wonder that the market at Stockton was scantily supplied; if that may be called scanty, which was fully sufficient for its own consumption. The roads in Cleveland at that period were as bad as those in bishoprick. The communication with Darlington was by the Sadberge lane, which runs from the north west angle of the town, and, being unfrequented, continues a specimen of what it then was. The Darlington turnpike was brought to Stockton by another rout, that it might be advantageous to connect Long-newton, Elton, and Hartburn, with both places. The Catterick-bridge road, leading through Yarm and Stockton to Durham, was made previous to this. These were all great steps to the prosperity of Stockton and when the intercourse with Cleveland was opened by a handsome and commodious bridge, and a turnpike road made direct to Sunderland by Castle-Eden, by another made to Thirsk to join the north road by a shorter track than by Northallerton, the way was made plain for greater advantages. Nor shall we think these advantages lost, when we see an established Mail Coach running direct to London; the Phonix Coach, through Durham, from Newcastle to London, by way of Leeds, every day; the Phoenix Coach from South Shields to Stockton every day; and the Union Coach, every day, from Scarborough, to Stockton. Railway coaches to Darlington and Yarm pass every day. The value of these facilities will be easily estimated by the frequent visits of the traveller, and the increasing interest of the trade of Stockton. Local improvements doubtless arise from the expectation of local advantages. But the general impulse of improvement, the unprecedented discoveries in science, the application of old knowledge to new purposes, within the last half century, will evince, not only the advance of intellect, but the industrious propensities of the inhabitants of the remotest corners of the British dominions. It is not my business so much to investigate causes as to shew effects; and therefore these reflections will serve to introduce an account of the present state of the markets and fairs of Stockton. The ancient fair, July 18, St. Thomas a Becket's day, is now merely nominal. Cattle fairs are held the last Wednesday in every month. Statutes for hiring servants are held on the two last Wednesdays before old May-day and Old Martinmas-day in each year, which are abundantly frequented. Every facility is given by the municipal officers of the Corporation for the improvement of the markets, which appear to have been eminently successful. The principal agriculturists of the neighbourhood have instituted, in the usual manner, cattle shews, with correspondent rewards; and the increasing prosperity of that interest is much to be desired, as the basis and origin of all national improvement. There is at present one Bank in Stockton, Messrs. Skinners & Co. (the Commercial Bank) established 1815; besides a Branch of Messrs. Backhouse, the Darlington Bank. Within a very few years the shops have generally been enlarged and neatly ornamented, and display a choice assortment of goods. The most valuable situations for shops are in the vicinity of the market-place. As the price of wheat is the great criterion for estimating the value of land, as well as for regulating the wages of the labourer, I subjoin the average prices of wheat bought in the market at Stockton for the following years: In 1780-9s. 3d. per boll, 2 Winchester bush. | Average. 1781-11s. 6d. per do. do. 1782—11s. 8 d. per 1784-11s. 31d. per do. 1785-11s. 6d. per do. 1786-11s. 3d. per do. 1787-10s. 10 d. per boll 11s. 8 d. 12s. Id. 1793-13s. 14d. per do. The year 1795 presented a melancholy change in the price of grain. In consequence of the preceding severe winter, and other concurring causes, the prices rose unusually high. In July, wheat was sold in Stockton market from 17s. 6d. to £1. per bushel, or £2. per boll. In August, from 7s. 9d. to 12s. per bushel. In September, old wheat 12s. per bushel; new wheat from 8s. to 9s.* To alleviate the necessities of the poor of Stockton corn was sold to them at a reduced price. Amount of corn bought for this purpose, expense £. s. d. 871 13 10 Stone wt. The three following years grain fell to its ordinary prices; but the year 1799 proved the most unfavourable year within the memory of man. I do not exaggerate when I say that rain fell almost, if not altogether, every day from the month of May till December. The year began with long continued frosts and snow-storms, and ended with the same. In consequence of this, in March 1800 wheat was sold for £1.8s. per boll; barley at 16s. At Christmas the same year, wheat rose to £2. per boll. The fruits never ripened, and the crops of wheat were very scanty and very bad. In 1801, in March, wheat sold for £1. 16s. per boll: barley for £1. In April, it rose again to £2. per boll. The harvest this year, providentially was very abundant, and the season to reap it very favourable. Comparative prices in the common necessaries of life. Deficiency by selling at the low prices paid by a subscription of The average price of wheat at Stockton-upon-Tees, compared with the general average of the kingdom for the following years. The general average, differing only 3s. 4d. 3 69 Formerly much wheat was shipped from this port ; now very little; but of late years a very great quantity of flour has from it: in consequence, it gone appears as one of the four ports, or great markets, for its sale and transport to London, &c. CHAPTER XXVII. Healthy Character of Stockton-Diseases-Soil- be "town of Stockton may be ranked among the more healthy towns in the north of England. Epidemic fevers occur rarely; and contagious fevers, viz. small pox, measles, and scarlet fever are rarely of a malignant character, when they do occur. The form of fever called Typhus, appears here occasionally as in most other parts of England; but Yarmouth in Norfolk, Malden and Colchester in Essex, and Stockton, Co. Durham. There are upwards of 20 wind-mills, many of |