accommodated them with a large apartment in his house for their assemblies.

We have spoken of the introduction of an improved plan of LOCAL POLICE, superintended by a principal inhabitant; but the want of an available fund to pay the salaries of the acting officers, paralysed the institution after two years' continuance; and though at subsequent periods, when nightly depredations and dissolute practices became remarkably prevalent, attempts have been made by the respectable inhabitants to remedy these evils, nothing effectual has hitherto been done in this portion of the Borough; and it remains either for the establishment of a municipal incorporation, or the introduction of some general system of Police, to accomplish the important object.

In the winter of 1832, a subscription fund was set on foot for general improvements, and a society organized, called the "Tunstall Improvement Society," for preserving good order, punishing delinquencies, keeping the fireengines manned and supplied, removing and preventing nuisances, and improving the public streets; and this society proceeded beneficially for some time, but like many other associations, purely voluntary, its operations were crippled, and ceased, after a while, for want of adequate funds.

However, in 1837, the inhabitants took the necessary steps to avail themselves of the benefit of the Watching and Lighting Act of 1830,* and having obtained the requisite consent at a public meeting, they laid an assessment of 6d. in the pound on buildings, and 1d. on land, within the township, for carrying the measure into effect; and the more public roads and streets were accordingly lighted with gas, though sparingly; and watched, though insufficiently, during the winter of 1837; but in the following (the present) year, an opposition

* 11 Geo. IV. and 1 Will. IV. c. 27.

was raised, by some of the inhabitants, against this very moderate advancement of public utility; and the matter seems, at present, suspended.

Coal Gas has been brought to Tunstall by the British Gas Company, being conveyed by main pipes through Burslem, from their works at Shelton, a distance of nearly four miles, and is supplied at the rate of £3 per batwingburner, for the winter term, (September to April inclusive.) Many of the shopkeepers have availed themselves of the opportunity afforded them, of lighting their shops with gas; and the use of it is becoming very general.

With regard to WATER, Tunstall has not, at present, the benefit of any public supply, beyond that of a town pump, frequently out of repair, and two or three headsprings of very good water, collected in wells near the town, very liable to fail in dry seasons, the inconvenience of which was much experienced in the summer of 1835, when the inhabitants seemed to be earnest in devising means to secure a supply less precarious; but did not follow up their good resolutions after the immediate necessity was over; and in the event of any fire gaining head, the want of a sufficiency of water will, probably, be very seriously felt and deplored.

We must not omit to mention the prescriptive liability of the township to repair its own HIGHWAYS, (which we believe is equally applicable to every other township in the parish of Wolstanton, and the neighbourhood.) This township has no great extent of ancient highways, (except Turnpike Roads,) to repair; but the surveyors, under sanction of the inhabitants, have liberally assisted in paving the foot-paths of the modern streets, with the hard blue bricks, for which the Tunstall tileries are so celebrated, upon the principle, that those who are taxed ought to have a proportionate benefit. As connected with the ancient state of the Highways, we shall insert in the

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Appendix, the copy of an opinion given by Serjeant John Bradshaw, (the regicide Judge), which is preserved by a gentleman, whose ancestors have been long seated at Tunstall, and to whom we are very largely indebted for the materials of this portion of our history. This document is of the date of 1656, when Bradshaw was Recorder of Newcastle, High Steward of Congleton; † and a resident at Greenway Hall, a mansion and estate in the immediate neighbourhood of Hulton Abbey.

Of CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS in Tunstall, we have nothing to remark, beyond what we have already said respecting the Schools connected with the various religious bodies, or what are common to most other towns; such as Benefit and Benevolent Societies, Sick-clubs, &c. The oldest friendly society, which is called the Amicable Club, and now numbers about 270 members, was established here in 1791. Their Anniversary Feast is held on Tuesday, in the Wake Week; there are also three other men's clubs, and one women's club, which altogether number about 900 members; and three lodges or fraternities of Odd-fellows and similar clubs, who are fond of exhibiting their mystical insignia in solemn processions, for the amusement of the juvenile public.

It may be proper to notice particularly the few BENEFACTIONS given by benevolent persons in times past, for the use of the Poor of Tunstall, which are recorded on Tables in Wolstanton Church, and have been the subject of enquiry before the Commissioners of Charitable Trusts:

* No. X.

This was an honour not unacceptable to Earl Rivers, on the demise of Bradshaw, in 1657. He had been Mayor of Congleton in 1637, the 13th of Charles, ere the fatal struggle between him and his Parliament commenced.

CHARITABLE DONATIONS.

107

Mrs. Adderley, late of Blake Hall, in this County, left by her Will the sum of 50s. yearly to the poor householders of Tunstall; which is charged on lands in the Parish of Burslem, called the Pinnocks."

John Cartlich,+ late citizen and goldsmith, of London, by his Will gave £50 in trust, for the Poor of Tunstall; the interest to be given to such poor persons as receive no parochial relief.

Thomas Child, purser of His Majesty's ship the St. George, left by his Will (17th Dec. 1791,) the sum of £50; the interest at 4 per cent. to be paid to poor householders in the same manner. ‡

William Baddeley, of Tunstall, by his Will, gave the sum of £30, in trust for the Poor of Tunstall and Chell; the interest to be paid on St. Thomas's Day, yearly, viz. 15s. to the Poor of Tunstall, and 5s. to the Poor of Chell. This £30 was in the hands of John Cartwright, of Chell, as Trustee.-[We have not been able to ascertain how this money is invested, and think it requires looking into.]

The inhabitants of Tunstall, as being within the chapelry of Newchapel, participate in the benefit of Dr. Hulme's endowment of a Grammar-School, for teaching eighteen poor Boys; and of an Apprentice Premium of £5 per annum, charged upon the School estate, in Odd Rode, as hereafter mentioned, and likewise in some other small benefactions or charities recorded on tables in the Mother Church, and in New Chapel.

* We presume this annuity is still paid by the proprietor of the Pinnock's Estate.

+ Mr. John Cartlich was a native of Tunstall, and the son of John Cartlich, a tailor there. After his father's death, on 1st of April, 1681, he was bound apprentice to Peter Floyer, citizen and goldsmith, of London, for the term of seven years; and, on the 15th Nov. 1689, was admitted to his freedom in that Worshipful Company. In 1714, his son, John Cartlich, was admitted by patrimony; and another son, William, in 1718. [These particulars are obtained from the Records of the Goldsmith's Company. The name of Cartlich is very common in the neighbourhood of Tunstall; and a family of that name are landed proprietors in Tunstall, Oldcott, and Chell.]

These two sums of £50 each are secured upon lands at Harrisey Head; and the interest, at 4 per cent. per annum, is regularly paid at Shrovetide yearly, to the Minister of Tunstall, and Churchwardens, for the use of the Poor. Mr. Thomas Child, the purser, was brother of Admiral Child, before noticed.

TUNSTALL WAKE is held on the first Sunday after St. Margaret's Day, (20th July), in honour (or rather dishonour) of the patroness of the Mother Church of Wolstanton; and is, like other similar carnivals, generally attended with drunkenness and disorder of several days' continuance. Of course, there is no scarcity of establishments to supply the fullest demands of the Demon of Ebriety. There are, indeed, but six licensed Ale-houses (including three respectable Inns) and two Liquor-shops; but fifty Retail Beer-houses make ample amends, and (shall we say?) enable the poor man conveniently to quench his thirst, or (rather) offer to him, at every step, a temptation quite irresistible, to squander the earnings which ought to be applied in the purchase of necessaries for his family.*

Before the year 1833, no regular solicitor had thought it worth his while to settle at Tunstall: there are now three members of that profession, and though it has been supposed that litigation is promoted by the increase of practitioners, we are not aware that any such results have, at present, been produced. There are four resident surgeons and apothecaries. Of Banking Establishments there are none nearer than at Burslem.

In the Township of Tunstall were registered, in 1832, on the revised list for the Northern division of the County, 116 Electors, of whom only 96 voted at the General Election, in December of that year, viz. for Sir Oswald Mosley, Bart. 70,-for Edward Buller, Esq. 67,-and for Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. 32. In the year 1837, at the General Election in July, the number of the Electors registered, was 132; of whom 58 voted for the Hon. W. B. Baring,— 51 for Mr. Buller, and 39 for Sir O. Mosley.

We propose to give an account of these two Election Contests, as regards the entire Parish of Wolstanton, towards the conclusion of our next Chapter, which will be devoted to the General History of the Parish.

* See Page 39.