LONDON, a town of Canada West, capital of Middlesex county, is situate on the left bank of the Thames, an affluent of Lake St Clair, 115 miles S.W. of Toronto. It stands in the centre of the peninsula which divides Lakes Huron and Erie; and is connected by railway with Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec. The town was laid out in 1826, and since then it has risen rapidly into importance. In 1844 and 1845 it suffered severely from fires, which consumed at different times the Episcopal church and many of the houses. These, however, were rebuilt; the former in greater elegance, the latter on a more commodious and substantial plan. In 1855 London contained several fine buildings, such as the city hall, erected at a cost of £15,000; a market-house, and 12 churches, belonging to the Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Wesleyan, and other denominations. Its schools also fully supply the wants of the community, and are well attended. Iron-casting is carried on with considerable success, while coal is comparatively plentiful. The chief trade of the town, however, is in the grain of the county, which is reputed one of the most fertile in Upper Canada. Pop. (1852) 7000, (1855) about 13,000.