This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1843 Excerpt: ... "Had the poets of old, who were oft wont to dream Of beautiful scenes, near a fine flowing stream, Had those poets but witness"d the Whaeeb, in its pride, At the foot of this town, on a summer"s eve glide. Oh I the scene, the fair landscape, the bridge, the cascade, With all the enchantments of nature array d, Would have heighten"d each fancy, and added delight, To exalted emotions, called forth by the sight." Wetherby is a pleasant market town, about 16 miles from York, 6 from Harewood, 7 from Knaresborough and Tadcaster, 12 from Borobridge, and 16 from Leeds. It was originally called IFederbi by the Saxons, from the German word Wieder to turn, and is situated on the river Wharf, which forms an angle, whose sides are each about one mile in length, at the point of which the town stands. The river is crossed by a handsome stone bridge, of which the accompanying engraving is a correct representation. Across the river is a substantial stone weir, for raising the water, by means of which several flour, oil, and logwood mills are worked, A little below the town of Wetherby is a place called St. Helen"s Ford, where the Roman military way crossed the river. The manor was anciently in the possession of the knights templars, but on the abolition of that order, in the reign of Edward II., it was given by the Pope to the knights hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, and the grant was fully confirmed by the parliament in 1324. In the civil war of Charles I., this town had a small garrison, consisting of three hundred foot and forty horse, commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax. This handful of brave men, unused to the vigilance of the camp, was surprised by eight hundred horse and foot from York; and this attack being made early in the morning, the guard were found sleeping ...