a town of the United States of North America, one of the capitals of the state of Rhode Island, on both sides of the Providence River, where it falls into Narraganset Bay, 35 miles from the sea, 43 S.S.W. of Boston, and 175 N.E. of New York. The extremity of Narraganset Bay is formed by an oval-shaped sheet of water inclosed by stone masonry, and lined by a broad public walk with many shady trees. Close to this stand the railway stations for Boston, Stonington, and Worcester, conveniently situated in close connection with each other, and in the middle of the business portion of the town. The river is crossed by several well-built bridges. The plan of the town is irregular, on account of the unevenness of the site, which rises into several hills; and the houses are generally built of wood, though in some more substantial and splendid materials have been employed. Providence contains many large and imposing public edifices. Among these is the Arcade, a granite building with a glass roof, 226 feet long and 80 broad. It is three storeys in height, contains more than eighty shops, and has two fronts, each adorned with a Doric portico. "What Cheer Building," so called from the salutation addressed by the Indians to the earliest settlers here, has recently been erected for the accommodation of the public offices. Besides the State-House, Market-House, and other buildings, the town contains about thirty-five churches, some of which are of considerable architectural merit. Providence is distinguished for the number of literary and academical institutions it contains. Of these, the principal is Brown university, a seminary under the management of the Baptists, founded in 1764, and removed hither in 1770. The edifice, which occupies the highest site in the town, comprises four large and elegant halls: Rhode Island Hall, containing the lecture-rooms and museum; Manning Hall, the library of 19,800 volumes; University Hall and Hope College, the residences of the students, who were, in 1857, 236 in number. There are in all about fifty schools in the town of various grades, from elementary to high schools; and they are attended by upwards of 6000 pupils. The atheneum, founded in 1836, occupies a handsome stone edifice, containing a reading-room and library of 10,000 volumes. The state normal school, which was established here in 1854, had in 1856 an average attendance of 66 pupils. There is also here a reform school for juvenile delinquents, containing, in 1856, 99 boys and 44 girls. Butler Hospital, for the insane, opened in 1848, has extensive grounds, and can accommodate about 145 patients. It contained in 1855, 137. The Dexter Asylum for the poor, occupying a good brick building, with 40 acres of grounds, is another of the benevolent institutions of Providence. The state prison is situated here; and it contained in 1856, 76 prisoners. The manufactures of Providence and its vicinity are many and large, employing a capital of more than £1,000,000. Hardware, machinery, carriages, furniture, jewellery, woollen and cotton fabrics, are the principal articles produced. The water-power afforded by the river is employed for moving flour and saw mills, and for sawing and polishing marble. Steam-power is also made use of to a great extent. The harbour is safe, and admits vessels of 900 tons. The trade of the port was formerly very extensive, especially with the East Indies and China; but it is at present in a somewhat declining condition. Molasses, sugar, coal, salt, and iron are imported from foreign countries; cotton, flour, grain, hay, &c., from other places on the coast. The total value of the imports from foreign countries in 1852 was £36,504, and of the exports of domestic produce to foreign lands £8656. The amount of duties collected at the port was £8015. The tonnage of the shipping registered 30th June 1852 was 9095; of those enrolled and licensed, 7327. In the year ending at that date there entered from foreign ports 57 vessels, tonnage 7944; and there cleared 60, tonnage 9876. Providence contained, in 1853, 31 banks, and the total bank circulation 19th April 1858 was £309,005. The town was founded in 1635, and incorporated as a town in 1649. It is now next to Boston among the cities of New England for wealth and population. Pop. (1850) 41,512; (1853) about 47,500.