KINGSTON-ON-THAMES, a municipal borough and market-town of England, county of Surrey, extends for about a mile and a half along the right bank of the Thames, and is distant from London about 20 miles by the river and 12 miles by rail and road. The ancient wooden bridge over the river, which was in existence as early as 1224, was superseded by a structure of stone in 1827. The town is irregularly built, but its suburbs contain many fine houses and villas embosomed in trees, and of late years it has been rapidly increasing. Public walks and gardens have been constructed along the river. The parish church of All Saints, chiefly Perpendicular in style, contains several brasses of the 15th century; the grammar school, rebuilt in 1878, was originally founded as a chantry by Edward Lovekyn in 1305, and converted into a school by Queen Elizabeth. Near the parish church stood until 1779 the chapel of St Mary, where, it is alleged, the Saxon kings were crowned. The ancient stone said to have been used as a throne at these coronations was removed to the market-place in 1850. A town hall in the Italian style was erected in 1840, the former building having been a very ancient structure. There are several foundation schools and a large number of charities. The growth of the town has been owing chiefly to the increasing number of London business men who have made it their residence, its proximity to Richmond park and Hampton Court no doubt aiding its popularity. There are large market gardens in the neighbourhood, and the town possesses oil-mills, flour-mills, breweries, and brick and tile works. A little distance up the river are the works of several London water companies. An annual cattle fair is held in November, and county assizes are held at Lent. The population of the municipal ...