BROADWAY. 67

1,700 inhabitants, and an acreage of 4,692. In the time of Elizabeth there were seventy-four families. The population now is chiefly agricultural, but glove-making is carried on by some of the women. The lord of the manor is Sir Thomas Winnington, and the chief landowners are Sir Thomas, Earl Beanchamp, and Sir Thomas Phillipps. The latter Sir Thomas has a mansion on Middle Hill, sadly dilapidated, but till recently full of literary treasures, where the worthy Baronet would shut himself out from the world, and was known only to book collectors. The whole is now removed to Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham. A short distance from Middle Hill is the Tower, built by the late Lady Coventry, commanding a charming and extensive prospect; and there is Springhill, another mansion belonging to the Lygons, towards the S.E. This, as also much of the property in the parish, had belonged to the Coventrys, Sheldons, and Babingtons. The manor fell into the hands of Wm. Babington at the Dissolution, and afterwards to the Sheldons, who built a Court, and lived in good old English style. The gateway of the Court is still remaining. The mansion at Middle Hill was built by Wm. Taylor, Esq., Recorder of Evesham, in 1724, and afterwards rebuilt by the Savages, who sold it to J. Phillipps, Esq., of Broadway, ancestor of the present Sir Thomas. The greater part of the land in Broadway is grass. The arable land has the usual crops. Climate healthy, and situation very beautiful. The Cotswold hills are famous for its breed of sheep, and in former times were equally famous for the athletic sports and games carried on upon them in Whit-week.

The old parish church of Broadway (St. Eadburgh's), situate nearly a mile south of the village, in consequence of its age and dilapidations, was disused for many years until lately, being preserved only for mortuary purposes; but recently it has been repaired and used for Divine service, while the new parish church (St. Michael's and All Angels, erected in 1839-40) was undergoing restoration. The old church (which is exceedingly interesting and well worth a visit) contains