SALISBURY, a city of England, in Wiltshire. It is'situated in a broad valley near the junction of three rivers, the Avon, the Nadder, and the Willey, the waters of which are conducted through every street by means of small brick canals, and thus not only pro mote health and cleanliness, but facilitate many of the processes of useful industry. The form of the town is that of an oblong square, about three-fourths of a -mile each way, if Fisherton is included, and consists of five principal streets, running parallel to each other from cast to west, and intersected at right angles by other five streets, so that the spaces between the streets constitute a square, which is occupied by a series of houses, with their backs looking into an area occupied by gardens, offices, Sze. Most of the houses are built of brick, though some are of wood, and very irregular. The other part of the town, called the Close, which is nearly half a mile square, contains the cathedral, the episcopal palace. and the college of matrons, the deanery, the prebend's houses, and seve ral handsome private houses held principally under the dean and chapter.
The cathedral, was founcLed in 1219 by Bishop Poore. It is built in the form of a lanthorn, and consists of a nave, with two side aisles; a bold and lofty porch; a large transept, with an eastern aisle; a chapel at the east end, with an intermediate vestibule, or double aisle, terminating the choir; and a lofty tower and spire, which rise from the intersection of the great transept. The cloister, chapter-house, consistory court, and vestry, are added to the south side of the church. The spire, which is light and tapering, rises to the height of 404 feet above the level of the ground. It has declined 222th inches from the per pendicular.
The interior of the building contains many interest ing objects, among which are several beautiful win dows of stained glass, and various spend-id and hand some monuments.
This cathedral has lately undergone a thorough repair, and forms one of the most _interesting public buildings in Great Britain. It is said to have as many doors as there are months, as many windows as there are days, and as many pillars as there are hours in the year.
The episcopal palace, which is near the south-east corner of the cathedral, is a large and irregular build ing, altered and enlarged at different periods. The college of Malvius is appropriated for the reception of ten widows of clergymen of the established church.
It was founded by Bishop Ward, who endowed it with 200 per annum.
Beside the cathedral there are three parish churches, St. Martin's, consisting of a nave, two aisles, a chan cel and a tower; St. Thomas's, which is a large struc ture, with a spacious nave, two side aisles, three chancels, a vestry room and a tower at its south-west angles, and possessing several large and curious monu ments; and St. Edmund's, founded in 1268.
The town-hall or council-house stands at the south east corner of the market place, and contains the courts of justice for the assizes and quarter sessions; &c. It is built of brick, with the angles, &c. of stone, and has a recess with a portico supported by four Doric columns. This elegant building was a present from the Earl of Radnor to the corporation.
The other public buildings of Salisbury arc the in firmary,a large brick building, more commodious than elegant; the county jail which is under good regula tions; the poultry cross, which is a Gothic structure, of a hexagonal form; a theatre and assembly, and concert room; the grammar school ; Godolphius' school, endowed for eight young ladies; the bishop's school, for educating and clothing twenty boys and girls. The river is crossed by three bridges. Fisher ton and Crane bridges are of stone, and consist each of six arches, connecting the city with the suburbs of Fisherton. Harnham bridge, which consists of ten arches uniting Salisbury with the suburb of East Harnham, is divided into two ports by a small island. The principal manufactures of Salisbury are cutlery and steel goods (particularly scissars, knives and razors,) fine flannels, woollen serges, kerseymeres, figured woollens for waistcoats, &c. The trade of the city has been greatly increased since the forma tion of the Salisbury canal, which communicates with the port of Southampton. The town is governed by a mayor, high steward, recorder, deputy recorder, twenty-four aldermen, thirty common councillors, and a town clerk. The corporation of fifty-six persons elect the two members of parliament. Population in 1821, 8763, and number of houses 1680. West long. 1° 47'. north lat. 51° 4'. See Ledwich's 3ntiquates Saris burienses, 1777; Britton's History, ,S•c. of the Cathedral Church of Salisbury, 1815; Dodsworth's Historical .qc count of the Episcopal see of Salisbury, 1825; and the Beauties of England and ]]"ales, vol. xv.