NANTES, a city of France, and capital of the depart ment ol the Lower Lobe, is situated on ;he right bank of the Loire. which here divides itself bs means of islands into six separate branches, which are crossed hy a set ies of s, extending about a league in a straight linc. The town of Nantes is finely situated on the diciivity and summit of a Tne city. exclusive of the suburbs, is of an oblong form, extending along the banks of the river. In general, the houses are old and irregularly built, and the walls of many are leaning considerably front the perpendicular. stiburb n. La Fosse con tains the most elegant houses, and is supetior to any part of the town in beauty.
The principal puhlic buildings of Nantes. are the Go thic cathedral. ackrned with the tomb; of the Dukes of Brittany ; the castle, which is a large building com manding the hal bour, the town-hall. the house of the prefect, the illeatre, and a nahelsonie colum 70 feet high ; there is also a lyceum, A pUbil, l•braly, 1»tani cal garden, a museum _of u.atural history, agricultural and commercial societies, and schools of anatomy and surgery.
The chief manufactures carried on at Nantes, are thosc of rope-making, spinning, weaving of woollen and linen goods, cotton printing, earthenware; glass, and ar ticles of hardware are also manufactured ; and ship-build ing is carried on to a considerable extent.
Nantes carries on a considerable foreign trade with the west and north of Europe, and with America, the West Indies, and the coast of Guinea. When St. Do mingo formed part of France, no fewer than 150 vessels belonging to Nantes were employed in the trade with the West Indies. The coasting and inland trade of Nantes is very extensive, and is highly favoured by the Loire and its tributary streams. From the shallowness of the river, however, vessels exceeding 80 or 90 tons are obliged to unload at Paimbceuf, about 20 miles be low Nantes, and the merchandise is carried to that city by means of lighters. Population 73,879. West Long. 1° 22' 44", and North Lat. 47° 13' 6".