Drake's Road Book of the Grand Junction Railway
by active 1825 James Drake · English · Gutenberg #43367 · 357,788 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: Drake's Road Book of the Grand Junction Railway
Author: active 1825 James Drake
Release date: July 31, 2013 [eBook #43367]
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43367
Credits: This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DRAKE'S ROAD BOOK OF THE GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY ***
credit
This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler.
[Picture: Vauxhall Station, Grand Junction Railway, Vauxhall, Birmingham]
DEDICATED BY PERMISSION TO THE CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS OF THE
GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY.
* * * * *
DRAKE'S
ROAD BOOK
OF THE
GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY
FROM
BIRMINGHAM TO LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER,
ILLUSTRATED BY AN
ACCURATE MAP, AND NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS:
To which is appended
THE VISITER'S GUIDE
TO
BIRMINGHAM, LIVERPOOL, AND MANCHESTER.
* * * * *
TO THE
CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS
OF THE
GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY,
THIS
Second Edition
OF
THE ROAD BOOK,
IS,
BY PERMISSION, RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,
BY THE
AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER.
ADVERTISEMENT
TO THE
SECOND EDITION.
THE courteous reception given to the First Edition of the Grand Junction
Road Book, and the substantial proofs of approbation which a rapid sale
has afforded, render it a duty as proper as it is pleasant, for the
Author and Publisher to return their joint thanks for the liberal
patronage already bestowed on their work; and to engage a continuance of
the same, by their assurances that in the present edition every possible
improvement has been carefully effected in its various departments.
Spirited wood and steel engravings {v} of the most important spots on the
line have been introduced, and much new and interesting matter supplied.
The whole of the information concerning fares, regulations, stations, and
accommodation in towns on the route, has been recast, corrected, and
enlarged; and a brief but comprehensive directory added, under the head
of "VISITER'S GUIDE," page 97, containing lists of public buildings;
institutions of all kinds; places of worship of all denominations, with
names of the officiating ministers; principal show rooms and
manufactories; times of arrival and departure of mails at the post
office; hackney coach fares; bankers, inns, boarding houses, omnibus
offices, newspapers, canal conveyances, waggon warehouses, packets, &c.,
&c., for Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. The exceeding utility of
this new division of the volume will be obvious to every one. The Map
has also been revised, and greatly improved; and the "GRAND JUNCTION ROAD
BOOK" again makes its bow to the public, in full expectation that its old
fame and new merits will be rightly appreciated.
* * * * *
_Birmingham_, _September_ 1, 1838.
SONNET
BY WORDSWORTH,
ON
STEAM BOATS, VIADUCTS, AND RAILWAYS.
MOTIONS and means, on land and sea at war
With old poetic feeling; not for this,
Shall ye, by Poets even, be judged amiss!
Nor shall your presence, howsoe'er it mar
The loveliness of nature, prove a bar
To the mind's gaining that prophetic sense
Of future change that point of vision, whence
May be discover'd what in soul ye are.
In spite of all that beauty may disown
In your harsh features, Nature doth embrace
Her lawful offspring in Man's art; and Time,
Pleased with your triumphs o'er his brother Space,
Accepts from your bold hands the proffer'd crown
Of hope, and smiles on you with cheer sublime.
[Picture: Map of the route of the Grand Junction Railway]
CHAPTER I.
BIRMINGHAM.
NAME--HISTORY--MANUFACTURES--PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS, &c., &c.
OUR native town of BIRMINGHAM, of whose celebrity and importance we are
justly proud, demands our first attention in this our Itinerary; although
the numerous publications which give more circumstantial particulars
respecting it than the brief limits of the present work will admit,
render it an unnecessary task here to occupy many pages with our notice.
* * * * *
In our after topography and history of towns on the "Grand Junction"
line, we shall have occasion to allude to their several claims to the
honours of "hoar antiquity;" but none it would appear can boast of more
remote fame than our own brave old town of Birmingham, or, as it has been
variously written, _Bromycham_, _Bremecham_, _Bermyngham_, and
_Bromnsycham_, the etymology of which terms have served to puzzle the
learned in such lore for years gone by, and will do for years to come.
What never can be positively settled, always proves a most fascinating
subject for argument. Mr. Hutton, the antiquary, imagines the derivation
to be this: _wich_, or _wick_, being used to signify a town or village,
and _brom_, from the _broom_ growing in the vicinity. But we must leave
the subject for more voluminous writers. The late Mr. Hamper, our
especial antiquary, traced the orthography through no less than _one
hundred and forty_ variations. In proof of Birmingham being a place of
no very recent creation, the prodigious accumulation of scoria produced
by the smelting of iron, at Aston furnace, may be referred to; as also
the great number of exhausted coal mines, on a large common within a few
miles, called Wednesbury Old Field. Both these must have been the work
of many centuries, as is proved by the fact, that in the former, the mass
of scoria has not perceptibly increased within the memory of that
remarkable individual, "the oldest inhabitant," though constantly
receiving additions. It appears that the Britons were acquainted with
the use and manufacture of iron previously to the Roman conquest, as they
are described with chariots armed with scythes. It requires no very
great stretch of imagination to suppose Birmingham (the _Bremenium_ of
the Romans) to have been a chief station for the fabrication of such
weapons. In Doomsday Book, "_Bermengeham_" is noticed; and the manor and
lordship were held by the De Birmingham family and their ancestors,
during the reigns from Henry I. to Henry VIII., when John Dudley,
afterwards Duke of Northumberland, being in possession of Dudley, and
desirous of adding to it the manor of Birmingham, contrived, by a series
of villanous artifices and perjury, to wrest it from Edward de
Birmingham, and add it to his own possessions. On the attainder and
execution of the duke, in the reign of Mary, the manor escheated to the
crown; and in 1643 a descendant of the family, through the female line,
was raised to the peerage, by the title of Baron Ward, of Birmingham,
changed afterwards to Viscount Dudley and Ward, and Earl of Dudley. The
remains of the ancient manor house have long been removed to make way for
improvements; its former name, "The Moat," (now called Smithfield,) and
two neglected effigies in St. Martin's church, of a crusader and an
ecclesiastic of the De Birmingham family, are all that remain to tell of
their former greatness. Few historical events seem to have disturbed the
good people of Birmingham except the civil war of the seventeenth
century, when they proved themselves staunch adherents to the
parliamentarians, and did good service to their partizans, against Prince
Rupert and his troops, at which time some earth works thrown up at
Bordesley, conferred the name of Camp Hill on a part of it. The prince
afterwards set fire to the town, but obligingly desisted from further
demonstration of such warm regard, on being handsomely bribed to that
effect. The riots of 1791 are so frequently brought to the minds of our
town's people by present allusions, that it needs not to dwell here on
the disgraceful theme. Turning to a pleasanter topic, we will briefly
glance at the manufactures which made an anonymous poet formerly
exclaim,--
"Europe's grand toy-shop, art's exhaustless mine--
These, and more titles, Birmingham, are thine."
It is amusing to look back to the condition of Birmingham in Leland's
time, (Henry VIII.,) who describes it as inhabited only "by smithes that
use to make knives and all manner of cutting tools, and lorimers that
make bittes, and a great many nailors." Camden, in the reign of
Elizabeth, speaks of it as "swarming with inhabitants, and echoing with
the noise of anvils; but the upper part rising with abundance of handsome
buildings;" and his continuator, Bishop Gibson, in the reign of Anne,
mentions "its artificers in iron and steel, whose performances in that
way are greatly admired both at home and abroad." Prior to the
restoration of Charles II. the town only consisted of one long street,
extending from the hamlet of Deritend to the present Bull-street, and
contained barely 5,000 inhabitants. _Now_, the probably correct amount
would stand thus: streets, 340; houses, 22,000; population, 200,000.
Birmingham was created a borough by the Reform Bill, and sends two
members to parliament. The honours of a mayor and corporation are now
added to its civil dignities.
* * * * *
Among the almost innumerable branches of trade and manufacture at present
carried on, are light and heavy steel goods, (here called toys,) brass
and iron foundery, sadlery, military accoutrements, fire-arms, swords and
cutlery of various kinds; jewellery, gold, silver, and plated goods;
buttons, medals, japannery; gilt, silver, ivory, bone, and other toys;
glass, wood-turnery, metal-rolling, tools and implements of all kinds;
mill machinery of all sorts, and steam engines on every known principle.
Casting, modelling, die-sinking, engraving, and other processes connected
with the various manufactures have been brought to the greatest
perfection; also the cutting of glass, of which there are many brilliant
specimens in the show-rooms of the town, especially those of Messrs.
Rollason, Price, Henderson, Mrs. Bedford's, &c. The great establishment
at the Soho, near Birmingham, is intimately connected with its
manufacturing interests, as under the superintendence of Messrs. Boulton
and Watt, great improvements were effected in all kinds of machinery, and
the power of steam applied to every mechanical purpose. From their
ingenious coining mill, the greater part of the copper money of George
III. was issued. Mr. Boulton died in 1809, aged eighty-one, and Mr. Watt
in 1819, aged eighty-three. They were both interred in Handsworth
church, where a marble bust commemorates the former, and a statue, by
Chantrey, the latter.
In the magnificent show-rooms of Mr. G. R. Collis in Church-street,
(formerly Sir E. Thomason's,) splendid specimens of the chief native
manufactures are collected, and their mode of manufacture shown to
all respectable visitors. Mr. Phipson's pin manufactory, which in
this seemingly small article employs so great a number as one
thousand persons, is another large establishment; and the articles of
oriental gorgeousness and diversity, displayed by Messrs. Jennens and
Betteridge, at their japanned ware and papier mache manufactory, in
Constitution-hill, are full of brilliant designs and adornment. The
show-rooms of Messrs. Mapplebeck and Lowe, Osborne, and others,
contain a great variety of hardware and cutlery.
Of ponderous machinery, none perhaps is more interesting than that of the
metal rolling mills; there is positive grandeur in the great power
employed, and the accuracy with which it is adjusted to the end required.
The button manufacture is a principal source of wealth to the town, and
many of its chief families may trace back their origin (their
_honourable_ origin--far more truly honourable than the anxiety
occasionally shown by present full-blown importance to disguise it) to a
humble fabricator of these small and indispensable articles. They are
made of all kinds and descriptions, to suit all markets; as were buckles
likewise, some years since; but fashion, that mighty revolutionist, has
driven them from their once prominent station in the toilet of the
exquisite of former days; and knees and shoes, and dainty spangled and
high heeled slippers, fit for feminine feet, have all laid by the buckles
which used to glitter in cut steel and silver delicately worked, or set
with brilliants; and of so comely dimensions, as well nigh to cover the
pretty insteps of our grandmothers. As a source of great wealth to our
native town, we must regret the abolition of ornamental buckles. Steel
tools, and lighter, tasteful articles, form another great branch. The
first steel-house, or factory, gave the name "Steelhouse-lane" to the
street. Guns were first made in the reign of William III., and in times
of war have constituted an important part of our trade. Silver, brass,
and iron are all wrought to a great extent, in every known variety of
manufacture. To enumerate _all_ the productions of Birmingham were
nearly an impossible task, had we space; as it is, we must rest here, and
proceed to notice a few of the chief buildings and institutions which
would attract the observation of a stranger.
[Picture: Birmingham Town Hall]
First, of the first class, ranks our noble and magnificent Town Hall, in
Paradise-street, a Grecian temple of the Corinthian order, standing on a
rustic basement, and built of marble from Anglesea. It is of recent
erection; from the design, and under the direction of Mr. J. Hansom, of
Hinckley, and contains a splendid hall, 140 feet long, by 65 feet wide,
and 65 feet high, adapted for great public meetings, and for the
performances of music at the Triennial Festivals; {7} it also contains
spacious saloons, committee rooms, etc. Its organ is the finest in the
kingdom. The new Free Grammar School, in New-street, is a large and
handsome building, in the Gothic style, from a design by Mr. Barry, of
London. The exhibition rooms of the Birmingham Society of Arts,
New-street, form a handsome building, admirably adapted for the purpose;
and the annual exhibition, of ancient and modern masters, is inferior to
no provincial one. Another spacious suite of rooms was erected a few
years since, by a dissentient party of the artists; but, having returned
to the parent institution, their gallery since has been occupied by the
highly interesting, valuable, and well-arranged Museum of Natural
History, collected by Mr. Weaver, in the various branches of geology,
ornithology, entomology, mineralogy, conchology, &c. The Royal School of
Medicine and Surgery, in Paradise-street, have now purchased this
splendid collection, which, joined to the one they already possess, will
form one of the finest Museums in the provinces. It is liberally
supported and patronised by the neighbouring nobility and county
families. The General Hospital, Blue Coat School, Dispensary, and
Asylums, are worthy of all praise for their essential utility as
charities. The former is mainly supported by the proceeds of the
Triennial Festivals; the others by liberal subscriptions, with which the
inhabitants of Birmingham appear ever ready to increase the usefulness of
charities having for their end the alleviation of misery, in whatever
form it exists. The new Market Hall, extending from the Bull-ring to
Worcester-street, is a spacious and commodious building, though the
internal arrangement might be greatly improved, by a little more
attention to order and neatness on the part of the various trades-people
who have stalls there. The market having formerly been held in the open
street, may, in some degree, account for this. Nearly opposite the hall
stands a statue of Lord Nelson, by Westmacott, with a miniature
man-of-war beside him, on a pedestal surrounded by an iron rail and
lamps.
* * * * *
The Churches most remarkable for architectural beauty, are, St. Philip's,
in the Doric style, with a graceful tower and cupola: Trinity Church,
Bordesley, designed by Mr. F. Goodwin, much in the style of King's
College Chapel, Cambridge; it is a fine example of the Ecclesiastical
Gothic: St. George's, also Gothic, but of far inferior beauty; St.
Martin's, which _has_ been a fine old edifice, with a tapering spire, but
is now disfigured by a brick shell: St. Paul's, Christ Church, St.
Thomas's, St. Peter's, St. Bartholomew's, St. Mary's, All Saints', and
others are of less striking appearance. Many of the dissenting
congregations have handsome and spacious meeting-houses and chapels,
particularly the Catholic Chapels; Unitarian Meeting-houses; Independent
Meeting-house, Carr's-lane; Mount Zion Chapel; Scottish Kirk, &c.
Schools are connected with all, and with the numerous National,
Lancasterian, Infant, and other schools, combine in distributing
knowledge, in however a small degree as yet, among the useful and
industrious classes. The excellent school for the instruction of Deaf
and Dumb children is pleasantly situated at Edgbaston: there are also
various Asylums for the young, the helpless, and the immoral (repentant,
of course).
* * * * *
The Old Library, in Union-street, contains a valuable collection of
40,000 volumes, and commodious reading rooms. The New Library, in
Temple-row, is a more recent and smaller establishment. Divers
conglomerations of novels, called "Circulating Libraries," also exist for
the benefit of the sentimental. The Philosophical Institution has a
convenient Lecture-Theatre and Museum in Cannon-street, with a resident
Curator. Subscribers have the privilege of introducing strangers to the
lectures. The members of the Mechanics' Institution at present have
lectures in the same building, until the erection of one suitable for
them. Strangers are admitted to the Mechanics' lectures on payment of
one shilling. The Botanical and Horticultural Society have extensive
gardens and conservatories at Edgbaston, situated on rising ground, and
commanding a beautiful and richly-wooded expanse of scenery. The
exhibitions of plants, fruits, &c., when a brilliant company generally
assembles, are scenes of great gaiety.
The Conservatories and Greenhouses, are the erection of Mr. T. Clark,
of Lionel-street, Birmingham, whose manufactory for Metallic
Hothouses, &c., is very extensive.
A Cemetery has been recently laid out and planted on the north side of
the town, at Key Hill, where a large excavation in a hill of gravel
renders the spot striking and even picturesque: a neat Chapel is erected
for the performance of the funeral service.
* * * * *
In 1813 an Act of Parliament was obtained for the erection of a Proof
House for all fire-arms made in the town, which are subjected to a very
severe test. The hall and other premises are in Banbury-street, and have
quite a military and formidable appearance.
* * * * *
The News Room, on Bennett's-hill, and the different banking
establishments, are handsome buildings, many of them of considerable
architectural beauty. The Theatre is large, and inferior to few out of
the metropolis, though the indifferent encouragement given to the drama
in Birmingham, causes it to be comparatively but little used. It is
capable of accommodating 2,500 persons, and contains to the front, a
suite of Assembly Rooms, Billiard and Coffee Rooms, &c. There were
formerly two smaller theatres, and an amphitheatre for equestrian
performances, all three of which have been converted from their dissolute
ways, and become pious and holy conventicles for divine worship.
Temporary amphitheatres have frequently been erected since, and a
permanent one is in progress. For more circumstantial particulars and
descriptions of these and other edifices, we must refer our readers to
the "Picture of Birmingham," {11} or other more lengthy histories.
* * * * *
The environs of the town, especially Edgbaston and Harborne, contain many
tasteful residences, erected by the wealthier merchants and tradesmen;
whose pretty suburban villas have all gardens and pleasure grounds
attached. In the neighbourhood of Birmingham are many fine old houses,
or halls, as they are called, well deserving of a visit from the
antiquary or artist; and the far famed glories of Warwick, Kenilworth,
Shakespeare-sainted Stratford, Guy's Cliff, and other places of renown,
are within a short drive.
* * * * *
In this brief survey of the past and present condition of Birmingham, it
will be seen how rapidly its greatness and importance have been achieved
by the perseverance, spirit, and ingenuity of its inhabitants. We may
expect as rapid, and almost as great improvements from the additional
consequence and advantages it will receive from the great works now
nearly completed. The finished line of railway from London to Liverpool
through this place, may, with confidence, be looked to as another great
era in its history, from whence to date still increasing wealth, power,
and intelligence.
CHAPTER II.
ROUTE.
BIRMINGHAM TO WOLVERHAMPTON,
Fourteen Miles.
BIRMINGHAM AND VAUXHALL STATION.
Distance to Liverpool and Manchester, 97.25 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
*** Those printed in small capitals are market towns.
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Edgbaston 2.5 miles. Erdington 3 miles.
Harborne 4 -- Castle Bromwich 4.5 --
HALESOWEN 8.5 -- SUTTON COLDFIELD 6.5 --
STOURBRIDGE 12.5 -- Water Orton 6.5 --
Curdworth 7.5 --
COLESHILL 8.5 --
Wishaw 9 --
Middleton 9.5 --
Drayton Bassett 11.5 --
TAMWORTH 13 --
THE Birmingham Station of the Grand Junction railway, closely adjoins
that of the London and Birmingham, which greatly facilitates the
arrangements of travellers proceeding along the entire line. Until the
completion of the permanent buildings, those at Vauxhall have been
temporarily used. To a stranger coming into the station-yard for the
first time, the whole scene is one of great novelty: the long train of
treble-bodied coaches, waiting under a broad covered way for passengers
and baggage; the bustle and animation of the host of porters, guards,
conductors, &c.; the amazement depicted on some of the faces of the
lookers-on; the state of "intellectual complication" evinced by others,
especially those who, having various items of property to convey with
them, are tremblingly solicitous for the welfare of sundry "red-striped
carpet bags, trunks with wrappering over," bandboxes which will be ruined
by a drop of rain, and fish-baskets which have a mortal antipathy to be
squeezed. Other important-looking passengers make up their minds to take
things as a matter of course, and not betray any vulgar surprise; and
from their extremely over-done _nonchalance_, would fain persuade you
they had made a journey round the globe in a first-rate train, and
reached the antipodes by a tunnel. These valiant and adventurous
individuals are by far the severest sufferers by the anti-cigar-act,
passed by the Company, for which the unsmoking part of the community,
especially the fair sex, are greatly indebted. The traveller may refer
to the company's regulations at full, in the appendix at the end of this
volume. Supposing all preliminaries adjusted, we commence our journey.
* * * * *
Passing the station at Vauxhall, (closely adjoining to which are Vauxhall
Gardens,) the railroad proceeds by Duddeston, and passes over the
Coleshill road near Saltley Chapel, a small pigeon-house like edifice to
the E. of the line. Aston Church soon appears on the W., above the rich
woods surrounding it; and the high chimney of the Birmingham Water Works
(lately established to supply the town) is passed on the E. The steam
engines, Hercules and Atlas, erected here for pumping the water from the
reservoir, into the pipes for conveyance to Birmingham, are perhaps the
grandest and most perfect of their kind ever fabricated. Yardley Village
and Perry Barr form the distant view. The railroad now passes over the
Aston embankment, and a viaduct of ten arches, beneath which runs the
high road to Sutton, and the Fazeley Canal. From this point the last
view is gained of the town of Birmingham, on the W.; and on the E. a
prospect of Gravelly Hill, now nearly levelled, and the village of
Erdington. A short distance onwards the line passes the front of Aston
Hall, a fine old baronial residence in the Elizabethan style of
architecture, erected by Sir Thomas Holt in 1620, and in which he
entertained Charles I. previously to the battle of Edge Hill. It is
situated in a fine park, richly ornamented with stately timber of ancient
growth, and thriving modern plantations. All the views of this fine old
mansion are strikingly beautiful; but the one commanded from the railroad
line, looking up the avenue of lofty elms, (which the line crosses,) is
the most imposing.
James Watt, Esq., the present proprietor, has, it is said, expended
10,000 in preventing the line of railroad from passing through his
park, which the Company intended it to do; and in consequence of this
opposition a great curve appears in the course of the line at this
part. Iron works in the neighbourhood have been in operation from
remote antiquity. {14}
[Picture: Aston Hall]
The Church, which re-appears at several points of the line, is a
beautiful and venerable structure, with a fine tapering spire, and
remarkably musical bells, the sweet tones of which will scarcely reach
the ears of railroad travellers. Part of the village of Aston is
observable from the railroad, and also the grounds and fish-pans of its
"Tavern," a spot much frequented by tea (and ale) drinking parties from
Birmingham.
* * * * *
One very agreeable feature of the scenery on the line, is the unspoiled
freshness and verdure of the ground on either side. The idea most
persons entertain respecting such astounding innovations on ancient
usages as steam carriages and railroads is, that they spread desolation
around their path, and that the track of a locomotive engine must
necessarily be as devastating in its effects as that of a lava course.
We candidly confess to something akin to this suspicion ourselves. But
all "Grand Junction" patrons must be gratified to find such expectations
disappointed so pleasingly in the cheerful aspect of the fields, groves,
and "little running brooks," closely bordering the excavations or
embankments. Cattle are quietly feeding just on the other side the
fence, and gay wildflowers already enamel the newly-made banks.
Sometimes, certainly, a horse or cow may be abruptly interrupted in a
quiet meditation by the rapid rushing by of a "Centaur" or "Alecto," with
its lengthened _tail_ of many ponderous joints; and one accident, very
singular, if true, occurred lately. A certain luckless individual of the
pig family, having too far indulged an imprudent spirit of investigation
on the Bilston portion of the line, had his curly conclusion very
summarily amputated by a passing train:--he turned round briskly to
ascertain the extent of his calamity, when another train, whirling along
in an opposite direction, coming in contact with his head, put a period
to the enterprising animal's existence by an instant decapitation. We
might draw a wise and serious moral from this "cutting" event, but the
fact presents a sufficient warning to all persons inclined to incur the
penalty of two pounds in sterling coin, and limbs _ad libitum_, for the
sake of a promenade on the forbidden ground. "Digression is a sin,"--on
the defunct pig's head be ours! But for his tragic history, we should,
ere this, have introduced the hill of these parts, Barr Beacon, to our
readers; it appears to the N.E., crowned with a dense grove of trees.
The intervening scenery is cheerful and cultivated, but not picturesque.
The village of Witton shortly appears to the E., with Barr lying on the
N.E. The bridge here passed is on the boundary of Warwickshire and
Staffordshire, which latter county the line now enters. Aston Hall and
Church again come in sight beyond Witton, and form a beautiful rear view,
which is soon shut out by the banks of the excavation, precluding all
prospect save of their own sloping sides, the pebbles and markings in
which are made, by the rapidity of passing, to appear like flying lines.
Perry Barr Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 3.5--Liverpool and Manchester, 94 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Handsworth 1 mile Perry .75 mile
Aston 1 -- Erdington 2.75 miles
Smethwick 4.25 miles SUTTON COLDFIELD 5 --
Little Aston 6 --
Shenstone 8.5 --
[Picture: Aston Church and Viaduct]
At this station, the line makes a considerable curve in an opposite
direction to that hitherto followed, and passes Handsworth, (the church
appearing among wood on the W.,) also Lea Hall, on the W., and over two
bridges, named from J. Gough, Esq., through whose estate the line runs
for two miles. Pleasant, quiet-looking scenery skirts the road for some
distance, and about a mile from the last bridge, a view is gained of
Perry Hall, seat of J. Gough, Esq., nearly encompassed by a grove of oak
trees. At Hampstead Bridge, the old Walsall road crosses the line; and
on either side the prospect is pleasantly varied by wood and water.
Hampstead Hall, which lies near, is nearly concealed by its rich woods
from the passers on the railroad. The line shortly enters a cutting, of
from sixty to seventy feet deep; emerging from which into the open
country, West Bromwich, and Sandwell Park, the seat of Earl Dartmouth,
appear on the W., and Barr on the E. We now pass
Newton Road Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 6.75--Liverpool and Manchester, 90.75 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Place E. of Station_.
West Bromwich 2 miles Great Barr 2.5 miles
Oldbury 3.25 --
Rowley Regis 5 --
HALESOWEN 7.25 --
Cradley 7.25 --
The Lye 8.5 --
WEST BROMWICH has rapidly risen to importance from the rich iron and coal
mines which abound in its vicinity. The great Gas Works are situated
here, which supply the chief part of Birmingham, Wednesbury, Dudley,
Bilston, Darlaston, and other places with gas; the main tubes extending
to the aggregate length of 150 miles. There are two handsome churches,
the one ancient, the other modern. Population, 15,330.
* * * * *
The site of the present splendid mansion of Sandwell, was, in the reign
of Henry II., occupied by a priory of Benedictine Monks. Charley Mount,
pleasantly situated on a hill, appears W. of the line, Ray Hall and
Burslem, or Bustleholm Mill, on the E. Before passing Tame Bridge, Barr
Beacon again appears, heading the distant view. Friar Park is on the W.,
with the town and church of Wednesbury (usually pronounced Wedgebury),
towering above the trees. Walsall appears from the same point, lying
N.E. of the line.
* * * * *
DUDLEY, a town in the centre of the mining district, lies 5.5 miles W. of
the line. Population, 23,050. The ancient castle is a ruin of great
beauty and interest, situated on an eminence, and surrounded with fine
wood and beautiful walks. Stupendous cavern-quarries, canals, and
labyrinthine excavations, extend under the Castle Hill. The limestone is
remarkably rich in fossil treasures; trilobites, or, as they are vulgarly
called, "Dudley locusts," have been found here in great variety, but from
the eagerness of collectors, and the inadequate supply of these ancient
creatures yielded by the rocks, they have become scarce and costly,
instead of "not particularly valuable," as stated by a contemporary
before alluded to.
* * * * *
WEDNESBURY is a town of ancient origin, having been fortified against the
Danes by Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great, in 916. Extensive
collieries enrich the vicinity, and tend greatly to darken the complexion
of both houses and inhabitants; the workers of the black diamond
hereabout being a marvellously murky fraternity. Various manufactures of
iron are here carried on, and the air is generally redolent of the fumes
of coal-smoke in no small degree. The market is on Friday, and fairs May
6, and August 3.
* * * * *
WALSALL boasts an equally ancient history with the former place, and was
fortified by the same princess. It stands conspicuously on the summit
and acclivities of a limestone rock, which is crowned by the church, the
lofty spire of which forms a fine object. Market on Tuesday; fairs
September 24, Whit Monday, and Tuesday before Michaelmas day. Proceeding
onwards we pass under
Bescot Bridge Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 9.5--Liverpool and Manchester, 88 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
WEDNESBURY 1 mile WALSALL 1.5 mile
Tipton 4 miles Rushall 2.5 miles
DUDLEY 5.5 -- Over Stonnal 6.5 --
Netherton 6.75 -- Lower Stonnal 7.5 --
Brierley Hill 8.25 -- Shenstone 9 --
King Swinford 8.5 -- LICHFIELD 11 --
Wordesley 9.25 --
The Lye 9.25 --
STOURBRIDGE 9.75 --
Old Swinford 10.5 --
THE main road from Wednesbury to Walsall crosses this bridge; pass Bescot
Hall, (Mr. Marshall's,) on the E., and reach
James's Bridge Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 10.25--Liverpool and Manchester, 87.25 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Darlaston .75 mile Walsall 1.75 mile
Coseley 3 miles
THE high road from Walsall crosses here to DARLASTON, (seen in the
distance on the W.,) another town in the iron and coal district, and,
according to tradition, the seat of Wulphere, king of Mercia, who put his
two sons to death for embracing Christianity. On the hill at Berry Bank,
are the remains of a large castle and entrenchments, and near by, a
Barrow, which it were heresy to doubt were the residence and grave of
this redoubtable personage. The chief manufactures of this, as of the
neighbouring towns, consist of various iron and steel goods. The whole
district is abundantly traversed by canals, tram-roads, &c., for the
convenient conveyance of merchandise, and presents to the passing
traveller less subject for praise in point of beauty, than for admiration
and surprise, at the closely-placed engines, mills, coal-pits,
iron-mines, and factories, which greet him on all sides, with hissing,
curling volumes of white steam, or thick massy clouds of rolling smoke.
Should the traveller journey through this strange neighbourhood by night,
the novel and wild, not to say, grand, effect of the fires, must strike
him forcibly. Huge furnaces glowing on the earth, from a dark wayside
forge; tall chimneys, themselves not seen in the gloom, vomiting forth
flames and fiery-coloured smoke, or a long range of glowing hillocks,
where flickering blazes play from the charcoal burning within: add to
these, the dusky figures of the men and boys employed in the works, and a
stranger will have a scene before him, in which the "fearsome" is oddly
enough blended with the grotesque.
* * * * *
In the distance, S.W. of the line, appear the Rowley Hills, a ridge of
trap or basaltic rock, which, at the time of its elevation, upheaved and
broke through the coal strata. The stone being hard and compact, the
hills are quarried for paving flags, &c.
"The principal mass of these (trap rocks) occurs in the southern part
of the county, overlying the coal-field which surrounds the town of
Dudley. It there constitutes the material of a group of hills,
beginning on the S. of that town, and terminating about half-way
between Halesowen and Oldbury, a little beyond the village of Rowley.
These hills consist of very pure basalt, which in the neighbourhood
of Birmingham is called Rowley rag, because the village of Rowley is
situated on one of these basalt hills; and this hill appears to the
eye to be the highest of the whole range. These hills are all
covered with soil; but quarries have been opened in many of them, and
the basalt of which they are composed is employed for mending the
roads. The streets of Birmingham are likewise paved with it. The
columnar structure, though very frequent, is far from universal in
this trap, which very commonly occurs in large spherical masses,
decomposing on the surface into concentric layers. An amygdaloidal
variety containing calcareous spar and zeolite occurs S. of Dudley.
The highest point of the Rowley Hills is stated by Dr. Thompson to be
900 feet above the Thames at Brentford."--CONYBEARE AND PHILLIPS'S
_Geology of England and Wales_.
Passing through a cutting of considerable depth, we arrive at
Willenhall Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 12--Liverpool and Manchester, 85.5 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Bilston 1.5 mile Bloxwich 3 miles.
Sedgley 4.25 miles Pelsall 4.75 --
Lower Gornal 5.75 --
Himley 7.25 --
THE small town of Willenhall, at the period of the Norman survey, was
called _Winehala_, the Saxon term for victory, probably from the great
battle fought near it in 311. The village began to flourish in the reign
of Elizabeth, when the iron manufacture was first established here: at
present, it is noted for its collieries and flourishing trade in locks,
and other articles of hardware. Population, about 5,900.
[Picture: Wednesfield Tunnel]
Nothing of particular interest occurs on either side of the line, till,
in approaching the long Wednesfield tunnel, the geological traveller will
observe the remarkable section formed by the excavation through the
outcropping beds of coal, which in this part rise at a great angle
towards the surface, and are worked in the neighbourhood by open
cuttings. The complete change which this abrupt ending of the coal-field
causes in the aspect of the country is very singular. On one side all is
black and murky; on the other, green and bright.
* * * * *
The tunnel is 180 yards in length, and the effect of a long train of
carriages passing rapidly under, is novel and grand, nor less so the
appearance of their emerging from the dark archway, to the expectant
spectators at the
WOLVERHAMPTON STATION.
Distance to Birmingham, 14.25--Liverpool and Manchester, 83.25 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
WOLVERHAMPTON (Town) 1 mile. Bushbury 1.75 mile.
Tettenhall 2 miles. Wednesfield 1.75 --
Upper Penn 3.5 --
Codsall 4.5 --
Wombourne 5.25 --
Himley 6 --
Trysull 6 --
Pattingham 6.5 --
Albrighton 7 --
Donington 7.5 --
King Swinford 7.5 --
Bonningale 8 --
BRIDGENORTH 14 --
SHIFFNAL 14 --
THE panting and smoking engine, like a huge beast, rushing along with
fiery jaws, and "such a length of tail behind," might, in a dark night,
be easily suspected of being "no canny." Divers kinds of vehicles, from
post-chaises and landaus, to caravans and _omnibii_ (as a refined friend
of ours pluralizes these universal conveyances) are in attendance at this
station, to convey passengers to the town of Wolverhampton, one mile
distant, or to their future destination.
WOLVERHAMPTON is a place of considerable antiquity, and was called
Hanton or Hampton prior to the year 996, when Wulfrana, sister of
King Edgar, and widow of Aldhelm, Duke of Northampton, founded a
college here, endowing it with so many privileges that the town was
called in her honour, _Wulfranis Hampton_, of which its present name
is evidently a corruption. The College continued till the year 1200,
when Petrus Blesensis, who was then dean, after fruitless attempts to
reform the dissolute lives of the brethren, surrendered the
establishment to Hubert, archbishop of Canterbury, and it was
subsequently annexed to the deanery of Windsor. In 1590, the greater
part of the town was destroyed by a fire, which continued burning for
five days. In the parliamentary war, Wolverhampton aided the
royalists, and Prince Rupert fixed his head-quarters here, while the
king was encamped at Bushbury.
The town is situated on an eminence, on the N.W. side of the great
midland coal-district, and the neighbourhood abounds with iron, coal, and
limestone. The manufacture of locks, forms here as in the other towns in
the vicinity, the staple trade, to which may be added, smith's and
carpenter's tools, machinery of all kinds, furnishing ironmongery, &c.
The modern streets are well-built and lighted, and contain many handsome
and substantial houses. A public Subscription Library and News-room,
occupy the lower part of a commodious building, in which, assemblies and
concerts are likewise held. A Literary and Philosophical Society is
established, but not yet supported in a manner at all proportioned to its
merits; a circumstance not reflecting much honour on the professedly
intelligent and "higher" classes of the inhabitants. The Mechanics'
Institution is in a more flourishing condition, for obvious reasons,
being patronized by the more knowledge-loving part of the community. The
Theatre is opened occasionally; it is a small and unpretending structure.
Races are annually held in August, in an extensive area near the town,
and are well attended. In the centre of the market-place stands a
cast-iron column, forty-five feet high, surmounted by a large gas
lantern, which was intended by its sanguine projector to enlighten the
whole town and suburbs, but, alas for the great designs of short-sighted
humanity!--its sphere of usefulness is unfortunately restricted to the
attic and chamber windows of the houses immediately contiguous.
* * * * *
The Collegiate Church is an ancient and exceedingly beautiful cruciform
structure, in the early decorated style of architecture, with a handsome
square embattled tower rising from the centre. It contains a curious and
elaborately-carved stone pulpit, formed of one entire block, an ancient
font, and several interesting monuments. In the church-yard is a column,
twenty feet high, greatly enriched with sculpture of various designs,
supposed to be of either Saxon or Danish origin. There are several other
churches in Wolverhampton, and many religious establishments belonging to
various sects of dissenters; also a Free Grammar School, Blue Coat
Charity, National, Sunday, and other Schools. The population of
Wolverhampton is about 25,000; it has a market on Wednesday, and a fair
on July 10.
CHAPTER III.
WOLVERHAMPTON TO STAFFORD,
Fifteen Miles.
[Picture: Bushbury Hill and Church]
ON quitting the station at Wolverhampton a good view is obtained of the
town and fine old Church, with the hills of Rowley Regis in the distance.
Tettenhall Wood and the Clee Hills soon add to the beauty of the
southward view; and the line is skirted by fine trees and fresh verdant
meadows, over which a peep of the distant landscape is gained at
intervals. Show Hill, and Low Hill houses are pleasantly situated on the
ridge of a hill to the E., and beyond them appears Bushbury Hill, a point
of the same elevation, with its old village Church, built about 1460;
this is perhaps the most pleasing part of the line we have yet traversed.
The Wrekin appears in the distance to the W., and nearer, the lofty and
tapering spire of Brewood (or Brood) Church, rises from its girdling
woods. Moseley Court, the ancient seat of J. G. Whitgreave, Esq., lies
E. of the line, whence but little of the house is visible, being
surrounded by stately oak groves. In this venerable mansion, Charles II.
was temporarily concealed, when on his way to Bentley. Wrottesley Park,
seat of Sir John Wrottesley, Bart., Chillington Park and Hall, the noble
residence of T. W. Giffard, Esq., and the village of Codsall, form
portions of the scenery to the S.W. All this part of the line from
Wolverhampton is on an embankment, which, however, does not exceed
fifteen feet at the highest point. On the E. appears Hilton Park, seat
of H. E. C. V. Graham, Esq., and on the W., Pendeford Hall. The villages
of Shareshill and Featherstone, lie E. of the line. A bridge here
crosses it, bearing the felicitous name of "Paradise;" happy mortals, to
reach such blessed bourne! But our stay is brief indeed; Paradise is
left far behind, and we pass onwards under and over many a bridge of
great and small degree; for the railroad even renders a common dirty
gutter, a thing of so great importance, that a stately and ponderous arch
must be erected for its insignificant accommodation! Verily, we grow
aristocratic in our indignation at such upstart doings. The honourable
fraternity of Ditch, Gutter, and Co., may, with a good grace, quote the
old fable, and exclaim, "How we apples swim;" they are marvellously
promoted since "an hundred years ago." The Stafford Canal passes under,
and the railroad over, a handsome iron bridge, between the village of
Coven on the W., and Aspley on the E. side of the line.
* * * * *
The wide moorland called Cannock Chase, lies E., and is for some distance
seen from the line. It was in earlier times, a forest or chase belonging
to the Mercian kings. In one part, Castle Hill, now enclosed by the
boundary of Beaudesert Park, seat of the Marquis of Anglesea, is an
ancient British encampment, surrounded by a double trench, occupying
about fourteen acres. Near it are the remains of a moat, enclosing an
oblong square of three acres, called the Old Nunnery, where a Cistercian
Abbey was founded in the reign of Stephen, which was shortly after
removed to Stoneleigh, in Warwickshire. Cannock Chase, or Heath,
contains upwards of 25,000 acres; in some parts, containing extensive
sheep walks.
Four Ashes Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 20--Liverpool and Manchester, 77.5 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Place W. of Station_. _Place E. of Station_.
Brewood 2 miles. Shareshill 2.75 miles.
IF the reader be a passenger in a mixed train, the diminished speed will
here allow him a better chance of observation; and a fine view may be
enjoyed on the eastward, of Cannock Chase, with its undulating scenery;
and westward, Summerford Park, seat of the Hon. E. Monkton, the little
town of Brewood, and the Wrekin. Passing on, nothing of interest occurs
until the arrival at the next, the
Spread Eagle Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 21.5--Liverpool and Manchester, 76 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Stretton 2 miles. CANNOCK 4.5 miles.
Lapley 3 -- Norton 6.25 --
Wheaton Aston 4.25 --
Weston-under-Lizzard 7 --
Blymhill 7 --
Tong 8.5 --
Sheriff Hales 10.5 --
Woodcote 11 --
SHIFFNAL 12 --
WELLINGTON 17 --
SHREWSBURY 29 --
HERE the railroad crosses the old Roman road called Watling-street; the
ancient praetorian highway, reaching from Dover, by St. Albans,
Dunstable, Towcester, Atherstone, Shrewsbury, &c., to Cardigan; in many
places it is scarcely perceptible, while in others it continues firm for
several miles. And who can pass such a junction of roads, without a
backward glance at past years and events? without a thought of the
thousand "changes of time and tide" that this ancient track has
witnessed: the millions of human footsteps it has received:--the proud
and victorious Roman, exulting in his country's greatness and conquests,
and contemptuously spurning the savage natives, whose natural rights he
invaded:--the rapacious and desolating Dane:--the wily Saxon:--the
adventurous Norman: and now the compound people, we English, who, not
content with the ways of our fathers, must needs cross them with our
refined and scientific innovations. In sooth, this ancient road were a
fitter subject for an epic poem, than a guide-book gossip.
Passing the Spread Eagle station, the villages of Water Eaton and
Stretton, are seen on the W., and Rodbaston Hall, with Cannock Chase
behind, on the E. The turnpike road here runs parallel with the line for
some distance. At Quarry Bridge, a short distance from Penkridge, is a
fine quarry of red sandstone, which has furnished a handsome material for
several bridges in the vicinity. From hence the church of Penkridge, and
the next arch over the line, forms an interesting picture, to which the
near arch of Quarry Bridge serves as framework.
[Picture: Penkridge Church from Quarry Bridge]
The church is shortly after passed, on the E., and arriving at the bridge
over the river Penk, a lovely view of the surrounding scenery presents
itself. The river appears on both sides, winding gracefully along,
between meadows and groves; on the E. is the Old Bridge, beyond which
appears Teddesley Park and Hall, the seat of Lord Hatherton, with our old
friend Cannock Chase in the distance. Westward the eye ranges over the
near objects to Preston Hill and Longridge, altogether forming a
delightful prospect.
[Picture: Penkridge]
Penkridge Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 24--Liverpool and Manchester, 73.5 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Bradley 3.75 miles. Dunstan 2.25 miles.
Church Eaton 5.25 -- Acton Trussel 2.75 --
Bednall 3.5 --
CANNOCK 5 --
RUGELEY 8 --
Armitage 10.5 --
Malvesyn Ridware 11 --
Longdon 11.5 --
PENKRIDGE is supposed by Camden to have been the Roman Pennocrucium;
its modern name seems derivable from the river Penk, on which it
stands.
The town, from its low situation, is liable to frequent inundations. It
has no market-day, but two great cattle fairs are held here, on April 30,
and first Monday in September. The Church was made collegiate by King
John. Penkridge contains about 3,000 inhabitants. Quitting Penkridge,
the villages of Thickerscote and Silkmoor appear in the distance; and
shortly after leaving Acton Trussel to the E., and Levedale on the W.,
Dunstan Church, appears above the bank of the railway, on the E. The
next object of interest is Stafford Castle, the tower of which is seen
just before arriving at
STAFFORD STATION.
Distance to Birmingham, 29.25--Liverpool and Manchester, 68.25 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Castlechurch 1 mile. Baswick or Berkswick 1.5 mile.
Coppenhall 2.5 miles. Marston 3.25 miles.
Houghton 4 -- Tixall 4 --
Gnosnal 7 -- Ingestre 4 --
NEWPORT 12 -- Weston 4.5 --
Sandon 5 --
Gayton 5.5 --
Stowe 6.75 --
Colwich 6.75 --
Milwich 7 --
Fradswell 7.5 --
Hilderston 8 --
RUGELEY 9 --
Gratwich 11 --
ABBOTS BROMLEY 11 --
UTTOXETER 14 --
LICHFIELD 17 --
STAFFORD is a borough and market town; contains 8,512 inhabitants.
This place, which is of great antiquity, was anciently called
_Stadeford_, from the Saxon Stade, signifying a place on a river, and
the _trajectus_, or ford, across the river Sow, on which it is
pleasantly situated, about six miles from its confluence with the
Trent.
The entrance from the London road, is by a neat bridge over the river,
near which was one of the ancient gates. The houses are in general
well-built, and many of them are handsome and modern erections; the
streets well paved, and the environs of the town abound with elegant
mansions and villas. Assemblies are held in a suite of rooms in the Town
Hall, and races take place annually in May. The chief branch of
manufacture is that of shoes, and the tanning of leather is carried on to
a considerable extent. Stafford is also renowned for its ale, in common
with the surrounding neighbourhood. The market is held on Saturday, and
fairs on April 5, May 14, June 25, October 3, and December 5.
[Picture: Stafford Castle]
From the year 700, this place has been gradually acquiring importance,
and castles have been built and rebuilt by successive princes and
possessors. In 705, it is said to have been the residence of the pious
St. Bertalin, son of a Mercian king, and we may well imagine a _royal_
hermitage to have formed an attractive nucleus for a future city.
Ethelfleda, Countess of Mercia, erected a castle here in 913, and
fortified the town with walls and a fosse. It appears to have increased
greatly in extent and importance, and is in Doomsday Book called a city,
in which the king had eighteen burgesses in demesne, and the Earl of
Mercia twenty mansions. William the Conqueror built a castle here, to
keep the barons in subjection, and appointed as governor, Robert de
Toeni, the progenitor of the house of Stafford. It was rebuilt in the
reign of Edward III., and in the parliamentary war was garrisoned for the
king, but taken by the parliamentary troops, and finally demolished. The
lover of picturesque relics of the olden time, must regret the utter
destruction of this, and many other strong holds; but the knowledge, that
the iron-handed tyranny upheld by these feudal dens, is for ever gone by
with their departed strength, is a glorious and surpassing compensation.
Where would be our railroads, if moss-trooping barons and slavish serfs
formed, as they once did, the population of England?
* * * * *
The castellated building which now forms so prominent a feature in the
landscape on approaching Stafford, is a modern erection, on the ancient
site, commenced by Lord Stafford, (then Sir George Jerningham); only one
front, flanked by two round towers was completed; these now contain some
ancient armour and other curiosities. The County Hall is a spacious and
handsome building of stone, occupying one side of the Market-place. The
County Gaol is also a large and modern erection, well adapted for the
classification of prisoners, who are employed at their trades, and
receive a certain portion of their earnings on discharge.
* * * * *
The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, formerly collegiate, is an ancient and
spacious cruciform structure, in the early style of English architecture,
with a lofty octagonal tower rising from the intersection. The north
entrance is richly ornamented, and the interior beautifully arranged, the
piers and arches are of the early English, passing into the decorated
style. The east window is an elegant specimen of the later English. In
the north transept is an ancient font of great beauty, highly ornamented
with sculptured figures and animals. There are many ancient monuments;
amongst the most conspicuous, are those of the family of Aston, of
Tixall. There are two other Churches, one, St. Chadd's, originally in
the Norman style, but much and incongruously altered; also, places of
worship for the Society of Friends, Independents, Wesleyan Methodists,
and Roman Catholics. The Free Grammar School was refounded by Edward
VI.; there are also National and other Schools, and a variety of Public
Institutions, among which the Infirmary, and Lunatic Asylum are the
chief.
* * * * *
In olden times, a Priory of Black Canons existed here, founded in 1151; a
small part of whose ruined abode remains, in the shape of a farm house,
two miles east of the town. There were likewise, a House of Friars
Eremites; a Priory of Franciscan Friars, and other monastic
establishments, all dismantled at the dissolution. The most celebrated
native of Stafford, is Isaac Walton, the angler, a name well-beloved by
all votaries of the (so called) "_gentle_ sport," though there are and
have been many who rather think with the Poet, that
"The quaint, old, cruel coxcomb, in his gullet
Should have a hook, and a small trout to pull it."
BYRON.
CHAPTER IV.
STAFFORD TO WHITMORE,
Fourteen Miles.
IN leaving Stafford station, the Castle appears to the W. and the Town,
E. of the line. Beacon Hill is seen immediately over the latter. On
proceeding a short distance through a flat country, the little village of
Aston is passed on the W., and Creswell Hall, (Rev. T. Whitley,) on the
E., which, encompassed by richly wooded grounds, and overlooking the
meanderings of the little river Sow, forms a fine object in the general
landscape. The house is a plain, neat structure. Much of the ground
here is marshy, and abounds with willows, whose light silvery foliage
agreeably diversifies the meadow and woodland scenery; amid which, on the
W., peeps the pretty tower of Seighford Church.
* * * * *
Passing two successive cuttings of no great depth, and through a marshy
district adorned by poplar and willow trees, we arrive at
Bridgeford Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 32.75--Liverpool and Manchester, 64.75 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_.
Seighford 1 mile.
Ranton 2.75 miles.
Ellenhall 3 --
Norbury 7.5 --
On the E. is Bridgeford Hall, the estate of J. Reynolds, Esq., formerly a
Convent. Some remains of the ancient buildings still exist in different
parts of the hall and garden.
A story of a subterranean passage also belongs to this relic of olden
times, which passage, says tradition, leads to Ellenhall, about two
miles distant; and we have been told that in digging a well a few
years since the passage was discovered.
A picturesque Mill stands near the Hall. Passing Chebsey W., and
Whitgreave on the E., we reach Shallowford, where a few scattered
cottages represent the honours of the Village, and the Sow, which almost
emulates the winding propensities of the fair river Wye, meanders quietly
among the meadows. At Shallowford Bridge, which is chiefly built for the
convenience of farmers, whose cattle and teams are constantly traversing
it, a person is generally stationed with a red flag to give a signal for
trains to slacken their speed at this part, if cattle are passing at the
time.
A pleasant but not very interesting portion of the line brings us to
Norton Bridge Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 35--Liverpool and Manchester, 62.5 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Chebsey 1.25 mile. STONE 3 miles.
ECCLESHALL 2.5 miles. Swinnerton 4.5 --
Standon 5 -- Hilderston 6.25 --
High Oftley 6.5 -- Barlaston 6.5 --
Adbaston 6.5 -- Fulford 7.5 --
Cheswardine 9.5 -- Trentham 8 --
Hinstock 13 -- Draycott 9.5 --
LANE END 10 --
CHEADLE 14 --
TWO miles and a half W. of this station lies the small town of
Eccleshall, which at the time of the Conquest belonged to the See of
Lichfield. In 1200, Bishop Muschamp obtained a licence from King
John, to embattle the episcopal residence; which was much repaired,
or rebuilt, by Bishop Langton in 1310. During the parliamentary war
it was so much damaged in a siege, previously to being taken by the
parliamentarians, as to be unfit for the further residence of the
church-militant commanders-in-chief, until Bishop Lloyd rebuilt it in
1695; since which time it has continued to be the episcopal palace of
the See of Lichfield and Coventry. The grounds and woods belonging
to the palace are pleasant and extensive. The church was the
sanctuary of Queen Margaret, after Lord Audley's defeat by the Earl
of Salisbury, at Blore Heath. It is a spacious structure, in the
ancient English style of architecture, and contains several
monuments.
The town of Stone lies three miles E. of the line, and is not seen
from it; the name is traditionally derived from a monumental heap of
stones, which, according to the custom of the Saxons had been placed
over the bodies of the princes Wulford and Rufinus, who were here
slain by their father king Wulphere, on account of their conversion
to Christianity. [_See page_ 20.] The king himself becoming
subsequently a convert, founded, in 670, a college of Secular Canons,
dedicating it to his children, in expiation of his crime: and to this
establishment the town is supposed to owe its origin. The prevailing
manufacture is that of shoes. Population, 7,808.
Although none of the towns in the great district called the Potteries,
are upon or even seen from the line of route, yet they lie so near, that
it would scarcely be well to omit all mention of this great manufacturing
neighbourhood, which encloses about ten square miles of country, covered
with scattered villages, and containing about 20,000 inhabitants.
Although the making of articles of pottery has been carried on here from
a remote period, yet the manufacture was of inferior importance, until
the great improvements effected by Mr. Wedgewood in the latter part of
the last century; since which time the excellence and beauty of the
wares, have produced a most extensive traffic both in England and abroad.
The exports of earthenware and china to the United States alone, amount
to 60,000 packages annually. The several species of ware invented by Mr.
Wedgewood, varied by the industry and ingenuity of the manufacturers into
an infinity of forms, and differently painted and embellished, constitute
nearly the whole of the fine earthenwares at present manufactured in
England, which are the object of a very extensive trade. The chief towns
and villages in the Pottery district are, Stoke-upon-Trent, Hanley,
Burslem, Lane End, Shelton, Etruria, Tunstall, Lane Delph, and others.
* * * * *
Proceeding from Norton Bridge, through some pretty, common-place country,
we pass Baddenhall, Field Cross, and Brockton-house on the W., and
Coldmese on the E., and soon gain a view of Swinnerton Park and Hall,
seat of T. Fitzherbert, Esq., which, with the small grove-like woods
scattered through the landscape, forms, as the quaint Dugdale would say,
"a verye faire prospect." The next small representation of a village is
Mill Meese, with its old Hall standing close beside the line; the
water-mill wheel, formerly accustomed to have no rival sound interrupt
its rumbling, splashing solo, now seems wofully outdone by the rapidly
rolling trains, and lifts up its unheard voice in vain. The river Sow
still flows close to the line. Westward lie the villages of Walford and
Aspley, but too much concealed by wood to be discovered in passing.
Trentham Park, seat of the Marquis of Sutherland, is perceived on the
N.E. The mansion is a modern structure; the surrounding grounds are very
extensive, abound with fine timber, and greatly adorned by lakes, formed
by the river Trent, which flows through the park.
* * * * *
Standon Church, with the richly wooded country round, forms a pleasing
object W. of the line.
[Picture: Standon Church]
Passing on, another Swinnerton Park appears on the E., there being two of
that name. Hill Chorlton and Chapel Chorlton, with the picturesque
church tower of the latter, appears W. of the traveller. A short
distance of pretty wooded scenery intervenes, and then a shallow cutting,
passing which, Maer Wood is seen on the W. Maer Hall, seat of J.
Wedgewood, Esq.
* * * * *
Shortly after, the line enters a deep cutting, which ends at
WHITMORE STATION.
Distance to Birmingham, 43.25--Liverpool and Manchester, 54.25 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Maer 1.75 mile. NEWCASTLE-UNDER- 5 miles.
LYME
Chapel Chorlton 3 miles. Trentham 5 --
Ashley 3.5 -- Wolstanton 6.5 --
Standon 5 -- Shelton 7 --
Broughton 5.5 -- STOKE 7 --
Mucklestone or Muxton 6 -- BURSLEM 7.5 --
Norton 7.5 -- HANLEY 7.5 --
MARKET DRAYTON 10 -- Tunstall 8.5 --
LANE END 8.5 --
Norton-on-the- 9 --
Moor
LEEK 16 --
CHAPTER V.
WHITMORE TO CREWE,
Ten and .75 Miles.
AN extensive heathy bog is traversed by the line, after leaving Whitmore
station, and, as we have heard an ancient tradition anent it, will tell
the tale for the edification of our readers, "extenuating nothing."
Once upon a time there was a large forest in this part, and when the
Romans were amusing themselves with hunting our worthy ancestors, a
large body of the ancient Britons took refuge therein. In order to
come at them these terrible Romans set fire to the forest, which
burnt in a very fearful and dreadful manner; but our information does
not extend to the exact measure of scorching endured by the miserable
prisoners within this fiery fence, or whether they escaped by flight,
or were consumed wholesale in the burning forest, which, with the
accumulation of vegetable matter during past ages, has formed the
bog, now "passed with the swiftness of tornado-blast," by "Wildfires"
and "Rockets."
Opposite the Bog-house is one of the highest points of the line, the road
inclining towards Liverpool one way, and towards Birmingham the other.
Snape Hall is prettily situated among rich woods on the E. of the line;
and a short distance farther Barr Hill appears on the W. It is a
considerable elevation, and on a clear day, Liverpool may be seen from
it. Madeley Parks and Manor House lie W. of the line. The latter is the
seat of Lady Cunliffe, daughter of Lord Crewe, to whose family, the
adjoining land, formerly a fine deer park, anciently belonged. Hay
House, a small, old, brick building, stands close to the line of railway
on the E. One cannot help feeling an odd sort of commiseration for these
ancient abodes of the last generation, which have stood, and grown old
and grey, in the once quiet and out-of-the-world nooks where the
convenience of the farmer, or the retired taste of the small country
squire, had located them; and now, to see the iron ribs of the innovating
railroad carried up to their very threshold, has something of sadness in
it, even in the midst of our modern pride and gratulation. It is like
pert youth, exhibiting and vaunting of its strength and valorous deeds,
to decrepid and helpless age. But what have we to do with such dreams?
"Locomotives" wait for no man's fancies, and we must e'en follow their
course. Soon after passing which, we reach
Madeley Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 46--Liverpool and Manchester, 51.5 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Woore 2.5 miles. Betley 3 miles.
Norton 5.5 -- NEWCASTLE 5 --
Mucklestone or Muxton 5.5 --
Audlem 7 --
Adderley 9.5 --
Burley Dam 11 --
WHITCHURCH 15 --
THE village, which is rather eastward of the line, consists chiefly of
cottages and farm houses in the Elizabethan style. The Church is an
ancient and interesting structure, with a fine set of bells. An
eccentric, named Samuel Stretch, noted for his penurious habits,
bequeathed, in 1804, a great bell, to be tolled every night at eight
o'clock, as a guide to persons wandering about at such late and improper
hours; he having accidently fallen into a ditch, the consequences of
which disaster eventually caused his death. The small town of Woore lies
three miles W. Passing several slight cuttings, and again gaining the
open country, a fine prospect appears, including Checkley Wood,
Doddington Park, on the W., Heighley Castle on the E., and the Welsh
Hills in the distance. Doddington Hall, seat of Lieut. Gen. Sir John
Delves Broughton, Bart., is a splendid mansion of comparatively modern
erection. A fortified house was erected here in 1364, by Sir John
Delves, the venerable ruins of which still remain. The park is finely
wooded, and includes a very noble avenue of ancient oaks. Heighley
Castle partakes the traditionary honour so lavishly bestowed on such
places, of having been "battered down" by Cromwell. It has been said,
"no man can be in two places at once, unless he be a _bird_." And our
renowned Oliver must needs have been wonderfully endowed with this
ornithological ubiquity, if we are to allow a shade of credence to the
countless and unaccountable stories of his sieges in _propria persona_.
A lofty embankment and two viaducts carry the line through the pretty
valley of Wrinehill; the Hall and Mill forming very pleasing objects in
the scene. The line here enters Cheshire. Betley and Betley Mere form
the next view, after emerging from a short excavation, called Bunker's
Hill. Betley Court, the residence of J. Twemlow, Esq., with its
surrounding woods and fields, and the pretty mere or lakelet in front,
afford a very pleasing view.
* * * * *
In the rear distance, S.E., is a fine view of Boond Hill and Mow Copp, on
the round summit of the latter is a stone monument, distinctly seen.
These hills, which lie at a considerable distance, join in the landscape
for some space. Chorlton is the first village we pass in Cheshire, and
Wybunbury, a place of much more importance, is concealed by the woods
about the former, except the Church, which peers above them. This Church
was rebuilt in 1595; it is a spacious structure, with carved wooden
ceilings, and a lofty pinnacled tower, which leaned so much to the N.E.,
that a few years since it was found requisite to place it erect, when
some alterations were made in the body of the Church. To the W. is
Basford Hall, soon after passing which, we arrive at
Basford Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 52--Liverpool and Manchester, 45.5 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Place E. of Station_.
Hough .5 mile. Betley 2 miles.
Wybunbury 1.25 -- Barthomley 3 --
Walgherton 2 miles. Audley 4 --
Doddington 2.5 -- Alsager 5 --
NANTWICH 4 -- Talk 6 --
Audlem 5 -- Church Lawton 6 --
Burley Dam 7 --
Baddiley 7 --
Wrenbury 9 --
CREWE HALL, the mansion of Lord Crewe, which appears E. of the line, is a
large and handsome quadrangular structure of red brick, surrounded by
finely undulating grounds, and a lake of considerable extent.
CREWE STATION.
Distance to Birmingham, 54--Liverpool and Manchester, 43.5 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
NANTWICH 4 miles. Haslington 2 miles.
Acton 5.25 -- SANDBACH 5 --
Baddiley 7.5 -- Astbury 10 --
Wrenbury 9 -- CONGLETON 11 --
MALPAS 17 -- Gawsworth 13.5 --
MACCLESFIELD 19 --
NANTWICH, four miles W. of Crewe, contains 5,350 inhabitants, and has a
market on Saturdays, and fairs, chiefly for cattle, on March 26, second
Tuesday in June, September 4, and December 4.
Previously to the Conquest, the wealth of this place consisted in its
numerous brine springs. Its origin is attributed to the Britons; and
its name appears to be derived from the British word _Nant_, a brook
or marsh, and the Saxon _vic_, by corruption _wich_, a vill, or
settlement. The latter term seems generally attached to the names of
towns where salt is made. This town has had its full share of
plague, pestilence, and war, in times past, and twice suffered
greatly from fire, in the years 1438 and 1583. During the civil war
it staunchly supported the parliament.
The town is situated on the banks of the river Weaver, in a level and
fertile tract of country. Most of the houses are of timber and brick,
covered with plaster, with projecting stories, and large bay-windows.
There is a small Theatre and Assembly-room. In the time of Henry VIII.,
there were three hundred salt works; this number has been gradually
reduced, in consequence of superior mines and springs being discovered
elsewhere, and now only one spring remains. Shoes, gloves, and cotton
goods are the chief manufactures now, and cheese the principal
agricultural produce. The Church is a spacious and venerable structure,
in the decorated and later English styles, comprising a nave, with
lateral aisles, a chancel, transepts, and an ornamented octagonal tower,
rising from the intersection. There are Meetings and Chapels for
Dissenters, and various Schools. John Gerarde, whose fine old work,
called Gerarde's Herbal, is familiar to every botanist, was a native of
Nantwich, born in 1545.
CHAPTER VI.
CREWE TO HARTFORD,
Eleven and .75 Miles.
QUITTING the Crewe station, around which is little to attract the
traveller's notice, the line proceeds nearly without a curve, and for
some distance enables the passengers of one train, to observe the
approach of another. A branch railway is in progress from Crewe, to
Manchester on one side, and to Chester on the other. The tower of
Coppenhall Church is the first object on the W. This Church is an old
wood and plaster structure, of the style prevalent in the reign of
Elizabeth, and looking almost as if modern times had forgotten it, so
quaint and old it is.
* * * * *
Passing the Church and Village, we arrive at
Coppenhall Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 56--Liverpool and Manchester, 41.5 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Minshull Moss 2 miles. Coppenhall Moss 1 mile.
Lea Green 2 -- Warmingham 3 miles.
Leighton 2.5 -- SANDBACH 5 --
Church Minshull 3.5 --
Worleston Green 4.5 --
Acton 5.5 --
THE country near the line in this part becomes flat, boggy, and
uninteresting; for though an ancient moss is a scene of uncloying
interest to a naturalist, and contains many a treasure to reward the
patient seeking of the botanist; yet, in the cursory glance of a railroad
traveller, its sombre, and, as he perhaps thinks, unprofitable waste, is
a scene gladly exchanged for verdant pastures and waving corn fields.
Here is a whole family of mosses, all lying closely contiguous, and
quaking under the foot of the pedestrian wanderer among their heathy
labyrinths, "like a great jelly bag," as the graphic authoress of "Wood
Leighton," that most graceful, good, and womanly book, quaintly describes
a like spot. Coppenhall Moss, Leighton Moss, Warmington Moss, and, for
aught we know, half a score more, compose the near view, with the welcome
variety afforded by Warmingham Wood in the distance.
* * * * *
The towns of Sandbach and Congleton lie on the E., but are not seen from
the line. The former contains about 7,200 inhabitants. The market is on
Thursday, and fairs on Easter Tuesday and Wednesday, and the first
Thursday after September 11; and a cattle and pleasure fair on December
27, for cattle and wearing apparel. In the market-place are some ancient
crosses, repaired in 1816. The church is in the later English style.
There are Dissenting Chapels, and several Schools. Congleton contains
9,352 individuals. It is an ancient place, and is called _Cogletone_ in
Doomsday Book, but its origin has not been clearly ascertained. The town
is situated in a valley, embosomed in richly wooded hills: the eastern
part is old and irregularly built; the western is modern. In the
environs, especially on the banks of the river, are many elegant mansions
and villas. The market is on Saturday; the fairs on the Thursday before
Shrovetide, May 12, July 12, and December 22. The Market-house,
containing a handsome Assembly-room, was built in 1822, at the sole
expense of Sir E. Antrobus, Bart.
Minshull Vernon Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 58.75--Liverpool and Manchester, 38.75 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Church Minshull 2 miles. Warmingham 2.5 miles.
Bunbury 6.75 -- SANDBACH 5 --
Tattenhall 12 --
Harthill 12.25 --
HERE the scenery becomes more interesting, from the distant view afforded
on the W. of Beeston Castle Hill, and the high lands in Cheshire and
Wales.
[Picture: Beeston Hill]
Beeston Castle was founded by Ranulph de Blundeville, about 1220, and
was made a royal garrison, in the war between Henry III., and the
confederate Barons. In 1643, Beeston Castle was held by a detachment
of the Parliamentarian forces, then taken by the Royalists, who were,
after a long siege in 1645, compelled, from want of provisions, to
surrender it; and the Parliamentarians dismantled it early the
following year. The ruins consist of part of a tower which guarded
the principal entrance to the inner court, flanked by semi-circular
bastions, and surrounded by a moat, excavated in the solid rock. The
outer walls were defended by eight round towers, irregularly placed,
and are now covered with ivy.
On the N.W. appears Delamere Forest, which continues to form part of the
railroad prospect for some space. This tract, which includes the ancient
and royal forest of Delamere, was uninclosed till 1812, when it was
erected into a parish by act of parliament. It was formerly a dreary
waste, but is now rapidly improving in fertility and increased
population. On its enclosure, it first gave the title of Baron Delamere
of Vale Royal, to Thomas Cholmondeley, Esq., the proprietor of the
ancient possessions of the Cistercian monks of Vale Royal, whose
sumptuous Abbey was completed in 1330, by Edward I., and cost 32,000.
There are races in March, called the Tanfield Hunt.
Delamere Forest, comprising about 10,000 acres, once contained a
great number of red and fallow deer: it exhibits a pleasing variety
of well-wooded hills, rich valleys for pasturage, waters affording
plenty of fish and water-fowl; and mosses, producing an abundance of
peat and turf for fuel. Upon the highest hill stood the Saxon
fortress of Finborrow, and near it the city of Eadesbury, both of
which are said to have been founded by Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred
the Great. The ancient residence of the Chief Forester is all that
now remains; this house is called the Chamber of the Forest; and at
convenient distances around it are neat lodges for the keepers of the
several walks. Five thousand acres of the forest have been planted
with forest trees within the last twenty years. The remaining
portion is sold or allotted to private individuals.
Journeying on, we pass Lea Hall, a plain, old-fashioned building, close
to the line, and can just perceive Over Church above the trees; this part
of the line being more clothed with wood than that we have recently
described. Here the Middlewich Canal is crossed, and is seen on the E.,
in which direction, two miles from the line, lies the town of Middlewich,
containing about 4,800 inhabitants, with a market on Thursday, and fairs
on Holy Thursday, Aug. 25, and Oct. 29. The name of this town is derived
from its central situation with respect to the Wiches, or Salt Towns. A
Roman station is supposed to have existed here, from the remains of a
Roman road, and an intrenched camp. The Royalists were defeated here
during the civil war, and the same fortune befel the Parliamentarian
forces subsequently. The town is divided by the Grand Trunk Canal, here
crossed by the river Dane; and the rivers Weyer, Croco, and Whelock, also
run through the parish. The chief trade consists in salt obtained from
powerful brine-springs: there are also some silk manufactories. The
church, being built at various periods, presents an assemblage of
different styles of architecture: it has a handsome tower. Here are also
dissenting meetings, and a free school, which, like many like
establishments, fulfils, but in a very limited degree, the intentions of
its founders. Delamere Forest and Over Church again form the westerly
view.
The small straggling town of Over lies about a mile W. of the line; it
contains 2,930 inhabitants; has no market, but fairs on May 15 and Sept.
25. The church was re-built in 1543, by Hugh Starkey, Gentleman Usher to
Henry VIII., in the later English style of architecture. An effigy of
brass in the interior of the church, perpetuates the memory of the pious
Hugh; a curious font, and some other antiquities, may also be seen. Salt
is the chief manufacture. In the extreme distance on the S.E., a clear
day allows a tolerable view of the Derbyshire hills from this part of the
line; Stanthorne Hall, seat of Richard Dutton, Esq., also E., is passed
immediately before reaching the
Winsford Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 61.25--Liverpool and Manchester, 36.25 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Over 2 miles. MIDDLEWICH 2 miles.
Little Budworth 5.25 -- Brereton cum Smethwick 7.5 --
TARPORLEY 8.5 -- Swettenham 9.5 --
Waverton 15 -- Nether Alderley 14.5 --
BOSTOCK HALL, seat of James France France, Esq., and Wharton, _would_ be
seen E. from the railroad after leaving the station, but that the line
enters a shallow cutting; the banks of which hide the view "just at the
very time when they should not." An opening gives a glimpse of the woods
about the house, and that is all. The next peep is westward again, at
Moulson: and after passing another cutting (this word _cutting_ is an
inelegant term, which does not fall into our prose with ease; but we
cannot avoid it, belonging, as it does, to railroad phraseology) we gain
a view of Vale Royal Park and New Park on the W., the pleasant woodland
glades of which are soon shut out by another cutting which takes us
through Eaton, and by Eaton Hall, seat of Sir E. Antrobus. We now
approach one of the most magnificent parts of the railway, and of the
scenery skirting it; the Vale Royal Viaduct, over which the line passes
for five hundred feet, and beneath which the river Weaver winds through
the vale in graceful sweeps, girt with verdant meadows; on the E. it is
crossed by the simple old bridge, now looking very humble, in the
presence of its magnificent neighbour. The viaduct consists of five
arches of immense span, it is built of a reddish stone, and is a noble
erection. The traveller will do well to be alert and on the "look out"
in this part, or the view will escape him. Westward lies Vale Royal
Park, rich in the grandeur of its ancient woods, and nearly hidden among
them is Delamere Abbey, the old and venerable seat of Lord Delamere.
Little remains now of the ancient building, which was not, as described
by Warton in his Elegy, seen "high o'er the trackless heath," but was
seated in a deep valley on the banks of the river Weaver. The present
mansion consists of a centre and two wings of red stone. The great hall
is a magnificent apartment.
[Picture: Vale Royal Viaduct]
The marvellous enlightenment of the 19th century, great as we deem
it, has not yet penetrated those holes and corners of prejudice and
credulity, which serve for the hiding places of superstition, for
even in the eye of the Railroad itself are those living who speak
with awe of the so-called prophecies, said to be made by the poor
driveller Robert Nixon, the Cheshire sage. It so happens, very
oddly, that predictions are sometimes remembered _when_ verified, and
not before. So was the curious and very oracular one of the past
year, so often quoted,--
"A summer without a spring,
And an autumn without a king,"
which no one can deny was very remarkable indeed--only it was too
disloyal to be circulated till certainty had secured its truth. Poor
Nixon wishing, doubtlessly, to compliment his patrons, the
Cholmondeley family, with a "May-the-king-live-for-ever" kind of
benediction, promised that till certain stones or rocks near
Warrington came to Vale Royal, the prosperity of their family should
continue. Unluckily, stones have grown locomotive of late, and
"Birnam Wood doth come to Dunsinane," for the fatal rocks have become
part of the grand viaduct, which, far from bringing ill to the noble
Delamere, is a link in the mighty chain now weaving, which shall bind
together art, science, talent, wealth, and greatness, for the good of
all who are so blessed as to live in the age of RAILROADS.
The line passes through a deep cutting before arriving at the
HARTFORD STATION.
Distance to Birmingham, 65.75--Liverpool and Manchester, 31.75 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Newchurch 2.25 miles. Davenham 1.5 miles.
Little Budworth 5.5 -- NORTHWICH 2 --
TARPORLEY 8 -- Great Budworth 6 --
Tarvin 10 -- NETHER KNUTSFORD 9 --
Great Barrow 11 -- Rostherne 10.5 --
Guilden Sutton 13 -- Mobberley 11.5 --
Waverton 13.5 -- Wilmslow 15.5 --
Christleton 13.5 --
CHESTER 16 --
CHAPTER VII.
HARTFORD TO WARRINGTON,
Twelve and .25 Miles.
PROCEEDING from the Hartford station, the banks of the cutting conceal
much of the scenery. The small and scattered village of Gorstage appears
on the W. From Hartford station to Acton station the evenness of the
ground renders a train visible to a spectator, at either place, the
entire distance.
The town of Northwich lies two miles E. of the railway; has a market
on Friday, and fairs on April 10, for cattle only, August 2, and
December 6. Camden is of opinion, that the brine springs here were
used by the Romans, and says, the town was anciently called
Hellah-Du, or the Black Salt Town. The town has a very antique
appearance, and contains a church very remarkable for its
semi-circular choir, and for the curious decorations of the roof of
the nave, which consist of numerous figures of wicker baskets,
similar to those used in the process of salt-making. The commercial
prosperity of Northwich, is entirely dependent upon its numerous
brine springs and extensive mines of rock salt; in which article the
trade is so great, as to produce an annual export of 100,000 tons
from the springs alone. They were discovered at a very early period,
and are usually more than one hundred yards in depth. The brine,
being raised by pumps set in motion by steam-engines, is conveyed by
pipes into pans, thirty or forty feet square: these are fixed over
furnaces, the heat arising from which, causes the water to evaporate,
and the salt to crystallise; it is then drained and dried, and is fit
for sale. The mines of rock salt were discovered in 1670, the upper
stratum, lying about sixty yards below the surface of the earth, is
ten yards thick. About 1772, a second stratum, ten feet thick, and
of superior quality, was discovered, at the depth of one hundred and
ten yards, the intermediate space being occupied by a solid mass of
stone. This latter bed alone is worked by the following process:--A
shaft is sunk, and on reaching the mine a roof of salt is left,
supported by pillars of the same material. As the excavation
proceeds, the fragments are raised in buckets by means of
steam-engines. The pits form an area of two, three, or four acres,
and when illuminated, present a singularly beautiful and magnificent
appearance; the light being reflected from all points in every
variety of hue, as from a promiscuous assemblage of mirrors and
prisms. This fairy palace was the scene of an elegant entertainment,
given by the spirited proprietors, to about a hundred of the members
of the British Association, during the meeting at Liverpool, in 1837.
From an account published in 1818, it appeared that 200,000 tons of
manufactured salt, and upwards of 40,000 tons of rock salt, were
landed at Liverpool during the preceding year, and that upwards of
280,000 bushels are annually sold for internal consumption, by far
the greatest proportion having been obtained in this neighbourhood;
since that period the business has materially increased. The river
Weaver and the Grand Trunk Canal afford great facilities for
water-carriage from Northwich; and three hundred vessels are employed
in the salt trade alone, which return laden with coal.
Passing through one or two slight cuttings, the line commands a fine view
of Grange Hall, which stands on a well-wooded hill, near to the railway
on the W. Eastward, is the village of Weaverham, and Winnington Hall,
and, in the distance, the Overton Hills. The cutting at Acton Heath
terminates near the
Acton Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 68.25--Liverpool and Manchester, 29.25 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Crowton 1.5 mile. Weaverham 1 mile.
Cuddington 1.75 -- Barnton 3 miles.
Kingsley 3 miles. Great Budworth 5 --
Delamere House 3.5 --
Tarvin 10.25 --
HAVING left Acton, the prospect is much impeded for some distance by the
frequent cuttings through which the line passes; in the intervals, the
Overton Hills appear on the W. Aston Hall (seat of the late H. C. Aston,
Esq.) and grounds are shortly seen on the E., and immediately in front
lies Dutton Wood. The traveller now approaches the magnificent viaduct
crossing the river Weaver and the valley of Dutton.
This gigantic structure exceeds in magnitude anything of the kind yet
accomplished in this country, or perhaps in Europe, not even
excepting the Menai Bridge. The Viaduct is of the Gothic order,
formed of red sand-stone procured from the neighbourhood of Bolton
and Runcorn; it consists of twenty arches, of sixty feet span, and
sixty feet in height, and the battlements add twelve feet more to the
height; the whole length is 1,400 feet: 700,000 cubic feet of stone
have been used in the work--the whole cost was 50,000.
The grandeur of this stupendous work is greatly enhanced by the richness
and beauty of the adjacent country.
[Picture: Dutton Viaduct]
_Completion of the Dutton Viaduct_. On Friday, January 9, 1837, was
performed the ceremony of laying the last, or key stone, of the
magnificent viaduct across the Weaver, at Dutton. A party of the
directors from Liverpool attended, and were met by Mr. Locke, the
engineer, and the resident engineers and contractors on the line.
Mr. Heyworth, as the senior director present, after placing the last
stone in its bed, addressed the party. He congratulated the workmen
(of whom about one hundred and fifty were present) on their steady
perseverance and diligence in bringing to perfection so noble a work:
he rejoiced to find, that, in the erection of this, the greatest and
first structure of its kind in the kingdom, no life or limb had been
sacrificed. Mr. Locke, the engineer, and the Rev. W. Stanhope, also
addressed the meeting. The health of the workmen was then given by
Mr. Locke, amid hearty cheers. In the evening, the viaduct was
illuminated with torches, and fireworks were displayed in great
abundance; during which time the workmen were regaled with a good
dinner and excellent cheer.--_Chester Courant_.
The traveller who would enjoy glimpses of railroad views, must bear in
mind the velocity of his conveyance, and prepare to "see whatever can be
seen," or the most important objects will have glanced by the windows of
his comfortable locomotive arm-chair coach, before any second person can
warn him of their presence. Emerging from a cutting, which immediately
succeeds the viaduct, Dutton Hall is observed on the E. backed by wood.
A short distance farther, a fine rear-view is obtained (only by outside
passengers we fear) of the Weaver, the vale of Dutton, Cogshall Park
beyond, and in the distance the range of Derbyshire Hills. Passing
between Bird Wood and Dutton Wood, we reach the tunnel at Preston Brook,
110 yards in length, over which the Chester road passes.
Preston Brook Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 72.5--Liverpool and Manchester, 25 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_.
FRODSHAM 3 miles.
Ince 9.5 --
Plemondstall 10.5 --
Thornton Le Moors 11.5 --
Guilden Sutton 11.5 --
Stoak or Stoke 12.5 --
Chester 13 --
Backford 14 --
PRESTON, though a small place, is one of considerable traffic, from its
vicinity to the salt districts, and to the Grand Trunk Canal.
Frodsham lies three miles W. of the line at this part; it has a
market on Saturday, and fairs on May 15, and August 21. The
principal branch of trade is salt refining, besides which, there are
flour mills and cotton factories. This place is mentioned in
Doomsday Book, as being the property of the Earl of Chester. The
town, situated on an eminence on the banks of the Weaver, near its
confluence with the Mersey, consists of a broad street, a mile in
length; at the E. end is a bridge of four arches over the Weaver, and
at the W. end anciently stood a Norman castle; another street leads
to the Church, an ancient structure, partly in the Norman style of
architecture.
Norton Priory, the residence of Sir Richard Brooke, Bart., is seen on the
W. A religious establishment formerly existed here, some ancient parts
of which are included in the present mansion. The Duke of Bridgewater's
canal runs through the park. In the rear of Norton Priory, as seen from
the railway, is the now busy and important town of Runcorn, containing
10,326 inhabitants.
In 915, Ethelfleda, sister to King Edward the Elder, widow of
Ethelred, King of Mercia, built a town and castle near the river
Mersey, at this place, some traces of which are still visible. In
1133, William Fitz Nigel founded here a monastery of canons regular,
which, in the reign of Stephen, was removed to Norton Priory above
mentioned.
Runcorn is a place of considerable resort for bathing, and has been
recently much enlarged, and improved by handsome buildings, &c. The
township abounds with fine stone quarries, from which great quantities
are sent by water to Liverpool, Manchester, &c. Here are extensive
chemical and soap works, in connexion with which a chimney of 273 feet in
height, and of great beauty, has recently been erected. The church is in
the early and later styles of English architecture. Near Runcorn are the
fine ruins of Halton Castle, situated on a steep eminence, and commanding
an extensive and beautifully varied prospect, including the Mersey
estuary, the Welsh mountains, and richly-wooded scenery in Cheshire and
Lancashire. This fortress was demolished during the civil wars.
Eastward, passing Keakwick, and Daresbury, where is a fine old church,
The Elms appear. Passing which we arrive at
Moore Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 75--Liverpool and Manchester, 22.5 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_.
Halton 3.5 miles. Daresbury 1.25 mile.
Lower Runcorn 4 -- Hatton 2.25 --
Higher Runcorn 4.5 -- Stretton 3.75 --
Weston 5 -- Grappenhall 4.5 --
THE pretty village of Moore is not seen from the line. Richly-wooded
country lies on either side the road now, and occasionally peeping
through the trees, the masts of vessels passing on the Mersey may be
observed. The Mersey Viaduct is next traversed. This, though far less
grand in appearance than the Dutton Viaduct, is a fine erection of 200
yards in length, consisting of twelve arches, nine being small, and three
of larger span, beneath which the river Mersey, and the Mersey and Irwell
Canal pass. Shortly after leaving the viaduct the town of Warrington is
seen on the E., and westward lies Penketh, and the small white buildings
at Fiddler's Ferry.
WARRINGTON STATION.
Distance to Birmingham, 78--Liverpool and Manchester, 19.5 miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:--
_Places E. of Station_.
Grappenhall 3.5 miles.
Lymm 5.5 --
Warburton 8 --
Bowdon 11.75 --
ALTRINGHAM 12 --
WARRINGTON forms a pleasing view from the approaching trains.
It contains 19,155 inhabitants, and is by some writers supposed to
have been originally a British town, and on the invasion of the
Romans under Agricola, in 79, to have been converted into a Roman
station. This supposition rests chiefly on the circumstances of
three Roman roads tending hitherwards to a ford over the Mersey; the
vestiges of a castrum and fosse, still discernable; and the discovery
of Roman coins and other relics near the ford. On its occupation by
the Saxons, it obtained the name of _Weringtun_, from _Waering_, a
fortification, and _tun_, a town. The river was passed by ford till
1496, when Thomas, first Earl of Derby, erected a stone bridge in
compliment to Henry VII., when on his visit to Latham and Knowsley.
In the reign of Henry VIII., Leland, speaking of Warrington, says,
"It is a pavid towne of prety bignes, the paroche chirce is at the
tayle of the towne; it is a better market than Manchestre." In the
civil wars of 1643, the Royalists of the place betook themselves to
the _church_, which they fortified, but the Parliamentarian battery
dislodged them from their military sanctuary. The town is pleasantly
situated on the Mersey; the streets are chiefly narrow, but contain
some good buildings.
Prior to the construction of the railroad between Liverpool and
Manchester, seventy stage-coaches passed through Warrington daily; now
only _four_ run. The manufactures comprise muslin, calico, velveteen,
sailcloth, (which was formerly the staple trade,) pins, files, hardware,
glass, malt, soap, and ale of strength and quality renowned. Railways,
rivers, and canals, facilitate trade materially. The market days are
Wednesday and Saturday; the fairs commence July 18 and November 30,
continuing ten days. There are cloth halls, and various public
buildings, and a fine old church, dedicated to St. Helen; the
architecture exhibits traces of various styles and periods. Two ancient
sepulchral chapels remain, and contain some magnificent monuments of the
Boteler, Massey, and Patten families. There are two other churches, and
various dissenting chapels and meetings, Free Grammar School, Blue Coat
School, and many others, also Hospitals and other excellent institutions.
CHAPTER VIII.
WARRINGTON TO NEWTON JUNCTION,
Four and .75 Miles.
PASSING on from Warrington, the line commands a view W. of Busey Hall,
(seat of Lord Lilford,) a fine old mansion, surrounded by wood; a little
farther, is Burton Wood and Bold Heath and Park, (seat of Sir Henry
Houghton,) also on the W., Orford Hall (seat of Hon. Mrs. Hornby) on the
E., and Billinge Beacon Hill N.W. The spire of Winwick Church is seen
shortly before arriving at
Winwick Station,
which, though not mentioned in the Company's list, has, since the opening
of the railway, been used as a station, for the accommodation of persons
in the vicinity.
[Picture: Winwick Church]
Winwick Church is a beautiful and ancient edifice, with a lofty
spire; and is said to be coeval with the establishment of the
Christian religion in this country.
[Picture: Winwick Church]
Winwick Hall, residence of the Rector and Lord of the Manor, the Rev.
J. J. Hornby, is near the church. This living is one of the
wealthiest in the kingdom. Between the village of Winwick and town
of Newton, is an elevated piece of ground, called Red Bank, from its
having been, in 1648, the scene of a battle between Oliver Cromwell
and the Scots, when the latter were defeated with great slaughter.
A short distance brings us to the
Newton Junction.
CHAPTER IX.
NEWTON JUNCTION TO LIVERPOOL.
Fourteen and .75 Miles.
HAVING to describe the railroad branches to Liverpool and Manchester, we
shall now continue our account along the Liverpool part of the line, and
in the next Chapter take the "Newton to Manchester" portion. Leaving the
Newton Junction, and turning to the left, the E. becomes North, and the
W. we must call South. The constant traffic on the Liverpool and
Manchester line, and the numerous trains journeying to and fro, render it
a much more busy and stirring scene than the Birmingham railroad is at
present.
The Grand Junction Company rent the use of this Liverpool and
Manchester railway at 20,000 per annum. The exact length of the
Liverpool and Manchester railway, from the station, Lime-street,
Liverpool, to Water-street, Manchester, is thirty miles and three
quarters, and thirty yards.
A short distance from the Junction is the Sankey Viaduct, a grand and
stupendous work; the arches are nine in number, and fifty feet span; the
embankments leading to and from it, are from sixty to eighty feet above
the level country. Newton Common and Race-ground, the stand on which is
a conspicuous object, lie to the N., with the Billinge hills behind,
Burton Wood S., and the Sankey Canal winds along from either side. After
passing
Collin's Green Station
Bold Hall (seat of Sir Henry Houghton) appears to the S., and we soon
enter on the Parr Moss, passing the Sutton copper works on the N.
St. Helen's and Runcorn Junction Station.
HERE the St. Helen's line branches to the N., and the Runcorn Gap
Railway, S. Shirley Hall lies on the N. side. On the S., is the
Engine-house, where an engine is stationed to assist trains in ascending
the Sutton inclined plane. Proceeding through the Sutton cutting, and
under several fine arches, the
Lea Green Station, (top of Sutton incline,)
at the summit of the elevation, is gained, and Rainhill level entered
upon. The village of Sutton and Grove Hall are nearly hidden from view
by the surrounding trees.
Kendrick's Cross Station, Rainhill.
FROM Rainhill station the line passes through a short cutting, and then
descends the Whiston inclined plane. Prescot Church is on the N. side,
with Ellsby Hills and Halton Castle on the S.
[Picture: Prescot Town And Church]
The town of Prescot, one mile N. of the line, lies principally on a
substratum of coal, several mines of which are excavated to its very
edge. The district has long been noted for the superior construction of
watch tools and motion-work. The drawing of pinion-wire originated here;
and small files, considered to be of great excellence, are made and
exported in large quantities. Coarse earthenware, especially sugar
moulds, are here made from the clay of the neighbourhood, which is
particularly adapted to the purpose. The plate-glass works at Ravenhead
are very extensive and celebrated. The concave and convex mirrors, and
large plate-glass, being equal, if not superior to any produced on the
Continent. The Church is ancient; the spire, which was rebuilt in 1789,
is 156 feet high, and is a fine object from the railroad. In the Church
are several monuments, one by Sir Francis Chantrey, R.A., is of great
beauty. John Philip Kemble, the tragedian, was born at Prescot, in 1757.
The view of the Cheshire hills in the southward distance, is rich and
extensive.
Knowsley Park, seat of the Earl of Derby, appears on the N. The
mansion has evidently been erected at different periods; its most
ancient part is of stone, and is said to have been raised by the
first Earl of Derby, for the reception of his son-in-law, King Henry
VII., in whose honours the Earl had been mainly instrumental. Great
enlargement and decoration of the mansion took place on occasion of
this royal visit: a handsome stone bridge was thrown across the
Mersey at Warrington, and an embankment or causeway thrown up across
the marshes to the rising ground on the Cheshire side. Many valuable
and interesting pictures adorn the mansion, which is surrounded by a
beautiful park.
Several coal, lime, and marble works are passed on either side; and while
traversing the Huyton embankment, Preston church, the Hazels, seat of
Joseph Birch, Esq., and the church and village of Huyton are observed on
the N. On the S. appears Childwall park, hall, and church; beyond, is
Woolton hall, seat of N. Ashton, Esq.; the whole scene finely wooded.
Huyton Gate and Roby-lane Gate Stations
are shortly passed; the village of Roby lies S. of the line, and closely
adjoining it. Proceeding onwards, along a pleasant but not very
interesting part, Summer-hill house is seen, the seat of Thomas Case,
Esq.; also, the little church of Notting Ash and Childwall hall, a seat
of the Marquis of Salisbury.
Broad Green Station.
A FEW yards from the station, on the N. side, is a place for the landing
of cattle, sheep, &c. The line now enters the Olive Mount excavation,
which is an immense chasm, cut in the solid rock, to the depth of from 50
to 70 feet, the precipitous rock forming a grand wall on either side.
The village of Wavertree lies S. of the line, after emerging from the
Olive Mount ravine; Spekelands, the residence of Mrs. Earle, lies also on
the S., and on the N. is the residence of C. Lawrence, Esq. Here the
Liverpool tunnels commence; one, for conveying passengers, &c., into the
Company's station-yard in Lime-street, turns off on the right hand, and
is 2,230 yards long, 25 feet wide, and 17 feet high. The other, for the
conveyance of goods, direct to the docks, in a straighter continuation of
the line, is 2,250 yards long, 22 feet wide, and 16 feet high. Engines
are stationed on each side of the line at this part, each of forty-horse
power, to draw the trains up the inclined plane of the tunnel, in coming
out of Liverpool, and let them down on their arrival from Birmingham.
The locomotive engines being attached to and detached from the trains at
this station.
* * * * *
"A Friend to Railways," in a letter to the Editor of the Railway
Magazine, May 1838, thus describes the mode of drawing the trains up the
inclined plane:--
"At the upper end of the tunnel, which is 2,250 yards long, there is
one pair of engines on each side of the road; it being found that a
much more regular motion is given by this means to the carriages.
The engines are high-pressure, with side-levers, similar to marine
engines; the connecting-rods, however, are reversed, and work the
crank downwards, and are connected to a horizontal shaft of great
strength running across and under the road in a tunnel, upon which
shaft a large drum-wheel is placed that works the rope. In each
engine-house is a raised platform, upon which the man stands who
works the engines; this platform leads to a balcony on the outside of
the engine-house, from which the man can look down the mouth of the
tunnel; a signal is given by means of an air-pipe running through the
tunnel, so formed at the upper end as to produce a sound when the air
is forced into it from the lower extremity. This, I believe, is the
invention of Mr. King, of Liverpool. The engine-man on hearing the
signal, opens the steam-cock, and the engines start instantly. This
work was designed by Mr. Grantham, of the foundery of Messrs. Mather
and Dickson, of Liverpool, where the machinery was constructed."
Having now given an account of the whole journey, we must proceed to a
brief history and memoir of Liverpool itself.
CHAPTER X.
LIVERPOOL.
LIVERPOOL is an ancient sea-port, borough, and market town, 205 miles
from London, containing 205,964 inhabitants, exclusive of 10,000 seamen.
Of its remote antiquity but little can be asserted, amidst the great
contrariety of opinion which is held on this subject. Liverpool is
not noticed in any of the Roman Itinera, neither does the name occur
in the Norman survey. After the conquest it was granted by William,
to Roger de Poictiers, together with all the land between the Ribble
and the Mersey, and subsequently forfeited. It was thereupon granted
to the Earls of Chester; and on forfeiture by their descendants, to
Edmund, son of Henry III., as parcel of the honour of Lancaster; and
it remained an integral part of the duchy possessions, until its
alienation by Charles I., in 1628.
Various opinions have been hazarded regarding the etymology of the
name, without reference to the most ancient documents in which it has
been discovered. John, whilst Earl of Moreton, and in possession of
the honour of Lancaster, confirmed a grant made by his father, Henry
II., to Warin de Lancaster, of _Liverpul_, with other places, under a
certain _reddendum_. In subsequent records it is written _Lyrpul_,
_Lythyrpul_, &c., signifying, probably, in the ancient dialect of
this country, the "lower pool." Some deduce its etymology from a
pool frequented by an aquatic fowl, called a "Liver," or from a
sea-weed of that name; others, and with much more reason, from the
ancient British word _Lir_, "the sea," and a spreading water or pool,
viz., the sea pool, or sea-water pool.
Camden says the Castle was built by Roger de Poictiers, in 1089; it
certainly was erected at a very early period. In October, 1323,
Edward II. dates his orders, &c., from Liverpool Castle; and in
April, 1358, Henry, Duke of Lancaster, resided there for a month. It
was demolished by order of Parliament, during the commonwealth, and
in 1715, its site was granted by Queen Anne, to the corporation, who
built St. George's Church upon it. On King John ascending the
throne, at his brother's death, he again came into possession of the
honour of Lancaster, and granted a charter to the town of Liverpool,
which Henry III., in 1229, confirmed, made the town a free borough,
instituted a guild merchant, and granted additional privileges.
These charters have been confirmed, and further ones granted by
succeeding sovereigns. The several mandates for fitting-out and
providing vessels for the royal service, addressed by Edward II. and
III., and subsequent kings, afford proof of its then being a place of
extensive trade at this early period; and the fact of the royal order
for the prohibition of the export of grain, in the time of Richard
III., being transmitted to Liverpool only, is also a proof of its
then being the only shipping port in the country. Leland, in 1558,
described it thus: "_Lyrpole_, alias _Lyrpoole_, a pavid towne, hath
but a chapel, Walton, a iiii miles off, not far from the se, is
paroche chirche. The king hath a castell there, and the Earle of
Darbe hath a stone house there. Irisch marchants cum much thither,
as to a good haven. After that Mersey water cumming towards Runcorne
in Cheshire liseth among the commune people the name, and is Lyrpole.
At Lyrpole is smaule costume payid that causith merchants to resorte.
Good marchaundis at Lyrpole, and much Irisch yarn that Manchester men
do by ther." Liverpool appears to have declined, probably from the
baneful influences of the wars of York and Lancaster, until the
latter part of the reign of Elizabeth, when, in a petition from the
inhabitants to the Queen, it is described as "Her Majesty's poor
decayed town of Liverpool." Its poverty may be understood from the
fact, that when Charles I. levied his iniquitous and despotic tax of
ship money, this town was rated at 26 only, while Bristol was rated
at 1,000. In the civil war Liverpool was alternately held by the
Parliamentarians, taken by Prince Rupert, and retaken by the
Parliament. In the reign of William III., that monarch, with part of
his train, embarked at this port for Ireland, previously to the
battle of the Boyne; and regiments and privateer vessels were here
equipped against the Pretender and the French.
Times and manners are somewhat changed here since 1617, when one of
the orders of the common-council demanded, "that every council-man
shall come to council _clean-shaved_, and in his long clothes."
Slander and gossip were very severely punished by the civic
dignitaries, it being a law, "that if any man speak ill of the mayor,
he shall lose his freedom."
The most important feature in the history of this place, is the
extraordinary rapidity with which it has risen into a degree of splendour
and importance, without example in the history of any commercial country.
Among the causes which have produced its elevation to a rank but
partially inferior to the metropolis, are, its situation on the shore of
a noble river, which expands into a wide estuary; its proximity to the
Irish coast; its central position with respect to the United Kingdom; its
intimate connexion with the principal manufacturing districts, and with
every part of the kingdom, by numerous rivers, canals, and railroads, and
the persevering industry and enterprising spirit of its inhabitants.
Without the romance, we may see among them the reality of the
merchant-nobles of Genoa and Venice; and the grandeur which pervades the
modern buildings of our English port may scarcely be outvied in
stateliness, and certainly not in fitness and utility, by any palace-city
of the past.
As we passed along the busy quays of these crowded docks, and thought of
the wealth conveyed by the winged couriers of the ocean there
congregated, the following gorgeous lines in Marlow's Jew of Malta,
occurred to us: perhaps the expectant owners of argosies bound
hitherward, deal not quite so largely as the poet's Croesus, in jewelled
treasures; but we cannot very honestly change amethysts into tobacco, nor
bags of fiery opals into bales of cotton wool; the circumstances of the
case may therefore be allowed to vary a little, without our transposing
the terms:--
"As for those Samnites, and the men of Uzz,
That bought my Spanish oils, and wines of Greece,
Here have I purst their paltry silverlings,
Fie! what a trouble 'tis to count this trash!
Give me the merchants of the Indian mines,
That trade in metal of the purest gold;
The wealthy Moor, that in the eastern rocks
Without control can pick his riches up,
And in his house keep pearls like pebble stones;
Receive them free, and sell them by the weight:
Bags of fiery opals, sapphires, amethysts,
Jacinths, hard topaz, grass-green emeralds,
Beauteous rubies, sparkling diamonds,
And seld' seen costly stones of so great price,
As one of them, indifferently rated,
And of a caract of this quality
May serve, in peril of calamity
To rescue great kings from captivity.
This is the ware wherein consists my wealth,
And thus methinks, should men of judgment frame
Their means of traffic from the vulgar trade,
And as their wealth increaseth, so inclose
Infinite riches in a little room.
But now--how stands the wind?
Into what corner peers my halcyon's bill?
Ha! to east? yes:--see how stands the vane?
East and by south, why then I hope my ships
I sent from Egypt, and the bordering isles,
Are gotten up by Nilus' winding banks:
Mine argosies from Alexandria,
Loaden with spice and silks, now under sail
Are smoothly gliding down by Candy shore
To Malta, through our Mediterranean sea."
We have, ere this, noted many a merchant (not of Venice) to whom we have
mentally applied Salarino's words to Antonio; and few will grudge the
space we here occupy, by a quotation so apt and beautiful:--
"_Salorino_. Your mind is tossing on the ocean;
There, where your argosies with portly sail,
Like seigniors and rich burghers of the flood,
Or, as it were, the pageants of the sea,--
Do overpeer the petty traffickers,
That curtsey to them, do them reverence,
As they fly by them with their woven wings.
--My wind, cooling my broth,
Would blow me to an ague, when I thought
What harm a wind too great might do at sea.
I should not see the sandy hour-glass run,
But I should think of shallows and of flats,
And see my wealthy Andrew docked in sand,
Vailing her high-top lower than her ribs,
To kiss her burial. Should I go to church,
And see the holy edifice of stone,
And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks?
Which touching but my gentle vessel's side,
Would scatter all her spices on the stream,
Enrobe the rolling waters with my silks,
And, in a word, but even now worth this,
And now worth nothing. Shall I have the thought
To think on this; and shall I lack the thought
That such a thing be-chanced, would make me sad?
But, tell not me; I know, Antonio
Is sad to think upon his merchandise.
_Antonio_. Believe me, No; I thank my fortune for it,
My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,
Nor to one place: nor is my whole estate
Upon the fortune of this present year:
Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad."
SHAKSPEARE.
The commerce of the port may be divided into three branches: first,
the trade with Ireland, whence a variety of produce, chiefly grain,
cattle, &c., is imported, the gross value of which has amounted
annually to 4,497,708, exclusive of linen and manufactured wares.
Liverpool enjoys about two-fifths of the Irish trade. The chief
exports are British manufactured goods, salt, coal, and general
merchandise. The second principal branch of trade is that with the
United States of America, of which it engrosses more than
three-fourths of the whole commerce of the kingdom. The chief import
is cotton wool, and from this port Manchester and the manufacturing
districts are supplied with the raw material. Tobacco is also
imported to an _alarming_ extent. The average quantity annually
introduced for the contamination of our atmosphere, being 7,623
_hogsheads_--what a fearful store of materials for smoking the
brains, and dusting the nostrils of our fellow-creatures! A great
quantity of American flour is also imported. The third branch of the
trade is that with the West Indies, which commenced about the middle
of the seventeenth century, and which was previously engrossed by
London and Bristol. Sugar, rum, and coffee, are the chief luxuries
we receive thence through the other ports. The trade with the East
Indies is smaller; the imports are cotton, indigo, hides, ginger,
pepper, and sugar. With the ports of the Mediterranean and Levant
seas, Liverpool has considerable traffic, importing wine, fruits,
lemon and lime juice, olive and other oils, barilla, and brimstone.
From Egypt is brought cotton; and from the Baltic sea-ports, timber,
tallow, &c. The gross receipts of the customs at this port alone,
exceed the sum derived from the nine other principal ports of the
three kingdoms (London excepted), viz., Bristol, Hull, Newcastle,
Leith, Glasgow, Greenock, Dublin, Belfast, and Cork. Vessels from,
and bound to, all parts of the globe, are congregated here; and there
is scarcely a place in the world accessible to the British flag, to
which a ready conveyance is not afforded from this enterprising port.
The harbour is capacious and secure: at the entrance of the river is the
Black Rock Lighthouse, erected on a point of rock on the western coast.
A floating light is also placed eleven miles seaward from the mouth of
the river.
For the security of the shipping in the port, and for the greater
facility of loading and unloading merchandise, immense ranges of docks
and warehouses, extending upwards of two miles along the eastern bank of
the river, have been constructed, on a scale of unparalleled
magnificence; and forming one of those characteristics of commercial
greatness in which this town is unrivalled. The docks are of three
kinds:--the wet docks, which are chiefly for ships of great burden,
employed in the foreign trade, and which float in them at all states of
the tide, the water being retained by gates; the dry docks, so called
because they are left dry when the tide is out, are chiefly appropriated
to coasting vessels; and the graving docks, which admit or exclude the
water at pleasure, are adapted to the repair of ships, during which they
are kept dry, and when completed are floated out by admitting the tide.
The Canning Dock is chiefly occupied by sloops from the north coast,
which import corn, provisions, and slate, and convey back the produce of
the Mediterranean, the West Indies, Portugal, and the Baltic: it has a
quay 500 yards in length. The Salthouse Dock is for vessels in the
Levant, Irish, and coasting trades: the quay is 759 yards in extent.
George's Dock has a quay 1001 yards in length. The King's Dock is
appropriated to vessels from Virginia and other parts, laden with
tobacco; which article is exclusively landed here, and occupies a range
of warehouses 575 feet in length, and 239 in depth. The Queen's Dock,
470 yards long, with a spacious quay, is chiefly occupied by vessels
freighted with timber, and by those employed in the Dutch and Baltic
trades. The Brunswick Dock is larger than any of the preceding, and
receives vessels laden with timber. Prince's Dock is 500 yards in
length, with spacious quays, and along the west side is a beautiful
marine parade, 750 yards long, and eleven wide, defended by a stone
parapet wall, from which is a delightful view of the river and the
shipping: it is much frequented as a promenade. To the westward of these
are the Clarence Dock and Basin, appropriated solely to the use of the
steam vessels trading to and from the port: there are several smaller
docks, and considerable additions are contemplated. When these are
completed, the whole range of docks will be two miles and 820 yards in
length, exclusively of the openings to the several docks: the total area
of water space contained in them is upwards of ninety statute acres, and
the extent of the quays in lineal measure is 12,511 yards, or upwards of
seven miles; yet spacious as they are, they are still considered
inadequate to the increasing commerce of the port. Several ranges of
commodious baths are situated in the vicinity of the docks; there are
hot, cold, floating, and medicated vapour baths.
* * * * *
The new Custom-house is a superb and beautiful edifice, in the Grecian
style of architecture, 454 feet in length, 224 in depth, with three
principal fronts of great magnificence. The Exchange buildings, erected
by the late Mr. John Forster, form sides of a quadrangular area, in the
centre of which is a monument to the memory of Lord Nelson. The north
front of the Hall forms the fourth side of this square. This is a
stately and magnificent structure in the Grecian style, with four elegant
fronts, and contains on the ground floor a council-room, and apartments
for the mayor, town clerk, pensioners, and corporation. The grand
staircase leads into a spacious saloon, splendidly decorated with royal
portraits by Lawrence, Hopner, Phillips, &c. Two spacious ball-rooms,
and two richly furnished drawing rooms, decorated with marble pillars,
chandeliers, &c., are entered from the saloon. A grand banquet-room,
refectory, &c., &c., fitted up with great taste and splendour, are also
comprised in this grand suite of apartments. The Public Subscription
Libraries are numerous and well selected. The Athenaeum contains a
news-room and an extensive library. The Lyceum is a handsome edifice of
the Ionic order; contains a library, coffee-room, lecture, and
committee-rooms. The Union News-room, Exchange News-room, Medical and
Law Libraries, are all well supported. The Royal Institution is a
spacious and handsome edifice, containing on the ground floor, lecture,
reading, and school-rooms; on the first floor, a large room for the
Literary and Philosophical Society, a library, museum, spacious
exhibition rooms for the Liverpool Academy of painting, &c. On the roof
is an observatory, and behind are a laboratory and a theatre for chemical
and philosophical experiments. This institution was formed in 1814, for
the advancement of literature, science, and the arts; and the members
were incorporated by royal charter, in 1822. Professors, lecturers, and
masters are appointed by the society. The Botanic Gardens near Edge
Hill, and the Zoological Gardens, are valuable additions to the rational
and profitable amusements of the inhabitants. There is a Theatre,
Amphitheatre, and Circus, the former for the drama, the two latter for
equestrian performances and pantomimes. The Wellington Rooms, for balls,
are admirably adapted for such gay scenes. The summer races in July
continue four days, the course lies five miles to the N.E. of the town.
The grand stand is capable of accommodating 2,000 persons. The chartered
market days are Wednesday and Saturday, and for corn, Tuesday and Friday.
The Market-houses are numerous, handsome, and commodious.
* * * * *
The corporation of Liverpool have an income of above 100,000 per annum, a
great portion of which is expended in the improvement of the port and
embellishment of the town. The Churches of the Establishment are about
twenty-four in number, some of them of great architectural beauty. In
addition to the Churchyards, there are two extensive Cemeteries, one near
Edge-hill; the other occupying a large tract of ground, excavated as a
quarry for stone used in the building of the docks, and converted into a
depository for the dead, at an expense of 21,000; it is tastefully laid
out, and has a suitable chapel for the performance of the funeral
service. The buildings dedicated to religious purposes by the several
sects of Dissenters, are about forty in number, some of them of
considerable beauty. The Public Schools are very numerous, and so well
supported as to render them valuably and most extensively useful. That
for the indigent blind, was established in 1791; 120 pupils now receive
instruction in various branches, and are taught spinning, basket-making,
the weaving of linen, sacking, carpeting, the making of list shoes,
twine, worsted rugs, and other trades, by which they may earn a
livelihood; they are also instructed in music. Asylums and Institutions,
too numerous to be here enumerated; Hospitals, Infirmaries; Societies for
the assistance and relief of aged seamen, and other humane and admirable
purposes, are, by the munificence of the inhabitants, all enabled to
administer in no small degree to the wants and misfortunes of suffering
fellow-beings.
* * * * *
Among the distinguished natives of the town may be noticed Jeremiah
Horrox, the astronomer, born 1619, at Toxteth Park, near Liverpool. He
is supposed to have been the first person who ever predicted or observed
the transit of Venus over the sun's disk. He died on the 3rd of January,
1641, a few days after completing his treatise on the transit which took
place in the November preceding. George Stubbs, the animal painter, born
1724. William Sadler, who invented the application of copper-plate
prints to the embellishment of earthenware. William Roscoe, author of
the lives of Lorenzo de Medici, and of Leo X. He died in 1831, aged
seventy-nine, equally beloved and regretted for his excellence as a man,
and for his ability as an author. The Rev. William Shepherd, author of
the life of Poggio Brachiolini, &c., an elegant writer, and earnest
reformer. Dr. Currie, the intelligent biographer of Burns, was also a
native of Liverpool, as was the gentle-minded and truly feminine poet,
Felicia Hemans.
* * * * *
The manufactures of Liverpool, are chiefly such as are connected with the
port and the shipping, the promotion of its commerce, and the supply of
its inhabitants. There are several very large sugar refineries,
extensive potteries, glass-houses, breweries, tanneries, salt and
copperas works, iron and brass foundries, foundries for cannon, anchors,
chain-cables, and steam engine machinery, manufactories for
steam-boilers, engines, also guns, small arms, sails, cordage, watches,
tobacco, snuff, and soap. There are numerous mills for grinding corn,
mustard, colours, and dye-woods: the manufacture of soap exceeds that of
any place in England. The average number of watches made annually, is
11,500, a number greater than any town, except London. Ship-building is
carried on to a great extent; several men-of-war have been launched from
the dock-yards; and in the building of steam vessels, Liverpool takes the
lead of all other ports. The trade of the town is greatly facilitated by
the extensive inland navigation in every direction, by which it is
connected with the manufacturing districts and chief towns in the
kingdom. No less than five water conveyances fall into the Mersey, viz.,
the Mersey and Irwell Navigation, Duke of Bridgewater's Canal, Sankey
Canal, Chester and Ellesmere Canal, and Weaver Navigation, opening
communication with Manchester, Bolton, Hull, South Lancashire,
Birmingham, Worcestershire, South of England, and Wales.
The information required by the traveller respecting inns,
coach-offices, &c., will be found in the Appendix; together with a
list of places of amusement and interest, worthy the attention of a
stranger in this great and truly splendid sea-port.
CHAPTER XI.
NEWTON JUNCTION TO MANCHESTER,
Fourteen and .75 Miles.
ON leaving the Newton (or, as it is called in the neighbourhood,
Warrington) Junction, the neat little town of Newton is seen N. of the
line, not far from the Legh Arms Hotel, a comfortable and reasonable
house.
[Picture: Town of Newton]
Opposite, lying S. of the line, we again see the spire of Winwick Church,
Mow Copp, and the Cheshire and Rivington hills appear in the distance.
Park Side Station.
HERE the machine and apparatus for supplying the engines with fuel and
water is well worth observing, though with great caution, as there are
five lines of rails in this place; and the difficulty of escaping from a
coming train is no small one to a stranger, who, standing upon, or among
them, would find himself greatly bewildered in any emergency. The
horrible death of Mr. Huskisson, from the injuries he received at this
very spot, may be a salutary warning to the adventurous. A white marble
slab in the wall commemorates the awful event, which it is useless to
allude to further, the particulars being so well known. The Wigan
Junction Line branches off a short distance from this point. Passing a
short cutting on Highfield Moor, we reach the most considerable one on
the Manchester and Liverpool line, the Kenyon excavation, the materials
taken from which contributed mainly towards the adjacent embankments.
The Bolton Junction line turns N. from this part, at which is
The Bolton Junction Station.
WE now enter on the Brossley embankment, and observe Culcheth Hall, S.,
and Hurst Hall, N. of the line; the former the residence of T. E.
Withington, Esq., the latter of T. Molineux Steel, Esq.
Bury-Lane Station
closely adjoins the Chat Moss tavern, near which the line crosses the
little stream Glazebrook. S. is a farmhouse, called Light Oats Hall.
Here commences an embankment planted with trees; passing which we enter
on the famed Chat Moss, formerly a barren and cultureless waste; but at
length yielding to agricultural skill and industry, several portions
having already been drained and successfully cultivated.
[Picture: Chat Moss]
The road traverses this immense bog for a distance of four miles and
three quarters. S. of the line is a fine view of the Cheshire and
Derbyshire hills, with the village of Astley and Tildsley Church spire.
Rivington Pike, and the Billinge Beacon lie on the N., and the Chat Moss
all around. Immense labour and perseverance were required to achieve the
great work of forming a firm and durable road over this swampy tract,
which varies in depth from ten to above thirty feet.
* * * * *
Several neat habitations are now erected on the farmlands redeemed from
the swamp: of these, Barton Moss Farm is the chief. N. of the Moss lies
Worsley Hall, seen from the line, on an eminence. Botany Bay, a place of
singularly ill-omened name, is also on the left, or N. side. The hills
before mentioned still form the back ground of the views on either side.
Leaving the Chat Moss by the Barton embankment, the line passes
Patricroft Station;
Near to this are large iron foundries and silk works. The Bridgewater
Canal passes under, and the turnpike-road over, the line. Monton Church
and village appear N. of the road; and shortly after, the village and
Church of Eccles are seen on the S.
[Picture: Eccles Church]
This small place has achieved fame by two means: the death of Mr.
Huskisson, which took place at the house of the Rev. Mr. Blackburn; and
by its cakes, which the traveller is invited to purchase by a board over
the door of a house close by the station, on which is inscribed, "This is
the noted Eccles cake shop." Passing
Waste Lane Station
some cottages and factories, and the city of chimneys, Manchester, appear
in view. The village of Tinker's Hollow, and
Cross Lane Bridge Station
being passed, also sundry arches and bridges across the river Irwell, and
the engine, trains, and travellers, are received into the Company's yard
in Manchester.
CHAPTER XII.
MANCHESTER.
THE town of Manchester, including Salford, contains 270,960 inhabitants,
and is distant from London 186 miles, and from Liverpool thirty-one by
the railroad.
The origin of this town, which is remarkable for the extent of its
trade, and the importance of its manufactures, may be traced to
remote antiquity. In the time of the Druids, it was distinguished as
one of the principal stations of their priests, and celebrated for
the privilege of sanctuary attached to its altar, which, in the
British language, was called _Meyne_, signifying a stone. Prior to
the Christian era, it was one of the principal seats of the
Brigantes, who had a castle or stronghold, called _Mancenion_, or the
place of tents, near the confluence of the rivers Medlock and Irwell,
the site of which, still called the "Castle Field," was selected as a
station by the Romans, on their conquest of this part of Britain
under Agricola, about the year 79, and called by them _Mancunium_,
whence the Saxon _Manceastre_, and our _Manchester_. The Romans
occupied this station during nearly four centuries, and formed roads,
branching off to their surrounding settlements. Various antiquities
have been from time to time discovered in the neighbourhood. After
the departure of the Romans, a party of Saxons took the fort from the
Britons, to whom the garrison afterwards surrendered. In 620, it was
captured by Edwin, King of Northumbria. In 627, the inhabitants were
converted to Christianity, by Paulinus, a missionary from Gregory I.
Manchester having been taken by the Danes, was wrested from their
possession, about 920, by Edward the Elder, who rebuilt and fortified
the town and castle. For some time it continued prosperous, but
suffered greatly in the wars between the Danes and Northumbrians.
The early history of all ancient towns, chiefly "pertains to feats of
broils and battles;" castles founded, demolished, and rebuilt, to be
destroyed again; baronial feuds and fierce invasions; with the faint
and fruitless struggles of _right_ against _might_, make up the dark
and bloody record.
* * * * *
After the twelfth century, a calmer period arrived; and, though
occasionally troubled by the pest of war, the fortunes of the now
wealthy town of Manchester, have been progressively increasing. From
the year 1352, we may date the commencement of its manufacturing
celebrity, when a kind of woollen cloth, made from the fleece, in an
unprepared state, called "Manchester cotton," was introduced; and
some Flemish artisans, invited into England, by Edward III., settled
in the town, and brought the woollen manufacture to a considerable
degree of perfection. At the time of the Reformation, an
ecclesiastical commission was established at Manchester, and
exercised great intolerance, imprisoning and executing numbers of
popish recusants; another of the black and by-gone deeds of our past
"dark ages." During the Parliamentary war, the head-quarters of the
Parliamentarian army, in Lancashire, were fixed at Manchester, which
was fortified and defended too well for the Royalist forces to be
successful in any of their repeated attacks. In 1652, the walls were
thrown down, the fortifications demolished, and the gates carried
away and sold. The good town of Manchester had grown great and
wealthy; but we much doubt if it had become particularly grave or
wise, since we know that extravagant rejoicings, accompanied by every
splendour of pomp and ceremony, took place at the restoration of the
not-too-excellent King Charles II., in whose honour, and to the
glorification of the thirsty woollen-weavers, the public conduits
flowed with streams of wine, instead of water; a celebration worthy
of the "merry monarch."
* * * * *
In 1745, Prince Charles Edward entered Manchester with his army, and
took up his abode in the house of Mr. Dickenson, in Market-street,
when he levied money, raised men and horses for his service, and
after marching about the country, made a rapid retreat into Scotland,
before the army of the Duke of Cumberland. The officers of the
Manchester regiment, were tried for high treason, and executed on
Kennington Common, two of the heads being placed on Temple Bar, and
two on the Exchange, Manchester. With this inhuman and disgraceful
event, the record of the "fortunes of war," connected with this
place, ends,--we will trust for ever.
The various manufactures carried on in Manchester, would occupy a
descriptive work of no small extent, in themselves; and the account which
so small a volume as the present can find space for, must be brief
indeed. The staple trade is the cotton manufacture, which, in all its
branches, is carried on to an almost incredible extent. From the time of
Edward III., when the "Manchester cottons" were first introduced, this
branch of trade has been increasing in importance. About the year 1740,
cotton was manufactured by the spindle and distaff in the cottages of the
workmen, chiefly into fustians, thicksets, dimities, and jeans, to which
other kinds of goods were shortly added. About the year 1760, these
goods, hitherto made only for home consumption, formed a market on the
continent of Europe and America, and in consequence of the increased
demand, recourse was had to the aid of machinery. The spinning jennies,
invented by Messrs. Kay and Highs, have been introduced, and greatly
improved by Mr. Hargreaves, whose success, exciting the apprehensions of
the hand-workmen, caused the destruction of his machinery, and his
retreat to Nottingham, where he died in indigence. Sir Richard
Arkwright, the late Sir Robert Peel, and others, have improved and
invented other machines, which, aided by the power of the steam-engine,
have prodigiously increased the quantity and variety of the goods
manufactured in this town.
* * * * *
In the spinning department alone, there are in the town and vicinity 114
factories, worked by 118 steam-engines, the aggregate power of which is
equal to that of 3,981 horses; by this machinery, 2,182,350 spindles, and
6,926 power-looms are set in motion. The power-looms, a recent
invention, originating with the Rev. Mr. Cartwright, of Holland House,
Kent, were not proved finally successful till 1806. The factories, in
several of which the whole process of the manufacture, from the
introduction of the raw material, to the completion of the fabric, is
carried on, are immense ranges of building, from six to eight stories in
height, some employing 2,000 persons each, and the whole affording
employment to upwards of 30,000 persons. The principal articles at
present manufactured are velvets, fustians, jeans, ticking, checks,
ginghams, nankeens, diaper, quilting, calico, muslins, muslinets, cambric
handkerchiefs, small wares, silks, and, in fact, every variety of cotton
and silk goods. There are also extensive bleaching grounds, works for
printing and dyeing, and all other departments of the manufacture.
Extensive forges, foundries, &c., for the machinery used, laboratories
for chemical productions used in the trade, and mills for the manufacture
of all descriptions of paper; engraving, as connected with the printing
of cotton and muslin goods, is carried on to a great extent; and there
are hat manufactories, and saw mills on a very large scale. It is
needless to inform the reader, that an inspection of some of these
immense hives of labour and invention, will well repay the trouble of a
visit. It is a proud feeling to an Englishman to know, that the
productions of the thousand busy hands and whirling wheels around him,
are destined to increase the comfort, refinement, or splendour of
nations, spread far and wide over the globe: and it is a joyful thing to
compare present greatness and secure freedom, with the long past years
when a little bristling fortress and a tented field, scenes of barbaric
bloodshed and grovelling slavery, occupied the spot of earth now devoted
to usefulness, industry, and knowledge.
* * * * *
Manchester is situated on the banks of the river Irwell; (which here
receives the tributary streams of the Irk and the Medlock;) on the N.W.
bank lies the newly erected borough of Salford, connected by means of
five bridges with Manchester, of which it forms an integral part. In
various parts of the town there are altogether nearly sixty bridges. The
town is well paved, and lighted with gas; and the inhabitants are
supplied with water by the Manchester and Salford Water Company. The
environs, in many parts, particularly in Broughton, Ardwick-green, and
Gibraltar, are pleasant, and present many ranges of handsome residences,
tasteful villas, and cottages. In the older parts of the town are
several ancient houses, interspersed with modern dwellings, and, except
where recent improvements have been made, the streets are inconveniently
narrow; the accommodation of trade being more studied here than elegance
and symmetry of appearance.
* * * * *
The public buildings and institutions of Manchester are well worthy of
its wealth and importance. The Exchange and Commercial Buildings, facing
the Market-place, form a spacious handsome edifice, built of Runcorn
stone: containing the News-room, Exchange, Library, Post-office, Chamber
of Commerce, a spacious Dining-room, and other apartments. The members
of the Literary and Philosophical Society have a suitable building for
their meetings, and have published many volumes of Transactions in the
English, French, and German languages, which are much circulated on the
continent. The Royal Institution, embracing a variety of objects
connected with literature, science, and the fine arts, has a fine
building in the Grecian style, from a design by Mr. Barry, forming a
splendid addition to the architectural ornaments of the town. The centre
comprises the Hall and Lecture Theatre, lighted by a lantern from the
ceiling, which may be darkened instantaneously at the will of the
lecturer. One of the wings is appropriated as the Academy of the Fine
Arts, with Exhibition-rooms, and the other as a Museum of Natural
History. The whole cost of this elegant pile was estimated at 50,000.
The Town Hall is a noble edifice, from a design by Mr. F. Goodwin, after
the model of the Temple of Erectheus, at Athens, with a beautiful tower
and dome in the centre, resembling the Tower of Andronicus, called "The
Temple of Winds:" it contains various apartments for transacting the
public business of the town, and one splendid room, 132 feet long,
decorated with great elegance. The Town Hall at Salford is a handsome
and commodious stone edifice by the same architect. The Society for
promoting the study of natural history, has a valuable and extensive
Museum also; and the town possesses flourishing Mechanics' Institutions,
Philological Society, Agricultural Society, Botanic Garden, several
Libraries, two Theatres, Assembly-rooms, Concert-rooms, Annual Races, and
Triennial Musical Festivals. There are twenty-six churches and chapels
belonging to the Establishment, and more than fifty places of worship for
the various denominations of Dissenters. The windows of St. John's
Church, in Byrom-street, contain some very ancient and beautiful stained
glass, brought from a convent in Rouen; also, pictures in the vestry, and
a fine piece of sculpture, by Flaxman. The Free Grammar School, founded
in the 7th of Henry VIII., has a revenue of 4,000, and the number of
scholars is from 150 to 200. The Blue Coat, St. Paul's, Lancasterian,
National, and Infants' Schools, are all highly useful, and well-supported
establishments; and the various Sunday Schools instruct as many as 30,000
children. The Hospitals and other Charitable Institutions are equally
extensive in their sphere of usefulness, and together with the
establishments before mentioned, worthy of the wealth, intelligence, and
liberality of this great and important town.
* * * * *
Among the distinguished natives of Manchester, or persons who have been
otherwise connected with it, may be enumerated, William Crabtree, an
astronomical writer, and inventor of the micrometer, born at Broughton
and killed at the battle of Marston Moor in 1644; John Byrom, a poet, and
author of a system of shorthand; John Ferriar, M.D., author of
Illustrations of Sterne, &c.; Thomas Barritt, the antiquary and
heraldist; Thomas Faulkner, an enterprising traveller, who published the
earliest account of Patagonia, and died in 1774; the Rev. John Whittaker,
the Manchester historian; and others of less renown. Manchester gives
the title of duke and earl to the family of Montague. The market days
are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; fairs on Easter Monday and Tuesday,
and October 1 and 2. Salford fairs begin on Whit Monday, for twenty-one
days; and on November 17, for the same time.
* * * * *
The information required by the traveller respecting inns, places of
public resort, &c., will be found in the Appendix, under the head of
Manchester.
* * * * *
END OF THE ROUTE.
REGULATIONS OF THE GRAND JUNCTION AND LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY
COMPANIES.
[Picture: Train of the Period]
_REGULATIONS OF THE GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY_.
TIME OF DEPARTURE.--The doors of the Booking Office are closed precisely
at the time appointed for starting, after which no passenger can be
admitted.
BOOKING.--There are no Booking Places, except at the Company's Offices at
the respective Stations. Each Booking Ticket for the First Class Trains
is numbered to correspond with the seat taken. The places by the mixed
Trains are not numbered.
LUGGAGE.--Each Passenger's Luggage will, as far as practicable, be placed
on the roof of the coach in which he has taken his place; carpet bags and
small luggage may be placed underneath the seat opposite to that which
the owner occupies. No charge for _bona fide_ luggage belonging to the
passenger under 100lb. weight; above that weight, a charge is made at the
rate of 1d. per lb. for the whole distance. No kind of merchandise
allowed to be taken as luggage. The attention of travellers is requested
to the legal notice exhibited at the different stations, respecting the
limitation of the Company's liabilities to the loss or damage of luggage.
All passengers by Railway will do well to have their luggage distinctly
marked with their names and destination.
GENTLEMEN'S CARRIAGES AND HORSES.--Gentlemen's carriages and horses must
be at the Stations at least a quarter of an hour before the time of
departure. A supply of trucks are kept at all the _principal_ Stations
on the line; but to prevent disappointment it is recommended that
previous notice should be given, when practicable, at the Station where
they may be required. No charge for landing or embarking carriages or
horses on any part of the line.
ROAD STATIONS.--Passengers intending to join the Trains at any of the
stopping places are desired to be in good time, as the train will leave
each Station as soon as ready, without reference to the time stated in
the tables, the main object being to perform the whole journey as
expeditiously as possible. Passengers will be booked only conditionally
upon there being room on the arrival of the Trains, and they will have
the preference of seats in the order in which they are booked. No
persons are booked after the arrival of the Train.--All persons are
requested to get into and alight from the coaches invariably on the left
side, as the only certain means of preventing accidents from Trains
passing in an opposite direction.
CONDUCTORS, GUARDS, AND PORTERS.--Every Train is provided with Guards,
and a Conductor, who is responsible for the order and regularity of the
journey. The Company's Porters will load and unload the luggage, and put
it into or upon any omnibus or other carriage at any of the Stations. No
fees or gratuities allowed to be received by the Conductors, Guards,
Porters, or other persons in the service of the Company.
SMOKING, SELLING OF LIQUORS, &c.--No smoking is allowed in the
Station-houses, or in any of the coaches, even with the consent of the
passengers. A substantial breakfast may be had at the Station-house at
Birmingham, by parties, going by the early train; but no person is
allowed to sell liquors or eatables of any kind upon the line.--The
Company earnestly hope that the public will co-operate with them in
enforcing this regulation, as it will be the means of removing a cause of
delay, and will greatly diminish the chance of accident.
Goods sent to Birmingham, Manchester, or Liverpool, by the evening
Trains, are generally delivered early on the following morning.
CONVEYANCES TO LOCAL TOWNS FROM STATIONS.
BESCOT BRIDGE.
Conveyance.--A light Van runs from this Station to Walsall for the
conveyance of passengers.
WOLVERHAMPTON.
Conveyances.--Two Omnibuses from the town meet all the Trains. Coaches
to Shrewsbury, through Shiffnal and Wellington, from the New
Hotel:--Royal Mail, 7.5 a.m.; Swallow, 8.5 a.m.; *Prince of Wales, 12.75
p.m.; Wonder, 7.25 p.m. To Shrewsbury, from the Crown and
Cushion:--Salopian, 3.25 p.m., through Shiffnal, Madeley and Ironbridge.
To Shrewsbury, from the Railway Station:--An Omnibus, 3 p.m., through
Shiffnal and Wellington. To Dudley 6.75 a.m.; *1.5 p.m.; *4.5 p.m.; *6.5
p.m. To Bridgenorth, 4 p.m.
Marked thus (*) do not run on Sundays.
STAFFORD.
Conveyances.--Omnibuses are in attendance to convey passengers to any
part of the town. Coaches to Burton-on-Trent, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, &c.,
12.5 p.m. Rugeley and Lichfield, 3.75p.m. Stone and Newcastle, 4.5 p.m.
Stone and Potteries, 7 p.m.
WHITMORE.
Conveyances.--Coaches daily to Shrewsbury, through Market Drayton. A
Coach through Newcastle to the Potteries daily. The Pottery Company and
Green's Omnibuses daily to Newcastle and Potteries.
BASFORD AND MADELEY STATIONS.
Conveyances.--Conveyances are in waiting at these Stations to take
passengers and goods to Newcastle, the Potteries, or any other place.
CREWE.
Conveyances.--A Coach from Macclesfield, through Congleton and Sandbach,
to Crewe Station, twice daily. A Coach to Whitchurch, daily. An Omnibus
from Nantwich to Crewe, to meet all the Trains, and convey passengers to
Nantwich.
HARTFORD.
Conveyances.--Adams' Omnibus (with the letter bags) to Northwich and
Knutsford, morning and evening. Mail to Chester and Tarporley, daily.
From Chester there are Coaches to all parts of North and South Wales.
PRESTON-BROOK.
Conveyances.--Leaves Wilson's Hotel, Runcorn, morning and afternoon, to
meet the Trains, and return on the arrival of the Trains at this station.
WARRINGTON.
Conveyances.--Omnibuses are in attendance to convey passengers to any
part of the town. Chaises, Cars, or Gigs, to be had in a few minutes'
notice. Coaches to Macclesfield, Stockport, Liverpool, Carlisle,
Edinburgh, and all parts of the North.
TABLE OF FARES AND DISTANCES.
BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM
Perry Barr 3.25 Perry Barr.
1 6 1 0
Newton Road 6.5 3.5 Newton Road.
1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
Bescot Bridge 9.25 6 2.75 Bescot Bridge.
2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
James's Bridge 10 6.75 3.5 .75 James's Bridge.
2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0 16 10
Willenhall 11.75 8.5 5.25 2.5 1.75 Willenhall.
2 6 2 0 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
WOLVERHAMPTON 14.25 10.75 7.5 4.75 4 2.25 WOLVERHAMPTON.
3 0 2 6 2 6 1 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
Four Ashes 20 16.5 13.25 10.5 9.75 8 5.75 Four Ashes.
4 0 3 0 3 6 3 0 3 0 2 6 2 6 2 0 2 6 2 0 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0
Spread Eagle 21.5 18 14.75 12 11.25 9.5 7.25 1.5 Spread Eagle.
4 6 3 6 4 0 3 0 3 6 2 6 3 0 2 0 2 6 2 0 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
Penkridge 24 20.5 17.25 14.5 13.75 12 9.75 4 2.5 Penkridge.
5 0 4 0 4 6 3 6 4 0 3 0 3 6 2 6 3 0 2 6 3 0 2 0 2 6 1 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
STAFFORD 29.25 25.75 22.5 19.75 19 17.25 15 9.25 7.75 5.25 STAFFORD.
6 0 5 0 5 6 4 6 5 0 4 0 4 6 3 6 4 6 3 6 4 0 3 0 3 6 2 6 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0 16 10
Bridgeford 32.5 29.25 26 23.25 22.5 20.75 18.5 12.75 11.25 8.75 3.5 Bridgeford.
7 0 5 6 6 0 5 0 6 0 4 6 5 6 4 0 5 0 4 0 5 0 3 6 4 6 3 0 2 6 2 0 2 6 2 0 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0
Norton Bridge 35 31.5 28.25 25.5 24.75 23 20.75 15 13.5 11 5.75 2.25 Norton Bridge.
7 6 6 0 6 6 5 0 6 0 5 0 6 0 4 6 5 6 4 6 5 6 4 0 5 0 3 6 3 6 2 6 3 0 2 6 2 6 2 0 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
WHITMORE 43.25 39.75 36.5 33.75 33 31.25 29 23.25 21.75 19.25 14 10.5 8.25 WHITMORE.
9 6 8 0 8 6 7 0 8 0 6 6 7 6 6 0 7 6 6 0 7 0 5 6 6 6 5 0 5 0 4 6 4 6 4 0 4 0 3 6 3 0 2 6 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0
Madeley 46 42.5 39.25 36.5 35.75 34 31.75 26 24.5 22 16.75 13.25 11 2.75 Madeley.
10 0 8 6 9 0 7 6 8 6 7 0 8 0 7 0 7 6 6 6 7 6 6 0 7 0 5 6 6 0 5 0 5 6 4 6 5 0 4 0 4 0 3 0 3 0 2 0 2 6 1 6 1 6 1 0
Basford 51 47.5 44 41.5 41 39 37 31 29 27 22 18 16 8 5 Basford.
12 0 10 6 10 6 9 6 10 6 8 6 10 0 8 6 10 0 8 0 9 6 7 6 9 0 7 0 7 6 6 0 7 0 5 6 6 6 5 6 5 0 4 6 4 6 4 0 4 0 3 6 2 6 2 0 1 6 1 0
CREWE 54 50.5 47.25 44.5 43.75 42 39.75 34 32.5 30 24.75 21.25 19 10.75 8 3 CREWE.
12 0 10 6 10 6 9 6 10 6 8 6 10 0 8 6 10 0 8 0 9 6 7 6 9 0 7 0 7 6 6 0 7 0 5 6 6 6 5 6 5 0 4 6 4 6 4 0 4 0 3 6 2 6 2 0 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
Coppenhall 56 52.5 49.25 46.5 45.75 44 41.75 36 34.5 32 26.75 23.25 21 12.75 10 5 2 Coppenhall.
12 6 10 6 11 6 9 6 11 6 9 0 10 6 9 0 10 0 8 6 9 6 8 0 9 0 7 0 7 6 7 0 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 0 5 6 5 0 5 0 4 6 4 6 4 0 2 6 2 0 2 0 1 6 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0
Minshull 58.75 55.25 52 49.25 48.5 46.75 44.5 38.75 37.25 34.75 29.5 26 23.75 15.5 12.75 8 4.75 2.75 Minshull Vernon.
Vernon 13 0 11 0 12 6 10 6 11 6 10 0 11 0 9 6 11 0 9 0 10 6 8 6 10 0 8 0 8 6 7 0 8 6 7 0 8 0 6 6 6 6 5 6 5 6 5 0 5 6 4 6 3 6 3 0 3 0 2 0 3 0 2 0 1 6 1 0 16 10
Winsford 61.25 57.75 54.5 51.75 51 49.25 47 41.25 39.75 37.25 32 28.5 26.25 18 15.25 10 7.25 5.25 2.5 Winsford.
13 6 11 6 12 6 11 0 12 0 10 6 11 6 10 0 11 0 9 6 10 6 9 6 10 0 9 0 9 0 8 0 8 6 7 6 8 6 7 0 7 0 6 0 6 6 5 0 6 0 5 0 4 6 3 6 3 0 2 6 3 0 2 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
HARTFORD * 65.75 62.75 59 56.25 55.5 53.75 51.5 45.75 44.25 41.75 36.5 33 30.75 22.5 19.75 15 11.75 9.75 7 4.5 HARTFORD.
14 0 12 0 13 6 11 6 13 0 11 0 12 0 10 6 11 6 10 0 11 0 9 6 10 6 9 0 10 0 8 6 9 6 8 0 9 0 7 0 7 6 6 6 7 0 6 0 6 6 5 6 5 0 4 0 4 0 3 0 4 0 3 0 2 6 1 6 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
Acton 68.25 64.75 61.5 58.75 58 56.25 54 48.5 46.75 44.25 39 35.5 33.25 25 22.25 17 14.25 12.25 9.5 7 2.5 Acton.
15 0 12 6 14 6 12 0 14 0 11 6 13 6 11 0 13 0 11 0 12 6 10 6 12 0 10 0 10 6 9 0 10 0 8 6 9 6 8 0 8 6 7 6 8 0 6 0 7 6 6 0 5 6 4 6 5 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 6 2 6 2 0 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
Preston Brook 72.5 69 65.75 63 62.25 60.5 58.25 52.5 51 48.5 43.25 39.75 37.5 29.25 26.5 21.5 18.5 16.5 13.75 11.25 6.75 4.25 Preston Brook.
15 6 13 6 15 0 13 0 14 0 12 6 13 6 12 0 13 6 12 0 13 0 11 6 12 6 11 0 11 0 9 6 11 0 9 6 10 6 9 0 9 6 8 0 8 6 7 0 8 6 7 0 6 6 5 6 5 6 5 0 5 6 5 0 4 0 3 6 3 6 3 0 3 0 2 6 2 6 2 0 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
Moore 75 71.5 68.25 65.25 64.75 63 60.75 55 53.5 51 45.75 42.25 40 31.75 29 24 21 19 16.25 13.75 9.25 6.75 2.5 Moore.
16 0 14 0 15 6 13 6 14 6 13 6 14 0 12 6 13 6 12 6 13 0 12 0 12 6 11 6 11 6 10 6 11 0 10 0 10 6 9 6 10 0 8 6 9 0 7 6 9 0 7 6 7 0 6 0 6 0 5 6 6 0 5 6 4 6 4 0 4 0 3 0 3 6 3 0 3 0 2 6 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
WARRINGTON 78 74.5 71.25 68.25 67.75 66 63.75 58 56.25 54 48.75 45.25 43 34.75 32 27 24 22 19.25 16.75 12.25 9.75 5.5 3 WARRINTON.
17 0 14 0 16 0 14 0 15 6 13 6 15 0 13 0 14 6 12 6 14 0 12 6 13 6 12 0 12 0 11 0 12 0 10 6 11 6 10 0 10 6 9 0 9 6 8 0 9 0 8 0 7 6 6 0 6 6 5 6 6 6 5 6 5 0 4 6 4 6 4 0 4 0 3 6 3 6 3 0 2 6 2 0 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
Newton 82.75 79.25 76 73.25 72.5 70.75 68.5 62.75 61.25 58.75 53.5 50 47.75 39.5 36.75 32 28.75 26.75 24 21.5 17 14.5 10.25 7.75 4.75 Newton Junction.
Junction 18 0 15 0 17 6 14 6 16 6 14 6 16 0 14 0 15 6 13 6 15 0 13 6 15 0 13 0 14 0 12 0 13 6 11 6 13 0 11 0 11 6 10 0 11 0 9 0 10 6 8 6 8 0 7 0 7 6 6 6 7 6 6 6 6 0 5 0 5 6 4 6 5 0 4 6 5 0 4 0 3 6 3 0 3 0 2 6 2 0 1 6 1 6 1 0 1 6 1 0
MANCHESTER 97.25 94 90.25 88 87.25 85.5 83.25 77.5 76 73.5 68.25 64.75 62.5 54.25 51.5 46.5 43.5 41.25 38.75 36.25 31.75 29.25 25 22.5 19.5 14.75 MANCHESTER.
21 0 17 0 21 0 17 0 21 0 16 6 19 6 16 0 19 6 16 0 19 0 15 6 19 0 15 0 16 6 14 0 16 6 14 0 16 0 13 6 15 0 12 6 14 0 12 0 13 6 11 6 12 0 10 0 11 0 9 6 11 0 9 6 9 6 8 0 9 0 7 6 8 0 7 0 7 6 6 6 7 0 6 0 6 0 5 6 5 6 4 6 5 0 4 0 4 0 3 6 4 0 3 6
LIVERPOOL 97.25 94 90.75 88 87.25 85.5 83.25 72.5 76 73.5 68.25 64.75 62.5 54.25 51.5 46.5 43.5 41.25 38.75 36.25 31.75 29.25 25 22.5 19.5 14.75 30 LIVERPOOL.
21 0 17 0 21 0 17 0 21 0 16 6 19 6 16 0 19 6 16 0 19 0 15 6 19 0 15 0 16 6 14 0 16 6 14 0 16 0 13 6 15 0 12 6 14 0 12 0 13 6 11 6 12 0 10 0 11 0 9 6 11 0 9 6 9 6 8 0 9 0 7 6 8 0 7 0 7 6 6 6 7 0 6 0 6 0 5 6 5 6 4 6 5 0 4 0 4 0 3 6 4 0 3 6 6 0 4 6
_Explanation_.--To find the fare and distance from one station to
another--say Stafford to Wolverhampton. Find Stafford in the first
column, carry your eye along the column opposite to which it is placed
until you arrive at Wolverhampton placed in the slanting column, and
there the fare and distance will be found.
*** The figures at the top of each square denote the distance, those on
the left hand the fare by the _first_ class carriages, (_whether in first
class or mixed class trains_) and those on the right hand the fare by the
_second_ class carriages.
[_Entered at Stationer's Hall_.]
* The Fares from Stations above Hartford, to Stations on the Manchester
and Liverpool Line, are the same as to Manchester and Liverpool. But the
Fares from Hartford, Acton, Preston Brook, Moore, and Warrington, to the
Stations on the Manchester and Liverpool Line, are in proportion to the
distance.
The Fare from Birmingham to any Station on the Liverpool and Manchester
Line is in proportion.
N.B.--The Mixed Trains also take up and set down Passengers _to or from
any part of the Grand Junction Railway_, at all the usual Stopping Places
on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.--An allowance is _included_ in
the above Tables of five minutes for _all_ the Trains at the _principal_
Stations, and of three minutes for _the Mixed Trains_, at the
intermediate stopping places.--No Fare is less than One Shilling by the
principal Trains.--The Fare between the intermediate Stopping Places is
at the rate of about 2.5d. per mile for First, and 1.5d. for Second Class
Passengers. Tables of which are kept at each of the Stations.
Parties arriving at Birmingham by the early Trains, can go on in the same
carriage to the London and Birmingham Railway Station, and so proceed by
the London Train.
Departures
FROM LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER TO BIRMINGHAM.
3 A.M. First, joins London Train at 8 30 A.M.
6 30 A.M. Mixed ,, 12 30 P.M.
9 15 A.M. 1st Class ,, 2 30 P.M.
11 30 A.M. 1st Class ,, 4 30 P.M.
4 30 P.M. Mixed
6 P.M. 1st Class ,, 11 30 P.M.
* * * * *
FROM BIRMINGHAM TO LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER.
3 A.M. First 2 30 P.M. 1st Class
6 A.M. Mixed Train 4 P.M. Mixed
11 30 A.M. 1st Class 5 P.M. 1st Class
The 3 A.M. Train from Liverpool starts from the Station, Edge Hill, to
which place any Passenger wishing to go by this Train must proceed to
take his place.
On Sundays.
FROM LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER TO BIRMINGHAM.
3 A.M. First, joins London Train at 8 30 A.M.
7 30 A.M. Mixed ,, 1 30 P.M.
11 30 A.M. ,,
6 P.M. ,, 11 30 P.M.
FROM BIRMINGHAM TO LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER.
3 A.M.
7 30 A.M. Mixed
11 30 A.M. Mixed
5 P.M. ,,
The Trains on Sundays stop at First Class Stations only.
By the Trains at A.M.
3
9 15 A.M. on week 3 A.M. on
days, and
at
11 30 A.M. 7 30 A.M. Sundays
and 6 P.M. and 6 P.M.
First Class Passengers, Horses, and Carriages will, if required, be
booked throughout from Liverpool and Manchester only, to London, (but not
to any other place on the London and Birmingham Line for the present,)
without change of Carriage at Birmingham. A certain number only can be
booked by each train in this manner.
No Horses can be booked further than Birmingham, unless they belong to a
Carriage or Passenger accompanying one of the above-mentioned Trains.
Horses and Carriages should be at the Stations and booked at least a
quarter of an hour before the time of departure.
Fares.
BETWEEN LIVERPOOL OR MANCHESTER AND FROM LIVERPOOL OR
BIRMINGHAM. MANCHESTER TO LONDON,
WHEN BOOKED THROUGHOUT AS
ABOVE
. s.
Six Inside 1st Class Coach 1 1
Second Class Closed 0 17 Day Trains.
Carriages
Third Class Open Carriage by 0 11 6 Inside Coach, G.J. 21s.
6.5 a.m. Train from London 1. 10s. = 2. 11s.
Liverpool or Manchester, and
by 6 a.m. Train from
Birmingham
Passengers booked by this conveyance for 4 Inside Coach, G.J. 23s.
the entire distance only. London 1. 10s. = 2. 13s.
Children under Ten Years of age Half Night Trains.
Price. Ditto in arms free
6 Inside Coach, G.J. 21s.
London 1. 12s. 6d. = 2.
13s. 6d.
4 Inside Coach, G.J. 23s.
London 1. 12s. 6d. = 2.
15s. 6d.
One Horse 2 0 G.J. 2 4. 10s
London 2.
10s =
Two Horses, if one property 3 0 ,, 3 8
and in one box. ,, 5
=
Three do do 4 0 ,, 4 10
,, 6
=
Dogs each 0 3
Gentlemen's Carriages, four 3 0 ,, 3 6. 15s.
wheels ,, 3.
15s =
Do do two wheels 2 0 ,, 2 5. 15s.
,, 3.
15s =
Passengers in Private 0 17 ,, 17s. 1. 17s.
Carriages Lond.
(20s. Day
25s. 2. 2s.
Night
Servants 0 14 ,, 14s. 1. 14s.
,, 20s.
Day
25s. 1. 19s.
Night
Grooms in charge of Horses, 0 14
if riding with them in the
box.
Servants, in attendance on 0 17
their Employers, may ride
outside, if there be room,
by First Class Trains, at
Second Class Fares.
For intermediate distances all Carriages, whether on two or four wheels,
will be charged alike.
Passengers are particularly requested to see that their Luggage is safely
loaded on the Carriages before starting, and that it is legibly directed
with the Owner's name, address, and destination.
Officers of the Grand Junction Railway:--
JOHN MOSS, Esq., OF LIVERPOOL, CHAIRMAN.
C. LAWRENCE, Esq., OF LIVERPOOL, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN.
J. R. CHORLEY, Esq., OF LIVERPOOL, TREASURER.
MR. S. EBORALL, CHIEF AGENT AT BIRMINGHAM.
MR. G. BAKER, CHIEF AGENT AT MANCHESTER.
GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY.--CONVEYANCE OF MERCHANDISE.
The rates for the conveyances of Merchandise from Liverpool and
Manchester to Birmingham, and from Birmingham to Liverpool and Manchester
respectively, for the present, are as follows:--
1st Class--Heavy hardware, 1s 6d. per cwt. No charge less than 1s. 6d.
2nd Class--Bale goods, fruit, grocery, shoes, shell fish, wines and
spirits in casks, &c., &c., 2s. per cwt.
3rd Class--Silk goods, light trusses, toys, wines and spirits in bottles
packed, fish, furniture, wool, tea, &c., &c., 2s. 6d. and 3s. per cwt.
4th Class--Hats, light glasses in crates, and milliner's boxes, &c., 7s.
per cwt.
Charge for Parcels to date from Oct. 1st, 1838, between Liverpool and
Manchester and Birmingham.
s. d.
Under 18lbs. weight.
For any distance under 35 miles 0 6
,, ,, above 35, and not exceeding 50 miles 1 0
Entire distance 1 6
Above 18lbs. weight.
For any distance under 35 miles .5d. per lb.
,, ,, above 35, and not exceeding 50 miles .75d. ,,
,, ,, ,, 50, to the entire distance 1d. ,,
From Liverpool and Manchester to London.
15 lbs. and under 2s. 6d.
Above 15 lbs. 2d. per lb.
Large light packages will be charged according to the bulk, &c., at the
discretion of the Company. Any person sending a parcel is authorised to
require its being booked in his presence, as the Company will not be
answerable for any parcels that are not entered in their books.
LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY.
Travelling by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, 1838.--The following
are the Times of Departure both from Lime Street Station, Liverpool, and
from Liverpool Road Station, Manchester.
First Class, 7, 9, 11, a.m., and 2, 3, 7, p.m.
Second Class, 7.25, 10, 12, a.m., and 3, 5.5, 7, p.m.--Stopping only at
Newton, except on Tuesdays and Saturdays, when the evening Second Class
Train from Manchester starts at 6, instead of 5.5 o'clock.
On Sundays.
First Class, 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.--Second Class, 7 a.m. and 5.5 p.m.
Fares.
s. d.
By First Class train--Four inside--Royal Mail 6 6
ditto--Six inside--Glass Coach 6 0
By 2nd Class train--Glass Coaches 6 0
ditto--Open carriages 4 6
Charge for the conveyance of Four-wheeled carriages 20 0
ditto--Two-wheeled ditto 15 0
Horses--For One horse 10s. --Two horses 18s. --Three horses 22s.
N.B.--All Horses must be embarked at the Company's Station, EDGE HILL,
(Wavertree-lane,) unless accompanying Carriages to which they belong; in
which case they may be embarked at LIME STREET.
Luggage.
NOTICE.--To prevent loss or mistake of Luggage, Passengers are requested
to keep charge of their small Packages, by placing them under their
Seats, instead of on the Roof of the Coach.--The Weight allowed for each
Passenger is 60lb., beyond which a Charge will be made at the rate of 3s.
per cwt.
Liverpool and Manchester to Wigan.
By the First Class train 7 a.m.--2nd Class trains 10, 12, a.m. and 5.5
p.m.
On Sundays.
By the 2nd Class Trains 7 a.m., and 5.5 p.m.
FARES.--From Liverpool or Manchester, 1st Class 5s.; 2nd Class 3s. 6d.
Liverpool and Manchester to Bolton.
By the 1st Class Train 9 a.m.--2nd Class Trains 7.25, 12, a.m., and 5.5
p.m.
On Sundays.
By the 2nd Class Trains 7 am., and 5.5 p.m.
FARES.--From Liverpool, In. 5s. 6d., Out. 4s.; and from Manchester, 2s.
6d. and 2s.
Liverpool and Manchester to St. Helens.
By the 2nd Class Trains, 7.25, 10, 12, a.m., and 3, 5.5, p.m.
On Sundays.
By the 2nd Class Trains 7 a.m., and 5.5 p.m.
FARES.--From Liverpool In. 2s. 6d. Out 2s.; and from Manchester, 3s. 6d.
and 2s. 6d.
Liverpool and Manchester to Runcorn Gap.
By the 2nd Class Trains 7.5 a.m., and 3 p.m.
On Sundays.
By the 2nd Class Trains 7 a.m. and 5.5 p.m.
FARES.--From Liverpool, In. 3s., Out. 2s. 6d.; and from Manchester 4s.
and 3s.
* * * * *
THE VISITER'S GUIDE TO BIRMINGHAM, {97a} LIVERPOOL, AND MANCHESTER.
BIRMINGHAM.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The Town Hall, {97b} situate at the top of New-street; open to strangers.
The Free School, New-street.
Market Hall, High-street.
Royal School of Medicine and Surgery, Paradise-street, opposite the Town
Hall, where an extensive Museum is at all times open to the public.
The Society of Arts, New-street. Exhibition of Paintings open in the
Autumn.
Nelson's Monument, High-street.
The Theatre Royal, New-street.
News Rooms, Bennett's Hill.
Public Office, Moor-street.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Post Office, situate at the bottom of Bennett's Hill.
Stamp Office, Colmore Row.
Assay Office, Cannon-street.
The Cemetery, Hockley.
Proof House, Banbury-street.
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS.
The Society of Arts, New-street. Exhibition of Paintings open in the
Autumn.
Philosophical Institution, Cannon-street.
Mechanic's Institution, Cannon-street.
Botanical & Horticultural Society. The Gardens are at Edgbaston.
Strangers are admitted by a subscriber's order.
Old Library, Union-street.
New Library, Temple Row West.
Law Library, Waterloo-street.
Medical Library, at the Royal School of Medicine, Paradise-street.
PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS.
Theatre Royal, New-street.
Ryan's Amphitheatre, Bradford-street.
Billiard Rooms, Waterloo-street, adjoining the News Room; New-street,
adjoining the Theatre; and Cannon-street.
PUBLIC CHARITIES.
General Hospital, Summer Lane.
Dispensary, Union-street.
Asylum, (for Destitute Children,) near to Aston Park.
Workhouse, Lichfield-street.
Magdalen Asylum and Chapel, Islington.
Infirmary for Diseases of the Eye, Cannon-street.
SCHOOLS.
Free Grammar School, New-street.
Blue Coat School, east side of St. Philip's Church Yard.
Infant Schools, Ann-street and Cherry-street.
National Schools, Pinfold-street.
Lancasterian School, Severn-street.
Protestant Dissenters' Charity School, for females, Park-street.
Deaf and Dumb Institution, Edgbaston.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Barracks, Great Brook-street, Ashted.
Court of Requests, High-street.
Duddeston Hall Lunatic Asylum, Duddeston.
Old Gas Works, Broad-street.
The Baths, (swimming, and hot and cold private Baths,) at Lady Well, near
the bottom of Worcester-street.
Vauxhall Gardens, Ashted.
PLACES OF WORSHIP.
Church of England.
Churches and Chapels. Ministers, with their Services commence.
Residences.
St. Martin's, Rev. T. Moseley, .5 past 10, 3, .5
Bull-ring M.A., Bath-row, past 6.
Rector; Rev. M. W.
Foye, A.M.,
Exeter-row, Curate;
Rev. C. Arnold, A.M.,
Sandpits, Lecturer.
St. Philip's, Temple Rev. L. Gardner, .5 past 10, .25 past
row D.D., Rectory, 3.
Rector; Rev. J. W.
Downes, M.A.,
Colmore-row,
Lecturer; Rev. B.
Spurrell, M.A. 36 St.
Paul's-square,
Curate.
St. George's, St. Rev. John Garbett, .25 before 11, .5
George's M.A., Hockley-hill, past 3, and .5 past
Rector; Rev. Layton 6; Wednesday, .25
Irwen, Gt. past 7.
Hampton-street,
Curate.
St. Thomas's, Rev. Wm. Marsh, M.A., .5 past 10, 3, and .5
Holloway-head Hagley-row, Rector; past 6; Tuesday, 7,
Rev. Charles Lowe, prayer meeting;
B.A., Bedford-place, Sunday, 7; Friday, .5
Bristol-road, Curate. past 7.
All Saints', Hockley Rev. S. F. Morgan, .5 past 10, 3.
M.A., Grosvenor-row,
Birmingham-heath,
Rector.
Christ Church, Rev. J. G. Breay, .5 past 10, .5 past
Paradise-street B.A., Crescent, 6; Thursday, 7.
Minister; Rev. Daniel
Ledsam, B.A.,
Summer-hill, Curate.
St. Bartholomew's, Rev. Thomas Nunns, 11, .5 past 6.
Bartholomew-square M.A., Crescent,
Minister.
St. Mary's, St. Rev. J. C. Barratt, .5 past 10, 3, .5
Mary's square M.A., St. Mary's-row, past 6.
Minister; Rev. E.
Hall, M.A.,
Summer-hill, Curate.
St. Paul's, St. Rev. Rann Kennedy, .25 before 11, .5
Paul's square M.A., The Hollies, past 6.
Hall Green, Minister;
Rev. William Wenman,
St. Paul's-square,
Curate.
St. Peter's, Dale-end Rev. Charles Craven, 11, .5 past 6.
M.A., Edgbaston,
Minister.
Bishop Ryder's,
Stafford-street
St. John's, Deritend Rev. E. Palmer, 11, .5 past 6.
High-gate, Minister;
Rev. J. Collisson,
B.A., Camphill,
Curate.
St. James's, Ashted Rev. Josiah Allport, .5 past 10, .5 past
Ashted, Minister. 6.
Trinity, Bordesley Rev. S. Crane, B.A., .5 past 10, .5 past
Bordesley, Minister. 3; in winter 3.
Aston Church, Aston Rev. G. O. Fenwicke, 11, 3.
M.A., Vicarage,
Vicar; Rev. Horace
Chavasse, Curate.
Edgbaston Church, Rev. Charles Pixell, 11, .5 past 3.
Edgbaston M.A., Vicarage,
Vicar.
St. George's,
Calthorpe-street,
Edgbaston
Handsworth Church, Rev. John Hargreaves, 11, 3.
Handsworth M.A., Rectory,
Rector; Rev. D. N.
Walton, M.A.,
Heathfield-lane,
Curate.
Magdalen Chapel,
Islington
Dissenters.
Chapels and Meeting Ministers, and their Services commence.
Houses. Residences.
_Association Methodists_.
Newhall street, Mr. J. Handley, .5 past 10, 6;
Minister. Wednesday, .25 past
7.
_Baptists_.
Cannon-street Rev. T. Swann, .5 past 10, 3, and .5
Wheeley's Lane, past 6; Monday and
Edgbaston. Thursday, .5 past 7.
Bond street Rev. T. Morgan, .5 past 10, .5 past
Regent place, 6; Monday and
Harper's hill. Wednesday, .5 past 7.
Graham-street Rev. J. Hoby, D.D., .5 past 10, .5 past
Camden-hill. 6; Monday and
Wednesday, .5 past 7.
Newhall-street Rev. J. Ham, .5 past 10, 3, and .5
Bath-street. past 6; Monday and
Wednesday, .5 past 7.
Lombard street Rev. G. Cheatle, 11, 3, and .5 past 6;
Lombard-street. Monday and Wednesday,
.5 past 7.
_Calvinists_.
Bartholomew-street Rev. Mr. Telford, .5 past 10, 6; Monday
Bordesley-place. and Wednesday, .5
past 7.
Zoah Chapel, Rev. James Jay. .5 past 10, and .5
Cambridge-street past 6; Wednesday, .5
past 7.
Lawrence-street Rev. Thomas .5 past 10, 3, and
Buckingham. half past 6; Monday
and Thursday, .5 past
7
_Dependent Methodists_.
Buck-street Various Preachers. .5 past 10, 2, & 6;
Tuesday, .5 past 7;
Thursday, 8.
_Holy Catholic & Apostolic Church_.
Newhall-street, Mr. Barclay. 6, 10, 2, .5 before
4, 5, .5 past 6; also
daily, 6, and 5.
_Independents_.
Carr's lane Rev. J. A. James, .5 past 10, .5 past
Edgbaston. 6; Monday and
Wednesday, .5 past 7.
Steelhouse-lane Rev. T. East, 11, .5 past 6; Monday
Sparkbrook. and Wednesday, .5
past 7.
Livery-street Rev. J. Allsop, 7, .25 before 11, .5
Newhall-hill. past 6; Monday and
Thursday, .25 past 7.
Legge-street Messrs. Clay and .5 past 10, .5 past
Derrington, alternate 6; Tuesday &
Preachers. Thursday, .5 past 7.
Great Barr-street Various Preachers. .5 past 10, .5 past
6.
Union Chapel, Rev. J. Hammond, 11, 3, and .5 past 6.
Handsworth Union Row,
Handsworth.
Saltley, near the Various Preachers. .5 past 10, and 3.
Railway
_Jews' Synagogue_.
Severn-street Rev. Mr. Chapman, On Saturday at .5
Smallbrook-street, past 8, during the
Reader. winter months, & 8,
Summer months; 1, and
at sunset.
_Lady Huntingdon's_.
King-street Rev. John Jones, .5 past 10, 3, & .5
Bristol Road. past 6; Monday,
Wednesday, and
Friday, .5 past 7. A
Welsh service at 2
every Sunday
afternoon.
_New Jerusalem Church_.
Summer Lane Rev. E. Madeley, .25 before 11, & .5
Summer-lane. past 6.
_New Connexion Methodists_.
Oxford-street Rev. J. Curtis, .5 past 10, .5 past
Ravenhurst street. 2, & 6; Tuesday &
Friday, .5 past 7.
_Primitive Methodists_.
Inge-street Various Preachers.
Bordesley-street Various Preachers.
_Roman Catholics_.
St. Chad's, Rev. E. Peach and .25 past 8, .5 past
Shadwell-street Rev. J. Abbott. 9, .5 past 10, .5
past 3, and .5 past
6.
St. Peter's, St Rev. T. M. McDonnell, 9, .5 past 10, .5
Peter's place St. Peter's place. past 3, & .5 past 6.
_Society of Friends_.
Bull-street 10, 3, in Winter, and
6 in Summer;
Wednesday, 10.
_Scotch Church_.
Broad-street Rev. Robert Wallace, 11 & .5 past 6.
M.A., No. 1,
Summer-hill Terrace,
Sandpits.
_Unitarians_.
Old Meeting-house, Rev. Hugh Hutton, 11 & .5 past 6.
Grub-street Edgbaston.
New Meeting-house, Rev. John Kentish, 11 & 3.
Moor street Bourn-brook,
Bristol-road; Rev. S.
Bache,
Frederick-street,
Edgbaston.
Thorp-street Various Preachers. 11, .5 past 6;
Wednesday, .5 past 7.
Cambridge-street, Various Preachers. 11, 3.
Crescent
_Birmingham West Circuit_.
Cherry-street Rev. G. B. McDonald, .5 past 10, 3, and 6;
45, Newhall-street. Tuesday and Thursday,
.25 past 7.
Wesley Chapel, Rev. T. Dicken, 17, .5 past 10, 3, and .5
Constitution-hill Vittoria-street. past 6; Tuesday, .25
past 7.
Islington Chapel Rev. J. Lomas, Hagley .5 past 10, .5 past
Road. 2, and 6; Wednesday,
.25 past 7.
Bristol-road Rev. J. P. Haswell, .5 past 10, .5 past
Wellington-road. 2, and 6; Tuesday;
.25 past 7.
_Birmingham East Circuit_.
Belmont-row Rev. D. Walton, .5 past 10, .5 past
Belmont row. 2, and 6; Wednesday
.25 past 7.
Bradford-street Rev. J. Barton, .5 past 10, .5 past
Camphill. 2, and 6; Wednesday,
.5 past 7.
New-town Row Rev. W. Griffith, .5 past 10, .5 past
Jun. 2, and 6; Thursda
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