Chester, K.B. £20 3s. 4d., in joint patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Chester, Lord Anvanley, and Sir P. Egerton. The town has also a methodist chapel, and a school endowed by Lady Jane Done with £20 per annum. Here the principal gentlemen of the county assemble at an annual hunt. In the neighbourhood is Cliefden, formerly the residence of the parents of George the Third, but more remarkable for its grounds, which were planted with trees upon the plan in which the great Marlborough arranged his troops at the battle of Blenheim. Near here are also the ruins of Beeston Castle, formerly one of the strongest fortresses in the kingdom; it was dismantled by the Parliamentarians; enough, however, remains to evidence its former strength.
Resuming our journey, we have now a descent of 1 in 330 for near a mile, when, with but slight alteration, and an occasional level, we have an average ascent of about 1 in 280, until, at the 531 post, (one mile on this side of WHITMORE,) we attain an elevation of 390 feet above low water mark at Liverpool, being nearly 250 feet above the road at this station.
64½ 32¾
The Vale Royal Embankment, which is about 150 yards long and 60 feet high, here meets the Viaduct midway in the valley. This bridge bas 5 arches, each 63 feet span, and carries the Railroad across Vale Royal, at an elevation
