MIDDLEBOROUGH, a t. in s.e. Massachusetts, on the Namasket river, the junc tion of several lines of the Old Colony railroad—the Cape Cod branch, Boston to Provineetown, the Middleborough, Taunton and Providence, and the Old Colony and Newport. It is one of the most ancient towns in Plymouth co., and a sumtner re,sort of great attractiveness, on account of the picturesque beauty of its scenery and numer ous features of historic interest within the town limits. Previous to the incorporation of the town of Lakeville which was taken from its territory, it was the largest town in the state, and now numbers more than GO sq.m.; pop. '80, 5,237. It lies on both side of the river,which runs in a winding course front large lakes (in the adjoining town) 5 m. :away, with three falls furnishing valuable water-power, emptying into Taunton river. Game and fish abound in the lakes and their vicinity, and a small excursion steamer plies between the pic-nic grounds ou the lakes to a pier at the upper falls. It comprises the shriving villages (all with churches, post-offices, and manufactures) of North Middle borough (Titieut), South Middleboroug,h, The Rock, East Middleborough (Eddyville), a number of smaller villages and neighborhoods, and Middleborough Four Corners, the central portion, which is designated as Middleborough. It has several public halls, an elegant town house containing. a commodious hall, a room for the district court, the pub lic library, and a bank, besides the town offices, erected itt a cost of $50,000, standiug on aii eminence commanding a view of many points of interest, among them Mattock Bill cemetery, about a mile from the Corners, a beautiful spot,where rest some of the founders cf the old colony. In this vicinity is Oliver's walks, the site of the mansion of judge
Oliver, who iu the revolution espoused the tory cause and went to England. It was the seat of Peirce academy (Baptist), founded 1808, witlt a classical department, a valuable cabinet, and an average attendance of 300 pupils, including many from the southern states. Daring the rebellion its popularity diminished, and it has siuce been discontin ued. The town has excellent public schools, is lighted by gas, aud is laid out regularly, with numerous maples, elms, and other ornamental trees shading tlte streets and high ways, which are celebrated for their beautiful drives. It contains the Bay State straw -works, employing a large number of girls in its extensive factories and at their homes in the adjoining towns and villages, 5 shoe-factories, 3 churches, 2 newspapers (1 monthly), '2 printing-offices, a hotel, the-Star mills (woolen), and manufactories of lutuber, shovels. needles, trunks, boxes, varnish, marble-works, and a variety of stores. It is a center of .an important trade in horses, which are brought from Vermont and Canada. It is 12 m. from Plymouth. 10 m. from Taunton, 20 m. from New Bedford, 20 m. from Fall River, -and 34 m. from Boston.