MACCLESFIELD, a municipal and parliamentary borough, and manufacturing town of England, county of Chester, on the Bollin, 17 miles S. by E. from Manchester, and 167 from London by railway. It is pleasantly situated on a declivity near the borders of Macclesfield Forest, and consists of four principal streets which meet in the market-place. The town is well supplied with water, brought from springs in the neighbouring hills; and baths and wash-houses have lately been established. The town-hall is a commodious and handsome Grecian building of recent erection, having, besides the courts of justice, offices, &c., a large assembly hall. The old church of St Michael, founded by Eleanor, queen of Edward I., in 1278, but since almost entirely rebuilt, is a large structure, partly Gothic, and has a massive tower, formerly surmounted by a lofty steeple. Several of the other churches are handsome buildings. The Independents, Methodists, Baptists, Roman Catholics, and others, have places of worship here. The free grammar school, founded in 1502 by Sir John Percival, and refounded by Edward VI., has a revenue of about £1500. A commercial school has recently been established on this foundation. There are also national, infant, charity, and other schools. A school of design was established here in 1851; and a subscription library, founded in 1770, now contains upwards of 20,000 volumes. The staple manufacture of Macclesfield is silk in all its various branches. About seventy mills are employed in throwing silk; besides which there are numerous establishments in which broad silks, handkerchiefs, and similar goods are made. The mills are mostly situated on the Bollin. The cotton manufacture has recently been introduced, and is now in a very flourishing condition. There are also several dye-works, foundries, and breweries in the town. Coal, slate, and stone are found in the vicinity. The Macclesfield Canal, which passes the town, unites the Grand Trunk and the Peak Forest canals, and thus affords water communication with most parts of England. Macclesfield was first incorporated by charter in 1260, by Prince Edward, son of Henry III. as Earl of Chester, but it had no voice in parliament till the Reform Bill granted it the privilege of returning two members. It is divided into six wards, and is governed by a mayor, 12 aldermen, and 36 councillors. Market-days, Tuesday and Saturday. Pop. (1851) 39,048.