Reading

Reading, a city of Pennsylvania, capital of Berks county, on the left bank of the Schuylkill River, 58 miles by rail NW. of Philadelphia. It is pleasantly situated on an ascending plain, and from the neighbouring hills draws its water-supply and abundant iron ore. The principal manufactories of Reading are its iron and steel works. These include many rolling-mills, forges, foundries, furnaces, machine-shops, nail-works, &c. It has also manufactories of shoes, hats, beer, cigars, leather, paper, bricks, &c. Settled in 1748, it became a city in 1847, and is the seat of an Episcopal bishop. Very many of the inhabitants are of German descent, and half the newspapers are in that language. Pop. (1880) 43,278; (1890) 58,661.