MANCHESTER, (Lancashire) 137 cm. 165 mm. from London, stands near the conflux of the Irk and Irwell, 3 m. from the Mersee.
It surpasses all the Ts. hereabouts in buildings, mfs. and trade, spacious Mt.-place and college; besides which it has an
exchange. The fustian mf. called Manchester cottons, for which it has been famous for near 150 years, has been much
improved of late, by some inventions of dying and printing, which, with the great variety of other mfs. called Manchester
goods, (of which they export vast quantities abroad, especially to the West-Indies) such as ticking, tapes, filleting, and
linen-cloth, inrich the T. and employ men, women, and children. It has two Chs. viz. St. Mary's and St. Anne's. The latter
was begun by contribution of the inh. in the R. of Q. Anne, and finished in 1723. The collegiate Ch. which was built in
1422, is a fine large edifice, with a beautiful choir, and a clock that shews the age of the moon. The 3 most eminent
foundations here, are its college, hos. and publick sc. The college was founded, in 1421, by Ld. Delaware's brother, and
successor to his title and estate, Thomas, then rector of St. Mary's, consisting of one master, keeper or warden, 8
fellow-chaplains, 4 clerks, and 6 choristers, in honour of St. Mary, St. Denis of France, and St. George of England. At
the Diss. K. Edw. VI. demised its lands and revenues to the Earl of Derby, who purchased the college-house, and some of
the lands. Q. Mary refounded the college, and restored most of the lands and revenues, only the college itself, and part
of the revenues, remained still in the hands of the Earl Derby. It was founded anew by Q. Eliz. by the name of Christ's-
College, consisting of one warden, 4 fellows, 2 chaplains, 4 singingmen, and 4 choristers. It was re-established by K.
Charles I. and the statutes drawn up by Abp. Laud. In O. Cromwell's time it was sold by Pt. with the chapter-lands, but
restored by Cha. II. The K. by act of Pt. in 1729, is impowered to be visitor of this collegiate Ch. whenever the warden
of it happens to be Bp. of Chester. The hos. was founded by Humph. Cheetham, Esq; and incorporated by Cha. II. for the
maintenance of 40 poor boys of this T. and other neighbouring ps. but the governors have inlarged the number to 60, to be
taken in bet. 6 and 10 years of age, and maintained, lodged, and cloathed, till the age of 14, when they are to be bound
apprentices at the charge of the said hos. The founder also erected a library in it, and settled 116 l. a year on it for
ever, to buy books, and to support a librarian. There is a large sc. for the hos. boys, where they are taught to read,
write, &c. The publick sc. was founded anno 1519 by Dr. Oldham Bp. of Exeter, whose endowment, by the purchase of an
estate of the Ld. Delaware, was considerably increased by Hugh Bexwick and his sister, who having purchased another estate
of the Ld. Delaware, and the mills upon Irk, left them to the said fr. sc. for ever. Here are 3 masters, with handsome
salaries; and the foundation-boys have certain exhibitions for their maintenance at the univerfity. Besides these, are 3
ch. scs. This T. gave title first of Earl, as it now does of Duke, to a branch of the noble family of Montague. As it
stands on a stony hill, here are noble quarries; and that called Kersal-Moor is noted for horse-races. This place, in
fine, is deservedly reckoned the greatest village or Mt.-T. in England; for though its chief magistrate is a constable, or
headborough, yet it is more populous than York, Norwich, or most cities in England, and as big as two or three of the
lesser ones put together; for of the people, including those in the suburbs, there were reckoned not less than 20,000
communicants above 100 years ago, and now the inh. are not less than 50,000; which is ten times the number that Preston
has; and it is said to return more money in one month, than that does in 15. Here is a firm old stone-bridge over the
Irwell, which is built exceeding high; because as the r. comes from the mountainous part of the country, it rises
sometimes 4 or 5 yards in one night, but falls next day as suddenly. There are for 3 m. above the T. no less than 60 mills
upon it. The weavers here have looms that work 24 laces at a time, an invention for which they are obliged to the Dutch.
The Mt. here is on S. and the Fairs on Whitson-M. Sept. 20, and Nov 6. It is a manor, with courts-leet and baron. What is
now called Knock-Castle, was the site of the Roman Castrum, and the foundation of the castle-wall and ditch still remain
in Castle-Field, as it is sometimes called.