an island of the Mediterranean, situated between 39 and 40 degrees of North Latitude, and near four degrees of East Longitude. It is about 33 miles in length from north-west to south-east, in breadth from eight to twelve, but in general about ten miles; so that in size it may nearly equal the county of Huntingdon or Bedfordshire. The form is very irregular; and the coasts are much indented by the sea, which forms a great number of little creeks and inlets, some of which might be very advantageous.

This island is one of those called by the ancient Romans *Baleares*, which arose from the dexterity of the inhabitants in using the sling. It fell under the power of the Romans, afterwards of the northern barbarians, who destroyed that empire. From them it was taken by the Arabs, who were subdued by the king of Majorca, and he by the king of Spain. The English subdued it in 1708, and the French in the late war; but it was restored to Britain by the treaty of Paris in 1763.

The air of this island is much more clear and pure than in Britain; being seldom darkened with thick fogs: yet the low valleys are not free from mists and unwholesome vapours; and in windy weather the spray of the sea is driven over the whole island. Hence it happens that utensils of brass or iron are extremely susceptible of rust, in spite of all endeavours to preserve them; and household-furniture becomes mouldy. The summers are dry, clear, calm, and excessively hot; the autumns moist, warm, and unequal; at one time perfectly serene, at another cloudy and tempestuous. During the winter there are sometimes violent storms, though neither frequent nor of long continuance; and whenever they cease, the weather returns to its usual serenity. The spring is always variable, but resembles the winter more than the summer. The changes of heat and cold are neither so great nor so sudden in this climate as in many others. In the compass of a year, the thermometer seldom rises much above the 80th, or falls below the 48th degree. In summer there is scarcely ever a difference of four or five degrees between the heat of the air at noon and at night; and in winter the variation is still less considerable. But this must be understood of a thermometer shaded from the influence of the solar beams: for if exposed to them it will often rise 12, 14, or 16 degrees higher than what we have mentioned; and in other seasons the difference between the heat of the air in the sun and the shade is much greater. Yet, even in the dog-days, the heat of the atmosphere, at least in open places, seldom surpasses that of human blood. The winds are very boisterous about the equinoxes, and sometimes during the winter. At other times they are generally moderate; and, according to the observations of seamen, they rarely blow in the same direction near the islands adjacent to the gulf of Lyons as in the open sea. During the summer there is commonly a perfect calm in the mornings and evenings; but the middle of the day is cooled by refreshing breezes which come from the east, and, following the course of the sun, increase gradually till two or three in the afternoon; after which they insensibly die away as night approaches. This renders the heat of the sun less dangerous and inconvenient; and if the breezes intermit for a day or two, the natives grow languid and inactive from the heat. The northerly winds in general are clear and healthy, dispel the mists, and make a clear blue sky; whilst those which blow from the opposite quarter, render the air warm, moist, and unhealthy. The north wind is superior in power to all the rest; which appears from hence, that the tops of all the trees incline to the south, and the branches on the north side are bare and blasted. The next to it in force is the north-west. Both are frequent towards the close of winter and in the spring; and, being dry and cold, they shrivel up the leaves of the vegetables, destroy their tender shoots, and are often excessively detrimental to the vineyards and ring. Minorca. fing corn. The piercing blasts at that season from the north-east, as they are more moist, and more frequently attended with rain, are less prejudicial. The south and south-east winds are by much the most unhealthy. In whatever seasons they blow, the air is foggy, and affects the breathing; but in the summer season they are sultry and suffocating. An excessive dejection of spirits is then a universal complaint; and on exposing the thermometer to the rays of the sun, the mercury has frequently risen above the 100th degree. The west wind is usually drier than the south; the east is cold and blustering in the spring, and sultry in the summer.

The weather in Minorca is generally fair and dry; but when it rains, the showers are heavy, though of short continuance, and they fall most commonly in the night. The sky in summer is clear, and of a beautiful azure, without clouds or rain; but moderate dews descend regularly after sunset. In autumn the weather becomes less serene; whirlwinds and thunder become frequent; and in the night-time lightning, and those meteors called falling stars, are very common. Water-spouts also are often seen at that season, and frequently break upon the shore. A sudden alteration in the weather takes place about the autumnal equinox; the skies are darkened with clouds, and the rains fall in such quantities, that the torrents thereby occasioned, pouring down from the hills, tear up trees by the root, carry away cattle, break down fences, and do considerable mischief to the gardens and vineyards. But these anniversary rains are much more violent than lasting; always falling in sudden and heavy showers, with intervals of fair weather. They are accompanied with thunder, lightning, and squalls of wind, most commonly from the north. Hail and snow are often intermixed with the rains which fall in winter and in spring; but the snow, for the most part, dissolves immediately; and ice is here an uncommon appearance.

The whole coast of Minorca lies low; and there are only a few hills near the centre, of which the most considerable, named Toro by the inhabitants, may be seen at the distance of 12 or 14 leagues from the land. The surface of the island is rough and unequal; and in many places divided by long narrow vales of a considerable depth, called barancos by the natives. They begin towards the middle of the island, and after several windings terminate at the sea. The south-west side is more plain and regular than towards the north-east; where the hills are higher, with low marshy valleys betwixt them, the soil less fruitful, and the whole tract unhealthy to man and beast. Near the towns and villages the fields are well cultivated, and inclosed with stone-walls; but the rest for the most part are rocky, or covered with woods and thickets. There are some pools of standing water, but very few rivulets, which is the greatest defect about the island, as the inhabitants have scarcely any wholesome water excepting what is saved from the clouds.

The soil is light, thin, and very stony, with a good deal of sea-salt, and, in some places, of calcareous nitre intermixed. In most places there is so little earth, that the island appears to be but one large irregular rock covered here and there with mould, and an infinite variety of stones. Notwithstanding this, however, it is not only extremely proper for vineyards, but produces more wheat and barley than could at first sight be imagined; and, if the peasants may be credited, it would always yield a quantity of corn and wine sufficient for the natives, did not the violence of the winds, and the excessive drought of the weather, frequently spoil their crops. The fields commonly lie fallow for two years, and are sown the third. About the latter end of winter, or the beginning of spring, they are first broke up; and next autumn, as soon as the rains fall, they are again ploughed and prepared for receiving the proper seeds. The tillage is very easily performed; for a plough so light as to be transported from place to place on the ploughman's shoulder, and to be drawn by an heifer, or an ass sometimes assisted by an hog, is sufficient for opening so thin a foil. The later the harvest happens, the more plentiful it proves. The barley is usually cut down about the 20th of May N.S., and the wheat is reaped in June, so that the whole harvest is commonly got in by midsummer-day. The grain is not threshed with flails as in this country, but trodden out on a smooth piece of rock by oxen and asses, according to the custom of the eastern nations.

The natives of Minorca are commonly lean, thin, and well-built, of a middle stature, and olive complection; but their character is by no means agreeable. Such is the natural impetuosity of their temper, that the slightest cause provokes them to anger, and they seem to be incapable of forgiving or forgetting an injury. Hence quarrels break out daily, even among neighbours and relations; and family disputes are transmitted from father to son; and thus, though lawyers and pettyfoggers are very numerous in this country, there are still too few for the clients. Both sexes are, by constitution, extremely amorous; they are often betrothed to each other while children, and marry at the age of 14. The women have easy labours, and commonly return in a few days to their usual domestic busines; but, lest the family should become too numerous for their income, it is a practice among the poorer sort to keep their children at the breast for two or three years, that by this means the mothers may be hindered from breeding.

Bread of the finest wheat flour, well fermented and well baked, is more than half the diet of people of all ranks. Rice, pulse, vermicelli, herbs and roots from the garden, summer-fruits, pickled olives, and pods of the Guinea pepper, make up almost all the other half, so that scarce a fifth of their whole food is furnished from the animal kingdom, and of this fish makes by much the most considerable portion. On Fridays, and other fast days, they abstain entirely from flesh; and during Lent they live altogether on vegetables and fish, excepting Sundays, when they are permitted the use of eggs, cheese, and milk. Most of their dishes are highly-seasoned with pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and other spices; and garlic, onions, or leeks, are almost constant ingredients. They eat a great deal of oil, and that none of the sweetest or best flavoured; using it not only with salads, but also with boiled and fried fish, greens, pulse, &c. instead of butter. A slice of bread soaked in boiled water, with a little oil and salt, is the common breakfast of the peasants, well known by the name of okagua. Their ordinary meals are Minorca, very frugal, and consist of very little variety; but on festivals and other solemn occasions their entertainments are to the last degree profuse and extravagant, in much that the bill of fare of a country farmer's wedding-dinner would scarce be credited.

With regard to other matters, the Minorquins are accused of prodigious indolence in the way of business, and neglect of the natural advantages they possess. In the bowels of the earth are iron, copper, and lead-ores, of none of which any use hath been made except the last. A lead-mine was worked to advantage some time ago, and the ore sent into France and Spain for the use of the potteries in those countries. The proprietor discontinued his work on some small discouragement; and indeed it is said, that these people are of all mankind the most easily put out of conceit with an undertaking that does not bring them in mountains of present gain, or that admits of the slightest probability of disappointing their most sanguine expectations: nor will their purse admit of many disappointments; and thus their poverty co-operating with their natural despondency and love of ease, is the principal cause of their backwardness to engage in projects, though ever so promising, for the improvement of their private fortune, and the advantage of the commerce of their country. This lead-ore went under the name of vernis among the natives, as it was wholly used by the potters in varnishing and glazing their earthen vessels.

There are few exports of any account, and they are obliged to their neighbours for near one-third of their corn, all their oil, and such a variety of articles of less consideration, that nothing could preserve them from a total bankruptcy, but the English money circulated by the troops, which is exchanged for the daily supplies of provisions, increased by the multiplication of vineyards, the breeding of poultry, and the production of vegetables, in a proportion of at least five to one since the island has been in our possession. It will not require many words to enumerate their exports: they make a sort of cheese, little liked by the English, which sells in Italy at a very great price; this, perhaps, to the amount of 800l. per annum.—The wool they send abroad may produce 900l. more. Some wine is exported; and, if we add to its value that of the home-consumption, which has every merit of an export, being nine parts in ten taken off by the troops for ready money, it may well be estimated at 1600l. a-year. In honey, wax, and salt, their yearly exports may be about 400l. and this comes pretty near the sum of their exports, which we estimate together at 18,000l. Sterling per annum.

A vast balance lies against them, if we consider the variety and importance of the articles they fetch from other countries, for which they must pay ready cash. Here it may be necessary to withdraw some things from the heap, such as their cattle, sheep, and fowls, on which they get a profit; for the country does not produce them in a sufficient abundance to supply them, especially when we have a fleet of men of war stationed there.

Their imports are, corn, cattle, sheep, fowls, tobacco, oil, rice, sugar, spices, hard-ware, and tools of all kinds; gold and silver lace; chocolate, or cocoa to make it; tobacco, timber, plank, boards, millstones, tobacco-pipes, playing cards, turnery ware, seeds, soap, saddles; all manner of cabinet-makers' work, iron spikes, nails, fine earthen-ware, glass-lamps, brazier, paper, and other stationary wares; copperas, galls, dye-stuffs, painters' brushes, and colours; musical instruments, music, and strings; watches, wine, fruit, all manner of fine and printed linens, muffins, cambrics, and laces; bottles, corks, starch, indigo, fans, trinkets, toys, ribbands, tape, needles, pins, silk, mohair, lanthorns, cordage, tar, pitch, rosin, drags, gloves, fire-arms, gunpowder, shot, and lead; hats, caps, velvet, cotton stuffs, woollen cloths, stockings, capes, medals, veiltments, lustrés, pictures, images, agnus Dei's, books, pardons, bulls, relics, and indulgencies.

The island is divided into what they style terminos, of which there were anciently five, now reduced to four, and resemble our counties. The termino of Ciutadella, at the north-western extremity of the island, is so styled from this place, which was once a city, and the capital of Minorca. It makes a venerable and majestic figure, even in its present state of decay, having in it a large Gothic cathedral, some other churches and convents, the governor's palace, and an exchange, which is no contemptible pile.—There are in it 600 houses, which, before the seat of government and the courts of justice were removed to Mahon, were fully inhabited; and there are still more gentlemen's families here than in all the rest of the island. It hath a port commodious enough for the vessels employed in the trade of this country, which, though in the possession of a maritime power, is less than it formerly was. It is still, in the style of our officers, the best quarters (and there are none bad) in the country; and if there was a civil government, and the place made a free port, the best judges are of opinion it would very soon become a flourishing place again; and the fortifications, if it should be found necessary, might then also be easily restored and improved.

The termino of Fererias is the next, a narrow slip reaching from sea to sea, and the country little cultivated; it is therefore united to Mercadal. In this last termino stands Mont-toro in the very centre of the isle, and the highest ground, some say the only mountain in it; on the summit of which there is a convent, where even in the hottest months the monks enjoy a cool air, and at all times a most delightful prospect. About six miles north from Mont-toro stands the castle that covers Port Fornelles, which is a very spacious harbour on the east side of the island. There are in it shoals and foul ground, which, to those who are unacquainted with them, render it difficult and dangerous; yet the packets bound from Mahon to Marfeilles frequently take shelter therein; and while the Spaniards were in possession of the isle, large ships and men of war frequented it. At a small distance from this lies another harbour called Adaia, which runs far into the land; but being reputed unsafe, and being so near Fornelles, is at present useless. The country about it is, however, said to be the pleasantest and wholesomest spot in the island, and almost the only one plentifully supplied with excellent spring-water; so that the gardens are well laid out, and the richest and finest fruits grow here in the highest perfection. Adaia is the next termino, in which there is nothing remarkable. remarkable but the capital of the same name, well situated on an eminence, in a pleasant and tolerably cultivated country.

The termino of Mahon, at the south-east end of the island, is at present the most considerable of them all, containing about 60,000 English acres, and nearly one-half of the inhabitants in Minorca. The town of Mahon derives its name from the Carthaginian general Mago, who is universally allowed to be its founder.—It stands on an eminence on the west side of the harbour, the ascent pretty steep. There are in it a large church, three convents, the governor's palace, and some other public edifices. It is large, but the streets are winding, narrow, and ill-paved. The fortres of St Philip stands near the entrance of the harbour, which it covers, is very spacious, of great strength, with subterranean works to protect the garrison from bombs, large magazines, and whatever else is necessary to render it a complete fortification, and hath a numerous and well-disposed artillery. Port Mahon is allowed to be the finest harbour in the Mediterranean, about 90 fathoms wide at its entrance, but within very large and safe, stretching a league or more into the land. Beneath the town of Mahon there is a very fine quay, one end of which is reserved for the ships of war, and furnished with all the accommodations necessary for careening and refitting them; the other serves for merchantmen. On the other side the harbour is Cape Mola, where it is generally agreed a fortres might be constructed which would be impregnable, as the castle of St Philip was esteemed before we took it, and bestowed so much money upon it, that, though some works were erected at Cape Mola, it was not judged proper to proceed in the fortifications there at a fresh expense; at least this is the only reason that hath been assigned. Minorca was taken by the Spaniards during the American war, and is now in their possession.