rich and strong town of West Gothland, in Sweden, with a good harbour, at the mouth of the river Gothelba; which is the best situated for foreign trade of any in Sweden, as it lies without the Sound. It occupies the site of an ancient town, named Lodefe, which was built by Gustavus Vasa; and being endowed with considerable privileges, soon became the great emporium for the trade of the western provinces. Charles IX., when duke of Gothland, having in 1604 laid the foundations of a new town in the island of Hisingen at no great distance from Lodefe, called it Gothelberg (since corrupted into Gottenburg), in honour of his duchy. Upon his accession to the throne, he erected in his new town a trading company; drew thither many foreigners, particularly the Dutch, to whom he allowed an exemption from all duties of export and import during 20 years; a corps of English and Scotch troops, under the command of William Stewart; and granted to the Calvinists established therein the free exercise of their religion, the first place in Sweden where this toleration was permitted. The town, being in 1611 reduced to ashes by the Danes, was rebuilt in the reign of Gustavus Adolphus in its present situation, and obtained a confirmation of its ancient rights, with the grant of several additional privileges.—It is built in a very singular situation. At a small distance from the sea is a marshy plain, scarcely more than half a mile in breadth, watered by the rivers Gotha and Moldal, and almost entirely inclosed with high ridges of rocks, so bare and rugged, that they scarcely produce a single blade of grass, and exhibit as barren an appearance as the summits of the loftiest Alps. Gottenburg stands partly upon the ridges, and partly in the plain; and is divided from these different situations into the Upper and Lower Town. The latter is entirely level, intersected by several canals in the manner of the Dutch towns; and its houses are all constructed upon piles; the upper part hangs on the declivities; and rows of buildings rise one above the other like the seats of an amphitheatre. The whole is regularly fortified; and its circumference is near three miles, exclusive of the suburbs, called Haga, which lie towards the harbour. The streets are all uniformly straight: a few of the houses are of brick; but the generality are constructed with wood painted red. The harbour is formed by two chains of rocks, and is about a quarter of a mile in breadth. Its entrance is defended by the fort of New Elfsborg, which stands upon a small rocky island, and contains a garrison of 250 men. There has been lately established at Gottenburg a Royal Society of Sciences and Literature, upon the plan of that of Upsala.—Mr Coxe was informed by a merchant who had resided 22 years at Gottenburg, that, during that period, its population had increased considerably, and that it now contained about 30,000 inhabitants. This flourishing state is attributed to the extension of its commerce, particularly its East India Company, and the success of the herring fishery. An English consul and several merchants of our nation reside at Gottenburg: and a chapel, with a regular chaplain, is appropriated to their use. E. Long. 11° 50'. N. Lat. 57° 44'.