Chapter XXXVIII: Section XI (3)

Those changes also that have recently taken place _within_ the town are many of them very curious and striking. The late improvements in the Streets, by the new paving of them, &c. might indeed be pronounced proper and commendable, had not the expense fallen so heavy upon that large portion of the community who were quite unable to bear the pressure of any additional imposts, and could hardly stand under the weight of those that had been previously imposed. Here the projectors and promoters of the scheme appear in a very unfavourable light—inconsiderate and unfeeling in a very high degree. But it is in their rage for _innovation_ they appear in the queerest light. Considering what they have done in that way, it seems really a wonder that the very name of the town itself has escaped them, or that they did not take it into their heads to bestow upon it some new and whimsical appellation, as they have done to almost every part of it, and even some of principal Streets. _Checker Street_, for instance, has been by them called _King Street_, though it had borne the former name for many ages. The _Grass Market_ and _Damgate_, which were always before considered as _two_ distinct Streets, (and had borne those names perhaps 500 years, if not much longer) are by them converted into _one_, and called _Norfolk Street_; a name that might with equal propriety have been given to _Broad Street_, or _High Street_, or any other Street in the town. All this, if not superlatively fantastical and absurd, is certainly childish and ridiculous enough. But we will pursue the subject no further.

Among the recent changes in the town, those that have taken place in the _Workhouse_ and the _Hall_ must not be here forgotten or overlooked. The new order of things in the former place, (the _Workhouse_,) is expected to produce a saving to the town, to no small amount, without any material detriment to the paupers, that are there maintained: and this expectation, it is to be hoped, will not issue in disappointment, like too many of our former golden dreams. As to the _Hall_, the spirit of economy and retrenchment seems to have become there now quite triumphant. Such public days as those of _St. John_ and _St. Michael_, so remarkable heretofore for festivity and hilarity, are now become like days of fasting and humiliation. Not only the sumptuous dinners and convivialities of former times have now totally disappeared, but even the poor pittance of a bit of cake and a glass of wine, has been actually withheld, even from the worshipful members whose attendance on those days was indispensable, and who may be looked upon as the very pillars and atlases of our ancient municipal constitution. After all it is not meant here to censure this new frugal plan. It may be very necessary and highly proper, as the world goes; for it certainly corresponds with the complexion and exigencies of the times, which require the strictest economy and utmost frugality from almost every description of our dear countrymen, to enable them to go on with any prospect of success or comfort. But here it was only meant to state a historical fact, too remarkable to be entirely overlooked.