a county of Wales, bounded on all sides by the Irish sea, except on the east, where it joins to Caernarvonshire, and on the north-east to Cardiganshire. It lies the nearest to Ireland of any county in Wales; and extends in length from north to south 35 miles, and from east to west 29, and is about 140 in circumference. It is divided into seven hundreds; contains about 420,000 acres, one city, eight market-towns, two forests, 145 parishes, about 118,000 houses, and 56,000 inhabitants. It lies in the province of Canterbury, and diocese of St David's. It sends three members to parliament, viz. one for the shire, one for Haverfordwest, and one for the town of Pembroke.

The air of Pembrokehire, considering its situation, is good; but it is in general better the farther from the sea. As there are but few mountains, the soil is generally fruitful, especially on the sea-coasts; nor are its mountains altogether unprofitable, but produce pasture sufficient to maintain great numbers of sheep and goats. Its other commodities are corn, cattle, pit-coal, marl, fish, and fowl. Among these last are falcons, called here peregrine. Amongst the birds common here are migratory sea-birds, that breed in the isle of Ramsey, and the adjoining rocks called The Bishop and his Clerks. About the beginning of April such flocks of sea-birds, of several kinds, resort to these rocks, as appear incredible to those who have not seen them.

The inhabitants of this county make a very pleasant durable fire of culm, which is the dust of coal made up into balls with a third part of mud. The county is well watered by the rivers Clethy, Dougledy, Cledhew, and Teive; which last parts it from Cardiganshire. There is a division of the county styled Rhos in the Welch, by which is meant a large green plain. This is inhabited by the descendants of the Flemings, placed there by Henry I. to curb the Welch, who were never able to expel them, though they often attempted it. On the coasts of this county, as well as on those of Glamorganshire and the Severn sea, is found a kind of alga or laver, which is gathered in spring; and of which the the inhabitants a sort of food, called in Welsh llavan, and in English black-butter. Having washed it clean, they lay it to sweat between two flat stones, then shred it small, and knead it well, like dough for bread, and then make it up into great balls or rolls, which is by some eaten raw, and by others fried with oatmeal and butter. It is accounted excellent against many distempers.