a county of England, bounded by Warwickshire on the east, by Gloucestershire on the south, by the counties of Hereford and Salop on the west, and on the north by Staffordshire. According to Templeman, it is 36 miles in length, 28 in breadth, and about 130 in circumference, within which it contains seven hundreds, and a part of two others, 11 market towns, of which three are boroughs, one city, namely Worcester, 152 parishes, about 540,000 acres, and 103,000 inhabitants.

This being an inland county, well cultivated, and free from lakes, marshes, or stagnant waters, the air is very sweet and wholesome all over it. The soil in general is very rich, producing corn, fruit, especially pears, of which they make a great deal of perry; hops, and pasture. The hills are covered with sheep, and the meadows with cattle. Hence they have wool, cloth, stuffs, butter, and cheese in abundance. They are also well supplied with fuel, either wood or coal, and salt from their brine pits and salt springs. Of the last they have not only enough for themselves, but export large quantities by the Severn; which noble river, to the great convenience and emolument of the inhabitants, runs from north to south through the very middle of the country, enriching the soil, and yielding it plenty of fish, and an easy expeditious conveyance of goods to and from it. The other rivers by which it is watered are the Stour, Avon, Teme, &c. It sends nine members to parliament, viz. two for the county, two for the city of Worcester, two for Droitwich, two for Evesham, and one for Bewdley; and lies in the diocese of Worcester, and Oxford circuit.