Historic%20Yorkshire

Chapter XXVI.
ECHOES OF OLD LEEDS.— LEEDS IN THE
LAST CENTURY.
AKING a comprehensivereview of Leeds and
its events during the last century we find
that at that periodthe aspect of the town was
wonderfullydifferent from its present appearance.
Where now arenarrow, smoky streets,
were then tree-shadowed lanes, orchards, and
" garths " at nearlyevery step. We go back to
the timewhen the " Calls " was a favourite rural retreat,
leading through meadows and gardens, and we are told
that Alderman Cookson had his country seat here,
pleasantly laid out with terraces, lawns, and avenues.
Here, too, was a little laterin the century, built by John
Atkinson, Mayorin 1711, the house (afterwards the postoffice),
considered for artistic detail to be the best in
Leeds of its time. It stood on part of the site of the
Central Market.
We might deallargelywith numerous interesting incidents
and remarks on the observances, etc., of the
Corporation,but space forbids more than a few scattered
extracts. The followingis copied from a memorandum
book of ThomasBarstow,TownClerk in 1765, and seems
to be a record, or reminder, of formalbusiness to be done,
andit mayalso be, judging fromthe style,a sort of diary
after the occurrences mentioned: — " 27th Sept., To give
notice of a court of mayor, aldermen, and assistants, to
choose a new mayor (and assistants if wanted),on the