Cussons' Horncastle Compendium, 1837

Transcribed from the 1837 edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org

CUSSONS’ HORNCASTLE COMPENDIUM.

1837.

LINCOLNSHIRE.

On the north, Lincolnshire is bounded by the Humber, which separates it from Yorkshire: the German Ocean and an arm of the sea called the Wash, bound it on the East; on the South it abuts on Rutlandshire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, its general form is an irregular oblong. It is in the Province of Canterbury, the Diocese of Lincoln, and in the Midland Circuit.

Lincolnshire being proverbially a County of Fens, has obtained a name for an unhealthy climate, which, however, just it may have been in some parts in bygone times, is now by no means applicable; for the causes of the cold, damp and aguish character, have been for many years declining: the progress of drainage, and a more complete cultivation, have gradually contributed to render the air more dry, and consequently more healthy. This remark may be made relative to all districts, which become more salubrious in proportion as they are more cultivated; and more friendly to human life, in proportion as the means of supporting human life are increased in productiveness. The centre of the County and the district of the Trent is very healthy: the air on the coast is very salubrious, and numbers flock to it every summer in search of health and relaxation.

There are two ranges of very high land running though the greater part of the County from North to South: that in the East may be called mountainous and is called the Wolds; the Western range, on which stands the County Town, is called the Cliff; more westward still is a fine extent of rich pasture, along which the Trent passes.

Eastward of the Wolds lies also an extensive tract of fine feeding land, which is watered by overflowing springs; on boring the substratum of clay, fine spring water gushes up, and in most places will rise ten feet above the surface, if confined in a tube: these cheap artificial springs are general, and many hundreds are continually running, contributing greatly to the fertility and value of the land.

The fens form the most prominent feature of the County: where fully cultivated and completely drained their produce is incredible; but it is a subject of great regret, that no general system of drainage, including every district which can be made to communicant with the sea, has yet been effected: nothing short of one uniform and connected plan can be of full avail: and so many apparently rival interests are at stake, and so little real public spirit exists, notwithstanding that it is so much boasted of, that such an universal plan is more to be wished for than hoped for.

The soil of Lincolnshire is so various as to include all sorts of land that are to be found in the whole kingdom, and its management varies accordingly.

Rabbits have always been an article of great consideration and attention in the light soils of this County, and immense warrens are kept for the purpose of supplying London with the skins; this was once as profitable a stock as could be attended to; but latterly many warrens have been laid down to other put poses.

It is impossible to speak too highly of the cottage system of this county. Round Folkingham and other places, when inclosures took place, during the late war, by the acts of parliament, at least three acres of land were assigned to every cottage; this, of course includes a garden and keep for a cow: thus land, gardens, cows and pigs, are within reach of the labouring classes. On views of humanity and benevolence only it is gratifying to the considerate breast to see in comfortable circumstances that class of people on which all other classes depend.

Population of Lincolnshire.

Males Females Total 158,717 158,527 317,244

Of which the following shows the larger numbers.

Males Females Total Lincoln, City 5,644 6,199 11,843 Grantham, Borough, with the soke 5,216 5,564 10,780 Elloe, Wapentake 15,193 14,121 29,314 Kirton, Wapentake 7,469 7,308 14,777 Boston, Borough 5,094 6,146 11,240 Bolingbroke, soke 2,729 5,590 11,259 Bradley-Haverstoe, Wapentake 5,953 5,966 11,919 Calceworth, Hundred 5,118 5,148 10,266 Corringham, Wapentake 6,465 6,718 13,183 Louth Eske, Hundred 6,904 7,123 14,027 Manley, Wapentake 11,511 11,516 23,037 Yarborough, Wapentake 9,660 9,819 19,497

Representation of Lincolnshire.

For the two divisions of the county.

Lindsey (Lincoln) 2 Members Kesteven and Holland (Sleaford) 2 City and Boroughs Lincoln 2 Great Grimsby 1 Boston 2 Grantham 2 Stamford 2

FAIRS IN LINCOLNSHIRE.

Market-days are marked thus, M. Monday, Tu. Tuesday, &c.

Alford, Whit Tu. and Nov. 8. Tu.

Barton, Trinity Thursday. M.

Belton, Sept 25.

Boston, May 4 for sheep, 5 for beasts, Aug. 5 for fat cattle, Nov. 18, 19, 20, horse mart, Dec. 11 beast mart. W. S.

Bourn, Sep. 30, Oct. 29. S.

Brigg, Aug. 5. Th.

Burgh, May 13, Oct. 2. Th.

Burwell, Old Michaelmas day.

Caistor, Sat. before Palm Sunday, May 19, June 1, Sat. after Oct. 11. S.

Corby, Aug. 26, Mon. before Oct. 11. W.

Caythorpe, April 29.

Crowland, June 28, Sep. 5. Th.

Crowle, last Mon. in May, Nov. 22. M.

Donington, May 26, Aug. 17, Sep. 4, and Oct. 17. S.

Epworth, first Th. after May 1, Th. after Sep. 29. S.

Falkingham, Ash Wed. Palm Mon. May 13, June 14, 15, July 3, 4, Th. after old Mich. Nov. 22. Th.

Gainsborough, Mart Tu. in Easter week, fair-day after Tu. after Oct. 20. Tu.

Grantham, 5th Mon. in Lent, Holy Th. July 10, Oct. 26. Dec. 17. S.

Grimsby, June 17, Sep. 15. F.