BAYONNE, the Lapurdum of the ancients, is the largest, though not the chief, town in the de partment of the lower Pyrenees. It is beautifully situated about a league from the western coast of France, at the conflux of the rivers Nive and Adour, by which the town is divided into three parts, viz. the large town on one side of the Nive s the small town between the Nive and the Adour ; and• the suburb of St Esprit, on the other side of the Nive. A regular square citadel, constructed by Vauban, commands the whole city, which is likewise defended by smaller fortifications. The cathedral of Bayonne is a venerable edifice. The Place de Grrimmont is reckoned the most beautiful part of the city ; and so fine is the situation of the town, that there is no part of it from which we cannot see the whole of its buildings, the two rivers which water it, the Bay of Biscay, and the towering summits of the Pyrenees. The Allees Marines, or the quay, is a superb and much frequented promenade. A wooden draw bridge, which allows vessels to pass, and where a small toll is collected, connects the suburbs with the town.
Bayonne carries on a considerable trade with Spain, to which it exports woollen cloths, silks, cottons, ribbands, and hardware, in exchange for wine,• oil, and wool, and articles from the American colonies.. The hams of Bayonne are famous in every part of Europe ; and its wines, raisins, and chocolate, are ex ported in considerable quantities to the north of Eu rope. The wines of Cape Breton and of Anglet are particularly excellent. Though the harbour of Bayonne is safe, yet its entrance is, narrow and dan gerous. Masts from the Pyrenees are brought down the rivers to Bayonne, from which they are exported to Brest and other ports of France. The old Bis cayan, or Basque language, is generally spoken by the common people. The head dress of the Basque .women is said to have a wonderful effect. The chief amusements of the place are bull fights and tennis. Population 13,190. W. Long. 1° 30' 6", N. Lat. 43° 29' 21". See Link's Travels in Por tugal, chap. vi. (o)