Guidebook provides insight into Southampton in 1888

A popular publication, the book was on its fourth edition, and the compiler even took the time to explain how it was created.

“The handbook has been drawn up from a careful personal exploration of the country, aided by the most recent information obtainable from residents," said the book’s editor.

At this point in Victorian times, the book explains that Hampshire was the eighth English county “in respect of size’‘ with an area of 1,070, 216 acres, or about 1,672 square miles compared to today’s 1,400 square miles, a reduction due mainly to boundary changes.

Read more: Bitterne when it became part of Southampton >>>

According to the census of 1881, Hampshire’s population then stood at 593,470, while an estimate from 2018 puts the number of people living in the county at a total of 1.376 million. This is in despite of the fact the county has become smaller, with part of West Hampshire becoming Dorset.

The guidebook's section on Southampton and surrounding areas does not paint the town in a great light to begin with, but things improve as it explores further.

“Like other seaports, it has its low dirty quarters, but of late years what may be considered a new town, and all around is an air of bustle and activity befitting a place at, and from which, many of the finest ocean going steamships arrive and depart daily,’‘ says the book’s anonymous author.

“It is as a packet station that it is now so important, and it would deserve a visit on that account, even if it had nothing to interest the antiquary.

“The large packet ships lining the docks are usually shown for a small fee, which goes to the town’s infirmary as the admirable fittings and accommodations are well worth inspecting.’‘ A potential visitor to Southampton is urged by the guidebook to visit the High Street, and is reminded that it was previously known as English Street.

The guidebook says: “The High Street is one of the fairest streets in England. It is more than a mile long, nearly straight, of fair width, and an abundance of bow-windows.

“The shops are handsome, and a great deal of trade is carried on, presenting a gay and bustling appearance especially from 3pm and 5pm.’’ Another essential place to visit, according to the guide book, was the “great Military Hospital’’ established about two miles south of Netley Abbey overlooking Southampton Water.

“Connected by a straggling line of mean houses, and beershops, the hospital was established immediately after the Crimean War to supply a want then severely felt,’’ says the book.

“Many objections were made to the site, in Parliament and elsewhere, on the score of the supposed unhealthiness of the mud banks at low water.

“Experience, however, has proved that these objections are unfounded, and that the position is as salubrious as it is convenient.’’ The main hospital, which was demolished in the 1960s, was striking because of its immense length, which was a little less than a quarter of a mile long.

According to the guide book: “The hospital contains 138 wards and 1,065 beds, while the corridor, used for exercise, runs along each of the three stories, and in fine weather marquees are pitched on the lawn in front, well provided with seats for convalescents.’’

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