LEICESTER, on the banks of the Soar, is a place of very great antiquity, having been a city during the Saxon heptarchy. It appears by Doomsday Book, that, at the Norman conquest it was a populous city. In the reign of Henry V. a Parliament was held here. Richard III., after his defeat and death, was buried here in a Franciscan Convent, which then stood near St Martin's Church. Cardinal Wolsey died here in the Abbey of St Mary de Pratis. The town was formerly fortified, and the remains of the wall may be in many parts distinctly traced The castle was a most extensive building. Its hall is still entire, and the courts

of justice are held in it at the assizes. Leicester contains eight churches and twenty-one Dissenting chapels. In St Mary's Church is the monument of the Rev. T. Robinson, author of " Scripture Characters," who preached here for many years. There are few towns in which are to be seen so many charitable institutions. The chief employment of Leicester is the manufacture of hosiery goods. The lace trade is also carried on to a very considerable extent. Leicester returns two M. P. Pop. 48,167. Five miles distant is Bradgate Park, the birthplace of Lady Jane Gray; and four miles beyond it is Bardon Hill, the highest part of the county.

NOTTINGHAM is situated on the north bank of the river Lene, about a mile north of the Trent. Its early history is involved in great obscurity. It at one time belonged to the Danes, and was one of their Mercian burghs which connected their Northumbrian and East Anglian dominions. William the Conqueror built a castle here, the government of which he conferred upon his natural son, William Peveril. This fortress, which was of great strength, was the object of contest during the troubles of the reign of Richard I. In 1330, Roger Mortimer, the paramour of Queen Isabella, was seized in this castle. In the civil wars, Charles I. set up his standard at Nottingham, but the place fell next year into the possession of the Parliament, who garrisoned the castle, of which the famous Colonel Hutchinson was governor. It was dismantled during the Commonwealth, and upon the Restoration, the ancient fortress was replaced by the present edifice, which belongs to the Duke of Newcastle. It was burnt during the riots which arose out of the political excitement of 1831, but has since been rebuilt. The castle stands on a rock at the south-west corner of the town, overlooking the Lene. Nottingham was the scene of the Luddite disturbances in 1811-12.

The principal public buildings of this town are, the new Exchange, the county-hall, the town-hall, the county gaol, the infirmary, the lunatic asylum, St Peter's Church, St Mary's Church, containing some fine monuments, and the castle. Nottingham has also several meeting-houses and charitable institutions; a spacious market-place, a small theatre, a grand-stand on the race-course, which is one of the finest in the kingdom; extensive cavalry barracks, and a free school. Thurland Hall, an ancient house of the Elizabethan period, is still occasionally used for public dinners. It was the temporary residence of James I. About a mile south of the town is Trent Bridge, of nineteen arches, a very ancient structure, and exhibiting, from frequent repairs, great architectural variety.

The principal manufactures of Nottingham are, bobbin-net and lace, and cotton and silk hosiery. There are several mills for spinning cotton and woollen yarn, and for throwing silk; several dye-houses, white-lead works, and an iron

foundery. Wire-drawing, pin-making, and the manufacture of brass fenders, are carried or to some extent; and Nottingham ale has a high reputation. The trade of the town is much promoted by its proximity to the Trent. The Nottingham Canal joins the Trent a mile from the town. The environs of Nottingham are very pleasant, and abound with gardens belonging to mechanics. Nottingham returns two members to Parliament. The pop. of the town, exclusive of the suburbs, which have lately been included in the municipal limits, amounts to 53,091. The outlying portions have a population of more than 20,000. Gilbert Wakefield, Dr Kippis, and Henry Kirke White, were natives of Nottingham. Seven miles distant is Hucknall Church, where Lord Byron was interred in 1824.

XCV. NORTH MIDLAND RAILWAY-DERBY TO LEEDS, 72) Miles. This railway, which was commenced in 1837, and opened July 1, 1840, takes up its position at the termination of the Midland Counties and Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway. The grand station where the three meet is on the south-west side of the town of Derby, near Siddal Lane, and is supposed to be the largest and finest in England.

To Doncaster, 12 miles. 323 MASBOROUGH or RO-392

BELPER, on the Derwent, is noted for its cotton mills belonging to Messrs Strutt. Their construction is worthy of notice. About 1200 or 1300 persons are con stantly employed in them. About a mile and a half distant are two other cotton mills, a bleaching-mill, and an iron-forge, all belonging to the same proprietors, who have provided for the comfort and instruction of their workmen in a very praiseworthy manner. Pop. of chapelry, 9885.

ROTHERHAM is pleasantly situated near the confluence of the Rother and the Don. It carries on a considerable trade in coals and lime. On the opposite bank of the river, in the village of Masborough, are the extensive iron-work established by Messrs Walker in 1746. The iron-bridges of Sunderland, Yarm, and of Southwark, in the metropolis, were cast in these founderies. Rotherham has a college for the instruction of Independent ministers, a spacious church, erected in the reign of Edward IV., several meeting-houses, free grammar and charity schools, &c. Pop. of town, 5505. About four miles distant is Wentworth House, the magnificent seat of Earl Fitzwilliam, adorned with numerous antiquities and paintings by the best masters. Near the entrance to the mansion, is the mausoleum erected by Earl Fitzwilliam in honour of his uncle, the Marquis of Rockingham.

Two miles from the Wakefield station near the river Calder, is the town of WAKEFIELD, considered one of the most handsome towns in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The parochial church is a spacious Gothic structure with the highest spire in the county. There is a very beautiful and richly adorned Gothic chapel on the bridge over the Calder, built by Edward IV. in memory of his father and followers who fell in a battle near this town. Wakefield has long been noted for its manufacture of woollen cloths and stuffs. It has also a considerable trade in corn and coals. Archbishop Potter and Dr Radcliffe were natives of this town Pop. of township, 14,754, One M. P.

LEEDS, the largest and most flourishing town of Yorkshire, on the Aire, is the metropolis of the woollen manufacture, and the fifth town in England in point of population and commercial activity. It is an ancient town, and was probably a Roman station, but has been the scene of no historical events. Its situation is highly advantageous for manufacturing and commercial purposes. The chief articles of manufacture here are superfine cloths, kerseymeres, swan'sdowns, shalloons, carpets, blankets, &c. ; plate-glass, earthen-ware, and the spinning of flax to a great extent. Its merchants also buy extensively the woollen and stuff-goods made in the neighbouring towns and villages, and get them finished and dyed; so that Leeds is a general mart for all these fabrics. The Leeds cloth-halls form an interesting spectacle on the market-days. Machine-making is a flourishing business in Leeds. The Leeds and Liverpool canal connects Leeds with the Western sea, and by means of the river Aire it has a communication with the Humber. By means of the railways which have been formed and are projecting, this town will enjoy every advantage which can be given, by

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