Transcribed from the 1837 edition , email
1837.
On the north, Lincolnshire is bounded by the Humber, whichseparates it from Yorkshire: the German Ocean and an arm of thesea called the Wash, bound it on the East; on the South it abutson Rutlandshire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, its generalform is an irregular oblong. It is in the Province ofCanterbury, the Diocese of Lincoln, and in the MidlandCircuit.
Lincolnshire being proverbially a County of Fens, has obtaineda name for an unhealthy climate, which, however, just it may havebeen in some parts in bygone times, is now by no meansapplicable; for the causes of the cold, damp and aguishcharacter, have been for many years declining: the progress ofdrainage, and a more complete cultivation, have graduallycontributed to render the air more dry, and consequently morehealthy. This remark may be made relative to all districts,which become more salubrious in proportion as they are morecultivated; and more friendly to human life, in proportion as themeans of supporting human life are increased inproductiveness. The centre of the County and the districtof the Trent is very healthy: the air on the coast is verysalubrious, and numbers flock to it every summer in search ofhealth and relaxation.
There are two ranges of very high land running though thegreater part of the County from North to South: that in the Eastmay be called mountainous and p. 2is called the Wolds; the Westernrange, on which stands the County Town, is called the Cliff; morewestward still is a fine extent of rich pasture, along which theTrent passes.
Eastward of the Wolds lies also an extensive tract of finefeeding land, which is watered by overflowing springs; on boringthe substratum of clay, fine spring water gushes up, and in mostplaces will rise ten feet above the surface, if confined in atube: these cheap artificial springs are general, and manyhundreds are continually running, contributing greatly to thefertility and value of the land.
The fens form the most prominent feature of the County: wherefully cultivated and completely drained their produce isincredible; but it is a subject of great regret, that no generalsystem of drainage, including every district which can be made tocommunicant with the sea, has yet been effected: nothing short ofone uniform and connected plan can be of full avail: and so manyapparently rival interests are at stake, and so little realpublic spirit exists, notwithstanding that it is so much boastedof, that such an universal plan is more to be wished for thanhoped for.
The soil of Lincolnshire is so various as to include all sortsof land that are to be found in the whole kingdom, and itsmanagement varies accordingly.
Rabbits have always been an article of great consideration andattention in the light soils of this County, and immense warrensare kept for the purpose of supplying London with the skins; thiswas once as profitable a stock as could be attended to; butlatterly many warrens have been laid down to other put poses.
It is impossible to speak too highly of the cottage system ofthis county. Round Folkingham and other places, wheninclosures took place, during the late war, by the acts ofparliament, at least three acres of land were assigned to everycottage; this, of course includes a garden and keep for a cow:thus land, gardens, p.3cows and pigs, are within reach of the labouringclasses. On views of humanity and benevolence only it isgratifying to the considerate breast to see in comfortablecircumstances that class of people on which all other classesdep