GUILDFORD, a borough and market town of England, in Surrey. It is the county town, and is situated on the side of a considerable chalk hill on the cast bank of the \Vey. This river is crossed by a stone bridge of five arches, which was lately widened with brick, and the cen tre arch enlarged to allow barges to pass. The town is large and well built, and consists principally of one excel lent and spacious street, which, from the declivity of its situation, is particularly striking to strangers. Guildford contains three parish churches. Trinity church is situated on the top of the hill, and on the south side of the high street. The foundation stone was laid in 1740, and it was completed in 1763. It is a handsome brick structure, 82 feet long, and 52i broad. The tower, which is also of brick, is about 90 feet high, and contains eight bells. St Mary's church is a very rude and ancient building, consist ing of chalk, flint, pebbles, and rubble stones, coarsely put together. St Nicholas's church, which stands on the west bank of the `Vey, is an ancient building of chalk and stone. The other public buildings and institutions are, the hos pital, the free grammar school, the town or guildhall, the theatre, and the gaol. The hospital, built in 1619, is a brick building, inclosing a quadrangular space of 66 feet broad, and 63 deep, with a noble tower gate, with four turrets, at its entrance. It was founded by George Abbot, archbishop of Canterbury, for the maintenance of a mas ter, twelve brethren, and eight sisters. The free gram mar school, built of brick and stone, was built in 1557, and is 65 feet long and 22 broad. The town or guildhall, is a spacious building, with a turret on the top. It was
erected in 1683, and is 44 feet long. The hall was for merly used at the assizes ; but in 1789, Lord Onslow and Lord Grantley purchased the Red Lion Inn, and on one part of the ground erected a room 40 feet long, 30 broad, and 20 high, in which the judges now sit. The theatre was built near this room a few years ago. The gaol, re built of stone in 1765, is near St Mary's church. There is also here a charity school, a Roman Catholic chapel, and meeting houses for the Baptists, Presbyterians, and Quakers : a cold bath was erected at a house near the bridge,by Lord Grantley, in 1775. There is a fine circu lar race course about two miles east of the town. A plate of 100 guineas given by William III. and three subscrip tion plates, exclusive of matches, are run for in Whitsun week. The castle of Guildford, one of the principal ob jects in the town, is situated about 300 yards southward of the high street. The keep is now the chief part that re mains. It is a quadrangle, 47 feet by 451, and 70 feet high. The walls are ten feet thick. On the west side of the keep may be seen the outer gate of the castle. The ruins occupy at present about five acres. In the chalky cliff on which the castle is situated, is a series of caverns. One of these caverns is 45 feet by 20 wide, and 9 feet high. This town formerly enjoyed a considerable share of the clothing trade ; but a small part of it only remains. The trade of the place consists chiefly in sending timber and corn to London by the Vey, and in supplying the sur rounding villages with their requisite merchandize. A direct communication has lately been made with Brighton