a province of France, and one of the finest and most fertile in the whole kingdom; formerly it was one of the 17 provinces of the Netherlands, but now belongs entirely to France. The names of Artois, and Arras its capital, are derived from the Atrebates, a people of Gallia Belgica, mentioned by Julius Caesar. Its greatest length from north to south is about 24 leagues, and its breadth about 12, being bounded to the south and west by Picardy, to the east by Hainault, and to the north by Flanders. A considerable A considerable trade is carried on in the province in grain, flax, hops, wool, and linen cloth. The states, who meet regularly once a year, consist of the clergy, nobility, and commoners; and fit generally a fortnight at Arras: their chief business is to deliberate on the ways and means to raise the money which the king demands of them, and which usually amounts to about 400,000 livres, exclusive of forage-money. The most considerable places in Artois are, Arras the capital, Bapaume, Bethune, St Venant, and St Omer.