the capital of the kingdom of Portugal, situated in the province of Estremadura, on the banks of the river Tagus, in W. Long. 9° 25'. N. Lat. 38° 25'. It was anciently called Olisipo, Olissippo, and Ulyssipo, which are supposed to be derived from the Phoenician Ulyssibo or Olyssipo, signifying in that tongue a pleasant bay, such as that on which this city stands. It first became considerable in the reign of King Emanuel; from that time it has been the capital of the kingdom, the residence of its monarchs, the seat of the chief tribunals and offices of the metropolitans, a noble university, and the receptacle of the richest merchandise of the East and West Indies. Its air is excellent; being refreshed by the delightful sea breezes, and those of the Tagus. The city extends for about two miles along the Tagus; but its breadth is inconsiderable. Like old Rome, it stands on seven hills; but the streets in general are narrow and dirty, and none of them are very steep; neither are they lighted at night. The churches, in general, are very fine; but the magnificence of the chapel chapel royal is amazing. Here is one of the finest harbours in the world; and there were a great number not only of fine churches and convents here, but also of other public buildings, and particularly of royal palaces, and others belonging to the grandees; but the greatest part of them, and of the city, were destroyed by a most dreadful earthquake, on Nov. 1, 1755, from which it will require a long time to recover. The inhabitants, before the earthquake, did not at most exceed 130,000. The government of it is lodged in a council, consisting of a president, fix counsellors, and other inferior officers. The harbour has water enough for the largest ships, and room enough for 10,000 sail without being crowded. For its security, there is a fort at the mouth of the river, on each side, and a bar that runs across it, and is very dangerous to pass without pilots. Higher up, at a place where the river is considerably contracted, there is a fort called Torre de Belem, or the Tower of Belem, under whose guns all ships must pass in their way to the city; and on the other side are several more forts. Before the earthquake, most of the private houses were old and unsightly, with lattice windows; and the number of convents and colleges amounted to 50, namely, 32 for monks, and 18 for nuns. The king's principal palace stands on the river, and is large and commodious. Of the hospitals, that called the Great is obliged to receive all persons, of what degree, nation, or religion ever; without exception. At the village of Belem, near Lisbon, is a noble hospital for decayed gentlemen who have served the king, and have not wherewithal to maintain themselves. That called the House of Mercy is also a noble charity. In the centre of the city, upon one of the highest hills, is the castle, which commands the whole, being large and ancient, and having always a garrison of four regiments of foot. The cathedral is a vast edifice of the Gothic kind, but heavy and clumsy: it contains, however, great riches; and is finely adorned within. The square called Roffio is large, and surrounded with magnificent buildings. The whole city is under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the patriarch, who was appointed in the year 1717. Here is also an archbishop, who has, or at least had, before the erection of the patriarchate, a revenue of 40,000 cruados, or 600l. The university, which was removed for some time to Coimbra, but afterwards restored to its ancient seat, makes a considerable figure, though much inferior to that of Coimbra.