Altrincham

Altrincham, a market-town of Cheshire, England, on Bowdon Downs, 8 miles SW. of Manchester by rail, is situated on the Bridge-water Canal. Its mayor is appointed annually, under an old charter, by the lord of the manor; but he has no jurisdiction, his chief duties being to open fairs and administer some funds left to the town three centuries ago. It is a very neat and clean town, and on account of the salubrity of the air, is much resorted to by invalids from Manchester. It has manufactures of artificial manures, and an iron-foundry; but a chief employment of its inhabitants is the raising of fruits and vegetables for the market of Manchester. Pop. (1851) 4488; (1871) 8478; (1891) 12,440.