cold for summer; but that in the Vale district eight months are summer, and the other four too warm for winter.

The soil is, in general, extremely fertile, and capable of producing all sorts of corn and fruits. William of Malmsbury, who died in 1142, says that the ground of this shire throughout yieldeth plenty of corn, and bringeth forth abundance of fruit; the one through the natural goodness only of the ground; the other through the diligent manuring and tillage, in such wise, that it would provoke the laziest persons to take pains.' This old writer adds that, in his time, one might see the highways and common lanes clad with apple trees and pear trees, not engrafted by the industry of man's hand, but growing naturally of their own accord.' He also adds, that no county in England was so thick set with vineyards as this province, producing wines but little inferior to the French wines. According to Mr. Rudge's Map of the soil of Gloucestershire, it appears that nearly one-half the soil, extending from near Bristol, north-west to Campden, near the Warwickshire border, is a stone brash on calcareous sand-stone. A second portion, nearly as extensive, reaching in the same direction, from the western side of Bristol to Dorrington, also bordering on Warwickshire, is brown clay, generally on a subsoil of blue clay; but there are in this district various mixed patches of red loamy clay on marl, ferruginous clay, or argillaceous loam, light loam on compact limestone, red sand or grit, black loamy soil, and peaty earths of various colors. The rest, for the most part, appears to he a mixed loam, on a stratum of broken rock, found chiefly along the Wiltshire border, and more particularly to the north and north-east of Cirencester.

The principal rivers are the Severn, Isis or Thames, Upper Avon, and Lower Avon; but there are others intimately connected with this county, particularly the Wye, the Frome, the Stroud, &c. The Severn, which rises on the east side of the huge mountain of Plyn Limmon, in the south-east part of Montgomeryshire, is deemed the second commercial river in England, and has been navigable time immemorial. It is of sufficient depth for vessels of from 150 to 200 tons burden, up to the city of Gloucester. The tide flows as far as Tewkesbury, nearly seventy miles from the sea. This county has the honor of containing the source of the prince of English rivers, the Thames. It rises at a place called the Thames' Head, near the village of Cotes, about two miles south-west of Cirencester.

Of the several navigable canals constructed in this country, the most remarkable are, 1. The Thames and Severn canal, which communicates with the latter river through the Stroud canal, and with the former river at the town of Lechlade. It was begun in 1783, and finished in ten years. The summit level is 241 feet above the level of the Stroud canal, and 130 feet above the river Thames at the place of its junction. These rises of level are surmounted by locks, admirably contrived and executed; and in one place it passes under the park of Lord Bathurst, through Sapperton tunnel, and, after being buried for the distance of two miles and five furlongs, again

emerges near Cirencester. The breadth of the canal is forty-two feet at the top, and thirty feet at the bottom, and it is constructed for barges adapted to the locks on the river Thames, as well as to those of the canal. This work has, however, been more splendid than useful: the expense has exceeded £250,000, and the tous are scarcely more than sufficient to defray the current repairs. In fact, it connects two rivers, the navigation of both of which is bad; but especially that of the Thames, and the trade, which once passed through this canal, has been diminished by the opening of the Kennet and Avon, which forms a better medium for the transit of goods from Bristol or Gloucester to London. 2. The Berkley canal, parallel to the river Severn, but which, by avoiding its sinuosities, shortens the navigation twenty miles, was begun in 1794. Though an improvement of importance, it languished many years, and is now scarcely completed. 3. The Hereford and Gloucester canal, designed to connect those two cities, passes near Boyce through a tunnel one mile and a quarter in length, between the Severn and Ledbury, to which place, a distance of seventeen miles, the rise is 183 feet.

The virtues of the MEDICINAL SPAS, at Cheltenham, are too well known to need a particular notice here, particularly after the account we have given of them in our article of that name. They form the point of the greatest resort of fashionable company in the county.

At Clifton, one of the most healthy and pleasant villages in the kingdom, and peculiarly distinguished by the immense acclivities of its rocks, is a celebrated medicinal spring called the hot-well, very anciently known as an efficacious remedy in cases of bodily decay. The water is perfectly pellucid; but in the year 1755, at the time of the great earthquake at Lisbon, it became as red as blood, and so turbid that it could not be drunk.

This county sends eight members to parliament, viz. two for the county, two for the city of Gloucester, two for Cirencester, two for Tewkesbury. The Berkeleys, Chesters, Southwells, Moretons, Duttons, and Guises have successively represented this county. Admiral Berkeley was returned 1780, 1784, 1790, 1796, 1802, 1806, and 1807, till he vacated his seat in favor of his nephew, the eldest son of the late earl Berkeley, respecting whose legitimacy there was such a memorable dispute. Gloucester sent members to parliament as early as the reign of Edward I.

This county has produced the following eminent persons:-Sir Robert Atkyns, a learned judge and able writer. Born 1621. Died 1709.

Sir Robert Atkyns, son of the preceding, wrote the history of this county. Born 1646. Died 1711.-Richard Clutterbrock, an extraordinary mechanical genius, though blind. Born at Rodborough in 1638.-Richard Coriensis, or Richard of Cirencester. Born in that town. He wrote the History of Roman Britain. Several of his MSS. are in different libraries. born in the year 1355. Died 1400. The monk Benedict, who wrote the life of St. Dubricius, lived about the year 1120. Born at the city of Gloucester.-William Cartwright, divine, poet,

He was

and dramatic writer. Born 1611. Died 1644. -Edward Chamberlayne, an English historian, Born at Odington, 1616. Died 1703.-Thomas Coxeter, critic and bibliographer. Born at Lechlade, 1682. Died 1747.-Robert of Gloucester, the oldest of our English poets, lived in the time of Henry II., about 1263. He wrote a Chronicle of Britain, in verse, from the age of Brutus to the reign of Henry III.-Richard Graves, an ingenious divine and miscellaneous writer, was author of the Spiritual Quixote, and of a much better work, entitled The Invalid, &c. He was a very learned and able man. Born at Micleton, 1715. Died 1804.-William "Guise, a learned divine. Born 1653. Died 1683.-Sir Matthew Hale, a learned and pious judge. Born at Aldersley, 1600. Died 1675.-John Harmer, a famous Greek professor. Born at Churchdown, 1595. Died 1670.-This county had also the honor of giving birth to Dr. Edward Jenner, whose discovery of the vaccine inoculation will convey his name to the latest posterity.-Sir Thomas Overbury, sometimes said to have been a Warwickshire gentleman, was born at Bourtonon-the-Hill, in this county, in 1581; and was poisoned in the tower of London, 1613. He wrote several pieces in prose and verse.-John Taylor, the water poet, was born at Gloucester, 1580. Died 1654.-The learned Dr. Joseph Trapp, was born at Cherington, 1672. Died 1747.-And, lastly, this county gave birth to the zealous and laborious founder of the Calvinistic Methodists, the Rev. George Whitefield. He was born at the Bell Inn, Gloucester, 1714, Died suddenly in America, 1770.

The principal manufactures of the county are those of woollen broad cloths of various sorts, but chiefly superfine, made of Spanish wool; and of fine narrow goods in the stripe and fancy way, to a very great extent. There are also manufactures of thin stuffs, composed of worsted yarn; and of carpets, stocking-frame-knitting, rugs, blankets, flax-spinning, felt hats, &c. There are also some pretty extensive brass, wire, and iron manufactories, &c. &c. The articles of agricultural commerce are cheese, bacon, cyder, perry, and grain of all sorts. Salmon are sent in great quantities to London from this county. The city of Glocester is celebrated for the manufacture of pins, which was introduced in the year 1626, by the public spirit of an individual named John Tilsby, the inventor. This trade affords employment for the laboring part of the inhabitants, but is not carried on so extensively as at the end of the last century; it is hoped, however, that the recent pacification of Europe will be the means of again placing the manufactories in a state of prosperity equal to the most favorable times. Borough-English (whereby lands and estates descend to the youngest son) is observed within the city.

GLOUCESTER, a city of England, the capital of the foregoing county, is situated in the beautiful vale of the Severn, on the left bank of that river, about thirty miles from the Bristol Channel. The Severn here dividing itself into two branches, forms the island of Alney: it is navigable for barges, and at spring tides for brigs. Gloucester is well supplied with water from springs in

the neighbourhood; and coal is brought down the Severn from Shropshire and Staffordshire. It is preferred to that of the adjacent collieries for its superior quality; and a considerable quantity is sent by the new railway to Cheltenham. Coal is also procured from the forest of Dean, and brought up the river at an easy rate of carriage. The markets are well furnished with corn, meat, poultry, &c. Gloucester is the see of a bishop, and returns its two members to parliament by 2000 electors. The chief manufactory at Gloucester is that of pins, which is here the most extensive in the kingdom; and a bell foundry has been established here since A.D. 1500, in a family of the name of Radhall. The city forms, with its towers and spires, an imposing appearance from the surrounding country. It is 106 miles west by south of London.

Gloucester is a large but not a populous place, consisting principally of four spacious streets, meeting each other at right angles, near the centre of the city, which take their names from the situation of the gates which originally stood at the bottoin of each; as East-Gate Street, West-Gate Street, North-Gate Street, and SouthGate Street; besides some back streets and lanes, chiefly on the west of the city. Where the above four streets meet, a lofty and beautiful cross formerly stood, which was removed in 1750. West-gate is still remaining, though in a ruinous state. The city is well-paved and cleaned; and contains, besides the cathedral, five parish churches, two grammar-schools, called the College and Crypt schools; a blue-coat school, where twenty poor boys are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, and are afterwards apprenticed to trades; several places of worship for Dissenters, Quakers, &c.; a Jews' synagogue; a county infirmary, erected in 1756; an hospital for the maintenance of fifty-four poor people, with a chaplain, physician, and surgeon; another hospital and chapel dedicated to St. James, for the maintenance of nineteen poor people; a general workhouse, incorporated by act of parliament, for paupers; two commodious markethouses; an elegant theatre; a custom-house; and a county-gaol, erected after the plan of Mr. Howard, on the site of the ancient castle. A noble shire-hall has lately been erected; an elegant assembly and pump room, &c. mineral springs here are chalybeate, and are thought scarcely inferior to Cheltenham.

The

The corporation consists of a recorder, twelve aldermen, one of whom is annually chosen mayor, town clerk, chamberlain, forty commoncouncilmen, and twelve incorporated companies of trades.

The cathedral is considered a very magnificent specimen of Gothic architecture. It was begun on the foundation of a monastery, about the year 1047, by Aldred, bishop of Worcester, afterwards archbishop of York. Abbot Horton, in 1551, built the north aisle, and the great hall, now used as a library; and succeeding abbots enlarged and beautified the venerable pile, until it was made a cathedral by Henry VIII., when he suppressed the monastery. It is 420 feet in length, and 144 in width. From the centre

rises a majestic tower, 198 feet in height, surmounted by two beautiful perforated pinnacles, twenty-four feet in height. This tower contains a peal of eight bells, the tenor of which weighs 6000 pounds.

The choir presents a fine specimen of pointed architecture, and is terminated at the east end by perhaps the largest window in England; composed entirely of painted glass. The canopies of the stalls exhibit a most beautiful specimen of the florid Gothic, and are the admiration of all who visit them. Among the monuments ia this cathedral, those of Robert duke of Normandy, and the unhappy Edward II., are most deserving of attention; the former is of wood, with the effigy of the duke; the latter of alabaster. Gloucester was formerly surrounded with walls, defended by a castle, built in the reign of William the Conqueror, and part of which was standing in Leland's time. The city had also at one time a mint. It has three large suburbs, and its boundaries are nearly three miles in circumference. The air is deemed salubrious. The annual average of burials, as registered for ten years, bearing only a proportion to the population of one in thirty-eight.

This town was made a borough by king John, and a corporation by Henry III. Edward I. held a parliament here in 1272, at which several useful laws were enacted, called the Statutes of Gloucester. Richard II. also held a parliament here; and Richard III., who bore the title of dake of Gloucester, gave the city his sword and cap of maintenance, and made it a county of itself, with jurisdiction over the hundreds of Dudston and King's Barton; but these privileges were taken away by act of parliament, after the Restoration, and the walls razed to the ground, because the inhabitants had shut their gates against Charles I. In the city and neighbourhood are many remains of abbeys of black and white friars, and formerly it had eleven churches. In the suburbs are the remains of Lantony Abbey, founded by the earl of Hereford for the monks who were driven by the Welsh from Monmouth. It is now converted into out-buildings belonging to some farms. Markets, Wednesday and Saturday.

GLOVE, n. s. &v.a. Į Sax. glope; Swed. GLOV'ER, n. s. glof; Dan. klaffaw, to divide. Old Minsheu asks, with more humor than judgment, 'q. gift-love?' A cover for the hands one whose trade is to make and sell gloves.

Hire glove he toke, of which he wos ful faine; And, finally, when it was woxen eve, And al wos wel, he rose and toke his leve. Chaucer. Troilus and Creseide. My limbs,

Weakened with grief, being now enraged with grief, Are thrice themselves; hence therefore, thou nice crutch;

A scaly gauntlet now, with joints of steel,
Must glove this hand. Shakspeare. Henry IV.
Does he not wear a great round beard like a glover's
Shakspeare,
paring knife?

They flew about like chaff i' the' wind;
For haste some left their masks behind,
Some could not stay their gloves to find.

Drayton.

GLOVER (Richard), the author of Leonidas and several other esteemed works, was the son of Richard Glover, a Hamburgh merchant in London, and was born in St. Martin's Lane in 1712. He very early manifested his propensity to poetry; and while at school wrote, amongst other pieces, a poem to the memory of Sir Isaac Newton, prefixed to the view of that author's philosophy, published in 4to. in 1728, by Dr. Pemberton. But, though possessed of talents calculated to excel in literature, he devoted his attention to commerce, and commenced a Hamburgh merchant. One of his earliest friends was Matthew Green, the author of some admirable poems, which in 1737, after his death, were collected and published by Mr. Glover. In 1737 Mr. Glover married Miss Nunn, with whom he received a handsome fortune; and published Leonidas, a poem, in 4to., which soon passed through three editions. It was inscribed to Lord Cobham; and on its first appearance was received with great approbation. Lord Lyttleton, in his Common Sense, and in a poem addressed to the author, praised it in the warmest terms; and Dr. Pemberton published, Observations on Poetry, especially epic, occasioned by the late poem upon Leonidas, 1738, 12mo., merely to point out its beauties. In 1739 Mr. Glover published London, or the Progress of Commerce, 4to., and a ballad entitled Hosier's Ghost. Both these pieces seem to have been written with a view to incite the public to resent the recent conduct of the Spaniards; and the latter had a very considerable effect. The political dissensions at this period raged with great violence, especially in the metropolis; and, at different meetings of the livery, Mr. Glover was called to the chair, and acquitted himself in a very able manner. His talents for public speaking, his knowledge of political affairs, and his information concerning trade and commerce, soon afterwards pointed him out to the merchants of London as a proper person to conduct their application to parliament on the neglect of their trade. He accepted the office; and gave striking proofs of his oratorical powers. In 1744 the duchess of Marlborough died, and by her will left to Mr. Glover and Mr. Mallet £500 each, to write the History of the Duke of Marlborough's Life. It is supposed that Mr. Glover very early renounced his share of it; and Mallet, though he continued to talk of performing the task almost as long as he lived, never made any progress in it. About this period Mr. Glover withdrew a good deal from public notice. He had been honored with the attention of Frederick Prince of Wales, who once presented him with a complete set of the Classics, elegantly bound; and, on his absenting himself on accoun