a handsome town of Northumberland, 14 miles from Newcastle, 286 miles from London, is an ancient borough by prescription, with a bridge over the Wanbeck. It had once an abbey and a castle, now in ruins, situated about a quarter of a mile south of the town and river Wanbeck, on an eminence which overlooks them both. The market-place is conveniently situated near the centre of the town; and an elegant town-house was built by the Carlisle family in 1714, in which the quarter-sessions is held for the county. It is built of hewn-stone, with a piazza. The church being a quarter of a mile distant from the town, a tower containing a good ring of bells stands near the market-place. Near the bridge is the county gaol, a modern structure. Here are a free grammar-school, a chapel near the river, on the site of a chantry that was granted for the support of the foundation of the school, which was part of the old structure, and an hospital for infirm people. In 1215, the townsmen themselves burnt their town, out of pure hatred to king John, that he might find no shelter there. Here is a good market on Saturday for corn, cattle, and all necessary provisions; and there is another on Wednesday, the greatest in England except Smithfield, for live cattle. This is a post town and a thoroughfare, with many good inns, and plenty of fish; and here are several mills. The earl of Carlisle's steward holds a court here twice a-year, one of them the Monday after Michaelmas, when four persons are chosen by the free burgesses, who are about 107, and presented to the steward, who names two of them to the bailiffs, who, with seven aldermen, are its governors for the year ensuing. Its fairs are on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before Whitunday, and the Wednesday before July 22. It sends two members to parliament.