14 guns; the other, which hath 32, stands at the north end of it: but there are, besides these, several platforms on the sea shore. Long. 58. 31. W. Lat. 13. 15. N.

SPEIGLETOWN, a village of the United States, in Rensselaer county, New York.

SPELDHURST, a parish of England, in Kent, 3 miles N. W. of Tunbridge Wells. The ancient church of this parish was destroyed by lightning in 1791. Over its porch, cut in stone, are the arms of the duke of Orleans, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Agincourt, by Richard Waller of Gromebridge, at whose house he was kept nearly 25 years, and was a great benefactor to the church of Speldhurst. Population 1909.

SPELLO, a decayed town of Italy, in the Popedom. It corresponds to the Hispellum of the ancients, and was sacked by the troops of the emperor Charles V. in 1529. 10 miles S. W. of Nocera.

SPELONCATO, a town in the island of Corsica, towards its northern extremity. Population only 800.

SPELSBURY, a parish of England, in Oxfordshire, 44 miles S. E. of Chipping Norton. Population 554.

SPENCER, a post township of the United States, in Worcester county, Massachusetts, 51 miles W. S. W. of Boston. Population

1453.

SPENCER, a post township of the United States, and capital of Tioga county, New York, 190 miles W. S. W. of Albany. Population 3128. The village, containing the County buildings, is pleasantly situated on Catetant creek.

SPENCER, CAPE, a pointed rocky cape, the east point of entrance into Spencer's gulf, on the south shore of New Holland. Long. 136. 55. E. Lat. 35. 18. S.

SPENCER, CAPE, a very conspicuous high bluff promontory on the west coast of North America, so called by Vancouver, in honour of earl Spencer. It is the west point of entrance into Cross sound. Long. 223. 36. E. Lat. 58. 13. N.

SPENCER'S GULF, a large gulf on the south coast of New Holland, which extends 185 miles into the interior of the country, in a direction north-north-east. The entrance of the gulf from Cape Catastrophe on the west, and Cape Spencer on the east, is 48 miles wide. It was explored to within seven or eight leagues of its termination by captain Flinders, who then saw land at a distance before him. Cape Spencer lies in Long. 136. 55. E. Lat. 35. 18. S.

SPENCER MOUNTAINS, mountains of the United States, in Maine, 10 miles E. of Moosehead lake.

SPENCERTOWN, 2 post village of the

United States, in Columbia county, New York.

SPENNITHORNE, a parish of England, North Riding of Yorkshire, 1 mile N. E. of Middleham.

SPERLINGA, a small town of the northeast of Sicily, in the Val di Deinona, remarkable for having afforded an asylum to some French refugees during the dreadful massacre in 1282, called the Sicilian vespers. The town has a strong fortress, situated on an eminence, and is 3 miles W. of Nicosia, and 10 S. of Mistretta.

SPERLONGA, a town of the north-west of the kingdom of Naples, in the Terra di Lavoro. Population 1200. 10 miles N. W. of Gaeta.

SPERNAL, a parish of England, in Warwickshire, 3 miles N. of Alcester.

SPESSART, a great forest of the west of Germany, partly in Franconia, partly in the circle of the Upper Rhine. It extends over a lofty mountain ridge, comprising 200,000 acres, and consists chiefly of oak, beech, and similar trees. It now belongs to Bavaria.

SPETCHLEY, a parish of England, in Worcestershire, 3 miles E. S. E. of Wor

cester.

SPETISBURY, a parish of England, in Dorsetshire, 3 miles S. E. of Blandford Forum.

SPEXHALL, a parish of England, in Suffolk, 2 miles N. by W. of Halesworth.

SPEY, a large and rapid river of Scotland, in Inverness-shire, which has its rise from Loch Spey, in Badenoch, about 16 miles south from Fort Augustus, and after a course pretty steadily, from south-west to northeast, of about 96 miles in all its windings, it falls into the sea, about 8 miles east of Elgin, carrying with it the waters of a track of country of about 1300 square miles. Its waters, a few miles from its source, spread out into a small lake of the same name; from which, resuming the form of a river, it proceeds with great rapidity towards the east, and is joined by the Truim water at Ballidbeg, and by the Trommie water, where the river expands into a loch of about two miles long and one broad, called the Inch loch. It is then joined by the Feshie, at Inverishe, by the Liunig water at Rothiemurchus, by the Nethy near Abernethy, by the Dulnain from the north, opposite Abernethy, by the Avon at Inveravou, by the Dullan water between Aberlour and Rothes, and by a great number of lesser streams through the whole of its course. This has been often said to be the largest river in Scotland, but can be reckoned only the third, as the Tay and the Tweed collect their waters from a greater ex, tent of country. It is, however, liable to sud

den and great inundations, and at such times may contain more water than perhaps any other river in Scotland under similar circumstances. It runs in general through the best wooded country in Scotland. The great cause of its inundations and apparent maguitude is, that it runs remarkably slow for 30 miles of its course. Its fall from the Boat of Bog, near Gordon castle, to the sea, a distance of only three miles, is 60 feet. The vast forests of Abernethy, Glenmore, and Kingussie, are upon its banks, or on its tributary streams; and extend, in succession, 30 or 40 miles together, and in which is some of the finest timber in Scotland. To prevent the trees from being shivered in passing the great cataracts of the river, small canals have been cut out in the banks, with a gentle slope, down which the wood is directed. It gives name to the district of Strathspey, famous for its soldiers and music. The Spey abounds with trout and salmon, the fishery for which is very valuable.

SPEYMOUTH, a parish of Scotland, in Morayshire, which derives its name from its local situation at the estuary of the Spey. Population 1124.

SPEZIA, GULF OF, the ancient Portus Luna, a bay of the Mediterranean, in the eastern part of the Genoese territory. It is large and secure, its length from Porto Venere to the town of Spezia, being about 5 miles, and its breadth at the mouth nearly the same. It is defended from the agitation of the sea by several small islands, while on the land side it is sheltered by mountains. It might thus be rendered a naval station of importance. To the naturalist, it presents a verycurious phenomenon. In the middle of the bay there rises from the depth of 38 feet, a spring of fresh water, which having a strong current, occupies at the surface a space of several yards square, before mixing with the surrounding salt

water.

SPEZIA, OF SPECCIA, a town of the Sardinian states, in the Genoese territory, delightfully situated on an eminence at the bottom of the gulf of Spezia. Since the advantages of its maritime situation have been duly appreciated, this town has been rapidly increasing in population, and contains at present upwards of 4000 inhabitants. It is tolerably regular, and not ill built. The number of villas with plantations of olives and fruit trees, joined to its naturally picturesque situation, render the environs delightful. 8 miles W. N. W. of Sarzana, and 40 S. E. of Genoa. Long. 9. 52. 0. E. Lat. 44. 4. 10. N.

SPEZZIA, a small island of Greece, in the gulf of Napoli, about 20 miles from Napoli di Romania. It is only six miles

long and two broad: the channel separa ting it from the continent is only a mile and a half in width. The town, called also Spezzia, contains about 3000 inhabitants; and there belong to the island between 50 and 60 barks or petty vessels. The surface of the island is rugged, and its soil unproductive. Its ancient name was Taparenus.

SPEZZIA-PAULO, an islet to the south of Spezzia, known to the inhabitants under the name of Aristera.

SPHACHIA, a mountainous district of the island of Candia, which is covered with snow during a great part of the year. It is inhabited by a tribe called Sphachiotes, said to be descended from the ancient Cretans, and who, like the Mainotes, have been all along independent of the Turks. Like the Mainotes, they are an active and spirited race, deriving their chief subsistence from their herds and flocks, but engaging oc casionally in piratical excursions. Their government is a kind of republic, and their magistrates are elected from their own body. They have a small town called Sphachia or Sfachia.

SPHACTERIA, SPHAGIA, or SFAGIA, 3 small island on the west coast of the Mo rea, celebrated as the refuge of 800 Spartans, after the loss of a sea fight, in the be ginning of the Peloponnesian war. It is in the neighbourhood of Navurin, about 12 miles N. of Modon.

SPIAN, a river of Scotland, in In verness-shire, which rises from the western extremity of Loch Laggan, and after a ra pid and precipitous course of 20 miles, joins the Lochy.

SPIEGELBERG, a small district, with the title of county, in Hanover, principality of Calenberg, which belongs as a fief to the king of the Netherlands. It has about 2200 inhabitants.

SPIETZ, a small town of Switzerland, in the canton of Bern, on the west coast of the lake of Thun, 21 miles S. S. E. of Bern..

SPIGNO, an inland town of the Continental Sardinian states, in the duchy of Montferrat, province of Acqui. It stands near the river Bormida, in a picturesque situation, on a steep rock, and contains 2200 inhabitants. 8 miles W. N. W. of Novi, and 9 N. N. E. of Acqui.

SPIGNO, a town in the north-west part of the kingdom of Naples, in the Terra di Lavoro, containing 1200 inhabitants. 25 miles E. of Terracina.

SPIKE ISLAND, a small island of Ireland, in Cork harbour, 10 miles below Cork.

SPIKER-OOG, a small sandy island of Hanover, on the coast of East Friesland. It is about 4 miles long, contains a church,

a school, and only 200 inhabitants. Long. #7. 42, 14. E. Lat. 53. 46. 1. N.

SPILAMBERTO, a small town of Italy, in the duchy of Modena, on the river Panaro, 18 miles S. E. of Modena.

SPILIMBERGO, a small town of Austrian Italy, situated on the Tagliamento, in a district beautifully diversified with hills and vallies. 14 miles W. of Udina.

SPILSBY, a market town of England, in the county of Lincoln, situated on an eminence overlooking to the south the extensive level of marsh and fen land which is bounded by Boston Deeps and the German ocean. It is the chief town in the southern part of Lindsey division, and consists mostly of four streets, uniting at the market-place. This forms a spacious square, intersected in the centre by a row of houses, with the market cross at the east end, and the townhall at the west. The cross consists of a plain octagonal shaft, with a quadrangular base, the whole elevated on five steps. The town-hall was built in 1764. It is a plain brick building, standing on arches on the site of the old hall, which was pulled down. The general quarter sessions of the peace for the southern division of the ports of Lindsey, have been holden here for upwards of 100 years. The parish church, situated in the west end of the town, is an irregular building, consisting of north and south aisles, the latter being much larger than the rest of the building. Here is a chapel, in which are some ancient monuments be longing to the families of Beke, Willoughby, and Bertie. At the west end of the church is an embattled tower, of more modern date than the rest of the church. Spilsby contains a small free school, and a Sunday school. In 1811 the town contained 230 houses, and 963 inhabitants. Market on Monday, and three annual fairs. 31 miles E. of Lincoln, and 134 N. of London.

SPILSBY, a small island on the south coast of New Holland, in Spencer's gulf.

SPINALONGA, a small seaport and citadel on the north-east coast of the island of Candia. It was formerly a bishop's see. 30 miles E. of Candia.

SPINARZA, or CHERVESTA PICCOLA, a small town of Albania, on the river Spinarza, which falls into the Adriatic.

SPINDLESTONE, a township of England, in Northumberland, 2 miles E. by S. of Belford.

SPINEDA, a small town of Austrian Italy, in the Milanese, district of Cremona. SPINO, a small town of Austrian Italy, in the Milanese, district of Cremona.

SPIRDING, a large lake of East Prussia, in the government of Gumbinuen, 75 miles S. E. of Konigsberg. It is about 60 miles

in circumference, contains four small islands, and abounds in lampreys, and such other fish as are found in shallow and muddy water.

SPIRE, OF SPEYER, an ancient though not large town of the west of Germany, situated at the confluence of the Spirebach and the Rhine, 14 miles S. of Manheim, and 16 N. E. of Landau. Its population, formerly about 5000, does not at present exceed 4000: they are partly Catholics, partly Protestants. It long gave name to a bishopric; and the only interesting building in the place is the old cathedral, now falling into decay, the choir being the only entire part of the edifice. Spire was frequently the seat of the German diet; and it was in one of these assemblies, in 1529, that a protest, entered by the reformers against certain proceedings of the emperor, procured them the name of Protestants. From 1795 to 1814, it belonged to the French; at present it is the capital of the Bavarian province of the Rhine, and has a lyceum or great school established by government. The bishopric of Spire was not of great extent. It contained 55,000 inhabitants, and yielded a revenue of L.30,000 sterling. It was secularised in 1802, and at present belongs partly to Bavaria, partly to Baden. The episcopal residence was not Spire, but Bruchsal.

SPIREBACH, a small river of the Bavarian circle of the Rhine, near Spire, near which the allies were defeated by the French under marshal Tallard, in 1703, when they attempted to raise the siege of Landau.

SPIRITU SANTO, a town on the south side of the island of Cuba, opposite to the north-west part of the cluster of isles and rocks called Jardin de la Reyna, and about 45 miles north-westerly of La Trinidad.

SPIRITU SANTO, or TAMPAY BAY, called also HILLSBOROUGH BAY, lies on the west coast of the peninsula of East Florida, has a number of shoals and keys at its mouth, and is 9 leagues N. N. W. W. of Charlotte harbour, and 56 S. E. by S. 3 E. of the bay of Apalache. Long. 82. 54. W. Lat. 27.36. N.

SPIRITU SANTO, a town of Brazil, in South America. It is situated on the sea coast, in a very fertile country, and has a small castle and harbour. Long. 41. W. Lat. 20. 10. S..

SPIRITU SANTO, a lake towards the extremity of the peninsula of East Florida, southward from the chain of lakes which communicate with St John's river.

SPIRITU SANTO, a river of Mexico, which runs into the Pacific ocean, Long. 106. 40. W. Lat. 23. N.

SPIRITU SANTO, a river of Brazil, which runs into the Atlantic, Lat. 20. 10. §.

SPIRITU SANTO ISLANDS, OF ANDROS, a chain of islands, situated to the south-west of the Bahamas; the largest about 40 miles in length, and 8 in breadth. Long. 77. to 78. 15. W. Lat. 24. to 25. 12. N.

SPIT, THE, a shoal of the Atlantic, near the coast of South Carolina, 15 miles S. of Cape Fear. Long. 78. 10. W. Lat. 33. 34. N. SPITAL, a small town of Austrian Illyria, in Upper Carinthia, on the Liser, about a mile from the Drave. In 1797, the greatest part of this town was burnt by the French, but it has since been rebuilt. 6 miles E. of Saxenburg, and 20 N. W. of Villach.

SPITHEAD, a noted roadstead for shipping in the English channel, situated between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, directly facing Portsmouth harbour. It is about 20 iniles in extent, and is said to be capable of holding 1000 vessels in great security. It is the usual rendezvous of the British navy in time of war. The depth of water at low tide is from 10 to 16 fathoms. It was here that took place the unfortunate shipwreck of the Royal George, which suddenly went to the bottom, with 600 persons on board, including the admiral Kempenfelt.

SPITHEAD CREEK, a river of the western territory of America, which runs into the Ohio, Long. 80. 46. W. Lat. 39. 56. N.

SPITTLE, a hamlet of England, in Cheshire, 5 miles N. E. of Great Neston. SPITTLEGATE, a hamlet of England, in Lincolnshire, adjacent to Grantham. Population 538.

Srirz, a small town of Austria, on the Danube, 10 miles above Krems. It is built round a hill, the top of which is planted with vines. Population 900.

SPITZBERGEN, or EAST GREENLAND, a group of islands in the Northern ocean, formerly supposed to make part of the continent, and distinguished by the name of East Greenland. They are situated between 76. 46. and 80. 30. N. lat. and between 9.and 20. E. long. This land was discovered by sir Hugh Willoughby, in the year 1553, who called it Groenland; supposing it to be a part of the western continent. In 1595, it was again visited by William Barentz and John Cornelius, two Dutchmen, who pretended to be the original discoverers, and called the country Spitzbergen, or Sharp Mountains, from the many sharp pointed and rocky mountains with which it abounds. They alleged that the coast discovered by sir Hugh Willoughby was some other country; which accordingly the Hollanders delineated on their maps and charts by the name of Willoughby Land; whereas in fact no such land ever existed; and long before the yoyage of these Dutchmen, Stephen Barrows, an English shipmaster, had coasted

along a desolate country from Lat. 78. to 80. 11. N. which was undoubtedly Spitzber gen. The sea in the neighbourhood of Spitzbergen abounding in whales, this country has been long the common resort of the whale fishing ships from different countries. But, till the voyage of captain Phipps in 1773, the situation of the country ws erroneously laid down. It was imagined that the land stretched to the northward as far as Lat. 82. N.; but captain Phipps found the most northerly point of land, called Seven Islands, not to exceed 80. 30. N. lat. Towards the east he saw other lands lying at a distance, so that Spitzbergen plainly appeared to be surrounded by water on that side, and not joined to the continent of Asia, as former navigators had supposed. The north and west coasts also he explored, but was prevented by the ice from sailing so far to the northward as he wished. The coast appeared neither habitable nor accessible. It is formed of high, barreu, black rocks, without the least marks of vegetation; in many places bare and pointed; in others covered with snow, appearing even above the clouds. The vallies between the high cliffs were filled with snow and ice. "This prospect," says captain Phipps, " would have suggested the idea of perpetual winter, had not the mildness of the weather, the smooth water, bright sunshine, and constant daylight, given a cheerfulness and novelty to the whole of this romantic scene." The current ran along this coast half a knot an hour north. There is good anchorage in Schmeerenburgh harbour, lying in Lat. 74. 44. N. Long. 9. 50. 45. E. in 13 fathoms, sandy bottom, not far from the shore, and well sheltered from all winds. Close to this harbour is an island called Amsterdam island, where the Dutch used formerly to boil their whale-oil; and the remains of some conve niency erected by them for that purpose are still visible. The Dutch ships, excepting in time of war, still resort to this place for the later season of the whale fishery. The rocks about this place are chiefly a kind of marble or limestone. No appearances of metals were observed, nor any signs of ancient or modern volcanoes. No insects, or any species of reptiles, were seen, not even the common earthworm. There were no springs or rivers; but great plenty of water was produced from the snow which melted on the mountains. In the vallies are found some plants, and some curious birds. The foxes are like those of Greenland; the bears are of a different species. On the coasts are found whales, sca-dogs, sea-cows, and sealions, with other marine and amphibious animals. These islands are totally uninhabited, though it doth not appear but thas