DURHAM. 



205 



Durham, was discovered, in 1789, in searching for coal. The 

 ^-T ' spring burst forth, with a strong sulphureous smell, at 

 the depth of 24 yards, after boring through red free- 

 stone and whinstone. To the south of Hartlepool is a 

 chalybeate spring, covered every tide by the sea. It 

 is impregnated with a small degree of sulphur ; a gal- 

 lon yields 1 20 grains of sediment, in which there ap- 

 pears to be also a considerable portion of lime. In the 

 bed of the river Tees, near Barnard Castle, a sulphu- 

 reous water springs from the crevices of the rocks. It 

 in of the same quality as Harwich water, used for the 

 same diseases, but not so strong. 



M nufac- There are a considerable variety of manufactures in 

 Durham, particularly in the northern part of the coun- 

 ty. At Smalwell, anchors of all sizes are made, as 

 well as other kinds of iron work for shipping. At 

 Winlaton Mills, they manufacture files, edge-tools, cane 

 bills for the West Indies, &c. At this place there is a 

 slitting mill, a mill for grinding edge-tools, and a tilt- 

 forge, which makes 480 strokes in a minute ; these 

 are all driven by water. There are several founderies 

 for iron and brass, at Gateshead, near Chester-le-street, 

 at Sunderland, Darlington, &c. On the banks of the 

 Tyne, near Gateshead, and in the vicinity of Sun- 

 derland, great quantities of glass of all descriptions are 

 made. Formerly salt works at South Shields were ve- 

 ry numerous ; but latterly their number has much de- 

 creased. There are in the county three works for the 

 manufacture of copperas, one on the Tyne, and two on 

 the Wear. Cotton goods were made till within these 

 few years at Durham ; but the manufacture is now 

 laid aside. Darlington is famous for huckaback, dia- 

 pers, sheetings, &c. which employ 500 looms. Mills 

 for spinning flax -were invented here. There are also 

 mills for dressing chamois leather, and for grinding 

 and polishing spectacle glasses. South Shields, Sun- 

 derland, and Stockton are the principal ]x>rts in the 

 county ; the first has risen into great consequence and 

 wealth within this last half century ; since 1740, on- 

 ly four ships belonged to it, amounting to 800 tons ; 

 now there are between 40,000 and 50,000 tons of ship- 

 ping. The number of ships built here annually, on an 

 average, amounts to upwards of 30. Sunderland has 

 also greatly increased in size and commerce. The prin- 

 cipal trade, both from thig port and South Shields, 

 besidi's coals, is to the Baltic, and, in time of peace, 

 to Holland. Corn and lead are the principal exports 

 from Stockton. 



Natural cu- There are some interesting natural curiosities in the 

 tiootie*. county of Durham. 'About three miles from Darling- 

 ton are cavities in the earth, called hall kettles, the ori- 

 gin of which is unknown. Some suppose them to be 

 shafts of old coal works, but this is not likely, as their 

 diameters run from 75 to 114 feet; the depth of the 

 largest is only 19| feet; and that of the smallest 5^ 

 feet. From the probable derivation of the name hall, the 

 ancient British for salt, and kiddle a dam, some imagine 

 them to have been salt pits. About five miles to the 

 north of Hartlepool, is a singular and romantic cluster 

 of rocks, called the Blackhallt; some run many yards 

 beyond the light of day ; others are open, and support- 

 ed by natural pillars, which in some places resemble 

 the towers of a cathedral ; in other places, the rock is 

 o perforated, as to resemble a fine pointed arch gate- 

 way. Marston rocks, between Shields and Sunderland, 

 nre much visited : it is an enormous craggy mass, de- 

 tached from the coast by the violence of the sea : there 

 n a large opening in the body of the rock, through 

 which boats sail. The quantity of manure left by the 

 sea-fowl which frequent it, is so considerable, as at the 



expiration of every five or seven years to be generally Durham, 

 sold f jr L. 1 00. s "Y ' 



Roman antiquities are not uncommon : near Lanches- Antiquities. 

 ter is one of the most perfect in the kingdom, the Gla- 

 nowrita of Antoninus' Itinerary ; the form is oblong, 

 and it measures 174 paces from north to south, and IbO 

 from east to west, within the vallum. At Binchester 

 there is another station, the Vinosium of Antoninus ; 

 but it is much less perfect than that at Lanchester. 



At the period of the invasion of the Romans, Dur- History. 

 ham was included in the country of the Brigantes; and 

 on the conquest of Britain, it formed part of the divi- 

 sion, Maxima Cresariensis. In the time of the Saxons, 

 it was part of the kingdom of Northumberland. From 

 the circumstance of its not being mentioned in Domes- 

 day Book, it is supposed at this period to have been in 

 possession of the Scots, or at least in such a disturbed 

 state, as not to be safe for a survey. It is a county 

 palatine, the privileges of which it is supposed to have 

 obtained in the time of St Cuthbert. Many of the ori- 

 ginal very extensive privileges of the Bishop are now 

 taken away, but he is still in possession of great power. 

 He either acts as lord-lieutenant of the comity, or ap- 

 points one. The sheriff is appointed by him ; he is 

 perpetual chancellor in his territories, all tenures of 

 land originate from him, all estates to which no title 

 can be made escheat to him, and the admiralty jurisdic- 

 tion belongs to him. Durham sends 4 members to par- 

 liament, two for the county and two for the city ; but 

 neither were represented till the reign of Charles II. 

 By the returns of the population act in 181 1, it appears 

 that the 



Inhabited houses were 29,033 



The families inhabiting them 39,288 



The houses building 152 



The uninhabited houses 890 



Families employed in agriculture 10,288 



Do. in trade, manufactures, &c 17,094 



Do. not comprehended in the preceding 



classes 11,906 



Males 83,671 



Females 93,954 



Total population 177,625 



Do. in 1801 165,700 



Increase H>925 



(w.s.) 



DURHAM, CITY OF, is in the ward of Easington, 

 260 miles north from London. Its situation is particu- 

 larly striking and picturesque ; indeed a more singular 

 position for the capital of a county can hardly be ima- 

 gined. It is situated on a rocky eminence rising near 

 the centre of the county, and almost surrounded by the 

 river Wear, the banks of which here are beautifully 

 and richly fringed with wood. The city descends in 

 steep winding streets to its three bridges, which termi- 

 nate in long suburbs. From all the neighbouring points 

 of view, its appearance is grand and imposing, its pub- 

 lic edifices displaying a great degree of magnificence ; 

 but when we enter it, much of the grandeur with 

 which it strikes us at a distance is lost; for in general 

 the houses are old, inconvenient, and dirty, and the 

 streets narrow, winding, steep, and extremely incom- 

 modious. The majestic cathedral and stately castle 

 stand on a high circular hill ; these, with the streets 

 called the Baileys, are included within the ancient city 

 walls. The situation of the cathedral adds much to its 

 grandeur. The base of the rocks which support its 

 west end, are washed by the Wear; and from the 

 square, called the Palace Green, by which it is general. 



