W Hyett tells us about the attractions of Torquay in its very early days as a “watering place” - or place where people went to bathe. Notice how he says that Torquay is very much at the beginning of its development and only has one machine. 

He means bathing machine. This was a type of wooden shed on wheels which was either pulled into the sea by a horse or let down on a rope using a winch. Then the bather could enter the sea without being seen, usually with the help of a “dipper” who helped the person down into the water. People did not swim around or play in the sea as they do now. Instead they were just dipped into the water as this was believed to be good for their health.

Torquay he says is for the lover of nature, not people who like gambling or luxury. Hyett does mention the trade in fish with Newfoundland which was important before a war with France. This was another source of jobs in Torquay