BREST, a maritime town of France, in the depart-
ment of Finistere, seated on the declivity of a hill on the
side of its port, which is the largest in the kingdom, and
will hold 500 ships at a time. There is an arsenal with
sea-stores, which was placed there on account of its near-
ness to the woods, mines of iron, and other things pro-
per for the building of ships. It was entirely consumed
by fire in 1744, which was an irreparable loss to France.
The entrance into the port is guarded by a strong castle
seated on a rock, which cannot be attempted on the
sea side, because it is craggy, and is defended on the
land side by a large ditch and other fortifications. The
streets of Brest are very narrow, ill contrived, few in
number, and have all a descent. A great quay fur-
rounds this side of the port, which is above a mile in
length, and 200 paces broad; and there are magazines
on the quay full of all foreign merchandises. On the
other side of the port the fine church of Notre Dame
is situated; and in a suburb, which is as big as half
the city, there is a strong tower opposite to the castle,
at the entrance of the port; there is also a great quay
on this side, bordered with large magazines, partly
within the rock, which has been cut away to enlarge
the place. These are extended almost as far as the
bottom of the harbour, where there are two docks very
commodious for the building of large ships: the shops
and houses of the workmen are all around them: the
ropewalks are separated from the city by one of these
docks. The entrance into the harbour is called the gul-
let, and is a passage extremely difficult on account
of the sunk rocks on both sides of the shore; but there
are experienced pilots who carry ships in very safety.
The English attempted to take possession of this har-
bour in 1694, but were disappointed. W. Long. 4.
26. N. Lat. 48. 23.