BRENNER Mo UNTA INS, formerly denominated the Rhretian are a chain of mountains in the Tyrol, running in a north easterly direction from Sterzing to lnspruck. The mountain Brenner, from which the chain derives its name, is so called from the frequent thunder storms which rage on its summit ; and, according to Beaumont, is only 5109 feet above the level of the sea. The other mountains are Gefrorn, which rises from the midst of a long course of glaciers, running north-east and south-west, and is one of the highest peaks of the chain, and continually covered with snow ; Habichspiz, Tributaan, and Bock-kogo. There are also, on the north-west, mounts Lorenzen, Fartschel, and Tschafat feh ; and, on the south-east, Wander, Schloss, Pragls, and Pallanser. The Brenner mountains rival the Alps in numerous glaciers, and are inferior neither in height nor ruggedness to those of Appenzel. Their summits are entirely bare, and appear to be granitic ; while the inferior mountains are calcareous or argillaceous. Iii the glacier of Stuben, which is 4692 feet above the sea, the granite and porphyry arc often covered with cal careous stones, and " it presents," says Pinkerton, "the Visual phenomena of such scenes, with beautiful pyra mids of azure, which in sun-shine reflect a blaze of light." The town of Steinach stands nearly in the centre of the chain ; and when approaching these moun tains from Italy, the ascent is almost gradual from Trent to their highest peak. The high road leading to In apt uck passes over them, extending along their sum mits nearly 12 miles. It is very secure and agreeable during the months of July and August, but very dan gerous in winter, on account of the avalanches. The mountains towards the south are rich in wood and pas turage, but those on the north are bleak and barren. Near the glaciers are found rock crystals of various colours ; and the inferior ranges contain mines of silver, copper, lead, mercury, iron, alum, and sulphur. In the
valley of Zill, is a mine of gold, but scarcely worth the expense and labour of working it. See Pinkerton's Grograph:', vol i. p. 387, and Bcaumont's Mixtian 408. (a) BRE:a, TFORD, a market town of England, in the county of Middlesex, is situated on the north bank of the Thames, about seven miles from London The Brent, from which it derives its name, passes through it, and divides it into the old and new town ; the former of which belongs to the parish of Great Ealing, and the other to the parish of Hanwell. It is a long, straggling, ill-paved town, interspersed with a few good modern built houses ; and is inhabited chiefly by shop-keepers and tradesmen. The church is a modern structure, built in the reign of Edward I., but rebuilt in 1764, and serves as a chapel of ease to Great Ealing. Brentford is a place of considerable traffic. Its com munication with the capital is greatly facilitated by the Thames, and market boats go every tide to London The great western road also passes through the middle of the town. Its principal trade consists in making malt, in an extensive distillery, and in the manufacture of bricks, tiles, and earthen ware It has also a flour mill, on the same construction as the late Albion mills, which, with its other manufactures, affords employment for its numerous poor. About a mile west of Brentford is Sion-house, formerly a celebrated nunnery, now a seat of the duke of Northumberland ; and, at the east ex tremity of the village, on the opposite side of the Thames, are the beautiful gardens of Kew. Brentford is chiefly noted for being the seat of election for the members of the county, when it is the resort of all the rabble of the metropolis. It has two annual fairs for hoAes, cattle, hogs, goods, SZ,C. ; one on the lath of May, and the other on the 13th of September. It contains 277 houses, and 1443 inhabitants, of whom 334 are returned as employed in various trades. (p)