16 
ILLUSTRATIONS OF 
since the system of M'Adam has heen adopted ; 
and, under the superintendence of Mr. Stokes, decli- 
vities have been removed, and the narrow parts of 
roads widened, so that those leading to the principal 
towns may now be described as very good. 
The commerce and manufactures of the county 
have latterly increased, and are still increasing, not 
only from its own produce, but also from its being a 
kind of depot for the mining and manufacturing 
districts which almost surround it. Of its own more 
peculiar exported produce may be enumerated hops, 
fruit, cider, and perry. It also exports of its own 
manufacture, salt, gloves, china, iron, and carpets. 
The combination of the above circumstances has 
been highly favourable to the increase of population, 
and particularly since the year 1800. 
The following statement shews the aggregate of 
increase of population which has taken place during 
a period of nearly a century and a half, viz. — 
Years, 1700, 1750, 1801, 1811, 1821, 1831, 
Population, 88,200. 108,000. 139,333. 160,546. 184,424. 211,356. 
Thus giving a ratio of increase of 16 per cent, 
from 1801 to 1811 ; of 14 per cent, from 1811 to 
1821 ; and from 1700 to 1831, the increase amounts 
to 154 per cent. 
The number of males and females in the following 
periods is — 
1801, 1811, 1821, 1831, 
Males, 67,631. 78,033. 90,259. 103,367. 
Females, 71,702. 82,513. 94,165. 107,989. 
