ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 93 



The want of a bridge over the Tyne is often the occafion of thin 

 markets and fairs. The floods after rains and fudden thaws of 

 fnow fometimes come down fo haflily, that they furprize and 

 drown the pafTcnger in an inftant, or elfc, which fometimes hap- 

 pens, force him to take refuge on an iflet, where he is at leifurc 

 to lament his fituation, till the danger is over. There are two 

 boats, it is true, for the convenience of paflengers ; one below 

 the Hermitage, called, The Eajl boat ; and another by Nether-War- 

 den, and the Weft Wood, called, The Weft boar. But thcfe, at fuch 

 times, either cannot pafs, or are in danger of perifliing, with 

 many ufeful and valuable lives. On this account, the inhabi- 

 tants on the north fide of the Tyne for ten, fifteen, and fometimes 

 twenty miles, prudently confult their own faicty by flaying at 

 home, under the want of many ncceffarics for themfclves and 

 families, as well as the town and neighbourhood, by their ab- 

 fence. A good bridge would, therefore, be the greateft bencfac- 

 tion and bleiling that could be beftowed on this ancient town * ; 

 the trade of which is fo inconfiderable, that many of the inha- 

 bitants have been under the diiagrccable neceffity of taking up 

 with other employments, beiides their own callings, for their 

 decent fupport ; as appears by the following petition prefented 

 by them to their patron, the Lord of the manour, Sir John Fen-< 

 -wick, Bart, in the reign of King William III. 



' The humble petition of the inhabitants of the town of Hexham. 



4 Humbly fheweth, 



' That the faid town of Hexham, or the greateft part thereof, 

 ' confifteth of mechanics, handicraftfmen, or tradefmen, who for 



* Since this was written, the firft flone for a bridge was laid by Sir Walter CaluerDy Blac';e f ' m 

 Bart. I5th October, 1767. 



' the 





