18. Though Norwich has many excellent Inns, yet none of them are handsome or spacious. The Coffee-houses are sufficiently good, and the Boarding-houses reasonable; but there is great want of a Hotel and Tavern, to accommodate genteel families, parties, or persons of rank.
19. In the Market-Place, the Lower, or Gentleman’s Walk should be flag’d and posted off from the carriage way, for a parade, exchange, or place of business and pleasure. This, tho’ it might cost something considerable, would very much enhance the value of the shops and dwellings on the walk, and afford gentlemen and merchants an opportunity meeting to transact business, or to amuse themselves in walking and conversation. If a piazza or colonade was raised in front of the Guildhall, it would greatly add to the beauty and convenience of the market-place: as would also the taking away the houses on the east side of Weaver’s-lane; and, if possible, opening St. Peter’s Church.
20. The Saturday Market of Norwich has been long acknowledged the most commodious and plentiful in England; but if the different articles of provision on sale were classed and ranged methodically, into rows or lanes, crossing each other at right angles, such regulation would be attended with ease and satisfaction both to the buyer and seller.
Rome certainly was not built in a day, neither do we expect to see every thing done in Norwich that might and ought to be; but, we hope, no local or private consideration of emolument or prejudice, will be an impediment in the way of public improvement! Though the elegant plan of Sir Christopher Wren, for rebuilding the city of London, after the dreadful fire in 1666, was, through prejudice and ignorance, rejected, the citizens of London have seen, and regret, the evil consequences of narrow minds, and narrow streets! and have done as much towards the embellishment of that city, as time and opportunity would permit. That they are wealthy we allow, but then Norwich has its proportion of wealth, as well as its men of taste and talents to execute.
THE
NORWICH DIRECTORY.
A.
ABURN John, St. Lawrence Lane, Pottergate-street
Adcock William, Peruke-maker, No. 28, St. Giles’s-street
Adcock John, Staymaker, No. 8, Red-lion-lane
Addey and Herring, Merchants, St. Faith’s-lane