south is another small bay and harbour, alled the Little Portendick. These two bays abound with fish, particularly turtle, and a large species of cod. In 1724, the French East India company erected an establishment here, and built a fort; but they afterwards abandoned it, finding that its maintenance was difficult and hazardous, and not attended with any important adFantage. The gum trade, with a view to which this establishment had been formed, has since been carried on entirely from their settlements on the Senegal. Lat. 18. 6. N. PORTEOLE, a town of Austrian Illyria, 17 miles S. by E. of Trieste. Population 2200. PORTER, a township of the United States, in Oxford county, Maine. Population 292. PORTER, a lake of Nova Scotia, which empties itself into the ocean, five leagues eastward of Halifax. It is 15 miles in length, and half a mile in width, with

islands in it.

PORTGLENONE, a neat little village of Ireland, in the county of Antrim, pleasantly situated on the eastern bank of the river Bann, over which a bridge is erected, communicating with Clody, situated on the pposite bank. 97 miles N. of Dublin. PORTHORION ROAD, a bay in the Irish ea, near the south-west extremity of Caermarvonshire.

PORTICI, a town of Naples, in the Terra di Lavoro, situated on the sea side, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. Below the town of Portici les buried, at the depth of 70 feet, under accumulated beds of lava, the ancient city of Herculaneum, overwhelmed by an eruption of Vesuvius in the year 79. Population 5200. 4 miles E. of Naples. PORTISHAM, a parish of England, in Dorsetshire, 8 miles S. W. by W. of Dorchester. Population 595.

PORTLAND ISLE, a small island, or rather peninsula, of England, in the county of Dorset, situated in the English channel, opposite Weymouth. It is connected with the mainland by a very singular ridge of pebbles, called the Chesil Bank, which extends 17 miles westwards from the island, along the coast, and at no great distance from it, being separated by a long Barrow channel called the Fleet. The

island extends about 44 miles in length, and 2 in breadth. It consists nearly of one' continued mass of freestone, and this forms the famous Portland stone, of which such quantities are exported to the metropolis and other places. The rocks form an inaccessible barrier round the island, except at the landing place on the north, where Portland castle is situated. This fortress was built by Henry VIII. It is of great strength, and completely commands Weymouth road. It is the residence of the governor during his visit to the peninsula. During the great rebellion, it was first garrisoned for the parliament, but was taken through a stratagem, by the king's troops. There is but one church on the island, which is very near the se1. The island constitutes only one parish, but contains several' considerable villages or hamlets. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in agriculture, and in the freestone quarries. The husbandry concerns are mostly managed by the women. The arable lands produce wheat, oals, pease, and barley; and about 3000 sheep are kept on the pasture grounds. The corn is of excellent quality; and the sheep, which are of a peculiarly sinall breed, have been long noted for their delicate fla vour. The freestone quarries are scattered more or less over every part of the isle, but the principal ones are at Kingston. There is a pier, where upwards of 6000 tons of stone are shipped annually. The freestone rocks in the island are intersected by strata of black and red schistus, and of a species of stone called sugar-candy stone. They are also interspersed with a variety of petrified shells. The navigation in the vicinity of Portland being extremely dangerous, two light-houses have been erected on the island, one in 1716, and the other in 1789. The. latter is a circular conical structure, 60 feet high. The isle of Portland is noted in history, and has been the scene of many important transactions in the military annals of England. It was fortified before the year 1142, with a castle, which is now a ruin, but was formerly or great extent, and distinguished by the unusual boldness and romantic appearance of the rock on which it stool. Population 2079. 3 miles S. of Weymouth, and 123 S. W. of London.

PORTLAND, a town and port of entry of the United States, in Cumberland county, Maine. It is a very pleasant town, finely situated on a peninsula in Casco bay. It is the shire town of the county, and in point of population, wealth, and commerce, the most considerable town in Maine. It contains a very elegant court-house, an almshouse, a market-house, &c. and 8 churches, 3 for Congregationalists, 2 for Baptists, 1 for Episcopalians, 1 for Methodists, and

1 for Friends. The town is generally very well built; a large proportion of the public and private buildings are of brick, and many of them are elegant. The harbour of Portland is one of the best ou the continent. It is safe and capacious, easy of access, and is never frozen over, except for a few days during the severity of winter. On a headland in Cape Elizabeth, near the entrance of the harbour, there is a stone light-house 70 feet high, erected in 1790. The town is defended by Fort Preble and Fort Scammel, two fine forts on opposite sides of the ship channel, 1 mile from the light-house, both mounting 35 pieces of cannon. At the east end of the town is Fort Burrows, in the rear of which are some other military works. On the highest eminence of Mount Joy's neck, on the north-east side of the town, stands an observatory, about 70 feet high, which affords an extensive, variegated, and beautiful view of the town, the harbour, the islands, and the interior country.

The situation of Portland, with regard to an extensive and growing back country, is such as to insure to it extensive business and high commercial importance. The exports consist chiefly of lumber, beef, fish, butter, &c. The shipping is principally employed in the fisheries, coasting business, and the trade to the West Indies, Russia, and of late to the East Indies. The total amount of shipping belonging to this port, on the first of June 1818, was 27,770 tons. Portland was formerly included in Falmouth, and in 1775, the principal part of the town was burnt by the British. It was incorporated by its present name in 1786. Population in 1810, 7169; and in 1818, nearly 9000. 54 miles N. N. E. of Portsmouth, and 115 N. N. E. of Boston. Long. 70. 20. W.

Lat. 43. 39. N. PORTLAND, a township of the United States, in Chatauque county, New York, on Lake Erie, 9 miles from the head of Chatauque lake.

PORTLAND ISLANDS, a cluster of small islands in the Eastern Indian ocean, to the west of New Hanover, so named by captain Carteret, in 1767. They are about six or seven in number. They are very low, and extend seven miles, in a chain east and west. They are of dangerous access, being environed with reefs and sand-banks, and are covered with trees. The north-east point of the most eastern isle is in Long. 147. 18. 45. E. Lat. 2. 36. S.

PORTLAND ISLAND, an island in the South Pacific ocean, near the east coast of New Zealand. In 1773, captain Cook left on this island some pigs, fowls, seeds, and roots, for cultivation. Long. 178. 12. E. Lat. 39. 25. S.

PORTLAND ISLAND, one of the cluste called Queen Charlotte's islands, in th South Pacific ocean, of a triangular form and about eight miles in circumference Long. 164. 15. E. Lat. 10. 43. S.

PORTLAND, NEW, a township of th United States, in Somerset county, Maine Population 421.

of

PORTLAND CANAL, an inlet on the coas North-west America, about 70 mile from its entrance to its termination. It direction is about north-west, and it is ge nerally not more than 3 or 4 miles broad Long. of the entrance, 229. 42. E. Lat. 54 42. N.

PORTLAND CREEK, a small bay on th west coast of Newfoundland. 25 miles S of Pont Rich.

PORTLAND KAY, a small island near th south coast of the island of Jamaica, 2 mile E. from Portland Point.

PORTLAND POINT, a cape on the sout! coast of the island of Jamaica. Long. 76 57. W. Lat. 17. 44. N.

PORTLAND POINT, & cape in Hudson' bay. Long. 78. 20. W. Lat. 58. 50. N. PORTLOCK. See Porlock.

PORTLOCK'S HARBOUR, an inlet on th west side of King George the Third's ar chipelago. Long. 224. E. Lat. 57. 44. N.

PORTLOGO, & seaport of Western Africa in the country of Sierra Leone, on th northern branch of the river of the sam name. Long. 12. 36. W. Lat. 8. 40. N.

PORT MOAK, a parish of Scotland, i Kinross-shire, 7 miles long, and 5 broad Population 1246.

PORTNEUF, a settlement of Canada, on th St Lawrence, 20 miles S. W. of Quebec.

PORTNEUF, a river of Lower Canada. I has its rise from a small lake in that range o mountains which runs westerly into the in terior from Quebec, and falls into the S Lawrence from the north, about 35 mile above Quebec. The banks on each sid are high, and very well wooded. The stream is precipitated through so many rapids, and along a broken rocky bed, with such vio lence, as to render it impassable for any sor of boat, however light.

PORTO.-Several articles beginning thu are to be found under the word that fol lows; such as Porto Buffalo, see Buffak Port.

PORTO, a small town of Italy, in the States of the Church, situated near the mouth of the Tiber. Though the see of a bishop, it is inhabited solely by fishermen. 10 miles S. W. of Rome. Long. 12. 14. 25. E. Lat. 41. 46. 44. N.

PORTO, a village of Austrian Italy, situated on the Lago Maggiore, noted for manufactures of crystal.

PORTO, a small town of Austrian Italy,

in the Venetian delegation of Verona, situ sted on the Adige, opposite to Legnago, with which it is connected by a bridge. PORTO BELLO, a thriving village of Scot land, about 2 miles south-east of Edinbergh, on the coast of the frith of Forth. The inhabitants carry on a considerable trade in making stone-ware, brick, tiles, and various preparations of lead. A num ber of neat and commodious dwellings have been erected for bathing quarters, for which the agreeable softness of the adjacent sandy beach, the purity of the air, and the conrience of the road from Edinburgh to Musselburgh, are obvious recommendatits. A suit of hot and cold baths, with a neat chapel of ease, have been erected within these few years, and a number of new streets laid out, which promises to be filled up in time.

PORTO BELLO, a noted seaport of South America, on the north coast of the isthmus of Darien, with an excellent harbour, as its name denotes. The town of Porto Bello, founded by order of Philip II. who directed the settlers at Nombre de Dios, or Bastimentos, to remove to this spot in 1384, on account of its admirable situation for the commerce of the country. It stands bar the sea, on the side of a mountain which embraces the harbour. It consists of one principal street, extending along the shore, and crossed by several others up the side of the mountain. It contains two squares, two churches, two convents, custom-house, and some other public bildings. At the east end of the town, in the quarter called Guinea, are the habitations of the free and enslaved negroes. Formerly, when the galleons were permitted, this place had an annual fair, and was then excessively crowded with people. The houses at present are chiefly of wood, with a few of stone, and the better sort do not amount to 150. The climate of this city is bad in the extree, for the heat is excessive; and this is increased by its peculiarity of situation, as being hemmed in on all sides by a lofty mountain, such as will not admit of a free passage for the air. Again, the trees are thick, they will not permit the rays of the sun to penetrate the ground, and they, of course, prevent it from being ever sufficiently dried, although they admit the exudation of sufficient vapours to condense into clouds, and to pour down in deluging rains. Scarcely are these over, than the activity of the san dries up such parts of the ground as lie exposed and uncovered by trees, and the atmosphere becomes again subject to strong exhalations, which are the prehule to new rains; and thus it is that, day and night, the heat is always the

same and undiminished. These showers sometimes come accompanied with such tempests of thunder and lightning as to cause a general alarm; and the terrifying peal will be prolonged in sullen echo through the caverns of the mountains, and followed up with the outrageous chattering of monkies of a thousand kinds which dwell therein. The natives, as well as the Europeans, are carried off in great numbers by the fevers generated by the unhealthiness of the air; and it is this which will ever prevent Porto Bello from becoming a large city, no one living here, but those engaged in government offices or in trade. The climate is said to have been wonderfully improved by a cut lately made through a neighbouring hill, to admit air. The go vernor has also levelled great part of the forests, which formerly reached to the very gates of the town. The country in the neighbourhood is very thinly inhabited; a few farms are found in the vallies; but the mountains are covered with thick and impenetrable forests, inhabited solely by wild animals, many of them ferocious and destructive. Of these the jaguar and other animals are said to enter the city during the night, and carry off any domestic ani mals they meet with. They are slain in the woods by the negroes and Indians, who hunt them for the sake of a trifling reward, which is paid on their destruction. The sloth is an animal very common in the vicinity of this city. Its habits are well known. Serpents of every deadly nature are extremely numerous. Frogs and toads are seen in such numbers after the showers, that the natives say every drop of water is changed into one of these nauseous animals. The entrance of the harbour is defended by a castle, called Todo Hierro, or All Iron, on the north point, where the channel is about three quarters of a mile broad. The south side is covered with dangerous shoals, so that vessels are obliged to keep near the castle; and opposite to the anchoring ground on the south side, is another fort, called Castillo de la Gloria, between which and the town, a point of land projects into the basin, on which formerly stood Fort St Jerome. Opposite to the town on the north-west, is another small and perfectly secure bay, where vessels are careened. The whole town and harbour being surrounded with high land, renders it a very safe place for shipping, particu larly as this part of the Spanish main is subject to terrible storms. The mountains in the neighbourhood are of such an elevation, that one of them, called Monte Capiro, is constantly covered with thick dark clouds on its summit. A small river which discharges itself into the harbour near the

hame it now bears. They have ever since peopled and occupied it, being attracted chiefly by an excellent harbour, formed by a bay, where ships may lie in perfect security against all winds, except the southwest. This port is frequented, for the purpose of repairs and refreshment, by ships passing to or from India, in which the whole trade of the inhabitants consists. It does not much exceed fifteen miles in circumference, yet produces some grain and provisions, and yields for export honey, wax, and dragon's blood. It is overrun with an incredible number of rabbits. Long. 16. 50. W. Lat. 33. 0. N.

PORTO SANTO, a seaport of South America, in the government of the Caraccas. PORTO DE ST PEDRO, a seaport town of Brazil, on the river Iguay, near its mouth. Long. 52. 6. W. Lat. 31. 55. S.

PORTO SCUS, or PORTO SECCO, a small town of the island of Sardinia, near the Capo di Cagliari, on the sea, remarkable for its extensive tunny fishery. 36 miles W. of Cagliari.

PORTO SEGURO, a province of Brazil, bounded north by the province of Los Ilheos, south by that of Espiritu Santo, east by the Atlantic, and west by the river Francisco. It was first discovered by the Portuguese in this kingdom, in the year 1500. Its soil is fertile, and the country delightful, though it is of a hot climate. The productions and animals of the country are similar to those found in other parts of Brazil, in which this province is included, such as Minas Geraes, to the account of which the reader is therefore referred.

PORTO SEGURO, the capital of the above province, situated on the sea coast, in the port of the same name. The port is formed by a reef, or rather ledge of rocks, that run from an extended point of the main, about a mile out, in a direction parallel to the land, forming a natural mole. These rocks are dry at low water, and terminate abruptly; appearing again faintly at half a mile distance. The space between is the bar, or entrance, over which is twenty feet water at high tides, but inside it shallows to twelve feet. This last is the average water of the port, except at some distance up, where a river empties itself, and the water is somewhat deeper. The bottom is a fine sand, gradually ascending to a broad beach. In entering the port, the view of the country is delightful. Near the water's edge is a range of fishermen's cottages, shaded with the waving cocoa in front, and each having its adjoining orange-ground. On the back of these cots the native underwood intrudes; and, intersected into numberless paths, forms evergreen groves, full

of birds of rich plumage, and some of song To the northward the land rises to steep hill, which is ascended by a winding path; and on its summit stands the town The streets here are sufficiently broad straight, but irregularly disposed. The houses are generally of one story, low, and ill built, of soft clay bricks, cemented with the same, and plastered over; but they al appear dirty and wretched. About half dozen are of two stories, the largest of which is a quadrangular town-house and prison of some extent: the house of the civi governor (formerly a college of jesuits), an one or two of the others, are the residences o individuals. The church is plain, and ha glass windows, and is by far the best erect ed building in the place. A new one ha since been erected. On the banks of the rive below, stands a village full as large as the town, the whole containing about 40 houses (or rather cabins), and 3000 inha bitants, including slaves and Indians. Their employment is solely in a fishe ry off the islands and rocks of Abrolhos where they catch a large fish of the sal mon species, which they salt for the Bahia market. About fifty decked launches are employed in this fishery, and they keep the sea a month or six weeks, till their cargoes are completed. The business of careening these launches, and making the necessary nets and lines, forms the work of those who remain in the town and are not fishers. Their lines are the best in the world, composed of cotton well twisted, and then rubbed several times with the inner bark of a tree which contains a glutinous resin that immediately hardens in the sun, and is proof against the decay of salt water, thus rendering the lines peculiarly strong, and yet elastic. The property of the launches and their cargoes is confined among a few indivi duals, who are comparatively rich, receiving returns for their fish in cash, and necessaries of food and clothing, which they sell again to their poorer dependents. Among the inhabitants are some noble and distinguished Portuguese families. 92 miles S. of Jorge, and 286 N.N.E. of Espiritu Santo. Long. 39.37. W. Lat. 16. 7. S.

PORTO SEGURO, a river of the above province, which rises in the mountain of Frio, runs east, and enters the sea.

PORTO TIGANI, a poft on the south coast of the island of Samos. Long, 26.54. E. Lat. 37. 44. N.

PORTO DE LA TRINIDAD, a port on the coast of New Albion, in North America, so called by the Spaniards, although it is by no means a secure station, being completely exposed to the violence of the southern

Masts which prevail during the winter; also frequently during the summer season; and should a vessel be driven from her anchor, she must instantly be thrown on the rocks that lie close under her stern, where nevitable destruction must be the consequence. Long. 236. 6. E. Lat. 41. 3. N. PORTO VECCHIO, a town in the island of Corsica, situated on a gulf of the same Pane. It has only 1300 inhabitants, but excellent harbour, capable of containing whole fleet. Unfortunately the air is very healthy. 33 miles S. E. of Ajaccio, and 70 S. of Bastia. Long. 9. 16. 37. E. Lat. 41. 35. 29. N.

Poaro VENERE, a commodious seaport of the continental Sardinian states, situated on a peninsula at the eastern extremity the gulf of Spezzia, 5 miles S. of the wn of Spezzia Population only 700. Long. 9. 38. E. Lat. 44. 5. N.

PORTO VOURCARIA, a harbour on the wath coast of the island of Samos. Long. 4.1. E. Lat. 37. 47. N.

PORTODAL, OF PORTO D'ALLY. See Por

PORTOGRUARO, a town of Austrian Italy, started at the confluence of the Lemene and Reghena. It has 4000 inhabitants, and some trade; but the air is extremely healthy, on account of the neighbouring marshes. It is the see of a bishop. 20 miles W. by S. of Palma Nova.

PORTOKALI, a small town of Greece, in the Morea, with a harbour.

PORTOFIN, a small port of the Mediterean, on the south-west side of the island Majorca, 2 miles S. of Palma. PORTREE, a parish of Scotland, in Inverness-shire, in the island of Sky, includthe islands Raasay and Ronay. It is miles long, by 3 broad, and contains 29 inhabitants. The town of Portree small, but thriving, and admirably lapted for trade and prosecuting the fisheries. It has two fairs for cattle, in May and July, which are the best attended of ay in the West Highlands. Its harbour is pacious, with excellent anchorage, and tered at its mouth by the island of Hasay. Near the village are very flatterappearances of coal; and limestone bounds in many parts of the hills. Long. 6.7. W. Lat. 57. 24. N.

PORTSBURGH, (EASTER and WESTER), suburbs of Edinburgh, in Scotland, without the royalty, but under the civil juradiction of the magistrates and counof the city, who appoint a baron-bailie and two resident bailies for their govern

Bent

here, on which a large fair is held on the 15th June.

PORTSMOUTH, a town of England, in the county of Hants, and noted seaport in the English channel, being the principal rendezvous of the British navy, and the most important maritime place in the kingdom. It is situated on the western side of the island of Portsea, at the mouth of the bay termed Portsmouth harbour, and consists of the old town of Portsmouth, included within its fortified walls, and the new town of Portsea, which was only begun about a century ago, on a common to the north of the town, but has already outgrown in size, population, and importance, the parent town itself, which being limited by the old fortifications, presented no vacant space for additional buildings. Portsmouth is still the seat of the civil and military establishments, and the residence of the port admiral; and its civil jurisdiction extends over Portsea; but the latter has the advantage of containing within its precincts the vast establishments of the dock-yards and gun-wharf, which form, together with the harbour and the fortifications, the most striking features in the town. Portsmouth harbour excels decidedly every other in Great Britain for its capaciousness, depth, and security; and it is to these natural advantages that the prosperity and importance of the town, and the origin of the various establishments that have grown up in it, are chiefly to be ascribed. At its entrance at Portsmouth, the harbour is very narrow, not exceeding the breadth of the Thames at Westminster, but it soon expands to a great width, and extends, in several branches, up to Fareham, Porchester, and Port-bridge. Everywhere the anchorage is good; and the whole harbour is completely free of bars or other impediments. It is so deep, and so much sheltered on all sides by high land, that the largest ships may ride in it with safety in the most violent storms, and without touching the ground even at the lowest ebb. It is also capable, from its extent, of containing almost the whole navy of England. Besides the principal branches, it contains several rithes, or channels, where the smaller men-of-war ride at their moorings. Another capital advantage of this harbour, is the neighbourhood of the famous roadstead of Spithead, between l'ortsmouth and the Isle of Wight, which is so spacious, that it can contain 1000 sail of vessels in the greatest security. Here the royal navy commonly rendezvous in time of war, and this may indeed be considered as its great and central station. Portsmouth harbour is completely defended from any assaults of an enemy, by the number and strength of its batteries, particularly towards

H