pnugues/EB7 huggingface dataset:
WHITHORN, a royal borough of Wigtonshire, situated eleven miles south of Wigton, and two and a half miles west of Wigton Bay. It consists chiefly of one street lying north and south, and nearly half a mile in length. The houses are not inelegant, though somewhat irregularly built. The only public buildings are the town-house and jail, the parish church, and three dissenting chapels. The town is devoid of manufactures, but maintains two branch banks. The population in 1831 amounted to 1805. The Isle of Whithorn, a village containing 413 inhabitants, about three miles to the south-east, is the port of the borough. The municipal government is vested in a provost, two bailies, and fifteen councillors; and Whithorn unites with Stranraer, Wigton, and New Galloway in sending a representative to the House of Commons. Registered voters in 1840-1, 50. Municipal revenue about L.100.

Whithorn is celebrated for its antiquity, and is conspicuous in the annals of the church. Its original name was Candida Casa, White Cottage, from the circumstance that, in the beginning of the fifth century, a church was erected there, of white stone, supposed to be the first in Scotland built of such solid materials. The founder of it was St Ninian, a native of the place, who died and was buried there in 432. His memory was held in such veneration that many places both in England and Scotland were called after his name, and pilgrimages were made to his shrine for centuries previously to the Reformation, when such superstitious practices were prohibited by act of parliament. The kings of Scotland not only visited this spot themselves, but encouraged others to do so, and granted protection to all strangers coming from England, Ireland, and the Isle of Man on pilgrimage to Whithorn. James IV. performed the pilgrimage several times; once on foot, in consequence of the dangerous illness of his queen on the birth of their eldest son; and on her recovery, which was attributed to the miraculous influence of the saint, her husband and she, in testimony of their gratitude, performed the same journey in circumstances of great pomp and magnificence. James V. was the last royal personage that paid a visit to St Ninian’s shrine. Candida Casa continued till 1689 the seat of the bishop of Galloway, who, previously to the erection of Edinburgh into a bishopric in 1633, ranked above all the other Scotish bishops, and immediately after the archbishops of St Andrews and Glasgow. About the middle of the twelfth century, a monastery was founded at Whithorn by Fergus, Lord of Galloway, for monks of the Premonstratensian order. The most eminent persons connected with this monastery were James Beaton, afterwards archbishop of St Andrews and lord chancellor of Scotland, and Gavin Dunbar, afterwards successively tutor to James V., archbishop of Glasgow, and chancellor of the kingdom. Of the cathedral and monastic buildings scarcely any remains can be traced, except a few arches, particularly a very beautiful one of the Saxon order, and several vaults, (c. i .)
WHITSTABLE, a town of the county of Kent, in the hundred of the same name, and in the lathe of St Augustine, sixty miles from London. It is the chief port from whence the trade of Canterbury is conducted, being seven [7:21:877]miles from that city. The chief articles conveyed by it to London are corn and hops, and the produce of an oyster-fishery near to it. It has a large parish church. The population amounted in 1801 to 1205, in 1811 to 1249, in 1821 to 1611, and 1831 to 1926.
WHITSUN Farthings, otherwise called Smoke-farthings, or Quadrantes Pentecostales, a composition for offerings which were anciently made in Whitsun-week, by every man in England who occupied a house with a chimney, to the cathedral church of the diocese in which he lived.
WHITSUN Island, in the South Pacific Ocean, discovered by Captain Wallis in 1767, about four miles long and three wide. Long. 137. 56. W. Lat. 19. 26. S.
WHITSUNDAY, a solemn festival of the Christian church, observed on the fiftieth day after Easter, in memory of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles in the visible appearance of fiery cloven tongues, and of those miraculous powers which were then conferred upon them. It is called Whitsunday, or White Sunday, because this being one of the stated times for baptism in the ancient church, those who were baptized put on white garments, as types of that spiritual purity which they received i n baptism. As the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles happened upon the day which the Jews called Pentecost, this festival retained the name of Pentecost among the Christians.

Whitsunday Cape, on the south side of the island of Kodiak, in the North Pacific Ocean. Long. 208. 4. E. Lat. 58. 14. N.

Whitsunday Island, or Pentecost, one of the New Hebrides, in the South Pacific Ocean, about thirty miles long by eight broad. Long. 168. 20. E. Lat. 15. 41. S.

WhitsundAy’s Passage, a strait so called by Captain Cook, from the day on which he sailed through it in 1770, between Cumberland Island and the coast of New Holland.
WHITSUNTIDE Bay, the passage which separates the islands of Kodiak and St Hermogenes, which lie about sixty miles from the entrance of Cook’s Inlet, in the North Pacific Ocean. It was so called by Cook, who was not aware that the land was here divided into two islands, and what he supposed to be a bay was the strait by which they were separated.
WHITTLESEY, a town of the county of Cambridge, in the isle of Ely. It stands on the great Bedford Level, seventy-six miles from London and twenty-six from Cambridge. It contains two parishes, St Andrew’s and St Mary’s, each with a church. It stands on a rich but insalubrious district; and near to it is the Mere, or lake of its name, formed by a branch of the river Nen, and numerous drains from the fens in Huntingdonshire. It is between five and six miles in length, and from two to three in breadth, and abounds in excellent fish. The population amounted in 1821 to 5276, and in 1831 to 6019.
WHYE, a town of Hindustan, province of Bejapoor, situated near the source of the river Krishna, and one of the places of Hindu pilgrimage. It now belongs to the British. Long. 74. 5. E. Lat. 18. 0. N.
WHYMEA Bay, on the north coast of the island of Woahoo. It was here that Mr Hergest, commander, Mr Gooch, astronomer, and a seaman of the Daedalus, going out with stores for Captain Vancouver, was seized by some of the inhabitants and killed in 1792. Long. 202. 51. E. Lat. 21. 38. N.

Whymea Road, on the south west-coast of the island of Attowai.
WHYTATAKEE, an island in the South Pacific Ocean, discovered by Captain Bligh of the Bounty. Long. 159. 41. W. Lat. 18. 52. S.
WIASMA, a circle of the Russian government of Smolensko, extending in north latitude from 54° 55' to 55° 30', and in east longitude from 33° 15' to 34° 25'. It is a poor district, in which are the sources of the river Dnieper. The capital is the city of the same name, on the river Wiasma. Like most old Russian cities, it is surrounded with weak walls. It was burnt by the French in 1812, but has been rebuilt, and is now stated to contain 2000 houses, mostly of wood, with 12,000 inhabitants, who carry on an extensive trade by the river with St Petersburg, chiefly in corn. It is 489 miles from St Petersburg. Long. 33. 5. E. Lat. 55. 6. N.
WIBURG, a circle of the Russian province of Finland, extending in north latitude from 60° 10' to 61° 1', and in east longitude from 28° 1' to 30° 17', and containing 3740 square miles, with 31,840 inhabitants. It is bounded on the north-west by Wilmanstrand, on the north by Kekholm, on the north-east by Ladoga, on the east by St Petersburg, on the south by the Bay of Finland, and on the west by Fredrisham. It is an undulatory district, with many morasses, extensive woods, and sandy wastes, which with much labour scarcely yield sufficient food for its scanty population. The principal river is the Sestra, which is the boundary towards St Petersburg. The chief town, of the same name, ninety-eight miles from St Petersburg, is in a bay in the Gulf of Finland. It contains 800 houses, with 3640 inhabitants. It has a small harbour, from whence is exported pitch, tar, tallow, flax, hemp, iron, and some deals, and where salt, coffee, and wine, are imported. Long. 28. 40. E. Lat. 60. 42. N.
WICKET, a small door in the gate of a fortified place, &c. or a hole in a door through which to view what passes without.
WICKLIFFE, John. See Wycliffe.
WICKWAR, a small market town of the county of Gloucester, seventeen miles from Bristol and 111 from London. It is in the hundred of Grumbald’s Ash, and was formerly a place of more importance than it is at present. There is a spacious church with a lofty tower, and a grammar-school endowed by a native of the name of Hosea. It has a market on Wednesday. The population amounted in 1821 to 919, and in 1831 to 972.
WIDDIN, a city of Turkey in Europe, the capital of the province of the same name. It stands on the river Danube, and is one of the strongest fortifications of the empire. In the river opposite to it is an island, also covered with strong military works. It is the seat of a Greek bishop, has numerous mosques, and, it is said, 25,000 inhabitants, who carry on fisheries on the Danube, and considerable trade with their neighbours in the Austrian territories.
WIELICZKA, a city of the Austrian kingdom of Gallicia, in the circle of Bochnia. It is distant from the independent city of Kracow about seven miles. It contains 360 houses, with 3700 inhabitants, who are chiefly employed or connected with the celebrated rock-salt mines which exist at this place, and which have been extensively worked for many ages. The mine is in a vast mountain, and the extent of the salt is not ascertained. On the top of the mountain is a shaft, and at the bottom an arched passage, both of which lead through numerous arched galleries, formed by removing blocks of salt. In the mine is an excavated lofty chapel, in which mass is celebrated, and an extensive saloon, with other apartments, all cut out of the solid mass of salt. The mine is quite dry, but within it is a clear subterranean lake, with a boat upon it. Though, ever since the year 1276, the salt has been drawn forth in copious quantities, there is abundance to be taken away without any additional labour. It belongs to the government, which derives a revenue from it. The expense of hewing it with the pick-axe, and of drawing it out of the mine, is calculated to be from 12s. to 14s. per ton, and the price at which it is sold is about 20s., thus leaving a profit to the government. The demand is restrained on the side of Prussia, because the English salt comes in competition with it. It is however extensively sold in the crude state in the Russian and Polish provinces, where it is dissolved, and refined for domestic use. That used in the Austrian states is refined at Wieliczka. This rock-salt is mostly of a gray colour, but some of it is of a greenish hue: both kinds are very hard and very dry.
WIESBADEN, one of the provinces into which the duchy of Nassau in Germany is divided. It is on the Rhine, and is bounded by other provinces of the duchy on every part except the south-east, where it touches Hesse-Darmstadt. It comprehends one city, two market-towns, twelve villages, 2272 houses, and 18,922 inhabitants. A part is hilly, but much of it a rich level country. The sides of the hills are covered with highly productive vineyards, and their summits with rich forests. The corn grown is much more than sufficient for its own population.

Wiesbaden , a city of the duchy of Nassau, and now its capital, where the states assemble, and in which the chief courts of justice are held. It is an open place, having only the ruins of walls at the ancient parts of it. The new town is an elegant mass of buildings, both for private residences and public purposes. The old city is ill built. Both together contain 8970 inhabitants, who are regular residents; but in the summer months the number of temporary visitors is greater than the permanent population. They are chiefly attracted by the reputation of the warm baths, but many also by the pleasures and accommodations attainable in a more favourable degree than at any of the other German watering-places. The assembly-rooms and the hotels are striking objects. There is a Catholic, a Lutheran, and a Calvinist church, and a ducal palace. The adjacent country is often picturesque, and, from the good state of the roads, the excursions are agreeable. The town contains a variety of manufactures of what may be called fancy articles and luxuries, and, on the whole, has many attractions.
WIGAN, a large town of the county of Lancaster, in the hundred of West Derby, 200 miles from London. It stands on the small river Douglas; is a corporation under a mayor, ten aldermen, and thirty councillors; and returns two members to the House of Commons. Being an ancient town, some parts of it are ill built; but of late years, from the extension of its trade, great improvements as well as additions have been made. The church is a stately edifice, with a tower containing eight bells; and there are chapels of ease and several dissenting places of worship. The living of the parish is one of the most valuable in the kingdom, and the incumbent is lord of the manor. Wigan has been long celebrated for its manufactures, which formerly consisted of checks and other linens, but of late the cotton trade has been extended to it, and is flourishing. There is a well-attended market on Friday. The population amounted in 1821 to 17,716, and in 1831 to 20,774 within the town; but the whole parish, which comprehends thirteen town-ships and chapelries, in 1831 contained 44,780 inhabitants.
WILBERFORCE Cape, a rocky promontory on the north coast of New Holland, at the west entrance into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Long. 136. 33. E. Lat. 11. 52. S.
WILEIKA, a circle of the Russian government of Minsk, extending in north latitude from 54° 24' to 54° 58', and in east longitude from 26° 7' to 28° 22'. In the west part it is filled with sandy heaths, and in the east with morasses. Between these are extensive woods, with portions among them of land highly productive of corn, hemp, and flax. Several rivers have their sources within the circle, the most considerable of which are the Wilia and the Beresina. A canal of thirty miles in length has been constructed, which unites the river Duna with the Beresina; but, from want of a sufficient head of water, it is only navigable in the spring of the year, even by small barks. The capital of the circle is of the same name, on the river Wilia. It has nothing remarkable, and contains scarcely more than 1000 inhabitants. It is 554 miles from St Petersburg. Long. 26. 40. E. Lat. 54. 35. 30. N.
WILKIE, William the author of the Epigoniad, was born in the parish of Dalmeny and county of Linlithgow on the 5th of October 1721. His father was a small farmer, and was not very fortunate in his worldly affairs. He however gave his son a liberal education, the early part of which he received at Dalmeny school; and at the age of thirteen he was sent to the university of Edinburgh, where he was soon distinguished as a young man of genius. Among his fellow-students were Dr Robertson the historian, Mr Home the poet, and some other eminent literary characters. In the course of his education he also became acquainted with David Hume and Adam Ferguson. Before he completed his studies at the university, his father died, leaving him only the stock and unexpired lease of his farm, with the care of three sisters, one of whom being afterwards married to an experienced farmer, Wilkie availed himself of his practical knowledge. He formed a system of farming which fully answered his own expectations, and secured to him the approbation of all his neighbours. After becoming a licentiate of the church of Scotland, he still continued his former mode of living, cultivating his farm, reading the classics, and occasionally preaching for the ministers in his neighbourhood. In 1753, he was presented to the living of Ratho by the earl of Lauderdale, who was sensible of his worth, and admired his genius. The duties of his new office he discharged with fidelity, and was celebrated for his impressive mode of preaching, while he did not neglect the amusements of husbandry, and the study of polite literature. In 1757 he published, at Edinburgh, “The Epigoniad, a Poem, in nine books,” which is said to have been the result of fourteen years study. Hume endeavoured to promote its success by addressing a commendatory letter to the editor of the Critical Review. A second edition of the poem was published at London in 1769. In 1759 Wilkie was elected professor of natural philosophy in the university of St Andrews. His whole fortune, when he removed to this place, did not exceed L.200, which he laid out in the purchase of a few acres of land in the vicinity of the city. He lived at St Andrews in the same studious and retired manner as he had done at Ratho. In 1766 the university conferred upon him the degree of D. D. He ended his poetical career by publishing a volume of Fables. Lond. 1768, 8vo. After a lingering illness, he died on the 10th of October 1772, having only completed the fifty-first year of his age. The personal character of Dr Wilkie exhibited many singularities; but the very distinguished individuals with whom he was acquainted were all disposed to regard him as a man of talents as well as learning. The subject of his Epigoniad was injudiciously chosen; nor is it surprising that he did not acquire the reputation of a great epic poet.
WILL, that faculty of the mind by which it embraces or rejects any thing offered to it. See Metaphysics.
WILLANMEZ’S Isle, a small island off the north coast of New Britain, high in the centre, and low and wooded at the sides. Long. 149. 39. E. Lat. 5. 15. S.
WILLIS, T homas, a celebrated English physician, was born at Great Bedwin, in Wiltshire, on the 27th of January 1621, and studied at Christ Church, Oxford. When that city was garrisoned for the king, he, among other scholars, bore arms for his majesty; and he devoted his leisure hours to the study of physic. The garrison of Oxford at length sur rendering to the parliament, he applied himself to the practice of his profession, and soon rendered himself famous by his care and skill. He appropriated a room as an oratory for divine service according to the church of England, whither most of the loyalists in Oxford daily resorted. In 1660, he became Sedleian professor of natural philosophy, and the same year took the degree of doctor of physic. In 1664, he discovered the famous medicinal spring at Alstrop, near Brackley. He was one of the first members of the Royal Society, and soon made his name illustrious by his excellent writings. In 1666, after the fire of London, he removed to Westminster; and his practice became greater [7:21:888] than that of any of the physicians his contemporaries. He died at his house in St Martin’s, on the 11th of November 1675, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. He was justly admired for his deep insight into natural and experimental philosophy, anatomy, and chemistry, for his successful practice, and for the elegance and purity of his Latin style. He wrote in English “A plain and easy Method for preserving those that are well from the Infection of the Plague, and for curing such as are infected.” All his Latin works were printed in two vols. 4to, at Geneva in 1676, and at Amsterdam in 1682. His grandson, Browne Willis, LL. D., was the author of several antiquarian works.
WILLOUGHBY Cape, the eastern point of Kangarou island, on the south coast of New Holland. Long. 138. 13. E. Lat. 35. 48. S.
WILLUGHBY, Francis, a celebrated natural historian, was the only son of Sir Francis Willughby, and was born in 1635. He was fond of study from his childhood, and held idleness in abhorrence; being so great an economist with regard to his time, as not willingly to lose or misapply the least part of it; by which means he attained great skill in all branches of learning, and particularly in the mathematics. But to the history of animals, which was in a great measure neglected by his countrymen, he particularly applied himself; and for this purpose carefully read over what had been written on that subject by others. He prosecuted his studies in Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of A. B. in 1656, and of A. Μ. in 1659. In the following year we find him residing at Oxford for the benefit of the public library. He then travelled in search of natural knowledge, several times over his native country, and afterwards into France, Spain. Italy, Germany, and the Low Countries, attended by his ingenious friend John Ray. It is remarkable that, notwithstanding the advantages of birth, fortune, and parts, he was as humble as any man of the meanest fortune; was sober, temperate, and chaste; scrupulously just; so true to his word and promise that a man might venture his estate and life upon it; so faithful and constant to his friend as never to desert him when fortune frowned upon him; and remarkably pious, patient, and submissive to the divine will. This is the character given of him by Mr Ray, whose veracity none will doubt. This ingenious and learned gentleman died on the 3d of July 1672, at the age of thirty-seven, having impaired his health by his application. He wrote, 1. Ornithologie libri tres, 1676, fol. It was afterwards translated into English, with an appendix, by Mr Ray. 2. Historiae Piscium libri quatuor, 1686, fol. 3. Letters of Francis Willughby, Esq., added to Philosophical Letters between the learned Mr Ray and several of his correspondents, and published by Dr Derham. 4. Several ingenious papers in the Philosophical Transactions.
WILTON, a market and borough town of the county of Wilts, three miles from Salisbury and eighty-three from London. It stands on the river Willy, in the hundred of Branch and Dole, and returns one member to the House of Commons. It has a market on Wednesday. This place has given its name to a description of carpets first made here, and the manufactory is still extensively carried on, as well as that of some woollen cloths. Adjoining to the town is the magnificent seat and park of the earl of Pembroke. It was the residence of Sir Philip Sidney, where he composed his Arcadia. The population amounted in 1821 to 2058, and in 1831 to 1997. Several neighbouring villages have been added to the borough to form an adequate constituency.
WIMBLEDON, an extensive parish of the county of Surrey, in the hundred of Brixton, seven miles from London. The village consists of one main street on the great road to Portsmouth, but is most remarkable for the number and elegance of the residences around its common, and in other parts of the parish. The most striking of these is the seat of Earl Spencer, and the park which surrounds it, originally built by Lord Burleigh in 1588, and afterwards rebuilt by Sarah duchess of Marlborough. Many others are deserving of attention. The population of the parish amounted in 1821 to 2195, and in 1831 to 2195.
WIMBORN-MINSTER, a market-town of the county of Dorset, in the hundred of Badbury and division of Shaftesbury, 100 miles from London and seven from Poole. It is finely situated between the rivers Stour and Allen, over each of which are bridges. Its name is derived from the minster, a Gothic-Norman structure, which now serves as the parish church. It has a lofty tower in the middle, and another at the west end, and in the choir are fourteen stalls. The town has a good market-place, well attended on Friday, an endowed grammar-school, and several charitable foundations. The population amounted in 1821 to 3563, and in 1831 to 4009; but in this estimate are included the inhabitants of three tythings within the parish.
WINCANTON, a market-town of the county of Somerset, in the hundred of Ferres-Norton, 108 miles from London. It has a market on Wednesday. What little trade there is, consists in making tickings, dowlas, and other coarse linen goods. The population amounted in 1821 to 2143, and in 1831 to 2123.