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appearance of columnar structure among them j here, however, it is 

 very distinct j and near this part the coal has been worked beneath 

 the basalt, though on the other side the range it reclines upon that 

 rock. The town of Dudley stands upon a kind of isthmus between 

 the basalt on one side and the limestone on the other 3 but the two 

 rocks have not been traced to their junction. The other basaltic 

 formation at Pouch Hill has a similar relation to the limestone and 

 coal; but it is remarkable for its basalt being almost horizontally 

 columnar, and for a stratum of green rock being interposed 

 between the coal beds, which are much altered in texture by its 

 proximity. From Pouch Hill the basalt is continued, with little 

 interruption, in a decomposed state, to Wednesfield. Some curious 

 minerals are found in the basalt at Pouch Hill, as prehenite, 

 zeolite, &c. 



The new red sandstone of this district presents no remarkable 

 features, but between Kidderminster and Bewdley, and at the latter 

 place, it appears from the inclination of its strata, to have been sub- 

 jected to some very powerful and extensive disturbing force. 



The diluvium of this neighbourhood consists of water-worn 

 pebbles, chiefly quartz, similar to that of the Lickey, with granite, 

 porphyry, and sienite in a decomposed state, and flints and fossila 

 from the Lias, and very rarely the bones of extinct quadrupeds. 



STANZAS— "GOD BLESS THEE.* 



*• God bless thee I " Oh note most sweet, most soft. 

 Played on the harp of love. — From childhood's hour. 

 Thy thrilling melody, dear note, how oft 

 To cheer the blithe or aching heart hath power ! 

 In Misery's dungeon or Loves' verdant bower, 

 How grateful is thy music, and how sweet ; 

 Dew is less welcome to the fading flower 

 Than thou that mak'st the heart so wildly beat. 

 Cheering when sad we part and gladdening when we meet I 



" God bless thee I " sweet music of the heart ! 

 'Tis music still though heard with sighs and tears. 

 E'en though in sorrow's strains that sudden start 

 All wildly on the wretched culprit's ears, 

 From that fond mother's lips, who now appears 

 To bless him ere he die. — Oh what a spell 

 That touching note of love ! How sweetly cheers 

 Its latest sound. — " God bless thee ! " — who can tell 

 How thrilled that broken heart at her last wild farewell. 



