a lake of Ireland, situated in the county of Down and province of Ulster. It takes its present name from a small port-town called Strangford, seated on the west side of the narrow entrance into the sea. It was formerly known by the name of Longh-Cone or Longh Coupne. It is a deep bay or inlet of the sea, about 17 miles long and four or five broad; it goes west as far as Downpatrick, and north as far as Comber and Newton, and by computation covers 25,775 acres, Irish plantation measure. It abounds with excellent fish, particularly smelts; and off the bar there is a periodical herring fishery in or about August. The bar or entrance into the lough is about three miles below Strangford. There is a long rock at the entrance in the middle of the passage, dangerous to strangers on account of the current; yet there is a broad passage on either side, and deep water. The current here is very strong and rapid, running at the rate of six or seven miles an hour. There are but few vessels that go higher up than Strangford. A good many vessels bound up the channel put in here, if the wind is unfavourable to their passage. The islands in this lake are numerous; Dr Boat enumerates them at 260. But from an actual survey, made at the time Dr Smyth wrote his history of that county, it appears, there are 54 islands small and great, known by particular names, and many others nameless; the contents of these 54 islands added together amount to 954 acres and a half. The great and profitable manufacture carried on in these islands, and the flat stony coasts surrounding the lake, is the burning of sea-weed into kelp, which employs a number of hands, and has been computed to produce to the several proprietors a neat profit of 1000l. per annum and upwards. Four of the islands here are called Swan islands, from the number of swans that frequent them.

LOU, or St Louis, Knights of, the name of a military order in France, instituted by Louis XIV. in 1693. Their colours were of a flame colour, and pass from left to right; the king was their grand master. There were in it eight great crosses, and 24 commanders; the number of knights was not limited. At the time of their institution, the king charged his revenue with a fund of 900,000 livres for the pensions of the commanders and knights.