Original - The MAN & Other Families

30 The Ancient Stone Crossesis, however, of sufficient size for its present purpose, for about1832 a new one was built a short distance below, and it isthere the main road now crosses the stream, and consequentlythe former is relieved of most of the traffic. Fourparishes meet at the old bridge, those on the eastern bank ofthe river being Ugborough and Harford, and those on thewestern, Ermington and Cornwood.The Erme is a charming river, and to trace it to its sourcewill prove, for one who is not afraid of a day's walk, a mostdelightful ramble. In order to do this he should proceed upthe hill towards the railway station, and immediately afterpassing beneath the viaduct, a path will be observed on theright which leads directly to the river. The rambler will nowfind himself in Stowford Cleave, a deep winding valley whoseprecipitous sides are thickly clothed with trees, and running,between Henlake and Hanger Downs, and a portion ofHarford Moor. At each step new beauties will unfold themselves.Now the path is carried close to the river's brink,while a little further on the stream is lost in the thick andtangled foliage, to almost suddenly reappear at the head ofsome bend hitherto concealed by the dark firs. Here a deeppool, partly hidden by grey rocks, and above it an open reach,where the shallow waters run murmuringly over the pebbles.Above, the sky almost shut out from view by the livingcanopy of green below, the feet sinking deeply in moss, and;the tall ferns reaching nearly to one's waist, when for amoment the path is forsaken. The carolling of happy birds,the hum of insects, the gentle rustling of leaves and thesound of running waters, form fitting music to charm the earand call forth from the heart of the contemplative man praisesof nature's God. Anon the path becomes rougher, and inpart obliterated, and by-and-bye the valley widens a little,and glimpses of the moor are obtained. Further on, the hillscome in view, and up yonder, upon the very verge of thecommon, is the little church of Harford, with trees clusteringabout it, the whole picture at this point being as charming aone as it is possible to conceive. Still onward, the eyes ofthe rambler feasting upon the view before him tillleaving theriver for a small space, and crossing a field, he gains a lanethat will lead him to Harford Bridge, upon the skirts of themoor. Here he will linger to obssrve the many fresh beauties