gained, from our tombstone literature
by the most ardent searcher after that kind of knowledge.
ST. CHAD'S.
99
The churchyard has been the scene of strange
occurrences, even in the days of the present generation.
Often and often the most turbulent, and, sometimes,
disgraceful sights have been witnessed here, when the
question of church-rates has been agitated and discussed
from time to time. Here has been heard oratory
of a very emphatic character indeed, mixed, very
frequently, with every element which was calculated to
arouse the passions of the populace. It is an undoubted
fact that, in the early part of his public career, the present
Right Hon. John Bright has more than once made his
voice heard in the midst of thousands of his fellow-
townsmen in St Chad's Churchyard. The deep interest
which he took in the once all-absorbing question of
church-rates, no doubt, impelled him, as a Dissenter,
to take a very prominent part whenever that subject
was to be considered by the parishioners at their annual
public meetings. Other men of local renown, many of
whom have gone to their rest, were also very prominent
at these parish meetings, and there are others who are
now among us. Happily, these disorders have all
passed away; for, with the abolition of church-rates,
the annual exhibition, in public meeting, of strong
party feeling on the subject does not occur. We live
in less troublous times; but the victory was won by
men who are, no doubt, entitled to be held in grateful
remembrance by those on whose behalf the great battle
was so successfully fought. The church has lost the
day;
but we firmly believe that that loss has been to
her a positive gain. Her own people now give her
the help, voluntarily, which used to be exacted alike
from friend and foe.
100
ST. CHAD'S.
We have mentioned that here and there in the
church-yard are to be found some quaint or racy
epitaphs. We subjoin a few :-
"Here lies ye bodi of John Whipp, with 10th of
his children, who had eighteen children by one
woman; he departed this life," &c.
This person's chief merit seems to have been that
he was the means of adding very materially to the
population of his native parish. Such a person would
have received small favour indeed at the hands of
Malthus.
The epitaph most in esteem is that of the celebrated
humourist, John Collier, alias "Tim Bobbin." It is
supposed to have been written by himself, a short time.
before his death, and is as follows:
"Here lies John, and with him Mary;
Cheek by jowl, they never vary;
No wonder they so well agree,
John wants no punch, and Moll no tea."
Another epitaph, said to have been also written by
"Tim Bobbin," on a deceased sexton of the church,
runs thus:—
"Here lies Jo. Green,
Who arch has been,
And drove a gainful trade
With pow'rful death,
Till out of breath
He threw away his spade.
When death beheld his comrade yield,
He, like a cunning knave,
Came, soft as wind, poor Jo. behind,
And pushed him int' his grave.
Reader, one tear, if thou hast one in store,
Since Jo. Green's tongue and chin can wag no more."
ST. CHAD'S.
101
The remaining inscription we shall give is on
"Samuel Kershaw," a blacksmith,
a blacksmith, who died in 1810.
'My anvil and my hammer lie declined;
My bellows, too, have lost their wind;
My fire's extinct, and forge decay'd,
And in the dust my vice is laid;
My coal is spent, my iron is gone;
My last nail driven, my work is done."
The last three are by no means bad specimens of
gravestone inscriptions, and will bear favourable com-
parison with such kind of work in other parts of
the country.
We may as well in this place lay before our readers
some verses on "Tim's" Grave, published upwards of
forty years ago, by Samuel Bamford, the well-known
Lancashire author and poet. The verses have provoked
many a hearty laugh, and they deserve to be kept in
remembrance by the lovers of rare "Tim," of whom
we are all so proud.
TIM BOBBIN'S GRAVE.
"I stoode beside Tim Bobbin's grave,
'At looks o'er Ratchda' teawn,
An' th' owd lad 'woke within his yerth,
An' sed, "Wheer arto' beawn?
Om gooin' into th' Packer Street,
As far as th' Gowden Bell,
To taste o' Daniel Kesmus ale.
TIM. "I cud like a saup mysel."
An' by this hont o' my reet arm,
If fro' that hole theaw'll reawk,
Theaw'st have a saup o' th' best breawn ale
'At ever lips did seawk.
The greawnd it sturr'd beneath my feet,
An' then I yerd a groan,
He shook the dust fro' off his skull,
An' rowlt away the stone.
I brought him op a deep breawn jug
'At a gallon did contain,
An' he took it at one blessed draught,
An' laid him deawn again."
102
MONUMENTS IN ST. CHAD'S.
Within the church are to be found monuments of the
most interesting kind. We deem it unnecessary to
copy out the various inscriptions which appear on the
tablets, because the church is always open to the
inspection of visitors. Access for the purpose of in-
spection can be had on application to the parish clerk,
and ample time will be afforded to the curious inquirer
to make his notes either concise or full, or as inclination
may dictate. There are to be found here records so
valuable, that we hope "the world will not willingly
let them die." It is to be wished that proper provision
should be made under all circumstances, and in all time
to come, for the due preservation of these interesting
memorials of past ages.
We consider it superfluous to give a list of all the
Rectors and Vicars of St. Chad's from the earliest times.
We may, however, call attention to the most note-
worthy :-
John Hampson, whose name is found to occur in the
old records in 1558, was ejected in 1561. Joseph
Midgley, M.A., collated 1595, was deprived of his
benefice in 1606.
Henry Tilson, D.D., collated between
the years 1615 and 1635, afterwards became the Bishop
of Elphin. Robert Bath, A.M., collated in 1635, was
deprived in 1662. The more recent Vicars are the
following: Thomas Wray, D.D., collated 1762, died
1778; Richard Hind, D.D., collated 1778, died 1790;
Thomas Drake, D.D., collated 1790, died 1819; William
Robert Hay, M.A., collated 1819, died 1839; John
Edward Nassau Molesworth, D.D., collated 1839.
The curious inquirer need only refer either to Dr.
Whitaker's History of Whalley, or to Baines's History
VICARS OF ST. CHAD'S.
103
of Lancashire, for a full catalogue of the reverend men
who have held the benefice of St. Chad's at various
times.
The chief incident in the history of the Rev. Dr.
Wray, was the obtaining by him of an Act of Parlia-
ment by which he and his successors in office were
enabled to grant leases for building purposes of the
glebe lands of St. Chad's, whereby the revenues of the
benefice were greatly increased and the lands them-
selves rendered of important value to those who thought
fit to become lessees. The facilities for building thus
afforded, tended to increase the importance of the town
itself; and we have daily before our eyes the immense
advantages which have arisen to us, as a community, in
consequence of the Act to which we refer. Had no
such enabling powers been obtained, the glebe lands
might have been comparatively valueless at the present
day, whereas, as matters now stand, the benefice of St.
Chad's may be looked upon as one of the richest
in England, as in fact it is. This is entirely owing to
the far-seeing sagacity of Dr. Wray; and in this regard,
therefore, if he were not otherwise entitled to grateful
remembrance, his memory should be held in esteem
alike by the clergy and the laity of Rochdale.
The Rev. Dr. Drake held the benefice of St. Chad's
for a period of nearly thirty years. He was much
beloved by his fellow-townsmen and parishioners, and
his death occasioned the greatest regret to all. Moved
by a loving regard for his memory, his bereaved
parishioners erected for him a tomb in the New Burial
Ground, with a suitable inscription thereon. There are
some people among us in Rochdale even now who must
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VICARS OF ST. CHAD'S.
have known the Rev. Doctor as he went about in his
parish receiving, on every hand, the kind salutes of old
and young, gentle and simple. Alas! that time, in its
steady progress, should have so greatly thinned the
ranks of the old veterans who were the contemporaries
of the worthy Doctor, but so it is.
"Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day."
Passing over the Rev. W. R. Hay, we come now to
his successor, the Rev. Dr. Molesworth, the present
vicar, who has held the benefice of St. Chad's since the
year 1839. It is worthy of remark that the Rev. Dr.
has still further developed the resources and wealth of
the glebe lands; and to his honour it must be related
that within the last seven or eight years he has volun-
tarily relinquished a considerable part of the income of
his benefice, in order that the stipends of the other
clergymen of the parish should be increased. This he
worthily accomplished by an arrangement with the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England. His present
income, under the arrangement alluded to, is no doubt.
very large, but it must be remembered that if he had so
chosen he might, at the present moment, have been in
receipt of every penny of income which the revenues of
St. Chad's yielded, without the least shadow of injustice
to the other clergy in Rochdale, who are now reaping
the benefit of his generosity. His conduct in this
and instances of
respect cannot be too highly eulogised,
such abnegation are extremely rare.
The clergy, no
VICARS OF ST. CHAD'S.
105
doubt, duly appreciate his kindness; and among the
laity, by whom the matter is understood, there can be
but one opinion on the subject, and that is entirely.in
the venerable Doctor's favour.
In the early part of his career the Doctor had much
to contend with. Conscious, however, of the rectitude.
of his conduct he bore up nobly against all assaults, and,
at the present day, at an advanced age, he has the con-
solation of knowing that he has lived down the dislike
of which he was at one time the object, and the name
of the Rev. Doctor is now honoured, as it ought to be,
in every part of the parish of which he has so long
been the head.
Looking back on the past period to which we have
alluded, and contrasting it with the peace which now
prevails in the parish, and beholding the venerable
vicar as the central object in the picture, one cannot
help recalling to memory, as singularly appropriate
to the occasion, the beautiful lines of Goldsmith-
"As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on its head."
Dr. Molesworth was always an able writer and con-
troversialist, and now, in the evening of his life, we
may add that
Age cannot wither him, nor custom stale
His infinite variety."
ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
This place of worship is situated in Cheetham Street,
and was best known in bygone years as "Baum Chapel."
8
106
ST. MARY's.
It is not now often so called; its more modern name was
St. Mary, the Virgin," but, no doubt, for some good
reason the second part of the title has been dropped, and
it is at present called "St. Mary's." It was erected
about 1744, and the outward appearance of the building,
which is of brick, is not handsome. It has recently
undergone considerable improvement and decoration
internally, and the wonder really is that so much could
be done with such unpromising materials as presented.
themselves. Great credit is due to those by whom the
alterations and beautifying have been carried out. The
mode of conducting divine service at St. Mary's is
decidedly high; and the present Vicar's Ritualism is
well known. How far High Church practices conduce
to godliness admits of considerable doubt. The
Legislature has expressed its mind on the subject by
passing the Public Worship Act of 1874; and, probably,
when that statute comes into operation people will see
less of the "mass in masquerade," and its accompanying
clerical millinery, than previously.
""
While speaking of this church, we must not forget
to mention the "Baum Rabbit." Whether any of the
present generation have seen that ghostly rodent, we
will not undertake to say. In former days, or rather
nights, it used to "revisit the glimpses of the moon
in the chapel yard. It was a rabbit of robust and
lively habits; and was plump and well nourished, as if
the churchyard herbage agreed with it. It was always
beautifully clean, and was even said to be "whiter than
snow." It used to be seen in various attitudes; some-
times standing on its hind-quarters, after the manner of
the rabbit kind, and demurely brushing its whiskers.
ST. MARY'S.
107
Its aspect was usually somewhat serious, although, at
times it had a comical twist of countenance. It has,
also, been observed delving into the churchyard mould
with great determination, as if in search of hidden
treasure. But no one, that we have heard, ever came
to close quarters with it. The slightest attempt to hold
a parley with the mysterious quadruped was utterly
useless; for, being exquisitely sensitive to the slightest
sound, it invariably disappeared into thin air when
intruded upon, and thus eluded the investigations of the
earnest enquirer after truth. Strange to say, it was,
apparently, much pleased with the love (but not lovely)
music of the feline tribe, to which it listened with mute
attention. Clearly, the rabbit was invulnerable to the
nocturnal sportsman's small shot, and even air-guns, it
is alleged, had no effect on it. After a discharge from
any deadly weapon, it used to reappear with the greatest
equanimity, and frisk about as if to encourage its
assailants to further effort in the same direction. Some
people said the smell of the gunpowder was as delicious.
to it as a pinch of snuff is to an old woman.
It was
generally admitted" that it was a rabbit of a ghostly
or supernatural character. The story runs that hundreds
of years before the erection of "Baum Chapel," a
"deed of horror" was committed within the precincts
haunted by this extraordinary rabbit; but, unfortunately,
authentic particulars of that dark transaction have never
been obtained, and we are, therefore, unable to gratify
the reasonable curiosity of the reader on the subject.
It is agreed on all hands that, as a rabbit, it was
remarkably well-behaved, and never, so far as could be
ascertained, committed any serious wrong. Its chief
108
ST. MARY'S.
object seemed to be to "scare folks a bit," and it gave
no token of being influenced by any diabolical agency.
"Doomed to walk," or, rather, haunt the churchyard
for a certain term, it would seem, from recent experience,
that it has performed its allotted task, for very little is
heard in our day of the surprising "Baum Rabbit"
which used to perplex the natives, and fright them from
their propriety. It is with reference to this curious
animal that an ancient local poet, in an angry mood,
wrote the verses which we subjoin. He had to pass
through the churchyard every night on his way home,
and was, to say the least, of a very nervous temperament.
"Confound that rabbit!
I wish some chap would grab it,
And stop its nightly habit;
Confound that rabbit!
Confound its head and eyes!
Confound its legs and thighs!
Confound it otherwise!
Confound that rabbit!
Dogs, rush out and squeeze him!
Worry, toss, and teaze him!
That is, if you can seize him;
Confound that rabbit!"
As to its disappearance, we confess ourselves unable
to solve the query which has been submitted to us,
whether the rabbit can have been caught by some wight
more expert than his fellows, and converted into rabbit
pie.
It may be right to add that if our legend of the
'Baum Rabbit" is new to our readers, it is only a
proof that people may live and learn. As we have.
said, it is difficult at this great distance of time to obtain
authentic particulars; but we will venture to back our
ST. MARY'S.
109
story against any other that can be produced, and, what
is more, we are quite certain that ours is entitled to be
regarded as being equally truthful.
Reverting to the church itself, it would appear that
one of the later incumbents was the Rev. J. W. Inchbald,
who was held in the greatest esteem as a clergyman and
gentleman. In his days, this church was the most
popular in the entire parish, and crowded congregations
gave evidence of the respect in which he was held. The
service was conducted with a fervour which touched
every heart; and the eloquent pulpit discourses of
Mr. Inchbald must be remembered by many even at the
present day. To see his church crowded, in every part,
on Sunday evenings, was indeed delightful. But those
days are gone.
Another later clergyman at this church was the
Rev. Henry Clere. He afterwards became the In-
cumbent of Walsden. Mr. Clere was a plain, kind,
and unassuming gentleman, and was, generally, well
liked by the people. Following Mr Clere, came the
Rev. Mr. Morton, who was in turn succeeded by the
present Vicar, the Rev. Robert Napier Sharpe, M.A., of
whom it is enough to say that he is an exceedingly
earnest and able clergyman, with, perhaps, a little too
much of the priestly autocrat in his manner. High"
in his views, the laity do not usually count for much
with him, unless, indeed, they see things as he does,
which is not always an easy matter to accomplish.
The interior of the church, since the alterations and
ornamentation which we have mentioned, is well worth
inspection, and must excite the greatest admiration on
the part of those who can appreciate "beautiful things
in beautiful order."
110
ST. JAMES'S CHURCH.
This church is situated in Yorkshire-street, the prin-
cipal thoroughfare in the town. Built in 1820, it was
consecrated in 1821. It is a handsome Gothic building
of stone, with a square tower of the same material, in
which are placed four dials, illuminated with gas,
supplied gratuitously by the Town Council. The clock
is of great public utility, and it is for this reason that
the illuminating is at the cost of the town. The church
is surrounded by iron palisading, within which there is
a burial ground, which is not now used. The church
contains about 1,000 sittings, of which one-half are free.
The living is a vicarage, in the gift of the Vicar of
Rochdale, and is nominally worth about £300 a year.
St. James's is one of the favoured churches in the parish
of Rochdale, which may, after the death of the present
Vicar of St. Chad's, be selected for additional en-
dowment, when the funds arising out of the glebe
lands, on their becoming vested in the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners, will allow of an increased stipend to the
holder of the benefice. The present vicar is the Rev.
R. S. Rowan, M.A., who, on the death of the Rev.
William James ffarington, in 1863, was promoted, by
Dr. Molesworth, from a curacy at the Parish Church,
where he had been for some years.
There is not much to relate about St. James's. The
late incumbent, Mr. ffarington-who was not, however,
vicar, as the constitution of the parish as a vicarage took
place after his death-had held the living for upwards
of forty years. He was a man deservedly respected by
"all sorts and conditions of men ;" and his death was
ST. JAMES'S.
111
very generally deplored. His manners were gentle and
affable, and he was an honour to the church and the
town. He kept his congregation well together, and was
regarded as an earnest and eloquent preacher. To an
educated person, it was perfectly charming to hear him
read the lessons of the day; and his method of con-
ducting divine service in his church tended to place, in a
still more admirable light, the very beautiful and
inimitable service of the Church of England. On the
appointment of Mr. Rowan to the incumbency, he con-
sidered it proper, in the undoubted exercise of his
discretion, to make, what he conceived to be, necessary
changes in the mode of conducting the service; and this
circumstance, to say the least, occasioned disappointment
and regret to many members of the congregation. In
some instances, it is to be feared, that the feeling which
the change brought about occasioned something more
than mere diappointment. At any rate, it is a fact,
that there was a visible thinning of the ordinary con-
gregation. Some of the old pew holders were offended
that there should have been any departure from the
practices which prevailed in the time of Mr. Rowan's
predecessor, who had, for so long a period, maintained
the most kindly relations between himself and his
people. It is, no doubt, to be deplored that any dissatis-
faction should have arisen; but, at the same time, we
are perfectly willing to admit that Mr. Rowan did not
act from mere caprice, but from entirely conscientious.
motives. Mr. ffarington was of the school termed
"low," and Mr. Rowan, on the other hand, is
undoubtedly "high." Between these two schools of
thought there are, it is well known, the most important
112
ST. JAMES'S.
and distinctly marked lines of divergence, but it is
quite evident that the congregation preferred the old to
the new practices. We are not aware that this had any
weight with the Rev. Vicar; at all events, he pursued
his own course, and the result is that St. James's Church
is not as popular as it used to be among the generality of
churchgoers, or even among the major part of the con-
gregation. Of Mr. Rowan personally, as a clergyman
and gentlemen, we can speak in the highest terms; but
we do very sincerely regret that things are not now as
they used to be. The harmony which existed has been
disturbed, though there has not been any open rupture
of which the public has had any cognizance. In the
interests of the church, the latter circumstance is matter
for sincere congratulation. As a noteworthy event, we
should mention that, Mr. Rowan is one, among many
other clergymen in the kingdom, who signed the
memorial for the introduction, into the Church of
England, of the practice of auricular confession. This
denotes an extremely advanced view of the power and
authority of the clerical character, and has led to a
considerable amount of public comment. The movement
in favour of the confessional has been generally
condemned; and, for our own part, we sincerely hope
that the day may never dawn which shall witness any
such outrageous practice, as in operation in our midst,
in the Church of England. Mr. Rowan, we believe,
has given some explanation of his conduct in connection
with the question, to the effect that he did not desire
confession to exist in the church, so as to be compulsory
on its members, but simply for the benefit of those
persons who voluntarily presented themselves for that
ST. CLEMENT'S.
113
purpose, before those who were properly ordained and
set apart for the work. The Rev. gentleman is entitled
to the benefit of his explanation, but the broad fact
remains that, at any rate, he is inclined, to a limited
extent, to view with favour a practice which ought to be
regarded with the utmost disfavour by every sincere
lover of the freedom of English churchmen.
ST. CLEMENT'S CHURCH.
This church was built in the year 1835, out of a fund
provided by parliament for the erection of churches in
the manufacturing districts, which was commonly known,
on account of its amount, as the million grant. The site
was given by James Royds, Esq., of Mount Falinge,
who also afterwards gave ground for a school and a
parsonage house. There was a party among the pro-
moters of the building who wished that it should be
erected at Brotherod, and the matter was referred to the
Bishop of the Diocese, who gave his decision in favour
of the present site. The incumbent was, at first,
dependent on pew rents for his support, but a few years
after the consecration of the buiding Mr. Fildes left, by
will, the sum of £2,000 as an endowment of the church.
This was further augmented by the Ecclesiastical Com-
missioners in such a manner as to raise the annual
income of the incumbent of the church to £300. Under
the Rochdale Vicarage Act the endowment was raised
SO as to yield an annual income of £500, and the
chaplaincy of the cemetery was also annexed to the
incumbency by that Act, which made it a vicarage.
Subsequently the great tithes of a large portion of the
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ST. ALBAN'S
township of Spotland were purchased out of the Fildes'
endowment, and the benefice then became a rectory.
In the year 1870 a new National School was erected
in connection with the church, and the old building was
converted into an Infant School. The first incumbent of
this church was the Rev. G. H. Cotton, M.A., brother
of the Provost of Worcester College, Oxford. He was
succeeded, in 1844, by the present rector, the Rev.
W. Nassau Molesworth, M.A.
ST. ALBAN'S CHURCH.
This sacred edifice, unquestionably one of the most
beautiful churches in the provinces, was erected about
twenty years ago. It stands on an eminence (like a city
set on a hill) which commands a fine view of the
surrounding country. The site of the church was the
gift of the late Abraham Brierley, Esq., J.P., of
West Hill, Rochdale, and the church itself was built
by public subscription. The parsonage adjoining is a
handsome and substantial building. The first incumbent
was the late Rev. J. W. Parker, M.A., who, in 1866,
became the Vicar. Mr. Parker held the living until
his very sudden and lamented death, in August, 1874.
His successor is the Rev. Walter Cooper, B.A., the late
Curate. The internal decorations and fittings of the
church are of a most costly and elaborate character,
and, in point of beauty and correctness of taste,
cannot be surpassed.
The munificent gifts and lavish expenditure of our
esteemed townsman, Jonathan Nield, Esq., J.P., have
made the church a model of artistic beauty of the

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highest order. The chancel is superb in its ornamenta-
tion and adornments, and must be seen to be appreciated.
The font and pulpit are exquisite works of art and
correct taste; and, with other parts of the church, excite
the greatest admiration. The font was the gift of
Arthur Brierley, Esq., and the pulpit that of Mr. Nield.
The tower contains a fine peal of bells, the gift, also,
of the last named gentleman. To admirers of church
ornamentation and refined taste, an examination of the
interior of the church will afford the greatest satisfaction.
St. Alban's is a standing evidence of what can be done
when money and gifts are bestowed with ungrudging
hand. It would be well if wealthy Churchmen, in other
parts, were to emulate the spirit of munificence and
piety of which so many examples are to be found in
this church. The poet Keats has said that "A thing
of beauty is a joy for ever," and we have here a striking
proof of the truth of this axiom.
A tribute of regard to the late vicar, the Rev. J. W.
Parker, may not inaptly conclude our brief notice of St.
Alban's. A perfect gentleman in every respect, he
was, at the same time, of a remarkably quiet and
unobtrusive disposition. 'He wore his wisdom," as
Tennyson says, "lightly, like a flower," and he went
down to a comparatively early grave amid the unfeigned
sorrow of the whole parish of St. Alban's, where
he had gone in and out among the people for a period
of nearly twenty years. Anyone who had the pleasure
of his acquaintance knew how highly he was to be
esteemed; and his public ministrations in the beautiful
church, where his manly presence was so frequently and
regularly seen, must have been a source of consolation
116
ST. EDMUND'S.
on many and many an occasion to his attentive auditors.
He was a truly good man; and the respect which was
paid to his memory, on the occasion of his funeral, will
not soon be forgotten. The suddenness of his death
was like the shock of a thunderbolt to his parishioners,
and gave one more proof of the uncertainty of human
life. To use the words of our national poet, "He was
a scholar, and a ripe and good one." Adorning the
Gospel of God, his Saviour, in all things, he has now
passed to that bright world of love and joy, "where
God unfolds his presence, and where shines eternal day."
ST. EDMUND'S CHURCH,
FALINGE-ROAD.
This handsome church is seen on the right as we pass
up Spotland-road. It is cruciform in shape, and in the
decorated Gothic style of architecture, the stone mainly
used being Pierrepoint. On entering the church one is
struck with the light, artistic effect, and correct pro-
portions of the sacred edifice. The square tower which
rises from the transept is supported by four beautiful
columns in Aberdeen granite, above the capitals being
elegant designs in stone, representing the fruit and
foliage of the four seasons. The reredos is elaborately
carved in Hollington stone, with emblems of the Lord's
Supper, entwined round the words, "I am the vine,"
a magnificent design by the Rev. E. W. Gilbert, M.A.,
who was the much esteemed vicar in 1873, in which
year the church was opened. The five-light window
over the communion table, is like all the others in the
church, beautifully stained, setting forth Bible history
in glowing figures, a prominent feature being, scenes

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ST EDMUND'S CHURCH.
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ST. EDMUND'S.
117
from the Life of Christ, and it also depicts the career of
St. Edmund. The window at the south end of the
church has for its subject the Te Deum, and is con-
sidered to be a marvel of artistic execution. It was on
view at the Vienna Exhibition. The window at the
north end represents the Stem of Jesse. The light in
the west façade has an emblem of the Trinity, adoring
angels, and prophets. There is a beautiful window to
the left of the west entrance, illustrating God's hand in
the Creation, and further on we gaze at the disobedience
of Adam and Eve, the Fall and its consequence, Cain
and Abel at work; while, on the other hand of the
same transept, are designs of Noah building the Ark,
the Tower of Babel, and the blessing of the sons of
Judah. In the north and south transepts are four kinds
of sacrifices; Melchisedek, the high priest; and the
Last Supper of the Lord. There is in the chancel a
magnificent raised dais or sanctuary, on the floor of
which is an oaken parquetry of a rich pattern. The
roof is panelled in white deal and oak, the timber ends
being carved and supported on corbels of white Holling-
ton stone. Near the chancel is a memorial plate, in
brass, with the following inscription, ornamented with
the founder's insignia and emblems of office in the
various degrees he had attained in Freemasonry, and
surmounted with his family crest and motto, "Semper
Paratus":"This church is erected for the worship of
God, for the good of his fellow-man, and in memory of
his father and mother, by Albert Hudson Royds, of
Falinge, 1873; Clement Royds, died 6th September,
1854; Jane Royds, died 16th February, 1853.
• The
memory of the just is blessed.'—Prov. x. c., 7 v." The
Um
......
118
ST. EDMUND's.
founder's private chapel is separated from the south side
of the chancel by four beautiful columns in Chapfell
granite, and arches cased with Hollington and red
Duncan stone. The window, when viewed from the
inside, conveys an excellent idea of the founder's wisdom
in doing good to his fellow-man in the erection of a
house of God, for no more appropriate scene than that
of Solomon building the temple could have been chosen
as a subject for the stained glass, the details of which
are, so to speak, the pink of perfection. The bowl of
the font at the west entrance is in white statuary
marble, and is at once massive and elegant. It is
supported by marble shafts of various colours, and is
relieved with figures of four angels. This font is the
gift of Mr. Edmund Royds, a son of the founder, an
inscription to that effect running round it. The orna-
mental work throughout the building is executed
without plaster or paint, the wood used being simply
varnished. The sculpture has a very pleasing effect.
Immediately over the west entrance, on the outside, is a
tablet commemorating the death of St. Edmund, who
appears bound to a tree, while his persecutors are
shooting arrows into his side. It may be well to recall
the legend. St. Edmund, king and martyr, was born
in 841, and at the age of fourteen ascended the throne
of East Anglia. He was a great friend to the poor,
restored the churches and monasteries, but was
compelled, when he had reigned fourteen years,
to withdraw, with some followers, on an invasion
of the Danes, to a church at Heglesduna,
Hoxne, on the Wavenley. Here he threw aside his
temporal arms and put on heavenly, humbly imploring
or
ST. EDMUND's.
119
God to grant him constancy in his passion." The Danes
surrounded the church, dragged him forth, bound him to
a tree, and pierced him with darts and arrows because he
refused to abjure his faith. As a token of the honour
in which the saint was held, particularly in East Anglia,
at least fifty-five churches were dedicated to his name,
fifteen being in Norfolk and seven in Suffolk. This
church, which was erected at a cost of £20,000, was
opened on May 7th, 1873, with masonic ceremonies,
about 500 brethren walking in procession to the church,
which was formally opened by Mr. A. H. Royds, Past
Deputy Grand Master of the East Lancashire Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons, and Grand Master of
Worcestershire; the Bishop of Manchester, Dr. Fraser,
afterwards going through the usual consecration service.
The church contains 474 sittings, one-half of which are
free and unappropriated, while twenty sittings in the
private chapel are retained for the use of the founder
and his successors. The service is low church.
ST. PETER'S CHURCH,
NEWBOLD.
St. Peter's Church, Newbold, situated in a thinly
populated but growing district, off Milnrow-road, was
consecrated for divine worship in May, 1871. The style
of the architecture is pointed Gothic, of a bold and
vigorous type, treated to suit the rubble stone and red
brick of which the edifice is mainly built; stock brick
being introduced in the coigns, bands, strings, buttresses,
and arches, in the ornamental panels, mouldings, and
cornices, and in other places where dressed stone is
more usually employed. The ground plan of the church
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ST. PETER'S.
•
consists of nave, north aisle ending towards the east
in minister's and choristers' vestries, south aisle ending
in the organ chamber, and a chancel and semi-hexagonal
apse. The chancel arch is broad, and is supported on
carved corbelled shafts. The six nave columns are of red
and white stone, arranged in bands. The two eastern
capitals, and the eastern responds, or half-pillars, are
carved. In the triangular spandrels, above these
columns, are carved medallions, containing busts of the
writers of the Acts and Epistles, bearing rolls-eastern
books to represent respectively the number of their
writings, and a few words selected from, and epito-
mising the characteristic spirit of each. This part of the
church is effectively lighted by the sixteen vesica-shaped
stone cusped windows of the clere-story, and by the west
windows, which are placed high up above the narthex.
Below the west window are two carved stone medallions
with subjects from the life of St. Peter-his walking
on the sea, and his standing with Paul at the beautiful
Gate of the Temple. The cost of the sacred edifice,
which has seats for 670 adults, was about £4,000.
The vicar, the Rev. James Richards, M.A., is much
esteemed by all classes of the community. Indeed, as
a result of his indefatigable efforts in a church district
that was brought into existence as such by the passing
of the Rochdale Vicarage Act, and containing a popula-
tion of about 6,000, almost entirely consisting of factory
operatives, he has been able to gather together a
numerous congregation, who meet for worship in an
elegant building, and whose children may receive a
good education in some really excellent schools, which
are spacious, lofty, and well ventilated. They stand at
the back of the church.

Wick Tandon
OF
ST MARY'S CHURCH, BALDERSTONE
IC
121
ST. MARY'S CHURCH,
BALDERSTONE.
This beautiful church is situated in Lowerplace,
Oldham-road, a thriving village, which has been lately
brought within the Borough of Rochdale, and was, in
addition to the fine spacious schools and vicarage, built
by the liberality of Messrs. Radcliffe. The site is
triangular in shape, and at the extreme north-west corner
stands the steeple, with a tower and spire rising to a
height of nearly 150 feet. The principal entrance is by
the tower porch, the next important entrance being
through a gabled porch. The church, which is built in
the Gothic style, cost £8,000, and it is seated to
accommodate 600 persons. The eye is struck by the
beauty of the interior, the general effect being enhanced
by the shining marbles, granite, and alabaster; the
coloured mural decoration; the brilliant, glowing
colours of the stained glass. The font is a circular
bowl of pure white statuary marble, enriched with
carved lilies, on each of the eight stems of which one
sees a bud, a half-opened flower, and a full blown lily.
Around the rim of the bowl are symbolical devices, by
Salviati. The floors of the porches and passages
generally are laid with red tiles, the borders being of
black and coloured encaustic tiles. The steps of the
chancel, and its floors and sanctuary, are of marble, in
various patterns and colours. Going back to the west
end, and looking towards the east, we observe that there
are eight stone arches on either side, dividing the nave
from the aisles and transepts. They rest on granite
shafts of two colours, alternately, the capitals being
9
122
ST. MARY'S, BALDERSTONE.
carved with foliage, &c. In the spandrels of the nave
arches there are six medallions, three on each side, con-
taining the following subjects:-The Annunciation;
The Birth of Christ; St. Mary finding Christ in the
Temple; The Marriage in Cana; Christ commending
His Mother to the care of St. John; and the Deposition
from the Cross. At the west end are two similar
medallions, containing two subjects symbolical of
baptism, viz. :-The Passage of the Red Sea, and The
Ark. The pulpit, which stands at the north-east corner
of the nave, is of polished Mansfield stone, supported
on five shining red granite shafts. The upper part is
divided by slender shafts of coloured marble and
mouldings into ten panels, containing a medallion of
alabaster, carved with sacred monograms and floral
ornaments. A carved legend from the prophet Jeremiah
runs round the base-" He that hath my word, let him
speak my word faithfully." The reredos of this church
is most beautiful in design, the workmanship and
material being of a rich and costly description. There
is a gable, with a moulded and cusped arch, and a
carved, traceried open cornice, surmounted by the
Agnus Dei. In the centre of the recessed place below
is a vesica of white alabaster, containing a red marble
cross, and marble inlay around it. Below, and in the
lower division, on each of the side compartments, which
are marked off from the centre by slender clustered
marble shafts, supporting figures of kneeling angels,
are subjects carved in lily-white marble or alabaster in
relief, the central one being The Last Supper; that on
the right, The Crucifixion; and on the left, The Agony
in the Garden. The spaces on each side of the com-

OF
ALL SAINTS CHURCH. HAMER
W. Dick Londo
FICH
ALL SAINTS'.
123
munion table are filled up with a diaper on carved stone,
an alabaster and marble inlay, while the diapering of the
chancel itself is of fleur de lis pattern. This symbol is
frequently introduced elsewhere in the church with
reference to its dedication. The woodwork throughout
the church is worthy of minute inspection, as are also
the stained windows. The great west window, a
memorial one, is filled with subjects relating to the
Resurrection. The building was consecrated by the
Bishop of Manchester, Dr. Fraser, on July 1, 1872.
The present vicar is the Rev. J. R. Parr, M.A.
ALL SAINTS' CHURCH,
HAMER.
The
This handsome church was erected in the year 1866,
at a cost of £3,800, upon a picturesque plot of high
land given by the late J. S. Entwisle, Esq., on the
Foxholes estate, a few hundred yards off the main road
leading to Littleborough, at Hamer Bottoms.
foundation stone was laid by the donor of the site, on
the 29th April, 1865, and the church was consecrated by
the Bishop of Manchester, on the 22nd of November,
1866. The style of the edifice is early English. The
plan consists of a nave and north aisle of six bays each,
and a south aisle of five bays, the two most eastern
being so widened to the south into a sort of double
transept, as to give picturesqueness to the interior. At
the west end of the south aisle is the steeple, the
lowest stage of which serves as a porch, and is the main
entrance. The spire is octagonal, and has four very
simple square pinnacles at its springing. There is a
north porch and a smaller entrance in the western side
i
:
124
ALL SAINTS'.
of the south transept. The east window is of five lights,
and the head is fitted with tracery of a very complete
design. The "Crucifixion" takes the prominent place,
and nearly fills the three lights; under it is the “Last
Supper." The other lights contain smaller groups,
representing incidents in the life of our Lord. Alto-
gether it is a very impressive window. The western
window is of four lights, and contains some beautiful
stained glass in figure subjects. This window was
erected by the late Mr. W. W. Schofield, to the memory
of his mother and father. There is a very pretty little
single-light window, intended as a memorial to the late
curate, the Rev. T. C. Kidd. The subject is, "Sick,
and ye visited me." The churchyard is not a general.
burial ground, but there are two vaults for the largest
benefactors of the Church, namely, the late Mr. J. S.
Entwisle, who, besides presenting the land, gave £1,000
towards the cost of the structure; and the late Mr. W.
W. Schofield, of Buckley Hall, who subscribed £1,000.
The extent of the ground consecrated is about three-
quarters of an acre. There are sittings in the church
for 651 persons, of which 354 are free. There is a
remarkable historical coincidence in connection with the
erection of this place of worship on this site. Richard
Entwisle, the first of that family possessing the estate
of Foxholes, at the time of the Reformation, took a
great interest in that movement in the parish of Roch-
dale; and in his will, made during the early part of
Elizabeth's reign, he directed that when there should
be no sermon or service in the parish church of
"Rachdale," his friend and neighbour, Ellis Hamer, of
Hamer, should call the poor parishioners together, and
ALL SAINTS'.
125
read out to them, from "my little Geneva Bible," on
the Lord's-day, in order that God's name may be
known, and his perfections glorified in the town of
"Rachdale." The coincidence is, that the new church
stands in the centre of the two estates of Foxholes and
Hamer, and that the two properties have become united
and now belong to the Entwisle family. The Rev. J. A.
Lobley was the first incumbent, and was highly respected,
and his departure to America was much regretted. The
Rev. Mr. Fox is the present incumbent. Mr. John
Smith Entwisle, whose name is so closely connected
with this church, lived only two years after it was com-
pleted, dying on the 20th of June, 1868, and was
interred in the family vault, in the adjacent churchyard,
on the 26th of the same month. Mr. William Whit-
worth Schofield, of Buckley Hall, who was also a
prominent benefactor, expired on the 7th of December,
1873, and was buried in the family vault, which is
within a few yards of his staunch friend's grave. Mr.
Entwisle, by his sterling uprightness, kind familiarity,
and thoroughly English character, gained for himself the
respect of all classes; and Mr. Schofield, by his urbanity,
amiability, and generosity, endeared himself to his
fellow-townsmen, among whom he was a general
favourite. Their now vacant seats in the church often
recall to the minds of the worshippers the gap which
death has made in their midst, but the two friends
repose in peace within a few yards of the sanctuary in
which, in their lifetime, they took so deep an interest.
Such graves as theirs are pilgrim shrines,
The Delphian vales, the Palestines,
The Mecca of the mind."
126
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH,
SMALLBRIDGE.
The church of St. John the Baptist, Smallbridge, was
erected by the late Church Building Commissioners out
of a fund called the Million Grant. From the con-
secration deed it is called the Government Chapel of
Smallbridge. The site was presented by the late John
Entwisle, Esq., M.P., of Foxholes, the cost of the
building was £3,071. 10s. 7d. The Rev. Mr. Hay,
vicar of Rochdale, had represented to the Church
Building Commissioners that Smallbridge was two miles
from the Parish Church of Rochdale, and had a
population of above 5,000. The church of St. John was
erected simply as a chapel of ease to Rochdale, but a
district chapelry was assigned to it in 1844. From the
consecration in A.D. 1834 to 1842, the value of the
benefice was about £65 per annum, arising chiefly from
pew rents and fees. In 1842 a legacy of £2,000 was
left to the church by the late Mr. Jonathan Fildes, the
interest of which, in the funds, at 3 per cent, raised the
amount to £125. In 1849 the Ecclesiastical Com-
missioners made a grant of £20 per annum, in
augmentation of the living; and in 1859 they granted
a further sum of £3 per annum. In 1866 the Rochdale
Vicarage Bill was passed, under which an additional
endowment of £215 was obtained. By the same act the
incumbency was constituted a vicarage. The present
vicar is the Rev. R. K. Cook, M.A., Honorary Canon
of Manchester. His predecessors were the Rev.
Nathaniel Milne, M.A.; the Rev. W. L. Barnes, M.A.;
and the Rev. W. T. Hobson, M.A.
ST. JOHN'S, SMALLBRIDGE.
127
Mr. Cook's exertions as a parish clergyman have
been characterised by zeal, ability, and perseverance.
Smallbridge, at one time a rather benighted place, has
become, through his painstaking and indefatigable
exertions, an intelligent and thriving village, and may
be pointed to as an illustration of what can be accom-
plished when the work of reformation is undertaken in a
right spirit and with one simple object-the good of the
people. Ever active in his Master's service, Mr. Cook
has been the means of building the church and school
of St. James's, Wardle, and to him must also be
attributed the honour of the erection of the church and
school of All Saints, Hamer. At Dearnley a school has
been built, and is used for divine service, and it may be
said that this, again, has been done through Mr. Cook's
efforts. All these are monuments of his industry
and fidelity to duty, and it is no small praise that he
has laboured with such complete success, amid difficulties
which might have appalled less energetic and deter-
mined workers. Of the personal character of Mr.
Cook, we may add that he is held in the highest
estimation thoroughout his own and the adjoining
parishes; and we know of no one who is more
entitled to the respect of the community among
whom he has so long lived and worked. His friends,
and the people of his parish, have laboured with him
and heartily seconded his untiring efforts. His great
popularity has been a "tower of strength " to him, while
his amiabilty and personal worth have surrounded him
with "troops of friends," who have, on many occasions,
proved themselves "friends indeed." Long, very long,
may he be spared to continue his labours of love in the
128
CHRIST CHURCH.
parish which he has for so many years blessed with his
ministry; unless, indeed, the time should come when
promotion to some wider sphere of usefulness may
present itself. But of him it may be said—
“Unskilful he to fawn, or seek for power,
By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour:
Far other aims his heart has learned to prize,
More bent to raise the wretched than to rise."
CHRIST CHURCH,
HEALEY.
The tower and spire of Christ Church, Healey, are
visible for miles round, as the church stands on a slight
elevation, and is a prominent feature in the landscape.
Previously to the building of this church, in the year
1850, the Rev. Mr. Stanier conducted worship in a
warehouse at Broadley, and by his labours brought
together a good congregation. Unfortunately he did
not live to enjoy the fruit of his labours, and his death
was regretted not only by his parishioners, but by mem-
bers of other denominations, who were witnesses of the
good which he accomplished throughout the district.
He was buried on the north side of the church.
edifice was built in the year 1850; it is of stone, in the
Gothic style, and is a fine commodious building, with
1,250 sittings or thereabouts, of which 500 are free.
The living is a vicarage, of the annual value, nominally,
of £300, and is in the gift of the Crown and Bishop
alternately. The Rev. R. Minnitt is vicar, and has held
the appointment since the consecration in 1850. Inter-
ments are still allowed to take place in the graveyard.
There is, connected with this church, a national school.
This

W. Dicker London
00000
90
ST STEPHENS CHURCH, ROCHDALE
129
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.
This church, in the connexion of the late Countess of
Huntingdon, was erected in 1811. Externally of sub-
stantial though unattractive appearance, it is, never-
theless, a very commodious place of worship, and is
calculated to seat a thousand persons.
Previously to the opening of this church, services had
been held in the old Theatre, conducted by the Rev. J.
Nelson, who died in Rochdale before the building was
completed.
The Rev. J. K. Foster was the first minister, and
continued so for several years, when he became President
of Lady Huntingdon's College, at Cheshunt. After his
removal the congregation rapidly declined. He was
followed by the Rev. S. T. Gibbs, who laboured here
about three years. The Rev. E. C. Lewis became the
minister in 1839, and has continued to the present time.
Under his ministry the attendance gradually increased,
and has maintained its efficiency for many years.
1865 Mr. Lewis was unanimously elected the President
of the Conference of the Countess's Connexion, and at
the close of its sittings received high commendation for
the ability displayed in conducting its business.
In
The prayers of the Church of England are required
to be read, according to the discretion of the minister,
as is the case in all the late Countess's chapels,
necessity, not choice, having compelled her Ladyship to
secede from the Establishment, while she continued
attached to its services, its articles of faith, and its
evangelical ministrations.
130
ST. JOHN'S, ANN STREET.
The organ of St. Stephen's is one of the finest in the
town, and was erected upwards of twenty years ago, at
a cost of about £500.
Mr. Lewis, now that the Rev. John Kershaw, late of
Hope-street Chapel is dead, is the oldest Dissenting
minister in the town. In disposition he is kind, affable,
and genial, and has friends amongst every religious
denomination in the parish. As a preacher he is
extremely popular, and his sermons, which are
preached extempore, are models of excellence, and
are clear, forcible, and convincing. He illustrates his
texts in the most vivid manner, and his style is capti-
vating and impressive. The entire service at St.
Stephen's is beautifully rendered; and the congrega-
tions are frequently full and sometimes overflowing. On
special occasions numbers of persons from other places
come to hear Mr. Lewis preach. The ordinary congre-
gation is highly respectable and intelligent.
ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH,
ANN-STREET.
This is the first Roman Catholic place of worship
erected in this town. It is not very ornate in its
external appearance, having in front a building used as
an institute and school, and at the back the priest's
residence. Still, when we enter, we find its interior
bears an artistic resemblance to churches of greater
pretensions, and the decorations of the altars are very
effective. The church is 100 feet in length, from the
main entrance to the high altar, and affords comfortable
sitting-room for 500 persons. It was built by sub-
ST. JOHN'S, ANN STREET.
131
scription, in 1829, by the late Dr. Turner, Bishop of
Salford, who was then a humble but very zealous and
devoted priest, and had charge of a little flock who had
previously met for worship in a room behind Alderman
Willans's woollen warehouse, in Clegg-street, behind
John-street. Father Turner had to contend with many
difficulties, especially pecuniary ones, in carrying out
his object. Subscriptions came in from Bury, Hasling-
den, and other places in the neighbourhood of Rochdale,
but these funds were soon exhausted in building opera-
tions, almost as soon as they came in from time to time,
and it is related that the hard-working Father, one
Saturday, sold his own watch to make up the deficiency
in the men's wages. The church, however, was opened
with great rejoicings in 1829. Father Dowling, who
was much esteemed by all classes for his warm-hearted
charity, and who was regarded as the very model of a
faithful and loving pastor, took charge of the congrega-
tion in 1835, and remained at St. John's till his death,
which occurred in 1871. Father E. O'Neill, who is also
very much respected, succeeded him, and in 1873 opened
the front entrance, under the school, already mentioned.
The education, conducted under the superintendence of
the Franciscan Order of Nuns, is excellent. They have
a convent close by, which was purchased by Father
O'Neill, who has also recently established a girls' school,
and another for infants. Attached to the convent is a
handsome plot of land, known as Bellegreen, and
measuring two acres in extent. The boys' school is in
a very efficient condition, and the young men's associa-
tion, in connection with the newsroom adjoining the
church, is also in a flourishing state.
132
ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHAPEL.
In the year 1861 the Rev. M. Moriarty commenced a
mission in Rochdale, in an Assembly-room, in York-
shire-street, opposite St. James's Church, and gradually
he increased his congregation. The same year, the
room not being sufficiently large for the congregation,
a building was erected in Watts-street, which was
made to answer the purpose of a chapel as well as
schools. In 1867 a chapel was erected in close
proximity to the schools, and the internal dimensions
are:-Length, 95 feet by 40 feet; the height, to ridges,
50 feet. There is a gallery extending the full width of
the building, about 30 feet from the entrance or front
wall, which will seat about 200 persons. The body of
the chapel will accommodate about 500, the floor of
which is on an incline from the entrance to within six
feet of the chancel, so that those seated at the back can
comfortably see the minister at the altar. The edifice
is not built in any special style, but is an attempt at
Gothic. It is composed of brick obtained in the neigh-
bourhood, and blue Staffordshire bricks are introduced
round the windows and doors. The whole is surmounted
with a stone belfry and an ornamental stone cross.
Between the chapel and the schools a comfortable
looking parsonage has been erected. On the 6th of
October, 1867, the chapel was consecrated by Dr.
Turner, the late Bishop of Salford. The Rev. M.
Moriarty still presides over the flock that he has
gathered together by his own exertions, but their ranks
are continually thinned by emigration.

W. Dickes London.
Op
Tory Stoneman & 0
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BAPTIST CHAPEL & SCHOOL, WEST ST. ROCHDALE
133
BAPTIST CHAPEL,
WEST-STREET.
It is now upwards of a hundred years since the
Baptist Church originated in Rochdale. Prior to the
year 1773 there were a few godly folk, members of the
Baptist churches at Bacup and Wainsgate, who resided
in Rochdale, and who, Sunday after Sunday, used to
cross the hills, to their own place of worship, to attend
the ministry of Mr. Hirst or Dr. Fawcett; after a while,
however, they succeeded in obtaining the services of
these and other ministers in their own houses, and as
the result of their preaching, nine persons were baptized,
in the river Roach, on the 12th October, 1773, in the
presence of a great crowd of people: this baptism took
place nearly opposite where the New Town Hall stands.
The first meeting house that the Baptists occupied,
was a room attached to the Bull Inn, then situate nearly
at the bottom of Yorkshire-street, almost opposite the
present Market Place, and was known as the "Bull
Chamber." In this room they continued to meet till
the year 1775, when, encouraged by the ministers who
visited them, they procured a plot of ground in Town
Meadows, and began the erection of a place of worship
14 yards by 12 outside. The whole expense exceeded
£400, a sum far beyond their ability to furnish, but a
great part of which, through the exertions of the
ministers who visited them, and the kindness of
neighbouring churches, they were soon enabled to raise.
For many years after the erection of this building it
remained without pews, but after Mr. Littlewood's
settlement as pastor of the church, which was in 1786
134
WEST STREET CHAPEL.
(he being the third pastor), they were enabled to fill the
bottom with proper seats, and as the congregation
gradually improved, it was thought advisable, in the
year 1798, to erect a gallery. This was done at a cost of
£300, which was principally raised among the members
themselves. The chapel in Town Meadows was occupied
till the year 1833, when the present building in West-
street was opened, the total cost of the chapel and
lands being £3,332. 15s. Towards this amount the late
Rev. W. Stephens, who was then pastor, voluntarily
resigned an endowment of nearly £70 per annum, left
by Miss Betty Stott, of Smallbridge, for the benefit of
the minister; the estate being sold for upwards of
£1,400, which was devoted to the building fund for the
new chapel. West-street chapel was described by Mr.
Stephens, at the time of opening, "as a plain, but elegant
and commodious building, and in a very good situation."
"The school-room," he said, "though beneath the
chapel, is both lofty and spacious, and is provided with
every convenience." Some who are now living, and
who recollect the transit from Town Meadows to West-
street, will endorse the description given by Mr.
Stephens. The school-room, however, under the present
chapel has been superseded by a new and elegant
school, erected behind the chapel, and fronting Buckley-
street, the memorial stone of which was laid on the
12th June, 1873, by Mrs. Kelsall, and has been erected
at a cost of nearly £3,000, including land and fencing,
together with a neat lecture room at the front of the
building.
The church, since its formation, has been favoured
with a settled ministry for about ninety-two years and
WEST STREET CHAPEL.
135
nine months, leaving rather more than seven years for
vacancies, and of the nine pastors who have been the
choice of the people, three have laboured for seventy-
two years, leaving the remaining twenty years for six
pastors.
The three who so honourably and so long sustained
the office of minister, were the Rev. Thomas Littlewood,
the Rev. William Stephens, and the Rev. W. F
Burchell, the last of whom still survives, and is residing
at Lee, in Kent.
The following is a list of the ministers who have
served the church from its commencement down to the
present time, viz. :-Rev. A. Greenwood, 1775 to 1781;
Rev. John Dracup, 1781 to 1785; Rev. Thomas Little-
wood, 1786 to 1817; Rev. William Stephens, 1818 to
1837; Rev. Benaiah Hoe, 1837 to 1838; Rev. W. F.
Burchell, 1839 to 1860; Rev. E. C. Pike, B.A., 1861 to
1866; Rev. Samuel Chapman, 1867 to 1870; Rev. T.
Harwood Pattison, 1871, present pastor, who has, how-
ever, accepted the pastoral invitation of the first
Baptist Church, Newhaven, Connecticut. Mr. Pattison's
departure will be much regretted by his own church and
his friends generally.
A marble tablet, provided by the pupils of the late
Rev. T. Littlewood, who, in addition to his pastoral
work, had a seminary at Townhead, was erected to his
memory behind the pulpit, in the chapel, at Town
Meadows, and is now fixed under the front gallery in
West-street chapel.
There is a fine Oil Painting of the late Rev. William
Stephens, the work of his own hands, kept in the
vestry, behind the chapel, in West-street.
}
136
PARTICULAR BAPTISTS,
HOPE CHAPEL, HOPE STREET.
This cause was commenced by a few persons who
left Town Meadows Chapel, of which place Mr. Thomas
Littlewood was the settled minister, about 1807. At
first they met in Greenwood's School-room, Drake-
street, and invited Mr. John Warburton to become their
minister.
Their numbers increasing, they commenced building
a chapel in 1810, and called it "Hope Chapel." At the
time it was built it was surrounded by fields and
gardens, but after some time houses were built and a
street laid out which took its name from the chapel.
After a few years Mr. Warburton left Rochdale and
went to Trowbridge, in Wilts, and Mr. John Kershaw,
who had been raised up amongst them, was invited
to take the charge of them as the settled minister,
which, after due consideration, he accepted in March,
1817, and continued with them until the time of
his death, which took place January 11th, 1870, in the
78th year of his age, and the 53rd of his pastorate over
the church. In 1848 the chapel was enlarged at a cost
of £900, and in 1855 a large school-room was built
which cost upwards of £800. In the year 1867 the
Minister's Jubilee was celebrated, and Mr. and Mrs.
Kershaw were each presented with a gold watch, and
Mr. Kershaw with a purse of gold containing £250.
The church has recently elected Mr. Richard Lovesey,
of Cheltenham, as resident minister.
Mr. John Kershaw was a kind, loving, and faithful
pastor; and his long connection with this church had
BAPTIST CHAPEL, DRAKE-STREET.
137
endeared him to friends and members. Among his
dissenting brethren in the town and neighbourhood he
was regarded with the kindliest feelings; and his
presence at public religious meetings, when other
ministers were present, always gave pleasure, while his
sound and practical utterances carried conviction to
every hearer. At the time of his death he might be
looked upon as being the father of the Dissenting
ministry in Rochdale. He was an especial favourite
with young people and children, for
"His ready smile a parent's warmth expressed;
Their welfare pleased him, and their cares distressed;
To them his heart, his love, his griefs were given,
But all his serious thoughts had rest in heaven.”
BAPTIST CHAPEL,
DRAKE STREET.
This chapel was opened in January, 1854, having
been built by subscription, towards which the late
Henry Kelsall, Esq., of the Butts, was the largest con-
tributor, to accommodate a small congregation which
had been gathered by the labours of Mr. Todd, who
came from Bacup, in March, 1847, at the invitation of
H. Kelsall, Esq., and from that time till the opening of
the chapel worked zealously, gathering children for
Sunday School instruction, and their parents for public
worship and preaching, in a Mission Room, first in
School Lane and afterwards in Church Stile. After the
opening of the chapel he continued to minister to the
people until November, 1862, when he removed to
Lancaster. Mr. Alexr. Pitt, of Burton-upon-Trent, was
selected to succeed Mr. Todd, and took the pastorate of
the people in September, 1863; until this the Drake-
10
138
BAPTIST CHAPEL, DRAKE-STREET.
street cause held the position of a branch of the older
church at West-street, but now became a separate
church by the dismissal of a number of members from
that church and the union with them of a number of
newly baptized converts. Under the energetic ministry
of Mr. Pitt the church and congregation rapidly
increased, and the chapel was improved and enlarged
by being fitted up with pews, of which, till now, it had
been nearly destitute, and the addition of a good
capacious gallery. The teaching of the Sunday School
and the holding of public worship in the same building
were now found very inconvenient, and H. Kelsall, Esq.,
the original promoter of the cause, now built, at a cost
of £1,200, the excellent school buildings and chapel-
keeper's house in the rear of the chapel, and presented
the same to the church and people at Drake-street, one
large room in the building being appropriated to the
use of a Ragged School, which is still carried on therein
and is supported by his daughter, Mrs. Kemp. The
new schools were opened in January, 1865, and the
opening celebrated by the holding of a very full
and joyous tea meeting.
Some time after this
the chapel was still further improved by the putting
in of skylights, it having been previously rather
dark, and the painting thereof throughout, and
also the planting of the ground surrounding the chapel
and the asphalting of the paths and the yard between
chapel and school. All these improvements, the pews,
galleries, painting, &c., were paid for by subscription,
within a short time of their completion, without the aid
of that now popular institution, the Bazaar. In
September, 1871, Mr. Pitt resigned his pastorate and
EBENEZER CHAPEL.
139
removed to Liverpool to take charge of the South
Bethel Mission there, and since that time the church
has been without a settled pastor, but nevertheless it is
prosperous and increasing, and the school also is in a
flourishing condition. It possesses a small library, and
there is held within it a Young Men's Mutual Improve-
ment Class, a Sick and Burial Society, and a Band of
Hope. The land on which the premises stand is a
rectangular plot extending from Drake-street in front
to Henry-street at back, into which latter street the
school opens, but is connected in its upper room with
the chapel by a bridge over which the children pass
from the school to their seats in the chapel. The whole
is freehold and free from chief rent, is held in trust for
the use of the Particular Baptists; its estimated value
is about £5,000, and it is free from debt. It contains
sittings for 412 persons, beside school and choir.

EBENEZER BAPTIST CHAPEL,
WATER STREET.
This church was formed of members formerly in con-
nection with the West-street Church, and met at first
for divine worship in Baillie-street, on the 8th of
January, 1867; it continued there up to the time of
its removal to the chapel in Water-street. The
last mentioned place was built in 1834, by the
New Connexion Methodists, and was purchased
from them by the Baptists, and re-opened for divine
service on the 1st of May, 1870. The alterations and
improvements made in the chapel at that time, were
still further supplemented by the erection of an organ,
opened in October, 1873. The Rev. Alfred Pickles,
140
PROVIDENCE CHAPEL.
who was settled as the first pastor of this church, on the
17th of August, 1869, still continues his labours. In
addition to the Sunday-school, there are Tract and Sick
and Burial Societies in connection with this chapel.
PROVIDENCE CHAPEL,
HIGH STREET.
This building was erected in 1806, for the ministry
of the Rev. Joseph Cooke, who had been expelled from
the Methodist connection on doctrinal grounds. After
his death it was offered for sale, and purchased by a
mere handful of people for the, at that time, large sum
of £1,600-an act of courage for which lovers of
Christian liberty ought to be ever grateful. Vested in
trust, it still remains one among a number of congrega-
tional chapels, a testimony to the growth of principles
which, in those days, had few adherents in Rochdale.
These few were probably influenced by the advice of
ministers in the neighbouring towns, who had given
themselves in part to evangelistic labours in Rochdale
and its neighbourhood. The most distinguished of
these labourers was the Rev. William Roby, who, in
addition to his pastoral and itinerant duties, added that
of instructing young men intended for the ministry,
who also shared in the labours of their tutor, wherever
an opportunity presented. Thus Rochdale and the
adjacent villages of Wardle and Ridings were favoured
with religious teaching at intervals of more or less
regularity.
The first congregational minister who made Rochdale
his home, was the Rev. John Ely. He commenced his
labours in Providence Chapel a few months after its

PROVIDENCE CHAPEL.
141
purchase in 1814. The debt on the chapel was a source
of constant anxiety, during the first half-dozen years of
his ministry; but, during that time, the young minister
had so won the esteem of the church and congregation
that, rather than lose him, they were willing to make an
effort to accomplish what had previously been deemed
an impossibility, and they removed their debt. After
this, prosperity was uninterrupted, until the removal of
the pastor to Leeds. Amongst the external evidences
of this prosperity may be mentioned the several circum-
stances of the establishment of branches at Smallbridge
and Calderbrook, 1824, and the erection of an organ
in the chapel, 1822. The late distinguished John
Roby, Esq., banker, and subsequently the accomplished
author of "Traditions of Lancashire," was the first
organist. The termination of the ministry of the Rev.
John Ely, in Rochdale (1834), was accompanied by
the profoundest and most wide-spread regret, not only
amongst the congregation, but in the town generally.
We are told that during the latter part of his ministry,
"the congregations became overflowing on the Sabbath,
and at the week evening services few seats were un-
occupied." During Mr. Ely's ministry other work was
done, viz.: The establishment of Sunday Schools, at first
without any separate building for the purpose, but
afterwards a school was erected in High-street, which
ultimately became over-crowded, and is now let as a
warehouse. After this another school was erected, as
a local branch, at Moore-street.
The Rev. T. C. Carlisle, became the successor of the
Rev. John Ely, at Midsummer, 1835. During his
ministry, a large secession of the members of the church
142
PROVIDENCE CHAPEL.
took place, which, together with other circumstances,
led to his resignation in September, 1837, a little more
than two years after he had become the minister.
After this those who had seceded were restored to
church fellowship. It may naturally be supposed that
a church and congregation that had known separation.
and re-union so recently, would require a pastor of no
common order to heal wounds in which the process of
healing had only just commenced.
In the Rev. David Hewitt was found a man who
possessed energy, ability, and discretion, which, with his
geniality of disposition, were sufficient for the occasion.
Having spent twelve years in successful labours, he re-
signed his charge in July, 1850. During his ministry,
in the year 1847, the present Sunday and Infant Schools
were erected at a cost of £1,300.
In the interval (two years) of the vacant pastorate
two important events took place-one, the removal of
debt (£1,857) from the school and chapel; the other,
the separation of a large part of the congregation, who
afterwards erected Milton Congregational Church.
The Rev. William Spencer was the next minister,
and commenced his labours in August, 1852. His
ministry began auspiciously; a variety of circum-
stances arose, however, which taken singly were
trifling, but in combination, led an amiable man to re-
linquish a charge, in which he was universally
esteemed.
The Rev. G. Snashall commenced his labours in July,
1859. His ministry seemed to be successful until
shortly before his resignation, when, unhappily, a
dispute arose which ended by the termination of his
PROVIDENCE CHAPEL.
143
ministry, and the secession of a number of the
congregation, who afterwards became the United
Presbyterians.
The Rev. J. C. Mc.Cappin entered upon his labours
in April, 1867, and relinquished the pastorate in March,
1871. Nothing remarkable occurred during his
ministry, beyond the death of Mrs. Mc.Cappin, which
cast a gloom over the remainder of his ministry, and
finally led to his resignation.
The Rev. R. G. Williams, who is the present pastor,
possesses the esteem and affection of the entire church
and congregation. His preaching is considerably above
the average as regards ability, and is thoroughly
evangelical in tone.
Since 1814 various alterations have been made in the
building. One of the earliest of these was the addition
of an ornamental portico, which added considerably to
its exterior effect, and a little to its interior accommoda-
tion. The last of these alterations was made in 1864—
the jubilee of Independency in Rochdale. Then the whole
of the bottom was renewed, a new rostrum erected, and
considerable alterations were made in the orchestra;
besides which a tablet was erected in memory of the
Rev. John Ely, and another in memory of the late John
Roby, Esq., at the expense of his widow. In 1853,
the organ, which had done duty for thirty-one years,
was removed, and the present one, which is said to have
no superior in Rochdale, took its place.
The chapel will seat 750, is well lighted and com-
fortable. The interior decorations have been very
tastefully done.
144
MILTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
SMITH STREET.
This church owes its origin to a secession from
Providence Chapel, High-street, in March, 1852,
the cause of which was a difference of opinion upon the
choice of a minister. Among the numerous seceders
may be named Messrs. R. Pagan, J. T. Pagan, A.
Stewart, R. Kelsall, J. J. Curtis, T. Fisher, R. Clegg,
Challinor, Tinsdale, and J. Ashworth.
Their first place of meeting was in the Public Hall;
the upper room being used for service, and the lower one
as a Sunday School, the first officers of which were
Messrs. J. T. Pagan and J. J. Curtis, superintendents, and
Robt. Craig, secretary. The week-night services were
held in the Commissioners' Room, Smith-street. It was
at once decided to form a church upon Congregational
principles, and the Rev. Robert Vaughan, D.D., of
Manchester Independent College, was requested to
officiate at the formation of the church, and to administer
the ordinance of the Lord's Supper for the first time.
The first deacons of the church were Messrs. South-
worth, Dawson, Hoyle, and I. Grindrod. The next step
was the choice of a pastor, which fell upon the Rev H.
W. Parkinson, who had formerly been a student at
Coward College. After the settlement of a pastor,
the next question was the building of a place for
worship, and on Good Friday,
held in the Commissioners' Room, after which the
question of ways and means was discussed, and a
magnificent sum was raised. Among donations were
1853, a tea meeting was

MIT
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MILTON CHURCH.
145
the following:-Messrs. A. Stewart, £500; R. Pagan,
£500; R. Kelsall, £500; T. Southworth, £500; and
smaller sums raising it to nearly £3,000. It was then
decided to build a handsome stone church on land
occupied as a garden by H. Kelsall, Esq., J.P., which
was planted with fruit trees. The first estimate was
£3,500, but the ultimate cost was above £5,000. In the
early part of next year the corner stone of the building
was laid by Andrew Stewart, Esq., and the building
was completed and opened, without any accident, in
1855, on which occasion the Rev. R. Raffles, D.D., of
Liverpool, preached in the morning, and Rev. T. Binney,
of London, in the evening; from which source the
handsome sum of £1,700 was realised; which, with
previous subscriptions, removed the entire debt and left
a balance which was spent in painting and renovating
the church and schoolroom.
Of the late minister, the Rev. H. W. Parkinson, who
died suddenly in August, 1874, we may be permitted
to remark that in point of ability he was undoubtedly
above the average, and held a high position in the
esteem and affection of his congregation and friends.
He was also much respected by the general public, and
was a writer of no mean eminence. He was kind-
hearted and amiable, and his death was a very great
blow to his church and friends. His funeral, which
was public, was attended by a great number of the
influential and wealthy inhabitants of the town, and
gave ample proof of the high esteem in which his
memory was held, and of the "golden opinions" which
he had won and worn in their fullest gloss.
We are
pleased to add that since his death a very large sum of
146
METHODIST NEW CONNEXION.
money has been raised on behalf of his widow and
children, the principal contributors being gentlemen
occupying high social position in the town and else-
where. The amount raised exceeds £3,500.
METHODIST NEW CONNEXION.
In the year 1814 Mr. William Whittle Barton, a
native of Liverpool, settled down in Rochdale, and
finding no church of the Methodist New Connexion in
this town, he commenced a class in his own house, in the
year 1815, and preached in cottages in various parts of
the town. In 1820, a garret was rented in St. Mary's
Gate, and here for a time, the Rev. W. Driver, and
other early ministers of the connexion preached. The
cause flourished, and the room being found too small
to accommodate the increasing numbers, it was deter-
mined to build a chapel, and accordingly a chapel was
erected in Zachary, and opened for public worship on
the 2nd June, 1822, by the Revs. A. Jackson, S. Wood-
house, and T. Allin. This chapel seated about 270
persons, and cost £400. The place afterwards proving
inadequate to meet the growing demands of both church
and school, it became necessary to obtain further
accommodation. A garret was therefore rented in
In
Holland-street, and devoted to school purposes.
process of time, the Zachary Chapel gave place to a
much larger one, which was built in Water-street, at a
cost of £1,000, and was provided with a commodious
school on the basement story. On the 3rd of October,
1868, a still larger chapel was commenced in Moles-
worth-street, the late G. L. Ashworth, Esq., J.P., laying

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Terry Stoneman
PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL, SMITH ST
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PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.
147
the foundation stone in the midst of a large assembly.
The Rev. Thomas Masterman, the pastor, was the prime
mover in this undertaking which he thought was
necessary to meet the requirements of the age. The
chapel cost over £3,000, and is built in the Italian style;
it is well proportioned and convenient. The lower
storey comprises the school-room, 57 feet by 42 feet;
it is lofty and well lighted. The chapel is 63 feet by
42 feet inside, with galleries, orchestra, ministers'
vestry, large band-room for general purposes, and a
small vestry for the use of the choir. On the 10th of
October, 1869, it was opened by the Revs. S. Hulme,
and C. Donald, and its compactness and completeness
gave much satisfaction. The Rev. Wm. Woodward is
the present pastor. Mr. Barton, to whom the connexion
is indebted for its position in the town, was a prominent
public character for a great number of years. He is
mentioned in a previous part of this work; and was
Town Surveyor from 1818 to 1858. He was a vigorous
opponent of church rates and of public abuses; and
was held in much and deserved esteem by his party.
On his death, in 1859, he was honoured with a public
funeral, in recognition of the services which he had
rendered to the town and people.
PRIMITIVE METHODISTS,
SMITH-STREET.
It has been the pride of the Primitive Methodists to
carry out the words of the parable, "Go out quickly
into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in
hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the
148
PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.
blind;" and to their praise it must be stated that no
place can be too humble, nor back slums or alleys too
wretched wherein to proclaim the grand truths of the
gospel. About fifty years ago missionaries from Man-
chester visited Rochdale and preached in the open air,
and services were also carried on in a cellar in Cheetham-
street, near where the "Three Crowns" public-house
now stands. An amusing incident occurred at one of
their open air services. The Rev. John Verity while
"holding forth" in Cheetham-street, perched on a chair,
received from an officer the dictatorial command to "move
on." Verity politely said to the constable, "I hope you
will permit me to dismiss the people first?" The officer
consented, and then Verity went into a lengthy expla-
nation as to what he had intended to have stated if he
had not been interrupted by the official; that it had been
his "intention to have told them that Christ had died
for sinners, and that they might be saved;" and in this
strain, for half an hour, he informed the people of his
intentions if he had been allowed to have done so,
during which time the “ 'guardian of the law” was on
the tiptoe of expectation at the conclusion of every
sentence to hear the "dismissal" given to the flock, but
finding that the explanation had not a full stop and
continued to roll on, he retired from the scene in hope-
less disgust. The Primitives next rented a large room
in Packer Meadow, at the top of King-street, where
they sojourned for seven or eight years. The congre-
gation increasing, it was decided to build a chapel, one
storey high, in Drake-street, opposite Water-street,
which cost about £400. In the course of time this
place was not large enough for the ever-increasing
PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.
149
worshippers, and the old chapel was pulled down and a
larger one built upon the site, the cost being about
£1,200. In 1863 it was determined to have a still
larger chapel, more convenient and better lighted, and
one was built in Smith-street, at a cost of £2,500. The
stone was laid by the late Mr. G. L. Ashworth on the
1st of August, 1863. The front of the chapel is faced
with Yorkshire pierpoints. There is a pilaster at each
corner, having mounted bases and caps, with Yorkshire
stone dressings. The front is a gable one, surmounted
with a bold block cornice. The entrance doorway con-
sists of moulded pilasters, together with moulded caps
and bases, and finished on the top with a moulded
circular block cornice, with a keystone in the centre.
There is a double flight of steps to the front door. The
size of the building is 58 feet by 45, and 30 feet from
the floor to the ceiling. The schoolroom beneath the
chapel is 12 feet high, and well lighted on all sides, and
but 4 feet below the level of the main street. It seems
necessary to explain that the late chapel in Drake-street
was sold by the trustees for a Burgess Hall, under the
idea that it would be only so used, but this purpose has
been departed from, and the building is now used as a
Music Hall, much to the disappointment and regret of
those by whom it had been used as a place of worship,
and who have had no hand in such obvious desecration
to such apparently "base uses." No doubt the change
of intention arose from the fact that as a Burgess Hall
the building would not pay, and the proprietors were
therefore obliged to dispose of it in the manner which
would prove most beneficial to those who were
pecuniarily interested in the transaction.
150
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
{{
The Society of Friends, commonly called "Quakers,"
have a Meeting House in George-street, Rochdale,
which was erected in the year 1808. It is an extremely
plain, unpretentious structure, which only reminds us
"that man looketh on the outward appearance, but the
Lord looketh upon the heart;"
the heart;" and no one would
expect to find in such a place of worship, either gaudy
decorations, surpliced choirs, wafted incense, or
gorgeous priest in pomp arrayed." Neither does the
peal of an organ resound through the building, but the
plain unaffected voice is heard in supplication, and in
directing the way to salvation, when the Holy Spirit
prompts to those sacred acts. "Their prayers and
praises are, for the most part, silent and inward. They
prefer to make melody in their hearts unto God, con-
sidering such to be more spiritual than the outward
services of the voice."
Previously to the year 1808 the members of this
society, from Oldham and Rochdale, were in the habit
of assembling at Turf Lane End Meeting House, which
is four miles from Rochdale and two from Oldham, but
they ultimately erected a place of worship in each town,
the one in Rochdale being situated in George-street, as
before mentioned. It contains seats for 300 persons,
but the congregation numbers at present about 80. It
is here the Right Hon. John Bright regularly attends
for worship when at home; but we believe he does not
ever address his fellow-worshippers on such occasions.
He takes part in the affairs of the society at their
business meetings, which are held from time to time,
3

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WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL AND SCHOOL, UNION ST
FICH
WESLEYAN METHODISTS.
151
and evinces a great interest in the welfare of the society.
Of course, as might be expected, the Friends are
really proud of their distinguished brother, who is, not-
withstanding his great eminence, as quiet and
unobtrusive as the humblest among them.
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL,
UNION-STREET.
The history of Methodism, in Rochdale, dates from
the middle of the last century. The first mention made
of Rochdale in Mr. Wesley's Journal, is under date
18th October, 1749. Mr. Wesley was on his way from
Leeds, and says:-"I rode, at the desire of J. Bennet,
to Rochdale, in Lancashire, as soon as ever we entered
the town we found the streets lined, on both sides, with
multitudes of people, shouting, cursing, blaspheming,
and gnashing upon us with their teeth. Perceiving it.
would not be practicable to preach abroad, I went into
a large room open to the street, and called aloud, 'Let
the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts." The word of God prevailed over the
fierceness of man, none opposed or interrupted, and
there was a very remarkable change in the behaviour
of the people as we afterwards went through the town.
We came to Bolton in the evening. We had no sooner
entered the main street than we perceived the lions of
Rochdale were lambs in comparison of those at Bolton.
Such rage and bitterness I scarcely ever saw before in
any creatures that have the form of men," &c., &c.
Mr. Wesley does not mention any more visits to Roch-
dale for a long period. But we find him paying a visit
to Bankhouse, near Rochdale, on the 3rd April, 1752;
152
WESLEYAN METHODISTS.
and these visits were often repeated long before
any society was formed in Rochdale. The society
at Bankhouse, near Bagslate, was visited by the
preachers from Bury, though Bagslate is only two miles
from Rochdale. And about this period too, Smallbridge.
was regularly visited by preachers from Colne, thus
shewing that Methodism was not established in Roch-
dale as early as other neighbouring towns.
About 1760 a society was formed, and a preaching
room was secured at Waterside, near the river, on a
part of the site now occupied by the Town Hall and its
approaches. The room would be about the centre
of the eastern esplanade. The Methodists afterwards
occupied a building in Temple Court, Blackwater-
street, now Temple-street, and subsequently removed
to a new chapel in Toad Lane, about the year 1770.
In that year Mr. Wesley writes in his Journal, 29th
April, 1770, "I preached in the new preaching house at
Rochdale." His visits to Rochdale appear to have
become more frequent, as we find him preaching here
on the 16th April, 1774; 17th April, 1776; 24th August,
1778; 12th April, 1779; and 6th April, 1780. This
new preaching house must have been the one in Toad
Lane. The lease for the land is dated 18th May, 1778,
and is from James Taylor to Messrs. Cockroft and
Clegg, for 669 yards, at a rent of £5; and as the plan
shews the form of the chapel, with its entrances, &c.,
the deed must have been completed after the erection
of the chapel.
John Valton and George Snowden were stationed
at Manchester in 1781. Their ministry was emi-
nently owned of God; there was a general revival
WESLEYAN METHODISTS.
153
of religion throughout the circuit, and a great ingather-
ing of souls was the happy result. The chapel at
Stockport was enlarged, and a new one erected at
Ashton. But the assistant preacher declared that "this
work would have been more extensive had it not been
for two or three of the leading members of the Rochdale
society, who demanded an unjust share of our labours.
Their opposition was so strong that it quite broke my
spirit and cramped my future usefulness. It obstructed
all my intended visits to the populous villages. Alas!
how often have godly ministers had to make the same
complaint."
Of his visit to Rochdale, on 26th and 27th August,
1787, Wesley says:-"The house at Rochdale was well
filled at five a.m. I have not seen so large a morning
congregation, in proportion to the town, since I
returned to England. I was invited to breakfast at
Bury, by Mr. Peel, a calico printer, who, a few
years ago, began with £500, and is now supposed to
have gained £50,000. Oh, what a miracle, if he lose
not his soul! "
"23rd April, 1788. In the evening I preached to a
lively congregation at Rochdale. Formerly we had
much trouble here, but it is past, and they now hold
the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."
In 1790, Wesley went from Bolton into Yorkshire.
The manuscript of his journal is lost from April 10th
to May 24th. He must, however, have passed through
Rochdale, for it was within remembrance of old people,
and amongst them Miss Stott, who said, "that she saw
Mr. Wesley walk up Packer-street and up the Church
Steps, which he counted as he went up."
11
154
WESLEYAN METHODISTS.
The chapel in Toad Lane appears to have been
occupied by the Methodists more than twenty years.
The society established by the late Countess of Hunting-
don afterwards occupied the building. Subsequently it
was used as a theatre and assembly room; and there is
now erected on the site the central store of the Rochdale
Equitable Pioneers Society. The Methodist chapel was
built in Union-street, and opened on Sunday, the 22nd
May, 1793, by the Rev. Joseph Benson, M.A., and the
Revs. J. Roberts and Thomas Hanby. In this
chapel, on the 25th November, 1821, the Rev. Adam
Clarke preached a sermon in behalf of funds of the
Sunday School (xvii. c. John, 3 v.). A very large con-
gregation was assembled, and while they listened with
rapt attention, suddenly a cry was raised that the
gallery of the chapel was falling. A scene of intense.
consternation and confusion ensued. From the pressure
many persons found themselves in very different parts
of the chapel to those they had first occupied, and knew
not how they had got there. One person who sat in the
front of the gallery managed to jump into the pulpit as
a place of safety, though what course she took in her
fright could not be recalled by her. One well-known
individual would not allow any person to leave the pew
in which he sat, comforting them by saying, "Sit still,
friend, we are going gradually," evidently thinking
little respecting those underneath. Another, the late
John Howard, declared that he saw the ceiling open.
The rush of those who fled from the chapel was so
terrific that it forced the large doors outwards. Some
few were hurt, but no life was lost. The alarm was
caused by the breaking of a slender form on which some
WESLEYAN METHODISTS.
155
;
persons stood to see the preacher more easily. Dr.
Clarke exhorted the alarmed congregation to be quiet,
but Mr. Robert Heape, senior, of the Hartley, by
gesture and voice, urged the leader of the choir (Robert
Nuttall) to sing, and he struck up "Praise God from
whom all blessings flow," to the tune of the old hun-
dredth psalm. In a moment the instruments took up
the solemn sound, quiet was immediately restored, and,
with a sense of relief, safety, and gratitude, the whole
congregation joined heartily in the song of praise. Dr.
Clarke finished his sermon. The collection in no wise
suffered, the amount being about £80. This chapel
was used for worship exactly thirty-two years; the last
services being held on Sunday, 22nd May, 1825. From
a record of that period we learn that "by some defect
in the original construction of the roof, the whole edifice
had become unsafe." Competent judges declared that-
the large congregations which on particular occasions.
attended were in imminent danger of being suddenly
buried beneath its ruins. The present chapel was
erected in the year 1825-6, and was opened Thursday,
March 16th, 1826, when sermons were preached by the
Revs. Robert Newton, David Stoner, and Theophilus
Lessey. On Sunday, the 19th March, Mr. Wm. Dawson
preached; and in the afternoon and evening, the Revs.
Philip Garrett and Jabez Bunting, M.A. Although
Rochdale was then suffering much distress from the
effects of the American tariff, which practically excluded
the exportation of the flannel manufacture of this
neighbourhood to the American states, and through-
out the empire there was much commercial depression,
which was severely felt in Rochdale, the collections
156
WESLEYAN METHODISTS.
amounted to £302. 7s. 7d., in addition to the sum of
£1,840 previously subscribed.
This commodious chapel, which, at the time of
its erection was one of the largest in the connexion, is
87 feet long and 69 feet in width (outside), and is
capable of seating 1,650 persons. The cost of erection.
of the chapel and alteration of the ministers' houses,
was about £5,000. The Sunday Schools, which were
erected in 1819, were found unsuitable in their arrange-
ments for the educational requirements of the time, and
were taken down in the year 1858. A more convenient
and excellent building, well adapted for all educational
purposes, was erected on a larger scale, at a cost of
£1,600. It is only just to record the praiseworthy
labours of the Rev. Charles Garrett, to whose deep
movement the success of the scheme is
The chapel contains a very excellent
organ, built by the late Mr. Richard Nicholson, about
the year 1840, at a cost of 400 guineas. In the
In the year
1835-6 a large secession from this congregation and
society took place, and eventually formed the con-
gregation now assembling in the Methodist Free Church,
Baillie-street.
interest in this
to be ascribed.
In reviewing this brief sketch of the past history of
Methodism connected with Union-street Chapel, it is
pleasing to recall the particulars of its present out-
growth, and, as far as we have the information, we have
here endeavoured to enumerate the particulars. Up to
the year 1795, Rochdale was supplied by the Methodist
preachers of Manchester, as it was then included in the
circuit under their pastorate. In the year 1795 Roch-
dale became the head of a circuit. Bacup, Newchurch,

Dicken London.
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UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCH.
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and Heywood were then included within its limits.
Bacup and Newchurch were constituted a circuit in
1811, and Heywood in 1853. The Rochdale circuit, for
greater convenience of managing its pastorate, was
divided, in 1868, into the Union-street and Wesley
circuits. Wesley chapel was built 1867, in Castlemere-
street. The Union-street circuit contains seven Chapels,
nine Sunday Schools, three Day and Infant Schools. The
Wesley circuit contains seven Chapels, eight Sunday
Schools, four Day and Infant Schools, and the two circuits
contain 1,850 members. After this recapitulation we
may be permitted to look back to the period when, 125
years ago, the Rev. John Wesley entered Rochdale,
and recall his testimony as to the manners and habits of
the people in 1749; and then remembering the opposi-
tion which he met with during the mission he pursued
for forty years after. We notice with pleasure such
untiring energy-an attentive congregation waiting to
hear him at five o'clock in the morning, hanging on his
lips and treasuring his words. Mr. Wesley died 2nd
March, 1791. And now the work which he begun has,
by the blessing of God, extended to thousands in
this town and neighbourhood, and every Christian
church has benefited, and the general population
raised to a higher standard.
UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCH,
BAILLIE-STREET.
Baillie-street Chapel, belonging to the United Metho-
dist Free Churches, was opened for Divine worship on
January the 8th, 1837. The original cost was about
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UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCHT.
£4,000. In 1840 it was enlarged by the addition of a
spacious gallery at an expenditure of upwards of £1,763;
and, in 1856-7, nearly £1,000 was expended on new
vestries, &c. In 1867 other important alterations and
improvements were made, involving an outlay of some
£1,400. The total cost, therefore, has been upwards
of £8,000. It is the largest place of religious worship
in the town, having accommodation for 1,800 hearers.
In the basement story is a school-room, library,
ministers' vestry, class-rooms, and every convenience
for tea meetings, &c. The chapel is light, well venti-
lated, and warmed, and all can see and hear the
preacher. The lower part of the chapel being arranged
on the amphitheatre plan, the acoustic properties of
the building are all that could be desired.
There
is a splendid organ which was erected in 1845, and
which has since then been enlarged and improved.
The societies in the circuit of which Baillie-street is
the head have a membership of 2,031. The Sabbath-
day scholars number 6,386, taught by 929 teachers.
There are four itinerant ministers, forty-five local
in the
preachers, and ninety-four class leaders in
circuit, with nineteen other chapels within a radius
of three miles from Baillie-street. Liberal Methodism
is thus well sustained in Rochdale and the neigh-
bourhood.
In the year 1864 Mr. Oliver Ormerod laid the founda-
tion stone of Castlemere Chapel, a fine spacious edifice,
off Drake-street, which has 1,250 sittings, and it cost
about £8,500. It was opened for Divine worship on
September 6th, 1865.
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UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This handsome church is situated in Manchester-
road, opposite the pleasure grounds, and was built in
the year 1868, at a cost of about £6,000. In the base-
ment storey there are class rooms and a vestry room.
The building will accommodate about 800 persons; 660
on the ground floor, and 140 in the gallery. The total
length inside is 85 feet 6 inches, and the width 43 feet,
with transepts 24 feet by 14 feet. There are three
entrances one in the centre of the front elevation, one
through the tower, which is at the north-east corner, and
one on the south side near the front of the building. There
are two entrances to the schools. The church is neatly
pewed with pitch-pine, and the wainscoting and doors.
are made of the same wood. The pulpit is very hand-
some. In shape it is octagonal, and made of stone, with
black marble columns, having moulded bases and
carved capitals. The principal walls are composed
wholly of stone, the outside being faced with Yorkshire
pierpoints. The style of the edifice is Gothic, of a
period known as the early decorated. At the north-
east corner there is a tower, and it is intended to
surmount it with a spire, 130 feet high from the ground,
as soon as the funds will permit this extra outlay. In
1866 this religious body was formed by gentlemen who
had left Providence Chapel and other denominations,
and for two years their services and Sunday School
were held in the British School, Baillie-street, where the
congregation increased rapidly.
The Rev. A. H. Drysdale, the present pastor, was
inducted in August, 1867, and he is very much respected.
160
UNITARIANS, BLACKWATER-STREET.
His abilities are of a high order, and his pulpit
discourses are the subject of much eulogium; and, apart
from his ministerial office, we believe that his literary
tastes are of the most elevated kind. Mr. Drysdale has
made a great number of friends in Rochdale outside his
own congregation; and the kindly feeling which exists.
between himself and the other ministers of religion in
the town proves the amiability of his disposition, and
his desire to sink minor differences on theological
- questions on which all men do not think alike.
UNITARIAN CHAPEL,
BLACKWATER-STREET.
This is not only the oldest dissenting chapel in
Rochdale, but the oldest place of worship of any kind,
except St. Chad's Parish Church. During the Com-
monwealth the Revs. Robert Bath and Zachariah Taylor
were vicar and curate, respectively, of the Parish
Church; but in the year 1688, in King Charles the
Second's reign, the Act of Uniformity was passed, and
the above-mentioned clergymen were required to sub-
scribe to the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of
England, or else be evicted from their livings. They
both preferred liberty of conscience and freedom, to
holding their livings on such terms, and were accord-
ingly evicted. But the Rev. Robert Bath, being a
popular preacher, continued to gather large numbers of
his parishioners around him, thus forming the first dis-
senting congregation in Rochdale. But it was not till the
year 1689, when William the Third passed the "Tolera-
tion Act," that the Rochdale Presbyterian dissenters
dared to meet together in a meeting-house of their own,
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Terry Summank
UNITARIAN
CHAPEL. BLACK WATER
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UNITARIANS, CLOVER-STREET.
161
without fear of molestation from the authorities. The
first meeting-house or chapel seems to have been in
existence from the year 1690 till 1716, when a new one
was erected and duly licensed as "a meeting-house of
dissenting Protestants," at the Quarter Sessions, held
at Manchester, October 17th, 1717. This chapel, like
many others erected by the Presbyterian Nonconformists.
of those days, was dedicated to the worship of Almighty
God, with an open trust deed. The Puritan Presby-
terians had suffered so much persecution upon matters
of creeds and doctrines, that they refused to specify in
the trust deeds of their own chapels, the particular
doctrines to be taught therein; and, as a consequence,
very many of them, Blackwater-street Chapel being one,
gradually drifted away, upon the current of free inquiry
from the old orthodox dogmas and creeds held by their
founders, to the full realization of individual freedom
and right of free enquiry, held by modern Unitarians.
The old chapel existed from 1717 till 1856, when it was
pulled down, and the present neat, though rather small
chapel was erected. It is built in the Gothic style, with a
central nave and south aisle. It is 66 feet in length and
34 feet in width, and will seat about 200 persons. There
is a small endowment attached to the chapel. The Rev.
Thomas Carter is the present minister, being the twenty-
second in order of succession from its foundation.
UNITARIAN CHAPEL,
CLOVER-STREET.
This chapel was built in the year 1818, but has since
been considerably altered and improved. In 1868 new
Day and Sunday Schools were erected immediately
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UNITARIANS, CLOVER-STREET.
behind and adjoining the chapel, which have added very
materially to the convenience and usefulness of the
institution, as previously to the erection of the new
schools the teaching was done in the bottom part of the
chapel.
The chapel and congregation had their origin as
follows:-In the year 1803 a Mr. Joseph Cooke was
appointed as one of the itinerant ministers at the Wes-
leyan Methodist Chapel, Union-street, Rochdale. His
abilities as a preacher were not of the common kind,
and he soon became very popular. In the course of his
experience amongst the Methodists he had often noticed
persons of that persuasion who talked as though they
thought religion consisted principally in raptures and
impressions, and who made their own imaginations and
feelings, rather than scripture, the criteria of religious
truth. This he considered a serious error, and he was
desirous of putting a stop to it. He therefore preached
two sermons-one on "Justification by Faith," and the
other on "The witness of the Spirit." In these sermons
the doctrine expounded was considered by the Methodist
Conference which met at Leeds in August, 1806, to be
contrary to the teachings of Wesley. Mr. Cooke was,
therefore, called before a committee of the Conference
and given an opportunity of retracting. But as he
could not do so, and considered himself that the
sermons were quite in accordance with Wesley's own
teachings, he was forthwith expelled from the Methodist
body. But a considerable number of the Methodists in
Rochdale having embraced Mr. Cooke's views, they
invited him to settle amongst them and become their
minister. He accepted the invitation, left Leeds, and
UNITARIANS, CLOVER-STREet.
163
was received by these friends with great cordiality.
They accordingly then left the Methodist Connexion,
commenced a subscription, and a large and commodious.
chapel was built in High-street, Rochdale, to which the
name of "Providence" was given. While this was
doing Mr. Cooke had the pleasure of addressing large
and crowded congregations.
Hundreds flocked to see
and hear the man of whom report said that he preached
such strange things that the Methodists would have
him no longer, and since they had turned him out he
had laid aside the Bible and put common sense in its
place.
The new chapel was opened in 1807, and Mr. Cooke
continued to preach there till his death, which took
place, after a severe and protracted illness, on March
13th, 1811. He was interred inside the chapel, in the
aisle just in front of the pulpit.
During Mr. Cooke's life the congregation at Provi-
dence Chapel consisted of from five to seven hundred
people. After his death they were for a time indebted
to three young men, whose names were John Ashworth,
James Wilkinson, and James Taylor, for the principal
supply of the pulpit; but, very shortly, additional
assistance was invited from the Independent Calvinists.
This, however, by a large majority of the congregation,
was deemed a very inconsistent step, as Mr. Cooke was
a most decided Anti-Calvinist, and by far the greater
number of the congregation could not bear to hear
Calvinism. Some, therefore, when these men came,
stayed away from the chapel; others said nothing for
some time, preserving silence for the sake of peace, and
being wishful that the congregation should remain as
164
UNITARIANS, CLOVER-STREET.
Mr. Cooke left it. Measures were afterwards taken for
securing the services of a regular minister, and
ultimately a Mr. Bowman, of Ipswich, who had been
a local preacher amongst the Methodists, was appointed.
For a short time he gave satisfaction, but ere long the
strain of his preaching began to alter, and some parts.
of his discourses were not only opposed to Mr. Cooke's
later sentiments, but to the very doctrines for which he
was expelled from the Methodists. The great majority
of the congregation were astonished that the man should
act so directly contrary to his previous professions,
whilst the rest approved of his conduct. This, and
other differences that arose at the time, which was
about nineteen months after Mr. Cooke's death, caused
about three-fourths of the congregation to leave the
chapel, some going to one place and some to another;
but the greatest part resolved neither to be separated
from one another, nor join any sect or party. They
therefore requested the three young men to continue
their labours amongst them, and they consented. But
having no place in which to assemble for public worship
a large room was sought for, and till this was found
they were kindly accommodated at Blackwater-street
Chapel. Very soon, however, a pretty commodious
room was found in Drake-street, Rochdale, then known
as Greenwood's School, and this room continued to be
occupied by them as a preaching room and school
until the completion of the chapel in Clover-street, in
the year 1818.
For some time after Mr. Cooke's death the congrega-
tion were known as Cookites," and their views on
religious doctrine were but little removed from the
UNITARIANS, CLOVER-STREET.
165
doctrines generally entertained by the Methodist body.
But, being anxious enquirers after truth, they began
to examine and judge of the Scriptures for themselves,
and gradually became what are generally known as
Unitarians, or believers in the simple unity or oneness
of God, though at the time they embraced this doctrine
and rejected the doctrines of orthodoxy, they thought
themselves the only people in the world who believed
as they did, but they were happy to find afterwards
that in this notion they were greatly mistaken.
For about twenty years after the opening of Clover-
street Chapel the services were conducted gratuitously,
or nearly so, by the three ministers above-mentioned.
For a few years more, by Messrs. Taylor and Wilkinson
alone, and then solely by Mr. Wilkinson till his death
in May, 1858. Then, for a period of about four years,
the pulpit was supplied from the Manchester Home
Missionary Board and other sources. In February,
1862, the first settled minister was appointed in the
person of the Rev. James Briggs, previously student
of the Home Missionary Board, Manchester, who
resigned from failing health in 1864; and, in 1865, the
Rev. Joseph Freeston, of Manchester, succeeded him,
and remained till July, 1869, when he resigned; and
was followed in February, 1871, by the Rev. J. C. Hirst,
who had also been a student of the Home Missionary
Board.
He continued as minister till June, 1874, when
he left Rochdale for Scarborough. The pulpit is now
(December, 1874) vacant.
166
HOLLAND STREET CHURCH AND SCHOOL.
This school and place of worship are not connected
with any of the general denominations, and have no
special name. The origin was the secession of
twenty-seven teachers, in 1851, from the Wesleyan
Methodist Association Sunday School, Baillie-street,
which occasioned a considerable number of scholars to
leave also, who naturally urged the teachers to com-
mence a school, to which the teachers yielded, and they
first met in Sunny Bank House. There was imme-
diately a large accession of scholars, who were instructed
by twenty teachers. Every room in the house was soon
filled, and the late George Ashworth, Esq., of Roche
House and Sunny Bank Mills, allowed them the use of
a room in his warehouse adjoining, where a congrega-
tion, in addition to the scholars, assembled, and a regular
service and preaching were commenced. After eighteen
months' trial, and finding that the work and effort were
likely to be permanent, Mr. Ashworth, seeing and
sympathising with the good work that was evidently
going on, erected a fine brick building for the congre-
gation and scholars. The main building is 72 feet in
length and 36 feet in breadth, and there is a wing
attached of 30 feet by 16 feet. The ground floor is
occupied by ten separate class-rooms, an infant class-
room, and a library. The upper room is used for
religious service, and there are also three separate
class-rooms, a vestry, a band-room, and a night school
At the present time the teachers number 44, and
the scholars 462. The services are conducted by
room.
CHAPEL FOR THE DESTITUTE.
167
preachers from every denomination, who have willingly
and effectively supplied them. On week evenings the
Sabbath school class-rooms are used for the Methodist
class and prayer meetings. The night school is taught
on four nights of the week. The sittings in the
preaching room are all free, and there is no collection
ever made from the congregation, the necessary expenses
being raised by weekly voluntary contributions. The
cost of the night school is, however, entirely defrayed
by the firm of Messrs. G. Ashworth & Sons, as it has
been for some thirty-five years, and is under the able
supervision of Mr. J. J. Curtis, who was engaged at its
commencement as the teacher.
CHAPEL FOR THE DESTITUTE.
"The poor ye have always with you."
"It was
On the 4th of October, 1858, Mr. John Ashworth,
who at that time was a master painter in Rochdale,
opened this chapel in the Lyceum, and it has been the
means of doing great good amongst the poor and
itinerant class of the population. The origin of this
place of worship will be best explained by the following
quotation from Mr. Ashworth's first report:
during a visit to London, in 1851, that the thought was
suggested. I had seen its palaces of glass, brick, and
stone, visited its museums, galleries, and other splendid
places of attraction; also, its prisons, penitentiaries,
hospitals, houses of refuge, &c.; but the House for the
Destitute interested me more than all besides. What
I saw and felt on visiting this place produced a degree
of anguish from which I have never wholly recovered.
Hardened villany, misery, wretchedness, and hopeless
168
CHAPEL FOR THE DESTITUTE.
K
despair were evident on every side; all the woes of the
Apocalypse seemed to have overtaken the miserable
inmates. I felt they were all my brothers and sisters,
and I felt that sin had done it all; and I also felt a
degree of veneration for the men whose Christian
philanthropy had reared this shelter for the lonely
destitute. Infidelity, I knew, had not done it; for
infidelity never did much to mitigate human sorrow, or
lessen human woe, in any age or in any part of the
world. That the Gospel of Christ, applied by the Spirit,
could reclaim these miserable beings, I had not the
slightest doubt; that in all towns hundreds of such are
to be found that never attend any place of worship-
the outcast and feared of society. And yet, is it not
the duty of the man whose heart God has touched to
do all he can for the redemption of such? and if they
will not come to our chapels and churches, go in amongst
them, meet them on their own terms, and provide them
places of worship adapted to their own condition.
Thence arose the determination that, on my return to
Rochdale, such a place should be commenced. But I
am ashamed to say that in consulting cautious friends.
and human probabilities everything seemed unfavour-
able to the undertaking, and in spite of all my reasoning
against the work, I was for several years reproaching
myself for neglecting to perform the vow I had made
in London. During an affliction laid upon me in 1858,
I pleaded for deliverance, re-resolved, and prayed that
the Lord would help me to endure labour, misrepre-
sentation, ridicule, or imposition. With these feelings
I determined not to consult any human being, but to go
at once to work, dependent upon God's help and
CHAPEL FOR THE DESTITUTE.
169
* *
*
blessing. I took a small room, got 2,000 small bills
printed, worded:-Ye houseless, homeless, friendless,
pennyless outcasts, come! In rags and tatters,
come! Ye poor, and maimed, and halt, and blind,
come! Of whatever colour or nation, creed or no
creed, come!
All we seek is your welfare,
both body and soul.' These I distributed in lodging-
houses, and in various places throughout the town,
likely and unlikely, for several days, and with painful
nervousness opened the room for the first service on
the 4th of October, 1858, with twenty-seven persons
present. During the year the congregation steadily
increased; now (at the end of the first year) there is
an average attendance of 100, and all of these persons
who, I believe, never thought of going to any place of
worship, and many of them really destitute.
I am
very glad to be able to testify that there is much
improvement in their outward appearance, and their
conduct has been respectful and orderly." Mr. Ashworth,
in his fifteenth report, states:— "The low lodging-
houses are terrible schools for juveniles; but what are
known in tramp language as Fencing-Cribs, or lodging
houses where thieves are harboured and trained, are
still worse, and of the many thousands of mendicants
that swarm in our cities, towns, streets, and lanes, and
well-known by the police, and in our unions and prisons,
a very large percentage would be found to sojourn in
these bad, polluting houses. They have a vocabulary
generally understood amongst themselves, by which
they distinguish the true genuine tramp. Red-Cove
is one who acts the blind old soldier. Shallow-Cove, a dry
land sailor. High flyer, a begging letter writer. Moon-
ป
12
170
CHAPEL FOR THE DESTITUTE.
face, a professor of religion, and sells tracts. Lurker,
many trades, and always the one that is slack. Cads,
settled beggars. Serieving-Cads, writers on smooth
stones or footpaths. Fly-Cads, occasional beggars, and
pedlars. Shallow Motts, destitute females. Star the
Glaze, housebreakers. Blinker, sore eyes. Peter
Pindars, sellers of spectacles, pins, laces, &c. Calico
Face, pretender to consumption. Weezer, the asthmat-
ical. Flops, those that pretend to fits, or taken
suddenly ill. Joints, afflicted with rheumatism. Doctor,
the union. Limbo, Trap, or Jug, prison. These are
only a small part of their mystic terms, and others are
being daily coined. They have also signs and signals
in the lodging houses, chalk marks for the highways,
are all constantly pursuing their peculiar craft, and
preying upon the generous, and industrious part of
mankind. The greater the cheat the more plausible his
tale. Few that are willing to work are ever found
amongst them. George Brine, one of the oldest mendi-
cants, and one that has cost the country much expense
declares that nine out of ten beggars and tramps make
it a profession: few individuals escape being fleeced by
one or other of this fraternity, and on some of us they
have imposed a considerable tax.
"The visitors of one of our Rochdale benevolent
societies had great anxiety and trouble with one of the
Flops who had become suddenly and painfully afflicted
in a low lodging house. He was daily attended, and
provided with his expenses, a doctor, wine, and many
comforts. The doctor could not define his malady, or
give him any relief; week after week still found him in
great pain. A wag, who understood a little of the
CHAPEL FOR THE DESTITUTE.
171
mendicant's profession, hearing of the case, undertook
to cure him for nothing, and went with two of the
visitors in the capacity of a medical man; he felt his
pulse, examined his tongue, shook his head very solemnly,
declared it a bad and dangerous case, but thought he
could give him relief; addressing the sufferer he said,
'Well, my poor man, you seem to be in great pain, but
I think we can soon make you better. You must have
your head shaved, covered with a large mustard plaister,
and ten leeches on your temple; also mustard plaisters
must be laid on your back, chest, and bottom of your
feet; and we will have all ready for you about ten in
the morning. Good bye, for the present.' The only
answer from the sick man was a pitiable groan; but he
disappeared that evening, and has not been seen in
Rochdale since."
Mr. Ashworth, in a pamphlet entitled "My New
Friends," gives a very interesting picture of the
inhabitants of low lodging houses, and the following
amusing extract is worthy of notice :-"Wishing to
get some one to volunteer, I laid my hand on the
shoulder of the thin man, who was trying to divide
his hair, and requested him to give a challenge
to the whole house. There was a general shout from
all, that if I got him I should have the worst in the
lot; they should like to see Bill Guest in a chapel.
'Yes,' said the wooden-leg man, if Bill goes, I go.'
'And me,' said the flat-nosed man; And me,' said the
red-slop; And me,' said Jenny Lind; And me,' said
the old man with the large spectacles. Bill very coolly
observed that they had better mind what they were
doing, or he would surprise some of them. But the
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CHAPEL FOR THE DESTITUTE.
whole fifteen declared they would go if he went. 'Then
I go,' said Guest; and now let me see which of you
dare show the white feather.' We bargained that I
was to call for them at six o'clock, to show them the
way. Exactly at six, I called on my sixteen friends at
the lodging-house. My entrance was the signal for a
general move. Bill Guest had finished dividing his
hair, and had done his best to look smart. Boz, or
Boswell, had fitted on his leg, and all were instantly
ready. Not one had shown the white feather.' They
laughed at each other, and were all greatly excited.
'Who will lead up?' was bawled out by the red-slop
man, and it was agreed we should go two abreast, I
and Boz (the wooden-legged man) being the first. In
this order we marched down King-street, over the iron
bridge, through the Butts, to the preaching-room. All
the way we attracted much attention, some remarking
that we were the awkward squad, others that we were
going to the rag-shop, whilst others exclaimed, 'That
bangs all!' But what was to them а cause of
merriment was to me a source of great anxiety.
"I had provided the Religious Tract Society's penny
hymn-book, and handed one to each; then, taking my
place behind a table, I gave out the page. Few could
find the hymn, but all pretended to do so; and when I
set out the tune, the Old Hundred, I found that not one
of the men, and only one of the women, could join in
singing, and that one was the so-called Jenny Lind. I
could have well dispensed with her help, for she began
singing before she knew what the tune was, and she
had a screeching voice, the effect of which on my nerves
was something like that produced by the sharpening of
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173
a saw with a file; this caused a general titter through
the congregation. I had intended to sing five verses,
but was glad to give up with three. What Jenny's
success was in singing in the streets and public-houses
I know not, but I know I was afraid to join her a
second time, though my friends gave me credit for
being a tolerable good singer. So ludicrous had been
the whole performance, that many of the congregation
were almost convulsed with suppressed laughter, and I
did not think it prudent to engage in prayer until they
were in a more serious state of mind, so I requested
them to sit down. I then began to tell them all about
my reasons for beginning a place of worship for the
destitute. I have spoken to many congregations, but
to none more attentive than these twenty-seven. O,
how my soul did yearn in love to those miserable
beings! I then proposed prayer, and told them that
they might stand, sit, or kneel, just as they liked; but
they all knelt down, and ere we rose the Spirit of God
worked with power. Lis Dick, and the old man with
the large spectacles, remained on their knees after the
others had risen; they both afterwards confessed that
they had not prayed for years before."
Mr. Calman now carries on the good work, and the
agencies at the present time employed consist of one
bible woman, who visits the sick and the poor, and a
blind female who teaches the blind to read embossed
type. The Sunday services are usually attended by
about 200 persons, and the week nights' by about 60.
There cannot be any question that the work in which
Mr. Ashworth was so earnestly engaged for sixteen.
years, has been of the most praiseworthy character;
174
CHAPEL FOR THE DESTITUTE.
and that the class of persons for whose especial benefit
his chapel has been instituted were, indeed, "like sheep
going astray," having no one, apparently, to give them
either help or sympathy. Mr. Ashworth not only
provided spiritual instruction for these persons, but
their bodily wants were also cared for.
His great
experience made him acquainted with strange persons
and strange circumstances; and he has, on many
occasions, made the public conversant with some of
these by means of the stories which are appended to
his annual reports. The work in which Mr. Ashworth
was so zealous and unwearied has received important
and ready help from the philanthropic and charitable
in various parts of the country; and, perhaps, there is
hardly a town in the kingdom in which himself and
his work were not well known and appreciated.
In May, 1874, Mr. Ashworth began to be ill, and a
few months after he suffered intensely, his once robust
frame being reduced by sheer starvation, from his
inability to pass food of any kind,
"Till pitying nature signed the last release,
And bade afflicted worth retire to peace."
He died on the 26th of January, 1875, and was followed
to his burial place, in the Rochdale Cemetery, by
hundreds of his sympathising friends belonging to
Rochdale, and from neighbouring towns. The good
which John Ashworth has done will continue to benefit
not only the present but many generations, and of him
may be said-
it
"The actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in the dust."
£
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
Oh, day most calm, most bright!
The world were dark but for thy light:
Thy torch doth show the way."

N the year 1781 Robert Raikes, a printer in
Gloucester, founded Sunday Schools. Inclina-
tion leading him into a part of his native
town inhabited by the lowest class of the people,
he was struck with concern at seeing a group of
children, miserably ragged, at play, cursing and swear-
ing. To check this deplorable profanation of the
Sabbath, he engaged four women, who kept dame
schools, to instruct as many children as he should send
them on the Sunday. In a short time a visible improve-
ment was effected, both in the manners and morals of
the children, who came in considerable numbers.
"'Tis education forms the common mind,
Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined."
As to who first introduced the Sunday school system
into Rochdale, is a disputed point. It is stated that
Colonel Townley, a churchman, of Belfield, in the year
1782, employed a teacher to instruct children on the
Sunday in Moss School, Milnrow-road, and that he had
consulted Raikes as to the plan that was adopted in
Gloucester. However, it is admitted that this attempt
resulted in failure.
176
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
In the year 1782 Mr. James Hamilton, a Dissenter,
a tin-plate worker, who had his workshop at the corner
of Newgate, Rochdale, was impressed with the utility
of Sunday schools, and he wrote to Mr. Robert Raikes,
asking for information as to how he should proceed in
establishing a Sunday school in Rochdale. Mr. Raikes
courteously gave the information, and Mr. Hamilton
opened a school over his works in White Beaver Yard.
The first Sunday about twenty children attended, and
he was assisted by a young man named John Croft, a
butcher, who resided in Blackwater-street, with whom
John Wesley used to lodge when he visited Rochdale.
The number of scholars rapidly increased, and a few
Sundays after the establishment, Mr. Hamilton enquired
from Mr. Raikes as to what place of worship the
children were to be taken to. Mr. Raikes replied,
"by all means, to the Parish Church." Mr. Hamilton
escorted his little flock into the Parish Church yard,
and enquired from the churchwardens where they were
to be placed. The Rev. Dr. Wray, the vicar, directed
them to be put in an obscure corner of the church, and
told Mr. Hamilton that he was not to bring the " dirty
ragamuffins" there again. Notwithstanding this clerical
injunction, he re-appeared with his ragged flock on the
following Sunday, and the churchwardens and a parish
constable threatened to handcuff the worthy pedagogue.
Hamilton showed a bold front, and succeeded in taking
the children again into the church. He was once more
warned not to bring them there again. Mr. Hamilton's
workshop was found to be inconvenient for the increasing
number of scholars, and he took a large room in Temple-
court, Blackwater-street, and then the youngsters were
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
177
called " Templars." A short time after a number of
Wesleyans assisted in the work, and the school was
removed to the Wesleyan Schools in Union- street.
There was an organised canvass throughout the town
for pupils, and the result was that Union-street Schools
were crowded, and other Dissenting denominations took
up the scheme, and the church authorities were stimu-
lated to join in the work. The children of the poor
in those days were miserably clad, which led to the
establishment of a "Dorcas" society, and through the
exertions of the members of this society, and the Sunday
school teachers, the naked were clothed, their minds
and morals improved, and the elements of a religious
education imparted to them, and Hamilton's "grain
of mustard seed" has now grown into a very large tree.
It is delightful in our day to witness the annual Whit-
Friday procession of Sunday school children, and to
see thousands upon thousands of them walking together
on that always welcome anniversary, to the strains of
lively music, all comfortably and neatly attired, and with
joyful faces, and it must be very gratifying to all who
labour in the cause, as well as to those who sympathise
therein, and aid, in other ways, the great work which
Sunday schools are employed in doing. The labour of
the teachers is indeed a labour of love, and it is hardly
possible to over estimate the large amount of good which
these valuable institutions are the means of accomplishing.
About the year 1834 the Rochdale "Sunday School
Union" was formed by Mr. James Littlewood, the Rev.
John Ely, Mr. Joseph Heap, Mr. Benjamin Hamilton,
and Mr. Henry Staley. The work went on slowly at
first, but the Union has now become most powerful,
178
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
the schools of the Dissenting denominations connected
with it numbering fifty-four. Mr. John Pollitt has
been the secretary for nearly a quarter of a century,
and Mr. I. E. Gibbs is the president. During its career
it has been instrumental in bringing about several
changes in the bye-laws of the town and in local
customs of disreputable tendency. The discontinuance
of the Bagslate races is one of its laurels, and the bye-
law against "pitch and toss" was adopted under its
influence, as well as other improvements in the right
direction, all which greatly redound to the credit of
this praiseworthy association.

O
EDUCATION.
"None now,
a
However destitute, are left to droop,
By timely culture unsustained; or run
Into a wild disorder; or forced
To drudge through a weary life without the help
Of intellectual implements and tools:
A savage horde among the civilized,
A servile band among the lordly free."
HE present system of Public Elementary Educa-
tion in England has been gradually developed
within the last half-century. Although it is
often urged that it is not worthy the name of
a national system at all, yet it must be allowed
by persons conversant with the subject that the plans
now in operation have done, and are still doing, a vast
amount of good to the rising generation; and if every
child in the kingdom cannot secure a sufficiently good
education the cause lies less with defects of the law than
with the parsimony and indifference of individuals or
communities, mixed in some cases, it may be, with a
trifle of the odium theologicum, for the Act of 1870 places
it within the power of any constituted district to have a
School Board elected, one of the powers of which is to
enforce the regular attendance of every child at school
for a number of years, and thus do away with the
greatest existing hindrance to educational progress.
It may be useful to give here a short sketch of the
Governmental Educational Agencies now at work, the

180
EDUCATION,
whole action of which is based on the principle of aiding
local efforts. The Education Department rules over the
Public Elementary Schools of the country, and besides.
bearing the cost of inspection and examinations, dis-
tributes from the Parliamentary Grant of about a
million annually, grants towards the support of
Training Colleges for Teachers, and the maintenance
of Day and Evening Schools. This money is paid on
fulfilment of certain conditions specified in the Education
Code. The Department of Science and Art encourages
the teaching of drawing in day schools, and also
science and art in special schools, or classes formed for
the purpose by the award of payments and prizes to
schools, teachers, and pupils. For incorrigible and
criminal children there is provided the stern and whole-
some discipline of the Industrial or Reformatory School,
and by magistrates' order children may be committed
to those semi-prisons for a number of years, where they
are trained to industry and supported at the expense of
the Government, of the subscribers to the school, of the
ratepayers, and to some extent of the parent.
If the ladder from the gutter to the university is not yet
as complete as could be desired, yet there exist, in the
present system, means by which a child of ordinary
capacity may acquire a reasonably good education at a
very small cost. It is not generally known that the
Education Code provides for the teaching of one or
more of the following subjects (beyond the three R's
and music and drawing, which are specially cared for),
viz.:-Geography, history, grammar, algebra, geometry,
natural philosophy, physical geography, natural sciences,
and the Latin, French, and German languages.
SCHOOL BOARD.
181
The Department of Science and Art gives scholarships
of £5, £10, or £25 per annum towards the support of
poor scholars, on the fulfilment of certain conditions by
the scholars and contributions by the locality. Then
there are Royal Exhibitions of £50 per annum, and
Whitworth Scholarships of £100, quite within the reach
of students of the industrial classes, and other rewards
and aids well known to every teacher of an inspected
school.
With reference to the operation of the Education
Act in this district, we may observe that previously to
its introduction children, who are now compelled to
attend school, were in the habit of running wild in the
public streets (which, in fact, they made into play
grounds), in course of training for vagrancy and crime.
The absence of these "street Arabs" from public view
is very apparent; and it is satisfactory to know that
they are now properly cared for and are receiving the
elements, at least, of an education which will fit them
to become useful members of society, and not a terror
to all who came into contact with them.
SCHOOL BOARD.
ESTABLISHMENT OF BOARD.
One of the main purposes of the Elementary Education
Act of 1870 was to secure a sufficient amount of school
accommodation, and in cases where the local authority
fails, after due notice given, to supply any ascertained
deficiency, the Education Department is empowered to
cause a School Board to be formed for the district. In
182
SCHOOL BOARD.
the case of Rochdale, however, application was made
by the Town Council, September 1st, 1870, to the
Education Department, under the 12th section, and the
Department, in due course, issued an order for the
election of a Board of eleven members, which took place
on November 15th, 1870, when the following were
elected :—Edmund Ashworth, Esq., J.P., Oakenrod ;
Joseph Brierley, Esq., J.P., Castleton; Henry Fishwick,
Esq., Carr Hill; Abraham Greenwood, Esq., Regent-
street; Rev. M. Moriarty, Watts-street; Jonathan
Nield, Esq., J.P., Dunster House; John Petrie, junior,
Esq., Broomfield; Joseph Rushworth, Esq., Sheriff-
street; William Whitworth Schofield, Esq., J.P.,
Buckley Hall; William Tuer Shawcross, Esq., Hey-
brook; Thomas Watson, Esq., Horse Carrs.
Mr. Edmund Ashworth was appointed first Chairman,
and Mr. John Petrie, junior, Vice-chairman of the
Board.
SUPPLY OF SCHOOLS.
The Board having framed bye-laws to secure com-
pulsory attendance, under the power given in section 74
of the Education Act, they directed an enquiry into the
school accommodation of the district which, taking into
account buildings and enlargements then in progress,
was found to be amply sufficient. On the extension of
the Borough another enquiry was necessary, which
resulted in showing that there were, in suitable and
efficient schools (existing or in course of being supplied),
places for 10,955 scholars, allowing not less than
8 square feet of area, and 80 cubic feet of space for
each child. The Education Department accepted this
as sufficient accommodation for the district, which was
SCHOOL BOARD.
183
estimated to contain about 10,000 children, from three
to thirteen, for whom elementary school provision was
required.
COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE.
The bye-laws framed by the Board, and sanctioned
by Her Majesty in Council, enact that every child in
the Borough from six to thirteen shall attend school
unless there be a reasonable excuse for non-attendance,
such as is defined in the bye-laws. The Board's officers
are authorised to visit parents and guardians, and to
serve notices upon them requiring the attendance of
their children at school. Provision is made for paying
the school fees of children when the income of the
parent falls below a certain scale, and also for remitting
the same under like conditions in the Board Schools.
ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL.
According to the last published report there were
11,223 scholars on the books of the various Elementary
Schools, viz. :-under six years of age, 2,621; between
six and thirteen, 5,602; and of these 10,087 were
actually in attendance during the week when the returns
were supplied by the schools.
SCHOOL BOARD.
The following is a list of the members of the Board
elected November 15th, 1873 :-Alderman W. T. Shaw-
cross, J.P., Heybrook, Chairman; John Petrie, junior,
Esq., Broomfield, Vice-chairman; Joseph Brierley,
Esq., J.P., Castleton, Chairman of General Purposes
and School Management Committee; Jonathan Nield,
Esq., J.P., Dunster House, Chairman of School
184
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Attendance Committee; John Albert Bright, Esq., One
Ash; Lieut.-Col. Fishwick, J.P., Carr Hill; Rev.
Edward O'Neill, S. John's; Rev. H. W. Parkinson,
Drake-street (since deceased); Mr. Councillor Joseph
Rushworth, Sheriff-street; Robert Schofield, Esq.,
Summerlease; Thomas Watson, Esq., Horse Carrs.
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD.
Mr. G. H. Wheeler, Clerk and Correspondent for the
Board Schools; Mr. Joseph Heap, Legal Adviser;
Mr. R. H. Brown, Treasurer; Mr. H. Goodhead, Mr.
J. Reeve, Mr. M. L. Gallagher, Mr. T. Percival,
Attendance Officers; and Mr. R. H. Huddlestone,
Clerk's Assistant.
GOVERNMENT OFFICERS OF EDUCATION.
Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools for the Rochdale
district is A. M. Watson, Esq., M.A., Fellow of Jesus
College, Cambridge, and his Assistant, Mr. Sharpe,
both residing at Bury.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
(FOUNDED 1565.)
This handsome brick building was erected in 1847.
It is pleasantly situated on Sparrow Hill, in the midst of
the "verdant lawns and flowery slopes" of the Public
Park, which it also serves to ornament; and it is, in
fact, a "cynosure of neighbouring eyes." A more
agreeable and pleasant site for a school could not well
be found; as the public recreation grounds close to its
doors, afford a delightful means of healthful relaxation
to the pupils during the intervals of study. Any one
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
185
who remembers the former school building, near the Old
Church, cannot fail to be struck with the advantageous
change which has been made, alike in point of situation,
architectural beauty, and necessary accommodation.
The present master of the school is Mr. R. R. Grey,
whose professional training, coupled with the experience
which he has had in this and other schools, should give
assurance that the boys placed under his charge ought
to make satisfactory progress. Prior to his appoint-
ment it was customary to select a clergyman as head
master, but we think it may be safely stated that the
departure from the old practice, in the appointment of
a layman, has not been prejudicial to the interests of
the school as a public institution. The correct desig-
nation of the school is " Archbishop Parker's Grammar
School." It was founded by that most reverend prelate
under indenture dated January 1st, in the seventh year
of our "bright occidental star," Queen Elizabeth (1565),
"out of the love and good will which he, the said
Archbishop, bears towards all the inhabitants of the
parish of Rochdale, and that their youth may be
instructed in the learning of true piety and the
knowledge of the Latin tongue." These subjects are
taught free of charge; but as at the school the ordinary
branches of learning are also taught, the pupils, except
a few foundationers, are required to pay fees such
as are usually charged in other middle-class schools.
The course of study, therefore, embraces instruction
in the Holy Scriptures, Greek, Latin, French, and
other languages; Mathematics, and other subjects which
go to form a sound and practical education.
We
believe the school is at present in a satisfactory condition;
13
186
GRAMMAR SCHOOL,
and the gradual increase of pupils which has taken
place is an indication that the inhabitants of Rochdale
do not fail to appreciate the educational advantages
which the school affords.
As to the history of this institution, it may be stated
that the original school-house was built by the parish-
ioners on a site near to the Old Church, which was given
for the purpose by the Rev. Richard Midgley, the then
Vicar of Rochdale, whence originated the name
"School
Lane;" and from this circumstance that locality may be
regarded as classic ground. Judging from present ap-
pearances, however, we should be inclined to say that
the place has sadly degenerated, and does not now give
any indication of the savour of learning which must
have pervaded it in the olden time. Three hundred
years ago and more our ancestors probably chose the
spot on account of its fine, open, and healthy situation,
and they must have been gratified that a public semi-
nary was placed in such close proximity to their ancient
and venerated Parish Church. The beauty of the
situation is now a thing of the past, and, "like an in-
substantial pageant faded," has "left not a rack
behind;" and it would be difficult to find on the spot
where the building used to stand a breath of the pure
air which gladdened the lungs of the "young idea" of
ancient days.
On consulting "Baines's History of Lancashire "
(1868), we find the following historical details, which
may prove interesting to the reader. In a foot note
referring to the school, it is stated that the "origin of
this foundation is curious and little known; the
rectories of Blacborne, Rachedale, and Whalley,'
formerly appropriated to the Abbey of Whalley, to-
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
187
gether with the chapels (sacellis) annexed to them,
having devolved upon Matthew (Parker), Archbishop
of Canterbury, by exchange with Henry VIII. and his
son Edward VI., on the dissolution of the monasteries,
the rectorial tithes were leased to Sir John Byron who,
amongst other conditions, engaged to pay the old annual
stipend charged on the rectory by the Abbey of
Whalley, to each of the ministers performing Divine
service in each of the chapels attached to the churches.
of Blackburn, Whalley, and Rochdale. Being a zealous
Roman Catholic, and having failed to fulfil this part
of the agreement, and thereby reduced the ministers to
great distress, the archbishop brought "the farmer,"
Sir John Byron, into court in 1561, who, after a pro-
tracted and costly litigation, under the fear of losing
the tithes, cast himself upon the clemency of the arch-
bishop, who adjudged that he should, over and above
the rent agreed for in the lease, and in addition to the
stipends to be paid to the ministers, pay £17 a-year for
the maintenance of schoolmasters of a free grammar
school to be founded in Rochdale in the archbishop's
name. These conditions Sir John accepted with avidity,
and hence the origin of the Rochdale Grammar School,
which was rendered permanent by the sum of £17 per
annum being charged upon the tithes of the parish in
perpetuity."
The "avidity" referred to in the foregoing extract
seems to be somewhat doubtful, as Canon Raines states
that "Sir John " immediately consented, though with an
ill grace," to comply with the primate's requirements.
We are further informed by the Rev. Canon, in his
admirable Memorials of the Rochdale Grammar
School," published in 1845, that the "indenture of
188
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
endowment was enrolled in chancery anno 13 Elizabeth,
and there is a memorandum added, stating that the
second counterpart of it, with the seal of the Archbishop
annexed thereto, and confirmed by the Dean and
Chapter of Canterbury, remained with the masters and
fellows of Corpus Christi College, and that the said
grant being decayed by water, was renewed under
the seal of the Archbishop, and further stating that there
remained in the same custody the original Grant of
Richard Midgley, of the plot of ground, parcel of the
Vicarage of Rochdale, for the building of the school
house, with the confirmations already named."
The motto of Archbishop Parker, "Mundus transit,
and his armorial bearings have been adopted as the
motto and arms of the school, and are engraved on a
stone above the porch.
Of the learned and pious founder it may be useful to
add, that Queen Anne Boleyn, the second consort of
Henry VIII., is said to have entertained for him a great
and sincere regard. He was her chaplain, and shortly
before her cruel execution, at the hands of her detestable
and capricious husband, she commended her daughter
Elizabeth to the pious care and instruction of her
beloved spiritual adviser. He was afterwards chaplain
to Henry VIII. and to his son Edward VI. On the
accession of Queen Mary, of unblessed memory, he was
deprived of his preferments, and had even to conceal
himself. In "all the clouds that lowered upon his house"
he preserved a calm and undisturbed mind, and could
say with Milton—
"I argue not
Against heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
Right onward."
MOSS SCHOOL.
189
He knew no
"winter of discontent," for he trusted not
in an arm of flesh; and when the "Maiden Queen
"the fair vestal throned by the west"-succeeded to
the Crown, the sun of prosperity shone upon him in
its fullest splendour, making "glorious summer," and
he was installed in the Archbishopric of Canterbury in
1559, being consecrated in Lambeth Cathedral on the
17th December in that year. He filled the see of
Canterbury for more than fifteen years, and died on the
17th May, 1575, in the seventy-first year of his age.
The tercentenary of the foundation of the school was
celebrated in February, 1865, by a very pleasing dra-
matic and musical entertainment, the school on the
occasion being filled with the principal gentry and other
patrons of the institution, including many of the old
scholars, some of whom took a prominent part in the
commemoratory proceedings.
We hope that the public spirit of the town will take
care that an institution so truly valuable, and possessing
such interesting associations, does not fall into decay,
but be always sustained and fostered as it undoubtedly.
deserves to be.
MOSS
SCHOOL.
The Rochdale Free English Endowed School-com-
monly called the "Moss School" on account of its being
built on a part of the parish formerly noted for its
mossy and swampy fields-is, so far as the number of
scholars to whom a free education is given is
concerned, the most important of the few educational
charities existing in Rochdale. It was founded in the
year 1769 by the late Mrs. Jane Hardman, whose
190
MOSS SCHOOL.
husband, Mr. John Hardman, had for a long time.
previously, been known as one of the leading manu-
facturers of the staple woollen trade of the town, when
the trade was carried on all by hand in the homes of the
journeyman weavers and spinners. At his death, his
business was carried on for a few years by his son, who
often expressed a desire to see some provision made for
the education of the children of his workpeople and the
poorer classes generally, better than the dame schools
in cottage houses, which were, at that time, the only
ones accessible to the poor of Rochdale. But he did
not live to carry out this wish, for while away in London
on business, he was taken ill and died there. Mrs.
Hardman, now childless and a widow, derived some
consolation in carrying out her son's wishes, and
buying the land from the Vicar of the Parish, she
built the school and endowed it with certain lands and
tenements situated at Wardle, in all about sixty acres
of land, from which an annual income of about £120 is
now derived. Mrs. Hardman, who was herself a
Dissenter from the Established Church, desired to secure
the administration of the school on purely unsectarian
principles; and to secure this end she appointed a board
of fifteen trustees, eight of whom were dissenters, and
the remaining seven were members of the Established
Church, and this arrangement still exists. There are
forty boys and twenty girls receiving a free education in
the school, in addition to whom a limited number of
private pupils are received by the master. Free
scholars are admitted by personal application to the
Trustees at their annual meeting in June in each year.
The charity is free and open to all comers, but the
SCIENCE AND ART.
191
preference is usually given to orphans or the children
The course of
of poor parents with large families.
instruction given in the school embraces Reading,
Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, History, Grammar,
Book-keeping, and Drawing, together with sewing for
the girls.
SCIENCE AND ART CLASSES.
These Classes were originally established at the
Lyceum, in October, 1867, but subsequently removed to
the Board Schools, Baillie-street, where they are at
present located. The object for which the classes were
instituted was to afford the industrial and artisan
classes in the town the means of obtaining instruction
in the various branches of science and art at a nomi-
nally low fee, by means of grants from the Science and
Art Department at South Kensington. Amongst those.
who took an active part in the inauguration of the
classes and composed the first committee were Right
Hon. John Bright, John Robinson (then mayor), John
Tatham, Edward Taylor, James Brierley, Jonathan Nield,
G. L. Ashworth, W. A. Scott, and W. Shaw, Esqrs., and
the Rev. W. N. Molesworth. The following are the
sciences in which instruction is given :-Practical, plane,
and solid geometry, machine and building construction,
theoretical and applied mechanics, steam, acoustics, light
and heat, magnetism, chemistry, animal physiology,
mathematics, and physical geography. In the art class
students are taught freehand and model drawing, geo-
metry, and perspective, the object being to educate
persons in the art of inventing and executing patterns and
designs, and designing for the various branches of orna-
192
SCIENCE AND ART.
mental manufacture. The whole of the subjects are of
real practical value to every working man, and are aided.
by Government solely for the purpose of increasing the
skill of the artisan. The teachers are all competent,
and are paid by Government on the results of the
teaching, as tested by the examination in May. Those
pupils who succeed in passing the examination are
entitled to receive Queen's prizes, consisting of gold,
silver, and bronze medals, books, &c., and certificates
of merit. Through the liberality of several of the local
gentlemen, the committee have been able to offer
money prizes for competition. The prizes are distributed
to the students at the annual meeting in the Town Hall,
in September, the Mayor, for the time being, presiding.
In 1873 the prizes were distributed by the Bishop of
Manchester, and in 1874 by Jacob Bright, Esq. The
success that has attended the instruction given at these
classes may be gathered from the fact that many who
entered as students in 1867 have obtained their advanced
certificates, and are now engaged in teaching other
classes that have been formed in the town and neigh-
bourhood. The Rochdale Equitable Pioneers, in their
educational department, are also turning their attention
to the subject of the introduction of science classes into
their scheme of instruction.
+
193
THE PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
The following is a list of the schools, the names of
the teachers, the average attendance
attendance of scholars, and
the amount of Government Grants paid to each school.
It is an extract from the last published report of the
Education Department:-

Name of School.
Teachers' Names.
Av. Gov. Grant,
Atdc. (1873-4.)
£ s. d
Parish Church
Mr. R. Stott, Miss E. Shepherd, and
Miss R. Higgins
...
695
373 6 6
St. Alban's
Miss E. Alleson...
275
150 17 2
St. Edmund's
St. Clement's
Oakenrod
St. Mary's National
Mr J, Oldham, Miss E. Hodgkinson 297
215 5 0
Mr. G. Bountiff ...
116
126 3 1
Mr. S. Clegg
270
210 1 6
Mr. C. A. Pitts, Mrs. C. Ford...
249
154 5 5
...
St. James's
St. Peter's
...
Mr. S. Green, Miss J. Wolfenden
Mr. S. Morrill, Miss S. Booth, and
337
193 10 7
Miss C. Booth
353
180 0 0
...
St. Mary's, Buersil...
Mr. T. Oldham, Miss B. Holland, and
Miss M. A. Kenworthy
421
265 18 9
...
Healey
Mr. T. Wolstenholme ...
229
164 18 0
All Saints'
Mr. J. Jackson, Miss A. Wharf, and
Mrs. A. Armstrong...
336
216 5 0
...
Belfield
Mr. D Leach
92
81 0 0
...
British, Clover-st.
Brimrod
Wesleyan, Union-st.
Wesleyan, L. Place...
...
Mr. Whiteley and Miss S. Wharton... 256
Mr. J. Bloor and Miss S. Pilling
Mr. R. Greenwood & Miss A. Nuttall
Mr. A. E. Drury and Miss H. Hegin-
bottom
181 10 0
196
130 10 0
...
372
259 8 0
260
176 9 0
St. Patrick's, R. C....
Miss M. J. Broughall and Miss Black-
burne
326
201 0 0
St. John's, R. C.
Sister Euphrosine and Miss M. Mc.
Carron
•
234
111 12 0
...
Nuttall-street
Miss E. Owen
...
...
103
58 12 5
Congregational,
Smallbridge B. S. Mr. W. Holt
...
154
117 9 7
Baillie-st B. S.
Mr. W. R. Shearer and Miss M. J.
Rees
342
217 10 0
...
Milkstone B. S.
Miss M. E. Graham
163
...
37 19 0
Lowerplace B. S.
Mr. D. Rostron and Miss E, Leach... 113
59 12 10
£3,883 3 10
THE RIGHT HON. JOHN BRIGHT, M.P.

A
།
HE name of John Bright is of world-wide
reputation, and Rochdale is honoured in being
the birthplace of this distinguished statesman.
"How he lived, and toiled, and suffered,
That he might advance the people,”
are matters of history, and need not be fully entered
into in this brief notice. The son of Mr. Jacob Bright,
he was born at Greenbank, on the 16th November, 1811,
and is consequently in his sixty-fourth year. Mr.
Bright was one of the founders of the (long since
defunct) Literary and Philosophical Society" in this
town, and frequently gave lectures in connection with
that society. His energetic efforts in the crusade
against church rates in this parish are well known; and,
although at this early period in his public life, he was
subjected to considerable obloquy, he never shrunk
from the work with which he identified himself, but
laboured on amid good report and evil report until
success crowned the efforts of himself and his earnest
coadjutors. His more public life began in 1839, when
he became a member of the Anti-Corn Law League ;
and he was, with Mr. Cobden, one of the most brilliant
and important supporters of that great movement. He
gave himself to the work most completely, and ceased

Stoneman & C
THE RESIDENCE OF THE RT HON. JOHN BRIGHT,
W. Dickes fc.
40
JOHN BRIGHT.
195
not until the death-knell of the Corn Laws resounded
throughout the land, and the "cornfields rustled with
delight." In July, 1843, Mr. Bright was elected M.P.
for Durham, an earlier attempt made by him in the
spring of the same year having been unsuccessful. He
was subsequently, at the general election in 1847,
elected one of the members for Manchester, and con-
tinued so until the next general election, in 1852, when
he was again elected. He was a vigorous opponent of
the Russian war,
and was one of the meeting
of the Society of Friends when a deputation from
that body was sent to St. Petersburg, to the
Emperor of Russia, to implore him to preserve the
peace. Mr. Bright's denunciations of that war were
powerfully energetic and uncompromising; and the
course which he pursued on this question was exceed-
ingly unpopular, and led to his being unseated for
Manchester. It is to be recorded, to the lasting disgrace
of that city, that at the time of his rejection he was ill
on the Continent, and consequently unable to defend his
seat.
Mr. Bright, however, did not long remain out of
Parliament, being elected, in 1857, for the important
constituency of Birmingham, of which borough he is
still the representative. Tenacity of purpose, and firm,
unyielding adherence to principle, are prominent traits
in Mr. Bright's character; and he expounds and
enforces his opinions in language at once clear, forcible,
and appropriate. His copiousness and brilliancy of
speech are almost without parallel; and his acquaintance
with English literature is of the most intimate and
extensive kind. He is a born orator, and can sway an
196
JOHN BRIGHT.
audience as with the spell of an enchanter's wand.
But his chief merit is his thorough patriotism, and it is
essentially true of him, that
"He never sold the truth to serve the hour,
Nor paltered with Eternal God for power."
In the path of reform Mr. Bright has always been in
the front rank, and has there borne the burden and
heat of the day with hardihood and cool and patient
magnanimity. He was one of those who sowed the
seed whence has sprung the rich and luxuriant harvest
of freedom which the people now enjoy. His con-
fidence in the people has been unbounded, and he never
had any misgiving that entrusting them with political.
power would result in the frightful disasters which the
timid imaginations of the opponents of reform used to
picture so vividly. He has worked heartily in helping
to break down the barriers of exclusiveness which so
long upreared themselves, and the people owe to their
undaunted, and eloquent, and mighty tribune, a debt of
gratitude and esteem which they cań never repay.
The Right Hon. gentleman's efforts in the cause of
Free Trade met with a hearty recognition from an
extensive body of admirers throughout the kingdom.
A public subscription was set on foot for the purpose
of presenting him with a suitable testimonial, and a
sum of £5,048. 8s. 1d. was raised on the occasion. On
consultation with Mr. Bright, it was found that a
library would be a form of testimonial agreeable to him,
and, accordingly, £1,500 was expended upon more than
1,200 books, which were selected by himself. These
volumes were placed in an appropriate oak case, costing
JOHN BRIGIIT.
197
£400, specially designed for them, and it was at once
an elegant and substantial piece of furniture, adorned
with representations, in carved work, of the leading
features of agriculture and commerce. The inscription,
on a silver plate affixed, set forth that the gift was
an acknowledgment of his great services in the cause
of free trade, in connection with the National Anti-
Corn Law League."
This magnificent testimonial was presented to Mr.
Bright in due course, in 1853, and the balance of the
subscriptions, less expenses, was paid over to him. It
may be interesting to add that the number of subscribers
was 3,647, and the towns and villages which responded
to the call of the committee amounted to 172.
Mr. Bright's intimate acquaintance with Indian
affairs would have sufficed to obtain for him the high
office of Secretary of State, if he had not preferred and
accepted the less responsible post of President of the
Board of Trade, on the return of the liberal party to
power, after the passing of Mr. Disraeli's Reform Bill.
The late severe and protracted but now happily
ended illness of Mr. Bright, necessarily occasioned his
absence for a lengthened period from his place in
Parliament; but Birmingham behaved nobly to their
prostrate representative, not only deeply sympathising
with him in his illness, but generously refusing to accept
Mr. Bright's offer of retirement, in order that they might
choose his successor. The kind consideration thus
shown to him by his constituents has endeared Bir-
mingham to him more closely than ever, and there can
be little doubt that death only will sever the connection
which exists between the great statesman and the noble
198
JOHN BRIGHT.
and influential town which he has so long represented
in Parliament. Mr. Bright's re-appearance in the
House, and his appointment as Chancellor of the Duchy
of Lancaster, failed to keep the Liberals in office,
as was hoped, and he consequently, after the recent
general election, which culminated in the return of Mr.
Disraeli to power, resigned the seals as a cabinet
minister.
The friendship which subsisted between Mr. Bright
and Mr. Cobden was of the very closest and most
affectionate character; and the death of the Apostle of
Free Trade was a terrible blow for the former, from
which, judging from his public utterances, we fear he
will never recover. The love of David and Jonathan
affords a parallel to the friendship which filled the
hearts of Bright and Cobden; and the pathetic language
of David can alone convey anything like the anguish
which must have torn Mr. Bright's inmost being, when
his dear companion and friend was taken from him for
ever. "I am distressed for thee, my brother; very
pleasant hast thou been unto me; thy love to me was
wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the
mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"
Rochdale also sustained a great loss when Mr. Cobden
died; and this is a reason why we can more appro-
priately enter into the deep grief that fell upon our
illustrious townsman. Mr. Bright's career has been most
brilliant and eventful, and he can look back on a long
life spent in good and honest work; no mean or self-
seeking motives can be attributed to him; but thorough
patriotism and love of his fellow-men have swayed all
the public acts of his life. The path of duty lay clearly
JOHN BRIGHT.
199
defined before him, and he has trod it with firm and
unfaltering foot. He that walks that path,
"Only thirsting
For the right, and learns to deaden
Love of self, before his journey closes,
He shall find the stubborn thistle bursting
Into glossy purples, which out-redden
All voluptuous garden roses.'
Our picture illustration of "One Ash," the residence
of Mr. Bright, is copied from a photograph taken by
Mr. Jackson, The Walk. "One Ash" is about half a
mile distant from the centre of the town, and not far
from the mills of the Messrs. Bright, at Cronkeyshaw.
The right hon. gentleman, though residing so close to
Rochdale, does not take any part in the town affairs,
and lives in comparative privacy. At election times,
when at home, he votes with his party; but, beyond.
this, he does not identify himself with local politics.
((
We have, in the preceding remarks, referred to the
part which Mr. Bright took in the struggle for the
repeal of the Corn Laws. With regard to this subject,
and to Mr. Bright's subsequent success, and his illness,
we may be permitted to call the attention of our readers
to the following verses, which, amongst others, are
supposed to have been written by a German who had
learned (he said) the English language." They are
quoted from "The Fijiad," Beeton's Christmas Annual,
1874. The entire poem is excellent, and full of humour,
and manifests great power on the part of the writer; and
on the whole, it is highly complimentary to the right
hon. gentleman :—
"For once on a dime it happent
Dat Justice hid her face,
And dere were some would have starrf'd de poor
In dere greed and dere prite of place;
200
JOHN BRIGHT.
F
Den mit his frent, good Cobden,
John Brightmann he gained renown,
And he helped to raise fair Justice op,
And to pull de corn laws down.
"But oh! dere was Hande-ringen
And shaking of many a head
Among de dukes and de nobel lorts
At de tings John Brightmann said;
Dey turned op dere eyes in horror
When of landlords' greed he'd speak,
And dey said, but in politer words,
'It was like John Brightmann's cheek.'
"And den de jolly farmers
All in dere might arose,
And said John Brightmann would ruin dem
Mit new-fangled ways like tose.
But John Brightmann laughed and told dem
Dat he never could make out
Dey should want prodection, dose jolly men
Who looked so dhick and stout.
"Bot right and justice triomphed
For justice and right are strong,
And de poor man's bread no longer
Was leavened by sense of wrong.
And de constitution lif'd still,
And de dukes yet walked Pall Mall,
And de farmers John Brightmann ruined so
Looked rich, and jolly, and well.
"John Brightmann rose to honour,
As was bot right and fair,
And came to court, though great folk laughed
To see dat Quaker dere.
Bot honour is a burden,
Has made many backs to pow,
And fortune's wheel has turnt and turnt
From ancient days till now.
"And so it came John Brightmann
Was smit by sickness sore,
And de voice so brafe in council
Was heard, for a time, no more;
But all were glat when news came
Dat John in de North was out,
Fishing for Lachs and Forellen
Which, in English, is zalmon and drout."
ANCIENT FAMILIES.

ITH only a few exceptions, there are not any
local ancient families of eminence now resi-
dent in the parish of Rochdale. Ancient
mansions are to be found in which, in re-
mote times, lived families of importance, but
no descendants from these families now "live and
move and have their being" amongst us; or, if any
such exist, they have lost their distinguishable features,
and can no longer be pointed out as possessing any
peculiar marks of antiquity. We find, common enough,
ancient names such as Buckley, Butterworth, Chadwick,
Hamer, Healey, Holt, Howard, and so forth; but it
would be an impossible task to trace up these names to
the ancestors of past ages by whom, in some way or
other, the names were rendered famous. We find
Buckley Hall, Butterworth Hall, Hamer Hall, all of
which have a specific history in relation to the olden
time; but they have all passed into the hands of
various owners who no longer represent the old families
with whom the mansions originated.
THE BYRON FAMILY.
"CREDE BYRON.”
The close connection in which the Byron family
formerly stood to our ancient town, leads us, in the first
instance, to make a few remarks on that noble House.
14
202
THE BYRON FAMILY.
Its ancestry can be traced back to a period earlier than
the Conquest; and, in the twelfth century, we are
informed, the Byrons became connected with the County
of Lancaster; but it is more to our present purpose to
observe that it was not until 1643 that the family
became closely allied to Rochdale, when, on the 24th
October, in that year, Sir John Byron was created a
peer of the realm by the style and title of Baron Byron,
of Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster. This noble-
man greatly distinguished himself by his steady zeal
and devotedness to the cause of the unhappy King
Charles I., and was engaged on the royal side in the
memorable battle of Preston in 1649. His lordship
failed, however, to witness the restoration of the
Stuarts, and died in 1652. He was succeeded in the
title by his brother Richard, who thus became the
second baron. Passing over the latter's successor, we
come next to William, the fourth baron, to whom, in
1710, the Archbishop of Canterbury granted a lease of
his rectory of Rochdale for twenty-one years, for an
annual payment, in addition to a sum of £15 to the
schoolmaster, and £2 to the usher of the Grammar
School in Rochdale. His lordship was also under obli-
gation to pay certain sums to the rector of Rochdale
and the curates of Saddleworth and Butterworth, and
to uphold the chancel of the Parish Church and the
chapels of ease of the other places above-mentioned.
The fifth baron is chiefly to be noticed on account of the
sad misfortune which befell him in causing the death
of William Chaworth, Esq., in a duel, in January, 1765,
and which led to his being tried before the House of
Lords on the capital charge of murder. Acquitted of
THE BYRON FAMILY.
203
this crime, he was found guilty of manslaughter, but
availing himself of the statute of Edward VI., he was
set at liberty, and so escaped the consequences of his
offence. His lordship survived the trial for a period of
thirty-three years, and died in May, 1798, without issue.
There is almost an air of romance about the history of
his lordship's brother, who, in early life, sailed with
Commodore Anson, the celebrated circumnavigator, and
was cast away on an uninhabited island in the Pacific
Ocean, where he had to undergo privations and misery
of the most painful kind. Relieved from his dreadful
situation he returned to England, and subsequently
became a vice-admiral. He died in 1786, leaving two
sons, of whom John was married to Catharine Gordon,
who was descended in a direct line from the Earl of
Huntley and the Princess Jane Stuart. From this
union proceeded the sixth baron, George Gordon Lord
Byron, the illustrious poet, whose name will live as long
as the history of English literature endures. His great
efforts and the sacrifices which he made in the Greek
war of independence, can never be forgotten, and in
connection with his brilliant poetical powers throw a
halo of splendour round his name which arrests the
attention of all lovers of that land of ancient glory.
Lord Byron died on the 19th April, 1824, at Missolonghi,
in Greece, to the inexpressible grief of the entire Greek
nation, in whose cause he suffered, and to whom he had
devoted the best energies of his nature. Their cause
was his his noble mind was filled with indignation at
the wrongs inflicted on the Greeks, and he gave his
mighty genius, his wealth, and his life in the cause of
the nation which he loved so much. Lord Byron's
204
THE BYRON FAMILY.
marriage with Miss Anne Isabella Milbanke was a most
unfortunate one, and embittered the whole of his future
life. He contracted a great and invincible repugnance
to England; and the busy scenes which the war in
Greece daily presented afforded the liveliest occupation.
to a mind which hated wrong and oppression, and
which delighted in aiding the weak against the strong.
As a poet, Lord Byron stands out prominently in the
first rank, and nearly all that came from his pen bears
marks of the transcendent power of a highly-gifted and
wonderful genius. Much that he wrote is no doubt
open to condemnation, and in some circles his works
are placed in the Index Expurgatorius; but the litera-
ture of this country would be deprived of a most
splendid name, and of much brilliant writings,
if this narrow-minded exclusiveness were to be
generally adopted. But happily this can never
be.
It is an imperishable honour that Rochdale
can claim Lord Byron as its own; in this respect it
stands out among the famed towns of the kingdom.
True it is that in 1823 the close connection which
existed between the illustrious family of the Byrons.
and our ancient town was severed, when the noble poet
parted with his vast manor to the late James Dearden,
Esq. Nevertheless, the memory of the connection will
ever remain, for time can neither dim its splendour nor
deprive us of the rich possession. The Byron family
had no residence in Rochdale; their seat was Newstead
Abbey, founded as a priory in the twelfth century, and
situated in the fertile district once known as Sherwood
Forest. The abbey has, however, passed into the hands
of new owners; but the associations connected with its
THE ENTWISLE FAMILY.
205
history are of an enduring character, and will always
create a lively interest in the public mind. It is much
resorted to by tourists from all parts, chiefly on account
of its having been the dwelling-place of the great poet,
whose genius has thrown a spell round the abbey and
the pleasant neighbourhood of the once famous "merry
green wood," wherein Robin Hood and his faithful
bowmen performed so many note-worthy exploits in the
days of yore.
THE ENTWISLE FAMILY,
OF FOXHOLES.
The Entwisles, of Foxholes, appear to have been
orignally seated at Entwisle Hall, in the parish of Bolton.
They are, undoubtedly, a very ancient and honourable
family; and they have always been held in the highest
esteem, both in the parish of Rochdale and in other parts
of Lancashire. In the Parish Church of St. Chad's we
find, in the chancel, a marble monument, erected in
1807, by John Entwisle, Esq., inscribed as follows:-
"To perpetuate a memorial erected in the church of St.
Peter, at St. Albans (perished by time) this marble
is here placed to the memory of a gallant and loyal man,
Sir Bertine Entwisle, Knight, Viscount and Baron of
Brybeke, in Normandy, and sometime Bailiffe of Con-
stantine, in which office he succeeded his father-in-law,
Sir John Ashton, whose daughter first married Sir
Richard le Byron, an ancestor of the Lord Byrons,
Barons of Rochdale; and, secondly, Sir Bertine
Entwisle, who, after repeated acts of valour in the
service of his sovereigns, Henry the 5th and 6th, more
particularly at Agincourt, was killed in the first battle
at St. Albans, and on his tombstone was recorded, in
206
THE ENTWISLE FAMILY.
brass, the following inscription:-'Here lyeth Sir
Bertin Entwisel, knight, who was born in Lancastershyre,
and was Viscount and Baron of Brybeke, in Normandy,
and Bailiffe of Constantine, who died fighting on King
Henry the Sixth party, the 27th May, 1455. On whose
sowl Jesus have mercy.''
Of the above-named Sir Bertine Entwisle, we find in
Roby's "Traditions of Lancashire," a ballad relating
to him, wherein he is described as having gone forth
to "fight for England's weal," and mentions "his might
at Agincourt." He may not disregard the summons of
his king, who is in jeopardy, although his lady and his
daughter, in tears, endeavour to dissuade him from
going to the battle-field. Evil omens are observed
after the departure of Sir Bertine, which seem to show
that some calamity has happened to the right, trusty,
and valorous knight; when at length
"An armed footstep on the stair
Clanked heavily and slow."
The "evil messenger" enters, and is told to show his
biddings to the dame and her daughter; but the "aged
" vouchsafed neither look nor word. He is asked
by the lady and charged "by the rood" to say what he
brings, when
man
"He drew a signet from his hand,
'Twas speckled o'er with blood;
Thy husband's grave is deep and wide:
In St. Alban's priory his body lies;
But on his soul Christ Jesu have mercy."
The ancient mansion of the Entwisles, at Foxholes,
has been held by the family for several centuries past;
THE ENTWISLE FAMILY.
207
and the present proprietor of the estates is the youthful
son of the late owner, John Smith Entwisle, Esq., who
died, after a short illness, a few years ago. The
property of the Entwisles is situate in the township of
Hundersfield, in this parish, and is very extensive and
valuable. The late owner was a gentleman of a kind
and genial disposition, fond of field sports, and was
active and lively in his habits. He was, like many of
his predecessors, a staunch and consistent Conservative.
In late years he took an active part in politics; and at
the time of his death he was the head of the Tory party
in the borough. His father, the late John Entwisle,
was member for the borough from 1835 to 1837; and
his brother-in-law, Sir Alexander Ramsay, Baronet,
has also represented the borough in Parliament; but
Mr. John Smith Entwisle never sought to win the good
graces of the electors on his own behalf. His father
was High-Sheriff of Lancashire in 1824, and his de-
parture to meet the judges at Lancaster, in discharge
of his duties, was the occasion of a very imposing and
effective public display. The death of the late Mr.
Entwisle was quite unexpected at the time of its occur-
rence, and occasioned very great regret on the part of
both Conservatives and Liberals. As the representative
of an ancient family he was generally much respected,
and his death rudely tore asunder the kindly
relations which always existed between himself and
the inhabitants of Rochdale. His name stands in
honourable connection with the New Church at Hamer
for which he generously gave the site, as well as con-
tributing largely to the building fund.
Mr. John Entwisle, the father of the latter-named
208
THE ROYDS FAMILY.
gentleman, contested the Borough of Rochdale on the
passing of the Reform Act in 1832. He was opposed
on that occasion by Mr. John Fenton and by Mr.
James Taylor, the election resulting in the return of
Mr. Fenton. The numbers were:-Fenton, 277;
Entwisle, 246; Taylor, 109. Nothing daunted by his
defeat, Mr. Entwisle was again in the field as a can-
didate for Parliamentary honours, and on the 6th June,
1835, he was returned by a majority of 43 votes over
his previously successful opponent, the numbers being :-
Entwisle, 369, and Fenton, 326. Mr. Entwisle occu-
pied his high position as member for Rochdale until
his death, in April, 1837, when Mr. John Fenton was
again elected, Mr. Clement Royds being the unsuccess-
ful candidate.
The Entwisle family has had the honour of filling the
great office of High Sheriff of the County of Lancaster
on three separate occasions, namely, in 1798 (John
Entwisle, Esq.); 1824, as before-mentioned; and,
lastly, in 1849, when Mr. John Smith Entwisle was
chosen by the Crown to discharge the functions of that
much coveted and honourable post.
THE ROYDS FAMILY.
66
SEMPER PARATUS.”
Brown Hill, an ancient pile of buildings, is situate
in the hamlet of Falinge, in Spotland, and was formerly
the residence of Albert Hudson Royds, Esq., J.P., D.L. ;
afterwards, of H. H. Fishwick, Esq.; and it is now
occupied by Edmund Albert Nuttall Royds, Esq., the
second son of Albert Hudson Royds, Esq. Brown Hill
is pleasantly situated, and commands a fine view of
some parts of the adjoining country. It lies rather low
THE ROYDS FAMILY.
209
down, and thus does not appear so much to advantage
as does the not-distant mansion of Mount Falinge. The
latter place was built by the late James Royds, Esq.,
D.L., and is now occupied by John Robinson, Esq., J.P.;
it has been the residence, successively, of James Royds,
Esq.; Clement Royds, Esq., J.P., D.L.; and Albert
Hudson Royds, Esq. The mansion of Falinge is very
pleasantly situated on high, cultivated land, surrounded
by stately trees, and has a handsome appearance.
Green Hill is nearly opposite to Mount Falinge, and
is of more ancient date than Brown Hill. It was
formerly the residence of Clement Royds, Esq., subse-
quently of his third son, William Edward Royds, Esq.;
and now of Clement M. Royds, Esq. (the eldest son of
the latter), who is a banker, and a county and borough
magistrate. Green Hill is a fine brick edifice, and is
agreeably situated on flat meadow land. It is on a
field in front of the hall, by the kind permission of
Mr. C. M. Royds, that the Rochdale Agricultural
Society holds its annual exhibition, and the readiness.
with which this gentleman thus places his grounds at
the disposal of the committee for this purpose is a
sufficient proof of the great interest which he takes in
this important yearly show, and of his desire that the
public should be well accommodated. It appears that
the family of the Royds' originally came from Yorkshire,
and settled at Marled Earth, near Wardlefold, in the
year 1600.
In the will of John Royds, of Marled
Earth (born 1678), he is described as a cloth maker.
From that time to the year 1827 the family appears to
have been intimately connected with the woollen.
trade, and carried on an extensive business. In
210
THE ROYDS FAMILY.
the year 1827 Clement Royds, Esq., bought the
present banking business of "Clement Royds and
Company" from Messrs. Rawson, who had previously
carried on business in Rochdale. For generations
many members of the family have been magistrates,
and several of them deputy-lieutenants. A district and
a village in Yorkshire are named after the Royds'.
The present head of the family is Mr. A. H. Royds,
formerly of Mount Falinge. He is a J.P. and Deputy-
Lieutenant for Worcestershire, and has filled the digni-
fied office of High Sheriff of that County.
Mr. Clement Royds, the father of the last-named
gentleman, was the son of James Royds, Esq., and from
the year 1830 up to the time of his death, in 1854, he
was an active, able, and energetic county magistrate.
He was most regular and attentive to his magisterial
duties, and his presence on the bench was always looked
upon with satisfaction, as his great experience enabled
him to discharge his official duties with efficiency and
complete impartiality. He was a strong ally of the
Conservative cause in the borough, and even presented
himself as a candidate for the representation, but was
unsuccessful. In 1850 he was appointed High Sheriff
of Lancashire; and the 21st of March, in that year,
was an eventful day in Rochdale, on the occasion of the
High Sheriff's departure to meet the judges at
Lancaster. A very imposing and attractive procession
was formed, consisting of the public authorities, and of
many friendly and other societies, together with a large
number of the gentry and inhabitants of the town.
There was a grand display of fireworks on the New
Wall and in the Butts in the evening, a balloon was
THE ROYDS FAMILY.
211
sent up, and the day was set apart as a general holiday,
SO as to afford all classes an opportunity of doing
honour to the occasion, and as a mark of respect to the
worthy High Sheriff. An ox was roasted whole and
distributed, and unrestrained rejoicing was the order of
the day.
"Sheriff-street," in Spotland-road, takes its
name from the fact that in the year mentioned, Mr.
Clement Royds was Sheriff of the County.
Mr. Clement Molyneux Royds was appointed a
County Magistrate in September, 1866; and he was
placed on the Borough List of Magistrates immediately
on the Borough Bench being formed. The family of
the Royds' are much and deservedly respected; and the
munificence and liberality of Mr. A. H. Royds have
been recently conspicuously displayed in the erection,
at his own cost, of the Church of St. Edmund's, in
Spotland-road, which is particularly noticed in the
preceding pages.
Oakenrod Hall is an ancient edifice, and was formerly
the residence of the Gartsides, of Gartside. More
recently it was the abode of two maiden ladies of the
ancient family of the Butterworths, of Butterworth. In
1828 it had passed into the hands of the late James
Royds, Esq. The ancient grandeur of the place has
departed; and, like many other old mansions in various
parts of the parish, it is, at present, occupied as cottage
dwellings. The hall, farm, and other contiguous
property, and much of the land in the immediate
neighbourhood, form part of the possessions of Mr. A.
H. Royds, the son and heir of Mr. Clement Royds, by
whom they were inherited from his father, James
Royds, Esq.
212
THE MILNE FAMILY.
It will be seen on reference to our notice of St.
Clement's Church, Spotland, that the land for that sacred
edifice was the gift of Mr. Clement Royds; another
proof, if such were wanting, of the spirit of liberality
which characterises the family.
1
It is a singular circumstance, and worthy of record
here, that for two successive years, viz., 1849 and 1850,
the High Sheriff of Lancashire should have been chosen
from the town of Rochdale; the late Mr. John Smith
Entwisle, of Foxholes, in 1849; and Mr. Clement
Royds, of Mount Falinge, in 1850.
THE MILNES,
OF BURNEDGE.
The Milnes, of Burnedge, are an ancient family having
a residence at that place; and it is stated with, we
believe, perfect truth, that they and their ancestors
have been in possession of the estate for upwards of
five centuries. We regret that we are not in possession
of sufficient information with regard to this family to
give particulars of their history, which, we have no
doubt, would prove very interesting. We must, there-
fore, content ourselves with saying that the Milnes are
held in great respect not only in this but also in adjoin-
ing parishes, where they are owners of extensive landed
estates. In a part of their property at Burnedge, there
is, we are told, a stone erected to denote that there the
various parishes of Rochdale, Middleton, and Oldham
converge. We believe that the present representative
of the family is Mr. Joseph Milne, of Deane House,
Buersil Head.
DISTINGUISHED MILITARY MEN.
H
LIEUTENANT HOPWOOD.

OHN HOPWOOD was the son of James Hop-
wood, the worthy Host of the "King's Head,"
which used to be much frequented by the
merchants of Rochdale. Our hero grew up
into a smart and high-spirited young man, and
was a clerk with the late John Elliott, Esq., but his
military ideas becoming strong, great watchfulness was
required to prevent him from enlisting as a soldier.
Eventually his friends thought it best to humour the
bent of his inclination, and a commission was obtained
for him in one of the Lancashire Militia Regiments. The
Government of the day being very much in want of
men, in consequence of the requirements of the Penin-
sular War, offered a commission in the army to any
militia officer who would raise a company of fifty men
for foreign service. Young Hopwood was one of those
who accepted the offer, and he sent round the town
crier, with a promise of a liberal bounty. In two days,
more than the number required was obtained, and it is
stated that a finer body of recruits never left the
country. Our young hero and his ardent followers
were attached to the 95th or Rifle Regiment, and
history informs us how this corps distinguished itself at
the battles of Busaco, Salamanca, and Vittoria, and at
the sieges of Cuidad Rodrigo and Badajos, in all of
214
CORNET AND ADJUTANT GRINDROD.
which young Hopwood and his company were engaged.
He was wounded at Badajos, but recovering was present
at the battle of Arcangues, before Bayonne, on the 10th
of December, 1813, which was one of the last battles
fought prior to the abdication of Napoleon, and at
which young Hopwood was killed, while gallantly
leading on his devoted band. His fellow-townsmen
showed their esteem for his daring courage by erecting
a monument, in St. Chad's Church, to perpetuate his
memory.
CORNET AND ADJUTANT GRINDROD.
Other Rochdale heroes took part in the hard-fought
battles of the Peninsula, and some of them rose from
the ranks by means of indomitable perseverance and
personal bravery. One of these was Timothy Grindrod,
whose father resided at Pinfold, and was an operative
stone mason. Young Grindrod enlisted in the 11th
Light Dragoons, and being a smart and active fellow,
he was noticed by his superiors, and soon became a non-
commissioned officer. His bold and dashing exploits
in several battles in the Peninsula, were rewarded with
a cornetcy in his chosen regiment. In consequence of
his rapid promotion, a young relative of his, named
Dawson, became soldier-proud, and determined to enlist
in the same regiment. He did so, and in a short time
embarked, with others, for the army in Spain. The
day after his arrival at head-quarters he was attached
to his cousin's troop, and a speedy engagement was
expected. This took place, and in the early part of
the contest a bullet from the enemy lodged itself in the
ear of the horse on which the raw soldier was mounted.
LIEUTENANT BUTTERWORTH.
215
The animal, being in great pain, shook its head, and
threw some of its blood on the rider, which alarmed
Dawson, and caused him to rein back his horse; this
being perceived by his relative, he immediately called
out-" Dawson, to the front; if you flinch I will shoot
you dead." He obeyed, and during the day proved
himself like other Rochdale lads to be not wanting in
valour. On seeing his cousin after the battle, he asked,
"At what time do we start on 'em in the morning?”
The reply was, "We don't work by Pilling's factory
bell here." Adjutant Grindrod returned to Rochdale
after the Battle of Waterloo. His constitution was
entirely shattered by hard service, and he died in
Whitehall-street, June 9th, 1820, aged forty-one. His
remains were interred according to his request, near to
the vault of the Rev. Dr. Drake, in the New Burial
Ground. Military honours were paid to his memory,
and the clergy, gentry, and merchants attended his
funeral.
LIEUTENANT (or CAPTAIN) BUTTERWORTH.
Henry Butterworth was a younger son of Mr. Edmd.
Butterworth, of Green, near Rochdale, yeoman, one of
whose ancestors distinguished himself in Flanders,
under the command of the Duke of Cumberland.
Henry was born on the 18th March, 1783, and at an
early age was sent to one of the West India Islands,
as assistant superintendant of a sugar plantation there.
Finding this occupation to be uncongenial, and having
an ardent desire for a military life, he implored his
elder brother, Edmund, who was an officer in the 3rd
Lancashire Militia, to use his influence and procure
216
LIEUTENANT BUTTERWORTH.
At
him a commission. This was done, and young Butter-
worth was appointed ensign in the 1st Lancashire
Militia, which were then embodied for permanent duty.
His martial spirit being still unsatisfied, he, like young
Hopwood, volunteered for foreign service, and fifty
ardent Lancashire lads joined him, to take part in the
glories of the battle-field. The young ensign was
appointed to the 32nd Foot, and his fellow-townsmen
are well acquainted with his thorough devotedness to
his country. He took part in most of the battles during
the sanguinary war in Spain, as his Peninsular medal of
eight bars testified, viz. :-Rolera, Vimiera, Salamanca,
Talavera, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, and Orthes.
Salamanca he was seriously wounded, and one of the
devoted men of his regiment, named Ashworth, from
Smallbridge, carried the wounded hero on his back
three miles, to the rear of the army; on recovering he
again engaged in active service, and was present at the
Battle of Waterloo, receiving a medal for that glorious.
victory. After the peace, in 1815, he retired from the
army and returned to Rochdale, and ere long was
honoured by being appointed a county magistrate and
a deputy-lieutenant. He enjoyed tolerable health until
the early part of 1860, when he sickened and died, on
June 8th, in that year, aged seventy-seven. He was
carried to his last resting place at St. John's Church,
Smallbridge, by eight Waterloo veterans, whom he had
named previously to his death, and to whom he had
proved a generous friend.
THE OLD VOLUNTEERS.

BOUT one hundred years ago a military spirit
pervaded the minds of a number of the in-
habitants of Rochdale, but there was a great
reluctance to leave their cosy hearth-stones.
A volunteer corps, of a fine body of men, was
then in existence, and they had a band of wind instru-
ments. There were also clubs for paying bounty to a
substitute for any member who might have been
balloted into the militia, and these clubs were held at
the King's Head," Lord-street, "Blue Ball," York-
shire-street, "Roebuck," and other public-houses, and
the subscription was 10s. a-year. A well-remembered
incident occurred on the occasion of finding a substitute
for one of those whom the destinies were anxious to
drag to the battle-field. It was made known that a
proxy was required, whereupon a stalwart Bagsladian
put in an appearance, and upon being questioned as to
the bounty he would require to fill the place of the
recreant native, and defend his beloved land in his stead,
replied "That he was sixty-three inches high, and
his price was a guinea an inch." As he was the only
substitute who was forthcoming, sixty-three guineas
were willingly given to save his principal from the
horror of meeting the foe in the' deadly strife of war.
The class of men of whom the Bagslate substitute was
a type, were not, as a rule, actuated by patriotic feelings,
'filthy lucre" being the attraction; and, in times of
15
218
THE OLD VOLUNTEERS.
need, they were not always at hand, and even when so,
were but poor and indifferent soldiers. Thus
"Raw in fields the rude militia swarms;
Mouths without hands; maintained at vast expense,
In peace a charge, in war, a weak defence;
Stout once a month, they march, a blustering band,
but in times of need, at hand."
And ever,
On the 3rd of August, 1795, there was a disturbance
in Rochdale respecting the high price of flour and
potatoes, an old woman named Fenton, alias " Sparey
Springer's wife," being the ringleader. The Volunteers
were called out by the authorities, and, unfortunately,
they misunderstood the command of the Rev. Dr. Drake
"to shoot o'er 'em," and two old men named Robert
Crompton and James Fletcher, who were standing in the
Old Market Place, were killed. An inquest was held
upon them the following day, and the jury returned the
verdict that "they were killed of necessity in defence of
his majesty's subjects." When the Rev. Dr. gave the
command, it is said, a Mr. Oram, a manufacturer from
Bury, came up on horseback, and fancying that the
orders were to "shoot Oram," he rapidly turned his
horse round and beat a precipitate retreat. The death
of the two old men brought the corps into great odium,
and a few years after they were disbanded. After the
battle of Waterloo the invasion fever-"Suspicion all
stuck full of eyes "-subsided, and the clubs at the
public-houses fell into a moribund condition through
the "sinews of war being dried up, and in the course
of a short time they gave up the ghost; and from that
time to the present the clubs have been conspicuous by
their absence-a "consummation devoutly to be wished"
by really patriotic persons who had the welfare of the
country at heart, for no doubt such clubs tended very
much to create a craven and contemptible spirit.
""
24TH LANCASHIRE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.
a
'DEFENCE, NOT DEFIANCE.

HIS corps was formed in 1859. The volunteer
forces were organised in consequence of a
rumour that England was about to be invaded
by the French. The rumour was unfounded;
but there was a general feeling that the
island was not secure from invasion; and the ex-
istence of volunteer regiments in other countries was
held by many to warrant the propriety of forming in
England a force which, whilst hoping for the best,
might be prepared for the worst. The loyalty of the
people was readily displayed by numerous organisations
in the leading towns of the kingdom; and Rochdale
people took a lively view of the "situation," and became
infected with what was derisively termed the "volunteer
epidemic." A large meeting was held in the Public
Hall, November 29th, 1859, Henry Fishwick, Esq.,
occupying the chair. He stated that there were fifty
names of intended volunteers, and that the promoters
were ready to enrol others and elect officers. The
"roll was called, and forty men were sworn in by
Mr. Nield, J.P., who was present at the meeting.
";
At
the adjourned meeting on 2nd December, twenty more
men were sworn in, and Mr. Joseph Fenton was
appointed captain; Mr. Fishwick, lieutenant; and Mr.
T. B. Philippi, ensign. A vote of thanks was given by
the meeting to Lieut. Tweedale (of the militia) for his
assistance in forming the corps. The Mayor, upon a
requisition, convened a town's meeting in the Public
220
24TH LANCASHIRE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.
Hall, on December 7th, "to consider the propriety of
establishing a publicly recognised rifle corps," and
there was a numerous attendance. Dr. Molesworth
moved "That this meeting cordially approves of the
establishment of volunteer rifle corps ;" and a letter
was read from Mr. Joseph Fenton in favour of the
establishment of a corps in Rochdale. A lively dis-
cussion followed, and Messrs. John Ashworth, Edward
Taylor, Edmund Ashworth, and others, offered a deter-
mined opposition. An amendment was carried that the
formation of the corps should be deferred; but the corps
had been already formed, and Captain Fenton met the
volunteers for the first time at a meeting held in the
Public Hall, December 20th, 1859. It was then an-
nounced that the public subscriptions in aid of the
corps amounted to £240; and up to January 14th, 1860,
almost £350 had been raised. In February, 1860, the
Lord Lieutenant notified that "Her Majesty had been
graciously pleased to accept their services ;" and the
corps was numbered the 24th Lancashire. The corps
was gazetted, 6th March, 1860, and on the following
day Captain Fenton, Lieutenant Fishwick, and Ensign
Philippi, attended the levee specially given to volunteer
officers, and were presented to Her Majesty. The non-
commissioned officers were appointed on the 10th March,
and drilling was vigorously taken up. The corps ap-
peared on parade, for the first time, on 17th April, and
presented a very creditable appearance. There was a
church parade on the following Sunday, and the volun-
teers attended Divine Service at St. Clement's, Spotland.
The following are the names of the several command-
ing officers, and dates of enrolment :-Joseph Fenton,
24TH LANCASHIRE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.
221
Esq., who had the first command of the corps (then
consisting of one company), with rank of captain;
enrolled in December, 1859, and resigned the following
year. Henry Fishwick, Esq. (the first volunteer en-
rolled), subsequently took the command, and on the
formation of additional companies he received a com-
mission as major. In 1868 it was decided to increase
the strength of the corps to six companies so that the
commanding officer would have the rank of lieut.-col.,
and on the requisite increased strength being obtained,
Jonathan Nield, Esq., in 1869, took command as lieut.-
col. Major Fishwick resigned in October, 1869, and
the following month Captain Philippi was gazetted to
the vacancy. On the resignation of Lieut.-Col. Nield,
in December, 1870, Captain James Fenton became com-
manding officer; which rank he still holds, with great
credit to himself and to the corps. Mr. Nield was, in
September, 1871, enrolled as honorary colonel, the
other members of the honorary staff being Quarter-
Master (and previously Captain) James Schofield (who
has since resigned), Assistant Quarter-Master (pre-
viously Ensign) E. A. Clegg, and the honorary chaplain,
the Rev. Dr. Molesworth. The following are the names
and ranks of the present officers (in addition to the
honorary staff):-James Fenton, lieut.-col.; T. B.
Philippi, major; W. E. Richardson, surgeon; T. S.
Russell, adjutant; Captains Healey, Schwabe, Colley,
Brooks, Beverley, and Howard Healey; Lieutenants
Molesworth and Pooley; and Sub-Lieutenant Back-
house. The corps has recently lost two of its officers,
Lieutenants Mattley and Williams, their deaths occur-
ring in July and October, respectively, in 1874.
THE YEOMANRY CAVALRY.

HE Rochdale troop of Yeomanry Cavalry was
embodied in the year 1844, chiefly through
the instrumentality of Albert Hudson Royds,
Esq., who was appointed captain of the troop.
Thomas A. Crook, Esq., was made lieutenant,
and W. E. Royds, Esq., cornet. About seven years
after Mr. A. H. Royds resigned, and the captaincy
was then conferred on Mr. Crook; Mr. W. E. Royds
being promoted to be lientenant. After the death of
There are fifty men in the
Mr. Crook, Mr. W. E. Royds was elevated to the vacant
office of captain, and C. Patrick, Esq., was appointed
lieutenant. A few years after, owing to the resignation,
on account of failing health, of Mr. W. E. Royds, the
command devolved on Mr. Patrick, and he was ap-
pointed captain, which post he still occupies. C. M.
Royds, Esq., is now the lieutenant, and Ernest E. M.
Royds, Esq., the cornet.
troop, all of whom are very soldier-like in their bearing.
As usual they provide their own horses and uniform,
in consideration of which they receive annually a
clothing and contingent allowance of £2 a man; are
exempt from the tax in respect of the horses employed
on duty, and draw, during the annual training, two
shillings for forage, besides a subsistence allowance of
seven shillings a day.
The yeomanry are available in
223
THE YEOMANRY CAVALRY.
We
aid of the civil powers; and in time of invasion, or
apprehended invasion, the Sovereign may embody them
for service in any part of Great Britain, under the
provisions of the Mutiny Act. Once a year they are
summoned to Lancaster for ten days, to go through a
course of training. They travel the distance on horse-
back in two days; the first day's march is to Preston,
and on the second day they arrive in Lancaster.
believe it is a fact that the troop have not been called
upon to perform active duty on any occasion, but we feel
certain that if the emergency should arise the men would
be found thoroughly efficient, and fully competent to deal
with any foe with whom they might come in contact.
To have the resource of such aid, in case of need, is no
doubt of much value to the public authorities.

ECCENTRIC CHARACTERS.
E
Strange are the tricks of human kind;
Some queer examples here you'll find;
Laugh at their follies as you will,
The whole would quite a volume fill."

CCENTRICITY is a phase of character to be
heard of and seen in other towns besides Roch-
dale, but the few examples that have existed
here are worthy of notice for their jocularity,
native wit, and amusing personal oddities.
Many years ago it was the custom amongst the labouring
classes to designate each other with curious, and in some
instances, characteristic appellations, such as "Abey
o' Pinders," "Adam o' Rappers," "George o' Jammys,"
"Joan o' Bucklers," "Jem o' Bradleys," "Thrump
o' Dollys," "Cheetham o' Castleton," and the like.
As local ideas expanded under the progressive spirit of
manufacturing industry, the habit gradually sank into
disuse, yet it lingers in some of the lower parts of
the town, and especially in the surrounding villages,
and there are many poor families whose real name is
totally eclipsed by the fictitious appellation. Apropos
of this we may mention an anecdote which we have
lately met with. A stranger, in a village not far from
Rochdale, was one day enquiring from "a native" for
a person of whom he was in search, but whose local
cognomen he did not know. He enquired for the
DONCASTER RACES AND
225
BULL HOLE."
object of his quest by the name bestowed on him in.
the polite world, but no such person was known to the
acute (?) native. The stranger was about to give up
his search in despair, when there came up another
"native" who was asked if he knew the person wanted.
He at once set his wits to work and speedily settled the
difficulty by informing the stranger and native No. 1,
that he, the latter, was the identical individual that
was being so diligently "sperred for."
“Then,
(
whoy th' dickens," said he, "doesn't he ax for me by
my gradely name, and not by that as noather mysel
nor nobody else knaws me by. If he'd nobbut axed
me for Jack o' Bills o' Ned o' Tummas's' I should ha'
knawn in a crack as it wur me as he wanted. He mun
ca' folk by their reet names, else he'll ne'er get on i'
this world."
DONCASTER RACES AND "BULL HOLE.”
Mr. William Holland, a very respectable malt and
hop merchant of this town, although a shrewd trades-
man, fell once a victim to the designs of an oily-tongued
vendor of property. Mr. Holland was induced to inspect
an old woollen mill, in Birtle, which had been offered
for sale, and found the reservoir full of water, the
machinery in perfect action, and the workpeople in
great activity as if a splendid trade was being carried
on. The vendor described all in glowing terms, putting
in the shade even the descriptive language of the noted
London auctioneer, Robins, and when the cunning
maltster was inclined to examine the boggy land, the
vendor immediately lifted his eyes heavenward and
dilated on the weather and the probability of rain, but
226
((
DONCASTER RACES AND BULL HOLE.'
")
as soon as they got over a fence and into better pasture
he was again wonderfully eloquent on the excellent
quality of the soil, and poor Holland was induced to
part with three thousand guineas for the purchase of
the old mill and the land. However, when Mr. Holland
became the owner, and acquainted himself with the
nature of the property, he found that the water in the
reservoir had vanished, the trade was insignificant, the
workpeople few, and the land marshy and unproductive;
in fact, to use a homely expression, he was "regularly
sold." This valuable property was appropriately
named "Bull Hole." The unfortunate transaction so
preyed upon the purchaser, that he, to some extent,
became demented, and was often heard anathematising
"Bull Hole." Eventually he staked "Bull Hole"
against three thousand guineas upon a race at Don-
caster, and when the contest was coming off, Mr.
Holland stood on a prominent position, ejaculating
at the top of his voice "Bull Hole or no Bull Hole,"
to the great amusement of the crowd whose attention
was diverted from the race to his strange antics and
mysterious ejaculations, knowing that no horse running
bore such an undignified name. At last, as the race was
terminating, his feelings seemed to be wound up to the
highest pitch, and as his favourite horse reached the
winning post, he changed his expression, with great
animation, to "Bull Hole, by Jove," and won his
three thousand guineas, and thus the forebodings of
the unprofitableness of the "Bull Hole" transaction
were, fortunately, not verified, although the water
supply, the trade, and the boggy earth were com-
paratively worthless.
227
A NOVEL MODE OF BORROWING MONEY IN
THE OLDEN TIMES.
The following amusing story is another evidence,
among many others that might be cited, that modern
money lenders are not as roughly handled as some of
their more ancient brethren used to be. John Stott,
who was better known by the name of "Tappet," was
the maker of a wheel which bore that name, and
which is used by fulling millers. Having commenced
the building of some houses in Yorkshire-street, he
found to his great annoyance and dismay that he was
short of £200 to complete them. He was greatly
perplexed and almost in despair as to where he could
borrow the money, and at last he sought inspiration in
St. Chad's Churchyard. Having ascended with much
deliberation the famous steps, he beheld, with rapture,
the goodly prospect which presented itself, like a vast
panorama spread before him, and pondered as to the
likeliest resident in all the scene on which he gazed
who would favour him with the sum of which he stood
in so much need. With the eye of a hawk he scanned
the various dwellings, and at length fixed his gaze
keenly on the residence of Mr. Simeon Dearden, in the
Orchard, and mentally fluttering over his intended.
victim for a time, at last determined to pounce on the
golden treasure which he believed to be carefully kept
in the dwelling so closely nestled by the banks of the
Roach. Inspired with new-born courage, he descended
from his eyrie, and proceeded to the scene of action.
Knocking at the door of the manor house, Mr.
Dearden opened it and exclaimed:-"Ah! is that thee,
228
JONE O' BRADSHAW.
(6
""
"
Tappet?" Stott replied "aye, and I want to borrow
No sooner had the word "borrow" escaped
"Tappet's" lips, than the doubting money lender seized
hold of him, and attempted to bundle him out of doors,
declining to listen to any explanation. "Tappet
struggled in resistance, for his case was desperate, and
in a determined voice declared that the lawyer should
hear his tale. Both came to the floor in the struggle,
Tappet" being uppermost, exclaiming that he would
not strike, but he insisted on finishing his tale. The
man of parchments finding himself helpless in such a
grip, consented to listen, and was then allowed to rise.
He listened attentively to the pathetic tale of "Tappet,"
and then exclaimed:-"Tappet, if thou art as determined
to pay it back as thou art to borrow it, thou shalt have
it." A gleam of intense and lively satisfaction spread
itself over Tappet's countenance, and the promise was
given, the money exchanged hands, was duly repaid.
with all costs and charges thereon, and in the course of
time Tappet died a rich man.
"JONE O' BRADSHAW.”
"Revenge is sweet," saith the proverb, and so it
would appear to be judging from an incident that took
place between a lawyer and his client. Many years ago
a Rochdalian, known to fame as
“ Jone o' Bradshaw,”
felt much aggrieved at the way his lawyer, Mr. Simeon
Dearden, had treated him, and he was determined to
"feed fat the grudge" he bore the man of law. He
sent the bellman round the town to announce that his
health was much impaired by recent persecutions,
and that he had determined to sail down the Roach
JOHNNY BAA-LAMB AND ST. CRISPIN.
229
from Rochdale to Liverpool for the benefit of his health.
On the day appointed thousands of persons flocked into
Rochdale to witness the departure of the intrepid sailor.
It was hay time, and the lawyer was the owner of some
fine meadows of grass which were ready for the scythe,
and which lay along the banks of the Roach. Jone
appeared at the time appointed, and embarked in a
large tub, armed with a pole to use as an oar, and down
the river he floated with "streamers floating in the
wind," to the great delight and amusement of a vast
concourse of persons who rushed through the lawyer's
meadows, treading down and spoiling the grass, and
along the river banks to witness the strange spectacle and
the progress of the journey. When Jone got as far as
Town Mill, he was satisfied with the injury he had
caused to be inflicted upon the lawyer's grass, which
became unfit for the scythe of the mower in consequence
of the incursions of the populace on the occasion.
disembarked, and chuckled at the sweetness of the
revenge he had tasted; but the history fails to record
whether the lawyer submitted peaceably to the wrong
done to him, as a Christian man should, or whether he
took proceedings against the arch delinquent, according
to the statute in that case made and provided.
Jone
"JOHNNY BAA-LAMB AND ST. CRISPIN."
John Lord, better known as "Johnny Baa-Lamb,"
was not favoured by nature with straight legs, and he
was always thirsty. In fact, he never objected to
consume a pint of ale while standing on his head out of
his clog if it was given free, and such were the conditions.
He would repeat the saying with a sigh and a relish about
230
JOHNNY BAA-LAMB AND ST. CRISPIN.
And speaking of a
Christmas, that "New yer's days keep'n comin reawn,
like old Ratcher's cream-jug, 'ut never stopt till some-
b'dy wur laid under th' table."
deceased "pal" he would say,
and geirs in lang sin."
66
'He's ta'en his reed
Crispin, had also a
John Mills, a follower of St.
dry throat, and his eyes used to glisten over a pot of
beer. Likenesses of these two strange mortals were
once exhibited in the window of Mr. Holden, stationer,
whose shop used to stand at the top of The Walk, but
the artist had sketched Lord holding a pint of ale in
his hand, whilst Mills was made to assume a neutral
posture. Mills was so much annoyed that he smashed
the stationer's window. Mr. Holden asked for an
explanation, when Mills called his attention to the
fact that Lord had been represented with a pint of
ale in his hand, while he, who could drink a good
saup," was not so favoured, and he would break the
windows again if the insult was to be continued. The
artist introduced the desired pint pot in the sketch
to the great satisfaction of Mills, who felt himself highly
honoured. One could easily fancy these followers of
Bacchus conversing in this style when carousing over
some fine nut brown ale :-"Noan o' yor brew'd besoms
this, bo' gradely stingo. A quart o' this o' th' top ov
a beefstake 'ud mak' a chap's ribs feel do'some, would
nor it? Well, here's luck! That's what aw co' milk
o' paradise, or natyer's pap. Yo' may seawk at it till
yo're blynt, an' ne'er be satisfied." At the burial of
Dolly, Mills's wife, her sister, it was noticed, was
very much affected, and stood on one side of the grave,
when the newly-made widower, who stood on the other
JOHNNY BAA-LAMB AND ST. CRISPIN.
231
side, enquired, "What's to do with thee, lass ?" She
replied, "There's nought but trouble on this side of
the grave." The widower cheerfully remarked, "Come
to this side, then?" Soliloquising on Dolly, he said,
"Owd woman, yo desarv'n a comfitable sattlement i'
th' top shop." Mills was always backward in paying
his rent, and his landlord being determined to get quit
of him, gave him notice to leave. Mills, with an
air of astonishment, asked his landlord for an explana-
tion. The latter replied that he never could get any
rent from him, and that was the reason.
Mills per-
suasively remarked, 'Of course I do not pay you rent,
but I owe it you."
"Johnny Baa-Lamb," who was ever on the look out for
"summat to sup," entering the "White Lion Inn," York-
shire-street, one day, was pleased to find that some
acquaintance had just ordered a quart of ale, and having
only a penny in his possession, and anxious to quench
his thirst by a "gradely" good swig, he said to his
friends, "I'll bet you a penny that I can drink one
gill out of that quart of ale, and neither less nor more."
The friends wishing to witness such a marvellous feat,
and to test his ability as to such exact measurement,
readily consented. "Johnny" swigged off the entire
quart of ale with intense gusto and without winking,
and then coolly remarked, "Chaps, I've lost;" thus
securing a "stunning" draught for a penny, to the
great amusement of the company, and the disgust of
the "verdant" owners of the ale, who declared
that Johnny was a 'false owd boggart" who'd
live to be hanged some day, if he didn't get
drowned first.
232
OLD "DOCTOR.”
""
An eccentric character named Taylor, but who was
better known as "Old Doctor,' used to gain a liveli-
hood by the occupation of a porter, with donkeys. He
used to reside in a cellar under the shop which is now
kept by Mr. Standring, boot and shoe dealer, in York-
shire-street, and the donkeys shared his dwelling with
him, and were able to ascend and descend the cellar
steps with alacrity. Doctor" prided himself on his
pugilistic skill and strength, and his fellow-lodgers
seemed to have imbued him with their spirit. His
nasal organ was highly coloured with a bluish tint, as
if the temperature of it was at a freezing point, and his
countenance seemed to say to a beholder, "It's some o'
a cowd neet. Meh nose fair sweats again." On the
5th day of May, in 1829,
"Doctor" came to a tragical
end. He led up a mob to attempt to rescue some
rioters who were being taken to the New Bailey, calling
out "
come on lads, never mind, it's only blank shot."
He had in his hands stones at the time. The military
fired, and he was shot dead.
"THE REPUBLICAN TINKER."
Briggs, a tinner, in Lowergates, was supposed to be a
Jacobin," but was really a republican. He used to
display in his shop window verses of his own composi-
tion which were regarded as treasonable, but he was
not prosecuted as he was considered to be a lunatic.
"For forms of government let fools contest;
Whate'er is best administered is best."
At times he would go through the streets with tin ware
on his back, with a large white hat, bordered with
>
BULL ROBIN.
233
green, on his head, proclaiming republican principles.
On one of these occasions he met the Rev. Dr. Drake,
the vicar of the parish, on the Bridge, and seizing him
by the collar and his nether garment, he attempted to
throw the worthy Doctor into the river, remarking,
"Ducks swim and so should Drakes." Some time
after, Briggs emigrated to South America. Mr. Morton,
a confectioner, who used to keep a shop on South
Parade, went to South America twenty-five years after,
and while residing in the backwoods, information
was received one evening that a man was dying from
exhaustion, and he was found to be Briggs of Rochdale.
BULL ROBIN."
"Bull Robin," whose proper name was John Cropper,
although of a simple nature had the courage to enlist,
and during the American War of Independence he
"smelt powder" on a battle-field for the first time.
As soon as the engagement began, he instinctively
illustrated the first law of nature-self-preservation-
very forcibly, by hurriedly taking shelter behind a tree,
and calling out to his comrades, "Now, chaps, get
behind the trees or somebody will be kil't or lam't."
Having served the allotted period, he returned home
unharmed to his native town, and enjoyed a pension.
When "Robin" used to go to the " Eagle and Child ”
on pension days, the landlady, Mally Lee, was assiduous
in her attention to his comfort, always pressing him to
partake of a pint of warm ale, but when Robin's
"brass" had disappeared his presence was no longer
welcome, and she used to say, with indignation, "get
out of the gate, Robin; thou art always in the way."
16
234
OLD BARNISH,
When "Robin" got into the " sear leaf," he was once
heard to deplore his waning vitality by repeating a
familiar Lancashire simile :-" Aw're u'st that I could
ha' swallut it iv it had bin as cowd as snowbos; bo' mi
clock-wark's gettin' like owd Gimp's cart shaft-rayther
temporary."
"OLD BARNISH."
Old Barnish, a clock maker, who made St. Chad's
clock, was a jocular character, and went through innu-
merable scrapes.
"He'd sit a fire eawt ony time,
tellin' his bits o' tales." Wishing to do a good turn
for a friend, who, through imprudence during his court-
ship, had good reason to hasten the marriage ceremony,
he called at the house of Mr. Bellis, the curate of St. Chad's
Church, about four o'clock one fine, bright morning, and
pressed him to perform the service. Mr. Bellis declined
to do so until the clock struck eight. A short time after
Barnish ascended the tower of the church, and made
the clock strike eight. The curate hearing the bell,
and being unaware of the deception, proceeded to the
vestry and went through the service, and within a short
time the reasons for the bridegroom's haste were
apparent by the merging of a husband's into a father's
cares. Barnish recommended the bridegroom to be
"as patient as Willy Wood's horse, ut died one day in
a fit of patience, waitin' for fodder.”
“Old Barnish,”
much against his will, having been once taken into
custody by a portly parochial constable of the olden
type, for a trivial offence, he point blank refused to
walk to the Manchester prison unless the corpulent
officer of justice allowed him to share in the allowance
OLD BARNISH.
235
usually paid for the journey. This the officer sternly
refused, and insisted on Barnish starting; but the
tempter, in the shape of a hedge in the neighbourhood
of Slattocks, incited Barnish to make an effort for free-
dom, and over the hedge he jumped with the vigour of
a hunter. Alarmed at the escape of his prisoner,
"Dogberry" gathered up his corpulency, after the
manner of Sir John Falstaff, and followed the fugitive
with all the agility he could muster; but the fates were
against him, and he sank on the other side up to the
hips in a treacherous bog, greatly to the amusement of
Barnish, who immediately made his way with all speed
to Bolton, and spent several days there in following his
own trade. The term of imprisonment which he was
adjudged to undergo, and from which he had escaped
having expired, Barnish presented himself at the prison.
gates in Manchester, and insisted on being locked up,
saying that he came from "Rachda."
The governor
declining to believe the statement that he was the man
who had escaped, refused to admit him within the
charmed domain over which he ruled supreme; whereon
Barnish, much elated at his successful escapade and
inwardly chuckling thereat, returned tɔ his native domi-
cile, boasting of the way he had served "Dogberry,
and interviewed" the governor. If the eccentric
clock maker had lived in these " degenerate" days of
ours, the probability is he would not have escaped the
punishment awarded as easily as the story shows, for
immediately on his re-appearance, he would have been
pounced upon and carried off to "durance vile," with
small chance of repeating his "little game," so vigilant
are our police officials at the present day.
236
"CRAZY MICHAEL.”
Michael Butterworth, who was distinguished by the
appellation of "Crazy Michael," used to reside in his
"baronial mansion," in Cheetham-street, in a cellar, and
had often aimed at Parliamentary honours. During
Parliamentary elections it was his practice to offer
himself as a candidate, and his address bore the
aristocratic signature of "Michael Adolphus Butterworth,
of Cheetham-street Hall," but senatorial fortune never
smiled upon him. As there was no chance of a seat in
St. Stephen's, Michael next aimed at military honours.
When a company of yeomanry was being formed in
Rochdale, he feeling chagrined at the command not
being offered to him, inaugurated a troop of doffers,
whom he mounted on highly trained and carefully
selected Jerusalem ponies, and he rejoiced in the title
of the "Commander of the Donkey Troop." When the
yeomanry went through their drill, in the Butts,
Michael, with his grotesque supernumeraries, went
through their burlesque military performances in front.
of the "Wellington," he mounted upon an ass, with his
legs trailing on the ground, in the presence of a large
concourse of persons. Michael was a fine, stout fellow,
but he was troubled with an appetite he could never
satisfy. On one occasion a gentleman, by way of a joke,
sent him, as his representative, to a tenant's dinner, at
Manchester. He demolished no less than a dozen
plates of meat, and the waiter at last, losing all hope of
being able to saisfy his cravings, called his employer,
and informed him of the hopelessness of the undertaking,
" and
as "he was a man of an unbounded stomach;
five shillings were readily given to Michael to adjourn
GEORGE O'PINDERS.
237
elsewhere for the remainder of his dinner. In point of
appetite it may, therefore, be concluded, that the
Dragon of Wantley was a fool to Michael:—
"He'd eat more meat than three score men;
He'd eat a cow; he'd eat a calf;
He'd eat a bullock and a half."
But this, we fear, is mere romance, but peace to his
memory; like good, old Polonius, whom Hamlet slew,
"He is now at supper, not where he eats, but where he
is eaten; a certain convocation of politic worms are e'en
at him." Alas, poor Michael!
"GEORGE
O'PINDERS."
""
George Taylor, who was styled by his "pals
George O'Pinders," was concerned in the riot at the
New Bailey, on the 5th of May, 1829, and was taken
into custody, and committed to the Lancaster Assizes to
undergo his trial. For the defence, evidence was
brought forward in order to prove that he was not of
sound mind. The judge wished to know what symptoms
of insanity the prisoner had ever exhibited. A witness
informed his lordship that "Pinder" had once carried
a donkey from Heywood to Manchester for a wager of
a gallon of ale, and he thought that was a very strong
proof of insanity. "Pinders" kept up a perpetual grin
during the trial, and the jury thinking that
"Eternal smiles his emptiness betray
As shallow streams run dimpling all the way,"
and coupling the fact with the evidence about the donkey
came to the conclusion that he was non compos mentis,
and he was acquitted.
238
"CRAZY DAVID."
A lazy fellow, known only by the name of "Crazy
David," was not so crazy as he professed to be. He
was of a corpulent figure, and often darkened the door-
ways of shopkeepers, to whom he was a complete
nuisance. He was, moreover, remarkable for his im-
pudent solicitations for alms-an occupation which he
found to be much more agreeable than working. On
one occasion being advised to go to work and earn an
honest livelihood, he replied, Well, it is summat if
the town cannot keep one gentleman." 'David," on
another occasion, when going his begging rounds, called
at a gentleman's residence, whose back-door step he
often visited, and the servants, anxious to discourage
his visits, warmed up some old stew which had not
improved with the keeping.
few mouthfuls exclaimed,
"David," after taking a
Every man to his likin',
but no moor o' yon stew for me, as Cakey Joe said when
he found th' ratton bwones in his stew." He added,
"Aw'st keep comin' ogeean, yo' may depend, like
Clegg Ho' boggart." When living, his relations gave
him the cold shoulder, but when dead their affection
for him was galvanised into sudden warmth, and they
surrounded him like locusts for a share of the money
he had hoarded in the course of a not unsuccessful
career as an unabashed and indolent mendicant.
"BAREFOOT
SA M."
It was the custom in days of yore for the faithful who
had fallen from duty to walk to the shrine of saints
barefooted, by way of penance; the character, however,
BAREFOOT SAM.
239
we are going to pourtray did not fall within the de-
scription given, and did not go about barefooted on
that account, but more as a matter of necessity than
choice, and thus the name of "Barefoot Sam" stuck to
him through life as the limpet sticks to the rock. The
leather covering for his pedal extremities being absent,
as a matter of course, there was no necessity for stock-
ings, so here was a three-fold saving-buying, washing,
and darning—and by adopting the costume of knee-
breeches, Sam curtailed expenditure in fustian as well.
The feet and legs being thus kept cool, it was thought
unwise to heat the other extremity of the body with a
covering, therefore, the cost of a cap was saved, and
his expenditure in clothing reduced to a minimum.
Although exposed to wind and rain, Sam could boast of
a fine figure, and of legs that even footmen envied. Sam's
chief occupation was to dodge carts about the streets,
and weak-kneed carters used to reward him with coppers
for giving them a lift. His strength was proverbial-
equal almost to Samson's-and his drinking propensi-
ties great. For a pint of ale he would lift a sack of
flour off the ground with his teeth. The jaw-bone of a
long-eared quadruped in the hands of the hero who
spoiled the Philistines worked wonders; but this feat
of Sam's, which ought to have been a jaw-breaker,
surely entitled him to share the laurels. He must,
indeed, have been a strong man, and might have com-
peted in feats of strength with the "very strong man,"
Kwasind, the friend of "Hiawatha," whose praises are
duly recorded by the poet Longfellow in imperishable
verse, but we can't for the life of us be flowery about
Sam.
240
"PAUL PRY."
“Octavius Augustus Lee,”.
"Phoebus, what a name,
To fill the sounding trump of fame!".
was a “leetle” fat tomb-stone engraver of "infinite jest,"
and he bore his "sponsorial and patronymic appella-
tions," as Ingoldsby says, with the greatest pride and
complacency. "Octavius Augustus" was not a Roman
emperor, and although following a decidedly “grave
occupation, he was of a thoroughly jovial and eccentric
temperament. Besides recording the names, ages,
virtues, and achievement of the "dear departed," he
provided entertainment for his droughty fellow-
countrymen who had not yet "shuffled off this mortal
coil" at a celebrated hostelry in the classical regions.
of School-lane, and known by the name or sign of
· Paul Pry." On his sign board he gave an invitation
to all passers by in the following doggerel verse:--
66
"Just pop in, you won't intrude,
The beer is good, so don't be rude;
Friends to meet, he is glad to sce,
Your humble servant, O. A. Lec.
If the beer which "Octavius Augustus" brewed was
not a good deal better than his rhymes, we are inclined
to compassionate the lieges who swallowed it, and if he
did not prosper in life, it might be owing to his having
combined too many occupations-stone engraver, pub-
lican, and poet! "A Jack of all trades," the adage
says,
"is master of none." But let us not be hard on
poor "Octavius Augustus;" he has gone where neither
beer, poetry, nor grave stones are required. Alas!
that the paths of glory which "Octavius Augustus "
trod should lead but to the grave.
241
"JANE CLOUGH,"
OF BAGSLATE.
Jane Clough, a coarse, masculine-looking woman,
whose voice did not remind one of the music of the
spheres, and who used to reside at Bagslate, gave up
part of her time to the study of botany, and the culti-
vation of "monster gooseberries" and carnations.
Jane was not by any means a counterpart of the "Jane"
so highly eulogised in the delightful song so charmingly
sung by Sims Reeves as "pretty
pretty" and " shy," and
there was no prim gallant in those days who had the
courage to invite her to meet him in the evening
"when the bloom was on the rye." Nor was there
any young Lochinvar in these parts sufficiently daring
in love to whisk off our heroine on a milk-white charger,
and bear her away to his home. Jane was in her element
if only permitted to join a group of the wisemen who
upheld the state at a street corner, and take part with
them in discussing politics, cock-fights, and a "gradely"
dog fight. As to politics, it would appear as if she
had been a fore-runner of the strong-minded women
of the present generation, as she took the liveliest
interest in that absorbing science. She preferred the
society of the masculine sex, and, as a rule, shunned
that of woman kind in general. Jane was a staunch
Conservative, and would always insist on heading that
party's processions on great and stirring occasions, but
we have not been able to find that the friends of the
cause to which she allied herself ever went to the
expense of dressing her on such eventful occasions in
the "blue" colours which usually distinguish the
Conservatives.
242
"MALTOO T.”
Another strange character, who died early in 1873,
named Shaw, alias "Maltoot," is worthy of notice.
Shaw was a noted wrestler. He started business with
a donkey and cart, as a carter, and he used to ornament
his person with military attire on some days, and on
others was to be seen with an old college student's cap,
and garments of many colours, but his wooden leg
gave a flat contradiction to his military assumption, and
his red proboscis to his collegiate pretentions. Although
some thought him to be weak-minded, he possessed.
native wit of no ordinary character. Passing the resi-
dence of a limb of the law" one day, he was asked if
he could " sup" a pint of ale. Shaw replied that he
could if he had the chance. He was invited within doors,
and a pint of nut-brown ale gave au impetus to his
loquacity. The lawyer, proud of his possessions, showed
Shaw into his library, and, amongst other pictures,
drew his attention to a portrait of himself, and invited
comment. Shaw, after surveying it with as much
attention as a connoisseur, remarked that the attitude
was not correct. The lawyer assured him that all his
friends had pronounced it a remarkably good likeness,
and wished to know what was the fault he had noticed.
Shaw gravely remarked that the portrait represented
his host with his hands in his pockets, whereas he was
in the habit of having them in other people's. On one
occasion, when a company of soldiers arrived in town
on their way to Manchester, Maltoot dressed himself
up in all the military attire he could find in his
wardrobe, and strutted through the streets with the air
of a commander-in-chief, with his head erect, as if he
MALTOOT.
243
had a stiff-neck. Some privates, who were strolling up
Drake-street, and must have been raw recruits, saluted
him with the profoundest respect, evidently thinking,
from by his gay attire and peacock appearance, that he
must be a field marshal or general who had unfortu-
nately lost his leg in some disastrous engagement in
defence of the liberties of his beloved country. The
"general" condescended to recognise, in the usual
manner of warlike chiefs, the military honour paid to
him, and, in addition, graciously smiled upon his sub-
ordinates. Appearances are apt to mislead, and our
great dramatist has informed us that "the world is still
deceived with ornament," and so it was here, for if
these warriors had been better acquainted with Roch-
dale, and its celebrities, they would not have mistaken
"Maltoot" for a general or field marshal, but would
have known that he was simply a driver of asses.
Shaw had some little experience of prison life, and on
one occasion, being questioned on the internal arrange-
ments, remarked that they were excellent, and that he
held the strong opinion that every Englishman ought
to be confined once so that he might thoroughly appre-
ciate the admirable arrangements which were made for
the good of those who sometimes did ill. Although
this man had a rough exterior, and played the fool, he
was not destitute of better sentiments in his latter days.
"Maltoot" was loyal to the back-bone, for he was
once heard to repeat, "Don yo' knaw what we ha' opo'
th' throne 'Englan' just meet neaw? A mother an'
her childer, mon! And a gradely dacent little woman,
too, as ever bote off th' edge o' a moufin." When the
new Town Hall was opened he joined the procession in
244
MALTOOT.
his donkey-cart; and it is stated that in the evening he
sought admission to the banquet given on the occasion,
having his wood leg highly ornamented in blue and gold,
and tied round with the gayest of blue ribbon; for he
was a "true blue," and had a great contempt for Radical
opinions and doings. It is right to say that the "Blues"
were not, however, very proud of their odd acquisition.
By the favour of a literary friend we are enabled to
place before our readers Maltoot's Epitaph:
"Here lies' Maltoot,'
Who in pursuit
Of business lost his leg:
He then became
An imp of fame,'
And onward used to 'peg.'
He carted coal, stone, cinders, dust;
He liked cash down and not much trust.
His leg of flesh and leg of wood
Were active and much toil withstood,
And now he rests where all men must,
With earth heaped on him for a crust.
Noisy in life, he lies quite still,
And can no longer shout, or swill;
For pity's sake, let's drop a tear,
And say 'Poor Mal. is buried here.'

GIO DIÙ PO
aa do do dO DO CO
RUSH-BEARING.

&
SHE annual ceremony of rush - bearing, in
Rochdale, which commences on the third Sun-
day in August, is of great antiquity, probably
as remote as the age of Pope Gregory IV.
(A.D. 827). About sixty years ago its cele-
bration was performed with much pomp and circumstance.
The rush-carts were skilfully built in a conical shape,
rising to a sharp ridge at the top, and on the summit
was a bower in the form of a crown, made of holly,
laurel, and other evergreens, round which were twined
garlands of the gayest flowers. About thirty young
men with white smocks, profusely adorned with gaudy
ribbons, and with floral wreaths on their heads, were
yoked in couples before the rush-cart. Each couple
held a stave fastened to the ropes attached to the cart
shafts, and at intervals the young men engaged in a
sort of "morrice dance." A strong horse drew the
cart, and the merry strains of music served to increase
the hilarity of the occasion, whilst crowds of people
collected and followed the procession as it went through
the streets. The rush-carts generally came from the
neighbouring villages, and fights of a desperate character
used often to take place between the owners of rival
rush-carts. Of late years rush-carts have not often
made their appearance in Rochdale, and it would seem
that the custom is dying out. In ancient times the
246
RUSH-BEARING.
ceremony used to terminate at the Parish Church, and
the rushes were spread on the clay floor under the
benches, to serve as a comfortable winter carpet, and
there they remained until the arrival of warmer weather;
but within the last forty years the "church is frequently
the last place thought of in this festival, which has
degenerated into a mere rustic saturnalia.”
The money
collected as the carts made their progress through the
streets was generally spent in mere drunkenness and
folly.
The rush-cart banner, or flag, was always a most con-
spicuous object in the public procession of the carts.
Great taste and large expense were usually bestowed on
this gorgeous and indispensable adjunct, which was
raised on stout poles, and carried by two or more men
in front of the cart. It was a point of pride with the
builders of every rush-cart to strive to outvie all com-
petitors in this particular respect; and it was generally
considered that the "Marland lads" were mostly
successful in providing and displaying the banner par
excellence and so frequently was this the case, that it
has become almost a proverb, when speaking highly of
anything, to say, "It's as bonny as Marland banner."
When the banners were not in active use, they often
found a resting place at the pawnbrokers, where they
remained until the rush-bearing of the following year,
when, of necessity, funds were scraped together by
great effort, and the banners left my "uncle's" custody.
No doubt the current coin of the realm was more
acceptable to that worthy individual than the grandest
banner that ever flaunted in the breeze.
THE OLD MARKET OR TOWN CROSS.

R
OCHDALE, like most ancient towns, was once
ornamented with a "Market or Town Cross."
Crosses of this description were usually erected
in some conspicuous place, either to mark
boundaries, or to keep in mind certain important
local occurrences, which it was considered desirable to
commemorate, and the idea of the cross itself was
doubtless that in the busy transactions of life it should
be remembered that the Christian religion, of which the
cross was the sacred symbol, was that which the people
professed to love and follow. The Rochdale Cross
stood on a plot of ground in front of where the exten-
sive premises of Mr. J. H. King, ironmonger,
Yorkshire-street, now stand. About one hundred
years ago, Mr. Edmund Lord (grandfather of the late
high bailiff of the County Court) and a number of
frolicksome comrades of his, one night pulled the cross
down in a joke, and the authorities of the day, who
might have no love for such an ornament in that parti-
cular place, or from a notion that such memorials tended
to superstition rather than usefulness, did not consider
it necessary to take means for its re-erection, or to
punish the persons who had meddled with it so uncere-
moniously. For years it disappeared from the public
gaze, and slept in mother earth. When the new road
was being made to Manchester, it was found embedded
248
THE OLD MARKET OR TOWN CROSS.
underneath a foot-path near Goose Lane, and the late
Mr. Lancashire, who would no doubt regard it as a
most interesting relic of ancient day's, considerately gave
it a standing place in his garden at Willow Bank.
When Mr. Lancashire left Willow Bank, he gave it
into the care of the late Mr. Samuel Lomax, of Castle
Hill, and this memorial of antiquity is still kept in
private in Castle Hill garden, although solicitations
have been made to restore it to its natural guardians,
who wished to give it a resting place in the Public Park.
In olden times, no doubt, this cross was looked upon
with considerable respect and veneration; and it may
have been the rendezvous of lovers who have long
passed from earthly scenes, and are mouldering now
in the dust. Many tales of romantic interest are asso-
ciated with these primitive crosses in various parts of
the country; and the Rochdale Cross, we have every
reason to believe, had its legend also. "Meet me at
the Cross" was no uncommon phrase in the days of our
forefathers, and to make vows at such spots was not
unusual, and gave additional solemnity and binding
obligation to the vows themselves. To injure or deface
the crosses in any way was regarded as a serious offence,
which carried with it a considerable amount of odium
and disgrace, and the depredators above referred to
would have been dealt with very severely if their offence
had been committed in earlier times.

GO GO GIO O O GIO OƒÐ 612
1.
THE ROCHDALE MARKET.
"The place where people most do congregate
To buy their butchers' meat, their fish, and game;
Where eager dealers for their patrons wait,
To fill their coffers being all their aim.”

BOUT sixty years ago, the market was held at
the bottom of Yorkshire-street, in that part of
the town which is still denominated the "Old
Market Place." The vendors had to stand in
the open air, exposed to all kinds of weather;
and were seen muffled to the ears in winter, and scorched
by the "sun's meridian ray" in summer. The presence
of so large a number of hucksters, dealers, and chapmen
in such an important thoroughfare, caused a most in-
convenient interruption, not only to pedestrians, but
also to the passage of horses, carts, and carriages, as
the street at that time was, at this point, only 15 feet
wide. In consequence of the royal mail-coach being
interrupted on one occasion in its passage through the
town, the Government made a complaint to the local
authorities, who gave orders that the market business
was to be removed to Cheetham-street, but it was only
partially successful. This brought about the formation
of a Market Company, who applied to Parliament for an
Act to establish a Market Hall, on the site of the present
building. The property owners on the Castleton side
of the river, opposed the application, as they were
in favour of the Market Hall being erected in the neigh-
bourhood of Packer-street. Lord Stanley (the lato
Earl Derby) was the chairman of the committee on the
passage of the Bill through Parliament, and he stated
17
250
THE ROCHDALE MARKET.
that he had once passed through Rochdale, and had
been detained a considerable time in consequence of
Yorkshire-street being blocked up by the market stalls
and carts; he strongly advocated a plan for widening the
street, which he considered to be absolutely necessary, in
order that the ordinary traffic along the street might not
be impeded. The company agreed to widen the street,
as required, on receiving the promise of £500 from the
inhabitants of Wardleworth, and the Act was passed in
1823. The land, 7,000 yards, and buildings thereon,
cost about £23,000, and the erection of the hall and
shops about £30,000. The hall was opened fifty years
ago. The original shares were £50 each, but they
For twelve or
were necessarily increased to £90.
fourteen years no profit was realised, but at the present
time (1874) the annual dividends are about £8 a share.
The shares number 360.
Before the Market Act was obtained, the then lord of
the manor, Lord Byron, the poet, received the market
tolls through his agent, Mr. Kershaw, solicitor, and the
Market Company had to purchase these manorial rights.
Joseph Brierley, Esq., J.P., is the present chairman of
the Company, and Mr. Charles Collier is the superin-
tendent. The Corporation has obtained Parliamentary
powers to purchase the Market Hall, and the property
connected with it; but it does not at present appear
how soon the contemplated purchase can be carried into
effect. No doubt it is important that the Corporation
should acquire the Market property in the same manner
that it has possessed itself of the Water Works and the
Gas Works, which were formerly in the hands of
private shareholders.
THE INFIRMARY.
"'Tis not enough that we with sorrow sigh,
That we the wants of pleading man supply;
That we in sympathy with sufferers feel,
Nor hear a grief without a wish to heal:
Not these suffice-to sickness, pain, and woe,
The Christian spirit loves with aid to go,
Will not be sought, waits not for man to plead,
But seeks the duty-nay, prevents the need;
Her utmost aid to every ill applies,
And plans relief for coming miseries.
Here all have kindness, most relief, for some
Is cure complete-it is the sufferer's home;
Fevers and chronic ills, corroding pains,
Each accidental mischief man sustains,
Have here attention-here the sufferers lie,
(Where love and science every aid apply),
And healed, with rapture live; or, soothed by comfort, die."

a
HIS benevolent institution claims, and is entitled
to, the warmest sympathy and support alike
of the opulent and the working classes in our
midst, its aim being to help and succour the
afflicted poor in the time of their greatest need.
Its primary or more important object is to mitigate
bodily suffering, arising either from disease or accidental
causes, in which respect it is indispensable to all who
are not able to pay for private medical or surgical aid,
or as a necessary means of assistance in cases of
emergency. For such purposes the institution
absolutely essential to the well-being of the dense com-
munity which exists in Rochdale. By its prompt and
humane action it interposes to stem diseases which, if
unchecked in their outbreak, would spare neither rich
is
252
THE INFIRMARY.
nor poor, for disease, like death, is most indiscriminate
in its operations, and is no respecter of persons. In
October, 1831, the late Clement Royds, Esq., and other
worthy gentlemen, amongst whom were Messrs. John
Entwisle, John Howard, junior, J. Roby, William
Littlewood, O. H. Redfern, Thomas Booth, James
Midgley, and the Revs. W. R. Hay, W. H. Twemlow,
W. J. ffarington, J. Ely, and F. Haworth, founded this
system of charitable treatment, at a meeting held at the
Wellington Hotel; and the "Dispensary" was situate
in South Parade, in the premises now occupied by Mr.
Jackson, solicitor. The building subsequently proving
to be inconvenient, more suitable accommodation was
provided near the end of Lord-street, facing Manchester-
road, and there, from 1831-2 to 1871, the work of the
charity was carried on. Up to this time a medical
officer resided on the premises, and it was his duty to
visit poor patients, who were recommended by the sub-
scribers, at their homes, and supply them with medicines
free of cost, but there was no provision made for indoor
patients. In 1871 the committee found that it was
absolutely necessary to remove into larger premises,
and make provision for indoor patients, and the present
building in Yorkshire-street, corner of Elliott-street,
was rented, and received the name of "The Infirmary."
There are two wards in it, one for the females, and the
other for the males. There are four beds in each ward,
and on some occasions patients have had to wait for an
empty bed, the number of applicants being so nu-
merous. The committee now complain of the unsuitable-
ness of the building, owing to its limited size, deficient
drainage, and its close proximity to the street, and
THE INFIRMARY.
253
propose to erect a new and more commodious Infirmary,
to be devoted entirely to surgical purposes. The cost
is estimated at £10,000, which it is intended to raise by
canvassing the inhabitants, and opening subscription
lists at the various banks, to be supplemented by a
bazaar, intended to be held in 1875, and for which
much preparation is being made at the time we write.
After the death of the Rev. W. R. Hay, the Rev. Dr.
Molesworth was appointed president, and he has held
the office ever since with credit. The late George
Howorth, of the Savings' Bank, was the first secretary;
Joseph Wood, Esq., banker, next occupied this post;
and Mr. Peter Lee, grocer, Yorkshire-street, filled the
office of hon. secretary from 1866 to 1872, at which date
he was succeeded by Mr. Councillor Ernest E. M. Royds,
who, like his predecessor in office, is most zealous in
the noble cause of providing for the sick and needy.
The other officers who are carrying on this good work
at present are, G. T. Kemp, Esq., J.P., vice-president;
Albert Hudson Royds, Esq., J.P., treasurer. Com-
mittee:— Messrs. John Ashworth, C. M. Royds, Wm.
Shaw, Colonel Fishwick, George Mansell, Ralph Rob-
inson, Thomas Schofield, Peter Lee, W. Woolley, R. S.
Rowan, E. A. N. Royds, Joseph Handley. Medical
Officers-Dr. March, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Bland, Mr.
Charles Ogden. Resident Medical Officer :—Mr. Wm.
M. Turner. We sincerely hope that the response of
the public to the urgent appeal of the committee for
funds, for the new erection, will be of the most liberal
character; and that we shall soon have the happiness.
of seeing such a building provided as will meet the
necessities of this great parish of Rochdale.
PACK-HORSES, THE WAGGON, STAGE COACH,
AND RAILWAY.

-
lane sides.
HE Rochdalians, in primitive days, laboured
under many disadvantages in their rather
uncouth system of travelling, as well as in
the conveyance of goods. If an inhabitant
had to travel a considerable distance, and was
not the owner of a horse, he had either to resort to
"shank's-pony," or mount one of a string of "gals,"
which were often in a poor and half-starved condition.
They were generally led by one or two old stage
horses accustomed to the road, and seldom attended by
more than one driver. They travelled at the slow pace
and
of about two miles an hour in a long, straggling,
broken string, and browsed on the fells, moorlands, and
The leading horse carried a bell or pair of
bells suspended to his head gear, and the tinkling of
these bells guided the "gals" in the dark, or in the
turnings of narrow lanes, and warned passengers of
their approach. They were occasionally seen quenching
their thirst in the midst of a mountain stream in the
heat of a sultry noon, and taking a temporary
under the branches of wide-spreading trees; and in
winter facing the driving rain and wind, the biting
frosts, and the puzzling mists, over hills and mountains.
On these long journeys they were seldom met by any
pedestrians except rustics, who resided in the immediate
neighbourhood, such as a shepherd farmer, a rude
quarryman, or collier, cattle jobber, or the vagabond on
tramp with his starving wife and children, eagerly
shelter
PACK-HORSES.
255
devouring crusts of bread which charity had afforded
them. The transit of goods and the conveyance of
passengers by pack-horses, are remembered by some of
the oldest inhabitants of Rochdale; and it is well known
that hand-loom weavers were often under the necesssity
of carrying their pieces to Manchester on their backs,
and amongst the number, the late Mr. Holt, of Chamber
House, who, when a young man, experienced such
days of real hard labour, but by his industry he amassed
a large fortune, and, in advanced life, was often seen
riding through the town with the air of a fine old
English gentleman. It was a custom in the surrounding
country, especially in the neighbourhood of Saddleworth,
for those on matrimonial pleasures bent to be married
at the Rochdale Parish Church. As many as twenty
or thirty couples, on horseback, used to accompany the
bridegroom. The "happy pair" headed the procession,
the lady sitting on a cushion behind her lover on the
best horse that could be obtained for the occasion.
These "wedding marches" always created a large
amount of interest, and met with pleasant recognition
and hearty congratulation as they passed along the road
to the church where the twain were to be made one flesh.
From the fact of these swains seeking matrimony, it
would appear they must have discovered that it was
"not good for man to be alone." Solitude is all very
well in its way, but some of these dwellers in remote
regions would appear to have shared the opinion of the
poet who expressed his experience of a solitary life after
this fashion:
"How sweet, how passing sweet, is solitude!
But grant me still a friend in my retreat,
Whom I may whisper solitude is sweet."
256
THE WAGGONS.
With the improvements of the roads, waggons made.
their appearance about the year 1775, and were used
as public conveyances between distant places, but they
travelled at a miserably slow pace, and their passengers,
in addition to being thus carried, received a good shaking
free of any extra charge. A few post-chaises were
provided for the use of the upper class. Some of the
wholesale houses in Rochdale employed farmers' carts
to carry goods from the Calder over Blackstone Edge
that came from London via Hull. Travelling by the
old lumbering waggons was by no means pleasant, as
they were not provided with springs, and "Jolt, jolt,
all the way, served to make more sad the day."
66
THE STAGE COACH.
Long time elapsed or e'er our rugged sires
Complained, though incommodiously pent in,
And ill at ease behind.
Ingenious fancy, never better pleased
Than when employed to accommodate the fair,"
devised the stage-coach, about ninety years ago,
which superseded the jolting waggon, and it
was certainly a great improvement upon the pre-
vious modes of travelling. The coaches used to
start from the Butts to Manchester twice a-week,
and at first the mail-coach was the only one that
travelled into Yorkshire. It was named the
"High Flyer," driven by Robin Grey in 1790, but
very soon private enterprise also entered upon that
route, and two coaches ran from Rochdale to Leeds
over Blackstone Edge. It may appear somewhat
THE RAILWAY.
257
marvellous, in the eyes of this generation, that the
meagre communication between the West Riding and
Lancashire should have given rise at times to a fierce
competition. The most famous of the opposition
coaches was the "Duke of Leeds," which was brought
out against the “Defiance.” For the first weeks of its
running it exhibited a brush to signify that it would
sweep the "Defiance" off the road. The route of the
day mail was over Blackstone Edge, and the night mail
Rochdale became the
through the vale of Todmorden.
dividing station to Yorkshire, and the coaches increased
to six, and four local coaches to Manchester. The fare
to Manchester was 1s. 6d. outside and 2s. 6d. in; but
the charge of the mail-coach was 4s. inside and 2s. out.
Next a coach named the "Neptune" travelled from
Rochdale to Liverpool, through Bolton and Wigan, and
before the railway was established it was found neces-
sary to add another. It was customary for intending
travellers to book a week before the appointed day, if
they wished to secure seats to Yorkshire, and two days
before their journey to Manchester.
THE RAILWAY.
The giant power of steam being at length discovered,
it was soon employed to "drive the rapid car." In 1837
a company was formed to make a railway between
Leeds and Manchester, which is now known as the
"Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway." At that period
railways were regarded as a nuisance if the lines
ran through towns, and this feeling was so strong that
not only public authorities but private individuals
opposed the making of railways in close proximity to
258
THE RAILWAY.
towns. At one time a line was surveyed, and it was
intended that it should run on the south side of Roch-
dale and go through Lowerplace, that being the nearest
point to the town, but the owners of property in that
neighbourhood sternly opposed the scheme. A little
light kept gleaming into the minds of the pro-
jectors and the public, and at last it was thought
desirable that the railway should run as close to the town
as possible, and the present line was made. The
building off Milnrow-road which has a horse-shoe
shaped yard before it, and close under part of the
present station, on the left hand side, was the first
railway station erected in Rochdale. Additions were
made to it piece-meal until it has assumed a fair length,
but it is by no means a convenient or handsome structure.
The line was opened in 1838 as far as Littleborough,
and the carriages consisted of first, second, and third
classes, but the latter were not provided with seats, and
were called "stand-ups" on account of the occupants
being compelled to stand. The fares were fixed after
the standard of the Yorkshire coaches, namely, 4s. first
class to Manchester, 2s. 6d. second class, and 1s. 6d.
third class. The public resisted these charges, as some
other coaches which travelled between Rochdale and
Manchester ran at lower rates, and for some time the
local coaches ran in opposition to the railway. All
classes opposed the high rates and determined to travel
only by the "stand-ups," and to the honour of the rich
they and the poor flocked together in these trucks only
suitable for cattle, for the sole purpose of lowering the
fares. At last Parliament interfered with all the rail-
ways, and compelled the companies to provide covered
259
THE RAILWAY.
carriages with seats, and the third class at a fixed rate.
It may be interesting to state that the number of
passengers in the month of May, 1840, was 12,063, the
total receipts amounting to £554 11s. For parcels, &c.,
The
the amount paid did not exceed £41 19s. 7d.
passengers in the month of May, 1874, numbered 92,390,
and the receipts were £4,377 12s. 1d. Now no less
than 186 trains pass through the Rochdale station in a
day. A new line has been opened to Oldham, and is a
a great convenience to the inhabitants of Milnrow,
Newhey, and Shaw. In 1867 a single line was opened
to Facit, and not before it was much needed. At the
present time there are great complaints that this line
does not extend to Bacup and Burnley, and there is an
agitation for a new line from Colne, through Burnley,
Bacup, and Rochdale, to Manchester. Mr. Cross is the
station master at Rochdale, Mr. C. Marsh and Mr. John
Wrigley, inspectors; Mr. David Buff, main line in-
spector; Mr. Busby, goods agent, and Mr. Joseph Wild,
goods inspector.

THE CANAL.

CENTURY and a half ago merchandise had
to be conveyed over Blackstone Edge and other
approaches to the town by gangs of pack-
horses, and at that time it was difficult for
carriages to travel by the road over the hill
into Yorkshire. In 1765 a worthy magistrate, of
Belfield, Mr. Richard Townley, was impressed with the
great disadvantages which the merchants and manu-
facturers of Rochdale laboured under, through being
compelled to use land-carriage, and he employed an
engineer of fame, Mr. Brindley, who was in the service
of the Duke of Bridgewater, together with his steward,
Mr. Whitaker, to survey and make a plan of the best
line of canal to Rochdale. After many years of agita-
tion, an Act of Parliament was passed on the 4th of
April, 1794, empowering the making of a canal, and
on the 21st of December, 1804, it was opened with a
pleasing ceremony. Two elegant yachts, containing
the committee of the Canal Company, and other pro-
prietors, proceeded by ice boats from Rochdale to
Manchester, a distance of upwards of twelve miles.
At Failsworth, about four miles from Manchester, a
band of music belonging to the first battalion of the
Manchester and Salford Independent Volunteers, en-
tered the leading yacht, and played popular airs. On
approaching Manchester the banks of the canal were
THE CANAL.
261
lined on both sides with many thousand people, and the
roofs of factories, houses, balconies, and all the elevated
situations were crowded, and the church bells rang out
merry peals, and the multitude welcomed the approach
with reiterated cheers. This canal commences in the
Calder Navigation at Sowerby Bridge Wharf, and runs
westward up the vale of Calder, close to that river and
turnpike road, passing in its course Mytholmroyd,
Hebden Bridge, and Todmorden; and bending south-
wards, it proceeds past Gauxholme to the Summit, the
ascent having been from the feeders of the Humber,
and the descent is now to the Mersey level, passing
Littleborough, to what is locally known as
"Lock
Bridge," whence a branch to the Central Basin,
Vicar's Moss, Rochdale, between Oldham-road and
Drake-street. Here the extensive warehousing and.
canal yard of the company are situate. The main line
still pursuing a southerly direction, passes Bluepits, a
short distance from which place there is a branch to
Heywood, the canal continuing its course to Failsworth,
whence it bends a little westward of south, passing
Newton, Ancoats, to the Duke of Bridgewater's Canal,
into which it locks at Castlefield, Manchester. Ashton-
under-Lyne, and Oldham Canal, can be joined at the
Piccadilly Wharf. According to the levels taken by
Mr. Rennie, the engineer of this work, the rise from
Sowerby to where he proposed the Summit level to
commence, near Travis Mill, is 275 feet in a distance of
about eleven miles and a quarter, and the fall from the
Summit to the Duke of Bridgewater's Canal is 438 feet.
The level of the Rochdale Canal Basin is 400 feet. This
canal is one of the main links in the chain of inland
(16
262
THE CANAL.
navigation between the east and west seas, being made
for vessels of such a size as enables them to navigate in
the tideway, and to pass between Liverpool and Hull
without the expense of re-shipping their cargoes, thus
affording great advantages to the populous towns of
Manchester, Rochdale, Halifax, Wakefield, and others,
on the banks of the intermediate rivers. The canal
cost about £471,950. W. Fenton, Esq., J.P., of Beau-
monds, was the chairman for a great number of years,
and C. M. Royds, Esq., is the present chairman; and
we find the names of J. Butterworth, Esq., J.P.; James
Brierley, Esq., J.P.; J. Nield, Esq., J.P.; Henry
Newall, Esq., J.P.; E. A. N. Royds, Esq., J.P.;
William Fenton, jun., Esq.; Joseph Fenton, Esq., J.P.;
and other Rochdale gentlemen on the board of directors.

THE RIVER ROACH AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.

M
ANY of the present inhabitants of Rochdale
remember that this now polluted river, not
thirty years ago, flowed through the town
in a state of comparative purity, and "above
the golden gravel" they have seen—
"Here and there a lusty trout,
And here and there a grayling."
The minnow, the loach, and the eel were caught as late
as the year 1835, and, no doubt, the eel much later;
but the nauseous matter now poured into the river from
manufactories and sewers has made it a nuisance. It is
true that in the year 1869 the Royal Commissioners
enquired into the cause of the pollution of rivers, and
held a solemn investigation as to the state of the Roach,
and hopes were entertained of a speedy remedy; and if
their report had been adopted, and the means recom-
mended carried out,
carried out, the nuisance would have
been abated, but it still exists. The Roach rises
on the north-westerly side of Blackstone Edge
in 50 degrees, 40 minutes, 25 seconds north lati-
tude, and 2 degrees, 3 minutes, 7 seconds west
longitude; and as it proceeds receives the Castle Clough
Brook, the Town House Brook, near Town House; the
Featherstall Brook, near Stubley Hall; the Ash Brook,
near to Holme Mill; the river Beal, at Belfield; and at a
264
THE RIVER ROACH.
1
place familiarly known as the "Meetings," the Hey-
brook; thence it flows in a serpentine manner through
the centre of Rochdale. At the Holme, near to Mitchell
Hey Mills, the Spodden enters the Roach. This tribu-
tary rises near High House, in the township of Spotland,
and passes through Shawforth, Tongend, Hall Fold,
and Healey, dividing the hamlets of Catley Lane and
Falinge. The valley of the Spodden has been, and at
some points still is, most picturesque; and near to
Healey Hall, the residence of Robert Tweedale, Esq.,
the scenery is very beautiful. The Thrutch," a
narrow gorge, is an interesting feature, and was still
more so before the great flood of July 4th, 1838, which
destroyed what was known as the "Fairy Chapel," a
cavern in the rock, which had a pulpit, reading desk,
and seats, formed out of the rock by the action of the
water. This flood rose to the height of 15 feet at Spot-
land Bridge, which it washed away, as well as other
bridges. The fall of rain and ice was chiefly on Rooley
Moor, where, on the following day, pieces were found
weighing as much as twelve ounces. The storm was
one of the most violent ever known in this neighbour-
hood, and its ravages were excessive in the Spodden
valley, the works at Broadley, Healey Hall, Foot Mill,
and Mr. John Whitaker's dye works, at Spotland
Bridge, being almost demolished. The hail storm
passed over the southerly side of Rochdale, breaking
all the skylights of the houses, and windows in its course,
and also some weaving sheds, and particularly at Mr.
King's factory, at Moss Mill, where it was popularly
said to have broken 1,000 panes. At Gibson Row the
cradles containing the children were swimming about in
THE RIVER ROACH.
265
the houses. At the top of Toad Lane, at Water House,
the residence of a Mr. Henry, the flood was so sudden
that the clothes which were drying before the fire were
washed out of the house. In the Old Market Place the
water was one yard deep in five minutes, but the Roach
was scarcely affected by the rainfall. Referring to the
Spodden, Drayton writes:-
"First Roach, a dainty rill, from Rochdale, her dear dame,
Who, honoured with the half of her stern mother's name,
Grew proud, yet glad herself into my banks to get,
Which Spodden from her springs, a pretty rivulet,
As her attendant brings."
The Red Brook, which flows through Coptrod Estate,
the residence of Mr. Mellor, is the next tributary on the
north, and on the south the Sudden Brook is the last
tributary of the Roach, within the boundary of the
borough. About a mile and three-quarters further
down, at Hooley Clough, the Naden water enters the
Roach whence it flows along to Bury, and dis-
charges itself into the Irwell, at Radcliffe, having had
a flow in a direct line of thirteen miles, and in
its meandering a flow of eighteen miles. The Roach is
characteristically little more than a mountain stream,
and were it not for the reservoirs at its sources would
be frequently nearly dry; but Parliament has granted
powers to the Rochdale Canal Company, the Rochdale
Water Works Company, and the Oldham Corporation
to impound its waters. Parliament has required that a
given quantity of water be sent down the stream in the
twelve working hours. The river is subject to sudden
floods; the highest in the Roach being in 1798, and
known as the "Rushbearing Flood," when it rose to the
18
266
THE RAINFALL.
height of 10 feet 8 inches above its usual level; another
great flood was that known as the Holmfirth Flood;
and another, in 1866, when the height was 7 feet
2 inches. The river now receives some attention from
the Health Committee of the Corporation, and we may
hope that in another edition of this work we may have
to record that it has ceased to be a sewage and has
become a trout stream.
THE RAINFALL.
The proximity of the town to the range of hills known
as the Back-bone of England, which divides Lancashire
from Yorkshire, and to the hills bordering on the Forest
of Rossendale, makes the drainage to be rapid, and
this is compensated by a very large rainfall. Unfortu-
nately there is not an official observatory, and we are,
therefore, not able to give a statement on official
authority; but, it so happens, there have been private
observers, and from this source we learn that for the
last eleven years the rainfall has averaged 38 inches,
which has fallen in 191 days. For nine years of
this period the statement is as follows:-

Year.
Rain in inches. Wet Days.
1866
47.2
190
1867
41.0
222
1868
33.6
198
1869
44.0
206
1870
35.3
165
1871
30.0
197
1872
45.1
254
1873
32.4
215
1874
38.4
206
HEALTH OF THE TOWN.
267
These figures are reduced from the publication of Mr.
T. H. Hayle's observations in the Rochdale Observer.
Notes of the weather had been taken some thirty years ago
by Mr. John Ecroyd, and from a lecture, published in
1848, on the sanitary condition of Rochdale, by Mr.
Edward Taylor, we learn that the rainfall in 1847 was
44 inches, the wet days 136; and, in 1848, 58 inches,
the wet days 159. In the two years the highest state
of the thermometer was 82, and the lowest 12 in 1846-7;
and the highest 81 and lowest 12 in 1847-8, the average
highest being 62, and lowest 27 in 1846-7; and in
1847-8, 65 and 30, so that the mean difference was 35
for both years, which showed favourably for the climate
of Rochdale, for in a comparison with London and
Durham the mean difference is 1 degrees in favour of
Rochdale. The rainfall on the surrounding hills is
said to average 42 inches.
HEALTH OF THE TOWN.
We are aware how fallacious a statement may be
as to the salubrity or healthiness of a locality, and how
inclined all natives are to exalt their own neighbour-
hood. To prevent such a fallacy and leaning, we give
the Registrar General's returns for the last year ending
September 30th, 1874:-Rochdale, 23 7; Stockport, 30.9;
Wigan, 35.8; Bolton, 26.5; Bury, 22-6; Ashton, 30:6;
Blackburn, 31.6; Preston, 38.4; Oldham, 27.6; Sal-
ford, 28.5; and we also give the death rate of Rochdale
for the last ten years, which will be found to compare
well with other towns:-1865, 24.93; 1866, 3004;
1867, 22.96; 1868, 24.59; 1869, 29.48; 1870, 26-49;
1871, 23-76; 1872, 24-87; 1873, 21-11; 1874, 20-83.
EQUITABLE PIONEERS' SOCIETY,
LIMITED.
"For we doubt not through the ages one increasing
purpose runs,
And the thoughts of men are widen'd with the process
of the suns."

HIS
HIS society was established in 1844 by a few
The immediate cause of
poor working men.
its formation was the unsatisfactory result of
a strike of the woollen weavers, in consequence
of some dispute between them and their
employers. A more remote cause was that some of
the men, who were leaders, had imbibed certain notions
respecting co-operative effort which led them to hope
for happier days for themselves and families if these
notions could assume practical shape. Efforts of co-
operative trading had been attempted years before, but
the idea of equality had been too prominent. Every
member had equal shares and equal profit, and no
premium of any kind was offered to members for
bringing in business or capital. The result was that
the shares were in most cases purchased by enterprising
members, and the business continued for their individual
benefit. These early pioneers considered that by carry-
ing out a principle of equity, as opposed to equality,
success would be more likely to be attained; and they
THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.
269
agreed that the net profits, after paying expenses, and
interest on capital, at £5 per cent. per annum, should
be divided amongst the members in proportion to the
purchases each had made during the period in which the
profit arose. They also carried out another idea which
has materially helped to secure success. Knowing that
the bulk of the labouring population were weighed
down by debt in consequence of the great facility
offered by the credit system, it was resolved that all
business should be transacted for ready money only.
Their plans being matured, the promoters took the
shop in Toad Lane, which is now occupied by the
tailoring department, and let off a portion. Having
secured twenty-eight members, who had managed to-
subscribe amongst them as many pounds, they com-
menced business in the grocery and provision line, on
December 21st, 1844, the shop, at first, being open in
the evening only. The members were their own shop-
men, each assisting as he could until constant hands
were rendered necessary, and the shop kept open daily.
In this manner was planted the little seed of co-opera-
tion which has become such a mighty tree. The
members and business of the society increased, more
premises were required, and butchering, drapery, and
tailoring were added, until, in 1856, it was found
necessary to open a branch in Oldham-road. A second
was provided by purchasing the business of another
society in School-lane. Whitworth-road and Pinfold
branches rapidly followed, and, at intervals, others have
been added in and near the town, till the number now
amounts to fifteen. The best idea of the society's pro-
gress can be obtained by a perusal of the table published
270
THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.
$
in the society's almanack for each year. The last table
we re-print :-

Year.
Members.
Funds.
Business.
Profits.
£
£
£
1844
28
28
1845
74
181
710
22
1846
80
252
1146
80
1847
110
286
1924
72
1848
149
397
2276
117
1849
390
1193
6611
561
1850
600
2289
13179
880
1851
630
2785
17633
990
1852
680
3471
16352
1206
1853
720
5848
22700
1674
1854
900
7172
33364
1763
1855
1400
11032
44902
3109
1856
1600
12920
63197
3921
1857
1850
15142
76789
5470
1858
1950
18160
74680
6284
1859
2703
27060
104012
10739
1860
3450
37710
152063
15906
1861
3900
42925
176206
18020
1862
3501
38465
141074
17564
1863
4013
49361
158632
19671
1864
4747
62105
174937
22717
1865
5326
78778
196234
25156
1866
6246
99989
249122
31931
1867
6823
128435
284910
41619
1868
6731
123233
290900
37459
1869
5809
93423
236438
28542
1870
5560
80291
223021
25209
1871
6021
107500
246522
29026
1872
6444
132912
267577
33640
1873
7021
160886
287212
38749
1874
7639
192814
298888
40679
1875
8415
225682
305657
48212
Our notice would be incomplete if the great and
successful educational efforts of the society were not
mentioned. Very early in its history a fortieth part of
the profits was applied in providing a news-room and
library for members and their families. The fund is
THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.
271
managed by a separate committee. Notwithstanding
that for many years the educational department was
really illegal, it was continued until sanctioned by law,
and it has now assumed somewhat colossal dimensions.
The money spent on news-rooms (of which there are
thirteen branches), libraries, lectures, classes, and other
educational agencies, has, for many years past, amounted
to upwards of £1,000 per annum. The society has
seldom placed itself in antagonism to other tradesmen.
It has won its way slowly but surely until it has become
of world-wide celebrity, and it cannot be doubted but
that its success has inaugurated a new era for the
labouring classes of this and other countries. The
anticipations of its founders are not all realised, but
the hitherto attained success has no parallel in the
history of industrial effort. Its capital is now nearly
£200,000. It is dividing interest and profit at the rate
of £40,000 per annum, and gives encouragement and
assistance to the social, economical, and educational
improvement of its members, and affords a model for
hundreds of similar societies throughout the civilized
world.
The educational department has 10,504 volumes
in the circulating and reference libraries; 9,807
are in the lending library, and have an annual
circulation of 30,000. There is, in connection with
the library, an excepted class which contains local
newspapers and literature, and rare and valuable
works, such as "Simpson's War in the East,"
"Hogarth's Works," "Whitaker's History of Whalley,"
"The Herbarium" of the late James Molineux, of
Rochdale; a complete copy of the Rochdale Recorder,
272
THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.
1827-8; Rochdale Standard, complete, 1856-7; Rochdale
Observer, complete, except four numbers; Rochdale Times,
complete, etc. These works are not allowed to circulate,
but can be consulted at the library.
The central premises, in Toad-lane, at the corner
of St. Mary's. Gate, are imposing and handsome
in appearance, and substantial in structure. They can
be prominently seen from most parts of the town, and
consist of three shops upon the ground floor, with store
rooms beneath. The second storey is fitted up as a
show room for drapery, a store room for grocery, and
with commodious offices. The third storey contains the
library, which has an area of 150 square yards; a well-
lighted news room (area 150 square yards); and two
committee rooms. The fourth storey is used for meet-
ings and lectures, and is capable of seating 1,500
persons. Mr. Councillor James Cheetham was the
architect of this fine edifice, which reflects credit upon
him, and it is a very important addition to the useful
and ornamental buildings of the town, and one of which
the inhabitants may well feel proud.
See what results from smallest actions flow;
See how united efforts daily grow;
See how the seed has multiplied and spread
Unnumbered blessings on the poor man's head.
Union is strength, and they who once were small
Have grown like giants and are stout and tall!
Then honour those by whom these things were planned,
Whose genius spread itself from land to land.
They saw with eye, keen as the eagle's glance,
How constant effort would man's good enhance;
Nor gave up hope though things were sometimes dark,
And though the fire gave sometimes but a spark.
Hope on! their motto was; the day must dawn,
THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.
273
They knew, when man to man would close be drawn.
Each hour beheld the prospect grow more bright,
And hearts once sad were filled with new delight;
For, from on high, a blessing seemed to fall
On those held long by care and want in thrall.
How kind, beneficent, and wise has been
The work thus done, and how sublime the scene
Which now appears before the astonished eye,
Proof of how much results from industry!
Material blessings crowd on every hand,
And inward blessings which all understand.
Still may the work go on till o'er the world
Co-operation's banner stands unfurled ;
And till mankind may everywhere behold
A sight more grand than vast upheaped gold.
The work must spread-time can but help it on,
But let us not forget the friends who're gone;
Theirs was the scheme-the vast design was theirs ;
They knew the toil, and they long felt its cares;
They saw the triumph, and they sank to rest
Well pleased, and why? they knew that men were blest!

THE THEATRES.
"The players
they are the abstract and brief
chronicle of the time: after your death you were better have a
bad epitaph than their ill report while you live.”

SHE inhabitants of Rochdale were accustomed to
be entertained with theatrical performances as
early as the year 1766, and they seem to have
thoroughly appreciated them. No doubt these
performances had an educating and beneficial
effect upon the people, as well as being a means of
recreation and amusement. "The drama," Bacon de-
clares, "is as history brought before the eyes. It
presents the images of things as if they were present,
while history treats of them as things past." At the
same time, theatrical performances may have a perni-
cious effect by a misapplication of the moral. As history
brings before our mind's eye characters of various
kinds, so, also, does the drama; and if individuals
among the audiences at theatres prefer to imitate the
vices rather than the virtues of the dramatis persona,
the actor is no more to be blamed than is the graphic
historian or the brilliant novelist; and to be consistent
in the indiscriminate condemnation of theatrical per-
formances, it becomes almost necessary that the reading
of history, and of the works of Shakespeare, Dickens,
Thackeray, and other writers of the same class should
THE THEATRES.
275
also be condemned and forbidden; for in the works of
these eminent authors, we find not only examples of
virtue and goodness, but also of vice and moral de-
formity in their most hateful form. Misery and vice
abound in the world, and the works of the dramatist
and the novelist do but put these things before the
spectator and the reader in a vivid shape, not from any
wrong or improper motive, but to illustrate human life
and conduct, as well as to "point a moral and adorn a
tale." But while we make these remarks on theatrical
representations in general, it is to be understood that
we rigidly condemn and view with the utmost abhor-
rence everything of a lewd, indecent, or improper
character, for we consider that the true end of the drama
is "to hold as 'twere the mirror up to nature, to show
virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the
very age and body of the time his form and pressure.'
Any gross pandering to the evil passions of the people
cannot be too strongly deprecated, and he is an enemy
to his species who seeks by the aid of the theatre to
disseminate and portray sentiments and characters
which tend to vitiate, or warp the moral sense of the
people. It is then that the theatre becomes a plague-
spot, and a hideous pest-house.
After the Wesleyans gave up the warehouse at
Waterside, near the river, on which site a part of the
Town Hall now stands, which was used as a preaching
room in 1760, it was leased as a theatre. This place
would accommodate about 600 people. A Mr. Howard
was the lessee for a number of years, and the perfor-
mances were largely attended, not only by the inhabi-
tants, but also by persons residing in the country for
276
THE THEATRES.
Most
miles round. After the Wesleyan body had left their
chapel in Toad Lane, which stood on the present site
of the central stores, the society established by the late
Countess of Huntington occupied it about the year 1790,
for a short time, and then it became a theatre. The
first lessee was Mr. Howard, next Mr Corbett Cook, then
Mr. Edmund Falconer, and Mr. James Rodgers, the
present owner and manager of the Prince of Wales
at Birmingham, was the lessee for five seasons.
of the "star" actors of those days played at these two
theatres, and amongst them the Kembles, Young,
Liston, Miss Foote, Miss Farren (who afterwards became
the Countess of Derby, and whose husband was great-
grandfather of the present Earl), Grimaldi, Mrs. Jordan,
G. V. Brooke, Barry Sullivan, Vandenhoff, and his
daughter and son Henry, W. Ellerton Rickards, John
Sloane, Mrs. Weston, and George Preston. As many as
twenty carriages have been seen in Toad Lane waiting to
convey the gentry home from the theatre after the
performances. Those were the palmy days of the
drama in Rochdale, and old play goers used to refer with
great pride to those times and to the fact that the above-
named celebrities had "fretted" their hour on the stage
in Rochdale. George Vandenhoff, in his "Dramatic
Reminiscences," relates an amusing practical joke
which was once played upon a tragedian by a comedian
in the Rochdale theatre in Toad Lane. Dick Hoskins,
was the low comedian referred to and "when he came in
contact with a tragedian for whose talents he entertained
a contempt, or whose person or manners displeased
him, woe to the unhappy subject of his fun! All his
tragedy was turned into farce, when Dick was in the
THE THEATRES.
277
humorous vein. Thus, he played the Grave-digger, one
night at the Rochdale Theatre, to the Hamlet of a Mr.
a most solemn and mysterious tragedian of the
cloak-and-dagger school. This gentleman's tragedy
was in Dick's eyes much more intensely comic than his
own broadest strokes of farce; accordingly, Dick held
no terms with it, and showed the unfortunate object of
his merriment no quarter on the stage. When, there-
fore, Hamlet approached the grave to hold his dialogue
with Dick in it, the latter began his antics, and extem-
porised all sorts of absurd interpolations in the text-
which he spoke in his own broad Lancashire dialect.
There was not a great house, and Dick allowed himself
full license. Mr. C scowled fearfully; but Dick
was unabashed. At length he put a climax on his
audacity, that 'topp'd the infinite of insult.'
"The theatre was built on the site of an old dissenting
chapel, which had formerly stood there, in which a
preacher named Banks had held forth, and in the
small graveyard attached to which the Doctor-for he
was popularly dubbed Doctor Banks-had been buried
some twenty years ago; and his name was familiar yet.
So, after answering Hamlet's question-
"How long will a man lie in the earth ere he rot?'
"Dick proceeded in due course to illustrate his answer
by Yorick's skull; and taking it up, he said, in the
words of the text-
"Now here's a skull that hath lain you in the earth
three-and-twenty years. Whose do you think it
was ?'
"Nay, I know not,' replied Hamlet, in his sepul-
chral, tragedy-tone.
278
THE THEATRES.
"This skull, sir,' said Dick, pursuing the text thus
far, and then making a sudden and most unlooked for
alteration-
"This was Doctor Banks's skull!"
"And the word skull he pronounced like bull.
"Of course the house was in an uproar of laughter and
confusion. The victimised tragedian stamped and fumed
about the stage, as well he might, exclaiming, Yorick's,
sir, Yorick's!"
'No,' said Dick, coolly, when the tumult had
subsided, taking up another skull, and resuming the
text-
“‹ This is Yorick's skull, the king's jester; but (going
off again) t'other's Doctor Banks's, as I told you.'
This was too much; this was the last straw on the
tragedian's back! He jumped into the grave, seized
the (very) low-comedian by the throat, and a most
fearful contest, never before-or since, I hope-intro-
duced into the play, ensued, in which Dick held his own
bravely, and succeeded at length in overpowering, in a
double sense, the worsted tragedian, whom he held down
in the grave with one hand, while he flourished 'Doctor
Banks's skull' in triumph above his head!
"The curtain was dropped, amidst roars and shrieks
of laughter, in which king, queen, monk, and courtiers,
who, in the vain hope of arresting the row, had been sent
on with Ophelia's empty coffin, were compelled to join,
forming a tableau, which finished the play for that night."
In 1865 the "Theatre Royal" in Toad Lane was
pulled down, and the present central co-operative stores
were built on part of the site. Mr. Pickles, an itinerant
theatrical manager, erected a commodious wooden
THE THEATRES.
279
building in Newgate, and here, for several years, the
public were nightly entertained with dramatic per-
formances.
A limited liability company was next formed to build
a theatre off Manchester-road, near Holland-street, in
£1 shares, and 6,000 shares were taken up. In Novem-
ber, 1867, the building was completed at a cost of
£9,000, and was named "The Prince of Wales Theatre.'
It is built of brick, and its outside appearance is heavy
and inelegant; but the internal arrangements are
excellent and comfortable, and the coup d'œil is certainly
extremely pretty. The model is very much like the
“Prince's Theatre," Manchester, but this may be ac-
counted for by the fact that Mr. Edward Salomons was
the architect for both theatres. Ascending the principal
stair-case we pass through folding doors into the fozer,
behind the dress circle, a roomy lounge, with an open
fire-place, and with ladies' retiring room, and all neces-
sary conveniences. There are no boxes provided on the
dress circle tier, so that the whole space commands an
uninterrupted view of the stage. The only boxes
erected are on the pit level. The gallery is very
spacious, and the front of it recedes a little behind that
of the dress circle, so as to reduce the shadows which
generally fall so strongly under the ceilings. The
lighting is effected by means of a powerful sun-burner
in the centre of the ceiling, above which is a ventilating
shaft carried high above the roof. In the ceiling of
the pit and dress circle extracting flues are provided
communicating by means of trunks with the main shaft,
where, of course, there is an immense accelerating
power provided drawing off the vitiated air. The box
280
THE THEATRES.
fronts and proscenium are decorated in carton-piene
enrichment, well moulded, and with a very effective
composition of resaissance forms in relief, harmoniously
arranged. There is a general inclination of the level
of the dress circle down towards the proscenium, which
prevents those in the back seats from being incommoded
by those sitting in the front. The opening of the pro-
scenium is 25 feet. The stage measures in width 55 feet
6 inches, and in length from the curtain line to the back
wall 47 feet, the stage having a projection into the
auditorium of 6 feet. The front of the dress circle is
about 35 feet from the curtain line, and the height from
the ceiling to the pit floor is 36 feet. The pit will ac-
commodate 700 persons; dress circle and boxes, 230;
gallery, 670; total 1,600.
Owing to the building costing £9,000 the original
shareholders had to borrow £4,000 from a club in the
town to discharge the liabilities in the construction and
fitting up of the theatre, and the result was that ulti-
mately through the theatre not being the profitable
speculation which many of the promoters and supporters
of the undertaking fondly imagined it would be, pro-
ceedings in chancery were taken for winding up the
company, so that the club took possession, and the
shareholders lost all the money they had invested, and
the creditors of the company sustained considerable loss.
This misfortune brought sorrow into many a family
which had scraped money together in the hope of
realising a good dividend by investing in the company's
shares.
"As ships that sailed for sunny isles,
But never came to shore,"
so, unfortunately, it has been with the shareholders
THE THEATRES.
281
and the money which they in a foolish hour risked in a
speculation which at one time promised to be highly
advantageous. Loud and bitter were the lamentations
and denunciations when the crash came, and angry
complaints of recklessness and mismanagement were
hurled at the devoted heads of the directors, and it will
be long, indeed, before the unhappy and disastrous
business will be buried in oblivion.
The practice of "hat-dropping" at the theatre, from
the gallery into the pit, which one so frequently
witnesses, recalls to mind the following lines from the
"Rejected Addresses."
"Pat Jennings in the upper gallery sat;
But, leaning forward, Jennings lost his hat;:
Down from the gallery the beaver flew,
And spurned the one, to settle in the two.
How shall he act? Pay at the gallery door
Two shillings for what cost when new but four ?
Or till half-price, to save his shilling, wait,
And gain his hat again at half-past eight?
Now, while his fears anticipate a thief,
John Mullins whispers, take my handkerchief.
Thank you, cries Pat, but one won't make a line;
Take mine, cried Wilson; and, cried Stokes, take mine.
A motley cable soon Pat Jennings tied,
Where Spitalfields with real India vies.
Like Iris' bow, down darts the painted hue,
Starred, striped, and spotted, yellow, red, and blue,,
Old calico, torn silk, and muslin new.
George Green below, with palpitating hand,
Loops the last 'kerchief to the beaver's band ;
Upsoars the prize; the youth, with joy unfeigned,,
Regained the felt, and felt what he regained,
While to the applauding galleries grateful Pat
Made a low bow, and touched the ransomed hat."
1
19
1
ST. ALBAN'S
NURSING INSTITUTION
AND BOYS' SCHOOL.
"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. There
is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that
maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches."

a
HIS extensive, beautiful, and attractive pile of
buildings has been erected principally for the
use of the parish of St. Alban's, and at the
sole expense of Mr. Jonathan Nield, of
Dunster. It stands on a plot of land between
Drake-street and the Public Park, and the school is
completed and open. In the year 1858, a commodious
girls' school and school-house were erected on the
opposite side of Latin-street, in connection with St.
Alban's Church, and the nursing institution and the
boys' school, which we are about to describe, complete
a range of handsome and useful buildings, of which
the parish of St. Alban's, and the town of Rochdale,
may well be proud. The building covers an area of
14,014 feet, and is built of Summit stone, in pure Gothic
style. The ornamental tile-ridges, and fancy gutter
and down pipes, enhance its appearance. The Drake-
street frontage is 84 feet long, and the building runs
back 182 feet. Entering the main porch from Drake-
street brings the visitor into the hall. On the right
hand side there is a well-lighted and ventilated room
283
ST. ALBAN'S NURSING INSTITUTION, ETC.
22 feet by 16 feet in size, which is intended for a
library. It has a fine bay window, with panelled.
ceiling, and the main front of the building is supported
by a splendid granite column, with a carved cap.
On the left of the hall is a lavatory, which is nicely
fitted up.
Beyond this he enters the lecture hall,
intended for parochial meetings or lectures, and its area
is 40 feet by 27 feet. It has a fine bay window 11 feet
by 6 feet, and the dressings are in Bath stone. The
most attractive piece of workmanship in this hall is the
massive stone chimney-piece, on which are sculptured
wool sacks to represent the staple trade of the town.
The next attractive feature is the arcade and gallery
over the lavatory and entrance hall. The pillars are in
terra-cotta, and the caps are in Bath stone.
The gallery
will be used as an orchestra. The lecture hall is wains-
coted with pitch pine, and the roof is also of pitch pine,
in the Gothic style. The whole building is heated
with hot water on Bacon and Company's improved
principle. Behind the lecture hall there is a coffee
bar, 11 feet by 10 feet in size, for the supply of refresh-
ments; and at the back of the library stands a kitchen,
14 feet square, over which is a sitting-room and bed-room
for the use of the attendants of the establishment, with
scullery and outbuildings. The space between this
building and St. Alban's girls' school and school-house,
is now named Latin-street, and leads from Drake-street
into the Park. By the Latin-street door the visitor
enters the boys' school-room, which is 64 feet long by
30 feet. It is lofty and well-lighted, having, besides
six mullion windows on each side, two dormer windows
above made to open for ventilation, as well as the “hit
?
It is
284 ST. ALBAN'S NURSING INSTITUTION, ETC.
and miss" gratings between each window.
warmed by hot water, and has also open firegrates at
each end. The walls are plastered in stucco, and are
finished round to the height of five feet with Keen's
cement, "Dado," which has a very hard surface and is as
fine as marble. The roof is of pitch pine and sur-
mounted by a small bell-turret. At one end of the
school-room there is a class-room, 23 feet 6 inches by
17 feet. The desks, which have been made by Messrs.
Sidebottom and Co., of Manchester, answer the three-
fold purpose of desks, seats, and tables. The entrance
to the nursing institution leads out of St. Alban's-street,
and in the lobby there are two beautiful screens, in
pitch pine, with ornamental glazing, by Pepper, of
London. On the right is a room 14 feet by 10 feet,
ornamented by two painted windows, by Bell, of
London. There is a beautiful room 15 feet long and
11 feet wide, but its use has not yet been decided upon.
The arched doorway is in Bath stone, beautifully carved.
Adjoining this is a sitting-room. On the left of the
entrance there is a small room, with painted glass
windows, which will be used for a writing-room; and
leading from that is the dining-room, 21 feet 6 inches
by 14 feet wide. There are kitchen, scullery, laundry,
and two bath-rooms, fitted up with the latest improve-
ments. On the first floor there are six rooms for
sitting-rooms and bed-rooms for the nurses, and four
rooms set apart for reception of males and females who
have met with accidents. The architect who designed
this extensive building is Mr. Joseph Clarke, F.S.A., of
Stratford Place, London; and Messrs. Neill and Sons,
of Manchester, were the builders.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

LTHOUGH "the heavens above," which we
have so few opportunities of seeing unobscured,
are hardly so precisely mapped out as to give
us a local astronomy, yet we must not omit a
few words on “the earth beneath" in a
district which, perhaps, owes its material progress to
its mineral riches. Rochdale is almost embosomed in
an amphitheatre of hills, connected with the Pennine
chain which runs from the moorlands of Derbyshire and
Staffordshire to the borders of Scotland, and, possibly,
we owe some share of the undoubted healthiness of the
town to the protection afforded by the elevations north
and east of us, and the pure air which is wafted thence
to us.
The Lancashire and Cheshire coal field, which
extends under the town, underlies the bulk of that
portion of the county lying south and east of a line
drawn from Colne to Liverpool, constituting an area of
about 250 square miles, with a total average thickness of
over 100 feet of coal beds. The series of strata being
usually considered as divided into upper, middle, and
lower, the latter or gannister beds only are worked
in this neighbourhood. The production is not com-
parable in quantity to the middle series of beds which
prevail towards Wigan and other places, but that known
as the Mountain Mine, the lowest except the Rock Mine,
is of the very best quality. According to the geological
286
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.
-
survey, a small out-lying portion of the middle strata
containing the Arley Mine seam lies near to the south-
eastern portion of the borough, and a small patch at
Belfield. Again, our lower coal strata bring up the
valuable beds of flagstone worked at Whitworth, Facit,
etc., and which are distributed far and wide. The fine
clay seams wrought near Littleborough and Dearnley
are also associated with the same strata and give em-
ployment in the manufacture of pipes, fire bricks, gas
retorts, etc. Iron stone has also been found in small
quantities; at Tunshill, Iron Works were formed
some sixty years ago, but the iron had much sulphur
combined with it, and at that time its separation was
not so well understood. Common clay and sand are
abundant, and the finer sand stone, suitable for building
and paving, is quarried on the north-eastern side of the
borough. It is a curious fact that the millstone grit
crowning the heights of Blackstone Edge, “Robin
Hood's Bed," as it is fancifully termed, is invariably
found to underlie the coal beds. How then has it got
to its present elevation in the world? Probably by the
operation of two agencies upheaval from below, of which
there are abundant evidences in the numerous faults in
the carboniferous strata hereabouts, and denudation or
wearing off afterwards by the long-continued action of
frost, rain, etc. There is evidence that the coal fields
of Lancashire and Yorkshire were at one time connected
and continuous, and probably also the Welsh coal field,
so that we may fairly assume the neighbouring hills to
have been covered with hundreds of feet of coal bearing
beds, and, if so, where are they now? Partly in the
sand and gravel deposits which the retreating sea beach
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.
287
""
has left behind, and partly buried beneath the waters
of the Irish Sea and German Ocean. The same causes
have operated to scoop out, as it were, the cloughs and
ravines which bring their tribute of waters to the Roach,
and are undoubtedly still doing the same work silently
and slowly, but surely. At the foot of Sparrow Hill,
within the Park railings, lies a huge boulder stone,
which deserves a word here, and which, if there were
"sermons in stones could, no doubt, tell a wonderful
tale. A fragment burst by the frost from a glacier
valley in the hills, it was probably carried away, em-
bedded in an iceberg which wore and scarred its sides
in an erratic voyage, and finally melted and deposited
its burden in the depths of the ancient sea which then
rolled its waves above our country. The character of
the stone is of the same kind as now found on the
Norwegian Coast, but boulders of all sizes and sorts are
found over the whole district, brought as well from the
Cumberland or Welsh range as from Norway.
Within the bowels of the earth there lie
Abundant treasures fit for man's supply;
By patient labour they are brought to light,
And torn from beds where long they'd slept in night.
They yield us comfort, and without their aid
Small were the progress which mankind had made.
Coal, stone, and slate, clay, sand, and shale
Assist us in our passage through this vale;
And if deprived of these essential things,
Where were the bliss of which the poet sings?
Doomed to a state of hardship and despair,
Man would be wretched-life too sad to bear.
ROCHDALE UNION.

P
REVIOUSLY to 1837 paupers were relieved by
the overseers. In January, of that year, an
order of the Poor Law Commissioners, acting
under the Poor Law Amendment Act, was
issued, forming the Rochdale Union, comprising
Blatchinworth and Calderbrook, Butterworth, Castleton,
Spotland, Wardleworth, and Wuerdle and Wardle,
and the following persons were elected guardians:
Blatchinworth and Calderbrook: Hugh Race, James
Hudson. Butterworth: William Meadowcroft, Alex-
ander Richardson. Castleton: James Hoyle, Benjamin
Heape, John Samuel Wood, John Howard. Spotland:
Robert Kelsall, John Whitworth, John Holt, James
Dearden, James Lord. Wardleworth: James Little-
wood, John Petrie, Thomas Shaw. Wuerdle and
Wardle: John Lord, William Barlow. The Ex-officio
Guardians were :-The Rev. Robert William Hay, John
Entwisle, Esq., M.P.; Clement Royds, Esq.; John
Holland, Esq.; William Chadwick, Esq.
The first meeting of the guardians was held on 15th
February, 1837; and in July, 1845, the laws relating
to the relief of the poor, under the Commissioners, were
put in force, and the Rochdale Union was then divided
into three districts for the purpose of relief, viz.:
Spotland, consisting of the Township of Spotland;
Wardleworth, consisting of Wardleworth, Wuerdle

ROCHDALE UNION WORKHOUSE, DEARNLEY.
N
OP
M
•
ROCHDALE UNION.
289
:
and Wardle, and Blatchinworth and Calderbrook;
Castleton, consisting of the Townships of Castleton and
Butterworth. There were six medical officers' districts,
viz. -Castleton, Butterworth, Spotland, Whitworth
and Brandwood, Wardleworth, and Wuerdle and
Blatchinworth. The workhouses were capable of
accommodating the following inmates, viz. :-Holling-
worth, 58; Calf Hey, 30; Marland, 50; Spotland, 100;
and Wardleworth, 24. In 1865, Calf Hey and the old
Marland workhouses were closed. The guardians, in
the same year, erected a new workhouse, at Marland,
capable of accommodating about 260 inmates (including
sick cases), and about 40 children. In 1868 the subject
of workhouse accommodation underwent full inquiry,
and the guardians decided to erect one workhouse for
the whole union, as it was considered that the classifica-
tion requisite for the comfort of the inmates would be
better secured, the whole official management con-
centrated, and a great saving of cost effected. A site
at Dearnley, containing twenty-four acres, was purchased
for the sum of £2,500; and another adjacent plot, of
about seven acres, was afterwards purchased. The
Union Workhouse is now being erected from the design,
and under the superintendence, of Mr. George Wood-
house, of Bolton. The new buildings will afford
accommodation as follows-
First Erection.
Inmates.
When Extended.
Inmates.
Main Building
408
504
Imbecile Wards
128
152
Infirmary
62
80
Fever, &c., Hospital
34
46
632
782
290
ROCHDALE UNION.
The contract for the erection of the first buildings is
£41,312 2s. 9d.; the contractor is Mr. Bickerstaff, of
Preston. It is expected that in the course of another year
the buildings will be ready for use, and Rochdale will
then possess a workhouse which will bear favourable
comparison with any in the kingdom. When the union
was formed, in 1837, the rateable value was £134,440;
in 1874, it was £409,398. Mr. William Roberts,
solicitor, was the first clerk; but on his receiving the
appointment of Poor Law Auditor, in 1858, his partner,
Mr. Holgate, became, and has since continued, clerk.
Elected guardians for the year ending April, 1875.
Chairman, Fletcher Bolton; Vice-Chairmen, James.
Whitworth, Abraham Hill. Blatchinworth and Cal-
derbrook: John Tetlow, Charles Rigg. Butterworth :
William Clegg, James Whitworth, Edmund Milne.
Castleton Fletcher Bolton, James Sharrocks, Samuel
Lord, John Parker, Thomas Holt. Spotland: William
Barrowclough, Jas. Grandidge, John Scowcroft, James
H. Scholfield, James Lord, John Butterworth, Abraham
Hill. Wardleworth: Thomas Schofield, William
Brocklehurst, James Maden, George Handley. Wuerdle
and Wardle: John Heap, Edmund Leach, senior.

#
REMARKABLE CRIMES.
"Foul deeds will rise
Though all the earth o'erwhelms them to men's eyes;
For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak
With most miraculous organ."

R
OCHDALE, fortunately, has not been the scene
of much bloodshed, but some few atrocities of
this nature which have occurred possess re-
markable features, and strengthen the impres-
sion that the crimes that have been committed
do not hide themselves, and that neither "cell, nor
chain, nor dungeon, speaks to the murderer like the
voice of solitude." An outline of the most startling of
these deplorable occurrences we subjoin.
THE HALF-MOON INN MURDER
Heads the list of notorious crimes in this locality within
the past twenty years. The details of this tragedy may
be briefly narrated. On Saturday evening, 21st July,
1855, a man took lodgings for the night at the above-
named public-house. He had with him a woman, whom
he represented to be his wife, but they were both
unknown to the innkeeper. The man was Jonathan
Heywood, a foundry labourer, and the woman was
Margaret Jones, a widow, with whom Heywood had
been cohabiting. The two retired to a bedroom pro-
vided for them, and no disturbance was heard by the
292
REMARKABLE CRIMES.
inmates in the course of the night. As the man and
woman did not come down stairs the following morning,
the bedroom was entered, and a horrible sight presented
itself. The woman had been brutally murdered, and
the man had escaped, probably at daybreak. A reward
was offered for the apprehension of the murderer, and
a man was apprehended as having been last seen in the
deceased's company, and strong evidence was given
against him It, however, proved to be a case of
mistaken identity, and the man was released after being
in custody about a fortnight. It appears that soon after
the murder, Heywood went to his sister's house and
asked her to wash his clothes which were besmeared
with blood, and on her refusal he attempted to remove
the stains himself. He then obtained work at Bamford
as a farm labourer, and it was there that a clue was
obtained to the real criminal. Whilst his fellow-work-
men were discussing the all-absorbing topic, he seemed
much disturbed, and the fact of his being conversant
with the whole of the details aroused suspicion, and he
was brought before the magistrates and committed for
trial. He was executed at Kirkdale shortly afterwards.
THE HOLLINGWORTH MURDER
Occurred on the lith June, 1865. The murderer was
James Kelly, a musician, who lived at Three Lane Ends,
in a house now occupied as part of the Royal Oak Inn,
in the lane leading from Smithy Bridge to Hollingworth
Lake. He was of very intemperate habits, and occa-
sionally conducted himself strangely, but was reputed
to be generally sane, and he lived upon excellent terms
with his wife. On the day named he suddenly attacked
REMARKABLE CRIMES.
293
his wife whilst alone in the house with her, and cut her
throat, the head being almost severed from the body.
He was observed by a neighbour to wash his hands at
a well across the road, and on the house being entered the
woman was found dead in a large pool of blood. Kelly
was apprehended, and it being proved on his trial that
he was of unsound mind, he was ordered to be confined
during her Majesty's pleasure.
THE SLATTOCKS MURDER
(21st August, 1866) was one of the most cold-blooded
and horrible occurrences in the annals of crime. An
Irish labourer, named John Brennan, a peaceable, well-
disposed person, was employed by an innkeeper and
farmer named Burrows, whose son, James, having
demanded money from Brennan, was refused, where-
the miscreant struck deceased a fatal blow on the
head with a crowbar. Burrows was apprehended, and
the crowbar was found secreted in the wall of one of
the farm buildings. He was executed at the New
Bailey, Salford.
upon
THE MURDER OF THE REV. A. J. PLOW AND
JANE SMITH.
On the 2nd March, 1868, there occurred, at Tod-
morden, a most atrocious crime, viz.:-A young man,
named Miles Weatherhill, had become acquainted with a
servant girl, about sixteen years of age, at the Todmorden
Vicarage. The Rev. A. J. Plow, the vicar (formerly
eurate at St. James's, Rochdale), objected to the atten-
tions of Weatherhill towards the girl, on account of her
youth, and forbade his visiting her at the house.
294
REMARKABLE CRIMES.
Having ascertained from another servant named Smith
that Weatherhill had visited the girl whilst the vicar was
at church, Mr. Plow sent her home to her parents. In
consequence of this procedure, Weatherhill conceived and
deliberately carried out a terrible revenge upon the
vicar and other inmates of the vicarage. Arming him-
self with pistols and a hatchet, he proceeded to the
vicarage and there inflicted dreadful injuries upon
Mr. Plow, and shot the servant Smith dead. The
murderer then deliberately re-loaded his pistol, and pro-
ceeding upstairs to Mrs. Plow's bedroom, he fired at
her as she lay in bed. He had also taken upstairs the
kitchen poker, and as the shot did not take effect, he
struck Mrs. Plow upon the head and face with the
poker, fracturing her nose and inflicting other severe
injuries. Her death occurred in about twelve months
after, and no doubt resulted from the violence and its
attendant circumstances. Mr. Plow survived his in-
juries only a few days, and died on the 12th March,
1868. Weatherhill was tried at the Manchester Assizes,
and, being found guilty of both murders, was executed
a few weeks later in front of the Salford New Bailey.
THE BURNEDGE TRAGEDY.
Ezra Whiteoak, an industrious, sober, and quiet man,
who originally came from Craven, in Yorkshire, married
a respectable young woman from Buersil Head, and in
August, 1868, they kept a small farm at Calf Hole, a
place about three-quarters of a mile from Buersil Head,
and he worked as an out-door labourer. They had two
children, the elder, James, aged eight years, and the
younger, Sarah Ann, aged three. They all lived quite
REMARKABLE CRIMES.
295
happily together, but brooding over his wife's illness,
and fearing pecuniary embarrassment, he was induced,
in a fit of temporary derangement, to murder his two
children, and from the wounds he inflicted upon his
own throat with the razor, he died in a week after.
MURDER AT PINFOLD.
In December, 1870, the death of Mr. Reuben
Bottomley occurred from violence by Samuel Smith.
Bottomley was near to the Castle Inn, Pinfold, on the
night of the 20th November, 1870, when he was attacked
by Smith, and received several violent kicks which
resulted in death six days later. Smith was convicted
at the assizes, and sentenced to twenty years' penal
servitude.
LOBDEN COINERS AND THEIR TRAGICAL END.
About sixty years ago a gang of men set to work in
a lonely miner's hovel, on Lobden, near Whitworth, to
forge £1 notes and make base coin. For a time they
were successful and evaded the vigilance of the officers
of the law. Mr. James Whitehead, who was better
known by the bye-name of "Jem o' Peters," and who
at that time was the landlord of the "Flying Horse,"
Rochdale, betrayed them, and three out of the six were
executed at Lancaster. One was buried by his relatives
in Hallfold Chapel yard, and the corpse of a second.
named Cudworth, of Dearden Yard, Rochdale, was
restored to his relatives for burial.
MERCHANTS' AND TRADESMEN'S
ASSOCIATION.

N the 5th of May, 1863, this association was
established in Rochdale. Its objects are "to
promote measures calculated to benefit and
protect the mercantile and trading interests of
its members, and of the town and neighbour-
hood of Rochdale generally; to represent and express
their sentiments on commercial affairs; to undertake
the settlement of questions and disputes arising out of
trade by arbitration, or otherwise, when submitted to
it for decision; and generally the attainment of such
commercial advantages as the exertions of individuals
may be less adequate to accomplish." This association
has conferred many benefits upon the town, such as
reducing the railway fares between Rochdale and
Manchester, procuring fortnightly instead of monthly
County Courts, more rapid delivery of letters, removed
the liability of landlords to pay the gas rates of default-
ing tenants, assisted in obtaining the new Post Office,
and other minor local improvements, and also took part
in the prevention of fancied improvements in commercial
law. Every July an opportunity is afforded to the
inhabitants of visiting, by a cheap trip, some place of
interest. The first excursion was to the famed English
Lake district, Windermere, in 1866; the second to
Ripon and Fountains Abbey; "The Queen of English
THE MERCHANTS' AND TRADESMEN'S ASSOCIATION.
297
Watering Places," Scarborough, was visited in 1868;
the princely residence of the Duke of Devonshire,
Chatsworth, and the venerable pile of Haddon Hall
were seen in 1869; Alton Towers, the residence of the
Earl of Shrewsbury, was visited in 1870; and the
grounds which had been cultivated out of barren soil
and a clough, were most picturesque, and fully
warranted the encomium bestowed on the late Earl,
that "he made the desert smile;" the ancient
seat of the Wynns, Wynnstay Hall, and Chirk Castle,
the noble residence of Col. Myddleton Biddulph,
and the sweet vale of Llangollen were inspected in 1871;
the romantic Castle of Kenilworth; the birth-place of
the prince of poets, Stratford-upon-Avon; Warwick
Castle, and the aristocratic town of Leamington were
seen in 1872; Belvoir Castle, the seat of the Duke of
Rutland, with its rare objects of grandeur, was inspected
in 1873; and last year Ludlow Castle, of historical
renown, which is surrounded by exquisite scenery, was
visited. Mr. George Miller, merchant, late of Rochdale,
but now of Manchester, was the president of this asso-
ciation for ten years, and Mr. Councillor Benjamin
Butterworth, for many years, served as vice-president.
Mr. Councillor James Tomlinson was elected president
for the year 1874, and Mr. William Brocklehurst,
of Yorkshire-street, vice-president. Mr. Fletcher,
accountant, was the first secretary, and Mr. J. A. Wood
next filled the post for several years, and Mr. William
Robertson, accountant, &c., 98, Yorkshire-street, has
discharged the duties of secretary for the last six years.
20
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
"It is delightful to see a body of men thriving in their own
fortunes, and, at the same time, promoting the public stock."

a
HE Rochdale Chamber of Commerce was formed
in February, 1866, and owes its origin chiefly
to the exertions of T. B. Willans, Esq.,
J.P. In that month a meeting was held at
the Wellington Hotel, at which James Heap,
Esq., of Milnrow, presided. It was convened for the
purpose of affording the manufacturers of Milnrow
reliable information in reference to the scale of charges
paid in Rochdale and neighbourhood for certain classes.
of work, in the process of manufacture, so as to enable
these manufacturers to adjust their wages accordingly.
Mr. Willans was present at the meeting, and suggested
the desirability of forming a Chamber of Commerce in
Rochdale, and expressed his belief that such an asso-
ciation would prove of great value to the commercial
interests of the town and neighbourhood, and he con-
sidered it rather a reflection that Rochdale had been so
long apathetic in the matter, while other towns of less
importance possessed Chambers of Commerce, which
watched measures affecting the trading interests of the
country, and he concluded by moving the establishment
of a Chamber of Commerce for Rochdale. The motion
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
299
}
met with the unanimous approbation and support of
the numerous influential manufacturers present at the
meeting, and the Chamber was accordingly formed.
The Chamber is composed of merchants, manufactu-
rers, bankers, and tradesmen. It has always taken a
lively interest in commercial treaties with a view to the
removal of restrictions on the import of English goods
into foreign countries. Wm. Fenton, Esq., banker, was
elected first president, in 1866, and retained office until
1869, when the Chamber found a most energetic suc-
cessor in Mr. T. B. Willans, woollen manufacturer. Mr.
Willans devoted great attention to the intricacies of the
French commercial treaty, and in 1870 he was placed
on the Foreign Tariff's Committee of the Associated
Chambers of Commerce. The treaties with Austria,
the Zolverein, and Spain and Portugal were carefully
considered, and the abolition of duties on cotton goods
to India, and the development of the agricultural
resources of British India were advocated by the
Chamber. In 1872, John Tweedale, Esq., of Healey
Hall, succeeded Mr. Willans, and during his term of
office the Chamber advocated many subjects of local and
general interest, and made considerable advance as a
useful public institution. Mr. Tweedale was a strong
advocate of compulsory registration of trade marks, and
gave valuable evidence before a select committee of the
House of Commons. In 1869, Mr. Edmund Ashworth,
who has for many years occupied a prominent position
in local matters, was elected, and still continues to be
president. The present vice-presidents are Messrs. R.
Schofield, woollen manufacturer, and E. E. M. Royds,
banker. Mr. C. J. Roberts, solicitor, was secretary for
300
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
the first three years; Mr. William Hoyle occupied the
post for the next two years; and Mr. J. M. L. Chadwick
has been the secretary ever since. When commercial
matters were withdrawn from the cognizance of the
Board of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce, with the
other associated chambers, warmly advocated the estab-
lishment of a department for commercial affairs in the
foreign office to be presided over by a cabinet minister.
On the formation of the Chamber the question of direct
railway communication with London was taken up; and,
as a consequence, through carriages have for some time
been run from Rochdale via Oldham and Guide Bridge
to London. The Chamber induced the Lancashire and
Yorkshire Railway Company to improve the means of
ingress and egress for passengers at the Rochdale Station,
the collection of tickets for express trains at Manchester,
and the running of the 5.50 train in the morning to Man-
chester to catch the early London train at London Road
Station. Special service and extra trains are to a great
extent owing to the efforts of the Council, and, in 1869, we
find them pressing upon the Lancashire and Yorkshire
Railway Co. to adopt the principle between Rochdale and
Manchester, so successfully inaugurated by the Midland,
of attaching third class carriages to every train. The
persistent efforts of the Chamber from 1869, in conjunc-
tion with other public bodies in the town, to obtain
postal and telegraphic accommodation in accordance
with the wants of the town, received partial recognition,
and many important improvements were conceded in
the shape of accelerated deliveries, additional officers,
and other matters. When, in 1867, the insurance
offices raised the tariff on woollen mills nearly fifty per
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
301
cent., the Chamber promptly joined issue with the
offices, and collected statistics showing that the losses to
the offices were not incurred in this district; but, on
the contrary, that only one-third of the premiums paid
had been claimed by the millowners for losses by fire.
Although the offices seemed determined to adhere
to their increase, the Chamber persisted in their efforts
until July, 1873, when the rate was reduced from 21s. to
16s. per cent. The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Company enjoys a very unfortunate monopoly of traffic
accommodation, highly prejudicial to the commercial
interests of the town. From the opening of the
Chamber to the present time every effort has been
strained to obtain an independent line or improved
accommodation, but as yet without success.

THE IMPORTANT TRADES OF THE TOWN.
For I dipt into the future, far as human eye could see,
Saw the vision of the world, and all the wonder that would be;
Saw the heavens fill with commerce, argosies of magic sails,
Pilots of the purple twilight, dropping down with costly bales."
HAND-LOOM WEAVING.

S early as the year 1558 flannel was the staple
trade of Rochdale, and these goods were
renowned for their durability and excellence.
In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Her Majesty's
alnager had a deputy here for the stamping of
woollen cloths, under the authority of the Act passed
in the eighth year of her reign. At the beginning of
the present century, great improvements were made in
looms and jennies, and the greater part of the popula-
tion were employed in spinning and hand-loom weaving,
but the remuneration was poor, their labour hard, and
their hours long, for they worked fourteen hours a-day.
These hard-working people, consequently, did not suffer
from being
"Stretched on the rack of a too easy chair,
Where everlasting yawns confess
The pains and penalties of idleness."
The weavers used to earn on an average 9s. or 10s.
a-week, and the spinners about 6s. or 7s. a-week. The
rents of their cottages, which usually contained only
two rooms, were £4 or £5 a-year; these rooms had
HAND-LOOM WEAVING.
303
one pair of looms, and one jenny in them, and the
practice was to place the beds underneath the ma-
chinery, and here repose was found for weary limbs in
"Tired Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep."
Many possessed that useful article of furniture—-
"The chest contrived a double debt to pay,
A bed by night, a chest of drawers by day."
The men wore corduroy, and the women bed-gowns.
If a woman possessed a gown, it was considered a
novelty, and special care was taken of it. The
bonnets had a coal-scuttle appearance. Fortunately
food was cheap, and thus small earnings "went a
long way." The children also worked during these
fourteen hours at winding bobbins, and their remune-
ration was small indeed.
They were poorly clad, and
their education entirely neglected. There were "drones"
then as there are now, but they were more numerous,
and their habits are described in an old hand-loom
weaver's song of that period, which used to be sung
in beer-houses :—
"To work on Monday I think it is not right,
That day should be spent in some other delight,
Either pitching, or tossing, or some other sport,
And at night to the ale-house we all do resort."
The song goes on to relate that the carousing continued
on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and
"On Friday morning I'll whistle and sing,
And go to my looms as content as a king;
And out of the house you'll scarce see my face,
For all the night o'er I must stare through the blaze.
On Saturday noon when my work it is done,
Then I am the lad that must carry it home;
Then over my left shoulder my piece I'll fling,
And at night o'er a jug of strong beer I'll sing."
•
304
SHUTTLE GATHERING, ETC.
About eighty years ago the principal employers of
hand-loom weavers were Mr. William Midgley, of
Buersil; Mr. James Royds, of Falinge Fold; Mr. Jas.
Midgley, top of Wardleworth Brow; Messrs. Leach
and Tweedale, of Shawclough; Mr. Clement Royds;
Mr. Robert Holt, of Well-o'-th' Lane; Mr. Gould, of
Wardleworth; and Mr. James Fenton, of Bamford.
Spinning at one time was done on one spindle, and
then increased to sixty spindles, next to seventy, eighty,
ninety, and, ultimately, up to one hundred and twenty;
but as soon as the spindles got over one hundred they
were found difficult to turn by hand labour. Forty or fifty
years ago steam power was introduced instead of hand-
loom spinning and weaving, and competition began
between hand labour and steam, and gradually the
latter made headway, but was viewed with jealousy by
the work people. The first carding mills that can be
remembered were "Jone o' Dan's," at Caldershaw, in
Spotland, and Mr. Whitehead's factory, which stood
on the plot of ground near to the present residence of
Thomas Bright, Esq. There was also a stone factory
on the present site of Messrs. Petrie's foundry in
Whitehall-street, and in these old mills the work carried
on consisted of carding and slubbing, which were pre-
viously done by hand up to about ninety years ago.
SHUTTLE GATHERING AND THE DESTRUC-
TION OF THE NEW BAILEY.
In May, 1808, there was a dispute between the hand-
loom weavers and their employers about wages, and
shuttles were gathered in order to stop the weaving of
goods, and a serious riot ensued. Prior to this the
SHUTTLE GATHERING, ETC.
305
employers had agreed to a standard list, and the dispute
occurred through some of the masters departing from
the list. Two or three cart loads of shuttles were put
into a house at the top of Blackwater-street, but the
authorities had them removed to the New Bailey,
in Rope-street. The mob was so exasperated that
they attempted to take possession of the town and
break open the prison, and failing, they burnt down
the latter. The Rochdale Volunteers being at that
time disbanded, and the "6 regulars" engaged in the
Peninsular War, the Halifax Volunteers, numbering
1,100, were ordered to Rochdale, and came in the dead
of night. A large number were billeted in St. Mary's
Church, others in the Cloth Hall, and the remainder in
the various public-houses. The mob broke nearly every
window in Yorkshire-street, except Mr. Ralph Taylor's,
which were spared in consequence of one of the crowd
shouting out, "He was always a good felley to the
poor." The rioters attacked and ill-treated the late
Mr. Clement Royds, J.P., at the top of Toad-lane, on
his way home. The operatives did not succeed in
getting their demand settled, and resumed work, but
some time after their employers agreed to another scale
of prices. For a time these prices were adhered to, but
in consequence of several manufacturers doing work in
their own houses, and underselling others in the trade,
some of the employers again deviated from the list of
prices. At that time Mr. Turner, of Haslingden, and Mr.
Rostron, of Edenfield, visited Rochdale, and adopted
the practice of putting their work out here as they
could get it done one-third cheaper and did not pay the
standard price. In 1824 another list of prices was agreed.
306
DISPUTES AND STRIKES.
to between the manufacturers and their work people.
The work was to be done in certain reeds, and Messrs.
Turner and Rostron were not to be allowed to give out
work in Rochdale. This agreement was adhered to up
to 1827, but at times previously to this there was great
dissatisfaction respecting a species of "truck system."
DISPUTES
AND
STRIKES.
In 1827 a dispute took place between the late Mr. H.
Kelsall and his weavers because he made grey goods
and did not pay according to the standard list. A
strike ensued which lasted a month, when Mr. Kelsall
agreed to adhere to the list in future, and to repay £367
which the Hand-loom Weavers' Union had expended in
maintaining the men; but it is alleged that some time
after he induced his work people to refund the £367.
The Union, for some years, had in vogue a "ratting"
system, which was called "Old Betty," or "window
smashing." If a person refused to join and contribute
to the Union, his windows were smashed. In 1827
Mr. Tweedale, of Healey Hall, began to introduce
machinery into his works, and there was a strike about
this, which lasted nearly three months, but it was
settled by a compromise that certain specified prices
should be paid for work done on machinery.
THE
POWER-LOOMS.
Shortly afterwards the late G. Ashworth, Esq., J.P.,
of Sunny Bank, commenced establishing the power-
loom, which, being successfully started, resulted in his
erecting the first woollen power-loom shed about
1831. Notwithstanding the large number of hand-
ANOTHER RIOT: TWO PERSONS KILLED.
307
loom weavers, and their strenuous opposition to the
introduction of machinery, such has been the rapid
strides of the latter as almost to exterminate the race of
hand-loom weaving itself. The rate of remuneration
to those employed upon power-looms is considerably
higher than the earnings under the old hand-loom
system, and the character of the manufacture is not
only unimpaired but absolutely improved; and the
cheapness of production, has in face of the enhanced
cost of the raw material, not interfered either with the
production or diminished the demand.
ANOTHER RIOT: TWO PERSONS KILLED.
In 1829 there was a severe struggle about wages,
and it appeared to be general, and shuttles were
gathered. Mr. Chadwick's factory, in Water-street,
was broken into by the rioters, and the shuttles removed.
Mr. Pilling's factory, at the top of Drake-street, was also
entered and Mr. Robinson's, at the top of Drake-street,
and the shuttles were carried away. In the evening
horse and foot soldiers arrived, and when a large
number of workpeople heard of the fact at a public
meeting on Cronkeyshaw, they squandered in all
directions. About twenty of the principal rioters were
captured. The Hand-loom Weavers' cash box, con-
taining £137, was seized at the "Coach and Horses,"
Lord-street, and deposited in the New Bailey. The
rioters were committed for trial, and were taken from
the Police Court to the New Bailey, tied to a rope, an
infuriated mob following. A guard was left in charge
of the prison, and as soon as the main body of the
military had left, the rioters began to attack the building,
308
PAROCHIAL CONSTABLES.
headed by a man who went by the name of "Old
Doctor." The soldiers then began to fire, when
"Doctor" exclaimed "Come on lads, never mind, it's
only blank shot," and while in the act of throwing a
stone he was shot dead, several other persons being
killed and wounded. A youth, brother to Mr. Alderman
Stott, late of Rochdale, was in a window in a corn
mill on Corn Mill Brow, and was killed by a stray bullet.
A person named Thomas Kershaw was one of the ring-
leaders. He was apprehended at Liverpool, having
paid his passage to America, and committed to the
Assizes, and transported for life; the rest of the prisoners
were incarcerated-some for four months, others for
twelve months, and some were discharged.
PAROCHIAL CONSTABLES REWARDING THEM-
SELVES FROM THE UNION CASH BOX.
A few days after the trial above-named, three con-
stables named Benjamin Taylor, James Taylor, and
Stott, broke open the hand-loom weavers' cash box, con-
taining £137, which was deposited in the New Bailey,
and repaired to the White Lion Inn, Yorkshire-street,
"To swallow gudgeons ere they're catched,
And count their chickens ere they're hatched,"
and here they were pounced upon while dividing the
spoil, and were sent to prison. It was Mrs. Pilling,
the turnkey's wife, who, by peeping through the key-
hole of the prison, observed the constables committing
the felony, and it was her information which led to the
conviction of these dishonest representatives of the law.
In 1830 Mr. James Schofield, manufacturer, of Hey-
brook, who had previously agreed to pay his work
PLUG DRAWING AND THE CHARTER.
309
people at the rate of 16s. in the pound, reduced the
sum to 12s. in the pound, and the result was a turn out
of all the weavers, and most of the other manufacturers
followed the example of Mr. Schofield, and the strikes
lasted thirteen weeks.
THIRTY WEAVERS SENT TO PRISON.
The weavers of Messrs. Barnes (Milnrow) refused
to take their work in, and thirty of the offenders were
sent to prison, but after they had been in a few days,
they gladly promised to finish their work, and pay all
the expenses.
PLUG DRAWING AND THE CHARTER.
In 1842 another disturbance took place, and plug
drawing became general for the purpose of stopping
all trades. It was a political movement, connected with
Fergus O'Connor's Chartist Scheme, and the idea enter-
tained was to cause all work to cease until the charter
became the law of the land. The disturbance lasted
only a few days in Rochdale, owing to the judicious
conduct of the then acting magistrate, who, as the
rioters entered the town, prevented the shedding of
blood and injury to property, and secured the speedy
restoration of order. The course adopted in suppressing
this riot caused angry discontent amongst some partisans,
and, ultimately, occasioned a strict investigation and
lengthy correspondence with the Government authori-
ties. Eventually the conduct impugned was justified,
and, after the strictest enquiry, it was gratifying to
receive the highest commendation for the policy pursued
in the critical circumstances.
310
PLUG DRAWING AND THE CHARTER.
The access to statistical information is so meagre and
unreliable, that we are prevented making faithful com-
parisons of the immense progress which has been made
in the flannel manufacture from the period at which we
commence our observations down to the present, but it
must be patent to common observers, from the almost
countless numbers now employed in the numerous
extensive manufactures within the borough, that the
strides have been not less great than gratifying to con-
template, and, doubtless, there is a no less magnificent
future for those engaged in this branch of industry.
"Human experience, like the stern-lights of a ship
at sea, illumines only the path which we have passed
over;" and so it has been in the struggle between em-
ployers and employed in Rochdale, and riots are now
things of the past. In contrasting the condition of the
working classes eighty years ago with their position at
the present time, it is indisputable that they have
advanced socially, morally, and educationally. Instead
of working fourteen hours a-day, they are now employed
ten hours. Instead of their homes being blocked up
with machinery, they are, in many cases, provided with
pianos or harmoniums, and peaceful evening is welcomed
in by cessation from labour, and rest of mind and
body.
"Blest be those feasts with simple plenty crowned,
Where all the merry family around
Laugh at the jests or pranks that never fail,
Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale;
Or press the bashful stranger to his food,
And learn the luxury of doing good."
311
THE COTTON TRADE.
The manufacture of cotton was introduced into Roch-
dale about eighty-five years ago, and the first manu-
facturer was Mr. J. Pilling, the grandfather of Messrs.
Joseph Brierley, J.P., and James Brierley, J.P.
He commenced business in premises in Holland-street,
where not only carding and spinning but hand-loom
weaving were done. The machinery was turned by a
gin, with horse-power. About ten years after an exten-
sive mill was erected in College-street, and here the first
power-loom in this neighbourhood made its appearance
in the year 1820. About eighty years ago a Mr. Lodge
built a factory at Oakenrod, and the machinery was
worked by water-power. Carding was done on the pre-
mises, and the work people did the spinning and weaving
at their own homes by hand. Town Mill, at the top of
Holland-street, was erected soon after the opening of
Mr. Pilling's mill in Holland-street, and Mr. White-
head, the occupier, carded for other manufacturers.
This mill was also worked by water-power. Hanging
Road Manufactory is also of ancient date, and the
founders of two or three of the most celebrated firms
in this town were originally employés at one time in
this mill. The steam engine was the product of the
famed engine factory of Messrs. Bolton and Watt. The
commencement of cotton weaving was of much more
recent date than the flannel trade, and has made very
rapid progress for the short period it has existed,
and has become a formidable competitor with sur-
rounding towns. It would too much increase the
dimensions of this work to enumerate the various im-
portant and extensive establishments which now adorn
the town, and contribute so largely to its wealth.
312
THE CARPET TRADE.
In 1861, when the news reached this country of the
civil war in America, great distress arose amongst the
operatives through the cotton famine and the cessation
of work in the mills, and these events will ever be
remembered as among the most memorable occurrences
in the history of this borough. The opportune and
indefatigable services rendered by the late G. L.
Ashworth, Esq., J.P., in his charitable efforts to melio-
rate the distress of the cotton operatives, and preserve
them from pauperism, as well as for the future continu-
ance of the industry, will not soon be forgotten. We
are now happily enjoying the beneficial effects of this
timely intervention, after the reorganisation of labour
in the American States; and the order which has been
re-established has produced a condition of things which
cannot fail to contribute to a prosperity never surpassed.
THE CARPET TRADE.
The only carpet manufactory in Rochdale is that of
Messrs. Bright & Co., on Cronkeyshaw. In 1849 this
now extensive manufactory was commenced with sixteen
looms to weave tapestry, and gradually the premises
had to be extended to make room for the increasing
machinery, in order to keep up with the demand for
carpets manufactured by this firm. In 1861 an action
was brought by Messrs. Crossley, of Halifax, against
Messrs. Bright, for an alleged infringement of a
patent. The dispute was decided in favour of Messrs.
Bright, and Messrs. Crossley had to pay the expenses
which amounted to about £90,000. Messrs. Bright
now employ in the carpet department about 400 work
people, and, from 108 looms, 26,000 yards of carpet.
are turned out weekly.
313
SILK MANUFACTURE.
into
The manufacture of silk was introduced
Rochdale about 35 years ago, by Mr. Edward Briggs,
from Kent. The manufactory was at Sudden, in the
building which was lately occupied by Mr. Tucker,
deceased. Mr. Briggs commenced with manufacturing
felts, next silk hatting, then raised silk for hats, and
ultimately silk velvets, silk dresses, and handkerchiefs.
Mr. Joseph Porter shortly after commenced weaving
silk with hand-looms in a building in Rope-street,
which is now occupied by Mr. Jewison, chandler.
Messrs. James Taylor, George Healey, and Thomas
Watson next opened a small hat manufactory in St.
James's Place, Whitworth Road, and in 1851, they got
up a woven fabric with a cotton ground, and spun silk
weft, and exhibited a specimen at the exhibition of
1851, along with coloured yarns, &c. They were
awarded a medal, and this was the starting point of
this firm's successful career.
HAT MANUFACTURE.
Hat manufacture up to sixty years ago was one of
the most important trades of Rochdale, and was then
in its prime. The principal manufacturers were Messrs.
John Taylor and Robert Taylor, John Kenyon, Thomas
Kenion, J. & J. Fildes, and Abraham Barlow. The
hats that were made consisted of felt, fur, beaver, and
silk. Strikes and disputes were so frequent between
the workmen and their employers that this special trade
was driven out of the town to Oldham, Denton, and
Stockport. The last felt hat manufacturer was Mr.
Edward Briggs, of Sudden, and the last silk hat makers.
Messrs. George Healey and James Taylor.
21
314
FOUNDRIES AND MACHINE WORKS.
The first iron foundry in Rochdale was that of Mr.
Jeremiah Meanley, which stood on the ground between
Packer-street and the site of the Town Hall Tower. Mr.
Charles Meredith took the business in 1815, and carried
on the manufacture of ovens and cottage boilers for
many years. Mr. John Petrie started a foundry next
in High-street, and first made engine sides which pre-
viously were composed of wood, and he did other hand
work. Messrs. David Howorth, Skinner, and Halstead
next opened a foundry on Foundry Brow, off Drake-
street, and made all kinds of machinery. Mr. John
Ashworth some time after commenced a foundry in
Oldham-road, on the premises in which Mr. Councillor
Tomlinson carries on the business of a machinist at the
present time. One of the earliest machinists was Mr.
John Ogden, whose works were at the top of College-
street, and he was the first to make carding engines
and teasing machinery for wool. Mr. John Clegg,
whose premises were situated in Union-street, was the
first jenny maker, and Mr. Edmund Leach, of Summer
Castle, was noted for his power-looms. Mr. John
Mason, in his foundry off Drake-street, made "mules,"
"throstles," and "billeys." Messrs. John Ackroyd
and Wilkinson were the first who made nails by machi-
nery, and their works were at the Bottom-o'-th'-Lane.
Before this period there was not a single foundry or
machine shop in the town, and all the work had to be
done in Bury; but at last when this particular branch
of industry was introduced into Rochdale, it made rapid
progress, and now nearly all the machinery for fabrics
is manufactured here.
LITERATURE,
PUBLICATIONS, AND
PERIODICALS.
Books to amuse us, books to make us wise,
Books to kill time as time on slow wing flies;
Books on polemics, and small books of song,
Books which to science's fair realm belong;
Books full of satire, and books dull as lead,
Books of all kinds before the eye are spread.
And our short list attempts to keep in view
The names of books which Rochdale knows or knew.
For fame the authors sought but most I ween,
Have but a glimpse of her fair features seen;
Some stand out brightly-Roby, Collier, Waugh-
On these Oblivion ne'er her veil shall draw.
Others have dropped quite "dead-born from the press,"
And whelmed their authors in dire wretchedness;
Some few we turn to with intense delight,
And some 'tis wished had never seen the light.
Of making books there surely is no end,
For all men think that they can all men mend;
And thus it is that scribbling still prevails,
Who wins is happy, he who loses, rails.

EAVING to antiquarian research the precise
dates and circumstances of the rise of literature
in Rochdale, it may be stated that prior to
the last century there was no local literature.
John Collier ("Tim Bobbin "), in 1745, pub-
lished the Blackbird, a short satirical poem on a local
justice; and, in 1750, "A View of the Lancashire.
Dialect by way of dialogue between Tummus and Meary,"
etc., which, with his other works are, though coarse, a
capital satirical and humourous comment
manners, customs, and politics of the day.
on the
In 1810 an introduction to an intended history of
Rochdale was published by W. Nuttall, who was a
316
LITERATURE, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
schoolmaster, and lived opposite to St. James's Church,
Whitworth Road. He came to an untimely end.
Mr. Aston, in 1827, commenced the first periodical—
a newspaper—the Rochdale Recorder. In politics, it
was, according to the phrase of the day, a "Church and
King paper." The price was 7d., there being a stamp
duty of 4d. on each paper.
The era of the Reform Bill agitation, and the elections
which followed in 1832 and 1836, were prolific in the
production of squibs, songs, etc., and good specimens
were reprinted in book form by W. Butterworth.
Mr. Roby's "Traditions of Lancashire" appeared in
1829, in two vols., beautifully illustrated.
It was
printed by Spottiswoode & Co. Mr. Roby, in after
years, wrote several other works, and amongst them a
"Tour in Switzerland and the Rhine." Critics have
spoken in the very highest terms of Roby's "Traditions."
Certain it is, that for brilliancy of writing, and the
expert manner in which tradition is woven into the very
texture of the story, Mr. Roby had not many equals ;
and almost all his stories bear undoubted marks of the
power and genius of the writer, and all are perfect.
specimens of the romancist's art. They at once arrest
and chain the attention; and the reader feels that he is
under the spell of a potent and friendly enchanter.
The Rev. Canon Raines, of Milnrow, has been, and
is, a contributor of eminence to the Chetham Society's
publications. As an antiquarian his reputation stands
deservedly high; and we know few who are more
entitled to the respect which his name commands as an
able writer in the particular department over which
this admirable society keeps "watch and ward." The
LITERA TURE, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
317
untiring industry of the worthy Canon is well known
and appreciated by his professional brethren.
In 1842 Common Sense; or, Everybody's Magazine,
edited by Dr. Molesworth and the Rev. William N.
Molesworth, was issued. This periodical was in favour
of the continuance of Church Rates, and antagonistic
to Dissent. It was quickly followed by The Vicar's
Lantern, edited and supported, according to rumour, by
Messrs, John Bright, Thomas Booth, John Coates, Oliver
Ormerod, and Alderman Edward Taylor. These gentle-
men strenuously and ably advocated the separation of
Church and State, and voluntaryism in religion. The
printers, respectively, were Samuel Ashworth and
Jesse Hall.
The Spectator, a monthly periodical, which contained
the well-known "Yeomanry Papers," by Mr. Oliver
Ormerod, appeared in 1844.
The Pilot, also a monthly periodical, appeared in
1844, amongst the reputed conductors being Mr. John
Petrie, Mr. Thomas Schofield, and Mr. Edward Taylor.
The Beacon, another monthly periodical, reputed to
be edited by Dr. J. Elliott Wood and Mr. J. Nield, was
printed by J. & J. Mills.
The Looking Glass, said to be conducted by Mr.
Edward Taylor, had an existence of twelve months.
Ikey, said to be edited by Mr. William Todd, and
printed by W. Prince, came out for three or four
months The price of all the above periodicals was
one penny.
Mr. Edwin Waugh's writings may be said to have
become generally famous. His Lancashire songs and
tales stand at the head of the literature of this class
and his works abound in pathos and humour,
318
LITERATURE, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
F
Mr. John Ashworth published "Wesley's Ghost,"
and a few years afterwards his " Strange Tales" and
"Walks in Canaan" appeared. Mr. Ashworth has
been eminently successful as a writer of short stories,
illustrative of incidents in the lives of the poor and
destitute; and it is commonly reported that "Strange
Tales," in their collected form, have had an immense
circulation.
In 1851, the second weekly newspaper, the Rochdale
Sentinel, was commenced by Mr. Edward Taylor and
Mr. John Phillips. The price was 4d., the stamp duty
having been reduced to 1d. It was eight pages. Like
all newspapers at that time, it had but a limited
circulation as compared to the untaxed papers of our
day, the circulation being about 800.
"A Rachde Felley's Visit too the Greyt Eggishibi-
shun," by Mr. Oliver Ormerod, was published in 1851. It
contains: “O Ful, Tru, un Pertikler Okeawnt o bwoth
wat aw seed un wat aw yerd, we gooin too the Greyt
Eggishibishun, e Lundun, Un o greyt deyle o Hinfur-
mashun besoide, wele Kalkilated fur to giv thoose
foke o gradely hinseet into things, us hassant ad nothur
toime nur brass for to goo un see fur thersels; kontain-
ing loikewise O Dikshunary manefakturt fare o purpus
for thoose us ur noan fur larn't. Be O Felley fro
Rachde. O Fur Sixpunze. Furst Edishun. 61 pages.
Rachde: Printud un Sowd be H. M. Crosskill; un o
Booksellers."
In 1856, a third weekly newspaper, the Rochdale
Observer, was published by Messrs. Robert and Joseph
Lawton.
LITERATURE, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
319
A fourth newspaper, the Standard, came out in 1857,
published by Messrs. Robert and Joseph Lawton, but
some time after the Observer and Standard were amalga-
mated, and in the course of years the name Standard
was discontinued, and that of Observer retained. Mr.
W. A. Scott is now the proprietor of the journal thus
united.
In 1859 "Owd Neddy Fitton's Visit to th' Earl o'
Derby," by Miss M. R. Lahee, was published by Mr.
J. Heap, of Bury, and in December, 1865, by the same
authoress, "Life and Times of the late Alderman T.
Livsey." At least a dozen works have been written by
Miss Lahee, and many of them have gone through
several editions. She is a very pleasing and able
writer.
Mr. John Bright published, in 1840, an address on
the late Church Rate Contests. Several years ago he
wrote an introduction to the "Prize Essay on the
Game Laws."
CC
The Rev. W. N. Molesworth wrote the "Prize Essay
on the English and French Alliance" in 1860; the
History of the Reform Bill" in 1865; and the
History of England" from the years 1830 to 1871-73.
The last-named history has been favourably received by
the public, and in our opinion it is a highly meritorious
publication. The work has been recently re-issued in a
cheaper form.
In 1869 a book of poems by Mr. James Holden,
entitled “Poetic Zephyrs," was published by Mr. John
Heap, of Bury.
In 1870, "A Wicked Woman," a novel, by Gertrude
Fenton, was published,
320
LITERATURE, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
In 1871 "The History of the Chapelry of Goosnargh,"
by Lieut.-Col. Fishwick, of Carr Hill, was published;
and, in 1873, the "History of Kirkham; and, in 1875,
The Lancashire Library," were also published by this
gentleman. The gallant colonel is most indefatigable
in his antiquarian researches; and the books which he
has issued are of the greatest value to those who are
interested in such subjects.
In 1872 "The D'Eyncourts of Fairlegh," by Mr. T.
Rowland Skemp, in three vols., was issued.
"The Water Way to London" was published by
Messrs. Schofield and Grindrod.
A sixth newspaper, the Spectator, was published by
Mr. W. Clegg, in 1859.
The Pilot, a newspaper, was published by Mr. White,
in 1858, and discontinued in 1871, after 671 numbers.
had been issued. Its tone was Conservative.
A newspaper, the Rochdale Times, was brought out by
a limited company in 1871, and is still in existence.
In January, 1874, there appeared the first number
of
a fortnightly satirical and humourous journal,
entitled the Rochdale Chimes, projected and edited by
Mr. W. Swift. The journal changed hands after the
eighth number, and was discontinued with the twelfth.
The history of the above papers, the causes of the
discontinuance of some, their politics and peculiarities,
it is not our province to dilate upon. It may be
sufficient to say that local rivalries, party politics, and
personal interest, had all their special influence,
and we may express the hope that the Rochdale
Observer, now published by Mr. W. A. Scott, which
represents Liberal measures and progress, and the
LITERATURE, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
321
}
Rochdale Times, which devotes itself to the Conservative
interest, may long continue and thrive. The two papers
are published weekly,
When men rush out to buy these penny sheets,
And con the news while passing through the streets;
Then some atrocity or dreadful fire
Arrests attention or awakes their ire;
Or some event which keeps the world in awe,
So stills the heart that breath they scarcely draw.
It must be understood that this section is not by
any means of an exhaustive character. We have in
the briefest terms indicated the works which have
occurred to our memory; and to have entered into full
details of the various works, which we should have
been glad to do, would have occupied more of our space
than could be spared for the purpose. Perhaps, also,
strict chronological order may not have been observed,
but this, however, is not of much consequence in brief
notices which only attempt to preserve the names of
some of the works which have appeared from time to
time in our local history.

A RAMBLE THROUGH THE PRINCIPAL
a
STREETS.
"Oft have I smiled the happy pride to see
Of modern tradesmen in their evening glee,
When of some pleasing, fancied good possessed,
Each grew alert, was busy, and was blest.”

HE ancient shop-keepers of Rochdale, in
character and physique, were of the true
John Bull type, and their very appearance
seemed to embody the favourite expression of
the Miller of the Dee-"I care for nobody,
no, not I, and nobody cares for me." When not
engaged in serving customers, or in other employment
connected with business, they were to be seen leaning
over their (half) shop doors in a dreamy mood, with a long
clay pipe in their mouth, and now and then complacently
nodding and smiling at the passers by, or engaged in a
chat, for in the days we refer to the shop-keeper knew
nearly the whole of the population; but if an unfortu
nate stranger turned-up, all eyes were upon him, and
whence he came, and for what purpose, were made the
subject of conversation for some time. Most of the old
streets were narrow and tortuous, and consisted either
of quaint stone houses with mullioned windows, Gothic
doors, and peaked gables, or of the white and black
timber houses projecting over, first, a low-browed shop,
then with an overhanging storey, containing often a
wooden oriel, and higher a gabled storey whose bolder
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
323
The
projection invaded the upper area of the street.
shops had a bay-window on each side of the doorway,
and the merchandise mostly displayed was of varied
character. For instance, a customer could buy at the
same shop a yard of calico or a box of pills, a quartern
of tea or a bunch of carrots, a red herring or a mince
pie, a pair of boots or a pound of sausages. In the
course of time shops of a better description were erected
and the business was confined within the limits proper
to that of a draper, a grocer, a chemist, or a green-
grocer; and the shop-keepers became more cultivated
in their tastes, better educated, and keen competition
would not permit them to lounge and indulge in a smoke
at their shop doors, for as the prices of goods were
lowered, a larger quantity had to be sold in order to
afford a fair profit on the capital invested. As soon as
the railway was opened to Manchester, some of the
inhabitants were pleased to entertain the idea that they
could purchase goods cheaper and better in Manchester,
and this fallacious impression lingers yet in the minds.
of some. Perhaps they are not aware, or do not re-
member, that the tradesmen of Rochdale buy their
merchandise from exactly the same wholesale dealers as
do the tradesmen of Manchester; that the latter have
to pay higher rents, heavier rates, and larger salaries,
and is it not more likely that inferior goods might be
palmed off upon an entire stranger, as it might be
thought there were ten chances to one whether he would
visit them again? whereas, a Rochdale tradesman is
intimately acquainted with his customers, and considers
it highly discreditable and injurious to sell articles
which may appropriately be termed "cheap and nasty,"
324
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
knowing that if he does so, it must, on the principle
of
once bitten, twice shy," lead to the ultimate de-
struction of his business.
A mental stroll with an imaginary companion through
the principal streets of Rochdale, and a description of
the changes that have taken place, and a narration of
interesting events may be acceptable to many of our
readers.
"This is the place, here let us stand
While we review the scene,
And summon from the shadowy past
The things that once have been.
The past and present here unite
Beneath life's flowing tide,
Like footprints on the sands of time
Which serve us as a guide.”
We will begin our brief description as the visitor
emerges from the principal railway station into Oldham-
road, and inform him that this road was constructed
about 1823, and as he will, of course, infer it leads to
the neighbouring town of Oldham. Speaking first of
the top of Oldham-road, it may be stated that the canal
crosses the road near to the shop of Mr. Wm. Kershaw,
tailor and draper, Lockbridge, and that Crawford-street
runs in an easterly direction. There are several mills
in this street, and the tannery of Mr. Loversidge.
Directing our footsteps towards the heart of the town
along Oldham-road, it will be noticed that on the other
side of the canal, and directly opposite to the shop of
Mr. John Varty, pork butcher, stands the ruin of a
once extensive flannel mill, formerly occupied by Mr.
Morgan Brierley and Mr. L. Stott, which was burnt
down about twelve months ago. Lower down the road,
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
325
in a southerly direction, opposite to the shop of Mr.
Harrison, saddler, runs Elbow-lane. As we proceed,
we reach Milnrow-road, which leads to the thriving
village of Milnrow. Molesworth-street, so named after
Dr. Molesworth, the present vicar, branches out of
Milnrow-road, and at the corner stands conspicuously
the marble works of Mr. W. Holdsworth. Retracing our
steps to Oldham-road, brings us to Livsey-street, which
takes its name from the family of the late Alderman
Livsey having some property in this street. Baron-
street, in which are situated Mr. Charles O'Doherty's
engine packing works, was named after the well-known
drawing master, Jeffery Baron, who built houses in this
street. In a short street named Wet Rake, at the top
of Drake-street, is the site of a once famous well, which
contributed to a rivulet which ran down Drake-street.
Wet Rake and its continuation, School-lane, sixty years
ago was a country lane, and all that thickly populated
locality was then the suburban part of the town.
School-lane was so named from the old Grammar
School which used to be situated in this street. The
triangular plot of land in front of the store between
Oldham-road, Milnrow-road, and Drake-street, which is
now filled up by a foundry, was once suggested as a
suitable site for the Town Hall, and it is to be regretted
that it was not left an open space. Drake-street was
named after the Rev. Dr. Drake, who formed that street
about the year 1810, and it opened out the vicarage
land for building purposes. As we proceed, a fine,
lofty, and capacious building attracts our notice, which
was erected a few years ago by Mr. W. A. Scott, the
spirited proprietor of the Rochdale Observer, a most ably-
326
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
conducted Liberal paper, which has been established
nineteen years, and which has a very extensive
circulation. Before Drake-street, which is
a main
artery to the town, was opened, the locality where at
present stand the premises of Mr. Charles Whitworth,
decorative painter and paper hanger, Mr. Wm. Highley,
family dispensing chemist, and Mr. John Jackson,
grocer, and general carrier, was a deep valley, and the
site upon which Mr. Davenport's foundry is built was
a knoll higher than St. Chad's Churchyard, and was
called "The Heart Ache," on account of the difficulty
of forming it into building land. A street on the right,
named Water-street, is so named from the fact that it
runs down to the river bank. In 1829, Messrs. Thomas
and William Chadwick owned the mill in Water-street,
which is now the property of Mr. Edmund Ashworth,
flannel manufacturer, and in a riot that occurred in that
year respecting wages, shuttles were gathered and an
attack was made on this manufactory. The Messrs.
Chadwick nobly defended their premises, and when the
riotors had nearly forced their way in, either Mr.
Thomas or Mr. William Chadwick threw an ax, which
terrified the ringleaders, and a hasty retreat was beaten ;
but the rioters were so exasperated, that for years after,
at public meetings, if the Messrs. Chadwick were
present, the question was asked "Who threw the
ax?
ax ?"
The street leading off to the left, at one
corner of which stands the offices of Messrs. William
Ashworth and Co., stock and share brokers, and
at the other corner the draper's shop of Mr. James
Iveson, was named Nelson-street, in commemoration
of Nelson's victories. Further down Drake-street,
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
327
on the right, at the corner of which stands the
stationer's shop of Messrs. Schofield and Hoblyn,
runs River-street. Near the druggest's shop lately
occupied by the late Mr. Hamilton Rothwell, and now
by Mr. John Jones, stood a famous fish pond, where
some of the present inhabitants may remember having
caught "jack sharps" and "gold fish," and the small
rivulet from Wet Rake flowed into it. The street
turning off to the left is Church Lane, which is the
oldest part of the town, and for the last 80 years
it has been the haunt of thieves and nymphs of the
pave. In 1872 the local authorities very judiciously got
inserted a clause in their local Act, by which the
magistrates obtained the power of dealing with occu-
piers of houses of ill-fame, and in a very short time
these wretched nuisances were suppressed, and now it
is a quiet street, whereas previously it was the scene
of tumult and disorder. This satisfactory state of things
is, perhaps however, mostly due to Mr. Stevens, the
Chief Constable, whose efforts in this direction have been
unceasing. The buildings are a disgrace to the owners,
and it is quite time that they should be pulled down.
On Sunday morning, 22nd of June, 1863, Matthew
Fulton, aged 50, a cabinet maker, resident of Shaw-
clough, was found dead in Forge Bank, back of
Church-lane, and it was strongly suspected that he had
been murdered. The unfortunate man visited Church-
lane late on Saturday night, and fell in with some very
bad companions, male and female, and remained.
drinking with these persons until three o'clock on
Sunday morning, and then went into the street, where
he met some drunken men, one of whom struck him
328
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
and immediately ran away, closely pursued by Fulton,
who, it was asserted, fell on his head when attempting
to get over a flag wall at the back of the "Cloggers'
Arms," and died immediately.
The old road to Manchester was through this street,
along Church stile, through Milkstone road, and on the
west side of the new Board School, and came out at
Castleton Moor. The old road to Oldham turned off at
the east side of the Board School, and through Lower-
place. One of the principal coal depôts in the town
is situated on Milkstone-road, near to Messrs. Ingham
and Co.'s livery stables, and Mr. Brearley, coal merchant,
does an extensive buisness here. The name of Milk-
stone originated from a large stone being placed in this
road near Mere Lane, for the convenience of farmers
in olden times to place their milk cans upon, which
were conveyed to the spot on horses and mules. Cattle
fairs have been held in Church Stile and School-lane from
time immemorial, and they have increased from three
fairs in the year to monthly and fortnightly fairs. The
Corporation has bought the manorial rights from the
Lord of the Manor, and the holding of the fairs in
School-lane being found to be inconvenient, it is ex-
pected that they will be held elsewhere. Mr. Cheetham,
the assistant overseer of Castleton, has kindly given us
access to books containing the particulars of the rateable.
value of property in the township of Castleton as far
back as could be got, and we find that in 1760 the poor
rate for six months of that year was twelve pence in
the pound, which produced a total of £106 19s. 11d.
The rateable value of the property was £2,140. In the
year 1860 the rateable value had increased to £67,317
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
329
and in 1874 to £121,944 10s. Od. In 1820 the Rev. W.
R. Hey paid a poor rate of 4s. 6d. in the pound, for
a half-year, upon the vicarage land and buildings,
which amounted to £5 8s. Od. That year the poor rate
whereas at the present
increased to 9s. in the pound,
time it is only 1s. 6d. in the pound, and the rate now
paid on the vicarage land and buildings for the whole
year amounts to £7 10s. In 1820 there were 1,040
assessments, but in 1874 they numbered 8,827. Up
to the year 1819 there was an annual sport on the 7th
of November of bull-baiting in the bed of the river, in
South Parade, on the southerly side of the bridge, and
it was witnessed by thousands of spectators who used to
lean over the river wall. That year the sport was
principally got up by William Lee and Samuel Stott,
weavers, the former rode on the bull's back to the stake
to which it was tied, the dogs then made the attack and
tried to pin the bull by the nose, and one succeeded, and
kept its hold while it was being thrown up in the air.
At this juncture the river wall fell in, and with it a
large number of spctators, and Robert Holt, card maker,
Benjamin Stott, a mechanic, a shoemaker, who went by
the bye-name of "Nat," and four other persons, were
killed, and a number of others were injured, and this
lamentable occurence ended the sport of bull-baiting in
Rochdale. King-street branches off South Parade on
the left, near the jeweller's shop of Mr. John Brearley,
and was formerly called Packer Meadow. Packer-street
runs parallel, its etymology being apparent, as it was
associated with the packing of the old pack-horses. This
street was once the locality of the most respectable shops,
and two of the leading hotels were situated here, namely,
22
330
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
•
the "Golden Ball," which was kept by Mr. Daniel
Nield, the parish clerk, and the "Flying Horse," the
landlord of the latter for many years being Mr. James
Whitehead, who was celebrated in an election song as
"James o' Peters." For a considerable time the magis-
trates sat in Petty Sessions at this house. Packer-street
was the main thoroughfare for the whole of Castleton,
the road up the Church Steps being direct, and that up
Sparrow Hill being long and circuitous. After the
opening of Manchester-road and Drake-street the traffic
was almost entirely withdrawn from Packer-street, and
the property there was thus depreciated quite two-thirds
in value. The Iron Bridge leading to The Walk was
erected by Messrs. Vavasour, about the year 1825, to
improve their property in The Walk, which was built
upon part of the site of the Eagle Inn yard, which
reached nearly from Yorkshire-street as far back as Mr.
J. Jackson's photographic studio. At the bottom of
Packer-street there is a fine stone building, a branch
bank of the Manchester and Liverpool Banking Co. The
extensive cabinet and upholstery work rooms of Mr.
Snowdon are on the southern side of the Town Hall.
The fine, broad street in front of the Town Hall received
the name of “Esplanade" from Mr. Alderman Taylor,
on account of its width and inclining to the river side.
The "Old Bridge" has been widened six times, and
many years ago, on the north-east side, there was a
direct road to the river side. Passing over the bridge,
and turning to the left, leads to The Orchard, which
was formerley called The Walk, as a footpath ran
along the river side, which was a favourite resort for
lovers. Many of the present inhabitants remember
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
331
this "path by the river" as one of their favourite walks
in the days of their courtship, and, looking back upon
their love episodes, they cannot but agree with the asser-
tion that "All that has been written in song, or told in
story, of love and its effects, falls far short of its reality.
Its evils and its blessings, its impotence and its power,
its sin and its holiness, its weakness and its strength,
will continue the theme of nature and of art, until the
great pulse of the universe is still." Turning to the
right of the bridge, we are led to The Butts, an open
space, and the origin of its name was from the fact that
archery was formerly practised here, and many merry
and delightful scenes, no doubt, have been witnessed
on this plot of ground.
"May day games of archerie,
Pageants, wyth thyr gallant showe,
Towrnaments, wyth knyghtes a rowe."
Mr. W. Snowdon has a splendid shop in The Butts,
in which he displays his furniture. Messrs. Clement
Royds and Co's bank, which was established in 1819,
is situated here. Smith-street is a continuation of the
Butts, and in January, 1854, a serious fire occurred at
Messrs. R. & J. Kelsall's mill, which stands at the
corner of Duncan-street and Smith-street, on which
occasion two women jumped out from an upper storey
and were killed. The fire commenced in the third
storey, near the staircase, which prevented the opera-
tives making their escape by the stairs. Some men
slid down by the teagle rope, and Abraham Taylor
lowered a number of men and young women by the
means of flannel pieces. Henry Ratcliffe, of Smith-
street, saved the lives of fourteen persons by a rope,
332
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
which he fastened in the roof of the building, and after
they had slid down it he escaped by the same means.
A public subscription was made, and £200 presented to
Mr. Ratcliffe, and £100 to Mr. Taylor, for their presence
of mind and courage.
Some of the oldest inhabitants remember green fields
where now stand the extensive mills of Messrs. Kelsall
and Kemp and Messrs. Littlewood and Heape, and a
fine bowling green on the site of Messrs. Hurst's cotton
mill, which is now called "Bowling Green Mill." The
green belonged to Mr. John Shepherd, the landlord of
the Horse Mill Inn, which was pulled down to make
room for the Market Hall.
Commencing at the bridge again, it will be noticed
that Messrs. J. and J. Fenton and Sons' Bank stands
on the left. Up an entry at the back, is a fine old-
fashioned building, which at one time was a public-
house, and went by the name of "The Amen Corner,"
from the fact that a Parish Clerk resided there.
Some antiquarians fancy that originally it was the old
Manor House, but ancient records in existence do not
support this theory. About two centuries ago it was
described as the "Great House," and tradition alleges
that at an early period it was used as a retreat for
nuns, and that it was surrounded by a garden, which
ran down to the river side, across into Yorkshire-street,
and up to Lord-street. An examination of the exterior
and interior impresses a visitor of its former greatness.
It is now used as a lodging house.
Many years ago a saddler named Lucas, used to keep
a shop nearly opposite Messrs. Price's general drapery
establishment, The Walk, and he was a very jocular
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
333
character.
On one occasion a customer insisted on a
bill of particulars for a sum amounting to 6d., so Lucas
gave particulars in this fashion,
Ripping, stitching, and contriving,
Nailing fourpence, twopence driving."
The buildings below Mr. King's ironmonger's shop
were built on the site of the Old Roebuck Hotel, a
famous coaching house. It was here an admiring
crowd used to assemble to watch the prancing horses
and the coaches, under the command of individuals
buried in a multiplicity of coats, broad brimmed hats,
and huge rolls of coloured handkerchiefs about their
necks. These consequential personages had commonly
full faces, which had swelled into jolly dimensions by
frequent potations of malt liquor. "It's a good sign to
see the colour of health in a man's face; it's a bad sign
to see it all concentrated in his nose.' Mr. King's
ironmonger's shop was formerly called "Union Build-
ings," and was a noted Hotel, and afterwards a gentle-
man's residence.
""
In the Stuart rebellion of 1745, a party of the rebels
visited Rochdale, on the
the 30th of November, and
demanded the "Militia Arms, Land Tax," etc., and
they made the Union Hotel and the Vicarage their
head quarters. The authorites at first determined to
repel the invaders, but when they had actually arrived
they found it no easy matter, and allowed them to be
quartered in various parts of the town. One of the
kilted highlanders went into the kitchen of the Union
Hotel, and asked the cook permission to dip his bread
into the dripping pan. The cook refused, but he threw
in a lump of black bannock, which she threw out with
334
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
the dripping spoon into the ashes. Upon this, "Sandy"
drew his sword, but the Lancashire lass laid hold of
her spoon and splashed his face and knees with hot
dripping, causing him to scream. At the same moment
the scullery maid let loose the dog, which chased him
out of the house, and tore a large piece out of the back
part of his kilt. The scalds proved serious, and he
was placed under the skill of Dr. Mott. Betty, the
cook, relented, and nursed him with great attention,
their hostile feelings changed to affection, and it ended
in
a matrimonial union. He settled in the town,
became a successful tradesman, and his descendents are
at the present day respectable and prosperous.
The cook worked her purpose by means of her grease,
And the feud which existed was turned into peace;
For the scalds she inflicted by means of hot dripping
Set herself and the Scotchman a-kissing and clipping;
The "Union" she left for a union more pleasing,
And they loved with a love which was sweet and unceasing.
The inhabitants of Rochdale on the occasion remained
loyal, only one joining the rebel army. His name was
Valantine Holt, of Yorkshire-street, a noted poacher
and marksman. He was captured, and found guilty of
high treason, and executed at Penrith, on the 28th of
October, 1746.
The shop opposite Lord-street, Mr. Henry Howorth's,
is the oldest printing office in the town, himself and his
family having been in this special trade for the last
hundred years. Part of the building occupied by Mr.
Henry Butterworth, jeweller and watch and clock maker,
which is called Town Hall Buildings, was built on the
site of a large news-room belonging to the Market
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
335
Company. During the stormy times of the Reform
Bill, when Rochdale was made a borough, party feeling
ran very high in the town. Some difference arose be-
As
tween the political parties visiting this news-room.
the preponderance of the shareholders were members
of the Tory party, the Whigs, who were in the minority,
resolved to have another news-room, which was held in
premises now occupied by Mr. Alderman Taylor. It
was called the "Red News-room," and was the birth-
place of many of the improvements which have been
made in Rochdale. The Market Company continued
their news-room, a better variety of newspapers were
taken in, the hostility died away, and the "Red News-
room" ceased to exist.
Lord-street runs out of Yorkshire-street on the left,
and was formerly called Blackwater-street, but the
Commissioners decided that streets of one continuous
line should only bear one name. In this street,
in front of Mr. Sutcliffe's sewing machine depôt, the
Flannel Market is held every Monday, and it is still
called the "Blackwater Market." At the junction
of Blackwater-street with Lord-street, before the year
1825, stood a house in Lord street, at the right angle
with the King's Head, four yards. The opposite house
which is now occupied by Mr. Owen March, solicitor,
and that of Mr. Lawton's, the maltster, used to be one
tenement, and bore the name of "the Manor House."
It is a very ancient building, and it is supposed to have
been once the property of the Byron family. The late
Alderman Livsey was born on the 17th of June, 1815,
at the Duke of Wellington Hotel, bottom of Blackwater-
street, and he was the son of Robert Livsey, the
336
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
landlord.
The career of honest Tom Livsey is inti-
mately connected with the history of progress in Roch-
dale, and the innumerable advantages conferred upon
the working class-
"A King can make a belted knight,
A marquis, duke and a' that;
But an honest man's aboon his might,
Guid faith, he manna fa' that."
Baillie-street, which opens to the right of Yorkshire-
street, took its name from Colonel Baillie, who was the
owner of land in this street. The Joint Stock Bank, a
handsome structure, situate in this street, was registered
under the Companies' Act in March, 1872.
On the night of the 19th of April, 1856, a coach
trimmer, named Samuel Bell, a native of Gateshead,
was murderously attacked and robbed in Baillie-street,
and he died in a few weeks after. Bell lodged at the
Brunswick Hotel, and returning home late on the 19th
of April, a man, who wore cloggs, kicked him near the
Messrs. Kelsalls' mill, and then on the head whilst he
lay on the ground. When he attempted to defend
himself, he was cut on the hands with a knife. There
were five large wounds on his head, and his left thumb
was nearly cut off. The murderer was never detected.
The Public Hall is situated in this street, and
has been the scene of many interesting and important
meetings. On the 5th of March, 1868, a serious riot
occurred here on account of the Public Hall Company
refusing to let Messrs. Houston and Mackey, followers
of Murphy, the anti-Popery advocate, have the use of
the hall. Mackey shot at police officer David Halstead,
but, fortunately, the bullet struck the officer's belt,
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
337
and thus he escaped injury. Mackey was imprisoned
for sixteen months for the offence, and his partisans
afterwards built a "Protestant Hall" in Milkstone-road,
in which to hold meetings and services. The first
Board School was in Baillie-street, which was previously
a British School. Returning to Yorkshire-street, so
named, as it is the principal road to Yorkshire, has been
very much improved and widened within the last fifty
years. Mr. Holt's warehouse is perhaps one of the
oldest buildings in Rochdale. Mr. Wm. Swift's boot
shop is an ancient building, and has been modernised.
The old road to Yorkshire was down Church-lane, right
across a ford into the Butts, up "Bull Brow," by the
large and extensive building which is now occupied as
the offices of the Rochdale Times, the newspaper which
so ably advocates the Conservative cause in Rochdale,
and into Yorkshire-street. The extensive respective
premises occupied by Messrs. Thomas Whipp and Son,
watch manufacturers, jewellers, and silver smiths; Mr.
J. Petrie, mill furnisher and general ironmonger; Mr.
William Wallace, boot and shoe manufacturer; and
Mr. Robinson, chemist, are all comparatively modern
structures, but have been very much improved of
late years.
Nearly opposite, The Baum turns off
to the left, and in this narrow street or passage
on the 15th of October, 1862, a shocking accident
occurred in an old building.
While a sale was
proceeding in the top room of the building, part of the
flooring gave way, and the whole contents of the
room, audience, and auctioneer, fell through the lower
storeys to the bottom, creating the greatest havoc and
consternation. Mr. John Matley, machine broker; Mr.
338
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
John Turner, cotton spinner; and Mr. Abraham Knight,
furniture broker, were killed on the spot, and a number
of other persons were very seriously injured. Many
persons providentially escaped unhurt, and the auctioneer
declared "that though he had felt himself to be going
he was extremely glad to find he was not gone." The
shop of Mr. David Oldfield, tailor and outfitter, and that
of Mr. James Hamilton, ironmonger, etc., were formerly
the front rooms of the Reed Hotel. Some of the oldest
inhabitants remember the erection of the office in Tower
place, now occupied by Mr. Wm. Shepherd, auctioneer,
and the shops now occupied by Mr. J. K. Spencer,
wholesale and retail draper; Mr. Thos. Brandon, grocer,
and Mr. Robert Adamson, tea and coffee merchant; Mr.
Davis, boot and shoe manufacturer; Mr. A. Wheeler,
tailor, &c., and that formerly they were private dwellings.
Acker-street, in which Mr. J. H. Baskeyfield has his shop
and cooperage, leads to the Public Hall, to which we have
previously referred. Cheetham-street turns off on the
left of Yorkshire-street, and it derives its name from
Cheetham College, Manchester, as some of the land here
belongs to that college, but in old deeds the street is
named Northgate. The whole aspect of this now im-
portant thoroughfare has been completely changed by
the elevation of the level. From the Spread Eeagle Inn
there was formerly a decline to a rivulet named the
Lord-burn, which flowed across the road down Cable-
square, and into the Roach at the Orchard. A few
doors beyond the shop of Mr. James Hadfield, druggist,
some of the buildings are two storeys below the present
surface of the street. The street turning off nearly
opposite the shop of Mr. Lynch, chemist, is Mill-street.
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
339
On the right runs Redcross-street. In 1868, Murphy,
the anti-Popery lecturer, lodged in a building in
Cheetham-street, which has since been converted by Mr.
John Greyson, house painter, &c., into a shop for his
particular line of business, and on the evening of the
26th of March, in that year, an angry mob followed
Murphy, and a young woman named Ann Swift
assualted him. For this offence she was imprisoned
for fourteen days. Murphy, during his stay in Rochdale,
was the cause of riotous proceedings in various parts
of the town, and instigated religious strife, which
culminated in an attack upon St. John's Catholic Chapel,
where the rioters smashed the windows, and committed
damage to the amount of several hundred pounds. He
visited other towns, carrying on his crusade against the
Catholics, and a few years later he received blows which
ultimately resulted in his death. Toad-lane crosses the
end of Cheetham-street, at right angles, and its name is
supposed to have originated from the word "Tod,"
namely 14 lbs. weight of wool, as here, in remote
times, wool was largely dealt in, and where the shop of
Mr. Drury, tailor and woollen draper, now stands, was
the site of the ancient wool warehouses. At the top of
Toad-lane, Falinge-road branches off on the left; and on
Greenhill Estate, in this road, as mentioned in a pre-
ceding page, the annual Rochdale Agricultural Show is
held. This show was formerly called the Whitworth
and Rochdale Agricultural Show. It originated at
Whitworth in 1854, and its early success was partly
attributable to the exertions of the late Mr. Robert
Tweedale, of Healey. Heights-lane branches off Toad-
lane to the right, and this was originally the old road
to Bacup, passing through Shawclough and into the
340
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
Whitworth-road at Ending. Continuing our course we
are brought to the end of Blackwater-street, at the
corner of which may be noticed a lofty building, which
site was at first intended for a Temperance Hall.
Spotland-road is a continuation of St. Mary's Gate,
and the houses in this locality cannot boast of much
antiquity. Bury-road leads off to the left, and the
manufactory at Coptrod, of general mill furniture,
belongs to Mr. Albert R. Worth. About two years ago
a new road was opened out of Spotland-road into Toad-
lane, which has been of the greatest advantage in
relieving some of the narrow and busy streets here-
abouts. Sheriff-street turns off a little higher up, near
to the draper's shop of Mr. James Clegg, into Heights-
lane, and is a comparatively new street. Returning to
Yorkshire-street, it may not be uninteresting to state
that from Cheetham-street, to where now stands Mr. G.
H. Robinson's grocer's shop, ninety years ago, was an
extensive nursery on both sides of the then lane, and
the only house then standing was the old police office,
at the corner of Union-street. Mount Pleasant, which,
at the present time, by no means deserves the name,
leads off to the left from Yorkshire-street, and was once
really such a spot as the name describes, and the
pleasantest and most commanding position in the town,
from which good views of the Roach valley could be
obtained. Many of the streets in this neighbourhood
have been the Irish quarters ever since about the year
1824, and as the first comers were a class of agricultural
and common labourers, and found wages so much
higher than in Ireland, they naturally sent for their
friends and relatives, until it became quite an Irish
A RAMBLE THROUGH THE STREETS.
341
colony for many years. Now, however, they are begin-
ning to scatter all over the town. In the earlier period
of their migration, the Irish labourer was rather a
favourite with the English than otherwise, as his natural
humour and good qualities were fully appreciated.
John-street turns off to the right near to St. James's
Church, and leads to the railway station. The fine
warehouse near to the shop of Mr. William Adams,
tailor, John-street, belongs to Messrs. Willans &
Co., flannel manufacturers. Whitworth-road is a
continuation of John-street, and some of the oldest in-
habitants can remember that this locality from Yorkshire-
street up to Healey, was laid out in corn and potato
fields. John-street took its name from Mr. John Clegg,
a blacksmith, who built the first house in this street.
George-street runs down out of Yorkshire street,
parallel with John-street, and the large timber yard
there situated, belongs to Mr. W. A. Peters, builder and
timber merchant, and these premises stand on the site
of the residence, school-house, and play ground of the
late Mr. Wm. Littlewood. It was a famous school,
and here many of our leading townsmen were
educated. The Infirmary is situated in Yorkshire-
street, near Messrs. Smiths' boot and shoe shop,
and Mr. Whitham's photographic studio. Heybrook,
in which Mr. Tomlinson's corn warehouse is situated,
is a continuation of Yorkshire-street, and this turnpike-
road leads through Littleborough, and into Yorkshire.
Having now completed a rapid, and, we hope, a
pleasant perambulation through the principal streets
of the town, it may perhaps be agreeable to the reader
to have his attention turned to the chief attraction of
our neighbourhood-Hollingworth Lake.
HOLLINGWORTH LAKE AND BLACKSTONE
EDGE.

ROMINENT amid the scenery of the district of
which Rochdale is the centre, are the alternations
of meadow, moorland, and hill, stretching
between its confines and the boundaries of the
West Riding. Less enchanting, perhaps, than
the rocks and dells which dot the course of the Roach
and its smaller confluents, and possessing few of
the leaf-clad cloughs to be met with at almost every
winding of the brawling little streamlets running
through Spotland, Healey, and Whitworth, but with a
marked distinctiveness and an artistic beauty all its own.
This was the route followed by the legions of Rome in
the construction of that Way which the effacing
imprints of fifteen centuries have yet been compelled to
spare, and which still crops out in sturdy squares of
stone pavement as the foot passenger makes his journey
into Yorkshire by way of Blackstone Edge. Those old
Romans, utilitarian as they were in their policy, their
life, and their conquests, had a fine eye for the
picturesque, look you. With them, the straight road
was always the best road, but they have managed to
include in this magnificent highway over the ridge
which divides the two counties, not only strategical
positions, but also the chief points from which the
country might be viewed. And the old Roman road
which eschews the pass over Blackstone Edge, prefer-

Op
N
HOLLINGWORTH
LAKE
x
HOLLINGWORTH LAKE.
343
ring to take the shorter cut to Ripponden, over the
moors, still remains, the characteristic of a people who
warred, as Oliver Wendel Holmes, says, "not with
fifteen foot lances, but with swords as short as the
grace, and as pointed as the laws they gave to all the
world."
Starting from Rochdale, north eastwards, the Roman
road, when three miles out, skirts what is now the
western side of Hollingworth Lake, and as we now
light on a work of modern engineering, we may leave
the more ancient construction to the researches of
antiquarians, and give landmarks more in accordance
with the requirements of the ordinary railway passenger
and tourist.
HOLLINGWORTH
LAKE
Is a sheet of water covering 90 acres, originally con-
structed by the Rochdale and Manchester Canal Co.
as a feeder to that channel of communication. Later
works, however, have rendered its existence no longer
necessary for that purpose, and within recent years it
has fallen into the hands of a company by whom it has
been transformed into a resort of pleasure. Lying
about three miles from Rochdale, its shores may be
gained either by highways from Smithy Bridge and
Littleborough Stations, or by following the windings of
two pleasant footpaths running from the town.
passes out of the top of Yorkshire-street, by way of
Hamer Mill, and leads through the Hamlet of Clegg;
the other, by Milnrow road and over Uncouth Bridge.
(C
One
The Lake cannot be called either grand" or
"lovely." Its surroundings neither awe by their
344
HOLLINGWORTH LAKE.
frowning majesty, nor captivate by their fairy witcheries.
Here are no rugged mountains, snow-topped and grim;
no far stretching forests of beech, and oak, and pine;
the nightingale makes not her home upon its shores in
leafy bowers perfumed with odours of richest blossom,
nor does the sighing wind breathe sweetest music
through the groves. In short, it is neither Loch
Lomond nor Lago Maggiore. But one is not obliged
to be always viewing the bluest of blue skies of Italy,
or watching the descent of Highland squalls, with their
wonderful changes of light and shade, and Holling-
worth has merits of its own. We do not expect to be
at Venice when we go to Greenwich, nor at Naples
when we voyage to Blackpool. And so, though
Hollingworth is neither a Derwentwater nor a Killar-
ney, it may, and does possess attractions of a special
nature worth viewing. It is homely; it is pleasant;
and it is the Lake of south Lancashire and the Riding;
the charming spot where on gala days gather thousands
of workers in this teeming district. Leeds send excur-
sions; Manchester makes holiday here; contingents
flock from Bradford, Bury, and Oldham, and not a
district among the moors but is proud if its amateur
instrumentalists can score well at a Hollingworth brass
band contest. On a summer afternoon, there is won-
derful natural variety at Hollingworth. Its elevated
position unfolds a wide panorama. Over the sombre
hued Blackstone Edge and russet tinged moorlands of
Wardle, light and shade play strange antics. The
heather on Whittaker Moor is bathed in colours an
artist would give his eyes to catch, while to the south-
west over the murky atmospheric tinge which tells.
HOLLINGWORTH LAKE.
345
where Rochdale is, the champaign country rolls towards
Manchester in undulating waves of meadowland,
absorbing the brilliant sunshine and throwing back hues
attuned in harmony with the amphitheatre of surround-
ing hills. Upon the Lake itself, float or dart craft of
every description-the racing skiff, the pleasure boat,
the fishing punt, and the snorting ferry steamer-glide
in every direction, leaving in their wakes long lines of
glittering sheen, while on the western bank linger
crowds for whose patronage numerous caterers of
sweets, and toys, and tea, clamour in no uncertain
voice. For those of more robust appetite, the many
hotels which fringe the lake offer every accommodation.
The lovers of aquatic sports have formed a rowing
club in connection with this lake, and the members
number about 50. Henry Newall, Esq., J.P., is the
president, and Mr. Wm. Lord, the secretary. They
have a boat-house on the north side of the lake neatly
fitted up. They possess eight and four-oared gigs;
four and pair-oared racing cutters, and skiffs, and
canoes.
The Beach Hotel is a commodious inn, built of brick,
and occupying a commanding site. Here are large
refreshment rooms, and overhanging the water, a
spacious dancing stage, capable of accommodating some
two thousand persons. This is brilliantly lighted with
gas, and at night presents a most lively and animating
appearance. Round the hotel are grounds fitted up
for al fresco sports.
Crossing the lake from one landing stage to another
by means of a paddle steamer, we reach the Lake
Hotel and pleasure grounds. The hotel is a picturesque
23
346
HOLLINGWORTH LAKE.
building, constructed somewhat after the fashion of a
Swiss chalet. The neatness and excellence of its
accommodation have given it a name far beyond that of
mere local celebrity. The Lake Hotel stands within
large and tastefully laid out pleasure grounds. Drives,
lined with shrubbery will be found along the shores of
the lake, while at the back of the hotel is a well-kept
bowling green, and, beyond that again, flowery arcades
and summer houses, where one may ruralize at leisure.
Standing at the edge of the lake is a very handsome
building, the lower floor of which is used as a refresh-
ment room, the upper floor forming a fine billiard
room, with commodious balcony, from which the sports
on the lake can be conveniently witnessed. In front of
the veranda of the hotel is a dancing stage, a scene
of gaiety on summer evenings when the lake is
aglow with the setting sun, and joyous sounds of
laughter come rippling over the water.
There have been temporary reverses to the picture,
for the lake has been the scene of several catastrophes.
About twenty-six years ago there was an accident on
the ice, and several persons were drowned. On the
6th of April, 1861, a melancholy boat accident occurred.
It seems that on this occasion a great number of people
had come over from various parts of the country to
spend the day at Hollingworth. There were about
forty small boats besides two steamers on the lake, all
of which were floating about in different directions,
when suddenly about four o'clock, two of the small
boats came into collision with each other near the
centre of the lake. The collision was so violent as to
capsize both boats; some thirteen persons being pre-

OP
WAY OFF ONLY.
HOLLINGWORTH LAKE, BY MOONLIGHT
347
HOLLINGWORTH LAKE.
cipitated into the lake, which at this place is sixteen or
seventeen yards deep. Before assistance arrived, five of
the party were drowned, namely, Ben. Taylor, John
Tatham, Sydney Smith, Richmond Richardson, of
Higher Crompton, and Henry Crossley, of Shaw.
It may be mentioned in connection with Hollingworth
Lake, that its shores are in winter time not an
infrequent resort of wild fowl, and that fair sport has
been afforded in this direction.
HOLLINGWORTH LAKE BY MOONLIGHT.
The moon sheds down her mellow silver light
Upon the placid waters, sweet and clear,
While all arouud, the stillness of the night,
Gives grateful solace to the listening ear.
Mirror of beauty! with what splendour gleams
The sheen which falls from yon resplendent orb
Upon thy waters, that one almost dreams
Of magic powers which all her beams absorb !
On such a night as this we feel in love
With all that nature's holy touch hath warmed;
And while our thoughts upsoar to One above
We mourn that aught on earth should seem deformed,
Oh, that this peacefulness might long endure,
This lovely scene continue, free from mist!
Who would not seek for what is true and pure?
Who would in aught unbeautiful persist?
None but the gross and foul who make the earth
A scene of terror, havoc, and distress.
O give us, gracious God, a second birth,
And stem the tide of human wretchedness.
Give us to love thy works, so bright and fair;
Give us to know where truest goodness lies;
Give, from on high, a living, freshening air,
Before whose current all pollution flies.
;
348
CLEGG HALL.
A
Lying half or three-quarters of a mile to the south
west of the lake, and between it and Rochdale, is the
hamlet of Clegg. The principal object of interest here
is the fine old mansion of Clegg Hall, a superb
specimen of architecture of the days of James I.
Although it has fallen sadly from its high estate, the
excellent condition of preservation in which its external
decoration has been maintained serves to afford a
capital notion of the homes of our forefathers.
massive stone porch with steps, gives character to the
building, throwing out in fine proportion the heavy
carvings above the eight mullioned windows, each with
their ten lights; and the sculptured monsters with
which the front is further adorned, show the elaborate
nature of the architecture. Many a time must the
large and lofty rooms have resounded with the glee of
deep potations; and, in looking at the wide open
mantelpieces with their handsome carvings, one can
picture up a scene in the olden time, when the walls
were still relieved with dark wainscoting, and the
ruddy blaze of the logs on the hearth-stone threw
fanciful shadows over the floor and ceiling. The
history of this mansion, which once did duty as a
roadside public-house, and received its license in the
name of "The Black Sloven," is carried back by
tradition to the early part of the twelfth century, when
it was in the hands of a family who drew their name
from the estate. Down to the time of Henry VI., the
Cleggs (veritable children of the soil since the meaning
of the word in Saxon is "clay,") were possessors of
Clegg Hall. It then passed into the hands of the
CLEGG HALL.
349
Ashtons, and from that family, in the reign of
the first Charles, to the keeping of the Howarths. It
requires no antiquary to test the tenure on which
possession in these times was gained. The Wars of the
Roses, and the Parliamentary struggle, being at their
fiercest when these transitions occurred, are a sufficient
reason for the change of proprietors. Since the Civil
War, the hall was bandied about from owner to owner
until it now rests in the possession of Mr. James Fenton,
and recently formed the roof-tree of a tavern, with spare
accommodation for separate dwellings behind.
It would not be fair to pass from a notice of this
place without an allusion to the "boggart" which
"Clegg Ho'" possessed in its palmy days in common
with every other well regulated and antiquated country
house. The legend is worth a short relation, and as
told in Roby's "Traditions of Lancashire," is to the
following effect:-About the middle of the 17th
century, the ghost being about that time so particularly
troublesome as to frighten all comers from approaching
the haunted chamber, Alice Howarth, sister to the
then head of the family, received a mystic summons to
repair to the ghost's apartment at the dead hour of
night under dread penalties to the house in case of
refusal. She goes; the door is bolted behind her and
she is conveyed by one whom she has before met and
shuddered at as a beggar-man, through vaults and
passages to the very foundations of the house. Here
she is met by a stranger who demands her hand in
marriage, and threatens to keep her imprisoned until
she is wearied into consenting. Meanwhile, Alice
is missed from her home, and strict search made. The
350
BLACKSTONE EDGE.
beggar-man is arrested on suspicion of complicity with
the crime. In reply, he declares himself one of the
Cleggs, the original owners of the estate, and the right-
ful heir. While undergoing further examination the
house is shaken by an explosion, and the beggar makes
his escape in the confusion. Afterwards, he emerges
from the ghost's apartment bearing the body of Alice,
who had fainted, and again leaves the hall, this time,
to return no more. It is subsequently found that he
was the chief of a gang of coiners, who had used the
ancient portion of the hall for their nefarious practices
(which explained the mysterious sounds), and that as a
means of bringing back the possession of the hall to
the Clegg family, he had abducted Alice in order to
force her into marriage with his son. Needless to add
that henceforward the "boggart" existed but in old
wives' tales, and the vivid imaginations of children.
BLACKSTONE EDGE.
The highroad from Rochdale into Yorkshire passes.
over a ridge of hills which form a line of uplands
extending from the Cheviots to the Derbyshire Peak.
To prevent the otherwise unavoidable steep ascent, the
road, after leaving Littleborough runs in zig-zag lines.
through a rugged country, where broom, and moss,
and dark ravines alternate with waste moors. This
was the road the mails travelled before the age of
railways, when the coaches were liable to be stopped
by highwaymen, and the young bloods of Littleborough
and the district formed outriding guards to convey the
vehicle to the White House; and doubtless recompensed
their labours when this renowned hostelry was reached
BLACKSTONE EDGE.
351
The
with vigorous application to strong liquors.
White House on Blackstone Edge is the most prominent
mark in the whole district. From any point from which
a glimpse of the hills may be obtained the inn at the
summit of the road is readily seen, its colour being in
strong contrast with the rocks adjacent. This much
said, the view obtainable from the hotel itself may be
imagined. Standing at the doorway, or, better, on one
of the projecting points of Blackstone, all the valley of
the Roach is within sight, and the truth of the state-
ment that Rochdale is cradled in hills is fully borne
out. The view is charming. Hamlets and mills dot
the valley, in the centre of which the winding course
of the river which gives its name to the principal town
is clearly discernible. In the distance to the south and
west, are the chimneys and spires of Manchester, Bury,
Oldham, Heywood, and busy centres of industry more
far away still, while the knolls and hills stand out
with pleasing distinctness. The moors adjacent are well
stocked with game, strictly preserved. A little to the
east of the White House is "Robin Hood's Bed," a
knot of time-worn and weather-riven rocks, bearing no
resemblance whatever to a resting place either for
an outlaw or honest man. Still tradition has been good
enough to couple them with the name of Sherwood's bold
forester, and to associate with his wanderings this
bleakest of the many bleak spots upon the Lancashire
moors. There is here very little indeed of that placid
scenery characterising the lower parts of the valley, and
yet the wild waste is in admirable keeping with the
diversified prospect. Altogether the country side of
which Hollingworth and the moors running thence to
352
BLACKSTONE EDGE.
stone Edge form a part is not the least beautiful, nor is
it in any whit less interesting than the other spots to
which the attention of the visitor is directed in
'other portions of this volume. Both to the antiquary
and the artist, this district presents attractions which
have only to be made known to be taken advantage of
in their fullest extent.
Our views of Hollingworth Lake are from photo-
graphs taken by Mr. A. Whitham, and the remainder
of the illustrations are from photographs executed by
Mr. J. Jackson.
L'ENVOI.
And now we pause, our task at length is done,
The goal is reached, and breathing space is won;
None know but they who've trod the rugged way,
How bright the scene is when the heavens display
Their radiant beauties to the grateful eye
Of travellers who have reached the summit high
Of some vast mountain from the plain below,
Where nature's charms in all their splendour glow.
Thus we have upward toiled, and back we cast
Our eyes in retrospect on what we've passed;
Labour is sweet if only friends approve,
And sure 'tis pleasant to dispense one's love.
One only purpose has sustained us still,
The purpose to do good and nothing ill;
It seemed to us that it were well to aim
To keep on record somewhat of the fame
Of our good town of Rochdale, proud and old,
Whereof so much has been and can be told.
Aided by friends whom we full well esteem,
We place before our readers what we deem
An offering not unworthy their regard,
Unseeking thence mere personal reward;
Honest in aim, we make our final bow,
Our book shows ROCHDALE PAST and ROCHDALE NOW.
THE END.
WEDDING PRESENTS.
HENRY HOWORTH,
Bookseller & Stationer,
20, YORKSHIRE STREET, ROCHDALE.
REWARD AND GIFT BOOKS,
DRESSING CASES, DRESSING BAGS,
WRITING CASES,
HAND BAGS, AND COURIER BAGS,
Desks, Workboxes, Stationery Cabinets, Inkstands, Bookslides,
Tea Caddies, Bread Platters, Egg Stands, Butter Dishes, Jewel
Cases, Card Cases,
GLOVE AND HANDKERCHIEF BOXES,
Workbaskets, Ladies' Companions, Purses, Pocket Books, Card
Trays, and Toilet Sets, China; Music Rolls, Portfolios, Cigar Cases,
Fusee Cases, &c.
SMELLING BOTTLES, FAMS, OPERA GLASSES,
Pen and Pencil Cases, Iu-door Games, Chessmen, Draughts,
Playing Cards, Bezique, Card Boxes, Portrait Aloums,
Scrap Books, Stamp Albums.
BIBLES, PRAYER BOOKS, AND HYMN BOOKS,
HENRY
HOWORTH,
PRINTER & BOOKBINDER,
20, YORKSHIRE STREET.
·:-0-:·
GIFTS.
BIRTHDAY
W. A. PETERS,
Builder and Timber Merchant,
Has for Sale a Large Stock of
Seasoned Mahogany, Baywood, Oak,
Birch, & Pine Boards,
SPRUCE, RED DEAL, AND PINE PLANKS.
Also every description of Mouldings, Architraves,
Skirtings, Match Boards, Floor Boards, Doors, Windows,
Troughs, Slaters' and Plasterers' Laths, in Stock or
made to order.
SAWING & PLANING DONE FOR THE TRADE.
·0-0-
Townhead Saw Mills, George Street.
THOMAS TOMLINSON,
(LATE CHARLES HOLT,)
CORN DEALER,
HEYBROOK, ROCHDALE,
Dealer in Oats, Beans, Barley, Peas, Meal, Seeds, Malt, Combs,
Flour, Bran, Sharps, Oil Cake, and all kinds of Provender.


-0-0-
AGENT FOR THORLEY'S CATTLE SPICE.
-0-0-
Farmers and large Consumers of Corn, &c., may depend on being
supplied with Genuine Articles at Wholesale Prices.
ORDERS PUNCTUALLY ATTENDED TO.
GEORGE H. ROBINSON,
FAMILY GROCER, TEA DEALER,
AND ITALIAN WAREHOUSEMAN,
Opposite St. James's Church,
154, YORKSHIRE STREET, ROCHDALE.
NEW SEASON'S BLACK TEA,
at 2s. 6d.,
EXCELLENT & ECONOMICAL.
NEW SEASON'S BLACK TEA,
at 3s..
RICH IN FLAVOUR AND OF GREAT STRENGTH.
Finest New Fruits for Desserts, viz., New Town Pippins, Muscatels, Grapes,
Figs, French Plums, Crystallized Fruits, &c., &c.
Latest Improvements in Photography.
:-0-:
J. JACKSON,
THE
WALK,
Sole Licensee for Rochdale and
District of the Lambertype and
Chromotype patent Photographic
Processes.
Photographs printed on the above neinciple, Guaranteed
Not to Fade.

INGHAM & CO..
COACH & CAB PROPRIETORS,
Tweedale Street Livery Stables,
(Opposite Ann Street Infant School,)
ROCHDALE.
I. & Co., in thanking the Public for past favours, beg to
announce that they have just added to their Stock a NEW
HEARSE (a miniature representation of which appears above),
SHILABEER, and MOURNING COACHES, and hope by
continued attention to merit a share of public patronage.
-0-0-
Coffins, Shrouds, Cloaks, Hat Bands, &c.
·0-0-
Funeral Arrangements Punctually and
Economically carried out.
WEDDINGS, PLEASURE PARTIES, &C., SUPPLIED WITH
Waggonettes, Coaches, Cabs, Hansoms, Broughams, Drags, &c.,
On the Shortest Notice.
TWEEDALE STREET LIVERY STABLES, ROCHDALE,
DRIVING DEPARTMENT.
INGHAM &
& CO., CAB PROPRIETORS,
Supply Four-in-hand & Tandem Turn-outs, Coaches, Waggonettes, &c., for Pic-nic or Wedding Parties.
ON THE APPROACH OF THE HAPPIEST DAY IN YOUR LIVES, DO NOT FORGET INGHAM & CO.'S WEDDING EQUIPAGES.

Charges Reasonable. Attendance at the Stables Daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Other hours by arrangement.
First Class Boot & Shoe Establishment,
(Opposite West-street,)
TOP OF YORKSHIRE STREET,
ROCHDALE.
J. & H. SMITH
Fashionable Boot & Shoe Mahers,
Beg to return thanks for jast favours, and respectfully to inform
the Public of Rochdale and the surrounding Neighbourhood that
they have replenished their Extensive Stock of
BOOTS & SHOES,
For the coming Season, which are of the Newest Style and Fashion,
including a large variety of
Gentlemen's, Ladies', & Children's Boots
Which they trust will give general satisfaction to all their Customers.
J. & H. SMITH would respectfully solicit an inspection of their
Stock, which for Cheapness, Durability, and Fashion cannot
be surpassed.
Repairs of every description neatly
executed on the Shortest Notice.
NOTE THE ADDRESS:
163, OPPOSITE WEST STREET,
TOP OF YORKSHIRE STREET,
ROCHDALE.
WATCH AND CLOCK MANUFACTORY,
TOWN HALL BUILDINGS, ROCHDALE;
WORKSHOPS:-Behind Residence, 30, Baillie Street.
ESTABLISHED
1854.
HENRY BUTTERWORTH,
Watch Manufacturer, Holdsmith, Silversmith
AND JEWELLER,
Respectfully invites the attention of the public to his Magnificent Stock of
High-class
GOLD AND SILVER WATCHES,
of every description.
GOLD AND SILVER JEWELLERY.
of every description.
Silber & Electro-plate, English, French, & other Foreign Clocks.
JET GOODS OF THE FINEST QUALITIES.
SPECIALITIES IN GEM BETROTHAL RINGS, &c.
STANDARD GOLD WEDDING BINGS,
To purchasers of which a Special Present is given.
Special attention is invited to his Now Standard British Workman's
SILVER LEVER WATCH
Hundreds of which have been sold in Rochdale and Neighbourhood, and are
confidently recommended as the best, cheapest, and most intrinsically valuable
Watch ever offered to the Public at the Price, £5 5s.
Specimens and Specifications can be seen constantly in the Shop Window, and
SENT to any part of the kingdom on receipt of Post Order for the amount.—
Postage and Registration Fee. Every Watch manufactured on the Premises
under personal superintendence by an efficient staff of workmen.
Repairs of every description incident to the Trade promptly attended to.
EVERY DESCRIPTION OF ENGRAVING ON STONE & METAL.
Estimates and Specifications given for every description of
Church, Turret, Steam, Watchman's House,
and Office Clocks.

By Her Majesty's
Attends Manchester
Royal Letters
Patent.
Exchange
Near S. Pillar.
ALBERT B. WORTH
R.
(Late THOMAS WORTII,)
THE SOLE INVENTOR AND PATENTEE OF
Cotton Washer Cloths & Round
Cork Washers for the Better
Drag of Bobbins, Throstles,
Doublers, &c.
MANUFACTURER OF
Cotton Washer Cloths, Spindle Tapes, Tubular
Spindle Banding, Lamp Wicks, Candle Wicks,
Woollen Washers.
ROLLER AND CLEARER CLOTHS,
GUIDE
WIRES, HEALD HOOKS, SPRING, AND
GENERAL MILL FURNISHER.
COPTROD MILL, ROCHDALE.
ΤΙ
THOMAS BRANDON'S
UNRIVALLED
3/-
BLACK
TEA
For Family Use & Large Consumers
IT CANNOT BE TOO HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
80, YORKSHIRE
STREET,
ROCHDALE.
COAL! COAL!! COAL!!!
J. BREARLEY
RAILWAY
,
SIDING
MILKSTONE ROAD,
Begs to inform the Inhabitants of Rochdale and
Vicinity, that he has constantly on hand supplies of
the best Wigan, Silkstone, and Mountain Mine House,
Fire, Steam, and Gas
COAL AND CANNEL.
Orders left at the Office, Milkstone, will have Prompt
Attention.
PRICE LIST ON APPLICATION.
WILLIAM HIGHLEY ཟ
Family and Dispensing Chemist,
Has a Large and Well-selected Stock of
PATENT
DRUGS.
ALL PATENT MEDICINES IN ORDINARY REPUTE.
FINE HEALTHY LEECHES.
-0-0-
THE FINEST AMERICAN ROCK OIL,
And every requisite usually kept on a First-
class Drug Establishment.
54, DRAKE STREET, ROCHDALE.
TO BOOT, SHOE, CLOG, AND HARNESS MAKERS.
0-0-
GEORGE L. LOVERSIDGE,
TANNER AND CURRIER
Crawford Street Tannery, Rochdale,
Begs to intimate to the above that he has, for the convenience.
of his Friends,
OPENED A RETAIL WAREHOUSE.
At the above address, and hopes by strict attention to business to
merit a continuance of their favours.
-0-0-
Manufacturer of Mill Strapping, Strap Butts, Hydraulic
and Pump Leathers, Shoe and Sole Butts, Clog Butts,
Harness Backs, Calf Skins, &c., &c.

WM. WALLACE,
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
BOOT AND SHOE
WAREHOUSES,
47, YORKSHIRE STREET,
AND
78, EXCHANGE STREET, ROCHDALE.
·:-0-:·
Every description of Boots and Shoes ready
made or to order.
WILLIAM SHEPHERD,
Auctioneer and Valuer,
LAND AND ESTATE AGENT,
TOWER CHAMBERS,
ROCHDALE.
RESIDENCE: CLOVER BANK,
BURY ROAD.

ON SALE
PIANOFORTES
AND

HARMONIUMS,
New and Second Hand, on the most reasonable terms for Cash.
OLD INSTRUMENTS TAKEN IN EXCHANGE.
Pianofortes and Harmoniums Tuned by the year or otherwise.
Tuning guaranteed to good Instruments.
Good
TEACHER OF THE PIANOFORTE, HARMONIUM, AND ORGAN.
CHARGES STRICTLY MODERATE.
S.
WARBURTON
J
GALE ROAD, LITTLEBOROUGH;
Also, 12, BRADSHAW STREET, Near Wardleworth Station,
ROCHDALE.
WESLEYAN DAY SCHOOLS,
UNION STREET, ROCHDALE.
Junior Department.
Head Master……..
Mr. R. GREENWOOD
(Certificated Government Teacher, also Certificated Teacher of Science and
Art), with qualified Assistants.
Sewing Mistress..
•
4 1
Miss LORD
SUBJECTS OF INSTRUCTION :-
Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, Composition, Geography,
History, Book-keeping, Drawing and Music; also French, Latin,
Algebra, and Mensuration, if desired.
Select Class
TERMS OF TRAINING:-
9d. per week, or 9s. per quarter.
6s. & 4s.
Other Classes 6d. & 4d.
-
Infant Department.
Head Mistress
•
Miss NUTTALL
(Certificated Teacher), with Four Pupil Teachers.
SUBJECTS
TAUGHT:-
Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, together with Simple Lessons
on Natural History and common objects; and Singing.
Sewing and Knitting are taught to Girls above Five Years of Age.
Select Class
FEES:-
4d. per week, or 4s. per quarter.
Other Classes 3d.
Hours of Instruction: From Nine to Twelve Morning; and
from Half-past One to Four Afternoon,
NEW SCHOLARS Admitted ON MONDAY MORNINGS.
The Schools are thoroughly well ventilated, and the teaching
apparatus is most complete.
ISAAC
BUTTERWORTH,
Sec. for the Managers.


JOSEPH LAW,
MANUFACTURER OF ALL KINDS OF


ENGINE WASTE
FOR
CLEANING MACHINERY
FOR HOME AND EXPORT,

ASHWORTH STREET,
ROCHDALE.

JOHN
PETRIE,
53 & 55, Yorkshire Street, Rochdale,
Mill Furnisher & General Fronmonger,
WHITESMITH, BELLHANGER,
AND
AUTHORISED GAS FITTER.
-0-0-
GAS & STEAM TUBES & FITTINGS.
Cast Gas and Water Pipes, Drop Pipe, Eave
Spouting, &c.
Boilers for Hot-water Heating
Apparatus, and Fittings.
BAR, ROD, SHEET, & HOOP IRON.
Cast, Shear, Spring,
and
Spring, and Blister
Steel.
ESTABLISHED 1834.

R.ADAMSON
WHOLESALE GROCER
ހ
ROBERT ADAMSON,
TEA & COFFEE MERCHANT,
WHOLESALE GROCER, &c.,
No. 82, YORKSHIRE STREET, ROCHDALE.
·0-0·
IMPORTER OF IRISH AND PURE MILD DUTCH BUTTER.
-0-0
Agent for Rochdale and District for
DR. LOVELACE'S SCENTED SUPERIOR FAMILY SOAP.
Agent to the United Kingdom Temperance and General Provident
Institutions for Life Assurance, and the Royal Insurance
Company-Firé Branch.
Black and Green Teas; Coffees, Cocoas, Chicory; Nutmegs, Ginger, Mustard;
Seeds, Tobacco, Cigars, Snuff; Starch, Powder Blue, Spices, Papers, Fruits;
Preserved Meats, Rice, Confections; Biscuits, Preserves, Marmalade; Beverages,
Baking Powders: Sugars, Butter, Cheese: Bacon, Hams, Lard; Syrup, Treacle,
&c.; Vinegar, Pickles; Candles, Soap, Soda, Soda Ash; Soap Powders.

ESTABLISHED 1836.
CHARLES WHITWORTH,
Decorative Painter,
PAPER HANGER,
DEALER IN
English and French Paper Hangings. Gold Moulds, &c.
ARTISTS' COLOURS AND MATERIALS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
MATHEMATICAL INSTRUMENTS, &c.
-0-0·
Picture Frame Maker, Carver and Gilder, &c.
M.
DRURY
Tailor & Woollen Draper,
21 & 23, TOAD LANE.
WHOLESALE DEPARTMENT:
No. 3, BRICKCROFT,
ROCHDALE.
LAKE HOTEL,
HOLLINGWORTH LAKE.
NEAR THE PLEASURE GROUNDS.
WILLIAM WORTH
Begs to make known to his Friends and the Public that he has
succeeded Mr. YARWOOD at the above Hotel, and will use
every endeavour to ensure the comfort and requirements of
his Customers.
Dinners, Teas, and other Refreshments.
Choice Wines and Spirits, Mild and Bitter
Ales, Cigars, &c.
-0-0-
WEDDING BREAKFASTS PROVIDED, AND PIC-NIC
PARTIES LIBERALLY TREATED WITH.
GOOD ACCOMMODATION FOR HORSES, &c.
·0-0·
Billiard Boom, Bowling Green, and Quoiting Ground.
A SKATING RINK
HAS RECENTLY BEEN ADDED,
With Plumpton's Patent Roller Skates, which surpasses any other
Skate yet brought before the public.
ADMISSION 6d. EACH.
HIRE OF SKATES, 6d.
"Observer" Buildings.
DRAKE
STREET ,
ROCHDALE.
The PROPRIETOR of the Rochdale Observer begs
respectfully to intimate that he has commenced the
GENERAL PRINTING BUSINESS.
Commodious Premises have been erected solely for this purpose,
and a large selection of Type and Machinery, perfectly new and of
the most modern construction, has been made; Steam Power is
attached to the machinery, so that Customers may rely upon their
Orders being executed with the strictest economy, in the best style
of workmanship, and with the greatest promptitude.
Attention is therefore called to the facilities offered for the
execution of every description of
LETTERPRESS PRINTING,
INCLUDING:
INVOICES. MEMORANDUMS, CIRCULARS,
TRADE LISTS & PRICES CURRENT,
BANKRUPTCY AND OTHER LAW FORMS,
CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES' RULES AND REPORTS,
PROGRAMMES AND BOOKS OF WORDS FOR CONCERTS,
PLACARDS AND HANDBILLS,
Hymns & Placards for School & Chapel Anniversaries.
ESTIMATES
ON APPLICATION.
JAMES TATTERSALL,
TAILOR & OUTFITTER,
91, YORKSHIRE STREET
(OPPOSITE THE WHITE LION),
ROCHDALE.






J. H. KING,
FURNISHING IRONMONGER,
WHITESMITH,

Locksmith. Bellhanger
GAS AND HOT WATER
ENGINEER,
LORD-ST. & YORKSHIRE-ST.
ROCHDALE.
FURNISHING LIST ON APPLICATION.
CHARLES O'DOHERTY
Engine Packing Works,
BARON STREET, ROCHDALE,
Sole Manufacturer of the Self-Lubricating
ELASTIC ENGINE PACKING,
Square, Round, or Flat, for Stuffing Boxes, Valve Spindles, Pumps,
Steam Hammers, D. Valves, and where Hemp or other Packing
is required.
THE CELEBRATED
RED LEAD ROPE PACKING.
For Man-Holes, Cylinder Covers, Steam Pipes, Cold Water
Joints, &c.
The experience of the last nine years has gained for the Red Lead
Rope Packing the entire confidence of Consumers. The Joints made
of it can be repeatedly broken and the same rings used again.
-0-0
IMPROVED
PACKING RINGS FOR PISTON RODS,
With or without Wire Gauze.
CANVAS ROPE PACKING,
Round or Square, for Glands, Stuffing Boxes, &c.
NOTE THE ADDRESS :-
CHARLES
ENGINE
O'DOHERTY,
PACKING WORKS,
BARON STREET, ROCHDALE.
ESTABLISHED A. D. 1867.
J. HAMILTON,
Mill Furnisher, Fronmonger
BRASS FOUNDER,
Tin-plate Worker, Brazier, Gas Fitter,
WHITESMITH, & BELLHANGER;
Dealer in Cutlery, Edge Tools, Locks, Bolts, Hinges, Copper and
Japanned Goods, Britannia Metal and British Plate Goods, Fenders,
Fire Irons, Scales, Weights, Spades, Shovels, &c.,
WROUGHT IRON GAS TUBES
AND
FITTINGS,
INDIA RUBBER GOODS AND PATENT STRAPPING.
IRONMONGERY ESTABLISMENT,
67, YORKSHIRE STREET ;
IRON & TINPLATE WORKS & WAREHOUSE,
No. 1 COURT, HUNTER'S LANE,
ROCHDALE.
ROCHDALE

MARBLE
WORKS.
CREDE
OPPOSITE THE RAILWAY STATION.
W. HOLDSWORTH,
Milnrow Road, Corner of Molesworth-street,
Having erected entirely new and extensive Works and
Show-rooms, respectfully solicits your attention to his
Stock of
CHIMNEY PIECES
of New & Approved Designs, executed in the first style of
the art, in Marble, Stone, Enamelled Slate, and Iron; also
a choice collection of New and Highly-finished Register
GRATES,
with Ashes Pans and Fenders to match; all from the
best Houses in the Trade.
A visit from you will be much esteemed, and should
you kindly entrust him with an Order, it will be executed
with despatch, and Skilled Workmen sent to erect the
Work, which is a most important feature, as many can
testify from the annoyance they have suffered by
Incompetent Persons undertaking work that they are
ignorant of.
Old Chimney Pieces Repaired and Cleaned. Also Marble Slabs
Cleaned or Repolished, and all kinds of Tiling executed promptly
by W. H., who will be glad to furnish Designs and Estimates for
all branches of Marble, Stone, or Tiling Work.
Monuments, Tombs, Tablets, and Headstones,
in Marble, Granite, or Slate.
WM. BROCKLEHURST,
TAILOR
AND
WOOLLEN DRAPER,
49, YORKSHIRE STREET.






BOROUGH STEAM CABINET WORKS,
WHITWORTH
ROAD,
SHOW ROOMS, 110 & 112, YORKSHIRE-ST.
ROCHDALE.
HENRY SHAW,
FURNISHING UPHOLSTEREF
Bedstead and Bedding Manufacturer.
Sole Agent for the Patent Sanitary Spring Mattress.
VENETIAN BLINDS,
Carpets, Floorcloths, Cocoa Mats & Matting,
Damasks, Plain & Fancy Reps, Valence Fringes, Upholstery
Trimmings, dc.
REMOVALS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO.
Old Carpets & Drapery Re-made or Altered.
Ladies' Needlework of every description Mounted
In the Newest Style, at Moderate prices.
DESIGNS SUBMITTED AND ESTIMATES GIVEN
FOR ALL KINDS OF
HOUSE & OFFICE FURNITURE.
FUNERALS! FUNERALS!!
BENJAMIN HEYWOOD,
44, St. Mary's Gate, & Sheriff Street, Rochdale.
Begs to thank his numerous friends for the very liberal support with which he
has hitherto been favoured, and to inform them that he has recently made
several additions to his establishment, and is now prepared to furnish Morn-
ing Funerals with handsome Hearses and Mourning Coaches. Distance no
object.
Funeral Arrangements undertaken and carried out Punctually and with a
due regard to Economy.
All kinds of Coffins, Shrouds, Hearses, Mourning Coaches, Mourning 'Buses,
&c., to suit large or small parties. Cloaks, Hat Bands, &c.
Works:-COLLEGE STREET, ROCHDALE.
ESTABLISHED 1856.
WILLIAM
ADAMS,
Tailor and Woollen Draper,
7, John Street, Rochdale.
REED
HILL


LIVERY STABLES.
Hunter's Lane, & Junction Inn Yard, Drake-street,
(RESIDENCE :-94, DRAKE STREET, ROCHDALE.)
JOSEPH M. HEPWORTH,
LICENSED TO LET OUT
Horses, Wedding Carriages, Broughams,
Hansoms, Waggonettes, Open and Closed
Carriages, Cabs, Drags, &c., on the Shortest
Notice.
TERMS:-MONTHLY.

THE MANCHESTER NEW TEA MART,
76,
YORKSHIRE STREET,
ROCHDALE,
AND
10, MARKET ST., WHITWORTH.
THE FINEST
FOREIGN AND IRISH BUTTERS
Selected with great care from the best Dairies.
CHEAP TEAS,
COFFEES,
SPICES, FRUITS, &c.
The above are very carefully selected from the best parcels that
arrive in England, and special attention is paid to have the whole
of this Stock placed at the Lowest possible Market price.
To SHOPKEEPERS, HOTEL-KEEPERS, and Buyers of
Large Parcels, we give every advantage, placing every article at
the LOWEST POSSIBLE WHOLESALE PRICE.
N.B.-AGENT FOR
W. & A. GILBEY'S WINES AND SPIRITS.
SINGLE BOTTLES AT WHOLESALE PRICES.
Lists and Catalogues (free) on application.
PROPRIETOR: J. CLEMINSON,
ROCHDALE AND WHITWORTH.
MR.
JOHN HIGGIN,
RED LION,
LORD STREET, ROCHDALE,
Provides an Ordinary Daily, and Refreshments any hour of the
Day. Wines, Spirits, Cigars, &c., of First-class quality.
GOOD
STABLING,
GENUINE WHITE
& c.
LEAD,
Oils, Paints, Colours, Varnishes, Whiting, Plaster Paris,
Paris White,
PAINTERS & PLASTERERS' BRUSHES, &c.,
Of the best quality.
Retail at Wholesale Prices.
J. HADFIELD'S, 20, CHEETHAM STREET,
ROCHDALE.
WHITHA M
PHOTOGRAPHER,
192, YORKSHIRE STREET,
ROCHDALE.
Cartes-de-visite, Cabinets, Carbon Enlargements to Life Size, and
finished in Oil by one of the most eminent Artists of the Day.
Parties having small Photographs of Deceased Relatives can have
them enlarged up to Life Size, and finished in Oil or Water Colours.
Likeness guaranteed in all cases.
ROBERT HOLT,
Wholesale & Retail Tobacconist,
14, DRAKE STREET, ROCHDALE,
FOREIGN & BRITISH CIGARS, &C.
Wills', Lea's, Boardman Lea's, Cope's & Hignett's Mixtures.
Meerschaum Pipes, Cigar Holders, and other Fancy Goods.
PUBLICANS AND SHOPKEEPERS SUPPLIED.
EDWARD
HOYLE,
ACCOUNTANT,
Town Hall Chambers. South Parade, Rochdale.
RESIDENCE:-24, MERE STREET, CASTLEMERE.
Agent to the Alliance Life and Fire Assurance Company.
PERSONS WISHING TO BUY OR SELL
Cottage & other Property,
OR
JOINT STOCK SHARES,
Are requested to send full particulars of the same to
WM. ASHWORTH & CO.,
SHARE BROKERS,
HOUSE & ESTATE AGENTS, & VALUERS,
2, River Street, Rochdale.
N.B.-To save time and trouble, the highest price they will
give, or the lowest price they will take, should always be given.
GEO. H. ROBINSON,
Family Grocer and Tea Healer,
AND
ITALIAN WAREHOUSEMAN,
OPPOSITE ST. JAMES'S CHURCH,
154, Yorkshire-st., Rochdale.
NEW SEASON'S BLACK TEA.
at 2/6.
EXCELLENT & ECONOMICAL
NEW SEASON'S BLACK TEA,
at 3/-
RICH IN FLAVOUR AND OF GREAT STRENGTH.
Finest New Fruits for Desserts, viz., New Town Pippins, Muscatels,
Grapes, Figs, French Plums, Crystallized Fruits, &c., &c.

ESTABLISHED 1834.
11
R.ADAMSON
WHOLESALE GROCER
س گرام
ROBERT ADAMSON,
TEA & COFFEE MERCHANT,
WHOLESALE GROCER, &c.,
No. 82, YORKSHIRE STREET, ROCHDALE.
IMPORTER OF IRISH AND PURE MILD DUTCH BUTTER.
Agent for Rochdale and District for
DR. LOVELACE'S SCENTED SUPERIOR FAMILY SOAP.
Agent to the United Kingdom Temperance and General Provident
Institution for Life Assurance, and the Royal Insurance
Company-Fire Branch.
Black and Green Teas; Coffees, Cocoas, Chicory; Nutmegs, Ginger, Mustard;
Seeds, Tobacco, Cigars, Snuff; Starch, Powder Blue; Spices, Papers, Fruits;
Preserved Meats, Rice, Confections: Biscuits, Preserves, Marmalade; Beverages,
Baking Powders; Sugars, Butter, Cheese; Bacon, Hams, Lard; Syrup, Treacle,
&c.; Vinegar, Pickles, Candles; Soap, Soda, Soda Ash; Soap Powders.
SINGER'S SEWING MACHINES.
Sales for 1873, 232,444.
Exceeding all other Makers by 113,254,
OR NEARLY DOUBLE THE SALE OF ANY OTHER MAKER.
SOLE AGENT:
SIMEON TAYLOR,
92, CHEETHAM STREET,
ROCHDALE.
ESTABLISHED FOUR YEARS.
ARTHUR
SKELTON,
(FROM LONDON)
bolesale & Retail Tobacconist,
11, Cheetham-street, Rochdale.
Foreign and British Cigars of the Best Brands. Meerschaum Pipes
and Cigar Holders; Briar-roots, in and out of Case; and everything
required by Smokers.
FANCY
TOBACCOS.
Hignett's, Leas, Leas Boardman's, Cope's, and Will's Cigarettes
in great variety.
Meerschaums and Briars Repaired, and Ambers Fitted
on the Premises.

WILLIAM FROST,
DEALER IN
PERAMBULATORS
Ladies & Gentlemen's Satchels,
Travelling Bags and Boxes, Toys, Work Boxes, Writing Desks,
Brushes, Combs, Concertinas, and a variety of other useful
Articles. Also Waterproof Coats and Leggings.
7, CHEETHAM
PUBLIC
STREET.
NOTICE!
GEORGE JACKSON & SONS,
BILL POSTERS,
In returning thanks for past favours, beg to inform the Printers, Solicitors,
Auctioneers, and the General Public, that they have removed from No. 7,
Dawson's Square to more central Premises,
No. 4, The Bank, off Yorkshire-st. & Baillie-st.,
ROCHDALE.
G. J. & S. further beg to inform the General Public and Publishers that they
have the sole use and access of from 200 to 300 Posting Stations in Rochdale
and surrounding villages, in addition to 60 of the largest and best Stations in
the main thoroughfares of Rochdale, all rented by them. The Public may rest
assured that all orders will receive the best attention for quickness and
despatch.
Circulars and Handbills delivered on the shortest notice. All orders by
post or rail promptly attended to. Members of the U. K. Billposters'
Association.
SAMUEL
BRIERLEY,
Rochdale Agent to the
SUN FIRE AND LIFE OFFICES
(ESTABLISHED 1710.)
REMOVED from York Place, Yorkshire Street, to
THE ORCHARD, NEAR OLD BRIDGE.
Insurances effected on the shortest notice on Mills, Machinery, Household
Goods, Stock-in-Trade, Agricultural Stock and Produce.
Life Policies granted which especially offer Low Rates of Premium for
Young Lives, with a Bonus of Eighty per cent. of the profits every five years.

S. MEREDITH,
16, THE WALK,
Bookseller, Stationer, & Newsagent.
New Books, Magazines, & Monthly Periodicals promptly supplied.
A Choice Selection of Children's Books, Birthday Cards, Scent
Satchets, and Reward Tickets, always in stock.
H.
GRAUL,
COACH BUILDER,
Elliott-street, off Yorkshire-st., Rochdale.
EVERY DESCRIPTION OF CARRIAGES BUILT TO ORDER.
Repairs Neatly Executed. Good Workmanship Guaranteed.
Second Hand Carriages Bought and Sold.
ASHWORTH'S
American, Australian, and New Zealand General
Shipping and Emigration Agency,
NO. 2, RIVER STREET, ROCHDALE,
ESTABLISHED 1854.)
PASSENGERS AND PARCELS
forwarded daily viâ London and Liverpool to all parts
of America, Canada, Australia, & New Zealand.
PASSENGERS' LIVES AND BAGGAGE INSURED.
WM.
ASHWORTH,
Agent to Her Majesty's Emigration Commissioners,
and to the Australian and New Zealand Government
for the selection of Emigrants, and for
TORRENCE'S LIFE SAVING OUTFIT
J. MUIR,
CLOTHIER,
14 & 15, MARKET PLACE,
ROCHDALE.
THAT OLD ESTABLISHED SHOP FOR
THIS LAST TWENTY YEARS.
ALWAYS A
FIRST-CLASS STOCK OF GOODS
TO CHOOSE FROM.
ALSO,
MOURNING SUITS
TO HAND, AND
MADE TO ORDER AT THE SHORTEST NOTICE.
THE UNIQUE
TURKISH BATH & LARGE HOT ROOM.
ROCHDALE
CORPORATION BATHS.
Enlarged accommodation for
LADIES & GENTLEMEN,
Any Week Day,
From 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Summer,
And from 7 a.m. to 7-30 p.m. in Winter.
W. MILLIGAN, SUPERINTENDENT.
J. E. TAYLOR,
FANCY & GENERAL DRAPER,
Opposite St. James's Church.
Milliners and Dressmakers supplied at Trade Prices.
PETER
LEE,
WHOLESALE & RETAIL
EGG & PROVISION DEALER,
15, YORKSHIRE STREET,
AND
4, NEW MARKET PLACE,
ROCHDALE.
WILLIAM G. LAND,
CABINET MAKER
AND UPHOLSTERER,
WAREROOMS:
South Parade and Fleece Street;
Cabinet & Upholstery Works: FORGE BANK.
CABINET STOCK,
Drawing Rooms in Walnut, upholstered in
Damask, Silk, &c.
Dining Rooms: Oak and Mahogany, in
Morocco and Hair Cloth.
Library: Oak and Mahogany, in Morocco
and Hair Cloth.
Bedrooms: All the Fashionable Woods, with
Hangings, from Chintz to the Finest Silk.
Eider Down Quilts, &c.
UPHOLSTERY DEPARTMENT.
Silks, Damasks, Reps, Carpets, French and other
Chintzes, Dimities, Linings, Creton and Tournay
Laces, Fringes, Gimps, Tassels, Cords, Venitian and
Holland Blinds, &c.
FLOOR CLOTH DEPARTMENT.
Patent Linoleum and Kamptulican Oilcloths, in Body
and Stair; Table Baizes in Marble and Imitation
Woods; Skin, Fibre and other Mats; and agent for
Pavy's Patent Felted Fabric Curtains.
ESTABLISHED 1847.
DENTISTRY IN ROCHDALE
AND NEIGHBOURHOOD.
MR. CLEGG,
DENTIST,
Begs to inform the readers of this Guide, that he has removed
from 125, Yorkshire Street, to
41, CHEETHAM STREET,
(Toad Lane End.)
Greatly owing to his largely increased practice as a
Dentist, he is enabled to supply Artificial Teeth at all prices,
from half-a-crown to one guinea a tooth, and to guarantee
that every set of teeth made by him shall be a perfect fit, be
natural in appearance, and useful for all the purposes for
which nature intended human teeth to be put.
Mr. Clegg guarantees that not a tooth put in by him
shall change its colour, but that the colour of every tooth shall
be as good after ten or fifteen years' wear as it was when first
put in the mouth.
Attention is requested to the fact that he will be glad to
undertake bad fitting cases made by other dentists, and
re-model or renew such cases at a reasonable charge.
He invites criticism and comparison of his teeth with those
made by any other dentist at similar prices, and would request
people who have need of a dentist to enquire of such of their
friends as lave artificial teeth, who made them, and how they
like them, and whether they would go again to the same dentist
under similar need.
Mr. Clegg will be glad to consult with any one concerning
their dental requirements, free of charge.
Teeth scaled, cleaned, filled, and extracted. Nitrous
Oxide Gas administered, and teeth extracted while under
its influence, without pain.
CLEGG, Dentist, 41, Cheetham Street,
Rochdale.
To renew the charge, book must be brought to the desk.
TWO WEEK BOOK
DO NOT RETURN BOOKS ON SUNDAY
DATE DUE
NEDWICK'S BOOK STORE
171 NO. MICHIGAN AVE.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
3 9015 05978 8920