a county of England, bounded on the west by Somersetshire, on the east by Berkshire and Hampshire, on the north by Gloucestershire, and on the south by Dorsetshire and part of Hampshire. The length amounts to 39 miles; its breadth to 30; and its circumference to 140. It contains 29 hundreds, 23 market-towns, 304 parishes, and about 876,000 souls. Besides two members for the shire, and two for the city of Salisbury, each of the following towns sends two members to parliament, viz. Wilton, Downton, Hindon, Heytesbury, Westbury, Calne, Devizes, Chippenham, Malmesbury, Cricklade, Great Bedwin, Ludgershall, Old Sarum, Wooton-Basset, Marlborough.

The air of this county is very healthy, not only in the more low and level parts, but also on the hills. The soil of the vales is very rich, and produces corn and grass in great plenty. The beautiful downs in the south yield the finest pasture for sheep, with which they are overspread. The greatest disadvantage the county labours under is want of fuel, as there are no coal-pits, and but little wood. This county is noted for great quantities of very fine cheese, and for its manufacture of broad cloth, to which it was invited by the great plenty and fineness of its wool. Besides a number of lesser streams, it is watered by the rivers Isis, Kennet, Upper and Lower Avon, Willy, Burne, and Nadder, which are well stored with fish.

WINCHELSEA, a town in Sussex, which has no market, but has one fair on May 14th for cattle and pedlar's ware. It was an ancient place, at least the old town, which was swallowed up by the ocean in 1270. It is now dwindled to a mean place, though it retains its privileges, and sends two members to parliament. It is seated on a rocky cliff, on an inlet of the sea; and had a haven, now choked up. It had 18 parish-churches, now reduced to one. The market-house is in the midst of the town, from whence... whence run four paved streets, at the end of which are four ways, which had formerly buildings on each side for a considerable distance. It is 2 miles south-west of Ryce, and 71 south-east of London. It is governed by a mayor and jurats, though it has but about 70 houses. Three of the gates are still standing, but much decayed. E. Long, o, 44; N. Lat. 5° 58'.