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verpool, and has a neat Church, on the northern side of which stands Vernon-hall. Many new buildings have recently been erected here; and at a short distance to the south are seen the chimneys at the entrance of the Railway, which have the appearance of two handsome triumphal columns.

TOXTETH PARK.

Toxteth Park forms the southern boundary to Liverpool, and was a Royal forest until the second year of the reign of James 1., when it was conferred by a grant of the crown on two citizens of London, Ralph Willey, merchant tailor, and Thomas Dodd, grocer, who on the 6th of March, 1605, bestowed it on Richard Molyneux, an ancestor of the present Earl of Sephton, This mode of conveyance is supposed to have been then adopted in consequence of the grantee being a Catholic.

Toxteth Park is cited in Doomsday-book, as being one virgate of land and half a carracute, then valued at four shillings, and held by Stainulf. In 1346 it was let to the Molyneux family for £17 per annum. And subsequently, in the year 1593, Queen Elizabeth conferred this park on Henry, Earl of Derby, and his heirs male; but it afterwards reverted to the crown, in consequence, it is supposed, of a failure of such heirs.

The old chapel which has long been in the possession of the Presbyterians, is mentioned in a survey made by order of the paliament during the Commonwealth; and a Mr. Huggin, an episcopal minister, is stated to have been the incumbent at that time, and that he received the tithes of the park, which were then valued at £45 per annum, besides £10 a year which were allowed him by the rector of Walton.

In the year 1815 a Church was erected here, in the Gothic style of architecture, and was dedicated to St. Michael. It stands in a delightful situation, and is a pleasing and picturesque object, being seen to advantage from different places on the Cheshire coast, as well as from various parts of the river.

This district, but particularly that part of it called Harrington, is now become very populous. Many new buildings have lately been erected and the population according to the last census in 1831 was 24,067.

WAVERTREE.

This village stands in a pleasant situation, about three miles to the east of Liverpool, and has a neat Church, which was erected in the year 1794. At a short distance beteen this place and the Old Swan is the Olive Mount excavation, through which the Railway passes, and is well deserving of the stranger's notice.

CHILDWALL.

Childwall lies about five miles to the east of Liverpool and is delightfully situated on the declivity of a hill, which commands an extensive and varied prospect of a spacious and fertile valley, studded with mansions and farm-houses, and terminated on one side by a rising ground, on which stands the village of Huyton; and at a farther distance diversified by the town of Prescot, resting on the slope of a hill, and distinguished by its church spire, which contributes much to the beauty of the surrounding scenery. Childwall Church is of high antiquity: it has a neat spire and a peal of bells. This spot affords one of the most beautiful and picturesque panoramic views in this part of Lancashire.

HUYTON.

This village is situate adjacent to the London road, at the distance of about six miles to the east of Liverpool, and has a Church of considerable antiquity. The Railway passes through Huyton.

PRESCOT.

Prescot is a neat town, and lies to the east of Liverpool, from which it is distant eight miles. It has a market on Tuesdays, and carries on an extensive trade in the manufacture of clocks, watches, and mechanics' tools, besides several establishments for the making of earthenware.

Here is a neat church, of great antiquity. It has a handsome spire, which, from its elevated situation, is seen at a considerable distance. Contiguous to this place is Knowsley-hall, which has been the residence of the Derby family for many generations.

SEPHTON.

The village of Sephton is situate seven miles to the north of Liverpool, and has a fine Gothic church, with a handsome spire. This structure is said to have been erected so far back as the year 1111. The interior is remarkably neat, and contains several specimens of antique carved work in oak. The screen which separates the chancel from the body of the church is a beauti ful piece of workmanship. There are some very ancient monuments here of various ancestors of the Molyneux family; and amongst them is one of Sir William Molyneux, who distinguished himself at the battle of Flodden Field, by taking two banners from the Scots; and for this achievement he was rewarded by Henry VIII. with the arms of the Earl of Huntley. During the same period another individual of this house was celebrated as an able preacher, and is said to have re-built Sephton church and an adjoining school-room.

William de Moulins, the founder of this family, first came over to this country with William the

Conqueror, and having signalized himself as a warrior, he was rewarded with the manors of Kerdon, Thornton, and Sephton, in the county of Lancaster, which were granted to him by Roger de Poictou. He built a mansion near to Sephton church, some remains of which were standing a few years ago, but not a vestige of it is now left. The Molyneuxes have been residents in this neighbourhood ever since the conquest, and for a long period they enjoyed the constableship of the Castle of Liverpool, as well as the forestership of the royal parks of Toxteth and Croxteth.

The present head of this family has been created a British Peer, by the title of Baron Sefton, of Croxteth in the county of Lancaster.

THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.

The Liverpool Zoological Gardens are situate on the West Derby road, in a delightful neighbourhood, and not at an inconvenient distance from the centre of the town, being less than five minutes' walk beyond the Necropolis, at Lowhill. The site, which has been judiciously chosen, consists of a dingle, surrounded with a gently rising ground, forming a complete natural amphitheatre. and most admirably adapted to the purpose. It

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