ENGLAND. 



539 



of historic interest. It was once tiie metropolis of England, but, since the suppression of the 

 monasteries by Henry the Eighth, it has much declined. Its fine cathedral and its ancient 

 college are still celebrated. Population, 9,200. 



The ancient cily of Canterbury, in Kent, with 16,300 inhabitants, is the see of an archbish- 

 op, who is primate of all England, and first peer of the realm. Here was formerly the mag- 

 nificent shrine of Thomas a Becket, a Roman Catholic saint, to which pilgrimages were made 

 from all parts of the kingdom. The Canterbury Tales of the famous Chaucer, the father of 

 English poetry, describe the manners and characters of the pilgrims of his age. 



Balk, near Bristol, is an episcopal city, but is chiefly known as a watering-place ; its mine- 

 ral waters have been celebrated for many centuries, and, combined with its delightful situation, 

 have rendered it a favorite place of resort. The elegance of its streets and the magnificence 

 of its public buildings, — its cathedral, its churches, its hospitals, and its baths, entitle it to 

 be considered the handsomest city in England. Population, 50,800. 



Gloucester, an episcopal see, and chief place of a county, is noted for iis extensive manu 

 facture of pins, which, minute as is the article, employs 1,500 persons. It contains a fine 

 cathedral, and has a population of 12,000. In the vicinity is the borough of Siroud, with 

 42,000 inhabitants, engaged principally in the woolen manufacture. The dyers here are cele- 

 brated for the excellence of their scarlet and dark-blue colors, which is attributed to the supe- 

 rior qualities of the waters of the Frome, here called Stroud waier. 



Cheltenham, delightfully situated to the northeast of Gloucester, a few years ago an incon- 

 siderable village, is now a flourishing town with 23,000 inhabitants. Its sudden growth is 

 owing to its medicinal waters. Teicksbury, a small town in the neighborhood, once contained 

 a celebrated monastery, and was the scene of a bloody battle during the war of the roses. 

 Oxford, an episcopal see and capital of a county, though a small city, is equalled by few in 



architectural beauty. It is delightfully situat- 

 ed, in a luxui iant country on the banks of the 

 Isis and Cherwell, and contains a celebrated 

 University, which surpasses all similar estab- 

 lishments in the wealth of its endowments, the 

 extent of its institutions, and the splendor 

 of its buildings. The edifices belonging to 

 the university are 19 colleges and 4 halls, the 

 theatre, in which the pitblic exhibitions are 

 held, an observatory, the Bodleian library, one 

 of the richest in Great Britain, a botanic gar- 

 den, &c. The city is of great antiquity, and 

 has often been the residence of the English 

 kings, and the seat of the Parliaments. Pop- 

 ulat'ion, 20,500. 



Cambridge, also an episcopal see, and ilie 

 seat of a university, contains 21,000 inhabit- 

 ants. The university buildings aie 13 colleg- 

 es, 4 halls, and the senate-house, some of 

 which are remarkable for the magnificence of 

 their architecture. There are also an obsci v- 

 atory, a valuable library, &c. here. JWwmar- 

 ket, in the vicinity, is celebrated for its races. 



JS^uliingham is a large and flourishing manu- 

 facturing town, situated upon the Grand Trunk 

 canal, and having a water communication with 

 Liverpool, Hull, and London. Its picturesque 

 situation, its neat and spacious streets, and 

 handsome square, rank it among the prettiest 

 towns in England. Its staple manufacture is 

 that of stockings ; lace and glass are also made 

 extensively. Population, 50,700. Leicester, 

 with 39,500 inhabitants, is also noted for its 

 extensive manufacture of stockings, and Derby, with 23,600 inhabitants, is distinguished for 



