DA Class. Book- THE GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANION TO LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER, and BIRMINGHAM; AND GUIDE: CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF EVERY THING WORTHY THE ATTENTION OF THE TRAVELLER UPON THE LINE; INCLUDING A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF EVERY PART OF THE RAIL-ROAD; OF THE NOBLEMEN OR GENTLEMEN'S SEATS WHICH MAY BE SEEN FROM IT; AND OF THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF IMPORTANCE IN ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. DEDICATED (BY PERMISSION) TO THE CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS OF THE GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY. • BY AMTETinS FBElElLOTGo LIVERPOOL: PUBLISHED BY HENRY LACEY, 64, BOLD-STREET, AND SOLD BY THE OTHER BOOKSELLERS ; ALSO BY BANCKS AND CO., G. SIMMS, AND J. AND J. THOMSON, AND THE OTHER BOOKSELLERS, MANCHESTER; WRIGHTSOX & WEBB, AND THE OTHER BOOKSELLERS, BIRMINGHAM; AND CHARLES TILT, LONDON. 183 7. D. MARPLES AND CO., PRINTERS, LIVERPOOL. . TO JOHN MOSS, ESQ., CHAIRMAN; AND TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE (L GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY; THIS WOEK IS (BY PERMISSION) MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY THEIR OBEDIENT SERVANT, THE AUTHOR, PREFACE. I have been compelled rather precipitately to send this Volume forth to the Public; — the necessity has arisen from the appearance of another work with a similar title. This Work has been repeatedly taken for mine ; * and containing as it does numerous errors, f it was calculated to do me much injury in the estimation of the Public. In self-defence, therefore, I was compelled to bring out mine earlier than I originally intended. From the report of my Publisher, I find I have now to return thanks to the Booksellers of Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham, in particular, for the liberal manner in which they have patronised my Volume ; they having ordered, before the publication, five-sixths of the edition, which consists of 3,000 copies. As * In one instance, a most respectable Firm in Liverpool ordered twelve copies under this impression. f The following is a specimen. On page 51 in Mr. Cornish's book, the public are informed, that Warrington Bridge " has twenty arches, which are sixty-five feet span, and the same number of feet high." When the fact is, it has but twelve arches, nine of which are but sixteen feet span, and twenty- eight feet high. IV. I cannot assume to myself any peculiar merit in the compilation, I am obliged to regard this fact as an expression of their feeling as to the pro- priety of a publisher bringing out a work under the title of another, which has been previously extensively advertised ; and I doubt not but this feeling will be participated in by the Public. In executing the work, I have received the greatest kindness from the Directors of the Grand Junction Railway Company, and every facility for gaining information has been afforded me, for which I return my sincere thanks. It would, however, be ungrateful in me not par- ticularly to mention John Moss, Esq. and N. D. Bold, Esq., who have at some personal trouble enabled me to acquire facts which other- wise could not have been obtained. To Joseph Locke, Esq., the able Engineer under whose direction the Grand Junction Railway has been completed, I am also indebted for any pecu- liarity which distinguishes the Map from those usually compiled, and also for much informa- tion contained in the work. The gratifying duty of returning thanks and acknowledging obliga- tions being accomplished, I take my leave of the Public for the present, hoping my little volume will not disappoint its expectation. F REELING'S RAILWAY COMPANIONS, In progress, and will be published, by H. Lacey, as soon as the operations of the various Railways are so far ad- vanced as for a time to be fixed for their opening : — Freeling's London and Birmingham Railway Com- panion, in considerable progress. London and Southampton. Manchester, Leeds, Selby, and Hull. Manchester and Birmingham. Great Western, London to Bristol, in considerable progress. Maryport, Carlisle, and Newcastle, in considerable progress. Newcastle, Shields, and Sunderland. Sunderland and Durham. Birmingham and Gloucester, &c. &c. &c. The general plan of these Volumes is similar to the Grand Junction Railway Companion; upon which such improvements will be made as the Author's experience in the work may suggest. N. B. — Railway Companions for every other Line will be published, as soon as their state of progression will allow. ERRATA. The only errata of any importance are the following : — For E. J. Lyttleton, Esq., read Lord Hatherton; in one case also the H has been left out of his Lordship's name. In the account of Aston Viaduct, for eight read ten arches. At p. 121, line 12, for " to the Kennel," read "to a Meeting." ACCOUNT. It will not be considered necessary to go into any detail of the history or progress of the Line, from Liverpool to Manchester and Warrington, as separate works have long since made the public acquainted with everything interesting regarding it. A slight sketch of the various applications to Parliament for power to complete the Grand Junction portion of the line will, however, not be uninteresting, especially as it exhibits the diffi- culties which invariably attend the promotion of a public good, when opposed to private interest. It is too often to be regretted, that the chief* opposition to the efforts of those public-spirited individuals who originate such works, arises from persons whose real interests are not affected, but whose temper or caprice raise up a host of evils which exist only in their perverted imaginations. Men who propose and carry through, without regard to evil or to good report, such works as the Grand Junction Railway — who have over- 2 PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT. come, not only the opposition which the stupen- dous operations of nature present, but the more stubborn and unbending resistance of haughty and interested minds — are far more worthy of the laurel crown than the victor of a hundred fights. The one confers on his country honour and prosperity — crime, devastation, woe, wail- ing, and death attend the career of the other; which, at the best, ends in the attainment of but equivocal benefits. In 1823 the project of the Liverpool and Manchester Railroad suggested to some gentle- men in Birmingham the idea of a Railroad to connect Lancashire and the north with the south of England. To effect this object, Mr. R. Spooner, Mr. Sparrow, and Mr. Foster came over to Liverpool, and, when there, arranged a Committee of Liverpool and Birmingham gen- tlemen to carry forward the project ; and in 1824 an application was made to Parliament for per- mission to make a Railroad from the Cheshire side of the Mersey, opposite Liverpool, to Bir- mingham, This Bill was most violently opposed by the canal and landed interest, and was lost on stand- ing orders in the House of Commons. In 1826 another application was made, which shared the same fate. PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT. 3 It would appear that, disheartened by the opposition encountered, the Committee relin- quished the prosecution of their first project; and all public operations, with a view to effect this national work, lay in abeyance until just before the opening of the Liverpool and Man- chester Line in 1830. Meetings were then held in Liverpool and Birmingham, and another line proposed. It was now arranged that the Liverpool Com- mittee should apply for a line from Liverpool to Chorlton, in Cheshire, and the Birmingham Committee for a line from Birmingham to Chorl- ton. It is not necessary to insert the particulars of the prospectus then issued ; suffice it to say that, after a most violent opposition, the bill from Birmingham to Chorlton was ultimately lost. The bill from Liverpool to Chorlton was but a little more fortunate, for, having passed its first stages, it was lost by the dissolution of Par- liament on the Reform question. The great opposition which the Committee had to encoun- ter, in their progress with this bill, was made by the Mersey and Sankey Canal Companies, on the ground that the bridge which it was pro- posed to erect across the Mersey would impede the navigation of the river : and when we con- 4 PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT. sider the number of persons connected with these companies, the extensive ramifications of their connexions, in addition to the ground of opposition being one purely of theory, and, therefore, more open to debate, we may form some idea of the difficulties the Committee had to contend with. As this opposition was, however, overcome, — as it must be frivolous, though vexatious, — we trust that it will not be repeated when a project of which we have yet to speak comes before Parliament. In 1831 preparations for applying to Parlia- ment were again made ; but the fate of previous attempts, and the opposition threatened, caused the Committee and subscribers to defer further proceedings that year. In 1832 a meeting was held in Liverpool, John Moss, Esq., in the chair, when it was determined that one bill only, and that from Birmingham to Warrington, from which place there was a Railroad to Liverpool and Man- chester, should be applied for ; that the share- holders in the two concerns should be invited to unite in one, and the management be transferred to Liverpool. This was ultimately done, and Mr. Rastrick was appointed engineer for the Birmingham, and Mr. Stephenson for the Liver- PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT. 5 pool end of the proposed line; and a bill to effect this project was, after some short time, prepared for Parliament. The whole management of the concern had, however, fallen into the hands of Liverpool gen- tlemen, who had had experience in the Liver- pool and Manchester Railroad, both in obtain- ing the Acts of Parliament, and making a railroad. To the experience of these gentlemen in the latter object are the subscribers indebted for the extraordinary fact, that the 82 \ miles of their line (which is accomplished with a degree of solidity and finish at present unrivalled) have cost them but about £1,500,000, while the works on the Liverpool line, which is but 31 miles, have cost two-thirds, or perhaps more, of the same amount ; an expenditure, be it recollected, not recklessly or carelessly incurred, but one which was necessary to obtain the experience and information which will now enable others to execute similar works at so great a reduction of cost. Every railroad company which may in future exist is infinitely indebted to the Liver- pool and Manchester Company ; and if the feel- ings and principles which regulate the actions of individuals towards each other, when their own affairs alone are concerned, could be brought 6 PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT. to bear upon their operations when incorporated in public bodies, committees, boards, &c, &c, the proprietors of every railroad would contri- bute handsomely to a compensation fund, to repay some of the enormous expense incurred, in their experimental outlay, by the shareholders of the Liverpool and Manchester Railroad ; for, as their intelligent and talented secretary ob- serves, in his able pamphlet, "In matters of Retail, no less than in the grand outline and structure of their work, the Liverpool and Man- chester Railway Company have found, that on them has devolved the task of making experi- ments for the rest of the world."* Alas ! I fear this act of justice will never be accomplished. There is no chivalry in " Companies." The anxiety of the gentlemen into whose hands the prosecution of the project had now been consigned was, to conciliate and do away with the opposition of the landed and canal interests; this they were most successful in ac- complishing, and that too with a very small sacrifice of money, as compensation for ideal * I cannot lose the opportunity of recommending all per- sons who are interested in railroads to read this pamphlet; for, in addition to the most elaborate details, it contains a most popular and easy-to-be-understood illustration of the mechanical principles applicable to railways. (See "An Account of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, by Henry Booth, Esq.") PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT. 7 and real injury to landed proprietors ; and the bill for making the Railroad from Birmingham to Warrington obtained the royal assent on 6th May, 1833, after having experienced a phenomenon in the history of railroads, the like of which never has been seen, and, probably, never will be seen again — the bill having passed both Houses of Parliament almost unopposed, without putting the Company to the expense of a single fee to counsel. The conducting of the case was left entirely to Mr. Swift, of Liverpool, the solicitor for the bill, who thought it prudent to retain counsel, in case of opposition, but the briefs were never delivered. The directors aided Mr. Swift in the removal of difficulties, by personal applications to all parties who felt themselves injured, or likely to be so ; and thus, by tact, prudence, and perseverance, brought the pro- jected bill through Parliament. In 1834 an amended bill was obtained, to alter the line through Staffordshire, and another to purchase the Warrington and Newton Rail- road, which is now, therefore, the property of the Grand Junction Railway Company. At the commencement of the present year, 1837, notice was given for a bill to alter the line to Liverpool, by forming a Railroad from Daresbury, in Cheshire. It is proposed to carry 8 PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT. it over the Mersey and Irwell Canal, and to cross the river Mersey at Fiddler's Ferry; from thence to proceed near Penketh Lodge to Rain Hill Stoops, and, leaving the grounds of Halstead a little to the south-west, join the Liverpool and Manchester Line at the bottom of the Whiston inclined plane. Thus six miles will be saved, and three inclined planes will be avoided, a most desirable object, for, independent of the time saved, the prodigal waste of steam power which is caused by these inclines will be unnecessary. We have before stated the names of the two eminent engineers who drew the original plan of the Railroad, as carried through Parliament in 1833. It devolved, however, on Mr. Locke, to carry their plans into operation, and to make such alterations as circumstances suggested as improvements. To this gentleman belongs the honour of completing this stupendous work, within a few days of the time calculated on ; and too much credit cannot be conferred on him, and the contractors, for the masterly man- ner in which it has been accomplished, and the punctuality with which it has been completed. The directors never calculated on opening the line until June, 1837, and on the 4th of July they received the first sum for the carriage of passengers. PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT. 9 The opening of this national undertaking was unattended by any display. This did not arise from apathy on the part of the public, as the thousands that waited at many of the stations for the arrival of the first trains which passed along the line fully testified ; but out of respect to the memory of the late Mr. Huskisson, who met with the fatal accident which caused his death at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Line. The chairman, John Moss, Esq., and deputy chairman, Charles Lawrence, Esq., having been present at that melancholy event, requested, on this account, that a public opening should be dispensed with ; and we are happy in finding that this sensitive propriety of feeling — this respect for the memory of the deceased, was responded to in the breasts of their brother directors. On the 3d of July the directors, the secretary, and some of their friends, rode along the whole line, to inspect the works, and returned on the 4th ; having discharged their duty to the pub- lic, and paid a marked tribute of respect to the great man whose name will ever be so lamentably associated with the history of rail- roads in this country. We have thus traced this great work from its earliest projection unto its co m pi e ^ on# In 10 PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT. collecting information, we have made frequent inquiries, and find that the work has been finished with fewer accidents than usually attend such great undertakings; this must be equally gratifying to the directors and to the public. We shall now give an account of such objects as we have deemed specially worthy of notice on the line. Some of the seats of the nobility and gentry are opposite a portion of the Railroad which passes through a cutting ; it is, however, not the less interesting to the intelligent traveller, to be aware that he is passing through a country which affords scope for such establish- ments; and as we have made the mile-posts the point from which to direct the attention, there will be no difficulty in imparting the information. The towns in the vicinity of the Railroad form an important feature in its statistics, as some calculation of the probable success of such undertakings may be made, from a knowledge of their population and employments; as the moral character of a people may in some mea- sure be determined by the number of their churches and institutions; to these, therefore, we have paid particular attention. THE GRAND JUNCTION, AND THE We shall proceed to give the regulations which equally apply to the two Companies, and then the time of starting and regulations pecu- liar to the Grand Junction Railway Company. GENERAL REGULATIONS At the Principal Station, Lime-street, Liverpool. Coaches and cars with passengers and heavy luggage must drive in at the north gateway (nearest London-road), and, having set down their passengers, must depart immedi* ately. Passengers in coaches and cars, without luggage, or with light packages, which they can conveniently carry through the Booking-offices without the assistance of porters, are re- quested to set down at the office doors, in Lime-street. Passengers on foot cannot be admitted through the car- riage gateway, and no omnibus will be admitted through the gateway, without the special licence of the Directors, and subject to such regulations as they may impose. Time of Departure. — The gateway and office doors for the admission of passengers will be closed precisely at the several specified times of departure, and no person can be admitted afterwards, for that train. Carriages and Horses. — Gentlemen's carnages, in- tended to be conveyed by the trains, are required to be in the yard fifteen minutes before the time of departure. Car- riage horses, accompanying carriages to be conveyed by the trains, will be received at the station in Lime-street. All other horses must be taken up and set down at the Edge- hill station, at the top of the New Tunnel. Carriages to be conveyed with the trains, will also be received at the Edge- 12 REGULATIONS. hill Station; and both horses and carriages are required to be at the said station ten minutes before the hour of depar- ture from Lime-street. At the Station at Edge-hill. The gates of the station at Edge-hill will be closed five minutes after the hours of departure from Lime-street, and no passengers can be admitted to book after time ; passen- gers having previously taken their places, and producing their tickets, will be admitted till the train departs. Regulations for Arrivals. — Persons arriving by any of the trains leave the Lime-street Station by the South gateway, nearest Ranelagh-place, or, till that gateway be completed, by a temporary gateway at the corner of Glou- cester-street. Coaches and cars specially licensed by the Company, and subject to their regulations, will be admitted into the yard to wait the arrival of the trains. But no carriage for hire can be admitted, unless so licensed; and the owners of coaches and cars, desirous to attend the arrivals, must make application at the Railway Office for a licence for that pur- pose. REGULATIONS Of the Grand Junction Railroad Company. Booking. — There will be no booking places, except at the Company's Offices at the respective stations. Each Booking Ticket for the first class trains is numbered to cor- respond with the seat taken. The places by the mixed trains are not numbered. Luggage. — Each passenger's luggage will be placed on the roof of the coach in which he has taken his place ; carpet bags and small luggage may be placed underneath the seat opposite to that which the owner occupies. No charge for bona fide luggage belonging to the passenger under lOOlbs. weight; above that weight, a charge will be made at the rate of Id. per lb. for the whole distance. The attention of travellers is requested to the legal notice exhibited at the different stations, respecting the limitation of the Company's liabilities for the loss or damage of luggage. Gentlemen's Carriages and Horses. — Gentlemen's carriages and horses must be at the stations at least a quarter of an hour before the time of departure. A supply of trucks will be kept at all the principal stations on the line; but to pre- REGULATIONS. 13 vent disappointment, it is recommended that previous notice should be given, when practicable, at the station where they may be required. No charge for landing or embarking carriages or horses on any part of the line. Road Stations. — Passengers intending to join the trains at any of the stopping-places, are desired to be in good time, as the train will leave each station as soon as ready, without reference to the time stated in the above table, the main object being to perform the whole journey as expeditiously as possible. Passengers will be booked only conditionally upon there being room on the arrival of the trains, and they will have a preference of seats in the order in which they are booked. All persons are requested to get into and alight from the coaches invariably on the left side, as the only certain means of preventing accidents, from trains passing in an opposite direction. Conductors, Guards, and Porters. — Every train is provided with guards, and a conductor, who is responsible for the order and regularity of the journey. The Company's porters will load and unload the luggage, and put it into or upon any omnibus or other carriage at any of the stations. No fees or gratuities allowed to conductors, guards, porters, or other persons in the service of the Company. Smoking, Selling of Liquors, &c. — No smoking will be allowed in any of the coaches, even with the consent of the passengers. No person will be allowed to sell liquors or eatables of any kind upon the line. The Com- pany earnestly hope that the public will co-operate with them in enforcing this regulation, as it will be the means of removing a cause of delay, and will greatly diminish the chance of accident. Parcels. — The charge for parcels, including booking and delivery, will be from Is. 6d. upwards, according to size and weight TRAVELLING TO LONDON, &c. Arrangements have been made with respectable coach proprietors, by which passengers may secure places in Liverpool and Manchester for London, and other parts south of Birmingham, by coaches, which will await the ar- rival of the trains at Birmingham; and the delay arising from a change of conveyance in the despatch of parcels is obviated by their being booked throughout, and sent in closed bags. c 14 TIME OF STARTING. Every assistance will be given by the Company's officers, to protect the public from the imposition and annoyance in cars and omnibuses attending the trains, some of which have been already excluded for improper conduct. TIME OF STARTING. FROM ARRIVAL AT LIVERPOOL & MANCHESTER. BIRMINGHAM. H. M. H. M. 1st Class.. 6 30 o'clock A.M. . . . 11 5 o'clock A.M. Mixed ... 8 30 „ A.M. . . . 2 „ P.M. 1st Class.. 11 30 „ A.M. . . . 4 5 „ P.M. 1st Class.. 2 30 „ P.M. . . . 7 5 „ P.M. Mixed ... 4 30 „ P.M. . . . 10 „ P.M. 1st Class.. 6 30 „ P.M. . . . 11 5 „ P.M. FROM ARRIVAL AT BIRMINGHAM. LIVERPOOL & MANCHESTER. H. M. H. M. 1st Class ..70 o'clock A.M. ... 11 30 o'clock A.M. Mixed ... 8 30 „ A.M. ... 1 45 „ P.M. 1st Class.. 11 30 „ A.M. ... 40 „ P.M. 1st Class.. 2 30 „ P.M. ... 70 „ P.M. Mixed ... 4 30 „ P.M. ... 9 45 „ P.M. 1st Class.. 7 „ P.M. ... 11 30 „ P.M. N.B. — The First-class Trains only take up and set down passengers at the six principal Stations, which are distin- guished in the Table by being printed in roman characters. The Mixed Trains will also take up and set down Passen- gers to or from any part of the Grand Junction Railway, at all the usual stopping places on the Liverpool and Man- chester Railway. An allowance is included in the above Table of five minutes for all the Trains at the principal Stations, and of three minutes for the Mixed Trains, at the intermediate stopping places. The First Class Trains will consist of coaches carrying six inside, and of mails carrying four inside, one compart- ment of which is convertible into a bed-carriage, if required. The Mixed Trains will consist of both First and Second Class coaches, the latter affording complete protection from the weather, and differing only from the First Class in hav- ing no lining, cushions, or divisions of the compartments. Both kinds have seats on the roof, for the accommodation of those who prefer riding outside. ACCOUNT OF FARES. 15 FARES From Liverpool or Manchester to Birmingham, or vice versa. First Class C oach, six inside, whether in First Class £. s. d. or in Mixed Trains 1 Mail Coach, four inside 1 Bed-carriage, in Mail Coach 2 Second Class Coach Children under Ten Years of Age, half-price. Gentlemen's Carriage, four wheels 3 Ditto ditto two wheels 2 Passengers, if belonging to and riding in Gentle- men's Carriages, each Servants, ditto ditto, each Grooms in charge of Horses, each One Horse 1 Two Horses 2 ] Three Horses 3 Dogs A WOLVERHAMPTON TRAIN "Will start daily at the following hours : from Wolverhamp- ton Station to Birmingham at Eight o'clock in the Morning, and from Birmingham to Wolverhampton at Seven o'clock in the Evening. Fares from Wolverhampton Station to Birmingham. Close Carriage. Open. Close Carriage. Open. 1 5 14 Id 10 10 10 10 10 3 To Willenhali .... Is. Od. 0s. 6d. „ James' sBridge 16 9 „ Bescot Bridge 16 9 To XewtonRoad . . 2s. Od. Is. Od. „ Perry Bar 2 6 16 „ Birmingham.. 2 6 16 Fares from Birmingham to Wolverhampton Station. Close Carriage. Open. Close Carriage. Open. To Perry Bar Is. Od. 0s. 6d. „ Xewton Road 16 9 „ BescottBiidge 2 10 To James's Bridge . . 2s. Od. Is. Od. „ Willenhali 2 6 1 6 „ Wolverhampton 2 6 16 A WARRINGTON TRAIN Will start daily from Warrington to Liverpool and Man- chester at Eight o' clock in the Morning. ON SUNDAYS, The four First Class Trains only, with the addition of Second Class Coaches, will start at the same hours as on the week days, but will not take up and set down passen- gers at any but at the six principal stopping places. 31 r-t 2^ * lO O CO l> JN 00 Ol Ol O i-l rH rH CO CO CO CO rH "^ Tj .5 i o / 73 to u -^ •S ti > o H Jh o «8 BOi.0C0ffiOOC00tnoW>0fl0M0(0i0Ot0OO0505CSC *r*<*0 r-t CO rt< iO rt(MO -N CO Tf t-t r-t CO «0 O O Hf MOOi-HrHp--trHi-(C>JCNC^C?iJCOCOCOCOTt<-*Tt<'^Ttl^'^»CO>f P o a§ a^COWiOCJHOCOtNCOrt'rjiOI^OOTO'-ONCOiONOOO^h gr-ir-((M(NG^COCOCOT^-^>0»OOCOCOi>t^t>OOCOOOOOOlCJ50 o 3 5 Oa5 h OH g # 2^ £ • o : H • & : o • H H PnOOCOCOOO .HHHHNWonn^^ooNODocoocooHHM^ r-l i-l *, H C 00 ?( T? C- ?) £• N O H H £* g pq O oo H o w iJ w g h5 3^ ^ o 3 ? « s o S 2w 2 :* S 2 °o 3 18 LIVERPOOL TO NEWTON. JOURNEY, &c. &c. The traveller, having taken his place in the Grand Junction Carriages at the Station at Lime-street, will immediately proceed through the Great Tunnel, which was opened in August, 1836. It is 2,230 yards long, 17 feet high, and 25 feet wide, and cost one hundred and fifty thousand pounds ; the carriages are drawn up by means of a stationary engine at Edge- hill ; the steam to supply this engine is fur- nished by boilers situated at a considerable distance, viz. at the area from whence the loco- motive engines formerly started. This commu- nication and its machinery are well worthy of the traveller's notice, if he has time to examine them. (See Liverpool and Manchester Railway Companion.) Emerging from the tunnel, we arrive at the Edge-hill station, at which is the stationary engine before-mentioned. As it is not our object to give a minute account of the Railroad from Liverpool to Manchester, we shall just give a rapid sketch of it, referring our readers to the " Liverpool and Manchester Railway Companion," for more detailed information respecting the road, seats, villas, &c. ; and at the end of the book we shall give a Guide to Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham, as stated in our Prospectus. Immediately after the trains leave the Edge-hill station (at which place the locomotive engine is attached), two lines of rails will be observed LIVERPOOL TO NEWTON. 19 turning to the right ; they lead to the Crown- street station, situated at the end of the small tunnel, now, we believe, used principally for coals, and to the large tunnel which commu- nicates with the Company's warehouses at Wap- ping. The tunnel through which the trains with merchandise pass, is 2,250 yards in length, 22 feet wide, and about 16 high, and rises 1 in 48. The small one parallel to it, formerly used by the carriage trains from Liverpool, is 291 yards long, 15 feet high, and 12 wide; it has an inclination of half an inch to the yard. In the area, at the head of these tunnels, are the sta- tionary engines, employed to draw the waggons up the large one and down the smaller, the former being an inclined plane downwards, the other upwards ; here also are the boilers which supply the steam to the engine at the Edge-hill station. A little further on we arrive at the WAVERTREE-LANE STATION, which is If miles from Liverpool; the seat on the left is the residence of Charles Lawrence, Esq. ; shortly after, the carriages pass through the OLIVE MOUNT EXCAVATION. This is cut through the solid rock, and is in some places 70 feet below the fields above. Here is an inclined plane, the declination of which is about four feet in the mile, and causes a decided acceleration of speed. The next place we arrive at is the 20 LIVERPOOL TO NEWTON. BROAD GREEN STATION, which is little more than 3| miles from Liver- pool. A little further on is the Broad Green Em- bankment, which is near two miles in length, and in some places 50 feet above the valley ; from hence may be seen many seats of the nobility and gentry. * The view here is worthy * of the traveller's attention. After having crossed this embankment, we arrive successively at the Roby-lane and Huyton Stations. The lat- ter is 5f miles from Liverpool. Proceeding for one mile further, the Whiston inclined plane commences ; at the foot of which is a stationary engine to assist the trains when necessary. This acclivity rises eighty-two feet in one mile-and-a half, and very sensibly decreases the speed of the ascending, and of course accelerates that of the descending carriages. Having arrived at the summit of the incline, we proceed along the Rainhill Level for about two miles, and then descend* the Sutton incline, which is very quickly perceived by the increased velocity of the carnages. (It was at the Rainhill Level that the engines, with their tenders, contended for the prize of £500, which was gained by Mr. * Every information respecting this Railroad to Man- chester, including the charges from every station, are in the Author's other work, " The Liverpool and Manchester Railway Companion," which could not he inserted here without much enlarging the book. Those who wish for that information, can purchase it separately at Mr. Lacey's, 64, Bold-street, Liverpool; Wrightson & Webb's, New-street, Birmingham; and at the principal Booksellers in Manches- ter; price Is. LIVERPOOL TO NEWTON. 21 Stephenson's engine, the Rocket.*) We now pass under an iron bridge of two arches, over which passes the Railway from St. Helens to Runcorn Gap; the engine-house, for the assistant engine, is on the right, at the bottom of the incline ; the railroad to the left is the St. Helens Junction Line, and close to it is the ST. HELENS JUNCTION STATION. We now proceed across Parr Moss. The township in which it is situated was formerly the property of the family of Catherine Parr, wife of Henry VIII. The COLLIN'S GREEN STATION is the next we arrive at ; and shortly after cross the Sankey Embankment. Burton Wood is on the right : Newton Race-course is on the left, and may be discovered by the Grand Stand, which from hence is a conspicuous object. The Sankey Embankment, over which the traveller has been passing since he left the post marked 13| miles, is the heaviest on the line, being, in some places, 70 feet above the level of the canal. The viaduct is built on piles ; the road is 25 feet wide, and is supported by 9 arches of 50 feet span ; the work cost £45,000. We now arrive at the Sankey Viaduct; it is an object well worthy of the traveller's attention. The Sankey Canal flows beneath it ; this canal was the first ever cut in England. * For the further particulars, see " Liverpool and Man- chester Railroad Companion." 22 LIVERPOOL TO NEWTON. A quarter of a mile further on, we shall arrive at THE NEWTON JUNCTION STATION. If the reader is occupied in tracing the pro- gress of the carriages, he had better turn to page 28, on which commences the Grand Junction Line. In the mean time, as it is possible the carnages may stop here, we shall give a hasty glance along the road to Manchester. Proceeding towards Manchester, then, we cross the Sandymain's Embankment, and arrive at Newton Bridge. The railroad here is at an elevation of 40 feet from the road below ; the bridge which carries it across this valley has 4 arches, each of 30 feet span. After passing this, we arrive at THE NEWTON BRIDGE STATION, distant from Liverpool 1 6 miles, from Manches- ter rather more. We shall notice the extinct borough of Newton when we return to the New- ton Junction Station, as it is not a part of our present plan to notice the towns on the Liver- pool and Manchester line. At the above sta- tion is the Newton Hotel and Post Office. Half a mile further on is PARK-SIDE STATION. This station will always be deemed worthy of attention, as here the late Mr. Huskisson received the dreadful injury which terminated in his death. NEWTON TO MANCHESTER. 23 Opposite the site of the accident a white marble slab is let into the wall, and on it the event is recorded. A quarter of a mile further on we must direct the reader's attention to what has hitherto been called the Wigan Junction Rail- way. There is no station here ; passengers go- ing to Wigan get into the carriages at Parkside. This branch railway will shortly become of vast importance : it will be the grand connecting line between the Grand Junction Line and the North ; the works are nearly complete as far as Preston, and we expect that next year the line will be opened to Lancaster. We now enter the Great Kenyon Excavation, and proceeding along a slightly inclined plane, we soon pass the BOLTON JUNCTION STATION, which is only remarkable as being near to Cul- cheth, in which township, we are informed, one of our Saxon kings held a council. Across Brossley Embankment we are quickly conveyed to BURY LANE STATION. which brings us within 1 1 miles of Manchester ; and half a mile further we enter the dreary waste of Chat Moss. Some attempts at cultivation will be perceived — successful or not in point of profit, time will tell. The road across the Moss is perfectly safe, although, at one time, it was deemed scarcely possible to make it sound. After passing over the Moss for three miles and a half, the traveller will reach the Barton Moss Station; and 2| miles further, the 24 NEWTON TO MANCHESTER. PATRICROFT STATION, which is not quite 5 J miles from Manchester. The next Station is that of Eccles, 4 J miles from Manchester. To the right is the village of Eccles, unexpectedly immortalised in history as the place where Mr. Huskisson breathed his last. To this place he was conveyed in a car- riage drawn by the Northumbrian, and the house of the Rev. Mr. Blackburn, vicar of Eccles, was the scene of his last agonies ; after his decease his remains were conveyed to Liverpool, and buried in St. James* Cemetery, where a splendid monument has been erected to his memory. CROSS LANE BRIDGE STATION is the next we come to, and is 2J miles from Manchester. From hence a few minutes more will bear us across the Irwell into the Company's yard at Manchester. For an account of Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham, see end of book. We shall now return to the Newton Junc- tion Station, where we left our readers some minutes since ; and here we must inform them that the mile-posts (from which we shall direct their attention to various objects) are on their right hand, as they proceed to Birming- ham, and that, although the Grand Junction Line in fact commences here, the posts are numbered from Liverpool, or, if they are not yet, they shortly will be : eventually there will also be posts on the other side, numbering from Birmingham. GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 25 GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY. Before starting on our journey, it will be well to give an explanation of the various abbrevia- tions used in the Work ; and also a few preli- minary ' observations. P. R. — Parliamentary return of livings amounting to not more than £l50 per year. If not mentioned in this return, the living is estimated at more than that annual sum. C. V. — Certified value of chapelries — from the same source. K. B. — The amount at which the living is valued at in the King's Books. Dis. — Discharged from the payment of first-fruits. Pop. — Population. To.— Town. Pa. — Parish. An. As. Val. — Annual value of the real property assessed in April, 1815. Our readers will observe, that the embank- ments on the Grand Junction Line are thirty feet wide at the level of the rails, and that the slope towards the base is at the least in the ratio of 1 \ foot perpendicular to one foot horizontal ; in some cases it is as 2 to 1 ; and that the incli- nation of the excavations are the same. The enormous labour that is expended upon these works may be imagined when we state, that in the present undertaking five millions five hundred thousand cubic yards of earth and rock have been cut and removed. It will easily be imagined that the embankments would not con- sume half this material ; when an overplus was D 26 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. obtained, the soil was carefully removed from the adjoining land, then the ballast from the excavation was laid on the land in the folio win p; shape — MADE GROUND. ORIGINAL GROUND. the steep portion of the figure being towards the excavation. The soil which had previously been removed, was then spread over this ballast, and instances have been in which this surface has produced crops the same year as it was laid down. We shall endeavour to convey to our readers an idea of the importance of this Junc- tion ; and in attempting it, we cannot do better than adopt the words of the Directors, as expressed in their circular. " The Grand Junction Railway is 82 J miles in length ; it commences in Curzon-street, Bir- mingham, at a station adjoining that of the London and Birmingham Railway, and passing by or near Wednesbury, Walsall, Dudley, Bilston, Wolverhampton, Penkridge, Stafford, Stone, Eccleshall, Newcastle, the Potteries, Nantwich, Sandbach, Middlewich, Northwich, Preston Brook, Froclsham, Runcorn, and War- rington, terminates at Newton, on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, by which it commu- GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 27 nicates with Liverpool and Manchester ; the dis- tance from Birmingham to those places respectively, being 97^ miles." " The Grand Junction Railway also forms an important link in the great chain of railway communication from London to Lancaster, a distance of 237 miles ; the whole of which, with the exception of 22 miles at the northern extremity, is expected to be completed in the course of next year." In conformity with our plan, we shall give an account of each place lying east and west of the line, to which the directors in their circular have directed attention, and whenever we think an omission of importance has been made, we shall notice it.* For old acquaintance sake, we shall bestow a few words on the extinct borough of NEWTON, commonly designated by topo- graphers, " Newton-in-Mackerfield ; " it is a borough by proscription, and chapelry, in the parish of Winwick, and the hundred of West Derby. It has a population of about 1,643, and the actual value of real property assessed in 1815, was £6,302. Its fairs are held Feb. 12, May 17, July 15, and every Monday fortnight for cattle and sheep, and on Aug. 12, for horses, * If the reader is desirous of leaving for the present the description of the towns, to trace the road as the carriages proceed, he will notice that the' portion of the book in which the Railroad is described is printed within rules, with the distances marked on each side ; with this mark he can easily confine his attention to the Line, and what may- be seen near it. (See pages 29 and 36.) 28 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. horned cattle, and toys. The living is a curacy in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester; C. V. £18 9s. The chapel is dedicated to St. Peter : patron, Thomas Legh, Esq. Newton belonged to the crown in the time, of Edward the Confessor, and, until disfranchised by the Reform Bill, had returned two members to Parliament ever since the first year of Eliza- beth (1558). It is a singular fact that a place so long noted for political fervour, should never have had a contested election against the manorial interest until 1797. The right of election was vested in the free burgesses, whose number was about thirty-six. It has a Free School which is endowed, and a Sunday School which is well attended. This little place has many ancient houses, and if the traveller is inclined to stop at the Newton Hotel, it contains much that would contribute to his amusement. For Races, see Index. From Birmingham. From I/pool & Manch'r. NEWTON JUNCTION STATION.* + Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester 14f . 2s. 6d. From Birmingham 82§ . 12s. 6d. Two hundred yards after leaving- the Station, is a line of railroad turning off * There are only six Stations at which the First Class Carnages stop in the journey; these are distinguished hy type of a different character from the rest, and hy the charge for First Class Carriages heing placed, in addition to the charge for the Second Class Carriages. Where these dis- tinctions are wanting, it is only a Second Class Station. f To Manchester and Liverpool, see page 22. 82 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 29 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. to the left ; this is the line from Man- chester to Birmingham ; and for about the same distance the carriages travel along a perfect level, but here they begin to descend a plane. At the 15| mile-post, an excavation, the first on the Grand Junction Line, commences. We continue to descend what may perhaps be properly called the Bradley Incline, as the village of Bradley lies to the left; this is the steepest that the loco- motive engines travel on during the whole journey. It is rather more than three quarters of a mile in length, and has a descent of one inch in 85 ; at the post marked 15§, the steep ends, and a gentle declivity of 1 inch in 476, succeeds, which, with but little altera- tion, continues to Warrington ; oppo- site this post the Bradley excavation ends, and a slight embankment com- mences. To the left is the Vulcan Foundry, a red brick building; a great many locomotive engines are here made : the adjoining house belongs to the pro- prietor of the foundry; and, a little further on, opposite the 15| post, are a number of cottages, built of red brick, which are principally, if not wholly, occupied by the families of the foundry people. The country here is a flat valley, richly wooded ; opposite this post, to the 81; 811 81i 30 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manchester. right, the Sankey Canal flows parallel with the road ; on a fine day, the flats (a class of vessel adapted to this navi- gation, of from 40 to 80 tons burden) may be seen bearing their burden of merchandise to and from the commer- cial metropolis of the kingdom, and, with their large red sails, adding much to the picturesque appearance of the scene. On the left, about a mile from the railroad, is WINWICK, which, though now in appearance but an insignificant town- ship, was formerly a British city, known by the appellation of Cair Guintguic. Win wick is remarkable as being one of the, if not the, richest living in England. It is a rectory, in the Archdeaconry of Chester, valued in the K. B. at £102 9s. 9|d; patron, the Earl of Derby. The Church is dedicated to St. Oswald, and is said to be coeval with the establishment of Christianity in Britain. This was the favourite place of residence of Oswald, King of Northumberland, and here it is sup- posed he was slain by Penda, King of Mercia. A little to the north of Win- wick, is Red Bank, the scene of an obstinately contested battle between a detachment of Cromwell's army and a party of Highlanders who had escaped from Preston, under the Duke of Ha- GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 31 Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. milton. A dreadful slaughter of the latter ensued, and many of the prisoners were hanged in a field hard by, which still bears the name of Gallows Croft. The population of the township is 603 ; of the parish, near 18,000. The annual value of assessment in 1815 was £4,291. Winwick has an endowed Grammar School, founded by Gwalter Legh, Esq., about the middle of the 16th century. Winwick Hall is close by the church, which may be best seen from this post (17th mile) ; the trees to the left are in Winwick Park. When winter has thinned the foliage, the spire of the venerable church may be plainly seen. A little past here (17 J), the Sankey Canal turns to the right, towards Run- corn Gap, at which place it enters the river Mersey, about 18 miles above Liverpool. Here ends the Bradley Embankment. One hundred yards past here, a single line of rails turn off to the left, towards the town of Warrington. Here are various works connected with the rail- way carriages. One mile further oh, is a bridge across the Line, over which passes the London road; and just through the bridge is the 32 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. WARRINGTON STATION. Miles. 1st Class. 2nd Class. Distant from L'pool & Manchester 19| 4s. Od. 3s. Od. Distant from Birmingham 77| 16s. 6d. lis. 6d. From this Station, Runcorn lies 4 miles west ; Altrincham, 12 miles east. Except, however, he is travelling by a first class train, we should advise the traveller who is desirous to go to Runcorn, to alight at the Moore Station. We shall now proceed to give a short ac- count of WARRINGTON.* It is a market town and parish, in the hundred of West Derby ; the population of the parish is 19,155 ; of the town, 16,018. An. Ass. Val. £29,069. Its principal manufactures are, cottons, sail-cloth, hardwares, files, pins, and glass. Its public buildings are, a town-hall, market-hall, and cloth-hall. It has assembly-rooms, a theatre, gas-works, and a dispensary. Its markets are on Wednesday and Saturday ; it has two fairs, for horses, horned cattle, and cloth, viz., on July 18 and November 30 (St. Andrew's), and a fair every Wednesday fortnight for cattle. Mr. Whittaker asserts, that it was formerly a Roman station, -but as the ancient name of the town was * As the traveller may be desirous of tracing the route of the carriages as he passes on his journey, we shall direct him for the future to the continuation of the Line itself, whenever we break off to describe places; for example, thus, on this occasion, (Line continued, page 35,) means that the description of the Line, and whatever may be seen from it, is resumed on page 35. GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 33 Walingtune, it completely destroys his theory. It appears probable that the present name was a corruption of the Saxon appellation Woering and Tun, signifying a fortified town. Leaving the antiquarians to settle these points, we pro- ceed to give a short sketch of the place, It is situated on the Mersey, over which a bridge was erected in the time of Henry VII. (1496) by the first Earl of Derby, to facilitate the pro- gress of the king, who was about to visit Latham House ; this bridge, after being many times repaired, was pulled down in 1812, and its successor is about to share the same fate, a handsome stone bridge having been just finished ; one every way worthy of the importance of the town. In the time of the Civil Wars, this was frequently the scene of obstinate conflicts, occa- sioned perhaps by there being no other bridge nearer than Burton-upon-Irwell. In 1643, the town was twice taken by storm by the Parlia- mentary forces. In 1648, the Scottish army, under the Duke of Hamilton, here made a stand ; General Lambert also here repulsed the Scottish army under the young king (Charles II.); and last, in 1745, it was found necessary to break down the middle arches of the bridge, to check the progress of the Rebels. The living are, a rectory and two canons, in the archdeaca&ry and diocese of Chester. C. V. rectory, £40, patron Lord LirTord ; the curacy of St. Paul, patron the rector (not in charge) ; that of the Holy Trinity, certified value, £17 10s.; An. Val., P. R. £106; patron, Thomas Leigh, Esq. The church, dedi- 34 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. cated to St. Elphin, or Helen, is a handsome building, built of red free-stone, probably of Saxon origin, and contains some very curious old monuments; two ancient chapels remain, in one of which are some modern monuments of the Pattern family ; in the other, the magni- ficent tomb of Sir Thomas Boteler and his lady; the former was murdered in his mansion, Bewsey Hall. Here are places of worship for most classes of Dissenters, and one Roman Catholic chapel. The schools are numerous, among which are pre-eminent, the Free-school, founded and endowed in 1526, by one of the Boteler family ; and the Blue Coat School, which is a flourishing institution, and richly endowed for the education of 150 boys and 40 girls. There are many charitable institutions in the town. Warrington was the birth-place of Dr. Percival, founder of the Literary and Philosophical So- ciety at Manchester ; of Litherland, the inventor of the patent lever watch ; of Mrs. Leland, who died in 1593, at the age of 140; and here the Right Hon. George Tierney received his educa- tion ; and its neighbourhood gave birth to John Blackburne, who so successfully cultivated the Cotton-tree, and who was the second person who brought the Pine-apple to perfection in England. Warrington gives the title of Earl, , in addition to Stamford, to the Grey family. RUNCORN— named by the Saxons Ror- nicofan, is situated on the banks of the Mersey, 18 miles from Liverpool. Since the completion of the Duke of Bridgewater's navigation, the GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 35 town has assumed an importance which it never never before possessed. It is now a place of re- sort for salt water bathing, and its quarries of freestone employ a number of people. Popula- tion of parish, 10,326 ; of town, 5,035. Its church, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, is a very ancient structure, partly in the early and partly in the later style of English architecture ; the living is a vicarage in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, K. B., £10. 4s. 2d. per year; patron, Christ Church, Oxford. Runcorn had once to boast of its castle, built by the renowned Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great, and widow of Ethelred, Earl of Mercia, some traces of which are still visible by the river-side, about 300 yards below the Church. This fortress commanded the passage from the kingdom of Mercia to that of Northumberland. ALTRINGHAM, is a neat market town in the county of Chester, parish of Bowden, and hundred of Bucklow ; it is 12 miles east of the Railroad. Pop. 2,708. An. As. Val. £4,547. Although it possesses several factories of yarn, cotton, and worsted, the greater proportion of its population are engaged in agricultural pur- suits. The Duke of Bridgewater's canal passes the town. It has a market on Tuesday, and fairs, April 29, August 5, and November 22, for cattle and drapery. The living is a perpetual curacy, not in charge, it being a chapelry to Bowden; An, Val. P. R. £102. 36 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. We take our departure from the Warrington Station, and enter upon the Arpley Embankment, which is nearly two miles long, and, in some places, from 16 to 18 feet above the fields. The road passes over five bridges, besides the viaduct, in cross- ing this Embankment. The ascent of the road for the next mile is one inch in 500 ; then for 2| miles, nearly to the mile post (23rd mile), the ascent is scarcely perceptible, being but one in 3474. Looking to the westward, the high chimneys at Runcorn, and Halton Castle, may be plainly seen. The view from the ruins of this ancient fortress, which was demolished in the civil wars, is very extensive ; we have not space to describe it, but if our readers are about to sojourn for any time at Liverpool, we would recommend them to take the steam boat to Runcorn, and promise them much gratification in a visit to the castle and neighbourhood. To the left is Latchford ; the spire of its church may be plainly seen ; and looking back, the traveller will now have a view of Bank Hall, the seat of Wilson Patten, Esq., the member for North Lancashire. Looking forward, the Hill Cliff quarry, from whence the stone was obtained for the formation of the bridges and viaducts, is to the south-east. Tradition 19J 19| 201- GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 37 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. asserts that the celebrated Nixon pro- phesied, that when these rocks visited Vale Royal, the family of Cholmondely would have attained its zenith, and much more which this deponent sayeth not. About forty yards before we come to this post (20|), the Railroad passes into Cheshire, by crossing the War- in gton Viaduct, which has twelve arches, viz., nine land arches of 16 feet span, and 28 feet high from the level of the water; 2 river arches of 75 feet span, and 34 feet high, and one canal arch of 23 feet high from the same level. The river Mersey and the Mersey and Irwell Canal here flow under the road. The Viaduct has a very handsome stone parapet. To the left is Walton Inferior; a little more to the south east is Wal- ton Superior. About 30 yards before this post, we enter the Moore Excava- tion, which is near one mile and a half in length, and is crossed by five hand- some bridges, the first and last of which are built on the skew principle. We now arrive at the raOORE STATION, Miles. 2nd Class. Distant from Liverpool and) OOI « aA Manchester j 2 ^ * * ' ' 3s * bd " Distant from Birmingham . . 74J . . lis. Od. MOORE is a small township in the parish of Runcorn; it lies a little to the 38 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. east of the line, and its population is 243, principally agriculturists. (Line continued page 42.) From this station Frodsham is three, Chester thirteen miles to the west- ward. We shall notice these places here, because the Railroad Circular places them as easiest of access from this Station, though we should certainly have chosen Preston Brook as the most eligible point from which to proceed to either. FRODSHAM is a market town, parish, and township, in the hundred of Eddisbury. The population of the parish and town is 5,547, of the town 1,746; An. As. Val. £,5780. It is pleasantly situated on an eminence under the hills, which form the northern extremity of Delamere Forest, at the confluence of the Weaver and Mersey. It has an ancient church, dedicated to St. Lawrence, which stands on an eminence above the town; the living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, C. V. £23 13s. lljd.; patron, Christ Church, Oxford. Here is a well endowed free school, and a house for the master, on the summit of which is an observatory. This, like many of the towns in this county, formerly had a castle, which was given by Edward the First to David Lleweyllen, who afterwards broke his alliance with that monarch, and put one of GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 39 his garrisons to the sword. He was after- wards taken, and was the first person who was executed as a traitor, according to the law in use a few years back, but which piece of bar- barism will, we trust, never more be exhibited before a civilized people. The castle was destroyed by fire in 1642. About a mile east of the town are some salt works, which, with the cotton manufacture, employ a great many of the inhabitants. CHESTER is a city and county in itself. It is situated on a rocky eminence above the river Dee, which half encircles the walls. Popu- lation of city 21,363. It has a considerable maritime trade with Wales and Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and the Baltic ; but the continual shift- ing of the bed of the river will ever prevent its port becoming of much importance. Its exports are copper, cast iron, coal, lead, calamine, and large quantities of cheese. It has large iron foundries, snuff mills, and some considerable ship building establishments : its principal ma- nufacture is gloves. It has markets every Wed- nesday and Saturday ; fairs on the last Thursday in February and April; on July 5 to 10, October 10 to 15, for cattle, Irish linen, woollen cloths, hardware, hops, drapery, and Manchester goods. The markets are well supplied, and there is now a good market-place. The diocese of Chester includes 256 parishes, and the city is divided into nine, viz. St. Bridget's, a rectory, not in charge, P. R. £100; St. Martin's, a rectory, not in charge, £70 ; St. Peter's, dis- 40 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. curacy, K. B. £6 13s. 6eU P. R. £82 18s. 4d.; St. Olave, curacy, not in charge, P. R. £54 ; St. Michaels, curacy, not in charge, P. R. £90 ; the patron of these livings is the Bishop of Chester ; the Holy Trinity, a dis-rectory, valued in K. B. £8 15s. 5d., patron, the Earl of Derby ; St. Oswald, dis-vicarage, K. B. £8 18s. 4d., united with the curacy of Bruen, of the certified value of £41 0s. 2d., in the gift of the dean and chapter; St. MaryVon-the-Hill, a rectory, K. B. £52, in the gift of Earl Gros- venor ; St. John's-the-Little, a curacy, not in charge, patrons, the corporation. The church of St. John contains some fine specimens of Saxon architecture. In the city are places of worship for all sects of Dissenters ; for Quakers, Roman Catholics, &c. &c. We have not space to trace its early his- tory; suffice it to say, that from the frequent discoveries made of coins, inscriptions, sculp- tured figures, altars, statues, and hypocausts, it is evident that it was a Roman station; in addition to which, the buildings of the city are disposed in the form of a Roman camp, con- sisting principally of four streets, running to the cardinal points from a common centre. There is very much which is worthy of notice in this ancient city. The streets have evidently been excavated from the rock, which circumstance has induced a singular construction of the houses. On a level with the streets are low shops, appa- rently wholesale warehouses, and above them are balustraded gallaries, which have a most GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 41 singular appearance to strangers, who with difficulty can persuade themselves they are not up one pair of stairs in the house ; in these gal- laries are, however, the shops of most of the light and fashionable businesses. The wall, which surrounds the city, is not the least re- markable object; it forms a pleasant promenade, and from it may be seen Rowton Moor, the site of that disastrous battle which Charles the First witnessed from one of the towers. Of the ancient castle, said to have been erected by William the Conqueror, only a small portion remains ; the modern one is, perhaps, the finest edifice in the city ; the grand entrance is formed on the model of the Acropolis at Athens. It contains an Armoury, Barracks, Court of Justice, Offices of the Palatinate, County Jail, and Shire Hall. The Cathedral is a spacious and irregular pile, formed of red stone ; this was originally a nun- nery, founded by Walpherus, king of Mercia, for his daughter, St. Werburgh, to whom it was dedicated. It subsequently became the abbey church of a monastry of Benedictines. At the dissolution of the monastery, Henry VIII. en- dowed the cathedral, for the maintenance of a dean, six prebendaries, six minor canons, and other officers. We have not space to com- ment on the interior; the reader must see it, and it will amply repay the trouble of a visit ; it contains some of the finest specimens of Gothic architecture in the kingdom. St. John's Church; a Roman hypocaustand sudatory, with 42 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. a beautiful altar inscribed to Esculapius, and a new bridge across the Dee, are well worthy of the stranger's attention. Besides the public buildings above mentioned, there is an infirmary, an Exchange, a Commercial-hall, in which is the Concert-room and City Courts of Justice ; two Public Libraries, a Theatre, and a Commercial News-room. The corporation of Chester consists of a Mayor, Recorder, 2 Sheriffs, 24 Aldermen, and 40 Common Councilmen. The city returns two members to parliament; electors, about 1800, consisting of the old constituency of resident freemen and £10 householders; the Sheriffs are returning officers. The public charities are very numerous, and include a Blue-coat School, a Diocesan School, an Infirmary, and several Almshouses. We re- gret that we are not able to devote more space to this interesting city. — (For Races, see Index.) From Birmingham From L'pool & Manch'r. Proceeding through the Moore exca- vation, we leave to the left Moore Hall, the seat of General Hearon, and " The Elms," occupied by William Stubbs, Esq., and, just before the 23 mile-post, 23 we enter on the Moore Embankment; it is nearly a mile and a quarter long, and in some places 16 feet above the fields; in crossing this embankment, the railroad passes over three bridges, and rises about 1 inch in 510, which con- tinues unto the post marked (24 J), when a steep inclination of 1 in 100, 74| 23i GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 43 From Birmingham. From L'pool Sc Maneh'r. which is half a mile in length, is suc- ceeded by a continuation of the acclivity, but reduced to 1 in 180, which brings us to the level, just before we arrive at the 25 j mile-post. The country here is worthy of atten- tion : to the left may be seen Daresbury Wood, or Daresbury Firs, the tower of Daresbury Church; and Daresbury Hall, the seat of Mr. Chad wick ; to the right is Norton Priory, surrounded by thick woods, the property of Sir Richard Brooke. This modern mansion occupies the scite of the former religious edifice ; four of the ancient vaults of the priory, and the ornamental door-way, are pre- served in the present erection, In 1643, Norton Priory was besieged by a party of royalists, who were beaten off by the family with considerable loss. This extensive vale is bounded to the west by gently swelling hills, luxuriant in j wood and verdure. Here is a neat lodge on the right, in 24J which the person who takes care of the gates resides. The gate to the right opens on the road leading to Norton ; that on the left, to the Daresbury road. At about 60 yards further, we enter the great cutting at Preston Brook; it is about a mile and three quarters in length, and in some places 45 feet deep ; and in it is one bridge, an aqueduct, and 44 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. a small tunnel of about 100 yards in length ; opposite this post, to the left, is the village of Preston Brook ; it is a small town- ship in the parish of Runcorn, and hundred of Bucklow, with a population of 461 ; An. As. Val. £3,164. The Grand Trunk Canal here forms a junc- tion with the Duke of Bridge water's. 200 yards past the post, the railroad passes under the Duke of Bridgewater's Canal, which is supported by an aque- duct of two arches. It is probable the traveller will here observe that strong plankings are placed between the rails, as also through the western arch of the viaduct ; this is a substitute for a bridge, which could not very well have been erected here. A considerable stream of water runs under the railroad, the course of which may be traced by the planking, which is laid down to sustain and keep the rails in their places. Just through the bridge is PRESTON BROOK STATION. Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester . . 25 3s. 6d. From Birmingham 72J 10s. 6d. Just before this post, we arrive at the small tunnel ; this was resorted to on account of the great value of the land and the buildings upon it ; if the GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 45 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. idea had occurred at an earlier period of the work, it would probably have been of much greater extent. The Trent and Mersey Canal flows parallel with, and close to the east side of the road. We here pass through Bird's Wood, an extensive fox cover ; this cut- ting will add greatly to the safety of the ancient family of foxes, although a sad foil to the amusement of the squire- archy. The road is here a perfect level for about a quarter of a mile ; it then has a descent of 1 in 330, for little more than a mile; at the 26| post, the Dutton Embankment carries us across Dutton Bottoms ; to the right, opposite here, is Aston Hall, the seat of — Aston Esq. ; a little further on, the road crosses a bridge, and to the left may be dis- cerned the village of Dutton; a slight cutting (over which is a handsome skew bridge) brings us in view of DUTTON VIADUCT, which carries the railroad across the valley of the Weaver. This magnificent work cost about £50,000. It consists of twenty arches, each of 65 feet span. The road is 27| feet wide, and is 65 feet above the level of the Weaver and Canal, which passes under it. It was found necessary to drive piles in some places, to form a foundation for the 46 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. piers ; but for the most part they are built on a fine solid ground. We cannot pass this work without being struck with wonder at the mighty energies of man. We glory in being a portion of that nation which has pro- duced this and other works equally astonishing — works not executed under the spirit-stirring influence of war, or carried on by the unwearying spirit of national enmity; but works contrived for the benefit of our fellow- creatures — which, in their moral influence, must af- fect the happiness and comfort of millions yet unborn. From the centre of the via- duct is a view, which is an extraordinary auxiliary to the effect produced on the mind by the contemplation of this stu- pendous work. To the westward is a thickly-wooded dell, with the Weaver and the Canal, like twin waters, grace- fully wending their way in close contact. To the eastward is the most diversified and brilliant scenery that such a space could contain. The falls of the Weaver are just before us, and send up a mur- muring sound (the music of silence) which, aided by the pictorial scene, cannot fail to produce that exquisite feeling of peace which the contempla- tion of nature, in her beauty and holi- ness, alone can impart. I In directing attention to this lovely I GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 47 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. valley, we must not forget that the Weaver affords good sport to the fly- fisher. In coming along the fields from Preston Brook, which is two miles and a half from here, he will pass a little house, which is called Pickering's Boat, at which he may obtain excellent ac- commodation. Visitors, particularly if ladies are of the party, had better leave the railway carriages at Acton, from whence, for a trifle, a guide can easily be procured; and there cannot be a more delightful scene for the enjoyment of a pic-nic, than this valley affords; the river may here be crossed on a raft, if a visit to "Pickering's Boat" be desirable. . The railroad has now an ascent of 1 in 330 ; the road is here a considerable height above the valley ; it crosses one bridge, and a little further arrives at an excavation of about a mile in length, which is crossed by three bridges. The country is open, the view being bounded by hills at a great distance ; and the line is perfectly level for about a mile, within which distance we arrive at the ACTON 1 STATION 1 . Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester 29J . 4s. Od. From Birmingham 68 . 10s. Od. Acton is a small township in the 28 671 48 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool and Manch'r. parish of Weaverham ; its population is 335. An. As. Val. £1,847. We now pass over one bridge, and then, with but a slight embankment not worth notice, proceed through the Great Hartford Excavation, which, with one or two other slight embankments, and the intervention of that over Vale Royal, continues for nearly 7 miles, and is crossed by 13 bridges, one of which has three arches. In this con- tract there were about 900,000 cubic yards of earth removed. The road for the last quarter of a mile has had an 30 ascent of 1 inch in 440, which continues for three quarters of a mile further. Nearly opposite this post, to the right, is Grange Hall, the seat of Lady Brooke ; it is situated upon a hill, sur- rounded by park-like grounds, which have a gentle declivity towards the Railway. The Railway is nearly level for the next three quarters of a mile, when we pass under Chester Lane bridge, and, sixty yards further, arrive at the HARTFORD STATION. Miles. 1st Class. 2d Class. Hartford is a small township in to GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 49 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. the parish of Great Budworth, and hundred of Eddisbury ; its population is 863, and the An. As. Yal. £3,245. From this station Tarporley is 8 miles, and Chester 16 to the westward; Northwich 2, and Knutsford 9 to the eastward. (Line continued page 52.) NORTHWICH is a market-town, town- ship, and chapelry, in the parish of Great Bud- worth, situated on the river Weaver, near its confluence with the Dane, and has a population of 1,481 ; An. As. Val. £1,952; it is 17J miles E. N. E. from Chester. It derives its name from its relative position to other wiches or Salt- towns. It was called by the Britons Hel- lath-du, or the Black Salt Town. The market is held on Friday, and the fairs on April 10 for cattle; August 2, December 6, for cattle, drapery goods, and bedding. The living is a curacy, in the archdea- conry and diocese of Chester (not in charge) ; patron, the vicar of Great Budworth. It has a well-endowed free grammar-school, and chapels for Independents and Methodists. The inhabi- tants are principally occupied in the manufac- ture of cotton, and in the salt trade ; as much as 240,000 tons of salt have been sent to Liverpool in one year. Salt is here manufactured both from the rock and the brine springs ; these latter are from 60 to 100 feet in depth, and the water is so impregnated with saline particles, as to be fit for evaporation as soon as it is raised by the 50 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. pump. The mines of rock salt were discovered in 1670; the upper stratum lying from 180 to 200 feet below the surface of the ground. This vein was 30 feet in thickness, but, we believe, is now abandoned, as, a century after the above discovery, a superior description was obtained at from 100 to 150 feet lower, the intermediate space being a mass of stone. The interior of these mines has a most brilliant appearance when lit up by candles; the roof and pillars then resemble the most sparkling crystal; but they must be seen to be estimated. Northwich was fortified by the Parliamenta- rians during the civil war, but, after an obstinate resistance, was taken by the Royalists ; it was, however, once more taken by the Parliament, and held till the Restoration. KNUTSFORD is a market town and parish in the hundred of Bucklow ; it has a population of 2,823 ; An. As. Val. £5,051. Its market is held on Saturday : fairs, Whit-Tues- day, July 10, and November 8, for cattle and drapery. The principal manufactures carried on here are those of tanned leather, sewing thread, &c. The church is dedicated to St. John ; the living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, endowed by the Crown with £400 ; and £16 per annum by a private benefac- tion ; patrons, the lords of the following manors, in succession : — Over Knutsford, Nether Knuts- ford, Ollerton Toft, and Buxton. The town has a Sessions House, a spacious County Prison, three places of worship for Dissenters, and two GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 51 Charity Schools. It derived its name from Knut, or Canute, who here forded the river with his Danes, and defeated the Saxons in a great battle. This town has a singular Marriage Custom. On the morning of the ceremony, it is usual for the friends of the happy pair to strew the street before their doors with brown sand, upon which they form fanciful devices with white sand, and over this artificial carpet strew various flowers which the season may afford ; thus produc- ing an emblem of the harmony and beauty of the social compact ; and the pure feelings which generally accompany "young love" — alas! I fear we must allow — an emblem also of their evanescent nature : each wayfaring man that passes by carries away a portion of the sand, and the wind bears away the flowers ; and the wear and tear of the world bears away the delicate feelings, and the gentle attentions, to which love first gave birth ; and the flowers of courtship, are they not too often allied to thorns by mar- riage ! (For Races, see Index.) For CHESTER— see page 39. TARPORLEY, a market town, parish, and township, in the hundred of Eddisbury ; pop. of parish 2,391, of town 995; An. As. Yal. £2,866. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the manufacture of stockings and breeches. Mar- ket on Thursday; fairs, May 1st, the first Mon- day after August 24th and December 11th. The church is dedicated to St. Helen ; the living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of 52 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. Chester, K. B. £20 3s. 4d., in joint patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Chester, Lord An- vanley, and Sir P. Egerton. The town has also a methodist chapel, and a school endowed by Lady Jane Done with £20 per annum. Here the princi- pal gentlemen of the county assemble at an annual hunt. In the neighbourhood is Cliefden, for- merly the residence of the parents of George the Third, but more remarkable for its grounds, which were planted with trees upon the plan in which the great Marlborough arranged his troops at the battle of Blenheim. Near here are also the ruins of Beeston Castle, formerly one of the strongest fortresses in the kingdom ; it was dis- mantled by the Parliamentarians ; enough, how- ever, remains to evidence its former strength. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. Resuming our journey, we have now a descent of 1 in 330 for hear a mile, when, with but slight alteration, and an occasional level, we have an average ascent of about 1 in 280, until, at the 53J post, (one mile on this side of Whitmore,) we attain an elevation of 390 feet above low water mark at Liver- pool, being nearly 250 feet above the road at this station. 64| The Vale Royal Embankment, which 32f is about 150 yards long and 60 feet high, here meets the Viaduct midway in the valley. This bridge has 5 arches, each 63 feet span, and carries the Rail- road across Vale Royal, at an elevation I GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 53 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. of near 70 feet from the water in the river Weaver, which flows beneath. The village of Moilton may be distin- guished to the left, by the spire of its church; and to the westward may be seen the chimnies of Yale Royal Abbey, the seat of Lord Delamere. There is nothing remarkable in the appearance of the present mansion ; it is rather low in its elevation, and consists of a centre and two wings, built of red stone : there is but little about it to remind us of the ancient monastic edifice, except, indeed, the noble woods which surround it — these well accord with the ideas we form of the wealth, and ease, and enjoy- ments of the holy men who constituted those brotherhoods. The family of Cholmondeley were the reputed patrons of the prophet Nixon, whose visions, it would appear, have great credit among the peasantry even of the present time, who look at the Viaduct with a sort of ominous fear, regarding it as a fulfilment of one of them, viz., " That when the rocks near Warrington should visit Vale Royal, the sun of this ancient family should set/' The stone of which the viaduct was built did come from the Hill ClifT quarry ; hence the good vill agios are now filled with expectancy, while the nobleman who is the subject of their 54 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r, alarm thinks no more of Nixon or his prophecies, than the fox he follows with so much zeal, or the grouse that he is probably at this moment (12th August) shooting. As a matter of curiosity, we must, however, mention that, in support of the one prophecy, we were informed of another, viz., that this same Nixon had foretold that in the year 1837 Eng- land should be without a king. Whether this has been invented to support the other, or whether the fact of our coun- try being kingless is an accidental ful- filment of one of his reveries, it cannot but surprise us that, in the nineteenth century, the ravings of an idiot should be regarded in authority as but a trifle only inferior to Holy Writ. 63 j Opposite here, to the left, is a place for the engines to take in water (it is not a station) and Eaton Hall, the seat of Sir E. Antrobus. 63 On the right, about 200 yards before you arrive at this post, is Newbridge Salt Works, Mr. Johnson, proprietor : here are 30 or 40 men employed. The works are about a quarter of a mile from 62 1 the road. To the left is Walton Green, 35 a red house, occupied by Mr. Penning. A little more to the eastward is Bostock Hall, the seat of James France, Esq. A mile further we arrive at the end of the Great Excavation, and 33| GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 55 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r WINSFORD STATION", which is about 40 yards past the bridge. Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester 36£ . 5s. 6d. From Bmningham 61 . 9s. Od. There is so little worth attention in this vLlage, that it is not even noticed in Parliamentary Population Returns. (Line resumed, page 56.) From this station Middlewich is two miles to the eastward ; this is a market town, parish and township, in the hundred of No*thwich, County of Chester. It derives its name from its centrical situation between the wiches or salt-towns ; its origin is of very ancient date. Pop. 1,325; An. As. Val. £1,569. Markets are held every Tues- day ; fairs, on St. James's, August 5, and Holy Thursday, for cattle. The principal manufacture of this town is salt ; to which, during the last few years, may be added that of cotton and silk. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a spa- cious structure. On the south side of it is a college, founded by Thomas Savage, Archbishop of York, and an oratory, founded by one of the Leigh family. Theliving is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester; K. B. £14; P. R. £130; it is endowed with £400 by private benefaction and a gift from the Crown, and £1,000 by a parliamentary grant; patron, Rev. Isaac Wood. It has a free school, and three places of worship for Dissenters. The salt obtained here is principally from* the brine 56 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. springs, the water from which is said to yield one-fourth of its weight in salt. The Grand Tunk Canal passes through the town, which gives it the benefit of an extensive inland navigation. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. 61 60f 60 59 59J We now enter on the Middlewich Embankment. There are five bridges in this work, which is about one mile and a quarter in length. To the right of the bridge is Winsford Lodge, the seat of J. Dudley, Esq. ; and to the left, about a mile and a half from the road, is Manor Hall, the residence of W. Court, Esq. Here, to the right, is an extensive view of a level, open country, through which the river Weaver may me seen pursuing its course in graceful evolutions. To the left, the Derbyshire and Staffordshire hills bound the view. The Middlewich Branch Canal here flows beneath the Railroad. To the left is Lear Hall. The re- mains of a moat for the most part sur- round the house. From this post the Minshull Vernon Excavation (with the intervention of a short embankment) extends for about a mile; three bridges cross this cutting. MINSHULL VERNON STATION. Miles. 2d Class. From Liverpool and Manchester . .38 J 6s. Od. From Birmingham 58§ 9s. Od. Minshull Vernon is a township in 36£ 36J 37J; 38 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 61 Prom Birmingham. Fram L'pool & Manch'r. the parish of Middlewich, and hundred ofNorthwich, county of Chester ; Pop. 385; An.As.Val. £3,146. A slight embankment carries us to within a short distance of the 39 \ post, when a cutting of three quarters of a mile (across which are two more bridges) succeeds. We now arrive at an embankment which crosses Wanningham Moss ; this extends to within 200 yards of the 39 40| 41| post, when we enter Coppenhall Moss. A quarter of a mile further we pass under a bridge, and shortly after enter the Coppenhall Excavation ; this is not quite a mile and a quarter in length ; it is crossed by three bridges, the first of which is built on the skew principle ; and just by the 42| post is THE COFFSNHALL STATION. Miles. 2d Class. From Liverpool and Manchester . .42J 6s. 6d. From Birmingham 55 8s. 6d. Coppenhall is a parish and town- ship in the hundred of Nan twich, county of Chester; Pop. 350; An. As. Val. £2,013. The church is dedicated to St. Michael ; the living is a rectory in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester; K. B. £6 10s. ; patron, the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. An embankment of a quarter of a 41i 54 58 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. mile, and a cutting of about the same length (across which is a bridge), bring us to the 43 J post; nearly opposite 43f here, to the left, is the place at which it was proposed to commence the Manchester and Cheshire Junction Railway. From a short embankment which extends to the Coppenhall Sta- tion, a good view 7 of the country may be obtained ; it is here particularly rich, abounding with wood and luxuri- ant pasture. The CREWE STATION. Miles. 1st Class. 2d Class. F Xs^T.°.\^ an ;} 43 * 9s - 6d - 7s - 6d - From Birmingham 53| lis. 6d. 8s. Od. CREWE is a small township in the parsh of Barthornley, and hundred of Nantwich ; Pop. 295 ; An. As. Val. £1,993. From this station Nantwich lies 4 miles to the westward; Sandbach, 5; Congleton, 11; Macclesfield, 19 to the the eastward. (Line resumed page 63.) NANTWICH is a market-town and parish in the hundred of the same name, county of Chester, situated on each side of the Weaver, in a valley which contains some of the richest dairy- land in the kingdom; Pop., town and parish, 5,357, town, 4,886; An. As. Yal. £6,484. Market on Saturday ; Fairs, March 26, the 2nd GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 59 Tuesday in June, September 4th, and De- cember 4th, principally for cattle, sheep, pigs, and once a fortnight for horned cattle, from Candlemas to the fair in March. The principal occupation of the inhabitants is the manufacture of salt, shoes, and cotton; it has also a large trade in cheese. Nantwich, it would appear, existed in the time of the Britons, previous to the Roman Invasion, when it was called Halen Gwyn, or the White Salt Town. Its present name is undoubtedly from the British word nant, a brook or marsh, and the Saxon vie, or as commonly pronounced, ivich, a settlement, usual- ly applied to places in which salt is made; the words combined signifying a salt town in a low or marshy situation. This is the first place in which salt was manufactured in Britain ; hence the Romans named it Salinis; it is tolerably certain, however, that they obtained salt from the brine-springs only, as we find no mention of the salt-mines until the latter part of the seventeenth century. The inhabitants have the privilege of not serving on juries out of the town, or with strangers; this was confirmed in the reign of Elizabeth, but is of still more ancient date. The church, dedicated to St. Mary and St. Nicholas, is built in the form of a cross, with a semicircular choir, and a fine octagonal tower rising from the centre. This church contains a portion of the remains of Vale Royal Abbey, several of the stalls having been brought from thence at the period of the dissolution. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and 60 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. diocese of Chester; K. B. £27 3s. 4d. ; An. Val. P. R. £100. It is endowed with £1200 by private benefaction, the crown, and a par- liamentary grant; patron, Lord Crew. The town has many charitable institutions. The widow of the immortal Milton resided here several years before her death, and here died in 1 726. Nantwich is the only town in the county which, in the Civil Wars, uniformly adhered to the Parliamentary party. It suffered, however, severely, although it several times repelled the Royalist forces with great slaughter. The town was visited by the plague (1604), which carried off upwards of 500 persons, at that time probably more than half its inhabitants. SANDBACH is a market-town, parish, and township, in the hundred of North wich, county of Chester, situated on an eminence near the river Wheelock ; Pop., town and parish, 7,214, of town, 3,710; An. As. Val. £8,169. Market-day, Thurs- day ; fairs, on Easter Thursday, first Thursday after September 1 2, for cattle and horses. It was formerly celebrated for its malt liquor, and also for the manufacture of worsted yarn and stuffs for country wear, but its trade has much de- clined. The church is dedicated to St. Mary, and has a lofty steeple ; the living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester; K. B. £15 10s. 2Jd.; patron, Rev. J. Armistead. Here are places of worship for various denomi- nations of dissenters, and an endowed school. In the market-place were two crosses, orna- mented with a carved representation of the cm- GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 61 cifixion, and various images, but these are now removed. CONGLETON is a market-town and cha- pelry, in the parish of Astbury, and hundred of North wich, county of Chester; it is situated on the river Dean, near the borders of Staffordshire; Pop. 9,352; An. As. Val. £11,189. Market on Saturday ; fairs, Thursday before Shrovetide, May 12, July 5, November 22, for cattle and pedlars' ware. The principal manufactures are leather, cotton, silk, and ribbon. The church is dedicated to St. Peter ; the living is a curacy, subordinate to the rectory of Astbury, in the diocese of Chester; K. B. £41 15s. Od.; P. R. £140 ; it is endowed with £800 by private benefaction, the crown, and a parliamentary grant ; patrons, the Corporation of Congle- ton. The town is governed by a mayor and six aldermen : it is healthily situated, and the houses are neat and clean. Lime-stone of very excellent quality is obtained in its neighbour- hood. We cannot but record an instance of the singular taste of this town in days of yore. It would appear that, in 1622, they had so great a predilection for bear-baiting, that upon the town-bear dying, when the corporate funds were exceedingly low, the townsmen appropriated the funds which had been saved for the purchase of a new Bible, to the purchase of a new Bear 1 — and it is yet a bye-word in the mouths of the enemies of the good people of Congleton, that u they prefer their Bear to their Bible." MACCLESFIELD is a market and cor- 62 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. porate town, borough (by the Reform Bill), and a parish in the hundred of Macclesfield, county of Chester; it is situated on an eminence at the border of the forest to which it gives name, the river Bollin, or Jordan, running through the town. Pop. of the hundred, 123,429, of the town, 23,129; An. As. Val. £30,305. Its silk manufactures are very extensive ; that of cotton has also been successfully introduced. Here are also manufactures of rope, nails, brass, and iron; and the vicinity abounds with coal, slate, and stone. The Macclesfield Canal runs to the eastward of the town. The elements of wealth are here prodigally lavished, and the rapid increase of trade evinces that the inha- bitants estimate their advantages. The town has four churches, two of them perpetual cura- cies in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, endowed with £2,000 by private benefaction and a Parliamentary grant, viz. All Saints, K. B. £50; P. R. £122; patrons, the mayor and corporation, with the sanction of the Bishop of Chester; and Christ Church, not in charge, P. R. £150; patron, Wm. Roe, Esq. Another church, dedicated to St. Michael, founded by Edward I. in 1279, was nearly rebuilt in 1740. It is a spacious Gothic edifice, with a lofty spire; it has attached to it a sepulchral chapel, and in it are many ancient monuments; it has also a modern painted window, which cost £500. The New Church, erected by William Roe, Esquire, in 1775, is endowed with £100 a-year by its founder. There are also places of worship for GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 63 various classes of Dissenters, and one Catholic- chapel. The government of the town is vested in a mayor and 24 aldermen, four of whom, including the mayor, are justices, elected annually by the freemen. It sends two members to Par- liament ; the electors are householders of £10 and upwards, and are about 1,100 in number. The mayor is the returning officer. There are several charities and public buildings worthy of the attention of the visitor ; and the records of the town furnish much curious historical information. From Birmingliaiii. 63| From L'pool & Manch'r. From hence there is, within a little more than five miles, a succession of four excavations, and as many embankments, varying from a quarter of a mile to a mile in length, on which ground the railroad goes under 9 bridges, and over 1 . We have stated them together, as doing so in detail would weary the reader. There is nothing further worthy of remark until we arrive at the 44 \ mile-post, when we have a view of the woods in Lord Crew's 52f | domain. At the 44J post, a little to the south-east, and about a mile from the railroad, is Crewe Hall. This is a fine specimen of the singular style which prevailed at the commencement of the 18th century ; it is a quadrangu- lar building of considerable dimensions, principally built of red brick ; the cornices and door-cases being of stone ; the large bay windows in the front, and the open 43J 44J 64 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. worked battlements, add much to the bold appearance of this elegant structure. Crewe Hall is well worthy of a visit from the tourist, as, independent of the gene- ral effect, its details are very interesting. The southern entrance opens to an ancient staircase of singular structure and great beauty ; its principal dining-room is a noble apartment, highly ornamented ; the drawing-room, portrait gallery, and private chapel, are well worthy of notice; in the latter is a fine painting of the Last Supper, and two very ancient specimens of stained glass. The grounds in the vicinity of the house are very extensive, presenting a fine undulating surface, the effect of which is much heightened by an extensive lake. The mansion is sur- rounded with thick woods, abounding with game ; the private gardens are en- closed by a ring fence of lofty trees, and are of such dimensions that their shadow does not impede vegetation. The Hall is not however much occupied by its noble owner, as the walks, overrun with the rank luxuriance of the woods and gar- dens, amply testify ; the reason whereof, popular tradition has not failed to ally with the marvellous. Thus sayeth the peasantry, the truth whereof this depo- nent voucheth not — " The late Lord Crewe, it would appear, was addicted to the noble vice of netting, and laid so GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 65 Birmingham. Prom L'pool & Mancli'r. enormous a sum on a race between two grubs, that on losing it, this estate was obliged to be mortgaged for the payment; on his death, the present noble occupant did, with filial chivalry, allow the re- maining portion of the debt to be paid out of the estate, which has hitherto caused him to live in comparative seclu- sion, without such an establishment as this pre-eminently English mansion would appear to demand." Basford Hall is to the right; its glory has departed, and it is now no more than the residence of an English yeoman. To the left is a farm house, of Eliza- bethan appearance; proprietor, Mr. Garnet. A little to the north formerly stood Chorlton Hall : the cottage, which is evidently an appendage there- to, was formerly fortified, and is to this day called the Moat House. We are now approaching the borders of Staffordshire, which are but half a mile to the left, and continue about that distance for the next two miles, when we enter that county. From this spot, looking to the left, is another scene worthy of the pencil of a Claude — hill and valley, wood and village, covering a county, the surface of which is only surpassed in riches by the mineral trea- sures contained in its bosom. To the 66 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. right Cheshire presents, as it were, a rival scene : her gently swelling hills bound an amphitheatre of rich pasture ; and the noble woods of Doddington Park scarcely conceal the princely structure they encompass. This noble work of art must now draw our attention from the interesting works of nature, which the sister county is presenting to our view. 49 J About a mile to the right is Dodding- ton Hall, the seat of Lieutenant Gene- ral J. D. Broughton ; it is situated in an extensive park, whose venerable oaks and ancient avenue add much to the appearance of the modern mansion : this was erected from designs by Wyatt, towards the close of the last century. A short distance from the mansion are the remains of a fortified house, said to have been erected by Sir John Delves, in the reign of Edward the Third (1364). Near this was formerly a splendid mansion of Elizabethan origin, the recollection of which is preserved, though scarcely a vestige remains, by its having been twice occupied by the Parliamentarian forces during the civil wars. To the ancient fortalice, above referred to, has been attached an outer hall and staircase, and in this are pre- served the only relics of the Eliza- bethan mansion ; viz. five statues of GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 67- From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. Lord Audley and his esquires, which formerly ornamented the ancient erec- tion. About 100 yards past this, looking 48| to the left, a panoramic view of a por- tion of Staffordshire is obtained, which has all the appearance of a vast wood. Proceeding forward on the embankment, the country opens, and presents a scene of perfect enchantment. Betley Hall, the seat of William Toilet, Esq., is seen in the distance, amid park-like grounds. Betley Court, the residence of — Twemlow, Esq., is immediately before you ; and Betley Mere, a fine piece of water, adds much to the beauty of the domain, though unconnected there- with. The village of Betley is a little more to the south; it may be distin- guished by the spire of its church, which is a prominent object in the landscape. Ravenshall is still more southward ; and in the distance, crown- ing the hills, are the extensive woods of Grafton and Wrine Hill, the resort of foxes innumerable. The end of this Embankment, which is perhaps 30 feet high, brings us to the 49 post : it is fol- lowed by a short but deep excavation. A similar embankment, and another cutting of 300 yards in length, over which is one bridge, introduce us to the Madeley Embankment, one of the 68 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. heaviest on the line, being three quarters of a mile in length, and, in some places, from forty to fifty feet above the fields below. In crossing it the railway passes over two bridges. Proceeding along this great work, we enter the county of Staffordshire. The eye is attracted to the right by a group of houses, in front of which is a large piece of water; the most prominent is Mr. Twemlow's mill. The red brick building surrounded with trees is Wrine Hall, now a farm house, occupied by Mr. Timmis, but formerly the family seat of the Egertons : a great portion of the original mansion has been removed ; it formerly covered the whole of the pre- sent garden. 471 The Madeley Excavation here com- 50 mences; it is between forty and fifty feet high, and, with the exception of an embankment across a deep dell in Grafton wood, of about 50 yards in width, it is a mile and a half in length. The Railroad proceeds under two bridges through Grafton Wood, the trees of which have a singular appearance, at the great height above you. This country used to be hunted by hounds, kept at Betley ; but the extent of the woods, and the close approximation of the covers would, we should think, ever prevent much sport : it would be a gallant fox indeed, GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 69 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. that would leave the security these ex- tensive woods afford. 1 00 yards past this post is the MADEIaEY STATION. Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester 51§ . 7s. 6d. From Birmingham 45f . 7s. Od. MADELEY is a parish in the hundred of Puchell, county of Stafford ; Pop. 1,190, chiefly agriculturists; An. As. Val. £7,273. The church, dedicated to All Saints, is a commodious struc- ture, and has a square embattled tower. The living is a dis- vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry ; K. B. £4 16s.; P. R. £94; endowed with £600, in equal sums, by a parliamentary grant, the crown, and private benefactions; patron, Lord Crew. Here is an endowed school for boys and girls. From this station Newcastle is 5 miles, Betley 3, Potteries 7, eastward ; Woore 2§ west- ward. (Line resumed page 77.) NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYNE, or LFME, is a borough and market town in the hundred of Pirehill and county of Stafford, having separate jurisdiction, and pleasantly situated on the river Trent. Pop. 8,192 ; An. As. Val. £12,609. Its principal market is held on Mondays, and there is a small one on Saturdays. Fairs on Shrove Monday, Easter Monday, Whitmonday, Monday before July 15, Monday after September 11, and November 6, for cattle. It derived its name 70 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. from a castle, built by Edmund, earl of Lancaster, after Chesterton Castle had fallen into decay ; and it received the addition of Lyme from its proximity to the forest of Lyme, which formerly extended nearly to the town. The principal trade of the town is the manufacture of hats, clothing, silk, and cotton-throwing, and in the neighbourhood stoneware is made in prodigious quantities, as much as £100,000 worth of it having been exported in one year. The coal trade is also carried on to a very considerable extent. The Grand Trunk Canal passing through the town greatly facilitates its trade. The town was incor- porated by Henry the First, and afterwards by Elizabeth, which charter was confirmed by Charles the Second; it is governed by a mayor, two bailiffs, and twenty-four common-council men. It has sent two members to Parliament ever since the 27th of Edward the Third. The Reform Act confirms the privilege, but extends the suffrage to £10 householders; the constituency are about 360 in number. This town had formerly four churches, three of which were destroyed in the barons' wars. The present very ancient church has a lofty square tower ; it is dedicated to St. Saviour. The living is a rectory, in the arch- deaconry of Stafford, and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry (not in charge) ; patrons, the Society for purchasing Livings. The town has meeting houses for various classes of Dissenters, a Catholic chapel, a free grammar school, a national, and several other endowed schools, and twenty alms- houses for twenty poor widows ; the latter were GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 71 built and endowed by the Marquis of Stafford and Lord Grenville. This town has had no slight influence on the destinies of the country, in giving birth to two of the most staunch sup- porters of the regicide Cromwell; viz., John Goodwin, whose powerful talents and pen were always at his service ; and Major General Har- rison, who contributed much to his military pro- gress. The town is said to have had a singular mode of taming a shrew ; we only mention it from a thorough persuasion that there is not such a being in existence, and that, at the present time, it would be considered a lusus naturae ; it would, however, appear that such did exist in days of yore, for here the remedy has often been practised, which is as follows : — " A bridle was placed in the scold's mouth, she was then led through the town, and exposed to public shame in the market- place, until a promise of amendment was ex- tracted." Newcastle gives the title of Duke to the noble family of Clinton. (For Races, see Index.) BETLEY, a parish in the hundred of Pire- hill, county of Stafford ; Pop. 870, principally agricultural; An. As. Val. £2,804; it formerly had a market, but it has been discontinued, and the produce of the neighbourhood is sent to New- castle. It has still an annual fair on the 31st of July. The church is dedicated to St. Margaret. The living is a perpetual curacy, not in charge, in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lich- field and Coventry, endowed with £1,200, be- 72 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. stowed by private benefaction and royal bounty ; P.R. £101 9s. 6d. ; patron, George Toilet, Esq. About a mile from the town are the remains of Healy Castle. POTTERIES. The populous and interest- ing district, known under this general designation, is in the hundred of Pirehill and county of Staf- ford, 7 miles eastward of the Railroad. It extends 10 miles in length and a mile and a half in breadth, and comprises the borough and market- town of Stoke-upon-Trent, and the several town- ships and villages of Hanley, Shelton, Etruria, Burslem with Long-port and Brown-hills, Lane- end with Longton, Tunstal, Lane Delph, Fen- ton, Cobridge, and their neighbourhoods. The country abounds with coal and clay, which, with its canal intercourse, extending to all parts of the country, make it the most eligible and most pros- perous seat of the manufactures for which it has so long been distinguished. We shall give a short account of each of the interesting places of which "The Potteries" is composed. Stoke-upon-Trent is a parish, market-town, and borough (by the Reform Bill) ; Population, 37,220, having more than doubled since 1801, when it was but 16,414. Market day, Saturday; annual fair, first Monday in August. An. As. Val. £59,553. It is situated, as its name implies, on the River Trent, and the Trent and Mersey Canal passes through it. The parish, including a district of 1 7 square miles, contains nine town- ships, four chapelries, and one liberty. It had formerly a very ancient church, dedicated to St. GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 73 Peter : it has, however, given place to a modern structure, erected in 1826, partly by subscription among the inhabitants of the town, and the work- men of the Potteries, and partially by a parochial rate. The monument, which was originally erected in the old church, to the memory of the highly respected and enterprising Josiah Wedgwood, in 1795, has been removed to the new church. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; K. B. £41 Os. lOd. ; patrons, the dean and chapter of Lichfield. The town contains many china manufactories, wharfs, and warehouses, and is considered the parish town of the Potteries. The New Boundary Act (an appendix to the Reform Bill) somewhat curtails the extent of the parish, which was origi- nally of much greater extent. The Reform Bill created this town a borough, and William Foster Copeland, Esq., alderman of London, and one of the largest china manufacturers in England, in conjunction with John Davenport, Esq., of West- wood Hall, now represent it in Parliament. The constituents are householders of £10 and upwards, and are about 1,500 in number. This was the first place in which a steam engine was erected for grinding calcined flint. There are places of wor- ship in the town for various sects of dissenters, and a commodious school, in which about 500 children are educated upon the national plan. Hanley is a market town and chapelry, in the parish of Stoke, about two miles from Newcastle ; Pop. 7121. Markets, Wednesday and Saturday. H 74 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. A large market for cattle is also held four times a year. The chapel is a handsome and commo- dious structure, erected in 1788, and is remarkable for its tower, which is 100 feet in height. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, endowed with £1,100 private benefaction, £1,000 by the Crown, and £200 by a parliamentary grant; patrons, the trustees. There are also places of worship for various denominations of Dissenters, a Roman Catholic chapel ; and a Na- tional School, supported by subscription, in which 500 children are educated. The Grand Trunk Canal flows near the town, and such is the quantity of earthenware exported, that there is a company established for the express purpose of carrying that article. The town contains a Mechanics' Institution, and an excellent Dis- pensary. Shelton is a township and chapelry, 2 miles E.N.E. of Newcastle : Pop. 9,267. The Trent and Mersey Canal passes through the village and much facilitates its trade. There are upwards of thirty manufactories in the town, which employ upwards of three thousand of its inhabitants. The village is well paved, and lighted with gas. In it is a British and Foreign School, in which 600 children are instructed, Sunday schools, belonging to the establishment and to dissenters, and a Mechanics' Institution. The living is a curacy, in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, not in charge ; patron, the rector of Stoke-upon-Trent. There (BRAND JUNCTION LINE. 75 are also places of worship for various denomina- tions of Dissenters. In this township are the potteries, and the villa of Etruria, erected by the celebrated Josiah Wedgwood, and so named from Mr. Wedge- wood's ingenious imitation of the Etruscan Vases. The villa is remarkable for the beauty of its situa- tion and the classical arrangement of its architec- tural details. Elijah Fen ton, the poet, was born in this village ; the house in which he lived is still existing. (For Races, see Index, Potteries.) Burslem is a market-town and parish, situated 3 miles from Newcastle, on a gentle eminence near the Trent and Mersey Canal; Pop. 12,714; An. As. Val. £22,208. Market days, Monday and Saturday. Fairs, February 24, April 14, June 28, October 13, December, 26 for cattle and horses. The ancient Church, dedicated to St. Peter, is a brick edifice, with a massive square tower. The living is a curacy, in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry ; K. B. £22. 9s. 6d. A District Church has been erected, to the building of which the Parliamentary Commissioners contributed £8,000, the curacy of which is subordinate to the original living. Here are also places of worship for various denomina- tions of dissenters, a Catholic Chapel ; a hand- some Town Hall, or Market House, in which are an elegant News Room, and the Offices of Police ; a Free Grammar School; and several Sunday Schools. It is also remarkable as being the origi- nal seat of the Staffordshire Potteries : by far the major part of its inhabitants are at present occu- 76 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. pied in this branch of manufacture, which is now perhaps not inferior to china itself. Josiah Wedge- wood here cut the first clod of the Trent and Mersey Canal, a work which has been of such infinite importance to the district. Longport and Bbownhills are portions of the parish of Burslem, and their population is included in the Burslem return. Lane-end and Longton, a market town, and a hamlet, forming together an extensive town- ship, 4 miles from Newcastle ; Population, 9,608. Market days, Wednesday and Saturday ; fairs, Feb. 14, May 20, July 23, Nov. 1. The church was built in 1764, rebuilt in 1795, and enlarged in 1828; it is a chapel-of-ease to Stoke-upon- Trent ; the living is a perpetual curacy in the gift of trustees. A new church is building under the direction of the Parliamentary Commission- ers ; there are also places of worship for me- thodists, independents, baptists, and Roman Catholics, and there are two Free Schools. This most prosperous town has risen into opulence within a comparatively few years. Tunstan, or Tunstan Court, a market town and liberty in the parish of Walstanton ; it is situated on an eminence four miles N. by E. from Newcastle ; market on Saturdays ; Population, 3673, chiefly employed in the manufacture of bricks, tiles, and porcelain, and in its neighbour- ohod are fine veins of coal, clay, and iron ore. The Grand Trunk Canal passes within half a mile of the town, and the great double Tunnel, which runs for two miles under Hare Castle GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 77 Hill is in the vicinity. The Church was erected partially by a grant from the Parliamentary Com- missioners, and partly by subscriptions among the inhabitants ; the right of presentation to the living is vested in the perpetual curate of Wolstanton. There are three Wesleyan Chapels in the town, also a neat Court and Market House. Lane Delph, Fenton, and Cobridge are small hamlets, but contain some extensive pottery works, which employ a considerable population ; this, however, is included in the townships to which they belong. WO ORE is a small township in the parish of Mucklestone, hundred of Bradford, and county of Salop ; Population, 400, principally agricultural. The living is a curacy, subordinate to the rectory of Mucklestone; K.B. £18, P. R. £27; patron, the Rector of Mucklestone. There is an annuity attached to this township of £15, by which thirty poor children are educated — we should think " the shoolmaster must be abroad" with such a task and such emolument. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. 45 45 The cutting at Madeley is followed by a short embankment and excavation, which brings us to the 52^ post; the succeeding embankment is one mile in length, and carries us, with the aid of one bridge, across a portion of Whit- more Moss. The view is here bounded by hills on each side ; those to the right are in many places so rugged as to create the impression that you have sud- 5\i 78 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. denly been transported to the Highlands of Scotland, and that you are vegetating among the grouse. We have now attained a short level 53| of about half a mile; we then descend an inclined plane of 13^ mites in length, varying from I in 390 to 1 in 650, which ends at the 65| post. On the right hand, near this post, is a goodly farm- house, rejoicing in the euphonious title of Bog Hall ; the resident is Mr. Jones. A deep cutting, two miles in length, and crossed by two bridges, is next entered ; the mossy character of the ground con- tinues for about a mile ; the remainder of the cutting is through earth and spongy rock. Just before the post marked 54^ is the WHITMORE STATION. Miles. 1st Class. 2d Class. From Liverpool and Manchester.. 54£ lis. 6d. 8s. Od. From Birmingham 43 9s. Od. 6s. 6d. WHITMORE, a parish in the north divi- sion of the hundred of Pirehill, in the county of Stafford; Pop. 281. The annual value of real property assessed in 1815 was £2,433. The living is a curacy, subordinate to Stoke-upon- Trent, in the archdeaconry of Stafford, and dio- cese of Lichfield and Coventry, not in charge. (Line continued p. 82.) From this station Newcastle is 5 miles, Lane- end 9, Trentham 5, and Leek 16 eastward; Market Dravton is 10 miles westward. GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 79 For Newcastle, see page 69. For Lane-End, see page 76. TRENTHAM is a parish and township in the hundred of Pirehill and county of Stafford. Pop., parish, 2,344; An. As. Val. £11,909; Pop., town, 631, principally employed in the manufacture of bricks and tiles, the most of which are of a dark blue colour. The Trent and Mersey Canal passes through the parish. The church is a very ancient structure, dedicated to St. Mary ; the living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Stafford, and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, endowed with £1,400 by parlia- mentary grant and the Crown ; K. B. £14; P. R. £113 9s. 2d. ; the patronage is vested in the Duke of Sutherland, who takes the title of V T iscount Trentham from this place. About the end of the 10th century, Ethelred here erected a nunnery, of which he appointed his sister the abbess. In the reign of Henry I., about a century after- wards, it was converted into a priory of Augus- tine Canons ; no vestige now remains of the esta- blishment. LEEK is a market-town and parish in the northern division of Totmonslow, situated on an eminence near the Churnet, a branch of the river Trent, in the moor -lands of Staffordshire ; Pop. town and parish, 10,780, town, 873, principally occupied in the manufacture of silk and cotton ; An. As. Val. £4,958. Market on Wednesday ; fairs, February 7, Easter Wednesday, May 18, Whit Wednesday, July 3 and 28, Wednesday after October 10, for cattle of all sorts, and ped- 80 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. lars* ware; Wednesday before old Candlemas, and November 13, for cattle and pedlars' ware. A branch of the Trent and Mersey Canal passes near the town. The church, dedicated to St. Edward, is an ancient Gothic structure, with a square tower; K. B. £7 Is. 9|d., endowed with £1,000 by the Crown, private benefaction, and Parliamentary grant.. In the church-yard is a curious pyramidal cross, decorated with fretwork and various imagery ; antiquarians state that it is of Danish origin. Here are places of worship for various denominations of Dissenters, and one belonging to the Society of Friends; a free endowed Grammar School ; Almshouses for eight widows, endowed by Mrs. Ashe; several Sunday Schools, one of which has from 1,000 to 1,500 regular attendants ; and a Savings Bank. The hills in the neighbourhood (some of which have a very remarkable appearance, and present certain indications of volcanic origin,) abound with coal, and in many places are deeply impregnated with lead strata ; from this portion of them issues a sa- line spring, which forms a chemical experiment by the addition of gauls, which immediately turns it as black as ink. A curious phenomena is seen in this neighbourhood at certain seasons of the year — which is, that the sun sets twice in the same evening ; this is caused by the intervention of one of those remarkable hills above alluded to; for, after it has sunk, or apparently set behind the summit of the mountain, it again appears on its northern side, when it will of course at even-tide exhibit its usual disappearance below the horizon. GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 81 MARKET DRAYTON, is a small market town and parish, partly in the hundred of Brad- ford-north, in the county of Salop, and partly in the in the hundred of Pirehill ; Pop. 4,619, principally employed in the manufacture of paper, and hair- cloth for seating ; An. As. Val. £16,777 Market on Wednesday ; fairs, Wednesday before Palm Sunday, September 19, October 24, for horned and other cattle, horses, and hempen and woollen cloth. Though now but a small township, it was formerly a British city of considerable dimen- sions, known under the name of Caer Draithon. B lore-heath, two miles from here, was the scene of an obstinately contested battle between the Yorkists, under the command of the Earl of Salisbury, and the Lancasterians, under Lord Audley ; the forces of the latter were nearly double those of the former, who, however, de- feated them with great slaughter, and in this case exhibited more than the usual talent of the com- manders of those times, having gained the victory entirely by his superior generalship. The business of this once prosperous town, has of late years sensibly fallen off, the opening of the Grand Trunk Canal having, it is supposed, diverted the tide of its prosperity, and enabled other towns to rival it with success. The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a very ancient edifice, and dates its origin from the early part of the 12th century ; the living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Salop, and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; K. B. £12 10s. 7d.; P. R. £130; patron, R. Corbet, Esq. In the 82 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. town are places of worship for various classes of Dissenters, a free endowed Grammar School ; a School conducted on the national plan ; several bequests for clothing the poor; and an appren- ticeship fund. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manchester. This excavation now becomes very 55 deep, and is in some places between 50 and 60 feet below the fields. Swinnerton Park, the seat of Mr. Charbut, lord of the manor, is to the left ; the grounds are said to be seven miles in circumference. A pack of hounds is, we believe, kept there. About two miles more to the left or eastward, is Trentham, the magnifi- cent seat of the Duke of Sutherland ; this mansion is built on the plan of the late Buckingham-house (now the Queen's palace) ; the grounds are very extensive, and highly ornamented with hill and valley, wood and water ; the latter is abundantly supplied by the river Trent, which, in its course through the grounds, has been converted into arti- ficial lakes. A handsome, but some- what heavy family mausoleum, has been erected on the east side of the road, near the grounds ; this seat, being situ- ated in a valley, at the foot of four high hills, cannot be seen from the Railroad, particularly as this part of the Line is is in a deep cutting ; but the stranger, GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 83 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. in search of information, is not the less de- sirous of knowing that such a place is so near the line, nor will the foreigner, who may be contemplating a Railroad in his own country and neighbourhood, receive information with less gout, (as to the extent of occupation in a country through which a railroad passes, and by which it must in some measure be directly or indirectly supported,) because he cannot prove its correctness with his eyes. To the right, is Maer Hall ; and, a little further on, the township of Maer, The parish and township contains a po- pulation of 505, chiefly rural ; An. As. Val. £2,548 ; living, a curacy, in the archdeaconry of Stafford, and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; C. V. £20 6s. 8d. This is an ancient place; for we read that in 705 a great battle be- tween the Mercians and Northumbrians was here fought. An embankment of one mile in length here commences; it has one bridge over the Railroad, and two under. To the right is Hill Chorl- ton (pop. 135) ; a little further, on the left, opposite 55|, is Shelton Farm, occupied 55f by Mr. Dimmock ; Mr. Beat's mill, and the village of Stapleford, are on the right. Chapel Chorlton (pop. 251; An. As. Val. £2,301) cannot be seen, but its scite is pointed out by the steeple of 84 GRAND JUNCTIOiN LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. its church, which forms a conspicuous object just surmounting the hill. A little to the south-west of this village is a fine quarry, from which much of the stone for the bridges and works on this part of the line was obtained. 41 \ A little more to the westward is Ashley, a parish and hamlet, in the northern division of the hundred of Pirehill, county of Stafford ; Pop. 825, chiefly rural; An. As. Val. £3,206. The church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and contains some very fine specimens of monumental sculp- ture : among others is a wall figure, in memory of William Kennesley, Esq., of Clough Hall, one of Chantry's hap- piest efforts. We have noticed this hamlet for the purpose of directing the attention of the artist and virtuoso to the sculpture, and particularly to this work, which is well worthy of their attention. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Wilts and diocese of Salisbury: K. B. £9 16s. 5*d. patron, we believe, J. L. Anwill, Esq. 40j| Here, an excavation of little more than 56| half a mile, across which is a bridge, brings us to one of the largest embank- ments on the line ; it is four miles in extent, and carries the Railroad across two bridges and under four. 40 J Hatton Mill is to our left ; the village 57 36J 59 59| GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 85 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'j". from which it is named is three quarters of a mile more to the eastward. 38| To the left, 200 yards before this, is Standon Cottage, the residence of Mrs. Lunt. Just through the bridge, on the right, is Standon, a small parish and township, bounded on the north by the river Sow. Pop. 420; An. As. Val. £4,194. To the eastward is Swinnerton Hall, the seat of T. Fitzherbert, Esq. ; to the left is Mill Meese. The river Sow runs near the Railroad for about twelve miles, when, turning off to the eastward, it falls into the Trent. The country from this spot is well worthy of attention, presenting a fine prospect, and being well wooded. We now proceed for some distance without anything particularly worthy of attention; a little past the 61 mile-post, we arrive at the end of this long embank- ment, which is followed by an alternate succession of ten embankments and ex- cavations, averaging from one quarter to three-quarters of a mile in length, but not of sufficient importance to require a separate notice ; in travelling these four miles, we pass under six, and over six bridges. Here is Hames Farm, occupied by Mr. Robertson, and, a little past the 62| mile-post, we arrive at the i 61 36 61* 86 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r . NORTON BRIDGE STATION". Miles. 2d Class. From Liverpool and Manchester 62§ . 9s. 6d. From Birmingham 34f . 5s. Od. From here Eccleshall is 2 J miles west; Stone 3, and Cheadle 14 eastward. NORTON is a small township in the parish of Chebsey, and south division of the hundred of Pirehill ; Pop. by re- turn of 1821, 44; return of 1831, 37; An. As. Val. £J,543. This is one of the few places in which the population has decreased. (Line continued p. 89.) ECCLESHALL, a market town, parish, and township in the north division of the hundred of Pirehill, county of Stafford, pleasantly situated on one of the rivulets that flow into the river Sow; Pop., town 1,285, town and parish 4,471, essen- tially agricultural. Market on Friday ; fairs, Thursday before Mid Lent Thursday, Holy Thurs- day, Aug. 16, and first Friday in November, for cattle, sheep, and horses. An. As. Val. 23,454. The church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is an ancient structure, in the early English style of architecture, but principally remarkable as the place in which Queen Margaret took sanctuary when she fled from Mucklestone after Lord Aud- ley's disgraceful defeat by the Marquis of Salis- bury. The living is a discharged vicarage, and a peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield ; value K. B. £7 14s. 4d., P. E. £97 12s.; endowed with £1,300 by the Crown, private benefaction, and Parliamentary grant. Patron, GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 87 the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. Here is also a chapel for Independents, a grammar school, supported by rates, and a school on the national plan, supported by subscriptions. The castle of Eccleshall, which is the palace of the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, traces its origin to a very early period, the first mention of it is in the reign of John, who " empowered Bishop Mus- champ to embattle the castle and make a park;" this mention proves the existence of the edifice at an earlier period. In 1310 it was in a very dilapidated state and was then rebuilt. Little more than three centuries sufficed, to reduce it once more to a state of decay, not, however, unassisted by man, for we learn that the castle was besieged by the Parliamentary forces, and, after being severely battered, the garrison sur- rendered. In 1695 Bishop Lloyd restored it, and ever since it has been the principal residence of the Bishops of Lichfield and Coventry. STONE is a market town and parish in the southern division of the hundred of Pirehill, county of Stafford, on the banks of the river Trent ; Pop. 7,808; An. As. Val. £31,756. Market, Tues- day; fairs, Tuesday after Mid Lent, Shrove Tuesday, Whit Wednesday, August 5, and Sep- tember 25, for cattle. A vast quantity of shoes are made in this town ; it has also a patent roller pump manufactory, and several mills for grinding flints : the Grand Trunk Canal has added much to the prosperity of the town. The church, de- dicated to St. Michael, is a modern structure, with a low square tower, in the style of early English architecture. The altar-piece is a fine 88 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. painting' by Sir William Beecbey — St. Michael binding Satan. The living is a curacy in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, C. V. £4 13s. Endowed vvitb £200 by the Crown, and £13 per annum by private benefaction. Patron, the Lord Chancellor. The reputed origin of the town is curious. Wolferus, king of Mercia, embraced Christianity after the death of his father, but relapsed to paganism ; in which religion he educated his two sons, who, however, were converted, and became disciples of St. Chad, a zealous Christian ecclesiastic, Bishop of Lich- field, (afterwards canonized), which so incensed the king that he put them to death. The Saxons, as usual, formed a caern, by heaping stones over the bodies of the two princes, in commemoration of the dreadful act. Wolferus, after some time, was reconverted to Christianity, when he founded a monastery to expiate his crime ; and his queen, Ermilda, the mother of the murdered princes, erected a nunnery over their tomb ; a town gradually arose in the neighbourhood, which, in commemoration of the event, was called Stone ; the female votaries were some time after removed, from the nunnery, which was then con- verted into a priory, by filling it with canons from Kenilworth Abbey. Stone was the birth-place of the celebrated Earl St. Vincent, and his remains were interred in its church-yard. CHEADLE is a small market town and parish in the south division of the hundred of Totmonslow, county of Stafford, pleasantly situ- GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 89 ated in a beautiful and romantic valley, sur- rounded by wooded hills. Pop. 4,119; An. As. Val. £1,348. Market on Friday; fairs, January 1, March 25, Holy Thursday, for horned cattle; August 18, August 24; for horses and horned cattle. Here is a large tape manufactory. From the proximity of the coal mines, the town has many manufactories of brass, copper, and tin ; among others, a brass wire and copper roller manufac- tory, which is well worth attention : proprietors, Messrs. Patten and Co. The church, dedicated to St. Giles, is an ancient structure, in the decorated style of English architecture, with a square em- battled tower. The living is a rectory in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; K. B. £12 9s. 2d.; Patron, Trinity College, Cambridge. It has also a chapel of ease (the living of which is in the gift of the rector), several places of worship for dissenters, a Roman Catholic chapel, a free school, endowed by a Mr. Stubbs, and one upon the national plan. Since the opening of the Grand Trunk Canal, the commercial importance of this town has consider- ably increased. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. 34 There is nothing that can excite the inquiry of the traveller until we arrive at the 63rd mile post, when the river Sow is again seen approaching the railroad, and, by its quiet, silvery, slow meander- ing, contrasted with the rapidity of the carriages, forcibly reminds us of the singular change which a few years have 62j 63 63J 64J 90 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. made in onr powers of migration. In the landscape, however, a railroad is not so pleasing an object as the stream ; and there are some who believe that for the conveyance of heavy merchandize, the question is still to be answered — will it ever be so economical a means of trans- port as a canal ? To the left is the village of Shallow- ford. Here the Sow flows under the rail- way (this river affords excellent sport to the angler) and accompanies the railroad in its immediate vicinity to Stratford. About 20 yards before this post is a large building, the machinery of which is set in motion by the current of the Sow ; it is Mr. Milner's silk factory, which gives employment to many of the poor in the neighbourhood. Here to the left is the village of Bridge- ford, and a quarter of a mile further is the BRIDGEFORD STATION. Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester 64§ . 9s. 6d. From Birmingham 32§ . 4s. 6d From the 66th mile post the railroad has a rise of 1 in 2,105 ; this continues for about two miles and three quarters, which will take us half a mile beyond Stafford, in proceeding to which place, we pass under four bridges and over one, through three excavations of a Mh GRAND JUNCTION LINE- 91 From Birmingham. From I/pool & Manch'r. quarter of a mile each, or rather more, over one embankment of the same length, and another across Seighford meadows of two miles ; we have, how- ever, some objects to notice on our way. Sandon Hall, the beautiful seat of the 65 Earl of Harrowby, lies about five miles to the right of this post (or westward). This noble mansion is erected on the . site of an ancient fortified house, on the declivity of a considerable hill, from which an extensive and rich prospect is obtained. The erection is of stone, which was obtained from a quarry near the spot. In the grounds is an elegant Obelisk, erected to the memory of Wil Ham Pitt. The remains of strong walls are traceable, and the moat which for- merly surrounded it is still to be seen. Sampson Eardwick, the celebrated Staffordshire antiquary, was born in the ancient edifice. He died in 1603, and there is a handsome monument erected to his memory in Sandon Church. To the right is Seighford Hall, Francis Eld, Esq.; this gentle- man keeps a pack of otter hounds, which occasionally have excellent sport. The embankment is here across the Seighford meadows, in which are abun- dance of snipes; occasionally herons also may be found. The river Sow has for some time been on the left of the ' 92 GRAND JUNCTION LTNE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. Railroad; a little further on it passes under a handsome iron bridge, with stone piers, and pursues a similar course on the right. To the left is C res well Hall, a large white house with nume- rous offices ; it is the residence of the Rev. T. Whitley. On the right, about a mile and a half . distant the towers of Stafford Castle may be plainly seen emerging from the trees. The site of this castle has been occupied as a fortalice from the time of William, who appointed Robert de Toeni (the progenitor of the present house of Stafford) governor ; it was afterwards rebuilt in the time of Ed- ward the Third, by Ralph de Stafford, and in the civil war was garrisoned by the Royalists under the Earl of North- ampton, who perished in a sharp skir- mish on Hop ton Heath. After his death the castle was taken by the Parliamentarians, and eventually demo- lished. Sir William Jerningham under- built the walls of the ruin, to prevent their falling; since then Sir George restored the existing portion of it (one front flanked by two round towers), about half a century since ; and it now has a very imposing appearance, as seen from the Railroad. The road still continues through these marshy fields, and, though the embank- ' GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 93 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. ment is so slight, the engineer had considerable trouble in its completion ; a vast quantity of earth having been used before a solid superstructure could be formed. At the 68J post is the STAFFORD STATION. Miles. 1st CI. 2dCl. Fr che^rT oland M ? n ;} 68 i i4s -° d - ios -° d - From Birmingham 29 5s. 6d. 4s. Od. From this station Newport is twelve miles westward, Uttoxeter 14, Sandon 5, Rugeley 9, Lichfield 1 7, eastward. (Line continued p. 102.J STAFFORD, a borough, market town, and parish, in the south division of the hundred of Pirehill and county of Stafford, it is situated on the north bank of the river Sow, three miles from its junction with the Trent; Pop. 6,998, An. As. Val. £5,780. The principal trade of the town consists in making boots and shoes, tanning leather, and, to a certain extent, cutlery and cabinet work ; the two former are, however, its most prominent objects of trade. Market on Saturday ; fairs, Tuesday before Shrove Tuesday, April 3, May 7 and 14, for horses and cattle ; Saturday before St. Peter and June 29, for wool; September 16, 17, 18, for cattle and horses ; October 2, for colts ; December 4, for cattle and pigs. The corporation of the town consists of a mayor, ten aldermen, ten principal burgesses, a recorder, town clerk, sergeants-at- 94 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. mace, and several subordinate officers. The town sends two members to Parliament; the mayor is the returning- officer. It has two churches — St. Mary's, formerly collegiate, a cru- ciform structure, in the early English style of architecture, with a lofty octagonal tower, and St. Chad's, a small edifice, principally in the Norman style of architecture, with a tower in the later English style. The living of St. Mary's is a rectory, with the perpetual curacy of St. Chad's, in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry ; the former not in charge, (patron, the Lord Chancellor), the latter C. V. £7 10s., P. R. £49; patron, one of the prebendaries of Lichfield Cathedral. Here are places of worship for various denomi- nations of dissenters, and a Catholic chapel. The principal trade of the place is the tanning of leather, the making of boots and shoes (for which it has long been remarkable), malt, cabi- net work, and cutlery. The grammar school of this town is of very ancient origin ; it was, how- ever, re founded by Edward VI. in 1550, who much increased its revenues. The present in- come is from £350 to £400 per annum. The school is open to the sons of any person belong- ing to the town ; the masters are in the appoint- ment of the corporation, i The charities are numerous: among others is the Institution for the Relief of Widows and Orphans of Cler- gymen of the County of Stafford, which is liberally supported by annual subscriptions, and has also an endowment of £2,400, South Sea An- GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 95 nuities. The Hospital is a commodious buildings with every requisite such an establishment can require ; it has about £3,000 in the funds, and has a liberal list of annual contributors. Medical students, who attend this institution regularly, have the same professional advantages as those derived from the London hospitals. The Luna- tic Asylum is a building on a large scale, and, with the grounds, gardens, &c, covers 30 acres, and Almshouses for 12 aged persons. The Coun- ty Hall is the finest piece of architecture in the town ; in it is an armoury, containing 1,000 stand of arms for the Staffordshire militia. The County Goal is also a fine building; but we have not room for further details — we trust sufficient has been given to assure the stranger that the town is worth a visit. We must, however, notice, that the hotels are numerous and highly respect- able ; but if our reader should happen to be an an old bachelor, or a man who has seen the world, and who prefers a good table and snug quar- ters to show and exhibition, we would verily recommend our old friend Morris, at the Vine Inn, in Vine-street, pledging our own particular experience that he will no where find a better bed, a better bottle, or better board, than at this antiquated-looking hostelrie, the very appear- ance of which bears the significant expression of comfort, which expression is never eradicated by the appearance of a bill with extortionate charges, for here every thing is as reasonable as good things can be. Stafford gives the title of Baron to the family 96 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. of Jerningham, and of Marquis to that of Gower. (For Races, see Index.) NEWPORT, a market town and parish in the hundred of Bradford, county of Salop, situated near the Roman Watling Street, on the borders of Staffordshire; Pop. 2,745, An. As. Val. £4,396. This town possesses no manufacture of import- ance. Malting is, however, carried on to a con- siderable extent; mines of coal and iron and several corn mills are in its neighbourhood, and are the basis of the little business attached to the town. The market is held on Saturday; fairs, J st Tuesday in February, Saturday before Palm Sunday, May 28, July 27, for horned cattle, horses, and sheep ; September 25, for cattle, sheep, and hogs; and December 10, for fat cattle — when the 10th falls on a Sunday, the market is held on Saturday. The church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is in the early English style of architecture, with some little modern innovation. The living is a curacy in the arch- deaconry of Salop and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, not in charge ; patron, the Lord Chancellor. In the time of Henry VI. the church was made collegiate for a warden and four lay chaplains, by Thomas Draper, a rich citizen of London. There are chapels for vari- ous denominations of dissenters, and one for Roman Catholics. The corporation consists of a high and deputy steward, two bailiffs, and twenty-five burgesses. Here is a richly endowed free school, a school on the national plan, some almshouses, and a market hall. GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 97 UTTOXETER, a market town and parish, in the south division of the hundred of Totmon- slow and county of Stafford, occupies a lofty situation near the river Dove ; Pop. 4,864, An. As. Val. £24,257. Market on Wednesday, prin- cipally for corn ; fairs, Tuesday before Old Can- dlemas, Thursday in Easter week, May 6, June 3, July 4 and 31, for horned cattle and sheep ; September 1, 19, November 1 1 and 27, for colts and horned cattle. The town depends chiefly upon the influx of persons attending its excellent mar- kets. It has, however, a good trade in clock cases, malt, corn, cheese ; a great many bricks are made in the neighbourhood, in w 7 hich also there are a number of forges. The Grand Trunk Canal, which passes near one end of the town, very much assists the export of bricks. The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, has been rebuilt in the Gothic style, with the exception of the ancient tower and beautiful and lofty spire, which is 150 feet high. The living is a dis- vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry ; K. B. £7 Is. 8d. Patrons, the dean and canons of Windsor. Here are also places of worship for various dissenters and the society of friends, a Free Grammar-school for 15 boys, a National School, supported by subscription, Almshouses for twelve poor people, and an Apprentice Fund of £60 per annum. The town has a fine stone Bridge, over the Dove, and a handsome Market Place. This was the birth-place of Admiral Gardner, who successfully opposed Home Tooke K 98 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. in the representation of Westminster. It is said, that the gallant admiral was more fright- ened at Tooke's wit, satire, and eloquence, than he would have been at a shower of cannon balls from the enemy. SANDON, a parish in the south division of the hundred of Pirehill, county of Stafford. Pop. 558, chiefly rural. An. As. Val. £5,170. The Church, dedicated to All Saints, contains an elegant monument to the geologist, Sampson Eardwick, who died in 1603. The living is a dis-rectory, in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; K. B. £7 10s. Patron, the Earl of Harrowby. The Grand Trunk Canal passes here, parallel with the Trent. RUGELEY, a market-town and parish, in the east division of the hundred of Cuttlestone, county of Stafford, pleasantly situated on the main road between Stafford and Lichfield, near the south bank of the River Trent, over which which the Grand Trunk Canal is carried by a noble Aqueduct. Pop. 3,165; An. As. Val. £6,383. The chief trade of the place is in iron, brass, tin-plates, hats ; there are also some chemical works attached to the town, for the manufacture of white lead and verdigrease. The Grand Trunk Canal passes the town, giving it the benefit of this great inland naviga- tion. The Church, dedicated to St. Augustine, has been rebuilt, with the exception of the tower and chancel of the ancient church, which still remain. The stone was given by the Marquis GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 99 of Anglesea, who is lord of the manor. The living is a discharged vicarage, and a peculiar of the dean and chapter of Lichfield; K. B. £5 2s. It is endowed with £400 by the Crown and private benefactions. Patrons, the dean and chapter of Lichfield. Here is a Free Grammar School, endowed by Walter Wolsley with estates which now produce £320 per annum, in which the children of the parish may receive a classical or commercial education, at the option of their parents, an endowed School on the national plan, and Almshouses for four aged women. (For Races, see Index.) LICHFIELD is a city and county of itself, with separate jurisdiction, but within the northern division of the hundred of Offlow, county Stafford, pleasantly situated in the midst of a fertile valley, and surrounded by gently swelling hills, on the banks of a stream which falls into the Trent. Pop. 6,499. It is principally dependent on its local trade. Its neighbourhood, however, produces abundance of vegetables, with which it supplies the popu- lous district which surrounds it. Its breed of cattle is also of a very superior kind, and is in great demand. The Wyrley and Essington Canal passes near the city. Markets, Tuesday and Friday. Fairs, Jan. 10, Shrove Tuesday, and Ash Wednesday, for iron, cheese, bacon, and cattle; May 12, for sheep and cattle; first Tuesday in November, for geese and cheese. Some have derived its name from the term Lichfield, signifying the field of the dead, up- 100 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. wards of a thousand Christians having perished here in the Dioclesian persecution : others maintain that the name is descriptive of its situation, which was formerly in a marshy ground, and assert it is derived from the word lick, signifying a morass. These disputes are, however, of little importance to our purpose, which is much more interested in the present than in its past state. It is a corporate city, and received its first charter from Edward the Sixth, which was confirmed, with additional privi- leges, by Mary. In 1553 it was constituted a county. Queen Elizabeth and James the First ratified these charters; and, in 1664, the charter under which its corporation exists was granted by Charles the Second ; for though James the Second, during his short but arbitrary career, demanded and received the surrender of its ancient charter (1686), yet, within two years afterwards, he was forced to issue a proclamation restoring its ancient privileges. The Corporation consists of two bailiffs, and twenty-four brethren, who are empowered to elect a recorder, high steward, and sheriff. The bailiffs are elected from the council, one being appointed by that body, and one by the bishop. The city sends two mem- bers to Parliament. The number of electors is about 700 ; the sheriff is the returning officer. The ecclesiastical officers of Lichfield Cathedral consist of a bishop, dean, precentor, chancellor, treasurer, four archdeacons, viz., Coventry, Derby, Salop, Stafford, twenty-seven prebenda- ries, five priests, vicars, seven lay clerks, and GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 101 eight choristers. Its revenues are stated in K. B. at £559 17s. 3Jd; those of the dean and chapter at £275 13s. 4d. The Cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is a most mag- nificent structure, in the decorated Gothic style of architecture; its western front is a most majestic specimen of the pointed order. The interior of this edifice is remarkable for its many admirable specimens of sculpture, among which are the busts of Dr. Johnson (who was born in this city), and David Garrick; but the most exquisite specimen of the perfection at which this art has arrived is the monument erected to the memory of the two infant children of Mrs. Robinson ; the classic elegance of the design is well worthy of the taste, beauty, and finish of the execution. The infatuated bigots who composed the portion of the army that besieged Lichfield in the civil wars, committed the most scandalous excesses in this majestic pile, defacing its monuments and breaking the exquisite tracery which once ornamented it, the groined roof of the nave being almost the only portion of the building that escaped injury. The livings are all peculiar, in the patronage of the dean and chapter of Lich- field. St. Mary's, a dis-vicarage, K. B. £10; St. Chad's, a curacy, not in charge, P. R. £89 10s; St. Michael's, a curacy, not in charge, P. R. £91 12s. Here are also places of worship for various denominations of dissenters, and a Catholic Chapel. The charities in this city are very numerous and important, among which are 102 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. a Free Grammar-school, founded by Queen Elizabeth, several schools on the national plan, a Dispensary, Almshouses, an Hospital for men and women, Newton's Charity for twenty females not under fifty years of age, and relicts or daughters of clergymen of the Establishment; an appointment to this confers a neat residence and fifty pounds per year. There are other bequests for the benefit of the poor, which amount to about £1,000 per annum. The principal buildings are the Cathedral, before mentioned, the Guildhall, Market House, and Theatre, respecting which latter we must mention, it was the first in which Mrs. Siddons appeared after her marriage. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. 29 The embankment, which commences 68J immediately after we pass through the next bridge, is for some time very slight, but from here to the 68% post is the portion of the line which gave the engineer most trouble. Many days were employed in throwing in ballast, but without any visible effect. It was ultimately made firm by placing a layer of trees, brushwood, &e. upon which ballast was placed; until it gradually sunk to a substance sufficiently solid to stop it. Upon a subsequent in- spection of this foundation, it was found that the platform was bent in the form of a curve, from the pressure above acting on the spongy- surface GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 103 Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. below; it is, however, now perfectly solid. Four miles to the left is Ingestrie 68^ Hall, the seat of Earl Talbot. This venerable mansion has been in this family since the time of Edward the Third, and though it has undergone ex- tensive alterations, still retains the style of architecture denominated Elizabeth- an. It is situated on the acclivity of a hill, and is surrounded by extensive and well wooded grounds; these are ornamented with noble walks, which are sometimes seen skirting the woods, and at others are lost in their deepening shades. The earldom was created in 1784, and conferred by George the Third upon John Chetwynd Talbot, by the title of Earl Talbot of Ingestrie. Immediately to the left is Haugh House, occupied, we believe, by the Rev. — Hill. To the right is Rowley House; W. Keen, Esq. was, and we believe still is, the proprietor. Just through the skew bridge, 300 yards before the 68f post, a singular phenomenon presented itself in the at- tempt to erect the embankment. Vast quantities of material disappeared at this spot, the men being employed six weeks in throwing in ballast. As it disappeared in the bog, the ground in the neighbouring field was observed to 104 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingliam. From L'pool & Manch'r. rise until, after a time, it exhibited the appearance of a huge fungus, of perhaps 200 yards circumference at the base. Perseverance did, however, overcome this difficulty, and I believe the bed of the Railroad is here as firm as any portion of the line, although the work- men almost despaired of it ; frequently, in the progress of the work, having finished an apparently firm and straight embankment at night, which in the morning had either totally disappeared or materially sunk. Here the rise of the Railroad is much increased, it being for the next mile and a half 1 in 656, thence continually ascending (with the exception of two short levels) until the steep is increased to 1 in 330, which continues to the 84th mile, a little beyond Wolverhampton. The traveller will find a decided alter- ation in the speed of the carriages when he arrives at the 76th mile post, which will not be increased until he passes through the tunnel, just before the 83 \ post beyond the Wolverhamp- ton station. The ground at the 83J mile post is the highest on the line, it being 440 feet above low water mark at Liverpool, 50 above the high ground at Whitmore, 80 above the railway station at Birmingham, and 380 above the lowest ground on the line, which is at GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 105 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. the post marked 17J miles from Liver- pool, just where the Sankey Canal turns off towards Runcorn Gap, the rails there being barely 50 feet above low water mark. 231 The embankment we are now on 2 extends for one mile and a half, and passes under two bridges ; it is succeed- ed by a slight excavation of a quarter of a mile, over which are two more bridges : this brings us to the com- mencement of another embankment, ey«i opposite the 70th post. The village of » 5 Rickersford is to the left. 2^2 About four miles to the left, or east- 4 ward, is Shugborough Park, the elegant seat of Lord Viscount Anson. The name of Anson is intimately associated with the naval glory of England ; and as the birth-place of that great com- mander and navigator, this spot receives an interest independent of that which it commands as an object of taste. This splendid mansion was consider- ably enlarged and ornamented some few years since ; the grounds and surround- ing scenery, however, attract the prin- cipal attention of the visitor — there nature and art combine to captivate the senses. The Trent and the Sow flow through grounds upon which science has exhausted her power in rendering beautiful; the Gothic architecture of the 70| 106 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. darker ages of superstition — that of the tawdry Chinese, and the classic temples of Greece; each has its specimen here — an appropriate arena for a contest of the arts. In 1761 Lord Anson brought the late Queen Charlotte (wife of George III.) to England ; this was his last act in the public service. 26| Here is a very extensive prospect of this beautiful county, studded with the seats of nobility and gentry. The Vale of Shugborough detains the eye as it wanders across a country abounding with every variety of beauty ; the silver Trent and meandering Sow water this fertile valley, and the Acton hills, rising in calm majesty, at a distance of many miles, bound the view. Two hundred yards further on we enter an excavation of a mile and a half in length, averag- ing from 10 to 15 feet in depth ; over this are three handsome bridges. On emerging from thence upon what I shall 25f call the Dunston embankment, as the township of Dunston lies a little to the left, we have an extensive pros- pect ; Cannock Chace being in the ex- treme distance, and in the intermediate space Teddesley Hall, the seat of Lord Atherton ; it is reputed to have as many windows as there are days in the year. Dunston is a township and chapelry in the parish of Penkridge^ county of 71* 2 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 107 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. Stafford. Pop. 272; An.As.Val. £1,624. The chapel, dedicated to St. Leonard, is a perpetual curacy within the juris- diction of the peculiar Court of Penk- ridge; the living is endowed with £1,200 by the Crown, and is in the patronage of Lord Atherton. Our principal ob- ject in referring to this village is, how- ever, to mention, that in a field, close by the chapel, there is an extraordinary y echo, which returns seven or eight syl- lables distinctly. 25 The Dunston Embankment is but three quarters of a mile in length; passing across this, and through an ex- cavation of one mile long (over which is a single bridge), we arrive at the Great Penkridge Embankment, which is upwards of a mile in length, and, for a considerable distance, from 30 to 40 feet above the surrounding fields. From this elevation a varied prospect is ob- 24 tained; opposite this post (73J), and just at the foot of Cannock Chase, Old Tiddesley Hall may be distinctly seen. Looking forward, the town of Penkridge has a picturesque appearance, lying far below the carriages ; the steeple of its church appearing at the distance scarce- ly to rise above them. Here, we arrive at the 73£ 108 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L 'pool & Manch'r. FCNERID61! STATION. Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester. .73§ lis. Od. From Birmingham 23J 3s. 6d. From this station Cannock is 5 miles to the eastward. (Line continued p. 109). PENKRIDGE is a market-town, parish, and township in the hundred of Cuttlestone, county of Stafford, situated on the river Penk ; pop. 2,991. It had a market, which is now discontinued ; its fairs are, April 30, for cattle, and first Monday in September, for saddle horses and colts, which is allowed to be one of the best in England. It has also a considerable trade in iron. The parish church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a large Gothic structure, with a square tower ; the living is a curacy, and a peculiar in the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry : C. V. £24; patron, E. J. Lyttleton, Esq. ; per- petual curate, Rev. Joseph Salt, whose residence is on the west side of the Railroad, from which access to the church is obtained by means of a small tunnel which passes under it. Here is a school in which 200 children are educated on the Madras system, the whole expense of which is defrayed by E. J. Lyttleton, Esq. ; there is also an endowed school for 12 boys and 8 girls. CANNOCK, a parish and township in the east division of the hundred of Cuttlestone ; pop. 3,116 ; An. As. Val. £4,167. The church, dedicated to St. Luke, is a Gothic structure ; the living is a curacy, and a peculiar of the GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 109 Dean and Chapter of Lichfield, not in charge ; P. R. £100; patron, the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield. In the neighbourhood is the cele- brated Cannock Chace, formerly a forest, on which are herds of wild deer, and immense quantities of game, the property of the Marquis of Anolesea. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. 23f 23J 23 About 50 yards past this station, is the 73§ mile-post; to the right hand is the Race-course (Races, see Index) ; a little further on, the Railway is borne across the river Penk, and a portion of the valley, by a viaduct of seven arches, each 30 feet span, and 37 feet high from the level of the river : there are three bridges in this embankment. To the left is Penkridge ; to the right is a house of considerable size, with an Italian roof; it is the residence of the Rev. J. Salt, incumbent of Penkridge Church. This has been much enlarged, and there is an on dit to the purport that it has been effected by the produce of a fine or recompence for the great injury inflicted on the Rev. Gentleman by the Railroad ; it having shut from his view the parish church, the scene of his labours. The embankment extends to within 100 yards of the 74| mile-post. Here, to the left, is a red house, surrounded 73* 73| ^h 110 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. by a brick wall ; it is the residence of Mr. Hazeldine. The excavation we now enter is of considerable depth ; it is about three quarters of a mile in length, and is crossed by three bridges. To the right is a large tank to supply the engines with water, should occasion require : it is not a station. The reader will have observed the admirable apparatus with which the watering Stations are sup- plied ; the pumps which are not at stations, are to supply the engines on emergencies, such as the water failing at a station, or loss on the road. A little past this post, the turnpike 75 road runs parallel with the Railway for three quarters of a mile : our readers will observe that a large earth-work conceals it from view, though an occa- sional glimpse of the top of a carriage or cart may be obtained : it ought not to be overlooked, that this has been erected by the Directors solely for the protection of the public, and to prevent accidents by horses being frightened by so close an approach of the railway images ; without any benefit to their works, and without any necessity for them to do so, as the Act of Parliament does not oblige them to erect such works. We mention this thus pointedly, GRAND JUNCTION LINE. Ill From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. because it exhibits a degree of consi- deration for, and liberality towards the public, that we seldom meet with in public companies ; it being unfortunately notorious, that so far from treating the public or individuals with liberality, public bodies are too frequently guilty of meannesses which the persons who constitute them would, individually, despise. An embankment, half a mile in length, brings us to the Spread Eagle Excavation, which is from 10 to 15 feet deep, nearly two miles long, and is crossed by five bridges. Shortly after entering it, we arrive at the SPREAD SAGLE STATION. Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester 76 . lis. 6d. From Birmingham 21 J . 3s. 0d. From here there is nothing to interest the reader, until we arrive at the 77 \ post, when we enter on the Standeford Embankment, the longest on the line ; it is, indeed, an extraordinary work. In many places it is from thirty to five and thirty feet above the level of the fields ; it is six miles in length, and car- ries the Railway over thirteen bridges, and under two : 76 77| 112 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'.r, THE FOUR ASHES STATION is a quarter of a mile from its com- mencement. Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester 77§ . 1 Is. 6d. From Birmingham 19| . 3s. Od. This station takes its name from a small hostelrie, situated on the Liver- pool road, about three hundred yards from the Railway, and which has pro- bably administered to the comforts of our forefathers for a century or two, at the sign of the Four Ashes. From this station B re wood is two miles to the westward. BREWOOD, a small market town and parish, in the hundred of Cuttle- stone, county of Stafford, pleasantly situated on the banks of the river Penk. Pop. 3,799; An. As. Val. £16,428. The principal trade is in malt. It had formerly a market, which has been dis- continued. Fairs, September 19, for horses and cattle. The Church, dedi- cated to St. Mary, is a spacious and handsome edifice. The living is a dis- vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Staf- ford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry ; K. B. £6 7s. 8d. ; patron, the dean of Lichfield. Here is an excellent Free School. 19§ Somerford Hall, the seat of the Ho- 7?2 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 113 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r . nourable E. Munkton, is to the right. The village of Standeford is a little further on. It is not mentioned in the population returns. Still more to the westward, about three miles distant, is Chillington Hall, the seat of T. W. Giffard, Esq., one of the few "fine old English gentlemen" that are to be met with in modern times. The hall is sur- rounded by magnificent grounds, in which is a large artificial lake. To Mr. Giffard, Wolverhampton is indebt- ed for the flourishing state of its races, and the consequent advantages to the town. To the left is Apsley Hall, now a farm house, occupied by Mr; Lovatt. From this high embankment an extensive view of the country is obtained. To the eastward the view is bounded, at several miles distant, by the high lands of Staffordshire; the intermediate country is like a vast gar- den, and presents the most happy combinations of wood and verdure. On the right, or westward, the prospect is equally striking, though more con- fined. The country is dotted with farm houses and villas, and the hills, rising in gentle undulations, complete a scene upon which the eye loves to 19 dwell. Here is another beautiful view 7 to the westward, which could not be j seen from the former site. m 174 17 114 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. The London road is now on the 78^ right, and, for near four miles, runs parallel with the Railway. We here cross the Stafford and Worcestershire Canal, by means of a handsome cast iron bridge. The village of Slade Heath is close to the right. This long embankment is here interrupted by a short excavation of about three hundred yards. Opposite here, on the left, is a large 80 house, embosomed in trees; it is Moseley Hall. Near to this post, on the right, is Mr. 80 1 Chamberlain's mill ; the mill-head is supplied by a small stream that flows under the embankment. To the right 80f is the village of Ford-houses. To the left is a small red house; it is the parish school of the Hamlet of Bush- bury, which is in a valley about a mile more to the south-east: the church may be plainly seen. One hundred and fifty yards before we arrive at the 8 If post, is Low Hill, g\2. the seat of Mr. Pountnoy; it is a large white house, pleasantly situated on the acclivity of a considerable eminence, backed by a thick wood, and has a commanding view of the county to the westward. Opposite here, to the westward, is Oxley Hall, the birthplace of the late ! 16 15 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 115 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. Mr. Huskisson ; and, a little further on, to the left is a neat Villa, occupied by Mr. Minnocks, surgeon ; at the end of his grounds, towards the south, is a dilapidated building ; lest any anti- quarian should be tempted to form a speculation thereon, we had better in- form our readers, that it was formerly devoted to the very useful purpose of grinding corn, though now it is very nigh useless. 14| From here the town of Wolver- 83 hampton may be seen to great advan- tage ; it appears what it is, a place of bustle, and full of commercial spirit. A quarter of a mile further we arrive at the •»• WOLVERHAMPTON STATION. Miles. 1st Class. 2d Class. ^taSTT?*,^}®* 19s - 0d - 13s - od - From Birmingham 14 2s. 6d. 3s. Od. From this station Wolverhampton is 1 mile, ShirTnall 14, and Bridgenorth 14 to the westward. (Line continued p. 121.) WOLVERHAMPTON, a market town, borough, and parish, in the north division of the hundred of Seisdon, county of Stafford. Pop. of parish 48,080, town 24,732; An. As. Val. £32,967. Market, Wednesday : fair, July 10 for cattle, and two following clays for all kinds 116 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. of goods. In this town there are four churches — St. Mary's and St. Peter's, formerly collegiate, is a spacious cruciform structure, with a hand- some tower rising from the centre. The font in this church is of great antiquity, and is most elaborately carved with figures, basses, flowers, and foliage. In the chancel are many curious and ancient monuments. In the church-yard is a column, twenty feet high, (supposed to be of Danish origin,) on which is a profusion of rude sculpture. The living of St. Mary and St. Peter is a perpetual curacy (not in charge), in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; P. R. £130; patron, the dean of Windsor. St. John's is a handsome edifice, in the Grecian style of architecture, with the absurd addition of a tower and lofty spire ; the interior is pleasingly arranged, and the altar is ornamented by a painting of the Descent from the Cross, by Barney, a native of the town. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the same diocese, &c. &c. as St. Mary's and St. Peter's (not in charge); P. R. £69; patron, the Earl of Stamford and Warrington. St. George's is a handsome structure, completed in 1827, under the Acts of Parliament for building new churches: St. Paul's is a perpetual curacy, and was erected at the expense of the present incumbent, who, with Mr. Dalton, is joint patron of the living. Here are also places of worship for a variety of denominations of Dissenters, for the Society of Friends, and for Roman Catholics. Here is a free Grammar School, founded and GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 117 endowed by Sir Steven Jenyns, Knt, a native of the town, and Mayor of London, Anno Do- mini 1508. It is liberally endowed to the amount of £1,200 ^ annum, and has from between 140 to 160 boys on its foundation. Among the eminent men educated in this school, are the late Mr. Abernethy, the very eccentric but talented physician, who certainly will never add much to the reputation of the town for polite- ness; and Sir William Congreve, the eminent engineer, who invented that most destructive missile the Congreve Rocket. Here is also a Blue-coat School, for the education of 36 boys, and 30 girls. Wolverhampton was created a borough by the Reform Bill, and now sends two members to Parliament; the High Constable is the returning officer. This town has a very large and important trade, particularly in every branch of ironmongery, tools, brass, and japan- ned wares, all of which are here brought to the greatest perfection. It has the benefit of a large and very regular inland navigation by means of the Stafford and Worcester, and the Wyrley and Essington Canals, upon which fly-boats proceed daily to London, Liverpool, and the various places between them which lie on their course. The town contains a Theatre, Subscription Library, and Assembly and Con- cert Room, and a Dispensary. We must not entirely overlook the early history of this impor- tant town. In 996, a college was here founded by Wulfruna, sister of King Edgar, and widow of Aldhelem, Duke of Northampton ; previous 118 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. to this the place had been called Hampton, but in honour of this act of liberality the name was changed to Wulfrunas-hampton ; it appears, however, more probable that at first this was only a local term, but gradually becoming general, it was, after a series of years, corrupted to the present cognomen, Wolverhampton. Nor must we entirely lose sight of the part it took in the Civil Wars: it early declared for the King, in 1645. It became the head-quarters of Prince Rupert, and was visited by King Charles in his retreat after the disastrous battle of Naseby, immediately after whioh it succumbed to the overwhelming power of Parliament. (Races, see Index.) SHIFFNAL, a market town and parish in the hundred of Brimshey, county of Salop, situated in a country abounding with coal and iron ore. Pop. 4,779 ; An. As. Val. £20,662. Market on Friday ; fairs, first Monday in April, August 5, for horned cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs; November 22, for the same. Its chief manufacture is of paper ; it, however, depends principally upon its situation and the custom of the gentry and farmers in its neighbourhood. The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is an ancient edifice ; the living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Salop and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry ; K. B. £15 6s. 8d., patron, Geo. Brook, Esq. Here is a free school, some be- quests for the benefit of the poor, and a savings bank; the Baptists, Independents, and Method- ists have chapels in the town. GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 119 BRIDGENORTH is a borough and mar- ket town, in the hundred of Slotterden and county of Salop. It is delightfully situated on both banks of the river Severn. Pop. 5,065, chiefly employed in the manufacture of cloth, stockings, carpet-making, and iron-melting, and steel tools; it has, however, a large business connected with the navigation of the Severn, to which it forms a sort of depot. Markets on Saturday; fairs, Thursday before Shrove-tide; May 1 ; June 30 ; August 2 ; and October 29, for horned cattle, horses, sheep, wool, linen, yarn, butter, and cheese. There are two churches in the town ; one, dedicated to St. Leonard, is a curacy, not in charge, and exempt from visita- tion; P. R. £83. The other, dedicated to St. Mary, is also a curacy, under the same circum- stances as the former; the livings are in the gift of Thomas Whimore, Esq., of Apley Park. The town has places of worship for various classes of Dissenters, a Free Grammar School for the sons of burgesses, and Almshouses for widows. The government of the town is vested in 2 Bailiffs, a Recorder, a Deputy Recorder, 24 Aldermen, 48 Common Councilmen, 2 Bridge Masters, a Town-clerk, ^ Serjeants-at-mace, and various subordinate officers. It has sent mem- bers to Parliament since the time of Edward the First, and the Reform Bill confirmed the pri- vilege; the electors are about 700 in number, and return two representatives; the Bailiff is the returning officer. The situation of the town has been said to resemble that of Jerusalem in 120 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. the olden time ; whether this exists in the ima- ginations of travellers, which is generally rather vivid, or whether a resemblance really exists, one thing is certain, that Jerusalem was not divided by a large navigable river, or it would not so long have withstood the assaults of the Romans. Bridgenorth is divided into the upper and lower town ; the higher town is built on a hill, which rises upwards of a hundred feet from the level of the Severn, and commands extensive and delightful prospects ; many of the houses are founded on the rock, and have their cellars excavated therein ; from this portion of the town to the bridge, there is a curious walk, hewn out of the rock, the descent by which is however rendered easy and safe by steps formed of pebbles, and secured by a frame-work of iron. Bridgenorth is said to owe its origin to Ethel- fleda, the heroic daughter of Alfred the Great. It was fortified in the time of Henry I., and became forfeited by its opposition to the Crown. In the time of the second Henry, it is memorable for an heroic act of self-devotion on the part of Sir Robert Sinclair, who intercepted an arrow aimed at the King, by interposing his own body. During the wars of the King and the Parliament (1646), it suffered severely; for, being taken by the forces of the latter, the Royalists, with that recklessness, wantonness, and cruelty which they so often exhibited, and so lamentably for the cause of the King, — set fire to the town, by which it was for the most part destroyed. The town had formerly a castle, GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 121 in which the Royalists stood a siege for three weeks after the town was taken : nothing now remains of it but a portion of the tower. i Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. The Allbrighton hounds did, and we believe do hunt this country ; but as the kennel is at Aqualate Hall (Sir Thomas Boughey's), Stafford is the best place to send a horse to, if you wish to meet them. Thus the railroad enables you, for a few shillings, to send your hunter fresh to the kennel, 60 or 70 miles off, in a few hours. Two hundred yards after leaving this station we pass into the great tunnel ; it is about 200 yards in length : the Wyrley and Essington Canal passes over it. Emerging from this cavernous looking passage, we enter the Wednes- fielcl Cutting. This is very near a mile in length, and in some places from 15 to 20 feet deep ; it is crossed by one bridge. A short distance from the tunnel, a coal vein was cut through, and the coals have been used as ballast for the railway. A curious sight will it be for a person from London, when he is aware, that, within a ride of five hours, this ballast would procure, per- haps, 30 or 40s. a ton.* At the 84th mile post, the line is * I refer to the time when the London and Birmingham Line is open. 122 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 13 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. level for about half a mile, and then commences a descent which carries us into Birmingham, the inclination vary- ing from 1 in 330 to 1 in 532. We now pass over an embankment three-quarters of a mile in length, crossed by one bridge, which is suc- ceeded by an excavation and an em- bankment of a quarter of a mile each. We then enter the great Willenhall cutting, which is, in many places, from 28 to 30 feet deep. This ground is crossed by six bridges, and the Railway passes over two. We must not, however, too far anticipate our journey. About 200 yards before we arrive at this post, is Mr. NevilPs works and resi- dence, and opposite them, to the right, is a machine for grinding heavy instru- ments, moved by steam power. Further, on the left, is Mr. Carpenter's manu- factory for patent locks, &c. &c. A little past the post, on the left, is the hamlet of Willenhall, and just past it, the WILLENHALL STATION. Miles. 2nd Class- From Liverpool and Manchester 85| . 1 3s. Od. From Birmingham 11J . 2s. Od. From this station Bilston is one mile and a half to the westward. (Line con- tinued p. 124.) WILLENHALL, is a parish and chapelry in the south division of the hundred of Offlow. 11^ 1 *4 85J GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 123 Pop. 5,834 ; An. As. Val. £5,508. It is said this place derives its name from the Saxon Win- chala, a word signifying victory ; this being the spot on which Edward the Elder defeated the Danes in a great battle. This place has been celebrated for the manufacture of iron ever since the time of Elizabeth, and it is still so for the making of locks, files, currycombs, gridirons, and every description of hardware for expor- tation. It has the advantage of inland carriage, by means of the Wyrley and Essington canal, which passes near it. The Church is dedicated to St. Giles ; the living is a curacy, in the archdeaconry of Stafford, and diocese of Lich- field and Coventry ; patron, the lord of the manor. The neighbourhood contains immense collieries and ironstone mines. BILSTON. A township and chapelry, in the parish of Wolverhampton, north division of the hundred of Seisdon, county of Stafford, one of the most extensive villages in England, situated a short distance from the north bank of the Birmingham Canal. Pop. 14,492; An. As. Val. £15,634. The town is situated on a rising ground, in the centre of a district abound- ing with rich mines of coal, firestone, clay ; with numerous steam-engines, forges, furnaces, &c, which give it the appearance of a vast forge by day, and a perfect pandemonium by night. With such a basis for its trade, the reader will not wonder at the population. Its extensive water carriage affords every facility of transport, which advantage the enterprising proprietors of 124 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. the various works avail themselves of to the ut- most extent. The town is celebrated for the manufacture of all sorts of iron, tin, enamelled and japanned ware, steam-engines, machinery, and, indeed, every article of the iron trade. The Chapel is dedicated to St. Leonard ; the living is a perpetual curacy, within the juris- diction of the Dean of Wolverhampton. It is endowed with £400 from the Crown, and the same amount from private benefaction. The presentation is in the gift of the householders of the parish, both male and female having a right to vote. In 1829 a church was erected here, dedicated to St. Mary. Part of the expense was defrayed by the Parliamentary Commis- sioners. There are places of worship for several classes of Dissenters, and a Blue Coat School for six boys. Near here a fire has been burn- ing in the earth for upwards of fifty years; it arises from a stratum of coal, 30 feet deep, and 4 thick, and it arose from the main strata having been cut from under it, which admits the air, and thus feeds the fire, which has defied every attempt which has been made to extinguish it. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. 1 1 1 There is nothing worthy of note until ,86 we have cleared this cutting. At the 86th post to the right we then have a view of the coal-pits, for which this part of the country is celebrious. The steam engine may be seen. To the left is Bentley Hall, in which King Charles the First was for some time GRAND JUNCTIOxN LINE. 125 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r, concealed after the battle of Worcester. The red brick building, a little further on, is Bentley Farm, Mr. Foster. An embankment of half a mile, on which is one bridge, brings us to the Darlaston Cutting, which is crossed by an aqueduct, supported by two arches and two bridges. This cutting is three quarters of a mile long, and from 10 to 15 feet deep. Darlaston Church is a conspicuous object, and may be here seen, on the right, to the south-west; and 150 yards further is JAMES'S BRIDGE STATION. Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester 87^ . 13s. 6d. From Birmingham 10 . Is. 6d. From this station Darlaston is three- quarters of a mile to the westward. DARLASTON. A parish in the south division of the hundred of Off- low, pleasantly situated on the banks of the Trent. Pop. 6,647 ; An. As. Val. £4,213. The Church, which is a brick building, is dedicated to St. Lawrence; K. B. £3 lis. 5±d. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Stafford, and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry. Patron, the Society for the Purchase of Advowsons. There are places of worship for various classes i of Dissenters, and a National School, 126 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. supporter! by subscription, in which upwards of 150 boys and 80 girls are educated. The neighbourhood abounds with coal and iron ; the principal ma- nufacture of the town is gun-locks, nails, hinges, and a variety of hard- ware. Near the town are the ruins of a castle, built by Wolferus, King of Mercia, who sacrificed his sons for scorning disciples of the Christian bishop, St. Chad. The ruins bear evi- dence of a very strong fortification. This embankment is crossed by two bridges, and carries the Railroad over one; at the (87| post), the hamlet of Wednesbury may be seen to the south- west. At the post the road passes over the above-mentioned bridge, which is constructed of cast iron, and has two arches. At this post we enter a small cutting ; to the right is a house ; it is Bescott Hall, occupied by Mr. Mar- shall ; and at 170 yards past the 88th post is 2nd Class. 13s. 6d. BE SCOT BRIDGE STATION 1 . Miles. From Liverpool and Manchester 88 From Birmingham 9J . Is. 6d. From this station Wednesbury is 1 , and Dudley 5 \ to the westward, and Walsall 1 mile to the eastward. (Line continued p. 133.) GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 127 WEDNESBURY is a market town and parish, in the south division of the hundred of Offlow, county of Stafford, situated near the river Tame. This place was called Weadesbury by the Saxons, from its having been a forest, in which was a temple to their god Woden. In 916 it was strongly fortified by Ethelfleda, who, it is probable, also built the castle which formerly stood here. Pop. 1,437 ; An. As. Val. £,7614. Market on Friday; fairs, May 6, Aug. 3, for cattle. The principal trade of the town consists in the manufacture of gun-locks, horse shoes, ironmongery, screws, nails, gas fittings, agricultural instruments, iron axletrees, stirrups, bits, &c. &c. In the vicinity of the town are collieries, yielding a superior species of coal, which is principally used for forges, for which it is admirably adapted, from the intense heat it supplies. Here also is found that peculiar ore called blond metal, used principally for the manufacture of axes, and other heavy instru- ments which require sharpness. The Birming- ham canal passes near, and gives it the advan- tage of an extensive water communication. The church, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, is an elegant structure, principally in the later style of English architecture ; it has a handsome tower, with a lofty spire, and, in the interior, has some very ancient monuments, and singular wooden seats. It is situated on a hill, and commands an extensive prospect. The living is a dis-vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Stafford, and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry. K. B. 128 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. £4 3s. 4d., in the patronage of the Crown. Here are also chapels for Methodists and In- dependents, almshouses, and a Lancasterian school, supported by voluntary subscriptions. The brutal amusement of bull-baiting is here carried on, in defiance of all authority. The passion of the people of Wednesbury for their bulls appears only second to that of the ancient inhabitants of Congleton for their bears. DUDLEY, a market town, parish, and borough, in the lower division of the hundred of Halfshire, county of Worcester. Pop. 23,043 ; An. As. Val. £20,833. Market on Saturday, fairs, May 8, for cattle, cheese, wool ; August 5 for lambs, and October 2 for horses, cattle, cheese, and wool. This place derives its name from Dudo, a Saxon prince, to whom it be- longed at the time of the Heptarchy. This prince built a castle here, in the year 700, which, during the war between Stephen and the Empress Matilda (1139), was garrisoned in her favour by Gervase Paganell. It was, how- ever, demolished in the reign of Henry the Second, and re-built in the reign of Henry the Third. In 1644 it stood a siege by the Parlia- mentary forces, against which it was success- fully defended by Colonel Beaumont. In the siege it was very much injured, but was never re- paired ; a fire occurred in 1750, which completed its demolition. The remains are interesting to the stranger; they are surrounded by woods, through which are excellent walks, affording a variety of views of these most picturesque ruins. GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 129 Under the hill on which the castle stands are vast subterranean caverns, hewn in the solid limestone, this having been, for years, a most excellent quarry, of no slight pecuniary impor- tance to its noble owner. Strangers have access to these caverns; but we recommend them to employ a guide, or they may take an unex- pected cold bath, by finding themselves im- mersed in a canal, which, for the transit of the stone, has been led into these gloomy regions, and communicates with the Birmingham and Worcester Canal. In these quarries are several chalybeate springs, and the fossil called the " Dudley Locust," not now particularly valu- able, as it is found here in great numbers, and variety of size. It is supposed to be a petrifac- tion of an extinct species of monoculus. From the castle is an extensive prospect, in which the remains of a monastery, formerly occupied by Cluriiac monks, and erected in the year 1161, by the aforesaid Gervase Paganell, and the spire of St. Thomas's Church, form interesting objects. A handsome building, in the immediate neigh- bourhood of the monastic ruins, is called the Priory. It is the residence of the Earl of Dud- ley's mining agent. In this district are exten- sive collieries, and iron and limestone mines. The country around is very beautiful ; and a short distance, at Hales Owen, is " The Leas- owes," the elegant seat of the poet Shenstone. It is to be regretted that the public are not now admitted to view these delightful grounds, which bear so many recollections of the beautiful 130 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. spirit of their former proprietor ; though we fear the cause is to be found in the accursed spirit which generally pervades Englishmen, inducing them to record their visits; injuring monuments, trees, and buildings, by inscribing their names thereon in ineffaceable characters. This barbarism no man will allow to be perpe- trated in his grounds, while he has the power of prevention ; thus the man of taste is ex- cluded by the rudeness of these Vandals, The manufacture of nails, chains, chain-cables, every description of hardware, and glass, form the staple trade of the town. Here are two Churches : the one dedicated to St. Thomas was rebuilt in 1819, in the later style of Eng- lish architecture, with a lofty spire, at an expense of £23,000. Of this sum, £7,600 was collected by subscription, including the munificent gift of the Earl of Dudley, viz., £2,000; the rest was raised by a rate. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Worcester; K. B. £7 18s. 6Jd; patron, the Earl of Dudley. The Church of St. Edmund is used as a chapel of ease to St. Thomas, the parishes having been united. There are chapels for various denomi- nations of Dissenters, and for the Society of Friends. This borough had the privilege of sending two members to Parliament, in the reign of Edward. The inhabitants, at a subse- quent time, it does not appear from what cause, petitioned for the abolition of the privilege, which petition was granted, and they remained unrepresented until the Reform Bill gave them GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 131 the right of returning one member. The electors are householders of from £10 upwards ; of these there are about 800. The returning officer is appointed by the Sheriff of the county. Dudley possesses many charitable institu- tions, among which are three endowed charity schools ; one for clothing and educating 50 boys, one for clothing and educating 40 girls, and the Blue Coat School, w 7 hich is, we believe, under the management of the Unitarians. Here is also a Free Grammar School, endowed to the amount of between £300 and £400 per annum. The celebrated James Baxter lived here for some time. Dudley confers the title of Earl on the family of Ward. WALSALL is a market town, parish, and borough, in the south division of the hundred of Offlow, county of Stafford. Pop. 15,066; An. As. Val. £6,692. Markets on Tuesday ; fairs, Feb. 24, Whit Tuesday, and Tuesday before Michaelmas Day, chiefly for horses, cattle, and cheese. The derivation of the name is evidently from the word Waleshall and Walshale, from its situation having been near a Druidical forest, in which the Saxons afterwards erected a temple to Woden. Queen Elizabeth visited the town of " Walshale" as did Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles the First. The for- mer, however, visited as a patron ; the latter to await the event of the first battle between the people and their sovereign — the former on the 13th of June, a harbinger of prosperity, antici- pating summer ; the other on the 23rd of October, 132 GRAND JUNCTION LINE, a harbinger of devastation, and war, and civil disunion. The season of these visits might have been supposed an omen of their results. These are the only events of historical interest con- nected with the place. The principal trade of this town is the manufacture of saddles, iron- mongery, buckles, every description of hardware, plated ware, and a variety of small chain. Limestone is found in great abundance in its vicinity, and a considerable trade is carried on in malt. The old Birmingham, and the Wyrley and Essington Canals, confer on this town an abundant water conveyance to all parts of the country. The inhabitants of this town are ex- empted from toll all over England, and from serving on juries out of their own limits. There is a curious custom here, that of throwing apples and nuts from the Town Hall, on St. Clement's day, to be scrambled for by the populace. This borough returns one member to Parlia- ment. This privilege was conferred by the Reform Bill. The electors are householders, of £10 per annum and upwards. There are about 800. The Mayor is the returning officer. The Corporation consists of a mayor, re- corder, 24 burgesses, town clerk, 2 sergeants- at-mace, and subordinate officers. There are two Churches in the town. That dedicated to St. Matthew was an ancient cruciform structure. In 1821 it was taken down, with the exception of the tower and chancel, and rebuilt at an expense of £20,000. It is now in the later style of English architecture. The living is a vicarage, GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 133 in the archdeaconry of Stafford, and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; K. B. £10 19s. 7d. ; patron, the Earl of Bradford. That of St. Paul's is in the Grecian style of architecture, and was erected by the Governors of the Free Grammar School, who obtained an Act of Parliament to allow them to devote a portion of their funds to this purpose ; patrons, the Governors of the Grammar School. There are chapels for various denominations of dissenters. Walsall has more than an ordinary share of charitable institutions, but our limits have been already so far tres- passed on, that we can only particularise a few. The free Grammar School, richly endowed, an English school, supported from the same funds, a Blue Coat School, several Sunday Schools, Almshouses, and very numerous benefactions. From Birmingham. ; From L'pool & Manch'r 9 The buildings with a high chimney '88 J are Mr. Thel wall's iron-plate works, called, we believe, Wednesbury Forge. Walsall can be seen to the left, a little to the south-east. The embankment on which we are now travelling is one mile and a half in lengthy it is crossed byj two bridges, and carries the rails over 8| one. At this post we enter the Tame 89J Hill Cutting, which is in some places upwards of twenty feet below the level of the fields : in this, one bridge crosses the line. 7 1 One hundred and fifty yards fur- 90 ther, on the right, is Chorley Mount, N 134 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. the residence of Mr. Aldford. The river Tame runs for some distance pa- rallel with the line, and in its graceful evolutions twice passes under this em- bankment, which is one mile in length. In this river is a great abundance of fish ; they may be taken by fly or bottom fishing. The Railway is carried across the Tame by two bridges, each of Ifive arches, and it passes under one bridge and over another near the 90f post, and here is the NEWTON ROAD STATION. Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester 90| . 14s. Od. From Birmingham 6§ . Is. Od. From this station Westbromwich is 2 miles to the westward. WESTBROMWICH is a parish in the southern division of the hundred of Offlow, county of Stafford ; Pop. 15,327; An. As. Val. £13,245. The inhabitants are principally employed in the manufacture of iron and hardware. The parish is crossed by the Birming- ham Canal and the river Tame, and it contains mines of coal and iron-stone, which employ a large proportion of its population. The church, dedicated to St. Clement, is endowed by the Crown with £200, and by a parliamentary grant with £2,800. The living is a perpetual curacy in the archdeaconry GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 135 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. of Stafford and Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; C. V. £22 ; patron, the Earl of Dartmouth. Opposite here, to the south-west, is 91 Sandwell Hall and Park, the beautiful seat of the Earl of Dartmouth. The mansion is an elegant erection, and is situated in a romantic valley, with a noble lawn, tastefully laid out in front, and backed by deep woods. We are now fast approaching the Newton Hill Cutting ; it is the deepest on the line, being upwards of 70 feet below the level of the fields, and half a mile in length. Here to the right is Hampstead Hall, the residence, we believe, of Wm.Wal- lis, Esq. The grounds are beautifully laid out, and present as great a variety of scenery as such a space could pro- duce : the woods are rich, and the grounds formed in easy undulations. A little further on is a white cottage — we believe, Claremont Villa. At this post the embankment over 92 1 which we have been travelling for the last half-mile ends. We now pass two excavations and embankments, over which are two bridges, and under them one, of two arches ; these bring us to Perry Bar Station, but ere we arrive there we must notice that the grounds of Perry Hall, the seat of J. Gough, 92 92 136 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. 1| Esq., are to our left, near the 93rd post, 93 that the white house to the right is the residence of Mr. Rawlins, of Birming- ham, — the red brick building a little further on is Lea Hall, occupied by Wm. Spencer, Esq., and that a little more to the westward is So ho, the ex- tensive manufactory of the late Messrs. Boulton and Watt, and the magnificent mansion and grounds of the late Mat- thew Boulton, Esq. We must now direct attention to PERRY BAR STATION. Miles. 2nd Class. From Liverpool and Manchester 94 . 14s. Od. From Birmingham 3J . Is. Od. From this station Handsworth is one mile to the westward. HANDSWORTH is a parish in the south division of the hundred of Offlow, county of Stafford, 2\ miles from Birmingham, and pleasantly situ- ated on the banks of the river Tame. Pop., with Soho, 4,944 ; An. As. Val. £16,874. The principal trade of the parish is in Birmingham wares, steam engines, and other iron-work. Here is the extensive manufactory of the late Messrs. Bolton and Watt, which is perhaps one of the handsomest build- ings of the kind in England. The church, dedicated to St. Mary the Vir- GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 137 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. gin, is an ancient Gothic structure, with a tower rising from the centre. It a I few years since received an addition of 450 sittings, of which 250 are free ; the Parliamentary Commissioners con- tributed £500 to this enlargement. In the church are two elegant monuments to the memory of Mr. Bolton and Mr. Watt, whose fame rests not on sculp- tured monuments but in the usefulness of their lives, and in the benefits their intellectual ardour has conferred upon mankind. As long as science is dear, as long as the steam-engine exhibits its gigantic powers to an admiring world, so long will their names be in the mouths and minds of mankind. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Staf- ford and diocese of Lichfield and Co- ventry ; K. B. £13 9s. 2d.; patron, Wyrley Birch, Esq. We have lately crossed the river Tame — this river has some very supe- rior fishing stations, which (not to in- terrupt the progress of our narrative) we shall here mention. From the above place to Aston it may be fished with great advantage, and at the Aston Ta- vern is a most excellent pool. From Aston up to the mill, and in some pools above the mill, superior sport may usually be obtained. Opposite or about the 95 post is a small island, which is 34 138 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool and Manch'r. well known as a spot, on which if sport is not obtained, the fault will lie at the butt end of the rod — not in the river. An excavation of one quarter of a mile, over which are two bridges, brings us to the Great Aston Embankment, which is one mile and three quarters in length, in some places between thirty and ^ve and thirty feet from the fields below. It passes over two bridges and one viaduct of eight arches, under which flows the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal ; this work is one hundred yards in length, and between nine and ten wide. Proceeding a short distance on this embankment, we enter the county of Warwick, and shortly after cross the Tame. Near the 94f post, to the right, is a mill, the machinery of which is worked by the flow of the river Tame, to which this little erection gives a picturesque effect. After leaving the mill, the stream flows at the base of the embankment and parallel with it for nearly a quarter of a mile ; its serpentine evolutions through the meadows on the left may then be traced for a considerable dis- tance. Near the 95| post the village of Aston may be distinguished by the very hand- some tower and spire of its church, which is in the later style of English architecture. 9i ^2 13 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 139 From Birmingham . Fram L'pool & Manch'r. | Aston is a parish in the Birming- ham division of the hundred of Hem- lin^ford, county of Warwick. Pop. 32,118; An. As. Val. 53,142, chiefly inhabited by artisans employed in or for the neighbouring manufactories. There is a church and two chapels in the parish; the former is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul ; the living is a vicarage in the archdeaconry of Coven- try and diocese of Lichfield and Coven- try; K. B. £21 4s. 9±d. The church contains some curious tombs and effigies. About 200 yards past this post, to the 95j right, is Aston Hall and Park, the seat of James Watt, Esq. This beautiful and stately fabric is best seen a little further on, by looking up along avenue of trees. It was erected at the commence- ment of the seventeenth century, by Sir Thomas Holt, one of the staunchest ad- herents of Charles the First, who was i here entertained for two nights, about jsix days previous to the battle of Edgehill, the first in which the troops i of the King and the Parliament met — disastrous to both, but to neither advan- tageous. Some time afterwards the Parliamentarian troops inflicted their vengeance upon Sir Thomas, by firing at and plundering his house ; the effects of several cannon-shot are visible in the interior of the building, 140 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. About 150 yards from the viaduct, a fine view of Aston Hall may be obtained. H Just past here we arrive at the before- 95| mentioned viaduct ; from this the end of the Aston Embankment is quickly obtained. Birmingham is in sight, bear- ing evidence, by its appearance, of the prodigious works which it contains. Two excavations and an embankment, of a quarter of a mile each, in the pro- gress through which the Railway passes over two and under four bridges, bring us to the Company's Station at Vaux- hall, near the 96| post. Here the pas- 96| sengers alight for the present, and proceed to Birmingham in coaches, omnibuses, or cars, as may suit their inclination. The Railroad, however, proceeds past it, upon a high embank- ment, connected with the large Bir- mingham Viaduct, which carries it across the valley and the river Rea, by means of twenty-eight arches of thirty-one feet span, and twenty-eight feet above the level of Lawley-street ; the 97 mile- post is about the centre of this bridge; 97 a quarter of a mile further will be the permanent station, at the bottom of Curson-street, where also is the station of the London and Birmingham Line. Having conducted our readers to this great manufacturing town, we shall just take a glance of the works upon the GRAND JUNCTION LINE. 141 From Birmingham. From L'pool & Manch'r. ' Line, to enable them more correctly to I estimate the greatness of the under- | taking. The reader who has accompanied us in our journey will, perhaps, scarcely be aware that he has passed one hundred excavations and em- bankments — yet such is the fact. In the forma- tion of these, Jive millions five hundred thousand cubic yards of earth and stone have been cut and removed, three millions of which have been em- ployed in the embankments ; the remainder has, for the most part, been laid out for spoil, as described at page 26. In the Line, there are about one hundred and nine thousand distinct rails, which rest on four hundred and thirty-six thousand chairs, which are supported by four hundred and thirty-six thousand blocks of stone. The Railway passes under one hundred bridges, two aqueducts, and through two tunnels ; it passes over fifty bridges and five viaducts, the latter are stupendous erections. In the forma- tion of the line upwards of forty-one million four hundred and forty thousand pounds of iron have been used for rails and chairs, and upwards of six hundred and fifty-six thousand nine hundred and forty cubic yards of stone for 142 GRAND JUNCTION LINE. blocks to support them.* These few facts will suggest to the intelligent reader an idea of the magnitude of the work, and of the intelligence and activity necessary in the governing power which has superintended its formation. We should have been glad, if our space would have allowed, to have looked at the question in a na- tional point of view, as affecting the employ- ment of the population, but this our limits for- bid ; from a superficial view of the question, we are, however, inclined to think that this mode of transit will give more employment than the former, and that by rendering the employment of horses of a certain description comparatively unnecessary, will induce our agriculturists to grow that description of produce which is used for human food, and probably be the means of rendering the staff of life cheaper to the poor man — for these, independent of more obvious reasons, we think railroads deserve the support of the public, and the encouragement of the Legislature. * This is a rough estimate, we should think under, rather than over, the fact. We have calculated the whole line as being fixed on stone, and have therefore made no allowance for the sleepers, as when the ground is sufficiently firm these will be dispensed with. RACES. 143 RACES. For the information of our sporting readers, we have added a List of Races (and, as near as we could obtain them, of the time of their coming off), to the vicinity of which access may be obtained by the Railroad. Some few of them are at a considerable distance from the Stations; but all, we believe, may be attained in a day. List of Races, and the time at which they are held, to which easy access may be obtained, by means of the Grand Junction and Liverpool and Manchester Railways. Bridgnorth July 26. — Two Days. Burton-on-Trent Aug. 23. — Two Days. Buxton June 13. — Two Days. Cheltenham July 2. — Two Days. Chester May 2. — Four Days. Coventry March 11. — Two Days. Dudley ** July 24.— Two Days. Eaton Park Sept. 26.— Three Days. Gloucester July 5. — Three Days. July 13.— Two Days. Hedgeford Oct. 27.— Two Days. Knutsford...Last Tuesday in July. — Two Days. Lichfield March 24.— Two Days. Sept. 12.— Two Days. 144 RACES. Liverpool May 11. — Three Days. July 19. — Four Days. Manchester May 25. — Four Days. Newton , June 8. — Three Days. Newcastle Aug. 11. — Two Days. Penkridge Oct. 12. — Two Days, Potteries Aug. 8. — Two Days. Rugeley Oct. ft. — Two Days. Shrewsbury Sept. 19. — Three Days. Stafford Oct. 11.— Two Days. Stone Oct. 10.— Two Days. Stourbridge Oct. 29. — Two Days. Walsall Sept. 27.— Two Days. Warwick March 16. — One Day. Sept. 5. — Three Days. Wenlock Aug. 4. — One Day. Wolverhampton Aug. 14. — Three Days. Worcester Aug. 1. — Two Days. Wrexham Oct. 12.— Two Days. 4+ THE LIVERPOOL GUIDE. The town of Liverpool is situated on the eastern bank of the River Mersey, is in the county of Lancaster, and hundred of West Derby. It is 205 miles from London; 220 from Glasgow ; 80 by sea, and 105 by land, from Holyhead ; 120 from Dublin ; and 75 from the Isle of Man. It contains about 200,000 inhabitants. It is not our intention to enter into any of the etymological quibbles respecting its cognomen which, with its original orthography, appears involved in much obscurity. Suffice it to say, that the most popular conjecture respecting the former is, that the town was originally situated on a pool, or estuary of the Mersey, which pool was the resort of a water- fowl, designated " the Liver ;" from thence the word Liverpool appears a natural derivation : even this is, however, quite hypothetical, for we in vain search the chronicles of the naturalist for a history of this fowl, the existence of which, therefore, appears as problematical as that of the phoenix. However, as the corporate signet bears this device, we shall adopt the hypothesis. With respect to the orthography, Leland, in his Itinerary, spells it Lyrpole, and Lyr- poole. Dr. Enfield, in his " History of Liverpool," speaks of it as having been spelt Lerpoole, and o 146 LIVERPOOL GUIDE. Leverpoole. In the Harleian MSS.it is also spelt Lever- poole. Camden, in his Britannica, spells it Lirpoole, and Litherpoole; and it has been spelt by others Lirrpol and Lyverpoole. The latter appears to have immediately preceded the present mode of spelling it, Liverpool. The ancient history affords but few particulars worthy of notice. It is not mentioned in Doomsday Book, unless, as some antiquarians assert, it is mentioned under the appellation of Esmedune, or Smedune ; our limits, however, forbid our giving the adverse arguments on this point. On the autho- rity of the Kenion MSS. it is stated, " that Roger de Poictou, Earl of Lancaster, built a castle at Liver- pool, and there placed as Governor and Castellan his trusty friend Vivian Molyneux ;" yet others, with more probability, attribute the foundation of the fortress to King John, who visited this place, and observed its local advantages, when he embarked hence on one of his expeditions to Ireland. It is probable that John granted the first charter that conferred any peculiar privileges ; for although two charters are mentioned in the corporation records, as having been granted by Henry L, it does not appear they were of any available benefit to the town. Henry III. confirmed the charter granted by John, and conferred additional privileges. The castle was governed by a constable, and that office was vested in the family of Molyneux from the reign of Henry V. to that of Elizabeth. It was dismantled in 1659, and in 1721 the ruins were removed to make way for LIVERPOOL GUIDE. 147 the erection of St. George's Church. The feuds of the Stanleys and Molyneux are equally uninteresting; and nothing worthy of notice appears in the history of the town till, in 1644, it was garrisoned and fortified by the Parliament, and held out against Prince Rupert for twenty-four days, when it was treacherously surrendered, with its internal fortress, by the governor, Colonel More; but the royal cause being soon after utterly ruined, at the battle of Mars ton Moor, it was re-taken for the Parliament by Lieut. Gen. Meldrum, and held till the Restora- tion. From Dr. Enfield we leam that in addition to the charters mentioned above, Liverpool accumulated various charters and privileges, from the time of Henry I. George III., in 1 808, confirmed the whole, and constituted the mayor a justice of the peace for life, provided he should continue a member of the common council. The present Corporation consists of a Mayor, Recorder, sixteen Aldermen, forty-eight Councillors, two Bailiffs, a Town Clerk, and various subordinate officers. The Mayor is elected annually by the Council, on the 9th of November. Liverpool sends two members to Parliament ; the constituency is 17,427 in number, and consists of the old freemen and householders of £10 and upwards. The town is second only to London in commer- cial importance, wealth, and foreign trade. As it is therefore so essentially commercial, we shall com- mence our Guide to the town by recording the ne- cessary information respecting the Post Office. 148 LIVERPOOL GUIDE. LIVERPOOL POST-OFFICE. Delivery of Letters. — The First Delivery commences at 8 a.m., and the Office continues open till the arrival of the London Mail, (per Grand Junction Railway,) about 11 40 a.m. The letters comprised in this delivery are those of the over-night Birmingham Mail (with a bag from Manchester and a Foreign bag from London) ; the Holy- head and Carlisle Mails (with bags from Edinburgh and Glasgow); and the Dublin Packet. 2nd Delivery — commences about 9, with the first Manchester Mail per Railway ; bringing also bags from Rochdale, Halifax, Brad- ford, Leeds, and York. 3rd Delivery — commences about 10 45 a.m., and includes the letters by the 2nd Manchester Mail per Railway, with a bag from Newton. 4th Delivery — commences about 12 30 a.m., (and continues until about 3 40 p.m.,) in which are included Bags from Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Penkridge, Stafford, Newcastle, Nantwich, Middlewich, Northwich, Preston-Brook, Warrington, Eccleshall, Stone, Towcester, Northampton, London, Bristol, Exeter, Falmouth; and the Letters from Portugal, North and South America, and the West Indies, are also included in this Delivery. 5th Delivery — commences about \ past 1 p.m., and includes letters brought by the Bristol Mail. 6th Delivery — commences about 4 p.m., and includes letters brought by the 3rd Manchester Mail, per Railway. 7th Delivery — commences about 4 50 p.m., and includes Bags from Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Warrington, Prescot, and Edinburgh, Glasgow, Carlisle, Lancaster, Preston, Chorley, and Wigan. 8th Delivery — commences at 10 minutes past 6 ; with the letters by the Lancaster Mail, from Ormskirk and Maghull. 9th Delivery — commences at \ past 7 p.m. It includes the letters of the 4th Manchester Mail (per Railway), with bags from York and Leeds. 10th Delivery — commences about 7 30 p.m., and includes Bags from Bristol, Northampton, Towcester, Birmingham, Walsall, Wol- verhampton, Penkridge, Stafford, Newcastle, Nantwich, Middlewich, Northwich, Preston-Brook, Warrington, and Prescot. The Delivery closes finally at 9 p.m. ; on Sundays at 8 p.m. There are Three Deliveries within the Town by Letter Carriers, every day (except Sunday) ; the first delivery to commence about 8 a.m. ; the second about J past 12; the third about 5 p.m. On Sundays, only the first, at 8 a.m. When any delay occurs in the arrival of the Mails, a corresponding delay will, of course, occur in the delivery. The Office is closed on Sundays from 9 a. m. until 1 30 p.m., and finally at 8 p.m. LIVERPOOL GUIDE. 149 DESPATCH OF LETTERS. The following are the hours at which the letter-box is closed for making up the several mails, and at which each mail is despatched : Box closes at Despatched at First Grand Junction. 'Bags made up for Warrington, Preston-Brook,") Northwich, Middlewich, Nantwich, Congle- l ton, Newcastle, Market-Drayton, Stafford, ! Penkridge,Wolverhampton, Walsall, and Bir- ! g*2o" A m mingham; and on Tuesdays and Fridays a ' Foreign Bag to London. The postage of Foreign Letters can be paid from 5 30 to 6 a.m. and up to 9 o'clock the previous evening. _ First Manchester Mail, a qa . „r (Bags for Manchester, Bolton, Rochdale, Leeds,) . 630A - M -iandYork . .}' H. M. 6 a.m. 8 A.M. 8 30 a.m. Lancaster Mail. For Maghull, Ormskirk, and Southport Second Manchester Mail. A bag for Prescot, and (per Railway to Nevo-\ ton) bags for Newton, Wigan, Chorley, Pres- ( ton, Lancaster, Carlisle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, f and Manchester. J 8 15 A.M. 50 A.M. Second Grand Junction. n n ,„ (BagsforWaiTington, StaffordjWolverhampton,") ,, on 11 ° A ' M - j and Birmingham . . .....j 1120 ^- Third Manchester Mail. ("For Prescot, St. Helen's, Warrington, WiganA 11 30 a.m. -j Bolton, Blackburn, Colne, Bury, and Man- 1 11 50 a.m. ( Chester ) Penny Posts. {For Birkenhead, Upton, Seacombe, New^ Brighton, Crosby, Bootle, Walton, West Der- 1 12 45 p.m. by, Old Swan, Woolton, and Wavertree j Fourth Manchester Mail. jFor Newton, Prescot, Warrington, and Man-) 1 30 r.M. 1 45 p.m. (For Newton, Prescot, Warrington, and Man-) •, ~ n \ Chester . } l °° *- M - Third Grand Junction. "Bags for Prescot, Warrington, Preston-Brook," Northwich, Middlewich, Nantwich, Newcas- tle, Eccleshall, Stone, Stafford, Penkridge, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Birmingham, Tow- cester, Northampton, London, and Bristol; and Letters for Portugal, North and South America, and the West Indies. The Letters for London sent by this Despatch will be in- cluded in the first delivery there the following ^ morning 2 20 p.m. 150 LIVERPOOL GUIDE. Carlisle Mail. (Tor Ormskirk, Preston, Chorley, Wigan, Bol-^ ton, Bury, Blackburn, H aslingden, Lancaster, >- 4 30 p.m. Westmoreland, Cumberland, and all Scotland) 4 p m -l Fifth Manchester and the York Mails. ' ] For Manchester, Rochdale, and the Counties) 4 59 P M I of York, Lincoln, and Durham (per Railway) \ Bristol Mail. [Tot Chester, South Wales, and Bristol ") Dublin Mail Packet. [-5 p.m. 4 30 p.m. For Ireland J Bolton Mail. 4 30 p.m. For Bolton 5 p.m. Holyhead Mail. 5 30 p m l For Bir kenhead, New Ferry, Chester and \ q q p m \ North Wales, ) Fourth Grand Junction. (Bags for Manchester, Warrington, Stafford,^ fi ft J Wolverhampton, Birmingham, and London. ( fi 9n o u p.m. -j The Lelters f 0r London sent ty this Despatch f ° zv F,M> (, icill be delivered there about 11 a.m J India. — Letters to and from the East Indies are regularly forwarded by ships. The postage must be paid when posted. The rate outwards is two-pence per package under three ounces, and one shilling per ounce above that Weight. Letters conveyed outwards in sealed bags, are chargeable with 8d. single, if sent by ship from the port at which they are posted ; but if sent from any inland town, or to another port, Is., which must be paid when posted. Foreign Letters. — No Letters for Foreign Parts, except British America, the British West India Islands, and France, can be for- warded, unless postage be first paid; in default, they are sent to the General Post-Office, London, opened, and returned back to the writers. FOREIGN POST DAYS, AT 2 20 p.m. For Demerara, Jamaica, and the Leeward Islands, 1st and 15th day in every month; North America and the Bahamas, the first Wednesday in each month. For Carthagena, Mexico, Cuba, Honduras, and Havannah, 15th of every month. For Portugal, eveiy Friday. For South America, La Guara, Madeira, Gibraltar, and the Medi- terranean, the first day of eveiy month. LIVERPOOL GUIDE. 151 TIME OF STARTING AT THE RAILROAD. For Grand Junction, see page 14. The Trains start for Manchester at the following hours, and leave Manchester for Liverpool at the same time : — 4s. 6d. FIRST CLASS. MAIL. COACHES. SECOND CLASS. COACHES. 7 o'clock . . 6s.6d. . 5s.6d. 7|o clock . . 5s.6d. .. 9 „ . 11 „ . 3> 10 12 3 5§ 7 „ „ 2 „ • 5 „ . 7 n • J) J) „ „ „ (The lattei' Train stopping only at Newtox.) Except on Tuesdays and Saturdays, when the Evening Second Class Train, from Manchester, will start at Six o'clock, instead of Half-past Five o'clock. ON SUNDAYS. FIRST CLASS. SECOND CLASS. 8 o'clock 7 o'clock. ^ J, % „ Liverpool and Manchester to WIGAN. By the First Class Train, 7 o'clock in the Morning. By the Second Class Trains, 10, 12, 5§ o'clock. On Sundays. — By the Second Class Trains, 7, 5§ o'clock. Liverpool and Manchester to BOLTON. By the First Class Train, 9 o'clock in the Morning. By the Second Class Trains, 7J, 12, 5J o'clock. On Sundays. — By the Second Class Trains, 7, 5f o'clock. Liverpool and Manchester to ST. HELENS. By the Second Class Trains, 7J, 10, 12, 3, 5§ o'clock. On Sundays. — By the Second Class Trains, 7, 5§ o'clock. Liverpool and Manchester to RUNCORN GAP. By the Second Class Trains, 7J, 3 o'clock. On Sundays. — By the Second Class Trains, 7, 5§ o'clock. 152 LIVERPOOL GUIDE. FOREIGN PACKETS. New York. — Agents : Wm. and James Brown and Co., Chapel-street ; Messrs. Crary, Fletcher, and Co., Brunswick-street ; Roskill, Ogden, and Co., Chapel- street. Philadelphia. — Agents : Wm. and James Brown and Co., Chapel-street; Messrs. Fitzhugh and C. Grimshaw, Goree. Boston. — Agents: Murray, Latham, and Co., Ex- change-buildings ; T. and I. D. Thornely and Co., Goree ; Humbertson and Co., George's Dock ; Baring Brothers, Goree. STEAM PACKETS. POST OFFICE PACKET Capt.Ckappell,India-bdgs! S. Perry, Clarence Dock, and 21, Water-street Matthie and Martin, 34, Water-street. Mc Iver and Co., 33, Wa- ter-street. Moore and M'Creight, 20, Water-street. G. Purdon, 21, "Water-street. Theakstone, Water-street. J. D. Thompson, 9, Goree. W. Splaine, 20, Water-street- Moore & Christian,23, Bed- cross-street Office, 23, Water -street. St. George Steam PacketCo. J. R. Pirn, 21, Water-street Ditto, Ditto. Samuel Perry, 27, Water-st, John Mc Cammon, 27, Water-street. Langtrys & Co., 30, W r ater- street. James Winder, 4, Strand- street. TIME OF SAILING. Daily, at Five o'clock Daily, according to the tide. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Ditto, Ditto. Wednesday and Satur- day. Twice a Week. Ditto. Once a Week. Four times a Week. Daily. Daily in Summer. Once a Week in winter. and daily in summer Once a Week. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Wednesday. Monday and Friday. Four times a Week. PLACE. To Dublin. Ditto. Greenock & Glas- gow. Ditto, Ditto Londonderry. Newry. Carlisle and An- nan, calling off Whitehaven and Maryport. Carlisle. Drogheda. Isle of Man. and Rhyl. Beaumaris Bangor. Cork and Bristol. Belfast. Ditto. Ditto. Windermere, and the Lakes. LIVERPOOL GUIDE. 153 TIME OF SAILING. PLACES. isher and Steward. Monday, Thursday, & Whitehaven. Saturday, in Sum- mer ; once a Week in Winter. Thomas M'Tear. Once a Week. Dundalk & Wex- St. George Steam Packet Tuesday, Thursday, Dundalk. [ford. Company ; J. E. Pirn, and Saturday. Water-street. E. Sproat, 20, Water-street. : Twice a Week in Sum- Dumfries. I mer ; once a Week in j | Winter. Besides the above, Steam Packets are going to the Cheshire shore every half hour. Many pleasant excursions may be taken up or down the river, at the moderate charge of from 3d. to 6d. each person. Coach Offices. — Angel Inn, Dale-street; Eagle, Water-street ; Morgan's, Fen wick-street ; Welling- ton, Dale-street ; Saracen's Head, Dale-street ; White Horse, Dale-street ; Golden Lion, Dale-st.; Feathers, James-street; Dodd's, James-st.; Boar's Head, Water-street. HACKNEY COACH FARES, Which, include a reasonable quantity of Luggage. s. d. Not exceeding 1,000 yards 1 Exceeding 1,000 yards, and not exceeding 1,700 1 6 And for each 7*00 yards, or any intermediate dis- tance 6 Car Fares. — Two-thirds of the above Fares. N.B. — Carriages with two horses and two wheels, or one horse and two wheels, or one horse and four wheels, are considered cars. If a coach or car be detained above ten minutes, to be allowed 6d. for every ten minutes detained. s. d. Coach hired by the day 18 Ditto by the hour, first hour 2 6 Ditto, and for everv subsequent hour 1 6 Car hired by the day 12 Ditto, by the hour, first hour 1 6 Ditto, for every subsequent hour 1 Double fares to be paid after Twelve o'clock at night, except on public ball nights; then, at such public balls, One o'clock. The driver has the option to be paid either time or distance. 154 LIVERPOOL GUIDE. HACKNEY COACH AND CAR STANDS. Castle-street; St. George's Church; Clayton-square; Great George's place; London-road; Scotland-place; the Baths at St. George's-dock. The following are the principal Hotels : — Adel- phi, Ranelagh-place ; Albion, Ranelagh-st; Angel, Dale-street ; Bull, Clayton-square ; Commercial, Dale-st.; Castle, Clayton-square ; Feathers, Clayton- square ; George, Dale-street ; Grecian, Dale-street ; King William IV., Williamson-square ; King's Arms, Castle-street; Neptune, Clayton-square; Royal Hotel, corner of Mooriields, Dale-street ; Saracen's Head, Dale-street; Saddle Inn, Dale-street ; Star and Gar- ter Tavern, Paradise-street ; Union, Clayton-square ; Waterloo, Ranelagh-street ; Wellington, Dale-street; York, Williamson-square. BANKERS. Liverpool Bankers. Moss and Co., Dale-street. A. Heywood, Sons and Co., Bruns- wick-street. Leyland and Co., 7, King-street. Central Bank of England, 12, Temple-street. Borough Bank, Water-street. Manchester and Liverpool District Banking Co., 43, Castle-street. I. Barned and Co., Lord-street. Liverpool CommercialBank,High- street. Bank of Liverpool, .Water-street Branch Bank of England, 55, Ha- nover-street. Phoenix Bank, Dale-street, Commercial Bank of England, Water-street. Liverpool United Trades Bank, South Castle-street. Albion Bank, North John-street Union Bank, Water-street. North and South Wales Bank. Royal Bank, Water-street. Correspondents in London. Barclay and Co. Denison and Co. Masterman and Co. Esdaile and Co. Glyn and Co. Smith, Payne, and Smith. Sir C. Price, Marryatt and Co., and Bult, Son and Co. Williams, Deacon, and Co. Glyn and Co. Bank of England. Grote, Prescott, and Co. Barnet, Hoare, and Co. Currie, Eaikes, and Co., 29, Com- hill. Grote, Prescott, and Co. Cunliffes and Co. Robarts and Co. Robarts and Co. LIVERPOOL GUIDE. 155 THE THEATRE ROYAL is situated on the east side of Williamson-square. The building is of brick : the front of stone, with emblematical figures in bas-relief. The interior de- corations are new and beautiful ; the stage is spa- cious, and the voice is heard most intelligibly in the remotest part of the building. THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE is situated in Great Charlotte-street. Externally it is stuccoed, in imitation of stone. The interior is both ornamental and commodious. It is principally intended for equestrian performances, and panto- mimic exhibitions. THE LIVER THEATRE is situated at the top of Church-street. The interior is tastefully fitted up : it has an excellent stage, and the managers have deservedly received a large por- tion of public patronage. Open from December to May. THE QUEEN'S THEATRE, OR CIRCUS, is situated in Christian-street. It was originally designed for equestrian performances : it is, how- ever, of late, more frequently used as a Minor Theatre, for which purpose it is equally well adapted. THE SANS PAREIL is situated in Great Charlotte-street. Its chief re- commendation is the cheapness and variety of its , performances. Open from December to May. 156 LIVERPOOL GUIDE. THE WELLINGTON ROOMS are situated at the upper part of Mount Pleasant, and the corner of Great Orford-street. This edifice has a handsome stone front ; it is an imitation of the Sybil's Temple at Rome. The subscription balls and concerts are held in these rooms. THE PISTOL GALLERY is situated in Tarlton-street, Williamson-square. THE PRINCE'S PARADE, which is on the west side of Prince's Dock, is 750 yards long, by 11 wide, and for the most part pro- tected from the river by a low battlement. This is one of the most agreeable parades in the kingdom, particularly at high water, when the estuary is often covered with shipping, coming from, or going on voyages to, the most distant lands. PUBLIC BATHS. The New Baths are situated on the west side of St. George's Dock. They are admirably arranged, and will well repay a visit. Sadler's Baths, Hanover-street. Whitlawh Baths (Proprietor, Mr. Godfrey), Ren- shaw-street, is the only establishment at which can be obtained the much celebrated medicated vapour bath of Mr. Whitlaw. THE FLOATING BATH is, in the summer time, moored off the Prince's Parade. The most favourable time for bathing is as the tide comes in, when the salt water is coming from LIVERPOOL GUIDE. 157 the sea. These baths are very clean and commo- dious, and there is plenty of room for swimming. THE CEMETERIES. St. James's Cemetery is situated at the top of Duke- street. This resting-place of the dead is well worthy of a visit : it will not fail to create impressions both melancholy and pleasing. A correct Print of the Cemetery and Monument to the memory of Mr. Huskisson is published by Mr. Lacey, 64, Bold-street. ST. JAMES'S WALK, OR THE MOUNT, is so closely allied, as almost to constitute a walk of the Cemetery. It commands a fine view of Liver- pool, the sea, the river, and the Cheshire coast. THE NECROPOLIS, OR LOW HILL CEMETERY, is also worthy of attention. It is situated at Low-hill. THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS are about half a mile further on. Admission tickets may be gratuitously obtained at most of the hotels. Each visitor, however, pays one shilling on ad- mission. THE BOTANIC GARDEN is in Edge Lane. Visitors are admitted by tickets, which may be obtained at all the hotels. CUSTOM HOUSE.— EXCISE.— DOCK OFFICE.— POST OFFICE. This noble building is situated at the bottom of South Castle Street; and, under the same roof, are the offices for the Customs, the Excise, the Dock Trust, and the Post Office. The latter is not yet P 158 LIVERPOOL GUIDE. opened in this building. When finished, the fol- lowing will be the entrances to the various offices : — The Centre and Western Wing, — ") Doors West Front, North and [-Customs. South, and in the' Centre Piazza.) * In Eastern Wing. — Door in) ,-, the Centre Piazza. | Excise. In Eastern Wing. — Doors North") and North West side of Eastern I Dock Office. Wing. ) In Eastern Wing. — Doors East] Front, and Southern End of East [-Post Office. Wing. ) THE DOCKS. These must ever be considered as the peculiar feature of this town, the witnesses of its wealth, the consequence of its prosperity, and, at the same time, its source. They are stupendous memorials of the industry, enterprise, and perseverance of its merchants. The Clarence Dock was opened on the 16th of September, 1830 ; it is appropriated exclusively to steam packets, and is computed to contain 17,605 square yards. The Waterloo Dock, The Victoria Dock, and The Trafalgar Dock, form a series of Docks communi- cating the one with the other, and add greatly to the convenience of the Port. The Prince's Dock is the principal resort of the American packet ships and transient vessels. It is 509 yards long, by 110 broad. * Until the Long Room is finished, the Excise use the Door in the Eastern Front. LIVERPOOL GUIDE. 159 George's Dock. — This was commenced in 1767. It contains nearly 27,000 square yards, and was erected at an expense of £21 ,000. In this Dock is moored the Floating Church, for the convenience of seamen. Canning Dock communicates with Nos. 1,2, and 3 Graving Docks, and is mostly frequented by ves- sels from the northern ports, and in the coasting trade. Salt-house Dock was constructed by virtue of an Act of 10 Geo. II. It is the receptacle of ships in the Levant and Irish trade, and derives its name from a salt work formerly contiguous thereto. It comprises an area of 23,050 yards. The Duke of Bridgewater's Dock is private pro- perty, and used by the boats called flats in the canal trade. The King's Dock, opened on the 3d of October, 1788, was completed at an expense of £25,000. It is in the immediate vicinity of the King's ware- houses, and is principally appropriated to vessels laden with tobacco. The tobacco warehouses are worthy of inspection. The Queen's Dock was completed in 1796, cost £35,000, and is 470 yards long, by 227 broad. This Dock is also appropriated to timber ships from America and the Baltic. Between it and the river are Nos. 4 and 5 Graving Docks. The Brunswick Dock is appropriated particularly to vessels laden with timber. Its length on the east side is 460 yards, on the west, 435 ; the north 160 LIVERPOOL GUIDE. measures 110 yards, and the south 90 yards. To this are attached two Graving Docks and commo- dious Basins. THE MARKETS form another peculiar feature of Liverpool. St. John's Market is situated in Great Charlotte Street; it is 183 yards long, by 45 broad, comprising an area of 8,235 yards, and was erected at an ex- pense of near £40,000. New Fish Market is opposite the Eastern entrance of the above Market ; it is a commodious building, built for the purpose. St. James's Market is situated at the south end of Great George-street. It was erected by the Corpo- ration at an expense of £14,000, and covers an area of 3,000 yards. The North Market has two fronts, one in Scotland- road, and the other in Bevington-bush. It is 213 feet long by 135 wide, and was erected by the Corpo- ration at an expense of £13,000. The Islington Market is partially covered in, and is situated on the top of Shaw's Brow. The Cattle Market is most admirably arranged. It is three miles from Liverpool, on the London- road. The Corn Market, or Corn Exchange, is situated in Brunswick-street. It is a handsome structure, was erected by subscription, at an expense of £10,000, and is 114 feet long, by 60 wide. LIVERPOOL GUIDE. 161 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. The Town Hall and Exchange of Liverpool are well worthy of a visit. The Town Hall is situated at the end of Castle-street; the New Exchange- buildings to the north, forming three sides of a square, the Hall itself being the fourth. The inte- rior of the Hall may be seen by the public, and the gallery which surrounds the exterior of the dome presents a complete panorama of Liverpool and the surrounding country ; the view is on the west bound- ed by the Welsh mountains. The Exchange-build- ings were finished in January, 1809, at a cost of near £U 1,000, which was raised by subscription in £100 shares. These buildings, with the Town Hall, form a quadrangle of 35,066 square yards, being double the space occupied by the Exchange of London. In the centre of this area is a bronze monument, erected in 1813, to the memory of the immortal Nelson. It was modelled and cast by R. Westmacott, Esq., R.A., from designs by Matthew Charles Wyatt, Esq., and cost £9,000. The Statue of George the Third is situated at the bottom of Pembroke-place, in London-road. Here our late venerable sovereign is certainly a classical- looking personage ; and the chief merit of Mr. West- macott lies in the stretch of imagination which enabled him to convert the old brown wig and blue coat of George the Third into the waving locks and Roman toga of Marcus Aurelius. The Sessions House is situated to the west of the 162 LIVERPOOL GUIDE. Exchange. It is a large quadrangular edifice of stone. In this the judicial business of the Assizes, for a portion of the county of Lancashire and the Borough, is transacted ; and in it also are held the Courts of Quarter Sessions of West Derby. The Telegraph is situated at the bottom of Chapel- street. Strangers may visit it by applying to Lieut. Watson, at the office. The House of Industry is situated on Brownlow hill. The Infirmary and Lunatic Asylum are handsome erections, and well adapted to their objects. PLACES OF WORSHIP. The Churches in this town are twenty-four in number. The following are the most worthy of attention: — St. Luke's, at the top of Bold-street; St. George's (the Corporation Church), at the top of Lord-street ; St. Nicholas's, at the bottom of Chapel- street ; St. Paul's, in St. Paul's-square (it is a minia- ture representation of the London Cathedral); St. Catherine's, in Abercromby-square ; and the Blind Asylum, in Duncan-street East; the latter is well worthy of a visit, the service being most admirably chaunted, as in our cathedrals. It may as well be here stated, that the clocks of St. Peter's Church, in Church-street, St. Nicholas's Church, in Chapel- street, and St. George's, in Lord-street, are illumi- nated. The Chapels of the Independents are Bethesda, Duncan-street, London-road ; Gloucester-street Cha- LIVERPOOL GUIDE. 163 pel ; Great George-street Chapel ; Great Crosshall- street Chapel; Renshaw-street Chapel; Toxteth Park Chapel. Baptists. — This connexion have Chapels in Byrom- street, Comus-street, Cockspur-street, Great Cross- hall-street, Lime-street, and Russell-street. The Wesleyan Chapels are Benn's Garden Chapel ; Brunswick Chapel, Moss-st., London-road ; Leeds- street Chapel ; Mount Pleasant Chapel ; Pitt-street Chapel ; Wesley Chapel, Stanhope-street. Scotch Churches. — St. Andrew's Church, Rodney- street ; Oldham-street Church ; the Scotch Secession Churches are in Mount Pleasant and Russell-street ; and the Scotch Baptist Church is in Hunter-street. Roman Catholic Chapels are St. Mary's, Lumber- street ; St. Anthony's, Scotland-road ; St. Patrick's, Toxteth Park ; St. Peter's, Seel-street ; St. Nicholas's, Blake- street. The Friends' Meeting House is in Hunter-street ; the Jews' Synagogue, in Seel-street. Unitarian Chapels. — There are two ; one in Para- dise-street, and the other in Renshaw-street. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS are very numerous in this town, and may be said to reach every form of human suffering. We have only room for a list. Alms-houses, St. Mary's-lane. Charity (the Ladies'), for Relief of Blue Coat Hospital, School-lane. Women in Child-bed. Blind Asylum, London-road. Dispensaries ; one in Vauxhall- Bethel Union Ship, King's Dock. road, one in Upper Parliament- Charity Schools; there are many. street. Charity Institution House, Slater- Female School of Industry, Heath- street, field-street, 164 LIVERPOOL GUIDE. Female Penitentiary ,Crabtree-lane. Ophthalmic Institutions; one in House of Recovery, Workhouse. Slater' s-court. Infirmary, Brownlow-street. Society for Bettering the Condi- Institution for Diseases of the Ear, tion of the Poor; Savings Bank, Duke-street. Bold-street. Infants' Schools, several of them. Society for Promoting Christian Lunatic Asylum, Ashton-street, Knowledge, Ranelagh-street. Brownlow-hill. Strangers' Friend Society. Marine Society Mariners' Church. School for the Deaf and Dumb, Marine Humane Society. Wood street. Mariners' Church Society, Ship in Theatrical Fund, Theatre Royal St. George's Dock. Office. Naval Bible Society, Mariners' Welsh Charitable Society, Russel- Church. place. LITERARY and SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS. The Royal Institution is situated in Colquitt- street. Its portico has been much admired. We need hardly add, that the objects of the Society are the diffusion and advancement of Literature and the Fine Arts. There are some good Paintings, a Museum, and a Statue Gallery, connected with the Institution. APOTHECARIES' HALL is situated in Colquitt-street ; it is one of the hand- somest buildings in the town. MECHANICS' INSTITUTION, situated in Mount-street, is, perhaps, the handsomest and most commodious building of the kind in England. LIBRARIES AND NEWS-ROOMS. The Athenceum, established in 1779, is situated in Church-street. It is a library and news-room, and is supported by 500 subscribers of £2 2s. each. It has many valuable books. The Lyceum is a fine building, entrance at the LIVERPOOL GUIDE. 165 lower end of Bold-street. It has an extensive library and reading-room. Law Library is situated in Clarendon-buildings. Union News-room, founded in 1811, is situated in Duke-street. The Public Library, for the use of Male and Fe- male Apprentices ; the former founded in 1822, the latter in 1824. The Philosophical and Literary Society, founded in 1812. NEWSPAPERS. We give our readers a slight description of the character of each Paper, that they may choose for themselves. Monday . .Albion (The). Acute, pointed, and Whiggish. Advertiser (Myers's Mercantile). Devoted to Commercial Information. Tuesday. .Standard (The Liverpool). Talented, rather sophistical, and quite Tory. Times (The Liverpool). "Whig in principle. Mail. By the late Editor of the Standard. Wednesday, Courier (The Liverpool). It is Tory in principle. Telegraph. By the Editor of the Chronicle. Thursday. .Advertiser (Gore's General). Principally devoted to Commercial information. Mail. See Tuesday. Friday Mercury (The Liverpool). A strong partisan, and Whig in principle. Standard (The Liverpool). See Tuesday. Saturday. .Chronicle (The Liverpool). Sensible always, — occa- sionally brilliant. — Whig in politics. Journal (The Liverpool). Radical in politics. Mail. See Tuesday. THE MANCHESTER GUIDE. Manchester is situated at the confluence of the rivers Irk and Irwell, in the County of Lancaster, the Hundred of Salford, and Diocese of Chester. It is 18 miles from Warrington, 186 from London, and about 33 from Liverpool. It is the principal seat of the Cotton Manufactories, and is fast adding the Silk to its already extensive trade; with its suburbs, including Salford, it contains 226,931 inha- bitants. The antiquity of Manchester is clearly proved, as (on the authority of Mr. Whitaker we state) there are accounts of its existence 500 years B. C. It was named by the Britons Mancenion ; by the Romans Mancuninum and Mancestre ; and on the departure of the Romans, Man-kastalh, signifying Man-Castle or City of Man ; and in the wars of the Saxons the inhabitants well earned the appellation, as they did not submit for 20 years after all other parts of Lancashire were subdued, and the Isles of Anglesey and Man, and the principality of North Wales, had succumbed to the invaders. Like its neighbour, Liverpool, Manchester was exposed to MANCHESTER GUIDE. 167 the assaults of the Civil Wars in 1462, the country about it having been laid waste by the Earl of Derby, who, however, after a spirited assault and several days' seige, was unable to take the town, and obliged to retire. Manchester has now two Members of Par- liament, and Salford (which may be considered as part of Manchester) one; the former sent a Member to Parliament (Charles Worsley, Esq.) in the time of Cromwell. We have but little of the early history of Manchester to record. In 1715, the " Young Chevalier," entered the town, and put up at what is now called the Palace Inn. Manchester was early distinguished for the prevalence of Jacobinical princi- ples, and if the " Majesty of the people" now predo- minates, we may assert that the same feeling is merely diverted into another channel. The principal markets of Manchester are held on Tuesday and Saturday (for Market-places , see 'page 174) ; they are, however, pretty well supplied every day in the week. Its fairs are on Whit Monday, Oct. 1st and 17th, for horses, cattle, &c, &c. The municipal government of the town is vested in a Borough-reeve and two Constables. The chief duties of the Borough-reeve is, to preside over pub- lic meetings, to attend to the distribution of money arising from bequests, &c. The business of the police is attended to by the constables ; and there is a Stipendiary Magistrate appointed to administer criminal justice, who has a salary of £1,000 per annum. He sits every day but Sunday. We now i proceed to give a hasty sketch of the town, in which, 168 MANCHESTER GUIDE. however, is included the various objects which will most interest the stranger. The Cotton Factories can be visited by obtain- ing an introduction to any of their proprietors. POST-OFFICE. The following are the intended Arrivals and Departures of the principal Mails at this Office, from the Qth July, 1837. ARRIVAL. DEPARTURE. London 11 45 A.M. 11 45 P.M. with Foreign Letters first Morning Delivery, .1X1.. .M. ) s for the y ery. j Bristol 11 45 A.M. Birmingham 11 45 A.M. .... 4 15 P.M. .... 7 15 P.M. .... 11 P.M. Edinburgh ~\ Glasgow I 11 45 A.M. Carlisle r .... 3 40 P.M. Preston ) Liverpool 8 40 A.M. 10 40 A.M. 2 10 P.M. 3 40 P.M. 6 40 P.M. Ireland 8 40 A.M. or „ 10 40 A.M., according to the arrival of Packets. Leeds} 6 A.M. York) 3 30 P.M. Derby ~) NottinghamV 3 45P.M. Leicester ) By Buxton. Ditto ) 45 3 P M By Birmingham) 2 15 P.M. —Principal Lon- don Mail. 6 15 P.M.— for a second De- livery in London. 6 15 A.M.— for Foreign Let- ters on Tuesdays and Fridays. 2 15 P.M. 15 A.M 15 A.M. 15 P.M. 15 P.M. 15 A.M. 15. P.M. 15 A.M. 15 A.M. 15 P.M. 15 P.M. 2 15 P.M. 9 A.M. 8 P.M. 9 A.M. 6 15 P.M. MANCHESTER GUIDE. 169 GENERAL DELIVERIES AT THE OFFICE. The first, at eight until half-past eight in the morning, includes Let- ters from Liverpool, Newcastle, Stafford, Wolverhampton, Birming- ham, Middleton, and Bolton, the greatest part of Yorkshire, Lincoln- shire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northumberland, Sunderland, and Durham. The second, at nine until a quarter before two in the afternoon, includes Letters from Liverpool, Bolton, Blackburn, Burnley, Bury, Colne, Hyde, Denton, Geecross, Gorton, Oldham, Stockport, Chester, all Saddleworth, Ashton-under-Line, Audenshaw, and Staleybridge, the counties of Salop and Hereford, Leominster, part of North Wales, Frodsham, Warrington, Dublin, and all Ireland. The third, at half-past twelve at noon, until a quarter before two in the afternoon, includes Letters from London, Essex, Kent, and Sus- sex, Bristol, Falmouth, part of North Wales, the counties of Corn- wall, Devon, Somerset, Oxford, Warwick, and all the West of England; also from Walsall, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Stone, Shiff- nall, Newcastle-under-Lyne, Lawton, Congleton, Disbury, Cheadle and Winslow. The fourth, at half-past four in the afternoon until nine at night, includes Letters from Derby, Ashbourn, Leek, Macclesfield, and Stockport, the counties of Bedford, Berks, Herts, Hants, Leicester, Northampton, and Suffolk; also includes Letters from York, Leeds, Tadcaster, Bradford, Huddersfield, Halifax, Rochdale ; parts of the counties of Suffolk, Herts, and Cambridge; also all Scotland, Lancaster, Preston, Chorley; and from Disley, Buxton, Bakewell, Matlock, Belper, Sheffield; also Liverpool ($> Eailway). The fifth, at half-past seven until nine at night, includes Letters from Liverpool (^ Bailway), Biraiingham, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Chester, Warrington, Northwich, County of Chester, Staffordshire. There are three deliveries by the Carriers, namely, at half-past eight in the morning, twenty minutes to one in the afternoon, and five o*clock, town deliveries, except on Sundays, when there is only a morning delivery. The deliveries of course must be delayed, if there be any irregularity in the arrival of the mails. The* letter- carriers are in attendance at the Office from half-past seven to eight in the morning, and four in the afternoon ; but no letters can be delivered by them at the Office, except to persons who have not been found when they have been on their rounds. The Office continues open for strangers from eight in the morning until ten at night; — on Sundays the Office is closed from half-past ten till half-past twelve, and from three till five. RAIL ROAD. For time of the Trains starting, &c. see page 14. HOTELS, COACHES, AND COACH-OFFICES. Buck and Hawthorn, St. Anne-street; Buck, Hanging-ditch fBush Inn, Deanes-gate ; Eagle Inn, 170 MANCHESTER GUIDE. Market-street ; Golden Lion, Deans-gate ; Hare and Hounds, Shude-hill; Lower Turk's Head, Shude- hill; Mosley Arms, Piccadilly; Ditto, Shude-hill; New Boar's Head, Hyde's-cross ; Old Boar's Head, Hyde-cross; Palace Inn, Market-street; Peacock, Market-street ; Royal Hotel, corner of Mosley-street (the Mails go from here) ; Swan Inn, Market-street ; Swan, Whitley-grove ; Talbot, Market-street ; White Swan, Shude-hill ; Commercial, Market-street. HACKNEY COACH AND CAR FARES. These Fares are to be taken either for Time or Distance, at the discretion of the Driver. The following Fares include a reasonable quan- tity of Luggage. Any distance not exceeding 1172 yards Any distance exceeding two-thirds of a mile, and not exceeding one mile or 1760 yards And for every succeeding third of a mile, or 586 yards If for time, then for any time not exceeding a quar- ter of an hour For every succeeding quarter of an hour For every stoppage to take up more than once, and to set down more than twice, an additional .... For eveiy quarter of an hour waiting, after being called Carriages drawn by 2 Horses. S. 1 d. 1 6 6 1 6 6 6 Carriages drawn by 1 Horse. S. 1 d. 1 4 1 4 4 4 BANKERS, WITH THEIR CORRESPONDENTS IN LONDON. Manchester Bankers. Bank of England Branch Bank. Savings' Bank, Mr. Jn. Atkinson, Agent, 1, Cross street. Cunliffes, Brooks, & Co. Market-st. Daintry, Eyle, & Co., Norfolk-st. B. Heywood & Co., St. Anne's-st. W. Jones, Lloyds, & Co., King-st. Scholes, Tetlow, & Co. Cannon-st. Bank of Manchester, Market-st. Manchester and Liverpool District Bank, Spring Gardens. Correspondents in London. Bank of England. R. Cunliffe, jun. & Co. Whitmore, "Wells, & Co. Masterman & Co. Jones, Lloyd, & Co. Curries & Co. Denison & Co. Smith, Payie, & Co. Northern and Central Bank, Crown-street. Union Bank, Crown-street. Commercial Bank of England, Mosley-street. Manchester and Salford Bank, King-street. South Lancashire Bank, Crown- street. MANCHESTER GUIDE. 171 Westminster Bank. Glyn & Co. Masterman & Co. Williams, Deacon, & Co. Barclay and Co. THE TOWN HALL is a noble erection, of the Ionic order, surmounted with a handsome dome. It is well worthy of a visit. THE NEW EXCHANGE. This very handsome erection has two grand en- trances; one in Market-street, the other in Exchange- street. The building is of the Doric order. The columns are fluted, and are 27 feet high. The Post- office forms a part of this pile. The Exchange Room is elegant and spacious; it comprises an area of 4000 feet. CHURCHES. There are in Manchester 23 Churches, and 3 Chapels, connected with the Establishment; the principal one being the Old, or Collegiate Church. This is a noble specimen of decorated Gothic archi- tecture ; both internally and externally it is well worthy of notice. The Independents have 7 Chapels ; the Irvingites 1 ; the Catholics 4 ; the Baptists 3 ; the Methodists 24 ; the New Jerusalem Sect 2 ; the Presbyterians 1 ; the Scotch Church 1 ; Unitarians 4 ; Welsh Baptists, Calvinists, Independents, Methodists, 7. 172 MANCHESTER GUIDE. THE CEMETERY is situated in Rusholme-road. It covers an area of four acres; but it is not to be compared with the establishments of Liverpool. THE CHETHAM LIBRARY is under the same roof as Chetham's Hospital, or Blue Coat School. It is rich in old and curious books, in works of Ecclesiastical History, Theology, and Antiquities. It has also some MSS. Strangers are gratuitously admitted, and may have access to the books, from half-past eight o'clock till twelve in the morning, and from one to five in the afternoon. THE PORTICO contains a Library and News-room. It is situated in Mosley-street. One Subscriber can admit a stran- ger to read the papers, magazines, &c. for three days — two Subscribers can extend the privilege for a month. MANCHESTER SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY is in Exchange-buildings, Ducie-place. It contains about 20,000 volumes, and has 400 subscribers. THE SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY, in Exchange-buildings; Librarian, Mr. W. Bam- ford. This Library has about 350 subscribers. THE SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY FOR PROMOTING GENERAL KNOWLEDGE is in NewalTs Buildings, Market -street. Contains about 6000 volumes, and has 350 subscribers. MANCHESTER GUIDE. 173 THE ROYAL MANCHESTER INSTITUTION, for the encouragement of Arts and Sciences, is situ- ated in Mosley-street. It is a splendid erection, and in it is held an exhibition of Paintings. Manchester has also an Agricultural and a Horticultural Society, and a Natural History Society. THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTION is a noble building, situated in Cooper-street. Re- gular courses of Lectures are delivered, syllabuses of which may be there gratuitously obtained. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. Manchester Royal Infirmary, Dispensaries, and Lunatic Asylum; Piccadilly, Salford, and Pendleton Dispen- sary, 19, Bank Parade. House of Recovery, — Aytown-street. Lying-in Hospital^ — Stanley- street, Salford. Sick Hospital, — 16, Bond-street. Female Penitentiary, — Rusholm-road. Institution for curing Diseases in the Eye, — 35, Faulkner- street. The Humane Society's Receiving Houses are four in number, viz. — Lying-in Hospital, Stanley-street; the Ardwick and Ancoats Dispensary ; the Lying-in Hos- pital, Salford; and the Salford and Pendleton Dispen- sary. The Chorlton and Medlock Dispensary. The Workhouse, — Strangewavs. The Vagrant Office,— Do. The Salford Workhouse, — Green-gate. The Pendleton Workhouse, — Ford-lane. Manchester and Salford District Provident Society,— Office, 11, St. James's-square. Besides the above, there are various sums bequeathed for purposes of charity, amounting to the annual income of upwards of £5,000. THE REPOSITORY is situated in St. Anne's-square. It is an excellent 174 MANCHESTER GUIDE. institution, and well deserves a visit from the stran- ger. THE ALBION BAZAAR. The principal entrances to the Bazaar are in Deans-gate and Police-street. THE THEATRES. The Royal Theatre is situated in Fountain-street. It is rented by the proprietor of the Liverpool Thea- tre Royal, and is visited by his Company from Christmas to Easter, and occasionally during the other months of the year. The Queen's Theatre is in York-street. Its per- formances are confined to pantomimes, melo dramas, &c. &c, similar to the regulations of other minor theatres. The Assembly Rooms are situated in Mosley-street. They were erected at an expense of £7000, and con- sist of a Ball Room, Tea Room, Card and Billiard Rooms. The Club House is in Mosley-street, next to the Royal Institution. The Concert Hall is situated in Lower Mosley- street; it was opened in 1831, and its interior is both capacious and elegant. The Albion Club House is just established, and is situated in King-street. The Billiard Room is in Mosley-street. BATHS. There are Public Baths situated at the entrance of the Infirmary Walks. The profits of these Baths are appropriated to the use of the Dispensary. MANCHESTER GUIDE. 175 The Adelphi Swimming Baths, Reservoir Terrace, Salford, are of a very superior description. The Medicated Vapour Baths are at No. 1, Lloyd- street. Whitlow's Medicated Vapour Baths, at 35, George- street. The Dolphin Cold Baths, Horrocks, Red Bank. THE BOTANIC GARDENS are situated on the road to Altringham, about two miles from the Exchange. THE MARKETS of Manchester are not so remarkable as those of Liverpool. The principal ones are, the New Market, in Brown-street; the Fish Market, in Market- place ; and the Town-Hall and Market, in Sal- ford, all of which are exceedingly well supplied. THE NEW BAILEY PRISON is situated in Stanley-street, Salford. It is an ex- tensive building, arranged in the form of a cross. We have not room further to notice the NEWS- PAPERS, than just to say, that they are six in number ; five published on Saturday. The Manchester Courier. .High Tory. The Chronicle Moderate Tory. The Guardian Ministerial. The Advertiser Cobbettite. The Times ... Moderate Radical THE BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. Birmingham is a market town, and a borough by the Reform Bill, in the Hundred of Hemlingford, situated upon a hill near the river Rea, in the county of Warwick, 109 miles from London, 97 \ from Li- verpool. Population in 1821, 106,722— in 1831, 146,986. It is probable, therefore, that at this time the population is now from 180 to 200,000. Its markets are on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday ; for hay on Tuesday ; the latter is held in Smithfield, the former in the Market Hall. Fairs, Thursday in Whitsun week, Sept. 23. A contemporary has congratulated the inhabitants of Birmingham upon the fact that " the ground upon which it stands is antient as the scite of any Eternal City." Presuming, therefore, that a native of the town must be better aware of the predilection of the inhabitants than a stranger, we venture to bespeak their favour by following the same line of antiquities, and in doing so assure them its ground is as antient as the scite of " the Garden of Eden;" but that we are happy in being able to assign a little more modern period for the commencement of its operations in the manufactures, with which it is now able to com- pete with the world. We shall proceed to give a BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. 177 slight sketch of the ancient history of the town, and to direct the stranger to such objects of pleasure, curiosity, and convenience, as will render his sojourn either profitable or pleasurable, according to the pursuit with which he may be occupied. First, then, as to the name. Hutton has given us a very feasible account of its origin, which I shall adopt as I have seen no better, and as it is not of vast importance. The original name he states was Brom which from Brom or Broom, a shrub, for the growth of which it appears its soil is specially favourable, and ivich a descent — those words combined would then give us Bromwich, or the Broom-hill in more modern phra- seology, which appears quite natural, as the original town was situated on an acclivity : the addition of ham he has also as ingeniously indeed as naturally accounted for. This word, it appears, is Saxon, and signifies a home; this, after the town had sprung into comparative importance, the lord of the soil might, and properly did assume its name, and it thus be- came Bromycham, or the Broom-hill home. Re- specting the antiquity of the town, Mr. Hutton has, by his industrious examination of the neighbour- hood, given us very good data, from which to prove the probability of its having been the armoury of our forefathers, previous to the invasion of the Romans. These people found us in a comparative state of bar- barism, but still with evidence of the existence of a knowledge of manufactures. The mailed legions of Rome were, it is true, met by the naked Britons, but 178 BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. still were they mounted in chariots, with scythes at- tached to their axle-trees ; — having this proof of their knowledge of smiths' work, we look for evidence of the place in which the iron was obtained and manufac- tured. This town was situated on one of the Roman roads (Icknield- street), and was a Roman station ; this proves it was a place of importance. An exa- mination of the neighbourhood has discovered many hundred coal pits which have been abandoned for ages ; and the mountains of the refuse of melted ore prove that this manufacture is of equally antient origin — the roads, also, bearing evidence of contem- porary formation, may be traced, worn as they are to the depth of thirty, and even forty feet. Those are now filled, up, but the industrious antiquarian has left us irrefragable evidence of their having ex- isted. To the next era, in which the town is specially pro- minent in history, we now turn. The inhabitants were strong republicans ; and when the war between the Parliament and Charles I. commenced, they took a very decided part against the king — arresting all messengers and persons supposed to be in his favor, and occasionally attacking small parties, whom they seized and sent prisoners to Coventry. In 1643, Prince Rupert attacked the town with 1,500 men; the inhabitants, assisted by 150 musketeers and a few horse, stoutly, though unsuccessfully, opposed him, for which he pillaged and set fire to the town, and the inhabitants were glad to pay a heavy fine to put a stop to the excesses of his soldiers. This town BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. 179 exhibited a curious change in opinions when, on the 14th of July, 1791, a party having met at an hotel, to commemmorate the anniversary of the French Revolution, a mob there collected, and having broke the windows of the house, proceeded to the most atrocious acts of violence — they destroyed the Uni- tarian chapel, Doctor Priestley's dwelling-house, philosophical apparatus, and valuable manuscripts — an irreparable loss to science, as well as to the ami- able individual to whom they belonged. Similar outrages continued for several days, until they were put a stop to by the arrival of the military from Oxford and Hounslow. A great number of the rioters were taken, and two suffered the extreme penalty of the law. Barracks are now erected, with every convenience for the military, which will pre- vent the possibility of a similar disgraceful occur- rence. Upwards of £60,000 worth of property was destroyed. Birmingham was created a borough by the Reform Bill, and now sends two members to parliament. The constituency is about 6,532, and is composed of 1 householders of £10 and upwards. The Borough comprises the parishes of Birmingham, Egbaston, and the townships of Bordesley, Duddeston, and Nichels and Deritend : the returning officers are the two bailiffs of Birmingham. The local government of this town is in the hands of officers chosen an- nually ; these consist of two bailiffs, two constables, headborough, constable of the hamlet of Deritend, two ale conners, two flesh conners. It has no sti- 180 BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. penclary, but fourteen of the unpaid magistracy ; the former is very much wanted, as, except on the usual days of sitting, there is frequently great difficulty in finding a magistrate, when required. If we except Liverpool, perhaps no place has within the last few years improved its trading and commercial relations to such an extent as this town. Asa manufacturing place it is unrivalled ; but to enumerate its various productions would be impossible in this sketch, suf- fice it to say, that every thing which can be produced from iron, brass, copper, silver, and the various com- binations of which these metals are susceptible, may be here obtained. In the time of the war, the go- vernment contract alone was usually 30,000 muskets per month; the manufacture of swords and army accoutrements still employs a large number of hands. We shall now direct the attention to three establish- ments, an inspection of which will give the reader an idea of the state of the arts in this important manufacturing town. Messrs. Collis and CoSs Establishment must be visited by every one who intends to have an idea of the state of the manufactures in Birmingham. It is situated in Church-street, adjoining St. Phillip's church-yard. The proprietors, with the greatest liberality, have appointed servants to attend visitors through the workshops and warehouse-rooms. In the former the stranger will see the various processes which are necessary to bring the crude metal to the forms of singular beauty and elegance with which the ware-rooms abound. This establishment has BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. . 181 produced works of more than ordinary proportions and importance, among which may be noticed the celebrated Warwick Vase, which is 21 feet in circum- ference, and the copper bronze statue of George IV. If the reader will refer to the notices at the end of this work, he will, however, have a better idea of the productions of this magnificent establishment. Messrs. Maplebeck and Loitfs Show Rooms now claim our attention, and without any intention of detract- ing from other establishments, we may with truth assert, that a finer exhibition of cutlery and steel articles could not be produced, in this or any other town ; and the almost endless variety of patterns, in which the visitor will see this apparently untractable metal formed, will give him a high idea of the state of this department of trade in Birmingham. Messrs. Jennens and Bettridge's Establishment ex- hibits another department in the arts, for which Birmingham is now celebrious. A Birmingham man and a Birmingham blacksmith were once almost synonimous terms ; now the most delicate efforts of art are exhibited as the produce of this universal manufactory. In the above establishment may be seen every variety of article in which the papier mache is capable of being produced : elegant tea-trays, ladies' work-boxes, and cabinets are exhibited in endless variety and beauty. We must refer to the notices at the end of the work, as our limits forbid further description. In these will also be found very much useful information R 182 BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. respecting the place ; and if the reader has half an hour to spare, it could not be more profitably em- ployed than in perusing them. THE POST OFFICE is situated in Bennet-street ; it is a neat erection, and has lately been considerably enlarged. The following statement shews the time of arrival and departure of the various Mails. Mem. — 5h. 8m. means 8 minutes past 5, and so on in every other instance. ARRIVALS. Bristol Mail, 5h.8m. A.M. — With Bags from Falmouth, Exeter, Bath, Bristol, Gloucester, Dursley, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Wootton, Worcester, Droitwich, Broomsgrove. London (Carlisle) Mail, 6h. 31m. A.M. — Barnett, St. Albans, North- ampton, Toweester. London (Holyhead) Mail, 7h. lm. A.M. — Dunchurch, Dunstable, Fenny Stratford, Stoney Stratford, Daventry, Coventry. Banbu?*y Mail, 7h. 50m. A. M. — Solihull, Warwick, Leamington, Southam, Banbury, Buckingham, Brackley, Bicester, Aylesbury, Tring, Berkemstead, Hemelhemstead, Watford, Stanmore, Edge- ware. Tamworth Mail, lOh. A. M. — Tamworth. Chipping -Norton Mail, lOh. 23m. A.M. — Chipping-Norton, Oxford, Shipstone, Stratford-on-Avon, Woodstock. First Railway Mail, due llh. 15m. A.M. — Dublin (when the Packet reaches Liverpool in time), Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Preston Brook, Newcastle, Eccleshall, Stone, Stafford, Penkridge, Wolverhampton, Walsall. Shrewsbury Mail, 12 Noon. — Bilstone, Shifmal, Shrewsbury. Second Railway Mail, due 4h lorn. P.M. — Liverpool, Manchester. Warrington, Stafford, Wolverhampton. Sheffield Mail, 4h. 25m. P. M<— Barnsley, Chesterfield, Leeds, Shef- field, Wakefield, Burton, Derby, Nottingham, Lichfield. Yarmouth Mail, 5h. 2m. P. M. — Coventry, Hinckley, Leicester, Gran- tham. Leamington Mail, 5h. 35m. P.M. — Leamington , Warwick, Solihull. BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. 183 Worcester Mail, 5h. 50m. P. M. — Broomsgrove, Droitwich, Worcester 5h. 50h. P.M. — Messengers from Great Barr, Oldbury, Hales Owen, and Castle Bromwich. Stourport Mail, 6h. 30m. P. M. — Dudley, Bewdley, Stourbridge, Kid- derminster, Stourport. London (via Chester, to Holyhead) Mail, at 6h. 45m. P.M. with a foreign bag from London. Third Railway Mail, due 7h. 15m. P.M. — Glasgow, Edinburgh, Carlisle, Lancaster, Preston, Wigan, Liverpool, Manchester, Pres- cot, Warrington, Preston Brook, Chester, Northwich, Middlewich, Congleton, Nantwich, Newcastle, Market Draytcn, Stone, Eccle- shall, Stafford, Penkridge, Wolverhampton, Walsall. Holyhead Mail, 7h. 24m. P. M. — Bilston, Shiffhal, Wellington, Shrews- bury, Oswestry, Chirk, Llangollen, Corwen, Bangor, Holyhead. Fourth Railway Mail, due llh. 15m. P.M. — Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington, Stafford, Wolverhampton. DESPATCHES. Sheffield Mail, 5h. 38m. A. M.— With Bags for Barnsley, Chesterfield, Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield, Burton, Derby, Nottingham, Lichfield. First Railway Mail, 6h. 45m. A. M. — Walsall, Wolverhampton, Penk- ridge, Stafford, Stone, Eccleshall, Newcastle, Market Drayton, Congleton, Nantwich, Middlewich, Northwich, Chester, Preston- Brook, Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester, Prescot, Wigan, Pres- ton, Lancaster, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Glasgow. Holyhead Mail, 7h. 36m. A. M. — Bangor, Corwen, Chirk, Holyhead, Llangollen, Oswestry, Bilstone, Shiffnall, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Dublin. London (Chester) Mail, at 7h. 38m. A.M., with Letters passing through London. Yarmouth Mail, 7h. 45m. A. M. — Coventry, Grantham, Hinckley, Leicester. Worcester Mail, 7h. 45m. A. M. — Broomsgrove, Droitwich, Worcester, London Bags for Broomsgrove and Droitivich. Leamington Mail, 8h. A. M. — Solihull, Warwick, Leamington. Stourport Mail, 8h. A. M. — Dudley, Stourbridge, Bewdley, Kidder- minster, Stourport. 8h. A. M; — Messengers to Great Barr, Oldbury, Sutton, Castle Brom- wich, Hales Owen. Second Railway Mail, llh. 15m. A. M. — Dublin, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Warrington, Prescot, Manchester, Liverpool. London Mail, llh. 40m. A.M. — Coventry, Dunchurch, Daventry, Dunstable, Towcester, Stoney Stratford, Fenny Stratford, St. Albans ; and on Tuesdays and Fridays a Foreign Bag for London, 184 BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. Third Railway Mail, 2h. 15m P. M.— Walsall, Wolverhampton, Penk- ridge, Stafford, Stone, Eccleshall, Newcastle, Nantwich, Middle- wich, Chester, Preston Brook, Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester. Chipping-Norton Mail, 3h. P.M. — Chipping-Norton, Oxford, Ship- stone, Stratford-on-Avon, Woodstock. Shrewsbury, Mail, 3h. 30m. P. M. — Bilston, Shifmall, Shrewsbury. Tamworth Mail, 4h. P. M.— Tamworth. Fourth Railway Mail, 6h. 45m. P.M. — Wolverhampton, Stafford, Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester. Banlur^y Mail, 6h. 50m. P.M. — Solihull, Warwick, Leamington, Southam, Banbury, Buckingham, Brackley, Bicester, Aylesbury, Tring, Berkhamstead, Hemel Hemstead, Watford, Stanmore, Edge- ware. London (Holyhead) Mail, 7h. 53m. P. M. — Barnet, Dunchurch, Dun- stable, Fenny Stratford, St. Albans, Stoney Stratford, Towcester, Daventry, Northampton, London. Bristol Mail, 8h. P. M. — Falmouth, Exeter, Bath, Bristol, Dursley, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Wootton, Droitwich, Tewkesbury, Wor- cester, Broomsgrove, Salisbury. London Mail, llh. 30m. P. M. — With a second London Bag. The Letter-Box closes at 7 A. M. for the despatch of the Mails to Holyhead, Yarmouth, Worcester, Leamington, and Stonrport; at? P.M. for the despatch of the London and Bristol Mails, and half an hour previous to the departure of any of the other Mails. DELIVERIES. The delivery at the Office Window commences at ahout a quarter after 8 A. M. with the Letters Drought by the Bris- tol, London, and Banbury Mails. Letters brought by the other Mails are ready for delivery in 30 minutes after their arrival, until 7 P. M., at which period the Delivery Window is closed. At half-past 8 P. M. it opens again for the de- livery of Letters arriving by the Stourport, third Railway ? and Holyhead Mails, and it continues open until 10 P. M # There are two general deliveries by Letter Carriers throughout the town, the first commencing at a quarter after 8 A.M., and the second at a quarter after 5 P.M., except on Sundays, when there is no afternoon delivery. Any delay in the arrival of a Mail occasions a correspond- ing delay in the delivery. BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. 185 We shall now take a hasty sketch of the Town, its Public Buildings, Offices, and Institutions. Those devoted to the relief of human sorrow and suffer- ing, are very considerable, not only in the extent of their means but in their number. The fine arts are highly cultivated in this town, the importance of a school of design, and the cultivation of a correct taste, being well appreciated — indeed being essential to the prosecution of the extensive and elegant manufactures for which it is so deservedly celebrated. CHURCHES, CHAPELS, &c. &c. Birmingham has 12 Churches, all of which are within the Archdeaconry of Coventry and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, and the following places of worship for various denominations of Dissenters : — Independents, 3 ; Baptists, 4 ; Methodists, 3 ; Scotch Church, 1; Society of Friends, 1 ; Catholics, 1; Uni- tarians, 2 ; Jews, 1. St. Martin's, the original parish church, is charged in K.B. £19 13s. 6|d. It has a fine spire ; the other portion of it has a mean appear- ance. St. Phillip's is the handsomest ecclesiastical erection in the town, and being situated in an area of four acres, it can be seen to advantage. Several of the others are imposing edifices, in which the Grecian style principally obtains, but we have not here room to notice them separately. PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS. The Town Hall ranks the first under this head, and is a fine erection of the Corinthian order; it is 186 BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. open to the inspection of the public, and is one of the Lions of Birmingham. It has one room which is estimated to contain about 9000 persons, in which is perhaps one of the finest organs in the kingdom. In this room the Musical Festival is held (the profits of which are given to the Dispensary.) The Grammar School is a splendid Gothic edi- fice, erected from the designs of Mr. Barry, who is about to erect the new Houses of Parliament. It is situated in New-street, and is one of the most splendid erections in the town of Birmingham. It was founded in the time of Edward the Fifth; and though the original income was not large, its pre- sent revenue is estimated at from 5 to £6,000 per year. The edifice erected in 1707 has been lately removed, and the ground is now occupied by the present School. The Market Hall is a handsome building, taste- fully arranged ; its principal entrance is in High- street. It is well supplied, and has every convenience for the transaction of business. The General Hospital and the General Dis- pensary are also handsome erections, as also are se- veral others in the following list of public Offices, Institutions, and Charities. The Public Office and Prison is situated in Moor-street. It contains the Police and other Public Offices. The Assav Office is in Little Cannon-street. Its name designates its purpose. BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. 187 The Gun Barrel Proof House is situated in B anbury-street, on the banks of the Canal. This is a great convenience to the manufactories in Birming- ham, and produces a very large revenue. The Cavalry Barracks were erected soon after the riots in 1791 ; they are situated near Vauxhall ; the approach is from Great Brook-street. The Charities of Birmingham are too numerous to mention. Among the most prominent, however, are the following : — The General Hospital, the Dispensary, the Magdalen Institution, the Workhouse, Linch's Trust, Fentham's Trust, the Asylum, Deaf and Dumb School, &c, &c. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS. Birmingham has a Philosophical Society, situ- ated in Cannon-street; a Royal Medical School, in Paradise-street; a Horticultural Society, in the Gardens of which are extensive conservatories and hot-houses, situated in the parish of Edgbaston. A Society of Arts, situated in New-street, and one of the handsomest architectural specimens which the town affords. It has a splendid portico of the Corinthian order. This institution has been of great advantage to the town. A Mechanics 5 Institution — but, strange to say, in this town of mechanics, it has not a building spe- cially devoted to its objects. The classes meet in the School Buildings, Old Meeting-street, in which is 18S BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. the Library and News-room, and the Lectures are delivered at the Theatre of the Philosophical Insti- tution, Cannon-street. Two Libraries, viz. : — the Old Library, situated in Union-street, which contains from 17 to 18,000 volumes, and has about 600 subscribers. The New Library, in Temple-road, West, which has perhaps a fourth of the above number of volumes, and 350 subscribers. Its Library, has, however, been ju- diciously selected, and is rapidly increasing. A News and Commercial Room, situated on Bennett's Hill. It is well supplied with newspapers and publications relating to commerce. The Blue Coat School is situated in St. Phillip's Churchyard. It is supported by subscriptions and endowments. In it are 110 boys and 50 girls, clothed and educated. Birmingham has also to boast of a National School; Protestant Dissenters' School; a Lan- casterian School; two Infant Schools, and many Sunday Schools. HOTELS AND COACH OFFICES. The principal Hotels are the following : — Albion, High-street, Coach, Family, and Commercial; Castle, High-st., Coach, Family, and Commercial; George, Digbeth, Commercial ; Hen and Chickens, New- street, Coach, Family, and Commercial ; King's Head, Worcester-street, Commercial ; Lamp Tavern, Bull- BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. 189 street * ; Nelson, High-street, Coach, Family, and Commercial; Pump, Commercial; Royal, Temple- row, Family Hotel ; New Royal, New-street, Family Hotel ; Saracen's Head, Bull-street, Coach, Family, and Commercial ; St. George's Tavern, High-street, Coach, Family, and Commercial ; Swan, High-street and New-street, Family and Commercial ; Stork, Old-square, Family and Commercial ; Union, Union- street, Commercial ; Vauxhall Hotel ; White Hart, Digbeth, Commercial ; Wool Pack, Moor-street, Commercial. €f)e t n a niile 1 6 .. .. 1 a a a mile and a half 2 .. .. 1 6 a a two miles 2 6 .. .. 2 a a three miles 3 6 .. ..' 3 a a four miles 5 .. .. 4 Returning with the same fare, half the above. The Coach- man at liberty to charge by time or distance : 20 minutes, 6d. ; 40 minutes, Is.; and from between 12 at night and 6 in the morning, double fares. Canal and Waggon Carriage is so seldom wanted by a stranger, that it is here omitted. * We mention it for the singular fact, that a substantial dinner is set out for Is. per head. Short Stages start from this Tavern. 190 BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. BANKERS. Birmingham Bankers. Attwoods, Spooner, & Co.,New-st. Birmingham Banking Company. Ditto Borough Bank. Ditto Branch Lichfield, &c. Ditto Branch Bank of Eng- land. Ditto Midland. Ditto Town and District, Moilliett & Son, Cherry-street. National Provincial. Savings Bank. Taylors & Lloyd's, Dale-end. Correspondents in London. Spooner, Atwood, & Co. Jones, Lloyd, & Co. Prescot & Co. Sir R. Glyn & Co. Bank of England. Williams, Deacon, & Co. Barclay, Bevan, & Co. Sir J. W. Lubbock & Co. Hanbury, Taylor, & Lloyds. Hanbury & Co. BATHS. Many of the Hotels have Baths attached to them, but the only Public Baths are situated near Small- broke-street, out of which there is a passage to the Establishment, which is perhaps as complete as any in the kingdom. We have not space to describe it, but recommend THE LADYWELL BATHS to the inspection of the public. AMUSEMENTS. The public amusements in this town are not on a very extensive scale, nor indeed are they much pa- tronised. The Theatre is a handsome erection, situ- ated in New-street, opposite the Post-office. Vaux- hall Gardens are at Vauxhall, near the Birmingham and Liverpool Railway Station, and are open in the summer months. Subscription Balls and Concerts are occasionally held at the Royal Hotel ; there are usually several concerts in the season, and of a very high character. The Balls also are very select. BIRMINGHAM GUIDE. 191 NEWSPAPERS. The circulation attached to each paper is taken from the Stamp Office returns, from the 1st of Janu- ary to the 30th of June, 1837. Monday.. Aris's Gazette. An old-established paper, decidedly Conservative, but containing no original political articles. Circulation, 3,153 per week. Thursday. .Herald (The). Devoted to business only. It is gratuitously circulated, and contains, in ad- dition to the advertisements, commercial and other information required by men of busi- ness ; no party politics are admitted. The circulation is 4,769 copies per week. Advertiser (The). Tory; a violent partisan. Circulation, 961 per week. Philanthropist (The). Philosophically Ra- dical ; a zealous advocate of the voluntary system. Circulation, 346 per week. Saturday, Journal (The). Thoroughly Radical ; the organ of the Political Union. Its articles are gene- rally terse and vigorous. Circulation, 2,115 per week. We shall now close our remarks on this extensive and most remarkable manufacturing town by direct- ing our readers' attention to the following objects which are deserving of notice, but for a description of which we have not space in this edition. Nelson's Monument, situated in High-street. The Old Roman Road (Icknield-street), now Monument-lane. At Sutton Coldfield Heath, a place about seven miles distant, this road may be distinctly traced for three miles ; it is well worthy of a visit. Perrott's Folly, Monument-lane. The Parthenon, in New-street, and the group of buildings lately erected on Bennett's Hill. 192 STATEMENT. The following interesting statement of the Grand Juncton Railway Company was received too late to be inserted in the body of the work. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure to June 30th, 1837. Capital, £90. called on 10,400 Shares £936,000 513 Warrington and Newton Shares, at par of £100 51,800 £987,800 Less sums expended by the late Liver- pool and Birmingham and Birming- ham and Liverpool Companies, previously to the formation of this Company, in their unsuccessful endeavour to obtain an Act of In- corporation 26,225 16 5 £961,574 3 7 Loans £491,957 Amount borrowed to replace loans — notice to repay which has been given 45,000 536,957 Interest on Back Account and from Exchequer Bills 9,233 1 Due to Contractors — Balance of reserves 4,385 15 9 £1,512,150 4 EXPENDED. ' ' Parliamentary Expenses £22,757 10 4 Land and Compensation 211,230 6 11 Law Charges, Conveyancing, Stamps, &c, together with payments for Advertising, Travelling, and other expences and disbursements connected with the Law Department and Parliamentary Business 20,794 3 Contracts for Works 748,698 5 3 Engineering and Surveying Expences 23,823 18 3 General Charges and Office Expenses, including Advertising, Printing, Rent, Treasurer's and Clerks' Salaries, &c 4,551 5 10 Direction 3,134 5 Travelling 1,240 15 2 Stations 8,222 7 11 Locomotive Engines and Tenders 17,141 Building Carriages and Waggons 65,849 8 Rails, Chairs, and Keys 254,426 3 9 Sundry Disbursements connected with Coaching Establishment 192 10 Purchase of Warrington and Newton Line, less Surplus Income 65,479 6 Interest on Loans 22,270 18 3 Cash in Bankers' hands 25,835 17 4 Arrears of Calls, less amount of Warrington and Newton Interest not vet called for 16,502 18 7 £1,512,150 4 INDEX. Page Abernethy (educated at) 117 Acton Station and Township 47 Altringham 35 Anson (Viscount) 105 Apsley Hall 113 Aqualate Hall 121 Assay Office (Birmingham) 187 Ashley (Hamlet of) 84 Aston Hall (Cheshire) 45 Hall (Warwickshire) 139 Viaduct— Village of 138 Assembly Rooms (Manchester) 174 Bankers (Liverpool) 154 (Manchester) 1 70 (Birmingham) 1 89 Basford Hall , 65 Baths (Liverpool) 156 ( Manchester) 1 74 ( Birmingham) 1 90 Bazaar (Manchester) 174 Bear and Bible 61 BentleyHall 124 Bescott Hall, and Bridge Station 126 Betley Parish— Hall— Court and Mere 67, 71 Bilston 123 (Fire in Coal Pit at) 124 Bird's Wood 45 Birmingham Guide 1 76 Battle of 178 ■ Riots 179 Blue Coat School (Birmingham) 188 S 11. INDEX. Page Bog Hall 78 Bolton and Watt 137 Bostock Hall 54 Botanic Garden (Liverpool) 157 (Manchester) 175 Brewood 112 Bridgenorth 119 Burslem « 75 Bushbury (Village of) 114 Cannock and Chace 108, 109 Car Fares (Liverpool) 153 (Manchester) 170 ( Birmingham) 189 Cavalry Barracks (Birmingham) 187 Cemetery (Manchester) 1 72 Cemeteries (Liverpool) 157 Chantrey (Monument by) 84 Chapels (Liverpool) 162 (Manchester) 171 (Birmingham) 185 Chapel (Chorlton) 83 Charitable Institutions (Manchester) 173 — — (Liverpool) 163 Charities (Birmingham) 187 Cheadle 88 Cheshire (Entrance of) 37 Chester (City of) ,.., 39 Chetham Library (Manchester) 172 Chillington Hall (T. W. Giffard, Esq.) 113 Chorley Mount 133 Churches (Manchester) 171 Churches and Chapels (Birmingham) 185 Churches (Liverpool) 162 Civil War (Incident in) 60, 66, 81, 87 Cliefden 52 Club-house (Manchester) 174 Coach Offices (Birmingham) 188 — (Manchester) 169 (Liverpool) 1 53 INDEX, 111. Page Cobridge , 77 Collis and Co.'s Establishment (Birmingham) ..... 180 Concert Hall (Manchester) 174 Congleton 61 Congreve, Sir William (Educated at) 117 Coppenhall Station and Township 57 Crewe Hall (Account of) 63 Station and Township 58 Custom House (Liverpool) 157 Curious Echo 107 Darlaston „ 125 Daresbury Hall 43 David Llewelyn (Death of) 38 Delamere (Lord ) 53 Docks— Dock Office 157, 158 Doddington Hall and Park (Account of ) 66 Dunston 106 Dudley, and Castle 128 Drayton, or Market Drayton 8 L Eardwick (Sampson) 91, 98 Eaton Hall 54 Eccleshall, and Castle 86, 87 Elms (The) . 23 Embankments 102, 103, 107, 111, 138 Etruria , 75 Excavations , 68, 82, 121, 122, 133, 135 Exchange ( Manchester) 171 (Liverpool) 161 Excise Office 157 Fenton (Elijah) 75 Fishing 47, 137 Ford Houses (Village of) 114 Foreign Packets 152 Four Ashes Station 1 J 2 Frodsham 38 General Hospital (Birmingham) 186 Dispensary (Birmingham) 186 IV. INDEX. Page Grafton Wood 67, 68 Grammar School (Birmingham) 186 Grand' Junction Railway Office (Birmingham) .... 189 Grange Hall 48 Gun Barrel Proof House (Birmingham) 187 Hackuey Coach Fares (Liverpool) 153 (Manchester) 170 (Birmingham) 189 Hales Owen 129 Halton Castle 36 Hamstead Hall 135 Handsworth J 36 Hauley , 73 Hartford Excavation, Station, and Township 48 Hatton Mill 84 Hill Cliff Quarry 36 Hotels, Liverpool 154 Hotels, Manchester 169 Hotels 188 Haugh House 1 03 Hounds 68, 82, 121 House of Industry, Liverpool 1 62 James Bridge Station 125 Jennens and Beltridge's Establishment, Birmingham 181 Infirmary, Liverpool 1 62 Ingestrie Hall 103 Journey to Newton 18 Newton to Manchester 22 ■ Newton Junction Station 22 Birmingham 28 Knutsford 50 Lane Delph 77 Lane-end and Long Town 76 Lea Hall 136 Lear Hall 56 Leek 79 INDEX. V. Page Libraries (Liverpool) 164 (Manchester) 172 (Birmingham) 188 Lichfield 99 Cathedral 101 Literary and Scientific Institutions, (Liverpool) . . 164 (Manchester).. 173 (Birmingham) 187-8 Liverpool Guide 1 45 Origin of name 1 45 Posfi-Office 148 Long Port, &c. &c 76 London and Birmingham Railway Office (Birming- ham) 189 Low Hill (Mr. Pountuoy) 114 Lunatic Asylum ( Liverpool) 162 Macclesfield , 61 Maer Hall 83 Madeley Station and Parish 69 Manchester Guide 166 Post-Oflace 168 Manor Hall 56 Maplebeck and Lows' Establishment (Birmingham) 181 Markets (Liverpool) 1 60 Markets (Manchester) 175 Market Hall (Birmingham) , 186 Marriage Custom 51 Mechanics' Institution (Liverpool) 164 (Manchester) 1 73 (Birmingham) 188 Middlewich 55 Minshall Vernon Station and Township 5H Mill Meese 85 Moilton Village 53 Moore Statiou, and Village 37 Moore Hall 42 Moseley Hall 1 14 Moss ( Whitmore) 77 Mount (The) 157 VI. INDEX. Page Nantwich 58 Natural Phenomenon 80 New Bailey Prison (Manchester) 175 Newcastle-under-Lyne 69 Newport 96 Newspapers 1 65 — (Manchester) 175 (Birmingham) , 191 Northwich 49 Norton 86 Norton Priory, account of 43 Nixon's Prophecies 53 Oxley Hall (the late Mr. Huskisson) 114 Penkridge 108 Perry-bar Station 136 Perrott's Folly (Birmingham) 191 Perry Hall 135 Pic-nic Parties 47 Portico (Manchester) 172 Post-Office (Birmingham) 182 Potteries ; and original seat of 75 Preston Brook Station and Township 44 Prince's Parade (Liverpool) 156 Public Offices (Birmingham) 187 Pumps on the Road 110 Queen Elizabeth, and Queen of Charles 1 131 RACES 143 Railway, account of its Regulations 11 First application to Parliament 2 Time of Starting 14 Fares, Charges 15, 16, 17. 151 Time on Road to each Station 16, 17 Highest and Lowest Point 104 Railway — Particulars of Cost 1 92* Rickersford 105 Roman Road (Birmingham) 191 INDEX. Vll. Page Rowley House 1 03 Royal Institution (Manchester) 173 Rugeley » . . . 98 Runcorn 34 Salt, first place in which made. .......••*' 59 Salt Mines— Works 50, 54 Sandbach 60 Sandon 98 Sandwell Park 135 Seighford Hall, and Meadows 91 Shelton 74 Shenstone (The Poet) 129 Shiffnal 118 Shugborough Park (Account of) 105 Slade Heath 114 Soho 1 36 Sessions House (Liverpool) 161 Spread Eagle Station Ill Somerford Hall 1 13 Staffordshire (Entrance of) 68 Stafford 93 Castle 92 Standeford (Village of) 113 Standon and Standon Cottage 85 Statue of George III. (Liverpool) 161 Steam Packets 152 Stoke-upon-Trent 72 Stone 87 Summary of Works on the Line 141 Sutherland (Duke of) 82 Swinnerton Park 82 Hall 85 Taming a Shrew 71 Tarporley 51 Tiddesley Hall 106 Telegraph Office (Liverpool) 162 Theatres (Liverpool) 155 —(Manchester) 174 V1U. INDEX. Pa, Theatre (Birmingham) 19 c Town Hall (Liverpool) ] 6 '• (Manchester) 171 (Birmingham) 186 Trentham (Hamlet of) 79 (Seat of Duke of Sutherland 82 Tunnel (Grand Trunk Canal) 76 Tuustan Court 76 Uti »xeter 97 Vale Royal &$ Abbey and Viaduct Vauxhall Gardens (Birmingham) Station I Viaduct (Birmingham) (over Penk) f Dutton) dpl ? ( Warrington) (Vale Royal) Walsall Warrington Station and Town 32 Wedgwood (Josiah) 73 Wednesbury 127 Whitmore 78 Wellington Rooms ( Liverpool) 156 Willenhall Station and Parish 1 22 Winsford Station 55 Lodge Winwick