from the Saxon couth, knowing, and utlaugh, outlaw, he who willingly receives a man outlawed, and cherishes or conceals him; for which offence he was in ancient times subject to the same punishment with the outlaw himself.

COTRAS, a city of the department of the Gironde, in France, situated at the influx of the Dronne into the Isle, which thus becomes navigable. It contains 658 houses, and 3060 inhabitants. Long. 0. 18. W. Lat. 45. 4. N.

COVE, a town of Ireland, in the county of Cork, beautifully situated on Cork harbour, which lies eleven miles from the city. From an obscure fishing village it has risen to be a populous and flourishing town. It consists of one main street and several minor ones, ranking one above the other on the side of a steep hill, and overhanging the grand basin called the Cove of Cork. The harbour is spacious, completely land-locked, and capable of permitting the whole navy of Britain to ride at anchor together in perfect safety and shelter. Vessels of the largest class can ride safely close to the shores; and the advantageous position of the asylum for ships in the West Indian trade is fully appreciated. It is to the advantage of its cove that Cork city owes its greatness and wealth, and to the same cause it is likely to owe a still greater commercial rank.

COVELONG, a town and fortress of Hindustan, in the south of India, on the coast of the Carnatic, twenty-five miles south of Madras. It was built by Anwar ud Deen Khan, within a musket shot of the sea, near the ruins of another belonging to the Imperial East India Company of Ostend, whose principal factory is at this place. In 1750 it was taken possession of by the French, and it was again taken by the English in 1752, when its fortifications were demolished. Long. 80. 21. E. Lat. 12. 44. N.

COVENANT, in ecclesiastical history, denotes the contract or convention agreed to by the Scotch in the year 1638, for maintaining their religion against innovation. In 1581 the General Assembly of Scotland drew up a confession of faith, or national covenant, condemning episcopal government, under the name of hierarchy, which was signed by James I. and enjoined upon all his subjects. It was again subscribed in 1590 and 1596. The subscription was renewed in 1638, and the subscribers engaged by oath to maintain religion in the same state in which it existed in 1580, and to reject all innovations introduced since that time. This oath annexed to the confession of faith received the name of the Covenant; as those who subscribed it were called Covenanters.

COVENANT, in Theology, is much used in connection with other terms. The Covenant of Grace is that which is made between God and those who believe the gospel, by which they declare their subjection to him, and he declares his acceptance of and favour for them. The gospel is sometimes denominated a covenant of grace, in opposition to the Mosaic law. Covenant of Redemption denotes a mutual stipulation, tacit or express, between Christ and the Father, relating to the redemption of sinners by him previously to any act on Christ's part in the character of Mediator. Covenant of Works signifies, in the language of some divines, any covenant by which God requires of his creatures perfect obedience, in such a manner as to make no express provision for the pardon of offences to be committed against the precepts of it on the repentance of such supposed offenders, but pronounces a sentence of death upon them. Such, they say, was the covenant made with Adam in a state of innocence, and also that made with Israel at Mount Sinai.

Solemn League and Covenant was established in the year 1643, and formed a bond of union betwixt Scotland and England. It was sworn and subscribed by many in both nations, who thereby solemnly abjured popery and prelacy, and combined together for their mutual defence. It was approved by the parliament and assembly at Westminister, and ratified by the general assembly of Scotland in 1645. King Charles I. disapproved of it when he surrendered himself to the Scottish army in 1646; but in 1650 Charles II. by a solemn oath declared his approbation both of this and of the national covenant; and in August the same year he made a further declaration at Dunfermline to the same purpose, which was also renewed on the occasion of his coronation at Scone in 1651. The covenant was ratified by the parliament this year, and the subscription of it required by every member; it being declared that without such subscription the constitution of the parliament was null and void. This is not the place to enter into any details respecting the troubles and distractions which subsequently arose, and were ascribed by the ruling party to the Covenant, which was accordingly declared illegal, and prohibited by 14 Car. II. c. 4.

COVENTRY, an ancient city in the county of Warwick, ninety-two miles from London. The streets are narrow and ill built, and the whole has a very gloomy appearance. There are some handsome churches, especially St Michael's, the spire of which is an object of great admiration. The inhabitants are occupied in manufactories, of which that of ribbons is the most extensive. Other silk goods are also made, and several thousand watches of gold and silver are annually produced. It has several charitable institutions, which are under the management and patronage of the corporation. It was strongly fortified in ancient times, but the defences have been destroyed. The market is held on Friday. The inhabitants amounted in 1811 to 17,923, in 1821 to 21,242, and in 1831 to 27,070.

COVERIPANK, a town in the south of India, in the Carnatic, nine miles east of Arcot. A victory was there gained by the British over the French and their allies in 1754. Long. 79. 37. E. Lat. 12. 52. N.

COVERIPORAM, a fortress of the south of India, in the district of Coimbatore, and on the western bank of the Cavery river. Long. 77. 54. E. Lat. 11. 49. N.

COVERT, in Law, Femme Covert or Couverte, denotes a woman married, and so under the coverture or protection of her husband.

Covert Way, in Fortification, is a space of five or six fathoms on the border of the ditch towards the country, and covered by a rising ground which has a gentle slope towards the field. The slope is called the glacis of the covert way.

COVERTURE, in Law, is applied to the state and condition of a married woman, who is under the power of her husband, and therefore called femme couverte.

COVIN, a deceitful compact or agreement between two or more to deceive or prejudice a third person. Thus, if a tenant for life conspire with another, that this other shall recover the land which the tenant holds in prejudice of him in reversion, this is covin. Dr Skinner supposes the word to be a corruption of the Latin conveniunt, and therefore writes it coen.

COVING, in building, is when houses are built projecting over the ground plot, and the turned projection arched with timber, lathed, and plastered.

COVINUS, among the ancients, a kind of chariot, in which the Gauls and Britons used to fight in battles.