118 



THE BRITISH ISLES. 



are almost the sole occupations, and the county is noted for its wool, its cider, and 

 its bops. 



Hereford, the county town, occupies a central position on the river Wye, and 

 is one of the ancient " gateways " of "Wales, formerly strong-ly fortified. Five 

 railways converge upon it, and its trade in corn, timber, and bops is very con- 

 siderable. The cathedral, founded in the eleventh century, and restored by Sir 

 G. Scott, is one of the most interesting buildings of that kind in England, 

 exhibiting various styles of architecture, from Norman to decorated work. To 

 geographers more especially it is interesting, for in its chapter library is preserved 

 one of the most valuable maps of the world which have come to us from the 

 Middle Ages. M. d'Avezac, who has carefully studied this curious document, 

 which transports monkeys to Norway, scorpions to the banks of the Rhine, and 

 aurochs to Provence, believes that it originated in 1314, or at all events between 



Fiff. 67. — IlEREroRD Catiiedrai. 



1313 and 1320. Hereford has not only played a part in the historj' of science, 

 but it was likewise the birthplace of Garrick, and there Mrs. Siddons and Kemble 

 commenced their dramatic career. 



Lugwardine, a village to the east of Hereford, near the mouth of the Lugg, 

 has a pottery and tile works. Ascending the Lugg, we reach Leominster, a 

 town very important during the Heptarchy, with a fine old church, the remains 

 of a priory, and several timbered houses. Leather gloves and coarse woollen stuffs 

 are made here. Kington is a market town on the Arrow, which joins the Lugg 

 from the west, whilst Bromyard is the principal town in the valley of the Frome, 

 the eastern tributary of the Lugg. 



Boss, on the Wye below Hereford, is a picturesque town much frequented by 

 tourists, and well known as the birthplace of John Kyrle, Pope's "Man of Ptoss," 

 who was buried in the parish church in 1724. 



