Hounslow

Hounslow, a town of Middlesex, 10 miles W. by S. from London by road, was formerly a place of much importance in the old coaching days, it being the first stage out of London on the Bath and Southampton roads. As many as 800 horses were then maintained here, 500 coaches passed through daily, whilst a most extensive business in posting was carried on. With the opening of the railways, however, the place gradually declined, and at the present time it contains but little of interest. Its three churches are all modern, the oldest, rebuilt in 1835, having been formerly the chapel of a priory. West from Hounslow, stretching for 5 miles along the road, and in 1546 containing an area of 4293 acres, was Hounslow Heath, the scene of many military encampments, and notorious in the annals of highway robbery. It is now for the most part enclosed. Near to the town are extensive gunpowder-mills and cavalry and militia barracks, and at Kneller's Hall, once the residence of Sir G. Kneller, the painter, are the quarters of the Royal Military School of Music. Pop. (1851) 3514; (1871) 9294; (1891) 12,873, of which the barracks contained over 1000.