NORTHWICH, (Cheshire) 10 m. N. from Namptwich, 12 m. N. E. of Chester, 132 cm. 159 mm. from London, stands on the r.
Weaver, near its conflux with the Dan; where are 4 brine-pits, especially a deep plentiful one, near the brink of the Dan,
with stairs about it; by which, when they have drawn the water with leathern buckets, they ascend half-naked to the
troughs, and fill them; from whence it is conveyed to the Wich-Houses. The salt is not so white at this, as at the other
Wiches; nor is it made with so much ease, by reason of the depth of the brine-pits. On the S. side of this T. there have
been discovered, within these 50 years, a great many mines of rock-salt; which they continually dig up, and send in great
lumps to the sea-ports, where it is dissolve'd, and made into eating salt. The salt-quarries here, when a person is let
down into them by a bucket, to the depth of 150 foot, look like a subterraneous cathedral; being supported by rows of
pillars, and having a chrystal roof all of the same rock, and transparent and glittering, from the numerous candles burnt
there to light the workmen, who dig it away with their steel pickaxes. This rock-work extends several acres. This appears
by its buildings to be a very old T. and it is so near the centre of the Co. that the justices of the peace and other
gentlemen often meet here on publick affairs. The chief Lp. of it does, or did lately bel. to the E. of Derby. Here is a
grammar fr. sc. founded and endowed by Sir John Dayn, a priest of St. Bartholomew's in London; and another person
bequeathed a house for the master, and 780 l. to purchase lands, for teaching 10 boys to read, write, and cypher. The Mt.
is on F. Fairs July 22, Aug. 24, and Dec. 6.