Page:The histories of Launceston and Dunheved, in the county of Cornwall.djvu/265

NORTH GATE. 239 margin of which land spectators might look upon the edifying operations of the cucking-stool in "the water of Kensey." We find that on the 19th October, 1659, the jury presented " the wante of a cucking-stoole," and on the 1 2th April, 1664, "that a cage and cucking-stoole and well near St. Thomas bridge" were wanted. Again on the 20th April, 1700, the cucking-stool was said to be defective. The North Gate was in charge of Walter Tolla and William Horn in 1381 ; of John Choke and Walter Tolla in 1384; and in 1385 of John Choke and William Coulyng. In 145 1 timber was bought and wages were paid for "repairing the North Gate," and for making " pitts " there. In 1587 "the east syde of the North Gate" was alleged to be greatly in decay. The Scientific and Historical Society of Launceston have in their new museum two engravings by Storer of this gateway as it appeared in the year 1808. The type of the arch is the same as that of the South Gate, but of less depth. It was apparently not more than 10 or 12 feet through. The upper part of the wall on each side of and over the arch is represented as in a dilapidated condition. In the mayor's account for the year 1809-10 are these entries: "Paid for 303 feet of worked stone from Alternon moors for the Northgate battlement, at I4d. per foot;" and, "Paid for a new vane for the gate £5 5s." In 1832 the sensible persons who then governed the town entirely destroyed this relic, because it " impeded the traffic." Two years later they prostrated the Watch Tower by cutting a road (the Station Road) to divert all important traffic from passing over the cleared site of the dear old gateway. Having now travelled over the circuit of this interesting fortress, it has become our duty to speak of its age.