The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

WOECESTEESHIEE—WAEWICKSHIRE. 105
town, which also carries ou a considerable commerce in agricultural produce. But
in addition to being a town of business, Worcester enjoys a high reputation for its
social amenities, and families in search of a pleasant retreat are attracted to it
from all parts of England.
Upfon-on-Screni, below "Worcester, owes its importance to its shipping, for the
river is navigable to this place for vessels of 110 tons burden.
To the west of it rise the Malvern Hills, famous for their scenery, no less than
for the salubrious spas known as Great Malvern, West Malvern, and Malvern
Link, which have been established on their slopes. The springs to which
Malvern owes its reputation are slightly sulphureous, and in no other part of
England is hydrotherapic treatment carried on with the same success. Tenhury,
a more retiring spa, lies in the valley of the Teme. Its water is supposed to
be most effective in the cure of cutaneous diseases.
Evesham is the principal town of Worcestershire within the fertile valley of
the Avon. It boasts a famous old abbey with a fine bell tower, and, though now a
quiet country place, has been the scene of some stirring events. On Greenhill, to
the north of the town, was fought the battle (1265) in which Simon de Montfort,
the champion of the barons and of constitutional government, "fought stoutly
for the liberties of England," but fell, overwhelmed by numbers. A miracu-
lous well, still known as " Battle Well," burst forth from the ground on the
spot where Simon de Montfort expired, and for ages attracted pilgrims in
search of relief from their ailments. On Vineyard Hill, on the other side of the
Avon, the vine was cultivated from the time of the Conquest to the dissolution of
the neighbouring abbey. Pershorc, lower down on the Avon, has a famous old
church with a handsome lantern tower of the fourteenth centurj', held to be not
inferior to that of Lincoln Cathedral.
In the north the " Black Country " of Staffordshire overlaps the borders of
the county, and has given birth to several populous towns, the seats of coal mining
and iron works. Foremost amongst these is Dudley, within a detached portion of
the county. The castle, now in ruins, dates back to a time when Dudley was yet
a quiet country town. The hill which it crowns has yielded large quantities of
fossils, which have been deposited in the local museum. The Wenlock Canal
is carried through it by means of a tunnel. Oldhtiry and Hcdes Owen, one to
the east and the other to the south of Dudley, are engaged in the same Industries,
nail-making playing a leading part. Hugh Miller is our authority for stating
that the severe work in the iron-mines has in no respect been detrimental to the
physical beauty of the inhabitants, which is most striking amongst the women,
whilst the natives of the Malvern Hills, notwithstanding the salubrious air
they breathe, are homely in appearance, not to say ugly.* As to Bahall, it is in
reality a part of Bi\'mingham. The only other town to be noticed is Redditch,
close to the eastern borders, where the manufacture of needles and fish-hooks
is carried on.
Warwickshire, one of the midland counties, lies almost wholly within the
* Hugh Miller, " First Impressions of England and its People."