a parliamentary and municipal borough of England, in the county of Somerset, 120 miles W. by S. of London, and 18 S.W. of Bath. It is situated in a rich valley at the foot of the Mendip Hills, and is tolerably well built. Many of the old houses are of an antique fashion, whilst others of more modern erection are very handsome. The streets are well paved, and remarkably clean. In conjunction with Bath, it is the seat of a bishop, whose palace in the city is one of the best episcopal residences in the kingdom. The cathedral is a spacious Gothic structure in the form of a cross, 415 feet long and 155 feet wide at the transept. The most remarkable part of the building is the west front, which is most elaborately ornamented with statues and carved work in stone. One of the windows contains some beautiful paintings on glass. The chapter-house is remarkable for its structure in the form of a rotunda, having its roof supported by a single pillar in the centre. The deanery is a handsome residence, and the houses of the vicars within the close are very commodious. Besides those belonging to the church, there are several other charitable establishments. Near the city is St Andrew's Well, whose water is conveyed by pipes to an elegant conduit near the market-cross, whence the city is well supplied with water. The civil government is vested in the corporation, consisting of a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors; and the city returns two members to the House of Commons. Besides the cathedral, are the parish church of St Cuthbert, with a lofty square tower, and a fine set of six bells; places of worship for Independents, Methodists, and Baptists; a grammar school, blue-coat school, National and British schools. There are good markets on Wednesday and Saturday, and four annual fairs. Horse-races are held yearly near the city. The population of the city liberty amounted in 1851 to 7050, that of the borough to 4734. Methodists, Independents, and Quakers; several schools, a custom-house, and a theatre. Ship-building, rope-making, brewing and malting, are the chief manufactures; and there are oyster-fisheries along the coast. The harbour was at one time much choked up with sand; but has been recently improved, and a quay built accessible to vessels of 150 tons. Pop. of the parish (1851), 3633.