HEREFORD is a town of England, in the hundred of Grimsworth, 135.1 miles W. N. W. from London. It is situated on the left bank of the river Wye, over which it has a stone bridge of six arches, constructed in the 15th century. The streets are in general wide : the inns arc particularly good, one or two of them being equal to any in the kingdom. The public buildings particularly worthy of notice are, the cathedral, bishop's palace, college, county gaol, and theatre. The general plan of the cathedral is that of a cross. The interior is very interesting, though not nearly so much so as it was before the removal of the se pulchral memorials, painted glass, &c. The see of Here ford comprehends Herefordshire, and part of Shropshire. It is rated in the king's books at 768l.: its real value is supposed to be about 30001. The civil government of the city is vested in a mayor, six aldermen, a common council consisting of 31 members, an high steward, and a recorder.
It returns two members to Parliament, the right of election being vested in the citizens and freemen, to the number of about 1200. The situation of this city, on the banks of the \Vye, would be extremely favourable to its trade, if the navigation of that river were less precarious. The princi pal manufacture carried on is gloves. Cyder, grain, and oak bark, are conveyed in considerable quantities down the river to Bristol and other places ; and by means of the same navigation, the city is supplied with coals from the forest of Dean. This city suffered much during the wars between the houses of York and Lancaster, and also during the wars between Charles and his parliament. In 1803, its population was 6828 ; in 1811, it amounted to 7306. See Duncombe's 4griculture of Hereford ; Beauties of Eng land and Wales ; vox. v. ; and Marshall's Rural Econonv; of Gloucestershire, F.5"c. vol. ii. p. 221, &c. (w. s.)