ΤΟ THE RIGHT HONORABLE GEORGE ROSE, ONE OF HIS MAJESTY'S MOST HONORABLE PRIVY COUNCIL, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE THEREOF FOR THE AFFAIRS OF TRADE, JOINT PAYMASTER-GENERAL OF HIS MAJESTY'S FORCES, A TRUSTEE OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM, AND ONE OF THE VERDERERS OF THE NEW FOREST, BEAUTIES OF England and Wales. HAMPSHIRE. THE Aborigines or original inhabitants of HAMPSHIRE, who had migrated from the Continent in the first ages of the popula tion of Europe, appear to have been dispossessed by the Belga, who were originally of German extraction, but had crossed the Rhine into Gaul, and thence extended their conquests into Britain, between two and three centuries prior to the arrival of Cæsar. They consisted of various clans, distinguished by their several names; but that which had proved itself the most valiant, retained the national name of Belga,* without any adjunct, in token of pre-eminence. This tribe seated itself in the central parts of Hampshire, and, previous to the Roman invasion, had attacked and driven out the Segontiaci, who inhabited the northern extremity of Hampshire, and the adjoining parts of Berkshire, bordering on the river Kennet. The primary name of Hampshire was Gwent, or Y Went, a term descriptive of its open downs; and hence the appellation Caer Gwent, or City of the Gwentians, now Winchester. The Lower Gwentians, or Segontiaci, derived their name from Isgwent, Isgwentwg, or Isgwentog, terms aliusive to their relative situations "The meaning of the name of Belge seems to be preserved in the Welsh: Belj implies that which breaks out, makes irruption or ravages: so Belgau, Belgiaid, Belgwyr, Belgwys, and Gwyr Belg, might be rendered irruptors, depredators, ravagers, or warriors." Cumbrian Register, Vol. II. p. 6. to the proper Gwentians, and had Vindonum, or Silchester, for their chief city. Between the period of the arrival of Cæsar, and that of the entire subjugation of Britain by the Romans, the Belgæ had obtained dominion over the greatest part of the tract stretching between the British Channel and the Severn; but being at length subdued by the Romans under Vespasian, their country was included in the province named BRITANNIA PRIMA. On the departure of the Romans, the government of Hampshire reverted to the Britons, who bravely defended themselves against the Saxon powers for many years; but their united forces, under Natanleod, were at length defeated by Cerdic, in a general battle fought in the New Forest. The Saxon chief pursuing his victory, founded the kingdom of the West Saxons, making Winchester his residence and capital; and in that city, Egbert, his descendant, caused himself to be crowned King of all England. Under the Saxon domination, the original name of the country was changed into Huntunscyre, from which its present appellation is evidently derived. Hampshire is bounded on the east by Surrey and Sussex; on the south by the British Channel; on the west by Wiltshire and Dorsetshire; and on the north by Berkshire. It extends in length, from north to south, about fifty-five miles; in breadth, from east to west, about forty: its circumference is about 150 miles. Its figure approaches nearest to that of a square; with a triangular projection at the south-west angle. In the survey drawn up for the Board of Agriculture, its superficial contents are estimated at 1,812,000 acres, but this is probably an exaggerated calculation. Its limits ou the south side, are the numerous creeks and inlets formed by the sea; on the west and east they are mostly artificial; on the north, they are chiefly composed by the rivers Enborn and Blackwater. It is divided into thirty-nine hundreds, containing 253 parishes,* one city, twenty market-towns, and about 1000 villages. The number of houses, according to the population act, amounts to 39,257; the number of inhabitants to 219,656: of the latter 105,667 are males, and 113,989 females. The whole county, together Driver's Agricultural Survey. |