*WIGAN, (Lancashire) 12 m. S. from Preston, 20 mm. W. from Manchester, 153 cm. 195 mm. from London, stands pleasantly on the Dugles, r. not far from the rise of it, and is a fair well-built T. in the post-road to Lancaster, famous for the mf. of coverlets, rugs, blankets, and other sorts of bedding, and for its pit-coal, ironworks, &c. Hen. I. erected it into a corp. and by charters of Q. Eliz. and Cha. II. it is governed by a mayor, recorder, 12 ald. 2 bailiffs, a sword and mace- bearer, and it is exempt from all services without the Bor. It has a stately Ch. one of the best endowed in the Co. and the rector is always Ld. of the manor. The Mts. are M. and F. for meal and other provisions, Fairs Holy-Th. June 16, and Oct. 18. This T. is much inhabited by braziers, pewterers, and dyers, as well as weavers of ruggs, &c. and is most famous for fewel, especially the channel-coal, which, though a deep black like jet, may be taken up in a handkerchief without soiling it. 'Tis so soft before 'tis brought out into the air, that they make snuff-boxes and other toys of it. Near this T. is that called the Burning-well, because upon emptying it a sulphurous vapour instantly breaks out, and makes the water bubble up as if it boiled, and a lighted candle being put to it, it presently takes fire and burns like brandy; and by the heat of the flame, which in a calm season will continue a whole day, they can boil eggs, meat, &c. though the water itself be cold, and the same water taken out of the well will not burn; so that this is only owing to the bubbling. In this neighbourhood the noble Arthur is said to have routed the Saxons; and 'tis well known that, in 1650, there was an engagement here bet. the forces of K. Charles I. and of the Pt. wherein the latter were victorious, the Earl of Derby, who commanded the former, being then taken prisoner, and afterwards beheaded. This place sent members to Pt. the 23d and 25th of Edward I. but no more till the first of Edward VI. They are chosen by the free-burgesses, who are about 200, and the mayor returns them.