or FERNHAM; a town of Surry, and capital of the hamlet of its own name, 41 miles from London on the Winchester road. It is a large populous place, situated on the river Wey, and supposed to have its name from the fern which abounded here. It was given by the West Saxon king Ethelbald to the see of Winchester; the bishops of which have generally resided in the castle here, in the summer time, ever since the reign of King Stephen, whose brother, its then bishop, first built it. It was a magnificent structure, with deep moats, strong walls and towers at proper distances, and a fine park; but it is much decayed. The town, which contains 437 houses, and 2508 inhabitants, is governed by 12 masters or burgesses, of whom two are bailiffs, (chosen annually). They have the profit of the fairs and markets, and the affluence of bread and beer; and hold a court every three weeks, which has power of trying and determining all actions under 40s. From Michaelmas to Christmas here is a good market for oats; and one of the greatest wheat markets in England, especially between All-Saints day and mid-summer. The toll-dish here was once reckoned worth 200l. a year; but it is much diminished, since the people about Chichester and Southampton began to send their meal to London by sea. But this loss is amply made up by the vast growth of hops, of which there are 300 or 400 acres of plantations about this town, and they are said to excel the Kentish hopyards both in quantity and quality. This town sent members to parliament in the reign of Edward II., but never since. The magistrates have their privileges from the bishop of Winchester, to whom they pay an acknowledgment of 12d. a-year. The market is on Thursday; and there are three fairs annually, and a great market for Welsh hogs.