or Kidderminster, a town of Worcestershire, seated under a hill on the river Stour, not far from the Severn, 128 miles from London. It is a large town of 1180 houses, with about 6000 inhabitants, who carry on an extensive trade in weaving in various branches. In 1735 a carpet manufacture was established with success, so as to employ in 1772 above 250 looms; and there are upwards of 700 looms employed. KID

Kidderminster employed in the silk and worsted. Above 1600 hands are employed as spinners, &c. in the carpet looms only in the town and neighbourhood; upwards of 1400 are employed in preparing yarn, which is used in different parts of England in carpeting; and it is supposed not less than 2000 are employed in the silk and worsted looms in the town and neighbourhood. The silk manufacture was established in 1755. The town is remarkably healthy, and has also an extensive manufacture of quilting in the loom in imitation of Marfeilles quilting. Here is a Presbyterian meeting house; and they have a handsome church, two good free schools, a charity school, and two almshouses, &c. The town is governed by a bailiff, 12 capital burgesses, 25 common councilmen, &c. who have a town hall. The population in 1801 amounted to 6110. By the late inland navigation, it has communication by the junction of the Severn canal with the rivers Mersey, Dee, Ribble, Ouse, Trent, Darwent, Severn, Humber, Thames, Avon, &c.; which navigation, including its windings, extends above 500 miles, in the counties of Lincoln, Nottingham, York, Lancaster, Westmoreland, Chester, Stafford, Warwick, Leicester, Oxford, Worcester, &c. This parish extends to Bewdley bridge, has a weekly market, and three fairs. W. Long. 2. 15. N. Lat. 52. 28.