5 >
VI ».»•• r iV
'^.:^ ^f,^^H*^^
• J* V ,-,
L I E> RA RY
OF THE
U N IVLR5 ITY
or ILLl NOIS
HD^
Eaginee
ring lAlDtkvy^
DKDlCATEn, BY PERMISSION, TO THE CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS OF TIIK
I.OXnON AND BIRMIKGHAM RAILWAY COMTANV.
f^:Jr^<K^
ROAD BOOK
OF THE
LONDON AND BIEMTNGHAM
RAILWAY,
ILLUSTRATED BY AN ACCIRATE MAP OF THE LTNE, AND
BY NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS.
LONDON:
HAYWARD AND MOORE.
birmingham: james drake, 52, new street. liverpool: wii.lmer
and smith, and ross and nightingale, manchester;
lovp: and barton.
t^
KNTEREI) AT STATIONERS UAI,I,.
DIRM INGHAM: I'KINTKI^ RY .T\JiES DRAKE, 52, NEW STREET.
j;^ ' TO THE
"/ CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS
"•^ OF THE
iONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY COMPANY,
IS,
BV PERMISSION, RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,
2 464311
THE PUBLISHER.
ADVERTISEMENT.
What has led the Publisher of this volume to
indulge the hope of being able to provide an
acceptable guide to the London and Birmingham
Railway, has been the highly gratifying reception
which has already been given to three editions
of his Road Book of the Grand Junction Railway.
Accordingly, he sends forth this Road Book with
the pleasing conviction that he is sending it among
persons who, by the acknowledged merits of its
predecessor, as well as by the high character of
numerous other works of a similar nature, which
have issued from the same press, are already pre-
possessed in its favour. Should a generous public,
by the manner in which they receive it, show that
the estimation in which they have hitherto held
his labours remains undiminished, the Publisher
VI ADVERTISEMENT.
will consider that all his exertions during the
many months in which he has been engaged in
preparing it for publication, have been abundantly
rewarded.
The descriptive part has been written with the
utmost carefulness ; and, as the whole line was
leisurely traversed for the express purpose of obtain-
ing the most correct information, its accuracy may
be confidently relied upon. The character of the
scenery through which the railway passes is some-
what minutely described ; an account is given of
every neighbouring town and important village ;
and all other interesting objects which can be
seen from the line are mentioned in the order in
which they appear in view. The Writer has also
continually aimed at leading the mind of the
traveller into pleasant and instructive trains of
thought, and furnishing him with interesting sub-
jects for familiar railway colloquy. With respect
to the Illustrations, the name of the artist, H.
Harris, Esq., by whom the views were taken,
exclusively for this work, will doubtless be deemed
a sufficient guarantee for their faithfulness, judi-
ADVERTISEMENT. Vll
cious selection, and intrinsic merit. They have
also been engraved by one of the first London
artists, and expense has not been spared in order
to render them worthy of the noble undertaking
which they are designed to illustrate.
By the completion of this volume, a Road
Book is provided for the whole line of railway
from London to Liverpool and Manchester; which,
besides proving a useful hand-book for the tra-
veller himself, will also, it is hoped, be found an
agreeable companion, by those who seek to enjoy
the pleasures of travelling while comfortably seated
at their own firesides.
Birmingham, Atif/tist I, 1839.
THE
ROAD BOOK
LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.
CHAPTER L
LONDON.
As the pleasure we derive from travelling, depends
chiefly upon the means we have of gratifying the curio-
sity which it excites, when we are so fortunate as to
have an intelligent companion to point out the spots
renowned in history or celebrated in poetry, to inform
us as to the productions of the country and the manu-
factures of the towns, and direct our eye to the most
beautiful objects in nature and remarkable works of
art, we are placed in the most favourable situation for
deriving all the enjoyment from travelling it is capable
of affording, and are perhaps almost inclined to com-
plain of reaching the place of our destination too
speedily. With the hope that such a companion
would be found in this little volume, by those who are
about to take a trip by the London and Birmingham
Railway, wc would at once introduce our readers to this
B
i LONDON.
wonder of modern times, were we not too proud of the
metropolis of our native land to leave it altogether
unnoticed. It will not, we hope, be considered an
unpardonable digression, if, before we commence our
journey, we briefly glance at this city, the object of a
world's admiration.
London, if we may place any credit in the ancient
Welch chroniclers, is as old as the times of Homer ;
for, according to them, it was founded by Brute, the
great grandson of ^neas, the Trojan hero. If this be
true, London may vie with Rome in point of antiquity ;
and Troy has had the honour of giving birth to the
two mightiest cities the world has ever beheld. But
it is more probable, that, for very many ages after the
period mentioned b}'^ the chronologer, the banks of the
Thames, where the mistress of the world now sits,
presented no other prospect to the eye of the wander-
ing savage than that of a wild, unhealthy marsh,
the undisputed possession of poisonous reptiles and
ravenous beasts. The first time London appears on
the page of authentic history is upon its being burned
to the ground by Boadicea, after its temporary
evacuation by the Romans. Thus London enters upon
the stage of history in the interesting character of a
sacrifice offered up by vengeance upon the desecrated
altar of British independence. It would appear as if
this circumstance had in it something ominous ; for
few cities have suffered so severely from fire and
pestilence as London has, since it was burned by
Boadicea. Five times has the plague swept through
its crowded streets and thinned its inhabitants; and
LONDON. 3
the 10th, 11th. r2th, and 17th centuries were all
marked by the occurrence of awfully wide and de-
structive conflagrations. Yet none of these calamities
have been able to check its rising greatness. From
the ashes of every conflagration it has arisen more
vigorous and beautiful than before. In 1377, the
number of its inhabitants amounted to 35,000 ; in
1680, to 670,000; in 1801, to 864,000; and in 1831,
to 1,500,000, — a population which far surpasses that
of the most renowned cities of ancient or modem
times. Various are the causes which have swelled
it to this unparalleled greatness ; but the chief one
has undoubtedly been its commerce. Its situation
on the banks of a noble river, and at a safe distance
from the ocean, renders it peculiarly available for
purposes of trade ; and, the circumstance of being
the metropolis of a great and wealthy empire,
necessarily creates a brisk internal traffic. Even so
early as the twelfth century, a learned monk of
Canterbury, in " A Description of the noble City
of London,'' speaks of Arabia, Seythia, Egypt, and
Babylon, as pouring their costly merchandise at
her feet. If, then, London in the twelfth century,
when the metropolis of only a third part of Great
Britain, be spoken of in terms so glowing, what
language can we find sufficiently elevated to describe
London in the nineteenth century, reigning, as she
now does, over wide extended dominions in Asia,
Africa, and the New AVorld? Into her warehouses
thirteen thousand vessels are on an average continually
pouring the riches of the world, and through the
hands of her merchants property to the value of one
B 2
4 LONDON.
hundred and twenty millions sterling annually passes.
Her citizens furnish foreign princes with the means of
making war ; her merchants regulate the markets of
the world ; and her manufacturers produce articles
which can nowhere be equalled, and which every
nation under heaven is anxious to obtain. In London,
also, sparkles the bright crown of " the fair virgin
enthroned in the west ;" and in its halls the unrivalled
aristocracy of England, and the chosen representatives
of British freemen, regularly assemble to decide the
fate of nations, and consult for the welfare of a hundred
million subjects.
Great and powerful as London is, it is daily pro-
gressing ; and the numerous railways which are now
entering it, will doubtless give considerable impulse
to its increasing grandeur. The following railways,
which are either already completed, or in course of
construction, meet in it as their grand focus: — the
London and Birmingham, the Great Western, the
London and Southampton, the London and Croydon,
the Central Kent, the London and Greenwich, the
Blackwall Commercial, the Great Eastern, and the
North Eastern railways. Commercial prosperity will
necessarily result from the rapid communication with
all parts of the empire, which the completion of
these great arteries will open ; and from commer-
cial prosperity will infallibly flow increase of popula-
tion, and extension of boundary. The benefits of
these railways, in a political point of view, will also be
considerable; since speedy intercourse between the
different parts of an empire has a natural tendency to
consolidate and keep it united. Should railways
LONDON. 5
become as extensive on the Continent as they are in
England, the political consequences will be of still
greater importance. Indeed, as quick and easy inter-
national intercourse powerfully tends to produce the
coalition of small states into large empires, may we
not suppose, that when Europe has been intersected
by railways it will present to the eye of the beholder
the august spectacle of one vast and mighty republic,
firmly bound together by these iron bands ?
Lest the reader should begin to think we are detain-
ing him too long from his journey, we will now suppose
ourselves in front of the beautiful Grecian propylseum,
which forms the entrance of the London and Birming-
ham Railway, and where accordingly our duties do
properly commence.
B 3
LONDON TO WATFORD.
CHAFIER II.
LONDON TO WATFORD.
Seventeen and f miles.
The historical account of this grand national under-
taking may be comprised in a very few words : for
the history of a railway is like that of the life of a
philosopher — rich in important results, but poor in
interesting narrative. The project of constructing a
railway between London and Birmingham was first
formed in the year 1825; it slumbered, however, till
1830; and it was not until 1835 that the company,
which had been formed to carry it into execution,
could obtain the sanction of parliament. By the act
which was then obtained, the company were authorised
to raise £2,500,000 ; and if more should be required,
to borrow an additional sum of £835,000, which sum,
by a subsequent act, was increased to £1,000,000.
By a third act, obtained on the 30th of June, 1837,
power was given to raise, under the common seal of
the company, another million sterling; and towards
the end of 1838 half a million was borrowed ; so that
the whole cost of the undertaking has been no less than
five millions sterling. The railway was opened through-
out the entire line on the 17th of September, 1838.
The talented engineer by whom it was designed, and
LONDON TO WATFORD. 7
under whose superintendence it has been completed,
is Kobert Stephenson, Esq., whose name, with that of
his illustrious brother, will henceforth be honourably
linked with those of Arkwright and Watt.
Camden Town was originally intended to be the
locality of the London station ; but the company,
desirous of keeping the merchandise and passenger
departments separate, and of bringing the public
nearer to the centre of business, afterwards resolved to
extend the line ; and at an expense of a quarter of a
million produced it as far as Euston Grove. Even
this, however, was insufficient to satisfy some discon-
tented individuals, and a "City Railway " has been
projected to whirl the impatient traveller like a
Congreve rocket over the heads of the astounded
citizens of London, and to cause him to alight within
a few yards from St. Paul's. We do not think, how-
ever, that the good people of Gray's Inn Lane,
notwithstanding this scheme is sanctioned by act of
parliament, need be very much alarmed by the appre-
hension of having their midnight slumbers disturbed
by the rushing past their garret windows of a train of
"City Railway" carriages.
The offices and other buildings at the Euston Grove
station occupy an area of seven acres, and have been
erected in a style of great magnificence. The noble
edifice which forms the entrance does honour to the
public spirit of the directors ; and Mr. P. Hardwicke,
from whose designs it was erected, deserves the thanks
of every admirer of Grecian architecture, for having
exhibited the unadulterated Doric style on a scale of
grandeur unequalled in modern times, and scarcely
B 4
O LONDON TO WATFORD.
surpassed by classic Athens herself. The diameter of
each pillar is eight feet six inches ; the height of the
gateway, measured from the top of the pediment, is
seventy feet; and the entire line of frontage, including
the piers and the two lodges connected with them by
massive gates of bronze, measures 320 feet. We will
now enter the spacious court yard which measures 100
feet by 470, and passing through the booking offices,
proceed into the spacious shed where the carriages
await our arrival. Here a scene is presented which to
the stranger is most striking and bewildering. The
whole scene appears more like one of enchantment than
reality. The light and lofty arch thrown across the
spacious court seems upheld by fairy hands ; the huge
row of triple-bodied carriages resembles nothing we
are accustomed to see in the world ; and the power of
self motion of which these ponderous machines exhibit
signs, is rather startling to the uninitiated stranger.
Upon the arrival of the night trains, this scene is still
more striking ; as the yard is then brilliantly illuminated
with gas. The roof of the shed is constructed princi-
pally of wrought iron ; is two hundred feet in length,
and eighty in width ; and is supported in the middle
by a row of cast iron pillars.
Upon examining the internal fittings up of the
carriages, upon which so much of the comfort of
his journey will depend, the traveller will find that
the first class carriages are divided into three entirely
distinct compartments, and these compartments into
six divisions, (except in the mails, in which there
are only four,) so that each traveller has an entire
seat to himselfj in which he can recline as freely
LONDON TO WATFORD. 9
and comfortably as in the most luxurious arm
chair ; and after the shades of evening have gathered
over the scenery, can read the news of the day,
or turn over the pages of our little volume, by
the light of a lamp which is fixed in the roof of
the coach. The second class carriages are, however,
of a very different character. These cushionless,
windowless, curtainless, comfortless vehicles, seem
to have been purposely constructed so that the
sweeping wind, enraged at being outstripped in his
rapid flight, might have an opportunity of wreak-
ing his vengeance upon the shrinking forms of their
ill-fated occupants. At night, however, the partner-
ship of the railway with Messrs. Rheumatism and Co.
is dissolved, and even second class passengers are
provided with shelter from the cold and chilling blast.
But leaving this unfortunate race to their fate, we
will suppose ourselves voluptuously reclining in the
cushioned interior of a first class carriage, and enjoy-
ing the pleasurable sensations of a smooth, easy,
and rapid motion up the inclined plane of the Grand
Excavation. This excavation is made in a stratum
of London clay, and is one mile in length. The
curved walls which support its banks are generally
between eighteen and twenty-two feet in height ; and
being surmounted with iron palisading, present a very
handsome appearance. The seven remarkable bridges
by which it is crossed deserve a much more minute
examination than the rapid flight of the trains will by
any means allow. The principal are the Wriothes-
ley-street bridge, which crosses the line at an angle
of seventy-six degrees ; the Hampstead-road bridge,
10
LONDON TO WATFORD.
the total length of which is 339 feet ; and the Park-
street bridge; all of which consist of iron work,
PARK STREET BRIDGE.
stone and brick work. Emerging from the excavation,
we rapidly pass along the Extension Embankment ;
cross the Regent's canal by an elegant suspension
bridge, the rails on which are only thh'teen feet above
the level of the water; and then enter the company's
goods depot at Camden Town. Here the scene is
deeply interesting ; and the commercial and scientific
resources of Britain are exhibited on a truly magnifi-
cent scale. As Englishmen, we should feel greater
pride in standing with a foreigner in the spacious area
of this depot, than on the plains of Waterloo, or blood-
washed shores of Trafalgar. The buildings, which
consist of warehouses, manufactories, ofl[ices, &c.,
occupy thirty-three acres of land, and will, when com-
pleted, be noble erections. The most conspicuous
LONDON TO WATFORD.
11
and attractive objects are two tall and elegant chim-
neys, which stand like monumental columns on each
ENGINE HOUSE, &c,, CAMDEN TOWN.
side of the line. We have only to suppose that these
are pillars reared in honour of those who conceived and
executed the vast works which lie around ; and nobler
ideas will be suggested to the mind than could be
excited by the famed pillars of ancient conquerors,
raised to tell succeeding ages of kingdoms ravaged
and towns demolished. It never enters, however,
12 LONDON TO WATFORD.
into the plans of railway directors to erect monuments
to commemorate their actions ; they prefer adopting
the motto inscribed upon the tomb of Sir Christopher
Wren, in St. Paul's cathedral : " Stranger, do you
seek our monument ? Look around ! " The real
practical use of these chimneys is, to draw the car-
riages up the inclined plane from Euston Grove.
This is effected by means of an endless rope, passing,
at each extremity of the incline, round sheaves which
are sunk beneath the railway, and are consequently
invisible to the traveller. The stationary engines,
which are each of sixty horse power, are also placed
below the level of the line.
The telegraphic communication, which is opened
between this station and Euston Grove, by means of
electro-magnetic wires, is another instance of the
enterprising spirit of the company, and, indeed, forms
one of the most astonishing achievements of modern
science. Not satisfied with the mighty agents we
have pressed into our service, and the victories which
by their means we have obtained over time and space,
we must needs bring down the lightnings from heaven
to carry our messages and go on our errands.
The engine to which we are now for the first
time attached has checked his deafening roar, and
this is a sign we are about to start. Now he
begins to pant, and we begin to move; the panting
grows quicker and quicker, and we move faster and
faster, and in a very few moments we are bounding
along at the height of our speed, with Regent's Park
and Hampstead on the left, and the beautiful high
grounds about Ilighgate on the right. The short
LONDON TO WATFORD.
13
incline down which we are rapidly shooting brings
us to Chalk Farm, — a spot celebrated, by repeateii
duels, in the annals of modern love and chivalry.
Leaving Kentish Town on the right, and passing
under Chalk Farm bridge, we enter the Primrose Hill
cutting. If the traveller should now happen to look
out from the window of the carriage, he will behold
stretching across the line the noble entrance of the
Primrose Hill tunnel. This is a bold and massive
PRIMROSE HILL TUNNEL.
structure, erected in that style of architecture which
is usually termed the Italian; and consists ol two wings
14 LONDON TO WATFORD.
and a centre, raised upon a rusticated basement. If,
however, the traveller should prefer keeping his seat
and closing the windows, which is certainly the most
advisable plan, he will find himself suddenly, and
without a moment's warning, plunged into worse than
Cimmerian darkness, and hurried along through clouds
of smoke and vapour; amid flying sparks, jarring
atoms, rushing winds, and every sign of elemental strife;
whilst stunning sounds, and a rattling, clashing din,
form a hubbub than which what Satan heard in his
flight through the realms of Chaos and Old Night
could scarcely be more terrific. But let not the most
timid traveller imagine that there is any real danger;
for, although appearances are rather alarming, and the
consideration that fifty feet of earth are suspended
above him, is somewhat startling; yet if he will close
his eyes for the space of a minute, at the end of that
period he will find himself, like many thousands who
have daily preceded him, safely restored to the pure
air and the light of dav. The height and width of
this tunnel are equal, namely, twenty-two feet ; and
its length is nearly two thirds of a mile. Its excava-
tion, owing to the clayey nature of the soil, was
attended with an enormous expenditure of money,
and occupied a period of three years.
This tininel is followed by a succession of beautiful
bridges, the most elegant of which is one of three
arches, which carries the Edgeware-road across the
line. Beyond this bridge is the pretty village of
Kilburn, which is interesting as standing upon the
ancient Roman Watling-street. As the traveller
darts across this ancient ^A ay, his mind will naturally
LONDON TO WATFORD. 15
turn back to the time when the victorious eagles of
Rome were seen proudly flying where Stephenson's
"Wildfires" now majestically sweep; and perhaps
he may be disposed to draw a parallel between Roman
ways and British railways, both of which form the
grandest works of their respective nations, and both of
which are carried in direct lines with very little respect
either for natural or conventional obstacles. Were
the comparison of the respective grandeur of these
noble undertakings fully carried out, we think the palm
must eventually be given to the moderns; for the
ancients, not needing perfect levels, could pass over
mountains through which we have to cut our passage ;
and they having to consult the convenience of men and
horses merely, found that blocks of solid granite would
answer their every purpose; whereas we, having to
humour the caprices of locomotive engines and flying
trains, must pave our roads with bars of cast iron.
The open country, which now appears on either
hand, is as beautiful as the glimpse we obtain of it is
transitory. On the left are the Bell Inn tea gardens,
which, on every fine day, present an animated scene ;
being then thronged with numerous gay parties, who
have flocked thither from all parts of the metropolis, to
breathe the pure air, enjoy the delightful prospect, and
watch the passing trains. On the right, Hampstead,
with all its natural and artificial beauties, its hand-
some houses, its gardens and shrubberies, is seen to
great advantage. This respectable village, in the
early part of last century, became a fashionable water-
ing place, in consequence of the discovery of a chaly-
beate spring ; and many were the concerts, ridottos,
16 LOKDOX TO WATFORD.
assemblies, cuid other amusements, which the Upper
and Lower Flasks, Belsize House, and the Spaniards,
afforded the visiter ; but either through the spring
losing its properties, or the place its haul ton, it has
now ceased to be frequented, and valitudinarians of
quality go elsewhere, to sacrifice at the shrine of
Esculapius by day, and mingle in the circles of
Terpsichore by night.
We have scarcely enjoyed this view three parts of a
minute before we are again enclosed between the lofty
banks of a deep cutting, along which we run for a few
seconds, and then plunge into the dismal obscurity of
another tunnel. This subterraneous passage, how-
ever, does not long exclude us from the light of day,
its length being only 360 yards. Kensal Green, from
which it takes its name, is a small and insignificant
hamlet. Its cemetery, from which alone it derives
any note, approaches close to the line, and almost
stretches over the tunnel.
As the beauties of nature have hitherto been almost
totally veiled from us, by a succession of tunnels and
excavations, we hail with pleasure the delightful pro-
spect which now begins to open upon our view.
Instead of hiding ourselves underground, as if afraid
to be seen, we now rise from our concealment, and
sweep along a level tract ; or, mounting aloft as in
the chariot of Phaeton, look down from our aerial
flight upon an almost boundless extent of varied
landscape. It is now that we begin to feel the exhi-
lirating effect of railway travelling. AVhilst rushing
through cuttings, between walls, and under bridges,
the proximity of every object causes the velocity of
LO^"DON TO WATFORD. 17
the motion to be fully apparent, and the mind is
wound up into a state of excitement which, though at
first not altogether disagreeable, is not of a perma-
nently pleasant character ; but, when sailing through
the open country, where the eye can range unconfined,
the rapidity of the motion seems softened into an easy
and graceful swiftness, and the only sensations ex-
perienced are those of delight and enjoyment. The
eloquent speculator on the origin of our ideas of the
sublime and beautiful, would probably be inclined to
class our feelings in the one case under the head of the
sublime, in the other under that of the beautiful.
The scenery between Kensall Green and Harrow is
extremely pleasant; and the variety afforded by the
undulating nature of the ground adds to its interest.
Sometimes we are gliding along on the level of the
surrounding country, and admiring the more adjacent
beauties of the landscape ; then we are rising on an
embankment or sweeping over a viaduct, and throw-
ing our eye with freedom and delight over a wide
extended prospect; till rushing between the sides of a
cutting, the scenery for a moment totally disappears,
but only to burst upon us again with its charms
enhanced by their momentary eclipse. For the first
mile or two the prospect is contracted, but prettily
diversified with trees. It begins to expand after we
have passed the station house of the Birmingham,
Bristol, and Thames Junction Eailway, and its loveli-
ness gradually increases. On our right appears some
of the finest scenery in Middlesex ; on our left is the
rich foliage of Twyford Abbey ; and before us stretches
the wide vale of the Brent. The river gracefully
c
18 LONDON TO WATFORD.
meanders through the valley ; Harrow Hill rises
gradually beyond ; and above the trees which sur-
round its summit, Harrow church lifts its lofty
spire.
The little river Brent, which we cross by a hand-
some viaduct, rises near Chipping Bainet, and flows
into the Thames at Brentford, opposite the Kew
Gardens. The wide valley through which it flows has
been the scene of several sanguinary combats. In
1016, Edmund Ironside, having compelled the Danes
to raise the siege of London, pursued them to this
valley, and routed them with great slaughter ; and in
the civil wars, the contending parties here fought a
battle, in which the Royalists were victorious.
Rising out of the valley of the Brent, we pass
Apperton and Sudbury on our left, and the handsome
villa and richly wooded park of Wimbley on our right,
and rapidly approach Harrow Weald and Stanmore
Heath. The town of Harrow soon forms an interest-
ing object on the left ; whilst in the contrary direction
may be distinguished Preston Hall, the seat of Miss
Philpots, and a tumulus or mound called Bell Mound
or Belmont, near which is a monument in honour of
Cassibelannus, the king of the Tribonantes, who led
the combined British forces against Caesar's invading
armies. Embosomed in the distant woods lies Bentley
Priory, the splendid seat of the Marquis of Abercorn ;
and beyond it, near Stanmore, is the place where
formerly stood the magnificent palace of Canons, built
by the first Duke of Chandos, at an expense of
£250,000.
After passing under Harrow Bridge we soon
LONDON TO WATFORD.
19
become sensible of a diminution of speed; and in a
very few moments come to a stoppage for the first
time since leaving Camden Town.
Harrow Station.
Distance to London, 11 J — Birmingham, 101 miles.
DISTANCES BYROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES: —
*** Those printed in small capitals are market towns.
Places W. of Station.
Pinner 2 miles.
Ruislip 5^ —
UXBKIUGE 9>\ —
Places E. of Station.
Stunmore '2i miles.
Edsreware 4| —
Elstiee 5 —
IIarrow-on-the-Hill, the conspicuous church of
which has for many miles formed so interesting an
object in the landscape, lies about a mile to the south of
the station. It is chiefly distinguished on account of
its Free Grammar School, founded in 1571, in the
reign of Elizabeth, and which ranks amonsf the most
celebrated classical schools in England. The founder,
John Lyon, a native of the neighbouring hamlet of
Preston, amongst other regulations, directed that the
pupils should be instructed in archery; and it was
customary, till about the middle of the last century,
for the scholars, at an annual festival holden on the
4th of August, to shoot at a mark for a silver arrow.
The town has no staple manufacture, its trade depend-
ing almost exclusively upon the school, and numerous
visiters from the metropolis. The population is 3,862.
The learned Dr. Samuel Parr was born here in 1747;
and in the nave of the church is the tomb of Sir
Samuel Garth, a celebrated poet and physician. The
church is a spacious structure, with a tower and lofty
c 2
20 LONDON TO WATFORD.
spire at the west end ; and was founded by Lanfranc,
Archbishop of Canterbury, in the reign of William the
Conqueror.
On account of the delightful prospect which the
churchyard affords, it is a place of frequent resort.
There, on the serene evenings of summer, leaning on
the moss-covered tombstone, may be seen the ardent
lov'er of nature gazing with rapture on her peerless
beauties. The wide rich valley through which the
Thames rolls its mighty waters stretches before him in
all its incomparable loveliness ; the high grounds and
richly wooded scenery in the neighbourhood of Stan-
more bound the view towards the north ; and on the
south and south-west the eye ranges with delight over
a charming variety of landscape in Middlesex and
Berkshire. But there is also thrown over the whole
scene a deep and overpowering interest by the lofty
turrets of the royal castle of Windsor rising in the
distance, and the mighty metropolis reposing in stillness
with all its busy myriads and swelling bosoms. Other
scenes may vie with this in loveliness, but certainly
none can be viewed with deeper interest.
Upon leaving Harrow station Little Stanmore
appears on the right. It is a small village, containing
876 inhabitants. The church is an elegant little
structure, partly erected by the munificent Duke of
Chandos, who bestowed some very costly decorations
on the interior. For its consecration Handel com-
posed the sacred drama of Esther ; and within its
walls is a vault constructed by the Duke of Chandos
for the members of the Handel family. Great Stan-
more is two miles distant, and stands in a very
LOISDON TO WATFORD. 21
elevated position, and in a neighbourhood abounding
with handsome seats and villas. It is celebrated as
being the place at which, on the conclusion of the late
war, Louis XIV. had his first interview with the Prince
Regent, the Emperor of Iiussia, and the King of
Prussia. The respectable village of Edgeware, con-
taining 591 inhabitants, lies at a distance of half a
mile from Little Stanmore ; and from its favourable
position with regard to the metropolis, is become
the residence of numerous opulent and respectable
families. It stands on the line of the Roman Watling-
street : as does also the neighbouring village of Elstree,
which is said to have been first erected out of the ruins
of tlie ancient city of SuUoniacim, of which there are
still some vestiges about one mile southward.
After passing through a short cutting the little
village of Hatchend, which closely adjoins the railway
on the right, appears pleasantly situated on the gentle
slope of a hill. The bridge, beneath which we are
here carried, connects Hatchend with the village of
Pinner, which, with the trees scattered around it, and
the rich foliage of Pinner Park, forms a landscape of
very considerable beauty. Beyond Pinner, but not
visible from the line, is the village of Ruislip ; and
three miles and a half furdier south the town of
L^xbridge.
By looking back the last glimpse may now be
obtained of Ilarrow-on-the-IIill. On the left appears
Oxhey Ridge. This ridge is part of a chain of hills
which extend from Chipping Barnet to Uxbridge, and
for a considerable distance form the b(mndary be-
tween ^Middlesex and Hertfordshire, The materials
c 3
22 LONDON TO WATFORD.
of which they are composed are principally sand and
clay ; and it was on account of the difficulty of carry-
ing a tunnel through such a description of ground,
that the railway was made to cross them by a cut-
ting, notwithstanding their great elevation. In passing
through this excavation, we cannot avoid being
struck with astonishment at the immense amount
of labour which its construction must have required ;
it being a mile and a half in length, and in many
places between thirty and forty feet deep. It is
crossed by several bridges, the principal of which is
Oxhey-lane bridge, — a noble structure of three arches,
but attracting attention chiefly by its extraordinary
height. A short opening which occurs immediately
after passing this bridge enables us to catch a glimpse
of Oxhey Wood; and, upon the termination of the
cutting, we behold amid some prettily wooded scenery
on the left, the little village of Oxhey, with its anti-
quated chapel and remarkable churchyard, — remark-
able, indeed, if we may place any credit in the
asseverations of a rustic, who solemnly assured us
that its silent denizens were wont to be buried in a bolt
upright posture.
AVe have now entered the county of Hertfordshire ;
and as our elevated position affords us a very extensive
prospect, we have an opportunity of forming a tolerable
estimate of its general appearance. Its beauties are
principally of the gentler sort, and are greatly
enhanced by the villas and ornamented grounds
which abound in every direction. The well-watered
valley of the Colne stretching before us forms a pleas-
ing and extensive landscape ; and delightfully situated
LONDON TO WATFORD. 23
at the western extremity of the valley, may be distin-
guished the market town of Rickmansworth. We
may observe, respecting Rickmansworth, that the
manor originally formed part of the demesne of the
Saxon kings, and was bestowed by Offa, of Mercia,
upon the abbot and monks of St. Albans ; and that it
subsequently passed through the hands of Ridley, the
martyr, and the notorious Archbishop Bonner. After
crossing Watford Heath, we proceed along Watford
embankment, and obtain a very interesting prospect,
in which the town of Watford in the hollow, and the
church of Watford on the hill, form conspicuous
objects. Moor Hall, the residence of Lord Grosvenor,
may likewise be distinctly perceived among the
distant trees on the left. This splendid mansion has
been the abode of an unusually large number of illus-
trious personages ; it has been successively occupied
by Archbishop Neville, Cardinal Wolsey, the unfor-
tunate Duke of Monmouth, son of Charles the Second,
and by Lord Anson, the circumnavigator.
We now come to the celebrated viaduct over the
Colne ; but if the traveller has been anticipating the
pleasure of beholding it, he will suffer a severe dis-
appointment ; it being totally hidden from the view
of those who rapidly thunder across its lofty arches.
In this respect, the humble pedestrian has the ad-
vantage ; and we can scarcely avoid feeling some
touches of envy when we look down into the valley, and
behold him wandering through the verdant meadows,
and gazing with admiration on the noble structure which
stretches across the stream, and is reflected in the bosom
of its limpid waters. A lovelier and more enchanting
c 4
24 LONDON TO WATFORD.
scene can scarcely be imagined than is presented by this
viaduct, when the sinking sun is diffusing over the face
of nature his richer and more mellowing tints. Nature
always appears most lovely just before she assumes
her sable mantle ; but here, art reposes so sweetly in
the bosom of nature, that the departing sun seems
compelled to throw on them his brightest, sweetest
smile, ere he draws over them the curtain of night,
and leaves them in each other's embrace. The entire
length of the viaduct, which consists of five arches of
thirty feet span, is 300 feet; and its height is no less
than fifty feet above the stream. The view of the
river winding through the meadows on the right is
extremely beautiful, and may in some measure com-
pensate us for the loss of a peep at the viaduct itself.
The Watford embankment, which is continued a
short distance after crossing the Colne, is a work of
immense labour. It is the longest embankment on
the line, being a mile and a half in length, and is in
many places carried over unstable and marshy ground.
The material employed in its formation is chalk, which
substance forms the substratum of the whole of the
county. At the termination of the embankment is
WATFORD STATION.
Distance to Loudon, 17^ — Birmingham, 94| miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES: —
Places W, of Station,
Watford | mile.
RicKMANSwoRTH .. .. 4 miles.
King's Langley .. .. 4| —
Beaconsfield . . . . 13 —
Places E. of Sfaiion.
St. Albans 6 miles.
Abbot's Langley .. .. 3^ —
Hunton Bridge 3^ —
The accommodations at this station, which is the
first principal one on the line, are much superior to
LONDON TO WATFORD.
25
those at Harrow; and the arrangements with respect
to entermg and leaving the carriages, are very similar
to those which are observed at Euston Grove.
The town of Watford is three quarters of a mile
from the station, and is situate on the banks of the
Colne. It derives its name from its vicinity to Wat-
ling-street, and to a ford over the river, to which its
origin is attributed. It consists of one principal street,
about a mile in length, which is built in a very irregular
manner. Its population is 2,960, which is chiefly
employed in the manufacture of straw plat, and in the
throwsting of silk. The town is bounded on the north
by Cashiobury Park, the grounds of which are exten-
CASHIOEURY AB3EY.
sive, tastefully laid out, and highly ornamented. The
river Gade and the Grand Junction Canal both pass
through them, and it was originally intended that the
26 LONDON TO WATFORD.
railway' should do so likewise ; but the noble pro-
prietor, happening to differ from the directors as to
the picturesque effect of a railway upon a prospect,
opposed them in the House of Lords, and by his
influence there compelled them to abandon their
design.
The hamlet of Cashiobury lies a mile and a half
north-west from Watford, and derives its name from
its having been, in the time of the early Britons, the
seat of Cassibelaunus, king of the Cassii. It was
afterwards the residence of the Saxon kings of Mercia,
and was included by Offa in the possessions which he
gave to the monastery of St. Albans.
Seven miles north of the station is St. Albans, with
the eventful history and numerous antiquities of which
we might fill many pages ; but as our engine is now
beginning to move, we must content ourselves with
remarking, that this venerable city was the metropolis
of ancient Britain ; that it was the scene of the cele-
brated assault upon the Romans by Boadicea, in which
70,000 Britons fell ; and that in its Abbey Church the
tomb of king Offa,* its founder, is still to be seen.
* This prince, whom we have so frequently had occasion to
mention, ascended the throne of Mercia, one of the kingdoms of
the Heptarchy, in 755, and was contemporary with Charlemagne.
He reigned tliirty-nine years, and distinguished himself equally
by his crimes and his acts of piety. He treacherously murdered
Ethelbert, a neighbouring monarch, and then, to appease the re-
morses of his conscience, gave the tenth of his goods to the church,
performed a i)ilgrimage to Rome, and levied the celebrated Peter's
Pence, which the Roman Pontiti" afterwards claimed as a tribute.
— Hume's Hist, of England.
WATFORD TO TRING. 27
CHAPTER in.
WATFOED TO TRING.
Fourteen miles.
And now, having received a fresh supply of water, we
are again "yoked with whiilwinds and the raging
hlast," and sweep the long tract of a narrow ravine,
which appears as if cut in rivah'y of those which nature
in her playful mood has formed among the mountains
of Wales and the higiilands of Scotland. One would
suppose that precipitous banks, sixty feet in height,
would be almost sufficient of themselves to exclude
the light of day ; but after we have passed between
them for upwards of a mile, we are again plunged into
one of those gloomy burrows which afford so sensible
an ilhistration of what is implied in " darkness that
may be felt." The necessity for the construction of
this tunnel arose from the unwillingness of the Earls
of Essex and Clarendon to allow the railway to pass
through their parks ; and accordingly it is usual for the
second class passengers, as the damp and smothering
wind drives against their improtected faces, highly to
extol the rchned taste of these noble peers, and that
nice perception of the picturesque to ^^hich they are
indebted for their delightful subterraneous airing.
The length of this tunnel is one mile and eighty yards,
28 WATFORD TO TRING.
and the number of ventilating shafts is five. Upon
issuing from the tunnel, the traveller will scarcely avoid
noticing the very mean appearance of the northern
entrance compared with that at the southern extremity.
Indeed, it is observable of all the tunnels and bridges
on the line, that they invariably present their most
handsome front to those who are letiving the metro-
polis. When first we remarked this singular cir-
cumstance, we were reminded of Dr. Johnson's
picture of a Scotchman, whom he always repre-
sented as having his face turned to the south ; and
of whom he was accustomed to say, that although
he had some truly wild and romantic scenery in his
native highlands, yet the noblest prospect which
a Scotchman ever beheld was the high road which
led him to England. The excavation continues
for a short distance after emerging from the tunnel ;
and the Hazlewood road is carried across the railway
by a bridge which is more than fifty feet above the
level of the line. Upon the prospect opening on the
left, we behold among the trees the village of Langley
Bury. In the rear may be perceived Grove Park, the
richly w^ooded seat of the Earl of Clarendon ; and
beautifully situated on the distant rising ground is the
ancient village of King's Langley. This interesting
place derives its regal appellation from its having been
the occasional residence of some of the kings of Eng-
land. Henry HI. built himself a palace here, and in
it was born Edmund de Langley, the fifth son of
Edward III., and Duke of York. In the parish
church lie the ashes of the same Duke of York; as did
also the remains of that unfortunate prince, king
WATFORD TO TRING. 29
Richard II., for some time after his tragical death at
Pomfret. To the lovers of the marvellous it may
be interesting to know, that a few years ago this
village and neighbourhood were thrown into consterna-
tion by the discovery of a gigantic human skeleton ;
to account for the existence of which, however it
might puzzle the savans of the British Association,
would doubtless be a matter of very little difficulty
to the ancient Elspeths of such a place as King's
Langley.
We now enter upon an embankment ; and in crossing
Hunton Viaduct obtain an interesting view of the
village of Himton Bridge, reposing in the hollow of a
sylvan amphitheatre. About half a mile beyond this
village may be seen Bury Langley House, the seat of
Francis Whittingstall, Esq., and on the right of the
line a neat edifice called Rose Hill House.
The sight of the Grand Junction Canal, which here
runs close to the line, naturally causes our mind to
turn upon the comparative merits of railways and
canals, and the immense superiority of the former ;
and whilst sweeping across the lofty viaduct, we can
scarcely avoid a smile of contempt as we look down
upon our pitiful rival, —
" Which like a wounded snake drags its slow length along."
What would Brindley, the celebrated canal engineer,
who, when asked why Providence had created rivers,
replied, he supposed it must have been to feed canals —
what would he say, were he to behold one of Stephen-
son's engines flying with the speed of a racehorse, with
a load heavier than was ever placed in the hugest canal
30 WATFORD TO TRING.
boat? He would, one would think, have changed his
mind as to rivers being created to feed canals, and have
made the design of their creation to be that of supplying
water for locomotives. The reign of canals has been
o
short ; it being only eighty years since the first English
Canal Act was passed. Should the triumph of rail-
ways be as short lived, and should travelling by steam
be superseded in another eighty years, by some other
invention as far surpassing it as it does the old
methods of transportation, metaphysicians may begin
to tremble for the tenability of their hitherto undis-
puted axiom, that a person cannot be in two places at
one and the same time. The Grand Junction Canal
will now remain in sight for a considerable distance ;
and, forming a prominent feature in almost every
landscape, will prove an agreeable and interesting
companion.
We now pass Gallows Hill on the right, and after
crossing the viaduct which bears its name, obtain a
view of Abbot's Langley. This village is also on
the right ; and, from the summit of the eminence
upon which it stands, the square tower and short
spire of its ancient church rise conspicuously. The
parish of Abbot's Langley has had the honour of
giving birth to the only Englishman that was ever
raised to the papal crown, namely, Adrian IV. A
little further onwards is Home Park Paper Mill, the
property of Messrs. Longman and Dickenson, who
have several other extensive establishments in the
immediate neighbourhood. The pretty little village
which is seen across the meadows on our left, and
which continues for some time to form an interesting
WATFORD TO TRING. 31
object in the beautiful landscape which lies in that
direction, is King's Langley, of which we have already
given some account. After crossing the King's
Langley Viaduct, we presently come to a bridge over
the Grand Junction Canal, from which the prospect
is extensive and beautiful. On the left, we behold
llickmans worth and Moor Park in the distance, and
Primrose Green and King's Langley in the foreground.
On the right, and near to the line, are Nash Mills ;
a little beyond them a picturesque dingle, called
Boggy Bottom, and in the distance Gorhambury Park,
the seat of Earl Verulam. Mr. Dickenson's handsome
new house, standing on an eminence, and the anti-
(|uated cottages of his workmen interspersed amongst
the trees, and almost covered by the foliage, give con-
siderable interest to the scenery, until it is hidden from
our view by the banks of a slight excavation. Upon
emerging from this cutting, the same interesting
objects again appear in sight ; and with the village of
Two Waters, of piscatory celebrity, and Corner Hall,
surrounded with rich foliage, form an unusually pleas-
ing landscape. The cutting which we now enter is
nearly two miles long, and in some parts forty-five
feet in depth. It is crossed by two bridges; the first
of which supports the road leading from the town of
Ilemel Hempstead to a village called Bovingdon,
which lies three miles west of the line, and contains
a population of 962. Upon gaining once more the
open country, we immediately arrive at the Boxmoor
station.
32 WATFORD TO TRIKG.
Boxznoor Station.
Distance to London, 24^ — Binniugham, 87| miles.
DISTANCES BYROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES: —
Place W. of Station.
Bovington 2| miles.
Places E. of Station.
Hemel Hempstead .. .. li mile.
Redbourue 5| miles.
The moor, from which this station derives its name, is
situated at some little distance from it ; and the sur-
rounding scenery is very different from what we should
expect to find at a place bearing the appellation of
Boxmoor. No wild and barren heath stretches
around : a lovely and fertile valley smiles before us.
As we leave the station, and proceed along the embank-
ment, the charms of the scenery grow and increase.
On the left, Rowdon Common, with the richly wooded
hills v/hich rise beyond it, and the Boxmoor cottages,
almost buried in beautiful foliage, presents a highly
picturesque appearance. Yet this view can scarcely be
said to excel that on the right, in which are comprised
the interesting village of Two Waters ; a considerable
extent of country, interspersed with the pretty cot-
tages of the paper makers ; and the church of Hemel
Hempstead, which lifts its lofty spire among the distant
hills.
The town of Hemel Hempstead is one mile and a
half east of Boxmoor station, and twenty-three miles
from London. Its name is derived from two Saxon
words, hean and hampstede^ and signifies a dwelling
ill a high place. There is no mention of it previous to
the Heptarchy ; but it was included by Offa in the pos-
sessions which he gave to the abbey of St. Albans.
WATFORD TO TRING. 33
A charter of incorporation was granted to its inha-
bitants by Henry VIII. ; a copy of which, as renewed
by Cromwell, is still preserved. The town is pleasantly
situated on the declivity of a hill, and consists princi-
pally of one street, which is nearly a mile in length.
Althoiish its streets do not form those res-ular mathe-
matical figures which we frequently find in the
mushroom towns of a single generation, yet it has
upon the whole a very neat and respectable appear-
ance. The principal article of manufacture is straw
plat; and the number of its inhabitants is 4,75v9.
The church, which forms so pleasing an object from
the railway, is a spacious cruciform structure, with
an embattled tower, and lofty spire. At the west end
is a finely painted window, presented by the eminent
Sir Astley P. Cooper, whose seat is not far from the
town.
Crossing the Box-lane Viaduct we run for a consi-
derable distance by the side of the Grand Junction
Canal, the smooth silvery surface of which forms
another lovely feature in the picturesque scenery of
this beautiful valley. We cross the canal by a hand-
some iron bridge, and continue to proceed along an
embankment, the elevation of which is very favourable
for the prospect. The hamlets of Felden and Long-
croft appear pleasantly situated on the left ; and
Counters End, Hill End, and Pouching End, are suc-
cessively passed on the right. The pretty village of
Eourne End soon afterwards forms an interesting
object on the left; and after passing it, the embank-
ment along which we have proceeded for more
than a mile terminates, after having frequently
D
34 WATFORD TO TRING.
reached a height of from twenty-five to thh-ty feet.
A slight cutting now hides from our sight the land-
scape which has charmed us so much ; but it will
quickly make amends by introducing us to one still
more picturesque. After passing under Haxter End
bridge, the right hand bank of the cutting ter-
minates ; but the country is not visible in the other
direction until we arrive at Bank Mill bridge, when
the bank on the left hand also terminates, and a land-
scape of surpassing beauty bursts upon our view.
The rural cottages of Bank Mill, the unruffled waters
of the canal, and the rippling stream of the Gade, are
in themselves " beautifull exceedinglie ;" but they
appear still more so when contrasted with the dark
rich foliage which envelopes the distant hills. After
we have caught a glimpse of the tower of Berkhamp-
stead church, the town itself, and the ruins of its
ancient castle, we rapidly dart through a cutting,
sweep along an embankment, and arrive at Berkhamp-
stead station.
Berkhampstead Station.
Distance to London^ 27| — Biiiuingham, 84^ miles.
DISTANCES BY KOaDS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES !
Places W. of station.
Chesham 4f niiles.
Amersham li —
High V\ vcojibe .. .. 14f —
Place E, of Station.
Nettledeu 2^ miles.
The elevated position of this station, affords a delight-
ful prospect of the lovely valley in the bosom of which
WATFORD TO THING.
35
the town of Berkhampstead reposes. The mtrinsic
beauties of this romantic vale are in themselves
GREAT BERKHAMPSTEAD.
calculated to excite our warmest admiration ; but the
interest with which we survey it is heightened tenfold
by the remembrance, that in its groves and meadows
the amiable Cowper first imbibed that ardent love of
nature, which breathes throughout his incomparable
poems. This was the scene of his childhood. Here,
where the rushing trains now drown every softer
sound, Cowper was wont to listen undisturbed to the
sweet warblings of the songsters of the grove, as he
wandered pensive and alone by the rippling waters of
the Bulbrooke. What would have been his feelings
had he beheld his lovely valley divided by an artificial
embankment, and sullied with the smoke of steam
engines ! We can imagine a tear bedimming his eye,
D 2
36 WATFORD TO TRIXG.
as he beheld the beauties of nature thus marred by the
hand of man. But too true a lover of his country was
he, to allow the feelings of the poet to predominate over
those of the patriot. As a poet, he might lament the
disfiguring of nature ; but as a patriot, he would exult
in what constituted the glory of his country ; and in-
stead of launching a minstrel's curse on the rude invader
of the lovely scenes of his childhood, he would weave a
poetic wreath for the brow of those who were encircling
the head of Britannia with a halo of glory scarcely less
bright than was gathered around it by those who
fought her battles on the burning sands of Egypt, and
the sultry plains of Hindoostan.
As we have been led to associate poetry with steam,
we will take this opportunity of expressing our surprise
that poetry has not yet presented her tribute to an agent
so powerful and grand. The sons of Apollo have
sung sublimely of those who have wielded the thunder-
bolts of destruction, and shattered the foundations of
society ; and shall no lofty lyre be strung in honour of
those who have drawn its bonds of union closer, and
fixed its foundations deeper and firmer '? It is a
grand sight to behold a master spirit rising from amid
the chaos of anarchy, gathering the scattered elements
of revolutionary fire and fury, and forging them into
one mighty thunderbolt for his own grasp ; but is it
not as noble a sight to behold a fellow mortal gathering
together the elements of nature, and moulding them
into an engine of terrible might, enduing it with the
power of self-motion, clothing it with thunder, winging
it with lightning, and flinging it from his hand as a
specimen of his power '? On such a subject the bard
WATFORD TO TRING. 37
would have no ground to complain of a want of sub-
lime imagery ; and he would have the advantage of
wandering in fields hitherto untrodden by the muses'
feet, and visiting streams as yet untouched and virgin.
Seeing, then, there is so ready a path by which the
wanderer on Parnassus may reach its loftier cliffs, may
we not expect that the next immortal poem which
shall issue from the British press, will begin with —
I slug the Railway, I who lately sung, —
—we will not say, " Thalaba," "The Pelican Isle,"
or, the " Corn Law Ehymes," through fear of dis-
couraging those whose brows have never yet been
shaded by an olive wreath.
The town of Berkhampstead, in which the author
of "The Task" was born, is beautifully situated in
the bottom of a deep valley on the left of the line.
It stands on the banks of the Bulbrooke, and is a place
of considerable antiquity. It was called by the Romans
Durohrwce. Its Saxon name was Berghamstede, sig-
nifying a town standing on a hill ; but as this appears
a rather unaccountable appellation for a town lying in
the bottom of a valley, we must suppose Berc/hamslede
to be a corruption of Burghamstede, which signifies a
town beside a fortress, and then we shall have an
explanation of its name perfectly consistent with its
actual position. The kings of Mercia had a castle
here ; and here, at the time of the Conquest, William
received the submission of Stigand, Archbishop of
Canterbury. A castle was built by Bobert, Earl of
Moreton, to whom the Conqueror gave the town ; but
it was subsequently razed to the ground by Henry I., on
D 3
38 WATFORD TO TRING.
account of the rebellion of Moreton's son. The castle
was rebuilt in the reign of John, and soon afterwards
besieged by the Dauphin of France, who had come
over to assist the barons in their contest with the king.
James I. having selected Berkhampstead as a nursery
for his children, granted the inhabitants a charter of
incorporation ; but they were so impoverished during
the civil wars, that they were unable to maintain their
privileges, and the charter became forfeited. There
are still, on the north side of the town, slight vestiges
of the palace of the Mercian kings ; and at the north-
east end of Castle-street are the remains of the
castle, consisting of elliptical walls, double and
triple moats, and two wide piers, between which was
probably the drawbridge. The church is a spacious
cruciform structure, ornamented with a richly sculp-
tured tower. The population is 2,369, the greater
part of which are employed in the manufacture of
straw plat. The prsenomen " Great" is affixed to this
town to distinguish it from Little Berkhampstead,
which is a small village in the neighbourhood of
Hertford, and twenty miles distant from its superior
namesake.
After leaving this station, we see the houses of the
town extending by the side of the line for a consider-
able distance, whilst White Hill is the most interesting
object in the contrary direction. After crossing the
Berkhampstead viaduct we obtain a distant view of
Wigginton ; and, accompanied by our interesting
companion, the Grand Junction Canal, pass Lady
Grimstone's grounds, which lie on the right. Here
the embankment terminates ; and, after passing under
WATFORD TO THING. 39
an accommodation bridge, we enter a cutting, which
quickly brings us to Northchurch tunnel. As this
tunnel is only a quarter of a mile long, and is made
through a stratum of chalk, we pass through it with
less trepidation than we did its predecessors ; never-
theless we are not at all displeased when the light of
day again bursts through the windows of our carriage,
and we find ourselves once more on an embankment,
with a charming prospect before us. Ashbridge Park,
the seat of the Countess of Bridgwater, lies on the
right ; and on the left the village of Northchurch, with
its pretty towered church. This village, which is also
called Berkhampstead, is a mile and a quarter from
Great Berkhampstead, and contains 1,156 inhabitants.
It is situated in a valley, and is composed principally
of mean cottages. On the top of the western hill are
the small but interesting ruins of Marlin chapel, which
is supposed to have been demolished by Oliver Crom-
well. As we proceed onwards, with Northchurch
Common on our right, we pass Duds well bridge, and
the hamlet from which it takes its name. Here the
embankment terminates, and the line is crossed by
Holybush bridge. Berkhampstead Common lies on
the right ; but is very soon excluded from our view
by a deep excavation. Upon emerging from this
cutting, which is rather more than a mile in length, a
beautiful prospect is unfolded on each side ; but, after
passing Wigginton Bridge, the rich foliage of Ash-
bridge Park, which is now not very distant from the
line, together with Oldbury Wood, and the Chiltern
Hills, form a landscape of still greater beauty. The
simple monument erected by Lady Bridgwater, in
D 4
40 WATFORD TO TRING.
memory of the late duke, may be distinguished amongst
the distant trees in the park. At the foot of the
Chiltern Hills, the summits of which are crowned
with thick plantations, is pleasantly situated the
village of Aldbury. On our left is Pendley Park,
and also the village of Wigginton, near which is an
extensive common, that has been the scene of many
a well-fought battle, even as early as the days of
Roman supremacy. Tring Park next appears on the
same side of the line ; it is beautifully situated among
hills which are clothed with fine beech, and contains
a splendid mansion, which was originally built by
Charles II., for his favourite mistress, Eleanor Gwynn,
but which has since been decorated in a more modern
style. After passing under an elegant three-arch
bridge, connecting two portions of Lady Bridgwater's
domains, we speedily arrive at Tring station.
Tuiis'a sTATzorr.
Distance to London, 31^ — Birmingham, SOJ miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES: —
Places W. of Station. Place E. of Station.
Tring 2i miles. Ivinghoe Smiles.
Meutmore 6| —
Wen DOVER 7l —
Aylesbury 9| —
Princes Kisborough 12| —
At this station the railway reaches its greatest eleva-
tion, being 420 feet above the level of the sea, and 300
above that of Camden Town depot. This elevation is
attained by a series of gradients never exceeding 1 in
330, a section of which the reader will fmd on the
engraved map at the commencement of this volume.
The town of Tring lies two miles west of the railway,
WATFORD TO TRIXG. 41
and contains a poiDulation of 3,488. It is a place of
remote antiquity, and is supposed to have derived its
name from its shape having originally been triangular.
In Alfred's time, it was called Treung^ and was con-
sidered of sufficient importance to give its name to the
hundred in which it was situated. The Roman Ick-
nield Way, leading from Dorchester to Colchester,
passed in its vicinity. It consists of two principal
streets, of which the longer is crossed at its upper
extremity by the shorter. Its appearance is neat,
and its atmosphere very salubrious. The church is a
handsome embattled structure, in the ancient English
style, with a large tower at the west end, surmounted
with a low spire.
Four miles beyond Tring, at the foot of the
Chiltern Hills, and near the entrance of the vale of
Aylesbury, stands the market town of Wendover.
This place contains a population of 2,008 inhabit-
ants. It returned members to parliament, from the
twenty-eighth year of the reign of Edward I., to the
second of Edward II., when the right ceased. It was
restored, however, by the parliament of James I.,
notwithstanding that monarch's declaration " that he
was troubled with too many burgesses already."
During the five parliaments preceding the protectorate,
Wendover "troubled" one of James's successors with
one who durst venture to call a king to account for
daring to trample upon the laws of the realm, — the
courageous Hampden. However, the appearance of
its name in the unlucky schedule A of the Reform
Act has finally disfranchised its 130 potwallopers.
42 TRING TO WOLVERTON.
CHAPTER IV.
TRING TO WOLVERTON.
Twenty-one miles.
Immediately after leaving the Tring station, we enter
a deep cutting through the Chiltern Hills. These
hills are part of a great chain of chalk hills, extending
from Norfolk south-westward into Dorsetshire. They
here form the northern boundary of the basin of the
Colne, and separate it from that part of Buckingham-
shire which is designated the Vale. The almost
impervious nature of the woods with which these hills
were anciently covered, rendered it necessary for the
king to appoint an officer to keep them clear of
banditti, and thus was originated the stewardship of
the Chiltern Hundreds, — an office which still exists,
though its duties have long since ceased. They are
still plentifully wooded, chiefly with trees belonging
to the beech family. In passing through these hills,
the traveller cannot avoid being powerfully struck
with the whiteness of the sides of the cutting, which
will form a striking contrast to the sombre hue
of the cuttinQjs through the Staffordshire coal dis-
trict. Two walls of chalk, sixty feet in height, and
running two miles in a straight line, cannot but
present a very singular appearance; whilst three
bridges spanning the deep chasm serve to remind
the traveller of nothing more forcibly than the
TRING TO WOLVERTON. 43
perilous adventures of the Orkney bird catcliers.
Upon making our exit from this cutting, a great extent
of country becomes visible on both sides of the line,
and the villag-es of Pitstone and Great Seabrook
appear in sight. After admiring the pretty tower and
steeple of Pitstone church, and the variegated range
of the Clipperdown and Wards Combe Hills, we may
cast our eye across Pitstone Green, and behold, in an
elevated situation, on the side of a chalk hill, the town
of Ivinghoe. The manor of Ivinghoe formerly be-
longed, according to tradition, to the Hampden family ;
and the ancient couplet, —
" Tring, Wing, and Ivinghoe did go,
For striking the Black Prince a blow," —
Would seem to intimate that it was Hampden of
Hampden's choleric disposition that occasioned the
loss of his manorial possessions. The population at
present is 1,665; and the only manufacture is that of
straw plat. On the left the tower of Marsworth
church appears among the hilly fields ; and shortly
afterwards the rich vale of Aylesbury opens on our
view, and the eye ranges delighted over a wide extent
of beautiful fields and meadows. The natural fertility
of this vale has been highly extolled, and is almost
unrivalled. It lies between the Chiltern Plills and a
parallel range of hills of calcareous stone, running at a
distance of only a few miles along the western side of
Buckinghamshire. Eich clays and loams compose its
soil, and the greater part of the land is occupied by
grazing and dairy farms.
Proceeding along the side of the canal, we have on
44 TRING TO WOLVERTON.
our left Cheddington Hill, which, for a short time,
hides the village of Cheddington from our view. On
the right, the villages of Eddlesborough, Northall, and
Ivinghoe Aston, lying at the foot of the chalk hills,
form, with Crawley Wood and Clapperdown in the
distance, an interesting landscape. Cheddington
church now appears on the left ; and in the opposite
direction the most favourable view may be obtained of
the town and church of Ivinghoe. The next bridge
beneath which we pass is Cheddington bridge ; and
here, at a distance of thirty-six miles from London, the
Aylesbury Railway joins the London and Birmingham
line. The town of Aylesbury, for the accommodation
of which this branch has been formed, lies nine miles
west of the line. It derives its importance chiefly
from its being the mart for the produce of the rich
vale in which it is situate. In the reign of the
Conqueror it was a royal manor, and some parcels
of it were granted by that monarch upon the extra-
ordinary tenure of providing straw for his bed, sweet
herbs for his chamber, and two green geese and three
eels for his table, whenever he should visit Aylesbury.
The houses are principally of brick, and several hand-
some residences have lately been erected at the
entrances from London and Buckingham. Aylesbury
can boast of a Florist's and Horticultural Society, which
has always been liberally supported ; and of giving the
titles of Earl and Marquis to the ancient family of
Bruce. The church is an interesting structure, in the
decorated style of English architecture. The popula-
tion of the town is 4,907 ; and its only manufacture
is that of bone lace.
TP.IXG TO WOLVERTON. 45
The embankment by which we are crossing Ayles-
bury vale is here upwards of twenty-five feet in height,
and affords an extensive prospect in every direction.
The interesting chalk hills still bound the easterly
view, and the fertile valley extends to the west.
On the right, the village of Mentmore may be distin-
guished on the side of a gentle slope ; and after cross-
ing Horton viaduct, the villages of Horton and Slapton
are on the right, and the first glimpse is caught of the
elegant spire of Leighton Buzzard church. The pro-
spect now embraces the lovely country beyond Leio-h-
ton Buzzard, and the villages of Great and Little
Bellington and Stanton ; but the attention is quickly
diverted from every other object by the appearance of
I.eighton Buzzard itself. After passing Ascot church
on the left, the embankment along which we have been
proceeding during the last six miles terminates ; but
a short cutting soon brings us to another, from which
the prospect is beautiful and extensive. Pottisgrove
and Battlesdon Park appear on the high ground above
Leighton Buzzard ; and on the left, are Ledbury
Green, the village of Wing, which contains 1,152
inhabitants, and the little hamlet of Ascot, where the
Empress Maud founded a Benedictine Priory, which,
after the suppression of monasteries, came into the
possession of Cardinal AVolsey. Another cutting and
another embankment bring us to Leighton Buzzard
station.
46
TRING TO WOLVERTON.
Iieighton Buzzard Station.
Distance to London, 40^ — Birmingham, 7]| miles.
DISTANCES BYROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES: —
Places W. of Station.
Wing 2^ miles.
Stewkley 4i —
Aylesbury 10 —
Whitchurch B —
Mentmore 4 —
Places E. of Station.
Dunstable 8 miles.
Eddlesborough 5i —
Stanbridge 3| —
Great Bnckhill 4i —
The town of Leighton Buzzard, which, with the fine
massive tower and octagonal spire of its noble church,
LEIGHTON BUZZARD CHURCH.
has formed so interesting an object during the last few
miles, lies a little to the north of the station, and is in
TRING TO WOLVERTON. 47
the county of Bedfordshire. It is supposed to be the
same as the Lygcan-hurgli of the Saxon Chronicle,
and its present name is said to be a corruption of
Leigliton Beau Desert. In the centre of the town
there is an ancient and elegant cross, of pentangular
form, and elaborate workmanship ; but concerning
the origin and design of which, both history and tradi-
tion are silent. However, as it is reported to have
existed more than 500 years, and as there was formerly
a cell of Cistercian monks in the neighbourhood, it has
most probably been in some way connected with that
establishment. It was repaired in 1650, the expense
being defrayed by a rate of fourpence, levied on each
of the inhabitants. The chief articles of trade are
timber, iron, lime, brick, and corn, and several females
are employed in making lace and straw plat. The
population is 3,330.
Seven miles from Leighton Buzzard is the town of
Dunstable, so celebrated as the emporium of those
unclassic coverings of the female face which have con-
tributed more to produce the marble complexion of
" the pale unripened beauties of the north," than even
the unkindness of Phoebus, whom the poets of softer
climes roundly charge with this direful crime. It was
formerly distinguished for the number of its inns, and
was wont to derive considerable wealth from the
numerous travellers in whose route it lay ; but it has
now, in a great measure, suffered the fate of Babylon,
when Cyrus had cut off the waters of the Euphrates, —
the tide has been turned into a difierent channel.
With regard to antiquity, Dunstable will yield to no
town we have yet described. The ancient Britons
48 TRIXG TO WOLVERTON.
had a settlement here, called Maes Gtvyn, or the
" White Field," and with which the Magiomnium of
Antoninus is thought to have been identical. The
derivation of its present appellation has been a subject
of controversy ; some deriving it from Dun., a hill, and
staple, a commercial mart ; whilst others contend that
the first syllable was the name of a famous freebooter,
who spread terror through this neighbourhood in the
reio-n of Henry I. The town was rebuilt by Henry
after he had cleared the country of robbers ; and by him,
also, a royal residence was erected, and a priory of Black
Canons was founded. In the chapel of our Lady at the
Priory, Archbishop Cranmer pronounced the sentence
of divorce between Henry VIH. and Catharine of
Arrao-on. The church, which is now almost all that
remains of the ancient Priory, was originally a magnifi-
cent and extensive cruciform structure ; but after
Henry VIII. had abandoned a design which he had
had of converting it into a cathedral, a considerable
part of it was demolished. The remains consist of
the west front, the nave, and two aisles ; and exhibit
both the Norman and the early and later English
styles of architecture. The town of Dunstable con-
sists of four principal streets, which intersect each
other at right angles, and correspond exactly with the
four cardinal points. Its population is 2, 11 7.
Upon leaving the Leighton Buzzard station, we
traverse a larger extent of level country than we have
yet met with ; the inclination during the next fifteen
miles being seldom more than 1 in 1,100. Yet natural
obstacles have not been wanting. The first which
presents itself is Jackdaw Hill, which is perforated by
THING TO WOLVERTON. 49
a tunnel a quarter of a mile in length. The tunnel
is succeeded by a short cutting, the perpendicular
sides of which are sixty feet in height ; and shortly
afterwards we make the sharpest turn which occurs on
any part of the hne. Upon again reaching the open
country, Linslade Wood is seen on both sides of the
line, and Linslade Hall and Church quickly appear on
the right. The village of Linslade has little to recom-
mend it to our notice, unless it be that six centuries
ago it was highly celebrated on account of a holy well
to which our deluded forefathers were wont to make
many a long and toilsome pilgrimage.
The next object to which we would direct the atten-
tion of the traveller, as we pass through some common-
place scenery, is the town of Great Brickhill, standing
on one of the hills which lie to the right. In the same
du-ection, but close to the line, is Stoke Hammond ;
whilst on the left are Stewkley, Soulbury, and Lis-
combe Park. Of these places the most important is
Stewkley : it has a population of 1,053, and is deserv-
ing of notice on account of its church being one of
the most enriched and complete specimens of the
Norman style of architecture now existing. Near the
town is a lime quarry, which would probably repay a
visit from those who are fond of geological researches,
as there have been found in it many curious antidi-
luvian remains, and large fossil shells. Liscombe
Park is the property of Lady Lovatt, and contains a
tine mansion, standing on the brow of a gentle emi-
nence, and commanding a beautiful view of the level
country which is traversed by the railway.
As we proceed, the scenery improves considerably ;
£
50 TRING TO WOLVERTON.
and after passing through a short cutting, and under
one or two accommodation bridges, Great and Little
Brickhill, with the simple spires of their respective
churches, appear on the right, and form interesting
objects in the landscape. The hills on the right are
mantled with rich foliage, and the little village of
Bow Brickhill can just be discerned peeping from
amongst it. In the contrary direction there is little to
attract attention, save the spire of Stewkley church,
and a distant windmill, which marks the site of Drayton
Parslow. As the line now preserves a rectilinear
course for several miles, the traveller who is willing to
venture his head out of the window of the carriage, at
the risk of its assuming the appearance of that of the
luckless rider of Edmonton, may have an uninterrupted
prospect of the railway, with the cuttings through
which it passes, almost as far as Denbigh Hall. We,
however, would advise him to suspend his observations
until he can make them at Bletchley station, without
putting his hat and wig into jeopardy.
Bletcliley Station.
Distance to London, 47 — Birmingham, 65} miles.
J^lSTANCKS BY KOAUS FIIOM TIJIS STATION TO TilK FOLLOVVINU PLACES: —
Plates W. of Station.
Bleti'hley 1 miJe.
Newton Lontrville . . , . 2i miles.
Places E. of Station.
Fenny Stratford. . .. 1 mile.
AVoBURN -5^ miles.
Bow Brickhill 4 —
In taking a survey of the surrounding country from
this station, Bletchley appears close to the line on the
left. On the extreme left, Drayton Parslow can be
distinguished, and a little in advance of it is the village
TRIXG TO WOLVERTON. 51
of Newton Longville. More distant is Whaddon
Chace and Hall, in which Queen Elizabeth was enter-
tained by Arthur Lord Grey ; and in which Spencer,
the poet, who was secretary to that nobleman, fre-
quently resided. The village of Whaddon contains
889 inhabitants, and is celebrated as having been the
birth-place of Richard Cox, one of the principal com-
posers of our English Liturgy, and also as having
given to Villiers, the celebrated favourite of James I.
and Charles I., his first title, namely, that of Baron.
On the right of the station, and standing on a gentle
eminence, at a distance of rather more than a mile, is
the little market town of Fenny Stratford. This place
takes its distinguishing appellation from the nature of
the ground by which it is surrounded. In 1665, it
was almost depopulated by a plague, and it has not yet
recovered from its effects. It at present contains 635
inhabitants, who are chiefly supported by travellers
and lace making.
Continuing our survey from the Bletchley station, the
village of AVater Eaton is seen on the right, in the fore-
ground ; and on the richly wooded hills which rise be-
yond, the three Brickhills are still discernible. In
the beautiful vale beyond these hills, and, of course,
invisible from the railway, stands the healthy town of
Woburn. This town is about six miles from the sta-
tion, and occupies a gentle eminence on the main road
from London to Leeds. It is surrounded with planta-
tions of evergreen, and consists of four broad and
handsome streets, which intersect each other at right
angles. In the centre of the town is a noble market
house, erected by the Duke of Bedford, in the Tudor
E 2
52 . THING TO WOLVERTON.
Style of architecture. The church was erected by the
last abbott of Woburn, and being nearly covered with
ivy, has a remarkably beautiful appearance. In the
immediate vicinity of the town is Woburn Abbey, the
seat of his grace the Duke of Bedford. It occupies
the site of an ancient Cistercian Abbey, and is sur-
rounded by a noble and extensive park ; but to
attempt to describe all the splendid adornments of
this magnificent seat, — the statues, paintings, galleries,
and columns, — the noble Ionic entrance, the artificial
lake, the miniature temple, and all the other valuable
works of art, which unbounded wealth and refined
taste have collected together, — would be very incon-
sistent with the brevity required in a Road Book,
We will, therefore, here conclude our survey, and
suppose ourselves again bounding with the fleetne'ss of
the mountain roe along our iron pathway.
After rapidly sweeping through a cutting, we cross
the London road by a stupendous iron bridge, which
has a most noble appearance from below, and come to
what was formerly known as the Denbigh Hall station.
Here, for several months after the first opening of the
railway, the trains were accustomed to stop, and the
traveller had to adopt the ancient methods of convey-
ance, for the performance of the next thirty-eight
miles of his journey. To describe in all its serio-
comic reality the scene which this now secluded spot
was wont then to present, would require the pen of a
Washington Irving. Luggage lost, tickets missing,
coaches overfilled, and a thousand other disastrous
occurrences, altogether formed a spectacle which we
would defy the most sorrowful disciple of Heraciitus
TRING TO WOLVERTON. 53
to view without a smile. All the busy multitudes,
however, that so lately thronged this spot, and rendered
it a scene of intense animation, have now vanished,
like the fabric of Mirza's vision ; and as we rapidly
sweep by, and look in vain for some tokens of anima-
tion, we are reminded of the feelings which travellers
have had while sitting on the ruins of some ancient
city. The building called Denbigh Hall, respecting
which it is very probable our reader may have formed
the same conception as ourselves, and imagined it to
be the august mansion of some illustrious grandee, is
nothing but a paltry public house, or " Tom and Jerry
shop," as we heard an indignant fellow-traveller con-
temptuously style it, which has taken the liberty of
assuming this magnificent appellation. Tradition
ascribes the origin of the name to the circumstance of
Lord Denbigh having been compelled, to tarry here for
a night, through an accident happening to his car-
riage ; and also inforais us that his lordship left some
property to his host in return for the kindness with
which he had been entertained ; but whether this
story is deserving of credit, or has merely been in-
vented for the amusement of the visiters at this
Denbigh Hall, we pretend not to say. After leaving
this ci-divant station, and passing through a cutting
three quarters of a mile in length, we perceive on the
left the church of Loughton, and also that of Shenstone,
which is a very good specimen of the Norman style of
architecture. Close to the line on the risht is the
village of Bradwell, where was formerly a priory of
Black Canons, founded in the reign of Stephen, and of
which the abbey, transibrmed into a farm house, may
E 3
54 TRIKG TO WOLVERTON.
Still be seen standing on the left of the line. A short
cutting, which is crossed by a bridge handsomely
faced in a rustic style, brings us to Wolverton station.
WOLVEBTOiM STATION.
Distance to London, 52| — Birmingham, 59| miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROJr THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES! —
Places W. of station.
Buckingham.. .'. .. 10| miles.
Bracklet I7| —
Stoney Stratford . . 2 —
Places E. of Station.
Wolverton . . .... . . 1 mile.
Newport Pagnell . . .. 4 miles.
Fenny Stratford .. .. 2 —
Olney 9 —
This being the central, and consequently the most
important station between London and Birmingham,
the buildings connected with it are on a scale of
unparalleled magnificence. In addition to the loco-
motive engine house on the left, where these immense
machines are manufactured, repaired, and kept in
store, there is an extensive depot for goods on the
right, and an area of several acres set apart for the re-
ception of cattle. The style of architecture chiefly
employed is the Doric ; the beautiful simplicity of
which harmonises well with the character of the build-
ings. But no useless ornament is employed : all is
simple, grand, and imposing. Those passengers who
wish to take some refreshment after a ride of fifty-two
miles, have here ten minutes allowed them for that
purpose. The town of Wolverton, hitherto unnoticed
on the map of Great Britain, is now rapidly rising into
importance ; houses are springing up on every side,
streets are being laid out, and a large and busy popu-
lation is rapidly gathering ; whilst its fame as the birth-
place of English fire steeds is spreading through the
civilized world. Previously to the commencement of
TRING TO WOLVERTON. OO
the railway, it contained only 417 inhabitants ; but
now, the railway company alone give direct employ-
ment to nearly a thousand hands.
This station will be found the most favourable for
travellers proceeding to the towns of Stoney Stratford,
Buckingham, Newport Pagnel, and Olney. The first
of these places stands on the banks of the Ouse, one
mile south-east of the station, and contains 1,700
inhabitants. It is celebrated in English history as
having been the place where Eichard III., when Duke
of Gloucester, seized Edward V. It has suffered
greatly from accidental fires, 53 houses having been
burned to the ground in 1736, and 113 in 1742. Prior
to the introduction of v/aggons, it was a noted place of
rendezvous for pack horses conveying goods to London,
and the traflfiic through it is still very great.
Eight miles south-west of Stoney Stratford, is the
ancient county town of Buckingham. Respecting the
derivation of its name, etymologists diflfer widely ; but
it appears most probable that the Saxon JBucca^ which
signifies a stag, lies at the root, since, in the early
ages, the neighbourhood abounded with forests well
stocked with deer. It is pleasantly situated on the
river Ouse, which nearly encompasses the town, and is
crossed by three stone bridges. The trade chiefly
consists in the sorting of wool, the tanning of leather,
and the manufacture of lace. The church stands on
the site of an ancient baronial castle. It is a hand-
some structure, with a square embattled tower, and is
internally elegantly fitted up in the Grecian style of
architecture. Two miles west of Buckingham is Stowe
Park, the magnificent seat of the Duke of Buckingham
E 4
56 TRING TO WOLVERTON.
and Chandos. The mansion was originally built by
Sir Richard Temple, K.B., who died in 1697 ; it was
enlarged by his son, Lord Cobham, and was brought to
its present state of unrivalled magnificence by the late
Marquis of Buckingham. The gardens or pleasure
grounds of Stowe are more celebrated than even the
mansion itself : they comprehend a space of more
than 500 acres ; and contain a broad lake, a beautiful
cascade, and a noble monument to Lord Cobham ;
together with a profusion of statues, temples, and every
species of architectural adornment. A building in the
flower gardens contains the mineralogical and geolo-
gical collections of the Abbe Haiiy, and an immense
number of specimens in every branch of natural
history collected by the Duke of Buckingham.
Newport Pagnell is a well built market town, lying
six miles north-east of the station, and containing
3,385 inhabitants. The latter part of its name is
derived from the family of Paganell, to whom the
manor descended from the powerful baron, William
Fitzansculfy who held it at the time of the conquest.
The church stands on an eminence which affords a fine
prospect of the surrounding country ; and in the
churchyard may be seen the beautiful epitaph, written
by Cowper, on Thomas Abbott Hamilton.
The other town which we mentioned as lying at a
convenient distance from the Wolverton station, was
that of Olney. This town lies ten miles north-east
from the station, and, in common with the two last
mentioned places, stands on the banks of the Ouse. It
has a population of 2,418. The bridge over the Ouse
is a handsome structure, consisting of five large arches,
TRING TO WOLVERTON. 67
and two smaller ones. In the church, which is a large
and ancient edifice, an unusually large number of
celebrated literary personages have regularly officiated ;
amongst whom we may notice Moses Browne, author
of Piscatory Eclogues ; John Newton, the popular
preacher and writer ; Thomas Scott, the celebrated
biblical commentator ; and Kenry Gauntlett, \^ho
wrote on the Apocalypse. Of all the great names,
however, that are associated with Olney, there is
none which recals so many pleasing remembrances as
that of the poet Cowper. It was to this place that he
retired to seclude himself from intercourse with a
world, the rude gaze of which was alone sufficient
to frighten his timid spirit ; and here, under the
pastoral care of the Rev. John Newton, referred to
above, he was in some measure relieved from that deep
religious despondency into which he had foUen, and was
enabled to form truer conceptions of that Divine system
of religion which professes to be to all mankind glad
tidings of great joy. Should our traveller be visiting
Olney, we would sincerely recommend him to pay a
visit to the house and garden of this amiable poet;
and if he has ever dropped a tear on the grave of
Byron's dog, in Newstead Abbey, perhaps he may not
be unwilling to bestow the same tribute of sympathy
on Cowper's hare, in his garden at Olney ; for,
although Puss may not perhaps have been bewailed in
elegiac strains quite so pathetic as those inscribed on
Boatswain's tomb, yet her memory, also, is preserved in
immortal verse, and future ages will hear of her inno-
cent attempts to divert the melancholy of her sorrowful
master.
58 WOLVERTON TO ROADE.
CHAPTER V
WOLVERTON TO ROADE.
Seven miles and a half.
Upon leaving Wolverton station, we behold directly
before us the lofty steeple of Hanslope church, which,
in point of conspicuousness, may almost vie with that of
Harrow church. The delightful prospect which is now
unfolded before us in every direction, includes Brad-
well Wharf, Linford, and Mill Mead, on the right, and
the village of Wolverton on the left. After crossing
the Grand Junction Canal by a handsome iron bridge,
and the Newport Pagnell and Stratford road by one of
a more ordinary description, we arrive at the stupendous
viaduct over the Ouse valley. This magnificent struc-
ture consists of six arches of sixty feet span, besides
six smaller ones placed in the abutments ; and, to a
spectator in the valley below, presents a most noble
appearance. The view of the surrounding country,
from the viaduct, is also exceedingly interesting.
That on the right is thus beautifully described by a
hand more graphic than ours : —
" Here Ouse, slow winding through a level plain
Of spacious meads with cattle sprinkled o'er,
Conducts the eye along his sinuous course
Delighted. There, fast rooted in their bank,
WOLVERTON TO ROADE. 59
Stand, never overlooked, our favourite elms,
That screen the herdsman's solitary hut ;
While far beyond and overthwart the stream,
That, as with molten glass, inlays the vale,
The sloping land recedes into the clouds ;
Displaying on its varied side the grace
Of hedge-row beauties numberless, square tower,
Tall spire, from w liich the sound of cheerful bells
Just undulates upon the listening ear,
Groves, heaths, and smoking villages remote."
The Task.
One could almost imagine that the poet had written
these lines while leaning on the parapet of the viaduct,
and viewing the distant spire of Haversham church,
and the pretty cottages of Mead Mill. On the left
the scenery is not less interesting. There also —
The Ouse, dividing the well-Avatered land,
Now glitters in the sun, and now retires
As bashful, yet impatient to be seen.
And not far distant is the stupendous embankment
and cast iron viaduct by which the Grand Junction
Canal is carried over the valley ; the towers of the two
churches at Stoney Stratford rise above the viaduct ;
Wolverton is seen amonoj the rich foliage on the ex-
treme left ; whilst the village of Cosgrove appears a
little more in advance, and Castle Thorp in the
distance. After the termination of the Wolverton
embankment, we pass through a short cutting ; and
then proceed along another embankment, through
some finely wooded country, with a fertile valley on
the left, and the village of Hanslope, with its lofty
church spire, which now appears to the greatest
60 WOLVERTON TO ROADE.
advantage, on the right. Another cuttmg. a quarter of
a mile in length, being passed, we discover on the left
the villages of Stoke Bruern, Yardley Gobion, Potters-
bur}^ and Furthro, and also Whittlebury Forest, all
of which are in the distance ; whilst, amongst the
adjacent woodlands, the picturesque village of Grafton
Regis, with the tower of its venerable church, can be
distinctly perceived. This village is celebrated in
history as having been the place where the clandestine
marriage between Edward IV. and the widow of Sir
John Gray, of Groby, was solemnized.
On the right is the village of Hartwell, and the
forest of Salcey, which, together with that of Whittle-
bury, which bounds the view on the left, is under the
superintendence of the Duke of Grafton. These
forests formed part of the ancient woodlands of North-
amptonshire, the remains of which are still very exten-
sive. The three forests of Rockingham, Whittlebury,
and Salcey, occupy 20,000 acres ; and the chaces,
purlieu woods, and plantations, are computed to cover
20,000 more; so that this county contains upon the
whole about 40,000 acres of woodland territory.
The scenery on the left retains its interest for several
miles. The country surrounding Stoney Stratford
forms a fine rear view ; and Easton and Stoke Parks
soon add to the beauties of the landscape. The
former of these, which, till lately, belonged to the
Earls of Pomfret, has been rendered eminent by the
splendid collection of ancient marbles and pictures
with which the mansion was decorated. The statues
were presented to the university of Oxford, in 1755,
by the Countess who was so highly celebrated on
WOLVERTON TO KOADE. 61
account of her literary attainments. Stoke Park is a
highly decorated spot ; and the mansion, which was
erected in the reign of Charles I., is a noble edifice.
Immediately after coming within sight of these parks,
we cross the boniidary line between Buckinghamshire
and Northamptonshire ; and are prepossessed in favour
of the latter county, by the interesting appearance of
some })retty thatched cottages, which stand on each
side of the line, and constitute the village of Ashlon.
Here the embankment, which has extended nearly a
mile, and afforded so many delightful prospects of the
surrounding conn try, comes to a termination. After
})assing through three moderate cuttings, and under
Roade skew bridge, — which is a handsome erection,
faced with dark grey stone, — we reach the Hoade
station,
IlOB.SE STATIC n.
Distance to Loiidou, GO — Birniiiighaii], o'J^ lUilcs.
UlST.VNCtS BY UOADS FEOli THIS STATION TO TUi. iOLLOWl:<G I'LAtES : —
Place Vt'. of Station.
Stoke Bruern liinile.
Places E. of Station.
NORTHAMI'lON b mile;
Piddiiigtou 3i —
The village of Roade, of which a momentary glimpse
might occasionally be caught before arriving at the
station, is a small village on the right of the line, and
contains a population of 553.
62 BOADE TO WEEDON.
CHAPTER VI.
ROADE TO WEEDON.
Nine miles and f.
Very shortly after leaving this station, we enter the
stupendous excavation made through the Blisworth
ridge. As we rapidly sweep through this narrov/
defile, which is one mile and three quarters in length,
and look up at its lofty walls, v/hich are often
sixty feet in height, we cannot help admiring the
astonishing achievements of united physical force,
guided and applied by one directing mind ; and as,
without straining a muscle, we pass with the speed of
the eagle in its swiftest flight, through the heart of
lofty mountains and solid rocks, the pride of our heart
would almost lead us to doubt whether w^e belong to
the same order of beings as the uncivilized savage, who
has no pathway through the desert save the track
formed by his own and his forefathers' feet, and which
he uses in common with the wild beast of the wilder-
ness. When the open coimtry again appears, the most
interesting scenery lies on the right. Hunsbury Hill,
Dunston W^ood, and Harpole Hill, with the village of
Wooton, among the hills, and the conspicuous village
of Milton, or Middleton, and its neat church, form a
landscape which is far from being void of beauty.
Bugbrook Downs appear in advance ; and Gayton
ROADE TO WEEDON. 63
church, standmg on the rising ground, throws that
interest over the landscape which the appearance of a
sanctuary, however humble, always bestows. Imme-
diately before our arrival at Biis worth station, we catch
a glimpse of the pretty village of Blisworth, which,
standing on the gently sloping ground on the right,
has a very lovely appearance. The number of its
inhabitants is 769.
Blisv^ortli Station.
Distance to London, 63i — Birmingham, 48| miles.
DISTANCES BYROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THR FOLLOWING PLACES:
Placs W. of station.
Gayton 1^ mile.
TowcESTER 4 miles.
Places E. of Station.
Middleton,oi- Milton Malson 1 mile.
Rothersthoipe Smiles.
Three miles and a half south-west from this station,
on the banks of the Tove, is the ancient market
town of Towcester. From the coins and other rehcs
which have from time to time been discovered in its
neighbourhood, it is supposed to be of Eoman origin.
In the church is a monument of Archdeacon Sponne,
who held the living in the reign of Henry VI., and who
conferred much posthumous benefit upon his fellow
townsmen, by the large amount of property which he
devoted by his will to the paving of the town, the estab-
Ushmcnt of a free grammar school, and other public
purposes. The population amounts to 2,671, who are
chiefly supported by the manufacture of bobbin lace,
boots, and shoes.
Upon leaving Blisworth station, we proceed along
an embankment, which terminates after we have crossed
the Grand Junction Canal. We then run by the little
64 T^OADE TO WEEDOX.
village of Gayton Wharf on the left, glide rapidly
through a short excavation, and enter the wide ex-
panse of beautiful country called the valley of the Nene.
The prospect is interrupted on the left by a ridge of
hills which approach close to the line ; but on the right,
and in advance, it comprises an extent of many miles.
The eye, in ranging over the wide valley, views with
delight the wide sweep of gentle hills forming its distant
boundary, and the broad and verdant meadows skirt-
ing the stream which winds through its capacious
bosom. The tract of meadow land which commences
in this part of the valley, attends the Nene in the
whole of its progress through the county, and, by
reason of its sinuosity, exceeds sixty miles in length.
The river Nene is the principal one in Northampton-
shire : it becomes navigable at Northampton ; and,
alter crossing the Isle of Ely, and forming part of the
western boundary of Norfolk, falls into that part of the
German Ocean called the Wash.
The principal villages now comprised within the
j&eld of vision, and which, in succession, become
clearly distinguishable, are Rothersthorpe, Dunston,
Harpole, Upper Classthorpe, and Great Brington, on
the brow of a distant hill. In the extreme distance,
five miles from the railway, and scarcely distinguish-
able, except under very favourable circumstances, is
the town of Northampton, the capital of the county.
The derivation of the name of this town has
had very little light thrown upon it by the in-
vestigations of the most acute philologists. Some
have supposed Northampton to be a contraction of
North Aufonto7i, Aufona being the ancient name of
ROADE TO WEEDON. 65
the river Nene upon which it stands. This etymo-
logy having a somewhat clumsy appearance, others
have maintained that Ilamtune was the name of
the town in the time of the Saxons, and that North
was prefixed to distinguish it from other towns of the
same name. To give a tolerable historical account of
a town which has been the scene of so many remark-
able events as Northampton, would require several
chapters, rather than a solitary paragraph. Suffice it
to say, therefore, that it is a place of very great antiquity ;
that it was burned by the Danes in 1010; sacked by
the Northumbrians, under Earl Morcar, in 1064; and
strongly fortified in the reign of Vrilliam the Con-
queror; since which time it has frequently been
honoured by the presence of royalty, and the conven-
tion of councils and parliaments. The decisive battle
between the houses of York and Lancaster, in which
Henry YI. was defeated and taken prisoner, was fought
near the town; and many of the illustrious personages
who fell on the king's side, amongst whom were the
Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Shrewsbury, Yiscount
Beaumont, and Lord Egremont, were interred in St.
John's Hospital, and the Church of the Grey Friars.
In 1675, an accidental fire consumed 600 houses, and
is calculated to have done damage to the amount of
£150,000. The effects of this catastrophe, however,
were soon repaired by the munificence of Charles II.,
and the vigorous exertions of the Earl of Northampton ;
and from the ashes of the old town rose the clean,
regular, and handsome streets which now excite the
admiration of every beholder. The town is divided
into four nearly equal portions by two spacious streets,
F
66 ROADE TO WEEDON.
which are nearly a mile in length, and which intersect
each other at right angles. The County Hall is an
admirable specimen of the Corinthian order. The
churches are four in number, namely ; All Saints', a
spacious Grecian edifice of the Ionic order, built soon
after the fire, and containing a statue of Charles II.,
and another of the Right Hon. Spencer Percival, grace-
fully sculptured in marble by Chantrey ; St. Giles', a
large cruciform structure, displaying various styles of
English architecture ; St. Peter's, supposed to have
been erected about the time of the Conquest, and ex-
hibiting a most beautiful and perfect specimen of the
Norman style of architecture, of which, indeed, some
of the finest models may be found in its exquisitely
wrought details ; and St, Sepulchre's, which is sup-
posed to have been built by the Knights Templars,
after the model of the church of the Holy Sepulchre,
at Jerusalem. The principal charitable institutions
are, the General Infirmary, a handsome building of
white stone, erected and fitted up at an expense of
nearly £25,000, and the hospitals of St, John and
St. Thomas a Becket ; together with various educa-
tional establishments, supported by subscription and
endowment. The population is 15,351 ; and the
principal articles of manufacture are boots and shoes,
stockings and lace.
Proceeding along the western declivity of the valley
of the Nene, the village of Bugbrook, the church of
which appears half hid among the trees, lies close to
the- line on the right. Its population is 863. On the
left, the elevated tract called Bugbrook Downs inter-
rupts the distant view, until a slight opening occurs,
ROADE TO WEEDON. 67
when we are enabled to see as far as Littleborouffh
Hill. The village of Littleborough now contains only
451 inhabitants ; but was formerly a place of consider-
able importance, having been one of the four garrisoned
towns which the Saxons took from the British in 571.
Two miles east of Litchborough, but not visible from
the railway, are the villages of Higham and Pattishall ;
and about one mile in a northerly direction is
Farthingstone, — a little village which is interesting
to the antiquary on account of the ruins of a
Saxon fort which lie in the neighbourhood, and
two subterranean chambers, which have lately been
discovered.
In crossing the viaduct over the Harstone Brook,
we obtain a favourable view of the aqueduct by
which the Grand Junction Canal is carried over the
same stream. A short cuttino: which follows brinos
us within sight of Upper and Nether Heyford, and
Brington and Harpole Hill, all of which lie on the
right. We Hhen rapidly sweep by the foot of
Alderman Hill, and suddenly plunge into the jaws of
Stowehill tunnel. This tunnel is 500 yards in length,
and passes nnder the great Holyhead road. The
village of Stowe lies about a mile to the left. It is
called Stowe-Nine-Churches, from the manor having
had nine advowsons appended to it in the time of
Henry VII. Upon issuing from this tunnel, a land-
scape of extreme beauty is presented to the eye : the
canal approaches close to the line on the right ; and a
semicircle of woodland hills encloses a wide and
fertile vale of surpassing loveliness. The embank-
ment by which the railway is carried across the valley,
p 2
68 ROADE TO WEEDON.
commences simultaneously with that of the Grand
Junction Canal; and as they run nearly parallel
with each other, they form an artificial valley, from
which all view of the surrounding country is totally
excluded. Among the unfortunate buildings thus
shut out from the world, is the church of Weedon,
the beauties of which the traveller along the turnpike
road would formerly stop to admire ; but of which
he can now distinguish nothing save the top of the
tower. After passing this incarcerated beauty with a
smile of pity, we come within view of the village of
Weedon, which lies close to the line, in a valley on the
left ; and, after crossing the viaduct over the Nene,
are struck with the imposing appearance of its ancient
thatched cottages, and extensive ranges of modern
barracks.
"WEEDOS^ STATION.
Distance to Loudon, 69 J — Birmingham, 4'i| miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE lotfLOWlNG PLACES: —
Places W. of Station.
Weedon Beck i mile.
Stowe U —
Davf.ntry 4 miles.
Cold Higham '^I ~
Towcester 8| —
Southam 11 —
Places E. of Station.
Floore f mile.
Northampton . . . . 7;| miles.
CLuich Brampton . . . . 7| —
The large village of Weedon, containing 1,439 inha-
bitants, is divided into Upper and Lower Weedon.
The latter is bisected by the railway, and the former
lies at a short distance on the left. It possesses con-
siderable claims to antiquity, and is supposed by
Camden, the celebrated antiquary of Queen Elizabeth's
time, to have been the Beneeenta of the liomans.
ROADE TO WEEDON. 69
The village, however, is chiefly interesting to the
stranger on account of its Royal Military Depot.
This magnificent establishment, which is supposed to
be equal to any of the kind in Europe, consists of a
handsome centre and two detached wings, and is
capable of containing 240,000 stand of small arms,
with a proportionate quantity of artillery and ammu-
nition. The barracks, in which troops are continually
kept for the protection of the place, stand on the top
of the hill, and are intended to accommodate 500 men.
A cut made from the Grand Junction Canal to the
magazines, for facilitating the conveyance of stores,
gave considerable trouble to the engineers of the
railway, by its having to be crossed at a height very
little above its own level. This object was, however,
at last effected by means of a drawbridge, of peculiar
construction and extraordinary strength.
Four miles west of the Weedon station is the
ancient town of Daventry. The name is a corruption
of Drvy-avon-tre, which, in the ancient British lan-
guage, signified the town of the two Avons, and
evidently refers to its situation between the sources of
the Leam, which falls into the western Avon, and the
Nene, the ancient name of which was Aufona, or Avon.
It was a place of considerable importance at the time
of the Conquest, and has since been the scene of many
important transactions, especially during the civil
wars of the seventeenth century. It stands on a gentle
eminence, sheltered on three sides by surrounding
hills ; and consists of two principal and several smaller
streets. The population is 3,646 ; one half of which
are employed in making shoes, and a considerable por-
F 3
70 ROADE TO WEEDON.
tion of the remainder in the manufacture of whips.
The government is vested in a corporation, which was
first granted by King John.
The stranger in Daventry, whether the objects
which he delights to contemplate be nature in the beau-
tiful robe thrown over her by the hand of her Creator,
or the venerable relics of other days, surrounded with
the fascinating charm which the scythe of Time com-
municates to whatsoever it fails to destroy, must on
no account omit a visit to Borough Hill. There,
with the town of Daventry at his feet, he can command
a noble and beautiful prospect as far as Naseby,
Northampton, Weedon, and Coventry ; and there he
may spend hour after hour in examining the remains
of an ancient Roman camp, broken ramparts thrown
up by Roman hands, and vestiges of British and
Roman tombs and dwellings. Stoical, indeed, must
he be v/ho can lean on one of these ancient ramparts,
surrounded by the tombs of his ancestors, and gaze,
without emotion, on the wide landscape smiling still
with just the same loveliness that it did when the
silver eagle of Rome glittered on the top of the
mount, and the proud chieftains of Britain scowled
on the symbol that told they were slaves. If the be-
holder be at all gifted with the powers of imagination,
fifteen centuries will vanish before him, and he will
fancy he is gazing on the woods and valleys where
naked barbarians are lurking, and savage rites are
being celebrated; but one glimpse of the railway
stretching across the plain, and the little white cloud
rising from the steam engine, will dissolve the spell,
and bring a change o'er the spirit of his dream ; he
ROADE TO WEEDON. 71
will remember the ages that have rolled away, the
changes which have taken place, and the mighty
stride the intellect of man has taken, since the war
chariots of Caractacus dashed across the plain now
swept by the almost omnipotent steam engine.
F 4
72 WKEDON TO RUGBY.
CHAPTER VII.
WEEDON TO KUGBY.
Thirteen miles and a half.
Leaving Weedon station, we pass close to the
barracks and officers' rooms, go under the North-
ampton and Daventry road, and enter a lengthened
cutting. Through occasional openings in the right
hand bank, we now and then catch a glimpse of
Brington Hill, Floore Hill, and Brockhall Park, the
seat of S. R. Thornton, Esq. Upon emerging from
this cutting, the commanding hill on the right, upon
the brow of which Great Brington stands, is the most
interesting object; but the hilly country on the left
presents us with nothing of an attractive nature.
After the Holyhead road has crossed the line at a very
great angle, we pass through Mr. Thornton's beautiful
grounds, and have our eyes charmed with the richness
of its foliage, — and ought to have our ears also de-
delighted with the lofty carolings of its feathered
inhabitants ; since, on the fine evenings in summer,
the sweet warblings of these songsters of the grove,
with the occasional accompaniment of the trumpet at
the distant barracks, are said to form an harmonious
and delightful concert : but the humble pedestrian
only need expect to enjoy it; for the railway tra-
veller will be sadly disappointed if he calculates
WEEDON TO RUGBY. 73
upon hearing any melody more euphonious than
the snorting of the engine, and the rattling of the
carriages.
The mansion of Brockhall presents its front to the
railway, and has an imposing appearance surrounded
with the large trees of the park. Brockhall Hill, and
the village of Whilton, fonii the distant view on the
right ; whilst in the opposite direction is the village
of Hall Norton, visible among the trees, and the town
of Daventry, hid from our view by Borough Hill
of which we have already spoken so largely. After
we have passed "Whilton Wharf, crossed the canal by
a handsome iron bridge, and left Buckby Wharf on
the right, the embankment, along which we have
been proceeding for nearly two miles, terminates, and
we soon afterwards enter Clay Hill cutting. This
cutting soon terminates, and the open country again
appears ; but the only object of interest which is
presented to our view is Borough Hill : this still con-
tinues to be a conspicuous object on the left, when-
ever the view is open in that direction. On the right
lies Watford, a small village, with a population of 353.
Its little church, with several of the houses, can be
clearly distinguished amongst the woods which sur-
round it.
Crick Station.
Distance to London, 73.4 — Birmingham, 38f miles.
DISTANCES BYROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES: —
Place W. of Station.
Ashby St. Ledgers 1 mile.
Places E. of Station.
Crick 2 miles.
Yelvertofl 4 —
West Haddon 5 —
74 WEEDON TO RUGBY.
The village of Crick lies two miles north-east from
the station, and is a place of very little note. The
number of its inhabitants is 945.
The hills which now appear stretching before us,
would seem to interpose an inseparable barrier to
our further progress. They form the separating ridge
between the valley of the Avon and that of the Ouse
and Nene, and contain the sources of rivers which
flow to different sides of the island. In approaching
them we enter a cutting which gradually becomes
deeper and deeper, and at length brings us to the
entrance of the Grand Kilsby Tunnel. This stu-
pendous work is 2,398 yards in length, twenty-four
feet in width, and twenty-two in height. But these
figures, astonishing as they are, can furnish no idea
of the difficulty of the undertaking ; for the varied
nature of the strata to be cut through, and the vast-
ness of the quicksands to be drained, presented diffi-
culties which it is impossible for a person who is
not practically acquainted with undertakings of this
nature duly to appreciate. Whilst contemplating
modern works of such astonishing magnitude as this,
we cannot avoid instituting a comparison between
them and the lauded monuments of antiquity ; and
much as the cyclopean structures of the ancient world
have been admired and extolled, we think they are
equalled, if not surpassed, by many of the stupendous
works which have lately been completed in our own
country. The railway along which we are travelling
is, doubtless, as great a work as the pyramids of
Egypt ; and the tunnel through which we are passing,
is just about the same length as the passage which
WEEDON TO RUGBY. 75
Xerxes cut through Mount Athos, and which occupied
his whole army for three years. Were we to confine
our attention to tunnels alone, we might point to one
on the Grand Junction Canal, 3,080 yards in length ;
another on the Thames and Severn Canal, 4,300 yards ;
and to that on the Huddersfield Canal, which is no
less than 7,000 yards, or nearly four miles in length ; —
works w^hich would not suffer much by a comparison
with the most colossal erections of Egyptian kings, or
the mightiest monuments of primeval pride. The
greater effect which the grandeur of the ancient
structures produces on the mind, arises from the
chief, if not the only, design of those who erected them
having been to create astonishment in the minds of the
beholders ; whilst, in the works of the moderns, utility
alone is aimed at, and it is generally not until after a
process of mental ratiocination that we become duly
aware of their amazing magnitude.
In passing through the tunnel, a gleam of light is
now and then seen descending through the ventilating
shafts which are sunk through the hill. These shafts
are twenty-one in number, and average nearly 100 feet
in depth ; whilst two of them are no less than sixty
feet in diameter. To stand on the top of the hill, and
look down one of these huge caverns, is said to
produce feelings of an awfully sublime and terrific
nature.
Upon the conclusion of our subterranean flight, we
behold a wide extent of well wooded but uninteresting
country. Dunchurch lies about six miles distant on
the left, and we can just distinguish the square tower
of its beautiful Gothic church. Having crossed the
76 WEEDON TO RUGBY.
boundary line between Northamptonshire and War-
wickshire, we pass under Moreton Hill bridge, which
consists of three arches, of fifty-four feet span, and
obtain a view of Dunsland on the right, and Hill
Moreton, with its exceedingly pretty church, on the
left.
As we proceed, the scenery assumes a more inter-
esting character. The village of Lilbourne appears on
the right; and amongst the distant hills beyond it,
lie Yelvertoft, Clay colon, and Elkington. A deep
and rather lengthened cutting brings us opposite the
little villages of Clifton and Newton, which lie at a
short distance on the right. Brov/nsover soon after-
wards appears in the same direction. It stands upon
an elevated spot, near the confluence of the Swift
and the Avon ; and is worthy of notice as being the
birth-place of Lawrence Sheriff, founder of the cele-
brated school at the neighbouring town of Rugby.
The village of Newbold can be distinguished in the
distance ; and the pretty hills on which it stands form
an interesting back-ground. On the right, we can
perceive a few of the houses of Rugby ; and after
having entered upon an embankment, we speedily
arrive at the Rugby station.
KTTGBY STATION.
Distance to London, 83— Birmingliam, 29J miles.
DISTANCES BYROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES: —
Places W. of a tat ion.
EuGBY ^ mile.
Duncburch 3| miles.
Places E, of Station.
Lutterworth Of miles.
Market Harborocgh. . 17| —
Leicester 17| —
WEEDON TO RUGBY. 77
The Lutterworth road passes beneath the railway at
this station, and the beautiful bridge by which the
line is carried over it, is in the purely Gothic style of
architecture. The introduction of this style into the
building of a bridge, had to us an exceedingly novel
appearance, accustomed as we had been to associate
its massy pillars and high embovved roof —
" With those deep solitudes and awful cells
"Where heavenly pensive Contemj^lation dwells,
And ever musing Melancholy reigns."
The reason of so gorgeous a style being employed in
the construction of this bridge, arose from the desire
of the trustees of the Rugby school, that it should har-
monise with the buildings of that institution : they, at
the same time, giving £1,000 towards the increased
expenditure.
The town of Rugby is pleasantly situated upon
rising ground, on the left of the line. It is supposed
to have been one of the many fortresses erected in the
reign of Stephen, and to have derived its name from
Henry de Rokeby, who possessed it in the following
century. The streets present an incongruous mixture
of modern brick houses, and ancient plastered edifices
with thatched roofs. The latter, however, arc rapidly
decreasing in number, and several entirely new streets
have been formed during the last few years. The
church is an ancient structure, m ith a massive square
and embattled tower, and is built in the early style of
English architecture. The population of the town is
2,501. The Grammar School, which we have already
mentioned, and by which especially Rugby is distin-
78 WEEDON TO RUGBY.
guished, is a noble and magnificent establishment. It
was founded in the reign of Elizabeth, and endowed
with about eight acres of land, near the Foundling
Hospital, in London, which produced, at that time, a
very inconsiderable revenue. This revenue, however,
like that of many other institutions similarly endowed,
has gradually increased, as the land has become more
valuable ; and the trustees of the institution have now
the annual disposal of no less a sum than £5,000.
The trustees are twelve in number, and have the ap-
pointment of the masters, and the general superintend-
ence of the school. The head master has a fixed
salary of £113. 6s. 8d., together with a house and
land, besides an annual payment of six guineas per
annum, for every boy on the foundation. Of the
classics, there are six assistant masters ; and the
various modern languages, writing, drawing, and
mathematics, have each their respective teachers.
The number of boys receiving instruction in the
school is usually about 300 ; of whom there are seldom
more than fifty or sixty foundationers. Those boys
only are eligible to the school who reside within five
miles from the town, if in the county of Warwdck, or
within ten miles if in any other county. Belonging to
the establishment are twenty-one exhibitions, of £60.
per annum, and several fellowships, amounting in the
aggregate to £1,000. per annum. The present mag-
nificent edifice was erected in 1808, and forms a noble
range of building in the Elizabethan style of archi-
tecture. The group is of a quadrangular form, and
consists of spacious and lofty school rooms, — extensive
apartments for the masters, — and an elegant chapel of
WEEDON TO RrGB\". 79
more modernized appearance, splendidly decorated in
the interior, and containing a monument, by Chantrey,
of Dr. James, the late head master of the school.
Lutterworth, a market town in Leicestershire, lies
seven miles north-east from the station, on the small
river Swift, and contains 2,262 inhabitants. It is
chiefly interesting to the stranger as having been the
scene of the venerable WicklifFe's pastoral labours,
and the place where he first promulgated his glorious
doctrines. In the church are preserved, his portrait,
the communion cloth which he was accustomed to
use, the pulpit in which he preached, and the chair in
which he died. The bones of the reformer once rested
here also ; but after they had quietly reposed for
forty years, the sanctity of the grave was violated, the
poor remains of what once was Wickliffe were raised
from their peaceful bed, and by the order of the
Council of Constance publicly burned, to show the
detestation in which the Court of Rome held his
doctrines, and what they would do to his soul if they
could reach it with their anathemas. His ashes were
then scattered on the waters of the river, and thus dis-
persed over every part of the globe, emblematical, as
the event has proved, of the still more extensive diffu-
sion of the principles which he taught.
Near this station it is intended that the London and
Birmingham Railway should be joined by the Midland
Counties Railway. This railway will pass through
Leicester, Loughborough, and Nottingham, and, by
means of a branch to Derby, will join the North Mid-
land line, and thus open a communication with York-
shire, and the other northern counties.
80 RUGBY TO COVENTRY.
CHAPTER YIIT.
RUGBY TO COVENTRY.
Ten miles and |.
The embankment upon which we entered before
arriving at the Rugby station, continues for a short
distance after leaving it, and affords a very pretty pro-
spect of the valley on the right, in which the Swift
and several other small rivers from Northamptonshire
and Leicestershire unite their waters to form the
Avon. Newbold-upon-Avon appears prettily situated
on the opposite side of the valley ; and across the
fields on the left, the spire of Bilton church can be
perceived, rising above the surrounding woods.
Bilton is celebrated as having been the residence of
Addison, during the latter part of his life, and the
place where he wrote his admirable " Evidences of
the Cliristian Religion," — in which we behold the
brightest star that ever shone in the firmament of
British literature, veiling its brightness with the love-
lier rays of sanctified erudition and ingenuous piety.
Long Lawford cutting interrupts the prospect for
about half a mile ; at the conclusion of which we pass
under Long Lawford bridge, and perceive the village
lying close to the line on the right. There are three
Lawfords; Long Lawford, Church Lawford, and
Little Lawford; of which, the two former only can be
RUGBY TO COVENTRY. 81
seen from the railway. Balbrook Grange also appears
on the right ; and Mount Pleasant gives a somcwhai
pleasant appearance to the otlierwise tame scenery on
the left. After another deep cutting, the scenery on
the right assumes features of increased interest. The
eye ranges over a considerable extent of beautiful
rising ground in the distance ; whilst, in the fore-
ground, it rests with delight upon the rich charms of
the valley through which the Avon rolls its sacred
flood. There are many Avons to be found in the
kinfrdom ; but the vallev along^ which v/e are now
proceeding, is the valley of ^/^6' Avon, — the Avon upon
whose sunny banks —
" Sweetest Shakspeare, Fancy's child,
Y^'arbled liis native Avood-notes wild."
As we rapidly glide along so sacred a vale, we would
fain suspend our description for a moment, that the
traveller may give the tribute of a reverential pause to
the memory of the bard with whose immortal name the
Avon will for ever be associated. When, on our
solitary walks, we never can pass a spot where genius
has poured forth its magnificent creations in lofcy
strains of impassioned poetry, without seeming to
feel—
" Those god-like breathings in the air,
Which mutely tell her spirit hath been there."
And, notwithstanding the desperately prosaic character
of a railway, the cacophonious rattling of the carriages,
and the whirlwind rapidity of our flight, we cannot
look down into the valley where Shakspeare sung,
G
82 RUGBY TO COVENTRY.
without peopling the lofty elms which shade the banks
of his gentle Avon with the shades of kings and
heroes moving along in the sceptred pomp of tragedy,
whilst all the passions throng around them, " filled
with fury, rapt, inspired."
Five miles from Kugby the Brandon embankment
commences, which is two miles in length, and affords
some beautiful prospects. The village of Bretsford,
with its rich woodlands, and the more remote Brink-
slow, form the first pretty scene on the right. On the
left, the country has the same sylvan appearance, the
fields being, in general j separated from each other by
rows of goodly timber trees ; and amongst the profu-
sion of foliage, the house of Mr. Hemming, the con-
tractor, and the village of Wolstone, can be distinctly
perceived.
Brandon Station.
Distance toLondou, 89 — Birniiugham, 234 ™iles.
DISTANCES BYROADS FEOM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES: —
Places W, of fetation.
Wolstone h, mile.
J^ylon.. 2" miles.
Places E. of Station.
Brinklow 2^ miles.
Church Lawford . . . . 3 —
Brandon Wood bounds the prospect in the direction
we are travelling, and the village of Brandon quickly
appears on the right of the line. The railway here
crosses the Avon, by a noble viaduct of fifteen arches ;
and for a while that river gives a highly picturesque
character to the scenery on the left ; but it very
soon stretches avray into the distant country. . We
now have Ryton Wood before us ; and in the fore-
ground, on the left, appears the tower of Eyton
RUGBY TO COVENTRY. 83
church. Upon a little hill on the right, are the re-
mains of what once was Brandon castle. This for-
tress was first built soon after the conquest, was
destroyed in the reign of Henry III., and having b?tn
subsequently rebuilt, was finally destroyed by Cromwell,
who is said to have built the neighbouring church out
of its ruins. We now have Ryton Wood on the left,
Willenhall Wood in the distance, and Brandon W^ood
on the right. These woods form part of the fev/ re-
mains of the mighty forest of Arden, which anciently
stretched from the Severn on the one hand, to the
Trent on the other.
After passing through a cutting about three
quarters of a mile in length, and which is crossed,
at a very great angle, by a handsome skew bridge,
we enter a wide extent of open country, and catch
the first glimpse of the Coventry spires. From
the embankment along which we now proceed, we
can also see on the right. Stoke, Ernsford Grange,
Binley, and the woods surrounding Combe Abbey.
The last mentioned place takes its name from a reli-
gious house of the Cistercian order, which formerly
existed there, and which was founded in the reign of
King Stephen. Some remains of the cloister still
exist, and upon the site of the ancient building, a
splendid mansion has been erected, of which Earl
Craven is the present proprietor. After passing the
seat of " Squire Goodall, the banker,*' also on the right
of the line, we cross the Sow by a beautiful viaduct,
of seven arches, and obtain a favourable view of
Baginton Hall, the residence of the Bev. W. D.
Bromley, embedded in the dense woods on the left,
G 2
84 RUGBY TO COVENTRY.
The village of Baginton contains 257 inhabitants.
The castle, which it anciently possessed, was, in the
reign of "Richard II., honoured with the presence of
the Duke of Hereford, afterwards Henry IV., on the
eve of the day appointed for the combat, which was to
take place at Coventry, between him and the Duke of
Norfolk. Rapidly proceeding in the direction that
the spires of Coventry are seen rising majestically
above the intervening woods, we sweep past Whitley
Abbey, which stands commandingly on the left, cross
a seven-arched viaduct over the Sherbourne valley,
and a smaller one over the Holyhead road, and enter a
deep cutting, which commences as soon as the embank-
ment terminates, is crossed by five elegant bridges,
and, after continuing about a mile, brings us to the
Coventry station.
COVB2JJTRY STATIOM",
Distance to London, 94 — Birmingham, 18^ miles,
DISTANCES BYROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES : —
Places W. of Station.
Baginton 2i miles.
Kenilwortli 4| —
Leamington 8 —
Warwick ,, .. 9| —
Heuley-in-ArJen . . . . 14| —
Places E. of Station.
Meriden 6 miles.
Nunraton 8| —
Over Whitacre 9| —
Hinckley 13^ —
Atherstone M —
We are now in the bottom of a cutting, and not the
slightest indication can be perceived of the proximity
of a large and populous city. This produces a very
disagreeable feeling in the mind of those who have
experienced the exhilirating effect (and who has not)
of entering a populous town on the top of a stage
coach, especially when the lamps are all lit, the
shops brightly illuminated, and the footpath thronged
RUGBY TO COVEiNTUY. 85
with passers to and fro. A bridge, however, which
crosses the railway usually has its parapet adorned
with a row of human faces, and the physiognomical
traveller may amuse himself with marking the various
degrees of wonderment depicted upon each ; some
seeming to intimate that their owners know quite as
much about steam engines as George Stephenson
himself; whilst others seem to gaze upon the belching
animal with as much amazement and dread as the
inhabitants of the New World looked upon the winged
offspring of the Sun that brought to their shores
Columbus and his adventurous Spaniards.
The city of Coventry stands upon a gentle eminence
on the right of the station, and about a quarter of a mile
distant from it. The story of its varied fortunes forms
a deeply interesting narrative, and is intimately inter-
woven with the most eventful portions of the history
of our country. Its name in the most ancient records
is written Conventrey, and has evidently been given
to it on account of the convent which stood on its site
in the tenth century, and which was burned by Canute,
the Dane. The history of the tov.n commences with
St. Osburgh being abbess of this convent ; and we are
informed that, after its destruction, a monastery was
built upon its site by Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and Lady
Godiva, his wife. The legend respecting this earl and
his lady, occupies a prominent place in the early history
of the city. The tradition is, that the countess rode
through the city in a state of nudity, in order to pro-
cure the exemption of the citizens from various
oppressive services and taxations. This feat of the
countess, and the miraculous punishment of a tailor,
G 3
86 HUGBY TO COVENTRY.
who is said to have been the only individual indiscreet
enough to look from his hiding place, and upon whose
veracity, therefore, the actual performance of the task
by her ladyship must depend, is commemorated by
a silly figure, which goes by the name of " Peeping
Tom," and stands at the corner, of a house in High-
street, and also by a triennial procession, which is
generally viewed by thousands of individuals, from
all the neighbouring towns. The south window of
Trinity Church is decorated with portraits of Godiva
and her husband, and also with a poetical inscription
reciting the legends respecting them. Leofric died
in 1057.
In 1355, the erection of the city walls was com-
menced. These extended three miles in circuit, were
strengthened with thirty-two towers, and contained
twelve gates, defended by portcullises ; but they were
demolished in 1662, as a punishment on the inhabit-
ants for the part they had taken in the civil war. There
have been two parliaments held in Coventry, the one
by Henry IV., usually called JParliamentum Incloc-
torum^ from all lawyers having been excluded from it ;
and the other by Henry VI., styled by the Yorkists,
Parliamentuin Diaholicum, from the great number of
attainders issued by it against the partisans of the
" White Rose." In the war between the rival houses
of York and Lancaster, Coventry was seized for the
Yorkists by the Earl of Warvv'ick ; and Edward IV.
was repulsed from its gates. As a punishment for
this, the king, after he had gained the battles of
Barnet and Tewkesbury, deprived the citizens of
their charter, which he withheld until redeemed by
RUGBY TO COVENTRY. 87
a payment of 500 marks. During the parliamentary
war, the king, who had erected his standard at Not-
tingham, was refused admittance into the town, and it
was shortly afterwards regularly garrisoned by the re-
publican forces, and the very women were employed
in strengthening its defences ; nevertheless, when the
restoration took place, and Charles II. ascended the
throne of his fathers, the people of Coventry were
among the loudest in their expressions of gladness,
proclaiming him king with every mark of exultation
and triumph; and causing even the public conduits
to flow with wine.
The city of Coventry, with a district of four miles
round it, constitutes a county of itself, under the title
of " The City and County of Coventry." The govern-
ment is vested in a corporation, the charter of which
was first granted by Edward III., in 1344, and the
freedom of which is obtained by a servitude of seven
years to any branch of trade within the city or its
liberties. The population of Coventry is 27,070.
The weaving of ribands is the staple trade ; but the
manufacture of watches is also carried on to a con-
siderable extent.
The houses are neat and well built, and are now
assuming a somewhat modern appearance; the more
ancient parts of the city having been lately taken down,
and many new streets formed. The principal buildings
are, a neat Theatre ; a handsome range of Barracks ;
a respectable County Hall; the Drapers' Hall ; and
St. Mary's Hall, which is a beautiful and magnificent
structure, in the later style of English architecture,
designed for the larger meetings and civic entertain-
G 4
88 RUGBY TO COVENTRY.
ments of the corporation, and replete, internally, with
the richest and most elaborate ornaments.
Coventry was a cathedral city until the year 1188,
when the seat of the diocese was removed to Lichfield.
Of the cathedral, which was formerly a magnificent
and sumptuous edifice, scarcely a vestige can now be
discerned : its proud walls have long since crumbled
to the ground, and dwelling houses have been erected
on its consecrated site. St. Michael's is now the
principal church. It is altogether a splendid structure ;
but is chiefly remarkable on account of its lofty, finely
proportioned, and richly decorated steeple. This
beautiful piece of architecture, which is 300 feet in
height, was commenced in 1373, and finished in 1395.
There is, also, the venerable church of the Holy
Trinity ; the interesting one of St. John the Baptist,
with its square embattled tower, and four circular
turrets ; and one dedicated to our Saviour, the ancient
and beautiful steeple of which originally belonged to a
monastery of Grey Friars.
Before we proceed with our description of the line,
we will carry the traveller to a few of the many inter-
estins: towns which lie at a convenient distance from
the Coventry station. Ten miles south-west, stands the
venerable town of Warwick, the history of which is as-
sociated with that of the ancient Britons, and the wars
of Caractacus. It is delightfully situated on a gently
rising rock, which is washed on the north by the
Avon, and surrounded by rich and diversified scenery.
On the south of the town, the venerable castle rises
in stately magnificence, and carries the mind back to
the gloomy ages of baronial ascendancy. The stranger
RUGBY TO COVENTRY. 89
who may visit this relic of feudal times, however high
his expectations may have been raised, can hardly
avoid being struck with surprise at the surpassing
beauty of its situation, the noble grandeur of its build-
ings, and perfect state of its preservation. The lawns,
gardens, and shrubberies, also, which form the castle
grounds, are lovely spots ; and the walks, which are
occasionally cut in the solid rock, and overshadowed
by cedars of Lebanon, and other noble and lofty
trees, are well suited to the high-wrought feelings of
one who has been pacing the gloomy galleries and
stately halls of powerful barons and illustrious chief-
tains.
Upon the banks of the Avon, about a mile above
Warwick, is a celebrated rock, which goes by the
name of Guy's Cliff. Hewn in this rock there is a
cave, in which it is said that the famous Guy, Earl of
Warwick, lived many years in voluntary concealment,
within sight of the proud turrets of his own castle,
and the casements at which his widowed countess
might occasionally be seen.
The stranger who has been led by curiosity to
Warwick, and whose spirit has ever been stirred by
the wizard hand of Scott, will not be very liable to
forget his proximity to the famed castle of Kenil worth.
The town of Kenilworth is five miles north from War-
wick. It contains 3,097 inhabitants, and is well and
handsomely built ; but would not be deemed worthy
of our notice, were it not for the superb ruins of its
castle, — that castle, in the spacious courts and stately
halls of which the lofty queen Elizabeth, with all the
high-born ladies of her court, and the proud chivalry
90 RUGBY TO COVENTRY.
of her land, were entertained by the favourite Lei-
cester, with many a gorgeous pageant and sumptuous
banquet ; but whose mouldering turrets and ivy-clad
walls now serve only to form a subject for the
painter's pencil, or the pen of the moralist. The
destruction of this magnificent fortress was effected by
the ruthless soldiery of Cromwell, determined, it would
seem, to equal the Goth and Vandal tribes in utter
detestation of whatever was beautiful or grand.
From Kenilworth we will transport our reader to
Leamington Priors, in order that the brilliant scenes of
a fashionable watering place may dispel the cloud of
gloom which has, doubtless, gathered on his brow,
while contemplating the frowning towers of War-
wick, and the venerable ruins of Kenilworth. Lea-
mington lies two miles and a half from Warwick, in an
easterly direction. Its importance is owing to the
celebrity of its mineral springs, which, in a space of
twenty-three years, have raised it from an inconsider-
able hamlet to a large and elegant town, with a popu-
lation of 6,209. The springs are of three kinds, —
sulphureous, saline, and chalybeate. The assembly
rooms, libraries, hotels, and baths, are equally hand-
some in their appearance, and splendid in their decora-
tions. Here, if anywhere, the invalid may forget his
ailments, and the faded beauty recover her charms
and spirits. We must confess, however, that the
false glitter and pageantry of a watering place have no
charms for us. Instead of exciting gay and buoyant
feelings, they bring over our spirits a gloom which
the most dismal scenes in nature would fail to produce.
The balls, concerts, and promenades, seem to speak of
RUGBY TO COVENTRY. 91
happiness and enjoyment ; but, as the gay figures have
passed by us, and then* light laugh has fallen on our
ear, we have noticed that the garland of gladness
which seemed to encircle their brow was fadtd and
dead, for its freshness had been withered by a cold
blast from the grave.
The short distance at which Leamington, Warwick,
and Kenilworth, lie from each other, and the many
objects of historical interest and scenes of impressive
beauty with which the intermediate country abounds,
will doubtless cause many railway travellers to slip
away from Coventry and pay them a visit ; and this
must form our apology for having so long detained the
reader from the route. We will now, therefore, pro-
ceed; premising, however, that Nuneaton, a town with
7,799 inhabitants, lies eight miles from the station, on
the right ; and Hinckley, with a population of 6,491,
four miles bevond it.
92 COVENTRY TO BIRMINGHAM.
CHAPTER IX.
COVENTRY TO BIEMINGHAM.
Eighteen miles and a quarter.
The excavation which the reader will remember
brought us to the Coventry station, continues for a
short distance after leaving it. The first opening
presents us with a view of Allesley church and park,
seen across the Coventry Lammas ground ; and also
with the best view which can be obtained from any
part of the line of the city of Coventry, with its lofty
spires rising majestically from the dense mass of
houses. After passing a cutting three parts of a mile
in length, we have Hearshall Common on our right,
and Crackley Wood on our left. Elsdon-lane then
crosses the line, and two slight cuttings bring us to an
embankment. The prospect, however, which it
affords possesses little interest ; and after passing Ten
Shilling Wood, and Beech Wood, and crossing the
Hockley road, we enter another cutting, which, after
we have been carried through Beechwood tunnel, past
the tank which supplies the engines with water, and
under several bridges, comes to a conclusion, after
having extended for the space of a mile. We have
scarcely time to regale our eyes with the green fields
and waving foliage, or to distinguish the village of
Berkswell, which lies at a short distance on the right.
COVENTRY TO BIRMINGHAM. 93
before the sides of another excavation exchide the
rural prospect, and drive us again to our own reflec-
tions. Of the bridges, which are the only objects to
relieve the monotony, the principal is that by which
the Kenilworth road is carried over the line. A mile's
rapid flight brings us again into the open country, and
Wooton Green appears on the left ; and presently,
from the elevation of an embankment, Balsal Grange
is seen in the same direction, and also the church and
village of Earston. The landscape improves as we
advance, its wide sweep on the left embracing Rigton
End, Walsal End, and Escote, with Hampton-in-
Arden church, and the distant spire of that of Soli-
hull ; whilst, on the right, is an equally interesting
view, comprising Mercote Hall, Packington Park, seat
of the Earl of Aylesford, the pretty village of Meriden,
which stands on the Holyhead road, at a distance of two
miles, and the spire of Coleshill church, which can
barely be distinguished in the extreme distance.
After crossing the Blythe, by a noble viaduct of six
arches, the traveller will perceive on his left a group
of interesting objects ; — a very old and almost ruined
bridge, with five arches, forms the centre, whilst a
pretty windmill and rich surrounding scenery complete
the picture.
Haxupton-in-Arden Station.
Distance to London, 100| — Birmingham, 11| miles.
DISTANCES BYROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:—
Place W. of Station. I Place E. of Station.
Solihull 4 miles, Coleshill Smiles.
94 COVENTIIY TO BIRMIKGHAM.
The village of Hampton-in-Arden lies on the left of
the line, and consists of little besides an ancient look-
ing church, formerly adorned with a lofty spire, but
which now lifts a square tower unpretendingly towards
heaven. Near the village the Derby and Birmingham
Junction Railway will join the London and Birming-
ham line.
Solihull is about four miles from this station. It is
a well built town, standing in a somewhat pleasant
situation, on the high road from Birmingham to War-
wick, and containing 2,878 inhabitants. The church
is a large cruciform structure, with an embattled tower,
and octagonal spire.
Coleshill, which is five miles distant from the sta-
tion, stands upon the brow of a hill, M'hich rises
gradually from the south bank of the river Cole. It
consists principally of one long street, and one short
but wide one, which affords a convenient area for the
marketplace. Its population is 1,853. Its spacious
church is an ancient building, in the decorated style,
with a lofty tower, surmounted by an octagonal spire.
About a mile to the east of the town is Maxtoke Castle,
which is in a high state of preservation ; and about a
mile and a half from the castle, are the remains of
Maxtoke Priory, from which there is said to have been
a subterranerai passage communicating with Coleshill
Church, with w-hich, indeed, both the castle and priory
appear to be coeval.
After leaving this station, and passing through a
considerable cutting, we behold Hampton-in-Arden
behind us, the gracefid spire of Bickenhill church
rising across the fields on the left, and Fackington
COVENTRY TO BIRMINGHAM. 95
Park, with the village of Little Packington, on the
right. Another short cutting, which is crossed by the
Bickenhill bridge, brhigs us to an embankment, which,
however, presents us with no new object of interest.
After passing under Marston Hall bridge, we traverse
some prettily wooded country, having Marston Vv'ood
on the right, and Elmdon Park on the left. After
passing Marston Green bridge, we have a good view of
the village lying near the hne on the right; whilst, in
the distance, the spire of Coleshill church continues to
form an interesting object. From the Sheldon em-
bankment, which here commences, a prospect is
obtained which is considered by many as equal in
beauty to any which the line affords : on the right, is
Alcot Park, the town and church of Coleshill, and
Maxtoke Park ; on the left, Elmdon, with its fine
rich woodlands, and the pretty village of Sheldon,
with the unassuming tower of its little church ; whilst,
in advance, the high spire of Yardley church rises
above the sloping fields, and completes a landscape in
which it would certainly be difficult to imagine any
alteration which would not be detrimental to its beauty.
Proceeding, we pass the hamlet of Makidov/n on
the right, and shortly afterwards a plain brick build-
ing called Lea Hall. A short cutting brings us
opposite the village of Yardley, in which immense
quantities of tiles are manufactured ; and after ad-
miring the fine tov/er and spire of its church, we
pass under Stitchford bridge, and perceive the village
of Stitchford on therighi:, surrounded with some inter-
esting foliage. We are now two miles and three
quarters from Birmingham, and are able to cast our
96 COVENTRY TO BIR^I INGHAM.
eye along the railway as far as the station house ; the
line henceforth preserving a perfectly rectilinear course.
After passing the intended point of junction of the
Derby Eailway, and emerging from the Saltley excava-
tion, we obtain an imperfect glimpse of Birmingham,
which soon, however, widens into a full and magnifi-
cent view. From the vast and dense mass of confused
buildings, rise the beautiful spires of its numerous
churches, and the tall chimneys of its still more
numerous manufactories ; whilst, proudly conspicuous
in the centre, the Town Hall majestically lifts its
noble front.
Barr Beacon is now on the right, and also Aston
church, park, and hall. Ashted and Vauxhall soon
afterwards appear; and not far distant the Grand
Junction Railway is seen stretching away in a northerly
direction. The Catholic College on Sutton Coldfield
forms a conspicuous object in the distant scenery ; and
more adjacent to the line is Duddeston Hall, with its
beautiful pleasure grounds. After admiring the noble
tier of arches by which the Grand Junction Railway
enters Birmingham, we pass along a similar tier our-
selves, and arrive at the Birmingham terminus of the
London and Birmingham Railway.
The station yard and offices resemble, in all mate-
rial points, those at Euston Grove ; and the arrange-
ments for entering and leaving the carriages are also
similar. The grand entrance is a noble and command-
ing structure. It is of about the same dimensions as
that at Euston Grove, with the exception of being
rather deeper, and thus very nearly forming a perfect
cube. It has in front four insulated Ionic columns,
COVENTRY TO B IRMf N'GHA:\1 , 97
and is flanked on each side by an arched entrance.
The central entrance, which is also arched, in order to
preserve a degree of unity in the design, is closed
with lofty doors, and surmounted with two shields,
bearing the arms of the citv of London and the town
of Birmingham.
Upon arriving at the end of (.)ur journey, we cannot
take a retrospective view of our wonderful flight with-
out deep feelings of astonishment. In five hours and
a half we have travelled 112 miles, and swept through
seven of the fairest counties in England ; and this we
have eflfected by the mighty energy of a little vaporised
water. Truly, if sublimity is to be found anywhere in
nature, it is where the power of steam is manifested.
The mind that can perceive no sublimity in the opera-
tions of this tremendous agent, either when revealed
in the convulsions of the earthquake, or when put-
ing forth its terrific might in the service of man, is as
yet a total stranger to the highest and noblest emo-
tions of the human soul.
98
BIRiMINGHAM
mnmm
CHAPTER IX.
BIRMINGHAM AND ITS MANUFACTURES.
As the second division of this itinerary, namely, that
which is intended to form a companion to the Grand
Junction Railway, contains an historical and topo-
graphical description of the town of Birmingham, it
would only occasion needless repetition to insert such
a one here. Our endeavour in this chapter, therefore,
will be, to bring together a few facts connected with
the celebrated Manufactures of this town, which may
prove interesting to the stranger, and perhaps furnish
him with pleasing and instructive topics for table-talk.
"What first strikes the attention of the stranger upon
approaching Birmingham, either by railroad or the
antiquated coach roads, is the dense cloud of smoke
AND ITS MANUFACTURES. 99
issuing from its confused mass of buildings, and brood-
ing over it in sullen gloom, as if it were the crater
of some vast volcano, or one of the chimneys of the
Cyclops' forge. The manner in which this scene is
viewed, might, perhaps, furnish a good index to the
character of the beholder. Yet, whatever may be the
first emotions to which it gives rise, few, we think, can
be able to gaze upon it long without feeling elevated
and ennobled. Beneath that hemisphere of smoke,
the mind of man has put forth its majesty of power,
and has gained its mightiest victories. The agent by
which it here works is that, the possession of which
distinguishes man from the brute, namely, Fire : the
material in which it works is that, the knowledge of
which chiefly distinguishes civilized man from the
savage, namely. Iron.
The Manufactures in Iron, as being those which
confer upon Birmingham its principal celebrity, of
course demand our first notice. Their early history
would lead us far back into the remote and obscure
periods of Grecian and Egyptian fable ; nor should we
then be able to discover anything with certainty
respecting their origin. Their introduction into our
country is enveloped in similar obscurity; though,
from various allusions in Roman authors, it would
appear to have been anterior to the invasion of our
island by their armies. The mines in the Forest of
Dean, which are known to have been in operation in
the year 1066, were restrained by the government of
the country in 1581, on account of the immense
quantities of wood consumed in the smelting of the
ore. Shortly afterwards. Lord Dudley made his in-
11 2
100 B^mI^'GHAM
valuable discovery, that pit-coal would form a fuel in
every respect more advantageous than wood ; but,
owing to the mad opposition by which this invaluable
discovery was met by the ignorant populace, it was not
initil 1740 that it began to be generally turned to bene-
ficial account. Since that period this manufacture
has flourished amazingly ; the same rich treasure house
from which the precious mineral itself is drawn, yield-
ing also, by a kind provision of Nature, the fuel by
which it is separated from its earthy alloy, and the
limestone without which this separation could scarcely
be effected. The iron districts around Birmingham
are possessed of peculiar advantages with respect to
the juxta-position of the various substances required
in its manufacture: the iron, the coal, the limestonp,
and also the clay with which the furnaces are built,
being generally found within a few yards from each
other. The characteristic excellence of the Stafford-
shire metal is that of forming admirably fine and sharp
castings.
The smelting furnaces are chiefly situated in the
neighbourhood of Dudley, in the southern part of the
county of Staffordshire. The foundries, where the
rough metal is cast into various forms of utility and
ornament, are dispersed in different parts of Stafford-
shire, Shropshire, and Warwickshire ; but the most
important are within the town, or in the immediate
vicinity of Birmingham. The number of foundries
within the town is about twenty-three ; of which, the
largest is the Eagle Foundry, in Broad-street. This
foundry has been established upwards of three quarters
of a century ; and the plan which is now generally
a:sd its iiA^' u fact u res. 101
adopted, of testing the iron of which important cast-
ings are to be made, has been there systematically pur-
sued for the last fifteen years. The simplest method
of performing this operation, is that of raising a bar by
one end, and striking it across the edge of an anvil
at the centre of percussion ; although there are other
tests of a much severer character than this to which it
is frequently subjected.
Upon coming from the foundry, most of the iron
which has to be further manufactured, goes to the
engineers to be employed in the construction of steam
engines and other massive machinerv, or to the metal
rolling mills, in order to be reduced into thin plates.
Of the establishments for the manufacture of heavy
machinery, the works of Boulton and Watt, at Soho,
of course take the lead. The partnership of these two
celebrated engineers commenced in the year 1759.
The unequalled machines, and other articles of hard-
ware which they have sent forth from their workshops,
have carried their fame to the most distant regions of
the earth ; and the improvements which they have
effected in whatever they have taken in hand, and
especially in the construction of the steam engine, have
surrounded their names with an imperishable lustre.
In order to render the stubborn metals serviceable
to the platers, button makers, and various other manu-
facturers, it is necessary that they should be reduced
into thin plates of uniform thickness. This is done in
the ponderous Metal Rolling jMills, in the operations
of which we behold a tremendously powerful agency,
guided with astonishing precision, to the performance
of an almost incredible work.
II 3
102
kir:,ii>:giiam
The Platers bestow the requisite form upon the
articles which they manufacture by means of stamps ;
finishing them, when necessary, with a punch and
hammer. The stock of die-moulds, which this system
renders it necessary to keep on hand, is immense :
some of the foctories possess no fewer than 300,000,
all of different patterns. This manufacture can be
witnessed with the greatest facility at the works of
Messrs. Collis and Co., in Church-street; and we
vrould particularly call the attention of the stranger to
this establishment, as he may there also witness the
manufacture of guns, medals, buttons, and various
kinds of jewellery ; and may examine, in the extensive
show-rooms, a magnificent collection of the choicest
specimens of Birmingham art, in all its departments.
The productions of the sister manufactories of Shef-
field may be advantageously viewed in connexion
with those of Birmingham, by persons inclined to in-
stitute a comparison betv/een them, at the show rooms
of Mapplebeck and Lowe, in the Bull-ring, and of
Edwards and Ball, in High-street; and we certainly
do not think that the opportunity of making such a
comparison ought to be neglected by the intelligent
visiter who is in search of amusement combined with
instruction. Of metallic buildings for horticultural
purposes, Messrs. Daft and Son, of Paradise-street,
and Mr. Thomas Clark, of Lionel-street, are the prin-
cipal manufacturers. Those erected by Mr. Clark, in
the Botanic Gardens, at Edgbaston, are well worthy of
inspection. The conservatory is composed entirely of
metal and glass, and is a beautiful specimen of the taste
and skill which is now displayed in this branch of art.
AND ITS MAiSUFACTURES. 103
Of all the remaining manufactures, that of steel pens
is perhaps the most interesting. These little substi-
tutes for the grey goose quill are made by means of a
standing press, and auotiier little machine which rounds
the nibs and cuts the slits. They are afterwards polished
by mutual attrition caused by agitation in an eccentri-
cally revolving cylinder. In the manufacture of this
apparently insignificant article, upwards of one hundred
tons of steel are annually consumed, and a vast number
of hands constantly employed. Owing to the rapidity
with which it has sprung into importance, a vast influx
of wealth has been the consequence to the fortunate
speculators who were the first to enter the field. One
individual has lately reared a gigantic factory on New-
hall-hill, and calculates that he manufactures upwards
of thirty-six millions of pens every year.
Japanning is another staple manufacture of Birming-
ham ; and its productions, in this branch of art, already
bid fair to rival their oriental architypes in fanci-
fulness of design and brilliancy of ornament. The
show-rooms of the principal japanners will carry the
visiter back, in imagination, to the gorgeous halls of
Arabian fable, adorned, not by the art and labour of
man, but, by the creative power of invisible genii.
This cursory survey of the leading manufactures
will be sufhcient to give the stranger a general idea of
their character. They are of that class which has
raised England to her exalted rank among the nations :
and the practical traveller will here find more objects
worthy of engaging his attention than he would pro-
bably do during a three months' tour through the most
famed cities of the continent. All knowledge is here
H 4
104 BIRMINGHAM
rendered practical. The antiquarian comes from the
sacred vales of Greece and Italy, laden with designs
of classic elegance, grace, and beauty, to enrich the
pattern book of the plater and founder. The chemist
issues forth from his laboratory to show what effect
the agents with which he is conversant will have upon
the various metals made use of, and what alloys can
be advantageously substituted for more expensive ma-
terials ; and the mathematician descends from his
abstract speculations to regulate the construction of
machinery, and furnish the engineer with infallible
data. In short, Art here holds her imperial court, and
the magician Science bows in obsequious vassalage.
At her command he waves his potent wand, and nature
owns her authority, and the elements murmur sub-
mission to her sway ; Earth opens to her his
hidden treasuries; Fire pours at her feet the puri-
fied riches; Water, reconciled to his bitterest foe,
puts forth his latent power, and places at her dis-
posal his gigantic and hitherto undiscovered energies ;
whilst Air affords her his tribute of service, by waft-
ing her merchandise from land to distant land, as far
as the swelling waves of ocean have ever rolled.
For further information respecting the history,
topography, and famed manufactures of this town, we
must refer our reader to the " Picture of Birmingham/'
— a picture which possesses qualities which no artist
has ever been able to communicate to his most
elaborate productions ; as it unites the brilliancy,
faithfulness, and animation, of the camera obscura,
with the miraculous properties of the Italian necro-
mancer's mirror, across which visions of the past, and
AND ITS M A?{ U FACT U RES. 105
shadows of the future, were wont to flit; — and we will
content ourselves with giving the following list of a
very few of its numerous manufacturers: —
PRIXCIPAL SHOW ROOMS AND MANUFACTORIES.
Sdlio, Handsworth.
BRASS FOUNDERS.
Audertou, W., and Sous, 6, Wliittall street.
Barber, J., and Green, 15, Newhall- street.
Bouni, John, 31, Lionel-street.
Docker, Thomas, and Sons, Wliittall- sti'eet.
Heaton, Ralph, 70 and 71, Bath-street.
Honi, Thomas, Temple-roAv.
liingham Brothers, 1 70, Little Hampton-street.
Messenger, Thomas, and Sons, 22, Broad-street.
RatclifF, J. and E., St. Paxil's Square.
Simcox, Pemberton, and Co., 42, Livery-sti'eet.
Smith, Timothy, and Sons, 4, Bartholomew- street.
Standley, James, 43, Stani forth- street.
Swift, James, 7, Whittall-street.
Winfield, R. W., Cambridge- street.
BRITISH PLATE MANUFACTURERS.
Brown and Ball, Paradise-sti-eet.
Kvans and Askin, George-street, Sand Pits.
MeiTy and Co., Cherry-street.
Sturges an(J Son, 26, Lichtield-street.
BUTTON MANUFACTURERS.
Armtield, Edward, Newhall-street.
Aston, J., St. Paul's Square.
Bartleet, T., and Sons, 126, Great Gharles- street.
Elliott, W., Frederick- street. Regent-street.
Hammond, Turner, and Sons, Snow-hill.
Hai'dman, J., and Co., 12, Paradise-street.
Jennens and Co., Old Meeting-house-yai'd, Deritend.
Ledsam, Thomas, and Sons, 10, Great Charles-street.
lOG
BIRMI.NGIIAM
Smith, C. v., 14, NtMvhall-slreet.
Steadman, R. Jim., 35, Edmund-street.
CUT AND PLAIN GLASS MANUFACTURERS.
Bedford, Sarah, and Co., 16, New-street.
Henderson, (Staiuer of Glass,) New-street.
Price, Higli-street.
Rollason, Thomas, (Manufacturer to the Royal Family,) Steel-
house lane.
Osier, F. and C, Broad-sU-eet.
GLASS WORKS.
Bacchus and Green, Union Glass Works, Dai-tmouth- street.
Gammon, W., and Co., Belmont Glass AYorks, Great Brook-street.
Goold and Co., ^tna Glass AVorks, Broad-street.
Harris, Rice, Islington Glass Works, Sheepcote- street, Broad-street.
Thomson and Shaw, Bagot- street.
GUN AND PISTOL MAKERS.
Busby, J., 30f, New-sU'eet.
Dugard, R., 29, Whittall- street.
Jones, Charles, 16, Whittall-street
Meredith, H., and Son, 48, St. Paul's Square.
Powell, W., 49, High-street.
Pritchard, W., 135, New street.
Redfei-n, B., Caroline-street.
Richards, Westley, 82, High-street.
Sargant and Son, 74, Edmund- street.
Wheeler, R., and Son, 27, Snow-hill.
HOTHOUSE AND HORTICULTURAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTORS
METALLIC AND COPPER SASH MANUFACTURERS.
Clark, Thomas, Jun., 55, Lionel-street.
Daft, Thomas, and Son, Towti Hall Foundry, Paradise- street.
IRON FOUNDERS.
Boulton, Watt, and Co., Soho.
Capper, Chai'les Henry, Broad-street.
Jones, George, Phoenix Foundry, Snow-hill.
Jones, Thomas, and Sons, Bradford -street.
AND ITS MANUFACTURES. 107
Mole, T. and W., Pagoda V/orks, Bordesley. — Shjw Rooms,
Smiibfield.
Smiili and Hawkes, Eagle Foundry, Broad-street.
MALLEABLE IRON FOUNDERS.
Clive and Cardall, 50, Stauiforth-street.
JAPANNERS.
Bill, R. and G., 1 i, Summer-lane.
Jennens and Bettridge, (Paper Tray Makers to her Majesty,) 99,
Constitution-hill.
Lane, Thomas, Great Hampton-street.
Room, James, 28, Summer-row.
JEWELLERS, SILVERSMITHS, AND EMPORIUMS FOR EVERY
DESCRIPTION OF CLTLERY, PLATED WARES, &C.
Soho Plate Company, Handsworth.
Collis, G. R., Church-street.
Edwards, Ball, and Co., 82, High-street.
Mapplebeck and Lowe, Bull Ring.
LAMP, CHANDELIER, CANDELABRA, LUSTRE, &€., MANIFACTIUERS.
Aspinall, T., 33, Lower Temple street.
Blakeway, John, Edgbaston-street.
Blake way, Thomas William, Broad- street.
Messenger, Thomas, and Sons, Broad-street.
Osier, Follett, Broad- street, Islington.
Phipson and Evans, Newhall-street.
Ratclifl', John and Charles, 140, Suffolk-street
Salt, Thomas Clutton, 17 and 18, Edmund-street.
Smith, Timothy, and Sons, 4, Bartholomew-street.
METAL ROLLERS.
Cooke, Roome, and Harley, Fazeley-street.
Mimtz, George Frederick, AVater-street.
Phipson, William, Fazeley-street.
Union Rolling Mills, Cambridge-street.
PIN MAKERS.
Phipson, T., and Sons, Broad-street
Latham and Kilmister, Lancaster- street.
108 BIRMINGHAM AND ITS MANUFACTURES.
PLATERS, AND MANUFACTURERS OF SILVER AND PLATED WARES.
CoUis, G. R., Church-street.
Dixon, Matthew, 137, Snow-hill.
Parkei', J,, and Sons, 23§, Summer-row.
Parker, John Frederick, 72, High-sti'eet.
Ryland, William, 167, Great Charles-street.
Soho Plate Company, Soho.
Spooner, Painter, and Co., 12, New Market-st., Great Charles- st.
Watei-house and Son, 22, Hill-street.
Wilkinson, Thomas, and Co., 15, Great Hampton -street.
Willmore and Co., Bread-street.
STEAM ENGINE MANUFACTURERS.
Boulton and Watt, Soho, Handsworth.
Capper, C. H., Broad-street.
Donaldson and Glasgow, 53, Suflblk- street.
Smith and Hawkes, Eagle Foundry, Broad-street.
Jones, George, Phaniix Foundry, Snow-hill and' Lionel-street.
Penn, Samuel, Great Lister Street Steam Mill.
SCREW MANUFACTURERS.
James, J., Bradford- street.
Ledsam, Messrs., Edmund-street.
Ryland, H., Oozell-street, Broad-street.
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURERS, &c.
Knight, Heni-y, Machinist, 15, Aun-sti*eet.
Middlemore, — , Holloway-head, Saddlers' Ironmonger.
Room, W. and F., Pai-ade, Wholesale Saddlers and Bridle Makers.
Rodgers and Co., Broad- street. Brace and Belt Manufacturers.
Bright, H., Jeweller, 2, Union-street.
Farmer, R., Upholsterer, 11, New-street, and 30, Bath row.
Harris, T., Upholsterer, 9, New sti'eet.
INNS.
The Royal Hotel, Temple-row, and
The New Royal Hotel, (kept hy ]Mr. Lambley, successor to Mr.
Radenhurst,) New-street, ai-e the principal Family Houses.
INDEX.
Al.DBlRY, 40
Alderman Hill, 67
Allesley, 92
Appevton, 18
Ascot, 46
Ashhridge Park, 39
Ashted, 96
Ashlon, 61
Aston, 96
Avon, the, 81
Aylesburgb, 44
Baginton, 83
BalLrook Grange, 81
Balsal Grange, 93
Bank :Mill, 34
Barr Beacon, 96
Barston, 93
Battle;^don Park, 45
Beech Wood, 92
liuinel, ih.
Bellington, 4o
Belmont, 18
Bentley Priory, ib.
Berkhampstead, 34
Berkswell, 92
Bilton, 80
Birmingham, 98
station, 96
iron manufactures, 99
fomidries, 100
steam engine manufac-
tories, 101
metal rolling mills, ib.
plated ware, 102
giins, ih.
medals. Hi.
buttons, il).
Birmingham, horticultural
buildings, ih.
steel pens, l(i3
japanning, ih.
character of its manu-
factures, 104
list of principal manu-
facturers, 105
Binley, 83
Bletciiley, 50
Bliswortii, 63
Blythe viaduct, 93
Borough Hill, 70. 73
Bourne End, 33 '
Boxmoor, 32
Bradwell Wharf, 58
Bradwell, 53
Brandon, 82
Brent, river, 18
Brickhill, Great, 49, 51
Little, 50, 51
Bow, ih.
Brockhall Park, 72
BroAvnsover, 76
Buckby Wharf, 73
Bugbrook, 66
Downs, 62, 66
Buckingham, 55
Camden Town, 10—12
Carriages, fittings up of, 8
Cashiobury, 26
abbey, 25
Castle Thorp, 59
Chalk Farm, 13
Cheddington, 44
City railway, 7
Claycolon, 76
110
INDEX.
Chiltem hills, 40—42
Clapperdo-mi, 44
Clifton, 76
Clipperdo-mi hills, 43
Coleshill, 94
Colne, valley of, 22
viaduct, 23
Combe abbey, 83
Cosgi-ove, o9
Counters End, 33
CoAentrv, 84 — 88
_ ^ history of, 85—87
legend of, 85
trades of, 87
, buildings of, ib.
clmrches of, 88
Cowper, 35
Crackley Wood, 92
Crawley Wood, 44
Crick, 73
Daventry, 69
Denbigh hall, 52
Derby and Birminghara Junc-
tion Railway, 94, 96
Drayton Parslow, 50
Duddestou hall, 96
Dudswell, 39
Dunchurch, 75
Duns] and, 76
Dunstable, 47
Dunstou Wood, 62, 64
Easton Park, 60
Eddlesborough, 44
Edgeware, 21
Edgeware-road, 14
Elradon Park, 95
Elkington, 76
Elsdon-lane, 92
Elstree, 21
Ernsford Grange, 83
Escote, 93
Euston Grove, 7, 8
Farthingstone, 67
Felden, 33
Fennv Stratford, 51
Floore Hill, 72
Furthro, 60
Gavton church, 62
— '- Wharf, 64
Grafton Regis, 60
Grand Excavation, 9
Great Brington, 64
Great Seabrook, 43
Grove Park, 28
Guy's CliflF, 89
Hall Norton, 73
Hampstead, 15
Hampstead-road,
Hampton-iu-Arden, 93
Han slope, 58
Harpole, 64
. Hill, 62
Harrow-on-the-Hill, 19
Harstone Brook -sdaduct, 6"
Hartwell, 60
Hatchend, 21
Haver sham, 59
Haxter End, 34
Hearshall common, 92
Hemel Hempstead, 32
Heyford, Upper, 67
. Nether, ib.
Higham, 67
Highgate, 12
Hill End, 33
Hinckley, 91
Horton, 45
Hunsbury Hill, 02
Hunton Bridge, 29
Icknield Way, 41
Ivinghoe, 43
Aston, 44
Jackdaw Hill, 48
Kenilworth, 89
IISDEX.
HI
Kensal Greeii tunnel, 16
Kilbum, 14
Kilsby tunnel, 74
King's Langley, 28
Langley Bury, 28
Lawford, Church, 80
Little, ib.
Long, ih,
Leamington Priors, 90
Ledbury Green, 45
Leighton Buzzard, 46
Liibounie, 76
LLiilbrd, 58
I,in.slade, 49
Liscombe Park, ih.
Littleborough, 67
London, history of, 2
greatness of, 3
antiquitv' of, 2
its plagues, ih.
its fires, 3
traffic of, ih.
railways entering, 4
London and Binniughaia Rail-
way, history of, 6
Longcroft, 33
Loughton, 53
Luttenvorth, 79
Makidown, 95
Marston wood, ih.
Marsworth, 43
Maxtoke castle, 94
piiory, ih.
Mentraore, Ao
Mercote hall, 93
Meriden, ih.
Midland Counties Railway, 79
Mill Mead, 58
Milton, or Middleton, 62
Moor Hall, 23
Moretou Hill, 76
Mount Pleasant, 81
Nene, valley of the, 64
Newbold, 76
Newbold-upon-Avon, 80
Newport PagneU, 56
Newton, 76
Newton Longviile, 51
Northall, 44
Northchurch, 39
tunnel, ih.
Northampton, 64
Nuneaton, 91
Oldbury Wood, 39
Olney, 56
Ouse Aiaduct,
Oxhey, 22
Oxhey ridge, 21
Packington Park, 93
Packiugton, Little, 95
Paik-street bridge, 10
Pattishall, 67
Pinner, 21
Pitstone, 43
Pottersbury, 60
Pottisgrovc, 45
Pouching End, 33
Primrose Kill tunnel, 13
Regent's Park, 12
Rickmansworth, 23
Rigton End, 93
Roade, 61
Rothersthorpe, 64
Rugby, 76 — 79
school, 78
Ruislip, 21
Ryton, 82
Salcey, forest of, 60
Saltley Excavation, 96
Shakspeai-e, 81
Sheldon, 95
Shenstonc, 53
Sherbounie viaduct, 84
Slapton, 45
Solihull, 94
112
INDEX.
Soulbury, 49
St. Albans, 26
Staumore, liittle, 20
Great, il>.
Stanton, 45
Stephenson, Robert, 7
Stewklev, 49
Stitchfoi-d, 95
Stoke, 83
Stoke Brueni, GO
Hammond, 49
Park, 60
Stoney Stratford, 55
Stowe, 67
Stowe bill timnel, 67
Park, 55
Sudbury, 18
Telegraph, electro magnetic, 1 2
Ten Sliilling wood, 92
Towcester, 63
Travelling, pleasures of, 1
Tring, 40
Tunnels, 75
Two ^Yaters, 32
Twyford, 17
Upper Classthorpe, 64
Uxbridge, 21
Vauxhall, 96
Walsal End, 93
Wards Combe Hills, 43
Warwick, 88
Water Eaton, 51
AVatford, 73
■ 25
tunnel, 27
Weedon, 68
AVendover, 41
Whaddon Cbace, 51
Wbilton, 73
White Hill, 38
Whitley abbey, 84
Whittleburv Forest, 60
WillenhairWood, 83
Wing, 45
Wigginton, 38, 40
Wimbley, 18
Woburn, 51
abbey, 52
Wolverton, 54
Wooton, 62
Green, 93
Wriothesley-street bridge, 9
Yardley, 95
Gobi on, 60
Yelvcrtoft, 76
Sf BW
o
o
^
H
^
M- 1 1 ^.
'^. ^
i^^^
"i: ■^ N § ^ •'^
K X ^ ^ ;« J
.\^
J 5P
vv. x> •<!;
^,0^
$ ^
\
1^:
.'H-i-
ir^'
^^
JL S ^ Jl
¥ "^
I
I
I
RN RAILWAY COMPANIES
DRAKE'S RAILWAY SHEET OF THE LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM, AYLESBURY, LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER, AND GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANIES
^goiira^of Departure and Time Table. Pown Trains from London.
Hackney Coach Fares &rom the Railway Station, Iiondon.
ED, to Wolverton
T ....
■MAIL. Mixeii . .
£ ■
i
•E
s
B-
i
1 -^
1
i
1
g
^
&•
I
\
?,
14
1
i
a
Bs
H
Jill
%
i
3
1
«
1
L
IS
6 1.11.
6 M
» 1.'
N .5f
n so
oa.'i
!0 0 10 15
10 :«
1(1 .w
II .5
11 25
11 45
12 5
9 A.U.
II \t.
II .-ii;
W 41
W .33
11 1^
I? P.i
12 .W
1 15
1 .5t
2 5
2 40
7W
3 21
3 IB
4 0 4 15
4 30
4ii
••> 4
5 P.M.
5 30 6 50
|745
0 10
6 20
6 35
825
9 56
9 16
10 54
9 50
10 6
11 60
10 40
11 10
1 0
t tbe Aylesbury Junction.
Up Trains from Birmingham^
MIXED, from Wolvln
MIXED ....
'MAIL
•MIXED ....
•MIXED, 1st CI. Stns.
•FIRST ....
MIXED ....
1^11
10 2fi
5 2 2.5
lO' 3 31
Sunday Trains.
ivili call at the Aylesbury Ju
MIXED, from Wolvt
•MAIL
•MIXED . . . .
iieral, under the powers granteil by act of Parliament,
- - ■ - -. -- . ' jijctioii Railway ; suffi-
a female attendant.
e of the GrandJu
e Square
■ -y.Aldg
-, Aldr
-,HonioriiBaisI 6
— Golden Cross 2
t Garden, Piazza. 2
I and Anchor, Strand 2
iwich Kiiihv
?r Cof. Hse .Dsf.l.St. 2
irn.George&BlueBoarl
2 0 14
Lad Ln. Swan with two Necks 2 6 18
Loudon Hospital . . 4 0 2 8
lnstitn,.MoorfleId8 3 0 2 0
Loudon Bvidpe Wharf . 3 0 2 0
Lambeth, Three Stags . 3 C 3 4
Mint, Tower Hill . . 3 0 2 4
Marsh Gate, Lambeth . ,10 3 0
Middlesex Hospital . 1 Q 10
Opera House . . 2 0 14
Obelisk, St. George's Fields 3 6 2 4
Porimau Stiuare . . 2 0 14
Pantheon Bazaar . . 16 10
Pantechnicon, KnightsbridgeS a 2 0
Ratcliff Higwy.CoachSland4 6 3 0
RgntCircus, Oxford Street 1 fi 10
JtKDt.Cir.PiGdly.,Chap.0ffice2 0 14
Soho Squsre . . I 6 10
Somerset House . . 2 0 14
Saddlers Wells Theatre 2 0 14
Sessions House, Cierkenwell2 0 I 4
SnireyCbapel.BIKfrs.Road 3 6 2 4
Shoreditch Church
St. Paul'
St James's Palai
Wharf .
tiUil
Ludi'ute Hill
Conduit House . 2
Wood Street, Cross Keys 2
Yorkshire Stingo . . 2
ZooIogicaIGrdns.,Rguts.Prk.2
4 6 3 0
AB'iilOLET FARES p
:nn, Bristol Rd. . 1850-16
ingham Canal,
Use St, . . onemile-l 0
ent, (any part) • 1 6
Dees Royal Hotel ■ 98.'j-l 0
Deaf & Dumb Insts. . 3050-2 6
Deritend Bridge . . 1120-1 0
EtIgbtn.Ch., by Bi-stl, Rd. 3900-2 6
by Broad Street 3050-:
School, New Sti-eet 1130-10
General Hospital . onemile-l 0
Old Square, Stork Hotel 840-1 0
Post Office . . 1433-1 0
Plough & Hanow Inn,
Hapley Road . , 3670-2 6
Swan Hotel . . . 1065-1 0
St. Martin's Church . 1000-10
St.PhlpsCb..(Dee'sHotI.) 990-1 0
St. George's Church . 1980-16
St. Mary's Chapel. . 1030-10
Sl.PaursChpI.Lgtfi.Hill 1860-1 6
Sand Pits Toll-gate . 2990-2 0
Trinity Chapel, Deritend 3000-1 6
Town Hall . - . 1590-1 0
Theatre .... 1430-1 0
and every 20
n the Station
le mile of tbe
;ediog4n,6d. for being detained.
and Inn'
AYLESBURY RAILWAY,
Ziondon and Birmmgham Sailway.
The Hovm of J>f,mr{,7rr ore as miJe}-.—
. calling a
Ziondon to Aylesbury.
t. calling
I. do. onlj
I. joins 6|
Btrmingha
i to Aylesbury.
buryt
rom Wo
BERKHMPSTD.
m It 4
ill
ii:
10.6
i:
::
-_ ■
7-1 -
". ^
t.a
«
6.6
S
°;°
2.6
it:
■«
s
;:::
;;':
:r
ia.o
1"
9.0
!:::
.3.1
.:■:
LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY
1^ P.M. ditto Ditto Catling only at 1st Class do.
Aylesbury to Birmingham.
I i.M, Train Irom London, calling at all the Stations.
On Sundays.— Ztondon to Aylesbury-
" ditto ' ditto
Birmingham to Aylesbury.
, Calling at all the Stiitiuns. Ihie nt CwLDDlNGTOf
Aylesbury to London.
joins 6J4.M. Train from Wolvf.uton. .jailing i
.. IJP.M ditto ElUMINGIIAM.
Aylesbury to Blrminghi
all tbe Stations.
ERPOOL AND
les of departure fr._
Liverp^l-road, Mancheslei
Uverpool to Manchester.
" ^- id 'i,A%, 7, {mixed,) p.m.—
and 2J,54,7, (stopping only
MANCHESTER RAILWAY,
Lime.street, Liverpool
iQpl-rr"-' ■»' — '
First Class, "t^ W,'vi
Second Class, TJ, 10, llj,
at Newton,) p.m.
_. Prom Manchester to Liverpool.
First Class, , 9 lU. a.m., and 2, 5, 7. {mixed.)p.m— Second
Sl*'i?''iv^°' "i'«™- and 2i,' flj, 7, {stopping only at
ot start till 3.
..and 5} p.m.
5, p.m.— 2ud Class,
Fares.
Royal Mnil
Newtou,)
Except
IstClnss,
By First
D
By 2ud (
B
Charge for the Conveyance ofF.
Ditto Two-wheeled ditto ..
Horses— For 1 Horse, Hs —2 Horses, i
N.B. — All Horses must be embarked
Station, EDGE HILL, (Wavertree-lane.) unless
u which they belong; i
Company'!
For better se
Carpet Bags an
every descriptio
! requested to take
eipht allowed for each Passenger is Wlbs,, beyond
R^, Mixed; 11. Fiisti
Second Class ; 4J, Mixed.
, -'i ;
On S
■ARES.— From i.nir|i<,>i>l i.r Muiichesterto Preston, Is
7s. 6d.; 2nd Class 59.— Ditto to Wigan, Ist. Class 5s
Class 3s. 6d.
To Bolton.
First Class, SJ, 11, a.m.— Second Cla8S,2J,flJ,p.
1st Claaa.9, m.'am.— 2nd Class, 23, 5J,
)n Sdndays (both u'oys;.— 2nd Class, 7, a.m., a
"ares.— From Liverpool, In, fis. 6d., Out, 48.;
Manchester, 2s. 6d. and 2s,
d^i,]
Secoud Class, 7^, 10, llj, a.m., and 2}, 5\, p.n
Second Class, 7J, 10, llj.a.m., and 2|, 5j, p.n
On SvsDkY'A (both Hflj/s/— 2nd Class, 7a.ro., and i
Fares. — From Livei-pool, In., 3s., Out,, 28, 6d.; ac
Mancbeeter,
From Liver;
On Sundays (hoth u-aj/sj.— 2nd Class,
To Buneorn Gap.
OOL — Second Class, 74 a.m.
- .?iu.,.
Liverpool, In., 3s,, Ou
Manchester, 4s. and 3s.
Parcels
and 2} p.n
"l^-^i'-i^-
igan, Pre!
^ Dui and M
Manehester, and Lii
■or tbe Intermedia
Railway may beki
Liverpool
Oflici
i.and The North, are booked o
hestcr Parcel Offices, {Market-;
Liverpool); and the Coach
ipping Places on the Non
at tbe Liverpool and Ma
t Class Carriages, carrying Six Inside, and of Second Class
is a small roof lamp inside by day and aigbt.— Children,
Parcels by Weight.
ningbaui. as fur as WuIvlHuu
r further than Wolvertou ...
VTagon (
a London anil Hi k
liagic, Gracechurch-s
and SliU, Oxford-stri
Chickens. In Cov
N.B.— Persons des
paid for accordingly.
n\\ be dismi
In addition U
leceivinp Hou;
nay beoblained; —
In London: — Swan with Two Necks, Lad-lane; Cross Keys, Wood-
itreet; Golden Cross, Charing Cross; Eagle, Regent Circus; Spread
ly, " Per Railway,"
nd all Passengers t
ud Packages 1
i Offices E
I, there beini
ouch Trains,
0 foundation
Officers of, theliondon & Birmingham Bail^nr^
■ B. CREED,
Engineeiriu Chief. . . .R. STEPHENSON, Esq.
Resident Eni
. FOX, Esq.
.. DOCKRAY, Esq.
Agen
Great IVastern Ballviray.
Slough &\
Slough
Slough &\
DUATTON
calling at Hanwell and Ealing.
Sundays
\, \\, 4^, and 8^,
.— J8, Jll, i3, and J7
t Ealing & Slough 6 direct t(
•?.Drytii.& .. 8 calling 1
Slough j 9
t7.Di7tn,& ..
. Slough
p.m., calling at Ealing
<. — ^8, and ^7, calling
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Geneva aad Improved Patent Lever Watches.
HENRY BRIGHT,
WATCH MAKER, AND JEWELLER,
2, UNION STREET, BIRMINGHAM.
Geneva, Repeating, and other Watches, expeditiously and accurately
repaired.
*«* Mourning Rings, Watch Appendages, ^'c.
JAMES BROWN,
MANUFACTURER OF TABLE SERVICES,
AND EVERY OTHER DESCRIPTICTN OF
BKITAOTIA MI2TAiL WARES,
Paradise-street, Bi't'xningliaxn.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
STAINED GLASS WOEKS,
CHINA, GLASS, EARTHENWARE, LAMPS,
BRONZES, &,C._,
{Opposite the New Roijal Hotel,)
62, NEW. STREET, BIRMINGHAM.
R. HENDERSON
EXECUTES IN THE FIRST STYLE
STAINED CLASS WINDOWS.
IN HERALDIC, HISTORICAL, AND ORNAMENTAL SUBJECTS •
AND HAS CONTINUALLY ON SALE
AT HIS UNRIVALLED ESTABLISHMENT
EVERY DESCRIPTION OF
CHINA, CUT &; PLAIN GLASS, BABTHEN & ST017B
WARE, LAEOPS, LUSTRES^ BRONZES, &c..
In Great Variety,
OF THE
MOST MODERN PATTERNS AND APPROVED SHAPES,
SELECTED FROM THE
BEST MANUFACTORIES IN THE KINGDOM.
Circular eonbri ffilassw,
AND FRENCH COVERS, OF EVERY SIZE.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Wholesale and for Exportation.
JOSEPH GILLOTT,
PATENT
STEEL PEN MANUFACTURER,
59, NEWHALL-ST., AND GRAHAM-ST.,
BIRZKEirrGKAUfX.
Joseph Gillott has been for nearly t^venty years
engaged in the manufacture of Sieel Pens, and during
that time has devoted his unceasing attention to the im-
proving and perfecting this useful and necessary article :
the result of his persevering efforts, and numerous experi-
ments upon the properties of the metal used, has been the
construction of a Pen upon a principle entirely new,
combining all the advantages of the elasticity and fineness
of the quill, with the durability of the metallic pen, and
thus obviating the objections which have existed against
the use of Steel Pens.
The Patentee is proud to acknowledge that a discerning public has
paid the most gratifying tribute to his humble, though useful labours,
by a demand for his Pens far exceeding his highest expectations.
The number of Steel Pens manufactured at Joseph Gillott's
Works, from October, 1837, to October, 1838,
was 35,808,452
or 2,984,03 7 2-3rds dozens
or 248,669 gi'oss, 9 dozen, and 8 pens.
This statement will show the estimation in which these Pens are
held, and it is presumed will be an inducement to those who desire
to have a really good article, at least to make a trial of JOSSPK
GIIiIiOTT'S Steel Pens.
*»* The universal celebrity of these Pens has induced certain
disreputable Makers to foist upon the Public a spurious article,
bearing the mis-spelled name of the Patentee and Sole Manufacturer,
thus ," GILOTT ," by omitting the"L"; and in some instances the
omission of the final " T " is fraudulently resorted to, in order to re-
tain the same SOUND as GILLOTT: but observe,
NONE ARE GENUINE BUT THOSE M.VRKED IN FULL,
JOSEPH aiZ.I.OTT.
Printed by James Drake, o2. New-street, Birmingham,
I 2
ADVERTISEMENTS.
THOMAS & JAMES UPFILL,
157, GREAT CHARLES STREET,
Birmingliazu.
MANUFACTURERS OF
WROUGHT AND CAST IRON
GATES, PARK FEMCIWG, HURDLES,
INVISIBLE WIRE FENCE, HAIR FENCE,
RACKS, MANGERS, CHAINS,
NAILS, BOOK CASES, TIN, IRON ARMS, &c.
BIRMINGHAM COMMERCIAL
AND
PIRITATE BOAMBIE'O- MOILJBEj
BTo. 12; Union Passage
MR. AND MRS. JONES
Respectfully inform their Friends and the Public, that Ladies
and Gentlemen visiting or i)assing through Binningham will
meet with every atlendon and comfort at this Establishment, at
very reasonable charges.
THE HOUSE IS CENTRAL AND RETIRED.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
V. ^^m^^^m R.
MAPPLEBECK AND LOWE'S
EMPORIUM FOB THE MANUFACTURES OF
BIRMINGHAM, LONDON, AND SHEFFIELD,
aiANUF^CTUEIXG AND FURXISHIXG IRONMONGERS,
"Wliclesale and Hetail.
BY APPOINTMENT,
Agents to Messrs. JOSEPH RODGERS and SONS, Sheffield, Cutleis to Her
Majesty.
The Nobility, Gentry, and Strangers, visiting BiiTningham, are respectfully
invited to this Establishment, whether as Purchasers, or Parties in search of
amusement. The Show Rooms contain the finished articles for Sale that are
manufactured in this Town, London, and Sheliield, — and are open to ail per-
sons of respectability. Cards of admission, to inspect some of the distin-
guished Manufactories, may be obtained at this establishment.
Cutlery Shoinr Kooms^
Contain an elegant and splendid assortment of every description of articles in
Cutlery, and beautiful specimens from the Manufactory and Show Rooms of
Messrs. Rodgers and Sons, and various other articles which present novelties
of unusual taste and variety ; also, an extensive variety of rich Sheffield Plated
Wares, (with strong Silver edges and shields for engraving anns or crests
upon,) German Silver and Britannia Metal Goods.
Furnisliing Sliov^ Boom,
Contains splendid Patent Fire Places, elegant Bronzed Steel and Or-molu
Stove Grates, Fenders, Fire Irons, and Supports. Bronzed Tea and Coflfee
Urns, Kettles on Stands, &c., &c., of the best manufacture, and entirely new
patterns. A splendid assortment of the best Japanned Papier Machee Trays
and Waiters; also, Ladies' Work Tables, Fiie Screens, Card Racks, and Cases,
from the first manufacturers. Bronzed Inkstands, Lustres, Thei-mometers,
Card Racks, Wax Tapers, &c., &c. Chandelier, Table, Hall, Candle, and
other Lamps, and Candelabras in Bronze and Or-molu.
Establisliiuent for Furnishing
Gentlemen's Seats, Halls, Houses, &c.,in the most complete manner and first
style of elegance ; Kitchen Ranges, on most improved principles; Economical
Cooking Apparatus, with the latest improvements, and every description of
Ironmongery, and superior Braziei-y Goods ; improved Shower Baths, with
Pump; Warm, Cold, Hip, and Feet Baths; Horticultural Implements in great
variety, viz., Tool Chests, Fumigating Bellows, Scott's Portable Garden
Pumps, Engines, and Mennogrammes (or improved Labels) for Flower Pots,
&c., highly approved of by the first Horticulturists.
EXPERIENCED BELL-HANGERS AND LOCKSMITHS SENT TO ANY
PART OF THE COUNTRY.
The Wholesale Ironmongery business connected with this Establishment,
is conducted at No. 1, Golden Court, adjoining.
*»* Goods for Exportation and Shipping Orders, executed on the most
advantageous terins.
6, Bull Bing^, Birmingliam.
__
ADVERTISEMENTS.
ECONOMICAL AND SUPERIOR CLOTHING,
AND
NA^EST OF ENGLAND CLOTH MART,
38, New-street, (next door to the Journal Office,)
93irmmgf)am.
H. JOWETT & Co.
WOOLLEN DRAPERS, AND TAILORS,
A Suit of Clothes made in six hours. Price and quality not to
be exceeded by any establishment in Birmingham.
THE
ILITEI^FOOIL TEA COMFAE'T,
9l3olti=$trcct, Sibtrpool,
F. HORNBLOWER & Co.,
FAMILIES VISITING LIVERPOOL WOULD FIND
THIS ESTABLISHMENT UNEQUALLED EITHER
FOR PRICE OR QUALITY.
F. H. and Co. have always on hand a large assortment of the
most useful Teas, in Chests and Boxes, from tnelve to eighty-
four povuids' weight, for family use, so that orders received from
the country wovild meet with iromediate attention.
FINEST COFFEES, SPICES, AND
REFINED SUGARS.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
LIVERPOOL,
No. 24, CHURCH STREET, CORNER OF POST OFFICE PLACE.
W. B. PROMOLI,
(successor to THOMAS WOOLFIELD,)
OOILBSMITM ^ JEWjEILILEIR,
IMPORTER OF
FRENCH CLOCKS & GENEVA WATCHES,
Manufacturer of Desks, Dressing Cases, and Work Boxes.
WARRANTED OF THE BEST QUALITY AND NEWEST FASHION;
gTJFERB CILOCKSc,
IN ORMOLU, BRONZE, PORCELAIN, AND ALABASTER;
Oil. AND GAS Z.AIXCFS AND CHANDEIiIEBS ;
Fane;/ Bronzes and other Chimney Ornaments ;
RODGERS 8c SONS' SUPERIOR CUTLERY,-
farina's EAU DE cologne, FRENCH DRESS SHOES, COMBS
BRUSHES, RETICULES, PURSES, PAPER CASES, AND FOLIOS;
AND AN ALMOST ENDLESS CHOICE OF ALL THE VARIOUS
FAS'CT MAE'irjIF ACTUIKES
OF ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND GERMANY.
AU kinds of Instruments for fitting up Work Boxes and Dressing Cases.
Visiters and Strangers in Liverpool, and the Public in general, are
respectfully invited to visit this tinique Establishment, whether as purchasers
or parties in search of amusement ; the whole of the stock (certainly one of the
largest and most varied in England) being conveniently arranged for their in-
spection, and the price plainly marked on each article, from which no deduc-
tions are made, nor credit given. Every article warranted perfect, and the
quality fairly and honourably stated; the object being to establish a Concern
where the public may pui-chase with such confidence and economy, as to
insure their future favour and support.
VT. B. Promoli begs to assure the Public, that the great and unpre-
cedented patronage bestowed upon his Predecessor, Thomas WooLFiELD,will
incite him to persevere in selecting, both from Loudon and the Continent,
such articles of taste and novelty as are likely to be pleasing to an extensive
connexion, and to maintain an Establishment in Liverpool decidedly superior
to any other single concern in London or the Empire, the choice of goods being
greater, their quality the best, and the prices extremely moderate.
Fixed Cash Prices. — No Abatement nor Credit given.
. . __
AEVERTlSEMEM'g.
■>
^\J
^\
EDWARDS, BALL, and CO.,
82; High-street; Birzuingliazn,
JEWELLERS, SILVERSMITHS, CUTLERS, &c.,
FOR THE MANUFACTURES OF
BIRMINGHAM, SHEFFIELD, AND LONDON.
Established nearly a century.
This spacious suite of Rooms offers to the inspection of the
Visiter, an extensive selection of fashionable Jewellery, Gold
and Silver Plate, and a large assortment of second hand Plate ;
Plated Wares of every variety; Fancy Silver Goods; Gilt
Jewellery and Trinkets; Gold and Silver Watches; Gei-man
Silver and Plated-ou-Steel Articles; Wan-anted Cutlery, Elastic
Razors, and Strops; Fancy Hearth Brushes; Papier Machee
Trays and Japanned Wares; Bronze Tea and Coffee Unis;
Britannia Metal Goods; Bronze and Or Molu Suspenduig and
Table Lamps; Candelabra, Lustres, Inkstands, &c.; Regulation
and Dress Swords; Patent Corkscrews; Snuffers and Polished
Steel Articles of every description.
N.B. Canteens made and fitted to contain Plate. Livery
Button Dies cut, and Buttons made to order on the shortest
notice. Medals and Seals for Public Companies and Scientific
Societies, Communion Seiwices, Presentation Plate, and Silver
Cups, designed and executed in the first style of Art.
'arms, ©rests, antJ jDHlottos Sngrabetr.
FURNISHING IRONxMONGERY IN GENERAL.
ADVERT 1 SEMENTS .
SMITH AND HAWKES,
GENERAL IRONFOUNDERS
BTOTIE (&MATE MAE'UJIFACTIJIEEMgp
SMITHS AND ENGINEERS,
EAGLE FOUNDRY, BROAD STREET.
Established llliy.
Who also manufacture every description of Chilled and Sand Rolls, for
Rolling Metals; Mill Work; Steam Engines, with the Patent Self-feeding
Fire Regulator and Smoke Consumer; Sugar Mills for exportation; Saw
Mills; Cranes upon an improved construction, capable of raising from
One to Ten Tons; Bone Mills; Malt Mills; the Patent Bark Mill, and
improved Leather Rolling Apparatus ; Clay Mills, to work by hand, horse
power, or steam; Pumps; Pully Blocks; Stamp Anvils, Hammers, and
Press Castings, of every description ; Weighing Machines, from Ten Cwt.
to Ten Tons, for Railway or common Roads ; Heating Apparatuses, by
warm water, steam, or warm air; Dr. Arnott's Stoves ; Garden and
Meadow Rolls; Book Case Doors and Frames; Patent Safety Fire
Proof Chests and Deed Boxes ; Cast and Wrought Iron Palisades,
Fencing, Hurdles, Verandahs, Geometrical Stairs, Balustrades, Iron
Windows, with every kind of Stove, Stove Grate, Kitchen Range, Cooking
Apparatus, Ovens, Hot Closets, Bath Boilers, Stewing Plates, Hay Racks
and Mangei-s, Water Troughs, &c.
S. and H. have constantly on hand a large assortment of Grates,
Stoves, and Fenders, both of their own and the Sheffield make; also.
Kitchen Ranges and Cooking Apparatuses, Stewing Stoves, and Hot
Closets.
N.B. — The whole of the Iron is Tested, of which the Rolls and
Machinery are made ; and they believe they are the only Foundeis who
have systematically pursued this plan for the last fifteen years. Books
containing Lists of Patterns may be forwarded on application.
10 ADVERTISEMENTS.
CLARK'S
ORIGINAL ESTABLISHMENT
FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF
METALLIC CONSERVATORIES,
AND HORTICULTURAL BUILDINGS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION;
ISron'jftJ ©opper Sasl^es for ilWansiottS,
GOTHIC AND OTHER ORNAMENTAL WINDOWS,
Sky-lights^ Fan-liglits^
GARDEN HAND-GLASSES, (^c. ^-c. ^r.
55, LIONEL STREET, BIRMINGHAM.
proprietor,
Mr. THOMAS CLARK, Jun.
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MANUFACTURING
DEPARTMENT,- MR. JOHN JONES.
ADVERTISEMENTS. H
JOHN RODERICK,
AUCTIONEER, APPRAISER,
GENERAL AGENT, AND SHARE BROKER.
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
llealer in ^aptx J^angings*
OFFICES, 54, NEW STREET,
AND OPPOSITE THE POST OFFICE,
{Comer of Bennett's Hill,)
AND
SALE ROOMS, No. 16, UPPER TEMPLE STREET.
TO THE
LICENSED VICTUALLERS'
AND
GENERAL FIRE AND LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY,
Adelaide Place, I<ondon Bridge.
12 ADVERTISEMENTS,
GENERAL FURNISHING
ESXABLISHMEN-r,
No. 9, NEW STREET, BIRMINGHAM,
THOMAS HARRIS,
proprietor.
Families ■who may be about to furnish, will find many
decided advaatages in visiting this Establishment, where
there is always on hand (at the lowest possible prices) a
most extensive and complete Stock of every Description of
Goods required for Furnishing a House on any Scale: —
Consisting of
Dining, Pembroke, Loo, and Card Tables; Mahogany, Rose-
wood, and Painted Chairs; Sofas, Couches, Recumbent and
other Easy Chairs; Sideboai'ds, Wardrobes, Chests of Drawers,
Dressing Tables, Bedsteads, Feather Beds, Mattresses, Draperies,
and every other Article of Upholstery and Cabinet Furniture ;
ALSO
A Splendid Assortment of Paper Hangings, Brussels, Kid-
derminster and Venetian Floor and Stair Carpets, Hearth
Rugs, Druggets, Floor Cloths, &c.,
WITH
TABLE COVERS, SHEETINGS, COUNTERPANES,
And every Article of Furnishing Drapery.
ADVERTISEMENTS. 13
PERMANENT ELASTIC SPRING HYGEIAN BEDS,
CARRIAGE, GIG, SOFA, AND CHAIR SEATS,
Patronized by Her Koyal Kighness the Bucbess of Kent.
RICHARD FARMER,
nsanufacturer^
With the greatest deference submits to the attention of his Friends and the
Public the subjoined Documents, as flattering Testimonies of the high estima-
tion in which the above very superior and much approved Articles are held:—
From Sir John Conroy, Secretary to Her Eoyal Highness the
Duchess of Kent.
" Sir John Conroy is honoured with the Duchess of Kent's command to
acquaint Mr. Farmer, that he has permission to use Her Royal Highness's
Name and Arms, as Manufacturer of Permanent Elastic Spring HygeianBeds
to Her Eoval Highness.
"Malvern, Sept. 13, 1830."
" Sir John Conroy is to acknowledge the receipt of the Bed and Mattress of
Mr. R. Farmer's invention, which he has made for the Princess Victoria ;
and Sir John is commanded by the Duchess of Kent to express her Royal
Highness's highest approval of the principle of his Mattresses, Cushions, &c.
" Kensington Palace, Dec. 17, 1830.
" Mr. Richard Farmer, ^c, 4'c."
From Congreve Selwyn, Esq., Surgeon of the Ledhury Dispensary.
" Mr. Congreve Selwyn, Surgeon of the Ledbury Dispensary, begs to
offer his Testimony of the value of Mr. Farmer's invention of his Elastic Mat-
tresses and Cushions, The one he has sent to Mr. Selwyn, answers all the
purposes for an Invalid, and is particularly serviceable where the patient
suffers from hectic fever and night perspirations.
" Ledbury, May 2, 1834.
" Mr. Richard Farmer, Si~c., ^'C."
From Sir Wilmam B. Cave, Bart.
" S'.retton, Atherstone, July 22, 1835.
"Sir "Wm, B. Cave has much satisfaction in informing Mr. Richard
Farmer, that the Elastic Steel Spring Bed which he purchased from Mr. F.
has fully answered every expectation he had foimed of it. Sir W. C. lay upon
it for five months, without ever being able to be moved in the least from it,
and for the last six months has not beeii lenioved from it for more than two
hours at a time, and is now as perfect in tbe elasticity and strength of the
springs as when he received it from Mr. Farmer. Sir V,\ Cave's weight is
sixteen stone and upwards. Dr. Palmer, of Birmingham, who has been in
the habit of attending Sir W. Cave for many years, gave it as his opinion,
that, had he been lying on a bed of any other description, the consequences
would have been very serious.
" Mr. Richard Farmer, ^'C, S,-c."
CARPETS, PAPER HANGINGS, OIL CLOTHS, DRUGGETS,
CRVMB CLOTHS, DOUBLE- STOVF.D FEATIJEItS, ^T. 6fC.
Upliolstery and General Cabinet Business.
Richard Farmer acknowledges with gratitude the very extensive patron-
age he has received Irom the Nobility, Gentry, and Public at large, and begs to
inform them, that, in addition to his Warehouse in New-street, he has entered
upon spacious premises in Bath-row, Birmingham, adapted to the carrying
on of his business in all its branches, on a vei'y extended scale, and respectfully
solicits a continuance of tbeir support, assuring them that no exertion shall be
wanting on his part to give satisfaction.
11, New-street, and 30, Bath-row, Birmingham,
o
•4
(A
WORKS PUBLISHED BY JAMES DRAKE. 15
WOEKS
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY JAMES DRAKE,
62, NEW STREET, BIRMINGHAM,
AMD SOLD BT HAYWARD AND MOORE, LONDON ; AND ALL OTHER
BOOKSELLERS.
RAILWAl PUBLICATIONS.
Drake's Road Book of the entie Line of Railway from London to Liveiyool
and Manchester, vrith vi-ws and maps. Price, foolscap 8vo., 4s. 6d; ;
large paper, with steel engravings, 9s.
Drake's Road Book of the London and Birmingham Railway, with a coloxired
map and views. Price 2s. id. ; large paper, steel engravings, 5s.
Drake's Road Book of the Grar.d Junction Railway, with a map and views.
Price, foolscap 8vo., 2s. 6d.; large paper, with steel engravings, 5s.
Maps of the entire Line of Railroad, from London to Liverpool and Man-
chester, with the time, fai'e, and distance tables, &c. Price, on canvass, in
a case for the pocket, 2s.
Tables of the Times, Fares, and Regulations, of the Grand Junction Railway.
Published by authority. Including, also, the branch traflBc, conveyance
by omnibuses, hackney coaches, and cars, and all other information re-
quisite for ti'avellers on this line. Price 3d.; or with a map of the
line, 6d.
Drake's Railway Sheet of the London and Birmingham, Grand Junction,
Aylesbury, Liverpool and Manchester, Great Western, North Union,
and Manchester Bolton and Bury Companies. Price 4d. in a neat cas«
for the pocket ; on pasteboard, 6d.
Drake's Traveller's Guide to the Grand Junction Railway, with map.
Price Is.
TOPOGRAPHICAL WORKS.
Drake's Picture of Birmingham, third edition, greatly improved; being a
concise but comprehensive historical and descriptive account of that place,
intended for the use both of residents and visiters, with a map, and twelve
views of public buildings; and a complete, and the only correct, list of th«
principal manufacturers, bound in cloth, price 4s.
Drake's Map of Birmingham, on a sheet of imperial drawing paper. Size of
map, 23 J by 20 inches. With a map of the boundaries of the borough,
16 WORKS PUBLISHED BY JAMES DRAKE.
price 3s. 6d.; or coloured, to show the wards, price 4s. 6d. — On canvass
in a case, plain, 6s. 6d. ; coloured, 7s. 6d. — Sold in a neat frame, plain
8s. 6d. ; coloured, 9s. 6d.
The Birmingham Street Director, with a map. Price Is. in a neat case foi
the pocket.
The Visiter's Guide to Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. Price Is.
MISCELLANEOUS NEW WORKS.
A Practical Treatise on the Human Teeth, showing the Causes of theii
Destruction, and the Means of their P'' >rvation, by William Robertson.
Demy 8vo., with plates, price 7s. 6d. ^loth.
The Law and Practice of Landlords a?. tw?s, with the mcst approved
modern Precedents. By R. Shipman editor of " Jones' Attorney's
Pocket Book," and author of the " Att. New Pocket Book." Twc
Parts, Demy 12mo., price 17s. cloth.
A Stepping Stotie to the Law of Real Propt iing an elementary Trtatis*
on the Statute of Uses. Royal 12mo., s. boards.
Municipal Corporation Guide. By R. S' ., Esq. Price Is.
A Treatise on the Diseases of the Ey R. Middlemore, M.R.C.S.
Surgeon to the Birmingham Eye Ii y. Two thick volumes, 8vo.
price 35s. boards.
*^* This book has become of standard auiuurity and reference, and is highl;
commended in all the medical reviews and periodicals in which it ha
been noticed.
Facts and Observations on Midwife^-y, in seven sections, embracing some c
the most important diseases incidental to females. By J. T. Ingleby
M.R.C.S.L. Senior Surgeon to the General Dispensary; Surgeon to th
Magdalen Asylum, and Lecturer on Midwifery at the Royal School o
Medicine, Birmingham. Demy 8vo. 9s.
A New Edition of Watts' Psalms and Hymns, beautifully printed on fin
demy paper, 32mo., embossed roan, price 2s. 6d.
A New Arithmetical Table Book; and Conntirg House Guide. Price Is. 6d.
A Poptdar View of the Progress of Philosophy among the Ancients. B]
Joshua Toulmin Smith. 12mo., cloth, 8s.
Flowers of Literature, selected from Blair's Preceptor. Price 3s. 6d. bound.
The Monitor s Guide, or the fii-st four rules of arithmetic. Price Is.
Acts of Parliament:— TAe Reform Act; The Highway Act; Charter Oj
the Incor-poratiov of Birmingham ; Bread and Marriage Act.
Birmingham Almanacs:— DraAre's Birmingham Sheet Almanac, on a sheei
of royal paper, price 8d. Drake's Pocket Almanac and Mercantih
Diary, price Is. ; ditto in roan tuck, 3s. 6d.
Birmingham :— Printed by James Drake, 52, Xew-street.
uNivERsrrv of illinois-urbana
3 0112 073711464
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11