LISLE; a large, rich, handsome, and strong town of French Flanders, of which it is the capital, with a strong castle, and a citadel built by Vauban, and said
to be the finest in Europe, as well as the best fortified. The large square, and the public buildings, are very handsome; and they have manufactures of silks, cambrics, and camblets, as well as other stuffs, which have been brought to great perfection. It was taken by the duke of Marlborough, after three months siege and the loss of many thousands of men, in 1708; but restored to the French by the treaty of Utrecht, in consideration of their demolishing the fortifications of Dunkirk. It is seated on the river Duelle, 14 miles west of Tournay, 32 south-west of Ghent, 37 north-west of Mons, and 130 north of Paris, E. Long. 3. 9. N. Lat. 50. 38.