SCARBOROUGH (i.e., fortified rock), a seaport and municipal and parliamentary borough in Yorkshire, in the North Riding, 42 in. me. of York, and about 20 in. n.w. of Flamborough head. It is built aroundar a charming bay open to the s. and s.w,. and protected on the D.C. by a promontory ending in a castle-cro•nea height, which looks out on the North sea. From thC sands the town has gradually climbed the rising ground behind in successive terraces and crescents. The chief buildings are churches, chapels, and benevolent and other institutions, with which the town is well furnished. A tine cast-iron bridge„ 75 ft. high; and stretching over a chasm 400 ft. wide, connects the old . and new towns, and leads to the spa, and a bridge was erected in 1865 over a picture csque ravine to connect the western part of the town with its large and fashionable southern suburb. The springs, which are saline and ehalybeate, are on the margin of
the sea, and are surrounded walks and ornamental grounds. 1 he harbor, composed of three piers. and furnished with a lizht-house, is the most important in this part of the c. coast. Every accommodation is oliered to visitors for sea-bathing, and Scarborough is reputed the most fashionable watering-place on the n.e. coast. The season lasts from June to the middle of October. In 1872, 284 vessels, of 18,699 tons, entered and -cleared the port. Pop.'71, 24.259. The castle was erected about the year 1130. It was held against the barons by Piers Gaveston, who, however, surrendered, and was after ward beheaded. It was twice besieged by the parliamentary forces. At present it serves as a barrack, and is fortified by batteries.