CHAPTER II. 



".Can we so describe, 



That you shall fairly streets and buildings trace, 



And all that gives distinction to a place ? " 



Crabbe. 



About the centre of Fore Street, and obstructing a view of 

 the church, stand the Shambles, which were built in 1796. 

 Hawkins says, " Five of the six granite pillars which support 

 the present butchery are the very same that upheld the late 

 corn market, and are represented as sustaining u Ci)C ttftoe 

 fcnlrJfiNfl/' between the two church styles." 



In the same year (1796) footways were added on each 

 side of the street ; but these were mostly paved with round 

 pebbles, and in process of time they became very uneven and 

 much out of repair. They were consequently replaced by 

 good Yorkshire stone some years ago, at a cost of about 

 £600. Not long since, a considerable quantity of the " tar 

 pavement" was laid down, both in Kingsbridge and Dod- 

 brooke. Perhaps the less said respecting this the better. 



The Town Hall, which immediately adjoins the church 

 steps, on the lower side, was erected in 1850, by a company 

 of shareholders. The spacious area, paved with stone, is 

 used for the weekly butter and poultry market; it also 

 serves as a covered drill-room for the 26th Devon Volunteer 

 Rifle Corps, and various other purposes. A long passage at 

 the farther end leads to the lock-ups, to apartments for the 



