market town as you shall see in the Country, its buildings are mostly of
timber worke, the streetes are Large. The Market Cross runs down in the
middle of the greate streete a good way, there being three divisions in
it, one good Cross for fruite, another for Corne, and another for all
sorts of things, 2 of which is built over for the town hall and publick
use. There is also a Large Gail. This streete notwithstanding the hall
and Cross stands in the midst, is yet a good breadth on Each side and
when it Comes to meete in one, is very broad and runs down a great
Length quite to the bridge Cross the Medway which is not very broad
here, yet it beares Barges that bring up burdens to the town: it seemes
to divide the town for beyond the Bridge are buildings, whole streetes
w^{ch} runs along y^e river. There are very pretty houses about the
town, looks like the habitation of Rich men. I believe its a wealthy
place, there are severall pretty streetes. This was Market day being
Thursday and it seemed to be well furnish’d w^{th} all sorts of
Commodityes and I observed there was great quantety’s of Leather but
Could not Learn what particular thing that was their staple Comodity or
tradeing in, but in Generall it seemed to be like a Little faire for the
variety of wares tho’ they told me that was not so full a Market as some
dayes because the Country people were taken up aboute their hopping so
Could not bring things to Market. Thence to Rochester 8 mile, I came by
a great many ffine hopp yards where they were at work pulling y^e hopps.
I came into Rochester at the other side, thro’ the wood on the hill I
mentioned before, from whence the town and y^e dock yards washed by the
Medway, with the shipps at anchor was as acceptable a prospect and
diverting as was y^e other on the other side. I went through y^e town
just by the great Church w^{ch} is a good building but nothing Curious:
also I went by y^e Castle wall w^{ch} is but small what remaines of it;
thence over the ffine bridge, and as I travell’d all along in sight of
the Medway to Rochester, so Next day I went in sight of the Thames. I
went that night to Gravesend w^{ch} is all by the side of Cherry grounds
that are of severall acres of ground, and Runs quite down to the Thames
w^{ch} is Convenient for to Convey the Cherrys to London, for here the
Great produce of that fruite is w^{ch} supplyes y^e town and Country
with y^e Kentish Cherrys, a good sort Fflemish fruite. I went 2 mile
beyond Gravesend w^{ch} made it in miles 9 from Rochester, to a Little
place Called Northfleete, its much in the woods. Thence I went to
Dartfford 6 mile a little neate town; thence to Shutershill 2 mile on
the top of w^{ch} hill you see a vast prospect Exactly Round it, being a
great height of ground and such a descent Every way that Commands the
sight of a vast tract of ground, w^{ch} appeares in y^e greatest
variety—some Lands Clothed w^{th} trees, others with grass and flowers,
gardens orchards w^{th} all sorts of Herbage and tillage, w^{th} y^e
severall Little towns all by y^e river Eariff, Leigh, Woolwich &c, quite
up to London, Greenwitch, Deadford, Blackwall—the Thames twisting and
turning itself up and down bearing severall vessells and men of warre on
it, and some under saile. On this part of the River I have seen 100
saile of shipps pass by in a morning which is one of the finest sights
that is; added to this you view all Blackheath, the kings parke att
Greenwitch, and a vast Country on y^t side, besides y^e places whence I
came by: turning about I Could view at Least 20 mile. This is Esteemed
as a noted Robbing place; on this hill are severall springs of water
w^{ch} Comes from Allum which are very quick purges much Like Epsome and
Dullage, but I thinke farre Exceeds Either in strength and opperation.
Thence to Greenwitch 2 mile where I ferry’d over, and observ’d one
Little shipp passed by me w^{ch} I observ’d was farr behind me in y^e
morning at Gravesend and sailed along in sight all the tyme and was
gotten before me. I fferry’d to Popler and Stepney, so to Hackney 3
mile, thence to Tatnum 2 mile, thence to Endfield 5 miles, w^{ch} is all
in Middlesex Ever since I fferryed over out of Kent. Thence to
Amwellbery 10 mile in Hartfordshire w^{ch} I Compleated in 5 days, and
went 184 miles, w^{ch} added to severall journeys I went in
Hartfordshire and twice to Amwell and to London againe w^{ch} is 76 mile
done, and y^e severall journeys at London and in Hartfordshire, Comes to
150 more miles besides the Little Rideings to take y^e aire at the parke
or Else, w^{ch} were severall miles more if added together w^{ch} I have
gone this year: but w^{th}out that it is 226 miles, so add these to my
Northern journey this yeare makes about 1045 miles of which I did not go
above a hundred in the Coach.
I being in Kent this year shall Insert something of Tunbridge. The
waters I have dranke many years w^{th} great advantage—they are from the
Steele and Iron mines, very quick springs Especially one well. There are
two w^{th} Large basons of stone fixt in y^e Earth w^{th} severall holes
in the bottom by w^{ch} the springs bubble up and fill it so as it
alwayes runns over, notwithstanding the quantety dipp’d up in a morning
which is the usual tyme the Company Comes, and the nearer they drink it
the spring y^e better, it being a spiriteous water that is ready to
Evaporate if Carry’d any way, as has been try’d by weighing the water by
the well and Carrying them but to y^e middle of the walks, it has Lost
of y^e weight, and much more the End of the whole walke: notwithstanding
many has it brought to their Lodgings a mile or two off and drink them
in their beds, nay, some have them brought to London w^{ch} is near 40
miles. They have the bottles filled and corked in the well under the
Water and so seale down the Corks w^{ch} they say preserves it. They
have made the wells very Comodious by the many good buildings all about
it and 2 or 3 mile round which are Lodgings for the Company that drinke
ye waters, and they have Encreased their buildings so much that makes
them very Cheape. All people buy their own provision at y^e market
w^{ch} is just by y^e wells and furnish’d w^{th} great plenty of all
sorts. Flesh, fowle and fish and in great plenty is brought from Rhye
and Deale &c, this being y^e road to London, so all the season the water
is drank they stop here w^{ch} makes it very Cheape, as also the Country
people Come w^{th} all their backyard and barne door affords to supply
them with, and their gardens and orchards, w^{ch} makes y^e markets well
stored and provision Cheape, w^{ch} the Gentry takes as a diversion
while drinking the waters to go and buy their dinners; it being Every
day’s market and runns the whole Length of y^e walke, w^{ch} is between
high trees on the market side for shade, and secured w^{th} a Row of
buildings on y^e Right side, w^{ch} are shopps full of all sorts of
toys, silver China, milliners and all sorts of Curious wooden ware
w^{ch} this place is noted for, (the delicate neate and thin ware of
wood both white and Lignum vitæ wood): besides w^{ch} there are two
Large Coffee houses for tea, Chocolate &c, and two Roomes for y^e
Lottery and hazard board. These are all built w^{th} an arch or pent
house beyond y^e shops, some of w^{ch} are supported by pillars like a
peason, w^{ch} is paved w^{th} brick and stone for y^e drye walking of
ye Company in raine; Else they walke w^{th} out w^{ch} is a Clay and
sand mixt together. They have been intending to make it gravell w^{ch}
would be much better. All those Conveniency’s are added by y^e Companyes
Contributions Every year—what has been and so what will be. There is at
y^e Lower End of the walke, w^{ch} is a broad space before you Come to
y^e walls of y^e wells, a Large sun-dial set upon severall steps of
stone, thence you go straight along to a Chapple w^{ch} has been built
by ye severall Collections of ye Company Every year; its a pretty place
and Cost a great deal of money, and Every year there is Contribution for
ye maintenance of a minister. There are severall buildings just about ye
well where are severall apothecary’s shops, there is also a Room for ye
post house. The post Comes Every day and returns Every day all the while
the season of drinking ye waters is, from London and to it; Except
Mondayes none Comes down from London, so on Satturdayes non goes up to
London. You pay a penny Extraordinary for being brought from tunbridge
town w^{ch} is 4 mile distance, that being a post town, you Likewise
have the Conveniency of Coaches every day from London for 8 shillings
apiece dureing the whole season, and Carriers twice a weeke.
There are severall bowling greens about y^e wells, one just at it on
Mount Sion and another up y^e hill Called Mount Ephraim where is also a
Large Chapple where the presbiterians have preaching: they have a
minister w^{ch} by y^e Collections of y^e Company is also maintained all
the winter to preach, as is the publick Chapple at the walks. There is
severall other Bowling greens at a distance off a mile or two, fitted
for Companys Lodging there, as Rust hall and Southbourough; they have
all houses to y^e greens, so the Gentlemen Bowle, the Ladies dance or
walke in y^e green in y^e afternoones, and if wet dance in the houses,
there being Musick maintained by the Company to play in the morning so
long while they drink the waters, and in y^e afternoon for danceing.
There are severall good taverns at the walks and all about to supply
good wine and Brewhouses for beer and Bakers for Bread, but some of them
Come from London and spoyle the market by raiseing y^e price—so the
higlers and Hucksters in a great measure. This whole Country is full of
stone and jron, the Earth is Clay and Sand. About 3 mile off there is a
good seate of the Lord Lesters Spenshurst w^{ch} stands in a very good
parke; the house is but old—Large roomes and stone staires and windows,
a good hall and gallery full of good old pictures, and other roomes of
state; no ffurniture but old tapistry hangings. You have a most pleasant
prospect as you go to it and from it, of valeys Cover’d with woods of
great Length, and hills beyond on the other side. About 3 or 4 miles off
is a seate of the Lord Abergauneys w^{ch} is Lord of the manour in a
parke and fine woods all about it, the most of the Country is woody.
There is 4 or 5 miles off a place they Cast Gunns, there being a great
store of oare all over the Country: its a great Charge and Continuall
attendance. When they have Lighted y^e fire for to Cast bells or guns
they must be Cautiously blowing, and y^e mettle will be apt to fall down
on the nose of y^e bellows and harden; that if it be not still Cleared
off would quickly damm up the fire and put it out. There are severall
good houses all about and a pleasant place to Ride in in y^e summer and
dry weather, but a sad deep impassable Road when much Raine has fallen.
As I was Rideing about I took a view of y^e Country in many parts. There
is a Little rivulet just by the wells w^{ch} divides y^e Countys so that
y^e buildings are some in Kent some in Sussex.
About ffaint 4 or 5 mile off is a house of Lord Abergauny and parkes and
much woods about it. Another way by Lakington Green and Groombridge
about 4 mile off is an old house in a parck, pretty Large, Called
Ashurst w^{ch} they say belonged to Alderman Ashurst family, but hurst
w^{ch} signifyes grove or wood is a name all here about, as Spenshurst
Lord Lesters house 4 mile another way in a good Parke and Speldhurst
another parish 2 or 3 mile off and Goodhurst about 12 mile off the
Wells. I went by Calvery plaine and Woods gate and so to a Little Market
town Called Branklye; the way is much thro’ Lanes, being an Enclosed
Country for the most part, w^{ch} is the Cause of these names as is much
of Sussex w^{ch} joyns to Kent; there are places Called Billingshurst
and Medhurst and Pendhurst &c. This Goodhurst I went to stands on a
great hill and is seen severall miles, 2 mile from y^e first ascent
w^{ch} is at a Little village belonging to it, and to y^e top of y^e
hill w^{ch} is y^e middle of y^e place. Its a pretty Large place—old
timber houses, but y^e Extent of y^e parish is neare ten miles. They are
a sort of yeomanry Gentry, about 2 or 3 or 400£ a year and Eate and
drink well and Live Comfortably and Hospitably.
The old proverb was a yeoman of Kent w^{th} one years rent Could buy out
y^e Gentlemen of Wales and knight of Sscales and a Lord of y^e North
Country—his Estate was so much better. All in these parts are the same
Minerall waters being much on Iron mines. I returned againe to tunbridge
wells the 12 mile, then I went from thence to Sumerhill about 4 or 5
mile off, thro’ much woods and lanes and some pleasant shades of Lofty
trees. This is a seate of y^e last viscount Purbecks—stands on a hill in
a good Large parke, built of stone and Lookes in good repaire for y^e
most part, and good Large Roomes and Staircases and abundance of good
sizeable Roomes Leading one out of another in visto’s thro’ the house,
something Like our new way of building and Lofty Enough. Its Capable of
being very fine w^{th} visto’s of walks Cut through and across a great
many, which delights the Rider or walker being so shady w^{th} Lofty
trees. There is remains of a bowling green w^{ch} is an advanced piece
of ground above all the rest and discovers the Country a great Circuite
round; then we returned to the wells againe 5 mile.
Then I went from y^e wells to Rye 31 miles, by Ambursly 8 mile—this was
good way being a drye summer, otherwise its deep being Clay for y^e most
part. I passed much through Lanes and little villages and near Rye I
went thro’ a Comon full of Bushes and ffurze and heath; its a pretty
steep hill I ascended w^{ch} is Called beggars hill and being
Bartholomew tide here was a faire w^{ch} was Rightly Called beggarhill
faire being the saddest faire I ever saw—ragged tatter’d Booths and
people—but the musick and danceing Could not be omitted. This hill on
the top gave the view of y^e sea and a great tract of Land on Each side.
That is Choak’d up w^{th} sand w^{ch} formerly was a good haven for
shipps; the sea does still Come up to Rhye town as yet but its shallow,
and y^e Castle w^{ch} stands a Little distance—a mile—is also left of
the sea at least 4 mile. This is Winchelsea Castle but all between it
and Winchelsea is nothing but Quagmire and marshes, drained in some
places by ditches, and this is at Least 4 miles to the town. I did go to
it but first fferry’d over a Little arm of the sea w^{ch} still finds a
Current up to some of y^e Land between Rhye and Winchelsea, then I rode
round y^e marshes on y^e side of a hill in narrow foote paths, and
passed over a Bridge Cross another Little arme of y^e sea: near it is a
gate on y^e Bridge and Enters you into the Libertys of y^e town w^{ch}
stands on a pretty high hill. From it Lookes not of any great Circuite
of ground by y^e first view, being high, but in y^e middle you see it
has been a fine place for there were 36 Large Squares of building, the
remaines of pieces of walls in most places you see, or else a hedge
supplys that you see y^e streetes were very broad and long and divided
these squares, ye Cross streetes y^e same. I rode up a middle streete
and saw y^e others run aCross of Equal breadth. Remaines of Churches and
halls are to be seen but Else grass grows now where Winchelsea was as
was once said of Troy. There are but a very few houses now, but y^e
Corporation still Continues and y^e major and aldermen w^{ch} 13 makes
most of y^e Inhabitants. M^r Majors house Look’d neate as did y^e
parsonage. They Elect two Burgesses to it in y^e parliament and its y^e
ancientest Corporation in England, so y^t should Lord Major of London
meete M^r Major of Winchelsea he must give him place: it was as
flourishing place before the sea Left it that was in England, but now
lost, as Rhye will be in a Little tyme if the sea Leaves it, w^{ch} is
in a very faire way to do; and men now apply to quite Drane the marshes
for Corn and grass Rather than Endeavour to Cleare y^e Channell of the
sand w^{ch} if it were done would be y^e best harbour for shipps as
formerly was. There are great vaults in Winchelsea w^{ch} was the
merchants Cellars, and were houses.
There was some few brass and marble statues in the Church but much
demolished as was y^e Church. Rhye town is not very bigg—a little Market
place—this is famous for fish; from hence all the good turbutt, pearle
and Dorea and all sort of sea fish Comes to supply y^e wells and London,
but I could get little. Y^e faire took up y^e ffishermen. Indeed here I
dranke Right french white wine and Exceeding good and then returned to
y^e wells 38 miles. In the Road from thence to London you go either by
Fair lane and so Come just by S^r Harry Vaines house (now Lord Barnett),
w^{ch} Lookes very finely w^{th} y^e Rows of trees about it, or Else you
go by Sevenoake a sad deep Clay way after wett. You Come in sight of a
great house on a hill Called Summerly, looks like a Little town it runs
on so much ground, it was the Lord Purbeckes.
You also Come in sight of Nonsuch w^{ch} was a great house of the Kings
Built by Charles the Second. You pass on to the Riverhead as they Call
it, a fine spring of Cleare water y^t runs thence in a Little River. is
at the foote of a great hill Called Madam Scott hill so steepe as
seldome is Either Rode down or up, and few Coaches but gaines the top of
it by a Compass round it w^{ch} is steep Enough. This is 15 mile from
the wells—thence to Ffarnburough: about 8 mile, thence to Brumley, and
to London 15 more.
_MY GREAT JOURNEY TO NEWCASTLE
AND TO CORNWALL_,
the account of many journeys into most parts of England, what
observation and distance of one place to another in my travels.
Ffrom London to Albins in Essex 17 mile S^r Robert abdys, Whose house
stands very pleasantly in a parke full of deer. The house on an advanced
ground appeares to view at y^e Entrance, but its old building: Large
Roomes—some Rows of trees Lead up to it. Thence I returned home 17 mile
more, from London to Bednal-green twice, and back againe 16 mile, from
London to Highgate 4 miles to M^r Thomas’s house, where is a most exact
garden w^{th} all sorts of greens and flowers and fish ponds. There my
Nephew Ffiennes Harrison w^{th} M^r Showers went to fish w^{th} me.
Thence we went to Hampstead, so made it 5 mile home againe. I went from
London twice and back againe from Kensington, in all 8 mile—this I put
in only to know the number of miles y^t I went in one yeare.
Ffrom London to Amwell bery w^{ch} is in Hartfordshire 19 mile, where I
staid a day or two: thence to Bishopstafford in Essex 13 mile, thence to
Dunmew 8 long miles thro’ severall Little villages; its very deep way
Especially after raine. This is a Little Market town: they are
altogether taken up about the spinning and prepareing for the Bayes. All
along between that and Colchester you pass but halfe a mile Ere one
Comes to two or 3 houses all along the road; its from Dunmow to
Colchester 22 miles and mostly Clay deep way. Colchester is a Large town
in the Compass of Ground. Fformerly there was 16 Churches tho’ now much
of it is ruinated. A mile before you Come to the new town one Enters a
little village which still is in the Limits of y^e Citty and Majors
jurisdiction; there is a pretty good house of y^e Lord Lucas.
You Enter the town by a gate; there are 4 in all; there is a Large
Streete w^{ch} runs a great Length down to the bridge, near a mile long:
about the middle of it runs another broad streete and near its Length
like stalls on purpose to Lay their Bayes when exposed to saile. Great
quantetyes are made here and sent in Bales to London that is 44 miles
distant. Y^e whole town is Employ’d in spinning weaveing, washing drying
and dressing their Bayes in w^{ch} they seeme very Industrious. There I
saw y^e Card they use to Comb and dress the Bayes, w^{ch} they Call y^m
testles, w^{ch} are a kind of Rush tops or something Like them w^{ch}
they put in frames or Laths of wood. The town Looks Like a thriveing
place by the substantiall houses and well pitched streetes w^{ch} are
broad Enough for two Coaches to go a breast, besides a pitch’d walke on
Either side by y^e houses secured by stumps of wood, and is Convenient
for 3 to walke together. Their buildings are of timber of Loame and
Lathes and much tileing: the fashion of the Country runs much in Long
Roofes and great Cantilivers and peakes. Out of these great streetes
runs many Little streetes, but not very narrow—mostly old buildings
Except a few houses builded by some Quakers, y^t are brick and of the
London mode. The town did Extend itself to the sea but now its ruines
sets it 3 mile off. Y^e low Grounds all about y^e town are used for y^e
whitening their Bayes for w^{ch} this town is remarkable, and also for
Exceeding good oysters, but its a dear place and to Grattifye my
Curiosity to Eate them on y^e place I paid dear. Its a town full of
Dessenters, 2 meeteings very full besides anabaptists and quakers.
Formerly the famous M^r Stockton was minister there till he Dyed. From
Colchester to jpswitch is 10 mile, and thence to Dedom 9 miles, the way
pretty good Except 4 or 5 miles they Call y^e severalls, a sort of deep
moore Ground and woody. At this place I passed over a wooden bridge,
pretty Large, w^{th} timber railes of w^{ch} make they build their
bridges in these parts; and now I go into Suffolk w^{ch} is not so rich
Land as y^e part of Essex I passed through, w^{ch} was meadows and
grounds w^{th} great burdens of grass and Corn. So I went to jpswitch 9
mile more; this is a very Clean town and much bigger than Colchester is
now. Ipswitch has 12 Churches, their streetes of a good size well
pitch’d w^{th} small stones; a good market Cross railed in. I was there
on Satturday w^{ch} is their market day and saw they sold their Butter
by y^e pinte 20 ounces for 6 pence and often for 5^d or 4^d; they make
it up in a mold just in the shape of a pinte pot and so sell it. Their
Market Cross has good Carving, y^e ffigure of justice Carv’d and Gilt.
There is but 3 or 4 good houses in y^e town—y^e rest is much Like y^e
Colchester buildings, but it seems more shatter’d, and Indeed the town
Looks a Little disregarded, and by Enquiry found it to be thro’ pride
and sloth, for tho’ the sea would bear a ship of 300 tun up quite to y^e
Key, and y^e ships of y^e first Rate Can Ride w^{th} in two mile of the
town, yet they make no advantage thereof by any sort of manufacture,
w^{ch} they might do as well as Colchester and Norwitch, so that y^e
shipps that brings their Coales goes Light away, neither do they address
themselves to victual or provide for shipps. They have a Little dock
where formerly they built ships of 2 or 3 tun, but now Little or Nothing
is minded save a Little ffishing for y^e supply of y^e town. There is
one pretty good house of y^e Earle of Herrifords that marry’d one of M^r
Norborns Daughters, that was Killed by S^r Tho: Montgomery. You Enter
thro’ two Courts walled and divided by a breast wall on w^{ch} are Iron
spikes pallasadoes: the Middle is a broad gravell walk fenced in w^{th}
stone walls; on Each side 3 or 4 steps up into the other Court, and so
many steps more thro’ an arch into a third Court. This arch joyns a Low
building w^{ch} are the offices Leaded on the top, and rail’d round, and
Each End Enters into Chambers joyning to y^e house, that is built round
this Last Court from whence you Enter y^e porch. The house is handsome
all brick worke and brick pillars; a good hall, parlour, and drawing
roome, and Large Closet, 2 or 3 other Roomes less, answereing it and a
Billyard Roome above w^{th} as many roomes of state all ffurnish’d
w^{th} good old things: a pretty staircase, but its all Little. There
are 3 gardens on the one side w^{th} grass and gravell walkes all kept
neate, and good fruite; on the other side is one Large garden w^{th} a
sumer house in w^{ch} stands a Large statue, black, of a Gigantick form
and proportion; this answeres the fine green house on y^e other side.
This town has many dessenters in it. Thence I went to Woodbridge 7 miles
mostly Lanes, Enclosed Countrys. This is a Little Market town but has a
great meeting for y^e dessenters. Thence to Wickham 5 mile more but
these are all very Long miles.
Thence to Saxmunday 8 miles more: this is a pretty bigg market town. The
wayes are pretty deep, mostly Lanes very Little Commons. I pass’d by
severall Gentlemens seates, one, M^r Dormers w^{ch} stands in a fine
parke. Y^e Entrance from y^e Road thro’ rows of trees Discover’d the
front and building very finely to view, being built w^{th} stone and
Brick and many sashes: Lookes like a new house w^{th} y^e open jron barr
gates between pillars of stone the breadth of y^e house. So to Bathfort
8 miles where is the remaines of y^e walls of an abby and there is still
a very fine Church all Carv’d in stone hollow work one tire above
another to y^e tower that ascends not very high but finely Carv’d: also
hence I descended with Low^r grounds banck’d on Each side w^{th} a brick
wall, but Low and so a walk on it for foote people, and severall arches
here and there to draine off the water, so that those bancks are to
secure the Road from the Marshy ffenny water that of a great Extent on
both sides is subject to. Thence I passed by some woods and Little
villages of a few scattered houses, and Generally y^e people here are
able to give so bad a Direction that passengers are at a loss what aime
to take: they know scarce 3 mile from their home, and meete them where
you will and Enquire how farre to such a place they mind not where they
are then, but tell you so farre, w^{ch} is the distance from their own
houses to y^t place. I saw at a distance as I descended some of their
hills a Large place that Look’d nobly and stood very high Like a Large
town. They told me it was called Either Stowle or Nole I cannot tell
w^{ch}. I Rode in sight of S^t Georges Channell In the way from
Colchester and Ipswitch and so to Norwich. Sometymes it was in view then
Lost againe. To Beckle is 8 mile more w^{ch} in all was 36 miles from
Ipswitch, but Exceeding Long miles; they do own they are 41 measured
miles. This is a Little market town but its the third biggest town in
y^e County of Suffolke—Ipswitch Berry and this. Here was a good big
meeteing place at Least 400 hearers and they have a very good minister
one M^r Killinghall; he is but a young man but seemed very serious. I
was there y^e Lords day. S^r Robert Rich is a great supporter of them
and Contributed to y^e building the meeteing place w^{ch} is very neate.
He has a good house at y^e End of the town w^{th} fine gardens. There
are no good buildings the town, being old timber and plaister work
Except his and one or two more. There is a pretty bigg market Cross, and
a great Market kept. There is a handsome stone built Church and a very
good publick minister whose name is Armstrong: he preaches very well
they say notwithstanding the town is a sad Jacobitish town. This Chooses
no parliam^t men. At y^e towns End one passes over the river Waveny on a
wooden bridg railed w^{th} timber and so you Enter into Norfolk: its a
Low flatt ground all here about, so that the Least raines they are
overflowed by y^e River and Lye under water as they did when I was
there, so that the roade Lay under water w^{ch} is very unsafe for
strangers to pass by reason of y^e holes and quicksands and Loose
bottom. The ordinary people both in Suffolk and Norfolk knitt much and
spin, some w^{th} y^e Rock and fusoe as the French does, others at their
wheeles out in the streete and Lanes as one passes. Its from this town
to Norwitch 12 miles, and its 10 to Yarmouth where they build some small
shipps, and is a harbour for them and where they victual them. Also
Harwitch about 12 or 14 miles also, but the miles are here as long again
as about London and pretty deep way, Especially after raines: these
miles are much Longer than most miles in Yorkshire.
Norwitch opens to view a mile distance by the help of a hill whereon is
a little village. As I observe most of y^e great towns and Cittys have
about them Little villages as attendants or appendix’s to them w^{ch}
are a sort of Subburbs, there being stragling houses for y^e most part
all the way between y^t and y^e gates. You pass over a high bridge y^t
leads on over a high Causey of a pretty Length w^{ch} Lookes somewhat
dangerous being fenced with trenches from its bancks (pretty deep)
that’s on both sides to secure it from the water, and these trenches
runns in many places round the Low grounds to drain them, w^{ch}
Employ’d to whiten and Bleach their woollen stuff the manufacture of the
place. This Long Causey brings you to the Large stone bridge over the
river into w^{ch} those trenches Empty themselves.