402 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



extent. However irregular the streets may appear to an observer 

 in the town, Hanley, from its elevated situation, appears to great 

 advantage when viewed from Cobridge, or from the turnpike-road 

 between Newcastle and Leek, which passes near it. The Grand 

 Trunk Canal is close to the town, and affords the utmost facility of 

 inland navigation, for the conveyance of the earthenware to Liver- 

 pool, Hull, and London. 



There are several collieries and potteries in the vicinity of this 

 town and of Shelton. 



A weekly market is held in Hanley, on Saturday, for the sale of 

 provisions of all kinds ; it is abundantly supplied, and well at- 

 tended by purchasers. 



In 181*2, owing to the increasing population of the town, it was 

 deemed necessary to apply to the Legislature to empower certain 

 trustees to enlarge the market and market-place, and an Act for 

 " establishing and regulating the market, and for enlarging and 

 improving the market-place" at Hanley, was obtained. The Act 

 mentions two market-days, viz. Wednesday and Saturday; but the 

 latter is the principal. 



The population of the townships of Hanley and Shelton amounts 

 to nearly 10,000 persons. According to the return in 1811, Han- 

 ley contained 911 houses, 930 families; 2,165 males, 2,316 fe- 

 males : total, 4,481 inhabitants. Shelton at the same period con- 

 tained 1,077 houses, 1,148 families; 2,612 males, 2,875 females : 

 total, 5,487 inhabitants. 



Hanley Church was rebuilt in the year 1788. It is a handsome 

 well-built structure of brick, with a square tower 100 feet high. It 

 cost upwards of ^5000. and is surrounded by a spacious cemetery, 

 enclosed with a wall and large iron gates. It is a Chapel of Ease 

 to Stoke-upon-Trent. The patronage is vested in certain trus- 

 tees. The Rev. R. E. Aitkens, is the present minister. He was 

 elected in 1802. 



This town also contains several meeting-houses for Dissenters of 

 different denominations. 



Shelton, though now generally included with Hanley, in being 

 contiguous thereto, and apparently a continuation thereof, is a dis- 

 tinct vill and township. It contains some of the oldest and most 

 respectable manufacturers. Very excellent porcelain, little infe- 

 rior to that of the East, has long been manufactured here, and it 

 possesses the advantages of a public wharf upon the Trent and 

 Mersey navigation, which passes this place. 



