The custom house is another modern structure. The front is of granite, and the colonnade of five arches is sup ported by rusticated piers. The building is well adapted to the purposes of business, and presents a substantial and handsome appearance.
The exchange is conveniently situated near the cus• tom-house, the quays, and the principal warehouses. From an open area, surrounded by a spacious piazza, proceeds a massive staircase of granite, leading to the Sales Room, Chamber of Commerce, Marine Insurance Society, and other apartments connected with the esta blishment.
The market covers a surface of three acres; and the convenience of the public has been consulted, by the erec tion of numerous colonnades for the butchery, and mar kets for fish, butter, vegetables, and corn. The abundant supplies from the surrounding country render provisions exceedingly cheap. Excellent fish is at all times to be had ; and large quantities are sent off by the coaches at proper seasons for Bath and the metropolis. Above fifty large fishing vessels, called trawlers, sail almost daily, and return with immense supplies.
Below the eastern rampat t of the citadel is a public es tablishment named the victualling office, for the purpose of supplying the royal navy with provisions. It contains immense granaries for corn, and storehouses equally commodious for beef, pork, butter, and cheese ; and ex tensive lofts for biscuit, and capacious cellars for wine and spirits. Eight large ovens for baking biscuit were in continual activity during the war. At the present mo ment, it is in contemplation to unite the victualling office, brewery, cooperage, and slaughter house, at present de tached from each other, into one great establishment at Stonehouse,—a situation better adapted for the purpose, and from which the ships of war can draw their supplies with more ease and expedition.
The commerce of Plymouth is chiefly confined to an ex tensive coasting trade, and with but a small intercourse with foreign nations. The chamber of commerce has in some degtec quickened the spirit of commercial specula tion ; and some ships have in consequence been fitted out for the South Sea whale fishery. The principal imports are timber, iron, tar, coals, calm, corn, Irish provisions, wines, spirits, and fruit ; and the exports are granite, mar ble, slate, copper, tin and lead ores, antimony, manganese, fish, soap, sail cloth, and earthenware.
Sutton Pool is an excellent harbour for the smaller sort of merchantmen, and is nearly surrounded with quays. In Catwater, mooring chains are laid for 1000 sail of a larger class. During the war, the latter harbour was so filled with vessels captured from the enemy, as to have the ap pearance of a forest of masts.
The Hoe is a favourite promenade of the inhabitants to the south of the town, above which it rises by a gentle as cent. From its level summit, the most charming variety of marine and land scenery is presented to the eye. The beautiful groves of Mount Edgccumbe are on one side, and on the other, the rugged and barren heights of Stad don. Midway the dark line of the Breakwater stretches across the sound ; and in the distant horizon may be clearly seen the Eddystone, the noblest of the works of Smeaton. At the eastern extremity is the citadel, which, from its commanding situation, is well calculated to protect the town and harbour. It was built after the restoration, by king Charles. The western extremity of the Hoe corn.
mands a fine view of the towns of Stonehouse and Dock, the barracks for the marines, the extensive buildings em ployed for prisoners during the war, the naval and mili tary hospitals, Harnoaze, the harbour for the men of war, and the scattered villas and ornamental cottages with which the neighbourhood is adorned.
Of the literary and scientific characters produced by Plymouth, may be mentioned Iluxham, Bidlakc, and the family of the Nudges. Mr. Thomas Mudge contributed, in no inconsiderable degree, to the early improvement of time-keepers, and for which Parliament voted hint a hand some reward. Many beautiful specimens of his mecha nical skill are still in the possession of Mr. Rosdew, a descendant of the family. Dr. Huxham was celebrated for his skill as a physician, and for several valuable papers published in the Philosophical Transactions. Dr. Bitflake was the author of many interesting poems, and distin guished for his friendly attachment to indigent merit; and of which the town is at the present moment proud to boast of more than one example. Mr. Haydon. the his torical painter, and who has obtained so high a celebrity by several grand compositions, is a native of the same place ; and so also is the venerable No•theotr, whose long life, consecrated to the highest and noblest walks of the art, has shed a high lustre on his native town.