|
104|Bourton, Dorset, 164. A hamlet containing 112 houses, and 637
|inhabitants.
|
103|Bourton Bridge, Dorset, 164.
|
185|Bovey Heath, Devon, 118.
|
108|Bow Bridge, Somerset, 139.
|
94|Bower, Wilts, 199.
|
94|Bower Island, Wilts, 199.
|
178|Bowhill, Devon, 196.
|
101|Box, Wilts, 186. A parish containing 210 houses, and 1165
|inhabitants.
|
|Boxgrove, Sussex, 216. A parish containing 131 houses, and 682
|inhabitants.
|
21|Box Hill, Surrey, 63. This hill derives its name from the number
|of box trees growing on it, planted by the Earl of Arundel in the
|reign of Charles the First. These groves are interspersed with a
|number of small open spaces and agreeable walks; from whence, on a
|clear day, the prospect is beautifully varied and extensive, the
|immediate vicinity of the hill being greatly enlivened by the
|windings of the river Mole.
|
|A few years ago, an eccentric man, requested to be buried on the
|summit of this hill, in an _erect posture_; and, at his decease,
|this singular request was complied with. In the neighbourhood are
|a number of gentlemen’s seats.
|
|Boyton, Wilts, 207. A parish containing 41 houses, and 248
|inhabitants.
|
122|Bradford Down, Dorset, 110.
|
123|Bradford Heath, Dorset, 110.
|
239|Bradock Common, Cornwall, 125.
|
178|=Bradninch=, Devon, 196. This town is nearly a mile in length
|consisting chiefly of one large irregular street, and the houses
|but indifferently built. Its principal manufacture is paper. It
|formerly sent members to parliament till the reign of Henry the
|Seventh, but on a complaint that the inhabitants were not able to
|pay them their wages, 2_s._ _per_ day, they were excused on the
|payment of five marks. The church is an ancient Gothic building.
|It contains 247 houses, and 1187 inhabitants, and has a trifling
|market on Tuesday.
|
199|Brent Bridge, Devon, 120.
|
7|=Brentford=, Middlesex, 69, a market town. It is divided into New
|and Old Brentford, and is named from the small river Brent, over
|which it had a ford, and which here empties itself into the
|Thames. The church was originally built in the reign of Edward the
|First, being a chapel of ease to Great Ealing, and was rebuilt,
|except the tower, in 1654. This place affords employment to its
|numerous poor, having a flour mill on the same construction as the
|late Albion Mills, formerly situated at the foot of Blackfriars
|Bridge; a large pottery, extensive brick fields, and a very large
|malt distillery.
|
|At the extremity of New Brentford, towards London, on the opposite
|side of the Thames, is Kew Palace, formerly the occasional
|residence of His Majesty; near which, on the banks of the Thames,
|His Majesty has erected a magnificent Gothic building, said to
|have been intended as a residence for the Queen.
|
|The members of parliament for the county are here chosen, and the
|market on Tuesday is well supplied with all kinds of provision,
|corn, cattle, &c. Brentford contains 304 houses, and 1733
|inhabitants.
|
197|Brent Harberton Ford, Devon, 120.
|
199|Brent, South, Devon, 120. A parish containing 163 houses, and 1032
|inhabitants.
|
97|Brickers, Wilts, 186.
|
200|Bridestow, Devon, 150. A parish containing 91 houses, and 581
|inhabitants.
|
230|Bridge, Cornwall, 124.
|
58|Bridge, Kent, 8. This village is situated in a valley, by the side
|of the river Stour; and contains 42 houses, and 325 inhabitants.
|
126|Bridge, Somerset, 168.
|
245|Bridge End, Cornwall, 126.
|
105|Bridge, High, Dorset, 139.
|
75|Bridge, Mary, Hants, 98.
|
212|Bridge, New, Devon, 122.
|
96|Bridge, New, Dorset, 89.
|
109|Bridge, New, Somerset, 201.
|
102|Bridge, New, 186.
|
145|=Bridgewater=, Somerset, 192. A borough and market town, seated on
|the river Parret, over which is a stone bridge; here the tide
|rises at high water 6 fathoms, and sometimes flows in with such
|impetuosity, that it rises near two fathoms deep at a time; which
|often occasions considerable damage to the shipping, driving them
|foul of each other, and oversetting the small craft. It is termed
|the _boar_, and is frequent in the rivers of the channel,
|particularly the Severn.
|
|The church is a handsome spacious structure, containing a fine
|altar piece of our Saviour taken from the Cross, by Guido, and the
|spire is the loftiest in the county. Near the church is a handsome
|free school, built of stone; the town hall is a large building,
|beneath which is a cistern, whence the inhabitants are supplied
|with water.
|
|It was first incorporated as a borough by King John, who built a
|castle here, and it was one of the first towns seized by the
|barons in the reign of Henry the Third, being then considered of
|great importance. The Duke of Monmouth was here proclaimed king,
|and lodged sometime in the castle; but being betrayed by Lord
|Gray, and his army consisting chiefly of raw countrymen, he was
|defeated by the royal army, on a moor near Weston, 3 miles
|distant; when 1000 were killed, and 1500 taken prisoners; and here
|Judge Jefferies and Colonel Kirk had most of the survivors
|executed.
|
|The houses in general are irregular, but the streets are wide, and
|well paved. It sends two members to parliament, and has a market
|on Tuesday and Saturday; at the former, cattle of all kind are
|sold, and cheese in great quantities, and provisions of all sorts,
|are plentiful. The midsummer county sessions are held here, and
|the assizes every other year. Through the convenience of its
|navigation it has also a very good coasting-trade, and a number of
|coal ships are constantly employed. Bridgewater contains 916
|houses, and 4911 inhabitants.
|
134|=Bridport=, Dorset, 111. A borough and market town, situated
|between two branches of the river Brit, which joins below the
|town, and falls into the sea, having once had a convenient
|harbour, but which now is choaked up with sand. The town consists
|of three good spacious streets, some of the houses being built of
|stone, and some of brick. The East, West, and South streets, are
|in the form of a T, having several back lanes or passages. In the
|centre of the town has been erected a very handsome market house.
|It is a very ancient corporation, and has sent members to
|parliament ever since the 23d of Edward the First.
|
|The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a large neat building, near
|the centre of the town, in the form of a cross, with a tower in
|the middle, 72 feet high. Its chief manufacture is in twine,
|sail-cloth, and hats. Bridport contains 520 houses, and 3567
|inhabitants, and has two market days, Wednesday and Saturday, both
|of which are well supplied with fresh meat.
|
54|=Brighton=, or =Brighthelmstone=, Sussex, 51, 60, 219. A sea-port
|and market town of some antiquity. It was once fortified, and some
|traces of the walls are still left. Queen Elizabeth erected here
|four gates. A flint wall, three feet thick towards the sea, and a
|block house, had been built before in the reign of Henry the
|Eighth. The town was of little or no consequence, being chiefly
|inhabited by fishermen, and has only risen to its present state,
|as a fashionable resort for sea-bathing, within these few years;
|being now enlarged with many new streets, elegant buildings, &c.
|The houses of the new streets, particularly the Steyne and the
|Crescent, are elegantly built, and chiefly lodging houses.
|North-street, furnishes handsome shops of every description, and
|there is a neat little theatre. There are also two elegant
|assembly rooms, with suits of card, tea, and supper rooms; those
|at the Castle Tavern are open every night during the season, as
|are also those at the Old Ship, which are little inferior.
|
|The Steyne is a fine lawn, on the eastern part of the town, which
|is the general parade for the company. On the Steyne are the North
|and South Parades, Blue and Buff Parade, Steyne-place, or South
|and Steyne Row; besides this, there are two other Steynes, but
|both inferior to the preceding. One is called the New Steyne, and
|is situated in the east of the town leading to Rottingdean; the
|other, the North Steyne, but more commonly the _Level_, both
|having many handsome buildings. The promenade commences after the
|heat of the day, and continues till dark; a choice band of music
|playing all the while. The Prince Regent has an elegant mansion
|here, called the Pavilion. (_see Index of Seats._)
|
|There are two public libraries on the Steyne, furnished with all
|the newspapers, periodical publications, &c. This is the morning
|lounge for every vehicle of news There are also a suite of hot,
|cold, vapour and salt-water baths, for those who may not, or do
|not choose to plunge into the ocean. There are also air-pump water
|baths, for the relief of persons afflicted with the gout, or
|violent scorbutic affections; the ingenious invention of Mr.
|Nathan Smith, of Artillery-place. The baths are situated near the
|Steyne, and were first erected in 1789. On one side of a handsome
|vestibule are six cold-baths, and on the other side, the hot
|baths.
|
|The streets nearly intersect each other at right angles, and are
|very clean and neat. Among the recent improvements, the handsome
|row of uniform houses, called Dorset Garden, deserves to be
|noticed; in front, is an extensive well planned garden, while two
|octagon temples ornament the pleasure ground. The road is composed
|of chalk and sea beach, with a spacious foot pavement of bricks on
|each side, which is entirely dry, almost immediately after the
|most heavy rains. The town is also well lighted, and from its
|vicinity to the metropolis, and accommodation of every kind, it
|may justly rank as the first watering place in the kingdom.
|
|The church stands on a hill near the town, and has a square tower,
|which may be seen a considerable distance at sea, having the
|figure of a dolphin for a vane. From its increase of population, a
|=Chapel Royal= has been erected within these few years, which is
|sufficiently spacious to contain 1000 persons.
|
|About half a mile west of the church is a chalybeate spring, much
|frequented; it has been found serviceable in several cases of
|debility, indigestion, &c. The proprietors have erected a neat
|lodge over the spring, and near it a very handsome mansion.
|
|Although the town itself is not observable, it lying so low that
|in several bombardments by the enemy, the balls have gone over it
|without doing any damage, it is now flanked with some strong
|batteries.
|
|The town is not incorporated, but an act was passed about 30 years
|ago, vesting a power in 36 inhabitants, as commissioners, to erect
|a market, pave, light, and cleanse the streets, and to execute all
|necessary matters for the good order of the place. Brighton
|contains 1282 houses, and 7339 inhabitants.
|
|At this place Charles the Second embarked for France, in 1651,
|after the battle of Worcester.
|
|The only manufacture here, (if it may be termed one) is the making
|of part of the nets for the use of the fishery, the materials
|coming from Bridport. The fishery employs about 100 boats,
|carrying some three, four, and five men each. The mackarel season
|commences in April, and that for herrings in October. Independent
|of these almost every kind of fish are also found in plenty, and
|to be purchased every day. To the fishery, and the numerous
|visitants during the bathing season, the inhabitants look up for
|support. But what has particularly enlivened the town of late
|years, during the war, has been the encampment of several
|regiments of regulars and militia, on the levels to the west of
|the town, between Brighton and Hove; and it is now much benefited
|by the numerous travellers to France, embarking from hence to
|Dieppe, and also from its being the favourite country residence of
|the Prince Regent. The principal market day is on Thursday; but it
|is open every day except Sunday, and well stored with every kind
|of provision.
|
|The mutton of this place, being chiefly fed on the South Downs, is
|particularly admired for its fine flavour. The Downs afford most
|delightful rides, and pleasing land and sea views.
|
|The race-ground, which is fenced in, and properly attended to, is
|justly admired. The races, which last four or five days, are
|usually the first week in August, when it is esteemed the fullest
|part of the season.
|
57|Brighton Race Ground, Sussex, 60.
|
129|Brimpit, Somerset, 190.
|
239|Brin, Cornwall, 156.
|
117|Brislington, Somerset, 203. A parish containing 136 houses, and
|776 inhabitants.
|
119|BRISTOL, 203. This city may justly rank as the second in the
|British dominions for trade, wealth, and population, though much
|of its commerce with the West Indies and America have passed to
|Liverpool. It properly lies in two counties, Somerset and
|Gloucester, but in the reign of Edward the Third it was erected
|into a county of itself.
|
|This metropolis of the west of England gradually rose to eminence
|in the Anglo Saxon period, but its origin is uncertain. It
|contains 10,403 houses, and 63,645 inhabitants, and is situated on
|the rivers Avon and Frome. The bridge over the former was first
|built above 500 years ago, and rebuilt in 1768. It consists of
|three wide and lofty arches, with a neat stone ballustrade. The
|river here is deep and very rapid, and flows to the height of 40
|feet, so as to bring a vessel of 1000 tons up to the bridge.
|
|The internal streets of this city are high and irregular, with
|projecting buildings, mostly built of wood and plaster, which
|render it close; but many of the streets have been lately much
|widened, particularly the avenues to the bridges. The suburbs and
|external parts of the city are elegant and spacious buildings,
|principally inhabited by gentry, merchants, and retired tradesmen,
|or let as lodging-houses. The sides of the streets have smooth
|pavements, and the whole is well lighted. It is supplied with
|excellent water, both from pumps and conduits; that in Temple
|Street has a noble statue upon it, representing Neptune. The
|common sewers which run through the streets, render the whole city
|remarkably clean. Carts are not admitted in the streets, for fear
|of damaging the arches of the vaults and gutters that are made
|under ground, for conveying the soil into the rivers; on this
|account every thing is conveyed by sledges, to the no small danger
|of the foot passengers.
|
|In King Street there is a very elegant and convenient theatre, and
|the city library is a handsome stone building, with literary
|emblems in front, which contains a very good collection of books,
|and a clergyman is always appointed the librarian.
|
|Above the river, Redcliff Parade is a handsome range of houses,
|whence is a beautiful prospect of the surrounding country.
|
|Over the river Frome is a draw-bridge, which has also two arches
|of stone, and an octagon building at each end.
|
|The quay is above a mile in length, reaching from St. Giles’s to
|Bristol Bridge, and is all the way embanked by a firm wall, coped
|with hewn stone; the whole is not impeded by the buildings, which
|lie a considerable way back, so that it is one continued quay,
|although under different names; that from Bristol Bridge to the
|bend of the river opposite Redcliff Parade, is called _The Back_,
|and from thence downwards is called _The Grove_. Here is a dock
|which will contain 10 sail of large vessels, and further on there
|is another, where a building is erected on 14 pillars of cast
|iron, being a crane, a curious piece of mechanism for loading and
|unloading ships; from which, to the mouth of the river Frome, the
|quay is called _The Gibb_.
|
|The Avon being joined by the Frome, passes on by the Hot-well
|through the rocks of St. Vincent, in a winding course of about
|eight miles, and discharges itself into the Bristol Channel; on
|the banks are several dock yards, and the merchants’ floating dock
|is extremely large.
|
|The cathedral church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was founded
|in the reign of King Stephen, in 1140; it is 175 feet long; the
|tower is 130 feet high, square, and ornamented with four
|pinnacles: the church, though not large, has many gothic beauties
|within, and a good organ; it is adorned with painted windows, and
|several handsome monuments, particularly that of Mrs. Draper, the
|celebrated Eliza of Sterne. Behind the church is a cloister, in
|which are the entrances to the library and bishop’s palace. To the
|west of the church is a most beautiful gothic gateway, ornamented
|with statues.
|
|Bristol contains 17 parish churches, and five chapels. The church
|of St. Mark, opposite the cathedral, was formerly collegiate: now
|it is the mayor’s chapel. All the churches are neat, beautifully
|decorated, and most of them have many handsome monuments: that of
|St. Mary’s, Redcliff, is one of the finest in the kingdom,
|containing two beautiful monumental statues of its founder,
|William Canninge, who had been five times mayor of the city; in
|one appearing habited as a magistrate, and in the other as a
|priest, he having in his latter days taken holy orders: there is
|also another of Sir William Penn, father of the famous Quaker.
|Here are also many hospitals and charitable institutions.
|
|On College Green is a stately high cross, with the statues of
|several kings round it.
|
|There are 13 city companies, several of whom have elegant halls,
|particularly the Merchant’s Hall, in Princes Street, a capacious
|stone structure, enclosed by an iron pallisade, with a very
|curious front. The Cooper’s Hall, in King Street, has a superb
|front, with four Corinthian columns. There are also several
|handsome squares: Queen Square has a spacious walk, shaded with
|trees; in the centre is a fine equestrian statue of William the
|Third, by Rysbrack.
|
|The government of the city is administered by a mayor, 12
|aldermen, all justices of the peace, two sheriffs, 28 common
|council, town clerk, and deputy town clerk, chamberlain,
|vice-chamberlain, under-sheriff, &c. besides a city marshal, and
|other inferior officers.
|
|A mile below the city, close by the river, is the Hot-well, the
|waters of which are reckoned specific for the diabetes,
|phthisical, scorbutic, and inflammatory disorders. It is a great
|resort for invalids during the summer, for whose accommodation and
|entertainment there are a pump-room, ball-room, coffee-house,
|taverns, and elegant lodging-houses, both below, on a level with
|the well, and above, in the delightful village of Clifton,
|situated on the brow of a hill, the prospect from which is
|beautifully romantic, and from the purity of its air and its
|situation, it has generally been termed the Montpelier of England.
|
|Clifton is at all times preferable to any place of residence in or
|about Bristol; for it is not only convenient for the wells, but is
|so happily situated with respect to Durdham Downs, that, without
|fatigue, valetudinarians are in a few minutes conveyed to them,
|and thereby enjoy an advantage equal, if not superior in effect,
|to that of the waters. Indeed this the physicians themselves
|acknowledge, and therefore the sick drive hither for health, and
|the unailing for amusement.
|
|The Bristol and Matlock waters are of the same quality, their
|mineral contents being _chalk_, _lapis calcareous_, and
|_calaminaris_, without any impregnation of iron. In the rocks
|above the well are found beautiful crystals; and the rivers afford
|salmon, eels, plaice, flounders, dabs, and vast quantities of
|elvers, and higher up trout, roach, and dace.
|
|In the markets of Bristol there is an astonishing plenty and
|variety of provisions, fruit, and vegetables. The city gives the
|title of Earl to the family of Hervey, and here the famous Thomas
|Chatterton was born, his father being sexton of St. Mary’s
|Redcliff.
|
|In 1777, an incendiary, called Jack the Painter, set fire to
|different parts of this city, and occasioned considerable damage.
|
|Britford, Wilts, 209. A parish containing 125 houses, and 675
|inhabitants.
|
|Britford Bridge, Wilts, 209.
|
4|Brixton Causeway, Surrey, 52.
|
5|Brixton Hill, Surrey, 52.
|
|Broadbridge Mill, Sussex, 215.
|
9|Broad Green, Surrey, 53.
|
122|Broadleaze, Somerset, 167.
|
55|Broadwater, Sussex, 67, 218. A parish containing 183 houses, and
|1018 inhabitants.
|
125|Broadway, Dorset, 171. A parish containing 42 houses, and 210
|inhabitants.
|
134|Broadway, Somerset, 169. A hamlet containing 57 houses, and 328
|inhabitants.
|
225|Brocka Barrow, Cornwall, 154.
|
87|Brockenhurst, Hants, 93. This hamlet contains 127 houses and 632
|inhabitants, and is one of those sequestered retreats where the
|lovers of rural life would find their highest gratification. It
|lies at an agreeable distance both from Lymington and Southampton,
|and the environs are studded with seats, among which that
|belonging to Edward Moraunt, Esq. occupies one of the most
|delightful and select situations in the whole forest.
|
10|=Bromley=, Kent, 16. A market town and parish, seated on the river
|Ravensbourne. Near the town is a palace of the Bishops of
|Rochester, where there is a mineral spring, of similar quality to
|that at Tunbridge; and the manor of this place was granted to the
|bishop by king Edgar, in the year 700. The church is a very old
|structure. There is still standing a college, erected by Bishop
|Warner in the reign of Charles the Second, for 20 poor clergymen’s
|widows, with an allowance of £20, together with £50 per annum to
|the chaplain. This was the first endowment of the kind established
|in England. The allowance has since been augmented to £30 per
|annum, and £60 to the chaplain, through the munificence of the
|Rev. Mr. Hetherington and Bishop Pearce, the former of whom left
|£2000, and the latter £5000. Bromley contains 419 houses, and 2965
|inhabitants; and has a market on Thursday.
|
12|Bromley Common, Kent, 16.
|
9|Bromley Hill, Kent, 16.
|
38|Brook Green, Surrey, 33.
|
96|Brook Water, Wilts, 138.
|
|Broomfield, Hants, 212.
|
|Broomfield, Wilts, 205.
|
109|Bruton, Somerset, 173. A market town and parish, deriving its name
|from its situation on the river Brue, over which it has a stone
|bridge. It is a well-built town, composed chiefly of three
|streets, at the meeting of which is a very convenient market
|place, built by a subscription of the farmers. The church is a
|handsome building, and has two quadrangular towers, one at the
|west, and the other at the north aisle. The Quarter Sessions for
|the eastern division of the county is sometimes held here, and it
|has a small manufacture of stockings, and inferior kinds of
|woollen goods. It contains 317 houses, and 1631 inhabitants, and
|has a market on Saturday.
|
123|Brympton, Somerset, 141. A parish containing 21 houses, and 133
|inhabitants.
|
231|Buckapit, Cornwall, 124.
|
230|Buckaton, Cornwall, 124.
|
194|Buckfastleigh, Devon, 119. A parish containing 260 houses, and
|1525 inhabitants. The remains of a Cistercian monastery are here
|visible.
|
|Buckingham, Sussex, 219.
|
70|Buckland, Kent, 10. A parish containing 71 houses, and 346
|inhabitants.
|
138|Buckland St. Mary, Somerset, 169. A hamlet containing 81 houses,
|and 418 inhabitants.
|
|Bull Moor, Wilts, 206.
|
111|Bullstake Hill, Somerset, 140.
|
86|Burcomb, Wilts, 136. A parish containing 54 houses, and 254
|inhabitants.
|
22|Burfoot Bridge, Surrey, 63.
|
|Bursledon, Hants, 221. A small port, where vessels are employed in
|the flour, timber, and hop trade; containing 73 houses, and 522
|inhabitants.
|
|Bursledon Bridge, Hants, 221.
|
99|Burton, Wilts, 164.
|
56|Bury, Sussex, 43. A parish containing 62 houses, and 361
|inhabitants.
|
57|Bury Hill, Sussex, 43.
|
60|Bury Hill Camp, Hants, 101.
|
15|Bury Mead, Middlesex, 174.
|
12|Butcher’s Grove, Middlesex, 174.
|
56|Butser Hill, Hants, 30. From the summit of this hill, on a clear
|day, Salisbury Cathedral is visible at the distance of forty
|miles.
|
50|Byworth Street, Sussex, 43.
|
|
|C.
|
113|Cadbury Castle, or _Camalet_, Somerset, 166. The ruins of this