THE / GENERAL GAZETTEER; / OR, COMPENDIOUS / GEOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. / CONTAINING / A DESCRIPTION OF THE / EMPIRES, KINGDOMS, STATES, PROVINCES, CITIES, TOWNS, FORTS, / SEAS, HARBOURS, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, CAPES, &c. / IN THE / KNOWN WORLD; / WITH THE / EXTENT, BOUNDARIES and NATURAL PRODUCTIONS of each Country; the / GOVERNMENT, CUSTOMS, MANNERS, amd RELIGION of the Inhabitants; / the TRADE, MANUFACTURES, and CURIOSITIES, of the Cities and Towns, / with their LONGITUDE and LATITUDE, BEARING and DISTANCE in English / Miles from important Places; and the remarkable EVENT by which they / have been distinguished. / ILLUSTRATED BY EIGHT MAPS. / ORIGINALLY COMPILED / By R. BROOKES, M.D. / THE SIXTEENTH EDITION, / WITH VERY CONSIDERABLE ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS, FROM THE / BEST AND MOST RECENT AUTHORITIES. / LONDON: / PRINTED FOR ... / 1815.

Alresford, a town in Hampshire, with a market on Thursday, and a manufacture of linseys. To the SW of the town is a piece of water, covering about 200 acres, which forms a head to the river Itchin. It is 18m NE Southampton, and 57 WSW London.

Alton, a town in Hampshire, with a market on Saturday. It has manufactures of corded stuffs, figured baragons, ribbed druggets, serges, &c. and round the town are plantations of hops. It is seated on the Wey, 28m ENE Southampton, and 47 WSW London.

Andover, a borough in Hampshire, with a market on Saturday, a manufacture of shalloons, and a considerable trade in malt. A navigable canal passes hence to Southampton water. It is situate near the river Ande, 10m N by W Winchester. and 63 W by S London. Lon. 1 20 W, lat. 51 14 N.

Avon, a river that rises in Wiltshire, flows by Salisbury, coasts the edge of the New Forest, and enters the English channel at Christchurch bay.

Basingstoke, a corporate town in Hampshire, with a market on Wednesday. It has a great trade in corn and malt, a manufacture of druggets and shalloons, and a navigable canal to the river Wey, near its entrance into the Thames. It is 18m NNE Winchester, and 45 W by S London.

Beaulieu, a village in Hampshire, on a river of its name, 6m SSW Southampton. It has a manufacture of coarse sacking; and on the opposite side of the river are the remains of its famous abbey, founded by king John.

Bucklers-hard, a village in Hampshire, on Beaulieu river, 9m SSW Southampton. The inhabitants are principally employed in ship-building; and many frigates have been built here.

Botley, a village in Hampshire, 6m E Southampton, on the river Hamble, noted for a considerable trade in flour.

Bursleton, a village in Hampshire, 5m ESE Southampton. It stands on the Hamble, 3m from its mouth, and several ships have been built here for the navy.

Christchurch, a borough in Hampshire, governed by a mayor, with a market on Monday, and a considerable trade in knit silk stockings and watch strings. Here are the remains of a castle and a priory; and the church is a large and interesting structure. It is seated on the Avon, opposite the influx of the Stour, 25m S Salisbury, and 100 SW London.

Elinge, a village in Hampshire, at the head of Southampton bay, 5m W Southampton. Here are docks for building and repairing ships, and storehouses for merchandise and corn, in which last it carries a considerable trade.

Fareham, a town in Hampshire, with a market on Wednesday. Sloops and smaller vessels are built here, and it has a considerable trade in coal, corn, canvas, and ropes. It is seated at the NW point of Portsmouth harbour, 5m NNW Gosport, and 75 W by S London.

Fordingbridge, a town in Hampshire, with a market on Saturday, and a manufacture of checks and bed-ticks; seated on the Avon, 10m S Salisbury, and 88 W by S London.

Gosport, a fortified town in Hampshire, on the W side of the harbour of Portsmouth, over which is a ferry. It has a market on Saturday, and a considerable trade, especially in times of war, from its contiguity to the naval arsenal at Portsmouth. The number of inhabitants was 11,295 in 1801, and 12,212 in 1811. Here are several breweries, an extensive iron foundery, and a royal hospital, called Haslar Hospital, for the sick and wounded of the royal navy. It is 15m SE Southampton, and 73 SW London.

Hambledon, a town in Hampshire, with a market on Monday, 15m SE Winchester, and 64 WSW London.

Hampshire, a county of England, bounded on the N by Berkshire, E by Surry and Sussex, S by the English channel, and W by Dorsetshire and Wiltshire. It extends, exclusive of the isle of Wight, 42m from N to S, and 38 from E to W. Including the island it contains 981,120 acres; is divided into 10 hundreds, and 311 parishes; has one city and 20 market towns; and sends 26 members to parliament. The number of inhabitants was 219,656 in 1801, and 245,080 in 1811. This county has a great variety of soils, but the principal part is chalk. The Dorsetshire border has large tracts of heath; and toward the sea are great quantities of marsh land, but very fertile; and all the remainder is excellent land. It is one of the most fertile and populous counties in England. On the downs, of which a ridge runs almosts across the county, are fed plenty of sheep: but the stock is considerably decreased, owing to enclosures. Besides wheat, barley, and hops, it is famous for bacon, honey, and timber; the last in particular, on account of its great woods, of which the principal are the New Forest and the forest of Bere. The principal rivers are the Avon, Test, Itchen, and Stour. Southampton is the county-town, but the assizes are held at Winchester.

Havant, a town in Hampshire, with a market on Saturday, 7m NE Portsmouth, and 66 W by S London.

Hurst Castle, a fortress in Hampshire, 4m S Lymington. It stands on the extreme point of a neck of land, which shoots 2m into the sea toward the isle of Wight, from which it is a mile distant. In this castle Charles I was confined previously to his being brought to trial. Lon. 1 33 W, lat. 50 42 N. Itchen, or Alre, a river in Hampshire, which rises near Alresford, flows by Winchester, and enters the bay of Southampton, at the town of that name.

Kingsclere, a town in Hampshire, with a market on Tuesday, and a great trade in malt. It was the residence of some of our Saxon kings. It is 9m SW Basingstoke, and 54 W by S London.

Lymington, a borough in Hampshire, governed by a mayor, with a market on Saturday. It is seated on a river of its name, a mile from the sea, and the harbour will admit vessels of 300 tons burden. The chief trade is in salt; and it has two sets of baths, much frequented in the summer. Near it are the remains of a Roman camp; and in 1744 two urns were discovered that contained nearly 200 pounds weight of their coins. It is 13m SSW Southampton, and 94 SW London. Lon. 1 42 W, lat. 50 45 N.

Lyndhurst, a village in Hampshire, on the N side of the New Forest, 8m WSW Southampton. Here are the kings house and stables, the latter very large; and all the forest courts are held here.

New Forest, a forest in Hampshire, lying between Southampton water and the river Avon. It is 20m long and 15 broad; and has advanytages of situation, with respect to conveyance by water carriage, and vicinity to the dockyards, superior to every other forest; having in its neighbourhood several places for shipping timber. It was afforested by William I, and was then 10m longer. His son William Rufus was killed in this forest by an arrow, shot by Walter Tyrrel, which accidentally glanced against a tree and the site is now pointed out by a triangular stone. The lord warden of this forest is appointed by letters patent, during the king's pleasure, and all the courts of jurisdiction are held at Lyndhurst.

Odiham, a town in Hampshire, with a market on Saturday. Here are the remains of an ancient castle, and of a royal palace, barns, &c. It is seated on the Basingstoke canal, 24m NE Winchester, and 42 W by S London.

Petersfield, a borough in Hampshire, governed by a mayor, with a market on Saturday, seated on the Loddon, 18m NE Portsmouth, and 54 SW London.

Porchester, a village in Hampshire, 4m N Portsmouth, at the upper end of the harbour, between Fareham and Portsea island. It has an ancient castle, which has served, of late years, for the reception of prisoners of war and ordnance stores.

Portsea, an island between Chichester bay and the harbour of Portsmouth, in Hampshire. It is a low tract about 14m in circuit, separated from the mainland on the N by a creek, over which there are two bridges, one for the entrance and the other for the departure of passengers. At the SW extremity is the town of Portsmouth.

Portsmouth, a borough and seaport in Hampshire, with a market on Thursday and Saturday. It is the most considerable haven for men of war, and the strongest fortified place in England. Its capacious harbour is made by a bay running up between the island of Portsea, on which the town is situate, and the opposite peninsula having a narrow entrance commanded by the town and forts. Many of the largest ships are always laid up here; and, in time of war, it is the principal rendezvous of the grand channel fleet. The docks, arsenals, storehouses, barracks, &c. are all of capital magnitude, and kept in the most perfect order. The town is governed by a mayor, and entirely supported by there [sic] fort of the army and navy. To the S of it is the noted road of Spithead, where the men of war anchor when prepared for actual service. Portsmouth has one spacious church, and two neat chapels; the latter are in a part of the town called Portsea, built on what was formerly called Portsmouth Common, and is now above four times larger than the parent town. The number of inhabitants was 33,226 in 1801, and 40,567 in 1811, exclusive of the males belonging to the army and navy. Portsmouth is the birthplace of the celebrated philanthropist Jonas Hanway. It is 20m SSE Winchester, and 72 SW London. Lon. 1 6 W, lat. 50 47 N.

Redbridge, a village in Hampshire, at the mouth of the Test, 3m W Southampton. It has a considerable trade in coal, timber, corn, &c. and ship-building is also carried on. The Andover canal terminates at this place.

Ringwood, a town in Hampshire, with a market on Wednesday. It has a manufacture of worsted hose; and is famous for strong beer and ale. It is seated on the Avon, 30m SW Winchester, and 91 W by S London.

Romsey, a town in Hampshire, governed by a mayor, with a market on Saturday, a manufacture of shaloons, and several paper-mills. Here was a considerable abbey for Benedictine nuns, of which little is now standing, except the spacious church. It is seated on the Andover canal and the river Test, 8m NW Southampton, and 73 W by S London.

Salisbury Plain, an open tract in England, which extends from the city of Salisbury 25m E to Winchester, and 25 W to Shaftesbury, and is, in some places from 35 to 40m in breadth. That part of it about the city is a chalky down; the other parts are noted for feeding numerous and large flocks of sheep. In this plain are traces of many Roman and British antiquities. One of these, called Stonehenge, 6m N of Salisbury conists of several large stones placed in a circular form, some upright, others horizontally across them, and of such enormous bulk that it has puzzled many diligent inquirers to account for the bringing and placing of them.

Silchester, a village in Hampshire, 6m N Basingstoke. It was once a city, and is said to have been the place where Arthur was crowned. There are large remains of its walls and ditches, enclosing an area of 80 acres; and two military roads from the S gate, one to Winchester, and the other to Old Sarum.

Southampton, a borough and the county-town of Hampshire, with a market on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. It is a county of itself, governed by a mayor, who is admiral of the liberties; and it stands between the Itchen and Test, which here flow into an inlet of the sea, called Trissanton Bay, or Southampton Water. The inlet is navigable almost to the head for vessels of considerable burden, and the two rivers admit small craft someway up the country. It was formerly a port of great commerce, still possesses a considerable trade, and has a particular connection with Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark, as all the wool sent to those islands, duty free, must be shipped here. It contains five churches, is surrounded by delapidated walls with towers, and had a strong castle, now in ruins. It is a fashionable place of resort for sea-bathing; and has manufactures of silks and carpets. Two m hence is Woodmills, where is a manufacture of ship-blocks, for the king's yards; and 3m SE are the pictoresque remains of Netley Abbey. Southampton is the birthplace of the celebrated Isaac Watts. The number of inhabitants was 7913 in 1801, and 9617 in 1811. A mail-packet sails every morning for Cowes in the isle of Wight. It is 12m S by W Winchester, and 74 WSW London. Lon. 1 24 W, lat. 50 54 N.

Stockbridge, a borough in Hampshire, with a market on Thursday, seated near the Test, 9m NW Winchester, and 66 W by S London.

Stour, a river that rises in the most northerly point of Dorsetshire, passes by Stourminster, Blandford, and Winborn, then enters Hampshire, and flows into the Avon, opposite Christchurch.

Test, or Tese, a river in Hampshire, which rises near Whitchurch, flows by Stockbridge and Rumsey, and enters the head of the bay of Southampton, at Redbridge.

Thorney, a small island in a bay of the English channel, near the coast of Sussex, with a village of the same name, at the mouth of the Lavant, 7m SW Chichester.

Titchfield, a village in Hampshire, on the river Aire, 3m W Fareham. It had formerly an abbey; and on its site are the remains of a mansion where Charles I was concealed in his flight from Hampton court, in 1647.

Waltham, Bishop, a town in Hampshire, with a market on Friday. Here the bishops of Winchester had formerly a stately palace, which was destroyed in the civil wars. It is 9m SSE Wincheser, and 65 W by S London.

Wey, a river that rises in Hampshire, flows through Surry by Godalming and Guidlford, and enters the Thames, at Weybridge.

Weyhill, a village in Hampshire, 3m W Andover, famous for an annual fair, lasting 10 days, for all kinds of cattle, leather, hops, cheese, and pedlary.

Whitchurch, a borough in Hampshire, with a market on Friday, and a manufacture of shaloons and serges. It is seated on the Test, near its source, 12m N Winchester, and 56 W by S London.

Winchester, a city in Hampshire, governed by a mayor, with a market on Wednesday and Saturday. The walls, which are greatly decayed, are a mile and a half in circuit, and through them are four gates. Here are eight churches, beside the cathedral, in which were interred several Saxon kings and queens, whose bones were collected by bishop Fox, and put into six small gilded coffins, and placed on a wall in the S side of the choir. In this cathedral also is the marble coffin of William Rufus. On a fine eminence overlooking the city, stood the castle, which was taken from Charles I, and afterward demolished, except the magnificent hall, in which the assizes are now held. Near the site of this castle is the shell of a palace, built by Charles II, but never finished: it is now converted into a barrack for 1800 infantry, and the wings fitted up for the officers. Near this place is St. Mary's College, founded by William of Wykeham, for a warden, 70 scholars, 10 fellows, &c. with exhibitions for New College, Oxford; and contiguous to it is a spacious quadrangular edifice for commoners or gentlemen not on the foundation. Near the S end of the city is the hospital of St. Cross, founded by a bishop this see, for a master, nine poor brethren, and four out-pensioners. All travellers, who call at this hospital, have a right to demand some bread and beer, which is always brought to them. Near the E gate of the city is St. John's hospital, in the hall of which the corporation give their entertainments. Winchester was of great note in the time of the Saxons, and here Egbert was crowned the first sole monarch of England. Here Henry II held a parliament, king John resided, Henry III was born, Richard II held a parliament, and Henry IV was married, as was also Mary I. The number of inhabitants was 5826 in 1801, and 6705 in 1811. It is seated on the Itchen, which is navigable hence to Southampton, 21m NW Chichester, and 62 W by N [sic] London. Lon. 1 12 W, lat. 51 4 N.