Page:The Grand junction railway companion to Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham; (IA grandjunctionrai00free).pdf/141

Rh Under the bill on which the castle stands are vast subterranean caverns, hewn in the solid limestone, this having been, for years, a most excellent quarry, of no slight pecuniary importance to its noble owner. Strangers have access to these caverns, but we recommend them to employ a guide, or they may take an unexpected cold bath, by finding themselves immersed in a canal, which, for the transit of the stone, has been led into these gloomy regions, and communicates with the Birmingham and Worcester Canal. In these quarries are several chalybeate springs, and the fossil called the "Dudley Locust," not now particularly valuable, as it is found here in great numbers, and variety of size. It is supposed to be a petrifaction of an extinct species of monoculus. From the castle is an extensive prospect, in which the remains of a monastery, formerly occupied by Cluniac monks, and erected in the year 1161, by the aforesaid Gervase Paganell, and the spire of St. Thomas's Church, form interesting objects. A handsome building, in the immediate neighbourhood of the monastic ruins, is called the Priory. It is the residence of the Earl of Dudley's mining agent. In this district are extensive collieries, and iron and limestone mines. The country around is very beautiful; and a short distance, at Hales Owen, is "The Leasowes," the elegant seat of the poet Shenstone. It is to be regretted that the public are not now admitted to view these delightful grounds, which bear so many recollections of the beautiful