a county of England, taking its name from Somerset, once the capital, between 50° and 51° 27' north latitude, and between 1° 25' and 2° 59' west longitude. It is bounded on the west by Devonshire, on the south by Dorsetshire, on the north by Bristol channel or the Severn sea, on the north-east by a small part of Gloucestershire, and on the east by Wiltshire. It is one of the largest counties in England, extending in length from east to west about 68 miles; in breadth, where broadest, from south to north, about 47; and 240 in circumference. It is divided into 42 hundreds, in which are 3 cities, 32 market-towns, 1700 villages, 385 parishes, of which 132 are ecclesiastical, containing more than 1,000,000 of acres, and about 273,750 souls. It sends 18 members to parliament, viz. two for the county, two for Bristol, two for Bath, two for Wells, two for Taunton, two for Bridgewater, two for Ilchester, two for Milburn-port, and two for Minehead.

The air of this county is very mild and wholesome, especially that of the hilly part. The soil in general is exceedingly rich, so that single acres very commonly produce forty or fifty bushels of wheat, and there have been instances of some producing sixty of barley. As there is very fine pasture both for sheep and black cattle, it abounds in both, which are as large as those of Lincolnshire, and their flesh of a finer grain. In consequence of this abundance of black cattle, great quantities of cheese are made in it, of which that of Cheddar is thought equal to Parmesan. In the hilly parts are found coal, lead, copper, and lapis calaminaris. Wood thrives in it as well as in any county of the kingdom. It abounds also in pease, beans, beer, cider, fruit, wild-fowl, and salmon; and its mineral waters are celebrated all over the world.

The riches of this county, both natural and acquired, exceed those of any other in the kingdom, Middlesex and Yorkshire excepted. The woollen manufacture in all its branches is carried on to a very great extent; and in some parts of the county great quantities of linen are made. If to these the produce of various other commodities in which it abounds is added, the amount of the whole must undoubtedly be very great. Its foreign trade must also be allowed to be very extensive, when it is considered that it has a large trade for sea-coal, and pot-ashes, besides other ports, that of Bristol, a town of the greatest trade in England, next to London.

Besides small streams, it is well watered and supplied with fish by the rivers Severn, Avon, Parrel, Froome, Ax, Torre, and Tone. Its greatest hills are Mendip, Pouldon, and Quantock, of which the first abounds in coal, lead, &c. The rivers Severn and Parrel breed very fine salmon. The chief town is Bristol.