North and South, two sea-port towns, the one north of the Tyne in Northumberland, the other on the south of the Tyne in the county of Durham. South Shields contains above 200 salt-panes, and on both banks of the river are many convenient houses for the entertainment of seamen and colliers, most of the Newcastle coal-fleet having their station here usually till their coals are brought down in the barges and lighters from Newcastle. A very large Roman altar, of one entire stone, was found some years ago near this place, and put into the hands of the learned Dr Lister, who, in his account of it sent to the Royal Society, says it was erected to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Caracalla, when he took upon him the command of the empire and the whole army (after his father's death at York), for his safe return from his successful expedition against the Scots and Picts. W. Long. 1. 12. N. Lat. 55° 44'.