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WINDSOR.

WINDSOR is situate at the east end of the county of Berks, on a rising hill, on the banks of the Thames, and has always had the additional title of New, to distinguish it from Old Windsor, a place of higher antiquity; and which is now a charming village beyond it. Camden conjectures, plausibly enough, that the winding course, or shore, of the river, gave rise to the name being, by the Saxons, calied Windleyhopa. In ancient records it is called Windleshora; and, by Leland, Windlesore; and became famous, in succeeding ages, by the favour and residence of our princes, as well as from being appointed the seat of the most noble Order of the Garter.

The earliest, and most authentic notice of Windsor, is found in the instrument of donation which King Edward, the Confessor, made of it, among other lands, to the monastery of St. Peter, Westminster. It did not, however, continue long in their possession, as William the Conqueror, in the first year of his reign, being enamoured of its pleasant situation, prevailed on the abbot and monks of Westminster to exchange it for certain manors and estates in the county of Essex. Thus it again became the property of the crown; and, except the period of the usurpation, by Oliver Cromwell, such it has remained to the present day.

Edward the First constituted Windsor a free borough, and granted several privileges to its inhabitants, which were afterwards confirmed and enlarged by succeeding monarchs. It shared the fate of many other places, during the civil wars, by the loss of its franchises and immunities; but, at the restoration, a new charter was granted by Charles the Second, who loved the place, of which it was in a great measure deprived by his successor; but was restored at the revolution, and continues, in full force, to the present day.

The Corporation consists of thirty brethren, ten of whom

have the title of Aldermen; the rest are denominated Benchers and Burgesses. The Mayor, and a Justice, are annually chosen from the Aldermen; and, on the same day, two Bailiffs are elected from the Burgesses. There are also an High Steward, a Chamberlain, Under Steward, TownClerk, and other subordinate officers. It sends two members to parliament.

The Guildhall is an handsome, regular, edifice, supported with columns and arches, of Portland stone, and was erected in the year 1686. The room where the Corporation meet to transact public business is a spacious apartment. 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. At the north end is placed, in a niche the statue of Queen Anne, in her royal robes, with the globe and other regalia. In the frieze of the columns below, is the following inscription:

ANNO REGNI VI.
DOM. 1707.

ARTE TUA, SCULPTOR, NON EST IMITABILIS ANŅA, ANNE VIS SIMILEM SCULPERE? SCULPE DEAM.

S. CHAPMAN PRETORE.

In another niche, on the south side, is the statue of George, Prince of Denmark, her majesty's royal consort, in a Roman military babit. Beneath is the following inscription:

SERENISSIMO PRINCIPI

GEORGIO PRINCIPI DANIE,

HEROI OMNI SECULO VENERANDO,
CHRISTOPHERUS WREN, ARM.

POSUIT. MDCCXIII.

The church is an ancient and spacious fabric, dedicated to St. John the Baptist. There are several handsome mo

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