Numerous streets and villas, on each hand, develope sce nery that can scarcely be matched in any place of the kingdom. The houses are generally well built, and exhibit virandas and areas resembling those of the metropolis. Occasionally, however, a few old dwellings obtrude themselves on the eye, to remind us of its former simplicity, but these are rapidly disappearing, and in a short period the few humble cottages that still disfigure the western extremity of the town, must give place to more spacious and elegant structures. The shops are handsome, and sufficiently splendid to gratify the most extravagant taste. The houses are numbered, the lodgings comfortable and commodious, aud the proprietors civil and attentive. The streets are brilliantly lighted with gas.

The immediate vicinity of the town being level, is considered peculiarly advantageous to invalids; yet, in the northern, eastern, and southern directions, the country is charmingly variegated by gradual acclivities and gentle descents, and, rising on a rib of the Coteswold, is nearly 200 feet above Gloucester, and 143 more elevated than Tewkesbury.

Persons coming to Cheltenham, with no immediate view to the benefit of the waters, constantly find an increase of appetite, which may in a great measure be ascribed to the purity and salubrity of the air, and to that exercise and disengagement from care which new scenes and situations generally produce. Indeed Gloucestershire is famous for the healthiness and longevity of its inhabitants; as an instance of which, in the reign of James I. eight old men, all belonging to one ma nor in this county, whose ages added together made as many centuries, performed a morris-dance.

In the year 1780 the whole number of lodging-houses at Cheltenham did not amount to more than thirty. The increase of the town since the year 1788, when his Majesty visited it, is truly astonishing. The number of visitors has ever since been gradually increasing, and the place of course proportionably enlarging, till it has attained a magnitude and respect

ability far beyond the limits of the most sanguine anticipation.

On the whole, it is impossible for strangers to take a more delightful excursion (either for health or pleasure) than a trip to Cheltenham affords, for there is a sociability of disposition and freedom of intercourse among the visitors, which are seldom witnessed in other places of public resort.

CIRENCESTER

Is now a market and borough town: 89 miles W. from London; 35 from Oxford; 36 E. from Bristol; 33 from Bath; 17 S.E. from Gloucester; 7 N.W. from Cricklade, in Wiltshire, and 10 from Tetbury, on the Bath road; it is situated on the borders of the Coteswold country, and on the river Ceri, or Corin, or Churn, whence it takes its name, the Britons calling it Caro, Ceri; Cair signifying a walled or fortified town.

It is a very ancient city, by Ptolemy called Corinium; by Antonine, Durocornovium; by Giraldus, Passerum Urbs, the sparrow's city, upon a report that Gurmunde, a tyrant from Africk, besieging this city, tied fire to the wings of sparrows, which, lighting in the town on inflammable matter, set fire to the whole. When the Romans were in Britain, they settled a colony at this place, and fortified the town with strong lofty walls extending two miles about; and a castle, the remains of which are still to be seen. Here their Consular ways met, and crossed each other.

This town was first made a borough 13th Elizabeth, and sends two members to parliament, who are elected by all such housekeepers as do not receive alms from the Parish; the number of electors between six and seven hundred.

The government of the town is vested in two High Constables, assisted by fourteen of the principal inhabitants, called Wardsmen, chosen annually at the court-leet of the manor.

The beautiful Roman pavements, the square stones with Pont. Max. and other inscriptions, the coins, rings, and intaglios, that have been, and still are, found here in great abundance, bear sufficient testimony to the antiquity and consequence of this place.

The Earl of Bathurst's seat is distinguished by its extensive and elegant plantations, laid out and perfected in the lifetime, and under the particular directions of Allen Earl Bathurst, grandfather to the present noble proprietor. The entrance to the park is at a lodge on the north side of the house, by a spacious gravel walk, lined on each side by a row of stately elms.

To the westward of this park are the Lodge, Park, and Oakley Woods, which deserve particular notice; near the middle of them, on a rising ground, is the point from which, like so many radii, ten cuts or ridings issue; the largest, about fifty yards wide, has the lofty tower of Cirencester to terminate the view others, directed to neighbouring country churches, clumps of trees, and various distant objects, produce an admirable effect. Concealed, as it were, in the woods, is Alfred's Hall, an excellent imitation of antiquity, with a bowling-green, and many beautiful lawns and agreeable walks about it.

The present parish church, which has 28 windows of painted glass, is a large and beautiful building, consisting of the nave, two large aisles, and five chapels. The roof is supported by two rows of stone pillars, very handsomely fluted, having five pillars and two pilasters in each row. The length of the nave is 77 feet, and the breadth of the church, including the two aisles, 74 feet. In the tower is a peal of twelve bells.

There were anciently two other churches here; the one is become a private dwelling, but the other is converted into an hospital, Here are also a free school and a charity school,

with several benevolent institutions on the west side of the town.

TEWKESBURY is a large and respectable borough and market town in the county of Gloucester, is situated on the eastern banks of the upper or Warwickshire Avon, near its junction with the Severn, about ten miles from Gloucester, eight from Cheltenham, fifteen from Worcester, and 107 from London.

This Town was rendered famous in history from a battle fought near it between the Yorkists and Lancastrians, in 1471, wherein Edward the fourth gave a complete overthrow to Henry the Sixth. Three thousand of the Lancastrians, încluding a great many noble and illustrious individuals, were killed in the field of battle, the principal scene of which is supposed to have been in a field called the Bloody Meadow, about half a mile distant from the town, between the House of Industry and Tewkesbury Lodge. Queen Margaret and her son Edward, with many others, were here prisoners; and the brave but ill-fated Prince was afterwards most cruelly murdered by his dishonourable conquerors. The circumstances which attended this important engagement are so fully detailed in the Histories of England, that it is unnecessary to dwell longer on them here.

Tewkesbury was again the scene of several skirmishes in the civil wars of Charles the First. It was at different times in the hands of the Royalists and the Parliamentarians.

The first charter of incorporation was granted to the town by Elizabeth, and subsequent charters were granted by James the First and James the Second. The present charter was granted in the thirteenth year of William the Third, under which the town is governed by twenty-four principal burgesses. From these are annually elected two bailiffs and four justices, who, with the recorder, form the magistracy of the orporation..

The present Magistrates are

JOHN E. DOWDESWELL, Esq. M.P. Recorder. RICHARD ALCOCK, Esq..

E. W. JONES, Esq. Deputy Recorder, & Town Bailiffs. . Clerk...

JOSEPH WILKES, Esq.

JAMES KINGSBURY, Esq. Justices of the Peace. BENJAMIN HOLLAND, Esq.

JOSEPH BOUHTON, Esq.

The privilege of sending Members to Parliament was first. granted by James the First. The right of election is in the freemen and freeholders within the borough: the latter of whom have also a vote generally for the county. There are about 600 voters, and the Bailiff's are the returning officers.The present Members are

JOHN E. DOWDESWELL, Esq.

JOHN MARTIN, Esq.

The population of the town is about 5000, and the number of houses more than 1000. Most of the buildings are of brick, and principally arranged in three spacious streets, which are well pitched and paved, and kept remarkably clean. The most elegant and respectable street is called High-street, and leads from the centre of the town to Worcester; the Churchstreet is another commodious street, and points towards Gloucester; and the Barton-street is of considerable extent, and leads to Evesham.

The manufacture of cotton stockings is carried on to a very great extent in this town: there is also a considerable trade in malt, and some nailing business.

The markets are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays; the former is a distinguished mart for corn, and both are well supplied with provisions of every description, which are generally obtained at moderate prices. There are seven annual fairs, viz. on the second Monday in March, first Wednesday in April, O.S. May 14, June 22, Sept. 4, Oct. 10, and first Wednesday in December, O.S.