Flax was then cultivated in the neighbourhood, and the rope-walks, where
the ropes were made, were in the streets, which accounted for some of
the streets being so much wider than others. Afterwards the goods were
made in factories, the flax being imported from Rusfia.
We did not quite reach the sea that night, as it was a mile or two
farther on; but we put up at the "Bull Hotel," and soon discovered we
had arrived at a town where nearly all the men for ages had been
destined for the army or navy, and consequently had travelled to all
parts of the world--strong rivals to the Scots for the honour of being
found sitting on the top of the North Pole if ever that were discovered.
King Charles II was nearly trapped here when he rode into the town in
company with a few others and put up at the "George Inn." The yard of
the inn was full of soldiers, but he passed unnoticed, as they were
preparing for an expedition to the Channel Islands. Charles received a
private message that he was not safe, and that he was being pursued, and
he and his friends hastily departed along the Dorchester road.
Fortunately Lord Wilton came up, and advised them to turn down a small
lane leading to Broadwindsor, where Charles was immediately secreted; it
was lucky for him, as the pursuing party passed along the Dorchester
road immediately afterwards, and he would certainly have been taken
prisoner if he had gone there.
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