PREFACE. J N issuing the present unillustrated HISTORY AND ANNALS OF BLACKLEY, the author desires to impress upon the minds of those who may do him the favour of subscribing for this edition of his work, that it is in no sense a compilation, as some have suggested, but a setting forth in an original form of the facts of history as they have come down to us, or been observed by us, with the aid of so much imagination as was necessary to give animation to the truth. Although there is nothing in these pages that ought to give offence to individuals who may be alluded to, or to ruffle the temper of those who hold pronounced opinions upon political and religious questions, the writer has not affected impartiality. Such affectation is not necessary, except when the historian is dominated by the fear of the critics a distinct disqualification for the well-doing of the work he has set himself to accomplish. These qualities, however, he thinks, should be demanded in all historians worthy of attention, namely, a knowledge of human nature, and the power of expression. For the want of the former, justice is often perverted; for the want of the latter, language is deprived alike of its strength and beauty. By these tests the author is not unwilling to stand or fall. Will the reader kindly make the following corrections for himself:-Where the name of the Rev. Robert Andrew occurs (as in page 213) read the Rev. Thomas Andrew. Where the name John Taylor, Esq., occurs as the present owner of Booth Hall Estate, substitute Darcy Edmund Taylor, Esq. BLACKLEY, DECEMBER, 1892. PHILIP WENTWORTH. THE HISTORY & ANNALS OF Old Blackley and Neighbourhood. INTRODUCTION. The change in the government of Blackley, by which the village and township of one of the most interesting suburbs of Manchester has ceased to have a separate existence; and, still more, the changes which are inevitable, and may be destructive of ancient landmarks and rural scenery more rapidly than lovers of old things can endure with composure, have at last prevailed with the writer of the following pages, to reproduce, and add to, those records of events and incidents which have made the village of Blackley of more than provincial importance and of more than local interest. Some other considerations also contributed to this determination. In the first place, although Booker's History must always surpass all others as a book of reference, because of its exhaustiveness and literary finish, its exclusion of matters of personal interest deprives it of the element of popularity. It was indeed no part of this author's design to give permanency to current anecdotes, to describe scenery, or to make sketches of village characters, whose ancestors had neither mansions nor lands, and whose eccentricities constituted their only title to notice. In the following pages, however, the author of "The History and Annals of Old Blackley and Neighbourhood deavoured (he hopes not unsuccessfully) to prove that dignity and simplicity may co-exist without coming into conflict with each other, and that a little humour does not necessarily detract from the seriousness or pathos of those events that transpire " has en. around men of renown and responsibility whose duty it is to transact the business of the State, or rule the affairs of villages and counties. In the next place many things have happened since Booker laid us under an everlasting obligation by making known to us the great facts of our history, which before his time were scattered in letters, parchments, registers, family records, and old men's memories. To some extent these changes have been noted and described, but many of them occurred so rapidly, and were of so sweeping a character, that only the most conspicuous of them could be referred to. Although Blackley is now a part of Manchester, it is remarkable that it is less known to, and less appreciated by, its remote neighbours than any of Manchester's recent acquisitions. And yet its claims to attention are incomparable. On no side of the great city can anything like its scenery and its picturesque country mansions be found; but the approach to it from the centre of the city is exceedingly forbidding. Moreover, the village proper of Blackley is not touched by any railway; and no omnibus or tram-car enters its still primi. tive streets. In these circumstances probably may be found an excuse for the indifference which exists respecting the north side of Manchester. But that indifference can never be justified, as a very little consideration will show. If the student of local history, who desires to add to his study whatever of the picturesque |