Weymouth, seven miles and a half from Dorchester, is seated on the British Channel at the bottom of a beautiful Bay, that forms nearly a semicircle, making a sweep of more than two miles, admirably protected from all the winds by the surrounding hills. The shore is covered with a fine sand, and is so flat that people may walk nearly three hundred feet into the sea without being more than knee deep. On it may be frequently found a great variety of very rare and curious shells. The town stands on the south side of the river Wey, which separates it from the town of Melcombe Regis; this and its neighbour, as one borough, return tour members to parliament; a privilege allowed to no other place excepting London. Weymouth formerly carried on a considerable trade, and was the principal port in the count}'. The present bridge was erected in 1770, about 70 yards higher up the river than the old one. With respect to trade, this place is now rivalled by Poole, and depends more on the company resorting to it, than on any commercial pursuits. Till within the last thirty years, it was comparatively small and meanly built, but by rapid enlargements and many elegant erections, it has now become a very respectable place, sometimes with a population of 4000 souls. The most fashionable residences are, Gloucester Row, Chesterfield Place, York Buildings, Charlotte Row, Augusta Place, Johnstone's Row, Pulteney Buildings, St. Albans Row, Clarence Buildings, and Belle Vue. These being in the vicinity of the rooms, the libraries, and the theatre, and commanding extensive views by sea and land, are preferred as much as possible, both by strangers and natives.

The celebrated Ralph Allen, Esq. of Bath, recommended Weymouth as a bathing place about the year 1760, and the first machine seen on the beach, was constructed for his use. The first visit paid to Weymouth by their majesties v/as in the year 1789; since which they have frequently honoured it with an annual residence of some weeks during the season, and it of course became one of the most fashionable sea-bathing places. The late much-lamented Princess Charlotte of Wales also resided here during a whole summer; and the late Duke of Gloucester, having passed the winter of 1780 at Weymouth, found his health so much improved, that he erected Gloucester Lodge in the front of the bay, which was afterwards purchased by his Majesty, and has since been much enlarged and improved.

The market days here are Tuesdays and Fridays, when plenty of butchers' meat, poultry, and fish, may be purchased on reasonable terms. The small Portland mutton is met with here in perfection, and the most delicate kinds of fish may be had any day.

The building containing the Assembly rooms, with an Hotel 600 feet in length, and 250 feet in depth, was raised at the expence of 6000l. which was defrayed by subscriptions, in shares of 100l. each. Many additional houses have since been erected, and so great have been the subsequent improvements, that none but the inhabitants of the town can form an adequate idea of the changes it has undergone. The two ranges of houses called Gloucester Row and York Buildings, are very considerable additions to its appearance. Every spot of land fronting the sands has been snatched up with the greatest avidity, and appropriated to the purpose of building lodging-houses, which in the summer season are sure to answer every expectation of the proprietors. The Esplanade, which is kept in the most perfect repair, is a beautiful raised terrace of considerable length and breadth, with a slope gradually descending to the sands; and near the centre of the bathing machines, and opposite the royal residence, are flights of steps of Portland stone. Here is likewise a handsome battery, mounting twenty-one small guns, which are generally fired on extraordinary occasions. The Royal Assembly Room is a lofty, light, and spacious building, every way adapted for the purpose for which it was intended, and in which a hundred couples may dance with ease and pleasure.

On the quay is a most convenient hot saltwater bath which has effected many cures.

The bridge has been rebuilt in the Chinese style. The views from Weymouth are exceedingly pleasant, the buildings being so situated as to command interesting prospects. The houses fronting the bay, however, possess superior attractions, not only from their delightful situation, but also from their immediate vicinity to the places of recreation, the Theatre, Public Rooms, and Libraries. The principal Library is fitted up in a very elegant style, nearly in the centre of the Esplanade; over it is a card-room forty-five feet in length, twenty-three feet wide, and sixteen feet high.

Several small forts have at different periods been erected to defend the town and harbour from foreign enemies, and others were also raised during the civil wars. Upon the jetty, or New Fort, North Fort, and Dock Fort, are ninepieces of cannon.

The old church was a low building, dedicated to St. Mary, occupying the site of an ancient chapel belonging to the church at Radipole, of which parish this was originally a part, but in the reign of James I. was made a separate jurisdiction. Within it is a fine altarpiece representing the last supper, for which Sir James Thornhill, who presented it to the town, is said to have refused 70001, A new church has been erected here capable of holding 2000 persons. East of the old church are some buildings connected with a Dominican Priory, founded here about the commencement of the fifteenth century. These are now parcelled out in tenements, and the chapel belonging to the Priory is used as a malt-house. The Quakers and Independents have each a meetinghouse here. The number of houses in both divisions of the town, as returned under the lafe act, was 862, and that of the inhabitants 1747.

Sir James Thornhill, the celebrated painter of the cupola of St. Paul's, and of the halls of Greenwich Hospital and Blenheim, was born at Melcombe Regis, in Dorsetshire, in the year 1675. He practised originally as a house painter: but afterwards applied to historical subjects, and with so much success, that he rivalled the best proficients of his time. In March 1719-20, he was appointed historical painter to George I., and a few months afterwards received the honour of knighthood. Though employed in several extensive works, the advantage he derived from them was not always commensurate either to his merits or his genius. Thus for the dome of St Paul's, Sir James was paid 40s. for the square yard, and for the Hall at Blenheim 25s. A stronger satire upon the barbarous taste of his times, can scarcely be penned bathing machines and baths. The place were the company bathe is the bay, where immersion in the briny flood is at all limes safe, the waves being remarkably tranquil. The bathing-machines, forty in number, are constantly in requisition from morning till night. They are drawn into the sea by a horse to the necessary depth, and are attended by proper guides. A commodious hot saltwater bath is erected in a central part of the town, and deserves encouragement. The price of a single bath is 3s. 6d. if before six in the evening, and 4s. if after. Sedan-chairs are kept in constant attendance.

The business of the Weymouth stage is well conducted by Mr. Hughes. The house is elegantly fitted up, and the performers are frequently of the first order. The best Comedians from the London and Bath theatres usually exert their talents here. The boxes are sufficiently large to accommodate 400 persons. The public rooms and Hotel stand in the centre of Gloucester Row. The Assembly Room is lofty, light, and spacious, and very handsomely decorated, as well as delightfully situated. Hervey's Library is wear the centre of the Esplanade, and contains a good collection of books, with a commodious room for newspapers. The card-room over the library is large and elegantly furnished. Terms, 10s. 6d. per quarter. At. Wood's library on the Esplanade, besides a large stock of books, musical instruments may be hired at 2s. 6d. per week.

These are numerous and commodious on both sides of the harbour and in the interior of the town; but are seldom taken till the apartments fronting the sands are all engaged; the price is generally high. Half price, however, is taken from October to the 15th of June, and single gentlemen may always find accommodations. At the Boardinghouses both ladies and gentlemen will find every thing they can wish for at reasonable terms; especially at Scriven's on the Esplanade, and Clark's in St. Mary Street. The general terms are three guineas per week. With respect to Inns, the Hotel in Gloucester Row, the Hotel and Navy Tavern, the King's Head Inn, and the Crown Inn, are all good houses.

The Post Office is at Hervey's Library; the post sets out daily from London at half past ten o'clock in the morning, except Saturdays, and arrives every day at Weymouth by three in the afternoon, except Mondays, There are also bye-posts to the West of England. Three packets are stationed here for the islands of Guernsey and Jersey, one of which sails every Wednesday and Saturday, and returns immediately. To London, Bath, and Bristol, there are several coaches daily. In time of peace several excellent yachts are employed in trips to the Continent and the islands of Guernsey, Jersey, and Alderney. The new Church at Weymouth was opened on the 23rd of March, 1818, with due solemnity.

As the Steyne is the fashionable promenade at Brighton, so the Esplanade is that at Weymouth. It is above half a mile long and thirty feet broad, from whence the company may descend to the sands, and walk with as much comfort as on a carpet, with the invigorating sea breezes playing round them." Between the entrance of St. Thomas and St. Mary Street, a statue of his Majesty in his robes has been . erected on a stone pedestal, to commemorate the anniversary of the fiftieth year of his reign, and as a small tribute of respect from the inhabitants to their Royal visitor. From the centre of the bridge which connects Weymouth and Melcombe Regis, the views up and down the river are pleasing, and from thence along the quay to the end of the New Pier, the walk is replete with variety.

At the extremity of this pier, various pleasure vessels are stationed, which may be hired for aquatic excursions. From this spot their majesties have always embarked when going on board any of the ships of war that cruised about during their stay in this town. Another agreeable walk is to the Look Out on the Weymouth side of the water, commanding a beautiful view of the West bay, the Isle of Portland, &c. A little to the left of this is the Camera Obscura; and in the vicinity, a battery of heavy cannon and barracks for infantry.

A small distance from the Look Out, is Weymouth, or Sandsfoot Castle, from which to the Ferry-House, when the tide is out, the walk over the sands is equally salubrious and pleasant. To the lovers of picturesque scenery, a walk to the villages of Wyke, Chickerhill, and Bincombe, will afford high gratification; the land and sea views are both delightful. The roads towards Dorchester and Vaieham, have also their appropriate beauties. The little village of Radipole, where stands the ancient mother church of Melcombe Regis, is rural and inviting. But after all, the country appears naked from a deficiency of trees, and in summer time, the traveller, panting under the meridian sun, sighs in vain for shade. The lowering and improvement of Ridgeway Hill, between this place and Dorchester, will be found a great advantage to travellers.

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WEYMOUTH and Melcombe Regis are parishes which form a seaside resort and seaport and a municipal borough, union and market town, the whole being usually known as Weymouth, which is head of a county court district, in the Southern division of the county, Dorchester petty sessional division, hundred of Culliford Tree, rural deanery of Dorchester (Weymouth portion), archdeaconry of Dorset and diocese of Salisbury, 8 miles south from Dorchester, 20 south-east from Bridport, 24 south-west from Blandford, 28 west-by-south from Poole and 128 by road and 145 ½ by rail from London, on the London and South Western railway, and the Wilts and Somerset branch of the Great Western railway, the station being a commodious building at the north end of the town.

By an Order in Council of 6th December, 1881. Weymouth was constituted a port, the limits to commence at Alban’s Head, county of Dorset, being the western limit of the port of Poole, and to extend in a westerly direction along the coast of Dorset to the western bank of the river Char in the same county, being the eastern limit of the port of Exeter and to include the Island of Portland.

The borough includes the parishes of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis and parts of the parishes of Wyke Regis and Radipole.

Weymouth is more ancient than Melcombe Regis, although the latter appears to have enjoyed more privileges. Between the two arose a great controversy; both enjoying like privileges, and both challenging the particular immunities of the haven and each having overthrown the other, they continually commenced new suits; at last, having wearied the, Lords of the Council with their importunities, by the advice of William Cecil, the Lord Treasurer of England, they were amalgamated by Act of Parliament, passed 13 Eliz. (1570-71), and this Act was confirmed in the reign of James I. and the corporate privileges which had been allowed to lapse, were renewed in 1803 by George III.: by the “Municipal Corporations Act 1835” (5 & 6 Wm. IV. c. 76), the united borough was divided into two wards and the Corporation now consists of a mayor, six aldermen and 18 councillors: Weymouth and Melcombe Regis each separately returned two members to Parliament, the former from 12 Edwd. H. (1318-19) and the latter from 8 Edwd. II. (1314-15); the united boroughs subsequently returned two members only until the passing of the “Redistribution of Seats Act 1885” (48 & 49 Viet. c. 23), by which the representation was merged into that of the county. Melcombe Regis is situated on the northern side of the harbour, and takes its name from an old mill which formerly existed here : the second part Regis, from its being part of a royal domain. In the Norman survey, no mention is made of this place, it being then included in the parish of Radipole. Weymouth takes its name from the river Wey, over which there is a bridge connecting it with Melcombe Regis, which was reconstructed and widened in 1885. This town is situated on the English Channel, at the western side of a beautiful and expansive bay, which forms a semicircle, making a sweep of upwards of 2 miles, sheltered by a range of hills to the north and the Isle of Portland to the south. The site of the town is supposed to have been known to the Ramans: its existence in the time of the Saxons is undoubted, and in the time of Edward III. it became a place of consequence: during the civil wars it fell alternately into the hands of the King and the Parliament, and subsequently to this period it sank gradually into decay and was merely an inconsiderable fishing town, till it began to acquire celebrity as a fashionable bathing-place through its beautiful situation and its convenience for sea-bathing. The Duke of Gloucester afterwards visited it, and in 1789 George III. and his family made it their summer residence, and having experienced great benefit from its air and seabathing, frequently honoured it with their presence: from these circumstances the reputation of the town was restored, and in a few years it was rebuilt and enlarged to meet the demands of its numerous and distinguished visitors.

The Harbour is protected on the south-east by a concrete break waiter, extending about 500 feet in a northerly direction, from the Nothe fort; a pier partly of stone and partly of piling, forms the entrance to the north side of the harbour and the Nothe forms the south-west side; operations are being carried on to deepen the harbour, which at present has 12 feet of water at low tide and 18 feet of water at ordinary spring tide, enabling vessels of 2,000 tons to enter the port.

The backwater or estuary of the river Wey, is formed into a lake by means of a dam, and a small island known as “Swan Island,” in the centre has been converted into a swannery and there are at present about 200 swans on the lake, the property of the corporation.

The Esplanade is a handsome terrace, fronting the sea, about a mile in length asphalted from end to end, and defended from the sea by a stone barrier; from this there is an easy descent to the sands, of which the declivity is so gradual that at 400 feet from the shore the water is not more than knee-deep: benches and seats are placed at convenient distances for the use of invalids, who may sit and enjoy the sea breeze, with a view of the extensive headlands to the east and the English Channel and Isle of Portland to the south. At the south end of the esplanade is a pier constructed of stone on wood piles, running out 1,050 feet northerly; at the end is an octagonal pavilion with promenade on the top: at the entrance to the pier are lavatories and ladies’ waiting rooms: daily marine excursions are made during the summer months by a service of steamers from this pier, which is also a favourite resort for morning walks.

The town is well built, paved, and lighted with gas by a company, and well supplied with water by a company, who obtain it from a spring rising at Sutton Poyntz in the parish of Preston, 4 miles north-east, and conveyed by iron mains: the town has a police force. The principal houses front the sea; the streets in the town are narrow and of great antiquity; the principal road to the town has been planted with trees: large numbers of houses and streets have been planned and built in the north-east part of the town and a new suburb has sprung up (in the parish of Wyke Regis), on the opposite side of the backwater, called Westham.

The church of St. Mary, Melcombe Regis, rebuilt in 1817, is a plain edifice of stone, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, galleries, west porch and a tower, in which a new clock was placed in 1894: in the chancel is a beautiful altar-piece, The Last Supper, painted by Sir James Thornhill and one of his best efforts; be for some years represented this borough in Parliament; the church contains a fine organ, erected by subscription, and has a full choir, and is capable of seating 2,300 persons, 500 seats being free. The register dates from the year 1560. The living is a rectory, with Radipole and Christ Church annexed, average tithe rent-charge £208, joint gross yearly value £338, net £280, with 3 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of Simeon’s Trustees, and held since 1889 by the Rev. John Lovell Gwatkin Hadow M.A. of Trinity College, Oxford, and rural dean of Weymouth portion and surrogate.

Christ Church is a chapel of ease to St. Mary’s and was built in 1874 by public subscription; it is a building of stone in the Gothic style, and has chancel, nave, aisles, tower and clock and spire and a peal of 10 bells, which were the gift of Sir Henry Edwards, late M.P. for the borough: there are 450 sittings.

Holy Trinity is an ecclesiastical parish, formed in 1836 from the parish of Wyke Regis: the church, which was erected at the sole expense of the late Rev. George Chamberlaine, of Wyke Regis, is a plain building, of stone without tower, in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave, with east and west transepts, and contains gallery: in the chancel is a beautiful painting, by Vandyke, of the Crucifixion: it has a full choir: the font is of veined alabaster, white and brown, supported by four shafts of Devonshire marble on an alabaster base; it is octagonal in shape, in four of the panels being carved the symbols of the four Evangelists: there are several stained windows: the church was restored, enlarged and beautified, and reopened in 1887, and in 1891 a handsome iron chancel screen was erected: there are 800 sittings. The register dates from the year 1854. The living is a vicarage, yearly value £185, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Salisbury, and held since 1890 by the Rev. Lewen Burton Weldon D.D. of Trinity College, Dublin. The area is 205 acres; the population in 1891 was 5,000.

St. Nicholas’ chapel of ease to Holy Trinity, in the Buxton road, is on iron structure and consisting of chancel, nave and a turret containing one bell: there are 200 sittings.

St. John’s is an ecclesiastical parish, formed in 1856 from the parishes of Melcombe Regis and Radipole: the church is a Gothic structure of stone, consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave, aisles and transepts, west and south porches, north-west tower, clock and spire, containing one bell: it has a fine organ and several stained windows, and was opened in October 1854: the chancel was embellished in 1883 by the addition of a beautiful reredos in Caen stone and by mural decoration: there are 950 sittings. The register dates from the year 1854. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £500, with residence, in the gift of the rector of Melcombe Regis, and held since 1854 by the Rev. John Stephenson M.A. of Caius College, Cambridge, canon and prebendary of Salisbury and surrogate.

A Mission Hall, in connection with St. Mary’s, was erected in 1883, at a cost of £500; it is a red brick building, with bands and dressings of Broadmayne stone. A large Mission House of red brick, in connection with St. John’s, was also erected in 1893 at a cost of £2,000, and consists of reading and recreation rooms and an assembly room to hold about 450 persons. St. Martin’s Mission church, in connection with Holy Trinity, is near the recreation grounds and has 100 sittings.

The Catholic church, dedicated to St. Augustine, in the Dorchester road, erected in 1833, is a building of stone in the Gothic style and affords 180 sittings.

The Congregational church in Gloucester Street, erected in 1864, designed by R. C. Bennett esq. is an adaptation of Norman, with two spires 9 feet high, and will hold 700 persons. The Baptist chapel is in Bank buildings, erected in 1830 to seat 500. The Wesleyan chapel is in Maiden street, erected in 1870, to seat 800; it contains a handsome altar-piece and a fine organ: there is a small Wesleyan chapel in the Park, seating 108 : the Hope Congregational chapel in Trinity street, erected in 1862, enlarged and rebuilt in 1882, and will seat 700: the Primitive Methodists’ in St. Leonard’s road, built in 1876, will seat 240.

A Cemetery was formed in 1856 at a cost of about £4,000, about a mile west-by-north-west from the town; an addition was made in 1892 at a cost of £2,700; the cemetery contains two mortuary chapels, and is under the control of a Burial Board of nine members.

The Guildhall, in St. Edmund street, is a handsome building of Portland stone, with a fine facade and Ionic pillars, containing a public hall, magistrates’ room, police station and lock-up. In the magistrates’ room are oil paintings of Sir Christopher Wren, who was member of Parliament for Weymouth in 1700; and Sir James Thornhill M.P. for Weymouth in 1721; also of King George III. and the Duke of Wellington: the room contains a very ancient iron chest and an oak chair dated 1571.

The old Town Hall of the borough of Weymouth stands at the end of High street.

The general Market House is in St. Mary street; it has a very handsome front; the market is held daily, and is well supplied with meat and vegetables and Tuesdays and Fridays are special market days.

There are four banks : Stuckey’s Bank, in Bond street; R. and R. Williams, Thornton, Sykes & Co. (Dorsetshire Bank), in St. Mary street; Wilts and Dorset Bank, also in St. Mary street; and the Weymouth Old Bank (Eliot, Pearce & Co.), St. Thomas street.

Weymouth is the head quarters of the Dorset (Queen’s Own) Yeomanry Cavalry, forming part of the Portsmouth Yeomanry Brigade, of the 1st Dorsetshire Volunteer Artillery, Southern Division, Royal Artillery and the E Co. of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment.

The prosperity of the place depends mainly on its visitors; and since the railways have been extended to the town, the number of these has much increased. The exports are Portland stone, bricks, tiles and corn; the imports are coals, timber and wines. Ship and boat building, sail and rope making and brewing are carried on.

The Alexandra Gardens, to the south of the town, adjoining the esplanade, is an attractive pleasure ground, the property of the corporation, at the north end of which is a marble statue on a granite pedestal of Sir H. Edwards, formerly M.P. for the borough; at the north end of the esplanade are also other gardens, known as the Greenhill Gardens, laid out by Sir Frederick Johnstone bart. in 1872, and since maintained by him.

A yacht club was formed in 1875, called the Royal Dorset Yacht Club, and the Lords of the Admiralty have granted permission to fly the blue ensign of Her Majesty’s Fleet, with a burgee with the distinguishing marks of the club thereon-a blue cross with red edge and a crown in the centre on a white ground: their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Connaught K.G. joined the club as original members; the members now number 300, and about 150 of them belong to Dorset; the flag officers are, commodore, Lord Stalbridge; vice-commodore, the Earl of Eldon; rear-commodore, Montague Guest esq.; the united tonnage of their vessels amounts to over 12,000.

A Life Boat was presented to the borough in 1869, through the Royal National Life Boat Institution; and a new one in 1887 by E. Homan esq. of Finchley, who also gave £2,000, conditionally on the institution naming in perpetuity a boat to be called the Friern Watch.

The Masonic Hall, in Frederick place, is a chaste building, erected in 1826; it is in the Ionic style, and contains all the necessary appliances for the order: an elegantly fitted banqueting hall was erected in 1880.

Royal Victoria Jubilee Hall, St. Thomas street, erected in 1887, is a brick and iron building, the property of a limited company; it is 120 feet long and 91 wide, has a large stage and fit up, head and foot lights, and is let to theatrical companies, concert parties &c. &c.; the hall will seat 3,000.

The Working Men’s Club in Mitchell street, was built at the sole cost of Sir H. Edwards, late member for the borough; it is in the Romanesque style and contains a library of 1,200 volumes, lecture and reading rooms.

Weymouth and County Club, on the Esplanade, established 1862, has 80 members.

The Royal Baths, built for George III. are in St. Mary and St. Thomas streets; the entrance is through a lofty corridor, on each side of which are arranged the baths and retiring rooms.

At the top of St. Mary street is a life-size figure, on a granite pedestal of George III. standing and robed; it was erected to commemorate the 50th year of his reign.

The Jubilee Memorial four-faced illuminated clock was erected on the Esplanade, by public subscription, the clock being the gift of Sir Henry Edwards, formerly M.P. for the borough; it is on an iron pedestal 44 feet high.

The principal hotels are-the Imperial Burdon Hotel, Victoria terrace; the Gloucester Hotel, Gloucester row; Victoria Hotel, Augusta place; Marine Hotel; Golden Lion Hotel, St. Edmund street; and the Crown Hotel, St. Thomas street.

The borough Fire Brigade consists of one superintendent, the whole of the police and five turncocks of the Waterworks Company. No. 1 station is in St. Helen’s lane and contains two hose carts, stand pipes and hose fitted with instantaneous couplings, and fire escape and Tozer's patent hand pump; No. 2 station is in Chapelhay, and contains hose cart, stand pipes, ladders and hand pump.

The Weymouth and Dorset County Royal Eye Infirmary was established in 1836 ; the present building was erected by public subscription in 1872: it is a Gothic building of Portland stone, and will make up twenty-two beds: outdoor patients are relieved on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10 a.m.; the yearly average number of in-patients is about 180 and of out-patients about 970. A men's ward was added in 1889 at a cost of about £400. Patients are also received from the adjoining counties of Hants, Wilts and Somerset.

The Weymouth Royal Hospital and Dispensary was erected in 1872, and is a substantial building faced with red and black bricks; it will make up twenty beds; outpatients are relieved every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; the yearly average number of in-patients is about 85, and of out-patients 1,751.

The Weymouth Sanatorium, founded by the late W. Johnson Smith M. D. in 1848, for diseases of women and children, is a stone building and will make up twenty-five beds; out-patients (from all parts) are relieved every Tuesday and Friday: yearly average number of inpatients 1892-3 was 245, and of out-patients 1,205 , a marble bust of the founder was unveiled in 1883, and stands in a niche in the entrance lobby; it is the work of Donald Haggart, of Glasgow.

A Port Sanitary Authority has been established, and an hospital erected in 1880 at Wyke Regis, at a cost of between £5,000 and £6,000: it is built of concrete and brick, and consists of five wards: each ward is isolated, and has room for 25 beds; the average yearly number of patients is about 18.

Many legacies have been left for the purposes of education, apprenticing, and for the relief of the poor; there was a fund of £100, to be lent to young tradesmen for three years, which has been merged into other charities by order of the Charity Commissioners: there are several societies for clothing the poor; also charitable institutions and benevolent societies.

In Wyke road are four almshouses, for the benefit of four poor widows of the borough of Weymouth, built in 1829, by the Rev.-Chamberlayne, with funds accumulated from a legacy left by Mr. Buxton.

The rides and walks in the vicinity of Weymouth are very delightful and abound in beautiful scenery.

To the west of the town, on an eminence, is a place called the Nothe and Look-out; infantry barracks are also situated here. A fort, in the shape of a horse-shoe, stands on the cliffs and commands the bay from the east side of the Nothe. Further along the cliffs are the ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, erected in the year 1533 by King Henry VII.; it is situated at the edge of the cliff, and is fast going to decay, part of it having fallen into the sea.

The area of the municipal borough is 453 acres; the population in 1891 was 13,866; of Weymouth parish, 3,591 including 179 in the infantry barracks and 160 officers and inmates in the workhouse; Melcombe Regis parish, 7,626; part of Radipole parish, 1,240; part of Wyke Regis parish, 1,409, and 22 on ships in the harbour; the area of Weymouth parish is 77 acres, and of Melcombe Regis, 102 acres; rateable value, Melcombe Regis, £43,551; Weymouth, £9,842. The population of the municipal wards in 1891 was: Melcombe Regis, 8,866 and Weymouth, 5,000. The population of the ecclesiastical parishes in 1891 was Holy Trinity, Weymouth, 5,000 and St. John the Evangelist, Weymouth, 3,654.

Weymouth Union

Board day, alternate Tuesdays at the Workhouse, at 2.30 p.m.

The Union includes 18 parishes, namely:-Abbotsbury, Bincombe, Broadway, Buckland Ripers, Fleet, Langton Herring, Melcombe Regis, Osmington, Owermoigne, Portisham, Portland, Poxwell, Preston, Radipole, Upway, West Chickerell, Weymouth & Wyke Regis. The population in 1891 was 32,629; area, 33,803 acres; rateable value in 1894, £152,713.

Places of Worship, with times of services

St. Mary’s Church, St. Mary street, Rev. John Lovell Gwatkin Hadow M.A. rector; Rev. R. E. Tanner M.A. & Rev. A. Sewell M.A. curates; Edward Fooks, parish clerk; 11 a.m. & 3 & 6.30 p.m. ; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

St. John's Church, Rev. Canon John Stephenson M.A. vicar; Rev. Henry Farrer M.A. curate; 11 a.m. & 3 & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.; saints’ days and holy days, 11.30 a.m.

Holy Trinity Church, High street, Weymouth, Rev. Lewen Burton Weldon D.D. vicar; Rev. John Beatty & Rev. Frank Howard Wales M.A. curates; 8 & 11 а.m. & 3 & 6.30 p.m.; daily at 8.30 a.m. & 5 p.m. & Fridays, 7.30 p.m.

Christ Church, Chapel of Ease to St. Mary, King street, Rev. Thomas Ovens M.A. curate; 11 a.m. & б.30 p.m.; Thur. 8 p.m.

St. Nicholas, Chapel of Ease to Holy Trinity, Buxton road; 8 & 11 a.m. & 4 p.m.

St. Augustine (Catholic), Dorchester road, Very Rev. Canon Patrick O’Brien, priest; Sundays, holy communion at 8 a.m.; mass & sermon, 10 a.m.; catechism, 3 p.m.; service, devotions, sermon & benediction, 6.30 p.m.; week days, mass, 8 a.m.; winter, 8.30 a.m.

Congregational, Gloucester street, Rev. William Tanner Hughes, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Thur. 8 p.m.

Congregational, Trinity street, Rev. William Lewis, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Mon 7.30 p.m.

Baptist, Bank buildings, Rev. Greenwood Robinson, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Mon & Thur. 7.30 p.m. in winter & 8 p.m. in summer.

Primitive Methodist, St. Leonard’s road, Rev. George Stranger; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Wesleyan, Maiden street, Rev. William Henderson; 11 а.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Mon & Thur. 7 p.m.; branch chapel, Derby street, 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Tues. 7.30 p.m.

Wesleyan, Park, 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Tues. 7 p.m.

Seamen’s, Quay, ministers various; 3 & 7 p.m.

Mission Hall (St. Mary’s), West street; Sun. 7 p.m.; Fri 8 p.m.

Mission Hall (St. Martin’s), in connection with Holy Trinity, near the recreation grounds; Sun. 6.30 p.m.

Mission Hall, Turton street (Unsectarian); 11 a.m. & 6.30 p m.; Tues. & Thur. 7.30 p.m.

Mission Hall, High street (Unsectarian); 6.30 p.m.; Thurs. 7 p.m.

George Street Hall; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.

Salvation Army, Maiden street; 8 & 11 a.m. & 3 & 6.30 p.m.; daily, 8 p.m.

SCHOOLS

Weymouth College.

There is accommodation in the school for about 60 boarders; the vice-master & science master also receive boarders at their residences. There is a large schoolroom, with class-rooms, lecture room, library, museum, chemical laboratory, botanical laboratory, carpenter’s shop, bath-room, covered gymnasium, play-ground & play-field. In the preparatory school pupils are received from 7 years of age to prepare for Weymouth College. A scholarship of £40 yearly, tenable at the college, is offered biennially to pupils educated at Cleveland House, under the Rev. A. Sewell Scholarships & Exhibitions.-There are 12 scholarships worth £30 & £40 a year, & tenable at the school for 3 years. Three entrance scholarships, at least, are offered each year, & exhibitions value £20 to £30 a year given at the same time, if candidates of sufficient merit present themselves. An exhibition or prize of the value of £21 is given yearly to the boy who does best at the annual school examination. One scholarship of £50 a year, tenable for 3 years, is given annually to a boy who distinguishes himself in the University Scholarship examination, or in the Indian Civil Service examination, or the entrance examinations for the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, & for Sandhurst. The school is examined every year, partly by the Joint University Schools’ Examination board & partly by the syndicate of the University of Cambridge. Prizes are awarded on the results of these examinations. There are all the usual adjuncts of a public school, viz. Cricket & football clubs, cadet corps of Royal Engineers, lawn tennis, library & reading-room, debating society, natural history society, school magazine.

Castle House School is a young but rapidly rising institution, having begun with five boys and entered on its fourth year with fifty. It is a superior middle class school, a prominent place in the plan of study being given to modern languages and arithmetic; Weston Oliver, principal.

Weymouth School of Art, Market street, hon. sec. Everton Devenish esq.

St. Mary’s National, School street, rebuilt in 1884, for 700 children; average attendance, boys 200, girls 190; infants 200.

Holy Trinity National, Chapelhay, built in 1854, for 700 children, and enlarged in 1894; average attendance, 741.

St. John’s National, built in 1864, for 650 children; average attendance, 560.