or STROUDWATER, a market-town and parliamentary borough of England, Gloucestershire, in a beautiful valley, at the union of two streams which form the Stroud Water, 9 miles S. by E. from Gloucester, and 101 W. by N. of London. It is the centre of the woollen manufacture in the county, and has many dye-houses, woollen and fulling mills, which stand in deep ravines on the side of the valley, near streams which flow into the main river. The houses are irregularly scattered on the hill-sides; and the valley is also densely filled with them. The town was formerly very ill built, but has been much improved of late. The principal buildings are the large parish church, with nave, chancel, aisles, and spire; Trinity Church; and Baptist, Independent, and Methodist chapels. There are also National, British, and other schools; a dispensary, and an hospital. The Stroud water is believed to be peculiarly adapted for use in the process of dying scarlet. A considerable trade is carried on, for which the Great Western Railway and the Thames and Severn Canal afford important facilities. Weekly markets and two annual fairs are held. The borough of Stroud, which includes a large and important manufacturing district, is represented in parliament by two members. Pop. of the parl. borough, 36,535; of the parish, 8798.

STRUENSEE and BRANDT. See DENMARK.