ROTHERHAM.*

ROTHERHAM is situated in a valley, near the confluence of the Rother and Don. There are no facts of importance in its ancient history. Before the Reformation there was a college here, founded by Thomas Scott, usually called Thomas of Rotherham, Archbishop of York, who died in 1500. The dissolution of this college by Henry VIII. was a serious blow to the place, which declined both in business and wealth, after its suppression.

Though not a handsomely-built town, Rotherham is by no means destitute of picturesqueness, as our view will show. Its nearness to Sheffield makes Rotherham, as it were, a suburb of that great town, and consequently lessens its individual importance. The trade and manufactures of this town are considerable. It exports coals and lime in large quantities; and its iron works give employment to a great number of persons. The principal iron foundries are those of Messrs. Walker, at Masborough, on the other side of the river. Mr. Samuel Walker, the founder of these celebrated works, was born in 1716, and died in 1782. He was an intimate friend of the poet Mason, who wrote the inscription on a monument to his memory in the Wesleyan Chapel. The iron bridge of Sunderland, and that of Southwark, in the metropolis, were cast in these foundries. Large cannon, and almost every kind of cast-iron articles, are manufactured here.

THE CHURCH is the chief attraction of this town to the general tourist. Its spire, which is particularly handsome and lofty, rises from a square tower, adorned with pointed windows, and terminating with battlement and crocketed pinnacles. The church consists of nave, aisles, transepts, and choir. There are probably few who, on seeing this church, will be inclined to dispute the opinion of the late Mr. Rickman, that it is " one of the finest perpendicular churches in

the north." He adds, "Its execution is excellent, and the

+ HOTELS. Royal-Bed 1s. 6d., breakfast 1s. 6d., dinner 2s. and upwards, tea 1s. 6d. Crown; Prince of Wales.

Population in 1851, 6325.
From Sheffield, 6 miles.

Inhabited houses, 1269.

design is in every part very rich; it is also in very good preservation." Burton refers this church to the reign of Edward IV., but it is possible that it may have been built somewhat earlier.

On the south side of the nave there is an ornamented porch, with double buttresses, terminating in pinnacles at its

angles. The windows are of four lights, with fine tracery They are surmounted by crocketed weather cornices, with grotesque figures. The large south window of the transept is of six lights, and similar in style to those of the nave. Passing round to the chancel, the great east window is of seven lights, with a transom. The north side of the church is similar to its south side. The west window is large and tasteful.

The interior is spacious and interesting. The pointed arches, which separate the nave from the aisles, rest on columns with curious leafed capitals. There is an oak pulpit, probably of the seventeenth century, as well as a beautiful screen (now considerably injured), and some old stalls, of much earlier date. There are several monuments; among them, an ancient monumental brass, the remains of two altartombs, and a marble tablet with a basso-relievo by Flaxman. The church is well fitted up, and possesses a good organ. In the churchyard there is an old Saxon Font, originally placed in the church.

The Independent College, for the education of ministers for Congregational churches, is situated on a gentle eminence, half a mile from the town. It was opened in the year 1795. The house has two fronts, one to the south-west and the other to the north-east, and is surrounded by a garden and pasture ground. Twenty-one students can be lodged and educated in this institution. Their studies are conducted by a Principal, who is Professor of Theology and Hebrew; a Professor of Classics and Mathematics; and a Teacher of Modern languages.

Among the principal buildings in Rotherham may be mentioned a Free Grammar School, founded in 1584; a Town

Hall, several Dissenting Chapels, and a Bridge of five pointed arches, with an old and interesting chapel on the centre pier.

At Masborough, in 1781, was born Ebenezer Elliott, the celebrated "Corn Law Rhymer." He died on the 1st of December 1849, at Argilt Hill, near Barnsley. We quote one of his rhymes :—

"Child, is thy father dead?
Father is gone!

Why did they tax his bread?
God's will be done!

Mother has sold her bed;
Better to die than wed!

Where shall she lay her head?
Home we have none !

"Father clamm'd thrice a week-
God's will be done!
Long for work did he seek,
Work he found none.

Tears on his hollow cheek

Told what no tongue could speak;
Why did his master break?

God's will be done!

"Doctor said air was best-
Food we had none;
Father, with panting breast,
Longed to be gone:
Now he is with the blest-
Mother says death is best!
We have no place of rest—
Yes, we have one!"

VICINITY OF SHEFFIELD & ROTHERHAM.

WENTWORTH HOUSE, the princely seat of Earl Fitzwilliam, is four miles from Rotherham. For extent and magnificence it can be equalled by few private residences in the kingdom. The principal front is to the park, and consists of a centre and two wings, its length being upwards of six hundred feet. In the centre six magnificent Corinthian columns rise from a rusticated stylobate, and support an angular pediment, with the motto and arms of the Marquis of Rockingham (the mansion having been erected by the first marquis, who died in 1750.) The pediment is surmounted by * Hungered.