a married woman, or one joined with, and under the protection of, an husband. See HUSBAND.

ISLE OF WIGHT, an island lying on the south coast of Hampshire, from which it is separated by a narrow channel. It is about 21 miles in length and 13 in breadth. It is nearly divided into equal parts by the river Mede or Cowes, which rising in the southern angle, enters at the northern, into the channel, opposite the mouth of Southampton bay. The south-coast is edged with very steep cliffs of chalk and freestone, hollowed into caverns in various parts. The west side is fenced with ridges of rocks, of which the most remarkable are those called, from their sharp extremities, the Needles. Between the island and the main are various sand-banks, especially off the eastern part, where is the safe road of St Helen's. Across the island, from east to west, runs a ridge of hills, forming a tract of fine downs, with a chalky or marly soil, which feed a great number of fine-fleeced sheep. Rabbits are also very plentiful here. To the north of this ridge the land is chiefly pasture: to the south of it is a rich arable country, producing great crops of corn. The variety of prospects which this island affords, its mild air, and the neat manner in which the fields are laid out, render it a very delightful spot. It is devoted almost solely to husbandry, and has no manufactory. It is one of the principal resources of the London market for unmalted barley. Among its products are to be reckoned a pure white pipe-clay, and a fine white crystalline sand; of the latter of which great quantities are exported for the use of the glass works in various parts. Its principal town is the borough of Newport; it likewise contains the two small boroughs of Newton and Yarmouth.