384 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



was created Viscount Trentham and Earl Gower, July 8, 1746, and 

 his eldest sou, Marquis of Stafford, in the year 1786. [See " Peer- 

 age/' in this Work.] 



Trentham Hall, the family residence of the present Marquis of 

 Stafford, is situated on the banks of the river Trent, and is one of 

 the most magnificent seats in the county. It is a modern man- 

 sion, and built after the model of Buckingham House, in St. 

 James's Park. It is built of brick, but the front is covered with 

 Egyptian cement similar to stone. The principal front is to the 

 south, and the mansion is sheltered by full-grown trees on the 

 north and east sides. 



The pleasure-grounds are extensive and diversified, and the river 

 Trent, which forms a beautiful lake at some distance from the front 

 of the Hall, with the woody hills beyond it, present a beautiful va- 

 riety of rural scenery. Near the eastern side of the house, an 

 orangery is seen like a mystic temple, and the stranger on approach- 

 ing it is gratified by the fragrant scent of the snow-white blossoms. 

 A few paces beyond the orangery, and nearer the house, a handsome 

 iron bridge of a single arch, 90 feet wide, affords a ready passage 

 to the rambler over a fine piece of water. 



Part of the windows in the front of the lower story exhibit the 

 various green-house plants and flowers of a conservatory. A new 

 eastern wing has been lately completed. The interior of this man- 

 sion harmonizes with its elegant exterior. It contains a choice 

 and valuable collection of paintings by the first masters, particu- 

 larly an exquisite Guido, and some other chef cTceuvres. There 

 are also several sketches of Northern scenery by the present Mar- 

 chioness of Stafford. 



Blurton, is an hamlet about two miles to the east of Trentham. 

 The Church is a small structure of brick, with a belfry containing 

 one bell. It is a chapel of ease to Trentham church : the Marquia 

 of Stafford is the patron, and the Rev. John Blunt, minister. 



SWINNERTON parish is in Pirehill North, and contains part of Sea- 

 bridge township. The village of Swinnerton is about three miles to 

 the south of Trentham, and four miles w. N. w. from Stone. This 

 large and fertile manor was possessed for ages by a race of gentle- 

 men who took their names from it. The first of this family on record 

 was Roger de Swinnerton, who in the 34th of Edward the First 

 obtained a Charter of free-warren in all his demesne lands in this 

 manor ; and for keeping a market on Wednesday every week, and 

 a fair yearly upon the feast of our Lady's assumption. From this 



