100 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



In the times of Popery, when rites and ceremonies were con- 

 sidered essentials of religion, the clergy and populace assembled at 

 this Well on Holy Thursday, and adorned its border with green 

 boughs and flowers. This custom is still observed, for the clergy- 

 man, on Ascension-day, attended by the churchwardens of St. 

 Chadd's, and a multitude of children, with green boughs in their 

 hands, visits this well, when the ceremony of strewing the spot 

 with flowers takes place, and the gospel for the day is read. The 

 water of this well is whitish, and supposed to possess medicinal 

 virtues. The interior of St. Chadd's church was completely re- 

 paired about twenty years ago ; in the chancel and aisles 

 there are several monuments ; and in the north aisle, where the 

 shrine of St. Catherine formerly stood, there is now placed a very 

 ancient font. 



On the summit of Stow-hill, there is a handsome mansion erected 

 by Mrs. Elizabeth Aston, and lately occupied by her sister Mrs. 

 Gastrel. The lake in front of the house is called Stow-pool : it 

 abounds with fish, and belongs to the corporation of Lichfield. 



" There are many pleasant gardens and agreeable walks in this 

 part of the city and its vicinage. Passing near Minster-pool, in the 

 Mill-croft, on the left hand, is seen a stupendous Willow tree. The 

 wide-spreading branches of this noble tree adorn the verdant fields, 

 and form a pleasing entrance to the gardens of the Parchment-house, 

 which are greatly ornamented by Mr. Saville's curious botanical 

 and flower garden, containing many scarce and very valuable plants, 

 the produce of various climates. Adjoining are two cold-baths, 

 erected at the expence of the Rev. Dr. Falconer. 



" The large Willow tree has been generally supposed to have 

 been planted by the late Dr. Samuel Johnson, or his father ; but the 

 Doctor never would admit the fact : it is probable that the vicinity 

 of a building known by the name of ' the parchment-house/ occa- 

 sioned such a supposition. The business of parchment-making 

 was for many years carried on by old Mr. Johnson, at that place, 

 until he had greatly enriched his servants, and injured his own 

 fortune. There are now no vestiges of such a manufactory ; the 

 pits are filled up, and the yard occupied in part by a gardener, and 

 by Mr. Saville. 



" Dr. Johnson never failed to visit this tree whenever he came to' 

 Lichfield. During his visit here in 1781, he desired Dr. Jones to 

 give him an account of it, saying it was by much the largest tree of 

 the kind he had ever seen or heard of, and therefore wished to give 



