a town of Italy, in the patrimony of St Peter, with a bishop's see, and a magnificent palace. It is the capital of the province of Orvietano, in the ecclesiastic state, in E. Long. 13. Lat. 43. It is a large strong town, situated at the conflux of the Tiber and the Chiana, on a steep hill, surrounded on every side with rocks and precipices. To this situation it is owing that it has no springs; but there is a very surprising well cut into the rock, to supply it with fresh water. The mules which bring up the water on their backs, go down by a staircase of 150 steps, and 60 windows, and come up by another, without meeting. The architect of this singular building was the famous Antonio da San Gallo, employed by Clement VII. At the entrance is this inscription:

Quod natura munimenta inviderat, industria adjectit. This city, called Herbanum by Pliny, and Urbevetrum by Procopius, is the see of a bishop suffragan of Rome. The cathedral, which is of Gothic architecture, is a handsome building, which was begun in 1260 by Nicola Pisano. The front is adorned with fine statues, among the rest the Virgin Mary and the four Evangelists, with a basso-relievo of the last judgment, by the said Nicola Pisano, and others representing some histories of the old testament. The other half of the front is a surprising work in Mosaic, by Scalzi, representing the history of the new testament. In the church there is a very fine organ, and a basso-relievo of Raphael da Monte Lupo. Here is also a chapel, which was begun to be painted by F. Angelo, a Dominican, and finished by Luke Signorelli, where you see a very beautiful representation of the last judgment. Orvieto was once a potent and populous city, but is now much upon the decline.