THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

The dangerous character of the coast, intersected with numerous ravines and wooded dells, facilitated the designs of the smugglers, and disposal of their stock.  In later times however, they were frequently interrupted, and in many cases severely handled in their rude encounters with the well-armed revenue-officers.  The stratagems used by the smugglers for the concealment of their goods were endless; but the most singular was that of a clerk in a small parish near the coast, who for many years stored his kegs in the church-steeple, and all efforts to discover his treasures proved futile.  Moderate prices were asked for the articles, and respectable persons in the neighbourhood made no scruple of purchasing; consequently the trade continued for a long period to a great extent.  Those halcyon days for the smaller villages are now almost at an end, although sometimes a cargo continues to be landed, in spite of the most vigilant efforts of the coast-guard. 

(Ord/Cleveland)