an imperial city of Germany, capital of a territory of the same name, situated in E. Long. 11°, N. Lat. 47° 30'. It stands on the Regnitz, over which it has several bridges, both of wood and stone; at the bottom of a hill, 60 miles from Augsburg, 87 from Munich, 46 from Wurtzburg, and 50 from Ratibon; and is thought by some to be the Segodunum, and by others the Castrum Noricum, of the ancients.

The city has derived its name from the hill, upon which stands this castle, called, in Latin, Castrum Noricum, round which the city was begun to be built, and where the emperors formerly lodged; and here they lodge still, when they pass by that city. They there preserve, as precious relics, the crown, sceptre, cloaths, buckles, and other ornaments of Charlemagne (a), which served also the emperor Leopold, when he went thither after his election, to receive the homage of the city. The small river Regnitz, which runs through it, and those of Rednitz and Schwarzack, which pass by its walls, furnish the inhabitants besides other advantages, with the means of making all sorts of stuffs, dyes, and other manufactures (b).

(a) These ornaments are, a mitred crown, enriched with rubies, emeralds, and pearls; the dalmatic of Charlemagne, richly embroidered; the imperial mantle powdered, with embroidered eagles, and its border thick set with large emeralds, sapphires, and topazes; the buckles covered with plates of gold; the gloves embroidered; the apple, the golden sceptre, and sword. The ancient custom of the empire is, that the emperor is bound to assemble in this city the first diet that he holds after his election and coronation.

(b) There is in Nuremberg, and in the neighbouring villages depending upon it, an infinite number of workmen. and toys, which are carried and sold even in the Indies.

It is a large and well-built town, but not very populous. Its fortifications are a double wall, flanked by towers mounting cannon, and a deep ditch. The magistrates, and most of the inhabitants, are Lutherans. There are a great many churches and chapels in it. In that of St Sebald is a brafs monument of the saint; and a picture, representing the creation of the world, by the celebrated Albert Durer, who was a native of the town; but the finest church in the town is that of St Giles. In that of the Holy Ghost are kept most of the jewels of the empire, together with the pretended spear with which our Saviour's side was pierced, a thorn of his crown, and a piece of the manger wherein he was laid. Here are also a great many hospitals, one in particular for foundlings, and another for pilgrims; with a gymnasticum, an anatomical theatre, a granary, a fine public library, the old imperial fortress or castle, some remains of the old citadel of the burgraves of Nuremberg, several Latin schools, an academy of painting, a well furnished arsenal, a Teutonic house in which the Roman-catholic service is tolerated, and a mint. Mr Keyser says there are upwards of 500 streets in it, about 140 fountains, 16 churches, 44 religious houses, 12 bridges, 10 market-places, and 25,000 inhabitants; and that its territories, besides the capital and four other towns, contains above 500 villages, and about 160 mills on the Regnitz. The trade of this city, though upon the decline, is still very great, many of its manufactures being still exported to all parts of the world; among which may be reckoned a great variety of curious toys in ivory, wood, and metal, already mentioned. The city has also distinguished itself in the arts of painting and engraving. When the emperor Henry VI. affixed at a tournament in Nuremberg, he raised 38 burghers to the degree of nobility, the descendants of whom are called patricians, and have the government of the city entirely in their hands; the whole council, except eight masters of companies, who are summoned only on extraordinary occasions, consisting of them. Among the fine brass cannon in the arsenal, is one that is charged at the breech, and may be fired eight times in a minute; and two that carry balls of eighty pounds. The city keeps, in constant pay, seven companies, consisting each, in time of peace, of 100 men, but, in time of war, of 185; two troops of cuirassiers, each consisting of 85 men; and two companies of invalids. There are also 24 companies of burghers, well armed and disciplined. On the new bridge, which is said to have cost 100,000 guilders, are two pyramids, on the top of one of which is a dove with an olive branch in her bill, and on the other an imperial black eagle. Music also flourishes greatly in Nuremberg; and those who delight in mechanic arts and manufactures cannot anywhere better gratify their curiosity. As an imperial city, it has a seat and voice at the diets of the empire and circle, paying to the chamber of Wetzlar 812 rix dollars each term. The territory belonging to the city is pretty large, containing, besides two considerable forests of pine, called the Sibald and Laurence forests, several towns and villages.

We have mentioned already that certain families called patricians, to the exclusion of the rest, possess the offices of the senate. They are composed of 42 persons (c), over which two caitellans, or perpetual seneschals, preside, the first of whom has his residence in the castle. These caitellans assemble sometimes in the castle, with five or six of the chief members, to hold a secret council (d). And, as this city glories in being one of the first which embraced Lutheranism, it preserves the privilege of that in civil matters, not admitting any catholics to the magistracy or freedom of the town; the catholics there having the liberty only of remaining under the protection of the rest, and performing their religious worship in a commandery of Malta; and this but at certain hours, not to disturb the Lutherans, who likewise assemble there, although in possession of all the other churches.

This city is particularly noted for its antiquity, grandeur, fortifications, its triple walls of hewn stone, its large and deep moat, its fine houses, large churches, its wide streets, always clean, and for its curious and large library, and its magazine stored with everything proper for its defence.