*PRESTON, (Lancashire) 18 m. from Lancaster, 167 cm. 211 mm. from London, is as handsome and as large a T. as some cities,
has a stone-bridge over the Ribble, by which it is plentifully supplied with fish, coal, &c. stands on a delightful
eminence; and is a very gay place, with assemblies, balls, &c. as at York, not only from the variety of gentry that resort
hither in the winter from many miles round, but from the residence of the officers that bel. to the Co.-palatine; and is
called Proud-Preston, tho' not near so rich as Leverpool and Manchester. Camden derives the name from Priest's-T. because
of the fryars here. It was first incorporated by Hen. II. and is governed by a mayor, recorder, 8 ald. 4 under ald. 17
C.C. and a T.-clerk. The D. of Hamilton was routed here, with an army he brought from Scotland to relieve K. Cha. I. And
the English rebels, who were in arms against K. Geo. I. were remarkably defeated here, the 12th of Nov. 1715, the very
same day that the Scots rebels were totally routed at Dumblain in Scotland. Its Mts. are W. F. and S. the last as
considerable, as any on the N. side of the Trent, for corn, fish, fowl, &c. The Fairs are March 16 for 3 days, June 24,
Aug. 14, 8 days, Oct. 28, 5 days, and Novem. 30. Here is a ch. sc. for 25 boys, and another for as many girls. On the
neighbouring common, where are frequent horse-races, there are the traces of a Roman military way, from Ribchester to the
mouth of the Ribble. In a neighbouring meadow grow socamboes, which make aa agreeable sauce. In the R. of Cha. II. this T.
gave title of Baron, and afterwards Visc. to Sir Rich. Graham, who was in the next R. secretary of state. The E. of Derby
has a grand house here, which makes a noble appearance; and the houses in general are very well built.