STAMFORD or STANFORD, a town of England in the county of Lincoln, is situated on the slope of a hill on the banks of the river Welland, which is cross ed by a narrow and ancient stone bridge. The town is built in the form of a cross, its principal streets coinciding with the great north road and that which goes from Uppingbam to Market Deeping. The houses are generally well built with stone and cover ed with slate. Stamford contains six parish churches. St. Michael's, St. Mary's, St. George's, All Saints, St. John the Baptist's, and St. Martin's. St. Mi chael's consists of a nave and choir with north and south aisles, and chancels, extending beyond the nave. In St. Mary's church there is a monument to Sir Dat id Phillips, who distinguished himself in the battle of Bos•ortHeid. St. George's church is a large plain building with chancel, nave, north and south aisles, and a square embattled tower. All Saints is large and symmetrical, having a lofty and handsome embattled spire at. the west end of the north aisle. The founder of it, Mr. John Brown, is interred in the north aisle. The church of St. John the Bap tist contains some excellent specimens of stained glass. St. Martin's church is a large and handsome
edifice, with a square pinnacled tower, and contain ing, among other monuments. one of Lord Burleigh. The other public buildings are the town hall, built in 1776, and having two handsome fronts, an elegant theatre recently erected, and a good assembly room. New shambles have been lately ,built. The schools in Stamford are Radcliffe's free school, Wells' school, the Blue Coat school, and a girls' school on Dr. Bell's plan. The charitable establishments in the town are numerous. The most opulent of them is that found ed in the reign of Richard III. by William Brown, of whom there is an effigy in All Saints church. By the river Welland the neighbourhood is supplied with articles of foreign and coasting trade, and the inhabitants export malt and freestone. The town is governed by a mayor, a recorder, town clerk, 12 al dermen, and 24 capital burgesses. It returns two members to parliament, and the right of election is vested in about 500 voters. The practice of bull baiting is said to be still repeated here on the November. In 1821 the population was as follows: