Stroud Station. Stroud is situated near the confluence of the Frome and the Slade. It is a market and borough town, and may be considered the centre of the clothing manufacture of this part of the country. It returns 2 M. P., and is a polling place of the county. Canton, the natural philosopher, and White, Arabic Professor at Oxford, were natives of Stroud. Pop. 38,600. Minchin Hampton, pleasantly situated on the Frome, is supposed to be the place where Alfred the Great defeated the 99 Danes in 879. In the church-yard is interred James Bradley, who discovered the aberration of light, and the nutation of the earth's axis. Pop. 4890. Hyde Court Bownham House. 101 Rodborough, and, a little to the left, King Stauley, said to have been the residence of one of the Mercian Kings, and where there are some remains of la Roman camp. Leonard Stanley was much destroyed by fire in 1686, and has not since recovered its former importance. The church is an ancient building, in form of a cross. The priory kitchen of a monastery for Benedictines still remains. Frocester is a pretty village, and commands a fine prospect. The Earl of Ducie has a seat here, where Elizabeth passed a night, in 1574, on her progress through this county. 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 canal and basins have been recently formed with depth of water sufficient to admit vessels of 500 tons burden. For municipal purposes, the city is divided into three wards, and is governed by a mayor, six aldermen, and eighteen coun cillors. It has returned two members to Parliament since temp. Edward I. Gloucester was the birth-place of Robert of Gloucester the chronicler, John Taylor the water poet, George Whitfield the famous Methodist, and R. Raikes the founder of Sunday schools. Markets are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the supply is abundant. Population 32,000. About 3 miles beyond Gloucester is Highnam Court, erected from a design by Inigo Jones. Gloucester is connected by railway with all parts of the kingdom. Cheltenham is situated on the River Chelt, which flows into the Severn. Its situation is healthy and picturesque, and it is sheltered on the north by the Cotswold hills. It owes its celebrity to its mineral waters, which were first discovered in 1716. The waters are cathartic and chalybeate, resembling those of Harrowgate. Every accommodation has been provided for those who use them. The well walk is a magnificent promenade, shaded by ancient elms. St. Mary's Church is a large elegant building in the form of a cross with a lofty octagonal spire. It contains a curious font, and near it is an ancient stone cross. Besides this there are Trinity Church, numerous new churches, and a few places There are also some charitable establishments, of worship for Dissenters. assembly rooms, good hotels, billiard rooms, and a theatre. Cheltenham returns 1 M.P. Population 44,500. Two miles distant is Southam House (Earl of Ellenborough.) LXII. BIRMINGHAM AND GLOUCESTER RAILWAY, 52 Miles. ON RIGHT FROM GLO'ST. At Barnet Green are a chalybeate spring and a petrifying well. Hewell Grange, Lady 11 BARNET GREEN Station. 32 tants are emploved in the Windsor. This seat has belonged to the family of the Earls of Plymouth and their representatives since 1341. Bordesley Park, and beyond Beoley Hall. Coston Hackett 40 warpe, consists principally Chaddesley Corbett. 461 ཅི་ྲ LXIII. LONDON TO GLOUCESTER THROUGH MAIDENHEAD, ARINGDON, |
