Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/218

 clothed in sober suits of hodden grey, the productions of the "disty and wharl" or spinning wheel, without which no house-*hold was considered complete, whilst their food was of the plainest kind, consisting mostly of barley and rye bread, with boiled parsnips and peas eaten in the pod, wheaten bread being reserved for the consumption of the more wealthy classes. The present station at the Breck, a name of Danish origin, and signifying an acclivity, stands either on, or in close proximity to, the site of the old ducking-pond, or rather brook, where the scolds of Poulton were wont in former days to have the

"Venom of their spleen"

copiously diluted and cooled by frequent immersions.

A native of Poulton thus wrote of the town more than fifty years since, and if the present generation but emulates the virtues of its forefathers as herein stated, there are many places which would form, notwithstanding its protracted inertitia, less agreeable homes than the ancient metropolis of the Fylde:—

"Hail happy place, for health and peace renown'd, Though not with riches, yet contentment crown'd. Riches, the grand promoter of each strife, Content, God's first-best gift in human life. Here hospitality has fixed her throne, And discord's jars by name alone are known; The stranger here is always entertain'd With welcome smile and courtesy unfeign'd. Kind to each other, generous and free, Plain, yet liberal friends to charity."

Sixty years since Poulton contained a manufactory for sacking, sail-cloth, and sheeting, belonging to a Mr. Harrison, who lived in the house now in the occupation of R. Dunderdale, esq., J.P., and had his weaving shed at the rear of those premises. That gentleman employed from thirty to forty hands regularly during the time he conducted the business—a period of about fifteen years. An establishment connected with flax dressing and twine spinning, and employing several hands, was located in the house erected by Sir Alexander Rigby, of Layton; and a currier and leather dresser had his works in Church Street. Of other trades and professions in the town at that date, there were four attorneys, two surgeons, seven butchers, nine bakers and flour dealers, three wine and spirit merchants, two maltsters, ten boot and shoe