YARMOUTH, a seaport town and borough of the county of Norfolk and hundred of East Flegg, 124 miles from London. The old town is situated on the eastern bank of the Yare, and is connected with the new town, called Little Yarmouth, by means of a bridge over that river. The old town, which is still surrounded by walls, consists of four principal lines of streets running nearly parallel with the river, and of about 150 narrow lanes called rows, which are impassable for wheel-carriages. The principal streets are well built and wide, opening in some places to the spacious quay, market-places, and squares. The best dwelling-houses are situated along the quay, which is considered the finest in the kingdom, having in the centre a noble promenade, planted on each side with trees, and re-
ming those on the banks of the Seine at Paris. The town beyond the walls consists of extensive warehouse premises, and inferior dwelling-houses. The town principally consists of substantial private residences; and the space between them and the river is occupied by docks, timber-wharfs, building-yards, and other premises connected with the trade of the port. The streets are well lighted with gas, and well supplied with water. The town-hall, church, and theatre, are handsome buildings. In addition to the church, there are other chapels connected with the establishment, and places of worship for the various bodies of dissenters. There is an extensive manufactory for crapes and other silk goods, which is said to be in a thriving condition, and which gives employment to about 500 persons, principally women. Ship-building, and the various trades connected with it, are also carried on to some extent in Yarmouth; nevertheless it cannot be considered as a manufacturing town, but derives its importance and prosperity from the trade and commerce which it owes to its situation and port. The rivers Yare, Verey, and Bure, which unite in Braydon Water, confluence to the town, are navigable; the first to Norwich, the second to Bungay, and the third to Aylsham; and serve Yarmouth an extensive inland trade in the exportation of the agricultural produce of the districts that are served by these rivers, and in supplying them with coals and other heavy goods. The exportation of grain and malt from its port is considerable; but the principal business of Yarmouth is the herring and mackerel fisheries, and the import and exportation of this staple commodity to foreign countries, particularly to the states bordering the Mediterranean. An extensive timber trade with the Baltic is also carried on; and there are at present nearly 400 square-riggers belonging to the port. Yarmouth Roads have long been the principal rendezvous for the collier trade; and the town derives some advantages from the supply of provisions to the numerous shipping employed in this trade. The harbour of Yarmouth, formed by the river Yare, has an awkward entrance, which, as is always the case in harbours of this description, is obstructed by a bar. Great attention, however, is bestowed on the remedy of this defect, and on the general improvement of the port. Vessels drawing about twelve feet of water, or about 200 tons burden, can cross the bar, and proceed to the town at spring-tides. Yarmouth has two weekly markets, and that held on Saturday is much frequented. An annual fair is held on the Friday after Good Friday, and is of much importance to the town and its neighbourhood. The town is divided into six wards, and is governed by a mayor, twelve aldermen, and thirty-five councillors. It returns two members to the House of Commons. The duties collected here in 1837 amounted to £66,169, in 1838 to £70,775. The population amounted in 1821 to 18,040, and in 1831 to 21,448.