READING, a town of Berkshire in England, pleasantly situated on the river Kenneth, near its confluence with the Thames. It had once a fine rich monastery, of which there are large ruins remaining. It had also a castle built by King Henry I. but it was afterwards levelled with the ground. It is a corporation, enjoys several privileges, and sends two members to parliament. The two navigable rivers render it a fit place for trade. W. Long. 1. o. N. Lat. 51. 25.