well subjugated at that time, perhaps by Petilius Cerealis (70–71), and quite secure, or it would have been impossible for the builders to venture into the distant territory—a long day's march—to quarry and bring the heavy dressed blocks to the station.
The red sandstone cropped out all along the Medlock, at Castlefield, Hulme Bridge, at the Cathedral, and along the banks of the Irwell and Irk, and another and better kind was obtained from the once famous quarries in Collyhurst.[1] The former was used, rough and unhewn, for the foundations and fillings; the latter, dressed and squared, for the upper walls and buildings.
The sandstone flags were readily found in the coal formation of the neighbourhood.
The blue and green slate tiles, which I found in various parts in Roman soil, are partly from Wales and the Lake district.
The gravel for the foundations, of course, was quite at hand everywhere, Deansgate abounding in river gravel and sand.
The clay for making their bricks occurs nearest at Peter Street, Mosley Street, Market Street, Shudehill, &c. The bricks were likewise made and burnt near the station, for I found many lumps of burnt clay, with the cast of the incorporated straw stalks impressed in it. One brick has the impressions of the paws of a dog, while one circular flat brick tile has three deep human finger impressions on it, similar to specimens in Shrewsbury Museum. I give the analysis of the partly-burnt lime from trench No. 3, and of another specimen from Ardwick itself, which has kindly been made for me by my friend Robert Pettigrew, Esq., research chemist to Sir Henry Roscoe:—
- ↑ The old "Stone Delph" is indicated on Green's Map, and was owned still in 1793 by Sir John Parker Mosley, the lord of the manor.
