Plymouth, a sea-port town, lies 192 miles in a direct line west-south-west of St. Paul's, London, 216 miles from the General Post Office, London, by the nearest mail road, and 247 miles by railway from Paddington. It derives its name from the river Plym, which here meets the Tamar, forming by their junction an excellent harbour, divided into three parts. The town was incorporated by charter in 1438, in the reign of Henry VI. In the reign of Elizabeth a new charter was bestowed on the corporation, on the solicitation of Sir Francis Drake, who also brought water to the town from Dartmouth, by a winding channel 24 miles in length. Plymouth suffered much from the plague in A.D. 1579 and 1581. It again broke out in 1626, and carried off two thousand persons. In the civil wars Plymouth embraced the Parliamentary side, and was several times besieged by the royalists, but without success. The town is ill laid out, and the streets are narrow and inconvenient, except those near the public promenade called the Hoe. The principal buildings are, the noble Ionic structure in George Street, containing the Theatre, Assembly Rooms, and the Royal Hotel; the Athenæum, the Public Library, the Custom-house, the royal baths, the new hospital, the Guildhall, the Freemasons' Hall, the Mechanics' Institute, &c. The church of St. Andrew is spacious, containing, among other monuments, one to the memory of Charles Matthews the comedian. Here are also numerous meeting-houses, and charitable and educational institutions. Plymouth is one of the principal sea-ports in England, and is defended by a citadel and fortifications on the mainland, as well as on Drake's Island, &c. The harbour comprehends the Sound and its various arms. The estuary of the Tamar forms the harbour for the ships of war, and is called Hamoaze. This noble basin is four miles long, has moorings for nearly 100 sail of the line, and is usually studded with ships of war. The estuary of the Plym, called Catwater, forms another harbour, chiefly used for merchant vessels, and is capable of containing 1000 sail. An Act of Parliament was obtained, in 1840, for the erection of a pier in Mill Bay for the accommodation of the largest class of steam-ships at all times of the tide. The break water, commenced in 1812, is one of the most stupendous works of modern times. Its base is about a mile long, and the top forms a promenade, at the end of which there is a lighthouse 68 feet above the level of the breakwater. Plymouth carries on a considerable trade with the West Indies, the Baltic, and the Mediterranean, and coastwise with London and other places; and there is an active fishery, especially of whiting and hake. The imports are timber and West India produce; the exports, manganese to Scotland, wool to Hull, and lead to London and Bristol. Here are an extensive sail-cloth manufactory, a sugar-refinery, a glass-house, a very large soap-factory, and a starch-factory. Races are held twice a-year on Chelson Meadow, and there is an annual regatta in the Sound. In August, the scenery on the rivers Tamar, Tavey, St. Germans, and Yealm, is charming beyond description, and several weeks may be most agreeably consumed in excursions from Plymouth. Eddystone Lighthouse Plymouth returns two is 14 miles from the town, and is visible in clear weather. members to Parliament. Pop. in 1851, 52,221. (See also Devonport, p. 116.) LIII. EXETER TO PLYMOUTH AND DEVONPORT THROUGH Devonport owes its present importance to a naval arsenal established here in the reign of William III., and called Plymouth Dock till 1824. It was first fortified in the reign of George II.; but the fortifications have since been considerably enlarged and improved. A wall twelve feet high defends the town on the north-east and south-west; and the heavy batteries on Mount Wise protect the entrance from the sea. Devonport is well built, and contains several Episcopal chapels, meeting-houses, and schools, a town-hall, a small theatre, an assembly-room, a large mechanics' institute, a beautiful promenade, called Richmond Walk, &c. The dockyard is one of the finest in the world, and comprises an area of seventy-one acres. It contains many objects of great interest, such as the blacksmith's shop, containing a huge steam hammer, the rigging-house, the boiling-house, the mast-house, the mast-pond, and the ropehouses. Thirty-two telegraphic stations connect this place with the Admiralty in London, but the electric telegraph has almost superseded them. The victualling-yard at Stonehouse, completed in 1835, is on a gigantic scale, and cost a million and a half. The steam-dock yard lately formed by Government at Morricetown, is most capacious, and will repay a visit. Devonport returns 2 M.P. Pop. in 1851, 50,150. Beyond the Crimble Passage is Mount Edgcumbe, the seat of the Earl of that name, a magnificent mansion, finely situated, and commanding most beautiful and varied prospects. Every Monday, during the summer months, the grounds attached to this charming place are thrown open to the public, but strangers can obtain admission at any time on application. On the Devonport side most extensive views of the Sound and surrounding country may be obtained from the Blockhouse, an old fortification, or from the top of Devonport column. Looking across the Hamoaze may be seen Thanks (Lord Graves), and Anthony Park (W. H. P. Carew, Esq.) At this point a steam-floating bridge connects the counties of Devon and Cornwall. At a little distance 1163 Yatton Clevedon Junc- 12 from the station is Charleton House. Branch to Clevedon, 4 miles, a village on the shores of the Bristol Channel. The Church contains interesting monuments. Worle. In Banwell church are 113 some brasses, a stone pulpit, and an octagonal font. It is in the later English. 110 Banwell Court was built n 1584 by Bishop Godwyn, on the site of a momastery of the time of Alfred. Breane. Burnham, the scenery of which is much admired. Huntspill. tion Station. Chelvey. On the left lies the Mendip Hills, with the bone caves of Banwell, 18 and springs of Cheddar. Locking. Hutton. Bleadon has remains of a Pictish camp, where coins have been found. Lympsham. Puriton. The Duke of Monmouth was proclaimed! King at Bridgewater, and lodged some time in the castle. He was defeated by the royal army on Sedgmoor, near Weston. 3 miles distant, wheref V RIGHT FROM BRISTOL From From Bristol. ON LEFT FROM BRISTOL. Branch to 1rverton on the right 5 miles. Taunton Station. Taunton, a town of great antiquity, and one of the principal in Somersetshire. There are some remains of a castle, supposed to have been erected about 700 A.D. One ofits churches is an edifice of great elegance and splendour, and has a beautifully carved desk and pulpit. The interior of the roof is very curious. Pop. 1851, 14,176. 76 Wellington Station. Tiverton is a town of considerable antiquity, pleasantly situated on the slope of a hill. The prineipal buildings are the castle, church, and free grammar school. The church is an interesting structure, containing several costly monuments. The view from the church-yard is strikingly pieturesque. There is an important lace manufactory in the town, Tiver- 67 ton returns two members to Parliament. Pop. 1851, 11,144. Collumpton is a markettown of great antiquity. It 65 was a demesne of the Saxon kings, and bequeathed by Alfred the Great to his son Ethelward. The church is a large and venerable structure, consisting of three aisles. Near the font are two curiously carved pieces of oak. The tower is a beautiful building, 100 feet high. Wellington is a neat town, and contains many good houses. Through the interjacent country runs the Prætorian highway, called Watling Street. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in working coal and lime. (See p. 109). About 4 miles from the station we enter Devonshire, and pass through the principal tunnel on the line, five-eighths of a mile in length. We then descend through a deep cutting into the valley of the river Culme. Tiverton Junction Collumpton. The principal trade is the woollen manufacture. (See p. 109). 44 51 60% 63 1000 were killed, and 1500 taken prisoners. Dunwear. The scenery of the river Tone, which runs on the left of the railway for above 8 m., is very interesting, and in some places romantic. North Curry. Rushton. Taunton sends two members to Parliament, and has a weekly market on Wednesday and Saturday. It was the scene of many iniquitous executions in the time of James II. under the direction of Kirk and Jeffreys. Bishop's Hull. Heatherton Park, W. Adair, Esq. Burlescombe. Uffculme. We now descend the Culme, famous for its trout and eels. Welland. |