or Mosquito country, is situated in North America, between 85 and 88 degrees of west longitude, and between 13 and 15 degrees of north latitude; having the north sea on the north and east, Nicaragua on the south, and Honduras on the west; and indeed the Spaniards esteem it a part of the principality of Honduras, though they have no colonies in the Mosquito country. When the Spaniards first invaded this part of Mexico, they massacred the greatest part of the natives, which gave those that escaped into the inaccessible part of the country an impenetrable aversion to them; and they have always appeared ready to join any Europeans that come upon their coasts against the Spaniards, and particularly the English, who frequently come hither; and the Mosquito men being excellent marksmen, the English employ them in striking the manati fish, &c., and many of the Mosquito Indians come to Jamaica, and sail with the English in their voyages.

These people are so situated between morasses and inaccessible mountains, and a coast full of rocks and shoals, that no attempts against them by the Spaniards, whom they mortally hate, could ever succeed. Nevertheless, they are a mild inoffensive people, of great morality and virtue, and will never trust a man who has once deceived them. They have so great a veneration towards the English, that they have spontaneously put themselves and their lands under the protection and dominion of the crown of England. This was first done when the duke of Albemarle was governor of Jamaica, and the king of the Moskitos received a commission from his grace, under the seal of that island; and since this time they have been steady in their alliance with the English. But in the year 1786, this country was ceded to Spain, and consequently became a Spanish province.

MOGUE, a temple or place of religious worship among the Mahometans.

All mosques are square buildings, generally constructed of stone. Before the chief gate there is a square court paved with white marble; and low galleries round it, whose roof is supported by marble pillars. In these galleries the Turks wash themselves before they go into the mosque. In each mosque there is a great number of lamps; and between these hang many crystal rings, ostriches eggs, and other curiosities, which, when the lamps are lighted, make a fine show. As it is not lawful to enter the mosque with stockings or shoes on, the pavements are covered with pieces of stuff sewed together, each being wide enough to hold a row of men kneeling, sitting, or prostrate. The women are not not allowed to enter the mosque, but stay in the porches without. About every mosque there are six high towers, called minarets, each of which has three little open galleries, one above another; these towers, as well as the mosques, are covered with lead, and adorned with gilding and other ornaments; and from thence, instead of a bell, the people are called to prayers by certain officers appointed for that purpose. Most of the mosques have a kind of hospital belonging to them, in which travellers of what religion soever, are entertained three days. Each mosque has also a place called tarbe, which is the burying-place of its founders; within which is a tomb six or seven feet long, covered with green velvet or satin; at the ends of which are two tapers, and round it several seats for those who read the Koran and pray for the souls of the deceased.