an ancient, large, handsome, and strong city of Germany, in Bavaria, with a bishop's see, whose bishop was a prince of the empire. It is called by the Germans Regensburg, from the river Regen, 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 Ratishon, in imitation of the Latins; it was formerly subject to the kings of Bavaria, who made it the place of their residence; but it was declared free by the emperor Frederick I. and continued a free and imperial city till 1806, when it was united to the kingdom of Bavaria. It was the first city of the bench of Suabia, and contained within its walls five different free states of the empire; namely, the bishop, the abbot of St Emmeran, the abbesses of the Low and High Munster, and the city. The inhabitants of Ratishon had the privilege not to be cited before other tribunals, unless for actions above 400 florins. The senate was composed of 17 members, and there was a council of 15, charged with the government of the state. 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 was 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 met, is extremely magnificent. In the year 1745, 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.; and since the new constitution of Germany was established, the meetings of the diet have again been transferred to Frankfort. Provisions are very plentiful at Ratishon 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, and contains about 22,000 inhabitants. E. Long. 12° 5' N. Lat. 48° 59'.