Plymouth, a sea-port town, lies 192 miles in a direct line west-south-west of St Paul's, London, and 216 miles from the General Post Office, London, by the nearest mail road. 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.

Plymouth is ill laid out, and the streets are narrow and inconvenient. The principal buildings are, the noble Ionic structure in George Street, containing the Theatre, Assembly Rooms, and the Royal Hotel; the Atheneum, 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 a spacious structure, containing among other monuments one to the memory of Charles Matthews, 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. 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 Hamaoze. It is four miles long ; and there are moorings for nearly 100 sail of the line. The estuary of the Plym, called Catwater, forms another harbour, chiefly used for merchant vessels, and is capable of containing 1000 sail. In consequence of the great number of steamers which now frequent the port, 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 breakwater, commenced in 1812, is one of the most stupendous works of modern times. It is about a mile long at the base, and the top forms a promenade. 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 ex

ports, 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 annually on a meadow near the town, and a regatta in the Sound. Plymouth returns two members to Parliament. Pop. in 1841, 36,527.

XXXVII. EXETER TO PLYMOUTH AND DEVONPORT THROUGH
ASHBURTON, 45 Miles.

Hr. Efford, E. Clark, Esq. 5 cross river Plym. 394 Saltram, Earl of Morley.

2

PLYMOUTH.

To Saltash, across the

Ferry, 44 miles.

DEVONPORT.

45

Devonport owes its present importance to a naval arsenal established here in the reign of William III. under the name of Plymouth Dock, which name it retained till 1824. It was first fortified in the reign of George II.; but the fortifications have since been considerably enlarged and improved. The town is well built, and the footpaths are paved with marble, obtained in the neighbourhood. A wall twelve feet high defends the town on the north-east and southwest; and the heavy batteries on Mount Wise protect the entrance from the sea. Devonport contains three Episcopal chapels, several meeting-houses and schools, a small theatre, an assembly room, 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, the rigging-house, the boiling-house, the mast-house, the mast-pond, and the rope-houses. Thirty-two telegraphic stations connect this place with the Admiralty in London. Devonport returns two members to Parliament, in conjunction with the parish of Stoke Damerall, and the township of Stonehouse. Pop. in 1841, 43,532.

Across the Crimble Passage is Mount Edgecombe, the seat of the Earl of that name, a magnificent mansion, finely situated, and commanding extensive and beautiful prospects. The house contains a number of portraits, and a well-furnished library.

LOSTWITHIEL, AND TRURO 83 Miles.