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Worcester, the capital of the county of that name, is nearly in the centre of England. It is finely situated on a gradual ascent from the left bank of the Severn, over which there is an elegant stone bridge. The circumference of the city is four miles, and on the east side it is sheltered by a range of hills. The streets are in general well built, and the chief one, the Foregate, is very handThe cathedral is an elegant fabric of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, It is 394 feet in length, 78 feet in breadth, and 162 in height. The tower contains eight bells, the largest weighing 6600 lbs. The interior is a splendid spe cimen of architecture. The choir is magnificent, the pulpit is octagonal, and consists of stone. The monuments are numerous, that of King John is the most ancient royal monument extant in England. The statues of Bishops Wolstan, Oswald, and Hough, and the tomb of Prince Arthur, son of Henry VII., a curious piece of antique workmanship, in the Gothic style, claim attention. The cloisters where the monks formerly resided are now occupied by the dignitaries of the cathedral. Adjoining is the chapter-house, appropriated to the King's school, but used also at the triennial meetings of the choirs of Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester. The other public buildings worthy of notice are the Episcopal palace, close to the Severn, the residence of George III. and his Queen during their stay at Worcester in 1788: Edgar's Tower, a curious specimen of antiquity; the guildhall, a handsome edifice (in the Foregate); the town-hall, county gaol, the market-house, and infirmary. There are eleven parish churches in Worcester, and several places of worship for Dissenters There are also numerous hospitals and charitable institutions, a library, theatre, race-ground, &c. Formerly Worcester carried on a considerable trade in woollen cloths and carpets, but that has given place to the manufacture of gloves and porcelain, the latter more remarkable for the beauty of the work than for the extent to which it is carried on. The trade by the river is very considerable, consisting partly in colonial produce, supplied by Bristol and Liverpool, and partly in culinary salt brought from the brine springs of Droitwich, six miles distant, and carried to some of the western counties of England, and some parts of South Wales. The hop market of Worcester is one of the largest in the kingdom. The country around the city is highly fertile, and the markets held

on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are well supplied. The Severn affords abundance of fresh water fish. At Worcester, Charles II. was defeated by Cromwell in 1650, and after the battle he was concealed in the old mansion of White Ladies, about half a mile from the city. Worcester gives the title of Marquis to the eldest son of the Duke of Beaufort. It returns two members to Parliament, and is divided for municipal purposes into six wards, and is governed by a mayor, twelve aldermen, and thirty-five councillors, with justices of the peace appointed by the Crown. Population in 1841, 25,793,

Kidderminster is a large and populous town on the Stour, famous for the manufacture of carpets. The old church is a noble Gothic pile, containing numerous monuments. The walks in the churchyard command fine views of the town and its vicinity. The town possesses several charitable institutions. It returns one member to Parliament. Pop. 14,399. The Staffordshire and Worcester canal, which passes through Kidderminster, opens a communication with Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, &c. In the vicinity are the remains of an ancient castle, the vestiges of an encampment at Wassal Hill, and a chalybeate well at Sandburn. The celebrated Richard Baxter was for many years vicar at Kidderminster, and Baskerville the printer was born in the vicinity.

From Kidderminster to Bewdley is 3 miles, to Stourport 4 miles, to Tenbury 16 miles, to Leominster 27 miles, to Ludlow 24 miles, to Bridgenorth 13 miles, to Stourbridge 62 miles. Bewdley on the Severn is chiefly supported by its navigation, and has a considerable trade in tanning leather. Pop. 3400. It unites with Stourport in returning one M. P. Stourbridge is a handsome town, noted for the manufacture of glass. The canal, which passes the town, communicates with the adjacent counties, and contributes greatly to its prosperity. Pop. 7481.

Two miles and a quarter from the town is Hagley, the famous mansion erect ed by the first Lord Lyttleton. It contains a valuable library and a numerous collection of paintings. The grounds command varied and extensive views. In Hagley church is the mausoleum of the Lyttleton family. Near Stourbridge also, but in Staffordshire, is Enville Hall, the seat of the Earl of Stamford and Warrington, a spacious and elegant mansion, with grounds laid out by the poet Shenstone, to whose memory a small chapel is dedicated. Ten miles from Kidderminster is Hales Owen, a neat town, formerly celebrated for its monastery, some remains of which still exist. The church, which is admired for its beautiful spire, contains several interesting monuments, one in memory of the poet Shenstone, who was educated in the free grammar-school, and buried in the adjacent cemetery. In the vicinity is the Leasowes (M. Attwood, Esq.,) a beautiful seat, indebted for much of its elegance to the taste of the poet Shenstone, who was born here. Hales Owen is 74 miles from Birmingham.

XLIV. LONDON TO GLOUCESTER AND CHELTENHAM, (by Railway)

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