Exeter, the capital of Devonshire, on the banks of the Exe, is a large city, extending about three miles in circumference. It is intersected by four principal streets, which meet in the centre. A handsome bridge has been thrown over the river at an expense of L.20,000. The cathedral of St Peter is a magnificent structure, and contains numerous monuments of its bishops and of the Bohun and Courtenay families. Its western window is much admired, and the Bishop's Throne is remarkable for its height and elaborate carving. The north tower contains a clock curiously ornamented, and an immense bell (the great Tom of Exeter), weighing 12,500 lbs., both the gifts of Bishop Courtenay. Near the cathedral (and south-east) is the Bishop's Palace, a venerable building. On the northeast of the city are the ruins of Rougemont Castle, said to have been erected in the time of Julius Cæsar, and formerly the residence of the West Saxon kings. The guildhall, in High Street, rebuilt in 1464, contains several valuable portraits. A commodious custom-house has been erected on the quay. Northernhay, a public garden, well wooded and beautifully laid out, is the fashionable promenade, and commands a series of fine prospects. Formerly, Exeter was the emporium of thin woollen goods, such as serges, &c., spun and woven in the neighbouring towns, but finished in the city previous to exportation. The invention of machinery has, however, nearly destroyed these branches of trade, with the exception of that to India, which is still considerable. As Exeter is a kind of metropolis for Devon and Cornwall, it receives the produce of these counties in exchange for foreign commodities. The country around Exeter is very fertile, affording good pasture, corn, dairy, and fattening land, and abounding in fruit, especially apples, which yield plenty of the best cider. The river Exe is so far navigable, that by means of locks, vessels of 150 tons burden can come up to the city; those that are larger remain at Topsham, and the largest at Exmouth; the mouth of the river three miles lower. The diocese includes nearly the whole of Devon and Cornwall. In Exeter, there is a considerable number of churches belonging to the Establishment; several chapels of ease, and a few dissenting meeting-houses; numerous charitable institutions, and a neat theatre. The city is divided, for municipal purposes, into six wards, and is governed by a mayor, twelve aldermen, and thirty-five councillors. It returns two members to Parliament. The markets are held on Tuesday and Friday, and there is a good fish-market daily. The population in 1841 amounted to 31,312, and in 1851 to 40,688.

From Exeter to Tiverton is 13 miles-Crediton, 73-Chulmleigh, 21-South Molton, 29-Barnstaple, 37-Bideford, 391.

Crediton is an ancient and populous town situated on the Creedy, between two hills. It has twice suffered severely from fire. The church is an elegant Gothic structure, in which is a beautiful altar-piece. Pop. 1851, 3934. Near Crediton are Downes, (J. W. Buller, Esq.) Creedy House, (Sir H. R. Ferguson Davie, Bart.) and Fulford Park, (B. Fulford, Esq.)

South Molton is an ancient market and borough-town situated on an eminence near the west side of the river Mole. It has a guildhall, a spacious church containing several monuments and a good altar-piece, a free school, a charity school, &c. Pop. 1851, 4482. Between South Molton and Barnstaple is Castle Hill, the splendid mansion of Earl Fortescue, Lord-Lieutenant of the county. Barnstaple is an ancient place situated on the Taw, and is one of the neatest towns in Devonshire. Previous to the Conquest, it was a royal demesne, and is said to have been constituted a borough by King Athelstan, who built a castle here, of which nothing now remains except a high artificial mound. The woollen trade, which the town once possessed, has declined, but it still carries on a trade in timber, baize, silk stockings, and waistcoats. It has a spacious church, a guildhall, a theatre, charity, national, and free grammar schools. The poet Gay was born in the vicinity, and received his education at the grammar-school here. Barnstaple returns two members to Parliament. Pop. 1851, 11,371. A few miles from Barnstaple is Tawstock Court, the seat of Sir B. P. Wrey, Bart. beautifully situated and surrounded by extensive woods and grounds. The church contains a number of handsome monuments. Eight and a half miles from Barnstaple is Bideford, pleasantly situated on the banks of the Torridge, over which is an ancient bridge of twenty-four arches. The view above the bridge is remarkably picturesque. Bideford has greatly increased in importance within a few years, and now carries on an extensive trade. Pop. 1851, 5775. town is Moreton House, L. W. Buck, Esq. Thirteen miles and a half from Bideford is Hartland, a small sea-port town, bleakly situated on a neck of land called Hartland Point. Pop. of par. 2223. The church, a large and handsome structure, forms a landmark to mariners. About 6 miles from Bideford, and 45 from Exeter, is Torrington, a populous and flourishing town, finely situated on the east bank of the Torridge. A bowling-green now occupies the site of the ancient castle. The views from the two bridges in the vicinity of the town are extremely picturesque. Pop. of par. 3419. Ten miles and a half from Torring, ton, and 28 from Exeter, is Hatherleigh, an ancient but inconsiderable market and borough town, situated on a branch of the Torridge. The manor anciently belonged to the Abbot of Tavistock. Population, 1882. About 21 miles from Hatherleigh, and in Cornwall, is Stratton, famous as the place where the Par liamentary forces under the Earl of Stamford were defeated by the Cornish Royalists under Sir Beville Granville. Two miles from Stratton is Bude, a considerable watering-place. Five miles from Stratton is Kilkhampton, where there is

Near the

a fine old church containing several ancient monuments, among others, one to the memory of Sir Beville Granville, who was killed at the battle of Lansdown. The church-yard was the scene of Hervey's "Meditations among the Tombs."

LI. EXETER TO TEIGNMOUTH, TORQUAY, AND DARTMOUTH.

Eight miles from Teignmouth is the much admired and rapidly-increasing watering-place of Torquay, beautifully situated on the north side of Torbay. Kent's Hole, a cavern scarcely a mile from the town, is interesting to geologists on account of its ossiferous remains. Close to the town is Tor Abbey, the seat of R. S. S. Cary, Esq., and in the vicinity is Bishopstowe, a seat of the Bishop of Exeter.

Twelve miles from Torquay is Dartmouth, a considerable sea-port town, situated at the mouth of the Dart, which here forms a spacious harbour, capable of accommodating 500 sail. The Parish Church, of great antiquity, contains a curiously painted screen and pulpit. One of the doors is remarkably quaint. The bay is one of the most beautiful on this beautiful coast-the banks consisting of lofty wooded hills shelving down to the water. The Dart is navigable from this place to Totness, a distance of 10 miles, and a sail from the one point to the other will charm any lover of fine scenery. The town returns one member to Parliament. Pop 1851, 4508. In the immediate vicinity of Dartmouth is Mount Boone, the seat of Sir H. P. Seale, Bart.

Five miles from Dartmouth is the busy fishing town of Brixham, remarkable as the landing-place of William III. in 1688. 4 miles from Dartmouth, near Galmpton, is Lupton House, the beautiful seat of Sir J. B. Y. Buller, Bart.