HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 81 



On a pillar in a corner of the hall, is fixed a piece of copper ore of 

 a conical shape, from the Anglesea mine, upwards of 12001b. weight. 



The dining-room, large drawing-room, and lesser drawing-room, 

 are spacious, and proportionate to the hall. In the lesser drawing^ 

 room is a portrait of the first Lord Paget, by Holbein, and a paint- 

 ing of the House. The library contains a valuable collection of 

 books and MSS. and among others, the register of Burton Abbey, 

 Among the modern improvements belonging to this mansion, the 

 stables and coach-houses are most worthy of observation. They 

 are built of beautiful white stone, in the form of a crescent, and 

 situated at a convenient distance from the mansion, in a romantic 

 valley. Beyond these buildings, the extensive gardens display all 

 the beauties of horticulture ; both the soil and situation are well 

 adapted to the production of the most valuable herbs, roots, fruits, 

 and flowers, and the walks and pleasure-grounds around the house 

 present that charming variety of scenes to the rambler's eye, which 

 are so grateful to the imagination. The park, where herds of deer 

 ramble at will, contains an extensive succession of hills and valleys, 

 abounding with excellent springs, and reminds the observer of the 

 magnificent and picturesque scenery of Needwood Forest. 



Upon the very summit of Castle-hill, in the rear of the mansion 

 and on the verge of Cannock-chace, are traces of an ancient camp. 

 It is encompassed with a rampart and two ditches, which are nearly 

 circular, except on the south-east side, where it is straight. The 

 extent is 270 paces in diameter ; the two entrances are opposite to 

 each other, and before that on the east are several advanced works. 

 From its elevated situation, and the advantage of commanding an 

 extensive view, it was well calculated for the purposes of observa- 

 tion and temporary defence. From Castle-hill, in clear weather, 

 may be seen the counties of Stafford, Derby, Leicester, Warwick, 

 Worcester, Salop, Chester, Montgomery, and Flint. The boundary 

 line which separates the hundreds of Offlow and Cuddlestone, runs 

 across part of this hill, and divides Beaudesert-park into two 

 equal parts. 



The parish of Longdon abounds with coal, particularly that valu- 

 able and elegant species termed canne/, which admits of a fine 

 polish, and is worked into a variety of useful and ornamental 

 articles, particularly inkstands, candlesticks, &c. It also is ex- 

 cellent fuel, and when placed edgewise on the fire, it so easily 

 admits combustion that it presently flames as bright as a candle. 

 The veins of coal are 20, 30, and even 40 fathom deep ; the upper 



L 



