the capital of the county of Hertford, which is so called after it according to the Saxon custom. It is situated in a sheltered valley, on the River Lea, and, though of ancient origin, is now a neat, clean, and well built town. Hertford, pronounced Har'ford, is most probably a corruption of Hereford, or army ford, as it is situated near a ford of the River Lea, and it is also spelt Hereford by Saxon authorities, and in some monastic charters. Hertford is supposed to have been a principal residence of the East Saxon kings; and a castle, of which some relics still exist, was built here in 909 by Edward the Elder, to defend it from the Danes, who more than once ascended the River Lea and attacked it. In later times it was the scene of many historic events. The revolted barons, headed by the dauphin of France, captured Hertford Castle in the reign of King John. Edward III. made it the occasional prison of John II. King of France, and David King of Scotland. The court was several times held here, amongst others by Henry Duke of Lancaster, after the deposition of Richard II.; Henry VI., and Queen Elizabeth. Hertford is a corporate town by prescription; the earliest charter in existence is one granted by Elizabeth, but it recites that the place has been a borough from time immemorial. It is now governed by a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors, and its boundaries have been enlarged by the Municipal Act to an extent of eight miles. Hertford returns two members to parliament, and is the assize town of the county. The shire hall is situated over the corn-market. The other public buildings are—the county jail and house of correction; two churches, All Saints and St Andrews; a town-hall; and an edifice built on the site of the ancient castle in the reign of James I. or Charles I., as a preparatory school to the East India Company's College at Haileybury. There is also a preparatory school for Christ's Hospital, located at Hertford in a spacious building. Boys are sent to it prior to being drafted into the school in London, while the girls admitted remain until their superannuation. The inmates usually number nearly 500, of whom four-fifths are boys. Hertford has also a free grammar school for thirty-six boys; a green-coat school for forty-five boys, the children of poor parents, who have never received alms; and the usual national and dissenting schools. It is a thriving town. A large quantity of malt is made here for the London breweries, and much wheat and wool is sent to the metropolis in exchange for coal, manure, and general commodities. The corn-market, held at Hertford on Saturdays, is one of the largest in the kingdom. The population was, in 1831, 5615; in 1841, 5911; and in 1851, 6605.