_Markets_, Wednesday and Sat.u.r.day.--_Fairs_, February 14; (Holloway) July 10; and Aug. 10, (Lansdown) for cattle, horses and all kinds of merchandise. The Falmouth Mail arrives 7.54 morning, and departs 6.30 afternoon. The Carmarthen Mail arrives 7.48 morning, and departs 6.56 afternoon.--_Bankers_, (Bladud Bank) Tufnell and Co.; draw on Jones, Lloyd and Co.; Tugwell and Co., draw on Barnard and Co.; (Old Bank) Hobhouse and Co., draw on Jones, Lloyd and Co.; (City Bank) Smith and Moger, draw on Barclay and Co.--_Inns_, York Hotel, White Hart, White Lion, Greyhound, Castle, and Elephant and Castle.
[Sidenote: Account of the celebrated Beau Nash.]
[Sidenote: Refused to be knighted.]
[Sidenote: Conduct of Nash towards the Princess Amelia.]
[Sidenote: His death.]
[Sidenote: Dissenting Chapels.]
[Sidenote: Use of the waters in certain disorders.]
[Sidenote: The Theatre.]
[Sidenote: Sydney Gardens.]
MapNames of Places.County.Number of Miles From+--+-----------------+----------+-------------+-------------+ 34Bathampton paSomersetBath 2Chippenham 1134Bathealton paSomersetWivelis...o...b..3Milverton 334Batheaston[A] paSomersetBath 3Chippenham 1034Bathford paSomerset... 4... 930Bathley toNottinghamNewark 4Muskham 134Bathwick paSomersetBath 1Chippenham 1245Batley pa & toW.R. YorkWakefield 7Leeds 815Batsford paGloucesterMoreton 2Campden 435Batterley hamStaffordSandbach 8Barthomley 143Battersly hamN.R. YorkStokesley 5Gisborough 737Battersea[B] paSurreyClapham 2Putney 336Battisford paSuffolkNeedham 2Ipswich 4+--+-----------------+----------+-------------+-------------+Dist.MapNames of Places.Number of Miles FromLond.Population.
+--+-----------------+------------------------+-----+-------+ 34Bathampton paDevizes 1510431434Bathealton paWellington 51539834Batheaston[A] paDevizes 14103178334Bathford pa... 1310287030Bathley toSouthwell 712819734Bathwick paDevizes 16105403545Batley pa & toBradford 81891133515Batsford paStow 78810735Batterley hamNewcastle 815824243Battersly hamHelmsley 142427737Battersea[B] paHammersmith 34554036Battisford paBildeston 871436+--+-----------------+------------------------+-----+-------+
[A] BATHEASTON. This village is situated on the London road from Bath.
The upper part contains the church, and amongst some handsome houses, is one which was formerly the residence of John Wood, Esq., the ingenious architect, to whom Bath owes many of its n.o.blest buildings. The church is antique. At the west-end it has a fine square tower, one hundred feet high. The inside is remarkable for its neat and decent appearance. A custom long observed at the villa of Sir John Millar, Bart., displays his elegance and refinement in the choice of his amus.e.m.e.nts, as well as of his visitors. He had purchased an antique vase, discovered at Frescati, in Italy, in 1759; and having placed it in a room convenient for the purpose, he consecrated it to Apollo, and ordained Lady Miller, high priestess. He then issued a general invitation to all votaries of the muses, to a.s.semble on a certain day in each week, and offer their poetical oblations at the shrine; the degree of merit each possessed was decided by the public voice, and the author of the best was crowned with myrtle. A collation succeeded. This attic pastime continued for some years, till some witling contaminated the purity of the urn by a licentious composition, and the vessel was closed for ever. Two small volumes of these effusions have been published.
[Sidenote: The vase of Apollo.]
[B] BATTERSEA is seated on the Thames, and gives the t.i.tle of Baron to the family of St. John. The church contains many monuments, chiefly of the above n.o.ble family; particularly one in grey marble, to the memory of the celebrated statesman, Henry St. John, Viscount Bolingbroke, and of his second wife, whose profiles are sculptured in ba.s.s-relief. A monument near the south wall, represents Sir Edward Wynter in the act of performing two extraordinary exploits, thus described in his epitaph:--
Alone, unarmed, a tyger he oppressed, And crush"d to death the monster of a beast.
Twice twenty mounted Moors he overthrew, Singly on foot, some wounded, some he slew, Dispersed the rest--what more could Sampson do?
A neat tablet, at the east end of the church, commemorates Thomas Astle, who was long a distinguished member of the Society of Antiquaries, Keeper of the Records in the Tower, a Trustee of the British Museum, and author of Treatise "on the Origin and Progress of Writing." He died in 1802, and left a valuable collection of ma.n.u.scripts. Here are also interred, Arthur Collins, Esq., known as the author of an "Historical Account of the Peers and Baronets of England;" William Curtis, author of the "Flora Londinensis," and the Rev. Joseph Gardner, author of "Views on the Rhine," and otherwise distinguished by his attachment to the arts. Bolingbroke House was a s.p.a.cious edifice, said to have contained fifty rooms on a floor, of which a few only remain; among which is the favourite apartment of Lord Bolingbroke, wainscotted with cedar. A horizontal air-mill now occupies the site of this mansion, and in the gardens have been erected bullock-houses. Sherwood Lodge, near the Thames, is the residence of James Wolf, Esq. whose valuable collection of plaster-casts, from antique statues, are deposited in a gallery of Doric architecture, remarkable for the purity of its style. A wooden bridge was built over the Thames at this place, in 1771.
[Sidenote: Sir E. Wynter"s exploits.]
[Sidenote: Bolingbroke house.]
MapNames of Places.County.Number of Miles From+--+-------------------+-------+-------------+-------------+ 38Battle[A] m.t. & paSuss.e.xTunbridge 26Hastings 848Battle[B] paBreconBrecon 3Trecastle 9+--+-------------------+-------+-------------+-------------+Dist.MapNames of Places.Number of Miles FromLond.Population.
+--+-------------------+---------------------+-----+-------+ 38Battle[A] m.t. & paBexhill 656299948Battle[B] paBuilth 15174192+--+-------------------+--------------------+------+-------+
[A] BATTLE, anciently called Epiton, derived its present denomination from the conflict between William the Norman, and Harold Harefoot, which decided the fate of these realms, and gave to the former the surname of Conqueror. This engagement happened on the 14th of October, 1066, and continued from morning until sunset, when the Normans had sustained a loss of 15000 men, and the English four times that number, among whom was their king. The Conqueror, grateful for his victory, and in performance of a vow, commenced the foundation of an abbey on that part of the field where the battle had raged most fiercely, causing the high altar to be raised on the spot where the body of his valiant antagonist; or, as others say, his standard had been found. This abbey was dedicated to St. Martin, and the privileges enjoyed by the superiors within its precincts were almost regal; an exclusive right of inquest in cases of murder--the property of all treasure discovered there--free warren and exemption, even for their tenants, from all ecclesiastical jurisdiction--right of sanctuary for their church in cases of homicide--and the power of pardoning any condemned thief whom they should meet going to execution. From the foundation of this abbey, till its dissolution, it was governed by thirty-one abbots. Sometime after the latter period, it was the property of the Montagues, who sold it to Sir Thomas Webster, and that gentleman made it his residence. Sir G.o.dfrey Webster, Bart., is the present owner. In its present state, Battle Abbey bears ample testimony to its ancient magnificence, the ruins being extensive, and exhibiting a mixture of the light Norman with the solid Saxon architecture. These remains occupy two sides of a quadrangle, of which one is an ancient gateway. Nine elegant arches, now filled up, are all that remain of the church. Two detached buildings, supposed to have been refectories, are now converted into offices. The town of Battle consists of one street, and has a handsome church, the windows of which are embellished with stained gla.s.s. The chancel contains a fine altar-monument to the memory of Sir Anthony Browne, armour-bearer to Henry VIII. This place is celebrated for a manufacture of gunpowder, inferior only to that at Dartford.
_Market_, Thursday.--_Fairs_, Whit-Monday; Nov. 22, cattle and pedlary; second Tuesday in every month, cattle.--_Bankers_, Smith, Gill, and Co., draw on Spooner and Co.--_Mail_ arrives 4.20 morning; departs 9.40 afternoon.--_Inn_, George.
[Sidenote: The Abbey.]
[B] BATTLE. The church is placed upon an eminence on the east side of the Escir river. It is a low edifice surrounded by a cemetry, bounded by a wall. A few straggling houses give this place the name of a village.
History has fixed this spot as the scene of action where the fate of Brecknockshire was decided, upon its attack by Bernard Newmarch. The vestiges which indicate such an event, are, a well called Ffynon Pen Rhys; a lane called Heol y Cymri, and a long upright stone below the church on the south side; no other vestiges remain to recall the event.
Half a mile eastward from Battle, appears the stately residence of the vicar of Llandevalle. Upon the wall of an inner court is an inscription in Latin. From the windows of this house are three most beautiful views; on the east side through a small vista, are seen the village of Llanddew, and in the back ground the black mountain beyond Talgarth.
From the library, in which is a capital picture of our Saviour bearing the Cross, by Correggio, looking west, is the vale of Usk, with the highly ornamented grounds above Penpont; beyond which, Abercamlais, and the mountains in Llywel and Devynock close the scene. Nearly opposite is the gradually rising knoll of Benni, covered to the top on all sides with wood, beyond which appear the precipitous and majestic summits of the Beacons. Merthyr Cynog, or Saint Cynog, lies about four miles north.
Cynog or Canoc, was the illegitimate son of Brychan Brecheinog. He was slain or murdered in one of the early eruptions of the Saxons into Wales, in the 5th century, on the summit of a hill in this parish, nearly opposite Castlemadoc, called Vanoleu, and according to Owen, was buried in Merthyr church. The edifice which remains, does not appear to be of an earlier date than the Norman era; it is situated upon a lofty ridge between the vales of Escir fawr and Escir fechan, in nearly the centre of the parish. It resembles a large barn, in which are some divisions, like pens for sheep, thrown in disorder to rot, when unfit for use.
[Sidenote: Scene of a Welsh battle.]
MapNames of Places.County.Number of Miles From+--+--------------------+----------+--------------+-------------+ 25Battle Bridge hamMiddles.e.xHolborn Bars 1Paddington 23Battleden[A] paBedfordWoburn 3Hockliffe 233Battlefield[B] paSalopShrewsbury 4Wem 916Baughurst paHantsBasingstoke 7Kingsclere 34Baulking hamBerksFarringdon 4Wantage 634Baumber paLincolnHorncastle 6Wragby 815Baunton paGlocesterCirencester 2Northleach 956Bauseley toMontgomeryWelch Pool 10Shrewsbury 1241Baverstock paWiltsWilton 4Salisbury 729Bavington, Great toNorthumbHexham 12Bellingham 1229Bavington, Little toNorthumb... 11... 12+--+--------------------+----------+--------------+-------------+Dist.MapNames of Places.Number of Miles FromLond.Population.
+--+--------------------+-------------------------+-----+-------+ 25Battle Bridge hamHoxton 213Battleden[A] paLeighton 43914533Battlefield[B] paShawbury 41557016Baughurst paNewbury 11544344Baulking hamLambourne 76618534Baumber paLouth 1214135615Baunton paGloucester 179114456Bauseley toOswestry 1116536541Baverstock paShaftesbury 1329216629Bavington, Great toNewcastle 20887029Bavington, Little to... 229172+--+--------------------+-------------------------+-----+-------+
[A] BATTLEDEN lies between the two great north-western roads. The family of Firmband, or Fremband, twice represented the county in parliament, as early as the reign of Edward III. In the reign of Elizabeth it became the property of the Duncombes; and it is to one of this family that we are indebted for the accommodation of the now antiquated sedans, or close chairs; and in the year 1634, Duncombe is said to have procured a patent, which vested in him and his heirs the right of carrying persons "up and down in them," for a certain term. "It is probable, (observes Lysons,) that Sir Saunders, who was a great traveller, had seen them at Sedan, where Dr. Johnson, supposes that they were first made; and it is remarkable that Captain Bayley first introduced the use of Hackney Coaches in the same year." In the year 1706, this manor was purchased by Allen Bathurst, Esq., a distinguished political character during the reigns of Queen Anne and George I. It was for many years the country seat of Lord Bathurst, and the resort of a celebrated constellation of wits, of whom he was the patron and friend.
[Sidenote: The invention of Sedan chairs.]
[B] BATTLEFIELD is a parish in the liberties of Shrewsbury, and derives its name from a sanguinary battle which was fought there on Sat.u.r.day the 21st of July, 1403, between Henry the Fourth and the Rebels, under Percy, Earl of Nothumberland, and in which Lord Henry Percy, well known as the valiant Hotspur, was slain, together with nearly 2300 gentlemen and others, and upwards of 600 common soldiers fell on that memorable occasion. After this signal victory, Henry the fourth caused a collegiate church to be erected on the spot for secular canons, which was dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, the battle having been fought on the anniversary of that day. This college was dissolved in the general wreck of establishments of this kind, when its revenues amounted to 54 10s. 4d. per annum; it is now the parish church. At the east end, over the altar window, is a figure of Henry the Fourth, much defaced by the corroding hand of time. In a niche in the south wall, is a rude carving in wood of the Virgin and child; and in the east window are still to be traced some mutilated remains of stained gla.s.s; but the most interesting object in this church, is a splendid gothic monument, recently erected to the memory of the late John Corbet, Esq. of Sundorne. This beautiful specimen of architecture is called the Tudor gothic; the interior represents the miniature aisle of a cathedral or cloister, with its elaborately groined roof, and the front is adorned by the heraldic blazonings of the family. This fine and highly prized piece of art was designed by the Rev. Archdeacon Owen, of Shrewsbury, and most admirably executed by Messrs. Carline of that town, in a warmly tinted fine grained stone, from the Grinshill quarries in the neighbourhood.
[Sidenote: Battle between Henry the Fourth and Percy of Northumberland.]
[Sidenote: Splendid monument.]
MapNames of Places.County.Number of Miles From+--+----------------+---------+-------------+--------------+ 27Bawburgh paNorfolkNorwich 5Wymondham 527Bawdeswell paNorfolkReepham 4Swanton 334Bawdrip paSomersetBridgewater 4Glas...o...b..ry 1136Bawdsey paSuffolkWoodbridge 8Orford 1027Bawsey paNorfolkLynn 3Cas. Rising 446Bawtry[A] m.t.W.R. YorkDoncaster 9E. Retford 839Baxterly paWarwickAtherstone 5Tamworth 741Baydon paWiltsRamsbury 4Lambourne 427Bayfield paNorfolkHolt 2Cley 218Bayford paHertsHertford 4Hatfield 634Bayford paSomersetWincaunton 1Bourton 336Bayleham paSuffolkNeedham 3Ipswich 722Bayley toLancasterc.l.i.theroe 6Blackburn 725Bayswater[B] hamMiddles.e.xTyburn 1Acton 4+--+----------------+---------+-------------+--------------+Dist.MapNames of Places.Number of Miles FromLond.Population.
+--+----------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+ 27Bawburgh paE. Dereham 1210544027Bawdeswell pa710758734Bawdrip paStowey 1213637336Bawdsey paIpswich 138045427Bawsey paMiddleton 3993946Bawtry[A] m.t.Gainsboro" 13153114939Baxterly paColeshill 711118941Baydon paSwindon 106935827Bayfield paWells 101221718Bayford paHoddesdon 52133234Bayford paMere 610736Bayleham paBildeston 97223822Bayley toPreston 1221925Bayswater[B] hamSouthall 81+--+----------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+
[A] BAWTRY is a small town situated on the edge of Yorkshire, adjoining Nottinghamshire. It is handsome and well built; and the high street, through which lies the great North Road from London to Edinburgh, is very broad, and contains some elegant houses. At the upper part of this street is the market-place, in which are some excellent shambles. The town stands on a gentle but pleasant eminence, which slopes from the north and east down to the river Idle, which river is navigable to this place for small craft. On the western side of the town the ground is high and exceedingly pleasant, but the eastern, or marshy side, is subject to frequent winter inundations. The object which most travellers consider more especially worthy of attention, is the elegant mansion of the Viscountess Galway. The edifice is built of brick and is pleasantly situated at the southern extremity of the town; it has an extensive and handsome front, but a high brick wall secludes it from public view. The pleasure grounds which are kept in excellent condition, are stocked with Chinese pheasants, and other rare and curious birds. Near this place the Archbishops of York had a palace; and at this mansion, Archbishop Savage, in the time of Henry VII. delighted to take his pleasure in hunting; and in the next reign it was the residence of Cardinal Wolsey.
The palace stood in a very low and damp situation, close to the confluence of the small river Ryton with the Idle. The great gateway, and the porter"s lodge, were taken down towards the end of the last century, and what remains of the palace has been converted into a farm house.
_Market_, Sat.u.r.day.--_Fairs_, Whit-Tuesday; and November 22, for cattle and horses.--_Inn_, Crown--_Mail_ arrives 2.0 afternoon; departs 11.30 morning.
[Sidenote: Seat of the Viscountess Galway.]
[B] BAYSWATER is situated on the Oxford Road, and is the first place pa.s.sed after leaving London; it has been much increased of late by the building of new streets and genteel residences. A reservoir, under the same management as the water works of Chelsea, is in the neighbourhood.
Bayswater Tea Gardens were formerly the Botanic gardens of Sir John Hill, who cultivated there his medicinal plants, and prepared his Water Dock, Essence, and Balsam of Honey. The reservoir before mentioned, was intended for the supply of the palace at Kensington, and the bason before the palace was to be kept constantly full by the proprietors; and, it was upon this condition that the property was granted them. It now supplies that part of the city estates situated in about Bond-street, with water.
MapNames of Places.County.Number of Miles From+--+-----------------------+----------+-------------+-------------+ 14Baythorne EndEss.e.xHaverhill 4Ridgewell 242Bayton paWorcesterBewdley 6Tenbury 857Bayvill paPembrokeNewport 3Cardigan 94Bayworth hamBerksAbingdon 2Oxford 45Beachampton[A] paBucksBuckingham 6Stratford 327Beachamwell paNorfolkSwaffham 6Stoke Ferry 618Beaches hamHertsBuntingford 7Standon 715Beachley[B] hamGloucesterChepstow 3Bristol 1327BeaconNorfolkCromer 6Lt. Houses 105Beaconsfield[C] to & paBucksUxbridge 8Wycombe 6+--+-----------------------+----------+-------------+-------------+Dist.MapNames of Places.Number of Miles FromLond.Population.
+--+-----------------------+------------------------+-----+-------+ 14Baythorne EndG. Yeldham 55542Bayton paMamble 213044557Bayvill paFishguard 102481604Bayworth hamc.u.mnor 5585Beachampton[A] paNewport 95325427Beachamwell paMarham 59426318Beaches hamBarkway 63215Beachley[B] hamMonmouth 1813127BeaconBacton 51355Beaconsfield[C] to & paAmersham 6231763+--+-----------------------+------------------------+-----+-------+
[A] BEACHAMPTON. The remains of the mansion of the Bennetts have been converted into a farm-house, but the great hall is still standing. In the parish church are some monuments of this family; among which there is one to the memory of Sir Simon Bennett, who was created a baronet in 1627, and is recorded in history as having been a great friend to the poor, and to University College, Oxford. This monument, it appears, was set up by the college 100 years after his death, and great blame is imputed to them for having delayed it so long. Mr. William Elmer, by his will, bearing date 1648, founded a free grammar school in this parish.
The school-house was finished in 1667. The master, by an express clause in the founder"s will, must be a single man, and is to reside in the school-house. It is endowed with lands, which are charged with the payment of a certain pension of 2. per annum, to eight poor men, and 1. per annum to as many poor women; and it is further provided, that three of each of these shall be inhabitants of this parish.
[Sidenote: Free grammar school.]
[B] BEACHLEY from its almost insulated situation, has always been of great importance in a military point of view, for there are extensive earthworks of British origin still remaining. Offa"s-d.y.k.e, which terminates here, is still to be traced. In the civil wars this place was considered of much importance, for Prince Rupert despatched a body of 500 horse and foot to occupy and fortify it. But history relates, that even before the fortifications were completed, the garrison was dislodged with great loss, by Governor Ma.s.sie. After this, a battle was fought between the royalists and the parliamentary forces, under Sir John Wyntor, when the latter was defeated with the loss of 220 men; and it is currently reported that he himself was forced to leap from the cliff into the river Severn, where a small boat lay ready to receive him; it is certain the place still goes by the name of "Wyntor"s leap."