MINSTER, BROSELEY, AND COLEBROOK-DALE, 1613 Miles. LXXV. LONDON TO 13 COLEBROOK-DALE, 147 121 Buildwas, famous for the ruins of a ON LEFT FROM LOND. Willey Park, Lord Fo rester. Caughley. 149 Buildwas Park, W. Moseley, Esq. SHREWSBURY, (p. 147.) 161| SHREWSBURY THROUGH COVENTRY AND BIRMINGHAM, 153 Miles, THENCE TO HOLYHEAD, 2603 Miles. 151 From London to Bir-109 Edgbaston, Lord Calmingham, (see p. 199.) Aston Pa., J. Watt, Esq. erected about the beginning of the seventeenth 149 century, by Sir T. Holt, who entertained Charles I. here shortly before the battle of Edgehill. Sandwell Park, Earl of To Walsall 3 miles. 143 thorpe. Soho, M. Boulton, Esq. Wednesbury is a market-town of great antiquity, distinguished for its numerous manufactures of cast iron works of every kind, guns, &c. The old church, supposed to have been erected in the eighth century, is an elegant Gothic struc -Continued. ture, with a lofty and beautiful spire. The interior is adorned with some exquisite carving, and contains several monuments of the ancestors of the families of the Earls Harcourt (extinct) and of Lord Ward. Some vestiges of an ancient fort built by the Saxons may still be traced. Coal is obtained here in great abundance, and of superior quality. Here also is found that peculiar species of iron ore, called "blond metal," and some spots abound with a red earth called hip, employed in glazing vessels. Pop. 1851, 11,914. Oswestry was formerly surrounded by walls, which, together with its four gates, were all taken down about 1782. Of its castle, which appears to have been erected in the reign of King Stephen, the only portion existing is on a lofty artificial mount at the west end of the town, commanding a rich and extensive prospect. Oswestry has two churches (one a venerable building, its tower covered with ivy,) a free grammar school, a town hall, a theatre, several meeting houses, and charitable institutions. It formerly carried on a considerable trade in Welsh woollens. Pop. 1851, 4817. Chirk, a populous village, celebrated for the beauty of the surrounding scenery. The church contains a number of ancient monuments of the Myddelton family; and in the churchyard are several aged yews. In 1165, Chirk was the scene of a severe contest between the English and the Welsh. About two miles distant, on the road to Ruabon, is a landscape of remarkable beauty. To the left is Chirk Castle, (R. Myddelton Biddulph, Esq.), an ancient and noble castellated mansion, situated on an eminence, which commands a prospect, it is said, into 17 counties. About three miles beyond Chirk is the aqueduct of the Ellesmere canal, constructed by Mr Telford, in 1805. It consists of 19 stone arches, supporting an iron trough, 1007 feet long, and is a wonderful effort of ingenious contrivance. |