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Worcester, the capital of the county of that name, is nearly in the centre of England. It is finely situated on a gradual ascent from the left bank of the Severn, over which there is an elegant stone bridge. The circumference of the city is four miles, and on the east side it is sheltered by a range of hills. The streets are in general well built, and the chief one, the Foregate, is very handsome. The cathedral is an elegant fabric, of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, restored in 1830. It is 394 feet in length, 78 feet in breadth, and 162 in height. The tower contains eight bells, the largest weighing 6600 lbs. The interior of the cathedral is a splendid specimen of architecture. The choir is magnificent, the pulpit is octagonal, and consists of stone. The monuments are numerous; that of King John is the most ancient royal monument extant in England. The statues of Bishops Wulstan, Oswald, and Hough, and the tomb of Prince Arthur, son of Henry VII., a curious piece of antique workmanship, in the Gothic style, claim attention. The cloisters where the monks formerly resided are now occupied by the dignitaries of the cathedral. Adjoining is the chapter-house, appropriated to the King's school, but used also at the triennial meetings of the choirs of Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester. The other public buildings worthy of notice are the Episcopal palace, close to the Severn, the residence of George III. and his Queen during their stay at Worcester in 1788; Edgar's Tower, a curious specimen of antiquity; the guildhall, a handsome edifice (in the Foregate); the town-hall, county gaol, the market-house, and infirmary. There are numerous churches and chapels in Worcester, and several places of worship for Dissenters. There are also many hospitals and charitable institutions, a library, theatre, raceground, &c. Formerly Worcester carried on a considerable trade in woollen cloths and carpets, but that has given place to the manufacture of gloves and porcelain, the latter more remarkable for the beauty of the work than for the extent to which it is carried on. The trade by the river is very considerable consisting partly in colonial produce, supplied by Bristol and Liverpool, and partly in culinary salt brought from the brine springs of Droitwich, six miles distant, and carried to some of the western counties of England, and some parts of South Wales. The hop market of Worcester is one of the largest in the

kingdom. The country around the city is highly fertile, and the markets held on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, are well supplied. The Severn affords abundance of fresh-water fish. Here Charles II. was defeated by Cromwell in 1651. Worcester gives the title of Marquis to the Duke of Beaufort. It returns two members to Parliament, and is divided for municipal purposes into six wards. It is governed by a mayor, twelve aldermen, and thirty-six councillors. It is connected by railway with Bristol and Birmingham, and thus with all parts of the kingdom. Latterly a portion of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line, has been opened to Evesham. Population in 1851, 27,528.

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Kidderminster is a large and populous town on the Stour, famous for the manufacture of carpets. The old church is a noble Gothic pile, containing numerous monuments. The walks in the churchyard command fine views of the town and its vicinity. The town possesses several charitable institutions. It returns one member to Parliament. Pop. 1851, 18,462. The Staffordshire and Worcester canal, which passes through Kidderminster, opens a communication with Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, &c. In the vicinity are the remains of an ancient castle, the vestiges of an encampment at Warsal Hill, and a chalybeate well at Sandburn. Richard Baxter was for many years vicar at Kidderminster, and Baskerville the printer was born in the vicinity.

From Kidderminster to Bewdley is 3 miles, to Stourport 4 miles, to Tenbury 16 miles, to Leominster 27 miles, to Ludlow 24 miles, to Bridgenorth 134 miles, to Stourbridge 62 miles. Bewdley on the Severn is chiefly supported by its navigation, and has a considerable trade in tanning leather. Pop. 1851, 7318. It unites with Stourport in returning one M. P. Stourbridge is a handsome town, noted for the manufacture of glass. The canal, which passes the town, communicates with the adjacent counties, and contributes greatly to its prosperity. Pop. 1851, 7847

Two miles and a quarter from the town is Hagley, the famous mansion erected by the first Lord Lyttelton. It contains a valuable library and a numerous collection of paintings. The grounds command varied and extensive views. In Hagley church is the mausoleum of the Lyttelton family. Near Stourbridge also, but in Staffordshire, are Himley Hall, the seat of Lord Ward, and Enville Hall, the seat of the Earl of Stamford and Warrington, the latter a spacious and elegant mansion, with grounds laid out by the poet Shenstone, to whose memory a small chapel is dedicated. Ten miles from Kidderminster is Hales Owen, a neat town, formerly celebrated for its monastery, some remains of which still exist. The church, which is admired for its beautiful spire, contains several interesting monuments, one in memory of the poet Shenstone, who was educated in the free grammar-school, and buried in the adjacent cemetery. In the vicinity is the Leasowes (M. Attwood, Esq.,) a beautiful seat, indebted for much of its elegance to the taste of the poet Shenstone, who was born here. Hales Owen is 7 miles from Birmingham.

LXI. LONDON TO GLOUCESTER AND CHELTENHAM (by Railway), 121 Miles.

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ON RIGHT FROM LOND.

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in height, and contains a 17 Stonehouse Station. 103

fine peal of bells.

Painswick House, W. H.

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Gloucester, the capital of the county from which it derives its name, gave his title to H. R. H. the late Duke of Gloucester. It is situated in a beautiful valley on the bank of the Severn, and is sheltered on the east by a range of hills. The city is intersected by four principal streets which meet in the centre. They are broad, clean, well-paved, and lighted. The principal building is the cathedral, begun in 1047, and enlarged at subsequent periods. It is 420 feet in length, 144 feet in breadth, and surmounted by a tower 129 feet in height. The interior is impressive, the stalls are said to be scarcely inferior to those at Windsor; the choir is richly ornamented, and there is a whispering gallery. The eastern window is the largest in England. The Cathedral is adorned by several monuments, of which those of Robert Duke of Normandy, Edward II., Bishop Warburton, and Dr Jenner, chiefly claim attention. The bishopric of Gloucester was first constituted by Henry VIII., and was joined to Bristol in 1836, so that the Bishop takes his seat in Parliament under the title of Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol. There are various parochial churches, several meetinghouses, a gaol, constructed on the plan of Howard, a town-hall, custom-house, assembly rooms, theatre, &c. The new bridge over the Severn is a handsome structure, 87 feet span. The principal trade of Gloucester consists in the manufacture of pins, iron, flax, and hemp. A considerable inland trade is carried on with the counties through which the Severn flows. There is also a small quantity of wine, spirits, and West Indian produce imported. The river admits sloops and brigs up to the city, but for larger vessels, a

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