the capital of Polish Prussia, situated on a branch of the Vistula, about four miles above where it falls into the Baltic; in E. Long. 18. 36. N. Lat. 54. 25. This city is famous in history on many accounts, particularly that of its being formerly at the head of the Hanseatic association, commonly called the Hanse-towns. It is large, beautiful, populous, and rich; its houses generally are five stories high; and many of its streets are planted with chestnut-trees. One of the suburbs is called Scotland; and the Scots had great privileges, in consequence of their gallant defence of the town, under one of the family of Douglas, when it was besieged by the Poles. It is said there were upwards of 30,000 pedlars of that nation in Poland who travelled on foot, and some with three, four, or five horses. In King Charles II.'s time they were about 53,000: in that reign Sir John Denham and Mr Killigrew were sent to take the number of them, and to tax them by the poll, with the king of Poland's license; which having obtained, they brought home 10,000l. sterling, besides their charges in the journey. Dantzig has a fine harbour; and is still a most eminent commercial city, although it seems to be somewhat past its meridian glory, which was probably about the time that the president de Thou wrote his much esteemed Historia sui Temporis, wherein, under the year 1607, he so highly celebrates its commerce and grandeur. It was a republic, claiming a small adjacent territory about 40 miles round it, which was under the protection of the king of Poland; but its privileges have been abridged, if not entirely annihi-

lated, by the king of Prussia. Its magistracy, and the majority of its inhabitants, are Lutherans; although the Romanists and Calvinists be equally tolerated in it. It has 26 parishes, with many convents and hospitals. The inhabitants were once very numerous; but the calamities of war, and the oppressions of foreign powers, have reduced the inhabitants at present to 44,500. Its own shipping is numerous; but the foreign ships constantly resorting to it are more so, whereof 1014 arrived there in the year 1752; in which year also 1288 Polish vessels came down the Vistula, chiefly laden with corn for its matchless granaries; from whence that grain is distributed to many foreign nations, Poland being justly deemed the greatest magazine of corn in all Europe, and Dantzig the greatest port for distributing it everywhere: besides which, Dantzig exports great quantities of naval stores, and a vast variety of other articles. In 1815, an unfavourable year for trade, there arrived only 459 ships, and sailed 377; but in general the number is twice or three times as great. Dr Busching affirms, that it appears from ancient records, as early as the year 997, that Dantzig was a large commercial city, and not a village or inconsiderable town, as some pretend. The inhabitants of Dantzig have often changed their masters, and have sometimes been under the protection of the English and Dutch; but generally have shown a great predilection for the kingdom and republic of Poland, as being less likely to rival them in their trade, or abridge them of their immunities, which reach even to the privilege of coining money. In 1734, the inhabitants discovered a remarkable attachment and fidelity toward Stanislaus king of Poland, not only when his enemies the Russians were at their gates, but even in possession of the city. This city was exempted by the late king of Prussia from those claims which he made on the neighbouring countries; notwithstanding which, his Prussian majesty soon after thought proper to seize on the territories belonging to Dantzig, under pretence of their having been formerly part of Polish Prussia. He then proceeded to possess himself of the port-duties belonging to that city, and erected a customhouse in the harbour, where he laid arbitrary and insupportable duties upon goods exported or imported. To complete the system of oppression, customhouses were erected at the very gates of Dantzig, so that no persons could go in or out of the town without being searched in the strictest manner. Such is the treatment which the city of Dantzig has received from the king of Prussia, though few cities have ever existed which have been comprehended in so many general and particular treaties, and whose rights and liberties have been so frequently secured, and guaranteed by so many great powers, and by such a long and regular succession of public acts, as that of Dantzig has been. In the year 1784, it was blockaded by his troops on various pretences; but by the interposition of the empress of Russia and of the king of Poland, they were withdrawn; and a compromise having taken place, the city was restored to its former immunities. In May 1807, it was taken by the French, after a long siege, attended with the destruction of the suburbs. It was retaken from them in 1814, after an able defence by General Rapp, and came again into the possession of Prussia in 1814.