MODENA, a duchy of Italy, bounded on the south by Tuscany and the republic of Lucca, on the north by the duchy of Mantua, on the east by the Bolognese and the territories of the church, and on the west by the duchy of Parma; extending in length from south to north about 56 English miles, and in breadth between 24 and 36, and yielding plenty of corn, wine, and fruits, with mineral waters. In some places also petroleum is skimmed off the surface of the water of deep wells made on purpose; and in others is found a kind of earth or taphus, which, when pulverised, is said to be an excellent remedy against poison, fevers, dysenteries, and hypochondriac disorders. The country of La Salfa affords several kinds of petrifications. The principal rivers are the Crostolo, Secchia, and Panaro. The family of Este, dukes of Modena, is very ancient. They had their
name from Este, a small city in the district of Padua. In 1753, the duke was appointed imperial vicar-general, field-marshal, and governor, of the Milanese during the minority of the archduke Peter Leopold, who was declared governor-general of the Austrian Lombardy. The duke, though a vassal of the empire, hath an unlimited power within his own dominions.