There is no peculiar breed of cattle in 1Vorcestershire. The cattle are chiefly obtained from Herefordshire and South Wales. The best and meet profitable broods to stock the rich pasture are found to be the Herefords and Devon., which get into excellent condition by a summer's run, and are then finished in the stalls with hay, turnips, and oll-eake in winter : very fat beasts are sent up to Smithfield and to Birmingham every year from this county.
Tha sheep are mostly of the Leicester breed, which suit the rich pastures. On the Meteor's Hills are some small hardy sheep, without horns, with gray facer and lags, which, when fatted at a proper age, make excellent mutton. The horses for farus-werk are mostly of the strong black breed.
Thum, ate.—Worcestershire is divided into five hun dreds :—BlIckenhurst, ilalfshire, Oswaldalow, and Per shore, Upper and Lower. It contains the city of Woaozsrza, the parliamentary boroughs of BCWDLET, DROLTWICII, DUDLYY, EVESILLx, and KIDDIraMINeraa, and the market-towne of Hstvi Owoc (errone ously included in the towns referred to under SRROraIIIRE, to which county it. belonged till 1844), PERSUORZ, Snirsrox-ors-Sxonn, Srona mums, Stourport, Trztnnay, and Urrot-os-SzrEax. All these are described in separate articles, except Stourport, which we notice hero.
Swerport, a market-town in the hamlet of Lower Mitten and parish of Kidsterminater, population of the hamlet 2903 in 1851, ia situated on the left bank of the river Stour, at its junction with the Severn, about 10 tuil.-• N. by NV. from Worcester. The streets are lighted with gas, and paved. The Worcestershire and Staffordshire Canal ewer. the Severn at Stourport. Across the Severn is thrown a hand some iron bridge of a single arch, of 150 feet span, and 60 feet above the surface of the river, There is a spacious basin, with extensive wharfs and warehouses. Hops, cora, and apples are largely sold at Stourport market ; great quantities of coal, from the Stafford4hire and Worcestershire collieries, are conveyed on the canal ; and timber is dealt in to a considerable extent. Markets are held on Wednesday and Saturday. There are fairs on March 31st, September 15th, and December 18th for horned cattle, hops, &c. l'etty sessions are held in the town. There are in Stourport a chapel of ease, a chapel for Wesleyan Methodists, National schools, and a savings bank.
The following are some of the more important villages, with the parish populations in 1851, and a few other partioulare Alrecherch, population 1600, about 23 miles N.E. by N. from Wor cester, was at one time a borough, but is now a mere village. Besides the church, there are National schools and some almshouses. Bel broughton, population 1830, is about 6 miles N.N.W. from Bromagrove. The pariah church is a commodious and handsome edifice, with a lofty spire. There are National schools. Maltiug is largely carried ou. A manufactory of scythes and hay-knives employs a ounsiderable number of persona. Three fairs are held in the year. Bengewerta, [Eel:sues.] Blockley, population 25S7, is about 12 miles S.E. from Eveshani. In the village are the parish church, partly of Norman and partly of early English date ; a chapel for Baptists ; an Endowed Free school ; and a mechanics institute. Silk-throwing employs a consider able number of hands. A fair is held on the first Tuesday after Easter for cattle, and a hiring fair on October 10th. Numerous coins and other Roman remains have been found at Blockley. Bredon, population 1661, is on the left bank of the river Avon, 8 miles S. by W. from Pershore. The principal manufacture is that of stockings, which are worked on frames here for the Tewkesbury manufacturers. The church is a very ancient and interesting edifice, partly of Norman date. There is an Endowed Blne-Cost school. In the neighbour hood are the remains of an ancient encampment of large size. Broad
way, population 1629, is about 0 miles S.E. from Evesham. The houses, which are built of stone, extend in a straggling manner for about a mile along both sides of the main road. There aro day schools, partly supported by subscription. Chaddesley-Curbett, population 1420, about 5 miles S.E. from Kidderminster, possesses a neat church, built of red freestone, of various styles, including Norman ; and an endowed Free school. 3lalting is carried on. There are flour-mills and a worsted-mill. Feckenham, population 3254, about 8 miles E. by S. from Droitwich, was formerly surrounded by Feckenham Forest, the wood of which was cut down to supply fuel for the Droitwich salt-works it was disafferested in the reign of Charles I. There are hare a neat parish church, in which are several ancient monuments; a chapel for Independents ; and an Endowed school. The manufacture of needles and flab-hooka employs a considerable number of persons. Cattle faire are held ou March 26th and September 30th. Bagley, population 035, is about 6 miles N.H. from Kidderminster. The parish church has been recently enlarged. There are National schools. Roman remains have been found at various times in the vicinity. Jlanhary, population 1009, is about 4 miles E. by N. from Droitwich. The parish church occupies an elevated site. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal and the Bristol and Birmingham railway pans on the west side of the village. Hanley-Castle, population 1086, about 9 miles S. from Worcester, is pleasantly situated near the right bank of the Severn. In the village are a parish church, a chapel for Roman Catholics, and National schools. I lartlebury, population 2047, is about 11 miles N. by W. from Worcester, and 2 miles S.E. from Stourport. There are hare a Free Grammar school and a Free school for 15 girls. Malting is carried on. There are some corn-mills. Kempsey, population 1375, about 4 miles S. from Worcester, on the left bank of the Severn, contains the parish church and National schools. Henry II. held his court here. The ruins of an ancient camp are near the church. NORTON. MARTLET. Old Swinford, population of the tc woehip of Upper Swiuford 2728, about a mile S.S.E. from Stourbrialge. Brick-making, nail-making, chain- and trace-making, brewing, and malting, are carried on. There are some collieries in the vicinity. The church is a very handsome gothic edifice, with a lofty spire. There is a Blue-Cost hospital for 100 buys, couueeted with which is an Infant school The school-houtie is a neat collegiate building. Omberstey, population 2364, about 6 miles N. from Worcester, near the left bank of the Severn, has a handsome church, which was lately rebuilt. There are hare Endowed National schools, and an Infant school. In the churchyard are the remains of an ancient crises. Pulosek, population 1834, about 3 miles S.S.W. from Worcester, of which city it may be reckoned a suburb, is on the right bauk of the river Tone, over which there is here an ancient bridge. The church, which is a handsome gothic edifice, Is situated on a lofty bill, from which there is a fine view of the valley of the Severn. In the village are National and Infant schools. Redditch, population of the township 4802, Is pleasantly situated on an eminence near the Warwickshire border, about 6 miles E.S.E. from Worcester. It is the chief seat of the needle manufacture ; fish-hooks are also made iu large quantities. There are here a chapel of ease, chapels for Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists, Independents, and Rotuma Catuolice; National schools; and a savings hauls. Brickinakin4 brewing, and malting are carried on. Stoke Prior, populaLion 1613, about 2 miles S. by W. from Bromagrove, has extensive salt, soap, and chemical works, and a manufactory of railway carriages. There are a perish church, a chapel of ease, and National and Infant schools.