Bedford

Bedford, a market town and municipal and parliamentary borough, the capital of Bedfordshire, 50 miles N.W. of London, on the London and North-Western and Midland railways, and extending along either bank of the river Ouse. It is well-built and has five churches, St. Peter's containing traces of Saxon work, and St. Mary's possessing a Norman tower. There are a corn-exchange, shire hall, infirmary, and all the other buildings of a county town. But the schools raised on the original foundation of Sir W. Harpur (1561) are the most important institutions, and have induced many families to settle in the town. The factory of Messrs. Howard, makers of agricultural implements, employs a large number of artisans, and lace and straw plaits are also staple products. The memory of John Bunyan, who was born at Elstow, close by, is perpetuated by a statue and a school.