Salisbury, the capital of Wilts, situated near the confluence of the rivers Wiley, Avon, and Bourne, is distinguished for the pleasing arrangement of its buildings. It has ten principal streets, crossing at right angles, and through them is conveyed a perpetual stream of water, supplied from the Avon by sluices. That part of Salisbury denominated the Close is occupied by the Cathedral, the Bishop's palace, the houses of residentiary clergy, and many spacious private dwellings. The Cathedral, erected in the 13th century, is the most elegant and uniform structure of the kind in England. The spire, which was built a century later, is celebrated for its beauty and its length, which is upwards of 400 feet. The length of the Cathedral outside from west to east is 480 feet. The length of the grand transept is 232. The interior is particularly rich in sepulchral monuments. The great east window, the window at the west end over the central door, and the chapter-house, are also worthy of notice. Salisbury contains three parish churches and several dissenting meeting-houses, a grammar school, where Addison received his education, Assembly Rooms, a Theatre, an Infirmary, and several charitable institutions. The Council-House, an elegant building, was erected at the sole expense of the Earl of Radnor in 1795. Salisbury was formerly celebrated for its manufactories of cutlery, which, however, have of late years declined. The city returns two members to Parliament. Salisbury races generally take place in August, on the plain about three miles from the city. The population in 1831 amounted to 9876, and in 1841 to 10,086. About three miles from Salisbury, on the left, is Longford Castle, the seat of the Earl of Radnor. It contains a valuable collection of pictures. At the distance of five miles stands Clarendon Castle, the ruins of which may still be traced, but not in such a state of preservation as to enable one to form any idea of the former grandeur of the building. It was here that, in the reign of Henry II., the laws regarding ecclesiastical authority, known by the name of the "Constitution of Clarendon," were framed. Old Sarum, famous for the privilege it for merly possessed of returning two members to Parliament, was situated about two miles from Salisbury. The tree beneath which the election took place was cut down in 1831. At the distance of 8 miles from Salisbury is the famous monument of antiquity called Stonehenge. It consists of a number of very large stones arranged in a circular form, and connected with each other at the top by flat pices placed in a transverse direction. Antiquarians are not agreed as to the object of this rude structure, or by whom it was made. By some it has been attributed to the Druids; by others, to the Danes; and by a third party, to the Romans. About three miles from Salisbury is the ancient town of Wilton, at the conflux of the Wiley and the Nadder, long noted for the manufacture of carpets; but this business has now declined. The town returns one member to Parliament. Population, 1698. Adjoining the town is Wilton House, the celebrated seat of the Earls of Pembroke. Here Sir Philip Sydney wrote his "Arcadia." Twelve miles from Wilton is Hindon, near which is the famous Fonthill Abbey. A little to the south of Fonthill, and about ten or eleven miles from Wilton, is Wardour Castle, the seat of the Arundel family. of the ancient castle. In the grounds are the ruins About 6 miles from Bridport is the ancient town of Beaminster, which has suffered greatly by fire no less than three times during the last two centuries, but is now in a flourishing condition. Population of parish, 3270. Near it is Parnham House, Sir W. Oglander, Bart. From Bridport to Lyme Regis is about 94 miles; to Axminster, 12 miles; to Honiton, 21 miles; to Exeter, 384 miles. |