or Knights of St Louis,** the name of a military order in France, instituted by Lewis XIV. in 1693. Their colours are of a flame colour, and pass from left to right; the king is their grand-master. There are in it eight great crosses, and 24 commanders; the number of knights is not limited. At the time of their institution, the king charged his revenue with a fund of 300,000 livres for the pensions of the commanders and knights.

Louis, Louis d'or, or Louisdore,** a French coin, first struck in 1640, under the reign of Louis XIII. and which has now a considerable currency. See MONEY-Table.

**LOUISIANA,** a country in North America, bounded on the south by the gulf of Mexico, on the east by the river Mississippi, on the west by New Mexico, and on the north by an unknown country. It extends from the 29th to the 40th degree of north latitude, and from about the 80th to the 95th or 97th degree west longitude from London. The climate of Louisiana varies according to the latitudes. The southern parts are not so hot as those parts of Africa which lie under the same parallel, and the northern parts are colder than the countries of Europe at the same distance from the pole; the causes of which are supposed to be the thick forests which over-run the country, and the great number of rivers; the former preventing the sun from heating the earth, and the latter supplying it with moist vapours; besides the cold winds which come from the north over vast tracts of land. They have bad weather; but it never lasts long, for the rain generally falls in storms and sudden showers; the air is wholesome, the inhabitants healthy, and they who are temperate live to a great old age. The country is extremely well watered; and almost all the rivers that run through it fall into the Mississippi, which discharges itself into the gulf of Florida.

**LOUSE,** in zoology. See PEDICULUS and LICE.

**LOUSY DISEASE.** PATRIZIASIS.

**LOUTH,** a county in the eastern part of Ireland, which extends in the form of a bow or half-moon, on the side of the ocean, being much longer than it is broad; it is bounded on the south and south-west by the county of East-Meath, on the north-west by Monaghan, on the north by Armagh, and on the north-east by the bay of Carlingford, which parts it from the county of Down; it is watered by several small rivers which fall into the sea, and its south frontiers are watered by the river Boyne, which renders it fruitful and rich. The most considerable places are Drogheda, Ardee, Dundalk, and Carlingford.

**LOUVAIN,** a city in the Austrian Netherlands, in the province of Brabant, pleasantly seated on the river Dyle, in a plentiful and agreeable country. The walls are about eight or nine miles in circumference; but they include several fields and vineyards. The castle stands on a high hill, surrounded with fine gardens, and has a charming prospect all over the country. This town contains nine market-places, 14 water-mills, 126 streets, 16 stone bridges, and several handsome palaces. The town-house is a venerable old building, adorned with statues on the outside; and the churches are very handsome, particularly the collegiate church of St Peter; but the principal ornament is the university, there being 60 colleges, which have two courts each; the students in divinity constantly wear gowns and caps, but the rest only at public exercises. The English have a nunnery here, which is reckoned the best in the Netherlands. This town was taken in the year 1746, by the French. E. Long. 4°. N. Lat. 51°. 12'.

**LOW-BELL,** in birding, a name given to a bell, by means of which they take birds in the night, in open campaign countries, and among stubble, in October. The method is to go out about nine o'clock at night in a still evening, when the air is mild, and the sun does not shine. The low-bell should be of a deep and hollow sound, and of such a size that a man may conveniently carry it in one hand. The person who carries it is to make it toll all the way he goes, as nearly as may be, in that manner in which the bell on the neck of a sheep tolls as it goes on and feeds. There must also be a box made like a large lantern, about a foot square, and lined with tin, but with one side open. Two or three great lights are to be set in this; and the box is to be fixed to the person's breast, with the open side forwards, so that the light may be cast forward to a great distance. It will spread as it goes out of the box; and will distinctly show to the person that carries it whatever there is in the large space of ground over which it extends, and consequently all the birds that roost upon the ground. Two persons must follow him who carries the box and bell, one on each side, so as not to be within the reach of the light to show themselves. Each of these is to have a hand-net of about three or four feet square, fastened to a long stick or pole; and on whichever side any bird is seen at roost, the person who is nearest is to lay his net over it, and take it with as little noise as possible. When the net is over the bird, the person who laid it is not to be in a hurry to take the bird, but must stay till he who carries the light is got beyond it, that the motions may not be discovered. The blaze of the light and the noise of the bell terrify and amaze the birds in such a manner that they remain still to be taken; but the people who are about the work must keep the greatest quiet and stillness that may be.

Some people are fond of going on this scheme alone. The person then fixes the light-box to his breast, break and carries the bell in one hand and the net in the other; the net in this case may be somewhat smaller, and the handle shorter. When more than one are out at a time, it is always proper to carry a gun; as it is no uncommon thing to spy a hare when on this expedition.