a considerable and populous town of Germany, capital of the Lower Palatinate, with a celebrated university. It is noted for its great ton, which holds 800 hogheads, generally kept full of good Rhenish wine. It stands in a pleasant rich country, and was a famous seat of learning; but it has undergone so many calamities, that it is nothing now to what it was formerly. It was first reduced to a heap of ruins in 1622 by the Spaniards; and the rich library was transported partly to Vienna, and partly to the Vatican at Rome. After this it enjoyed the benefits of peace, till the Protestant electoral house became extinct, and a bloody war ensued, in which not only the castle was ruined, but the tombs and bodies of the electors were shamefully violated and pillaged. This happened in 1693; and the people of the Palatinate were obliged to leave their dwellings, and to go for refuge into foreign countries. To add to these misfortunes, the elector resided at Mannheim, and carried most of the people of distinction along with him, so that it is uncertain whether Heidelberg will ever recover itself or not, though they have begun to rebuild some of the fortifications. The great ton was broken to pieces in 1603 by the French, and at great expense in 1729 was repaired. The town stands on the river Neckar, over which there is a handsome bridge. E. Long. 8. 48. N. Lat. 49. 25.