an island of North America, in the river St Lawrence, about six leagues and a half in length, and three leagues over in the broadest parts. It belonged to the French; but was taken by the generals Amherst and Murray on the 8th of September 1760, without firing a gun. According to the terms of capitulation, all the French forces were to be sent to Old France; and consequently all Canada became subject to the crown of Great Britain; which cession was confirmed by the peace of 1763. The soil of the island is exceedingly rich and good, producing all kinds of European fruits and vegetables in great abundance, with variety of garden fruits. The south side is the most inhabited, of course best cultivated; and besides the settlements, which are numerous, the island is adorned with villas, for the retirement of the more wealthy merchants during the summer season. No Indians are settled here; nor are they fond of settling on islands, from an hereditary distrust lest they should be cut off by the Europeans. Since this place has been in the possession of Britain, it has suffered much by fires, the houses being mostly built of wood.

The town of MONTREAL, situated on this island, and formerly called Ville Marie, is the second place in Canada for extent, buildings, and strength; and besides possessing the advantage of a less rigorous climate, for delightfulness of situation is infinitely preferable to Quebec. It stands on the side of a hill, sloping down towards the south, with many agreeable villas upon it, which, with the island of St Helen, and the river (which is here about two miles broad), form a most charming landscape. Though the city is not very broad from north to south, it covers a great length of ground from east to west, and is nearly as large and populous as Quebec. The streets are regular, forming an oblong square; the houses well built, and in particular the public edifices, which far exceed those of the capital in beauty and commodiousness; the residence of the knights hospitaliers being extremely magnificent.—There are several gardens within the walls, in which, however, the proprietors have consulted use more than elegance, particularly those of the Sisters of the Congregation, the Nunnery Hospital, the Recollets, Jesuits Seminary, and Governor. Besides these, there are many other gardens and beautiful plantations without the gates, as the garden of the General Hospital, and the improvements of Mr Liniere, which exceed all the rest, and are at an agreeable distance on the north side of the town. The three churches and religious houses are plain, and contain no paintings, nor anything remarkably curious, but carry the appearance of the utmost neatness and simplicity. The city has six or seven gates, large and small; but its fortifications are mean and inconsiderable, being encompassed by a slight wall of masonry, sufficient only to awe or prevent a surprise from the numerous tribes of Indians with whom they are surrounded, and who used to resort in vast bodies to the annual fair held here, which continued from the beginning of June till the latter end of August, when many solemnities were observed, at which the governor assisted, and guards were placed to preserve good order among such a concourse of different savage nations, all of whom are extremely fond of spirituous liquors, and when drunk commit great excesses. The fortifications were by no means capable of sustaining a regular attack; and though the garrison in 1760 consisted of eight battalions of regular troops, a numerous militia, and a great body of savages, M Vaudreuil and Chevalier de Levis submitted without firing a gun. There are no guns mounted on the wall; only a dry ditch surrounds it, about seven feet deep, encompassed with a regular glacis. On the inside of the town is a cavalier on an artificial eminence, with a parapet of logs or squared timbers and six or eight guns, called the citadel. Such is the strength of Montreal, the number of whose inhabitants may be between 5000 and 6000, extremely gay and well dressed. By the situation of the place, the inhabitants are well supplied with all kinds of river fish, some of which are unknown to Europeans, being peculiar to the lakes and rivers of this country. They have likewise plenty of black cattle, horses, hogs, and poultry. The neighbouring shores supply them with a great variety of game in the different seasons; and the island abounds with well-tasted soft springs, which form a multitude of pleasant rivulets. The city now drives a considerable trade in furs, &c. and vessels of 200 tons can come up to it. It stands 60 leagues above Quebec.

a town of Spain, in the kingdom of Arragon, with a castle, seated on the river Xiloca, 25 miles N. W. of Tervil, and 40 S. E. of Calataud.—W. Lon. 1. 2. N. Lat. 41. 9.

a town of Italy, in Sicily, and in the valley of Mazara, with an archbishop's see; seated on a rivulet, five miles W. of Palermo, and 50 N. E. of Mazara.—E. Lon. 13. 31. N. Lat. 38. 14.

or Mount Royal, a fortress of Germany, in the circle of the Lower Rhine, and electorate of Triers; seated on the river Moselle, 22 miles N. E. of Triers.—E. Lon. 7. 6. N. Lat. 49. 59.