HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 401 



he was engaged in on the spot which gave him hirth, without the 

 advantages of inland navigation, he was the proposer of the Grand 

 Trunk Canal, and the chief agent in obtaining the Act of Parlia- 

 ment for making it, against the prejudices of the landed interest, 

 which at that time stood very high, and but just before had been 

 with great difficulty overcome in another quarter by all the power- 

 ful influence of a Noble Duke, whose canal was at that time but 

 lately finished. Having acquired a large fortune, his purse was 

 always open to the calls of charity, and to the support of every in- 

 stitution for the public good. To his relations, friends, and neigh- 

 bours, he was endeared by his many private virtues ; and his loss 

 will be deeply and long deplored by all who had the pleasure of 

 knowing him intimately, and by the numerous objects to whom 

 his benevolence was extended ; and he will be regretted by his 

 country as the able and zealous supporter of her commerce ; and 

 by the steady patron of every valuable interest of society." 



The handsome mansions of William Bent, Esq. and Dr. Bent, 

 stand on a rising ground, about half a mile east of Newcastle, on 

 the road to the village of Etruria. They command some charming 

 and extensive prospects. 



To the right, on a gentle eminence, between Etruria and Co- 

 bridge, is the North Staffordshire Infirmary, a newly-erected and 

 handsome piece of building, which, when completed, will be every 

 way adapted to the purposes of such a benevolent Establishment. 

 It was projected, about two years since,, by the leading gentle- 

 men and manufacturers of the neighbourhood, whose exertions 

 were seconded by the munificent donations of noble and opulent 

 individuals, and the subscriptions of the manufacturers, tradesmen, 

 and others, in the vicinity. His Royal Highness the Prince 

 Regent gave .500., and the late John Rogers, Esq. of the Wat- 

 lands, bequeathed the princely legacy of 1000. to the Institution. 

 The workmen belonging to the different manufactories in the Pot- 

 teries contribute to the funds of the Institution by a small deduc- 

 tion from their weekly earnings, proportioned to the number of 

 children, and the amount of wages, of each individual. The 

 Marquis of Stafford is the Patron, 



HANLEY, 



Is a large modern town, about three miles east by north of New- 

 castle. No part of the Potteries can boast of more respectable 

 manufacturers than Hanley, which is next to Burslcm in size and 



