BACUP  , a

market town and municipal borough in the Rossendale parliamentary division of Lancashire, England, on the river Irwell, 203 M . N.N.W. from London, and 22 N. by E. from Manchester, on the Lancashire & Yorkshire railway . Pop . (1901) 22,505 . It is finely situated in a narrow valley, surrounded by wild, high-Iying moorland . It is wholly of modern growth, and contains several handsome churches and other buildings, while among institutions the chief is the mechanics' institute and library . The recreation grounds presented in 1893 by Mr . J . H . Maden, M.P., are beautifully laid out . Cotton spinning and power-loom weaving are the chief of numerous manufacturing industries, and there are large collieries in the vicinity . The principle of co-operation is strongly developed, and a large and handsome store contains among other departments a free library for members .

The borough was incorporated in 1882, and the

corporation consists of a mayor, 6 aldermen and 17 councillors . • Area, 612o acres, In 1841 .the population of the chapelry was only 1526 . One of the hills in the vicinity is fortified with a great ancient earthwork and ditch .