Axminster, Devon (1859)

Rock & Company
  • image IMAGEFORDA5585
RepositoryLibraryShelf
Devon West Country Studies S SC0038
Illustration Reference
SC0038
Location
CD 1 DVD 1
Publication Details
Date
1859
Publisher
Scope and Content
Dugdale, James. The new British traveller or modern panorama of England and Wales. Vol. 2. London: J. Robins & Co. 1819. pp. 105 106.Axminster, a large irregularly built town, giving its name to the hundred in which it is situated, lies 25 ¾ miles east by north from Exeter, and 147 west-south-west from London. The petty sessions for the hundred are holden here; the market is on Saturday; and here are fairs on the Festival of St. Mark, the 25th of April, the first Wednesday after the 24th of June, and the first Wednesday after the 10th of October.This town appears to have derived its name from the river Axe, which runs through it, and from a Minster said to have been founded by Athelstan, for seven priests, appointed to pray for the souls of seven Earls, slain at Calesdown. […].The streets of Axminster are wide, but the houses are neither regular nor elegant; […]. The lower orders are mostly engaged in manufacturing carpets, leather breeches, gloves, &c. The manufactory of carpets, which was established here about 1755, is in a flourishing state, and employs more than a hundred people. The manner of weaving is different here from that pursued at most other places; the carpets being woven in the piece, and several hands employed at the same loom. The common patterns are flowers, roses, &c. though the Turkey and Persian carpets have been imitated with success. In many large pieces, Roman tesselated pavements have been copied, which have produced a very rich effect. One loom usually measures twenty-seven feet, and the carpet woven in it may be of any length.The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a large, ancient building, exhibiting various kinds of architecture; but it appears doubtful if any part be so old as the time of its reputed founder. The interior is heavy and cumbrous, and a bulky tower, which rises from the centre of the structure, gives an effect peculiarly heavy.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]
Format
Steel l.engr vign
Dimensions
68x90mm
Note
Rock & Co. ; no. 3973. 14 Mar 1859
Aspects
From river
Counties
Subjects
Dates
1859