The trade of Exeter was formerly very extensive, from the navigable arm of the sea which flowed near its walls. Owing, however, to a ridiculous dispute between the inhabitants and Hugh Courtenay, the Earl of Devon, that nobleman nearly ruined the navigation, by building weirs and darns in various parts of it, so as to prevent all vessels from passing or repassing. The tide had hither to flowed beyond the city, but it now only reached Top sham, a town about 3.!! miles nearer the sea. The navi gation of the river was, however, restored with some difficulty, by a canal which was cut fron Topsham to Ex eter. The navigation was still farther improved in 1695, when the present haven was constructed. By the erec tion of sluices and floodgates, vessels of 150 tons burden have been enabled to discharge their cargoes at a good quay made near the walls of the city, where the custom house is built. The total declivity from the quay at Exeter to the lowermost floodgate at Topsham, is 8 or 10 feet.
The woollen manufacture is the principal source of employment for the labouring classes. Sergcs, drug gets, duroys, kerseys, and evcrlastings, are brought in a rough state from the vicinity of the town, and are dyed and finished for exportation and home consumption. Quantities of these goods, to the value of 500,0001., are annually exported to Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Ita ly; and long-ells, to the amount of 400,0001., are annual ly purchased by the East India Company. A large cot ton manufactory, established on the banks of the Exe, formerly gave employment to about 300 persons, but it has now entirely failed. A very considerable and valua ble wine trade is carried on in the town.
The Corporation, which has considerable revenues, consists of a mayor, 24 aldermen, a recorder, chamberlain, town-clerk, sheriff, four stewards, and several officers of inferior note. The corporate bodies within the city are
13, and each of them is governed by officers chosen an nually. Markets are held here on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; and the fairs are on Ash-Wednesday, Whit Monday, August 1st, and December 6th, for horses, cattle, sheep, and almost every commodity.
Exeter has the advantage of several very pleasant walks; the one on the north, encompassing the upper sides of the castle, and extending nearly from East Gate to North Gate, is a most delightful airy terrace, and is uniformly admired for its beauty. It was planted with elms in 1664. Above the quay, on the south side, is the fine terrace called the Friers. It rises above the river to the perpendicular height of 100 feet, and commands a most extensive and beautiful prospect. The air of Exeter is very salubrious, the average of burials being as 1 to 37 of the population.
The following is an abstract of the population-retu•n for the city of Exeter, in 1811; Number of inhabited houses 2,879 Number of families that occupy them, 4,465 Number of uninhabited houses, 92 Number of families chiefly employed in agriculture, 156 Do. employed in trade, manufactures, &c. 2,898 Males, 7,908 Females, 10,988 Total population in 1811, 18,896 Increase since 1801, 1,508 West Long. 3° 30' 34", North Lat. 50° 44'. See Poly whele's History of Devonshire; Jenkin's History and Antiquities of Exeter, 1806; the Beauties of .England and Wales, vol. iv. p. 46-88; but particularly Sir Hen ry Englefield and Dean Lvttelton's Historical 4ccount of Exeter Cathedral, with several prints from drawings of Mr J. Carter, published by the Society of Antiquaries. An engraving of the north tower of Exeter cathedral, and of the south gate of the town, arc given in the Beauties of England and Wales, vol. iv. (7v)