a city of Northamptonshire, about 82 miles from London. It is the least city except perhaps Ely, and unquestionably the poorest bishopric, though one of the oldest towns in England. It had a monastery dedicated to St Peter, and founded as early as the year 655, to which the abbot of Croyland and his monks flying for protection in the year 870, they were overtaken and murdered in a court of this monastery called the monks churchyard, because they were all buried here; and to this day is to be seen the tombstone with their effigies, which had been erected over their common grave. Soon after this the Danes destroyed both the monastery and friars, so that it lay desolate for above 100 years. The monks were, however, restored, and lived very sumptuously, with a mitred abbot at their head, till the reformation, when Henry VIII. converted it into a bishop's see. The cathedral, which is said to be more than 1000 years old, though apparently more modern, is a most noble Gothic fabric, and was much more so before it was defaced in the civil wars. The west front, which is 156 feet broad, is very stately; and besides columns curiously adorned, is supported by three of the tallest arches in Britain. The windows of the cloisters are finely stained with scripture-history and the succession of its abbots. There are in the church monuments of Queen Catharine, wife of Henry VIII. and of Mary queen of Scots; and the figure of one Mr Scarlet the sexton, who buried them, and lived to 95; after he had buried all the housekeepers of the town twice over. There is but one parish-church besides the cathedral. The city is governed by a mayor, recorder, and aldermen, by a charter of Henry VIII. All its officers are elected by the dean and chapter, consisting of six prebendaries, who are all lords of the manor. Besides the dean and chapter, who are an ecclesiastical corporation distinct from the bishop, there are eight petty canons, four students in divinity, one epistleer, one gospeller, a subdean, subtreafter, and chanter, eight choristers, eight singing men, two chancellors, besides a steward, organist, &c., a grammar school, and two charity-schools. The river Nen, over which there is here a wooden bridge, is navigable by barges to Northampton, 50 miles further, which bring coal, corn, &c., and by which they export in some years 6000 quarters of malt, besides other goods, especially the woollen manufactures either of cloth or stockings, in which the poor are employed. The air of Peterborough is not to be very wholesome, by reason of the neighbouring fens; but the water of the river is fresh and good, the highest spring tide never coming up within five miles of the town; and there is plenty of excellent water in their wells. The streets are very poor, and the houses but mean; there is, however, a handsome market-house, over which are kept the assizes and sessions. Its jurisdiction extends over 32 towns and hamlets, wherein the civil magistrates appointed by the royal commission are vested with the same power as judges of assize, and hold their quarterly sessions in this city.