an ancient, large, rich, handsome, and strong city of Germany, in Bavaria, free and imperial, with a bishop's see, whose bishop is a prince of the empire. It is called by the Germans Regensburg, from the river Regens, which runs under a fine stone bridge, and throws itself into the Danube below the city; and the rivers Luber and Nab mix with it above the city. The French call it Ratilbon, in imitation of the Latins; it hath formerly been subject to the kings of Bavaria, who made it the place of their residence; but it was declared free by the emperor Frederick I., which does not, however, hinder the dukes of Bavaria from dividing the toll with the citizens, according to an agreement between them. These princes have also the criminal jurisdiction, for which the magistrates of the city pay them homage. It is the first city of the bench of Swabia, and contains at present within its walls five different free states of the empire; namely, the bishop, the abbot of St Emmeran, the abbeys of the Low and High Munster, and the city. The inhabitants of Ratibon have the privilege not to be cited before other tribunals, unless for actions above 400 florins. The senate is composed of 17 members, and there is a council of 10, which is charged with the government of the state. The citizens have a right to elect a chief, who judges of the affairs of police. The Catholics have the exercise of their religion in the cathedral church and others, and the Lutherans in three churches which they have built. The magistrates and officers of the city are all Protestants; and it is to be remarked, that although there are about 22 Catholic churches, yet there are very few Catholic citizens, the magistracy not allowing the freedom of the town to be given to Catholics living there. As this city is large, elegant, and full of magnificent houses, it has been chosen many years for the place of holding the diet, upon account of the convenience, to many neighbouring princes and states, of sending their provisions by land and water, without great expense. The town-house, in the midst of which the diet meets, is extremely magnificent. In the year 1740, however, when there was a war in Germany, the diet met at Frankfort on the Main, till after the death of the emperor Charles VII. Provisions are very plentiful at Ratibon in time of peace. The inhabitants have a good deal of trade, the river on which it stands being navigable, and communicating with a great part of Germany. It is 55 miles south-east of Nuremberg, 62 north of Munich, and 195 west of Vienna. E. Long. 12. 5. N. Lat. 48. 59.