UTRECHT, or, Latin, Ultrajetum, Trajetum vetus or inferius, or Trajetum Rheni, capital of a province of the same name, so called from its ancient ferry or passage here over the Rhine; the word being compounded of trecht, which in Dutch signifies a "ferry," and old or alt, i. e. "old." It is a fair, large, and populous city, the capital of the province, and the seat of the states, situated 19 miles from Amsterdam, 25 from Rotterdam, and 27 from Leyden. There were several large and rich monasteries, and other religious houses here, before the Reformation. The churches are magnificent, especially that of St Martin, formerly the cathedral, and usually called the dome. Over that of St Salvador or the old minister, where the British have a place of worship, is a museum of all sorts of antiques and rarities. Here is a stately town-house, with a commandery of the Teutonic order, and a celebrated university, which was founded in 1630, since which
it hath flourished greatly, though it has not all the privileges of most other universities; being wholly subject to the magistrates of the city. The mall without the town, having five rows of lofty limes on each side, is very pleasant; and the physic-garden belonging to the university, is extremely curious. There are five churches here that have chapters; but the members of these purchase the places, of which some cost 6000 or 7000 guilders. The streams which run through several of the streets, contribute much to the beauty and cleanliness of the town; and the canal that is cut from the Leek, and passes through it to Amsterdam, will carry ships of any burden. Pope Adrian VI. was a native of this city. Here, in 1579, the memorable union was formed between the seven provinces; and, in 1713, the celebrated peace concluded between France on the one part, and the allies on the other. The Papills have a nominal archbishop of this city; and there is a silk manufactory carried on in it, which employs a number of hands.