ments those of Sir W. Waller, the Parliamentary General Quin, the actor, Beau Nash, and Dr Haweis, one of the founders of the Church Missionary Society, claim attention. The Guildhall, situated in the High Street, is a noble building. Close to it is the market, which is abundantly supplied with provisions of every kind, but especially with fish. In Bath there are twenty-four churches and chapels, belonging to the Established Church, and sixteen Dissenting chapels. There are several hospitals, alm-houses, and charity schools. There is a well managed theatre also. Four newspapers are published here. The city is divided for municipal purposes into seven wards, and is governed by a mayor, fourteen aldermen, and forty-one councillors. It returns two members to Parliament. Bath and Wells form a diocese extending over the county of Somerset, and contains 388 parishes. The Thames and Severn are united by a canal called the Kennet and Avon, which passes from Bath to Newburgh. The population in 1841 was 38,304.

About 8 miles from Bath is Bradford, the inhabitants of which are chiefly engaged in the manufacture of fine broad cloths. The church is an ancient edifice containing several handsome monuments. Population, 3352. About two miles farther is Trowbridge, of which Crabbe the poet was rector. It is celebrated for the manufacture of the best kerseymeres in the kingdom. Population of the parish, 10,592.

Three miles from Trowbridge, and 14 from Bath, is Westbury, a town of considerable antiquity, with a venerable church containing several monuments. Pop. of par. 7588. Some distance beyond Westbury is Erle Stoke Park, the mansion of Sir J. C. Hobhouse. Nine miles from Trowbridge, in another direction, and 13 from Bath, is the large and populous town of Frome, situated on the river of the same name. It is noted for its ale. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the woollen manufacture. It returns one member to Parliament. Population of town and parish, 11,849.

Nearly 12 miles from Frome, and 18 from Bath, is Shepton Mallet, which carries on an extensive manufacture of knit-stockings, and woollen goods. The market cross, erected in 1500, is a curious structure, consisting of five arches supported by pentagonal columns, and adorned with sculpture. Population of parish, 5265.

About 4 miles from Shepton Mallet, 18 from Bath, and 17 from Bristol, is the ancient city of Wells, forming a bishop's see jointly with Bath. It derived its origin from a collegiate church erected in 1704. The cathedral is a spacious Gothic structure, and is reckoned one of the most splendid specimens of this order of architecture in England. The west front, in particular, is much admired. The cathedral is open to the public. In the Episcopal palace Bishop Kidder and his lady were killed by a portion of the building falling in during the great storm in 1703. The chapter house and St Cuthbert's Church are also worth notice. Wells returns two members to Parliament. Annual races are held here. Population, 7050.

Ellis.

About 54 miles from Wells is the town of Glastonbury, where stood the famous Abbey of that name, one of the richest and most powerful monastic institutions England. The last abbot was hanged on account of his refusal to surrender the abbey to Henry VIII. The ruins of the monastery contain the ashes of King, Arthur, King Edgar, and many illustrious nobles and prelates, but their monuments are now defaced or demolished. The only parts of the monastery in tolerable preservation are the chapel of St Joseph, and the abbot's kitchen. In the centre of the town stands the cross, a venerable but decaying structure. The church of St John is a handsome building, surmounted by a beautiful tower, and that of St Benedict is a venerable edifice erected by Abbot Beer. On a hill northeast of the town is the Tor or St Michael's Tower, the only remaining portion of a church and monastery which formerly stood there. The George Inn was formerly an hospital for pilgrims to the shrine of St Joseph. Population of parish, 3314

XXVII, GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY TO BATH AND BRISTOL, 118) Miles.

Southall Park, Sir Wm.

111

Ealing Station.

At some distance from the station is the Wharncliffe Viaduct, so called in compliment to Lord Wharncliffe, Chairman of Committee of House of Lords on the Incorporation Act. The erection is over the Brent, and is 900 feet long. Hanwell Station,

Southall Station.

The railway now crosses the Grand Junction Canal.

The Middlesex Lunatic Asylum is a magnificent building, remarkable both for the convenience of its arrangement and the enlightenment of its system.

ON RIGHT FROM LOND.

It is

From
Bristol.

At a distance on the 105 right is Uxbridge, an ancient borough, and polling place for Middlesex. famous for its corn-market. It gives the title of Earl to the Pagets. Population, 3043.

Chalfont St Giles, where Milton finished Paradise Lost.

Stoke, Pa. J. Penn, Esq. Stoke Pogis, the spot where Gray finished several of his poems. Here Sr Ed. Coke entertained Elizabeth in 1601, and presented her with jewels to the amount of L. 1000. And at a distance Beaconsfield, the residence of Waller and Edmund Burke. Dropmore Lodge.

Hedsor Lo. Lord Boston.

100

* Eton College was founded in 1440, by Henry VI., for the education of 70 scholars. Besides these, there are generally several hundreds of the sons of the nobility and gentry receiving their education there. The total number has usually amounted to about 500. The chapel is a fine old Gothic structure, containing a monument to Sir Henry Wotton, who was long Provost of the College. At the west end of the ante-chapel there is a beautiful marble statue of the founder, Henry VI., in his royal robes; and there is another statue of the founder in bronze in the centre of the principal court. The library contains a curious and valuable collection of books, an excellent assortment of Oriental MSS., and some beautifully illuminated missals. Eton is the scene of a curious triennial pageant, called the Eton Montem. Amongst other great men who were educated at Eton are, Sir Robert Walpole, Harley Earl of Oxford, Lord Bolingbroke, Earl Camden, the famous Earl of Chatham, Outred the mathematician, Boyle the philosopher, Lord Lyttelton, Gray, Horace Walpole, West, Waller, Fox, Canning, the Marquis of Wellesley, Hallam the historian, and the Duke of Wellington, Population of parish, 3232.

Two miles from the Slough Station is the town of Windsor, situated on the Thames. It possesses an ancient church, a theatre, barracks, and a good free school. The borough returns two members to Parliament. Population, 7103.

Windsor Castle has been the principal seat of British Royalty for nearly eight centuries. The Saxon kings had a palace at Old Windsor long previous to the Conquest, The present castle was founded by William the Conqueror, but was almost rebuilt by Edward III., with the assistance of the celebrated William of Wykeham, whom he made clerk of the works. Great alterations were made by Sir Jeffrey Wyatville during the reign of George IV. St George's Chapel is a splendid specimen of florid Gothic architecture. It contains the stalls of the Knights of the Garter; and here the ceremony of installation takes place. At the east end of the chapel is the Royal vault, where the remains of George III. and his Queen, George IV., the Princess Charlotte, the Duke of Kent, the Duke of York, William IV., &c. are deposited. Edward IV. and his Queen, Henry VI., Henry VIII. and Jane Seymour, and Charles I. are also interred here. The keep or round tower in the centre of the castle is perhaps the most remarkable part of the building. Here James I. of Scotland was confined. The terrace is supposed to be the noblest walk of its kind in Europe. A fine flight of steps leads from the east terrace to the new garden.