BELLBROUGHTON. 25

which encloses one acre of ground, tradition says that a chapel also existed. Morehall Belne, another ancient seat in this parish, formerly the seat of the Tristrams, now belongs to Miss Durant, of Clent. For that manor, suit and service were formerly done to the Crown under a tree at Churchill, but the court leet is now held at Bellbronghton. Broomhill is a manor, having a Wesleyan Chapel, and there is a Primitive Methodist Chapel at Wildmoor and one at Bellbroughton. Dissent therefore is flourishing in the parish—a fact which would not have existed had the church done its duty. The living is worth £1,060 after all deductions, and yet it is not long ago that the chapel-of-ease at Fairfield was consecrated, after remaining seven years from the time of its erection without any adequate provision.

There were sixty-eight families in Bellbroughton in the time of Elizabeth; now there is a population of 2,000; acreage, 4,600; church accommodation, with Fairfield chapel, 670; free sittings, 270; rector, Rev. H. A. Wdodgate; patrons, St. John's College, Oxford.

A fine old church that of Bellbroughton might be made if the parishioners would only insert their hands in their pockets. The chancel was restored some years ago by the rector, but there is much to be done in the rest of the structure. A few months ago a vestry voted the building perfectly safe, and were content with cleaning, colouring, and painting; but surely this bedaubing will not be permitted much longer to substitute that good work of restoration which has already been begun in the chancel. The stairs leading to the rood-loft, a hagioscope, an ancient wooden credence table, and other relics, may be seen here. The church was mainly built during the best period of the Pointed styles, though there are remains of older work. There is a musical peal of six bells; and in the churchyard the remains of a cross with sculptured capital, and on a gravestone some curious lines to a jolly landlord of the Bell Inn, who died just a century ago. The late parish clerk, Mr. D. Osborne (now