Imatges de pàgina
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Chester is an ancient and populous city situated on a rocky eminence. The houses are singularly constructed. They have porticoes running along the front, affording a covered walk to pedestrians, and beneath these are shops and warehouses on a level with the street. The castle is said to have been erected in the reign of William the Conqueror. A part of the original building has been repaired, and part of it was demolished, and a range of magnificent buildings has been erected on its site. They consist chiefly of an armoury containing nearly 30,000 stand of arms, barracks, court of justice, county gaol, the shire hall, the offices of the palatinate, and a curious ancient chapel. The cathedral was the church of the dissolved abbey of St Werburgh. It contains curious monuments, and a neat choir. The bishop's throne was formerly the shrine of St Werburgh. The chapter-house, a beautiful edifice on the east side of the cloisters, appears to have been erected in the time of Randle, the first Earl of Chester, whose remains, together with those of his uncle and several of his successors, were deposited here. St John's Church, on the east side of the city, without the walls, is supposed to have been founded by Ethelred in 689. In Trinity Church lie the remains of Matthew Henry the commentator, and of Parnell the poet. Sir J. Vanbrugh was a native of Chester. Chester contains various other churches, several meeting-houses, charitable institutions, public libraries, &c. Chester was formerly a Roman station, and abounds with antiquities. Its ancient walls, which are still standing, are about two miles in circumference, and form a delightful promenade, commanding fine views. There are four gates in the city walls. Races are held in spring and autumn on a fine course called the Roodee. Here Edward of Caernarvon received the submission of the Welsh in 1300. It was besieged and taken by the Parliamentary forces in 1645. It returns two M.P. Pop. 1851, 27,766. Eaton Hall, a seat of the Marquis of Westminster, situated on the banks of the Dee, about 3 miles from Chester, is a superb mansion, rebuilt in the Gothic style, from designs by Mr Porden in 1813, and is fitted up with great splendour. It contains West's two fine paintings of Cromwell dissolving the Parliament, and the landing of Charles II. From Chester to Holywell is 18 miles; to Great Neston, 10; to Parkgate, 12; to Frodsham, 11; to Tarporley, 101.

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LX. BRISTOL TO GLOUCESTER, WORCESTER, AND KIDDERMINSTER,

80 Miles.

LIVERPOOL.

1581

(See p. 221.)

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(BIRMINGHAM TO WORCESTER, CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTER & BRISTOL.)

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