came celebrated for his knowledge, as an antiquary and philosopher, particularly in the science of geometry. Upon the invitation of Henry earl of Northumberland, the Mæcenas of the mathematicians of his age, he resided for some time at that nobleman's house, a circumstance which was the means of introducing him to several of the first mathematical characters at that time in England. Robert earl of Leicester evinced a particular attachment to our author, and even offered him a bishopric; but his love of ease and retirement predominated over his ambition. His great knowledge of mathematics, as not unfrequently happened at that period, drew upon the suspicions of the ignorant and vulgar, that he was a magician or conjuror. Accordingly the author of a work intituled "Leicester Commonwealth," openly accused him of using the art of figuring to further his patron's schemes, to bring about a match between himself and queen Elizabeth. The absurdity of the accusation is manifest; but, waving this, it is certain that the Earl placed so much confidence in his talents and secrecy, that no political transactions of moment occurred, in which he did not solicit his advice. Having lived to a great age in philosophie retirement, he died at Glosterhall in 1632.

That the character of Allen for talents and erudition stood very high, is clear from the sentiments expressed concerning him by several contemporary and succeeding writers. Mr. Selden says, whe was a man of the most extensive learning and consummate judgement, the brightest ornament of the University of Oxford." Camden calls him, "skilled in most of the best arts and sciences;" and Mr. Burton, who wrote his funeral sermon, styles him "not only the Coryphæus, but the very soul and sun, of all the mathematicians of his time." He was curious and indefatigable in collecting scattered manuscripts, in different departments of science, which are frequently quoted by other authors, and mentioned as having been deposited in the Bibliotheca Alleniana.*

* Plot's Hist. Staff. p. 276. Gent. Biog. Dict.

The

The market town of Handley, situated about two miles northcast from Newcastle under Line, is distinguished for the elegance of its church, which is built of brick; and surmounted by a square tower, one hundred feet high. It was founded in the year 1788, and is said to have cost upwards of five thousand pounds, in its erection. Saturday is the market day, when provisions of all kinds are supplied in abundance. There are here also Methodist and Dissenting meeting houses.

About a mile to the southwest of this town is Etruria, the superb mansion of Josias Wedgewood, Esq. who is so justly celebrated, for his numerous and valuable discoveries in the art of pottery; which have not only greatly contributed to the ornament and convenience of ordinary life, but have been the means of assisting the progress of chemical investigation. Wedgewood's crucible is one of the most necessary and useful inventions in the apparatus, which that science requires for its prosecution; and his pyrometer is perhaps the only instrument we have, capable of measuring high degrees of heat with any tolerable accuracy.

Lane End, in this vicinity, is a thriving market-town. The church is of modern erection of brick, built apparently in imitation of that at Handley. Besides the church, there are here several places of public worship, appropriated to the meetings of Methodists and Dissenters. The market is held on Saturday.

Hilton, situated about three miles to the north east of Newcastle, is remarkable, as having been the seat of an abbey of Çistercian monks, founded by Henry de Audley, in the year 1223. This monastery was granted at the dissolution to Sir Edward Aston of Tixal.

Stoke, which lies between this place and the river Trent, has been lately rendered a market town. The market house is a very handsome building, and is furnished with all the accommodations requisite for its object. The church is an ancient edifice, edifice, in the Saxon style of architecture; but possesses no features of peculiar interest.

The market town of Burslem, is finely situated on a gentle eminence, to the north of Newcastle: and at the distance of 158 miles from London. This town is the largest and most populous of any in this district, containing, according to the parliamentary returns of 1801, a population of 6578 persons; viz. 3201 males, and 3377 females, of whom 5886 were returned, as being engaged in different branches of trade and manufacture, and 243 only in agriculture. A market is held here twice every week on Monday and Saturday. The market house is a neat edifice of modern erection surmounted by a clock. The church is an ancient structure with a massive square tower at one end. Here is also a Methodist meeting house.

The district, which we have just described, is usually distinguished by the name of The Potteries. They reach from Lane End, on the north east of Newcastle under Line, to Golden Hill, which lies upwards of four miles to the north west of that town, including altogether an extent of somewhat more than eight miles. This manufactory is perhaps superior to any of its kind in Europe, and does not yield in point of usefulness to the celebrated potteries of China. As has happened with every other branch of trade, however, it has been much injured by the war, its productions forming in time of peace a very important article of exportation.

The parish of Biddulph, situated almost at the north west extremity of the county, presents some curious remains of antiquity, which are worthy of particular observation. The principal among these, are the Bridestones, consisting of eight upright free stones, two of which stand within a semicircle, formed by the other six. The exterior ones are placed at the distance of six feet from each other. Some antiquaries suppose that the circle was formerly complete, from the circumstance of there being an appearance of holes, where stones have stood

in positions forming another semicircle, continued from the extreme points of the semicircle of stones. West from this spot may be seen the pavement of a kind of artificial cave, composed of broken fragments of stone, about two inches and a half thick. Under them, to the depth of six inches, is laid a quantity of white stone pounded; the upper surface being tinged with black, probably from the ashes falling through the pavement, which was covered with oak charcoal, and some small bits of burnt bones. Two large unhewn free stones about eighteen feet long, and six high, forms the sides of this cave, which was likewise formerly separated into two divisions by a stone five feet and a half high and six inches thick, having a circular hole cut through it, about nineteen inches and a half in diameter. The whole was covered with long unhewn flat free stones, since taken away. The height from the pavement to this covering measured five feet ten inches. The entrance was filled up with stone and earth.

At a sınall distance from this cave, were two others of similar construction, but smaller, and without any interior partition. These caves were covered with a large heap of stones, about one hundred and twenty feet in length, and twelve in breadth. The stones having been removed, at different periods, by masons and others, for various purposes, left the cells open for examination.

HUNDRED OF TOTMANSLOW.

UTTOXETER. This town is finely situated on a gentle eminence, close to the western bank of the river Dove, at the distance of fourteen miles from Stafford, and one hundred and thirty five from London. It is a place of very great antiquity, and was probably a British settlement, even previous to the Roman invasion. A noble stone bridge is here thrown over the river; and connects the two counties of Stafford and Derby. Much Much damage has been formerly sustained by this town, from fire; but it is now large and well built, having a market place in the centre, with three streets branching out from it. The market is one of the first in this district of the country; for cattle, sheep, pigs, cheese, and, in general, every article of agricultural produce. This is owing to the extensive meadow and pasture lands in the neighbourhood, which are justly esteemed among the most fertile and luxuriant England can boast of possessing.

Uttoxeter and its vicinity, particularly the latter, abound with iron forges, employed in the manufacture of that useful and valuable metal. This trade has been greatly increased of late years, in consequence of the facility of communication the town now enjoys, by means of the inland navigation ; which connects it not only with the metropolis, but, directly or indirectly, with every port either in the eastern or western

ocean.

The town of Uttoxeter, from its lofty situation, is extremely favourable to health; and hence instances of longevity frequently occur here. Sir Simon Degge, the celebrated antiquary, writes on this subject as follows, in a letter dated the 26th of August 1726: "In the three weeks I have been at Uttoxeter, there have been buried four men, and two women, one woman aged 94, the other 83, one man 91, another 87, and another 82, and one young man of 68. Yesterday I talked with a man of 90, who has all his senses, and walks without a staff; about a month since he had a fever, and was speechless two days; his daughter is 60; and, about six months since, he buried his wife, who had lived 63 years with him, and was aged 85. In this town are now living, three men and their wives, who have had fifty three children, and each has the wife, by whom he had his children, now alive. They are all young men, the oldest not being above 60. I will only tell you that in 1702, there died here three women, their years as follows: one 103, the second 126, and the third 87."