# The Grand Junction Railway Companion to Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham/Grand Junction Railway

GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY.
Before starting on our journey, it will be well to give an explanation of the various abbreviations used in the Work; and also a few preliminary observations.
Our readers will observe, that the embankments 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 inclination 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 consume half this material; when an overplus was ​obtained, the soil was carefully removed from the adjoining land, then the ballast from the excavation was laid on the land in the following shape—
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 Junction; 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 82½ miles in length; it commences in Curzon-street. Birmingham, 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, Frodsham, Runcorn, and Warrington, terminates at Newton, on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, by which it ​ with Liverpool and Manchester; the distance from Birmingham to those places respectively, being 97¼ 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 topographers, "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, ​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 Elizabeth (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.
Newton Junction Station. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 14¾ | 2s. 6d. |
| From Birmingham | 82½ | 12s. 6d. |
Two hundred yards after leaving the Station, is a line of railroad turning off ​to the left; this is the line from Manchester 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 15¼ 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 locomotive 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 15½, the steep ends, and a gentle declivity of 1 inch in 476, succeeds, which, with but little alteration, continues to Warrington; opposite this post the Bradley excavation ends, and a slight embankment commences. 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 proprietor of the foundry; and, a little further on, opposite the 15¾ 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 ​right, the Sankey Canal flows parallel with the road; on a fine day, the flats (a class of vessel adapted to this navigation, of from 40 to 80 tons burden) may be seen bearing their burden of merchandise to and from the commercial metropolis of the kingdom, and, with their large red sails, adding much to the picturesque appearance of the
80¾
16½
scene. On the left, about a mile from the railroad, is
Winwick, which, though now in appearance but an insignificant township, was formerly a British city, known by the appellation of Cair Guintguic. Winwick 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. 9½d; 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 supposed he was slain by Penda, King of Mercia. A little to the north of Winwick, 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 ​Hamilton. 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
80¼ 17
(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.
79¾ 17½
A little past here (17½), the Sankey Canal turns to the right, towards Runcorn Gap, at which place it enters the river Mersey, about 18 miles above Liverpool.
79 18¼
78¾ 18½
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 railway carriages. One mile further on, is a bridge across the Line, over which passes the London road; and just through the bridge is the ​
Warrington Station. :
| | Miles. | 1st Class. | 2nd Class. |
| Distant from L'pool & Manchester | 19½ | 4s. 0d. | 3s. 0d. |
| Distant from Birmingham | 77¾ | 10s. 6d. | 11s. 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 account 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-ball, 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. Whittaker asserts, that it was formerly a Roman station, but as the ancient name of the town was ​Walingtune, it completely destroys his theory. It appears probable that the present name was a corruption of the Saxon appellation Wœring and Tun, signifying a fortified town. Leaving the antiquarians to settle these points, we proceed 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 progress 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, occasioned perhaps by there being no other bridge nearer than Burton-upon-Irwell. In 1643, the town was twice taken by storm by the Parliamentary 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 livings are, a rectory and two canons, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester. C.V. rectory, £40, patron Lord Lifford; 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, ​deicated 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 magnificent 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 Society at Manchester; of Litherland, the inventor of the patent lever watch; of Mrs. Leland, who died in 1693, at the age of 140; and here the Right Hon. George Tierney received his education; and its neighbourhood gave birth to John Blackburne, who so successfully cultivated the Cotton-tree, and who was the second person who brought the Pineapple to perfection in England. Warrington gives the title of Earl, in addition to Stamford, to the Grey family.
Runcorn—named by the Saxons Rornicofan, is situated on the banks of the Mersey, 18 miles from Liverpool. Since the completion of the Duke of Bridgewater's navigation, the ​town has assumed an importance which it never never before possessed. It is now a place of resort for salt water bathing, and its quarries of freestone employ a number of people. Population 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 pursuits. 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.
​77¾ 19½
We take our departure from the Warrington Station, and 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 crossing this Embankment. The ascent of the road for the next mile is one inch in 500; then for 2½ miles, nearly to the mile post (23rd mile), the ascent is scarcely perceptible, being but one in
77½ 19¾
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 ​asserts that the celebrated Nixon prophesied, that when these rocks visited Vale Royal, the family of Cholmondely would have attained its zenith, and much more which this deponent sayeth not.
77¾ 20½
About forty yards before we come to this post (20½), the Railroad passes into Cheshire, by crossing the Warington 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 Walton Superior.
76 21½
About 30 yards before this post, we enter the Moore Excavation, which is near one mile and a half in length, and is crossed by five handsome bridges, the first and last of which are built on the skew principle. We now arrive at the
Moore Station. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| Distant from Liverpool and Manchester | 22½ | 3s. 6d. |
| Distant from Birmingham | 74¾ | 11s. 0d. |
Moore is a small township in the parish of Runcorn; it lies a little to the ​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 westward. 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. £,6780. 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. 11½d.; 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 ​his garrisons to the sword. He was afterwords 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 barbarism 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. Population of city 21,363. It has a considerable maritime trade with Wales and Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and the Baltic, but the continual shifting 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 manufacture is gloves. It has markets every Wednesday 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, ​discuracy. K.B. £6 138. 6d.. 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. Mary's-on-the-Hill, a rectory. K.B. £52, in the gift of Earl Grosvenor; 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 history; suffice it to say, that from the frequent discoveries made of coins, inscriptions, sculptured 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, consisting 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, apparently wholesale warehouses, and above them are balustraded gallaries, which have a most ​singular appearance to strangers, who with difficulty can persuade themselves they are not up one pair of stairs in the house; in these gallaries are, however, the shops of most of the light and fashionable businesses. The wall, which surrounds the city, is not the least remarkable 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 nunnery, 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, endowed the cathedral, for the maintenance of a dean, six prebendaries, six minor canons, and other officers. We have not space to comment 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 hypocaust and sudatory, with ​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 clarities are very numerous, and include a Blue-coat School, a Diocesan School, an Infirmary, and several Almshouses. We regret that we are not able to devote more space to this interesting city.—(For Races, see Index.)
74¼ 23
Proceeding through the Moore excavation, 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, 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 continues unto the post marked (24½), when a steep inclination of 1 in 100, ​which is half a mile in length, is succeeded by a continuation of the acclivity, but reduced to 1 in 180, which brings us to the level, just before we arrive at the 25¾ mile-post.
73¾ 23½
The country here is worthy of attention: to the left may be seen Daresbury Wood, or Daresbury Firs, the tower of Daresbury Church; and Daresbury Hall, the seat of Mr. Chadwick; 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 vanlts of the priory, and the ornamental door-way, are preserved 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 wood and verdure.
72¾ 24½
72 Here is a neat lodge on the right, in 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 ​a small tunnel of about 100 yards in length; opposite this post, to the left, is the village of
72¾ 24½
Preston Brook; it is a small township 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 junction with the Duke of Bridgewater's. 200 yards past the post, the railroad passes under the Duke of Bridgewater's Canal, which is supported by an aqueduct 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 | 72½ | 10s. 6d |
71¾ 25¾
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 ​idea had occurred at an earlier period of the work, it would probably have been of much greater extent.
71¼ 26
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 cutting will add greatly to the safety of the ancient family of foxes, although a sad foil to the amusement of the squirearchy. 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;
70¾ 26½
at the 26½ 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 discerned 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 27½ 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 ​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 produced 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 affect the happiness and comfort of millions yet unborn. From the centre of the viaduct is a view, which is an extraordinary auxiliary to the effect produced on the mind by the contemplation of this stupendous 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 murmuring sound (the music of silence) which, aided by the pictorial scene, cannot fail to produce that exquisite feeling of peace which the contemplation of nature, in her beauty and holiness, alone can impart.
In directing attention to this lovely ​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 house, which is called Pickering's Boat, at which he may obtain excellent accommodation. 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.
69¼ 28
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 Station. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 29¼ | 4s. 0d. |
| From Birmingham | 68 | 10s. 0d. |
Acton is a small township in the ​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 contract there were about 900,000 cubic yards of earth removed. The road for 67 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, surrounded 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. | 2nd Class. |
| From L'pool& Manch'r, rather more than | 31¾ | 6s. 0d. | 4s. 6d. |
| From Birmingham, rather less than | 65½ | 13s. 6d. | 9s. 6d. |
Hartford is a small township in ​the parish of Great Budworth, and hundred of Eddisbury; its population is 863, and the An. As. Val. 23,245.
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, township, and chapelry, in the parish of Great Budworth, 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 17½ 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 archdeaconry 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 inhabitants are principally occupied in the manufacture 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 ​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 Parliamentarians 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-Tuesday. 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 benefaction; patrons, the lords of the following manors, in succession:-Over Knutsford, Nether Knutsford, Ollerton Toft, and Buxton. The town has a Sessions House, a spacious County Prison, three places of worship for Dissenters, and two ​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 producing 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 marriage! (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. Val. £2,866. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the manufacture of stockings and breeches. Market on Thursday; fairs, May 1st, the first Monday after August 24th and December 11th. The church is dedicated to St. Helen; the living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of ​Chester, K.B. £20 3s. 4d., in joint patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Chester, Lord Anvanley, 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 principal gentlemen of the county assemble at an annual hunt. In the neighbourhood is Cliefden, formerly 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 dismantled by the Parliamentarians; enough, however, remains to evidence its former strength.
Resuming our journey, we have now a descent of 1 in 330 for near a mile, when, with but slight alteration, and an occasional level, we have an average ascent of about 1 in 280, until, at the 531 post, (one mile on this side of WHITMORE,) we attain an elevation of 390 feet above low water mark at Liverpool, being nearly 250 feet above the road at this station.
64½ 32¾
The Vale Royal Embankment, which is about 150 yards long and 60 feet high, here meets the Viaduct midway in the valley. This bridge bas 5 arches, each 63 feet span, and carries the Railroad across Vale Royal, at an elevation ​of near 70 feet from the water in the river Weaver, which flows beneath. The village of Moilton may be distinguished to the left, by the spire of its church; and to the westward may be seen the chimnies of Vale 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 enjoyments 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 Cliff quarry; hence the good villagios are now filled with expectancy, while the nobleman who is the subject of their ​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 England should be without a king. Whether this has been invented to support the other, or whether the fact of our country being kingless is an accidental fulfilment 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.
63¾ 33½
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 34¼
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 the road.
62½ 35
To the left is Walton Green, 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 ​
Winsford Station, which is about 40 yards past the bridge. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 36¼ | 5s 6d. |
| From Birmingham | 61 | 9s. 0d. |
There is so little worth attention in this village, 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 Northwich. 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 Tuesday; 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 spacious 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. The living 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 ​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.
61 36¼
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.
60 37¼
The Middlewich Branch Canal here flows beneath the Railroad.
59¾ 37½
To the left is Lear Hall. The remains of a moat for the most part surround the house.
59¼ 38
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. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 38¾ | 6s. 0d. |
| From Birmingham | 58½ | 9s. 0d. |
Minshull Vernon is a township in ​the parish of Middlewich, and hundred of Northwich, county of Chester; Pop. 385; An.As. Val. £3,146.
58¼ 39
A slight embankment carries us to within a shiort distance of the 39 post, when a cutting of three quarters of mile (across which are two more bridges) succeeds.
56½ 40¾
We now arrive at an embankment which crosses Wanningham Moss; this extends to within 200 yards of the 41¼ post, when we enter Coppenhall Moss.
55½ 41¾
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 42¼ post is
The Coppenhall Station. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 42¼ | 6s. 6d. |
| From Birmingham | 55 | 8s. 6d. |
Coppenhall is a parish and township in the hundred of Nantwich, 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 ​54 43¾
mile, and a cutting of about the same length (across which is a bridge), bring us to the 43¼ post; nearly opposite 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 Coppenball Station, a good view of the country may be obtained; it is here particularly rich, abounding with wood and luxuriant pasture. The
Crewe Station. :
| | Miles. | 1st Class. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool& Manchester | 43½, | 9s. 6d. | 7s. 6d. |
| From Birmingham | 11s. 6d. | 8s. 0d. |
Crewe is a small township in the parsh of Barthornley, and hundred of Nantwich; Pop. 295; A.. 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 dairyland in the kingdom; Pop., town and parish, 5,357, town, 4,886; An. As. Val. £6,484. Market on Saturday; Fairs. March 26, the 2nd ​Tuesday in June. September 4th, and December 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, wich, a settlement, usually 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 ​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 parliamentary 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 1726. 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 Northwich, 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. Thursday; fairs, on Easter Thursday, first Thursday after September 12, 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 declined. The church is dedicated to St. Mary, and bas a lofty steeple; the living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester; K.B. £15 10s. 2½d.; patron. Rev. J. Armistead. Here are places of worship for various denominations of dissenters, and an endowed school. In the market-place were two crosses, ornamented with a carved representation of the ​crucifixion, and various images, but these are now removed.
Congleton is a market-town and chapelry, in the parish of Astbury, and hundred of Northwich, 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. 0d.; P.R. £140; it is endowed with £800 by private benefaction, the crown, and a parliamentary grant; patrons, the Corporation of Congleton. 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 neighbourhood. 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!—and it is yet a bye-word in the mouths of the enemies of the good people of Congleton, that "they prefer their Bear to their Bible."
Macclesfield is a market and ​corporate 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 inhabitants estimate their advantages. The town has four churches, two of them perpetual curacies 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 ​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 Parliament; 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.
53¾ 43½
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 441 mile-post, when we have a view of the woods in Lord Crew's domain.
52¾ 44½
At the 44½ 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 quadrangular 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 ​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 general 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 surrounded with thick woods, abounding with game; the private gardens are enclosed 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 gardens, amply testify; the reason whereof, popular tradition has not failed to ally with the marvellous. Thus sayeth the peasantry, the truth whereof this deponent voucheth not—"The late Lord Crewe, it would appear, was addicted to the noble vice of betting, and laid so ​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 remaining portion of the debt to be paid out of the estate, which has hitherto caused him to live in comparative seclusion, without such an establishment as this pre-eminently English mansion would appear to demand."
52 45½
Basford Hall is to the right; its glory has departed, and it is now no more than the residence of an English yeoman.
50½ 46¾
To the left is a farm house, of Elizabethan appearance; proprietor, Mr. Garnet. A little to the north formerly stood Chorlton Hall: the cottage, which is evidently an appendage thereto, was formerly fortified, and is to this day called the Moat House.
49¾ 47½
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 treasures contained in its bosom. To the ​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.
49½ 47¾
About a mile to the right is Doddington Hall, the seat of Lieutenant General 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 preserved the only relics of the Elizabethan mansion; viz, five statues of ​Lord Audley and his esquires, which formerly ornamented the ancient erection.
48¾ 48½
About 100 yards past this, looking to the left, a panoramic view of a portion 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 Tollet. 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 therewith. The village of Betley is a little more to the south, it may be distinguished by the spire of its church, which is a prominent object in the landscape. Ravenshall is still more southward, and in the distance, crowning 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 followed 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 ​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 orer two bridges.
47¾ 49½
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 present garden.
47¼ 50
The Madeley Excavation here commences; 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, ​that would leave the security these extensive woods afford.
100 yards past this post is the
Madeley Station. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 51½ | 7s. 6d. |
| From Birmingham | 45¼ | 7s. 0d. |
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 structure, 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 2¾ westward. (Line resumed page 77.)
Newcastle-Under-Lyne, or Lyme, 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 ​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 incorporated 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 archdeaconry 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 almshouses for twenty poor widows; the latter were ​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 supporters of the regicide Cromwell; viz., John Goodwin, whose powerful talents and pen were always at his service; and Major General Harrison, who contributed much to his military progress.
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 nature, 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 marketplace, until a promise of amendment was extracted." Newcastle gives the title of Duke to the noble family of Clinton. (For Races, see Index.)
Betley, a parish in the hundred of Pirehill, 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 Newcastle. 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 Lichfield and Coventry, endowed with £1,200, ​bestowed by private benefaction and royal bounty; P.R. £101 9s. 6d., patron, George Tollet, Esq. About a mile from the town are the remains of Healy Castle.
Potteries. The populous and interesting district, known under this general designation, is in the hundred of Pirehill and county of Stafford, 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, Fenton, 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 prosperous 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 17 square miles, contains nine townships, four chapelries, and one liberty. It had formerly a very ancient church, dedicated to St. ​Peter: it has, however, given place to a modern structure, erected in 1826, partly by subscription among the inhabitants of the town, and the workmen 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 0s. 10d.; 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 originally 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 Westwood 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 worship 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. ​A large market for cattle is also held four times a year. The chapel is a handsome and commodious 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 National 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 Dispensary.
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 ​are also places of worship for various denominations of Dissenters.
In this township are the potteries, and the villa of Etruria, erected by the celebrated Josiah Wedgwood, and so named from Mr. Wedgewood's ingenious imitation of the Etruscan Vases. The villa is remarkable for the beauty of its situation and the classical arrangement of its architectural details. Elijah Fenton, 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 denominations of dissenters, a Catholic Chapel; a handsome 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 original seat of the Staffordshire Potteries: by far the major part of its inhabitants are at present ​occupied in this branch of manufacture, which is now perhaps not inferior to china itself. Josiah Wedgewood 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 Brownhills 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 township, 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 Commissioners; there are also places of worship for methodists, 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 neighbourhood 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 ​Hill is in the vicinity. The Church was erected partially by a grant from the Parliamentary Commissioners, 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.
Woore 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.
45¾ 51½
The cutting at Madeley is followed by a short embankment and excavation, which brings us to the 52½ post;
45 52½
the succeeding embankment is one mile in length, and carries us, with the aid of one bridge, across a portion of Whitmore Moss. The view is here bounded by bills on each side; those to the right are in many places so rugged as to create the impression that you have ​suddenly been transported to the Highlands of Scotland, and that you are vegetating among the grouse.
44 53¼
We have now attained a short level of about half a mile; we then descend an inclined plane of 134 miles in length, varying from 1 in 390 to 1 in 650, which ends at the 65¾ post. On the right band, near this post, is a goodly farmhouse, 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 continues for about a mile; the remainder of the cutting is through earth and spongy rock. Just before the post marked 54¼ is the
Whitmore Station. :
| | Miles. | 1st Class. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester. | 54¼ | 11s. 6d. | 8s. 0d. |
| From Birmingham. | 43 | 9s. 0d. | 6s. 6d. |
Whitmore, a parish in the north division 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 diocese 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 Drayton is 10 miles westward.
​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 parliamentary 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 Viscount Trentham from this place. About the end of the 10th century. Ethelred ere erected a nunnery, of which he appointed his sister the abbess. In the reign of Henry I., about a century afterwards, it was converted into a priory of Augustine Canons; no vestige now remains of the establishment.
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 ​pedlars' 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 1s. 9½d., 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 saline 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. ​Market Drayton, is a small market town and parish, partly in the hundred of Bradford-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. 416,777 Market on Wednesday; fairs. Wednesday before Palm Sunday. September 19. October 24, for horned and other cattle, horses, and bempen and woollen cloth. Though now but a small township, it was formerly a British city of considerable dimensions, known under the name of Caer Draithon. Blore-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, defeated them with great slaughter, and in this case exhibited more than the usual talent of the commanders 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 ​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 apprenticeship fund.
42¼ 55
This excavation now becomes very deep, and is in some places between 50 and 60 feet below the fields.
Swinnerton Park, the seat of Mr. Charbutt, 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 magnificent 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 artificial lakes. A handsome, but somewhat heavy family mausoleum, bas been erected on the east side of the road, near the grounds; this seat, being situated 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, ​in search of information, is not the less desirous 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 tbc 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 farther on, the township of Maer. The parish and township contains a population 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 between 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 Chorlton (pop. 135);
41½ 55¾
a little farther, on the left, opposite 55¾ is Shelton Farm, occupied 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 ​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.
41¼ 56
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 sculpture: among others is a wall figure, in memory of William Kennesley, Esq., of Clough Hall, one of Chantry's happiest 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. 5½d.; patron, we believe. J.L. Anwill, Esq.
40½ 56¾
Here, an excavation of little more than half a mile, across which is a bridge, brings us to one of the largest embankments on the line; it is four miles in extent, and carries the Railroad across two bridges and under four.
40¼ 57
Hatton Mill is to our left; the village ​from which it is named is three quarters of a mile more to the eastward.
38¾ 58½
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.
36¾ 59
To the eastward is Swinnerton Hall, the seat of T. Fitzherbert. Esq., to the left is Mill Meese.
37½ 59¾
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 364 attention;
36¼ 61
a little past the 61 mile-post, we arrive at the end of this long embankment, which is followed by an alternate succession of ten embankments and excavations, 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.
36 61¼
Here is Hames Farm, occupied by Mr. Robertson, and, a little past the 62½ mile-post, we arrive at the
Norton Bridge Station. :
| | Miles. | 2d Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 62½ | 9s. 6d. |
| From Birmingham | 34¾ | 5s. 0d. |
From here Eccleshall is 21 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 return of 1821, 44; return of 1831, 37; An. As. Val £1,543. 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, essentially agricultural. Market on Friday; fairs, Thursday before Mid Lent Thursday, Holy Thursday, 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 Audley's disgraceful defeat by the Marquis of Salisbury. The living is a discharged vicarage, and a peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield; value K.B. £7 14s. 4d., P.R. £97 12s.; endowed with £1,300 by the Crown, private benefaction, and Parliamentary grant. Patron, ​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 Muschamp 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 surrendered. 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, Tuesday; fairs, Tuesday after Mid Lent, Shrove Tuesday, Whit Wednesday, August 6, and September 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, dedicated 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 ​painting by Sir William Beechey—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 with £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 Lichfield, (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, created 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 converted 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 ​situated in a beautiful and romantic valley, surrounded by wooded hills. Pop. 4,119; An. As. Val. £1,348. Market on Friday; fairs, January 1, March 25, Holy Thursday, for horned cattle; Augustnb18, 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 manufactory, 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 embattled 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 considerably increased.
34¾ 62½
There is nothing that can excite the inquiry of the traveller until we arrive at
34¼ 63
the 63rd mile post, when the river Sow is again seen approaching the railroad, and, by its quiet, silvery, slow meandering, contrasted with the rapidity of the carriages, forcibly reminds us of the singular change which a few years have ​made in our 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 transport as a canal?
33¾ 63½
To the left is the village of Shallowford. Here the Sow flows under the railway (this river affords excellent sport to the angler) and accompanies the railroad in its immediate vicinity to Stratford.
33 64¼
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.
32¾ 64½
Here to the left is the village of Bridgeford, and a quarter of a mile further is the
Bridgeford Station. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 64¾ | 9s. 6d. |
| From Birmingham | 32½ | 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 ​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, however, some objects to notice on our way.
32½ 65
Sandon Hall, the beautiful seat of the 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 William Pitt. The remains of strong walls are traceable, and the moat which formerly 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 bis memory in Sandon Church. To the right is Seighford Hall, Francis Eld, Esq., this gentleman keeps a pack of otter hounds, which occasionally have excellent sport.
The embankment is here across the Seighford meadows, in which are abundance of snipes; occasionally herons also may be found. The river Sow has for some time been on the left of the ​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 Creswell Hall, a large white house with numerous 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 Edward the Third, by Ralph de Stafford, and in the civil war was garrisoned by the Royalists under the Earl of Northampton, who perished in a sharp skirmish on Hopton Heath. After his death the castle was taken by the Parliamentarians, and eventually demolished. 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 ​embankment 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 68¼ post is the
Stafford Station. :
| | Miles. | 1st Cl. | 2d Cl. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 68¼ | 14s. 0d. | 10s. 0d |
| From Birmingham | 29 | 5s. 6d. | 4s. 0d. |
From this station Newport is twelve miles westward, Uttoxeter 14, Sandon 5, Rugeley 9, Lichfield 17, eastward. (Line continued p. 102.)
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-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 cruciform 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 denominations 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, cabinet work, and cutlery. The grammar school of this town is of very ancient origin; it was, however, refounded by Edward VI. in 1550, who much increased its revenues. The present income is from £350 to £400 per annum. The school is open to the sons of any person belonging to the town; the masters are in the appointment of the corporation. The charities are numerous: among others is the Institution for the Relief of Widows and Orphans of Clergymen of the County of Stafford, which is liberally supported by annual subscriptions, and has also an endowment of £2,400, South Sea ​Annuities. The Hospital is a commodious building, 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 Lunatic Asylum is a building on a large scale, and, with the grounds, gardens, &c., covers 30 acres, and Almshouses for 12 aged persons. The County 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 respectable; 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 quarters 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 appearance 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 ​of Jemingham, 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 importance. Malting is, however, carried on to a considerable 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, 1st 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 archdeaconry 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 various 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.
​Uttoxeter, a market town and parish, in the south division of the hundred of Totmonslow and county of Stafford, occupies a lofty situation near the river Dove; Pop. 4,864, An. As. Val. £24,257. Market on Wednesday, principally for corn; fairs, Tuesday before Old Candlemas, Thursday in Easter week, May 6, June 3, July 4 and 31, for horned cattle and sheep; September 1, 19, November ll and 27, for colts and horned cattle. The town depends chiefly upon the influx of persons attending its excellent markets. It has, however, a good trade in clock cases, malt, corn, cheese; a great many bricks are made in the neighbourhood, in which 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 1s. 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 Horne Tooke ​in the representation of Westminster. It is said, that the gallant admiral was more frightened 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 navigation. 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 ​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 populous 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, ​upwards 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 lich, 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 privileges, 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 members 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 prebendaries, five priests, vicars, seven lay clerks, and ​eight choristers. Its revenues are stated in K.B. at £559 17s. 3½d; those of the dean and chapter at £275 13s. 4d. The Cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is a most magnificent 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 Lichfield. 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 ​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.
29 68¼
The embankment, which commences immediately after we pass through the next bridge, is for some time very slight, but from here to the 68¾ 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 lay of trees, brushwood, &c. upon which ballast was placed; until it gradually sunk to a substance sufficiently solid to stop it. Upon a subsequent inspection 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 ​below; it is, however, now perfectly solid.
28½ 68⅓
Four miles to the left is Ingestrie 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 extensive alterations, still retains the style of architecture denominated Elizabethan. It is situated on the acclivity of a bill, 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.
28¾ 68½
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.
28½ 68¾
Just through the skew bridge, 300 yards before the 68¾ post, a singular phenomenon presented itself in the attempt 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 ​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 workmen 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.
28½ 68¾
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 and a decided alteration 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 83½ post beyond the Wolverhampton station. The ground at the 83½ 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 ​the post marked 17½ miles from Liverpool, just where the Sankey Canal turns off towards Runcorn Gap, the rails there being barely 50 feet above low water mark.
28½ 68¾
The embankment we are now on extends for one mile and a half, and passes under two bridges: it is succeeded by a slight excavation of a quarter of a mile, over which are two more bridges: this brings us to the commencement of another embankment, opposite the 70th post.
27¼ 70
The village of Rickersford is to the left.
26¾ 70½
About four miles to the left, or eastward, 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 commander 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 surrounding scenery, however, attract the principal 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 ​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.
26½ 70¾
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, averaging from 10 to 15 feet in depth; over this are three handsome bridges.
25¾ 71½
On emerging from thence upon what I shall call the Dunston embankment, as the township of Dunston lies a little to the left, we have an extensive prospect; Cannock Chace being in the extreme distance, and in the intermediate space Teddesley Hall, the seat of Lord Hatherton; 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 ​Stafford. Pop.272; An.As.Val. £1,624. The chapel, dedicated to St. Leonard, is a perpetual curacy within the jurisdiction of the peculiar Court of Penkridge; the living is endowed with £1,200 by the Crown, and is in the patronage of Lord Hatherton. Our principal object in referring to this village is, however, to mention, that in a field, close by the chapel, there is an extraordinary echo, which returns seven or eight syllables distinctly.
25 72¼
The Dunston Embankment is but three quarters of a mile in length; passing across this, and through an excavation 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.
24 73¾
From this elevation a varied prospect is obtained; opposite this post (73¼), 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 scarcely to rise above them. Here, we arrive at the ​
Penkridge Station. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 73½ | 11s. 0d. |
| From Birmingham | 23¼ | 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, Lord Hatherton; perpetual 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 Lord Hatherton, 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 ​Dean and Chapter of Lichfield, not in charge; P.R. £100; patron, the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield. In the neighbourhood is the celebrated Cannock Chace, formerly a forest, on which are herds of wild deer, and immense quantities of game, the property of the Marquis of Anglesea.
23¾ 73½
About 50 yards past this station, is the 73½ 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.
23½ 73¾
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.
23 74¼
The embankment extends to within 100 yards of the 74¼ mile-post. Here, to the left, is a red house, surrounded ​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 supplied; 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.
22¼ 75
A little past this post, the turnpike 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 occasional 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 carriages; 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, ​because it exhibits a degree of consideration 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.
21¾ 75½
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 Eagle Station. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 76 | 11s. 6d. |
| From Birmingham | 21¼. | 3s. 0d. |
21¼ 76
From here there is nothing to interest the reader, until we arrive at
20 77¼
the 77¼ 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 carries the Railway over thirteen bridges, and under two:
The Four Ashes Station is a quarter of a mile from its commencement. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 77½ | 11s. 6d. |
| From Birmingham | 19¾ | 3s. 0d. |
This station takes its name from a small hostelrie, situated on the Liverpool road, about three hundred yards from the Railway, and which has probably administered to the comforts of our forefathers for a century or two, at the sign of the Four Ashes. From this station Brewood is two miles to the westward.
Brewood, a small market town and parish, in the hundred of Cattlestone, 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 discontinued. Fairs, September 19, for horses and cattle. The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a spacious and handsome edifice. The living is a disvicarage, in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; K.B. £6 7s. 8d.; patron, the dean of Lichfield. Here is an excellent Free School.
19½ 77¾
Somerford Hall, the seat of the ​Honourable E. Munkton, is to the right.
19¼ 78
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 surrounded by magnificent grounds, in which is a large artificial lake. To Mr. Giffard, Wolverhampton is indebted 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 garden, 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 bills, rising in gentle undulations, complete a scene upon which the eye loves to dwell.
19 78¾
Here is another beautiful view to the westward, which could not be seen from the former site. ​18¾ 78½
The London road is now on the 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.
17¼ 80
Opposite here, on the left, is a large house, embosomed in trees; it is Moseley Hall.
17 80¼
Near to this post, on the right, is Mr. Chamberlain's mill; the mill-head is supplied by a small stream that flows under the embankment.
16½ 80¾
To the right is the village of Ford-houses. To the left is a small red house; it is the parish school of the Hamlet of Bushbury, which is in a valley about a mile more to the south-east: the church may be plainly seen.
15½ 81¾
One hundred and fifty yards before we arrive at the 81¾ post, is Low Hill, the seat of Mr. Pountney; 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 ​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 antiquarian should be tempted to form a speculation thereon, we had better inform our readers, that it was formerly devoted to the very useful purpose of grinding corn, though now it is very nigh useless.
14½ 83
From here the town of Wolverhampton may be seen to great advantage; 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. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool & Manchester | 83¼ | 19s. 0d. | 13s. 0d. |
| From Birmingham | 14 | 2s. 6d. | 3s. 0d. |
From this station Wolverhampton is 1 mile, Shiffnall 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 days for all kinds ​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 ​endowed by Sir Steven Jenyns, Knt., a native of the town, and Mayor of London, Anno Domini 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 politeness; 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 japanned 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-beats 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 Concert Room, and a Dispensary. We must not entirely overlook the early history of this important town. In 996, a college was here founded by Wulfruna, sister of King Edgar, and widow of Aldhelem, Duke of Northampton; previous ​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 which 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 bequests for the benefit of the poor, and a savings bank, the Baptists, Independents, and Methodists have chapels in the town.
​Bridgenorth is a borough and market 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 depôt. 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 visitation; P.R. 283. The other, dedicated to St. Mary, is also a curacy, under the same circumstances 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, 2 Serjeants-at-mace, and various subordinate officers. It has sent members to Parliament since the time of Edward the First, and the Reform Bill confirmed the privilege; 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 ​the olden time; whether this exists in the imaginations 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 bill, 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 Ethelfleda, 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, ​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.
14 83¼
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 a Meeting, 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 Wednesfield 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.
13¾ 83½
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 be is aware, that, within a ride of five hours, this ballast would procure, perhaps, 30 or 40s. a ton.
13¼ 84
At the 84th mile post, the line is ​level for about half a mile, and then commences a descent which carries us into Birmingham, the inclination varying from 1 in 330 to 1 in 532.
13 84¼
We now pass over an embankment three-quarters of a mile in length, crossed by one bridge, which is succeeded by an excavation and an embankment 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.
11¾ 85½
About 200 yards before we arrive at this post, is Mr. Nevill's works and residence, and opposite them, to the right, is a machine for grinding heavy instruments, moved by steam power. Further, on the left, is Mr. Carpenter's manufactory 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 | 85¼ | 18s. 0d. |
| From Birmingham | 11¾. | 2s. 0d. |
From this station Bilston is one mile and a half to the westward. (Line continued p. 124.)
Willenhall, is a parish and chapelry in the south division of the hundred of Offlow. ​Pop. 5,834; An. As. Val. £5,508. It is said this place derives its name from the Saxon Winchala, a word signifying victory; this being the spot on which Edward the Elder defeated the Danes in a great battle. This place bas 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 exportation. 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 Lichfield 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. Aş. Val. $15,634. The town is situated on a rising ground, in the centre of a district abounding 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 ​the various works avail themselves of to the utmost 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 jurisdiction 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 Commissioners. There are places of worship for several classes of Dissenters, and a Blue Coat School for six boys. Near here a fire has been burning 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.
11¼ 86
There is nothing worthy of note until 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 ​concealed after the battle of Worcester. The red brick building, a little further on, is Bentley Farm, Mr. Foster.
10¾ 86½
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 | 87¼ | 13s. 6d. |
| From Birmingham | 10 | 1s. 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 Offlow, 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 11s. 5d. 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 of Dissenters, and a National School, ​supported by subscription, in which upwards of 150 boys and 80 girls are educated. The neighbourhood abounds with coal and iron; the principal manufacture of the town is gun-locks, nails, hinges, and a variety of hardware. Near the town are the ruins of a castle, built by Wolferus, King of Mercia, who sacrificed his sons for becoming disciples of the Christian bishop, St. Chad. The ruins bear evidence of a very strong fortification.
10 87¼
This embankment is crossed by two bridges, and carries the Railroad over one; at the (87¾ 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.
9½ 87¾
At this post we enter a small cutting; to the right is a house; it is Bescott Hall, occupied by Mr. Marshall; and at 170 yards past the 88th post is
Bescot Bridge Station. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 88 | 13s. 6d. |
| From Birmingham | 9¼ | 1s. 6d. |
From this station Wednesbury is 1, and Dudley 5½ to the westward, and Walsall 1 mile to the eastward. (Line continued p. 133.) ​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 Wednesbury 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 instruments which require sharpness. The Birmingham canal passes near, and gives it the advantage 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, bas 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. ​£4 3s. 4d., in the patronage of the Crown. Here are also chapels for Methodists and Independents, 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 belonged 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 Parliamentary forces, against which it was successfully defended by Colonel Beaumont. In the siege it was very much injured, but was never repaired; 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. ​Under the bill 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 importance to its noble owner. Strangers have access to these caverns, but we recommend them to employ a guide, or they may take an unexpected cold bath, by finding themselves immersed 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 valuable, as it is found here in great numbers, and variety of size. It is supposed to be a petrifaction of an extinct species of monoculus. From the castle is an extensive prospect, in which the remains of a monastery, formerly occupied by Cluniac 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 neighbourhood of the monastic ruins, is called the Priory. It is the residence of the Earl of Dudley's mining agent. In this district are extensive collieries, and iron and limestone mines. The country around is very beautiful; and a short distance, at Hales Owen, is "The Leasowes," 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 ​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 perpetrated in his grounds, while he has the power of prevention; thus the man of taste is excluded 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 English 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. 6d; 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 denominations 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 subsequent 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 ​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 institutions, 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, which 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. 15,006; An. As. Val. 26,692. 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 former, 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, anticipating summer; the other on the 23rd of October, ​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 connected with the place. The principal trade of this town is the manufacture of saddles, ironmongery, 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 exempted 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 Parliament. 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, recorder, 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, ​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 bas more than an ordinary share of charitable institutions, but our limits have been already so far trespassed 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 BirminghamFrom L'pool &
988¼The buildings with a high chimney are Mr. Thelwall'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 length; it is crossed by two bridges, and carries the rails over one. At this post we enter the 8¾89½Tame Hill Cutting, which is in some places upwards of twenty feet below the level of the fields: in this, one bridge crosses the line.
7¼90One hundred and fifty yards further, on the right, is Chorley Mount, ​the residence of Mr. Aldford. The river Tame runs for some distance parallel with the line, and in its graceful evolutions twice passes under this embankinent, 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 five arches, and it passes under one bridge and over another near the 90¾ post, and here is the
Newton Road Station. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 90¾. | 14s. 0d. |
| From Birmingham | 6½ | 1s. 0d. |
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 Birmingham 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 ​of Stafford and Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; C.V. £22; patron, the Earl of Dartmouth.
6½ 91
Opposite here, to the south-west, is 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.
5¼ 92
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. Wallis, Esq. The grounds are beautifullylaid out, and present as great a variety of scenery as such a space could produce: the woods are rich, and the grounds formed in easy undulations. A little further on is a white cottage—we believe, Claremont Villa.
5 92¼
At this post the embankment over 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, ​4½ 93
Esq., are to our left, near the 93rd post that the white house to the right is the residence of Mr. Rawlins, of Birmingham,—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 Soho, the extensive manufactory of the late Messrs. Boulton and Watt, and the magnificent mansion and grounds of the late Matthew Boulton, Esq. We must now direct attention to
Perry Bar Station. :
| | Miles. | 2nd Class. |
| From Liverpool and Manchester | 94 | 14s. 0d. |
| From Birmingham | 3¼. | 1s. 0d. |
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 situated 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 buildings of the kind in England. The church, dedicated to St. Mary the ​Virgin, is an ancient Gothic structure, with a tower rising from the centre. It a few years since received an addition of 450 sittings, of which 250 are free; the Parliamentary Commissioners contributed £500 to this enlargement. In the church are two elegant monuments to the memory of Mr. Boulton and Mr. Watt, whose fame rests not on sculptured 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 exbibits 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 Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; K.B. £13 9s. 2d., patron, Wyrley Birch, Esq.
We have lately crossed the river Tame-this river has some very superior fishing stations, which (not to interrupt 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 Tavern 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 ​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.
3¼An excavation of one quarter of a mile94, over which are two bridges, brings us to the 3 Great Aston Embankment94¼, which is one mile and three quarters in length, in some places between thirty and five and thirty feet from the fields below. It passes over two bridges and one viaduct of ten 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. 2½94¾Near the 94¾ 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 distance.
295¼Near the 95¼ post the village of Aston may be distinguished by the very handsome tower and spire of its church, which is in the later style of English architecture.
​Aston is a parish in the Birmingham division of the hundred of Hemlingford, county of Warwick. Pop. 32,118; An. As. Val. 63,142, 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 Coventry and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; K.B. £21 4s. 9½d. The church contains some curious tombs and effigies.
14 95½
About 200 yards past this post, to the 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 a long avenue of trees. It was erected at the commencement of the seventeenth century, by Sir Thomas Holt, one of the staunchest adherents of Charles the First, who was here entertained for two nights, about six days previous to the battle of Edgehill, the first in which the troops of the King and the Parliament met disastrous to both, but to neither advantageous. 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 ​About 150 yards from the viaduct, a fine view of Aston Hall may be obtained.
1½ 95¾
Just past here we arrive at the before-mentioned viaduct; from this the end of the Aston Embankment is quickly obtained. Birmingham is in sight, bearing 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 progress through which the Railway passes over two and under four bridges,
½ 96¾
bring us to the Company's Station at Vauxhall, near the 96¾ post. Here the passengers 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 embankment, connected with the large Birmingham 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;
¼ 97
the 97 mile-post is about the centre of this bridge; 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 ​Line, to enable them more correctly to estimate the greatness of the undertaking.
The reader who has accompanied us in our journey will, perhaps, scarcely be aware that he has passed one hundred excavations and embankments—yet such is the fact. In the formation of these, five millions five hundred thousand cubic yards of earth and stone have been cut and removed, three millions of which have been employed 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 formation 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 ​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 national point of view, as affecting the employment of the population, but this our limits forbid; 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.
* ↑ If the reader is desirous of leaving for the present the description of the towns, to truce 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 wear it. (See pages 29 and 36.)
* ↑ There are only six Stations at which the First Class Carriages stop in the journey; these are distinguished by type of a different character from the rest, and by the charge for first Class Carriages being placed, in addition to the charge for the Second Class Carriages. Where these distinctions are wanting, it is only a Second Class Station.
* ↑ To Manchester and Liverpool, see page 22.
* ↑ From Birmingham: 82; From L'pool & Manch'r: 15¼
* ↑ From Birmingham: 81¾; From L'pool & Manch'r: 15½
* ↑ From Birmingham: 81½; From L'pool & Manch'r: 15¾
* ↑ From Birmingham: 81¼; From L'pool & Manch'r: 16
* ↑ 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.
* ↑ An erratum has been applied: "...the H has been left out of his Lordship's name" (Wikisource contributor note)
* ↑ An erratum has been applied: "...the H has been left out of his Lordship's name" (Wikisource contributor note)
* ↑ An erratum has been applied: "For E. J. Lyttleton, Esq., read Lord Hatherton" (Wikisource contributor note)
* ↑ An erratum has been applied: "At p. 121, line 12, for 'to the Kennel,' read 'to a Meeting.'" (Wikisource contributor note)
* ↑ I refer to the time when the London and Birmingham Line is open.
* ↑ An erratum has been applied: "In the account of Aston Viaduct, for eight read ten arches." (Wikisource contributor note)
* ↑ 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.