Note 1136 — PART IV. From the Reformation to the present time. (continued 8)

Of the number of these societies, and their respective meeting places, the following account is supposed to be pretty correct—Two at the Crown Tavern; one at the Three Tuns; one at the Three Pigeons; two at the Valiant Sailor; one at the Coach and Horses; one at the Tailor’s Arms; two at the Plough; one at the Angel; two at the Oak; one at the Dog; four at the Three Fishes; two at the Sun; two at the Green Dragon; one at the Boar’s Head; one at the George and Dragon.—in all 23. There may be more, but we have not been yet able to find them out.—As to the number of Inns and Public Houses now in the town, they are said to be near 70, but they were formerly much more numerous: even as many as 87 some years ago. This decrease is not to be ascribed to a decrease of our population, but rather to a decreasing propensity in the inhabitants to frequent those houses, owing probably, in part at least, to the great increase of conventicles, and the increasing frequency of evening services in those places, where a large proportion of the inhabitants find themselves entertained much more innocently, profitably, and agreeably, than at the public house:—all which however cannot be supposed very pleasing to our publicans and common-brewers.