Near the western extremity, stands the venerable Parish Church, in a picturesque valley, within a few hundred yards of the three first-named villages. Colebrook is on the lowest ground, adjacent to a small river; Ridgeway is situated higher; and Underwood, the main scene of the disastrous ravages of the cholera (having been nearly decimated out of a population of 300, and where, at one time, 200 individuals were affected, more or less, with symptoms of the fearful epidemic), lies east and west on the north slope of a hill which rises above a valley {2} terminating at the river Plym. A small brook winds its way at the foot of the hill; and a little stream, issuing from a spring which rises at the western end, runs through a part of the village, in an open gutter on the side of the road. The poorer portion of the inhabitants are as well conducted and cleanly in their habits as the generality of labouring people; and their cottages, for the most part, are kept in a creditable condition. The four last-named villages are at the eastern end of the parish, three or four miles distant from the Church, and are situated on elevated ground, bordering on the Moors. The air in the neighbourhood is considered to be very healthy. No such density of population exists in any one locality which might be supposed to produce a prejudicial effect on the salubrity of the atmosphere. Therefore, as far as local advantages could be depended upon, every thing tended to encourage the idea, that the parish was not so liable to be infected with the cholera as many other places. Up to the month of July, 1832, when that disease was making fearful havoc at Plymouth and the adjoining towns, a flattering hope was still entertained that, by the mercy of God, we should escape. But it pleased Him “who ordereth all things with infinite wisdom,” and “whose ways are past finding out,” that it should be otherwise; and on the 13th of July, the first instance of a case of the cholera in the parish, occurred at Underwood. It must not be supposed, however, that no precautionary steps had been taken. The great importance and necessity of sanatory measures had been felt and acted upon in the neighbourhood, long before. A public meeting, especially convened for that purpose, was held at Ridgeway, on the 8th of November, 1831. The principal gentlemen of the parish were present. A Board of Health was formed; and the immediate attention of the board was directed to the following objects:—