The university of Seville was founded in 1502, and counted among its members the celebrated Arius Montanus. The discoveries and improvements of modern science have not yet enlightened this seat of learning. The number of under graduates is extend ed to about 200. There is an institution here called St. Elmo, founded by the son of Christopher Colum bus, and appropriated to the education of young men for the sca. There is also here an academy for the arts of painting, sculpture, and architecture, and an mconomical society, both of which were•founded by Count Campomanes. About 200 pupils attend the first of these institutions.
Seville was long celebrated for its silk manufactures, but they declined in the middle and end of the 17th century. The number of looms lately at work is about 2500, the silk being brought from Granada and Valencia. The other articles of manufacture are coarse woollen cloths, leather, tobacco and snuff. The snuff manufactory belongs to government, and occupies a large building 200 yards long by 185 broad. The interior consists of 28 courts, round which are disposed the various apartments. Horses and mules are employed to drive the mills, which amount to 100. There is also a cannon foundry here belonging to government.
After the discovery of America, the monopoly of its trade was conferred on Seville, but owing to the obstruction which vessels of burden experienced in the navigation of the Guadalquivir, this monopoly was transferred to Cadiz. Large vessels are stopped
at Lucar, the very mouth of the river, and those drawing more than ten feet of water are obliged to load and unload eight miles below Seville. The prin cipal exports are wool, goat and kid skins, oranges, liquorice, oil and silk. The liquorice exported is nearly 200 tons, and a considerable part of it is said to be purchased by the London porter brewers. The articles imported are English manufactures, Nurem berg wares, Bilboa iron, and articles of colonial pro duce from South America. The country round Se ville is very fertile, but the climate is insalubrious, generating agues and malignant fevers. The scorch ing solano from the African deserts is beyond measure oppressive in summer.
Seville has well built suburbs, one of which called Triana, on the west side of the river, has a commu nication with the city by a bridge of boats. The handsome promenade called Alameda, has three walks planted with trees, and is ornamented with seats and fountains.
The population of the city is stated by Townsend at 80,268, by Laborde at 96,000, and by others at 100,000. West long. 5° 38' 37". North lat. 24' 26". See Townsend's Travels in Spain, Laborde's View of Spain, Burgoanne's Travels, and Swinburne's Travels.