312 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



time-worn pinnacles, it must have stood for some centuries. The 

 interior of the Church is neat and clean, and the pews of oak. 



There are but few instances of longevity recorded on the frail 

 memorials of the dead in the church-yard. An epitaph on a 

 mason deserves to be mentioned. His tombstone is decorated 

 with the compass and square in basso-relievo, under which is the 

 following inscription: 



" Sacred to the memory of JAMES HAYWOOD, who died May 4th, 1804, in 

 the 55th year of his age: 



The corner-stone I oftentimes have dress'd, 

 In Christ, the corner-stone, I now find rest ; 

 Though by the Builder he rejected were, 

 He is my God, my Rock, I huild on here." 



The church of Colton is dedicated to St. Mary, and is a rectory 

 in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield : the Rev. 

 Dr. Buckeridge is the present rector, and the Rev. William 

 Robinson, curate. 



It is difficult to describe the fine country beween Colton and Col- 

 wich, especially the Vale of Trent, and the beautifully picturesque 

 hills on the southern bank of that river. These hills, and the in- 

 termediate valleys, exhibit all the varieties of cultivation and the 

 beauties of woodland, with here and there an airy peak rising 

 above the rest, covered with fern and gorse. The whole scene re- 

 minds us of Thomson's descriptive lines: 



" O vale of bliss! O softly-swelling hills! 

 On which the Power of Cultivation lies, 

 And joys to see the wonders of his hand." 



COLWICH is a village in a pleasant situation on the turnpike- 

 road between Stone and Rugeley. It consists of several good 

 houses which extend along the side of the road. 



The Church is an ancient structure of stone, situated on a gentle 

 eminence, and adorned with a handsome high tower with four 

 pinnacles, surmounted by gilt globes and vanes. The tower stands 

 on the northern angle of the west end, and is a pleasing object on 

 the approach to the village from Rugeley. The principal entrance 

 of the church at the west end is a neat modern portico of hewn- 

 stone, with a battlement and small turrets. Altogether, the ex- 

 terior of the church is beautiful : the interior is clean, and 

 the pews neat. The organ was the gift of Viscountess Anson. 

 Among the numerous memorials of the dead interred in the 

 church-yard, there is not one remarkable instance of longevity. 



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