PRESTON, an important manufacturing and market t., a municipal and parlia mentary borough in Lancashire, on the n. bank of the Ribble, amid at the head of the estuary of that river, 27 m. n.n.e. of Liverpool. It occupies an eminence 120 ft. above the Ribble, and it covers an area 2 m. square. The houses are mostly built of brick, and the town is on the whole well laid out, and is surrounded with pleasing scenery. The river is crossed by two bridges and several railway viaducts. There are 14 churches, 7 Catholic and 20 other dissenting chapels. The chief public buildings are the town ball, of Gothic design, which contains the guild-hall and exchange, and was erected at a cost of upward of £60,000; the Preston and county of Lancaster royal infirmary, erected 1869; the corn exchange and market-house; the house of correction and court-house; the institution for the diffusion of useful knowledge, with a library of 10,000 volumes; the institute and school for the blind. It has also several public libraries; 4 weekly and 2 semi-weekly newspapers. Linen manufactures were formerly the staple, and though still extensive, have been supplanted by the cotton manufacture, which now holds the first place. Preston contains in all about 90 cotton-mills, which give employment to
about 27,500 hands. There are also iron and brass foundries, iron ship-building yards, carriage-works; and machine shops; and malting, brewing, and rope-making are also carried on. Preston is a free port, and is reached at spring-tides by vessels drawing 14 feet. In 1872, 816 vessels of 42,695 tons entered and cleared the port. Its imports are chiefly corn, iron, and timber; its exports principally coal. Four great fairs are held here during the year, besides the usual weekly markets. The celebrated guild of mer chants, called Preston guild, is still observed here every 20 years. On the last occasion, 1862, the foundation stone of the new town-hall was laid. It is about 700 years since the guild merchant of Preston was acknowledged by royal charter. The first of its 14 royal charters was granted in the reign of Henry II. Preston alone has kept up the celebra tion of its guild to the present day. The borough returns two members to the house of commons, Pop. '71, 85,427.