FARNHAM, (Surrey) 32 cm. 40 mm. from London, in the Winchester road, is a large populous T. on the Wey, supposed to have
its name from the fern which abounded here, and is the capital of the H. of its own name. It was given, by the West-Saxon
K. Ethelbald, to the See of Winchester, whose Bps. have generally resided in the castle here, in the summertime, ever
since the R. of K. Stephen, whose brother its then Bp. first built it. It was a magnificent structure, with deep moats,
strong walls, and towers at proper distances, and a fine park; but 'tis much decayed. The T. which has many handsome
houses, and well-paved streets, is governed by 12 masters or burgesses, of whom two are bailiff's, (chosen annually) who
act under the Bp. of Winchester, have the profit of the Fairs and Mts. and the assize of bread and beer, and hold a court
every 3 weeks, which has power of trying and determining all actions under 40 s. From Michaelmas to Christmas here is a
good Mt. for oats; and one of the greatest wheat Mts. in England, especially bet. All-Saints-day and Midsummer when 250
load, one day with another, nay, sometimes 400 load has been sold in a day. The Hampshire white wheat, which is sold here,
is counted best for meal, but Sussex for weight and spending. The toll-dish here was once reckoned worth 200 l. a year;
but it is much diminished, since the people about Chichester and Southampton began to send their meal to London by sea.
But this loss is amply made up by the vast growth of hops here, of which there are 300 or 400 acres plantations about this
T. as fruitful as any where, and they are said to out-do the Kentish hop-yards, both in quantity and quality, On the other
hand, it is is observed, that this nursery has quite supplanted the clothing trade, and thrown numbers of poor upon the p.
who used to be employed in spinning, weaving, combing, &c. The Ch. here was formerly but a chapel of ease to Waverley-
Abbey. This T. sent members to Pt. in the R. of Edward II. but never since. The magistrates have their privileges from the
Bp. of Winchester, to whom they pay an acknowledgment of 12 d. a year. Dr. Fuller says, the Mt.-house here was built by
one Mr. Clark, at his own charge, and that the workmen, in building of it, were so interrupted by numbers of spectators,
some approving, others condemning the model, that he caused this distich to be put upon that part of it which was then
erected. viz. " You who do like me, give money enough to end me; " You who dislike me, give as much to mend me." The Mt.
is Th. Fairs June 24, Aug. 10, and Nov. 1. Here are a fr. sc. and ch. sc. and a great Mt. for Welsh hose. Here was a
garrison for Cha. I. which was dispossessed by Sir Will. Waller.