PLYMOUTH, a large and populous sea-port borough and market ton n, in the hundred of Roborough, and deanery of Plympton, is situated at the extreme south west corner of the county of Devon, between the estuaries of the rivers Tamar and Plym, and from the latter of which it takes its name. Its mean latitude is 50° 22' 14" north, and mean longitude 4° 7' 31" west ; it is 214 miles from London, and 43 from Exeter, the county town.
Its ancient name was Sutton, (i. e. Southtown ;) but as early as 1383, it appears to have been occasionally called Plymouth. According to Leland, the town in the reign of Henry II. was " a mene thing as an inhabitant for fischars." In 1253, a market was established ; and in 1377, 1388, 1400, and 1403, it was attacked by the French, and at the latter period 600 houses were said to have been destroyed. In 1588, the celebrated Spanish armada ap peared off the port ; and the spot is still shown, where the great Sir Francis Drake first received intelligence of it, being engaged in playing at bowls. So confident was the Spanish admiral of victory, that there is a tradition of his having selected the beautiful seat of Mount Edgecumbe for his future residence.
During the whole of the civil war, Plymouth was in the hands of the Parliament, and even at a time when all the west was in the possession of the royal forces.
Plymouth, under the name of Sutetomsent members to parliament in the reign of Edward I. but there was an in termission from the reign of Edward II. to that of Henry VI. The elective franchise is at present vested, by de cisions of the House of Commons, in the body of freemen only, though it is well known to have been enjoyed by the freeholders of the town, as well as the freemen, prior to the year 1739.
Plymouth having gradually risen from a humble fish ing town, to a place of considerable magnitude and im portance, the buildings have been erected as circum stances required. and hence little regularity will be found in the streets. The modern improvements of the team present a striking contrast to the central and more ancient districts.
To the illustrious navigator before mentioned, the inha bitants are indebted for an ample supply of freFh water, brought from the borders of Dartmoor. throna-ii a circui tous and winning channel of twenty four miles.
The mayor is chief magistrate of the borough, and is assisted in his public duties by other officers of the cor poration.
The town is divided into the parishes of St. Andrew and Charles. Prior to the reign of Charles the First, that of St. Andrew embraced the whole borough ; but in the reign of that monarch the present division was made, and a new church built, dedicated to him. The old church is a venerable structure, and is known to have existed as early as 1291, having been included in the survey of the western churches of the kingdom, made by order of Pope Nicholas. The tower was erected in 1440, by a generous merchant of the town. At the present moment a beauti ful chapel of ease is erecting, to accommodate the in creasing population of the parish. Charles Church, be fore the recent alterations, was an interesting structure. Its steeple, of Dartmoor granite, is particularly light and elegant. There arc also several excellent chapels for the different denominations of dissenters. These are, the Presbyterian Chapel ; the New Tabernacle Independent Calvinist Chapel ; the Ebenezer Methodist Chapel ; the Unitarian Chapel ; the Baptist Chapel ; the Old Taber nacle ; the Quakers' Meeting ; the General Baptist Chapel ; and the Jews' Synagogue. The churches and chapels are in general exceedingly well filled ; and a spirit of piety appears to prevail in the majority of the people.
The workhouse is an excellent establishment to relieve the wants of the aged and the poor. It is particularly distinguished for order and cleanliness ; and while a pro pel. attention is paid to the claims of humanity, a rigid economy is a the same time maintained. An annual election of fifty-two guardians takes place from among the inhabitants of the borough, and out of this number a governor and other subordinate officers are elected.