A PERAMBULATION OF THE TOWN.
Perhaps the reader lodges at the new and commodious houses, built for the accommodation of visitors by the enterprising Mr. Fisher, known as Marine Terrace. Let him, after leaving the house, proceed southward to the Railway station and bridge, turn towards the sea on the Lowestoft side of the harbour, and, leaving Baron Alderson’s abode on the left, proceed to the Battery green; here he may see the Bath house, occupied by Mr. Jones, where hot and cold baths can be obtained; where also, in the Reading room, the principal newspapers may be consulted at a moderate charge.
Thence sallying forth refreshed, directing his course to the beach, and turning to the left, he may see the lower Light-house; and out at sea, the Stanford floating light.
Keeping along the beach, if at the commencement of the fisheries, he may see the boats launched; if during the fishing season, he may see the fish brought on shore; if at the close of the season, he may see the boats hauled up and arranged on the beach.
The Fish-houses here present themselves, ranged at the bottom of the cliff; and the denes afford the visiter several specimens of their peculiar vegetation. Continuing his course to the Ness, he will find a post indicating the extreme Eastern point of England; this is near the East Battery.
He may now turn round and direct his course towards the hills; by walking to the left, he will come to the Warren house, to the west of which is a piece of water, where there were formerly pumps and an overshot mill, erected for the purposes of the china manufacture carried on in the town.
If he ascend the cliff, he will have an extensive prospect of the ocean with its shipping; he will also have before him a pleasant walk towards the town along the edge of the cliff, and to his right a beautiful landscape.
Crossing the gat ways, (which have been made for the purpose of admitting carts to the beach and fish-offices,) at the bottom of which are land springs, and a rippling streamlet, he may enter the town by the north Light-house; leaving it and Dr. Whewell’s residence on his left, the first house he passes on the same side is Mr. Preston’s, the next is Mrs. Reeve’s, further on is the Vicarage, indicated by a brass plate on the door, and opposite to it is the Baptist Chapel.
Further down, on either side of the way, are two public houses, which give evidence of having been formerly portions of monastic buildings; lower down on the left, is a bookseller’s shop, all that remains of the Swan Inn, Cromwell’s head quarters; opposite is the Town Hall, near which are seen the Market Place, the Queen’s Head, and Crown Hotels; further down is the Star Inn, having an extensive sea view, and at the top of the score near it, may be seen a brass plate inscribed to the memory of the Revolution of 1688; and nearly opposite is the Post Office.
Further down still, on the left, is a flint house, built in 1587, the residence of Mr. Took, the master of Wylde’s school; at the back of this is Annot’s school; nearly opposite Wylde’s school is the Independent Chapel.
Let him still proceed, and, leaving the High street, turn to the right, he will then see the Old Market plain, instead of crossing which, if he keep to the left, he will pass St. Peter’s Chapel.
Still bearing to the left, if he walk along the Beccles road, he will come to Rotterdam house, once a public house, bearing the sign of “the town of Rotterdam.”
If he has not been to the Church, he may get there from this point by a foot path across the fields; or, instead of going to the church, he may take the road opposite Rotterdam house, and either proceed straight forward to the Railway and the various works connected with it, or, vaulting a stile on his left, he may enter a pleasant foot path conducting him towards the town; this path will lead him over a rising ground, from which he may obtain a splendid prospect, (let him turn himself round and admire the views by land and sea!) and will then bring him out upon the turnpike road, nearly opposite the spot from which he started; he may now go in and read what we have further to say about the town.
As perhaps the visitor may wish to make a special pilgrimage to the church, his better plan will be to start off for that purpose from the upper part of the town, where, at the end of the pavement, he will find a lane which leads directly to the building he is in search of. As he walks along this lane he may notice on his right, another leading to the hills (i.e. to the common at the north of the town) which, having found, let him make a note of, and then proceed. After leaving the church he may return by the road, he will then have the piece of ground in which are the Basket Wells on his right, and the Infirmary opposite; he may then enter the High Street again by either of the streets which are before him.