Besides the institutions we have mentioned, there is a workhouse, built in 1636 by Mr. Sykes, several old alms houses, founded by John Harrison, Esq. and consisting of 20 dwellings, to which 12 more have been added, and 10 new almshouses, founded by Mrs. Potter, for the widows of deceased tradesmen.
The principal manufacture of Leeds and its vicinity is that of cloth. It consisted formerly of the coarser kinds, but the superfine cloths are now manufactured on a great scale. Swandowns, toilenets, kerseymeres, and various other fancy articles, are also made here. Manufactures of sacking, canvas, linen, and thread, have also been carried on to a considerable extent. Two carpet manufactories have also been established, besides several cotton mills, manufactories for flat and green glass, and for fine and Coarse pottery goods. There are also several founderies. On the banks of the Aire, and its tributary streams, are mills for grinding corn, dyers wood, rape-seed, for fulling cloth, and for driving the machinery for the carding and spinning of wool. There is likewise a large manufactory of steam engines carried on by Mr. Mathew Murray, which, we believe. is the largest in England, excepting that of Messrs. Boulton and Watt.
Leeds is one of the principal marts of the woollen manu factures in the west riding of Yorkshire, and a great part of the cloths pass through the hands of the Leeds mer chants. The manufacturers of mixed cloths reside chiefly
in the villages belonging to the parish of Leeds, westward of the town, and at Dewsbury and its vicinity, Ste. The white cloth is made also at Dewsbury, and in a district six miles distant from Leeds.
The borough of Leeds, which includes the whole pa rish, is governed by a mayor, 12 aldermen, and 24 coun cillors.
The country round Leeds is pleasant and beautiful. The vale of the Aire is highly interesting. The soil is very fer tile, and within three or four miles of the town there is abundance of coal, which is very cheap. Within a mile of the town are vast quarries of argillaceous schistus, which supply Leeds, kc. with flag-stones.
In 1811 Leeds contained 12249 houses, and 62534 inha bitants.
Leeds is situated in East Long. 0° 37' 26", and North Lat. 63° 48' 0".
For farther information respecting this opulent town, see the magnificent work of Thoresby, entitled Ducatus Leodi ensis, edited by Dr. 'Whitaker, and published at Leeds in 1816 ; also Whitaker's Loicles and Elmete, Leeds, 1816, a work of equal splendour ; and the Beauties of England and Wales, vol. xvi. p. 775.