ii..4^ 'IVERSITY LIBRARY, OLD. >%iV> THE PENNIMAN MEMORIAL LIBRARY OF EDUCATION OF BROWN UNIVERSITY ESTABLISHED BY JAMES HOSMER PENNIMAN, YALE 181 IN MEMORY OF HIS PARENTS MARIA DAVIS HOSMER JAMES LANMAN PENNIMAN, YALE 1863 GRANDSON OF CHIRON PENNIMAN, BROWN 1791 GREAT-GRANDSON OF ELIAS PENNIMAN, BROWN 177- I .#' THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES 1 ^i1^;. V' VJ #. I. ^. v\ *\ \ .* ';^''*.' *. * J . ; ' v 4 , GEOGRAPHY MADE EASY ABRIDGEMENT American Universal Geography, TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. BY JEDIDIAH MORSE, D. D. ADTUOB, OF THE AMERICAN UNIVERSAL GEOGRAPHY AND THl AMERICAN GAZETTEER. There is not a son or daughter of Adam, but has some concern both in Geography and Astronomy. '^ "' Illustrated with a map oi MAP OF KORTH-A irteetttf) Di AN'D FOURTH OF THIS NEW , . BOSTON : PUHLISHED BY THOMAS & AK6REWS. . BOLD AT THKIR I!UK3T0RE, NO 4,5 NEWKLRY-STREFT ; BY EAST' BURN, KIRK, AND CO. NEW-YORK, M CAREY, rHILADELPHIA ; AND BT TUB PRINCIPAL BOOKSELLERS IN THE UNlTiO STATES. J. r. BVt.KiyiiHAHL, tRimMK, Oct. 181 S. ^^pHB^j^r DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, to wit : BE IT REMEM BERED, that on the twentieth day ef April, m the thirty-third year of the Independence of the United States of America , Jedidiah Morse of the said District, has deposited in this Office the Title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as Author, in the words following, to -wit : '< Geography made easy : being an Abridgement of the American Universal Geography. To wliich are prcfijed Elements of Geogra- phy. For the use of Schools and Academies in the United States of America. Bv Jedidiah Morse, D. D. author of the American Univer- sal Geography, and the American Gazetteer. ' There is not a son or daughter of Adam, but has some concern both in Geography and Astronomy.' Dr. Watts. Illustrated with a Map of the M'orld, and a iMap of North- America." In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, en- titled, " An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of I^taps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of r,ucii copies, during the times therein mentioned:" and also to an Act, intlfled, " An Act suppkmentary to an Act, entitlwl. An Act for the Eiic( uragement of Learning, liy securing the copies of Maps, Charts, nuo Books, to the Authors and Proprietor- of such copies, during the times therein mentioned ; and extencinp th.e benefits thereof to the arts of Dtsi"ning, Engra7ingand Etching Historical and other Prints." WILLIAM. S. SHAW, Ckrk cf iht Diitricf of Liatsaclmttt:, PREFACE. NO national government holds out to its subjects jo many al- luring motives to obtain an accurate knowledge of their own country, and of its various interests, as that of United Ameri- ca. By the freedom of our elections, public honors and public offices are not confined to any one class of men, but are offered to merit, in whatever rank it may be found. To discharge the duties of public office with honor and applause, the history, policy, commerce, productions, particular advantages and inter- ests of the several states ought to be thoroughly understood. It is obviously wise and prudent, then, to imtiate our youth into the knowledge of these thing?, and thus to form their minds upon correct principles, and prepare them for future usefulness and honor. There is no science better adapted to the capacities of youth, and more apt to captivate their attention than Geog- raphy. An acquaintance with this science, more than with any other, satisfies that pertinent curiosity, wliich is the predominat-- ing feature of the youthful mind. It is to be lamented that this part of education has been so long neglected in America. Our young ra^n, UiiiversaUy, have been much better acquainted v^rJi the geog: loiiy of Europe and Asia, than with that of their own state and country. The v/art of suitable books has been the cause, we hoj-e the sole cause, of this shameful defect in our ed- ucation. Until within a few years, we have seldom pretended to write, and hardly to think for ourselves. We have humbly rec d from Great-Britain our Ja'^s our Eianners, our books, and our modes of thinking ; and our youth have been educated rather as the subjects of the British king, than as the citizens of a free and independent nation. But the scene is now changed. The revolution has beeiT,favorable to science in general ; par- ticularly to that of the geograpiiy of our own country. In the following pages, the Author has endeavored to bring this valuable branch of knov/ledge home to common schools, and to the cottage fire-side, by comprising, in a small and cheap volume; the most entertaining and interesting part of his Ameri- Au3x94 iv PREFACE. can Universal Geography. He has endeavored to accommodate it to the use ofschocL', as a reading book, that our youth of both sexes, at the same time thai; they are learning to read, might im- bibe an acquaintance with their country, and an attachment to its interests; and, in that forming period of their lives, begin to qualify themselves to act their several parts in life, with reputa- tion to themselves, and with usefulness to th^ir country. That the labors of the Author may be a benefit to the youth of that country which he loves, and which he has sedulously ex* plored, is his moit ardent wish. Nutv-Haveny 1789. Postscript. In consequence of the numerous changes, which have taken place in the world, since this AbiiJgement wa first made, {oi \yh\ch.t\\\sisx.h(i fitirtiL'r]th edition) the Author has thought it expedient, for the purpose of introducing the im- provements in the last editions of his Universi! Geography and Gazetteer to abridge them anew ; wnich has been done, uraer his direction and inspection by another hand. The work is DOW presented to the Public, in an improved and more inviting form, and the changes which have taken place in the world, in this eventful period, have been noticed down to the present year. Char lis io'vjn, 'ipri/, 181 1, CONTENT&. Page. ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY 9 Definitions 9 History of Geography and Astronomy 9 The Solar System 13 Comets 18 Fi-xed Stars 18 Eclipses - 19 Doctrine of the Sphere' 20 The Globes 23 Problems 25 Maps 29 Natural Divisions of the Earth's surface 30 Component parts of the Earth 31 Volcanoes 32 Earthquakes 33 Magnetism 34. Gravitation 34 Tides 35 The Atmosphere 36 Winds 36 Vapors and Clouds 39 Electricity 39 Light 40 The Harvest Moon 41 Northern Light 41 Heat and Cold 42 Political Divisions of the Earth 43 Inhabitants 44} Forms of Government 45 Religions 46 Of the Divisions of TIrae 48 Measures 50 Of the Log Line 51 AMERICA 5$ North-America 62 Aboriginal America Greenland 68 69 Labrador and Hudson Fay 71 A ^ vi CONTENTS. Page Interior Countries 73 Northwest Coast 75 Northern Archipelago 76 British America 77 Upper Canada 77 Lower Canada 86 Island of Cape Breton 82 New-Brunswick 83 Nova-Scotia S-i Island of St. John's 86 Newfoundland Island 86 The Bermudas or Sommers's Islands 87 The United States 88 District of Maine 115 New- Hampshire 118 Vermont 123 Massachusetts 126 Rhode-Island 136 Connecticut 140 New- York 146 New-Jersey 1 57 Delaware. 162 Pennsylvania 165 Ohio 172 Michigan Territory ' 176 Indiana Territory 178 Illinois Territory 179 Maryland 180 Columbia Territory 183 Virginia ~ ' 185 Kentucky 192 -Tennessee 195 North-Carolina 199- South Carolina ,204 Georgia 209 Missisippi Territory 213 Louisiana 215^ Spanish America 217 Florida 218 Mexico 219 Fouth-Amfrica 223 CONTENTS, "vH Page Peru 228 Chili- 230 Buenos Ayres 231 Guiana 232 Brazil 235 Amazonia 237 Patagonia 238 South-American Islands 23^ West-Indies 241 The Bahama Isles 24.2 The Antilles 24* The Virgin Isles 246 The Caribbees 246 EUROPE 247 Lapland 250 Denmark 25 i Sweden 255 Russia 258 Poland 26 S Prussia 264 Germany 267 Principal States of Germaji/ 268 Austria 27 Austrian Dominions 275 Great- Britain 277 England 278 Wales 281 Scotland 282 Ireland 28S Smaller British Isles 285 France 285 Netherlands 288 Holland 291 Switzerland 294 Spain 295 Portugal 299 Italy 302 Mediterranean Islands . 307 Turkey 309 Islands belonging to the Turilih ^inpirc SI 2 ^m CONTENTS. ASIA 3^ Turkey 3iy Asiatic Russia , 322 Tartary ' 323 China 325 Thibet 32 Hindoostan 350 India beyond the Ganges 331 Assam 331 The Birman Empire 332 Siam 333 Malacca 333 Liaos 33^ Cambodia 33^ Cochin China 334, Persia 334 Arabia 335 Japan 33Y Oriental Islands 333. AFRICA 340 Egypt 34^ Nubia, Dar-Foor 344 Abyssinia, and the Eastern Coast 345. Southern and Western Coasts 345. States of Barbary 34^ Morocco 34y Algiers 34^ J""^V 350 Tnpoh 35, iJarca 3^3 African Islands 353 Islands of the Pacific Ocean 357 Austral Asia 3^7 Polynesia 358 ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY, DEFINITIONS, GEOGRAPHY is a Science, which describes the fig^ ure, uiotioti, ma.^nitiide, and coniponcnl parts of the earth ; the siiua'.iuns, extent, and appearances of the various parts of its surface ; its productions, animal and vegetable ; its natural and political divisions ; and the history, manners, customs, and religion of its inhabit mts. The Science, winch treats of the heavenly bodies, and exnlainS their motions, magnitudes, periods, and distances, is c died astronomy: 1 rese two Sciences are so intimately connected, that a con, pete nt knowledge of Gcograpliy is unatl'-dnablej witliout some previous acquaintance with Astronomy. We shall commence this work with the following brief historical account of the origin, progress, and improve- ment of Geography and Astronomy. HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY AND ASTRONOJilY. Geography, like every other science, at its beginning was very imperfect, and arrived at its present improved^ though far from perfect state, by slow advances. The early geographeis, being destitute of mathematical instru- ments, and unable to make asiroiiomical observations, be- gan first to determine the situation of places, according to climates ; which they fixed from the form and color of the people and animals, which were to be found in'those different countries. The appearance of negroes, and of the large animals, such as the rhinoceros, and the ele- phant, suggested to them where to fix th,3 limits of the torrid or burning zone. For reason, said they, points out to usj that similar animals and plants appear in the sanje 10 ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. \ temperature of the elements, and are produced according \ to the similar state of the air or climate vmder the same \ parallels, or a like situation equally distant from either I pole. This was the first rude outline of GeograpJiy. 1 The Babylonians and Egyptians soon after adopted j the method of determining thesituationsof places, or their | distance from the equator, by observing the length of their ' longest and shortcut day, which they determined by means of a kind oi sioi-dial, called & gnomon. All the places, for instance, where the longest day was just fourteen hours, or wliere the shortest day was ten hours, yrerc, of course, at the same distance from the equator. Astronomy, as a science, was first cultivated by the Egyptians, Phenicians, and Chaldeans. From them the Greeks derived their knowledge of this science. The first of the Greeks, who laid the foundation of As- tronomy, was Thalks, born at Miietus, 641 years before Christ. He explained the cause of eclipses, and predict- ed one. He taught that the earth was round, which be- fore had been considered as an extensive plane, while the sun and stars mtived round it. He divided the earth into five zones, discovered the solstices and equinoxes, and divided the year into 36.^ days. He travelled into Egypt, in quest of knowledge, and measured the height of the pyriimids. Pythagoras, the scholar of Thales, taught publicly the doctrir;e, common in his time, ihat the earth was the centre cf the universe j but to Ms scholars, he communi- , cated his real opinions, which weie similar to those since adopted by Copernicus ; that the earth and all the planets move round the sun as their centre ; which doctrine he ia supposed to have derived from the astronomers of India. Philoi.aus, the scliolar of Pytliagoras, and Archytas of Taientum, according to a passage in the works of Cic- ero, first taught publicly the diuriial or daily motion of the earth, and its annual or yearly motion round the sun. This passage is said to have suggested to Copernicus the first idea of that system which he established. Democritus was the first who taught that the milhj way is occasioned by the confused light of an infinity of stars, which ^ the doctri^!(' -.tiH maintained by the best of philosophers. Plato, and Aristotle and Eudoxvs, the ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. n scholars of Plato, contributed much to the improvement of Astronomy. But the greatest improvements in this science were made in the famous astronomical school of Alexandria, founded by Ptolemy Philadelphus, about 320 years before Christ. The first in this school, who distinguished them- selves, were Timocharis and Aristillus, who intro- duced the manner of determining the positions of ihe stars, according to their longitudes and Latitudes^ taken with re- spect to the equator. This led Hipparchus, afterwardsj by an easy transition of thought, to divide the cartii by lines of latitude and longitude, in the same manner as 'I'i- mocharis and Aristillus had the heavens, lienci., uth great justice, he is universally allowed to have fixcci le first solid foundation of Geography, by uniting it to As- tronomy, and so rendering its principles solf-tvident and invariable. This most illustrious astronomer flpuiisiicd between i6vO and 125 years before Chi-ist. The celebrated Eratosthenes, authou of the Armitla' ry S/iherej who first deterinhied wiili exactness, the cir- cumference of the earth, by nieabUiing a degree of the meridian, and discovering tlie true distance of t!ic sun and moon ftom the earth, flourished 100 years before Hippar- chus. In a valuable map, wiiich he constructed, he first introduced a regular ^mrallel of latitude. Among the Romans, Julius Caesar, by his reforma- tion of the Roman Calendar, and by his knowledge of the principles of As.rouomy, contributed more than any oth- er person of tluu nation, to the advancement of Astronomy. The last illustrious Astronomer and Geographer uf the Alexandrian school, was Ptolemy, born at Ptolemais, iit ]:lgypt. He flourished uiuler Adrian and the Antonines. He supposed the cart!-, to be in tiie centre of the system, Mid the heavenly bodies to move r(;und it. In respect to Maps, those on record before the time of Hi}\fiarchuH^ except the single map of /:ra/?).vMi?ncs, before mentioned, wcic little mote than rude otitlines and topo- grap'.iical sketches of difi'ercnl countiies. The earliest maps were those of 6Vo, 18 ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. The periodical revolution of Vesta is 3 years, 2 months^ and 5 days, and its distance from the sun 206,596,000 miles. These late discoveries indicate that there are probably other planets belonging to the Solar System, which have yet escaped the most discerning eyes of Astronomers. COJJI^TS. Beside the planets, there are other bodies belonging to- the solar system, v^^hich have more irregular motionsr These are the Comets, which, descending from the far distant parts of the system, with inconceivable velocity, appear te us sometimes bright and round, like the planet Jupiter ; sometimes with a transparent, fiery tail, projecting from the part opposite to the sun ; 'and sometimes emitting, beams on all sides like hair. They approach much nearer to the sun than any of the planets ; and after a short stay, fly off again with equal rapidity, and disappear. Their or- bits are more elliptical than those of the planets, and their bodies of much greater density than the earth ; for some of them are heated to sucl> a degree as would vitrify or dissipate any substance known to us. Sir Isaac Newton computed the heat of the comet, which appeared in 1680, when nearest the sun, to be 2000 times greater than that of red hot iron. The number, magnitudes, and motions of the comets, be- longing to our system, are very imperfectly known. Con- jecture has limited them to 450. The elements of 97 have been imperfectly determined. The periods of only three have been ascertained. They are found to return at inter- vals of 75, 129, and 575 years. THE FIXED STARS Are those heavenly bodies, \ hich, at all times, preserve the same situation with regard to each other. Though they form no part of the solar system, yet they must be considered here, as they are of great use in the practice of geography. To facilitate their computations, astrono- LEMEHTS OF GEOGRAI>HY. W mefs consider these stars as all equally distant from our sun, and forming the concave surface of a sphere inclosing^ our system. They are distinguished from the planets by their twinkling. A number of stars, which appear to lie in the neighbor- hood of each other, are called a Constellation. These are 90 in number, and are called by the name of some animal, or other object, whose figure the outline of the constellation is supposed to represent. Some stars are not included in any- of the constellations, and are denominated unformed stars. According to their diflferent apparent magnitudes, they are called stars of ihejirjtf second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth magnitudes. Tiie Galaxy, or Milky Way, is a broad circle, encom* passing the heavens, which appears to consist of innumera- ble stars, forming one continued dense cluster, and by theif blended rays, diffusing a whiteness over that part of the firmament. The number of stars is unknown ; La Land estimates them at 75,000,000 ; but this is supposed to fall far short cf their real number ; and we have reason to suppose, that those which are visible bear no comparison in number ta those that are invisible. They increase in our view, as the telescope approximates to perfection. With respect to the distances of the fixed stars, they are so extremely remote, that nothing in the planetary system can compare with them. Though the diameter of the earth's orbit be not less than 190,000,000 f miles ; yet this immense space makes not the smallest difference in their appearance ; for they seem to be as large, when view- ed from the farthest, as from the nearest point of the earth's orbit. Their distance is too great for human beings to conceive, and gives rise to the pleasing and sublime con- jecture, that each of the fixed stars is a sun, illuminating a complete system of planets, which i evolve about it as their centre. An Eclipse is a total or partial privation of the the sun or moon. n ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAMV. An eclipse of the moon is caused by its entering Into the earth's shadow ; and consequently, it must happen at the/ul/ moon, or when it is opposite to the sun. An eclipse of the sun is caused by the interposition of the m.oon between the earth and sun, and, of course, must happen when the moon is in conjunction with the sun, or at the ne'u/ moon. The diameters of the sun and itioon are supposed to be divided into 12 equal parts, called digits ;' and an eclipse is said to be so many digits, according to the number of those parts which are involved in the greatest darkness* DOCTRINE OF THE SPHERE. Principles. The fundaiftental principles of Geography are, the spher= ''*'^i. served. In order to render these globular bodies more useful, they are fitted up with certain appurtenances, whereby a great variety of useful problems are solved in a very easy and expeditious manner. The Brazen Meridian is that ring or hoop in which the globe hangs on its axis, which is repiesented by two wires passwg through the poles. This circle is divided into four quarters, of 90 degrees each ; in one semicircle, the divis- ions begin at each pole, and end at 90 degrees where they meet. In the other semicircle, the divisions begin at the middle, and proceed thence towards each pole, where there are 90 degrees. The graduated side of this brazen circle serves as a meridian for any point on the surface of the earth, the globe being turned about till that point comes unde^r the circle. The Hour Circle is a small circle ef brass, divided into twenty-four hours, the quarters and half quarters. It is fixed to the brazen meridian, with its centre over the north pole ; to the axis is fixed an index, that points out the di- visions of the hour circle, as the globe is turned round on its axis. The Horizon is represented by tlie Upper surface of the wooden circular frame, encompassing the globe about, its middle. On this wooden frame is a kind of perpetual cal- endar, contained in several concentric circles ; the inner one is divided into four quarters of 90 degrees each ; the next circle is divided into the twelve months, with the days in each, according to the new style ; the next contains the twelve equal signs of the ecliptic, each being divided into thirty degrees f the next, the twelve months and days, ac- cording to the old style ; and there is another, circle, con- tRining the t^irtj-two points of the tompss> witli tneir ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. .^5 halves and quarters. Although these circles are on all ho- rizons yet they were not always placed in the same order. .The Quadrant cf Altitude is a thin slip of brass, one edge of which is graduated into 90 degrees and their quarters, e- qual to those in the meridian. To one end of this is fixed a brass nut and screw, by which it is put on and fastened to the meridian ; if it be fixed in the zenith or pole of the ho- rizon, then the graduated edge represents a \ertical circle, passing through any point. Besides these, there are several circles described on the surface of botli globes. Such as the equinoxial, or eclip- tic, circles of longitude and right ascension, the tropics, po- lar circles, parallels of latitude and declination, on the ce- lestial globe ; and on the terrestrial, the equator, the eclip- tic, tropics, polar circles, parallels of latitude, hour circles, or meridians, to every fifteen degrees ; and on some globes, the spiral rhumbs, flowing from the several centres, called flies. In using the globes, keep the east side of the horizon to- wards you, unless the problem require the turning it, which side you may know by the word East, on the horizon ; for then you have the graduated meridian towards you, the quadrant of altitude before you, and the globe divided ex- actly into two equal parts, by the graduated side of the meridian. The following problems, as being most useful and en- tertaining, aie selected from a grpat variety of others, which are easily solved with a globe, fitted up with the afore- mentioned appurtenances. I. The latitude cf a place being givetty to rectify the globe for thai place. Let it be required to rectify the globe for the latitude of Boston, 42 degrees 23 minutes north. Elevate the north pole, till the horizon cuts the brazen meridian in 42 23', and the pole is then rectified for the latitude of Boston. Bring Boston to the meridian, and you will find it in the zenith, or directly on the top of the globe. And so for any other, place. C . 26 E1.EMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. II. To Jind the latitude and longitude of any place on the ter- ' restrial globe. Bring the given place under that side of the graduated brazen meridian where the degrees begin at the equator, then the degree of the meridian over it shows the latitude, and the degree of the equator, under the meridian, diows the longitude. Thus Boston will e found to lie in^^42 2-3' north lati- tude, and 70 .58' west longitude from London, or 3 !(/ east longitude from Philadelphia. III. To Jind any place on the glole, whose latitude and longitude are given. Bring the given longitude, found on the equator, to the meridian, and under the given latitude, found on the me- lidian, is tiie place sought. IV. To Jind the distance and bearing oj any ttvo given places, en the glole. Lay the graduated edge of the quadrant of altitude o- ver both places, the beginning, or degrees, being on one of tliem, and the degrees between them show their distance ; these degrees, multiplied by 60, give the distance in En- glish miles nearly. V. To find the sun's place in the ecliptic. Look at the day of the month in the outer calendar upon the horizon, (if the globe was made before the alteration of the style) and opposite to it you will find the sign and degree the sun Is in that Jay, Thus on the 25th of March, the sun's place is 44 degrees in Aries. Then look for that sign and degree in the ecliptic line, marked on the globe, and you will find the sun's place ; there fix on a small black patch, so it is prepared for the solution of the follow- ing problems. VI. To find the sun's declination, that is, his distance Jrcn the equinoxial line, either northward or southtvard. Bring his place to the meridian, observe what degree Y Note. The greatest declination can never be more than 23 28' either north or south ; that bemg tlie distance of tke tropics from the equinoxial, beyond which the iun never goes. VII. To /i.'iJ tvhere thz sun h vertical on any day ; that is, fo find over whose heads the sun ilhU pass that day. Bring the sun's place to the meridian, observe his decli- nation, or hold a pen or wire over it, then turn llie globe . round, and aii those countries which pass under the wire, will have the sun over their heads that day at noon. Note. This appearance can only happen to those who live in the torrid zoncy because the sun never gees fartlier from the equinoxial, northward or southward, tlian the two tropics, from whence he turns again. VIII. To find over 'whose heads the sun is, at any hour, or at . ivhat place the sun Is vertical. Bring the place where you are, (suppose at Boston,) to the meridian ; set the index to the given hour by your watch ; then turn the globe till the index points to the upper 12, or noon ; look under the degree of declination for that day, and you will find the place to which the sun is vertical, or over whose heads it is at that time. IX. To findf at any hour of the day, ivhai o'clock it is at any place in the world. Bring the place where you are to the brass meridian ; set the index to the hour by the watch, turn tire globe till llie place you are looking for come under the meridian, aid the index will point out the time required. X. To find at what hour the sun rises and sets any day in the year ; and also upon 'what point of the compass. Rectify the globe for the latitude of the placevou are in ; bring the sun's place to the meridian, and setmie index to 12 ; then turn the sun's place to the eastern edge of the horizon, and the index will point out the hour of rising ; :f you bring it to the western edge of the horizon, the in^ dex will show the hour of setting. 28 ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. XI. Tajind the length of the day and night at any time 0/ f/je year. Double the time of the sun's rising that dav, and it gives the length of the night ; double the time of its setting, and it gives the length of the day. XII. To f.nd the length of the longest or shortest day^ at any . place upon the earth. Rectify the globe for that place ; if its latitude be north, bring the beginning of Cancer to the meridian ; set the in- dex to twelve, then bring tiie same degree of Cancer to the east part of the horizon, and the index will show the time of the sun's rising. If the same degree be brought to the western side, the index will show the time of his setting, which doubled (as in the ]ast problem) will give the length of the longest day and shortest night. If v.-e bring the beginning of Capricorn to the meridian, and proceed in all respects as before, we shall have, the length of the longest night and shortest day. Thus, in the Great MoguFs dominions, the longest day is 14- hours and the shortest night 10 hours. The shortest day is 10 hours, and the longest night 14 hours. At Petersburghs tlie capital of the Russian empire, the longest day is about lyg- hours, and the shortest night ^\ hours. The, shortest day 4^ hours, and the longest night lOj hours, Note. In all places near the equator, the sun rises and cets at six o'clock all the year. From thence to the polar circles^ the days increase as the i.ttitude increases ; so that at those circles themselves, tlie longest day is 24 hours and the longest night just the same. From ihe polar circles to the poles, the days continue to lengthen into weeks and months ; so that at the very poles, the sun shines for six months t(|iBther in sumtner, and is absent from it six months in iv'inSer Note, also, that when it is summer with the north- itn inhabitants, it is tvljiter with the southern, and the con- trary ; and every part of the world partakes of nearly an equal share of light and darkness. ELEMENTS OF GfeO'GRAPHy. S9 XIII. To find all those Inhabitants to ivhom the sun is this mo- ment rising or setting;, in their meridians, or midnignt. Find the sun's place in the ecliptic, and raise the pole a much above the horizon as the sun, that day declines from the equator ; then bring the place where the sun is verli- cal at that hqpr, to the brass meridian ; so will it then be in the zenith, or centre of the horizon. Now see what countries lie on the western edgQ of the horizon, for to them the sun is rising ; to those on the eastern side he is set- ting ; to those under the upper part of tlie meridian, it is noon- day ; and to those under the lower part of it, it is midnight. Thus, on the 10th of April at four o\lock in the morn- ing, at Charlestown, (Mass.) It is son-rise at Brazil, South-America, ("New Guinea, the Japan Sun-setting at | j^j^^ ^^^ Kamtschatka, Mid-day, or noon, at Persia andNova-Zembla. r The Bay of Good Hope, Midnight at < in the vicinity of King (. George's Sound. MAPS. A Map Is a representation of the earth's surface, or some part of it, delineated on a plane, accordiag to the laws of perspective, and contains such circles, br parts of circles, as the size and situation of the phsce delineated will admit. The top of a map represents the north, the bottom, the south ! the right hand side, the east, and the left hand, the west. F?m the top to the bottom, are drawn merid- ians or lines of longitude : and from side to side, paral- lels of latitude. The outermost of the meridians and par- allels are marked with degrees, by means of which, and a scale of miles usually placed in the corner of a map, the situations and distances of places may be found, as on the artificial globe Rivers are dart of its surface to the direct action of the moon twice each day, and thus produces two floods and two ebbs. BiTt because the moon is, in the mean time, passing from west to ea'jjtjn its orbit, it arrives at the meridian of any place, later flyigHi^ did the preceding day ; whence the tv/o floods and ebbs require nearly 2.5 hours to com- plete them. The tide is highest about three hours after the moon has passed the meridian ; for though the force be greater at that time, yet the greatest eifect cannot ap- pear on the water till sometime afterward. When the moon is in conjunction or opposition with the sun, they both tend to raise the water in the same place. The tides are then highest, and are called sj)nt?^ tides. When the sun and moon are OC^ from each other, the sun depresses those parts which the irocn raises. They are then lower than ordinary, and are called neap ticks. Hence the highest lides happen at the time of rew and full moon, and the lowest when the mooa is at her first and third quarters. i6 ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. The motion and height of the tl(^, as they pass over shoals, and run through straits and inlets, become more various. The Mediterranean and BdJfeic seas have very small tides, because the inlets by which they communi- cate with the ocean are so narrow, that they cannot in so short time, receive or discharge so much, as sensibly to raise or depress their surfaces. In the bay of Fundy, be- tween Nova- Scotia and the United States, the tides rise to the height of 60 feet, and flow so rapidly as to overtake animals feeding on the shore. There are no tides in Jakes, they being in general so small, that the moon attracts ev- ery part of them equally, and therefore no part of the wa^ ter is raised above the other. THE ATMOSPHERE. The Atmosphere^ or Alt; is a fine, invisible, and elastic, fluid, surrounding the eartli- and extending some miles from its surface. Without this element, no animal or veg- etable could exist ; there could be neither rain nor dews, to moisten the earth ; and though the heavenly bodies might be visible, as bright specks, yet we should have nei- ther day-light nor twilight, but utter darkness. Air is al- y, so the vehicle of sound ; without it we should not be able ^ to converse with each other, nor even to breathe. By its gravity, air is capable of supporting ail lighter bodies ; as smoke, vapors, odors, &c. - - il*f WINDS. ' When the air is heated, it becomes rarer, and therefore ascends, and the surrounding cold air, rushing in to supply its place, forrris a current in some one direction. A cur- rent of air^ thus put in motion, is called Wind- Constant, or General Winds, are such as blow always in the same direction. These prevail in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, between the latitudes of about 28 north and south, and blow constantly from northeast and south- east toward the equator. These are also called Tropical or Genera! Trade Winds. Periodical Winds are those, which blow in certain direc- tions, during certain periods of time. In some parts the ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. S7 Indian ocean, the wind blows six months in one direction, and then six months in the opposite direction. The chang- es happen about the time of the equinoxes and are at- tended with dreadful storms of thunder and lightning. These are called Monsoons, or Shifting Trade Winds. In the West-Indies, the winds blow from the land in the night, and from the sea during the day, changingtheir direction every twelve hours. These are called Zan/ ^ViiZea Bree'z.es. Variable Winds are those, which are subject to no regu- larity of duration or change. The constant and periodical w'inds blow only at sea ; on land the wind is always 'variable. Many parts of the world, and the West-Indies in par- ticular, are frequently visited by Hurricanes. They are sudden and violent storms of wind, rain, thunder and lightning, attended with great swelling of the sea, and sometin:es with earthquakes. There are signs by which the inhabitants are warned of their approach. Some tim before they come on, the sky is troubled ; the sun more red than usual ; there is a dead calm below ; zrtd the tops of the mountains are free from the mists which usually hover about them. In the caverns of the earth, and in wells, a hollow rumbling noise is heard, like the rushing of a great wind. At night, the stars seem much larger than common ; the northwest sky has a black and me- nacing appearance ; the sea emits a strong smell, and r:es into va-t waves, often without any wind. These terrible storms happen principally in the month of Au- gust ; destroying all the produce of the ground ; tearing up trees ; ovei turning buildings ; and inundatbg large tracts of land. The deserts of Africa and Arabia give a burning heat and blasting quality to the air pat,!ng over them. Al Goree, on the river Senegal, there is an easterly wind from tl;e inland parts, with which thnie, v.ho are suddenly met by it in tlie face, are scorched, as by a blast from a {"urnace. At the F.)lLlcind I.slanc? an cxtraordir.nry blasting wind i.-; tcit, bi:t iis duration is scldc^m rr:ore than twcnty-four lionrs. it cuts down the hoiLago, as if fires Iiad been made under them ; tl:e leaves are parched ^p snd crun- b!e into dust ; fowl;;;:;; scizvr! \.:ui cran-p-, r.nd n -vfj D 3S ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. recover ; men are oppressed with a stopped perspiration* heaviness at the breast, and sore throat, but recover with proper care. T^e most dreadful winds, peihaps, are those in the deserts near Bagdad, called Samoul, or Mortifying Winds. The camels perceive their approach, and are said to make an unusual noise, and cover their noses in the sand. To escape their effects, travellers throw themselves as close' on the ground as possible, and wait till the winds have passed over, which is commonly in a few minutes. Thus some escape ; but those who die, have their limbs mor- tified. In Italy, a wind blows, for several days, called Siroceo, which is fatal to vegetation, and destructive to the inhab- itants ; depressing their spirits, and suspending the pow ors of digestion, so that those who venture to eat a heavy supper, while this wind prevails, are frequently found dead the next morning. It is felt with peculiar violence at Palermo. ' In the deserts of Africa, there are prodigious pillars of sand, which move with great velocity. Mr, Bruce saw several of these at once, some of which appeared to hi ten feet in diameter. They began immediately after the ris- ing of the Gun, and his rays shining through them, gave them the appearance of pillars of iire. There is a phenomenon, called the IVaier-Spout, hanging under a deep cloud, in the form of a cone, with the vertex downward ; and under it the sea boils up, and rises in a conical form These cones sometimes meet, and they gen- erally begin to appear together : they sometimes move for a considerable space before they break. When they appear at sea, and approach a ship, it is said the sailors lire at them and bre;ik them, as it might be dangerous if they should meet with a ship and break over it. The water-spout is supposed to be an electrical phenomenon. A IVhtrlwlnd is a wind, wliich rises suddenly ; it is ex- tiemely rapid and impetuous, taking up all light sub* stances from the earth, which it meets with, and carrying them up in a spiral motion. Dr. Franklin supposes that the whirUind and water-spcut proceed from the same Cause. They have each a progrrssive and circular mo- tioR ; they usually rise after calms and great heats,, an probably, the effects of the electrical fluid. VAPORS AND CLOUDS. Vapors are raised from the surface of the moist eartk and waters, the principal cause of which is, probably, the heat of the sun ; the evaporation being alwa>s ([Greatest when the heat is greatest. The vapors, thus raised, by heat, ascend into the cold regions of the aL-TiiOsphere, and form Cloudsy which aie of the same nature as dews and fogs upon the earih. When the water in the air ceases to bo suspended, it falls down, and the particles, uniting in falling, forrn drops, or Rain. If it be very cold in those regio'is where the rain begins to be formed, it then descends in Snoiv. When the drops of rain are formed, and are descending, if in their descent they pass through a region of the air cold enough to freeze them, they descend in Hail, ELECTRICITY. The earth and all bodies, with wlilch we are acquaint- ed, are supposed to contain a certain quantity of an ex- ceedingly elastic fluid, called the Electric Jluid Li^hining is the electric liuid in the atmosphere ; dis- charging itself, sometimes from one cloud to another, and sometimes from the clouds to the earth. This discharge occasions the awful roll, or sound, called Thunder. A machine, fitted up v/ith certain appurteiiances, for the purpose of exciting electric fluid, and making it per- ceptible to the senses, is called an Electrical machim. The sudden discharge of the fluid contained in the machine, gives a painful sensation to any animal placed within the circuit of its communication, called the Electrical Shock. That lightning and the electric fluid are one and the same substance, has been proved by Dr. Franklin and others. Lightning stiikes the highest and most polny^d objects ; reads bodies to pieces and sets th9in on fixe j dn- 40 ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. solves metals ; and destroys animal life ; in all which, it agrees with the phenomena produced by an electrical apparatus. Some fishes have the power of giving shocks, similar to those of artificial electricity. The torpedo, found in the rivers of South- America, v/hen touched by the naked hand, or any conductor, produces a strong, electric shock. The gymnotus electricus, and some others, possess the same power. Electricity has been administered for various diseases of the human body } some of which have been relieved, and others perfectly cured. LIGHT. ' JjIGHt is that, which, proceeding from a certain body to ihe eye, prviduces the perception oi seeing. An exceeding, ly siTiall portion of light, is called a Ray, A larger body of light consisting of many parallel rays, is called a Beam. The rays of light fly with amazing swiftness, at the ratCj it is computed, of 11,875,000 miles in a minute* or more than a million times swifter than a cannon ball, v/nich' is computed to move 8 miles in a minute. Light i'l found to proceed from both animal and vegetable sub- stances in a putrid state. The T-zuiligfjl is that faint light, which appears in the east in tlva morning before tlie sun rises, and gradually Tanishes in the west after hf sets. The sun is the original source o( light to our system ; .md thbucji it rise and set all over the earth, yet the cir- cumstances attending' its rising and setting aie very differ- ent in diiierent countries. In the equatorial regions, darkness comes on very soon after sunset ; because the convexity of the earth conies quickly between the sun and the eye of the observer. Pro- ceeding from the equator, the tv.'ilight continues a longer time after sunset ; and, in 4S^ N. latitude, it continues through the night in the rr;onth of June. As we approach the poles, the twilight becomes brighter and brighter, till at last the sun does not appear to touch the horizon, but is seen above it many days successively. On the other h.ind, in Vvinter, the sun sinks lower and lower, till it does ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. 4.1 aot appear at all, and there is only a dim twilight, for an hour or two, in the middle of the day. Nothwithsianding the seeming inequality in the distribu- tion of light and darkness, it is certain that, throughout the whole world, there is nearly an equal proportion of light diffused on every part, abstracted from what is ab- sorbed by clouds, vapors, and the atmosphere itself. The equatorial regions have indeed the most intense light dur- ing the day, but the nights are long and dark ; while, on the other hand, in the northerly and southerly parts, though the sun shines less powerfully, yet the length of time that he appears above the horizon, with the greater duration ot twilight, make up for the seeming deficiency. THE HARVEST MOON, It is a remarkable and Iiighly beneficial circumstance, that in those countries which aie at considerable distsncee from the equator and the poles, the autumnal full moons, rise nearly at sunset, from the first to the third quarter ; a dispensation singularly calculated to faciiilaie the reap- ing and gathering in the fruits of the earth. This phe- nomenon is called the Harvest Mocn. It is farther observ- able, that this appearance in the autumnal months is pe- culiar to the full moon ; for though, in every month, the moon for several successive days will vary the time of her rising very little j yet in the vernal months, ihis happer.y at the time of the new mocn ; in the winter months, abour. tlie time of the first quarter ; and in summer, at sJie time of the last quarter. In the latitude of 50 north, tlie lime o( the moon's rising is observed to vary only two hours in six days. NORTHERN LIGHT. The Aurora Eorcails, or Norihern Light, in many parts of the northern hemisphere, enables the inhabitants to pur- sue their occupations duiing the absence of the sun. No satisfactory conjectuie has yet been ioiined, as to the cause of this phenom.enon. Some liave supposed it to be elec- trical matter, imbibed by the canh U0>T1 the ran, ;n vh-e U. ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. warm latitudes, and passing off through the upper regioQa of the atmosphere, to the place whence it came. These lights commonly appear at twilight, near the liorizon, of a dun color, approaching to yellow, and some- times continue in that state for several hours, without any apparent motion. In the Shetland Isles, and other north- ern regions, they are the constant attendants of clear even- ings, and prove a great relief amid the gloom of long win- ter nights ; and are there called Merry Dancers. They sometimes break out into streams of strong light, spread- ing into columns, and altering slowly into thousands of different shapes varying their colours, from all th tints of yellow, to the most obscure russet. They often cover the whole hemisphere, affording a most brilliant prospect* At other times, they assume the color of blood, and make a very dreadful appearance. They have generally a quick tremulous motion, which continues till the whole vanishes* HEAT AND COLD. The presence of the sun is one of the principal sources sf heat, and its absence the cause of cold. But, were these the only sonrces of heat and cold, there would be, in the iame p.irallels of latitude, the same degree of heat and cold, at the same season ; which is not the fact ; for very liot days are frequently felt in the coldest climates, and very cold weather, and even perpetual snow, is found in eountries under the equator. One 'source is from the earth ; probably arising from a mass of heat diffused through it, which, imparted from the earth to the atmosphere, tends greatly to moderate the se- verity of the winter's cold. It is probably fiom this in- ternal heat, that snow generally begins to melt first at the bottom. Another source of heat is the condensation ot vapor, which warms the surrounding atmosphere. This condensation is frequently formed by the attraction of an electrical cloud : and hence the great sultriness often ex- perienced before a storm. As the earth is a source of heat, so distance from it is a source of cold ; and it is found in ascending the atmos- fhere, Uiat tiie cel^i iji?re^es^ Xhf tops f the highest ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHV. 4 mountains, even under the equator, are continually cover- ed with snow. The same cause, which makes condensation a source of heat, makes evaporation a source of cold ; as it absorbs the fire in tiie latter instance, which it gives out in the former. The instrument made use of in measuring the different degrees of heat and cold in tl>^ atmosphere, is called a Thermometer The action of freezing is always instantaneons. Ice is lighter than the same buik of water, and this is the reason of its floating upon the surface. Boiled water is more easily frozen, than that which has not been boiled ; ansl that which is a little agitated, than that which is entirely at rest. POLITICAL DIVISONS OF THE EARTH. The habitable parts of the globe are divided into wha are commonly, though very inaccurately, called four. QUARTERS, which, according to their magnitude, may be ranked as follows ; America, Asia, Africa, Europe. Of these divisions, Europe is tlie smallest, but the most improved and civvlizcd ; Africa the most barbarous, and the least known ; Asm the wealthiest, and the most an- ciently inhabited ; America the largest, the grandest, as to its mountains and rivers, the least populous and wealthy, the last explored and inhabited. Suhdivi:,ions. Tliese grand divisions of the globe, for the purposes of government, &c. are subdivided into innume- lab'e districts, or portions, of various extent, and under va- rious names ; as Empires, Kingdoms, RepuUus, States, Depart- ments, PriMcipalUksf Dukedoms, Dutchies, Counties, Cities, I'o-wn- ilAps, Parishes, &c. Different nations have different names fur tliese divisions, but they mean much the same tiling. Several coimtrics, or principaliiies, with diffcient gov- crnments, confederated under one sovereign oi Lead, is called an Empire ; as the German En;pire, which is com- posed of about .'WO principalities j and the Russian Em- pire, which includes many extensive countries, that are divided into 42 different govtrnments, combined under "Urt- Emperor, who i the head of the Empire, U ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. The territories, subject to one monarch or king, fortrt a Kingdom. Such are Great-Britain, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, &c. A number of separate states having governors, consti- tutions, and laws of their own, confederated under one general government with an elective head, are called a Republic. A Republic, according to others, is a govern- ment in which the executive power does not lie in the hands of a single person. Such is the government of the United States of America. States and Departments are component parts of republics. Principalities, Dukedoms, and Dutchies are branches of em- pires and kingdoms. Counties, Cities, Toavmhips, Parishes^ &c. are less divisions, common to republics, empires, king- doms, and states. In some parts of the southern states of America, a parish answers to a county. In the northern states, a parish is a district incorporated for the purpose of supporting public worship. Towns are districts of various extent, commonly about Mi miles square, incorporated for the purpose of choosing representatives, and managing their own internal affairs. All such districts, without regard to the number of houses r inhabitants, are called Towns, and sometimes Toiunships, in the New- England states. In the southern states, this name is given on!y to places containing a number of houses, less or more, compactly built. INHABITANTS. The human inhabitants of the earth are composed of an astonishing number of different nations, of various colors, features, languages, religions, customs, and occu- pations ; and subject to the various forms of civil and ec- clesiastical government. There seem to be about six varieties in tJie liuman spe- cies, each strongly marked, and indicating little mixture- The Jirst around the polar regions. The Laplanders, the Esquimaux Indians, t}]e Samoeid Tartars, the inhabi- tants of Nova Zembia, the Borandians, the Greenhmder?, and Kami.chadait;s, may be consideied as one race, re- sembling each ether in stature, complexion; and customs. ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. 45 The second great variety in the human species is the Tartar race ; whose country comprehends a great part of Asia ; and consequently Includes a number of nations, of arious forms and complexions : but, however different from each other, they agree in being unlike any other peo- ple. To this race is referred the Chinese and the Japanese. A third variety in the human species, is the southern A- siatics. The nations of the Peninsular India, seem to be the stock whence the islands scattered in the Indian Ocean have been peopled. The fourth variety in tlie human species, is the negroes which inhabit the southern parts of Africa, from 18 N. to the Cape of Good Hope. The Aboriginal Americans, or Indians, constitute the f.fth race of mankind. The sixth variety of the human species, is the Europe- ans, and their descendants in America : also the nations bordering on Europe, including the Georgians, Circas- sians, and Mingrelians, the inhabitants of Asia Minor, and the north of Africa, with part of the countries northwcs-t of the Caspian sea. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT. For their common security and welfare, tl)e inhabitants of the earth have formed themselves into communities, and instituted government, varying in its forms. The govern- ment of no two nations, perhaps, is exactly similar. There are but thrcf. kinds of simple forms of government. Monar- chy, Aristocracy, and Democracy.* All other govern- ments must, of course, be a mixture of these. The earliest form of government was a species of Mon- archy, called Patriarchal government, in which the chief magistrate, so far as related to government, sustained the authority of a father over his people This form of gov- ernment is said to have existed in China, for a long suc- cession of years. When the sovereign power is exercised by one man, that government is called a Mr-narchy. The chief magistrate in a monarchical government is styled variously King^ Monarch, Emperor, Sovereign. Monarchies are of diilerent kinds, despotic, absolute or arbitrary, limited or mixedj Jou^N Ap;vM3, IJ^^, late presid^Qt of the Uttited Stat,^ 46 ' ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. according to the degree of power vested in the sovereign. The Turkish government is an example of the former : that of Great- Britain of the latter. An Aristocracy is a government of nobles. Of this kind was the goremment of Venice, till its revolution in 1797. Governments formed by a free people, -or by their prop- er representatives, and administered by officers of their own choice, and where the executive power is not vested in an individual, are called Democracies or Republics. The fundamental laws of a state or country, which se- cure the rights of its inhabitants, and regulate the conduct fits rulers, are called its CoNsriTUTiON. RELIGIONS. Mankind, in respect to religion, may be divided into Christians^ Jews, Mahometans, Deists, and Pagans or Hea' thens. Christiaxs. All who profess to be the disciples and followers of Jesus Christ, are called Christians. The greater part of the inhabitants of Europe, and of the A- merican United States, together with those in the Spanish parts of South-America, the West-India islands, and some feA' parts of Asia and Africa, are of this denomination. Christians are divided into \. Roman Catbolics, who have a Pope at their head, and are thence often called Papists. Tliese are a numerous sect of Christians, inhabiting the southern and intejior parts cf Europe. The Spanish, French, and Portuguese settlements in different parts of the world are mostly of this sect. 2. Protestants, a name given in J 529 to all who renounc- ed the Roman Catholic religion, and emiiraced the princi- ples of the reformation. Protestants are divided into Lutherans and Calvinists, as they embrace the doctrines peculiar to Luther or Calvin, two of the first and most conspicuous Reformers. Lutherans and Calvinists are subdivided into Episcopali- ans, PresbyteriansK Congregaiionalisls, Independents, Anabaptists, commonly called Baptists, and Methodists ; and these are again divided into Moravians, or United Brethren, Caj-- Tfinists, Arminians, Arians and Socinians, or UnitariaflSj tjaiversalists, Mpaijguists, Tunkecs, &c. ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. 4? Under the head of Prostestnnts, may be ranked also the FkrENDS, commonly called Quakers^ a respectable, peace- ful and industrious body of people. 3. The Greek Church, which is the religion of the Euro- pean part of the Russian empire, and of part of Turkey in Europe, resembling, in many particulars, the Roman Catholic religion. Its professors like the Catholics, keep I^ent and many other days of fasting ; they have numer- ous ceremonies in their worship have holy tvater, &c. The great saticitfication of the w-j/^/tj is performed at i'eters- hurg, twice in the year, in commemoration of the baptism of our Saviour, in the most splendid and magnificent man- ner. They d'ffer from the Roman Catholics, in thak they have never acknowledged the Reman Pontiff, or Pope. Of the Christian sects, the Roman Catholics are the most numerous ; next the Greek Church ; next Protestants. The former are decreasing, and the latter increasing. The Jfws are the seed of Abraham, or the descendants of the chosen people of Gcd, who formerly inhabited Ju- dea, but are now dispersed, and have became a. proverb, im fulfilment of scripture prr.phecies, in almost every nation under heaven. They adhere to the Old Testament scrip- ture but rtject the New. l^heir number is not known, Snnie have conjectured that they amount to about three millions. The Mahometans derive their name and doctrine from Mahomet, a native of Arabia, who flourished from the year GOO to 6'i2, after Christ. The book which contains their religion is called the Alcoran, and is the same to a Mahom- etan as the B'lhle is to a Cliristian. The Mahometans, as well as Christians, are divided into a great variety of sects, under difit'rent names. Deists. All such as assert the sufficiency, universality, and absolute perfection of natural religion, v<'nh a view to discredit and discard all extraordinary rcjilaiion, as useless and needless, are called Deists. Lord Herbert, in the 17th century, was the first who reduced Deism to a system. Pagans or Heathens. Those people who repie^ent the Deity under various foims or images, or who pay di- vine wor^]}ip to the sun, fire, beasts, or any of the crea- tures of God, are called Pagans, or Heathens. 48 ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. The Pagans are more numerous than all other religious sects collected, making it is supposed, as many, as nineteen thirtieths of mankind. The Pagans inhabit all other parts of the globe, whick are not inhabited by Christians, Jews, Deists, or Mahome- tans. They are divided into innumerable sects, most of which have different idols or objects, to which they pay divine worship. The worship of the Grand Lama is the most ex- tensive and splendid mode of Paganism This species is professed by a large proportion of the people cf Asia. The Grand Lama is a name given to the High Priest of the Thibetian Tartars, who resides at Patoli, a vast pal- ace, on a mountain, near the banks of the river Baram- pooter. At tlie foot of this mountain reside 20,000 Lamas or Priests. His worshippers are very numerous., and come from far distant countries. The emperor cf China ac- knowledges him in his religious capacity. The Grand Lama is never to be seen, but in a secret place in his palace, amidst a great number of lamps, sit- ting cross-legged, upon a cushion, and decked all over with gold and precious stones ; where at a distance, the people prostrate themselves btfore him. It being unlawful for any so much as to kiss his feet. He returns not the least sign of respect, nor ever speaks, even to the greatest princes ; but only lays his hand on their heads, and they are fully persuaded they receive from thence a full for- giveness of all their sins. It would be endless, almost, to enumerate all the ob- jects and modes of Pagan worship. OF THE DIVISIONS OF TIME. The idea of time is acquired by corisidciing the parts of duration, as passing in succession, and separated by inter- nals ; the idea of a day, a month, a year, &c. is obtained, by observing certain appearances uniformly returning at regular periods, includuig equal spaces ; by multiplying and combining these, we procure different measures of time : for instance a Day is a division of time, measured by the appearance and disappearance of the sun ; this .period is of two kinds artiPiciil, and natural. ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. -19 The arufiaal day is tlic tur.c of light, or of ihe sun's ap- pearance above the horizon : in opposition to which, the time of darknci^s. or of the sun's continuance below the -Iiorizon, is called night. The natural ov civil day, is that space of time wherein the sun rcmpletc'S his circuit round the earih ; or, to speak properly and astronomically, the time of an entiie revolu- tion of the equator. This period is the positive appoint- ment of infinite Wisdom, v/hose pnjlonged operations \\c call the course of nature. . The revolution of the earth on its axis causes a seeming revolution of the sun, and thus forms a measure of tim.e, whicli we call a day ; this is evidently founded on nature, and is ihe consequence of our observation of the sun : but as the sun seems always alike, and never varies its form, or f^'eneral aspect, the eye does not deiive from him the means of compuiiiig longer periods,of time ; for this, it turns to the moon, whose appointment being to enlighten nigh.t, and who " nightly changes in her circling orb," the notice of these chiuiges becomes the register of a period of tim.e, longer than what can be gathered from the sun. There arc lour particular inst.^.nces of the moon's course, v/hich are so peculiarly marked, it is impossible to mis- take or confound them ; ^first., when it is just visible in a small crescent in the evening ; secondly, when it is exactly bisected, having the light to the right hand ; thirdly, when it is full ; and fourlhy, when it is exactly bisected, having th.e light to the left hand. These correspond nearly to every seventh day, wheitby they iurnish the measures of that period t\ tin:e v^-e call a ivcih, and, T.nited, form the still longer piTiod of a month. Ey months, was long the prevailing mode of reckoning ; as requiring no trouble, no calculation ; simply an inspection of the nightly luminary, ai;d a correspondent memorandum of her aspect. iSh'nihs and vveelcs evidently began together, being reg- Tilattd !)y the course of the mcon ; but nations acted with great diveisi'y, in fi.vingthe beginning of their days ; seme con)pu'!ng jvom the risings others fixm the setting of the si,n, ci;l;ers ivv.xn i:q: w, oihcrs frrna night. 'J'he ancient B:d-)y!(.n::;ns Per-i.ms, Syrians, and n;oa other eastern na- tions, the Cireeks, ^h mile is iibout 3; English. The German is more than 4 ; the Danish and Hungarian, rriore than 5 ; and the Swedish nenrly 7 Englisli miles '1 he raanne or geographical mile is longer than the rommon, or English mile. In a degree of the earth's cir- cumference, there a:c GO geog. aphical miiles, which are equal to 61.4 English miles. In calculating the distance of pl;ices, by degrees of Inn- oi'.iiue, gecc^rapliers generally assume the capital, or some other remarkable phicc ol tr.en own country, as the fixed i-neridian. Thus tl.e French reckon their longitude ficta ',he meridian of Paris, and the English reckon theirs from Greenwich, which is the scat of the Royal ObscTvatory. In tlie prcstn': work, the loi'^giiudc, v. here it is not other ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. 51 wise expressed, is calculated from the meridian oF Phlla- dflphi-a, which is 75 S' -IS'' west from Greenwich. ThiLnph of Mils t Leagues, l^c. ancieni and modern, in English yards. Yards. Ancient Roman mile 16"!0,348^ Olympic stadium:^ ,1 of anciciU Roman mils 201,2935 Suidluin=.'- of ancient Roman mile 101,0348 Stadinm= to the 1 1 00th part of a degree i 11,2 Jewibh risin, of which 7ir:i:i::cient Romi.n mile 212,713 Gallic lcaca=l:'i ancient Roman mile 2115,522 Gerni'.n ra^t, or common league in France,=:2 Gal. Icuca 4831,044 rcr-,i..u parasar.;j;=2G..l!ic leagues _ 4831,044 JL'p, pti.in sl!;cne=4 ancient R.Jinan miles 644 1 ,392 G.rman if:;;iie, or tl.at of Scandinavia=2 rasts 9562,083 'i ;v- n-.uo 01 league of Girm:iny=200 Rfienish yards 8239,845 Great Arabian mile, used m Prdestine,in the time of) ,,,., tne Jrusadei, rated at H ancient Roman mue y Modern Roman mile 1028,466 Modern Greek mile, of 7 Olympic stadia ' 1409,0545 Modern I'rench leaj,'ue=:2500 toi-es 5328,75 Alilc of 'I'urkey, and the common vverst of Russia, "> 1409051'" su[)posing it 7 Olympic stadia 5 League of Spain=::;4 ancient Roman miles 6441,342 Lar^'e league of Spain=:5 ditto 8051,74 OF THE LOG LINE. A Log is a piece of hoard, in the form of the quadrant of a circle, Laving iis circular side loaded with weights, to make it swim upright. To this log is fastened a line of about 150 fathoms, called the log-line ; this is divided in- to equal spaces, called knots, each of which ought to bear the same proportion to a nautical mile, as r^ a minute bears to an hour. They are called knots, because at the end of each of them there is fixed a piece of twine with knots in it ; and these are subdivided into tenths. Now a nautical mile=6l20 feet, and the ^T^,- part=5I feet; now ^ : 1 hour :: 51 feet : 6120 feet, or a mile ; therefore, if 51 feet of the log line run off in ,^', one mile will be run off in an hour ; hence, as many knats as are run off in an hour, so o2 ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY. many miles the ship sails in an hour. But as the ship*s run is found to be more than that given by the log, owing to the log being drawn forward, they generally allow only hfty feet for a knot ; and some commanders al'ow less. And to measure the time, they have a sand glass, whicL runs out in half a minute. The line runs off a reel, which turns very easily, znd the log is thrown from the poop, or lee quarter ; and they generally let it run 12 or 15 fathoms, so as to be oat cf the ship's wake, and then begin to count. There is com- monly fastened a piece of red flag, to show where you are to begin to reckon. Care must be taken to have the hour glass and log line correct, otherwise an allowance must be m.ade. If the log line and the time of the running out of the p-las3 be both altered in rhe same proportion, the number of knots, run out in one glass will still show the numl>cr of miles run in an hour ; for if the knots be 40 feet and the glass run out in 2V', then 24" : 30' :: 40 feet : 50 feet, se that 50 feet is still run out in half a minute. GEOGRAPHY MADE EASY >jrv^>-x-i>%^w*vrr-^ AMERICA, OF the grand divisions of the earth, America is muck the largest From its late discovery, by the inhabitants of the eastern continent, it is frequently denominated the Neiv World, or Neio Hemisphere^ a title, which, perhaps, it: may justly claim, when we consider its vast extent, and its unquestionable superiority over any other division of the eartli, in the number and variety of its products, and the interesting consequences it has already produced, and is still producing, with respect to the nations of the world. Situation and Extent. The soutliern limit of the Amei ican continent is in 56^ south latitude, whence it extends prob- ably to the north pole. Of the northern limit, however, we cannot speak positively, as no discoveries have been made beyond 7'2or 73 degrees of north latitude, its length from north to south, may be estimated at 9600 miles. It spreads from, the 'i5ih to 168th degree west longi- tude from London. Its breadth is very unequal, but sup- posed to average 1500 miles, though in the northern part- :t is known to exceed 4500. America is in no part jo-ned by land to the old conti- nent. It is separated from Europe and Africa on the east by the Atlantic ocean : the Pacitic ocean divides it from Asia on the west. It contains upwards of 14,000,000 square miles. Divisions. Though America forms properly but one continent, yet there is a division, so clearly maiked by na- ture, that tlie propriety of its being considered in two sep- arate portions is universally acknowledged. These two regions called North and Sout/i-zUsrifa, are 'oijusd logcph-- 2 5i AMERICA. er by the Isthmus of Dar'ten, which in its narrowest part, h about 27 miles in width, some say GO or 70. This isthmus is made up of low sickly rallies, and mountains of such stupendous height, that they seem to be placed by nature, as eternal barriers between the Atlantic and Pacific ocean, which here approach so near each other, that from the mountains both may be seen at the same time. Face of the Country. In America, the face of the country is distinguished by a peculiar magnificence of features. The astonished eye here meets with mountains, whose ic-^.s intercept the clouds in their progress ; and rivers, with which the streams of the old world cannot be com- pared either for length of course, or the body of water, which they convfv to the ocean. The lakes of America are no less conspicuc!.': for grandeur, than its mountains- and rivers. The luxuriance of the vegetable creation is also very great. In the southern provinces, where the moisture of the earth is aided by the warmth of the sun, the woods are. almost impervious ; and the surface of the ground is hid- den under a thick covering of shrubs and herbs In the northern provinces, though the forests are not incum.bered . with the san:ie wild luxuriance of vegetation, yet the trees are generally more lofty, and often much larger, than are. .^een in any other parts of the world. In the productions of the forest, America is greatly su- perior to Europe. From a memoir of a European trav- eller, it is ascertained, that in Europe there are thirty sev- en trees, which grow to the height of thirty feel ; of which eighteen form the mass iA their forest, and sixteen are found in every part of Europe. In America there are ninety species oi^ trees, which exceed forty leet in hciglit. They ai e all natives of the forest, and seventy-tv.o are common in all parts of the United States. Tn Europe^, only seven are fit for architecture, in America no less than fiftv-one.* Populatkn. It is Impossible to ascertain the exact popula- tion of this immense division of the globe. Some authors have exaggerated it beyond all credibility ; and in calcu- lating the population of the v/hole world, have assignee! i.'*0.000>000 to America. If we suppose every part of the RtEj's Cyciopedia, ARiericaU eUilicii. AMERICA. 55 continent to be as populous as the United States, the whole number would not exceed ^,0()0,0()0. Hassel, in his ta- bles, axes the number at 21,297,000. This estimate is doubtless too low. The real number is probably about 3.';,()00,000. Inhabitants. The present inhabitants of America may be divided into two general classes : 1. The Aboriginal inhab- itants, generally called Indians, or those who descended from the rirst settlers of the continent. 2. Those who have rpigrated or been transported to America, since its discovery by Columbus, and their descendants This lat- ter class will be more particularly described, when treating of the diifcrent portions of the continent, which they inhab- it. At present, our remarks will be confined to llie Aboriginal Inhabitants. These may be considered as divid- ed into three distinct class^es : 1. The South- American In- dians. '2. The Mexicans, and all the Indians south of the lakes, and we'^t of the Mississippi. 3 The northern ttibes, inhabiting Labrador, Esquimaux, and the adjacent coun- tries. _ The South-American Indians are generally of an oh'i'e complexion, of different shades. Their stature is about the middle size, but some nations rank among the tallest of the human species. The men and children, in the warm eMmate, and in summer, in the colder regions, go quite n?.ked. "^J'he wo- men v.'t-ar no more covering than tlie most relaxed niodes- ty seems absolutely to require. The cioihng-, of such as make use of it, is made of the skins oi beasts, of feathers sewed logeihcr, and in the southern nations, where they raise sheep, of wool manuiactujed into siufl's aiid blankets. With respect to religion, some oi tlie Indiyiis are idola- ters. They appear to have some notions (,f a Siqvieme Being, and believe in futnie rewards and punishments: but generally their ideas of religion and govtrnnjenl are very rude. Some nation^', or rather tnbes, live comj;actly in towns, and cultivate tlie earth ; others li;ive no settled habitation, but wander over the country, subsisting on fi.sh and the wild animals of the forest Tl:e I'miviin,:, are supposed to have made greater progress in civiiizaviorvj thaa any olher nation iiihubi;ing the new world. SS AMERICA. Though some of these nations are represented as cf tie! and inconstant, others are humane and hospitable. They are generally- attentive and kind to strangers ; and we sel- dom hear of their being first in a quarrel with those who pass their territories. The second class of American Indians, who inhabit Mexico, and the country south of the lakes, and west of the Missisippi, seem to be advanced higher in the scale of humaa beings, than any of the nations of South-America, except the Peruvians. The Abbe-Clavigero, a judicious and credible writer, informs us, that, after attentively examining the character, the genius, the ancient history, religion, and government of the Mexicans, he does not hesitate to declare, that their mental qualities are not, in the least degree, inferior to those of the Europeans ; that they are capable of all, even the most abstract sciences ; and thai, if equal care and pains were taken in their education, we should see rise a- mong them, philosophers, mathematicians, and divines, who would rival the first in Europe. But it is riot possi- ble to make great progress in the sciences, in the midst of a life of misery, servitude, and oppression. Their ancient government, their laws, and their arts, evidently demon- strate, that they suffered no want of genius. They are of a good stature, rather exceeding the middle size ; well proportioned in all their limbs ; have a fine olive complexion ; narrow foreheads ; black eyes ; their teeth are firm, white, and regular ; their hair black, coarse ' and glossy. 'I'hey are neither very beautiful, nor the re- verse. They are moderate eaters, but addicted te intem- perance in drinking ; which appears to be a general char- acteristic of ail the American Indians. They are patient of injuries and hardships, and always grateful for beiiefits. Generosity and disinterestedness are striking traits in their character. Their religion is blended with much supersti- tion, and some of them are very prone to idolatry. The more northern Indians, whom we have included in the second class, in their complexion, size, and form, are not, in general, unlike tlie Mexicans. In social and do- mestic virtues, in agriculture, arts, and manufactures, they are far behind the Mexicans ; in their hospitality, equal 5 and in their eloqutjice in coo;icil, aod bravery in war, per- AMERICA. 57 haps superior. Their mode of life, and the stale of socie- ty among them, afford few objects for the display of either their literary or political ab-lities. They are brave, when an enterprise depends on bravery ; education witli them making the point of honor to consist in the destruction of an enemy by stratagem. An Indian will defend himself apainsl a host of enemies, always choosing to be killed, rather than to surrender. In other situations, also, he meets death with more deliberation, and endures tortures with a firmness almost unknown to religious enthusiasm. He is affectionate to his children, and his affection is extend- ed to his other connections. His friendship is strong and faithful to the utmost extremity. Their sensibility is keen ; oven the warriors weep most bitterly on the loss of their children, though in general, they endeavor to appear su- perior to human events * The third class of American Indians, who inliabit Es- quimaux, Labrador, and the countries adjacent, are much, less known than either of the classes above described. They d'fFer in size and shape fronj the other Americans, and are said lo resemb'e the Laplanders and Samoeids of Europe, from whom it is conjectured they descended. The E5q>iin;aux are distinguished fiom the southern tribes chieHy by their dress, their canoes, and their instru- ments of chase. Further to the northward, they decrease in height till they dwindle into the dwarfish tribes that in- habit the shores of the Arctic or Frozen Ocean, and the maritime parts of Fludson Bay. The arctjc countries of America, as well as those of A- sla, have few inhabitants ; and those are of tlie dwarfish kind, scattered on the banks of rivers, lakes, and seas, sub- sisting miserably upon fisli, and the flesh of those animals, that inhabit those frozen regions, with the skins of which they clothe tliemselves.f The first peopling of America. This is an interesting sub- ject, and has caused much discussion among several wri- ters ; but the places from whence the first inhabitants orig- inated, and the manner in which they, as well as the quad- rupeds and reptiles, passed from tlie eastern to the west- * Jefferson's Notes on Virginia. } Capt. JElhs. is AMERICA. ern continent, are questions, which probably can never by- satisfactorily decided. It is the opinion of many learned men, that the two con- tinents were formerly united. Thnt this earth has expeii- enced great changes since the deluge, will not admit of a doubt. Earihqa ikes have sw-allowed up large tracts of a land in soirje piaces subterraneous fires have thrown up others -the sea, in some places, has been forced to retreat m. my miles from the shore - in others, it has made en- croachments, and, in many instances, it has separated ter- ritories v-vliich once were united. It is possible that the equinoxial countries of America and Africa, were cnce con- nected by an isthmus, the rem^iins of which are seen in that chain, ot' inlands, of which Cape de Verd, Fernando, As- censi<)n, and St. M ilhews make a part. It is also possible that th" peninsula of Kamschatk* may have joined the northeastern pnrts of Asia to the northwestern parts of A- merica, wliich are now separated only by a very narrow strait. Admitting this supposition to be true, the animals peculiar to hot countries passed over the isthmus that once connected South-America v.-ith Africa ; and those of cold climates ir:igrated from the northeastern parts of Asia. As tiie Lsqiu'manx and Greenlanders perfectly resemble each other, and both resemble the Lappes or Laplanders of ;.;urope, it is rendered probable that they originated from thence Bat all this is uncertain. History of Us Discovery. Tha first discovery of Ameiita has ge^.eraily been ascribed to Christopher Columbus. But, it being now universally admitted that Greenland forms a part of the American continent, the date of the fis st discovery must be carried back to the year 932, when the Norwegians first visited Greenland. In the year 1003, the Norwegians also discovered a country, which they call- ed Flnelancf, where they planted a colony This is suppos- ed to have been on the coast oi Labrador ; but all their attempts to establish colgnies, proved unsuccessful, and the knowledge of the country was soon lost. These partial discoveries of the Norwegians, however, do not, in the lest degree, derogate from the merits ot Columbus ; for Behaim, who was the most complete gc ographer of his time, evinces that there was no prior dis- covery upon the route followed by that great navigator. AMERICA. 59 The discovery of Vineland could scarcely have been known to him ; and thut of Greenland was so remote, that there was no room for a suggestion that it formed part of a pro- digious continent.* Columbus has therefore a fair claim to the glory of discovering the New World. Columbus was a native of Genoa ; from a long and close application to the study of geography and navigation, he had obtained a knowledge of the true figure of the earth, much superior to the general notions of the age in which he lived. That the terraqueous globe might be properly balanced, and the land and sea proportioned to each other, he conceived that another continent was necessary ; this continent he supposed to be connected with the East- Indies. To prove the truth of his system, he found it necessary to obtain tlie patronage of some of the European powers. After several fruitless applications to tlie governments f Genoa, Spain, Portugal, and others of less note, he pro- cured assistance from Ferdinand and Isabella, who then governed the united kingdo-ms of Castile and Arragon. A squadron, of three small vessels, was fitted out, victualled for twelve months, and furnislied with ninety men. Of this squadron, Cohimbus was appointed adniiral. He bailed from Palos in Spain, on the 3d of August, 1492 ; and steered directly for the Canary islands, where he arrived and refitted, as v/ell as he could, his crazy and ill appointed fleet Plence he sailed, September 6th, a due western course into an unkncnvn ocean. Cojun.biis now found a thousand urforeseen hardships to encounter, wliich demanded all his judgement, fortitude and address to surmount. Beside the difficulties, unavoid- able from the nature of his undertakii;g, he had to struggle witli those whicii arose frt m the ignorarce an.d timidity of the people under his command. On the ]4th of Septem- berhewasastoiiiihedto find that the magnetic needlein tf.eir comnass did not [)o;nt exactly to the poLr star, but varied to" a;d iiie we^t ; and as they proceeded, this variation in- cieas( d. 'I h:s nev.- phenrjnenon filled the companions of CoiuniNus with terror. Nature itself seemed tf) have sus- talnt li a charge ; and the only guide they had left, to poini; \hcai to a safe letreat from an unbounded and trackless o- ' PiNKEinaN, 60 AMERICA. cean, was about to fall them. Columbus with no less quick- ness than ingenuity, assigned a reason for this appearance, which though it did not salify himself, seemed so plausi- ble to them, that it dispelled their fears, or silenced their THUrmurs. On other trying occasions, he displayed all that cool deliberation, piTidence, soothing address, and firmness, which are necessary for a person engaged in % discovery the most interesting to the world of any ever un- dertaken by man On the 11th of October, 1492, at 10 o'clock in the even- ing, Columbus, from the forecastle, descried a light. At two o'clock next morning, Roderick Trienna discovered land The joyful tidings were quickly communicated to the other ships. The morning light confirmed the report ; and the several crews immediately began Te Dettm, as a kymn of thanksgiving to God, and mingled their praises with tears of joy, and transports of congratulation. Co- lumbus richly dressed, with a drauTi sword in his hand, was the first European, which set foot in the New- World which he had discovered. The island on which he first landed he called St. Salvador, one of that large cluster, known by the name of the Lucaya or Bahama Isles. He afterwards touched at several of the islands in the same cluster. In steeiing southward, he discovered the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola, inliabited by a humane and hos- pitable people. He returned, and arrived at Palos in Spain, whence he had sr.iied the year before^ on the 15Lh of March, J 493. '' In September, 1493. Columbus sailed upon his second voyage to America ; during which he discovered the isl- ands of Dominica, Marigalanle, Guadaloupe, Antigua, Porto Rico, and Jamaica ; and returned to Spain, i4')G. In 1498, he sailed a third time for America ; and on the first of August discovered the Continent. He tlien coasted westward, making other discoveries for 200 leaguec to C?.pe Vela, whence he crossed over to Hispaniola, wliere he was seized by a new Spanish governor, and scat home in chains ! In 1502, Columbus made his fourth voyage to Hispan- iola ; thence he went over to the continent ; and made many nev/ discoveries, particularly the harbor of Por!^ Bello, and the Gulf of Darien. AMERICA. 61 The latter part of the life of this great man was made wretched by the cruel persecutions of his enemies. Queen Isabella, his friend and patroness, was no longer alive to afford him relief. He sought redress from Ferdinand, but in vain. Disgusted with the ingratitude v'f a monarch, whom he had served with so much fideluy and success ; exhausted with hardships, and broken with the infirmities which these brought upon him, Columbus ended his active and useful life, at ValJadolid, on the '25th of May. 1506, in the 59th year of his age. He died with a composure of mind suited to the magnanimity which distinguished his character, and with sentiments of piety bccommg that re- spect for religion, which he manifested in every occurrence of his life. He was grave, tbf'ugh courteous, in his de- portment, circumspect in words and actions, iireproacha- l?le in morals, and e-xemplai-y in all the duties of his relig- ion The court of Spain we:e so just to his memory, notwithstanding their ingratitude toward him during his ]ife, that they buried him magnificently in the cathedral of Seville, and erected a tomb over him with this inscription : Columbus has given a New World To the Kingdoms of Castile and Leon. Among other adventurers to the new world uas Amer- cus Vespucius, a Florentine, whom Ferdinand had appoint- ed to draw sea charts, and who accompanied Ojt cia, an nterpri.sing Spaniatd, to America, in 1499. On his re- turn, Americas published an account of his voyage, and a description of the ncv/ continent. It circulated rapidiy, and was read with admiration. In this narrative he insin- uated, that the glory of having fitst discovered the conti- nent in the New World, belonged to him. 'J his was in part believed, and the country began to be called after the name of its supposed first discoverer. The unaccounta- ble caprice of mankind has perpetuated the error j so that now, by the universal consent of all nations, this new quar- ter of the globe is called America. The name of Amer- icus has supplanted that of Columbus, and mankind are left to regret an act ^ \'v injustice, which, having been sanc- tioned by time, the>bet\*. never redress, F ^ NORTH-AMERICA. NORTH-AMERICA. Boundaries, Siluation, Extent. THIS division of the western continent includes all that part lying north of the Isthmus of Darien. It is bounded east by the Atlantic, and west by the North Pacific ocean, its southern boun- dary line is the parallel of 7 30 N. ; whence it extends to the north pole ; in length about 80 degrees, or 5200 miles. its greatest extent, from west to east, is generally reckon- ed from the promontory of Alaska, in about 90 W. Ion. to Cape Charles, the most easterly point of Labrador, in 20'^ E. Ion. from Philadelphia ; in breadth 4570 mjles. If Greenland be considered as a part of North America, to which it is probably united, its extreme eastern limit will extend nearly to 55'' E. Ion. Its average breadth is about 1500 miles. Climate. In a region of sucb vast extent, as North- Amer- ica, the climate must of course be various. It experiences every temperatureof the atmosphere, from theburning heats of the torrid zone, to the intolerable colds of the polar legions. Almost every division of the continent has a cli- mate of its own, which will be noticed in its proper place. Seas. Baffin's Bay, is the largest aiid m.ost northerly of any yet discovered. It lies beyond the 70th degree of N. iat. and opens into the Atlantic ocean through J)avis's Straits, between the coasts of Labrador and Gtt^land. This bay has never been explored, except by its discoverer, William Baffin, in 1662, and many modern geographers doubt its existence ; it however still occupies a place on maps. The strait, which connects it with the Atlantic, is j^s wide as the Baltic sea. Hudson Bay was discovered in 1610, by Henry Hud- son, a#d lies between 55 and 65 N. Iat. 3( leagues broad, comtonmicating with the Atlantic ocean by Hud- son's Strait. The gulf or sea, called Davis's Strait, may be considered as a part of Hudson Bay, and most probably joins the Arctic ocean. Hudson Bay abounds with the beluga, or white whale. Large stuigeons are also caught in some parts ol it. ' {.|,p The Bay or Gulf of St. Law}\ ",. is foiincd b) the siouth of the river of the same name, which is i;0 iriil; NORTH. AMERICA. '53 broad. It communicates with the Atlanlic on both sides of the island of Newfoundland. The Gulf of Mexico is th.it part of the NoilhV\tlantic ocean, which washes the south and south-western shores of FioriJa and the eastern shores of Mexico. It lies between North and South- America. Its coasts arc indented by many lesser gulfs and bays ; the chief of which are the bays of Honduras. Canipeachy, Palaxy and St. Louis. It is conioctured by some to have been foimeriy land ; and that the constant attrition of the waters of the Gulf Stream has worn it to its present form. Ldc:. There aie reckoned above /la? /Avwc/r^ii lakes iri North-Am.erica ; a singularity which distinguishes it from every odier portion of the globe. Those of the second or tliird class are superior in magnitude to arfy lakes iii-,thti,. easccrn continent, the Ca>^pian sea excepted ^ and even that is riot equal In size to Lake Superior. This noble lake is tiiC largest body of fresh water on the globe, being 1.500 ir.Iles in vfircumference. It is situated between 4G and 50*^ N. lat. and between 5 and 11" W. Ion. The water is very clear and transparent. A great part of the coast is rocky and uneven ground. Storms are more dreadful here, than. on the ocean. It is often covered with a iog, which, when the wind is easterly, falls on the western shore ia torrent-, of rain. It abounds with a great variety offish, such as trout, pickerel,' carp, bass, and herrings. There are many islands in this lake, some larg-e enough to form considerable provinces. The Indians suppos'.* these islands to be the residence of the Great Spirit. This lake receives about 4-0 rivers, and discharges it.;^ waters from the southeast corner, throui^h the straits of St. Marie, about 40 miles long, into Lake Huron. Lake Huron is the next in size, being more than I0C(5 miles in circumference, lying between i^"^ oO' and 17 30 N lat. It communicates wi'Ji Lake Michigan on the west, and with Erie on ihe south. On the south-west part in Saganaum Bay, 80 miles long, and '20 broad. ItaI)ounds with fislr ; and on its banks arc found amazing cjuantiiies of sand cherries. Michigan Lake is wholly within the territory of the \]-. nited States, lying between 41 and 46 N. lat. and is L'I'.'j miles in circumference. It is navigable for ships of any 6i NORTH- AMERICA. burden, and communicates with lake Huron by the Straits %)i Miciiiilimakinak, 6 miles broad. Erie is a iake ot the I'ourth magnitude, of an oval form, 2'2,> miles loner, 'tind +0 broad ; between 4 1 and 43 degrees N. lat. It affords good navigation for sliips of any burden. Its banl ^^ Spanish dominions, 3 vOuebcc, Virginia, Newfoundland, June, TABLE. IVhsn settUJ, By ijuhom, ^21 By the Spaniards. 1603 By thfe French. Me-.v-York, 7' , vt I ? about New- Jersey. 5 Plymouth, New-Hampshire, D-'l.uvire, 7 1':. ii^yiv iiiia,^" M.usar'iu-eits Bav, Aiarj'land, Connecticut, Rhoile-I-hiid, Soutli-Cirolinaj Penu.ylvania, Louisiana, North-Carolina, about 1710 1610 By Lord de la War. 16 10 By Governor John Guy. 1612 By tiie Dutch. 5 ^y P'^'"' ^ '^"- R<>^'"son'3 congrega- \ tiun. . CBy a snail English colony, near the "^ \ m; ath of Piscat^.qua river. 16'27 By tlie Swedes and Fins. IC'iS By Caf.t J F.ndicotand Co. ... ^ By Lord B.dnmore, with a colony of I Rom in Catholics. , CByMr Fenwick, at Saybrook, near ( tiie mouth of Connecticut river. 163,5 By Mr R Williams, and hisfollowers. 1669 By Gov. Sayle. ,^-,^ \ By William Penn, with a colony of l_ Ou.ikers. 1699 By the French. ', By a number of Palatines from Ger- X many And about 172S F.rrcted into a separate' government. Gcnrg'ia, 17.32 By Genera! O.dethorp. 'i'cnnessee, about 17.'^0 By Col Wood, and others. Kentucky, 1773 B\" Col Daniel Boon Vermont, about Oi.io. . _ , C By emigrants from Connecticut, an the Continent, and the islands in the Gulf of St. Law- rence. 4. Independent America, or the United States. 5. Spanish America. RUSSIAN AMERICA. SPITSBERGEN consists of one large and many small- er islands, lying about 150 miles E. of Greenland It \z a fiozen, barren spot, uninhabited and is a meie resting place for fishermen. Tlie Northwest Co^st claimed by the Russians, extends from Portlock harbor, between N '.at 58" and 59 north- ward about '2500 miles, including the islands on the coast. 1'he number of natives, who professed obedience to the P-Ussian government, m 1784, according to SheiikofF, was^ 50,000. Ul the Sfttlements on this coast, contain, ac* cording to Hassel, SCO Inhabitants. ABORIGINAL AMERICA. UNDER this general head, we include all that vast portion of the /American continent, which lies north and west of the British Provinces and the territory oftheUnit^- ed States, extending northward to the north pole, and westward to the Pacific ocean. Our knowledge of ths various nations and tribes inhabiting this imn;ense tract, is not such as to admit of very minute descriptinns, or eiven to pursue a perfect regularity in the arrangement. W& shall commeace with the northeily part?. GREENLAND. 66 GREENLAND. UNDER the appellation of Greenland Is comprehended an anr^ular tract, the southern point of which, named C;ipe Farewell, lies in Che 60th degree of north latitude. Its two sides, eastern and western, extend to an indetermi- nate distance northward, and little more than the coasts have ever been explored. Climate. Greenland may, with propriety, be called the empire of continual winter. The cold is so piercing in February and March, that the rocks split. Ice and frost penetrate through the chimneys, without being thawed by the tire in the day time. Their short summer, which begins in June, and close? in August or September, is very warm, but foggy. Dur- ing the summer, there is no night in the country. Beyond tlie (J6:h degree, the sun does not set in the- longest days. In winier, tae days are proportionably short. The north* em iit;;hts diversify the gloomy winter. G:'nra! .'appearance and Productions. Tlie land rises into high, rugg?d peiks, either black and naked, or incrusted with ice and snow. In the scnthern parts, there is a scan- ty and puny vegetation of trees, sh; ubs, grass, and plants. jinimals. The quadrupeds are rein-deer, dogs resem- bling wolves, arctic foxe?, white hares, polar bears, and wolverenes. Birds of prey and sta fowl are numerous, and the shores are frequented by the walrus, and several species of seais, The^c and the hsh, constitute the riches of .!ie country, and the chief sustenance of the poor na- tives. Inhabitants. The Greenlanders are a branch of the Es- quiinaux, of small stature, ignorant, superstitious, and squalid, but harmless, and ingenious in the construction of their canoes and fishing utensils In their light skiffs, midQ of skins, extended by ribs and covered with a mem- brane, which draws close about their bodies, furnished with a nicely constructed dart and line, and clothed in water proof garments, they will paddle single to the great- 70 GREENLAND. est monsters of the deep, attack, and generally succeed in making them their prey. This life of hardship, however, keeps their numbers small ; and the perils of the ocean, and inclemencies of the climate bring many to an untime- ly end. I'Jie Danish government have a colony of 6100 souls, planted in this country.* The natives, in 174-3, were estimated at 24', 000. Relni'ion. Wiih respect to religion, the Greenlandcrs are said to believe in the doctrine of the transmigration of souls, and their notions concerning a future state are very' singular and romantic. The Moravians and the Danes supprrt missionaries at Ijichicnau, New-Hernhut and Lichtenfels, in Greenland ; and their labors have been at- tended with great success. History. It h.A^ already been mentioned, that Green- land was discovered and colonized by the Norwegians, abcut the year 982. 'i'his colony bestowed on the coun- try the name of Greenland, which indicates thnt it appear- ed a land of verdure to men who were accustomed lo nouhern sterility. They were convened to Christianity by a missionary, sent thither by the celebrated Oiaf, the first Norwec^ian monarch, who en. braced the Lhiinian re- iigion. After flounsh:ng so much, as to possess clmrches and inonasrr^rics, and even a Crtthed' ii arid a .succession (f bish- ops, the colony sunk under famine and dii-er^ses, and left fiVv' traces of iis former exisience. N ivigaw^r-:, ar.d wliale- men made occasional visits to ih.' western cr^isis, and the D;uies established a commerce wiih the natives ; but no attempts v/ere made to colonize, till a Lu;ii.'ran clergy- man or Norway, named Egede, inspired by an ardt.'nt zeal for communicating the benefits of tl:t; Christian re- ligion and civilization to this d^^scrted country, repaired, in 1751, to the western coast, with a few settlers, and em- ployed miany years in his pious labors. The cause was taken up by the society of Hernhatters, or Moravians, and afterwards by the Danes, with success ; and several settlem.ents have been formed by them, and peopled witJ: converted nations, whose condition has been 8;reatly im- proved by their efforts. Hassel'3 Tables. LABRADOR AND HUDSON BAY. 71 LABRADOR AND HUDSON BAY, Situation, Extent y Names. LABRADOR is an extensive territory, lying between the east const of Hudson Bay and the Atlantic ocean, and extending from 48 to 63 degrees north latitude. The parts on the west and south of the Bay, extending inland to an indeterminate distance, have been denominated New North Wales, and New South Wales. On the north, the bay is bounded by unexplored regions. The whole of these countries, taken collectively, lie be- tween 4S and 70 dei^rees north latitude, 8.50 miles long, and 750 broad, and are sometimes called by the general name of New-Britain ; a name, however, which has not been admitted into maps. I'hey are also called the country of the Esf^uiMAUx ; these people being the na- tive inhabitants oi^the shores of Hudson Bay. Climate. As dismal and frozen as these regions are, they are becoming still more cold and intolerable. It is a sin- gular, but well established fact, that, v/hile other c'.imes are becoming more mild, the northern part of America is becoming more inhospitable. The cold is much more se- vere, than in the corre'^ponding latitudes on the Europe- an continent. Even in latitude 57', the ice on the rivers is eight feet thick, and brandy coagulates. The rocks burst with a horrible noise, equal to tliat of heavy aitille- ry, and the splinters are thrown to an ama/.ing distance. Mock suns and halos are frequent in these northern cli- mates ; the sun rises and sets with a large cone of yellow- ish light. The aurora borealis diffuses a variegated splen- dor, which equals that of the full moon ; and the stars sparkle wrih a fiery redness In the sh.ortest day, the sun rises about five minutes after nine, and sets ave nilnuies before three. Face of iLd Country The eastern coast is h:irrpn, past the eir.)ris of cultivation. The suiface i; every where un- even, and covered with masses of stone : the vaiiies are full of lakes, formed of ram and snow, so 'hilly as to be productive only of a tew small trout. The mountains have 12 LABRADOR AND HUDSON BAY. here and there a blighted shrub, or a l.Ittle moss. In some places there are a few crooked, stunted trees, as pines, fir, birch, and a species of juniper. Labrador produces a beautiful erridescent felspar, called Labrador stone, said to have been first discovered, in sail- ing through some lakes, wher^ itsbiight hues were reflect- ed from the water. Animals. The animals of this countiy are the moose, deer, stag, rein-deer, bears, tigers, otter.s, martens, lynxes, wild cats, and hares. The eastern coast presents nume- rous islands, covered with flocks of sea fowl, particularly cider ducks. It is a surprising phenomenon, that most of the beasts and fowls of these regions, though of different colors in summer, are all white in the winter. Inhabitants and Religion. The inhabitants among the mountains aie Indians ; along the coasts, they are Esqui- maux, the same sort of people with the Greenlnndcrs, and the Laj-^pes and Samceids of Europe. The Esquimaux are a dwarfish race, with long, b^ack hair, small eyes, and flat faces. The Moravians have missionaries establish- ed at (Jkkak Nain, and H"pe I )aie In tliis cold and drea- ry country, they are pursuing their labors, among the poor Esquimaux, with " increasing joy and thankfulness."* Histf,ryy Settlements, Iffc Labrador was discovered about the year \5h5, by Frobisher, who also discovered the strait which bears his name. Hudion Bay was discovered by an English navigator of that name, m 16I0. The coast of this bay, as well as the extensive region of Labrador, cannot be reckoned as ' occupied by Europeaii settlers. Ti;ereare, however, some factories or trading p( sts, belonging to the Hudson liay company, which was established in ]670, for the purpos- ses of commerce an.' plantation. These are Aibany-Fort and Moose-Fort, i>n .Tanie,> Bay ; which is the soiuh>.-rn ex- ttemity of Hudson Bay ; Severn-house, at the m( nth of Severn-river; York Fort, on Nflcn's river ; and Cl.urch- ill-Fort on Churchill river, which is the most northerly of their posts. 'Jli^se are only houses ii. habited by the ser- vants of the com.pany, who trade with the natives for furs, which are often brought from great distances within land. Periodical accoujits of >^eJBrc;hrcu, No. 39. ^'mrERIOR COUtifRIEiS. n- T* INTERIOR COUNTRIJgj^. CONCERNING the Inlerior paits of N^ith- Amcvic;!, little wfts known, till the dliiicult and laboril^TW rntei piiscs of Mr. Mackenzie', peifoinicd in ITSOand i*9S. Previou;^ to these however, Mr. Hearnc had tollowod Copper-Mine river northward to the Arctic Ocean. The slioies of this river were inhabited by Esquimaux. Mr. Mackenzie, embarF;ed at Fort Chepewyan. on the Lake of the Hills, i^ latitude SS'"" 40' north, lon|^iuide i 10 liO west, in a canoe ot hircli !)ark, with ten associates. His course ^vas nortliwesterly to stek tlil Arctic Ocean. Moun- tains and vaHies, dreary wa^tci;, and wide spreading for- ests, succeed each other in his description. Small bandi of v.'andering savages were the only people he discovered. After leaving the Lake of the Hills, he entered Slave river, from which he passed to Slave lake', near latitude 61 and G2 north, and longitude 1 10 to 120 west. The coi^n- iry around wears a barren aspect, but produces berries, large trees of spruce, pine and white birch. From this lake, he entered a river, which he called Mac- kenzie's river, a deep and spacious stream. On its banks he found encampments of Knistineaux Indians, a wander- 1^ ing tribe, spread over a vast extent of country. Tlieir lan- guage is the same as that of the natives on the waters of the St Lawrence, and tlie coast of Labrador. They are of a moderate stature, well proportioned, and active, 'Iheu- dress is simple ; tiieir countenance open, and their eyes black. 'I'heir women are the most comely of savages. The otlicr principal tribes, inhabiting the west side of Mackenzie's river, fiom Slave lake, aie ihc Stiong-bovv?, Mountain, and Hare Indians; tho'c on th.c east aie the Bfaver, Inland, Nathana, and Quarrelers. After proceeding down this river to latllude 6f) I', ho reached tlie tide waters of the Frozen Ocean ; but, in the middle of July, was unable to proceed further, on account of the ice. He returned to Cl)epev/y;'.n fort, after an ab- sence of lO'J days. (; 74 . INTERIOR COUNTRIES.' In October, 1792, he proceeded on a voyage to the North Pacific Ocean. From the Lake of the Hills, he ascended Peace river, which is a quarter of a mile wide. The lands on this river are low and rich, inhabited by the Beaver and Mountain Indians. Tliese people are said to be in the lowest state of debasement, and are a barbarous race of beings. The women perform all the drudgeries. Their liabitattons are formed by setting up a number of poles, united at the top, and forming a circle of 12 or '5 feet diameter at the bottom. These are coveied with dressed skins. In the mountains, which separate the waters of the At- lantic and Paciiic oceans, are several chasms, which emit smoke and fire, and a sulphureous smelK Finding the streams of the west didnot tend^irectly to the sea, Mr. Mackenzie proceeded by land for a consider- ^ fible time. As he advanced nearer the coast, the settle- ments of the nitives were more numerous and permanent ; the manner of living more comfortable, and the state of society improved. The people were hospitable ; they ap- pearcd to have stated seasons for public and private wor- ship, and had temples decorated with hieroglyphics. In latitude 52" 2P 33" north, 'and longicude i2S 2' west, Mr. Mackenzie reached the Pacific ocean ; and in- scribed his name on a rock by the shore. It would be impossible to enumerate all the tribes of Indians inhabiting the interior parts of North- America. Their modes of hunting and warfare, their cruelty to their ^^ prisoners, the sinj^ulaiities of scajping, ar d olhcr ^frrfr/?/ ^' characteristics, have been frequently described, and are gene: ally known. Captiiins Clark and Lewis, with a select and v.ell fur- nished company, in the years 1&05 and ISCb", paiscd up ;he Missiouii river and thence to the Pacific ocean, i'SBo miles, under the auspices, and at the expense, of the gov- iM-nment of tlic Unlttcl Sia'.e?. A privi'te cf.T.pany pa:'"ed from the moulh of Colum- bia river, to i!:e Misjis'-pps rn a {tifFcrcnt rout, in 1815*' NORTHWEST COAST. NORTHWEST COAST. Ti^E counlry of the northwest part of .America, iying ff-n the Pacific ocean, ami ex!:ending south nearly to the SOth degree of north latitude, is known by the genera: name of The Northwest Coast. Accordin:^ to the accounts of various navigators, tiiese regions, with littie deviation, have the appearance of con- tinued forestb, being covered with pinei, alder, birch, and various kindi of underwood. Tht; vallicb anii plains pro- dace CUM ants, goosberries, raspberries, and numeroa.; li jwering shrubs. The climate on tliis side of America is mildtr than that on the eastern, in the same latitudes. South of 4-5 degreeij it is said to be one of the Hnest climates in the world. On the coast are many spacious bays, commodious har- bors, and mouths of navigable rivers, among v.hich Noot- ka sound, Admiralty Bay, Fort Mulgrave, Prince Wil- liam's Souad, and Cn^^k's inlet, are the piincipal. The peninsula of Alaska, extending westward beiv.'een Bristol Bay and Prince William's sound, is the most vresterly point of the continent of America. The coast is inhabited by numerous, but small tribes of Indians : each tribe is independent, and governed by its own chief. Tliey diff/r from each other in language and customs, and are'frequentlyat war. Their most singular practice is that of slitting the under lip, so as to give them lilt; appearance of liaving two mouths. Some of tlie^e tribes disguise thcmselvjs, after the manner of the ancient Scythians; in skins of wild beasts, with the heads and limbs htted on their own. These habits they use in the cha;e, to circumvent the animals of the field. The number of inhabitants on this coast is unknown ; but it is supposed there are not more than ten thousand, from Nootka sound to Cook's inlet, an extent of 1000 miles. The English liave a sm.all colony at Nootka sound. A colony from the United States and Canada is about to be e':tabllshed at the mouih of Columbia rivei. TG NORTHERN ARCHIPELAGO. Tiie principal liver that has been observed on this coasti is Columbia river, called also the Oregon, or Great River of the West, whicli enters the ocean in 4G 18' north lat- itude. It is half a mile wide, 20 miles from its mouth. The chief object of civilized nations in navigating this coass is to traffic with the natives for furs, which they give in exchaiK^^e for pieces of iron, nails, beads, knives, and other trifimg trinkets. The skins obtained, are those of ilie sea otter, racoon, pine marten, land beaver, mam- mot, &c. The Russians were the first discoverers of the Nortliwest Coast of America. In i7-H, the celebrated navigator B'.?er!ng was despatched by his government to make discov- eries on the east co "st of Asia. H-.- sailed throusjli the ^rraif;, nov/ called ny his name, wh'ch part the Asiatic and Ame; lean continents. He passed down the north- v.-est coast of Anierica, as far as latitude 58" north. Mount St. Elias, and B.^e.ing's bay were so called by him. 'i'he disco; eiies; and repoits of those who accompanied him Induced many individuals to embark in the fur trade, which is now prosecuied, by several nations, with great succeis, THE NORTHERN ARCHIPELAGO, CONSISTING cf sevei-al groups of islands, situated ij'jtv.een tlie eastern coast of Kamtschatka in Asia, and the v^estern coa:;t of America, may properly be noticed in rliis place. The T; ;: Iclands, one of the principal groups, are so called from t:ie qrcat number ot black, grey, and red fox- es, with which they abound. T'ley are all fiequented on account of their valuable furs. The most perfect equality is said to re'gn among these Inlanders. Tln'y live in the primitive patriarchal manner ; and every person looks uj->on Ills island as a possession, the }>r()perty of which is common to all the individuals ol the r. rr.c society. In case of an attack; th^ societies mutually fiimSH AMEiliCA. 7? issist each other. Feasts are very common among thern, particularly when the inhabitants of one island are visited by those of another. They are i i.'jM evented as cold and in- different in most of their actions ; but easily depressed by affliction, and much addicted to suicide, putting an end to their days with great apparent insensibility. ^ BRITISH AMERICA. THE British possessions in North America are divided into four provinces, viz. 1. Upper Canada ; 2. Lower Canada; 3. New- Brunswick ; 4. Nova-Scotia. Besides these provinces, the islands of Newfoundland, St. John's, Cape Breton, and several smaller ones in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, belong to the British dominions. British America is superintended by an ofiicer, styled Governor General of the four British provinces in North- America, v/ho is commander in chief of all the British troops in the four provinces and the islands. Each prov- ince has a lieutenant governor, who, in the absence of tho governor general, has all the powers requisi':e to a chief magistrate, so far as respecis his particular province. The British settleinents, in all North Anierica, accord- ing to Hassel, contain only SSij^OO inhabitants. I'his estimate is much below their real number. We shall take a separate view of each of these provir.ces arid islands,. beginning wiih UPPER CANADA, o'ltualioni Bryunclarics, Extent. THE province of Upper Canada, formerly called the upper country, extends from 4-2" J'jO' to 52" aC north latitude ; and fror.i 74^ to 97 W. Ion. Its length is 1090 miles. Its breadth from nonh to south is about 52.5 miles. It is bounded so:'.,h by the Lnited States, east by Lower Canada, rorth by "iew-Brl- tain, west by Detroit river, lakes St.* Clair and Winnepco, G 2 78 UPPER CANADA. Divisions. This province is divided into 19 coiintJeh^ which are subdivided into tov/nships, generally 12 miles long by 9 bioad. Pace of the. Country, Soil, Iffc. This country, in general may be called level ; in many parts it is but little elevated above the lakes. There are many swamps : but where lhe*land is dry it is good, and some of it excellent. In the vicinity of Lake Superior and the Lake of the Woods, are extensive plains, destitute. of wood, excepting scattered tufts of trees. These plains are covered with luxuriant grasses aiTording subsistence to immense herds of buffa- loes. Productions. Wheat, Indian corn, and flax, are produc- ed here in great abundance. Hops, grapes, and various sorts of berries, are the spontaneous productions of the country. , . Iron ore has been found In great quantres, but little of it has lieen v\-rought. Lakes. These are numerous, Tiie great lakes Ontario, Erie^ Huron, and 6'.v/';r/5r, tlirough which passes the north- ern boundary of the United States, all lie partly in this province. The other most considerable lakes are the Rice Lake, Lake Ssnicoe, Nippising, and Temiscanning. Rivers: The liver St. Lawicrce, already described, is- sues from Ontario, in this province. Ottawas is a large river, issuing from lake Temlscannin~, and empties into the St. Lawrence. Grand River has its source in Lake St, Clie, and, passing tlirough Rice Lake, mingles with the vaiers of Ontario. The Thames, a considerable stream, :uns into Lake St. Ciafrfrom tlie eastward. Niagara riv- er, on which is the cataract, hereafter described, connects' the lakes Erie and Ontario. It is about SO miles in length and forms a part of the boundary between the United States and Canada. All the waters of this province are richly stored with Hsh. Springs. There are several salt springs in this country, fi cm some of which sak is made. Two miles above the Niagara Falls is a spring, which constantly emits a j^i7j-, or inflammable air, which, being ;.onfined in a pipe, will boil water in fifteen minutes. Curicsilies. Besides the above mentioned spring, which snight, perhaps, v.-ith propriety, be mentioned under thi? IJPPER CANADA. rt head, the Falls of Niagara river are the greatest and most sublime curiosity, which this or any niher country af-* fords. They are 7 or 8 miles soutli of iake Ontario. The' river here is about 742 yards wide, and pitches over a rock 150 feet in perpendicular height. The uoise produced by thiscataract is sometimes heaid iO or 30 miles. A heavy fog is constantly ascending from the falls, in which rain- bows may always be seen when the sun shines. There is sufficient space between the perpendicular rock and the column of water for people to pass in perfect safety. Near Burlington bay is a voicano, subject to frequent e- ruptions, with a noise like thunder. The Indians sacrifice to the Bad Spirit at this place. Towns, 'rhere are no very large towns in this province. Newark, on the west bank of Niagara river, near lake On- taiio, contains about 60 houses and two churches for Epis- copalians and Presbyterians, Queenston, 7 miles above Newark- and Kingston, at the head of St. Lawrence, on Lake Ontario, have good har- bors, and are places of great trade. York is situated on a fine harbor of Lake Ontario, in latitude ^S^ 4.5' north, longitude 4 w^est. It contains be- tween two and three hundred families, and is the present seat of government. Population. In 180G the inhabitants were estimated at 30,000. chiefly emigrants from the United States Government. The government of this province consists of a governor, legislative council, and house of assembly, chosen for four years by the people ; they meet annually in May for the purpose of legislation. I'iie province is not subject to t.\xation by the British parliament ; and ihe whole expense of the civil establishment is borne by the government of England. V/eekly couits aie held by two justices of ijie peace through the province.- t\ district coui t is Jield every three months in which one judge presides, /another court is held by a chief justice, and two associate judges, v/ho make an annual circuit through the province. I'he people regu- late all local iTjatters in the towns, as in the United Slates, Militia. The militia in the scver.il dittricts meet annu- ally. All male inhabitants, excepting Frii-nds and i>len- jioui^Js, from sixteen to forty-five, bear uims. m LOWER CANAt)A. Religion. Methodism is the prevailing religion of ijp^ per Canada. There are settled clergymen in some of the principal places ; but, fur the greater part, the country is destitute of regular religious teachers, and many of the in- habitants appear to have no religion. History. The country was constituted a province^ by an act of the British parliament, in 1791. LOWER CANADA, Boundaries, Siluation, Extent. BOUNDED on the noitfe by the coast of Hudson bay and Labrador, east by Lab- rador and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, southeast and south by New- Brunswick and the United Stales, west by Upper Canada. It lies between 45 and 5ii degrees north latitude, and between 61 and 71 degrees west longitude, 800 miles long ; its average breadth 250. jjivisions. This province is divided into six districts, which are subdivided into 21 counties, and these into townships, or parishes. Climate. Winter continues Iiere with such severity fiom December to April, that the largest rivers are frozen over. The snow is commonly from four to six feet deep during the winter. But the air is so seiene and clear, and the inhabitants so well defended against the cold, that this sea- son is neither unhealthy nor unpleasant. The spring opens suddenly and vegetation is surpjisingly rapid. The sum- mer is delightful, except that a part of it is extremely hot. Face of the Country. The country is generally mountain- ous and woody. The forests never attain to the luxuri- ant growih of warmer climates. Evergreens form the largest portion of their woods. The other trees are ma- ple, birch, and elm. Pr'oductions. Notwithstanding the coldness of the climate, the soil is fertile in many parts ; producing wheat, barley, rye, and many other sorti of gram, fruits, and vegetables. The meadow grounds yield excellent grass, und feed grea*- iiumbers of CHtUe, LOWER CANADA. Si Lahs! ami Rivers. The principal of these have aheady been mentioned The St. Lawrence passes through this province, and falls into the ocean by a mouth 90 miles broad, in which is the island Anticosti. PcJ>:('a:wn. The province of Lower Canada contained, in 17S1', 113,0I2souls. In iSOo, 150,000 ; and in 1811, they were estimated ac between 200,000 and 300,000. Rfli^^lofi. Nine tenths of the inhabitants of Lower Can- ada arc Romaii Carliolics ; the rest are Episcopalians, Prcsbyteii.ins, and a few of almost every sect of Christians. Manncrj and Customs. These are coi'isiderably tinctured with French gaiety and urbanity. Tlie Fiench women in Lower Canada can generally read and write, and are tlius superior to the men ; but both are sunk in ignoiance aad SLi:)o:sti:ion, and blmdly devoted to their priests. Tl:e French language is spc^ken, except by seitlers from Great Britain and the United States. To'-cviis. QurB; c is tiie capital of this province, and of all British America, being the residence of the governor- general It is situated ai the conllnence of the St Law- rence and St. Charles or Little river, '620 miles from the sea. It contained, in 1806, 15,000 inhabitants, two thirds of whom were French. A large garrison is supported here. The houses are commonly built n Maine. Chaleur b.iy is a portion ot the gulf of St. Lawrence, flowing between th's province on the south and Lower Canada on the north. St. .Tolm's is ihc principal river in this province, falling into the bay of Fundy, after a course of nearly 350 miles. It is navigable for sloops 60 miles, and for boats 200. Thib noble river and its branches water and enrich a large tract (.("excellent country, which is settled, and im- proving. The foiestb consist of spruce, pine, hemlock, beech, birch, ma{;le, ar.d some ash. The pines on this fiver are the largest in all British America, and afford a !^reat ^.uppb; of mads for the English navy. 34- NOVA-SCOTIA. St. Croix river falls into Passamaqiioddy bay, and is part of the boundary between New-Brunswick and Maine. Merrimichi river falls into a bay of the same name on the northeast coast of New-Brunswick. A small distance from its estuary it divides into two branches, and runs through a fertile intervale. There is a cod and salmon fishery at the confluence of this river and the bay. Among \he lakes of this province, which are numerous, is Grand lake, near St. John's river, 30 miles long, 8 or 10 wide, and in some places, 40 fathoms deep. The city of St. John, situated on high land, at the mouth of the river St. John, is the capital of this province. The streets are spacious and regular. It has upwards of 3000 inhabitants, and many well built houses, a handsome church and city hall. Frederictown, the preseftt seat of government; is 80 miles up the river St. John, at the head of sloop naviga- tion, and contains about ,500 inhabitants. In the vicinity of this town, several valuable tracts of land are appropri- ated for the support of a college. NOVA-SCOTIA LIES between 43 and 13 degrees north latitude and between S and 11 degrees east longitude. Ejrcept a nar- row tract, which borders on New- Brunswick to the norih- vvebi, it is surrounded, on all sides, by difFeient portions of the Atlantic ocean. It is about 300 miles long, and 154' broad. The climate of the country is unpleasant; the atmo- sphere being clouded with thick fog during a great part cl the year, and the weather, for four or five m.onths being intensely cold. The soil in general is thin and barren, though not uniformly so. A great part of the country is covered with wood. This province is accommodated wiih many spacious liarbors and bays. Tlic bay of Fundy, already mcn- rv^nedj ivashcs its northwcitern 5!v:.;C. Chebucto lay if NOVA-SCOTIA. 85 "oh the southeast, at the head of which Is situated the town of Halifax, the capital of the province. The face of the country is diversified with numerous lakes and rivers. Of the latter, that of. Annapolis is the most considerable, and is navigable 1.5 miles for ships of 100 tons, Salmon river, which empties into Chedabucto bay, is remarkable for its fisheries. Nova Scotia exhibits an unfavorable appearance to the eye of a stranger ; but the gradual improvements in hus- bandry afford reasonable expectation, that it will become a flourishing colony. Coals, lime stone, plaster of Paris, and iron ore are dug out of the earth in Nova-Scotia. Halifax, the capital of this province, is delightfully- situated on the west side of Chebucto bay, commodious for fishing, and has a fine harbor, lOQO houses, and 8000 inhabitants. The other towns are Annapolis on the east side of the bay of Fundy, v.hich has one of the finest har- bors in America ; and Shelburne, on the south of the pen- insula, bijilt by emigrants from the United States. The whole population of Nova- Scotia amounts to be- iween 70,000 and 80,000. The great body of the peo- ple are of English origin ; after which the Scotch and Crish are most numerous. The exports from Great Britain to this country are chiefly articles of clothing, and rigging for ships. The imports are timber, and the produce of the fisheries. History, Notwithstanding the forbidding appearance cf this country, it was here that some of the first European setlements were made. The first grant of lands in it was given by James I. to his secretary. Sir William Alexander, from whom it had the name of Nova Scotia, or New- Scotland. It has since frequently changed hands, from- r one private proprietor to another, and from the French to the English nation, alternately. It was confirmed to the English in 171.'?. Three hundred families were trans- ported here in 1 749 at the charge of the governmentj v/ho built and settled the town of Halifax, H m ISLAND OF ST. JOHN, ISLAND OF ST. JOHN. THIS Island lies In the gulf of St. Lawrence, near the northern coast of the province of Nova- Scotia, and is about 100 miles long, and from 10 to 35 broad. It has several fine rivers, a rich soil, and is pleasantly situated. Char- toTTETOWN is its principal town, and is the residence of the lieutenant governor, who is the chief officer on the island. The number of inhabitants is t;bout 5000. The island produces corn, and quantities of beef and pork. The French inhabitants, amounting to about 4000, sur- rendered, in 1 745, to the British arms. It is attached to the government of Nova-Scotia. NEWFOUNDLAND ISLAND IS situated east of the gulf of St. Lawrence, between 4.6 45' and 52 31' of north latitude, and between 15 28' and 22 37' east longitude ; separated fi^om Labrador by the Straits of Belleisle, and from Canada, by the bay of St. Lawrence ; being 381 miles long, and from 40 to 287 miles broad. The coasts are very subject to fogs, attended with almost continual storms of snow and sleet, the sky being usually overcast. From the soil of this land, the JJritish reap no great advantage, for the cold is long con- tinued and severe ; and the summer heat, though violent, warms it not enough to produce any thing valuable ; the soil, at least in those parts of the island which have been explored, being rocky and barren. It is watered by seve- ral rivers, and has many large and good harbors. The chief tov/ns in Newfoundlanl are Placentia, Bona- vista, and St. John's. The population in 1805 was 24,922. The Indians are considerably numerous. The admiral on the coast is the governor of the island, under the governor general of the British provinces. BERMUDA ISLANDS. St The great lishery on the banks of Newfoundland begins about tiie iOth of May, and continues till the end ot Sep- tember. The numbers of cod, both on the great bank and the lesser ones, which lie east and south of this island, are inconceivable. Several other species oi tish are also caught here in abundance The fishery is computed to yield about 300,000/. a year, from the cod sold in Catho- lic countries. This island, after various disputes with the Frencli, was- entirely ceded to the English, iu 171.3 ; The Frcncli hav- ing permission to dry their nets on the southern shores ;- and, in 176:5, they were permitted to fish in the Gulf ot" St. Lav.Tence, on the condition that they should not ap- proach within three leagues of any coast belonging to Eng- land. By the last treaty, the French are to enjoy the fisheries on the north and we^^t coasts of the island ; and the United States are allowed the same privileges iu fish- ing, as before their independence. Great Britain and the,^ United States employ annually not less than 3000 sail of "'^ small craft in this fishery. The other islands of note, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, are Anticosti, near the mouth of St. Lawrence, 126 miles long, and 32 broad, uninhabited ; the Magdales Isles, in 12 29' east longitude, and between 47 and 80* north latitude, inhabited by a few fishermen ; and Isle Perce E, about 15 miles south of Cape Gaspre. It is a perpendicular rock, and is pierced with two natural arches, through which the sta flows. One of these aiches is suf- fkientiyhigh to admit a large boat to pass freely thiough it. THE EERMUDAS, OR SOMMERS ISLANDS, BELONG mdre pTOperly to North-America, than ta the V'V'est-Indies. They are about equally distant from the West-Indies and Nova- Scotia, and ilOO leagues from the coast of Carolina, lying in 23 degrees north latitude, and about 1 1 degrees of east longitude iTom Philadelphia. TJiey received their first name from John Bermudas, a 88 UNITED STATES. Spaniard, their first discoverer ; and are called SoT*mer&. Island's, from Sir Georgg Sommers, who was shipwrecked on their rocks, in 1609, on his passage to Virginia. The "principal island is 16 miles long, and 1 or 2 broad ; rocky find uneven, and the roads almost impassable. The air is wholesome ; a continual spring prevails, and most of the productions of the West-Indies are here cultivated. Fif- teen or twenty thousand people are collected on this small,, spot, two thirds of whom are blacks. INDEPENDENT AMERICA, OR THE UNITED STATES. Boundaries. ALL the territories, now under the Fede* ral Government of the United States, are here included; under the general head of Inoependent America. These territories are bounded on the north by British America ; east by New-Brunswick and the Atlantic ocean ; sou:h by Florida and the Gulf of Mexico ; v/est by New-Mexico, and a ridge of mountaios, generally denominated the Shining Mountains, which divide the western waters of the Missisippi from those that flow westward into the Pacifie ocean. ,/ Situation and Extent. This country lies between 28 and 50 degrees north latitude, and between 9 degrees east and 14 degrees west longitude. Its extreme length, from cast to west, is upwards of 2000 miles, and its greatest breadth about 1500. It contains about 2^000,000 square miles, and, excepting the Russian empire, is the largest territory on the earth, whose inhabitants live under cne general government. Divisions and Names. Independent America consists of levenieen States, ^nd four territorial Governments, exclusive of l^ouisiana. Each state has a government of its own, inde- pendent of every other state ; and all are united under one general government, and thus form a grand national re- public. The states and territorial governments may be classed in four grand divisions, called Northern, Tifiddk, Southerrty UNITED STATES. 89 and JVesfern States. Though these divisions are merely nominal, and may be liable to some objections ; yet the convenience of using the appellations northern^ middk, south- ern, and 'U)cstern, in writing and conversation, is considered as a sufficient reason for adopting this classification. The first division, or Northern States, is the territory, which, in 1641, received the nam^e of Nenu- England, and comprehends District of Maine, (belonging Massachusetts (Proper) to Massachusetts) Rhode-Island, New- Hampshire, Connecticut. Vermont,- The second division, or Middle States, comprehends New-York, Ohio, New-Jersey, Michigan Territory,. Pennsylvania,. Indiana Territory, Delaware, Illinois Territory. Maryland. The third division, or Southern States, consists oi; Columbia Territory,* Tennessee, Virginia, South-Carolina, * Kentucky, Georgia, North-Carolina, Missisippl Territory. The fourth or Western division is Louisiana. f This division of the United States is already divided into the nev/ state of Louisiana, and several territorial govern- ments ; is nearly equal in extent to all the rest of the U- nited States ; and will,, probably, at no very distant period, be divided into several independent slates. Under the present head, we shall confine our remarks to those topics, which are common to all the states and ter- ritories, reserving all local objects, such as Bays, Lakes, Rivers, Mountains, &c. to be noticed in their appropriate divisions. Climate. The climate of the United States Is subject to great extremes of heat and cold, and to frequent and sud- den changes of the weather, and temperature of the air. This territory lies partly in the MlddU and p.utlv in \\\zSouthirn States. f AH the States west of the Allegany mountain?, may more prcpc* Jy be denominated Weitern StaUi, H 2 m UNITED STATES. The weather is less variable In the northern than In th* :,nut]iern states ; frosts at the nortli generally come on i:i October ; severe cold commences in December and lasts till March. Daring this time, the ponds and fresh water rivers are frozen over. The climate west of the Allega- ny mountains, differs materially from that on the eastern side, in the temperature of the air, and in the quantity of snow and rain which falls every year. The air is seldom so cold or so hot by several degrees, as on the eastern side of the mountains, in the same latitudes. Seasons. Autumn is the finest season of the year, in the United States ; th3 temperature of the air is then most a- greeable and the weather is serene and settled. In New- England winter lasts near half the year ; in the Southern States it is milder, and continues not more than three or four months. In spring the weather is most variable, a fwarm and pleasant day being often succeeded by anothei- that is cold and stormy. Face of the Country. The territories of the United State-s are happily variegated with mountains and plains, hills and valleys. Some parts are rocky, particularly the north- ern stales, and the mountainous tract running southwest- erly from Hudson rivei to Georgia. In the southern stales, the country between the Atlantic ocean and the mountains, a tract from 60 to 100 miles broad, is level, and entirely free of stone. Between the mountains and the Missisippi, are vast level meadows, and the borders of that river aie either spacious low lands^ annually overflowed, or con- tinued forests. The newly acquired tract of Louisiana contains some of the most pleasant and fertile spots on the face of the globe. Botany. The'natural history of the United States is in its infancy. Th.e vegetable productions have not yet been well desciibed by any author, in a work professedly for that purpose. No country affordsa greater variety of indigenous plants, many of? which are distinguished for stately growth and beauty. It is particularly rich in trees and shrubs, many of them differing in genus or species, from those in the old world. In the woods are several new species of oak, wal- nut, poplar, and maple. The sugar maple abounds in ma- ny parts of the United States, valuable on account of its UNITED STATES. 91 saccharine juice yielded by tapping, which, by boiling and relinirig, affords a wholesome and palatable sugar, Ht for all domestic uses. In the southern states, the magnolia rises to a magnihcence of bulk, which renders it the pride ef the forest, while its flowers perfume the air ; and the wonds afford the richest variety of flowering shrubs and beautiful trees. New-England produces spontaneously an almost infinite number of plants and herbs, useful for medicinal purposes. Wild fruits, and nuts of almost every description, enrich the counuy from Maine to. Geuigia. /}orkul:ure and Cuh'ii;^vhen in the wafer and en the wing. The Canada Gonse is a bird of passage and gregarious.. The offspring of the Canadian and common goose are mongrels, and reckoned more valuable than either of uu-- mixed biood. The Quail, or Parti idge, is a bird peculiar to America.. The partridge of New- England is the pheasan of Penn- sylvania, but is miscalled in both places. It is a speciev. of the Grous. Neither the Pheasant, Partridge, nor Quail- is found in America. The Wakon bird, which probably is of the same specie-, as the Bird of Paradise, receives its name from the idea; th^ Indians Uava of its superior excellence ; tho Wakpx- 94 tJNITED STATES. Bird being, in iheir language, the Bird of the Great Spirit. Its tail is composed of four or five feathers, which are three times as long as its body, and which are beautifully shaded with green and purple. It carries this fine length cf plumage in the same manner as the peacock does his, but it is not known whether, like him, it ever raises it to an erect position. Reptiles. Among the amphlbkus reptiles, are several turtles, or tortoises, some of which are esteemed delic- ious food. Ql loads, frogs ^ and lizards, there are likewise many species. Of this latter class of reptiles, is the Alliga- tor, or American Crocodile, a- terrible creature, of prodig- ious strength, activity, and swiftness in the water. They are from six to tweniy-four f*et in length ; their bodiesj as large as that of a horse, covered with horny plates or scales, said to be impenetrable to a rifle ball, except about the head and fore legs. They make a frightful appear- ance, and at certain seasons, a most hideous roar, resem- bling distant thunder. They are oviparous, and lay from one to two hundred eggs in a nest. Their principal fo^d is fish, but they devour dogs and hogs. The old ieed on the young alligators, till they get so large that they can- not make a prey of them. In South- America, the carrion vulture destroys multitudes of young alligators, which would otherwise render the country uninhabitable. It is supposed there arc about forty different kinds of serpents in North-America, among which the Rattle snake is probably rlit largest. Their rattles consist of several ar- ticulatedjCrustaceous bags, forming their tails, which when they move, make a rattling noise, giving warning of their approach. They are supposed to have the power of fas- cination in an eminent degree ; and charm birds, rabits, and squirrels in such a manner, that they lose the power of resistance, and suffer themselves to be devoured. Their bite is very poisonous, but not incurable. Tlie Coach-Whip, Glass, and Joint snakes, are great curiosities. The latter, when struck, breaks-like a pipe-stem- v/ithout producing a tincture of blood. The snakes are not so numerous nor so venomous in the northern, as in the southern states ; in the latter however, the inhabitants are furnislaed with a much greater variety UNITED STATES. 5 of plants and herbs, which afford immediate relief to per- sons bitten by those poisonous creatures. It is an obser-' vation worthy of grateful remembrance, that wherever venomous animals are found, the God of nature has kind- ly provided sufficient antidotes against their poison. Fish. Upwards of eighty different kinds of fish have been enumerated in the waters of North-America. Of these the Whale is the largest ; some of them, in the north- ern seas, being ninety feet in length. They were former- ly found in plenty along the coast of the United States, but, at present are scarce. That species of Whales, call- ed the Beluga, is found principally in the gujf of St. Lawrence and Hudson Bay. Beneath the skin of the Beluga, may be felt the bones of five fingers, which termi- nate at the edge of the fin, in five very sensible projections. The Lamprey frequents most of the rivers in the New- England states. After the spawning season is over, and the young fry have gone down into the sea, the old fish at- tach themselves to the roots and limbs of trees, which have fallen into the water, and there perish. A mortifi- cation begins at the tail, and proceeds upwards to the vi- tal parts. The Ink, or Cuttle Fish, is a great curiosity. It is fur- nished with a cyst of black liquor, which, when emitted, renders the water like a thick, black cloud in the eyes of its pursuer ; and thus the fish escapes. The whalemen call these fish Squids. Insects. Naturalists have enumerated about eighty spe- cies of insects and vermes in North- America, many of them peculiar to the continent. The most curious of these is the Sea Anemone, Sea Nettle, or Animal Flower. They are found attaclied to the sides of rocks, over which the tide flows. They appear like flowers of different sizes, with six expanded leaves ; and have the power of assum- ing different shape?, as of a full blov/n anemone, or of a large rose or poppy. When the largest are expanded, they are five or six inches in circumference ; and, when touch- ed, they contract themselves When muscles are offered them they seize and conduct them to their mouths in the centre of the flower, and swallow them. They reproduce themselves in an t^stonishing manner ; when cut into sev- m UNITEB STATES. several piiRccs, each piece becomes a complete crea- ture.* Commerce and Manufactures, No country in the world -enjoys greater advantages for Internal and foreign com- merce than the United States, by means of the cun>erous rivers and lakes. that inte|-sect the country and the ex- cellent harbors and bays which indent the sea coast. Ca- nals are opened, ati<^ many more might be opened, to fa- cilitate inland navigation ; and the whole country will probably soon be chequered into islands and peninsulas. The most considerable manufactures, are tanned leather and dressed skins ; various works in iron and wood ; ca- bles, sail cloth, and cordage; bricks, tiles, and pottery ; paper, hats, sn<*ff, gunpowder j some utensils in copper, brass, and tin ; clocks, and mathematical instruments ; coarse cloths, cottons and linens for domestic uses, and some for exportation ; and maple sugar. The principal articles of exportation will be enumerat- ed in the accounts of the several states individually. The commerce of the United States is chiefly carried on with Great-Britain and her colonies, with Russia, France, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, tlie East- Indies, &c. In 1799, 1 900, 1801, and 1802, the exports of the United States fluctuated from 68 to 9'6 millions of dollars. Tlie importations of manufactures from the British dominions, were little less than 7,000,000 dollars. In 1802, the im- ported manufactur*"^ from all other countries, were less than 14,000,000 i The wines, teas, salt, distilled spirits, and other m... ctured produce, from places not British, amounted pn,^. y to 30,000,000 dollars, and the like manufactured articles from British dominions were probably worth 3,000,000 dollars. The annual value of all the articles manpfactured, it appears from an estimate made by authority in 1810, considerably exceeds 120 millions of dollars, and this value is rapidly increas- ing. Thf trade to China is considerable, and increas- irg. Th total amount of imports into the United States, in 1810, is stated by Mr.- Blodget, at 54',000,000 dollars ; and of the exports, at 52,200,000 dollars s tons of shipping, l,,'J50,28l ; of which 4^)3,044! tons, or * For more complete information of the quadrupeds, birds, fish, insect*, &c. of North-America, the reader is referred to the Americai) Universal Geography UNITED STATES. 7 mors than^one third is owned by Massachusetts. Mr. Blodget estimates the number of acres of improved land io the United is: ates, at -lO.QSO.OOO i horses, J 4,()00,()00 ; horned cattle, 5,660,000 ; banks, S>5 ; bank capitals, 54.000,000 dollars ; custom house bonds, 9,(i()0,00(i dol- lars ; total valuation of the United Stales, li, 5 10,000,000 dollars. Populalton. According to the census of 1800, the num- ber of inhabitants in the several states was 5,305,666 ; of whom y93,651 were slaves According to ihe census of 1810, the whole number of inhabitants was 7,'i^<9,903, of whom 1,1 9 1, 364 were slaves. This population is made up of almost all nations, languages, and religions, which Europe can furnish ; but much the greater part are de- scended from the English. Language. The English language is the prevailing lan- guage in the United States ; and in this language all bu- siness is transacted, and public records kept. Excepting a few provincial con options, it is spoken with great puri- ty in i\ew-b'ngland, by all classes of peop.e. In the mid- dle and southern states, the great influx of foieigntrs has produced many corruptions, especially in pronunciation. There arq some Dutch, French, Germans, Swedes, and Jews, who retain, in a greater or less degiee, their native language, in which they perform their public worship, and converse with each oilier. Religion The constitution of the United States prohib- its the enycting of any laws for the establishment of le- hgion, or controlling the free exercise of it. Religious lib- erty is also a fundamental principle in the constitutions of the individual slates. Its pubUc teachers are maintained by equal taxes on property, by pew rents, marriage and burial fees, voluntary contributions, &c. The following denomiilations of Christians are found in the United States : Congregationalists Baptists Presbyterians Quakers, or Friends Episcopalians Methodists Dutch Reformed Church Roman Catholics 1 9$ .UNITED STATED. German Lutherans German Calvinists, or Pres- byterians Moravians Tunkers Universalists Mennonists and Shakers There are, probably, some others, whose numbers arc comparatively small.* State of Liter alure. There are In the United States 30 colleges ; thr^pr four of them, however, exist only on paper ; and abdut 100 academies. A plan has been con- templated for establishing, under the auspices of Congress, a National University, at the seat of governnient. . Government. The government of the United States is vested in a President and Congress, which consists of two legislative bodies, called a senate and house of represent- atives. The President is chosen for four years. The senate consists of two senators from each state, chosen every six years by the state legislatures. In this body the vice president of the United States presides, ex officio. The house of representatives is elected by the people, eve- ry two years, and apportioned in such a manner, that ev- ery state shall have, at least, one representative ; but that the number of representatives shall not exceed one for every 35,000 inhabitants. By the census of 1810 the representatives to congress were apportioned among the states as follows ; New-Hampshire 6 Indiana Territory 1 Vermont 6 Maryland 9 Massachusetts 20 Virginia 23 Rhode-Island 2 Kentucky 10 Connecticut 7 Tennessee G New-York 27 Worth-Carolina 13 New-Jersey 6 South-Carolina 9 Pennsylvania 23 Georgia 6 Delaware 2 Louisiana 1 Ohio 6 Missisippi Territory 1 * For a particular account of these several religious sects, the read- er is referred to Miss H. Adams's View of Religions," UNITED STATES'. 99 The legislative power is vested in the congress, and the executive is lodged with the president, or in the vice- prCbident, who supplies his place in any emergency. The president has the command of the army and navy, and has the power of pardoning offences, except in cases of impeachment. He can make treaties, and appoint am- bassadors, with the consent of two thirds of the senate. The judicial power is lodged in one supresae court, and such inferior courts as the congress may ordain ; the jadges hold their offices during good behavior. Each state has its peculiar government, commonly con- vsisting of a governor, and general asbembly, annually chosen. The constitutions of the individual states aie, with a few variations, similar to that of the United States. Seat of Government. The city of Washington in the ter- ritory of Columbia, was ceded by the states of Virginia and Maryland, to the United States, and by Congress established as the seat of the government. It stands at the junction of the rivers Potowmac and Eastern Branch, in lat y8 36 N. extending nearly four miles up each, and in- cluding a tract of territory, which, in point of convenience, salubrity, and beauty, is not exceeded by any in America. 'I'he situation of this metropolis, is upon the great post road, about equally distant from the northern and southern extremities of the United States ; upon the best naviga- tion, and in the midst of a commercial territory, immense- ly rich, and commanding extensive internal resources. The public offices of the government were established herein 1800. - ' Revenue and Expenditure, The revenue of the United States is raised from duties on the tonnage of vessels en- tered in the various sea-ports, and on imported goods, wares, and merchandize. The revenue for the year 1805, was 14.,589,369 dollars j in 1808, 10,348,000 dollars; in 1809, 6,5'27,000 dollars ; in 1810, according to the es- timate of the secretary, about 12,000,000 dollars ; the expenditures for the year ending 30th September, 1810, amounted to 8,174,358 dollars. The total receipts into the treasury of the United Stares from the 4th of March, 1789, to December 31st, 1809, a- owunted to 210,827,937 dpllars, 54 cents, vi^. iOO UNITED STATES. Dollars. Ceats, From Customs * 171,278,734.09 Internal revenue 6,445,373 90 Direct tax 1,736 266 28 Public lands 3,972,134 34 Miscellaneous 5,574,662 90 Loans 21,820,765 82 Total 210,827,937 '34 The largest amount in any single year was, in 180S 17.060,661 dollars, 93 cents ; in 1809, the amount was only 7,773,473 dollars. 12 cents. Public Debt. The amount of the public debt at the com- mencement off the present government, 1789, was about 75,000,000 dollars ; in 1 8 lOjt was reduced to 53,172 aOQ dollars, 32 cents. It has since been rapidly increasing. Mint. A national mint v/as established in 1791. It is provided by law that the purity and intrinsic value of silver shall be equal to that of Spain ; and of the gold coins to that of the strictest European nations. T he gov- ernment of the United States derives no profit from the coinage. The value of the coins striick at the mint, dur- ing the year 1804, was 371,827 dollars, 94 cents. In 1807> 2,73lj345 pieces of coin, gold, silver, and copperji were struck, at the United States mint, amounting to 1,044.595 dollars, 9! cents. Army. The United States have no standing army, sucl^ an establishment being deemed inconsistent with a repub- lican gov6rnmenCi" The following is the return of the mil- itary force of the states and territories, made to the secre-. tary at war, in 1807, arranged in the order of their rela- tive strength. Georgia 18,65ii Vermont 1 6,436 Pennsylvania 94,521 IMew-York 71',.494 Virginia 69,762 Massachusetts 62,586 North-Carolina 44,^56 Souih-Carolina 32,642 Tennessee 16,102 Ohio 15,137 Rhode-Island 5.245 Mi&sisippi Territory 1,1^8 Kentucky 32,235 j Indiana ! erritory 2,931 Kew-Jersey 30,885 | District of Columbia 1,910 New Hampshire 22,786 Orleans Territojy 1,44? Ccanecticut 20,783 j Michigan Territciy 1.038 UNITED STATES. 101 The militia of the states and territories, according to the returns made to the secretary ar war, in 1808, amount- ed to 636,33G men, giving an increase of 7I>338, for one year. A small military force was maintained before the pres- ent war, for the support of public order, and the defence of the frontiers, and fortresses on the sea coast. Navy. The navy of the United States commenced Its existence in 1797, and increased rapidly till 1800; since which time it has been reduced, and, in 1810, consisted only of 19 vessels of war, of which were frigates, the whole carrying 502 guns. Provision has been made by congress, in 181^, for increasing the navy, and several T'i's are now building. History. The time and manner of the original settle- ments of the United States, have been mentioned undei the head of North- America. ['hey continued subject to Great-Britain, as colonies of that kingdom, till the I'ourth # OF July, 1776; which day may be called the epoch of their existence, as an independent naiion The attempts of the British parliament to raise a reve- mue in the colonies, without their consent, occasioned the war, which separated them from Great Britain. The fol- lowing brief history of this war, and the causes which \q by shutting the port of Boston, which ruined the trade of that flounsliing town. This act wjls followed by otliers, by which the con- stitution of Massachusetts was new modelled, and the lib- erties of the people infringed* These rash and cruel measures gave great and universal alarm to the Americans. General Gage was sent to Bos- ton to enforce the new laws ; but he was received with > coldness, and opposed with spirit in the execution of his commission. The assemblies of Americans remonstrated and petitioned. Contributions of money and provisions, from every quarter, were sent to the inhabitants of Boston, who were suffering In consequence of the port bill. The same year, troops arrived in Boston, to enforce the impolitic and unjust acts of the British parliament. Forti- iicH.ions were erected on Boston neck, by order of genera! G;icfe ; and the ammunition and stores Ik Cambridge and Chanestown were secured. in S^;pteniber, deputies, from most of the colonies, met in Congress, at Philadelpliia, who approved of the conduct of I he people of Massachusetts ; wrote a letter to general Gage ; pubiishc-d a declaration of rights ; formed an as- sociation not to import or use British goods ; sent a peti"- tlon to the king of Great-Britain ; an address to the in- 'habltants of that kingdom ; .another to the inhabitants of Canada ; and another to the inhabitants cf the colonies. In the beginning of the next year, 1775, was passed the Fishery Bill, by which the northern colonies were forbid to fish on the banks of Newfoundland, for a certain time. This bore hard upon the commerce of these colonies, which was, in a great measure supported by the fishery. Soon after, another bill was passed, which restrained the trade UNITED STATES. 103 of the middle and southern colonies to Great-Britain, Ire- land, and the West-Indies, except on certain conditions. These repeated acts of oppression, on the part of Great- Britain, alienated the affections of America from her par- ent and sovereign, and produced a combined opposition to the whole system of taxation. Preparations begaa to be made to oppose by force the execution of these acts of par- hament. The militia of the country were trained to the use of arms great encouragement was given for the man- ufacture of gun powder, and measures were taken to ob- tain all kinds of military stores. In February, colonel Leslie was sent, with a detachment of British troops, from Boston, to take possession of some cannon, at Saiera. But the people had intelligence of the design took up the draw bridge in that town, and pre- vented the troops from passing, until the cannon were se- cured ; so fhat the expedition failed. In April, colonel Smith and major Pitcairn were sent with a body ot troops, to destroy the military stores which had been collected at Concoid, about twenty miles from Boston. At Lexington the militia were cpllected on a gieen, to opposq^the incursion of the British forces, and were fired upon by the troops, when eight men were killed upon the spot. Che militia were dispersed, and the troops proceeded to Concord where they destroyed a few stores. On their return, they weie incessantly harassed by the Americans, who, inHamed with just resentment, fired upi>n' them from houses and tences, and pursued them to Bi^sion. At Lexington, was spilt the first blood in this memora- ble war; a war, which severed America irom the British empire. Here opened the fiist scene of the great drama, which, in its progress, exhibited the most illustrious char- acters and events, and closed with a revolution, equally glorious for the actois, and important in its consequences to the human race. This battle roused all America. The nnilitia collected from all quarters ; and Boston was, in a few days, besieged by twenty thousand men. A stop wai put to all inter- course between the town and countiy, and the inhybitants were reduced to great want of provisions. Gentiai G. was distinguished by very memorable events in favor of America. On the opening of the campaign, governor Tryon was sent, with a body of troops, to destroy the stores at Danbury, in Coni.ccti- cut. This plan was executed, and the town mostly burnt ; but the enemy suffered in the retreat, and the Americans lost General Wooster, a brave and experienced officer. The British general Prescot was taken from his quarters, on Rhode-Island, by the address and enterprise of colonel Barton, and conveyed prisoner to the continent. General Burgoyne, who commanded the noithern Brit- ish army, took possession of Ticonderoga, which had been abandoned by the Americans. He pushed his successes, crossed lake George, and encamped upon the banks of the Hudson, near Saratoga. His progress, however, was checked by the defeat of colonel Baum, n^ar Bennington, in which the undisciplined militia of Veimont under gen- 108 UNITED SPATES. ral Stark, displayed iinexampled bravery, and captured almost the whole detachment. The militia assembled from all parts of New-England to stop the progress of general Burgoyne. These, with the regular troops, formed a respectable army, command, ed by general Gales. After two severe actions, in which the generals Lincoln and Arnold behaved with uncommon gallantry, and were w^ounded, general Burgoyne foxmd himself enclosed with brave troops, and was forced to surrender hfs whole army amounting to ten thousand men, into the hands of the A- mericans. This event happened m October : it diffused a universal joy over America, and laid a foundation for the treaty with France. Before these transactions, the main body of the British forces had embarked at New-York, sailed up the Chesa- peak, and landed at the head of Elk river, where the ar- my soon began their march for Philadelphia. General Waslungion had determined to oppose them ; and, for this pu'posf, made a stand upon the heights near Brandy wine creek. Here the aimies engaged, and the Americans were cverpr wcred, and suffered great loss. The enemy pursued their march, and tO(;k possession of Philadelphia, towards the close .of Stptember. Not long after, the two ai n.ics \vere again engaged at Germantown, and, in the beginning of the action, the A- inericans had the advantage ; but, by some unlucky acci- dent, the fortune of the day was turned in favor of the British. Both sides suffered considerable losses : on the side of the Americans, was general Na<-h. In an attack upon the forts at Mud-Island and Red bank, the Hessians were unsuccessful, and their command- er, colonel Donop, killed. The British also lost the Au- gusta, a ship of the line. But the forts were afterwaids taken, and the navigation of the Delawai-e oj>encd. Gen- eral Washington was reinforced with part of tht troops which had composed the jiorthern army, under general Gates ; and both armies retired to winier-quaiters. * In October, the same month in which general Burgoyne was taken at Saratoga, genera- V 'Ughan, with a small fleet, sailed up Hudson river, and wantonly burnt Kings- UNITED STATES. 109 ton, a beautiful Dutch setilement on the west side of the river. The beginning of the next year, 1778, was distinguisli- ed by a treaty of alliance between France and America ; by which the latter obtained a powerful ally. When the English ministry were informed that this treaty was on foot, they despatched conmiissioners to Ameiica to at- tempt a reconciliation : but America would not liow ac- cept their offers. Early in the spn'ng, Count de E*;- taing with a fleet of fifteen sail of the line, was sour, by the court of France, to assist America. General Howe left the army, and returned to England ; the command then devolved upon Sir Henry Clinton. In June, the British army left Philadelphia, and marched for New-York. On their march they were annoyed by the Americans ; and at Monmouth, a very regular action took place between part of the armies ; the enemy were repuls- ed with great loss ; and, had General Lee obeyed his or- ders, a signal victory must have been obtained. For Iiis ill conduct that day, General Lee was suspended, and never afterwards permitted to join the army, In August, General Sullivan, Vv'ith a large body of troops, attempted to take possessio)\ of Rhode-Island, but did not succeed. Sooa after, the stores and sliippins)-, aL Bedford in Massachusetts, were burnt by a party of Brit- ish troops. The same year, Savannah, the capital ot" Georgia, was taken by the British, under the command of Colonel Campbell. In the following year, 1779, General Lincoln v/as ap- pointed to the command of the o\ithern army. Governor Trynn and Sir George- Collier made an incursion into Connecticut, and burnt, with wanton baibarity, the toum of F.iirficld and NoTVv-alk. But the American arnss were crov.'ned v.-ith success in a bold attack upon Stonev Poin: which was surprised and f.iken l;y General Wayne in tl.e night cS the 15th of July. Five hundred j"r:cn were made prisf)ners, will) a small loss on eit.'icr side. A paily of British forces-attempted, this summer to build a fort on Penobscot rivtr, for ilie purpose of ciutun)- timber in the neighboring forests. A plan v;as laid, by Massacli'isetts, to dislodge them, and a considerable flc^- K HO UNITED STATES. collected for the purpose. But the plan failed of success, and the whole marine force fell into the hands of the Brit- ibh, except somo vessels, which were burnt, by the Amer- icans themselves. In October, General Lincoln and Count de Estaing made an assault upon Savani^ah ; but they were repulsed with considerable loss. In this action the celebrated Po- liih Count Polaski, who had acquired the reputation of a biave soldier, was mortally wounded. In the summ.er, General Sullivan marched, with a body of troops, into the Indian country, in the state of New- York, and burnt and destroyed all their provisions and settlements, that fell in his way. On the opening of the campaign, the next year, 1 TSO, the British troops left Rhode island. An expedition un- der General Clinton and Lord CornwalHs, was undertak- en against Charleston, in South- Carolina, where General I^^ncoln commanded. This town after a close seige of a'-oiit six weeks, was surrendered to the British command- er ; and General Lincoln, and tlie whole American gar- rison, V:ere made prisoners. General Gates v.'as appointed to the command in the southern department, and another army collected. In Au- gust Lord Cornwallis attacked the Anieiican troc ps at Camden in South-Carolina, and routed them with consid- cra'-le loss. He afterwards marched through the south- ern states, and siipposed tliem entirely subdued. The same summer, the British troops made frequent in- cursions from New-Yoik into New-Jersey ; ravaging and j;l',indeiing the count; y. in, July a French fleet, under Monsieur de Ternay, witli u b )dy of land forces, crrnmanded by Count de Rocham.- beau, a! rived at R.hode Island, to the great joy of the A- mt.ric;u:s. This ye.ir was also distinguished l>y tl.v inf^mcus trta- sen ot -'vrnoid. General Washington, having seme busi- ness to transact at Weatlicisheld in Connecticut, left Ar- nolJ to command tlie important post f 122 NEW-HAMPSHIRE. and nearly as many other buildings, besides those for pub- lic uses ; which are, thiee Congregational churches, one Episcopal, one Universalist, one Baptist, a state house, market house, four school houses, and a workhouse. Exeter is 15 miles southwest from Portsmouth, situat- ed at the head of navigation, upon Swam scut, or Exeter river. It is well situated for a manufacturing town. The public buildings are two Congregational churches, an a- cademy, a new and handsome court house, and a gaol. Concord is a pleasant, flourishing inland town, on the west bank of Merrimac river, S'i miles W. N. W. from Portsmouth. The general court commonly hold their ses- rions here ; and from its central situation, and a thriving Lack country, it will probably soon become the permanent seat of government. Much of the trade of the upper coun- try centres in this town. It had in 1 810, 2,393 inhabitants. Dover, Amherst, Keene, Charlestown, Plymouth, and Plaverhill, are the other most considerable towns in this state. Curiosities. In the township of Chester, is a circular eminence, half a mile in diameter, and 400 feet high, call- ed Rattlesnake hill. On the south side, ten yards from its base, is the entrance of a cave, called the Devil's Den, in which is a room, fifteen or twenty feet square, and four feet high, floored and circled by a regular rock, from the upper part of which, are dependent many excrescences, nearly in the form and size of a pear, and, when approach- ed by a torch, tlirow out a sparkling lustre of almest every hue. Many frightful stories have been told of this cave, by those who delight in the marvellous. It is a cold, dreary, and gloomy place. In the town of Durham, is a rock, computed to weigh sixty or seventy tons, which lies so exactly poised on anoth- er rock, that it may be moved with one finger. In a meadov/, in Atkinson, is an island of six or seven acres, that rises and falls with the water of the meadow, which is sometimes six feet. On the plain of Dartmouth college, one hundred feet above the bed of Connecticut river, logs of timber have been dug up, thirty feet below the surface of the ground. It is supposed, that this elevated plain was once the bed of the river, ' -^ VERMONT. 123 VERMONT. Extent^ Situation, and Bnuniia^rics. THE length of Ver- inont, from north to south, is about 157^ miles; the northern boundary line is only 9 miles long, and the southern is about 40 miles. Estimating the mean widiii at Go miles, it will give an area of 10,2372- square miles. It is situated between 42 and 45- degrees N. latitude, and between 1 35' and S" 30' E. longitude. It is bounded N. by Lower Canada, E. by Connecticut river, separat- ing it from New-Hampshire, S. by Massachusetts, W. by New-York, No part of the state approaches nearer ihaa 80 or y burden come up to the falls, which arc thronged with m ills. Curiosities. In the town of Clarendon, on tiic side of a small hill, is a very curiou? cave. The cli.ism. at it: cn L 2 126 MASSACHUSETTS. traiKe, is about 4 feet in circumference. Enteiing this, you descend 101- feet, and then opens a spacious room, 20 feet in breadtli, and 100 feet in length ; the roof of this cavern is of rock, through which the water is continually- percolating. The stalactites which hang from the roof appear like icicles on the eves of houses, and are continu- ally increasing in number and magnitude. The bottom and sides are daily incrusting with spar and other mineral substances. On the sides of this subterraneous hall, are tables, chai/s, &c. which appear to have been artificially carved. This richly ornamented room, when illuminated with the candles of the guides, has an enchanting effect lipon the eye of the spectator. At the end of this cave is a circular hole, i. 5 -feet deep, apparently hewn out, in a conical form, enlarging gradually as you descend, in form of a sugar loaf. At tlie bottom, is a spring of fresh wa- ter, in continual motion, like the boiling of a pot. Its depth has never been sounded. in some low lands, over against the Great Ox Bow, is a remarkable spring, which dries up once in two or three years, and bursts out in another place. It has a strong smell of sulphur, and throws up a peculiar kind of white sand. A thick yellow scum rises upon the water when seltled. Dr. Williams has written the best history of this state. MASSACHUSETTS PROPER.* Situation and Extent. THE state of Massachusetts, ex- clusive of the District of Maine, lies between ^l** 13' and 4-3 52' north latitude, and between 1 SO' and 5 11' east longitude. The northern line of this state is about 11(> miles long ; its southern boundary, from the southwest corner to Cape Cod, is 190. Its western line is about 50 miles ; in some places it is wider, in others much narrow- er. It is supposed to contain 6250 square miles. *Tv'.i r-ti::lc ;rc.it> of rto topic relLirinj t-o the District of Maine MASSACHUSETTS. 127 Boundaries. Massachusetts is bounded on the north by VermoiiL dnd New- Hampshire ; en si by the Atlantic o- cean ; souih by the Atlantic, Rhode-Island, and Connecti- cut ; west by New-York. Divisions and Population. This part of the state is divid- ed into 14- counties, viz. Counties. Inhabitants Counties. Inhabitants in 1810. in 1810. Suffolk 34-,3Sl Plymouth 35,195 Norfolk 31,24-5 Bristol 37,168 Essex 71,888 Barnstable 21,993 Middlesex 52,789 Duke's County 3,290 Franklin ) Nantucket 6,07 Hampshiie y 76,192 Worcester 64,900 Hampden i Berkshire 35,782 The whole number of towns is 280. The whole num- ber of inhabitants, in 1800, was 422,630, and in 1810, 471,640; increase in 10 years, 49:010; number of in- habitants to each square mile, 75. There are no slaves in Massachusetts. Face of the Country. The coast of Massachusetts is in- dented with numerous bays. The western part of the state is hilly. Wachusett mountain, 45 miles northwest of Boston, is 2989 feet above the level of the sea. Mount Tom, in Hampshire county, is 1237 feet above the water of Connecticut river, which makes its base. Mount Ho- lyoke, in Hadley, is nearly as high ; and from its top is a most beautiful prospect. In the vicinity of Boston, are some hills of considerable height ; but, except the coun- ties of Hampshire and Berkshire, Massachusetts is gener- ally a level country. Bays and Capes. The principal bay is that called Mas- sachusetts Bay, formed by Cape-Ann on the north, and Cape-Cod on the south Cape-Cod receives its name from the fish taken on that coast. On the south side of the cape, is the harbor of Provincetown, the first port entered by tlie Forefathers of New-England, in 1620, whence they proceeded to Plymouth. Rivers. Housatonic river rises from several sources in the western part of this stale, and flows southerly through Connecticut, into Long Island Sound. Deerfield river falls into Connecticut river from the west, between Deer- 128 MASSACHUSETTS. field and Greenfield. Westfield river empties into the Connecticut at West-Springfield. Connecticut river passes through this state, and inter- sects the county of Hampshire. In its course, it runs over fells above Deerfield, and between Northampton and Springfield. Miller's and Chlcapee rivers fall into Con- necticut on the east side; the former at Northfield, the latter at Springfield. In the eastern, part of the state, is Merrimac river, navigable for vessels of burden about 20 miles from its mouth. Nashua, Concord, and Shawsheen rivers,.rise in this state, and run a northeasterly course into the Merrimac. Ipswich and Chebacco rivers pass through the town of Ipswich into Ipswich bay. Mystic river falls into Boston harbor east of the peninsula of Charlestown. It is navi- gable three miles to Medford. Charles river is a considerable stream, which passes in- to Boston harbor, between Charlestown and Boston. It is navigable for boats to Watertown, 7 miles. Neponset river, after passing over falls, sufficient to car- ry mills, unites with other small streams, and forms a ve- ry constant supply of water for the many mills situated on the river below, until it meets the tides in Milton, from whence It Is navigable for vessels of 150 tons burden, to \he bay, distant about 4> miles. North river runs in a serpentine course between Scitu- ate and Marshfield, and passes to the sea. Taunton river is made up of several streams, which unite in or near the town of Bridgewater. Its course is from northeast to southwest, till it falls into Nairaganset Bay, at Tiver- ton opposite to the north end of Rhode Island. Soil and Productions. A great variety of soils are found in Massachusetts, yielding all the diflferent productions common to the climate. The average produce on an a- cre of good UnJ, is probably nearly as follows ; Indian corn, 30 bushels; barley, 30 ; wheat, 15; rye, 15; po- tatoes, 200. The soutliern part of the state is the most barren, and the north and west parts, including Himpshlre county, the most fertile parts. The towns In the vicinity of Bos- n, as CAnabvidge, Roibary, Brookline, aad Dorchester, MASSACHUSETTS. 129 -^ *re Ilierally gardens, from which the capital is furnishei wiih the finest fruits and vegetables. The towns adjoin- ing Connecticut river have a luxuriant soil. Minerals^ Iron ore, In immense quantities, is found in rarinus parts of the state ; but principally in the comities of Plymouth and Bristol. Copper ore is found at Lever^ c:t and Attleborough ; mines of black lead, at Brimfield ; pipe clar, and red and yellow ochre, at Martha's Vineyard and other places. In a quarry of limestone, in Newbury, is found the Jsl-estos, or incombustible cotton. Marble is found in the same vicinity, and also at LanesboroUi^h. In BrookBeld, is a large bed of rocks, czWed f>y rites, impreg- nated with sulphur, vitriol and alum. Mineral Springs. Several mineral springs have been dis- covered, but none have yet obtained much celebrity. Springs of the quality, though not of the strength, of the Ballstown waters, have lately been brought into some no- tice, in the north part of Boston, and at Brigluon, 5 or 6 miles west of Boston, but their waters have not yet been, analyzed. Manufadures. The manufactures of Massachusetts are various and considerable. Duck manufactories have been established at Boston, Salem, Haverhill, and Springfield. Cotton is manufactured at Beverly, Boston, Worcester, Mendon, MeJfield, and wool at Byficld, and olher pLices. Plymouth and Bristol counties are the principal seat of iron manufactories. In Taunton, Norton, Bridgewater,. Plymouth, Kingston, and other towas, nails are made in such quantities, as almost to prevent their importation. Mills for slitting and rolling iron arc erected ; and al- most every article usually made of that metal, is here man- ufactured. There are mere than 20 paper mills in this state, which produce upwards of 70,000 reams of paper annually. Tijc principal card manufactories are in Bos- ton and Cambridge. There are 60 distilleries, employed in distilling spirits from foreign materials ; and 12 coun- try distilleries, employed in distilling domestic articles. ' A g'ass house in Boston produces glass superior to any imported, to the amount of 76,000 dollars in a year. At Lynn, in Essex county, 400,000 pairs of shoes are an- nually made. There is a manufactory of wire at Ded- ham, .'Knd others at Newton and Medford. SnufF, oil,, | fSff^" 130 MASSACHUSETTS. chocolate, paper, and powder mills are erected in various parts of the state. Commerce. The commerce of Massachusetts is extensive. Their ships sail round the globe and bring home the pro- duce of every climate. The chief exports are beef, pork, butter, cheese, flour, pot and pearl ashes, flax seed, whale oil, whalebone, spermaceti, fish, shoes, tobacco, and lumber. More than a third part of the whole shipping in the United States is owned in this state. Upwards of 29,000 tons are employed in the fisheries ; 45,000 in the coasting trade ; and 96,56 1 in trading with different parts of the world. Such was the state of commerce before tlie war. Ihland Navigation. A canal is opened on Connecticut river, round Miller's and Montague Falls. The locks are '20 feet wide, 75 feet long, and draw three feet of water. They are supported on each side by stone walls- 8 feet thick, and lined with plank. Th'i wliole fall is %Q feet, and die canal saves the carriage of 6 miles. At the head of this canal is a dam, extending across the river, of a stu- pendous structure. It is iOOOfeet long, and 28 high, from the top to the surface of the water, built of solid timber, and supported by heavy cross timbers. This dam serves to deaden the rapids between it and Miller's river, and to supply the canal with water, which overcomes the rapids at Montague. A canal is also opened round the falls at South-Hadley, with locks of peculiar and ingenious construction. But the greatest v/ork of the kind in this state, is the Middlesex canal, which connects the waters of Merrimac river with Boston harbor, ;50 miles long. Concord river is the reservoir of the canal. Three lociis connect this river with the Merrimac, the descent being '21 feet. Having raised the Merrimac to the level of the canal, it proceeds to the Concord, crosses it, and proceeds on its course, over brooks and rivets, 11 miles. It passes over Shawsheen riv-, er by an aqueduct bridge, more than 2(> feet above the sur- face of the river. At the end of II miles, is a lock of 7 feet descent, and a mile and a half further is another. A few places of low ground have banks raised 12 or 13 feet high. Thirteen locks are required in its whole course, making a descent of 107 feet. Each lock contains 100 tons of timber supported by stone walls. It proceedi MASSACHUSETTS. 13 1 through Woburn, passes over Mystic river, and crosses the isthmus at Charlesto\\Ti into the bay between Charles- town and Cambridge. The Merrimac river is already, or will shortly be, rendered boatable as far as Salisbury. It is expected this canal will be of great advantage to the proprietors and the public, as it opens a direct communication from Boston to the centre of New-Hamp- shire. Bridges. There are about 20 bridges in this state, which are supported by a toll. Charles river bridge is the oldest, connecting Boston and Charlestown, 1 503 feet long, supported by 75 piers. Two bridges connect Boston and Cambridge, one of which is 3500 feet long with a cause- way, on Cambridge side, of SQW feet, making nearly a mile and a third. Another bridge connects the south part of Boston with Dorchester. Maiden and Chelsea bridges join those towns to Charles- town. Essex bridge connects Salem and Beverly. All the preceding bridges have draws to admit the passage of vessels through them. Several elegant and expensive bridges have been built over the Merrimac. There is a bridge over the rapids of Connecticut river, between Montague and Greenfield, consisting of four arch- es, supported by three piers and two abutments, built of stone. The height of these arches, above the water of the river in a dry season, is 60 or 70 feet. The water, during freshets, sometimes flows over the piers and abut- ments. Another bridge is built over this river at Hatfield, another at Springfield, and one connects Hadley with Northampton. Roads. Turnpike roads are making in every direction. The General Court has incorporated nearly 20 companies for this purpose. By these, travelling between the princi- pal towns is made easy and safe, and accomplished with great facility. - Literature and Education. According to the laws of this commonwealth, every town, having fifry lioti^eholders or upwards, is to be provided with one or more school mas- ters, to teach children and youth to read and writs, and insruct ihem in the English language, aritlimctic, geog- raphy and decent behavior ; and where any town has 200 families there is also to be a grammar school set up 132r MASSACHUSETTS. therein, and some discreet person, well instructed In the Latin, Greek, and English languages, procured to keep the same, and be suitably paid by the inhabitants. The penalty for neglect of schools, in towns of 50 families, is 10/. those of 100 families, 20/. of 150, 30/. . In Boston, there are seven public schools, viz. one Latin grammar school, three English grammar schools, and three for writing and arithmetic, supported wholly at the expense of the town ; in these schools, the children of ev- ery elass of citizens (the black excepted) freely associate. Besides these, there are many private schoojs, for in struction in the English, Latin, and French languages in writing, arithmetic, and the higher branches of mathe- matics and also in music and dancing. There is proba- bly not a town in the world, the youth of which enjoy the benefits of school education mare full}- than in Bos- ton. Next to these in Importance, are the academies, of which there are about 20 in the state. In these, the sciences are taught, and youth titted for the universily. Harvard University, at Cambridge, with respect to its library, philosophical apparatus, and professorships, is the first literary institution in the United States. It consists of five handsome brick edifices, the names of which are. Harvard Hall, Massachusetts Hall, Kollis Hall, Holden Chapel, and Stoughton Hall. Harvard hall is divided in- to six apartments ; one of which is appropriated for the library, one for the museum, two for the philosophical ap- paratus ; one is used for the chapel, and the other for a dining hall. The library of this college contains upwards of 17>000 volumes. It has a president, and professor in divinity, mathematics, natural philosophy, surgery, theory and practice of medicine, rhetoric and oratory, and natu- ral history. At Williamstown, in Berkshire county, is another lite- rary institution, CriUed Williams college. The languages and sciences usually taught in the American colleges are taught here, and the institution is flourishii-g. Science;. The literary, humane, and othet societies of Massachusetts are numerous. They are, the American Acadeniy of Arts and Sciences ; the Massachusetts Char- itable Society ; the Boston Episcopal Charitable Society ( ^iASSACHUSETTS. I S3 the Massachusetts Medical Society ; the Society for prop- agating the gospel among the Indians and others in North- Annerica ; the Massacliusetts Missionary Society ; the Massachusetts Society for promoting Christian Knowl- edge ; the Hampshire Missionary Society ; the Evangel- ical Missionary Society ; the Massachusetts Society for promoting Agriculture ; the Historical Society ; the Marine Society of Boston, Salem, and Newbury port ; the Massachusetts Congregational Society ; the Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society ; the Boston Mechanic Associa- tion ; the Boston Dispensary ; the Boston, Salem, and Newburyport Female Asylums ; several Bible societies ; the Boston Athenceum ; and several societies for the sup- pression of intemperance, and the reformation of morals. Ch::fToii)nj. Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, lies in latitude 42 32' north. Tt is built on a peninsula of an irregular form, at the bottoin of Massachusetts bay. The isthmus, which joins the peninsula to the continent, is at the south end of the town, and leads to Roxbury. The length of the town itself is not quite two miles. Its breadth is various. It contained, in 1800, 24,937 inhab- itants. In 1810, 33,250. in Boston are twenty -one houses for public worship ; of which, nine are Uh Congregationalists, three for Epis- copalians, three for Baptists, one for Friends, one for Uni- versalists, one for Roman Catholics, two for Methodists, and one for Africans. The other public buildings are the state house, courL house, both elegant edifices, gaol, Faneuil hall, a theatre, and an almhouse. On the west side of the town is the mall, a very beautiful public walk, adorned with rows of trees, and in view of tlie common, which is always open to refieshing breezes. The harbor of Boston is safe and large enough to con- tain 500 ships at anchor, in a good depth of water ; while the entrance is so narrow as scarcely to admit two ships abreast. The principal manufactures here are fum, beer, paper hangings loaf sugar, cordage, cards, sail clotli, sperma- ceti and tallow candles, and glass. There are 30 distille- Ties, 2 breweries, 8 sugar houses, and 5 lopewalks. M l-5'h ' MASSACHUSETTS. * Salem, the second town for size, and the oldest, except Plymouth, in the commonwealth, containing, in ISIQ, 12,G1 3 inhabitants, was settled in 1628, by Governor Endicott. Here are a meeting of Quakers, an Episcopal church, and six Congregational societies. The town is situated on a peninsula, formed by two small inlets of the sea, called North and South rivers Southeast from Salem, and at four miles distance from it, lies Marblehead, containing inJ810, 5900 inhabit- ants, one Episcopal and two Congregational churches. The chief attention of this town i-s devoted to the bank fishery. Newburyport, originally a part of Newbury, from which its incorporation detached it in ITG^, and by wliich and Merrimac liver it is wholly encircled, is the most limited, in its extent of land, of any town in the Common^ wealth, containing but about 640 acres. Here are 6 hous- es for public worship, viz. one Episcopalian, three pres- byterian, and two Congregational. In 1810, it had 7634 inhabitants. Ipsvv'ich in the couniy of Essex, 32 miles north north- east from Boston, is divided into four parishes, and con- tained, in 1810, 3569 inhabitants. The supreme judicial courts, the courts of common pleas, and sessions, are held here once in a year. Charlestown lies north of Boston, with which it is con- nected by Charles river bridge, and is the principal town in Middlesex county. It is very advantageously situated for navigation, trade, and manufactures of almost every kind. Bunker, Breed's, and Cobble, (now Pleasant) hills, celebrated in the history of the American Revolution, are in this town. One of the principal navy yards in the United Spates is established here, in which is a marine hos- pital, which cost 14-, 000 dollars. In another part of the tov.'n, the state has erected a Penitentiary. Charlcstown, in 1800, contained 2751, and in 1810, nearly 5000 inhab- itants. Cambridge and Concord are the most considerable in- land towns in the county oi' Middlesex ; the former Is 3| miles from Boston, is a pleasant town, and tlie seat of the Univcisltv. The latter is IS miles northwest of Bosto?, MASSACHUSETTS. . 125 fhe Provincial Congress sat in Concord, 1774. TJiis town is rendered famous in history, by its being the place where the first opposition was made to the Britisli troops, on the 19th of April, 1775. Plymouth, the chief town in the county of the same name, and the capital of the Old Colony, so called, is 40 miles southeast of Boston, and contains about ^00 houses. It is famous for being the place first settled by the pioas ancestors of the New-Eng!anders, in 1G'20. Worcester, the shire town of the county of that name is the largest inland town in New-England ; ii is 47 miles westward of Boston. On Connecticut liver, there are a numbr-r oi pleasant; towns ; among v.'h:ch, are Springdcid and Kadley,on the cast side of the river ; Northampton, the shire town ot H impshire county, Hitfield, and Greenfield, on tlie west. Islands. Plum Island is about 9 miles' long, and t-ue broad, extending from Merrimac to Ipswich rivers, and separated from the main by a narrow sound, called Plum Island river. It consists principally of sand, blown into curious heaps, of 10, 15, and 25 feet kigh, and crowned with bushes, bearing the beach plum. On the north end, are two light houses. Near the shore of tlie island, the Hum^.ne Socitrtv oT NewKnrvDort have erected huts, for tlie relief of shipwrecked mariners. In the season when the plums are ripe, the island is the resort of the neigh- boring inhabitants, and, for a few days, exhibits a scene of lively amusement. Nantucket Island lies south of Cape Cod. It con- tains 23,000 acres, including the beach, and constitutes one county by the name of Nantucket. It has but one town, call-'U Sherburne, containing, in 1810, 6807 inhabitants. There is not a single tiee on the island of natural growth. The inhabitants carry on a considerable whale fishery. They are mostly Quakers ; these is one society of Con- gregationalism Martha's Vineyard, a little to the v.'estward of Nan- tucket, is 19 miles long, and 4 broad. It contains thiec societies of Congregitionalists, two of Bapti.sjs, and three of Indians, one of which wa-. till lately, supplied by an ordained Indian minister. This and lire neighboring isl- ands of CnipPA'^uiDnic, Noman's Island, -An-k the Eli- isa RHODE-ISLAND. ^ ZADETH IsLAs-ns, Constitute Duke's county, contaminp, in I&IO, 3290 inhabitants, 320 of whom xvere Indians and muhttocs, subsisting by agricultuie and fishing. Edgarton, which includes the fertile island of Chappa- quiddic, about three or four miles long, and one and a half broad, is the shire town. The principal productions of the island are corn, rye and oats. They raise sheen ana cattle in considerable numbers. RH0DEJ3LAND. E: miles north- east from Providence. The confluent stream empties imp Providence river, about a mile below Providence. The rivers and bays are stored with plenty of fish, of more than 70 diiferent kinds. Newport is said to have the finest fish market in the world. Soil and Productions. This state produces corn, rye, bar- ley, oats, and in some parts wheat sufBcient for domestic consumption ; various kinds of grasses, fruits, and culina- ry roots and plants ; cider is made for exportation. The northwestern parts of the state are more rocky and barren than the other parts, and aie but thinly inhabited. The tract of country lying between South- Kingstown and the Connecticut line, called the Narragansett country, is excel- lent grazing land, and is inhabited by farmers, who raise some of the finest neat cattle in New-England, weighing from 16(X) to 1800 weight. They keep large dairies, and make butter and cheese of the best qualiry. Minerals. Iron ore abounds in this state. The iron works on Patuxet river, 12 miles from Providence, are sup- plied with ore from a bed 4 miles distant. At this place, there is a variety of ores, curious stones and ochres. In the town of Cumberland, is a copper mine mixed with iron strongly impregnated with loadstone, of which some large pieces have been found in the neighborhood. Lime stone is found in Providence county, from whick large quantities of lime are made and exported. Mineral Springs. There are several mineral springs in this state ; to one of which, near Providence, many peo- ple resort to bathe and drink the water. Manufactures. The inhabitants of Rhode-Island are pro gressing rapidly in this branch of business. A cotton man- ufactory has been erected atProvidence, where cotiongood.^ of almost every description, are manufactui cd, and sent to the southern states. Large quantities of linen and tow cloth are made in different parts of the state for exporta- tion But the most considerable manufactures are those of bar and sheet iron, steel, nail rod^ and naijs, implemenf M2 ISi RH0DEJSLANI>. of husbandry, stoves, pots, and other household utensils j. the iron work of shipping, anchors, bells, &c. Commerce. The exports from this state are flax- seed, lumber, horses, cattle, beef, pork, fish, poultry, onions, but- ter, cheese, barley, grain, spirits, cotton, and linen goods* The imports consist of European and West-India goods, and logwood, from the bay of Honduras. Upwards of (jOO vessels enter and clear annually at the different ports in this state. Public Improvements. A turnpike road has been made from Providence to Connecticut, to meet the turnpike roads from Norwich, Hartford, and New- Haven. The great bridge in Providence, was, till lately, the on- ly bridge of consequence in this state. It is 160 feet long and 22 feet wide. Tiie bridge over Patucket falls is a work of considerable magnitude, and mvich ingenuity. Central and India bridges over Seekonk river ; tlie latter, built at the sole expence of Mr. John Brown, of Provi- dence, a;e works of great expense and utility. A bridge has lately been built over Plowland's ferry,, Kniting Rhode-Island to the main, at Tiverton Literature. The literature of this state is confined prin- cipally to the towns of Providence and Nevvpoit. No prc- Tisi'n is madebylaw, for the establishment of town schools^ There are probably more people in Rhode-Island, who are unable to read and write, than in all the rest of New-. England. A college is e.stabliihed at Providence, by the name of Brown University, from Nicholas Brown, l sq. who gave the corporation, 5000 dollars, to establish a professorsliip of oratory and bellcs-lettreSi This institution is under the instruction of a President, a Professor of Divinity, a Pro- fessor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, a Profess- or of Mathematics and Astronomy, a Professor of Natu- ral History, a Professor of Oratory and Belles-lettres, and three tutors. It has a library of three thousand volumes,, and a valuable philosophical apparatus. Nearly all the funds of this college are at interest in the treasury of the state, and amount to about two thous.md pounds. At Newport, there is a flourishing academy, under the direction of a rector and tutors^ who teach the learned languages; geography, kv tour hundred acres each, whicix are lield by the larmers in fee simple, and are geneially v.ell cultivated. A traveller, even iYi the most unsettled parts of the state will si-ldom pass iiore than two or three miles Vviihout finding a house or cottage, anJ a farm, under such in.provemcnt, as to afford necessaries for the support of a ianiiiy. '1 he whole state represents a well cultivated gar- flei!, which, wi:h a degree of industry necessary to lv;ippi- ness, pi educes the necesiaries and conveniences of liie Ik great plenty.^ _ ^ Harbors. The whole sea coast is indented withharborceun:i, and dining hall ; three churches for Congre- giti jnalists, arid one for Episcopalians. This city con- tains about 600 dwelling houses. A session of the gener- al assembly is held here in October annually. N liQ NEW-YORK. New-London city stands on the west side of the rivet Thames, near its entrance into the sound. It has two houses for public worship, one for Episcopalians and one for Congregationalists ; 5150 inhabitants. Its harbor is the best in Connecticut. A considerable part of the city was burnt by the infamous Benedict Arnold, in 1781, but has since been rebuilt. Norwich city stands at the head of Thames river, fourteen miles north from New-London. It is a com- mercial city, has a rich and extensive back country, and avails itself of its natural advantages. The inhabitants manufacture paper of all kinds, stockings, clocks and watches, chaises, buttons, stone and earthen ware, wire, oil, chocolate, bells, anchors, and all kinds of forge work. The city contains a court house, two churches for Con- gregationalists, and one for Episcopalians, and about 34-76 inhabitants. The courts of law, for the county of New- London, are held alternately at New-London and Nor- wich. MiDDLETON city is pleasantly situated on the western bank of Connecticut river, fifteen miles south of Hartford. It is the principal town in Middlesex county ; has 4900 inhabitants, a couit house, a naval office, one church for Congregationalists, and one for Episcopalians. Four miles south of Hartford, is Weathersfield, a very pleasant town of between two and three hundred houses, situated on a fine soil, with a brick church for Congrega- tionalists. This town is noted for raising onions. Windsor, Farmington, Litchfield, Milford, Stratford, Fairfield, Guilford, Stamford, Windham, Suffield, and Enfield antfifeU considerable and pleasant towns. ^^ NEW-YORK. Situation and Extent, THE state of New- York compre- hends all the territories lying be. ween 40 40 and 45" north latitude, and between 73 and 79 55 W. longitude. Its greatest length is 340 miles, its greatest breadth 300 ; ^ ^number of square miles 45,000. liEW-YORK. 14r Boundaries. New- York is bounded soulheastwardly by the Atlantic ocean; east by Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont j north by Upper Canada ; west and south- west by Lake Erie, Pennsylvania, and New-Jersey. Di-y'sions and Population, This state is divided into four districts and -[-.'J counties ; and the number of inhabitants according to the census of 1810, is as follows : Southern District. Suffolk 21,113 Richmond 5,347 Queens 19,336 New-York 96,372' Kings 8,303 Total Middle Westchester 180,743. District. 30,272: Rockland 7,758 Delaware 20, EOS. Orange 34,3+7 Greene 19,541 Itlster 26,576 Columbia 32,390 Sullivan 6,108 Total Eastern Dutchess 198,457. District. 51,434 Rensselaer 36,309 Washington^ 44,390 Albany 4., 661 Essex 9,4fc8 Skenectady 10,201 Clinton 8,002 Montgomer 1 4-1,214. Franklin 2,717 Staratoga 33,147 Total Western 220 138. District. Schoharie 18,945 Cortland 8,869 Otsego 38,802 Onondago 26,060 Herk.mer 22,046 Cayuga 29,840 Lewis 6,433 Seneca 16,GC9 Jefferson 15,140 Tioga 9,899 St. Lawrence 7,888 Steuben 7,243 Oneida 33,792 Ontario 42,032 MadiSon 25,144 Gennessee V2,5BS. Chenango 21,704 Allegany 1,942 Broome 8,130 Total Niagara 362,077. 8,971- Southern Distri( :t 180,743 Middle do. 198,457 Eastern do. 220,138 :f Western do. ! Grand 3C2 077 Total 961,415 i^ NEW-YORS. The state of New- York contained, in 1800, 586,056 ia. habitants, of wliom 20,G 13 were slaves. Besides the de- scendents of ihe English and Dutch, who were the first ;>ettleis of die state, there are many Scotch, Irish, Ger- inan, and French emigrants. Fdcs of the Country. I'his state is intersected by ridges of the Allegany mountains, running in a nojtheasi and jou'hwest direction. West of these mountains, the coun- uy is level. On the east of the Allegany, it exhibits a prospect broken by hills and rich intervening vallies. J3ays. The principal bay is that of York, which spreads \o the southward before die city of New-\'ork. It is formed by the confluence of East and Hudson rivers, and enibijsoms several small islands. It communicates with die ocean by the Narrows, a strait scarcely two miles wiiis, between Long and Staten islands. Lakes. Lake Champlain forms part of the dividing line between New-York and Vermont. Jt is nearly 200 miles long ; its mean widih about 5 miles. It occupies about 500,000 acres, and contains above 60 Islands of dif- ferent sizes. Its depth is suflicient for the largest vessels. It receives, at Ticonderoga, the waters of lake George, which is said to be 100 feet higher than those of Cham- plain. Oneida lake in the western part of the state, is SO miles long, and five wide, connected with Ontario by Oswego liver. Salt lake is six miles long and one broad. Eighty gallons of its waters produce a bushel of salt. Its sall- riess is occasioned by salt springs, near its banks. These .springs, an tlie borders of the lake, for a mile in width, ;ire the property of the state. Lake Orsego, at the head of Susquehanna river, is nine miles long, and narrow. Caniaderago lake is about the size oi Oiscgo, and si.\: miles v.-est of it. Oak cretk issv.t's from ir and fills into the Susquelianna. Seneca lake, in Ontario county, is for- ty milesiong and two wide. Chatoque lake Is the source if Conowongo river, not far from lake Erie. Cswegatchie lake lies In Oneida county. One branch of Oswegatchie river passes through this lake. Rivets and Canals. Hudson river is one of the largest in the United States. It rises in the r.iount^ainous country between !..kes O;rta:io and Champlain, Its v. hole leiigth \ NEW-YORK. . 149 h about 250" miles. From Albany to lake George, G!j miles, the river is navigable only for batteaux and has two portages occasioned by falls, of half a mile each. The tide flows a few miles above Albany, 160 miles from New-York. It is navigable for sloops of 80 tons to Al- bany, and for ships to Hudson. The river is stoied with a variety offish. A canal unites Hudson river to South bay, which empties into the south end of lake Cham- plain. Saranac river passes through Platlsburg Into lake Ghamplain. Sable river, not far from the Saranac. Is scarcely sixty yards wide. On this stream are remarkable falls. The river Boquet passes through the town of V/illsbo- rough. At this place are the remains of an imrenchment thrown up by General Burgoyne. Black river rises in the high country, near the sources of Canada creek, which i?.\h into Mohawk river, and takes its course noithwestj and then northeast, till it discharges itself into Cataraqui or Iroquois river. Onondago river rises in the Oneida lake, and runs west- wardly into the lake Ontario, at Osv.ego. Mohawk river passes to the northward of Fort Stanwlx, and runs southwardly twenty miles, to the fort; ihen eastwardly one hundred and ten miles into the Hudson. The produce, that is conveyed down this river, is landed in Skenectady, and is thence carried by land, sixteen miles, over a barren, shru*iby plain, to Albany, where a turnpike is contemplated. Since the con>pletion of the locks and canals, at Little Falls; fifty-six miles above Ske- nectady, the river is passable for boats from Skenect;idy, nearly or quite to its source. The perpendicular descent of these falls is forty-two feet, in the course of one mile. A canal and locks round these falls was ccmplettd in the autumn of 1795. The Cohoez la this river are a great curiosity ; they are three miles from its entrance into the Hudson. The river is about one hundred yards wide ; the rock, over vihich it pours, as over a mill-dam,,extend6 almost in a line from one side of the river to the otlier, and is thiity feet perpendicular height. Including the dcrxent above, the fall is 60 or 70 feet. A company is incorpo- rated, by the lecislature of New-Yoik, for Uie purpose ox N 2 ioQ NEW-YORK. opening a lock navigation from the now navigable pa; t ftf Hudson river, to be extended to lake Ontario, and the Seneca lake. Delaware river rises in lake Utstayantho, and takes its course southwest, until it crosses into Pennsylvania, in lat 4z ; thence southwardly, dividing New-York fronv Pennsylvania, until it strikes the northwest corner of New. Jersey, in latitude 41 29 ; and then passes ofF to the sea, through Delaware bay, having New-Jersey on the east side, and Pennsylvania and Delaware on the west. Susquehanna river, east branch, has its source in lake Otsego. Batteaux pass to its source. Tioga river rises in the Allegany mountains, runs east- ward]/ and empties into the Susquehanna at' Tioga point It is beatable about fifty miles. Seneca river rises in the Seneca country, runs eastward- ly, and, in its passage, receives the waters of Seneca and Cayuga lakes. It empties into the Onondago river, four- teen miles above the falls, at a place called Three Rivers. Gennessee river rises near the source of the Tioga, and empties into lake Ontario, eighty miles east of Niagara fort. Such is the intersection of the whole state of New-York by the branches of the Hudson, the Delaware, the Sus- quehanna, and other rivers, which have been m.entioned, that there are few places which are more than fifteen or twenty miles from some boatable or navigable stream. Soil and Productions. The soil of the country, west of the mountains, is 'exceedingly rich, and covered, in its nat- ural state, with maple, beech, birnh, cherry, black walnut, locust., hickory, aad black mulberry trees. The lands, be- t'veen Seneca and Cayuga lakes, are uncommonly excel- lent and covered with lofty trees. East of the Allegany the land is clothed thick with timber, and, when cleared, affords fine pasture. The vallies product" wheat, hemp, :ilax, oats, corn, &c. Beside the trees already mentioned, there are several like a pot over the fire, though it is intenseiy cold. There is another medicinal spring, at the pleasant vil- lage of New-Lebanon. This spring is on an eminence, over-looking a fine valley, and surrounded with houses, which aflPord accommodations for valetudinarians, 'i'he waters are warm, of a different- nature from those of Sar- atoga,. and delightful for bathing* In the town of Rensselaer, nearly opposite to the city of Albany, a spring has been discovered, combining most of the valuable properties of the celebrated, waters of Sara- toga. On the north bank of Racket river, twelve miles from its mouth, is a spring of water, apparently pure, which e- mits a sulphureous smell, so strong as to be perceived 209 yards distant. The stones and ground near it are crusted over with a white substance. About twelve miles from Geneva, are two large sul- phur springs, 100 rods apart. Around each for a con- siderable distance, the pure sulphur is three or four feet deep. Manufactures, The people of this state, in general, man^ ufacture their own clothing ; but the principal manufac- tures are iron, glass, paper, pot and pearl ashes, carthern ware, maple sugar, and molasses- The glass and iron w'orks, about ten miles from A.lbany, consiitute one ot the most extensive factories in ?\ merica. The value of the va- rious m anufaclu res, in iS 10, was estimated at b 12, 109,536. Commerce. This slate, having always an easy access to the ocean, commands the trade of a great proportion of the best cultivated parts of tlie United States. Of wheat and flour, more than a million bushels have been exported ia a year, 'i'hey export rilso biscuit, corn, ptas, apples, on- . ions, lumber of various kinds, hoises, sheep, butter, cheese, beef, and pork. The amount of exports from this state in 1810, was 17/242,230 dollars. Language and Munners. The English language is gen- erally spoi Albany is unrival'ed in its situation. It stands on the bank of one of the finest rivers in the world, at the head of sloop navigation. It is the natural emporium of thP^n- creasing trade of a large extent of country, west and north i. NEW-YORK. 155 a conntry of an excellent soil, plentifully watered with navigable lakes, creeks, and rivers, as yet only partially peopled, but settling with almost unexampled rapidity ; and capable of affording subsistence and affluence to mil- lions of inhabitants. ^ The city of Hudson has had the most rapid growth of any place in America, if we except Baltimore. It is situ- ated on the east side of Hudson river, 130 miles north of New- York, and 30 miles south of Albany. It is surround- ed by an extensive and fertile back country, and, in pro- portion to its size and population, carries on a large trade. PouGHKKEPsiE, the shire town of Dutchess county, is situated on the east bank of the Hudson, and contained, in 1800, 3246 irthabitants. It has frequently been the seat of the state government. Troy, seven miles north of Albany, is a thriving town. Vessels of considerable burthen come up the Hudson to this place. Lansingburgh, ten miles north of Albany, on theeast side of the Hudson, has considerable trade, and, in 1810, 4926 inhabitants. Skenectady is sixteen miles northwest of Albany, on the banks of Mohawk river. It contains upwards of 300 houses, and is the seat of Union college. Plattsburgh, on the west margin of lake Champlain, is a place of considerable and increasing importance. Gt.NEVA, a post town of Ontario county, is on the north west corner of Seneca lake, and is rapidly increasing in population. Whitestown, a post town of Oneida county, is seated on the south side of Mohawk river, 100 miles west of Al- bany. In ITf^o, this place was inhabited by t793. The inhabitants are prin- cipally descendants of English, Irish, and Germans. There are a few of Scotch, Welch, Swedish, and Dutch extraction. It is supposed that one fourth of the whole population are descendants from Germans. Rivers. The river Delaware mentioned in the description of New- York, forms the eastern boundary of this state. Schuylkill river rises northwest of the Kittatinny moun- tains, through which it passes. After a course of 120 miles in a southern direction, it falls into the Delaware, seven miles below Philadelphia. Susquehannah elver runs in such a serpentine course, as to cross the boundary line, between New-York and Penn- sylvania, three tinies. After receiving numerous tributa- ry streams, it falls into the head of Chesapeak bay. It is more than a mile wide at its mouth, and navigable only twenty miles, navigation being obstructed by rapids. The Swetara,. which falls into the Susquehanna from, tlie northeast, is navigable fifteen miles. The several branches of Yough.oolieny :iver rise on the west side of the Allegany mountains. They unite, and form a large beauLifut river. After a cour.se of thirty or forty miles, it unites vvivh Monongahcla, which comes from the southward. I'hese united sircums, :iOon after their junction, mingle with the Allegany at Pittsburg, and, to- gether, form the river Ohio. The Allegany rises west of the Allegany mountains, and runs 200 miles before its junction with the Mouoaga- hela, at Pittsburg. PENNSYLVANIA. 167 The Lehigh rises in Northampton county, and falls in- to the Delaware, eleven miles northeast of Bethlehem. It runs seventy -five miles, and is navigable thiity. Canals. A canal is begun at Norristown, to render the Schuylkill navigable from Reading, eighty-five or ninety miles to Philadelphia. Other canals have been projected, but not yet completed. Face of the Country and Soil. A considerable proportion of this state may be called mountainous ; the Great Range of Allegany mountains passing through it. The principal ridges of this range, which are in Pennsylvania, are, the Ktttatinny, or Blue Mountains, which p^iss north of Naza- reth, and pursue a southwest course. Back of these and nearly parallel wiih them, are Peters, Tuscarora, and Nes- copec mountains, on the east of the Susquehanna; and on the west, Shermon's hills, Sideling hills, Ragged, Great W-:rrior's, Evil's and Will's mountains ; the great Alle- gany ridge, which being the largest, gives its name to the whole range ; west of this, are the Chesnut ridges. Be- tween the Juniata and the western branch of the Susque- hanna, are Jack's, Tussy's, Nittiny, and Bald Eagle moun- tains. The vales between these mountains, are generally of a rich black soil, suited to the various kinds of grain and grass. Some of the mountains will admit of cultivation al- most to their tops. The other parts of the state are gen-, erally level, or agreeably variegated with hills and vallies. Botany. Pennsylvania includes the greater part of the kiads oi trees, shrubs, and plants, that grow within the UiHced States. Oaks of several species form the bulk of the woods. Hickory and walnut are more plentiful here, than in the norchern states, bassafras, mulberry, tulip - tree, and cedar, are coir.mon and grow to perfection. Tiie swamp sassafrasr. is fouu' in low grounds ; the twigs and roots are used both in bd.'.h and decoction, for re- moving the rheuniaiibm. The cucumb'.i tree grows ve- ry tall about the western mountains, i'he umbrella tree is found in some places, sixteen or twenty feet high ; the bark is smooth, and the leaves, v hich are placed at the ends of the branches, s'lmf-ti'^nes exceed twelve or fifteen inches in length, and five or s'x u\ breadth, terminating in a point at each extieinity : these leaves are in a cir- cular form, resembling an umbrella ; hence the name* 168 PENNSYLVANIA. The bark of a tulip tree is esteemed a tolerable substitute for the Peruvian bark ; but the dog wood, which is fre- quent in this state, is preferred. Besides many other val- uable trees and shrubs, are the several species of maple : of tMese, the scarlet-flowered and sugar maple are the most useful ; they are common in the northern and west- ern parts of the state, and larger than the other species, growing from fifty to sixty feet high, and yield abundance of sap, for. the making of sugar. The ash-leaved tooth- ach tree, is found here and in Maryland. The bark and capsules have an acrid taste, and are used in relieving the tooth-ach, whence it has got its name. The slirubby bith- wort grows near Fort Pitt. It thrives in the shade, in a rich soil ; grows about thirty feet high, and sends off many twining branches. The roots have a lively aro- matic taste, and are thought to have equal medicinal vir- tue to the small Virginia snakeroot. The red berried el- der is found here. Among the Indians it is called fever bush ; and a decoction of its wood and buds is highly es- teemed by them. It would be endless to describe the beautiful flowering shrubs, and useful as well as orna- mental plants in this state. Grapes of several sorts are common : the late kind, when mellowed by frost, make, with the addition of sugar, good wire. The apples, pears, plums, and peaches are good At present the cultivation of the vine is much in vogue in Pennsylvania Mines. Iron ore abounds in this state. Copper, lead, and alum, appear in some places. Lime-stone is common, as is also several kinds of marble. In the middle and western country, is abundance of coal ; an extensive bed of which strietches over the country southwestwardly, so as to be found, in the greatest plenty, about Pittsburgh. There are also large bodies of coal, on the head waters of the Schuylkill and Lehigh ; and another bed at Wyoming. Zoology. The useful quadrupeds, in the new districts, are deer In great numbers, beavers>otters, racoons, and martins. Buffaloes rarely cross the Ohio ; and elks seldom advance from the north. Panthers, wild-cats, beirs, foxes, and wolves, are not rarej the last do most mischief, especially in the winter; but the fur and skins of all are valuable. In ihe thick settlements, rabbits and squirrels are frequent ; also minks, >and muskrais in the marshes ; partridges aie yet nu- PENNSYLVANIA. 169 onerous, though the hard winters have destroyed many,and wild turkeys, in the new settlements ; pheasants and grous have become scarce ; pigeons, ducks, and wild geese, and a variety of singing birds are found in their proper seasons. Manufactures. The manufactures of this state are of nu- merous kinds. Iron works are of long standing, and their products increase in quantity, and improve in quality. The furnaces, forges, rolling and slitting mills, for the man- ufacture of iron, are many and productive. The other ex- tensive manufactures are as follows, viz, those of leather, skins and fur, wood, paper, gunpowder, bricks, earthern ware, copper, lead, tin wares, pewter, cotton, sugar, to- bacco, and many others of less importance. Commerce. The commerce of Pennsylvania extends to every part of the world, and the exports consist of the pre- ceding articles of produce and manufacture. Education and Literature. A seminary is established at Philadelphia, by the name of The University o{ Pennsyl- vania ; there is a flourishing colJege at Carlisle, called Dickinson College ; and another at Lancaster, called Franklin College, which is little more than nominal. At Washington, in the western part ot the state, a college has also been established, and endowed with several thousand acres of land. The schools for young men and women, in Bethlehem and Nazareth, under the Moravians, are perhaps upon the best establishment of any in America. There are many private schools, in different parts of the state ; and to promote the education of poor children, the legislature has appropriated a large tract of land for the establishment of free schools. Literary, Humane, and ether useful Societies. These are more numerous and flourishing in Pennsylvania, than in any other of the stales. The names of these improving institutions are as follows : the American Philosophical Society, held at Philadelphia for promoting useful knowl- edge ; the Society for promoting Political Inquiries ; the College of Physician?, for the promotion of medical, ana- tomical, and chymical knowledge ; the Pennsylvania Hospital ; the Philadelphia Dispensary, for the medical relief of the poor; the Pennsylvania Society for promot- ing the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free neguxs, 170 PENNSYLVANIA. .unlawfully held in bondage ; tjie Society of the Unl-ted Brethren, for propagating the gospel among the heathens, to be held statedly at Bethlehem ; the Pennsylvanian So- ciety for the encouragement of manufactures and useful arts ; a Society for alleviating the miseries of prisons ; a Humane Society, for the recovering and restoring to life the bodies of drowned persons ; a Society for the aid and protection of Irish emigrants ; an Agricultural Society ; a Society for the aid of German emigrants ; a Marine So- ciety ; a Charitable Society, for the support of widows and families of Presbyterian Clergymen ; a Society for the in- formation and aid of emigrants ; St. George's, St. An- drew's, and the Hibernian Charitable Societies. Most of these societies are in the city of Philadelphia. Cities and Towns. The city of Philadelphia, capital of the state of Pennsylvania, and, until the year 1801, the seat of the government of the United States, lies in latitude 39 56' north, upon the vi'estern bank of the Delaware, which is here but a mile in breadth. It was laid out by William Penn, the first proprietary and founder of the province, in \6SZ, and settled by a colony from England. The ground plot of the city is an oblong square, about 1 mile north and south, and 2 miles east and west, lying in the narrowest part of the isthmus between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, about five miles in a right line above their confluence. The number of inhabitaBts within the city and suburbs, (including the district of Southwark, an4 the compactly built part of the Northern Liberties, which, to every purpose, but as to their government, are consid- ered as parts of the city,) amounted, in 1800, to 67811, in 1810, to about 92,^47. It is governed by a mayor, jecorder, 15 aldermen, and 30 common council men ; w^ho have full power to constitute and ordain laws for the government of the city. The houses for public wor- ship are as follows : for Friends or Quakers, five ; for Presbyterians and Seceders, eight; for Episcopalians, three; for German Lutherans, two ; for German Calvinisis, one ; for Roman Catholics, one ; for Swedish Lutherans, one ; for Moravians, one ; for Baptists, one ; for Uni- versal Baptists, one ; for Methodists, one; and one for Jews. The other public buildings in the city are, a state house, and offices : two city court houses ; a county cour^ PtNNSYL^'ANIA. Ill liouse ; a carpenter's hall ; a philosophical socloLy's hall ; a dispensary; a hospital, and cflicos ; an alms-house; two incorporated banks ; a house of correction ; a dra- matic theatre ; a public ohservatory ; a medical theatre and elaboratory ; three brick market houses ; a fish mar- ket ; a public gaol. Wnether we consider the locil sit- Kation, the size, the beauty, the variety and utility of the improvements in mechinics and manufactures, or llie in- dustry, the enterprize, the humanity, and the abilities of the iiihabltarits of the city of Philadelphia, it merits to be ranked among the first cities of the United States. Lancaster, is the largest inland town in the United States. It is the seat of justice for Lancaster county, and icands on Conostoga creek, 58 miles northwest of Phila- delphia. Carlisle, the seat of justice in Cumberland county, contained in 180'J, '2000 inhabitants. Here is Dickinson College. Pittsburg, on the wester;; side of the Allegany moun- tains, SiO miles westward of Piiiladelphia, is beautifully situated on a large plain, which is the point of land be- tween the Allegany and Monongahela rivers, and a quar- ter of a mile above their confluence, in latitude 4?0'^ 2^' north. la 1800, it had 15(55 inhabitants. Bethlehem is on the Lehigh, a western branch of the Delaware, fifty-three miles north of Piiiladelphia, inhabited chiefly by Moravians. The town being in a very pleasant and healthy situttion, is frequently visited in the summer, by parties of pleasure, from different parts. Harrisburg, is a very flourishing place, about 100 mile.s west by north from Philadelphia. CurlasU'ics and ylnttq-ailies. In the northern part of the state is a small creek, emptying into Allegany river, call- ed- Oil Creek. It issues from a spring, on the top of which floats an oil, similar to that called Barbadoes tar, from which one man may gather several gallons in a day. There are several curious caves in this state ; the most remarkable of which is on the bank oi Swetara river. On a high hill, near Tioga river, are to be seen the remains of an ancient fortification. The form of it is cir. cular, and it is encompassed with an entrenchment, which i|now the only remaining part. The Indians aie entirely ^"ff 172 OHIO. ignorant of the origin of these works There is a fortifi* cation of a similar kind, at Unadilla, in the flat lands, and they are numerous in the western counties. The stones, in all parts of the Allegany mountains, are full of sea shells. OHIO. situation, BounJarit's, and Extent. THIS state is part of the territory, formerly called The Norlhivest Territory, and lies between 38*^ IC and 42' north latitude, and between bO" SQf and G5^ 4J' west longitude. Ij is west of Penn- sylvania, and is bounded south by Ohio river, west by In- diana Territory ; north by Michigan Territory, and lake Erie. It is 200 miles long, and about the same in breadth %, containing, exclusive of the waters of lakes Erie and San- dusky, 25,013,637 acres. Divisions and Population. This state was admitted into the Union, by act of Congress, in 1803. It is divided in- to 3G counties and 320 towiiships : twUUIitiCS. Adams Athens Belmont Butler Cayahoga Champaign Clermont Ciinton Columbians Delaware Fairfield Fayette Franklin Gallia Geauga Guernsey Green Hainilton H-^hland Population. 9,434 2,791 11,097 1 1,150 1,459 6,303 9,9G5 'J,74 10,873 2,000 11,S61 1,854 3,486 4,181 2,917 8,051 5,870 15,258 5,766 Counties. JefTersoii Knox Licking Madison Miami Montgomery Muskingum Pickaway Portage Preble P.03S Scioto Stark Trumbull Tuscarawa ( Warren Washington Total Population. 17,260 2,149 S,85^ 1,603 S,94l 7,722 J 0.036- 7,124 2,99,5 3,304 i5,5i4 3,399 2,734 8,671 S,045 9,925 5,991 230,760 For judicial purposes the state is divided into tii^ee circuits. Face of the Country. A few miles back from the Ohio, in the upper or northern parts of the state, the land is hil- OHIO. 173 Ij and, in some places, too rough to admit of cultivation. In some parts of the country dividing the waters of the Ohio from the lakes, there are tracts, extending several miles, so flat that the water stands till midsummer. In some places one can travel for miles without seeing the earth, and in that distance, he will find the water not more than from a foot to eighteen inches deep. Riven. The Ohio, which has already been described, nearly half surrounds the state. The Muskingum is a gentle river, 150 yards wide at Its mouth, and navigable by large batteaux and barges, to the Three Legs ; a'nd by small ones, to the lake at its head. The Hockhocking is about twelve rods wide ; navigable for large boats 70 miles, and for small ones much farther. The Scioto is passable for large barges for 200 miles, witli a portage of only four miles to the tjandusky, a navigable stream that falls into lake Erie. The stream of Scioto is no where broken by falls : at some places, in the spring of the year it overflows its banks. The Little Miami is too small for batteau navigation. The Great Miami has a very stony channel, and a swift stream, but no falls, and is navigable for batteaux, for a- bout 100 miles ; ii interlocks with the Scioto. Grand river runs northwardly into lake Erie ; its mouth is seventy yards wide. Cayahoga empties in at the south bank of lake Erie, 40 miles east of the mouth of Huron. Sandusky river rises near a branch of the great Miami, and empties into the southwest corner of Sandusky Lake. Miami of the lakes falls into lake Erie, at the S.W. corner. Soil, Productions^ and Commerce Laige level bottoms, or natural meadows, from 1 to 25 miles in circuit, are found bordering ilie rivers and variegating the country in the interior parts These afford as ricii a scii as can be im- agined, and may be reduced to proper culiivation with, very little labor. The country produces all the immediate necessaries of life in gre fclack, and white mulberry, black and white walnut, but- ternut, white, black, Spanish and chesnut oaks, hickory, cherry, buckwood or horse chesnut, honey locust, elm, cu- cumber tree,lynn tree, gum tree,iron wood, ash, aspen, sas- safras, crab apple tree, paupaw or custard apple, a variety of plum trees, and many kinds of grapes, from which the inhabitants universally might have a sufficiency for their own consumption of rich reid^ine. Grapes and hops are ihe natural productions of the country. Mines. On the banks of the Hockhocking and Musking- am are inexhaustible quarries of free stone, and beds of Iron ore. Coal mines are frequent In the eastern part of the state. Beds of white and blue clay, are likewise found here, suitable for the manufacture of glass, cf ockery, and earthern wares. Springs. There are salt springs in many parts of the state, particularly on the Scioto river. Animals, Innumerable herds of deer and wild cattle heretofore were sheltered in the groves and fed in the ex- tensive bottoms that abound in this state, but are now be- coming scarce. Turkeys, geese, ducks, and other wild fowl are supposed to be in greater plenty here, than the tame poultry in any other part of America. The rivers are well stored with fish. Literature. The Ohio University is fixed at Athens, on the Hockhocking river, and endowed with 46,000 acres of land." The corporation consists of the governor of the state, for the time being, the president, and not more than fifteen, nor less than ten, trustees. In Feb. 1809, the legislature of this state, passed an act establishing the Miami University^ which has since been fixed in the town of Oxford, 34 miles N. W. of Cincinnati, Congress, about the year 1 790, reserved a township of 23,000 acres of land in the county of Butler, for the purpose of supporting a University. This township has lately been located. The officers of this institution are to be a president and a board of trustees, fo consist of twenty two members, who are created a body politic. This institution is about to he organized, and to commence its operations. Chie/Toivns. Marietta, thechief town in Wuh ngton ccunty, is a handson^e town, standing on the w^est side of OHIO. 175 Ohio river, jast above the mouth of the Muskingum. It is elegantly and commodiously laid out with spacious street* intersecting each other at right angles. It contains up- wards of ninety dwelling houses, besides shops, stores, &c. a gaol, court house, an elegant congregational church, and academy. Within the limits of this town are those ancient and curious forts hereafter described. CHrLicoTHE, the chief town of Ross county, and tlie seat of governmeni in the state, is on the west side of Scio- to river, about 100 miles from its mouth, and a few miles above its junction with Paint creek. The town is laid out on an extensive plain, and contains about 150 dwell- ing houses, a gaol, state house, 3 houses for public wor- ship. In the midst of the town, there is an Indian grave, the perpendicular height of which is forty or fifty feet. Cincinnati, on the north bank of the Ohio, opposite the mouth of Licking river, contains about 300 houses, two houses for pubUc worship, two banks, and a maiket house In this town was Fort Washington, which com- menced the chain of forts, extending to the westward. Galliopolis is situated nearly opposite the mouth of the Great Kanhaway, and has about 100 houses ; the original inhabitants were French people. Antiquities and Curiosities. The number of oid forts, found in this western country, are the admiration of the curious, and a matter of much speculation. They are mostly of an oblong form, situated on strong, well chosen ground, and contiguous to water. When, by whom, and for what purpose, tliese were thrown up, is uncertain. They are undoubtedly very ancient, as there is not the least visible difference in the age or size of the timber growing on or within these forts, and that which grows without ; and the oldest natives have Josc all tradition re- specting them. Under this head we may mention the extensive mead- ows, or, as the French call them, Prairies^ which answer to what in the southern states are called Savannas. They are a rich plain, without trees, and are covered with grass. Some ol these, in the western parts of this state, and in the Indiana and Illinois territories, are 30 or 40 miles in ex- tent. In passing them, as far as the eye can reach, there is not a tree to be stei;. J76 MICHIGAN TERRITORY. MICHIGAN TERRITORY. THfS territory is bounded S. by the state of Ohio and the Indiana territory ; W, by the Illinois territory ; N. and E. by Upper Canada, from which it is separated by a small part of lake Superior, St. Mary's river, Huron lake and river, lake Sc. Clair, and Detroit river. The greatest length from S. E. to N. W. is 500 miles ^ from N. E. to S W. it is 300. The nurnber of square miles, both of land and water, is estimated at 1.50,000. The territory is at present divided into four districts. In the south is that of Erie ; next lies the district of De- troit ; next that of Huron ; and in the north, the district of Michilimakinac. In 1667 Lewis XIV. sent a party of soldiers to this ter- ritory to protect the French fur traders. The soldiers, between that time and ^ 683, built a fort at Detroit, and another at Michilimakinac, and soon extended theii com- merce west of lake Michigan to the Indians on the Missi- sippi. The war in 1756 dispossessed the French of this territory. It remained in the hands of the British, till the peace of 1783 gave it to the United States, and a governor was appointed in July, 1787, for all the territory N. W. of the Ohio. In 1 796 the fort of Detroit was ceded by the English to the United States, agreeably to treaty ; and this fine peninbula was formed into a county, called the county of Wayne. In 1805, it received the name of the Michigan territory, was formed into a distinct government, and a governor appointed over it. The country is im- proving, and when the lands are put on sale, it is thought the population will rapidly increase. The greater part of the inhabitants of this country are Catholics. The Protestants have no settled minister. The missionaries of the Methodists have made many converts among the lower orders of people. According to the census of 1-810, the population was as follows. Erie district 1,340 Huron do. 580 Detroit do. 2,227 MichiUmakinac do.*- 615 Total 4,762 MICHIGAN TERRITORY. 177 Detroit stands on Detroit river, 18 miles N. of lake Erie, and 10 S. of lake St. Clair. The o1|l town was vrholly destroyed by fire in 1805. The new town is well laid oat ; the streets cross each other at right angles, and the situation is pleasant. It contained in 1810, including tlie garrison, 770 inhabitants, and 80 dwelling houses. The fort is of an oblong figure, built with stockades, and completely cnnimands the garrison. Detroit and Michilimakinac are both ports of entry in this territory. The exports from the former, in 1810, a- mounted to 3C15 dolls, of which only 44- dolls, were ef foreign produce. No returns were received from the port of Michilimakinac. The state of Ohio furnishes this coun- try, with beef, pork, whiskey, cheese, and butter. The climate is cold and healthy. Winter sets in about tlie middle of November, and lasts till the middle of March, without much variation. The general face of the country is i\.ii. Nothing like a mountain is known. It is estimat- ed that upwards of 20,000,000 acres of this teiritory are excellent. The agricultural productions, in 1810, were 20,000 bushels of apples, 10.000 of maize, 12,000 ot wheat, 8000 of oats, 100 of barley, 1308 of buckwheat, 12;5-tO of potatoes, 3021 of turnips, 1000 of peas, and 1500 bar- rels of cider. St. Mary's river, Huron or St. Clair river, and Detroit river, flow on the northern and eastern !)orders of the ter- ritory. Detroit river is 28 miles long, and runs in a S. W. direction 12 miles, and thence due S. 15 lo lake Erie It is navigable for the largest ships, and is generally from a mile to a mile and r. half, and in some places thiee miles,, broad Huron river, in the country west of lake St. Clair, and running eastwai dly 60 or 70 miles, tails into that lake, 30 miles N. from Detroit. More than half of lake Michigan, half of Huron and St. Clair, a part of Superior, and probably apart of Erie, belong to this territory. Islands. The island Michilimakinac lies between Michi- gan and Huron, and is 7 miles in circumference. The The ground on which the fort stands is 150 feet above the level of the lake, and 100 yard> finm the shore. The fort is neatly built, and exhibits a b.Miitiful appearance from the water. The village is on the shore at the right of ihe 178 INDIANA TERRITORY. fort, and. consists of about 30 houses. The harbor is deep and safe. jUn the N. E side of the island, near the shore, and 80 feet above ihe lake, is an arched rock. The arch is 20 feet in diameter, at the top and 30 at the base, Near the centre of ihe island on a plain stands an isolated conical rock, in rhe form of a sugar loaf, 50 feet in height. It is perforated in various places, and the h^les are filled with human bones. The Skull-rock in another part of the island exhibits the same appearances. I he island is one mass of limestone, and the soil is very rich. The climate is cold but healthy. The winter lasts for 5 months with Xinabated rigor. This island is still a place of rendezvous for the N. W. traders, their clerks and servants. They generally assemble here in June and July, often to the number of 800. There are numerous other islands In the lakes and rivers. INDIANA TERRITORY. THIS territory lies between lat.*37 4.) and 41 50 N. and between 82 42' and S~j 45 W. longitude. Its length is about 270 miles, and its breadth about 130. The number of square miles is not far from '65.000. It is bounded E. by the state of Ohio ; S. by the Ohio river ; W. by the Illinois territory ; N. by Michigan territory. This territory isdivided into 4 counties and 2? townships. Counties. No. of towns, No; of iiih. ' Chief Towns. Dearborn 9 7,^'0 Clark G 5,670 Ciarkesville Harrison 3 3,595 Harrison Knox 9 7,9i-5 St. Vincennes Total 27 24,520 This territory, till January, 1801, formed a part of what was called the Northwestern territory. At this pe- riod, it was erected by Congress into a territorial govern- ment with usual powers and privileges. This territory has a fine soil, adapted to corn, wheat, rye, oats, cotton, hemp, tobacco, and other articles men- tioned in. the account of the state of Ohio, Its natura?. ILLINOIS TERRITORY. 179 productions are also similar to those of Ohio. If Is water- ed by several fine rivers. The Wabash emp^fes into the Ohio, by a mouth 270 yards wide, 1020 miles below Fort Pitt. It is passable with batteaux 412 miles to Ouiatanon, and for large canoes 197 miles further. ViNCENNES is the capital. of this territory, the seat of government, and the centre of commerce ; it stands on the bank of the Wabash, 150 miles from its mouth. It had in J 8 1 0, 893 inhabitants. The fort stands on the east side of Wabash river. ILLINOIS TERRITORY. THIS territory is the western half of what was former- ly called the territory N. W. of the Ohio, and embraces the whole of it, except what is included in the state of Ohi, and the territories of Michigan and Indiana. It lies between lat. 37 and 49 37 N, and between long. 8.5 45 and 95 6 W. Its length from the Ohio to the northern line is 870 miles ; its breadth is very unequal. The whole tract contains about 200,000 square miles, exclusive of the waters of lakes Superior and Michigan, large sec- tions of which are included in this territory. It is bound- ed by Upper Canada on the N. ; on the E. it has lake Michigan, and the Indiana territory ; on the S. Ohio riv- er ; on the S. W. and W. the Missisippi, which separates jt from Louisiana. This territory derives it name from the river Illinois., an Indian word, signifying a man of full a^e, in iht vigor of his years. Illinois river is the river of men. It was a part of the Indiana territory till 1809, when it was erected into a separate government. That part of this territory which is settled by white people, is divided into two counties, viz. St Clair and Randolph, which are subdivided into 12 townships. The civilized population of this territory in 1810 was 11,501 whites, 1 8G slaves, and 613 free blacks. Of the whites 6871 were males, and 5121 females. The vale between the Illinois and Kas.kaskia rivers, is inhabited by French people, the descendants of the original settlers of this country. 18D MARYLAND. Kaskaskia is the chief town in Randolph county and the established capital of the whole territory. It stands on the southwest bank of the river, of the same name, 12 miles from the mouth of the river. It contains about 100 houses, and 622 inhabitants. Cahokia, 65 miles north of Kaskaskia, on the southern side of Cahokia creek, has 71 1 inhabitants Goshen, the capital of St. Clair county, has 1725 inhabitants. Fort Massac is a port of entry, and from it was export- ed foreign articles in the 4th quarter of 1803, to the value of 17,320 dollars. Between the Kaskaskia and Illinois rivers, which are 84< miles apart, is an extensive tract of level rich land, which terminates in a high ridge, about 15 miles before you reach the lilinoirriver. The Illinois river is bordered by fine meadows which in some places extend as far as the eye can reach ; and the soil of the country generally is of a very superior quality. The principal rivers which water this territory are Missisippi, Illinois, Wabash, Fox, Ouisconsin, Iron, Chepeway. St. Croix, St. Lewis, Winnipec, Dove, Michili- makinac, Ramy Island, Vermillion, and Kaskaskia. The lakes which lie either partly or entirely in the territory, are Michigan, Superior, Rainy, Woods, White Bear, Red, Pepin, Peche, Winnebago, and Illinois. MARYLAND. Situation and Extent. THE state of Maryland, lies be- tween 37" 56' and 39^ 44' north latitude, and between the nr)eridi;in of Philadelphia, and 4^* SO' west longitude. It is 134 miles ionjj: and 110 broad, containing 14,000 square miles one ioiuth of which is water. Boundaries. Maryland is bounded on the north by Penn- sylvania, east by the state of Delaware, and the Atlantic ocean ; soulh and west by Virginia. Divisions and Population. This state is divided into nine- teen counties eleven of which are on the western, and eight on the eastern shore of the Chesapeak bay. MARYLAND. 181 Couuiies. Population. 'Hartford 21,258 Baltimore 75,810 Ann- Arundel 26,668 Frederick 34,437 Allegany 6,909 Washington 18,730 Montgomery 17,980 Prince George 20,589 Calvert 8,005 1 Charles 20,'245 l_St. Mary's 12,7&4 Counties. Population ^Cecil 13,066 Kent 11,450 6 Queen Ann 16,648 h Caroline ' 9,45:? Talbot 14,2:}0 a u Somerset 17,195 CI Dorchester 18,108 1 Worcester 16,971 Total 380,546 The whole number of inhabitants in Maryland in 1800 was 341,54-8, of whom 105,635 were slaves ; increase in 10 years 38,998. Bays and Rivers. Chesapeak Bay divides this state in- to eastern and western divisions. This bay, which is the larejest in the United States, affords many good fisheries, and is remarkable for the excellency of its crabs,and also for a particular species of wild duck, called canvas hack. In a commercial view, it is of immense advantage to the state. It receives a number of large rivers. From the eastern shore in Maryland, among other smaller cncs it receives Pokomoke, Nanticoke, Choptank, Chester, and Elk rivers. From the north, the rapid Susquehanna ; and from th.e west, Pacapsco, Severn, P.ifixent, and Potomac, half of which is in M/l-yland, and half in Virginia. Except the Susquehanna and Potomac, these are small rivers Pa- tapsco river is but about 30 or 40 yards w:de at the ferry, just before it empties into the b ison upim vv'hich Baltimore stands. The Monocasy is a gencle siveam, which enters t/ie Potom:ic, fourteen miles from Fredericktcnvn. In gen- eral it is fordable. Severn is a short, iticonslderable riv- <-r, passing? by Annapolis, which it leaves to t!ie south, emptying, by a broad mouth, into tlie Chesapeak. Patuxent rises in Ann-Arundel county, and runs into the bay, twenty miles north of tlie mnnih of the Potomac. Tk.ere are several small rivers, su-h as ilie Wicomico, Eastern Bianch, and Conegochoajtue, ' Potomac r'vcr fmni the Maryland side Fac'' ^'f th.- Country i Soil, and Produci'tnns. East f.f the blue ridge of mcur.tains, which stretches across the western part of this state, the land, like that in al! the sc.uthern states, is generally level and free of stones ; the soil must of course Q liich empties into 182 MARYLAND. be similar, and the natural productions not rennarkably different. The ground, in most of the counties on the eastern shore, is covered, in many places, with stagnant water, except where it is intersected by numerous creelcs. Here also are large tracts of marsh, which, during the day, load the at- mosphere with vapor, that falls in dew', in the close of the summer and fall seasons, which are sickly. Wheat and tobacco are the most important productions of the state. Cotton, hemp, and fl.ix are also raised, but "not in large quantities. Apples and peaches are among the cultivated fruits ; from both of these brandy is distill- ed. Among the trees of the forest are several kinds of oak and black walnut. The woods abound with nuts of varicus sorts, on wliich vast numbers of swine are fatted. Mines and Maiiufactures. Mines of iron ore, of a superi- or quality, abound in many parts of the state. Two stra- ta, or beds of coal, have lately been opened, within a mile of the city of Baltimore. Rye whiskey is manufactured in great quantities in this btate. From some single distilleries, 12,000 gallons are produced in a year. In Frederick county are 80 grist- inills employed in grinding wheat. There are also glass v.'orks, iron v,-crks, furnaces, distilleries, and paper mills. Commerce. The trade of Maryland is principally carried K)i\ from Baltimore, with the other states, with the West- indies, and with some parts of Europe. To these places, ibey send annually about 30,000 hogsheads of tobacco, be- sides larqe quantities of wheat, flour, pig-iron, lumber, and corn ; beans, pork, and flax-seed, in smaller quantities. They receive in return clothing for themselves and ne- trroe.-, and other dry goods, v.'ine.s, spirits, sugar and other West- India commodities. The balance is generally in their favor. Eiluicit'ion and L'l.crnlure. I'hcre are five colleges in Ma- lyland. Washington college, at Chestertown, and St. .lohu's college, at Armapolis, together constitute the Uni- versilv of Maryland. The Methodisti have a college at ilarford. The Roman Catholics have a college at George- town, for the promotion of general literature, 'i'here is z French college at Baltimore, with about seventy students. There are some other literary institutions of less note. Ev COLUMBIA. 1S.1 ery neighboihcod has its school, where children are taught re;'.ding, writing, and arithmetic. Ciiies and Toivns. Annapolis city is the capital of Ma- ryland, and the wealthiest place of its size in all America. It is at the mouth of the Severn river, 30 miles south of Baltimore. It is a city of little note in the commercial world. The houses, 350 in number, are indicative of great wealth. The number of inhabitants does not exceed 'iOOO. Balt I more has had the most rapid growth of any town on the continent, and is the third in size, and the fourth in trade, in the United States. It lies on the north side of Patapsco river. Th^ situation of the town is low, and was formerly unhealthy, but the increase of houses, and the paving and other improvements of the streets, have rendered it tolerably healthy. The number of inhubit- UMtsin the town and precincts, according to the census of 1800, v^'as 23,214^; in 1810 they amounted to 46,4-83. It contains nine churches, a theatre, and a number of oth- er public buildings. The tonnage of this city in 1810 was 102,4 59. Fredericktowa i'j a fine, flouii,-.hing inland town, and contained, in I7:i)7> 2500 inhabitants. Hagarstown is situated in tlie beautiful and v.^ell ciillivated valley of Con- egocheagr.e, and carries on a considerable trade with the western country. Elkton is near the head of Chesapcak bay, on a small river which bears the name of the town. It enjoys great advantages from the carrying trade be- tween 13alLimore and Philadelphia. COLUMBIA TERRITOPxY. TKIS territory is ten miles square, and embraces the city of Washington, Georgetown and Alcxandiia. It was ceded to the United States, by Maryland and Virginia, for the purpose of estiiblishing in it the seat of the general government. It embraces a section of Potomac river, ex- tending from the southern part of Alexandria, to a point about five miles above Georgetown, and includes a part of one of the Patomac canals. This section of the river, from the Ma: ^ land side, receives ilie Easterji Branch, whicli bounds ihe city of Washington on the southeast, Tiber, Reedy, and Rock Creeks ; and from tlie Virginia side, 184. COLUMBIA. Four Mile Run. Eastern Branch forms a safe and com- modious harbor, being sufficiently deep for the largest ships for about four miles above i^s mouth, while the channel lies close along the bank, adjoining the city. The Pato- mac is navigable only for small craft, for a considerable distance from if; banks, next the city. Washington city appears to contain some important improvements upoii that of the b."st planned cities in the v/orld ; combining, in a remarkable degiee, convenience, regularity, elegance of prospect, and a free circulation of air. The positions of the different public edifices, and of the several squares and areas of diuerent shapes, as they are laid down, were first determined on the most advan- tagei>usground, commanding the most extensive prospects, and; from their situfaion, susceptible of such improvements fis either use or ornament may require. The capitol is situated on a most beautiful eminence commanding a com- plete view of every part of the city. The President's house stands on a rising ground, possessing a delightful water prospect, together with a commanding view of the capitol, and the most material parts of the city. The gr;n-id avenues, and such streets as lead immediately to public places, are from 130 to IGO feet wide ; the ether Streets are from 90 to 110 feet wide. In 180?, this city contained 4353 inhabitants, of whom S40 were people of color. In J 81 0, the number of inhab- itan's had increased to 8620. Here are four houses for p'ablic worship for Presbyterians, one for Roman Catho- lics, one for Bap.tists, and one for Episcopalians. In the city, are three market houses. At the navy yard, arc three large brick buildings, for the reception of naval stores. Barracks are erected for the marines. At Greenleaf's Point is a powder iiiagazine and a guard house. Two bridges are built over Rock Creek, which divides the city from Georgetov/u The public offices occupy two build- ings, each about 450 feet from the President's house. Georgetows stands on the bank of the Patomac, IGO miles from its entrance into the Chosapeak, and four from Washington city It contains about 250 houses, and 4948 mhabitants, A'.cxANDRiA stands on the south bank of the Patomac, and contained in 1800, about 500 houses, and 5030 in- habitants; in 1810, 7227. VlROmiA. IS^ VIRGINIA. Situation and Extent. THIS is the largest of the United States, extending iiG miles in length, by a breadth of 224- miles, and containing an area of 70,000 square miles. It lies between 36" and 41 north latitude, and between the meridian of Philadelphia, and S** west longitude. Boundaries. Bounded north by Maryland, part of Penn- sylvania, and Ohio ; west by Kentucky ; south by North- Carolina ; east by the Atlantic ocean. The following are the divisions, and number of inhab- itants in each^ according to the census of ISIO. Counties. Noj inhabitants. Counties. No . Inhabitants- Accomac 15,743 Greenbrier 5,914 Albemarle 18,268 Gransville 6,858 Amelia 10,594 Giles 3,745 Amherst 10,548 Halifax 22,133 Augusta 14,308 Hampshire 4,784 Bath 4,837 Hanovor 1 5,082 Bedford 16,148 Hardy 5,525 Berkely 11,479 Harrison 9,958 Botetourt 13,301 Henrico 9,945 Brooke 5,843 Henry 5,611 Brunswick 15,411 Isle of Wight 9,186 Bucking^ham 20,059 James city 4,094 Campbell 17,001 Jefferson 11,851 Caroline 17,544 Kanhawa 3,866 Charles city 5,186 King and Queen 10,98R Charlotte 13,161 King George 6,454 Chesterfield 9,979 King William 9,285 Cumberland 9,992 Lancaster 5,592 Culpepper 18,967 Lee 4,694 Cabell 2,7 1 7 I^oudon 21,338 Dinwiddie 12,524 Louisa 1 1 ,900 Elizabeth city 3,608 l>unenburg 12,265 Es^ex 9,376 Madison 8,381 Fauquier 22,689 Matthews 4,227. Fairfax 13,111 Mecklenburg Middlesex 18,453 Fluvanna 4,775 4,414 Frederick 22,574 Mouongahela 12,793- Frr.nklin 10,724 Monroe 5,444 Gloucester 10,427 Montgomery 8,409 Goochland 10,203 Mason 1,931 Grayson 4,941 NaD8mond 10,324 Q2 185 VIRGINIA. Counties. No. inhabitants. Counties. No, inhabitant New-Kent 6,478 Russei 6,316 Norfolk county 13,679 Slienandoah 13,646 Northampton 7,474 Southampton 13,497 Northumberland 8,308 Spotsylvania 13,296 Nottoway- 9,278 StafFord 9,830 Nelson 9,684; Surry 6,855 Ohio 8,175 Sussex 11,362 Orange 12,323 Tazewell f.,007 Patrick 4,695 Warwick 1,8S5 Pendleton 4,.'i39 Washington 12,136 Pittsylvania 17,172 Westmoreland 8,152 Powhatan 8,072 Wood 3,0S6 Prince Edward 12,4C9 Wythe 8,356 Princes* Ann 9,498 York 5,187 Prince William 11,311 City of Richmond 9,735 Prince George 8,050 Norfolk borough 9,193 Randolph 2,854 Petersburg 5,668 Richmond county 6,214 Rockbridge 10,318 Total ^Uy^rW 974,62 Rockingham 1 2,7-53 A_ There were in Virginia, in 1800, 534,396 free inhabi- tants, and 34-5,796 slaves. Face of the Country. '1 he whole country below the head of the tide waters, about 100 miles from the sea, is level, and, from various appearances, seems to have been once washed by the sea. It is intersected, in all directions, by salt creeks and rivers, the heads of which form swamps and marshes, often covered with water. The mountain- ous regions commence about fifteen miles from the sea ; and the mountains are disposed in ridges, one behind a- nother, running nearly parallel with the sea coast. Rivers and Canah. The Potomac rises in the Allegany mountains, and has two principal branches, called the North and South rivers both of which are navigable ma- ny miles above their junction. About 80 miles further down, the Potomac is joined by the Shenandoah, after which it runs a southeast and south course to its estuary in Chesapeak bay. The distance from the capes of Vir- ginia to the termination of the tide waters, in this river, is nearly 300 rniles. It is navigable for ships of the greatest burden nearly that distance. It is 7^-mileswideatitsmouth. The Shenandoah rises in Augusta county, and, after a northeast course of 200 miles, joins the Patomac just be- fore the passage of the latter through the Blue Ridge. It is navigable 100 miles. VIRGINIA. 187 The Rappahannoc rises ia the Blue Ridge, runs souih- eastwardly 120 miles, and enters the Chesapeak between Windmill and Stingray points. It is navigable 110 miles. James river is formed by the junction of Jackson's and Cowpasture rivers, and falls into the Chesapeak. It is navigable for vessels of 125 tons, to Richmond. Near this town, the navigation is obstructed by falls, round which is a canal. Appamattox is a large branch of James river, navigable a considerable distance. A company is incorporated for the purpose of making it navigable from Petersburg near- ly to its source. Nansemond river rises in Great Dismal Swamp, and empties into James river. The Rivanna, another branch of James river, is navigable for boats to Charlottesville. York river, at Yorktown, affords the best harbor in the state, for vessels of the largest size. The Great Kanhawa, which empties into the Ohio, is a river of considerable notes The Little Kanhawa affords a navigation of ten miles only. Mountains. The Allegany mountains, in their several ridges, pass in a northeast and southwest direction through this state. The height of these mountains has never been estimated with exactness. They divide the waters of the Atlantic from those of the Missisippi. Soil and Productions. The soil of Virginia is various; above the mountains, it produces large crops of wheat, rye, oats, barley, buckwheat, Indian corn, flax, and hemp. This country has aLo excellent meadows, which yield large crops of grass. Between the Blue Ridge and tide water. Is the tobacco country. Between the tide water and the sea, the principal productions are Indian corn, oats and peas. South of James river, cotton is raised in sufficient quantity for home consumption. The southeastern coi^n- ties produce cider and apple brandy in large quantities, and export some of it. In some counties, they have plen- ty of exquisite brandy, distilled from peaches, Vrhich grow in great abundance upon the numerous iivs of the Ches- apeak. Caves among the mountains have lately been discovered, which yield salt petre, in such abundance, that 500,000 pounds of it might be collected from them annually. 188 VIRGINIA, Horned, or neat cattle, are bred in great numbers in the western counties of Virginia, where they have an extensive range, and mild winters wiihout any permanent snows. They run at large and multiply very fast. The Virginians, being fond of pleasure, have taken great pains to raise a good breed of horses, and have succeeded in it beyond any of the states. Horse racing has a tenden- cy to encourage the breeding of good horses, as it affords an opportunity of putting them to the trial of their speed. They are more elegant, and will perform more service than the horses of the northern states. Mines and Minerals. Virginia is thought to be the most pregnant v/ith minerals and fossils of any state in the U- nion. On the Great Kanhawa, are mines of lead, the ore of which is sometimes mixed with earth and sometimes vfith rock. Copper, iron, black lead, coal, marble, lime- stone, &c are found in this state. Crystals are common. Some amethysts and one emerald have been discovered. Medicinal and Salt Springs. The most efficacious of these are twd springs in Augusta, near the sources of James riv- er, where it is called Jackson's river. They rise near the foot of the Warm Spring mountain. One is distinguish- ed by the name of the Warm Spring and the other of the Hot Spring. The waters relieve rheumatisms. Other complaints, of very different natures, have been removed or lessened by them. It i-alns here four or five days in every week. On Potomac river, are medicinal springs, much more frequented than those of Augusta ; but their powers are less. Salt springs have been found in Greenbrier. By digging, plenty of very strong salt water is lound. Near Kanhawa court house, there is a salt spring, from which considerable salt has been made. * Manufactures and Commerce. The people of Virginia are more attached to agriculture than to commerce or manu- factures. They probably, hov/ever, manufacture three quarters of their own clothing, There are considerable manufacture^of cast and wrought iron, and also of lead ; beside which, there are few others of consequence. Tobacco and flour are the most important articles of commerce in Virginia. Those of less consequence, are VIRGINIA. 189. tar, pitch, inrpentlne, corn, lumber, cotton, pit-coal, iron, brandy, whiskey, and horses Education. There aie three colleges in this state. William and Mary, at Williamsburg ; Hampden Sidney, in Prince Edward county ; and W^ashington college, at I^exington. There are also several academies ; one at Alexandria, one at Norfolk, one at Hanover, and others in other places. Chiif Towns. There are no townships in this state, nor any towns of consequerice, o\vir;g probably to the inter- section of the country by navigable rivers, which brings the tiade to the doors of the inhabitants, and prevents the necessity of their going in quest of it at a distance. Norfolk contains 9183 inhabitants. This borough will probably soon become the emporium for all the trade of Chesapeak bay and its waters ; and a canal of 8 or 10 miles, which has been cut. will probably bring to it that of Albermarle sound waters. Richmond is the present seat of government, and stands on the north side of Jarrres river. It contained, in 1810, 9735 inhabitants. The public buildings are an Episco- pal church, state house, court house, and gaol. It had a theatre, which in December, 1811, was burnt during dn exhibition, and with it the governor of the state, and about 100 others, of the most respectable citizens Petersburg, twen y-five miles south of Richmond, on. the south side of Appomattox river, contains 5688 inhabi- tants. It is very unhealthy, being shut from the access cf the winds by high hills on every side. The celebrated Indian queen, Pocahontas, from whom descended the Randolph and Bowling families, formerly resided at this place. Williamsburg, sixty miles eastward of Richmond, consists of about 200 houses, going fast to decay, and has about 1500 inhabitants. YoRKTowN, on the south side of York river, contains about 700 inhabitants. It was rendered famous by the capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army, on the 19th of October, 1781, by the united forces of America and France. Fredericksburg is on the south side of Rappahannoc river, 110 miles from its mo.uth. 190 VIRGINIA. Mount Vernon, the celebrated seat of the late Presi- dent Washington, Is pleasantly situated on the Virginia bank of the Potomac, where the river is nearly two miles wide, and about 2S0 miles from the sea. Curiosities. The description of all the natural curiosities, in Virginia would fill a volume. Only the most noted will here be mentioned. In the low grounds of the Great Kanhawa, seven miles above the mouth of ,lk river, is a hole in the earth of the capacity of 30 or 40 gallons, fri'^i which issues constantly a bituminous vapor, in so strong a current, as to give to the sand about its orifice the motion which it has in a boil- ing spring. On presenting a lighted candle ox torch with- in eighteen inches of the hole, it flames up in a column of eighteen inches diameter, and four or -five feet in height, which sometimes burns out in twenty minutes, and at oili- er times has been knou-n to continue three days, and then has been left burning. The flame is unsteady, of the den- sity of that of burning spiriis, and smells like burning pit- coal. Water sometimes collects in the bason, which is re- markably cold, and is kept in ebullition by the vapor. If it be fired in that state, the water soon becomes so warm that the hand cannot bear it, and evaporates wholly in a short time. There is an extraordinary spring, in the western part of Virginia, called the Burning spring, it w^s known along time to the hunters, who frequently encamped by it, for the sake of obtaining good water. Some of them arrived iate one night, and, after making a five, took a brand to light them to the spiing. On their coming to it, some fire dropped from the brand, and in an instant the water was in a flame, and so continued ; over which they could roast their meat as soon as by the greatest fire. It was left in this situation and continued burning for thr'ee months, without internjission. The fire xvas extinguished by smothering it. There are two springs high up the Potomac, one of which has about the same degree of heat, as blood running from the veins. The other issuing from the same toun- tain, a little farther off, is as rematkable for its coldness, as the first is for its heat, and diirers from common springs in as many degrees, VIRGINIA. 191 The inention of uncommon springs leads to that of sy- phon fountains. 1 here is one of these near the North hiountain on the stream of which is a grist mill, which grinds two bushels of grain, at every flood of the spring. Another, 17 miles from the Hot springs, intermits once in every twelve hours. After these may be mentioned the Natural well, in Frederick county j it is somewnat larger than a common well ; the water rises in it as near the surface of the earth as iq(|thc neighboring artificial wells, and is of a depth as yet unknown. It is said there is a current in it tending sensibly downwards. In the lime stone country, there are many caverns of very considerable extent. The most not- ed is called Madison's cave, on the N. side of the Blue ridge. It is in a hill of about 200 feet perpendicular height, the ascent of which, on one side, is so steep, that a biscuit may be pitched from its summit into the river which washes its base. It extends into the earth about 300 feet, branching into subordinate caverns, and at length terminates in two diiFerent placcs; at basons of water of unknown extent, and which appear to be nearly on a level with the water of the river. The vault of this cave is of solid lime stone, from 20 to 50 feet high, through which the water is continually exuding. This, trickling down the sides of the cave, has encrusted them over in the form of elegant drapery ; and diipping from the top of the vault, generate on that, and on the base below, stalactites of a conceal form, some of which have met and formed massive columns. Another of these cave; is in the county of Frederick, on the top of an extensive ridge. After descending 30 or 40 i'eet, as into a well, the cave extends nearly horizontally, 400 feet into the earth, preserving a breadth of from 20 to 50 feet, and a height of from 5 to 1 2 feet. At the Panther Gap, is what is called the Blowing cave. It is in the side of a hill, and emits constantly a current of air of such force, as to keep the weeds prostrate to the dis- Uincc of 20 yards before it. This current is strongest in dry, frosty weather, and in long spells of rain, weakest. There is anodier blowing cave in the Cumberland moun- tain. It is not constant, and a fountain cf water is&ues from it. 192 KENTUCKY. Near the Kanhawa, there ii a remarkable cave, extend- ing entirely through the base of a high mountain, the dis- tance of upwards of two miles. Persons have passed from one side of llie mountain to the other, through this sub- terraneous passage. The earth on the bottom of this cave, is strongly impregnated with nitre ; and salt pelre, in any quantity, may be made from it. There a-e several natural bridges in Virginia, which are sublime curiosities. The most remarkable is over Cedar creek, a branch of James river. The channel, ovtr which it stands, is on the side of a high hill. At the bridge, it i.s 200 feet in depth, 4-5 feet iu breadth, and 90 feet at the top, which of course determines the height and length of the bridge, which runs completely across. Its breadth is 60 feet, and its thickness, at the summit of the arch, 40 feet. It is a solid rock of limesiPne, covered with a deep coat of earth, which gives grov/th to several large trees. On anoiher branch of James river, is a remarkably beau- tiful cascade, called the Falling Spring. The sheet of wa- ter, which is 1 2 or 15 feet broad, falls over a perpendicular rock, 200 feet high Between this sheet and the bottom, people may walk across, untouched by the falling water. Remains of ancient fortifications are thickly scattered through the western parts of this state, embracing from 2 to 10 acres each. The passage of the Potomac through the Blue ridge is one of the most stupendous scenes imaginable; and is worth a voyage across the Atlantic. Yet here, as in the neighborhood ot the Natural Bridge, are people who have passed their lives within half a dozen miles, and have nev- er been to survey these monuments of war between rivers and mountains, which must have shaken the earth itself to its centre. KENTUCKY. Bmndarles. SENTUCKY is an interior state, lying west of Virginia, which forms its eastern bramdary, aiid to which it forn)eily belonged ; south it I.as the slate of Tenr.p?-see ; west It has Cumberland river, and noi tlnvest the Ohio river. KENTUCKY. l96 Extent. Kentucky is 250 miles long, and 200 broad, extending from 8 to 15 west longitude, and From 36 30' to 39^ 30' north latitude, containing 50,000 square miles. Divisions and Population. This state is divided into 5^ counties. Coimties. Population. Counties. Population Adair 6.011 Harden 7,531 Barrin 11,286 Hopkins 2,964 Boone 8,008 Jessamine 8,377 Bracken f),706 Jefferson vg,- Knox * ^ 13,399 Breckenridge 3,430 5,875 Bourbon 18,000 l^ivingston 3,674 Butler 2,181 Lewis 2,357 Bullet 4,311 Lincoln 8,676 ' Clarke 11,519 Lo^'an 12,123 Ca&ey 3,285 Mason 12,459 Campbell 3,473 Mercer 12,630 Christian 1 1 ,020 Madisoti 15,540 Cumberland 6,191 Muhlenhurg' 4,181 Clay 2;398 Montgomery 12,975 Caldwell 4,268 Nicholas 4,898 Estle 2,082 Nelson 14,078 Fayette 21,370 Ohio 3,792 Franklin 8,013 Pulaski 6,897 Fleming 8,947 Pendleton 2f,061 SFloyd 3,485 Rock v.astle 1,731 GalUtin 3,307 Scott 12,419 Greenup 2,369 Shebby 14,877 Green 6,735 Wayne 5,430 Grayson 2,301 Washington 18,248 Gerrard 9,186 Warren 11,937 Henry 6,777 Woodford 9,650 H<, on the head waters of Elkhorn river, Is tha Targest town in Kentucky ; it has several manufactories, five places for public woishtp, a court house, and a col- leq^e before mentioned. LovTsviLLE, seated near the rapids In Ohio river, is a port of entry, and a place of considerable trade. Curtoshhs. There are caves in Kentucky of several miles in length, under a fine lime stone rock, supported by curious arches and pillars. Springs that emit sulphurous matter have been found in several parts of the country. One is near a salt sgnn^^', in the neighborhood of Boonsborough. There are three springs or ponds of bit'?men near Green river, which do not form a stream, but empty themselves into a common reservoir, and when used in lamps, answer all the purpo- ses of the best oil. Near Lexington are found curious sepulchres full of human skeletons. A man near Lexing- ton having dug five or six feet below the surface of the ground, came to a large flat stone, under uhich was a well of common depth, regularly and artificially stoned. At the bottom of the falls in the Ohio, is a small rocky island, overflown at high water, which, is remarkable for its petrifactions. Wood, roots, and fish bones are found petrified ; also a hornet's nest, a bird, and several fish. TENNESSEE. FORMERLY was the western part of Nortli Carolin?, and was ceded by that state to the United States in 17^-9. It was admitted into the Union as one of the states, in 1 796. SUuatkn and Extent, Tennessee lies between '55 and 86 30' north latitude, and between 6" 3(/ and 15 30' v.-est longitude ; 400 miles long, and 104- broad ; containing 'Jl-iOOO square miles.- 196 'TENNESSEE. Boundaries, It Is, bounded north by Kentucky and Vir- ginia ; east by North-Carolina ; south by Georgia and the Missisippi Territory ; west by the Missisippi, wliich separates it irom Louisiana. Divisions ami Population. Tennessee is divided into five districts, Washington, Hamilton, Mere, Robertson, and Winchester, and 58 counties. In 1 800 Tennessee had 105,602 inhabitants, of whom 13,584 were slaves; in 1810, '261,7'^7. of which 44^535 were slaves. The inhabitants chiefly emigrated from Pennsylvania, and that part of Virginia that lies west of the Blue Ridge. The ancestors of these people were gen- erally of the Scotch nation ; some of whom emigrated lirsL to Ireland and from thence to America. A few Germans and English are intermixed. Rivers. The principal rivers are the Missisippi, Ten- nessee, Cumberland, Holston and Clinch. The tract call- ed the Broken Ground, sends immediately into the Missi- sippi, the Wolf, Hatchee, Eorked Deer, Obrian and Reel- foot, which are from 30 to 80 yards wide at their mouths. There are several smaller ones, and innumerable creeks, some of which are navigable. There is hardly a spot in this country, which is more than 20 miles from somenav- jgable stream. Mountains. The chief mountains are Stone, Yellowj Iron, Bald, and Unaka, adjoining to one another, from the eastern boundary of the state, and separate it from North-Carolina ; their direction is nearly from northeast to southwest. The other mountains are Clinch and Cum- berland. It would require a volume to describe the "mountains of this state, above half of which is covered with those that are uninhabitable. Some of the-e moun- tains, particularly the Cumber land or Great Laurel Ridgtv are the most stupendous piles in the United States. Soil and Productions. The soil is luxuriant, and will af- ford every production, the growth of ary of the United States. The usual crop of cotton is SOOibs. to the acre, and of corn from 60 to 80, and sometimes 100 bushels. It is asserted, however, that the lands on the small rivers that empty into the Missisippi, have a decided preference :o those on Cumberland river, for the production of cot- ton, rice, and indigo. Of trees the general growth iv. poplar, hickory, black and white walnut, all kinds of oaks, buckeye, beech, sycamore, black and honey locust, ash,- j hornbeam, elm, mulberry, cherry, dogwood, sassafras, papaw, cucumber tree, and the sugar tree. The low lands produce canes, some of which are upwards of 20 feet high, and so thick as to prevent any other plant from growing. Of herbs, roots, and shrubs, there are Virginia and Sen- eca snakeroot, ginseng, angelica, spice wood, wild plum, crab apple, sweet annise, red bud, ginger, spikenard, wild hop and grape vines. The glades are covered with wild rye, wild oats, clover, buftaloe grass, strawberries and pea vines. Mints and Minerals. Iron ore is abundant in the dis- tricts of Washington and Hamilton. Gold and silver mines arc said to ba known to the Indians, but none have been discovered by the white people. Ores and springs strongly impregnated with sulphur, are found in various parts. Saltpetre caves are numerous. Trade. This country furnishes all the valuable articles of the southern states. Fine waggon and saddle horse?, beef cattle, ginseng, deer skins and furs, cotton in great quantities, hemp and flax, which are transpoittd by land;- also iron, lumber, pork, and flour, exported down the Mifsisippi. Educalkn and LU':raiure. The inhabitants have paid great attention to the interests of science ; beside private schools, there are three colleges established by law ; Creen- villc in Green county, Biount at Knoxville, and Washing- ton in the cntuity of that name. The college in Green county is flourishing under the direction oi a President and Vice President. Here is likewise a " Society for promot- ing Useful Knowledge." A taste fur literature is daily increasing. Ch;,fTGtv!r. Knoxvillk, bcautifiiliy situated on l!:c llolsvon, is the seat of government in this state. It has 518 inliabltants. Nashville is the place where courts -arc held for Me- re district. It has two houses for pubh'c wo: ship, an a- cademy, and 3 i'5 inhabitants. JONESBOROUGH IS liK* SC'.lt of lilC Cv'-KtS ll^ld \\\ Was]^'- R 2 inglon district. There are iew other towns of any- not ia the state. CurhsU'u's and /Inllquitus. The Enchanted Mountain^ so called, about two miles south of Brasstown, is famed for the curiosities on its rocks. There are on several rocks a luimber of impressions resembling the tracks of turkeys, bears, horses, and human beings, as visible and perfect as they could be made an snow or sand. The latter were remarkable for having six toes each ; one only excepted. By this we must suppose the originals to have been the progeny of 'I'itan or Anak. One of these tracks was very large, ilie length of the foot 16 inches, and the distance of the extremes of the outer toes 13 inches. One of the horse tracks was likewise of an uncommon size, the transverse and conjugate diameters, were 8 by 10 inches ; perhaps the horse which the Great Warrior rode. What appears-' the most in favor of tjieir being the real tracks of the an- imals they represent, is'"the circumstance of a horse's foot having apparently slipped several inches, and recovered again, and the fignies having all the same direction, like the trail of a company on a journey. It it be a lusus na- ture, she never sported more seriously. If the operation of chance, perhaps there never was more apparent design. If it were done by art, it might be to perpetuate the re- membrance of some remarkable event of war, or engage- ment fougi-.t on the ground. The vast heaps of stones near tlie place, suppos<.d to be tombs of warriors slain in batile, seem to f^vor the supposition. The texture of the rock is soft. The part on which the sun had the greatest influence, and which was the most indurated, could easily be cut with a knife, and appeared to be of the nature of the pipe stone. Some of the Cherckees entertain an o- pinion that it always rains when any person visits the place, as if sympathetic nature v.-ept at the recollection of tlie dreadful catastrophe, which those figures were intend- ed to commemorate. The country contains many cascades and caverns. -Some of the caves are dry and abound with nitrous earth. In others are found a vastvaiiety ot stalactites and other petrifactions ; and in some, the adventurous visitar.t of these dark recesses is stopped in his progress by a subter* rancan brook or creek, which crosses the cavern. NORTH- CAROL IN A. 1^9 - Indians. The Cherokee nation of Indians inhabit partly ia Tennes-ce and partly in the Mtssisippi Territory. They have been a numerous and waihke nation; but by con- tinual wars, in which it has been their destiny to be en- gaged with the northern tribes, they are reduced to about 1000 fighting men. Under the instruction and wise management of the Rev. Gideon Blackburn, a missionary, this nation is already far advanced in the arts and manners of civilized .life. NORTH-CAROLINA. Extent. THIS state extends from S3 .TO to 36 30 north latitude, and from 1'^ to S^ wtst longitude ; 450 miles long and 180 broad. Containing 4,000 square miles. Boundaries. Bonn Jed north by Virginia; east by the Atlantic Ocean ; south by Soudi Carolina ; west by Ten- nessee. Dl-vlilons and Populatkn. This state is divided into 62 counties ; each cou!ity is subdivided into towns counties. Moore H.ivwood- Eeaufort Cabarras Gates Surry Frr-.nklin Washington Curri'.uc Green Granville Buncombe Randolph iMontgoniery Burke KiijjcconiLe Beriie W:irren Columbus Rutherford Duplin Rockingham H.obtson No. inhabitants, 6,367 2,780 7,03 6,158 5,9oo 10,3GS lO.lCS :3,464 6;9S.'5 4,867 ] 5,576 9,277 io,n2 8,4!0 J 1 ,007 12,423 I J,21S I I ,(X)4 3,022 J .-^,202 7,8G3 10,316 7,523 Counties. Martin Craven Brunswick Camden Pitt New-Hanover Samp'-on Carteret Jones Tyrel Perquimons Richmond Halifax Chatliam Eiadcn Wake Stokes Pa.^quotank Cumberland .V'orihampton Wilks A.ih Lenoire No. inhabitants. 5,987 12,376 4,778 5,347 9,169 11,465 6,520 4,823 4,968 3,364 6,052 15,620 12,997 .5,671 3 7,086 11,645 7,674 9,382 13,082 .'^,054 3,694 5,573 200 NORTH-CAROLINA. Counties. No. inhabitants. Counties. No. inhabitant Wayne 3,687 Johnson 6,867 Iredet 10,972 Chowan 5,297 Guildford 1 1 .420 Rowan 21,543 Anson 8,83 1 Hertford 6,052 Onslow 6,669 Hyde 6,029 Ciswell H,757 Lincoln i6,359 Person 6,642 Mecklenburg 14,272 Nash 7,268 20,1.^5 Total Orange 555;500 Norih-Carolina contained, in 1800, 478,103 inhab- itants; in 18!0, 563,526; viz. 361,283 free persons, 202,21-3 slaves. Increase in 10 years 85,4'23. Face of thi Ccnntry. The sea coast of this state is uni- formly level, and is principally covered with swamps and forests. Sixty or eighty miles from the sea the country rises into mountains. Bays and Ccpcs. Albemarle sound is a kind of inland sea, 60 miles long and 10 or 12 broad. Pamlico sound is from 10 to 20 miles broad, communi- cating with the Atlantic ocean by several small inlets, ihe" cliief of which is Ocrccoc inlet, between Ocrecoc island and Core Bank. Core sound lies south of Pamlico, with which it has a communication. Cape Halteras, in latitude 35 \5', is surrounded with dangerous bhoals and sand hanks Cape Look-out is soutli of Cape Hatteras, opposite Core Sound. Cape Fear is remaikable for a dangerous shoal, called, from its form, the Frying Pan. This shoal lies at the entrance of Cape Fear river, in lat. 33" 32'. Rh'crs. Chow.^n river is formed by the conf?ience of Mcherrin, Notaway, and Black rivers, all of which rise in Virginia It falls into Albemarle sound by a mouth ih:eo miles wide. Roanoke is a long rapid river, formed by Stanton river from Virginia, and Dan river. It is navigable only frtr shallops, and empties by several mouths into Albemarle sound. Pamlico or Tar river opens into Pamlico sound. It is Tiavigable to Washington, 4-0 miles. Ncuse river rises in Hillsborough, and after a winding ourse of 500 miles faljs into Pamlico sound, by a mouth NORTH CAROLINA. 201 flinc miles wide. It is navigable for large vessels to New- bern, 70 miles. Trent river from the southwest, fells into the Nense at, Ne\vbeinand is navigable 12 miles above the town. Cape Fear or Clarendon river opens to the sea at Cape Fear. It is navigable for large vessels to Wilmington. Haw and Deep rivers are its main branches. Yadkin river originates among the Blue Ridges in Vir- ginia. It is joined by the Uwharre ; the united streams lake the name of Fedee river, and pass into Synth Carolina. There are several other rivers of less note, among which are Pasquotank, Perquimons, Little, Alligator, &c. which flow into Albemarle sound. All the rivers of North-Car- olina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, are navigable by any vessel that can pass the bar at their mouths. Sivamps. G.^eat Dismal Swamp is en the dividing line between this state and Virginia. It covers 140,000 acres, and has a lake in the middle, about 7 miles long, called Drummond's Pond. There is another swamp in Currituc county, south of Albemarle sound, which is also called Dismal Swamp, supposed to contain one of ihe most valuable rice estates n America. In the centre is a lake II miles long and T broad. Soil and PrGiluctlons. The soil on the banks of the rivers is fertile. Interspersed through the other parts are glades of rich swamp and ridges of oak land, of an excellent soil. Wheat, rye, barley, oats, flax and tobacco grow well in the back country ; Indian corn and pulse of all kinds in every part of the state. Cotton and hemp are considera- bly cultivated. The forests in the low country universal- ly consist of pitch pine, much superior to that of the north- ern states, yielding pitch, tar, turpentine, and various kinds of lumber. No country produces finer white and red oak than the hi'ls of North-Carolina. The swamps abound with cypress and bay trees ; the latter is an evergreen and is food for cattle in the winter. The misleto is common in the middle country. It is a shrub different from all otliers, never growing out of the earth, but on the tops of trees ; the roots run under the bark, of the tree, apd in- corporate with iL 203 NORTH-CAROLINiak The principal wild fruits are*p'iumsi strawberries, black* - berries and grapes, from which a tolerable wine is madci The country is gea^aliy covered wiili herbage and a ?pecies of wild grass It abounds with medicmal plants^ The rich bottom lands are overgrown with canes which afford excellent food for cattle. Mini's. il'ie county of Cab?,rras contains a gold mine, which has furnished the mint of the' United Slates, with virgin gold. The extent of the mine has not yet been as- certained. ATineral Springs. In several counties are mineral sprinps of great medicinal virtue. They are impregnated chiefly with sulphur, nitre, and the aerial acid, and are powerful in removing cutaneous and scorbaiic complaints, and cor- recliiiir inditjestions. Maiiufaciures. Excellent iron is manufactured in this state. Other manufactures are yet in their infancy. Commerce. The produce of the back country is chiefly- carried to South-CaroHna and Vnginia. The middle counties generally trade at Fayetteville, the principal in- land town. The exports from the lower parts, consist ot tar, pitch, turpentine, rosin, corn, lumber, furs, tobac- co, po) k, lard, tallow and wax. Their trade is chiefly to the West-Indies and the northern states. Fuhl'ic Improvements. A company is iiicorporated by the concurring laws of this state and Virginia, to make a nav- igable canal from the head of Pasquotank to Elizabeth river, tJirough Gieat Dii^mal Swamp. Individuals of Newbern have made a navigable canal from the lake in the other dismal swamp to the head of Skuppernong river, 5j miles. Education. The geneial assembly of the state incorpo- rated 40 gentlemen, five from each district, as trustees of the University of North-Carolina. This university is established at Chapel Hill, in Orange county ; it has a professor of sciences, a professor of languages, ihiee tutors, and 100 student-. There are several very good academies ; one at War- renton, one at Fayetteville, &c. '* Cities and Chief 2'oivns. The city of Raleigh is the .seat of government. The legislature of the state has ap- propriated large sums for the purpose of erecting public NORTH-CAROLINA. 203 buildings. In 1800, the city contained cnly about 81 kouses, but the number has since much increased. NEWBt RN is the largest town in t^ state. It stands on a sandy point of l.ind, formed by the c SOUTH-CAROLINA. right and left hand, are discovered at several distant pli- ces, winding tlieir way, through the fertile low grounds, towards the ocean. ^ SOUTH-CAKOLINA. ISxient. SOUTH-CAROLIN A extends from thirty- two to thirty-five degrees north latitude, and from four to nine degrees west longitude ; 200 miles long and 125 broad, containing 24,000 square miles. Boundaries. Bounded no-rth by North- Carolina ; east by the Atlantic ocean ; south and southwest by Georgia. In form this state nearly resembles a triangle, which ex- tends along the Atlanti<: ocean more than 200 miles ; -Georgia on the south, and Ncrth-Carollna on the north, approximate to eacJi other aboiit 300 miles from the sea- coast, so as nearly to foriti an angle inclosing the whole state. Divisions and Popu/aflan. This state is naturally divided into what is termed Upper and Lower Country. Its civil divisions are the following 28 districts, the subdivisions of which are, in some, called p. rishes in others counties. Districts. No. inhabitants. Districts. No. inhabitants. Charleston C;:,i7d Lancafter 6,318 Chester 11,479 Edgefield 23,I0 Spartanburgli 14, 2.'-) 9 Georgetown^ 15,679 Laurens J 4,982 Horry 5 4,349 Marlborough^ 4,966 Barnwell 12,280 Darlington V 9,047 Abbeville 21,156 Chesterfield J 5,564 Ker.<;haw 9,867 Union 1Q,995 Greenville JS.ISS Fairfield 11,857 Sumpter 19P54 Pendleton 22,897 Beaufort 25,887 Newberry 13,964 York 10,032 Marion 8,884 Richland 9,02'? Lexington "y 6,641 Colleton 26,359 Vi'illiamsbiir^n C O angeburgh j 6,B71 13,229 Total 415,115 Face of the Country. The whole state to the distance of 100 miles from the sea, is low and level, almost without a stone, and abounds with swamps and marshes. Abofit 14 miles west of Charleston, is a tract of high land. SOUTH-CAROLINA. 205 called The RiJge, beyond which the land continues risirgj from hills to mountains, to the western terminating point of the state. Jjays and Harbors. The only harbors of note, are those of Charleston, Port Royal, or Beaufort, and Georgetown. Charleston harbor is spacious and convenient, formt-d 'uy the junction of Ashley and Cooper rivers. Winyau Bay is formed by the union of Pedee and several smaller rivers, and communicates with the ocean, twelve miles below Georgetown. Rivers and Bridges. The river Savannah washes the whole extent of this state, from nortluvcst to southeast. The EdistG rises in two branches, from the ridge already mentioned, in the interior of the state. Santee is the largest and longest river in the state. It empties into the ocean by two mouths, south of George- town. A.bout 120 miles from the mouth, it branches in- to the Congaree and Wateree. The latter is also called the Catabav.'. Pedee river rises in North Carolina, wliere it is called the Yadkin, and falls into Winyau bay, at Georgetown. The rivers of a secondary size, are Wakkama, Black river, Ashley, Cooper, Ashepoo, and Combahee. Over Ashley river, at Charleston, was completed a bridge, in 1810, 2100 feet in length, and including the causeway, nearly a mile, SO feet wide. The principal ar- chitect was Mr William Mills, of Massachusetts. Anoth- er w.is built over the Congaree, which has been carried avv.iy by a flood. Soil and Prodiicfions. The soil is of various kinds, well suited to the production of grain, nasture, and timber. In the low country is cultivated Indian corn, and in the back eountry, tobac. -i, wheat, rye, barley, oats, hemp flax, cot- ton and silk. They have oranges and figs, a few lime and lemon trees, pomegranates, pears, and p e;)c])es. 1 he wster melon is r.ii'.ed here in ptrftctvui. This st.ite pro- duces a great variety of medicinal he)bs, and roots, and uncommon trees, too numerous to be noticed in ihis wc^rk. The whole country is overrun with spontaneous grapes. Minerals and Fossils. This cf)Untiy abounds with pre- cious ores, ^uch. as ^oid, siher, lead, and biack lead, top- per, and iron. 1 here are likewise to be found pellucid 206 SOUTH-CAROLINA. stones of different hues ; rock crystal, pyrites, petrified iubstances, coarse cornelian, marble beamifully variegat- ed, vlireous stones, and viireous sand ; red and yellow ochres, pottei's clayof a most delicate texture, fuller's earth, and a number of dye-stuffs ; likewise an abundance of chaik. crude alum, sulphur, nitre, vitriol, and along the banks of rivers large quantities of marie maybe collected. Manufactures. In the middle and .upper districts, the people manufacture tlieir ov.n cotton and woollen cloths, and mosL of iheir implements of husbandry. The manu- faeture of indigo is important and productive. Large quantities of iron are made in some parts. Commerce. The principal articles exported from this slate, are rice, cotton, tobacco, skins of various kinds, pitch, tar, rosin, turpentine, myrtle wax, lumber, naval stores, cork, leather, pink root, snake root, ginger, &c. In the most successful seasons, there have been 140,000 barrels of rice exported. Formerly, 1,300,000 pounds of indigo were exported in one year from this state. None is now cultivated. Cotton has laken its place. Pul'ic Improvements. Under this head, beside the bridg- es already noticed, may be mentioned a canal, uniting the Santee with Cooper's river, 21 miles long, of vast utility. Other canals are in forwardness, designed to connect tlie Edisto with the Ashley, and the Savannah with the Edisto. A road from Soutii-Carolina to Knoxville in Tennessee, icross the mountains, is opening under the patronage ot the legislatures of the two states. Customs and Manners. The Carolinians are generally affable and easy in their manners, and polite and attentive \o strangers. The ladies want the bloom of the north, but ^ave an engaging solcness and delicacy in their appear- vmce and manners. Hunting is the most fashionable amuscmient in this state. A-t this, the country gentlemen are extrem.ely expert, and with surprising dexterity pursue their game through th-e woods. Gaming is more uisccuntenarced among fash- ionable people in this, than in any of the other southern states. T\\ ice a year statedly, a class of sportive gentle- man, in this and the r.e-gliboring states, have their hcrte races. SOUTH-CAROLINA. 207 Likraiare and Education. Literature has not made such rapid advances in this, as in the northern states. Many gentlemen now send their sons to New- England for their education. There are several useful literary institutions in Charles- ton, one at Beaufort, and several others in different parts Oi the stale. Three colleges have lately been incorporat- ed by law ; one at Charleston, one at Wiiinsborough, the other at Cambridge. Tiie Mount Sion college at Winns- borough is supported by a respectable socieiy of gentle- men, who have long been incorporated. This institution flourishes, and bids fair for usefulness. The college at Camlirldge is no more than a grammar school. That the literature of this st;ite might be put upon a respectable footing noihhig is wanted hut a spiiitof enterprise among its wealthy inhabitants. S outh-Camlina college is estab- libheJ at Columbia, whicli is a respectable thriving insti- tution, patronized by the state, who gave 50,000 dollars toward erecting buildings, and 6000 dollars per annum lor the support of the faculty. Charltjl!i and other S'.cielh's. These are the Orphan House, South Carolina Mount Sion, Library, and St. C^^cilia So- cieties a society for the relief of the widows and orphans of clergymen, two Bible societies, one at Charleston, the other at Beaufort, a Missionary society, aMedicil society, a Musical society, and a society for the ir.formation and assistance of persons emigrating from foreign countilcs, and the South-Carolina Agricultural society. At Beau- fort on St. Helena are several chaiitable societies, design- ed principally for the education of poor children. Citii's and Toivns. 'Vhe city of Charleston, much the largj,t in the state, stands on the point of land formed bv the cor.fluence of .Ihhley and Cooper rivers. It contains 2-l-,71 1 inhabitants, and in point of numbers, ranks as tl;e fifth city in the United States. The public buildings aio an exchange, state house, theatre, ar.mory, p^or house, 3 churches for Lpiscop.ilians, 2 for Congregatlonalists, V, for Prcbbyterians, 1 for Baptists, 2 for German Lutherans, 2 for the Methodists, 1 for French Protestants, 1 for Oua- kers, 1 Roman Catholic Chapel, and a Jewish synagogue. Charleston is divided into thirteen wards, wiiich choo.?f as many wardens, from among whom the citi'/cr.': e!ecl a:. 208 SOUTH-CAROLINA. Intendant of the city. 'Die Intendant and Wardens form the city council, who have power to make and enforce by- laws fur the regulation of the city. Beau FORT, on Port Royal Island, is a pleasant little town of about 120 houses. Tlie Episcopalians, Congrcgarion- alisis, and Baptists, have each a house for public worship, iiere is a Library society, who have above 1000 well se- lected books. Here is a colletje and grammar school, i ne tunds of the college amount to about 7i),000 dollars. Columbia, the seat of government stands just below the junction of Saiuda and Broad rivers, on the Conga- ree." The puf)lic offices liave, however, in some instances, been divided, for the accommodation of the inhabitanio of the lower counues, and a branch of each retained in Ciiarieston. Thi: college aJdi importance to this place Camden", on the Wateree, northwest of Santee hills, is regularly built, upon a good plan ; but a small part of it only is yet executed. PiTRYsBu?,G is a hilly village, 17 miles above Savann:fh, Oil the north bank of tlie river of the same name. Jack SON BOROUGH, Orangeburg, Winng borough, and C^MB^iuGE are all inconsiderable villages of from 'SO to (jO it '.veiling houses. Indims. I'he Catabaws are the only nation of Indians in this state. They have but one town, called Catabaw, :5'tuated on Cata'.jaw river, which contains about \50 in- habitants, of whom 150 are fighting men. hlavAs. Tlie sea coast is bordered with a chain of fine i,aa isl.md::, aronnd which the se.i flows, opening an excel- lent in'and n^.vigation for the conveyance of produce to market. The principal of these are Bull's, Dewee's, and .S^iliivan's islands, which form the north part of Charles- ton harbor. James, John's Wadmelav/, Port Royal, St. Helena, Laly's, Paris, and the Hunung Islands, five or si\ in number, Hilton's iriead, Plnkney's, Bull's, Dawfus- kies, and som^^ smaller islands The soil of these islands i: -incrally better adapted to the culture of cotton, than th- main, and less suited to rice. The natural gtowih is the live oak, which is excellent for ship timbers ; and the palmetto, or cabbage tree, the utilir ty of vvliich in the construction of forts, was experienced durin": the late war. GEORGIA. i09 GEORGIA. Extent. THE'State of Georgia, so called in honor oi King George II. of England, extends from 31 to 35'' N, latitude, and from 5 to 10 40' W. longitude, 260 miles long, and 250 broad. Boundaries. It is bounded east by the Atlantic ocean ; south by Florida ; west by the Missisippi territory j noith and northeast by South-Carolina. Divisions and Population. That part of the slate wliich has been laid out in counties, is divided into four districts, Eastern, Middle, Western, and Southern, which, in 1810, were subdivided into 38 counties. Counties. Population. Counties. PopulatioB. Wayne 61f Georgia. Societifs. There is a medical society in this state, called the Georgia Medical society, a Bible society, Female Asy- lum, Union society, for the eduration of orphan male chil- dren, an Agricultural society, and a pubiic library. Chief To'wns, Milledg t vi lle, che seat of government, is ii> Baldwin county, on the b. W. bank of tlie Ocone, 212 GEORGIA. 160 miles N. N. W. of Savannah, containing 124G inhab- itants. Savannah is the largest town in the state. It stands on a sandy bluff, 40 feet above low water mark, on the S. side of Savannah river, 18 miles from the bar. It is reg- ularly built in the form of a parallelogram, and had, in 1810, 2490 white inhabitants, 2 i 95 slaves, 330 free blacks ; in all 5215. It has eight places for public worship, a Presbyterian, Episcopal Lutheran, Baptist, Roman Cath- olic, one for the blacks, who have a church of 1400 com- municants, and a Jewish Synagogue. Augusta, on Savannah river, 144 miles from the sea, and 127 northwest of Savannah, has 2476 inhabitant;*. Sun BURY is a small sea-port town, 40 miles south ward of Savannah, and has a safe and convenient harbor. Brunswick, in Glynn county, at the mouth of Tur- tle river, at which place this river empties itself into St. Simon's sound. Brunsvvick has a safe and capacious harbor. Frederica, on the island of St. Simon, is the first town that was built in Georgia, and was founded by General Oglethorpe. Athens is the seat of the University of Georgia, and capital of Clarke county, near Louisville. Curiosities. One of the greatest curiosities in this stale is the bank of oyster-shells in the vicinity of Augusta, 90 miles from the sea. Oyster-sbells are found here in such quantities, that the planters carry them away for the pur- pose of making lime, which they use in the manufacture of indigo. There are thousands of tons still remaining. The circumstance of these shells being found in such quan- tities at such a distance from the sea, can be rationally ac- counted for in no other v/ay, than by supposing that the ocean formerly flowed near this place, and has since, from some unknown cause, receded to its present limits. It is generally believed that all the flat country in the southern states and Florida, was once covered by the ocean. On the banks of Little river, in the upper part of the state, are several curious and stupendous monuments of the power and industry of th'j ancient inhabi'cants of this coun- try. Here are also traces of a large Indian town. MISSISIPPI. 213 Ifuilans. The Muskogee or Crsek Indians inhabit the middle prirt of this state, and are the most nuinerous tribe of' Indians of any within the limits of the United States. Their whole number is about 2 ),000 souls, of whom be- tween 5 and 6U00 are gun men. They are a hardy, saga- cious, polite people, extremely jealous of their rights. They are settled in a h!ily,but not mountainous country. The soil is Iruitful in a high degree, and well watered, a- boundin'jj in creeks and rivulets, irom whence they are called the Creek In.dians. Tiie Choctav.'s, or Flat Heads, in/iabit a very fine, and extensive country, between the Alabama and Missi- sippi livers, in the western part of this st'ate. I'his nation bad, not nrianf years ago, 43 towns and villages, contain- inar 12,123 sOiils of which 4', Oil were fifrhtint^ men. file Chickasaws are settled at the head waters of the Tombekbee, Ivlubile, and Yazoo rivers, in the northwest corner ol the .-tate. They have seven towns. The num- ber of souls w. this nation has been reckoned at 1725, of which 575 are hghling men. lilanJs. i'he chief islands on the coast of Georgia are Skiddaway, Wassaw, Ossabaw, St. Calherine's, Frederica, Jekyl, Cumberland, and Amelia. The latter is wahin the bounds of East Florida. On Cum erland island, is the splendid and deiightful seat of Mrs. Miller, widow of the celebrated General Greene. i'hese islands are surround- ed by n ivigable creeks, between which, and the main land is a large e.xtent of ,salt m-irsh, fronting the whole state, four or five miles in breadth, intersected with creeks in various directions. The islands have an excellent soil, which yields, by cultivation, large crops of cotton, corn, and potatoes. THE MISSISIPPI TERRITORY LIES west of the stale of Georgia, and is bounded oa the north by Tennessee ; west by Missisippi river, which separates it from Louisiana ; south by West Florida. Of this territory, the legislature of Georgia sold, in 1795, a- bout tv.'enty-two miiliqris of acres, to four different compa 214 MISSISIPPI. nies. The lands have since been sold by the original pur- chasers, chiefly in the middle and eastern states. In 1796, the legislature of Georgia declared the laws of the preced- ing year, null and void ; and ordered the act, authorising the sale of the Western Territory, tOQ;ether witli all the records relating to it, to he formally burnt, which was done in presence of the legislative body. This territory, now erected into a disLinct government, is divided into 1 1 counties, v.'bose population, according lo the census of IfilO, w.is as follovvs : Counties. Population. Counties. Populi'.tion. Adams 10,002 Jeireraon 4,001 Ealdwin 1,427 Washington 2,920 Amite 4,750' Warren 1,1 14 Claiborne 3,102 Wnyiie 1,253 Franklin 2,M6 Wilkinson 5,0G8- Madisoa 4,699 Total 40,352 A considerable portion of the territory is inhabited by tlie Creek, Cliickasiiw, and Ciioctaw Indians, mentioned in thie description of Georgia. It is intersected by a great number of rivers, running in every direction, the principal of which, are the Yazoo and Loosa Chitto, which fall into the Missisippi ; Pearl, Pas- cagoula, Mobile, Alabama, Tombekbee, Escambia, and Chatta Hatcha, which empty into the Gulf of Mexico ; and the Tennessee, which falls into the Ohio. The soil produces in great abundance, Indian corn, rice, hemp, flax, indigo, cotton, pulse of every kind, and pas- turage ; and the tobacco made here is esteemed preferable to any cultivated in any other parts of America. Hops grow v/ild ; all kinds of European fruits arrive to great p.'rfcction. The climate is healthy and temperate ; the country de- lightful and well watered ; the prospects beautiful and extensive, variegated by many inequalities and fine mead- ows separated by innumerable copses, the trees of which are of different kinds, but mostly of walnut and oak. The rising grounds, which are clothed with grass and oth- er herbs of the finest verdure, are properly disposed for the culture of vines ; the mulberry trees arc very numerous, and the winters sufficiently moderate for the breeding of silk- worms. LOUISIANA. 215 Clays of different colors, fit for glass works and pottery, are found here in great abundance ; and also a variety of stately timber, fit for house'and ship building, &c. Natchez, on the east bank of the Missisippi, is the capital of this territory, and including St. Catharine's, contained in 1810, 151 i inhabitants: of these, 833 were slaves. Jefferson, In Washington county, contained 437 inhabitants. Shamburg and Steele, in this county, were equally populous Coles Creek, and Bale Palrre, in the -county of Pickering, Sandy and Second creeks and Homo Chitto, in Adams county, are the best settled parts of this new country. On the head waters of the Mobile are found oyster- shells. They are of an astonishing size, and in such quantities as to forbid the idea of their being carried there from the sea, which is 300 miles distant. The Chicka- saws say they were there when their fathers came into the country. They use the shells in making earthen ware. LOUISIANA. THE boundaries of Louisiana are not settled ; its ex- tent, of course, cannot be ascertained. It is estimated, however, to contain nearly a million square miles. Divisions. Louisiana is divided into two governments, the slate of Louisiana., and the territory of Louisiana. The state of Louisiana comprehends, 1. The country between the Pcrdido on the E. the Missisippi on ihe W. the Ibberville and the gulf on the S. and the Missisippi territory on the N. 2. The island of Orleans, which is the tract of land lying between tlie Missisippi on the S. W. and the Ibber- ville and lakes Maurepas and Ponchartrain, on the N. E. The Ibberville is a bayau or arm of the Missisippi, vihich^ loaves It on the E. 20S nnles from its mouth, according to tlie course of the river, and flows through lakes Maurepas and Ponchartrain, to the gu'f of Mexico. The island stretclics from K. S. K. to W. N. W. in a straight Ijnc, about IGO mills. U^ brendth varies from 6 to 25 mile?. 216 LOUISIANA. 3. All the territory W. of theMissisippi and S. of lati- tude 33. The territory of Louisiana comprehends all the country W. of the Missisippi and N of latitude 33. The former is bounded N. by Louisiana and Missisippi territories ; E. by the Missisippi and the Perdido ; JS. by the gulf of Mexico ; and W by -Mexico. The latter has Mexico on the W. ; the state of Louisi- ana on the S. ; the Missisippi, which separates it from the Missisippi territory, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois ter- ritory, on the E. ; and unexplored regions on the N. Rivers. Louisiana is watered by Red river, the Arkan- sas, St Francis, and the Missouri, with a vast number of smaller streams, which fall into these, or the Missisippi. Climate. During the winter the weather is very change- able. In summer it is regularly hot. The climate ''aries in proportion as it extends northward. The southern parts, lying within the reach of sea breezes, are not scorch- ed like those countries under the same latitudes in Africa, and its northern regions are colder than those of Europe in corresponding latitudes, with a wholesome serene air. Soil and Produelions. The soil of Louisiana in many parts is rich and fertile beyond description. In its natural state it is covered with mulberry, locust, sassafras, walnut, hickory, dog-wood, oak, ash, &c. with grape vines run- ning up almost every tree. The face of the country is interspersed with large prairies, pjoducing grass, flower- ing plants, and strawberries ; and with cane swamps of a hundred, and some of a tliousand acres. To judge of the produce to be expected from the soil of Louisiana, when cultivated, we must turn our eyes to Egypt, Arabia Fe- lix, Persia, India, China and Japan, all lying in the same latitudes. Minerals. Above the Nachitoches is a rich silver mine. Lead, and iron ore, pit-coal, marble, slate, and plaister of ^ Paris are found. CGtnmerce. The exports of Louisiana are sugar, cotton, indigo, rice, furs and peltry, lumber, tar, pitch, lead, flour, horses, and cattle. From Jst January to 30th September, 1804, the exports fwm New- Orleans amounted to 1,600,362 dollars. SPANISH AMERICA. 217 Population. The number of inhabitants in this immense country, exclusive of Indians, was reckoned in 1800 at about 60,000 of whom about 13,000 were slaves. In 1810 the whole population was 97j4'01. The number of militia was about ten thousand men. The inhabitants of Louisiana are chiefly the descendants af the French and Canadians. There are many English and Americans in New-Orleans. Learning. There are a few private schools for children. Not more than half of the inhabitants are supposed to be able to read and write. In general the learning of the -inhabitants does not extend beyond those two arts. Chief Towns. New-Orleans is the capital of Louisia- na It stands on the eastern bank of the Missisippi river, ninety. five miles from its mouth, and has great advantages for trade. Before the late cession of Louisiana, to the United States, the inhabitants were principally of Trench extraction The officers of government and the troops were entirely Spanish. Intermixed with these are now a great number of Americans. The inhabitants amount to SijSa^, of u'hom K^BS-l- are slaves. There are also a number of Indians, which are wretch- ed outcasts from the Tunica, Alibama, Chittemachcs, and Atacapas tribes, residing in the vicinity of the town. They go chiefly naked, and exhibit daily the most disgust- ing scenes of riot, intoxication, and debauchery. New- Orleans, in tlie licentiousness of its morals, rivals the cor- ruptions of the old world. St. Lou.s is a village of 200 houses, beautifully situat- ed on the Missisippi, li miles below the Missouri, in lat. 38 18 N. Considerable settlements are made on the banks of the latter river for several hundred miles. This town and its districts contains 5667 inhabitants. St. Genevieve, 73 miles below St. Louis, is the store- house of the mines in its neighborhood. Population, with its district, 4620. SPANISH AMERICA. ALL the southern part of the North-American c ent belongs to Spain, by whom it was conquered and T 218 FLORIDA. onized soon after the discovery of the New World. This immense territory is bounded on the souib by the isthmus of Darien ; on the west by the Pacific ocean ; north by unknown regions ; east by Louisiana and the gulf of Mexico. It extends in a direction nearly northwest and southeast from 9 to 40 north latitude, and spreads between the 5th and 50th degrees of west longitude. In describing the Spanish dominions of North- America, It will be proper to consider them in two grand divisions, Florida and Mexico. FLORIDA. IN consequence of Louisiana becoming a part of the United States, Florida is cut off from the other Spanish provinces. It lies east of the Missisippi, and south of the state of Georgia, being limited on the east and south by the Atlantic ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Its length is about 600 miles ; its medium breadth not more than 150. It is yet undetermined whether that part of it, denominat- ed West Florida, is included in the boundaries of Louisia- na, as purchased by the United States, or not. Admitting it to be decided in favor of the purchase, the extent above mentioned will be much contracted. Among the rivers that fall into the Atlantic, St. John's and Indian rivers are the principal. Seguana, Apalachi- cola. Chatta Hatcha, Escambia, Mobile, Pascagoula, and Pearl rivers, which were noticed in the preceding account of the United States, run through Florida into the Gulf of Mexico. The climate of Florida is not materially different from that of the southern part of the United States. The soil is various ; but that which is least fiuitful pro- duces two crops of corn in a year. The forests abound with wood of almost eveiy kind : white, red, and live oak, laurel magnolia, pine, hickory, cypress, and cedar. Some of the live oaks aie from 12 to 20 feet in circumference, and contain a prodigious quantity of timber. The lauiel rnolia is generally 100 feet high, and some are higher, flowers are on the extremity of the braaches, large. MEXICO. 219 white, and expanded like a rose ; they are from 6 to 9 inches diaiieter, and have a most delicious fragran.e. St. Augustine, the capital of East Florida, is situated on the sea coast, of an obiong figure, and intersected by four streets, which cut each other at right angles. The town is fortified. The principal town in West- Florida is Pensacola. It lies along the beach, and, like St. Augustine, is of an ob- long form. The bay on which the town stands, forms a rery commodious harbor. MEXICO. UNDER this name is included all the remaining Span- ish provinces in North America, which are divided into Old Mexico, containing the audiences of Galicia, Mex- ico, and Guatemala, which are subdivided into 22 prov- inces. New-Mexico, containing the audiences of Apacheira and Sonora. California, a peninsula, on the western side of the con- tinent, being almost surrounded by the Pacific ocean. That part of the sea which flows between the peninsula and the main land is called the gulf of California. Climate. The climate of this extensive country is vari- ous. The maritime parts are hot, and for the mosi part moist and unhealthy. Lands: which are very high, or very near to high mountains, which are perpetually cover- ed with snow, are cold. Mountains and Rivers. The land is in great part abrupt and monntamous, covered with thick woods, and watered with large rivers. Some of these run into the gulf of Mex- ico, and others into the Pacific ocean. Among the hist are those of Alvarado, Coatzacualco, and Tabasco. A- mong the latter is the river Guadalaxara, or Great river. Several of the mountains in Mexico are volcanoes. Lakes. There are several lakes, which at once embel- lish the country, and facilitate its commerce. The iakes of Nicaragua, Chapallan, and Pazaquaro, are amon g d .e largest. The lakes Tetzuco and Chalco occupy a fflvt part of the vale of Mexico, which is the fincft tracToi 220 MEXICO. country in New-Spain. The waters of Chalco arc sweet, those of Tetzuco are brackish. A canal unites them. The lower lake (TetzAico) was formerly 20 miles long and 17 broad, and, lying at the bottom of the vale, is the reservoir of all the waters from the surrounding mountains. The city of Mexico stands on an island in this lake Minerals and Mineral IVatcrs. The mountains of Mexi- co abound in ores of almost every kind, and a great va- riety of fossils. There are en ire mountains of loadstone, and among others, one very considerable, between Tcoil- tylan and Chilapan, in the country of the Cohuixcas. In this country are interspersed many fountains of dif- ferent qualities. There are many nitrous, sulphureous, vitriolic, and aluminous mineral waters, f some of v.'hick issue So hot, th^t in a short time any kind of fruit or ani- mal food may be boiled in them. There are also petrifying waters, v/ith which they make little white smooth stones, not displeasing to the taste ; scrapings from which, taken in broth, or in gruel made of Indian corn, are most powerful diaphoretics, and are used with remai kable success in various kinds of fevers. Botany. However plentiful and rich the mineral king- dom of Mexico may be, the vegetable kingdom is still more various and abundant. Dr. Hernandes describes, in his natural history, about 1200 medicinal plants, natives of that country. The fruits of Mexico are pine-apples, plums, dates, water melons, apples, peaches, quinces, ap- ricots, pears, pomegranates, figs, black cherries, v/alnuts, almonds, olives, chesnuts, and grapes. The cocoa nut, va- nilla, chla, great pepper, tomati, the pepper of TobaSco, and cotton, are very common with the Mexicans. Wheat, barley, peas, beans, and rice have been successfully culti- vated in this country. With respect to plants which yield profitable resins, gums, oils, orjuices, the country of Mex ico is singularly fertile. Zoology Of quadrupeds there have been transportedin- to this country horses, asses, bulls, sheep, goats, hogs, dogs, and cats, which have all multiplied. Of the quadrupeds that from time immemorial have b^en in the country, some ; >mmon to both the continents of Europe and Ameri- ome peculiar to the new world, others natives only of cingdom of Mexico, Tlie ancient quadrupeds, com MEXICO. 221 g.iinon to Mexico and the old continent, are lions, tigers ' wild cats, bears, wolves, foxes, the common stags, and white stags, bucks, wild goats, badgers, pole cats, weasels, martens, squirrels, rabbits, hares, otters, and rats. It is said there are 200 species of birds peculiar to this kingdom. Population. 'l"he population ot all Spanish North-Amer- ica, before the cession of Louisiana, was computed at about 7,000,000, of whom the aboriginal Indians were 4,000,000. Government. The ciyl government of Mexico is admin- istered by tribunals called audiences. In these courts the viceroy of the king of Spain presides. His employment is the greatest trust and power -his Catholic Majesty has at his disposal, and is perhaps the richest government entrust- ed to any subject in the world. The government of this country is now, (181:5) in an unsettled state. Religion. The Spaniards have introduced here their forms of religion, as well as of government. The church- es, chapels, and convents are very numerous, and richly ornamented. The priests, monks, and nuns, of all orders, make a fifth of the white inhabitants, both heie and in other parts of Spanish America. dues. Mexico is the oldest city in America, of which we have any account ; its foundation being dated as far back as 1325. It is situated in the vale of Mexico, on sev- eral islands, in lake Tetzuco, in north latitude '9 '^G. This vale is surrounded with lofty and verdant mountains, and formerly contained 40 eminent cities, besides villages and hamlets. Concerning the ancient population of this city, there are various opinions. The historians, most to be leiied on, say that it was nearly 9 miles in circumier- ence ; and contained upwards of 00,000 hotibcs, contain- ing each from 4 to 10 inhabitants. By a late accurate enur meration, made by the magistrates and priests, it appears that the present number of inhabitants exceeds 200,000. The buildings are of stone, and the public eaitices, es- pecially the churches, are rnagaiiicent. 'l^he city contains immense wealth, and, though inland, carries on exienbive commerce wilh Europe, boulh- America, and the East- In- dies by means ol La Vera Cru/. on liie cast, and Ajgl^ul- co on the west. The Spanish inhabitants of Mexico are clothed in silk, their nats bc-lng adorned wilh behsot poid T 2 i222 MEXICO. and roses of diamonds ; even the slaves have bracelets and necklaces of gold, silver, pearl, and gems. The ladies are distinguished for beauty and gallantry. The city of Mexico is celebrated for its floating gaw^ dens, which are made of willows and marsh plants, forni-- ed into a platform, and twisted so firmly together, as t' support a coat of earth. They are about 8 rods long and 3 wide, and their elevation from the surface of the lake is less than a foot. On these floating gardens are cultivated herbs and flowers of every description. La Vf.RA Cruz is the grand port of Mexico, and the natural centre of the treasure that is transported from A - merica to Spain. It is situated on the gulf of Mexico, in the eastern extremity of the province of Los Angelos, 215 miles southeast of the city of Mexico. Most of its houses are built of wood. The nu:nber of its Spanish inhabitants is about 3000, It was near this place that Cortes land- ed, in 1518, when, being determined to conquer or die, he sunk the ships that transported him thither. AcAPULCO is on a bay of the Pacific ocean, 220 miles .southwest of Mexico. It is the chief port on that sea, and is dcfevided by a castle. It is a mart for all the merchan- dize from the Philippine Isles, and at certain seasons is thronged with merchants from all parts of Spanish A- merica. GuADALAXAR.*, the Capital of the province of the same name, is a htrge and beautiful city, built in 1531. Il is an episcopal city, and has 30,0U0 inhabitants. Theie are many other large cities in Spanish North- America, among which are St. JagOiChiapa, St. Andero, Durango, St. Fe, and St. Juan, the chief town on the peninsula of California. History. The empire of Mexico was subdued by Cortes, in the year 1521. With 600 men, 18 horses, and a few field pieces, he conquered its emperor, Montezuma, the most poweiful monarch of the New world. Th-is unfor- tunate prince was afterwards killed by his own followers, in attempting to mitigate their rage for the insults he had received from the Spaniards. Me v^as succeeded by his nephew Guatimozin, who, for a while, made a vigorous opposition to the assaults of Cor- res. After a noble defence, he was also taken priscier j SOUTH-AMERICA. 223 but not till he had previously caused all his treasures to be thrown into the lake. Being put to the torture to make him discover his riches, he bore, with invincible fortitude, the refined cruelties of his tormentors. While extended, with one of his chief favorites, on a gridiron, over burning coals, his fellow suffc-rer, overcome by the violence of the pain, turned .* dejected eye towards his master, as if to implore his permission to reveal the secret. But the indig- nant prince reproached his weakness by asking liim, " Am I reposing on a bed of flowers ?" The affectionate minis- ter persevered in dutiful silence, and died. Cortes, asham- ed of a scene so horrid, prolonged the life of the royal vic- tim, fjr new indignities. He was afterwards hanged. SOUTH-AMERICA. THIS division of America is an extensive peninsula, joined to the northern division by the Istl;mus of Darien. Extent. South-America extends from about the l'2th degree north, to the 5ilh degree of south latitude, with- out including the island of Terra del Fuego ; making a length of about 4G0() miles. Its extreme breadth is 3:J40 miies. From this extent, however, it diminiihes bo:h ways. Toward the southern extremity, it is veiy narrow. Climate. The climate of South-America has great va- rieties. In the southern parts the innabitanls experience s-ivere fiosts, and almost perpetual winter. la the torrid zur.e, the mountains aie so lofty, that the greatest incon- venience is the extreme cold of the mountains, and the moisture of the plains. The provinces coiitiguous to the equator are subject to excessive heat, and to violent storms of rain, thunde.'^, and lightning. Face oj the Ccuntry. 'I'he face of this country is over- spread wich mighty rivers, which flow through immense tracts of verdure and fertility. Tlie sea cast is very lit- tle broken by gulfs or inlets, except such as are formed by the rrcuths of the rivers. Though a country of spacious . plains, its mountair.s me die most lofty on the globe ; and its volcanoes, which are numerous, are terrible and sub- .line. 224 SOUTH-AMERieA. Mountains. The most extensive chain of mountains is the Andes, which may be traced the whole length of JSouth America, from north to south, 4600 miles. Chimborazo, the highest point in this chain, nearly under the equator, is 20,2s>0 feet above the level of the sea, and 5000 feet higher than any mountain in the eastern hemisphere. Ca- tapaxi, a volcano, 25 miles southeabt of Quito, is 18,600 feet in height. There are other remarkable chains of mountains, beside the Andes, which ran from west to east. The first is tiiat of the Northern Coast, between nine and ten degrees of north laiiiude. Ihe highest points of this chain, are 14 or 15,000 feet above the level of the sea. Several of its summits are covered with perpetual snow, and often pour down torrents of boiling sulphureous water. The second range, or that of Parima, between three and seve degrees north latitude, is but little known. It stretches from the Andes east towards Popayan, forming numerous cataracts in the waters of the Oronoko. The third chain, or that of Chiquitos, unites the Andes of Peru and Chili with the mountains of Brazil and Para- guay. The highest summits are betv/een 15 and 20 de- grees south latitude. Lakes. South-America has no inland seas, and but fevr lakes, and those are small compared with the immense Jakes of North-America. In Amazonia and Brazil, there are none Titicaca, in Peru, is the most important piece of water in South- America ; its figure is oval, its circum- ference about 240 miles, and its depth 70 or hO fathoms. Rivers. The river Amazon, called also the Maragnon, is the largest river in the world. A number of rivers which rush down with amazing impetuosity from the east- ern declivity of the Andes, unite in a spacious plain, and form this noble river. In its progress it runs 3300 miles from west to east across South America, and falls into the Atlantic ocean under the equator, by a mouth 150 miles broad. 'It is inteispersed with a vast number of islands, which are too often overflowed to admit of culture. Some of the rivers, which fall into it, are very broad and deep. The chief of these, from the south and southwest, proceed- ing from the mouth westward, a; e Uragua, Paratina, Ma- deira, Purus, Yula, Yuiacina, Ucayal. From the north SOUTH-AMERICA. ns and northwest, progressing from its month, are Parima, Negro, Yupura, Issa, and Napo. It received the name of Amazon from Francis de Orillana, who was deputed in 1516, to explore the courses of this river. He penetrated to a considerable distance, and fought several nations of Indians, till his passage was opposed by a band ot female warriors, armed with bows and arrows. The second river in size is the Rio dela Plata, or River of Silver. It flows into the Atlantic ocean between /Capes St. Anthony on the south, and St. Mary on the north, which are about 1.50 miles apart. At some dis- tance above the mouth of this, as vvell as of the Amazon river, the shore cajmot be seen from the middle of the ^stream. ' It is chiefly composed of nvo great streams, the Parana and Paraguay. The navigation is dang-emus. ihe wa- ters are of a petrifying quality, and are said to be a spe- cific against rheums and defluctions. The Oronoko, or Oronoque, including its windings, takes a course of ISiSO miles, and preset ves the freshness of its waters twelve leagues from the mouth of that vast .and deep channel within which it was confined. It may- be considered however as having many mouths, formed by the islands that lie before its opening towards the ocean. This river is remarkable for its regular risinsj and falling, once a year. It begins to swell in April, continues rising tor five months, and, during the sixth, remains at its great- est height. From October It begins gradually to subside till March, throughout the whole of which it remains in a fixed state of its greatest diminution. These alternate changes are regular and invariable. The other rivers of South America, belong more to par- ticular districts, in the description of which they will be noticed. Botanyy Zoology^ and Mineralogy. The plants and ani- mals of ' America, exhibit the same generic and spe- cific dih .es from those in the old world, that were mentionei. m the account of the northern portion ot this continent, but are still more numerous and luxuriant m . growth, in consequence of the gieatei warmth f the cli- mate. In a general view, it may be remaikt-d hat there jciisis in South-America several animals which bear a simi- 226 TERRA FIRM A. larlty to kinds in the old world, but are inferior in size; Thus, the cantiel has a representative in the llama j the hip- popotamus in the tnpiir ; the lion in the puma, or cougar ; the leopard, in the jaguar. It is affirmed, however, that the South-American tiger is as large and formidable as any heast of prey whatever. Monkeys are extremely nu- merous and various in the American forests, and there is a great variety of the squirrel, weasel, and opossum tribes. The splendor of the plumage of the birds is only rivalled by that of the birds of India. The serpents and alligators ;f its streams and marshes are of enormous magnitude. In metallic treasures, it is well known to surpass every re- gion, that of Mexico perhaps excepted. D'.vliiont. The whole of this extensive country, except that occupied by the aborigines, was lately divided into colonial govemraents, belonging to Spain, Portugal, Hol- land, and France. The possessions of Holland and France have fallen to England. Some of the provinces of Spain have declare d themselves independent, and others are in a state of revolt, and if Spain is subdued will certainly be- come independent. Portugal is removed to Brazil, and the province has become, and probably will continue to be, the principal country. The Spanish territories are divided Into viceroyaltles, audiences, provinces, governments, departments, and mis- sions, or parishes, established among the Indians. The cnumcratior: of them is unnecessary. The grand divisions are three viceroyaltles; that of New. Granada, on the north ; of Peru, including Chili, on the west ; and b Buenos Ayres, on the southeast. TERRA FIRMA, or CASTILE DEL ORO, The northernmost province of South- America, is 140O miles long, and 700 broad, situated between the equator and 12^ N. lat. and between 15 . and 7 W. Ion. It is bounded on the E. by the Atlantic ocean, and Surinam ; S. by Amazonia and Peru ; W. by the Pacific ocean ; and N. by the province of Vcraguay, in North-America, and the gulf of Mexico, here denominated the North sea. Name and Divisions. It is called Terra Firma, because H'^O <^! TERRA FIRMA. 227 it was the first part of the continent discovered by Colum- bus. It is divided into the provinces of Terra Firma proper, or Davieo, Carthagena, St Martha, Venezuela, Cumana, Paria, New- Granada, and Popayan. The prov- ince of Daricn is a narrow isthmus that joins North and South- America, but is generally reckoned a part of the latter. It lie* in the form of a crescent about the great bay of Panama, in the South sea, and is 400 miles long. The breadth is usually called 60 miles from noith to south, but it is only 37 miles broad from Porto Bello to Panama, the two chief towns of the province. Bays and Rivers. On the sliores of the Pacific ocean are the bays of Panama and St. Michael. In the North sea are Porto Bello, Sino, and Guiana. The principal rivers are the Darien, Chagre, Santa Ma- ria, Conception, and Oronoko. A particular description of the last has already been given. Climate^ Soilf and Productions. The climate here is ex- tremely hot and sultry during the whole year. From the month of May to the end of November, the season called winter by the inhabitants, is almost a continued succession of thunder, rain, and tempests ; the clouds precipitating the rain with such impetuosity, that the low lands exhibit tlie appearance of an ocean. Great part of this country is of consequence almost continually flooded ; and this, to- gether with the excessive heat, st) impregnates the air with vapors, that, in many provinces, it is very unwholesome. The soil is very different, the inland pans being extremely rich and fertile, and the coast sandy and barren. It is im- possible to view, without admiration, the perpetual ver- dure of the woods, the luxuriance of the plains, and the towering height of the niountains. This country produces corn, sugar, tobacco, and fruits of ail kinds. The desert of Los Llamos, like the Sahara of Africa, is a prodigious tract of barrenness. For 2000 square leagues the level of the country does not differ five inches. No vegetation cheers this plain of sand ; st rpents and rep- tiles are the only inhabitants the traveller meets, for sev- eral days. Chief fowns. Carthagesa is the principal sea port town in Terra Firma. It is situated on the Atlantic o- cean, in north latitude 10** 31'. Ihe bay on which i( 2-28 PERU. stands is seven miles wide, from north to south ; and soi. smooth, that ships are no more agitated than on a river, J The town and its suburbs are fortified in the modern style. The streets are straight, broad, and well paved. The houses are principally brick, and one story high. This city is the residence of the governor of the province of Cartbagena ; and of a bishop, whose spiritual jurisdiction' extends over the whole province. There is here also a court of inquisition. Panama is the capital of Terra Firma Proper, and is situated in north latitude 8 45', upon a capacious bay tO" which it gives its name. It is the great receptacle of the vast quantities of gold . and silver, and other rich mer- chandize, from all parts of Peru and Chili ; here they are lodged in store houses, till the proper season arrives to transport them to Europe. * PoRTO Bello is situated close to the sea, on a decliv- ity of a mountain, which surrounds the whole harbor. The convenience and safety of this harbor is such, that Columbus, who first discovered it, gave it the name of Porto Bello, or the fine Harbor, in north latitude 9 SS\ PERU LIES south of Terra Firma, an4^ stretches along the shore of the Pacific ocean, 1800 miles. It is bounded south by Chili, east by the Andes, a grand natural limit, separating it from vmazonia. h lies between the equa- tor and ti5" south latitude, and spreads between 15^ east and 6" west longitude, though its breadth is in no place more ihan 500 miles. Dii-htons. Peru is divided into three provinces, Quito, Lima, and Los Charcos. Rivers. The Amazon rises among the Andes in Peru ; but directs its course eastward, through Amazonia. Most of the rivers of the Andes run into the Atlantic, and can hardly be considered as belonging to Peru. There are no streams of consequence in the ^hole extent of Peru, that fall into the Pacific ocean. Climate. According to the local disposition of the coun- try, its higher low situation, we find in Peru all the vaw- PEIIU. " '22^ ciics of icnipcratnrc, from the extreme of heat to Uiat of cpld. The plains are temperate, the beaches and villics arc hot, ami the mountuhis are covf red with eternal snow and ice, while their bowels are fliniin;^ wiih fire. In bOnne parts of Peru, it never rains, which defect is sup- plied by a g-entle dew, widch falls every night. Other parts are visited by dreadful tempests, thunder, and iigiuninir. S'oi/ and Productions. The inlaud parts are fertile, but the sea coast is barren. This country produces fruits peculiar to the climate, and most of tiiQse in Eui'opc. Tlie culture of maize, of pimento, and cotton, which was foinid established there) has not been neglected ; and that of wheat, barley, cassa- va, potatoes, sugar, and of the oUve'and vine, is attended to. ./Iniinala. The most remarkable animals in this country aie the Peruvian sheep, called llamas and vicunnas. The llama, in several particulars, resembles the camel, as in the shape of the ijcck, head, and some other parts; but has no bunch, is muc'n smaller, and is cloven footed. Its upper lip is clelt, like that of a hare, ihroup;h which, when enraged, it spits a venomous juice, that inflames the part on which it falls. The wool, with which it is covered, is of dlfl'erent colors, but generally brown. These animals are generally docile, so that the Indians use them as beasts of burden. TiKirf]c;sh is esteemed preferable to mutton. The vicunna resembles the llama \n shape, but is much smaller, and its woal shorter and finer. Mines. Nature never clTered to the avidity of man- kind, in aiy country on the globe, such rich mines as those of Peiu. Tl.crc are several gold mines, but those of sil- ver are fo\md all over the country. Those of Potosi are the most cc!ebrat<;d. Cities and Tovjns. The city of Lima is the capital of Peiu, and of the whole Spanish empire in South-America. It is seated in a delighiigl valley, two leagues from the fja ; and is two n'iles long, a;.d one broad.^iii,T;htre arc mariy magnificent tdifices, part;cularIy,c|iUrches, iii Lima. It is SAid to coniair. St.OOO inliahiiants, who are immer.se- Jy rich. AH travellers speak with anmzcmcnt of the dec- (jralions (f gold, silver, and precious stones, which load the walls of the churches. U * 230 CHILI. Cusco, the ancient capita! of the Peruvian empire, lies in a mounlainous country, at a distance from the sea, and has long been on the decline, but is yet a very considera- ble place. Quito is next to Lima in population, if not superior to it. It is like Cusco, an inland citv. CHILI EXTENDS along the Pacific ocean, from the south- ern boundary of Peru, in latitude 24 degrees south, to the 45lh degree, being 1460 miles. Its breadth is about 234 miles. Chili has Paraguay and Tucuman east, and Pata- gonia south. It contains 378,000 square miles. To this must be added Cuyo, or Cujo, east of the Andes, 406 miles long and 402 broad, containing 163,000 square miles. Climate and Soil. The climate of Chili is one of the most delightful in the world, being a medium between the intense heat of the torrid, and the piercing cold of the frigid zones. There are few phices in this extensive country where the soil is not exuberantly rich. Chili is the most opulent kiigdom in America. ./Ordinal and Vt^L-table Productions. The horses and mules of Chili are in great esteem. Oxen, sheep, and : goats are faiuned in the luxuriant pastures. The coasts abound with many excellent fish ; there are also vast numbers of whales and sea wolves. The soil produces Indian and European corn, hemp, grapc, and all ether fiuits. The European fruit trees < are oljliged to be propped, to enable them to sustain the weight of the fruit. Oiange trees are in bloom, and bear fruit tiirougi out the year. The inhabitants press a kind of mu^^cadine wine from the grapes, which far exceeds any thing of the kind made in Spain. Mines. Mines of -gold, silver, copper, tin, quicksilver, iron, and lead aliound in this counuy. Vast quai.tities of gold are washed down from the mountains by brooks and torrents ; the annual amount o! which, when manufaclur- c^j is esiiinated at bo less than 800,000 dollars. )| 1 BUENOS AY RES. 231 P ofiulation and Militia. In 1778, ihe iiuJjibcr of white inhabilanis in Chiil was reckoned at 80,000 ; negroes 140,000 ; besides Aborigines, more nunnerous than both. This r.umber has since much increased. The militia, in 1792, amounted to 1 5,856 men. Those Indians wh.o arc not subject to the Spanish yoke, are very honest in their commercial transactions ; they live in small huts. They are brave and warlike, and all tlie attenipts of the Span- iards to subdue li.cm liave proved ineffectual. ToTjns. St. Jago, the capital of Cliili, and llie scat of {government, is 90 miles Iron) the ocean, and 21 iVom tl.c Andes. It is a large, handsome place. It contained, in 1776, 46,000 inhabitants, which have since iixreased, and trades largely with IJiitnos Ayrcs. '1^'iie inhabitants are said to be remarka!)iy polite and hoy^pilablc. Valpakai- so, th.c port of St. JuLjo, is the most commercial ciiy ju Chili, lat. 33 3 S. Conception is the second city in rank in Ciiili. It had 1J,000 inhabitants, in 1776. Valdivia stands between the rivers Callacallcs and Portcro, where they fall into the South sea. It was built !:y the Spar.iards, in 155 1, and is one of the largest cities in Chili. The chief town in the province of Cuyo is St. John 1)E FitOXTIEP.A. BUENOS AYRES IS an iidand country, bounded north by Amazonia, cast by" Brazil, south Ijy Pata.ijonia, and west by Cliili ami Peru. It extends from 12 to 37 S. hit. 1500 miles long, and 1000 broad. 'J'his exter.sive country has been called by various names While attached to Peru, it was call- ed the province of CharcuH. It has since been called Parciguuui and La J-'lu'a, a name which it t(?ok from the river La PI ua At present the most common name is the viceroyaity of L'ucjiofi yii/ren. Divisions. It is divuicu into six provinces, Paraguay, Parana, Gmra, Ui'aii;na, Tucuman, and Rio dc la Piata. Tvn'fTv. The country iswaicrc'd by iiinutnerabie streams and rivers,, wh.icii form the grand river La Plata, already described, 23'J GUIANA. Climate., S/il, and Produce. From the situation of tlili couiitty, soii/e parts of it are extremely hot, from the al- most venical influence of the rays of the sun ; while oth- er parts arc- pleasant and delightful. But the heat is in some measure abated by the gentle breezes, which gen- erally bes^in about nine or ten o'clock in the morning, and continue the greatest part of the day. Some parts of the country are very mountainous ; but in many others, arc extensive and beautiful plains, where the soil is veiy rich, producing cotton, tobacco, and the valuable herb called Paraguay, together wii!i a variety of fruits. There arc also rich pastures, in which are bred such herds of cattle, that it is said the hides are the only part exponcd ; while the flesh is left to be devoured by ilie beasts of the wil- derness. Paraguay sends annually ir.to the kingdom of Peru, 1500 or 2000 mules. They travel over dreary descris j'or the distance of S or 900 leni^ucs. The province ( 1' i'ucuman furnisp.es to Potosi, ai.nuaily, 16 or '8,00.0 ox- en, and 4 or 5000 horses, brongiu foiih and reared upoa its own territory. C/t!'/ Tovj?2.'}. BvExos Ayres is the capital of this couniiy. lis silUalion, on the river La Plata, is htalihy and pleasant, and the air temperate. It is regularly built. The nund)cr of iuhabitanls is about oO,0\0. One side nf the town is defended by a fortress, wIlIi a garrison of six or seven lumdred men. The town stands 180 miles from the sea. The access up the rivir is very difficult. Monte Video stands on a bay of t!iC sam^name, on the north side of t!)e river La Plata, 20 leagues above its mouth. It lies cast of Hucnos Ayres, and has its nauie from a mountain which overlooks it. GUIANA. THK extensive country of Guiana, or Carribiaka, stretches along the coast of the Atlantic ocean, from iha mouth of the river Oronoko, to Cape North, at the mouth of the Amazon river, between 2 and o of north latitude, and between J 2 and 25 of east longitude. Divisions. The western part of this country, called Sur- GUIANA. 233 iiiara, belonged lately to the Dutch ; the middle part to the French, whose capital was Ca\ennb, and fvom which the whole territory received its name. The eastern parts were disputed by the French and Dutch, but the principal places in the country have lately been taken by, and are now in possession of, the English. Guiana is now divided into five districts, called Esse- QUEBo, Demerara, Berbisch, StJRiNAM, and Cayenne. The tour first receive their names from rivers, which run through them, and the last from the city of Cayenne, in France. Climate and Seasons. In the months of September, Oc- tober, and November, the climate is unhealthy, particu- larly to strangers. A hundred miles back from the sea is a hilly country, a pure, dry, wholesome air, where a fire sometimes would not be disagreeable. The seasons were formerly divided into rainy and dry ; but owing, probably, to the country being more cleared, and a free passage opened for the circulation of the air, this distinc- tion has in a great measure ceased. Rivers. A number of fine rivers pass through this^ country ; the principal of which are Essequebo, Surinam, Demerara, Berbisch, and Canya. Essequebo is 21 miles wide at its mouth, and is more than 300 miles in length. Surinam is a beautiful river, three quarters of a mile wide,- navigable for the largest vessels 1 2 mites, and for small Tesscls sixty or seventy miles further, hs banks, quite to the water's edge, are covered with evergreen "and man- grove trees, which render the passage up this river vei^y delightful. The Demarara is about two miles wide at its mouth, opposite to the fort. This river is navigable for vessels that can pass the bar, upwards of 100 miles. Soil and Productions. The land along the sea coast is low and marshy, and subject to inundations during the rainy seasons. The soil is extremely rich, producing cot- ton, sugar, tobacco, Indian corn, ginger, indigo, rice, fruits, coffee, and other necessaries of life. In the woods are many species of durable timber, and others highly val- uable for ornamental purposes. This country has never experienced hurricanes, those dreadful scour.e:cs of the- Wcst-Indies ; and droughts, from the lowncss of the land,. U 2 r ^3* GUIANii^ it has not to fear ; nor has the produce ever been desttdjr* * ed by insects, or by the blast. j4ni?nal.i^ Ser/ient^,is^c. The woods abound with plenty of deer, i:ares, and rabbits, a kind of buffalo, and two spe- cies of wild hogs, one of which (the peccaiy) is remarka-' ble for i>a'.ir 5^ something resembling the navel on its back. T iic Moods are infested with several species of tigers, but with no other ravenous or dangerous animals. The rivers are rendered dangerous by alligators. Scorpions and tarantulas are found here, of a large size and great venom, and other insects without number, some of them very dangerous and trouWesome ;. the torporiiic eel also, tlie touch of which, by means of the bare hand or any con- ductor, has the effect of a strong electric shock j. serpents also, some of which are venomous, and others, as has. been asserted by many credible persons, arc from twenty- five to fifty fiiet long. In the woods are monkeys, the sloth, and parrots in all their varieties ; also, some birds of beautiful plumage, among others, the flamingo, but few or no singing birds. C/iicJ' Towns. Paramaribo, situated in lat. 6 north, on Surinam river, four leagues from the sea, is the print cipal town in Surinam. It contains about 2000 whites, ne half of whom are Jews, and 8000 slaves. The houses- are principally of wood ; some few have glass windows^ but generally they have wooden shutters. The streets are spacious and straight, and planted on each side with. range and tamarind trees. Demaraha, at the mouth of the river of the same;, name, contains about 1800 white inhabitants. Cayenne is the principal settlement in the district of that name ; it is on an island near the coast It contain* i200 white inhabitants, exclusive of the garrison. Aboriginals. The most considerable of the Indian na* tions of Guiana are the Garibbees, the Arvaques, the Yaos, and the Galibis. The Charaibes, or Caribbees arc en- terprisingj and so cautious of surprise, that they post out 45uards and centinels, with as much care and art as the Europeans. They arc said to have been formerly canni" bals. The Galibis are a pacific people ; they manufac- ture hammocks and cotton beds, and are very ingenious. Such as are aeav the Europeans have leamt to handle fire.* BRAZIL. 235 iwna. The Charaibes, in the West-Indies, are thought to derive their origin from these nations. The Charai- bes of Guiana still fondly cherish the tradition of Sir Waher Raleigh's alliance ; and to this day preserve the English colors, which he left with them at parting about 200 years ago. BRAZIL COMPREHENDS all the Portuguese settlements in America, and is situated between the equator and 35 de- grees south latitude. A line drawn from the mouth of the Amazon to the mouth of the La Plata, not far from the 1.5th degree of E. longitude, would nearly correspond with its western boundary, from which it extends east- ward to about 40 degrees east. Its length, from north to south, is 2500 miles ; its breadth, 700 It is surrounded en all sides by the mouths of the rivers Amazon and La Plata and the Atlantic ocean, except the west, where it is bounded by Amazonia and the Spanish possessions. Divisions, It has three grand divisions ; the northerir, which contains eight provinces or captainships ; the mid' die wiiich has five ; and the southern, which has three j- in all sixteen provinces. Bays, Hnrborsy and Rivers. These are the harbors of Pernambuco, All Saints, Kio Janeiro, the port of St. Vin- cent, the Harbor of Gabriel, and the port of St. Salvador. There is a great number of noble streams, which unite with the rivers Amazon and La Plata ; beside others, which fail into the Atlantic ocean. Climate.) Hail, and Productions. The climate of Brazil is temperate and mild, when compared with that of Afri*- ea ; owing chiefly to the refreshing wind, which blows continually from the sea. The air is not only cooi but chilly, through the night ; so that the natives kindle a tire every evening in their huts. As the rivers in this countiy annually overflow their banks, and leave a sort of slime upon the land, the soil, in many places, is amazingly rich. The vegetable productions are Indian corn, sugar canes, tobacco, indigo, hides, ipecaquanha, balsan>, Brazil wood j 2S5 BRAZIL. the last is of a red color, hard and dry, and is chieffy used in dying, but not the red of the best kind. Here is also the yellow fustic, of use in dying yellow : and a beautiful kind of speckled wood, made use of in cabinet work. Here are five different sorts of palm trees, some curious ebony, and a great variety of cotton trees. "^ This country abounds in horned cattle, which are hunt- ed for their hides only, 20,000 being sent annually into Europe. There is also a plenty of deer, hares, and other game. Among the wild beasts found here, are tigers, porcupines, janouveras, and a fierce animal somewhat like the greyhound ; monkeys, sloths, and the topirassoUi- a. creature between a bull and an ass,, but without horns, and entirely harmless ; the flesh is- very good, and has the flavor of beef. There is a numberless variety of fowl, wild and tame, in this country. Mines. There are gold mines in many parts of this country, which have been wrought with considerable profit to the government. There are also many diamortU mines, which have been discovered here ; they are of all colors, and of almost every shade. Commerce. The trade of Brazil is very great, and in- creases every year. Thty import 40,000 negroes annu- ally. The exports from Brazil are diamonds, sugar, to- bacco, hides, drugs and medicines ; and they receive in return, woollen goods of all kinds, linens, laces, silks, hats, lead, tin, pewter, copper, iron, beef, and cheese. They also receive from Madeira a great quantity of wine, vine- gar, and brandy ; and from the Azores, 25-000/. worthof other liquors. Chief Towns. St. Salvador is the capital of Brazil. This city, which has a noble, spacious, and commodious harbor, is built on a high and steep rock, havins^ the sta on one side, and a lake forming a crescent on the other. The situation makes it, in a manner, impregnable by na- ture ; and they have besides add^d to it very strong forti- fications. It is populous, magnificent, and beyond com- parison, the most gay and opulent city in all Brazil. Rio Janeiro is a rich and populous city, having many- elegant churches and other buildings, situated within a large bay, and containing 200,000 inhabitants. Religicn, Roman CaihoUu AMAZONIA. 237 JVatives. The native Brazilians are about the size of the Europeans, but not so stout. They arc subject to fewer distenopers, and are long lived. They wear no clothing. History, life. The Portuguese discovered this country in the year 1500, but did not plant it till the year 1549, uhcn thty took possession ot All Sahits Bay, and built the ciiy ot" St. Salvador, which is now the residence of the vic^ loy a-nd archbishop. The Dutch inviulcd Brazil, in 1623, and subdued the northern provir.ccs ; but the Poitu- guesc, ai^reed, 1661, to pay the Dutch 8 tons of gold to re iiiiquish tiicir interest in tliis country, Avhich was accepted. Tl'.c Por'ui^uese remained in peaceable possession of all Bi r:z;l, till about the ( nd of 1762 ; wh.cn the Spanish gov- eriiincnt of Buenos Ayres, hearing of a war between Por- tu:^ai and Spain, took, after a month's siege, the Portu- guese ficntier fortress, called St. Sacrament ; but, by the f.caiy of peace, it was restored. In 18G7, the regent and K.yal family of Poitugal emigrated to Brazil, where Uve Pcriugucse monaixhy is now established. AMAZONIA. THIS large country has never been perfectly explored by any European nation. It is supposed to be about 14\J0 miles long, and 900 broad ; situated between the equator and 20 decrees south latitude. It is bounded riorth by- Ttrra Firma, and Guiana ; east by Brczii ; south by Pa>- aguay ; and west by Peru. It receives its name from the river Amazon, which, with its innumerable branches, waters the whole territory. The air is cooler in this country than could be expected, considerir.g it is situated in the middle of the torrid zone. This is partly owing to the heavy rains, which occasiou the rivers to overflow their banks one halfof th.e year, aiid partly to the cloudiness of tie weather, which obscures the sun a great part of the time he is above the horizon. During the rainy season, the country is subject to dread- I'ul storms pi thunder and lightning. The soil is extremely fertile, producing cocoa nuts, pine apples, bananas, plantains, and a great variety of tropical 238 PATAGONIA. fruits ; cedar, red vood, pak, ebony, log vrood, sugar canes, cotton, potatoes, balsam, honey, 8cc. The woods abound 4vith tigers, wild boars, and game of various kinds; the rivers and lakes with fisli The crocodiles and water serpents render fishing a dangeroos employment. The natives of Amazonia are of a good stature, have handsome fcatuies, long black hair, and copper complex- ions. They spin and weave cotton cloth, and build tlicir houses with wood and clay, and thatcli them with reeds. Their arms arc darts and javelins, bows and arrows, witli targets of canes or lish skins. The several nations are governed by their chiefs, or caciques. In reading the history of Souih-Amcrica, it is pkasing to I'eflcct that ai!y part of ii has escaped the ravages of European conquerors. Amazonia vc-.r.ains unt^ubdued ; and tlie oiiginal inhabitants still enjoy their native fiee- dom and indcpct;dence. PATAGONIA. THIS country Is less known tlian any other part of Souih-Amci ica. It lies south of Paraguay and Chili, and is bounded east by the Atiamic occau ; sotith it is divided from Terra del Fucgo by the stiaiis of Magellan, leading into the Pacific ocean, whieh limits it on the west. The climate is much colder in i!iis country than in the north, utidcr the same parallels cf.latiiude. It is almost impossible to say what tne soil would produce, as it is not cultivated by tb.e natives. The northern parts are cover- ed with wood ; but. towards the south, there is not a sin- gle tree large enough to be of use to mechanics. There are good pastures, which feed incredible numbers of horned cattle and liorses. There are some rivers and bays on the coast of this country, but they are little known. Patagonia is inhabited by a variety of Indian tril)es, a- mong which are the Patagons, from whom the country takes its name ; the Pampas and the Cossores. They all live upon fish and game, and what t!ie earth produces spontaneously. Their huts are tliatched, anB, notwith- standing the rigor of the climate, they wear no otKer SOUTH-AMERICAN ISLANDS. 239 clothes than a mantle made of seal skin, or the skin of some beast, and that they thiow oft' when they are in action. They are exceedingly havciy, brave, and active, making use of their arms, which are bows and arrows headed with flints, with amazing dexterity. They always bury their dead on t!ie eastern shores, lookii;g towards the country oitiieir fatJicrs. They arc supposed to have emigrated oiigmally from Africa. The Spaniards once built a fort upon the straitsof Mag- ellan and left a garrison in it, to prevent any other Euro- pean nation from passing that way into the Pacific ocean ; but most of the men perished by hunger, ". iicnce the place obtained tlic name of Port Famine ; since that fatal event, no nation has attempted to plant coloui' s i.. Patagonia. As to the reliiyion or government of tnc Paiagonitins, we have no certain information. Sf>me have reported that they believe in invisible powers, both good and evil ; aiid that they pay a tribute of gratitude to the one, and deprecate the wrath and vengeance of the other. SOUTH-AMERICAN ISLANDS. THE Falkland Isles lie near the straits of Magellan, a little to the northeast of the utmost extremity of South- America, between 31 and 53 S. lat. and between 21* and 2.5 of E. Ion. They were discovered by Sir Richard Hawkins, in 1594 ; the chief of the two islands, he called Hawkins's Maidenland, in honor of queen Elizabeth. J'he soil of these islands is bad, and the shores are beat by- perpetual storms. A British settlement was made here, of which they were soon after dispossessed by the Span- iards, 1770. The Spaniards now send criminals from their settlements on the continent to these inhospitable bliorcs. Terra del Fueoo, or Land cf Fire, lies at the south- ern extiemity of South-America, IS separated from the main on the uorih, by tlie straits of Magellan, and conuins about 42)n(,0 square miles. Ii consists of several isl:.n Is, which receive tl is ramc oh account of the vast fires and smoke which t e first discovert rs of tin m perceived. The island of hilalen Land les oii the eabt of the principal isl- 240 SOUTH- AMERICAN ISLANDS. and. They are all barren and mountainous ; but there have been found several sorts of trees and plants, and a variety of birds on the lower grounds and islands, that are sheltered by the hills. Here are found winter's bark, and a species of arbutus, which has a very well tasted red fruit, of the size of small cherries. Plenty of celery is found in some places, and the rocks are covered v,'ith ve- ry fine muscles. A species of duck is here met with ; also geese and falcons. The natives are of a middle stat- ure, with broad, fiat faces, high cheeks, and flat noses. They are clothed in the skins of seals. The villages con- sist of a few miserable huts, in the form of a sugar loaf. The only food seems to be shell fish. Though these coun- tries are only in latitude 56 degrees south, they are cold- er than Lapland in 70 degrees north. Georgia. To the eastward of Terra del Fuego, in lat- itude 54 degrees south, and about 39 30 east longitude, is a cluster of barren islands, called Southern Georgia. One of them is between 50 and 60 leagues in length. It is a dismal region, the land of ice. The vales are desti- tute of shrubs ; coarse grass, burnet, and linchen are the only vegetables. ChiLoe, 1 50 miles long, and 2 1 broad, is separated from the coast of Chili by a narrow sea, forming a bay. It is between 42 and 44 degrees south latitude. The island produces all necessary provisions. Ambergris, in great quantities, is found on the coast. It has an indifferebt fort, called Chocas. Castro, the chief town, stands be- tween two brooks) with a small castle, which commands the harbor. I'he houses are few and scattered. Juan Fernandes is situated in the Pacific ocean, 530 leagues west of the continent, latitude 33 degrees south, longitude 4 degrees west. It is supposed to have been inhabited by a Spaniard, whose name it retains, although long since abandoned by him and his nation. It is more remarkable for having been the residence of Alexander Selkirk, a Scotchman, whose life and adventures furnish- ed materials for the celebrated novel of Robinson Cruscc. The harbor is in Cumberland bay, on the north side of the island. It is represented by iliose who have visited it, as an earthly paradise. On the .southwest is a small isle, WEST-INDIES. 2il ^.alled Goat Island, and a rock, called Mokkey Key, almost contiguous to it. Massafueko, called by the Spaniards the Lesser Juan Fernandes, lies 22 leagues west by south of the last men- tioned island ', on the north side is good anchorage for shipping. WI?ST-INDIES. IN that immense gulf, which flows between North and South-America, lies a multitude of islands, which at the lime of their first discovery, were called the West-India islands, on the supposiiion that they extended so as to form a connection v/ith those of the East-Indies. The fallacy of the supposiiion was soon discovered ; but the name is still retained, to prevent confusion in geograph- ical accounts of the islands. They lie in Ihe form of a semicircle, and stretch almost from the coast of Florida to the mouth of the river Oronoko, in South-America. The climate in ail the West-India islands is nearly the same, allowing for these accidental differences which the several situations and qualities of the lands themselves produce. As they lie within the tropics, and the sun goes quite over their heads, they would be continually subject- ed to an extreme and intolerable heat, if the trade winds did riot blow in upon them from the sea, and refresh tho air, in such a manner, as to enable them to attciio their Qonceras, even under the meridian sun. On ih-^ other hand, as the night advances, a breeze begins to be per- ceived, wliich blows smartly from the hind, as it were from the centre, towards the sea, to all poihis of the com- pass at once. The rains make the only distinction of seasons in the West-Indies ; the trees aic always green. They have no (old, no frost, no snows ; the storms of" hail are, however, very \iolent when ilicy happen. The gravid .staple conuuodity ol' the West-Indies is su- gar. The juice of the sugar cane is the most lively, ex- iccllent, and t!'c kast cloying sv/cct in nature. The islands of the West-Indies are generally distributed by navigators, iir.o four ciubtcrs, called The i3^\iiAMASi W 342 WEST-INDIES. The AxTiLLEs,Thc Virgin Isles, and The CAnrnREES. The Aniiilcb are sometimes divided into two classes, tle- liOJDinattd TheGRp:ATand Little Antilles. AlUlicse islands, except Hispaniola, which is independent, belong to Great-Britain, France, Spain, and Denmark. As the usual distinction of Eiu'opean possession is fleeting and uncertain, we shall consider the principal of these islands, in their order, iVom LiOrlh to south. THE BAHAMA ISLANDS, CALLED by the Spaniards LrcvYos, lie between S3 and 27'' of N. I'at. and between 2 L. ai;d 6 W. Ion. e.nd tornprchend all the isles to the north of Cuba and His- paniula. They are about 500 in number ; some of them arc only locks ; others are very low and narrow, or little bi'-ots of land almost on a level with ilie water ; but 12 of (.hem arc large and fertile. Five or.ly are inhabited, viz. Providence, Harbor, Cat, Eleuthra, and Exuma. Tuik's island has about 500 men on it during the salt season, but most of tr.cm return to tlie (jthcr isles. The piiiu ipul isl- and, which has given its name to il^e whole cluster, is Cireat Baliama, whose ^iu'.aticji, is about 20 lea;.:ucs from the coast of Florida, from which it is separnt'-d by the strait of Daiiama, or gulf nf Floiida. Auibergris is found on the coasts of these islands. The inhabitants catch great 3iuml)cr& of green tuitle. The only article cultivated for cxportaiion is cotlon. 'j'lu y produce great quantities of dyihg- V. cods, and some lignumvitse and mahogany, 'i'heir cliiei c(;mm.erce consists in furnishing with provisions such ships as are driven in by bad weather. One ci ilKsc isK;i:('s, Ciuau'jhani, or Cat Island, is cele-* l.ratcd as beir.g tl.e first ^ pot of t!;e new world descried by Coiunibus, wi o, as a n.emcrial of deliYerar.cc, gave it the appellation of Si.. Sa)\ ador. These islands Avere then full oi inhabitants, \vh:0 were sin^plc and miid, ar,d lived liap])y in the midst of plenty. 'I'hcse Unfortunate people were transported to tb.c miiits of St. Domingo, after the Sj.aiiiards had destroyed tl:C inhabiiar.ts of thai large isl- and ; so tliat iou; teen years aft( r their discovery, not a person was left on one of the Balian.as. Ch.aries II. after- .ar(h 5!,T\lcd thcrntothe propiieto:.': of Carolina, who WEST-INDIES. ei-5 built the town ot Nassau, on the island of riovklcncc, M-hich is now tlie scat of governmciit. The SijaiTuids and Americans c:ip'.ured these is'.ur.cis, diirinp; ihc Amcr- ican war, but they were retaken, in 1782, and arc still ul> ject to Great-Biitain. THE ANTILLES. TO the soiuh'.varcl of the Ilahamas lie ilie AniilicK, ex- tendinej froin 18 to 2-i clcp;rcea norih Uiiiiiulc. 'Vhc mo:-;t remarkahlc of ihcm aie Cuba, Jamaica, llis'^j.ti.ioia, rant Pui to Rico. Cuba i:i the most valuable island of all tl^.c S^KUiih!! Wesl-Indies, and is sl.u.ued between 20 ai^d '23 chr^rec- norlh Ir.iitndc, and bcf.VL t.n 1 degree cast and 10 degi'ee';. vest loni^iiude ; 100 luilcs sou'Ii (if cap:; Fio'.ida. 1: i ; nearly 700 miles in leiv^t'.i, ain! abtnil 70 i:; !;'.'La;l',h. A chain of hiils rui^s ti.rov!L;h t!ie mi^idic of l';e ida;.d fron^ cast to west- It prcduves ail the comn'.odi;!^ i known in the Wcst-Indics, particularly yinijcr, lotipj pepper, ar.d o!.!> cr spices, cassia, ti.-.tula, mastic, aloes, tobacco, and sui^ar. 'i'ht princip;d pait of the plantations are on tiiC beautiful plains of Ilivt.niia, and arc cuhivaleil by about 23,000 blives. Tlic other inhabitants ainomit to about 30,000. The course of the livers is too short to be of any conse- quence to navit^i' io;-. ; but there arc several ^ood ha'. bor;i in the island, which belong to the prir.cipal towii-, IL-.van- na, St. Jaqo, Santa Cruz, and La 'i'l inidad. 'i"hei-e arc a vast r.umh'cr of small isks round this i.oblc island, the ciiannels separating; which, as well as the livers in the island, abound with iish. In the woods ai'e sotne very val- uable trees, particularly cedars, so large, it i , sa"d, tliat canoes nradc of ih.ern will hold 50 men. The hills arc rich in mines, and in some of the Jivers tiiere is gold dust, lice are also fuur.tains of biiumen. liavanna. the capital of Cuba, isaplace of grcatstrength and importance, coiitaining 2000 houses, and a number oi church.es and convents. Tills island was discovered by Colnnd)us, in 1492. It was taken possession of L/ the Spaniards, in ijll, v.d.o soon extermii-.ated t!ic mild and peaceable iiauves, to th^c amovirt of 500,000. 214 WEST. INDIES. Jamaica, belonging lo Great-Britain, and one of the THost valuable appendages lo tb.at crovvn is 30 leagues south of Cuba. The ceiurc of the iblantl is in lat. 18 \2 north, and Ion. 1 36 west ; it is 150 miles long, and, on a medium, 40 broad. This island is intersected with a vldge of steep rocks, from whieh isbue a VuSt nund)er of small livers of pure, wholesome water, wb.ich fall down in cataracts, Init nono are navigable for marine vessels. Ti;e Blue Mountain Peak rises 7431 feet above the level of the sea. Sug?r is the greatest and most valuable production (>f tr.is island, it produces also cocoa, ;^'inger, pimento, <;r as it is called, Jari'.aica pepper, and vidgarly allspice ; the wild cinna- mon ; the iTiachineel, v.'liosc fruit, though uncommonly de- lightful to 'he eye, cor. tains one of the worst poisf s in i;:i- ture ; llie cabbage tree, reniarkable far its hcighl, and for the hardness of its wootl, which, v. hen dry, is inconuptiblc, iind hardly yields to any kind cf tool ; the palma, affurd- Ing oil, much esteemed by the negroes, both as food and liiedicine ; th.e soap tree, whose berries un.^wer all the purposes of washu-.g ; the mcmgrove and oiivc bark, useful lo tanners ; the fustic, redwood, and logwocd. Jamaica can boast of a botanical garden, containing Cr.e rarest col- U'Ction of curious trees and plants perhaps in th.e world. This island was originally a part of the Spanish cmpirc J!i America. It was reduced uiider the British dondni-^i^, iu 1656, and ever sin.ce has been subject to Grcat-Briti.ia. h is subject to earthquakes and huiricancs, which have iione it incredible damage. Kingston is the capitrd, and < ontains 1660 houses, beside negro huts and ware-houses. It is a place of great trade and opulence. HisFAxioLA, or St. Domi.ngo lies at th.e entrance of the gulf of Mexico, betv.'cen \7 and 2i degrees north lat- itude, and between I and 8 degrees cast longitude ; 450 miles long and 150 broad. Th-e face (^f the country pre- sents an agreeable variety of h.ills, vallies, woods, and riv- ers. It is extremely fciaile, producing sugar, cotton, indi- ;,'.o, tobacco, ir.aize, ar.d cassava loot. The European cat- , lie arc so multiplied here, that they run wild in the woods. \ The two great chains of mountains, which extend from j I'ast to west, and their numerous spurs, give rise to innu- ; 'iucriible rivers, repel the violence cf the winds, vaiy the ; WEST-IMJIES. 243 temperature oi \he air, and multiply the resources of hu- man industry. They abound with excellent timber, and mines of iron, lead, copper, silver, gold, some precious stones, and mercuiy. Hispaniola was the cradle of European power in the new world. Columbus landed on it the 6th of December, 1492. The natives called it Hayti, signifying high or mountainous land ; it was also called Quisgueya, tl-at is, great conntry, or mother of countries. Others say it had the name oi Bohioy which means a country full of habita- tions and villages. Columbus called it His/iOJiiola, or Lit- tle Spain, which name the Spaniards still retain, though St. Domingo is the name commonly used by other nations ; so called from St. Domingo the capital, which was thus named by Columbus, in honor of his father. When the Spaniards discovered the island, there were on it, at least, a million of happy inhabitants, who were reduced to 60,000 in the short space of 15 years ! It formed 5 kingdoms, each governed by caciques. The names of these kingdoms were Maqua, Marien, Higuay, Maguana, and Xaraguay. The Spaniards had possession of the whole island, for 120 years, when tliey Avere compelled to sliare it with the Frencli. About the year 1793, an insurrection began a- mnng the negroes, which, after the most horrid scenes of bloodshed and cruelty, has terminated in the expulsion oi the French from almost all parts of tlic island, and the es- tablishment of a government, administered by r.egroes. A negro chief, named Dessalincs, has assumed the litlo of Emperor of Hayti, and the island is nov/ chiefly under his control. The principal Frencli town was Cape Franrcis, v/hich; before its destruction, in 1793, contained 8'JUO people. The city of St. Domingo, at the same time, contained 20,000. PoHTo Rico, belonging to Spain, is 20 leagues E. S. E. of St. Domingo, 100 miles long, and 40 broad. Th.e lands arc beautifully diversified Vriih woods, valleys, and phiins, and are very fruitful, yielding the same produce as the other islands. Gold, which first induced the Span- iards to settle here, is i.o iouf^er found. The capital town, whicii is called Porto Rico, is on p 'jUiall island, joined to the muhi isle by a c?usevav, exf^nf'- ^v 2 246 WEST-INDIS. ing across the harbor. It is large and well built, the see of a bishop^ and so well defended as to be almost impreg- nable. THE VIRGIN ISLES ARE a groiip of small islands, extending over a space of about 24 leagues from east to west, and 16 from north to south, and nearly approach the east coast of Porto Rico> They belong to seveial European powers, but chiefly to Great- Britain and Denraaik. THE CARIBBEES EXTEND in a semicircular form, from thcf island of Porto Rico, the easternmost of tiie Antilles, to tlic coas^ of South-America. The sea, thus enclosesl l>y the maiu land and the isles, is eallcd the Caril^bcan sea ; and ita great channel leads northwestward to tlie liead of the guif of Mexico, through the sea of Honduras. The chief of these islands are Santa Cruz, Sambuca, Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Bartholomew, BarLuda, Saba, St. Eustatia, St> (>hristophtr, Nevis, Antigua, Montscirat, Guadaloupc,^ Deseada, Mariagalante, Dominico, Mariinico, St. Vin- cent^ Rarbadocs, and Grenada. These are classed into WiNSWAHD and Lkkward IstES, by seamen, with re- gard to the usual courses of the ships from Old Spain, or the Canaries, to Carthagena, or New-Spain, and Poito Bello. Barbadoes, belonging to the English, is the most easterly ol all the Caribbees, and one of the most popu- lous spots on the earth. Its extent is not more than 20 xniles by 13, yet it contains 16,000 whites, and 6009 blacks. Martinique is the residence of the governor of all the French West-Indies. Guadai.oupe, which also belongs to the French, is the largest of the whole group. Trinii>ai>, though not one of the Caribbees, may be ^opeily noticed in this place. It lies near the coast of Terra Firma, .36 leagues long and 18 or 20 broad. Be- side the products, common to the West-Indies, this island iias a remarkable lak^e of pe|roleun> or fossil oil, v/bicl* EUROPE. 21-7 affords a valuable object of exportation, as being the best preservative of the bottom of ships, fi cm the worms which are so destructive lo them, in the West-Indies and other warm climates. Trinidad was settled by the Spaniards, but has been ceded to England. EUROPE. Extent. EUROPE is much the smallest of the four grand divisions of the globe. Its length tVom the rock of Lisbon, in 10 degrees west, to the Uialian mountains, in 60 degrees east longitude from Greenwich, is about 3300 miles. Its breadth from cape Nord, in Danish Lapland, latitude 72 degrees, to cape Matapar in Giccce, ladiude 36 degrees north, is about 2350. It contains 2,500,000 square miles. Jiciaidaries. Europe is bounded on the cast I^y Asia ; south by the Mediterranean, vviiich separates it ft om Afri- ca ; west it has the Atlantic ocean, which contains the most westerly European isle, that of Iceland ; north it is limited by the Arctic ocean, embracing the remote isk of Spitzbcrgen and Xova-21cn)bia, or the New Land, the most northern land yet discovered. Climate. Though great diversiiics of climate undoubt- edly exist in Europe, yet the extreme of cold only is felt. The heat is in no part comparable to that of the tonid zone, from which even its most southern provinces aie far distant. It lies principally in the northern temperate zone ; a small portion extends beyond the arctic circle. Seas. Of the waters which indent and peninsulate the shores of Europe, the principal is the Mediterranean sea, 2000 miles long, which separates it from Africa on the south. On the northern side of this sea, are two extensive gulfs ; that of Venice, sometimes called the Adriatic, and the Archipelago. Prom the Archipelago, a strait railed the Hellespont conducts to the sea c:f Marmora ; and an- other, styled the strait of Constantinople, leads from that to the Euxine, or Black sea. The strait of Cafia ccu~ xiccts the Eux-ine with the sea of Azof^ 24.3 EUROPE. The Baltic is an inland sea in the northwest part of Eu- rope, formed by the coasts of Russia, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany. The Baltic opens from the Atlantic ocean by a gulf pointing northeast, called the Scaggerac, and af- terwards passes south by the strait called Gattegat, to the east of which is the sound of Elsineur, where all vessels pay a tribute of courtesy to Denmark. The length of the Baltic, from southwest to northeast, is more than 200 leagues ; its breadth varies from 25 to 50 leagues. To the northeast the Baltic spreads into two extensive branches, called the gulfs of Bothnia and Finland. Tides are un- known in this sea, and the waters have an uncommon freshness. It is usually frozen three months in the year. The White sea is a bay of the Arctic ocean, indenting the northern shores of Russia. The German sea is a part of tlie Atlantic ocean, wash- ing the western shore of Germany. Another portion of the Atlantic, called the British channel, flows between France and the British isles. The bay of Biscay is between cape Ortegal, in Spain, and the French island of Ushant. Islands. The islands of Europe will be described un- der the respective countries to which they belong. Rivers. The most considerable rivers are the Volga^ the Danube, the Dnieper, the Rhine, and the Elbe. These, as well as others, smaller in size, but equal in utility, will be noticed under the respective countries through which they flow. Mountaiiis The most elevated Kiountains of Europe are the Alps. Next to these are the Pyrennees, and the extensive ridge, which divides Norway from Sweden. The Carpathian mountains and the Appenines ar-e of in- ferior extent and height. Inhabitants. The number of inhabitants in Europe, according to Hasael, is 179,665,000. Governments. Modern Europe scarcely affords an ex- ample of any kind of government but of monarchies ; some of which are limited, others absolute and despotic. Most of the countries, formerly denoiPiinated republics, have been transformed into absolute monarchies, or military despotisms. litii^kn. The Christian religion is established throu;h=' EUROPE. 249 out every part of Europe, except Turkey, and may be comprelicp.dcd under three general denominations: 1st, the Greek church ; 2d, the Koman catholic ; and 3d, Protestantism ; which last is a'^ain divided into i^utheran- ism and Calvinism, so called from Lnihor and Calvin, the two distinguished reformers of the 16th century. General Historu. Europe was anciently peopled l)y Cells in the west and south ; by the Fins in the northeast ; and by the Lapps, or Laplanders, in the northern extrem- ity. The Scythians, from Asia, peopled a considerable part of Europe. Tlic Sarmatian, or Sclavonic tribes, the ancestors of the present liu-isians, Poles, Sec. were likt' wise from Asia. The Moors, from Africa, peopled Spain at a very early period. Though Europe is the least extensive quarter of the globe, ytt it may lie considered as the principal in every thing relating to p.K\n in society ; niildness of air, fertility of soli, producing all the necessaries and most of the lux- uries of life ; and in the beauty, strength, courage, and v.i'jdom oi its inhabitants. Here ib.e arts of utility and ornament, and the sciences, both military and civil have been carried to the vrreatest perfection. If we except the earliest ages of the world, it is in Europe that we find the greatest vaiicty of character, government, and manners, and from whence we drav/ the greatest numbers of facts and memorials, bcih for our entertainment and instruc- tion. TI?c languages of Europe are derived from the six fo'- lowing : The Greek, Latin, Teutonic or Old German, the ('eltic, Sclavonic, and Gothic. Lur(jpe has su!)ilued to its subjection a great part of the other divisions of the world. It governs all that part oi" liic American continent which has been peopled from Eu- roj)e, the United States excepted. It possesses almost all the islands which have been discovered in the three greui. oceans, the Pacific, the* Atlantic, and the Indian. It gives laws to more than half Asia, to the greater part of the coast of Africa, and to several inteiior coimtries of con- siderable extent ; so that nearly half the inhabited world bows to Europe. 550 LAPLAND. LAPLAND. Situation. AT the northern extremity of Ei;rope lies the country of the Laplanders, extending from the North cape, in lat. 71 30 to the White sea, uiider the Arctic circle; 450 miles long, and 3G0 bread. Part of L::pJand belongs to the Danes ; aiiothcr part to the Swedes ; ?.nd a third to tlie Russians. Swedish Lapland conip;ci:cnds all the country from th.e Baltic to tlic mouiitains wiich separate Norway from Sweden. The Russian pui t lies to the east, and bosders on the White sea. Dani-ili Lap- land lies north of Norway. Climate. The v. inters here arc extremely cold. Snow often covers the ground four or five feet deep 'ihe heat, for a short lime, is also excessive. Duriiig soniC nionths in the summer, the sun luvr sets ; and for ii;e same space in wi;;ter it ricver rir.cs. Yet the inl:jd;ltants arc so well assisted by tuilight, tliat tiicy are not compel- led to leave their employments on account of darkness. General Jp./iearance and Prcdvcti'j7i-i. The country is full of rocks and mounlains, fens and morasses, barren heaths and saridy deserts. Tlicrc aie, however, some lakes, containing islands which foi'm pleasant habitaiions ; and are believed by ttie natives to be the terrestrial para- dise ; even roses and other flowers grow wild on titeir borders in the i^ummcr. The banks of lakes and rivers produce pine, fir, biich, and otl.cr trees, witb. some whole- some Ijerries and vegetables. The mountains are said to be rich in rock ciystais, purple amethysts, topazes, load- stone, cjuicksiivcr, native cinnabar, Sec. Cojjper and lead iViines have been discovered aiid woiked to advantage. The most remarkable animal of thisecuintry is the rein- deer, which nature seems to have provided to solace the Laplander for the privation of other comforts of life. These creatures provide for then^selves both summer and %vinter, feeding on grass, leaves, and moss. Tiie Lap- landers make:'use of this animal in travelling. Its flesh is their chief food, and its skin their clothing. It supplies its owner with a bed ; with good milk and cheese. Of the intestines and tendons are m.ade thread and cordage; and the bones and horns are offered to idols. DENMARK. 251 Inhabi'alitSt Manners, and Cuslorns. The inliabitants of this country are a singular race of men, about 4 feet hisjli, and iil sl^.aped, their heads too large in proportion to iheir bodies. Th.cy are said to enjoy remarkable health and longevity, someiimes living more than 100 years, and frequently to 80 or 90, cheerful and active. They arc clotncd with skins of the rein-deer, ov undressed sheep- skins, with the wool inwards. Their anius. nients are shooting with bows and arrows, and wrestling. Tliey have some religio'is seminaries instituted by the king of Den- inaik ; but are mostly pagans, and arc said to be addicted to vnagic, and invoke demons, whom they commission to annoy their cncniics. They live in huts from 20 to 30 feet in diameter, and 6 high, covered with briers, bark of birch, or old skins of beasts. Marriages among them de- ])cnd wholly on the pleasure of the parents, Avho pay no regard to the inclinations of their children. In general, they acknowledge the king of Sweden for t':cii- sovereign, tliough some of them pay tribute to the Danes and Rus- sians. The Lapp<5 were originally one people with the Finns. Their language has now some afTmiiy to the Finnish. They are said to have a genius for poetry ; of which the Orra Moor and Rein Deer Song in the Spectator, trans* laied from two songs in the Laplandic tongue, are proofs. DENMARK. 2',xic7:t. THE countries constituting the kingdom of Denmark extend from about 54 20 N. lat. to the northern cxtiemity of tiie European continent, being about 1400 miles long, by a medial breadth of 150 miles. JJivJaion^-. Before giving a general description of the kingdom of Deijmark, it will be proper to take a separate view of the several countries which compose it. Tnese arc 1. Di'.NMATiK proper, including the islands at the entrance of tl.e Baltic. 2. Ti.c kingdom of Norway. 3 . 1 c i: 1. A N u . 4. 'J i.i: Fi:uno Isles, and some other;; in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. 252 t)ENMARK. Denmark Proper consists of a small peninsula, c:;- tending about 220 miles to the uorthward of lat. 54 20 ; and the islands of Zealand, Funen, Laland, Falster, and some smaller isles, containing 1,548,000 inhabitants. The peninsula is bounded on the souil^ by Germany ; on the ivest by the Atlantic ocean ; north and east it is washed by the Scaggerac and Cattegat, which form the entrance into the Baltic sea. This peninsula forms the provinces of Sleswick and Jutland. All this territory, together with the dutchy of Holstcin, in Germany, which belongs to Denmark, is generally flat, and the soil sandy. The air is rendered foggy by the neighborhood of the seas and lakes, of which the country is full ; but it has no considerable river. During winter, their harbors are frozen. I'he land is fertile, producing a- bundance of grain of all sorts. The pastures are rich and give sustenance to multitudes of horses and horned cattle* Norway is bounded on the south by the entrance to the Baltic, before described ; w'est and north by the Atlantic ocean ; cast it is separated from Sweden by a chain of mountains, collectively denominated the Norwegian Alps. The most southern point of Norway is called the Naze, in latitude 57 30, from which it reaches to the North Cape, lat. 7 1 20. Its breadth is from 30 to 280 miles. It is divided into 4 governments, Aggerhuys, or Christiana, Christiansand, Bergen, and Drontheim, and contains 912,000 inhabitants. The climate of Norway is variable. At Bergen the winter is moderate ; in the north and eastern parts the cold is intense, from October to April. Norway abounds in lakes and rivers ; the former are so large that they ap- pear like inlets of tl)e sea. It is also full of mountains and forests, which furnish rnasts, planks, beams, and boards, and are exported to all part^ of Europe. The principal forest trees are pine and fir. Bears, lynxes, and otlier wild animals, harbor in the for- ests and mountains. Here is als^ the Icttmnng, a species of rat. Sometitnes they issue from the viuges in multi- tudes, destroying every thing in their way. Norway is rich in mines of silver, copper, iron, lead and cobalt. Marble and other useful stones abound. The magnet is found in iheir iron raiacs. It has some rich BENMARK. -253 pastures, but does not produce com sufficient for the in- habitants. Iceland, an island in the Atlantic ocean between 64' and 67 degrees north latitude, and between 50 and 65 de- grees west longitude, is SOO miles long and 1/30 broad, and contains 47,300 inhabitants. The coast is rugged, and broken by numerous bays and creeks. Iceland is full of mountains whose top^^re covered with everlasting snow and ice, while their bowels are filled with fire and lava. Mount Hecla is the most noted of these volcanoes ; its eruptions have been frequent and very de- structive. There are ahv.iys many fountains of boiling water in Iceland, some of which form spouts of an aston- ishing height. In some parts there is tolerable pasture, and a little grain is produced, but not enough to supply the wants of its inhabitants, whose wealth consists princi- pally of small cattle and sheep. There are but few trees on the island. Among the wild animals are white bears, which are brought from Greenland on islands of ice. The Ferro Islands, 24 in number, lie in the Atlantic ocean, between 6i and 63 degrees north latitude, and have 5300 inhabitants. Stromoe, the largest, is 17 miles long .md 8 broad. The rest are much smaller, and many of them uninhabited. They are mountainous : but the soil, though shallow, is fertile, yielding barley and pasturage for sheep. They are the resort of great numbers of sea fowl, which furnish eider down, a valuable article to the fowlers. These islands are subject to terrible storms and whirlwinds. Population. The Danish dominions contain togethe|" 2,609,000 inhabitants. Manners. The servitude of the peasantry in Denmark proper renders them spiritless and indolent. Those of Norway are more free, industrious, and enterprising. Al- most every Norwegian is an artist, and supplies his fami- ly with his own manufactures. The women are hand- some and courteous. Religion. The established religion is Lutheranism ; but other denominations are tolerated. Languages and Literature. The languages of all the Da- nish dominions are dialects of the Teutonic and Gothic, That of Iceland is said to be the purest. X i?vt DENMARK. The Banes are but little celebrated in literature. Ty- cho Brahe, the famous astronomer, was a native of this ^ kingdom. There is a university at Copenhagen, and a- nother at Kiel. Tliere are also two academical colleges, and thirty-two other great schools in the principal towns. At Copenhagen is a royal society of sciences ; another of Icelandic history and literature ; an academy for painting and architecture ; and a college of physicians. The uni- \'ersity las funcfl for the gratuitous support of 328 stu- dents. Government. Denmark is an absolute monarchy, but the administration of it has been distinguished for mild- ness, justice, and moderation. yirmy. The army amounted in ISOO, to 74',635 men. Cities and Toivns. Copenhagen is the capital, and the residence of the king. It is 5 miles in circumference, seated on the western shore of the island of Zealand, and contains 60,000 inhabitants. The houses are chiefly of brick ; the palaces of the nobility are splendid. Bergen, the capital of Norway, has 16,000 inhabitants. Alton A, in the dutchy of Holstein, has 30,000. Chris- tiana, 10,000. ,Drontheim has 8200, and is the most northerly city of Europe. History. The Danes enumerate a long list of princes, through a period of near 3000 years, and affirm that their country received its name from Dan, their first king, who reigned about the year 1 050 before the Christian era. But the history of Denmark, for several ages after Dan, is fill- ed with wild and fabulous accounts of heroes, and other absurdities. One of the most illustrious of the kings of Denmark was Canute the Great, who was, at the same time, king of Den- mark, Norway, and England ; he died A. D. 1025 The famous Margaret, daughter of Waldemar III. who as- cended the throne in 1387, raised Denmark to its highest pitch of glory, and was justly styled the Semiramis of the north. She formed the union of Calmar, by which she Tvas acknowledged sovereign of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. The union was dissolved in 1448 ; but the three kingdoms were again united in 1 457 under Christian I. and once more separated in 1464. In 1536, the protest- ;*rit religion %vas established by Christian III, His grand- ; SWEDEN. ti5.i oon Christian IV. ^v;i^ diOf.e.T hend of ihe protestant league, formed against the house of Austria, ll)'J9. ilis son Frederic III. ascended tl)e throne in i64S, and con- ducted himself so much to ilie admiration of tlie people,, that they assembled in 1060, and declared hereditar)\ that which before had been elective, and the power of the king absolute, which before Iv.id been extTcmcIy limited. Christian Vl. who ascended the throne in 17-^0, and his grandson, Frederick V. who succeeded him in 1716, cnl;i- vated peace with all their neighbors, and employed all iJieir power to promoie the happiness of their subjects. Christian VIT, the present king, ascended ilio throne in 1716. SWEDEN. Extrnt and Boundaries. THE kingdom of Sweden is of very considerable extent ; being, from the most suiuhern promontory of Scone to the northern extremity of Swedish Lapland, not less than 1150 miles in length ; and froa: the Norwegian Alp' lo the limits of Russia, about 600. U is bounded north by Danish Lapland ; east by Russia : ^outli by the Baltic, and the gulf of Finland ; west by Norway, the Sound, and tlie Cattegate. Dlvhions. The whole kingdom is divided into five grand divisions, viz. Sweden proper, 65l-,(K)0 inluibiiants ; Gothland, 1,4.54,000 ; Norland and Lapland, 210,000 ; Finland, 8:3^,000. Each division is subdivided into sev- eral provinces. Cl'tmate -.ncl Seasons. Tlie winter here is long, dry, and cold ; tlie summer short ..nd Jiot. There is a rapid change from winter to the lieat of summer. During the long winter nights, the moon, the aurora borealis and the re- Hection of the snow, produce a mild and agreeable light. In summer, the night consist only of a sliort twilight. The pure, sharp air, which the Swedes breathe, renders them vigorous, and preserves them from epidemical dis- eases. They often attain to a very great age. Face of the Country. Sweden is diversified, in a pictur- esque manner, with lakes and rivers, mountains and vales, forests, rocks, and cultiv ated fields. The most remai kable 256 SWEDEN. iBoyntain is the Sevebergsrygu, which begins in West- Gothland, extends towards the noith, between Norway and Norland, separating these two countries by summits^ covered with eternal snow. " All tlie mountains of vSweden are composed of gravel, freestone, calcareous stone, slate, petrii act ions and granite. Soil and ylgriculiure. The soil of the plains and valleys, though not the most propitious, is proper for cultivation.^ which is conducted with skill and industry. There are many rich pastures, and some fields of rye, oats, and bar- ley. Lahs and Risers. One of the most important lakes oi Sweden is the Wenner, about 100 miles long, and 50 or 60 broad. It receives twenty-four rivers, and abounds with fish. Next in size is the Weter, which receives about forty small rivers, though it has no outlet except the Mo- lula. The lake Meier, at the confluence of which with the Baltic the city of Stockholm is situated, is about sixty miles long by eighteen broad, sprinkled with many picturesque islaiads^ Sweden is intersected by numerous rivers, the most con- siderable of which issue from the lakes, without any great length of course. In Swedish Lapland are many large rivers which rite in the Norwegian Alps, and fall into the gulf of Bothnia. Botany. Linnaeus reckons in Sweden, 1300 species of plants, 200 of which are used in medicine. No beeches tp-row beyond Upland ; the birch grows in all the prov- inces The pine and the fir are the principal forest trees. y!mmals. The domestic cattle and sheep of Sweden pre- sent nothing reriiarkable. Wolves, foxes, hares, birds of prey, moor fowl, fresh and salt water fish, are found here in great abundance ; bears, elks, sables, beavers, and pole- cats are more unccr^mon. Minerals and ?/l'mcral Springs. Sweden is very rich in iron, and copper, lead, marble, alum limestone, coal, vitriol, curious petrifactions, porphyry, amethysts, load- stone, slate, talc, quicksilver, sulphur, mother of pearl, and silver. There are rckoned 860 mineral springs in Sweden. They abound in every province of the kingdom. Matmfaduns and Commera. The Swedish manufactures SWEDEN. 257 are chlefiy those of iron and steel, wltli cloths, huts, sail- cloth, copper and brass. The articles of export are iron, copper, gunpowder, boards, leather, tallow, skins, pitch* resin, and masts. They import linen cloth, salt, wines, grain, tobacco, sugar, coffee, drugs, &c. Of late, a laud- able attention has been paid to inland navigation. Population. The population of this kingdom, in 1 801, amounted to 3,191,000. The nobility are computed at about 2500 families ; and thtr peasants, the most numer- Gus class, amount to 2,000.000. Manners and Customs. The Swedes are more polished than formerly, and have several public schools and col- leges, where the arts and sciences are taught, I'heir women till the ground, thresh the corn, row the boats, &c. Their houses are generally of wood, with little art in the construction. Language. The language is a dialect of the Gothic, be- ing a sister of the Danish, Norwegian, and Icelandic. Cities. Stockholm, standing between an inlet of ihe Baltic sea and the i^ke Meier, is the capital of Sweden, and the royal residence. It occupies 7 small rocky islands. The honses/are of stons or brick, covered with white stuc- co. It has a castle, an arsenal, and several academicE, and 75,517 inhabitants. Upsal is the next in dignity, and has HOO inhabitants. Gothenburg has 1S,218 inhabitants. Carlscrona, founded by diaries XI. m 1680, contains a population of about 13,800. Religion. The established religion is the Lutheran;, tliey have one archbishop and seven bishops Government. The form of the Swedish govcrnirjcnt is nicnaichical yirmy and Navy. In 1 801 , the naval and military t: ccns of every kind were l8H,734. They have but fev; ships of the line. Galleys of a flat construction are found more serviceable in the Baltic than ships of war, and eieat at- teniiun is paid to tlieir equip4Tjcr.t. Bist-.ry. Sweden is part of the ancient Scard.'navf:!, and a;^pears to iiave been origin.'.l.'y peopled by lins, wiii; were conquered by the Goths, probably seven or ei^lu cen- turies betore tiie Christian era. Theiiistoiy of this kin-'- doin is obscure tiil the reign of Ingi ihe pi. jus, A. D. IC'(j'>. SwtJen vv.is paitiaily converted lu Ciuisiianity, A. P X 2 253 RUSSIA. lOOO, under Olaf III. Margaret, queen of Denmark and Norway, was called to the throne of Sweden, on the forc- ed resignation of Albert, their king. A. D. 1377. It re- mained united to the Danish crown till 1523, when the fa- mous Gnstavus Vasa expelled the Danes, and ever since it has remained independent ; but was made an absolute monarchy by Gustavns 111. in 1772. Gustavus IV. was assassinated by Ankerstrom, on the !6th of March, 1792; and succeeded by his son, then 14 years old ; who, in 1800 abdicated tlie throne, and is now an exile in Great- Britain. RUSSIA. THE Russian empire is superior in extent of teritory to any perhaps that ever existed on the globe. In its great- est extent it stretches from Svi-eden and the Baltic on the west, to the Pacific ocean on the east ; and from the Arc- tic ocean north, to the 44'th degree of north latitude on the south ; being larger than all the rest of Europe. Tlie pres- ent article, however, is restricted to European Russia, which is the best and most pop;; Inns part of the empire. Boundaries. The boundaries of Russia in Euj ope are on the north, the Arctic ocean ; on the west, Swedish Lap- land and Finland, the Baltic sea, the Prussian and Austri- an parts of the late kingdom of Poland, and Turkish Mal- divia ; on the south, the Black sea, and seaof Azof ; and on the east, its own Asiatic territories. Extent, European Russia extends from the river Dni- ester to the Uralian mountains, about 1600 miles ; its breadth is more than 1000 miles. It is computed to con- tain 1,200,000 square miles. Drchlons and Population. This Immense empireis divided into 50 governments, 12 of wiiich are in Asiatic Russia. The whole empire contained, in 180S, 41,403,200 in- habitants, viz. In European Russia 32,129,200 in Asiatic Russia 9,274,000 41,403,200 RUSSIA, 259 Of the inhabitants in Russia, 1,510,700 arc in the Siberian provinces, and SOO in American Russia, oppo- site Kaniscliatka Of the inhabitants in European Rus- sfa, 7,000,000 were acquired Irom the partition of Po- land, and irom the Pone, between the years 177^ and 1795. Climate. In a country of such extent as Russia, there must consequently bs almost every diversity of climate, but its prevailing character is that of extreme cold The province of Taurida may be compared with Italy, in cli- mate and soil. Stas, Lakes, and Rivers. The seas of Russia are the Bal- tic, the White sea, the Black sea, the sea of Azof, and the Caspian sea. Tliert; are several considerable lakes in Russia. Tlie lake of Onega, in the government of Olonetz, is 150 miles long by f>0 broad, the shores of wiiich contain some valu- able marbles. To the west is lake Ladoga, 130 n)Iieslong, by 70 broad. Peter the great opened a canal along the shore of this lake, from the Volkov to the Neva On the southwest is the lake of Peypus, from which issues the riv- er Narva I'he white lake is so called from its bottom of white clay. Lake Seliger, in the governnrent of Tver^ and a small lake to the west, are the principal sources of tlie majestic Volga, wljich, for some distance; is the boun- dary line between Europe and Asia. After a course of 250 miles, it turns to the southeast into Asia, and lalls in- to the Caspian sea at Astrachan. Its whole course is 1700 miles. The Don, or Tanais, rises in the government of Tulan, and runs SOO nnles into the sea of Azof. The Nieper, the ancient Borysthenes, rises in the govern- ment of Smolensk, at no great distance fiom the sources of th.e Volga and Duina. After traversing rich and fer- tile jirovinces, for 1000 miles, it fills into the Euxine. The Niesier rises in the Carpathian mountains, and falb into the Euxine at Ankerman. The Peti-liora, Mezen, and several otl'.cr important riv- er:, run northwardly into the While sea and Arctic ocean. Thit other most considera!-le rivers are, the Western O-.vina, which Talis into the gulf of Riga ; the Neva, which c;uri'.'5 ;he WHtcr^ of lake Ladoga into the gulf of Einlund 260 ' RUSSIA. and pervades the city of Petersburg ; and the Bog, which falls into the Euxine sea. Face of the Country. European Russia is generally a level country. Toward the north, however the land rises into bleak and barren mountains, interspersed with forests, bogs, and morasses. Productions. There is a great variety of natural produc- tions in Russia, Many thousand species of plants, belong- ing to this part of the globe, have already been enumerated by naturalists, and many are probably yet unknown. Most of the grains, necessary for the subsistence of man and beasl, are cultivated in Russia. The southern provinces are extremely fertile. The fir is the most valuable of their forest trees. Beside domestic animals, the country abounds in wild beeves, reindeer, martins, foxes of several kinds, ermines, sables, and various other quadrupeds valuable for their furs. The mineral stores of this empire, are those of gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, quicksilver, isingglass, sulphur, salt, many sorts of jasper, marble and granite. Commerce. The commerce of Russia is greatly increased by its canals. The North s^'a is united with the Baltic, and both these with the Caspian and Black seas. By means of a canal, Petersburg communicates with Astrachan and the Crimea. The annual export of iron is computed at 40,000 tons ; of flax 15,000 ; and of tallow 31-,000 tons. The imports of Petersburg, in 1797, were computed at about 4',000,000/ sterling Russia is supposed to export grain anunally to the amount of 170,000/. ; and hemp and flax, raw or manufactured, to the amount of a million more. The coin current in the empire is estimated to amount to SO, 000, 000/. sterling, and the paper money to 20,000,000/. Russia carries on a great traffic wiih China. Immense quantities of furs are exported to most of the nations of Europe. Religion. The establislied religion is that oi the Greek church, but all religious sects are tolerated. The church is governed by a patriarch, under v/hom are archbishops and bishops. Language. The common language is a mixture of the Polish aud Sclav.onian ; but the priests and ciergy make RUSSIA. 261' use of the modern Greek. Their alphabet consists of 36 letters, the forms of which have a strong resemblance to those of the old Greek alphabet. Li'.eraiure. Sciences and arts were introduced by Peter the great, and encouraged by the late empiess, who also founded a number of schools for the education of the low- er classes of her subjects. There are three universities, one at Petersburg, one at Moscow, and one at Kiof. The imperial academy of sciences, aL Petersburg, ranks among the ilrst literary institutions of Europe, 'fhere is also an academy of arts, and another of the Russian language. Manners and Customs. The Russians, properly so called, are h^rdy, vigorous, and patient of labor to an incredible degree. The dress of the higher ranks is after the French and English fashion ; and all wear a covering of fur si'^ months in the year. They have an extreme fondness lor their native soil, and are seldom seen in other countries. They are superstitious, and entertain many fantastic no- tions respecting departed .souls The priests give a pass- yoxl to these vv'ho are dying, entreating St. Peter to open the gates of heaven, and certifying that the bearer has been a gfiod Clitistian. There are no capital punishments, except in cases of high treason. But the Russians are renrarkable for the severity and variety of punishments, inflicted for other crimes. Mary cnmlnais die under the tortures of the knout, the fatigues of their journeys to Siberia, and tlie hardships they suffer in the mines Government. The soveieign of Russia is absolute. He must be of the Greek church. The only written funda- mental law is tliat of Peter 1. by which the right of suc- cession depend sentirely on the choice of the reigning mon- atch. i he emperor has unlimited power over -^hc lives and property of all his subjects, the nobility as well as the peasantry. The provinces are ruled by governois, ap- pointed by the sovereign. /irmy and Navy. The army amounted in 1S()5 to 5j^rl20 men. Russia has ,'^2 nev/ sail of the line, and 18 fiig^tes ; 12 oUl line of battle ships, and 200 galleys and gun bo.its, principally in the Baltic, Black and Mediterra- nean seas Cii'us. Petersburg, on the Neva, near the gulf of 262 RUSSIA. Finland, is the capital of Russia. Peter the great laid ih<* foundation of it in 1703, and, from a morass, which con- tained only a few fishermen's huts, arose a city which now contains 2'J\,'2S0 inliabitants, 35 great churches, and many splendid palaces. It is defended by the fortress of Cron- stadr, and is enclosed by a rampart 14 miles in circumfer- ence. It carries on an extensive commerce. Moscow, 555 miles southeast of Petersburg, before its destruction in September, 1812, by order of the Russians, to prevent its falling into the hands of Bonaparte, contain- ed 12,500 houses and 300,000 souls. Its circumference, within the rampart, was 2 miles. It had 1800 places of worship. Their beils were of a stupendous size, one of which weighed 216 tons. Moscow was the centre of the inland commerce of Russia. It is now rebuilding. Archangei,, on the Dwina, near the White sea, is a place of some commerce, and has 1200 houses and 7200 inhabitants. Riga is a strong and populous tov'n, and next to Pe- tersburg, the most commercial of any in Russia. It is ihe capital of the government of Livonia, and has 1236 hou.es, 30,000 inhabitants. History. Little was known of Russia till near the close of the I5ih century, when John Baziiowitz I. great duke of Moscovy, threw off the yoke of the Tartars, to whom Russia had long been subject, and assumed the title ot Czar. But Peter the great is the most deservedly celebrat- ed of all the sovereigns of Russia. Perhaps no country ever exhibited, in so short a time, the wonders that may be effected by the genius and exertions of one man. At his* accession to the throne, he found his subjects of all ranks in the grossest ignorance and barbarism ; his numerous armies ferocious and undisciplined ; he had neither mer- chant ships nor men of war, which rendered Russia of lit- tle consequence in the politics of Europe. Peter civilized his barbarous subjects, disciplined his army, built cities and. fortresses, and created a navy. These national improve- ments have been continued since his time, and Russia now holds a rank among the powers of Europe, of which hu- man foresight, at the beginning of the last century, could have formed no conception. The present emperor of Russia is Alexander I, who as- POLAND. -203 tended the throne, March 24, 1801, the day after the as- sassination of his father, Paul I. Russian Isles. In the Baltic, Russia possesses the isles of OisEL and Dago, which are full of rocks. Cron- STADT, in the gulf of Finland, is remarkable for an excel- lent haven, which is the chief station of the Russian fleet. It has 40,000 inhabitants. Nova-Zembla, a large island in the Arctic ocean, be- longs to Russia, from which it is separated by the straight of Wiigate. It has no inhabitants but foxes, bears, and other wild beasts. The islands of Spitzbergkj, styled by some East- Greenland, from a supposed connection with Greenland proper, in North- America, lie in the Arctic ocean, between Greenland and Nova Zembla. The main land of Spitz- bergen extends 300 miles from lat. 7G 30 to 80 7- The coast is lined with craggy mountains ; in winter, it is con- tinual night for four months. The animals are white bears and foxes. There are no settled inhabitants, and it is known only to those who go on the coast for whales. The only vegetable here is a willow, two inches high. POLAND. POLAND was once a powerful kingdom of Europe, but is now blotted from the catalogue of nations. As a geographical section of Europe, however, it still occupies a place in the description of this part of the globe. In 1 772, Poland was bounded on the north by the Bal- tic and Russia ; east by Russia ; south by Little Tartary, Moldavia and Hungary ; west by Germany and the Bal- tic. The territory, included inthese limits, was SCO mllis long, and 700 broad. It v.as divided into Great Poland, Little Poland, and Litliuania ; each of which v/as again divided into palatinates or provinces. Poland was anc'ently the country of the Vandals, who emigrated from it to invade the Rr^man empire. It was erected into a dutcliy, of which Lcchus was the first duke, A. D. 694. It became a kingdom A. I). 1000 ; Otho III. emperor of Germany, conferring the title of king om Boleslaus I. In 1772, a parfition of tliis country, projected by the 64. PRUSSIA. king of Prussia, was effected by that monarch, in conjunc- tion with the empress of Russia and the emperor of Ger- many ; by which one third of Poland was divided among tliese powers. In 1792, the empress of Russia and king of Prussia planned a second partition, which took place in 1793. " These multiplied oppressions at last roused the spirit of the nation. General Kosciusko, in 1794, appear- ed at the head of a Polish army, to assert the independence of his country, and to recover the provinces wrested from it. He was successful at first against the king of Prussia, but was afterwards defeated and taken prisoner by the Russians. Warsaw, the capital, was taken and plundered by the Russians, in 1793. Five thousand Polish troops fell in defence of the place ; and 9000 citizens, men, wo- men and children were massacred. Theunfortunateking, Stanislaus III. was compelled to make a formal resigna- tion of his crown and kingdom into the hands of his bloody conquerors, and was a state prisoner till his death, which happened at Petersburg, February 11, 1798. The present distribution of Poland is as follows ; to Rus- sia belong Courland, Samogitia the greater part of Lith- uania, Polesia, Volhinia, and Podolia, having, according to Hassel, a population of 4,223,300. To Austria, Little Poland, a part of Podolia, now called Galicia and Lodo- miria, and part of Masovia. To Prussia, Great Poland, Polachia, and a part of Masovia and Lithuania. PRUSSIA. Extent and BourJaries. EXCLUSIVE of small detach- ed teritories, the kingdom of Prussia extends from the riv- er Oder west, to the Memel east, about 600 miles. The breadth, from the southern limit of Silesia to Dantzic ex- ceeds 300 miles. On the east and south, Prussia is bound- ed by the dominions of Russia and Austria ; west by Germany ; north by the Baltic. Divisions and Population. The following countries, fe 1801, composed the Prussian monarchy : Eastern Prussia k Pomerania Western Prussia Brandenburg Southern Prussia New March New Eastern Prussia Magdeburg PRUSSIA. 65 Halberstadt Gelder Minden Tecklenburg Ravensliurg Lingen Eiist Friesland Silesia Cleves Anspach Mars Baircuth Mark Neufchatel and Vallcngin The whole of these divisions, according to Hoeck, con* tained 8,021,149 inhabitants. Since the battle of Jena, in \'6i'~t in which the French were victorious, and v.'hich was followed by almost a connplete conquest of Prussia, the extent of this kingdom has been considerably lessened. Climate. The climate of Prussia, tliough mild and free from humidity in some provinces, Is generally cold and moist. Prussia pfoper is said to have eight months win- ter, and its autumn deluged with rain. Laief and Rivers. There are several lakes in Prussia: of considerable extent. That called the Spelding Lee ex- lends about 20 miles in every direction. One of the chief rivers is the Elbe, rising in Bohemia, and passing through the dutchy of Magdeburg. The Oder is perhaps the on- ly river which can be considered entirely Prussian. The other chief rivers are the Russe, and Niemen or Memei. General appearance and Produciicns. The only mountains in Prussia are those of Silesia. Except this province, the whole country is low and level. It produces much hemp, flax, and corn. Yellow amber is found along the sea coast. The domestic animals are numerous. Beside the com- mon game, the forests abound in elks, wild asses, and the uri, an animal of a monstrous size, with a very thick and strong hide, which is sold at a great price. Manufactures and Commerce. I'hese are of little impor- tance. Linen is made in Silesia ; and some glass, iron, and paper, is manufactured in other parts. The exports are amber, timber, corn, skins, leather, flar, and hemp, lii ret'.jm, tliL-y receive wine and olher prod- ucts of che soir.h cf Europe. Language ar..l L.lurauire. The language is German, ex- cept in the PoiiU:! provinces. Frederick the great was one of th'; most distinguished autiiois tlie kingdom has pro- duced, L'teiature and educaiicn are almost entirely Bp"lectcd. Y 60 F'RUSStA. Government and Religion. The government is kn absolute twonirchy. No senate or delegates of the people are known in the kingdom. The prevailing religion former- ly was Lutheranibm ; bnt since the acquisitions in Poland, the greater part of the inhabitants are probably Roman Catholics. ^^rw. The Prussian army amounts to about 200,000j including 40,000 cavalry. Cities. KoNiGiBERG, on the river Pregel, is the capi- tal, containing- 5fi,4rOO inhabitants, and enjoying an exten- sive commerce. Ic has an university, with 38 prefessors. The city is adorned witli many elegant palaces. Warsaw, the former capital of Poland, stands on the Vistula, containing 3578 houses, and 64-5000 inhabitantSj notwithstanding the population was so much thinned by the destructive sword of Suwarrovv. Dan Tz I c contains 5355 houses, and 42,000 inhabit- ants. It was known as a co.mmercial city as early as the tentli century, Th.e city of Thorn, celebrated as the birth place of the famous astronomer, Copernicus, has 8300 inhabitants. History. Prussia was anciently inhabited by an idola- tr us and cruel people. Conrad, duke of Masovia, about the middle of the thirteenth century, attacked those peo- ple with success ; and, after a bloody war of fifty years, reduced them to obedience, and obliged them to embrace Cliristianity. In 1525, Albeit, margrave of Blandenburg, having made himself master of all Prussia, ceded the west- trn part to the king oi Poland, and was acknowledged duke of the eastern pait, but to be held as a fief of that kingdom. The elector Frederick William, surnamed the Great, by a treaty with Poland, in J 656, obtained a con- firm^ation of this part of Prussia to him and his heirs, free from vassalage ; and, in 1663, he was declared independ- ent and sovereign duke, in J 701, Frederick, son of Fred- erick William the Great, raised the dutchy of Prussia to a kingdom, and, in a solemn assembly of the states of the empire, placed the crown with his own hands upon his head ; soon after which, he was acknowledged as king of Prussia by all the other European powers Fudeiick 111. ascended the 'hrone in 1740. Hismili- tary talents and achievements were splendid and success- GERMANY. 267 ful ; h3 excelled no less as a poet and legislator, than as a warrior He was one of the iiiBdel bind of philosu- phists ; and contributed, with Voltaire and others, to corrupt the literature and the religion of Europe. Tlia late king, Frederick IV. succeeded his nncle in 1786, died 1797, and was succeeded by Frederick V\^iUiam II. th* present king. GERMANY. GERMANY is subdivided into many states, and itsgci ography more perplexed th;in ih.i; of any other naiioiv on the globe. It W'^s chieHy beiwcen the iGih and ,31ih degrees north Luicude ; bounded west by the Rhir^e and Holland ; north by Denmark and the Baltic ; east by the Austrian dominions; sotiih by Italy and Switzerland. Its length, from the Pjaltic north to the Mfdilc:; anean soutl], is 6 >0 miles ; its breadth, f;om the Rlt'ne wt-bt to Silesia ea.v, is about 5D0. Since the confeJeratiorj of the R''.ine. the resignation of the emperor, in ! SOG, of h'.s title of Emperor of Germany, ih.e erection of t!-.e kiiigdom vt ^^''estpha!ia, and utlv^r cirangesj this cou:itiy has beer, in a broken aud nncertaiti stale. PoUtica! Divhlon:. Germ my was formerly divided in- to tea circles ; but the seventecii provinces, whic!) consti- tuted the circle oi Burgundy, hiving been Jong detaclied from the empire, the division in lS(~o' was that of nine cir- cles, which were Upper Saxonv, Upper Rhine, Austria, I^ovver Saxony, Lower Rhine, Bavaria, Westphalia, Fran- conia, Suabia. Other changes have since been made. Rvcn and l.ikss. At the head of German rivers stands the Danube or Donaw, so called from the swiftness of the current. I: rises in Suabia ; and, from Vienna to Bel- grade in Hungary, it is so broad, tliat in the wars between the Turks and Christians, shijis of vr.irh.ave been engaged on it. it contains a vast nuniber of cataracts and whirl- pools; its stream is rapid, and its course, without reckoninj^ turnings and windings, is computed to be 1620 miles. The Drave and liess are noble branches ( f the Danube. The Inn, another branch, rises in the cast of Switzc-land, and has a course of about 2:)0 niiles. 26S GERMANY. The Elbe rises in the Sadetic mountains of Silesia, and enters the iea near Cuxhaven, after a course of more than 500 miies. Jt is navigable for ships, in high tides, to Hamburg. Not far to the west is the mouth of the Weser. The inundations of this stream are terrible ; the towns and villages on its banks become islands. The Rhine is a noble river, having a course of about six hundred miles ; the Necker and Maine are its generous tributary streams. The chief lakes of Germany are those of Constance and Bregentz ; the Chiemsee, or the lake of Bavaria ; and the Zirtchnit/er sea, in the datchy of Carniola, whose waters ctien run off and return again in an extraordinary manner. Gcrminny contains large noxious bodies of standing wa- ter, wliich are next to pesilieniial, and afflict the neighbor- ir.^r natives v,'ith many deplorable disorders. Government. The' pnii-.icai constitution of Germany is T(K):c i.Tiricaie than th:(.t of any other European country. The terri'o)y is divided i:::o a vast number of independ- ent sovereignties, extremely disproportionate in extent and conseq'ic-nce, but all \}xi\'n^d into a kind of federal republic, iiHviiig i^if irs head an elective emperor. The great diet of ilij em o'.e h com:;o;ed cf deleyates from all the inde- pendonL s'::<-^ Principal Siaii's. V\''e shall briefly notice the principal states of Gerniiiny, and i}ieir chief cities. BR ANUF.NIjURG contalnsSl cii.ies, 19 market towns, about 1917 royal and noble villages, 20!^7 ancient villages, 1971 Luiheran churches,' and 80 Calvinistical churches. The populaiion of BraT^dcnbuig amounts to 7.55,577 souls. The religion of the country id Lutheran ; but the king of Prussia, who is also elector of Brandenburg, and those of his court, are Calvinists. The Roman Catholics are tolerated ; and every inhabitant enjoys liberty ot con- 'science. There is an university at Frankfort on the Oder, and an academy of sciences at Berlin. Berlin, on the river Sprey, is the royal residence, and contains 1.56,000 inhabitants. It is chiefly remarkable for the elegance of its buildings. Brandenburg is but a small city, containing only 10,300 inhabitants. Fk ankkort, on the Oder, has 10,^00; and l^'oTSDAM, whicii is freqnently the royal residence, 18,000. GERMANS. 260' SILESIA. To the king of Prussia belongs also the dutchy of Silesia, 274> miles long, and 100 broad. The principal rivers are the Oder, Vistula, Neisse, Bo- ber, Queis, Oppa and Else, A long chain of mountains separates Silesia from Bohemia ; the highest mountain, called Zotcnburg, is in the principality of Schweidnitz, and is iO-t miles in circumference. The principal manufac- ture is linen cloth ; there are some woollen manufactures, and glass houses. Silesia is divided into the Upper and Lower; in the Upper, the inhabitants are generally Ro- man Catholics, speaking the Polish language. Between this country and the United States, a consitterable trade is carried on, by the way of Hamburg, In the Lower, they are almost ail protestants, and speak their mother tongue. It is also divided into 17 small dutchies, and 7 free states, exclusive of the county of Giatz, In Silesia there are 4-2,000 infantry, and 1 0,030 cavalry. The greatest part of this country was ceded to the king of Prussia, in 1742, by the treaty of Breslaw. Silesia surrendered to France, by capitulation, on the 1 .Gth of June, 1807. Breslaw, the capital, contains 63,000 inhabitants. SAXONY proper, or the electorate of Saxony, in tlie circle of Upper Saxony, is 15 n;iles long, and 60 broad. It is a very fertile and commercial country abounding in mines. It is cut into two unequal part^ by the river Elbe, and has three civil divisions, viz. the dutchy of Saxony, of which WiRTF.MBERG is the capital ; Lu;alia, of which Bautzen is the capital ; and Misnia, the caj)ifal of whicli,- and of the vyhcle electorate, is Dresden, at t.'ie conflux of the Elbe and Weserritz. Dresden contains 2614 housesj and 49,000 inhabitants. Its chief" manufactures are ser- ges, shalloons, stockings, lir.ert, silk, gla'^s, and porcelain. HANOV^ER. The electorate of Elanover compre- hends the dutchies cf Zell, Saxe, Lauenburg, Bremen, Lu- neburg, the princi!)alities of Calc;iburg, Vtrden-Giuben- hagen, Diepholz, Ploya, Oberw.jid, &:c. The inhabitants are computed at 8.50,000. In lh05, this electorate was conqueted by France, and exchanged with Piuisia for three of her provinces. \\\ 1S(7, it was annexed to the new kingd'jm of Westphalia. The capital city Is Hano. TER, on the liver Lcine, and lias 21,:3(>'0 inhab'itant.';. BAVARL'-. The dutchy or ckctou-ie of i,-.vaiin Y2 270 GERMANY. comprehends the greater part of the circle, and Is divided^ into Upper and Lower Bavaria, and the Upper Palatinateo- The length is about 150 miles, tlie breadth J 20. Upper Bavaria is for the most part mountainous, cold and bar- ren, producing little corn, and less wine ; but it is covered with forests, interspersed with large and small lakes, and abounds in cattle, wildfowl, game, baths, medicinal springs^ and salt works. It is also enriched with mines of silver, copper, lead, and iron. Lower Bavaria being much more- level, is more fertile, and produces plenty of grain, pas- turage and fruit. The chief rivers of this dutchy are the Danube, Iser, Inn, Leek, Nab, Atmuhl, and the Regen. The established religion of Bavaria is the Roman Cath- olic. The number of inhabitants in this dutchy is estimat- ed by Hoecli at 1,339,900, and the regular military force at 12,000. The principal nianufactures of the country, are those of coarse woollen cloth, silk and woollen stuffs, velvet, tapestry, stockings, clocks and watches The prin- cipal exports are wheat, cattle, wood, salt, and iron. The Bavarians are little distinguislied in liteiature j but are a vigorous race, adapted to the fatigues of war. Ther have an university at Ingolsladt, and an academy of sci- ences at Munich. WIRTEMBERG is a dutchy in the circle of Suabia. It is one of the most populous and fertile states of Ger- many, though there are many mountains and woods. It contains mines and salt Siprings. Siutgard, near- the Necker, is the capital. It is the seat of an university, and an academy of sciences ; and has 22,680 inhabitants. BADEN, a margravate of Suabia, is divided into the Upper and the Lower. It is a populous and fertile coun- try, abounding with corn, hernp. flax, beeswax, wood, and Vf'me, and contains 200,000 inhabitants. The annual rev- enue is estimated at 1,200,000 florins ; and the military establishment consists of ^000 men, of whom 300 are cavalry. Baden is the capital, with a castle on the top of .1 mountain, where the prince often resides. It has 2400 inhabitants. HESSE-CASSEL, a principality in the circle of Up- per Rhine, is 80 miles long ; the breadth unequal. Th.3 air is wholesome : the soil fertile iij corn and pastures. GERMANY. 271 which feed multitudes of cattV ; the sides of the hills are covered with vines; game, fish, fruit, and honey abound. The principal rivers are the Rhine and tlie Mairie. Tha annual revenue of Hesse-Cassel is estimated at about 1,200,000 rix dollars. This state now makes a part of the new kingdom of Westphalia, established by Bonaparte^ August 18, 1807. MECKLENBURG is a dutchy in the circle of Lower Saxony, abounding in corn, p;istures, and game. It is 1'20 miles long, and 60 broad ; containing :)00,000 in- habitants. ScHv/tRiN and New Strelit/, are the chief cities ; the foraier has 9800 inhabitants. BRUNSWICK, DU f CHY, is a district of Lower Sax- ony. The territory of the duke of Brunswick, commonly called the principahty of Wolienbuttle, from a less im- portant town than Brunswick, includes l'i-72 square miles, and 170,000, or as some say, l.S5,0(J0, inhabitants. It is fertile in corn and pastures, and abounds with mines and game j it has also several medicinal spiings, and extensive forests. Brunswick, the capital, is the residence of the prince, and has 31,700 inhabitants. Ic was once one of the Hans towns, and governed as a republic. BRISGAW is a territor; of Siiabia, on the east of tha Rhine. One part belongs to the house of Austria, of which Friburg is the capital, and has 8700 inhabitants ; and the other to the house of Baden. Nassau is a county of the circle of Upper Rhine, very fertile, abounding in mines. It has 272,000 inhabit- ants. Nassau, on the river Lahn, is the capital. POMERANI A, a dutchy of Upper Saxony, is a strip of land lying on the borders of the Baltic ; 60 geographical miles in length, l:i in breadth. It is a flat country, but has some fev mountains ; the highest of which is the Choltcnherg, between Cceslin and Zanow. In some places part of the soil is sandy, but in general it is rich and fertile. The trees arc very fine, especially the oaks. Tliis couufry is famous for a breed of excellent geese of a vt-ry large size. Pomerania contains 68 towns and about 46,()0Q souls. Several of these towns have large rnanulaclories. Pomerania is divided into Anterior and Ulterior That part of Anterior Pomerania, wlilch belongs to Sweden ij 272. GERMANY. composed,!. Of the island and principality of Rugen- This island, now almost a mile distant from the continent of which it was formerly a part, is 49 miles in circumfer- ence. 2. Of the county of Stralsund, the chief town of which bearing the same name, is tlie capital of Swedish Pomerania, and is situated on the straight of Gellen, be- tween the terra firma and the isle of Rugen. 3. Of the principality of Bath, which is 10 miles long, and 6 broad. 4. Of the county of Gutzhow. 5. Of tiie Barony of Wol- gast. These different counties contain about 160,000 inhabitants ; and produce an annual income of 240,000 rix dollars. ANH ALT is a principality of Upper Saxony. In this principality are 19 towns and 2 boroughs, and the num- ber of inhabitants is about 100,000. The hoy the German ocean, southeast by England, south by the Irish sea. From north to south, it extends 270 miles, and its greatest breadth is ] 50, but in some places not above 30. It is divided into S3 counties, most of which send one member each to parliament. General Appearance, Soil and Produciiont. Nature seems to have pointed out three grand divisions in Scotland ; the north, the middle, and the south. The north divisifin is chiefly an assemblage of vast, dreary mountitins, wiih some fertile vallies, on the northern and eastern sl-.ores. The middle division is traversed in different directions by ran- ges of mountains ; though cultivation is chiefly on the eastern shore, yet the arable land bears a small proportion to the mountainous and barren. The south division has a great leseniblance t( England, and, with respect to the general aspect of the country, and the progress of cultiva- tion, exhibits every kind of rural vaiiety. The climate is various and the air healthy. The products of the coun- try are, grain, flax, woods of oak and fir, coal, lead, iron, freestone, limestone, slate, the most beautiful marble, fine lock crystals, pearls, variegated pebbles, &c. It feeds vast herds and flocks, which are small, but much valued for the delicacy of their flesh ; the fleece of the latter emulates the finest Spanish wool. Rivers. The principal rivers are Spey, Don, Tay, Tweed, Clyde, Forth, Northern Dee, Esk, Annan, Nith, and Southern Dee. Population, Religion, Manners. According to Pinkerton, the whole population of Scotland is 1,526,4'29. The es- tablished religion is the Presbyicrian. The people are IRELAND. 28S aauglit from their iiifancy to biidle their passions ; they are temperate and frugal, by which they save their con- stitutions Rnd tlieir rrioneyi The amusements of the rich are similar to those of the English ; but those of the peas- antry ]iave several diversities;, which the reader may per- haps best learn from the poems of Burns. Languagfy Literature and EJucat'ion. The language of Scotland falls under two divisions ; that of the Lowlands, consisting of the ancient Scandinavian dialect ; and that of the Hipjilands,. which is Irish. The literature of Scot- land, though of recent origin, has been rapid in its pro- gress, and extensive in its fame. The Scottish poets have been nunierc us and deservedly celebrated ; their divines and philosophers aie also universally ksown and admired. Eveiy country parish has a schoolmaster for the instruc- tion of indigent cliildren- There are four universities, St. Andrew's, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Cii'tei. Edinburgh, the capital, contains about 90,000 inhabitants. The houses are of reniaikable height, some being 13 or 14 stories The chuiches and places of worship, of various denominations, are numetous. Edin- burgh has 40 printing houses, in which aie enijloyed up- wards of 120 printing pi esses. Glasgow, on the river Clyde, is the second city in Scotland. Th;,- number of inhnbired houses is upwards of lOjOUO and of inhabitaals 7r,:3S5 It contains several hospitals, charitable foundations, and a plibiic infiimary. Aberdeen- is a large city on the Dee, at its entrance in- to the GeiiT).in ocean Ic has a university and 2 i.OOO in- habitants. Peith, Dundee, and Greenoci<, are all places of eminence. IRELAND IS an island west of Great- Britain, from which it is separated by St. George's channel, or the Irish sea. It is 278 miles long and ]5.> broad. D'l-vhrjtis, Popuhthm, i^c. It is divided into four provin- ces, viz. Uifter, Leinster, Munstcr, and Connaught ; these are subdivided into counties, litland is estimated to con- tain abcut 2!,000,000 acres ; 10fe4 market towns, in 191 284. IRELAND. of whlcli post offices are kept ; 37 charter schools, in which 1 735 youths ot both sexes are maintained and taught till the age of fourteen ; four provincial nurseries, in which 300 children are prepared for the public schools ; 3000 Episcopal clergy, and, according to an enumeration in 1801, 5,4.99,04^4 inhabitants. Climate, Productions^ iffc. The air is mild and temperate^ but more humid than in England. In general it is a lev- el country, well watered with lakes and rivers ; and the soil in most parts is fertile, producing corn, hemp, flax, beef, and butter. The principal manufacture of Ireland is fine linen. This country is well situated for foreign trade, having many secure and commodious harbors. Religion In 1731, there were 700,4-53 Protestants, and 1,309,768 Catholics. There is still a majority of the lat- ter in Ireland, who, since 1793, have enjoyed greater priv- ileges than they did formerly. The laws differ but little from those of England; and the established religion is. the same. Manners. The manners of the superior classes in Ire- land approach nearly to the English standard. The com- mon people still retain many features of national manners. Literature anJ Education.- The ancient literary fame of Ireland is placed in a high rank. Among its modern writers are the justly celebrated names of Usher, Swift, Goldsmith, Burke, Sheridan ; beside many celebrated dramatic writeit, and orators. Irela-d contains but one University, that of Dublin, founded in the reign of Elizabetli. The peasantry are in St wretched state of ignorance and superstition. Ciiies. DuBLis, the capital of Ireland, is, in point of beauiy, extent, and population, the second ciiy in the British dominions, and the fifth in Europe. It stands on the east side of the island, near the mou;h of the river Lif- fey, and has 15,000 houses, and 168,000 inhabitants. Cork, Limeric, Belfast, Waterford, Kilkenny, Galway, and Londonderry, are all large and populous places, and celebrated for manufactures. Curiosities. 1 he Giant's Causeway so called, is a re- roarkabie curiosity, consisting of many thous55.,000 inhabitants; its military force, in lOi, was 22 34 men. Gemral jipptarcmce. The soil of tlie country is so soft and marshy, that, but for the constant care in forming and making ditches and canals, it would be hardly capa- ble of cultivation ; some part of it lies even lower than the sea, from which it is secured by dykes or dams The meadow giounds are rich, and generally under water in the winter. Rivers. The chief rivers of Holland are the Pvhine, the Maese, the Scheldt, and Vecht. The Rhine is one of the largest rivers of Europe. Soon after it enters Hol- land, it is divided into several branches, foiming a num- ber of islands, which constitute a considerable portion of Holland. Near Arnheim it is divided into two branches, ODe of which takes the name of Ysscl, and falls into the 292 HOLLAND. Zuyder Zee. The other branch is again divided, and the larger branch falls into the Maese under the name of the Leek ; while the Rhine, with a very small portion of its waters, is lost among the canals about Leyden, without falling into the sea by its proper name The Maese rises in France, and, after receiving the greatest part of the Rhine, it divides into a variety of branches, and empties into the German Sea. The Scheldt also rises in France ; and after passing the city of Ant- werp, is divided into two branches, called Eastern and Western Scheldt, both of which are lost among the islands of Zealand. Sens. The German ocean, which washes the northern shores of Holland, is here called the North Sea ; in con- iradistinction to which, a large gulf, which separates North Holland fron Friesland, is called the Zuyder or South Sea. With this is connected the lake of Haerlem by a creek called the Y. The chief harbors of Holland are those of the Texel, Middleburg, Flushing and Amsterdam. Manufactures and Commerct. The chief manufactures of Holland are linens, pottery, leather, wax, snuiF, sugar, starch, paper, wov)llen, and silk. The commerce consist- ed formerly in spices and drugs from their settlements in the East-Indies. The inland trade with Germany by the canals and the Rhine, is almost the only branch of com- merce which has escaped the ravages of war. l.anguage and Literature. The language is a dialect of the German. The education of youth is rrot so much at- tended to here, as in some other countries. There are large and celcbr iced Latin schools at Rotterdam, Middleburg, Groningen, &c. Holland has live respectable universi- ties ; those of Leyden, Ucrecht, Hardevvycke, Franeker, and Groningen. There is an academy of Sciences at Haerlem. Manners and Custom:. The Dutch are an industrious and persevering people, patient of hardships, and extreme- ly neat in their dwellings. A humane regulation requires all innkeepers and apothecaries to keep a printed paper, containing rules for recovering persons apparently drown- ed. Liberal rewards are given to those who expose them, .selves to save ethers. HOLLANi>. 25;:< Religion. The Hollanders generally embrace the doc- trines of the reformation, or, as they are usually scyied, Calvinism ; but Jews, Anabaptists, and Roman Catholics are numerous. A free exercise of religion is allowed to all persuasions except the Roman Catholics. Government. Holland was once a republic. In May, 1805, a treaty was made between France and Holland for the establishment of a king ; and in June foUowingr Louis Bonaparte, with great ceremony, was proclaimed king of Holland, by his brother Napoleon ; but he has since abdicated his throne. Holland is divided into 1 1 departments, and is annexed to France by order of the government. Ciiies. All the cities of Holland have an appearance of grandeur and neatness, which attracts universal admira- tion. The houses are of brick, lofty and elegant, the WMndows large and numerous. The streets are surpris- ingly clean, and adorned with rows of trees ; between- wjiich the canals extend in all directions Amsterdam, a port of the Znyder Zee, is the rhief city. It ranks among the first cities of Europe, contain- ing, 217,024' inhabitants. The docks and arsenals are extensive, and the Sudthou.-e is the most magnificent building of the kind in Europe.- -RoTTERDAM, ou the MdCbe, is a great commercial cityj- of the size of Boston, having 33,800 mhabitants. Ley- SEs, an inland city, with '30,955 inhabitants, is tlie seat of the principal university, and is celebiated for having produced several eminent characters in science and litera- ture. The Hague is an open village, famous as the seat of government, and the residence f the Stadtholder ; it has 3S,-^ii3 inhabitants, and 6, 164^ houses* Haehlem, which has 21,3o0 inhabitants. Middle- burg, and Flushing, are large commercial cities. U TRECHT is a handsome city, with 32,291- inhabitants, and is the seat of an university. There are many otlicr towns, distinguished for neatness and population, A A 2 CTOl SWITZERLAND. SWITZERLAND, OR HELVETIA. UNDER this name modern geographers include all the country occupied, not onl}- by the Swiss, or Thirteen Cantons of the league, but by other states in alliance with or subject to them ; in which sense, the greatest extent from east to west will be about ISO miles, and from north to south 140. On the north it is bounded by Swabia, south by Savoy and Italy, west by France. General j^ppsarance. Switzerland may justly be consid- ered as the most elevated land in Ewrope, asmany princi- pal rivers take their rise here, and run in difFerent direc- tions to the extremity. The greater part is composed of mountains, with narrow vallics between them ; these mountains are composed of stupendous rocks, piled oa each other, and are from 4,000 to 10,000 feet in height. One peak i-n St. Gothard's mountain, is computed by Du Cret to be 16,5C0 French feet. Divisions and Population. Before the late revolution, Swit- zerland was divided into IS cantons, exclusive of their allies ; viz. Lucern, Uri, Schweitz, Underwalden, Zug, Friburg, and Soleure, vi-hich are Catholics. The prot- fStant cantons are Zurich, Bern, Ea*>le, and Schaffhau- i^en. The number of inhabitants is-reckoned at 1,638,000. Glarus and Appenzel contain both religions. Lakes and Rivers. The principal lakes are those of Consiance, Geneva, Lucern, Zurich, and Neuchatel. T!ie most considerable rivers, are the Rhine, Rhone, Aar, Arve, Reuss and Inn. Prodvciions. The chief riches of Sw'itz.erlHnd consist of excellent pastures, in which many cattle are bred and fat- tened ; the goats and ehamois feed on the mountains and jn the woods. Manners and Customs. The men are strong and robust.. The women are tolerably hand.some, and in general very i^.dustrious- The peasants retain their old manner of dress, and are content to live upon milk, butter and cheese j, iome of the mountaineers never have any bread. Ciiiis. The principal cities of Sv/itzerland are Basil,, on the Rliine, 1 5,0G0 iahabitanis j Zvrjch, on the lake SPAIN. ^93 of the same name, 10,353; and Lausanhe on the lake of Geneva, 9,965. There are colleges at Bern, Lausan- ne, Zurich and Lucerne. Historical Rrmarks, A de.^initlye alliance subsisted be- tween France and several of the Swiss cantons for more than a century, to the great advantage of both. These republicans found in that monarchy a steady, faithful, and generous friend. In 1777, the alliance vi'as renewed in the city of Soleure, and extended to all the cantons. From this period, till the commencement of that disastrous rev- olution, which has been effected by the intrignes of the French, the Swiss were so much wiser than any of the other European powers, that they preserved a peace unin- terrupted, except by some internal disputes, which were speedily terminated. Their history, therefore, during this period, is comprised in a few words. While other nations descanted on the blessings of peace, liberty, and property, amidst the curses of war, taxes, and oppression, these hap- py people quietly enjoyed all these blessings. The present situation of Switzerland is a striking contrast to this. It is " correctly and energetically drawn in the picture of Athens, left us by a writer of the middle ages after the invasion. // is the empty and bloody tkin of an immolated vic- tim. She has nothing left but rocks, and nuns, and dem- agogues." Since the revolution of 1797, the old govern- ment of Switzerland has been changed, the thirteen inde- pendent governments have been abolished, and che name of Switzerland changed to that of Helvetia. By the con- stitution of May 29, 1801, Switacrlaod is divided intff aeverueen departments. SPAIN. Situation, Boundaries, Extent. THE kingdom of iSpaim lie.<^ beiw<;en lib and 44 north lat. and between 66 and 78'' east Ion. It is bounded north by th-i bay of Biscay j northeatt by the Pyrennees, which separate it from France j east and south by the Mediterranean ; southwest and west by Portugal and the Atlantic ; 700 miles long and 50t> broad. Divisions. Spain contains the provinces of Old and New Castile, Andalusia, Arragon, EstraJDadura> Gallcia, 296 SPAIN. Leon, Catalonia, Granada, Valencia, Biscay, tha Asturl- as, Murcia, and Upper Navarre, some of which have for- merly been separate kingdoms. Climate. The air is dry and serene, except during the equinoctial rains, but excessively hot in the southern prov- inces, in June, July, and August. The vast mountains, however, that run through Spain, are beneficial to the in- habitants by the refreshing breezes that come from them in the south parts ; but those in the north and northeast are in the winter very cold. Bays. The chief bays are those of Biscay, Ferrol, Co- runna, (commonly called the Groynne) Tigo, Cadiz, Gibraker, Carthagena, Alicante, Altea, Valencia, and Roses. The strait of Gibraker divides Europe from Africa. Rivers. These are the Duero, which falls into the At- lantic ocean below Oporto in Portugal ; the Tago, or Ta- gus, which falls into the Atlantic ocean near Lisbon ; the Guadiana falls into the same ocean near Cape Finisterre ;. as does the Guadalquiver, now Turio, at St. Lucar ; and tlie Ebro, the ancient Iberus, falls into the Mediterranean Sea below Tortosa. The river Tinto rises in Sierra Morena, and empties it- self into the Mediterranean, near Huelva, having the name Tinto gfiven it from the tinge of its waters, which are as yellow as a topaz, hardening tiie sand, and petrifying It in a most surprising manner. Lakes. There are several lakes in Spain, That of Ben- eventa abound? with Hsh, particularly with excellent trout. Of the-water of a lake near Antiquera salt is made by the- heat of the sun. Mountains. The chief and the highest mountains of Spain are the Pyrennees, nearly 200 miles in length, which extend from the bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean, and divide Spain from France. The Cantabrian mountains are a continuation of the Pyrennees, and reach to the Atlantic ocean, south of Gap& Finisterre. Mount Calpo, now called the Hill of Gibraker, was formerly known as one of the Pillars of Hercules. Soil and Productions. The soil is fertile ; but there are large tracts of uncultivated ground. The produce of the SPAIN. 297 country is wheat, barley, safFron, honey, silk, saltpetre, hemp, barrilles, and sugar canes, with the richest and most delicious fruits. Its wines are in high esteem. Wolves are the chiet beasts of prey that infest Spain. The wild bulls have so much ferocity, that bull feats were the most magnificent spectacle the court of Spain could exhibit. The domestic animals are horses that are remarkably swift, mules, black cattle, and sheep, the wool of which is superior to any in Europe. Minerals. Spain abounds in minerals and metals. Cor- nelian, agate, jacinth, loadstone, turcois stonci, quicksil- ver, copper, le;id, sulphur, alum, calamine, crystal, mar- bles of several kinds, porphyry, the finest jasper, and even diamonds, emeralds, and amethysts, are found here. An- ciently it was celebrated for gold and silver mines j but since the discovery of America, no attention has been paid to them. Commerce, and Manufactures. Spain has but little com- merce, and few manufactures. Gold and silver are the chief articles both of export and import. A silk manu- facture at Valencia gives cniploymiint; to 20,000 persons. The other manufactures of Spain are linen, wool, soap, glass, copper, and hard ware. Population. The population of this kingdom is comput- ed at 10,396,000 in Europe, and 10,816,000 in her col- onies. Manners and Customs. The persons of the Spaniards are generally tall, especially the Castilians ; their hair and complexion swarthy, but ilieir counteuancesvery expressive. The inN ior orders, even in the greatest cities, are misera- bly lodged, and those lodgings wretchedly furnished. Ma- ny of the poorer sort, both men and women, wear neither shoes nor stockings ; and coarse bread, steeped in oil, and occasionally seasoned with vinegar, is the common food of the country people through several provinces. Literature. The literature of Spain is respectable, though little known in other countries, since the decline of the Spanish power. Concerning their means of common edu- cation, little is known ; but it is chiefly in the hands of tlie monks. They have upwards of 20 universities ; the most noted is at Salamanca. 298 SPAIN. Religion. The established religion is popery ; here the inquisition still exists, now rendered harmless. There are eight archbislioprics, forty-four episcopal sees, and twenty- four universities. Government. Spain is a monarchy. Cities. Madrid, the capital of Spain, is on the river Manzanares, which, though small, is adorned with two magnificent bridges. The city contains 15 gates, 18 par- ishes, 35 convents of monks, and dl of nuns, S9 colleges, hospitals, and houses of charity ; one for all nations, in which are Ircm 500 to 1000 patients; 1 4-, i 00 dwelling houses, and about 156,67 '2 inhabitants. Cadiz, the great emporium of Spanish commerce, stands on an island, which communicates with the continent by a bridge. 1: contains 13,500 houses, and 57,387 inhabit- ants. Barceloka has 1 i 1,410. Seville was the largest city, except Madrid, but is grearly decayed. Carlhagena, Bilboa, Malaga, and Alicant, are populous and commer- cial cities. Granada and Toledo are celebrated in Span- ish history. H'uiorV' "^rK** fir*^ ih^^*''?"-" Gr-!>"3l'i V6r6 the CcltSj a people of Gaul;, after them, the Phoenicians possessed themselves of the rirbst southern parts of the country, and may well be supposed to have bt-en the first civilizers of this kingdom, ?-nd the founders of the most ancient cities. After these, followed the Grecians ; then the Carthagen- ians, on whose departure, sixteen years before Christ, it be- came subject to the Romans, till the year of our Lord 400, when the Goths, Vandals, Suevi, Alans, and Sillingi, on Constantine's withdrawing his forces from that b.agdom to the east, invaded it and divided it among themselves j but the Goths in a little time were sole masters of it, under their king Alarick I. who founded the Spanish monarchy. In 1808, Spain was invaded by the emperor of France, who seized the throne, and placed his brother Joseph upon it. Spain is still (1813) struggling for her existence as an tadependent nation. PORTUGAL. ^ 299 PORTUGAL. Situation, Extent, Boundaries. PORTUGAL is the most westerly country of Europe, lying between 37 and 42** north lat. and between G5,and QS'^ east Ion. ; 310 miles long, 150 broad. Bounded w^est and south by the Atlan- tic, east and north by Spain. Divisions and Population. It is divided into 6 provinces, Estramadura, Beira, Entre-Minho-e-Douero, Tra los- Montes, Alentejo, and Algarva. The whole kingdom con- tains I9civdads, or cities. 527 villas, or smaller towns, 3344 parisfces, and, according to Ebeling, 3,55S,712 souls. Rivers y Lakes, and Springs. The chief Portuguese rivers are mentioned in Spain, all of them falling into the .'\tlan- tic ocean. The principal are the Tagus. Douem, Minho, and Guadiana. Ihe Tagus was celebrated for its golden sand. It overflows its banks as regularly as the Nile. The Guadiana, eight leagues from its source, disappears, and runs seven leagues under ground. It is 150 leagues in length. Portugal contains several roaring lakes and springs } some of them ar^ absorbent even of the lightest substan- ces, such as wod, cork and feathers ; some are medical and sanative ; and some hot baths are found. The min- eral waters of Caldos da Rainha and Chavei are very much esteemed. Beside these, there are several springs, which may be ranked among the natural curiosities of Portugal. ^ Climate, General Appearance, The vicinity of the sea renders the climate miider than in Spain. The general configuration of this kingdom is mountainous ; but, ex- cepting the Estella, which may be seven or eight thou- sand feet above the level of the sea, the mountains owe their apparent height to the Itvel of the co'untry round them ; and the wildness of their aspect may be attributed to their needle-like asperities. Soil and Productlcns The agriculture of Portugal is not generally bad: but the skill employed In it is small. Ex- cept round Lisbon, the country produces sufficient corn 00 PORTUGALi for its inhabitants ; the rallies of Entre-Minho e-Douefo are extremely well cultivated ; Tra-les- Monies is covered with fields of corn to the very summits of the mountains j wheat, maize and pulse are produced in considerable quantities. Manufactures and Commerce. The salt marshes of Portu- gal furnish great plenty of salt. Much salt is made also , from the sea water, especially in the bay of St. Ubes, whence much is exported. The foreign trade consists of the produce of the country, or in the merchandise, which is received from its foreign settlements : such as sugar, to- bacco, rum, cottoti, indigo, hides, Brazil and other woods for dying, and many excellent drugs. The manufacture of gun flints is one of the least remarkable, yet of the greatest importance to this kingdom. Manners and Customs. The modern Portuguese retain little of that adventurous, enterprising spirit, which render- ed their forefathers, the Lusitanians, so illustrious about 300 years ago. The peasantry though degraded and op- pressed, are inoffensive and industrious. In diet, the Por- tuguese are temperate, and the beauty of the climate in- duces them to spend most of their time abroad ; the house bf-ing little more than a convenieney for sleeping. The furniture of the houses of the grandees is rich and superb to excess ; and they maintain an incred*i:le number of do- mestics. Universities and Academies. These are Coimbra, founded in 1-J91 by king Dennis; Evora, founded in 1553; and the college of nobles at Lisbon, where the young nobility are educated in every branch of polite learning, and the sciences The royal academy of Portugal was instituted in 1720, by John V. Here is also a military and marine academy, where young gentlemen are educated in the sci- ences of engineering and naval tactics. A geographical academy has lately been established. Religion The Roman Catholic is the (established re- ligion, to the exclusion of all others. There are two tri- bunals of inquisition. Citiis. Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is one of the most regular built cities in Europe ; and is deservedly ac- counted the greatest port in Europe, next to London and Amsterdam. The houses are lufty, elegant, and uniforxB ; PORTUGAL. 301 and being built of white stone make a beautiful appear- ance. The popuhition is estimated at 350,000, and 4-4,000 houses. The second city in this kingdom is Oporto, which Is computed to contain 40,000 inhabitants The ch'ef article of commerce in this city is wine ; and the in- habitants of half the shops are coopers. Braga is a consid- erable town. In the city of Coimbra is an ancient univer- sity. Travira has 4770 inhabitaints. Curiosities. The lakes and fountains which have been already mentioned form the chief of these. The remains of some castles in the Moorish taste are still standing. The Roman bridge and aqueduct at Coimbra are almost entire, and deservedly admired. The walls of Santareen ;ire said to be of Roman work likewise. The chilrch and monastery near Lisbon, where the kings of Portugal are buried, are inexpressibly magnificent and several monas- teries in Portugal are dug out of the hard lock. The chapel of St. Roch is probably one of the finest and rich- est in the world ; the paintings arc Mosaic work, so cu- riously wrought, with stones of all colors, as to astonish ihe beholders. History. Portugal was anciently called Lusltania, and inhabited by tribes of wandering people, till it became subject to the Carlhagenians and Phenicians, who were dispossessed by the Romans 250 years before Christ. In the fifth century it fell under the yoke of the Suevi and Vandals, who vcre driven out by the Goths of Spain, in the year 589 ; but when the Moors of Africa made them- selves masters of the greatest part of Spain in the begin- ning of the eighth century, they penctraied into Lusitania, where they established governors, who made themselves kings. It became subject to Spain in 15S0 ; but in 1640, the people rebelled, shook oif the Spanish yoke, and elect- ed for their king the duke of Er^iganza, who look the name of John IV in whose family it has ever since remained, in- dependent of Spain. The prince regent and royal family of Portugal emigrated to 13razil in 1807- Lisbon was taken by Bonaparte, and nearly the whole kingdom over- i un by French troops, and since retaken by the British; and is still ( 181 'J) at war v.-ilh France. B s 302 fTALY. ITALY. Situation, ^c. ITALY, according to Its former limltSj lies between 82 and 94< degrees east longitude, and 38 and 47 north latitude. North and northeast, it was bound- ed by Switzerland and Germany ; east by the gulf of Venice ; south by the Mediterranean ; west by that sea ^d France. Its figure bore some resemblance to that of a boot; its length from Aousta, in Savoy, to the utmost verge of Calabria, was 600 miles ; its breadth was une- qual, from 25 to nearly 400 miles. The kingdom of It- aly now embraces 30 departments, including St. Marino, which have a population of 6,389000 inhabitants. General Description of the Political State. Italy is the most celebrated country in Europe, having been formerly the seat of the Roman empire, and afterwards of that aston- ishing universal usurpation, the spiritual dominion of the Pope. It has been divided into a great number of states, which differ in extent and importance. Between the con- fines of France and Switzerland, on the west and north, were the continental dominions of the king of Sardinia, viz. Piedmont, Savoy, Montserrat, part of the Milanese, and Onegiia. Northeast, were the territories of Venice. South, were the dominions bf the emperor of Germany, viz. part of the Milanese and the Mantuan ; and south of these were Modena, Mirandola, and Reggio, belonging to the duke of Modena. West of these, were the dutchies of Parma, Placentia, and Guastella. South of Parma, was the republic of Genoa ; and southeast of this, that of Lucca. Hence extended along the coast of the Mediter- ranean, the grand dutchy of Tuscany. The Ecclesiastic- al State, or the territory of the pope, lay northeast and east of Tuscany, between the gulf of Venice and the Med- ' iterranean ; and south, the kingdom of Naples, with its dependent islands, of which Sicily was the principal. Such were the divisions of Italy before the late war, \' hich has wrought gre'it changes in this part of the world. The whole of Piedmont, including Nice and Savoy, has been absolutely annexed to, and has become an integral part of, the French empire, as follov/s ; Savoy is made a depart- ITALY. SOS HKnt tinder the title of Mont Blanc ; Nice, anotlier de- partment, with the name of Maritim^ Alps ; and Piedmont has been divided into six departments, the Doice, the Po, Marenj;o, Sesia, Stura, and Tanaro. The Milanese has been erected into a kingdom, called the kingdom of hair, of which Bonaparte has been crowned king, and to it have been added the city and territory of Bologna, the Venetiim states, the republic of G^cnoa, Modena, and Ferrara. The republic of Lucca has been erected into a principality, and, joined with Piombino in Tuscany, has been given to Bon- aparte's eldest sister. Tuscany has been erected into a kingdom, by the name of Etrurta, and given to the duke of Parma in exchange for his dukedom, which now le- mains in full sovereignty to Fiance, and is annexed to that empire. In 1807, Eiruria was annexed to the king- dom of Italy. The papal stales, with the exceptions a- bove stated, remained nominally to the Pope, till erected by Bonaparte into a new kingdom, called Latium ; which was ot' short duration. Naples and the two Calabrias were erected into a kingdom, and given to Joseph, the eldest brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, who has since been transferred to the throne of Spain. Sicily is, as yet, ua- conquered, and remains to the late king of Naples. Climate. The air on the north side of the Appenines is temperate ; on the south it is very warm, 'i he air of Campagna di Roma, and of the Ferrarese, is said to be unwholesome ; owing to the lands not being duly culti- vated, nor the marshes drained. In the other parts, the air is generally pure, dry, and healthy. Rivers and Lakes. The principal rivers are, the Po, Trcbbia, Fesind. Gerigliano, Voiturno, the latter in Na- ples, l-iber, Arno, Adige, and Var. Tliere are several tine likes, as the Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Garda, Pe- rugia, Bracciano, and Celano AlourUatns. The chief mountains (^f Italy are the Alps and Appenints, which are extensive ; Mount Vesuvius, a celebrated volcano near Napies ; and Mount Algidus, fa- mous in the ancient history of Rome. Soil and Froductions The soil in general is very fertile. It produces a great variety of wines, and the best oil in Europe ; excellent siik in abundance ; corn of all sorts, but not in such plenty as in other countries ; oranges,- 7 304 >TALY. lemons, citrons, pomegranates, almonds, raisins, sugaj; , Bgs, peaches, apricots, pears, apples, filberts, &c. ihih country also yields good pasture, and abounds with cat- tle, sheep, goats, bafFdloes, wild boars, mules, and horses. The forests are stored with, game ; and the mountains have not only mines of iron, lead, alum, marble of all sorts, alabaster, jasper, porphyry, &c. but also gold and. silver ? with a great variety of aromatic herbs, trees, shrubs, and evergreens. Commerce. Wine, oil, perfumes, fruits, and silks, are the principal articles of exportation ; and great sums of mon- i-y are expended by travellers, in the purchase of pictures, curiosities, relics, antiquities, &c. Literature and Science. No country has produced better politicians, historians, poets, musicians, painters and sculp- tors ; that is, since the revival of the arts and sciences, ex- clusive of those of ancient times. Religion and Language, The established religion is the Roman Catholic. Their language, which is a corruption of the Latin, is said to be spoken in its greatest purity at Florence. Cities and ArJtquiiies. Rome, anciently the capital and mistress oi the world, was founded, it is said, by Romuluj, its first king, about 7^3 years before Christ. Its ancient history, splendor, and power, are much celebrated. In its present state it may still pass for the most beautiful in the world. Its streets, public squares, churches, palaces, and multitude of public edifices, built in a style of elegance and solidity ; its obelisks and vast columns ; its fountains deco- rated with noble taste, dispersing water in every part of the city ; the neatness of the streets ; its chef d'oeuvres in sculptu'e, painting, and architecture, ancient and modem ; its delightiul climate ; the taste of its gardens, and the spL-nidor of its public festivals, (the fruits of a mistaken bigotry) form a picture so varied and so delightful, that it may, without question, still be regarded as the first city in the world. It is sitUfited on both sides of the Tiber, on seven hills. Its position is exactly the same with that of ancient Rome. It is about 15 miles in circumference, and contains 35,900 houses and iS'i,06\! inhabitants, of which about 7,000 are ecclesiastics, and of religious orders of both s?xe5, wr.o live in celibacy. Manv of the streets ara ITALY, 305 long, straight, and very regular in their architecture. The objects of cuiiosity and interest, of taste and grandeur, are so numerous, that it would exceed the hmits ol a woik of this kind, even to insert a list of them. Naples is a large and commercial city, the capital of the kingdom of Naples. It is seated at the bottom of the bay of Naples, and is built in the I'orm of a vast amphithe- atre, sloping from the hilis to the sea. The houses, in com- mon are five or six stories in height, and flat at the top, on which are placed numbers of fiiuwer vases or fruit trees, in boxes of earth. The inhabitants are computed at 4 1 2,489. There is not a ciiy in the world, perhaps, with the same number of inhabitants, in which so few contrib- ute to the wealth of the community, by useful and produc- tive labor, as in Naples ; for the number of priests, monks, fiddlers, lawyers, nobility and footmen, surpasses ail lea- sonable proportion; the Lazzaroni alone aie above ^0,000; they are tlie only common laborers, and are a very indus- trious, laborious and useful class of men. vHere is ihe fa- mous grouo of Pansillippo, which perioraies a mountain just out of Naples, on the side of Baia, near iiaii a mile in length, cut through the solid rock, and through which the road to Baia runs. The tomb of Virgil is said to be plac- ed just at the entrance of this grotto. The baths of Nero are placed at Baia, about six miles from Naples. Naples, fiom Its Vicinity to Vesuvius, and to seveial extinguished volcanoes, has been always subject to eairhquakcs ; the last look place in tiie ve.ir 1 606, and is said to iiave destroy- ed, or shnkcn so as to injure, 4-y'i.Ki hou.^es in this city, Fli^rhncEj for many ages the capital of Tuscany; is, at preseni the mt- tropt-iis of the new kingdom of Etruria. It is pleasantly situated on the liver rvino, about SO miles from the Appenines, which seem, to overhang the city. The river divvies the city into two equal parts ; on eacii side of the nver are nubt btautdul qua^s extending through the wliole length of liic city, and conntcied by ma^^uiticcnt stone bridges. The private edifices aie m a fine style of architecture^ and tire public buildings are in- ferior to non^- in rnHgnifKniCi:, They uckoa IT public squires; 7 founrauib, ctjustantiy piayin,^ ; (j pillars, or cojumr.s ; '2 pyram d^ ; 1 60 beautiful statues, placed ci. ' er ;n tne ])U!>iic :qurt.eb or in the sUc' ts, or iu tLc fuuii; B 3 2 306 ITALY. of some palaces ; 1 metropolitan church, 12 collegrate^ and ^^ parochial ; 35 convents for men, 60 for women ; 37 hospitals ; and about 9000 houses. The number of inhabitants in the year 1761, was 72,000; now they a- mount to 80,100. Vhnice stands on 72 little islands in the Gulf of Ven- ice. The number of inhabitants is computed to be about 160,000. The houses are built on piles. The streets, in general, are narrow ; and so are the canals, except the Great Canal, which is very broad and has a serpentine course through the middle of the city. There are nearly 500 bridges in Venice. The ducal palace is an immense building; besides the apartmentsof the doge, there are halls and chambers for the senate, and, the diiFeient councils and tribunals. The arsenal of Venice is a fortification of between two and three miles in compass ; it contains arms for 60,000 foot, and 20,000 horse, arranged in an orna- mental manner. The Venetians have a flourishing trade in silk manufactures, bonelace, and ail sorts of glasses and mirrors, which make their principal employments. The handsome structure, called II Fontica di- Tedeschi, contain- ing 500 rooms, is that where the Germtan merchants depos-. ite their commodities* Genoa, the capital of the former republic of Genoa, is about ten miles in circumference. Besides the cathedral, it contains 32 parish churches, many of which are magnifi- cent, and adorned with seulptures and pictures by the best masters. The arsenal contains arms for 34,000 men, ma- chines, models for bridges, the armour worn by a number of Genoese women in the crusades, a shield, containing 120 pistols, made by Julius Cesar Vacche, for the purpose of assassinating the doge and senate at one time, &c. 0th- crpublic buildings, as the Aibergo, which serves as a poor house and house of correction ; a laige hospital for the sick of all nations and religions ; the Conservatory, for ed- ucating and portioning 300 poor girls ; and a great number of palaces belonging to the nobility. They leckon at Genoa, 69 convents of men and women. The number of inhabitajits is estimated at 150,000. Mantua, the birth place of Virgil, which has 20,300 inhabitants ; Milan, the ancient capital of Lombardy ; Leghorn, in Tuscany j. and Tvrin, in Piedmont, aregli celebrated civics. MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS. 807 MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS. Kingdom of Sicily. This kingdom embraces the klands of Sicily, Lipari, Pantalaria, and iEgades, and is divided int.0 six provinces as follow, viz. No. of Inhabitants 1. Val di Mazzara") ^ ,, ri j 643,000 a \T ^ \ \^ I On the J standi r-c,y nnr^ 2. Val di Dcmona > /- o- ; 521,000 y. Val di Noto 3 "-^ ^'"^'' 459.000 4. The Lipaii Islands 18,000 5. The .Egades Islands 12,000 (j. The ibiand ot Pantalaria 3,000 Total inhabitants in the kingdom of Sicily, 1,656,000 Sicily is a beautiful island in the Mediterranean sea, al- most in the form of a triangle, terminating in three points. It is separated from the kingdom of Naples by a narrow strait, called Faro di Messina. The two kingdoms of Na- ples and Sicily are under the same climate, and the pro- ductions are much the same. Sicily is 165 miles long, and i ri broad. In this island is the celebrated volcano, called Mount iEtna. The peope are melancholy, haugh- ty, and jealous ; wearing daggers in their skops and work- houses. The wealtliy lead voluptuous lives ; th*? lower classes are wretchedly oppressed dud poor. Their reiigioa. is the Roman catholic. The LiPARi islands take their name from tlieir principal, about eight leagues from the north C( ast ot S'ciiy. '1 hese islands were called by the ancients, iE'ilise., Vuicaniae, and In<^ui2e Lipa.jEorum, and ieignt-d to be the residence of ^ >lus and Vuican. Lipari, the laigesr, is pi^puious and weil cultivated. It is about 15 miles in circumference ; the air is healthy, and the inhabitants are industrious. In this island weie formerly pits, Tth'ch emited fire and smoke. The other islands are, Slromboli, Panaria, Vulca- no, Saiini, Aiicudi; and Feiicudi, with one or two smalL- er ones. 808 MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS. ^GADEs are three small islands near tlie west end of the islands of Sicily, called Favignana, Lovonzo, and Mareta- nia, constituting a province of the kingdom of Sicily. Pantalaria is an island, makings province of the king- dom of Sicily, lying between that island and the coast of Africa, 17 miles in circumference. It is not iar from the coast of Tunis, and abounds in cotton, fruit, and wine. Lat. 36 4b' N. ; aad Ion. 12 3C/ . Kingdom of Sardinia. This kingdom consists of 4 provinces, viz. No. of inhabitants in 17&0 1. Cagliari 11.5,54.1 2. Arborea 130.974. 3. Lo^rodoii .133,544- 4. Gallura. 71,428 Total inhabitants in the kingdom of Sardinia 45 J ,487 The number now is about 520,000. Its militia amount to 4000 men. Its revenue is about one million guilders. Sardinia Is 142 miles from north to souih, and 80 from east lo west. The soil is fertile in corn, wine, oranges, citrons and olives. On the coast is a fishery for anchovies and coral. The air is unheakhy, from the marshy land. Here are mines of silver, lead, sulphur, and alum. Cagli- ari is the capital of this island. Malta is situated in the middle of the Mediterranean,, between Barbary and Sicily, in north latitude 35 aO. This islAud, which has, for its basis, a calca;eous tock, contains, according to several travellers, notimig inttiest- ing to the naturai historian, except a tew fos^i.s. Ir-j rig- ure is inegular,composedof small valleys, dt'hks and hiils ; and may be represented as a plain inclining from ihe south- west to the northeasr, so thai the caicaicous strata, of which it is entirely composed, are very nearly para-iM to each other. i\ ch.iin of low mountains, running tr:.m southeast to northwest, divi cs the ^siand thu'ugh ilif mid- dle. It is seven leagues in it.ny^th, th.ee in nrtacich and twenty one in circamf*itn'.;e . The nurnhti ot inli.ibiiarts is said to be QUjOOO. The common 'I'-opie s^^cak Arabic, TURKEY. 309 but the better sort Italian. The institution f tlie knights of Malta, was in the tenth century at Jerusalem, for the tare of the wounded in the Christian wars ; they afterwards settled in the isle of Rhodes, but, being driven from thence in 1530, the island of Malta was given them by Charles V. king of Spain and emperor of Germany. Malta was taken by the French in the summer of 1 793 ; but was soon after captured from them by the British. Malta, Melita, r Citia Vecchia, an ancient and strongly fortified city, is on a hill in the centre of the island, and was formerly twice as large as at present. Near this city arc the catacombs, which are said to extend fifteen miles under ground. Corsica, between 41 and 4<3 degrees north latitude, is separated from Sardinia by the strait of Bonafacio, and is opposite the coast of France and Spain. It is 150 miles from north to south, and from 40 to 50 in breadth. It is mountainous, but has fruitful vallies and some fine lakes and rivers. Corsica in earliest times has been famous for its swarms of bees, and produces vast'quantities of hon- ey. After many revolutions, this island was taken by the French, in 179G, and is divided into two>. departments. Bastia is the largest town ; but Corte, in the centre of ilie island, is reckoned the capital. The number of inhabit- ants on the island is about 166,000. It is the bi:th place of Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France. TURKEY. THE Turkish Dominions, or the Ottoman empire, is divided into three grand divisions, conLaining 800,000 square miles, viz. No. of Inhalitanls. 1. Turkey in Europe 9,^22,000 2. Turkey in Asia 11,090,000 3. Turkey in Africa 3,500,000 Total 24,412,000 TURKEY IN EUROPE. .x!;r.i ar:(/ Boundaries. European Tarkev extends 87'* 310 TURKEY. miles in length,. from 3i to 49=* north lat. and 680 ia breadth from east to west. It is bounded by the territo- ries of Russia and Austria on the north ; wast by the Adriatic and Mediterranean ; south by the Mediterranean ; east by the Archipelago, the Euxine, and the sea of Mar- mora. Divisions. It contains the provinces of Bessarabia, Mol- davia, Walachia, Bulgaria, Servia, Bosnia, Romania, Macedonia, Janna, Livadia, Albania, part of Croatia and Dalmatiaand the Morea. Climate, Soil, and Face of the Country. These extensive re- gions in general enjoy a deiightfui climate The country is rather mountainous ; but the soil is fertile, producing vines, melons, rice, wheat, and rich pasturage. That soil must be rich indeed, which supports its inhabitants with the lazy cultivation of the Turks. Rivers. 1 he Danube is for 4-00 miles a Turkish stream, being in soine phices a mile wide. "^Fhe Save, the Niesier, the Nieper, and the Don aie the best known rivers in this country ; thoujifh many others have been celebrated by poets and hisiorians. The M.iritz, or ancient Hebrus, rises in the mountains of Haemas, and fails into the -gean sea, after a course of 250 mues. Lakes. These are hot remarkable.^ The Lago di Sen- tari lies in Albania. It commuiiicates with the Lago di Piave and the Lago di Holti. The Stymphaius, so fa- mous for its hr^rpies and ravenous birds, lies in Morea ; and Paneus, from its qualities, is thought to be the lake from wiiich the Styx issues, conceived by the ancients to be the passage into hell. Mounatns. These are the most celebrated of any in the world, and most fruitful. Mount .ithos lies on a penin- sula, running into the iEu;ean sea ; the iMounts Pindus and Olympus, celebrarcd in Grecian fables, separate Thes- saiy from Epirus. Parnassus, In Achaia, so famous lor being consecrated to the Muses, is well known. Mount Haemus is likewise often mentioned by the poets ; but most of the other mountains have chivuged their names. Commerce and Manufactures. Situated in the centre of the eastern continent, the Turks might easily acquire the trade, as well as the empire, of the world, if not prevented by their indolence and the maxims of their governmeatv TURKEY. 311 Thy depend chiefly on foreign nations for their manufac- tured articles. Their merchants are mostly of the enter- prising Christians of the surrounding nations Their ex- ports are silks, carpets, Morocco skins, galls, coffee, balm, balsam, rhubarb, sal ammoniac, termeric, frankincense, myrrh, opium, &c. &c. Religion, The religion of the Turks is the Mahometan ; but it is said that two thirds of the inhabitants in European Turkey are Greek Christians The Mufti or Mahometan Pontiff resides at Constantinople There are various ranks among the Turkish clergy, somewhat resembling the bishop and parochial clergy of the Christian world. Maimers and Customs. The Turks are moderate in eat- ing and drinking, lovers of rest and idleness. Polygamy is a universal practice among them. Either party may dissolve the marriage contract at pleasure The man sel- dom sees his bride till after the ceremony, the business being negociated \>y female friends. The dead are per- fumed with incense, and buried in a cloth open at top and bottom, that the deceased may sit up and conveise with the angels of death. Government, fhe sukan is a despotic sovereign, but strictly subject to the laws of the Koran, which includes the national religion and laws. Army. The Turkish army consists of 200,000 infantry and ]bl,000 cavalry. Their navy is ill constructed, and consists of about 15 ships of war. Cit'ies. Con STAN Tu^oPLt, the capital of this great empire, is situated on the European side of the Bosphorus. It was built upon the ruins f^f the ancient Byzantium, by the Roman emperor, Constantiiie the Great. It became after- wards the capital of the Grt-ek t.inpire, and having escaped the destructive rage of the barbarous nations, il was the greatest as well as the most beautiful city in Europe, and the only one during the Gothic ages, in which there re- mained any image of the ancient elegance in manners and arts It is a plact of trade and abounds with antiquities. The wall which sarrounds the seraglio is thirty fett high, havinci' battie.7i(.'nts, tnrihrasurcs, and towers, in the style of ancleiu. fortificauons. The population is estiniaied at iOiVHJO, of whicli 'J-iO,OOa arc Turks, lOO.OUO Greeks, and the renninder Jews, Armenians, and Franks. 312 TURKEY. Adrianople, formerly the seat of the Turkish empire in Europe, is next in dignity. The inhabitants of Sosia ;jre 70,000, Sihstria, on the Danube in Bulgaria, contains 60,000 inhabitants. Bucharest, the chief city of "Uiilachia, has the same number. Jaa and Bender have 10 or ] 2j000 inhabitants each , Belgrade, capital of Servia, has about 25,000 inhabitants. Barjaluka contains 18,000 souls, and Salornia 60,000 ; Larissa, an inland town, 25,000. Anttqutlies and Curlcsit'ies. Almost every spot of ground, every river, and every fountain in Greece, presents the traveller with the ruins of a celebrated antiquity. On the Isthmus of Corinth, the riiins of Neptune's temple, and the theatre where the isthmean games were celebrated, are still visible. History. In European Turkey is included the ancient states of Greece and Macedon. The people of these states, so celebrated in history, for their government, politics and revolutions, were, on the commencement of the Christian era, lost in the general conquests of the Rom.ans. To the last remains of the Grecian or Eastern empire, the Turks put a final period by the conquest of Constantinople, in ]45vS. But their militar}' ir.st'tutions have now lost their energies, and the zeal of their religious imposture has a- bated. Their ill compacted empire is sinking under its ov/n weight. The Russians have become far too power- fwl for the Turks ; and the Turkish empire seems totter- in cr to its fall. ISLANDS BELONGING TO THE TURKISH EMPIRE, BtING PART OF AnCIENT GrEECE. Negropont, the ancient Euboea, en the eastern coastdf Achiia cr I.ivadia, is 90 miles long, and 25 broad. The chiet touns in the island are Negropont, called by the Greeks Egripos, on tlie southwest coast of the island, on the narrowest part of the stiait ; and Castel Rosso the an- cii;nt Craystus. LtMW')s, or iStalimene, lies on the north part of the v5v^ean Sea or Archijielago, and is almost a square of 25 miles in length antf breadth, and h?,s 8,000 inhabitants. TURKEY. 313 Tesedos is remarkable only for its lying opposite to old Troy It has a town of the same name, and has 2000 inhabitants. ScYROs is about 60 miles in circumference, and is re- markable chit'fly for the remains of antiquity, which it contains; about 300 Greek families inhabit it. Lesbos, or Mytelene, is about GO miles long, and is famous for the number of philosophers and poets it pro- duced. The inhabitants are 40,000 in number, and were formerly noted for prodigality. Scio, or Chios, lies about 80 miles west of Smyrna* 1000 miles in circumference. Though rocky and moun- tainous, it produces excellent wine. It is inhabited by 100,000 Greeks, 10,000 Turks, and about 3000 Latins. It has 300 churches, besides chapels and monasteries ; and a Turkish garrison of l-ioO men. The women of this, and almost all the other Greek islands, have; in all ages, been celebrated for their beauty, and their pe. ons have been the most perfect models of symmetry to painters and staturaries. Among the poets and historians said to be born here, the inhabitants reckon Homer, and shew a little square house which they call Homer's school. Samos lies opposite to Ephesus, 30 miles long and 15 broad. This island gave birth to Pythagoras, and is in- habited by Greek Chrisiians. It is supposed to have beea the native country of Juno ; and some travellers think that the ruins of her temple atid of the ancient city of Sa- mos are the finest remains of antiquity in the Levant. To the south of Samos lies Patmos, about 20 miles In circumference, but so barren and dreary, that it may be called a rock, rather than an island. It has, however, a convenient haven ; and the few Gtcek monks who are upon the island shew a cave were St. John is supposed to have written the Apocalypse. The CvcLAbEs islands lie in a circle round Delos, the chief of them, which is almost midway between the conti- nents of Asia and Europe. Though Delos is not above miles in circumference, it is one of the most celebrated of all the Grecian islands, as being the birth place of A- pollo and Diana, tlie magnificent ruins of whoac temnlc: are still visible, k is almost destliuie ot inhabitants. Paros lies between ihe inland-; of Luxia and Meto's. C SI 4 Turkey. Like all the other Greek islands, it contains striking and tnagnificent ruins of antiquity. Cerigo, or Cythera, lies southeast of the Morea, and is about 50 miles in circumference, chiefly remarkable for being the favorite residence of Venus. Santorin is one of the most southern islands in the Archipelago. Though seemingly covered with pumice stones, yet through the Industry of the inhabitants, who are about 10,000, it produces barley and wine, with some wheat. One third of the people are of the Latin church and subject to a Catholic bishop. Near this island anoth- er arose of the same riame, from the bottom of the sea, in 1707. At the time of its birth there was an earthquake* attended with dreadful lightnings and thunders, and boil* ings of the sea for several days, so that when it arose out of the sea it was a mere volcano, but the burning soon ceased. It is about 200 feet above the sea ; and at the time of its first emerging, was about a mile broadj and 5 miles in circumference, but it has since increased. The famous island of Rhodes is situated in 36 20' N. lat. about '20 miles southwest of the continent of Lesser Asia. The chief town, of the same name, stands on the ^de of a hill fronting the sea, and is 3 miles in circumfer- ence, interspersed with gardens, minarets, churches, and towers. The harbor is the grand Signlor's principal arse- nal for shipping, and the place is esteemed among the strongest fortresses belonging to the Turks. The colos- sus of brass, which anciently stood at the i?iouth of the harbor, and was 50 fathoms wide, was deservedly ac- counted one of the wonders of the world. It has 36,500 inhabi^rl^s, CjfS:^Ay the ancient Crete, is still renowned for its 100 cities, for its being the birth place of Jupiter, the scat of legislature to all Greece, and many other historical and political distinctions. It lies between 35 and 30*^ of N. latitude, almost equally distant from Europe, Asia, and Afr"ca. 'ihe ^imous mount Ida stands in the middle of this island. Cyprus lies in the Levant .sea, about 30 miles distant from the coist rf Syria and Palestine. It was formerly farr.ons ior the worship of Vtnus, the Cyprian goddess ; acd during the time of the crusades, was a rich, flourishing ASIA. 315 kingdom, inhabited by Chiistians. It has S-l-jOOO inhab- itants. The islands of the Ionian sea r.re, S;^picnza, Stivali, Zante, Cephalonia, Santamaura, Corfu, Fannu, and oth- ers of smaller note. A&IA. Sit uallony Extent. THE continent of Asia Is situat- ed east of Europe, and lies between the equator and 80" of N. latitude. It is about 4740 mifes in length, from the Dardanelles on the west, to the eastern shore of Tar- tar)' ; and about 4S">0 miles in breadth, from the most southern pait of Malacca, to the most northern cape of Nova-Zcmbia. Boundaries. It is bounded by the Frozen ocean en the north ; on the west it is separated from Africa by the Red sea, and from Europe by the Levant or Mediterranean^ the Archipelago, the Hellespont, the sea of Marmora, tli^ Bobphorus. the Black sea, the river Don, and a line drawn from it to the river Tobal, and from thence to the liver Oby, which falls into the Frozen ocean On the east it bounded by the Pacific ocean, or South sea, which sepa rates it from' America ; and on the south by the Indian ocean ; so that it is almost surrounded by the sea. Population r^sia contains 3S0,09H, 000 inhabitants. Climate. This immense tract of country stretches into all ci, mates, from the frozen wilds of Sibeiia, to the sultry regions of India. Seas, Gulfs., isfc. The principal of these are the Red sea, or Arabian gulf, between .'Arabia and Africa, the gulf of Ormus, washinir tbe southern coast of Persia ; the Persian gulf, between Persia and Arabia ; the bay of Bengal, in- denting the coast of India ; the inland seas of Caspian^ Aral, and Baikal ; and various other gulfs, bays, and in- lets. The Caspian sea is 630 miles long and 260 broacf. It has a strong current ; is subject to violent storms. Its waters .Are brackisL It abounds wruh fish ^nd sea dogs. SI 6 ASIA. Rivers. The chief rivers of Asia are the Euphrates and Tigris, which fall into the Persian gulf; the Jndus, Gan- ges, and Burrampootcr, uhich empty into the liidian Ocean; the Yang t^e- Ki.ing and Hoang-ho, which pass through China and fall into the Eastern sea ; the Lenas ^ Oby, and Irtish, falHng into the Arctic Ocean j and the Volga, which falls into the Caspian sea. Mountains Among the most remarkable mountains of Asia is the Altayan ridge, called the Golden Mountains, and tlie Girdle of the earth, extending about ,oOO() miles in length in the northern part of the continent, and divid- inq- the Russian from the Chinese Tartars. Ne::t to the Altayan is the Uralian chain, in Siberia, forming, as far as it extends, the boundary between F.u- rope and Asia. 1"he mountains of Caucasus., extending ff om the Blitck sea to the Caspian, are the highest in Asia ; ilwlr tops are enveloped in clouds and snow. Taurus is H chain which commences in little Caramania, and ex- tends far into India. Gcr.eral Remarhs. As Asia exceeds Europe and Africa in the extent of its territoiies, it is also superior to them in the serenity of its air, the fertility of its soil, the delicious- uess of its fruits, the fragrancy and balsamick qualities of 4^ its plants, spices and gums ; the salubrity of its drugs ; *!. the quantity, vari*>ty, beauty, and value, of its gems ; the jite^ichness of its metals, and the fineness of its silks and cot- ^^ tons. It was in Asia that the all- wise Creator planted the garden of Eden, in which he formed the nrst s^an and fiist ^1 woman, from whom the race of mankind descended. Asia became again the nursery of the world after the de- luge, whence the descendants of Noah dispersed their various colonies into almost every part of the globe. It was in Asia ihal God placed his once favorite people, the Hebrews, whom he enlightened by revelation delivered by the prophets, and to whom he gave the Oracles of Truth. It was here that tlie great and merciful work of our re- demption was accomplished by his divine Son ; audit was from hence that the light of liis glorious gospel was c-rried with araazing-rapidity into all the known nations by his disciples and folwCWW^v.Here the hist christian churches were founded, and the christian faith miraculously propagated and cherished even v^ith the blcod of innumei'- TURKEY. 91Y able martyrs. It was in Asia that the first edifices were rearedratid the first empires founded, while the other parts of the globe were inljabited by wild animals. Turkey, Arabia, Persia, part of Tartary, and part of India, profess Mahometanism. In the other parts of Tar- tary, India, China, Japan, and the Asiatic islands, they are generally heathen and idolaters. Jews are to be found every where in Asia. Christianity, though planted here with wonderful rapidity by the apostles, suffered an al- most total eclipse by the conquest of the Saracens, and afterwards of the Turks. TURKEY. Boundaries^ l^c, ASIATIC Turkey is bounded north' by the Black sea and Circassia ; east by Persia ; south by Arabia and the Mediterranean ; west by the Archipelago, the sea of Marmora, and the strait of Constantinople. It lies between 28 and 45 north latitude, and between 102 and 121* east longitude; extending 1000 miles In length and 800 in breadth. Divii'wns, The eastern provinces qre as follows. Chief Toivns. 1. Fyraca Arabic or Chaldea Bassora and Bagdad. 2. Diarbec, or Mesopotamia Diarbec, Orfa, & Mousu!, 3. Curdistan or Assyria Nineveh and Betlis. 4'. Turcomania or Armenia Erzerum and Van. 5. Georgia including Mingre.| Amarchia, and ha and Imeritia, and part > ^^ . r n \ Oonie, ol Circassia j.. Natolia, or the Lesser Asia, on the west, contains the provinces of 1 . Natolla Proper 1^"""' ^^"^'' S'^^'"^* "^ *^ I- Lphesus. 2. Amasia | Amasia, Trapesond, and-^ (^ oimope. 3. Aladulia Ajazzo and Marat. 4. Caramania '' Satalia and Taresso. East of the Levant sea, is the province of Syria, with Palestine, or the Holy Land, the principal places of whicji C c 2 di8 TURKEY. are Aleppo, AntJoch, Damascus, Tyre, Sidon, TripoH, Scanderocn and Jerusalem. Lukes. In the north of Curdistan is the lake of Van, being about 80 miles long and 4-0 broad. Asphakites Lake, known also by the names of the Bah Sea, Dead Sea, and Sea of Sodom, S. of Jordan, and on the S. E. corner of the ancient Cannaan. According to Jo- sephus, it is 72 miles long and about 19 broad. Modern travellers, however, make it only 24- miles long, and 6 or 7 broad. The rivers Jordan, Arnon, Kidron and other streams empty into this lake. It has no visible com- munication with the sea. The great quantities of bitumen, slime, or mineral pitch in this lake, render its waters unfit to drink. No fish can live in it. The sulphurous steam afFecls even the fruit on the shore in some parts. This lake is supposed to occupy the ancient site of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admahj and Zeboim, and the valley of Siddim. After these cities were destroyed in the manner related ir^ the scriptures, it is supposed the spot on which they stood was sunk by an earthquake ; and some have related that, when the waters of this lake ate low, the ruins of these cities are still to be seen. When the Saviour speaks of >*' The lake of fire and brimstone,^' he is supposed to alinde to this lakse Asphaliites^ which is considered as the lasinig monument of those awful showers of fire and brimstone, by which Sodom and Gomorrah, and the other cities of the pkin, perished for their vile lusts. Near the centre of Natolia is a remarkable salt lake, 70- jniles long. Rivers. The Euphrates is the principal river of Asiatic Turkey, rising in the mountains of Armenia and falling into the Persian Gulf by several mouths. Its length is supposed to be 1400 miles. The Tigris, after a couise of 800 miles, joins the Euphrates near JBassora. The chief river of Syria is the Orontes, which falls into the Med- iterranean. Jordan, is a river of Palestine rising from. Xake Phiala in Anti-Libanus. It runs under ground IB miles, then breaks out at Peneum ; passes through Samachomite lake, anciently called Meron, 6 miles long,, 4 broad. Two miles after its leaving the lake is a stone bridge of 3 arches, called '* Jacob's Bridge," supposed to have been built before the days of Jacob. After separtit- TURKEY. 319 ing Galilee from Tracontis, it passes through the lake Tiberias ; thence, after a course of 65 miles, part of tiie \Va/ through a horrid desert, receiving the Carith, (on the bank of which Elijah was fed by ravens) and many other tributary streams, it empties into the Dead sea. It is a very rapid river, generally about 4< or 5 rods wide, and 9 feet deep, and except in freshets, runs 2 yards below the brink of its channel. The waters are turbid, but very wholesome. Mountains. The mountains of Taurus, already describ- ed, are in Asiatic Turkey. In Syria the most celebrated mountain is Libanus or Lebanon, famous for its cedars. Olympus, Ida, and others of classical fame, are on the shore of the Archipelago. Soil and Productions. The soil of the plains is exceed- ir.gly fertile, and is said to yield the various productions o almost all the regions of the earth. Population. The population of Asiatic Turkey is 11,090,000. Manners, Customs, Religion. See Turkey in Europe. Commerce and Manufactures. The commerce of I'urkey Is almost eniirely in the hands of strangers. It consists chiefly in drugs, dying stuflfs, silk and v/ool, and in cotton, carpets, and leather, which are manufactured by theTurks. Provinces and Cities. Naiolia, sometimes called Asia Minor, once contained the smaller divisions of Troas, Mysia, liLoWsy Ionia, Lydia, Bythipia, Phrygia, Lycia, Paphlagonia, Galatia, and Piaidia. The chief city is Smyrna, one of the largest and richest in the east, con- taining 15,000 Turks, 10,000 Greeks, and 2000 Jews. It fias a hne appearance and is the rendezvous of merchants from all parts of the world. Here dwell a great number of ciiristians of all sects, nations and languages. Here tlie christian religion flourishes more than in any ancient church of Asia Minor. God fulfils his promise made to them, Rev. ii. 10. Amasia, comprehends the ancient kingdom of Pontus. Its capital is Amasia, lat. 40" 31' N. Caraman JA includes part of ancient Plirygia. Satalia is the capital. Aladulia lies east of Caramania, and was formerly ail judepcadent kingdon}, JrUrasch {% jbe capita^. 320 TURKEY. CiRCAssiA lies between the Black sea, and river Cuban, it contains no city of importance j and is almost wholly subject to Russia. MiNGRELiA, bounded on- the west by the Black sea, is governed by a prince, tributary to the sovereign of I- jneritia. Georgia, the ancient Iberia, lies between Mingrelia and the Caspian sea, and is divided by a ridge of the Cauca- sus. It is partly under the dominion of Russia j the cap- ital city is Teflis. Armenia, bounded south by Georgia, and west by the Euphrates, is one of the most healthful and fertile pro- vinces of Asia. Erzerum is the capital. CuRDisTAN, the ancient kingdom of Assyria, is bounded west by the Tigris. The capital is Betlis. The ancient city of Nineveh stood on the east bank of the Tigris, in- lat. 36 SC/ north. DiARBEKiR, between the Tigris and Euphrates> is the" ancient country of Mesopotamia. Irac-Arabi, the ancient Chaldea, extends from Diarbe- kir and Curdistan north, to the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates south. Bagdad, the capital, contains 20,000 inhabitants, and is a place of resort for all the n-:er- chants of Natalia, Syria, Constantinople, Arabia, Persia, and India. I'he ancient capital of this province was the famous city of Babylon, which is supposed to have stood not far from Bagdad. The splendor of this city once surpassed description ; her walls were 87 feet thick, 350 high, 15 miles square, and the gates brass. Her towers, temples, and palaces, rose like mountains. Such a city, one would imagine, was in no danger of becoming desolate. Yet Jeremiah prophesied, "Because of the wrath of the Lord, it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly des- olate.'* Isaiah prophesied that Babylon should be de- stroyed, and ' never again inhabited j but wild beasts of the deserts shall lie there, and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures." Let us now ask several travellers, whether these things have come to pass ? If they have, the Bible is from heaven-^ Benjamin, a Jew, was there m the 12ch century, and says, " Babylon is now laid waste, and men fear to enter there, on account of the serpents and sfeprpions,'* Another tiavelier was there, 1 57*. He me^^ TURKEY. S2l tlons various ruins, and says, " they are so full of venom- ous creatures that no one dares approach nearer than half a leapue from them, excepting for two months in the win- ter, when these animals stir not from their holes." Petrus Vallensio was there in 1616, and says, " that in the middle of a vast plain, about a quarter of a league from vhe Eu- phrates, appears a heap of ruined buildings, like a huge mountain ; its situation and form corresponding with that pyramid, which Strabo calls the tower of Belus, and is in all likeiiiiood the tower of Nimrod, in Babylon." Taver- nier relates " that at the parting of the Tigris is the foun- datioa of a city : there are some of the walls standing, upon which six coaches may go abreast- The chronicles of the country say, " here stood Babylon." Hanway, who travelled in IT+'l, says, " these ruins are so much elTiceJ, that there are hardly any vestiges of them to point oat their situation.'' Ano'-her late traveller says, " there is n.^t at present a stone to tell v/here Babylon was situat- ed " W'ch Micli astonish'.ng exactness has God verified lus threatening " To sweep Babylon with the beaoni of destnictinn." ^lYBiA, or Sursistan, lies on the Mediterranean. This celcbtaied country oomprehgnds the ancient SyrlU, Judea, Phenicia and Palestine ; it is now divided into the five Pa- chalics or governments of Aleppo, Tripoli, /^cre, Damas- cus, and Palestine. It contains the ancient and celebrated cities of Aleppo, Tyre, Sidon, Damascus, Samaria, Jeru- salem, Jericho, and many others. Jerusalem is 3 mileb in circumference, and contains 12 or 1 4-. 000 inhabitants. The houses are of srone, one itory high, with flat tops, on which the inhabitants walk, cat, and sleep. They have battlements a yard high. The inhabitants are a poor, wicked race, the scum of dif- ferent nations, principally Arabs. Still the city of Jerusa- lem is interesting to every Christian. Here his delighted imagination fixes, not only on account of the splendid scenes recorded in the old Testament, not only because here the Son of God accomplished th? work of redemption, but becausehereaconstellationof prophecies are fuTfilled. Jesus Christ f-t retold that one stone should not be left upon a- nother m the temple or city In the year 118, the Jews rebelled, and Tinius Rufus destroyed the buildings which 322 ASIATIC RUSSIA. had been erected after the destruction by Vespasian, and levelled three towers which he had spared. This literal- ly fulfilled the prophecy of Christ, and proved his mission divine. Jesus Christ also prophesied, that Jerusalem should be " trodden down of the Gentiles." Adrian banished all the Jews. The place was settled by Romans aad other foreigners. The Jews are now persecuted by Mahometans ; Jerusalem is now trodden down by Gea. tiles. Antiquities. A description of the antiquities of these re- glons would too much swell this abridgement. The most splendid ruins are those of Palmyra, or Tadmor in the Des- ert. Balbec, the ancient Heliopolis, is about 50 miles northwest of, Damascus, cliiefly famous for the ruins of a temple supposed to have been dedicated to the Sun. ASIATIC RUSSIA. Extent. THE extent of the Russian dominions in Asia \e.xceeds that of all Europe. The length is about 53.50 miles ; the breadth IP60. Boundaries. This vast region is bounded on the east by the seas of Kamaschatka and Ochotsk; north by the Arctic Ocean ; west by European Russia, and souih by the terri- tories of Turkey and Prussia, and the empire of China. General Descriplion. The climate of Asiatic Russia is generally frigid, ihough in some provinces it is temperate. The south part of Siberia is fertile, producing all the ne- cessaries of life ; the north part is extremely cold and al- most uninhabited. The northern and eastern parts of this immense region are covered with almost perpetual snow, and intersected by numerous rivers, the principal of which are the Ob, the Oby, tlie Yenesei, the Angara, the Lena, and the Irtish. In the north of Siberia is the large lake of Piazinsko. In the south is the sea of Baikal. Asiatic Russia is peopled by numerous tribes, of vari- ous origin, manners and customs. The Tartars are the most numerous, who are the same with the Huns of an- tiquity. Among the distinct tribes of Tartars are the No- gays, the Kirguses, the Bashkirs, the Monguls, the Tun- guses, the Samoiedes, the liamschadales, &c. all of whonri TARTARY. 325 pY-etend to be descended from Turk, the eldest son of Japheth. The inhabitants of Siberia are of three sorts, Pagans, Mahometans and Russians. The two first awe clothed in skins, and their weal'.h consists in bows, arrows, a knife and kettle. The Russians settled here are much the same as in their native country. The country is rich in tins, and the mountains contain some mines. The most valua- ble animal is the rein deer. In Kamschatka dogs are used for carriages. The urus or bison is found among the Cau- easlan mountains. The principal Islands belonging to Asiatic Russia are the KuRiLE JsLANDs, 22 in number, extending from the southern exfremity of Kamschatka to Jap;ia.; they are valuable for their furs, particularly that of the sea otter. Onlv four of these islands are inhabited. TARTARY. TARTARY, taken In Its most extensive sense, contains all that vast country of Asia, which lies between the Arc- tic Ocean north, and Persia, Hindoostan and China south. It includes a great variety of nations, to which is applied the general name of Tartars, with a particular one often applied from their local situation. Tartary may be divid- ed into three parts, viz. Russian Tartary, Chinese Tartary, and Indfpendent Tartary The first of these divisions has been described under the preceding article. Independent Tartary lies chiefly between the lati^ tudes of 35 and 50 degrees, and is bv unded on the north by Asiatic Russia ; west by Persia and Hindoostan ; south by Hindoostan ; east by the country oi the Kalmucs. The country enjoys a fine climate, though its northern parts have excessively cold winters. The face of the country is vailegated with plains and hills, and the soil usually rich and productive. Tlie principal ridge of mountains is that snowy ridge denominated B lur Tag, on the east of Great Bacharia. The greatest river is the Jihoon, the ancient Oxus, which heads in ttie Bclur mountains. The Salt Lake, or sea of Aial, is 'iOO miles long, and 70 broad^ 100 miles eastwara oi '.he Caspian Sea. 524. TARTARY. That part of Independent Tartary, which is best known* is called Bucharia. which is divided into Great and Little Bucharia. The inhabitants value themselves on being the most robust and valiant of all the Tartars. The women also surpass the other Tartar ians in beauty, and sometimes attend their husbands to the field of war. The famous city of SamarcAnd is the capital of this country. It has some commerce in calicoes, cotton, rice, and cattle. It was the seat of Tamerlane the Great, and in his time was celebrated as the seat of learning and civ- -Uization. Chinese Tartary is bounded north by Siberia, east by the Gulf of Kamschatka and the Eastern Sea, south by China, west by the country of the Kalmucs, who are es- tablished between the Caspian Sea and Kashgar. The different tribes which at present inhabit it were formerly comprehended under the general name of Mongul or Mo- gul Tartars, a warlike and formidable nation. These Tartars have neither towns, villages, nor houses ; they form wandering hordes, and live under tents, which they transport from one place to another, as the different sea- sons, or the wants of their flocks require. Their ordinary drink is warm water, in which a little coarse tea is infused ; with this they mix cream, milk, or butter. The Moguls are free, open and sincere. They pride themselves chiefly en their dexterity in handling the bow and arrow, mount- ing on horseback, and hunting wild beasts. They burn the bodies of their dead, and transport the ashes to emi- nences, where they inter theni, and cover the grave with a heap of stones. They are unacquainted with money, and trade only by barter. The skins they use for clothing are generally those of their sheep. Their religion consists in tne worship of Fo. They have tlie most super.stiiious ven*. eraiion for their Lamas. All the Moguls are governed by khans, or particular princes, independent one of the other, but all subjected to the authority of the emperor of China, whom they consider as the grand khan of the Tartars. Chinese Tartary has 3,000,000 inhabitants ; and the Taxed Countries, subject to the Chinesa government, contain 3 1, .^00,000 souls Of these Taxed Corntries, tbe principal are, 1. Korea, whicii has its own king. Little is known of this country, as all commerce with strangers CHINA. C2.3 i^ proliibkcd. Number of inliabitants 1,500,000. 12, Thibet, or Tangiu, which see. 'i. The kingdom of An- nan, 1 0,000,000 inhabitants. The king i-naintains 1 1 r;,000 land troops, 30,000 of which are disciplined in ihe Kuro- pean manner, and 2d, 800 seamen. -I-. Tonkin, once the incot powerful of tliC Eastern Asiatic empiies, containing with the Liqueos isles, another division of the Taxed Countries, 8,000,000 inhabitants, subject to the king of Annan. All the above governments acknowledge the Emperor of China as their sovereign. CHINA. Boundaries and Extent. BOUNDED nortli by Tartary, from which it is separated by a great wall, .500 leagues in length ; east by the Yellow sea and Chinese ocean ; south by the same ocean and the kingdoms of Tonkin, Birmah", and Laos ; vest by Tliiber. It lies between 2! and .50 degrees north lat. 2030 miles long from north to south, and -190 broad. Divisions and Population. China is divided into 17 prov- inces, v/liich contain i'-i02 wiilled cities. It contains .".3:3,000,000 inhabitants according to Bairow, 188,500,000 according to Hassel. Climate. The climate and soil are various, as the differ- ent provinces are nearer to or remote from the south, se- vere cold beifrg felt at Pekin, while the southern provinces are expobcd to excessive heat. Rivers and C/ma'.s. Here are several large rivers, and where these are wanting, there are fine canals. The prin- cipal river is the Hoai-g-ho, called also the Yello'v River. U rises in Tartary, and, after a course of 2000miies, falls into the Eastern sea. Another great river is the Kiang-ku, which passes by the city of Nan-king, and falls into the r.cean, 100 miles south of tlie Hoang-ho. h) China there is scarcely a tfiwn or even a village which, has not the ad- vantage either of an arm of the sea or a canal ; by which jneans navigation ;s rendered so coninson, that almost as nany people live (n the water as on tiieiand. 'i he grand canal is one ot the wonders of art ; extending from the city of Canton to lliC e.Miemitv of the empire ; it is about D D 32G CHINA. 50 feet wide, and parses through or near 41 large cities. It has 75 large sluices to keep up the water, besides sev- eral thousand bridges. Lakes. There are several large lakes in China, well stored with fish, the chief support of the neighboring in- habitants. Soil and Productions. In seveial of the provinces, the land yields two crops a year ; yet, though the husbandman cultivates it with such care, as not to lose the smallest portion of ground, China has often been desolated by fam- ine. Its numerous mountains (which are chiefly in the north and west parts of the empire) containmines of iron, tin, copper, quicksilver, gold, and silver ; .but those of gold and silver are not permitted to be opened ; the em- perors having always feared, that if the people should be exposed to tlie temptation of these artificial riches, they would be induced to neglect the more useful labors of agriculture. Quarries of marble, coal mines, lapis lazuli, and rock crystals, are abundant in China. They have potter's earth too, of such various and superior kinds, that their celebrated fine porcelain will ever remain unrivalled. Besides the ftiiit peculiar to ihe country, China produces the greater part of those of Europe. Among the trees peculiar to China, is the tallow tree, the fruit of which has all the properties of tallow ; the wax tree ; the tsi-chu, or varnish tree ; the iron wood, which is so hard and heavy, that it sinks in water, and the anchors of the Chinese ships of war are made of it ; the camphire tree ; the bamboo reeds, the tea tree, &c. Ciinl and PoUtical History. Learning, v.'ith the'arts and sciences in general, are much cultivated, in this country. The government is absolu'e, and the emperor has the priv- liege of naming his successor, but the chief mi^ndarin has permission to tell him of liis faults. He locks upon his subjects as his -children, and professes to govern ihem ^vith paternal aircctlon. In the gniden of one his paiacis is a temple, in which is a magnificent throne. On this the emperor sits at ceilain timci, to hear and determii:e causes. Such is the virtue of tlii--, seat, iliat it is believed, that on the justice or injusricc of \k\h decrees, his life or immediate doulh depcnJ^. CHINA. 327 Their empire is very ancient, and they pretend thit it existed ni.my thoasand years beture Nouh's Hood : it is generally allowed to have continued lOOO years. The an- nual revenues of" th? crown are computed at 9,000,000/- The surplus revenue remitted to Pclvin in the year 179'i) W.IS stated to be about 12,000,001)/. steilin^. The atten- tion, precautijn, and extreme jealoii.^y of the government, h.ive not been considered sufficient ior the protection of llie empire, wichout the assistance of an immense stand- in;^ army, which in the midst of a profound peace, was stated by Vanta-gin, to consist of 1,000,000 of infant: y, and S00;000 cavalry. Their religion is paganism. Th.ey allow pivlyganr.-. The government his lat-ly published a decree, proh-biting i;ie propai;ai;oi7Mf the Christian religion in the eniplre, on pain i-f death. Liiics. Pekin, 50 miles from tlie great wall, is -he cap- ital oi China. It is six le.igut-s in circurnfcience. I'.s temples and towers are nu.merous ; and its inlKibitan-.s 2,000,000. Nanking is the largest ciiy in the cmi>irc. Canton, the only port to which Europe '.n% are admitted, ii.20 Biiles in compacs, contains 2,000,(i('0 mlvabitants, and ctten sees 5000 trading vessels at a time, v.aiting to re- ceive its rich commodities. Cur'wsiths. The most remarkable ant'Cjuity (.{ CiJtia is tlie gre.it w.i'.l, eiectcd at a remote period, \u puvent the inc'Jisions f;f tlie Tartars, it is a stupendous woikj tra- versing rnou,-;L.-t!ns ?.vA vallies, a!iJ crowned with towers. lu.iiui:. \.\ t;i': Chinese sea are several islands ot ccnse- quvnce. H a i n a n , sepii .iicd from the pi ovince of Qiiang- long by a narr.r.v s'.i.iiu is 'A) leagues long, an I 25 broad. It contains mines of go'd avA lapi.--. l.i/.uli, -awX many torts ot valuable wc';d. The natives are d jlorn:cd, small in stature, and ot a copper culor. Foi.:: )SA, on the northeast coast, is 210 miles long by GO broctd. it produces two lnirve.sts in a yei'.r ; and has a riv.li variety *'e of Siberia and 'LVa-tary. We are inform.:d that it is _yenera]iy divided into tlnee parts, Upper, Middle, and Lower 'Thibet. I he upper divisicm seems to respect tlie countries toward; the sources of the Ganges and Sanpoo rivers ;'lhe middle, i.hat iii wi-icis Lassa is situated, and of which it terms the cen- tre ; and the Lower Thibet, that which bcrders on On'na ; but the subject is obscure. Little 'i'hibet, which isbilnat- ed between Upper Thibet and Cashgar, is rather a dc ]!endency of tlie hatter, than of Great Thibet. t^lonsidering the exceeding rough and sterile state of tie country ot Thibet, and tire severity of its ciirriate fron'i its v/onderfid elevation., we are astonislied to find its inhabit- ants in a high state of civilization ; their houses lolty ai;d. built of str;ne ; and the useful manufactures in som-- Jc^ j';ree of improvement. All these advantages they prooaoiv v}we to their vicinny to the Chinese, to v'hom the larjj.i is in some respects triburaty. The Thiberians are governed by the grand, lama, w!iO h not only adored by them, but is also the object of ado- ration for the various tribes of pagan 'I'artars, who walk through the vast extent of continent, which stretches from the Volga to Corea. He is not only the sovereign pon- tiff, the vicegerent of the Deity on earth, but by the moie remote Tartars is absolutely regarded as the Deity Ihmsclf. T^hey believe him to be immortal, and endowed \tuh all knowledge ani virtue. Every year they come from dif- iVrent parts to worihip, and m.ike rich olicrirgs at his HINDOOSTAN. r,2j '-y shiiiic. Even the emperor of Cliina acknowledges the lama in his reh'glous capacity ; although, as a tempoial sovereign, the Lima himself is tributary to him. The o- pinion of the most orthodox Thibetians. is, that when the .<:;rand iama seems to die, either of old age or infirmity, his soul, in reality, only quits a crazy habitation, to look for another younger or better ; and it is discovered again in the body of some child, by certain tokens, known only to the priests, in wliich order he always appears. Beside the religious influence and authority of the grand lama, he is possessed of unlimited power throughout his doniin= :ons. The religion of Thibet differs, in many respects, from that of the ancient Bramins, yet, in other things, they have a great afiinicy. The Thibetians have a g:eat veneration for the cow, and liighly respect also the waters of the Gan- ges, the source of which they believe to be in heaven. The Sunnius'ios, or Indian pilgrims, often visit Thibet as a holy- place ; and the lama always maintains a body of nearly 300 of them in his p.iy. This is o;;e of the least favored countries in the world, Low, rocky hills, without vegetation, extensive arid plains, of stubborn a'ipect, promise little proUuce, and are gener- raily incapable of culiure. The climate is ;,o cold, that it drives ilie people to valleys, hollows, and sheiter-ng rocks, "^rhe Hocks of wild fowls, beasts of pcey, and herds, are as- tonishing. The dead are consumed by fire, or devourt ti by beasts, tivj mortal remains of the sovereign iamas excepted, 'i'hese are biuied, sometimes in a coifin of gold. Under the portico of the mausoleum are priests, who read and pray always upon the same spot, and k'^ep alive the sacred fire that burns before the shrine. They occasionally r lieve each other. Thibet contains 12,000,000 inhabitant;-.. Tha missicv. aries esLimatc th.em at i;3,000;000. HINDOOSTAN, Udiu.ljr'us and Extent. FflNDOOS TAX, culled a]^> NOiA ON' THIS siuK Ti' ( f A s '. 1-. s, lics b'jtv'een 8 and . f)30 HINDOOSTAN. degrees north latitude, and is bounded on the nortli t>v Tartary and Thibtt ; east by Assam and Arracan ; south by tl-.e sea ; west by the river Indus ; ISOO miles long, and iGOO broad. Climate. The climate towards the north is temperate ; but hot in the south. It rains almost constantly for thiee months in the year. Rivers. The Indus, the Ganges, and the Burrampoc ter, far exceed th.e other rivers of Hindoostan in magni- tude. The Ganges is one of the finest rivers in the world. It is revered by the Hir.doos as a deity who is to wash a- way all their sins. Its v/hole course is 2100 miles ; it empties into the sea by several mouths. Productiorisr 'I'he. vegetable products of Hindoostan are almost innumerable, and exirernely luxuriant. The strain most cultivated is rice. AH kinds of fruit suited to the climate, are produced here in abundance. The domestic animals are buffaloes, sheep, camels, elephants. Of wild quadrupeds are the rhinoceros, the Bengal tiger, monkies, wild boars, 5cc. The mines of Golccnda have long been celebrated for diamonds. Fopulat'wn, Religion^ Is'c. The inhabitants of Hindoostan are computed at about 10,000,000 Maliometans, and 1 00,000,000 Hindoos. 'I'he Mah.ometans, or Mussulmans, are represented ro be ofa detestable character. I'he Hin- doo':, or GenLoos, are of a black complexion ; their hair is long, their persons straight and elegant, and their coun- tenances open and pleasant. They differ materially from aVi other nations by being divided into tribes or casts. The lour principal are, the Bramlns, Soldiers, Laborers, and Mechanics ; and these are subdivided into a miulti- plicity or inferior distinctions. Their institutions of religion form, a complete system of uv.perstitlon, upheld by every thing which can excite tf.e reverence of the people. The temples, consecrated to their deities, are m.aeniticent ; their religious ceremonies splen- did ; and the absolute dominion, which the Biarnins have obtained over the minds of the people, is supported by the command of the immense revenues, with which the liber- A'xi)' of prinees, and the zeal of pilgrims and devotees^ have erinched their pagodas. The dominion of religion eyt.^nds to a thousand pr.rticulars, v-iiich in other couiiUiea INDIA. SSI are governed by the civil laws, or by taste, custom, or fashion. Their dress, their food, the common intercourses (if life, their marriages, and their professions, are all un- dv-^r the jurisdiction of rehgion. Polilical Geography. Hindoostan is divided into a great number of separate and independent governments. The company of English merchants, trading to the East-In- dies, lias acquired possessions, which, in point of extent and population, surpass the whole British empire in Eu- rope. I'he Mogul empire being reduced to insignificance, the English may be considered as the ruling power in Hindoostan. i he principal mass of the British posses- sions consists of the rich and populous provinces of Bahar % and Bengal. The capital of British India is Calcutta, situated ou a branch of the Ganges, 100 miles from the sea, but accessible by the largest merchant ships. It is supposed to contain half a million of people, who are a mixture of various nations. It is the residence of the governor general, oi the courts of justice, and of the offi- cers civil and military. Dehli, the capital of the Mogul empire, was the most _*?lebraied city of India, before it underwent the terrible vijdevastation of the conqueror. Nadir Shah. It still pos- 'x^sses many remains of ancient grandeur and opulence. IXDIA BEYOND THE GANGES. B'^una.irics /3nd Extent. THIS peninsula is bounded by Thibet and Cuina on the north ; by China and the Chi- nese sea, east ; south by the same sea and the straits of Malacca ; west by Hindoostan, and the bay of Bengal. It lies between 1 and SO degrees north latitude ; iiOOO miles long, and 1000 broad. Divisions. India beyond the Ganges is naturally distrib- uted into a number of separate and independent states ; of which those that are best known will be briefly noticed, ASSAM Is bounded west by Bengal and Bootan, north by Tl:.". bet, and southeast and south by Meci;ley. The riycx ^u:- 532 BIRMAN EMPIRE. xampooter runs through the whole length of it. Its capi- tal is Ghergon. The open parts are marked with popula- tion and tillage ; the woods abound with elephants. The mountains are inhabited by a people called Nauacs, who go naked and eat dogs, cats, mice, locusts, &c. The oth- er inhabitants of Assam have no hxed religion, or rules of life. They eat all flesh except human, even animals that die a natural death. They are enterprising, savage, vin- dictive, and fond of war. They have neither horses, asses, nor camels ; but they are sometimes brought there from other countries. Asses they are fond of, but are so much afraid of a horse, that one trooper would put a hundred ^ of them to flight Assam lies between 26 and 28 degrees ^aorth latitude, and contains 2,000,000 inhabitants. BIRMAN EMPIRE. The Birman Empire comprises the kingdoms of AvA and Pegu, and derives its name from the Birmahs, a warlike nation of the peninsula. The articles of com- merce are rice, cotton, teek- timber, vastly superior to oak for ship building, on which the English East- India compa- ny greatly depend ; aloes, spices, emeralds, rubies, sap~ phires, &:c. They have mines of copper, lead, and siJver, The climate is healthy, and the soil fettiie. Their system of jurisprudence is replete with sound morality. Their laws are conscientiously administered. When a man dies intestate, three fourths of his estate goes to his children born in wedlock. They burn their dead; but people of high distinction are embalmed, and kept six or eight weeks ; honey is the principal ingredient used to preserve the body. The population of the empire is supposed to be 17,000,000. In the flat part of the country, which is liable to be over- flowed, the houses are built upon stakes, and in time of in- undations, the inhabitants communicate with each other by boats. Pegu was an independent kingdom, till 175\ ; when the king of Bfemah made it a province. The or- deal trial is common here by putting the head under wa- ter, or the hand into hot oil, or melted lead. If i\\e accus- er fail he must suifer what is due to the guilty. The capital of the empire is UMMARAPOORA,on a branch f the Irawaddyj and not far from Ava, the ancient cap- SI AM, MALACCA. , 333 hA, which, as well as Pegu, the former capital of the king- dom ol Pegu> is abanJor.ed to ruin. SI AM. The kingdom of Siam is hounded north by Chma, e;ist by Laos and Camboviia, south by the gulf of Si;im, west by die bay of Bengal and Pegu ; 5.30 mdes in lengcli, jnd '2')0 in breadth, though in some places not above 50. Siam and Malacca contain l,jOO,()00 inhabirancs. It is a fl;it co'intry, ;;nd in the rainy season is ove:fl!)wed : for whic!) reason most of the hou^ies aie bu'lt on inllars, and have no communication ior some months but by b acs. The government is despotic, and the people i)oor. Tlier^,, are mmjs of gold, silver, tin and coppei, and plenty of rice,'^. cot'on, aloes, bepjamln, &c. The tame cattle are beeves, buifaioes, and hogs. The woods abound witl' elephants, rhiaocer-ises, leopards, and tijrers. Tne inhabitani.-., both men and women, yo almost n.iked, bin "he better sn' t wear ricii garments. They are ofien mothers at twelve years of ag.. riie king shows him^ed but once a year to the C'jmmcn people. He is prc^^r-ctor of ail the lands iri the coi.m.ry, amt keeps a nunie-ous army, am'>ng wiiich are loot) eiepiiaiits. Tlieir teuioles and prie'^is are very j/ume'-i'iis. ' ,'ey have schools for the education of their ci'iidren, and tliere is scarce any among them that cannot ie:;d and write. Siam, t!ie capital of the king:iom, is on Cu: Mei:.in, near its niuuih, in the gulf of Siam. MALACCA L> a penlnra.ila and kingdom, bounded north by Siam, e i.-t by the oc-ean, and soudiwest by the straits of Malac- Ld ; ()<:(i miles long, and ilOO broad. It produces fev,- cr,nm;odities for trade, except tin, and elepliant's tectli ; but there are many excellent fruits and roots. The reli- gion of the natives has a mixture of Mahometanism ; and tiicy are addicted to juggling. 'I'he inland inhabitants ;;re a savage, barbarous people, who take delight in doing ir.i'-chiei to their neighbors. The capital is Malacca, a ieaport on ilie straits of that name. 334 PERSIA. LAOS. To the eastward of Siain and Ava is the kingdom of Laos ; a flat country, surrounded by mountains and cov- ered with forests. The large river Mecon crosses the whole region. The climate is temperate and healthful ; the soil fertile and rich in mines. The king is an abso- lute, independent prince, and acknov,-ledges no superior. The kingdom contains 3,000,000 souls. CAM30DL\ Lies south cf Laos, and, like that country, is inclosed by mountains, and fertilized by the large river Mecon. gum. Mines of gold and precious stones every where a- bound. la the forests are elephants, lions, and tigers. The soil produces abundance of corn, rice, and various medicin-il drugs. The most peculiar product is Gamboge The inhabitants are not numerous ; their religion is idol- atry. Cambodia, the capital; is on the river Mecon. COCHIN CHINA. On- the eastern coast of India is the kingdom of Coch- in China, separated from Laos and Cambodia on the west by a range of mountains. The Vv-hole country is intersect- ed by rivers. The climate is h-:althy. No country pro- duces a greater variety of articles for commerce, such as spices, fruits, d'iferent sorts of wood, ivory, gold, silver, &c. The manners of tlie people closely resemble those of the Chinese. They are pagans. ^v^ PERSIA. Boundaries^ Exfent^ and Popuhition. The kingdom of Persia is bounded north by G.'.'orgia, the Caspian sea, and Usbec Taitary, west by Tuikey and Arabia, south by the gulfs of Persia and Ormiil^-.and the Arabian sea, east by Hindoostan proper; 1220 miles from east to west, 900 from north to south. It has 22,000,000 inhabitants. RlverS' The chief rivers are the Tigris and Amuc. ARABIAo 335 Climate and ProJuciions. In the north and east parts it Is mountainous and cold ; in the middle and southeast parts, sandy and desert ; in the south and west, level and fertile, though for several months very hot. The soil pro- duces all sorts of pulse and corn, except oats and rye. In several places, naphtha, a sort of bitumen, rises out of the ground ; and there are mines of gold, silver, iron, turcois stones, and salt ; the two first are not worked, on account of the scarcity of wood. Among the excellent products of Persia, are dates, pistachionuts, and poppies that pro- duce the finest opium. They have extensive plantations of mulberry trees for silk worms ; and large flocks of slieep and goats. Their camels, horses, mules, asses, ox- en, and buffaloes, are the best of their kind, and are in- diiferently used for carrying passengers or burdens, the horses excepted, which are only used for the saddle. Manufactures. The pi incipal manufactures are silks, sat- ins, tabbies, taffjtas, and bilk mixed with cotton, or with camel's or goat's hair ; brocades, gold tissues, and gold velvet, carpets, calicoes, camlets, &c. Their dying is pre- ferred to any thing of the kind in Europe. Cmll and Political History. During the last centuryj Persia was desolated by competitors for the sovereignty. So late as 1 S07, there was a formidable insurrection a- gainst the Persian mona!ch, headed by Been Sing, a man' of extraordinary enterprise and couiage. The Persians are generally Mahometans, of the sect of AH. Ispahan, a celebrated city, is the capital of Persia. It contains 1,000,000 inhabitants. Shiras and Tcflis are large and populous cities. ARABIA. ARABIA is bounded on the west by the Red Sea, and the Isthmus of Suez wortheast by the Euphrates, which divides it from the ancient Mesopotamia ; east by the gulfs of Persia and Ormus ; and south by the Indian o- cean. On the noith, this cnnntfy runs up to an angle, abni't 100 miles east of Palmyra, vliich is not included im Arabia. It lies between 12 'JO and 31 .'^0 norih latitude, extending 1800 miles in length, and biOO average bicadtb, '636 ARABIA. and has 10,000,000 inhabitants. It is divided into ihret parts, Arabia Petrasa, Arabia Deserta, and Arabia FeHx, Arabia Petrasa is the smallest of the three, and towards the north is full of mountains, with few inhabitants, on ac- count of its barrenness. It liad its name from the town Petrsea, its ancient capital, now destroyed. It differs little from Arabia Deserta, so called from the nature of the soil, which is generally a barren sand 5 but there are great flocks of sheep and herds of cattle near the Euphra* tes, where the land is good. In the desert are great num- bers of ostriches, and there is a fine breed of camels in sev- eral places. But of all their domestic animals, the Ara- bians put the greatest value on their horses ; which can bear the greatest fatigues, pass whole days without food, and show uncommon courage against an enemy. Arabia Felix is so called on account of its fertility with regard to the rest. The Arabs in the desert live in tents, and remove from place to place, partly for the sake of pasture, and partly to lie in wait for the caravans, whom they often rob, as they travel over part of this desert. Arabia Felix produces frankincense, myrrh, balm of Gilead, gum Arabic, and coffee, of which latter they export prodigious quantities. Mahomet was a native of this country ; and his followers, soon after his death, conquered a great part of Asia, Afri- ca, and Europe, establishing their religion wherever they came. The Arabs are the descendants of Ishmael, of whom it was foretold, " that their hands should be against every man, and every man's against them." This is now uniformly true. The Arab in every clime is the same ; a pirate on the sea, and a robber on the land. The capital of Aiabia is Mecca, an ancient atid famous town of Arabia Deserta. The, number of pilgrims, who yearly visit this place, is almost incredible MiDiNA, aljout 50 mil^s from the JJ^-Sea, is the place to which Mahomet fled, when he wakl^lfecn out of Mec- ca. It contains a magnificent mosque, 'M'v^hich 300 lamps are kepi always burning. The Arabs compute their time from tie flight of Mahomet, which was in the 622d year of the Christian era. JAPAN. 537 JAPAN. ON the eastern verge of Asia is the powerful empire cf Japan, consisting of three large and a number cf smaller islands. It lies about 1 60 leagues eastward of tl^e coast cf China and Corea. The author of the Church History of Japan, published in 1700, computes all those islands to contain about (iOO leagues in compass. All the coasts cf this empire are surrounded wich craggy, high, and inacces* bible mountains, and shallow boisterous seas, and their creeks and bays are for the most part choked up with rocks, shelves, sands, and whirlpools ; so that Providence seems to have excluded it from all communication with the rest of the world. The country is no less pleasant and invit- ing within, that its avenues are discouraging and frightful. It is sufficiently fertile to supply the wants of the inhabit- ants, and to furnish other countries with rice ^nd corn. The country abounds v/ith rivulets, lakes and springs ; they have plenty of sweet, as well as medicinal waters, and fish- Japan breeds a great number of horses : though not; so large as those of Europe, yet they are very beautiful, and highly valued. The forests abound with ail sorts of wild beasts, of the furs of which they make considerable traffic, as well as nf elephant's teeth. But the great riches of this empire consist in the fineness of their metals and minerals. Earthquakes heie are frequent and sometimes very terrible, burying whoie towns under their ruins. The religion of the Japanese is gross heathenism and idolatry. The government of Japan is despotic The emperor Iras the power ct life and death overall his subjects. The inlial)itants amount to 1.', 000, 000. The army consists of 1 00,000 foot and ^0,000 horse. Thvir arms are muskets, bows and arr-v. s, jijaj- j;^ rs and scimetars. The Japanc-'setfl^ B& mc'Jest and courteous, just in their deai'ngs, and vclipfl^enious in manufactures. They trade willi every people except the Chine:-e and Dutch. The ca; itrii cf tlie empire is Ji.i)U0y,.0ii the island of N'p':on, said to be '21 leagues in ctfcomferencc. Tlie n;imcs of the largest inlands are K-iusiA, tJiKOFF and E E 338 ORIENTAL ISLANDS. ORIENTAL ISLANDS. UNDER this head we include the island of Ceylon, the Maldives, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Sunda Isles, Borneo, tlie Manillas, the Celebezian Isles, and the Spice Islands. These lie in what is called the Oriental Archipelago. Ceylon lies southeast of the peninsula of India, from wliich it. is separated by a narrow sea. It is of an oval ^orm, 80 leagues long ; the soil is exceedingly fertile, pro- belongs to the Engli Tiie inland parts are governed by native princes, and are lirtle known. It has 600;000 inhabitants. The MALnivEs, a cluster of small islands, in numWv about 1000, lie southwest of Ceylon. The inhabitants are Mahometans and Pagans. Cocoa is the most valuable production.. The Andaman Ielakds, two in number, are near thi entrance of the Bay of Bengal, called Great and Little Andaman. They are loaded with thick forests, almost iirpenetrablc. '1 lie people are a savage race of beings. There :s a small British settlement here. TheNiCOBAR Islands are at the entrance of the gulf of Bengal. They are almost entirely uncultivated ; but the cocoa and other tropical fruits grow spontaneously to the '<>^reatest perfection. The irihabitants are not numerous. Tire Sunda Isles embrace Sunda, Java, Balli, Lorn- bok, Lumbava, Timor, and several smaller ones in the vi einity cS these. SuNOA is the westernmost of this drain. The equator divides it into nearly equal parts. It is 900 miles long, and 1 50 broad. A chain of high mounttaigs runs through the island. The soil prcJrrccs all kindsm tropical fruits and c;rains. Tigers, elephants, monkeys, and other wild beasts are runrerons. The inhabitants are Malays, A- checnese, Bt^ttafi 'iiantipocns, and Rejangs. Java is separated fnDiin Sumatra by a narrow sea, call- ed the Strait of Sunda. This island, with Madura, has '.'7^>0Q0 inhabl:antf The Dutch liave establishments on ORIENTAL ISLANDS. 339 this Island, the chief cf which are Batavia and Bantam. The other islands are divided into several kingdoms, or states. The productions are various and valaablc. Of the other Sunda isles little is known. Borneo is 900 miles long, and QOO broad. The c.->asts are peopled by Mahjys, Moors, and Japanese. The orai i- outang is a native of this island. It is situated directly under the equa'ior. The north part is possessed by the English. It has 5,000,000 inhabiia .:s. TIicMamllas, or Philippine Islands, 1 1 00 in num- ber, lie 300 miles southeast of China. Manilla, or Luzon, is the largest and most important. They ;iie all in th > possession of Spain The inhabitants are Chinese, Ethio- pians, Malays, Spaniards, Portuguese, and Mes'.ers, wliich are a mixture cf all the others. Their siMaaiion between uhe two continents is such, that clie InliabitAi^.ls carry on U commerce v.-ith Me.\ico ^ird Peru, as well as with India. Oald, copper, and iron are nmcnp: the products. Tlie city of Manilla contaiiis 33, GOO inliabitants, Celeeezian Isles. Of tiicse Cekbes, or Macacsar, in latitude 1 59 north, is the principal, it is a ddiglic- ful spot ; the fruits are ripe all the year. T!:c natives a:e Mahometans. Around CclL-bcs ar-; many small iiland.-', governed by their native chiefs. They have 3,000,000 inhabitants. The Spice Island:, called also tho Molvccas, lie iii the comp.iss oi" 23 leiirr-.e:, south of the Phihpijiu -s, 1 iicir cl;ief produce is cloves, mace, and munieg.', which aie mo- nopolized by the Dutch. Tcrnaie is the largest of the group. Ambov:;a, bef>veen the 3d and 'kh degrees s:.,!u]i hi^- tude, is 70 miles in ci; cun;ier^||||^efcntlc>i by a Dutcl: g irison. The Basda, or Nutmeg S^HHae between 4 and 5 dt.'- grees south latitude, and are chiefly in the possession o: the B.M'.ish. These islands contain about 5000 souh. ^. 340 AFRICA. AFRICA. Boundam: and Extent. AFR I C A is a peninsula, joined to Asia b}' the Isthmus of Suez, 60 miles over, between rhe Red sea and rhe Ileditenancan. It is bounded on the north by the I - iditerranean, which separates it from Europe ; east I^y the Ist])mi;s cf Suez, the Red sea, and the Indian ocean ; sovrdi by the Southern ocean; west ty the Atlantic, u-hich divides it from America. Hassel who is pe.'^haps the best aiuhority, in his Statis- tical Tabits, published in icJl^ dhid-.J Africa as follows. Dlvluon'. No. Inhab. 1 Ai\^d(j m oi i/lo:occo .0,000,000 *u-. Free it./ ito of Algiers 1,500,000 i. jjc: >. Tin: is ] ,000,060 4. Jjc ). 'iVipoli 1,000.000 5. Kin^^do rn of Abvisinia 1,000,000 (>. Pos^-csi ons of the Ottoina;; er npire. 3,. 5 00, 000 7. Do. of Spain 4 1-0,000 . Do. of Great- Britain J 85,000 9. Do. of Franco 1 1 ate excessively hot, the coasts and inany parts of the countiy ^re well peopled. The -sihtives of these scorching regions would as soon ex- pe^JBjM||:Mble should melt and flow in liquid str.'ams, as tnaPw^lr. should be conofealed by cold and cease t6 i]o-,v. . < -m- The rivers iiWDis pirt of the globe are not to be com- pared widi r^any in Vthe other quarters. The most con- siderable a: i-^r; Senegal; Gambiaj ;ind Nile. The AFRICA. 34t Niger, according to Paik, rises in a chain of lofty moun- tains, north lat. il, and runs to the east. Its mouth has not been discovered. It annually overflows its banks, fertilizing the country. The Senegal has its source 100 miles west from that of the Niger, and enters the Atlantic, lat. 15 50 north. The head of the Gambia is more than 100 milej wosc from that of the Senegal; with man7 windings, its course is nearly west, till it enters the ocean, lat. 13 30 north. Tlie Nile divides Egypt into two parts^ aj;;d discharges itself into the Mediterranean, after a pro- aigious course from its source in Abyssinia. The most considerable mountains in Africa are the At- las, a ridge extending from the Western ocean, (to wliich it gives che name of Atlantic ocean) as far as Egypt. The mountains of the Moon, extending themselves between Abyssinia and Monomopata, and are still higher than those of Atlas. Those of Sierra Lcona, or mountains of the Lions, which divide Nigritiafrom Guir.ea, and extend as far as Ethiopia. These were styled by the ancients the mountains of God, on account of their being subject to thunder and ligKfMfeg^. The mos: noted capes or promontories in this country are Cape Verd, so called because ihe land is always cover- ed wiih green trees and mossy grounds. It is the most Wijsteriy point of the continent of Africa. Tlie cape of Good Hope, so denominated by the Portuguese", when they first went round it, in 1198, and discovered the passage to Asia, is the south extremity of Africa, in the countty of the Hottentots. There is.but ofm^trait in Africa, which is called Babelmandeb, and is the coTnauinication between- the Red bea and"^he Indian oceajjjSfe Africa once con|^^iiied severM^K^orr^s and states, em- inent for the liberal arts, for ^|^^p)d power, and the most eictensive commerce. The Ic^^oms of Egypt and Ethiopia, in particular, were much celebrated ; ^ind the rich and powerful state of Carthi^e, that once foirM^bh rival to Rome itself, extended her commer of the then known world ; ev^'n the visited by her fleets, till .Ji'.ba, who wa.*- but tributary to the ropr.Llic ot Cartli cd in the Romans, who, will) Uic a>.si tanians, subdued Carth.ige, and by dej E E 'J 342 EGYPT. boring kingdoms and states. After this, the natives, ccn stantly plundered, and consequently impoverished, by the governors sent from Rome, neglected their trade, and cul- tivated no more of their lands than might serve for their subsistence. Upon the decline of the Roman empire, in the fifth century, the north of Africa was overrun by the Vandals, who contributed still more to the destruction of arts and sciences ; and, to add to this country's calamity, the Saracens made a sudden conquest of all the coasts of Egypt and Barbary, in the seventh century. These were succeeded by the Turks ; and both being of the Mahom- etan religion, whose professors carried desolation with them wherever they came, the ruin of that once flourishing part of the world was thereby completed. The inhabitants of this continent with respect to relig- ion, may be divided into three s6rts ; Pagans, Mahome- tans, and Christians, The first have bef?n considered the most numerous, possessing the greatest part of the coun- try, from the tropic of Cancer to the Cape of Good Hope, being generally black. Bat recent discoveries lead us to suppose the Mahometans a.'-e more nuqaerous, who areof a tawny complexion, possessing Egypt, and almost all the northern shores of Africa, or what is called the Barbary coast, with many tribes in the interior. The people of Abyssinia or the Upper Ethiopia, are denominated Cluis- tians, but retain many Pagan and Jewish rites. There are also some Jews on the north of Africa. There are scarcely any tvi'o nations, or Indeed any two learned men, that agree in the modern divisions of Africa ; and for this reason, that scarcely any traveller has pene- trated into the heart of the country ; consequently, we jnust acknowledge ^r ignorance of the bounds, and even the names of several x)f the inland nations, winch may be still reckoned among the unknown and undiscovered part, f the world. i ^ EGYPT. THIS once' celebrated country is bounded on the north by the Mediterranean ; east by the Red ica, and Isthmus f Suez 5 south by the mcu.ntains which separate it from EGYPT. 34-5 Nubia ; west by the deserts of Lybia. Its length, from north to south, is 500 miles ; its breadth 160. Egypt is divided into Upper and Lower ; the former extending in a long and narrow valley, the outline being- formed by two ridges of mountains, beyond which on eacii side, are sandy deserts. In this valley rolls the Nik', so celebrated, that the natives near its source pay to it di- vine honors. Lower Egypt includes all the country be- tween Cairo and the Mediterranean, on the north and south, and between Lybia and Suez on the east and west. Bounded by sandy deserts, it contains slips of land, well cultivated and fertile, on the borders of the river and ca- nals ; and in the centre, the tract called the Delta, form- ed by the branches of the Nile. The climate of Egypt is excessively hot. The fertility of its soil, and the excellence of its productions, are great- ly celebrated by ancient writers. To the overflowing of the Nile, Egypt is indebted for- ks fertility. Its increase, occasioned by the torrents of rain which fall yearly on the mountains of Abyssinia, is not much perceived till the summer solstice. It continues increasing till near the end of August, and often even in September. The Nilome.er, at Elephantina, formerly de- noted to what degree the inundation would rise. T'he ex- perience of ages had afforded marks known to those whose trust it was to watch. Among the cultivated products are rice, wheat, barley, lentils, millet, flax, beans, sugar canes, and medicinal plants. Tiie government is composed of a pacha, sent from Constantinople, and 24 beys, who are at the head of the ar- mies, and enjoy all the power. The real natives are the Copts, who are the only descendants from the ancient E- gyptians. These are Christians, though numerous super- ititious practices are mingled with their worship. Tho Arabs constitute two thirds of the present inhabitants. There are a lew Turks, and some Syrians, Greeks and Jews. I'he amount of the v,-hole is about 4,000,000. The splendid and magnificent ruins, found in Egypt, five evident p.oofs of the enlightened understanding of the ancient inhabitants. Tlie pyramids arc reckoned one of the greatest wonders of the world ; the largest takes up slcven acres of grouud, and io 500 feet in perpendicular 344' NUBIA, DAR-FOOR. height. Here are found caverns containing mummies, or embalmed bodies, which are found in coffins, standing up- right, where it is supposed thay have coatinued 4000 years. Alexandria, on the Mediterranean sea, 40 miles west of the Nile, was once the emporium of all the world. RosETTA, 25 miles west of Alexandria, is a place of great trade. Cairo, the present capital of Egypt, is a large and populous, but a disagreeable place on account of its pes- tilential air and narrow streets. The other towns of note in Egypt, are Damietta, supposed to be the ancient Pelu- slum ; Sayd, the ancient Thebes j and Suez, a seaport on the Red Sea. NUBIA. TO the south of Egypt lies the kingdom of Nub'a, or Senacr. The Nile runs through it ; on the banks of the river it is fruitful, but in other places barren, sandy, and destitute of water. The inhabicants make their bread and drink of a small seed, called doca, or seif, which is very ill tasted. Their houses have mud walls, are very low, and are covered with leeds. The dress of the better sort is a vest without sleeves, and they have no coverings for their heads, legs and feet. The common people wrap a piece of linen cloth about them, and the children go quite naked. They are a stupid, debauched people, professing to be Mahometans. The productions of the country are gold, elephant's teeth, civel, and sandal wood ; and a great many slaves are sent into Egypt. The principal towns, known to the Europeans, are Dangola and Senna. DAR-FOOR IS a kingdom of Africa, whose population is supposed to be 200,000 souls. The territory is extensive and woody. In the dry season, nothing but barrenness is visible ; in the rainy, the country is covered with vegetation. The inhabitants are Mahometans. It lies southeast of Bergoo, and west of Kordofan. ABYSSINIA, EASTERN COAST. S45 ABYSSINIA. THIS kingdom lies south of Sena:ir and Dar-Foor, 300 leagues long and 280 broad. The surface of the country is generally rugged and mountainous, abounding in for- ests and morasses. It is also interspersed with some fer- tile valleys and plains. Besides the Nile, which has its source in this country, there are some ether large rivers. Ti;e principal collection of water is the lake er sea of D^'nibea. The climate of Abyssinia is tolerable. The rainy sea- son begins In May and lasts tili September. The inhabit- ants, 1,800,000 in number, are Christians, Mahom.etans, Jews and Pagans. The professed religion of the country- is C/iristianicy ; but it is mixed v-{th many Pagan and Jewish ceremonies. Their houses are very mean. The crown is hereditary. '1 he capital punishments are cruci- fixion, fl.iying alive, stoning, and plucking out the eyes. EASTERN COAST. THE eastern coast of Africa, from the entrance of the Red sea to the Cape ot Good Hope, is but little known. It is pos-iCssed by numerous tribes, forming states and kingdoms indej:'endent of each other. 'Phe coast of Ajan extends l.'3(]0 leagues along t!:e In- dian ocean, and is divided into several states or kingdonif, tiie nrincipal of which are Adel and Magadoxo. '1 he country is i'ertile, producing plenty of provisions. It car- ries on a prontabie commeice of provisions and horses, which are exchanged with foreign merchants for silks, cot- tons, and other cloths. The inhabitants arc Mahometans. Zanguehar lies between " degrees north and 18 south latitude. It includes several petty kingdoms, in which the Portuguese have settlements. The inhabitants, except tliose converted by the Portuguese, are either Mahome- tans or Pagans, the latter m.uch the most numerous. 'Phe principal states are Momba/.a, Lamo, Melinda, Quiola, Mosambique and Sofala. The Portuguese trade for slaves, 346 SOUTHERN AND WESTERN COASTS. ivory, gold, ostrich feathers, wax, and drugs. The pro= ductions are much the san-.e as in other parts of Africa, between the tropics. SOUTHERN PARTS. THE country of tlie Hottentots covers the southern point of Africa ; bounded north by countries unknown ; southeast, south and west by the sea. The coast is moun- tainous, indented by bays. There are no considerable kingdoms throughout this exi-jnsive country ; the whole is inhabited by different tribes of Hottentots, governed by chiefs, who have no fixed residence, hving Hlie the Arabs in huls or portable houses, and rernoving their villages whenever the pasture becomes too bare for the subsistence of their cattle. At the souchetn point of the continent, is the Cape of Good Hope, containing a town, in which are about 5500 whites, and 10,000 b'n.cks. Ir, was settled by the Portu- guese and D:uch, but was taken by the English in I8OG5 and stiil remains in their possession. WESTERN COAST. CONGO is a general name for the country between the equiuoxiai line and 18 degrees south latitude, containing the kingdoms of Congo proper, Loango, Angola, and Bengutla. It was discovered by the Portuguese, in 1481. It is sometimes cidled Lov/er Guinea. The Portugucie have a great many settlements on the coast, as v.cil as in llie inland couiitry. Thcie are many desert places wi.hin land, in which are elephants, tigers, leopards, monkeys, and monstrous serpents ; but near the coast, the soil isexcecd- int^ly fertile ; and there are fruiis of many kinds, besides pr.ra trees, from which the inhabitants get wine and oil. They are skilful in weaving cotton cloth. Their articles of tralhc are slaves, cassia, ivory, and tamarinds. The greater part of them go almost naked. They worship the suo; n,oon, and stars, and also animals of different kinds ; but thf Portuguese have made many converts to Christian-^ STATES OF BARBA6.Y. MOROCCO. 34? ty. Congo, properly so called, is only 150 miles broad, along the coast, but is 872 Inland. From March to Sep- tembei is the winter season, when it rains almost every- day ; and the summer is from October to March, when the weather is very hot. The river Zaire is full of croco- diles and river horics The principal town is St. Salvador. Upper-Guinea, so called to distinguish it from Congo, is divided into three parts j the Grain coast, Guinea prop- er, and Benin, and extends about 500 leagues along the coast. The Grain coabt produces rice, peas, beans, lem- ons, indigo, and cc^lton. The Europeans have no settle- ments here The principal traffic is in slaves. The Gold Coast is so named from the immense quan- tities of gold it produces. The climate is very hot. Eu- ropeans kave a few settlements here. The soil is very fer- tile. The inhabitants are rich, and live in gre^t harmony. The I\oRY Cox\sr lies beiwern Cape .- ppoilonia and Cape Palm.i^, containing several towns, bituared at the mouths of livers ca Jed by the same n;nnes The interior country is little known, 'he natives refusing the Europeans leave lo settle, or even to trade among them, excepi by n:eans of the coast negroes, a;:d this with caution. The chief commodities are g^ki, ivory. ;:;..' sir.ves. The inhab- itants of this district have been more careful to defend themselves against the assaults vi the siave ships, than most of their countrymen. Suspicion and jealousy are their predominant qualities. STATES OF B UiBARY. BARBARY is an extensi\e country, stretching 1200 miles along the Meditcrrancin, and between SCO and -iOO inland. It is divided into 5 kingdoms, Morocco, Fez, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. MOl^OCCO. THE empin; ci Morocco comprelic-htls ?. considerable part fi the an^.i.ht Mauiitania, lyin.'j; i>el\veen '28 rv.' :()'' north iatituUe ; buui:ued west by the Ali.intic ; oi >y 34.8 MOROCCO. the river Mulvia, which separates it from Algiers ; north by the straits of Gibraltar ; soyth by Mount Atlas. Its greatest length from northeast to southwest, is above 590 miles, and where widest, not more than 260 broad. The air is temperate, especially near Mount Atlas ; the soil sandy and dry in some places, and fertile in others. The number of inhabitants is estimated at 5,000,000. Their religion is Mahometanism. They are robust, and skilful in managing a horse, and wielding a lance^.; but jealous, deceitful, superstitious, and cruel. There are many Christian slaves and some merchants on the coast, beside a multitude of Jews, who carry en al- most all the trade ; especially by land, with the negroes, to whom they send large caravans, which carry with ihem woollen goods, silk, salt, &c. and in return have slaves, gold, and elephant's teeth. In the deserts are lions, tigers, leopards, and serpents of several kinds. The fruits are dates, Hgs, almonds, lem- ons, oranges, and pomegranates They have also flax and hemp, but little timber. The emperor is absolute ; he often exercises great cru- elties. His naval force consists chiefly of rovers, who sometimes take large prizes He can bring 100,000 men into the field, half of vihich are foot, and half horse ; but they are poorly armed, and know little of the a-t of war. Morocco, the capital, is in a beautiful valley, formed by a chain of mountains north, and those of the Atlas south and east. The city, exposed to the devasiations of different conquerors, has preserved nothing but its form. The ex'.ent ot the walls, which remain almost entire, sup- poses a city that mi^ht contain 00 000 souls: at present, it is little better than a desert. The ruins of houses seive only to harbor thieves, who lurk there to rob pasi^engers. The emperor's palace, at the extremity of the city, Iront- ing Mount Alias, is a very extensive 'and solid building. The principal gates are Gothic arcles, of cut stone, enjbel- lisheci with u; -^niOnts in tlie Arabian taste. Within the walls are varjr.u:- courts and gardens, elegantly laid out by European ;,',.; deners. The kingd>.'-. .'f Fuz is united to tlieenj^'-e of Moroc* CO. Its capita > '^f tlic same nmuc, is considered by the Moors as a sacred a.sylum, and an object of devotion. ALGIERS. 349 This city, %vhich in past ages attracted the attention of travellers, is not preferable to the other cities of the em- pire, except by its situation, schools, industry, and some- what more by its urbanity. It has 80,000 inhabitants. ALGIERS. Tke kingdom of Algiers comprehends part of the an- cient Mauritania, Avhich included the ancient Numidia, and forms one of the most considerable districts of the coast of Barbary. It is bounded north by the Mediterra- nean, east by the river Zane, Avhich divides it from Tunis ; west by the Maillooiah, and the mountains of Trara, which separate it from Morocco, south by the Sajiara, or is'umid- ian desert. The superficial extent of the whole king^Iom amounts, according to the calculation of M. \ on Zach, to 4262 geographical square miles, and contams 1,500,.' 00 inhabitariis. The teiriiory of Algiers is principally distinguished by- its capital. Haifa mile northeast of the city commences the plain of Mettijiah, v/hich stretches 50 miles in length and 20 in In-eadth, as far as the brarrch of Mount Atlas, at the foot of which lies the town of Belida. This plain is bet- ter cultivated than the other districts of the kingdom. The country seats and mascharcas, as they call the farms of the principal inhabitants of Algiers, are found in these plains ; and it is chiefly from them that the metropolis is supplied with provisions. The strength of the kingdom consists iii its land and sea forces. Its strong cities arc few, and it has fewer garrisons, which are weakly fortified and guarded. The naval force of Algiers is more foi-midable than its army. It consists of 20 ships ; one of v/hich belongs to ':hc government, and is assigned to the admiral : all the rest belong to private persons. The conmiercc of Algiers is principally carried on by their corsairs or pirates. Free Christians, Jews, native or foreign, Arabians and Moors, ue permitted to exercise a free commerce, both \ry sea :ind land, together with other trades and manufactures in silk, cotton, wool, leather, and other commodities. The religion of the Aigerincs differs from that of tlie Turks only in their adopting a greater variety of supcrsti- F F 350 TUNIS. tions. They acknowledge ilie Koran as the rule of their faith and practice, but are remiss in the observance of it. The population of Algiers is less than in other countries of the same extent, where arts, sciences, and industry are not so much restrained. The number of Turks here is about 9 or 10,000. Beside these are the Moors, a degrad- ed people ; and the Arabian tribes, who, without blending with the Moors, or most ancient possessors of the country, have uniformly maintained their separation from others, paitly in a state of independence, and partly as tributaries to the Dey. Algiers, the capital of the kingdom, is built on the de- clivity of a mountain, and is in the form oi an amphithea- tre, next the harbor. The houses, apparently rising one above another, make a very fine appearance from the sea. The tops are all flat ; and the inhabitants walk upon them in the evening to take the air ; besides, they are covered M'ith earth, and serve for gardens. The streets are nar- low and serve to keep off the extreme heat of the sun. The mole of the liarbor is 500 paces in length, extending from the continent to a small island, where there is a large battery of guns. The town is said by some to contain about 150,000 inhabitants; others say, 100,000 Mahome- tans, 15,000 Jews, and 2000 Christian slaves ; others re- duce the number of all to 80,000. Their chief subsistence is derived from their piracies ; for they make prizes of the ships of all Christian nations, that are not at peace with them. TUNIS. THE kingdom of Tunis is bounded north by the Medi- terranean, cast by that sea and Tripoli, south and south- west by Biledulgerid, west by Algiers. It extends 300 miles from east to vest, and 250 from north to south. The air in general is healthy, but the soil in the east part but indifferent, for want of water. Toward the mid- dle, the mountains and valleys abound in fruits, but the west part is the most fertile, being watered by rivers. The environs of Tunis are very dry, on which account corn is generally dear. The inroads of the Arabs oblige the in- habitants to sow their barley and rye in the sul)urbs, and TRIPOLI. S5l to enclose their gardens with walls. There are plcrity of citrons, lemons, oranges, tiatcs, grapes, and other f; iiits. There are also olive trees, roses, and odoriferous plants. In the woods and mountains are lions, wild beeves, os- triches, rnonki ys, camciii^ns, roebucks, hares, pheasants, par'.ril i;t:s, and ot'ncr sorts of uirds and beasts. The lorm ot governniciit is aristocratic ; that is, by a council, whose president is the dey, an oiliccr not uidike the doi^e ot Venice. Ti^e meml)ers of this divan, or coun-' cil, arc chosen by t!ie dcy, and he in hia turn is elected 1)/ the div.in, wldch is composed of soldiers, who have more than once taken ofT the dey's head. Tunis has 1,000,000 inhabitants, who carry on a p;reat trade in Unen and woollen cloth. In the city of Tunis, .done, are about 3000 clothiers and weavers. I'hey havo also a trade in horses, olives, oils, soap, ostriches' eggsj..- and feathers. The established religion is Mahometanisiti, and the in- liabitants consist of Moors, Turks, Arabs, Jews, and Chris- tian slaves. Tuxis, the capital, is on the point of the gulf of Golet- ta, about ten miles from the site of the famous city of- Carthage. It is four mile . in circumference. The Tu- nisians are tlie most civilized nation of Barbary, with little '>f the insolent hau,.;htiness of the Algerines ; aft\iirs of government are transacted with despatch ; the Americans, English, French, Dutch, and severnil other slates, having consuls here, who are treated with civility and respect. The Mahometans licre liave 9 colleges fror students, beside a great number of smaller school'.;. Tunis is a place of great trade. TRIPOLI. TRIPOLI is bounded north by the Mediterranean, cast by the desert of Barca, south by Fczzan, west by Biledulgeridand 'I'unis. It is a fertile country, except the east part, which is a desert. It is 925 miles along the coast ; the breadth is various. It had the title of a king- don), but is now a republic, governed by a dey, elected by *he soldiers. Tripoli, which contains 1,000,000 iuhabitants, is distir,- 352 TRIPOLI. squished into Marhime and Inland ; the inhabitants of tiie former chielly subsist upon commerGe and piracy ; the latter on plunder and robbery. Each division has some cities, towns, and villages, most of which are very poor, and tliinly irihubitcd. These people are reduced to the lowest degree of misery and wretchedness, through the cruel exactions of the government, or the Ircqaent depre- tlations of the Arabs. The governn-.er.i, religion, laws, and customs of this liingdcia are the same wiih those of Algiers and 'funis, Tiie revenues arise chieily from their corsairs, which sel- dom exceed seven or eight, and of these only one can properly be sryled a ship ; the rest are small guUeyii, poor- jy manned ar.d equipped. Their commerce chiefly consists in slaves, either such as are taken by their corsairs, or such as they traffic for with their neighbors ; th.e greatest part of both they send jnto Turkey, where they can dispose of them to the best advantage. One circumstance in the conduct of this regency, de- serves notice ; they are more scrupulous observers of their treaties with ether nations than any of their neigh- bors ; which punctuality, whether it proceeds from real probity, or a consciousness of their own weakness, is nev- eriheiess of no small ad vantage to navigation and commerce. Tripoli, the capital, retains but few traces of its aixic'nc splendor ; the ho'Jsss are low -and mean, and the streets narrow, dirty, and irregular : there are, however, aomc monuments still standing, which evince its former mag- nificence ; particularly a triumphal arch, one h.aif of which now lies buried in the sand. The counti'y around is adorned with a multiplicity of handsome villas, cultivated chiefly by Christian slaves. BARCA, the ancient Lybia, lies between Tripoli and Egypt, and is governed by a sangiac, dependent on the bashaw of Tripoli. The climate is vc: y unequal ; along the coasts the land is fertile and well peopled, but the in- terior is sterile and desert. Thrcugli this dreary, and in- hospitable region, so fatal to Cambyses and his followers^ our gallant countryman, General Eaton, during the late hostilities with Tripoli, led a small, but intrepid band of .roops 10 tlie attack of Derne. They lefi Egypt in t.b5 AFRICAN ISLANDS. 3.53 beginning of April, 1805, crossed the desert of Bavca, and after encountcnii;^ excessive hardships and fatigue, arrived beiore Derne, on the frontiers of Tripoli, which they took by storm on the 2rih of the same month ;, at- tacked r nd pvit to route the army of the Bashaw, sent to oppose their progress ; and contributed most eflfeciually to compel that insolent power to enter into an immediate treaty of peace with the United States ; by which a great number of A.ncricans, then prisoiiers at Tripoli, were re- stored to freedom and their country. Here was the temple of Jupiter Ammon, so difficult o!:"- acccss on account of t!ic burning sands. AFRICAN ISLANDS. AT the mouih of the Red sea lies the island of Zocc- tra, belonging to the Arabs. It is a }>>pulous and plenti- ful country, and particularly noted for aloes. MADAGAScAiiisscparaied from the continent by a chan- nel, calicu the channel of Mosambique. Tiiis island is 800 miles lon;^, 150 broad, divided into 28 provinces, and wa- tered by some considerable rivers; lis population is esti- mated at 4,000,000, wb.o are Arabs and negroes, Tiie country produces oxen,slieep, goats, and cotton in abundance. Euony, gum gutiae, cucumbers, peas, beans, barley, rice, and citrons, are plenty. Cai'ilaujan plants, b.iiiaua, and orange trees flourish. Rock crystals, copper, silver, gold, ii'on, and precious stones are fjuml here. A great variety of ornamental plants, of fruii ;.rees, antl val- uable timber, trow on this ibland. PoiiTo .Sa^" jo, is a small island, about 20 miles in com- pass, in lat. 52 5j N. anj 125 leagues W. of cope Blan- co ; discovered and possessed by tl.e Pi;riugiicse. It has one good harljor, safe from ail winds but the S. W. Here tlic^India ships usually stop to refit, boih g(jing ar.d returnin;.;. The island is iniuibiiud by Pcrlugiu^c, is very rlchj and produces wheat and ui :.;'..'. '.'..!,, v, ill boars. S54 AFRICAN ISLANDS. and rabbits. Dragon's blood, honey, wax, and I'lsh, are-' exported. Madeira. The form of Madeira is a triangle, 150 miles in circuit, lying in lal. 32 30 N. and Ion. 16 50 W. 120 leagues W. of cape Cantin. It is divided into 2 provinces. The Portuguese discovered it in 1431. The. population is said to air.ount to 70,000. The forces are 150 infantry, and 2000 militia, i'^z^nc/ia/, the capital, is in a valley, on the S. coast. The harbor is deitndcd by several batteries, and a castle. The town is divided into 6 paiishes, and contains 6 convents, as many churches, and about 15,000 inhabitants, consisting of Portuguese,. French, English, Irish, mulattoes, and blacks. The prin- cipal merchants are English and Irish catholics, though the island belongs to Portugal. The climate is agreeable, and the soil very fertile. The chief exports are Madeira wine, 20,000 hogsheads, and sweet meats. Every species of tropical fruit grows to perfection. The Canaries, belonging to the Spaniards, are famous for Canary wine. The ancients called them the Furluurae Isles. They are 10 or 12 m number ; the cliiefare Great Canary, Teneriffe, Gomera and Ferro. Tencriffe is much encumbered with mountains. The peak is an ascent in the form of a sugar loaf, 15 miles in circumference, and 13.265 feet high. It is a volcano. The climate is temperate and mild. The soil is gen- erally fertile. The articles of culture are the vine, sugar- cane, cotton, .vheat, barley, and rice. All the islands are %vell supplietl with cattle. Cape Verd Islvnds. These are a cluster of islands, ISO leagues W. of Cape Verd, between lat. 16 and 18 N. The principal r.re St. Anthony, St. Vincent, St. Nich- olas, Bonavista, and St. Jago. They have long belonj,cd 10 the Portuguese. The inhabitants of all are said to mount to 100,000, By long residence, '\nd by intcr- mixtiu'e, they have become nearly of the negro complex- ion and features. The manufactures of leather and salt foim the principal riches. The soil is indifferent. Trop- ical fruits abouiid. GoREE. This is a little island, two miles in circuit, .]osc to tl:e coast; S. of Cape Verd. The Dutch planted AFRICAN ISLANDS. S55 kin I6ir. The French drove ihcin out in 1677, ancj were lately driven out by tlie English. FiiRNAND(j To is a!)out 30 leagues in circuit, in J^t. 3 20, N. and Ion. 10 45 E- near the coast of Benin. It belongs to Spain, is liigh, has a fertile soil, and produces niaiiioc, siig&r, rice, fruits, and tobacco. Pkinck's Island lies directly S. of the former, in lat. 1 31 N. '20 leagues hi circuit. The town on the N. coast has a good haibor, and contains 200 houses. The soil is good, and the produce like that of Fernando Po. It belongs to Sjjain, S r. I'ho.mas is about 20 leagues in circuit, and lies a little W. of S. fi'om Prince's Island, directly under the equator, and aljout 50 leagues N. W. by W. from cape Lopez. It was discovered and settled by the Portuguese, in 1460, and made a sort of Botany Bay for the heroes of the Lisbon Old Bailey. These are now amalgamated with the negroes, AxxABON is a high, mountainous, and fertile island, about 6 leagues in circuit, in latitude 1 45' south., 80 leagues from cape Lopez. It was settled by the Portu- guese, and is said now to belong to Spain. St. Matthew. The Portuguese discovered it in 1516, and soon after settled it. It lies in lat. 1 45 S. Ascension. Lat.7 56 SOS.lon. 14 22 31 W. is lOmiles long and 5 or 6 broad. It is barren and desoiate, but a- bounds with turtle. St. Helena is a beautiful island, 20 miles in circum- ference, belonging to the Englisli I'2ast India Company. It has some higii mountains, particularly one called Di- nna's Peak, which is covered with wood to t!ie very top. The number of inhabita.its docs not exceed 2000, includ- ing near otO soldiers and 600 slaves, who are supplied with aii soils oi manufactures by the company's ships in return iur it fre^liments. It lies between the continents of Afiica ;.nd Suuth-America, about 1200 miles west of the forniti', aiKl 1800 east of the latter. Ion. 5 49 west, lat. 15 5j si-mn. BoLHHON is 60 miles long, and 40 broad, 370 miles E. from Madagascai-. The island is difficult of access. Si. Ucnis is the principal port. It has lately been taken by il.c LnL'lish, Its firsi inhabitants were pirates, who 356 AFRICAN ISLANDS. planted themiielves here in 1657. The island has now, according to St. Pierre, 60,000 blacks, and 5000 otlier in- habitants ; Ion. 55 30 E. lat. 20 52 S. Mauritius, 150 miles in circumference, lies E. N". E, of Bourbon, and 400 miles E. of Madagascar, was discov- ered and settled by the Dutch, in 1598, and relinquished in 1710. The French took possession soon after, and re- tahied it till 1810, when it was taken by the English, The climate is healthy ; but the soil not very fertile. There are many mountains, some of which are so high, that their tops are covered with snow : They produce the best ebony in the world. The valleys arc well watered with rivers, and are made very productive of cuhivalion, of which indigo is the principal object. The town and harbor are called Port Louis, and are strongly forlified ; but in tliC huiricane months, the harbor cannot afford shelter for more than 8 vessels. . Tne number of inhabitants on the island exclusive of the military, is 8000 whites, and 12,000 blacks. CoMORA Islands, a cluster of islands in the Lidian ocean, bciwetjn the coast of Zangucbar :lnd the N. part of the island of Madagascar. They are 4 in number; viz. Johanna, Mayotla, Mohilla, and Comora, which last is 6 Icayucs long ar^cl 3 wide, and gives its name to the group. It has no safe harbors, its high mountains are richly cove; ed v.itli verdure and fruit trees, and give rise to numerous fcrtilizini^ streams, on which are many beau- tiful cascades. Tiic valleys between tlie mountains are extensive, and in richness and beauty aie exceeded by none in the world. U'liese islands produce rice, peas, yams, Indian corn, pi;rs!air,, cocoa nuts, plantains, or- anges, lemons, citrons, limes, pine apples, cucumbers, tamarinds, sugar canes and honey. The AzoiiES,or WEsrKaN- IsLiis, lie abon.it midway be- tween the two coniir;ents, in uboui, 37 degrees north lati- tude. They are nine in number, Terccra, St- Michael, F'ayal, Gratiosa, St. George, Pico, Corvo, Floies, and St. Muloes, fertile in corn; and wine, and a variety of iruits. The climate is reniarkably salubrious. It is said that, no poisonous or noxious animal can live oi. ihe Azorcc. SOUTH SEA ISLES. 357 ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN, THE islands of ihe Pacific oc;an have been classed by borac geographers into iwo divisions, to which they have f^iven the names of AusTiiAL Asia and Polynesia. In tlie nrbt division arc compiehcnded Nevv-lloiiand Ncw-Caledonia Papau, or New-Guiuca New-Hebrides New-Britain New-Zealand New-Ire land Van Dieman's Land. New-Holland was discovered in the beginning of tVie seventeenth centm y, and was supposed to be part of a vast southern continent. It lies between 11 and 43 degrees south iatitvidc, and is nearly equal in extent lo the habita- ble part (jf Europe. The inhabitants, according to Die- man, are the irio^t miserable people in the world, without houses or clothes. They are black, tall, thin, straight bodied, with siv.all.linibs, large heads, and heavy brows . the two fore teetii of their upper jaws are wanting in ali of them, men and women, old and young ; ueiilicr have they any beards. They are long visaged, and of a very unpleasant aspect, liaving not one graceful feature iii tb^\i\ faces, in the WftV \'^iCi, the east coast w^as visited and explored by captain Cook, who spent four months in ex- auiining a distaucf^ of 2000 miles. He took possession of this eastern coast in the name of tiie king of Great Brit- ain, and gave it the name of New South Wales. In the year 1773, Capt. Furneaux discovered it to be an island, New-Guinea lies north of New-Holland, from which it is separated by Endeavor straits. The land is low, but fertile. Most of the trees and plants common to the South Sea Islands are produced here ; parti'' ularly the cocoa-nut, plantain, and bread fruit trees. Alarriagc is here consummated by the parties covenanting before wit- nesses. Iv'kw-Britain lies to the north of New-Guinea. A strait divides it into two islands, the northernmost of whicli is called New-Ireland. 'I'hc shores of both iblands arc rocky, the itiland parts are higli and mountainous, but cov- ered with trees of various kinds, among which are the nut S58 SOUTH SEA ISLES. mej^, the cocoa-nut, and different kinds of palm. The inhabitants are black, and woolly headed, like negroes, but iiave not tlieir flat noses and thick lips. Nkw-Caledonia extends from 19 o 32" south latitude. The inhabitayts are strong, active, and -well made ; their hair is black, and mucli frizzled, but not Viooily ; their beards are crisp and tliitk ; and their '.m\y coveririg is a wrapper made from the bark of a tree. They cultivate the soil with some art and industry, but subsist chiefly on roots and flsli. Plantains and siit^ar caiics are not plenti- ful ; bread fruit is very scarce, and the cocoa-nut trees but thinly planted ; but their yams and taras are in great abundance. Their houses are circular, like a bee hive, and as close and warm ; being formed of small spars and reeds, covered with long, coarse grass, and the floor laid with tiry grass. They arc of a pacific disposition ; and their wo UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. NOV 1 1951 1 'OCT 1 1 RCO OCT 2 8 1^^^ oc-v ^ ^^^^ f A M. -m L9-42to-8,'49(B5573)444 ^ttCBJJ:^ V E D AN DESK r-M: .ll?Ili2^1l|i^ THE LTBB ARY UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY tACILliY A A 000 109 569 1 t s PLEA=: DO NOT REMOVE THIS BOOK CARD _sN,\lllBRARY/;/ University Research Library # \ m