coming in contact with his head, put a period to the enterprising animal’s existence by an instant decapitation.  We might draw a wise and serious moral from this “cutting” event, but the fact presents a sufficient warning to all persons inclined to incur the penalty of two pounds in sterling coin, and limbs ad libitum, for the sake of a promenade on the forbidden ground.  “Digression is a sin,”—on the defunct pig’s head be ours!  But for his tragic history, we should, ere this, have introduced the hill of these parts, Barr Beacon, to our readers; it appears to the N.E., crowned with a dense grove of trees.  The intervening scenery is cheerful and cultivated, but not picturesque.  The village of Witton shortly appears to the E., with Barr lying on the N.E.  The bridge here passed is on the boundary of Warwickshire and Staffordshire, which latter county the line now enters.  Aston Hall and Church again come in sight beyond Witton, and form a beautiful rear view, which is soon shut out by the banks of the excavation, precluding all prospect save of their own sloping sides, the pebbles and markings in which are made, by the rapidity of passing, to appear like flying lines.

Perry Barr Station.

Distance to Birmingham, 3½—Liverpool and Manchester, 94 miles.

DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:—

At this station, the line makes a considerable curve in an opposite direction to that hitherto followed, and passes Handsworth, (the church appearing among wood on the W.,) also Lea Hall, on the W., and over two bridges, named from J. Gough, Esq., through whose estate the line runs for two miles.  Pleasant, quiet-looking scenery skirts the road for some distance, and about a mile from the last bridge, a view is gained of Perry Hall, seat of J. Gough, Esq., nearly encompassed by a grove of oak trees.  At Hampstead Bridge, the old Walsall road crosses the line; and on either side the prospect is pleasantly varied by wood and water.  Hampstead Hall, which lies near, is nearly concealed by its rich woods from the passers on the railroad.  The line shortly enters a cutting, of from sixty to seventy feet deep; emerging from which into the open country, West Bromwich, and Sandwell Park, the seat of Earl Dartmouth, appear on the W., and Barr on the E.  We now pass

Newton Road Station.

Distance to Birmingham, 6¾—Liverpool and Manchester, 90¾ miles.

DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:—

West Bromwich has rapidly risen to importance from the rich iron and coal mines which abound in its vicinity.  The great Gas Works are situated here, which supply the chief part of Birmingham, Wednesbury, Dudley, Bilston, Darlaston, and other places with gas; the main tubes extending to the aggregate length of 150 miles.  There are two handsome churches, the one ancient, the other modern.  Population, 15,330.

The site of the present splendid mansion of Sandwell, was, in the reign of Henry II., occupied by a priory of Benedictine Monks.  Charley Mount, pleasantly situated on a hill, appears W. of the line, Ray Hall and Burslem, or Bustleholm Mill, on the E.  Before passing Tame Bridge, Barr Beacon again appears, heading the distant view.  Friar Park is on the W., with the town and church of Wednesbury (usually pronounced Wedgebury), towering above the trees.  Walsall appears from the same point, lying N.E. of the line.

Dudley, a town in the centre of the mining district, lies 5½ miles W. of the line.  Population, 23,050.  The ancient castle is a ruin of great beauty and interest, situated on an eminence, and surrounded with fine wood and beautiful walks.  Stupendous cavern-quarries, canals, and labyrinthine excavations, extend under the Castle Hill.  The limestone is remarkably rich in fossil treasures; trilobites, or, as they are vulgarly called, “Dudley locusts,” have been found here in great variety, but from the eagerness of collectors, and the inadequate supply of these ancient creatures yielded by the rocks, they have become scarce and costly, instead of “not particularly valuable,” as stated by a contemporary before alluded to.

Wednesbury is a town of ancient origin, having been fortified against the Danes by Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great, in 916.  Extensive collieries enrich the vicinity, and tend greatly to darken the complexion of both houses and inhabitants; the workers of the black diamond hereabout being a marvellously murky fraternity.  Various manufactures of iron are here carried on, and the air is generally redolent of the fumes of coal-smoke in no small degree.  The market is on Friday, and fairs May 6, and August 3.

Walsall boasts an equally ancient history with the former place, and was fortified by the same princess.  It stands conspicuously on the summit and acclivities of a limestone rock, which is crowned by the church, the lofty spire of which forms a fine object.  Market on Tuesday; fairs September 24, Whit Monday, and Tuesday before Michaelmas day.  Proceeding onwards we pass under

Bescot Bridge Station.

Distance to Birmingham, 9½—Liverpool and Manchester, 88 miles.

DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:—