BRADFORD, a parliamentary borough and market-town of England, in the west-riding of Yorkshire and wapentake of Morley, on an affluent of the Aire, 219 miles from London by rail, 30 miles W.S.W. of York, and 8 west of Leeds. In the older parts of the town the streets are generally narrow, but otherwise they are of sufficient width, and well paved and lighted. The parish church of St Peter is a structure in the perpendicular style, erected in the reign of Henry VI. There are six other churches and numerous places of worship of Presbyterians, Independents, Baptists, Methodists, Quakers, Roman Catholics, &c. The free grammar-school, founded in the reign of Edward IV., rebuilt in 1830, has a good library, and exhibitions at Queen's College, Oxford. There are many national, British, industrial, infant, and Sunday schools. There is a Baptist and an Independent theological college in the vicinity; the Methodists have also a seminary for educating the sons of their clergy. Among the public buildings are the new infirmary, erected in 1844, the Exchange of Piece Hall (a market for woollen goods), court-house, and jail. There are also a mechanics' institute, Odd Fellows' Literary institution, with a good library and news room, a savings-bank, dispensary, and numerous other charities. The first Temperance Society in England was established here. The staple manufactures of Bradford are worsted and woollen stuffs, which are in a very flourishing condition, and give employment to a great part of its population. The iron trade is also considerable, and in the neighbourhood is a plentiful supply of iron and coal. By means of the Liverpool and Leeds canal, with which it is connected by a branch, it communicates with the ports on the east and west coasts of the kingdom, and lines of railway connect it with all parts of the country. The borough is governed by a mayor, 14 aldermen, and 42 councillors, and returns two members to parliament since the passing of the Reform Act. Pop. (1851) 52,493. Market-day Thursday. The parliamentary borough includes the townships of Bradford, Manningham, Bowling, and Horton; pop. (1851) 103,778. Electors (1852) 2683. A festival is celebrated here every seventh year in honour of Bishop Blaise, said to be the inventor of wool-combing.