QUINTIN, a town of France, department of the Cotes du Nord, situated in a valley on the river Goy, near a large forest. It contains, including its five small suburbs, a population of 4000, and has a good chateau or castle. Here are manufactures of linen, cambric, gauze, and lawn; also of two very different articles, soap and iron. 12 miles S. by W. of St Brieux. QUINTIN, ST. See Quentin, St. QUINTIN, ST, a town of France, department of the Gard. Population 1600. 14 miles N. by E. of Nimes. QUINTIN DE CHABANOIS, ST, a town of France, department of the Charente, on the Vienne. Population 800. QUINTO, a town of Spain, in Arragon, on the Ebro, 27 miles S. E. of Saragossa. QUINTO, a large village of Switzerland, in the canton of the Ticino, and the valley of Levinen. 25 miles N. N. W. of Bellinzona. QUINTO, a river of Tucuman, which rises in the Chilian Andes, and running east, loses itself in a lake. QUINZANO, a town of Austrian Italy, delegation of Brescia. It stands on the small river Savarona, near the Oglio. Population 3000. 11 miles N. of Cremona. QUIQUIBE, a river of Peru, in the province of Apolabamba, which runs north, and enters the Cobitu. QUIRIA, a province of Immeretia, in Asia, situated along the shores of the Black sea. It would appear, from the ruins which have survived the desolation of war and time, to have been formerly flourishing and populous in an extraordinary degree. The residence of the prince is Titi Zighe, on the Black sea. The only considerable river in this province is called the Boas. QUIRICO, ST, a small town of Italy, in the grand duchy of Tuscany, situated on a hill, 44 miles S. of Florence. QUIRIEU, a town of France, situated on an eminence near the Rhone. Population 900. 30 miles E. of Lyons. QUIRILIA, the only considerable river of Immeretia, in Asia, which rises in the Soanni ridges, and falls into the Phasis in the neighbourhood of Cotatis. QUIRIQUINA, a small island of the Pacific ocean, at the entrance of the bay of Conception. It is a little more than a league long from north to south, and is a quarter of a league distant from the continent, in Lat. 36. 38. S. The coast of this island is famous, from the abundance of large and well tasted muscles found upon it. QUIROS, a large and abundant river of Peru, in the province of Piura. It rises in the mountains to the east of Jaen, runs west, and uniting itself with others, enters the Catamayu, Lat. 4. 33. S. QUIROS, CAPE, a cape on the east coast of the island of Espiritu Santo, in the South Pacific ocean. Long. 84. 58. E. Lat. 15. 44. S. QUIRPON, an island in the North Atlantic ocean, near the north coast of Newfoundland. Long. 52. 22. W. Lat. 51. 40. N. QUISANGA, a small seaport of Eastern Africa, opposite to the islands of Querimba. Lat. 12. 20. S. QUISIBI, a small town of Ommon, in Arabia, 180 miles W. of Julfar. QUISONGALA ISLANDS, a cluster of small islands in the Eastern seas, near the coast of Africa. Lat. 10. 40. S. QUISONGE ISLANDS, a cluster of small islands in the Eastern seas, near the coast of Africa. Lat. 11. S. QUISPICANCHI, a province of Peru, bounded north-east by the province of Paucartambo, east by the cordillera of Vilcanota and province of Carabaya, south-west by the province of Canes and Canches, and south, in some degree, by that of Chumbivilcas, and that of Chilques and Masques, by which it is also bounded on the west. Its length is 35 leagues from north to south, and its width more than 30. The temperature is various, and it produces plantains, pines, papayas, lemons, and various other wild fruits. In the mountains are found many venomous reptiles. They manufacture considerable quantities of cloth in this province. Population 7200. QUISSAC, a small town in the south-east of France, department of the Gard, on the Vidourle, with 1400 inhabitants, who manufacture woollen and cotton stockings, caps, and leather. 20 miles W. by N. of Nimes. QUISTELLO, a small town of Austrian Italy, delegation of Mantua, on the right bank of the Secchia, near its influx into the Po. Near this place, in September 1734, the French and Piedmontese were surprised and driven from their intrenchments by the imperialists. 12 miles S.S.W. of Mantua. QUITANGONE. See Quintangone. QUITA-SUENO, a bank of sand and shoals on the coast of Mexico, opposite Cape Gracias de Dios. It is 45 miles long. Long. 81. W. Lat. 14. 20. N. QUITO, originally an independent coun try of South America, which remained distinct from all the neighbouring states, until a very short time previous to the conquest of Peru by Francisco Pizarro; but its limits were not the same as they are at present, nor is it of any importance to trace their ancient extent. It is now bounded by Santa Fe on the north, and has within its audience some districts of Popay a, which also forms a part of its northern frontier; on the east its jurisdiction extends over the governments of Maynas, Macas, and Quixos, which reach to the Portuguese frontiers; on the west the Great Pacific washes it from the gulf of Puna to the government of Atacames; and on the south the kingdom of Peru concludes its boundaries. Its length from north to math is about 600 miles, whilst its breadth Exceeds 1800. In this immense extent, the population is chiefly confined to the alley, which is formed on the very ridge of the main chain of the Andes, by the parallel summits making a prolonged series of small narrow plains, extending from St Miguel de Ibarra to Loja, and to the country between those and Popayan, and from the western slope of the Cordillera to the ocean. The eastern governments are chiefly immense tracks, thinly scattered with missionary villages. The vegetable productions of Quito vary with the elevation of the ground. The champaign country produces abundant crops of maize; and the deep ravines, where the temperature is hot, produce sugar-cane. The lands which are in elevated situations is the mountains, possess a colder climate, and produce corn, barley, and all other sarts of grain. In its mountain plains feed very large flocks of sheep, which with their wood furnish materials for the manufactures of this province. Others of these plains serve as pastures, wherein neat cattle breed, principally used for their milk, of which are made butter and cheese: again, other estates are composed of manufacturing places, where, besides the culture of cattle and seeds, the natives attend to the making of native cloths, baizes, and serges. From what has been said, it must be clear that the temperature of this province is andeterminable, since in proportion to its height it is more or less cold, as also more or less hot; and it is by this variety of elimate that it produces a corresponding proportion of different kinds of fruits and seeds; and thus it is, that by half a day's journey, you may leave a country where, from the heat, you might perceive yourself to be under the torrid zone, and may enter another country where all is frost and snow but what, in all this, is most to he wondered at, is, that no alteration, with respect to the several parts, takes place the whole year round, but that the place which is cold is always cold, and that which is hot is always hot. In the elevated regions alone, some change is to be perceived; for the coldness which generally reigns there is increased by the winds, although the manher in which these higher grounds are affected, and what may be considered the pecu liar characteristic of their climate, is a dense cloud, which almost constantly envelopes them, and which, when it happens to fall in the shape of small hail, snow, or mist, makes them so insufferably cold, as to render life precarious. With all this, however, in the parts in which there are no mountains, and where the wind is mode rate, and the rays of the sun can penetrate the earth, the climate is very supportable. In this province some cotton goods are manufactured; these are exported to Peru, for which gold, silver, laces, wine, brandy, oil, copper, tin, lead, and quicksilver, are returned; the wheat of Quito is exported to Guayaquil ; and the coast of Guatimala sends indigo, iron, and steel, for which some of the products of Quito are returned by way of Guayaquil. The commerce of Quito is, however, mostly internal; and this province contains no metallic veins which are worked, though many rich ones are supposed to exist, and some mercury has been found between the villages of Cuença and Azogue. The inhabitants are for the most part chiefly composed of Indians; nor are there wanting soine of the mestizo families; but there are few Spaniards. QUITO, the capital of the above country, situated on the eastern slope of the western branch of the equitorial Andes, 35 leagues distant from the coast of the Pacific ocean. The volcanic mountain of Pichincha is the basis on which this celebrated city rests; and owing to the inequalities of the ground, the streets are very irregular and uneven, and so numerous are the crevices of the mountain in the environs, that many of the houses are built on arches. The principal square in Quito has four sides, in one of which stands the cathedral, and in the opposite the Episcopal palace; the third side is taken up with the town-house, and the fourth by the palace of the audience. It is very spacious, and has in the centre an elegant fountain. Four streets, terminating at the angles of the square, are straight, broad, and handsome; but at the distance of three or four hundred yards, the inequalities of the ground commence, which are so great, that they entirely deprive the inhabitants of the use of wheel carriages. All the streets, except the four above mentioned, are crooked, and destitute both of symmetry and order. Some of them are crossed by breaches, and the houses stand on the sides of their winding course and irregular projections. Thus, some parts of the city are situated in the bottom of those breaches, and others on their summits. The principal streets are paved, but the others not, by which means they are almost impassable after rain, which is here very common. Besides the princi◄ pal square, there are two others in Quito, and both very spacious, together with several others that are smaller. In these the greatest part of the convents are situated, and make a handsome appearance, the fronts and portals being adorned with all the embellishments of architecture. The principal houses are very large, and some of them have spacious and well contrived apartments, yet none are above one story in height, though seldom without a balcony towards the street. The materials made use of in building at Quito, are unburnt bricks and clay; and to the making the former the earth is so well adapted, that they last a long time, provided they are defended from the rain. They are cemented or joined together by a certain adhesive composition called sangagua, a species of mortar of uncommon hardness, used by the ancient Indians in building their houses. The city was erected into a bishopric in the year 1545. It contains seven parish churches, a university, with numerous convents, nunneries, &c. The hospital is a fine structure; and there are several courts for the administration of justice, the exchequer, treasury, &c. The cathedral, which was endowed in 1545, has a very extensive jurisdiction, and the revenue of the bishop is 24,000 piastres. In this church are held two annual festivals in honour of the Virgin, by whose assistance it is said the city was delivered, when Latacunga, Riobamba, Hambato, and other places in its neighbourhood, were entirely destroyed by an earthquake and an ejection from Pichincha, of pumice, basalt, porphyry, and liquid mud. The clay and hot water vomited from this volcano diffuse such fertility, that a constant succession of fruits, flowers, and leaves, appear during the whole year, and even on the same tree. Corn is reaped and sown at the same time; and such is the goodness of the pasture, that excel lent mutton, beef, &c. are to be had at Quito. Fine cheese is also made in the dairies, and so much is used, that 70,000 or 80,000 dollars worth is annually consumed. Good butter is also found; and for the service of the table, whether in luxuries or necessaries, nothing appears to be wanting. Quito is very populous, and has among its inhabitants some families of high rank and distinction, though their number is but small, considering its extent, the poorer class bearing here too great a proportion. The former are the descendants either of the original conquerors, or of presidents, auditors, or other persons of character, who at different times came over from Spain, invested with some lucrative post, and have still preserved their lustre both of wealth and descent, by intermarriages, without intermixing with meaner families, though famous for their riches. The commonalty may be divided into four classes, Spaniards or whites, mestizoes, Indians or natives, and negroes: the last are not so numerous in proportion, as in other parts of America; occasioned by the inconvenience of bringing them to Quito, and the different branches of agriculture being performed by Indians. The whites make up one-sixth part of the inhabitants; the mestizoes a third part; the Indians one-sixth; and casts of different kinds onethird. The population, including all classes, is estimated to amount to 70,000. The men, whether creoles, Spaniards, or mestizoes, are well made, of a proper stature, and of a lively agreeable countenance. The Indians, both men and women, are generally low, but well proportioned, and very strong. One of the common liquors drank in this country is mate, which answers to the tea of China, from an herb called Paraguay, from its growing in that country. Quito is so happily situated, that neither the heat nor cold are troublesome, though the extremes of both may be felt in the neighbourhood. But what renders this equality still more delightful, is, that it is constant throughout the whole year, the difference between the seasons being scarce perceivable. The winds are healthy, and blow continually, but never with any vio lence. Their usual situations are north and south, though they sometimes shift to other quarters, without any regard to the season of the year. Their incessant blowing, notwithstanding their frequent variations, preserves the country from any violent or even disagreeable impressions of the rays of the sun; so that, were it not for some disagreeable circumstances, this country might be considered as the most happy spot on the whole earth; but when these are known, all its beauties seem concealed under the cloud of disappointment: for here are dreadful tempests of thunder and lightning, and still more dreadful earthquakes, which often surprise the inhabitants in the midst of security. The whole morning, and generally till two in the afternoon, the weather is extremely delightful; a bright sun, with a serene and clear sky, are commonly seen; but afterwards the vapours begin to thicken, the whole atmosphere is filled with thick clouds, which bring on such shocking tempests of thunder and lightning, that all the neighbouring mountains tremble, and the city too often feels their dreadful effects. Lastly, the clouds discharge themselves in such impetuous torrents of rain, that in a very short time the streets appear like rivers, and the squares, though situated on a slope, like lakes. This dreadful scene generally continues till near sun-set, when the weather clears up, and nature again appears as beautiful as in the morning. Sometimes, adeed, the rains continue all night, and they have been known to last three or four days successively; and on the contrary, three or four days of fine weather sometimes succeed one another. The city, and indeed the whole country, is also liable to the horrible calamity of earthquakes; and with a view to observe the signs of the coming evil, the inhabitants are frequently occupied in anxious observations on the aspect of the heavens. On the 4th February 1797, the country was shaken by a most dreadful concus sion; the face of the whole district was changed, and in the space of a second, forty thousand persons were hurled into eternity. During this tremendous scene the ground opened in all directions, and vomited out sulphur, mud, and water. Since this period violent shocks of earthquakes have been frequently experienced. The height of Quito above the level of the sea 9510 feet, and it is backed by the conical summit of Javirac, immediately under that of Pichincha; Javirac being 10,239 feet above the ocean, consequently 729 feet higher than the city. Quito is plentifully supplied with water from several streams which flow from the sides of the mountains, and are conducted into the town by means of conduits. Several of these brooks unite in one spot, and form the small river Machangara, which washes the south parts of the city, and is crossed by a stone bridge. In the church of the Jesuits is an alabaster slab, on which is engraven a Latin inscription, commemorating the labours of the French and Spanish mathematicians in 1736, and the following years, till 1742, and enumerating the signals, angles, and other circumstances connected with the great undertaking of the measureinent of a degree of the meridian, which was performed in those years. Long. 78. 10. 15. W. Lat. 0. 13. 27. S. QUITO, one of the head branches of the Atrato, in the kingdom of New Granada, and province of Chaco. QUITTA, a small Danish fort, situated at the mouth of the Rio Volta, between the Gold and Slave coasts of Africa. Long. 0. 8. E. Lat. 6. N. QUIVOX, ST, a parish of Scotland, in Ayrshire, containing 3500 acres, mostly arable. Population 3615. QUIXOS AND MACAS, the last and most easterly province of the audience of Quito, and kingdom of New Granada. It is bounded on the north by Popayan and the plains, east by Portuguese Guiana, on the west it is separated from Latacunga and Ibarra by the Cordilleras of Cotopaxi, Cayambe, &c., and on the south it is limited by Maynas and Bracamoros. It is a country extremely mountainous, full of ravines, and abounding in rivers, some of which are very large, and all running into the Maranon. This territory is impassable, except on foot; and thus it was traversed by the missionaries, who, at the expence of great labours and fatigues, entered Mainas. Its temperature is cold, and it produces much cotton and tobacco, which is parti cularly esteemed in Peru, whither it is carried by Guayaquil and Piura. The cultivation of these fruits is the cause why. little attention is paid to wheat, maize, and barley, of these only as much being sown as are barely sufficient for the wants of the inhabitants; not but that the vallies and ravines are extremely fertile. The climate is hot and moist, and the rains almost continual. The country is covered with thick forests, some of the trees in which are of a prodigious magnitude. In the south-west of Quixos is the country called Los Canelos, a sort of spice resembling cinnamon growing there. The south part of Quixos is called Macas, and is separated into a distinct district, under that appellation, of which the chief town is the city of Macas, or Sevilla de Oro. The climate of Macas is better than that of Quixos, as the proximity of the Andes occasions it to be much cooler. The winter here begins in April, and lasts till September; the summer then commences, and the north winds blowing constantly, render it very mild. The chief occupation of the settlers is the cultivation of tobacco, which is exported to Peru; sugar-canes thrive very well, as do cotton, grain, &c. Among the infinite variety of trees which the forests are composed of, is the storax, distinguished by the exquisite fragrance of its gum. Great quantities of copal are brought from Macas, as well as wild wax; and the district contains eight principal villages, and numerous missionary settlements, two priests or superiors governing the spiritual affairs. At the conquest, this country was very populous, owing to the quantity of gold drawn from the neighbourhood of Macas. These provinces having been exposed to the harassing attacks of the infidel Indians, the popu lation has not increased. QUIXOS, a small river of the above province, which enters the Coca. QUIZAMA, a mountainous district, situated to the south of Angola, in Southern Africa. The inhabitants are warlike, and have never been subdued by the Portuguese. QUIZIMAJUGO, a river of Eastern Africa, which falls into the Indian sea, near Quiloa. Lat. 8. 50. S, QUIZUNGO, a river of Mosambique, which falls into the Indian sea, Lat. 17. 20. S. QUOANG, or KOANG-CHIEN, a city of China, of the second rank, in Koeitchoo, Long. 105. 49. E. Lat. 26. 8. N. QUOD, CAPE, a cape on the coast of Patagonia, in the straits of Magellan, on the South American shore. Long. 74. 6. W. Lat. 53. 33. S. QUOIN, an island in the Eastern seas, north of the Nicobar islands. Long. 93. 23. E. Lat. 9. 56. N. QUOIN, a small island in the Eastern seas, near the western coast of Madagascar. Long. 48. 14. E. Lat. 14. S. QUOJA, a country of Africa, in the inte rior from Sierra Leone, between the 8th and 10th degrees of W. long., and between the 7th and 9th degrees of N. lat. The country is well cultivated, but has little trade The monarch is despotic, and the nobles also enjoy an extraordinary share of respect Slaves are sacrificed on the tombs of thei masters, and numerous subjects on that o the king. QUONDANGA, a town of the Birman em pire, situated on the bank of the Irrawad dy, 42 miles N. of the city of Prome. QUORNDON, a parish of England, count of Leicester, 2 miles N. W. by W. from Mount Sorrel. Population 1281. QUORORUPA, a small river of Brazil, i the province of Porto Seguro, which fall into the Atlantic. R. RA, or BEIN REAY, a mountain of Scotland, in Sutherlandshire, elevated about a mile above the level of the sea. RAAB, or GYORI VARMEGYE, a county of Hungary, lying on both sides of the Danube, and of the river Raab. It has an area of 600 square miles, with 78,000 in habitants, of whom about 1000 are Jews. This county contains a number of hills, for which vines are the most suitable culture. It produces also corn and pasturage, RAAB, GYOR, or NAGY-GYOR, the capital of the above county, is a considerable town, situated in a fine plain, and nearly surrounded by the Danube, the Raab, and the Rabnitz. It is fortified both by nature and art; and, like Vienna, has a large glacis and open space between the town and the suburbs. Several of the streets are regular; most of the houses are of stone, and some of them belonging to great families are handsome. It is a bishop's see, and contains 11,000 inhabitants, of whom 5000 are within the fortifications. The chief manufacture is of cutlery, particularly of knives and swords. An academy was erected here in 1750, in which are given lessons on theology, law, and philosophy. Here also the Lutherans have a college. Raab was a place of strength in the time of the Romans; but the present fortifications of the city and castle are comparatively modern. In the 16th and 17th centuries, when the Turks advanced into Hungary, this place fell for a time into their hands. It sustained a siege of some length from the French, after the defeat of the Austrian archduke John, in i neighbourhood, on the 14th June 180 38 miles S. S. E. of Presburg, and E. S. E. of Vienna. Long. 17. 6. 45.1 Lat. 47. 41. 15, N. RAAB, a large river of the Austrian state which rises in Lower Styria, near Grat flows through the Hungarian palatinates Eisenburg, Oedenburg, and Raab, sep rates into three branches, and falls events ally into the Danube, near the city Raab. RAAGOE, a small island of Denmark, the north coast of the island of Laalan Long. 11. 19. E. Lat. 54. 58. N. RAAMSDONK, a village of the Nethe lands, in South Holland, containing 180 inhabitants. RAASAY, or RAaza, a considerable islan of the Hebrides, lying between the mait land of Scotland and the isle of Skye, from which it is separated by a narrow soun It is a rough, rocky, and indifferently frui ful island, with bold and dangerous shore 15 miles long by about 2 broad, and cor taining 31 square miles. The west.com rises to a great height above the sea ; the en coast is steep and elevated. Near the sout end of it is Dunlan, a lofty hill, when many rivulets descend, and at whose ba are two lakes of fresh water. In the north ern district is a large track of pasta ground. The soil, for the most part, peat earth, sand, or gravel, and has be greatly improved by the proprietor; b the climate is singularly moist, rain bein calculated to fall nine months in the yea |