are one-and-twenty in number; the principal of which are, Orduna, Laredo, Portugalete, Durango, Bilbao, and St. Andero. Biſcay is divided into nine merindades, a ſort of juriſdiction like a bailiwick, beſides the four cities on the coaſt. The capital is Bilbao.—The whole is a collection of very high and very ſteep mountains, rugged and rocky to ſuch a degree, that a company of men poſted on one of them might defend itſelf as long as it could ſubſiſt, by rolling rocks on their enemy. This natural formation of the country, which has rendered the march of armies impracticable, and the daring ſpirit of the inhabitants, have preſerved their liberty.
Active, vigilant, generous, brave, hardy, inclined to war and navigation, they have enjoyed, for two thouſand years, the reputation of the beſt ſoldiers and ſailors in Spain, and even of the beſt courtiers, many of them having, by their wit and manners, raiſed themſelves into offices of conſequence under the court of Madrid. Their valuable qualities have recommended them to the eſteem of the kings of Spain, who have hitherto left them in poſſeſſion of thoſe great immunities of which they are ſo jealous. In 1632, indeed, the court laid a duty upon ſalt: the inhabitants of Bilbao roſe, and maſſacred all the officers appointed to collect it, and all the officers of the grand admiral. Three thouſand troops were ſent to puniſh them for rebellion: theſe they fought, and totally defeated, driving moſt of them into the ſea, which diſcouraged the court from purſuing their plan of taxation; and ſince that time the king has had no officer of any kind in the lordſhip, except his corregidor.
Many writers aſcribe their flouriſhing com-
