Transcribed from the 1837 edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org CUSSONS’ HORNCASTLE COMPENDIUM. 1837. LINCOLNSHIRE. On the north, Lincolnshire is bounded by the Humber, which separates it from Yorkshire: the German Ocean and an arm of the sea called the Wash, bound it on the East; on the South it abuts on Rutlandshire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, its general form is an irregular oblong. It is in the Province of Canterbury, the Diocese of Lincoln, and in the Midland Circuit. Lincolnshire being proverbially a County of Fens, has obtained a name for an unhealthy climate, which, however, just it may have been in some parts in bygone times, is now by no means applicable; for the causes of the cold, damp and aguish character, have been for many years declining: the progress of drainage, and a more complete cultivation, have gradually contributed to render the air more dry, and consequently more healthy. This remark may be made relative to all districts, which become more salubrious in proportion as they are more cultivated; and more friendly to human life, in proportion as the means of supporting human life are increased in productiveness. The centre of the County and the district of the Trent is very healthy: the air on the coast is very salubrious, and numbers flock to it every summer in search of health and relaxation. There are two ranges of very high land running though the greater part of the County from North to South: that in the East may be called mountainous and is called the Wolds; the Western range, on which stands the County Town, is called the Cliff; more westward still is a fine extent of rich pasture, along which the Trent passes. Eastward of the Wolds lies also an extensive tract of fine feeding land, which is watered by overflowing springs; on boring the substratum of clay, fine spring water gushes up, and in most places will rise ten feet above the surface, if confined in a tube: these cheap artificial springs are general, and many hundreds are continually running, contributing greatly to the fertility and value of the land. The fens form the most prominent feature of the County: where fully cultivated and completely drained their produce is incredible; but it is a subject of great regret, that no general system of drainage, including every district which can be made to communicant with the sea, has yet been effected: nothing short of one uniform and connected plan can be of full avail: and so many apparently rival interests are at stake, and so little real public spirit exists, notwithstanding that it is so much boasted of, that such an universal plan is more to be wished for than hoped for. The soil of Lincolnshire is so various as to include all sorts of land that are to be found in the whole kingdom, and its management varies accordingly.