Bristol lies partly in the county of Somerset, partly in that of Gloucester, and was by Edward III. erected into an independent city and a county of itself. The rivers Avon and Frome run through it. The ground on which the city stands is very unequal. It is nearly 8 miles in circumference, and is supposed to cover about 1600 acres. The city, with its suburbs, contains 750 streets, squares, and lanes, 10 markets for various commodities, and 470 licensed publichouses. Bristol is a city of great antiquity. It is supposed to have been an inhabited place so early as the time of the Roman Invasion. About the time of the Norman conquest, a strong fortress was erected there by the Earls of Gloucester, which, after it had stood about six centuries, was demolished by orders of Oliver Cromwell. During the Civil wars, it was garrisoned for the Parliament, but was stormed by King Charles, July 24, 1643. After the defeat of Charles at Naseby, Bristol surrendered to Fairfax after a siege of twenty-one days. During the excitement created by the Reform Bill, Bristol was the scene of a violent tumult, in which many lives were lost, and property destroyed to the value of nearly L.70,000.

Bristol contains 17 churches and 5 chapels of ease, besides a considerable number of chapels belonging to various bodies of Dissenters. The cathedral was originally a monastery, dedicated to St Augustine. The only vestige of the original structure is a beautiful gateway. Bristol was erected into a Bishop's see by Henry VIII., who annexed to its jurisdiction the whole of Dorsetshire, part of Gloucestershire, and three churches formerly in the see of Wells. Secker, Butler, Newton, and other eminent men have held the office of Bishop of this see. Bishop Warburton was once Dean of this cathedral. It was in the church of St Mary Radcliffe, that Chatterton pretended to have found the papers which he endeavoured to pass off as the MSS. of Rowley. The public buildings of Bristol, taken as a whole, are in nowise remarkable. The Exchange, erected in 1740-41, cost nearly L.50,000. The public schools and educational societies of Bristol are both numerous and flourishing, and the city abounds in hospitals, alms-houses, and other charitable institutions. Bristol carries on a considerable foreign trade to the West Indies, America, Newfoundland, and also to Spain and Portugal. The net amount of customs' duties for the year 1835-36, was L.1,120,808, and for 1836-7, L.1,073,100. About 15,000 tons of shipping are engaged in the timber trade. A considerable quantity of foreign produce is conveyed to Bristol coastwise under bond. Bristol has also a considerable inland trade, especially with the western counties, and with North and South Wales. The principal manufactures of Bristol are, glass, sugar, iron, brass, copper, lead, zinc, floorcloth, earthenware, tobacco, &c.

The Bristol Docks were formed in 1804-9, by changing the course of the rivers Avon and Frome, and placing gates or locks at the extremity of the old channel. The accommodation thus obtained is very considerable, and will admit of any extension which the increase of trade may require. The works were formed by a proprietary body, at an expense of L.600,000.

Bristol is divided, for municipal purposes, into ten wards, and its government

is vested in a mayor, 16 aldermen, and 48 councillors. It returns two members to Parliament. The population, in 1831, amounted to 117,016. In 1841, to 64,266. About a mile from Bristol is Clifton, the aristocratic part of the city. Here are baths, springs, hot wells, assembly rooms, &c. In the neighbourhood of Bristol, there are a number of fine mansions. The principal of these are, Leigh Court, Ashton Court, King's Weston, Stoke Park, Redland Court, Westmead, Blaize Castle, Stoke House, Henleaze, &c.

XXVIII. BATH TO SOUTHAMPTON THROUGH SALISBURY, 61 Miles.

Shirley House, Lady Rich, 24 Junction of the road. 589

XXIX. BATH TO POOLE THROUGH WARMINSTER, SHAFTESBURY,

S. W. S. E. Drax, Esq.

Lower Henbury House. Coomb Almer, C. Spurrier, Esq.

Higher Henbury House, W. G. Paxton, Esq.

On Brownsea Island, Brownsea Castle, Sir C. Chad, Bart.

Merly House, W. J. Bethel, Esq.

21 Junction of the road. 54 To Wymborne Minster,

POOLE.

3 miles.

56

Poole derives its name from the pool or bay on the north side of which it is situated. The harbour is reckoned the best and safest in the channel, and will admit vessels of 14 feet draught. The principal branch of business is the Newfoundland fishery, but the inhabitants are largely engaged also in the import and export trade to the Baltic, America, Portugal, &c. Near the mouth of the harbour is an oyster bank. Poole has an ancient church, several meetinghouses, free and charity schools, besides charitable institutions. It returns two members to Parliament. Population, 6093. Midway between Poole and Christchurch is the new watering-place of Bournemouth, a thriving village which, only six years ago, was but one mansion, and two or three cottages.

XXX. FROM BATH TO WEYMOUTH THROUGH FROME, 62 Miles.

The objects most worthy of
notice are the church, a
curious ancient hexagonal
cross in the market-place,
the market-house, the hos-
pital, and the free school.
Pop. of par. 1885.

23

Westcombe House, H. Ernst, Esq.

To Warminster, 16 m.

To Amesbury, 15 m.

To Hindon, 134 m.

To Wincaunton, 43 m., thence to Sherborne, 9 m.