inland county of England, in form almost circular. It has Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to the north; Rutlandshire and Lincolnshire on the east; Warwickshire on the west, from which it is parted by the Roman military way called Watling street; and by Northamptonshire on the south; and is about 170 miles in circumference. As it lies at a great distance from the sea, and is free from bogs and marshes, the air is sweet and wholesome. It is a champaign country in general, and abundantly fertile in corn and grass, being watered by several rivers, as the Soar, or Sare, which passes through the middle of it, and abounds in excellent salmon and other fish; the Wreke, Trent, Eye, Sense, Auker, and Aven. These rivers being mostly navigable, greatly facilitate the trade of the county. In some parts there is a great scarcity of fuel, both wood and coal; but in the more hilly parts there is plenty of both, together with great flocks of sheep. Besides wheat, barley, oats, and pease, it produces the best beans in England. They grow so tall and luxuriant in some places, particularly about Barton in the Beans, that they look, towards the harvest time, like a forest; and the inhabitants eat them not only when they are green as in other places, but all the year round; for which reason their neighbours nickname them bean bellies. They have plenty of good wool, of which they not only make great quantities of stockings, but send a great quantity unmanufactured into other parts of England. They make great profit of their corn and pulse; and likewise breed great numbers of coach and dray horses. It is not uncommon to rent grass farms from 500l. to 2000l. a-year. It is in the midland circuit, and diocese of Lincoln: and sends four members to parliament, two for Leicester, and two for the county. It contains 200 parishes and 130,000 inhabitants.

Leigh, Sir Edward, a very learned Englishman, was born at Shawel in Leicestershire, and educated at Magdalen hall, Oxford. He was a member of the long parliament, and one of the members of the house of commons who were appointed to sit in the assembly of divines. He was afterwards colonel of a regiment for the parliament; but in 1648 was numbered among the Presbyterians who were turned out, and in December he was imprisoned. From this period to the Restoration he employed himself in writing a considerable number of learned and valuable books, which showed profound learning, a knowledge of the languages, and much critical sagacity; and of which a list is given by Antony Wood. Sir Edward died at his house called Ruthall Hall, in Staffordshire, June 2. 1671; and was buried in the chancel of Ruthall church.