WEYMOUTH, a town of Dorsetshire in England, deriving its name from its situation at the mouth of the river Wey. It is a very neat agreeable town, though it lies low. Melcombe-Regis, which stands on the opposite bank of the river, makes with it but one corporation, which sends as many members to parliament as London; every voter having, as in the capital, the privilege of polling for four persons. The corporation consists of a mayor, recorder, two bailiffs, 24 capital burgesses; and every mayor is an alderman for life. Here is a customhouse and good quay; but little trade, unless what is clandestine. Their fair trade is chiefly in wine, and fish brought from Newfoundland. The town gives title of viscount to the family of Thynne.—Melcombe-Regis, as we observed before, makes but one corporation with Weymouth, being situated upon the opposite bank of the river,
and joined to it by a bridge. These towns were united into one corporation in the reign of James I. Melcombe has four tolerable streets, and is the most thriving and populous of the two. The port, which is said to be the most frequented in the county, and is defended by two castles, goes by the name of Weymouth.