The National tribune., 1892-06-09

claiming for it yields good returns fox the labor
invested.
Lincolnshire is the only County of the 1f
comprising the Midland group that has any
seaCoast. One or two of the others, however,
contain shipping ports on navigabie rivers
These are about the only Counties in England
which are not more or less interested III sea-
faring pursuits.
Dotted here and there are busy commercial
towns and few manufacturing centers-nota-
bly, that of Birmingham. This is Familiarity
known as the Black Country" Whether that
name is derived from the smokiness of every
thing or from the numerous coal mines in the
vicinity is difficult TO determine. Either one,
however, would not be unsuitable. Iron
manufactures are the leading industries. At
the present time this is no doubt the most
prosperous part of England, and it is growing
quite rapidly.
StaifordShire contains the great pottery dis
trict; Chester supplies salt; Nottingham,
laces; Leicester, boots. and so each County has
its particular industry. The breweries along
the River Trent supply I'll classes from royalty
to peasant with the favorite beverage of beer.
Some Of the Counties very small, and are
not noted for any particular manufacturing
industry.
Warwickshire, besides being noted for its
silks, would probably claim more attention as
tile birthplace Of Shakspcre. 1t was in this
County that he pursued his youthful pranks.
Oxfordshire has achieved her CHEF fame as an
educator OF great men. Berkshire and Shrop-
shire are not unfamiliar names with farmers.
The Englishman at his best is found in the
Midlands; the inhabitants are so much supe
riOr 10 the factory operatives of Lancashire
and the miners Of the more northern districts.
They are better in physique and much superior
in education and civiiity. The Englishman is
taller and stouter built than the average
American. Especially are English women
taller and ruddier in complexion than their
American cousins. The Engishnan tax s life
so much easier, and seems 20 lack that nervous,
restless energy Of an American. 1t may be, as
they say, that there is no great incentive to
hard work here.
The teNas OF the Midlands are very antique
in appearance. They seem more like relics of
centuries ago then places adapted for 10Th
centary bnstling life. Railway communica-
ton IS very good. Branch lines intersect at
every few miles and through lines are not
separated by any great distance.
IL Is surPTis!ngt0 one 10 see what q variety of
resources is 10 be found on this island Nearly all
the metals, wiia the exception of gold, is found
III paying quantities. Even silver is found in
small quantities, while the supplies Of coal,
iron and tin have, OF course, been the source of
Englands great wealth.
The variation Of climate is also great. The
northern districts are quite cold and the
timber very small, while in the southwest
peninsula orange and lemon trees will grow ia
the open air.
When one considers that the latitude OF Eng
land IS almost that Of Alaska, and that a large
par- Of England IS very garden spot, the great
difference of climate is seen and appreciated.
The great fault to be found with the island is
not lis quality, but rather its limited quantity.
N u