a market-town of the county of Leicester and hundred of West Goscot, 108 miles from London, and situated on the river Soar. It has considerable trade, arising from being on a navigable canal, and on the great north road. The market is held on Thursday. The population amounted in 1801 to 4546, in 1811 to 5400, in 1821 to 7365, and in 1831 to 10,800.