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INTRODUCTION. 



1 N mildness of climate, fertility of soil, and general produce, the 

 County of Somerset stands eminently high in reputation. 



The richness of its pastures furnifhes not only a sufficiency for its 

 own consumption, but also a considerable surplus for other mar- 

 kets. — London, Bristol, Salisbury, and other parts of the kingdom 

 are annually supplied with fat Oxen, Sheep, and Hogs, together with 

 Chcefc, Butter, and many other articles in great quantities. — Nor are 

 its internal riches of less importance — From its bowels are dug 

 Lead, Copper, Iron, Lapis Calaminaris, Coal, Fullers Earth, Marl, 

 Lime Stones,. Paving, Freestone Tiling Stone, &c. &c. in great abun- 

 dance. — In short, it may justly be denominated a highly produtl'vve 

 county. 



Its dimensions are about 80 miles by 36, and its circumference 

 about 200 miles. In such an extent of ground, it may naturally be 

 supposed, that the soil and climate are various. Near the sea coast 

 winter is scarcely felt ; and from Minehead and Dulverton on the 

 west, to Milborne Port and Wincaunton on the east, the climate 

 (Quantock Hill excepted) is temperate, and the soil, for the most 

 part, rich and fertile. As you approach the northern district and 

 ascend Poulden Hill, the climate changes, and becomes more cold 

 and boisterous ; and when you proceed farther northward, and gain 

 the summit of Mendip Hills, you feel yourself comparatively in Lap- 

 land. The perpendicular altitude of Mendip Hills, compared with 

 the town of Taunton, I conceive to be at least three hundred 

 yards. 



For the sake of perspicuity, I shall divide the county into three 

 diftric~ts. The first comprehending that tract included between the 

 ports of Uphill and King Road on the west, and the towns of Bath 

 and Froome on the east. This I shall call the North East District. 



The next division I shall call the Middle Division : and is that 

 portion of land which is bounded, by the Mendip Hills on the 



B 2 north, 



