第3章
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  shallmaketheladieslaughatthefamousoldstoryoftheFlitchofBaconatDunmow,whichisthis:

  OneRobertFitzwalter,apowerfulbaroninthiscountyinthetimeofHenryIII。,onsomemerryoccasion,whichisnotpreservedintherestofthestory,institutedacustomintheprioryhere:Thatwhatevermarriedmandidnotrepentofhisbeingmarried,orquarrelordifferanddisputewithhiswifewithinayearandadayafterhismarriage,andwouldsweartothetruthofit,kneelingupontwohardpointedstonesinthechurchyard,whichstoneshecausedtobesetupinthePriorychurchyardforthatpurpose,thepriorandconvent,andasmanyofthetownaswould,tobepresent,suchpersonshouldhaveaflitchofbacon。

  Idonotremembertohavereadthatanyoneevercametodemandit;

  nordothepeopleoftheplacepretendtosay,oftheirownknowledge,thattheyrememberanythatdidso。Alongtimeagoseveraldiddemandit,astheysay,buttheyknownotwho;neitheristhereanyrecordofit,nordotheytellus,ifitwerenowtobedemanded,whoisobligedtodelivertheflitchofbacon,thepriorybeingdissolvedandgone。

  TheforestofEppingandHainaultspreadsagreatpartofthiscountrystill。Ishallspeakagainoftheformerinmyreturnfromthiscircuit。Formerly,itisthought,thesetwoforeststookupallthewestandsouthpartofthecounty;butparticularlyweareassured,thatitreachedtotheRiverChelmer,andintoDengyHundred,andfromthenceagainwesttoEppingandWaltham,whereitcontinuestobeaforeststill。

  ProbablythisforestofEppinghasbeenawildorforesteversincethisislandwasinhabited,andmayshowus,insomepartsofit,whereenclosuresandtillagehasnotbrokeninuponit,whatthefaceofthisislandwasbeforetheRomans\'time;thatistosay,beforetheirlandinginBritain。

  Theconstitutionofthisforestisbestseen,Imeanastotheantiquityofit,bythemerrygrantofitfromEdwardtheConfessorbeforetheNormanConquesttoRandolphPeperking,oneofhisfavourites,whowasaftercalledPeverell,andwhosenameremainsstillinseveralvillagesinthiscounty;asparticularlythatofHatfieldPeverell,intheroadfromChelmsfordtoWitham,whichissupposedtobeoriginallyapark,whichtheycalledafieldinthosedays;andHartfieldmaybeasmuchastosayaparkfordoer;

  forthestagswereinthosedayscalledharts,sothatthiswasneithermorenorlessthanRandolphPeperking\'sHartfield-thatistosay,RalphPeverell\'sdeer-park。

  N。B-ThisRalphRandolph,orRalphPeverellcallhimasyouplease,had,itseems,amostbeautifulladytohiswife,whowasdaughterofIngelrick,oneofEdwardtheConfessor\'snoblemen。Hehadtwosonsbyher-WilliamPeverell,afamedsoldier,andlordorgovernorofDoverCastle,whichhesurrenderedtoWilliamtheConqueror,afterthebattleinSussex,andPainPeverell,hisyoungest,whowaslordofCambridge。Whentheeldestsondeliveredupthecastle,thelady,hismother,abovenamed,whowasthecelebratedbeautyoftheage,wasitseemsthere,andtheConquerorfellinlovewithher,andwhetherbyforceorbyconsent,tookheraway,andshebecamehismistress,orwhatelseyoupleasetocallit。Byherhehadason,whowascalledWilliam,aftertheConqueror\'sChristianname,butretainedthenameofPeverell,andwasafterwardscreatedbytheConquerorlordofNottingham。

  Thisladyafterwards,asissupposed,bywayofpenanceforheryieldingtotheConqueror,foundedanunneryatthevillageofHatfieldPeverell,mentionedabove,andtheresheliesburiedinthechapelofit,whichisnowtheparishchurch,wherehermemoryispreservedbyatombstoneunderoneofthewindows。

  Thuswehaveseveraltowns,whereanyancientparkshavebeenplaced,calledbythenameofHatfieldonthatveryaccount。AsHatfieldBroadOakinthiscounty,Bishop\'sHatfieldinHertfordshire,andseveralothers。

  ButIreturntoKingEdward\'smerryway,asIcallit,ofgrantingthisforesttothisRalphPeperking,whichIfindintheancientrecords,intheverywordsitwaspassedin,asfollows。TakemyexplanationswithitforthesakeofthosethatarenotusedtotheancientEnglish:

  TheGrantinOldEnglish。

  ICheEDWARDKoning,HavegivenofmyForrestthekepenoftheHundredofCHELMERandDANCING。

  ToRANDOLPHPEPERKING,Andtohiskindling。

  WithHeorteandHind,DoeandBocke,HareandFox,CatandBrock,WildFowlewithhisFlock;

  Patrich,PheasantHen,andPheasantCock,WithgreenandwildStubandStock,Tokepenandtoyemenwithallhermight。

  BothbyDay,andekebyNight;

  AndHoundsfortohold,GoodandSwiftandBold:

  FourGreyhoundandsixRaches,ForHareandFox,andWildCattes,AndthereforeIchemadehimmyBook。

  WitnesstheBishopofWOLSTON。

  AndBookeylredemanyon,AndSWEYNEofESSEX,ourBrother,AndtakenhimmanyotherAndourstewardHOWLEIN,ThatBYSOUGHTmeforhim。

  TheExplanationinModernEnglishIEdwardtheking,HavemaderangerofmyforestofChelmsfordhundredandDeeringhundred,RalphPeverell,forhimandhisheirsforever;

  Withboththeredandfallowdeer。

  Hareandfox,otterandbadger;

  Wildfowlofallsorts,Partridgesandpheasants,Timberandunderwoodrootsandtops;

  Withpowertopreservetheforest,Andwatchitagainstdeer-stealersandothers:

  Witharighttokeephoundsofallsorts,Fourgreyhoundsandsixterriers,Harriersandfoxhounds,andotherhounds。

  AndtothisendIhaveregisteredthismygrantinthecrownrollsorbooks;

  Towhichthebishophassethishandasawitnessforanyonetoread。

  Alsosignedbytheking\'sbrotheror,assomethink,theChancellorSweyn,thenEarlorCountofEssex。

  Hemightcallsuchotherwitnessestosignashethoughtfit。

  Alsotheking\'shighstewardwasawitness,atwhoserequestthisgrantwasobtainedoftheking。

  Therearemanygentlemen\'sseatsonthissidethecountry,andagreatassemblysetupatNewHall,nearthistown,muchresortedtobytheneighbouringgentry。IshallnextproceedtothecountyofSuffolk,asmyfirstdesigndirectedmetodo。

  FromHarwich,therefore,havingamindtoviewtheharbour,IsentmyhorsesroundbyManningtree,wherethereisatimberbridgeovertheStour,calledCatawayBridge,andtookaboatuptheRiverOrwellforIpswich。Atravellerwillhardlyunderstandme,especiallyaseaman,whenIspeakoftheRiverStourandtheRiverOrwellatHarwich,fortheyknowthembynoothernamesthanthoseofManningtreewaterandIpswichwater;sowhileIamonsaltwater,Imustspeakasthosewhousetheseamayunderstandme,andwhenIamupinthecountryamongtheinlandtownsagain,Ishallcallthemoutoftheirnamesnomore。

  ItistwelvemilesfromHarwichupthewatertoIpswich。BeforeI

  cometothetown,Imustsaysomethingofit,becausespeakingoftheriverrequiresit。Informertimes,thatistosay,sincethewriterofthisrememberstheplaceverywell,andparticularlyjustbeforethelateDutchwars,Ipswichwasatownofverygoodbusiness;particularlyitwasthegreatesttowninEnglandforlargecolliersorcoal-shipsemployedbetweenNewcastleandLondon。

  Alsotheybuiltthebiggestshipsandthebest,forthesaidfetchingofcoalsofanythatwereemployedinthattrade。Theybuilt,also,theresoprodigiousstrong,thatitwasanordinarythingforanIpswichcollier,ifnodisasterhappenedtohim,toreignasseamencallitfortyorfiftyyears,andmore。

  InthetownofIpswichthemastersoftheseshipsgenerallydwelt,andtherewere,astheythentoldme,aboveahundredsailofthem,belongingtothetownatonetime,theleastofwhichcarriedfifteenscore,astheycomputeit,thatis,300chaldronofcoals;

  thiswasabouttheyear1668whenIfirstknewtheplace。Thismadethetownbeatthattimesopopulous,forthosemasters,astheyhadgoodshipsatsea,sotheyhadlargefamilieswholivedplentifully,andinverygoodhousesinthetown,andseveralstreetswerechieflyinhabitedbysuch。

  ThelossordecayofthistradeaccountsforthepresentpretendeddecayofthetownofIpswich,ofwhichIshallspeakmorepresently。Theshipsworeout,themastersdiedoff,thetradetookanewturn;Dutchflyboatstakeninthewar,andmadefreeshipsbyActofParliament,thrustthemselvesintothecoal-tradefortheinterestofthecaptors,suchastheYarmouthandLondonmerchants,andothers;andtheIpswichmendroppedgraduallyoutofit,beingdiscouragedbythoseDutchflyboats。TheseDutchvessels,whichcostnothingbutthecaption,wereboughtcheap,carriedgreatburthens,andtheIpswichbuildingfelloffforwantofprice,andsothetradedecayed,andthetownwithit。I

  believethiswillbeownedforthetruebeginningoftheirdecay,ifImustallowittobecalledadecay。

  Buttoreturntomypassageuptheriver。Inthewinter-timethosegreatcollierships,above-mentioned,arealwayslaidup,astheycallit;thatistosay,thecoaltradeabatesatLondon,thecitizensaregenerallyfurnished,theirstorestakenin,andthedemandisover;sothatthegreatships,thenorthernseasandcoastbeingalsodangerous,thenightslong,andthevoyagehazardous,gotoseanomore,butlieby,theshipsareunrigged,thesails,etc。,carriedashore,thetop-mastsstruck,andtheyridemooredintheriver,undertheadvantagesandsecurityofsoundground,andahighwoodyshore,wheretheylieassafeasinawetdock;anditwasaveryagreeablesighttosee,perhapstwohundredsailofships,ofallsizes,lieinthatpostureeverywinter。Allthiswhile,whichwasusuallyfromMichaelmastoLadyDay,themasterslivedcalmandsecurewiththeirfamiliesinIpswich;andenjoyingplentifully,whatinthesummertheygotlaboriouslyatsea,andthismadethetownofIpswichverypopulousinthewinter;forasthemasters,somostofthemen,especiallytheirmates,boatswains,carpenters,etc。,wereofthesameplace,andlivedintheirproportions,justasthemastersdid;sothatinthewintertheremightbeperhapsathousandmeninthetownmorethaninthesummer,andperhapsagreaternumber。

  TojustifywhatIadvancehere,thatthistownwasformerlyveryfullofpeople,IaskleavetorefertotheaccountofMr。Camden,andwhatitwasinhistime。Hiswordsarethese:-\"Ipswichhasacommodiousharbour,hasbeenfortifiedwithaditchandrampart,hasagreattrade,andisverypopulous,beingadornedwithfourteenchurches,andlargeprivatebuildings。\"ThisconfirmswhatIhavementionedoftheformerstateofthistown;butthepresentstateismyproperwork;Ithereforereturntomyvoyageuptheriver。

  Thesightoftheseshipsthuslaidupintheriver,asIhavesaid,wasveryagreeabletomeinmypassagefromHarwich,aboutfiveandthirtyyearsbeforethepresentjourney;anditwasinitsproportionequallymelancholytohearthattherewerenowscarcefortysailofgoodcolliersthatbelongedtothewholetown。

  Inacreekinthisriver,calledLavingtonCreek,wesawatlowwatersuchshoals,orhillsrather,ofmussels,thatgreatboatsmighthaveloadedwiththem,andnomisshavebeenmadeofthem。

  Nearthiscreek,SirSamuelBarnadistonhadaveryfineseat,as,also,adecoyforwildducks,andaverynobleestate;butitisdividedintomanybranchessincethedeathoftheancientpossessor。ButIproceedtothetown,whichisthefirstinthecountyofSuffolkofanynotethisway。

  Ipswichisseated,atthedistanceoftwelvemilesfromHarwich,upontheedgeoftheriver,which,takingashortturntothewest,thetownforms,there,akindofsemicircle,orhalfmoon,uponthebankoftheriver。Itisveryremarkable,thatthoughshipsof500

  tonmay,uponaspringtide,comeupverynearthistown,andmanyshipsofthatburthenhavebeenbuiltthere,yettheriverisnotnavigableanyfartherthanthetownitself,orbutverylittle;no,notforthesmallestbeats;nordoesthetide,whichrisessometimesthirteenorfourteenfeet,andgivesthemtwenty-fourfeetwaterverynearthetown,flowmuchfartheruptheriverthanthetown,ornotsomuchastomakeitworthspeakingof。

  Hetooklittlenoticeofthetown,oratleastofthatpartofIpswich,whopublishedinhiswildobservationsonitthatshipsof200tonarebuiltthere。Iaffirm,thatIhaveseenashipof400

  tonlaunchedatthebuilding-yard,closetothetown;andIappealtotheIpswichcolliersthosefewthatremainbelongingtothistown,ifseveralofthemcarryingseventeenscoreofcoals,whichmustbeupwardof400ton,havenotformerlybeenbuilthere;butsuperficialobserversmustbesuperficialwriters,iftheywriteatall;andtothisday,atJohn\'sNess,withinamileandahalfofthetownitself,shipsofanyburthenmaybebuiltandlaunchedevenatneaptides。

  Iammuchmistaken,too,ifsincetheRevolutionsomeverygoodshipshavenotbeenbuiltatthistown,andparticularlytheMELFORDorMILFORDgalley,ashipoffortyguns;astheGREYHOUND

  frigate,aman-of-warofthirty-sixtofortyguns,wasatJohn\'sNess。ButwhatisthistowardslesseningthetownofIpswich,anymorethanitwouldbetosay,theydonotbuildmen-of-war,orEastIndiaships,orshipsoffivehundredtonburdenatSt。Catherines,oratBattleBridgeintheThames?whenweknowthatamileortwolower,viz。,atRadcliffe,Limehouse,orDeptford,theybuildshipsofathousandton,andmightbuildfirst-ratemen-of-wartoo,iftherewasoccasion;andthelikemightbedoneinthisriverofIpswich,withinabouttwoorthreemilesofthetown;sothatitwouldnotbeatallanout-of-the-wayspeakingtosay,suchashipwasbuiltatIpswich,anymorethanitistosay,astheydo,thattheROYALPRINCE,thegreatshiplatelybuiltfortheSouthSeaCompany,wasLondonbuilt,becauseshewasbuiltatLimehouse。

  AndwhythenisnotIpswichcapableofbuildingandreceivingthegreatestshipsinthenavy,seeingtheymaybebuiltandbroughtupagainladen,withinamileandhalfofthetown?

  ButtheneighbourhoodofLondon,whichsucksthevitalsoftradeinthisislandtoitself,isthechiefreasonofanydecayofbusinessinthisplace;andIshall,inthecourseoftheseobservations,hintatit,wheremanygoodseaportsandlargetowns,thoughfartheroffthanIpswich,andaswellfittedforcommerce,areyetswallowedupbytheimmenseindraftoftradetotheCityofLondon;

  andmoredecayedbeyondallcomparisonthanIpswichissupposedtobe:asSouthampton,Weymouth,Dartmouth,andseveralotherswhichI

  shallspeaktointheirorder;andifitbeotherwiseatthistime,withsomeothertowns,whicharelatelyincreasedintradeandnavigation,wealth,andpeople,whiletheirneighboursdecay,itisbecausetheyhavesomeparticulartrade,oraccidenttotrade,whichisakindofnostrumtothem,inseparabletotheplace,andwhichfixestherebythenatureofthething;astheherring-

  fisherytoYarmouth;thecoaltradetoNewcastle;theLeedsclothingtrade;theexportofbutterandlead,andthegreatcorntradeforHolland,istoHull;theVirginiaandWestIndiatradeatLiverpool;theIrishtradeatBristol,andthelike。Thusthewarhasbroughtafluxofbusinessandpeople,andconsequentlyofwealth,toseveralplaces,aswellastoPortsmouth,Chatham,Plymouth,Falmouth,andothers;andwereanywarslikethose,tocontinuetwentyyearswiththeDutch,oranynationwhosefleetslaythatway,astheDutchdo,itwouldbethelikeperhapsatIpswichinafewyears,andatotherplacesonthesamecoast。

  Butatthispresenttimeanoccasionofferstospeakinfavourofthisport;namely,theGreenlandfishery,latelyproposedtobecarriedonbytheSouthSeaCompany。OnwhichaccountImayfreelyadvancethis,withoutanycomplimenttothetownofIpswich,noplaceinBritainisequallyqualifiedlikeIpswich;whetherwerespectthecheapnessofbuildingandfittingouttheirshipsandshallops;alsofurnishing,victualling,andprovidingthemwithallkindsofstores;convenienceforlayinguptheshipsafterthevoyage,roomforerectingtheirmagazines,warehouses,ropewalks,cooperages,etc。,ontheeasiestterms;andespeciallyforthenoisomecookery,whichattendstheboilingtheirblubber,whichmaybeonthisriverasitoughttoberemotefromanyplacesofresort。Thentheirnearnesstothemarketfortheoilwhenitismade,andwhich,aboveall,oughttobethechiefthingconsideredinthattrade,theeasinessoftheirputtingouttoseawhentheybegintheirvoyage,inwhichthesamewindthatcarriesthemfromthemouthofthehaven,isfairtotheveryseasofGreenland。

  Icouldsaymuchmoretothispointifitwereneedful,andinfewwordscouldeasilyprove,thatIpswichmusthavethepreferenceofalltheporttownsofBritain,forbeingthebestcentreoftheGreenlandtrade,ifeverthattradefallintothemanagementofsuchapeopleasperfectlyunderstand,andhaveaduehonestregardtoitsbeingmanagedwiththebesthusbandry,andtotheprosperityoftheundertakingingeneral。Butwhetherweshalleverarriveatsohappyatimeastorecoversousefulatradetoourcountry,whichourancestorshadthehonourtobethefirstundertakersof,andwhichhasbeenlostonlythroughtheindolenceofothers,andtheincreasingvigilanceofourneighbours,thatisnotmybusinessheretodispute。

  WhatIhavesaidisonlytolettheworldseewhatimprovementthistownandportiscapableof;IcannotthinkbutthatProvidence,whichmadenothinginvain,cannothavereservedsouseful,soconvenientaporttolievacantintheworld,butthatthetimewillsometimeorothercomeespeciallyconsideringtheimprovingtemperofthepresentagewhensomepeculiarbeneficialbusinessmaybefoundout,tomaketheportofIpswichasusefultotheworld,andthetownasflourishing,asNaturehasmadeitproperandcapabletobe。

  Asforthetown,itistrue,itisbutthinlyinhabited,incomparisonoftheextentofit;buttosaytherearehardlyanypeopletobeseenthere,isfarfrombeingtrueinfact;andwhoeverthinksfittolookintothechurchesandmeeting-housesonaSunday,orotherpublicdays,willfindthereareverygreatnumbersofpeoplethere。Orifhethinksfittoviewthemarket,andseehowthelargeshambles,calledCardinalWolsey\'sButchery,arefurnishedwithmeat,andtherestofthemarketstockedwithotherprovisions,mustacknowledgethatitisnotforafewpeoplethatallthosethingsareprovided。Apersonverycurious,andonwhoseveracityIthinkImaydepend,goingthroughthemarketinthistown,toldme,thathereckonedupwardsofsixhundredcountrypeopleonhorsebackandonfoot,withbasketsandothercarriage,whohadallofthembroughtsomethingorothertotowntosell,besidesthebutchers,andwhatcameincartsandwaggons。

  Ithappenedtobemylottobeonceatthistownatthetimewhenaveryfinenewship,whichwasbuiltthereforsomemerchantsofLondon,wastobelaunched;andifImaygivemyguessatthenumbersofpeoplewhichappearedontheshore,inthehouses,andontheriver,IbelieveIammuchwithincompassifIsaytherewere20,000peopletoseeit;butthisisonlyaguess,ortheymightcomeagreatwaytoseethesight,orthetownmaybedeclinedfarthersincethat。Butaviewofthetownisoneofthesurestrulesforagrossestimate。

  Itistruehereisnosettledmanufacture。TheFrenchrefugeeswhentheyfirstcameovertoEnglandbeganalittletotaketothisplace,andsomemerchantsattemptedtosetupalinenmanufactureintheirfavour;butithasnotmetwithsomuchsuccessaswasexpected,andatpresentIfindverylittleofit。Thepoorpeopleare,however,employed,astheyarealloverthesecounties,inspinningwoolforothertownswheremanufacturesaresettled。

  ThecountryroundIpswich,asareallthecountiessonearthecoast,isappliedchieflytocorn,ofwhichaverygreatquantityiscontinuallyshippedoffforLondon;andsometimestheyloadcornhereforHolland,especiallyifthemarketabroadisencouraging。

  Theyhavetwelveparishchurchesinthistown,withthreeorfourmeetings;buttherearenotsomanyQuakershereasatColchester,andnoAnabaptistsorAntipoedoBaptists,thatIcouldhearof-atleast,thereisnomeeting-houseofthatdenomination。Thereisonemeeting-houseforthePresbyterians,onefortheIndependentsandonefortheQuakers;thefirstisaslargeandasfineabuildingofthatkindasmostonthissideofEngland,andtheinsidethebestfinishedofanyIhaveseen,Londonnotexcepted;

  thatfortheIndependentsisahandsomenew-builtbuilding,butnotsogayorsolargeastheother。

  Thereisagreatdealofverygoodcompanyinthistown,andthoughtherearenotsomanyofthegentryhereasatBury,yettherearemoreherethaninanyothertowninthecounty;andIobservedparticularlythatthecompanyyoumeetwithherearegenerallypersonswellinformedoftheworld,andwhohavesomethingverysolidandentertainingintheirsociety。Thismayhappen,perhaps,bytheirfrequentconversingwiththosewhohavebeenabroad,andbytheirhavingaremnantofgentlemenandmastersofshipsamongthemwhohaveseenmoreoftheworldthanthepeopleofaninlandtownarelikelytohaveseen。ItakethistowntobeoneofthemostagreeableplacesinEnglandforfamilieswhohavelivedwell,butmayhavesufferedinourlatecalamitiesofstocksandbubbles,toretreatto,wheretheymaylivewithintheirowncompass;andseveralthingsindeedrecommendittosuch:-

  1。Goodhousesatveryeasyrents。

  2。Anairy,clean,andwell-governedtown。

  3。Veryagreeableandimprovingcompanyalmostofeverykind。

  4。Awonderfulplentyofallmannerofprovisions,whetherfleshorfish,andverygoodofthekind。

  5。Thoseprovisionsverycheap,sothatafamilymaylivecheaperherethaninanytowninEnglandofitsbignesswithinsuchasmalldistancefromLondon。

  6。EasypassagetoLondon,eitherbylandorwater,thecoachgoingthroughtoLondoninaday。

  TheLordViscountHerefordhasaveryfineseatandparkinthistown;thehouseindeedisoldbuilt,butverycommodious;itiscalledChristChurch,havingbeen,asitissaid,aprioryorreligioushouseinformertimes。Thegreenandparkisagreatadditiontothepleasantnessofthistown,theinhabitantsbeingallowedtodivertthemselvestherewithwalking,bowling,etc。

  Thelargespiresteeple,whichformerlystooduponthattheycallthetowerchurch,wasblowndownbyagreatstormofwindmanyyearsago,andinitsafalldidmuchdamagetothechurch。

  Thegovernmentofthistownisbytwobailiffs,asatYarmouth。

  Mr。Camdensaystheyarechosenoutoftwelveburgessescalledportmen,andtwojusticesoutoftwenty-fourmore。Therehasbeenlatelyaverygreatstrugglebetweenthetwopartiesforthechoiceofthesetwomagistrates,whichhadthisamicableconclusion-

  namely,thattheychoseoneofeitherside;sothatneitherpartyhavingthevictory,itistobehopeditmaybeameanstoallaytheheatsandunneighbourlyfeudswhichsuchthingsbreedintownssolargeasthisis。TheysendtwomemberstoParliament,whereofthoseatthistimeareSirWilliamThompson,RecorderofLondon,andColonelNegus,DeputyMasteroftheHorsetotheking。

  Therearesomethingsverycurioustobeseenhere,howeversomesuperficialwritershavebeenignorantofthem。Dr。Beeston,aneminentphysician,beganafewyearsagoaphysicgardenadjoiningtohishouseinthistown;andasheisparticularlycurious,and,asIwastold,exquisitelyskilledinbotanicknowledge,sohehasbeennotonlyverydiligent,butsuccessfultoo,inmakingacollectionofrareandexoticplants,suchasarescarcetobeequalledinEngland。

  OneMr。White,asurgeon,residesalsointhistown。ButbeforeI

  speakofthisgentleman,ImustobservethatIsaynothingfrompersonalknowledge;thoughifIdid,Ihavetoogoodanopinionofhissensetobelievehewouldbepleasedwithbeingflatteredorcomplimentedinprint。ButImustbetruetomatteroffact。Thisgentlemanhasbegunacollectionorchamberofrarities,andwithgoodsuccesstoo。IacknowledgeIhadnottheopportunityofseeingthem;butIwastoldtherearesomethingsverycuriousinit,asparticularlyasea-horsecarefullypreserved,andperfectinallitsparts;twoRomanurnsfullofashesofhumanbodies,andsupposedtobeabove1,700yearsold;besidesagreatmanyvaluablemedalsandancientcoins。Myfriendwhogavemethisaccount,andofwhomIthinkImaysayhespeakswithoutbias,mentionsthisgentleman,Mr。White,withsomewarmthasaveryvaluablepersoninhisparticularemployofasurgeon。Ionlyrepeathiswords。\"Mr。

  White,\"sayshe,\"towhomthewholetownandcountryaregreatlyindebtedandobligedtoprayforhislife,isourmostskilfulsurgeon。\"These,Isay,arehisownwords,andIaddnothingtothembutthis,thatitishappyforatowntohavesuchasurgeon,asitisforasurgeontohavesuchacharacter。

  ThecountryroundIpswich,asifqualifiedonpurposetoaccommodatethetownforbuildingofships,isaninexhaustiblestore-houseoftimber,ofwhich,nowtheirtradeofbuildingshipsisabated,theysendverygreatquantitiestotheking\'sbuilding-

  yardsatChatham,whichbywaterissolittleawaythattheyoftenruntoitfromthemouthoftheriveratHarwichinonetide。

  FromIpswichItookaturnintothecountrytoHadleigh,principallytosatisfymycuriosityandseetheplacewherethatfamousmartyrandpatternofcharityandreligiouszealinQueenMary\'stime,Dr。RowlandTaylor,wasputtodeath。Theinhabitants,whohaveawonderfulvenerationforhismemory,showtheveryplacewherethestakewhichhewasboundtowassetup,andtheyhaveputastoneuponitwhichnobodywillremove;butitisamorelastingmonumenttohimthathelivesintheheartsofthepeople-Isaymorelastingthanatombofmarblewouldbe,forthememoryofthatgoodmanwillcertainlyneverbeoutofthepoorpeople\'smindsaslongasthisislandshallretaintheProtestantreligionamongthem。Howlongthatmaybe,asthingsaregoing,andifthedetestableconspiracyofthePapistsnowonfootshouldsucceed,Iwillnotpretendtosay。

  AlittletotheleftisSudbury,whichstandsupontheRiverStour,mentionedabove-ariverwhichpartsthecountiesofSuffolkandEssex,andwhichiswithinthesefewyearsmadenavigabletothistown,thoughthenavigationdoesnot,itseems,answerthecharge,atleastnottoadvantage。

  Iknownothingforwhichthistownisremarkable,exceptforbeingverypopulousandverypoor。Theyhaveagreatmanufactureofsaysandperpetuanas,andmultitudesofpoorpeopleareemployedinworkingthem;butthenumberofthepoorisalmostreadytoeatuptherich。However,thistownsendstwomemberstoParliament,thoughitisundernoformofgovernmentparticularlytoitselfotherthanasavillage,theheadmagistratewhereofisaconstable。

  NearadjoiningtoitisavillagecalledLongMelfort,andaverylongoneitis,fromwhichIsupposeithadthatadditiontoitsname;itisfullofverygoodhouses,and,astheytoldme,isricher,andhasmorewealthymastersofthemanufactureinit,thaninSudburyitself。

  Hereandintheneighbourhoodaresomeancientfamiliesofgoodnote;particularlyhereisafinedwelling,theancientseatoftheCordells,whereofSirWilliamCordellwasMasteroftheRollsinthetimeofQueenElizabeth;butthefamilyisnowextinct,thelastheir,SirJohnCordell,beingkilledbyafallfromhishorse,diedunmarried,leavingthreesistersco-heiressestoaverynobleestate,mostofwhich,ifnotall,isnowcentredontheonlysurvivingsister,andwithherinmarriageisgiventoMr。

  Firebrass,eldestsonofSirBasilFirebrass,formerlyaflourishingmerchantinLondon,butreducedbymanydisasters。Hisfamilynowrisesbythegoodfortuneofhisson,whoprovestobeagentlemanofveryagreeableparts,andwellesteemedinthecountry。

  Fromthispartofthecountry,Ireturnednorth-westbyLenham,tovisitSt。Edmund\'sBury,atownofwhichotherwritershavetalkedverylargely,andperhapsalittletoomuch。Itisatownfamedforitspleasantsituationandwholesomeair,theMontpelierofSuffolk,andperhapsofEngland。Thismustbeattributedtotheskillofthemonksofthosetimes,whochosesobeautifulasituationfortheseatoftheirretirement;andwhobuiltherethegreatestand,initstime,themostflourishingmonasteryinallthesepartsofEngland,ImeanthemonasteryofSt。EdmundtheMartyr。Itwas,ifwebelieveantiquity,ahouseofpleasureinmoreancienttimes,ortospeakmoreproperly,acourtofsomeoftheSaxonorEastAnglekings;and,asMr。Camdensays,waseventhencalledaroyalvillage,thoughitmuchbettermeritsthatnamenow;itbeingthetownofallthispartofEngland,inproportiontoitsbigness,mostthrongedwithgentry,peopleofthebestfashion,andthemostpoliteconversation。Thisbeautyandhealthinessofitssituationwasnodoubttheoccasionwhichdrewtheclergytosettlehere,fortheyalwayschosethebestplacesinthecountrytobuildin,eitherforrichnessofsoil,orforhealthandpleasureinthesituationoftheirreligioushouses。

  Forthelikereason,Idoubtnot,theytranslatedthebonesofthemartyredkingSt。Edmundtothisplace;foritisavulgarerrortosayhewasmurderedhere。Hismartyrdom,itisplain,wasatHoxonorHenilsdon,nearHarlston,ontheWaveney,inthefarthestnorthernvergeofthecounty;butSegebert,kingoftheEastAngles,hadbuiltareligionshouseinthispleasantrichpartofthecounty;andasthemonksbegantotastethepleasureoftheplace,theyprocuredthebodyofthissainttoberemovedhither,whichsoonincreasedthewealthandrevenuesoftheirhouse,bythezealofthatday,ingoingonpilgrimagetotheshrineoftheblessedSt。Edmund。

  Weread,however,thatafterthistheDanes,underKingSweno,over-runningthispartofthecountry,destroyedthismonasteryandburntittotheground,withthechurchandtown。Butseetheturnreligiongivestothingsintheworld;hisson,KingCanutus,atfirstaPaganandatyrant,andthemostcruelravagerofallthatcrew,comingtoturnChristian,andbeingtouchedinconscienceforthesoulofhisfather,inhavingrobbedGodandhisholymartyrSt。Edmund,sacrilegiouslydestroyingthechurch,andplunderingthemonastery;Isay,touchedwithremorse,and,asthemonkspretend,terrifiedwithavisionofSt。Edmundappearingtohim,herebuiltthehouse,thechurch,andthetownalso,andverymuchaddedtothewealthoftheabbotandhisfraternity,offeringhiscrownatthefeetofSt。Edmund,givingthehousetothemonks,townandall;sothattheywereabsolutelordsofthetown,andgoverneditbytheirstewardformanyages。Healsogavethemagreatmanygoodlordships,whichtheyenjoyedtillthegeneralsuppressionofabbeys,inthetimeofHenryVIII。

  ButIamneitherwritingthehistoryorsearchingtheantiquityoftheabbey,ortown;mybusinessisthepresentstateoftheplace。

  Theabbeyisdemolished;itsruinsareallthatistobeseenofitsglory:outoftheoldbuilding,twoverybeautifulchurchesarebuilt,andservethetwoparishes,intowhichthetownisdivided,andtheystandbothinonechurchyard。Hereitwas,inthepath-

  waybetweenthesetwochurches,thatatragicalandalmostunheard-

  ofactofbarbaritywascommitted,whichmadetheplacelesspleasantforsometimethanitusedtobe,whenArundelCoke,Esq。,abarrister-at-law,ofaveryancientfamily,attempted,withtheassistanceofabarbarousassassin,tomurderincoldblood,andinthearmsofhospitality,EdwardCrisp,Esq。,hisbrother-in-law,leadinghimoutfromhisownhouse,wherehehadinvitedhim,hiswifeandchildren,tosupper;Isay,leadinghimoutinthenight,onpretenceofgoingtoseesomefriendthatwasknowntothemboth;butinthischurchyard,givingasignaltotheassassinhehadhired,heattackedhimwithahedge-bill,andcuthim,asonemightsay,almostinpieces;andwhentheydidnotdoubtofhisbeingdead,theylefthim。Hisheadandfacewassomangled,thatitmaybesaidtobenexttoamiraclethathewasnotquitekilled:yetsoProvidencedirectedfortheexemplarypunishmentoftheassassins,thatthegentlemanrecoveredtodetectthem,whothoughheoutlivedtheassaultwerebothexecutedastheydeserved,andMr。Crispisyetalive。Theywerecondemnedonthestatutefordefacinganddismembering,calledtheCoventryAct。

  ButthisaccidentdoesnotatalllessenthepleasureandagreeabledelightfulshowofthetownofBury;itiscrowdedwithnobilityandgentry,andallsortsofthemostagreeablecompany;andasthecompanyinvites,sothereistheappearanceofpleasureupontheverysituation;andtheythatliveatBuryaresupposedtolivethereforthesakeofit。

  TheLordJermin,afterwardsLordDover,and,sincehislordship\'sdecease,SirRobertDavers,enjoyedthemostdeliciousseatofRushbrook,nearthistown。

  ThepresentmembersofParliamentforthisplaceareJermynDaversandJamesReynolds,Esquires。

  Mr。Harvey,afterwardscreatedLordHarvey,byKingWilliam,andsincethatmadeEarlofBristolbyKingGeorge,livedmanyyearsinthistown,leavinganobleandpleasantlysituatedhouseinLincolnshire,forthemoreagreeablelivingonaspotsocompletelyqualifiedforalifeofdelightasthisofBury。

  TheDukeofGrafton,nowLord-LieutenantofIreland,hasalsoastatelyhouseatEuston,nearthistown,whichheenjoysinrightofhismother,daughtertotheEarlofArlington,oneofthechiefministersofStateinthereignofKingCharlesII。,andwhomadethesecondletterintheword\"cabal,\"awordformedbythatfamoussatiristAndrewMarvell,torepresentthefiveheadsofthepoliticsofthattime,astheword\"smectymnus\"wasonaformeroccasion。

  Ishallbelievenothingsoscandalousoftheladiesofthistownandthecountryrounditasalatewriterinsinuates。ThattheladiesroundthecountryappearmightygayandagreeableatthetimeofthefairinthistownIacknowledge;onehardlyseessuchashowinanypartoftheworld;buttosuggesttheycomehither,astoamarket,issocoarseajest,thatthegentlementhatwaitonthemhitherfortheyrarelycomebutingoodcompanyoughttoresentandcorrecthimforit。

  Itistrue,BuryFair,likeBartholomewFair,isafairfordiversion,morethanfortrade;anditmaybeafairfortoysandfortrinkets,whichtheladiesmaythinkfittolayoutsomeoftheirmoneyin,astheyseeoccasion。Buttojudgefromthencethattheknights\'daughtersofNorfolk,Cambridgeshire,andSuffolk-thatistosay,foritcannotbeunderstoodanyotherwise,thedaughtersofallthegentryofthethreecounties-comehithertobepickedup,isawayofspeakingIneverbeforeheardanyauthorhavetheassurancetomakeuseofinprint。

  Theassemblyhejustlycommendsforthebrightappearanceofthebeauties;butwithastinginthetailofthiscompliment,wherehesaystheyseldomendwithoutsomeconsiderablematchorintrigue;

  andyetheownsthatduringthefairtheseassembliesareheldeverynight。Nowthatthesefineladiesgointriguingeverynight,andthattooafterthecomedyisdone,whichisafterthefairandrafflingisoverfortheday,sothatitmustbeverylate。ThisisaterriblecharacterfortheladiesofBury,andintimates,inshort,thatmostofthemareloosewomen,whichisahorridabuseuponthewholecountry。

  Now,thoughIlikenottheassembliesatall,andshallinanotherplacegivethemsomethingoftheirdue,yethavingtheopportunitytoseethefairatBury,andtoseethattherewere,indeed,abundanceofthefinestladies,orasfineasanyinBritain,yetI

  mustownthenumberoftheladiesatthecomedy,orattheassembly,isnowayequaltothenumberthatareseeninthetown,muchlessaretheyequaltothewholebodyoftheladiesinthethreecounties;andImustalsoadd,thatthoughitisfarfromtruethatallthatappearattheassemblyarethereformatchesorintrigues,yetIwillventuretosaythattheyarenottheworstoftheladieswhostayaway,neitheraretheythefewestinnumberorthemeanestinbeauty,butjustthecontrary;andIdonotatalldoubt,butthatthescandalouslibertysometakeatthoseassemblieswillintimebringthemoutofcreditwiththevirtuouspartofthesexhere,asithasdonealreadyinKentandotherplaces,andthatthoseladieswhomostvaluetheirreputationwillbeseenlesstherethantheyhavebeen;forthoughtheinstitutionofthemhasbeeninnocentandvirtuous,theilluseofthem,andthescandalousbehaviourofsomepeopleatthem,willintimearmvirtueagainstthem,andtheywillbelaiddownastheyhavebeensetupwithoutmuchsatisfaction。

  Butthebeautyofthistownconsistsinthenumberofgentrywhodwellinandnearit,thepoliteconversationamongthem,theaffluenceandplentytheylivein,thesweetairtheybreathein,andthepleasantcountrytheyhavetogoabroadin。

  Hereisnomanufacturinginthistown,orbutverylittle,exceptspinning,thechieftradeoftheplacedependinguponthegentrywholivethere,ornearit,andwhocannotfailtocausetradeenoughbytheexpenseoftheirfamiliesandequipagesamongthepeopleofacountytown。Theyhavebutaverysmallriver,orratherbutaverysmallbranchofasmallriver,atthistown,whichrunsfromhencetoMildenHall,ontheedgeofthefens。

  However,thetownandgentlemenabouthavebeenatthecharge,orhavesoencouragedtheengineerwhowasatthecharge,thattheyhavemadethisrivernavigabletothesaidMildenHall,fromwhencethereisanavigabledyke,calledMildenHallDrain,whichgoesintotheRiverOuse,andsotoLynn;sothatalltheircoalandwine,iron,lead,andotherheavygoods,arebroughtbywaterfromLynn,orfromLondon,bythewayofLynn,tothegreateaseofthetradesmen。

  Thistownisfamousfortwogreatevents。Onewasthatintheyear1447,inthe25thyearofHenryVI。,aParliamentwasheldhere。

  Theotherwas,thatatthemeetingofthisParliament,thegreatHumphrey,DukeofGloucester,regentofthekingdomduringtheabsenceofKingHenryV。andtheminorityofHenryVI。,andtohislasthourthesafeguardofthewholenation,anddarlingofthepeople,wasbaselymurderedhere;bywhosedeaththegatewasopenedtothatdreadfulwarbetweenthehousesofLancasterandYork,whichendedintheconfusionofthatveryracewhoaresupposedtohavecontrivedthatmurder。

  FromSt。Edmund\'sBuryIreturnedbyStowmarketandNeedhamtoIpswich,thatImightkeepasnearthecoastaswaspropertomydesignedcircuitorjourney;andfromIpswich,tovisittheseaagain,IwenttoWoodbridge,andfromthencetoOrford,ontheseaside。

  Woodbridgehasnothingremarkable,butthatitisaconsiderablemarketforbutterandcorntobeexportedtoLondon;fornowbeginsthatpartwhichisordinarilycalledHighSuffolk,which,beingarichsoil,isforalongtractofgroundwhollyemployedindairies,andtheyagainfamousforthebestbutter,andperhapstheworstcheese,inEngland。Thebutterisbarrelled,oroftenpickledupinsmallcasks,andsold,notinLondononly,butIhaveknownafirkinofSuffolkbuttersenttotheWestIndies,andbroughtbacktoEnglandagain,andhasbeenperfectlygoodandsweet,asatfirst。

  TheportfortheshippingofftheirSuffolkbutterischieflyWoodbridge,whichforthatreasonisfullofcornfactorsandbutterfactors,someofwhomareveryconsiderablemerchants。

  Fromhence,turningdowntotheshore,weseeOrfordness,anotedpointoflandfortheguideofthecolliersandcoasters,andagoodshelterforthemtorideunderwhenastrongnorth-eastwindblowsandmakesafoulshoreonthecoast。

  SouthoftheNessisOrfordHaven,beingthemouthoftwolittleriversmeetingtogether。Itisaverygoodharbourforsmallvessels,butnotcapableofreceivingashipofburden。

  Orfordwasonceagoodtown,butisdecayed,andasitstandsonthelandsideoftherivertheseadailythrowsupmorelandtoit,andfallsoffitselffromit,asifitwasresolvedtodisowntheplace,andthatitshouldbeaseaportnolonger。

  AlittlefartherliesAldborough,asthriving,thoughwithoutaport,astheotherisdecaying,withagoodriverinthefrontofit。

  Therearesomegentlemen\'sseatsupfartherfromthesea,butveryfewuponthecoast。

  FromAldboroughtoDunwichtherearenotownsofnote;eventhistownseemstobeindangerofbeingswallowedup,forfamereportsthatoncetheyhadfiftychurchesinthetown;Isawbutoneleft,andthatnothalffullofpeople。

  Thistownisatestimonyofthedecayofpublicthings,thingsofthemostdurablenature;andastheoldpoetexpressesit,\"Bynumerousexampleswemaysee,Thattownsandcitiesdieaswellaswe。\"

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