PRESTEIGN is a town in Radnorshire, distant 149 miles west-north-west from London, in the direct road to Aberystwith, and throughout South Wales, in N. Lat. 52° 12', bounded to the north and north-east by Herefordshire. It is a neat well built town, with clean and regular streets, and is the residence of many genteel families. The neighbourhood abounds with all the comforts and conveniences of life. It is seated on a gravelly soil on the banks of the river Lug, and at the head of a very fertile vale: the mountains to the west and north-west of the town forming, as it were, an amphitheatre round it. The name of it in Welsh, is Stan-Andras, which is supposed to be derived from the church, which is dedicated to Saint Andrew. The town is divided into four wards, which have each a separate jurisdiction, separate officers, levies, &c. The curfew-bell of William the Conqueror still remains in this place, and is rung every night. It is a borough by prescription, and is governed by a bailiff annually elected, and sworn in by a steward appointed by the crown. The living is a rectory and vicarage united, and reported to be worth from 500l. to 600l. per annum; the parish lying in two counties. Here is an excellent free school well endowed. The county hall, the county gaol, the county bridewell, and house of correction, are kept in this place. The markets are held on Saturdays; and there are two fairs in the year. About a century and a half ago Presteign was considerably larger; had a good woollen manufactory, of which the very large buildings now standing (formerly belonging to clothiers) bear ample testimony; but a fire, succeeded by the plague, in the town, about the year 1636, reduced the same, and with it its consequence as a manufacturing town. The parish embraces a circle of at least 19 miles; and is reckoned very healthy.