Page:The Grand junction railway companion to Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham; (IA grandjunctionrai00free).pdf/51

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Grand Junction Line.
39

his garrisons to the sword. He was afterwords taken, and was the first person who was executed as a traitor, according to the law in use a few years back, but which piece of barbarism will, we trust, never more be exhibited before a civilized people. The castle was destroyed by fire in 1642. About a mile east of the town are some salt works, which, with the cotton manufacture, employ a great many of the inhabitants.

Chester is a city and county in itself. It is situated on a rocky eminence above the river Dee, which half encircles the walls. Population of city 21,363. It has a considerable maritime trade with Wales and Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and the Baltic, but the continual shifting of the bed of the river will ever prevent its port becoming of much importance. Its exports are copper, cast iron, coal, lead, calamine, and large quantities of cheese. It has large iron foundries, snuff mills, and some considerable ship building establishments: its principal manufacture is gloves. It has markets every Wednesday and Saturday; fairs on the last Thursday in February and April; on July 5 to 10, October 10 to 15, for cattle. Irish linen, woollen cloths, hardware, hops, drapery, and Manchester goods. The markets are well supplied, and there is now a good market-place.

The diocese of Chester includes 256 parishes, and the city is divided into nine, viz. St. Bridget's, a rectory, not in charge. P.R. £100; St. Martin's, a rectory, not in charge, £70; St. Peter's, dis-