BRIDPORT, a borough and market town in Dorset shire, is situated in a vale surrounded by hills, between two branches of the river Brit, about one mile north from Bridport Bay, and 135 south-west from London. This town has a very respectable appearance, and con sists of three spacious streets, having many substantial houses, both of brick and stone. A handsome market house stands in the centre, and near it the church of St Mary, which is a large ancient building, in the form of a cross, adorned with pinnacles and battlements, and a tower in the middle 72 feet high. It had once a priory, which stood near the bridge, and several religious foundations; but no traces of them are now to be seen. It has, however, a charity-school and three alms-houses. Bridport is a great thoroughfare to the west of England, and its inhabitants are chiefly employed in the manu facture of small cordage, nets, and sailcloth ; the greater part of which is consumed in the British and Newfound land fisheries; and it has been computed, that nearly 1500 tons of hemp and flax are here annually converted into these articles. Indeed this manufacture was for merly so flourishing, that it was enacted, in the reign of Henry VIII, that all the cordage used in the English navy should be made at, or within five miles of Brid port; and this act continued in force for nearly 60 years.
Its harbour, which is situated very conveniently for trade, at the mouth of the river Brit, about a mile south from the town, has long been choked up with sand; but of late has been so far recovered as to admit a few ves sels not exceeding 200 tons burthen. It does not ap pear, however, that this town was ever of any conse quence in maritime affairs ; and though many attempts have been made to make it a port, yet they have all proved ineffectual. Many excellent vessels are built at Bridport, particularly smacks, with which most of the trading companies in Scotland are supplied. It has two market days, Wednesday and Saturday, and three annual fairs. It returns two members to parliament ; and contains 287 houses, and 3117 inhabitants, of whom 3006 are employed in trade and manufactures. N. Lat. 50° 41' 13", NV. Long. 2° 50' 59". (L)