Kearsley's Traveller's Entertaining Guide Through Great Britain (1803):
Exeter is a city and a bishop's see, situated on the river Ex, whence it took its name, and over which is a handsome bridge. With its suburbs it contains, besides the cathedral, fifteen parish churches and four chapels. Ships of burthen formerly came up to this city; but the navigation was almost destroyed by one of the Courteneys, earls of Devon; it is, however, the seat of extensive foreign and domestic commerce. It has particularly a share in the fisheries of Newfoundland and Greenland. It is the Isa of Ptolemy and Anotonius. The see was transferred hither from Crediton by Edward the Confessor. It had six gates, besides turrets, many of which are destroyed. It had formerly so many convents that it was called Monkton, till king Athelstan changed its name to Exeter, about 90 at which time he fortified the city. The cathedral is a magnificent and curious fabric, which, though near 300 years in building, appears as uniform as if it had been but one architect. In 1763 in removing the old pavement was found the leaden coffin of bishop Bitton, who died in 1307. On the left hand of the altar there yet exists the seat where Edward the Confessor and his queen sat and installed Leofricus, the first bishop, who died in 1073. Here was once a castle supposed to have been built by the West Saxon kings. Several dukes of Cornwall and Exeter have resided in it. Here yet remains the ancient chapel built in 1260. Henrietta , queen of Charles I to whom this city gave shelter in the civil wars, was here delivered of a daughter afterwards duchess of Orleans. Here there are many remains of ancient structures, which are daily giving way to more modern erections. According to Doomsday-book, this city, at the time of the Conquest contained 315 houses. According to the return of population made to parliament in 1801, the number of inhabitants was 17,398. One mile beyond on the l. is Barley-house, captain Graves.
Inns: New London Inn, Old London Inn, Valiant Soldier, Half Moon.
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| Quotations |
 Chapter 5
No sooner was her answer dispatched, than Mrs. Dashwood indulged herself in the pleasure of announcing to her son-in-law and his wife that she was provided with an house, and should incommode them no longer than till everything were ready for her inhabiting it. They heard her with surprise. Mrs. John Dashwood said nothing; but her husband civilly hoped that she would not be settled far from Norland. She had great satisfaction in replying that she was going into Devonshire. Edward turned hastily towards her on hearing this, and in a voice of surprise and concern, which required no explanation to her, repeated, "Devonshire! Are you, indeed, going there? So far from hence! And to what part of it?" She explained the situation. It was within four miles northward of Exeter. |
Chapter 23
One or two meetings of this kind had taken place, without affording Elinor any chance of engaging Lucy in private, when Sir John called at the cottage one morning, to beg in the name of charity, that they would all dine with Lady Middleton that day, as he was obliged to attend the club at Exeter... |
Chapter 24
The visit of the Miss Steeles at Barton Park was lengthened far beyond what the first invitation implied. Their favour increased, they could not be spared; Sir John would not hear of their going; and in spite of their numerous and long arranged engagements in Exeter... |
Chapter 49
Not a soul suspected anything of the matter, not even Nancy, who, poor soul! came crying to me the day after, in a great fright for fear of Mrs. Ferrars, as well as not knowing how to get to Plymouth; for Lucy, it seems, borrowed all her money before she went off to be married, on purpose, we suppose, to make a shew with, and poor Nancy had not seven shillings in the world; -- so I was very glad to give her five guineas to take her down to Exeter.." |
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