mace, and several subordinate officers. The town sends two members to Parliament; the mayor is the returning officer. It has two churches—St. Mary's, formerly collegiate, a cruciform structure, in the early English style of architecture, with a lofty octagonal tower, and St. Chad's, a small edifice, principally in the Norman style of architecture, with a tower in the later English style. The living of St. Mary's is a rectory, with the perpetual curacy of St. Chad's, in the archdeaconry of Stafford and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; the former not in charge, (patron, the Lord Chancellor), the latter C.V. £7 10s., P.R. £49; patron, one of the prebendaries of Lichfield Cathedral. Here are places of worship for various denominations of dissenters, and a Catholic chapel. The principal trade of the place is the tanning of leather, the making of boots and shoes (for which it has long been remarkable), malt, cabinet work, and cutlery. The grammar school of this town is of very ancient origin; it was, however, refounded by Edward VI. in 1550, who much increased its revenues. The present income is from £350 to £400 per annum. The school is open to the sons of any person belonging to the town; the masters are in the appointment of the corporation. The charities are numerous: among others is the Institution for the Relief of Widows and Orphans of Clergymen of the County of Stafford, which is liberally supported by annual subscriptions, and has also an endowment of £2,400, South Sea An-
