A topographical Dictionary of England Volume 1

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1831 Excerpt: ...three months during the winter. The races are held in July, but they are not so well supported as formerly, the course having become damaged by being divided by moveable fences, and let out to different tenants during the interval. The trade principally arises from the navigation of the river, which affords every facility for the transit of goods, and has made this town a thriving inland port: many vessels are built, and a great quantity of malt of very superior quality, and of grain, is sent to various parts of the country. The iron trade has greatly declined, but nails are made to a small extent: a large carpet manufactory has been lately established, and there is a considerable manufactory for tobacco pipes. The market, held on Saturday, is abundantly supplied with wheat, barley, and beans, to the growth of which the land in the neighbourhood is particularly favourable: the fairs are on the Thursday before Shrove-Tuesday, and the nearest Thursday to March 15th, for horned cattle and sheep; May 1st, a pleasure and statute fair; June 30th, for wool and cattle; August 2nd, for lamb's wool and cattle; September 15th, for cattle, sheep and cheese; October 29th, a great fair for salt butter, cheese, hops and nuts; and December 15th, a large fair for cattle and general merchandise. The government, by a succession of charters from the reign of Henry I. to that of James II., is vested in two (bailiffs, a recorder, deputy recorder, twenty-four aldermen, forty-eight common councilmen, two chamberlains, and two bridge-masters, assisted by a town clerk, two Serjeants at mace, and subordiCorpoTaie Seal. nate officers. The bailiffs, who are justices" of the peace, the senior of whom acts as coroner for the borough, are chosen on the 21st of September, from among t...