ALTHOUGH this place was favored at an early period with a charter for a market, which in the time of Henry the eighth appears to have been well frequented, yet it remained for many years little more than a considerable village. {39} From the earliest accounts it seems to have been gradually encreasing; but it was not until later years, when a new impulse was given to the agricultural interests of the country, that it began to exhibit material evidences of extension and improvement. [Picture: Plan of Horncastle in 1722, from “Stukeley’s Itinerarium”] From a plan of the town drawn by Dr. Stukeley, in the year 1722, it appears at that period of time, now nearly the lapse of a century, to have been little more than half its present extent. This plan, not having been made from actual survey, cannot be considered as an accurate representation: nevertheless it is calculated to give a tolerable idea of the state of the town at the time it was executed. It is traditionally asserted that at that period scarcely a brick house was to be found in the parish; the early erected dwellings being all constructed with clay walls, and covered with thatch; thus evidencing that common character which Leland the antiquary assigns to the towns of this part. The clay buildings have for the most part disappeared, and brick structures are now erected in their stead; and from the spirit of improvement which has lately been evinced, they will doubtless in a few years be entirely removed. The rebuilding of many houses in the principal streets in a handsome manner, within the last twenty years, has given to the town an air of respectability; but the effect which would be produced by these buildings in its general appearance, is materially diminished, by the narrowness and irregularity of the streets. At this time the number of houses may be computed at about seven hundred, and of inhabitants, about three thousand five hundred. The entrances to the town, as well as its general aspect, have also been improved by the inclosure of the fields by which it is surrounded. To accomplish this an act of parliament was obtained in 1803, and carried into effect the following year. [Picture: Plan of Horncastle in 1819] In no respect has the town changed more than in its trade; a large proportion of its inhabitants having formerly been employed in the tanning of leather, in which manufacture the yards on the south side of the Far-street were almost exclusively occupied. About fifty years ago the number of these establishments began rapidly to decline, and are at this time reduced to two. Since the completion of the canal in 1801, a considerable trade in corn and wool has been carried on here; about thirty thousand quarters of the former, and three thousand sheets of the latter being annually sent from this place. The town also from its situation in a well inhabited district enjoys a large retail trade.