218 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



since that period there has not been a great increase of the popula- 

 tion. The parish of Leigh is situated about four miles westward of 

 Uttoxeter; the soil a good loam, and very fertile. The river 

 Blithe, which passes through this parish, contributes much to its 

 fertility. Lord Bagot is possessed of a considerable estate here, 

 and Mr. Evans, of Derby, has a pleasant rural mansion and a 

 considerable estate, with a plantation of fir trees. But the 

 principal part of the land in this parish belongs to several indepen- 

 dent free-holders, who have their farms in the highest state of 

 cultivation. 



Church Leigh, as the principal village is called by way of pre- 

 eminence, contains several good houses, particularly the residence 

 of the curate. 



The Church is a very beautiful specimen of Gothic architecture, 

 built of stone raised from a quarry in the neighbourhood. It is 

 built in the form of a cross ; the arched roof of the nave is sup- 

 ported by ten lofty arches, and massy columns, each indented in 

 four divisions. The square tower, which rises in the centre of the 

 edifice, is supported by four noble Gothic arches, twenty feet high. 

 This has a very fine effect, which is much heightened by the admis- 

 sion of light from the two principal windows of the north and south 

 aisles, through the body of the church. The chancel is large, with 

 three windows on each side, and a large square window at the east 

 end, adorned with paintings on glass. AH the windows in the 

 chancel are embellished with figures painted on glass, representing 

 Apostles, Martyrs, and Bishops. There are no ornaments in the 

 chancel : the communion table is of oak and plain, surrounded by a 

 screen of carved wood. 



The south aisle contains three monuments of the Ashenhursfc 

 family, and a very ancient altar tomb, with two figures in alabaster 

 as large as life ; one of a knight in armoufi with his head resting 

 on a helmet, and hia feet on a lion. His hands are raised in sup* 

 plication. A female figure lies by his side, in a long robe ; her 

 head rests upon a pillow, and her hands are also raised as in prayer. 

 This aisle, which is called Ashenhurst's aisle or chapel, is much 

 disfigured by mortar, and pieces of broken forms and pews, inso- 

 much that it is like a lumber-room. 



The north aisle, which is called Wood's aisle, contains the toml 

 of the Woods, of Fole-hall, in this parish. Here is also a neat mu- 

 ral monument of white marble, in memory of William Harrison, ot 

 Over Tean, who died in the 84th year of his age. 



