(formerly Brighthelmstone), a parliamentary borough, seaport, and watering-place of England, county of Sussex, on the English Channel, 50 miles south of London; Lat. 50. 50. N. Long. 0. 8. W. It is situated between and on the slopes of two ranges of chalk hills. It has a sea-front of three miles in length, with a pavement and carriage road of great width, flanked by houses of a superior class, rendering it undoubtedly the finest marine promenade in the kingdom.
Brighton is noted for the salubrity of its climate.
In 1750 it was only a small fishing village, with but one church. It owes its rise in the first instance to its being the chosen residence of George IV. when Prince of Wales. At the census of 1801 its population was 7339; in 1841, 48,667; and in 1851 it was 69,673, when the number of inhabited houses amounted to 10,843. It has returned two members to Parliament since 1832.
The salubrity of the climate has rendered Brighton a favourite place for education, and there are accordingly upwards of 250 schools, many of them of a high degree of excellence. A college similar to those of Eton and Harrow has been lately established.
The town has a good hospital, two dispensaries, and numerous societies and institutions for the relief of suffering and distress, as well as for religious and educational purposes. It has a literary and scientific society, an atheneum, chiefly designed for young men engaged in business, and a mechanics' institution, all well supported. There are no public buildings of much beauty, but the Royal Pavilion lately purchased by the town from the Commissioners of Woods and Forests for L53,000 deserves special notice, from its unique and fantastic appearance. It was built by George IV., then Prince of Wales—was commenced in 1784, completed in 1787, and subsequently enlarged in 1802 and 1817. It has a frontage to the east of 300 feet. The principal rooms are, the Chinese gallery, 162 feet long, and 17 feet wide; dining-room, 60 feet long, 42 feet wide, and 45 feet high; the saloon, 55 feet long and 30 feet wide; two drawing-rooms, each 50 feet long and 20 feet wide; and a music-room, 62 feet long, 42 wide, and 41 high. Every room has been gorgeously decorated in Eastern style; and the whole suite, which is used for balls, assemblies, &c., presents an aspect at once singular and effective.
The royal stabling, now forming part of the town property, is one of the most magnificent piles ever erected for such a purpose in Europe. It has the form of an octagon without, and a circle within, and is lighted by a glazed dome with a diameter only 20 feet less than that of the dome of St Paul's Cathedral, London.
The old parish church stands on the summit of a hill, and was formerly used as a sea beacon. It is at present (1854) undergoing extensive repairs. There are 15 other churches and chapels of ease belonging to the Established church, and 21 dissenting chapels of various denominations.
The suspension chain pier, constructed by Captain Sir Samuel Brown, R.N., at an expense of L30,000, is 1134 feet in length, extending into the sea 1034 feet. It was commenced in October 1822, and opened to the public in November 1823.
The sea-wall, which protects the whole eastern part of Brighton, is 60 feet in height, and having a terrace raised 15 feet from the beach, there is a sheltered walk resembling in temperature the undercliff of the Isle of Wight. There is a chalybeate spring near the town, and the German waters are successfully imitated at the Spa. The cavalry and infantry barracks have accommodation for above 1000 men.
Since 1825, above L200,000 have been expended in improving and embellishing the town.