BLOCKLEY. 51

Pleasantly situated near the bottom of a valley, almost entirely surrounded by hills, Blockley village, with its ancient stone houses, undulating streets or highways, and fine groupings of trees, is highly picturesque. Lord Northwick's park, too, is a great feature, containing some 300 acres, beautifully diversified. The mansion was designed by the celebrated Earl Burlington, but has been much altered. It has a fine collection of paintings. Here Addison spent much of his time. Another attractive part of the parish is Dovedale, consisting of plantations and romantic scenery at the western extremity of the village. Chalybeate springs are said to exist in the parish. The church is dedicated to SS. Peter and Paul, and possesses a chancel, nave, north aisle, vestry, and tower built in 1724. There are samples of nearly every Gothic style in the building, but the chancel was partially rebuilt in 1838. The old rood-screen, piscina with stone shelf, and many curious epitaphs, are to be noted here. Of the latter I take no further notice, for the reason which induced the Earl of Rochester to say to a parish clerk-

"Friends, in your epitaphs I'm grieved

So very much is said:

One half will never be believed,

The other never read."

The church has been partially re-seated by the vicar, and an organ was presented in 1860 by Lord Northwick; a great improvement was also made in the enclosure of the burial ground in 1861 with substantial iron ralings, by Mr. G. T. Herbert, ironmonger, the result of voluntary subscription. There a half-a-dozen bells, and the ringers are not only the best in the neighbourhood, but are a sober set of men. The observe printed rules, and divide their money at the end of the year, none of it being spent in drink. The Rev. H. Bromfield is the vicar; patron, the Bishop of Worcester; church accommodation, 600; free seats, 400.

Dissent flourishes here, as shown by the existence of