Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/198

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in succession, all the chief branches of British ma- nufacture, (with the exception of the woollen one;) we see a degree of population unequalled, perhaps, (for the extent) by any country in Europe; and find the effects of successful industry discovering themselves on every side in noble works for carry- ing on its operations, and elegant mansions for the enjoying of its profits. These appearances were particularly observable as we passed on to CoaJ- brooke-Dale, through Ketiey by the vast founderies of Messrs, Reynolds; and over Ketley-Heath, the inexhaustible store-house of iron ore, and coal. But our wonder was still more excited by Coalbrooke- Dale itself, a scene in which the beauties of nature and processes of art are blended together in curious combination. The valley which is here hemmed in b\ high rock) banks, finely wooded, would be dingly pictureseaie, u ere it not Lor the huge founderies, which, volcano-like, >.'-nd up volumes of smoke into the air, discolouring nature, and rob- bing the trees or their beaun: and the vast heaps of red-hoi iron or; ad coak, that give the bottom, " ever burning with solid lire," more the appear- ance o r t/iilLou' \u;: r iia;i oi his paradise.

At the extremity e; diis vale, the celebrated iror.- bridg. ~ \ ,: .-.-_ J; en .. Sevei;i a) a lofty

heigh i, v Inch, tho' not so vast as that at Sunderland,

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