SALISBURY, or NEW SARUM, the capital of Wiltshire, au episcopal city, a municipal and parliamentary borough, and the seat of a Poor-Law Union, is situated on the Great Exeter road, nt the junction of the rivers Avon, Wily, and Bourne, in 51' 5' N. lat., I' 48' W. long., distant 82 miles W.S.W. from London by road, and 91 miles by the Salisbury branch of the South-Western railway. The municipal borough le co-extensive with the parliamentary : the popu lation in 1851 was 11,657. It is governed by C aldermen and 18 councillors, one of whom is mayor; and returns two members to the Imperial Parliament The city comprises three parishes, the livings of which are in the archdeaconry and diocese of Salisbury. For Poor Law purposes Salisbury is managed under a local act ; that part of the borough which Is affected by the act comprises an area of 480 acres, with a population in 1851 of 8930.
This city had its origin in the 13th century, when the bishop and canons of the cathedral of Old Sarum [Wirirsitine], in consequence of a feud with the captains of the fortress, commenced a new church on lands belonging to the see. The inhabitants of Old Saturn followed their clergy, and Now Saturn, or Salisbury, rose into existence. Henry III., made it I• free city,' and gave to the inhabitants a fair and • market ; in the succeeding reigns several parliaments were held In it.. The city was fortified by a wall and ditch ; and the erection of a bridge over the Avon at Harnham brought to it the great western road which had previously passed through Old Sarum. Tho borough has returned members to Parliament from the 23rd year of the reign of Edward I.
The city occupies part of a peninsula formed by the river Avon on the west and south, and by the river Bourne on the east The suburb of Fisherton Anger, which forms part of the borough, is on the left bank of the Avon, at the confluence of the Wily. At the suburban village of Bentham, the Dorchester and Exeter road crosses the Avon by a bridge of 10 arches. There aro two other bridges over the Avon. The principal part of the city lies Imme diately to the north of the cathedral close, and consists of several regular streets, forming a series of squares called chequers, the Interior of which is laid out in courts and gardens. Most of the houses are of brick, of comparatively modern erection. The streets are well paved, lighted with gas, and drained by brooks let in by floodgates from the Avon through the principal streets. The cathedral close, a meadow of half a square mile in area, is entered by throe ancient fates, and the open space around the cathedral adds much to the imposing beauty of the edifice, which for size and for uniformity and purity of style is one of the finest ecclesiastical structures inEngland.
It is of the early English style, in the form of a double cross, and consists of a nave and choir with two side aisles, a space on the east of the choir, and a lady-chapel at the east end ; a large transept with an aisle ea its east aide ; a smaller transept east of the former, with an aisle on its east side : a central tower and spire; a north porch, a ineutiment-roons, or vestry, at the south end of the eastern transept; &sheets, and a chapter-house. Tho tower and spire were built a century later than the church. The church is 474 feet in extreme leagtlt the great transept Is 230 feet, the nave from the western door to the organ- creen is 22 feet. The height within the vaulting of
the nave, choir, and transepts is 81 feet ; the external height, to the ridge of the roof Is 115 feet ; the height of the spire, which is the highest in England, is 404 feet. The cloisters and the cemetery of the does form a square of 131 feet, inclosed by a beautiful arcade corresponding in style with the church. and connected with the elapter-house, which ie a remarkably elegant octagonal chamber with a vaulted roof, supported by a clustered pillar in the centre, and adorned with some curious sculptures. There is some excellent stained Ova. The episcopal palace iu the south-eastern angle of the doe. is a large building of various dates and styles, with an extensive garden. At the north gate, adjoining the city, is the Matrons' college, founded by Bishop Ward for teu clergymen's widows of the diocese. There are two parish churches and a chapel of ease ; two chapels for Iralependenta, two for Wesleyan Methodists, and one each for Primi ties Methodists, Baptists, and Roman Catholics. In the close is a Normal school for female teachers, under the superintendence of the bishop and clergy of the diocese. This institution had 60 students in residence in 1854. The Cathedral Grammar iehool had 87 scholars in 1351. There are also a school for preparing iudigent girls of respect able families for superior service; two National schools; and one Roman Catholic school. In the centre of the city is the market-place, a spacious and handsome square. At its south-east corner stands the council-house, a fine building of brick with a stone portico, erected at the expense of the Earl of Radnor. At the south-west corner of the square is the poultry-market, which contains a very handsome hex agonal cross of the age of Edward III. Among the public buildings are the county jail and bridowell ; a spacious and well conducted infirmary ; the Salisbury and Wiltshire library and reading-rooms, with a museum attached; the assembly- and concert-rooms; the savings bank ; the Wilts and Dorset female penitentiary ; a small theatre; and the Union workhouse, which is part of an ancient monastio establishment. The charities of the city produce a yearly revenue of 5000/. Salisbury contains many examples of ancient domestic architecture. The Lent assizes for Wiltshire are held in the city, also quarter and petty sessions, and a manor court-leet. The manufacture of hardware and fine cutlery, particularly scissors, is carried on to some extent ; but the principal traffic consists in the sale of agricultural produce. There are markets, on Tuesday for corn, Saturday for cheese and provisions, and once a fortnight for cattle. Fairs are held on the Monday before April 5th, and on October 22nd. Salisbury is the place of election for the southern division of Wiltshire.
The see of Salisbury is in the province of Canterbury. The diocese includes Dorsetahire and the larger part of Wiltshire, and comprises 444 benefices; it is divided into the archdeaconries of Wilts, Dorset, and Salisbury. The chapter consists of the dean, archdeacons, chancellor, precentor, and five canons. Tho income of the bishop is Reed at 5000/.