226 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



the weather nearly six centuries and a half. Above this noble 

 arch, part of the abbey wall rises to the height of forty feet, over- 

 grown with ivy. This is a beautiful picturesque object, worthy of 

 the highest efforts of the painter and engraver. About 90 feet 

 from this ruin, another part of the abbey wall stands bare and 

 grey, distinctly marking the length of the edifice. A small arch, 

 ready to crumble into ruins, stands on the north side, between 

 these two high walls. At the west-end, besides the large and per- 

 fect arch before-mentioned, there are four small arches of exqui- 

 site workmanship, and perfectly entire. The interior has the re- 

 mains of a large fire-place, and an arched door-way leads to the 

 cemetery, or court, where there is a stone coffin preserved on a 

 level with the surface of the ground. Several other stone coffins 

 have been discovered in these ruins, and one of lead, all of which 

 were covered up again by Mr. Carrington, whose large and com- 

 modious farm-house is situated near the western end of the abbey, 

 and the ruin itself is part of his farm-yard. In a recess in Mr. 

 Carrington's garden, a stone crucifix is preserved. It is about 

 two feet and a half high ; the left arm is broken off, but preserved 

 in the recess, and on the back of this curious relic, there is a rude 

 representation of the Virgin and Child ensculptured, but now al- 

 most worn out by time. 



Croxden Church is a small stone fabric, with a belfry of wood, 

 containing one bell. The window on the north side is built up, 

 and the church is lighted by three small windows on the south 

 side, and one at the east end. This church is dedicated to St. 

 Giles, and is a donative. The Earl of Macclesfield is patron, and 

 the Rev. Walter Eddowes the present curate. 



The parish of Croxden, including the township of Great Yate, 

 contains 43 houses, 43 families ; 137 males, 126 females : total in- 

 habitants 263. The soil is a fertile loam, though a considerable 

 part of the land is hilly- 



BRADLEY-IN-THE-MOORS is a small parish and village to the 

 north of Croxden. It contains 15 houses, 15 families ; 42 males, 

 41 females : total inhabitants 83. 



The Church is a small structure of stone, with a tower. It is 

 dedicated to All Saints, and is a curacy. The Rev. Walter Ed- 

 dowes is curate. 



ALVETON is an extensive and populous parish, including 

 townships of Cotton, Denston, and Farley. The village of Alve- 

 ton is situated to the north of Bradley, four miles N.E. of Cheadle. 



