|
225|Polvathic, Cornwall, 124.
|
254|Polwhele, Cornwall, 158.
|
|Polygon, Hants, 220.
|
75|Pond’s Foot Hill, Hants, 86,
|
106|=Poole=, Dorset, 90. A sea-port, borough, and market town,
|containing 1134 houses, and 4816 inhabitants.
|
|This town is about three quarters of a mile long, half a mile
|broad, and consists of three or four considerable streets, running
|nearly from north-east to south-west: it lies on the borders of a
|very narrow dreary heath, being a peninsula, joined to the parish
|of Lanford by a neck of land. It is of considerable antiquity,
|having been an important port in the time of the Romans, and a
|Roman military way may be still traced from hence to Wimbourn.
|
|The church, dedicated to St. James, was formerly a chapel of ease
|to Lanford, but has since been considerably enlarged, and contains
|several neat monuments.
|
|The harbour is considered the best and safest in the channel, as
|the ground is every where soft, and water sufficient at spring
|tides for vessels of sixteen feet draught to come up to the quay.
|Market on Monday and Thursday.
|
70|Poor, Hants, 32.
|
52|Popham, Hants, 76. A parish containing 5 houses, and 48
|inhabitants.
|
50|Popham Lane, Hants, 76.
|
|Porchester, Hants, 222. A parish containing 132 houses, and 917
|inhabitants. It was anciently called _Port Peris_, and was a
|sea-port before Portsmouth.
|
|Its ancient castle was erected to command the harbour, the walls
|of which formed a square of 440 feet, containing an area of four
|acres; they are six feet thick, and in many places 16 feet high,
|having 13 towers, besides the keep, which has four. It is of very
|great antiquity, but its age and founder are both unknown. This
|castle is now private property, rented by the crown, and has been
|appropriated to the purpose of confining prisoners of War. Towards
|the south-east part of the area is the parish church, which is an
|ancient fabric.
|
|Porchester Castle, Hants, 223. (_see Porchester_)
|
206|Portgate, Devon, 151.
|
66|Portsdown Hill, Hants, 32, 214, 223.
|
68|Portsea Gate and Turnpike, Hants, 32.
|
|Portslade, Sussex, 219. A parish containing 48 houses, and 284
|inhabitants. This village has partly risen out of the ruins of the
|parish of Aldrington, which the encroachments of the sea has
|entirely destroyed, not a house remaining.
|
71|=Portsmouth=, Hants, 32, 98. A sea-port, borough, market town, and
|parish, containing 7114 houses, and 40,567 inhabitants.
|
|This town was anciently defended by a wall of timber, covered with
|earth, and with bastions and forts of hewn stone. But in the reign
|of Queen Elizabeth it was strengthened by new works; at the
|restoration of King Charles the Second great improvements were
|made, by the establishment of new docks; and several forts were
|strongly fortified in the modern manner, since which time each
|succeeding monarch has made further improvements and additional
|works, and it is now the most regular fortress in Britain, and is
|reckoned almost impregnable by land as well as by sea.
|
|The dock yard, containing the warehouses for keeping all kinds of
|military and naval stores, is the most complete in the world, and
|possesses all the various manufactories necessary for supplying
|its different naval equipments. The docks and yards, in short,
|resemble a distinct town, there being particular rows of
|dwellings, built at the public expense, for all the principal
|officers who are under a separate government from the garrison.
|
|The streets of the town are mostly narrow and dirty, but always in
|a bustle, the consequence of the town being wholly supported by
|the fleets and armed vessels, which, during war, are constantly at
|anchor here; and in peace it is the general rendezvous of the
|India fleet.
|
|Close to the shore is the signal post, which is continually making
|signals to the ships lying at Spithead, as well as the telegraph,
|conveying intelligence and receiving orders from the Admiralty in
|the course of eight minutes.
|
|The whole of the walls round the town are planted with cannon, and
|on some of them are very pleasant walks, particularly on the east
|side, and near the sea, commanding a beautiful prospect.
|
|The church, with its tower, cupola, and lantern, may pass as a
|stately edifice, but the style of its architecture is not
|remarkable for any beauty.
|
|Portsmouth sends two members to parliament, it has a port admiral,
|and all the various officers of the revenue. On South-sea Beach
|are several commodious bathing machines. The mouth of the harbour
|is not so broad as the Thames at Westminster, and is defended on
|the Gosport side by four forts and a strong platform of cannon.
|The markets are on Thursday and Saturday, as well as a small one
|on Tuesday; and a fair which continues fourteen days.
|
70|Portsmouth Common, Hants, 32.
|
257|Pothall, Cornwall, 128.
|
14|Potter’s Lane, Surrey, 47.
|
90|Poulner, Hants, 88.
|
210|Poulston, Devon, 152.
|
121|Poundbury, Dorset, 109. Poundbury Camp is an irregular
|parallelogram in shape, surrounded by a vallum, which is very
|lofty, but appears to have been discontinued on the north side, or
|perhaps has been worn away: on the east side, on which was the
|principal entrance, it appears to have been double. Another
|entrance next the river was made with the greatest art, a narrow
|path being drawn all along between the edge of the precipice and
|the vallum; and beyond the camp, west, for a long way, a small
|trench is cut upon the said edge, which seems designed to prevent
|the ascent of cavalry. The breadth of the area is 147 paces, and
|its length 378: towards the middle the ground is considerably
|elevated, and near the south side is a barrow, which is imagined
|to be Celtic, and extant before the camp was made.
|
103|Pound Close, Dorset, 107.
|
229|Pounds Cause, Cornwall, 154.
|
27|Povey Cross, Surrey, 48.
|
17|Pratt’s Bottom, Kent, 17.
|
75|Preshute, Wilts, 183. A parish containing 100 houses, and 496
|inhabitants.
|
122|Preston, Somerset, 141. A parish containing 46 houses, and 260
|inhabitants.
|
52|Preston, Sussex, 51. A parish containing 31 houses, and 222
|inhabitants.
|
|Prinsted, Sussex, 215.
|
263|Probus, Cornwall, 128. A parish containing 194 houses, and 1013
|inhabitants.
|
118|Puddimore, Somerset, 166. A parish containing 26 houses, and 154
|inhabitants.
|
128|Puddle Town, Somerset, 142.
|
45|Puntfield, Berks, 178.
|
65|Purbrook, Hants, 32.
|
8|Putney Heath, Surrey, 24. On this heath stands an obelisk, erected
|to commemorate an invention for securing buildings against fire.
|
|
|Q.
|
|Quag-end, Hants, 213.
|
70|Quarley, Hants, 159. A parish containing 34 houses, and 134
|inhabitants.
|
71|Quarley Hill, Hants, 160. On this hill are considerable traces of
|a Roman encampment.
|
31|Quarry Hill, Kent, 14.
|
115|Queen’s Camel, Somerset, 166. A parish containing 94 houses, and
|584 inhabitants. This was formerly a considerable town, having two
|markets weekly, but was nearly destroyed by fire about two
|centuries since.
|
80|Quemerford, Bridge, Wilts, 184.
|
83|Quidhampton, Wilts, 136, 208.
|
|
|R.
|
42|Radfield, Kent, 6.
|
127|Radipole, Dorset, 171. A parish containing 26 houses, and 151
|inhabitants.
|
114|Radstoke, Somerset, 188. A parish containing 100 houses, and 509
|inhabitants.
|
89|Rag Lane, Wilts, 185.
|
34|Rainham, Kent, 5. A parish containing 119 houses, and 722
|inhabitants. It consists of one principal street, and the church
|contains several ancient monuments, particularly an elegant marble
|statue of one of the Earls of Thanet.
|
33|Rainham, Mark, Kent, 5.
|
49|Rake, Sussex, 29.
|
72|=Ramsgate=, Kent, 13. This town is situated in a valley,
|commanding a delightful prospect of the British Channel. Anciently
|it was but a mean fishing village, but has acquired its present
|respectability from its inhabitants, about a century back,
|entering largely into the Russia and East country trade, and of
|late years from its fashionable resort as a sea-bathing place. A
|spacious new street has been erected for the accommodation of its
|numerous summer visitors, and it has now become the rival of
|Margate.
|
|The pier, built of Portland and Purbeck stone, at the expence of
|several hundred thousand pounds, is the most magnificent structure
|of the kind in the kingdom. It extends eight hundred feet into the
|sea before it forms an angle, and is twenty-six feet broad at the
|top. Its south front is a polygon, its angles five on a side, each
|four hundred and fifty feet, with octagons of sixty feet at the
|ends, and the entrance two hundred feet; this great work was began
|in 1749. The harbour is capable of admitting vessels of five
|hundred tons, and the pier forms the grand promenade.
|
|The bathing place lies in front of a long line of high chalky
|rocks at the back of the pier, composed of a reddish sand, soft
|and pleasant to the feet; it is furnished with machines in the
|same manner as Margate. The rooms for the accommodation of the
|bathers are commodious, and there are four warm salt water baths,
|also a plunging and shower bath, with convenient rooms attached.
|The assembly room is a neat fabric, near the harbour, with all the
|various coffee, tea, billiard, card, &c. rooms annexed; the whole
|is under the direction of the master of the ceremonies of Margate.
|There are several good hotels, and numerous lodging houses, suited
|to every sort of company. It has a handsome chapel erected in
|1785. The town is well paved, lighted, and watched; and contains
|919 houses, and 4221 inhabitants.
|
|In addition to the many improvements made at Ramsgate, a stone
|light-house has been built on the west head, furnished with patent
|lamps and reflectors. The markets are on Wednesday and Saturday.
|
41|Ramsnest Common, Surrey, 37.
|
75|Ranvill’s Gate, Hants, 86.
|
69|Ratlick, Hants, 85.
|
133|Rayn, St., Hill, Somerset, 143.
|
39|=Reading=, Berks, 178. A borough and market town, on the river
|Kennet, which joins the Thames a little below the town. It
|consists of three parishes, and contains 2032 houses, and 10,788
|inhabitants. Each parish has its church, and there is a neat stone
|bridge over the river.
|
|Reading sends two members to parliament; and here are held the
|Lent Assizes, and the Epiphany County Sessions. The streets are
|paved, many of them are wide, and contain some handsome houses.
|Its principal manufactures are sacking, sail-cloth, blankets,
|ribbons, and pins.
|
|On Bullmarsh Heath there are annual horse races, the third
|Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, in August. Here is also a small
|theatre. The principal market days are on Saturday, for corn,
|cattle, and provisions; and on Wednesday, for provisions, poultry,
|fruit, vegetables, &c.
|
77|Redbridge, Hants, 91.
|
90|Red Hill, Wilts, 185.
|
108|Redlynch, Somerset, 173.
|
93|Red Stocks, Wilts, 199.
|
237|Redtye, Cornwall, 156.
|
|Rewell Wood, The, Sussex, 217.
|
17|Richmore Hill, Kent, 17.
|
13|Riddles Down, Surrey, 55.
|
123|Ridge Way, Dorset, 171.
|
91|Ridge Wood, Great, Wilts, 163.
|
210|Ridgway, Devon, 122.
|
91|=Ringwood=, Hants, 88. A market town and parish, containing 678
|houses, and 3269 inhabitants, situated on the east side of the
|river Avon. Many of the houses and the church are well built. This
|town has long been celebrated for the excellence of its ale, of
|which considerable quantities are exported.
|
|The neighbouring meadows are frequently overflowed by the several
|streams into which the river is here divided. The market is on
|Wednesday.
|
23|Ripley, Surrey, 26. This is a handsome little village, and has a
|neat chapel.
|
22|Riverhead, Kent, 17. This village takes its name from the head of
|the river Darent in the neighbourhood. It contains 129 houses, and
|750 inhabitants.
|
25|River Hill, Kent, 18.
|
239|Roach Down, Cornwall, 156.
|
50|Robertsbridge, Sussex, 21.
|
29|ROCHESTER, Kent, 4. A city containing three parishes, 1532 houses,
|and 9070 inhabitants, situated on an angle of the river Medway. A
|church was first erected here about the year 600, by Ethelbert,
|King of Kent. The present steeple was built about the year 1749.
|On the north side of the cathedral stands a tower or castle,
|supposed to have been erected by bishop Gundulph, whose name it
|bears; it was originally sixty feet high, but is now much reduced:
|the walls are six feet thick, and enclose an area of twenty feet
|square.
|
|Rochester has a stone bridge over the Medway, of eleven arches,
|the largest being about forty feet wide. The castle is so lofty
|that it may be seen at the distance of thirty miles; several
|attempts have been made to pull it down, but it was found too
|durable to pay for the expence of rescaling the stones.
|
|Rochester and Chatham are connected by a long row of buildings on
|a gentle eminence, called the Bank. In the cemetery, on the north
|side of the cathedral, is the church belonging to the parish of
|St. Nicholas. The present fabric was erected about the year 1620.
|It is a very substantial building, the walls being of great
|thickness, and supported on all sides by buttresses; it consists
|of a nave and two side aisles, which are separated by two ranges
|of lofty columns, from which spring the arches supporting the
|roof. The episcopal palace is at Bromley, no bishop having resided
|here since the Reformation. The town hall, erected in 1687, is a
|handsome structure: the clock-house was built in 1686, at the
|expence of Sir Cloudesley Shovel, who also gave the clock; it has
|been subsequently repaired and beautified at the city’s expence.
|The main street is wide and well paved. This city sends two
|members to parliament, who are elected by the freemen at large.
|The market is on Friday.
|
165|Rockbere, Devon, 116. A parish containing 78 houses, and 419
|inhabitants.
|
164|Rockwell Green, Somerset, 194.
|
39|Rodd Lane, Surrey, 28.
|
|Roe Ashes, Hants, 213.
|
73|=Romsey=, Hants, 86, 211, 220. A market town and parish,
|containing 933 houses, and 4297 inhabitants; situated on the river
|Test, which falls into Southampton bay; and the canal, from
|Southampton to Andover, passes through the town.
|
|The church is a noble edifice, built in the form of a cross, and
|is arched with stone of beautiful Saxon architecture; it contains
|several curious and ancient monuments; but the most singular
|curiosity is an apple tree growing on the leads of the roof, which
|produces good fruit: the origin of this tree is not remembered by
|the oldest inhabitant.
|
|The principal trade of this town is in the manufacture of sacking
|and paper. The market is on Saturday.
|
76|Romsey Common, Hants, 86.
|
57|Rooks Hill, Sussex, 36.
|
55|Ropley Dean, Hants, 83.
|
53|Ropley Stoke, Hants, 83.
|
254|Rosedale, Cornwall, 158.
|
237|Rosewarick, Cornwall, 156.
|
87|Roundaway, Wilts, 198.
|
131|Roundham, Somerset, 143.
|
131|Roundham Common, Somerset, 143.
|
90|Rowd, Wilts, 199, a parish containing 178 houses, and 796
|inhabitants.
|
99|Rudley, Wilts, 186.
|
99|Rudley Firs, Wilts, 186.
|
82|Rufus’s Stone, Hants, 87. This pillar was erected by the late Lord
|Delawar, in commemoration of the fatal catastrophe of King William
|the Second, surnamed Rufus. It consists of a plain triangular
|stone, not more than six feet high, surmounted with a ball, and
|charged with inscriptions.
|
78|Rumbridge, Hants, 91, 92.
|
53|Rumsden Bottom, Hants, 95.
|
159|Rumwell, Somerset, 194.
|
33|Ruscombe, Wilts, 177.
|
138|Rush Moor, Somerset, 169.
|
6|Rushy Green, Kent, 15.
|
4|Rushy Green, Surrey, 52.
|
243|Ruthvos, Cornwall, 156.
|
243|Rye Downs, Cornwall, 126.
|
21|=Ryegate=, Surrey, 47, 54. A borough and market town, consisting
|of two well built streets, containing 407 houses, and 2246
|inhabitants. It is situated in a pleasant valley called Holmsdale,
|and its name is supposed to have been derived from a Saxon word
|signifying the course of a river, it being seated on a branch of
|the Mole. A gate and some small remains are still to be seen of
|_Holms Castle_, particularly a long vault with a large room at the
|end, in which the Barons, who took up arms against King John, are
|said to have had their private meetings, especially the evening
|preceding the general congress at Runny Mead: which has rendered
|this place an object of curiosity.
|
|Ryegate has sent members to parliament ever since the reign of
|Edward the First.
|
|The neighbourhood abounds with fullers earth, and medicinal
|springs. Market on Tuesday, besides a monthly one on Wednesday.
|
19|Ryegate Hill, Surrey, 47.
|
|
|S.
|
52|Sages Cross, Berks, 179.
|
81|SALISBURY, Wilts, 104, 136, 209. A city containing 1575 houses,
|and 8243 inhabitants. It was first built on a hill, a situation
|chosen by the Britons. The original cathedral was finished in the
|most splendid manner by bishop Roger, in the reign of King
|Stephen, but the bishop’s castle being seized and garrisoned by
|the king, the bishops and canons resolved to remove to a spot
|where they would be less disturbed; and the present site of the
|cathedral was chosen by bishop Poore, in the reign of Henry the
|Third. The church was began in 1220, and finished in six years.
|The body of the building is supported by ten pointed arches on
|each side, resting on clusters of the lightest pillars, each
|transept has three such arches, forming as many chapels, and the
|choir has seven arches. The chapter house is an octagonal
|building, with a clustered pillar in the middle, the frieze all
|round, under the windows, has reliefs of scripture history in
|tolerable preservation. The cloister on the south is the largest
|and most magnificent in England. The west front and buttresses of
|the cathedral all round have been filled with statues. In the
|nave, choir, and transepts, are many handsome and ancient
|monuments of the earls and bishops of Salisbury. The whole
|cathedral has of late years undergone a thorough repair, and
|received many improvements. The east window, which is twenty-three
|feet in height, is composed of beautiful painted glass; the
|windows on each side are painted in mosaic, as well as those on
|the north and south sides of what was called the Lady Chapel. This
|cathedral is the most elegant and regular Gothic structure in the
|kingdom, and its spire, which is the loftiest in England, is 410
|feet high.
|
|The church of St. Thomas was built by bishop Bingham, as a chapel
|of ease to the cathedral, and contains several handsome monuments;
|it is ornamented with a well adorned tower, ninety feet high to
|the top of the stone work, the finishing above being of wood
|covered with lead. In the tower are eight bells, with a set of
|chimes. On the east side of the tower is a dial near ten feet
|square, and on the south side are two figures in niches, of Thomas
|à Becket, and the Virgin Mary with our Saviour in her arms.
|
|The market place is very extensive, being a handsome open square,
|in the south-east corner of which stands the council house, a
|magnificent structure, occupying the site of the old Guildhall; it
|was erected at the expence of the Earl of Radnor, and completed in
|1795. It is a square building of white brick, with a grand Doric
|portico at the entrance to the two courts of law on the west side,
|and a large bow window projecting from the great room on the east.
|The principal entrance is on the north, with a flight of steps
|leading to the door through a noble façade, consisting of four
|Doric columns; the whole building is surrounded by a rich cornice,
|and the angles of each front are ornamented with handsome rustic
|work in stone. In the different apartments contained in this
|building all the public business of the city is transacted.
|
|Salisbury was first incorporated by Henry the Third, and increased
|so much after the desertion of Old Sarum, the building of the
|cathedral, and the turning the western road through it by a grant
|from Edward the Third, that it soon became one of the most
|thriving cities in England. It has a considerable manufacture of
|flannels, and the cloth called Salisbury whites, and some traffic
|in cutlery. The streets are in general spacious, and built at
|right angles. Four rivers meet near the city, and the waters of
|three of them run through the streets in canals lined with brick.
|There are no vaults in any of the churches, nor any cellars in the
|town, the soil being so moist that the water rises up in the
|graves dug in the cathedral.
|
|Salisbury sends two members to parliament. There is a concert
|every other Thursday during the winter, and once a month during
|the summer, well supported, and at which all strangers are
|admitted gratis: there is also an assembly every other Thursday
|during the winter, and a neat little theatre.
|
|Here are three charity schools, in which 170 children are taught
|and clothed.
|
|The races are commonly held in the month of August, and continue
|three days, being generally well attended. The markets are on
|Tuesday and Saturday.
|
112|Saltford, Somerset, 202. A parish containing 54 houses, and 223
|inhabitants.
|
21|Salt Hill, Bucks, 175. This hamlet is remarkable for its fine
|situation, and for being the spot to which the scholars of Eton
|make their procession triennially, called the _Montem_, when a
|public collection is made from the company for the benefit of the
|captain of the school, who is generally elected a member of King’s
|College, Cambridge. This collection often amounts to £1000.
|
|Salts, New, Sussex, 219.
|
|Salvington, Sussex, 218.
|
|Sarisbury Green, Hants, 221.
|
64|Sarre, Kent, 12. This village was once a place of some repute, and
|had anciently a haven, where there is now only a small brook.
|
71|Savernake Forest, Wilts, 182. This forest is twelve miles in
|circumference, plentifully stocked with deer, and rendered very
|pleasant by the many delightful walks and vistas cut through the
|coppices and woods with which it abounds.
|
|Scratchbury Camp, Wilts, 206. This fine encampment comprehends an
|area of forty acres, enclosed with a single ditch and rampart,
|1846 yards in circuit, having three entrances; and is supposed to
|be of British origin, from the remains of antiquity found within
|its precinct.
|
101|Search, Wilts, 172.
|
92|Seend, Wilts, 199. A township containing 169 houses, and 976
|inhabitants.
|
92|Sells Green, Wilts, 199.
|
88|Setley Plain, Hants, 93.
|
23|=Sevenoaks=, Kent, 18. A market town and parish, containing 358
|houses, and 1922 inhabitants. It is supposed to have derived its
|name from seven remarkable oaks which stood near it when first
|built. The town is well built, and has a good free grammar school.
|The market is on Saturday.
|
25|Sevenoaks Common, Kent, 18.
|
8|Severndroog Castle, Kent, 1, is situated on the top of Shooter’s
|Hill, and may be seen at a great distance from almost every part
|of the adjacent country. It was built by Lady James, to
|commemorate the reduction of Severndroog, in 1756, a strong fort,
|which belonged to Angria the pirate, on an island near Bombay.
|This structure is of a triangular form, with turrets at each
|angle. From the top of this tower a most delightful view of the
|surrounding country is obtained, including the metropolis, the
|shipping on the river Thames, and the long range of the Surrey
|hills, the top of the building being 482 feet above the level of
|the sea.
|
129|Sevilles, Somerset, 142.
|
129|Sevington, St. Mary, Somerset, 168.
|
129|Sevington, St. Michael, Somerset, 168.
|
58|Sewards Bridge, Hants, 84.
|
100|=Shaftesbury=, Dorset, 138. A borough and market town, consisting
|of three parishes, containing 589 houses, and 2635 inhabitants. It
|is situated on a hill, supposed by Camden to have been founded by
|Alfred, and is recorded to have been a populous city, containing
|twelve churches, before the Conquest, only three of which now
|remain, none of them retaining any thing worthy of note. The
|houses are tolerably well built; and many of them of free-stone.
|In the corn market is a neat town hall, in which the Quarter
|Sessions are held. Water here is extremely scarce.