

HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 161 



magnificence, amply repays him by a prospect of fifteen counties, 

 visible from the lofty summit. 



Barr-beacon is supposed by antiquaries to have been the ele- 

 vated point from which the Druids gave notice to the people of 

 their quarterly sacrifices. In the time of the Saxons, a beacon 

 was placed here to alarm the country on any invasion of the Danes. 

 One of the most interesting objects of this rich and charming 

 rural scenery, is an Urn erected to the memory of Miss Mary 

 Dolman, the cousin of Shenstone the poet. It stands near the 

 flower-garden, and is of statuary marble, and fluted, with a medal- 

 lion of Miss Dolman in the centre, and an elegant epitaph in Latin, 

 from the pen of the poet, engraved on the pedestal. 



The Chapel of Great-Barr is an elegant edifice, adorned by a 

 stately spire, containing six musical bells. The interior is very 

 complete; the pews neat, and the gallery is adorned with a hand- 

 some organ. This chapel was founded by Mrs. Bromwich, and the 

 bells were the gift of Mrs. Whitby. An exquisite painting on 

 glass adorns the east window ; it is the production of Mr. Eginton, 

 who has borrowed it from the Rev. William Peter's Spirit of a Child, 

 but has improved on the original design. 



According to the population returns in 1811, Great Barr con- 

 tained 436 males, and 360 females : total 796 inhabitants. 



ALDRIDGE is a large village situated on a high ground, about 

 two miles south-east of the turnpike-road from Walsall to Lichfield. 

 It is bounded on one side by the extensive waste of Sutton-Cold- 

 field, and on the other by Cannock-heath. The soil of this parish 

 in general is a sound gravelly loam ; the higher ground well- 

 adapted for turnips and barley : the lower, being more cool and 

 moist, is better suited to wheat and oats, or for meadow and 

 pasture. 



The manor of Aldridge belongs to Edward Croxall, Esq. of 

 Shustoke, Warwickshire. The Wyrley and Essington canal has 

 been cut through a considerable part of this parish, terminating 

 in this direction near Hay-head lime-works. 



Every Christmas-day the rector used to give to every person, 

 great and small, of this parish, that would come to his house, as 

 much bread, beef, mustard, and vinegar, as they could eat. Of 

 late years, instead of this entertainment, the rector pays to the in- 

 habitants of Aldridge and Great-Barr, 2Q. 13s. 4d. being about 

 Is. 6d. to each householder, which the master of the family dis- 

 poses of according to his pleasure. 



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