a large town, and one of the best and most important in Portugal, seated in the province of Alentejo, a few miles from the frontiers of Estramadura in Spain. It is built on a mountain, and is strongly fortified with works of free-stone. The streets of the town are handsome, and the houses neat; and there is a cistern so large, that it will hold water enough to supply the whole town six months. The water is conveyed to it by a magnificent aqueduct, three miles in length, sustained in some places by four or five high arches, one upon another. It was bombarded by the French and Spaniards in 1706, but without effect. It has generally a garrison of 1000 men. The king founded an academy here, in 1733, for young gentlemen. W. Long. 7° 28'. N. Lat. 38° 39'.