YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY IN MEMORY OF SAMUEL AMOS YORK YALE 1863 FROM THE FUND ESTABLISHED IN 1924 BY HIS SON SAMUEL ALBERT YORK YALE 1890 ENGLAND DESCRIBED: OR, THE TRAVELLER'S COMPANION. CONTAINING Whatever is curious in the feveral Counties,. Cities, Boroughs* Market Towns and Villages of Note, in the Kingdom. INCLUDING Chuiches, Palaces, Seats of the Nobility and Gentry, Brkifh, Roman and Saxon Antiquities, Markets, Fairs, Members of Parliament for each County, City and Borough, &c. TO WHICH IS ADDED, AS AN APPENDIX, A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF WALES. LONDON: fefatmt &r ». A V K I K S Q & uocejiXsXTiii. T H £ PREFACE. HT^HE love of oik. native foil '"Being ingrafted in the very.. •;'• nature "bf man, the neceffity of being intimately acquaint- ed pith' its fituation and produce is as felf-evident as any pro'po/ition in Euclid: For, what can be more truly con-. temp'tibte than a man vjho is a ftrtihger in his own coun try, a foreigner in his own. city, and a grey bended infant in knowledge ? How defpicable muft the young Syracufan vobleman have Appeared in the eyes of Cicero ; who, when be afked if the tomb of his ingenious countryman Archima- des, was ftill in being, replied, he had never before heard of fuch a man ? A certain author makes this melancholy, though juft remark, that the defcription of our own country has been greatly negletled, as if it was hardly worthy of our notice, though it ought to be the firft and principal objecl of enquiry to every Briton. In the foUowing Jheets the reader will meet with an ac curate defcription ef whatever is curious and worthy of attention in the feveral Counties, Cit'tts, Boroughs, Market To-zvhs, find Villages of note in England, including all the Cathedral, Collegiate, and Parochial Churches; Palaces, anticni and modern ; Seats of the Nobility and Gentry ; remans of Briiijb, Roman end _ Saxon Antiquities; the Fain and Markets iv- every City, Town, Uc, together a 2. imtb PREFACE. with the number and names of thofe Members which each tyyntv and Boroufh fend to Parliament. It has been frequently remarked, that for a book of this nature to be perfectly complete, the author ought to make ufe of his legs as his compaffes, and the remark is certainly a juft one ; but alafs ! feso are bleffed with fuch opportuni ties ; and fewer ftill,. who have fuch opportunities, are capable of ufing them to the beft advantage. This premifed, it is doped {hat a cartful and impartial compilatim.from th( hj/fijgutbort upon th$fyfbjecl, :&ll not. M deemed funwor thy the attention of the public. That tUs\ "mrfc contains Jfcm&.&ZQniQus^efmptio^h very ceridn^. \$caufer to fteer clear, tf all £fjvrs, in an undertaking of this difficult nature, .ought Mt to.ee expeffed-y hut to the candid, pun4. this- will fx afufjuient apology^ that. W pains have f been fpared to make, it.&s^pexfeft, aspoffiUt,. . . A -ByR 1 E F A BR I ¦£. t C C O U N OF THE Constitution and Laws of ENGLAND, ri'y "-W.A v OF m T^ODUC T I O N. I$P ^he time of the. Saxons, England was. divided into Wapentakes and JIundreds, and Overfeers were chofen to direct them fpr the good of the whole. The Sheriff" was ,the. Judge of all civil and criminal Affairs within th© cpunty, .and to hira, after the introduction of Chriftianity, was added the Bifhop. In procefs of, time, itinerant and other Judges were appointed ; but, by the e&rlieft records, it appears, that all civil matters were decided by twelve men, living in, the neighbourhood of the place where the difpute ky, gn4 here we have the ori ginal of Englifh Juries. Royalty, among the Saxons, was. not, ftrictly fpeak- ing, hereditary, though it came to be gendered fb. through. *he affeftion which the people bore for the blood. of theiy Slings, and for preferving the regularity of government : Ever* eftates and honours were not ftriclJy "hereditary, till they were n^ade fo. by William the Conqueror. That Prince new'modelled'the Englifh Conftitittion : He divid- edthe conquered kntfawong his followers : He partition ed out the. lands into Knfghts, &es, an indetermined num-A ter of which formed a Barony, and thofe Baronies were given INTRODUCTION. given- to the great noblemen, who competed what is called the King's Court, or Court' of Peers, from every Baron being a Peer, or equpJ to .another. In this Court all c>- , vii, asweiras.militaryrri'atters, 'were fettled. EvenBifL- cprje^s were fronverted into Lay Baronies-, and were, obli ged, as others, t6 furnifh their quotafe of men anq/mo- ney," In other refpects, the Conqueror, and the firft. Princes of the Norman line, did all they could to effacie from the minds of the people the remembrance of the Saxon Conftitution, but the attempt was to na purpofe. J. he nobility, as well as the- people, had tlieir complaints againft die Crown, and after ,muq,hAwar and bloodfhed, the- famous Charter of Englifh Liberties, Called Magna Charta, was obtained from»I£ing\John, and confirmed. by his fori Henry" III. who fucceeaedT to the fcrown in 1 216. To confider .Magna Charta^ (fays a celebrated foreigner) aS the'bafis and foundation of 'thVEhgltffr Cbn- ftitution,t is the fame thing as ta derive the" principals of the prefent government of Franks from the' Salic La'w.,' The/ Englifh l6pk upon ' thig Chirter'as the pdiadiutfr of tfieir, liberty, ;ahd pay "a refpect" Wit which almof! .'arnPtSnitS' td, idolatry : They "preferve an Authentic copy of it "frith' all th? care that Tan be faken of thiags the rhoft '.facre'd. I; does not Appear, that,; till the- reign cf "Kerry III. the cdntmorts of England were reprefented hi Parliament," lb entirely had the Barons ¦enfjrolled to theftifeives. the -dif- pqfal of property. - i" '•"', - * In all -ftates .tneT-e* is an abfolute fupreme power, to fcHffh the right X'f legiflaof the Crown to the proteftant line of King James I. viz. to the Princefs Sophia of Hanover, . and the heirs of .her body, being proteftants : and fhe is now the common ftpcl^, from whom the heirs of the crown mttft defcend. The King of Great-Britain, notwithftanding the limi tations of the power of the CrPwn, is one of the greateft Monarchs reigning Pver a free people. His perfon is facred in the eye of the law, which makes it high treafon fo mucX as to imagine or intend his death : neither can he, in run*-? felf, be deemed guilty pfany crime, the law taking no coghi-{ stance of his adtions, but only in the perfons of his minifter% if they infringe the laws of the land. As to his £owerR it has no bounds, (except -where it breaks in upeh the li berty and property of .his" fubjectSj as in making new laws, or raifing new taxes) for he can make war. or peace ;* fend and receive Ambafladors ; make treaties of leaguis; and commerce ; levy armies, fit out fleets, employ them. as he thinks proper ; grant commiffions -to his officers^ both by fea and land, or revoke them at pleafure j difpofe of all magazines, caftles^ &c» fummon the Par-. iiament to meet, and, when met, adjourn, prorogue^ or diflblve it at pleafure ; refufe his aftent to any bill, though tt hath paffed b'Pth houfes ; which, confequently, by fuch i refufal, has nb more force than if it had never been moved. INTRODUCTION. rooved. 'He poflefles the right of chufing his own Council \ of nominating all the great Officers of State, of the Houf- hold, and the church ; and, in. fine, is the fountain of hdnotir, from whom all degrees of Nobility and Knight hood are derived. Such is the dignity and ppwer of a King of Great-Britain* Of the Parliament.] By a late Statute the King is ob liged to filmmon a new Parliament once every feven years at leaft : It ha» a fupreme and over-ruling authority in ma king; confirming, repealing, and explaining laws, rever- firig attainders, determining Caufes of more thdn ordinary difficulty between fubject and fubject •¦, and, to be fhort» in all things which either Concern the ftate in general, or any .particular perfon. Of the Lords.] The Lords Spiritual,' fcbhfift of two Archbifhops and tvventy-four Bifhops. The- Lords Tem poral, confift of ail the Peers of the realm, the Bifhops not being in ftriftneis held to be fuch, but merely Lords of Parliament. SPme of the Peers fit by defcent, as cb all aritient Peers ; fome by creation, as do all the new made ones : Others^ fince the union with Scodand, by election, which is the cafe of the fixteen Peers, who reprefent the body of the" Scots nobility. The number of Peers is In definite, and may be increafed at will, by the '.power of the Crown. A body of nobility is mote peculiarly neceffary in our ittixt and compounded cqnftitutionj in order to fup port the rights of both the crown and the people* by form ing a barrier to withftand the encroachments of both.- It Creates and preferves that gradual feale of dignity, which proceeds from the peafant to the prince ; rifing like a py-: ramid from a broad foundation, and diminifhing to a point |s it rifes. The nobility, therefore, are the pillars, which are reared from amPng the people, more immediately to fupport the Throne ; and if that falls, they muft alfo be buried under its ruins. b Accordingly, INTRODUCTION. Accordingly, when, in the laft century-, the Commons &Ad determined to extirpate monarchy, they alio voted the {fPUfg of Lords to be ufelefs and dangerous. Of the Commons.] The Commons, confift of all fiich then of any property m the kingdom, as have not feats in the' houfe of Lords ; every one of which has a veicc in Parliament, either perfonally, or by his reprefentatives. In fo large a ftate; as ours, it is very wifely contrived, that the pePpfe fhould do that by their reprefentatives, which ft is irhpraiSicable to per-form in perfon ; reprefentatives^ chofen by a number of minute and feparate diftricls, wherin all the voters are, or eafily may be, diftinguifhed. The coun ties afe, therefore, reprefented by Knights, elected by the pro* prietors of lands : The cities and boroughs are reprefented . by Citizens and and Burgeffes, chofen bythe mercantile part, or fuppofed trading intereft of the nation. The number of Englifh repifeferitatives is five hundred and thirteen, and o| Scots forty five, in all five hundred and fifty-eight. And ever)? jffefhber though chofen by one particular diftridl, when ele&ed and returned, ferves for the whole realm. For the end of his comiftg thither is not particular but general ; not bafely to advantage his conftitu.ents, but the common wealth, and to advifb his Majefty, as appears from the writ o| fummons. Thefe are the conftituent parts of a Parliament, the King, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Com mons. x Parts, of which each is fo neceffary, that the con fent of all three is required to make any new law that fhould .bind the fubjecT:. Whatever is enafted for law, by one, or by two anly of the three, is no ftatute, andto it no regard is ride, tinlefs in matters relating to their privileges. With regard to taxes; it is the antient indifputable privilege and right of the Houfe of Commons, that all giants of fttbftdjes, or parliamentary aids, do begin in their houfe, and are firft beftowed by them ; although* their grants are not effectual to all intents and purpofes,. Until they have the affent of the other two branches of the legiflature. INTRODUCTION! legislature. The general reafon given for this excltifiv^ privilege of the Houfe of Commons, is? that the fupplies are raifed upon the body of the people, and therefore it i$ proper that they alone fhould have the right of taxing themfelves. And foreafonaMy jealous are the Commprij of this privilege, that herein they will not fuffer the other houfe to exert any power, but that of reje&ing; they wil| not perfnit the leaft alteration, or amendment to be made by the Lords to the mode of taxing the people by a money bill. Under this appellation are included all bills, by whiclj money is directed to be raifed upon thefubjedt, for any purpofe, or in any fhape whatfoever ; either for the exigen cies of government, and collefted from the kingdom in ge neral, as the land tax ; or for private benefit, and collect ed in any particular diftrift, as by turnpike, 'parifh rates, and the like. Such is the parliament of Great Britain ; the fburce and guardian of our liberties and properties, the ftrong cement which binds the foundation and fuperftructure of our. go vernment, and the wifely concerted balance, maintaining an equal poife, that no one part of the three eftates over power or diftrefs either of the other. From the above general view of the Englifh ConfUtuf'-- on, it appears^ "that no fecurity for its permanency, which the wit of man can devife, is wanting. If it fhould be ob- jefired, that parliaments may become fo corrupted as to give up orbetray the liberties of the people, the anfwer is, that parliaments, as every other body politic, are fuppofed to watch over their political exiftence, as a private perfon does his natural life. If a parliament was to act in that manner, it muft become felo defe, an evil that no human ,provifions can guard againft. But there are ftill' fuch re sources of liberty in England, that no fiich fatal effect is now to be apprehended ; and though the conftitution has been overturned, and fometimes dangeroufly Wounded ; yet, its own innate powers have recovered and. ftill pre ferve it. b 2 As INTRODUCTION. As no government can be fo complpte as to be provided with laws that may anfwer every unforfeen emergency, the "Privy Council, in "fuch cafes, can fupply the deficiency. It has even been known, that upon great and urgent occa fions, iuch as that of famine, they can fuperfede the ope ration of the law-, if the Parliament is not fitting ;. but thrs is confidered as, illegal, and an aft of Parliament muft pafs for the pardon 'and indemnification of thofe concerned. Courts .of Law.] The Court of Chancery, which is a court of equity, is next in dignity to the High Court iff1 Parliament, is defigned to relieve the fubjedt againft frauds, breaches of truft, and other pppreffions ; and to mitigate the rigour of the law. The Lord High Chan cellor fits as fole Judge, and in his abfence,. the mafter of the rolls. The form of proceeding is by bills^ anfwers, 'and decrees, the wrtneffes being examined in private : However, the decrees of this court are only binding to the perfons of thofe concerned in them, for they do not af fect their lands and goods ; and, confequently, if a man refufes to comply with the terms, they can do. nothing more than fend him to the prifon of the. Fleet. This' court is always open ; and if a man be fent. to prifon, the Lord Chancellor in any vacation can, if he fees reafon for it, grant a Habeus Corpus. The Clerk of the Crown, likewife, belongs to this court ; , he, or by his deputy, be ing obliged always tp attend on the Lord .Chancellor, as often as he fits for the difpatch of bufinefs ; through his hands pafs all writs forfommoning the Parliament, crchu- fing of members j commiffions of the peace, pardons, &c. The King's Bench, fo called, either from the King's of England fometimes fitting there in perfon, or becaufe all matters determinable, by common law,' between the King and his fubjects, are here tried -,. except fuch affairs as pro perly belong to the Court of Exchequer. This court is, likewife, a kind of check upon all the inferior court?, their Judges, and Juftices of the Peace. Here prcficlc four Judges, the firft of whom is filled Lord Chief Juf tice INTRODUCTION. i ice of the King's Bench, or, -by way of eminence, Lord Chief Juftice cf England, to exprefs the great extent cf his Jurifdiction over the kingdom : For this court can grant prohibitions in any caufe depending, either in fpiri- tual or temporal courts ; and the Houfe of Peers does of ten direct the Lord Chief Juftice to iffue out his warrant for apprehending perfons under fufpicion of high "crimes v The other three Judges are called Juftices, or Judges of the King's Bench. The Court of Common Pleas takes cognizance of all pleas debatable between fubject, and fitbjcct ; and init, be fide all real actions, fines and recoveries arc tranfacted, and prohibitions are likewife iffued out of it, as well as from the King's Bench. The Firft Judge of this Court is ftiled Lord Chief Juftice of the Common Pleas, or Com mon Bench ; befide whom, there are likewife three other Judges, or Juftices of this Court. None but Sergeants at Law are allowed to plead here. The Court of Exchequer was inftituted for managing the revenues of the crown, and has a power of judging both according to law and according to equity. In the proceedings according to law, the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, and three other Barons,' prefide as Judg es. They are ftiled Barons, becaufe formerly none but Barons of the realm were allowed to be Judges in this court. Befides thefe, there is a fifth, called Curfitor Ba ron, who has not a judicial capacity, but is only employ ed in adminiftering the oath to Sheriffs and their officers, and alfo to feveral of the officers of the Cuftom Houfe. But when. this court proceeds according. to equity, then the Lord Treafurer, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer prefide, affifted by the other Barons. All matters touch ing the King's treafury, revenue, cuftonis, and fines, are here tried and determined. For putting the laws effectually in execution* an High- Sheriff is annually 'appointed for every ' county,' (two or three excepted) whofe office is both minifterial and judicial.. He Introduction. He is to execute the King's mandates, and all writs direct ed to him out pf the King's. Court of Juftice ; to impan- pel juries ; to bring caufes and malefactors to trial ; to fee the fentences, both in civil and criminal affairs, executed ; and at the affizes, to attend the Judges, and guard them all the time they are in his county. It is alfo part ot his office to collect all public fines, diftreffes, and amercements^ into the exchequer, or where the king fhall appoint. The next officer to the Sheriff, is the Juftice of Peace, feveral of whom are coinmiffioned for each county.; and to them is entrufted the power of putting great part of th« ftatute law in execution, in relation to the highways, the poor, vagrants, treafons, felonies, riots, the prefervation of the game, &c, and they examine, and commit to pri fon, all who break or difturb the peace, and difquiet the King's fubjects. In order to punifh the offenders, thsf jneet every quarter, at the county or principal town ; when a jury of twelve men, called the Grand Inqueft of the coun ty, is fummoned to appear. This jury, upon oath, is to en quire into the cafes of all delinquents, and to prefent them, by bill, guilty of the indictment, or not guilty : the Juftices commit the former to goal for their trial at the next affizes, and the latter are acquitted : This is called the Quarter* Seflions for the county. The Juftice- of Peace ought to be a perfon of great good fenfe, fagacity, and integrity, and to have fome knowledge of the law •, for, as much power is lodged in his hands, and as nothing is fo intoxi cating , without thefe qualifications, he will be apt to make miftakes, and to ftep beyond his authority, for which he is liable to be called to an account in the court of King's Bench. Each county contains two or more Coroners, 'who are to enquire, by a, jury of neighbours, how, and by whom, any perfon came by a violent death, and to enter it on re cord, as a plea of the crown. The ciyjl government of cities is a kind of fmall inde pendent policy of itfelf; for every city hath, by charter from INTRODUCTION. from the King, a jurifdictkm Within itfelf, to judge in all matters, civil and criminal. With this reftraint only, that all civil caufes may be removed frOm their courts to the higher courts at Weftminfter ; and all offences that are ca pital, are committed to the Judge of the affize. The government of Cities differs according to their di£ ferent Charters, immunities and conftitutions. They are conftituted with a Mayor, Aldermen and Burgeffes, who, together make the Corporation of the City, and hold a court of judicature, whe?e the Mayor prefides as Judge, Some cities' are counties, and chufe, their own Sheriffs^ and all of them have a power of making bye^laws, for their own government. The government of incorporated bo roughs is much after the fame manner r in fome there is a- Mayor and in others two Bailiffs. All which, during theig mayoralty or magiftracy, are juftices of the peace withiri their liberties, and confequently Efqrs. The Cinque-portsi, are five havens, that lie on the eaft -part of England, towards France, and were endowed widi particular privileges by our ancient Kings, upon condition that they fhould provide a certain number of fhips, at theif own charge, to ferve in the wars for forty days, as. oftew as they were wanted. For the better government of villages, the Lords of th& foil, or manor, have generally a power to hold courts, cal led Courts-Leet, and Courts-Baron, where their tenants are obliged to attend and receive Juftice. The bufinefs o£ Courts-Leet, is chiefly to prefent and punifh nuifances ; and at Courts-Baron, the conveyances and alienationss of the copyhold tenants are enrolled, and they are admit ted to their eftates on a defcent or purchafe. A Conftable is a very ancient and refpectable officer of the peace, under the Englifh conftitution. Every hundred has a High Conftable, and every parifh in that hun dred a Conftable, and they are to attend the High Con* flable upon occafions. They are affifted by another ancient officer called the Tything-man, who formerly fuperintend- ed I NT R O D U, C T I O N# ed the tenth part of a hundred, or ten Free Burghs, as: they were called in the time of the Saxons, each Free Burgh. confifting of ten families. The bufinefs of a Conftable is to keep the peace in all cafes of quarrels and riots. He can imprifon offenders till- they are brought before a. Juftice of Peace ; and it is his duty to execute, within bis diftrict, every warrant that is directed to him from that magiftrate, or a bench of Juftices. Befides thefe, there are courts of Confeience fettled in many parts of England, for the relief of the poor, in the recovery, or payment of fmall debts, not exceeding 40s. There neither is, nor ever was, any conftitution pro- •vided with (o many fences, as that of England is, for the" fecurity of perfonal liberty. Every man imprifoned has a sight to bring a writ before a Judge in Weftminfter-hall., called his Habeus Corpus. If that Judge, after confider ing the caufe of commitment, fhall find that the offence is bailable, the patty is immediately admitted to bail, till he is condemned, or acquitted, in a proper court pf Juftice.* Thefe are the glorious privileges which we enjoy above any other nation upon earth. Juries have always been. confidered as giving the moft effectual check to tyranny ; for in a nation like this, where a King can do nothing againft law, they are a fecurity that he fliall never mak? the laws, by a' bad adminiftration, the- inftruments of cruelty and oppreffion. The rights of individuals are fb attentively confidered, that the fubject may, without the leaft danger, fue his Sovereign, or thofe who act in his* name, and under his authority ; he may do this in open court, where the King may be caft, and be obliged to pay damages to his fubject. A TOPOGRAPHICAL A TOPOGRAPHICAL Defcription of England, &c. BEDFORDSHIRE. BEDFORDSHIRE is hounded on the South, by Hert fordshire ; on the l^orth by Northamptonshire .and Hun- tingdonfhire ; on the Eaft by Cambridgeshire ; and on the Weft by Buckinghamfhire. It is divided into two parts by the river Oufe, which runs through it. In the north part, it is fruit ful and woody ; in the fouth the foil is poorer, but yet tolerable ; for it abounds with barley which is plump and. ftrong. In the middle, it is thickfet with woods, but eaftward, it is more dry> and wants wood. This county is of an oval form, about 22 "miles in length, 15 in breadth, and 73 in circumference ; it con tains 9 hundreds, 10 market-towns, 124 parifhes, 550 villages, and ^bout 260,000 acres. Its principal rivers are the Oufe and the Iwgl. It has forefts and parks well flocked with deer, and rich paftures with cattle. The prefent members of Parliament for this county are, the Rt. hon. John Fitzpatrick, Earl of Upper'Oflbry, nephew to the Dutch, of Bedford and marq. of Stafford. Id. It;. 'and cuft. rot. and col. of the militia of this county, and keep, of Rockingham Foreft, and the Hon. St. Andrew St. John, brother to Lord St. John. B tiedforii x BEDFORDSHIRE, Bedford, the county town, and gives name to the whole (hire, i6 diftapt 38 miles from Hertford; 19 from Northampton ; 22 from Huntingdon ; 28 from Cambridge ; • 27 from Buckingham ; and 51 from London. It gives the title.of Duke to the noble fa mily of the Ruffels. This town is cut by the river Oufe, that one would imagine it two towns, but that it is joined by a ftone bridge. It is more eminent for the pleafantnefs of its fituation, and its antiquity, than for either beauty or largenefs, though It has five churches, and hath of late been much improved by new buildings, and a feir market-houfe ; and the river alfo is now made navigable. Though both fides of this river are governed by the fame magiftrates, viz. a Mayor, twelve Aldermen, a Re corder, two Bailiffs, a Town-clerk, and two Serjeants at Mace ; yet, thus far they make their particular claims, that whereas they have t\vt> weekly markets, the fouth-fide has the Tuefday one, confiderable for all live cattle, and the notth-fide the Saturday ene, for all forts of corn. Of the five churches alfo, twoarefeated on the fotith, and three on thcnorth fide of the river; the prin cipal of them, and indeed the chief ornament of the town, is St. Paul's, which had once a college of Prebendaries. The Priory, now -belonging to the Earl of Affiburnham, was founded before the Norman Conqueft, for Secular Cannons. In this town, anno 1561, was built and endowed a free-fchool by Sir William Harper, a native of Bedford, bred a merchant taylor in the city of Lon don, and afterwards Lord-Mayor. Here was a famous caftle, for all forts of cattle. Bigglefwade, BEDFORDSHIRE. 5 Bigglefwade, a market-town, fituated on the .river Ivel, 10 miles from Bedford, and 46 from London. It is an excellent market for barley, and is much noted for its horfe-fair and ftone bridge. . It is a great thoroughfare from London to York. This town has a market on Wednefdays, and five fairs, viz. on Feb' 13, Saturday in Eafter--week, Whitftm-monday, July 22, and Oftober 28, for all forts ef -cattle. Ampthill, 6 miles from Bedford, and 44 from London, is a pret ty market-town pleafantly fituated between two hills, almoft in. the heart of the county. Here, in a palace belonging to King Henry VIII, dwelt Qutfen Catherine, during the progrefs of the divorce , and from hence fhe was cited to appear before the com miffioners at Dunftable. The town is much improved of late in buildings, efpecially by its beautiful and convenient market - houfe, and feffions-houfe, where the affizes have been frequently held. Here, in the middle of a pleafant park, is a delightful feat belonging to the Earl of Aylesford, and built by the Countefs of Pembroke ; the model whereof was devifed by the incomparable Sir Philip Sidney, in his Arcadia. Here is alfo another feat be longing to Lord Afhburnham. This town has" a market on Thurf- days, and two fairs, viz. on May 4, and December n, for cattle. ¦Wooburn, 12 miles from Bedford, and 42 from London, is a market-towji, but moft remarkable for that noble palace belong ing to the Dukes of Bedford, called Wy odburn- Abbey (formerly an ancient Abbey, founded 1145;) it has a canal before it, that carries a yatch of 30 or 40 tons, and feveral pleafure-boats. In 1724 about 100 of the houfes in this town were burnt down, which are fince neatly rebuilt ; and a fine market-houfe erefted at •the expence of hia Grace the late Duke of Bedford ; fo that the town makes a handfome appearance. Here is a free-fchool, found ed by Francis, Earl of Bedford; and a charity-fchool for 30 boys, who are cloathed and taught. In and near this place is a great quantity of Fuller's earth dug up, and there is another fort at Af- jjley-Gowez, which turns wood into flonje; for an evidence Jj'2 w&ereef 4 BEDFORDSHIRE. whereof* Camden fays, that a wooden ladder was tp be feen la Wooburn- Abbey, which had been for fome time buried under grourid,' and 'was dug up a perfeft ftone. This town has a mar ket on Fridays, and four fairs, viz. on January i, for horfes, cattle, fheep, hogs, &c. unlefs on Sunday, then the next day> March 23, July 23, and OftobeR,6, for cattle. ^Leighton- Buzzard, 18 miles from Bedford, and 41 § from Lon* don. It lies on the borders of Buckinghamfliire. It has- a market on Tuefdays, and four fairs, viz. on February 5, Tuefday before Eafter, Whitfun-Tuefday, July 46, and Oftober 24, for cattle. A fhew of horfes and all forts of cattle the fecond Tuefday in April. Dunftable, 20 miles from Bedford, and 34 from London, is a market-town, feated in a chalky ground, at the. entrance of that long ridge of hiUs called the chiltern ; and is pretty well inha bited. It has four ftreets, anfwering to the four quarters of. the world ; and becaufe of the drynefs of the foil, each quarter >os a public pond, \vhich, though fupplied only with rain water, is never dry. In the middle of the town, there is a crofs, or ra ther pillar, which-has engraven upon it, the Arms of England, Caftile and Ponthieu, and is adorned with ftatues ; it was built by King Edward I, in memory of his .Queen, Eleanor, as fome others were, 'in places through which fhe was carried in funeral pomp to Weftminfter. This town ftands on the old Roman way, called Watlihg-ftreet, in the very place where it is croffed bythe Icknild-ftreet ; and hereabouts Roman coins have fometimes been , found, vulgarly called Madning-Money. The larks hereabouts. are remarkably large, and efteemed the beft in England. The roads are plain, well beaten, and broad. There are feveral good inns here, it being pot only a thoroughfare to the 'North and Weft, but alfo to Ireland. This town has a market on Wednef- days, and four fairs, viz. on Afh-Wednefday, May 22, Auguft 12, and November 12, for cattle. . Luton, 18 miles from Bedford, and 32 from London, is plea fantly fituated among the hills* and has a good manufaftury of • draw BEDFORDSHIRE. 5 ftraw hats,. This town has a market on Mondays, and two fairs, viz. April 25, and Oftober 18, for all kinds of cattle. Etftoiv, a village, one mile from Bedford, with two fairs, ca May T4, and November 25, for'all forts of cattle. St-. Leonards, a village near Bedford, with one . fatir, on No* vember 1 7, for all forts of cattle. Potion, 12 miles from Bedford, and 49I from London, if pleafantly feated in a fandy, gravelly, barren foif, and is watered with a fmall brook. This town has a market on Saturdays, and four fairs, viz. on the 3d Thurfday in January, O. S. a larg# horfe fair, Tuefday before Eafter, firft Tuefday in July, and oa Tuefday before Oftober 29, for cattle in general. Harrold, a village, 8 miles from Bedford, with three fairs, viz- on Tuefday before May. 12, Tuefday before July 5, and Tuefday \ before Oftober 10, for cattle. Shefford, 8 miles from Bedford, and 40I from London, i« commodioufl.y feated between two rivulets, which unite their ftreams below the town, and fall into the Oufe; over each of which their is a bridge. This town has a market on Fridays, and' four fairs, viz. on January 23, Eafter-Monday, May 19, and Oftober 1 o, for cattle. Ichwell, a village, with one fair, on April 5, for cattle of all forts, Tuddington, or Toddington, 15 miles from Bedford, and 39 from London, is feated under the hills or downs, in a good foil, and is but a fmall place. This town has a fofiall market on Sa turdays, almoft difufed, and five fairs, viz. -on April 25, firft Mon day in June, September 4, November 2, dnd December 16, for cattle. Odel, a village, with one fair, on Thurfday in Whitfun-treek, for all forts of cattle. ,S!lJbe, a village on the road from London to Bedford, lof mjjes from the latter, and 41 from the former; with two fairs, viz. on May 12, and September 21, for all fort* of cattle. A NT I- * BEDFORDSHIRE. ANTIQUITIES. i. Potton, a little town on the borders of Cambridgeshire; Jftrmerly belonging to Thomas Plantagenet, Earl of Lancafter. 2. Temsford, a village near the mouth of the Iwell, noted for a <*mp of the Danes, when they ruined a ftrong fort, built by the Romans, and then defended by the Saxons. 3. Sandy, the Selena of Ptolemy; a^great many urns and Roman coins have been dug up betwixt here and the aforefaid camp. 4. Milton- Earnefs ; near the Oufe, where is an hofpital for fix poor men of ¦women, who have twenty pounds a .year equally divided among them. 5. Houghton-Conqueft has a free-fchool belonging to Sidney-College, in Cambridge. 6. Wood-End, the feat of the Lukes, from which family Was defcended Sir Samuel Luke, one of Cromwell's Commanders, thought to be Butler's Hudibrafs. 7. The .Woad, for which this county is famous, is the plant with which the Britons dyed their bodies, that they, might ap pear terrible to their enemies, or rather to defend them from tke inclemency of the weather. It is cultivated as follows; it is fown every year, andthe old woad, except what they fave for feed, is plucked up. The beginning of March is the feafon for fowing-it, and the middle of May for cropping it; it is beft ia a dry year, but more plentiful in a wet one, it is cropped com monly four times a year, as it comes up, but the firft crop is the beft, and every one after is gradually worfe. When gathered it is immediately ground fmall in a mill till it becomes fit to ball ; and when balled it is'laid upon hurdles to dry, and then ground into powder : after this it is fpread on a floor and watered, which is called couching ; and then turned every day till it is perfectly dry and mouldy, which is called filvering. After Silvering it is weighed and put into bags, containing two hundred weight, and then fent to the dyer to try it, who fets a price on it acording to its goodnefs ; the beft is generally valued at 1 81.. per ton. 8. Harwooi BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 7 Harwood nunnery, formerly called Harewold; was founded by Sampfon de Forte, A. D. 1150, for nuns of the order of St. Auguftine. 9. Wardon monaftry, built for Ciftercian monks. by Walter de Efpee, A. D. n 36. SEATS ofthe Nobility, isc. Duke of Bedford's at Wooburn- Abbey, one mile from Woo- burn — Marchjonefs de Grey's at Wreft-Houfe, three miles from Ampthill. — Earl Granville's at Hawnes, four miles from Bedford-- — Earl of Sufiex's at Stiedlington. Earl of Hardwick's at Wreft. — Earl of Bute's at Luton-Hoo.— Lord Vifcount Torrington's at South-Hill, feven miles from Bedford— Lord St. John, of Blet- fhoe, at Melchbum, feven miles from Bedford. — Lord Trevor's at Bromham, two miles from Bedford. — Sir Thomas Alftoii's at Odel. — Sir Stephen Anderfons at Eyeworth Sir Roger Bur goyne's at Sutton. — Sir Samuel Cornifhes at Sharenbrooke. — -Sir Haldanby Langley's at High Gobion — ¦ — Sir William Mayne's at Marfton-Morelain. — Sir Philip Moniioux's at Sandy. — Sir George Ofburn'satChickfands. — SirGregory Page's at Berry-Hall,— Lord Oflbry's^t Ampthill-Park. — Mr. Ongleys at old Warden. — Mr. Vernons at Helton. Mr. Whitehead's at Cardington. Mr- Cockayne Cult's at Cockayne-Hatley. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE abounds exceedingly with beech trees, \ which the Saxons. call Bucker; and it is probablyj that from them the chief town Buckingham had its Name ; and from that, the whole county: For fo, in Germany, a country, famed for plenty of beeches, is called Buchonia, and with us, the town of BuekerihaBi, in Norfolk, is faid to be furrounded by that H BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. that fort of trees. This county is bounded on the South by tftft river Thames, which divides it from Berkshire ; on the Weft by Oxfordshire ; on the North by Northamptonshire ; and orj the Eaft by Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and l^Iiddlefex. It is 39 miles in length, 18 in breadth, and 138 in circumference; con- taining 17 market towns, 8 hundreds, 85 parifhes, 615 villages, and 441,000 acres. The chief manufaftures are bone-lace, and paper. It is diversified with pleafant woods, and fine ftreams, which render it a charming retreat. Its chief rivers are the Thames, the Oufe, and the Coin. The county is divided into two parts ; one a mountainous, or rather hilly country, towards the South and Eaft, called the Chiltern : the other, below this to the North, called the Vale. The Chiltern hath its name from the nature of the foil, Cylt, or Chilt, in Saxon, fignifying chalk; . for it rifes, for the moft part, into chalky hills, covered with Voods and groves of beeches. In the year 1009, the Danes paffed over thefe hills in their journey out of Kent into Oxford- ihire ; upon the mention whereof, Florence of Worcefter fays, Saltus qui dicitur Clitern ; i. e. The wood or foreft -which is called <- Clitern ,* for formerly it was fo thick with trees, that they ren dered it impaffable, till they were in a good meafure, cleared by Leofftan, Abbot of St. Albans, as a common receptacle and harbour for thieves. It fends two Members to Parliament, who are at prefent, the Rt. Hon. Will. Wyndham Grenville, fee. bro. to the marq. of Buckingham, joint paymafter of the forces, a «ommiST. of the E. Ind. board, and a lord of trade and plantations, and Sir John Aubrey, bart. L L. D. one of the Lqr^s of the •reafury. Buckingham, the county town, is 39 miles from Reading ; 2; from Oxford ; 22 from Northampton ; 27 from Bedford ; 5* from Hertford, and 57 from London ; it ftands in a low ground^! «ncompaffed on all fides but the North with the river Oufe. The ^aftle of the town, now in ruins, was built in the middle of it, %nd divides' it into two parts : In the jjorth part ftands the town.. hill BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 9 hall, a very handfome convenient ftrufture, in which are kept the weights and meafures of the county. This town was for many years a ftaple for wool, and feveral of its wool-halls are yet ftand ing, but that trade is now loft here. The town is very populous, and has three ftone bridges over the Oufe. Its church, which is in the weft part ofthe town, is a very large building, and when its fpirewas ftanding, might be reckoned thebeft in the whole county, and was as high as moft in England ; but in 169,8, it was in part' blown down and never fince rebuilt. The buildirigs of the town are of late very much improved. There is a free-fchool here ; the county-goal and court is kept here, anal fometimes the affizes. There are feveral paper mills on the river Oufe. It giyes the title of Earl to the noble family of Hobart ; This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, the Rt. Hon. James Grenville, firft coufin to the marquis of Buckingham, a lord of trade and plantations, and Edmund Nugent, Efq. It has a marketon Saturdays, and eight fairs, viz. on Monday fe'night after Epiphany, March 7, May 6, Whitfun-Thurfday, July 10, Sep tember 4, Oftober 2, and November 8, for cattle. Chipping-Wycmnb-, or High-Wycomb, 3 1 miles from Buckingham, and 29! from London. It lies in a vale on the turning of a little river, which from hence cuts its way into thd Thames. It was called Chipping from the Saxon word, denoting a Market -Town^ Wycomb from the river on which it is, fituated, the Germans calling the windings of the fea, or a river, Wick, and a Comb, a low valley. This town for largenefs and beauty, may be com pared with the beft in the county ; and as it is governed by a Mayor, is juftly preferred to moft of the reft. The market is efteemed the beft in the county, efpecially for corn. It has two principal ftieets, one of which is fpacious, and well built with good brick houfes, and full of large inns for travellers on the Oxford road, and other parts branching from it. |The church is a fair large ftrufture, with a handfome fteeple. There are fe,. ve©! mills near it,, both for corn and paper. After the wheat, is C ' ground. io BUCKINGHAMSHIRE- ground and dreffed at the former, it is fent to. Marlow, and put on board barges for London. Here was an Hofpital of St. John the Baptift, the revenue whereof, upon the general diffolution of religious houfes, came to the crown ; as alfo certain rents there,.* belonging to a brotherhood of the Bleffed Virgin, called our La dy's rents, all which were by Queen Elizabeth, in the fourth Year of her reign, granted to the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Burgeffes of Wycomb, for the maintenance of a free grammar-fchool, and -certain alms people there. In July 1724, as fome workmen were digging in a meadow near this town, they difcovered a piece of Roman antiquity, being a pavement of about nine feet fquare, with ftones of various colours wrought with exquifite art, the ¦biggeft not broader than the fquare of a die. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who are at prefent, Robert Waller, Efq ; a groom of his majefty's bedchamber, and the Rt. Hon. John Henry Petty, earl of Wycombe, fon of the marquis of Lanf- down. It has a market on Fridays, and one fair, on. September 25, for hireing of fervants., Aylesbury, 16 miles from Buckingham, and 40 from London. It ftands at the eaft end of a rich fruitful vale, which feeds in credible numbers of cattle and Sheep, remarkable for their Size and fine fleeces ; and extends almoft from Tame, on the edge of Oxfordshire, to Leighton in Bedfordshire. It is a very ancient town: The town-hall is a handfome fabric, built in the middle of the market-place, where the county affizes and feffions are often held. It ftands on a rifing ground, confifting of feveral fitie ftreets. The market-place is a large handfome fquare, and has plenty of provifions.. The noble family of Bruce formerly took the title of Earl from hence. This town fends two Members to Parliament,.. ¦who are, at prefent, Sir Thomas Halifax, Knt. an alderman and , banker in London, and William Wrightfon Efq. It has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, viz. on Saturday before Palm- Sunday, June 14, and September 25, for cattle. Amerfliam,. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. " « Amerfham, 3 1 miles from Buckingham, and 26 from London is a fmall town, and lies in a vale with woody hills on each fide ; it has a handfome town-hall, and a free-fchool. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, viz. on Whitfun-Monday, and September .19, for fheep. Wendover is an old corporate town, 22 miles from Bucking ham, and 35 from London. It is a poor place, and in a dirty fitu ation, at the entrance of the vale of Aylesbury ; though the hills on each fide are pleafant. It fends two members to parliament, ¦who are at prefent> Robert Burton, Efq ; and John Orde, Efq ; attorney general of the dutchy court of Lancafter, and one of the mafters in Chancery. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, on May 1 2, and Oftober 2, for cattle. Gr/at-Marlonv, 3 1 miles from London, takes its name from the. marl which abounds in the adjacent foil. It is a pretty large town, with a bridge over the Thames, not far from the place where it f eceives the Wycomb river ; and has an handfome church, and town-hall. The chief manufafture is bone-lace, but it is of much more account, 1 . for the navigation carried on by the Thames, for meal, malt, and beech timber. 2. for the feveral corn and paper-mills in its neighbourhood, particularly on the tittle river Loddon. And 3. remarkable ones called the Temple-mills, or the Brafs-mills, for kettles, pans, &c. befides a mill for making thimbles, and another for preffing oil from rape and flax. It fends two members to parliament, who are at prefent, William Clayton; Efq ; and Sir Thomas Rich, bart. a captain in the royal navy. This town has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on May 5, 6, and 7, for horfes, cattle, &c. and Oftober 29,, for cheefe, hops, and cattle. Eaton, 20 miles from London, is joined by a wooden bridge over the Thames to Windfor. It is famous for its beautiful col lege, the revenue of which is about 5)300! a year, for the main tainance of a provoft, and for instructing- 70 King's fcholars,. who, when fitted for the Univerfity,- are elefted to King's College, C 2 Cambridge , 12 . BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Cambridge ; where they are provided for' by Scholarships and Fdlowfhips. There is a full choir for the chapel. The fchool is divided into upper and lower, and each into three claffes. ¦ There is a m:tfter, with four ufhers, to each fchool; and here are feldom lefs than 300 other fcholars, befides thofe on the foundation. The college has large eloifters like the monaste ries abroad. The chapel is a noble pile, and the building very Ancient, except the fchool-roorh, but all has been repaired at a large expence within thefe few years. A noble library is alfo e- refted for books, and there is a fine Statue put up to the honof of. the founder of the college, "Henry VI. The gardens extend, from the college almoft to the Thames. This town has a fair oa Afh-Wednefday for horfes and cattle. Colnbrookf 17 miles from London, fituated on the borders of Middlefex, and ftands on the river Coin, here divided into four channels ; over each of which is a bridge : It is a fmall town, but has fome great inns which are its principal fupport. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, on April 5, and May 3, for horfes, cattle, and Sheep. Beaconsfield, 24 miles from London-, Stands on a high hill in the Oxford-road, with feveral good inns ; it is alfo noted for be ing the birth-place of Edmund Waller, Efq; the famous poet. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, on Fe bruary 13, and Holy-Thurfday, for horfes, cows, and Sheep. Stony-Stratford, ?2 miles from London, is a well frequented town in the road to Chefhire, with a ftone bridge over the Oufe. It takes its name from the Stony Ford that led over the river there; it ftands on the Roman caufeway, called Watling-ftreet, fome remains of which are plainly to be feen. It is a large town, with two pariSh churches, and here King Edward I erefted a ftately crofs. The principal manufacture of this place is bo?ie-lace.— This town has a market on Fridays arid four fairs on April 20, Auguft 2, Oftober 10, and November 12, for cattle. Newport - Pagnal% BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 13 Netxiport-Pagnal, 14 miles from Buckingham, and ;2| from London, it ftahds on the fouth fide of the river Oufe, over which it has two ftone bridges, and is 4 pretty large, well built, populous, and trading town, being a fort of ftaple for bone-lace, or which this place, and the neighbouring villages are thought to make greater quantities than all' England befides: It is neither a bo- Tough nor corporation, but larger than many places that are ib. This town has a market on Saturdays, and four fairs, on April 22, June 22, Oftober 22, and December 22, for cattle. Oulney, 585 miles from London, it ftands on the weft fide of tbe river Oufe, and is noted for the manufacture of bone-lace. This town has a market on Mondays, and two fairs, on Eafter- Monday, and June 29, for cattle. Chefham, 28 miles from Buckingham, and 29 from London* This town has a market on Wednefdays, and three fairs, on April 21, July 22, and September 28, for cattle. Hanflope, a village, with one fair, on Holy-Thurfday, for -cattle. F£nny -Stratford, 45 miles from London, a thoroughfare-town, two furlongs in length, and full of inns; it has no market, but four fairs, on April 19, July 18, Oftober 10, andNovember 28, all for cattle. Iver, a village, with one fair, on July 1 1, for cattle, Sheep, and hogs. Ivingho, 32 miles from London. This town, has a fmall mar ket on Saturdays, and two fairs, on April 25, and Oftober I7,v •for cows, Sheep, and hogs. Rijborough, 37^ miles from London. This town is feated a- mong the hills. It has a market on Saturdays, and one fair, on May 6, for cattle. Winflow, 5 1 miles' from London, it is feated in a good foil, where there is plenty of wood* This town has a market on Thurf- clays, and two fairs, on Holy-Thurfday, and Auguft 21, for cattle. Little Brickhill, 14 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Littte Brickhill, a village, three miles from Fenny-Stratford, has two fairs, on May i, and Oftober r8, for cattle. , Burnham, a village, wjth three* fairs, on February 25, and May 1, for horfes, cattle, Sheep, and hogs ; and September 21, for horfes, cattle, hogs, and hiring fervants. ANTIQUITIES/ Nutley Abbey, founded and endowed by Walter Giffoid, fe cond Earl of Buckingham, for Canons Regular, A. D 1162. Burnham Priory, was founded for Benedictine Nuns, by Richard, King pf the Romans, A. D. 1166. SEATS of the Nobility, reft are feveral feats, or lodges, particularly Cranburn-Lodge," which Stands on the top of a hill, and has a view not only of Windfor and its parks, but of London, aod the adjacent country. This town fends two Mem bers to Parliament, who at prefent are, the Rt. Hon. John (Mon- tagu) Lord Montagu, only fon of Earl Beaulieu; and Pennifton Portlock Powney, Efq. It has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, on. Eaftej-Tuefdayi for horfes and cattle ; June 5, for hor- .fcs, cattle, Sheep and wool; and Oftober 13, for horfes and cattle. Reading, 34 miles from Winchester ; 49 from Salisbury ; 66 -fjom Glocefter ; 30 from Oxford, and 39 from London ; is the principal town of the county, it Stands on the riv^r Thanes, near D the 18 BERKSHIRE. the influx of the Kennet ; it is fuppofed to have derived its name from the fern which grew hereabouts, called in the Britifh tongue Redin : it is now a very large flourishing place, being a great tho roughfare,, and carrying on a confiderable trade in malt, meal and timber which is conveyed to London by the Thames ; they bring back"from thence, coals, fait, tobacco, grocery-ware, ire. The corporation confifts of a Mayor, twelve Aldermen, and as- many Burgeffes befides other officers : There are three parifh churches in, this town, built of flint and fquare-ftone ; an hofpital was founded here, and liberally endowed by Archbiftiop Laud.- It liad anciently a monaftery, equal to moft in England, both for riches and beauty ; the Gatehoufe is ftill pretty entire,' and- there are fome remains of its walls, eight feet thick. The moft re markable curiofity of Natural Hiftory is, a continued ' bed of oyfter Shells, which for many generations, have been, found near this place, extending through the circumference of five or fix acres of ground. This town fends two members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Fran. AnneSley, of this borough, Efq ; one of the truftees of the Brit. Mufeum, and Richard Aldworth Ne ville, Efq ; brother in law to the marquis of Buckingham. It has, a market on Saturdays, and four fairs, on February 2, for horfes, cattle and pigs ; May 1, for horfes and cattle ; July 25, for hor fes and other cattle ; and on September 21, for cheefe, horfes, >; cattle, and hogs. WaUingford, 14 miles from Reading, and 46 from London, is a very pretty town, it ftarfds upon the Thames. This town is, according to Campden, the Gallena of Ptolemy and'Antonius, and the capital of the Attribatii. Of Gallena a little altered, and of Ford, he thinks its prefent name is compounded. It had former ly no lefs than fourteen churGhes, befides a collegiate chapel in its caftle, which was one of the largeft and ftrongeft in England, and was annexed, with the honour, to the Earldom of Cornwall* It is governed by a Mayor, High Steward, Recorder, five Al- dermfte, who ate juftices df peace within the borough^ a Towrj- Cleik, BERKSHIR E. i9 'Clpfk, two Bailiffs, a Chamberlain, and eighteen Affiftants : it has a ftone bridge 309 yards long, having 19 arches and draw bridges ; its chief fupport is the malt trade, from the conveni ency of fending it to London. Here are two churches, a well- built town-hall, ap4 ¦ a free-fchool ; it- had formerly a famous caftle, fome ruins of which are ftill to be Seen. This town fends two members to Parliament, who are at prefent, Sir Francis Sykes, bart. brother-in-law to vifcount Galway, and Thomas Aubrey, efq; brother to the member fof Bucks, a captain in the 47th reg. of foot, and ranks as a major in the army. It has a market, on Fridays, and four fairs, on Tuefday before Eafter, for pleafure ; June 24, for horfes ; September 29, for hiring fervants ; and December 1 7, for fat hogs. Abington, or Abingdon, 24 miles from Reading, and 56. from London, took its name from an Abbey built there by Ciffa, King of the Weft-Saxons, which grew by degrees to fuch magnificenc.ei as to vie with any Abbey in Britain for riches and grandeur. The affizes are often held here, and the public bufinefs of the county is tranfafted in a large hall above the market-houfe, Standing upon pillars of moft curious afhlar work. The corporation, consti tuted by Queen Mary, confifts of a Mayor,, two Bailiffs, nine Aldermen, called Principal Burgeffes, an High Steward, Recor der, Town-Clerk, and fixteen, or more,- Secondary Burgeffes, •who fince the diffolution of the Abbey, are entitled to the pro fit of its market and fairs. The chief trade of the town is in malt, which they fend to London ; it has two churches, two alms-houfes, a free and charity fchool, befides an hofpital called St. Helens. It gives title of Earl to the noble family of Bertie. This town fends one. member to Parliament, who at prefent is, Edward Loveden Loveden, Efq ; It has a market on Mondays and Fridays, arid the fairs are on the firft Monday in Lent, June 20-, •September 10, and December 11, all for horfes and cattle. Farringdon, 32 miles from Reading, and 68 from London,, it is neat, clean, and pleafantly. fituated on a hill, near the river D« Oufe; 20 BERKSHIRE. Oufe ; the church is a large handfome ftrufture ; from berice al- , moft to Abingdon, extends that fertile vale, called the vale 8f the White Horfe. Land is faid to be dearer here than any where elfe, at the fame diftance from London. This town hae a market, on Tuefdays, and three fairs, on February 2, and Whkfun- Tuefday, for horfes and fat cattle; and on Oftober ir, for horfes, fat cattle, and abundance of hogs. Wantage, 60 miles from London, is noted for being for merly a royal villa, and the birth place of King Alfred. A little river runs by it, out of the vale of White Horfe; into the Ock. This is a pretty neat town, with a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, on tlie firft Saturday in March, July 18, and Sep. tember 17, for horfes, cows, calves, hogs, cheefe, and hops. Hungerford, 64J miles from London, ftands on the river Ken net, famous for the beft' trouts and cray fiih 5 neither its build ings nor market are considerable. The Conftable, who is chofen yearly, is Lord of the Manor, and holds it immediately under the King. They have a horn here, holding about a quart, which, the infcription fays was given by John of Gaunt. This town has a market on Wednefdays, and a fair on Auguft 21, for hor fes. Cows, and Sheep. ' Newbury, 17 miles from Reading, and 56 from London, re markable for being the birth place of that great clothier Jack of Newbury. This town acquired its name from growing' up as the ancient Spinas of the Romans decayed. A large quantity of fhalloons and druggets are made here ; which with its other trades, render it a flourishing town. It ftands very pleafantly in a fruitful plain on the river Kennet ; The ftreets are fpaciotis, and particularly the market-place, in which ftands the Guildhall. Fox reports, that at the fand pits near this town, feveral were burnt for their religion, in the bloody reign of Queen Mary. It is governed by a Mayor, High-Steward, Recorder, Aldermen, and Capital Burgeffes. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and four fairs, on Holy-Thurfday, for horfes and other cattle-; BERKSHIRE. 21 July 5, for horfes, cows, and hogs ; September 3, for cheefe and horfes ; and Oftober 28, St. Simon and St. Jude, for the fame. Lambtrn, or Langborn, %6\ miles from reading, and 68 from s London, it takes its name from a little river that runs by it, and falls into the river Kennet^ near Thackum. It ftands on the fouth fide of White Horfe hill in a pleafant fporting country ; It is par ticularly noted for its rivulet, which is always higheft in fummer, but fo low in winter as to be almoft entirely loft. At Benning ton, or Dimnington, in the neighbourhood, Chaucer is faid to have live'd, and to have compofed many of his poems under an oak, which was ftanding about thirty or forty years ago. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and three fairs, on May 12, Ofto ber 2, December 4, for horfes, cows, boots, Shoes, and young foals. Sunning, two miles from Reading, ftands on a fine rifing ground with the Thames flowing in a very pleafant vale below it; it was anciently the fee of a Bifhop, who had a palace and park here, though it is now only a village. The fee was removed firft to Sherburn, and then to Salisbury, to whofe Bifhop this village ftill belongs. ' Maidenhead, 13 miles from Reading, and 26 from London, ^'t is a pretty large well-built town upon the Thames, over which it has a wooden bridge, maintained by the corporation, who for that purpofe are allowed the tolls both over and under, and three trees yearly out of Windfor Foreft, towards "keeping it in repair. It is governed by a High-Steward, a Mayor, a Steward, and ten Aldermen, and out of the latter are chofen every year two Bridge-mafters. The Mayor is Clerk of the Market, Coroner^ Judge of the Court which is holden once in three weeks, a Juftice of the Peace, together with his predeceflbr, and the Stew- ward, and in conjunftion with the Aldermen, has power to make bye-laws. This town ftands in two parifhes, Bray and Cook- ham; it has a goal both for debtors and felons, a great trade ya. malt, meal," and timber, which are fent in barges to London ; and 22 B E R K SHIRE. :and is a confiderable thoroughfare upon the Bath road. This town has a market on Wednefdays, and three fairs, on Whit-. fun-Wednefday for horfes and cattle ; September 29, for horfes, 'cattle and hireing fervants ; November 30, for horfes and cattle. Bray., about a mile from Maidenhead, is very famous both on account of its Antiquity and Vicar, who -was twice a Papift and twice a Proteftant in the reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. Queen Mary and Queen EliEabeth. Mortimer, a village with two fairs, on April 27, for horfes, cc-.-s, Sheep, hogs, and pedlary'; and November 6, for horfes and Welch cattle. New-Bridge, a village with two fairs, on March 31, and September 28, for cheefe and horfes. Flichamftead, a village, with one fair, on April 23 for cattle. Twyford, a village, four miles from reading, with one fair, ©n July 26, for horfes, other cattle and toys. Wadley, a village within a mile and an half of Farringdon, with one fair on April 7, for horfes and cows. Waltham St* Lawrence, a village, five miles from Maidenhead, with one fair on Auguft io, for horfes and cattle. Eaft-Ifley, 5 1 miles from London, it is fituated between tw» hills, among fruitful corn fields, and excellent downs for feed ing Sheep. This town is not contemptible, it has a market oil every Wednefday in the fummer, chiefly for fheep ; and one fair, on Auguft 6, for Sheep and lambs. Oakingham, Okeingham, Ockingham, or Wokingham, this is the Chief place in Windfor-Foreft, is a pretty large town, and has a manufacture of filk ftockings: It has a free fchool and hofpital,, and the corporation confifts of an Alderman, Recorder, and Ca pital Burgeftes. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and the fairs are on the Thurfday before Shrove-Tide, July 1 1 , and November 2, for horfes and cattle. A NT I- BERKSHIRE. ANTIQUITIES. The moft remarkable Antiquities are, i. St. Leonard's Hill, near Windfor, on which have been difcovered great numbers of ancient coins, inftruments of war, and an antic camp. 2. A large camp in Eaft-HempStead, in Windfor foreft, called Crefar's camp. 3. Another of a quadrangular form with fingle work, on the brow of a hill, a mile above Wantage. 4. Another at Afhbury-Park, near Kingfton-Lifle, almoft of a round figure, about one hundred paces diameter, and the works fingle, fup pofed to be Danifh. 5. Above the fame hiU, and at about two furlongs diftance, is a . barrow called Dragon-HiH> fuppofed the Tumults of Uter-pendragon. 6. Cherbury-Caftle, within two miles of Denchworth, an orbicular rampart, treble ditched, faid to have been the Caftle of the Danifh King Canute. 7. Ickleton- way, a high Roman ridge, part of Icknild^Street, which the Antiquarians trace to Strately. 8. About four miles Eaft from Eaft-ISley, are tombs and Statues *of an extaordinary Size ; fup pofed by the Antiquarians, to have been made for the family of La Beck, who had a caftle here. SEATS of the Nobility, 6c. Duke of St. Alban's at Windfor. — Duke of Marlborough's at Langley-Broom, near Stoke. Earl of Abingdon's at Witham, three miles from Oxford. — EarlKer's at Beaumont-Lodge. — Earl Talbot's at Windfor. — Earl of Radnor's at Colefhill, near Farr ringdon. — Lord Craven's at Hamfted-Marfhal, three miles from Newbury, Beenham, and Afhdown-Park, near Lambourn. Baronefs Stawell's at Aldermarfton Sir Jofeph Andrew's at" Sha.w.— Sir Walter Cbmpton's at Hurft.— Sir William Eaft's at ^ Hall-Place. — Sir Henry Englefield's at White Knights, near Read ing.-— Sir John Moor's at Fawley.—Sir John Read's at Barton. — 24 CORNWALL. Sir John Srbnehoufe's at Radley.— — .Nathaniel Bayley's, Efq ; at. Shipton-houfe, near Abingdon— Mr. Vanfittart's of SKottefbrooke> Lord Cadogan's at Caverfham.'— Mr. Congreve's at Aldermarfton-.. Houfe.— Mr. Hayes's at Holy-Port.— Lord Barrington's at Bec ket.— Mr. Dodd's at Swallow-field.— Honourable Mr. Yorke's, at Sondley near Windfor.— Mr. Sykes's at Baffildon.— Mr. Ful ler's at Maidenhead-Thicket. — Mr. Neville's at Stanlake. Ge neral Conway's at Park-Place. — Honourable Mr. Bertie's at Yat-, tendon.— Mr. Walcb's at Warfield. Mr. Elwes's at Mareham.— Mr. Griffith's at Padworth. — Mr. Mayor's at, Lacy-Court, near Abingdon. CORNWALL. CORNWALL, called alfo by modern writers, in Latin, Cor* nubia, reaches out to the weft the fartheft of all Britain, and is inhabited by thofe remains of the Britons, which Ma- rianus Scotus calls Weftern Britons. By them it, is called Kernaw, as leffehing by degrees like a Horn, and on every fide running out into high promontories like fo many horns; for the Britons called a Horn, Corn ; and Horns, in the plural number, Kern. This county is terminated on the Eaft by the river Ta- mar, which divides it from Devonshire ; on the North by the Briftol Channel ; on the Weft by St. George's Channel ; and on the South by the Britifh Channel. It is divided into nine hun dreds, and contains 21 parliament boroughs, 27 market-towns, 161 pariSh-churches, befides chapels of eafe, and betwixt twelve and 13,00 villages. Its circumference is computed at 150 miles, and its acres at about 960,000 ; but Mr. Carew tells us, that by a furvey made in the reign of Edward I, it contained 1,500,000 acres, whence it feems probable, that the iflands of Scilly were theri reckoned part of it, as having once been connefted to it, though CORNWALL. 2J though fince feparated by the fea. Its chief rivers are the Tamar and Hamal, the former of which rifes near Hartland, in the north-weft corner of Devonshire, * runs to the fouth, and falls into the Britifh channel at Plymouth, the latter falls into the Briftol Channel at Padftow. This county, though mountainous and rocky, hath all kinds of foil ; in the vallies plenty of pafture, and the land near the fea is manured with fea-weed, called Ore- wood, and a fat kind of fand. In this county are got excellent Slate tiles, which are not only ufed in England, but great Quan tities exported into foreign countries ; -it is likewife, famous for moor-ftone, which grows in mooriSh ground, of great ufe in facing windows, doors and chimnies, and when polifhed looks like Egyptian Granate. It abounds' with mines of tin arid lead; and with the tin a yellow ore is dug, called Mundic, which af fords copper, as good as the SwediSh ; the ore emits a fuffocating vapour, and the water that runs from it, after it is burnt, is poi_ fonous, though before a fpeedy cure for wounds. Nor are tin and lead the only minerals found here ; there are likewife gold, filver, and diamonds naturally cut into angles and polifhed ; fome of which are as big as a walnut, and only inferior to thofe in the Eaft, in blacknefs and hardnefs ; they are exceeding good to be cut into feals whether of coats of arms, crefts, or any other device ; having foftnefs enough to receive the inftrument, and hardnefs enough to retain the figure; which they do better. than filver, gold, or Steel, or perhaps., than any other ftone. Their horfes are generally fmall, their Sheep for the moft part have no horns, but the flefh Is very good, and the wool equal to any in England. They hare great plenty of fifh of various kinds, but what they acquire moft profit from are the pilchards, eight or nine hundred hogfheads of them being generally taken and cured in one feafon. This county fends two members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Sir William Lemon, Bart, aud Sir William Molefworth, Bart. a. E Launceftoin 2$ C O R N W A L L. Launcefion, 52 miles from Truro ; 42 from Exeter; 24 jrom? Plymouth ; 122 from Bath; 121 from Salisbury, and 214 from London; is the moft ancient and chief town of the county : it is. a fine populous and trading town. Launcefton Caftle was former ly a very ftrong- place, and thence obtained the ,name of Caftle Terrible ; the round hill on which it Stands being environed with a triple wall. It was built by William de Morton, Earl of Corn wall, foon after the conqueft. At prefent it is fo much decayed, that no part of it is ufed, except that which ferves for the county goal. This town fends two members to parliament, who are, at prefent, the Rt. Hon! Charles George (Perceval) Lord Arden ia the kingdom of Ireland, brother to the earl of Egmont, and one of the lords of the Admiralty, and George Rofe, Efq ; joint Secre tary to the Treafury, and Mafter of the Pleas Office. It has a mar ket on Saturdays, and four fairs, viz., Whitfun-Monday, July 5, November 17, arid December 6, for cattle. Lefkeard,i 220 miles fiom London, is one of the largeft and belt built towns in Cornwall, and has perlraps the greateft market and trade, efpecially in the manufacture of leather ; here is a hand fome town hall, on ftone pillars, with a turret on it, and a noble , clock with four dials, that coft near 200 pounds. It has a large church, and an eminent free-fchool. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, the Hon. Edward JamesElliot, King's Remembrancer in tbeCourtof Exchequer, and one of the lords of the Treafury, and the Hon. John Elliot, brother to the above member; It has a market on Saturdays, and feven fairs, viz. Sbrove-Monday, Monday fe'nnight before Eafter, Ho ly-Thurfday, Auguft 15, St. Matthew, September 21, and De cember 10, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops, Leftwithiel, 229 miles from London, is a well-built town on the river Tay. The common goal is at this place, and it ' is here that all the county courts are held. Its church is large with a fine fteeple. Leftwithiel Palace, was the principal p?Jace and $&hequer ofthe Earls and Dukes of Cornwall, after they removed from CORNWALL. 27 from-the Reftormel Caftle, on the adjacent hill. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, John Thomas Ellis, Efq; and Sir John Sinclair, Bart. It has a market on Fridays, and three fairs, viz. June 29, Auguft 24, and Novem ber 2, for cattle, &c. Truro, 52 miles from Launcefton, and 251 from London, ftands at the conflux- of two rivers that almoft' encompafs the town, and form a large wharf: Its chief trade confifts in Shipping off tin and copper ore, found in great quantities in the adjacent mountains. It is a Confiderable town, with regular ftreets, well frequented markets, a large market- houfe, and church, and the buildings fcarce inferior to any in the county. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, William Auguft us Spencer Bofcawen, Efq ; a lieutenant colonel in the Colftream Tegiment of foot guards, (a vacancy.) It has two markets on Wed nefdays and and Saturdays, and four fairs, viz. Wednefday in Mid-lent, and Wednefday in Whitfun-week, November 19, De cember 1 8, for horfes, horned cattle, Sheep, and a few hops. Bodmyn, 14 miles from Launcefton, and 232 miles from Lon don, ftands almoft in the centre of the county. Its church, whofe fpire was deftroyed by lightning, in 1699, is reckoned the largeft in Cornwall. There is a good corn and fleSh market. The town is near a mile long, . fituated in a valley between two hills. A carnival is kept every July, on Halgaver-Mdor, near this town, which is reforted to by thoufands of people. This town fends1 two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Sir John. Morfhead, Ba^rt. and Thomas Hunt Efq ; brother to the late member. It has a market on Saturdays, and four fairs, viz'. January 25, Saturday after Mid-Lent Sunday, Wednefday before Whit-Sunday, and December 6, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and hops. Helfion, 270 miles from London, ftands on the river Cobert, not far from its influx into the Englifh Channel : it is a large, populous, trading town, built in, the form of a crofs, with four ftreets, through each of which runs a ftream of water centering E* •«£ ^ CORNWALL/ at a large market-houfe. It has a Guildhall, large handfome church, with a fteeple about 90 feet high, which ferves as a fea mark. Between Welftone-down, and the channel is Loopool-lake,, two mile's long, and five in compafs, where are plenty of a kind of baftard trout. This town fends two members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Roger Wilbraham, Efq ; and James Bland Burges, Efq. It has a market on Saturdays, and feven fairs, viz. Saturday before Mid-Lent Sunday, Saturday before Palm-Sunday, ; Whitfun-Monday, July 20, September 9, November 8, and the 2d Saturday before Chriftmas-, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops. Saltafh, 22o| miles from London ; but a league from the dock at Plymouth, to which there is a ferry over the riverj called Crimble Paffage , has a handfome market-houfe and town-houfe. The inhabitants trade largely in malt and beer. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Charles Ambler, Efq ; a King's counfel, and. Attorney general to the Queen, and the Rt. Hon. Eichard Colley WeSley, Earl of Momington in Ireland, a lord of the Treafury, K. P. It has a market on Satiir-" days, and two fairs, viz. on February 2, and Auguft 5, for hor fes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops. Camelford, 24! miles from Launcefton, and 228| from Lon don, ftands on the river Camel ; it has but one church, Situated half a mile out of the town, and about an hundred houfes, bad ly built, but the ftreets are broad and well paved : its arms are a Camel Paffant over a ford. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, James Macpherfon, Efq ; and Sir Samuel Hanney, Bart. It has a market on Fridays, and four fairs, viz. Friday after March 10, May 26, July 17, and Septem ber 6, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops. WeftLooe, 16 miles from Plymouth, and 23 if from London, .ftarids on the Weft fide of the River Low, or rather on a fmall creek of the channel, oppofite Eaftlow, to which it is joined by a large ftone bridge. This town fends two Members to Parlia ment, CORNWALL. 29 merit, who at prefent are, John Scott, Efqj a Major in the Eaft Indies, and James Adams,. Efq. It has a market on Saturdays, and a fair, on March 5, for cattle, &c. Eaftlow, 231 miles from London, on the Eaft fide of the river, is defended by a fmall battery of guns. This town (ends two Members to Parliament, wno at prefent are, Alexander Ir vine, Efq; a lieut. in the firft regirrient of foot guards, and Richard Grovefnor, Efq It has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs, vix. on February 13, Oftober 10, for horfes, oxen, flieep, cloth and a few hops. Grampound, 46 miles from. Launcefton, and 243 from Lon don, has a bridge over the river Falle ; this town was by John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall, endowed with large privileges. It fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Francis Baring, Efq ; a Director of the Eaft India company, and the Hon. John Somers Cocks, eldeft fon of Lord Sorners. This town has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, viz. January 18, March 25, and June 11, for cattle, &c. Penryh, 62 miles from Launcefton, arid 261 from London,. ftands near the entrance of the haven at Falmouth, on the fide of Pendennis caftle; it has neat buildings,- with fuch gardens and orchards that it appears like a town in a wood ; it is well wa tered with rivulets, and has an arm of the fea on each fide, with a goad Cuftom-Houfe and key, and tra#;s much in pilchards. — This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Francis Baffet, Bart. P.ecorder of the borough of Tregony, Sir John St. Aubyn, Bart. It has a market on Wednefdays and Fridays for corn, and on Saturdays for provifions, and three fairs, viz. on May 1, July 7, and December 21, for horfes, cattle, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops. Tregony, 256 miles from London, is feated on a creek by Falmouth haven, and is much decayed, it is governed by a Mayor, feven Capital Bugeffes, and a Juftice of the Quorum. It has no church, and only about one hundred and fifty houfes poorly built. -n CORNWALL. . , built. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at , prefent are, the Rt. Hon! Sir Lloyd Kenyon, Barf. Mafter of the ' Rolls, and Robert Kingfmill, Efq ; a captain in the royal navy. It has a market on Saturdays, and five fairs, on Shrove-Tuefday; May 3, July 25, September 1, and November 6, for horfes,- oxen, Iheep, cloth, and a few hops. Bofftney,. 233 miles from London, has the ruins of a caftle, reckoned one of the wonders of the county ; it ftood on two vaft high, Steep rocks, one on an ifland, the other on the conti-, nent, joined together by a draw-bridge. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, the Hon. Charles. Stuart, fourth fon of the Earl of Bute, Deputy Ranger of Richmond; Park, and a Colonel in the Army, and Matthew Montagu, Efq. - It has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, on Auguft 5, and November 22, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops. St. Ives, 274 miles from London, is an ancient town of very good repute, and has a handfome church ; but the town ftands fo near the fea, that it is greatly incommoded by the waves. Ma- dern Hills, in the roads from hence to the Land's-End, afford an agreable profpeft of the Cornifh coaft, and the Englifh and < IriSh Channels ; here is a grammar fchool, and near it fome cop per mines. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, William Praed, Efq ; and Richard Barwell, Efq. It has a market on Wecfcefdays and Saturdays, and one fair on the Saturday before Advent-Sunday, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, _ cloth, and a few hops. Fowey, 29 miles from Launcefton, and 239I from Londonj has a commodious haven in the Englifh Channel ; it is a populous ' and pretty town, extending about a mile on the Weft fide of a river of that name, and has a good Share in the fifhing trade. It was famous in former times, for fea-fights ; the memory whereof remains in the arms of the place, which are a compound of all thofe of the Cinque ports. On each fide of the harbour, is a fort, , fcuiit by Edward IV, who, a little after, upon a difpleafure com ceived C O R N W A-L L. 32 ceived againft the -men of Fowey, for preying upon the French coafts, though a peace had been made with that kingdom, took , from them all their Ships and naval ftores. Here is a fine large old church, and the ruins of two towers built for defence againft the French. This' town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Philip RaShleigh, Efq ; and the Hon. Richard Edgcurhbe, fon of Lord Edgcumbe. It has a market on Satur days, and two fairs, on May i, arid September io, for horfes,, oxen, Sheep,, cloth, and a few hops. St. Germains, 223 miles from London, was once a bifhop's fee, and has Still the ruins of the epifcopal palace. It is at prefent on ly a large extenfive village, its chief trade is fifhing in Tiddiford river, whi,ch falls ten miles below this place into Plymouth har bour. The priory of St. Germains was the feat of a bifhop from the year 937 to 1049 ; but on the removal of the fee to Exeter, which happened in 1050, a Prior and Monks were eftablifhed here, whofe revenue, at- the diffolution of monasteries, was rated at 243L 8s. The fuffragan Bifhop of Cornwall took his title from hence. In the year 1575-, the family of Elliot purchafed the prio ry boufe, calling it Port-Elliott, and in this ancient family it has ever Since* continued- This town fends two Members to Parlia ment, who at prefent are, John James Hamilton, Efq ; nephew and heir to the Earl of Abercorn, and Abel Smith, Efq. It has a market on Fridays, and two fairs, on May 28, and Auguft 1, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, and a few hops. St. Michael, 247 miles" from London has neither market nor fairs, yet fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, David Howel, Efq ; capt. in the 16th reg. of light dragoons, and Chriftopher Hawkins, Efq. St. Mawes, 267 miles from London, has neither market nor fair ; here is a caftle built by Henry Vi II, which is the largeft in the kingdom, to defend the .entrance of the harbour. 'The town is near two miles from its parifh church of St Jufte, to which it is a hamlet : It confifts of one large ftreet fronting the fea. The inhabitants 34 CORNWALL. inhabitants fubfift chiefly by fifhing. It fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Hugh Bofcawen, Efq ; and William Young, Efq ; fon of Sir William Young, Bart. Callington, n miles from Launcefton, and 215I from London, ftands on the river Lamara. It has orie good broad ftreet, with a market-houfe, a neat church, and is not inferior to many of the Cornifh boroughs -for buildings and wealth. The chief trade is the woollen manufacture. This town ferids two Members to Par liament; who at prefent are, John Call, Efq ; a Banker in Weft minfter, and Paul Orchard, Efq ; Col. of the north regiment of Devonshire militia. It has a market on Wednefdays, and three.. farps, yjz. on May 4, September 19, and November 12, for hor fes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and hops. Falmouth, 64 miles from Launcefton, and 263! from, Lon don; where the river Fall runs into the Englifh channel. It is by much the richeft and beft trading town in the County. This harbour is as noble as the Brundufium of Italy, and very capaci ous ; for an hundred fhips may ride in its winding bays at fuch a diftance, that, from no one of them, fhall be feen the top of another's main maft. It is alfo fecure from winds, being guarded on all fides with high creeks. At the very entrance there is a high uneven rock, called by the inhabitants Crage ; and each fide of it is fortified with a caftle, built by Henry VIII, for the fafety ofthe place, and the terror of the enemy : That on the Eaft is Su Maudit's, and that on the Weft Pendennis ; of which an antiqua rian poet writes thus : High on a craggy rock Pendennis ftands, And with its Thunder all the port commands, While ftrong St. Maudit's anfwer s it below, Where Falmouth's funds the fpacious harbour fhew. This town is well built, and its trade greatly increafed fince the eftablifhment of the packets fiom hence to Portugal, North-A merica, C O R N W A LL. 33 rtleriba, and the Weft-Indies, which not only brings over vaft quantities of gold in fpecie or bars, for the merchants of Lan don, but the Falmouth merchants carry on a large trade with Portugal in their own Ships. It gives title of Vifcount to the noble family of Bofcawen. This town has a market on Thurf- days, and two fairs, on July 27, and Oftober 10, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops. Penzance, 68 miles from Launcefton, and 289 from London, is the fartheft town in the Weft of England ; It is well built and populous, and has many Ships belonging to it ; veins of lead, tin, and copper are faid to be feen here, even to the utmoft ex tent of low- water mark. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, on Thurfday after Trinity-Sunday, and Thurfday before Advent-Sunday, for horfes, oxen, fheep, cloth, and a few hops. . St. Burien's, 295 miles from London, , is an independant Deariry, including three parifhes, and has a fpiritual jurifdiftion. from whence there is no appeal but to the King. Mountfbay, is a gulph near Penzance, fo, named from a high rock in the water, which the feamen call the Cornifh mount (but properly St. Michael's mount) having a chapel in a fort upon the top. -When the tide is out, the rock feems to join the main land. St. Michael's mount has on its top an ancient religious houfe, built by William de Morton, Earl of Cornwal, Nephew to Wil liam the Conqueror, and which he annexed as a cell to the larg er monaftery of St. Michael de Periculo Mavis, in Normandy. A- bout 200 years fince, as they were digging at the bottom of the mountain for tin, they found feveral fpear heads, axes, . &c wrapped up in linen. At the foot of the mount is a noble and capacious pier or mole, where great numbers of fhips may be cleared and refitted. St .Neot's, between Kellington and Bodmin, hath 3 handfome church, in the windows of which many Jewifh traditions are F painted : 34 CORNWALL- painted : the explication of which is preferved in the public IU brary at Oxford, in a book written in the Cornifh tongue. Padftow, ,30 miles from Launcefton, and 243 from London, is contrafted from Perrockflow (as it is called in the hiftories of 1 the faints) from one Petrocus; a Britifli Saint, who lived here in a religious way ; it ftands at the mouth of the river Camel, in the Britifh channel, and lies Convenient for trade to Ireland. From hence to St. Ives, is a moft pleafant fruitful country. The hills ori the left abound with tih, copper, and lead. This town has A market on Saturdays, and two fairs, on April 1 8, and September 21, for cattle, &c. _ Wadebridge, 20 miles from Launcefton, and 237 from London* has a large ftone bridge over the river Camel, built to prevent the dangers horfemen were expofed to from the ferry ; fome of the arches were founded on wool-packs, as there were fo many quick- fands. It has three fairs,' viz. TVlay 12, June 22, and Oftober 10, for cattle, &c. Redruth, 260 miles from London, is a town between St. Ives and Truro, being the great refort of tinners. Its market is dif- . tifed, but has three fairs, May 2, September 5, and Oftober 1, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, and cloth. Trematon Caftle, (of which the Lord Warden of the Stanaries is fteward) ftands high, and affords a delightful view of Plymouth. harbour, but is now in ruins. This caftle has one of the four houfes, and the head of a Barony, ofthe ancient Earls and Dukes ©f Cornwall. About 200 years fince, there was dug up in the Ghancel of the parifh church, a leaden coffin, which being open ed, there appeared the Skeleton of a very large man. On the lead was an Infcription, expreffing it to be the body of a Duke* whofe heir was married to a Prince. Mr. Carew in his furvey cf Cornwall, fuppofes it tobe Orgarius, whofe daughter was mar ried to Edgar. St. Auftle, 6 miles from Fowey, and 236 from London; a village formerly of fome account ; and it has now a market on Fridays, C 0,R N W A L L. 35- Fridays, and three fairs, on Good-Friday, Whitfun -Thurfday, and November io, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops. <• , ¦ » Stratton, 18 miles from Launcefton, and 222 from London, it is feated between two rivulets, which here unite, and fall into' the fea at a fmall diftance. The chief riches of the inhabitants rife from the gardens and orchards, but more efpecially garlick. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and three fairs, on May 19, November 8, and December 11, for horfes, oxen, Sheep* cloth, and a few hops. St. Blafey, 5 miles from Fowey, and 244 from London, a village with one fair, on February 2, for horfes, oxen, flieep, and a few hops. Cambron, 5 miles from Redruth, a village with three fairs, on February 24, June 29, and November 11, all for horfes, oxen, fheep, cloth, and a few hops. Goldfithnay, a village with one fair, on Auguft 6, for horfes,. oxen, Sheep, cloth, and a few .hops. Kilkhampton, a village near Hartland Point, three miles from Stratum, with two fairs, viz. on Holy-Thurfday, and three weeks after Holy-Thurfday, for horfes, oxen, fheep, cloth, and a few hopsi St. Lawrence, a village with two fairs, on Auguft 20, and Oftober 29, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops. Lelant, a village five miles from Penzance, with one fair, on Auguft 15, for horfes, oxen, fheep, and a few hops. Market-Jew, or, Merazien, 3 miles from Penzance, and 286 from London, is feated on an arm of the fea, called Mount's- Bay. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, viz. three weeks before Eafter-Eve, and September 29, for horfes, oxen, fheep, cloth, and a few- hops/ Menchinot, a village with two fairs, viz. on June ir, July 28. and April 23, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops. F 2 Probus, %6 CORNWALL. Probus, a Village with three fairs, en May 4, July s*j 3nd September 17, for horfes, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops. Plmt, a village with one fair, on June 24, for horfes, &c. Staner-Court, a village with two fairs, viz. Holy-Thurfday, and September 45, for horfes, oxen, Sheep, cloth, and a few hops. Trew, a village with two fairs, viz. on Holy-Thurfday, and July 25, for horfes, &c. St. Tudy, a village with two fairs, on May 15, and Septembet 14, for horfes, &c. Week St. Mary, a village with two fairs, on September 19^ and Wednefday three weeks before Chpftmas-day, for horfes, oxen, fheep, cloth, and a few hops, S C I L L T ISLANDS. T" HE Iflands of Sgil l t have been always deemed part of Cornwall, they are about 140 fmall iflands, 30 miles from the Land's End, of which one called St. Mary's is the largeft, being nine miles in circumference; it has a good harbour, and a caftle, and is more fruitful than thp reft ; it ftands high. Some of the iflands are overflowed at high water ; fome of them bear good corn ; fome abound with rabbits, cranes, herons, &c. 0- thers formerly abounded with tin mines ; but at prefent there are no veftiges of any fuch rnines. The Phoenicians, Carthagenians, and Romans frequented thefe iflands. They are fituated in the middle betwixt St. George's Channel on the North, and the EngliSh Channel on the South, fo that it is no wonder they have proved the deftruftion of fo many Ships and lives. Here Sir Cloudefley Shovel met his much lamented fate, Oftober 22, 1707. Great pains were taken to fix the latitude, and affift tbe mariner to avoid thefe iflands, hy the late Dr. Halley. But the greateft ornament 0f this ifland ^s the light-houfe, of 51 feet Jii^h, andthe gallery four. The fafh lights are eleven feet fix CORNWALL. 37 inches high, and three feet two inches broad. It ftands on high land and is a very fine cojumn. A N T I $_ U I T IE S. i. Bifcaw-woane, near the lands end, a parifh which gives name to the family of Bofcawen. Here are nineteen ftones fixed in a circle about twelve feet from one another, fuppofed to have been a fepulch'ral monument of the ancient Britons. 2. The Hurlers, a great number of oblong rough ftones in three circles on the downs, not far from Bodmin. The fuperftitious vulgar will have it that they were men transformed into ftoneSj for play ing at ball on a Sunday ; Dr. Stukely thinks them the remains ©f an ancient temple of the Druids. 3. At Tintagil, about four miles from Bofcaftle is a heap of noble ruins. Tintagil Caftle was one of the' four houfes of the ancient Earls . of Cornwall, and ftands partly on the top of a hill. There is a very deep cave, faid to be the grave of a hermit, hewn out of the rock, alfo a fine fpring of wafer. Under the ifland is another cave, through which you may row at full fea. This is faid to be the birth-place of the famous King Arthur ; and likewife the place near which he loft his life in a battle between the Britons and the Saxons. 4. At Caftle Treryn is a famous rock called Loganftone, which is placed upon another rock in fuch a manner, that it may be moved by one finger, though of an enormous weight. — 5. Pengerick Caftle, Situated on the Eaft fide of Mount's Bay, is now in the poffeffion of the noble family of Godolphin. 6. Reftormel Caftle was, one of the moft ancient and principal feats of the British Dukes of Cornwall, and others, long before the Conqueft. SEATS of the Nobility, 6c. Earl of Godolphin's at Godolphin, four miles from Market- Jew.— ^Lord Vifcount Falmouth's at Tregothan, three miles- from Truro. — . 3« CAMBRIDGESHIRE. Truro. Lord Arundel's at Trerife, four miles from St. Co lumb.— Lord Edgecumbe's at Cotell. — Sir John Molesworth's at Pencarrow. — Sir John St. Aubyn's at Clowance, near Helftone. ~^-Sir Bourchier Wrey's at Trebitch. — Mr. Rafhleigh^s at Mena- ¦billy. — Port-Elliott, a noble feat of the Elliott family, fronting the river Tiddiford, in its paflage through the parifh of St. Ger" mains to the harbour at Plymouth. — Boconnock, five miles from Lefkeard, was the feat ofthe late Lord Mahun, but now of Thomas Pitt, Efq ; elder brother of the Earl of Chatham.— Mr. Sergeant Glynn's, recorder of the city of London, at Glynn, near Bodmin. — Mr. H. Bofcawen's at Errifcy. CAMBRIDGESHIRE. CAMBRIDGESHIRE is Stretched length-ways to the North and it borders upon Norfolk and Suffolk on the Eaft; Effex and Hertfordshire on the South ; Bedfordshire and Hun tingdonshire on the weft ; and Lincolnshire on the North. The river Oufe, running from Weft to Eaft, croffes it and divides it in to two parts ; the fouth and lower part is more improved, better planted, and confequently more rich and fertile than the other ; fufficiently plain, but not quite level ; chiefly, or, indeed, whol ly, ' (except that part which produces plenty of faffron) confift ing of corn fields, abundantly flored witli the beft barley, of which they make great quantities of malt, and of this the in habitants drive a gainful trade into the neighbouring counties. This county hath, of late years, had two very considerable improvements of its foil and air ; the firft by planting great .quantities of Saint- Foin ; the fecond by draining the fens in the Ifle of Ely, a work that was carried on at a vaft expence, but bas at laft turned to a double account, both in gaining much ground, and mending the reft ; and alfo in refining and clear ing CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 3^ ing the air of this county. The north part comprehending ther Ifle of Ely, is all meadow and fen-ground which feeds vaft heards of cattle ; and the numerous lakes, rivers, and canals, which divide the fens, abound in fifh and wild fowl, and give. the in habitants an eafy communication with feveral counties, as well as with the fea which occafion a very brifk trade. On the Eaft are 1 thofe fine downs which go by the name of Newmarket- heath,, and GogmagOg hills ; " and on the Weft, towards Roy- fton, are downs no lefs extenfive, intermixed with corri fields. — The chief rivers are, the Grant, the Oufe, and the Nen ; which run generally from Weft to Eaft, and having received fe veral other leffer ftreams in their Courfe, fall into the Gerrhari fea, near Lynn in Norfolk. The tide runs with that violence up the Nen, . as far as Wifbeach, about either equinox, that it Will everfet any boat in the way of it ; and the fait Waves dafhing a- gainft each other, in the night time appears like a Stream of fire : This is generally called the Eager, from the impetudfity of its courfe. This county is divided into 17 hundreds* and contains eight market towns, 163 parifhes, about 279 villages, and 570,000 acres. This county fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Philip York, Efq ; nephew and heir to th& Earl of Hardwicke, and Sir Henry Peyton, Bart. Cambridge, 62 nriles from Norwich ; 54 from Ipfwich ; 48" from Colchefter; 32 from Hertford; 28 from Bedford; iff from Huntingdon ; 87 from Lincoln, and 51 miles from Lon don > is fo called from its fituation on the banks of the Cam, which forms feveral iflands on the Weft fide, and divides the town into two parts, which are joined by a large ftone bridge. This city is very ancient, being well known in the time of the Romans, by the name of Camboritum, which fignifies a ford o- ver Cam, or a crooked ford. William the Conquerer built a ^caftle here, of which the Gatehoufe is ftill ftanding, and ufed for the county-goal. The town is divided into 10 wards,, has 14 parifh churches; contains upwards of 12.00 houfes, for the moft 40 CAMBRIDGESHIRE. moft part irregularly built, and about 6000 inhabitants. Bu* its greateft ornament is its Univerfity. It is, as Camden obferves? one of the grand fountains of religion and learning, which fcat- ter their wholefome ftreams through the gardens of church and ftate. Nor is their any thing wanting that is required in the moft flourifhing Univerfity, were not the air a little too grofs,v ,by reafon of its fenny fituation. This Univerfity, for antiquity,, privileges, beautiful colleges, good difcipline, number of ftudents, plentiful revenues, and all other neceffaries for the advancement of learning, may challenge equality with any other in Europe. — ¦ We fhall not pretend to determine when it was firft inftituted, it being fufficient to obferve, that it has long been a remarkable fe- menaryfor learning, and has libraries well adapted to the promo* tion of literature. The public buildings in the Univerfity are, I. The Senate-Houfe, which forms the north Side of an intended quadrangle, as the fchools and public library do the weft fide : On the South another building is defigned of the like form, direftly oppofite to the Senate-Houfe, : St. Mary's church ftands on the eaft fide of the fquare. The Senate-Houfe is a magnificent and elegant building; the length 101 feet; -breadth 42, and height 32 feet. — II. St. Peter's College, which is the moft ancient, and the firft we meet with on entering the town from London. — III. Clare-Hall a noble college, finely fituated on the eaftern bank of the river, over which it has an elegant ftone-bridge, leading to a fine vifta, beyond which is a beautiful lawn. This delightful fpot is much reforted to on fummer even ings, where, on the one hand, there are elegant buildings, gardens, groves, and the river ; and on the other, corn-fields, to a very great extent. The chapel of this college is now rebuilt from an elegant plan, — IV. Pembroke-Hal!, (or College, there being no difference between a College and Hall at Cambridge) is fituated almoft oppofite Peter-Houfe. The chapel, which is one of the moft elegant, and beft proportioned in the univerfity, was built by Sir Chriftopher Wren.— V. Corpus Chrifti, or Bennet-College, fo CA MBRIDGESHIRE. 41 fb called from the adjoining church of St. Benedict — VI. Tri nity-Hall founded by Bateman, . Bifhop of Norwich, about the year 1353. — VII. College of Gonvil and Caius ; commonly cal led Key's College.— VIII. King's-College, which, on many ac counts is deemed the moft magnificent college in Europe, was founded by King Henry VI, in the year 144 1. The chapel is one of the fineft pieces of Gothic archit'efture in the world, be ing 304 feet long, 73 broad, and 91 feet in height to the battle ments, and yet not a fingle pillar to fuftain the roofs, for there are two ; the firft of ftone, finely wrought, the other' of timber covered with lead, between which a man may walk upright. It is. adorned with twenty-fix beautiful pinnacles, of which the four principal ones are 150 feet high, and are feen at twenty miles dif tance. The carving is inimitably fine, and there ftill remains an image of God the Father driving the fallen Angels out of Hea ven. — IX. Queen's college was founded by Margaret of Anjou, #ife to Henry VI, in' the year 1448, X. Catharine-Hall was founded by Robert Woodlark, in the year 1448, the chapel /Bf*- which is reckoned a fine piece of architecture. — XI. Jefus-Col- lege was founded by John Alcock, Bifhop of Ely, in the year " t497- It is fituated out of the town, and furrounded by groves, gardens, and fine meadows : it was originally a nunnery dedicated to Stv Radegund.- XII. Chrift-College was founded by Mar- g.iret, Countefs of Richmond, ihother to Henry VII, in the year 1506. XIII. St. John's College was likewife founded by the above Countefs of Richmond, upon the place where, in 1 134, Neal, the fecond Bifhop of Ely, founded an hofpital for Canons Regular. The fervice of the chapel here is performed as' in Cathedrals,.-— XIV. Magdalen-College was founded by Tho mas Audley, Lord Chancellor of England, in 1542, and has fince been largely endowed^ by Sir Chriftopher Wren. — XV. Tri nity-College was founded by Henry VIII, in 1546. It is a very grand ftrufture, containing two fpacious quadrangles. The cha pel is 204 feet long, 33 feet 8 inches, broad, and 43 feet 7 in- G ciej* Ai .CAMBRIDGESHIRE. v j. r\ ¦ ¦ ches high. A, beautiful fimplicity reigns throughout this builjl, ing : It is adorned with a grand altar-piece, ftalls, and a noble organ gallery. XVI.'E^anuel-College was founded by Sir Walter Mildmay, in a place where was formerly a convent oi Dominicans. The chapel is well adorned and furnifhed,- and the Hall has lately been fitted up in a grand tafte, and highly finifhed. ¦—XVII, Sidney- Suffex-College was founded by Thomas Ratcliff, Earl of Suffex, in 1588, and had its name from his Countefs, frances Sidney. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, James Warwood Adeane, Efq ; a Major Gene* ral, Lieut. Col. Of the firft troop of horfe grenadier guards, and one ofthe grooms of his majefty's bedchamber, and John Mortlock, Efq ; an Alderman of this town, and a banker. The Univerfity alfo fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, the Rt. Hon. Wm. Pitt, only bro. to the E. of Chatham, firft Lord, of the Treafury,. and Chancellor of the Exchequer, a Commiffio- ner of the Eaft-India board, and a governor of Bridewell and Bethlem hofpitals, and the Rt. Hon. George Henry (Fitzroy) Earl of Eufton, eldeft fon to the Duke qf .Grafton, Colonel of the weft reg. of Suffolk militia. This town has a market on Wed nefdays ^nd Saturdays, and a fair on June 24, for horfes, wood, . and earthen ware. Ely, 17 miles from Cambridge, and 68 from London,, is an ancient city, fituated in the fenny countiy called the Ifle of Ely. Bede derives this name from Eels, and therefore" fome have called it the Ifle of Eels. Being furrounded by the Oufe and ipther 'ftreams, it is unhealthy, tho' it ftands on a rifing ground. ' It was made an, Epifcopal See by Henry I. The ,cathedral and " the Bifhop's Palace are its chief ornaments ; the former has a re markable dome and lanthorn, fuppofed to be the only work of its kind in Europe, which feems to totter with every guft of wind." The city is neither' populous nor beautiful,, but has great plenty of provifions. The chief ftreet, which is on the eaft fide- ofthe' city, is full of fprings, which generally overflow from one to CAMBRIDGESHIRE. ^3 to another, all the way down the hill. This has a market oxt Saturdays,, and two fairs, viz. on Afcenfion^day, for horfes, arid on Thurfday in the week that St. Luke's day falls in, that is Oc tober 1 8, for hofes, cheefe, and hops. Wif beach, 89-- miles from London, is fituated among the fens and rivers in the north botder of the Ifle of Ely, where William the Conqueror erefted a caftle, -Which in the reign of Queen Eli zabeth was converted into a prifon for Romifli priefts and Jefuits. This is at prefent the beft trading town in the whole Ifle of Ely, having the benefit of a fine navigation. This town has a market on Saturdays, and the following fairs, viz. on Saturday and Monday before Palm-Sunday, for hemp and flax ; Monday before Whit-Sunday, for horfes; Saturday before Whit-SunJay, for hemp and flax ; July 25 for horfes ; and Auguft ift and 2d, for hemp and flax. Nbwmarket, 13 miles from Cambridge, and^of from London, is a handfome, well-built town, confifting of one long ftreet, the north fide of which is in Suffolk ; it is famous for horfe-ra- ces, prpdigioufly frequented by perfons of all ranks. The town is not fo modern as the words import, for it was of note in Ed ward the Third's time, but being burnt down in 1683, it was afterwards re-built. Befides the parifh church of St. Mary's, which is in Suffolk, there is alfo a another fmall church, which is properly fpeaking, only a chapel of Eafe to Wood-Ditton, in Cambridgeshire. It is a healthy place, and on its fpacious heath, which is the fineft courfe in England, the King has a houfe for his own refidence, when he comes to the races, which was built by Charles II. This town has a market on. Thursdays, and, two fairs, viz. on Whitfun-Tuefday, and Oftober 28, fsr liorfes and Sheep. Soham, 4 miles from Ely, and 7'of from London, is remar kable only for the ruins of a church burnt by the Danes. The Antiquities, and other remarkable places, befides thofe al ready mentioned, are, G 2 Caxtsn, 44 CAMBRIDGESHIRE. Caxton, 7 miles from Cambridge, and 49 from London, the. birth place of William de Caxton, the firft Printer in England, and of that celebrated Hiftorian Matthew Paris. A Roman way from Arington and Holin, goes through this place to Papworth. This town has a market on Tuefday, and two fairs, on May 5, and Oftober 12, for pedlars wares. Linton, 12 miles from Cambridge, and 48 \ from London, near this place a Roman military way joins the Ikening. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, viz. on Holy- Thurfday, and Auguft 30, for horfes, cheefe, and hops. Thorney-Abbey, founded in the year 972, is fituated among the fens, to the North-Weft of Ely, and was formerly called 4-n- keridge, from the Anchorite's Monaftery there. This place has two fairs, viz, on July 1, and September 21, for horfes. Rech, Roach, or Roche, a fmall town in the hundred of Stone, a fortification, with a large ditch and rampart, begins here, and extends over Newmarket heath. This town has a fair on Rogation- Monday for horfes. Sturbridge, or Sturbich, a place by a little brook called Sture, .in the neighbourhood of Cambridge, where, on September 18, the moft famous fair in the whole kingdom, both for people and wares, is kept ; which fome years ago was reckoned the largeft in Europe. The quantities of wool, hops, woollen cloth, and other articles, fold during this fair, which lafts fourteen days, are almoft incredible. A large caufey was caft up here, leading to wards Newmarket, and at the end of it a ditch, which continued feveral miles, called Severi-Mile-Dyke. Ickleton, 5 miles from Saffron- Walden in Effex, a village with- one fair, on Auguft 2, for horfes. Marfh, 8of miles from London, a village in the Ifle of Ely, with a market on Fridays, and three fairs, on Whitfun- Monday, for houfhold goods, . June 2, for horfes, and Oftober 27, for cheefe. Cogmagog CHESHIRE. 45 Cogmagog Hills, 3 miles from Cambridge, and 50 from Lon don, on the top of them are the remains of a fort or camp, which fome think was an .encampment of the Romans; from the brow of thefe hills a Roman highway ran to the South, Arhury, one mile from Cambridge, has a large camp of a fquare figure ; Roman coins have been found near it. Belfars Hill in Erith, isa large, but not very high rampart. This county has undergone great alterations, William of Malmf- bury defcribed it as very pleafant and fertile. Mrl Sandys fays in his time it was abfolutely the reveffe. .SEATS of the Nobility, £jc. *Duke of Bedford's at Thorney, in the Ifle of Ely. — Earl rt Wednefdays and Saturdays, which are as well provided with all forts of grain, fifh, flefh, and fowl, as any in Eng land, and three fairs, viz. on the laft Thurfday in February, for cattle ; on July 5th, and Oftober 1 oth, for cattle, Irifh linen, hardware, hops, drapery, and Manchefter goods. Malpas, 9 miles from Nantwich, and 166 from London, is fituated on a high hill, not far from the river Dee, on the borders of Shropshire ; in ancient times the road was fo exceeding bad, that it gave name to this town, qu. Malo-Paffus, in the Norman dialeft/ Mal-pas, or the Bad- way. It has a church in the moft eminent part of the town, a grammar-fchooV an hofpital, and a good market-place, and had formerly a caftle, now in ruins. It gives the title of Vifcount to the eldeft fon of the Earl of Cho- piondley. This place has a market on Mondays, and three fairs, viz. on March 25, July 25, and December 8, for cattje, linen, wollen-cloths, hardware, and pedlary. Cholmondley, 3 miles from Malpas, ftands on the river Weaver, near the place where it receives the Comber. It appears by deeds , in Lord Cholmondley's poffeffion, that this place has been Spelt t*enty-five different ways. It gives name and title to the noble family of Cholmondley., Torperky, CHESHIRE. $f Tsrperiey, or Tarperley, g% miles from Chefter, and 172 from London is a great thoroughfare on the Chefter road, and' the ufual place for keeping the Sheriff's Turns, and Hundred Courts. This place has three fairs, viz. May 1, Monday after St. Bartholomew, ¦ Auguft 24, and December 10, for cattle, and pedlar's ware. Namptwich, 2o| miles from Chefter, and i6if from London, is fituated in the Vale Royal, gives name to the Hundred, and is the largeft and beft built town in the county. The wbiteft fait is made here, and therefore it is called by the Welch, Hollath- Wen ; its Latin name is Vicus Malbancus ; being deftroyed by fire in 1583, it was raifed out of its afhes into much better order and beauty than before, and continues fo to this time. The ftreets are very regular and adorned with many gentlemen's houfes. ,. The church is a large beautiful ftrufture, in the form of a crofs, like a cathedral, With the fteeple in the middle. The in habitants drive a confiderable trade, and grow rich, not only by means of its fair, and the advantage of a great road to Ireland, but t>y means of jts large weekly market for cheefe and fait, which are made to greater perfection here than any where elfe. The foil in and about this town yields' fuch fweet and pleafant food for cattle, that though good cheefe is made in other parts of this county, yet that made here, and in the neighbourhood, excels all the reft, it havirig a tafte peculiarly agreeable, and is very eafy of digeftion. The fait fprings, in fome places, are not above three or four feet deep, but the pit, in this town, is full feVeri ; in two places in Namptwich, the fprings break out fo in the meadows, as to fret aWay, not only the grafs, but part of the earth, which has fait liquor oozing, as it were, out of the mud. The fait fprings of this town are about 30, miles from the fea, and gene rally lie all along the river Weaver, yet there is an appearance of the fame vein at Middlewich, nearer the river Dan than Weaver. The water is fo very cold at the bottom of this pit, that when the briners fometimes go about to cleanfe it, they cannot ftay in ja * CHESHIRE. it above half an hour, and in that time they are forced to drink ftrong waters. I'he fprings are rich or poor, in a double fenfe, for a fpring may be rich in fait, but poor in the quantity of brine it affords. The pit at Nantwich yields about one pound of fait \ i from fix pounds of brine, but then it is always- without any fen fible difference fo plentiful a fpring, that whereas they, feldofti wall, i. e. make fait in above fix, houfes at a time, and there are or fhould be 50 Wich Houfes in the town, this pit is judged fuf ficient to fupply them all, without falling lower than a yard or two at moft.- The quick ufe of the pit adds extremely to the' ftrength of the brine, for much or frequent drawing makes way, for the fait fprings to cdme quicker, and allows the lefs time for the admiffion of frefh fprings. It is obferved by the Briners, that they make more fait with the fame quantity of brine in dry than in wet wather. They ufe for their fuel Staffordfhire pit coal. The pans in which they boil their fait are fet upon iron bars, and clofed up on all fides with clay and brick, that neither flame nor f moke may get through*. They firft ^fill their pans with brine out of the pit, from which it comes to them in feveral wooden gutters; then they put into their parls among their biine, a certain mixture made of about twenty- gallons of brine, and two quarts of calves, cows, or chiefly Sheep's blood, mixed into a claret colour; of this mixture they put about two quarts into a pan that holds 360 quarts of brine. This bloody brine at the firft boiling up of the pan brings up a fcum, which they are careful td rake off with a wooden handle, thurft through a long fquare of wainfcot board, which they call a zoot. Here they continue the fire as .quick as they czn, till half of the brine be wafted ; and this they call boiling up of the frefh ; but when it is half boiled away, they fill their pans again with new brine out pf the Ship, (the name they give to a great ciftern at their pan's fide;) then put in two quarts of the following mixture : They take 9, quart of the white of eggs, beat them thoroughly with as tfych brine, till they are well broken, then they mix them with ' twenty ¦ CH E S H I R E. „ 53 twenty gallons of brine, as before done witli blood, and thus,; that which they call the whites is made. As foon as this is in ~they boil it Sharply till the. fecond fcum rifes, then they fcum it off as before, and boil it very gently till it corns,; to procure which, when a part of the brine is wafted, they put into each part of the contents aforefaid, about a quarter, of a pint of the. beft and ftrongeft ale they can get ; this makes a momentary ebul lition, which is foon over, and' then they abate their fires, but yet riot fo but that they keep it boiling all over, though gently ; for the Workmen fay, if they boil faft here, which is boiling on the leaoh, becaufe they ufually at this time lade in their leach brine, which is fuch brine as runs from their fait before it hardens. If, I fay, they boil faft it Waftes their fait. After all their leach fait is in, they boil it gently till a kind of fcum comes on it like a thin ice, which is the firft appearance of the fait ; then that finks, and the brine every where gathers into corns at the bot tom, which they rake together with their loots. They do it gently, for much Stirring breaks the corn; fo they continue till there is but very little brine left in the pans ; then with their loots they take it up, the brine dropping from it, and throw it into barrows, which are cafes made with flat cleft wickers, in the fhape of a fugar loaf, with the bottom uppermost ; when the barrow. is full, they let it ftand fo for half an hour in the-trough, where it drains out all the leach brine ; then they remove it to their hot-houfes behind their works, made there by two tunnels under their pans, carried back for that purpofe. The leach brine that runs from the barrows they put into the next boiling, it being fait melted, and wanting only to be hardened. They never cpver their paris at all during the whole time of boiling; they have their houfes open like barns up to the thatch, with a lover hole or two to vent the fleam of the pans. There are various conjeftures concerning the antiquity of thefe works; however, the manner of working and managing the fait, has al tered very much within thefe 60 or 70 years. Matthew Paris fays, • i thqfc 54. CHESHIRE. thefe Salt pits were ftopped up by Henry III, when he wafted this ' county; that the Welch,: who were then in rebellion, might have' no fupplies from them ; but, upon the next return of peace, they were opened again. This town has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, on March 26, September 4, and Decerribei!*i$, for cattle, horfes, cloaths, flannels, Hardware, pewter, and bedding.'; Northwich, 20 miles from Chefter, and 172! from Lon don* ftands alfo on the Weaver, the flame of which in Britifli is Hallathddu, i. e. the black fait pit, where is a deep and plen tiful brine pit near the brink of the river Dan, with flairs abbut it, by which, when they have drawn the water in leather buckets, they afcend half naked to the troughs and fill them, from whence it is conveyed to the With Houfes. The fait, according to the Welch name, is not fo white as the other Wiches, nor made with fo much eafe. This is a very handfome town, and lies fo near the middle of the county, that it is often ufed for the meet ings of the Juftices and other gentlemen on public affairs. Here is a free grammar fchool, and a houfe for the fchool-mafter. On the South fide of the town are a great many mines of rock fait, Which they continue frequently to dig tip and fend in great lumps to the fea ports, where it is difolved and made into eating fait. The fait quarries here, when a perfon is let down by a bucket into them to the depth of about i 50 Feet, afford a moft pleafant profpeft, looking like a fubterraneous cathedral, fupport ed by rows of pillars, having a chryftal roof, all of the fame rock, transparent and glittering from the numerous candles burnt there to light the Workmen, who with their Steel pickax?* dig it away. This rock extends over feveral. acres. There is a good church in this town, with a fine roof, and a femicirculat choir. This town has a market On Fridays, and two fairs» on Auguft 2, and December 6, for cattle, drapery goods, and bedding. Middlewich, 18 miles from Chefter and i66f from London, jjands near the union of the rivers Croke and Dan, they are ? - two CHESHIRE. S9 two fait water fprings, which they call fhea'ths, and a great quantity of faU is made here. Dr. Jackfon fays, the rich brine of the chief pit here yields one fourth of fait. This is an ancient town, and a very large parifh, extending into many townfhips round about it, and has a fpacious handfome church. The town confifts of feveral ftreets and lanes that are well peopled. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, on St James's day, July 25, and holy Thurfday, for cattle. Sandbaeh, %6 miles from Chefter, and i6i| from Lon don, is delightfully fituated on the river Wheelock, which comes with three ftreams from Mowcop hill ; in the market-place are two fmall ftone croffes on fteps, with certain images, and the hiftory of Chrift's paffion engraved on them ; The ale here is fo -famous, that it is thought by many equal to that at Derby. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, on Eafter- Tuefday, and the firft Thurfday after September 10, for cattle and horfes. Cangleton, 7 miles from Macclesfield, and i6i| from Lon- 'don, ftands near the borders' of Staffordshire, and is an an cient but handfome town, which in old writings is , called a bo rough; it is watered on aU fides by the river Dan, the brook Howtey, and the Daning Schew ; it is noted for a good trade in leather gloves, purfes, &c. and has two churches, one where of has a fpire fteeple and a rich benefice. This town has a mar ket on Saturdays, and four fairs, on the firft Thurfday before Shrovetide, May 12, July 5, and July 13, for cattle and pedlar's ware. Macclesfield, 43 miles from Chefter, and 170! from Lon don, gives the name to its hundred, and to a fpacious foreft pn the edge of Derbyfhire, whieh is watered by the Bollin, on which the towr ftands ; it is an ancient large town, and one of the fineft in the county. The church is a handfome edifice, and there is a college adjoining to it, in which was an oratory, where are two brafs plates, on one of which, there is a promife of 26,000 $6 CHESHIRE. 26,000 years and twenty fix days pardort for faying -five Pater- nofters, and five Ave-Marias. The chief manufacture of this town is buttons, and it has a free fchool of an ancient foundation. This town has a market on Mondays, and five fairs, on May 6, June 22, July 11, Oftober 4, and November 11, for cattle, wool, and cloth. Knutsford, which is fuppofed to be an abbreviation of Canute's- ford, is 183^ miles from London, and the principal market town in that part of Chefhire, which is kept every Saturday. The river Bichen runs through it; by which mearjs it looks like a double town, and has * thereupon obtained the name of the higher and nether Knutsford ; tho' they are both one Lord fhip. The market and town-houfe, where alfo the Juftices often keep their feffions, are in the nether Knutsford ; in the high er ftands the parochial chapel. This town has two fairs, on July 10, and November 8, for cattle and drapery goods. Altrincham, 1845 miles from London, is pleafantly fituated, neatly built, Well inhabited, and governed by a Mayor, of an ancient inftitution. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, on Auguft 5, and Nov. 2, for cattle and drapery goods. Frodfham, 183 miles from London, is fituated near the con flux of the Weaver and Merfey. Here is a good ftone bridge over the Weaver; and fhips of a confiderable burthen may fail up and anchor near to it. Here alfo, formerly, was a ftrong caftle, and the feat of the Savages, Earls of Rivers. This town has a market on Wednefdays, and two fairs, on May 4, and Auguft 21, for cattle and pedlar's ware. Halton, 1 8 5I. miles from London, ftands on a bill. Here was anciently a noble caftle and fome other ftately edifices, which time has greatly defaced. The remains of the former, which was built, by Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chefter, fufficiently fhews that it was once a grand edifice. This town has a market on Sa turdays, and two fairs, on Lady-day, and April 5, for cattle and pedlar's ware, Stockport, CHESHIRE. 57 SfockpoM, 175I miles from London, is. feated on the river Meffey, over which there ;s a bridge that leads into Lancashire } this town carries on a confiderable trade iri filk, twift, and but tons. This town has a market on Fridays, and four fairs, on March 4, March 25, May 1, and Oftober 25, for cattle a.nd pedlar's ware. Budworth, a village within three miles of Northwich, with three fairs, viz. on February 13, April 5, and Oftober. 2, fos e6ws, horfes, fwine, hats, and pedlary. ANTl'^UITIJES. The Antiquities , in this county are not many, befides Deta, which is agreed on all hands to be the city of Chefter. The ' Congi, a people of the Britons, were fettled in thefe parts, upon the authority of an old infcription fome time fince dug up. ' Condatum feems to be Cosgleton from the found, but from the- difta'nees and courfe of the itinerary is rather thought, to be Perfbrig, in the BiShoprick of Durham, from an infcription dug up there. Cambermore Abbey, founded in 11 34, by Hugh Malbane-. Norton Priory, founded by Runcorn in the year 1 133. Birkenhead Priory, founded" by Hamade de Maffey. SEATS of the Nobility, 6c. -Earl of Stamford's at Dunham-Maffey, near Altrincham.- Earl of Plymouth's at Peel-Hall. -Earl of Cholmondely's at Cholmondely, three miles from Malpas -Earl of Harrington's at Gawfworth:— Earl of Fauconberg's at Sutton, near Maccles field. — Lord Grofvenor's at Eton-Hall, three miles from Chefter • —Lord Bifhop of Chefter's Palace at Chefter.— The Honourable Mr. Tollemache's at Calveley-Hall, near Namptwich.— igir Fran-» eis Bridgeman's at Ridley. — Sir Richard Brooke's at Norton.-* Sir Charles Bunbury's at St^nney— Sir John T©nphet Chetwode** I «ft $fr C UM B E R L A.NvD. a£ Agdeh and Whitley.— Sir Robert Salufbury Cotton'* at ,C»m- 'bermere, . Lee, and Ndwhall.— Sir John Fleetwood's at Marti n- ' Sands.-Sir John Fleming Leicester's at Tabley.-Sir Henry Main, Waring's at Over-Peover, and Baddeley.— Sir Roger Moftyn's at Leighton.— Sir Ferdinand Poole's at Poole.— Sir John Thomas. Stanley's at Nether- Alderley. Sir Peter Warburton's at Arley *nd Warburton Mr. Egerton,s at Tatton-Park, near-Knutsv ford. ^Mr. Crewe's at. Crewe-Hajl. — Mr. Bootle's at Rhode- Hall.— Mr Legh's at Booth's, near Knutsford, Sir Georgfe Warren's, K. B. at Pointon-Hall, near Stockport.— Lord Pen- rhyn's at Winnington.— JVlr.-Legh's atLyme-Hall, nearDifhley — Thomas Brooke's, Efq ; at Mere, Tabley, and Walton.— Hoa Richard Barry's, at Mar-bury. — Thomas Cholmondely, Efq; Vale Royal.— James Barry, Efq ; Belmont.— Henry Cornwall Legh, • Efq; atHigh-Legh. — John Leigh, Efq; at QughtringtoH.^— - * Alton, Efq; at AftOn. — Bowyer Joddrel, Efq; Enbury.— * George Wilbraham, Ef Wirkfworth, or Works -worth, 6 miles from- Afhborne, and 138 from London, is a large, well frequented town in the Peak, and the greateft market for lead in England, and it is faid, that the tythe of this place is worth 1000I. yearly. Here is a handfome church, a free-fchool, and an alms-houfe. This town has a mar- 4 t 5s«t ft DERBYSHIRE. fcet on Tuefdays, and three fairs, viz. on Shrove-Tuefday,> May I, and September 3, for horned cattle. Critch, a village near Wirkfworth, here are furnaces for fmelt- jng l«-ad ; and it is obfervable, that the feafon they choofe for "this work is, w en tlie weft wind blows, as being the moft lafting of all. The people e ployed about this work are called the Peak- rilis, ana have a remarkable court among them, called the Bar- moot, relating to the mints and controverfies among the miners.. The King claims the 13th penny, for which they compound at the rate of ioool. a year. I Bakewetl, 20 miles from Derby, and 141 § from London, is t e beft town on the north-weft fide of the Po.ik ; it is fuppofed to have re--.-n a Roman town, from certain altars dug up near it, fome yeas ago, in the grounds belon,in 1 to Hadilon-l.oufe,: and" ait in rou^h kind of Stone. To the eaft of this town isScarfdale, a rich fruitful traft, fo called from the Saxon Skarrs, barren rocks with wLich it is furrounded, and which gives the title of Baron to the noble family of Curzon. This town I as a market on Mondays, and five fairs, viz. on Eafter-Monday, Whitfun- Monday, Auguft 13, Monday after Oftober 10, and Monday after November 22, for cattle and horfes. Chefierfield, 24 miles from Derby, and 147 from Londor*, is the c ie; town in Scarfdale ; it is handfome and populous, with a fair church, the fpire of its fteeple, which is timber covered with lead, is wrapped awry. It has a free-fchool and a large market-place, well fupplied with lead, grocery, mercery, malt, leather, Stockings, blankets, bedding, in which it deals confider- ably with the neighbouring counties, and alfo with London, This town gives title of Eail to a branch of the noble family of the Stanhopes ; the late Earl of Chefierfield, Philip Dormer Stan! ope, was a nobleman of distinguished parts, and no lefs re markable for his wit than for his great krowjedge in public af fairs. This town has a market on Saturdays, and feven fairs, viz. January 25, Eebruary 28, April 3, May 4,, and July 4, for cattle* ',. DERBYSHIRE. ' ? j cattle, horfes, and pedlar's wares ; September 25, for cheefe, onions, and pedlar's ware, and November 25, for cattle, Sheep, and pedlary. , Alfreton, 13 miles from Derby, and 139I from London, is fuppofed to have been Alfred's, Town ; chiefly famous for its good ale, which, though very ftrong has a curious flavour. It has a. market on Fridays, and one fair on July 30, for horfes, and horn ed cattle. ; Bolfover,, a fmall well-built town, noted chiefly for making fine tobacco pipes. It has a market on Fridays, but no fair. Afhover, 6 miles from Chefterfield, a village with two fairs. viz. on April 25, and Oftober 15, for cattle and fheep. Cubley, 6 miles from Afhborne, a village with one fair, on November 30, for fat hogs. Chapel-171-le-Frith, 20 miles from Manchefter, and 163 from London, is feated on the utmoft confines of the Peak, near the borders of Chefhire. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and eleven fairs, viz. on Thurfday before old Candlemas, February 13, March 29, Thurfday before Eafter, April 30, Holy Thurf day, three weeks after Holy-Thurfday, for cattle, July 7, for* wool, Thurfday before St. Bartholomew-day, Auguft 24, Sep tember 4, for cheefe and Sheep, Thurfday after September 29, and Thurfday before November 11, for cattle. Darley-Flafb, a village with two fairs, viz. on May 13, and Oftober 27, for Sheep and cattle. Dronfield, 2§\ miles from Derby, and 153 from London, is a pretty town feated in a bottom, and has a free-fchool. It has a market on Thurfdays, and four fairs, viz. on January 10, A- pril 14, July 15, for fheep and cattle, and September 1, for cheefe. Hope, 12 miles from Sheffield, in Yorkshire, a village in the Peak, with two fairs, viz. on May 1, and September 29, for «&ttie. Lj- N/whave-n* «$ DERBYSHIRE. Newhaven, a village with one fair, on Oftober 30, for fheep, cattle and horfes. Vleafiy, a village with two fairs, viz. on May ,6, and Oftober 26, for fheep, cattle and horfes. Ripley, a village with two fairs, viz. on Wednefday in Eafter- week, and Oftober 23, for horfes and horned cattle. Tidefwell, 158 miles from London, has its name from a fpring in the neighbourhood, that ebbs and flows irregularly, as the air is fuppofed to agitate or prefs the water from the Subterraneous cavities. This town has a fine church, and a free fchool, with a market on Wednefdays, and three fairs, viz. on May 3, for cattle, firft Wednefday in September, Oftober 18, for fheep and cattle. ANTIQUITIES. The principal antiquities befides thofe already mentioned, are Dale- Abbey near Derby, founded by one Radulphus, on oc cafion of an admonition given to a baker of Derby in a dream, upon which Radulphus left all he was poffeffed of, and became a hermit in the defert. Beauchief- Abbey, founded by Robert Fitzrandulpb, in expiation of the murder of Thomas a Becker, Archbifhop of 'Canterbury, and dedicated to him, bv the name of Thomas the Martyr. S E A T S of the Nobility, 6c Duke of Devonshire's at Chatfworth, in the Peak, fix miles from Chefteifield, and Harwick, ten miles from Derby ; to the account of it given above, in the wonders of the Peak, may be added that this ftately and elegant ftrufture, erefted by the firft Duke of Devonshire, is remarkable for a beautiful chapel and hall, adorned with the fineft paintings by Signor Vario, and for fhtuesand water- works of the moft exquifite kind, in the gar* s - v dens- DEVONSHIRE 71 €e»s. Two facts in hiftory, relating to it, deferve particular at tention ; one is, that Mary, Queen of Scots, was a captive 'ere feventeen years, under the care of its firft foundrefs, the Coun tefs of Shrewfbury, in memory of which, the new lodging;, are ftill called the Queen of Scots Apartment. The other i.«, the compliment paid it by Marfhal Tallard, when a prifoner in Eng land, in the reign of Queen Anne, who when he had been en tertained here a few days by the Duke of Devonshire, faid, that when he returned to France, and reckoned up the days of his cafti- viti in England, he fhould leave out thofe he fpent at Chatfworth. —Duke of Rutland's, atHeddon-Hall, one mile from B^k; well. — Duke of Dorfet's at Croxhall, feven miles from Litchfield. . Earl of CheSterfield's at Brethby, feven miles from Derby. — iV.rd . Scarefdale's at Keddelfton near Derby. — Lord Vernon's at Sud bury. — Sir William Boothby's at Brodlow Afli. Sir 'Robert Burdet's at Foremarck, near Derby. — Sir Henry Cavendifh's at Doveridge — The Reverend Sir John Every's at Eg^ington.- Sir Nigel. Grefley's at Drakelow. — Sir Harry Harpur's at Calke- Hall, and Siverkfton. — Sir Edward Wilmot's at Chadefden. — ; — ¦ Mr. Clarke's at Sutton'. — Mr. Coke's. at Longford, near Derby. M. Mevneli's at Bradley, near Derby. Mr. Sachcveral's at Morley-Hall, three miles from Derby. The church here, in which are the tombs of the Sacheverals, is much admired for" its « painting on the windows. DEVONSHIRE. DEVONSH1B.E, by the Cornifh Britons called Deunan ; by the Welch Britons Duffneint, that is, deep valleys, be caufe the"r lie every where low, in the bottoms, is bounded by the Irifh fea on the North ; by SomerfetShire and DorfetShire on - the Eaft, by the Englifh channel on the South, and by Corn wall 7* Devon shir e. vail on the Weft. This county is about 69 miles in length, 65 " in breadth, and 200 in.circumference; it contains about 1,920,00* ' acres, 33 Hundreds, 12 boroughs, that fend each two Member* ty Parliament, 40 market towns, 394 parishes, and 1733 villa-. ges. This county has abundance of rivers in it ; more, perhaps, than any other county in England ; the chief of which are, the Tamar, Tave, Lad, Ock, Tame, Ex, Touridge and Dirt. Nor has it been lefs rich in tin-mines, efpecially towards the weft part, an evidence whereof are the four Stannary courts, and towns of coinage, viz. Plimton, Taviftock, Afhburt'on, and Chegford. By thefe are chofen from time to time, at the direction of t'->e Lord- Warden, certain Jurates to meet in a general Seflion of Parlia ment at Crockern Tor, a high hill in the midft of Dartmofe. This Parliament has power to make laws concerning the ftate of the Miiies and Stannaries, a volume whereof was printed in the time of Queen Elizabeth, the Earl of Bedford being then Lord- Warden. Such regular courts and proceedings give us an efti- mate of the great quantities of tin that muft have been formerly dug up here, the regulation whereof Should require fo much fo- lemnity'. At Cleave, Taviftock, Lamerton, Lifton, &c. are Cha- lybeat waters. The weft part of this county is of a moorifh, ftiff, barren foil, bad for breeding fheep, but good for oxen. The foil of the north part is dry and healthy, with downs of good grazing for Sheep, and being dreffed with lime, dung, fand, &&,-• yield tolerable crops of corn, but not in fuch plenty as the eaftern and middle diftrifts. The fouth part, for its fertility, is juftly efteemed the garden of Devonfhire. Veins of loadftone have been found in this county, which a lekrned Naturalift fays gene rally run Eaft and Weft. This county fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, John Rolle, Efq ; and John Pol- lexfen Baftard, Ef^. 1 Exeter, 79 miles from Briftol ; 52 from Dorchefter ; 42 from Launcefton, and 171! from London, is the See of a Bifliop, and iqneof the principal cities in the kingdom for its buildings, wealth, exfentf DEVONSHIRE. 7f extent, and number of inhabitants. Its name is derived from the river Ex, on which it ftands ; it has fix gates, befides tur rets, and with the fuburbs is two miles in Gompafs, and is ad- vantageoufly fituated on a rifing ground. It had fo many churches formerly; t'at It was called Monktown ; Oliver Cromwell expof ed thirteen to fale by the common cryer ; fixteen are now with in the walls, and four without, befides feveral meeting-houfes. The cathedral, called St. Peter's, is a magnificent and curious fabric, vaulted throughout, 309 feet in length, and 74 in breadth ; it looks as. uniform as if it had been built by one man, and has a ring of ten bells, reckoned the largeft in England. This city hath feveral charters, confirmed by moft of our Kings, ma ny of whom have honoured it with their Royal prefence. It had anciently a mint, and in the reign of William III. money was coined here ; The pieces are distinguished hy an E under the King's bull. Its bridge over the Ex. is of great length, and has houfes on both fides towards the ends, with a good vacancy in the middle. It has four principal Streets (the chief Of which is tailed High-ftreet) all centering in the middle of the city, which is well fupplied with water. There is an old caftle here, called , Rougemot, fuppofed to have been built by the Weft Sa^on Kings, whence is a pleafant profpeft to the Channel, ten miles to the South ; it is now much decayed, only a part is kept for the affize, &c. This city gives the title of Earl to the noble family of, Cecil. It fends two members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Cha. Warwick Bamfylde, Bart, and John Baring, Efq. This city has three markets, on Wednefdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and four fairs, viz on Afh-Wednefday, Whitfun-Monday, Lammas, Au guft 1, and December 6, for horned cattle, horfes, and almoft eve ry commodity ; the Lammas fair is remarkably large, at which the goods fold in the woollen manufaftury are incredibly numerous. Totnefs, 26 miles from Exeter, ,and 197! from London, ftands on the river Dart. Here is a fpacious church, with a fine tower, above go feet, high; a town-hall and fchool-houfe. Its chief trade 9o D E V 6- N S II I R E. trade is the woollen manufafture; but it has more gentlemen thar1 tradefmen of note. There is a fine ftone bridge over the river which abounds with deli -ate trout, and other good fifh. It i,; 'iv-t-ting to f -e them catch falmon peele here, with a Spaniel t • "rl i p for that purpofe, who drives them into a Shove net; f( netin es a man will take up twenty falmon at a time, from 14 to 20 inc • -s long, for which they only aflc two pence a piece. T'-e town 'confifts chiefly of one, broad ftreet, near a mile long, and Stands on the fide of a roc\y cliff, declining to the river. Fere are the ruins ofa Caftle, and the ancient Roman FoiTWay Is Vifible in. many places. It fends two members to Parliament, who nt- prefent are, Sir Philip Jennings Clerke, Bart, and the Hon. Henry Phipps, brother to Lord Mulgravc;, and a col. in the firft reg. of foot guards. This town has a market on Saturdays, and four Kirs, viz. on E.ifter-Tuefday, May 1, July 25, and Oftober 28, for ' crfes, fheep, and hornedLcattle. Plymouth, A'-.f miles from Exerer, and 215 from London. ftands at the influx of the river Plym and Tamar into the chan nel ; it was anciently no more than a fifhing town, but is now the largeft in the Shire, and contains nearly ns many inhabitants as Exeter, and is one of the chief magazines in the kingdom, ow ing to its port, which is one of the largeft and fafeft in England ; it confifts of two harbours, capable of containing a thoufand fail of Ships ; it is defended by feveral forts, mounting near three hundred guns, particularly by a Strong, citadel of great extent, containing a grand magazine, full of ftores, and five regular feaftions. It is the general rendezvous of Ships outward bounds and is very convenient for homeward bound fhips to provide them felves with pilots up the Channel. About two- miles up the mouth •f the river Tamar, is a Royal Dock for building arid repairing fhips. This town is governed by a Mayor, twelve Aldermen, a Recorder, and twenty four Common-Counciimen. ' Here is a «harity-fchool, four hofpitals, knd a work houfe. Off the en trance of the bay lies the Ediftone-rock, which is covered.at high water. DEVONSHIRE. 81 ; #ater, and oft Which the ingenious Mr. Winftanley built a light- houfe ; which was blown down in that terrible hurricane in No vember, 1703, and himfelf with thofe that were then in it, ne ver more heard of. Another was erefted by an aft of the 5th of Queen Anne, which fuffered the fame fate; but it has lately been re-built, under the infpeftion of that ingenious mechanic, Mr. Smeaton. , This town gives the title of Earl to tlie noble family of Hickman. It fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Robert Fanfhaw, Efq ; a captain in the royal na vy, and John Macbride, Efq ; a Captain in the royal navy. This town has a market on Mondays and Thurfdays, and two fairs viz. on January 25, ^and-September. 21, for horned cattle, and woollen cloth. Oakhampton, or Okehampton, 22 miles from Exeter, and 193^ from London. It ftands near a mile from its parifh church, which , is fituated near the ruins of a caftle, on the furrimit ofa hill. It was built by Baldwin de Briory ; but in procefs, of time came by marriage to Chriftopher Harris, of Haynes, Efq; The chief manufafture is ferges. This town fends two Members to Parlia ment, who at prefent are, Humphry Minchin, EfiJ; and the Rt. Hon. George (Capel) vifc. Maiden, fon of the Earl of Effex. It has a market on Saturdays, and four fairs, viz. on the fecbrid Tuefday after March n, May '14, the firft Wednefday after July 5, and Auguft 5, for cat-tie. .Barnfiaple, 38 miles from Exeter, and 193 from London, ftands on the river Tave ; the ftreets are clean, and the fituation very pleafant, among hills, in form of a femjcircle. The houfes are generally btiiltrwith Stone, and there is a fine ftrong bridge over the river, of 16 arches. This town fends two Members, to Parliament, who at prefent are, Jn. Cleveland, Efq ; " accompt. of the Sixpenny receiver's office, and one of the dheftors of Green. Hof. and William Devaynes, Efq. It has a market on Fridays, and three fairs, viz. on September 19, Friday before April 21, and the fecond Friday in December, for cattle,! Thefe two laft M y ar? 8a DEVONSHIRE. are as confiderable as fairs, but are called Great Markets, becaufe there is no charter to hold fairs on thefe days. Plympton, 37! miles from Exeter, and 209I from London, is fituated in a valley, above a mile from the river Plym. It is a populous town, but confifts chiefly of two ftreets ; here- is a free fchool bountifully endowed. Near the weft end of the town is the Guildhall, ftanding upon ftone pillars, where the corn-market is kept. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, John Stevenfon, Efq ; and John Pardoe, jun. Efq. It has a market on Saturdays, and four fairs, viz on February 25, April 5, Auguft 12, and Oftober 28, for 'horned cattle and wool len cloth. Honiton, \6\ miles from Exeter, and 155 from London, ftands on the river Otter, in the road from London to Exeter. It is fi tuated in the beft and pleafanteft part of the county, and abounds with corn and pafture ; it has a good view of the country adja cent, which affords a very beautiful landfcape. The town chiefly, confifts of one long ftreet ; it is populous and well-built, having d fmall channel of clear watet running through it, and is remark ably well jjteved with fmall pebbles. The parifh church is half a mile from it on a hill ; this town is much employed irt the ma nufafture of lace, and the broadeft fort made in England. Here is a commodious hofpital. This town fends two Members to Par liament who at prefent are, the Rt. Hon. Sir George Yonge, Bart. Secretary'at War, and Sir George Collier, knt. a capt. in the royal navy. It has a market on Saturdays, and one fair, on the firft Wednefday after July 19, for cattle. Taviftock, 33 miles from Exeter, and 204 J from London, ftands low on the banks of the river Tave. It is a large well built to#n, with a handfome parifh church. It is furnifhed with ' plenty of fifh, &c. Taviftock- Abbey was built by Odulph, fon of Ogarius, Duke of Devonfhire, in 961. At the diffolution of Monafteries, the fite of this religious ftrufture was granted to John Rjiffel, ajiceftor to the Duke of Bedford, its prefent pro prietor. DEVONSHIRE. 83 prietor^ and the town gives the title of Marquifs to the eldeft fon of that family. A laudable cuftom ftill prevails here, that of reading Saxon lectures, in order to preferve the , knowledge of our Mother tongue. This town fends two Members to Parlia ment,, who at prefent are, the Rt. Hon. Richard Rigby, mafter of the rolls in Ireland for life, and one of the deputy rangers of the Phoenix Park, and the Rt. Hon. Richard Fitzpatrick, Only brother to the Earl of upper Offory in Ireland, and an aid de camp to the king. This town has a market 011 Fridays, and five fairs, viz. January 17, May 6, September 9, Oftober io, and December 1 1 for cattle. When any of thefe days happen on Sa turday, the fair is kept the Friday before ; when they fall on Sun day or Monday, the fair is kapt on Tuefday. , Afhburton, i3f miles from Exeter, and 190 from London, is a great thoroughfare, being about halfway between Exeter and Plymouth. Its fituation is among hills, noted for mines of tin. and copper, and it has a manufafture of ferges. The church is a noble Structure in the form of a cathedral, with a tower 91 feet high, on which is a fine lofty fpire of lead. Thisctown fends two members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Robert Palk, Bart, and Robert Mackreth, Efq. It has a market on Saturdays, and four fairs, viz. on the firft Thurfday in March, the firft Thnrfday in June, Auguft 20, and November 1 1 , for cattle. Dartmouth, 31 miles from Exeter, and 202§ from London, includes in it, what* was formerly called three towns, Clifton, Dartmouth and Hardnefs ; it ftands on the fide of a craggy hill, and is. about a mile long, the ftreets very irregular, and the houfes generally high. The harbour is efteemed good, and five hundred fail of fhips may ride fafe in the bafon, which is not only defend ed by three caftles with forts and block-houfes, but, upon oc cafion,, the entrance of it may be fhut up with a chain. Here is a large key, and a fpacious ftreet before it, where many confider-' able merchants live, who trade to Portugal, Italy, and the Planr- tationi. The Mother church is called Townftall, and is fituated M 2 oa, ta DEVONSHIRE. on a hill, three quarters of a mile diftant from the town. The tower of this church is 69 feet high, and is of good ufe as a fea mark. Dartmouth-caftle, is very ancient, for there has been a chapel in it ever fince the time of Edward III, and belongs to Stbke-Fleming church, which Is two miles off; but the flone- tower and fpire were built by the inhabitants not many years ago. This town gives the title pf Earl to fhe noble -family of Legge. It has a market on Fridays, but no fairs. Brixam, is a little fifhing town, much noted for its fpring call ed Laywell, which ebbs and flows, fometimes four times in an hour, for eight hours together, about an inch and one eight, though now and then it intermits. A full account of this fpring is given in the Philofophical Tranfaftions, No. 204. Tiverton, 1 5 miles from Exeter, and 1 66 from London, wa6 formerly called Twyfcrd-town, from two fords then through the rivers Ex and Loman ; but over which there are now ftone brid-. ges ; it is an ancient town, noted for the greateft woollen manu- faftury in the county, next to Exeter, and of all the inland towns' next to it alfo in wealth if not in number of people. A great ornament find advantage to this town is, a free-fchool, founded by Peter Blondel, who gave 2000I. for purchasing lands to main tain fix fcholars at Oxford and Cambridge, to be elefted from this fchool. This town has fuffered much by fire, but thofe in juries are repaired, and proper methods made ufe of to prevent it for the future. Tiverton-caftle was given by Henry I. to Ri chard de Riparies; but the male iffue failing, it afterwards came to the Courteneys, and from them, by marriage to the Trelaw- neys. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at pre fent are, Sir John Duntze, Bart, and the Hon. Dudley Ryder, fori of. lord Harrowby. It has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, viz. on Tuefday fortnight after Whit-Sunday, and Oftober; 10, for Cattle ; if this laft falls on Sunday, then the fair, is kept on the Tuefday following. Biddifordi DEVONSHIRE. 8 J-3 is Biddiford, 30 miles from Exeter, and 2oi| from London an ancient port and corporation ; it is fituated on the' Towridge which a Tittle lower joins the Tave, and falls with it into Barn- ftaple-Bay, in the Briftol Channel. Over this river their is a very fine bridge, built in the fourteenth century, on " twenty-four beautiful and ftately Gothic arches ; thfs bridge is fo high, that a fhip of fifty or fixty tons may fail under it ; it was begun by Sir Theobald Greenvill ; and for the finifliing of it, the Bifhop of the diocefe, granted out indulgences, to move the people to libe ral contributions, and ascordingly great fums ef money were collefted. This town hath been in the poffeffion of the. Green- vill's ever fince the Conqueft ; a family famous for Sir Richard Greenvill's behaviour in Glamorganshire, in the reign of William Rufus ;i and for another of the fame name, under Queen Eliza beth, who, with one Ship maintained a'fea-fight, for twenty-four hours, againft fifty of the Spanifh galleons, and at laft yielded upon honourable terms, after his powder was fpent ; having flairi above one thoufand of, the Spaniards, and funk four of their greateft veffels. This town is clean, well-built and populous, and has a ftreet that fronts the river, near a mile long, in which are a noble key and cuftom -honfe, where Ships of agood burthen load and unload in the very bofom of the town, which has a large trade both foreign and domeftic. It has a market on Tuefdays, and three fairs, viz, on February 14, July 18, and November 13, for cattle, -South- Moulton, 30 miles from Exeter, and 182 from London, an ancient corporate town, it ftands on the little river" Moule^ which falls into the Tave; has a large and fpacious church, and a good^manufafture of ferges, fhallons, and felts. 'This town has a market on Saturdays, and fix fairs, viz. on Saturday after February 13, Saturday before May 1, Wednefday before June 22, Wednefday after Auguft 26, Saturday before Oftober 10, and Saturday before December 12, for cattle. Thefe'are as con- • fider^bl'e 86 DEVONSHIRE., fiderable as fairs, but are called Great Markets, becaufe their is no charter to hold fairs on thofe days. Torrington, or, Great-Torrington,' 13 miles from Exeter, and 195 from London, is fituated on the declivity of a hill, on the banks of- Towridge, and has a good trade to Ireland, and other parts. Here are two Churches, one of which has a library be longing to it. In the fouth part of the town are the remains of an ancient daftle. This town gives the title of Vifcount to the noble family of Byng. It has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, viz. on May 4, July 5, and Oftober io,. for cattle. Torbay, 1 2 miles from Dartmouth, is remarkable for the land ing of King William III. then prince of Orange, November 5, 1688. It is a good road for fhips, about 12 miles in circum ference. Corken-Tor, a noted hill and rock in the foreft of Dartmore, four miles from Taviftock, where the tinners are obliged by their charter to affemble their parliaments, or courts of ftannary. \ Crediton, 75- miles from Exeter, and 179 from London, was, in the times of the Saxons, a Bifhop's See, till it was tranflated! to Exeter ; but the cathedral is ftill ftanding, a magnificent ftruc- ture 200 feet in length. It was a flourifhing town till the 14th of Auguft, 1743, when it was almoft entirely deftroyed by fire. This town has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, viz. on May 11, Auguft 21, and September 21, for cattle. v Lidford, 18 miles from Plymouth, on the River Lid, is remark able for the, river near this place, being confined with rocks, by whieh means it has worked itfelf fo deep a channel in the ground that the water can hardly be feen from the bridge, or the murmurs of it heard by thofe who pafs over. The bridge is le vel with the road, but the furface of the water is near 70 feet perpendicular below it.— — About a mile diftant from this place is another natural Phenomenon ftill more remarkable, namely a cataraft or fall of water, from a height of near 100 feet; the wa^ejr comes from a mill at fome diftance, and afte*- a declining courii?' DEVONSHIRE. 87 courfe arives at the edge of the precipice, or fteep Rock, from when«e it projefts in a veiy beautiful manner, and ftrikes upon a part of the cliff ftanding out fome fmall diftance beyond the brink of the precipice, by which it is'fomewhat divided, and falls from thence in a wider cataract to the bottdm, where it has formed a deep bafon iu the ground. Top/ham,' 5 miles from Exeter, feated on the river Exmouth, and. formerly the river was navigable to Exter ; but in war time it was choaked- up defignedly, and now veffels are obliged to load and unload their goods at Topfham. This town has a market oa Saturdays, but no fairs. Alphington, or Ajfington, 2 miles from Exeter, and 173 from London, a village with two fairs, viz. on the firft Thurfday in June for horned cattle, and Oftober 16, for horfes and horned Cattle! Axminfter, 26 miles from Exeter, and 145! from London, is feated on the river Ax, near the edge of the county, in the great road from London to Exeter, and was a place of fome note in the time of the Saxons. It is governed by a Portreeve ; has one «hurch, about 200 houfes ; but the ftreets, though paVed, are narrow. Here is a fmall manufaftury of bread and narrow cloths ; fome carpets are alfo made here in the Turky manner. This town has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, viz. on St. Mark, April 25, Wednefday after June 24, and the firft Wed nefday after September 29, for cattle. Bampton, 14 miles from Exeter, and 167! from London, is feated in a bottom furrounded with hills, and contains about 100 houfes with a large church. This town has a market on Sa turdays, and two fairs, viz. on Whitfun-Tuefday, and Oftober 24, for cattle. Bow, 17! miles from Exeter, and 189 from London, $s feated at the fprlng-head of a river that falls into the Taw, and is a fmall ' pretty town, but the market, which is but inconfiderable, is on , Thurfdaysj, SS DEVONSHIRE. Thurfdays, and has two fairs, viz. on Holy-Thurfday, and No vember 22, for cattle. ' , Brent, 27I miles from Exeter, and 189I from London, is a poft-toWn, with a market on Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on' May 13, and Oftober 10, for horned cattle. Beeralfion, 40% miles from Exeter, and 212 from London, a fmall town that had a market on Thurfdays, now diluted ; nor has it any fairs, but fends two members to Parliament, who at prefent are, the Rt. Hon. William Robert (Fielding) vifc. Field ing, eldeft fon ofthe Earl of Denbigh, and Charles Rainford, Efq ; ¦a lieut. gcri. in the army, and col. of the 44th reg. of foot. Bradninch, 10 miles from Exeter, 167 from London, a town which formerly had a market on Saturdays, but no fairs, and was ¦a confiderable place before a fire happened, which burnt it to the ground. Chawley, \o\ miles from Exeter, and 191 from London, a ¦village with two fairs, viz. on May 6, and December 11, for Cattle. When either of thefe days falls on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, the fair is held on Tuefday. Columpton, 16 miles from Exeter, and 164 from London, is feated on the river Culm, over which there is a bridge, and is a pretty handfome place. This town has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on May 1, and Oftober 28, for cattle. Chegford, 1 5 miles from Exeter, and i86| from London, it contains 800 houfes, and has a very handfome church. This town had formerly a market, which is now difufed ; but it has ftill four fairs, viz. on March 25, May 4, September 29, and Oftober 29, all for cattle. Chidleigh, or Chudleigh, iof miles from Exeter, and 181 J from Xondon, is feated near the river Teigne. This town has a market on Saturdays, which is good for corn and provifions, and two fairs, viz. on June 11 for fheep, and St. Matthew (Sept. 21) for horned cattle. CbimUfr DEVONSHIRE. gp Ckmley, or Chumley, 2if miles from Exeter, and 193 from London, -is feated on the river Dert, which fetching a compafs, like a bow, furrounds three parts of it. TMs town has a mar ket on Wednefdays, which is but inconfiderable, and one fair cn Auguft 2, for cattle. Culmfiock, a village 5 miles from Wellington, with two fairs, viz. on May 21, and Oftober 1, for cattle. Culliford, 22 miles from Exeter, and 154 from London, a vil lage with one fair on March 1, for cattle. Comb-Martin, 181 miles frorh London, is feated on the Severn fea where it has an inlet which runs through the town ; it is but a fmall place. This town has a market on Tuefdays, but no fairs. k ' Ilfracomb, 49 miles front Exeter, and 186 from London, is feated on the Severn -fea, almoft oppofite to Swanfea, in Gla morganshire, and has a fafe harbo.ur. This town has a. market on Saturdays, but no fairs. Hartland, 25 miles from Barnftapl'e; and 218 miles from London, is feated near the Severn fea, near a cape or promonto ry called Hartland Point. This town has a market pn Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on Eafter Wednefday, and September 25, for cattle. Hdtherlcigh, or Hatherly, 2$f : miles from Exeter, and 200 from London, is a fmall place, containing about 100 houfes, and has one good inm This town has a market oh Fridays, and four fairs, viz. on May 21, June 22, September 4, and No vember 8, for cattle. Kingftridge, 45 miles from Exeter, and 217 from London, is feated at the head of a fmall river, which foon after falls into the ' fea, and is but a mean place; is governed by a Portreeve ; and confifts of about 150 houfes, chiefly in one ftreet, which is well paved. This town has a market oh Saturdays, and one fair, oft Jufy 20, for horned cajtkj , cloth, and fhoes. N Modburfr $j DEVONSHIRE. Modbury, 37 miles from Exeter, 'and 208 § from London, f* feated in a bottom bet-ween two hills, and is a pretty good place, ' whofe market is wf 11 fupplied with cattle and provifions. It con fifts of about 100 houfes badly built. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and one fair, on April 23, for horned cattle, and cloth, Newton- Abbot, 15 miles from Exeter, and i86| from Lon- don^ has a market on Wednefdays, and three fairs, viz. on June 25 for horned cattle ; firft^ Wednefday in September, for cheefe;. and November 6 for woollen cloth. Newton P epplef ord, 12 miles from Exeter, 164 from London^, a village with one fair, on Oftober 18, for cattle. Otterton, with two fairs, on Wednefday in Eafter-week, and the firft Wednefday after Oftober 10, for cattle. Otfery, Or Ottery St. Mary's, 160 miles from London, a vil- Jage with three fairs, on Tuefday Se'nnight before Eafter, . on Whitfun-Tuefday, and Auguft 15, for cattle. Sidmouth, 162 miles from London, is a fmall fifhing town* feated on the fea-fhore, and was formerly pretty confiderable, before its harbour was choaked up. This town has two fairs, viz; on Eafter-Tuefday, and Monday after St. Giles's day (Sep tember 1,) for cattle. tiheepwajh, 37^ miles from Exeter, and 209 from London, is a. fmall town whofe market is difufed, but it has three fairs, viz. April ro, Auguft 12, and Oftober 10, for cattle. When any of thefe days happen on Saturday, the fair is kept on the Monday. Buckfafiligh, 3 miles from Afhburton, a village with two fairs, viz. June 29, for fheep, and Auguft 24, for horned cattle. Churchingford, a village with two fairs, viz. the laft Friday ia March, and the laft Friday in April, for bullocks and horfes, horfes the firft day, and bullocks the fecond. Denbury, a village with one fair, on September 8, for cheefe, %9dft>ap. Holton,, DEVONSHIRE. pt Dolton, a Village 6 miles from Torrington, with two fairs, viz. <©n Wednefday before March 25, and "November 20, for cattle. Ermington, a village with one fair, on February 2, for horned .cattle. High-Bickington, 7 miles from Barnftaple, a village with two fairs, viz. May 3, and December 21, for cattle. High-Budlay, or High-Budleigh, a village with one fair, on Good-Friday, for cattle. Kilmington, a village with one fair on the firft Wednefday In September, for cattle. ¦ Lift on, 4 miles from Launcefton in Cornwall, a village with three fairs, viz. on Candlemas, (February 2) Holy-Thurfday, and St. Simon and Jude, (Oftober 28) for cattle. Morbath, a village With one fair, on Monday after Auguft 24, for cattle. Moreton, or Moreten-Hampftead, 14 mijes. from Exeter, arid' 179 from London, is feated on a hill, near Dartmore, and is a pretty large place, With a noted market for yarn. This town has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, vi^z. on the firft Sa turday in June, July 18, and St. Andrew, (November 30) for cattle. Thefe are as considerable as fairs, but are called Great Markets, becaufe there is no charter to hold fairs on thefe days. '¦ North- Moulion, a village with two fairs, viz. on the firft Tuef day after May it, and November 12, for cattle. Norton, a village with two fairs, viz, on March 10, and Oft. 10, for horned cattle. North-Tawton, a village with three fairs, viz. on the third Tuefday in April, Oftober 3, and, December 18, for cattle, fheep, cloth, &c. If thefe laft mentioned days fall on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, then the fair is held on the Tuefday fol lowing, ' Seaton, a village with orie fair, on March I, for cattle. Sampfdrd-Peverel, a village with two fairs, viz. on April 2r5 •ad Auguft 29, for cattle.. , .-..-. ' . • N 2 Silfertin^ §«,' DEVONSH'IR E. Silverton, a village with two fairs, viz. on Midfummer.-dty, (June 24) and September 4, for cattle. \ Teignmouth, or Tinmouth, 15 miles from Exeter, and 187 from London, feated at the mouth of the river Teigne. Ti is is tht pjace where the Danes firft landed, and where they committed feveral outrages. This town has no market, but thu.e fairs, viz, on the third Tuefday in January, laft Thurfday in February, and September 29, for woollen cloth. Thaverton', a village with one fair, on Monday after Thomas a' Becket (July 7) for cattle. Uffculme, 5 miles from Wellington, a village with three fairs, viz. the Wednefday before Good-Friday, July 6, and Auguft 12, for cattle, the market, which was on Wednefday, is now difufed. Thorncomb, a village with one fair, on Eafter Tuefday, for all forts of cattle, and pedlar's ware. Upottery, a village. with one fair, on Oftober 24, for bullocks, rfbeep and toys. Wimple, a village with one fair on Monday fe'nnight after St. Giles (September, 1) for cattle. Underwood, a village with one fair on July 5, for horned cattle, , and woollen cloth. Witheridge, 8 miles from Tiverton, a village with two fairs, . viz. on Wednefday before April 16, and June 24, for cattle.' Thefe are as confiderable as fairs, but are called Great Markets, becaufe there is no charter to hold fairs on thefe davs. A N T I Si U I T I E S. Ford-Abbey was originally the feat of Adeliva, daughter of Baldwin, of the family of Brionis, and given by her to fome Ciftercian monks, and by this means the Abbey was founded. In procefs of time it came to the family of Prideaux, Baronets, where it continued till the male iffue, failed, when by the marr riage DEVONSHIRE. 9.3 ¦riage of a daughter to Francis Givin, of Glamorgan, Efq; it paf fed into that family. Buckfaftre- Abbey, 3 miles from Afhbur- ton, was, according to fome, founded by Alfred, before the Conqueft ; but others attribute it to Athel'wald, fon to William de Pomeroy, in the reign of Henry II. Ottery-Priory was ori ginally a Benedictine Priory, built in the time of Edward III. fome time after this, with feveral other eftates belonging to mo- nafteries in this diocefe, it was given to John Grandifon, Bifhop of Exeter, for him to lay out the money arifing from the Sale, on facred things of much more general ufe to mankind ; fuch as churches, hbfpitals and colleges. Aecprdingly he converted this monaftery into a college of Secular Canons, confifting of a prin cipal, eight prebendaries, ten vicars, a teacher of grammar, a niufician, and eight chorifterS, two officiary priefts, eight dea cons, &c. This college was fuppreffed in the reign of Henry VIII. Buckland-Priory was founded by Amicia, daughter of Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucefter; but in the reign of Queen Elizabeth it came' into the poffeffion of Sir Francis Drake, and is now the feat of Sir Francis-Henry Drake, Bart. Frithelftoke- Briory, near Tonington, was founded and endowed by Robert de Bello Campo, or Beauchamp. Darlington-Temple, near Totnefs, was, in all probability, a houfe of Knights Templers ; but the whole order being difolved about the fifth year of Ed ward II. a few particulars only are to be found in their hiftory. SEA T S of the Nobility, 6c. Duke of Somerfet's at Berry-Pomeroy caftle, feven miles from Dartmouth, was built by Pialph de Pomeroy, in the Conqueror's reign, and in the reign of Edward VI. was fold to Edward Sey mour, Duke of Somerfet, and ftill remains in ' the v poffeffion of that noble family; and Totnefs-caftle. Duke of Bedford's in Exeter city. — EarL of Orford's at Haynton. — Lord Clifford's at IJgbrook, two miks from Ch»dley.—- Lord Vifcount Courtney's at 94 DEVONSHIRE. at Powderham-caftle, near Topfham. It was built by IfabeH* de Riparjes, or Rivers, Countefs of Albemarle. Lord Edge cumbe's fine feat between Saltafh in Cornwall, and Mount Edge- cumbe in this county, fituated on the promontory called the Ramhead, a noted fea-mark ; it was much admired by Charles H. who vifited it m his voyage to Plymouth. It is fituated in the centre of a fine park, and has an elegant view of the harbour below it. — Lord Fortefcue's at Felleigh, three miles from South- Moulton, and at Caftle-hill Lord Bifhop of Exeter's pa lace at Exeter. Sir Thomas Dyke Acland's at Columbton.; — Sir Richard Warwick Bampfylde's at Pottimore near Exeter, and Copleftori, near Crediton. — Sir Thomas Carew's at Haccombe, near Chudley. — Sir John Chichefter's at Youlfton and Raleigh. — Sir John Colleton's at Exeter and Exmouth. — Sir John Davie's at Creedy.— — Sir Francis-Henry Drake's at Buckland Monacho- ium. — Sir Stafford Northcote's at Nunpton, Hayne, and Corfe^ — Sir John Pole's at Shute, Fallaton, Collyton-Houfe, and Co- lombe caftle. Sir John Prideaux's at Netherton. Sir John Roger's at Wifdome, and Blackford. — Sir Walter Trevelyan's at Leahill. — Sir Bourchier Wrey's at Tawftock-Caftle, faid to "be the largeft and beft finifhed 4ioufe in the county. — i— Sir George Yonge's at Culliton, andEfcott. — John Clevland's, Efq ; at Tap;- Jey near Biddiford. — Denys Rolle's, Efq; at Hudfcot. — Mr. Parker's at Saltram, and Whiteway.— ¦. — Mr. Buller's at King's •Nympton.- Right Honourable Humphry Morrice's, Efq; at Werrington. John Rolle Walter's, Efq; at Stevenftone, ^and Bifton, near Exeter. — Mr. Robert Palk's at Halden-Houfe, four miles from Exeter, one of the beft modern houfes in the country, built by the late Sir George Chudleigh, Baronet, after the model of the Queen s palace in St. James's Park. D 0 R- DORSETSHIRE. "§ 5 DORSETSHIRE. TH E county of Dorfet is bounded on the North by Somer- fetfhire and Wiltshire ; on the Weft by Devonfhire ; oa the Eaft by Hampfhi're, and Southward (on which fide' it is of the largeft extent) it is all fea coaft, lying, for 50 miles together, upon the Britifli ocean, which fupplies it with great plenty of the beft fifh, and gives it an opportunity of improving itfelf by trade. The foil is fruitful, dnd in the north part, it has woods and forefts fcattered here and there ; whence, with feveral green hills that feed great flocks of fheep, and with pleafant paftures, and fruitful vales, it comes down to the fea-fhore. ' This county is about 40 miles in length from Eaft to Weft, and about 30 in breadth from North to South ; containing about g^g fquare miles* 34 hundreds, 22 market towns, 24.8 parifhes, 6 caftles, and 772,000 acres. This county gives the title of Duke,, to the noble family of Sackville. The principal rivers are the Stower, the ,'Frome, ' the Piddle, the Lyddon, the Dulifh, and the Allen, from whence the Inhabitants are fupplied with all forts of river fifh in abundant plenty. It fends two Members to Parliament,' who at prefent are, the Hon. George Pitt, Efq ; only fon of lord Rivers, and Francis John Brown, Efq. Dorchefter, 68 miles from Briftol, 38 from Salifbury; 52 from Exeter, 59 from Winchester, and 123! from London, is the county town, and was the moft confiderable ftation of the Romans in thofe parts ; they had a camp near it with five tren ches, inclofing ten acres, the veftiges of which are ftill vifible at a place called Maiden-Caftle, about a mile from the town. This town is fituated on an afcent, on the banks of the river Frome- St. Peter's Trinity, and All-Saint's churches, and the Shire- hall, are the principal buildings in the town. The Ikehing-ftreet »f the Romans is plainly traced here, and the foundation of the old $6 D Q R S E T S H I RE. old Roman wall appears quite round the town, except toward* the Eaft, where the ditch is filled up, and a ftreet built upon it, yet the place is ftill calledthe "VValls. The Romans had an amphi theatre in the neighbourhood, now called Maumbury, the ter race on the top of which is a noted place for the inhabitants to walk on, having an elegant profpeft of the town and country round It. This town gave the title of Marquis to the eldeft fon of the noble family of Pierpoint, Dukes of Kingfton, both which titles are extinft, by the death of the late Duke, who died with out iffue. It fends two members to Parliament, who at prefent are, the Hon. George Darner, eldeft fon of lord Milton, and William Ewer, Efq ; a merchant in London, a truftee of Mor den college, and treafurer of the Turkey company. This town has a market on Wednefdays, and Saturdays, and four fairs, viz. on February 1 2, for cattle of all forts, and fheep ; Trinity-Monday, •July 5, for ditto, and Iambs ; and Auguft 5, for ditto, wool, and leather. Lyme-Regis, or King's- Lyme, 24 miles from Dorchefter, and 147! from London, is a fea port of good trade, and remarkable for a kind of Pier called the Cobb, fituated about a quarter of a mile from the town, and which forms a harbour, that perhaps has not its equal in Europe. It is a maffy building, of two lofty thick ftone walls, raifed in the fea at a good diftance from the fhore ; thefe walls, which are broad enough for carriages to pafs, and even warehoufesto be erefted on them, break the violence of the waves, and defend all the Ships which lie in the bafon. This- place is remarkable for being the landing place of the unfortunate Duke of Monmouth, when he afferted his pretended right to the Crown. He brought with him but one man. of war, of about 30 guns, and two other fmall veffels, with arms for about 40* men, not above 100 coming over with him. But notwithftand ing the great increafe of his forces, in a very fhort time, he war- routed in a pitched battle, and his attempt proved fatal to him and* his followers. This town fends two Members to Parliament, wh» at DORSETSHIRE. 91 at prefent are, the Hon. Henry Fane, uncle to the Earl of Weft- morland, and the Hon. Thomas Fane, brother to the Earl of Weftmorland, a capt. in the Coldflrearh reg. of foot guards, and ranks as It. col. in the army. It has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on February 2, and Oftober, 11, for cattle. Bridport, 15 miles from Dorchefter, and 138^ from London, was formerly a place of good trade; but the fea has almoft choak- «d up the harbour with fand. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Thomas Scott, Efq ; and Charles Sturt, Efq; a lieut. in the royal navy. It has a market on Satur days, and three fairs, viz. on April 5, for buUocks and Sheep ; Holy-Thurfday, for cheefe and ditto, and Oftober 10, a fmall fair, for pedlary and cattle. Weymouth, 95 miles from Dorchefter, and 133 from London, is feated on the river Wey, which divides it from Melconib-Re- gis ; it had formerly a good trade, but is greatly decayed at pre fent. Sandford, or Sands-foot caftle, was built for the defence of the coaft, and of the harbour of Weymouth. Melcombe- Regis, 9 miles from Dorchefter, and 13 2\ from Lon don, is feparated from Weymouth by the river Wey, over which is a ftone bridge. It is united to Weymouth, and both form one corporation, governed by a Mayor, feveral Aldermen, and a Re corder, and jointly fend two members to Parliament, ,who at prefent are, the Rt. Hon. Welbore Ellis, F. R. S. LL.D. a truf- tee of the Britifli Mufeum, John Purling,' Efq; Sir Thomas Rum- bold, Bart, fon in law to the bifhop of Carlifle, and George Jack fon, Efq ; judge advocate of the fleet. Thefe two places have a market on Tuefdays and Fridays, but no fairs. IVareham, 20 miles from Dorchefter, and 1 1 5 from' London, had formerly a mint and a caftle. It was a PiOman town, and was once very large, having no lefs than feventeen churches, tho' they are now reduced to three, and thofe all fupplied by one mi nister. The chief ornament of the town is the tower of St. Mary's church. This town fends two -Members tp- Parliament, c O wh») 9S . DORSETSHIRE., who at prefent are, Thomas Farrer, Efq; and John Calcraft, Efq. It has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, viz. on April 7> July 5, and September n, for hogs and cheefe. _ Corfe-Cafile, $\ miles from Wareham, and i2of from Lon don ftands in -the middle of the Ifle of Purbeck, and has its name from a caftle, fuppofed to have been built by King Ed gar, who kept his court here. Soon after the death of that Mo narch, his fecond wife, Alfrith, rendered k remarkable by the execrable murder of King Edward -the Martyr, Son to King "Edgar, by a former wife, whom She caufed to- be Stabbed as he called to fee her, and aftewards boafted of the fuccefs of her -wickednefs. Some years after, however, flie madethe ufiual at: tonement of thofe times, by founding religious houfes, and tak ing herfelf a religious habit. Near the caftle is a large and lofty parifh church, which is a Royal Peculiar, not liable to any epif- copal vifitatibn or jurifdiftion. The caftle was demolished by the parliament forces in the time of the civil war ; but the rains ftill retain great marks of the ftrength and grandeur of this ftately ' fort, and their fituation on an eminence, renders them vifible at a confiderable diftance. This-town fends two Members to Parlia ment, who at prefent are, John Bond, jun. Efq ; and Henry Bankes, Efq. It has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, via. on May 12, and Oftober 19, for hogs and toys. Pool, 27 miles from Dorchefter, and 109I from London, is a1 place of great trade, and one of the moft confiderable ports in the Weft of England. It is furrounded on all fides by the fea, except on the North, where there is an entrance through a gate. It was formerly nothing but a place where a few fifher- men lived, but in the reign of Henry VI. it was greatly enlarg ed, and the inhabitants had the privilege to wall it round ; it was alfo made a county of itfelf.'' It is governed by a Mayor, a fenior Bailiff, four other Juftices, and an indeterminate Humbeii , cf Burgeffes. The town confifts of a church, and about 600 Ijoufes, with broad baved ftreetij and has a manufactury of knit hofft- DORSETSHIRE. ^ bpfe. It fends two members to Parliament, who at prefent lire, William Morton Pitt, Efq ; and Michael Angelo Taylor,- Efq ; fon of Sir Robert Taylor, Knt. This town has a market on Mondays and Thurfdays, and one fair on the firft Thurfday in November, a free mart for toys. Blandford, 1 6 miles from Dorchefter, and 106 from London,' is an ancient and flourishing town. It was almoft confumed by fire June 4, 1731, but was foon after rebuilt in a very elegant man ner. This town gives the title of Marquifs to the eldeft fon of the noble family of Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. It has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, viz. March 7, July iq, and November 8, for horfes, fheep and cheefe. Shaftfbury, or Shafton, 28 miles from Dorchefter, and ios from London, is fituated on a hill in the grand poft road to Exe ter. It is faid to have been built by King Alfred in 880, and had, in the Saxon times a famous monaftery, and ten churches, but they are at prefent reduced to four. This town gives the title of Earl to the noble' family of Cooper. It fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Hans Wintrop Mortimer, Efq ; John Drummond,, Efq; This town has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, viz-, on Saturday before Palm-Sunday, June "24, and November 22, for all forts of cattle. Wimburne, or Winbourne, 16 miles from Dorchefter and 108 from London, was one of the roman Stations; it had formerly 'a monaftery, in which King Ethelred, brother to King Alfred was buried ; but it was afterwards changed into a collegiate church, and re-built : This choir is the only one in the county. The church is a noble edifice, about 180 feet in length, built in the form of a cathedral, with a fine tower in the middle, and a- nother.at the weft end, each abost 90 feet high. This town has a market on Fridays, and two fairs, viz. on Good-Friday, and September 14,' for bullocks and cheefe. Sherborn, i8f miles from Dorchefter, and 117^ from London, is *n ancient, large, and much frequented town, it being both' O 2 the ldc, DORSETSHIRE. the coach and ppft road from London to Exeter ; It was onte the retiring place of William the Conqueror. An epifcopal chair was fixed here in 705, by Ina, King of the Weft-Saxons, in which there fat fucceffiveiy, no lefs. than twenty five bifhops ; but in the 1 ith century, it was removed to Sarum, foon after which,. the cathedral was converted into an abbey, the church whereof was very magnificent both within and without, being the beft in the county, and fo much valued by the tOwnfmen at the Re formation, that it is faid they bought it, and pulled down three churches, and four chapels to preferve it. At the entrance from the porch lie interred Ethlebald and Ethlebert, two of our/Saxon Kings, about 200 years before the Conqueft ; and in one of its., ifles is a grand monument of John Digby, Earl of Briftol, who died in 1698, faid to have coft 1500I. In the tower are fix bells fo large that they require near twenty men to ring them. Sher borne caftle was built by Roger, the third Bifhop of Salisbury, about the year 1 107. This town has a market on Thurfdays and Saturdays, and four fairs, viz. on Wednefday before Holy-Thurf day, for all forts of cattle and pedlary ; July 1 8, for wool, horn ed cattle, flieep, horfes, and pedlary ; July 26, for horfes, catde, and in particular for lambs and pedlary ; if either of thefe days fall on a Saturday or Sunday, it is kept on the Monday following; and the firft Monday in Oftober, Old Stile, for wool, horfes, horned cattle and pedlary. Portland, over againft Weymouth, was formerly an ifland, aud ftill retains that name, though it is now only a peninfula, and joined to the continent ; it is fcarce feven miles in circumference, and but thinly inhabjted. From the eaft end, where there is a church and feveral houfes, the fea has thrown up a prodigious ridge of beach, called Chefil Bank, not above half a ftone's caft from the Shore. It runs Weft parallel with the Shore near feven miles, quite to AbbotSbury, leaving an inlet of water, in fome places, near a mile and an half over; in the broadeft part of which lake is a fwannery, where are no lejs than feven or eight thoufand DORSETSHIRE. I0i thoufand fwans. The land here is fo high, that in clear weather, one fees above half over the Channel between England and France. By reafon of the high and dangerous rocks, it is acceflible only on the north fide, where it is defended by a ftrong caftle, built by Henry VIII. and another fince erefted on the oppofite Shore, called Sandsfoot caftle. The inland parts are famous for quarries of the fineftfree-ftone, the moft durable and handfome for build ings of any ftone in England. St. 'Paul's church, London, was built with this ftone. Abbey -Milton, or Middleton, *]\ miles from Dorchefter, and 131 from London, an ancient but mean town, where there was formerly a low abbey. The market is come to nothing ; but it has a fair on Tuefday after July 25, for Cattle and toys. Abbot/bury, 7! miles from Blandford, and 113! from London, where there is a fanfous fwannery. It has a market on Thurfdays, and a fair on July 10 for fheep and toys. Beminfier, 34 miles from Blandford, and 140 from London, is feated on the river Bert, with a market on Thurfdays, and a fair on September 19, for horfes, bullocks, fheep and cheefe. Bere-Regis, a, miles from Blandford, and 115 from London, is but a fmall place, with a market on Wednefdays, but no fair. Cerne,' or Cerne-Abbey, 17 miles from Blandford, and 123 from London, with a market .on Wednefdays, and three fairs, viz. Midlent-Monday, Holy-Thurfday, and Oft. 2, for horfes, bullocks, and hogs. ' Cranbom, 12 mile* from Blandford, and 94 from London, is well watered with ftreams, and is finely feated for pleafure, there being a chace which extends almoft as far as Salifbury. It has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, viz. on Auguft 29, and December 6, for cheefe and Sheep.. Dallwood, a village to the Weft of Dorchefter, with a fair on • the firft Wednefday before Auguft 24, for cattle. Emmergreen, a village with one fair on Tuefday before Holy- Thurfday, for all forts' of cattle. v ¦ Ever/hot, so2 DORSETSHIRE. Everfhot, 25 miles from Blandford, and 1 3 1 from London, 3 town with a market on Saturdays, and" a fair on May 12, for bullocks and toys. Farnham, 10 miles from Salisbury, a village with one fair on Auguft 21, for cheefe. x Frampton, 6 miles from Dorchefter, and 1 29! from Lendon, is pleafantly feated on the river Frpme. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and four fairs, viz. on March 4, March 7, Auguft 1, and September 4, for all forts of cattle. ¦Gillingham, 6 miles from Shaftefbury, a village with two fairs, viz. on Trinity-Monday, and September 1, for bullocks, horfes,' and fheep. Hermitage, a village near Cerne- Abbey, with one fair on Aug. 26, for bullocks, horfes, fheep and wool. HolUwood, a village with one fair on Auguft 6, for horfes, cheefe and toys. Lambert-Cafilej a village with two fairs, viz. on Wednefday before June 24, and on Wednefday nine weeks afterwards, for cattle. Martin 's-Town, a village with one fair on November 22, for bullocks, fheep and toys. Milbourn, a village with one fair on November 30, for bul locks, horfes and cheefe. ' Oi»er-mayne, a village with one fair on Oftober 10, for horfes, cattle and toys. Painpill, a village with two fairs, viz. on July 7, arid Auguft 29, for hogs, cheefe and toys.' Piddle-Town, a village with one fair on Eafter-Tuefday, for horfes, bullocks, hogs and fheep.t Sidland, or Sidlam, a village with one fair on December 6, for all forts of cattle. Stalbridge, 9 miles from Shaftefbury, and 1 1 1 from London, this town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, v,iz. on May 6, and September 4, for all forts of cattle. Stockton-di- DORSETSHIRE. 102 Sfockland, a village with one fair on June -i 8, for cattle. Sturminfter, 9 miles from Shaftefbury, and 11 1 from London,. Is Seated on the river Stour, over which there is a handfome ftone bridge, in a rich vale ; however, it is" but a mean place, remar kable for the ruins of an ancient caftle near it, which was the feat of the Weft-Saxon Kings. This town has a market on Thurf days, and two fairs, viz. on May 12, and Oftober 24, for cattle and toys. Shroton, a village with one fair on September 25, for horfes, bullocks, fheep, and all forts of haberdafhery. Toller-Down, a place in this county, where there are held three fairs, viz. on May 29, and 30, the firft day for bullocks, fheep, and horfes ; the fecond day for toys only ; July 2, for fheep and lambs; and September 11 and 12, the firft day for bullocks, fheep, and horfes, and the fecond day for toys only. Woodland, a village with onefairon July 5, for horfes, cheefe, and toys. Woolbridge, a village with one fair on May 14, for horfes, cattle, and toys. Won/ ord- Eagle, a village with one fair on Auguft 21, for toys only. Woodbury-Hill, near Bere, is a very high hill, but of gradual and eafyafcent; the top a -plain of a circular form, containing about twelve acres of pafture land, from which are very exten five land and fea profpefts. It is fuppofed to have been anciendy a Roman encampment, being moated round. It has a fair on September 1 8, for all forts of cattle, horfes, hops, cheefe, cloth, haberdafhery, and all forts of goods. ANTIQUITIES. Middleton- Abbey was hpfAt by King Athelftan, to atone for the death of his younger brother, who being falfly accufed to him, he ordered him to be put to fea in a boat, without pars or fails,. , jo4 DORSETSHIRE. fails, and with one page only, by which means he miferably pe- rifhed. At the difolution of Monasteries, this Abbey was grant ed to the family of Tregonwall, who refided here 1 60 years; and in prpcefs of time it came into the poffeffion of Sir J. Banks. Abbotfbury- Abbey was founded by Orcus, or Orkery, and, his Wife Tola, aNormanlady, about the year 1026. Brindon-Abbey, 6 miles from Wareham, was founded and endowed by Roger de Newburg, and his wife Maud; King Henry III. and his Queen Eleanor, undertook the patronage of it. SEATS of the Nobility, 6c. Duke of Bolton's at Hook-Park. Earl of Salisbury's at Cran- burn-Houfe, 10 miles from Salifbury. — Earl of Shaftsbury's at Winborne, St. Gile's, two miles from Cranburn. — Earl Poulett's at Buckland 6 miles from Dorchefter. Earl of. Orford's at Piddleton, four miles from Dorchefter. — Lord Milton's at Milton- Abbey. — Lord Digby's at Sherborne. — Sir William Oglander's at Parnham. — The Honourable Mr. Grenville's at Eaftbury-Houfe, the, feat of the late Lord Melcome, fix miles from Shaftfbury, in the parifh of Gunfield. This is one of the largeft and moft magnificent houfes in England, its gardens and park are eight miles in circumfefence. — Mr. Bond's at Grange, near Wareham. — Mr. Stuart's at Horton. Mr. Darner's at Came, near Dor chefter. — Mr. Seymore's at Sherborn. — Edmund Walter's, Efq; at Stalbridge. — Mr Beckford's at Stapleton^ near Blandford.— Mr. Wills's'at Lulworth-Caftle, near Dorchefter, it was built in the reign of King James I. by J. Howard, Earl of Suffolk, after a defign of Inigo Jones. — Cnidiock-Caftle, near Bridport, for merly the feat and Lordfhip of a family of the fame name ; but in procefs of time," it came into the family of Arundel, of Lam- herne, in Cornwall. D U R- » U R H A M. 105 DURHAM. THE Bifhoprick of Durham, orDurefme, is bounded on the South by Yorkshire ; on the Weft by Cumberland ; on the North by Northumberland ; and on the Eaft by the German Ocean. This county is about 39 miles in length, 35 in breadth, and 107 in circumference; containing four wakes, one city, eight market towns, 16 rivers* 21 parks, four caftles, 52 pa rifhes, befides 28 chapels. Camden mentions 118 parifhes; but it muft be remembered that he includes the whole Diocefe, taken iq Northumberland. This whole county, with others bordering upon it, is called by the monkifh writers, the land or patrimony of St. Cuthbert ; for fo they called all that belonged to the church of Durham, of which Cuthbeit is efteemed the patron. St. Cuthbert, in the infancy of the Saxon church, was Bifhop of. Lindisfarn, and led fuch a holy and upright life, that he was Calendered for a faint. King Alfred and Guthrum the Dane (whom he fet over the Northumbrians) afterwards gave all the land between the river Were and the Tyne, to Cuthbert, and to thofe that Should minifter in that church for ever, that they rriight not be in want but have enough to live upon. William the .Conqueror not only confirmed their laws and liberties, but alfo enlarged them, from whofe time it was reckoned a county palatine; and fome of the Bifhops, as counts palatine, have ingraved in their feals a knight armed, fitting upon a horfe with' trappings, with one hand'brandifhing a fword, and fhe other holding out the zrths of the bifhopric. The palatine right of the Bifhops of Durham, is founded upon prefcription immemo rial, becaufe their is no record of its being granted by any princes before the Conqueft or fince, wherein it is not fuppofed to have been granted alfo by their predeceffors ; it proceeded at firft from a principal of devotion to St. Cuthbert, that what- . P ever too D U R H A M. ever lands where given to him, or bought with his money, he fhould hold them with the fame freedom that the princes, who gave them, held the reft of their Eftates ; but this piety to the faint was not_ without its prudential purpofes all along, both for the fervice of the crown in the wars of Scotland, and alfo for the fervice of the country, becaufe of its diftance from the coorts of law above. It confifted of all manner of royal jurifdiction, both civil and military, by land and by water ; for the exercife of which, the Bifhops had their proper courts of all forts, held in their name and by their authority : But now the aft of the 27th of Henry VIII. direfts, that all writs, indiftments, and all manner of procefs in counties palatine, Shall be made only in the king's name ; fince which time, all the difference that is in the ftyle of proceedings in this county from others is, that the telle of the writs is in the name of the Bifhop, according to the .di- "reft'ipns of that aft. Still he is perpetual Juftice of the Peace with in his teritories, as is alfo his temporal chancellor. All the Of ficers of the court, even the Judges of the Affize themfelves, have ftill their ancient falaries from the .Bifhop, and all the ftanding of ficers of the courts are conftituted by his patents. When . he comes in perfon to any of the courts of judicature, he fits chief in them, thofe of affize not excepted ; and even when judgment of blood is given the Bifhops of Durham did and may fit in court in their purple robes, upon the fentence of death. This county fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Thomas Clavering, Bart, and Sir John Eden, Bart. Durham, 65 miles from York ; 67 from Carlifle ; 14 from Newcaftle ; 90 from Lancafter, and ^56 miles from London, is fituated on a hill almoft furrounded with a river; and was built about 70 years before the Conqueft. The cathedral is a large magnificent pile, and adorned with a fine cloyfter on the South ; a library and chapter-houfe on the Eaft; a dormitory on the Weft, under which are the treafury, finging-fchool ; and a new Hilary' on ijhe N?rth fide. The church is 411 feet long, and 80 broad, D U R H A , M. 107 broad, having In the center a fpacious crofs ifle 170 feet long. At the Eaft end was the chapel' of the Virgin Mary, called Galilee, adorned on the outfide with two handfome fteeples. The wainfcot of the choir is well wrought ; the organ large and good, and the font of marble. There Ss a handfome fcreen at the en trance of the choir 117 feet in length and 33 in breadths The crofs ifle beyond it is placed at the ' extremity of the church,, in which' refpeft it is hot to be matched in any other cathedral. The chapter-houfe, where a 6 Bifhops are Interred, is a ftately room, arched over with ftone, 75 feet long, 33 broad, and has a fine feat at the upper end for the inftalment of the Bifhops. The or- , naments and decorations of this church for adminiftration of the divine offices are faid to be richer than thofe of any other church in England. The hones of the venerable Bede.are interred in St. Mary's chapel at the weft end of the church, and over the tomb hangs an old parchment fcroll, giving an account of his • virtues. Befides the cathedral here are fix parifh churches, three of which ftand in the principal part of the town, and the other in the fuburbs.' Southward of the cathedral is the college, a fpacious court, which has either been new built or much repaired fince the reftoration. Above the college-gate is the exchequer, and the Weft the gueft ball, for the entertainment of ftrangers. On the North-fide of the college-fchool is a houfe for the mafter; and betwen the church-yard and caftle an open area, called the Palace green; to the Weft of which is the fhire hall where the affizes and feffions are held for the county, and near it a library. On the Eaft is an hofpital built and endowed by Bifhop Cofin ; on the North fide is a caftle, now the bifhop's palace, built by William the Conqueror, the outer gatehoufe of which is at pre fent the county goal. The toll-booth, near St. Nicholas's church, and the crofs and conduit in the market-place, with the two bridges over the Were, are the other principal public buildings. The form of this city is not improperly compared to a crab, the market-place refembling the body, and the ftreets the claws ; for P2 tfW io8 DURHAM. the ftreets following the courfe of the Were, which runs almSft round that part of the city where the cathedral and Bifhop s pa lace ftand, are fcarce two of them together.. Near this city are- the remains of the Roman military way, called Ikenild -ftreet; and at Nevil's crofs, in that neighbourhood, the famous battle iii 1346, was fought, where the Scots army was deftroyed., and their King, David, was taken prifoner. This city fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, John Tempeft, Efq ; (a vacancy.) It has a market on Saturdays^ and three fairs, viz. on March 3 1 , which continues three days ; firft day, for horned cattle ; fecond day, fheep and hogs ; and the third day, horfes; Whitfun-Tuefday, and September 15, for the fame. Barnard-Cafile, 24 miles from Durham, 245 from- London, ftands on the north-fide of the river Tees ; it is an handfome town, and well built, but confifts only of one main ftreet, be fides feveral lanes branching out. The chief manufaftures are {lockings, bridles, and belts ; and it is alfo noted for good bre,ad. The place has its name from a caftle built here by Barnaid, great grandfon of John Baliol ; the" ruins of this ftrufture ftill remain. It gives the title of Vifcount to the eldeft fon of the noble fami ly of Vane, Earls of Darlington." This town has a market on Wednefdays, and three fairs, viz. on Eafter-Monday, Wednefday in Whitfun-week, and St. JamesVday (July.25) for cattle, hor fes, and Sheep. Marwood, is a little town higher up the fame river, noted alfo for the Stocking manufafture, and a park which extends itfelf from thence to Barnard-Caftle. It has neither market nor fair. Darlington, 19 miles from Durham, and 238 from London, has a good ftone bridge over the Skern, which runs into the Tees. It is a large market and poft town, a great thoroughfare from -London to Edinburgh ; arid noted for the linen manufafture, particularly that fort called Huccabacks, of which great quanti ties are fent to London, and alfo for a fort of woollen fluff cal led Tammies. Some fine linen cloth* is alfo made here, and the * ¦ waters DURHAM. xop waters of the Skern have been efteemed fo famous for bleaching linen, that great quantities have been fent hither from Scotland for that purpofe. This town confifts of feveral ftreets, has a fpacious market place, anda handfome church with a tall fpire. In a field near this town are three wells of great depth, common ly called Hell-kettles, or the Kettles of Hell ; becaufe the water by art Antiperiftafis (or Reverberation of the cold air) is heated in them. The more thinking fort reckon them to have been funk by an earthquake, and probably enough ; for we find in the Chronicle of Tinmouth, " That in the year of our Lord 1 179, on Chrifimas-Day, at Oxenhall, in the. out-fields of Darlington, in the Bifhoprick of Durham, the earth raifed itfelf up to a great height, like a lofty tower, and remained fo all that day till the eve- ning, as it were fixed and immoveable ; but then it funk down a- gain with fuch an horrible noife, that it terrified all the neighbour hood ; and the earth fucked it in_ and made there a deep pit, which continues as a tefiimony thereof to this day." This town gives the title of Earl to the noble family of Vane. It has a market on Mon days, and four fairs, viz. on Eafter-Monday, Whitfun-Monday, Monday fortnight after Whitfun-Monday, and November 22, for cattle, horfes, and Sheep. A .Stockton, 22 miles from Drirham, and 248 from London, is a well built town of great bufinefs, fituated on the Tees, two leagues from its m6uth. The river is capable of receiving large fhips at the entrance, but the current renders, it dangerous. Here is a new church built on the ruins of a fmall chapel. A bridge rs now built over the Tees, near this town, the great arch of which was keyed Auguft 3, 1763; it meafures, betw en the landftowls, 112 feet; and is faid, bythe architects to he, the largeft arch in Europe. This town has a market on Saturdays, and one fair on July 18, for toys, and plenty of fifh. Hartlepool, 2 1 miles from Durham, and 258 from London, ftands on a little promontory, fix miles North of the Tees, and j$ eneompaffed on all fides, except on the Weft, by the fea; it' no DURHAM. it is a famous ancient corporation, with a very fafe harbour. I« market is much reduced, as the tpwn depends almoft entirely on fifhing, and on the harbour, which is much frequented by col liers, efpecially in ftormy weather. The Shore affords an agree able profpeft to thofe who fail by, exhibiting a pleafant variety of corn-fields, meadows, villages, and other fine fylvan fcenes. It has a market on Saturdays, and four fairs, viz. on May 14, Auguft 21, Oftober 9, and November * 2 7, for toys and plenty of fifh. ¦ : ' «• .'< Sunderland, 13 miles from Durham, and 169 from London, ftands on the fouth bank of the river Were ; it is a populous, well built town and fea port, with a very fine church. The fea furrounds it almoft at high water, making it a peninfula. It is much talked o£ for the coal trade, but the Sunderland coal burns fo flowly, that it is faid to make three fires. It contains a great quantity of pyrites, and burns to a heavy reddifh cinder, which the magnet difcovers to be iron ; yet were the harbour fufficient ly deep and capacious to admit fhips of the fame burthen as the Tyne does, it would be a great lofs to Newcaftle, for there is a great variety in their coal, and fome is equal to any in England. This town has a market on Fridays, but. no fairs. South-Shields, 21 miles from Durham, and 277 from London, is fo called to diftinguifh it frorri North-Shields, in Northumber land, and becaufe it lies on the fouth fide of the river Tyne. This place is of great note for its faltworks, there being above 200 pans for boiling fea water into fait, of which the quantity made is almoft incredible, it being computed, that there is annually confumed for this purpofe 100,000 chaldron of coals. The workmen and officers employed in thefe works make a confider- ablepart of the inhabitants ; there are alfo feveral glafs-houfes'a- long the river Tyne. This place has neither market nor fairs. Bifhops- Aukland, i2f miles from Darlington, and 250! from London, (fo named as Sarron in Greece, was) from the oaks, ftands at the conflux of the Were and Gaunlefs, upon' a pretty high DURHAM nl high hill, where we fee a fair-built houfe of the Bifhop, with tur rets,, magnifieently. repaired by Anthony Beck ; and a very noble bridge, built by Walter Skirlaw, Bifhop, about theyear 1400; who alfo enlarged this houfe, and made a bridge over the Tees at Ya\um. It was formerly called North-Aukland, fometimes Market-Aukland, and now Bifhops- Aukland, from the Bifhop's houfe here ; which was pulled down in the great rebellion by Sir Arthur Haflerig, who built a new houfe out of the materials. This town, which is one of the beft in the county, ftands in a good air, and the houfes are generally pretty well built ; it isr pleafantly fituated on the fide of a hill, and much noted for its chapel, the architecture of which is very curious. It has, a mar ket on Thurfdays, and three fairs, viz. on Afcenfion-day, for horned cattle, fwine, and all forts of wares, and the day follow ing for fheep and horfes; Corpus-Chrifti-day, for ditto, and Thurfday before Oftober 10, for ditto. Stanhope in Werefdale, or Staindrop, 2 1 miles from Barnard- Caftle, and 266 from London, fo called from the river Were, is a fmail town, but has a very fpacious park, where the Scots army encamped when they were befieged by King Edward III. Here was the ancient feat of the family of Fetherftonhaugh, for many generations ; the laft of whom was flain at the battle of Hockftet, and the eftate was purchafed by the Earl of Carlifle. It has a market on Thurfdays. Cornhill, a village with one fair on December 6, for mercan tile goods, and fhepherds curs. Wolfingham, 16 miles from Barnard-Caftle, and 261 from London, this town has no market, but two fairs, viz. on May 18, and September 21, for linen cloth, ANTIQUITIES. Binchefter where are found large ruins of walls, and Roman coins, called by the inhabitants, .Binchefter Pepmies, with infcrip tions. 5?2 D U R H A M. tions. Seals, urns, and other marks of antiquity, have been dug up here. Lanchefter, eight miles from Durham, has thfe paffage of" the Roman Watling-ftreet through it. It is now a to lerable country village, with a handfome church, but appears by the ruins to have been much larger formerly, and fortified with a thick ftrong wall, and to have contained temples, palaces, bar racks for foldiers, &c. Winfton, four miles from Barnard-Caftle, is another place through which the Roman way paffes from Cat- terick to Binchefter. Percebridge, or more properly Prieft-, bridge, from two neighbours of that order, who built a bridge here over the Tees, is remarkable for a Roman altar dug up here, befides feveral urns ahd coins, which have alfo been found in the neighbourhood. At Ebchefter, upon the Derwent, in the north-weft part of the county, was obferved a Roman ftation, with large fuburbs, were, among other ancient .monuments, have been found an altar and an urn. The river Derwent has mills, furnaces, .and forges, all the way down, for the fmelting of lead and filver, and the manufaftures of iron and fteel. Yar- row-M°naftery> built in the year 674, by Ceolfridus, King of Northumberland. The Venerable Bede was educated here. Fin- chale-Priory, near Durham, was originally an. hermitage, inha bited by Godricus de Finchal, an hermit of great fanftity. Han- wick, which ftands on the other fide bf the Were, oppofite to Binchefter, is noted for its wells, both fweet and fulphureous, to which there is a 'great refort. A little below Brancepth there are here many high Stones in the channel of the Were, which are never covered but when the river overflows. If water be poured on them, and it mix a little with ftone, it becomes brackiSh ; and at Butterfby, when the river is fhallow in the fumrrter, and funk below thefe ftones, a reddifh fait water burfts out of them, which grows fo white and hard, that they who live in the neighbour hood ufe it for fait. On the other fide of the Were there is alfo a medicinal fpring of ftrong fulphur ; and lower towards Dur ham is a mineral water, of the nature of which Dr. Wilfon has! treatedv ESSE X. ¦ xt7 treated. At Shirbttrn, one mile from Durham, Is a very noble Hofpital founded by Hugh Pudfey (a very rich Bifhop, and for fometime Earl of Northumberland)- for lepers ; it was in the reign of Queen Elizabeth fettled, by the name of Chrift's-Hof- pital, for a Mafter and thirty brethren. SEATS of ihe NobUity, 6c. Earl of Scarborough's at Lumley-Caftle, near Durham/ "this place was originally a Manor houfe, bu t converted into a Caftle by a licence obtained from Richard II. — Earl of Darlington's at .Raby-Caftle. — Lord Ravenfworth's, at Ravenfworth Caftle, and Newton. — Lord Bifhop of Durham's palace at Durham, and a- nother palace belonging to that Prelate at Bifhops- Aukland ; the former was firft erefted by Anthony Beck, Bifhop of Durham j and deftoyed in the civil wars, by Sir Arthur Haflerig, as be fore obferved. In 1665, it was rebuilt, and adorned with a ftate ly chapel, by William Cofins, Bifhop of Durham. Sir Thp- ' mas Clavering's, atAxwell, Whitehoitfe, and Greencroft. — Sit/ John Eden's, at Windleftone, and Weft Aukland. — Sir Hedworth Williamfon's, at Monkwearmouth. Lieutenant-General John Lambton's, at Harraton-Hall, near Durham, — John Tempeft's, ¦ Efq ; at Wynierd, near Stockton. <„"'' E S S E % OR the county of the Eaft-Saxons, is bounded- on the Eaft by the German ocean ; on the Weft by the rivers Lea and , Stdrt, the former dividing it from Middlefex, and the latter from Hertfordfhire ; on the North by the Stour, which feparate* It from Suffolk, and Cambridgefhire, and on the South by the Thames. This county is about 50 milss ia length, 35 in breadth. M4 E < S S E X, and 140 in circumference; it contains 20 Hundreds, 22 market-, towns, 415 parifhes, 46 parks, one foreft, and 1,240,000 acres. It abounds with corn, cattle, and wild fowl ; and the north parts of it, efpecially about Saffron- Walden, produce great quantities of faffron. Abundance of oxen and fheep are fed in the marfhes near the Thames, and fent to the markets of London. They have plenty of fifh of all forts from the fea and rivers ; and by the fea fide are decoys, which in the winter feafon, produce great profit to their owners. This county gives the title of Earl to the noble family of Capel. It fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Thomas BerneyBramfton, Efq; LL.D. and John Bullock, Efq ; col. of the eaft regiment of Effex militia. Calchefter.x 22 miles from Chelmsford, and 51 from London, is the chief town pf the county ; it is a large populous place, on the river Coin, which paffes through it, and is made navigable for fmall craft up to the Hithe, a long ftreet, which may be cal led the Wapping of Colchefter, where there is a good key, and at Vennoe, within three miles of it, is a good Cuftom-Houfe. This, and all the towns round it, are noted for making of baize, of which great quantities are exported to Spain, and the Ameri can Colonies, being the chief cloathing of the Spanifh nuns and friers. For the fupport of this trade there is a corporation called Governors of the Dutch Bay-Hall, and officers to examine the manufafture ; this town is alfo of note for its excellent oyfters, and for candying Eringo roots. It is pleafantly fituated on the top of a hill, from whence two long ftreets run down to the bottom, with very good inns and fprings. Its ftreets are large and beautiful, and though the whole is not finely built, yet it has a great many good houfes, and fome nohle buildings, as the Bay-Hall, the Guild-Hall] or Moot-Hall, as they call it. This town is .reckoned about three miles in circumference; it has ten parifh churches, and five meeting-houfes, of which two are Qua kers; befides a Dutch and French church. It is a liberty of it felf, ia the hundred of Lexden, and extends along the river as far ESSEX. ire far as Merfey-Ifland: this town had anciently a wall and a ftrong caftle, built by Edward, fon to King Alfred, about the year 912, but now few'marks remain of either. It is fuppofed to have been anciently a Roman colony, many ruins, and fome buildings of Roman brick are ftill remaining. The inhabitants glory that! F. Julia Helena, mother to Conftantine the" Great, was born in this town, being daughter to King Coelus. And in memory of the Crofs which fhe found, they bear, for their Arms, a crofs in- ragled between four Crowns. The truth is, fhe was a womati of a moft holy life, and of unwearied diligence in propagating the Chriftian Faith. This town fends two Members to Parlia ment, who at prefent are, Sir Edmund Affleck, Bart, rear admi ral of the blue; and Sir Robert Smyth, Bart. It has a market on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and four -fairs, viz. on Eafter- Tuefday, for wholefale Taylors ; June 24, for horfes1, July 23, for cattle and horfes, and Oftober 20, for cattle, horfes, cheefe, butter and toys. Maiden, g\ miles from Chelmsford, and 37 from London, ftands on ah eminence near the fea ; it was called Camalodunum by the Romans, and was the firft colony they had in Britain. Is. is a pretty large and populous town, though it confifts chiefly of one ftreet. It has a convenient haven, or arm of the fea, for Ships of 400 tons ; and fome of the Inhabitants drive a confider able trade in coals, iron, deals and corn. Here Is a large library for the ufe of the Minifters of the place, and the clergy of the neighbouring hundreds. A little beyond the town begins Black- water-bay, famous, for the pits of thofe excellent oifters, called Wall-fleet, from the Share where they lie, which ia five miles long, and. guarded by a wall of earth to keep off the fea, This town gives the title of Vifcount to the eldeft fon of the noble fa mily of Capel, Earls of Effex. It fends two Members to Parlia ment, who at prefent are, John Strut, Efq ; and Sir Peter Par ker, Bait. Vice Admiral of, the white. It has a market on Satur days, and one fair on September 18, for. toys. Qj^ Harwich, »i5 ESSEX- Harwich, 43 miles from Chelmsford, j,and 72 from London, fbmds near the mouth of the Stour. It is a very fafe harbour, as the name imports, and a very large, well-built, clean arid po pulous town, and not only defended by the fea, which almoft encompaffes it, but by ftrong fortifications. It is walled round, and theffreets paved for the moft part with clay, which tumbling down from a cliff, where there is a petrifying fpring, between the town and Beacon-Hill, it foon grows as hard as ftone, and the inhabitants boaft the wall is as ftrong, and the ftreets as clean, as thofe that are aftually built or paved with ftone. Here is a good dock-yard for building fhips, with the convehiencies of Store- loufes, cranes, launches, and all other neceffaries. It is the ftation for the packet-boats which pafs to and from Holland, Gerr many, and other ports, with the mails and paffengers. Oppofite to the fort, on the fouth fide of the mouth of the harbour, is Beacon-Hill, about half a mile from the town, to which there is a pleafant walk ; there is a large, and very lofty lightrhoufe on this hill, from whence there is an extenfive view of the" coafts of Suffolk and Effex, the town ancFport of Harwich, and the men of war, when riding at Gun-Fleet. At the foot of the hill is a well, faid to turn wood into metal; but it is only of a petrifying nature ; though it cannot be denied, that the ftone along this fhore is much of the copperas kind, and a great deal of tlltt ftone is found between this and the Naze ; and both here, and at Walton, adjoining to the Naze, are feveral works for preparing and boiling the liquids, which produce at laft the copperas itfelf. The inns at ¦ Harwich are good, but the accommodations very dear, by means of the great concourfe of people to and from Holland. t The harbour is very fpacious, occafioned by the influx of the Stour from Manningtree and the Orwel, from Ipfwich into the bay, and fuch ufe made of it in the Dutch war, that more than, an hundred fail of men of war with their tenders, befides great numbers of colliers have rode at anchor in it at a time. There ;*re two or three iflands fouth of Harwich, called Pewet, Horfey and ESSEX. ,,7 and Holmes, that breed fea fowl, which, when fat, are delicious. And on the fame fide are Thorp, Kirkley and Walton, included within that anciently- called the Liberty of the Soke, in which the Sheriff of the county has no power. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, John Robinfon, Efq ; LL.D. arid the Rt. Hon. Thomas Orde, Secretaiy to the Lord Lieut, of Ireland, and a Privy CounfeUor in that kingdom. It has a market on Fridays, and two fajrs, viz. on May i, and Oc tober 1 8, for toys. Manningtree, 9 miles from Colchefter, and 60 miles from London, has a bridge over the Stour, thence often called Mah- . ningtree water. It is a town of good trade. . This town has a market on Tuefdays, and one fair on June 15, for toys. Braintree, 8 miles from Chelmsford, and 40 from London, was formerly of great note for the manufsfture of baize and ether fluffs ; but that branch of trade is now greatly decreafed. This town has a market on Wednefdays, and two faifs, viz. on May 8, and Oftober 2, for cattle, butter, cheefe, &c. , Backing, parted from Braintree by a rivulet, is one of the largeft villages in Effex, and adorned with fine fpacious houfes of clothiers, enriched by the manufafture of haize, of which this village has a peculiar fort, called Bockings. Its church is a Deanry, and. in the gift of the Archbifhop of Canterbury. Halftead, 18 miles from Chelmsford, and 47 from London, is feated on the river Colne, which runs through the middle of it, and the market is good for corn and provifions. It has a pretty large old church, the fteeple of which was burnt down by lightning, but erefted again at the expence of Robert Fifke, Efq. The town confifts of about 600 houfes, which are in general pretty good ones; they are fituated on the rifing ground, and the ftreets not paved. The number of the people amounts f about 4000. Here is a good manufactory of fays, baize, calli- mancoes, &c. In this place is a flourifhing grammar-fchool, libe rally endowed for eighty children, natives of Eflex, arid a very antic n8 ESSEX. antic Bridewell. This town has a market on Fridays, and two fairs, viz. on May 6, and Oftober 29, for cattle, two days each. Coggejhall, '7 miles from Colchefter, and 44 from London, was built by King Stephen for Cluniac Monks ; it had formerly a large trade for baize, but is now greatly decreafed. Near this town, in a grotto by the. road fide, was found a phial with 3 lamp in it,, covered with a Roman tile ; alfo fome urns and crocks with afhes and bories. This town has a market on Saturdays, and one fair on Whitfun Tuefday, for toys and horfes. Dunmow, 13 miles from Chelmsford, and 36 from London, Is a place of great antiquity, pleafantly fituated on a high gravelly hill. Some places difcover the remains of an old Roman way. In the Priory here, Robert Fitz Walter (a powerful baron, in the time of Henry III.) inftituted a cuftom, that whoever did not repent of his marriage, nor quarrelled with his wife, within a year and a day, fhould go to Dunmow and have a gammon of bacon, but the party was to fwear to the truth of it, kneeling upon two hard pointed ftones fet in the priory church-yard for that purpofe, before the Prior and Convent and the whole town. This town has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on May 6, and November 8, for cattle. Thaxted, 6 miles from Walden, and 42 from London, is re markable for its church, which is a very regular and ftately building. This town has a market onx Fridays, and two fairs, viz. on May 16, and Auguft 10, for horfes, &c. Walden, or Saffron Walden, 7§ miles from Thaxted, and 43 from London, had its prefent name from its fituation among many pleafant fields of Saffron, a choice produft, which few 0- ther counties yield, and none can equal. Saffron was firft brought -into England in the reign of Edward III. and has throve in this foil to a prodigious degree ; it has a bulbous root, which being taken out of the ground in July, and re-planted; in ten days, Shoots out abluifh flower about the end of ' September, in the' midft wheretf are three yellow chives of Saffron; thefe are ga. thered ESSEX. 119 tbered in the morning before fun-rife, picked out of the flower, and dried by a gentle fire. Its increafe i.s fo wonderful, that though every flower feems to yield fo little, an acre of ground will produce eighty pounds of wet Saffron, which, when dried, will weigh twenty pounds. This town has a market on Satur days, and two fairs, viz. on the Saturday before Midlent-Sun- day, for horfes and toys, and November i, for cows. Chelmsford, 32 miles from Hertford ; 40^ from Cambridge ; 40 from Ipfwich, and 29 from London, ftands in a beautiful plain, having the little river Chelmer running through it, over which there is a bridge. It is a pretty large, populous town, al moft in the center of the county ; and though not the largeft, its fituation renders it the moft frequented, and is called the fhire-town» The church, which is a large Gothic ftrufture, ap pears to have been built 300 years ago.- The town is governed by a chief cOnftable, and confifts of about 500 houfes, which are, in general pretty good ; but the ftreets are paved only at the doors ; however the town lying on a fmall defcent is always - clean. There is here an excellent conduit, which contains feve ral infcriptions, almoft worn out by time ; and it has fuch a fup ply of water, that it runs a hogftiead and an half, and four gal lons in a minute. This town has a market on Fridays, and two fairs, viz. on May 12, and November 12, for cattle.. St. Ofyth-Ifiand, 3 miles from Maiden, abounds w^b great plenty of wild fowl at the feafon of tjie year. It ftand* in a large frith or Inlet of the fea, which the fiftiermen and failors^ who ufe it as a port, call Maiden-water. It owes its name to 2 Priory dedicated to St. Ofyth, a holy virgin, who was maffacred , here by Pirates. The ftrufture was built by Richard de Belmies, Bifhop of London, in the year 1 1 20. There are ftill confider able remains of this ftnjfture. This place has a fair on Afcenfi- on-day. Merfey, is another ifland, lying between Maiden-Water and ' Celchefter-water. It had fortn-erly eight parifhes, but has now only •j I2C E X* only two, diftinguifhed by Eaft and Wefl-Merfey, which laft. place has a fair on Whitfun-Tuefday, for toys. It is a place ft) inaceeffible and ftrong by nature, that it may be called impreg nable. Ingatfione, 6 miles from Chelmsford, and 29 from London', " has a confiderable trade, and its market is noted for cattle brought out of Suffolk and other parts. It is remarkable for ' having been the refidence of Sir William Petres, who lies buried under a ftately monument in the church. He founded eight fellow. fhips, in Exeter-College, Oxford, and built an alms-houfe here. for twenty poor people, and a chaplain. This town has no market, and has. only one fair on December 1, for cattle of all forts. Brentwood, or Bur ntwood, 11 miles from Chelmsford, and 29 from London, ftands on a high' hill and is well inhabited, be- jng full of inns. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, viz, on July 18, and Oftober 15, for horfes and horn ed cattle. BiUericay, 6 miles from Brentwood, and 24 from London, ftands on a hill, and is prinsipally noted for being a large market for corn. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, viz. on July 22, for horfes, and Oftober 7, for cattle, in general, of all forts. Canvey- Ifland, the Connons mentioned by Potolemy, is about five miles in length from Hole-haven to Leigh. Over againft it is the place called the Hope : The ifland lies low, and is fome times nearly all overflowed, by the tide of the Thames, which is here two miles over. Many thoufands of fheep are fed here; and at the flowing of the tide they retreat fo faft to the hills, that few are loft. It has onefair on June 25, for toys. Rumfor d, 16 miles from Chelmsford, and 12 from London,, holds a court for the trials of treafons, felonies, debts, and other actions. This town has a market on Wednefdays, .and one fait on June 24, for horned cattle and horfes. Hornchurcby ESSEX. 121 Hornchurch, is a very large parifh, and had formerly a mo naftery. Dagenham, 15 miles from London, Is remarkable for a terri ble breach made by the Thames, by which 5000 acres of land were laid under water ; but after being overflowed ten years, and many fruitlefs attempts made to flop the inundation, it was effected by Captain Perry, who had been feveral years employed in the Czar of Mufcovy's works at Veronitza, on the river Don. Tilbury, 5 miles from Grayes, and 30 from London, confifts of two parifhes Eaft and Weft, both by the fide of the Thames. Near the former are very fpacious caverns in a chalky cliff, built very artificially with ftone, to the height of two fathoms, and fbmewhat narrow at the top. Here Queen Elizabeth formed her camp when fhe had intelligence of the Spanifh Armada. Wefi-Tilbury may be reckoned the key of the city of London,, there being here a regular fortification, defended by a conftant ¦garrifon. The efplanade is very large, and the baftions, which ar.e faced with brick, the largeft in England. It has a double ditch, the innermoft of Which is 180 feet wide, a good cpunter- fcarp, and a covered way marked out with ravelins and te- nailles. Grayes, or Grayes Tkurrock, 16 miles from Barking, and 25 from London, is a good market town for corn and cattle. We ' read jn the philofophical tranfaftions, that in the marines near the Thames about this place, great numbers of fubterraneous, trees with their roots, boughs and bark, are frequently difcovered. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two f?irs, viz. on May 23, and Oftober 20, for cattle and hardware. , Stratford-Langton, is a very pretty place, many of the hpufes remarkably neat, having rows of trees with feats before their doors,- and fine gardens. It has neither markets nor fairs. Ongar, or Chipping-Ongar, \a\ miles frpm Dunmow, and 2 if from-London, was formerly the refidence of Richard de Lucy, a Norfolk nobleman, who in the abfence of Henry IJ. was Pro- \ t R te 122 ESSEX. teftor of Ehgland. Here are the remains Of a caftle, which flood- on a high iriount made by heart, and furrounded with a large moat. This town has a market on Saturdays, and one fair on September 30, for fmall wares. Witham, 8f miles from Chelmsford, arid 3 7I from London, is a neat built pleafant toWn, with feveral fine inns, it being a great thoroughfare from London to Harwich, and other parts of Effex, and is^feated on the brandh Pf the river Black-Water. It is governed by a high bailiff, &c. and has one church, which is an ancient Go thic ftrufture. The houfes amount to about 500, and are in general tolerably good, arid pretty lofty; but the ftreets, though wide, are tiot paved ; and no manufaftury is carried on here. This t'owfr has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, viz. on the Monday before Whit-Sunday, and Sept. 14, for toys. ' Epping, 6£ miles from Harlow, and 17 from London, is moft remarkable for cattle. It ftands on the river Lee, where the ftreams dividing, inclofe feveral fmall iflands, which are often Overflowed. The foreft, anciently called the Foreft of Effex, was once of very large Extent, and' reached to the fea. Difputes a- rifing about the bounds or limits of it, it was determined by iCommiffioners, in the reign of Charles I. according to which Wanfted, Layton, Walthamftow, WoOdford, Lough^dn, Chig well, Lairiborn, and Stapleford Abbots, are within the limits of the foreft. It is fometimes called Waltham, and fometimes.- Ep ping Foreft, the former was its ancient name ; but it has acquir ed the latter from the town of Epping, being becorne more e- minent than Waltham. This town has a market on Fridays, and two fairs, viz. on Whitfun-Tuefday, and November 13, for lioifes, cows, and fheep. Audley-End, 2a\ miles from Epping, and 4rf from London', 3 village with one fair »n Auguft 5, for cheefe. '< Bradfield, 5 miles from Thaxted, and 47 from . London, a town with a market oa Thurfdays, and one fair on June 22, for cattle sujd toys. Barking,' ESSEX. m Barking, 1 6 miles from Grays, and 9 from Londoti, is feated on the river Rodan, not far from the Thames, in an unwhole- fome air. It has been chiefly noted for a large monaftery, now in ruins, there being nothing left ftanding but a fmall part of the* walls, and a gate-houfe. This town has a market on Saturdays, tgnd one fair on Oftober 22, for horfes. Belchamp St. Paul, one mile from Clare, In Suffolk, a villag-5 with one fair on November 30, for cattle and toys. Blackmore, 7 miles from Chelmsford, a village with one fair on Auguft 21, for cattle, in general. Caftle Hedingham, 3 miles from Halftead,' a village which takes 1 its aame from a caftle built by the family of Veres, afterwards Eatls of Oxford, now belonging to Thomas Afhurft, Efq; it has one fair on, May 35lfor cattle and toys. ' Chefierford, 3 miles from Saffron Walden, a village upon the borders of Cambridgefhire, with one fair on July 5; chiefly for > horfes. . Earles-Cohe, 4 miles from Halftead, a village -with one fair ori March 25,, for cattle and toys. - Hadfiocki, a village with one fair on June 28, for horfes. Harlow, 6\ miles from Epping, and 23 § from London, a town whofe market, which was on Saturday, is, now difufed, but it has three fairs, viz. ori Whitfun-Monday, September 9, and November 28, for horfes, and cattle. Hatfield-Broad Oafk, 6§ miles from Harlow, and 30 from London, is feated on a branch of the river Lea, near a foreft of the fame name. This town has one fair on Auguft 5, for lambs- Horndon, 17 miles frpm Rumford, and 29 from London, is feated on a fmall river, which, at a fmall diftance falls into the Thames, at the place called the Hope. This town has a market on Saturdays, and one fair on June 29. - Newport, a village with two fairs, viz. on Eafter Tuefday, and November 17, for horfes. R 5. RophforA m ESSEX. Rochfordy. 5f -miles from Billericay, and 41I from London, a town in the hundred of the fame name. It gives title of Earl to the noble family of* Naffau de Zuleftein. It has a market on Thurfdays, andtwofairs, viz. on Eafter Tuefday for Toys; and the Wednefday after Sept 29, for wholefale taylors, glovers, and toys.' Stebbing, a village with one fair on July 10, for fat lambs,' and other cattle. ANTIQUITIES. At Afhton, thiee miles North of Saffron- Walden, are four barrows, or pyramidical hillocks, erefted by Canute the Dane, in memory of the battle fought there, in which he totally de feated Edmund Ironfide's army. Hadleigh-Caftle was built by Hubert de Buyo, Earl of Kent, in the reign of King Henry III. Leigh-Priory was founded by Sir Ralph Gernon, in the reign yof the above King. SEATS of the Nobility, 6c. Earl of Rochford's at St. Ofyth, \2 miles from* Colchefter.-— Earl Waldegrave's at Naveftoke, three miles- from Chipplng- Ongar.— JEarl of Abercorn's at Witham. — Earl of Thommond's < at Shot-Grove- — Earl Tylney's at Wanfted-Houfe. — Lord Vif count Maynard's at Efton-Lodge, 2 miles from Dunmow. — Lord Dacre's at Bell-Houfe.-Lord Petre's at Thornden-Place, Writtle-' Park, and in Grafton. — Lord Mafhem's at Oatfhall, 3 miles from Harlow. — Lord Archer's at Pergo, near Rumford. — Lprd Wal- tham's at Newhall, near Chelmsford. — Lord Clare's at Gosfield- Hall.— Sir William Abdy's at Albyn's. — Sir Robert Bacon's (Pre mier Baronet of England) at Colchefter.— Sir John Barrington's- at Barrington-Hall. — Sir George Beaumont's at Dunmow. — Sir Csefar Child's at Woodford. — Sir Thomas Dyer's at Spains-Hall, —Sir Hugh Everard's at Broornfield-Green— -— Sir John Griffin Griffin's GLOUCESTERSHIRE. t2s Griffin's at Audley- End, great paft of this once fumptuous pa lace (formerly the feat of-the Earls of Suffolk) is now pulled down, yet there ftill remains what may Well be called a noble houfe.— Sir Henry Hoghton's at Hedington-Caftle. — Sir William MannOck's at Bromley-Hall. — Sir William Maynard's at Walton. —Sir William Mildmay's at Moulfham-Hall.— Sir John Shaw's at Colt's-Hall— Sir Charles Smyth's at Hill-Hall Sir Robert- Smyth's at Barechurch-Hall. — Sir Peter Soame's at HeydOn. . Sir William Wake's, at Waltham- Abbey.— Sir Wittier- Webfter's at Nelmes. — Lieutenant General Philip Honey wood's at Markes- Hall. -Mr. Molineaux's at Ilford John Luther's, Efq ; at Mylefsf — John Conyer's, Efq ; at Copped Hall, near Epping. — Mr. Dougafs's at Spring-field-Place. — Mr.. Staunton's at Samford- Hall.— — Robert Gregory's, Efq ; at Roll's. Mr. Bullock's at Falkburne-Hall. — Richard Bull's, Efq; at Chipping-Ongar. Mr. Cuft's-at Wanfted. — The Right Honorable Richard Rig- by's, Efq ; atMiftley-Hall, near Manningtree Bamber Gaf- eoyne's, Efq ; at Barking. — John Mayor's, Efq ; at Langftones, fiear Horn-Church. 1 GLOUCESTERSHIRE. IS bounded on the Weft by Monmouthfhire and Herefordshire ; on the North by Worcefterfhire ; on the Eaft by Oxfordshire and Warwickshire ; 2nd on the South by Wiltffiire and part of , Sornetfetfhire ; it is about 56 miles in length, 22 in breadth, and 156 in circumference; containing 13 hundreds, one city, 27 market towns, 2B0 parifhes, one caftle, two forefts, 19 park s^ and about 806,000 acres. It is watered by feveral large rivers, as the Severn, the Wye, the Avon, the Ifis, the Ledan, the From'e, the Stroud, the Wimbufh, and feveral other fmaller -ftreams. The Soil is different in different parts ; it is hilly in the • Eaftf i«6 GLOUCESTERSHIRE Eaft,, woody in the Weft, but the middle is enriched with" a charming and fertile vale, called the Vale of Gloucefter, from its chief, city ; the foil here yields plenty of corn and fruit (in fome places, by' the natural richnefs of the ground ; in others, by the diligence of the countryirian) enough to excite the idlefl perfon to take pains, when it repays his labour with the .increafe of an hundred fold. Here you may behold highways and public roads (fays William of Malmfbury) full of fruit trees, not planted, but growing naturaUy, the earth bears fruit of its own accord, much exceeding others, bath in tafle and beauty ; many forts of -which continue frefh the year round, 'and ferve the owner till he is fiip- ¦ plied by a new increafe. The villages are very thick, the. church es handfome, and the towns populous and many^- It fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, the Hon. George Cranfield Berkeley, only brother and heir to the Earl of Berke ley and a captain in the royal navy, and Thomas Mafters, Efq. Gloucefter, 25 miles from Monmouth ; 28 from Hereford; 25! from Worcefter ; 46 from Oxford ; 48 from Warwick ; 70 from Salifbury; and 104 from London, is a well built, clean, healthy city, fecured by the river Severn on one fide, a branch of which brings up veffels of a confiderable, burthen to its walls. It is, beautified with a cathedral and five parifh churches, and exceed ingly well provided with hofpitals. The cathedral is an ancient but magnificent fabric, and'has a tower faid to be one of the neat- eft and moft curious pieces of architecture in England, and there is a whifpering place, as in the cupola of St. Paul's in London. It has very beautiful cloyfters ; and there are 1 2 chapels in it, with the arms and monuments of feveral great perfonages. Here is an elegant ftone bridge over the river, with a quay, wharf, and cuftom-houfe. Abundance of croffes and flatues of the kings of England are difperfed in different parts of -the city ; feveral mar ket houfes fupported with pillars, and large remains of monaste ries. Its town-hall for the affizes is called the Booth-hall: Un der the bridge is a curious machine which raifes the water to ferve- GLOUCESTERSHIRE \12j7 ferve the town : Though it is alfo fuppled from Robin Ho6d*s Well, which Is about a mile and a half out of the city. This city fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Cha. Barrow, Bart, recorder of Tewkefbury, and John Webb, Efq. It has a market on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and four fairs, viz. on April 5, a great cheefe fair, July 5, Septem ber 28, and November 28, for cattle, pigs, horfes, and cheefe. Cirencefier, commonly called Cicefier, 17I miles from Glou cefter, and 88f from London, it is by fome reckoned both the old eft and largeft town in the county. Ancient coins have often been dug up in and near it, together with pillars and pavements, fup pofed to have been thofe of a temple and bath. This town has only one church, that of St. John, which has five chapels joining to it and a lofty tower. Two of the Roman confular, ways crofs each other at this place, one of which is ftill vifible, with a high ridge. This town is much noted for the woollen manufafture, and its Friday market for wool is the largeft in England. Here are a free fchool, and other charity fchools. Moft of the windows of the church and its chapels have the remains of fine painted glafs reprefenting all the orders of the church of Rome, from the Pope to the Mendicant. This town fends two Members to Par liament who at prefent are, the Rt. Hon. Henry (Bathurft) Lord Apfley, eldeft fon of Earl Bathurft, one of the lords of the admi ralty, and Richard Mafters, Efq ; brother to the member for this county. It has a market on Mondays and Fridays, and three fairs, viz. on Eafter-Tuefday, July 18, and November 8, fof cattle, fheep, horfes, wool, oil, and leather. * Tewkeftmry, iof miles from Gloucefter, and 102 from London, ftands at the conflux of the rivers Severn, and the Avon from Warwickfhire, which, witlf the Carron and Sevilgate, two other little rivers, encompafs it. It is a large, beautiful arid populous town, of which the chief manufacture is woollen cloth and Hack ings. It confifts of three weH built ftreets and many fide lanes^ with th*ee bridges ever the three rivsjs. Here is 2 noble church, with ftS GLOUCESTERSHIRE. with a ftately tower, and feveral monuments of great men. The cloathing trade here is better accommodated by reafon of its near- n'efs to Cotefwold bills, and Stroud water, than any other cloath ing town in the county. The town has been lorfg noted for th'e' muftard-halls made here. The Abbey was erefted about the year 715, by two Dukes of Mercia, Odo and Dodo; but re built and enlarged in the year 1102, by Richard Fitz Hamon. This town fends, two Members to Parliament, who at prefent ate, Sir Wm. Codrington Bart, and James Martin, Efq ; a banker in Londpn, and one. of the directors of the Million Bank- It has a market on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and five fairs, viz. on March 7, May 14, June 22, September 4, and Oftober 10, for tanned leather, feveral forts of cattle, and pedlary. Campden, 86| miles from London, ftands on the edge of Wor- cefterfhire, and is famous for the manufafture of ffockings ; here all the kings of the Saxon race, had a congrefs in the year 6df, to confult how to carry on the war jointly againft the Bri tons. This parifh is ten miles in compafs, and has a very Urge, ¦ handfome church, with noble monuments of marble, of which the moft fumptuous is for Sir Baptift Hicks, who gave io,oool. In his life time, for building and endowing an alms-houfe, and was otherwife a munificent benefaftor to, this town. It gives the title of Vifcount to the eldeft fon of the noble family of Noel, Earls of Gainfborough. This town has a market on Wed' nefdays, and four fairs, viz. on Afh- Wednefday, April 23, July 25^ and Nov. 2, for horfes, cows, fheep, linen cloth, and Hackings. Newent, in the foreft of Dean, 10 miles from Gloucefter, and 114 from London, lies weft of the Severn, on a river, na* vigable by boats, and has its name from an Inn called New- Inn. It has a handfome church, and feveral hamlets belong- to its parifti, which is twenty miles in compafs, and has many gentlemen's houfes in it. This town has a market on Fridays, , and four fairs, viz. on Wednefday before Eafter, Wednefday be-" 1 - - fore:' GLOUCESTERSHIRE. l29 fore Whit-Sunday, Auguft i, and Friday after September 8, for cattle, horfes, and cheefe. Dean, or Mitchell-Dean, 12 miles from Gloucefter, and 116 from London, is a town fituated in a foreft of the fame name ; it is called Mitchell-Dean to diftlnguifh it from a leffer town of the fame name. Cloth was once, but pins are nowits chief ma nufafture; the owners of lands here dig up old iron cinders, which they fell at a gOod price to the proprietors of furna'ceS. Here is agood church, with a handfome fpire, but the town con fifts chiefly of one ftreet. The foreft of Dean, from which thTs town takes its name, comprehends that part of Gloucefterfhire which lies between the Severn and Monmouthfhire, and contains 23 parifhes, and four market towns, with many mines of iron and coal, befides ftone quarries. This town has a market on Mondays, and two fairs, viz on Eafter-Mondayi and Oftober 10, for cattle, fheep, and horfes-. Cheltenham, 3 miles from Tewkefbury, and 93 from London, fo called from the fmall river Chelt, which rifes at Dowdefwell, and runs through this parifh into the Severn. This town drives a confiderable trade in malt, and is much frequented oh account of its mineral waters, which are faid to be much of. the fame quality with thofe of Scarborough. The parifh is ten miles in COmpafs, has a good church, a free-fchool, and fome other cha ritable foundations. The minifter of this parifh muft be a Fel low of Jefus College, nominated by that fociety, approved of by the Earl of Gainfborough, and can hold it no longer than fix years. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and three fms, viz. on the fecond Thurfday in April, and Holy-Thurfday, for all forts of cattle ; and Auguft 5, for lambs. Notthleech, 20 miles from Gloucefter, and 81 frpm London, is a town on the river Lech, which falls into the Thames near Lechlade. This parifh is nine miles in compafs, it has a neat cTiurch, feveral alms-houfesj and a grammar fchool. This town has a mar-Jeer on WednefSays, and three feu§> >«• on the Wed- S ' tjefday £30 GLOUCESTERSHI R E*. ftsfday before April. 23, for cows arid fheep ; Wednefday before September 29, for horfes and fmall ware, and the third Wednef day in May, for cheefe and cattle. Stew on the Would, 22 miles from Cirencefter, and 103 from London, is called in old records, Stow St. Edward. In this town, fays Campden, they have bur one element, viz. air ; there being neither wood, common field, nOr wfcter, belonging to the town. Here, in the year 1645, March 21, the forees- of King Charles I. being, overpowered, were routed by the Parl&ment- armjf. The parifh is twelve miles round, and its fairs famous for hops, cheefe, and fheep. The church ftands on a high hill, and y a large building ; it has a high tower, and feveral monuments. Here are alfo, an hofpital, alms-hoofes, and a free-fchooL This town has a market oa Thurfdays, and two, fairs, viz. on May 12, for horfes, cows, fhsep, and cheefe; and Oftober 24, for haps, fadlers, fhoemakers, and ironmonger's wares. Painswick, 12 miles from Cirencefter, and ioof from Lon don, is pleafantly fituated on the river Stroud, a great conveni ence to the woollen manufafture, which is the principal trade carried on here : This town is faid to enjoy the beft and moil whojefome air in the whole county. The parifh is twelve miles in compafs, and hae a handfome church, with a neat fpire. It has 3 market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, viz. on Whitfun-Tuefday, and September 19, for horned cattle and fheep. Stroud, i2§ miles from Cirenceftor, and 101 from London, ijands on a hill, at the foot of which runs the river, commonly Called Stroud-Water, famous for its peculiar quality in dying fcarlet, and all grain -colours in the beft manner; for this rea fon many clothiers live in and near this place ; and for twenty ¦miles on the banks of this river, mills, and other conveniences, are erefted for fulling, &c. Here are a handfome church, and a free fchool. This town has a market on Fridays, and two fairs, viz. ori ]tfay 12, and Auguft 21, for cattle, fheep, and Berkty, •GLOUCESTERSHIRE. *3* Berkley, ia\ miles from Cirencefter, and 113 from London, is a large parifh, but lies very low, and is not efteemed a healthy pr pleafant town. Berkley-Caftle was formerly much larger and fttonger than at prefent. Edward II. was for fome time confined in this caftle, and afterwards murdered in it. It gives the title of Earl to the noble family of Berkley. This town has a market pn Wednefdays, and one fair on May 14, for cattle and pigs. Dujfiey, 8| miles from Tetbury, 107! from London, is feat ed near a branch of the river Severn, and formerly had a caftfe, now in ruins ; It Is a pretty good place, and inhabited by clothiers. The moft remarkable thing here is a large rock of florae, with out any chop, or flit in it, of an incredible durance, yet foft in hewing, and called by the inhabitants Puff-Stone, i'he walls built with it, fhew but little decay in 500 years. It gives the title of Vifcount to the eldeft fon of the noble family of Berkley, Earls of Berkley. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, viz. on May 6, and December 4, for cattle and ped lar's ware. Fairford, 23I miles from Gloucefter, and 104 from London, •has two large bridges over the Colne, and a large, handfome ¦church, with twenty-eight windows of the fineft painted glafs in England, defigned by the famous Albert Dorer, confifting of the moft material hiftories of the Old and New Teftament, to gether with the fathers, martyrs, and perfefcutors of the church. The glafs was taken by John Fame, Efq ; a merchant, in a prize Ship bound to Rome ; he afterwards purchafed the manor, and built this church to put up the glafs in it, where by , much care it has been preferved entire to this day. The parifh is ten miles ; in compafs; many medals and urns are frequently dug up in this neighbaurhPod. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, viz. on. May 14, and November 12, for fheep and , cattle. Lechlade, 27 mles from Gloucefter, and 77 from London, lies on the Thames, near the confines of Berkfhire and Oxfordfhire, S 2 ia i3x GLOUCESTERSHIRE ta in the road from London to Gloucefter. It is fuppofed to have been a Roman ftation, there being a very plain Roman road which runs from it to Cirencefter. The Thames, after having been formed here by the conjunftior of the Lech, Coin, Churn, and Ifis, begins to be navigable, and it has a good trade to and from London, in butter, cheefe, &c. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, viz. on Auguft io, for cattle, and toys; and^September 9, for cheefe and cattle. Thornbury, 32|Tniles from Cirencefter, and i2o| from Loft- don ftands two miles from the Severn, on a riyulet that runs into it. There are ftill to be feen the foundation of a magnifi cent caftle, which Edward, Duke of Buckingham, defigned w preft in the year 151 1 as the infcription teftifiea, viz. This gate *w as begun in 151 1, 2d of Henry VIII, by me, Edward, Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton. He •was beheaded before he perfefted his defign. Jts church is large, in form of a cathedral, ,with fpacious aifles on each fide, and a crofs, and It has a beautiful high tower at the weft end. Here are four fmall alms-houfes and a free fchool. This town has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, viz. on Eafter-Monday, Auguft 15, and Monday before St. Thomas's, (December 21) for cattle and pigs. Aufi, is fituated on a craggy cliff, on a bank of the Sevefn. The ferry oyer the Severn here being found inconvenient, there is another two miles lower, which is reckoned fafer. Auft has a neat chapel, with a high tower at the weft end, "adorned with pinnacles. Wotten-under-Edge, 9 miles from Tetbury, and 108 from London, is a very pretty town, famous for, clothing, where ib a noblefree-fchool, erefted by Catharine, relift of Thomas Lord Berkley, in the year 1385 ; and an alms-houfe by Hugh Perry, Alderman of London, in 1632, which coft 1000I. andthe like fum was given by Sir Jonathan Daws, Sheriff of London, for the relief of the poor ; it ftands on a pleafant ?ind fruitful rife; £»d GLOUCESTERSHIRE. [r and its parifh is twelve miles in circumference. This town has a market on Fridays,, and one fair on September 25, for cattle, and cheefe. Tetbury, iof miles from Cirencefter, and 99 from London, is a handfome, populous town, in a healthy air, and - rifing ground; but water is fo fcarce in a dry fummer, that the inha bitants are at a great expence to procure it. There is a large market-houfe, in the middle of the town, for the convenience of the yarn trade, which is confiderable here. The pajrifh is ten miles in compafs. The Avon has its fource in it, which runs through Bath and Briftol into the Severn; and at the town's end there is a lorig high bridge. Here is a large, handfome church, a free-fchool, and an alms-houfe : At Kingfoot, in the neigh bourhood, Roman coins have been often found. This town has -fc market on Wednefdays, and two fairs, viz. on Afh-Wednef- day, and July 22, for cattle, lambs, fheep, and horfes. Sudbury, or Chipping- Sudbury, 23! miles from Cirencefter, and 112 from London, is a very ancient town, it has a fpacious church, a chapel of eafe, a good market for corn, and other provifions, but efpecially cheefe. The Bailiff and Burghers have a power to diftribute eighty-eight cow paftures to as many of the inhabi tants, and eight acres of meadow, for their own lives, and thofe of their widows. There is a free fchool in this place, befides othencharities. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and tw« fairs, viz. on May 23, and June 24, for cattle, cheefe, and pedlary. Marjhfield, 104 miles from London, confifts chiefly of one, ftreet, of old buildings, near.a* mile long; but it carries on a to lerable good trade In malt. Here is a large church, and fome alms-houfes well endowed. This town has a market on Tuef days, and two fairs, viz. on May 24, for horned cattle, arid Oftober 24, for fheep, horfes, and cheefe. Kingfwood, the name of a foreft near Briftol, containing about five thoufand acres, and confifts chiefly of coal mines. The houfes ij4 GLOUCESTERSHIRE. Iioufes here are very compaft, as in a market town, and the clqth manufafture has made it pretty populous. On the edge. of this foreft, near the banks of the Avon, about a mile from BriflpI, are the famous works for fmelting copper. Clifton, one mile from Briftol, contains about two hundred boufes, and noted for the hot well in it, and thofe rocks called St. Vincents, which afford a view at once pleafing and terrible. They are fteep and craggy, and the river between th«m is fb narrow, that it appears Kke a canal cut out for the paflage of fhip* to and from Briftol. Puckle-Church, 6 miles from Gloucefter, was once the refi dence of feveral Saxon Kings, the remains of whofe buildings ire ftill vifible. The church is pretty large, and has feveral good monumerits. Blakeney, a village with two fairs vie. on April 12, for horn* ed cattle; and November 12, for ditto, and fat hogs. Bifiey, 9 miles frem Cirencefter, and 97! from London, a village with twb fairs, viz. on April 23, and November 12, for ' cattle, fheep and horfes. Coif ord, or Coleford, 122 miles from London, a town with a market on Fridays, and two fairs, viz. on June 20, for wool ; and November 24, for horned cattle, arid cheefe. Frdmpton, a village with one fair on February 14, for fmaH pedlary ware. Hampton, iof miks from Cirencefter, and 99 from London, - Is feated on the Cotfwold Hills, and had formerly a nunnery. It J>asa market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, viz. on Trinity-Mon day, and Oftober 29, for cattle, pigs, horfes, and cheefe. Iron-ABon, a village with two fairs, viz. on May 25, and Sep tember^, for cattle, pigs, horfes, arid cheefe. 1 Stanley, or Leonard-Stanley, 16 miles from Cirencefter, and 104! from London, a town with a market on Saturdays, and one fciron July 20, for cattle. Lidnq, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. ' *$s Lidney, 8f miles from Cirencefter, and 124* from London, a village feated on the weft bank of the river Severn, with two fairs, viz. on May 4, and November 8, for horned cattle. Moreton, 82I miles from London, isa good thoroughfare, and feated on the Foffe-way. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, viz. on April 5, and Oftober 10, for cattle. Newnham, 12 mile6 from Gloucefter, and 116 from London, is feated on the weft fide of the Severn. It is a corporation town, with a market on Fridays, and two fairs, viz. on June 11, and Oftober 18, for horfes, and fheep. Stone-Houfe, a village with two fairs, viz. on ftfey 1, and De- Cember 29, for cattle, and cheefe. Tdckington, a village with two fairs, viz. on May 9, and De-. cember 6, for cattle and pedlar's ware. Waterleigh, a village with one fair on September 19, for hor fes and cattle. Wickware, 13! rililes from Tetbury, and H2§ from London^ is a mayor town, and well feated, with a market on Mondays, and two fairs, viz. on April 5,, and July 2, for oxen and horfes, Winterbum, a village with two fairs, viz. on June 29, and Oftober 18, for cattle, and fheep. Winchcomb, 7 miles from Cheltenham, and 100 from London, is feated in a deep bottom near Sudley-Caftle and pank,' and was formerly noted for its Abbey ; it is a large place; containing about, 300 houfes. This town has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on May 16, and July 28, for horfes, fheep, and horn ed catde. ANTIQUITIES. Hales- Abbey, built by Richard Plantagenet, fecond fon to King John, for Ciftercian Monks. St. BriantVCaftle, in the Eo- reft pf Dean ; here a mine court is held. Thornbury-Caftle was begun by Edward Stafford^ Dirke pf Buckingham, A. D. 1571, bu$ i$6 GLOUCESTERSHIRE. but he did noi live to oompleat it. Sewdly-Caftle built by Ralph de Botely, Lord Treafurer to Henry VI. Be verton -Caftle, a very ancient and ftrong ftrufture, belonging originally to the fa mily of Berkley. Lucpck-Nunnery, founded by Elizabeth, daughter of William Devreaux, Earl of Rofme and Salifbury. Bradenftoflk-Priory, built by Walter d'Evereux, in the reign of William the Conqueror. Lontony-Priory, was built by the Monks of Gloucefterfhire, under the protection of Milo of Gloucefter. Gloucefter-Priory, built by king Athelftan. The natural curiofities of this county are : i . A curious pavement ,of Mofaic work, difcovered in 1722, at Woodchefter, nine miles from Gloucefter ; it is of confiderable extent, iind reprefents birds and beafts in their natural colours, and is adorned with great variety of beautiful devices. 2. Another lately difcovered near Cromhall, near 16 by 18 inches in dimenfion, compofed of cu bical ftones of beautiful colours, ftrongly cemented. 3. Pen Park hole, near Briftol, where was formerly a pit of lead ore : it has a narrow defcent near forty yards deep into the rock, where it opens to a large cave, in which is a fpring of fweet water, though the loweft part of thepool is twenty yards higher than the higbeft tide of the river Severn, which is three miles diftant. 4. Star- ftones, like cockles and oyfters, and ferpentine ftones and fcal- lops, curioufly figured, are found about the Avon, and on the hills near Alderfay ; and at Leffington, near Gloucefter; are alfo found the Star-Stones, fo called from their points refembling the figure of a ftar. They are of a greyifh colour, and move when put into vinegar. SEATS cf the Nobility, 6c. Duke of Beaufort's at Badmington, three miles from Sodbury, a feat, which, for its large parks, pleafant walks, elegant gardens, decorated with a great variety of fountains, and a noble manfion- houfe, may be juftly clafied among the moft complete in Eng land- HAMPSHIRE 137 feitd. — Earl of Berkley's at Berkley-Caftle, twelve miles from Gloucefter. — Earl Talbot's at Barrington. -Earl Bathurffs at Cirencefter.-^ — Earl of GainfborOugh's at Campden-Houfe, eighteen miles from Gloucefter ; here are only fome remins of what was once a noble houfe; it was burnt down in the civil wars, t* prevent its being made a garrifon for the Parliament army, Earl Hardwick's at Hardwick. — -Lord Ducie's at Woodchefter- Spring-Park, four miles from Dudley, and at Tortwith. — Lord Chadworth's at Chad'worth and Stowell. — Lord Gage's at High- Meadow. Lord Bifhop of Gloucefter's at Gloucefter.- -Sir Robert Cann's at Stoke Bifhop. — Sir Charier Cock's at Dumble- ton. Sir William Codrington's at Dodington.- — —Sir WalteP Compton's at Hartbury.— Sir Francis Full's at Hill-Court. — Sir William Guife's at Redcombe. Sip Robert Hicks's at Bever- ftpn. Lord Hawkefbury's, at Hawkefbury. Sir Charles Kemp's at Ebrington and Norton.1 — Sir John Webbe's at Hathrop. George Auguftus Selwyn's, Efq; at Matfon. — Mr. Barrow's at Hygrove, near Gloucefter. — Mr. Pratt's at Cofoombe. Mr. Freeman's at Batsford. — Mr Crefwell's at Bibury. efci^a&'cfccgacjw^c^ H A M P S H I R E, IS bounded on the Weft by Dorfetfhire and Wiltshire ; on the South by tlie ocean ; on the Eaft by Suffex and Surry ; and on the North by Berkfhire. It is a fmall county,, very fruitful in corn, and in many places well wooded, it is rich in herbage, and has fea commodities in great plenty ; being well contrived, by its many creeks and harbours, for all forts of traffic. It is fuppofed to have been one of the firft countries that was reduced to the power of the Romans, fince our hiftories report, that it was conquered by Vefpafian ; and there are fufficient grounds to believe it; for Dio^ tells us, that Plautius* and Vefpafian, when T they J38 " fl AM P SH I R E."' they were fent by the' Emperor Claudius againft the Britons, di vided their forces into three parties, for the greater conveniency of landing left they fhould be repulfed, if they attempted a de fcent all at one place. And from Suetonius we learn, that Vef- #pafian in this expedition engaged the enemy-thirty times, and brought them under the Roman yoke. According to Tempie- man's furvey, this county is 64 miles in lewgth, from North to South, and 36 in breadth from Eaft to Weft, and fomething more than 150 in circumference, containing 39 hundreds, one ^ city, 18 market-towns, and 253 parifhes. No county in England exceeds Hampfhire for good bacori. The chief rivers are the* _ Avon, Anton, Aire, Teft or Tefe, Stowze, and the Itchen. This county fends two members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Jervoife Clarke Jervoife, Efq ; one of the gentlemen of the King's privy chamber, and Robert Thiftlewaite, Efq ; brother-in-law to the Earl of Chefierfield. Winchffter, or Winton, 59 miles from Dorchefter, 28: from Salifbury ;, 33 from Chichefter ; 37 from Guildford \ 34 from Reading, and 675 from. London, is the metropolis of this coun ty ; it ftands on the river Itchen, in a vale, where another fmall river joins it. This city lies in a bottom like an Amphitheatre, furrounded with chalk hills, and is of great antiquity. It was very famous in the time of the Romans, when according to Cii- jacius, there were loom's here for weaving cloths for the Empe rors, and their armies. On St. Catharine's hill, near the city, is a camp ; and on the fide of the weft gate, Was a caftle, where the W eft-Saxon Kings kept their court. That there was a col lege here for religious men, in the earlieft ages of chriftia nity, is very probable, and the old piece of wall, hear the weft gate of the cathedral is thought to be the remains of. it ; it is of great ftrength and thicknefs, wirh feveral windows in it, and bujlt with fmall flint and mortar as hard as ftone. The cathedral is a large ftrufture, and has a vener^le, hut not very elegant afp?$t; inftead, of a fteeple or fpire, it h?s only a flaY tower. The ' moft' HAMPSHIRE: i39. moft remarkable particulars in this ftrufture are, the font, which confifts of black marble, the afcent to the choir, the Bifhop's throne, the ftall to the Prebendaries, the afcent to the altar, the altar-piece, efteemed by much the nobleft in England, and the great eaft window curioufly painted": There are befides the ca- ,thedral, fix other churches. The city is almoft furrounded by a wall, and plentifully fupplied with water. The hofpital of St. Crofs, founded by Bifhop Blois, is worth the obfervation of the curious, where there is provifion made for the comfortable fub- fiftence of twelve decayed gentlemen or, tradefmen. Here js a college founded by William of Wickam ; befides feveral public fchools, for the promotion of knowledge, and an hofpital built and endowed in 1672, by Bifhop Morley, for ten clergymen's widows. The Roman highway leads from this city to Alton, and thence, as fuppofed, to London. The plains and downs a- bout this city render it pleafant and. healthful, notwithftanding it lies in a bottom. The river Itchen, which runs on the borders of it, is made navigable from Southampton to this city. Beyond the river eaftward is a hill called St. Giles, where is a very large fair for cheefe," and on that called Maudlin-Hill, a fmall diftance , from thence, is a fair, efteemed the largeft one day fair in Eng land. Among the feveral elegant buildings in this city, the Roy al and Bifhop's palaces, the affize-hall, and council-houfe, merit peculiar attention. The royal palace was begun by King Charles II. but death prevented his finifliing the ftrufture, nor has any Monarch fince refumed. the work, fo that it is now almoft in ruins. This city is governed by a Mayor, a recorder, feveral Alder men, fix of whom are always Juftices, with a Sheriff, two Bai liffs, and four Conftables. N This city gives the title, of Marquis to the ekleft fon of the noble family of Powlet, Dukes of Bolton, and Premier Marquifs of England. It fends two members to Par liament who, at prefer. t ate, Henry Penton, Efq; Letter-carrier to his Majefty, and Recorder of this city, and Richard Gamon* ¦ jun. brother-in-law to the Duke of Chandos. This city has a T2 marke? i4o HAMPSHIRE. rriarkei on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on th$ firft Monday in Lent, for bacon, cheefe, leather, and horfes ; and Oftober 24, for leather, horfes, bullocks, and fheeg. Southampton, 12 miles from Wincheftet, and 78 from Lon don, ftands between two large rivers, the Itchen on the Eaft, and the Tefe on the Weft, which fall here into that called South ampton-Water. This town has a wall almoft all found it, of a ' hard kind of ftone ; the chief ftreet is one of the broadeft arid longeft In England ; it has one large key, and another called the Weft- key, where the Guernfey and Jerfey veffels always anchor, with which iflands they carry on a confiderable trade. There are.feveral Curious fprings about the town, and conduits which fupply the inhabitants with water. Here is an hofpital called God's Houfe ; it is a corporation and county of itfelf. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, John Fleming, Efq ; and James Amyatt, Efq. It has a market on Tuefdays, TKurfdays, and Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on April 25,. and Trinity Monday, for horfes, cattle, arid leather. Portfmouth, 27 miles from Winchester, and 73! from London, is the great key of England ; It is regularly fortified, and ftands at the entrance of a creek, on the Ifland of Portfea. It is alfo defended by South Sea-Caftje, Blockhoufe-Caftle, and a chain that goes acrofs the harbour from the Round Tower to the op pofite fhore. This is the narroweft point of entrance to a large and fafe harbour ; the dock-yard is as convenient as can be ima gined, capable of docking twenty-five or thirty fhips in a fort- iiight ; in the dock-yard is likewife a Royal Academy. The- Common, as it is called, is the refidence chiefly of the artificers and officers of the dock ; but at this time it has more houfes and inhabitants than the town itfelf. AH kinds of provifion, lodging, &c. are exceflive dear during the time of war. Befides the cha pel, there is one very magnificent church, having ori the top of its fteeple a fhip for a weather-cock. Here is a large gun-wharf, d being% more ready to afford refpecl, and kind entertainment to others, ani lefs inclinable to revenge injuries. Maidftone is the county town, But Canterbury and Rochefter are the principal. This county fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, the Hon. Charles Marfham, eldeft fon to Lord Romney, brother-indaw ter the Earl of Egremont, one of the V. Prefidents of tbe fociety for the encouragement of arts, manufaftures, and commerce,, LLD. F.R.S. and Filmer Honeywood, Efq ; uncle to Sir John. Honey wood, Bart. Canterbury, 29 miles from Maidftone, and 56 from London,, ip the chief city of this county, and the metropolitan See of all- England. It was called by the Britons, Caer-Kent, i."e. the., City Of Kent, by way of eminence. Canterbury -Caftle was built a little before the conqueft, with an intention, perhaps^ to re- ^ pel the invafions, and depredations of tlie Danes.;. The cathedral, is KENT. tfyi is a noble pile of Gothic architefture, five hundred and four'teeri feet long, feventy-four ,in breadth, and eighty in height, from the area of the nave to the canopy, and had, before the Re* formation, thirty-feven altars, now reduced to one. Seven Kings are faid robe interred in this church ; and feven Archbilhops lie in one vault, Here was the Shrine of Thomas Becket, fo famous for its riches, offered by votaries and pilgrims from all parts. A- mong tlie ruins of fhe Roman and Saxon buildings, and of ma ny religipus, houfes, are the walls of a chapel, faid to have been -a chriftian temple, before St., Augbftine's time. On the north fide of the City, at Dungeon-Hill, are the ruins of a caftle, fup pofed to have been built during the wars between the Danes and Normans. Two gates of the .iioaaftery built by Ethelbert, King of Kent, about«the year 600, at the requeft of Auftin the Monk, are ftill remaining. Here are fix wards denominated from its fix gates, fifteen parifh cnurehes, a French charity - fchool, and three others, feven hofpitals, a fumptuous market- houfe, and an exceeding ufeful conduit, which fupplies the city abundantly with water. It has a gpod filk manufaftury, which was introduced here in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, by the Walloons, who fled from the Duke of Alva's perfecution. This city fends two Menbers to Parliament, who at prefent are, George Gipps, Efq; an alderman of this city, and CharleS Robinfon, Efq; Barrister at law, recorder of this city, Sandwich, Deal; Dover, Hythe, and New Romney, and fteward of Fprdwich. It has a market on Saturdays, and one toll free,* every Wednef day, for hops, and one fair On September 29, for toys. Rochefter, 9 miles from Maidftone, and 30 from London, lies > in a valley on the eaft fide of the' Medway, and next to Can- 1 terbury, is the oldeft See In England. Its cathedral is faid to have been built by Ethelbert, Kingpf Kent": Here was former- r ly a wooden bridge over the Medway ; but in the reign of King Edward III. it was taken down, and one of ftone erefted, con futing of twenty-five arches, efteemed one of the fineft in Eng- ZJ 2 land. *72 , KEN T. ]and. Rochefter appears to have been a Roman ftation from the Roman Watling-ftreet running through the city. It had a paftlej built by Odo, Bifhop of Bajeux, in Normandy ; but this is now fallen to ruin, though part of it is kept in repair, and ufed as a .magazine, a party of foldiers doing duty there. It Is governed by a Mayor, twelye. Aldermen, and , twelve Common -Council- men, it contains about feven hundred houfes,- and about two thoufand inhabitants, and confifts only of one principal ftreet, which is wide and very well paved with flint' ftones. The houfes are generally well built with brick ; it has alfo fpur narrow ftreets; but no fort of manufactory is carried on here. It ha? two free-fchools, the one called the King's, and the other the City School. There is here alfo an alms-houfe, founded by Mr. Richard' Watts, for fix poor travellers, who are fupplied with a fupper, a bed, and breakfaft, with fourpence to carry them for ward on their journey ; but they are t0 ftay no longer than one night ; he excepted perfons contagioufly difeafed, rogues an4 Prcftors, the latter in particular ; becaufe one of that fapultyj whom he had employed to make his will, had made himfelf heir to his eftate, by a fraud 'in the will, which he found out when he recovered ; and therefore he made this exception. This foun? dation is fo improved, as not only to anfwer the firft intentions, but to fet other poor to work. This city fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Sir diaries Middleton, Bart, a capt. and comptroller ofthe navy, and one of the elder brethren of the Trinity-Houfe, and Nathaniel Smith, Efq. It has a mar ket on Fridays, and two fairs, viz. on May 30, and Decem ber ir, for horfes, bullocks, and various commodities. - Chatham, 1 o miles from Maidftone, and 3 1 frorri London, is, . as it were, a fuburb to Rochefter, Situated on the fame fide of the Medway, and is, perhaps, the cpmpleatefl naval arfenal ia -$he world. It was built by Charles II. and has fince been the ftation of the Royal navy ; the dock was, indeed, begun by Queen Elizabeth, but received wonderful improvements, by. her fuccef fors? ' KENT. i73 fefs,. At Chatham alfo is repofited that fuperb fund of naval charity Galled the cheft at Chafcham; inftituted Anno 1588 (the memorable year of the defeat of the Spanifh Armada) by the advice, of Sir Francis Drake, and Sir John Hawkins, for the relief of the fick and wounded feamen, in, the fervice of the 'crown. In the year 1757, feveral additional fortifications were begun at Chatham, fo that now the fhips are in no danger of an jnftilt, either by land Or water. It has a church, a chapel of eafe, and a fhip ufed as a church for the failors ; it has likewife about 500 houfes, moftly low, and built with brick ; the ftreets are narrow and paved, and it contains about 3000 inhabitants. The principal employment of the1 labouring hands is fhip-building in the King's yard and private docks. In 1766, his prefent Ma* fefty conferred the title of Earl of Chatham, upon the Right Honourable William Pitt, Efq; for his faithful fervices to his King and country, during fome part of his Own and his grand father's reigns. This town has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on May 15, and September 19, for horfes; bullocks* aild. all forts of commodities. ¦-•Maidftone, 71 miles from Chi chefter ; 57 from Guilford; 6 1 -from Colchefter,. and 36 from London,' is a large; populous town. Its chief trade is linen and thread, and in the country' adjacent, are many plantations of hops. Hete is a fine ftone bridge over fhe MedWay, which wafhes this town ; and as the tide flows up to the place; the river is navigable for barges, arid fmall veffels- Of fifty or fixty tons burthen.- In the neighbourhood are feveral fine paper-mills ; here are alfo fome Dutch inhabitants} who' per form- divine fervice in a church called St. -Faiths. At this town the affizes for the county are held: It is governed by a Mayor/ Recorder, twelve Affiftants," called Jurats, and twenty-four Com moners, and other inferior officers, and has a free fchool. This town gives the title of Vifcount to the eldeft fon of the noble fa- • mily of Finch, Earls of Winchelfea and Nottingham. It fends £Wo Members to Parliament, who at prefent are; Clement Tay lor, ,n4 .KEN T. lor, Efq ; and Gerrard Noel Edwards, Efq. This town has * market toll free every Thurfday, for hops and corn, and four fairs, viz. on February 13, May 12, June 20, and Oc-. tober 17, for horfes, bullocks, and all forts of commodities. Old Romney, lies a little to the South-weft of New Romney, and was a large town, confifting of twelve wards, five churches, a priory, and an hofpital, when the fea came up fo clofe to It, that fhips ufed to caft anchor in one of the church-yards;' but being deferted by the fea, which was about the time of Edward I. It has but one church, and it is now of no note. Niw Romney, 70 miles from London, oneof the Cinque Porfy Is fituated on a high gravelly hill, near the middle of the marfh, it is cOmpleatly built, well inhabited, and was firft incorporated by the name of Barons of the Town and Port of Romney; and then by the ftile of Mayor, Jurats, and Commonality. The twa great meetings for all the Cinque Ports, called Gelling, are held here yearly, on Tuefday after St. Margaret's day. Its chief trade is grazing cattle in.the marfh, from which it is named. This town gives the title of Baron to the noble family of Marfham. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, John Henniker, Efq ; (fon of Sir John Henniker, Bt.) F. R. S. and Richard Jofeph Sulivan, Efq. It has a market on Saturdays, and one fair on Auguft 2 1 , for pedlar's ware. Romney -Marfh, is an extenfive level of very rich pafture land, gained, at feveral fucceffive periods, from the fea, which by little and little withdrew Itfelf from that part of the coaft. This \ marfh is computed to be fourteen miles long, and eight broad, including the adjacent marfhes o£ Walland and Gulford ; and has two towns, nineteen parifhes, and 44,000 acres of firm and fruitful land, the richeft pafture in England. In this marfh, aS well as pther parts of this county, trees have been found lying at length, under ground, as black as ebony, and fit for ufe, when dried in the fun, ' Nithef N »7£ - . Hithe, or Hythe, 33 mileS from Maidftone/ and 6q\ from. , London, is one of the Cinque Ports; though at prefent it care hardly be called a port, being fhut up with fand banks. In a Vault under the church is a furprifing colleftion of bones and Skulls of a gigantic fize, placed in as good order as books in a library, with an infcription, denoting that they are the remains of the Danes killed- in a battle near this place* before, the Nor man Conqueft ; the pile is twenty- eight feet in length, fix in breadth, and eight in height. The town is very remarkable for jts pfeafant fituation, the ground behind it being on a confiderable afcent ; and as the foil is rich and fertile, and lies open to the enlivening fun beams, here is the greateft quantity of garden fluff of all kinds produced in the utmoft perfeftion. Near this town, among other natural curiofities, are a very hard fort of ftones moft of which are replete with forms of cockles5, and o- ther kinds of fbell fifh ; but not the leaft appearance of their having been really fhells, this tereftrial mimicry of Shell fifh, confifting of nothing more than the common fubftance of, the ftone. Here is a fine paved military way from hence to- Canter bury, which evidently appears to be the work /of the Romans ; it is called Stoney-iftreet. At a fmall diftance is a Caftle, on the declivity of a hill, containing ten acres ; it is a noble piece of antiquity, and is thought to be the Tortus Lemanis of the Ro mans ; this is far from being Improbable, as the fea doubtlefg/ came up thus far, and as the Remains of the walls contain ma ny Roman bricks, and a very remarkable, cement,, fo ftrong, as ftiE to retain, perhaps, more than its original hardnefs ;. the walls were compofed of the bricks above mentioned, juid flints. It was incorporated by Queen Elizabeth, with the name of a Mayor, Jurats, and Commonalty.; it confifts of one ftreet, which is. paved, and contains about 150 low houfes, moftly built with wood and ftone; the chief fupport of its inhabitants is fifhjng. This town, fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent ate, Sir Charles Farnaby Radcliffe» Bart- William Evelyne, Efq ; eapfaia i-t6 K E N T. captain of S'angite caftle- It has a market on Saturdays, arid fw# fairs, viz. on July ip, and December i, for horfes, cattle, fhpes, 'Clothiers and pedlary. Dover, 4JJ miles frorh Maidftpne, and 71? from London,, xa one pf the Cinque Ports ; it lies under a ridge of hills, fome- what in the form of a femicircle ; one of the ftreets is called Snare-gate, from the dreadful rocks of chalk that over-hang it. At the South-eaft entrance of the town are the remains of an hofpital founded by Hubert de Burg, Earl of Kent. On the1 pier of Dover King Henry VIII, expended 8o,oool. fterling, for making a bulwark, which from Arcliff ran far out into the fea ttf the Eaftward ; alfo in the reigns of Henry VII. and Edward VI. great care was taken to make this harbour very good, and keep in repair; the piei was finifhed A. D. 1585, by Queen Eliz abeth's care. It was Sir John Thomfon, parfon of- St. James's? in Dover, that made the draught, and propofed to King Henry VIII. the repairing the harbour, and making the pier, which was begun in 1530, and was compiled of two rows of main polls, and great piles, of twenty-five or twenty 63?- feet in length,- which were fet into holes hewn in the rocks, • and- forfle fhod' with iron, and driven down into the chalky ground; the pofts and piles Were faftened together with iron bands, bolts, &c. ¦ and the in- terftices filled with great chalk ftones, "" beach, - &c. but the bot tom was all great rocks of ftone, of twenty tons each, brought from Folkftone thither, on frames of timber, fupported1 by emp ty cafks, &e. on the water, at a fmall expence, by the contri vance of one John Young, to whom the King granted a penfion for his ingenuity. The pier was not finifhed' by 350 feet fo far as its foundation went, which was called the Mole-Head-, and was made of rocks, brought from a place called Hai-k-Cliff, or the Caftle key, and Folkftone. The caftle is fituated upon the fouthern end of that long ridge of rooks, or fteep cliffs; which run from Deal to that opening which forms Dover Harbour, and receives the little river into ihe fea. We fliall- not attempt to. defcribe.: KENT. 177 defcribe thefe cliffs ; It will be fufficient to recall to remembrance Shakefpeare's beautiful lines on the fubjeft, in his tragedy of King Lear ; There is a cliff, whofe high and /tending head, Looks fearfully on the confined deep ,- How dizzy 'tis to caft ones eyes fa low ! The crows and choughs, that wing' the midway air, Shew fcarce fo grofs as beetles. Half way down. Hangs one that gathers Samphire .- Dreadful trade ! , Methinks he feems no bigger than his head. The fifhermen that walk upon the beach, Appear like mice ; and yon tall anchoring bark, Diminifh'd to her cock ,- her cock a buoy, Almoft too fmall for fight. The murmuring furge, That on th' unnumbered idle pebbles chafes, Cannot be heard fo high. PU look no more, Left my brain turn, and the deficient fight Topple down headlong. ¦ ¦ ¦ The caftle is faid to contain thirty-five acres of land, fix where of were taken up by the old buildings. It lays cl?im to great antiquity, feveral old writings fay it was built by Julius Caefar,, but the lofty tower was built by Henry II. about the year 1 156. Dover Caftle has been always efteemed a fortrefs of great confe quence, and was by the Saxons deemed the key to the kingdprn, but it is tpp high tp hurt any fhips at fea, and by land could not ftand a formal fiege half a day. When William the Conqueror had an eye upon this kingdom, he made Harold fwear to deliver him up this caftle, with the well, which is fixty fafhpms deep, faid to be the work of Julius Csefar. It is called by the name o£ Mr. Watfon's cellar, and is round, large, and lined to the bot tom with free ftone ; the water is drawn up by a wheel, wherein men walk, and it is a noble piece of antiquity. The remains A a of i'7» , K E N Ti of the royal palace, the chapel, ftables, and offices here, Shew2 the whole to have been grand. There is kept here a great curio". fity, commonly called Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Piftol, it is a brafs/ cannon, fuppofed to be the longeft in the world, being twenty- two feet in length, and was prefented to that Princefs by the States of Utrecht ; it requires fifteen pounds of powder. Here is a Chinefe brafs trumpet like a horn, which they pretend has been kept ever fince the time of Julius Caefar ; though it feems- to be the enfign of authority belonging to the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. The greateft curiofity here is the Roman Pharos, or watch tower^ wherein was a ring of bells, which Sir George Rook got removed to Portfmouth. On another rock, over againft the caftle, and almoft as high, are the remains of ano'thor watch tower, called Bredinftone, and by the vulgar De vil's drop, by the ftrength of the Mortar ; by Durell and o- thers, it is called Ara Caefaris. Below the Caftle, under its fteepeft cliff near the fea, is a ftrong fort,- and another oppofite to it, on the weft fide of the harbour. In Edward the Confeffor's time, when this place was in a flourifhing condition, it was incorporated, bythe flile of Mayor and commonalty, and the townfmen were called Burgeffes ; from thefe the Mayor chufes his Affiftants, for the year, whobeing fworn to faithful feryice, are called Ju rats. It confifts of four long, narrow ftreets, and feveral crofs Streets, or allies, and contains about five hundred houfes, low,. and fpme built with brick, and fome with flint ftones. The in habitants amount to about five thoufand. This town gives title of Duke to the noble family of Douglas, Duke of Queenfbury, In Scotland. It fends 'two Members to Parliament, who at pre fent are, Robert Prefton, Efq ; one of the elder brethren of the Trinity Houfe, and the Hon. James Luttrel, fon of eari Car- hampton in Ireland, brother-in-Law to the Duke of Cumberland, furyeyor general of the ordnance, and a captain in the royal na vy. This town has a market on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and one fair on NoYember 22, for wearing apparel and haberdafhery. ¦ Sandwich' KENT. 179 Sandwich, 5 mUes from Deal, and 67 from London, one of the Cinque Ports, lies between Ramfgate and the Southforeland, at the bottom of a bay, and at the mouth of the Stour. It was formerly walled round, but now only on the north and weft fides with a rampart, and a ditch on the other. Here are three churches, three hofpitals, a free fchool, and two charity fchools ; Its chief trade at prefent, confifts in fhipping and malting. King Edward the Confeffor refided here a long while. Near this place Csefar probably landed, at both his defcents upon Britain, it being more likely than Deal, and better anfwers the defcription he gives of the place. It fuffered much in the wars with the Danes, being the place where Canute, in 1015, inhumanly flit the nofes, and cutoff the hands, of fuch Englifh as were given to twain his father for hoftages. In 12 17 it was burnt by the French ; in 1457 the French again plundered and burnt this town, landing 1500 men, and killing the Mayor, and other officers.' This town con fifts of about 1500 houfes, moft of them old, and built with wood, though there are a few new ones built with brick and flints. It has three long, narrow, paved ftreets, and thirty crofs ftreets or alleys, with about fix thoufand inhabitants, but no par ticular manufaftUry. It is governed by a Mayor, and eleven Jurats. This was once a town of confiderable trade, but it is much decayed, on account of the harbour being fo choaked up with fand, that a veffel of an hundred tons burthen cannot get in. This town gives the title of Earl to a branch pf the npble family of Montagu. It fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Philip Stephens, Efq; F.RiS. Secretary to the, Admiralty, and to the charity for fea officers widows, and Charles Brett, Efq ; one of the Lords of the Admiralty. This town has a market on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and one fair on December 4, for drapery, haberdafhery, fhoes and hardware. Sandown-Caftle, built together with Deal and Walmer caftles, Jy King Henry VIII. to defend the coaft when he apprehended A a 2 an 180 . K E N T. an invafion, after he had thrown off the Pope's yoke, and pro voked fhe Emperor by the divorce of Queen Catherine. Queenborough, \6\ miles from Rochefter, and 46! from Lon dori, is a borough town, on the weft fide of the ifland of Shep pey, on the banks of the Medway. It is an ancient place, and is governed by a Mayor, and four Jurats. It has one fmall church built with ftone and bricks, and about an hundred low houfes, few being above two ftories high. It confifts of one wide paved ftreet, and about 350 inhabitants. It has a town-hall, and had once a caftle, the remains of which are ftill to be feen. Here is jio manufaftUry, for the chief employment of the Inhabitants is oyfter drudgingj oyfters being here Jn great plenty, and df a fine flavour. This1 town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, George Bowyer, Efq ; a Captain in the Royal Navy, and John Aldridge, Efq; Storekeeper of the Ordnance. This town had formerly a market on Mondays and Thurfdays, which are now difufed, but it has ftill one fair on Auguft 5, for toys. Sheppey-Ifland, lies between the Eafl-Swale and the Weft* Swale, the two mouths of the Medwav, of which tlie former falls into the fea, and the latter into the Thames ; it is twenty- one miles round, very fruitful in corn, and always feeds a mub titude of fheep, from which -it takes its name. The common way to it from Kent, is by King's Ferry. The fait marfhes in this ifland produce abundance of marine plants, and are vifited by Botanifts in the fummer feafon. Sheernefs, at the entrance of the Medway, is a town confift- irig of three clean ftreets ; it has a regular fortification, and a line of heavy cannon. Here is alfo a yard for building Ships, which are generally fifth and fixth rates, and the channel from hence to Rochefter affords a fafe ftation for fhips. It was built by King Charles II. 1661, after the infult of the Dutch, who burnt the men of war at Chatham. Upnor ' ) KEN IHI Upnor arid Gillinghami are two caftles, on the two fhores of the Medway, which defend all the fhips riding above them. Bromley, 13! miles from Sevenpaks, and o\ from London, is remarkable for the palace of the Bifliop of Rochefter, and a college, or hofpital, erefted in the reign of Kirig Charles II. by the Bifhop of Rochefter, (Dr. John Warner) for twenty clergy- mens' widows. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, viz. oh February 14, and Auguft 5, for horfes, bullocks, fheep and hogs. Eltham, or Elham, 6\\ miles from Hithe, and 8 from London, h a pleafant little town, full of good houfes. This town has a market on Mondays, and four fairs, 'viz. Palm-Monday, Eafter- Monday, Whitfun-Monday, and Oftober 1 o, for horfes, cattle, and pedlary. Sevenoaks, or Sennock, 20 miles from Maidftone, and 23-J from London, is fo called from feven exceeding tall oaks, that grew in, or near it, when firft built, but have been long ago cut down. Here Jack Cade, and his followers, defeated Sir Hum phrey Stafford, who was fent againft them by King Henry VI. The town is governed by a Warden and Affiftants. It is remar kable for an Hofpital and fchool, bothwell endowed. This town- has a rharket on Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on July 10, and Oftober 10, for hogs and toys. Dartford, ia| miles from Rochefter, and 15^ from London, is a handfome large town, fituated on the river Derwent. The firft paper-rhill in England was built here by Sir John Spilman, to whom King Charles I. granted a patent, with 2000I. a year, to encourage the manufafture ; and likewife the firft for flitting bar iron. Edward III. built a nunnery here, which Henry VIII. converted into a palace. In the fields adjacent are feveral caves, from ten tp twenty fathoms deep, narrow at the mouth, and wide at the bottom ; they are faid to have been receptacles for the wives, children, and effefts of the Saxons, whilft they were pt war with the Britons. This place was difgraced by the rebel lion,. 182 K E N T. lion. of Wat Tyler and Jack Straw, which began in this place. This town has a market on Saturdays, and one fair on Auguft 2, for horfes and bullocks. Tunbridge, or Town of Bridges, 19 miles from Maidftone, and 30 from London, is fo called becaufe the river Ton, and four other ftreams ofthe river Medway, which rife in the Weald, run hither ; over each bf which there is a ftone bridge ; the river Medway is made navigable up to it, fince which the town has flourifhed greatly. — Five miles from Tunbridge, at the very edge of the county, are Tunbridge-Wells, much frequented on ac count of their mineral Waters. The Wells, commonly called, Tunb.ridge, are in the parifh of Speldhurft, at the bottom of the walks, near the chapel ; there are two of them, but one only ufed by thofe who drink the waters. The walks are handfomely paved ; on one fide are the affembly-ropm, the coffee-rooms, the bookfellers libraries, fhops for jewellers, milliners, China and Tunbridge ware, Which is made here to great perfeft ion, out of holly, cherry-tree, &c. On the other fides of the walks are cof fee-rooms, taverns, and a few houfes for lodgings. The market. Is exceeding good for meat, fifh, and poultry ; and the houfes and lodgings are very neat and commodious, moft of them on the hills contiguous, called Mount Sion, Mount Ephraim, and Mount Pleafant. The rocks, called the High Rocks, are, about a mile from the walks, of which there are a vaft number adjoin ing to each other, feveral of them feventy or eighty feet high ; and at many places there are cliffs and cavities, that lead through them by narrow, dark paffages ; and there being fituated among woods, by a little winding brook, makes them afford a moft re tired, gloomy, and delightful fcene. Iron ore is dug up in feve ral parts hereabouts, and there are feveral founderies within three or four miles of the wells, where cannon of large dimenfions are made. This town has a market on Fridays, and three fairs, viz. ¦ on Afh-Wednefday, July 5, and Oftober 29, for bullocks, hor fes and toys. Sittingbourn* KENT. r8j Siffingbourn, 15 miles from Canterbury, and 41 from Lon don, is a neatand well-built poft-town, being a confiderable tho roughfare on the foad to Dover. It is furnifhed with many good inns, particularly the Red Lyon, remarkable for an entertainment made there for King Henry V. as he returned from France, by Mr. John Norman, a country gentleman, whieh, though then 'efteemed an elegant feaft, the whole reckoning amounted but to nine Shillings and riine-pence, the wine being at that time one penny per pint, and all other things in prop6rtion. This town, ' though at prefent it has no market, has two fairs, viz. on Whit fun-Monday, for linen and toys, and Oftober 10, for linen, woollen-drapery, and hardware. Wye, 57' miles from London, ftands on the river Stour, over which is a bridge, and is a place of pretty good account. Its church, which has npt been long rebuilt, is a ftately edifice. This town has a market on Thurfdays, arid two fairs, viz', on March 24, and November 2, for horfes, cattle, and pedlary. Afhford, i2| miles from Hithe, and 57 from London, is a thoroughfare town on the road from London tp Hithe, ftands at a ford over a rivulet, near the head of the Stour. Here is a large church/ which was formerly Collegiate. This town had former ly a market, which is now difufed, but it has two fairs, viz. on May 17, and September 9, for horfes, cattle, and pedlary. Lidd, or Lydd, in Romney Marfh, 70I miles from London, is pretty populous, and the chief town in Weymarfh, in which is Dungenefs, well known to failors. On the eaft fide of this town < is aheap of ftones, which they pretend was the tomb of Crifpln and Crifpianus. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and oa© fair on July 24, for pedlar's ware. Folkftone, 16 miles from Canterbury, and 72 from London, is a member of the port, of Dover, and has a harbour for fmall fhips. Here are the ruins of a watch tower; on a hill called C^flle-Hill. The antiquity of this town is fufficiently proved by the great number of Romas cgins, which are 'frequently found here 184 K E N T. h?re; It was once a flourifhing town pf large extent, contain* Ing five parifh, churches, which are now reduced to one fmall church, and three meeting-houfes. It is governed by a Mayor, and twelve Jurats ; contains about 350 houfes, moftly built with brick, and difpofed in three narrow paved ftreets ; the inhabi tants are chiefly employed in fifhing. This tdwn has a market on Thurfdays, and one fair on June 28, for pedlar's ware. Sandgate -Caftle, was built by Henry VIII. it lies on the "fea fhore, a little to the South of Folkftone ; it has many good houfes in it, and fixteen or more guns to defend the fifhing-craft from the infults t£ privateers in time of war. Deal, 5 miles from Sandwich, and 72 from London; is a handfome large town. Here Ships generally ftop, if homeward bound, to difpatch letters, and notify their, arrival ; if outward bound, to take in frefh provifion. This town is now become very populous, from the refort of feamen lying in the Downs. It is defended on the north by Sandown Caftle, and on the fouth by Peal Caftle ; at a fmall diftance is* Walmer Caftle. Thefe three Caftles were built by Henry VIII. It is governed by a Mayor and Jurats ; it has a church, a chapel, and about 1000 houfes, which are moftly low, and built with bricks ; thefe form three long but narrow ftreets ; the inhabitants amount to about 4500. Here is a charity-fchool for twenty-feven boys, and girls, who are taught and cloathed as- the expenfe of the inhabitants. It has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, viz. on April J, and Oftober 10, for cattle and pedlar's ware. Ifle of Thanet, is about nine miles in length from eaft to weft, and eight miles from north to fouth ; it contains ten parifhes, but only feven parifh churches. The lower fide of the ifland abounds in pafturage, but it lies low and marfhy, and the inhabitants are much fubjeft to agues. The roads about the ifland are rendered fo intricate, by means of many fhort turnings, as to be extremely difagreeable to thofe who are not well acquainted with them. In fome of the low marfhes near the fea, a large field is opened to the K ENT. 185 the obfervation Of the cUrious botahift, many rare and valuable plants being found there. The prodigious quantity Pf fennel, which grows Wild, forms, in fome places near the fea, hedges of nearly a mile long. The honey here is remarkably fine, and probably receives its peculiar advantage of flavour from the great abundance of wild thyiiie, which the bees every where find on the banks and in the hedge-rows. ,$Ia'rgat:e, or St. John's, 72 miles fouth-eaft from London, is fituated on the north fide of the Iflarid, and is a member Of the town and port of Dover, to which it is fubjeft in all mat ters of civil jurifdiftiOn. The principal ftreet is near a mile in length, and built on an eafy defcent, by which means the upper part is clean and dry, but the lower end much otherwife. It is difficult to determine at what time Margate Pier was firft built. It is maintained and preferved by certain rates or pay ments, called Droits, for all goods and cornmodlties fhipped dr landed. Provifions here are good, but in -general dear. The hathing rooms are not large, but convenient. The fands are fo fafe and clean, and "every convenience for bathing is carried to fo great perfection, that it is no WPnder this place 'fhould be fre quented by fuch multitudes of people, who g6 into the fea either for health or pleafure, Two phyficians ufually refide here dur ing the fummer feafon. In the Lrght-hoiife, which is a ftrorig oftagon building on an eminence near the Cliff, on the point of the north Foreland, a fire of coals is kept blazing all night oft the top of it, for the direction of mariners. As patties refort thither for dining, drinking tea, &c. two booths are built foe their reception, and attendance is given by the Light-keeper. Ramfgate, is a very neat Sea-port town, with many good houfes-, but it has no great trade. The new Pier attrafts the admiration of all ftrangers, being the fineft of its kind in England, or perhaps in the world. It is built chiefly of white purbeck ftone, and extends Itfelf into the ocean near 800 feet before It forms an angle. Itsbrefidth at top is twenty-flS; feet, including \ R b a ftrong i8fj K E N T. a ftrong parapet, which runs all along the outfide of, it. . Its depth admits of a gradual increafe from eighteen to , thirty-fix feet. The front, which faces the .South, is of a polygonal figure; the angles, of which there are five on a fide, pf,io"o feet each, with oftagons at the ends of fixty feet, joined to the works, completes the whole, leaving an entrance of 200 feet into a noble and capacious harbour. This is intended as a place of refuge for fhips to flee to in hard gales of wind from SoUth:eaft to Eaft North-eaft, when they are expofed to the utmoft danger in the Downs. . Feverfham, 47I miles from London, is commodipufly fituated in the moft plentiful part of this county; it has a Bay or Greek from fhe Swale, very ufeful to commerce. It confifts chiefly of one long ftreet, but is very populous. Near this place are feme ancient pits 1 00 feet deep, very narrow at the top, but for what ufe is uncertain. The Abbey here was founded by King Stephen, A. D. 1 148, whofe Abbots fat in Parliament, and he was buried in it, together with Maud his Queen, and Euftace his fop ; it now belongs to the Marquis of Rockingham. It is fo ancient a town, that it was a. Royal Demefne in the year 802, and in Ke- nulf's Charter, called the King's Little Town. King Athelftan-, in 90.3, fummoned a great council here, in which he enacted feve ral' laws. Here King, James II. was; ftopped on board a fmack, TV(hen ffying away to France, on the arrival of the Prince, of Orange. It is governed by a Mayor, twelve Aldermen, twenty- four Jurats, and two Peace-officers. It has one large church built with ftone, newly repaired, and contains about 11 00 houfes, built with brick. The ftreets are wide and paved, and the town contains about $000 inhabitants. This town has a market- on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on February 25, and Auguft 12, for linen, woollen drapery and toys. ¦ Milton, 42 miles from London. The church is near a mile from the town, which has a port for barges; but if Is fo hid among the creeks that it is hardly to be feen, though it is a large , town/ l KEN T. I?g town, with a confiderable market for corn, fruit, and other pro vifions ; but it is moft remarkable for the quantity and goodnef§ of its oyfters. This town has a market on Saturdays, and one fair on July 24; for toys. ; Gravefend, 6\ miles from Dartford, and 22I from London, is a populous place, full of feamen. The churoh is one of the fifty new ones built by aft of parliament. It Is feated on the banks of the Thames, and is a place of great refort, being the ; common laridlng-place for feamen and ftrangers in their paffages to London. It 'is well flocked with houfes of entertainment ; and has a block-houfe over againft Tilbury Fort. A great part of it was burnt down with the church in 1727, which has "Since been rebuilt, and the houfes are much handfomer than before. It is commonly called the Corporation of Gravefend and Milton, thefe two places being united under the governmentof a Mayor, twelve Aldermen, twenty-four Cofnmon-council, a Town-clerk, &c. This parifh, with that of Milton, confifts of abput 700 hoiifes, moftly fmall, and built with bricks; the ftreets are alfo narrow, but paved with flints. The chief employment of the labou: ing people is fpirining of hemp, to make nets for fifhing and ropes. It is alfo famous for gardening, the beft afparagus being produc ed here of any in the kingdbrri. This town has a market on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on April 23, and Oftober 24, for horfes and all other goods, cloaths and toys. Woolwich, 5 miles from Greenwich, and io| from London, is reckoned, in point of feriiority, the mother dock of the royal navy, andto have furnifhed as many Ships of war as any tvvo docks in Ehgland. The whole place is taken up with it ; the Gun Yard is called the Warren or Park;- where they make trial of their guns, mortars, &c. Seven or eight thoufand pieces of ordnance have been laid up here at one time for fhips and batte ries, together with ftores of all kinds in great plenty. The larg eft fliips may ride here, fafely, even at low water. A guardfhip generally- rides here, efpeciajly in time of war. Its church is one Bb2. -of 188 KEN T. of the fifty new ones. It has an academy;, where the ma^hema^. ticks are taught, and young officers inftrufted in, the military arts. This town has a market on Fridays, but no fairs. Greenwich, 5 miles from Woolwich, and:5§ from London,, was formerly noted for being the harbour of the Danifh. flee&; after which the town was remarkable ford>eing a rpyal, feat,, built by Humphry Duke of Glpucefter. On the top of a,hifl in the Park, there is a moft delightful profpeft of the winding-river,, London, green-meadows, &c. Here King Charles II. erefted, a royal obfervatory, which is nobly fupplied with inftruments, &c. The Earl of Northampton built an hofpital here, and' liberally endowed It; but what Greenwhich particularly boafts of is,,that. the immortal Queen Elizabeth was born there. It has, fince been rendered remarkable,, by a magnificent hofpital, for decayed, fea men, who have ferved. theif King and country, This, fumptupus edifice is fcarce to be paralelled in the world; its, noble haU: ia\ finely painted by the late Sir James Thomhlll; there is alfo- a fine ftatue of King George II. on a pedeftal in the area, fronting, Its noble terrace by the Thames ; and a moft- elegant chapel, was; lately erefted. The number, of difabled or firperannuated, fea men maintained/here are abput 1000. The feveral benefaftipnsf to this excellent charity amount to 58,209b befides-the late Earl, of Derwentwater's eftate of hear 6000L a year,: voted by parlia ment to this ufe-. Its parifh church. is one of the-fifty new ones. The heath near this town, called Blackheath, enjoys a good, air, and has been the fcene of feveral, aftions, with rebels, as well as the rendezvous of royal armies. On the fouth-fide of it is, an hofpital, built by Sir JohnMprden. It is 3 fpacious ftrufture,, in the form of a. college, for the reception of decayed; merchants, to the number, of forty. Charlton, on the North. fide of the Heath, is a pjeafant-well built village, with one of the fineft churches in the county, This town has one fair, on Oftober 18, for toys, Deptford) ,K E N T. j^ Deptford, is the firft town from London in the county of Kent, which, though it has no market;, is divided into upper and-Hower towns, and has two churches, the neweft of which is oneof the fifty new churches ; but what it is moft remarkable foristhe- noble dock,, lately much enlarged; it has a wet dock of two* acres, for fhips, and another of an acre and a half for. malts,, with- all ne«- ceffaty) offices, &c. Here is a corporation, for the beneiit of fea men and navigation, in the form of a college, called" Trinity- Houfe. Near the dock, is the feat of. Sir John Evelyn,, called Say's Court, where Peter, the- Great, Gz.ar of Mufcovy,, refided for fome time; andin tbisknowvledjge.' iu the practical part qf naval- arahitefture> Appledore,, feated on. the riven Rotber, not* far fromi its-influx intp the fea. This town had, a fmall market on- Tuefday, andi there is ftill a fair on June 22, for pedlary and cattle. Afh, a village, nqt far from, Canterbury, with two fairs;, viz. on March 25, and- September. 29, for pgdjar'siwnrej Baddlefmere, a. village with qne fair, Pn September 9,. fbrline» and.toys. ' Braftead, a village with one fair on May 23, for horfesy bul- Ipcks, arid all forts pf- ccmmpdities, Chalkck, a village with nne fairon.Qftober-8; for horfesy cat tle, and pedlary. Ghilam, a village with cne fair- oni Novembers &,'. for cattle; Charing, a village with tvvp fairs, viz. on May 1, andOftobep 29, for,horfes, cattle,. andpedlaryi, Cranbrook, 48 miles from London, IsalargeandwellfrequeBfr- edtown,,it has a market on Saturdays^ which is efteemedHhe beft in its neighbourhood, and two fairs, viz. on May 30, and September 29,. for cattle and horfes. Goodnefisn, a village with one fair on September 14, for cattle* Great Chart, a village, wjthtone fair:on:March 25, forhojfes, cattle, and pedlary. Gryombriiget 19® K E N t. Groombridge, a village with two fairs, viz. on May 17J and September 25, for cattle, and pedlars ware. Hamftrect, a village with one fair on May 14, for horfes, cat. tie, and pedlary. Harriotfham, a village with one fair on July 5, for cattle, hor fes, and pedlars ware. Hawkfhurfi, a village with one fair on Auguft 10, for cattle and pedlary. Horfemanden, a village with one fair on July 26, for cattle. Mennington, a village with one fair on July 5, for pedlars ware,. 1 Lamberhurft, a village with one fair on April 5, for cattle. Lenham, 2i| miles from Hithe, and 47! from London, j* feated-on an eminence. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, viz. on June 6, and Oftober 23, for horfes and. cattle. Mailing, io\ miles from London, is feated near Compherft wood, and had formerly a nunnery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This toWn has' a market on Saturdays, and three fairs, viz. on Auguft 1 2, Oftober' 2, and November 1 7, for bullocks, horfes,, arid toys. Mar den, a village with one fair on Oftober 10, for pedlars ware. Merfham, a village with one fair on Friday in Whitfun-week^ for horfes, cattle and pedlary. Mongham, a village with one fair on Oftober 29, for pedlary and cattle. Monkton, a village with two fairs, viz. on July 22, for hogst and Oftober 11, for toys. Newenham, a village with one fair on June 29, for linen and toys. Pembury, a village with one fair on Whitfun-Tuefday, for ped lar's ware and cattle. Pluckly, a village with one fair on December 5, for pedlary. Prefton, a village with one fair on May 23, for pedlary. ,'JSt. Lawrence, a village with one fair on Auguft 10, for toys. St. Mary Cray, K £ N T. : ioi Si. Mary Cray, a village with one fair on September io, £gr toys., > Sandhurfi, a village with one fair on May 25, for cattle and pedlary. Sellinge, a village with two fairs, viz. on May 21, and Ofto ber -1 1-, for horfes, cattle, .and pedlary. Smarden, 55 miles from London, a town with a market on Fridays, and one fair on Oftober 10, for pedlars ware. Smith, a village with two fairs, viz. on'May 12, and Septerh- ber 29, for horfes, cattle, and pedlary. Staple, a village with one fair on Jply 25; for edge-tools. Stelling, a village with two fairs, viz. on Afcenfion-day, and November 1 2, for horfes, cattle, and pedlary . Stone, a village with one fair on Afcenfion-day, for pedlars ware. Tenterdon, or Tenterdean, 55 miles from London, the fteeple of the church is noted for being a handfome and lofty building, which, before Godwin Sands appeared, was made ufe of as a beacon to direft feamen. This tpwn has a market on Fridays, and •ne fair on May 6, far cattle, and pedlary. _ -, . >.: Walderfhare^ a village with one fair on Whitfun-Tuefday," for pedlars ware. Wingham, a village with two fairs, viz. on May 1, and No vember 1, for cattle. Witterfham,. a village with one fair on May 1, for pedlars ware. Wrotham, 1 1 § miles from Maidftone, and 24^ -from London, h feated in a plain, in the neighbourhood of hills. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and one fair on May 4, for horfes, and bullocks. ANTI$_UITI& S. Mailing-Abbey, It was founded by Edmund, brother to Athelftan, A. D. 944. Reculver-Abbey, of which the towers ftill remains, was built by one Baffa, a Prieft, in the year- '660. Hever-Caftfe t$z K ENT. Hewer-jCaftlg wa6 built by Thomas de Hever, in the reign of Edward III. Cowling-Caftle was built by Lord Cobham, ih the year 1 38 1. Saftwood-Caftle was built hy the Romans. Keith - Coty-houfe, a monument of large ftones, near Aylesford, fome pitched on one end, others lying acrofs ; tbey are fuppofed to be the tombs of Kentigerp and Horbus,. two Danifh Princes, killed herein battle. Rickborough-Caftle, one mile from Sandwich, is a moft noble remnant of Roman antiquity, built in the time of Theodofius; it appears to -have had two gates, a large one in the >, middle of the weftern wall, and a leffer in the northern : This gate having, within a century, had the -figure of a woman's head over it, in ftone, It was imagined by fome to be that of Queen Bertha, and was called the Maiden Gate. S E ATS of the Nobility, 6c. Eat! Chatham's at Hayes. — -Lord Holland's at King's-gate, near Margate.— 1 Lord Camden's at Camden-place. — Lord Sundridge's at Coombank. — Lord Apfley's at Fairy-Hill.-^ — Lord Conning- ham's at Ratofgate. — Lord Bifhop of Rochefter's Palace at Brom ley — Sir Robert Auftin's at Hall-place — Sir Brooke Bridges's at Goodneftone. — Sir NarbOi'Ough Daeth's at Knowkoh-Court, and North-cray-place — Sir Edward Dering's at Surenden.— Sir John Dixon Dyke's at Lullingftone. — Sir William Fagg's at My- ftole.— Sir Charles Fa*naby's at Kippirugton. — Sir John Filmer's at Eaft-Sutton.— Sir Sampfon Gideon's at Belvidere.-^Sir Ed^- 'Ward Hales's at St. Stephen's, Tunftall, and Wcodchurch.— Sir Thomas Pym-Hales's at Beakfbourn, — Sir John Honeywood's at Evington and Steene. — Sir William Mayne's at Blackheath.— Sir George Oxenden's at Wingham and Derie. — Sir Gregory Page's on Blackheath.— -Sir George Bridges Rodney's on Shooter's-hill. Sir John Shaw's at Eltham -Lodge, this was formerly die palace of Qjgeen Eleanor, confort to King Edward I. — The Reverend Sir Robert Style's at Wateringbmy.— Sir William. Twyfden's at Eaft-Peckham. LINCOLNSHIRE. iW Esft-Peckham. — Sir Roger Twyfden's at Bradburne.— Sir George f OUge's at Foots-croy-place. — Mr. Crofby's at Shelsfield-Court- Lodge. — Mr. Sawbrige's at Ollahtigh. Mr. Evelyn's at St. Clare's, near Wrotham. — Mr. Brett's at Greenwich. — Mr. Gre gory's at Vallence. — Mr. Bennett's at Beckingham. — Mr. Plump- ' tre's at Fredville.— -Mr. Hatton's at Eaftwell-Park.— Mr. Nor-. ris's at Hemftead.— Mr. Nefbitt's at Weft-Wycomb. I LINCOLNSHIRE. LINCOLNSHIRE is bounded on the South by the river Welland, which divides it from Nprthamptonfhire ; on the North by the Humber, which feparates it from Yorkffiire ; on the Eaft by the German Ocean ; and on the Weft by fome parts of Yorkftrire; Nottinghamfhire, Leicefterfhire, and Rutlandfhire. This county is about 60 miles in length, 35 in breadth, and 180 in circumference; containing 30 hundreds, one city, 34 mar ket-towns, 688 parifhes, and about 1556 villages. It has many largerivers, particularly the Nen, Welland, Gwafh, Trent, Wi tham, and Aukham. . The whole county is divided into three parts, viz. Holland, Keftevan, andLindfey, which fhall be treat ed of feparafely. The churches of this county are faid to be its chief ornaments, It being commonly obferved, that no county has better churches and worfe houfes. The poorer fort wafh their cloaths with hogs dung, and burn dry cow dung." This county fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Charles Anderfpn Pelham', Efq ; and Sir John Thorold, Bart. I. HOLLAND, the South-eafi Divifion. Holland, which Ingulphus calls Hoiland, lies on the South-eaft next the fea ; and like Holland, in Germany,; it is fo very moift 9 Cg in 194 LINCOLNSHIRE. in many places, that a deep print of one's foot remains, and fh< furface itfelf Shakes if flamped on ; though within the laft age the deep marfhes have been very much drained and improved All this part lies uppn the jEftuary which Ptolomy "calls Metavls, arid it is called at this day the Wafties. This xftuary is Very, large and noted, covered with water at every flood tide, and paffablc again at every ebb, though not without danger, as King John found to his coft ; for, in the Barons war, attempting to pafs here, he loft all his carriages and equipage, near Foffe-dike and Well-ftream, by a fudden inundation, as Matthew of Weftmin fter tells us. This divifion gives the title of Baron to the noble family of Fox. The principal town in Holland is, Boftbn, or" Botolph's Tdwn, 37 miles from Lincoln, and 120 from London, is built on the river Witham, which is navigable to Lincoln, and inclofed here with artificial banks, over which there is a wooden bridge. About the end of Edward the Firft's jreign it was burnt down by Villains, in the difguife of Monks and Priefts, who came in the fair time, and carried away the mer chants goods, in great quantities, but burnt much more ; in fo much that cur historians write, (as the ancients did of Corinthi when it was demolifhed) that veins of gold and filver mixed to gether in one common current ; their ringleader, Robert Cham berlain, after he had confeffed the faft, and expreffed his abhor rence of the crime, was hanged ; but could not, by any means, be brought to difcover his accomplices. However, better times fucceeding, Bofton recovered itfelf, and a ftaple for wool was fettled here, which very much enriched it, and the merchants of the Hanfe Towns fixed their Guild here. It is a pleafant well-built tPwn, and has a good foreign and inland trade. Its church is rec koned the largeft parifh church, without crofs ailes, in the world, it is 300 feet long, within the' walls, and 100 wide, liandfomely ceiled with Irifh oak, fupported by tail and flender pillars; it has 365 fleps, 52 windows, and twelve pillars, anfwerable to the days, weeks, and mpnths, in the year. Its fteeple is famous for LINCOLNSHIRE. 155 jts height and wprkmanfhip, being 282 feet high ; it has a beauti- - fui oftagon lanthorn on the top, which is feen near 40 miles every way, but efpecially on the fea, as, far as the entrance of the dan gerous channels called Lynn-deeps and Bofton-deeps, fothat It is the guide for mariners, as well as the wonder of travellers. The town has a commodious haven, and is plentifully fupplied > with frefh water by pipes from a pond inclofed in the great com mon, called the Weft Fen. The land is very rich, feeding vaft numbers of large fheep and oxen. In this town John Fox the Martyrologift was bprn. It is gpverned by a Mayor, a Recorder, twelve Aldermen, and eighteen Ccmmpn-cpuncil Men. It gives the title of' Baron to the noble family of Irby. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Peter Bur-- rell, Knt. and Dalhoufie Watherfton, Efq. This town has a market on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and three fairs, viz. ort May 4, chiefly for fheep, Auguft,. 11, town fair, and Decern-, her 11, for horfes.' Kirkton, or Kirton, 1 50^ miles from London, took its name from its kirk or church, a fine ftately building, in the form- of a cathedral, and gives it to its Hundred, in which are four villages of the fame name. This town has a market on Satur days, and two fairs, viz. on July 18, and December 11, for alls forts of cattle, and merchandizing goods. Dunnington, 117 miles, from London, has a port for barges, and is remarkable for large quantities of hemp and hemp-feed brought hither for fala, This town has. a market on Saturdays, and four fairs, viz. on May 26, for horfes, flax, and hemp; Auguft 17, for horfes only;. September 6, tor cattle, flax, and hemp, and Oftober 1 7, for horfes, cattle, flax, and hemp. Crowland, 26 miles from Bofton, and 94 from London, has a church the remains of its once famous Abbey, founded about the year 716. It ftands among the Fens, and its three ftreets are feparated from one another by water-courfes, whofe banks are fupported by pillars, and fet with willow-trees, fo that the C c 2 people 196 LINCOLNSHIRE. people go in boats to milk their coWs. There is a communiea. tion by a bridge over^againft the weft-end of the Abbey, buik ift a triangular form, to anfwer the ftreets ; It is fo curious a fabric as not to be equaled in England, perhaps not in Europe' It is formed on three fegrrrents of a circle, meeting in one point, and each bafe ftands in a different county, viz. Lincolnfhire, Cam bridgeshire, and Northamptonfhire. It is alfo fituated upon the centre of the conflux of the river Nyne, with the Welland? Here is great plenty of fifh and wild-ducks in their feafon ; the latter, in the month of Auguft, are fo numerous, being brought thither by decoy ducks, that they fometimes drive 3000 into a net at one time by dogs trained for that purpofe. There are many pools in and near the town for the liberty of fifhing; and thefe they call their porn fields, becaufe no corn grows within five miles of them- The fehny boggy foil being irtipaffable by carts has occafioned this proverb ; that all the carts which come to Crowland are fhod with filver. This town has a riiarket on Satur days, and one fair, on September 4, for cattle, hemp, and flax. Spalding, 16 miles from Bofton, and 104 from London, isa much neater town, and more populous than could be expefted^ in a place eneompaffed with lakes, canals, and rivers ; for the drains of Bofton and Langtoft center upon it, arid the Welland almpft inclofes it, over which there is a bridge with a navigable port, which, though but fmall, has feveral barges ; it has a hand: fome market-place, and a free grammar-fchool. This town had formerly a market on Tuefdays, which is now difufed, but has ftill four fairs, viz? on April 27 for hemp and flax ; June 29, "for horfes and beafts; Auguft 30, for horfes; September 25, and December 17, for hemp and flax. II. KE ST EVA N, the South-weft Divifion. Keftevan, the fecond divifion of this county, borders upon fjolland on the Weft, and is happy in an air much more whole fome, LINCOLNSHIRE. 197 fomfe) and a foil no lefs fruitful. This divifion gives the title of Duke to the noble family of Bertie, Duke of Ancafter.. Th& principal towns in Keftevan are, Stamford, 44 miles front Lincoln, and 89 from Londori, a ' thoroughfare town on the York road, ftands upon the river Wel land, which is navigable to it by barges. On the fouth bank of it was formerly a ftrong caftle, called Stamford Baton, and from ' a butcher's dog feiz ing a mad bull, and entertaining the Eatl of Warren with the fport, the cruel practice of Bull-baiting took its rife here ; for he gave the meadow, for a common, to the butchers, on eonditipn that they fhpuld find a mad bull fix weeks before Chriftmas. The town is finely fituated on the declivity of a hill to the river; it has a bridge of five arches pver ihe Welland; a handfome town -hall, and fix parish churches, with feveral gbbd ftreets, and fine ftrufttnes. In this town is the George-Inn, reckoned the largeft in England ; but the Bull-Inn is much the fineft, being a handfome free-ftone edifice, whieh in many countries would pafs for a palace. The chief trade of this place is malt,1 fea coal, and free ftone. It is an anctent town, it being known to the Romans, arid had long ago a college, whofe ftiidents rerhoved to Brazen-Nofe- College, Oxford. Among the privileges of which the inhabitant's boaft, is, that the Mayor is immediately under the king, and commands the militia, returns writs, &c. and that they have the cuftom of Borough Englifh, by which the younger fons inherit upon their father's dying in- ' reflate. In this town is a charity-fchool, in which eighty poor children are taught and employed. It gives the title of Earl to the noble family of Grey. This town fends two Members to Parlia ment, who at prefent are, Sir George Howard, K. B. LL. D. a general of his Majefty's forces, colonel of the firft reg. of dra goon guards, and Governor of Chelfea Hofpital, and Henry Ce cil, Efq ; nephew and heir to the earl of Exeter. It has a mar ket On Mondays artd Fridays; and feven fairs, viz. on the Tuefday .before February 13, Monday before Midlent-Sunday, and Au guft 198 Xl i n c o l n s h i r e. guft 1 2, for horfes, and ftock of all forts ; Midlent-Monday for . all forts of haberdafhery ; Monday before May 1 2, Monday after June 13, Auguft 4, and November 8, for horfes, and ftock of all forts. Grantham, 29 miles from Lincoln, and no from London, a thoroughfare town on the York road, ftands on the river Witham, and has abundance of good inns of great refort ; it is well-built and has a fine large church. With a handfome fpire, 280 feet high, which, by a mere deception of the fight, feems to ftand awry. A good free fchool was built and endowed here, by Dr. Fox, Bifhop of Winchefter, who -was a native of this place, where the celebrated Sir Ifaac Newton received his firft educa tion ; and here are alfo two charity fchools. It is governed by an Alderman, twelve Juftices of the Peace, a Recorder, and a Co roner. This town gives the title of Baron to the noble family of Robinfon. It fends two Members to Parliament, who at pre fent are, Francis Cockayne Cuft, Efq ; uncle to lord Brownlow, counfel to the Admiralty and Navy, one of the counfel to the Univerfity of Cambridge, and ranks as a king's counfel, and Geo. Sutton, Efq ; firft coufin to the duke of Rutland. This town has a market on Saturdays, and five fairs, viz. on the fifth Monday in Lent, for horned cattle, horfes, and fheep ; Holy-Thurfday, for fheep and horfes ; July 10, Oftober 26, and December 17, for horned cattle, and horfes Sleaford, 18 miles from Lincoln, and 116 from London, ftands in a pleafant valley, near the head of the river Slea ; it has a large parifh church of good architefture, a free-fchool, and a well endowed hofpital : This town carries on a cpnfiderable trade in cprn, cattle, &c. and has a large market-place. The river runs here with fuch rapidity, that it is never frozen, and within the town, and two miles below it, drives five corn-mills, two fulling- mills, and a paper-mill, and then falls into the Witham. This place is called New-Sleaford, to diftinguifh it from Old-Sleaford, in its neighbourhood, it is a large well-built town, well inhab ited, LINCOLNSHIRE. *199 Ited, and had formerly a caftle, the ruins of which are yet to he feen. This town had formerly a market on Mondays, and has ftill five fairs, viz. on Plough-Monday, Eafter-Monday, and Whrt- fun-Monday, for horfes, horned cattle, and fheep; Auguft 12, for provifions, and Oftober 10, for horned cattle and fheep. III. LINDSAY, the North Divifion. Lindfay, Is the laft and largeft Divifion of this county, for It includes all that lies North of the city of Lincoln, and the Fofle- dyke, which King Henry I. cut between the Witham and the Trent. This divifion is generally efteemed healthy, efpecially on the weftern fide ; the foil is in moft places very rich, the inland part producing corn in great plenty. The breed of cattle in this county in general, is efteemed larger than that of any other coun ty in England, except Somerfetfhire ; their horfes are alfo excel lent and very large. Lindfay gives the title of Marquis to the eldeft fon of the neble family of Bertie, Dukes of Ancafter and Keftevan. The only city in this divifion, or in the whole county, is, Lincoln, 84 miles from Northampton ; 72 from York ; 36 from Nottingham ; 57 from Leicefter ; 48 from Okeham, and 132 from London, anciently called Nichol, and by the Romans Lindum Colonia, is built on the fide of a hill, at the bottom of which runs the river Witham, in three fmall channels, over which are feveral bridges. It is faid in Dooms-Day-Bopk to have con tained 1070 houfes, and to be very populous. The Cathedral is a ftately Gothic pile of excellent workmanship, reckoned by fome equal to York Minfter, and was efteemed the glory of Lin-^ coin ; for its riaagnificence and elevation is fuch, that the Monks concluded it would chagrin the Devil to look at, and thence a fly, four, look, by a proverbial expreffion, is compared to the Devil looking over Lincoln. It has a double crofs, or tranfept, with two fpires, or towers, and many bells, particularly in the north ioo LINCOLNSHIRE. north tower, which has the fineft great bell in England, called,. Tpm of Lincoln; it weighs four tons eighteen hundred and nine ty four pounds, and will contain 424 gallons, aje meafure, is twenty two feet eight inches in compafs, and requires fifteen men to raife it: The middle or Round Tower, is the higheft in the kingdom, and when the fpire was ftanding, It muft, In propor tion to the height of the tower, have been above five hundred and twenty feet ; now there are only four very ordinary pinnacles, one at each corner. It has two large gates on the Weft ; the cloifters and library are very fine, and the latter well furnifhed with printed bpoks and manufcripts. Two catharine-wheel win dows at the end of the large tranfept are remarkably beautiful, and adorned with painted glafs. Among other tombs is one pf brafs, for Queen Eleanor, wife to Edward I. another of Catha rine Swinford, third wife pf John of Gaunt, and mothet of the Somerfet family, now Dukes of Beaufort. This pile ftanding pn a hill may be feen fifty miles to the North, and thirty to the South, and is one of the largeft in England. This city former ly abounded with monafteries, churches, &c. fo that many barns* ftables, and even hogfties, feem to be the ruins of them, from the ftone walls, and arched windows and doors ; but only thirteen churches now remain, befides the Cathedral, or Minfter, and meeting houfes of every denomination of Diffenters. The river, on the weft fide, forms itfelf into a large pool, called Swan- Pool, from' the great number of fwans in it. The Roman north gate, cafled New-port gate, ftill remains entire^ it is a vaft femi- chcle of ftpne, not cemented, but as It were wedged in toge ther ; in other parts of the city, are many remains pf the old Roman wall, and feveral funeral monuments of the Normans have been dug up Pver againft the caftle. In the center of the old caftle, which was built by the Remans, and repaired by the Saxons, is a modern Strufture, where the affizes are held ; the city is a county of itfelf, and has extenfive powers and privileges ; here are four charity fchools, in which are one hundred and twenty LINCOLNSHIRE. 2oi twenty children, (thirty to each) taught, by widows of clergy men. On the downs of Lincoln is fometimes feen, that large, but rare bird, called the Buftard. The country round this city is very rich and agreeable, the noble traft of Lincoln Heath, ex tending like Salifbury Plain, above fifty rniles. It is governed by a Mayor, twelve Aldermen, twp Sheriffs, &c._ whofe jurifdic- tion extends twenty miles in circumference. This city gives the title of Earl to the eldeft fon of the noble family of Clinton, Dukes of Newcastle* It fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, John Fenton Cawthorne, Efq ; and the Hpn. Richard Lumley Savile, brother to the earl of Scarborough- This city has a market on Fridays, and four fairs, viz. On the fecond Tuefday after April 12, July 5, the firft Wednefday after Sep*- tember 12, and November 28, for horfes, Cattle, and fheep. Great Grimfby, 35 miles from Lincoln, and i86| from Lon don; is half a mile from the Humber, its chief trade is ill coals atid fait, brought by the Humber, and was a place of much greater trade before the harbour Was chpaked up, Here are feveral ftreets of well-built houfes, and a large handfome church, which looks like a cathedral. It is a corporation, and fends two Members to Parliament, whp at prefent are, John Harrifon, Efq; •and Dudley Long, Efq. This town has a market on Wednef days, and two fairs, viz. on June 17, for fheep, and September 15, for horfes.^ "" "Barton, 34 miles from Lincolri, and 166 from London, is a large ftragglirtg town, but of little note, except for a common but dangerous ferry over the Humber tp Hull, though of confi derable advantage to the town. This tpwn has a market on Mondays, and a fair on Trinity-Thurfday, for cattle* Axolm, is a Rivet Ifland on the North -weft part of this divi fion eneompaffed by the Trent, Dunn, and other rivers. It is noted for producing Alabafter and flax in the middle part, and g fweet fhrub, called gall or pelts, in the low marihy. The dead roots of fir-trees aye often found here. D d Gainfborough, 49* LINCOLNSHIRE. Gainftorough, 18 miles from Linccln, and 150 from Londefy is a well built town pf gopd trade upon the Trent. Its church being in a ruinous ftate, in 1735 it was pulled down and re built. In this town are feveral meeting-houfes. The Danes landed here when they came up the Trent, which brings up Ihips of good burthen with the tide, though it is near forty miles from the Huriiber by water. This town gives the title of Earl to the noble family of Noel. It has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, viz. on Eafter Tuefday, and Oftober 20, for beafts* (heep, and all forts of fhop goods. Wainfieet, 15 miles from Bofton, and 135 from London, though near the Fen Country called Holland, is a neat compleat town, noted for a fine free-fchool, and for giving birth and firname to its founder, who was Bifhop of Winchefter. This town ha9 a market on Saturdays, and four fairs, viz. on the third Satur day ift May, for cattle of all forts ; July e, and Auguft 24, very fmall, chiefly pleafure ; and Oftober 24, for tups and other fheep. Hornecafile, 22 miles from Bofton, and J42 from Londori, is; an ancient, large, well-built town on the river Bane, and three parts of it furrounded with water. It plainly appears to have been a camp or ftation of the Romans, not only from its caftle, which was a Roman work, but from the Roman coins often turn ed up in the ground near a place where the caftle ftood ; the area- appears to have been about twenty acres. This town has a mar ket on Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on June 22, and Auguft nt for horfes, and other cattle. Louth, 28^ miles from Lincoln, and 155! from London, Is a corporate town of good refort, Which takes its name from Lud, a rivulet that runs by Cockerington, and then parts into two> ftreams. It has a free-fchool, and a fair church with a beautiful fteeplej which fome think the higheft in the county. This town bas a market oa Wednefdays and Saturdays, and three fairs, viz* on L INC 6 L N S H I R E. So3 en May 24, and Auguft 1 6, for fheep ; and December 3, for horfes. Alford, 26f miles from Bofton, and 146I from London, is feated on a fmall brook that' runs through the town, and is a com paft place. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs, viz. on Whitfun-Tuefday, and November 8, for Cattle and fheep. Belton, a village with one fair on September 25, for hemp, flax, cattle and fheep. Bourn, 34 miles from Lincoln, and 91 from London, is feat ed near a fpring called Burnwell-head, from which proceeds a ¦ river that runs through the town ; it is a pretty large place, and its market is good for corn and provifions. It Is noted for the coronation of King Edmpnd. This town has a market on Satur days, and three fairs, viz- on March 7, May 6, and Oftober 29, for hprfes, and horned cattle. Brigg, or Glanford Bridge, 24 miles from Liftcoln, and 156 from London, is feated on the river Ankam. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and one: fair on Auguft 16, for, horfes.. Burg, 1.8 miles from Bofton, and 138 from London, is feat-. ed on a marfh. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and three fairs, viz. pn May 12, for fheep, horfes, and cattle of- all forts; Auguft 16, a town fair only, for toys ; and, Oftober 2, for cattle, and cloathing of all forts. Caftor, i6\ miles from Lincoln and 157J from, London, a town with a, market on Mondays, and two fairs, viz. June 1, for fheep, and Oftober 1 6, for horned catttle and. fheep. Corby, a village with two fairs, viz. Auguft 26; and Monday- before Oftober 10, for horfes and horned cattle. Couthorpe, a village with one fair, on July 5, for horfes and' horned cattle. Crowle, 14! miles from Kirton, and 165- from London, a village in the ifle of Axholm, with three fairs, viz. on the laft> D d %_ Monday; 2«4 LINCOLNSHIRE. Monday. In May, September 4, and November 22, for cattle, hemp and flax. Haxey, a village with one fair on July 4, for merchant's goods. Holbeache, 115! miles from London, is feated in a flat among the dykes. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, viz. pn May 17, and the fepond Tuefday in September, for horfes, Rafen, or Market-Rafen, 1 6£ miles from Lincoln, and 1 50 frojri London, is feated on a branch of the river Ankone. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and one fair on Oftober 6, for hprn- ed cattle. -Mefftngham, a village with pne fair on Trinity Monday, for merchandizing goods. Navsnby, a village with two fairs, viz. on Auguft 18, for horfes, and Oftober 17, for Welch fheep andfwine. Partney, a village with three fairs, viz. on Auguft 25, Sep, tember 18, 19, and Oftober 18, 19, for cattle and cloathing of all forts. Scatter, ^-village with one fair on July 10, for hoifes and; cattle. Spilfby, 18 miles, from Bofton, and 138 from London, is feated on the, fide of a hill.. This town has a market on Mon* d^ys, and four fairs, viz; on the Monday before Whitfun-Mpn? day, Monday after ditto,; Mondayfortnight after Whit-Sunday, if it falls in May, if not, there is no fair, and the fecond Monday in July for all forts of cloathing. Stainton, a village with one fair on Oftober 29, for hemp and fheep. , Stockwitb, a village with pne fait on September 4, for horfes and beafts. , W.interingham, a village with one fair on July 14, for horned. cattle and goods. > ¦ Winterton, a, village with pne fair on July 5, for merchandizing ggods. Wragk\ LINCOLNSHIRE. 2^5" Wragby, a village with two fairs, viz. on May 23, for fheep, find Oftober 11, for horned cattle, A NT I QU IT IE S. BrigCafterton, near Stamford, where the river Gwafli croffes the high-way » is fuppofed to be the ancient Gauferinje. Kirkfted- Abbey» near Hornecaftle, was founded about the year 1 139,, by Fitz Eudo, Lord Taterfhal. Louth-Park- Abbey, near Louth; was founded by Alexander; Bifhop of Lincoln, about the year 1 139. Soaierton-Gaftle near Lincoln-heath; is fuppofed to have been rebuilt by Beck, Bifliop of Durham, about the year 1305. Tupholm-Priofy, founded in the reign of Henry II. At Fleet, pi Holland, was found a large earthen pot, covered with an oak board, and in it three pecks of Roman copper coins, piled down edgeways, moft of them of the Emperor Gallienus. At Har- ' laxton, a village near Grantham, a brazen veffel was ploughed up in the laft age but one, wherein was an old fafhioned gold helmet, ftudded with jewels which, was prefented to Catharine, Queen Dowager of Henry VIII. Le'and fays, that in the fame pot were found beads pf filver. The High-Dyke, commonly cal- ' ledtheHigh-ftreet, is the famous Roman highway; which. pafles from Stamford through Lincoln, and from thence to the Hum ber. At Hiberfbow, arid about a mile from hence, are tP be feen the foundations of Roman buildings, with tiles, coins, arid other marks of' Roman Antiquity ; near Broughton and Roxby, was lately difcovered a Roman Pavement. At Winterton-Cliff Roman buildings, and at Alkbqrough, two miles more to the Weft, there are ftill abundance of fed Shells, fubterrafteous trees, and other relicks of the deluge*. Th€re ard many fpaWs between Stamford and Lincoln, of whieh thofe moft in ufe are, Bourne and Walcot, near Fplkingham ; the former is reckoned equal in ftrength to that of AftrOp- Wells, near Banbury in Oxfordshire, and is much '*ha;nk in^hefrjmmer : The Other about feven miles to the Nprth, i& 3o6 LINCOLNSHIRE. is deemed fomewhat mpre purging, both by urine and ftool. Near the Humber are the remains of Thorntori-College, or Abbey, where in taking down a wall, not many years ago, the work men found a fkeleton of a man, with a table, book, and candle- ilick, fuppofed to have been immured there for fome heinous crime. At Oumby, near Market-Rafen, in the field adjoining to the great road between Stamford and Hull, brafs and filver coins halve been dug up, with the figure of Rome on one fide, and this infcription, Urbs Roma; and on the reverfe, pax et tranquilitas. On the hills between Gainfborough and Ley, ma ny pieces of Roman urns and coins have been found. Near Hun tington, five miles from Grantham, is a Roman camp, called Julius Gsefar's Double Trench. In 1691, a peck of Roman coins were found in an um. Near Winteringhara, on the Hum ber, an old Roman town was lately ploughed up, where many antiquities were found. S E A 7 S of the No e i l i tt, 6c. Duke of Rutland's at Belvoir-Caftle, four miles from Gran tham, it ftands pn a high precipice, and was built foon after the Conqueft, by Robert de Tedenio, a Norman nobleman, to curb the Saxons, the hill on which it ftands is believed to have been a Roman ftation, called Margidunum. Duke of Ancafter's at Grimftorpe, eight miles from Stamford, and Erefby, near Spilfby. — Earl of Scarborough's at Glentworth, eight miles from Lincoln.— Lord Wardour's at Irnham-Hall. — Lord Monfon's at Burton and South-Carleton. — Lord Bofton's at Spalding. — Lord Robert Manner's at Bloxholme, near Sleaford.— Lord Bertie's at Swinftead. — Sir William Anderfon's at Broughton. — Sir Tho mas Broughton Delves's at Ayftrop. Sir Charles Buck's at Hamby-Grange. — Sir Sampfon Gideon's at Spalding. — Sir Ne- vile, George Hickman's at Thonock.- Sir John Nelthorpe's at Barton. — Sir Charles Sheffield's at Normanby. — Sir John Tho* x old's LEICESTERSHI RE. 207 rold's at Cranwell. — -Sir Thomas Trollope's at Cafewick. — Sir Francis Whichcote's at Afwarby. Sir Cecil Wray's at Sum- mer-Caftle. — The Honourable George Hobart's at Blyborough,, .and Nofton. The Honourable Mr. Walfingham's at Nainf- borough. — Mr. Dimock's at Scrivelby-hall, near the river Wi tham, is a manor belonging to this family^ the Lord of which holds it by the following tenure, viz. That at the King's Coro nation, he, or fome perfon in his name, if he be not able,- fhall some into the Royal Prefence, on a war horfe, and make Pro clamation, that if any one fhall fay, that the Sovereign has no> right to the Crown, he is ready to defend it with his body againft all that fhall oppofe. Mr. Amcotts's at Kettlethorp and Har rington. — Mr. Wichcot's at Harpfwell, near Gairifborough.— Mr. Scrope's at Colby. — Mr. Calcraft's at Ancafter. LEICESTERSHIRE; IS almcft pf a circular form, bounded by Lincolnffilre and Rutlandfhire on the Eaft ; Warwickfhire on the weft ; Der- byfhire and Nottinghamfhire on the North ; and on the SoutS by Northamptonfhire. It is about thirty three miles in length, 28 in breadth, and 100 in circumference; containing 14 market- towns 200 parifhes, 558 villages, 6 hundreds, 10 parks, and 112,200 inhabitants. Its foil in the fouth-weft part is rich for corn and pafture, but fo deftitute of fuel, that they burn ftraw, dried cow-dung, &c. in this part there are, however, fine mea dows on the banks of the Avon, and here a good fort of cheefe is made. The north-»eaft parts, efpecially about the river Wrecke, are hilly, but feed vaft numbers of fheep, which here and in 'Lincolnfhire, are the largeft mutton with which the Lpndoa markets are fupplied, and have the greateft fleeces of wool of any in England j nor & the wool lefs fjrie 0n.acc.9unt of its quan tity* ^o8 LEICESTERSHIRE, tity, and, fome few places excepted, is the longeft ftapls in the1 whole ifland. The fheep--breeding country reaches from the' river Anker, pn the confines of Warwickfhire, to the Humber, at the fartheft end of Lincolnfhire, which is near an hundred miles in length. ;. arid from the hunks of the Trent, in Lincoln shire and Leicefterfhire, 'to thofe of the Oufe, which is above Sixty miles in breadth- The horfes. fed here are alfo the largeft in England, they being generally the large black coach and dray horfes, of which numbers are continually fent up to London. In the north-weft parts coals are produced in good plenty; the ibitth-eaft produces wheat, barley, peafe and oats, and moft luxu riant crops of beans, whencejhe inhabitants have got the nick- flame of Bean Bellies. The river Soar, anciently the Leire, paf- fes through the middle of this county to the Trent ; but along the eaft parts there runs a fmall gentle ftream, called the Wrecke, which at laft falls into the Soar- This county fends two Mem bers to Parliament, who at prefent are, John Peach Hungerford, Efq ; and WUliam Pochin, Efq. Leicefter, 57 miles from Lincoln ; i6f from Okeham ; 34 from Warwick; 28 from Derby ; 25 from Nottingham; 31 from Northampton, and 99 from London, feated on the river Soar, is the largeft, beft built, moft populous, and chief town In the county, and was a confiderable town in the time of the Romans, fuppofed to be. the Rutae Coritanctrum of Antoninus ; and fince that time hiftory makes mention, of fifty-two parifh churches in it ; but it has fuffered much by fieges, and has now but fiz parifhes and five churches, Its market is well furnifhed with provifions, efpecially com. It is governed by a Mayor ; and the freemen are exempt from toll in all markets in England* There is an exquifite piece of workmanfhip in the High-ftreet, in form of our Saviour's Crpfs, The hofpital built by Henry Plantaganet, Duke of Lancafter, continues in a tolerable condi-< tion, and is fupported by fome revenues of the Dutchy of Lan- ejifter, foasto be capable, of maintaining a hundjedragediperfpue decently- L E I C E S T £ R S H I R 1 109 decently. But the moft ftately edifice now is, the new Bedfe-> .Houfe (called Wigfton's Hofpital) built in the reigfi of Henry VII., and endowed by Sir William Wigfton, a merchant Of the ftaple. of this toWn, for twelve poor Lazars, with a chapel artd library, for the ufe of the minifters and fcholars belonging to the town. There is another- near the abbey for fix widows, and a Charity fchool for thirty boys and ten girls'. The inhabitants have greatly improved in their manufafture pf Stockings, woven in frames, and are fuppofed to return, in that article alone, i.oo,oool per annum, Before the caftle Was difmantled, it was' a noble work, inwhkh the great Henry, Duke of LanGafter, kept his court ; its hall asd kitchen ftill rerhaln entire, and the former is fo lofty and fpaciou®, that it is made the court of juftice at the affizes. One of the gateways of this palace has an arch of curious workmanfhip, and in the tower ever it is kept the magazine for the County militia. In a meadow1 near the town was formerly a monaftery, founded in 1143, by Robert Boflu, Earl of Leicefter. Here the famous Cardinal Wolfey died! It is now a dwelling houfe ; arid the only thing Worth feeing is the terrace walk fupported by afl embattled wall, with lunettes hanging-over the river, arid Shaded with trees. St Margaret's Church is a noble ftrufture,, and famous for a ring of ten bells, the moft tunablp pf any in the kingdom-. Iii St. Martin's Church i is an Epitaph cn one Heyrick, who died irf 1 5 $9, aged feventy-- fix ; he lived in orie houfe with his wife fifty two years, and in all that time buried neither man, woman, nor child, though fometimes twenty two In family ; and his widow, who lived to be ninety feven, faw before her death, in December 161 r; of her children, grand-children, and great-grand-Childreh, to the ttumber of 143. The firft law for burning hcreticks, by Which Lord Cobham and others fuffered death, was made by a parlia ment held here, in.the reign of Henry V. declaring the favourers of Wickliffe's doftrine hereticks*and traitors. This town fends4 two Members to Parliament/ who at prefent are, -John Macna* - . E e mara. 2to LEICESTERSHIRE., mara, Efq; and Charles Loraine Smith, Efq., It has 3 markei on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and four fairs, viz. May 12, and July 5, for horfes, cows, and fheep; Oftober 10, for horfes; cows, fheep, and cheefe, confiderably ; December 8, for hor fes and cows inconfiderable. Harboriugh, 15! miles from Leieefter, and 83! from London, is a great thoroughfare town in the road from Londpn to Derby, ftands on the river Welland, near1 its fource, which feparates it from Northamptonfhire ; it has a free-fchool, and is remarkable for its fair for cattle, which, for want of fields belonging to the town, they are obliged to keep in the next parifh. This town gives the title of Earl to the noble family pf Sherrard. It has a market pn Tuefdays, and, two fairs, viz. on April 29, for horfes, cowr, fheep, and hogs ; and Oftober 19, for ten days, fpr ditto, and pewter, brafs, hats, . and cloaths ; leather the laft day, Cheefe is a capital article all the ten days. Carleton, that is, The Town of Hufbandmen. " Moft of the natives of this town (fays Camden) either from fome peculiar quality of the foil, or water, or other unknown caufe in nature, hath an ungrateful and difficult way of fpeaking, with a harfb gutteral pronunciation, and a ftrange wharling in the utterance of their wprds." Hpwever, the prefent inhabitants, as they re tain no remains of it in their fpeech, fo neither in their memo ry, the moft ancient among them knowing nothing of it. Bofworth, 105! miles from London, ftands pleafantly upon a hill, in a wholefome air and fruitful foil, both for corn and grafs. Near this town the right to the Crown of England was finally determined In a pitched battle j for there, Henry Earl of Richmond, with a fmall body of men, gave battle to Richard HI. who had villainoufry ufurped the crown ; and whilft, for the liberty of his ccuntry, Henry valliantly exppfed his life, he hap- < pily overcame and flew the tyrant ; and in the midft of blood and flaughter, was with joyful acclamations faluted King, having. hy his valour delivered England from the dominion of a tyrant, and LEICESTERSHIRE. mi and by his cpnduft freed the natipn frpm the civil diffentlons which had fo long difturbed it. Hereupon Bernardus Andreas, a poet of TholPufe, who lived in thpfe days, in an ode to Hen ry VII. alludes thus to the rofes, which were the device of that- King; Now the rough tempefts have alt breatk'd their laft, All winds are hufh'd, except the gentle weft,. By whofe. kind gales are blufhing rofes blown,. And happy fpring with all its joys comes on. The exaft place of this battle is frequently more and more did covered by pieces of armour, weapons and other warlike ac-< Coutrements, dug up here ; and efpecially a great many arrow heads were found there, which are of a long and large propor tion, far greater than any now in ufe. There is likewife a little mount caft up, where the common report is, that before the engagement Henry Earl of Richmond made his fpeech for the encouragement of the army. This town has a market on Wed nefdays, and two fairs, viz. on May 8, for horfes, cows, and fheep, and July io, for horfes and cows. .- Lutterworth, 87! miles from London, feated on the rlveF- Swift, in a fertile foil, and is a pretty' good place, is chiefly fa mous for having that great and good divine John Wickliffe, the day ftar of our reformation, for its reftor ; who having drawn his pen aigainft the Pope's authority, and the church of Rome, was npt only grievoufly perfecuted in his life time, but forty-one years after his death, which happened in 1385, bythe command of the Council of Conftance, his body was in a barbarous man- • ner taken out of the grave and burnt. The church is lately beautified with a coftly pavement of chequered ftone, new pews,, and every thing elfe new, both in the church and chancel, except the pulpit, made of thickoak planks, fix feet fquare, with a foam of carved wprk in the jpints, which is preferved, and cpntinued- E e 2 ia, 2:i2 L'E I C E S T E R S H I R %.' In memory of Wipkliffe, whofe pulpit it was if conftant tra4i* tJSfttfmy be credited- This town has a market on Thurfday?, andtwp fairs, viz. on April 2, for horfes, cows, and fheep, and September 14, for ditto and cheefe. Afhby de la Zouch, 17 miles from Leicefter, and 1 14! from. London, which topk its name from the Zpuches, its Lords; has a han^SonMt church, a plentiful market, and a neat ftone- crofs. Its caftle, where King. Charles had a garrifon, was de- molifhed in 1648. The ale of this town is thought not inferior to Burton, and the inhabitants are remarkably fecial and ge: nerous. They have a bowling-green, which is much frequent ed. From the remains of the walls of the Earl of Huntingdon's caftle here, it muft have been one of the principal ones in Eng-. land. King James J. continued here with his whole eourt for feveral days; the dinner being ferved up every day by thirty poor knights, with gold chains and velvet gowns.- There is 3 free-fchool here, endpwed by the EarJ of Huntingdon, to whom the manor belongs. The town is noted for its large manu fafture of hats, in which fome hundreds are employed. This town has a market on Saturdays, and five fairs, viz. on Eafter- Tuefday and Whitfun-Tuefday, fos horfes, cows, and fheep, St. Bartholomew (Auguft 24,) September 24, and St. Siaipn and Jude (Oftober 28,) for horfes and cows. Melton- Mowbray, I of miles frpm Leicefter, and toyi fross 'London, fo called from the Mowbrays, who were Lords of it> is a large well built town. It has the moft confiderable market for cattle of any in this part of England, and is the beft place in the county, next to Leicefter. Its church is remarkably large, handfome, and well-built, in the form of a cfofs ; the town is almoft furrounded by a little river, called the Eye, over which it has two fine bridges. This town has a market on Tuefdays, ^nd three fairs, viz. on the firft Tuefday after January 17, for horfes, and horned cattle ; Whitfun-Tuefday, for horned cattle, horfes, L EI C E S T E R S H I R E." 213 horfes, and flieep, and Auguft, 21, for horfes, horned cattle, and hogs. 'Loughborough, iof miles from Leicefter, and no from Lon don, is plea&ndy fituated among fertile meadows, near the foreft' of charwood, and pn the river Soar, over which it has a bridge. Itis.aneat thriving town with a fpacious church. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and five fairs, viz. on March 28j for barfes and cows; April 25, for fheep, horfes, and cows ; Holy Thurfday, and Auguft 12, for horfes and cows, and Nov. 13, for horfes, cows, and foals. ,' Bafton-Lazers, once noted for an hofpital of Lazars, or Le pers, the richeft in England, to the Mafter of which, all the Lazar houfes in England, were, in fome fort, fubjeft, as he him felf was to the mafter of the Lazars of Jerufalem ; it is faid to have been built in the beginning of the Norman times, by a general colleftion through England, but chiefly by the affiftance pf the Mowbrays. Leland fays it was founded by the Lord Mow* bray, for a Mafter and eight Brethren, which did'profefs the or- -der of St. Auftin, about the reign of Henry I, for about that time the Leprofy, by fome called Elepharitiafis, ran, by infefti* pn, all over England ; and it is believed that the difeafe firft came into this ifland out of Egypt, which more than once fpread itfelf into Europe, firft in the days of Pompey the Great, after wards under Heracllus, and at many other times, as may be feen in hiftory ; but never fo far as we can learn, did it, before that time appear in England. Belton, a village with one fair, on Monday after ^rinity-weBk, for horfes, cows, and fheep, confidei'ably for horfes, Bilfden, 97 1 miles from London, a town with a market on Fridays, and two fairs, viz. on April 23, and July 25, for pew ter, brafs, and toys. Hallaton, 93I miles from London, is feated in a fine rich foil ; jhjs town has a market pn Thurfdays, and two fairs viz. on Ho ly-Thurfday, ai4 LEICESTERSHI RE, ly-Thurfday, and June 13, for horfes, horned cattle, pewter, brafs, and cloaths. Hinkley, 102 miles from London, Is feated near Watling- ftreet, on the edge of the coUnty next Warwickfhire, in a good foil, and is adorned with a handfome Church, which has a lofty fpire. This town has a market on Mondays, and pne fair on Au guft 26, for horfes, cows, fheep, and cheefe. Kegworth, 17 miles from Leicefter, and 116 from London, a village with two fairs, viz. on lEafter-Monday, and Oftober ip, chiefly for toys. Mount-Sorrel, 6 miles from Leicefter, and 1 05 from London, fo named from a high mount, or folid rock, adjoining to the town, of a dufky red, or forrel coloured ftone, extremely hard ; of rough ftones hewn out of this rock the town is built, which was noted formerly for its caftle, and is feated on the river Soar, over which there is a bridge. This town has a market on Mon days, and pne fairpn July 10, for pleafure and toys. Waltham on the Would, 5! miles from Melton -Mowbray, and 1 13 \ from London, is a pretty good town, feated In a whole fome air. This town had a market on Thurfdays, which is now difufed, but It has ftill one fair on September 12, for horfes, horned Cattle, fwine, and goods of all forts. ANTIQUITIES. Barrow-Hill and Erdburrow, fuppofed to be the ancient Ver- ntfhietum. The Bennanes of Antoninus muft be about Cley- brook, on the fouth-weft fide of the cpunty, from the ancient ways crofling here, and frpm the ancient coins, and foundations of buildings, difcovered on both fides of the Roman way ; Bendf- ford-Bridge, not far off, is thpught to have fome relation to the old Bennpnes. Segs-Hill, or Sex-Hill, feven miles from Leicef ter, where fix parifhes centre, and fet the marks of bounds ; it is one of the Ryman Tumuli. Olvefton-Priory, built in the LEICESTERSHI RE. 215 ijeign of Henry II. by Judge Grimbbld. Ulvefcroft-Prlory, found ed and endowed by Robert Blanchmaines, Earl of Leicefter, in the reign of Henry III. Grace-Dieu-Nunnery, founded by Ro- fia, wife of Berhum de Verdum, in the twenty-fourth year of Henry III. for Ciftercian nuns. Nctfar from Higham, near Wat ling-ftreet, a Mahometan talifman was found, wherein was a flat ruddy ftone, engraved with Arabic Characters, Englifhed thus, by Mr. Bedwell : By Mahomet, magnify him, Turn from him each hand that may hurt him. In 1607, an Inhabitant of this neighbourhood, in taking up a great fquare ftone, which lay in Watling-ftreet-way, upon the crofting of another way, that leads to Coventry, met with about 250 pieces of filver, of the coin of Henry III. each of the weight of Three-pence ; there was alfo a gold ring, with a fair ruby in it; another with an agate, and the talifman above-mentioned, made of filver; he found likewife certain great catch-hooks and keepers of filver, with fome links of an old fafhipned great gold chain ; all thefe laid by the fide of the ftone, deep in the ground, and under the fame ftone lay two or three pieces of filver coins, of the Emperor Trajan. This laft circumftance would perfuade us, that the ftone itfelf was a bafis to fome altar dedicated to Trajan, according to that cuftom of the Romans, of laying fome of the prefent Emperor's' coins under the foundation of there buildings, monuments, &c. the fame cuftom they had in thei$ burials, as appears bythe coins found in feveral urns and barrows throughput England ; arid this, perhaps, may account for the ftone and cnins. The mpney, rings, &c. found by the fide of the ftone, Mr. Burton cnnjeftiires to have been the treafure of fome- Jew ; in the fixteenth year of the reign of Edward I. the Jev^ were all banifhed the realm, to the number of 15,000, but their riches were aji to be left behind ; and tbey were not allbwed to tafce 2j6 L A N C A S H I RE. take any money or goods away with them, except only for the neceffary charges of tranfportation. In this difficulty what carr we imagine more probable, than that they buried their treafures under ground, in hopes that the reigns of fucceeding Kings might be more favourable to them. Near Leicefter many curious relicks have been found, particularly Roman coins ; and in the bottom of a cellar was difcovered a piece of Mofaic pavement, repr efent- ing the ftory of Afteon torn to pieces by his own hounds. This is ,an admirable piece of workmanfhip, the ftones being only white and brown, and very fmall ; this piece of Antiquity .is ftill preferved, / . S E AT S of the Nob i i ity, 6a Earl of Huntingdon's at Afhby de la Zouch, and at Donning- ton. — Earl of Stamford's at Bradgate, four miles from Leieeften Earl Ferrer's at Stanton-Harold, two miles from Afhby de la JZoucb.— Earl of Harborough's at Stapleford, fferee miles frorn Melton-Mowbray. — Lord Vifcount Weritworth's at WellfborOugh {ind Kirby-malory, near Hinkley. — Lord Ponfonby's at Syfbnby, two miles from Melton-Mowbray. — Sir George Beaumont's at Cole-Orton. — Sir John D'Anvers-'s at Swithland. — Sir WolftaiJ Dixie's at Market-Bofwprth. — Sir William Halftwd's at Wiftow and Kilby.- Sir John Palmer's at Carlton-Curlew.— Sir Ifaaa Lawrence Woolafton's at Lowefby.— Mr. Wilfon's at Keythorpe. — Mr.'Wollafton's at Shenton-Hall. LANCASHIRE. THIS county, whichts dignified whh the title of Palath% was formerly inhabited by the Brigantes, who fetttled be hind the mountains towards the .weftern ocean, From what- country LANCASHIRE. 217 ebtintry thefe men came, Is *;ot very certain ; this much, how ever, is generally agreed, that they were a warlike people. Ac^ tording to the learned antiquary, Mr. Hollingwortri, formerly fellow of the collegiate church of Manchefter, the ancient inha bitants of Yorkfhire, Laricafhire, Weftmorland; Cumberland', and Durham, were fhe Brigantes, their chief city was York, fome times called Brigantia. It is Dr. Leigh's opinion, that the Brigantes wete Originally PhamicianS. This flourifhing county lies pent up between Yorkfhire on the Eaft, and the Irifli fea to the weft ; but, bn the fouth fide, towards Chefhire, it is broader, and by little and little, as , it fhoots out to the north, where it borders iipon Weftmorland, it grows narrower ; and there, by the breaking in pf the fea; it is divided by an arm thetepf, fo that 3 confiderable part lies beypnd the bay, arid joins fo Cum berland. It is 6'8 miles in length from north to fouth; and 40 in Breadth from Eaft to Weft. It contains 27 market towns, 894 villages, and between 6a and 70 pariflies, as they were computed upon an ecclefiaftical furvey; made in the beginning of the reign of King James I. (fome of which are very large; and far exceed ing the greateft any where elfe in number of parishioners.) It enjby£ a Serener air than any other Maritime county, being the; leaft fubjeft to fogs ; fo that the pepple are generally ftrong and healthy, except near the fens and fea-fhore ; there are indeed fdme liftwhole'fome fpots, called moffes, which, notwithftanding^ take amends for thefe inconveniences, by benefits which very tiiiich overbalance therii ; for the furface of them, being pared off, makes an excellent fat turf for fuel, and fometimes they yield trees, which have either grown under gtoUnd, or lain long buried there. In many parts they find great plenty of marl to manure their ground; whereby the foil, which was reckoned incapable of producing corn, is fo kindly improved, that we may rather fuppofe mankind too blame for their idlenefs, than the earth for ingratitude., The fociety which was eftablifh- ed in this county For the improvement of agriculture a few yedrs s- 10 F f ago, 2i'$ LANCASHIRE. ago, has already been produftive of the moft happy effefts; The ' foil, where plain and level, yields plenty of wheat and barley; and though the hilly parts on the eaft-fide are generally ftony and barren, yet the bottoms of thofe hills produce excellent oats and potatoes. The paftures render the cattle of a larger fize than thofe of any other county, and their horns wider and bigger. •Here is plenty of timber, coal and cannel coal (which not only -makes a much clearer fire than pit coal, but is capable, of a polifli like marble, and will not foil a handkerchief, though as black as jet) with mines of lead, iron, and copper, *and quarries of ftone, &c. The principal rivers are, the Merfey, the Ribble, the Wire, the Lone, or Lune, the Ken, the Irk, the Irwell, &c. King Edward III. made this a County Palatine in favour of his fon, John of Gaunt. It has a court which fits in the Dutchy Cham- her, at Weftminfter, for the revenues of the dutchy; and a Chan cery Court at Prefton ; the feal for the County Palatine is diffe rent from that of the office kept in Gray's-Inn, London, for the Dutchy, which is for Lands that are not in the county. This 'county from Edward III. time, always gave the title of Duke to a branch of the Royal family, till the union of the houfes of Yprk and Lancafter, diftinguifhed by the white and red rofes, in the marriage of Henry Vii, of the Lancafter line, with Eliza beth, heirefs of the houfe of York. This county fends two Mem bers to Parliament, who at prefent are, Thomas Stanley, Efq , cpufin to the earl pf Derby, and jphn Blackburne, Efq. Lancafter, 89 miles frpm Yprk; 73 from Chefter ; 47 from Appleby, 69 from Carlifle; 114 from Derby, and 233 from London, the fhire town, has its name from the river Lone, on the fide of which it is fituated, about fix'miles from its mouth, and gives name to the whole county ; it is the ancient Longo- vicum mentioned in the Itinerary. Here are fiequently found the coins of Roman Emperors, efpecially where the Benedictine Triars had a cloyfter, which they fay was the area of an ancient <$ty burnt to the ground in 1322, by the Scots. After this con flagration LANCASHIRE, v.t% flagration they built nearer to the river, by a green hill, upon, which ftands a caftle, and on the top of it a handfome church *. at the bottom pf It there is a very fine bridge over the Lone, and pn the fteepeft part of it hangs a piece of very ancient Roman, wall, nnw called Wery-wall, probably from the latter Britifli name of the town, who called it Caer-Werld, that is, ef green City,; in all likelihood from the green hill above mentioned. In digging a cellar feveral cups were found that had been ufed in facrifices^ Camden fays, In his time the inhabitants were all hufbandmen j^ but it is now more remarkable for commerce than agriculture, being at prefent a thriving corporation, with a tolerable harbour and cuftom-houfe, and is governed by a Mayor, a Recorder, fe ven Aldermen, two Bailiffs, twelve capital Burgeffes, twelve Common Burgeffes, a Town^Clerk, and two Sergeants at mace ; King John confirmed to, the Burgeffes all the liberties he had granted to thofe of Briftol; and King Edward III, granted to the Mayor and Bailiffs, that pleas and feffions fhould be held- here, and no where elfe in the county.. The county affizes are held in the Caftle, which is pne of the faireft monuments of an tiquity in this kingdom. The ditch was made by the Emperor Adrian, in the year 124, and the garrifon he placed there, ereft ed for their better fecurity, a tower towards the Weft. In the year 305, Conftantine Chlorus, father of Conftantine the Great, built another tower facing the town ; both of which are nqw ftand ing. The beautiful tower, now called the Gatehoufe, was ereft ed by John Earl of Morton and Lancafter, afterwards King of England. In the fhire hall, above the bench, are the King's arms, 'with W. M. above, and below this infcription, Let judg ment run down as waters, and right eoufnkfs as a mighty ftream. Veffels of tolerable burthen go from hence tp America, with earthen and hardware, woollen manufaftures, &c. and import from thence fugar, rum, cotton wool, &c. It is perhaps at pre-.. fent one ofthe moft flourifhing towns in the kingdom, but its com merce indeed received- a very fevere fhock the laft war, the great-. F f *. <$r 22o LANCASHIRE. eft part of the fhips, (chiefly Weft-India- men,) haying been la- ken by the enemy? but fince the peace the trade of this port has. increafed fo much, that the fhipping are more than doubled, and from every appearance, it may be fafely eonjeftured the cpmr merce of the town wiU ftill be extended. In order to render the navigation mpre complete, and to remedy an inconvenience at tending large yeffels, poming aground under their cargos in the river ; a dock has lately been built, at a confiderable expence about 5 riii^es dpwn tbe river, fufficient at prefent to contain about 20/aiI of fhips, but by fpme further extenfion pf the place, may be made to. contain 200 pr 300 veffels ; the tide at the gates of the prefent dock rifes to the height of 30 feet or upwards a£ fpring tides, which is confiderably more than what it flows at Liverpool dock-gates.- The fhips lay conftantly afloat in about 17 feet of water. A bridge has been, lately built oyer {he river Lone making a part of the great North road. This ft^u^ure for elegance and ex cellence of workmanfhip may vie whh any npw known. It con fifts of 5 eliptical arches die fpace of each 68 feet ; an apperture entirely through the centre of each piece, finifhes w^h a very handfpme dpric portico, not only gives a light appearance to the whole of this bridge, but adds greatly to its beauty. The numbpr of very handfome houfes lately built, and others, ftill building by the inhabitants muft of courfe add greatly to, the beauty pf this town. Its charitable inftitutions do credit to the inhabitants ; 50 boys and 40 girls are annually clpthed and edu cated; and for the relief of frich poor perfons who during fick- nefs are not enabled tp provide rnedicine, and the attendance of the faculty, a difpejifary has been inftituted, which has already dope much good, and does credit to the town of Lancafter. There has lately been a new town-hall built, and a fteeple to the fhapel, whichwasgiyenbythelateMr. Thomas Bows, and coft 500I. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Abraham Rawlinfon, Efq ; and Sir George Warren, K. B. fr hag LANCASHIRE. 221 Jias a market on Saturdays, arid three fairs, viz. on May 1, for .cattle, cheefe, apd pedlary ; July 5, and Oftober 10, fpr wppl, pedlary, cattle, and cheefe. Garftang, iof miles from Lancafter, and 222| from- London, is a pleafant little town on the river \yire, mid- way between Lan- pafter and Preftpn. This town has a market pn Thurfdays, an^ (three fairs, viz. on Holy-Thurfday, for horned cattle ; July 21, and December 3, for wool, cloth, and horned cattle. Prefton, or as Camden defines it, Priefts Town, 2% miles from Lancafter, and 2 1 2 from London, Is faid to have rifen out of phe ruins of Ribblechefter. It is a beautifiil Place, and has ^wq large ftone bridges over the RibhleA which plentifully fupplies it with fifh, coal, and other commodities. This town, for its Situation, delightful eminence, handfome ftreets, large and ccn- venient market p^ace, and variety pf company that live here, is reckoned one of the prettieft retirements in England. Its Sa turday's inarket is as confiderable as any florfh of Trent, for corn, fifh, fowl, &c. In the neighbpurhpod of this town large quantities of coarfe linen-cloths are manufaftuxed, Ipipwn by the. name of Prefton- cloths. ,-There are traces of a Roman military - way over the neighbpuring Common, from Ribcbefter to the - piouth of the Ribblp. It is a very gay town, thp refidence of fhe officers belonging to the Chancery of the County Palatine, apd is called Prou,d Prefton, though not pear fo rich as Liver pool, or Manchefter. It Is remarkable for the defeat of the Duke of Hamilton near it in 1648, when, he came tp refcue King Charles I. from his imprifonment ; and alfo for the defeat of thp Englifh Rebels, under General Fofter, who. took arms againft King George I. on the 12th of November, 17 15, the very fame day the Septs Rebels were routed at, Dumblain, which is abcve 200 miles distance. The town was incorporated by King Henry II. and had privileges and large /immunities granted and cpnfirraed by feveral of his fucceffors. It is governed by a Mayor, Recorder, eight Aldermen, four under Aldermen, fe- venteeq 222 LANCASHIRE. venteen Common-council-men, and a Town-clerk. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Hen ry Hoghton, Bart, and the Rt. Hon. John Burgoyne, a Lieut., Gen. of his Majefty's forces, and Col. of the 4th reg. of foot. This town has a market on Wednefdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and three fairs, viz. on the firft Saturday after Epith. (January 6,) for horfes chiefly ; March 27, for horfes and horned cattle, and September 7, for coarfe-cloths, and fmall wares. Befides the- foregoing fairs, every 20th year is held a Guild or Jubilee, which begins the laft week in Auguft, and continues a month, whereto refort perfons of the firft rank from all parts, even from London, The laft Guild was in the year 1781. Chorley,' 10 miles fouth-eaft of Prefton, is only a village, yet enjoys three fairs annually, viz. on May 5, and Auguft 20, fop horned cattle, and on September 5, for toys and fmall wares. Newton, 7! miles from Wigan, and 187! from London, is an ancient borough by prefcription, governed by a Steward, Bailiff, and Burgeffes, and ftands almoft in the center between Wigan and Warrington ; it is chiefly noted for a charlty-fchool, which was founded In 1707, and endowed with 2000I. by Mr. Hornby, where children are taught to read, write, arid caft accompts, and are allowed every frhool-day a dinner ; befides which there are ten boys and ten girls lodged in a neighbouring hofpital, where they are provided with all other neceffaries till they are fourteen years of age. The reftory of Winwick, to which Newton is only a chapel, is famous for being one of the beft benefices in England. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Thomas Peter Leigh, Efq ; and Thomas Brooke, Efq. It has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs annually, viz. cn May 17, and Auguft 12, for horfes, cattle, and toys. Leigh, 6| miles from Warrington, and i88| fromLondon, is a very induftrious thriving little town, in which, and the neigh bourhood, vaft quantities of fuftians are manufactured, and car ried to Manshefter ipt fafe. Wigan, LANCASHIRE. 2ii Wigan, 40 miles from Lancafter, and 195 from London, ftands pleafantly fituated near the rife of a rivulet, called Douglas. It was formerly famous for the manufafture of coverlets, rugs, blankets, and bed-ticks ; but, there is not any fuch kind of bed ding manufafture carried on now. Very. confiderable quantities of linen, cheques, calicoes, fuftians, &c. are manufactured here ; and the braziery, pewtery, brafs-foundry, ironrfoundry and iron forgery bufineffes, find employment for a great num ber of hands. Very near the market place and centre of the town, and oppofite the old town-hall, or court-houfe, (in which are elefted the reprefentatives and magiftrates for the borough) was erefted in the year 1784, a very large and convenient brick build ing, or cloth hall, in which are expofed to fale (by the makers} during the Afcenfion and St. Simon and St. Jude fairs, very large quantities of Yorkfhire and Lancafhlre woollen cloths, bedding, flannels of all forts, calamancos, muffins, Irifh linens, and a variety of heavy, well made fuftians ; as alfo hardware of all kinds, with jewellery and many other forts of goods. The number of people who come here from many miles round the country, to fupply themfelves, is aftonifhirfg, and gives the cloth-hall and entrance into.it the refemblance of a bee hive, during the height of the market. Fprmerly the clothiers, &c. who now occupy this place, were obliged to expofe their wares in the open ftreets, which, befides the inconvenience to themfelves and their cuf- tpmers, from heavy rains, cpld, winds, &c was fometimes attend ed with confiderable damage to their goods. Each manufaft urer now finds a very comfortable fhpp, to exppfe his wares in, and to invite cuftomers, who may, in this building, look at, and examine the whole it contains, with convenience and fecurity from the wea ther, and may have an opportunity of eafily chufing, in a fhort time, from fo large an affortment, fuch goods as will beft fuit their wants. This hall is in the fhape of an oblong fquare, the entrance into which is by a large gate-way, in the centre of the front wall ; on each fide and at the bottom., are a number of Shops 424 LANCASHIRE. fhops of different fizes, upon the ground floor : iii the middle il a double row of fhops, facing thofe on each fide, and round which, there are two ftreets, or alleys, on the right and left hand, as foon as you are through the gates, there are two flights of ftone fteps, which lead into rooms, over the fhops on the out-fides of the building : in the middle, and facing the entrance, and at ihe bottom are two more, which lead into a large, broad room over the double row of fhops in the centre, and from which; there is a communication with the two putfide rooms, all of which are- divided into feparate flails by brick partitions and have folding doors, Which lock up. The gates are opened at ten o'clock in thei friomings, and clofed at five in the evenings at the Oftober, and at nine in the mornings, and feven in the evenings, at the May fairs. For the fafety of the goods depofited there, a guard, with lire arms, parades from the fhutting to the openihg of the gates; From the great Cncreafe of people who have attended the cloth mar ket here fince the building was erefted, it promifes to become a beneficial undertaking for the public, as well as to the owner. Wigan Spaw, or new Harrowgate, is a ftiong fUlphureous water; lately difcovered in boring for coal in a field hear the Scoles Bridge ; it is faid to greatly referable the water of HarloWgate in Yorkfhire, only that it does not contain fo much faline matter as that does: it contains a confiderable quantity of! a Veryfine fulphur; and has been found ufeful in moft complaints for. which fulphur waters have been recommended : it has been "taade ufe of in a variety of cpmplaints; and frequently with good ~ effeft : ampngft others, the following, may particularly be men tioned, fore eyes, particularly thofe that have been of long ftand ing ; old fore legs, and other old fores ; fcald heads, the fcurvy, itch, and many other eruptions, or cutaneous complaints, fcro- Fulous fores, &c. in all thefe diforders, patients have frequently5 been known to obtain a perfeft cure by the ufe pf this water. There is now a very elegant building erefted for the ufe of thofe who* LANCASHIRE. 225 who refort to this fpring, with conveniences for drinking the Wa ter, and for ufing it either as a hot or cold bath. The town within thefe three or four years paft, has verymuch in creafed in buildings, but, thefe have been chiefly for handicrafts men, of different defcriptions. A new ftreet is laid out, and a few handfome buildings erefted, in a commodious and pleafant Situa tion for gentlemen, manufafturers, and tradefmen, which willdpen a much nearer communication from almoft the extremity of one part of die town to the other. Much bufinefs is done on the canal from this town to Liverpool, and when a junftion is made with the Leeds canal, as well as the Duke of Bridgewater's at Worfley, which is expected will be, ere long ; for fituation, and other local advantages, it may vie with any town in the comity. Ail the neighbourhood for fome mijes round, abounds with excellent pit-coal; and in Haigh, Afpull, Ince, and feveral 'places near this town, are very plentiful mines of canel-Caa'l; befides the clear flame it yields in burning, it has been curioufly polifhed into the appearance of bluck marble, -and formed into bufts, urns, vafes, candlefticks, fugar bafone, fnuff-boxes, ink- ftands, and-many other fuch forts isf articles; which have been prefented as curiofities, and met with gsod acceptance, both at home and abroad. Some years fince, near this town was a well, which did not appear to be a fpring,- but jraither rain water ; at - firft fight there was nothing about it that feemed extraordinary, but upon emptying it, there prefently broke out a fulphureous va-^ pour, which made the water bubble up as* if- it boiled. When a candle was put to it, it prefently took fire, and burned like bran dy; theflame, in a' calm feafon, Would continue fometimes a whole day, by the heat whereof they could boil e£gs, meat, &c. though the water was cold: By thisbubbling the water, did riot increafe, but was'BWly kept in motion hy the boftfertt halitus of the vapours breaking out! The fa«ne Water, taken ©Ut of the well, would not burn, nor the mud hpo»i >«&ich the hahttis had beat- «i ; "and'tliis-fhewsythatii was not fo.rnmjh-the water that took fire, Gg as 326 LANCASHIRE. as fome bituminous or fulphureous fumes that broke out there. This burning well (as it was called) is loft, fuppofed to be owing to tlie coal-works about the Hawkley derriefne, (near where, it was) experiments may be made in many places in Wigan and die neighbourhood fimilar to it, and it is faid by the miners, thefe places are generally found, where is what they call a fault, which may be perceived by little bubbles of water on the top of the ground, ditches, or other places, and which will immediately take fire on applying a lighted candle thereto ; or, (as it has been found to be nothing, more than the fiery damp,), if collected into a bladder, by putting a lighted candle to it, will make an explo sion like a cannon : from fuch exhalations, it is faid, proceed, the Will with a Whifp, or, Jack with a Lanthorn, or, as they are ' eommprily, (though vulgarly) called in Lancashire, a going fire. It hasaftateiy church, well endowed, and the Reftor is ahvays Lord of the Manor. It is a corporation erefted by king Henry I, and governed by a Mayor, Recorder, twelve Aldermen, two Bailiffs, - a Sword-bearer, and a Mace-bearer. This town fends two Mem bers to Parliament, who at prefent are, John Cotes, Efq; bro ther-in-law to Lord Loughborough, and to Sir John Wottefley* Bart, and Orlando Bridgeman, Efq ; eldeft fon of Sir Henry Bridgeman, Bart. It has a market on Mondays and Fridays, and three fairs, viz, on Holy-Thurfday, and Oftober 28 for horfes i horned cattle, and cloth, and June 27, (which is held in the , Scoles,) for horfes and horned cattle. Liverpool, 55 miles from Lancafter, and 202 from London, is not a very ancient town, but very neat and'populous; and the : moft flourifhing fea port in this kingdom, except Londori, being ! now fuperior to Briftol, as is very evident by a comparifon of their exports and Imports ; it is bounded on the north fide by the townfhip of.Kirkdale, on the weft by the river Merfey,"on the ;; South by Toxteth-Park, and on the eaft. by Low-Hill and Evei?- ton. The liberties of Liverpool contain 11 04 fquares; of 90 yards, each f^de, which is equal, to 2102 aeres; of thefe about goo* LANCASHIRE. XX,-, 227 900 acres belong to the Corporation, andthe reft* much, that it now maintains 200 boys and girls, the ariiiual -expancs pf which amounts to near 14O0I. The Infirmary was began about the year 1745, when a fubfcrip tion was opened by the principal inhabitants pf Liverpool. On the rjth of March, 1749, the houfe was opened for the aditfiif- fton of patients; the firft .year tbey admitted 122 in, and 72 out-patients; in theyear 177 1 they admitted 604 in, and 1095 OT-patients. Prom tbe annual reports; it appears, that the whole ftock s3o L A N C A S H IR E. ftock of the Infirmary amounts to 3300I. the intereft. of which is only 156I. per annum; this, with 20I. rent from the Sailors'. Hofpital, is all the fupport which this inftitution has from its funds. Its neceffary difburfements are upwards of 1000 per an num; it muft therefore receive annual fubferiptions and benefac-. ions, to the amount of 900I. and upwards; to preferve it in its prefent ftate. — In the wings adjoining to the Infirmary, is an Hofpital for decayed feamen, their widows and children. This hofpital is fupported by the monthly allowance of Six-pence, which every feaman, failing from the port of Liveipool is obliged, by Aft of Parliament, to pay out of his wages. — There has been for feveral years a confiderable colleftion made for a Difpefifary, arid about four years ago a large elegant building was erefted, this, charity is well fupported, and found to be exceeding bene ficial. A neat, convenient, arid fpacious Poor-houfe; was be gun in March, 1770; and finifhed for the reception of the.' poor In Auguft, 177 1 ; the whole expence was near 8000I. the , building will contain fix hundred inhabitants, and has at prefent about four hundred. The yearly expence of maintaining them is, upon an average, about 5I. 10s, per head, befides lodging, and officers falaries, which laft amounts to 300I. per annum. The poor are employed in fpinning cotton in the houfe, and fome of the moft able of thepld men in cleaning the ftreets and quays. — The third dafs of public ftruftures are thpfe which are intended for the purpofe of bufinefs. Of thefe the moft confiderable is, the Exchange, conveniently fituated ; lately there was no point of view from which it could be feen to advantage, but now it is feen from the Cuftom-houfe Dock, having at the fame time St. George's church in full view, from an improvement that is 2t this time taking place. It is a handfome edifice, built of ftone, with two fronts ; each of which confifts of an elegant range of Coriri-. thian columns, fupporting a pediment, and fupported by a well-: proportioned ruftic bafement. In the pediment of the grand front is a piece of fculpture well executed, which exhibits Cpmmerce committing LANCASHIRE. 23* eommitting her treafures to the care of Neptune. Above' the ceintraof thegrand front, was a dome covered with lead, upon which was erefted a light turret, which afforded an agreeable vi^w of the town and its environs, but now taken away to give place for fomething more ufeful and elegant. The Cuftom- Houfe, conveniently fituated at the eaft end of the Old Dock, is a neat brick building, ornamentpd at the angles and win dows with ftone. A fmall flight of fteps in the f ront leads to an open lobby or piazza, above which is the Long Room, or chief place for tranfafting the bufinefs of the cuftoms, with other offi ces. Behind the building is a fpacious yard, with proper ware- houfes. — The Docks for the reception of the fhipping, being a- mohg the moft ufeful works, and the principal objefts of curio- fity in the town of Liverpool, deferve a particular defcription. There are five public docks ; three of which are fo conftrufted with flood-gates, as to inclofe a fufficient depth of water to keep the fhips afloat in all times of the tide ; the other two are called Dry Docks, becaufe the water is not confined in them by flood gates, and are the common entrance into the reft. The follow ing table fhews the capacioufnefs and relative magnitude of the Docks. ¦' Square Yards Length of Quay. The South Dock has 21928 640 Yards". Old Dock 16832 652 North Dock 25300 670 Dry Dock 1959° 360 :r ' :New Dry Dock 8100 334 91750 2656 - The whole i3 an area of almoft eighteen acres, bounded by com modious quays above a mile and an half in length, confequently capable of accottimodating above 30,000 tons of fhippirigj all with their broad fides to the quay at onetime, befides fufficient '¦¦ . fpfce i$i L'AN C A S H I R 1. fpace .in the middle; of the Docks for fhips unemployed. BefideS thefethere are feveral fmall docks, called Graving Docfess which are formed with flood-gates to admit Dr exclude the water at plea fure. Thefe admit of two or three veffels at one time, for the pur pofe of repairing them.-r-On the weft fide of the North Dock, by the river fide, is a pier, upon which is a pleafant parade 320 yards inlength, andibbroad as not to be at all incommoded by the bu finefs of the fhipping, which commands a .noble view of the har bour, from the. rock point, or Commencement of the fea, to the diftance of feveral miles up the river, and a beautiful landfcape on the Weft or Chefhire fide. Thefe great works have been executed at the expence of the Corporation, and have coft very Confiderable film's. The laft New Dock lately frnifbed, coft up wards of 2i.,oool, to thefe docks will foon be added other-two large wet, and a large dry dock, with two or three grayeing docks, the hafon and lacgeft wet dock will in a few months be compleat, they will be larger than any of the above defcribed docks or b&- fons. — In a room erefted for the purpofe in Lord-Street, Is a valuable Library of , modern bppks; fupported by upwards pf three hundred fubferibers, and condufted with great care and , judgment, by a Prefident and Committee annually chofen. — The Theatre Royal, in Williamfon's-fquare, is a large and handfome .building, elegantly finifhed, both on the outfide and within. This Theatre, which cofi near 6000I. was built by the fubfcrip tion of thirty gentlemen, who receive from the managers, for their refpeftive fliares, 5I. per cent, and a ticket entitling 'the bearer to attend every night of performance,' in iny part of the houfe. There has been built within thefe three years afuperh Mufic- Hall, fufficient to contain 1 500 auditors ; it has an exceed ing handfome orcheftre, an organ built and fet up by the famous' .BaumgartOn, and weU.adapted for the room, it is very ornament ally painted, and ort the- evening performances light up in an ele gant manner, by a large beautiful glafs- chandelier, pendant in thtf centre, and feveral other fmaller ones ; the building 16 the • .large? LANCASHIRE. 233 targeft and beft adapted. for the purpofe of any In the kingdom, it fras built as the theatre, by private fubfcription, and belongs in Shares to a number of gentlemen. — Among the public places the Terrace, at the fouth end of the town, called St. James's Walk, deferves to be mentioned. It is upon an agreeable eleva tion, which commands an extenfive and noble profpeft, includ ing the town, the river, the Chefhire land, the Welch mountains, and the fea. It Is of a confiderable length, and much imprevi ed ljy.art. Behind this eminence is a ftone quarry which plenti fully fupplies the town for every purpofe of building ; there is found here a good chalybeate water, which appears upon trial to be little inferior to many of the fpaws. — The Canal from Liver pool to Leeds was begun in 1770 ; it is 108 miles in length, and how proves of great ufe to this town, and the whole country round through which it paffes, particularly in the immenfe quan* tity of coal which is brought from the Vicinity of Wigati, for ex portation as well as the town Confumption; likewife the rivet Merfey communicates alfo to the Duke of Bridgewater's canals, and ether waters which takes great quantities of goods, particu larly timber, and returns rock fait, and various kinds of manufaftu- ry. The town of Liverpool, though lately rifen to its confequence as a commercial port, is an ancient borough. It is faid to have received a Charter fo early as from Henry I. but the earlieft char- ter which remains, is that from King John, in 1203. By the charter granted William III. In 1695, and confirmed fey Ge°Fge II. in 1752, it was ordained, that in order to preferve tbe peace, &c. there Should he the following officers and minifteps, viz. forty-one good and difcreet perfons, who fhould be called the Common Council of Liverpool, out of which fhould be yearly chofen a Mayor, a Recorder, and two Bailiffs; and that the Mayor, Recorder, fenior Aldermen, and preceding Mayor fliould aft as -Magiftrates to keep the peace in the faid town. The ftreets in this town are tolerably lighted with lamps during the winter feafon, and in general well paved, and kept as clean Hh as «34 LANCASHIRE. as, confidering the populoufnefs of the place, can be expected by a late aft of parliament the corporation have great power of taking down nuifancefs and improving the town, which they are now doing, and is fuppofed will not expend lefs than the fum Of ioo,oool, all the new ftreets that are opening are made fpa- jcious and convenient, and will greatly add to the commerce of the town. This town fends two Members to Parliament, who at prefent are, Bamber Gafcoyne, Efq, and the Rt. Hon. Richard, (Pennant) Lord Penrhyn in the kingdom of Ireland. It has a mar ket on Saturdays, and two fairs, viz. on July 25, and November 1 if for horfes and horned cattle. .^Prmjkirk, iof miles from Wigan, and 2055- from London* is a handfome town, with a good inland trade ; but is of moft note for a bituminous earth, from which an oil, refembling that pf amber, is extrafted, that preferves raw fleih, and ferves the pountry people inftead of candles ; and in the neighbourhood there is a mineral fpring, called Maudlin-Well, handfomely wal led in,- and covered ; the. waters of which have performed no table; cures. It Is impregnated with fulphur, vitriol, oker, and a marine fait, united with a bitter purging fait. It formerly threw up marine Shells in great quantities, notwithftanding it is fituated far from the, fea, or any fait rivers, till they found a way to keep $Jiem down, together with the fand, by laying mill-flones upon the fpring. This is the burial place of the Stanleys, Earls of Derby, whofe chief feat was Latham, in the neighbourhood,/ a houfe large and ftately, which from the time of Henry IV. had been continually enlarging. Latham is memnrable for that per fonal and fuccefsful defence of it, made by Charlotta, the loyal Coifptefs of Derby, againft a long and clofe fiege of the Parliat i$ent wmyi in the year 1644. In this neighbourhood were two large Meers, known by the name of Mertin-Meer ; the larger of Which was drained about ninety years ago, and in draining it they found no lefs than eight canoes, which in figure and di- menfion, were not much unlike thofe that are ufed in America. This LANCASHIRE. -«&<¦ Thfs town has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs, ori Whit fun-Monday, and September 8, for horned cattle and horfes.'"3 - Prefcot, 8 miles from Liverpool, and 194 from London, is fituated about mid-way betwixt Liverpool and Warrington. It ftands upon the declivity of a hill, and is much noted for rwt> excellent inns. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and twb fairs, viz. on June 12, and All-Saints, (Nov. 1.) for horned; Cattle, horfes, fmall wares and toys. Warrington, 52 miles from Lancafter, and 182 from London, has a fine ftone bridge over the river Merfey, leading into Che- Shire ; it is a pretty large, neat, opulent and rich town. As ft lies on the great road to Carlisle and Scotland, it has always been hitherto judged to be a pafs of the utmoft importance in time of war and rebellion ; and therefore the Englifh forces took care to fe cure it during the rebellion in 1745. The town has a good country trade, and formerly had a particular market every week for linen cloth. This town was anciently remarkable for its Lords; the But lers, who obtained for it the privilege of a market from Edward I. In the fecond year of King William and Queen Mary, Henry Booth, Lord Delamere, of Dunham-Maffey, (fon of the emi nently loyal Sir George Booth) was created Earl of Warrington, which title is now extinct. The river Merfey on which this town is feated, abounds with very fine falmon, and vaft quantities of fparlings or fmelts. This town has a market on Wednefdays, and two fairs, viz. on July 18, and St. Andrew's day, (November 30,) for horfes, horned cattle, arid cloth. ¦^anchefier,\i\ miles from Warrington ; 3fefting of One.M^ te-r, or keeper, eight Fellow Chaplains, four 'Cle»ks, ; and .fix Chorifters, in honour of St. Mary, St. Qemris of France, aiad St> George for England, towhomthefaid parifhchnrchwasfornaer- ly dedicated: this foundation was diflblved in 1547, in the firftyear' of King Edward VI. the lands and revenues of it taken into the King'shands, and by him demifed to the. Earl of Derby,, and the Coll ege-houfe and fome lands fold to the faid Earl ; the Col lege was refounded by Queen Mary, who reftored moft of its. lands and revenues, only the College itfelf, and fome of the re*. venues, remained ftill in the hands of the Earl of Derby ; it was alfo founded a new by Queen Elizabeth, in the year 1578, by the name of Chrift-College in Manchefter, confifting of one Warden, four fellows, two Chaplains, four Singing-men, and four chorifters, the number being leffoned, becaufe the revenues were fo, chiefly by tha cavetoufnefs and falfe dealing of Thomas Herle, then Warden, and his fellows, who fold away, andmade fuch long leafes, as cpuld never yet, fome of them, be , totally 1 retrieved. It was laft of all rebounded by King Charles I. in the year 1636, constituting therein one Warden, four Fellows, two Chaplains, four Singing-men, and four Chorifters, and incor porating them by the name of the Warden and Fellows of Chrift's College in Manchefter ; the ftatutes of the fame being drawn yep by Archbifhop Laud. The church >is very iarge and beautiful* 2^8 LANCASHIRE, beautifuj^jpjith a choir remarkable for its curious carved work.^- In 1 7 1 2, a new parifh was erefted in this town, and a new church built in it which was dedicated to St. Ann. — A third church was built in 1756, which was dedicated to St. Mary. — A fourth Church was built in 1765, which was dedicated to St. Paul. — A fifth church was built in 1769, by Edward Byrom, Efq ; which was dedicated to St. John the Baptift ; this church is a very ele gant ftrufture, as, indeed; all the reft of the churches in this town are. — Trinity-church, in Salford, was re-built about the year 1757. The Blue-Coat Hofpital was founded by Humphry Chetham, . Efq ; that great example of induftrious improvement, and incor porated by King Charles II. defigned by that bountiful benefac- < tor, for the maintenance of forty poor boys, put of the town, and parifh of Manchefter, and fome other neighbouring parifhes, but fince then it is enlaiged to the number of fixty, by the Go vernors of the faid Hofpital ; the boys are to be taken in betwixt die age of fix and ten, there to be maintained with meat, drink, and cloaths ; and at the age of fourteen to be bound apprentices to fome honeft trade or calling, at the charge of the faid Hofpi tal, for the maintenance of which, he endowed it with the year ly revenue of 420 1. which is fince improved by the care and' good husbandry of the Feoffees, or Governors, who laid out 1825 1. in the purchafe of land, which was faved out of the year ly income, over and above the expences of the foundation. Within this hofpital, by the bounty of the above founder, is al fo erefted a fair and fpacious library, furnifhed with a noble col-/ leftipncf choice and valuable books, in various languages, arts and fciences ; the founder fettled 1 16 1. per annum, upon this li brary fp^r pyerj to buy books, and to afford a competent falary for a JLib^ry-ILeeper ; there is alfo a large fchool for hofpital boys* wjigrp they are daily inftrufted, and taught to read, write, and keep accounts. — TheFree-grammar-School was founded in theyear 1519, by Hugh Oldham, D. D. Bifhop of Exeter, vhea bought the lands on which the fchool ftands, and took the mills there, LANCASHIRE. % there, in leafe, of the Lord de la Ware, for fixty year*. After wards, with the Bifhop's money, Hugh Bexwlck, and Joan hii After, purchafed of the Lord Delaware, his lands in An- coats, and the mills upon the river Irk, and left them in feof- unent to the Free-School for ever; which revenues are of late very much increafed, by the Feoffees of the fchool, who out of the Improvements, have as well cenfiderably augmented the Ma fters falaries, as the Exhibitions annally allowed, towards the maintainance pf fuch fchplars at the Univerfity, as the Wardeti of the College, and the High Mafter, fhall think requifite, and have, befides, many years fince, added a third Mafter, for whom they erefted a cenvenient fchpol, at the end of the 6ther. Nor ought the memory of the generous William Hulme, of Broad- - ftone, Efq; be fuffered to fink in oblivion, fince he has nobly added to the benefaftions of the public fchool, four Exhibitions. Thefcholars are to be Bachelors of Arts, in the College of Bra- zen*Nofe, in Oxford, thefe are to be elefted by the Warden of Manchefter, , the Reftbr of Bury, and the Parfon of Preftwich, then living : thefe Exhibitions are now very valuable, and thefe they are to hold till they have commenced Mafter of Arts. The Grammar-School is now in fuch high repute, that fcholars are fent to it from every part of the three kingdoms ; fo that be fides the three Mafters, there aretwo Ufhers, or Affiftants. — The Infirmary, which ftands in an airy, healthful fituation, at the top of a ftreet, called Market-Street-Lane, was firft opened for the admiffion of patients in the year 1752. The number of patients admitted from the, .24th of June 1773, to the 24th of June 1774, amounted to 1807, and the expence of fupporting them during that time, amounted to 1426I. 6s. 9fd. 838I. 8s. 6d. of which was annual fubfcriptiOns. The total number bf patients admitted fince the firft opening of this charity, till the 24th of June 1774, amounted to 27,889. This excellent charity does trot confine its benefits to the poor of its own town and neigh bourhood alone, but extends them to all whom ficknefs or mifsfortune 843 LANCASHIRE. misfortune may lead to apply for affiftance or relief, from whak ever quarter they may come ; provided, that their cafes be fuch as come within the nature and purppfeof the inftitution. Tp this humane inftitution, the extenfive benevolence of fome private ¦gentlemen, has lately admitted another, that of a Lunatic Hof pital, adjoining to the Infirmary, at the expence of near 3000I. Where patients of this kind are admitted upon the moft eafy terms ; placed under the care of fkilfulphyficians and furgeons, and di ligently attended by proper officers and fervants ; an afylum long and greatly wanted by thofe, the moft pitiful of human beings, who could obtain no cure or guard upon their perfons, and much lefs a profpeft of a cure, without being fubjeft to fuch -extortions in private mad-houfes, as few moderate fortunes could bear. A Lock Hofpital has lately been opened in the neighbour' hood of the Infirmary, for the reception of patients afllifted with the venereal difeafe, which promifes fair for becoming extreamiy ufeful to thofe unhappy wretches, who are rendered burthen- fome to themfelves and to fociety, by the malignity of this in famous diforder. The Poor Houfe is a large convenient build ing, fituated near the upper end of Deanfgate; in which the poor are treated with a tendernefs and humanity which reflects the higheft honour Oh the officers of the town. The Exchange is a handfome modern edifice, conveniently fituated in ihe market place: in the lower part of It the tradefmen walk and tranfaft bufinefs ; in the upper part the quarter feffrons are held. The Theatre-Royal, at it, and boil the lees into 3 white fait. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on June 24, "for- hoifes and horned cattle, and Oft. 18, for toys and fmall wares- .- Poultcn, 12 miles from Garftang, and, 229 fam-, London, . is feated on the river Fild, near the Wire, and was formerly .' noted for a good pearl fifhery. • This town has a good market on;. Mondays, and three fairs annually, viz. on February 2, for honk ed cattle, May 3, and July 25, ditto, and fmall wares. Cartmel, 12 miles from Lancafter, and 258 from London,,; lies behind Lancafter fands, in Fornefs Fells. Here is an ele gant church, built in the form of a cathedral; it was once a. 3 priory of canons regular. About three miles from this town, at a' place called Flookboro.ugh, are the moft noted purging Waters, according to Dr. Leigh; in this part of the kingdom : They contain three different forts, of faits,. as the nation, the marine, and thefal catharticum. amarum ; and are highly ufeful in the cure of the ftone, gout, worms, Itch,,&C .They have been much frequented of late years in the fummer. time, and the company are very well accomodated with lodging and viftuals. Thistown has a market on Mondays, and two fairs annually, viz. on Whitfun-Monday, and on the fii ft Tuefday after Oftober 23,. for pedlar's ware. Ulvcrftone, 20 miles from Kendal, and 265 ^ from London, is, feated between the branches : Edgeware, 10 mites from London, confifts chiefly of one ftreet, the eaft fide, where the church ftands; being properly called "Edgewire ; and the weft part, which belongs to Little Stanmore, Whitchurch. The military Roman Watling way, which comes over Hamftead-Heath, paffes by this place. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and one fair annually, viz. ort May 4, for horfes and cows. Harrow on the Hill, 10 miles from London, fo called from its Giuation on a hill, efflieerried the higheft in that part of the country. The church, which has a lofty fteeple, is feen at a vary great diftance off. Hbumftow, 9 miles from London, is a market town befonging to two parifhes ; the north fide to Hefton, and the fouth to Ms- worth. Its heath hath been the fcene of numberlefs robberies, and on it King James II. encamped his forces, to awe the city «f London. This town haa a market on Thurfdays, and tw« fairs a7» MIDDLESEX. fairs annually, viz. on Trinity-Monday, and on the firft Monday after, Sept. 29, for horfes, cattle and fheep. Enfield, 10 miles from London, was formerly called Enfen, from its fituation in moorifh or fenny ground ; but it has been drained feveral years, and is now excellent meadow and pafture ground. The parifh is very large, and extends to the other fide of the royal chafe, which was formerly very well flocked with "3eer and other game ; but in the civil wars, the timber was cut down, and the deer, &c. deftroyed. Since the reftoration. many woods and groves were planted in it, and flocked again with deer ; but will never, perhaps, be equal to what it for merly was. There is, however, an elegant lodge for the ranger. This town has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on Sept. 23, for hiring fervants, and on St. Andrew's dayt Nov. 30, for horfes, cows and cheefe. Tottenham, 5 miles from London, is fituated on the river Lea, in the, north road, in a very healthy foil- Its church ftands On a hill, eneompaffed on the eaft, north and weft, by a rivulet called the Mofel. The crofs is fuppofed to have been erefted here purfuant to a decree of the church of Rome, that a crofs ihould be erefted in every frequented place. Edward I. adprned and repaired it, becaufe the cprps of Eleanor, his Queen, refted here, in its way to London to be buried. 5 E A T S of the Nobility, -fe. Marlborough Houfe, on the north fide of St. James's Pank, and near the royal palace ; is a beautiful ftrufture, • erefted by the great Duke of Marlborough. It is elegantly adorned with paintings, pf which, that round the veftibule is greatly admired, it being a reprefentation of the famous battle of Hockftet, where the figures of Prince Eugene, the Duke of Marlborough, Lord Cadpgan, and Marfhal Tallard, their prifoner, are dpne frpm the life. — Buckingham Houfe, now called the Queen's palace.— » Carlto*' MIDDLESEX. m Carlton.Houfe, and Leicefter Houfe,palaces which belonge d to the fete Princefs Dowager of Wales. — The late Princefs Amelia's, at Gunnerfbury Houfe, near Brentford. — Burlington Houfe, iii Piccadilly.XBedford Houfe, In Bleomlbury-fquare.— Duke of Bolton's, at Ealing. — Duke of Devonfhire's, at Chifwick, and Devonfhire Houfe, in Piccadilly, Weftminfter. — Duke of An- eafter's, at Chelfea.— Duke of Chandos's, at Southgate. — Duke of Northumberland's, at Sion Houfe, near Brentford, and Tot tenham. — Duke of Bueeleugh's, at Ifleworth. — The late Duke of Argyle's, at Whitton.— Earl of Shrewsbury's, at Ifleworth, • near Brentford. Earl of Peterborough's, at Paifon's-Green, four miles from Brentford. — Earl of Berkley's; at Cranford, near Houflpw. — Earl of Holdernefs's, at Sion-Hill, near Brent ford. — Eari of Albemarle's, at Durham's, near Barnet. — Earl Poulett's, at Twickenham — Earl oi Stafford's, at Twickenham, near Brentford. — Earl of Halifax's, at BufheyPzrk, near Hamp ton Court. — Earlof Pomfret's, at Sunbury. — LateEarl of Afhburn- ham's, at Chelfea and Teddirigton, near Kingfton. -Earlof Warwick,s, at Little Ealing.-: — Earl of Northumberland's, at Northumberland Houfe, Near Charkng-crofs, and Sion Houfe, near Brentford. — Earl Spencer's at Hounflow.-^-The late Eail of Burlington's, at Chifwick, and Twickenham. — Earl of Ux- ' bridge's, at Drayton, near Colnbrook. — Earl of Dunmore's at Stanwell-moor. — Lord Vifcount Townfhend's, at Rabley, near Barnet.— rLord Vifcount Weymouth's, at Bufhey-Park. — Lord Paget'?, at Dawley. — Lord Delamere's at Hampftead. — Lord Montford/s, at Drayton.— r-Lord Vere's at Hanworth Houfe, near Ifleworth. — Lord Mansfield's, at Caen-wood, near Hamp- flead. — LordHafdwich's, at Twickenham. — Lord Lovel and Hol land's, at Turnham-Green. — Lord Holland's, at Holland Hpufe. — The late Lprd Hatton's, at Weft Aftpn. — The late Lord Cole- rafa's, at Tottenham. — Lord Brooke's, at Warwick Caftle, at North-end. — Lord North's, at Bufhey-Park. — Lord Charles Spencer's, at Kenfington.— Lord Bifhop of koridon's palace, at i Fulham- 272 NORTHUMBERLAND. Fulham.XThe Bifhop of Winchefter's, near Chelfea. — Sir Jofeph Ayloffe's, at Aftpn. — Sir Thomas Frederick's, at Hampton. — Sir John Gibbon's, at Stanwell-place. — Sir James Winter Lake's, at Edmonton. — Sir Roger Newdigate's, at Harefield.— Sir William Beauchamp Proftpr's, at Tottenham. — Sir John Rufhout's, at Harrow on the Hill. — Sir William Mayne's, at South gate.— Sir Philip Mufgrave's, atKempton-park, near Sunbury. — Sir- Charles--. Whitworth's, atEdgeware. — Nathaniel Bayley's, Efq ; at Hanwell. — Benjamin L.ethieuler's, Efq; at Belmont, near Uxbridge,— Mf- Mellifh's,' at Bufh-hitL — Mr. Stevpnfons's, at Brentford Butt's Mr. Drummond's, at Stapmore. Mr. Child's, at Ofterley-park. — Mr. Townfend's, at Bruce-caftle. NORTHUMBERLAND. THIS county is bounded on the fouth by Durham ; on the north and weft by Scotland and Cumberland ; and on the eaft by the German ocean. It is fifty miles in length, 40 in. breadth, and 150 in circumference; contaiaing 3 rivers, 11 market towns, 46 parifhes, 280 villages, and about 370,000 acres. The foil is various ; that on the fea coaft is very fruitful when properly, cultivated, producing wheat and moft pther grain ; and pn both fides of the Tyne there are very large meadows. The weftern parts are mountainous, but afford good pafture- for flieep. This county abounds plentifully with coal, which pro duces a very furprifing trade. The famous Pifts wall was part ly in this county, and partly in Cumberland. The foundation*': of the towers, or little caftles, now termed Caftle-fteeds, placed1 at the diftance of a mile from one another, and the fmall forri*> fied towns on the infide, called Chefters, are ftill vifible ; but the far greater part' of the wall has been carried off- to build houfes and ftone walls about enclof ures ; and the remaining parSs*; except NORTHUMBERLAND. 275 l&cept thofe fituated on waftes and moors, ferve either as a- hedge between pafture- and arable lasnds, or pafture. and meadow grpunds, or to diftinguifli p&ffeflions. Before the wall is a broad «K«h, even- upon the higheft hills, from Newcaftle to Carlifle, except rhofe places which; are ftiflici'ently defended by toeks. The- ditch is inigefleral 12 feet bread', andvifible in moft places. The rivet's caufe the counery to- be well watered, and afford great? plenty ol felmpn and trout. The principal of thefe are the Tyne, ifee TweSd,- and the Cocket ; the former has two arms rifing1 at a great rfiftanee from each- other, but are united a little above Hexten. South Tyne rifes in the north-eaft edge pf Cumber land, bu-tf foon- entering- Northumberland, runs northward, and" at length berids: towards the eaft. North Tyne has itslburce in the; weftern part of Northumberland, called Tyne-Dale, then- run* i»g to the fouth-eaft it joins South Tyne, near Hexham, front whence it runs eaftward by Newcaftle into* the Gerrtian; ocean-. fhe Tweed is the boundary between this county- and Scotland, iri' whiqh it rifes, and having entered Northumberland, purfueS- its courfe to the north-eaft; till it reaches the German ocean at Berwick. This county fend«> two- members toparliament, who at- pFefenfrare, Sir William Middleton Bar-t» and Charles Grey, Efq. Netygaftle-upmTyHe, 14 miles from" Durham, 65'fromYork, and 270 from London ; it is a large and populous town fituated between the Pifts wall and the Tyne, which is here a fine arid* deep- river 5 fo that fliips of a> middling burthen may fafely corfle up- to the town, though the large colliers are ftationed at Shields; and it is-fo fecure a haven, that veffels, when they have paffifct Ty*emouth-bar, are in no danger either- from ftor-ms or fhailows1. h isdefended by Clifford's fort, whiGh effeftually commands ail veffels that entet the rive*. The town rflaybeconfidered as-di vided into two pairts^ of which' Gatefhead, on Durham fide!, is on$ and both are joined- by a bridge of feven arches, on whiA is asftneet of houfes. The fituarion of the town i& very uneven^ it rifes e^. the aorth baak of the river, where- the ftreet* upe» Nn the 374 N O R T H U M B E R LA N-D. the afcent are exceeding fteep. Moft of the houfes are built of ftone ; but fome of them are of timber, and the reft of brick* Through this town went part of that wall which extended frpm fea to fea, and was built by the Romans to defend the Britons, after they had drawn off all their chofen youth to fill their ar mies, againft the incurfions of the Pifts. The liberty -of -the town and the power of the corporation extend no farther than the gate upon the bridge, which fome years ago put a ftop to a terrible fire, which would otherwife, perhaps, have burnt the whole ftreet of houfes on that fide of the bridge, as it did thpfe beyond it. On the eaft fide of this gate are carved the. arms of the bifhop of Durham, and on the weft fide thofe of the tpwn of Newcaftle. The town is defended by an exceeding ftrong wall, in which are feven gates,, and as many turrets, with feve- yal cazemates bonrivproof. The caftle, whieh is old and ruinous, over-looks the whole town. The greateft inccnveniencies pf Newcaftle are its fituatipn pn the declivity of two hills, and the buildings being very clofe and old, which render it improper for thofe who feek a refidence of pleafure ; but then, as the river which runs between the two hills renders it a place of great trade, thefe inconveniencies are abundantly recompenfed. There is here a very noble exchange, and-the wall of the town, running from it parallel with the river, leaves a fpacious piece of ground before it, between the water and the wall, which being well wharfed and faced with free-ftone, forms the longeft and largeft, quay for landing goods that is to be feen in England, except that at Yarmouth in Norfolk. Here are four parifh churches, be fides one at Gatefhead, and likewife feveral meeting-houfes. St. Nicholas's church ftands on the top of a high hill, and has a lofty fteeple of curious architefture. ' There is a great defcent from it, and a ftream of water in time of drought runs down from a' noble conduit, that ftands far up in the town, and is of great ufe to the inhabitants near it. Among, the other public s; buildings is a manfioa-houfe for the mayor, who dwells iii it do- J ring NORTHUMBERLAND. .vjf ring his mayorality, with his ofilcers and attendants, at the town's expence, who allow him, in order to keep up his ftate, 6ool. a year. Here is alfo a haH for the furgeons to meet in, and a large hofpital, built by the contribution of the keel-men, for the maintenance of the poor of their fraternity, and feveral charitable foundations. The town is almoft furrounded with coal-pits, which furnifli fuch immenfe quantities of coals, that feveraf thoufand fhips are annually loaded with them, and they have fome manufaftures, owing to the plenty of this valuable kind of fuel, particularly the making of hardware, and fait, which laft' is indeed performed at Shields, feven miles below the town ; but the coals are brought chiefly from thence, and the quantity con- fuflied in thefe falt-works is fo great, that a prodigious cloud of fmoke rifes over the hills, and is fo thick, that it is faid it may be feen at fixteen miles diftance. Ships are alfo built here to perfection, as to ftrength and firmnefs;1 and there are here a confiderable number of merchants, who trade to Holland,' Hamburgh, Norway, and the Baltic. This town gives tide of Duke to the noble family of Clinton. It fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart. and Charles Brandling, Efq. It has a market on Tuefdays, and' Saturdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on Auguft 12, which holds for nine days, and on Oftober 29, which alfo holds nine days, for horned cattle, fheep, and hogs, the three firft days, and cloth, Woollen, and .various other goods to the end. Tinmduth Caftle, is a large ftately eaftle on a very high rock, inacceffible towards the ocean, and alfo on the eaft and north j it is well mounted with cannon, which defend the harbour, or mouth of the Tyne, where there are dangerous rocks, called the Black Middins ; but to prevent Ships running on them in the night, there are light-houfes erefted and maintained by the Tri- uity-houfe in Newcaftle r and near the light-houfes is a fort called Clifford's, which aftually commands the mouth of the river. Within Tinmouth Caftle are to be feen the ruins of a monaftery, Nnz which 2;6 N P ^THUMBERLAND. whw?b was frequently plundered by the Danes. Robert de Mow* bray,' a Marmate, created Earl of Northumberland by WiUifti» the Cpnq«eror> erefted both the Caftle and Monaftery: Morpeth, 15^ miles from Newcaftle, ^nd 2816 from London, fUmds on iheriypr "\yjenlfbeck, ev,er which it has a bridge; The body pf ,tjie town being pn the north fide of it, and the chupch with the reft on the fouth, where alfo flood, on a Shady hill, the caftle, now in ruins. Here are feveral mills belonging to thp Earl of Carlifle, whofe late father built a poble townrhpufe fpy the bifFgeffes, &c. This town fends two members-toparliamentj who at prefent, are, Peter Dplme, Efq; brother-in-law to the Earl of Carlifle, and Sir James Erikine, Bart, nephew to Lord Loughborough, a major in the 8th reg. pf dragoons, and a di- reftor in chancery in Scotland for life;. It has two markets, one op Saturdays, for corn, cattle, and all neceflary provisions ; and on Wednefdays,, which is the largeft for cattle of any in England, except Smithfipld ; and has two fairs annually, viz. on Wednpf* , day, Thurfday and Friday fe'nnight before Whk-funday, (Wf4' nefday for hprned cattle, ThUrfday for fheep, and Friday for hor* fes, &c.) Wednefday next before July 22, for a few horned, cat tle, a very fmall fair. Berwick, 48 pifles from Morpeth, 63 from Neweaftlej,: and 334 from London, is fituated at the mouth, of the Tweed; it is fortified with 3 ftrong caftle, and eneompaffed with a wall, except on the eaft and fouth-eaft, where k is wafhed by the fea ; and - on the fouth-weft, where it is watered by the river. It is the laft town in the north of England, and the country round it abounds plentifully with pom and grafs. Before the union it was always a bone of contention between the two nations ; bath had an eye upon it, and therefore it was well fortified ; but now the works are greatly impaired. It is a county and town §f itfelf, and though fituated on the north fide of the Tweed, it is in? cludedin Northumberland. It has handfome ftreets and houfes, a fine parifh church* a good townrhoufe ^.nd exchange, and a. * beautiful NORTHUMBERLAND. 277 beautiful bridge of fixteen arches over the Tweed, three hun dred yards long, built by Qiieen Elizabeth, and leads to Tweed's mouth, a large fuburb, where there is another large church -, and betwixt the town-wall and Its pnce ftanding caftle, is a hand- feme fuburb, called Caftle-Gate. Here is a noble fishery of Sal mon, efteemed equal to any in England : it has alfo a confider able manufafture of fine ftockings. This town fends two mem bers to parliament, who at prefent are, the Hon John Vaughan, brother to the Earl of Lifburne, in Ireland, a lieut. general, governor of Berwick, and col. of the 46th reg. of foot, and Sir Gilbert Elliot, Bart, a counfeUor at law. It has a market on Sa turdays, and one fair annually, viz. on the Friday in Trinity- week, for black cattle and horfes. Hexham, 23 miles from Newcaftle, and 285 frpm London, ftands on the fouth fide of the Tyne, a little below the place whereby the conflux of the north and fouth Tyne, the main ftream is formed. It was once a very large magnificent place, and the See of a bifhop. The weft end of the church is de- molifhed, but the reft ftands entire, and is a very ftately ftruc- ture though much damaged in the civil wars, It is a well built town, and in the church are feveral remarkable monuments; and in and about the town feveral remains of antiquity. It is likewife remarkable for feveral bloody battles being fought in Its. vicinity. This tpwn has a market pn Fridays, and twp fairs annually, viz. on Auguft 5, and November 8, for horned cattler fheep, hogs, pedlary, linen and woollen cloth of all forts. AlnwUk, 19 miles from Morpeth, 34 from Newcaftle, and 304 from London, is famous for the viftory obtained by the Englifh, ' when our brave anceftors took William King of Scots, and prefent ed him a prifoner to Henry II. It has a ftrong caftle, now in pof feffion ofthe Duke of Northumberland, which Malcolm III. King of Scotland had fo ftraitened by a fiege, that it was on the point of funrendering, when he was ftabbed by a foldier with* a fpear, «n the point of which he pretended to deliver him the keys of the 27* NORTHUMBERLAND.' the caftle; and his fon Edward, rafhly charging the enemy, t»' revenge his farher's death, was alfo mortally wounded, and died foon after. This town lies on the river Aln, and has a market on Saturdays, and five fairs annually, viz. on Palm-funday-eve, forfhoes, hats, and pedlary, May 12, (if on Sunday the Saturday before) for horned cattle, horfes and pedlary ; the laft Monday in July, for horned cattle, horfes, linen and woollen cloth ; the firft Tuefday in Oftober, for horned cattle, horfes and pedlary ; and on the Saturday before Chriftmas, for fhoes, hats, poultry and woollen cloth. Cheviot-Hills is that famous range of mountains to the north- ' weft of Alnwick, which feparate this county from Scodand, and are fo high, efpecially on the north fide, that fnow lies in fome of the clifts till Midfummer. They ferve alfo as land marks to failors, as one of them, which is much higher than the reft, looks, at a diftance, like the peak df Teneriff, and Is plainly feen, from Rofemary Topping, in the North Riding of York fhire, 60 miles diftant. On the top of it is a fmooth pleafant plain, half a mile in diameter, with a large pond in the middle ; from hence may be plainly feen the fmoak of the fait pans at Shields, though 40 miles diftant. They have their name from a fmall village, famous formerly for a free chafe, much ufed by the Englifh and Scots gentry ; and for a fierce battle between the Englifh and Scots, under the command of the Earls Piercy and Douglafs. There are fenny grounds near it, called Cheviot-Moor. Floddon, a village on the river Till, famous for the overthrow of James IV. King of Scotland, and his army ; who, whilft Henry VIII. lay at the fiege of Tournay, in France, did, with great courage, and.greatcr hopes, invade England. Here How ard, Earl of Surry, bravely received him. Th'e difpute was obftinate pn both fides, till the night parted them, unable, as yet, to determine which way the viftory inclined ; but the next day difcovered both the conqueror, and the conquered ; and the King of Scots himfelf, being mortally wounded in feveral places, . was NORTHUMBERLAND. 279 Was found among the heaps of the flain ; whence a new addition was given to the arms of the Howards. Haly-Ifiand, 8 miles from Berwick ; it is fo called becaufe it was the See of a bifhop, fince removed to Durham. It was the ancient Lindisfarn, and has ftill thp remains of a monaftery, built by Aiden the Scot, who was fent into England, to preach the gofpel to the Northumbrians abput the year 636. It is eneom paffed by the* fea at high water, but at low water there is a paf fage over fands on the weft fide ' to the continent. It produces fome cprn and rabbits, and fifh abound on the coaft. There is a pretty tpwn here, at the fide of which lies a cpmmpdipus haven, defended by a fort ph the hills, to, the fouth-eaft. As this is the only open port between the Firth of Edinburgh and the Humber, or Yarmouth Roads, it has fometimes proved a great fhelter to our merchant fhips, efpecially thofe from Archangel and the nor thern parts of the world. Fame Iflands, 7 miles from Holy Ifland, and 2 from Bambo rough Caftle ; on the fouth fide are a knot of rocks furrounded by the main ocean, where there are a fort, the ruins of an old monaftery, a tower and a light-houfe. Thefe Iflands abound plentifully with fea fowl. Coquet Ifland, 17 miles fouth- eaft from Fame Iflands, and lies at the mouth of a river df that name, where are vaft flocks of wild fowl. The air is reckoned unhealthy, by reafon of frequent fogs. The, foil is barren, and the ifland often attacked with tempefts. Other places remarkable in Northumberland are, the ruins of Brinkburn Priory, founded by William Bertram, and Rpger his fon. ¦Warkworth, 7 miles to the fouth-eaft of Alnwick, a pleafant village, and near it is a remarkable cave called the Hermitage, cut out pf the folid rock. The roof is- arched, and the fides' a- ' domed with pillars In the Gothic tafte. It is divided into two apartments of the fame dimepfions, one of whiqh feems to have been «8p N OR tH U M B ER L & N Ul been a lodging roona, and' the other a chapel. At the; eaift\ end of the chapel is an altar, with a eiofs cut in she nock above h; and in the window the figure of a woman in a recumbent pofture at full length. At one end of this figuie ia another, which frame to be weeping over it, and at the other a ball's headL The ruins of Barnhurg. Gaftte, buik by Ida, the firft. Kin-g of Northwim&erland. Prvdfikoge Caftle, the ftatiort of the firft cohort of the Baitavi a it is now ia pofleflion of the Northumbrian family. Dwtfianburgh Caftle, ftands on the fhote betwixt tie Coquet and Farae Manda ; it was huiltin the reign, of Edward I. With*! ia the circuit of this. eafMe, there grew, not long fince, twoi hundred anni forty buflaels of corn, befides; Several cart loads, of hay. It is: now famous* fox Dunftanhurg diamond;, a fort of fine: fpar,. which feems, to rkaf that of St.. Vincent's rock, near Briftol. SEATS cf tbe. Nobility, 6c- Duke, of NoithumJberlarMfe, at Alnwkk-Caftle, Warkwouh* caftle, and PrUdhoe-caftle. — Earl of TankeEvaMe's, at Chilling-' eaftllef— Earll of Carlifle's, at Morpeth-caflies.— L®rd> Ravenf worth's, at Eflingtoai-— Sir, Edward Blacket's, at Hexam and Merfen^— Sir Walter Gajvedey Blacket's, at Wellington.*— Sir John Hkffey Deleval's, at Ford-caftle, in Seaton Delevak — Sift Henry Grey's, at Howick. — Sir Thomas Haggerfton's, at Hiag- gerfkm.T--SirjWiHiaaaaiMiddleton's, atJ}elfay-«»ftle;-»-SkManhew WhlteRidley's,. atHeatonand Blagdpm.— Sir Ed wardSwinburne's, at ChaphCaton and Edlingham. — Sir George Everren's, at Wist derington-caftfe..-XEhoma& Thornton's, Efq.;. at Netheiv Witters — J^&. Delavah's; at Bavington.— Mr. Errington's, at Erring- ton and BeaufrQmr.—rMr. Shaftoe's, atHabington, — Widdering> ton-caftle, purchafed brji the York-building company, on Lord Widde tringtoa?s forfeitucc of it,, in 1 y.nji. . NORTH- N O R F G L K. 28i NORTHFOLK, or NORFOLK, IS bpunded pn the South by the rivers Waveney and the leffer , Oufe which divide if frpm Suffolk ; by Cambridge on the Weft ; and on the north and eaft by the German ocean. It is about 57 miles in length, 35 in breadth, and, 140 in circum ference; containing 31 hundreds, one city, 32 market towns, 666 parifhes, and 1500 villages. This is a fine champagne ,: county, except in fome places where there rife gentle hills'; it is very rich, well ftored with flocks of Sheep, and abpiinds great ly with rabbits. The foil is different, according to the feveral quarters ; ' in fome places it is fat, lufcious and moift, as in marfh,- land and fl'eg'; in others, efpecially to the weft% it is poor, lean and fandy ; and in others, clay and chalky ; however, the goodnefs of the foil in general may be gathei^pd from hence that the inhabitants are or a bright, clear complexion, not tp mention their fliarpnefs of wit and Angular fagacity. This county fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Ed- Ward Aftley, Bart, and Sir John Wodehoufe; Bart. Norwich, 28 miles from Yarmouth, 44 from Ipfwich, and 109 from London; is a large city, near the conflux of the riyers Venfder and Yare. It ftands on the fide of a hill, and is near two miles in length, aild dne in breadth. The city is popu lous, though not full of houfes; and the town is irregular, though the buildings, both public and private, are neat and beautiful. A great part of the manufafture is crapes and fluffs, of which great quantities are fent from Yarmouth to Holland> .Germany, Sweden, and other parts of the Baltic ; it being com plited that the goods made here of that kind employ not lefs than 1 20,000 perfons. It hastwelye gates, and fix bridges over the Tare; 32 churches befides the cathedral, and chapels apd ffleeting-houfes of alL denominations. The roof of the cathedral, O 0 a large 2B2 N O R F O L K/ a large venerable and handfome ftrufture, is adorned with the hiftory of the bible. The1 choir is large and fpacious, and the fteeple higher than that at Grantham, but lower than Salifbury, being about 150 yards from the pavement of the choir to the pinnacle on the top. Here are two churches for the Dutch and French Flemmings, who enjoy Angular privileges. The other remarkable buildings in this city, are, the Duke of Norfolk's palace, once reckoned the largeft in England out pf London. The Caftle, fuppofed to have been built in the time of the Saxons. The Town-hall in the market-place. The Guild-hall, formerly the monaftery of the black-friars ; and the King's fchool, founded by Edward VI. This town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, the P.t. Hon. William Windham, a privy counfeUor in Ireland, andthe Hon. Henry Hobart, brother to the earlof Buckinghamshire. It has a market on Wednefdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on the day before Good-Friday; on the Saturday before Whit-funday; and on the Saturday after ditto, for horfes, fheep, lambs and petty chapmen. Yarmouth, otherwife called Great Yarmouth, 28 miles from Norwich, and 123 from London; it is a large populous; and wellbuilt town, much increafed of late years, in Shipping, build ings and people, and is greatly fuperior to Norwich in point of Situation for trade. The Road, a place defended by fands, is the principal rendezvous of the colliers between Newcaftle arid London. The harbour is fafe, but the inhabitants are at a con fiderable expence annually to clear it. It is confidered as the centre of the coal trade, and carries on a considerable trade with Holland, and the north and eaft feas. But its herring fifhery renders it the greateft town of trade, in all the eaft coaft of Eng-- land-, except Hull. Forty millions of Herrings are computed to be taken and cured 'annually in this place. Their fifhmg fair here Is at Michaelmas, which lafts about a month, during which time, aU fliips from any part of England may catch what fifh they can, -JJ- O R F O L K. i8j tan, and bring them In and fell them toll free. The town is neat, compaft and regular; and ftands in a peninfula betwixt the harbour and the fea, being walled and fortified. Its chief ften'gth by land is the river or haven, which lies on the weft fide, aiidhas a drawbridge over. The principle curiofity is the market place, the fineft and beft furnifhed of any in England, and its quay or wharf is the longeft and largeft in Great-Britain, or per haps in Europe, that at Seville in Spain excepted. , The cuftom houfe and town houfe are both fine buildings. St. Nicholas's church has fo high a fteeple, that it ferves as a fea mark. Here is a noble hofpital and two charity fchools. This town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Sir John Jervis, K. B. a captain in the royal navy, and Henry Beaufoy, Efq ; F. R. S. It has a market on Saturdays, and one fair annually, viz, on the Friday and Saturday in Eafter- week for petty chapmen. Lynn, or Lynn-Regis, from Len in Saxon, a farm, or tenure In Fee, is 70 miles from .Yarmouth, and 102 from London. It is an ancient town, and ftands at the.mouth of the river Oufe ; it is- pretty well built, has formerly been rich and well inhabited, and a place of defence, as appears from the ruins of the works. They .ftill carry on a confiderable foreign trade, efpecially to Holland Norway, the Baltic, Spain and Portugal. The harbour is fafe when fhips have once entered ; but there are flats and fhoals atthe entrance, at which buoys are placed ; and there are always good pilots ready for fleering ftrangers in. St. Anne's fort ¦ and platform at the north eaft en4 commands all fhips that enter the, harbour. It has a fpacious and fine market place, in which is a handfome ftatue of William III, with a fine crofs, which has a dome, and a gallery round it, fupported by fixteen columns; andthe market-houfe is a modern free-ftone building, feventy feet nigh, neatly adorned with ftatues and other embellifhments. Four rivulets, over which are fifteen bridges, run through the town ; and the tide in the -Oufe, which for a mile here is about ' as broad as the Thames at London-bridge, rifes twenty feet per- O 0 2 pendicular- iU NORFOLK. pendlcufar/ the'tovvriis fupplied with frefb water by conduits arid pipes from the neighbourhood. The King's ftaith-yard is a very handfome fquare, adorned with a ftatue of King James II. here the greateft part of the wines are landed. The town-houfe, called Trinity-Hall, is an ancient and noble building. The ex change in the middle of the town is an elegant ftrufture of free- ftone, adorned with two orders of Columns, and within it is the cuftom-houfe. It has two churches, a very large chapel, and two diffentirig meeting-houfes. St. Margaret's church, which is very large, formerly belonged to an abbey, and has a high lan tern covered with lead ; at the weft end is a ftone tower, with a moon dial, fhewing the encreafe and decreafe of that planet ; and above the tower is a fpire, in which is a ring of beHs. St. Nicholas's chapel is very ancient, and has a tower and'oftangular fpire. In this chapel is a library, to which Lord Townfhend, the late Earl of Orford, Sir Charles Tunner, &c. were cOnfider- able btnefaftors. This town is governed by a mayor, recorder, a high fteward, twelve aldermen, and eighteen common council i and there is here a very laudable cuftom, which is, that every firft Monday of the month, the mayor, aldermen, preachers, &c. meet, to hear and determine all difputes in an amicable manner, in order to prevent law-fuits. There are here alfo a free-fchool, which is a ftrong and beautiful building, two hofpi tals, and a charity fchool. This town fends two members to par liament who at prefent are, CrifpMoIyneux, Efq ; and the Hon. Horatip Walpole, eldeft fon of Lord Walpole. It has a market on Saturdays, and one fair annually, viz. on February 2, for wearing apparel, and all forts or goods from London. Thetford, 30 miles from Norwich, and 80 from London, near the borders of Suffolk ; it lies in a pleafant open country, on two navigable rivers, the Thet and Ouze, of which the former runs through it. Here are the remains of a priory founded in anno domini 1 103, by Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk. This town fendS two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Charles Kent, NO R . F O L K. 285 jieht, Bart, and Geofge Jennings, Efq. It has a market on Sa turdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on May 14, Auguft 2, arid Sept. 25, for cheefe cattle and toys. Caftk-Rifing, 5 miles from Lynn, and 102 from 'London, took its name from its fituation on a high hill, on which was a caftle, built by William de Albiney, Earl of Arundel and Suffex, in the reign of Henry I. It has a vaft circular ditch, according to the Gothic rnethod of fortification, fuppofed to be done by the 'KbfrrianS. An Hofpital was founded and endowed here by Hen ry Howard, fon of the Earl of Surrey. Cromer, 22 miles from Norwich, and 127 from London; is a fifhing town' remarkable for lobfters, of which great quantities are fent to Norwich and London. This town has a market on Saturdays, and one fair annually, viz. On Whitfun-monday, fot ' petty chapmen. Aylefham, 12 miles from Nofwicn, and 121 from London, is a noted town for knitters, and is pretty populous. This town has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs annually, Viz. O* March 23, and on the laft Tuefday in Sept. for lean cattle, or dinary horfes, and petty chapmen. Worfted, 1 2 miles from Norwich, and 1 2 1 from Londori ; is remarkable for the Invention and twitting that fort of woollen yarn and thread which is, frorn this place, called worfted. Here' is a manufafture of worfted fluffs and ftockings, which are both knit and wove. This town has a market on Saturdays, and one fair annually, viz. on May 3, for cattle, horfes and petty chapmeri# Cnfton, 3 mifes from Reepharh, and 112 from London; has a bridge over the river Bute. It is noted for a brazen hand be ing carried before the Steward of the demefne, inftead of a mace, but for what reafon Is no't now known. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and three fairs annually, viz. pn January 10, oft April 14, and on Auguft 28, for.flfeep and petty chapmen. Reeph'am, 3 miles from Cafton, and xop from London; is noted fot having formerly had three churches in one church-yard, belonging 286 NO R F O L K. belonging to as m&ny lordfhips, viz. Reepham, Whitewcll, and Hackford; but having been long demolifhed, there is now only the ruins of one for ufe. The chief trade of this town is malt. It has a market on Satuidays, and one fair annually, viz. on June 29, for ordinary hprfes and petty chapmen. Clay, 10 miles from Walfingham, and 125 frpm London, flands on the fame coaft as Cromer ; it has large fait works, where a great quantity of good fait is made, and fent to. the Baltic and to Holland. This town has a market on Saturdays, and one* fair annually, viz, on July 19, for hprfes, &c. Markham and Wells, are two towns on the fame coaft ; they carry on a very confiderable trade with Holland in corn, which is a great produce in this county. The Seven Burnhams, are feven towns lying In the north-weft corner of the county, noted for its falt-marfhes, which are pf. great advantage to fheep. On the fhore are many little hills, fuppofed to be the tombs of Saxons and Danes killed in this neighbourhopd. Walfingham, 22 miles from Norwich, and 116 from London. It is feated near the fea, and is but a fmall place to what it was formerly ; it having been much frequented by pilgrims, who Came to pay their devotions at a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and where there is a fpring called the Virgin Mary's, or the Holy- Well ; and upon a ftone at the edge of it, is a crofs> where the people ufed to kneel, and to throw in a piece of gold, while they wifhed for any thing they wanted. ^Here are alfo the ruins of an old abbey, and a friary, both demolifhed in the reign of Henry VIII. It has Still one church, a quaker's meeting, and about 300 houfes, moftly mean ortes : the ftreets are not paved arid generally dirty. The foil is famedfbr producing good faffrpn and fouthernwood. This town has a market on Fridays, and one fair annually, viz. on Whitfun-Monday, for pedlars and hprfes. Windham, o\ miles from Norwich, and 99! from London ; is 2 little town whofe inhabitants, old and young, make fmall wood en-. NORFOLK., 287 Tfti-ware. It has had the honour of giving the name to a flourifhing family that has fpread itfelf in feveral counties. Here is a church which was formerly an abbey, built by William de Albiney,- but ler to Henry I. with a high fteeple, pn which Kit the tanner was hanged, by Sir William Windham, Sheriff of Norfolk, for rebellion, in the' reign of Edward VI. This town has a market. »n Fridays. ANTIQUITIES. ' Caftle-Acre Priory, founded by William Warren, Earl of Surry, anno domini 1090. Creek Priory, fituated between Burnhamand Creek ; it was made an abbey by King Henry III. jirino Domini 1230- Barnholm Priory, founded by William Granville, anno domini 11 13. — Binham Priory, founded in the j:eign of Henry I. by Peter de Valomas. SEATS of the Nobility, 6c. The Duke of Norfolk's, at Norwich Palace. — Earl of Orford's, sat Houghton, near Lynn-Regis. — Earl of Buckingham's, at Blickling, near Aylefham. — Lord Dudley's, at Caftle-Rifing*. —Lord VifcOunt T^wnfhend's, at Raynham, near Caftle-Rifing, and at Stifflay-hall, near Walfingham. — Lord Walpole's, at Woolterton, — Lord Rofeberry's, at Bixley. — Baronefs Mount Steuart, at Mount Houfe.— The Bifhop of Norwich's Palace, in Norwich.— Siir Edward Aftley's, at Melton Conftable. — Sir Richard Bedingfield's, at Oxborough. — Sir Hanfon Berney's, at Kirby Bedon. — Sir Samuel Bickley's, at Attleburgh.— Sir Lam bert BlackWell's, at Sponfton-Hall.— Sir John D'Oyleo's, at Shottifham. — Sir Harbord Harbord's, at Gunton. — -Sir George Jernipgham's, at Croffey-Hall. — Sir Charles Mordaunt's, at Maf- fingham — -Sir Horatio Petus's,'at Piackheath. — Sir.Thomas Pey- *n's, at Hackbich-Hall, Emneth and Denver.— Sir John Tur- 2138 NORFOLK. rier's, at Warham. — Sir Edward Ward's, at Bexiey, and Murid- ham. — Sir Armine Wodehoufe's, at Kimberley, and-Downham- Lodge.— Sir Cecil Wray's, at Hegley Wood-hall— Mr. Crofts'?, at Weft-Harling. — Mr- Mplyneux's, at Qarboldifham.— Mr- Durant's, at Scottow, near Norwich. — Mr. De Grey's, atMejr- ton.X]\jr. Bacon's, at Earleham, near Norwich.— Mr. Jackfon's, atWefenham-Hall. Mr. Townfhend's, at Honingham, near Norwich. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. THIS county Is fituated in die very middle of England ; and from the fouth-weft fide, where it is broadeft, k cpntrafts itfelf by degrees, and runs out in length to the north-eaft. On the eaft it is bounded by the counties of Bedford and Hunting don : on the fouth by thofe of Buckingham and Oxford ; on the weft by Warwickfhire ; and on the north by the counties of Leicefter apd Rutland, and that pf Lincoln, feparated from it by the rivers Avon the Lefs and the Welland. At the time of the Conquerors furvey, it was fomething larger than it is at prefent, for all the fouth part of Rutlandshire muft have been taken out of it, becaufe, in doorhfday-book, we meet with the towns in that traft under the title of Northamptonfhire. It is now about 55 miles in length, %6 in breadth, 125 in circumference ; con^ Cabling 20 hundreds, one city, 10 market towns, 326 parifhes and 551 villages. The air of this county is very healthy, andi •#xcept the little corner of Peterborough hundred, is entirely free from bogs and fens. The principal rivers of Northamptonfhire are the Nen and the Welland : befides which it is partly watered .by the Oufe, the Leam, and the Charwell. Three of thefe, namely, the Nen, the Leam and the Charwell, rife within a l&iall diftanee of each pther, near Daventry, and there form. very NORTHAMPTONSHIRE., 289. very diffei ent cpurfes; the Leam running weftward, the Cha«Well fotithward, and the Nen eaftward, till it falls into the German ocean. The Welland rifes in the north-weft Side of the poufity, and divides it from Lincolnshire, running througha part of that County till it falls into the fea. Thefe rivers are of great fervice in furnrihing this inland county with fifh. Watling-ftreet, one of the Roman high- ways., runs along the weft fide, from the Qttfe to Dowferidge ; and the Nen flows gently through the mid-» die and eaft parts of it. It is a champagne country,, very popu* lous, and every where adorned with noblemen's and gentlemen's houfes; and very full of towns and churches.; in fo much,, that in fome places there are twenty, in others thirty fpkes or Steeples- in view at the fame time. Its foil, both for tillage and pafture, is exceedingly fertile,} but fuel is very fcarce. It abounds with iheep and other cattle, and has lefs wafte ground than any Other cpunty in England, This county fends two members to parlia* ment, who at prefent are, Thomas Ppwys, Efq ; and Sir James bangham, Bart. Northampton, 50 miles from Cambridge* 3 1 from Coventry, and 67 from. London ; it ftands upon the river Nen, over whieh it has two bridges. In 1675 a mo^ lamentable fire laid this town entirely in afhes; but the liberal contributions of the king dom raifed it up again With much greater beauty ; fo that now it is one of the moft neat and corn pleat towns in the kingdom. Is has in it four churches ; the, gseat church, and likewife the fef- fions-houfe, are very beautiful buildings ; and they have two hofpitals, with a charky fehool endowed, for the inftruftkm oi i p9or children. The principal manufafture is that ef fhoes, for which the place is famed ; and next to. that is their manufafture of ftock ings. The Nen has lately been -made navigable up to. the town, which will be a means of fupplying it with ceaK and. other ' heavy goods, at a cheaper rate than heretofore. This town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are,.tb«t Rt. Hq», Cha.. (Compton) Lord Compton, eldeft fon of the Earl of Nor- 13 Pp thampton, a9o NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. thampton, colonel Of the Northamptonfhire mijitia, and FienneS Trotmari, Efq. It has a market on Saturdays, and eight fairs annually, viz. on Feb. 20, for hprfes, hprned cattle and toys ; April 5, May 4, and Auguft 5, all great hdrfe fairs ; Auguft 26, for all forts of merchandize; Sept. 19, chiefly cheefe arid fheep; November 28, and December 19, for all forts of cattle. Peterborough, 41 miles from Northampton, and 82 fromLori* don, ig reckoned the leaft city in England. It ftands upon the river Nen, over which it has a bridge. The cathedral is a moft ' noble Gothic building, but it was much more beautiful before the civil wars. It is faid to have been begun by Wolpher King of the Mercians, and finifhed in the year 633, when it was de dicated to St. Peter, and endowed with large revenues. It is 497 feet long, 2P3 broad, and the breadth of the nave and fide ajlesis9i feet. The weft front, which fs 156 feet in breadth, is the moft ftately of any in England, being fupported by three- of the talleft arches any where tP be feen, and columns curioufly adorned; , The windows of the cloifters are finely ftained with fcripture hiftory, that pf its founder, and the fucceffion of its abbots, Here are many curious monuments of illuftrious per- fonages, and the figure of One Scarlet, a Sexton, who died aged 95, and had buried two Queens, and all the houfekeepers of the city twice over. The ftreets are wide and well built ; and be sides its cathedral here is one parifh church and a handfome mar ket-houfe, pver which the affizes and feflions are kept. The air here is not efteemed very wholefome, but the water is fweet, the, higheft fpring tide never coming within five miles of the town. Here are two charity fchools, one founded and endowed for ' twenty boys, who being taught to read and write, are put ap prentices, and another for teaching forty poor children to fpin and read. This town fends two members to parliament, who ; at prefent are, Richard Benyon, Efq ; and the Hon. Lionel Da- rasr, youngeft fon of Lord Miltou. It has a market on Saturdays, and NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 291 and two fairs annually, viz. on July 10, and Oftober 2, for hor fes, ftock of all forts, and timber wrought. . Brackley, 13 miles from Northampton, and 57 from London, ftands near the head of the Ouze, arid was formerly a famous Staple for wool ; but fince that has been removed, the town has declined. Here are two parifh churches, and a free grammar fchool, formerly a college, belonging to Magdalen College: in Oxford. This town fends two members to parliament, who- at prefent are, John William Egerton, Efq ; fon of the late bifhop of Durham, and a lieutenant colonel in the army, and Timothy Cafwall, Efq. It has a market on Wednefdays, and five fairs annually, via. on the Wednefday after February 25, for horfes, cows and fheep ; the third Saturday in April, for horfes cows and fwine ; on the, Wednefday after June 22, fc* horfes and cows ; on the Wednefday before Oftober ,10, for horfes and cows, and hiring fervants ; and on December 1 1, for horfes, cows and fheep. Higham Ferrers, 20 miles from Brackley, and 71 from Lon don, belonged formerly to the family of Ferrers, from whom it took its name ; who had alfo their caftle here, the ruins whereof are yet to he feen near the church. It is a fmall, but clean, plea fant healthful town. It has a handfome church and lofty fpire ; a free fchool, and an alms-houfe for twelve men and one woman. Here are the ruins of a college, founded by Henry Chicheley Arch bifhop of Canterbury, for fecular clerks and prebendaries. This town fends one member to parliament, who at prefent is, the Rt. Hon. Frederick Montagu, ranger of Salcey Foreft. It has a market on Saturdays, and feven fairs annually, viz. on the Tuef day before February 5, March 7, May 3, June 28, Thurfday before Auguft 5, for horfes and horned cattle; Oftober 10, for horfes and hprned cattle, fheep and hpgs; and St. Catherine, December 17, for hprfes, horned cattle and flieep. Oundle, corruptly for Avondale, 12 miles from Peterborough, and 76 from London. It is almoft furrounded by the Nen, and is a pretty little town, with a neat church, a free fchool, and an P p 2. alms-, , 2^2 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. alms-houfe, both founded by Sir William Laxton, fomerime- Lord Mayor of London. It has two good ftone bridges Over the river, remarkably large, one in the road leading to Thrapftone, the other to Yaxley ki Huntingdenftrire. - That called the North- Bridge is taken notice of by travellers, for its number of arches,; Jtap) the caufeway that leads to it. It is alfo noted for a well that, ifl&kes a drumming noife. The free fchool and alms-houfe are fuiPpeWed by the grocer's compaay in London. This town hag. a market on Saturdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on Feb. 25, Whit-Monday, and Auguft 21, for horfes, fheep, and a few cows - Thrapftone, 5 miles from Oundle, and 75 from London, has a fine bridge over the river, in the road to Kettering, and is de lightfully Situated ' in a valley pi eafaat for air, water and foil. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and four fairs annually, viz. on the firft Tuefday in May ; St. James, old ftile ; Auguft 5, is (or pedlary, Shoes, &c. and on the firft Tuefday in May, for fheep, horned cattle, &c. and merchandize. Wellingborough, 10 miles from Northampton, and 6p\from Lon don, ftands on the weft fide of the Nen ; it is a populous town, with a fine church, and a charity fchool for forty children. This town is noted for ks medicinal waters ; and Queen Mary refided here fix weeks to drink thefe waters. It ftands on tlie fouth fide of a hill, near the river, and has a confiderable market for corn, which is their principal trade. Some years fince it was almsft deftroyed by fire. This town has a market on Wednefdays, and. three fairs annually, viz. on Eafter Wednefday, for horfes and hogs ; Whit- Wednefday, for horfes, horned cattle and fheep ; and Oftober 29, for ditto and cheefe. Towcefter, 8 miks from Northampton, and 60 from London, lies in the road to Chefter ; it is a very ancient populous town, confifting of one long and very broad ftreet. It has a very hand fome church, and three bridges over the three ftrtams, into which the little river ii here divided ; hence Camden conjeftures that this NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 293 this was the Tripontium mentioned by Antoninus, fo called from the three bridges. The military way called Watling-ftreet, runs through it, and appears very plainly in the road to Stony Strat ford. The- inhabitants here, of all ages, are employed in late, and a manufafture of filk. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on May 12, and Oftober 29, for all forts of cattle and merchandize. Daventry, n miles from Northampton, and 72 from Lon don, is a great thoroughfare to and from the, north weft coun ties, and has many good inns. On Burrough Hill are the remains of an pld Roman fortification, which take in about two hundred acres of ground. The Roman Watling-ftreet was turned through it,. and runs to Dunfriiore Heath. The priory belongs to Chrift College, in Oxford. This town has a market on Wednefdays, and five fairs annually,, viz. on Eafter Tuefday, for horfes and horned cattle; June 6, for fwine and all forts of goods, Auguft 3, for homed cattle, horfes and fheep ; Oftober 2, for cattle, cheefe, onions, &c. arid Oftober 27, called (Ram-fair) for fheep chiefly. Kettering, 12 miles from Northampton, and 77 from London, is a handfome town and has a good trade ; it is pleafantly fituated' on a rifing ground by a river that runs into the Nen. It has a feffions houfe for the county, a handfome church, and an hofpL tal. Near two thoufand hands are faid to be employed here in the manufafture of ferges, Shalloons, &c. Near this place ftands Nafeby, famous for the bloody battle fought there in 1645, be- tweenJCing Charles I. and the parliament army. This town has a market on Saturdays, and four fairs annually, viz. on the Thurfday before St. Thomas December 21; the Thurfday be fore Eafter ; the Thurfday before old Michaelmas ; and Oftober - 10, for horfes and horned cattle, fheep, hogs and pedlary. Rothwell, 2 miles from Kettering, and 79 from London, is a good town and much noted for a horfe fair. Here is a fine markft-houfe, a fquare building of Afhler ftone, adorned with the arms of moft of the gentry in the county. This town has a market 294 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. market on Mondays, and one fab annually, viz. on Trinity-Mon day, for hprfes, horned cattle and pedlary, all the week, and leather the laft day pnly. Rockingham, 87 miles from London, ftands on the river Wel land, and has a caftle which was originally built by William, the Conqueror. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and one fair annually, viz. on September 25, for hprfes, cows, fheept hogs, pewter, black hats and cleths. ANTIQUITIES. Within the demefnes of Broughton, there is a petrifying well, from whence a fkull all over ftone, bpth within and without, was brpught to Sidney Cpllege, in Cambridge, and there pre ferved. — At Cordyke, near Peterborough, is an ancient Fofs, a great work of the Romans, for draining the fens and promoting commerce : Its dimenfions are uncommonly large.— At Oxenden, near Kettering, there is a remarkable echo that will repeat twelve or thirteen fyllables very diftinftly, and is formed by the - fquare tower of the church. — At Culfworth fix miles from Tbw- eefter, and its neighbourhood, are found the ftar ftones. Among ether mineral waters are thpfe of Aftrop Wells, much recom mended for the fcurvy, afthma, &c. — Fotheringhay Caftle, near Oundle, ftands on a branch of the Nen, and is environed on every fide with delightful meadows. This caftle belonged ori: ginally to the Earl of Huntingdon, but King Edward III. be llowed it on his fon Edmund of Langley, Duke of York, who iebuilt the caftle. His brother's fon's wife, Cicely, Duchefs of York, faw too plainly, in the compafs of a few years, what paf- ,>ime envious and jnconftant fortune makes herfelf with the mi- feries of the mighty; for fhe faw her hufband, Richaid, (even when he thought himfelf fure of the kingdom) and her fon, the Earl of Rutland, flain together in a bloody battle ; and, a few years after, fhe faw her eldeft fon^ Edward IV. advanced to the crown, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 295 erown, and taken away by an untimely death ; having before made away his brother George, Duke of Ciarence. After this, She faw her other fon, Richard, forcing his way to the crown, by the lamentable murder, of his nephews, and flander of her, his own mother ; (for he charged her openly with iricontlnertcy) then fhe faw him poffeffed of the kingdom, and foon after flain in battle ; and thefe her miferies were fo chained together alfo that every day of- her life was more doleful than another. SEATS of the Nobility, 6c. The Duke of Grafton's at Grafton Regis, near Northampton, and at Wakefield Lodge, in Whittlebury Foreft — The late Duke of Montagu's, at Boughton, built after a model of the Palace of Verfailles, with noble paintings in the hall, galleries, &c. — The Marquifs of Rockingham's, at Great Harrowden, near Welling borough. The Earl pf Exeter's, at Woodthorp, and at Bur- 1 leigh, near Stamford, upon the river Welland. This laft Is one of the grandeft ftruftures in England, and appears mere like a town than a houfe, in which the towers and pinnacles refemble parifh churches, and the large fpire, covpred with lead, In the centre, a cathedral. It is finely adorned with ftatues, paintings, &c. and the gardens are extremely beautiful. — The Earl of Nor- thamptpn's, at Caftle Afhby, near Northampton. — The Earl of Weftmofeland's, at Apethorp, near Oundle. — The Earl of T^anet's, at Newbottle, near Brackley, — The Earl of Cardigan's, at Dean, near Rockingham. — Earl Ferrers's, at Afhwell, near Brackley. — The Earl of Strafford's, at Broughton, near Nor thampton. — The Earl of Halifax's, at Horton, near Northamp ton—The Earl of Suffex's, at Eafton-Maudit, near Welling borough The Earl of Pomfret's, at Eafton-Ncfton, near Tow- cefter.— Earl Fitz-William's, at Milton, near Peterborough. — The Earl of Guilford's, at Chipping- Warden. — Earl Spencer's, « Althorp, near Northampton.— Tlie E«rl of Dyfert's, at Har- riKgtonj, t96 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. rington, near Rothwell.— Lord Craven's, at Winwiek, near Oundle. — Lord Cullen's, at Rufhton, near Kettering. — Lord Offory's, at Firmingwdod.— Lord Carbery's, at Laxton.— Lord St. John's of Bletfoe, at Woodford, near Thrapfton. — Lord Sondes's, at Rockingham Caftle. — The Lord Bifhop of Peter borough's palace, at Peterborough.— rSir Thomas Cave's,., at Stanton upon Avon.— Sir Michael D'Anvers's, at Culworth. — Sir William Dolben's, at Thingdon. Sir John Dryden's, at Cannons- Afhby.— Sir Thomas Egerton's, at Farthing-goe. — Sir Edmund Ifham's, at Lamport. — Sir. James Langham's, atCottes- brooke and Walgrave. Sir John Palmer's, at Carlton. — Sir George Robinfon's, at Cranford — Sir Thomas Samwell's, at Up ton and Gayton — Sir William Wake's, at Courteen-HaU,— Sir. Booth Williams's, at Clapton. — Mr. Scawen's, at Maidwell. — > Mr. Knightley's, at Fawfley, near Daventry. — Mr. Noel's, at Walcott.— Drayton-Houfe, belonging to Lord George Germaine. NOT TI N G H A M S H I R E. TAKES ks name from the County town, called by the Sax ons Snottengaham, or a houfe of Dens, fo called from the fpacious vaults dug in the rocks, in which tbe ancient Britons perhaps refided. This county is remarkable for its being bounded on the four cardinal points of the compafs by four fingle counties* a circumftance which is not found in the fituation of any other county in England. Ori the north it borders upon Yorkshire,- ori the eaft on Lincolnfhire, on the South on Leicefterfliire, and aa the Weft on Derbyfhire. It extends 43 miles in lengthy 94 in breadth, and 1 10 in circumference ; contains 10 market towns, 168 parifhes, 450 villages, fix wapentakes and two liberties. The air of this county is efteemed exceeding healthful, but the foil is various ; the eaftera fide, which is called the Clay, is very'. fruitful,' N0TTIN/GHA,M,SHIRE. 497 fruitful, and yields great plenty of corn ahd grafs ; but, tlie weftern parts which are named the Sand, are lefs fertile, being generally very woody, and in fome places barren; The chief commodities are pit-coal,, of which there is great plenty ; 3 kind of ftone fomewhat like alabafter, but not fo hard, which, when burnt, makes a plaifter harder than that of Paris, with which the ihhabitants^generally plafter the floors of their upper rooms, in ftead of boarding them. Their other commodities are, malt, wool, liquorice, wood, fifh, and fowl. Their manufaftures chiefly confift of frame-work knitting, glafs and earthen-ware. The principal rivers of the county are, the Trent and the Idle. The Trent is one of the capital rivers in England, it running a courfe of near two hundred miles before it reaches the Humber. Its fpring -head is in the high lands of Staffordshire, and from, thence it tuns through Derbyfhire, Nottinghamshire, and Lin- colnfhire. The name is derived by fome from the thirty fmaller rivers it receives, and by others from thirty different kinds of fifh found in it. It enters this county at the fouth weft point, where it is joined by the Erwalli, and runs to the eaftward till it reaches Newark, where it forms an ifland, and turning north ward, runs into Lincolnshire. The Idle rifes in Sherwpod-foieff, and running through the northern parts pf the cpunty to the edge of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, there joins the Trent. This county fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, The Right Hon. Lord Edward Charles Cavendiih Bentinck, 01-fly brother to the Duke of Portland, and Charles Meadows, Efq. Nottingham, 84 miles from. York, 41 from Lincoln, 25 from Leicefter, 17 from Derby, and 124 from London, is delight fully feated on a rock, at the fopt pf which runs' the river Lene, which, at a mile's diftance, falls into the Trent, over which there is a handfome ftone bridge, and another over the Lene. The town is large and well built ; moft of the houfes in the market-place and principal ftreets, have their front fupported by l.ofty ftone (Jolumns, of the .Dpric order, which not only make a- Qjl *ery 298 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. very handfome appearance, but aflbrd fhelter in bad weather. The ftreets are well paved, and from their fituation pn a rock, are always clean. The market-place, which is large and fpa- cfous, has a beautiful crofs, in which a kind of dpme js fupport ed by very lofty ftone columns, under which is kept the corrt- market. In a ftreet at fome diftance from this market, are feve ral ftone fteps, diminifhing as they rife, and an the top ftands a very noble column crowned with a ball. This is called the Hen- crofs, and here is a market for all forts of poultry. The rock on which the town ftands, is pretty foft, and renders it remark able for its cellars, two or three being fometimes under each other, with the fteps hewn out of the rock, in fome places to the number of fixty or feventy in depth. Thefe conveniences, to gether with the goodnefs of the malt, enable the inhabitants to drink the beft malt liquors, and to make a confiderable advan tage in fending them to moft parts of England ; for which pur pofe moft of the low lands of this county are fowed with barley" As the meadows, which lie between the town and the Trent, are liable to be overflowed, a good broad caufeway for foot paf- fengers extends about a mile long. The town has three chuiches : that of St. Mary's Is a large and noble Gothic ftrufture, with a fquare tower ; and that of St. Peter's is a very handfome build" ing, with a painting of the Laft Supper on the altar-piece. It has a lofty fpire, and each has a good ring of bells and chimes^ St. Nicholas's church is, however, a meaner building. There are alfo eight meeting-houfes. Heavy goods are brought hither from London by water up the river Trent, and many coal-pits within three or four miles of the town, afford plenty of fuel at a fmall expence. It is governed by a maypr, a recorder, fix al dermen, two flieriffs, two chamberlains, two coroners, and eighteen common-council. At the fouth-weft end of the town is a fteep hill, which has on the fouth a high precipice fronting the meadows. On this hill ftood a caftle of fuch antiquity, that the time of ks. firft erection cannot be traced. It was rebuilt by William NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. 299-: William Peveral, baftard fon to the Conqueror, and afterwards improved by Edward IV. and Richard III. This ftrufture was granted to the Earl of Rutland, and afterwards came into the' poffeffion of William Cavendifh, Marquis of Newcaftle, who, in 1674, cleared away the old building, and a moft magnificent ftrufture was at length erefted, which feems tohave been model led after fome of the draughts of Inigo Jones. It is built en tirely of ftone, and has a delightful profpeft over the meadows, which extend a great depth below it, about fourteen miles in length, like a level bowbng green, interfperfed with villages> and the river Trent winding through it ; on the eaft-end, the view extends over the town and the diftant country ; and on the- north, over the park, which is beautifully variegated with hills and vallies. In this park are the remains of a church or Pagan temple, hewn out of the rock, the roof vaulted and fupported by a kind of maffy pillars, in a very rude tafte ; the floor, the roof, the pillars, and fides being all of a piece. In the fame ledge of perpendicular ropks, are the remains pf feveral houfes, chambers, dove-hoUfes, &c. which might poflibly be the refi dence of fome of the ancient Druids. This town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Robert Smith, Efq-; and Daniel Parker Coke, Efq. It has a market on Wednefdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and four fairs annually, viz- on the Fri day next after Jan. 1 3 ; March 7 ; the Thurfday before Eafter, for horfes and horned cattle; and Oftober 2, 3, 4, for horfes and horned cattle, alfo a great fair for cheefe. Eaft-Retford, 26 miles from Nottingham, and 143 from Lon don, is an ancient borough, in the midft of a large plantation of hops ; in which, and in barley for malt, it drives a great trade. Here is a good tewn-hajl, a free grammar fchool, and a hand fome church. This place is joined by a ftone bridge to another called Weft-Redford, in which ftands Trinity Hofpital, governed by a mafter who has 15I. a year, and -ten brethren iol. each, befides 10a. for coals, and fix yards pf cloth for a gown ; an ali- Qji 2 lowance 3W N OT T I N G H A M S H I R E. lowance for reading prayers, and iol. to maintain a fcholar ift Exeter college, Oxford. This town fends two members to par liament, who at prefent 'are, Wharton Amcotts, Efq ; and the Rt. Hon. Thomas Pelham Clinton, Earlof Lincoln, only fon of the Duke of Newcaftle, and col. of the 17th reg. of dragoons. It has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on March 2.3, and Oftober 2, for horfes and beafts. - Newark upon Trent, 18^ miles from Nottingham, and 124 from London, is a great thoroughfare on the Yorkfhire road ; it is a handfome well built town, with bridges over the river; which here forms an ifland, by dividing itfelf into two ftreams; two miles below it. The north gate is built of ftone that feem to be of a Roman cut. Here is a church which was built in the reign of Henry VI. It has a lofty fpire, and is reckoned one pf the fineft parifh churches in England. In this town likewife is a noble market-place, fo fpacious that Lord Bellafyfe drew up I ©,000 men in it, when he defended this town for charles L Againft the ScPtch army. Here is a charity fchool for 36 boys, fupported by contributions, and a free fchool founded by Tho mas Magnus. In this place king John ended the courfe of a very troublefome and uneafy life. This town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Jphn Sutton, Efq ; cpufin to the Duke pf Rutland, a capt. in the Coldftream reg. of guards, and a It. col in the army, and the Rt. Hon. Conft. John (Phipps) Lord Mulgrave of the kingdom of Ireland, nephew to the Earl of Briftol, a captain in the royal navy, joint paymafter-genferal of the forces, a lord of trade and plantations, a commifs. of the Eaft India board, and F.R.S. It has a market on Wednefdays, aTd fix fairs ann-ually, viz. on the Friday before Paffion-Sunday ; Fri day in Midlent ; May 14; Whit-Tuefday ; Auguft 2 ; Nov. 1, for horfes, cattle, flieep, pigs, linen and Woollen cloth ; and Monday before Dec. 11, for horfes, cattle, fheep and pigs. Sherwood, formerly one clofe continued fhade, with the boughs of trees fo entangled in one another, that one could hardly walk fingle NOTTINGHAMSHIRE- 301 0rigle in the paths. At prefent it is much thinner and feeds att infinite number of deers and flags ; and it has fome towns in it Whereof Mansfield is the chief. This town ib 13! miles from Nottingham; and 139 from London, and drives a great trade in mdlt; it is well knoWn from the old ftory and fong of Sir John Cockle> the miller of Mansfield, and the frequent refort of the Kings hither for pleafure, particularly that of hunting. In the words of an old ihquifition, " Henry Falconberg held the manor ff Cukeney-, in this county, by fergeahtry, to Shoe the King's horfe, when he came to Marisfield." This town has a market on Thurfdays-, well flocked with corn, cattle, and other goods, and tw* fairs annually; viz. on June 29, for horned cattle and hogs, and on the fecond Thurfday in October, for horfes -and cheefe. This is lately fet up, and is commonly called a meeting, haVktg no charter for a fair on that day. ( Southwell, 12 miles from Nottingham, and 140 from London, ftands on a fmall ftrearn called the Greet, which falls into the Trent; about two miles fouth of the town. Here is a church which is called a minfter; and is both parochial and collegiate ; It is fuppofed to have been founded by Paulinus, the firft arch bifhop of York, about the year 630, and is reputed the mother church of the town and county of Nottingham. It Was fet on fire by lightning on the 5th of November 17 n. In this fire a fine organ was confumed, a fet of excellent bells melted, and o- ' ther damages done, to the value of/46001. To this church be long fixteen prebendaries or canons, fix vicars choral, an o'r- ganift, 'fix finging-men; fix chorifters, befides fix boys, toho attend as probationers, a regifter to the Chapter, a treafurer, an auditor, a verger; and other officers. The chapter has a pecu liar jiirifdiftion over twenty-eight parifhes, to moft of which it has the right of prefentation; as well as to other parifhes in Lin colnshire ahd Yorkfhire. This jurifdiftion is exercifed by a com miffary or vicar-general, who is chofen by the Chapter out of %ir own body, and holds' Tifitations twice a year. Here are two 3P2 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. two annual fynods, at which all the clergy of Nottingham attend j and a certain number of the prebendaries of this church, and o- ther clergymen, are, by the Archbifhop of York, appointed' commiffioners to prefide at thefe fynods. Southwell is divided into two parts, one Is called the Burgage or Burrldge, where the Inhabitants hold their lands of the Lord, at a certain yearly rent, and comprehends all that part of , the town between the market place and the river Greet ; the other part is called the Prelendage, and confifts of the liberties of the church. The civil govern ment is here diftinft from that of the county in general, and is called the Soke of Southwell, with Scroby, a town near Blith There are about twenty towns fubjeft to this jurifdiftion ; the Cuftos Rotulorum, and juftices of the peace for it, are nominat ed by the Archbifhop of York, and conftkuted by a commiffion. under the. great feal. The Archbifhop of York has three parks here, which, though difparked, ftill retain the name of Parks ; . and though the, archbifhops have no feat here, they have, ever fince the conqueft, been Lords of the Manor ; and, by various grants from fucceffive Kings, enjoy great privileges in this place, for they have the returns of writs on all their lands, tenements and fees ; and, befides the feffions of the peace, kept by turns at Southwell and at Scroby, by juftices of their own nomination, they have a court leet, which they do, or may, hold over fe veral townfhips. This town has a market on Saturdays, and one fair annually, viz. on Whit-Monday, for horfes, horned cattle, fheep, fwine and merchandize. Tuxford, 13 miles from Newark, and 136 from London, ftands in the poft road between London and York. Great part ¦ of it was burnt down on the 8th of September 1702. The fitu ation is in a miry clay country, and the buildings are mean. Here however is a good free fchool, built by Charles Read, Efq ; and endowed with 50I. per annum. The like he did at Corby in Lincolnfhire, and at Drox in Yorkfhire ; to which laft he added an hofpital, and endowed that alfo with 50!, a year. This town NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. 3«S has a market on Mondays, and two fairs annually, viz. on Sep tember 25, for horfes and pigs, and May 12, for cattle, fheep*" pigs and millenery. Workfop, 12 miles from Mansfield, and 152 from London; it ftands at the head of a fmall river called the Ryton, and has a market remarkable for great quantities of liquorice and malt. In Oftober lyfji , Workfop Manor, near the town pf Wprkfop, a feat belonging to the Duke of Norfolk, and one of the fineft in England, containing above five hundred rooms, was burnt down to the ground, together with a fine library, a curious colleftion of piftures and other valuable furniture : The lofs was compu ted at 100,000 1. This town has a market on Wednefdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on March 20, June 21, and Oft. 3, for cattle, horfes and pedlary. ANTIQUITIES, Nottinghamfhire is part of the territory, which, in the time of the Romans, was inhabited by the Coritani, of whom men tion has already been riiade. — A Roman military way, called tbe Foffe-way, enters this county from Leicefterfhire, at a place called Willoughby on the Would, near the borders pf Leicefter fhire, hence it pafles in a direftipn north-eaft, by Bingham and Newark, into Lincolnfhire, and leaves Nottinghamfhire at a vil lage called South Skarle, a few miles from Newark. — At Eaft Bridgeford, there are ftill to be feen the remains of a Roman ftation. — In a field at Collingham, near the FoffeTway, there Is the appearance of another Roman ftation; and feveral coins of the Emperor Conftantine have been found in this place. — At Stamford, on the borders of Leicefterfhire, and near Loughborough in that county, many coins arid other remains of Roman antiqui ty have been dug up. — At Wilford, a large pot was dug up, not many years ago, with a great number of Roman copper coins ia it.— At Filney, near Retford, there was fpund, not long ago, a druidical 3°4 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. druidical amulet, confifting of a tranfparent ftone of an aqueou»- cplour, with ftreaks of yellow': There were at the fame time difcovered a Roman Stylus, and feveral cornelians and agates, with engravings and Roman infcriptions. — -Littleborough, upon the river Trent, which has long been famous for a ferry over the river into Lincolnfhire, Is thought to have been a Roman town called Agelocum : Roman urns have been dug up here, one of which had the figure of a woman's head upon it.- — Under the caftle of Nottingham, and in the rock on which it floods there are feveral caves cut out into different apartments ; one of which is remarkable for the hiftory of Chrift's paffion, cut out by David II. King of Scotland, when a prifbnerhere ; aad there is a wind ing ftair-cafe, leading almoft to the bottom of the rock, inta another of thefe caves, called Mortimer's Hole, from a fuppofi- tion that Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, hid himfelf in it, be *fore he was feized by order of Edward III. It is obferved, that a cuftom has prevailed among all nations, of ftigmatizlrig the in habitants of fome particular fpot, as remarkable for their Stupi dity : This opprobrious diftrift among the Afiatics, was Phrygia ; among the Thracians, Abdera ; among the Greeks, Bseotia . and in England Gotham, a village to the fouth" of Nottingham. Of the Gothamkes, Ironically called the wife men of Gpthatn, many ridiculous fables are traditionally told ; particularly, that having often heard the cuckow, but never feen her, they hedged in a" bufh, whence her note feemed to proceed, that being con fined within fo fmall a compafs, they might at length fatisfy their curiofity. What gave rife to this ftory is not now remembered, but there is at a place called Court-hill, in this parifh, a bufV ftill called by the name of Cuckow-bufh. — At Blith there was a priory of Benediftine monks, built by Roger de Builly and Muriel, his wife, about the year 1088. It was dedicated to thtf . Virgin Mary, and was, in fome refpefts, fubordinate to the abbey of the trinity in St. Catharine's Mount, near Roan in Nor mandy : It however continued till the general diffolution, when the NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. 305 the yearly revenues of it were found to be worth 113b gs.-* At Lenton, near Nottingham, in the beginning of the reign. 0/ King Hepry I. William Peverejl built a prioiy dedicated to the Trinity, and fubordmate to the abbey of Cluny, in Normandy, It was made denifon in the 16th pf Richard II. and continued fill the general diffolution, when the yearly revenues of it were valued at 329I. 15s. ;od. Here was an hofpital dedicated to St. Anthony, imd a houfe of Carmelite friars, but there are no particulars relating tp them upon record. — At Thurgarton, fouth of Southwell, Ralph dp Ayncourt, about the year 11 30, found ed a cpnvent, confifting of a prior and canons of the order of St, Auguftine, who were endowedat the fuppreffion with 259I. 9s. 40. per annum.— At Ruffoifd, n,ear Mansfield, Gilbert Earl of Lincoln, about the year 1148, founded an abbey pf Ciftercian monks, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and valued, upon the dif folution, at 276I. us. 6d. per annum.— rAt Wellbeck, neat Workfop, there was an abbey for Premonftratenfian canons, founded in 1153, by Thomas le Flemangh, and dedicated to St. James. It was the chief abbey of this order in England, and was valued, upon the diffolution, at 249I. 6st 3d. — AtSheiford, near Bingham, there was a priory of the order of St. Auguftinej built by Ralph Hanfelyn, In the time of King Henry II. It was dedicated tp the Virgin Mary, and not long before the fuppref fion had twelve canons, who were endowed with yearly revenues to the amount of 151I. 14s. id. — At Newfted, near Mansfield, there was a priory of black canons, built about the year 11 70, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It had yearly revenues at tbj| difojution, worth 167I. 16s. nd. SEATS of the Nobility,.^. Dt^ke of Norfolk's, at Workfop Manor. — Duke of Kingftoa'a,' at ^jolme-Pierpont, the ancient feat and burial-place of the fa mily, $car Nqttin|biffl»* a»d Thprfbj Park, to, the foreft -of 3QS 0 X F O R D S H I R E. Sherwood. Duke of Newcaftle's, at Nottingham- caftle; at Haughton, near Tuxford, and at Clumber-park Lodge. — Duke of Portland's, at Wellbeck, near Workfop. — The, Earl of Chef- terfield's, at Shelford. — The Earl of Harrington's, at Linby. — Lord Byron's, athJewfted-abbey, and Bullwell Park. — Lord Mid dleman's, at Wollarton-Hall, near Nottingham. — Lord George Sutton's, at Kelham. — Lord Galway's, at Searlby, near Blyth. — Sir Gervafe Clifton's, at Clifton. — Sir William Mollneaux's, at Feverfal. — Sk Thomas Paikyh's, at Bunny, Eaft-Lake, and at Hlghfield Grange.— -Sir George Savile's, at Rufford.-^-Sir Charles Sidley's, at Nuthall.— The Hon. Mr. Willdughby's, at Wollaton, and at Weft Leake. — Mundy Munfter's, at Colwick. — John Newton's, Efq ; at Bullwell. — John Sutton's, Efq ; at Norwood. — John Emerton's, Efq^ at Thrumpton.— Mr. ThPrp- ton's, at Scriveton, — Mr. Montague's, at Papple-watch. — Mr. Hewit's, at Shire Oakes, near Workfop. . wit OXFORDSHIRE. THIS county is bounded on the eaft by Buckinghaaifliire ; on the weft by Gloucefterftike ; on the north by Nor thamptonfhire and Warwickfhire ; and on the fouth by Berkfhire. It is about 42 miles in length, 26 in breadth, and 130 In cir cumference; containing one city, 15 maiket towns, 280 pa rifhes, 14 huridreds, ind about 534,000 acres. It is a rich and fertile country; the lower parts are cultivated into pleafant fields and meadows, and the hills were covered with great ftore of . wood, till the late civil wars, in which it was deftroyed to fuch a degree, that few places (except the Chiltern country) can an swer that charafter at prefent ; fuel in thofe parts being fo fcarce, that it . is commonly fold by weight, nOt only In Oxford, but other towns la the northern parts pf the (hire. It is not only fruitful OXFORDSHIRE, jof fruitful hi grafs and cprn, but abnunds with all forts of game r But its greateft glory is the abundance of meadows and paftures, to which the rivers add both pleafure and convenience ; for,, he- fides the five mpre considerable ones, the Thang^s, Ifis, Char well, Evehlode, and Windrufh, it has at leaft three fcore and ten of an inferior rank, without including the fmaller brookss The Ifis, afterwards called Tamifis, in a long courfe wafhes the fouth fide of this county. Charwell, a fmall river abounding with fifh, after it has divided this fhire, for fome fpace, frpm that o|vNorthampton, flows gently through the middle of the county, and divides it, as it were, into two equal parts. The river Tame waters and fruftifies the eaftern parts, till at laft, bpth thefe rivers, with feveral other little ftreams, are received into the Ifis. This county fends two memhers to parliament, who at prefent are, the Rt. Hon. Lord Charles Spencer, LL.D. next brother to the Duke of Marlborough, verdurer of Whichwppcf. *Foreft, and col. of the militia of this county, and the Rt. Hon- Philip (Wenman) Vifcount Wenman, of the kingdom of Ire land, LL.D. Where the Charwell flows along with the Ifis, and meets it ; and where their divided ftreams make feveral little fweet and pleafant iflands, is feated, on a rifing vale,, the moft famous univerfity of Oxford, our moft noble Athens, the feat ¦of our Englifh mufes, the prop and the pillar, nay, the fun, the eye, the very foul of the nation ; the moft celebrated fountain pf- wifdom and learning, from whence religion, letters, and good manners, are plentifully diffufed through the whole kingdom. A delicate and moft- beautiful city, whether we refpeft the neatT flefs of private buildings, the flatelinefs of public ftruftures, pp its healthy and pleafant fituation. In this city, which is 25 miles from Buckingham, 46 from Gloucefter, 47 from Northampton, 42 from Warwick, 30 from Reading, and 55 from London, are twenty feveral , colleges' : ' I. Univerfity college is fituated near the eaft gate of the city* and was the beginning of the univerfityk It was founded before R r 2 the. %<& o£f* &rd&h i Kt. the yfe&r *]"ii, but htiw much earlier is not certain, King Alfred tfot beihg fb properly the founder of this univerfity, as its re- ttorter alter the Daritth devaftitioris. It has one triafter, twelve fellows, fetaftteen fcholars, with many bthei" ftudents, amount ing in the whole to about ninety. JBefore the noble behefafti6fl . itf Dr. Radclifle, it had one large beautiful quadrangle, the fouth fide of Which is divided into a handfome hall and chapel. Ifi a niche before this quadrangle is a ftatue of the late Queen Anne» and in a niche on tlie infide of a new quadrangle is that of Dr* Radcliffe, Who left forty thoufand pounds for building a public library, which is a noble ftrufture. II. Baliol College ftands in the north part of thfe fuburbs, and *as founded by John Baliol, Whofe fon was King of ScOtlahd. It maintains a mafter, twelve felldws, thirteen fcholars, and eigh teen exhibitioners, the whole number of the fociety being about fiinety. It has one large ahciertt quadrangle, on the north fide of which is the chapel, and a library furnifhed with a noble col leftion of books. III. Merton College is fituated on the fouth fide of the city, . ind takes its name from its founder Walter Of Merton, bifhop of Rochefter, and GhahcellOr Of England, about the year 1267. It has a Warden, twenty-four Fellows, fourteen portionifts, and two clerks ; the number of Members amount to about a hundred., The chapel is the parifh church of St. John Baptift. The inner large court of the college is very beautiful, and has a well fUrhifh- td library, with a fine garden. IV. Exeter college is fituated Oh the weft fide of the fchools, fh the north part of the town, and was founded in 13 16, by Walter Stapleton, bifhop of Exeter, and Lord-treafurer of Eng land. It maintains a reftor, twenty-three fellows, one bible- clerk, and three exhibi'tioneis ; the ftudents of every fort amount to about fifty. It has one large quadrangle, which has a very toOble front, and over the gate is a fplendid tower. V. Oriel e i Ft) R ti S H I R lx j<£ V. Oriel College is fituafed oh the fouth fide df the towii, and fas at firft named St. Mary's and King's college. It Was found ed by King Edward it. in 1324, and his fon Edward III. adding ft) the reVeriue a rich meffuage, called Le Oriel, it thence took the name of Oriel college. It confifts bf one handfome regular (quadrangle, and has a ptovOft, eighteen fellowS; fourteen exhi- litioners ; and in all about ninety ftudents. VI. Quota's college is feAted near the parifti church of St. . feter's in the eaft, ahd founded in 1340, by Eglesfield, chaplain pr confeffor to Philippa, confort to King Edward III, in honour of whoni fee called it Queen's College. It maintains a pfovoff, S#enty-twp feiloWs, twenty two fcholars, eight chaplains, nine tabetders, artd forty exhibitioners, and ih all about 180 ftudents. It has had fome noble benefaftors, who have erefted extenfive buildings that are juftly admired. This cpllege is a beautiful piece of modem architeftute, and is formed into two courts \- the fitft 140 feet In lehgth and 30 in breadth, is eneompaffed by a beautiful cloifter, except on the north fide, where is the chapel afid hall Of the Doric order. The north court Is 130 feet long arid 1)0 broad ; and on the weft fide of it ftands the library,. which is"of the Corinthian order. Her late majefty Queen Ca roline's ftatue is erefted in this college under a kind of temple' fupported by pillars, fhe having given one thoufand pounds to wards tompleating the new building. VII. Mew college which ftahds on the nbrth-eaft part of the; eityj was founded in l$$6 by William of Wickham, bifhop of Winchefter, and Lord High Chancellor, under the name of the Bleffed Virgin Mary. It has a warderi, feventy fellows, ten Chaplains, three clerks, fixteen chorifters, and many gentlemen. eommoners. Great additions have been made to the beauty of the buildings, which have been alfo enlarged towards the gardea' With two ftately arid uniform wihgs. The chapel is a magnifi cent ftrufture, With a very lofty tower, and a fine ring of bells. The library is well furnifhed with book? ahd manufcripts, and the- 3io( OXFORDSHIRE. \ the garden is feparated from the college by a range of Iron pali- fadoes, and a gate of Cxquifite workmanfhip. ' VIII. Lincoln College, which ftands in the middleof the city, was founded, in 1427, by Puchard Fleming, bifhop of Lincoln ; but finifhed by Thomas de Rotherham, bifhop of Lincoln, after wards Lord High Chancellor and Archbifhop of York, In 1475. It has a feftor, twelve fellows, nine fcholars, twenty exhibi tioners, two chaplalris, Sec. This college has two fmall ancient quadrangles, with a beautiful chapel, the windows of which are curioufly painted. IX. All- Souls College, which fronts the High-ftreet, wa* founded by Henry Chicheley, Archbifhop of Canterbury, for of fering up prayers for the fouls of all who fell in the wars of Kjtjgf Henry V. in France. It has a warden, forty fellows, two chap lains, nine fchplars, three clerks, fix chorifters, &c. CpI. Cod- ringtpn bequeathed io,oool. to this college for building a li brary and furnifhing it with books. This library is two hundred" feet long within the walls, and thirtyitwo feet and a half broad: It has eleven large windows to the fouth, with a window feven teen feet in width at each end. It is a fine Gothic ftrufture, and is thus built in conformity tO the chapel. X. Magdalen College ftands without the eaft gate, and was founded in 1458, by William Patten, otherwife Wainfleet, bifhop" of Winchefter, and Lord High Chancellpr. It has a prefident, forty fellows, a fchool-mafter, thirty fcholars, called demies, an ufher, three public readers, four chaplains, eight clerks, fix teen chorifters, &c. and the number of ftudents of every fort are about a hundred and twenty. The chapel and hall are very " magnificent, and the walks very delightful. The library,, to which Col. Codrington alfo bequeathed ten thoufand pounds, is very well furnifhed. XL Brazen-Nofe College Is fituated in the middle pf the city, where flood a hall of the fame name, with a monftrous nofe of brafs fixed upon the door. It was founded in is°9» by William Smith, O XFO R DS H I R E. , 3n Smith, bifhop of Lincoln, and has a principal, twenty-four fel lows, thirty-three fcholars, &c. befides about forty or fifty ftu dents. It confifts of two quadrangles,, In the leffer of which are the chapel and library, and under them a wide and pleafant cloi- fter, elegantly built. XII. Corpus Chriftf College ftands on the fouth fide of the eity, and was founded in 151 6, by Richard Fpx, bifhpp of Winchefter. It has a prefident, twenty fellnws, twenty fchplars, two chaplains, and four exhibitioners. It contains fome very noble buildings, and its library has a valuable colleftion of books and manufcripts. , XIII- Chrift-Church College takes up a vaft extent of ground, cn the fouth fide of the city. It was begun in the year 15 15, by '. Cardinal Wolfey; but upon his difgrace it fell into the King's hands, who joined it to Canterbury college, and Peckwater Inn. It has a dean, eight canons, one hundred and one ftudents, eight chaplains, eight finging-men, eight chorifters, and a teacher of mufic, a fchool-mafter, ufher, forty grammar-fcholars, &c In the ftately tower in the front of the gate, hangs the great bell called Tom, which vrsts removed thither out of the fteeple of the cathedral, and is feven feet one inch in diameter, weighing feventeen thoufand pounds weight. This bell is tolled every night one hundred and one ftrokes ; agreeable to tbe number of ftudents in the college, to give warning for ftiutting up the gates in the colleges and halls in the univerfity. The buildings of this college are very large and fplendid. The great quadrangle has a wide and handfome terrace round it, arid a fountain iri the middle: Peckwater quadrangle is finely built, and there are aHo, two other fquares. The cathedral is lofty, the hall and library are high and fpacious, and the latter contains a noble colleftion of books. In a word, this college is an univerfity of itfelf. XIV. Trinity College was originally a religious houfe, called Durham College, for the monks of Durham cathedral, feated in the north fuburbs -y but upon the diffolution of pionaftsries, Sir Thomas Sr» OXFORDSHIRE. "Thoqap.sPQpe pprcjiafed it of thofe to yrha^ it had bepn granted by the crown, ?p4 cppyerfefl it into a cpllege. It has a prefidentf twejye fellows, fttygkf frhplars, who together with the gentle- men-eommoners ampunf tp ^bput eighty. It confifts of tw* quadrangles, in the firft of which are the chapel, tlie hall, $n-Godftan Nuiwiery, in the neighbourhood of Ox ford, was built by the Priorefs Edkha, anno domini 11 38.— Minfter Lovel Priory is now in poffeffion of Lord Lovel. SEATS RUTLANDSHIRE. 3ai S E A T S of the Nobility, 6c. The Duke of Marlborough's, near Wodftock, and Corn- bury. — The Earl of Shrewfbury's, at Heathorpe, near Chipping- Norton.-— The Earl of Anglefey's, at BleachingtOn; near Ox ford.— The Earl of Doncafter's, at Adderbury. — The Earl of Litchfield's, at Difchley, near Woodftpck.— The Earl of Ab- bingdon's, at Ryeccte, near Oxford. — The Earl of Plymouth's, at Charlbury. — The Earl of Jerfey's, at Middleton Stony. — The Ifcrl bf Macclesfield's, at Sherborne- caftle, near WaUingford. . The Earl of Harcourt's, at Stanton -Harcourt, near Oxford, at Cokethorp and Newnham. — The Earl of Guildford's,, at Wroxton Abbey, near Banbury. — Lord Cadogan's, at Caverfham, near Reading. — Lord Harwich's, at North- Alton. — The Lord Bifhop of Oxford's palace, at Cuddefden. — Sir William Boothby's, at "Coperdy, near Banbury. — Sii James Chamberlaine's, at Dun- flew.— Sir Charles Cope's, at Brewern and Hanwel. — Sir James Dafhwood's, at Kirtlington-Park. — Sir Robert Jenkinfon's, at Walcot..— Sir Francis Knoll y's, at Thame. — Sir John Ofbalde- fton's, at Chadlington. — Sir John Read's, at. Shipton. — Sir Tho- , mas Stapleton's, at Grey's- court. — Sir Gregory Turner's, at Ambrofeden.— Sir Jacob Wheate's, at Glympton.— The Hon. Mr. Bofcawen's, at the Lodge, in Carlton-foreft. — The Hon. Mr. Bertie's, at Weftpn on the Green. — Mr. Sambrooke's, at Fawley-court. — Mr. Walter's, at Sarfden.— .Mr. Fane's, at Worm- fley.— Mr Page's, at Middle-Afton.— Mr. Bullocks, at Cavers - field-place, near Bicefter. — Mr. Skymer's, at Milton. RUTLANDSHIRE. RUTLAND, or Red Land is almoft of a circular form, bounded on the Eaft and fouth by Lincolnfhire and Nor- %mptonfhire ; on the fouth and weft by Leicefterfhire ; and on T t the 322 RUTLANDSHIRE. the north by part of Leicefterfhire and Lincolnfhire. It is about 15 miles in length, 10 in breadth, and 40 in circumference; Containing two market towns, 1 1 1 villages, 48 parifhes arid 5 hundreds. This little traft feems to have been made a county but of late days ; for, in the time of Edward the Confeffor, it was reckoned a part of Northamptonfhire ; and our hiftorians, "who wrote before the laft three hundred years, mention not this in the number of the counties of England. The foil is very fruitful in corn and pafture, which feeds many cattle; efpecially iheep, whofe wool is obferved to be better than any other county, from a peculiar quality in the foil. It produces alfo plenty of wood for fuel. This county fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Thomas Noel, Efq ; coufin to the Earl of (jainfborough, and George Bridges Brudenell, Efq ; coufin to the Duke of Montagu. Oakham, 48 miles from Lincoln, 32 from Northampton, i6| from Leicefter, and 95 from London ; it is fituated in ths little, but rich vale of Catmos, is indifferently well built, and famous for its market, caftle, hpfpkals, and free fchool. It is particularly remarkable for an ancient cuftom, which is ftill kept up, viz, that every peer, of the realm, the firft time he comes through this town, fhall give a horfe fhoe to nail upon the caftle gate ; and if he refufes, the bailiff of the manor has power to ftop his coach, and take one off from his hprfe's foot ; but commonly they give live, ten, or twenty fhillings, more or lefs, as they pleafe ; and, in proportion to the gift, the fhoe is made larger or fmaller, with the name and titles of the donor cut upon it, and fo it is nailed upon the gate. This caftle was built in the reign of Henry II. by Walkeline de Ferraralis, younger fon of the Earl of Derby. In theyear 1619, was born here a dwarf, fcarce eighteen inches in height when a year old : His father was a lufty man, and fo were all his other children. Being taken into the family of the late Duke of Buckingham, when the court came that way on a ¦progrefs, 1)£ was ferved up to the table in a cold pie. Between the RUTLANDSHIRE. 323 die feventh and thirtieth year of his age he grew not much ; but, a little after thirty, he fhot up to that height, which he re mained at in his old age,, i. e. about three feet nine inches. In the 22d of Richard II. William Dalby of Exton, Merchant, founded an hofpital here, for the rnaintenance of two chaplaini- and twelve poor men, endowing the fame with a revenue of 40I a year. All Saint's church here is a fine ftrufture, and has a good fpire. This town has a market on Saturdays, and three feirs annually, viz. on March 1 5, for horned catde and fheep ; May 6, ditto and a fhew of Stone horfes; Sept. 11, for ditto and fwine. Uppingham, 6 miles from Oafcham, 92 from London, Is a neat compaft well built town, and has a gopd market for cattle, corn, &c. In this town is an hofpital, and likewife a free fchopl. The market is on Wednefdays, and here are two fairs annually, viz. on March 7, and July 7, for horfes, horned cattle, and coarfe linen cloth. Market -Overton, is. the place where the Margldunum of An toninus was. formerly placed, but afterwards removed to about Belvoir Caftlei In this neighbourhood fuch plenty of Roman coins are found, as but few places afford ; for, in the compafs of a few years, were gathered between two and three hundred, upon a little fpot of ground, about half a mile from this town.. SEATS of fhe Nobility, 6c. The Earl of Gainfborough's, at Exton. The Earl of Win<- chelfea's, at Burley oh the Hill, near Oakham. This feat for merly belonged to Villers Duke of Buckingham, being one of ' the nobleft buildings of the kind in England ; but it was unfor tunately burnt by the parliament's army. It was rebuilt mere -beautiful and covenient than ever by the late Earl of Notting- . hain, having a walled park, fine woods, and ftore of game, fo that few or no feats in the kingdom are fuperior to it for gardens, T t 2 paintings, 324 STAFFORDSHIRE. paintings, a fine library, and Other* ornaments The Earl of Denbeigh*S, at Martinfthorpe, near Tippingham. — The Earl of 'Haiboroflgh's,atWhifendine, near Oakham. — Sir Gilbert Heath- cote's, at Normanton.— Mr. Noel's, at Exton. — Mr. Btudenell's, at Ayfton. STAFFORDSHIRE. IS the third part of that country which was Inhabited by the Cornavii, tbe people whereof, as living in the heart of Eng land, are called by the venerable Bede, Angli Mediteranei : It is bounded on the eaft by Warwickfhire and Derbyfhire ; on the South by Worcefterfhire ; on the weft by Shropfhire and Che- fliire, which laft, joining Derbyfhire on the north, where It ends in an obtufe angle, makes the north border. It is divided by the Trent into the north- eaft and fouth-weft parts ; the former of which is fub-divided into the Moorlands, which are the more northerly mountainous parts, and tbe Woodland which is the more foutherly part of the county. Staffordfhke lies from fouth to north almoft in form of a rhombus, being about 47 miles in length, and 32 in breadth. It contains one city, (Litchfield) 18 market towns, 670 villages, and 150 parifhes. The air is generally good, being moftly hilly. The moorlands, which are mountainous, and therefore reckoned the moft barren, produce a fhort, but fweet grafs, by Which they bring up as fine large dattle as thofe of Lancafhire : Sheep are alfo fed in the northern as well as the fouthern parts in great numbers ; much of the wool produced from them is manufaftured in the cloathing trade. Felting alfo is carried on in the county. Even the barren moor lands when manured with marie and lime, mixed with turf afhes produce good pats and barley; and as to the fouthern parts, and fome adjacent parifhes in the north, they produce all kinds STAFFORDSHIRE, 525 kinds of grain. In thefe parts they alfo fow flax and hemp. Both the moorlands and woodlands yield lead, copper, iron, marble, alabafter, mill-ftones, coal, marles of feveral forts, other ufeful earths, and likewife valuable ftones and minerals of vari ous forts. As this county has the advantage of two ancieht ways running through it, which have fecured to us CPrifiderable re mains of Roman antiquities ; fo It is remarkable for feveral en- ' gagements and revolutions, relating to the Saxon and Danifh times. For Brkifh antiquities it is not fo confiderable, though there want not fome fmall footfteps of that people too, whom the difcoveries of fuch weapons, as we know they formerly ufed, have pointed out to us. This county fends two members to par liament, who at prefent are, Sir John Wrottefley, Bart. LL.D. brother-in-law tb the Duke of Grafton, neph. to the Marq. of Stafford, colonel of the 45th regiment of foot, and a major gene ral in the army» and Sir Edward Littleton, Bart. Litchfield, 15! miles from Stafford, and 135 from London, is called, byBede, Licidfeld, which is rendered, a field of carcaffes, iecaufe many chriftians fuffered martyrdom there, under Dio- clefian. It is a pretty large neat town, which, joined with Co ventry is a bifhoprick ; It ftands low, near three miles from the river Trent, and is divided into two parts by a little clear rivu let, over which are two eaufeways with fluices. The bifhop's fee was erefted in 606, by Ofwy, King of Northumberland. That part which ftands on the fouth fide of the rivulet is called the city, and. the other the clofe. In the fouth fide is a goal for felohs, a free fchool, and a pretty large well endowed hofpital for the relief of the poor. The clofe is fo called becaufe it is inclofed with a waU, and a good deep dry trench on all fides, ex cept towards the city, where it is defended by a great lake or marfh, forrned by the above-mentioned brook. The cathedral, Vhich ftands in this clofe, Was begun in 1 148 ; it fuffered much in the time of fhe civil wars, but was thoroughly repaired after Ue reftoration, fo that it is nOw a-noble and admirable ftrufture : It 3a6 STAFFORDSHIRE. It is walled in like a caftle, but ftands on fuch an eminence, that it is feen ten miles round. The dimenfions of it, in the infide* are 450 feet in length, of which the choir is 1 1 o, and the breadth of it, in the broadeft place, is 80. Its portico or front can fcarcely be paralelled in England. There are twenty-fix ftatues of the kings of Judah, in a row above it, as big as the life ; and, on the top, at each corner of the portico, is a ftately fpire, be fides a fine high fteeple on the middle of the church. There are feveral ftatues on the outfide of it as well as within. The choir which is in a great part paved with alabafter and cannal coal in imitation of black and white marble, has a chapel behind it. The prebendaries flails are likewife of excellent workmanfhip. Here are three other churches, of which St. Michael's has-fb large a church yard, as to contain fix or feven acres of ground. It Is a long ftraggling place, though it has fome very handfome houfes in it ; and as it is a thoroughfare to the north-weft counties, has feveral good inns. The ale Is incomparably good here, as it is Indeed all over the county. The country hereabouts is both pleafant and fruitful. The brook which has two bridges over it, runs into the Trent. The ftreets are well paved, and kept, very clean. This city fends two members to parliarhent, who at pre fent are, George Anfon, Efq ; and Thomas Gilbert, Efq ; pay- mafter of penfions to the widows of fea officers. It has a market on Tuefdays and Fridays, and three fairs annually, viz. Shrove- Monday, for cattle, fheep, bacon, cheefe and iron; May 12, for fheep and other cattle, and Friday before November 8, for geefe and cheefe. , Stafford, 52 miles frpm Warwick, 47 from Wprcefter, 30 from Derby, and 135 from London, is the fhire town where the affizes are held. It ftands low on the river Sow, over which it has a good bridge. Here are two handfome churches, a free ' fchool, and a fpacious market place, in which ftands the fhire- hall. It is well built and paved, and much increafed of late, both in wealth and inhabitants by its manufafture of cloth. The old cuftom STAFFORDSHIRE. 32-7 Cuftom of Burough Englifh is ftill kept up here. The buildings , are for the moft part of ftone and flate, and fome of them in the modern tafte. Not only the affizes but the quarter feflions are kept here. This town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, the Hon. Edward Monckton, uncle to vifepunt Galway, and Richard Brinfley Sheridan, Efq. It has a market on Saturdays, and fonr fairs annually, viz. on Tuefday before Shrove-Tuefday; May 14, for horfes and cattle; June 29, for wool ; and December 4, for cattle arid fwine. -Newcaftle under Line, or Lome, 15 miles from Stafford, and 148 from London : Its chief manufafture is hats. The ftreets: are broad and well paved, but moft of the buildings low and thatched. The cloathing trade flourifhes here, and the town is furrounded with coal pits. It has only one church, which is no way remarkable. This town was fo called on account of an older caftle, which formerly flood not far from it, at Chefterton under ' Lyne, whereof nothing but fome obfcure remains are now to be feen. This town fends two members to parliament, who at pre- , fent are, Archibald Macdonald, Efq \ only bro. to Id. Macdon ald, ifpn-fri-law to the Mar. of Stafford, fob gen. to the king, and one of the Welfh juftices, and Richard Vernon, Efq; broi- in-law to the Marq. of Stafford. It has a market on Mondays, and five fairs .annually, viz. Eafter-Monday, Whitfun-Monday, Monday before the 15th of July, Monday next after the nth of . September, and November 6, for cattle. * Wolverhampton, 16 miles froiri Stafford, and 117 from Lon- . don, ftands upon a high ground, and is a populous town, well built, and the ftreets well paved, but all the water the town is fupplied with, except what falls from the fkles, comes from weak fprings of different qualities, which go by the names of pudding : well, horfe well, wafhlng well, and meal well, all appropriated to theirfeveral ufes ; from the laft they fetch ail the water which they ufe for boiling or brewing, in leather buckets laid acrofs a hprfe, with a funnel at the top, by which they fill them ; and- to, * " tteft 328 , STAFFORDSHIRE. thefe three wells they carry their tripe, horfes and linen. To thi* fcarcity of water, and the high fituation of the place, is afcribed its heakhy flate, aotwkhftanding the adjacent coal-pits ; and it is faid the' plague was never known there. The chief manufac turers of this town are lockfmiths, who are reckoned the, moft expert of any in England. They are fo curious in this art, that ' they can contrive a lock fo, that if a fervant be fent into a clofet with the mafter-key, or their own, k will fhew how many times that fervant has gone in at any diftance of time, and how many times the lock has been fhot for a whole year, fome of them be ing made to difcover 500 or 1000 times. A lock with a curious fet of chimes in it, that fold for 2ol. was made in this, town. Here is a collegiate church, which is annexed to the dean and chapter of Windfor.; This town was called Wolverhampton, or Ulfrenes-hampteQj-froni: Ulfruna, who built here a mpnaftery, having a free fchcol and a. college, as abpve related. It has a market on Wednefdays, apd one fair annually, viz. on July 10, for all forts of commodities- Walfall, 15 miles from Stafford, and 113 from London, ftand* in a pleafant fituation, on the tpp of a hill ; it has a gpod market, and near it feveral iron mines : The inhabitants make fpurs, bridle-bits, buckles, &c in which they carry on a confidejrgble, trade. Here is dug the beft fort of iron ore, which the miners- call mufh, that contains a cold fharp liquor, fo pleafant to the tafte, that the workmen are fond of it. This, town has a market on Tuefdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on February 24, Whitfun-Tuefday, for horfes and cattle, and the Tuefday before Michaelmas day, for horfes, cattle, cheefe and onions. Penkridge, 6 miles from Stafford, and 122 from London) is1 noted for its great horfe fair, efpecially faddle horfes, which are brought hither from Yoikfhire, and all the horfe breeding coun ties j it is reckoned the greateft horfe fair in the world. It has % market on Tuefdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on September 2, and Oftober 10, for horfes. Rugeleft STAFFORDSHIRE. x 329 Uugeley, 7 miles from Litchfield, and 1 26 from London, is a handfome well built town, fituate near the river Trent, in the Lancafhke and Chefhke road from London, and on one fide o£ Cankwood chafe.. It has a market on Tuefdays^ and two fairs annually, viz. June 6, and Oftober 21, for horfes, fheep aod, cattle. Burton, 22 miles from Stafford, and 125 from London; the north fide of the Trent is chiefly noted for ita fine ale. The bridge is the principal ftrufture at prefent (though it had once an abbey and caftle. ) This bridge fome think the fineft piece ef workmanfhip of any civil public building in England. It is all of fquare free ftone, and above a quarter of a mile in length, with twenty-feven arches, through whieh the river runs, and here divides into three channels. The parifh church is adjoiaing to the decayed abbey. The town confifts chiefly ef pne long ftreet, extending from the abbey to the bridge. Here is a manui fafture of cloth. Barges come up hither, by the help pf art# with a full ftream, in a deep fafe channel, Betwixt the Trent, Dove and Blithe, near this place, is Needwood, a large foreft, with many parks in it, where the gentry often divert themfelvee with hunting and horfe races. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on April 5, far horned cattle and horfes ; Holy Thurfday, for horned cattle ; and Oft. 20, confiderable for hprfes and horned cattle. Tutbury, 20 miles from Stafford, and 120 from Lpndpn, ftands near the river Dove, a little before it falls into the Trent. The caftle was given by William the Conqueror to Henry'Earl de Ferrariis, who built a priory contiguous to it; and in whieh he was buried. It now belongs to the Duke of Devonfhire, and is ftill a good old houfe. It has a market on Tuefdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on February 14, Auguft 15, and Deeennber 1, for horned cattle. Bromley Pagats, 7 miles from Stafford* and 128 from Lon- dpit, is a pretty town, on the fkirts of Berbyflike, remarkable Uu for -&o S T A F f O R D S If I R E, for a fport on , New-Year's day and Twelfth-day, called flie* hobby-horfp dance, from a perfon who rode upon the image of a horfe, with a bow and arrow in his hands, with which he made a friapping noife, and kept time with the mufic, while fix pther men danced the hay, and other country dances, with as many rein-dear's heads on their fhoulders. To this hobby-horfe be longed a pot, which the reeves of the town kept and filled with cakes and ale, towards which the fpeftatcrs contributed a penny, and with the remainder they maintained their popr, and repaired the church. This town has a market on Mondays, -and three fairs annually, viz. on Thurfday before Midlent-Sunday ; May &2, and Auguft 24, for horfes and horned cattle. Uttoxeter, 14 miles from Stafford, and 125 from London, It stands on a hill of eafy afcent, near the river Dpve, over which is a firm ftpne bridge. The town is rather rich by means of its fine meadows and cattle, than neat and handfome in refpeft of buildings. The market is reckoned one of the greateft in thefe parts, for cattle, ffieep, butter, cheefe, corn, and all forts of provifions. Some of the London cheefemongers, by faftors here, lay out 500I. a day in thefe goods. The town is pretty large, and the market-placeJ neat and commodious. This town has a market on Wednefdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on May 6,' and July 31, for horned cattle and fheep; and on Sept. 19, for ftrong black colts and horned cattle. Stone, 5 miles from Stafford, and 141 from London, is fitu ated on the Trent, with commodious inns, in the great road to Weft-Chefter : It is fo called from a heap of ftones to preferve the memory of the murder committed by Ulfer King of Mercia, on his two fons, for embracing Chriftianity ; but he afterwards repented and turned Chriftian : This heap of ftones their mo ther turned into a tomb, and thereupon erefted a church. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and four fairs annually, viz. on Shrove-Tuefday, Tuefday after Mid-lent Sunday, Whitfun-Tuef day, and July 25, for cattle. Leeif STAFFORDSHIRE* jjt Leek, 1 8 miles from Stafford, and 154 from London; h il feated in the barren moor-lands, and thp houfes are but meanly8 built, but its market is very good, which is on Wednefdays, and feven fairs annually, viz. on the Wednefday before Candlemas^ Eafter- Wednefday, May i'8, Whitfun-Wednefday, July 3, July 28, and November 13, for cattle and pedlar's ware. Walfal, 15 miles from Stafford, and 116 from London; it Is feated on thejfide of a hill, is a corporation, with pretty good houfes, feveral manufaftories. in iron, fuch as nails, bridle-bits', «ftirrups, fpurs, and other things of that kind; and has been alfo greatly noted for bellows. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on February td, Whit fun-Tuefday, for horfes and cattle, and Tuefday before Michael- saas-day, for hprfes, cattle, cheefe, and onions. Tamworth, 8 miles from Litchfield, and 113 from London, is called by Marianus Tamawordiha ; it is fo fituated between two fhires, that one part of it, which formerly belonged to the Marinions, is in Warwickfhire ; and the other, which be longed to the Haftings's in Staffordfhixe. It takes its name from the river Tame which runs by it : In the time of the Mercian kingdom, this was a royal feat; particularly in the year 781, it appears to have been the palace of the Mercian kings, by a grant of -Offa to the Mpnks of Wprceffier, which is dated from his royal palace there. This town fends two members to parlia ment, who at prefent are, John Courtenay, Efq; nephew to the Earl of Bute, and John Calvert jun. Efq ; fon of the member fpr HertTerd, and fecretary to the lord chamberlain. This town has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on May 4, for cattle and fheep ; July 26, for cattle and wool ; and Oftober 24, for all forts of cattle. Ecclefhall, ftands near the river Sow, and is a pretty neat httle town; it has a market on Fridays, and four fairs annual ly, viz. on Midlent-Thurfday, Holy-Thurfday, Auguft 5, and •the firft Friday in November, for cattle, fheep and faddle horfes- Uu2 A NT I* iy* hAFFORBSpi RE. A N T I Q. U I T I E S. In diss county are feveral Lows, as they call them, near Wig- igington, which,, from the pieces of bones, coal and afhes they tccBitaifi, appear to have been the depofitaries of the Roman bones after they were burnt. — At'Chickley, 14 miles from New- ifeaitle, are three ftones, with little images cut upon two of fthem, and erefted fpkewife in the church-yard, which are very remarkable ; but k is not known when, by whom, or for what purpofe they were fet up.«=-In Dudley Caftle-Hall, 4 miles from •Wohferhampton, is a table of one entire oak plank, 1 7 yards in •length, a yard in breadth, and at firft meafured 7 yawls' and •$> inohes more, which was cut off to fuit It to the hall. The tree grew in the New Park at Dudley, and is faid to have contained 100 ton of neat timber. The caftle ftands on a high mountain, and is cut out of a rock, with a lofty tower on k, from whence is a profpeft into five fhires, and part of Wales. It was built by Dudo or Dodo, a Saxon, about the year 700. — Ape wood- Caftle, on the Edge of Sbropfhire, is an ancient fortification, fuppofed *o have been Brkifh, ftanding on a lofty promontory, with a fteep ridge for half a mile together, having hollows cut in the ground, over which it is thought tbey pitched their tents ; on Afhwood-Heafh is the appearance of a Roman camp.— Alverton, is a very ancient caftle, bulk before the Norman conqueft.— <3roxton -Abbey, was founded by Bertam de Verdun, who died fome years after in the Holy-Land. — .Dudley priory was founded in the reign of Henry II. by Gervaife de Pagnel, and dedicated hyt, and four fairs annually, viz. on May 12, for cattle, horfes, and SHROPSHIRE. fi9 tai flieep; July 5, for fheep, Oftober 17, and December 4, for horned cattle, horfes, fheep arid fwine. ¦ Bifhop' sCafile, 15 miles from Wenlock, and 156 from London! is a fmall towri, but an ancient bpdy corporate. Its market is noted for cattle and all forts of commodities. The fituatiott rf this town is upon the river Clun, in a kind of promontary be tween Montgomeryfhire and Radnorfhire. This town fends two) members to parliament, who at prefent are, William Clive, Efq j uncle to Lord Clive, and Henry Strachey, Efq. It has a mark et on Fridays, and fix fairs annually, viz. on the Friday before B&ruary 13 ; the Friday before Good-Friday; the firft Friday after 3VIay-Day ; July 5 ; September 9 j and November 13, for flieep, horned cattle, and horfes. ¦"¦Whitchurch, 20 miles from Shrewfbury, and 152 from Lon don, is a pleafant, large and populous town, (but of no great trade,) on the borders of Chefhke. In the church are fome an cient mofluments, particularly that of the famous Sir John Tal- 6ot's, the firft earl of Shrewfbury, who became fo renowried in! the wars with France, as to be called the Englifh Achillesi This Church was rebuilt in 17 12, by a brief which amounted to above 5500 1. This town has a market on Fridays, and two fairs annually, viz. on Whitfun-Monday, and Oftober 28, for fheep, horned cattle, horfes, fwine, flaxen and hempen cloth, and fome woollen. Ofweftry, 18 miles from Shrewfbury, and 157 from London is a very ancient town towards Denbighfhire, enclofed with a wall and a ditch, and fortified with a fmall caftle. Here is a great traffic on its market day for Welch flannels and freezes, of which it is the ftaple. St. Ofwald's church ftands without the new gate, but there is not one in the town. Befides a grammar fchool, here is a pretty large charky-fchool, where forty boys are cloath. ed and taught to read, write, &c. and the girls to fpin, knit and few. This town has a market on Mondays, and four fairs X x 2 annually 34a. . SHROPSI1I R;:p. annually, viz. on March 15, May 12, Auguft 15, and Deeefia-. her 11, for fheep and horned cattle. Went or Wenn, 9 miles from Shrewfbury, and 148 from Lon don, is a place of great antiquity. Sir Thomas Adams, Draper, $ad Lord Mayor of London, gave the houfe In which he was born,, here, to be a free fchool for the children of this town, and liberally endowed it. It has a market on Thurfdays, and three fahs annually, viz. on May 6, for horned cattle, horfes, fheep, linen and flax feed ; June 29, and November 22, for horned cat tle, horfes linen, cloth and fwine. . '.Newport, 17 milesfrom Shrewfbury, and 134 from London;- it is feated on a plain near the borders of Staffordfhire, by the Roman way, called Watling ftreet ; but it is moft remarkable for a free fchool, founded and endowed by William Add,' Efq; of London, Haberdafher, a native of this place, to the amount of 7000 1. He alfo gave a library, with falaries and hpufes for the mafter and ufher, and an acre of ground to each, and two acres fpr the boys to play in. He likewife, built an alms-houfe, and gave 500 1. towards building the town-houfe. This town has a inarket on Saturdays, and four fairs annually, viz. on the Satur day before Palm-Sunday, May 28, July 27, and December 10, for horned cattle, horfes and fheep. Ellefmere, 16 miles from Shrewfbury, and 144 from London; is feated on the fide pf a large mere, in a fmall but rich and fer tile diftrift of the fame name ; It has a market on Tuefdays, and four fairs annually, viz. on the third Tuefday in April, Whit fun-Tuefday, Auguft 25, and November 14, for horfes, fheep and horned cattle. Hales-Owen, 6 miles from Stourbridge. Here is no market but it has two fairs, on Eafter Monday, for pleafure ; and on June 22, for horfes, cattle and fheep. Wellington} 12 miles from Shrewfbury, and 134 miles from London, is feated near Wreakin-Hill ; it has a market on. Thurfdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on March 29, June 22j and SHROPSHIRE. ' 341 12, and November 17,' for horned, cattle, horfes, fheep and Ikogs.' Shefnall, 9 miles from Bridgnorth, and 128 from London, has a market On Fridays, and two fairs annually, viz. on Auguft 8, for horned cattle, horfes, fheep and hogs, and on November 22, for horned cattle, horfes, fheep, hogs and hops. • Market -Drayton, 149 miles from London, is feated on the river Tern, which here feparates this county from Staffordfhire. It has a market on Wednefdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on the Wednefday before Palm-Sunday, September 19, -and O&ober 24, for horned cattle, horfes, fheep; hemp, wopllen Sloth and hogs. ANTIQUITIES. •« Caer-caradock, a large hill, at the conflux of the Clun and Tefne, which was the fcene df that aftion between Oftorius the Roman, and Caraftacus the Briton, of which we have a very diftinft account by many hiftorians, particularly Tacitus. The tokens of it are ftill to be feen near Lanterdem, where there are two barrows, in which have been found burnt bones and an urn. —On Clee-Hill, near Bridgnorth, are the remains of an ancient camp, and it is alfo famous for producing the beft pit coal, and has fome veins of kon.-t-Pkchfcrd, a fmall diftance from Wen lock, has a well where a liquid bitumen floats, which the inha bitants fkim of, and ufe inftead of pitch ; fome think it gopd agajnft the falling ficknefs and wpunds. — Brofely, near Bridg- nprth, is npted for a well exhaling a fulphurepus vappur, which when contrafted to one vent by means of an iron cover with a circular hole, and fet on ike by a candle,, burns like the fpirit -of wine or brandy, with a heat that will even boil a large piece of beef in two hours. It is very remarkable, that a piece of meat broiled In its flame has not the leaft ill tafte from ks fril- fhur; and yet more ftrange that the water of itfelf is extreme ly ^42 SHROPSHIRE. ly Cold ; and as foon as ever the fire is put out, it feels as cold as if none had been there.- Wrekin-Hill is noted for being the higheft ground in all the county, and ftands between the Severn and Watling-ftreet. at Wroxeter, the ancient Uri- Conium, the remains of Roman fortifications and buildings are ftill vifible, which in the middle are about 20 feet high, and 100 in length. It ftands on the Severn near its junftion with the Tern. This place was furrounded with a wall three yards thick, confifting chiefly of pebble ftones, and had a vaft trench round it, which in fome places is ftill very deep. — Hogham Priory, was founded by William Fitz Allan, in 11 00, for canons regu lar of St. Auguftine. — Hales-Owen Abbey, was founded by Peter de Rupibus, Bifhop of Winchefter, in the reign of king John. — Lillefhill-Pripry was founded about the year 1140, by canons regular of St. Auguftine, who came from St. Peter's, Dorchefter.: — Bildencas- Abbey; was founded and endowed in the year 11 53, by Roger de Clinton, Bifhop of Litchfield and Co ventry. — Hopton-Caftle, in Purflow-Hundred, is fituated on an artificial hill, and remarkable for feveral gallant aftions per formed here in the civil wars. — White Ladies in the parifh pf Tonge, on the eaft fide of the county, was noted for having been a fhelter to King Charles II. who fled hither after the battle of Worcefter, and was fo clofely purfued by his enemies, that he was condufted to the neighbouring grove of Bpfepbel, and there hid himfelf in an pak, from whence he had once the plea fure of feing the parliament forces in queft of him, diverted to the other fide of the wood by the chafe of an owl. The tree is now enclofed with a brick wall, travellers having almoft cut it away. It is faid the king coming hither after his reftoration, ga thered fome of the acrens, and planted them in St. James's Park, pr gardens, and ufed to water them himfelf.— -The fifher- men in this ccunty have a pretty device for catching fifh, which is called a coracle, wherein pne man being feated, will rpw him felf very fwiftly with one hand, whilft with the other he ma nages. SURRY. ,343 Sages his fifhing tackle j it is of a form almoft oval, made of fplit fallow-twigs Interwoven, and that part next the water is co vered with a horfe's hide.' It is about five feet long, and three broad, and fo light that they carry it out on their backs. Tho mas Parr who lived to the age of 150 was a native of this county. S E A T S of the Nobility, 6c Duke of Kingfton's, at Tonge-Caftle, near Shefiial. — -Ead Powis's, at Oakley-Park. — Lprd Vifcount Weymputh's, at Botf- field near Shrewfbury. — Lprd Dudley's at Ridge- Acre.— Lord Clive's, at Cundpver — Sir Richard Afton's, at Aldenham, and Aftpn-rrpund.— Sir John Aftley's, at Abby-Forgate, near Shrewf bury, — Sir Willoughby Afton's, at Afton-Hall, near Frodfhani. — Sk Walter Bfount's, at Mawley.— Sir Henry Bridgeman's, at Blodwell.-^Sir Hugh Briggs's, at Haughton, near ShefnaL— - Sir Francis Charlton's, at Whitton. — Sir Richard Corbet's,, at Lognor.— Sir Thomas Edward's, at Greete, and the College in Shrewfbury. — Sir Rowland Hill's, at Hawkeftone. — Sir Charl ton Leightoris, at Wattlefborongh and Loton. — Sk Ed. Smythe's at Afton Burnel. — Sir Watkin Williams Wynnes, at Lland- yorria. — Sir Henry Bridgmap's, at Wefton.— -Mr. Durantfs, at Tonge-Caftle. — Mr'. Cornwall's, at Diddlebury. — Mr. Baldwin's, at Aqualate Mr. Hill's, at Terne, near Shrewfbury. — Mt. Cptes's, at Woodcote.— Mr. Whitworth's, at Bath- Acre.— — Mr. Forrefter's, at Woolley, near Bridgnorth, SURRY. TH E name of this county is a compound of Sud or South, and Ree, fignifying the fhire that lies fouth of the river pafling from London; as to its for*i, it is ajmoft fquare, being thirty-foos 34* .$ U R. R Y. thkty-fouf miles from Rotherhkh'e in the eaft, to Trenfham in the weft j twenty one miles from the Thames on the north, to Awfold on the fouth, and one hundred and twelve miles in cir cumference ; it is bounded by Berfefhke and Hampfhire on the weft ; by Suffex cm the South ; by Kent onthe eaft, and by the Thames, which divides It from Middlefex, on the north, It is an inland county ; but by the conveyance or navigation of the Thames, partakes of all the advantages a maritime county can reap by its communication with the ocean, in regard to ' foreign trade. It is alfo healthy and pleafant. The ak is various, de pending much upon the quality of the foil, and the face of the country. For the air and foil ofthe middle ^nd extreme parts ¦are vaftly different. The air is very rriild in the latter, which is Very fruitful in corn and hay, with a fine mixture of woods and fields ; but the air is bleak in the heart of the county ; which, ex- 'cepthere and there a delightful fpot, is all open fandy ground and ¦barren heath. It is watered principally by the Thamesi the Mole, the Wey, and the Wandle, whkh abound with fine fifh. The Mole, which rifes' on the fouth-eaft fide of the flike, finks into the earth at the Swallows, at the foot of Box-hill, and, rifing again ¦at Leatherhead, it falls into the Thames at Moulfey." The Wey "enters Surry at Tt'enfham, from Hampfhire, and takes its ccurfe to Godalnrin, where it becpmes navigable, to the great benefit of the adjacent parts: of the county, which it fupplies with coals, ¦and all neceffaries, from London, and falls into the Thames at Weybridge. The Wandle rifes at Carfhalton, and runs with* fmall and clear ftream, noted for its trouts, and fails into the Thames at Wandfworth. The chief produce of this cpunty is «orn, box-wood, walnuts, hops, and fuller's-earth. It fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Jofeph Maw- bey, Bart, and the Hon. William Norton, eldeft fon of hii Crantley. *" Southwark, is joined to London by a fine ftone bridge, built ib the reign of King John, and has lately undergone a thorough repair, (t U R R Y. 34$ ftpak, by which the two middle arches have bePfi made into One, and the houfes, which formerly lined both fides of the bridge, and inclofed it like a ftreet, have been pulled down, and the fides fecured and ornamented . with a parapet, and high ftone. baluftrades. It is a Saxort foundation, and fignifies a work or building on the fouth, meaning on the fouth of Londpn, the me tropolis of England. This borough confifts of eight parifhes, viz, Chrift-Cburch : This parifh was a diftrift belonging to that of St. Saviour's, called Paris Garden. — St. George': In this parifh, oppofite the church, was once a magnificent ftrufture, where Henry VIII. erefted a mint, whence that place took its' name, and which, for many years was a noted afylum for infolvent debtors. On the eaft fide of the adjacent ftreet, called St. Mar garet's Hill, are fituated the King's-Bench, Marfhalfe.a, and coun ty prifons. — St. John's: the fite of this parifh was anciently grazing ground, and is ftill Called HorfleydoWn. It has an ele gant church. — St. Mary's, Lambeth : In this pariffi ftood a roy al manfioii, Whe»e the kin'gs pf England often refided. The mo4 ¦remarkable places are, the church, the Archbifhop's palace, thofe elegant gardens, called Vauxhall, and a well of mineral waters. The palace, which belongs to the Archbifhop/ of Canterbury* owes Its foundation to Archbifhop Baldwin, who. was elefted in Ti&t: But many of his Succeffor's have greatly improved it., On Lambeth Wall is a fpot of ground, called Pedlar's Acre, be longing to the parifh, time immemorial ; given by a pedlar, on condition that his portrait, with that of his dog,, fhould be paint ed on glafs, "and preferved on one of the windows pf the phureh, *hich is accordingly continued to this time. St. Mary Magda lene ; It belonged to Ofle Bermohd, hence called Bermondfey. The moft remarkable things are a machine to fupply the neigh bourhood with water ; an ancient water conrfe, caUed , the Necking, or a water machine, and a large haven, called St Sa viour's Dtrck. — St. Mary Newingtoh ; in this parifh are a Lock Hofpital, and two alms houfes.— St. Mary Rotherhithe : Things Y y which 34£ SURA Y. which merit obferyatipn, are docks for fhips," and the copperas Hvorks.-'-St. Olave's: oppofite St. OlaVe's church anciently ftopd a fpacious ftone building, the manfion of the prior of Lewes, and fpacious houfes for the refidence of abbots, &c< The moft remarkable things npw are the bridge-houfe and yard, Wherein are all materials for repairing London Bridge, and many yharfs for fhipping and landing goods. — St. Saviour's : On the yre&, fronting the river Thames, anciently was fituated Win- chefter-Houfe, and on the eaft the Bifhop of Rochefter's. Things now worthy of notice are the fpacious and ftately parifh church, a new market place, two machines for raifing water, &c.-^-St. Thomas : The church of this parifh was founded, as well as the hofpkal of the fame, by Edward VL but being decayed, was pulled down in 1702, and rebuilt. The hofpital of St. Thpmas was erefted in theyear 121 3, in a place where the pripr of Ber- mondfey had two years before built an alms-houfe for pdor profe- lytes and children. It now confifts of three beautiful fquares, well paved and fupported by pillars ; in the middle pf the third court is an elegant ftatue of Sir Robert Clayton, a great benefac tor to this hofpital. There is another hofpkal in this parifh, called Guy's hofpital, from its founder, Thomas Guy, a book- feller In Lombard-ftreet. ' It confifts of two beautiful fquares, in jhe principal of which is a ftatue of the founder. This borough fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Henry Thornton, Efq ; a banker in London, and Paul le Mefurier, Efq ; an alderman of London, and one of the dkeftors of the Eaft- India company. Guildford, the county town, is well built, and lies 30 miles to the fouth weft of Londpn ; it is delightfully fituated in a mpft healthful air, on the fide of a hill pf chalk, clofe by the river Wey. In the Saxon timeS it was a royal villa, which King Al fred left by his will to his nephew Ethlewald. Several of our Monarchs down to queen Elizabeth, occafionally refided there. Th* jemains pf the caftle were fubfifting a little before Mr. Camden's • SURRY. 347 Camden's time, and fome of the ruins ftill appear* Here airet - five -churches belonging to three parifhes, of which this town confifts ; that belonging to the upper parifh has been lately re* built in a very magnificent manner. The road to Chichefter sn4 . Portfmouth lies through this town, which has long been famous " for gopd inns and accpmodations. Here are alfo alms houfes liberally endpwed, and the remains pf a once famous manufac ture pf cfoth. In the neighbpurhood are the outfide walls of that formerly called St, Catharine's Chapel, built with a fort of tile, which, when broken has the appearance of iron, and the cement of them is fo hard, as to be nearly impenetrable. This. town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, the Hon. Thomas Ounflow, eldeft fon of Lord Qunflow, and the Hon. Chappie Norton, third fon of Lord Grantley, a col. in the 3d regiment of foot guards. It has a market on Saturday*, and two fairs annually, viz. on May 4, and November 22, farf horfes, cattle, fheep and hogs. Catton, 18 miles from Londpn, is fituated pn the fide of a hill in the road to Ryegate j it Is fuppofed to have been a town In the time of the Romans, but it Is now a mean village, though it ftill retains the privilege of fending two members to parlia ment, who at prefent are, the P.t. Hon William (Mayne) Id, Newhaven, of the kingdom of Ireland, an Englifh bart. and James Frafer, Efq. Haftemere, 43 miles from London, ftands at the entrance of * rich valley, extending to the South Downs, and covered with timber : It fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, JohnBaynes Garforth, Efq ; and John Lowther, Efq ; fon of Sic William Lowther, Bart, and has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on May 1, and September 25, for horfes, cattle, fheep and hogs. Blechingley, 21 miles from London ; Is fituated on a hill, on the fide of Holmfdale. Here is a handfome church, whofe fpk& was thrown down by lightning, and all ks bells melted in iriotu Yy.s V 34t SURRY, %t, fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are', 'John JKenrick, Efq ; arid John Nichols, Efq. It has two fairs annually, vig. on June 22, and November 2, for horfes, bullocks and toys. Ryegatey 23 miles frpm London, ftands in the vale of Holmft dale. It fends two members, to parliament, who at prefent are, William Belllnghatn., Efq; fecretary to the chancellor of the ex chequer, and Edward Leeds, Efq ; one of the mafters in chan cery. It has- a market on Tuefdays, and on the firft Wednefday in every month, and two fairs annually, viz. on Whitfun-Mon day, and September 4, for bullocks and horfes. Dulwich, a long and pleafant village, 5 miles from London ; It has a pretty college and neat chapel, erefted and endowed by Mr. Alleyn, a player, In 1619, for fix men and fix women, with a fchppl for the education of twelve children. Here are alfo medicinal fprings, called Sydenham Wells, much reforted to. in •the fummer ; their waters are nearly the fame, but ftronger than thofe at Epfom. It has one fair annually, viz, on May 25, and 26., for toys, &c. Eghani, 3 miles frPm Windfor, and 18 from London, is fituated on the river Thames; k has fpme good inns, and an alms houfe built and endowed by Baron Denham. In this parifh is Cooper's Hill, well known from a celebrated poem wrote by Sir John Denham, who lived many years at that which is now the parfonage houfe. Near this place is Running Meadj where King John was obliged, by his Barons,' to fign the Great Char ter of Englifh liberty, called Magna Chart a. It has one fair annually, viz. September 19, for cattle, &c. Epfom, 16 miles from London, forms a femicircle, and is a- bout a mile in length, and a charming place, open to Banftead Downs, with many handfome feats of the gentry and rich citizens of London ; the chief whereof is Durdan's, at the end of the town, and built out of the materials of the royal palace of Non- fuch. Thi.s village Is remarkable all q^er Europe for its purging waters.; and the fait made of them is famous for cleanfing the h°dy> SURRY. ' 34$ $odyj and cooling and purifying the blood. This place is well fupplied, during the feafon^ every day ¦With provifions^ aild ha6 one fair annually, viz. on Auguft 5; for toys, &c. Darking, 12 miles from Guildford,' and 24 from London, lies on a branch of the river Mole ; the Roman eaufeway paffes trough the church-yard, and is ten yards wide in fome places, feven in Others, and may be. traced near three miles in length. It has a market on Thurfdays, and one fair annually, viz. on the day before Afcenfion-day, for horfes, bullocks, fheep and toys. Farnham, 12 miles from Guildford, and 39 from London, is fituated amongft Fern, near the river Lodden ; it was given by Ethlebald, King of the Weft Saxons, to the fee of Winchefterv Jt was formerly a great market for wheat^ but of late years much more remarkable for hops, of which there are very large planta tions. Here is a magnificent and ancient ftrufture belonging to die bifhpp ©f Winchefter, built by Henry of Blois, Bifhop of that fee, and brother to king Stephen. This town has a market on Thurfdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on Holy Thurfday, June 24, and November a, for horfes, cattle, fheep and hogs. 'God'ofming, 4 miles from Guildford, .and 34 from London, is fituated on the river Wey ; the parifh is divided into nine tyth- itigs, and has a good church and a charity fchnpl. A large ftpeking Bianufaftoty is carried on here. It has a market on. Saturdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on February 13, for horfes, cattle, fheep and hogs, and on July ro, for ditto and ftore pigs. Kingston, called Kingston upon Thames, 12 -miles from Lon don, has a wooden bridge of 22 piers, and 20 arches, over the 'Thames. It is a populous trading town, and has a good market for corn, There is another bridge of brick over a ftream that 4ows from a fpring in a eellar, foUr miles above the town. At feme diftance is Combe Nevil, a handfome houfe with a park, where medals and coihs df feveral of the Roman Emperors have fc«en found; N?ar this are feveral fprings, whofe water is con veyed 350 S U R R Y. veyed to Hampton Court by pipes under the Thames. In the ¦neighbourhood is New-Park, one of the largeft and beft In Eng land, made in the reign of Charles I. inclofed by a wall of con-' fiderable height, and faid to be eleven miles in circumference. This town has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs annually^ viz. on the Thurfday, Friday, and Saturday in Whitftm- Week, for horfes and toy9 ; Auguft 2, 3, and 4, for fruk and pedlary ; and November 13, for horfes, cattle and toys. Richmond, anciently called Shene or Shine, 1 2 miles from Lon* dpn, is remarkable for its beautiful fituation and royal palace for the Kings of England, in which are many curious paintings, by the moft eminent mafters- His late Majefty took great delight here, as well as his Royal Confort, who diverted herfelf in her ropl dakyhoufe, in her beautiful hermitage, called Merlin's Cave, and in the other charming improvements which flie made. The town runs up the hill a full mile to the park, with gardens declining all the way to the Thames. On the top of the hill there is an alms houfe, built by Duppa, Bifhpp of Winchefter, which appears by an inforiptinn over the gate, to have been in performance of avow he made during the exile of King Charles the Hd. Kew, 10 miles from London, fituated on the bank of the Thames, below Richmond, and oppofite to Old Brentford, Is at prefent the fummer refidence of his Majefty and the Royal Fa mily. ' ¦. ANTIQUITIES* Waverley Abbey Was founded by William Giffard, Bifhop of "Wmehefter, A. D. 1 128, for an abbot and twelve monks. — Newark Priory, fituated on the river Wye, a few miles below Guildford, was founded by Bauld de Calon, and Beatrice his- Lwife, and is now part of the eftate of Lord Onflow.— -On Battle Hill, near this place, are the remains of a Roman camp^ with an, oblong S U R R Y. w* «blong fingle rampart.— Waltinghdm, near Blechingley, is.re- markable for a fine fpring in the midft of a grove of yew trees* which flows in an extraordinary manner at certain times, — Ald^ bury, near Guildford, is the platform of a Roman temple. This place is alfo remarkable for a perforation, or paffage, of at leaft a furlong in length, dug through the bottom of a great hill, and leading into a fine valley. It was intended for a wayto the houfe, then the feat of Henry Duke of Norfolk, but the defign being hindered by a rock, it is now only preferved and admired as a grotto.— A military work of an orbicular form near Wimbledon, called Benfbury, where Cheaulin, King of the Weft Saxons, fought and defeated one of the Keptifh generals.— Croydon Is . fituated on the edge of Banftead Downs, and has a large palace belonging to the Archbifhop of Canterbury. — The church is reckoned beth the fineft and largeft in the whole county, and has feveral curious and elegant monuments. — Banftead Downs, in its rteighbourhood, are remarkable for their fine foft carpet ground, the pretty Villages! which furround them, and their enchanting profpeft. — Batterfea, which lies betwixt Wandfworth arid the Thames, is remarkable for ks extenfive garden .grounds;. to fup ply the London market with afparagus, kitchen roots of all forts* phyfical herbs, and for an enameling manufafture. The village is but indifferent in its buildings, except thofe feats which ftand upon the Thames fide<— -Chamberwell is fituated on the road from London to Dulwich, and is remarkable for its good air, pleafant- nefs, and genteel buildings and inhabitants, who are chiefly peo ple who live eafy upon their fortunes. The church is a hand fome building, and there is a very good workhoufe for the poor. Here is that delightful houfe of public entertainment, called Denmark-Hall. — To the eaft of Chamberwell ftands the plea fant village of Peckham. It is full of elegant villas and neat houfes of retirement, inhabited chiefly by tradefmen from Lon don.— -Sydenham, adjoining to Dujwich-wells, , is remarkable for < fa medicinal water, and its pleafant fituation has, of late years, engaged 35? SURRY. engaged many gentlemen of fortune to fettle and baild'goofi hottfes here.-s-The fkirte of Norwood have for many generations' harboured a parcel of vagrants, known by the name of Gypfies, fettled there, in the form of a government amongft themfelves, ttnikr a king of their own, chofen annually, to whofe fentence, they jtftpliekly fubmit. SEATS of the Nobility, 6c. : Duke of Cleveland's, at Combe-park .-^-D uke of Bedford, sit $teeatham.— Duke of Newcaftiesi at Oatlands, near Weybridge* *— Duke of Montague's, at Richmond. — Earl of Lincoln's, at Oat lands, near Kiagftoh.— Earl of Albemarle's, at Bagfhot Park. — • Earl of Ailesford's, at Albury, near Guildford. — Earl §f Effing.* ham's, at Great Bookham, near Guildford.— -JEarl of Harringi ton'sj at Peterfham.-^-Earl of Buckinghamfhire's, at Marble-Hall, near Rich«fiond.-*-Mari of Guildford's, at Durdan's, near Epfbm. ^-Ead Irigoniep's, at Cobham — Earl Spencer's, at WimbfedoiS and Batterfea.'— Earl of Bute's, at Kew.-— Lord 'Berkky^ at; Darkin. — Lord Trevoi's; at St. Ann's Hill, near Chertiey. Lord Onflow's, atCland®n fituated on the river Rother, was built by the Dalywriggs, who fiourifhed in the reign of Edward III. It is now the feat of Sir John Webfter, Bart. — Amberley Caftle was built by William Read; Bifhop of Chichefter. — On the eaft fide of Lewes was formerly a caftle, part of which is ftill remaining, from whence there is a delightful profpeft, and a pleafant winding walk from the bottom to the fummit. This caftle, and the priory near it, wgr».fc>)»nde4 by William de Ww*n» I^rl qf Swcy> Av, D. •$* S U F F O L K. 1078; and the place Is famous fot a bloody battle between Henry III. and his barons. — Hurftmonceux Caftle ftands near the old Claer-Penfavel Coitton's. It now belongs to Francis Hare Naylor, Efq ; SEATS of the Nobility, dre. Duke of Norfolk's, at Arundel Caftle, near Chichefter. Duke of Richmpnd's, at Gpodwood, near Chichefter. — Duke of Newcaftle's at Halland, Bifhopftone and Ifield. — Duke of Dor- fet's at Bucthurft, near Eaft Grinftead. — Earl of Thanet's, at Ballbrook. — Earl Afhburnham's, at Afhburnham-PIace, near Haftings. — Earl Egremont's, at Petworth.— Earl Delawaris, at Sheffield Place, near Eaft Grinftead. — Earl of Scarborough's; at Sanftead. — Lord Vifcount Montague's, at Cowdray, near Mid- hurft. — Lord Abergaveney's, at Kid-Brook, near Eaft Grinfted, and at Eridge Park. — Lord George Germaine's, at Stoneland- Lodge. — Lord Henry Lenox's, at Weft-Stoke. — Lord Bifhop of Chichefter's Palace, at Chichefter, and Bropmham. — Sir Cecil Bifhpp's, at Parham. — Sir Merrick Burrel's, at Weft Grinfted- Park. — Sir Charles Eversfield's, at Deen, near Horfham. — Sir Alatthew Featherftonhaugh's, atUp-park.: — Sir Charles Matthew Goring's, at Highden. — Sir John Miller's at Lavant. — Sir John Shelly's, at Beckley, and Michael Grove.— Sk Whiftler Web- fter's, at Battel Abbey. — Sir Thomas Spencer Wilfon's, at Eaft Bourne.— Sir Thomas Broughton's, at Hprfham. — Mr. Hay's, at Glindbpurne, near Lewes. — Mr. Fuller's, at Rpfe-hill, near Battel. — Mr. Harcourt's, at Wigfell. SUFFOLK. T HIS is a maritime county, and its name is a compound of South and Folk ; i. e. the jjouthpeople, by way of diftinc- tion SUFFOLK. 363. tion from Norfolk, or the people fituated to the north, as theV Saxons wrote it. It is bounded by the German ocean on the' eaft; by Cambridgefhire on the weft; by Effex on the fouth $ and by Norfolk on the north. It is about 45 miles in. length* 20 in breadth, and about 160 in circumference j containing feveit rivers, 40 parks, 22 hundreds, 32 market towns, 575 parifhes^ about 1500 villages, and 995,000 acres. The air is very cleas and wholefome, fweet and pleafant, even near the fea-fhorej becaufe the beach being generally fandy and fhelly, It fhoots off the fea water, fo that it keeps it from ftagnation, and drying in to flinking mud. The foil, is various. Near the fea it Is fandy and full of heaths; yet It abounds with rye, peafe and hemp, and feeds great flocks of fheep.. In the woodlands, or the in land part of the county. Though it abounds with wood, even there is found a rich deep clay and marie, that produces good pafture, and feeds abundance of cattle. The land that lies next to Effex and Cambridgefhire, affords excellent1 pafture. About Bury; and fo to the north and north-weft, the land is fruitful in coin, except the great heath about Newmarket. Its chief pro duce are butter and cheefe. The cheefe is not fo commendable, being beft when carried a long voyage to fea; but the butter is incomparable, and is chiefly made up in firkins and fent to London, and to other ports, for exportation and fea ftores. The rivers in this county are, the Leffer Oufe, the Waveney, the Blythe,, the Aid, the Deben, which is navigable to Woodbridge, the Orwell, and the Stour, which divides this county from Effex, and falls with thexOrwell into the German ocean at Har wich. «The principal manufaftures are woollen and linen cloth. This county fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Sir John Rous, Bart, and Jofhua Grigby, Efq. • Ipfwich, 1 2 miles from Harwich, 20 from Colchefter, and 68 from London, is fituated upon the river Gippln, now called Orwell. Its great antiquity may be gathered from. its. misfor tune of being burnt, by the Danes in the year ^991, who demp- A a a 2 Hfhed 3 and November n» • Mildenhall, 16 miles from Newmarket, and<$8 from London, ftands on the borders of Cambridgefhire ; it is a large populous town, on the river Lark, navigable for boats, with feveral ftreets called Rows, pleafant and well built, each as big as an ordinary town, leading to the fens belonging to it. The church is large and handfome, with a tower, one hundred and twenty feet high. 'The market is kept on Fridays, which is chiefly plentiful for fifh ajid fowl ; and there is a fak for wood, on O£fcober 10. Halefworth, SUFFOLK. ff-alefwsrth, 2,8 miles from Ipfwich, and IQ I from London Is aa ancient, large and populous town> on tbe river Blythe ; the ftreeW are cleam and partly paved •, it is chiefly fupported by the manu fafture of linen yarn,, fpun by the women of this town,; and ks envkons; and fold in the market, which is kept on Tuefdays* and well ftored with provHians* Here is a free fchool for twenty boys founded by Mr., Richard Porter ; it has a fair pn Oftober i &, for cattle. Sauthwold, 20 miles from Yarmouth, ajfld i ori from L&nd<$8, is a ftrong and pleafant feaport town, fituated upon a cliff, with the feaon the eaft ; the Blythe on the weft, over which is a drawi- bridge,, and a bay called Solebay on the fouth, made by the fhoot- ing forth of Eafton-Nefs, which is the moft eaftern point pf England. Here is a large' ftrong built church, and a good harbour where our fleets rendezvoaled in the Dutch war, andis defended by fome cannons planted on the cliff. The bay being fhekered from the north wind,,, and having a very good anchorage, the mariners refpift to it, which creates a confiderable trade and com merce in the town : But its particular trade is in fait, old beer, herrings, and fprats, cured in the fame manner as red herrings. It has, a market pn Thurfdays,. and two fairs annuaUy, viz. on Trinity-Monday, and St, Bartholomew-day, for toys, &c Lq/kff, 7 miles from Yarmouth, and 117 from London, is a little narrow town* which ftands fo near the fea, that It feems to hang over it. This town has: a charter and a town feal, with thi' peculiar privilege of exemption, that the inhabitants fhall not be compelled to ferve upon juries, either at fefiioca or affixes. Fifh ing ifr the employment of the inhabitants in general,, for cod in" the north fea, and for herrings, mackarellandiprats-athome. It has a market on Wednefdays, and two fairs annually, viz< oa B$ay-day, and September ap, for chapmen. Becklcs, 15 miles from Yarmouth, and 108 from London; is a> latfge populous town, fituated upon the river Waveney, which jis navigable hither from Yarmouth, foe barges,, and fronp hence to S U F F O L 1C' 5t^ to Bungay. The buildings; ¦-> many cf which are fhatd&d; 3ke itrean,ibut the ftreets aire welL paved, and kept cleaa. If has a noble church arid fteeple, and two free fchools, we'll entered ; a common belongs to it of near 1000 .: Sim-gay, 36 miles from IpSwich, and toy from London, is iuuated. on ttbe Wwdniey, .twfriPh almoft enoompafles it. This 'town, »escepfo«e>ftEee!t, Was totally burnt dowri by accidental fire »nlheErft;of March, .1668-9!, to the amount of- 360,600!. da- ajagfevbut khas heen hasadfomdy rebuilt : it has 3 a place -of great -antiquity s "ivis (sM to be conquered by the Ro mains after «he stefeatof Boadicea. 'The eaftle^a^riioft reriiark- •aBep&c5e:ftf'antiquky^>bi©Jl>gfuJ»pofed tohavfe (Been bullthy ?61Prie aifilfe £ JffcKhigs of the Eaft Aingfee. it was a lirge beautiful Mrtfc , and very ftrong, both by art and natft'feV tlie area 1*?tlflrfitbe ¦wsdfs BW»^.ft*riding; being above an -.s^&S&W&afl'jirf' hmtiy the •»nfl§i44« iselhighj1 skSt%>'tbid>, ««h i3'toWefS,f r 14 feet' aboVe tbeiri. jgithser the Princefs, kfl«#tfki;ds 'Queen arid'hut;little frequented, on account .of, the dirty, deep and heavy roads that lead np to it. It. has a market on Fridays, and a fair, on, June 24, for braziery awftoys. Stow-Manket, 12 miles. fromi Ipfwich;. and 75 from London, is a large tpwn, fituated in the centre ofthe county, On the banks of the Orwell, and on the great road from Colchefter and Harwich to Stanford and Lynn. . It has a fpacious. beautiful church, with a large fteeple and lofty, pinnacle, furpaffirig moft ki; the county- Here is a well ftpred market pn Thurfdays ; feverallgood inns ; a jnanufafture of, Tammies and other, Norwich fluffs.; and a fair for, ihop goods and toys, on July 10, and for cattle and fheep on Auguft. 12. ¦ xr; /, , . -. ¦ ,- Needham, 10 miles from Ipfwich; and 73 from London, is a thoroughfare from Ipfwich to Huntingdonfhke ; it ia fituated an the Orwell, and confifts of one wide long ftreet, tolerably well built, and tho' a poor town, drives a trade in the manufafture of broad cloths. Here' is a market on Wednefdays, and a fair for toys on, Oftober 28. , Near (this towh^s the manor of Hemmirtg- ftpn, held by Baldwin de Petteur, by Sergeantry, for which he was obliged every Chrifbnas-day.-tp perform before the King, a dance, and to make a noife with his/cheeks, and to let a fart in the prefence of the If ing. . - , ... Woodbridge,, 7 miles frpm Ipfwich, and 75 from London, ftands on the river. Deben, which beingnayigable by fhips of confidera ble burthen to ^he town, its, inhabitants drive a pretty good trade to JLpjidon, Newfiaftler Holland, . &c. in fackslpth, fait, .hemp . a and S U F F' O L K. 3ff and cordage. It has 4 or e.dbfckS 'for building fhips", wififcbrft*1 rhodious quays and warehoufes.n Tt has a market -on Wednefdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on March 45, 'arid Sept. 21 for foyS.^ Lavenham; \2 miles from: St.- Edmund'sJJury, and'6i froinV London, is a pretty large town on a branch of the river Brett,' from whence it has a gradual rife' to. 'the top df-arhiil, where the church and a fpacious market-place, i encoriipafledJ wfth £ ftreets or divifions, are fituated: in a very healthful aik , It was formerly very famous and mUch enriched by 'a ftaple trade in hlue cloths ; it has ftill a good manufafture, and there is a wooll-hall; of which hundreds of packs are fent. from hence in a year. Here is a jtoafcltet on Thurfdays, and a fair annually on Oftober 1 &$ for butter and' cheefe. .-wlJoo-, ' r>- •.-¦-> i. ,i,> Clare, 15 miles from St.! EdmundVbury, and 55 from Lbn- cton, iflands On the river Stour ; it is a poor,1 little, dirty townj' the ftreets being unpaved j yet here is a manufafture of fays, &c. It has a market on Fridays, andai fair ori Eafter-Tuefday, and July 26, for toys* / |. Hadley, 20.miJes front Bury, andri4frorii'L6ridori, is of fome note for its manufafture of woollen cloth ; it ftands low and is very dirty; its chief ornament is the church,' which ftands near the middle, pf the town. It has-a market on Mondays, and 'Satur days, apd a fair on WhitfunrMonday, and Oftober 10, for butter, , cheefe and toys. - ,;•--;-' •- Ney'and, 16 miles from Ipfwich, and 57 from London, is fi- tu^tjed fo low. upon the edge of the Stour, as to be frequently overflowed by that river, over which k has abridge. It is alatge town, and the inhabitants drive a.confiderable trade in the manu facture of bays and fays. It has a market on Fridays, and a fair on October 2, for horfes, cattle and toys. "-'?¦ I Long-Melford, 50 miles from London, ftands near the Stour, and is one of the beft and largeft villages in England, and con tains many handfome houfes., Lady Rivers, widow of John Earl Rivgra, had her houfe plundered here at the beginning of the B b b 2 , civil fa SB U R> Fl O L, K. cw&.vms, -fejlBliagiCbatlesTvIjrime, -by which fheJcrftneju Sj^pal^.Jljfrfl.i^S.hMvdfonie! church,, a aremaricabk, ftm tomb fy\$ i' . • "0 " - - .oifT^^,,!4.riwI^)fr«nn; WaIodBlikdlge,, frauds on the river Be- l«R4ith^ii and had tmpewalks on all fides of it, isjjnow Queen's-fquare, having been of late years built almoft round with very g^odd houfes. It is ^reckoned larger than any In London, except Lincoln's-inn fquare. — On the north fide of it- is the cuftom.- houfe, and in the middle, walks of trees, which leadto'the centre, where is a curioto«qUef- trian ftatue of William III, carved by Ryfbrack. The walls of this, city were raifed in the reign of WiUiam Rufus, yet part of .them ftill remain. Of its hofpitals we fhall mention" only the chief. —rift. Queen Elizabeth, which, before, the difibhition of the • abbey, was a cpUegiate; church, called Gaunt's^ from its founder - Sir Henry Gaunt, who entered rikrifelf a reclufe in it. It was af terwards converted into an hofpkal hy T. Carre, who is fuppofed - tohave lived in that reign, and to have named it after the Queen. 1 In 1706 it was rebuilthy the contribution of the Mayors Aldei- • men; Mr. Colfton, and other private beriefaftbfs, and is large lenough for 100 boys,, who are taught reading, writing, arith- imetic,; navigation,"' &cj and when qualified fo go out, they have liberty to chufe a mafter, either for land or fea fervice, and eight guineas are given to put. them apprentice.— — 2d. The hofpital .-founded by Edward. Cplfton, Efq; on St Auftin's baekj where ,100 boys- are maintained for feven years, andi taught and'apprfen- ..ticied as thofe are at Queen Elizabeth*®; , for maintainirig-tbefe ¦sbpys t»e,mafter is 'aUowed 1000I. a, year, for which lands were . purchafed in perpetuity. — 3d. Another which he founded 'on St. -c-Miichael's-hlll in 1691, the front and fides|wheredf are faced with .fcjee ftone, with 24, apartments, for, 12 poor men and 12 poor f., , women; 37o SOMIBSETSMI' RlEl wowiefi*, an allowance of '3s. -a week each, . -and; 2i}facfcs .ofrgoa^ yearly* ' The Cavern or has, an sappartmemt and gfinden, and a haa&» fome allowance -. Hpre is alfo a neat chapel ithertniniftec has no!* perahnum for reading, prayers every day,, «seept wfceinit^eyart: Tread-atjSt. Michael's church* at which feverypEnfiowet is to- at tend* — ^rh. Another adjoining to Merchant's- ball, .in Krng-focet, founded jpartly by Edward Colfton, Eiq ; and pattlyby (the mer- 'charftsi, for s-foill, for hi men and jeight. women, wbofe allowance is 2s. a weeL — 7th. St. .Nicholases atms-honfeSn Jifngrfketet, founded by Mr. Daniel Adams, where are i6j>ooftis fpr 1.3 wdmen and 3- .men, with the weekly allowance raf rs. iod« je^oh.^^8th. Ah hofpital inJPeter-iireet,. iwrilt by Alderman JM- wprth, for eight widotas; but np aillpwance.- — — 'gjth*. Merchant T^Ioj'a hofpital, ifaMenchaHt-ftreet, where 2 oneri and 9. women l^viPie^ph 2S.-6d'. a week, befides a.diririer awd.is. apiece oncria ^uarter.-^-ioth. St.":Joimr's hnfpijal ia.mheGld. Market, . ttihene f 2 ^womei^arve #lk>wed; 2s. : aweefc each,')bsf des tu fssck of ^toels, . and is,[ a-piece; at Chriftifaas.'^-j'i tih.uAricaher febfpital overagidrtftat, •for $2 a»en>and ra.womdn,. X. ho are aUosrei-2-s.« week andiwaiii- • ing^-H- 1 g$l. Alder-mam Stephen Vfkrofpitaift inJthe • fsroe:ihcet; ; ifor 1.2 'wopsien, vhoife only^allowance is 5S.'€d.:a wcek.-^-ijth.iDtav W-hke'Shefphal m'Teinp^'ftiipetibrr*tf;4tfo. Asn fanifiraBaryflppiaied ©n.St.'Pater's-day, 1931, set! -theMint for tftcfc, lame and diffreflfed-pooi; of this city, calle&St*, peter'^ HpfpitaL to Vhrrih iherehaye heen hBuntifulfubforiptiotis. Tbe guildhall for thefcfEon8>and:afhzes, ;rad the Mayor«nd She riff SOMERSETSHIRE. 377 riffs Courts are in Broad-ftreet ; and adjoining is a fpacious- lofty room,- called St. George's chapel, where the Mayor and Sheriffs are annually ehofen on the 15th day of September. In the front of the guildhall is a ftatue of Charles II. At the end of Cbrh- ftreetisa large council -houfe lately rebuilt; where the Mayor and Aldermen meet every day, except Sunday, to adminifter juftice. Near the guildhall is the Tholfey, where are fhort ftone . pillars with broad plated on them. They were erefted by the merchants, for the -benefit of writing or counting money ; they ufed to meet here as the London merchants do on their exchange, but were fo espefed to weather, and the annoyance of fleds and coaches, to and from the quay, &c. that, iff 1723, the citizens obtained an aft of parliament, and have, in the fame ftreet, built an exchange, with four entrances into it, and rooms for fhops over 'it, about two thirds as large as the rpyal exchange in Lpndpn. This ftru'c- ture, which is all of free ftone, with two fpacious apartments at the entrance, one for a -tavern, the "Other for a coffee-houfe, istfle compleateft of the kind in Europe. The quay here, which is upon the rivei' Frome, is near half a mile in "length, from its bridge to its conflux with the Avon, and the moft commodious in .England, for (hipping and lading of meichants goods, having feveral cranes on it for this" purpofe ; one of which, the work manfhip of Mr. Padmore, is not to be equalled in Eurdpe, for the extraordinary difpateh with1 which it clears fhips. The Crofs, in - College-Green, is a fine gothic ftrufture, with the effigies of fe veral Kings of England round it. Here are feveral public conduks for fupplying the cky with water. The hot well is in the parifh of Clifton, about a mile from the city, down the river, and is very much frequented, efpecially in July andAuguft; its waters being reckbned better than thofe of Bath for fome diftempers, particularly the diabetes. They are aho of excellent ufe in all fcorbutic and inflammatory cafes, being impregnated by the limle- ftone quarries, through which they run, withafoftalkalousqua- •firy. The rocks above the well are the chief place for. picking up Cc? the 378 SOMERSETS H IR E. the Briftol ftones, fo much efteemed. At Jacpb's well Is a thea* tfe, where in the fummer, during the recefs of the comedians from the metropolis, plays are afted almoft every night ; and, for the gay part of, the citizens, there have been lately ppened two affembly rooms ; one a very handfome building, in the way to the hot well, which is for the fummer ; the other, which is held every Tuefday In the winter, at the old theatre in Stokes- croft. This city fends two members to parliament, who at pre fent are, Matthew Brickdale, Efq; and Henry Cruger, < Efq: an alderman and merchant of this city. It has a market on Wed nefdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on March i, and September i, which laft ten days each, for cloth and mpft kinds of goods. > Bath, 12 miles from Briftol, and 108 from London, was fa mous, in the time of the Romans, for its medicinal waters, cal led by Ptolemy, the hpt waters ; by Antoninus, the waters bf the fun ; by the Britons, Caer Baden, the city of baths ; and by the Saxons, who took it from the Britons, Ackmanchefter, or the city of Valetudinarians. Its baths are named the King's bath, the Queen's bath, the Grofs bath, the hot bath, the cold bath, and Leper's bath; They have benches to fit on, rings to hold by, and proper guides for attending both fexes. In the King's bath is a ftatue of King Bladud, with an infcription "under it, impprting that he difcovered the ufe pf thefe baths 300 years before Chrift, alfo a neat pump room, where the company meet to drink the water, which is conveyed to it, almoft boiling hot, by a marble pipe, from the bottom of the fprings. It is very grateful to the ftpmach, has a fine fulphurous fteely tafte, like that of the German fpaw, or Pyrmont, and ftrengthens the bowels, by reftoring the loft tone, and renewing the vital heat. Many are the difeafes which find a remedy from it, when pro perly applied, and ufed with light regimenj due exercife and igood hours. The two.feafons here are fpring and autumn ; the fpring begins with April, and ends with Jujje ; the autumn with September, SOMERSETSHIRE. 37'^ 'September, and lafts till December ; and fome who drink the prater purely for their health, remain here aU the winter! The city has a bridge pver the River Avpu, which wafhes it on the fouth and weflrfide, and is lately by means of fix Ipcks, made navigable to Briftol. Its walls, thpugh flight, are almoft entire, and fuppofed to have been the work of the Romans. Without {he walls is a ftately fquare erefted, with a fine chapel-, and irt the centre of the quadrangle, an obelifk 70 feet high. Over the market houfe is the town hall, a grand ftone building; erefted ori 20 pillars, at the upper end of which are the piftures of the late , Prince and Princefs of Wales, being their prefent to the corpo ration. Here are alfo the (effigles pf the Britifli King Cpel, who is faid to have given the city its firft charter ; arid of Edgar a Saxon King, who was crownedhere A. D. 973. Here is a ge neral hofpital or infirmary for the fick arid lame poor from all parts of the kingdom ; the firft ftOne ef which was laid the 6tH of July 1738. It is a noble building, being 100 feet In front, and 96 deep, and capable of receiving ijo patients. On the iotho'f Match 1739-46, the firft ftone of a new fquare was haA 'inthe gardens adjoining to the fouth fide of the city by the Avon* ' which, when finifhed, will probably eiceed any thing of that kind in Europe. St. Peter's cathedral, which was the abbey* fchurch, is fuppofed to be built on the fpot where ftopd 'the Ro man reirtple of Minerva, the patronefs of baths ; it is a lofty ve nerable pile. The principal front, which is at the weft end, is" beautified with the figures of angels afcending and defcending. This city fends two members to parliament, who at prefent' ate, AbelMoyfey, of Lincoln's-inn, Efq'; a Welch Judge, and a bar- riiter at law, and the Rt. hon. John Jefferies Pratt, vife. Bayham, only fon of earl Camden, a Iprdof the admiralty; and onp of the "tellers of the exchequer, fr has a market on Wednefdays and Sa. turdays, and two' fairs annually, viz. on February 3, and June 20, for cattle. Cccz Wejkj, 380 SOMERSETSHIRE. Wells t 1 6 ,m,pes from Bath, 15 from Briftplj and 120 from I^ondon, jsafmalj but neat city, at th^bpttom of Mendip hill^ ; jt, has its prefent name- from the weUs dug in all parts of it, The b^hjjrigs are r.ppai^kabjy good. The front pf the cathedral is gr,p#tly admired, by ftrangers, for its excellent imagery and carved wjp^k, though, the tafte is a little^too gothic to pjeafe the., critics i^ fcydpture. The cloyfters adjoining to it are very large and fpacious. The chapter houfe is 3 rotund, fupported by a pillar in the centre ; and the windows in the front are curipufly carved. The vicars dwellings in the clofe are very pretty, but their haU is ^utned into a. mufic room, where there are frequent; concerts, There is a charity fchool here for 2obpys and 20 girls; and the ejdeft viear teaches the boys to ring. The town hall ftands over Bifhop Bubbewkh's hofpital, which (maintains 30 poor men and women, There is another founded by Rifliop Still, for wpmep. Archibald Harper, a ftppking man, built anPther hpfpkal here,- andendojved it wkh-500.1. to maintain four ppor- wookombers, Mr.. Andrews, a piercer, gave an alms houfe for four poor wo men. The bifhpg's palace is pne of the handfomeft in the king- dpm.. On theffputh.fide it fooks like a caftle, being fortified by Ralph-de,Salopia, in the reign of Edward I. with walls and a rnoatr, and near it is fit^ Andrew's well, one of the firieft fprings in the kipgdotn. The deanry is alfo' a fine houfe, and here are alfo, good houfes. for the prebendaries ; the ftreets are broad, and cheheufes about 600. Some- bone lace is made here,' hut thepeoj are mpftly employed in knitting hofe. A little river, called the Wehe runs at the back of the city, It fends two mem-, bemberstoparliament, who at prefent are, Clement Tudway, of this, city, Efq -; a barrifter at law, and WUHam Beckford, Efq; and has a market on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and five fairs annually, viz. on May, 30, June 24, Oftober 10, 14, and No vember 3°> for oxen, horfes, fheep, and hogs. Bridgewater, 18 miles from Wells, and 143 from London, is Ope pf thp moft confiderable towns in the county, being a port, a SOMERSETSHIRE. 381 a parliament borough, and a thoroughfare. The quay, called the haven, was built by William de Briwere. who alfoi built the caftle, and founded St. John's Hofpital. When the Duke pf MftnmOuth came here' in 1685, he refided 'at the caftle, was here proclaimed King, and, touched for the evil with as much effeft' as any of his anceftors. The river Parret Is navigable to the Thame* and from thence to Taunton. The tide runs ftrongly ten miles above this town. At a fpring, the' head of the tide, or as k is here called, the boar,, comes in foaming and roaring fo , ferioufly, that it would, do mifchief, if the failors and boatmen, ¦yriio hear it coming a good way off, were not on their guard-. The reafon of this boar is afcribed to the heightning and fhoal- ingof the river, which abounds with falmon, roach, dace, jack, eels, and elvers, a kind of fmall eels. Ships, of 200 tons may come up to the qnay. This convenience for navigatiori caufes a good pijaft trade fo Briftol, and all down, the Severn, to Wales, for coals, and to CornwaU,- for flate : The yearly receipt, ofthe cuftoms amount xto 3000L: clear of all* falaries, incidents, &c. Its foreign t«sade is chiefly Portugal and Newfoundland, and fome times up the Stteightsi Mere is a good market, which abounds / with provifions of all kinds;, and furnifhes, corn for exportation : it has been famous for the woollen manufaftury, hut now chiefly for Ieatlier.. . The freemen are .fliee of- all ports in England but London,, and of Ireland, except jDublin. The town ftartds Pn a fmall afcent, for the moft part pn a gravelly foil. There is afpa- cious town-hall and high crofs. The church is large but plain,. and its fpire the lofrieft but two in England. Here is alfo a large free fchool and under it are lodgings for the poor of the parifh. This town is famous for the bkrh of Admiral Blake. The coun- try betwixt this place and 'the fea, and northward upon the coaft* lies low', and is employed for pafture. The road called the lower way from hence to Briftol, is not always paffable, being fubjeft' to dangerous innundations. This town fends two members to .parliament, wha at prefent are, Alexander 'Hoed, ;Efq ; bro. to EorrJ o82 SOMERSETSHIRE. o Lord Hpod, a rear adm. of the white, a direftor and tref. of Greenwich hofp. and Robert Thornton, Efq ; a Ruffia merchant, brother to the members for HuU and Southwark. It has a mar ket on Thurfdays, and four fairs annually, viz. on the fecond Thurfday in Lent, June 24, Oftober 2, and December 28, for cattle and all forts of goods. Minehead, 71 miles from Exeter, and 167 from London, is an ancient borough town on the Briftol channel, near Dunfter caf tle; it is much frequented by paffengers to and from Ireland. Here have been feveral ufeful tho' expenfive improvements made in the quay, pier, and beach, which are of very great emolument' to the inhabitants. The town Is well built, and fituate on the declivity of a bill. The pier is capable of receiving fhips of the largeft burden. The cuftom houfe joins to the pier. This town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, John Fownes Luttrell, Efq; and Robert Wopd, Efq ; a cape, in the firft reg. of dragppns. It has a market on Wednefdays, and a fair in Whitfun-week for pedlar's ware. Taunton, 31 miles from Exeter, and 148 fromLpndpn, ftands on the river Tpne ; it is nne pf the largeft boroughs in England, delightfully feated; and very populous ; a place of great note for manufaftures of forges, duroys, fagathees,; &c. The river Tone is made navigable hither; there is alfo a bridge over this river of fix archesl The ftreets are fpacious, and kept clean. St. Mary I^agdalen's church is a fpacious edifice, with a lofty tower and ftately pinnacles, adcrned with carved work. Grey's hofpital is a large brick, building, for, the fupport offix men and ten women, who have 2s. a week each ; here is alfo a well endowed grammar fchool. The country for about 30 miles, is called the Vale of Taunton, a very pleafant fruitful country. Where the Parret mixes with the Tone, a little ifland is formed, called Athelney; which is faid to have been the hiding place of Alfred the Great. This town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Alexande r Popham, Efq; a mafter in Chancery, and Sir Benja min SOMERSETSHIRE, 383 thin Hammett, Knt.. an alderman and banker in London. It has a market on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and two fairs annually* viz. on June 17, and July 7, for bullocks, horfes', pedlary, &c. , Ilchefter, 16 miles from Wells, and 125 from Londpn, is fo called becaufe it once had a caftle, and fituated ori the river Ivel, over which is a bridge. It is noted for giving birth to Friar Bacon. This town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Benjamin Bond Hopkins, and George Sumner Efqrs. It has a market on Wednefdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on July 2, and Auguft 12, for. cattle. Glaftonbury, 6 miles.from Wells, and 121 from London, ftands on a fpot almoft eneompaffed with rivers. The foil is fertile, artd adapted to the growth of applei. This abbey is faid to have been founded about 30 years after the death of Chrift, by Jofeph of Arimathea ; who, as well as his immediate fucceffor, lived in a hut made of earth, and covered with boughs : However it may be, there are authentic accounts of, a fettlement of Chriftian Monte . at this place in the beginning of the £th century. This church is faid to have been built by the Saxpn King Ina. The Tprr, fo called from the tower that ftands on it, is a hill that rifes like a -pyramid to a great height, arid is a land mark for feamen, it being higher ground than any within 10 miles of the place, and the af cent extremely difficult. .The abbey was pne of the richeft and . meft magnificent in the wprld, as is evident from its ruins, and many pf the Saxpn Kings were interred in it : The kitchen befong- ing to the abbey Is ftill entire, built of ftpne, withput the additipn of any thing cpmbuftible. Mpft people have heard of the haw thorn, faid to blpffomon Chriftmas-day. That there was a haw thorn in the church yard, and that it was of a particular kind, and bloffomed earlier than common, is true; but. that it was at Chriftmas Is falfe. This town has a market on Tuefdays, and a fair on September 8, for all forts of cattle. Wellington, 24 miles from Exeter, and 151 from London, ftands on tbe river Thohe, in the roa4 from Taunton tp Exeter. ft .384 SOMERSETSHIRE. It has a market on Thurfdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on the? Thurfday before Eafter, and Holy Thurfday, for cattle. Duivertm, 24 miks from Barnftapie, and 166 from London, Hands in the road from London to Truro, on a hilly moor, with a ftpne bridge over a branch of the river Ex. It is a pretty good town, wkh a good market on Saturdays, and two fairs annuaUy * viz. on July 10, and November 8, for cattle. Langpart, 10 miles from Bridgewater, and 130 from LondoH, is a well frequented town, on the" river Parret, between Bridge' water and Crewkern. It has a market on Saturdays, and four fairs annually, viz. on the fecond Monday in Lent, June 29, September 24, and Nevember n, for fat cattle, bogs and fheep. Dupfter, 20 miles from Taunton, and 164 from London; is an ancient town on the fhare of the Severn fea, eneompaffed on all fides, except that towards the fea, with hiUs. The caftle has two wings and three towers, and has a fine profpeft of a vale, two miles long, bounded by the Severn ; but the fortifications are in a cuinous condition. This town has a market on Fridays, "and a fair on Whitfun-Monday, for pedlary. tyatebet, 14 miles from Bridgewater, and 153 from London, is an ancient fea-port, on the iaaae coaft, having a pier built by Sk William Windham. The inhabitants extraft a great quan tity of alkaline fait from the aflies of fea weed; and fell it to the glafs manufafturers at Briftol. This town has a market on Sa turdays, and afak on Auguft 25, fer cattle. iTeovii, 20 miles from Salifbury, and 124 from London, ftands' on a branch of the Perret, betwixt CreWkern and Sherborne. It is a thoroughfare on the weft poft road to the Land's End* The ftreets are narrow, and for the moft part mean ; but the church is large and has a good ring of bells. This town has a market on Fridays, and two fairs annnually, mz. on June 28, and November 17, for horfes, bullocks, fheep, hogs and wool. Somerton, 1 3 miles frpm Wells, and 1 29 froiri Lpndon, ftands on a branch of the river Parret, in the midway between WeUs and S OM e' r '"£' ETSH rft1 3%S 4tld Crewkern. This totoK gave name to the* county ; ' it is a,pbft .i " . if) t'^'-tf town, and very healthy, though the moors .are fo" near. It, The chief fupport of It are,' it's market arid fairs, for cattle, Njsrhich are fed on a moor about 'a mile off, where are io^ooo acres pf gobd' grazing ground, on which all the Inhabitants "have a right of commoning. This town has a market on Mpndays, andjfjour fairs annually, viz. on the Tuefday in Pafffon Wppk", on Tuefr day three weeks after 'ditto', and on thgTVefd^y nine weeks af ter ditto, for all forts of cattle.' ' " , ' X ' Axbridge, 10 miles from WeUs, and 139 from London, ftands under Mendip hills, and takes ks riarrie' frorti the; 'river •kx, by Which it is watered, apd abput feyen miles from, its mouth. The church is, a large building, whofe tower has two antique ftatue?, one on the'eaft, arid another on the weft. . JJeje Is an alms 'houfe well endpwed; the town is fmall but n'eat. ft has a market on Thurfdays, and fwp fairs annually, .viz. pn March 25,' and June 11, for cattle, fheep, cheefe arid toys.,.,, , f * Chedder, vfrhich is the next parifh to Axbridge, is fanjed fpr (be fineft cheefe Iii the world, except the Pajmpfan, land^ \s twenty-three miles in compafs, abounding Wjkh paftu,re, : fr is common ftere for three or four dairies to join thek rn,iljc, to ,wks 6h's great : cheefe of a hundred, or a hundred arf d, fifty ppup^ whieh they fell on tbe. fpot for fixpence a pound. Theje ;a^"« alfo fuch great plantations pf 'apples ip this parifh,- jhat •-, $9$P{ hogfneadS of cyder have been made here ip one feafon- .Jtjh^a. large handfome church, Tyitji a neat tower, painted .wind^s* aid a good ring of bells. " Abovp this place th^ere k> .^.p^frn^ of a mile long,- between a cliff and a tremendous rpc.k, two or $|yee, hundred feet' high, with hollows equally, awfid -an^.f^jrp^i^g^ which is'in the road to Briftol. , -. ¦ ., \A-H)\.i ^Wr'mish, a pretty town; among the Mendipjrijlsp wb^k,h#$ the honour of. giving birth tp that great Philpfopher, Mr... John Locke; T fhe Lipis Ca^lnarisis du^up .^^j^^P^Xh^ ,., jy i:}i. .—;.. •¦ '*'-" ' j) j a , place.' 38tf S;0; M E R S E T S H 1 R E, ,^place. . Here is a handfome chutch. with a- high tower adorned" with pinnacles., a/i| , ^, . ¦;.i';ryf ^ , , .,< ,. ..- llminfter, 30 miles from Wells, and 138 fiorri London, isa parifh, five miles in length, and very confiderable for its wpollen manufafture. It ha9 a~ fair on the laft Wednefday in Auguft, for horfes, cattle, &c. Chard, 4 miles from llminfter, and 140 from London, is a poft town, fituated on a defcent, with, feveral ftreams running through it, which keeps it clean ; it confifts cf four ftreets; Which terminate near the market place,. The woollen manufafture is . the principal fupport of the inhabitants. It has a market on Mondays, and three fairs annually, viz. on May 3, Auguft 5, and November 2, for cattle and all forts pf pedlary. ¦geynfham, 5 nriles frpm Briftol, and 112 from Londpn, is a thoroughfare in the. lower road between Bath and Briftol. It has a Iarge church, a ftone bridge of fifteen arches pver the Avpii into' Glpucefterfhire, and ahpther bridge pver the river Chew. Here is a charity fch»cl for 20 bpys. ft has a market pn Thurf- daySi arid two fairs annually, viz. cn March 24; and Auguft 15, for cattle and cheefe. Brut on, 12 miles from Wells, and 115 from London, ftands in ihe road to Bridgewater. It has a fine church, a good free fchool, a ftately alms houfe, and drives a great trade in forge and ftockings. Over the market houfe is a fpacious hall for holding fef&ons, &c. It has two fairs annually, viz. on May 4, and September 19, for cattle. Shepton Mallet, 17 miles from. Bath, and 111 from Londpn, is a large town, cpnfifting of abput 1 200 hpufes, the refidence of many confiderable clcthiers. The ftreets are narrow, fteep, very uneven, but well watered with rivulets, ccnvenient for clothiers. It has a market pn Fridays, and a fair on Auguft 8, for cattle and cheefe. '" Frome Selwood, 12 riiiles from. Bath, and 99 from London, haa a long liandfome church, with a noble organ and a fine ring of SOMERSETSHIRE. tff of beUss Though the town is Ipnger than fome cities, yet it has only one church. The wopllen manufafture is reckoned more confiderable here than in any part of England, and more wire cards are made here than in any other town in Britain. It has a market on Wednefdays, and four fairs annually, -viz. on February 24, July 22, September 14, and November 25, for cattle and cheefe. A N T I $_ U I T I & 'Si Montacute Priory; of which confiderable ruins ftilt remain, was founded by William Earl of Morton. — Stokfe-Courci Caftle was the head of the barony of Cobert and WiUiam de Courci, fewers to the Emprefs Maud and Henry II. , In procefs of time- it defcended to Eleanor, wife of Henry Piercy, Earl of Nor thumberland. In the 35th year of Henry VI. it was fbrprized and burnt by Lord Bonville, and has ever^ fince laid in ruins^ but continues in the pofleffipn of the Piercy family. — Farley Caftle, near Philip's -Nerton, was many years in the poffeffion of the family of Montfords; but, in the reign of Richard II. was fold to Sir Robert Hungerfordj and now belongs to Mr. HouIf> ton. S-E Am^§^n^^,Wi^^^^^ ?t &weli Co*n^ Sjf ThomasrPyke.^Jafld'ft at&olnicote -—Sir Richard Warwick/ %gir^d'^[,at,Ha^gtcw5-^rTSk Thomas Chainpn^ys-'s, at; (^hawMy,^§i r^^ri^gm Ekon's, at Briftpl. — Sir Frpnck-.Fjjijt'$}| at Portifhead. — Sir Walter Trevelyan's, at Nettlecomb. — Sir Charles Kemyes Tynte's, at HalefweJI. — Sir William Yea's, at Pyrland, near Taunton S*. James's .-^Mf. Smith's, at Cpmbhay, near Bath. — Mr. Dickenfon's, at KingV Wefton.— Mr. Luttrell's, at Dunfter Caftle-rr-r-Mr.'Strachey's, ^t.Sutton QourU*r*KrJb%r. Coxe'*, at ^ftpn^ near $feUp . .... /IOO-' ¦y/L ^ ,. : ,. . ;rr ,,, ' < . ,-. /,.. -iv:-W A ::R"VWr.J C K . - ...;-.--•. TS bounded on the ;^ef| by Woreefterflikej on toe fouth by JL. the counties of Glpnceiter. and Oxford.; bjr thofe of Derbj- and.StaSprdonthe north,; .and on the eaft by Ntjrthamptonljhke. and .I*Gicefter$ike« It is abbut-33 miles in length, 22 in breadth, and. 1 22 in circumference; it contains 5 hundreds, 158 parifhes,' 17 market towns, 4 caftles, 10 rivers, 13 parks, 2 forefts, and 780 villages. It is divided into two parts, the Felden and the W°°dland ; the former on the fouth fide, and the latter on the north „fide of the Avon. The -firft formerly afforded all the pafture apd corn grounds, the fecond being covered with 'woods, was of little ufe .except for fuel ; but the iron wor.ks*ki the ad jacent counties have focpnfiumed the -wood, that they have long fince made, way for the plough ; and, at prefent, by marling, and other methods pf hufbandry, all that part yields abundance of corn, cheefe and hutter; Felden is now in a great meafure turn'd into pafture land. The foil of both produces excellent corn, and the ehepfe made here is noted in every part of England. The air WARWICKSHIRE. 389 akpjf this county follows the goodnefs of its foil, which is in high efteem > hete are nolakes nor bogs, and, it is fo well watered, that every man has good water almoft at his dopr. The moft fl^nfidembk; rivers are, the Avon9 the Leame, the Stour, the , W*tergal, the Tame, the;|Boiurne, the Riea, the Cole, the Blythe-, S^c. This county fends two mertibters to parliament, who at prefent. are, Sir Robert Lawley, Baft, and Sir George Auguf tus William Shuckburgh, Bart. F. R. S. ¦Warwick, 39 miles from ; Gloucefter, iB from Coventry, and 90 from London, is the , county town, and ftands on the rinrer Avon, on an afcent of rocky hills on all fides,' the ways leading tokare out through a rook. It has, however, rich pleafant mea dows to the fomth, and lofty gcovps, and fpacious parks, to fhe north. It is a town of great note, and of fudh antiquity, that. It is faid to have been founded by Kimlecline, one ef the Britifli Kings, contemporary with our Savioiur. There are four ways leading to, it,, anfwering -the four points, -which lead through a rock) over a current of water, to an equal number of ftreets, whipb. all meet in the. centre of ibfoe tovvjB. The wells and cellars aremade in the rock, the defcent to which every way renders it both a .plesan-and an elegant town- , It is fupphed with water by pipes frpjnr fprings half a mile-pff;; and has a nobLe ftone bridge over the Avon iof twelve arches. Here is a caftle, ftrong both by art and nature ; The f 00k 'on which it ftands is forty feet from the river ; but on the north fide it is even wkh the town. From its terrace, which i6 above fifty feet perpendicular abojpp the AvOn, there is a prpfpeft of the river, and a beautiful country beyond . it. The apartments are well contrived, and many of them a- dorned with original piftures, by Van Dyke, not inferior to fome of the Royal Palaces. It was built originally by William the Con queror, and now belongs to Earl Brooke. Thongh a populous town, it has but two parifh churches, of which 3 on January ac, for feed artd corn, and on Oftober iS, for pat- tie artd cheefe. In the neighbourhood is Edge-hill, where tiit firft battle be tween Charles I. and the parliafneftt was fought, in the yejuf 1642. - .Atherftone, 3 miles from Stratford upon Avon,' and 163 from London, on the Stour, the market is on Tiiefdays, and is famous for a chgefe fair on the 19th of September, which is fuppofed to be the greateft in England. Here are other fairs,, on AprU 7, for Borifes, cows and fheep ; July 18, for toys, riief eery, and plea - fare; on September 19, for cheefe, hoi fes and cows; and on Bedeiriber 4, for horfes and fat cattle. Nimeatort, 8 miles from Coventry, a'nd ioq frorti London, ftands on the river Anker, and has a manufacture of woollen cloth. Here are the ruins of a riunn^ry, founded in the reign of Henry II. for Bertediftine nuns. It has a market pn Saturdays, and a fairon Afoy;i'4, for cattle. ' ¦'" CsteflHH, 1 1 miles from Coventry, artd\io2 from London,. Is a large town on the great road from London tp Litchfield. Here is a gjdod old church dedicated' to St. Peter ^ Here are alfo two ; charity Ichocls; and a piece of land, called, pater nofter piece, -giveri- by one of the family of Digby, for encouraging .the chil dren to learn the Lord's prayer. Here is a market on Saturdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on May i<[» Auguft 21, and No vember 22, for cattle and cheefe. ' ' " .'.' flewenftant- Regis, over againft. Rugby, andnear the river S"wlft, isfaimras for ksmedicinal voters, arifing frpm three firings, fup pofed to be pfecolated through a riiiheral of alium. The .waters, whichare of a milky colour and tafte, are reckoned good for the ftone. Kenelworth, .ftands in the centre of this county, and is famous for its noble caftle, once a prifon for King Edward II. and after wards a palace belonging to the Earl of Leicefter, who entertain- Eee ed 394 'WARWICKSHIRE. ed Queen Elizabeth and her ceurt here feventeen days. Here are alfo the remains pf a pripry founded in the year 1 1 06. ; ,, Dovebridge, ftands upon the Avon, ;and was antiently a Roman ftation, called Triponrium. Here the ftream diyides in two. It has an infcription, denoting that it is maintained at the expence of three counties. , SEATS of the- Nobility, 6c*. Earl of Nprthampton's, at Compton-Vinyates, near Banbury. —Earl of Denbeigh's, at Newhham-Padocks,.. near Rugby. — Earl of Plymouth's, at Hewel Grange, near Bombfgrave, in the counties of Warwick and Worcefter. — Earl .of ; AU esford's, at ' Packingtcn.— Earl of Suffex's, at Brandon. — Earl, pf Warwick's, at Warwick Caftle.— Earl of Hertford's,- at Ragley, — Lord Wii- oughby de Brook's, at Compton Verney, and Chef^jtpm—^— Lord Dormer's, at Grove Park, near Warwick.— Lprd Leigh's, at Stone Leigh Abbey.: — Lord Crayen's, at Comby Abbey, and atWykin. — Lord Archer's, at Humbers-lade, near Stratford upon Avon. — Lord Digby's, at Colefhill. — Lord Irnham's; at Four Oaks. — Sir Edward Aftley's, at Hill Moreton, near Rugby.^-Sk Edward Boughton's, at Lawford. — Sir Henry Bridgeman's, at Caftle Bromwick. — Sir Robert Burdet's, at Bramcote. — Sir Hen ry Gough's, at Edgbafton. — Sir Lifter Holte's, at Afton, near Birmingham. — Sir Charles Mordaunt's, at Walton DeiviUe. — Sk Roger Newdigate's, at Arbury, and Aftley Caftle.— Sir Charles Shuckburgh's, at Upper Shuckburgh. — Sir Francis Skipwkh's, at Newbold Hajl. — Sir Robert Throgmoiton's, at Coughton. — Sir William Wheeler's, at Lemingtpn Haftang. — Mr. Child's; at Upton. WEST- WESTMORELAND. 395 1 WESTMORELAND. THIS county takes its name from the nature of the countyv which, if upon a view of the barony of Kendal, we fhall find a moor or barren heath, or all mountains, except a few vallies ; but that part of the barony; called Weftmoreland, or the bottom of the county, is a large, open, champaign country, well cultivated, and fertile. in grain and cattle; therefore fome rather derive the name from ks weftern fituatiori, with refpeft to another moorifh traft of mountains, called the Englifh Ap- ptoines. It Is bounded by Lancashire on the fouth and fouth weft; by Cumberland on the weft and north weft; and by York fhire on the eaft and north eaft. It is 36 miles in length, and 34 iu breadth ; it is divided into the barony of Weftmoreland, aild the. barony of Kendal : Both thefe are fubdivided into two wards, each of which cpntains 32 parifhes, wherein are- many chapels of eafe, 8, market towns, 220 villages, and only one par liamentary borough, namely Appleby* In each pf. thefe divi fions are feveral dcanries and cPnftablewicks, but no hundreds, as anciently paying no fubfidies, being fufficiently charged in the border fervice againft the Scots. Tlie barony of Weftmoreland, which is the northern part, lies lpw, and affords plenty of corn. The barony of Kendal, pr Candalia; .which is the fouthern part, fo called from the river Can, or Ken, has many rocks, as well , as mountains, but is pretty fruitful in the vallies,, efpecially in the meadows near the rivers; and ks mountains have good, pafture for fheep, with iron, lead, and copper ore in fome parts, and they now get vaft quantities of fine blue flate in various parts of this county. Its air is fweet, healthful and pleafant, but fome what fharp in the mountainous parts. This cPuntydnes.npt af ford much pit- ccal, but it has plenty of excellent turf ; arid wood, E e e a is 3$6 WESTMORELAND, is likewife plentiful upon the mountains in the barony of Kendal. Among the mountains, near the borders of Cumberland, lies Winander-mere, the largeft lake in England, fo called by the Saxons from its winding hanks. It is about ten miles long, and a great depth in many parts ; it is well ftored wkh pikes, eels, pp«fh; trout; and particularly with chars, a fifh rarely found ex cept among the Alps, and it is fometimes called the golden Al pine trout ; they are baked in pots, arid font as prefents to Lon don and other parts of ithe kingdom. In the middle of this lake is an ifland, containing feventy or eighty acres of land, in the centre of which is a very handfome gentleman's feat. This coun ty is fupplied with a fufficient quantity of good and wholefome water, as, ill, The river Ken, which rifes at a place called Kentmere, where the famous Gilpin was boni, and is increafed hy two large brooks, before it reaches Kendal, from whence it paffes irt a large channel to the ocean. 2d, The Lone, which gives name to the adjacent country,, called Lonfdale, i. e. a vale upon the Lone. 3d, Eden, which is the moft noble river in this county ; it fprings from Morvill's bill, and in its cpurfe receives twelve rivers and hropks,, fo that it grows a very large river be- fpre it is loft irt the Eimot, 4th, The Loder, or Lowther, from which the family of Lowthers take their name, and' which in the Brkifh tongue, fignifies a clear water without mud, rifes in the Broadwater Lave, near Thornthwake foreft, and, after a long courfe, is loft in the Eknot, near Hornby, This county fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Sk Mi chael Le Fleming, Bart, a vice-prefident of the Weftm. Gen. Difpenfary, and James Lowther, Efq; colonel of the Cumber land militia. Appleby, 10 mUes from Penrith, and 267 from London, claims the firft notice as the county town, where the affizes are held, though it is neither rich nor beautiful ; but the fituation of it, in the midft of pleafant fields, and on the banks of the river Eden, which almoft encompaffes it, is very agreeable. Its name is WESTMORELAND. 397 is a cpmiprion of the Aballaba Aureliani, a band of Roman fol dier*, io called, becaufe they were fent hither by tbe Emperor Aurelian. Here is the beft corn market in all the northern parts ; but the chief beauty pf the town confifts in one broad ftreet, which rtins with art eafy afcent from fouth to north, at the head whereof is the caftle, tbe feat of the Earl of Thanet, almoft fur rounded *ish the river, and with trenches where the river comes not. At the loWer end of the town is a church and a fchool. Here alfo is an hofpital for a goverriefs and twelve other widows, called. the mother and twelve fiftets. The town ftands pn the Roman milkary way, which croffes the cpunty from Rearerofs, on Stainmbre, in the eaft, to the river Eden, a little below Pen rith, in the weft. It fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, the Hon. John Levefon Gower, half bro. to the marq. of Staffordfh. a. capt. in the royal navy, and a Id. of the admkality, and Richard Penn, Efq j and has a market on Satur days; and four fairs annually, viz. on Whitfun-Eve, Whitfun- Monday, June i©, and Auguft 10, for horfes, cattle, fheep, and linen cloth. Kendal, 46 miles frPm Carlifle; and 257 from London, called alfo Kirby Kandale, that is, a church in the valley upon the river Can or Ken, over which it has two bridges of ftone and one of wood. It is much fuperior to Appleby in trade, buildings,* and the number and wealth of the inhabitants, and indeed is the largeft town In the county^ It has two good ftreets; which crofs.each other, and is enriched by the induftfy of the townf- men, andthe woollen manufafture in which they have for a long time drove a confiderable trade. It is much noted for the manu facture of cottons, linfeys, ferges, hats, worfted and yarn block ings, &c. Here *e feven. trading: companies, viz. mercers, fheermen,. cordwaincrs, tanners, glovers, taylors, and pewterers, who have each their hall. The church is -Very large and beauti ful, and fflpportod.by five rows of pillars ; near the church is a free fehool well endowed. The inhabitants fome years ago built and 398 WESTMORELAND. and endowed a handfome chapel, in the centre of the town, It has a market'on. Saturdays; and two fairs annuaUy, viz. on May 6, and November 8, for hnrfes, cattle and fheep. Kirby Lonf dale, i. e. a valley upon the river Lone, io mile* from Keridal, and 231 from London ; it is faid to be called Kirby from a bifhop of Carlifle- of that name, who routed the Scots, and was a native of this place. It is a large town and carries on a good manufafture of woollen cloth and ftockings : It has a handfome church, with a good ftone bridge over the Lone, and a market on Thurfdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on Holy Thurfday, St. Thomas's Day, and Decernber 21, for wopllen clpth. • ¦• , Kirby Stephen, 9 miles from Appleby, and 223 from Lpndon> is fituatedon the river Eden, and is much noted for its manufac ture of yard ftockings. It has a free fehool founded and endow ed by the family of Wharton; and has a market on Mondays,. and three fairs annually, viz. on Eafter-Monday, Tuefday after Whit-Sunday, and St. Luke's Day, for cattle, fheep and flax. Amblefide, 13 miles from Kendal, and 270 from London, is fituated at the head of Winander-mere ; it has a good free fchopl, and carries on a fmall manufafture pf linfeys. It has a market on Wednefdays, and twp fairs annually, viz. on Whitfun- Wed nefday, and Oftober ^9, for catde and fheep. Brough, 257 miles from London, ftands near the river Eden, and is divided into two towns, viz. Clfurch Brough, and Lower Brough, from its fitUation. It has a market on Wednefdays, and a fak every Thurfday, before Whitfunday, for horned cattle and fheep.' . 1' ¦ , Milthprp, 7 miles from Kendal; ftands at the mouth of the Ken, and is the pnly fea-poit in the county.. It has no market, but. a fair on May 12, for horned cattle, horfes and fheep. Burton, 244 miles from' London^ iflands about mid way be - twen Lancafter and Kendal, and has a fmaU market on Tuefdays.. Qrtoni WE S T MO RLE LA N D. 399 Orton, 12 miles from Appleby, and 271 from London, has a market well fupplied on Wednefdays, a fair on May 2, for black cattle, and on the Friday before Whit-Sunday, for fheep and black cattle. " ' Shap, at this place was formerly a market, but we can find npth?ng retained pf its ancient privileges, except a fair pri'May*4, for hornsd cattle. It ftands pn the road that leads from Kendal to Penrith; , . A NT I <£ U I T I E S. ' rAmboglana, which, frOm the Analpgy pf names; can be pla ced nowhere mpre .commodiPufly than at Amblefide, flieWthe ruins of art old city, with other marks of antiquity, and feveral medals of gold, filver and copper have been found here.; At Whelp Caftle, near Kirby Thore, the remains of antiquity, its fituation, andthe rUins of anoldtovfrh, convince us that this was the Gallaturiiof the Romans.- — At Kirby Thore begins the old, caufe-! way, called Maidenway; which runs twenty miles from thence, to Caer- Vorran, a Roman ftation,. near the Pifts wall.— Brougham* near the conflux of the Lpder and Eimpt, is the Roman city Rrocovum, fituated upon the military way to Carlifle. — There are feveral large Roman camps at Crakenthorp, near Appleby, and divers other pieces; o£ antiquity in ruins ; as ari ancient mo nument of large ftones near Shap : King Arthur's round table and caftle, hear the conflux of the>Eimet and Lother. , S E A T S. of. the Nobility, 6c Earl of Suffolk's, afLevens, near Kieridal.— Earl of -Thane.t's, at Appleby Caftle, and Brougham Caftle.-^Lprd Lonfdale's,'Jat Lowther HaU.— Sir Michael le Fleming's;; at Rydat Halfc-^- ¦ShPhilip' Mufgrave'e* at Hartley Caftle.— MriRobinfon's, at Ap- pjeby. — Mr. Wilfon's, at Dalum Tower, near Milthorp. WILTSHIRE. 4«o WILTSHIRE. WILTSHIR I. TH I-S county deri-ves-hs name frrtmuWhton;. fonrneriy the chief town kitbe.fhire ; It is bounded on the niorth-eaffchy Berkfhke ; on the fouth-eaft by Hampfhire ; on the Jsmtk'foy Dorfetfhire ; and on the north nprth eaft by Glpucefterfhire ; by which kappearsto'beaninlandcpuntyi about 47 miles in length, 37 in breadth, and 150 in circumference. The air is fvireet and lliealtbyj *nd mild enough in the valleys, even in winter, tlfough fharp upon the uplands. North Wiltshire; or the northerri^part of this; county abounds with pleafant hills, and clear ftreams, forming a variety of delightful profpefts. The fouth part is of( a $icj$ and fruitful faU ; and the. middle called Salifbwy plains odn- B$6. ehiefly of downs, which . afford the beft pafture for fheep, 3rtd great diverfion for fpartfnaen. The foil of the hills and downs, in general,, is chalk and clay; Jbut the vafteys aboandw&h gQfn folds and rich, meadows, which produce great quantities of gpod ehfifife. The north part yields ' plenty ©f weed; and at Chijtn-arh, near Hindon, in the fouth part- are exeeeding fine qiiatrias of ftones, whence have been cut ftones of fixty feet in lffflgth* and twelve feet thick, without a flam The produce of WUtflrisre is: wheat and gpain ofr all forts, fheep and wOolt The abundance of wool which the fheep produce, upon the extenfive plains, invited the inhabitants to fall thoroughly into the cloath ing trade, . and they fucceeded fo well, that it is the general opi nion that the beft fort of Englifh broad cloths, both white and djsed are maatifaftured in this county. Its chief rivers are1 the Ifip, Kenoet; upper anddcwec Avon, Willey Bourne, arid Nad- dete,.. This county fends two members to parliament, who at pre fent are, Charles PenniddBcke, Efq ; and. Amtwpfe Goddard, Efq, Saiyiiteryt WILTSHIRE. 4oi Sulifhury, 25 miles.from Southampton, and 83 from London} pthenvife called New Sarum, is an epifcopal fee, and a large well built pleafant city, near which fpur of the above mentioned' ri vers join their ftreams, and flow through the ftreets. The ca* thedral is:fipnfidered ^s.the moft elegant andregular in the king dom.. Il is forik in foranof a lantern, with ks fpirein the centre, and^eiyhuttpeflES and glafs windows on the outfide, without any wall. The crofs ifle is very beautiful and ligbtfbnie ; the doors andffaapels equal the number of months in a year, the windows theidays, and the pillars andpillafters the houisi Tjiere are three other churches befides the cathedral. The market place, in which is a fine town houfe, is a fquare fo fpacious that three or four bat- t?tion&af foot may he muftered without being crowded. There are fome remarkable monuments in the cathedral and other plicesV that cannot fail of entertaining the curious. This city fends, two mennbers to parliament, who at prefent are; William. Huffey, Efq; and fhe Hon. WiUiam Henry Bouverie, .next brother to the earl of Radnor. It has a market on Thurfi^ays and Saturdays, and fi?.: fains ;annually, viz.^ on T uedtdap jailor ; January 6X ', the Monday Before old Lady-day ; April 5, Whitfun Monday, and Tuefday, the fecond Tuefday in September ; and the TuefMy ^fter Oftober 1 p. •., , 1 . ...... . _ \\ Old Sarum, from the ruins wheteei.feih the New, is about a mile diftant from it, to the north, and is asancieihtas the.-OM Brkpire.rThe ruins have fomething of aiiaugwift a%e^t;- iamd Bbe. place, -though conftfting of only one or two houfes, is rspr.e^- fentedhy two members, who; at prefent. aj-e, 4he Rt: hon; John Charles^ Villiers, brother of the Earl of Elabsndon,: compttiiilar of the; king's houfeholdy and one of ! dfherbing's ooufefebdn -tie duchy court of Laricaftqtv and Georgt. H?£din£e, Efq; iaxephew to, earl Camden, a king's ¦ qowtuM, and felicitor genieEsu to rthe queen.. " "LJ Wilton, 7 miles from Salifbury, and MfJro(ri. London, >s; ano ther decayed ekyy wader the Sasjons it w&s an ieptfqcfsd fee, and F f f nourifhed 404 UL T S H I R .E. flou'rifhed in, fuch a.manner, that it had twelve churches ; but it has declined ever fince the. reign of Edward III. -This town lies at the bottom of a vale, which runs from Chrift-church, in Harrfp- ihire, through Salifbury plain, for twenty miles, and about one mile hroad. The^greateft curiofity in this place; . is the magnifi cent palace, called Wilfon-houfe,,:the feat of the Earl of Pem-. broke and Montgomery, built upon the ruins of afuppreffed abbey, in the reign of Henry VIII. This town fends two- members to parUament, who at prefent are, the Right hon. William Gerard Hamilton., a privy counfeUor in Ireland,- and Philip Goldfworthy, Efq ; equerry and aid-de- camp to the king, and iieut.-col. :of the firft reg. of dragoons.. It has a market on Wednefday, and three fairs annually, viz. on May 4, September 12, and Npvember 13; forfheep. : , , - . i-v. :.: ^crrX,., „,, Downton, .6 miles, frpm Salisbury, and .84 from London,, h pleafantly fituated .on the Avon. It fends two riiembers1 to par^ liament, who tat pxefent are, Robert Shafro, Efq; ...and the Hon. WiUiam Seymour Conway,, fifth fon of the earlof Hert ford, and a captain in. the. army. It has. a market pn Fridays., tho' little frequented, and twp fairs annuaUy, viz. On April 20, and pftober 2, for. fhepp arid horfes. *:*¦¦'-,'-¦:, i'. :....-... ¦ •,- > -' Heytefbury, \6 miles from Salifbury, and 94 . from: London^ ftands on the river WiMey, and was the feat ofthe EmprefeMaud- Theichurch in .this .town ris collegiate, with four prebendaries, and a f ree -fchooL It fends two members to parliament, who ¦&! prefent are, WUliam Pierce Afhe.A'Co.urt, Efq ; anditheRt. hoa. .William Eden, a privy. counfeUor in Ireland; an .auditor aud .di/ leftor^of Greenwich. Hofpital,' and chancellor of Richmond; in .the diocPffc of Jork,- LL.D. and F.R.S.rTt has a fair. on May .I4,;and September! 2 5,- 1 for cattle, ,flieep .and; toys. . va . v, . :, '. :.tWeftlmry, 24 miles from S,aUfb.ury,o and. io2«frflm, London, a fmall town, in an open country, adjoining to Salifbury Plain; k ?has aigood'chuich*, peculiar to that pf Salifbury. . It fends two 'members tppatliament,' who arprefent;are*&smuelEft wick, Efq ; LL.D< W II/T.'SH I RE. LL.D.: deputy paymafter general, fee. and reg. of Cftelfea;'HofpU: tal, and John Madocks, Efq ; asking's counfel. It has a market on Fridays, and two fairs annually, 'viz. on the firft Friday in Lent, and cm. Whitfun Monday, ' for pedlary. ' ' -r Calne, 25 miles from Briftol, and 88 from London, ftands' upon a little river ; it is a fmall, but populous well built town,' remarkable for a fynodheld here, A. D. 977, about the celibacy of the elergy. It fends two members to parliariient, who at pre fent are, the Rt. hon. Ifaac Barte, clerk of the Pells, and James Townfend, Efq ; an alderman'of the*city of London. It has a market on Tuefdays, and two fairs annually, viz. on May 6, forhorfesp cattle and fheep ;¦ and Aug. 2, for toys. ' " l Devizes, 24 miles, from Salifbury, and 86 from Londpn, which fome authors call Divifio, from its being formerly divided betwixt the King and the Bifliop of SaKfbury." Iris a town of large trade,1 and has feveral flourifhing manufaftures 'of woollen cloth. The' town is not fo well fupplied with water as it might, If the water from thefrne fpring at the foot of the Round-way hill Was. proper ly conveyed to it. The buildings are old but good, arid make' an elegant appearance. This town fends two members to parlia ment, who at prefertt are, Sir James Tylney Long, Bart, and' Henry Addirtgton, Efq ; recorder pf this bo. It has a market? on Thurfdays, and fix fairs annually, viz4 on February 13, Ho. ly Thurfday, Jane 13, July 5, Oftober 2, and 20, for cattle* horfes, fheep, and hogs. Chippenham, 21 miles from Briftol, and' 94 from London; ftands on the river Avon, and is a large; populous, well built town ; it has a bridge of fixteen arches^ The church is magnificent, hav-5 ing on the walls and windows the arms of Hungerfords, who; if they did not ereft it, are fuppofed, to have beautified k, when by licence from Henry VI. they built a chapel.,: It fends two mem bers to parliament, who at prefent are,' James Dawkirts, Efq-; fon of the late member, and George Fludyer',' Efq ; only brother toSk-S. B. Fludyer, Bart. It has a market on- Saturdays, , and F f f 2 three' 4©4 WILTSHIRE. thtfe fektf :»i!fiu3Hyi irifc- on Mdy 6, Jurtfe n, and October 1 84u for eafcdg,- hpriesn fheep, and hogs. ' •-'¦¦' iMttktfHtifyii 26 inite from Briftol', and 94 from London,: ftahds On a hill, with np lefe than fix bridges over the river Avon: It foti$e»ly, Had wjllay aftd a large ftrong caftle,: which has kmg fipfle.beeri defttoyed* ft is a neat towii and carries on a confider able rfti&de in the wppHen irianUfaftitre.' THis place. Was former' ly famous for its abbeys greatpartof which ftiU remains. Itwas at firft ohly a hermitage; whfere Maildnlphus, a famoUs hermit, refided, and from Whom the town took its name. It fends two membefs to parliament; who at prefent are, the Rt. hon. Peni- fton (Lamb) yifc. Me],bourne» of the kingdom of Ireland, a gent, of the bedchamber to the Prince of Wales, and the Right hon. James Makkhd; Vifcount Maitland; eldeft fon of the Earl qf Lauderdale;. It has, ia foiarket on Sterdiys, and three fairs annually; viz? oft Match 1 7, April 7; and May 26, for cattle, horfes, 8cc~. ... . Gricklaefe, 30 miles from Oxford; aftd 82 from London, is fi-' tuated at the influx of the rivers Churn ind Key into the Thames, and was anciently of very great note. It fends two members to parliament, whta at prefent are; Jehn Walker Heneage, Efq; hereditary ufheT of the exchequer, and Robert Nicholas, Efq ; It has a market Prt Saturdays, and two fairS annually, via. on the fecond Thurfday in April, for, fhefep, cows, and calves, and on September 21, for chapmen^s goods, and for hiring fervants. Luggerfhall,. 12 inkes from Salifbury, and 68 from London, Is only a fmall town. It is; however, fituated in a delightful country, which was tbe refidence of feveral Kings. This town fends two members to parliament; who at prefent are, George Auguftus Selwyh, Efq ; furveyor of the crown lands, and fur- veyor of the meltkigS and clerk of the irons in the Mint, and regifter irt the court of Chancery in thesflfcnd pf Barbadoes, and Nathaniel William Wrafcall, Bfqv ¦ Wotton W I ii f 3 fl I*R 1. 46J nWbbttm Baffett, $6 miles from Salifbury, and 86 from pmdbn, tho* it be a corporation Of a mayor, two aldermen, twelve capital burgeffes and dbbut one hundred burgage holders, it is ccmmpfl to fee the meaneft mechanic at the head bf the bbdy corporate: it is a IMaffi place" arid chiefly filled with thatched houfes ; yet it fends two members to parliament, who at pYefent ate, George AugHfttkS North, Efq; eldeft fon of 'Lord North, and colonel o£ , the cinqud port veluifteete, arid the Hort. Robert Seymour Coh^ Way1*' third fon to the Earl pf Hertford. It hasa friarket on Thurf-, days, arid three fairt' annually, viz. on May 4, November 13; and December ig, far eows and pigs. Marlbormgh, 46 miles from Briftolj ' tiid 74 from London, f6' Called from the chalky foil in whit-h it is fituated ; it is handfome- ly built, but confifts ehiefiy Of One large ffraight ftreet, with piazzas all Etiofig One fide Of it. It has two parifti churches and fevfcfal edmrtiOdiduB ifinS; being the gtand thotoughfare frOni Londpn to Bath and Briftol. The Duke of Northumberland's feat here was the fite of ihe Roman Caftrurn ; thfey have difco vered the fotmdarisns, and feveral Roman coins ; &M towards the rivir, without the fa^deft walls, one angle of it manifeftly remains. Th^s town feflds tWd membei's to parliafhent; who at prefent are, the Right hoh. James (Stopford) Earl of CoUttowrt in Ireland, treafUfet of his majefty's hoUfehdld, arid Sk Philip Hales, Bart, a groom of his majefty's bedchamber. It has a market on Saturdays, and two fairs annually; viz. July 10, artd November 22, for horfes, cows, and fheep. ' ¦ Trowbridge, 2 3 miles from Mar Ibofdiigh; and 98 frorti London, is fituated on the riVet'Were, over which there is a gObd ftone bridge. Here is a great manufafture of WOPllen, chiefly of broad cloth, efpecially fuperfines. It has a market on Saturdays, and •a fair on July 2>, but it isPnly for milliners gdods. Bradford, 11 miles from Devizes, and 103 from London, is another cofifiderabie eJodthing town/ hi which, (Tfo-fr bridge snd Melkffiam, artd the adjacent towns) hare always been made 4'36 Wiltshire, i made the fineft cloths. This town ftands upon the lower AVPjS, has a ftone bridge over it, and has a charity fchool for fixty-fivc boys. It has a market on Mondays, and a fair.on Trinity Mon day, for cattle and miUiners goods. • i Cafham, about 9, miles from Malmfbury, ftands In the Bath road, arid is a very healthy and pleafant place. The Saxon Kfng Ethelred had a palace and refided here. It has a fair on March 7, and annther pn September 4, for cattle, fheep, and horfes. Lavington, 20 miles from Salifburyj and 89 from London, has almsrhoufes, a freefchool, and a charity fchopl fpr thirty- fife: children. The market is kept on Mondays and Wednefdays, but Wednefday is the greater market, efpecially for corn. Maiden Bradley, 7 miles from Warminfter, is a village on the- borders of Somerfetfhire, where there was formerly a priory for canons, but at prefent noted for the Duke of Somerfet's feat; It has a fair on April 25, and another on September 21, for horfes/ cattle, pigs, and cheefe. Mere, 2a miles from Salifbury, and 103 from London, lies in an angle pf; this county, bordering upon Somerfetfhire and Dor- fetfhire; it js efteemed as the principal ftaple for wool. It has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on May 6, Auguft 24, and September 29, for cattle, pigs;cheefe andpedlary. Warminfier, 22 miles from Salifbury, and 100 from London,, through which the river Deverel runs, is a very ancient town, and has a confiderable trade. On the hills to the eaftward of the town are two ancient camps, one called Battlebury, the other' Scratchbury. It has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs an nually, viz. on April n, Auguft 10, and Oftober 28; for cat* .Je, fheep, fwine and cheefe.- ANTIQUITIES. i" Warder Caftle, where the Lady Arundel, being attacked with*. 1300 men of the parliament army, defended herfelf bravely for W I L TS H I R E. O ^p7 a week, with only 25 men, and at laft-furrendered upon honoufr- able terms. — Clarenden Park, on theeaft fide of Salifbury Plain,, is a large and beautiful conriflodious park for keeping and breeding deer. There, are twenty groves In --this park, each of them a mile in compafs. - AboUt half a mile fren* it is a remarkable Ro'7 man camp, being a circular fortification^ and fituated on a drychal- ky hill.— Stone-Henge, about fix miles north of Salifbury, is reck oned one of the wonders of this ifland. The learned have taken great pains about this remarkable piece of antiquity, which fills the beholder wkh aftonifhmenr, and has attrafted the- admiration ftf all ages. Antiquarians at prefent feem to acquiefe in the opi nion of the learned'Dr. Stukely, that it was Pne of the grand (terftples pf the Brkifh druids. — Near this ftupendous wp^k ,of antiquity, are a great number of elevations, fomethingi refem bling the form of a beU, called Barrows ; thefe;. are fepulchral tumuli, or graves, wherein the ancient Britons , depofited the .afhes of their dead — At Amberfbury, Eleanor, Queen toJHSe"|j- j-y III. died; and was buried, as were, alfo Aurelius arid feveialr other .Brkifh Princes. T -..., . . . ;o.«l* ,_ .liu.j. .* i..> :>• '¦ - SEATS of >tfu Nobility, '6c ybnmi X' ¦- -¦¦ '¦->?. '¦' Duke of Somerfet's,, at Maiden Bradley, arid Scend.— Daike of Beaufort's, at Nether Haven, near Amber fbury.-r-Dukeof iBdlton's, at Edington. — Duke of Dover's* atAmefbury. — Duke of Kingfton's, at Bradford, near Bath.-r-Earl of Pembroke's, at Wilton,, near Salifbury.— Earl, of ; Suffolk's,, at.. Charleton, near •Malrfifbury. — Earl of Peterborough's, atDantfey. — Earl of. Go- , (dolphin's, at Tilfhead,*, near Lavington.— Earl .of Radnor's, . at (Longford: Caftle. — Lord Vifcount, Weymouth's, at Long-leate, Nnear : Warminfter.-r-Lord Vifcount . Bolingbroke's, at Lidiard Ifregoze; near Wotton Baffett. — LordiVifepunt. Ealkftone's, at 'Longford, near Salifbury.— Lord Audley's, at Grovley. — Lord .WaWpur's, at Wai'ddyr' Caftle.— jtord ChedworthVauWifh- , . -ford. W O R Q.E § £?¦&$ 3H R E. ford.— -Lord Bruce's,, at Tottenham Park, near M3J?rt>0r°.$gk'',,*f Lord Hyde's,, ?ti|Iift4oflr7r'Lor}d Wyeepmbe's, at Bowapd Park, nfaj C?lrte!TrnLprd:H«H%4ffi..at Fp^ey.-rrLpr^-Siftgg^^^if- bury'sB^aif, at, Saljfbjftfy-Trrl^d Hound's, aA Winrttflow.-rr-- ¦ .%. Edward Bayntun'% *t Spye P?rki ©ear Cahse.frrSir J%m?# Img?, at DwtysAtl , Cernc—rrnSir Seymour Pile's, ..s* Aux- fitfdi-*i-Pr>. Dawkjn^s, at ,§j5mdlyi?eb!*r-M& Sutton's, at New' ParL-rrrMr, Duncombe's, 'at Bar-ford — Mr. Collet&i's, at Haines WilrrrMr. Grove's, at Shif5nberry.r-Mr. Methuen's, at Corf- 3feewa--rrrMr- Penruddtwk's, at Cen^pton Ghwsateriaai.rTT-.Mi!,. God- dardW at Swin^en. , WORCESTERSHIRE. IS bounded on the weft, by the counties of Her eford and Salop; on the north hy StaffDrdfhire ; pin jthe eaft hy Warwkklbire j. and on the fouth by G'lcucefterfhke : It is about 38 Smiles in length, 31 in breadth, and 133 in circumference; containing 7 hundreds, arid part of- two riiore, one tity, 1 1 market towns, J52 parifhes, 500 villages, and about 540,000 acres. The foil is weryfrukfril, '-both in corn and pafture. It is watered hflthe Serena, Stourr Avon, and Tipae, befides a great number of rt- vulets. Corn grows in abundance irt alfparts of this county, but almoft to a miracle in the vale of Evefham, , which may bp. proper ly itiled the granary, of thefe parts. Good cheefe andhutter are -made in great plenty by -the. rhfpr rides and in- the vall^yssi' Apples and pears, which gtow fpontaneoufty almoft in* every hedge, of which are.made good cyder, and that plekfcmt-Hquor called perry, little inferior to the jfaeneh champaign. It is alfo enriched wkfa the culture of hops,* which is now improved to great perfection and benefit in Woreefterftrire. It is efpecially noted- for many good brine pits and fait fpririgs at Drokirach, '. where the .pureft ani WORCESTERSHIRE. 409 ^nd whkeft kind of Salt is made. The pit at Upwich yields a? much brine in twenty-four hours as will make four hundred and fifty bufheis of fait. The fats in which the brine is boiled, are made' of lead. The brine is clarified with whites of eggs, and ; they, put 'alium info it to make the grain fmall ; they make folk forts of fait, viz. the pure white, the clod felt, fo called from kS cleaving to the'bottom of the fats, after the pure white fait is taken! off; the knockings which candies on the flails. of the barrows^ as tbe. brine runs from the fait, The fcrapings, which is a coarfs fort, rnixed with drofs and duft; to which forts fome add the fait loaves, which are accounted the fineft of white fait. This county fends two members to parliament, who at prefent. are, the Hon- -Edward Foley, next brother to Lord Foley, and Wilj Ham Lygori, Efq; Worcefier, 36 miles from Briftol^ and 112 from London, is the capital of the county, and fituated on the banks of the Severn* over w,hich it has a fine ftone bridge. The remarkable battle ia 1651, when King Charles II. was defeated by Cromwell, was? fought near the fouth gate of the city, where bpnes pf the flain: are frequently dug up. About a mile and an half above that gats- is a place called Perry wcpd, where Cromwell's, army lay ; and above the park is a- large work of four baftiops, called the, Royal Mount, frpm whence a vallum and ditch run both ways, to en- compafs*parf of the city, which is very large ; but, being fituated in a bottom, cannot be feen at any great diftance. The chief nianufaftur'es of this. place are broad cloath and gloves, and by means.of the. Severn; are in a flourifhing condition. The public buildings make a grand appearance, efpecially the Guild-hall and tfie Workhoufe. All their . markets are well fupplied with corn and' provifions. It had- formerly a caftle, .likewife waifs, ,1659, p^ces round,, _adon>edrwitli thff e, gates and five watch towers? but tKev are all long fince" deftroyed. The cathedral, which- i* eka&fy the. model of ;thjt ;at Bruffgls, J* a. lar^e^e'djfice,, l$t n^t. very elegant, except thV choir of the ciapei, on the" fouth" fide, ¦¦*$ > Ggg which 4,io WORCESTERSHIRE. which is of very curious Workmanfhip, and one hundred and" twenty feet long. The length1 of the church is three hundred and ninety-foUr, the breadth feventy eight, and the height of the tower, one hundred and fixty-two feet. A handfome, library be longs to the cathedral, fupported by one fingle pillar in the mid dle. Here are the monuments of King John, Prince Arthur, brother to Henry VIII. the Cpuntefs of Salifbury, and other il- luftrious perfons. Beficks the cathedral, there are twelve iparifh churches, nine within the city, and three without. The ftreets are broad and well paved ; the Foregate ftreet is remarkably re gular and beautiful. The hofpitals deferve particular notice, efpecially that noble one erefted by Rpbert Berkley of Spetchley, who laid out two thoufand poufcds in the building, and four thou fand pounds in endowing it for twelve poor men. Befides this* in, and about the cky, are fix or feven others. The Severn, though generally rapid elfewhere, glides by Worcefter very gently. Here h a gopd water hpufe and quay. This city fends two rherhbers to, parliament, who at prefent are, the Hon. William Ward, half-brother to vifc. Dudley and Ward, and Samuel Smith, Junior, Efq ; a banker and Turkey merchant. This city has a market on Wednefdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and four fairs annually, viz. on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, Saturday^ in Eafter week, for cattle, horfes and linen cloth ; Auguft 15, and September 19, for cattle, horfes, cheefe, lambs, hops, and Unen.' Droitiuichf or D.irtwicb, 6 miles from Worcefter, and 117 frpm Lpndpn, is faid to take ks name from its dirty fool ; it ftands on the river Salwarp, and was a town of fome note In the Saxon times ; for fait was made here before the cpnqueft, as may be proved by the Dpomfday-book. It cpntains 400 houfes and up wards, and four churches, and is much enriched by the fait works. Our Kings, particularly Jphn, Henry HI. Edward f. and n. Philip and Mary, and King James I. hav« granted it divers and gflfet privilegea. It fends two members to parliarnent, who at pre - ''*•"""" fsnt WORCESTERSHIRE. 4*f fent are, the Hon. Andraw Foley, 2d bro. to Id. Foley, and Ed» ward Winnington, Efq ; only fon of Sir Edward . Winningtort, Bart. It has a, market on Fridays, and three fairs annually, vie.' on Good-Friday, October 28, and December 2it for linen cloth and hats. Evefham, ,14 miles from )tforcefter, and 95 from Lofldoln, is a neat town, with a gentle afcent from the river Avon, pver which it has a hanifome ftone bridge, with a harbour for barges. The? town is Incorporated, has peculiar powers and privileges, and can try,and execute for all criminal «afes, except high treafon. Its chief manufacture is that of wool. At the bridge foot is thp divifion of Bingworth, where was formerly a caftle ; here are both a. grammar fchool and a charity fchool liberally endowed. . From this town is an Open profpeft of the fpacious valley, called the Valp of, Evefham. This Vale runs all along the banks of the Avon, from Tewkefbury to Perflfore, and from thence to Stratford upon Avon. Evefham is famous in hiftory for a great . viftory which Prince Edward pbtained pver the Earl pf Leiceftek Mends two members to parliament, who at prefent art; Sk John Rufhout, Bart, and Charles William Boughton Roufe, Efqj Brother to Sk Edward Boughton, Bart, and Se to number of houfes, trade and riches, Briftol much excels ; notwithftanding'which, It is a fine city, and the great orfiament of the northern parts'. It is pleafantly fituated in a large plain or valley In the midft of the fhire, in a fertile foil, and healthful air, and is divided into four Wards; containing twertty-eight pa riflies, and Walled, but not fortified With artillery. A handfome manfioh hottfe was erefted here for the lord Mayor in ,1728. The river Ouze, frdhvthe north paffes through it, and divides itimtotwo'partS', jtrinted together by a ftone hridge of five arches. ThJe great council chamber, the exchequer, the fheriff's court, and' the two city prifons, aite kept upon this bridge. The river brings l^rge1 veffels' to the quay, though at fiity miles diftance fftMrtthe fea. The king's palace, called the manor houfe; hei en the north fide of the river Ottze, but is far from being fplen-1 dW'i The other moft remarkable ftruftures are the: guildhall^ which is fonger, and in fome refpefts fuperior to that In London. Near if is the ftatue of King Edgar, who rebuilt the city. "The market houfe, in the pavement, is a curious piece of archi tefture: In this city are feventeen churches ; and is faid, by* late writer to referable Ghent in Flanders. The houfes are ge nerally of timber like thofe at Canterbury, but there are many fine ones round the mirffter. The affembly room is very grand, and was defigned by the late Earl of Burlington. Thegrand Egyptian hall, whic&is 123 feet long, communicates' frith the. - * common- Y O R K S H I R E. 417' (fSmmoft ball room. The caftle was built by Wffliam the Con queror. In 1738 a fubfcription was fet on foot for, an infirmary^ -which is firtce erefted in this city, after the manner of thofe^at London, Briftol and Bath. 'JThi's city fends two members' to parliament, who at prefent are, the Rt. Hon. Robert (Monckton) vifcount Galway of the kingdom of Ireland," K. B. arid Richard Slater Milnes, Efq. It has a market on Thurfdays. and Saturdays, and four fairs annually, viz. on Whitfun-Monday, July ip, Au guft 12, and NoVeriiber 22, for horfes, &c. WEST R I D KN G. rNA RES BOROUGH, 18 miles from York, and 200 from London, is almoft eneompaffed by the river Nid, which iffues from the bottom of Craven hill ; it has the remains of a caftle on a craggy rock, built by Serlo de Burgh* It fends two members "to parliament, who at prefent are, the Rt. hon. William (Ponforiby) vifc. Duncannon in Ireland, only fon of the Earl of Befborough, and brother-in-law to Earl Spencer, and James Hare, Efq. It has a market on Wednefdays,. arid fix fairs manually, viz on^the Wednefday after June 24 ; ditto after March 12, on May d, the Wednefday after Auguft 12, the Monday after Oftober 10, and on December 13, for cattle, horfes, fheep, Sic. . Harrogate, is famous for medicinal fprings, fb near to each other's Situation, -and yet fo different in operation, that Englapd cannot equal them, viz. ift, The fweet fpaw, or vitrioline well, acknowledged, by Phyficians, tp be a fovereign remedy in feve- -ral particular diftempers ; it was difcovered by Mr. Slingfby, in 1620, and is about three miles from KnarefBorough, in the fo reft. 2d The ftinking fpaw, or fulphur well, fo foetid, that they who drink.it are forced to hold their nofes. 3d, St. Mingo's, the name °f a Brkifh Saint : This is a cold bath. 4th, The drop ping well, near the town of Knarefbprpugh, arid the rijoft fa- H h h mous %i$ YORKSHIRE thous of all the petrifying wells in England ; it is fo calTed, be* Caufe It drops from the fpungy pproiis rpck hanging over it. The ground which receives It, before it falls !nto the well, is, fo* the diftance of twelve yards, become a folid rock. Rippon, 26 miles from York, and 209 from Londori, is a large, pleafant, well built and populous town; between the river Uro, .and the little river Skell, wkh two bridges over the former, one of which has at leaft thirteen arches. This town is a ftaple for Jwool, which is brought up here every week, by the clothiers from Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax. The church is both paro chial and cpllegiate. The market place of this town is reckoned the fineft fquare of the kind in England, and adorned with a cu rious obelifk. This tewn fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, the Hon. Frederic Robinfon, uncle to Lord Gran tham, and William Laurence, Efq. It has a market on Thurf days, and five fairs annually, viz. on the Thurfday after January 54, the Thurfday after March 21, May 12 and 13, Auguft 22* *nd November 22, for hprfes, cattle, and fheep. Boroughbridge, 17 mUes from York, and 203 from London^ is a borough and poft town ; it is fo called frem'its ftately bridge of ftone over the river Ufe, which comes to it from Rippon, and being joined a little below it by the river Swalei is then called the Quze. It Is fuppofed that 7 or 8000I. is laid out here in hard- Ware, brought hither for fale at the fair in June. It fends two members to parliament, whp at prefent are, the Rt. hon. Henry (Temple) vifc. Palmerfton of the Kingdom of Ireland, LL.D. and Sir Richard Sutton, Bart. This town has a market on Satur days, and three fairs annually, viz. on April 27, June 22, and Oftober 23, for horned cattle, flieep, and fcirdware. Pontefrail, 22 miles from Yprk, and 175 frorh Lpndon is a neat built town, npt far frpm the river Are, and its confliix with the Caider. In the ruincus caftle is ftill to be feen the plaeV where the Collegiate church of St. Clemont ftood. The flpor, walls and roof, ¦are all of one kind of ftoge, dug out of the xoek. It was YORKSHIRE, 415 was built by Kildebert Lacy, In the reign of William the Cdnque- tor, and demolifhed immediately after the death of Charles I. The market place, near the middle of the town, is fpacious, com* niodious and well ftored with meat, cprn and other provifions. jrn the grounds about this town, vaft quantities of the beft liquo rice are produced. At the bottom of the market place ftands the town hall. This town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, John Smyth, Efq; fon-in-law to the Duke o£ Grafton, and William Sotheron, jun. Efq. It has a market oil Saturdays ; St. Andrew's fair is held on the firft Saturday in De- <&mber ; twenty day fair, the firft Saturday after the 20th day from Chriftmas j Candlemas fair, the firft Saturday after Febru ary 13 ; St. Giles's fair, the firft Saturday after September 12 j and all the other moveable fakt, viz. Palm Sunday, Low Sun day and Trinity Sunday, to be held on the Saturday before each of thofe days refpeftively. Sheffield, 50 miles from Derby, and 160 from London,, ftandi on the borders of Derbyfhire ; it is an ancient, large, thriving and populous town,- on the river Dun, over which it has a ftone bridge'; the ftreets are narrow, and the houfes look black, from the continual fmoke of the forges* This town has been noted. feveral hundred years for cutlers ware. The firft mills in Eng land for turning grinding- ftones were fet up here. In this te%n was a caftle, built by Henry III. but demolifhed after his death.. A ftately hofpital was erefted here, and endowed by Gilbert Tal bot, one of the Earls of Shrewfbury. It bas a market on Tuef days, andtwofairs annually, vi*. on the Tuefday after Trinity Sunday, and November 28, for cattle and horfes.. -Rotherham, 31 miles from Nottingham, and 161 from Lrin- Their markets are pro- djgioufly thronged by perfons to fell their manufaftures. The church is a ftately and venerable pile, wkh many remarkable monuments. It has a market on Saturdays, and a fair on June 24," for horfes. Leeds, 422 YORKSHIRE* Leeds, 25 miles from York, and 182 from London, is very pleafantly fituated on the north fide of the river Aire, over which it has a magnificent ftone bridge to the fuburbs. It has hem a long time famous for the woollen manufafture, ard one of the largeft and moft flourifhing towns in the county. It has three churches, an hofpkal and ' an infirmary. It is furprifing to 3 ftranger, when he firft comes to this town, to fee the vaft quan- tkies of cloth for fale on a market day. The merchants of this 'place fhip them cff at Hull, for Holland, Hamburgh, and the north, from whence they are' difperfed into the Netherlands, Ger many, Poland, &c. Its cloth market was formerly on the bridge, afterwards in the High-ftreet, but was lately removed Into a very large building, erefted fome years fince, for that purpofe. When the bell ceafes, the merchants come into the market, where they match their patterns, and treat for the clpth in-a few wbrds, and generally with a whifper ; and perhaps 20,000b wOrth is fold in an hour's time. The fhambles are daily covered wkh flefh, and die town well fupplied twice a week with fifh. The guildhall is an ele" gant building adorned with a fine ftatue of Queen Anne, in ¦white marble. The river Aire being navigable here by boats , opens a communication from tlie town with Wakefield, York and Hull, to which places, it exports other goods, befides the wool len raatiufafture, and furnifhes York with coals. Here are feve- jal fprfcjgs of the medicinal kind, which are much frequented. This town has a market pn Tuefdays and Saturdays, and two fairs annually, v?z. on July 10, for horfes and hardware, and November 8, for horned cattle, horfes and hardware. Bradford, 36 miles from York, and 1 20 from London, is ano ther large and populous tpwn, and was garrifoned for the parlia ment againft Kihg fharles I. It has been for many years eminent {or die woollen manufafture. Here is a market on Thurfdays, and a fair for horned cattle, on March 14,- June 28, and De cember 20, for cattle and hogs. Aberforth, YORKSHIRE. Aberforth, 20 rrtiles from York, and 184 from Londpn, ftands on the Rpman caufeway, and is famous for the manufafture ai pins. The river Cprk runs under the town, and near it is ftill to be feen the foundation of an old fortification, called Caftle Carey.' It has a market on Wednefdays, and a fair for horned. cattle,' hprfes, and fheep, on the laft Wednefday in April, May, and af ter Oftober 18. Sherburne, 14 miles from York, and 181 from, Londpn, is a pppujpus town, about half a mile in length. It is fo ancient that we read of its belrlg given by King Athelftan to the fee of York, whpfe bifhops had a palace here formerly. It has a harbpur for barges, at the cpnflux pf the Wherfe and Ouze; and a market on Saturdays, and! a fair for flax and horfes,: pn the fixth of Oftaber- Selby, 12 miles from York, and 182 from London, is fituated- on the river Ouze, and is famous in hiftory for giving birth to Henry I. Its prefent felicity is owing to the navigation of the Ouze, which brings up large veffete to this town, and engaged ' feveral merchants to fettle in it, which, tho* fmall, is very pppu* lous ; and has a handfome church and a free fchool. It has a , market On Mondays, and three fairs annually, viz. on Eafter Tuef day, June 22, and Oftober 10, for cattle, wool, tin» &c. Tadcafter, 9 miles from York, and 187 from London; is- well provided for travellers. Many coins of Roman Emperors " have. been dug up here, and there are the marks pf a trench quks. round the town, and of the platform of an old caftle, out ofthe- ruins of which, about 150 years ago, a fine ftone Bridge was built over the river Wharfe. It has a market on Tuefdays. Wetherby, 14 miles from York, and 192 from London, is fitu ated on the Wharfe, and enjoys a cbnfiderahle trade. It has a market on Thurfdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on Afcenfion day, Auguft 5, and November 22, for horfes, fheep and hogs. Ripley, 23 miles from York, and 204 from Lpndon, confifls chiefly of one ftreet, it is noted for nothing except for ks pleatj- £ul prodgftipri of liflufiriee. It has a irjarket en Fridays, . and ,a fair 424. YORKSHIRE, fair on Auguft 25, 26, arid 27, for fheep, horned cattle tnd Jinen. v Sk'ipton, 41 miks from Richmond, artd' 221 from London, is fituated near the river Aire, and furrounded with fteep craggy precipices. It is a handfome town confidering the manner of buUding in thefe mountainous parts. In the church is the mo nument cf George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, the famous fai- lor in Queen Elizabeth's time, who died in 1675, after having built or repaired fix caftles, erefted feven churches and chapels, and richly endowed two ftately hofpital's. The town is plenti fully fupplied with all manner of provifions ; it has a handfome church wkh a grammar fchool, and a library for the ufe of that and the church. It has a market on Saturdays, a fair on March 23, for cattle and fheep; on Palm Sunday Eve, for horfes ; on Eafter Eve, for linen doth and mercery ; on Auguft 5, for horfes and cloth; on November 20 and 22, for cattle, horfes, ped lary, &c. EAST RIDING. T^EVERLEY, 9, miles from Hull, and 1 85 from London, is re- JLJ rnar-kable for feveral antiquities. Upon opening a grave here, a leaden plate was found with an infcription, fignifying, that* the chrtrch was burnt in 1188 ; and that in 1197, inqnifition was made after the bones of John de" Beverley. Th'e Minfter is one of the moft elegant churches in England, but few cathe drals exceeding it: the roof is an arch of ftone. In it- are fe veral monuments of the Percys, who have added a little chapel to the choir, in the windows of which, are the piftures of many of the family, drawn on the glafs. Over the altar is a magnifi cent wooden arch, curioufly engraved, and the altar itfelf is one edtire- ftone of white marble, finely pplifhed. At the upper end-of the body of the church hangs an ancient table, with the piftures of St. John, and King Athelfton; the founder-. The towii Yorkshire. 4?$ town has feveral pleafant fprings . running thro' if. Befides the minfter, it has another church dedicated to St. Mary, which is a very fine one. It has a free fchool improVd by two fellowfhips, fixfcholarfhips, and three exhibitions, to St. John's college Cam bridge ; a workhoufe, and feven alms-houfes. Its principal riia- nufaftures are, malt, leather, artd bofte-iace. "It fends two mem bers to parliament, who at prefent are, Sir Chriftopher Sykes, Bart, and Sir John Pennyman, Bart. It has/a market on Wed nefdays and Saturdays, and four fairs annually, viz. on the Thurfday before Valentine's Day, Holy Thurfday, July 5, and November 5, for cattle, horfes, and fheep. HuU, 36 milesfrom York, and 176 from London, Is denomi nated in all ancient writings, Kingston upon Hull, from its fitua tion on that riven; it has two churches, one Called the Trinity, or High Church, the other St. Mary's, or Low Church ; the for* mer is a fpacious beautiful building, and had, before the refor mation, twelve chantries. Here are alfo feveral meeting houfes, an exchange, built In 1621* a cuftom houfe, and an engine for making fait water frefh. Here is alfo a free fchppl, with a hall over it, belonging to the merchants, who have founded an hof pital, called Trinity Houfe, in which are maintained many dif- treffed feamen and their widows. The town carries on a great trade in fail making ; it is large, clofe-built, and exceeding popu lous, and has a draw bridge over the HuU. Here are feveral hof- pitals and a charity fchppl, in which are a great number pf chil* dren, taught, maintained, and when able, put put apprentices. The foreign trade pf this town is much more confiderable than their home trade, their cuftoms being reckoned at near 40,000!. a year; and more merchant fhips belong to it than to any Pther pprt in England, except London, Briftpl, Liverpool and Yar- mputh, pwing in fome meafure, to the number of rivers which fall into the fea near it. It fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, Sarrtuel Thornton, Efq ; a merchant in Londpn, one of the dkeftors of the bank of England, and a vice-prefi- I i i dent 0.6 YORKSHIRE. dent of the London hofpital, and Walter Spencer Stanbppe, Efq?, It has a market on Tuefdays and Saturdays, and a fair on Oftober lo, for horfes and toys. Heydon, 6 miles from Hull, and. 1 8o from London, is a fmall pleafant, well-built town, mear the Humbert It was formerly confiderable, . both for merchants and fhippirtg, and there are ftill the remains of two churches, befides one ilf prefent ufe ; but k has not now the leaft appearance of its former grafideur. It fends twp members to parliament, who at prefent are, William Chay tor, and Lionel Darell, Efqrs. It has a market on Saturdays, and four fairs annually, viz. on February 14, Auguft 2, Sep tember 25, and November 17, for tin, leather, pewter, &c. , Howden, 1 6 miles from York, and 180 from London, is capi tal of a wapentake; called Howdenfhire, and a pretty large town, with a harbour for boats near the Ouze. There is a very tall fteeple to the parifh church, intended for the people to fly to in cafe of any inundation. Here is a market pn Saturdays, and a fair on the fecond "Tuefday in January, on the Tuefday before the 25th of March, on the fecond Tuefday in July, and on Oc tober 2, for horfes, cattle and lime. Weighton, 7 mUes from Wetherby, and 19,2 from London, is fituated near the brook Foulnefs ; it is a fmaU town to which Ed ward II. and Henry VI. granted a charter, to hold a fair on May 14, and September 25, for horfes and fheep ; and a market on Wedilefdays. Patrington, 60 miles from York, and 190 from Londofi, is^ an ancient town corporate, and has a fmall harbour within the prdmontory of Spurnhead, and a fine profpeft toward the main ocean on one fide, and bpth fhpres pf the Humber pn the other. It has a market on Saturdays, and a fair for toys on May 28, and July 18. Hornfey, 40 miles from York, and 187 from London, ftands fo clofe to the German ocean, that a fmall arm thereof almpft furrounds it; aod a [mull ftreet, which was next the fea, was, not YORKSHIRE. 427 Hot many years ago, wafhed away by it. The fteeple or fpire is a notable fea- mark for failors ; and here is a harbour for fhips*. It has a market on Saturdays, and a fair on Auguft 12, and De cember 17, for horfes^, and black cattle. Bridlington, 40 miles from York, and 207 from London, Hands on a Bay or Creek, which has by virtue pf feveral afts of parliamerit, been made a fafe harbour, in cafe of ftrong gales of wind, and winter ftprms, and was therefore called the Bay n£ Safety. Since the repair pf the piers it is become a place pf gppd trade, has a great cprn market, and makes and vendsmuch malt, accounted fome of the beft manufafture for pale liquor, and brews a vaft quantify of*ale for the London market. The town is about three quarters of a mile long ; but there are a great many inhabitants upon the quay, who are chiefly fea-faring people, which is two miles from thp town. The market is kept' on Sa turdays, and there Is a fair on Monday before Whitfuntide, arid on Oftober 21, for linen cloth, &c. N. B. A little to the north eaft of Bridlington, is the Promon- tOry (that forms Bridlington -bay) called Ffamborough-head, from iftie Britifh word flam or flame, becaufe of a watch-tower upon this head of land, with lights to guide the failors by nigkt. NORTH RIDING. OC ARB OROUG H, 43 miles from Yprk, and 241 from & London, is an ancient and well built town, defended on the north eaft fide by a fteep rock advancing a good way Into the fea. Here is a caftle, firft erefted in the reign of King Stephen, but rebuilt in a more fplendid maimer by Henry II. but is now al moft In ruins. On the top of the rock is- a pleafant plain of about nineteen acres pf ground, and has a.fountain in it which' .ferves the garrifoh. The houfes, which are ftrong and well built, are in a romantio fituation, bending in the form of a half moon to the ocean, and emending confufedly on the declining fide of I i i 2 tha* 428 YORKSHIRE. the rock, from north to fouth. It has a good trade, and a com.- imodious quay, ' with a confiderable number of veffels, chiefly employed in the coal trade, between Newcaftle and London, and is a fafe place in fformy weather ; this and Hull being the only ports on this fide Yarmouth. The pier is maintained by a duty Upon coals, and the mariners have erefted an hofpital for wi dows and poor feamen, which is maintained by a rate on veffels, and deductions out of feamens wages. Frorri the middle of No vember herrings are taken here in great numbers, with which they fupply York and other parts of the county. Befides her rings, they catch ling, podfifh, haddock, turbpt, and ether-kinds of fifh in great plenty, and fometimes, hut npt ufually, whiting and mackarel. Befides thefe advantages, the town is much en - jiched by the great numbers of perfons who flock thither every year, in the feafon, to drink of its chalybeat fpring. The fpaw well rifes perpendicularly out of the earth like a boiling pot ; it is never dry, and in an hour yields twenty-four gallons of water. Its qualities are a compound of vitriol, iron, aUum, nkre and fait ; it has a pleafant acid tafte, from tbe vitriol, and an inky fmell. There are good accommodations for thofe who drink the waters, beGdes affemblies and public balls, as at Bath and Tun bridge. In confequence of an earthquake, in 1737, the fpring was loft for fome time; but, upon rebuilding the wharf, and clearing away the ruins, it was, after diligent fearch, recovered, to the great joy of the inhabitants. This town fends two mem, bers to parliament, who at prefent are, the Rt. hori. George (Carpenter) Earl of Tyrconnel, of the kingdom of Ireland, fon-in-law of Lord Deleval, and George Ofbaldefton, Efq. It has a market on Thurfdays and Saturdays, and two fairs annu ally, viz. on Holy Thurfday, and November 22, for toys. Malton, 24 miles from York, and 217 from London, is a po pulous town, and has a good ftone, bridge over the Derwent, which is made navigable to this town frpm the river Ouze. It is divided by the river into two parts, the old and the new, and ftands YORKSHIRE. 429 Jtands in the road from Scarborough to York; it !$? accommo dated with gopd kine, one or two of them more Uke noblemens houfes. than inns. This town fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, the Rt. hon. Edmund Burke, and WiUiam Weddell,: Efq. It has a market on Tuefdays and Saturdays, and jhree faks annually, viz. on tbe Saturday before Palm-Sunday, Whitfun-jSaturday, afld Oftober 10 and 11, for fbeep, brafs, pewter, hardware, pots, &c. Thirfh, 29 miles from York, and 214 from London, was, in ancient times, famous far a ftrang caftle,. demolifhed by King Henry II. It fends twp members to parliament, who at prefent .are, Sir Gregory Page Turner, Bart. and. Robert Vyner, Efq. This town has a market on Mondays, and four fairs annually, viz. pn April 4, 5, and 6, Auguft 3, 4, and c, Oftober 28, and 29; and December 14, for cattle, horfes, &c. Nottkakrton, 37 miles from York, and 224 from London, is a borough of great antiquity, fituated in a level country,, water ed by the river Wiffee, and eneompaffed with fruitful fields. It confifts chiefly of one ftreet weU built. David, King of Scots; was defeated near this town by the Englifh. The field of battle is to this day called Standard-Hill, and fome hollow places, where it is fnppofed the flain were buried after the battle* Scots Pits. This town fends two members, to parliament,; who at prefent are, Henry Pekfe, -Efq; brother-in-law to Lord Monfon, and Edwin Lafcelles, Efq. It has a market on Wednefdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on February 13, May 4, and Oftober 2, for horn ed cattle, horfes, and fheep. Richmond, 40 miles from York, and 231 from London, is en clofed with walls pf a fmall cbmpafs, thpugh it has populous fuburbs. The waUs, with a very ftrong caftle, were buUt by Alfen, the firft Earl of Richmond, who, gave the town this name. It has a good ftone bridge over the Swale, which rufhes among thp rocks at the bottom with a terrible noife, and encompaffes alEnrift half the town. It, is well built, 'and inhabited both by gentry 430 Y O R K S H I R E< gentry and tradefmen ; it has two good churches, a fpaclonfc market place, neat ftreets, and three gates leading to its fub urbs. It has a good trade in ftockings, failors caps, &c. and fends two members to parliament, who at prefent are, the Rt. hon.Murrough (O'Bryen) Earl of Inchiquin in the kingdom of Ireland, K. P. and Sir Grey Cooper, of Gogar in Scotland, Bart. a king's counfel in the dutchy court of Lancafter. This town has a market on Saturdays, and three fairs arinually, viz. on the Saturday before Palm-Sunday, firft Saturday i« July, and^. Septeriiber 14, for cattle, horfes and fheep. PLACES an tbe C 0 A $ T. ) Robin Hood's^Bay, north of Scarborough, about a mile-broad, is a good harbour for fhips, and the moft noted place for the fifhing trade of any in thefe parts, efpecially for crabs, Iobfters,- &c. Whitby, 40 miles from York, and 247 from London, ftands at the mouth of the river Efk, where it falls into the fea ; at this place Ofwy, King of the Northumbrians, held a council A. D. 663, to determine the controveffy about the keeping of Eafter. Several ancient coins have been dug up near this town, and it has been in repute for its fpaw waters. At prefent it is a well built town, a fea port, with a cuftom houfe, and a commodious har bour, much frequented by colliers, it being noted for building the beft and ftrongeft veffels of any town on this coaft, or per haps in England. The inhabitants have pf late years been fuc- cefsful in the Greenland fifhery. This town has no fair, but a market on Saturdays. Gifborough, 22 miles from Whitby, and 246 from London, is a fine built town, in Cleveland ; it ftands in a delightful fitua tion, four miles from the mouth of the Tees, where there, is a bay and harbour fpr fhips, The foil is fo fruitful about this place, su-- Uv- air fo good, that Camden prefers this fituation, for health 1 and Y O R K S H I R E, 43tf and pleafure, to Puteoli, in Italy. It has a market on Mondays, and five fairs annu'aUy, viz. on the third Mpnday and Tuefday after April 1 1 , for linen ; on Tuefday in Whkfun-Week for horn - ed cattle and linen ; Auguft 26 and 27, September 19 and 20, and November 1 1, for horned cattle. Yarm, 36 miles from York, and 238; from London, Is afmaH town, fituate on the Tees, near the confhis of the river Levan. It is but a fmall, town, tho' a corporation, and carries on a confi derable trade with London, by fea, for lead, corn and butter. It has a market on Thurfdays^ and four fairs ahnually, viz. on the Thurfday before April 5, Efoly Thurfday, Auguft 2, and Oftpber 9, for cattle," horfes and fheep. Stofkefiey, 36 miles from York, and 238 from London, Is a pretty good town, wafhed by the river Wifk, fituated in Aller- tonfhire, and confifts of one well-built ftreet. This Is a corpora tion, with a market on Saturdays, and a beaft fair, noted for be ing the greateftiri England, on July 18, and on the Saturday before Trinity Sunday, for horned cattle, horfes, fheep, and linen clptb. Bedall, 10 miles from Richmond, and 220 from London, it is a fmall town, but the church living" is worth 500I. a year. It has a market pn Tuefdays, and four fairs annually, viz. pn Ea fter Tuefday, Whitfun Tuefday, July 5 and 6, and Oftpber 10 and n, for cattle, fheep, hpgs and leather. x Midlam* 10 miles from Richmond, and 225 from London, ife fituated upon the river Ufe, and had formerly a very ftrong caf tle, in which was born, Edward Prince of Wales, only fon of , Richard III. At prefent it is noted for a manufafture pf woollen clsth, and for frequent hnrfe racesl' -Here is a market pn Mqn- days, and a fak on November 6 and 7, for fheep. Wafiham, 219 miles from London, is fituated on the river TJfe, it is remarkable for nothing but for its cloth manufafture. It has a market on Tuefdays, and a fair on September 17 and 18, for horned 'A Monmouth, "12 miles from :_ Hereford, and 127 from London, gives n^.me to the county. ' It is pleafantly fituated between the Myrtwyand the Wye, over each of which it has a bridge. It has1 been a place of note, ever fince the conqueft. The town is in a manner furrounded by water. " It has a ftately church, the eaft erfd of which, efpecially,' is curioufly built. The place carries on a' confiderable traffic with Briftol by means of the Wye. This . ' " * tow n MO'NMDU TH SHIRE. 437 town; ienis, one member to parliament, 'who. at prefent is, Sir JofeB-kitepney,-Baitv; It has a market^On Saturdays, and three fairs annually, viz. on Whitfun-Tuefday, September 4, and No vember 22, for horned cattle, fanhogs, and cheefe. < Chepfiow, 131 miles from London, ftands. near the mouth of the Wye, over which it has a bridge, and' was a place formerly of great note, and is ftill populpus. It was formerly, walled round and hadacaftle, part of whieh ftill remains. It is built on a hill clofe by the river, and has feveral fields and orchards within its vntUs. ,It: is the port for ail the towns that ftand on the rivers Wye and Lug ; fhips. of good burthen may come up- to it, and the tide flows here in a violent Planner, rifing commonly fix fa thom at the bridge, which is a noble fabric of timber no lefs than feventy feet high from the furface of the, water. This town has- a market On Saturdays, arid four fairs annually, viz. ori the Friday in Whitfun-week, Saturday before June 20, Auguft 1, and Ofto ber 1 8, for horned cadbtle MA wool. Abergaveney, 142 miles from London, has its name from the riverGaveney,. whichifalls below it into the.Ufk. It is eneompaffed with a wall, has a ftrong caftle; drives a great trade in flannel, and is a great thoroughfare from the weft- part of .Wales to, Brif tol by Chepftow, amj, from Monmouth -to • Gloucefter. This town has three faksarwiually, viz. on May 14, for lean .cattle and fheep, .the firft ^uefday after Trinity for linen and wooUen cloth, and September 25;, for hogs, horfes and flannels. :¦ Penelope, 136 nriles, from London, is a fmall town, chiefly noted fox -its iron mills* ...•«• Caerleon, 141 miles from London, has a wooden bridge over- trie U|k,, and was formerly the feat of a Romari Legion, and in the time' of the .Britons, a kind, of Univerfity and Archbifhop's See, removed afterwards P?,St. David's. The houfes are of ftone, but the. fortifications are in ruins. This place has a market pn Thuifcbiys, and three fairs annually, viz. on, May 1, July 20, and Septen^ber 2 r, for cattle. ,. ¦'¦ Pontipool, i39mjlssfrom London, has a market on Saturdays1 and three fairs annually,! viz, on April 22, July 5, and Oftober 10, far horfes, lead, Rattle and pedlary. -ANTIQUITIES. -Tintern Abbey, founded abdutthe year 113 i, by Walter Fitz Richard de-Clare. — Lanfory Abbey, fituated on the river Hoderyj It wasorisnn&llyanHerrfritage, inhabited by St. David.- Ufk •„ Caftle, 433 A N G* L E S E A.* Caftle, fituated on the river of the fame name. It w» otce a magnificent ftrufture, and has ftill considerable remain*.— New port caftle, at the mouth of the rivef Ufk. S E A T S of the Nobility, 6t. The Duke of Beaufort's, at Troy-Houfe near Monmouth.* — Ragland Caftle, belonging to the fame nobleman, nine miles from Monmouth. The Earl of Powis's, at St. Julian's, near Caerleon. — Lord Abergavenny's, at the town of that name. NORTH WALES. ANGLESEA. This is an Ifland, and fignifies, in Old- **¦ Englifh words, the Englifh Ifland, and has been fo called from the time of its reduftion, Under the d*rhinion of the Eng lifh crown, in the reign of Edward' I. The Antient Britons cal led it Ynys Dowylh, i. e. Shady Ifland, as being covered with woods. The Romans called it Mona, and it was celebrated for ks being mpre particularly the feat of the Druids. This ifland is pf an irregular form, extending in length twenty-four miles frem eaft tp weft, and feventeen from north to fouth ; it is fituated in the Irifh fea, and is feparated on the fouth-eaft from Caernarvon- fliire by a narrow frith, called Menai, which is in fome places fordablp at low water. The foil, though mountainous and ftony, isfofertile, in cattle and corn, that the Welch call it Mam Guym- ny, i- e. the mother or Nurfe of Wales. The air i* cold and va pid, and apt to produce agues, and other diforders Nthat arife from the fogs In Autumn ; but at other feafons, it is found to be very healthy. Here arc feveral rivers in this Ifland ; the princi-. pal are the Brant and the Kevenny ; the lefs cpnfiderable are the Gynt, tbe Alow, the Dudas, and Gewager. This county fends one member to parliament, who at prefent is, Nicholas Bayley, Efq ; brother to the Earl of Uxbridge. Beaumaris, 241 miles from London, takes its name from ks pleafant fituation in a moory place by the fea fide. The name is French, fignifying a beautiful moras ; and the town was found ed by King Edward I. It is a handfome well built town, con fifting CAERNARVONSHIRE; 43^ lifting chiefly of two very good ftreets. Here is a handfome church, a county goal, and a mopt-hall, where the great feffiona for the county^ the county court, and the- quarter feflions are held. Here is alfo a good harbpur for fhips ; and it is the ufual place for tbe reception of paffengcrs from London to Ireland, who embark at Holyhead, which is twenty-eight miles weft of this town. This town fends one member to parliament, who at prefent is, Sir Hugh Williams, Bart, a lieut. ccl. in the army. Here is a market on Wednefdays and Saturdays, and a fair for cattle, on Afcenfion-day, February 13, September 19, and De cember 19. Newburgh, 257 mile6 from London, is fituated between two bays, one of them formed by the river Keveny, and the other by the river Bjant ; it has a market on Tuefdays, and a fair for cat tle on June 22, Auguft 10, 2.1, and September 1 1 . Here is another town called Llanderchymead, which has a right to hold a market on Wednefdays, and a fair for cattle on February 5, April 25, May 6, and on Corpus ChrHti-day. A N T } £. U I T I B S. Near Gwydryn HiU is a village called Tre'r Druw, whieh fig nifies the Druids Town, and which, It is fuppofed, wasfhechief refidence of the Brkifh Druids belonging to this Ifland. South o^ Tre'r Druw, and on the eaft fide of Newburgh, is a viUage called Tre'r Beirdh, *'.' e. the Bands-Town, and near this place is a fquare fortification, generally allowed to be a Roman-xampr CAERNARVONSHIRE- THIS county is in the form of a wedge, extending forty mile? from nprth to fouth ; about twenty from eaft to weft ; and about one hundred in circumference. It is wafhed by the Irifh fea on the north, fouth and weft fides, feparated on the worth- weft by the frith oFMeneu from Anglefey,- and bounded on the eaft by the counties of Denbigh and Merioneth. The air is cold and piercing, owing both to the number of lakes and to the very 'high hills within thjs county, wfcich fwell fo above one another a^ m<> CAEl NAR VONS -H I R E. to obtakrthe name df the'Britifh Alps. -Thefe are Snowdon Hiflsy Sq calltd; -becaufe their tops are perpetually "covered with fncw. Thefe hills ftand about the middle of the 'ceupty,- upon which great flocks pf fheep, goats, and black cattle feed ; and the vallies between are bdth pleafant and fruitful. Tfre-extrerhitieS-of this- county are fruitful and -populous, yielding plenty of fine barley, iand feed vaft herds pf cattle and fheep: It is well watered by .the, Conway, the Seiont, many rivulets and lakes. This county fends one member. to. parliament, who- at prefent is, John Parry, Efqj .attprney general of the North Wales circuit, conftable Of Cenway caftle, and fellow of the Antiquarian Society. rBatigor, 246 miles from London; retains its ancient Brkifh name, which fignifies a beautiful quire ; it : is fituated between -two .fteep . hiUs, at the north end of -the frith Meneu. It is a Bifhop's See of very ancient date, - whefe cathedral is faid to have heen built-in 516. The cathedral is a mean building, andthe ;Cky is frnalf, though1 pretty well inhabited. ' Here is a Bifhop's palace, a free fehool, a market on Wednefdays, and a fair for cattle on April 5, June 25, and Oftober 28. Aberconvjay, 229 miles from London, takes its same from its fituation at the mouth of the river Conway. It was built.by Kirig Edward I. and has beett walled and fortified with a caftle; which are now in ruins. Though k is a handfome town, pleafantly fi- tuated, it has never been in a condition to enrich itfelf, like fome other towns in the lame county not fo well fituated. fr has, a market on Fridays, and a- fair on April 6, September 4, Oftober io, , and November 8, forcattle. • Caernarvon, 25* miles from' London,, fignifies the'rowtt of Arvon. King Edward I. built this town on the fouth end of the ftraits of Meneu, and fortified it with walls and a ftrong caftle, to curb the Welch, who.ma^e incurfions from the mountains, and fecured a paffage into the Ifle of Anglefey. It is a neat town, well built, in a circular form, but fmall, ;and well inhabited. Here is a ferry from henee to" -Anglefey, a^pretty good harbour, and good anchorage in the bay before the town. This town fends one member to parliament, who at prefent is; Glynn Wynn, Efq ; only brother to the Rt. Ijon. Xord Newborough, reeeiver-genlral of the -King's jquit- rents in North Wales, It has a market oa .Saturdays, and a fair on February 25, May 16, Auguft 4; and December 5,. for cattle and pedlary. ¦ ., Pulhely, .243 miles from London,. is a fmall town, thougbnot badly built, it has a pretty good harbour and fome trade by fea. .Pulhely, fignifies a Sattpo61,'fbeal!ed, either from ks«fituat1orion tbe* DENBIGHSHIRE. 44'i the Tea fhore, pr from fait works, which probably might be par ried ori at this place hVancient times; This town has a niarket on Wednefdays, and a fair for cattle on May 13, Auguft 1.9, Sep-. tember 24, and November ii, Crickieth, 236 miles from London, has a market on Weidnef- days, arid a fair on May 23, July 1, and Oftober 1.8, for cattle." New'in, 249 miles frorti London, has a market on Saturdays,' and a fak'for cattle on Aprn* 4, on the Saturday before Whitr. Sunday;' and pn Auguft 45. , ' X , A N f I ^, U I T I E ;$,, Upon.the.river Cpnway, are tR,be feen theiremain?) of a Roman - town, which Antpninus calls Conovium ; and on the.oriier fide of the river, facing Conoviunvffopd the R°$rt>n ,city Diftum', wher;e under the late Emperors, the cpmnj>?nde.r pf thp Nervl*' Diftenfes kept guard ; it was deftrdyed by lightening a few Ren--; turips ago. — --^At the top pf a hjll about * tnife from Braieh y Dhinas, is a' circular entrenchnpqpt, about eighty feet diameter) called YMerneu Kirion, fuppofed to h^vobeen a Brkifh tempk. ' Near this place are feveral mpnuments, or y^ft h?§ps.pf ftpn.es,! co vering jhe graves of antienf Britons, whp fell ip a baftje fought here againft,the Romans. — At the mouth, pf the; river Seiont ftppd a Roman city, which ^-ntoninujspal.fed^gPfltJHflijW.rid by Others called, the ancient city pf the.EmpproriConftafttiJifc! it is foyyi totally deftroyed^— On the e^ft of Caernarvon ftande Kfogwyrt. Karned y Whydhva, which .is tjie ifuRimJt.pfra^luft*^ pf- y§ry (-lofty inountains, andis reckonpdtbe bigheftj bill ;in. aH.the Britjfh > dpminions, from vyhi^h, in a, clear day, sa^yhH-ifeerti'Ejij^andj'- Scotland, Ireland, andthe Iffe, pf Man. ^n, ., ¦'¦'. ,:•> " '¦' !,n;, k Is I . bounded on t^e eaft by Chefhke and Shrpjrihkp; ,,ptK$he fouth byMontgpmeryfhke'; ' ori th,e weft by Caernarvonfhireftnd,. Mefionethihire ; and, on the ribrth by part pf Fjin'tfhire ?i}4 iwffr Irifh fea : 'ItPxtends about' forty miles frorn APith eaft, to fputfr. weft, and about twenty frOm north to fouth ; being about one L 1 1 hundred 442 D E N B I G H S H I R & hundred and eighteen in circumference,- The air of this county is {harp and piercing, occafioned by the vaft mountains which almoft furround it, and are for the greater part of the year covered with fnow. The foil is various, almoft in the extremes of. good and bad ; the weftern part is healthy-, barren, badly inhabited, except on the fea coaft and the banks of the Conway ; and the mountains, on the eaftern borders of the county, look, at a dif tance, like the battlements cf caftle6, except where it borders on the river Dee ; but the vale of Clwyd, in the middle of the county, feventeen miles frpm nprth to fouthi and about five broad, is pne of the moft delightful fpots in Europe ; and is ex tremely fruitful and well inhabked. This county is well watered by the rivers Clwyd, Elway, Dee, and Conway. The hiUs feed vaft flocks of fheep arid goats, and abounds with valuable lead mines. It fends one member to parliament, who at prefent Is-, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bare lieut. and cuft. rot. of Merionethfhire, a vice prefident of the Weftminfter Gen. Dif- penfary. < x Denbigh, 2og miles from London, is a large, populous and handfome town, chiefly inhabited by tanners and glpveis. Here is a caftle, but it is much out of repair, and two churches. It was formerly fituated on a fteep hiU, called Kledvyrn yn Rhos, i.e. The rocky hill in Rhos ; but the inhabitants, in Queen Elizabeth's reign, not liking that inconvenient fituation, defcend ed andhuilt theprefent town, at the bottom of the faid rock, on the Iftrod; which runs through the Chyd, at the diftance of about two miles. This town fends one member to parliament, who atpreferit is, Rd.Middfcfon, Efq; It. cuft. rot. and col. " of the militia of this county, and recorder of this town. It has a market on Wednefdays; and a fair on May 14, July 18, and September 25, for cattle and pedlary. • Ruthyn, 202 miles from London, is a large ani populous town, which ftands near the centre of the county. Here is a good free fchool, arid an hofpital, founded by Dr. Goodman in. the reigrt of Queen Elizabeth, but no parifh church, this town being a. Hamlet in the parifh of Lhan.Rudd. It has a market on Mon days, and a fair for black cattle and pedlaryl on March 19, the Friday before Whitfunday, Auguft 8, September 30, and No vember 10. ' Wrexham, 1 84 miles from London, is fituated on the bank pf a rivulet, that runs into the Dee, and is accounted a larger town than Denbigh, and a place of great" r'efort and good accommoda tions. Befides, it is ah>ndfpme well built town, owing to a con fiderable FLINTSHIRE. 441 fiderab^manufafttireof flannels' carried orrhere, which employs the poor, and is highly ferviceable to the manufafturers. Here is a large church, with a fteeple, thought to be one of the fineft in Britain, and two large meeting houfes. It has a market on Mon days and ihurfdays, in which great quantities of flannel are bought up for .the London trade ; ,and a fair cm March 25, Holy I hurlday, June 6, and September 19, for horned cattle, horfe* hops; hardwire, Manchefter ware, &c. In this county at e three'other' little' market towns, as Abergely «n Saturdays, Llanruft on Tuefdays, and Ruabbn on Mondays. , \ " '"" ' '' ¦' [fA N 7 '!./ $J'U I T I'E S. ¦ ¦ Arthur's rOund table, which is a cave at Lhanfannan, fouth- weft of; Denbigh, cut in the fide of a great rock, and contains twenty-four feats of different dimertfions.— The camp of King Caraftacus, when he fought the Rpman General Oftcrius, which is a fortification of an oval. figure, called Caer y Druidon. It has a .rampart, confifting of ftones rudely heaped together, to the per pendicular height of three hundred feet next the river. The: Maiden Fort, called in Welch Caer bprwyn, is a circular en trenchment on the other fide of the Alwen, and upon a hill, near fix hundred-feet high, and oppofite to, and much mora artificial than Kaer y Dhynod. FLIty'TSHI RE. X S the leaft of all the counties in Wales, extending only about JL thirty three miles in length, arid eight in breadth,- being about feventy in circumference ; it is bounded on,, the eaft by Chefhke ; on the fprtth by Shropfhke ; on the weft by Denbighfhire and the Irifh fea; and on«thc north by an arm of the Irifh fea; which forms the great JiEftuary of the river Dee. This county is not fo snountainpus as fome others in Wales, and Is more fruitful in wheat, rye, oats, and barley ; it affords rich pafture in the vallies, for cattle, which, tho' very fmall, are excellent beef, and they produce great quantities of butter and cheefe. In this county is great plenty of honey, and the riatives make a liquor of .it called Metheglin, frequently drank in this', and fome other, parts of Walet, The air is' cold ;, but if we look at the longevity of the L 1 1 2 inhabitants, if JF J- I NT S H I R E. inhabitants, . we muft believe it to be whplefpme -and healthy. If? flboitids With7 ^f.Ibrts'of ^fh/arid, fowl; !bas "great, plenty r.pf pit 'tri^S,1 'lead-offe^h^Und^ri'ce, and fine rnill-ftones, This county ?erife;iPhe,the1SiB"ef to, parliament, who at prefent is, Sir Roger 'MMM "3Sa)ir';lie!}teiiant of this' county, ^nd colonel of the triilkte tnfereSf./ ' ;'¦'; / "y .' ,' : '; \ ... /u.f! fih.Afaph, 269'nj^es from Lbndori.'.is a Bifhop's See. It is an fnfcferit City, and' Well fituated, at the influx of the Elwy into the Clwyd, in the rich and pleafant, vale of Clwyd. The Britons &fBe3'k Lhiri'Ejwy, but changed, ks name many centuries ago, for that of St. Afaph, who was the fecond Bifhop of this See. It is now a ppor city, with a mean cathedral, two ftone bridges, over the EMy, and the other pver the Clwyd. It has a' market on Saturdays, and a fair for catde, pn Eafter Tuefday, July 15, Oftober ifj, artd Detember 26. ,,; . Caerwyth, 204. miles from London, ftands nearly In the, mid dle Of thecPunty4 it isa good market town, but contains, nothing Worthy of hdtkie. The rharket is ori Tuefdays, and there is a fair fot tattle, Prt Match 16, on the- ,iaff Tuefday in April, on Tri nity Thurfday, on the firft Tuefday after July 7, September 9, and Npvembfe'r 16. Flint, 194 'mileS from London,' ftands on the ^Eftuary of the river Dee, and has a ftriall, harbour, arid a ruinous caftle, built by King Edwa'rd'I. This is the county town, where the affizes are annually held. It fends one member to parliament, who at firefent is, Watkin Williams, Efq ; major of the Shropfhir? mi- itia. It.has no. market, but has a fair, for black cattle-on Febru ary 14, June 24, Auguft 10, arid November 30. Holywell, about 5 miles from Flint, commonly called St. Wi nifred's Well, This well Iffues out of a rock of freefone, where the Monks of Bafingwerk, cut out a neat chapel, and built a fmall fchurch near the well, which was rebuilt in the rtign pf Henry VIII. apd is now ftanding. The .well is floored with ftone, and the water of it iffues with fuch a rapid ftream, as to turn feveral mills at a very fhiall diftance from the fountain. The town lies qnthe declivity of a high hill; it confifts of one ftreet meanly built, but has been riiuch frequented by Devotees of the Romifli perfuafion, who gp to bathe in, or drink the water of this well, and has enabled the village to fii'pport a market, which is held on Fridays, and here is a fair for cattle on April 23, Tuefday after Trinity, and September 2. There are two Other market towns, viz. Mould, 203 miles |rom komfajij .which has & market on Wednefdays ; and New- . inVkct, MERIONETHSHIRE 44* maiket, 208 miles from London, which has a market ori. Sa turdays. ,;, . •;- ,,-¦.-. St. Winifred's Well, takes its name from a fpring near thefoot of the hill, on which the town ftands, dedicated to a Romifh Saint,.; a Chriftian Virgin,- in memory of whom, the:Monkifh, writers fay \t rofe up miraculoufly. M e! R I ON E *T H S H I R E. THIS county extends 35 miles in length, from north to fouth, and 2 5., miles from, eaft to weft, being 108 miles 111 circumference; It is bounded on the north. by Caernarvonfhire and part of Deribighfhire ; ori the eaft by another part of Den- bigrifhire, and by^Montgomeryfhire ; on, the fouth by Cardigan - fhire ; and on the weft by the Irifh: fea. , The foil of this county is not only rocky and mountainous, but, the worft in Wales ; ypt it,- has, excellent pafture in the vales, and the flocks, that co ver the monntains are fo numerous, that it is faid this county .feeds more flieep than all the reft of Wales. It is alfo well flock ed with goats, fowls* deer, and jifh of all forts, particularly herrings- Though the natives are ftrong and healthy, and ge nerally accounted handfome, .they live chiefly- on butter, ¦ cheefe, and other forts of food, made with or from milk. The air of this county is very epld and bleak, and not fo healthy as many others, occafioned hy the mountains, and the. vapours which arife out of the Irifh lea. The rivers of rhoft note are the Dyffi, the Avon, theDrwrydh, and the Dee. There are fome rivers -of lefs note, ¦ fuch as the Defunmy, the Skethye, the Arlro, the Cayne, the Angel, and the Keffilaum. This county fends one 'member to parliament, who at prefent* is, Evan Lloyd Vaug han, Efq. Bala, 195 miles from London, is fituated at' the north end of Pimble-meer; and fignifies a place where a river or brook iffues out of a Lake ; as to its buildings, it is a mean inconfide rable place ; it has aright to a market On Saturdays, hut is not fpfficient to fupport one. It has a fair on May 14, and July 10, for horned cattle, fheep, and horfes. ' -, Dinaffnouthy , 196 miles from London, has a market on Fridays, arid a fair on June 2, September 10, Oftober I, and Noveriiber 13, fpr horfes, fheep, and horned cattje. Dolegellyf*- 146" MONTGOMERYSHIRE. i Dalegelly, 205 miles from London, is fo called from the vafl: quantity of wood, amongft which it was originally built, being compounded pf DpI, a Dale, and Kelhe, a Wood; it is fituated on the fouth bank of the Avon, at the foot of the mountain Idris, one of the higheft in Britain, and is well provided with Inns, for travellers ; it has a confiderable manufafttre of Welch cottons. It has a market on Tuefdays, and a fair on May 11, July 4, Sep tember 20, Oftober 9, November 22, and December 16, for fheep, cattle, and hptfes. Harleigh, whofe etymology fignifies a pleafant rock,' is fituated 223 miles from London, upon a rock near the fhore. It is the county town, and is fuppofed to have been a Roman town, though mow the houfes are mean, and the inhabitants but few. It has an old decayed caftle, with a Governor and a garrifon, for the fecurity cf the cpaft ; here is a good harbour, but few or no fhips belonging to it. It has a right to a market on Saturdays, but it is difufed. Here is, however, a fair for black cattle, on Corpus Chrifti-day, June 30,. Auguft 21, and December 11. In the year 1694, the country about this town was annoyed about eight months, by a fiery exhalation, that was feen only in the night, and confifted of a livid vapour, which arofe from the fea, ot feemed to come from Caernarvonfhke, crofs a bay of the fea, eight or nine miles broad, on the weft fide of Harleigh. It fpread from this bay over the land, and fet fire to all the barns, (lacks of hay and corn in its way. It alfo infefted the air, and blafted the grafs and herbage in fuch a mannpr, that a great mor tality of cattle, fheep and horfes enfued. It proceeded cOnftant- ly to and from the fame place, in ftormy as well as in calm nights ; but more frequently in the winter than in the folfowing fUmrtier, , MONTGOMERYSHIRE. THIS ccunty extends in length thirty miles from eaft to weft, and twenty-five from north to fouth, and is about ninety- four in circumference.' It is bounded on the eaft by Shropfhke,, on the fouth by the counties of Cardigan and Radnor, on the weft by Merionethfhire, and on the north by Denbighfhire. Though the air of this county is fhaip and cold on the mountains ; it Is both pleafant and healthy in the vallies. The north and weft * parts MONTGOMERYSHIRE. 447 - parts are mountainous, ftpney and fterile, except the vallies, -which yield ccrnj and. abound in pafture; the fouth and eaft parts which chiefly confifts of a Vale, that extends along the pleafant banks of the Severn, are exceeding, fruitful. This eounty is well watered by the Severn, the Tanat, the Turgh and by feveral rivers of lefs note, the Riader, the Vurnwey, the Rhe, the Rechan, the Haves, the Cafiio,. apd the Dungum. This county contains five market towns ; and what is remark able they are all boroughs, arid jointly fend one member to par liament, the county alfo is reprefented by a member, who at pre fent is, William Moftyn Owen, Efq ; and the member for the borpugh is, Whitfhed Keene, Efq. bro.-in-law to the Earl of , Dartmouth. Llanydlos, 180 miles from Lpndpn, is fituated uppn the eaft bank nf the Severn, but has nothing worthy of notice, except a market on Saturdays, and a fair on the firft Saturday in April, May 1 1 } July 17 ; the firft Saturday in September, and Oftp ber 28, for horfes, horned cattle and fheep. -; -.¦ . Llanvylliny, 179 miles from London, is fituated on a dirty flat ; it Is a town of fome note, pretty Well built, and has a gopd market for com, cattle, wool, and provifions of all forts, on Tuefdays ; and a fair for horfes, cattle and fheep, on the Wedhefday before Eafter, May 24, June 28, aqd Oftober 5. Mackynteth, 198 miles from London, -is fituated on the eaft- hank ofthe Dyffi ; .it is an ancient town, fuppofed to be: the r Magbona of the Rpmans ; it has a good ftone bridge over, the Dyffi,, wkh a marketon Mondays, and a fair on May 16, June 26, July 9, September 18, and November 25, for horned cat tle, Iheep and horfes. Montgomery, i6i miles: from London, ftands in a healthy air, on an eafy afcent of a roefcy hUl, with a pleafant vale underneath, through which the Severn run?. Its caftle, now ruinous,' was built foon after the conqueft, by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewfbury, from whom the town derives ks name; This t^wn has been walled round, but they and the caftle were ruined in the civil wars of King Charle^gL At prefent it is the county town, where there is a goal, built but a few years ago. The town is large, and though 'the buildings in general are but Indif ferent, yet, take it altogether, Montgomery may be accounted a. handfome town. It has a market on TueHays, and a fair on March .26, June 7, Septeriiber 4, and November 1.4,' for' hom ed cattle; horfes and fheep. *' ;... : Welch 448 . BRE'CKNOCKSHI R E. Wekb Bool, 196 miles from London, ftands oh the ride of a lake, in a fruitful vale, and is a large well built, town. Here is a good manufafture of .flannel ; it has a 'market on Mondays, and a fair for fheep, . horned cattle and hbrfes-, ' on the fecOnd Monday in March ; the Monday before Eafter 3 'June 5 ; the fit ft Monday after June 29,5 September 12, and November i<5; At Newn there is a fair on the laft Tuefday in March ; Jurte 16 ; the laft Tuefday in Auguft ; Oftobei 24, and December 12, for fheep, cattle, &c. ^^^iMP^^^^^'^^^^^^^^'^^^^^^^^ ->*• SOUTH WALES. ¦ i- < . ' jyRE'CKNOCKSH IR'E. This county takes its name . -f-T from Brecknock ; it extends in length from north to fouth 35 miles ; from eafttpweft 34 miles; andin irircumference'abotit 1 10 miles. It is bounded by Radnorflriie on, the north ; "Glanior- ganfhke pn the fouth;. by. the. counties. of Heseford and Man* mouth,pif the Eaft:; and by thf Cpuritiesjaff. Cardigan and Caer- marthen on the weft. The foil iu the uplands is ftony, jbut'the valley* are fruitful both in ?orn and pafture. The air in tfris coun ty is ijenijirfeably healthy, and. mild. It is principally watered by the Wye, the Ulk and thp Yroon. This county fends one membe ir to parliament, who at prefent is, Charles Morgan, Efq ; lieute nant and cuft. rot., of this county. .: Built h, 171 miles from. London, is fituated in a woody coun try, on the fouth bank pf the Wye ; it ^s a pleafant well built town fortified with a. caftle, and chiefly « fupported by a manu fafture of Stockings. Here is a large wooden bridge over the Wye. It has a madron Mondays and Saturdays, and a fair on June 27, Oftpber 2, and December &, for flieep, horfes an4 cattle. .3 . - . ' Brecknock, 163 miles" frpm Condon, is fituated at the -conflux of the Hondby and 1J&.% and called by the natives, Afrer-Hondfrf, i. e. the mouth of the H@ndby. ,fr is wteU built, of an oval form, and fortified with wajls. It has a ruinous caftle, three churches, and a good ftone. bridge over the "Uffc. This town is Well in habited, and has a1 confiderable fhare in the woollen manufafture. It is the county town, and faid to take its name from Breckarius, • - an CAR DIG A N S H I R Ei .\ 0 44^, ah anpient Brkifh. Kh>igx>f this county, and famous in the legend*! for having twenty-four daughters, who; after their death, werfcf reputed faints. Here was a houfe.of Black iFriarS, whjch.Heijry, VIII., fconverted into a, college; by the . flajBej of the College x>f Chrift's Church in, Brecknock. It now ounfifts of the- Bkhop of ? St. David's, whoSptefidles as Dean, a.Rreceatoci a Treafurer, s»j Chancellor, and nineteem Prebendaries,::; .This ,toNvn fendsidne: member to parliament, who. at prefentj is, $>k Charles G«uld,-: Kpt. judge advocate :general to the army, •- chancellor! of the diM cefe of Sarum, and, LL.D- It has a marketiCrt Wednefdays aftdf Saturdays,. > fupplied wfith all the necefferies. of life, -and., a lair qrti May 4, July 5, September 10, and Nosretnbfer 17, forhmthej',' cattle, hops and aji .forts, of commodities; v; - Gricihawel, 150 railesjfroni Londonj;,;hias a market QnThUt-fk days; and a fair pn May 1 2,. for. cattle,; fheep; g^atSiali.d.h^iJfos.": , -'Hay', 152 miles frbm London, ris fituated; on tl^fouihiiidfcjftfj the Wye, tand was a Roman. ftation ; .part of the Rpmaa TisU ift now ftanding. It is a pretty good town, with a.njackefc-oJBrSSjf turdays, andafak- pn May 17, Auguft 12, vartd Oftpfefet^A-fo11 flieep, horfes, apdriorned cattle* n: 7C:j ;.V C A R D I G AL n'V:h:i R %?'* ;;:JX 1: . : i J :: .'-;"» - ,; rrJ.'iL-.i i'. THIS cpunty extends in length from'-South-weft \o #9i;jh# ' eaft, abput 40 miles, and about .1 3 mites from paft tp twpft, being aboutiPo miles in circumference/ ft is hpurtd^d:,9n2^ north by the counties of Merioneth. grid. Montgomery;, on jhe eaft by part? of Radnorfhire, andjtheeo-jHttyTof Brecki|^}H,|),-orj the:fputhbypajt«jfRembrokefhire, mi couMy of QzemW^^ia and on the weft by. the Irifh fea. The; akief. this ^ounjynRPKf? -with the foil and face of the land. In the fouth and weft parts, which are mere a champaign country than the greateft part of Wales, the air is. mild and pleafant,* and the fori ji*.;fr$ri^u! * but the north and eaft parts, which are orte continued ridge of mountains, are comparatively; barrenfand bleak ; yet in the worft parts there is pafture for vaft , herds of cattle and flocks of , flieep ; and this county is fp.full of cattle,, that it has hqe)i-f^- Jed the nurfery of cattje foj-.all England fouth of Trent. It ispjjrn- 'pipaUy watered by t;he T?e.wc> the,Ryd;al; and the iftwyth. .This Mmm county 4So C A E R. M iA J ft T " H E-: N S:H IRE. county fends one; rnenriaer-tq parliament, who at prefent is, the' Rt. .honi:-Wilmoti(Vau"ghan,) earl o^Jrifbwrieof the kingdom of. Ireiandj Id. Jt; and £ufh. rot. of this county* ¦ Cardigan, 222 .: • P %' M B R O K E! S Hii R :& •Llanelly, 216 i^^-fiiPf-a-: London, is /fituated on a creek of ^}»e fea :. JEt is apretty g£pjjripw&». carries on a confiderable Wade dn.cqais, has^ a inarketpp Tuefdays, and a fair on Afcenfipn-day, and September 30, for effltte, horfes at?d pedlary. JJaugharn, 2$3 nrilfs, from London* is a friiall fea-port, updii th^banksof theT^ve, Jkar. ks influx into the fea. It is a pretty ¦gpod ,tcrwny withja few fhips, .arid a fmall triide. The rriarket js.en Fridays; and here is a fair on May 6, June 19, Septerriber a8, and November 1 1>: fry. hprfes > fhedp, cattle, flannel and ppdhny. '-..-".• : '¦! Llanymdovry, 182 miles from London, has a market on Wed- pdjdays and Saturdays,, and a fair en July 31 j the Wednefday a/|erEpiphany ;. .^hkfon-Tuefday ; Oftober 10, and Novem> her 36, for cattle,. pig6^ and ftocfcii^s*; ' , ' Lfangadoc, 186 krijes from London, ; has, a market on Thurf days, and a, fair on June %\, for fheep; Cattle, horfes arid vfattl, Newcaftle, 220 mites from London 3 b&s a ^narket on Fridays, »nd a fair pn June 22, July |8, and .Noyfembpr .22, for cattle, hprfes ^nd fheep. B , i,,- ..." A N * /-£, U: £ T I -E S. f There is a fpririg at Ka'ftelhrKarey, eaft 6f Caermartlien, whkh ebb* and flows twice every twehty four1 hours i and the ruins of £ -large fort; with >vaft, caverns;, faid to have-hfeBn copper mines w«5ught by the, Romans.r-+MerUii!s.' Grove, near Carmarthen, fo called from that famous Brkifh prophet Merlin, who #as born -at Caermarthen, about the clofe- of the fifth century, and is faid 1 tp have frequented this woody-hill, the better to purfue his ftudjes without interruption. — A Remaw Camp at Bronyfhawen, pf an oval form, and upwards pf three hundred paces in circum? ference ; and on each pf this camp is a Barrow. PEMBROKESHIRE. THIS county is the fuTthermoft promontary of fouth Wales-. The fouth and weft is bounded by the Irifh fea ; the north by the rivers Tewp <*nd Heach ; and the eaft by Caermarthen- (V ' fhire, nMB R ^0 -K E -S H I R E. - 453 fhire. ' >The whole comity I§ fruitful, but the eaft fide is 'moft pleafant., - The air is temperate, and the parts next the fea a- bound with rich meadows, and good corn. . King Hertry I. eftablilhed in this neck Pf land a cclohy of Flemirigs, aS'a check Upon 'the 'Welch, who' had fo little commerce or imercourfe with thd natives of this principality, that they may ftill be dif- ringuiflied by theif cuftoms and fpeeclu The principal titers in this county, are the Tewe,' the Clethy; the Dougledge, &c. ' This .coj&nty fends one membdr to parliament, who at prefent js, Rt. hon. Richard (Philipps) Lord Milford in Ireland, lord It. arid \ ,cuft. rot- .of this co. •¦ -; Peinbtoke,- 256 miles from London, is pleifaritly fituated upon 3 creek of Milford Haven. It is not only tlie county town, but next to Caermar'thert, it isthel&rgeft andricheft tbw'n1 in South Wales, containing two handfome bridges-, three parifh churches, and many good houfes, . in- one long ftrait ftieet, upon a najtow part of a rock. It was anciently fortified witli walls, and a mag nificent t caftfe built upon a roejcat the weft end of the town, in which was born King Henry VII. The inhabitants of this town, on their own accounts, employ corlftantly 200 fail bf fhips. This town fends one member' to parliament,- who at prefent is, Hugh Owen, of this borough, Efq. It has a market on Saturdays,' and a fair on May 14, Trinky-Monday, July 10, and Septembef'25, for doth, fheep, cattle andhorfes. St* David's, 272 miles from London, is fituate about a mile from the extremity of a.large'barren promontory projecting wkh a very'high front into the Irifh-fea.. It Is fuppofed to be the Ofta- pilamm, built by the Romans, and afterwards called Menevia, and St. David's,, after the death of St. David; who tranflated the archbifhopric of t Wales from Caerlem in 577.' The cathedral i9 a venerable ftrufture, 300 feet in lenjgth ; but it has fuffered much at the caft end for want1 of repairs : There is no Dean be longing to this church, but there is a Precentor,- with the au thority ofa Dean, a Chancellor,- a Treafurer, four Archdeacons, nineteen Prebendaries, eight Vicars Choral for Chorifter, and other officers. This' city Was originally ertcOrtipafled with Walls, but they are demolifhed; audit is funk into the appearance of a mean poor village. Before the promontary in' the fea, ftands five or fix rocks, kriown by the ri'am'eof the Bifhop and his Clerks, much dreaded by failofs, but well covered with wild fowl. Fifkard, 243- tttiltS {torn Londori, is fituated on a fteep clift on the fea flioxe, in' the road from St. David's to Cardigan. This town has: a good harbour for veffels that do not draw above fix 4j4 PSMBRO K ES HIRE. fix feet of water. The adjacent country abounds in corn, and they have a herring fifhery, which enables them to export iooo barrp's annually. It has a market on Fridays, but no fair. Haverford Weft, 256 miles from London, is a neat, populous, well built place, fituate cn the fide of a hiU, near the river Do.ugledge. The houfes are well built, well inhabited, and the peonle enjoy a gppd trade. Here are three parifh churches in this town, and pne in the fuburbs. It is a fea port -with com modious quay for fhips of burden, and has a cuftom-houfe, a fine ftone bridge over the river tiougledge, a fiee-fchool, a cha- rity-fch.ool, and an alms-houfe. The confiderable trade in and about this town, renders it one of, the pdliteft places in Wales, It fends one member to parliament, who at prefent is, the Rt. hon. William (Edwardes) Lord Kenfington, of the kingdom of Ireland. Its market is on Tuefdays and Saturdays, and has a fair on May 12, June 12, July 18, September 4, 24, andOfto- ber 18, for cattle,, fheep, horfes, &c. Killgarron, 22% miles from London, is feated, on the north bank of the Tewy. Here is a falmon fifhery, and a remarkable falmon leap at a cataract in the river. The market is on Wed nefdays, and it has a fair on Auguft 21, and November 12, for cattle, hprfes and pedlary. Newport, 236 miles from London, is fituate at the mouth of the Never.n. The town is large and carries on a trade with Ire land, but the buildings are mean, and the people are poor, hav ing very little fupport, but from'paflengers to and from Ireland. This town has a handfome church ; and tlie market is kept on Saturdays, with a fak on June 27, for lheep, horfes and cattle. Milford Haven, a large, fafe and cpmmodious harbour, uni- verfally allowed to be the beft in Great Britain, and as fafe and fpacious as any m Europe. It has fixteen deep and fafe creeks, five bays, and thirteen roads, all diftinguifhed by their feveral narhes, in which it is faid rooo fail of fliips may ride in perfeft fecurity, arid at a fufficient diftance from each other ; nor is there any danger in failing in or out with the tide^ either by day or night, from whatever point the wind blows ; and if a fhip in dif- tiefs comes in, without either anchor or cable, fhe may run a- fiiore on foft oo^e, and there lie fafe till flie is refitted. The great excellency and Utility of this harbour is, that in an hpur's time a fhip may be in pr out of it, and in the way between the Land's-end and Ireland. As it lies near the mouth of the Severn, a fhip iri eight or ten hours may be over on the coaft of Ireland, or off the Land's-end, in, the Englifh Channel ; and a veffe^may get G L A M O R G A N S H I R E. 455 c get out of this place to the weft, much foonerthan frorr. either Plymouth or Falmouth. <¦¦ Tenby, 247 miles from London, has a good harbour for fhips, it fubfifts chiefly bythe herring fifhery, and it trades in cpals and 'other 'commodities tcv Ireland. Tt has a market on Wednefday and Saturday, and a -fair- for cattle, horfes, and fheep, on Whitfun-Tuefday,' May1 4, July 20,. Oftober 20, and December 4. Narbarth,- 231 miles from1 London. In .this, town are the re mains of a- caftle built by the family of Perrot, in the reign pf William the Conqueror. The market is kept ori Wednefday, ¦ and it has a fair on March 21 , June 14, July 5, September 26, and December- 1 r, for cattle, horfes, and fheep. "' Wifton, though a mean place, about 7 miles from Narbarth, has a market pn Saturdays, and a fpir on November 8, for hpr fes,, cattle, and fheep. G L A M-0 R G A N S H I RE. THIS" county extends 48 nriles from1 eaft to wefh and 27 miles from north to fouth, being in circumference about 1 16 miles. It is bounded on the north by Brecknockfliire, on the fouth by the Briftol channel, on the eaft by Monmouthfrihe, and on the weft by Caermarthenfhire. The principal rivers in this county are the Rhymny, the JafF, the. Ogmore, the Avon, the Llwakar and ithe Towe. • ?:• The fouth part of this county confifts of a rich foil, and a fine- healthy air, and is fo fruitful,1 pleafant, andpopulous, as to deferve the appellation' of the garden of Wales : but the nor thern parts are cold, piercing and barren, except in fthe Vallies and on the fea coaft. This, county fends one member to parlia ment, who at prefent is, Charles Edwin, Efq. Landaff, 167' miles from' London. This -city has nothing more to recommend it than its being at prefent a Bifhop's- See ; however, the cathedral is a fine ftrufture, built in the year. 1 107, and keptin gopd condition. " The chief town in this county is Cardiff, 116 mile6 from London. It is a pretty large well built town, arid efteemed to be the handfomeft in South Wales, and was once fortified with walls, and a caftle foon after the conqueft, which caftle is ftill 1 ftanding, 456 ,. GLAMORGAN S Hr IAR-.& ftanding, and is a large;, , ftrong and ftfctejy building, tlrisitowri fends one member to parliament, who at prefent is, Sir. Herbert Mackworth, Bart. col. of the Glarriprganfliire militia. It, isa fea port town, with a commodious harbour, and a good ttadejby wa ter to Briftol and 'other parts,: 'Near this town is a bridge of one; arch over the river TafF,. thelargeftrin the world. .It has a mar ket on Wednfcfday and Saturday, and a, fak on June 29, Sep-: tember 8, and November 30, for cattle. . , Cowbridge, 177 miles from. London, 'ris. in the next, efteem in the county, where they hold their, quarter feffiohs. It ftands upon the bank of the Ewenny, in a low fruitful fituation ; it has a gpod harbour foi boats, . and a ftone.! bridge. This is the town called Boviuni by the Romans, as recorded by Antoninus. It has a market on Wednefday, and a- fair, on April 23,, Auguft i; and. Oftober 1 8, for cattle, i .... t«„, .:..:. Neath, 261 miles from Londpn, is a prettyilarge town,',, it ftands near the middle of the county, and has a haven for fmall Veffels. It has a market on Friday, and a fair .on Trinity Thurfday, July 13, and Septemhet 12, for. cattle; fheep and hogs. Sevanfea,- 20 j miles, from7 London, 'ftand.s at the mouth of the river Tavye. It is a large, clean, well built town, with 3 very good harbour; , it- is in a thriving ftate, being1 repriced wealthy and populous, by the coal trade carried on from the lasge ^nd good coal-works In the neighbourhood » not only coaft wife to the towns in Devonfhire, S°merfetfbke,. and Cornwall, hpt to Ireland alfo. It has a market on. Wednefday and Saturday, and a fair on July 13, Auguft 2(5, -and Oftober 19, fpr cattle* fheep and hogs. ... i'- - ; '- • -.-ft Caerphilly, In.a.moorifh bottom near the river Rbymny ?:nd north of LandafF, we find the ruins of a very large 'caftle, in that the nobleft remains of ancient architefture in all- Britain, but it cannot be difcovered whether ks. foundation bp Brkifh or Roman. It is ^called Caerphilly. . The. hall pf thjs caftle meafures 70 feet in length, 34 in breadth, and 17 in height. To which, on the fouth fide afcends a ftair cafe about tight feet wide, the roof, of which is vaujted, and fupported by.,20 affhes, which rife gradually pne above anpther.. But amoqgtj: the- fewer ral ftupendious pieces in and about this .vaft pile of ruinSj the moft furprizing, is a large tower towards the eaft end, gbout. 80 feet high, with a vaft fifure from, the top to almoft the middle, by which jthe tower is divided into, two .foparate leaniirg parts, £0 that each. hangs pver its bafe in fuch a manner, that it is diffi- ,r. . cult RADNORSHIRE. ytf tfult fo fay, which is mpft likely to fall* firft. Its lineal projeo-< tion on the top, on the outer. fide, is no lefs than io feet and a half ; and though it contains this tower, has cpntinupd to re* cline from the perpendicular for' feveral ages, there is neither hiftory npr tradition to point out the caufe of it, npr the riianner nor time how and when the rent firft happened. R A D N O R S HI- R ^L ; IS an inlajnd county. It Is bounded pri the paft by Herefprd- fhire and Shropfhire ; on the fouth by Brecknockfhire and Cardiganflrire, and on thp north hy Montgpmeryfhke and Shropflrire,, extending 22 miles from north to fouth, and 42 miles frpm eaft to weft, being abput 90 miles in circumference. This county exhibits a celebrated remain of antiquity, p^rf of a work called Offa's Dyke or Ditch, cut by Offa Ring of Mer cia, as a boundary betweeri fhe Englifh, Saxon and aritient I$ri- tons, from the mouth of the river Wye tp the iriputh pf the Dee, and is feen thro' the whole extent of this county. The principal rivers are the Wye, Temd, and the Ithon : Befides thefe there are fome remarkable mineral waters, at Llandrindod, viz. Saline purging water, commonly called the pump water ; it is excel lent in all cutaneous difeafes, and in diforders occafioned by cor rupt humours. The fulphureous water, commonly called the black ftinking watei, has its name from the ftrong fmell, and the blacknefs of the channel through which it paffes. It is of great ufe where bathing is proper, made into a hike warm bath. It is excellent in benumbed limbs, and in nervous diforders; as alfo in venereal Complaints, old fores, tetters, and in all difeafes ofthe fkin ; as well as in the ftone, gravel, rheumatifm, and gouty diftempers. The. air is generally cold and piercing. The foil in the eaftern and fouthern parts is pretty fruitful in corn ; in the northern and weftern parts it is but indifferent,, abounding in rocks and mountains, which are well provided wkh wood,, and affords pafture for fheep. The rivers alfo afford plenty of falmon and other fifh- This county fends pne member to parliament, who, jit prefent is, Thomas Johnes, Efq ; auditor for the principality of Wales. N n n N(w 4.58 RADNORSHIRE. New Radnor, 157 miles from London, is fituated near the head of the river Somergil, in a pleafant valley, at the fopt of a hiU called the Foreft of Radnor. It was pnce fortified with walls and a caftle. It fends one member to parliament, who, at prefent, is Edward Lewis, Efq. . This town has a market on Thurfdays, and a fair on the 29th of Oftober, for horfes, black cattle, and fheep. Old Radnor, called Maefivid Hen, fuppofed to be the Megoth of Antoninus, where the Pociencien regiment lay in garrifon, under the Lieutenant of Britain, in the reign of Theodofius the younger. At Pain's Caftle, about 7 miles from New Radnor,- there is a fair for fheep, horned cattle and horfes, on the 20th of May, and 19th of December. Prefieign, 149 miles from London, is fituated on the banks of the Puvis Lug ; it is a well built town, in which the affizes for the county are held, and here is the county goal. The town is very populous, and the ftreets are clean and well paved, fr has a market on Saturdays, and a fair on June 24, and Novem ber 30, for cattle, fheep and horfes. Knighton, 155 miles from London, is feated in a valley on the bank of the Tema, pver which it has a bridge. The town is well built, has a good trade, and is much frequented. It has a market on Thurfdays, and a fair on May 6, and September 24, for fheep, borfes, and cattle. THE E N p. YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 9002 01443 9179 X-jflfll ¦ ¦ K - X R.