258 THE EXETER ROAD 



walking ? The only way to make acquaintance with 

 these thoroughfares is to ride on the outside of an 

 omnibus, where it is possible to give an undivided 

 attention to anything else than the crowds that 

 throng the pavements. 



The progress of Blandford seems to have been 

 quietly arrested soon after its rebuilding in 1731, 

 and so it remains typical of that age, without being 

 actually decayed. So far, indeed, is it from decay 

 that it is a cheerful and prosperous, though not an 

 increasing, town. Red moulded and carved brick 

 frontages to the houses prevail here, and dignity is 

 secured by the tall classic tower of the church, 

 which, although not in itself entirely admirable, and 

 although the stone of it is of an unhealthy green 

 tinge, is not unpleasing, placed to advantage closing 

 the view at one end of the broad market-place, instead 

 of beino; alio-ned with the street. 



Most things in Blandford date back to ' the fire,' 

 whicJi forms a red-letter day in the story of the 

 town. This may well be understood when it is said 

 that only forty houses were left when the flames had 

 done their worst, and that fourteen persons were 

 burnt, while others died from grief, or shock, or 

 injuries received. Blandford has been several times 

 destroyed by fire. In Camden's time it was burned 

 down by accident, but was rebuilt soon after in a 

 handsome and substantial form. Again in 1677 and in 

 1713 the place was devastated in the same manner. 

 The memorable fire of 1731 began at a soap-boiler's 

 shop in the centre of the town. 



A pump, placed in a kind of shrine under the 



