234 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



decayed state, with a low tower, and a flat roof. Three small ash 

 trees grow on the roof at the east end, and have a most picturesque 

 effect. They have existed there more than forty years ; the seeds 

 are supposed to have been sown by birds who alighted on the roof, 

 and though the trees were frequently cut down, they always sprang 

 up anew : they are now about five feet high. There is a free-school 

 attached to this church ; it stands at the northern angle of the east 

 end, and the children of the village are instructed there in reading, 

 writing, and arithmetic. The church is dedicated to St. Peter: it 

 is a vicarage in the gift of the Duke of Devonshire. The Rev. John 

 Wood is the present vicar, and the Rev. William Carlisle curate. 



Longevity. There is an inscription in the church-yard to the 

 memory of Mary Davenport, aged 97 years. 



To the north-east of Kingsley stands Cotton-hall, the seat of 

 Mr. Gilbert. It is in a low situation, sheltered by high hills and 

 extensive plantations of fir. The hamlet of Cotton contains several 

 rural tenements, and a small chapel. 



IPSTONES is a parish in an elevated situation, about three miles 

 to the north of Kingsley, and five to the south-east of Leek. It 

 comprises the township of Morredge and Foxt, and contains 248 

 houses, 250 families ; 631 males, 604 females : total of inhabitants 

 1,235. The cliffs in this parish are high and picturesque. 



The village of Ipstones contains several well-built houses, and 

 two large inns. The Church, which is about a mile from the vil- 

 lage, is situated on a gentle eminence, and is a neat modern struc- 

 ture of stone, in the Gothic style of architecture, with a square 

 tower, adorned with four pinnacles and vanes. The interior is 

 roomy and clean, and the pews are of fir. This edifice was built 

 in the year 1790. 



Every Saturday morning the church-bell is rung at eleven o'clock 

 to summon the out-poor of the parish to attend at church, where 

 they receive their weekly pittance from one of the overseers. 



Among other instances of longevity recorded in the church-yard, 

 is the following : " Here lie the remains of Robert Clowes, interred 

 Nov. 7, 1771, aged 93 years.-" The church is dedicated to St. Leo- 

 nard. Mr. Littleton is patron, and the Rev. William Carlisle curate. 



Belmont, the seat of the late John Sneyd, Esq. is in this parisl 

 It is situated on a gentle eminence facing the south-east, and 

 rounded by woods of oak, elm, ash, and other trees. The und< 

 wood is mountain ash, hazle, alder, and salixes of several species, 

 which are cut once in six years to make crates for the Potteries. 



