a canton of Swisserland, which holds the 11th rank in the Helvetic confederacy, into which it was admitted in the year 1481. It stretches partly through the plain, and partly along the chains of the Jura, and contains about 50,000 inhabitants. It is 35 miles in length from north to south, and 35 in breadth from east to west. The soil for the most part is exceedingly fertile in corn; and the districts within the Jura abound in excellent pastures. The trade both of the town and canton is of little value, although they are very commodiously situated for an extensive commerce. It is divided into 11 bailiwicks, the inhabitants of which are all Roman Catholics except those of the bailiwick of Buckegberg, who profess the reformed religion. The sovereign power resides in the great council, which, comprising the senate or little council of 36, consists of 102 members, chosen by the senate in equal proportions from the 11 tribes or companies into which the ancient burghers are distributed; and, owing to the distinction between the ancient and the new burghers (the former consisting of only 85 families) the government is a complete aristocracy.

an ancient and extremely neat town of Swisserland, capital of the canton of the same name. It contains about 4000 inhabitants, and is pleasantly seated on the Aar, which here expands into a noble river. Among the most remarkable objects of curiosity in this town is the new church of St Urs, which was begun in 1762 and finished in 1772. It is a noble edifice of a whitish grey stone, drawn from the neighbouring quarries, which admits a polish, and is a species of rude marble. The lower part of the building is of the Corinthian, the upper of the Composite order. The façade, which consists of a portico, surmounted by an elegant tower, presents itself finely at the extremity of the principal street. It cost at least L. 82,000, a considerable sum for such a small republic, whose revenue scarcely exceeds L. 12,000 a year. Soleure is surrounded by regular stone fortifications, and is 20 miles north-north-east of Bern, 27 south-south-west of Basle, and 45 west of Zurich. E. Long. 7° 20'. N. Lat. 47° 15'.