DEVONSHIRE. 89 



above the level of the sea is insufficient, in consequence of which the waves 

 wash over it during gales, transmitting their undulatory movement as far as the 

 inner harbour.* 



Plymouth, in addition to its breakwater, can boast of other remarkable 

 engineering works, testifying to the spirit of enterprise possessed by Englishmen. 

 The Royal William victualling-yards in the modern town of Stonehouse cover an 

 area of 14 acres at the extremity of the peninsula which separates the Sound from 

 the harbour of Hamoaze. Devonport, which is still confined within a bastioned 

 wall, possesses one of the great dockyards of the kingdom, whilst far out at sea the 

 proximity of Plymouth is revealed by a lofty lighthouse, boldly raised upon a rock 

 in mid-channel. Shipwrecks were formerly frequent on the group of the Eddy- 

 stone rocks, one of which is occupied by the lighthouse. The first structure 

 was erected in 1696. It was of wood, and a storm in 1703 completely washed it 

 and its architect away. Another lighthouse was built, 1706 — 1709, also of wood, 

 but was burned in 1755. The third structure was constructed by Smeaton, 1757 — 59. 

 It is noted for its strength and the engineering skill it displays, and rises to a 

 height of 85 feet, its light being visible at a distance of 13 miles. This structure 

 still stands, but it, also, is doomed to disappear, for the rock it occupies is slowly, 

 but surely, being undermined by the waves. The new lighthouse, now in course of 

 construction, will rise to the stupendous height of 130 feet, and its light will thus be 

 placed beyond the reach of the waves. 



Plymouth, with its sister cities, depends for its prosperity in a large measure upon 

 the Government establishment of which it is the seat. Its coasting trade is exten- 

 sive, but not so its commerce with foreign countries. Ship-building and the refining 

 of sugar are the principal industries. Amongst the public buildings the most 

 remarkable are the new Guildhall, the Athenaeum, with a valuable museum, and 

 the public library. Plympton, a small market town to the east of Plymouth, was 

 the birthplace of Sir Joshua Reynolds. 



Proceeding up the Tamar, we pass beneath the wonderful Albert Suspension 

 Bridge, which spans the river at a height of 260 feet, and has a length of 2,240 

 feet. It connects the Devonshire side of the river with Saltash, a small town in 

 Cornwall, noted for its acres of vineries, in which tons of grapes are grown 

 every year. Higher up on the Tamar we reach Moncelham Qiiai/, the port of the 

 mining town of Tavistock, with which it is connected by a canal, running for a 

 considerable distance through a tunnel. Tavistock, on the Tavy, and at the 

 western foot of Dartmoor, has copper and lead mines. About 7 miles to the east 

 of it lies the village of Prince Totvn, with a convict establishment. 



Salcombe River, the sinuous estuary of the Avon, penetrates far into the 

 southernmost portion of Devonshire. Salcombe Regis occupies a magnificent 

 position near its mouth. Its equable temperature has earned for it the epithet of 

 the " English Montpelier." Here oranges and lemons ripen in the open air. 



Rounding Start Point, we reach the estuary of the river Dart, the entrance to 

 which is commanded by the ancient town of Dartmouth. Its houses rise tier 



* Œaldi, "On Wave Action." Hevue maritime et coloniale, January, 1876. 



