*DURHAM, (Durham) a pleasant, healthy, large city, 196 cm. 262 mm. from London, stands on a hill almost surrounded with
the r. Were, and is about 70 years older than the Conquest, an episcopal See being erected here in 995. 'Tis said to have
been first incorporated by Rich. I. and was anciently governed by bailiffs appointed by the Bps. afterwards by an alderman
and 12 bursesses; but Q. Eiiz. gave it a mayor, ald. and C. C. and by a charter granted in 1684, 'tis governed by a mayor,
12 ald. 12 C. C. recorder, town-clerk, &c. who can hold courts-leet and baron within the city, under the stile of the Bp.
who is a temporal Prince, being also Earl of Sadberg in this Co. which he holds by barony, and is sheriff-paramount, and
appoints his deputy, who makes up his audit to the Bp. without accounting, as other sheriffs, to the exchequer. The
magistrates keep a pye-powder court also at the Fairs, (which are March 20, Whitsun-Tu. and St. Cuthbert's-day) and pay
about 20 l. a year toll to the Bp. or his lessee. This is reputed one of the best Bpks. in England, and the livings in the
Bp's. gift the richest, there being 13 from 300 to 800 l. a year each. K. Henry VIII. established the present endowment
for a deanery here, with 12 prebendaries, 12 minor-canons, &c. The Cathedral, which is a magnificent pile, was, before the
Ref. called St. Mary's and St. Cuthbert's, the body of which last was translated hither, and gave rise to the foundation
of its Cathedral; but in K. Hen. VIII's statutes, 'tis stiled Ecclesia Cathedralis Christi & Beatae Maria. The decorations
of it, for the administration of the divine offices, are said to be richer than those of any other Cathedral in England.
It was remarked not very long ago, that the rich old vestments which the clergy here wore before the Ref. were still worn
by the Rev. residents on Sundays and holidays; and that tho' many dignified and learned Protestant clergy live here, there
are great numbers of Roman Catholicks in and about the city. Besides the Cathedral, here are 6 p. Chs. 3 in the city, and
3 in the suburbs. On the S. side of the Cathedral is the colledge, with the prebendaries houses; and on the N. side is the
college-sc. Here was a castle on the N. E. side of the r. Were (afterwards the Bp's. palace) built by Will. the Conq. bet.
2 stone-bridges over the Were, in the heart of the city, the outer gate of which is now the county-gaol. In St. Mary's
chapel in the Cathedral, is the tomb of Venerable Bede, whose virtues are represented in a parchment scroll over it; and
in this Ch. are kept some old records of Scotland, whose Ks. have been great benefactors to it, the Cathedral having been
rebuilt by David K. of Scots. Here is the shire-hall, where the assizes and sessions are held for the Co. and near it a
fair library, built by Bp. Cofin, and the exchequer built by Bp. Nevil, in which are the offices bel. to the county-
palatine court. Here is an hos. also built and endowed by Bp. Cofin, and at each end a sc. founded by Bp. Langley, but
new-built by Bp. Cofin. The city, which is fortified with walls, tho' upon uneven ground, is about 1 m. long, and as much
in breadth, and has 3 manors, viz. the Bp's manor, the D. and C's. manor, and another called Gilligate, which formerly
bel. to a religious-house in the neighbourhood, but was granted, by Edw. VI. to John Cockburn Ld. of Ormiston, and late in
the possession of Mr. Tempest. The remains of the Roman way, called Ikenild-Street, are still visible near this city. The
Mt. here is on S. The first time that this city or Co. sent members to Pt. was in 1673; those for the city are chose by
the corp. citizens and freemen, who, at a poll in 1710, were above 1000.