to SOUTHAMPTON. 
n 
What adds much t-o the charms of Southampton, is the river 
it chin : it is on the eaft fide, and reaches northward twelve 
miles to winchester, &c. thence about nine to alresford, 
where it branches into many lefler ftreams. How far it is af- 
fected by the tide I forgot to enquire. On the weftern fide of 
the town is the river tees, wliofe ftreams water rumsey, stock- 
bridge, and whitchurch, for near thirty miles ; whence it ftill 
communicates its ferpentine courfe fix or eight miles to the 
eaftward. 
Southampton is well known in ftory for having a commo- 
dious harbor for fhips, and carrying on a confiderable trade, 
particularly with Portugal. Like many of the leaft confider- 
able ports it was once fufpeCted of smuggling, but I hope the 
inhabitants are now too virtuous to fly in the face of that go- 
vernment, under which they are happy in the enjoyment of fo’ 
many advantages. This town has feveral remains of antiquity, 
particularly part of the old wall which once defended the place. 
It is well peopled, and has five churches : the great ftreet is 
remarkably broad and long. In this reign of saltwater, great 
numbers of people of diftinction prefer Southampton for bath- 
ing ; but you agree with me, that the bathing-houfe is not 
comparable to that of Portsmouth; not only as being fmaller, 
and uncovered, but here is no water, except at certain times of 
the tide ; whereas at Portsmouth one may always bathe. Shall 
you forget the proof we faw here of the fantaftical tafte of the 
age we live in, by the bathing veftments, intended for the 
ladies, being flounc’d and pink’d ? 
D 
It 
