andasinthecourseofthisjourneyIshallhavemanyoccasionstocallitacircuit，ifnotacircle，soIchosetogiveitthetitleofcircuitsintheplural，becauseIdonotpretendtohavetravelleditallinonejourney，butinmany，andsomeofthemmanytimesover；thebettertoinformmyselfofeverythingIcouldfindworthtakingnoticeof。
IhopeitwillappearthatIamnottheless，butthemorecapableofgivingafullaccountofthings，byhowmuchthemoredeliberationIhavetakenintheviewofthem，andbyhowmuchtheoftenerIhavehadopportunitytoseethem。
Isetoutthe3rdofApril，1722，goingfirsteastward，andtookwhatIthinkImayveryhonestlycallacircuitintheveryletterofit；forIwentdownbythecoastoftheThamesthroughtheMarshesorHundredsonthesouthsideofthecountyofEssex，tillIcametoMalden，Colchester，andHarwich，thencecontinuingonthecoastofSuffolktoYarmouth；thenceroundbytheedgeofthesea，onthenorthandwestsideofNorfolk，toLynn，Wisbech，andtheWash；thencebackagain，onthenorthsideofSuffolkandEssex，tothewest，endingitinMiddlesex，neartheplacewhereIbeganit，reservingthemiddleorcentreoftheseveralcountiestosomelittleexcursions，whichImadebythemselves。
PassingBowBridge，wherethecountyofEssexbegins，thefirstobservationImadewas，thatallthevillageswhichmaybecalledtheneighbourhoodofthecityofLondononthis，aswellasontheothersidesthereof，whichIshallspeaktointheirorder；Isay，allthosevillagesareincreasedinbuildingstoastrangedegree，withinthecompassofabouttwentyorthirtyyearspastatthemost。
ThevillageofStratford，thefirstinthiscountyfromLondon，isnotonlyincreased，but，Ibelieve，morethandoubledinthattime；
everyvacancyfilledupwithnewhouses，andtwolittletownsorhamlets，astheymaybecalled，ontheforestsideofthetownentirelynew，namelyMarylandPointandtheGravelPits，onefacingtheroadtoWoodfordandEpping，andtheotherfacingtheroadtoIlford；andasforthehitherpart，itisalmostjoinedtoBow，inspiteofrivers，canals，marshygrounds，&c。NoristhisincreaseofbuildingthecaseonlyinthisandalltheothervillagesroundLondon；buttheincreaseofthevalueandrentofthehousesformerlystandinghas，inthatcompassofyearsabove-mentioned，advancedtoaverygreatdegree，andImayventuretosayatleastthefifthpart；somethinkathirdpart，abovewhattheywerebefore。
Thisisindeedmostvisible，speakingofStratfordinEssex；butitisthesamethinginproportioninothervillagesadjacent，especiallyontheforestside；asatLowLeyton，Leytonstone，Walthamstow，Woodford，Wanstead，andthetownsofWestHam，Plaistow，Upton，etc。Inallwhichplaces，ornearthemastheinhabitantssay，aboveathousandnewfoundationshavebeenerected，besidesoldhousesrepaired，allsincetheRevolution；andthisisnottobeforgottentoo，thatthisincreaseis，generallyspeaking，ofhandsome，largehouses，from20poundsayearto60
pounds，veryfewunder20poundsayear；beingchieflyforthehabitationsoftherichestcitizens，suchaseitherareabletokeeptwohouses，oneinthecountryandoneinthecity；orforsuchcitizensasbeingrich，andhavingleftofftrade，livealtogetherintheseneighbouringvillages，forthepleasureandhealthofthelatterpartoftheirdays。
Thetruthofthismayatleastappear，inthattheytellmetherearenolessthantwohundredcoacheskeptbytheinhabitantswithinthecircumferenceofthesefewvillagesnamedabove，besidessuchasarekeptbyaccidentallodgers。
Thisincreaseoftheinhabitants，andthecauseofit，IshallenlargeuponwhenIcometospeakofthelikeinthecountiesofMiddlesex，Surrey，&c，whereitisthesame，onlyinamuchgreaterdegree。ButthisImusttakenoticeofhere，thatthisincreasecausesthosevillagestobemuchpleasanterandmoresociablethanformerly，fornowpeoplegotothem，notforretirementintothecountry，butforgoodcompany；ofwhich，thatImayspeaktotheladiesaswellasotherauthorsdo，thereareinthesevillages，nay，inall，threeorfourexcepted，excellentconversation，andagreatdealofit，andthatwithoutthemixtureofassemblies，gaming-houses，andpublicfoundationsofviceanddebauchery；andparticularlyIfindnoneofthoseincentiveskeptuponthissidethecountry。
Mr。Camden，andhislearnedcontinuator，BishopGibson，haveransackedthiscountryforitsantiquities，andhaveleftlittleunsearched；andasitisnotmypresentdesigntosaymuchofwhathasbeensaidalready，Ishalltouchverylightlywheretwosuchexcellentantiquarieshavegonebeforeme；exceptitbetoaddwhatmayhavebeensincediscovered，whichastothesepartsisonlythis:ThatthereseemstobelatelyfoundoutinthebottomoftheMarshesgenerallycalledHackneyMarsh，andbeginningnearabouttheplacenowcalledtheWick，betweenOldFordandthesaidWick，theremainsofagreatstonecauseway，which，asitissupposed，wasthehighway，orgreatroadfromLondonintoEssex，andthesamewhichgoesnowoverthegreatbridgebetweenBowandStratford。
Thatthegreatroadlaythisway，andthatthegreatcausewaylandedagainjustovertheriver，wherenowtheTempleMillsstand，andpassedbySirThomasHickes'shouseatRuckolls，allthisisnotdoubted；andthatitwasoneofthosefamoushighwaysmadebytheRomansthereisundoubtedproof，bytheseveralmarksofRomanwork，andbyRomancoinsandotherantiquitiesfoundthere，someofwhicharesaidtobedepositedinthehandsoftheRev。Mr。Strype，vicaroftheparishofLowLeyton。
FromhencethegreatroadpasseduptoLeytonstone，aplacebysomeknownnowasmuchbythesignofthe"GreenMan，"formerlyalodgeupontheedgeoftheforest；andcrossingbyWansteadHouse，formerlythedwellingofSirJosiahChild，nowofhissontheLordCastlemainofwhichhereafter，wentoverthesameriverwhichwenowpassatIlford；andpassingthatpartofthegreatforestwhichwenowcallHainaultForest，cameintothatwhichisnowthegreatroad，alittleonthissidetheWhalebone，aplaceontheroadsocalledbecausetherib-boneofagreatwhale，whichwastakenintheRiverThamesthesameyearthatOliverCromwelldied，1658，wasfixedthereforamonumentofthatmonstrouscreature，itbeingatfirstabouteight-and-twentyfeetlong。
Accordingtomyfirstintentionofeffectuallyviewingthesea-
coastofthesethreecounties，IwentfromStratfordtoBarking，alargemarket-town，butchieflyinhabitedbyfishermen，whosesmacksrideintheThames，atthemouthoftheirriver，fromwhencetheirfishissentuptoLondontothemarketatBillingsgatebysmallboats，ofwhichIshallspeakbyitselfinmydescriptionofLondon。
OnethingIcannotomitinthementionoftheseBarkingfisher-
smacks，viz。，thatoneofthosefishermen，averysubstantialandexperiencedman，convincedmethatallthepretencestobringingfishalivetoLondonmarketfromtheNorthSeas，andotherremoteplacesonthecoastofGreatBritain，bythenew-builtsloopscalledfish-pools，havenotbeenabletodoanythingbutwhattheirfishing-smacksareableonthesameoccasiontoperform。Thesefishing-smacksareveryusefulvesselstothepublicuponmanyoccasions；asparticularly，intimeofwartheyareusedaspress-
smacks，runningtoallthenorthernandwesterncoaststopickupseamentomanthenavy，whenanyexpeditionisathandthatrequiresasuddenequipment；atothertimes，beingexcellentsailors，theyaretenderstoparticularmenofwar；andonanexpeditiontheyhavebeenmadeuseofasmachinesfortheblowingupoffortifiedportsandhavens；asatCalais，St。Malo，andotherplaces。
ThisparishofBarkingisverylarge，andbytheimprovementoflandstakeninoutoftheThames，andoutoftheriverwhichrunsbythetown，thetithes，asthetownsmenassuredme，areworthabove600poundsperannum，including，smalltithes。NOTE-Thisparishhastwoorthreechapelsofease，viz。，oneatIlford，andoneonthesideofHainaultForest，calledNewChapel。
SirThomasFanshaw，ofanancientRomanCatholicfamily，hasaverygoodestateinthisparish。Alittlebeyondthetown，ontheroadtoDagenham，stoodagreathouse，ancient，andnowalmostfallendown，wheretraditionsaystheGunpowderTreasonPlotwasatfirstcontrived，andthatallthefirstconsultationsaboutitwereheldthere。
Thissideofthecountyisratherrichinlandthanininhabitants，occasionedchieflybytheunhealthinessoftheair；fortheselowmarshgrounds，which，withallthesouthsideofthecounty，havebeensavedoutoftheRiverThames，andoutofthesea，wheretheriveriswideenoughtobecalledso，beginhere，orratherbeginatWestHam，byStratford，andcontinuetoextendthemselves，fromhenceeastward，growingwiderandwidertillwecomebeyondTilbury，whentheflatcountryliessix，seven，oreightmilesbroad，andisjustlysaidtobebothunhealthyandunpleasant。
However，thelandsarerich，and，asisobservable，itisverygoodfarminginthemarshes，becausethelandlordsletgoodpennyworths，foritbeingaplacewhereeverybodycannotlive，thosethatventureitwillhaveencouragementandindeeditisbutreasonabletheyshould。
SeverallittleobservationsImadeinthispartofthecountyofEssex。
1。Wesaw，passingfromBarkingtoDagenham，thefamousbreach，madebyaninundationoftheThames，whichwassogreatasthatitlaidnear5，000acresoflandunderwater，butwhichafterneartenyearslyingunderwater，andbeingseveraltimesblownup，hasbeenatlasteffectuallystoppedbytheapplicationofCaptainPerry，thegentlemanwho，forseveralyears，hadbeenemployedintheCzarofMuscovy'sworks，atVeronitza，ontheRiverDon。Thisbreachappearednoweffectuallymadeup，andtheyassuredusthatthenewwork，wherethebreachwas，isbymuchesteemedthestrongestofalltheseawallsinthatlevel。
2。Itwasobservablethatgreatpartofthelandsintheselevels，especiallythoseonthissideEastTilbury，areheldbythefarmers，cow-keepers，andgrazingbutcherswholiveinandnearLondon，andthattheyaregenerallystockedallthewinterhalfyearwithlargefatsheep，viz。，LincolnshireandLeicestershirewethers，whichtheybuyinSmithfieldinSeptemberandOctober，whentheLincolnshireandLeicestershiregrazierssellofftheirstock，andarekeptheretillChristmas，orCandlemas，orthereabouts；andthoughtheyarenotmadeatallfatterherethantheywerewhenboughtin，yetthefarmerorbutcherfindsverygoodadvantageinit，bythedifferenceofthepriceofmuttonbetweenMichaelmas，whenitischeapest，andCandlemas，whenitisdearest；
thisiswhatthebutchersvaluethemselvesupon，whentheytellusatthemarketthatitisrightmarsh-mutton。
3。InthebottomoftheseMarshes，andclosetotheedgeoftheriver，standsthestrongfortressofTilbury，calledTilburyFort，whichmayjustlybelookeduponasthekeyoftheRiverThames，andconsequentlythekeyoftheCityofLondon。Itisaregularfortification。Thedesignofitwasapentagon，butthewaterbastion，asitwouldhavebeencalled，wasneverbuilt。TheplanwaslaidoutbySirMartinBeckman，chiefengineertoKingCharlesII。，whoalsodesignedtheworksatSheerness。Theesplanadeofthefortisverylarge，andthebastionsthelargestofanyinEngland，thefoundationislaidsodeep，andpilesunderthat，drivendowntwoanendofoneanother，sofar，tilltheywereassuredtheywerebelowthechanneloftheriver，andthatthepiles，whichwereshedwithiron，enteredintothesolidchalkrockadjoiningto，orreachingfrom，thechalkhillsontheotherside。
Thesebastionssettledconsiderablyatfirst，asdidalsopartofthecurtain，thegreatquantityofearththatwasbroughttofillthemup，necessarily，requiringtobemadesolidbytime；buttheyarenowfirmastherocksofchalkwhichtheycamefrom，andthefillinguponeofthesebastions，asIhavebeentoldbygoodhands，costtheGovernment6，000pounds，beingfilledwithchalkrubbishfetchedfromthechalkpitsatNorthfleet，justaboveGravesend。
Theworktothelandsideiscomplete；thebastionsarefacedwithbrick。Thereisadoubleditch，ormoat，theinnermostpartofwhichis180feetbroad；thereisagoodcounterscarp，andacoveredwaymarkedoutwithravelinsandtenailles，buttheyarenotraisedasecondtimeaftertheirfirstsettling。
Onthelandsidetherearealsotwosmallredoubtsofbrick，butofverylittlestrength，forthechiefstrengthofthisfortonthelandsideconsistsinthis，thattheyareabletolaythewholelevelunderwater，andsotomakeitimpossibleforanenemytomakeanyapproachestothefortthatway。
Onthesidenexttheriverthereisaverystrongcurtain，withanoblegatecalledtheWaterGateinthemiddle，andtheditchispalisadoed。Attheplacewherethewaterbastionwasdesignedtobebuilt，andwhichbytheplanshouldrunwhollyoutintotheriver，sotoflankthetwocurtainsofeachside；Isay，intheplacewhereitshouldhavebeen，standsahightower，whichtheytelluswasbuiltinQueenElizabeth'stime，andwascalledtheBlockHouse；thesidenextthewaterisvacant。
Beforethiscurtain，aboveandbelowthesaidvacancy，isaplatformintheplaceofacounterscarp，onwhichareplanted106
piecesofcannon，generallyallofthemcarryingfromtwenty-fourtoforty-sixpoundball；abatterysoterribleaswellimportstheconsequenceofthatplace；besideswhich，therearesmallerpiecesplantedbetween，andthebastionsandcurtainalsoareplantedwithguns；sothattheymustbeboldfellowswhowillventureinthebiggestshipstheworldhasheardoftopasssuchabattery，ifthemenappointedtoservethegunsdotheirdutylikestoutfellows，asbecomesthem。
ThepresentgovernmentofthisimportantplaceisundertheprudentadministrationoftheRightHonourabletheLordNewbrugh。
Fromhencethereisnothingformanymilestogetherremarkablebutacontinuedlevelofunhealthymarshes，calledtheThreeHundreds，tillwecomebeforeLeigh，andtothemouthoftheRiverChelmer，andBlackwater。Theseriversunitedmakealargefirth，orinletofthesea，whichbyMr。CamdeniscalledIDUMANUMFLUVIUM；butbyourfishermenandseamen，whouseitasaport，itiscalledMaldenWater。
InthisinletoftheseaisOsey，orOsythIsland，commonlycalledOosyIsland，sowellknownbyourLondonmenofpleasurefortheinfinitenumberofwildfowl，thatistosay，duck，mallard，teal，andwidgeon，ofwhichtherearesuchvastflights，thattheytellustheisland，namelythecreek，seemscoveredwiththematcertaintimesoftheyear，andtheygofromLondononpurposeforthepleasureofshooting；and，indeed，oftencomehomeverywellladenwithgame。Butitmustberememberedtoothatthosegentlemenwhoaresuchloversofthesport，andgosofarforit，oftenreturnwithanEssexagueontheirbacks，whichtheyfindaheavierloadthanthefowlstheyhaveshot。
Itisonthisshore，andnearthiscreek，thatthegreatestquantityoffreshfishiscaughtwhichsuppliesnotthiscountryonly，butLondonmarketsalso。Ontheshore，beginningalittlebelowCandyIsland，orratherbelowLeighRoad，thereliesagreatshoalorsandcalledtheBlackTail，whichrunsoutnearthreeleaguesintotheseadueeast；attheendofitstandsapoleormast，setupbytheTrinityHousemenofLondon，whosebusinessistolaybuoysandsetupseamarksforthedirectionofthesailors；
thisiscalledShoeBeacon，fromthepointoflandwherethissandbegins，whichiscalledShoeburyness，andthatfromthetownofShoebury，whichstandsbyit。Fromthissand，andontheedgeofShoebury，beforeit，orsouthwestofit，allalong，tothemouthofColchesterwater，theshoreisfullofshoalsandsands，withsomedeepchannelsbetween；allwhicharesofulloffish，thatnotonlytheBarkingfishing-smackscomehithertofish，butthewholeshoreisfullofsmallfisher-boatsinverygreatnumbers，belongingtothevillagesandtownsonthecoast，whocomeineverytidewithwhattheytake；andsellingthesmallerfishinthecountry，sendthebestandlargestawayuponhorses，whichgonightanddaytoLondonmarket。
N。B-Iamthemoreparticularinmyremarksonthisplace，becauseinthecourseofmytravelsthereaderwillmeetwiththelikeinalmosteveryplaceofnotethroughthewholeisland，whereitwillbeseenhowthiswholekingdom，aswellthepeopleastheland，andeventhesea，ineverypartofit，areemployedtofurnishsomething，andImayadd，thebestofeverything，tosupplytheCityofLondonwithprovisions；Imeanbyprovisions，corn，flesh，fish，butter，cheese，salt，fuel，timber，etc。，andclothesalso；witheverythingnecessaryforbuilding，andfurniturefortheirownuseorfortrade；ofallwhichintheirorder。
Onthisshorealsoaretakenthebestandnicest，thoughnotthelargest，oystersinEngland；thespotfromwhencetheyhavetheircommonappellationisalittlebankcalledWoelfleet，scarcetobecalledanisland，inthemouthoftheRiverCrouch，nowcalledCrookseaWater；butthechiefplacewherethesaidoystersarenowhadisfromWyvenhoeandtheshoresadjacent，whithertheyarebroughtbythefishermen，whotakethematthemouthofthattheycallColchesterwaterandaboutthesandtheycalltheSpits，andcarrythemuptoWyvenhoe，wheretheyarelaidinbedsorpitsontheshoretofeed，astheycallit；andthenbeingbarrelledupandcarriedtoColchester，whichisbutthreemilesoff，theyaresenttoLondonbyland，andarefromthencecalledColchesteroysters。
ThechiefsortofotherfishwhichtheycarryfromthispartoftheshoretoLondonaresoles，whichtheytakesometimesexceedinglarge，andyieldaverygoodpriceatLondonmarket。Alsosometimesmiddlingturbot，withwhiting，codlingandlargeflounders；thesmallfish，asabove，theysellinthecountry。
Intheseveralcreeksandopenings，asabove，onthisshoretherearealsootherislands，butofnoparticularnote，exceptMersey，whichliesinthemiddleofthetwoopeningsbetweenMaldenWaterandColchesterWater；beingofthemostdifficultaccess，sothatitisthoughtathousandmenwellprovidedmightkeeppossessionofitagainstagreatforce，whetherbylandorsea。Onthisaccount，andbecauseifpossessedbyanenemyitwouldshutupallthenavigationandfisheryonthatside，theGovernmentformerlybuiltafortonthesouth-eastpointofit；andgenerallyincaseofDutchwar，thereisastrongbodyoftroopskepttheretodefendit。
AtthisplacemaybesaidtoendwhatwecalltheHundredsofEssex-thatistosay，thethreeHundredsordivisionswhichincludethemarshycountry，viz。，BarnstableHundred，RochfordHundred，andDengyHundred。
IhaveoneremarkmorebeforeIleavethisdamppartoftheworld，andwhichIcannotomitonthewomen'saccount，namely，thatItooknoticeofastrangedecayofthesexhere；insomuchthatallalongthiscountryitwasveryfrequenttomeetwithmenthathadhadfromfiveorsixtofourteenorfifteenwives；nay，andsomemore。
AndIwasinformedthatinthemarshesontheothersideoftheriveroveragainstCandyIslandtherewasafarmerwhowasthenlivingwiththefive-and-twentiethwife，andthathisson，whowasbutaboutthirty-fiveyearsold，hadalreadyhadaboutfourteen。
Indeed，thispartofthestoryIonlyhadbyreport，thoughfromgoodhandstoo；buttheotheriswellknownandeasytobeinquiredintoaboutFobbing，Curringham，Thundersly，Benfleet，Prittlewell，Wakering，GreatStambridge，Cricksea，Burnham，Dengy，andothertownsofthelikesituation。Thereason，asamerryfellowtoldme，whosaidhehadhadaboutadozenandahalfofwivesthoughI
foundafterwardshefibbedalittlewasthis:Thattheybeingbredinthemarshesthemselvesandseasonedtotheplace，didprettywellwithit；butthattheyalwayswentupintothehillycountry，or，tospeaktheirownlanguage，intotheuplandsforawife。Thatwhentheytooktheyounglassesoutofthewholesomeandfreshairtheywerehealthy，fresh，andclear，andwell；butwhentheycameoutoftheirnativeairintothemarshesamongthefogsanddamps，theretheypresentlychangedtheircomplexion，gotanagueortwo，andseldomhelditabovehalfayear，orayearatmost；"Andthen，"saidhe，"wegototheuplandsagainandfetchanother；"sothatmarryingofwiveswasreckonedakindofgoodfarmtothem。
Itistruethefellowtoldthisinakindofdrolleryandmirth；
butthefact，forallthat，iscertainlytrue；andthattheyhaveabundanceofwivesbythatverymeans。Norisitlesstruethattheinhabitantsintheseplacesdonotholditout，asinothercountries，andasfirstyouseldommeetwithveryancientpeopleamongthepoor，asinotherplaceswedo，so，takeitonewithanother，notone-halfoftheinhabitantsarenativesoftheplace；
butsuchasfromothercountriesorinotherpartsofthiscountrysettleherefortheadvantageofgoodfarms；forwhichIappealtoanyimpartialinquiry，havingmyselfexaminedintoitcriticallyinseveralplaces。
Fromthemarshesandlowgroundsbeingnotabletotravelwithoutmanywindingsandindenturesbyreasonofthecreeksandwaters，I
cameuptothetownofMalden，anotedmarkettownsituateattheconfluxorjoiningoftwoprincipalriversinthiscounty，theChelmorChelmer，andtheBlackwater，andwheretheyenterintothesea。Thechannel，asIhavenoted，iscalledbythesailorsMaldenWater，andisnavigableuptothetown，wherebythatmeansisagreattradeforcarryingcornbywatertoLondon；thecountyofEssexbeingespeciallyonallthatsideagreatcorncounty。
WhenIhavesaidthisIthinkIhavedoneMaldenjustice，andsaidallofitthatthereistobesaid，unlessIshouldrunintotheoldstoryofitsantiquity，andtellyouitwasaRomancolonyinthetimeofVespasian，andthatitwascalledCamolodunum。HowtheBritons，underQueenBoadicea，inrevengefortheRomans'ill-usageofher-forindeedtheyusedhermajestyill-theystrippedhernakedandwhippedherpubliclythroughtheirstreetsforsomeaffrontshehadgiventhem。IsayhowforthissheraisedtheBritonsroundthecountry，overpowered，andcutinpiecestheTenthLegion，killedaboveeightythousandRomans，anddestroyedthecolony；butwasafterwardsoverthrowninagreatbattle，andsixtythousandBritonsslain。Isay，unlessIshouldenterintothisstory，IhavenothingmoretosayofMalden，and，asforthatstory，itissofullyrelatedbyMr。CamdeninhishistoryoftheRomansinBritainatthebeginningofhis"Britannia，"thatIneedonlyreferthereadertoit，andgoonwithmyjourney。
Beingobligedtocomethusfarintotheuplands，asabove，ImadeitmyroadtopassthroughWitham，apleasant，well-situatedmarkettown，inwhich，andinitsneighbourhood，thereareasmanygentlemenofgoodfortunesandfamiliesasIbelievecanbemetwithinsonarrowacompassinanyofthethreecountiesofwhichI
makethiscircuit。
InthetownofWithamdwellstheLordPasely，oldestsonoftheEarlofAbercornofIrelandabranchofthenoblefamilyofHamilton，inScotland。Hislordshiphasasmall，butaneat，well-builtnewhouse，andisfinishinghisgardensinsuchamannerasfewinthatpartofEnglandwillexceedthem。
NearerChelmsford，hardbyBoreham，livestheLordViscountBarrington，who，thoughnotborntothetitle，orestate，ornamewhichhenowpossesses，hadthehonourtobetwicemadeheirtotheestatesofgentlemennotatallrelatedtohim，atleast，oneofthem，asisverymuchtohishonour，mentionedinhispatentofcreation。HisnamewasShute，hisfatheralinendraperinLondon，andservedsheriffofthesaidcityinverytroublesometimes。HechangedthenameofShuteforthatofBarringtonbyanActofParliamentobtainedforthatpurpose，andhadthedignityofabaronofthekingdomconferredonhimbythefavourofKingGeorge。
HislordshipisaDissenter，andseemstoloveretirement。HewasamemberofParliamentforthetownofBerwick-upon-Tweed。
OntheothersideofWitham，atFauburn，anancientmansionhouse，builtbytheRomans，livesMr。Bullock，whosefathermarriedthedaughterofthateminentcitizen，SirJosiahChild，ofWanstead，bywhomshehadthreesons；theeldestenjoystheestate，whichisconsiderable。
Itisobservable，thatinthispartofthecountrythereareseveralveryconsiderableestates，purchasedandnowenjoyedbycitizensofLondon，merchants，andtradesmen，asMr。Western，anironmerchant，nearKelendon；Mr。Cresnor，awholesalegrocer，whowas，alittlebeforehedied，namedforsheriffatEarl'sColn；Mr。
Olemus，amerchantatBraintree；Mr。Westcomb，nearMalden；SirThomasWebsteratCopthall，nearWaltham；andseveralothers。
ImentionthistoobservehowthepresentincreaseofwealthintheCityofLondonspreadsitselfintothecountry，andplantsfamiliesandfortunes，whoinanotheragewillequalthefamiliesoftheancientgentry，whoperhapswerebroughtout。Ishalltakenoticeofthisinageneralhead，andwhenIhaverunthroughallthecounties，collectalistofthefamiliesofcitizensandtradesmenthusestablishedintheseveralcounties，especiallyroundLondon。
Theproductofallthispartofthecountryiscorn，asthatofthemarshyfeedinggroundsmentionedaboveisgrass，wheretheirchiefbusinessisbreedingofcalves，whichIneednotsayarethebestandfattest，andthelargestvealinEngland，ifnotintheworld；
and，asaninstance，Iatepartofavealorcalf，fedbythelateSirJosiahChildatWanstead，theloinofwhichweighedabovethirtypounds，andthefleshexceedingwhiteandfat。
FromhenceIwentontoColchester。ThestoryofKill-Dane，whichistoldofthetownofKelvedon，threemilesfromWitham，namely，thatthisistheplacewherethemassacreoftheDaneswasbegunbythewomen，andthatthereforeitwascalledKill-Dane；Isayofit，aswegenerallysayofimprobablenews，itwantsconfirmation。ThetruenameofthetownisKelvedon，andhasbeensoformanyhundredyears。NeitherdoesMr。Camden，oranyotherwriterImeetwithworthnaming，insistonthispieceofemptytradition。ThetowniscommonlycalledKeldon。
Colchesterisanancientcorporation。Thetownislarge，verypopulous，thestreetsfairandbeautiful，andthoughitmaynotsaidtobefinelybuilt，yetthereareabundanceofverygoodandwell-builthousesinit。Itstillmournsintheruinsofacivilwar；duringwhich，orratheraftertheheatofthewarwasover，itsufferedaseveresiege，which，thegarrisonmakingaresolutedefence，wasturnedintoablockade，inwhichthegarrisonandinhabitantsalsosufferedtheutmostextremityofhunger，andwereatlastobligedtosurrenderatdiscretion，whentheirtwochiefofficers，SirCharlesLucasandSirGeorgeLisle，wereshottodeathunderthecastlewall。Theinhabitantshadatraditionthatnograsswouldgrowuponthespotwherethebloodofthosetwogallantgentlemenwasspilt，andtheyshowedtheplacebareofgrassformanyyears；butwhetherforthisreasonIwillnotaffirm。Thestoryisnowdropped，andthegrass，Isuppose，growsthere，asinotherplaces。
However，thebatteredwalls，thebreachesintheturrets，andtheruinedchurches，stillremain，exceptthatthechurchofSt。Marywheretheyhadtheroyalfortisrebuilt；butthesteeple，whichwastwo-thirdsbattereddown，becausethebesiegedhadalargeculverinuponitthatdidmuchexecution，remainsstillinthatcondition。
Thereisanotherchurchwhichbearsthemarksofthosetimes，namely，onthesouthsideofthetown，inthewaytotheHythe，ofwhichmorehereafter。
Thelinesofcontravallation，withthefortsbuiltbythebesiegers，andwhichsurroundedthewholetown，remainveryvisibleinmanyplaces；butthechiefofthemaredemolished。
TheRiverColne，whichpassesthroughthistown，compassesitonthenorthandeastsides，andservedinthosetimesforacompletedefenceonthosesides。Theyhavethreebridgesoverit，onecalledNorthBridge，atthenorthgate，bywhichtheroadleadsintoSuffolk；onecalledEastBridge，atthefootoftheHighStreet，overwhichliestheroadtoHarwich，andoneattheHythe，asabove。
Theriverisnavigablewithinthreemilesofthetownforshipsoflargeburthen；alittleloweritmayreceiveevenaroyalnavy；anduptothatpartcalledtheHythe，closetothehouses，itisnavigableforhoysandsmallbarques。ThisHytheisalongstreet，passingfromwesttoeast，onthesouthsideofthetown。Atthewestendofit，thereisasmallintermissionofthebuildings，butnotmuch；andtowardstheriveritisverypopulousitmaybecalledtheWappingofColchester。Thereisonechurchinthatpartofthetown，alargequaybytheriver，andagoodcustom-
house。
Thetownmaybesaidchieflytosubsistbythetradeofmakingbays，whichisknownovermostofthetradingpartsofEuropebythenameofColchesterBays，thoughindeedallthetownsroundcarryonthesametrade-namely，Kelvedon，Witham，Coggeshall，Braintree，Bocking，&c。，andthewholecounty，largeasitis，maybesaidtobeemployed，andinpartmaintained，bythespinningofwoolforthebaytradeofColchesteranditsadjacenttowns。Theaccountofthesiege，A。D。1648，withadiaryofthemostremarkablepassages，areasfollows，whichIhadfromsogoodahandasthatIhavenoreasontoquestionitsbeingatruerelation。
ADiary:Or，AnAccountOfTheSiegeAndBlockadeOfColchester，A。D。1648。
Onthe4thofJune，wewerealarmedinthetownofColchesterthattheLordGoring，theLordCapel，andabodyoftwothousandoftheloyalparty，whohadbeeninarmsinKent，havingleftagreatbodyofanarmyinpossessionofRochesterBridge，wheretheyresolvedtofighttheLordFairfaxandtheParliamentarmy，hadgiventhesaidGeneralFairfaxtheslip，andhavingpassedtheThamesatGreenwich，werecometoStratford，andwereadvancingthisway；
uponwhichnews，SirCharlesLucas，SirGeorgeLisle，ColonelCook，andseveralgentlemenoftheloyalarmy，andallthathadcommissionsfromtheking，withagallantappearanceofgentlemenvolunteers，drewtogetherfromallpartsofthecountrytojoinwiththem。
The8th，wewerefurtherinformedthattheywereadvancedtoChelmsford，toNewHallHouse，andtoWitham；andthe9thsomeofthehorsearrivedinthetown，takingpossessionofthegates，andhavingengineerswiththem，toldusthatGeneralGoringhadresolvedtomakethistownhisheadquarters，andwouldcauseittobewellfortified。Theyalsocausedthedrumstobeatforvolunteers；andagoodnumberofthepoorbay-weavers，andsuch-
likepeople，wantingemployment，enlisted；sothattheycompletedSirCharlesLucas'sregiment，whichwasbutthin，toneareighthundredmen。
Onthe10thwehadnewsthattheLordFairfax，havingbeatentheRoyalistsatMaidstone，andretakenRochester，hadpassedtheThamesatGravesend，thoughwithgreatdifficulty，andwithsomeloss，andwascometoHorndon-on-the-Hill，inordertogainColchesterbeforetheRoyalists；butthathearingSirCharlesLucashadpreventedhim，hadorderedhisrendezvousatBillerecay，andintendedtopossessthepassatMaldenonthe11th，whereSirThomasHonnywood，withthecounty-trainedbands，wastobethesameday。
ThesameeveningtheLordGoring，withallhisforces，makingaboutfivethousandsixhundredmen，horseandfoot，cametoColchester，andencampingwithoutthesuburbs，undercommandofthecannonofSt。Mary'sfort，madedispositiontofighttheParliamentforcesiftheycameup。
The12th，theLordGoringcameintoColchester，viewedthefortinSt。Mary'schurchyard，orderedmorecannontobeplanteduponit，postedtworegimentsinthesuburbswithouttheheadgate，letthetownknowhewouldtakethemintohisMajesty'sprotection，andthathewouldfighttheenemyinthatsituation。ThesameeveningtheLordFairfax，withastrongpartyofonethousandhorse，cametoLexden，attwosmallmiles'distance，expectingtherestofhisarmytherethesamenight。
TheLordGoringbroughtinprisonersthesameday，SirWilliamMasham，andseveralothergentlemenofthecounty，whoweresecuredunderastrongguard；whichtheParliamenthearing，orderedtwentyprisonersoftheroyalpartytobesingledout，declaring，thattheyshouldbeusedinthesamemannerastheLordGoringusedSirWilliamMasham，andthegentlemenprisonerswithhim。
Onthe13th，earlyinthemorning，ourspiesbroughtintelligencethattheLordFairfax，allhisforcesbeingcomeuptohim，wasmakingdispositionsforamarch，resolvingtoattacktheRoyalistsintheircamp；uponwhich，theLordGoringdrewallhisforcestogether，resolvingtofight。Theengineershadofferedthenightbeforetoentrenchhiscamp，andtodrawalinerounditinonenight'stime，buthislordshipdeclinedit，andnowtherewasnotimeforit；whereuponthegeneral，LordGoring，drewuphisarmyinorderofbattleonbothsidestheroad，thehorseintheopenfieldsonthewings；thefootweredrawnup，oneregimentintheroad，oneregimentoneachside，andtworegimentsforreserveinthesuburb，justattheentranceofthetown，witharegimentofvolunteersadvancedasaforlornhope，andaregimentofhorseatthehead-gate，readytosupportthereserve，asoccasionshouldrequire。
Aboutnineinthemorningweheardtheenemy'sdrumsbeatamarch，andinhalfanhourmoretheirfirsttroopsappearedonthehighergroundstowardsLexden。ImmediatelythecannonfromSt。Mary'sfireduponthem，andputsometroopsofhorseintoconfusion，doinggreatexecution，which，theynotbeingabletoshunit，madethemquickentheirpace，fallon，whenourcannonwereobligedtoceasefiring，lestweshouldhurtourowntroopsaswellastheenemy。
Soonafter，theirfootappeared，andourcannonsalutedtheminlikemanner，andkilledthemagreatmanymen。
TheirfirstlineoffootwasledupbyColonelBarkstead，andconsistedofthreeregimentsoffoot，makingabout1，700men，andthesechargedourregimentinthelane，commandedbySirGeorgeLisleandSirWilliamCampion。Theyfellonwithgreatfury，andwerereceivedwithasmuchgallantry，andthreetimesrepulsed；norcouldtheybreakinhere，thoughtheLordFairfaxsentfreshmentosupportthem，tilltheRoyalists'horse，oppressedwithnumbersontheleft，wereobligedtoretire，andatlasttocomefullgallopintothestreet，andsoonintothetown。Nay，stillthefootstoodfirm，andthevolunteers，beingallgentlemen，kepttheirgroundwiththegreatestresolution；buttheleftwingbeingrouted，asabove，SirWilliamCampionwasobligedtomakeafronttotheleft，andliningthehedgewithhismusketeers，madeastandwithabodyofpikesagainsttheenemy'shorse，andpreventedthementeringthelane。Herethatgallantgentlemanwaskilledwithacarabineshot；andafteraverygallantresistance，thehorseontherightbeingalsooverpowered，thewordwasgiventoretreat，which，however，wasdoneinsuchgoodorder，theregimentsofreservestandingdrawnupattheendofthestreet，readytoreceivetheenemy'shorseuponthepointsoftheirpikes，thattheroyaltroopscameonintheopeningsbetweentheregiments，andenteredthetownwithverylittleloss，andinverygoodorder。
Bythis，however，thoseregimentsofreservewerebroughtatlasttosustaintheeffortsoftheenemy'swholearmy，tillbeingoverpoweredbynumberstheywereputintodisorder，andforcedtogetintothetowninthebestmannertheycould；bywhichmeansneartwohundredmenwerekilledormadeprisoners。
Encouragedbythissuccesstheenemypushedon，supposingtheyshouldenterthetownpell-mellwiththerest；nordidtheRoyalistshinderthem，butletgoodpartofBarkstead'sownregimententerthehead-gate；butthensallyingfromSt。Mary'swithachoicebodyoffootontheirleft，andthehorserallyingintheHighStreet，andchargingthemagaininthefront，theyweredrivenbackquiteintothestreetofthesuburb，andmostofthosethathadsorashlyenteredwerecutinpieces。
Thustheywererepulsedatthesouthentranceintothetown；andthoughtheyattemptedtostormthreetimesafterthatwithgreatresolution，yettheywereasoftenbeatenback，andthatwithgreathavocoftheirmen；andthecannonfromthefortallthewhiledidexecutionuponthosewhostooddrawnuptosupportthem；sothatatlast，seeingnogoodtobedone，theyretreated，havingsmalljoyoftheirpretendedvictory。
TheylostinthisactionColonelNeedham，whocommandedaregimentcalledtheTowerGuards，andwhofoughtverydesperately；CaptainCox，anoldexperiencedhorseofficer，andseveralotherofficersofnote，withagreatmanyprivatemen，though，astheyhadthefield，theyconcealedtheirnumber，givingoutthattheylostbutahundred，whenwewereassuredtheylostnearathousandmenbesidesthewounded。
Theytooksomeofourmenprisoners，occasionedbytheregimentofColonelFarr，andtwomoresustainingtheshockoftheirwholearmy，tosecuretheretreatofthemainbody，asabove。
The14th，theLordFairfaxfindinghewasnotabletocarrythetownbystorm，withouttheformalityofasiege，tookhisheadquartersatLexden，andsenttoLondonandtoSuffolkformoreforces；alsoheorderedthetrainedbandstoberaisedandpostedontheroadstopreventsuccours。Notwithstandingwhich，diversgentlemen，withsomeassistanceofmenandarms，foundmeanstogetintothetown。
Theverysamenighttheybegantobreakground，andparticularlytoraiseafortbetweenColchesterandLexden，tocoverthegeneral'squarterfromthesalliesfromthetown；fortheRoyalistshavingagoodbodyofhorse，gavethemnorest，butscouredthefieldseveryday，andfallingallthatwerefoundstragglingfromtheirposts，andbythismeanskilledagreatmany。
The17th，SirCharlesLucashavingbeenoutwith1，200horse，anddetachingpartiestowardtheseaside，andtowardsHarwich，theybroughtinaverygreatquantityofprovisions，andabundanceofsheepandblackcattlesufficientforthesupplyofthetownforaconsiderabletime；andhadnottheSuffolkforcesadvancedoverCatawayBridgetopreventit，alargersupplyhadbeenbroughtinthatway；fornowitappearedplainlythattheLordFairfaxfindingthegarrisonstrongandresolute，andthathewasnotinaconditiontoreducethembyforce，atleastwithoutthelossofmuchblood，hadresolvedtoturnhissiegeintoablockade，andreducethembyhunger；theirtroopsbeingalsowantedtoopposeseveralotherparties，whohad，inseveralpartsofthekingdom，takenarmsfortheking'scause。