DORCHESTER (the Durnovaria of the Romans), a parliamentary and municipal borough and market-town of England, capital of the county of Dorset, situated on an eminence on the right bank of the Frome, 8 miles N. of Weymouth, and 120 miles from London by railway. It is governed by a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors, and returns two members to parliament. Pop. of burgh (1851) 6394. Registered electors (1851-52), 432. The town, consisting chiefly of three spacious streets, is neat and pleasantly situated, and is nearly surrounded by a fine avenue. St Peter's church is an ancient edifice in the perpendicular style, containing some curious monuments. The grammar-school has two exhibitions to St John's College, Cambridge, and one to either university. Of the other public buildings the principal are, the town-hall, with market-house, shire-hall, county jail and house of correction, theatre, and county hospital. The cavalry barracks in the vicinity may also be noticed. There are also several almshouses and other charities, and a savings-bank. Market-days, Wednesday and Saturday. Its woollen manufacture was once considerable; but it is now noted principally for its ale. Dorchester is a place of considerable trade, and large sheep and lamb fairs are held here annually. The borough includes four parishes, All-Saints, St Peter's, Holy Trinity, and Fordington. In the vicinity there are some interesting Roman remains, including an amphitheatre, the most perfect of its
kind in England. The seats for the spectators are formed Dorchester of masses of chalk, rising 30 feet above the arena. This amphitheatre when perfect is supposed to have been capable of accommodating 13,000 spectators. Durnovaria was one of the principal stations in England of the Romans, by whom it was surrounded with a wall and fosse; part of the former having been standing as late as 1802. Here Judge Jeffries's "bloody assize" was held in September 1685.