the capital of the county of the same name, a market and borough town. It is situated in the S.E. of Cardigan bay, at the mouth of the Teifi, which there divides the county from Pembrokeshire. The houses are Cardinal mostly constructed of slate rock; and the town presents a singular appearance, from the custom which prevails of annually washing the whole houses, roofs as well as walls, with lime. There is a large and fine church about 200 years old, and there are several places of worship belonging to the different dissenting bodies. There is a handsome national school; but the other public buildings are of a very simple character.

The corporation consists of a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors. The borough, in conjunction with Aberystwyth, Lampeter, and Adpar, has returned one member to parliament since 1836. Constituency in 1832, 672; in 1847, 662. The assessed taxes yield annually £1,478, and the annual value of real property paying income tax is £29,864. There is a weekly market on Wednesday, and several fairs in the course of the year. The assizes are held here.

The port of Cardigan is capable of being entered at high spring tides by vessels drawing 15 to 18 feet of water. In 1853 there entered the harbour, with cargoes, 370 vessels engaged in general trade, having a tonnage of 9,967 tons, besides a great number of vessels engaged in carrying limestone, of which no account is kept. During the same period there left the port, with cargoes, 38 vessels of 11,55 tons burthen, besides a great number laden with slates, of which no account is kept. The principal imports are timber, coal-cum, and general merchandise.