160 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



to the Soho manufactory is erected at Sraethwick, on the bank of 

 the canal ; and there is also a large manufactory of gun-barrels 

 here, which are forged and bored by the aid of the steam-engine. 



According to the population returns to Parliament in the year 

 1811, Smethwick contained 631 males, 697 females : total 1328. 



Tipton is situated on the main line of the Birmingham Canal, 

 about two miles to the north of Dudley Castle. It is celebrated for 

 the richness of its iron mines, and the number of its iron-works. At 

 four of these it is estimated that 95 tons of pig-iron are made weekly. 

 There are also three slitting-mills, and one rolling-mill, belong- 

 ing to Tipton iron-works. 



The manufacture of hinges is also carried on to a considerable 

 extent, and gives employment to fifty workmen. It is supposed 

 that nearly one-half of the inhabitants of this parish are nailors, 

 and the nail trade, in all its varieties, gives employment to young 

 and old, women and children, who begin to work at six years of age. 

 There are also manufactories of shovels, tongs, augers, and edge 

 tools, wood screws, awls, and fenders. 



Besides these, various manufactures of iron, a very extensive 

 manufactory of a different kind has been established here by James 

 Keir and Co. on the banks of the canal ; namely, the manufacture 

 of alkali, soap, white lead, red lead, and metal sashes for windows. 

 In the year 1811, the population of Tipton was 8407, namely, 

 4351 males, and 4056 females. 



Tipton Church is a large edifice, with a gallery; the steeple 

 contains six bells. The Church is a curacy, in the gift of the 

 Prebends of Lichfield. 



GREAT-BARE. This pleasant village is situated on the declivity 

 of a lofty hill called Barr-beacon. It is a place of great antiquity, 

 and the derivation of the name has been the subject of disputation 

 and conjecture among antiquaries. The family of the Scotts have 

 long been proprietors of this manor, and the mansion, which was 

 formerly called the Nether House, is now the seat of Sir Joseph 

 Scott, Bart. It stands in a romantic and fertile vale, sur- 

 rounded by an extensive lawn, and a great variety and abundance 

 of trees. The hills in the rear of this villa, gradually sloping, and 

 covered with trees, present a truly picturesque scene ; they are 

 intersected with gravel walks, and at different points rustic seats 

 are fixed, on which the rambler may rest and gratify the eye with 

 various views of the subjacent landscape. The ascent to High- 

 wood and Barr-beacon, however fatiguing to the lover of rural 



