WIMBORNE MINSTER, Dorsetshire, a very anoient markotetown, and, oonjointly with Cranborne, the seat of a Poor-Law Union, in the pariah of Wimborne Muister, is situated in 50° 45' N. 1° 57' W. long., distant 21 miles E.N.E. from Dorchester, and 100 miles S.W. by W. from London by road. The population of the town In 1551 was 2295. W1nburae and Cranborne Poor-Lew Union contains SI parishes and townships, with an area of 79,873 acres, and a population in 1851 of Winsborne is to have been a Roman station called Vindoglarlia ; by the Saxons it was called Vinburuan. A nunnery was established here in the beginning of the 8th century, upon the site of which the present minster or collegiate church was built; and the word ' Minster' has been added to the name of the town to distinguish it from Wimborne St. Giles, in another part of the oounty. Wimborne Minster is pleasantly situated on the right bank of the Stour, near Its confluence with the Wim or Allen. Parts of
the minster were built soon after the Conquest. It is a cruci form structure, 103 feet in length, and consists of a chancel, nave, choir, and side aisles, a transept, and three porches. There are two quadrangular towers, one at the west end, and the other, once sur mounted by • very lofty spire, at the intersection of the cross. The mina's" is a royal free chapel, and a peculiar in the diocese of Salis bury. Several royal and noble persons have been interred here. The Wesleyan Methodists, Baptists, and Independent. have places of wor ship. There are a Free Grammar school, for the support of which some of the lands of the nunnery were sot apart by Queen Elizabeth, Natioirl schools', two ancient hospitals for poor aged persona, and a savings beak. Friday is the market-day; fairs are held on the Friday before Good Friday and on September 14th. Coach-waking is carried an. A county court is held in the town.