the most northerly county of Ireland. It is bounded by that of Down on the south-east, that of Londonderry on the west, from which it is separated by the river Bann, part of Armagh on the south, St George's channel on the east, and the Deucalidian ocean on the north. Its greatest length is about 46 miles, its greatest breadth about 27; and the number of acres it contains, plantation measure, is computed at 383,000. Though the country is much encumbered with bogs and marshes, yet it enjoys a pretty good air; and it is well peopled, chiefly with Protestants. Where it is free from bogs the soil is fruitful. It sends two members for the shire, and two for each of the following towns, viz. Lisburn, Belfast, Antrim and Randalstown.

Certain narrow valleys, called glens, beginning here, and running a great way along the coast, belonged formerly to the Bissets, noblemen of Scotland, who having been obliged to quit that country for having affianced Patrick earl of Athole upon a private quarrel, came hither, and had a great estate bestowed upon them by Henry III. of England; of which in the reign of Edward II. a part was forfeited by the rebellion of Hugh, then chief of the family. Another tract near this, called the Rowte, belonged anciently to the Macguillers, but now to the McDonnels, earls of Antrim.

Upon the coast of this county are the promontories ANT

Antrim called by Ptolemy, Robogium, Vennicinium, and Bo- reum, now Fair Foreland, Ramhead, and St Helen's head. The river also, styled by the same author Vi- dia, and now Crodach, runs through this county.— Here also is the remarkable natural curiosity called the GIANT'S Causeway, for a particular description of which see that article.

the capital town of the county of An- trim, in Ireland, seated at the north end of the lake Lough Neagh, about six miles from the mouth of the bay, having a good road before it, with a pier near the place, within which vessels lie dry at low water. It was anciently a borough of great consequence, as appears from the mayor's being admiral of a consider- able extent of coast, as well in Down as in this coun- try; the corporation enjoying the customs paid by all vessels within those bounds, the creeks of Bangor and Belfast only excepted. This grant, however, the crown repurchased, and thereupon transferred the custom- house to Belfast, to which town it is now much infer- ior as well in size as in trade. It is, however, still a place of note, and sends two members to the house of commons. It gives the title of earl to the noble fa- mily of MacDonell.—At Antrim is a seat, with noble demesnes, and beautiful and highly cultivated lands, of the earl of Maccarne. W. Long. 6. 26. N. Lat. 54° 45'.