the chief town of Buckinghamshire, a parliamentary and municipal borough and market-town in the hundred of the same name, 58 miles from London, is situated on the left bank of the river Ouse, which surrounds it on every side but the north, and is crossed by two bridges. The town consists principally of one long street, straggling irregularly over a considerable extent of surface. The houses, which are chiefly brick, are neat and clean, though somewhat humble in character. The only public buildings of importance are the town-hall, which is built of brick, and the church, which is built of freestone, and has a handsome spire 150 feet high. The town is one of great antiquity, and enjoyed various privileges under different English sovereigns. It was the headquarters of Charles I. for a few days during his wars with the parliament. In 1725 a third of the town was burnt to the ground. Besides the church already alluded to, there are two places of worship for Independents, and one for Baptists in the town. An endowed free school for boys, who were clad in green coats, by the will of the founder, Gabriel Newton, is now incorporated with the national school, which is intended to accommodate 300 pupils. The grammar-school of the town was founded by Edward VI. There are no manufactures of any consequence. An attempt was unsuccessfully made to introduce straw-plaiting; but lace-making with bobbins still occupies a small part of the female population. There are some corn and paper mills in the neighbourhood, and a few lime quarries. The borough of Buckingham returns two members to parliament, and is governed by a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors. The revenue of the corporation is between L700 and L800 annually. The living, which is in the gift of the Duke of Buckingham, is a vicarage of L230 value in the diocese of Oxford. Pop. (in 1851) of parliamentary borough 8069; of municipal borough 4020.

George Villiers, Duke of. See VILLIERS.

John Sheffield, Duke of. See SHEFFIELD.