contiguity to the castle, the space on the south side would be selected as more convenient, as well as secure for the inhabitants, in the negotiation of their public affairs; for although this space bears the name of the New Market, it has been so designated for very many A.D. centuries; for in 1436, we read that on an inquisition, 1436. it was presented, "that all who held land in the old "market of Wisbech should contribute to the repairs "of the bridge;" a tacit proof that a new market place then existed. In fact, the whole space from the bridge to the present market place was called the new market, and old title deeds describe all the property 1471. from the bridge to the church to be abutting on the new market, without any distinction of the High Street, or any other place. A deed of conveyance, of the date of 17th August 1461, is now extant, of a certain messuage called the Swan,* and lying in the new market place of Wisbech, and abutting upon the bank of Wisbech on the west, and the common street east.

Ragstone was formerly much used for paving, and particularly in London, it being dug in the vicinity of Maidstone, in Kent. In 1549, we find a sum of money 1549. was expended for the paving of this market place with ragstone, which appears afterwards to have been taken up, for in 1570, the market place was raised by soil 1570. brought from the river bank between Crabbe Marsh gate and Elm Leam, by the consent of bishop Goodericke. A certain building used for butchers' shambles was erected in 1592, by the capital burgesses, at the 1592. upper or eastern end of the new market place, adjoining whereto was built the old shire hall, both of which were removed in the year 1810, by virtue of the act

* This is supposed to be the Rose and Crown inn.

+ See page 36.

then obtained for improving the town; thereby affording A.D. increased accommodation for the public market. In 1665. 1665, an order appears on the corporation books for again paving this market place. Originally there was a market cross, of which the reparation is mentioned in 1549.+ Such erections were common, and generally raised on high steps, the lowermost serving as a bench to those who served the market with the produce of the neighbouring country. This cross was afterwards changed to an obelisk, which continued standing at the western end of the market place, until taken down at the time when the shambles were removed, and the space for the market laid out in the present form. A market is mentioned as early as the year 1332. The capital burgesses hold the fairs and markets by lease from the lord bishop of Ely, and pay an annual fee farm rent of £5. 6s. 3d. for the same. King Edward I. in the first year of his reign, (1327) granted a charter for a fair at Wisbech, to be holden for twenty successive days. The tolls of the market are now let for £136. per annum. In the year 1810, a fish-market was erected near to the custom house, and contiguous to the river.

1616.

THE CORN EXCHANGE.

A seed or corn market was built in the year 1616, near to the river, on the south-east side of the bridge, about the spot on the quay where the crane for landing goods from vessels in the river now stands, which being removed in the year 1785, the present neat and orna

Fosbroke observes that market crosses were originally designed to check a worldly spirit, and intended to inculcate upright intention and fairness of dealing. Vol. i. p. 109.

+ See page 189.

* See page 138,

mental building was, in the year 1811, erected on the north side of the river, opposite to the bridge, for the purpose of a corn exchange, having an area of sixty feet, surrounded with appropriate boxes for the use of the merchants in the negociation of their business. It was built at the charge of the capital burgesses, upon part of the site of premises formerly called the Nag's Head inn, which were purchased by the corporation for the public benefit. Over the ground plot of the building are two commodious rooms now hired of the corporation; the one used as a

NEWS ROOM,

where four daily public papers are taken in, and three provincial weekly papers, the expense whereof is defrayed by subscription amongst the members; the other used as a

BILLIARD ROOM,

the subscription whereto is amongst private individuals, and no betting permitted.

THE CATTLE MARKET

is well adapted by its situation for that purpose. The residue of the ground or yard so purchased by the corporation, heretofore belonging to the Nag's Head inn, at the back of the corn exchange, abutting upon Pickard's Lane, was appropriated by them, and fitted up for such market. Those who recollect the great inconvenience existing to all persons using the market, when it was held in the public streets of the town, will

freely acknowledge the present accommodation. This improvement has not taken place more than sixteen years, and it is already found that much larger space is required for the increasing stock brought to the town. The tolls at present bring in a revenue to the corporation of £260. per annum, including the standings for the corn exchange. The corn exchange, with its appendages, and the markets, were all built and formed in the year 1811.

THE CUSTOM HOUSE

was erected in the year 1801 by the capital burgesses, on the site of the building where anciently stood the firkin cross for the sale of butter, of which article great quantities were formerly sent from this town.* This building presents nothing, either externally or internally, deserving of peculiar notice: it is under the same roof as the new town hall; such part thereof as is not used by the capital burgessess for their public purposes being leased by them to his majesty's commissioners of the customs, who now hold an existing lease for a term of A.D. twenty-one years from the 25th March 1823, at £35. 1722. per annum.† In the year 1722, the building then used as a custom houee was broken open and robbed; the depredators, however, did not escape undiscovered, but were prosecuted to conviction. The custom house has

* 8,000 firkins of butter have been exported in one year to London. The commissioners of customs, in former times, used to hire some convenient dwelling in the town, for the purposes of the collector and other officers, until the year 1740, when Mr. Cobb, the collector, being townbailiff, the capital burgesses then first agreed to provide an accommodation for the collector, to be used as a custom house, at £ 12. per annum, being the same rent which had been theretofore accustomed to be paid.

since that period been again broken open, though without affording any pillage to the plunderers, it being a rule with the officers to leave no property whatever in money, on their retirement from the office. The receipt of monies collected for his majesty's use are, upon an average, about £15,000. per annum. Whilst we mention the custom house, we must not forget to notice the improving state of

THE PORT.

It has been shewn, that of ancient time "ships of A.D. "great burden resorted to the town of Wisbech," but 1200. upon the course of the river Ouse being changed, and the great body of water diverted through the artificial cut at Littleport chayre, before mentioned,* whilst Lynn, by the enlargement of its river, not only became a more considerable port, but increased its trade and shipping, the port of Wisbech proportionably declined, and the trade and shipping thereof diminished. During the time of the guild, no notice whatever is taken of the port, although in many instances guilds were established for commercial purposes. The one at Wisbech seems to have been dedicated to religious purposes only. The proceedings of the guild in their earlier records are entirely silent relative to the port, unless the following agreement made in 1583 may be considered as having 1583. any reference thereto, viz. "It was agreed by the ten men, in the name of the inhabitants, that whereas a "controversy was likely to arise between the patentees granted by her majesty for bringing in of salt, and the "inhabitants of Wysbeche, that if any trial should take (6 place, it should be borne at the common charge of the "town, and that the cause as tending to the libertie of + Page 140.

* Page 24.