SOUTHAMPTON. This rising town de peuds for its importance on its connexion wit l the sea, and its easy communication with th metropolis. The harbour, which is secure, affords good anchorage. Ship-building is ex tensively carried on, though the vessels buil are chiefly small. Southampton has a lett( coasting-trade, and a considerable trade tc foreign ports and the colonies. The custom; generally produce about 60,000/. a year, gross receipt. In 1819 the specie imported in tc Southampton amounted to 6,7880355/. The number of sailing-vessels registered Dec. 31, 1850, was 208 (12,843 tons). The number of steam-vessels was 10 under 50 tons, and 14 above 50 tons. Very large and convenient docks have been constructed on the eastern of the town, chiefly for the service of steam navigation. In Dec., 1811, the mail packet steam-ships to the West Indies com menced running. Passengers to the East embark here, there being a direct communi cation to India once a fortnight, as well as weekly, by steamers, to Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar, and daily to the Isle of 'Wight, France, and the Channel Islands. The
South Western Railway runs to the very edge of the docks, and the trade of Southampton is also promoted by the Andover Canal, which follows the valley of the Anton, and by the navigation of the Itchen, which extends to Winchester.
The trade of the docks is annually increas ing. In 1850, the tonnage of sailing vessels entered inwards at Southampton amounted to 187,435 tons, that of steam vessels to 155,566 tons. The dock and railway authorities have recently attempted to make Southampton the dep6t for the new Cape Screw-steamers ; but in this instance Plymouth has forestalled Southampton.
One of the largest coach factories in Eng land is at Southampton, whence coaches of the finest build are procured. A sugar factory has lately been built near the docks, at an expenditure of 8,000/.