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 30 miles; its breadth to 30; and its circumference to 140. It contains 29 hundreds, 23 market-towns, 304 parishes, and about 18,510 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, Welbury, 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 Ifis, Kennet, Upper and Lower Avon, Willy, Burne, and Nadder, which are well stored with fish.