ships. From thence the bounds pass to the north, towards the entrance of Ribbleton-moor, close by the stone cross fixed on the highway leading to Ribchester; and from this aforesaid cross passing westerly of Ribbleton-moor, more northwards, through some plots of land, immediately to Eaves-brook, by which it is separated from the village of Ribble-Ton, which signifies the town by the water; proceeding eastward and passing down to Eaves-brook, until this water falleth into Savick, and by this means is partitioned from the ancient forest of Fulwood, and Cadelly moor; thence descending the river Savick to a certain ditch, which forms the boundary line between Preston and Tulket; by taking the immediate direction of this aforesaid ditch, in a southerly direction, by Lancasterlane, till you arrive at Preston-marsh,* a little westerly from the water-mill, and thence going with the stream westward, walking on the north side, following this stream to the Ribble; from thence coming eastward, passing the ancient Fish-house, now called the Boat-house, until you arrive immediately opposite the beautiful town of Preston, situated upon a dunum, to your left, moving onwards till you come to the aforesaid Washing-steads, going on to the Swill-brook.

* Westward of the town lies the Marsh land, belonging to the body corporate and freemen, used for the purpose of grazing their cattle upon during the regular season of the year. The river was, no doubt, bound up in a far narrower compas than at present, although some say that it originally covered this Marsh, Preston formerly kept a portgreve, who had the privilege of keeping three portmotes per annum, which office is now extinct amongst the body corporate.

PUBLIC PROMENADES.

From lovely fertile vales, and stately bowers
Where genius blooms, unconscious of decay,
I cull'd these votive lays, selected to impart
To youth a taste for nature's purest strain-
To warm and meliorate the human heart.

THIS town can boast of two fashionable promenades, which extend in a serpentine direction, particularly as you wend your way down Fishergate, by the water side,* till you come to Penwortham bridge; from thence you continue your walk till you rise the slope of the hill, (leaving Mr. Jackson's garden on the right,) and immediately arrive at Avenham-walk, which is frequented by beauty and fashion during the mornings and evenings, in the season; and from whence a walk is newly formed, leading, in an eliptical direction, to Ribblesdale-place, and immediately through Chapel-street, into Fishergate. Indeed there are so many pleasant, agreeable, and pretty walks, abounding in every direction, round the town, that it would be simplicity to give an exact description of them; therefore, we shall content ourselves by describing, as far as our abilities will permit, three of them; although one, at present, is not exactly formed, but it is hoped some public-spirited individual will be the ready instrument to put this in execution, ere many summers pass

over.

There is a fine salubrious walk extends itself when you arrive at the bottom of Fishergate-lane, leading to the Marsh, either right forward to Ashton-upon-Ribble, and the Chain, or turning on your right, you continue your perambulation, by the cold bath, ascending Spa-brow, and so forward, through the Maudlands, coming out by Mrs. Whitehead's house, into the lower end of Friargate. The view, when seen on a clear day, from the top of Fishergate, nearly opposite Miss Yarnold's house, extending itself on your right hand, is truly noble, grand, and picturesque.

AVENHAM WALK.*

The waving wood, the sloping hill;
The winding stream, the purling rill,
The verdant meadow's even smile :
The pebbly walk, the scatter'd trees,
The dashing boat, the swelling wave,-

With pleasing solace never fail, to sooth my care,
Along the banks of Ribblesdale.

"To grace our new-born work,

We use Taffetaphrases, silken terms precise;
Three piled hyperboles, spruce affectation;
Figures pedantical."

Situate on the south side of the town from the Guild-hall, stands that airy and spacious edifice known by the name of Avenhamhouse, with its white undecagon front, including the portico, supported by two strong Tuscan pillars, and lighted by nine windows. There are convenient out-offices, and a spacious yard; together with a neat promenade, in the flower-garden, for the use of the young ladies. It is now used as a boarding school for the education of females, under the tuition of Mrs. Godfrey, a lady highly respected by all who have the pleasure of knowing her.

Attiguous to this erection stands that far famed promenade known by the name of Avenham-walk. This double terrace, of thirtyyards broad, is coated with small gravel, interspersed with indigenious trees, forming at once a pleasant exercise of one hundred and thirty-four yards in length, over which the trees throw their broad balancing sprays, creating a healthful and refreshing walk, especially if the wind or breeze is westerly. The whole has been recently improved, at the expence of the body corporate, with great taste and elegance. The parapet or terrace is much elevated, by a stone embankment, leading to the well below. Its entrance is adorned by six light stone pillars, and two iron gateways, intersected with pallisading.

From this concinnous walk an extensive and fascinating view presents itself; indeed the coup d'œil is beyond expression. The ribble below taking a curve like direction, and winding from east to west, disposes the landscape into the most pleasing form, and

*The corporation of Preston hold this property by lease from the executors of Dr. Bushell's hospital, now standing attiguous to Goosnargh church.

forces upon the mind the idea of an extensive amphitheatre, exhibiting a vast assemblage of beautiful and striking objects, in harmonious combination. On your right, Ashton-upon-Ribble; the top of Penwortham tower, embosomed in the midst of trees, with the "Bank" sitting inwards, the ancient seat of the Fleetwoods, (now Col. Rawstorne's); the bridge, with its five light arches; coming forward to the left, Penwortham-lodge, the modern seat of the late John Horrocks, Esq. M. P. is distinctly seen, assisted more to the left by the white buildings called Penwortham cotton mills, nearly in the centre of the valley; with a distant view of Leyland church, and the neighbouring hills. A vast concourse of farms, enclosures, meadows, and corn fields, with the whole rising hill, opens upon your view. Situate in the foreground, on your right hand, stands the Cliffe, with its white embattled turrets, immediately upon the margin of the hill; enriched below by the sloping kitchen gardens of Mr. Wyes. Extending your view southwards, a distinct sight of Cuerden-hall is obtained, the lovely seat of R. Townley Parker, Esq.; inclining from this, more easterly, rises the distant hills of Lostock, Anglezark, and Rivington; bringing the scene still more eastwards, you plainly see Brindle church, with all its surrounding vicinity. Walking to the top of the terrace, the Belvidere of Sir H. P. Hoghton, Bart. fronts you, at a small distance, embellished with its white crenelled turrets, peeping from between the trees, prettily varied with its pea green lawn, adding variety to ornament. Below this scene, the chinney tops of Walton-hall are visible, with their curly smoke issuing from them, whilst the body of the edifice apparently remains enveloped amid the foliage. Drawing the foreground of the landscape closer, Frenchwood, part of Walton-le-dale, the Ribble, Rail-road, Wooden bridge,* Jackson's cot, bath, and gardens, together with a

* The wooden bridge which extends itself over the river Ribble, below Avenham, is worth the attention of the curious; it is supported by strong wooden maintainers, inserted in the bed of the river, and is railed on each side, measuring 135 yards long, by 4 yards broad; with an ascent of rising ground of 70 yards, to the engine-house situate upon the summit of the brow. This engine, of six horses power, is used for the purpose of conveying down and taking up the coal waggons daily traversing the rail-road, with coal to the canal bason, or to the numerous coal yards in the town. The engineering of this rail-road, and other improvements connected with it, were brought forward by Mr. Cartwright, of this town, who built an elegant house adjoinmg the Theatre, in Fishergate, and who died ere he brought the various plans he had in view to perfection.

large tract of country, well cultivated, and fruitful, shaded with woods, display themselves in varied forms.-Thus the minds eye is cheered with fields of the richest pasturage, over which nature has scattered woods and trees, giving a peculiar grandeur to the

scene.

"Rich with sweets the western gale
Sweeps along the cowslip'd dale;
Every bank with violets gay,
Smiles to welcome th' first of May:"
The linnet from the budding grove,
Chirps her vernal song of love;

The copse resounds the throstle's notes,
On each wild gale sweet music floats;
And melody from every spray,
Welcomes in the merry day.

The whole of this delightful prospect makes the tout ensemble at all times interesting; but it is perhaps more so on a clear and fine evening in May, when the sun is just sinking below the horizon. The reflection of the suns parting beams; the vast columns of matter gently curling in the middle region of the atmosphere, contrasted with the rich verdure of the fields below this walk, all serve highly to enrich its picturesque beauty, seize upon the finer feelings of the heart, and dispose the mind to calmness and reflection.

The majestic windings of the Ribble; the elegance of the numerous villas situate aloof upon its banks; and the extensive and fertile vale, terminating eastward by a view of Hoghton-tower,*

* Pleasington priory stands behind this ancient residence of the Hoghton family, and presents to the eye of the beholder a fine specimen of Gothic architecture, built at the sole expence of John Francis Butler, Esq. of Pleasington-hall, attiguous to this priory, and used as a house of worship by the Roman Catholics. This place was opened with pontifical high mass, by Bishop Smith, V. A. coadjutor to Bishop Gibson, V. A., on Tuesday morning, August 24th, 1819. This gentleman has viewed, in this erection, religious homage as a natural expression of gratitude to his maker for all his goodness, and considers as the service of the God of his fathers, to whom, in former ages, his an cestors honored; and by whom he hopes they are rewarded and blessed in heaven. Unmoved by veneration, can we contemplate the grandeur and majesty of this work of man, built for the sole worship of the great architect and framer of the universe.

Behind Hoghton-tower a fine echo is produced, by shouting any particular mony. syllable; another similar is produced by shouting over the river Ribble, going from Brockholes to the Boat-house, near Samlesbury church. Every observer knows, that when a gun is fired at a considerable distance from him, he perceives the flash a certain time before he hears the report. An echo is the reflection of sound striking against a surface adapted to the purpose, as the side of a hill, &c. According to the greater or less distance from the speaker, a reflecting object will return the echo of several or of fewer syllables; for all the syllables must be uttered, before the echo of the first syllable reaches the ear, to prevent the confusion which would otherwise ensue.