winter-moorings; and there is a difficulty in finding proper births for those, which resort to it, at that season, in stormy weather. These inconveniences are aggravated by the imprudent conduct of the masters, who frequently attempt to enter with their vessels at an improper time of tide; and as they follow in rapid succession, the entrance is quickly obstructed, and many are, therefore, under the necessity of running ashore on the open beach. The damages which they consequently suffer, more especially if they be weak or sharp-bottomed, are generally attributed to the defects of the harbour.

The best advice, probably, which can be given to masters of coasting-vessels, is, to keep the sea as long as it can be done with safety; and never to attempt to enter the harbour, at an improper time of tide, in stormy weather.

For the direction of ships, a signal-flag is displayed every day on the top of the Light-house, at the end of Vincent's pier, so long as the water continues at the depth of ten feet in the harbour; and a light is exhibited as a guide by night.

The right of appointment of Harbour-Master has been vested in the Corporation, from the earliest period of the harbour. It was acknowledged and confirmed by the act, 3d of George III*. for the improvement of the harbour; but through inadvertency, in the last act (obtained 45th of George III.) this right of appointment was transferred to

*The several acts of Parliament which have been obtained for the new Pier, are,

First,-5th George II. from 24th of June, 1732, to 24th of June, 1752. Second,-25th George II. from 24th of June, 1752, to 24th of June, 1763. Third,-3d George III. from 24th of June, 1763, to 24th of June, 1783. Fourth,-18th George III. from 24th of June, 1783, to 24th of June, 1803. Fifth, 45th George III, from 24th of June, 1803, to 24th of June, 1823.

the Commissioners. On the matter being fully explained, the Commissioners have very generously called upon the Corporation to recommend the Harbour-Master, and have agreeably to the act, appointed that officer, with a promise, however, to relinquish the right altogether, by a repeal of the clause, whenever a renewal of the act of Parliament shall again become necessary.

From returns on record, in the year 1730, of the Commissioners appointed to survey and fix the limits of Scarborough-Harbour, it appears that the bounds and limits of the port of Scarborough, as a member of the port of Hull, extend from the most easterly part of Flamborough-head, northward to Peaseholm-beck, including all the seacoast to fourteen fathoms of water into the sea, at lowwater mark.

Σ

The true or magnetic bearing of Flamborough-head from the extremity of Vincent's Pier is, S. E. E. but, by the compass, S.S. E. E. distance five leagues. The time of high-water at Scarborough, at the full and change of the moon, is 3 hours, 45 minutes. The average depth at the end of the pier when the spring-tides are at their height is twenty-two feet.-The wind blowing from the northward or southward occasions a great difference in the depth of the water. The north wind increases it, the south wind causes a depression.

In treating of the harbour, it may be proper to observe that the Life-boat which was constructed at Scarborough in the year 1800, from Mr. Greathead's plan, has been instrumental in saving much property and many lives. It was built, and is supported by voluntary donations. Experience is the most convincing proof of the merits of any invention; and upon this principle, the Author can, with

* This respects the jurisdiction of the Custom-house only.

the strictest propriety, add his testimony to the great utility of the Life-boat,

The ponderous rocks* used in the building of the New Pier, are taken from a quarry named the White Nabb or Nob, an opposite point, and conveyed in flat-bottomed vessels, called Floats. This quarry (about a mile beyond the Spaw) is a great natural curiosity, and worthy of observation. It contains large masses of flat rocks, lying upon the shore in regular strata. They are separated without much difficulty, are of a close texture, and almost im penetrable to the tool, by their extreme hardness.

"Shooting through the deep,

The Mole immense expands it's massy arms,
And forms a spacious haven. Loud the winds
Murmur around, impatient of control,

And lash, and foam, and thunder. Vain their rage,
Compacted by it's hugeness, every stone

With central firmness rests. These hills of rock
Uptorn from ocean's bed, where fix'd they slept
In beauteous order since the sea was form'd,
Returning tides that groan beneath their weight,
Bear home to Scarborough."-

Scarborough, a Poem.

* Some of the largest of these rocks weigh from twenty to thirty

tons.

M 4

BOOK II.

SECTION I.

MODERN TOWN.

SCARBOROUGH is situated in the recess of a beautiful bay, on the borders of the German Ocean, in latitude 54° 21′ North, and longitude 0° 28′ West*, in a position nearly central between Flamborough-Head and Whitby. This part of the coast, almost forty miles in extent, is bold, varied, and rocky, with many points of considerable elevation. The line is undulating, indented with sandy bays formed by the action of the sea, where the land is of loose texture. The most dangerous winds upon the coast are those from the eastern quarter, which in the winter-season sometimes occasion fatal shipwrecks.

The Town rises from the shore in the form of an amphi-, theatre, and has a romantic appearance on the concave slope of it's semi-circular bay. It is peninsular, laved at the foot by the waves, and much admired for it's varied beauties.

* The longitude is taken from Tuke's Map of Yorkshire, the latest, and generally esteemed the most accurate hitherto published.