OLD YARMOUTH. 71 



into warehouses, sail lofts, and smaller tenements for 

 the poor. The rows are still traversed by the old- 

 fashioned troll-cart, a long narrow vehicle without 

 sides, running on two low wheels. In order to 

 economise space, the wheels are placed underneath 

 the hinder part of the troll, which is higher than the 

 front, and very similar in appearance to the ancient 

 " British war-chariot " (see page 40). 



Of course it is impossible for two of these to pass 

 each other, and the pedestrian must needs, on meet- 

 ing one, press into a doorway, or be content to 

 retrace his steps. Fortunately the town was not 

 dependent entirely upon the rows for means of pro- 

 gression, as these were intersected at right angles 

 by one or more wider streets, according to the width 

 of the town. The principal houses were built along 

 the quay side, which is over a mile in length, and for 

 a portion of its distance ornamented with an avenue 

 of trees. There the merchant prince watched from 

 his windows the vessel loading his herrings for the 

 sunnier skies of the Mediterranean, or his fishing 

 boats unloading their silvery spoils from the bleak 

 North Sea, or the dusky collier from Newcastle with 

 its black antidote to the familiar north-easter. 



The greater portion of the town wall is now gone, 

 but there are several " bits," with an occasional tower, 

 yet preserved, welcome to the lover of the pencil as 

 affording an opportunity for securing a reminiscence 

 of a pleasant visit. The town possesses one of the 

 largest market-places in the country, covering nearly 

 three acres of ground. The market is well served 



