for the places named above, and the chief places in the South and West of England. Tickets and full particulars may be obtained on the Company's ferry boats, which leave the Georges Landing Stage, Liverpool.

Leaving Birkenhead, we pass several small stations before reaching CHESTER (14 miles), see description, page 112. Leaving Chester, our route is through a beautiful country. CHIRK (28

miles) is passed, with its handsome church spire and castle, and the line crosses two viaducts, one being 900 feet in length, over the Vale of Ceiroig, the boundary between England and Wales. Passing WHITTINGTON (40 miles), with its ruined castle, we soon reach SHREWSBURY (56 miles), on a peninsula in the Severn. It is a town of no interest to the tourist. Here lines of the Great Western Railway branch off to the South, and to the Eastward. [By the former we may extend our journey to Ross, on the Wye, CHEPSTOW, near which is the famous TINTERN ABBEY (see page 175), BRISTOL and BATH, which are fully described at pages 170 and 171. By the middle route we may visit Worcester, Stratford-on-Avon, and Oxford.] Pursuing our journey towards Birmingham, we pass WOLVERHAMPTON (86 miles), an important iron manufacturing town, the capital of" the Black Country," and soon reach BIRMINGHAM (98 miles), which is described at page 161. Seventeen miles farther is HATTON JUNCTION, whence a branch line goes south, 9 miles, to STRATFORD-ON-AVON (See pages 151 to 160). WARWICK, 15 miles from Birmingham, is

now

reached. Five miles from Warwick is KENILWORTH CASTLE (see pages 159 and 160). Continuing

on by rail we reach, two miles from Warwick, LEAMINGTON, described at page 151. For the remainder of the route to London, see pages 148 to 152.

ROUTE 32.

HOLYHEAD TO LONDON. (By Chester.)

to

264 miles; 1st class, 43s. 8d.; 2nd, 34s.; 3rd, 24s. 1d. HE express train London called the Irish Mail, leaves Holyhead at once upon the arrival of the steamer. HOLYHEAD (Hotels: Royal, Castle) is a port of refuge on the Island of Anglesey, constructed at an immense expense by the government, which serves, at the same time, as the station for the Dublin mail steamers.

The next station is BANGOR (24 miles), (Hotels: (see "HOTEL APPENDIX,"). Population estimated at 6,738. This is a very ancient Welsh city, near the northern entrance of the Menai Straits, returning a member to Parliament, and the seat of a bishopric. Its trade consists principally in the export of slates. Ban

Penrhyn Castle, near gor, is the residence of the proprietor of the slate quarries, and has been modernized and extended upon a scale commensurate with the princely income which he derives from them. The Cathedral, which suffered greatly in the wars and rebellions of which the county has been the scene, contains the remains of Owen Gryffyd and other Welsh princes and ecclesiastical dignitaries. His tomb is still perfect. The Menai Suspension Bridge, which is visible from the railway, is reached from Bangor by a local line. We soon reach the

BRITANNIA TUBULAR BRIDGE, by which the Chester and Holyhead Railway is carried across the strait, begun in 1846, and brought to completion by Robert Stephenson in 1850. The total length of the bridge is 1833 ft. including 230 ft. from the land on the Carnarvon side to the first pier, and the same on the Anglesey side. Besides these side piers it is supported by a central tower, rising from a rock in the strait. The two tubes, one of which serves for the up, and the other for the down trains, are each 1,513 ft. long, made up of four separate lengths, composed of riveted wrought-iron plates, from to of an inch in thickness. The weight of each tube is about 5,000 tons. Their height above the water is 104 ft. a little more than that of the Suspension Bridge. The tubes, when constructed, were floated on pontoons, and raised to their required positions by powerful hydraulic levers. The Britannia Bridge is said to have cost more than £600,000, and to have absorbed 11,400 tons of iron, 14,000,000 cubic ft. of limestone, and 450,000 cubic ft. of timber.

We

Leaving Bangor, the train passes through a tunnel, and shortly afterwards through two others at brief intervals. We proceed along the coast, and observe a small island, called Puffins' Island, from the numbers of sea-birds of that description which build their nests upon it. On the right is a mountain called Penmaenmawr. then pass through another tunnel, and arrive at CONWAY (394 miles) (Hotels: see "HOTEL APPENDIX") beautifully situated on a point where the river that bears its name falls into the sea. The ancient castle was erected in the reign of Edward I., in 1284, and its ruins justify the account for

merly given of it as being one of the finest fortresses of which England could boast. It was one of the few which were spared by the Parliament in the civil war, and has been reduced to its present condition by the acts of its owner, the Earl of Conway, to whom it was granted after the Restoration, having despoiled it for the sake of the lead on its roofs, and the timber used in its construction. It was built by Edward I., in 1284, and was last garrisoned by Williams, Archbishop of York, on behalf of Charles I."

Leaving Conway, and still keeping near the sea-shore, we pass Llandudno Junction (40 miles), near which is the village of Llandudno, one of the most fashionable watering places in the kingdom. The bathing is very fine, and the region abounds in beautiful walks and drives (Hotels: see "HoTEL APPENDIX "). We next stop at Rhyl (54 miles), from which there is a branch to Denbigh. Rhyl is situated on the sea, near the entrance of the famous Vale of Clwyd, and is much frequented during the bathing season. We make no further stoppage till we reach CHESTER (84) miles). (Hotels : see 66 HOTEL APPENDIX "). Population, 36,110. Tourists travelling by the route now described, or those arriving at Liverpool, should not omit to visit this interesting old city. It is reached in one hour by direct train from Liverpool, and may be included in the journey from Liverpool to London, with little inconvenience or expense. Those who can do so should not fail to spend a Sunday here for the interesting services at the Cathedral. The music is exceedingly fine. The hotel accommodation is exceptionally good and reasonable; the Grosvenor, the only hotel in the town

itself, and near the Cathedral, being a most inviting stoppingplace. Chester, from many points of view, is one of the most interesting cities in Great Britain. It probably retains, more nearly than any other, the regular arrangement of its streets, resembling those of a Roman camp (Castrum), from which it derives its name, crossing each other at right angles. No other English city has so well preserved its ancient defences, which, although no longer of the slightest use for their intended purpose, form pleasant promenades two miles in extent, and afford views of the surrounding country. Another peculiar feature of the place is the arrangement of the pavements called Rows, upon a level with the first floors of the houses, in which the principalshops are found, the second floor projecting over them and protecting them from rain. The Cathedral is ancient, but of no great beauty, the chapter-house, its most ancient part (early English), being that which is most generally admired. Extensive repairs have been made in the Cathedral within a few years. The wood carving in the choir, recently restored, is considered the finest in England. The altar is inlaid with woods from the Holy Land. The modern windows in the Lady Chapel are very beautiful. There are a few interesting monuments, and some of the inscriptions on the mural tablets are very curious. Services on Sundays at 11, 3, and 7. The choral services are peculiarly impressive.

Chester is no longer of consequence as a port, but is a bishop's see and returns two members to Parliament. It has long been celebrated for its races, the course, known as the Roodee, lying between the walls and the river,

being one of the best in England, and the race for the Chester Cup one of the most exciting to sportsmen of the racing season.

The most splendid seat in the county is Eaton Hall, about three miles from Chester on the Shrewsbury road, the residence of the Duke of Westminster, head of the Grosvenor family, which has been of note in the county from the time of the Conquest. It is situated in a beautiful well-wooded park, contains a collection of exceedingly valuable paintings and other works of art, and is one of the most imposing piles of Gothic architecture in the kingdom.

After Chester, the next stoppage is at CREWE (1053 miles). This is quite a new town which has sprung up at the point of junction of the Manchester and Chester line with that of the London and North Western Railway Company. The last-named company having established here extensive locomotive and carriage factories which employ regularly about 2000 hands, the insignificant hamlet of three or four houses which stood here but a few years ago became the nucleus of the now thriving and rapidly increasing town. Its population was estimated at 12,000 in 1864, and must be now much larger.

From Crewe we proceed to STAFFORD (133 miles), (Hotels: Swan, Vine, Maid's Head), population (1877) 14,250. This is an ancient Saxon town, with two ancient churches. St. Mary's was formerly collegiate, is principally early English, and has a stained glass monumental window to the late Earl Talbot. St. Chad's is essentially Norman, but its best features had been long obscured by injudicious additions, until recent restorations. The principal manufacture is that of boots and

H

shoes for the London market and for exportation, the preparation and dressing of leather, &. Isaak Walton, author of "The Complete Angler," was born here. About 14 miles from the town are the ruins of its ancient castle. Leaving Stafford we pass LICHFIELD (148 miles), (Hotels: George, Swan), population, 6,900, an ancient cathedral city, situated in a valley surrounded by hills of no great height. The principal trades are the carpet manufacture and brewing.

a

The Cathedral is ancient, principally early English, but with traces of the preceding Norman style. It is a very fine building, with a central spire 258 ft. high, and two at the west end 183 ft. high. It has a fine peal of bells, the largest of which weighs 2,700 lbs., and is of remarkably clear tone. In the library, over the chapter-house, may be seen Saxon copy of the Gospels, a Koran taken at the siege of Buda, an illuminated Chaucer, and other rare and curious volumes. Amongst the distinguished natives of this place may be mentioned Dr. Sam. Johnson, David Garrick, Addison, and Major André. There is a statue of the first-named in the town, and monuments to him and to Garrick in the Cathedral.

The next place of importance is TAMWORTH (1544 miles), (Hotels: King's Arms, White Horse.) Population, in 1861, estimated at 10,192. This place formerly belonged to the Marmions, hereditary champions of the Dukes of Normandy, one of whom Sir Walter Scott has made the hero of the poem which bears his name. Of late years it has been associated more familiarly in the public mind with the family of Peel, whose Beat of Drayton Manor is very near the town, and whose mem

bers have for a long time represented the Borough in Parliament. The church of St. Editha, originally Norman, with additions in later styles, is a very fine building, containing monuments of the Ferrars, other ancient families, and the Peels. The remains of the Castle are incorporated with the castellated mansion of the Marquis of Townshend, the representative of the Marmions, and lord of the manor. We next arrive at

RUGBY (181 miles), (Hotel: Royal), celebrated for its grammar school, of which the late Dr. Arnold was, for some time, head master. In the neighbourhood, 14 miles distant, is Bilton Hall, once the residence of Addisou. After leaving Rugby, express trains make no stop until their arrival in London.

At Wolverton (212 miles), the line is carried over the Ouse by a viaduct 660 ft. long. The London and North Western Railway Company have chosen this place as one of their factories, for the repair and construction of rolling stock. Its population of 2,370 consists principally of persons employed by the company.

Eleven and a quarter miles before reaching London, we see the church and school of Harrow,

beautifully situated on a hill rising from a plain. The celebrated school of Harrow was founded in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and is one of the first in the kingdom. Among the many distinguished men who have been educated here are Lord Byron, Sir Robert Peel, and the late Lord Palmerston. In the church is a monument to Dr. Drury, once head-master of the school, in which he is represented with Sir Robert Peel and Lord Byron, two of his pupils. A few minutes