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OUR NEW PARISH.

UR new parish of Ashdale has been recently taken out of a large and densely populated mining and manufacturing district in one of the

northern counties. Its geographical limits may comprise about six or seven miles in circumference; its topographical features are varied by diversities of hill and dale, boasting on its northern boundary upland corn fields and lowland pastures of abundance and beauty. A bright and shining river glides in mazy windings through the valley, from which the ground in front gradually rises, until it is bounded by the horizon, and a distant chain of bolder hills terminates the prospect on the left.

Ashdale does not deserve the classical epithet of "rus in urbe," which a professional friend once applied to it; on the contrary, it appears as if the town had been trying most strenuously to get into the country; and, unlike the out

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skirts of most large manufacturing places, it boasts neither "Wellington Lodges," " Adelaide Villas," nor even an "Albert" or "Victoria Cottage;" but there are several of the latter description of building which might justly claim the pretty prefix of "Rose," "Laurel," or "Ivy," according to the taste of their respective owners, whilst their gardens seem the very portals to Flora's temple. A long narrow road, which leads direct from one end of the parish to the other, towards the upper portion assumes more of the character of a street, and consists chiefly of small houses inhabited by the miners. and manufacturers, and becoming closer, dirtier, and more thickly populated as they approach the town of Upperton; the line of district demarcation being known only to the practised eye of the clergyman, but quite undistinguishable to the casual observer. A well frequented footpath traverses a high hill, which separates the parishes on the western side, and from this point the view is fine, striking, and panoramic, combining all the best portions of the neighbourhood, and excluding many that are ugly and repulsive. True it is, that the foreground of the picture is disfigured by unsightly heaps of that mineral which forms the wealth of the district, and by the machinery necessary for raising it. Ugly chimneys of red brick rise too

at intervals by the side of those recumbent steam boilers, which look in the distance like sleeping whales or porpoises, whilst the white puffing vapour, which now and then issues from their locality, confirms the likeness to those marine monsters; but overlook (or look over) these drawbacks, and few places can boast a more splendid view than our " Windy Bank," which probably obtained this name from its exalted situation. Splendid woods belonging to a noble owner give luxuriance to the southern prospect, whilst all around the neighbouring towns and hamlets boast handsome houses and fair domains, and the goodly spires and towers of the churches form striking and gladdening features in every point of the view. Within the last few years, thanks to the persevering efforts of a good man (now gone to his rest and his reward), the home view boasts an object dear to the Christian's and the churchman's heart, for, close nestled at the foot of the hill, stands "our parish church," of which we shall speak more anon. Unfortunately it does not boast the usual accompaniments; no neat parsonage stands near, giving promise of constant pastoral attention, and no picturesque schools adorn the vicinity, in which to train the church's children in her forms and faith. Want of funds have hitherto prevented this, but Faith and Hope point to

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