Somerset

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Somerset

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Somerset, by G.W. Wade and J.H.
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Title: Somerset
Author: G.W. Wade and J.H. Wade
Release Date: May 7, 2004 [EBook #12287]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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SOMERSET ***

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[Illustration: A MAP OF THE RAILWAYS OF SOMERSET]
[Illustration: THE PINNACLES, CHEDDAR]

SOMERSET
By
G.W. WADE, D.D. and J.H. WADE, M.A.
_With Thirty-two Illustrations and Two Maps_
"Upon smooth Quantock's airy ridge we roved."
London Methuen & Co 36 Essex St. Strand
[Illustration: Hand drawn Routes of the Somerset & Dorset Railway]

PREFACE
The general scheme of this Guide is determined by that of the series of
which it forms part. But a number of volumes by different writers are
never likely to be quite uniform in character, even though planned on
the same lines; and it seems desirable to explain shortly the aim we
have had in view in writing our own little book. In our accounts of
places of interest we have subordinated the historical to the descriptive
element; and whilst we have related pretty fully in the Introduction the
events of national importance which have taken place within the county,
we have not devoted much space to family histories. We have made it
our chief purpose to help our readers to see for themselves what is best
worth seeing. If, in carrying out our design, we appear to have treated
inadequately many interesting country seats, our excuse must be that
such are naturally not very accessible to the ordinary tourist, whose
needs we have sought to supply. And if churches and church
architecture seem to receive undue attention, it may be pleaded that
Somerset is particularly rich in ecclesiastical buildings, and affords
excellent opportunities for the pursuit of a fascinating study.
In the production of our book we have used freely such sources of

information as circumstances have enabled us to consult; and in this
connection we wish to make specific acknowledgment of our
indebtedness to C.R.B. Barrett's "Somersetshire," the Rev. W.H.P.
Greswell's "Land of Quantock," and the "Proceedings of the Somerset
Archaeological and Natural History Society." We have likewise
profited by the kindness of several friends and correspondents, amongst
whom we desire to mention the late R.P. Brereton, Dr F.H. Allen, Mr
F.R. Heath, the Rev. C.W. Whistler, the Rev. E.H. Bates, and the Rev.
J.S. Hill, B.D. (the last especially in regard to the origin of certain
place-names). But our descriptions are, for the most part, based upon
notes taken on the spot. Almost all the localities that are included in the
alphabetical list have been visited by one or other of us: those of any
interest, which from various causes we have failed to reach, can (we
believe) be counted upon the fingers. We cannot expect our work to be
wholly free from errors and omissions, but we have done our best to
make it accurate and to render it as complete as the size of the volume
allows.
G.W.W.
J.H.W.

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION:--
I. SITUATION AND EXTENT
II. CLIMATE
III. COMMUNICATIONS
IV. PHYSICAL FEATURES AND GEOLOGY
V. FAUNA AND FLORA
VI. HISTORY

VII. ANTIQUITIES
VIII. INDUSTRIES
IX. CELEBRITIES
DESCRIPTION OF PLACES ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY
APPENDIX
INDEX OF PERSONS

SOMERSET
TARR STEPS, EXMOOR (_From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine,
Dundee_)
MARKET PLACE, FROME (_From a Photograph by Messrs
Valentine, Dundee_)
ST JOSEPH'S CHAPEL, GLASTONBURY (_From a Photograph by
Mr Walter Raymond_)
GLASTONBURY TOR (_From a Photograph by Messrs Frith,
Reigate_)
ALFOXDEN HOUSE, NEAR HOLFORD (_From a Photograph by
Messrs Frith, Reigate_)
HORNER WOODS AND PORLOCK VALE (_From a Photograph by
Messrs Frith, Reigate_)
THE HANGING CHAPEL, LANGPORT (_From a Photograph by
Messrs Frith, Reigate_)
LUCCOMBE VILLAGE (_From a Photograph by Messrs Frith,
Reigate_)

MELLS VILLAGE (_From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine,
Dundee_)
MINEHEAD (_From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate_)
MONTACUTE HOUSE (_From a Photograph by Messrs Frith,
Reigate_)
THE GEORGE INN, NORTON ST PHILIP (_From a Photograph by
Messrs Valentine, Dundee_)

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
NUNNEY CASTLE AND VILLAGE (_From a Photograph by Messrs
Valentine, Dundee_)
OLD BANK, PORLOCK (_From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine,
Dundee_)
ALLERFORD (_From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate_)
SHEPTON MALLET CROSS (_From a Photograph by Mr Walter
Raymond_)
NETHER STOWEY (_From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate_)
TAUNTON FROM THE RIVER (_From a Photograph by Messrs
Valentine, Dundee_)
WELLS CATHEDRAL (_From a Photograph by Messrs