ticulars of this clean and cheerful town. For a residence I think it one of the most desirable in the west of England-to us its charms are increased by the several valuable friends that we number amongst its inhabitants. None, however, are dearer than her to whose amusement these letters are dedicated, and whose affectionate friend I once more subscribe myself.

LETTER XVI.

DEAR MADAM,

Taunton, Sept. 10, 1803.

MORE than a week has elapsed since our arrival at this abode of unaffected hospitality and kindness—I must not, however, forget that I am under a promise of adding some account of Taunton to the descriptions I have attempted of the other places through which we have passed-fresh friends and new engagements must not cancel a promise, or make one unmindful of former obligations.

Taunton was a place of considerable note in the Saxon period of our history. As early as the year 700 a castle was built here by Ina, one of the West Saxon kings. This castle being destroyed by his queen Ethelburga, a new one was erected

about the time of the Norman Conquest, oy one of the bishops of Winchester, who for some time made Taunton their residence. It appears then to have been so considerable in point of trade, as to have been a great source of their wealth. Several religious foundations distinguished this town in former ages. The first appointment of an Archdeacon of Taunton was in 1106, the seventh of Henry I.

Few towns are laid out in a more convenient and airy manner-the streets are in general spacious, and most of the houses have extensive outlets and gardens. At the end of North-street is a bridge of six arches over the river Tone, leading to North-town or Norton, a hamlet formerly very populous, but now greatly reduced in the number of houses and inhabitants-in this hamlet is the abode of those friends which render a visit to Taunton so peculiarly delightful to me and my family.

Two parish churches, and five dissenting meetings or chapels are here dedicated to public devotion. Of the churches, the largest is that of St. Mary Magdalen, which is a spacious, beautiful Gothic structure, with a fine lofty tower of excellent workmanship-the beautiful open-work pinnacles, of which there are four, are 32 feet high, which makes the whole height 153 feet. Thirteen handsome windows, and a variety of curious prominent ornaments decorate this tower, and give it great richness and magnificence-most of the

figures are defaced, and the primitive saints that are said once to have filled the niches round the tower have wholly disappeared.

The inside of the church measures 98 feet by 86 feet in the widest part, and from the termination of that part to the altar 50 feet in length, contracting first into 56, and then into 17 feet in breadth. The porch of the belfry, which forms the great entrance, is separated by a screen of elegant fret-work, in wood and iron, between the doors, at the ends of which, on the inside, arise neat Corinthian pilasters. The roof is curious, and is supported by twenty-four pillars, in four rows, dividing it into five aisles, and a chancel. In the centre stand the desk and pulpit, both richly carved; the manner in which the sounding-board is supported has a pleasing effect. In the middle aisle, on the pillars between the upper windows, are twelve niches, six on a side, richly ornamented; and underneath, in one of the pillars, is a niche of larger dimensions; these are all empty. On some of the windows, of which there are fortyfour, are the remains of ancient painting on glass. A noble organ was built by subscription in 1710; the church is neatly pewed, and the galleries are large.

St. James's church is a strong, plain, ancient building, and is also well pewed. Near the top of the tower are two niches filled with images, but not now in a very defineable state, for while some think they are Adam and Eve, others call them

PP

St. John and St. James, or St. Peter and St. Paul, The church is thought to have been a work of the thirteenth century.

The five dissenting places of worship belong to the following denominations of Christians. The Presbyterians, the Independents, the General Baptists, the Wesleyan Methodists, and the Quakers. Of these, the largest house, and the most numerously attended, is that belonging to the Independents, which has lately been rebuilt. Toulmin, who is pastor to the Baptist congregation, has long been known in the literary world by his "Life of Socinus," his new edition of "Neal's History of the Puritans," "The History of Taunton," and other valuable works *.

Dr.

The Lent assizes for Somersetshire are always held in what is still called the Castle of Taunton ; the hall in which the business is transacted, and a gate and porter's lodge, are parts of the old edifice which are still standing. The house and pleasant gardens of Mrs. Symonds are also within the walls of the castle-this lady, with proper assistants, has for several years conducted a boarding-school for the education of young ladies with the highest reputation and success. Morality, rational piety, and elegant instruction here go hand in hand.

The other public buildings of Taunton are a

* Since this was written, Dr. Toulmin has removed to the New-meeting in Birmingham, where he and Mr. Kentish succeed the venerable Priestley, who is now no more.

handsome assembly-room and tavern, connected with its commodious market-place; a well endowed grammar-school, and several alms-houses. The late Sir Benjamin Hammet was a native of this place; and several of its modern improvements, particularly a uniform street, leading from the parade before the market-place to St. Mary Magdalen's church, bear witness to his activity and public spirit. Some years ago a county infirmary was actually begun in Taunton upon a grand scale -somehow or another the design failed, and when one wing of the intended edifice was erected, the whole scheme was abandoned. This wing has been converted into a private dwelling. Near it are handsome cavalry barracks.

The woollen and silk manufactories are both carried on in this town, and some thousands of hands employed in them. The Tone, the river upon which the town stands, was made navigable for barges from hence to Bridgewater in the reign of William III. Like some other places in the kingdom, the right of voting for members of Parliament is, in Taunton, conferred upon every potwalloper; i. e. upon every one who dresses his own victuals-in consequence of this, on the eve of an election, the inmates or lodgers in the town, to qualify themselves for voting, make a fire in the streets, and there boil their victuals. How grossly absurd are such rights as these!

In the civil wars Taunton was first garrisoned for the Parliament, The Marquis of Hertford seized it for the King, and was expelled, in his