WORCESTERSHIRE, an inland English county in the Oxford circuit, and nearly in the centre of the kingdom. It is bounded on the north by Staffordshire and Shropshire; on the south by Gloucestershire; and on the east by Warwickshire. Its figure is very irregular; and it is remarkable for having several detached portions scattered about the neighbouring counties, which make it difficult to be accurate in its dimensions. It may be stated as about thirty miles in length, and twenty-four in breadth, and to be 736 square miles, or 502,040 acres in extent.
According to the census taken in 1821, it appeared that the number of houses in the county were 35,950, inhabited by 39,006 families; of whom 14,926 were chiefly employed in agriculture, 18,566 in trade, manufactures, or handicraft, and 5514 were comprised in neither of those classes. The whole number of persons was 184,424; of whom 90,259 were males, and 94,165 females. The rate of increase between 1811 and 1821 was 15 per cent.
There is a soft beauty on the face of this county when viewed from any elevation, such as the Malvern or Abberley Hills, which is highly gratifying. From such spots the state of its cultivation appears to great advantage, as there are no parts of any considerable extent so barren or neglected as to be destitute of an agreeable and profitable verdure. With the exception of those hills, the former of which rise to the height of 1440 feet, the whole county consists of gentle undulations, wholly inclosed, well wooded, and intersected by the great rivers Severn and Avon, and their several tributary streams. The abundance of orchards of pear-trees and the scattered hop plantations give a peculiar richness to the autumnal scenery. Even the poorer parts of the county, between the towns of Droitwich and Bromsgrove, have of late been cultivated; and, though they do not rival in beauty the vale of Evesham, they are far from the aspect of sterility which they exhibited twenty years ago. The farms are generally of small extent, from forty to three hundred acres, and the cultivation is generally well conducted. The arable land, which, in the rotation of crops, produces artificial grasses, is estimated to be 360,000 acres; the permanent grass land 100,000 acres, and the woods, wastes, rivers, roads, sites of towns, and gardens, 40,000. The crops of wheat, barley, and especially of beans, are more productive than the average of England. Hops are extensively cultivated, and the pear-trees are so abundant and so productive as to afford perry for the common drink of the labourers in agriculture. There is no breed of cattle peculiar to Worcestershire, as it is found more profitable to buy oxen and sheep in a lean condition from poorer districts, and to fatten them in Worcestershire, than to breed them on its rich soil.
The great rivers Severn and Avon are both navigable, the former to an extent of near two hundred miles from its mouth, and the latter to Stratford from its junction with the former. The Severn abounds with salmon, shad, and lampreys, though none of those delicious fish are ever known to ascend the Avon. The other rivers are, the Stour, the Salwarpe, the Ledden, and the Rea. This county has
partaken largely of the benefit communicated by internal navigation. The canals are, the Trent and Severn, the Droitwich, the Worcester and Birmingham, the Dudley and the Leominster. The town of Stourport has risen into importance since the extension of canals, and exhibits a large maritime town in the centre of the kingdom, connecting its various productions in a focus, and distributing them where needed.
The manufactures of the county are various and extensive. Worcester produces great quantities of tures, gloves and some of the most beautiful porcelain. At Stourbridge are many glass-houses. Dudley is employed in the iron-trade, especially in making nails. At Bromsgrove some table-linen is made, and small articles of iron, such as needles, nails, and tenter-hooks. Kidderminster has attained much opulence by its manufactures of carpets and of goods composed of silk and worsted, and of silk and mohair. At Evesham there is much oil and oil-cake made from linseed. The productions of the county are easily conveyed to London, Liverpool, Bristol, or Hull, by inland navigation; and, from this state of things, its commerce is very extensive.
The salt made at Droitwich supplies nearly one-half of England with that indispensable article. The duty collected there before the abatement of the tax amounted to more than £1,000 per day. The water, from which the salt is made by evaporation, is more highly saturated than any other that has been discovered. Researches in the bowels of the earth have shown that a river of salt water, about twenty-two inches in depth, runs about 250 feet below the surface. Immediately above this subterranean stream is a bed of gypsum 130 feet thick. When this stratum is penetrated by the borer, the spring rises to the surface, and yields a never-failing supply of water, so fully saturated, that no more salt can be dissolved in it. The springs at Droitwich hold in solution about one-fourth of their weight in salt; no other in England holds more than a ninth. The subterranean river runs over a bed of rock salt, whose thickness has not yet been ascertained. Besides the springs at Droitwich, other mineral springs are found at Malvern, which are resorted to for their healing properties, as well as for the pure air of the district. The combinations of the wells are carbonate of soda, carbonate of lime, carbonate of magnesia, carbonate of iron, sulphate of soda, and muriate of soda.
The titles derived from this county are, Marquis of Worcester; Earl of Beauchamp; Viscount Dudley and Ward; and Barons Foley, Lyttleton, and Northwick. Two members are returned to the House of Commons by the county; two each from Worcester, Droitwich, and Evesham, and one from Bewdley.
The most considerable places and their population are, Worcester, 17,023; Dudley, 18,211; Kidderminster, 15,296; Bromsgrove, 7519; Stourbridge, 5090; Bewdley, 3725; Evesham, 3487.
Among numerous seats of noblemen and gentlemen in this county the most distinguished are, Mardresfield, Lord Beauchamp; Hagley, Lord Lyttleton; Croome Court, Earl of Coventry; Northwick,
Lord Northwick; Hartlebury Castle, Bishop of Worcester; Dailsford, Warren Hastings; Ombersley Court, Marquis of Downshire; Hewell Grange, Earl of Plymouth; Hanbury Hall, John Phillips; Overbury, James Martin; Winterdyne House, William Moselay; Westwood House, Sir Herbert Packington; and Whitely Court, Lord Foley.
See Nashe's Survey of Worcestershire.—Pitt's Agricultural Survey.—Brewer's Worcestershire.