OUNDLE, Northamptonshire, a market-town and the scat of a Poor-Law Union, in the parish of Oundle, is situated on the left bank of the river Nen, in 52' 3' N. lat., 0° 28' W. long., distant 28 miles N.E. from Northampton, 78 miles N. by W. from London by road, and 971 miles by the North-Western and Northampton and Peter borough railways. The population of the town in 1851 was 2689. The living is a vicarage in the archdeaconry of Northampton and diocese of Peterborough. Oundle Poor-Law Union contains 37 parishes and towuships, with an area of 69,S22 acres, and a population in 1851 of 15,655.
The town is nearly surrouuded by the river Nen, which is here crossed by two bridges on opposite sides of the town: the North bridge,' over which tho road to Peterborough passes, is a fino bridge of several arches ; connected with it is a causeway, raised on arches over the adjoiuing flats. The town-hall and the new railway hotel are the chief buildings. The church, which is large and handsome, consists of a nave with side-aisles, chancel, large transepta, end a tower and spire 200 feet high. Tho building dates from the 13th
to the 15th oentury. The Wesleyau Methodists, Independents, Baptists, and Roman Catholics have places of worship. Sir W. Laxton's Free Grammar school, founded in 1556, is under the charge of a head master and seven other teachers; it has en income from endowment of 15611. 12.s. a year, and had 111 scholars in 1853. The Grocers' Company are the patrons. Connected with this school and in the lower part of the building is Laxton's hospital for seven poor men and a nurse. Latham's hospital and Blue-Coat school provides almshouses for 18 poor women, and clothing and education for 30 poor boys. There are National, Infant, and British schools, a parochial lending library, a young men's society, and a savings bank. Tho market-day is Thursday ; fairs are held three times a year.