1 88 THE RED DEER OF EXMOOR. 



Somewhere about 1830 to 1840 the road was metalled 

 from Withypool nearly to Chibbet Post. There was 

 no metal on the road to Dulverton. The first cart 

 owned in Withypool was built shortly after this at 

 Roadwater to the order of Mr. John Quartly, grand- 

 father of the present John and James, who farmed at 

 Weatherslade. The cart was brought over in triumph 

 on a Saturday, but nearly stuck in the narrow lane 

 from Exford — the only made road — as it was not wide 

 enough. Next day the whole population went to 

 church, and men who would resent being called old 

 can remember being led there by their mothers to 

 look at the great man who had brought the cart. He 

 stayed several days to harness and break the horse. 

 Mr. Webber, of Withypool, was carrier to Tiverton, 

 and clearly remembers the road over Winsford Hill 

 being metalled ; from Comer's Gate to the head of 

 Marsh Hill there was nothing but a series of ruts out 

 of which it was impossible to turn a loaded cart. 

 This must have been awkward if two carts met, but, 

 as Mr. Webber explained, " You never did meet 

 anything." 



The visitor who tries to realise what the country 

 looked like, and how the people lived, must wipe out 

 from his mind all ideas based on the present system 

 of roads. 



There was no road up the Exe Valley from Dul- 

 verton to Cutcombe and Dunster till 1824, and 

 though a few roads were made under old Turnpike 

 Acts, most of the roads now existing are dated 



