The gun wharf embraces several ranges of buildings for holding naval and military artillery, &c. On the wharf is the grand depot for guns, carronades, and mortars, with shot and shells of all sizes, ranged in immense pyramidal piles. The small armoury is a recent building, capable of holding arms for 25,000 men. The victualling office consists of several extensive ranges of buildings, includ ing an excellent house for the agent; victualler, and a storehouse, extending the whole length of St. Thomas Street, and containing the spiritg and liquors for the sup ply of the navy. The beef and pork are prepared and salted, and the biscuits baked in the other buildings. The wheat for the biscuit is ground at the King's Mill, on the Portsea side, which was built on piles, and cost L.7000. It is driven by a stream of salt water, admitted from the harbour through a large sluice, which is closed at high water. On the ebbing of the tide the stream returns to the harbour after performing its work in the mill.
Portsmouth harbour surpasses every other in the United Kingdom by its depth, its capaciousness, and its security. The largest first rates may ride here at the lowest ebbs without touching the ground ; and it has been considered as capable of receiving the whole British navy. When ships are driven from their anchors at Spithead, they find perfect shelter within Portsmouth harbour. This harbour is very narrow at its entrance, which does not exceed the breadth of the Thames at Westminster, but it rapidly ex pands, and throws out several branches to Fareham, Por chester, and Portbridge. The bottom every where good anchorage, and it is so completely free of bars and impedinients, that a first rate can set sail at any time of the tide, and suit the harbour in the deep water beneath South Sea Castle. Portsmouth harbour is likewise secure from any attack by sea, by means of the various forts and batteries which defend the approath, and are nearly-level with the woter's edge.
The fortifications of the town were commenced by Ed card IV.; and since that time they have been greatly in creased, and are now deemed impregnable. Charles II. im proved and enlarged them by a kind of star-fort round South Sea Castle ; but as this was partly blown up by accident in 1759, 69371. was granted by the parliament for improving the works. William III, also made additions to the de fence of the town, stud since 1770 many others have been completed at a vast expense. The newest fortifications are those on the Portsea side, and the works, which are faced with stone, are so elevated as to command the sur rounding country. The . ditekes are wide and deep ; and strong and capacious outworks strengthen the whole line. An extensive ravelin at the head of the creek between Portsea and Portsmouth, connects these works with those of the latter town, the communication between the towns being preserved by a long bridge, which leads to St. Tho
mas's gate. The fortifications on the Portsmouth side, which extend from the town to South Sea Castle, form a noble semi-circular terrace, above a mile in length, which is planted with elms, and forms a favourite promenade. From the Platform, which is the principal resort of com pany, there is a fine sea view of unrivalled beauty.
Among the charitable establishments of this town, is a free grammar school, founded by Dr. Smith, who gave the patronage of it to the dean and chapter of Christ's Church. There are several other schools here, particularly one un der the patronage of a Friendly Society, kept in the Society Hall. There is also here an alms-house for eight poor widows. The poor are here employed chiefly in picking oakum. The pours-house of Portsmouth is an old build ing, in a confined and dissolute part of the town. That of Portsea occupies a more open spot, about a mile distant, and has within its walls a garden and a large area.
The custom house is situated in Broad Street, which forms a part of the western suburb. It is a large and com modious building, with an extensive establishment. The merchant ships lie in a large bay, between the gun wharf and the Point, having the advantage of an excellent quay, with all its appendages. This communicates with Ports mouth by a large gate, called the quay gate. At the point, and close to the mouth of the harbour, is a bathing-house, which is both spacious and commodious. Several exten sive breweries have been established at Portsmouth, and a bank has been erected on the Parade. There is a theatre in the town, which is well attended. Two newspapers are regularly published in the town. A new prison has been recently built in Penryn Street at an expense of 20,0001.
The towns of Portsmouth and Portsea are governed by a mayor, a recorder, twelve aldermen, an unlimited num ber of burgesses, and some inferior officers.
Portsmouth sends two members to parliament; the right of election being vested in the mayor, aldermen, and bur gesses, who now amount to 110.
In the neck of Spithead, at the distance of about a mile from the entrance of Portsmouth harbour, is a buoy, which marks the spot where the Royal George, of 100 guns, was sunk by accident in 1782. When lying on her side to repair her keel, a sudden squall threw her broadside on the water, and the lower deck-ports not having been lashed down, she filled with water, and sunk in about three mi nutes. Admiral Kempcnfelt and above 400 of her crew, besides 200 women, perished in her. Her top masts are yet visible above water.
Position of Portsmouth Academy, West. Long. 1° 6' 4". North. Lat. 50° 48' 2". For farther information re specting Portsmouth, see the Beauties of England and Wales, vol. vi. p. M. Dupin's 11Iemoires sur la .Marine et les Fonts et Chaussees de France et .4nglc terre. Paris, 1818, p. 36.; and his Force Militalre de Grande Bretagne, tom. ii. p. 425.