plied, that it has suffered less from the ravages of fire than perhaps any place of similar extent and population. It possesses another advantage not common in large towns, there are few houses of any importance but what have gardens attached to them, even in the heart of the town; the place is much resorted to as an eligible residence for invalids, as the walks and rides in the neighbourhood are of the most picturesque and delightful description. And it is with much pleasure we are able to state that Mr. Shaw has recently erected on the premises lately occupied by Messrs. Smart and Buchanan, opposite the church of St. Mary at the Key, a most convenient range of baths, which comprise vapour and medicated baths; hot air, and medicated air, or fumigating baths; salt or fresh water warm baths; hot and cold shower baths, &c. and we sincerely hope that this gentleman will meet with support and encouragement adequate to his exertions. This is a further inducement for us again to endeavour to impress upon our readers the importance of bringing our Mineral Waters into repute, for the use of the waters and the baths together, could not fail of bringing an influx of visitors to the town. The streets are irregular, and strangers passing through, are not aware of the number of handsome streets and excellent houses to be met with in different parts of the town. We have given an engraving of the Cornhill and Tavern-street, in which may be seen the present Townhall, Corn Exchange, &c. Several of the streets have been M'Adamised, and answer exceedingly well, particularly St. Matthew's, from the entrance of the town to the Suffolk Hotel, and we wish that the same system had been extended across the Corn-hill, along Tavern-street, through Car-street, into the Woodbridge road, for if this were done, travellers in the way from London to Yarmouth would not have the inducement which they now have to avoid the town, in order to escape the inconvenience of passing over the stones. When any of the streets are re-paved, care should be taken to bring the kennel on each side of the street as near to the kerb stone as possible, by which means a better and wider carriage way would be obtained; but we do hope, shortly, to see the whole of the principal streets M'Adamised. It is much to be regretted, that when the paving act was obtained, it did not empower the commissioners to cause common sewers to be erected; by which all the waste water could be carried under ground into the river. We are persuaded that this might be easily done even now, for no town can possibly be better situated for the purpose, as almost every part of it stands upon a declivity, and water could be readily conveyed into the drains, whenever it became necessary to cleanse them. It would add greatly to the neatness and cleanliness of the town, and materially encrease the health and comfort of the inhabitants. We trust that the plan for carrying the street or road opposite the New Assembly-rooms into the Woodbridge road, at the Post Chaise inn, will be accomplished. Or if this cannot be effected the road might be carried on through Car-street, by making an entrance into the present turnpike road, through Mr. Bond's or Mr. Wright's premises. If either of these roads cannot be completed at the public expense, it would surely be worth while to effect it by the joint subscription of those proprietors whose property would be so much improved in value by the alteration. It has also been suggested, that what is called Water Lane, might be widened and levelled, at a very trifling expense, and would form an excellent communication from the Woodbridge road into St. Helen's; and it is evident, that the more entrances there are made into the town, the more convenient it will be both for travellers and the inhabitants. The trade of this place formerly consisted in the manufacture of broad cloth and other woollen goods, and was doubtless carried on with all quarters of the globe. All the towns and villages for many miles round were employed in it, and many of the best estates in the county were raised from its profits. On Feb. the 3rd, 1783, in commemoration of peace with America, a procession of the wool-combers guild or fraternity took place here, in which Bishop Blaise appeared in his full canonicals, attended by shepherds and shepherdesses in appropriate costume, with a large train of followers employed in the various branches of the trade. Even then in every cottage in the vicinity women and children were employed in earning a portion of their maintenance, by preparing the wool for the manufacturer, but the busy hum of the spinning wheel is no longer to be heard, and the cottager's occupation is ended. We are led also to believe that the shipping trade is much decreased, particularly with regard to those huge colliers, called Ipswich cats; but we question whether the aggregate number of vessels employed was greater than at the present moment. These cats were of large tonnage, standing very high above the water; we remember to have seen one or two of them in our early days, they were wider in proportion than other vessels of similar burthen; their hulls were painted black, and with their dingy crew and gigantic bulk, they had a gloomy and terrific appearance. It is still a common expression among the old seamen, in reference to the form of a vessel, to say that she is catbuilt. The shipping belonging to this port now, amounts to one hundred and forty-seven vessels of various sizes HHH |