SOUTHWOLD, (Suffolk) 90 cm. 105 mm. from London, has a harbour on the S. side of Easton which in the Dutch war was the
rendezvous of our fleets. It is a pleasant populous T. strong by situation, and defended also by some guns on the cliff.
It is almost surrounded on the W. by the r. Blythe, over which it has a draw-bridge, and by the sea on the S. especially
at high tide. It is a corporation-town, governed by 2 bailiffs, &c. It drives a great trade in salt, old beer, herrings,
sprats, &c. the last of which are cured here, in the same manner as the herrings at Yarmouth. Its bay, called Solebay,
noted for the engagements of the English and Dutch fleets in 1665 and 1672, has very good anchorage, and is sheltered from
the N. winds by that promontory, called Easton-Ness; for which reasons there is a great resort of mariners to it; which
will probably be much greater, when its haven, that was long choaked up with sand, comes to be effectually cleansed and
opened, pursuant to an act of parliament, 1746-7. Here is a Market on Thursday, and Fairs on Monday after Trinity-Sunday
and Aug. 24. This T. in particular, as well as all the coast from Harwich to Winterton-Ness, is noted for the first
arrival of the swallows to this island; and for their departure, when they leave ours for other climates, not for warmth,
but for finding their common prey, viz. the insects, with which the air swarms in our summer evenings, till the cold
weather comes in and kills them,