principal institution for the higher education is Bristol University, char tered in 1909, and possessing in 1913-14 150 teachers and 650 students, the nucleus of which is the University College, opened in 1876. The university claims the honor of being the first to open 'its doors to women students.
The Grammar School dates from pre-Refor mation days. • In 1532 it was endowed by Robert and Nicholas Thorne. The Cathedral School likewise dates back to the Reformation, it being part of the Cathedral Corporation established by Henry VIII in 1538. The City School, or Queen Elizabeth's Hospital for boys, was founded in 1586, and owes its existence to John Carr, a wealthy Bristol citizen. The Red Maids School for girls is the foundation of Alderman Whitson by bequest in 1627. The Clifton College, opened in 1862, has for many years ranked high as an English public school. The college buildings and grounds occupy a large area east of Clifton Downs. The Mer chant Venturers' Technical College was origi nally a trade school. In 1875 the endowed schools' commissioners appointed the Society of Mer chant Venturers as trustees. The building—a monument to the liberality of that Society was almost totally destroyed by fire in October 1906, and is now in course of re-erection. Other educational establishments are: The Clifton and the Redland High Schools for girls; Clergy Daughters' School; about 45 Council schools directed by the education committee of the Bristol Corporation, inclusive of three higher grade and science schools; a day industrial school; a school for cookery; truant school, and an institution for the deaf and dumb. The Congregationalists erected in 1906 a commodi ous college building at Cotham for the training of students for the ministry.
charitable institutions of Bristol are so numerous and of such import ance that adequate mention of them here is impossible. The invested funds devoted to charitable work yield a revenue exceeding $300,000 per annum, which sum supports alms houses, asylums, homes and schools, and pro vides for pensions and gifts of all descriptions. The name most familiar in a long list of bene factors is that of Edward Colston, whose name is handed down to successive generations by three great commemorative societies instituted to perpetuate his grand philanthropy. These societies are instrumental in raising funds by voluntary subscriptions amounting to upward of $15,000 per annum. The charities, formerly regulated by the Corporation, are now by de cree of the charity commissioners adminis tered by trustees. The Merchant Venturers' Society, which as early as the 7th year of Ed ward IV claimed to be an ancient guild, has endowed and supports others, whilst denomina tional bodies are mainly responsible for the remainder, one of the most remarkable being the Ashley Down Orphanages, founded in 1836 by the Rev. George Muller.
city is governed by a council consisting of 22 aldermen and 66 coun cillors, the former being elected for a term of six years, and the latter for a term of three years, agreeably with the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act. The mayoral list of Bristol extends in unbroken sequence from the year 1216, when "the King (Henry III) with his counsellors and tutors came to Bristol as to a safe place, at which time he permitted the town to choose a mayor after the manner of London." In June 1899, or more than 600 years after the institution of the office, Queen Victoria was graciously pleased to direct that the mayor of the city of Bristol should in future bear the style and title of lord mayor.
The Celtic name of Bristol was Caer Oder, or the City of the Chasm (namely, through which the Avon flows). The name Bristol is derived from the Anglo-Saxon bring, a bridge, and stow, a place. It was early a place of commerce, and received its first charter from Henry II in 1172. Between 1239 and 1247 a new channel was dug from the Frome in order to provide better accommodation for ship ping. In the reign of Edward II Bristol re belled against the royal authority and was held by the citizens against the sovereign for four years. In 1373 it was constituted a county of itself, by Edward III. It was made the seat of a bishopric by Henry VIII in 1542. During the civil war between Charles I and the Par liament it declared in favor of the latter, but was stormed and taken by the Royalists under Prince Rupert. After the battle of Naseby it was taken by Fairfax, and its formidable castle was razed to the ground. In 1831 the Reform agitation gave origin to riots that lasted for several days. The rioters destroyed various public and private buildings, among which was the bishop's palace, and a number of them lost their lives. Bristol was united as a bishop's see to Gloucester in 1837. The first bishop of Bristol and Gloucester united was James Henry Monk, created in 1837. By the Bristol Bishop ric Act Bristol was again separated from Glou cester and Dr. Forrest Browne was enthroned, 28 Oct. 1897. Sebastian Cabot, Chatterton, Southey and the painter Lawrence were natives of Bristol. The city returns four members to Parliament.
British Association Hand Book' (Bristol 1898) ; Corry, J., 'History of Bristol' (Bristol 1816); Harvey, A., 'Bris tol, a Historical and Topographical Ac count of the City' (London 1906); Hunt, W., 'Bristol' (London 1902); Latimer, J., 'Bris tol' (Bristol 1898); ib., 'Annals of Bristol' (various periods); Masse, 'The Cathedral Church of Bristol' (London 1901) ; Nicholls and Taylor, 'Bristol Past and Present' (Bristol 1:.:1-82); Reports of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce; 'The Little Red Book of Bristol' (Bristol 1900).