HERE the railroad crosses the old Roman road called Watling-street; the ancient prætorian highway, reaching from Dover, by St. Albans, Dunstable, Towcester, Atherstone, Shrewsbury, &c., to Cardigan; in many places it is scarcely perceptible, while in others it continues firm for several miles. And who can pass such a junction of roads, without a backward glance at past years and events? without a thought of the thousand “changes of time and tide” that this ancient track has witnessed: the millions of human footsteps it has received:—the proud and victorious Roman, exulting in his country’s greatness and conquests, and contemptuously spurning the savage natives, whose natural rights he invaded:—the rapacious and desolating Dane:—the wily Saxon:—the adventurous Norman: and now the compound people, we English, who, not content with the ways of our fathers, must needs cross them with our refined and scientific innovations. In sooth, this ancient road were a fitter subject for an epic poem, than a guide-book gossip. Passing the Spread Eagle station, the villages of Water Eaton and Stretton, are seen on the W., and Rodbaston Hall, with Cannock Chase behind, on the E. The turnpike road here runs parallel with the line for some distance. At Quarry Bridge, a short distance from Penkridge, is a fine quarry of red sandstone, which has furnished a handsome material for several bridges in the vicinity. From hence the church of Penkridge, and the next arch over the line, forms an interesting picture, to which the near arch of Quarry Bridge serves as framework. [Picture: Penkridge Church from Quarry Bridge] The church is shortly after passed, on the E., and arriving at the bridge over the river Penk, a lovely view of the surrounding scenery presents itself. The river appears on both sides, winding gracefully along, between meadows and groves; on the E. is the Old Bridge, beyond which appears Teddesley Park and Hall, the seat of Lord Hatherton, with our old friend Cannock Chase in the distance. Westward the eye ranges over the near objects to Preston Hill and Longridge, altogether forming a delightful prospect. [Picture: Penkridge] Penkridge Station. Distance to Birmingham, 24—Liverpool and Manchester, 73½ miles. DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:— _Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_. Bradley 3¾ miles. Dunstan 2¼ miles. Church Eaton 5¼ — Acton Trussel 2¾ — Bednall 3½ — CANNOCK 5 — RUGELEY 8 — Armitage 10½ — Malvesyn Ridware 11 — Longdon 11½ —