READING, Berkshire, the county town, a municipal and parlia mentary borough and market-town, and the seat of a Poor-Law Union, is pleasantly situated on the banks of the river Kennet, just above its junction with the Thames, in 51° 27' N. lat., 0° 58' W. long., distant 39 miles W. by S. from London by road, and 86 miles by the Great Western railway. The population of the town of Reading in 1851 was 21,456. The borough is governed by 6 aldermen and 18 councillors, of whom one is mayor; and returns two members to the Imperial Parliament. The sanitary arrangements of the town are under the management of a Local Board of Health. The livings are in the archdeaconry of Berks and diocese of Oxford. Reading Poor Law Union contains three parishes, with an area of 4699 acres, and a population in 1851 of 22,175.
Reading is first noticed in history in 871, when it was occupied by the Danes, who quitted the town towards the close of that year. In 1006 it wan burnt by the Danes, who destroyed an abbey of nuns, on the site of which an abbey for Benedictine monks was erected in 1121 by Henry I., who was buried here. In the following reigns the kings frequently resided at Reading, where a grand tournament was held by Edward IlL,'end four parliaments were held by Henry VI. and Edward IV. On the dissolution of the abbey, the buildings were appropriated as a royal palace. In the civil war of Charles I. the town was occupied successively by both parties, and suffered severely from being so long is garrison town.
Tho town is very irregularly laid out Much improvement has however taken place in its general appearance of late years. The chief business part of the town stands on the point of land at the junction of the Kennet with the Thames. The town is well paved, lighted with gas, and tolerably supplied with water. The houses are in general substantial, and built of brick ; but there are some old ones of lath and plaster, with high gables. As the river Kennet has is divided channel, there are several bridges in and near the town. St. Lawrence's church has some portions of tho original structure of Norman character; it consists of a nave and north aisle, and a chancel. There is s fine tower at the west end, of perpendicular character, and of chequered flint-work ; it has a peal of ten bells. St. 31ary's church consists of a nave, south aisle, a small north aisle, and a chancel ; it RSA rebuilt about 1551, chiefly from the materials of the abbey church, then pulled down; it has a tower similar to that of St. Lawrence. There are two district churches and a chapel of ease. The Baptists and Independents have each three chapels, the Primitive Methodists two, and the Wesleyan Methodists. Quakers, and Roman Catholics one each. The Roman Catholic chapel, erected in 1840, is a neat structure in the Norman style. It is built chiefly of flints from the abbey ruins. The Free Grammar school, founded iu 1486, has an income from endowment of about 501. a year, and had 26 scholars in 1854. Attached to the school are two fellowships at St. John's
college, Oxford ; and two recently-founded scholarships. There are National, British, and Infant schools; a Blue-Coat school, with an income of about 8501. a year, in which 40 boys are maintained and educated; a Green-Coat school for 21 girls; a Charity school of industry ; and six sets of almshouses. The town-hall is a commodious modern building, the underpart of which is appropriated to the use of the grammar school. A building, termed 'the Oracle,' was erected early in the 17th century by Mr. John Kendrick, a great benefactor to the town, for the employment of the poor ; the principal gateway, which is the most striking portion of the building, is of mingled gothic and Grecian architecture. The Publio Hall is a fine structure, con taining apartments for the Literary Society and mechanics institute. A new assize-hall has lately been completed. The new county jail and house of correction, erected on the plan of the Pentonville model prison, stande on the site of the abbey. Among other buildings requiring notice are, the borough buildings, public baths, a new and spacious hospital, and a large union workhouse. A medical dispensary is supported by volnntary contributions. There is a savings bank.
The trade of the town is considerable. Coarse linen is now woven to a small extent. Silk for umbrellas and parasols is manufactured; silt ribands and galloons are woven, and some floor-cloth and sail cloth is made. There are iron-foundries, breweries, and yards for building and repairing barges. Trade is carried on in corn, seeds, timber, bark, hope, wool, and cheese. Thera are flourishing biscuit making establishments. Fish sauce, sometimes called Reading sauce, is extensively made. Large quantities of flour and of agricultural produce are sent by railway and by barges to London. The markets are held on Weaneaday and Saturday. Fairs are held on February 2nd, May 1st, July 25th, and September 21st. The Kennet is navigable to Beading for vessels of about 120 tons burden. The Kennet and Avon Canal affords a water communication with most of the chief ports of the kingdom. The Great Western railway crones tho Kennet between the town and the river Thames. By the Reading, Guildford, and Reigate railway, the Great Wester°, South-Western, and South Eastern main lines are connected; by the Basingstoke branch of the Great Western from Reading, another communication is obtained with the South-Western line ; there is likewise a branch of the Great Western railway from Reeding to Hungerford. The amine, quarter merlons, and a county court are held in the town. Of the abbey buildings there are some ruins, especially the gateway and part of the great hall ; there are also seine interesting remains of the abbey mill. Of the buildings of • convent of Gray friars, the west window and part of the church remain. Races take place at Reading iu August.