Newport returns two members to parliament.—­The number of inhabitants in the town, which has considerably extended beyond the limits of the borough, is about 7000.  The corporate body consists of 24 members; but since the passing of the Municipal Reform Act, there can of course be nothing peculiar in their constitution of which the reader need be informed.

A Lace-factory on a very extensive scale is established just without the town, on the east side, going to Ryde:  in the town is also an establishment which gives employment to many females in the lace-embroidering process.

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The Environs of Newport.

The following villages and hamlets are nearly connected with, or gradually approximating the town:—­

On the eastern side, surrounded by meadows, is BARTON’s VILLAGE, near which a neat little church has lately been opened, on the road to Ryde;—­just above it is a gentleman’s seat called BELLECROFT.

SHIDE, half a mile to the south, is picturesquely seated at the foot of the steep and high down called Pan:  the river Medina flows through the grounds, and there are several respectable villas in its immediate neighbourhood.

Westward is the NEW VILLAGE, a street of genteel and comfortable houses (some of which are furnished for lodgings,) leading to Carisbrooke:  behind it is the hill called Montjoy’s, from whose lofty summit is obtained the most comprehensive view of Newport, its river, and the adjacent country.  There is also a small hamlet on HUNNY-HILL, north of the town.

FAIRLEE is a principal seat, a mile north of Newport.  The house is large and of respectable appearance:  standing at the head of an extensive and beautiful lawn which slopes to the eastern bank of the river, surrounded by close and open groves.

About a mile from Newport, on the road to West Cowes, stands the HOUSE OF INDUSTRY, a very large building, generally containing between 500 and 600 paupers; it includes within its walls a lunatic asylum, hospital, school, and chapel:  and has an extensive garden attached.

Its internal affairs and out-door relief are regulated by a Board of Guardians and Directors, consisting of a certain number of respectable inhabitants, chosen from every parish in the island,—­under the provisions of an Act of Parliament obtained in the year 1770 for the parochial consolidation of the whole island.  They are therefore independent of the Poor-law Commissioners, and have adopted only as much as they thought proper of the general statute.

ALBANY BARRACKS, on the opposite side of the road, are capable of accommodating nearly 2000 troops—­for a long time however the complement stationed here seldom exceeded a few companies, and for months together there would not be even a serjeant’s guard:  but latterly the depots of several regiments have been removed hither:  so that there are now often from 1000 to 1500 men at the same time.