BURY ST EDMUNDS, a populous borough in the coun ty of Suffolk, is situated on the river Lark, and is re markable for the salubrity of its climate, which has gained it the distinguished appellation of the Montpellier of England. It owes its name to an abbey, which was founded here, about the year 903, in honour of St Ed mund, king of the East Angles, who was murdered by the Danes in a wood at Hoxne, and whose shrine, in the days of superstition, became a place of great resort and veneration. Of this abbey, which was esteemed one of the largest and richest in the kingdom, one gate only re mains, which, however presents a fine specimen of its former grandeur. It is a clean and handsome town, con taining 34 streets, which arc wide and well paved, and intersect each other at nearly right angles; and, inclu ding the suburbs, it extends a mile from cast to west, and about two miles from north to south. Its principal building's are, the churches of St Mary and St James's, which arc handsome sti uctures, with spacious and elc• gain windows, and are deservedly esteemed for their c act and beautiful symmetry. The church of St ret is now converted into a shirchall, where the county assizes are held. It has also a spacious guildhall, a beau tiful market-cross surrounded with iron railing, an ele gant little theatre, a free grammar school, four meeting houses, and an hospital, or work-house, for 30 boys, and as many girls. Its only manufacture is spinning wool,
which is used in the fabrication of fine atolls. The ernment of the town is vested in a recorder, 12 burgesses, and 24 common council men. One of the burgesses is annually chosen alderman, who holds the office of chiel magistrate, and six senior hurgisscs act as assistant jus tices.
Bury St Edmund's is said to have been the place where the barons of England, at the instigation of Cardinal Langton, entered into a confedelacy to assert their pi i vileges against the oppressions of King John ; and it is also famous for several meetings of parliament. It was burnt by Sweyn, king of Denmark, and almost complete ly destroyed ; but the abbey was rebuilt by his son Canute, who restored the town to its former importance. I n 1257, a violent plague swept off above a thousand of its inhabi tants; and, in 1638, upwards of 600 perished by thi dreadful calamity.
This borough sends two members to parliament. It has three annual fairs, and two weekly markets on Wednesday and Saturday. Number of houses, 1397. Population 7655, of whom 4198 are employed in trade and manufaCtures. N. Lat. 52° E. Long. 0°