Northumberland is a maritime county, being bounded on the east by the German Ocean; on the south by the rivers Derwent and Tyne, which separate it from Durham; on the north and west by the river Tweed, the Cheviot Hills, and other mountains, by which it is divided from Scotland; and on the south-west by part of Cumberland. Its general form is that of a triangle, the sides of which are unequal. It measures from north to south about 64 miles, from east to west 48 miles; it is about 230 miles in circumference, and is reckoned to contain 817, 200 acres.

The air is not so cold as might be expected from its situation so far to the north; for as it lies between the German and Irish seas, in the narrowest part of England, it has the advantage of being warmed by the sea-vapours; and hence the snow seldom lies long, except in the most northern parts, and on the tops of the lofty mountains. The air is also more salubrious than might be imagined in a country bordering on the sea, as appears from the strength, robust health, and longevity of the inhabitants. This advantage is attributed to the soil on the coast, which being sandy and rocky, does not emit such noxious vapours as those that constantly rise from mud and ouze.

Name & Ancient History

This county received its name from the Saxons, by whom it was called Northan-Humber-Land, signifying the land or county north of the Humber. It was anciently of much greater extent than at present, comprehending Yorkshire, Durham, Lancashire, Westmorland, and Cumberland, and was a distinct kingdom of the Saxon Heptarchy.

At the time of the invasion of Britain by the Romans, this county, with several others adjoining, was inhabited by the Ottadinini, Ottadeni, or Ottatini, a people supposed to have been so called from their situation near the river Tyne, who, being uneasy under the Roman government, conspired with the Caledonians, in the reign of the Emperor Severus, and threw off the yoke; at which that prince was so provoked, that having assembled his army to reduce them, he ordered the soldiers to give them no quarter; but his death prevented the execution of this inhuman command, and the Britons were left masters of this province, till Theodosius, some time after, landing in England, reduced them. Under the Romans Northumberland made part of the province of Maxima Caesariensis.

The Romans having withdrawn their forces, the Britons, who had been exhausted by the bravest of their youth having been sent abroad to fight the battles of the Romans, were obliged to call in the Saxons to assist them against the Scots and Picts; but the Saxons, having vanquished their enemies, settled here themselves, and divided part of the island into seven kingdoms, of which Northumberland was one of the chief, and was afterwards called Bernicia. It was first brought under the Saxon yoke by Offa, the brother of Hengist, and his son Jebusa.

This county lying on the borders of Scotland, whose inhabitants often made inroads into it, partly for conquest and partly for pillage, it was at length found necessary to constitute particular governors to guard and defend the borders, and these were called lords of the East, West, and Middle Marshes; at the same time every man possessed of great wealth found himself obliged to provide a castle or some kind of fortress for his own safety.

The population of this county consisted, according to the late returns, of 157, 101 persons viz. 73, 357 males; and 83, 744 females; of whom 25, 738 were returned, as being employed in trade, manufactures or handicraft; and 23, 190 in agriculture. The county of Northumberland returns eight members to Parliament; viz. two for the county; two for the town of Newcastle; two for Morpeth; and two for Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Rivers

This county is extremely well watered with fine rivers, the chief of which are the Tweed, the north and south Tyne, the Coquet, and the Read.

The Tweed rises in Scotland, and running northeast, is joined by the Bowbent, the Bramish, the Till, and other smaller streams; it parts England from Scotland, and flows into the German Sea at Berwick.

The South Tyne rises near Alston Moor, in the north-east part of Cumberland, and running northwest to Featherston-Haugh, near Haltwhistle, there forms an angle, bending its course north-eastward, and being joined by two small rivers, called the east and west Alon, joins the north Tyne, near Hexham.

The North Tyne, which is much the most considerable, rises in a mountain called Tynehead, on the borders of Scotland, and flowing south-east receives a small river called the Shele; then continuing the same course, is joined by a considerable stream, called the Read; and having received the south Tyne, passes by Newcastle, and discharges itself into the German Ocean, a little below Tynemouth.

The Coquet rises on the borders of Scotland, a little to the north of the source of the Read, and running eastward is joined by several streams, passes by Rothbury, and falls into the German Ocean at Warkworth.

The Read rises on the western borders of this county, in a mountain, called Readsquire, and at its source is a considerable river; and after having run some distance south-east, in which course it receives many streams, it fall into the north Tyne, near Beilingham.

Great plenty of various sorts of fish, especially trout and salmon, are produced in these rivers; the Tweed, in particular, is remarkable for its salmon fishery. The lords of the manors bordering on these rivers have the property of the fishery, which they farm out to fishermen, who dry part of the salmon they catch, pickle them, and export to various parts considerable quantities.

Civil and Ecclesiastical Divisions

The county of Northumberland is divided into six wards, viz. Tindal, Coquetdale, Glendale, Bamborough, Morpeth, and Castle ward, having three Borouerhs, viz. Newcastle, where the assizes are held, Morpeth, and Berwick-upon-Tweed; nine market towns 46 parishes, and 28, 052 houses. It is included in the northern circuit, in the province of York, and in the diocese of Durham.

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NORTHUMBERLAND, the most northern of the comities of England, is a maritime shire, being bounded on the east by the North Sea or German Ocean, on the west by the county of Cumberland and Roxburghshire in Scotland, on the north by the lowlands of Scotland, from which it is separated by the river Tweed, and on the south by Durham, from which it is separated by the rivers Tyne and Derwent; its length from north to south is about 62 miles, and the breadth in the widest part is 45 miles, but it diminishes in width as it approaches the north, until at its junction with Berwickshire it becomes nearly a point: the districts of Norhamshire and Islandshire in the north, adjoining Berwick and Bedlingtonshire in the south-east, and formerly belonging to Durham, were annexed to Northumberland by the Acts 2 and 3 William IV. cap. 64, and 7 and 8 Vic. cap. 61.

Holy Island, near Berwick-on-Tweed, belongs to Northumberland, with which it is connected by a narrow isthmus about two miles in length, which is left almost dry at the ebb of the tide: the island is about six miles in circumference, and contains 3,320 acres of land, a great portion of which, on the north side, consists chiefly of barren soil and sand hills, which form a spacious rabbit warren; the Farne Islands, which are farther from the coast, also belong to this county.

The area of the county is 1,289,756 acres, and is the fifth in size of the counties of England-Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Devon being larger: it is, however, not so thickly populated as several other counties, and ranks eighteenth in number of inhabitants.

Of this number there were 252,283 males and 253,747 females.

The number of houses were:-inhabited, 79,985; uninhabited, 4,639; and building, 620.

The population is chiefly descended from the Northumbrian English of Northumberland, Durham, and the Lowlands, with very few South and Middle English. There are a few Scotch and Irish.

The early history of Northumberland, which, as its name imports, originally comprised within its limits all that district lying north of the Humber, is obscure. Beyond the names of a few rivers, as the Tyne and the Tweed, in which an Iberian etymology is to be recognized, we have no traces of the people who held it before the Celts, who were there found and subdued by the Romans, who, about A.D. 80 had traversed Northumberland, and reached the Tay, and gradually mingling with the native population, left upon them the impress of their habits and refinement. The Romans occupied the county very thickly, as is attested not only by the remains that have been found from time to time, but by the names given by their English successors to their garrisons, towns, fortified camps, roads and other settlements, among the most interesting of which is the great wall of Hadrian, constructed as a protection against the maraudings of the North Britons.

The Roman Wall.-The great Roman wall, extending from Wallsend on the Tyne to Bowness on the Solway Firth, a distance of about 73 ½ miles, consisted, in its complete form of three parts:-1. A stone wall, with a ditch on its northern side. 2. A continuous earthwork, always to the south of this wall, but at varying distances, according to the nature of the country, and consisting of three ramparts of unequal size and a ditch between the two northernmost. 3. Stations, castles and watch towers, generally placed between the two lines of fortifications, but not unfrequently south of them, and sometimes to the north of the stone wall; and there were also roads communicating between all these and extending at certain points to the north and south. Whether these several parts constitute a single work, reared by one person, or whether they represent distinct works, constructed by different builders, has been much disputed, some writers attributing the earthwork or “vallum” to Julius Agricola and Hadrian, and assigning the stone wall wholly to Severus; while others, admitting that Severus may have repaired the wall, assert that the fortifications as a whole were planned and executed by Hadrian alone; the latter view is that adopted by the best authorities on the subject, and it may therefore be concluded that the wall was begun about A.D. 119, the year in which Hadrian arrived in Britain, and it was completed after his departure, probably in about two years, by his legate and propraetor, Aulus Platorius Nepos. The course taken by the wall, though generally in a straight line, rises gradually on leaving Newcastle for about one-half of its entire length, and then falls, though less gradually, to Carlisle; and where, at different stages, its course becomes irregular, these deviations have been caused by the necessity of seizing upon the highest points as often as they fell in the way. No part of the stone wall is now perfect, and its original height is therefore a matter of some conjecture, but it is estimated to hare reached an elevation, including the battlements, of from 16 to about 20 feet, and in thickness it varies from 6 to 9 ½ feet; the stone employed in the work is chiefly a species of quartzose grit, very carefully selected, and sometimes brought from quarries at a distance, the sites of which in a number of cases have been exactly determined; the exterior facing of the wall on both sides is constructed of squared and tooled blocks, and the interior space was filled with concrete of great tenacity, poured in a liquid state. The ditch protecting the wall on the north was excavated with great labour, sometimes through masses of rock, and its dimensions are still considerable, being in places from 30 to 40 feet wide at the top, with a depth of from 9 to 20 feet. The ramparts of the “vallum,” or second wall, though composed principally of earth, also contain stone in large quantities, and are now at their highest points about 7 feet in height; the ditch between them is somewhat smaller than that described above, and the two principal ramparts run at a distance of about 24 feet on either side of it, the smaller mound overhanging its southern bank. The stations (Castra stativa) were permanent camps, established at intervals, averaging 4 miles each, along the line of the wall, and occupied by bodies of troops, either alas or cohortes, under the command of prefects and tribunes. The number of these stations, as given in the " Notitia Dignitatum et Administrationum a species of Roman army list, compiled at the beginning of the 5th century, appears to have been 23, of which it is supposed that 18 were principal and the remainder auxiliary or subsidiary stations. With the assistance of this list and the evidence afforded by the wall and the stations themselves, the ancient sites and designations of 12 of the principal stations have been accurately ascertained. These, beginning from the mouth of the Tyne westwards, are as follows:-1. Segedunum (Wallsend); 3. Pons AElii (Newcastle-on-Tyne); 3. Condereum (Benwell); 4. Vindobala (Rudchester, near Wylam-on-Tyne); 5. Hunnum (Halton Chesters, near Corbridge); 6. Cilurnum (Chesters, near Hexham); 7. Procolitia (Carrawburgh, near Hexham); 8. Borcovicus (Housesteads, in Thorngrafton, Haltwhistle); 9. Vindolana (Chesterholm, at Wall Town, Haltwhistle); 10. AEsica (Great Chesters, also at Wall Town, Haltwhistle); 11. Magna (Carvoran, at Thirlwall, Haltwhistle); 12 Amboglanna (Birdoswald). The last of these is in Cumberland, and the remaining six stations, up to Bowness, the assumed site of Tunnocelum, have not yet been certainly determined. All the stations were quadrangular in plan, and inclosed by stone walls from 5 to 8 feet thick, pierced by four or more gateways, the contained area being from 3 to 5 ½ acres, and traversed by streets crossing each other at right angles. Along the wall and within it, at intervals of 1,611 yards (a Roman mile) were square castles, measuring about 60 by 50 feet, some of which, in a more or less perfect condition, still exist; and between these, and recessed in the wall, were placed watch towers, 12 by 10 feet, with walls 3 feet thick. Excavations carried on since 1880 have led to the discovery of several of these. A military road, 18 feet wide, and still traceable, ran between the two lines of fortifications; and another road, called “Stanegate,” proceeded from Amboglanna, south of the “vallum,” to a station at Fourstones, about 2 miles south-west of Cilurnum. The “Maiden Way” intersected the wall at the 12th station, and at the 5th station it was crossed by Watling Street, both great lines of communication running north and south. Some description of the existing condition of the stations in the Northumberland portion of the wall, and of the excavations made on their sites, is given in the following pages, under the parishes in which they respectively occur; the highly interesting and valuable results achieved are due to the labours of various antiquaries, but to none more than to John Clayton esq. F.S.A. of Chesters, on whose estates the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th stations are situated, and to the Rev. J. Collingwood Bruce LL.D., F.S.A. from whose elaborate work this short account has been chiefly compiled. The Watling Street enters the county in the south, and after crossing the great wall it separates into two-the one road, called the Devil's Causeway, taking a north-north-east course to the Tweed, the other road a north-westerly direction to the Scotch border of the county; the stations Btreminium and Halntancum were on the latter road. Among other indications of the Roman occupation are Outchester, Hedchester, Fernechester, Chesterhope, Greenchester, the Whitchester near Heddon, another near Greystead, and a third near Melkridge; Chesterwood and the several Chesters near Tillmouth, Humshaugh and Walltown; Tedcastle, Castle Nook, and Hornscastle.

The great wall of Hadrian and other like works have given names to Walltown, Whalton, Wallington, Wallbottle, Walridge, Harewalls, Cocklaw Walls, Wall, Wallhouses, Thirlwall, Rugby Walls, Clay Walls and Gunnerswall, and of places situated on and marking out the Roman roads are Usway, Stamfordham, Stannington, Stanton, Stamford, Quitreway, Cauledge, Edgehouse, Brieredge, Edges Green, Stetting Edge, Edgewell, Shotton Edge, Newham Edge, Walridge, Benridge, Mellsridge, Whitridge, Corridge, Todridge, Nunridge, Dunridge, Longridge, Monkridge, Broomidge, Ridge End, Faggridge, Harperidge, Greenridge, Newton Ridge, High Ridge, Hind Ridge, Stoop Ridge, Steelridge, Ridge House, Ferneyridge, Brownridge, Grindon Ridge, Heather Ridge, Shortridge, Yasridge, Currage.

Of fortified places (Teut. burgh, borough and bury) are to be found Bamburgh, Nusbrough, Rosebrough, Thornbrough, Dunstanbrough, Burrowden, Burton, Bowershield, Bower, Burswell, Birney, Rothbury, Lesbury, Fowbery and Berry Hill. The A.S. “ford,” a shallow passage over a river, is seen in Warenford, Bradford, Shilford, Elford, Ford, Broomford, Humford, Slakeford, Oakford, Slaggyford, Chollerford, Chingleyford, Uswayford, Hartford, Styford, Stamfordham, Barrasford, Nutford and Doxford.

The Teut. military form “har” or “haer,” the army, is represented by Harewalls, Hartley, Harlow near Ovingham, another near Haydon, another near Kirkheugh, and another near Long Houghton, Harehaugh, Harle, Hargill, Harehope, Harwood, Harbottle, Harelaw, Harsondale. The Teut. “werk” or “voeore," a place of manufacture, appears in Wark near Coldstream, and another near Carham, Warkworth, Warksburn and Warkshaugh.

Of miscellaneous forms are Broomhope, Broomley, Bromley, Broomridge, Broomhaugh, Broomhouse (near Edlingham, Wallington, and near Haggerston), Broompark (near Edlingham, and Acomb), Broomhouse (near Alnwick and Angerton), Broomhall, Broomhill (near Whalton and Haydon); Barrow, Barrough; the Harlows already named, Lowick, Merlow, Whitlow; Berwick, Berwick. Hill, Hawick, Howick, Lowick, Eachwick, Prestwick, Elwick, Saltwick, Keepwick, Walwick, Nunwick; Woolhouse, Woollaw, Wooller; Hardriding, Riding (near By well, another near Bellingham, another near West Acomb, another near Allendale), North Riding, Nunriding, Durne Riding; Haining (near Monkridge, another near Warksburn, and a third near Whitfield), Haining Ridge; Bolton, Ovingham, Overacres, Ovington; Barmoor, Bardon; Winshields, Wingates; Bowsdon; Poatgale; Brunton; Troughend, Trows; Warden, Warenford, Warton.

The term Coldharbor is not recorded in Northumberland: but there are many allied forms, as Coldshields, Coldgate, Coldside (two), Coldcoats (two), Coldtown, Coldriffe, Coldwell, Colwell, Coldsmouth, Coldcleugh. Windyharbor is wanting; but there are Windyhall, Windylaw and Windyhough; Coneygore is represented by Coneygarth; the affix “Biding” is a form rather remarkable in Northumberland, but Nunriding is likewise called Nunridge.

On the fall of the Romans, the wild tribes from the north swarmed over this district, and held power till they were rooted out by the English, under Ella and his followers. Of the colonisation by the English settlers who followed Ella, there are many interesting topographical evidences. The only foreign names left are those of the rivers, and it is clear the Welsh must have been superseded, as every place has an English name. Although the clan or mark names so common in the south of England are not here so readily to be recognized, yet there is a great similarity of nomenclature to that of the south, and a type of topographical nomenclature showing an earlier date than that of the neighbouring districts, and confirming the evidence of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and Bede. The contrast with Cumberland is remarkable. It is further to be remarked, that although this country was so long frequented by the sea-kings and the so-called “Danes,” the “by” and other alleged Danish forms are less common here than in Lincolnshire, for instance, or even Lancashire.

Of the southern forms are to be found ton, ham, worth (scarce), stead, thorpe (scarce), horn (scarce), thorn (scarce) and hall; as likewise cot, grange, folly, green, wick, meadow, ley, moor, acre, field, holme, main or mean, close, wood, shot, nook, hurst, den, deane, head, end, side, bank, don or down, heath, hill, knowl, mouth, burn or bourne, water, pool, slade, beck, comb (scarce), dale, row, hole, cliff, mill, dyke, wash, holling, rooking, crook &c.

Of northern and local terms are by, hope, bottle and bothel, twizle, biggin, steel, peel, rigg, croft, shaw, shield, gate, lin, fell, haugh, law, hoe, kirk, hag, eleugh, brae (scarce), mire, lough (for a pond), eals or heales, bogg, peth, slake, rim, flatt and syke.

Of scarce forms are ay or ea, slade, sneap, stank, ness, moss, gap, shodds, halfhead and bush.

The Bokdebs.-Northumbria, the most northerly of the kingdoms of the Heptarchy, included in its fullest limits the whole of the territory between the Frith of Forth on the north and the Humber on the south, but originally consisted of several distinct settlements; that portion lying on the shore of the Frith being colonized by the Frisians, a Low German tribe, and the remainder by the Angles; the district north of the Tees, known as Bernicia, was established as a kingdom by Ida, A.D. 547, and the country between the Tees and the Humber was erected into another kingdom A.D. 560 by Ella, and named “Deira,” but both territories were eventually united under one monarch, and in 827 fell tinder the supremacy of Egbert, king of Wessex. Of the earliest laws which regulated the affairs of the Borders, the information obtainable, especially with regard to the Scottish side, is extremely meagre, and does not become trustworthy until some time after the period of the Conquest. David I the first Scottish king who had any possessions south of the Tweed, modelled his regulations for municipal institutions on the customs and laws of Newcastle-on-Tyne, which dated from the time of Henry 1.; his “Assise” (1124-55), also framed on English codes, included the law of duel, and preceded the “Leges el Consuetudines Quatuor Burgorum,” drawn up for the government of the boroughs of Berwick, Edinburgh, Roxburgh and Stirling, and containing 119 chapters, 18 of which are identical with the laws of Newcastle; the “Assise” of William the Lion (1175-1209) is of fuller character, and following this were the Statutes of Alexander II. who in 1249, with the assistance of 24 knights of both kingdoms, published a code of Border laws known as “Leges Marchiarum,” or “Laws of the Marches,” a term derived from A. S. mearc, Germ, mark, and Low Latin marchia, a boundary: these laws contain 14 clauses, all of which are characteristic in the highest degree of the sanguinary age for which they were framed; the government in either country had no inherent power at this period to afford protection, and persons of all classes were therefore obliged to rely for security upon their individual courage and resources. The Borders were anciently divided into two districts, the Marches of England and the Marches of Scotland, besides which there was a small tract of country, about 8 miles long and 4 broad, lying between the Sark and the Esk, on the confines of the western Marches, called “the Debateable Land,” and there were further certain disputable lands lying between the two countries; the Eastern Marches comprised the northern part of Northumberland, with the districts of Norhamshire and Islandshire; and the Middle Marches included the districts of Coquetdale, Redesdale and Tyndale, to the river Kinsop and the boundary between Northumberland and Cumberland; the West Marches consisted of the remaining frontier to the Solway and the Irish Channel. For the government of the Marches special officers called " Wardens” were appointed, who exercised almost unlimited authority, and could summon all the men of their respective marches under arms, and in time of peace they were accustomed to hold ceremonious conferences with the wardens of the Scottish marches, and by the verdict of a jury of 12, equally chosen from either side, to redress wrongs and arrange international grievances. But the crimes committed on the Borders were the result of an exceptional state of society in which the clan system on both sides largely prevailed, and although the laws of England had silently worked on the institutions of the sister country, little attempt was made to enforce them on the Borders; incessant plundering raids, frequently involving large destruction of life and property, were made both by English and Scots, and complaints were of course mutual, but the advantage was generally in favour of the English, who are shown, in a summary of damages which has been preserved, to have received in 4 or 5 years not less than £31,000 in excess of their losses. For the general safety on the English Border a complete organization of watchers existed, in a close and unbroken line of intercommunication; beacons were placed on the chief heights, in which blazing fires were at once lighted on the approach of the enemy, and sleuth-hounds were trained to pursue fugitives; the needs of defence led also to the establishment of a systematic chain of strongholds dating chiefly from the 14th century and including in the Western March the castles of Bewcastle, Carlisle, Cockermouth, Naworth and Penrith; in the Middle March, Alnwick, Prudhoe, Mitford, Harbottle and Langley; and in the Eastern March, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh, Norham, Wark and Etal: to provide against sudden forays, solid square towers of stone, called “peels,” were built and fenced in with a wooden palisading termed “the barmekyn;” some of the older churches still retain towers of this kind, and many of the isolated peel towers, varying in size and date, yet survive, especially in Tynedale, admirable examples being afforded by those of Chipchase, Cockley, Corbridge, Elsdon, Heaforlaw and Welton. Border frays were endless, but of all these the most famous, known as “the battle of Otterburn” (1388), has been commemorated in the well-known ballads of Chevy Chase; and the rude and adventurous life of this period generally found its expression in a Border minstrelsy, the pathos of which seems to overpower the stem savagery of the past, and to invest its deeds with a peculiar charm. On the accession of the Tudor dynasty, the relations between England and Scotland assumed a new aspect: Henry VII. did his utmost to secure peace on an enduring basis, and although Henry VIII. abandoning the policy of his father, revived all the horrors and reprisals of the ancient feuds, this disastrous period was terminated in the peace, both with Scotland and France, concluded in 1551; under Edward VI. the Duke of Northumberland, Warden-General, continued the pacification of the Borders; and the restoration of order, steadily pursued by Elizabeth, was completed on the union of the two crowns in the person of James I., largely by the energy, wisdom and patriotic aims of Lord William Howard, commonly known as “Belted Will,” who rigidly suppressed all disorder originated new measures for an improved administration of the law, and caused it to be respected; eventually, though slowly, the Borderers gave up their wild and lawless habits, and betook themselves to agriculture and a pastoral life, but the sufferings of their forefathers, never wholly forgotten, endued them with a sternness of character which their descendants of the present day noticeably inherit.

The surface of the county may be divided for the purpose of description into two parts-the eastern and the western; the eastern portion, extending to the sea shore, is generally level and is inclosed and cultivated, but the western is very mountainous and barren, more particularly adjoining the borders of the county; the mountains range in height from about 500 feet, till at the Cheviot range and in the north-west they attain the altitude of 2,676 feet; most of this region is an extensive waste, having little other vegetation than heath, the exception being the Cheviots, which are covered with verdure and afford good pasturage.

The rivers have their sources in the mountains and cross the county from west to east; the Tyne is the principal river and is formed by two streams, known as the North Tyne and the South Tyne: the North Tyne rises on the western border of the county and flows in a south-easterly direction to Hexham: the South Tyne, which rises in Cumberland, takes a northerly course to Haltwhistle, thence east to Hexham, where it joins the North Tyne, and the united waters, under the name of the Tyne, flow past Grateshead (on the Durham shore), Newcastle and North Shields to the sea at Tynemouth; it is navigable to Newburn, 15 miles from its mouth: the conservancy of the river has been since 1850 under the control of a body of commissioners, who have considerably improved the navigation and by the construction of piers at its mouth rendered it easy of access and more protected from the prevailing winds and seas; the river Rede, a tributary of the North Tyne, rises in the mountains, about midway between the sources of that river and the Coquet, and flows south-easterly to Bellingham, near which it enters the North Tyne. The Derwent forms a portion of the southern boundary of the county, and after passing through a part of Durham it enters the Tyne above Newcastle. The Tweed enters from Scotland and flows along the northern boundary of the county to the sea at Berwick, which town it separates from Northumberland. The Till rises in the Cheviot hills, and in the early part of its course it is known as the Breamish, and after receiving the waters of the Grlen it flows north to the Tweed. The Coquet, which flows completely across the county from west to east, rises in the Cheviot hills and passes easterly by Rothbury to Warkworth, a little below which it falls into the sea at Warkworth harbour. The Alne also rises in the Cheviots, flowing through Whittingham and Alnwick to the sea at Alnmouth. The Wansbeck is formed by a number of small streams from the mountains, which unite before reaching Morpeth, afterwards flowing to the sea, which if enters at Cambois; the Blyth is in the south of the county and forms a small harbour at Blyth: besides these rivers, there are numerous streams locally called burns.

Tides on the North-East Coast of England.-In the North Sea the flood tide-wave enters from the Atlantic ocean between the coast of Norway and the British Isles, and passes through the various channels formed by the Shetland and Orkney islands and the north point of Scotland; the average rate of the stream in the offing is very moderate, not exceeding 1 ½ knots, but that portion which enters by the Pentland Firth acquires a furious rapidity, amounting at Spring tides even to 8 knots; immediately on quitting the Firth, however, its strength abates as it diverges into the open water, its eastern branch filling up the basin of the North Sea, while the western branch swells along the shores of Scotland and England, making high water in all their rivers and harbours successively till it arrives in the Thames; about 3 miles off Berwick the flood runs till 4h. 10m. after high water at Leith, which on full and change days is at 2h. 17m.; at 5 miles off North Sunderland point, and at the same distance south-east of the Staples islands, the flood stream continues till 3h. 25m. after high water at Leith; about 2 miles off Blyth harbour and 4 miles off Tynemouth, it runs to the southward till 4h. 10m. after high water at Leith, and at 4 miles off Sunderland a quarter of an hour later; at 3 or 4 miles off Hartlepool, and at the same distance off Whitby, the flood stream runs to the southward till 4h. 10m. after high water at Leith.

Time of High Water on Full and Change days at the principal places on the coast of Northumberland and Durham, with the rise of the tide at Springs and Neaps*:—

* By the rise of the tide is meant its vertical rise above the mean low water level of Spring tides.

Tidal constants, which being applied according to the sign + or-to the times of heights belonging to the port of Sunderland, will afford a ready means of determining approximately the height as well as the time of high water at each of the places mentioned.

The climate is wet and cold from the mists and breezes of the North Sea, but, as the return of the ages of the inhabitants shows, healthy. The lowlands contain good wheat-growing soil, and the uplands feed sheep and cattle: about two-thirds of the land is available for husbandry, the remainder being moorland. A strong fertile clay loam occupies generally the comparatively level tract of country extending from the sea shore to the Great North road; along the south of the county and the course of the rivers is a sandy, gravelly and dry soil, and black peat earth prevails in the mountainous districts; wheat, barley, rye, oats and beans are grown. Oxen are reared principally in the eastern part of the county, and are of the shorthorn breed; at Chillingham park is a rare and peculiar race of wild cattle, which are invariably white with black muzzles. Sheep feed on the Cheviots; a breed takes its name from those hills; on the moors red grouse abound.

The mineral productions of Northumberland are its chief source of wealth, comprising coal, iron, lead ore and barytes (7,000 tons). Coal has been a staple of commerce of this county since the close of the 14th century, but not extensively used until the time of Charles I.; the trade now is of great magnitude and this useful mineral is raised in immense quantities; the “Mineral Statistics for 1892” give the number of tons raised in Northumberland as 9,538,834; this quantity is steadily increasing: the coal measures extend almost throughout the county from south to north, the most numerous being, however, southwards: the collieries are inspected by one of Her Majesty’s inspectors of mines, to whom returns have to be made of the quantity raised in each year, Newcastle being the great port for the shipping of coal, of which 3,594,688 tons were shipped coastwise in 1892 to various ports in the United Kingdom and about 6,000,000 tons to foreign ports. North Durham, adjoining, produced 6,874,768 tons, and the transit of 13,631,748 tons by the North Eastern Railway will give some idea of the trade in coals. Lead is procured; around Allendale, in the south-western portion of the county, is the principal district; the " Mineral Statistics for 1893” give 2,508 tons of dressed lead ore, 1,787 tons of lead obtained in smelting and 2,800 ounces of silver, as being produced; 145,980 tons of fireclay was raised in 1892, valued at the mines at £21,897. Coppersmelting is carried on to some extent.

The collieries necessarily give employment to a great number of persons; in addition there are other occupations: the manufacture of pig iron is carried on; there are also coke works, iron foundries, lead mills, limekilns, firebrick and pottery works and brickfields, glass and chemical works. Shipbuilding is a great Industry, as the tonnage constructed on the Tyne is second only to the Clyde, the gross tonnage being 66,491 tons for British and 62,584 tons for Foreign trade being launched in 1892. The trade in coals coastwise to London, across the North Sea and elsewhere abroad, gives such occupation to shipping as to place Northumberland in a high rank among the shipping districts: fish curing is also carried on to some extent.

The railway communication is by the various lines of the North Eastern Co. whose main line enters the county from Gateshead, across the Tyne by a high level bridge to Newcastle, thence proceeds due north near the coast through Morpeth, Bilton (the junction for Alnwick), Belford, to Tweedmouth and across the Tweed by the Royal Border bridge to Berwiek-on-Tweed; from Tweedmouth the same company have a liner following the course of the Tweed along the northern boundary to Kelso in Scotland; they have also a branch from Alnwick to Coldstream station in the parish of Cornhill this side of the river passing through Wooler, and from Newcastle is a branch extending eastwards along the north shore of the Tyne to North Shields and Tynemouth. The Newcastle and Carlisle line of the North Eastern Co. connects those towns, passing westward along the valley of the Tyne, through Corbridge and Hexham (with at branch to Catton Road for Allendale), Haydon Bridge and Haltwhistle (with a branch to Alston in Cumberland). The Blyth and Tyne railway connects Tynemouth, North Shields, Blyth, Bedlington, Newbiggin and Morpeth; also Jesmond, Gosforth and Benton with Newcastle. The North British railway enters the county in the extreme west from the main line in Scotland at Riccarton Junction, and has stations at Falstone, Bellingham, passing thence south along the valley of the North Tyne to Hexham, and the Wansbeck Valley section continues east to Morpeth (having a branch to Rothbury), where communication is effected with the North Eastern main line and the Blyth and Tyne section; it also has access to Berwick, thus connecting the Scottish and English railway systems.

Northumberland contains 541 civil parishes and is ecclesiastically in the province of York; it was formed into a diocese out of that of Durham in 1882, with Newcastle as the head of the see, and containing the archdeaconries of Lindisfarne and Northumberland; the former archdeaconry comprising the rural deaneries of Alnwick, Bamburgh, Morpeth, Norham and Rothbury; and the latter the rural deaneries of Bedlington, Bellingham, Corbridge, Hexham, Newcastle and Tynemouth.

The county is in the northern circuit, and has one court of quarter sessions; the assizes are held at Newcastle and quarter sessions at Alnwick, Hexham, Morpeth and Newcastle. The county is divided into 13 petty sessional divisions. County courts are held at Newcastle, Alnwick, Belford, Bellingham, Berwick, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Morpeth, North Shields, Rothbury and Wooler; Newcastle also has jurisdiction, in Admiralty cases.

The following are the boroughs, the parliamentary limits of which are co-extensive with the municipal:—

The boundaries of the following boroughs differ, viz-.

Other towns are Alnwick, the county town, with a population of 7,482; Allendale, 3,009; Belford, 854; Bellingham, 1,268; Blyth, 3,576; Corbridge, 1,647; Haltwhistle, 2,305; Hexham, 5,945; Rothbury, 1,274; and Wooler, 1,301; and there being about 60 miles of coast line, there are numerous small watering places and fishing villages.

Newcastle is a city and county, and a seaport, and carries on an important shipping trade: coal is the principal of the exports, Newcastle being the first port in England for the shipment of that article; in 1887 as much as 3,000,020 tons were exported coastwise, of which 2,238,546 tons ware sent to London, and the quantity exported to foreign countries in the same year was 3,517,833 tons: the chemical manufacture is considerable, also glass making and earthenware; and there are several extensive engineering works: iron and steel shipbuilding is also a staple trade; Blyth, Warkworth Harbour and North Sields are also porta at which coal is shipped.

The following is a list of the Wards, with the places contained in each:—

Bambrough Ward (North Division):-Adderstone, Bambrough, Bambrough Castle, Beadnell, Belford, Bradford, Budle, Burton, Detchant, Ditchburn, Easington, Easington Grange, Elford, Elwick, Pern Islands or Staples, Fleetham, Glororum, Hoppen, Lucker, Middleton, Monkshouse, Mouson, Newham, Newstead, Outchester, Ratchwood, Shoston, Spindlestone, Sunderland North, Swinhoe, Tughall, Warenford, Warenton.

Bambrough Ward (South Division):-Boulmer and Seaton House, Broxfield, Brunton, Charlton North, Charlton South, Chathill, Craster, Doxford, Dunston, Ellingham, Embleton, Falloden, Little Houghton, Long Houghton, Howick, Newton-by-the-Sea, Preston, Rennington, Rock, Shipley, Stanford.

Bedlingtonshire Ward:-Bedlington.

Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough:-Berwick-upon-Tweed, Ord, Spittal, Tweedmouth.

Castle Ward (East Division):-Backworth, Bebside, South Blyth and Newsham, Burradon, Cowpen, Cramlington, Earsdon, North Gosforth, South Gosforth, East Hartford, West Hartford, Hartley, Hepscott, Holywell, Horton, Howdon-Pans, Killingworth, Longbenton, Monkseaton, Morpeth Castle, Murton or Moortown, Seaton Delaval, Seghill or Sedgehill, Walker, Wallsend, Weetslade, Whitley, Willington.

Castle Ward (West Division):-Benwell, Berwick Hill, Black Callerton, Brenkley, East Brunton, West Brunton, Butterlaw, High Callerton, Little Callerton, Coaldcoats, Coxlodge, Darras Hall, East Denton, Dinnington, North Dissington, South Dissington, Eachwick, Edington, Fawdon, Fenham, East Heddon, Higham Dykes, Horton Grange, Kenton, Kirkley, Mason, Meldon, Milburn, Milburn Grange, Molesden, Newbiggin, Newborn, Newburn Hall, Newham, Newminster Abbey, Ogle, Ponteland, Prestwick, Riplington, River Green, Shilvington, Stannington North-East, Stannington North-West, Stannington South, Sugley, Throckley, Tranwell and High Church, Trewick, Twizell, Wallbottle, Whalton, East and West Whorlton, Woolsington.

Coquetdale Ward (East Division):-Abbey Lands, Acklington, Acklington Park, Acton and Old Felton-Alnmouth, Alnwick, Alnwick South Side, Amble, Birling, Brinkburn High Ward, Brinkburn Low Ward, Brotherwick, High Bustan, Low Buston, Canongate, Denwick, Elyhaugh, Felton, Felton Path Foot, Greens and Glantlees, Guyzance or Guyson, Hazon, Hulne Park, Lesbury, Longframlington, Newton-on-the-Moor, Shilbottle, Sturton Grange, Swarland, Walkmill, Warkworth, Whittle, Wood house.

Coquetdale Ward (North Division):-Abberwick, Alnham, Bassington, Beanley, New Bewick, Old Bewick, Bolton, Brandon, Branton, Broom Park, Callaley and Yetlington, Crawley, Edlingham, Eglingham, Fawdon, Clinch and Hartside, Glanton, Harehope, Hedgeley, Ilderton, Ingram, Linhope and Greenshawhill, Learchild, Lemmington, East Lilburn, West Lilburn, Lorbottle, North Middleton, South Middleton, Middleton Hall, Reaveley, Roddam, Roseden, Little Ryle, Screnwood, Shawdon, Titlington, Unthank, Whittingham, Wooperton.

Coquetdale Ward (South Division):-Elsdon Ward, Monkridge Ward, Otterburn Ward, Ramshope, Rochester Ward, Troghend Ward, Woodside Ward.

Coquetdale Ward (West Division):-Alwinton, Barrow, Bickerton, Biddlestone, Black Carts with Ryehill, Burradon, Caistron, Cartington, Clennell, Debdon, Dueshill, Fairhaugh, Fallowlees, Farnham, Flotterton, Harbottle, Hepple, Hepple Demesne, Hesley Hurst, Hollinghill, Holystone, Kidland, Lee Ward, Linbriggs, Linsheels, Mount Hedley, Netherton North Side, Netherton South Side, Newtown, Paperhaugh, Peals, Prendwick, Raw, Rothbury, Great Ryle, Sharper ton, Snitter, Thropton, Great Tosson and Bye Hill, Little Tosson, High and Low Trewhitt, Warton, Whitton, Wreighill.

Glendale Ward (East Division):-Chatton, Chillingham, Doddington, Earl, Ewart, Ford, Hebburn, Humbleton, Nesbit, Newtown, Wooler.

Glendale Ward (West Division):-Akeld, Branxton, Carham, Coldsmouth and Thompsons Walls, Coupland, Crookhouse, Greys Forest, Heathpool, Howtell, Kilham, Kirk Newton, Lanton, Lowick, Milfield, West Newton, Paston, Selby’s Forest, Yeavering.

Islandshire Ward:-Ancroft, Elwick, Holy Island, Kyler, Ord, Ross, Spital, Tweedmouth.

Morpeth Ward (East Division):-Ashington and Sheepwash, Bockenfield, Bothal Demesne, Bullocks Hall, East Chevington, West Chevington, Creswell, Ellington, Eshatt, Gloster Hill, Hadstone, Hauxley, Hurst, Lynmouth, Longhirst, Morwick or Morrick, Newbiggin, Oldmoor, Pegsworth, North Seaton, East and West Thirston with Shothaugh, Uigham, Warkworth, Widdrington, Woodhorn, Woodhorn Demesne.

Morpeth Ward (West Division): High Angerton, Low Angerton, Benridge, Begges Quarter, Bolam, Bolam Vicarage, Brinkburn South Side, Bullers Green, Causey Park, Coatyards, Cockle Park, Corridge, Earsdon, Earsdon Forest, Elwesley, Fenrother, Freeholders Quarter, Gallow Hill, Hartburn, Hartburn Grange, Healey and Comb Hill, Hebburn, Highlaws, High and Low Highlaws, Longshaws, North Middleton, South Middleton, Mitford, Morpeth, Newton. Park, Newton Underwood, Nunny-Kirk, Nunriding, Pigdon, Riddells Quarter, Ritton Colt Park, Ritton Whitehouse, Rothley, Spittle Hill, Stanton, East Thornton, West Thornton, Throphill, Todburn, Todridge, Togstone, Tritlington, Whitridge, Wingates, Long Witton, Nether Witton, Witton Shields.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne Borough:-All Saints, Byker, EIswick, Heaton, Jesmond, St. Andrew, St. John, St. Nicholas, Westgate.

Norhamshire Ward:-Cornhill, Duddo, Felkington, Grindon, Homcliffe, Loan End, Longridge, Norham, Norham Mains, Shoreswood, Thorndon, Twizell.

Tindale Ward (East Division): East Acomb, Apperley, Aydon, Aydon Castle, Bearl, Blanchland or Shotley, High Quarter, Broomhaugh, Broomley, Bywell St. Andrew, Bywell St. Peter, Clarewood, Corbridge, Dalton, West Denton, Dilston, Dukers Hagg, Eltringham, Espershields, High Fottherley, Halton, Halton-Shields, Harlow Hill, Healey, West Heddon, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Hedley, Hedley Woodside, Horsley Houghton and Close House, Masters Close, Mickley, Nafferton, Newbiggin, Newlands, Newton, Newton Hall, Ovingham, Orington, Prudhoe, Prudhoe Castle, Riding, Rochester, Shotley Low Quarter, Staley, Spittle, Stelling, Stockfield Hall, Styford, Thornbrough, Welton, Whitchester, Great Whittington, Little Whittington, Whittle, Whittonstall, Wylam.

Tindale Ward (North-East Division): Barrasford, Great Bavington, Little Bavington, Belsay, Birtley, Bitchfield, Blackheddon, Bradford, Carnbo, Capheaton, Carry-Coats, Catcherside, Cheeseburn Grange, Chollerton, Coldwell, Colwell and Swinburn, Corsenside, Crogdean or Crookdean, Deanham, Fairnley, Fawns, Fenwick, Greenleighton, Gunnerton and Chipchase, Little Harle, West Harle, Harnham, Hartington, Hartington Hall, Harwood, Hawick, Hawkwell, Heugh, Ingoe, Kearsley, Kirkharle, Kirkheaton, Kirkwhelpington, East Matfen, Nesbit, Ouston, Ryall, East Shaftoe, West Shaftoe, Shortflatt, Sweethope, Thockrington, Waldridge, Wallington Demesne, West Whelpington.

Tindale Ward (North-West Division):-Bellingham, Charlton East Quarter, Charlton West Quarter, Chirdon, Haughton, Haydon, Humshaugh, Leemailing, Newbrough, Nook Plashetts and Tynehead, Shitlington High Quarter, Shitlington Low Quarter, Simonburn, Smalesmouth, Tarretburn, West Tarset, Thorneyburn, Warden, Wark, Warksburn, Wellhaugh.

Tindale Ward (South Division):-West Acomb, Allendale, Anick, Anick Grange, Bingfield, Cocklaw, Fallowield, Gunnerton and Chipchase, Hallington, Hexham, Portgate, High Quarter, Low Quarter, Middle Quarter, West Quarter, Sandoe, Wall.

Tindale Ward (West Division):-Bellister, Blenkinsopp, Coanwood, Featherstone, Haltwhistle, Hartleyburn, Henshaw, Kirkhaugh, Knaresdale, Larnbley, Melkridge, Plain-Mellor, Ridley, Thirlwell, Thorngrafton, Wall Town, Whitfield.

Tynemouth Borough:-Chirton, Cullercoats, Preston, North Shields, Tynemouth.

Her Majesty’s Prison for Newcastle and Northumberland, in Carliol square, Newcastle, is a building of stone, with a central tower and massive gateway, and the whole is surrounded by a stone wall 25 feet high. Lieut. William Wookey, governor; Rev. Wm. Faithfull Lumley Th.A.K.C.L. chaplain; Nicholas Hardcastle, surgeon; Mrs. Emma Parish, matron.

The County Pauper Lunatic Asylum, at Cottingwood, Morpeth, stands on an elevated spot, and is a large building of red brick with stone dressings, erected at a cost of £ 82,000, and was opened on the 16 March, 1859: a chapel was built in 1865, and extensive additions were made from 1885 to 1889, at a cost of £32,000, including two wings and a large dining room, A house for the steward was also erected at a cost of £923, and in 1892 two wings were added to the old infirmary, at a cost of £5,000. The estate comprises an area of 99 acres, including the land on which the buildings stand, the remainder being appropriated as pleasure and kitchen gardens and farming lands; some of the patients are employed on the land and others at the various trades, In August, 1893, the number of patients was 600. Thomas William McDowell M.D. medical superintendent; Athelstane Nobbo M.B., C.M. assistant medical officer; Rev. William James Slacke M.A. chaplain; George Gibb Clarke, clerk and steward; Robert Stonehouse, assistant clerk; Miss Elizabeth Amy Turner, matron.

The Reformatory school for boys, established for the counties of Durham and Northumberland, is at Stannington, near Morpeth: boys are now received from other counties: there are now (1894) 220 boys in the school, who farm 500 acres of land and manufacture agricultural implements, and are taught other useful trades; Robert Middlemiss, superintendent; Robert Robey Redmayne, sec.

The Northern Counties Institution for the deaf and dumb is in North road, near Brandling village, NewcastIe-upon-Tyne, and was erected in 1861, at a cost of £5,000; it is a building of yellow sandstone, varied by bands of whin and grey Aberdeen granite and Cumberland red sandstone in the Gothic style; the facade is upwards of 140 feet in length, exclusive of a range of lower elevation adjoining, and has a tower of three stories, terminated by a slated spire, the whole rising 100 feet from the ground: on the principal landing is a window, designed and painted by deaf and dumb artists for the exhibition of 1862, and presented by Mr. William Wailes, as a token of gratitude for the care and tuition his daughter had received in the institution: in 1893 the number of inmates was 128. George Hare Phillipson M.D. kon. physician; George Edward Williamson M.B., F.B.C.S.Eng. hon. surgeon; Messrs. Peal, hon. dentists; Andrew Wright, assistant master.

The Northern Counties Female Orphan Institution, North road, Newcastle, is an extensive building of red brick, with stone facings; it is in memory of the late John Abbott esq. and holds about 100 girls. Rev. Canon John Lintott, hon. sec.; Miss Lillie, matron.

The Royal Infirmary for the Sick, Lame and Poor for the counties of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and Durham, Forth Banks, Newcastle, was established in 1751, and is supported by voluntary contributions; the Ravensworth ward, containing 50 beds, was added in 1886 at a cost of £2,000; the total number of patients treated in 1892 was, inpatients, 3,393; out-patients, 4,425. The number of patients treated by the bon. dental surgeon has been 858. William Druid Arnison M.D.,B.S. senior house physician; Thomas Beattie M.D., B.S. junior house physician; William H. Bishop M.D., B.S. William C. Haswell M.D., B.S. Frank Hawthorn M.D., B.S. and John Braithwaite M.D., B.S. house surgeons; R. L. Markham L.D.S.Irel. dental surgeon.; Robert R. Redmayne M.A. house governor; Miss Agnes Ross, matron; William Charles Oliver, sec.; secretary’s office, 13 Mosley street.

The Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle Infirmary for Diseases of the Eye, St. Mary’s place, Newcastle, was erected in 1884-5, at a cost of £6,000. In 1891 the number of in-patients was 382 and of out-patients 7,500: it contains 12 beds. C. S. Jeaffreson, senior house surgeon; H. W. Davies, junior house surgeon; Richard Smith, hon. sec.; Miss Crump, lady superintendent.

The Prudhoe Memorial Convalescent Home at Whitley Links, in the township of Whitley, near North Shields, is a building of stone, arranged on the pavilion plan, and consisting of a central block, with a corridor running at right angles: the whole of the apartments have a sea view; the building, situated in beautiful garden grounds, is raised several feet above the general level, and is approached by an elevated terrace, with steps in the centre and an inclined roadway at each side: it will hold 160 patients-110 males and 50 females; Miss E. C. Bell, lady superintendent; Christopher H. Hamilton, res. sec.

The Tyne Sailors’ Home is a building of stone on the New Quay, North Shields, erected at the sole expense of the late Duke of Northumberland, at a cost of upwards of £7,000, and opened 21st of October, 1856: upwards of £3,000 has been subscribed by the public and invested as an endowment: the house includes a library and a room furnished with newspapers and periodicals; one part of the building is used as a shipping office, and money order office and savings bank for sailors. Robert Owen, superintendent.

Parliamentary Representation of Northumberland

Northumberland formerly returned four members in two divisions, but under the provisions of the “Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885,” it now returns four members in four divisions.

No. 1.-The Wansbeck division comprises the sessional divisions of Bedlingtonshire, Castle East (except the township of Wallsend) & Morpeth, & the townships of Berwick Hill, Brinkley, Callerton High, Callerton Little, Coldcoats, Cramlington, Dalton, Darras Hall, Dinmngton, East Heddon, Eachwick, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Higham Dykes, Horton Grange, Houghton & Close House, Kirkley, Mason, Miiburn, Milburn Grange, North Dissington, Ponteland, Prestwick, Rudchester, South Dissington, Stannington, West Heddon, Whitchester & Wylam in Castle West sessional division, & the townships of Acklington, Acklington Park, Amble, Gloster Hill, Hauxley, Morwich, Togstone & Warkworth in Coquetdale East sessional division.

No. 2.-The Tyneside division comprises the sessional divisions of Castle West (except so much as is comprised in division No. 1), the municipal boroughs of Newcastle-on-Tyne & Tynemouth & the parish of Wallsend.

No. 3.-The Hexham division comprises the sessional divisions of Bellingham, Coquetdale West, Haltwhistle & Tynedale.

No. 4.-The Berwick-upon-Tweed division comprises the sessional divisions of Bamburgh, Coquetdale East (except so much as is comprised in division No. 1), Coquetdale North, Glendale & Norhamshire & Islandshire, & the municipal borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Under the provisions of the above-mentioned Act the county of the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed became for parliamentary purposes part of the county.

Military

Regimental District No. 5 (Northumberland Fusiliers), depot, Newcastle-on-Tyne, comprised of 3 battalions, the 1st & 2nd battalions Northumberland Fusiliers (5th Foot), & 3rd battalion (Northumberland Militia), the latter having its head quarters at Alnwick. Full particulars are given at pp. 48 & 191. Newcastle is also the depot of Regimental District No. 68 (the Durham Light Infantry) which has four battalions, the 1st (68th Foot), 2nd (106th Foot), 3rd battalion (1st Durham Militia) head quarters, Barnard Castle, co. Darham, and the 4th (2nd Durham Militia), head quarters, Newcastle. Full particulars will be found at p. 191.

Berwick-upon-Tweed is the depot of Regimental District No. 25, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 1st & 2nd battalians (25th Foot), to which is attached, as its 3rd battalion, the Scottish Borderers’ Militia, whose head quarters are at Dumfries. Particulars are given at p. 5.

Northumberland Artillery Militia, Western Division, Royal Artillery. See Berwick-on-Tweed p. 5.

Volunteers.

12th Yeomanry Brigade, comprising the Northumberland & The Lothians & Berwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry, Brigade Office, Newcastle.

Commanding Brigade, The Senior Commanding Officer.

Brigade Adjutant, Capt. C. E. Browne, 15th Hussars.

Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry Cavalry; Hon. Col The Right Hon. Sir M. W. Ridley bart. P.C., M.P. commanding; Hon. Lieut.-Col. J. B. Cookson, major; Veterinary-Captain George Elphick M.R.C.V.S. veterinary officer; J. B. Forbes, regimental sergeant-major; head quarters, Northumberland road, Newcastle.

Squadrons:-A & D, Hon. Major C. E. Hunter, commanding; J. B. Lawson, quartermaster, Northumberland road, Newcastle; C, Hon. Major A. E. Burden, commanding; H. P. Catchside, quartermaster, Morpeth; D, Hon. Major J. C. Straker, commanding; Lincoln Thompson, quartermaster, Hexham Artillery.

Berwick-upon-Tweed, Hon. Major William Charles Caverhill, commandant; Surg.-Lieut. C. L. Fraser, medical officer; Ven. Archdeacon G. H. Hamilton D.D. hon. chaplain; Drill hall, Ravensdowne, Berwick-on-Tweed.

Fairs & Markets

Allendale, last Fri. in April, August 22 & first Fri. after October 29, for cattle; hirings the first Fri. in May & the first Fri. after October 29.

Alnwick, last Mon. in July & first Tues. in October for cattle, sheep & horses; first Mon. after July 5, for lambs Sc wool; first Sat. in March, first Mon. in May & first, Sat. in November for hiring servants. Market day Sat. & a cattle market every Mon.

Helford, July a, for Iambs & on the 25th September for ewes.

Bellingham, wool fair on first Sat. after July 20, the lamb fair on third Sat. in August; St. Cuthbert's Sat. alter September 15; & the eve fair on third Sat. in October; also three hirings for servants-viz. on Sat. before May 12, & on 12 November; Wed. before Easter being for the hiring of shepherds, & fair for seeds & early vegetable plants; & an occasional sale of cattle at the auction mart.

Berwick-upon-Tweed, last Fri. in May. Market day Sat. Cattle market, every alternate Mon.; hirings for farm servants are held on the first Sat. in March.

Blyth, market day, Sat.

Corbridge (Stagshawe Bank), Whit Saturday & July 4, for cattle; & a tryst fair on October 24 & November 25.

Comhill, first week in July, for wool & lambs. Cattle market, every alternate Mon.

Haltwhistle, May 14, September 17 & November 22, for cattle, horses & sheep. Market day, Thur.

Hexham, March 25, for stock of all kinds; July 2, for wool; August 6, for cattle & lambs; & November 9, for horses & cattle. Market day, Tues. & a cattle market every Tues.

Morpeth, first Wed. in May & November; & March 25 & October 25, for cattle & horses. Market day, Wed.

Newcastle, for cattle & horses last Wed. in March & November, & general fairs second Wed. in August & last Wed. in October; hiring for hinds first Wed. in April, for single servants first Mon. in May, & on the first Mon. in November. The Butchers’ Market is opened daily; the cattle market is held on Tues. & the hay market is held the same day; the fish market is in The Close.

Rothbury, Fri. in Easter week, Whit Monday, October 2 & November 1; markets for the sale of live stock are held every alternate Mon.

North Shields, last Fri. in April & first Fri. in November.Stolen from Fore-bears

Slaggyford, first Wed. in May & the Fri. on or before September 27, for horses, cattle & sheep.

Stamfordham, Thur. before April 26, for horses, cattle & sheep; Thur. before August 26, for cattle, sheep & lambs. Hirings first Thur. in March for hinds & May 12 & Thur. before November 13, for unmarried servants; general fair first Thur. in October.

Wooler, first Thur. in March for the hiring of farm servants; May 4, for cattle; Whitsun Bank, third Mon. in May; wool fairs on second & third Thur. in July; sheep fair September 27, at St. Ninian’s; & sheep & cattle fair on October 17. Market day, Thur.

Northumberland County Council

Under the above Act, the county of Northumberland, except a certain borough, for which, see below (a), after the 1st April, 1889, became, for the purposes of that Act, an administrative county (sec. 46), governed by a County Council, consisting of chairman, aldermen and councillors (the number of councillors being determined by the Local Government Board), to be elected in manner prescribed by the Act (sec. 2).

The chairman shall, by virtue of his office, be & justice of the peace for the county, without qualification, (sec. 46).

The police for the county to be under the control of a standing joint committee of the Quarter Sessions and the County Council, to be appointed as therein mentioned (sec. 9).

The coroners for the county will in future be elected by the County Council, and the clerk of the peace shall be appointed by such joint committee, and may be removed by them (sec. 83-2).

The clerk of the peace for the county shall also be the clerk of the County Council (sec. 83.-1).

The administrative business of the county (which would, if this Act had not been passed, have been transacted by the justices) shall be transacted by the County Council.

(a) The following large borough shall be, for the purposes of this Act, an administrative county in itself, and is to be called a County Borough (sec. 30), of which the municipal corporation shall have the power of a County Council (sec. 31)-Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Meet at Newcastle.

The following table shows the acreage under each kind of crop, and the number of horses, cattle, sheep and pigs the County of Northumberland as taken from the Agricultural Returns, 1893:—