a market-town and parliamentary borough of England, Somersetshire, in a beautiful and fertile valley on the Tone, 46 miles S.W. of Bath, and 141 W.S.W. of London. It is about a mile in length, and consists for the most part of broad well-paved streets, lined with large and handsome brick houses. There is a large open space called the Parade, in which stand the old brick market-house, containing also the town-hall and assembly rooms; and a modern building in the Grecian style, the upper part of which contains a library, reading-room, and museum, and the lower part fish and poultry markets. At the west end of the town stands the castle, erected in the time of Henry I. on the site of a still more ancient edifice, and containing a hall in which the assize courts are held. The churches of Taunton are noteworthy, especially that of St Mary Magdalen, which is perhaps the most conspicuous building in the town. It is a richly decorated specimen of the perpendicular style; and has a nave with four aisles, a chancel, and a square pinnacled tower 153 feet high. The tower and some other portions belong to the latter part of the fourteenth century; but the church was much improved and adorned in the time of Henry VII. The church of St James and the district church, though inferior to this edifice, are both substantial and handsome; and Taunton has other places of worship belonging to the Independents, Wesleyans, Baptists, Quakers, Roman Catholics, Unitarians, and other sects. Among the educational institutions there are a free grammar school, national, British, and infant schools. A Wesleyan Methodist college, mechanics' institute, and philharmonic society, have been established at Taunton; and the Somerset Archaeological Society possesses a museum, and holds its meetings here. The town contains also an hospital, eye-infirmary, several almshouses, a jail, a theatre, and baths. The woollen manufacture was early established, and long flourished here; but it has now given place almost entirely to that of silk, which now forms, along with lacemaking, the chief occupation of the inhabitants. Taunton has also some breweries, and its ale is highly esteemed. A considerable trade is carried on—the produce of the surrounding country being exported, and coals from Wales imported. Weekly and monthly markets, and annual fairs are held. The river, which is here crossed by a bridge of two arches, is only partially navigable; but the Taunton and Bridgewater Canal, and the Bristol and Exeter Railway afford ample facilities for communication with other parts of the country. The borough is governed by 2 bailiffs, 2 constables, and 2 porrectees; and it returns 2 members to the House of Commons. Taunton is a very ancient town; it was probably a Roman station, and had a castle during the time of the Saxon dominion. The Norman Castle, which still exists, is frequently mentioned in early English history; and in the time of the civil war it was defended by Blake for ten months against the royal forces. In 1685, Taunton was seized by the unfortunate Monmouth, who there proclaimed himself king; and after the defeat of his attempt, the castle of Taunton was one of the places where Judge Jeffries held what have been called "the bloody assizes." Pop. 14,176.

a town of the United States of North America, Massachusetts, on the river of the same name, 35 miles S. of Boston, and 30 E.N.E. of Providence. It is generally well built; and has in the centre an enclosure called Taunton Green. The chief buildings are the townhall, court-house, jail, and numerous churches. Various manufactures are extensively carried on here, especially those of paper, leather, hardware, and machinery. The river is navigable up to the town for small vessels; and some coasting trade is carried on here. Pop. (1850) 10,431.