ODENSEE, the capital of the isle of Funen, a place of such high antiquity, that some Danish writers derive its foundation and name from Oden, the god and hero of the Gothic nations. Its name certainly occurs (says Mr Coxe) in the earliest ages of the Danish history; and it was a town of great note long before Copenhagen existed. Odensee stands upon a small river, not navigable, and about two miles from the bay of Stegestrand. Many of the houses are ancient, bearing dates about the middle of the 16th century; but part is newly built: it contains about 5200 inhabitants, who carry on some commerce, exporting chiefly grain and leather; the latter is much esteemed, and its goodness is supposed to arise from a certain property in the river water, in which it is soaked for tanning. The Danish cavalry are supplied from thence with the greatest part of their leathern accoutrements.

"Odensee is the seat of a bishop, which was founded by Harald Blaatand in 985, and is the richest in Denmark next to Copenhagen. It has a school, endowed by the celebrated Margaret of Valdemar, in which a certain number of scholars, from six to ten years of age, are instructed gratis: they live and board in the town, and each receives a yearly pension; other scholarships have been also founded by private persons. The whole number amounted to 70. There is also a gymnasium, instituted by Christian IV. for the admission of students at the age of 16. This seminary..."