524 
hoping that fimilar attemp‘s will be excit. 
ed in other quarters. 
The entrance to the city by either of 
the great poftroads is over a gently rifing 
hill, from whote defcent is gradually open- 
ed a view of the p.ace; at the ** weft end” 
of the town is an elegant ftone bridge 
acrofs the river Exe, ere€ted about thirty 
years ago, after many unfuccefstul trials, 
owing to the rapidity of the ftream, wich 
is often very great. In one of thefe at~ 
tempts, the mayor of the city who laid the 
firft ftone, was called ‘* Flood,” and the 
followins admirable couplet was depofiied 
with it among the other valuables. 
** Flood many a bridge hath wafh’d away, 
But now Filocd fays this bridge fhall ftay.” 
It unfortunately happened, notwithftand- 
ing, that the poetical prophefy was not 
verified ; the flood was again unruly, 
wathed down the bridge, and laughably 
expofed the vanity of the puaning magi- 
firate. 
The pspulation is generally eftimated at 
about 30,000 inhabitants, who are divided 
into religious focieties of various denomi- 
mations: we have a Jews” fynagogue, a 
Quakers’ meeting,an Avian, a Calas niftic, 
Biptifts’, Unuaean: and two Methodifts’, 
and a Catholic chapel, befides twenty-cne 
churches and chapels. The Ca!vinilts’ 
meeting has been but recently built—ait 
ftands on the farne ground as did the old 
county gacl, whence it is remarked that 
the ** den of thieves is made the houle of 
prayer.” At the Roman Catholic meet- 
ing attend a number of the French emi- 
grant clergy, who refide in the city ; theie 
unfortunates uled to attract a number of 
people to witnels their ceremonies, but I 
do not hear that any converts have been 
made by them ;. they conduc themielves, 
with {carcely an exception, with much de- 
ference to the inhabitants, and they are et- 
teemed for their inoffenfive manners. Ma- 
ny of them live genteelly y teaching 
the French language, which, by the bye, 
is not their yeraacular to: ngue, they having 
come from that part vf the province of 
Britanny, now the departments of the He 
and the Villaine, where the common and 
only language coutcamaly ip pokes is fimilar 
to the dialect of our Welch countrymen ; 
and not long fince they gave a proof of 1: 
by converfing with fume North-Walian 
militiamen who were marching through 
the city. 
Among our citizens are to be ranked_a 
great many who have amailzd conliderable 
fortunes, as country traders’ and export. 
i Account of Exeter. 
[Nov, t, 
ers of woollens ; but as you have already 
given a view of the depreciation of chis 
trade, I fhall forbear faying more on its 
merely remaking, that the poor here are 
become extremely burdenfome and nume- 
rous for want ot regular employment, and 
a willingnefs to earn a fomething ; per- 
haps this latter may be in fome degree ac- 
counted for from the care taken of them, 
which procures their maintenance without 
the trouble of fceking it. There feems to 
be uniformly among the poorer ciafs a 
predominant idea that they mutt be pro- 
vided for by the rich in one fhape or ano. 
ther ; and if they get only half a loaf in in- 
dolence, they are equally conteated as with 
a whole ene from their jabcur ; unthank- 
fulsefs and ingratitude often await the per- 
{on who does not fansfy the wants which 
they themfelves could relieve by, the 
fweat of their brow. To affift our poor this 
year pait has required three times the ad- 
ditional fum of former years, al:hovgs very 
jucicious regulati-ms are adopted to pie- 
vent abufes: and 10,cool. nearly hawe 
been colle&ted for this purpofe. 
Exeter was once noted for cheap living, 
and many ftrangers, formerly came here 
for that advantage: but thele days are no 
more; every article of lileis exarbitantly 
dear, ‘and luxt ury keeps pace with the ad- 
vance 5 We Iniy repeat 
‘¢ Til fares our cown, tp haft’ning ills a prey, 
Where pride predominates and men decay ;? 
for amid al] our diftrefizs, there are thofe 
who * fp end their time In wanton, often 
cruel, riot,” littl thinking “ how many 
fuffer death, and all the fad variety of 
pain,” wliie they are fporting their de- 
moilelles, gigs, horfes, hounds, &c. in 
every directicn of extravagance. This 
does not, however, aces: to the fuperior 
orders any more than to the other claffes ; 
for it is nothing uncommon to fee half of 
our fhopkeepers. imitating Johnny Gilpin’s 
expedition more or lefs every day to the 
week. We have sumberlefs places for kill- 
ling of time in our neighbourhood, either 
at waterirg-places, tea-houfes, &c. where 
‘* Alike the bufy and the gay 
fay flutter thro’ life’s little day, 
in Foitune’s varying colours éreft. * 
Affemblies, bails, &c. are frequently 
held here; and we have a very neat thea- 
tre, whole manager has at times procured 
us the pleafure of witneffing the perform- 
ances of Mefirs. Kemble, Holman, and 
Bannifter, as well as Mrs. Siddons and 
Mrs. Crouch. If we were to judge from 
the conduct of the darter when on the flage, 
we 
