a municipal and parliamentary borough of England, county of Stafford, stands on an eminence near the river Tame, 8 miles N.N.W. of Birmingham, and 15 S.S.E. of Stafford. The main street is very steep, and many of the others have a considerable inclination. In the older parts of the town the streets are generally narrow, crooked, and irregular, and the houses badly built; but in the newer parts the streets are regular and well built. It has three churches, the principal of which, St. Matthews, occupying the centre and highest part of the town, is an ancient cruciform edifice, with a finely proportioned tower, surmounted by a lofty spire. There are also places of worship for Independents, Baptists, Methodists, Unitarians, and Roman Catholics; a free grammar, Blue-coat and other schools; an old town-hall, and a small borough jail. The public library and news-rooms occupy a handsome building, with a Doric colonnade. Walsall is situated on the borders of the Staffordshire coal and iron districts, and hence many of its inhabitants are employed in the coal and iron mines. Limestone is also extensively quarried in the vicinity. Its chief manufactures are machinery, and ironmongery articles for saddlers, coachbuilders, carpenters, &c. It is governed by a mayor, 6 aldermen, and 18 councillors, and returns one member to parliament. Pop. (1821) 11,914, (1831) 15,066, (1841) 19,654, (1851) 25,680.