*LANCASTER, (Lancashire) 187 cm. 232 mm. from London, stands near the mouth of the Lone, over which it has a fine stone
bridge. K. John confirmed to the burgesses all the liberties he had granted to those of Bristol; and Edw. III. granted
that pleas and sessions should be held here, and no where else in the Co. It is governed by a mayor, recorder, 7 ald. 2
bailiffs, 12 capital burgesses, 12 common burgesses, a T.-clerk, and 2 serjeants at mace. The assizes are held in the
castle, where is also the Co.-gaol. It trades to America with hardware and woollen mfs. in vessels of 70 tons. They say
here was an ancient city that, in 1322, was burnt to the ground by the Scots. Here is a Mt. on W. by grant, and another on
S. by prescription, besides one every other W. throughout the Year, for cattle. Its Fairs are April 20, June 24, and Sept.
29. Many branches of the royal family have enjoyed titles of Baron, Earl, and D. derived from this place. Edmund
Crouchback's grandson, Henry, was in Pt. created D. of Lancaster, (this being the second Dukedom erected in England, as
that of Cornwall was the first, in the person of Edward the Black Prince.) He dying without issue-male, John of Gaunt,
fourth son of Edw. III. who married his daughter Blanch, was by his father created D. of Lancaster, and the K. then
advanced the Co. of Lancaster into a Palatinate, granting him a court of chancery in the said Co. Edw. IV. appropriated it
to the crown, after having attainted Henry VI. but Henry VII. broke this entail; and so, at this day, it has its peculiar
officers, as a chancellor, attorney, &c. The castle is not ancient nor large, but fair and strong; and it is not very long
ago, that, in digging a cellar, there were found several Roman utensils and vessels for sacrifices, as also the coins of
Roman Emperors; so that it is not doubted here was a Roman fortress. On the top of the castle is a square tower, called
John of Gaunt's Chair, from whence there is a charming prospect of the adjacent country, and especially towards the sea,
where is an extensive view even to the Isle of Man. Here is but one Ch. On the side of the hill below it, hangs a piece of
a Roman wall, called Wery-wall. Here is a custom-house; but the port is so choaked with sand, that it will not admit ships
of any considerable burthen.