East, a market-town, municipal and parliamentary borough of England, in Nottinghamshire, on the right bank of the Idle, here crossed by a bridge leading to West Retford, 33 miles N.N.E. of Nottingham, and 138 N.N.W. of London. It is well built and paved; and has a large, irregular market-place, with a pillar in the centre, occupying the site of a more ancient cross. West Retford is a smaller and more modern town; and South Retford is a name given to an enlargement of the town towards the south that has recently been made. The parish church of East Retford is a large edifice, of various dates and in various styles, surmounted by a lofty square tower; that of West Retford is smaller, but very elegant. In a suburb of the town called Moorgate stands a Gothic chapel of ease; and the other places of worship belong to Independents, Baptists, Wesleyans, and other dissenters. The town-hall is a handsome structure. A free grammar school, national and infant schools, a literary and scientific institution, with a library, are founded for the instruction of the town; while an hospital, alms-houses, and various other establishments form the charitable institutions. Few manufactories of any kind exist here: the town is supported chiefly by retail trade with the surrounding country, the principal articles of commerce being coal, corn, hops, and dairy produce. Weekly markets and annual fairs are held here. The borough is governed by a mayor, three other aldermen, and twelve councillors; and returns two members to Parliament. Pop. (1851) of the municipal borough, 2943; of the parliamentary borough, 46,054.

RÉTHIEL, a town of France, capital of an arrondissement in the department of Ardennes, on a steep slope on the right bank of the Aisne, 22 miles S.W. of Mézières. Its broad, straight streets are lined with houses generally ill built, and frequently only of wood. A large market-house, several churches, a theatre, and prisons, are the chief buildings of the town. The principal church is a remarkable building, formed by the union of two placed side by side; and it is decorated with bas-reliefs and other sculptures. Three ancient gates of the town still remain. Réthel has a college, agricultural society, chamber of manufactures, and court of law. It is a busy place, manufacturing leather, woollen cloth, and other articles, in which there is also an active trade. Pop. (1856), 7214.