WINDSOR WAS supposed by Camden to derive its name from Windleshora, a Saxon term, expressive of winding banks, and in this place applied with peculiar propriety to the meandering course of the Thames. The earliest authentic information concerning its history is contained in a charter of Edward the Confessor's, by which it was granted, with various other lands, to the monastery of St. Peter, Westminster. This valuable gift continued but a short time in the possession of the abbey. A district favored by nature with so many charms, and so peculiarly adapted to the sports of the field, could not be expected to escape the attention of a Monarch whose darling passion was the chase. William the Conqueror was no sooner established on the throne, than he observed the beauties of this situation, and quickly prevailed on the abbot to exchange it for certain lands and manors in Essex. Thus it was again vested in the Crown, where, with the exception of the time of the Commonwealth, it has ever since remained. Windsor is frequently distinguished by the appellative New, that it may not be confounded with the village of the same name, but of higher antiquity, about two miles distant.* Its origin seems to be connected with the castle, on which even now its consequence is in some measure dependant; the trade being greatly promoted by the expenditure of the numerous visitants, which this fabric never fails to attract when it becomes the residence of the Sovereign. Edward the First constituted the town a free borough, and invested its inhabitants with several privileges, which were afterwards confirmed and enlarged by succeeding Monarchs. During the civil wars, all its franchises and immunities were involved in the common ruin; but on the Restoration, a new charter was * Old Windsor is said, in the Domesday-book, to consist of 100 houses, twenty-two of which were exempted from taxes. Previous to the Conquest, it is reported to have formed a strong pass, and to have been the seat of several Saxon Kings; but from the period when the Conqueror fixed his residence on the neighbouring hill, it gradually decayed; the new town, which sprung up under the protection of the fortress, having superior attractions. was granted by Charles the Second, the provisions of which were superseded by his successor, but restored at the Revolution, and have ever since been enforced in the government of the town. The corporation consists of from twenty-eight to thirty bre thren; ten of whom are denominated aldermen; the remainder, benchers and burgesses. The mayor and justice are annually chosen from the aldermen; and on the same day two bailiffs are elected from the burgesses. Besides these, the mayor, bailiffs, &c. are empowered to chuse a high steward, chamberlain, under steward, town-clerk, and other subordinate officers. This borough sent members to Parliament in the thirtieth year of Edward the First, and again in the seventh of Edward the Second. From that time till the twenty-fifth of Henry the Sixth, there appears to have been no return: since that period, it has been regularly represented. The right of election was originally vested in the corporation; but this privilege being occasionally contested, was at length overturned in the year 1690, and the liberty of voting extended to all the inhabitants paying scot and lot. By this decision the celebrated Sir Christopher Wren, who had been chosen by the mayor and burgesses, was excluded the House. The number of voters is about 280. ones. This town consists of six principal streets, and several inferior The former are well paved and lighted; and to defray the expences, a small rate is levied on the inhabitants, by commissioners appointed under the authority of an act passed in the year 1769. The Guildhall is a stately fabric, supported with columns and arches of Portland stone. The room wherein the corporation meet for the transaction of public business is spacious and convenient. It is adorned with the portraits of the Sovereigns of England, from James the First to Queen Anne; and also with those of George, Prince of Denmark, Prince Rupert, Archbishop Laud, &c. In a niche on the north side of this structure is a statue of QUEEN ANNE, dressed in her royal robes, and supporting the globe and sceptre. Beneath, in the frieze of the entablature of the lesser columns and arches, is a Latin inscription to this effect: Erected in the 6th Year of her Reign, 1707. Sculptor, thy art is vain. It cannot trace S. Chapman, Mayor. This was executed at the charge of the corporation, from motives of gratitude to the Queen, who always resided at Windsor during the summer. In another niche, on the south side, is the statue of PRINCE GEORGE, of Denmark, her Majesty's consort, in a Roman military habit, erected by Sir Christopher Wren in the year 1713. In the area under the hall, the corn market is held weekly. The church is an ancient and spacious fabric, dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Within it are several handsome monuments, to record the memory of respectable families, and a good organ, removed from St. George's Chapel, and presented to the parish by his Majesty. The donations for the use of the poor have been very numerous; and the funds being assisted by some grants from the crown, have occasioned the rates for their support to be less burthensome here, than in many other places. In the year 1706, a neat free school was erected on the north side of the church for thirty boys and twenty girls, who are clothed and educated, partly by subscription, and partly by the income arising from several legacies. The buildings in this town are chiefly of brick. The number of houses is about 550. The inhabitants are computed at 3000. In the year 1784 his Majesty was presented with a piece of land by the corporation, for the erection of an hospital for sick soldiers. The building was begun and completed the same year. It consists of two wards, sufficiently spacious to accommodate upwards of forty men, with some additional apartments for the use of the attendants. In the summer of 1793 a small, yet elegant theatre was erected here, at the expence of Mr. Thornton, the manager. The seasons of representation are restricted by the Lord Chamberlain's license to the Eton vacations, but the company have lately |