KIDDERMINSTER. 215

Netherton, Blackstone, Oldington, Sutton, The Lea, Puxton, and Comberton. If the town itself cannot bear the designation of " a thing of beauty," there are some admirable views in its neighbourhood, among which Habberley Valley is distinguished, and abounds with interest, whether for geologists, botanists, collectors of legends, or the general lover of nature. In many places the soil is dry and light, and there is some rich meadow land by the Stour, with cold clays nearer the Severn and some higher districts. The stiff soil of the hills about Trimpley are devoted mainly to wheat; and the lower parts, being light and sandy, are called the rye-lands; besides which, nearly all kinds of grain can be cultivated, and there are orchards, woodland, and at Broadwaters, Hurcott, and Spring Grove, very large pools or lakes of water. There is a chalybeate spring at Round Hill and a "dropping well" on Burlish Common, which was once famous for sore eyes.

Kidderminster possesses a river, several brooks, a canal, and a railway, the latter having been opened in 1852. The town, it need scarcely be stated, is the seat of the carpet trade and several other manufactures, which will be described by and bye. Among its institutions are - I, the parish church, a large and interesting edifice, which stands on an elevated spot at the north end of Church Street, looking down on the canal. It has been undergoing a gradual renovation for some years, at a great outlay. Its oldest portion is the chancel (fourteenth century), and there is a choir with south aisle, nave with aisles, and western tower. There are stained-glass windows, and numerous altar tombs and other monuments worth inspection. To the east of the church was a chantry founded by Simon Ryse in thirteenth century, which after the Reformation was endowed as - II, a well-endowed free grammar school. With the management of this establishment the Court of Chancery has had several times to interfere, owing to those abuses which usually mark the history of such ill-fated institutions. The school has now been removed to another part of the town, for a change of air, but it is still very unpopular. It may be well