a town of Italy, in the kingdom of Naples, in the Ulterior Principality, with a bishop's see. Mr Swinburne describes it as an ugly city, built upon the uneven summit of a mountain, with an extensive outlook on all sides, but exposed to every blast that blows. It does not appear to be so old as the time of the Romans; therefore may be supposed to owe its rise to the demolition of some neighbouring town, and to the advantages its situation afforded for discovery and defence. It is but a poor place, without trade or manufactures; having declined ever since the desolation caused by an earthquake in 1456. It reckons about 14,000 inhabitants, and no less than 20 parishes and convents, besides an ill-endowed cathedral. The wine made here is pale, like red Champagne, which it also resembles in a certain tartness, exceedingly refreshing in hot weather. The soil lies upon a loam argillaceous stone. At a small distance to the east is a bank consisting of layers of volcanic earths, interspersed with thick strata of oyster-shells.

Below the town is a convent of Dominicans, whose house, within these last hundred years, has been thrice rebuilt, having been as often thrown to the ground by earthquakes. The last and most destructive happened in 1732, fatal to all the country that lies along the eastern verge of the Apennine. In order to secure a retreat in case of future accidents, which from their situation they have every reason to expect, these fathers have constructed a small building of wood, the parts of which being joined together with strong iron chains, are contrived so as to have a proper play, and by yielding to the oscillatory motion of the earth, return easily to their equilibrium. E. Long, 15, 19. N. Lat. 41° 8'.