Home1797 Edition

ROUEN

Volume 16 · 322 words · 1797 Edition

a city of France, and capital of Normandy, had an archbishop's see, a parliament, a mint, a handsome college, an academy, two abbeys, and an old castle. It is seven miles in circumference, and surrounded with six suburbs; and contained before the revolution 35 parishes, and 24 convents for men and women. The metropolitan church has a very handsome front, on which are two lofty steeples, whence there is a fine view of the town and country. The great bell is 13 feet high and 11 in diameter. The church of the Benedictine abbey is much admired by travellers. The parliament-house is adorned with beautiful tapestry and fine pictures. There are a great number of fountains, though the houses are ordinary; but the walk upon the quay is very pleasant, and there are 13 gates from thence into the city. The number of the inhabitants are about 60,000, and they have several woollen manufactures. It is seated on the river Seine; and the tide rises so high, that vessels of 200 tons may come up to the quay; but one of the greatest curiosities is the bridge, of 270 paces in length, supported by boats, and consequently is higher or lower according to the tide. It is paved, and there are ways for foot-passengers on each side, with benches to sit upon; and coaches may pass over it at any hour of the day or night. It is often called Roan by English historians; and is 50 miles south-west of Amiens, and 70 north-west of Paris.

Though large, and enriched by commerce, Rouen is not an elegant place. The streets are almost all narrow, crooked, and dirty; the buildings old and irregular. It was fortified by St Louis in 1253, but the walls are now demolished. The environs, more peculiarly the hills which overlook the Seine, are wonderfully agreeable, and covered with magnificent villas. E. Long. 1° 10'. N. Lat. 49° 26'.