146 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



Walsall consists of twelve large and regular streets : the houses 

 are in general well built and convenient, and the population very 

 considerable. 



According to the returns in 1811, Walsall contained, males 2686, 

 females 2855 : total 5541. The foreign of Bloxwich then con- 

 tained, males 3009, females 2639: total 5648. Grand total 11,189. 



The staple manufacture of Walsall was formerly shoe-buckles and 

 chapes ; but that trade has declined. Considerable manufactories 

 of bridle-bits, spurs, stirrups, and all sorts of hardware connected 

 with saddlery, are now carried on, and the town has enjoyed its 

 full share of prosperity. 



The market, which is held on Tuesday, is well supplied with 

 provisions. 



The parish of Walsall is large, including the foreign of Bloxwich, 

 Harden, Birch-hills, Walsall-wood, Windmill, Caldmore, and Lime- 

 pit-Bank. 



The Church is situated on a bold and commanding eminence, the 

 streets gradually descending from it on every side : it is a fine 

 ancient gothic structure, with a lofty spire. This church, which is 

 dedicated to St. Matthew, formerly belonged to the Abbey of Hales 

 Owen, and was conferred on that religious establishment by William 

 Rufus. It is built in the form of a cross, but does not exhibit any 

 traces of Saxon architecture. The interior is spacious, the roof 

 lofty, and each side of the chancel has seven stalls, the seats of 

 which are ornamented with a variety of grotesque figures carved in 

 basso-relievo. Under this part of the church is an archway of 

 massy gothic workmanship. It is a common passage through the 

 eastern part of the church-yard. The window of St. Catherine's 

 Chapel is adorned with the figure of tlfat Saint painted on glass ; 

 and St. Clement's Chapel has several empty niches in its walls. 

 The tower of the Church, which is built at the south-west angle, is of 

 limestone ; it is strong*and plain, "and surmounted by a handsome 

 spire. About the year 1775, when the tower was finished, eight 

 good bells were put up ; and two years prior to this, a fine-toned 

 organ, built by Green, of London, was placed in the east gallery. 

 The church-yard being too small for the parish, in 1756, a spacious 

 cemetery was enclosed by a wall on the south side of the town, and 

 consecrated for the interment of the dead. At an agreeable dis^ 

 tance beyond this burial-ground, the Vicarage, a neat rural mansion, 

 rises amid embowering shades, and forms an interesting object. 



Limestone of excellent quality is found in the hills near the town. 



