WINCHESTER, a city of England in Hamp shire, and the see of a bishop, is situated on the east declivity of a hill which slopes gradually to the valley of the river Itching. It consists chiefly of one main street, running from E. to W. and in tersected with a number of minor streets and lanes. In the middle of the High Street stands the cross, 43 feet high, consisting of three stories, with open arches, niches, pinnacles, &c. The principal building in, the city is the cathedral, which exhibits an interesting display of all the varieties of English architecture.* The great central tower rests upon four solid piers, and rises 140 feet above the pave ment. The most interesting parts of the building are the choir, the magnificently carved screen in stone work; the chauntries of Cardinal Beaufort and Bishop Waynfleet; Bishop Langton's chapel, Bishop Orleton's chapel, and the celebrated font of black marble, covered with sculptures. Many sovereigns and eminent persons have been interred in the cathedral. In the 12th century Bishop Blois collected the remains of the principal of them, and deposited them in six wooden chests, inscribed with their names and epitaphs. St. Lawrence church, near the cross, is considered the mother church of the city, and has a lofty square tower with five bells, but the chief parochial church is that of St. Maurice, which has two aisles. St. Thomas's is an ancient edifice. The other churches are St. Swithin's, Sr. Peter's, St. John's, with a good tower, and St. Martin's. Beside the churches of the establishment, there are various meeting houses for dissenters, the finest of which is the Roman Catholic chapel, built in 1792. The other public buildings are the town hall, rebuilt in 1713, a neat market house, erected in 1772; and St. John's house, a charitable foundation, in the great hall of which public feasts and assemblies are held. The ancient chapel is now used as a free school. A large and commodious county goal has been some years ago erected on the north side of the city, and there is also a bridewell for the city and another for the county. The theatre, which is a handsome
edifice, was built in 1785. Winchester college, founded by Bishop Wykeham was completed in 1393. It consists of a warden, 70 scholars, 10 secular priests, or perpetual fellows, 3 parish chap lains, 3 clerks, 16 choristers, and a first and second master. The buildings occupy a considerable space of ground, consisting principally of two courts and a cloister. The first court is entered by a spacious gateway, and the second by a tower gateway. The chapel and hall form the south wing of the quadrangle. The library is in the centre of the cloister, and the hall is in the S.W. corner of the second court. About a mile S. of the town is the hospital of St. Cross, founded by Bishop Blois, for the residence and maintainance of thirteen poor men, and the relief of 100 indigent persons of good character. It was enlarged by Bishop Beaufort; but it now consists only of 10 residents, and 4 out pensioners, with one chaplain and the master. Every traveller who knocks at the lodge and seeks relief, receives bread and beer. The architecture of the building is curious. The building called the king's house, intended by Charles IL as a palace, has been converted into barracks, which hold 3000 men. The ancient episcopal palace of \Vol vesey castle still exists in ruins.
The trade of Winchester is inconsiderable. An ancient woolcombing manufactory still exists, and the silk manufacture has been lately introduced. Its trade is promoted by its vicinity to the sea, with which it has a direct communication by a navigable canal. The population of Winchester city and Soke Liberty, in 1321, was 1219 houses, 1432 families, 918 in trade, and total population 7739. The population of the city alone did not then exceed 5500 inhabitants. Sec the Beauties of England and ffides, vol. vi. p. 6, &c.