HAMPSHIRE, or familiarly HANTs, a maritime co. in the s. of England, is bounded on the iv. by Dorset and Wilts, on the n. by Berks, on the e. by Surrey and Sussex, and on the s. by the English channel. The county, including the isle of Wight, has an area of 1,070,216 acres, 900,000 of which are estimated to be under culture. Its pop. in '61 was 481,495; and in '71, 544.684. The surface is irregular, being traversed by the North and South Downs. The s.w. portion of the county, almost wholly detached from the main portion by the Southampton water, is occu pied mainly by the New Forest. This tract is 64,060 acres in extent, is the property of the crown, and is valuable for the oak and beech timber obtained from it for the use of the British navy. Within tbeloregt, an aboriginffi breeds! found. Besides that called the New Forest, there are also remain§ of those of Here, Alice Holt, Wool i!rier, etc. The principal rivers are the Anton or the Test, and the Hellen, which flow :southward through the county into the Southampton water, and the Avon, also flowing .southward, and forming the western boundary of the New Forest. The climate of the county is ingeneral mild, and favorable to vegetation; indeed, the climate in the s. of the isle of Wight is supposed to be milder than that of any other portion of Great Britain. The soil consists in part of poor sands and gravel, and of a mixture of stiff
clay and chalk. All the usual crops are produced, hops are cultivated, and the bacon cured here is famous. The manufactures of the county are inconsiderable. Southamp ton and Portsmouth, both termini of important railways, are the chief centers of trade. The county, exclusive of the boroughs and the isle of Wight, sends four members to the house of commons. The New Forest seems to have been fatal to the family of William the conqueror; there two of his sons, and hisgrandson, met with sudden and violent deaths, Of the early ages of English history, Hampshire contains many inter ,esting relics: of these the chief are Porcliester castle, at the head of Portsmouth harbor; Calsliot and Hurst castles, now occupied as coast-guard stations, erected in the time of Henry VIII., and Netley and Beaulieu abbeys, and the priory of St. Dionysius, all in the neighborhood of Southampton. The county is exceedingly rich in Roman remains, ;as coins, urns, pottery, etc. For further information on the antiquities and history of the towns of Hampshire, see articles Wiairr, ISLE or; WINCHESTER, etc.