, into the Thames at Abingdon; from near Bath to Abingdon, about BERKSHIRE one and three-quarter miles. Mineral waters are by no means comin this county. The natural productions of this county, except which may be considered partly agricultural, are neither plen or important. There are no minerals nor fossils of any great con- Natural ence. The strata of sand with oyster-shells, and particularly a thick productions. atum of chalk, is found near Reading. The surface of the soil, wever, amply compensates for the apparent barrenness of the innal parts; and the produce of fat cattle, sheep, swine, and grain, is mense; as is also that of fine timber, especially oak and beech. Abingn gives the title of Earl to the Bertie family-Coleshill, that of Baron to e Pleydell-Bouverie family-Foxley, that of Baron to the Townshend faly-Hungerford, that of Baron to the Rawdon-Hastings family-Mortier, the title of Earl to the Harley family-Newbury, that of Baron to the olmondely family-Uffingham, that of Viscount to the Craven family— d Windsor, the title of Baron to the Windsor-Hickman family; and rl, to the Stuarts. It has been calculated, that, including houses, mills, d other productive revenue arising from or attached to the soil, the aded property cannot amount to less than £500,000 per annum, and at the largest possessor may have about £8000. The largest possessor, ing a peer, is the Earl of Craven. The Craven, Englefield, Eyston, Read, Ancient and outhby, Seymour, and Clarke families are among the few ancient families noble faho still inherit the same estates, and occupy the same seats, or are im-milies. ediately connected with the county, as their ancestors. Among the presentatives of some very old families, or in the female line, may be inked the Berties, the Nevilles, the Pleydells, the Puseys, the Throckortons, the Lovedens, the Nelsons, and the Blagraves. The King is irposely omitted in this brief list :-his possessions as a landed prorietor being well known. Agriculture so much engrosses the attenon of the people of Berkshire, that very little trade, unconnected with ese pursuits is carried on. There are, however, some manufactories f sail-cloth, kerseys, canvass, and malt; and there are also several retty large breweries in various parts of the county: the Windsor ale aving acquired considerable celebrity; and at the Temple mills, near isham, there is a copper manufacture, and a manufacture of potash at lilton. * BERMONDSEY stretches along the banks of the Thames, from Southark to Deptford, and Rotherhithe eastward, and is much inhabited by 'oolstaplers, fellmongers, curriers, parchment-makers, and other manucturers, with such craftsmen as are connected with the construction and anagement of shipping. A priory for monks was founded here in 1082, y Aylwin Child, a citizen of London, and endowed by the second Wilam with his manor of Bermondsey. In 1399, it was made an abbey, nd at the dissolution, it was granted to Sir Thomas Pope, who built on is site a large house, which afterwards became the property and residence f the Earls of Sussex. Another part of the site is called the Abbey House. Royal resiCatherine, the Queen of Henry V., and Elizabeth, Queen of Edward IV. etired to this place, where they died, the former in 1436; the latter oon after the forfeiture of her lands, by an order of the Council, in 1486. dence. BERMOND- Church and schools. Castle in ruins. Totness......2 Torquay... .7 Brixham .7 .5 .4 49 The The church was erected in 1680, of brick, with a low square tower and turret, and consists of a chancel, nave, two aisles, and a transept. A free school was founded here by Mr. Josiah Bacon, and endowed with a revenue of £150. for the instruction of not more than sixty, or fewer than forty boys. A charity-school was also established, by contributions, in 1755, for the education of fifty boys and thirty girls, and was afterwards endowed by Mr. Nathaniel Smith, with a revenue of £40. per annum. Bermondsey Spa was discovered in 1770, and, by means of the attractive entertainments contrived by the proprietor, became a place of general resort; but soon after his death the gardens were closed, and the area is now built upon. This suburban parish long retained a very antique air from the age of several of its streets and houses, many of which were built of wood. But the spirit of improvement has gradually amended its appearance an act of parliament was passed in the year 1823, for watching, paving, cleansing, and lighting the parish. A new church has been erected here for the convenience of the parishioners, at a moderate distance from the mother church; it is, however, subordinate to the original rectory. * BERRY POMEROY. This place, situated in the hundred of Hayter, derives its name from the Pomeroys, a very considerable family in these parts. Ralph de Pomeroy, who came to England with William the Norman, and for his services was rewarded with fifty-eight lordships in this county, built a castle here, the magnificent ruins of which, seated on a rocky eminence, rising over a pellucid brook, now form, in combination with the other features of the scenery, one of the most delightful views in Devonshire. The approach to the castle, observes Dr. Matton, in his Observations on the Western Counties, " is through a thick wood, extending along the slope of a range of hills that entirely intercept any prospect to the south on the opposite side is a steep rocky ridge, covered with oak, so that the ruins are shut into a beautiful valley. The great gate, with the walls of the south front, the north wing of the court, or quadrangle, some apartments on the west side, and a turret or two, are the principal remains of the building; and these are so finely overhung with the branches of trees and shrubs which grow close to the walls, so beautifully mantled with ivy, and so richly incrusted with moss, that they constitute the most picturesque objects that can be imagined; and when the surrounding scenery is taken into the account, the noble mass of wood fronting the gate, the bold ridges rising in the horizon, and the fertile valley opening to the east, the ruins of Berry Pomeroy Castle must be considered as almost unparalleled in their effect." The posterity of Ralph de Pomeroy resided here till the reign of Edward VI., when Sir Thomas Pomeroy sold the manor to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, from whom it has descended to the present Duke of Somerset. Berry Pomeroy Castle, whose venerable ruins we have just mentioned, appears to have been originally quadrangular, and to have had but one entrance, which was on the south side, between two hexagonal towers, through a double gateway; the first of which was machiolated, and strengthened by angular bastions, and having over it the Pomeroy arms, still visible. A small |