town of Italy, and capital of a duchy of the same name, with a bishop's see. It is seated about 100 paces from the river Po, in a very fertile pleasant plain, watered by a great number of rivulets, and surrounded with hills, abounding in all sorts of fruits. In its territory there are salt-springs, from which they make a very white salt; and there are also mines of iron, woods, and warrens. It is very populous, and contains a great number of merchants. It is defended by a wall and a strong citadel, and is reckoned three miles in circumference. The houses are low, generally built of brick, and some of them are prettily painted. The cathedral is an ancient structure, but well adorned within. The number of the inhabitants is about 18,000, among whom there are 2000 ecclesiastics. This city has been taken several times in the wars of Italy. The king of Sardinia took possession of it in 1744; it being ceded to him by the queen of Hungary; but it was taken from him in 1746, after a bloody battle. It has a famous university, and the inhabitants are much esteemed for their politeness. There is a great fair here every year on the 15th of April, which is much frequented. Placentia is seated on the river Po, in E. Long. 9. 43. N. Lat. 45. 5.