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occupies nearly two acres of ground, the whole being under one roof, and supported by 116 cast-iron pillars.

The zoological gardens comprise ten acres of ground, and are laid out with a good deal of taste. Its attractions have recently been increased by the munificence of the late Earl of Derby.

The manufactures of Liverpool are not important. There are several sugar refineries, some small founderies, a good deal of ship-building in wood and iron, a manufactory of steam-engines for vessels, and manufactories of anchors, chain. cables, and similar articles naturally in demand in a large port.

The value of the corporation estates is estimated at three millions of money, and the annual income derived from dock dues alone, amounted in 1850, to L.242,989: 14:9. A great proportion of this income has been devoted to the improvement of the town, including the building of churches and other public edifices. The sum expended in these objects and in widening the streets, between 1786 and 1838, amounted to L.1,668,300.

The site of Liverpool is low and unhealthy. According to the Registrar-General's return of births and deaths, the deaths and marriages are double, while the births are little more than half, the number of the average of all England.

In 1700, the population of Liverpool was only 4240; in 1851, it amounted to 376,065. It returns two members to Parliament.

The country around Liverpool abounds in every direction with fine residences. Of these, the most important are, Knowsley Hall (Earl of Derby); Croxteth Park (Earl of Sefton); Ince Blundell, the seat of the Blundell family; Childwall Hall (Marquis of Salisbury); Speke Hall (R. Watt, Esq.); Hale Hall (J. T. Blackburne, Esq.); Woolton Hall, &c.

At Everton is the cottage where Prince Rupert established his head quarters when he besieged the town in 1644.

LXXXIX. LONDON TO MANCHESTER THROUGH ST ALBANS, NORTHAMPTON, LEICESTER, DERBY, MACCLESFIELD, AND STOCKPORT, 186 Miles.

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NORTHAMPTON is situated on the north bank of the Nen. It is a place of considerable antiquity. During the wars of the Roses, a great battle was fought near the town (July 10th 1460,) in which the Lancastrians were defeated by the Kingmaker, Earl of Warwick, and Henry VI. taken prisoner. In the civil wars of Charles I., Northampton was taken by Lord Brooke, and fortified for the Parliament. The principal objects deserving of notice are, All-Saints Church; St Peter's, a remarkably fine and curious specimen of enriched Norman architecture; St Sepulchre's, supposed to have been erected by the Knights-Templars about the beginning of the twelfth century; St. Giles', adorned with several curious monuments; the Castle Hill meeting-house, which contains a tablet to the memory of Dr Doddridge, who exercised his ministry, and conducted an academy for the education of ministers, in this town for more than twenty years; the Baptist meeting-house, in which is a monument to John Ryland; the townhall; the county-gaol; the county-hall; sessions-house; new corn-exchange, &c. Of the several religious houses which existed before the Reformation, the Hospitals of St Thomas and St John yet remain. Of the castle, which was near the west bridge, there are only the earth works, and of the town walls there are no traces. The principal branch of trade carried on in Northampton is boot and shoe-making. Considerable business is done in currying leather, and some stockings and lace are made. It has also several iron foundries; and its horse-fairs are much frequented. It is connected by railway with all parts of the empire. It returus two members to Parliament. Pop. 1851, 26,657. Six miles distant is Althorp, the seat of Earl Spencer, containing numerous fine pictures, and a very extensive library of curious and scarce books, chiefly collected at great expense by the second Earl, one of the greatest bibliopoles of his day.

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· See Dr Dibdin's description of it.

LEEK is an ancient town, possessing extensive manufactories of silks, twists, buttons, ribands, shawls, &c. There is in the churchyard a curious pyramidal cross, the origin of which is involved in obscurity. It is about 10 feet high, and is decorated with imagery and fretwork. Here are the remains of Dieu la Croix Abbey. The scenery surrounding the town is peculiarly romantic. Pop. 1851, 8877. To Congleton 5 miles.

MACCLESFIELD is situated on the edge of a dreary district called Macclesfield Forest. It is now the principal seat in the island of the silk throwing trade, and is connected by railway with all parts of the empire. It is likewise the chief place for the manufacture of silk handkerchiefs, and possesses extensive copper and brass-works. The most important factories are situated on the Bollen. Macclesfield has a church founded in 1278 by Eleanor, Queen of Edward I. but since restored. There are two chapels adjoining this church, one belonging to the Marquis of Cholmondeley, the other to the Legh family of Lyme. An ancestor of the latter family served under Edward III. and his son the Black Prince, during all their wars in France, and the estate of Lyme was given him for recovering a standard at the battle of Cressy. Besides St Michael's, there are four other churches in the town and suburbs, various meeting-houses, a Roman Catholic chapel, town-hall, assembly-rooms, a subscription library, containing upwards of 20,000 volumes, a mechanics' institute, a free grammar-school, with an annual revenue of L.1300, and more than fifty schools of all kinds. When the Factory Commissioners visited Macclesfield, it was found that, of the children in the employment of the manufacturers, 96 per cent could read. Macclesfield returns two members to Parliament. It affords the title of Earl to one of the

noble families of Parker. Pop. 1851, 39,048.

STOCKPORT, situated on the Mersey, is a town of great antiquity, famous for its manufactures of cotton and hats. By means of a canal, this town has water communication with the rivers Dee, Ribble, Trent, and Severn, and thus with the greater part of the kingdom. It is also a focus of railways. The trade which it carries on is very extensive. It contains three churches, several meetinghouses, a Catholic chapel, a theatre, a library and news-room, a free grammarschool, and other charitable institutions. It returns two members to Parliament Pop. 1851, 53,835. Stockport is 176 miles from London by the nearest road.

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