a town in the west riding of Yorkshire, about 162 miles from London, is a large, thriving town on the borders of Derbyshire, with a population of 31,314 souls; has a fine stone bridge over the Don, and another over the Sheaf, and a church built in the reign of Henry I. It had a castle built in the reign of Henry III. in which, or else in the manor-house of the Park, Mary queen of Scots was prisoner 16 or 17 years; but after the death of Charles I. it was with several others, by order of parliament demolished. In 1673 an hospital was erected here, and endowed with 200l. a-year. There is a charity-school for 30 boys, and another for 30 girls. This town has been noted several hundred years for cutlers and smiths manufactures, which were encouraged and advanced by the neighbouring mines of iron, particularly for files, and knives or whistles; for the last of which especially it has been a staple for above 300 years; and it is reputed to excel Birmingham in these wares, as much as it is surpassed by it in locks, hinges, nails, and polished steel. The first mills in England for turning grindstones were also set up here. The houses look back from the continual smoke of the forges. Here are 600 master cutlers, incorporated by the style of the Cutlers of Hallamshire (of which this is reckoned the chief town), who employ no less than 40,000 persons in the iron manufactures; and each of the masters gives a particular stamp to his wares. There is a large market on Tuesday for many commodities, but especially for corn, which is bought up here for the whole west riding, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire. It has fairs on Tuesday after Trinity-Sunday, and November 28. In the new market-place, erected by the duke of Norfolk, the shambles are built upon a most excellent plan, and strongly inclosed. There are several other new good buildings, such as a large and elegant octagon chapel belonging to the hospital or almshouses; likewise a good assembly-room and theatre. We must not omit the large steam-engine, lately finished, for the purpose of polishing and grinding the various sorts of hardware. The parish being very large, as well as populous, Mary I. incorporated 12 of the chief inhabitants, and their successors for ever, by the title of the Twelve Capital Burgesses of Sheffield, empowering them to elect and ordain three priests to assist the vicar who were to be paid out of certain lands and rents which the gave out of the crown; and since this settlement two more chapels have been built in two hamlets of this parish, ribs, which are served by two of the assistants, while the third, in his turn, helps the vicar in his parish-church. James I. founded a free grammar-school here, and appointed 13 school burgesses to manage the revenue, and appoint the master and usher. A new chapel was built lately by the contributions of the people of the town and of the neighbouring nobility and gentry. Water is conveyed by pipes into Sheffield, whose inhabitants pay but a moderate rent for it. In the neighbourhood there are some mines of alum. The remains of the Roman fortification between this town and Rotherham, which is fix miles lower down the river, are still visible; and here also is the famous trench of five miles long, by some called Devil's or Dane's Bank, and by others Kemp Bank and Temple's Bank. Weit Long. 1. 29. N. Lat. 13. 20.

John, duke of Buckinghamshire, an eminent writer of the 17th and 18th century, of great personal bravery, and an able minister of state, was born about 1650. He lost his father at nine years of age; and his mother marrying Lord Offolston, the care of his education was left entirely to a governor, who did not greatly improve him in his studies. Finding that he was deficient in many parts of literature, he resolved to devote a certain number of hours every day to his studies; and thereby improved himself to the degree of learning he afterwards attained. Though possessed of a good estate, he did not abandon himself to pleasure and indolence, but entered a volunteer in the second Dutch war; and accordingly was in that famous naval engagement where the duke of York commanded as admiral: on which occasion his lordship behaved so gallantly, that he was appointed commander of the Royal Catharine. He afterward made a campaign in the French service under M. de Turenne. As Tangier was in danger of being taken by the Moors, he offered to head the forces which were sent to defend it; and accordingly was appointed to command them. He was then earl of Mulgrave, and one of the lords of the bed-chamber to King Charles II. The Moors retired on the approach of his majesty's forces; and the result of the expedition was the blowing up of Tangier. He continued in several great posts during the short reign of King James II. till that unfortunate prince was deposed. Lord Mulgrave, though he paid his respects to King William before he was advanced to the throne, yet did not accept of any post in the government till some years after. In the sixth year of William and Mary he was created marquis of Normanby in the county of Lincoln. He was one of the most active and zealous opposers of the bill which took away Sir John Fenwick's life; and exerted the utmost vigour in carrying through the Treason Bill, and the bill for Triennial Parliaments. He enjoyed some considerable posts under King William, and enjoyed much of his favour and confidence. In 1702 he was sworn lord privy-seal; and in the same year was appointed one of the commissioners to treat of an union between England and Scotland. In 1703 he was created duke of Normandy, and soon after duke of Buckinghamshire. In 1711 he was made steward of her majesty's household, and president of the council. During Queen Anne's reign he was but once out of employment; and then he voluntarily resigned, being attached to what were called the Tory principles. Her majesty offered to make him lord chancellor; but he declined the office. He was instrumental in the change of the ministry in 1710. A circumstance that reflects the highest honour on him is, the vigour with which he acted in favour of the unhappy Catalans, who afterward were so inhumanly sacrificed. He was survived by only one legitimate son (who died at Rome in 1735); but left several natural children. He died in 1721. He was admired by the poets of his age; by Dryden, Prior, and Garth. His Essay on Poetry was applauded by Addison, and his Rehearsal is still read with pleasure. His writings were splendidly printed in 1723, in two volumes 4to; and have since been reprinted in 1729, in two volumes 8vo. The first contains his poems on various subjects; the second, his prose works; which consist of historical memoirs, speeches in parliament, characters, dialogues, critical observations, essays, and letters. It may be proper to observe, that the edition of 1729 is castrated; some particulars relating to the revolution in that of 1723 having given offence.