LISLE, or LILLE, an arrondissement of the department of the North, in France. It extends over 356 square miles, is divided into sixteen cantons, and subdivided into 129 communes, which together contain 241,800 inhabitants. The capital is the city of the same name, the most celebrated fortified place in Europe, and in the most fertile
district of France. It is situated on the river Deule, which is navigable for barges and other small craft. The streets are broader than is usual in fortified places, and the new part of the city is handsome. Some of the public buildings, especially the theatre, the exchange, the barracks, and St. Stephen's church, are fine. It contains 11,500 houses, and 62,500 inhabitants, who are occupied in numerous manufactures, though most of them are on a small scale. The most important are sugar-refining, glass-making, weaving linen, cotton, and woollen goods. The spinning of lace, and making of thread, employs many hands, as does the fabrication of pillow-lace. A vast quantity of seed-oil and of oil-cake is also made, both for domestic use and for exportation. Long. 2. 59. 11. E. Lat. 50. 37. 50. N.