GOSPORT, a sea-port and market-town and chapelry, in the parish of ALVERSTOKE, within the liberties of ALVERSTOKE-AND-GOSPORT, Portsdown division of the county of SOUTHAMPTON, 17 miles (S. E. by E.) from Southampton, and 78 (S. W.) from London, containing 6184 inhabitants. This place is mentioned by Leland, in the reign of Henry VIII., as a poor village inhabited by fishermen; but it has risen to importance during the last century, in consequence of its vicinity to the great naval station of Portsmouth, opposite to which it is situated, on a projecting point of land on the western side of the harbour. About thirty years since a line of regular fortifications for the protection of the town was constructed, extending from Weovil to Alverstoke lake; within the works are the king's brewery and cooperage, with store-houses on a very large scale for wine, malt, hops, &c.3 for the navy. This place has a communication with the sea by means of a large basin and canal, with extensive quays, where vessels of considerable burden can take in their stores. There are many small sloops belonging to Weovil, which are employed in. the conveyance of various articles for the use of the vessels in the harbour. The approach to Gosport from the sea presents a noble prospect, including the forts, storehouses, and other extensive buildings. There are several streets, the principal of which extends from the harbour to the fortifications, but it is somewhat interimpted by the market-house; and along the shore are various ranges of buildings, consisting chiefly of neat and well-built houses. There is a small theatre: assemblies are held once a month, and concerts frequently take place. Stokes bay, to the south-west of Gosport, is justly celebrated for the excellence of its anchorage, affording security to an unlimited number of vessels. Near Forton lake, a creek of Portsmouth harbour, about one mile north of Gosport, is the new military hospital connected with the establishment at Portsmouth; it consists. of four ranges of building connected by an arcade, with offices, &c. In each range are six large wards, with proper accommodations for attendants. On the north side of the lake, near its entrance, is the magazine, in which and in a smaller building dependent upon it, on an island above, all the powder for the service of this port is stored. The magazine, which is bomb-proof and strongly arched, communicates with the harbour by a small cut. Near it are the ruins of an ancient castle, called Borough castle. Near Forton, on the road to Gosport, is an extensive range of buildings, formerly used for the custody of prisoners of war, with an hospital and proper offices, the whole secured by a strong enclosure. The Royal hospital at Haslar, for the reception of sick and wounded seamen of the Royal navy, was built in 1762, through the influence of the Earl of Sandwich. It is situated near the extremity of the point of laud which bounds the west side of the entrance to Portsmouth harbour, and consists of an extensive front and two wings; the airing-ground, which is almost a mile in circumference, is surrounded by a wall twelve feet high. Opposite the grand entrance is a neat guard-house. The wards are all uniform, sixty feet long, and twenty-four broad; each containing accommodations for twenty patients, with apartments for nurses, &c. In 1818, one of the principal wings of the building was appropriated to the reception of seamen and marines labouring under lunacy, who had been previously placed in an asylum at Hoxton. Within the area there are several other buildings for the use of the governor, lieutenants, and other officers and servants belonging to the institution, which consists of-more than two hundred and sixty petsons; the chapel is a neat edifice, seventy-two feet in length, and thirty-six broad. The hospital is capable of receiving upwards of two thousand sick or wounded men; and the annual expenses of the establishment, during the time of war, amount to upwards of £5000. About three quarters of a mile south-westward from Haslar hospital is Fort Monkton, a modern and regular fortification, exceedingly strong, on which are mounted thirty-two pieces of heavy ordnance; to the westward ranges a strong redoubt, which, together with the fort, secures this part of the coast. On the shore to the eastward, a high and massive stone wall has been erected, to preserve the land from the encroachments of the sea. Still further to the east, and near the extremity of the neck of land which bounds the entrance to the harbour on this side, is the Block-house, a very strong fort with a powerful battery. Numerous ferry-boats ply between Gosport and Portsmouth, the width of the harbour being here about three-quarters of a mile. There are several breweries, and a very extensive iron foundry for the manufactxire of various articles for the use of the shipping, especially anchors. The markets are on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays and there are fairs on May 4th and October 10th. . The living is a perpetual curacy, in the peculiar, jurisdiction of the Bishop of Winchester, endowed with £200 private benefaction, and £200 royal bounty, and in the patronage of the Rector of Alverstoke. The church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is a spacious building on the south side of the town; the organ was formerly in the chapel of the magnificent mansion of Canons, belonging to the Duke of Chandos. There are places of worship for Independents and Wesleyan Methodists, and a Roman Catholic chapel; and the Independents have also an academy for the education of missionaries and other candidates for the ministry. An almshouse for seven poor widows was founded and endowed by Edward Piachy, in 1693; and several charity schools have been established here by subscription.