This small place has achieved fame by two means: the death of Mr. Huskisson, which took place at the house of the Rev. Mr. Blackburn; and by its cakes, which the traveller is invited to purchase by a board over the door of a house close by the station, on which is inscribed, “This is the noted Eccles cake shop.” Passing Waste Lane Station some cottages and factories, and the city of chimneys, Manchester, appear in view. The village of Tinker’s Hollow, and Cross Lane Bridge Station being passed, also sundry arches and bridges across the river Irwell, and the engine, trains, and travellers, are received into the Company’s yard in Manchester. CHAPTER XII. MANCHESTER. THE town of Manchester, including Salford, contains 270,960 inhabitants, and is distant from London 186 miles, and from Liverpool thirty-one by the railroad. The origin of this town, which is remarkable for the extent of its trade, and the importance of its manufactures, may be traced to remote antiquity. In the time of the Druids, it was distinguished as one of the principal stations of their priests, and celebrated for the privilege of sanctuary attached to its altar, which, in the British language, was called _Meyne_, signifying a stone. Prior to the Christian era, it was one of the principal seats of the Brigantes, who had a castle or stronghold, called _Mancenion_, or the place of tents, near the confluence of the rivers Medlock and Irwell, the site of which, still called the “Castle Field,” was selected as a station by the Romans, on their conquest of this part of Britain under Agricola, about the year 79, and called by them _Mancunium_, whence the Saxon _Manceastre_, and our _Manchester_. The Romans occupied this station during nearly four centuries, and formed roads, branching off to their surrounding settlements. Various antiquities have been from time to time discovered in the neighbourhood. After the departure of the Romans, a party of Saxons took the fort from the Britons, to whom the garrison afterwards surrendered. In 620, it was captured by Edwin, King of Northumbria. In 627, the inhabitants were converted to Christianity, by Paulinus, a missionary from Gregory I. Manchester having been taken by the Danes, was wrested from their possession, about 920, by Edward the Elder, who rebuilt and fortified the town and castle. For some time it continued prosperous, but suffered greatly in the wars between the Danes and Northumbrians. The early history of all ancient towns, chiefly “pertains to feats of broils and battles;” castles founded, demolished, and rebuilt, to be destroyed again; baronial feuds and fierce invasions; with the faint and fruitless struggles of _right_ against _might_, make up the dark and bloody record. * * * * *