LEYDEN, a circle of Holland, divided into three cantons, viz. Leyden, Noordwyk, and Woubrugge, and containing about 60,000 inhabitants. The city of Leyden, which gives its name to the circle, is situated on both sides of a branch of the river Rhine, which, though diminished by other branches that take their course to the sea before it arrives at this city, still retains its original name. It receives here the water of the smaller streams of the Does, the Bliet, the Mare, and the Zyl, and is, besides, intersected by several canals, thus dividing the city into numerous islands, which are connected together by nearly 100 bridges. The streets are broad, clean, and well paved; and the high street, which runs through the whole city, is perhaps one of the finest in Europe. The walks in and around the city are distinguished by their pleasing neatness. The most striking building is the stadthouse, in which is the fine picture of the last judgment by Lucas. St Peter's church is remarkable for the sarcophagus to the memory of Boerhaave, and monuments to three of the most distinguished citizens who lost their lives by the explosion of a vessel laden with gunpowder in 1807. There are, besides, sixteen other churches, and two fine hospitals, one of the finest of which is that which belonged to the Catholics a few years ago. The university, founded in 1575, has long maintained a high rank amongst the best institutions for education in Europe, and has produced the most distinguished men in every branch of knowledge. It now contains about twenty professors in the four departments of law, theology, medicine, and philosophy, and from 300 to 400 students. Attached to the university is a library, containing 60,000 volumes of books, and 14,000 manuscripts, some of them of the most valuable and curious kinds. It has also an observatory, an anatomical theatre, a botanic garden, a chemical laboratory, and several
collections of natural and physical curiosities. The trade and manufactures of Leyden were once very extensive, but have much declined of late years. It has still, however, some considerable manufactures of woollen and linen cloths, and the black and scarlet cloths are much admired for their beautiful and permanent colours. The printing of books, especially of classical books, was once a great branch of industry, though now it is much diminished. Leyden has been the birth-place or residence of some of the most distinguished individuals, especially of Rembrandt and Lucas, painters; of Muschenbroeck and Boerhaave, naturalists; and of Scaliger, Salmasius, Heinssius, and others, critical and classical scholars. In 1816, the population was 28,600, but since that time it has increased, and, by the census of 1830, appears to be 34,564, viz. 16,131 males, and 18,433 females. It is situated in latitude 52. 8. 25. north, and longitude 4. 22. east. The environs of the city are ornamented with many seats of the inhabitants. The soil is rich, but, from its moisture, more appropriate for pasture than for grain. The dairies are numerous, and afford butter excellent for its flavour; and, from being capable of being kept a long time, it, along with cheese, forms an important part of the exportable commodities of Holland.