i^:)' 2. * g THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, Princeton, N.J. f Hook,. .TIL S*^'^ ^';i,^:;^x '^- I'HB AMEItlCAN UNIVERSAL GEOGRAPHY ; OR A VIEW OF THE PRESENT STATE OF ALL THE KINGDOMS, STATED, AND COLONIES IN THE KNOWN WORLD. IN TWO VOLUMES. THE FIRST VOLUME S scription of the remaining Ameiican Isl- Contains a copious Inttoduction, adapted S ands. r-nxTT irm tt\tp to the present improved state of Astrenom- S THE SECOND v OLUMh ical Science— a brief Geogiaphy of the S Contains a Geogi-aphy of the Eastern Con- States— a general account of the West ? Asia, its Kingdoms, Provinces, and Islands- Indies, and of the four group es of Islands ? an Account of the numerous Islands arrang- into -which they are naturally divided, and t ed by modern Geographers under the a minute Account of the several Islands— <^ names of Australasia and Polynesia— a a general Description of South America, ^ general Description of Africa, and a parUc- ■Mid a particular Account of its various S ular Account of its various States and States and Provinces — and a brief De- S Islands. TO WHICH ARE ADDED, AN ABRIDGEMENT OF THE LAST CENSUS OF THE UNITED STATES A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF REMARKABLE EVENTS FROM THE CREATION TO THIS TIME AN IMPROVED LIST OF ANr CIENT AND MODERN LEARNED AND EMINENT MEN AND A COPIOUS INDEX TO THE WHOLE WORK. THE WHOLE COMPREHENDING A COMPLETE SYSTEM OF MODERN' GEOGRAPHY, ACCOMPANIED BY A NEW AND ELEGANT General Atlas of the Worlds CONTAINING (iN A SEPARATE qUARTO VOLUME^) SIXTY-THREE MAPS, •Jom prising, as far as they could be obtained, all the latestDiscoveries to the present time. ■ BY JEDipiAH MORSE, D. D. F. A. A. S. H. S. Minister of the Congregational Church in Charlestown. SlXtH EDItlOV. Arranged on a new plan, and improved in every part by a hiboiioiis examination of inost of the late respectable Voyages and Travels, in Europe and Asia, by a free use of the information in the Abridgement of Pinkerton's excellent Geography, and by the hile admirable Statistical Tables of Hassel. VOLUME II. BOSTON : TBLIbHED BY THOMAS & ANDREWS, AND SOLD, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL; AT THEIR BOOKSTORE, NO. 45, NEWBURY STREET — MAY, l81'J. Greenouffh and Stebbins, printers. JMSTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, to wit : District Clerk's OJice. BR IT HEMEMBERED, that on the twenty-third day of April, A. D. 1812, and in the thirty -sixth year of tlie independence of the United States of Amei'ica, Thomas and Andrews, of the said district, have deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof they claim, as propi'ietors, in the v.'ords following, to wit: " Tlie American Universal Geography, or a view of the present state of all the kingdoms, states, and colonies in the known world. In two volumes. The tirst volun>e contains a copious inti'oduction adapted to the present improved state of as- tr-onomical science — a brief geography of the earth — a general description of Am er- ica—an account of North America, and its various divisions, particularly of the United States — a general account of the West Indies, and of the tbtir groupes of islands into which they are naturally divided, and a minute account of the several islands — a gen- eral description of South America, and a particular account of its various states and provinces, and a brief description of tiie remaining Amei'ican islands. The second vol- ume contains a geography of the Eastern Continent — a general description of Europe, anil a minute account of its v.'irious kingdoms and states — a general descriptioii^f Asia, its kingdoms, provinces, and islands — an account of the numerous islands arranged by modern geographers under Uie names of Australasia and Polynesia — a general description of Africa, and a particular account of its various states and islands. To which are added, an abridgement of the last census of the United States — a chronoiogicnltable o-'remarkable events from the creation to this time — an improved list of ancient and uitxlern learned and eminent nien — and a copious index to the whole work. The whole comprehending a com- plete system of modern geography. Accompanied by a new and elegant general atlas of the world, containing (in a separate quarto volum.e) sixty -three maps, comprising, as far r4,531 531,638 1,449,377 190,000 753,000 i-V392,5rr 1-0 EASTERN CONTINEN'l'. tralasia and Polynesia, at 730,000,000, or about 26 to a square mile. With regard to that of Asia, including Australasia and Polynesia, we follow Pinkerton, and believe, that if Sir George Staunton's ac- count of the population of China be correct, it does not fall short of 500,000,000. With regard to that of Africa we are satisfied from the great population of the empire of Morocco, and the popu- lousness of the country of Soudan, as lately announced by Jack- son, that it is at least i0,000,000. In Europe we are guided by Hassel's Tables, which state its population at 179,874,000, or in round numbers 180,000,000. Cilies.^ The large cities of this continent ai*e the following, ranged according to their population ; Pekin, Nankin, and Canton, in China ; Calcutta, in Bengal ; London, in England ; Ispahan, in Persia ; Jeddo, in Japan ; Paris, in France ; Naples, in Italy ; Miaco, in Japan ; Fas, in Morocco ; Lisbon, in Portugal ; Con- stantinople, in Turkey ; Cairo, in Egypt ; Moscow and Peters- burg, in Russia ; Morocco, in Morocco ; Aleppo, in Syria ; Vi- enna, in Austria ; and Amsterdam, in Holland. All these, in their population, exceed 200,000, the utmost limit to which any of those on the American continent have arrived, and are therefore the largest cities in the world. The following are the cities of the Eastern Continent, which exceed 100,000, and fall short of 200,000, in their population : Damascus, Dublin, Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Venice, Milan, Smyrna, Philippopol, Barcelona, Mequinez, Valen- cia, Manchester, Hamburg, and Adrionople. Twenty one of the ci- ties in the above lists are in Europe, the whole population of which exceeds 4,946,000 ; and ten are in Asia, the amount of whose pop- ulation, according to the best accovmts, is upwards of 10,055,000. Seas.'] The Mediterranean, the largest sea in the world, lies between Spain on the W. ; P'rance, Italy, Turkey, and Asia Minor on the N. ; Syria on the E. ; and Egypt, Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, and Morocco on the S. It was anciently called the G7-eat Sea, the Grccicm Sea, and likewise by its present name. To the west of Italy it is called the Tuscan Sea ; between Italy and Turkey, the Gulf of Fe?dce, the Adriatic ; between Turkey and Asia Minor, the ylrchf/ielago, the JEgean ; and south of Asia Minor, the Le- vant. Its length, from E. to W- is 2000 miles : its breadth varies from 100 to 800 miles, and probably averages about 400. If this be correct, it covers a surface of 800,000 square miles. The large rivers, which flow directly into the Mediterranean, are the Ebro, Rhone, and Po, from Europe; and the Nile from Africa. The principal islands, which it contains, are Sicily, Sardinia, Cor- sica, and Majorca, in the Tuscan Sea ; Cefaionia and Corfu in the mouth of the Adriatic ; Ne^y^opont in the Archipelago, Candia near its mouth ; and Rhodes and Cyprus in the Levant. The jNIediterranean, at its western extremity, is connected v/ith the Ailantic by the Straits of Gibraltar. The Adriatic opens into it through the Straits of Otranto. Tlie Archipelago, at its northeastern extremity, is connected, by the Dardanelles, the an- cient Hellesp.ont, with Uie Sea oi Marmora, the ancient Propontis. Tliis sea, lying between Turkey on the N., and Asia Minor on the EASTERN CONTINENT. 11 S., is 90 miles long from E. to W., and 40 broad. The Straits of Constantinople, the Thracian Bosphorus., unites it Avith the Eux- ine or Black Sea. The EuxiNE is bounded by Turkey and Russia W. ; by Russia N. ; by Mingrclia and Georgia E. ; and by Asia Minor S. Its length from E. to' W-, according to Tooke, is 800 miles, and its breadth 400. The coast, from Constantinople E. as far as the Phasis, is bold, and the navigation unusually safe. From the Pha- sis, N. W. to the Kuban, it is very little known. Thence, around the Crimea, to Odessa, it is every where deep and clear. Between Odessa and Constantinople the shore is low, and the soundings decrease gradually, as you approach it. Storms on this sea are not frequent, nor of long duration. The north east is the prevail- ing wind of summer, which carries vessels very rapidly, in that season, from Caffa to Constantinople. This wind extends to the island of Tenedos. The large I'ivers, which fall into the Euxine, are the Danube, Neistcr, Bog, and Neiper. It has no islands of any note. The straits bf CafTa, the Cimerian Bosphorus^ connect it on the N. with the Sea of Azof, the Palus Mccotis of antiquity. This sea, according to Tooke, is 1 60 miles long, from N. E. to S. W. with- out including the bay of Taganrok, which is 50 more ; and 1 30 broad. It is every where shallow, and within 30 years has been fast and unaccountably filling up with sand. Aboiit 35 years ago, vessels drawing 12 feet water loaded at Taganrok ; now they cannot go within twenty miles of it. In consequence of this fact the com- merce of this Sea is at present carried on principally by boats. The waters of the Don fall into the northeastern exti'emity of the Bay of Taganrok. The Baltic lies wholly in Europe. It opens from the German Sea by a gulf, pointing N< E., called the Skagcr Rack ; and after- wards passes S. through what is called the Cattegat., and farther on through the Sound of Elsineur, the Great Belt, and the Little Belt, straits formed by the Danish Islands ; as far as 53 50 the latitude of Wismar. From the coasts of Jutland and Holstein its direction is eastward, as far as the western coast of^'ourland. From the northern shores of Prussia it is N. by E. to its northern extremity, in lat 65 50. Its length, from Tornea to Wismar, is about 900 miles, and from Wismar to the Ocean about 450.* Its breadth, between Sweden and Germany, is 75 miles ; between, Sweden and Russia, in many places, more than 150. North of lat. 60 it is called the Gulf of Bothnia. The length of this part is about 420 miles.* Immediately belov/ this latitude the Gulf of Finland opens from the east ; the length of which is about 300 miles, and its breadth 80. f These two gulfs arc frozen over for three months every winter. Between Courland and Livonia, also, the Gulf of Riga opens from the S. E., and is about 60 miles long.| The greatest depth of this sea is said not to exceed 50 fathoms ; and, according to repeated observations made in Sweden, is stead- * Avrowsraith's iVfap. t 'I'ooke. + Malliani. 12 EASTERN CONTINENT. ily decreasing at the rate of 45 inches in a century.* It is also as' serted, that the water docs not contain above one thirtieth part of salt ; whereas other sea water often holds a tenth. This fresh- ness is imputed to the quantity of ice. And it is likewise said, that, when the north wind blows, the waters become so fresh, that they may even be used for domestic purposes. Tides are un- known, and the fish are few. The great rivers of the Baltic are the Dwina, the Memel, the Vistula, and the Oder. The princi- pal islands are Zealand, Funen, and Laland, Rugen, Bornholm, Gotland, Osel and Aland. The Red Sea, the Si7ius Arabkus of the ancients, is the natural boundary between Asia and Africa ; having Arabia on the E., and Egypt and Abyssinia on the W. Its length, from N. N. W. to S. S. E., is about 1470 miles, and its common breadth 120. At Pas al Mohammed^ in lat. 27 51, it is divided into two gulfs ; the Gulf of Akaba, Sinus ^Elaniticus^ on the E. ; and the Gulf of Suez, Si- nus Heroopoliticus, on the W. The latter is about 200 miles long. The former is 90 miles long, and has a ridge of rocks nearly across its mouth, which is 18 miles wide, and is divided by the island Turone, or Tyron. The old maps incorrectly delineate these gulfs as of equal extent. The bottom of the Red Sea is overspread with trees of coral. All the western shore is bold, and has considera- ble depth of water. But it is every where rocky, affording no an- choring ground ; and there are a number of sunken rocks suf- ficiently near the surface to destroy a large ship. The eastern coast is a sandy desert ; and is lined with many sand islands ; the ■water is less deep, and has a sandy bottom. This, as Bruce sup- poses, is owing to the flying sand from the Arabian coast, which is driven every winter by the monsoon, in great quantities, into the Sea, and is gradually filling up its harbors, and contracting its limits. The Straits of Babelmandel connect it with a bay of the Arabian Sea. The channel, a little westward of the Straits, is di- vided by the island of Perim. The northern is 6 miles broad, and has from 12 to 17 fathom of water. The southern is 9 miles broad, and has from 20 to 30 fathom ; but is rendered dangerous by rocks. t The Persian Gulf, or Sea ofOrmus, sometimes also called the Gulf of Balgora^ and anciently Pcrsicinn J\fa7-e, awd Persicua Si7ius, lies between Persia on the N. E. and Arabia on the S. W. It is 700 miles long, and from 70 to 180 broad. It receives, from the N. W. the waters of the Euphrates and the Tigris, Avhich imite at Gormo, about 100 miles from the sea, and are discharged by a common channel. This sea opens, through the Straits of Ormus, into a bay Avhich sets up from the Arabian Sea. The White Sea is iu the north of European Russia. It opens from the S. W. into the Frozen Ocean. It extends from lat. 63 to 69 N.| and is about 500 miles long. Its shores are generally bold and rocky. The water contains but little salt. The tides are small. The fish are whales, morses, porpoises, seadogs, herring, ■ Took*.-. ^ Btuce. i Tooke. EASTERN CONTINENT. 13^ nnd stockfish. The Dwma, from the S. E., falls into it at Arch- anp^el. The Arabian Sea, which may more fitly be denominated a large Bay^ sets up from the Indian Ocean, about 1 100 miles between Cape Guardefan and Cape Comorin ; having Hindostan E. Persia N., Arabia and Africa W. From Cape Guardefan, across its mouth to Cape Comorin, is not less than 1800 miles. The Lacca- dives and Maldives are two clusters of islands near its southeastern extremity. Bays.'] The Bay of Bengal, is on the E. side of Hindostan, having Ava and Malaya on the E. From the parallel of Dondra Head, to the mouth of the Burrampooter, is about 1200 miles ; and from the eastern coasts of Hindostan and Ceylon across to Malaya, is about 1250, The Kristna, Godavery, Ganges, Burrampooter, and Irawaddy, all empty into this bay. The Andaman and Nico- bar Isles lie near its eastern coast. The Bay of Okotsk opens into tlrc Pacific Ocean, between Cape Lepatka and the Island of Jesso ; and into the Sea of Japan, through the Straits of Saghalien. Its northeastern extremity is called the Gulf of Pengina. The length of this bay, from the mouth of the river Pengina to Jesso, is 1300 miles ; and its breadth, in lat. 55, is, according to Sauer, about 850. The waters of the Amour are poured into it from the S. E. The large Russian island of Saghalien, or Tchoka, separates it from the Sea of Japan, and the Kurille Islands reach from Lepatka across its mouth to Jesso, a tributary of Japan. The Yellow Sea, or Gulf of Lcao Tow^, is merely abay, setting up between Corea and China, about 400 miles long, and from lOo to 250 broad.* The Hoang-ho falls into it from the W. It opcnS, from the N. W. into the Pacific. The Bay of Biscay is alarge arm of the Atlantic, setting up into Europe between Spain and France. From the E. it receives the Garonne and the Loire. The Gulf o? Tonquin lies between China and Cochin-China. It is very extensive, but its limits as a bay are not very strongly marked. It opens into the China Sea. The large island of Hai- nan lies near its mouth. Farther S. the Gulf of Siam opens into the same sea, from the N. W. between Cambodia and Malaya. Its length is about 450 miles, and its breadth 250. The Gulf of Oby i-cceives the river of the same name in lat. 67 N.f and discharges it into the Frozen Ocean in lat. 73 50. :j: Its direction is from N. N. E. to S. S. W., and its length about 500 miles. Its width is nearly uniform, and no where very great. Hounda.] The great mass of water lying between Kamtchatka .and Tchutskoi W, America E. and Alaska and the Alcatian isles j. is usually called the Sea of Kamtchatka. It is an immense sound opening northward, through Behriug's straits, into the * Ciutwell. j N. B. Lat. and Long, denote that the dibtance is calcu1ati;-esswp Geogra/}hy.~j The knowledge of the progressive geography of any country is indispensably necessary for the eluci- dation of its history. When the Romans invaded Britain, the chief states, in what is now England and Wales, were the Cantiiy inhabiting Kent ; Tnnobantes^ Middlesex ; Belgae., or Regniy Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Somersetshire ; Durotrigesy Dorset- shire ; Damnonii^ Devonshire and Cornwall ; Atrebatesj Berk- shire ; Silures.^ South Wales ; 0?'dovJces, North Wales ; Icetii, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, See. Brigaiites, Yorkshire. In the Roman period England was divided into the following large provinces. Britannia Prima, the whole southern part as far as the mouths of the Severn and the Thames. Britannia Secunda, Modern Wales. Flavia Caesariensis, from tlie Thames to the Humber. Maxima Caesariensis, from the Humber to the Tyne, from the Mersey to the Solway. A more detailed account of the Roman divisions of England properly belongs to ancient geography, and the curious reader may be referred to the works of Horsley and Roy, authors of de- served estimation. Of the Saxon geography an idea may be derived from the fol- lowing table. 1. Kent comprehended the county of Kent. 2. Sussex or the South C Sussex. Saxons, l Surrey. East Angles, 4. Wessex,orthe West Saxons, VOL. H. r Norfolk. Suffolk. ^Cambridgeshire, with the is^e of Ely. "Cornwall. Devonshire. Dorset. Somerset. Wilts. ., Hants. Berks. ENGLAND. 5. Northumberland, 6. Essex, or Saxons, the East Mercia, Lancashire. Yorkshire. Durham. <( Cumberland. Westmoreland. Northumberland, and the parts of Sc-.t- land to the Frith of Edinburgh. 'Essex. Middlesex. Hertfordshire in part. "Gloucester. Hereford. Warwick. • Worcester. Leicester. Rutland. Northampton. Lincoln. Huntingdon. Bedford. Buckingham. Oxford. Stafford. Derby. Salop. Nottingham. The rest of Hertfordshire. The division into shires is said to have been instituted by the grea^ Alfred, These departments are also styled counties, as having been each governed by a Count, in the Saxon times styled Ealdorman, and, after the Danish conquest, called Earl, from the Danish lai'l, implying a great man. The dignity and title becom- ing hereditary, the government of the county devolved upon the Earl's deputy the Shire-reeve, sheriff or manager of the shire. Yorkshire being very extensive, it was divided into three parts called in Saxon trit/iings, as a farthing is a fourth part, and now corruptly called Ridings. England proper is divided into forty counties, and the princi- pality of Wales into twelve, thus making the whole number of counties in South Britain fifty-two ; of which the following is a list, together with their respective number of inhabitants, and chief towns. Number of Inliabilants according to the late Chief Towns enumeration. (1801.) Northumberland 157,101 Newcastle Cumberland 117,230 Durham 160,361 i Yorkshire 563,953 Westmoreland 41,617 ^Lancashire 672,73 1 Six northern counties Carlisle Durham York Appleby Lancaster ENGLAND. Four bordering on Wales Twelve midland Number of Inhabitants according to the late Chief Towns eaumeration. (1801.) 191,751 167,639 89,191 45,582 140,350 161,142 239,153 130,081 16,556 Eight eastern Cheshire J Shropshire ^ Herefordshire Monmouthshire Nottinghamshire Derbyshire Staffordshire Leicestershire Rutlandshire Northamptonshire 131,757 *j Warwickshire 208,190 Worcestershire Gloucestershire Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire Bedfordshire T.incolHyiire Huntingdonshire Cambridgeshire Norfolk Suffolk Essex Hertfordshire Middlesex Three south- eastern Four southern Three south western J! r Surrey -j Kent (^Sussex Berkshire Wiltshire "I Hampshire {^Dorsetshire r Somersetshire < Devonshire (^Cornwall fFlintshire I Denbighshire 1 ^«T 1 J Caernarvonshire Six, North Wales <{ Anglesey Merionethshire Montgomeryshire Radnorshire Cardiganshire I Pembrokeshire I Caermarthenshire j Brecknockshire [^Glamorganshire Six, South Wales 1 39,553 250,809 109,620 107,444 63,393 208,557 37,568 89,346 273,371 210,431 226,437 97,577 555,329* 269,043 307,624 159,311 109,215 185,107 219,656 115,319 273,750 343,001 188,269 39,622 60,352 41,521 33,806 29,506 47,978 19,050 42,956 56,280 67,317 71,525 Chester Shrewsbury Hereford Monmouth Nottingham Derby Stafford Leicester Okeham Northampton. Warwick Worcester Gloucester Oxford Aylesbury Bedford Lincoln Huntingdon Cambridge Norwich Ipswich Chelmsford Hertford London Guilford Maidstone Lewes Reading Salisbury Winchester Dorchester Taunton Exeter Launceston Flint Denbigh Caernarvon Beaumaris Bala Montgomery Presteign Cardigan Pembroke Caermartheii Brecknock Caerdiff " Exclusive of the capital. 36 ENGLAND. It is alsd generally believed that Alfred founded the subdivi- sions of counties called Hundreds and Tythings, now seldom mentioned, except in legal proceedings and in topographical de- scriptions. The Hundred probably contained one hundred farms, while the Tything vras restricted to ten. In the Norman period of English history few alterations of con- sequence appear in the geography. Cumberland and Westmore- land were wrested from the Scots ; and the provinces north of the Humber, which had maintained a kind of independence after the extinction of the Danish kingdom of Northumbria, were com- pletely incorporated with the monarchy. On the west, Henry I. about the year 1120, having conquered a part of Wales, invited and established a Flemish colony in Pembrokeshire, and one or two others of the most southern counties, which afterwards became remarkable for industry. The subsequent conquest of Wales by Edward I. and its gradual association with England, are suf- ficiently known. Historical epochs.'] 1. The population of England by the Celts. 2. The Belgic colonies, who intrQ4\iced agriculture. 3. The Roman conquest. Britain was only seen by Julius Cae- sar. The Roman conquest began in the reign of Claudius, and in that of Domitan the Roman Eagle had been dispayed as far as the Grampian mountains. 4. The arrival of the Saxons and Angles in the fifth century. 5. The Danish conquest A. D. 1016. The Danish monarchs of England were Canute, Harold, and Hai'dicanute ; but the sceptre returned to the Saxon line A. D. 1042. 6. The Norman conquest, A. D. 1066. 7. The great charter granted by John at Runymede. 8. Not to mention the conquest of Wales and the temporary sub- jugation of Scotland, the civil wars between the houses of York and Lancaster may be regarded as the next memorable epoch. 9. The reformation introduced by Edward VL and Elizabeth. 10. The civil wars under Charles L 11. The Revolution. 12. The war with the American colonies forms not only an epoch of singular novelty, but of the most important consequences. A7iti(]uities.'] The ancient monuments of a country are inti- mately connected with the chief epochs of its history, and particu- larly with the revolutions it has undergone by foreign conquest or new population. The English antiquities fall of course into six divisions. 1. Those belonging to the primitive Celtic inhabitants. 2. Those of the Belgic colonies. 3. Those of the Romans. 4. Those of the Saxons. 5. Reliques of the Danes. 6. Norman monuments. Few of those remains, it must be confessed, throw- much light upon history ; but many of them being interesting and curious in themselves, they deserve the attention of the traveller and geographer. Those of the first Celtic inhabitants were probably, as usual among savage nations, constructed of wood, and of course there can be no remains. Some rude barrows and heaps of stones may ENGLAND. 37 perhaps belong to the Druidic tribes, but Stonehenge, the large Barrows or tumuli, Sec. Sec. more probably belong to the Belgic colonies. Stonehenge is situated near the capital of the ancient Belgae, and there is a similar monument, but said to be of far greater extent, near Vannes, a town on the French coast, which was possessed by the Belgae. Similar monuments also occur in Denmark and Sweden, and in Iceland even the date of erection is sometimes ascertained, these circles being familiarly known by the name of Bomh-ringr, that is literally Doom-ring or Circle of Judgment, being the solemn places where courts were held. Yet Stonehenge will be found, on inspection, to fall short of the ridicu- lous exaggerations of antiquaries, impressing eve-y traveller, after the perusal of such accounts, with disappointed ideas of smallness and want of importance. Such ideas are however unjust, as it is a noble and curious monument of early times. There appear to be three principal circles of stones, the outer connected together by an uniform pavement as it were at the top, to which the chiefs might ascend and speak to the surrounding crowd. A second circle consists of detached upright stones about five feet in height, while the highest are eighteen. Within this is a grand oval, orig- inally consisting of five trilithons of two huge stones crossed by another at the top and inclosing smaller stones, which seem to have been seats, and a large flat stone commonly called the altar, but which seems to have been the throne or seat of judgment. There is besides a very high stone towards the northeaster rising sun, and near this a large flat stone encompassed with a mound, which is probably the real altar on which human victims were sometimes sacrificed. There are also two other stones at a con- siderable distance to the E. and W. and the whole seems to be in the midst of a very extensive circle, marked by an earthen em- bankment almost effaced by the lapse of years, and affording suf- ficient space for all the males of the tribe or nation. The largest stones are ot silicious sand-stone, but the altar, or rather throne, is calcareous sand-stone.* The smaller stones are of gi'unstein, or hornblend mixed with felspar. On its first erection the ap- pearance must have been striking, the large stones being of pure white and the smaller black. After the establishment of Christianity the circles of judgment, which had been polluted with human sacrifices and other pagan rites, were abandoned, and the great courts were held on what were called Moot hills or hills of meeting, many o( which still ex- ist in the British dominions and in the Netherlands. The Roman antiquities of England have been repeatedly illus- trated. The greatest number of Roman inscriptions, altars, kc. has been found in the north along the great frontier wall which extended from the western sea to the estuary of Tyne. The Ro- man roads were also striking monuments of their power. A grand trunk, as it may be called, to anticipate the language of our inland navigations, passed from the south to the north, and another to the » Townsou's Tracts, 2-2S. 38 ENGLAND. west, with branches in almost every direction that general con- venience and expedition could require. What is called the Wat- ling-street led from Richborough in Kent, the ancient Rutupift, N. W. through London to Chester. The Ermin-street passed from London to Lincoln, thence to CarUsle and into Scotland, the name being supposed to be corrupted from Herman^ which means warrior, as the chief wars lay in the north. The Fosse way is sup- posed to have led from Bath and the western regions N. E. till it joined the Ermin-street. The last celebrated road was the Ilke- nild, or Ikneld, supposed to have extended from near Norwich S. W. into Dorsetshire.* The Saxon antiquities in England are chiefly edifices, sacred or secular ; many churches remain which were altogether or for the most part constructed in the Saxon period, and some are extant of the tenth or perhaps the ninth century. The vaults erected by Grimbald at Oxford in the reign of Alfred, are justly esteemed curious relics of Saxon architecture. Mr. King has ably illus- trated the remains ol the Saxon castles. The oldest seem to con- sist of one solitary tower, square or hexagonal : one of the rudest specimens is Coningsburg Castle in Yorkshire ; but as that region was subject to tlie Danes till the middle of the tenth century it 1.9 probably Danish. Among the smaller remains of Saxon art may be mentioned the shrines for preserving relics, which some sup- pose to present the diminutive rudiments of Avhat is styled the Gothic architecture ; and the illuminated manuscripts, which often afford curious memorials of the state of manners and knowledge. The Danish power in England, though of considerable duration in the north, was in the south brief and transitory. The camps of that nation were circular like those of the Belgae and Saxons, while those of Roman armies are known by the square form ; and it is believed that the only distinct relics of the Danes are some castles to the. north of the Humber and a few stones with Runic inscriptions. The monuments styled Norman, rather to distinguish their epoch, than from any information that Norman architects were employed, are reputed to commence after the conquest, and to extend to the fourteenth century ; when what is called the rich Gothic began to appear, which in the sixteenth century was sup- planted by the mixed ; and this in its turn yielded to the Grecian. In genera! the Norman style far exceeds the Saxon in the size of the edifices and the decoration of the parts. The churches be- come more extensive and lofty, and though the windows retain the circular arch they are larger and more diversified ; the circu- lar doors are festooned with more freedom and elegance, and un- couth animals begin to yield to wreaths of leaves and flowers. The solitary keep or tower of the Saxon castle is surrounded with a double wall, inclosing courts or dwellings of large extent, de- fended by turrets and double ditches, wi\h a separate watch-tower c^vHcd tiie Barbican. Among others the cathedrals of Durham * Gou'^h's Brit. Topog. L 10. ENGLAND. 39 cind Winchester may be mentioned, as venerable monuments of Anglo-Norman architecture, and the castles are numerous and Avell known. What is called the Gothic or pointed arch is gen- erally supposed to have first appeared in the thirteenth century, and in the next it became universal in religious edifices. The ■windows diffused to great breadth and loftiness, and divided into branching interstices, enriched with painted glass, the clustering pillars of excessive height spreading into various fret-work on the roof, constitute, with decorations of smaller note, what is called the rich Gothic style, visible in the chapel of King's College, Cam- bridge, and many other grand specimens in this kingdom. The spire corresponds with the interior, and begins about the thir- teenth century to rise boldly from the ancient tower, and diminish from the sight in a gradation of pinnacles and ornaments. Religion^ The church of England is the only refoi'med church, which has retained the episcopal form in its ancient splendor ; for though bishops may also be found in Denmark, Sweden, Nor- way, £cc. they are rather inspectors of the conduct of the clergy and of the modes of education, than ^prelates endowed with sena- torial rank and dignity. In England, on the contrary, the bishops are peers of parliament, and have the style and importance of no- bility. Yet the creed of the English church is rather Calvinistic than Lutheran. But the special tenets of the English church are sufficiently explained in the thirty-nine articles ; and a brief idea of its government will be more pertinent to the present purpose. Upon his dispute with the pontiff, Henry VIIL assumed the title o{ supreme head of the national church. Next in dignity and power are the archbishops of Canterbury and York ; the first being styled Primate of all England ; and the second Primate of England. The archbishop of Canterbury precedes all persons, except the royal family ; he has the power of probate of all testa- ments within his province, and of granting several dispensations concerning benefices ; he has also four courts of judicature, that of Arches, of Audience, of Prerogative, and of Peculiars. In other respects the archiepiscopal office is rather a dignity than a jurisdiction, and the primates rarely interfere in any dioceses ex- cept their own. They are appointed by the king in the same manner as the bishops, by what is called a Conge d'Elire, or leave to elect. Upon any vacancy in an episcopal see, the dean and chapter apply to the king, who returns a Conge d'Elire naming the person to be chosen. A chapter of the prebendaries is then summoned by the dean, and they are constrained, under the penalty of ^.Jira:- munire^ to elect the person nominated. The solemnity is com- pleted by the royal assent under the great seal, and by the confir- mation and consecration performed by the metropolitan or in his name. The prelate afterwards pays homage to the king for his ' temporalities, or the baronies connected with the see ; and com- pounds for the first fruits, that is, the revenue of the first year, which is paid to the corporation for increasing the benefices of the poor clergy. The omission of consecration is the only diflference 40 ENGLAND. when a bishop is translated to another see ; and when an arch- bishop is nominated, the king appoints four or more bishops to officiate at the confirmation. The bishop alone may ordain deacons and priests, dedicate churches and burial grounds, and administer confirmation. In former times episcopal jurisdiction extended to tl|e licensing of physicians, surgeons, and schoolmasters, and to the conjunction of small parishes. At present it chiefly embraces questions of births, marriages, deaths, and testaments, and any delinquencies of the clergy ; to which body indeed their attention is now chiefly confined, and they rarely, except in parliament, interfere in secu- lar subjects. The bishop of Sodor and Man has no place in par- liament. All the other bishops are barons and peers of the realm by three different claims ; in right of the baronies attached to their sees, as barons summoned by writ, and as barons by patent, a form which accompanies their consecration,. Their privileges approach the regal ; they are sole judges in their own courts, and issue Avrits in their own names, not in the royal style used by other courts. They can depute their authority, which no other judge can ; and their episcopal power of conferring orders. Sec. may be exerted in any Christian country, while lay peers are only acknowledged in the country where they derive their dignities. To pass other more minute privileges, the bishop of London, as presiding over the capital, has the precedence of all the others. The see of Durham constitutes a county palatine, with great powers and prerogatives : the authority and patronage of the bishop are of course very extensive, and even the king's judges only sit in his diocese by his permission. The bishop of Win- chester is the third in dignity, but esteemed the first in opulence, as tlie large civil list of Durham, while it adds power, diminishes revenue. These three bishops precede all the rest, who take place according to the seniority of consecration. To every cathedral in England belong several prebendaries as canons, and a dean, so styled, as is said (Deccuius) because he an- ciently presided over ten canons. In the old quaint language he was called one of the bishop's eyes, while the archdeacon who had charge of the deacons was reputed the other. The dean and chapter of prebendaries assist the bishop in ecclesiastic affairs. The prebendaries are so styled from the prebend or /lass prxben- da, a portion of land or income allotted to them ; and, with the dean, form a body, college, or corporation : and they have several privileges superior to the common or minor canons. At the re- formation their salaries were mostly converted into money, but those of Durham preferred the ancient portions of land ; which having prodigiously increased in value, they are now styled golden' prebends, being worth from 800/. to I200Z a year, while the bishop out of 9000/. a year has to support a great and unavoidable ex- penditure. The next order is that of the arch-deacons, amounting in all to about sixty ; their office is to inspect the moveables of the church- es, to reform slight abuses, and to induct into benefices. x\rch- ENGLAND. 41 |5riests, who on the Continent share the labours of the arch-deacon on a smaller scale, being superintendants over a few parishes, were in England also styled rvn-al deans, but are now unknown. Subdivisions of government are so much controlled by the very nature of human affairs, that the power of the arch-priest almost correspond with the Scotish presbytery, while the provincial sy- nods are similar to bishoprics. Of the clergy in general, the lowest order is that of deacons, whose office formerly was to superintend the poor ; the ancient donations to the church being always assigned in three divisions, one to the poor, another for repairs, and the last for the clergy. At present the deacon's office is restricted to baptism, to reading in the church, and assisting the priest at the communion by hand- ing the cup only. Deacon's orders cannot be canonically receiv- ed before the age of twenty-three years, those of a priest require twenty-four, and a bishop must be thirty. The curate is a clergy- man appointed to officiate for another, and is so named from his having the care of souls ; hence the French rather apply the term to the rector. If the predial or great tythes of the parish be im- propriated, or converted into secular hands, the priest is termed a vicar, a name originally implying that they Avere the vicarii, or deputies of the rector ; but if the tythes be entire, the priest is styled rector. The church wardens superintend the repairs and decorations of the church, and the requisites for divine service, and collect the alms of the parishioners ; they are annually elect- ed at Easter, and have sometimes sidesmen, a kind of assistants. The sacristan, corruptly called sexton, originally had the care of the furniture and plate of the church ; and by a still greater cor- ruption the appellation is now applied to the grave-digger, when it ought to have been conferred on the parish-clerk. The clergy in general enjoy some peculiar privileges. Their goods are free from tolls in fairs and markets : they cannot be com- pelled to any office civil or military : they are only amerced according to their temporal estate : nor are they assessed for a robbery com- miitted in the hundred, or for watching, warding, highways, &c. &c. Ecclesiastical courts still retain considerable power : the con- vocation, consisting of the archbishops and bishops, with a lower house of 150 members, only meets for the sake of form ; but have not been allowed to deliberate since the reign of Anne. Next in dignity is the court of delegates, acting by a special commission under the great seal ; and to whom an appeal lies from the highest metropolitan court. The court of arches is so styled because it was held in the arches of the church of St. Mary- le-bone, London, but now in the great hall. Doctors Commons ; only doctors of the civil law are allowed to plead. The court of audience is always presided by the archbishop himself, who de- cides any doubts concerning the admission to benefices and dis- pensation of the banns of matrimony. The next court is that of prerogative, which judges of estates fallen by will, or intestate ; the prerogative office is likewise in Doctors Commons. The court of peculiars refers to several pc- VOL. II. 6 42 ENGLAND. culiar parishes exempt from the jurisdiction of the bishops, but here amenable : the judges are sole and without jury. The ecclesiastical geography of England may be seen in the following table : Province of Ca7iterbury. 1. Bishopric of London, containing Essex, Middlesex, and part of Hertford, 2. Winchester.-— Surry, Hampshire, Isles of Wight, Jersey, Guernsey, and xYlderney. 5. Litchfield and Coventry. — Stafford, Derby, and part of War- wick and Shropshire. 4. Lincoln.-— Lincoln, Leicester, Huntingdon, Bedford, Buck- ingham and part of Hertford. 5. Ely. — Cainbridgshire. 6. Salisbury. — Wilts and Berkshire. 7. Exeter. — Cornwall and Devon. S. Bath and Wells. — Somersetshire. 9. Chichester. — Sussex. iO. Norwich, — Norfolk, Suffolk and a small part of Cambridge, 1 i. Worcester. — Worcester, and part of Warwick. 12. Hereford.— Hereford and part of Shropshire. 13. Rochester. — -Part of Kent. 14. Oxford. — Oxfordshire. 15. Peterborough. — Northampton and Rutland. 1 6. Gloucester. — Gloucestershire. 17. Bristol. — The city of Bristol, part of Gloucestershire, and county of Dorset. 1 8. Llandaff. — Glamorgan, Monmouth, Brecknock, and Radnor. 19. St. David's. — Pembroke, Cardigan, and Caermarthen. 20. St. Asaph. — The greatest part of Flint, Denbigh, and Mont- gomery, and some part of Shropshire. 21. Bangor. — The counties of Anglesey, Caernarvon, Merio- neth, and part of Denbigh and Montgomery. Province of York. 22. Durham. — Durham and Northumberland. 23. Carlisle. — Great part of Cumberland and Westmoreland. 24. Chester. — Cheshire, Lancashire, Richmondshire (which is part of York ;) with part of Cumberland and Westmoreland. 25. Isle of Man. Those who differ in tenets or forms from the established church may, in genei"al, be styled dissenters, though the term be more strictly applied to the Presbyterians and Independents. The other principal classes of the diffidents are the Papists, MethodistSj Quakers, the Anabaptists, the Swedenborgians, and the Unitarians ; the last class denying the Trinity, and believing only in one God, is now intermingled with the two first, and in cc-asiderable num- bers with the established church. The Independents assert, that each congregation has a right to regulate itself, while the Presby- terians unite churches under various divisions, provincial and na- tional. The Papists used chiefly to abound in Lancashire, Staf- fordshire, and Sussex ; they had potent chiefs, and were a foi'mi- ENGLAND. 4S dable body ; but the passage from superstition to contempt is so natural, that many have fled to the opposite extreme. Those who retain their faith generally display moderation, which has been naturally increased by the late privileges extended to them. The Methodists are numerous and respectable. Their num- bers in Great Britain in July 1809 amounted to 132,086 ; in Ire- land to 25,835 : total 157,921. In July 1810 they had increased in both islands 7,777. In the other British dominions they were in 1809 in Gibraltar 40, in the west Indies 12,500, British North America 1,121. These added to the Methodists of the United States, 159,500 in number, makes a total of 331,082 Methodists then on the globe. They allow the propriety of the creed and government of the Church of England; but require a more strict life, more fervent devotion, and more frequent and serious attendance upon divine worship, than is enforced by the establishment. A philoso- pher may well envy the mild creed and universal charity of the Quakers ; while we must allow with a sigh that a nation of quakers could not exist, except all nations were of the same persuasion. The Anabaptists disown infant baptism, and bathe the adult disci- ple. The learned Whiston admired their tenets and their practice of anointing the sick with oil, which, as he believed, operated Avith miraculous power. The Swedenborgians derive their name from the Baron Swedenborg, a nobleman, who exchanged his native country of Sweden for a residence in England. Government.~] The English constitution is a limited monarchy, counterpoised by two senates, one of hereditary peers, the other of representatives chosen by the people. The King of England at his coronation solemnly swears to govern his people according to parliamentary statutes, and the law of the country ; to maintain the Protestant religion ; and to preserve the legal rights and privileges of the bishops, clergy, and church. His acknowledged prerogatives are chiefly to declare war and to make peace, a power upon which the whole of public prosperity may be said to depend ; to form alliances and treaties ; to grant commission for levying men and arms ; and even for pressing- mariners. To the king belong all magazines, amunition, castles, forts, ports, havens, and ships of v/ar : he has also the special management of the coinage, and determines the alloy, weight, and value. His prerogative likewise extends to the assembling, ad- journment, prorogation, and dissolution of parliament, and to its removal to any place. He also enjoys the nomination of all oflftcers on sea or land ; of all magistrates, counsellors, and officers of state ; of all bishops and other great ecclesiastical dignitaries ; and is not only the fountain of honour but of justice, as he may pardon any offence, or mitigate the penalty. As head of the church he may call a national or provincial synod, and with its consent enact canons either relating to faith or practice. The other prerogatives are more minute and more adapted to juris- prudential enumeration. The more important exceptions are, that he cannot enact new laws or impose new taxes without the consent of both houses of parliament. U ENGLAND. This grand national council claims the next consideration. Orig- inally both the nobles and the commons met in one house, and it is not impossible that the mere inconvenience of not finding halls large enough for the ambulatory parliaments might have occasioned the division into two houses, unknown in any other country, and •which in fact may be regarded as the sole foundation of English liberty. The house of Peers may be said to have existed from the earliest period of English history ; but concerning the origin of the Commons there is a dispute between the Tory and Whig writers. The present constitution of the parliament of England may however be traced with certainty to near the middle of the thirteenth century ; but it remains unknown at what precise time happened the important separation of the Commons from the Peei"s. The latter are hereditary senators in their several degrees of duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. The Duke is so styled from the Latin dux^ a leader or general ; the title of Mar- quis springs from the Gothic language, and implies the command- er of a march or frontier : the Earl and Baron are also from the Gothic, and merely imply eminent men ; the Viscount is Latin, and signifies the lieutenant of the count or earl. The various orders of nobility have been preserved more pure in England than in any other country ; owing partly to the laws of primogeniture, partly to their senatorial office, partly to the institution of the col- lege of heralds. In Germany and some other countries the nobil- lity has fallen into comparative degradation, from the extension of the title to all the sons, and from the presumption of adventurers. The privileges of the peers arc moderate and uninvidious, there being no exemption froin taxes, Sec. as in some countries. The Hovise of Commons consists of knights, citizens, and bur- gesses, chosen by counties, cities, and burghs, in consequence of royal writs directed to the sheriff. The members have certain privileges, as exemption from arrest in civil causes, on their jour- ney to parliament, during their attendance, and on their return ; nor can they be questioned out of the house, for any sentiment there uttered. The commons form the grand inquest of the realm, and may impeach or accuse the greatest peers ; but their chief privilege, and upon Avhich their whole power depends, is the levy- ing of money, in which they are deservedly so jealous, that they will not permit the smallest alteration in a money bill. Since the union with Ireland the House of Commons consists of six hundred and fifty-eight members ; but by sickness, important offices, and indispensable avocations, vhere rarely appear above tv*-o thirds of the number. A Speaker or president is chosen at the meeting of every new parliament, but is usually continued from one to anoth- er, as the office requires a complete and ready knowledge of the forms, and considerable abilities. Acts df parliament are first presented in the form of diUs, and, after having gone through various and exact forms generally ob- served with great miimteness, become law on receiving the sanc- tion of the Crown. Adjournments may frequently hap}:cn in one session, and tliu ENGLAND 45 business is continued and i-esumed ; but a prorogation terminates the session, and the bills not then passed must recommence their whole progress. By a modern statute the death of the king does not, as formerly, terminate the parliament; which, on the contrary, had it been previously dissolved, may, on that event, resume its functions. Such are the three grand component parts of the English con- stitution ; but perhaps its most beneficial and popular effects arise from the mode of administering justice, and other ramifications. For the sake of connection, nowever, it is proper first to consider the Privy Council and the other divisions of the government. The Privy Council formerly possessed gixat poAver, but ar present is chiefly employed in deliberations on affairs of sudden emergence, on peace and Avar, and special provinces of the royal prerogative. The members are chosen by the king, and on changes of administration are seldom erased, though those in opposition never attend. They arc styled Right Honourable, and are sworn to observe secrecy : the lowest at the board pronounces his opin- ion first, and the king, if present, concludes Avith declaring his judgment. Even at an early period, Avhen the monarch maintained in his own hands a great share cf the administration of justice, and of the actual exercise of authority, there were intervals of absence or recreation in which he delegated the chief management of business to some select person, usually an ecclesiastic, whose cul- tivated talents qualified him for such an important trust. To lend more weight to this substitute, he was commonly appointed chan- cellor or chief administrator of civil justice, Avas president of the House of Peers, and supported the royal influence in that great assembly. But in later times Avhen the management of the House of Commons became the chief object of the croAvn, the chancellor of the Court of Exchequer^ as superintendant of the public reve- nue, is the officer generally considered as prime minister. The distribution of fifty millions a year, joined Avith the royal support, has recently carried his power to the highest elevation. Next to him in authority are the secretaries of state, Avho are followed by the chancellor, the treasurer of the navy, the president of thi' council, the paymaster of the forces, the commissioners of the treasury, and other persons of high trust.* Judicature.^ The judicature of England is Avonhy of the high- est applause with regard to precision and purity ; and biibes, so frequent in other countries, being totally unknoAvn, the saving o- this expense must be candidly poised against other legal disbursef ments. The trial by jury is another glorious feature of English jurispi'udencc, handed doAvn from the Saxon times, and is justly respected as the very safeguard of the lives, liberties, and pro- perties of the nation. It Avould bo idle and extraneous here to attempt pven a brief sketch of the laAvs of England. * Wc subjoin here a list of English kings, from llic time tliat this country hecHriM' united under one monarch, in the person of Kpjbeit, who subdueil llie other [trinces < f the Saxon heiiturchy, and gave tlic name of Anglc-bnd to this part of the isUiud ; tin- 46 ENGLAND. Among the courts of law the next in dignity to the House of Lords is the Court of King's Bench so called, because the sove- reign was understood to judge in person ; and its jurisdiction of course extends to the whole kingdom, the presiding judge being denominated Lord Chief Justice of England. The Court of Chan- 'cery judges causes in equity to moderate the rigor of the law, and defend the helpless from oppression, and especially to extend Saxons and Angles having about four centuries before, invaded and subdued the ancient Biitons, whom they diove into Wales and Cornwall. Began to rtigti. 800 Egbert 838 Ethelwolf S:)/ Ethelbald 860 Etbelbert 866 Ethelred 871 Alfred the Great 901 Edwaitl the Elder 925 Athelstan ^ Saxon Princes. 941 Edmund 646 Edred 955 Edwy 959 Edgar 975 Edward the Martyr 978 Ethelred IF. 1016 Edmund n. or Ironside J 1017 Canute, King of Denmark ■) 1035 Harold C. Danisli. 1039 Hardicanute j 1041 Edwai-d the Confessor 7 c „ 1065 Harold 5 ^^°'^- 1066 William I. 5^ (Commonly called tlie conqueror) duke of Normandy, a province \ facing the S. of England, now annexed to the French monarchy. J08^ William II. I Sons of the Conqueror. 1100 Henry I. ^ 1135 Stephen, grandson to the Conqueror, by his 4th daughter Adela. -.ir- w IT C(Flatagenet) grandson of Henry I. by his daughter, the empress 1154 Henry U. ^Matilda, and her 2d husband, Geoffrey Platagenet. J J 89 ?'f''^'''^ ^- 1- Sons of Henry II. 1199 John ^ ■' 1216 Henry III. son of John. 1272 E(iward I. son of Henry III. 1307 Edward II. son of Edward 1. » 1327 Edward III. son of Edward II. 1377 Richard II. grandson of Edward III. by his eldest son, the Black Prince. ,. ,,r CSon to John of Gaunt, duke of Lan- "J 1399 Henry IV. | ,,, e,^,,, ,„. I ^^^^^^ ^^ Lancaster. 1413 Henry V. son oi Henry IV. f 1422 Henry VI. son of Henry V. J 1461 Edward IV. descended from Edwai'dlllby Lionel his 3d son 0 1483 Edward V. son of E William III. nephew and son-in-law of James II. l-^no V A ^'^^^^^^''y^ Daughters of James 11. in whom ended the Protestant line i-u- /\nne ^ p, ci,aj,igs j f^^, James II upon his abdicating the throne, carried with liisj his infant son, (the late Preten- der) who was excluded by act of parliament, which settled the succession in the next Protestant heirs of James I. The surviving issue of James, at the time of his death, were a son and a dat.ghter, viz. Charles, who succeeded him, and the princess Elizabeth, who married the Elector __ Palatine, who took the title of king of Bohemia, and left a daughter, the princess Sophia, who married the duke ot Brinswick Lunenburgh, by A\hora she had George, elector ef Hanover, who ascended the throne, by act of parliament-, expressly made in favor of his mother. 1714 George t. i 1727 George II. son of George I. > House of Hanover. 1760 George 111. grandsoa of George II. J 43 ENGLAND. to send othei- criminals to the new and distant Asiatic settlemems, than by the waste of blood, to lessen strength and population. Populatio7i.'\ According to a census taken in 1801, there were In Englanj), Males 3,987,935 Females 4,343,409 In Wales, Males 257,178 Females 284,368 The Army 198,351 Navy 126,279 Seamen 144,558 Convicts 1,410 8,331,344 541,546 Total Males 4,716,045 Total Females 4,627,443 In Cities 2,356,793 In the Country 6,5 1 6, 1 97 Army, Navy, Sec. 470,598 470,598 9,343,488 9,343,488 9,343,488 Farmers 1,713,289 Mechanics and) 1343351 Manufacturers 3 ' '^ Houses in England. 1,467,870 inhabited. 53,965 uninhabited. Total 1,521,835 Families 1,778,420 in Wales, 108,053 inhabited houses. 3,5 1 1 uninhabited do. 111,564 Families 118,503 Total houses inhabited 1,575,923 Total houses uninhabited 57,476 1,633,399 Total families 1,886,923 The population of Ireland is estimated at about 4,000,000 That of Scotland, at 1,607,760 The population of England and Wales 9,343,488 Total inhabitants in Great Britain 1 4,95 1 ,248 ENGLAND. 49 The English language is probably diffused to the extent of 20,000,000 of people. Jniizj.^ The British ai-my, in 1808, consisted, 1. Oi Regular Troops^ as follows, viz. Infantry 101,003") Swiss do. 1:^,561 I 128,422 German do. 7,858 J Cavalry 22,653 1 Swiss do. 72 I 25 German do. 2,989 J Guards 8,090 Garrisons 6,757 Veterans 5,624 Armee Depots 3,899 Artillery 24,781 Total 203,287 2. QiMilit ia. In Great Britain 54,686 Ireland 21,473 Total Militia 76,159 Total Regulars 203,287 Whole No. 279,446 The British forces in the East Indies, in 1809 242,OCfO Total 521,446 J^'avy^ The great rampart, defence, and glory of Great Britain consist in her navy, in size, strength, and number of ships, far exceeding any examples on record, as may be judged from the following catalogue formed in February 1811. NAVY YA'^i:^ February 1811. Statement of the British JVaval Force., exclusive of the hired armed Vessels, which are chiejiy emjiloyed in protecting the Coasting Trade of Great Britain. r "Tf ^ 2 ca o 3 ST At sea - - 89 9 125 100 140 32 53 5 553 In port and fitting 31 6 37 47 33 7 22 183 Guard, hospital, and) 35 g g 5 1 • , ^3 prison ships 3 Inordinary and re- ? ^^,, „„ ,. ,- ^ nr..,^ . . ' 5- 64 11 98 44 17 4 8 246 pairing - 3 Building - - 35 2 14 3 54 Total 254 34 280 199 190 40 79 13 108? VOL. II. 7 50 ENGLAND. For this immense fleet the number of seamen amoimU from lOO to 120,000, a number which no other country ancient or modern could have supplied. The naval power of Great Britain constitutes so striking and important a feature in the national portrait, that it merits particu- lar illustration. Even in the Saxon times we find considerable fleets mentioned of the small vessels then in use. One of the Northumbrian monai-chs assembled a numerous fleet near Jarro, the monastery of Bcda, in an extensive haven of the time, now be- come a salt marsh. About the year 882 we find that Alfred di- rected a powerful fleet against the Danish invaders. The fleet of Edgar is also celebrated, but the armament of Ethelredthe second, in the year 1009, exceeded any which England ever before had beheld, probably amounting to five hundred of the small ships then known. I3ut the devastations of the Danes and Normans occasioned such a decline in the naval power of England, that Richard I. was obliged to have recourse to foreign vessels for his crusade. In the reign of John we, for the first time, find com- memorated a signal victory of the English and Flemings over the French fleet of Philip Augustus, which was computed at 1700 ships, or rather boats. The English monarch, in the pride of his triumph, was the first who ordered the salute to be paid by for- eign vessels to the national flag. The fleet of England thenceforth continued to be always respectable, and generally victorious ; but the preponderance of the English armaments over those of France only became permanent and decisive a little more than a century ago, after the battle of La Hogue. Spain had yielded the con- test since the destruction of her great Armada, and Holland had been greatly reduced in her naval conflicts under Charles the IL so that no rival remains, and Great Britain maintains a fixed supe- riority over the ocean. The special superintendance of the navy is committed to the Board of Admiralty, composed of admirals of known skill, and of peers whose impartiality generally regards merit alone in this im- portant service. The recent conduct of English maritime war has been crowned with distinguished success ; and their admirals must be allowed to rival any names in naval history ancient or modern. Revetiue.'] In ancient times the royal revenue chiefly arose from the domains, or lands appropriated to the crown ; from amerciaments civil and criminal, Avhich passed to the fisc or treasury, and from customs on goods imported and exported. As in war each soldier was obliged to maintain himself for a certain time, the expenditure was not much increased. Upon extraor- dinary emergencies, it appears that a contribution was raised by the consent of the national council. In later periods subsidies were granted to the amount of a fifteenth or a tenth of landed income, and a proportional r?vte on moveable goods. As society advanced, taxes began to be imposed on the materials themselves ; and from a small plant an enormous tree has risen, with a labyrinth of roots, which in the opinion of some politicians undermine the island. ENGLAND. 3 1 while others believe that they only produce a more firm con- solidation. The excise forms one of the most productive branches of the revenue. Next stand the custotns^ and after them the stamps. The land-tax has recently been rendered perpetual and sold to proprietors of estates and other individuals. But, instead of the land-tax, now appear those on sugar, tobacco, and malt, amount- ing to near 3,000,000. The other supplies arise from the East India Company, lotteries, &c. The following is the prodvige of the excise, customs, and stamps, in 1806 and 1808. 1806. 1808. Excise ^ 25,338,925 C 26,769,015 Customs 12,769,243 12,337,315 Stamps 4,568,690 4,969,424 he net revenue of Great Britain amounted In 1806 to £ 56,902,099 1808 to 60,354,782 1809 to 58,636,178 The amount of the revenue, for the year ending January 1810 was as follows : Oi'dinary £ 38,339,493 Extraordinary resources 23,790,289 Loans 14,675,668 Grand Total £ 76,805,450 The amount of expenditure for the same year, was/; 82,027,288. Of this sum ;C 20,956,052 was for interest on the national debt ; fi 10,904,450, interest on debt redeemed and sinking fund, applied to the reduction of national debt. For the navy d the contentions of the houses of York and Lancaster are well known. There is a bridge of five arches over the Lon ; which ©pens into a considerable haven, the seat of a moderate commerce, especially with the West-Indies. Inhabitants, 9,030. * A Bishop's see constitutes a city, f Aikin, 2l6. \ Pennant's Tcjurs Aikin, 00. VOL. ir. 9 S6 EWGLANO. On the east, the extensive province of Yorkshire contains many flourishing towns, besides York, and Sheffield, ah'eady described. On the Humber, the wide receptacle of many rivers, stands the great sea-port of Hull, or Kingston-upon-Hull ; the latter name being only twat of the rivulet. The town was founded by Edward I. Several privileges were obtained from Richard II. ; and the first staple of trade, was stock-fish imported from Iceland. In the civil wars of last century, Hull displayed the first flag of defiance against the monarch. The harbor is artificial, and is supposed to present the largest dock in the kingdom. The trade is important with America and the south of Europe, but chiefly with the Baltic ; and several ships are employed in the northern whale fishery. The coasting traffic is extensive in coals, corn, wool, and manu- factures : and Hull supplies the commerce of many northern counties ; having not only commvmication with the Trent, and other branches of the Humber, but with the rivers and canals of Yorkshire.* Its inhabitants amounted in 1801 to 29,516. Leeds, Bradfield, Halifax, and Wakefield, are the chief centres of the great manufactures of woollen-cloths and stuff's. Leeds is the principal part for broad-cloths, or what foreigners term fine English cloth. It is situated on the river Aire, in an extensive vale. The population of the parish amounts to 53,162, and the houses to 6691 : the cloths are woven in the neighboring villages ; but are dyed, prepared, and sold at Leeds. The cloth- hall appi'opriated to the sale, is a vast edifice ; and the M^hole bu- siness is transacted within the space of an hour on the market days. Halifax is an elevated situation, and very populous. It is the chief market for the thinner woollen-cloths ; such as stuff's, calimancos. Sec. Scarborough, on the eastern coast, is a place of celebrated resort for sea-bathing, and on account of its mineral water ; the site is romantic, but the port is small, and chiefly fre- quented by fishing vessels. Durham is a pleasant and venerable city, extending partly over an eminence : the river Were, winding around in the form of a horse shoe, renders it peninsular. Near the neck of land is placed the castle, of which little more than the keep remains ; which is surrounded by the pleasant garden of the bishop's adjacent palace. Some branches of the woollen manufacture are carried on at Dur- ham, and a few elegant carpets have been lately made there in a kind of Mosaic form. Inhabitants, 7530. Stockton on the river Tees, Sunderland at the mouth of the Were, and South Shields on that of the Tyne, are sea-port towns in the bishopric (for so the county of Durham is commonly styled in the north) of considerable size, trade, and population. Hart-le- Pool is only a bathing place. On the river Tyne stands Newcastle, so termed from a fortress erected by Edward I. This large and populous town, containing 28,366 inhabitants,! is placed in the centre of the grand coal-mines in the counties of Durham and Northxnnberland, which have for * Aikiii, I:^n!j. {leliii. 50. f liassel s;u s 30,^10.3 in 1801. ENGLAND. 67 centuries supplied London and most of the east and south of Eng- land with that fuel ; which has, perhaps, contributed more to the manufactures and commerce, and consequent wealth and power of this kingdom, than any other material or circumstance. The coal fleets sometimes amount to five hundred sail ; their station is at Shields, and the quays Jarrow and Willington. Even as a nursery of seamen, the trade is invaluable.* In all parts of the neighborhood are seen large carts laden with coals, and proceed- ing towards the port, on inclined planes, without the help of horses or men, to the great surprise of the stranger. f Near Newcastle are also found quarries of grind-stone ; and many glass houses smoke around, the productions of which have been recently of re- markable purity. Other exports are, pickled salmon, lead, salt, butter, and tallow. The suburb of Gateshead stands on the south of the Tyne, and is connected with the city by a grand bridge. The shops and crowded streets recal the idea of London ; but the latter are generally narrow, steep, and incommodious. Berwick-upon-Tweed, being on the Scottish side of the river, shall be reserved for the description of that country. The chief remaining town in England is Carlisle, the capital of the county of Cumberland, placed at the conflvience of the rivers Pettril and Cal- dew, with the Eden.| The old fortifications remain nearly entire. It is supposed to have been the ancient Luguballia ; but neither the castle nor cathedral are remarkable. The chief manufactures are linens printed and checked, whips, and fish hooks. The town is little, but populous, containing 10,22 1 inhabitants ; and is chiefly memorable for transactions in the ancient wars between Scotland and England. Wales, a country abounding in the sublime and beautiful fea- tures of nature, contains many towns of note ; and the description of a few has been reserved to this place, for the greater clearness of arrangement. Caei'marthen, the capital of a county, is also regarded as the principal town in South Wales: it stands upon the river Towy, and was anciently defended by a castle, now demolished. The haven is shallow, and the trade of course not very considerable.^ Inhabitants, 5548. Pembroke, on a creek of Milford haven, is a small town of little commerce. Caernarvon is esteemed the chief town of North Wales for the beauty of the situation, regularity of the streets, and above all for the grandeur of the castle, one of the most magnificent in Europe, founded by Edward I. in 1282. Here was born Edward II. sur- named of Caernarvon, who was immediately created the first English Prince of AVales ; his father having equivocally promised to the vanquished AVelsh a prince born in tiieir own country, and who could not speak one v/ord of English. The town has a con- siderable trade with London, Bristol, Liverpool, and Ireland, and * Cough's Camden, iii. 252. j Gough'sCamdeti, iii. 17:7. i Sr. Fond, voyage en Angl. i. 163, § Gough's Camden, ii. 50i, 507. 68 ENGLAND. has a beautiful quay along the side of the Menai, a streight be- tween North Wales and Anglesea.* B7-idges.^ The bridges are worthy the superiority of the Eng-. lish roads ; and a surprising exertion in this department, is the recent construction of bridges in cast iron, an invention unknown to all other nations. The first example was that of Coalbrook- dale, in Shropshire, erected over the Severn in 1779. This bridge rests on abutments of stone-work, the main rib consisting of two pieces, each 70 feet long, connected by a dove-tail joint fastened with screws. The road over the bridge is made of clay and iron flag, 24 feet Avide and one deep ; the span of the arch, 100 feet 6 inches ; height from the base line to the centre, 40 feet ; the weight of iron employed, 378 tons 10 hundred weight.! Another iron bridge has since been erected in the vicinity. A stupendous iron bridge was thrown over the harbor at Sunderland, about five years ago; the height of which is 100 feet, and the span of the arch 236 : it is composed of detached pieces, which, if damaged in any of the parts, may be withdrawn and replaced by others. It is supported between two strong and elevated stone piers, and the arch is surmounted at either end by vast hoops, supporting the platform or passage of tlie bridge, which is thus rendered almost level. When viewed from beneath, the elegance, lightness, and surprising height, excite admiration, and the carriages appear as if passing among the clouds. Inlaiid JYavigation.'] This article is important to the best in- terests of the country, and demands particular attention. The earliest inland navigation that can be authenticated, is the Sanke)f canal, leading from the coal-pits at St. Helens, in Lancashire, to the river Mersey, and constructed in order to convey coals to Liverpool.:}: The length of the canal is twelve nniles, with a fall of ninety feet. The act of parliament passed in 1755 ; the original intention was only lo render the rivulet called Sankey Brook, navigable ; but it was found more advantageous to form a canal along its course. The surveyor Avas Mr. John Eyes. But the Duke of BridgCAvater is justly venerated as the grand founder of inland navigation : his spirit and opulence Avere happily seconded by Brindiey, than Avhom a greater natural genius in me- chanics never existed. It Avas in the year 1758 that the first act Avas obtained for these great designs. The first canal extends from Worsley mill, about seven computed miles from Manchester, and reaches that toAvn by a course of nine miles. In this short space almost every difticulty occurred that can arise in similar scnernes ; but mountains and rivers yielded to the genius of Brind- Iej\ Tiiere are subterraneous passages to the coal in the moun- tain, of near a mile in length, sometimes cut through the solid rock, and occasionally arched over with brick ; Avith air-funnels to the top of the hill, some of them thirty-seven yards perpendicu- lar. This beautiful canal is brought over the river IrAvell, by au * Pennant's Wales, ii. 2C,3. Ci," ■\ Gongh's Camden, ii. 417. ± Philips, Kist. of inland Navigation. ENGLAND. 69 arch of thirty-nine feet in height, and under which barges pass without lowering their masts. The Duke of Bridgewater soon af- terwards extended a canal of twenty-nine miles in length, from Longford-bridge, in Lancashire, to Hempstones, in Cheshire. After this deserved tribute to the fathers of inland navigation in England, it will be eligible to review the other canals in a geo- graphical manner, proceeding from the north to the south- First in order is the Lancaster canal, extending from Kendal, in Westmoreland, by Lancaster, to West Houghton, in Lancashire, a space of about seventy-four miles. The canal from Leeds to Liverpool, directed in a northerly course by Skipton, winds through an extent of one hundred and seventeen miles ; and from this canal a branch also extends to Manchester, begun in 1771. From Halifax to Manchester is another considerable canal, commonly called that of Rochdale ; length thirty-one miles and a half, begun in 1794. Another canal extends from Manchester towards W^akefield ; and another called the Peak Forest canal, stretches from the for- mer, southeast, about fifteen miles. Another joins the river Dun, several miles above Doncastcr, to the river Calder, near Wakefield, To pass several of smaller note, the Chesterfield canal extends from Chesterfield, in the county of Derby, to the Trent at Stock- with, a course of 44 miles and three quarters, begun in 1770. In Lincolnshire, one canal extends from Lincoln to the Trent, and another from Horncastle to Sleaford. Grantham canal reaches from that town to the river Trent, a course of 30 miles. The grand design of Brindlcy was to join, by inland navigation, the four great ports of the kingdom, Bristol, London, Liverpool, and Hull. Liverpool is accordingly connected with Hull by a canal from that long navigable river the Trent, and proceeding N. to the Mersey. The canal Avhich joins these two rivers is styled the Grand Trunk ; and was begun in 1766, under the direction of that great engineer ; but was not completed till 1777: the length is 99 miles. It was attended with great difficulties, particularly in passing the river Dove, in Derbyshire, M'here there is an aqueduct of twenty-three arches, the tunnel through the hill of Hare-castle in Staffordshire, is in length 2880 yards, and more than 70 yards below the surface of the ground, and was executed with great labor and expense.* But the utility corresponds with the grandeur of the design: salt from Cheshire, coals and pottery from Staffordshire, and manufactures from various places, are transported on this canal. From the Grand Trunk five or six branches extend in various directions : among which must not be omitted that to the river Severn, near Bewdley, Avhich connects the port of Bristol v.ith tliose of Liverpool and Hull; the length is 45 miles ; completed in 1772. * Cary's Plans, p. 26, 2", 28. The account of the Grand Trunk in Philips, is very det'ecave ; he may here be referred to in general for the othei s. :See aUo Housmiui; 1 ', J. 70 ENGLAND. From the city of Chester one canal extends to the Mersey, and another to Namptwich ; another proceeds south to Shrewsbury, uniting the Mersey and tlie Severn ; with north-west and south-east branches of considerable length. From Coventry, in the centre of the kingdom, canals extend to the Grand Trunk ; to Ashby-de-la-Zouch, and to the Braunston, or Grand Junction canal. What is called the Staffordshire canal, extends from the Grand Trunk to the river Severn ; and is met by the Kington canal, which reaches to Kington, in Herefordshire, so as almost to join the rivers Trent and Wye. It may be here observed, that in this description the grand courses of navigation are attended to, rather than the minute nam.es and divisions of the canals. Several inland navigations pass by Birmingham. The Union canal completes a course of forty -three miles and three quarters, from Leicester to Northampton, whence the river Nen is navigable to the sea. Another canal extends from Gloucester to Hereford : and the south of Wales presents several navigations of considerable length, particularly that from Brecon, in Brecknockshire, to Newport, in Monmouthshire. The Severn is not only joined with the Trent and the Humber, by various courses of navigation, but is united with the Thames, by a canal extending by Stroud to Lechlade, a course of near 40 miles. Other canals branch out from the Thames in various directions : that of Oxford extends to the Grand Trunk, or rather joins the Coventry canal, after a course of ninety-two miles. The Braunston, or Grand Junction canal, reaches from Brent- ford, on the Thames, and joins the Oxford canal at Braunston, in Northamptonshire, after a course of ninety miles. It is styled the Grand Junction, because it may be said to unite the numerous courses that pervade the central counties, with the capital of the kingdom. On the south of the Thames, a canal proceeds from Reading to Bath ; and another from Weybridge to Basingstoke ; and a third from Weybridge to Godalming. A small canal or two have been executed in Devonshire. The Andover canal, in Hampshire, extends from Andover to South- ampton water. Sussex presents two canals, that of Arundel, and that of Lewes. Manufactures and Commcrce.~^ The manufactures and com- merce of England, form so extensive a theme, that only a brief and fugitive idea of them can be here attempted. The earliest staple commodity of England was tin, a metal rarely found in other coun- tries. The Phoenicians first introduced it into commerce, at least five or six hundred years before the Christian sera ; and their ex- tensive trade soon diffvised it among the Oriental nations. I'lie Romans, upon their conquest of these regions, did not neglect this source of wealth ; but as Cornwall was not conquered by the Anglo- Saxons, tin the reign of Athelstan, we know not whether the Cor- ENGLAND. 71 nish Britons carried on any considerable traffic in this commodity, though it be probable that it was at least exchanged for the wines of France. Yet even in the reign of John, the product was so incon- siderable, that the mines were farmed to Jews for 100 mai'ks ; but in that of Henry III., they began again to yield a large profit, which has gradually increased.* Cornwall, like most countries that abovind with minerals, pre- sents an external aspect of desolation : a series of barren hills and bleak heaths pervades its whole length ; and the violent winds from the sea check the vegetation of trees and shrubs. The tin mines are numerous, and of various descriptions. This metal is either found in the mass, in what are called lodes and stools ; or in grains, or bunches, in the rocks ; or detached in separate stones, called s/iodes or string's ; or in a course of such stones called the beuheyl or living string ; or in the pulverized shape of sand. Af- ter having been pounded in a mill, it is melted into blocks of 320 poimds weight. In the ore it is styled black tin ; and is some- times, though very rarely, found in a metallic state. The singularity and importance of this first national staple, may apologize for this discussion ; but the abundance of the other top- ics will require more brevity. Wool had been regarded as a grand staple of England, as early as the twelfth century, but was chiefly exported in a crude state, till Edward III. encouraged settlements of Flemish manvxfacturers. Wool soon became the standard of private property, and the prime article of comiTierce. Taxes and foreign subsidies were estimated by sacks of this commodity.! Great quantities of raw wool continued to be exported to the Neth- erlands and Hanse Towns ; but in the reign of Elizabeth it began to be chiefly manufactured at home, and the exportation of woollen cloths was then valued at a million and a half annually. The ex- portation of raw wool was at length prohibited ; and the woollen manufactures preserve great importance, though they no longer attract such particular regard, amidst the exuberance of Englisli manufactures. In recent times the manufactures of iron and copper, native minerals, have become great sources of national wealth ; nor must the new and extensive exportation of elegant earthen ware be for- gotten. The cotton manufacture is diffused far and wide, forming a grand source of industry and prosperity. That of linen, except of sail-cloth, is not much cultivated in England. The manufac- tures of glass and fine steel, clocks, watches. Sec. are dcservedlv eminent and extensive. As the nation is indebted to WedgcM^ood for converting clay into gold, so to Boydell for another elegant branch of exportation, that of beautiful prints. Besides manufactured articles, England exports a number of native products too numevous to be here mentioned. The English manufactures have been recently estimated at the annual value of 63,600,000/. and supposed to employ 1,^35,000 per- * BoilAse's Cornwall. f Canjiibell's Poiitical Survey, vol. ii. p. 151, l5iJ. A work opulcut in materials, but cl" most todious and uucauili cxc^jutiou. 72 ENGLAND. sons.* Of these, the woollen manufacture is supposed to yield in round sums, 15,000,000/. the leather 10,000,000/. the iron, tin, and lead 10,000,000/. the cotton 9,000,000/. The other chief manu- factures, which yield from 1 to 4,000,000/. may be thus arranged, according to their consequence; steel, plating, Sec. copper and brass, silk, potteries, linen and flax, hemp, glass, paper. The commerce of England is, at the present period, enormous, and may be said to extend to every region of the globe. The trade with the West Indies is one of the most important, and that with the East Indies alone, would have astonished any of the cele- brated trading cities of antiquity. The following table exhibits the amount of the imports, exports, and tonnagcf of Great Britain every 10th year of the last century, and every year of the present. Year. Imports. Exports. Tonnaeje. i7oa /; 5,970,175 /; 7,302,716 317,328 irio 4,011,341 6,690,828 1720 6,090,083 7,936,728 1730 7,780,019 11,974,135 1740 6,703,778 8,869,939 471,451 1750 7,772,039 15,132,004 661,184 1760 9,832,802 15,579,073 573,978 1770 12,216,937 14,266,653 760,971 1780 11,714,967 13,689,073 753,977 1790 19,130,886 20,120,121 1,404,950 1800 30,570,605 43,152,019 1,924,042 1801 32,795,557 42,301,701 1,958,373 1802 31,442,318 41,411,966 1,895,116 1803 27,992,464 31,578,495 1,788,768 1804 29,201,490 34,451,367 1,802,063 1805 30,344,628 34,954,845 1,857,652 1806 31,094,089 36,528,132 1,897,603 1807 28,854,658 34,566,570 1,791,072 1808 27,186,025 34,554,267. 1,425,592 1809 30,406,560 50,301,763 1,993,188 1810 The extent of the commercial shipping of the British empire was September 30th, 1805, as follows : England Ships. 14,790 Tons. 1,799,210 Men and Boys. 117,668 Jei-sey Isles Man 185 404 16,528 9,650 2,011 2,336 Scotland Ireland The Plantations 2,581 1,067 3,024 210,295 56,806 190,953 15,160 5,070 15,467 Total 22,051 2,283,442 157,71? * Mr. Grellier in the Monthly Mag. January ISOl- t Tonnage of ships eleared outwards British and Foicigin. ENGLAND. 73 The following table exhibits the number of vessels which en- tered inwards from various countries and cleared outwards for them from Great Britain, principally in 1806. Year. Inwards. Outwards. Russia 1806 1,127 702 Denmark 1806 1,607 1,690 Sweden 1806 353 362 Prussia 1805 1,946 1,627 Germany- 1806 604 956 Holland 1804 790 521 Portugal 1806 468 332 Spain 180G 222 126 Streights 1806 24 83 Italy 1806 90 61 Malta 1806 26 6 Minorca 1802 25 5 Turkey and Levant 1806 23 o Africa 1804 176 West Indies 1804 721 790 United States 1806 561 575 The following table gives the value of the imports and exports of Great Britain to and from various countries in the latest year of which we have information. Year. Imports. Exports, Ireland 1800 2,312,824 3,741,499 Russia 1802 2,182,430 1,376,399 Denmark 1802 155,672 537,517 Sweden 1803 288,651 98,045 Prussia 1803 831,225 1,916,502 Germany 1801 11,115,304 Holland 1803 630,403 1,565,355 Prance 1792 1,228,166 Portugal 1800 916,848 1,011,893 Spain ]796 809,881 546,126 Streights 1805 42,919 183,824. Italy 1805 393,517 507,535 Malta 1805 9,304 127,515 Minorca 1802 22,106 21,478 Turkey and Levant 1805 103,590 135,411 Africa 1800 82,289 1,017,369 India 1804 5,866,073 (1791) 320,129 China (1791) 1,012,539 West Indies 1803 6,148,436 (1804) 3,408,232 United States 1800 2,357,922 6,885,507 British Provinces 1800 997,590 The imports from Ireland to Great Britain, ous kinds ; linens, yarn, pearl ash and copper Ireland are coals, herrings, hops, flax, hemp species of manufactures. VOL. II. 10 are produce of vari- ore : the exports to , and almost every 74 ENGLAND. The imports from Russia, are iron, hemp, flax, tallow, pot ash^ lumber, and coarse linens : the exports are West India produce and British manufactures. From Denmark and Norway, Great Britain receives timber and corn, and returns West India produce and foreign ineixhandize, and but few of her own manufactures. Great Britain imports from Prussia, grain, hemp, flax, madder, linseed, quills, bristles, pearl ash, millstones and timber ; and ex- ports drugs, groceries, dry goods, and crockery. Germany receives from Great Britain, large quantities of Brit- ish manufactures, and still larger of foreign merchandize. The imports from Holland, consist of butter, cheese, geneva, juniper berries, flax, hemp, oak bark, seeds, books, maps, and prints ; the exports returned, are sugars, train-oil, copperas, cotton and wool- len goods, coff'ee, rice, and foreign merchandize. From Portugal she imports wine, cotton-wool, indigo, cash and bullion ; and returns British produce and manufactvires. From the Mediterranean are imported cotton-wool, mohair, goat's-hair, drugs, dye-stuff's, currants, figs, raisins, goat-skins, box-wood and raw silk. The exports consist of lead, tin plates, wrought and cast iron, hard ware, watches, cotton, woollen, and India goods, coff'ee, sugar and spices. The coasts of Africa furnish the arabic, sandarach and Senegal gums, cam-wood, red-wood, ebony, ivory, ostrich feathers, and skins ; and are supplied with shells, trinkets, ardent spirits, guns, gunpowder, cutlasses, hard ware, rice, groceries, drugs, woollen, cotton, linen and India goods. The exports to India are Avoollens, metals, naval and military stores ; the imports are piece goods, raw silk, tea, pepper, salt- petre, nankeens, china ware, sugar, coffee, indigo and drugs. The exports to China, are bullion, woollens, lead, tin, skins, furs, glass, jewelry, trinkets, watches, cutlery and hard ware ; the im- ports are teas, nankeens, china ware, and silks. The imports from the West Indies, in return for British manu- factures, arc sugars, rum, molasses, coff'ee and cotton. From the United States are imported cocton, flour, timber, pot- ash, iron, 'rice, indigo, tobacco ; and th6s;exports are British man- ufactures and foreign merchandize of almost eveiy description. The annual income of Great Britain 'was estimated in 1799, by Mr. Pitt, at 102,000,000; and including* the money, of which the estimate is far from certain, the whole capital of Great Britain may perhaps be calculated at more than one thousand two hun- dred millions. ENGLAND. 75 CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AG- RICULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, MINERAL WATERS, NATURAL CURIOSI- TIES. Climate and seasons.'] THE climate of Great-Britain is perhaps more variable than that of any other comitry onthe globe, as the vapors of the Atlantic Ocean are opposed to the drying winds from the Eastern Continent. The Western coasts in par- ticular, are subject to frequent rains; and the Eastern part of Scotland is of a clearer and dryer temperature than that of Eng- land. The humidity of the climate, indeed, clothes the delicious vales and meadows with a beautiful verdure ; but is injurious to the health of the inhabitants, by causing colds and catarrhs, the frequent sources of more deadly disorders. In consequence of the mutability of the climate, the seasons themselves are of uncertain tenor, and the year might more properly be divided into eight months of winter, and four of sum- mer ; than into any theoretic arrangement, originating in the sovith- ern latitudes. What is called the spring, dawns in April, com- monly, indeed, a mild month ; but the eastern winds prevalent in May, seem commissioned to ruin the efforts of reviving nature, and destroy the promise of the year. June, July, August, and Sep- tember, are usually warm summer months ; but a ni^ht of frost is not unknown, even in August, and sometimes a cold East wind will blow for three days together; nor of late years are summers imknown of almost constant rain.* The winter may be said to commence with the beginning of October, at which time domestic fires become necessary ; but there is seldom any severe frost till Christmas, and January is the most stern month of the year. March is generally the most unsettled month of the year, inter- spersed with dry frost, cold rains, and strong winds, with storms of hail and sleet. Face of the country.'] Mr. Pennant, in his Arctic Zoology, has given an admirable description of part of the English shores, which shall here be abbreviated, with an alteration in the arrangement, as he chooses to begin with the Streights of Dover. From the mouth of the Tweed to Bamborough, extends a sandy shore ; and the most remarkable object is Lindesfarn, or Holy Island, divided from Northumberland by a level, which is dry at low Avater, but out of which the flowing tide oozes suddenly, to the terror and peril of the unwary traveller. From Bamborough Castle, to Flamljorough-headj are mostly low cliffs, of lime-stone, and other materials. Scarborough stands on a vast rock, projecting into the * Thesunimer of ISOO was reniJirkaljle for diyness and warmlh, scarcely any rain falling from thcCth of June to tUuiJOth of August, vh-.u a thunder storm succeeded. 76 ENGLAND. Avaves; but Flamborough-head is a far more raagnificent object, being formed of lime-stone, of a snowy whiteness, and stupendous height, visible far off at sea. Hence to the Huniber are commonly clay cliffs ; and near Spurn- head, amber is sometimes found. The extensive coast of Lin- colnshire is flat, and, according to Mr. Pennant's opinion, has been gained from the sea ; though, in some parts, the sea has in its turn invaded the land, and the remains of a forest are visible under the waves. The county of Lincoln, and part of six others, are the low countries of Britain ; and the coast is distinguishable by churches,nct by hills. The shores of Norfolk and Suffolk present sometimes loamy or clayey precipices, sometimes hillocks of sand, and some- times low and flat spaces. HunstaatonclifF rises to the height of about eighty feet, composed of chalk and friable stone, resting on a base of what is called iron-colored pudding stone, projecting into the sea. The coast of Essex is generally low ; but to the south of the Thames, arise continued cliffs of chalk, with layers of flint, re- sembling masonry. The north Foreland is a lofty chalky promon- tory ; and the cliffs of Dover are known to every reader of Shakes- peare. It is to be regretted, that Mr. Pennant did not extend his ani- mated description to the southern and western coasts : cliffs of chalk and clay are interspersed with flat gravel, till the island of Portland presents its bold rocky fi'ont. The western shores abound with granite, slate rocks, and lime-stone. Soil and agriculture^^ The soil is greatly diversified, but in general fertile ; and in no country is agriculture more thoroughly imderstood, or pursued in a grander style, except, perhaps, in Flanders and Lombardy. The nobility and gentry, mostly residing upon their estates in summer, often retain considerable farms in their own hands, and practise and encourage every agricultural improvement. The writings of Mr. Young, the institfiltions in the west, and the Board of Agriculture, recently erected, have con- tributed to diffuse a wide and lasting knowledge of this mteresting branch. The intermixture of the green crops with those of grain, the use of turnips, the irrigation of meadows, the regular substitu- tion of crops appropriated to the state of the land, the art of drain- ing conducted on scientific principles, may be mentioned among the recent advances of knowledge ; nor must the improvements in the breed of sheep and cattle, introduced by Bakev/ell and others, be forgotten. The cultivated acres in England and Wales are computed at upwards of 39,000,000, while those uncultivated are 7,888,777. Of these it is supposed that not above half a million is wholly unim- provable, and perhaps a million is only fit for plantations, while of the remainder one quarter is fit for tillage, and three fourths for meadow and upland pasture.* The grain of every kind annually consumed in England, for three years enaing in 1 809, was 20,600,800 quarters ; and in Scotland, 3,988,400 ; total 24,589,200. Of this ■■ J'irst Rciiortof the Committee of tJie house of Commons, p. SC ENGLAND. /r ^^-st part is imported, and ^th part from Ireland. So that only be- tween ^d and J^d part comes from foreij^n countries. Horticulture, or the art of gardening, is also pursued in England with great assiduity and success. The large supply of the capital in vegetables and fruits, and the high prices given for eai'ly pro- duce, occasion such a spirit of cultivation, that each acre thus em- ployed, is supposed to yield about 120/. annually, the yearly con- sumption in the metropolis being computed at more than 1,000,000/. Of ornamental gardens, laid out with a just attention to the beau- ties of nature, and free from the uncouth affectations of art, England is deservedly regai'ded as the parent country.* Rivers.^ England is intersected by four important rivers, the Severn, the Thames, the Humber, and the Mersey. The Sevei-n rises from the mountain Plinlimmon, and after an easterly course to Shrewsbury, bends its progress almost south to Gloucester, whence it flows south-west into the Bristol Channel, a progress of about 150 miles, navigable as far as Welch-pool. Its chief tributary streams are the Northern and Southern Avons, the Teme and the Wye.f The Thames originates in Cotswold-hills, Gloucestershire ; and maintains a south-easterly direction, to its egress into the German Ocean, after receiving the Cherwel, the Teme, the Kennett, another Wye, the Mole, and Lee. The Medway flows into the estuary of the Thames, as the Wye into that of the Severn. The course is computed at 140 miles, navigable to Crickladc.; The Humber is a name almost confined to a large estuary, which receives many considerable I'ivers, tliat fertilize the central parts of England. Of these the Trent is the most important, which rises at New-pool, in Staffordshire, and proceeding north-east, enters the Humber, after a direct course of about 100 miles, being navi- gable to Burton, in Staffordshire. The other principal rivers that issue into the Humber are the Dun, a navigable stream, which runs by Doncaster ; the Aire navigable to Leeds, and the Calder to Halifax, both singularly useful in transporting the woollen man- ufactures; the W^ai'f to Tadcaster ; the Ure, or Ouse, which runs by York, navigable to Rippon ; the Derwent, which is navigable to New Malton ; and the Hull. Though the Mersey present a grand estuary, its course is not of great extent. It arises in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and runs to the south-west ; but the estuary bends towards the north. The direct course is not above fifty miles ; and it is navigable to Stock- port ; as the Irwell to near Manchester, and the Weevcr to ncai Northwich, and the mines of rock-salt. In briefly describing the other navigable rivers of this kingdom, it may be proper to return to the Severn, and, proceeding scuth west, pursue the outline of the coast. The Avon is navigable to Bath, the Parret to Illchcster, tne Tone to Taunton, the Taw to Barnstaple, and another branch to Biddcford : the Camil of Cornwall, to Wedbridge, while the Plym, Dart, and Ex, can also * Lord Orford on Modera Ganleuing. f Campbell, i. UG. t Ibid. I. 1S9. 78 ENGLAND. be pervaded to a considerable height. Another Avon is navigable to near Salisbury, the Itchyn to Winchester, the Arun to Arundel, the Ousc to Lewes : the Rother, which forms the haven of Rye, is yet navigable, though fallen in fame. The Stour admits boats- even to Canterbury; but the Medway presents a navigable stream as far as Tunbridge. On the north of the Thames, the Lee is nav-. igable to Bishop's Stortford and Hertford : the Crouch conveys boats from the sea to Hull-bridge in Essex ; the Black-water to Chelmsford, and another branch to Colchester. The Stour is nav- igable to Sudbury ; the Orwell to Stow, the Deben to Woodbridge ; the Yare and Waveney present access to Fonlsham, Norwich, and Bungay. Next is the estuary called the Wash, which receives the Ouse, the Nen, the Welland, the Witham, all streams of consider- able navigation. On the North of the Humber, the Tees admits vessels to Stock- ton ; the Tyne to Newcastle. On the West, the Eden is navigable to Carlisle ; the Lun or Loyne to Lancaster and Hornby ; the Dee to Chester ; the Conway to within two miles of Llanrwst ; the Tivey to Llanbedr. Milford Haven presents branches navigable to Haverford-west, and to near Wiston : and lastly, the Wye may be pursued as far as Hay in Brecknockshire. In general it may be observed of the British rivers, that the length of their course is inconsiderable, when compared with that of the Continental streams. The rivers of the southern and the middle parts of England, present a striking contrast to those of the north ; the former pursuing a slow and inert course over mud, between level banks, amid rich and extensive meadows ; while the. latter roll their clear torrentsover beds of gravel, between elevated banks and rocky precipices ; and even when verdant levels occur, the stream still retains its banks and beds of gravel. Mountains. Bennevis, the highest mountain in Scotland, is not much above one quarter of the height of Mont Blanc, the sove- reign of the Alps, and the English and Welch summits aspire to heights still less considerable; Snowdon being only 3568 English feet above the sea, while Bennevis is 4387, or, by other accounts, 4350. Wharn, or Wharnside, in Yorkshire, was estimated at 4050 ; and Ingleborough iiX. 5280 feet. A late accurate measurement has, however, reduced this latter to 2480 feet, and probably Wharnside ought also to be diminished in the same proportion. Even at the present day, the geography of some parts of New Holland, is better vinderstood than that of, some parts of Great Britain. There is not even a separate map of the English rivers, though France set an example of this kind, a century and a half ago ; nor has there been any attempt to delineate the chains of mountains in England. Tlie imperfections of the materials must therefore apologize for any errors or defects in the subsequent slight sketch. The mountains of Cheviot may be said to form a regular ridge, running from the south-west, wiiere they join those of Galloway to the north-east. But there is a central ridge which pervades England from north to south, beginning at Gcltsdale for- est, 14 m.iies S. E. of Carlisle, and passing on the west of Durham I ENGLAND. 79 and Yorkshire, where it contains mines of coal and lead. The chief elevations, such as Kelton-fell, Stanmore, Widehill-fell, Wild- boar-fell, Bow-fell, Home-fell, Bunhill, See. Sec. arise on the wes- tern limits of Yorkshire. Cumberland and Westmoreland present many detached mountains, Skiddaw, Sec. which can hardly be re- duced to any distinct arrangement; but those of Craven, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, as Wharnside, Ingleborough, and Pen- nigent; and Pendle, on the east of Lancaster, belong to the Cen- tral Chain, which proceeds south, through Derbyshire, still abound- ing with minerals and natural curiosities ; but here it seems to terminate, spreading a little into Cheshire. A central chain, of smaller elevation, may be traced, in a zig-zag line, to near Salis- bury, with two diverging and irregular branches on the east, one towards Norfolk, another into Kent, while a third runs south-west into Cornwall. To the fii-st belong the hills of Gogmagog, in Cambridgeshire, Sec. to the second the hills of Hampshire, Surrey, and Kent. Another upland tract of considerable elevation, called the Chiltern hills, extends from Tring, in Heitfordshire, to Henley, in Oxfordshire. Malvern hills, in Worcestershire, deviate from the central ridge, while those of Cotswold, in Gloucestershire, may be regarded as a continuation of it. The hills of Mendip, Polden, Sedgemoor, Blackdown, in Somersetshire ; the Tors and Wilds of Dartmoor, in Devon ; and the hills and upland downs of Cornwall, extend this chain to the Land's End : and after passing this last rocky province, it expires in the Islands of Scilly. Waks is a country abundant in mountains, especially the north- ern provinces ; but their orology remains indeterminate, and it would require the actual survey of an experienced engineer, to reduce them to chains or groupes. To begin with the north, Snowdon commands the first attention, a mountain of eminent height and fame. The top is called Y Widdfa, or the conspicuous, forming almost a point, and presenting a view of the county of Chester, the mountains of Yorkshire, part of Scotland and Ireland, and the Isles of Man and Anglesey.* The stone that composes it is hornslatc and argillaceous schistus, large coarse crystals are often found in the fissures, and very fre- quently cubic pyritac, the usual attendants on Alpine tracts. From Snowdon, a line of mountains extends by the sea to Plinlimmon, a boundary of North Wales, whence issue the noble rivers Severn and Wye. Of these hills, Urrou Scth, Caer Idris, and Moel Vadiau, are the most memorable. The hills on the east of North Wales are far from attaining such considerable elevation, and gradually decline to the hills of Shropshii'e, of which the Wi'ekin is one of the most noted. A chain proceeds due south to near Cardiff, in South Wales ; it is of far inferior height, and a small branch diverges to the west, consisting of Cwm Cothy, Mynydd, Carreg, Brilley, and Cwni Kerrun-hills. On the east of South Wales, are the hills of Here- fordshire, the Black Mountain, Cusop-hill, Hargest, Stocklev-hill, &c. * Pennant's Journey to Lontlon, p. 170. 8.0 ENGLAND. In the northein and western mountains and hill:,, chalk is un- known, while it forms a chief material of those of the south and east. An eminent naturalist observes, that a line drawn from Dorchester, in the county of Dorset, to the county of Norfolk, would form a boundary of the great chalky stratum which inter- sects the kingdom, none being found in any quantity to the north or west of that line,* The northern mountains are mostly com- posed of lime-stone, free-stone, slate, or schistus, v/iih mines of lead or coal ; those of Derbyshire present vast masses of lime- stone, intersected with thick veins of toad-stone, and numerous fossils and minerals, the consideration of which is reserved for a future ai'ticle. The svimmit of Skiddaw presents white shivery- slate, or argillaceous schistus ; but some of the Westmoreland mountains contain siliceovis schistus ; and it is probable that granite may exist in those of Cheviot. The vast base of Ingleborough, near 30 miles in circuit, consists of lime-stone ; on the east side full of shells to near the summit, which is of grit and sand stone flag ; the fossils, black and brown marble, thin slate, near Ingleton, rotten stone, or tripoli, and some lead ore.f And such is this chain to its termination ; while further to the south, the easterly eleva- tions are of chalk ; and those on the west, as Mendip hills, in Som- ersetshire, are wholly calcareous. The granite begins at Dart- moor, in Devonshire, and continu«es through Cornwall, where it occurs of various colours, the grey granite, or moor stone ; the red, or oriental ; the white, the yellow, and the blueish, or pigeon- colovired.:^ Near the Lizard and Mullion, are rocks of serpentine and steatites, together with a decomposed granite, which is similar to the petunsi of China, and applied to the same purposes in the manufacture of porcelain. The Welsh mountains abound in slate, horn-stone, and porphy- ry, with large masses of quartz. The Wrekin, about ten miles east of Shrewsbury, is chiefly composed of reddish chert, or pe- trosilex, with siliceous sand-stone, basalt, and a kind of granite.§ The great coal district of Colebrookdale, rests on indurated clay, while that near Bristol is accompanied by black free-stone, and even the calcareous free-stone near Bath, is interspersed with numerous veins of coal. The Malvern hills, on the S. W. of Worcestershire, run N. and S, about ten miles, and afford many granitic rocks with chert and hornblende slate.1I These few no- tices must suffice on the composition of the English mountains, a subject which only begins to attract the attention which its cu- riosity deserves. jForests.^ To the reader of poetry, the vford/brcst conveys the idea of a region replete with thick and tall woods, interspersed w^ith romantic lawns and murmuring rivulets. But in England a forest is sometimes bare of trees, or not unfrequently only presents a few withered oaks ; and the term is even applied to upland downs * Pennant's Journey from Chester to London, p. 214. t Guide to the Lakes, 265, 267. i Pryce's Mineralogy of Cornwall. Maton's AVestern Tour, &r ;S Townson's Tracts, p. 163. II Ibid. 210. ENGLAND. &t and heaths. Many of the forests were, even in the Anglo-Saxon times, esteemed royal demesnes ; but the Norman monarchs were so much addicted to the chase, that upwards of sixty forests at one time, appertained to the crown ; of which the chief now remain- ing are the forests of Dean, in Gloucestershire ; Sherwood, in Nottingham shii-e ; Windsor, in Berkshire ; and the New Forest, in Hampshire. The royal forests constituting so large a part of the kingdom, subject to peculiar regulations, many grievances a- rose, tiil the Barons exacted from Henry HI. the forest-charter; in which several despotic laws were revoked, and more equity ex- tended to the neighboring proprietors and tenants. General dketch of Briti.ih botany. ~\ Among the numerous spe- cies of vegetables which arc natives of Britain, scarcely any are adequate to tlie sustenance and cloathing of man. Its frequent rains, its blasting winds, and the scanty portion to which it is stint- ed, of the light and heat of the sun, deprive it entirely of those vegetables which, in tropical climates, satisfy the wants and luxu- rious desires of their human irihabitants. The never-failing ver- dure of its plains and hills, shews how admirably the country is qualified for the support of graminivorous quadrupeds ; and we find accordingly, that its ancient forests abounded in stags and roe- deer, as its clear and cultivated lands do now in sheep and cattle. The Flora, of Britain, though it cannot boast the most splendid and exquisite of vegetable productions, yet contains as great a va- riety of genera and species, as any other country of equal extent. Tlie investigation of indigenous plants is continually carrying on here with increasing ardor, and every year brings new accessions to our croudcd ranks of native vegetables. The first for importance and variety is the family of Grasses.. Almost every part of the country that is not vmdcr tillage, is prin^ cipally covered with grass. Twenty-seven genera, and a hundred and ten species are natives of the island, most of them of common occurrence in situations where they are found at all. None of thorn have been proved to be poisonous, either to man or beast ; ou the contrary, whether fresh or dried, they furnish a grateful food to all the domestic cattle. The most important grasses in meadows and pastures, are the meadow fox-tail grass ; two or three species of hair g7'ass, and mcadonv-grass ; the cock's-foot fescue, and oai fft-ass. Other species are natives of marshes, and wet places ; these are generally the largest and most luxuriant, and if in (juality they be somewhat inferior to the preceding, yet the defect is probably more than compensated by the quantity of herbage that they sup- ply. Light sandy soils, especially the ilat parts of the eastern and southern coasts, abound in grasses that are distinguished from their kindred species, by the length and strength of their creeping-roots. The inhabitants of .Skey, and tlie other western islands of Scotland, manufacture them into durable ropes : and while growing, they serve the very important purpose of binding together the loose sand, which otherwise wouid be drifted far up the country. Upon the sides and summits of the mountains are found a few grasses that do not appear elsewhere, mixed with some others of moro VOT.. II. 11 82 ENGLAND. general occurrence ; as, however, in these bleak and elevated sit' uations, covered with snow for some months in tl«e year, and shrouded in clouds for the principal part of the remainder, it would be scarcely possible for these plants to bring their seeds to ma- turity, we observe in them a wise and striking deviation from the common course of nature. Like the rest of their tribe, they throw up flowering stems and bear blossoms ; but these are fuccceded, not by seeds, but by bulbs ; which, in a short time, vegetate, and arc already furnished v/ith a leaf and roots, before they fall to the ground : all the viviparous grasses except one (Festuca vivipara) if transplanted to a lower and warmer situation, accommodate them- selves to their new climate, and produce seeds. Besides these there are others of a more hardy constitution, which appear to be the true natives of the mountains, and multiply their species by seed in the usual way. Nearly allied to the. grasses in general habit, are a number of species, natives of moors, bogs, and pools; these serve to give consistency to the deep mud or peat, in which they are rooted, and, when young, afford a coarse pasture to sheep and cattle ; several of them are used for matting, thatching, and for chair bottoms. The stately Typha (bull rush) is one of the principal ornaments of the fens, and neglected pools, and the several species of cotton- grass enliven many a dreary mile of bog, by their gracefully pen- dent tufts of snowy white. The Leguminous, or papilionaceous plants, so called from their winged blossoms, form a very important division in British botany. The herbage of all when fresh, and of many when dry, is a most grateful food to horses, cattle, and sheep; and several of them, as the clovers and vetches, are largely cultivated for this purpose. Many of this class are climbers, and adorn the thickets and hedges with elegant festoons of blossoms and foliage. Almost all the English papilionaceous plants flourish best in light calcareous soils, either rocky or sandy ; and some of them, as the lady's finger, and saintfoin, may be reckoned certain indications of chalk or lime-stone. The umbelliferous plants form another large class ^n the natural arrangement of British vegetables,consistingof about sixty species. The roots and sfceds of those kinds which grow on di'y, light soils, are frequently aromatic ; those that are natives of marshes and moist meadows, are, for the most part, in a greater or less degree poisonous. The whole class, indeed, is a suspicious one, and ex- cepting the fennel and celery, not a single native species is culti- vated for the food of man or beast. Perhaps the most splendid of all the herbaceous plants, are the bulbous rooted, which, from their general resemblance to the lily, have obtained the name of Liliaceous ; most of these, however, arc natives of wanner climates ; the sandy deserts about the Cape oi" Good Hope, and the shores of the Indian ocean, produce the moaS. beautiful species. Of those which are found wild in England, there arc only twenty-eight species ; and the greater number of these arc of rare occurrence in a truly native state; the sp;'ing and au- tunn;ial crocus, the snoAv-drop, the snow-flake,, the tiircc kinds oJ. ENGLAND. 83 Narcissus (including the daflbdil), the fritillary, tulip, and lily of the valley, are more familiar to us as garden plants, than as natives of the woods and pastures. The common ones of this class are Ramsons, a species of garlic, meadow saffron, and the beautiful and fragrant hare bell, or wild hyacinth, one of the principal or- naments of the groves and thickets, even at a time when they are profuse of beauties. The native fruits belong, for the most part, to the class of Rosa- ceous plants ; such as, the wood-strawberry, the bullace and black- thorn, the hawthorn, crab, and mountain ash ; the common bram- ble, or blackberry, the raspbeny, stone-bramble, and cloud-berry. The cherry, the medlar, the service, and pear-trees, whose fruit. when wild, is of so little account, andof such value when improved by cultivation, belong also to this class. One of the largest of the natural classes of English vegetables, is that of the radiated or compound flowered plants, (including about 120 species.) Only one, the Tragopogon porrifolius (falsa- fy), is applied to the sustenance of man, and not one is cultivated fo'.- the use of cattle. Most of this class have an ungrateful bitter taste, and the succulent ones contain a white milky juice, of an acrid flavor. The sow thistle, hawk-weed, burdock, thistle, cud- weed, coltsfoot, groundsel, dandelion, daisy, and yarrow, are the most commonly occurring genera. Such of the trees and shrubs as have not been already mentioned, may be considered as forming a peculiar class, and one of great importance ; it is naturally subdivided into the evergreen and deciduous. The most valuable of tlie native evergreens are, the box, the pine, the yew, and the holly ; those of secondary consequence, are the juniper, and ivy ; the spurge laurel ; the cranberry, and those ex- tremely ornamental plants, the.Vaccinium vitis idaea (red whortle berries) ; and Arbutus uva ursi (bear-berry). The deciduous timber-trees that are either aboriginal, or at least have been long naturalized to the soil, are the oak, the chesnut, and beech, the birch, the alder, the horn beam, the abele, the black poplar, and the aspen, bearing catkins; the sycamore, the maple, and the ash ; the lime, the elm, and v/ych hazle. A middle station between the timber-trees and shrubs is occupied by the hazle, and the numerous species of willow. The pulpy-fru it-bearing shrubs are, the currant and gooseberry, the elder, the barberry, the bil- berry, the cornel, or dogwood, the buckthorn, the guelder rose, and tlic mezereon ; the four first are wholesome and grateful to the palate ; the rest are either insipid or noxious. The ferns comprise a number of elegant plants that grow in moist, shady, and uncultivated places, the uses of which have been but little inquired into ; about forty-four species are natives of Britain ; the roots of most abound in a miid sweetish mucilage, ■which in times of scarcity has been resorted to for nutriment ; the larger and commonest kinds, such as common fern, or brakes, arc collected and burnt for the potash which is yielded from their ashes; the Equisetum hycmale (shave grass) is much used br 84 ENGLAND. turners and cabinet makers, as a fine file to smooth their work vdth. The last class of English vegetables, that we shall mention, is that of the marine Algae, or sea-weeds. Between two and three hundred species are found upon the British shores ; the more ten- der and gelatinous kinds, are eaten either raw or boiled, and the rest on those rocky parts of the coast, where they can be collected in great quantities, are burnt into kelp for the use of the soap-boil- ers and glass-makers. Zoology.'] Mr. Pennant, in his British Zoology, has treated this subject at due extent, and with his usual ability. The nature of this work will only admit of a few imperfect notices. Of animals, that celebrated author enumerates twenty genera, from the horse down to the seal and bat. The birds extend to forty-eight, the reptiles to four, and the fish to forty genera, besides the crustaceous and shell fish. That noble and useful animal, the horse, is found in England of many mingled breeds, while most other kingdoms produce only one kind.* Their race-horses descend from Arabian stallions, and the genealogy faintly extends to our hunters. The great strength and size of the English draught-horses are derived from those of Germany, Flanders, and Holstein ; and other breeds have bet'n so intermingled, that native horses may be found adapted to every purpose of pomp, pleasure, or utility. Those of Yorkshire are particularly celebrated for their spirit and beauty ; and the grooms of that country are equally noted for their skill in the management of this valuable animal. The indigenous horned cattle are now only known to exist in Neidwood-forest, in Staffordshire, and at Chillingham-castle, in Northumberland. They are long-legged and wild like deer, of a pure whita color, with black muzzles, ears, and tails, and a stripe of the same hue along the back. The domesticated breeds. of cat- tle are almost as various as those of horses ; those of Wales ami Cornwall are small? while the Lincolnshire kind derive their great size from those of Holstein. In the North of England the kylies, so called from the district of Kyle? in Scotland ; in the South are the elegant breed of Guernsey, generally of a light brown color, and small size, but remarkable for the I'ichness of their milk._ The number and value of sheep in England may be judged from the ancient staple commodity of wool. Of this most useful animal fseveral breeds appear, generally denominated from their particular counties or districts ; those of Herefordshire, Devonshire, and Cotswold downs, are noted for fine fleeces, while the Lincolnshire and Warwickshire kind are remarkable for the quantity. The Teesdale breed of the cour>ly of Durham, though lately neglected, continue to deserve their fame. The wool is beautiful, but the length of their legs lessens their value in the eyes of the butcher, The mutton of Wales, on the contrary, is esteemed, while the wool is coarse, yet employed iu many useful and salutary manur factures. , * Pt-nnaiil's Zoology^ vol. i. j). l- ENGLAND. 85 The most laudable exertions have lately been made by the Board of Agriculture, and by individuals, for the improvement of the English fleece. The goat, an inhabitant of the rocks, has, even in Wales, for the most part yielded to the more useful sheep ; that country being, like Scotland, more adapted to the woollen manufacture. The breeds of swine a'-e various and usefvil. England also abounds in breeds of dogs, some of which were celebrated even in Roman times ; nor have their modern descen- dants, the mastiff and bull-dog, degenerated from the spirit and courage of their ancestors. Of savage animals tlie most fierce and destructive is the wild cat, which is three or four times as large as the domestic, with a flat broad face, color yellowish Avhite, mixed with deep grey, in streaks running from a black list on the back ; hips always black, tail alternate bars of black and white; only found in the most mountainous and woody parts. The wolf has been long ex- tinct, but the fox abounds. The chief of birds of prey are, the golden eagle, sometimes found on Snowdon ; the black eagle has appcai'cd in Derbyshire ; the osprey, or sea eagle, seems extinct in England. The pere- grine falcon breeds in Wales ; and many kinds of hawks in Eng- land. An enumeration of the other birds would be superfluous. The nightingale, one of the most celebrated, is not found in North Wales, nor any Avhere to the North, except about Doncastcr, where it abounds ; nor does it travel so far Avest as Devonshire and Corn- wall.* The poultry seem to originate from Asia ; the peacocks from India ; the pheasants from Colchis ; tlie guinea-fowl are from Africa. The smallest bird is the golden-crested wren, which sports on the highest pine-trees ; and the largest the bustard, sonie of which weigh twenty five pounds, and are found in the open countries of the south and east. The most useful of the v/ater fowl is the mal- lard or wild-duck, which is chiefly caught in the fens of Lincoln- shire ; the numbers sent to the capital, almost exceed credibility. The reptiles are frogs, toads, several kinds of lizards : of the serpents the viper alone is venomous ; other kinds are the snake, sometimes found four feet in length ; and the blind worm, seldom exceeding eleven inches. Of fish, the whale but seldom appears near the English coasts, the porpess, and others of the same genus are not uncommon. The basking shark appears off the shores of Wales. Numerous are the edible sea-fish. Some of the most celebrated are the turbot, doree, soal, cod, plaice, smelt, and mullet. The consumption of herrings and mackerel extends to most parts of the kingdom ; but pilchards are confined to the Cornish coasts. The chief river fish are the salmon and the trout, which are brought from the northern parts in prodigious numbers, generally packed in ice. It is said that not less than 30,000 salmon are brought from one river, the Tv.ccd, to Londoi*. in the course of a season. The lamprey is * Pennant's B. Z. I 30t.i 86 ENGLAND. chiefly found in the Severn, the charr in the lakes of Westmore- land. The lobster is found on most of the rocky coasts, particularly off Scarborough, and the English oysters maintain their Roman rep- utation. The green from Colchester, in Essex, and the juicy white from Milton, in Kent, have the chief reputation. Mineralogy. ~\ It seldom or never happens that countries, abun- dant in the productions of agriculture should, at the same time, present an opulent mineralogy. Yet England is far from being deficient in this respect. The tin mines in Cornwall have been already mentioned ; and they are not only venerable from their antiquity, but are, it is sup- posed, the richest of the kind in the world. That kind of silver termed by mineralogists horn ore, is also found in that district ; but the profound secrecy observed in working it, forbids any in- vestigation of the amount. The Huel rock boasts of v/hat is call- ed bell-metal ore ; and of wolfram. Cornwall also produces copper at Redruth, Alstone, and the Land's End. The same metal is found in Yorkshire and Stafford- shire ; but no where in such abundance as in the Parrys mountain, in the north west of Anglesea.* Instead of descending in veins through various rocky strata, the usual form of metallic ores, it hei^e forms a prodigious heap, and is worked in the manner of a quarry. The mountain is almost bare of shrubs or grass ; and is covered with aluminous slate, under which, in grey chert, is the ore, being chiefly the yellow sulphuret, of very variable richness. This valuable mine was discovered about thirty years ago. Lead is found in the Mcndip-hills, Somersetshire ; which also produce calamine and manganese. The lead-mines in Derbyshire are well known, not only for that metal, but for the beautiful veins of fiuor, which accompany it, and which is nnanufactured into sev- eral ornamental articles. In general the northern central ridge of mountains, abounds with lead-ore. The lead-mines of Alston, on the eastern verge of Cumberland, employ about 1 100 men. No metal is so widely diffused through the globe as iron ; and England not only contains excellent mines, but excels all nations in the variety of fabrication. The most remarkable mines of iron, are those of Colebrookdale, Shropshire, Dean-forest in Glouces- tershire, with some in the north of England, particularly near Ul- verston, in I^ancashire. Among the minor metals, zinc,in the foi'm of lapis calimanaris, and blende, is found in Derbyshire, Denbighshire, Cornwall, and other regions. Nickel and arsenic sometimes appear in Corn- wall ; and recently, what is called menachanite. But one of the most important of this kind is plumbago, or black lead, which is found in the ridge of Borrodale, near Keswic, in Cumberland : the mine is only opened at certain intervals of time. Gold has been discovered in various quarters of England, but the metal has never recompensed the labor and expense. The * Aiken's W:,ks, 133. ENGLAND. »f real gold mines of England arc those of coal, found in the central, northern, and western parts, but particularly in the northern, around Newcastle. The coals of Whitehaven and Wigan are more pure ; and the cannel and peacock coals of Lancashire, are so Ijeautiful, that they are suspected by some to have constituted the gagates, or jet, which the ancients ascribed to Britain. A singu- lar species of coal is found in Bovey-heath, Devonshire, resem- bling wood impregnated with bituminous matter. Turforpeatis common, even in Hampshire, and other southern counties. The mines of rock salt, in Cheshire, must not be omitted. They appear to have been known to the Romans. Leland has described them in the time of Henry VHI ; nor wore they unknown even in the Saxon periods. Those of Northwich are the most remarkable : at Namptwich and Middlewich, are only salt springs : and others occur at Droitwich, in Worcestershire, and Weston in Staffordshire. The immense mines on the south side of Northwich, were discov- ered about the beginning of this century. The quarries with their pillars and crystal roof, extending over many acres, present a beau- tiful spectacle ; the stratum of salt, lies under a bed of whitish clay, at the depth of about forty yards. The first stratum is about twenty yards thick, so solid as to be blasted with gunpowdei'', this salt resembles brown sugarcandy. Next is a bed of hard stone, imder which is a second stratum of salt, about six yards thick, in some parts brown, in others as clear as crystal. The Witton pit is circular, 108 yards in diameter, the roof supported by twenty- five pillars, each containing 294 solid yards of rock salt; the whole covering near two acres of land. The annual produce of rock salt at Northwich, has been estimated at 65,000 tons; of which about two thirds used to be exported to Flanders and the Baltic* Marbles, and free-stone, or calcareous sand-stone, of various colors and textures, also occur ;■ the most celebrated of the latter are those of Portland, Purbeck, Sec. Fine alabaster appears in Derbyshire ; fullers-earth in Berkshire, and some other counties. Mineral waters.^ Nor is England less productive of mineral waters, of various properties and descriptions. Those of Bath have been celebrated since the Roman times. Next to that place of fashionable resort, may be mentioned the hot-w^ells of Bristol, those of Tunbridge in Kent, and of Buxton and Scarborough in the North. Those of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, have been esteemed beneficial in scorbutic cases ; but to enumerate the springs of inferior note, would be infinite, as chalybeat wells at least must occur in almost every county, and new waters are daily starting into celebrity. J\~aturaL curiosities. ~\ Among the natural curiosities, those of Derbyshire have always been esteemed the most memorable. Hobbes and oihers have long since celebra,ted the wondei's of the Peak, a mountain not equal in height to those of Wales, or the more nortliern part of England, but perforated witli such verii- * Pennant's Journey from Chester to I^indon. v- 26. Gough's Camc^en,. i. iio- Aikm's Manchester, 4iir. 88 ENGLAND. cal chasms, and such surprising caverns as have deservedly ex- cited admiration. Other remarkable caverns are found in the northern ridge of English mountains. In the vale of Kingsdale, on the western ex- tremity of Yorkshire, is Yordas cave, which presents a subterran- eous cascade. But the most noted is Wethercot cave, not far from Ingleton. It is surrounded with trees and shrubs, is in form like a lozenge, divided by an arch of lime-stone, passing under which you behold a large cascade, falling from a height of more than tv/enty yards ; the length of this cave is about sixty yards, the breadth thirty. The lakes of Cumberland form another grand scene of attrac- tion, but it would be idle to attempt to depict, in a few words, beau- ties which have been described by so many authors, and paj'ticularly by the glowing pencil of a Gray. Suffice it to,observe, that the three most celebrated lakes are those of Coniston, Windermere, and Uerwent. The beauties of the first have been compared to the delicate touches of Claude ; the noble scenes of the second, to those of Poussin ; while Derwent has much of the sublime mild- ness of Salvator Rosa: but most travellers esteem Ulswater to be the most truly sublime. The mountainous regions of Wales may well be supposed to present many natural curiosities ; and the Parrys mine in Angle- sea, is in itself a surprising object. The cataracts in Cumberland are rivalled by a remarkable fall of the Tees, on the west of the county of Durham, over which is a bridge suspended by chains, sel- dom passed but by the adventurous miners ; nor must Asgarth force, in Yorkshire, be passed in silence. The sub-marine relics of a forest, on the coast of Lincolnshire, may be deservedly classed among the most remarkable natural curiosities. On the N. W. side of the Mendip hills, is a considerable cavern, at the bottom of a deep ravine, near the little village of Ber- rington, or Burrington. Here are a number of human bones, grad- ually incorporating with the lime-stone rock ; there being a con- ' tinual dripping from the roof and sides, which deposits a stalactitic sediment on the bones. Several nodules contain perfect human skulls. At the farther end, where the height is about fifteen feet, there is a large conic stalactite, which nearly meets a pillar rising from the floor. This cave was only discovered about two years ago; and as the matter increases so fast, it is conjectured that it would soon have been closed up.* Hence it is probable that these bones are of no remote antiquity, and may, perhaps, be the remains of some wretches who had here taken shelter from the cruelty of Jefferies, after the insurrection of Monmouth. ENGLISH ISLES. In the Soulliern, or English Channel, first appears the Isle of Wight, by the Romans called Fectis, by the Saxons Viht loud ^o^^w oval form, about twenty miles in length, and twelve in breadth^ * Transact, of the Lintixan Societv, vol. v. ENGLAND. . 89 This isle is fertile and beautiful, and decorated with many pictur- esque villas ; the principal haven is that of Newport. The popu- lation of the island in 1801, was twenty-four thousand. The chief mineral products are pipe clay, and fine white sand, for the fabri- cation of pure glass ; and at Alum-bay, on the north side of the Needles, are found considerable quantities of native alum.f One of the most remarkable buildings is Carisbrook-castle, where Charles I. was imprisoned ; it was built soon after the conquest, as appears from the book of Doomsday. The lofty white rocks styled the Needles, seem to have been disjoined from the western extremity of the isle by the violence of the waves. There were formerly three ; but about the year 1782, the tallest, which rose about 120 feet above the low-water mark, was overthrown, and totally disappeared. I At the distance of about seventy miles from Wight, to the S. W. arises the little isle of Aldeuney, off the Cape la Hogue ; which is afterwards followed by the more important isles of Guernsey and Jersey ; Sark being a small isle interposed between the two latter. Guernsey, the largest of these isles, is twelve miles long, nine broad, and about thirty-six in circuit. It is a verdant isle, though the soil be hilly, and barren of wood. The only town is that of Port St. Pierre. § The population of the island in 1801, was 215,000. Jersey is about twelve miles in length, and six in breadth, a well watered and fertile island, producing excellent butter and honey. The winters are milder, but more windy, than those of England. The northern side of the island is high, but the south- ern subsides into pleasant vales, covered with orchards. The re- markable places are the two towns of St. Helier and St. Aubin, both standing on a bay, opening to the south ; and the castle of Mont Orgueil. The inhabitants of Jersey are computed at 20,000, •f whom 3000 are capable of bearing arms. In January 1781, St. Helier was surprised by 800 French, under Rullicourt, who was killed, while Major Pierson fell on the side of the English, his val- or being commemorated by paintings and prints, and by a hand- some monument in the church of St. Helier. Alderney is a small isle, v/ith a town, and about 1000 inhabitants in all. Sark has about 300 inhabitants.lF Returning to the English shore, we first descry Eddistone light- house, beat by all the fury of the western waves. This edifice has repeatedly been overthrown, but the present erection by Mr. Smeaton, composed of vast masses of stone, grooved into the rock, and joined with iron, promises alike to defy accidental fire, and the violence of the ocean, though the waves sometimes Avash over the veiy summit in one sheet of foam. About thirty miles to the west of the Land's End, appear the isles of SciLLY, which have been deemed the Cassitcricles of the ancients. This cluster is said to consist of 145 isles covered witli + Gough's Camden, i. 143. \ Worsley's Isle of Wight, p. 274r. § Guernsey is chiefly remarkable for its small bryvKl yf c«Ulf. If Gough's Camden, tii. 75j. vot. II. 13 $0 ENGLAND. grass or moss, besides innumerable dreary rocks. The largest isle is that of St. Mary, which is about five miles in circuit, and has a castle and garrison : inhabitants about 600. That of St. Ag- nes is rather fertile, inliabitants about 300. The whole inhabi- tants of the Scilly isles are computed at about 1000. The cattle and horses small ; but sheep and rabbits thrive well. Considera- ble quantities of kelp are prepared amid these rocks.* On turning to the north, first appears the little isle of Lundy, situated in the Bristol Channel, about three miles long, but not a mile in breadth, with about 500 acres of good land, some rivulets, and a castle. It was formerly a noted retreat for pirates. Some small isles lie off the Welch coast of Pembrokeshire and Caernarvon, such as Caldy, Skomar^ Bardseij, and others : but the isle of Anglesea deserves more attention, being the Mona of Taci- tus. Anglesea is about twenty-five miles in length, and eighteen in breadth. The chief towns are Newburg, Beaumaris, and on the western extremity, fronting Ireland, Holyhead. This isle is so extremely fei'tile, that the Welch have eiuphatically styled it the mother of Wales ; and of late has been also productive of rich copper found in the Parrys mountain, in the N. E. part of the island, near Amlwich, of which an account has been given in treating of the English minerals. Its population in 1801 amount- ed to 33,806. Beaumaris is a large town, with a castle built by Edward I. Newburg is a corporation of smaller moment. Holy- head, originally a fishing town, has become of consequence, by the Irish packets which pass daily, the average time being twelve hours. The last English isle worth notice is that of Man ; it is about thirty miles in length, and fifteen in its greatest breadth. In the midst is a high mountain, called Snafel. The chief mineral pro- ductions are black marble, slate, lime stone, lead, copper, and iron. Man is also well stoi'ed with black cattle, and sheep ; and the population has of late years greatly increased. This isle was seized by the Norwegians, along with the Western isles of Scot- land, in the ninth century : and remained under these lords an in- dependent kingdom, till the thirteenth century, when it fell with those islands to Alexander III. of Scotland. The Scots were ex- pelled in the reign of Edward II. but the title continued dubious ; for in the 15th and 16th centuries Alexander and John, Dukes of Albany, styled themselves lords of Man, and interwove the arms in their heraldry. In the reign of Henry IV. the kingdom of Man was conferred on the Stanleys, aftei'wards Earls of Derby, and latterly passed to the family of Athol by marriage. This petty sovereignty has been since purchased and annexed to the En- glish crown. The chief places are Douglas and Castletown, and there are some considerable villages. The population in 1801 was about 30,000. There are also some small islands off the eastern coast, as Lin- disfam, and Coquet island, near the mouth of the river of thai " Gongh's Camden, ili, 7.'),T. 4 SCOTLANB. 91 name, in N'orthumberland. The isle of Thanet is now joined to the land of Kent ; but Sheppey ren\ains a pleasant and interest- ing isle. SCOTLAND. CHAPTEI^ I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. NAMES, EXTENT, ORIGINAL POPULATION, PROGRESSIVE GEOGRA- PHY, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, ANTIQUITIES, RELIGION, GOVERN- MENT, LAWS, POPULATION, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, EDUC ATION, UNIVERSITIES, CITIES, INLAND NAVI- GATION, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. SCOTLAND was first discovered to the Romans by Agricola ; and in the works of Tacitus the northern part of Britain is for the first time distinguished from the southern, by the special and repeated appellation of Caledonia, a name said to be derived from a Cumraig word, signifying woodlands, forests, or, perhaps, rather a mountainous country ; for the ancients often blended the ideas of forest and mountain. The names Caledonia^ and Caledonians.^ continued to be used till the Roman power expired. Bede, the father of English history, calls the inhabitants of the country by the name of Picti^ which had also been used by the latter Roman writers as synonymous with that of Caledonii. The country he denominates Frovincia Pictorum.^ the province or region of the Picti. This new name seems to have originated from a country so styled, in the south of- Norway, whence this colony had arrived. The Saxon writers, and among them king Alfred, called the people Peohts, and the coun- try Pcohtlonei. These distinctions continued till the eleventh century, when the new name of Scotia was taken from Ireland, its former object, and applied to modern Scotland. Extent r\ From the Mull of Galloivaij., in lat. 54 44, to the parallel of Dungisbay-head, in 58 45 is a length of 280 miles; and from the Point or Ru oi ylrdnamta-chan to Buchanncssis a breadth. of 1 80. The land however, is so indented by arms of the sea that, the breadth is very varibus, and no part is distant above 40 miles from the coast. The number of square miles is estimated at 27,794. Boundaries.'] Scotland is bounded W. and N. by the Atlan- tic ; E. by the German Ocean, and S. by England. Divisions.] Scotland is divided naturally into Highlands and Lov/Iands. The Highland district is in tlie N. and N. W. and is subdivided into two parts, the West Highlands., comprising the ?,\\\VQ.?> o'i Dnmharton^ .^j/'^, part of Pf7V//. and Argxjle ; with the 92 SCOTLAND. isles of Bute^ Jrran^ the two Cmnbrays, and Inchmarnock ; and the A'brth Highlands, comprehendmg Inverness.) Ross, Soufhcrlandy Caithness, Jlthoi, Rannock, Braidalbin, Marr, and Monteith, with all the proper Hebrides. This district, from Dumbarton to the coast of Caithness, is 200 miles long, and from 80 to 100 broad. The Lowland district comprises the E. S. E. and S. W. parts of the country. Scotland is also divided with equal propriety into three divisions, the northern, middle, and southern. The northern is divided from the middle by the chain of lakes reaching from the Moray Firth to Loch Linnhc. The middle is separated from the southern by the Firths of Forth and Clyde, and the great canal. The third, or southern division, comprehends those counties that lie between the Firths of Forth and Clyde, and the English frontier ; we shall also add to each county the amount of its popu- lation, according to the general enumeration of the island in the year i80l. COUNTIES. INHABITANTS ''Orkney and Shetland 46,824 Caithness •> - ^ 22,609 Northern Sutherland . - . 23,lir Division. Ross . 53,325 Cromarty - 3,052 ^Inverness - 74,292 'Argyle " c 75,700 Bute - 11,791 Nairn - 8,257 Murray, or Elgin - 26,705 Banff . - 35,807 Aberdeen . 123,071 Midland Division. Mearns, or Kincardine - 26,349 Angus, or Forfar - 99,127 PerUi - * 126,366 Fife - 93,743 Kinross - 6,725 Clackmannan - . - 10,858 Stirling - 50,825 ^Dumbarton - 20,710 'West-Lothian, or Linlithgow - 17,844 Mid-Lothian, or Edinburgh 122,954 East-Lothian, or Haddington - 29,986 Berwick - 30,206 Renfrew . 78,056 Southern Ayr ^ 84,306 Division. < Wigton - _ - 22,918 Lanark - 147,796 Peebles - 8,717 Selkirk - 5,070 Roxb,urg - 33,712 Dumfries - 54,597 ,Kirkudbright - 29,211 1,604,826 SCOTLAND. 93 Original Pofiulation.'] So far as historical researches can dis- cover, the original population of Scotland, consisted of Cimbri, from the Cimbric Chersonese. About two centuries before the Christian era, the Cimbri seem to have been driven to the south of Scotland by the Caledonians, or Picti, a Gothic colony from Norway. The Cimbri, a congenerous people witli the Welch, continued to hold the country south of the two Firths of Forth and Clyde : but from the former region they were soon expelled by the Picti, who, in this corner, became subject for a time to the Anglo-Saxon kings of Bernicia. On the west, the Cumraig king- dom of Strath Clyde continued till the tenth century, when it be- came subject to the kings of North Britain ; who, at the time, ex- tended their authority, by the permission of the English monarchs, over the counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland, which abounding with hills and fortresses on the south and east, were little accessible to the English power; and while the Danes pos- sessed the country to the north of the Humber, could yield little revenue, or support to the Anglo-Saxon monarchs. From the Picti originates the population of the Lowlands of Scotland, the Low- landers having been, in all ages, a distinct people from those of the western Highlands, though the Irish clergy endeavored to ren- der their language, which was the most smooth and cultivated of the two, the polite dialect of the court and superior classes. About the year of Christ 258, the Dalraids of Bede, the Attacotti of the Roman writers, passed from Ii'eland to Argyleshire, and became the germ of the Scottish Highlanders, who speak the Irish, or Cel- tic language, while the Lowlandcrs have always used the Scandi- navian, or Gothic. Progressive Geografihy.~\ The progressive geography of Scot- land is little opulent in materials. In the second century we find a map of North Britain, by Ptolemy ; but he represents the Mull of Galloway as the most northern promontory of Scotland, and thence bends the country due east, so that all his longitudes and latitudes were fictitious. But his distribution of the tribes which then inhabited Scotland, may be regarded as tolerably exact. In the centre of the country he places a vast forest, which he calls the Sijlva Caledonia^ chiefly extending over modern Perthshire ; an indication that the colonies had settled on the shores, and that the interior part of the country was little known. The Oladeni were the people of modern Northumberland and Lothian ; the Sel- govce extended over Dumfriesliire and Kirkudbright, to the bay of Wigton, while the JVo-vantx filled modern Wigtonshire, and extended upwards to Ayr-bay. The fourth southern tribe was that of the Damnii^ who possessed the central region from near the source of the Clyde, to that of the Erne. On the northeast of the Damnii were the Veriicentesy from the Firth of Forth to the river Dee, while the Texali held the modern shires of Aberdeen and Banff. To the west of them were the Vacomagif extending from Fort William to the Castra Alata, or Inverness. The other tribes scaic'ely deserve enumeration : the Cornabii possessed the most northern parts oi' Scotland, from Dunsbee-head to Strathiia- ^4 SCOTLAND. ver. Four tribes extended along the north-west, down to Loch Linny ; to the south of which are placed the Epidii^ in Argyleshire, who were divided by Loch Fyn from the Gadeni, who held that part to the east of Argyleshire, called Cowal, in the county of Dumbarton. After the time of Ptolemy little information arises concerning the geography of Scotland, till after the lapse of seven or eight centuries, we find the dawn of the present names and divisions. In the latter Roman period, the province of Valentia embraced that part which was south of the Clyde and Forth ; as for a short space, from about A. D. 140 to 170, the name of Vespasiana had been imparted to the region extending from the Forth to Loch- Ness. The remains of Roman roads form the chief evidence of of the firm possession of the latter province. In the middle ages the name of Albany had been applied to that part of Scotland which lies on the north of the Firths ; and about the year 1200 was written the Descriptio Albaniae. In the four- teenth century, Fordurn produced a larger and more precise idea of Scottish geography. . Harding, who wrote his rhyming chroni- cle in the time of Edward IV. gives a tolerably exact description of Scotland, M^hich he had visited ; and some manuscripts of his work contain a rude map of the country. The first engraved map is that published by bishop Lesley, with his history ; but it abounds with portentous errors, which have been slowly removed. The atlas published in the last century does honor to the industry and abilities of Pont, and the munificence of Sir John Scott; and the recent exertions of Dorrett, Roy, Mackenzie, Huddard, Ainslie, and others, have contributed to establish some exactness in the ge- ographical and hydrographical delineation of the country. Historical Epochs.] 1. The original population of Scotland by the Cimbri, and by the Picti, forms the first historical epoch. 2. The entrance of Agricola into Scotland, and the subsequent conflicts with the Romans, till the latter abandoned Britain. 3. The settlement of the Dalriads, or Attacotti, in Argyleshire, about the year 258, and their repulsion to Ireland about the mid- dle of the fifth century. 4. The commencement of what may be called a regular history of Scotland, from the reign of Drust, A. D. 414. 5. The return of the Dalriads, A. D. 503, and the subsequent events of Dalriadic story. ■ 6. The introduction of Christianity among the Caledonians, in the reign of Brudi II. A. D. 565. 7. The union of the Picti and Attacotti, under Kenneth, A. D. 843. 8. The reign of Malcolm III. A. D. 1056; from which period greater civilization began to take place, and the history becomes more authentic. 9. The extinction of the ancient line of kings, in the person of Margaret, of Norway, grand-daughter of Alexander III. A. D. 1290. This event occasioned the arbitrary interpot-aon of Ed- •vard I. king ol England, Avhich was the sole source of the enmi- SCOTLAND. • 95 ty N\hicii altevwards unhappily prevailed between the kingdoms. 10. The accession of the house of Stuart to the Scottish throne ; a family which produced most ingenious and intelligent, but most unfortunate princes. 11. The establishment of the Protestant religion, A. D. 1560. 12. The union of the two crowns, by the accession of James VI to the Etiglish sceptre, A. D. 1 603. 13. The civil wars, and the subsequent disputes between the Presbyterians and the Independents ; causes that extinguished all sound literature in Scotland, for the space of twenty years, A. D. 1640-1660. 14. The revolution of 1688, and the firm establishment of the Presbyterian system. 15. The union of the two kingdoms in 1707. 16. The abolition of the hereditary jurisdictions, 1755, which laid the first foundation of the subsequent prosperity in Scotland. Antiquities.~\ The monuments of antiquity belonging to the more early epochs, may be considered in the following order. Of the first epoch, no monuments can exist, except those of the tu- mular kind ; and it is impossible to ascertain the period of their formation. The remains of the Roman period in North Britain chiefly appear in the celebrated wall, built in the reign of Antoni- us Pius, between the Firths of Forth and Clyde, in the ruins of which many curious inscriptions have been found. Another striking object of this epoch, was a small edifice on the stream of Carron, vulgarly called Arthur's Oven, which seems rightly to have been regarded by some antiquaries, as a small temple dedi- dated to the God Terminus. The most northerly Roman camp yet discovered, is that near the source of the river Ythan, Aberdeenshire ; the periphery of which is about two English mileS. A smaller station has also been observed at Old Meldrum, a few miles to the S. E. Roman roads haTe been traced a considerable way in the east of Scotland, as far as the county of Angus, affording some evidence of the existence of the province Vespasiana ; but the chief re- mains are Avithin the wall. The smaller remains of Roman an- tiquity found in Scotland, as coins, utensils. Sec. are numerous. With the fourth epoch may be said to commence the Pikish. monuments of antiquity. The tombs it would be difficult to dis- criminate from those of the first epoch ; but as the Caledonian kings, when converted to Christianity^ held their chief residence at Inverness, the singular hill in its vicinity, presenting the form of a boat reversed, may, perhaps, be a monument of regal sculp- ture. The places of judgment among the Gothic nations, or what are now styled Druidic temples, are numerous ; and there is a re- markable one in the isle of Leuis. Some of these monuments arc of small circuit, and such arc sometimes foimd at no great dis- tance from each other ; as they were not only erected as temples to Odin, Thor, Freyga, and other Gothic Deities; but every chief or lord of a manor, having jurisdiction over many servants and slaves, such small courts became places of necessary awe. 96 SCOTLAND. The houses seem to have been entirely of wood or tun"; but in some spots singular excavations are found ludely lined with stone : these are called IVeems, and it is likely that they were always ad- jacent to the wooden residence of some chief, and were intended as depositories of stores, Sec. the roofs being too low for comfort- able places of refuge. The stations and camps of the natives are distinguished by their round form, while those of the Romans be- long to the square. Under the next epoch it would be difficult to discover any genu- ine remains of the Dalriads. The houses, and even churches, were constructed in wattle-work ; and the funeral monuments were cairns, or heaps of stones. To the sixth epoch may probably belong a chapel or two, still remaining in Scotland ; but it is probable that these sacred edifices in stone were soon followed by the erection of those rude, round piles, without any cement, called Piks houses ; yet they may more probably belong to The seventh epoch, when the Danes may share in the honor of the erection, for such edifices have been traced in Scandinavia. They seem to have consisted of a vast hall, open to the sky in the centre, while the cavities in the wall present incommodious reces- ses for beds. Sec. These buildings are remarkable, as displaying the first elements of the Gothic castle ; and the castle of Konii.gs- burg, in Yorkshire, forms an easy transition. The engraved obe- lisks found at Forres, and in other parts of Scotland, have been ascribed to the Danish ravagers, who had not time for such erec- tions. They are, probably, monuments of signal events, raised by the king, or chiefs, and as some are found in Scandinavia as recent as the fifteenth century, it is probable that many of the Scottish obelisks are far more modern than is generally imagined. Religion.'] It is generally believed, on the authority of the ancient Scotch historians, the venerable Bede, and other writers, that Chris- tianity was first taught in Scotland by one of the disciples of St. John the Apostle, who fled to avoid the persecution of Domitian. It was established in the third century; one of the monarchs, with 1ms family, being then solemnly baptized. About 565, St. Columba established the university in the ii-iand of I-cobn-Kill^ which was long the pride of the north. His followers the Culdees^ continued a distinct order of regular clergy to the fourteenth century, and re- tained their original manners and doctrines. After that, the Romish religion reigned paramount till the Reformation. Still the depend- ence of the people on the Pope was very slender; and the doc- trines of Luther and Calvin were no sooner promulgated, than they were adopted by the great body of the nation. Protestant- ism in the Presbyterian form was established in 1560. In 1578, an attempt was made to establish Episcopacy. Scotland was par- celled out into two archbishopricks, St. Andrews, anu Glasgow ; and twelve bishopricks, Edinburgh, Dunkeld, Dumblane, Brech- in, Aberdeen, Moray, Ross, Caithness, Orkney, Galloway, Argyle, and the Isles. This continued the established religion till 1688. All this time the country was distracted by the quarrels of the SCOTLAND. ' 97 Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and Independents, tn 1688, Pres- byterianism was reestablished and is now the national religion. In 1732, a large body of the Presbyterians seceded from the establish- ment. They preserved the same form of church government, but were more strict in their sentiments than those whom they left behind. In 1747 the Seceders were subdivided into Burghers and Antiburghers. The former allow the oaths taken by the burghes- ses of the royal boroughs to be legal: the latter object. The for- mer are the most numerous. Many respectable families embrace the Episcopal form of the church of England. The other sectaries are not numerous. There are few Roman Catholics, even in the remote Highlands ; the scheme of education being excellent, and generally supported with liberality. The Presbyterian form of religion is Calvinistic in its docU'ines, and. establishes an entire equality of ecclesiastical authority among its clergy. The revenues of the clergy also have been nearly equal, none having been more than 200 pounds sterling, and none less than 50 pounds /ier annum. By a late act of parliament the smaller revenues have all been i-aised to 150 pounds. Thei'e arc four grades of ecclesiastical courts, the General v^s-> semblijt Provincial Synods, PresdyteiieSf and Kirk Sessio?is. 1st. The General Assembly is the highest ecclesiastical court in Scot- land, and may with propriety be termed the F.ccledastical Parlia- ment. It consists of commissioners, some of whom are laymen, under the name of ruling elders, from Presbyteries, royal bor- oughs, and universities. One of the commissioners, usually a no- bleman of high rank, represents the king. A moderator is chosen by the Assembly, who presides and regulates the proceedings. This is the high court of appeals from the other ecclesiastical couits, and its decisions are final. Its authority extends over Scotland. 2d. Pro-uincial Synods are composed of delegates from ai' number of adjacent presbyteries over which they have power. 5d. Presbyteries are composed of delegates from a number of ad- jacent parishes. They inspect into the behaviour of the ministers and eiders of their respective bounds, oi'dain pastors, examine and licence schoolmasters, £tc. 4th. The 'Kirk Session, com- posed of the minister, elders and deacons of a parish, is the lowest ecclesiastical court. It has the superintendence of the poor, visits the sick, and assists the clergyman in his clerical functions. The following is a view of the ecclesiastical establishment of Scotland, as divided into Synods and Presbyteries, with the num- ber of ministei-s in each synod, in 1803. Synods. Lothian and Tweedale Merse and Teviotdale Dumfries . . w Galloway - - 6 Glasgow and Ayi' VOi. jti. t^ Presbj tei ic«. 7 IVfinistersi 116 6 66 5 3 7 54 37 1*3») 8 • SCOTLAND. Perth and Stirling; S 80 Fife .... 4 71 Angus and Mearns 6 81 Aberdeen - - - - 8 101 10 Moray - . . . 7 ^ 54 Ross - - - 3 23 Sutherland and Caithness 3 23 Argyle - . . . 5 41 Glenelg - . - _ 5 29 15 Orkney - - - 4 30 78 936 These 936 clergymen are settled over 877 chmxhes, 31 of the churches being collegiate. The Scotch clergy deserve the high- est praise as men of enlightened minds, and unblemished life. The Seceders are also very numerous. The Burghers have about 100 ministers, and each has, at a medium, a congregation of about 1000. The number of the Antiburgers is less, Governme7it.^ The government of Scotland, since the union, has been blended Avith that of England. The chief distinction be- tween the original constitution of the two countries, Avas, that Scotland had no House of Commons, the Parliament, consisting of all descriptions, assembled in one hall. That enlightened prince, James I. of Scotland, endeavoured in vain to establish a House d?" Commons, in imitation of that of England, where he was educated. The most splendid remaining feature of government in Scotland, is the General Assembly. Next to which may be classed, the High Courts of Justice, especially that styled the Session, consist- ing of a president, and fourteen senators. The Lords of Session, as they are styled in Scotland, upon their promotion to office, as- sume a title, generally from the name of an estate, by which they are known and addressed, as if peers by creation, while they are only constituted lords by superior interest, or talents. This court is the last resort in several causes, and the only appeal is to the parliament of Great Britain, It is to be regretted that the causes are not determined by jury as in England. The justiciary court consists of five judges, who are likewise Lords of Session : but, with a president, styled the Lord Justice Clerk, as he is only understood to represent the for- merly great office of Justice General. This is the supreme court in criminal causes, which are determined by the majority of a ju- ry, and not by the unanimity, as in England. There is also a court of Exchequer, ccMisisting of a Lord Chief Baron, and four Barons ; and a High Court of Admiralty, in which there is only one judge. The keepers of the great and privy seals, and the lord register or keeper of the records, may also be mentioned un- der this head. The Scots ai-e represented in the Imperial Parliament by 16 peers, elected by the nobility by writ at the calling of evc/y par- liament, who sit and vote in the House of Lords. To the House SCOTLAND. • 99 of Commons, Scotland sends 35 members, viz. 50 knights of the shires, and 15 from the royal boroughs. Laws.'] The law of Scotland differs essentially from that of England, being founded, in a great measure, upon the civil law. It partly consists of statute law ; but many of the ancient statutes never having been enforced, the chief rule of this sort arises from the decisions of the session, which are carefully preserved and published, and affoi'd precedents, generally deemed unexception- able. Of common law there is hardly a trace, while the civil and canon laws may be said to form the two pillars of Scottish judica- ture. The modes of procedure have, however, the advantage of being free from many of those legal fictions, which disgrace the laws of some other countries. The inferior courts are those of the sheriffs, magistrates, and justices of the peace. Under the hered- itary jurisdictions, happily abolished, the peers, and other great men, maintained a power, almost absolute, over their tenants and followers, so that there was no law but the will of the master, and the cities alone could be deemed seats of freedom. Pojiulation.] The population of Scotland, in 1755, was at 1,265,380 ; accordingto the documents furnished by Sir J. Sinclair's statistical account, the numbers in 1798, were 1,527,892; and by the government enumeration in 1801, the inhabitants appeared to amount to 1,604,826. The increase in 46 years was 339,446, or a little more than 26 and f per cent. The army, navy, revenues, political importance, and relations of Scotland, are now inseparably intermingled with those of En- gland. Manners and Customs.] The manners and customs of the Scots begin to be much assimilated with those of the English. In their religious ceremonies, attending baptism and marriages, there are variations arising from the Presbyterian form which does not ad- mit of god-fathers or god-mothers, but renders the parents alone answerable for the education of the child. The clergyman does not attend at funerals, nor is there any religious service, but gener- ally great decency. Among the lower classes the funerals are generally far more numerously attended than in England ; nor is black an indispensable colour of dress on such occasions. In the luxuries of the table the superior classes rival the Eng- lish ; several national dishes, formerly served up at the best ta- bles, and originating from the French cooking, in the reign of Mary, being now vulgar or neglected. The diet of the lower classes passes in a gradual transition from the north of England. The chief food is /laric/i, or thick pottage, formed with oatmeal and water, and eaten with milk, ale, or butter ; in a hard lumpy- form it is called brose. With this the laborer is generally con- tented twice or thrice in the day, with a little bit of meat for Sun- day ; nor does he repine at the bacon of the English poor, there being a theological antipathy to swine, which also extends to eels, on account of their serpent-like form. The sobriety of the lower classes is in general exemplary ; and the Scottish manufacturer or laborer, instead of wasting his week- 100. ^ SCOTLAND. ly gains at an ale-house, is ambitious to appear with his family in decent clothes on Sundays and other holidays. This may be re- garded as a striking characteristic of the Scottish peasantry, who prefer the lasting decencies of life to momentary gratifications* To this praise may be added, that of intelligence, arising from the diffusion of education, which is such, that even the miners in the south possess a circulating library. The houses of the opulent have b6en long erected upon the En- glish plan, which can hardly be exceeded for interior elegance and convenience. Even the habitations of the poor have been greatly improved within these few years, and instead of the thatched mvid hovel, there often appears the neat cottage of stone, covered witk tile or slate. The dress of the superior classes is the same with that of the English. The gentlemen in the Highlands, especially in the time of war, use the peculiar dress of that country. Among the other classes, the Scottish bonnet is now rarely perceived, except in the Highlands ; it was the usual covering for the head all over Europe, till towards the end of the sixteenth century, when the hat, formerly only worn in riding or hunting, came into general use. The amusements of the rich are on a parallel with those of the English ; but those of the peasantry have several diversities, which the reader may, perhaps, best learn from the poems of Burns. That of curling consists in rolling large stones, with iron handles, upon the ice, towards a fixed mark, a healthy and favourite diver- sion in the winter. The English quoits are supplied hy fieimy stanes, round flat stones, which are tossed in the same manner. Two exquisite poems of Mr. Burns, his HaUowecny and his Cot- ter^ s Saturday JVight^ will convey more information concerning the amusements, superstitions, and manners, of the Scottish peasant- ry, thaii the longest and most animated detail. Langua^er\ The Scottish language falls under two divisions, that of the Lowlands consisting of the ancient Scandinavian dia- lect, blended with the Anglo-Saxon ; and that of the Highlands, which is Irish. The Lord's prayer, in the most ancient language of the Lowlands, would be as follows : 1. Uor fader quhilk beest i Hevin. 2. Hallowit weird thyne nam. 3. Cum thyne kingrik. 4. Be dune thyne wull as is i He- vin sva po yerd. 5. Uor dailie breid gif us thilk day. 6. And forleit us uor skaiths, as we forleit tham quha skath us. 7. And leed us na intil temtation. 8. Butan fro us fra evil. Amen. The islands of Orkney were seized by the Norvegians, in the ninth century, and the inhabitants retained the Norse language till recent times, when they began to speak remarkably pure En- glish. Chamberlayne has given the Juord's prayer in their ancient dialect : 1. Favor ir i chimre. 2. Helleur ir i nam thite. 3. Gilla cos- dum thite cumma. 4, Bcya thine motavara gort o yurn sinna gort i chinu'ie. 5. Ga vus da on da dalight brow vora. 6. Firgive vus sinna vora sin vee firgive siadara mutha vus. 6. Lyve us yet SCOTLAND. 101 tuntation. 8. Min delivera vus fro olt ilt. Amen: or, On sa meteth vera. In the Erse, or Irish, of the Highlands, the same supplication runs thus : A n' Athair ata air Neamh. 1. Gu naamhaichear t Tinm. 2. Tigeadh do Rioghachd. 3. Deanthar do Thoil air an Talmah mar a nithear air Neamh. 4. Tabhair dhuinn an diu ar n Aran laitheil. 5. Agus maith dhuinn ar Fiacha anihuilmar mhaithmid d'ar iuekdfia chaibh. 6. Agus na Icig am buaireadh sinn. 7. Ach saor sinn o Ole. Amen. Lita-ature.'] The literature of Scotland recompenses for its re- cent origin by its rapid progress and extensive fame. The coun- try that produced Buchanan in the sixteenth century, could not, in the twelfth, boast of one native writer. Yet, it must not be forgotten, that in this dark petiod, on the sacred ground of Hyona, flourished several respectable Irish wri- ters, who are also classed among the apostles of religion and learning in England ; such were Columba, who converted the northern Caledonians, and his biographers, Cuminius and Adom- nan, the latter the friend of Bede. Among the Strathclyde Welch may be named Patrick, in his turn the apostle of Ireland. One of the earliest native writers is Thomas of Erceldon, called the Rimer, who flourished about the year 1270, and wrote a me- trical romance, called Sir Tristram, now unfortunately lost. John Barbour, Archdeacon of Aberdeen, wrote his poem on the actions of Robert I. in the year 1375. At the same time flourished John Fordun, the father of Scottish history. James I. of Scotland, wrote some excellent poems early in the fifteenth century ; and he was followed by Flolland, and Henry the Rimer. In the end of that century arose Dunbar, the chief of the ancient Scottish poets ; and, in the beginning of the next, .Gawin Douglas and David Linsay. The Scottish muse continued to warble till the middle of the sev- enteenth century, when religious fanaticism extinguished all the arts and sciences, but not before Drummond had wove his web of Doric delicacy. In more modern times the names of Thompson, Blair, Armstrong, Beattie, Burns, &c. are universally known. The other departments of science are of yet more recent culti- vation in Scotland ; even theology seems unknown till the begin- ning of the sixteenth century ; and of medicine there is no trace till the seventeenth : while now Edinburgh ranks among the first me- dical schools of Europe. Natural philosophy and history were total- ly neglected till after the Restoration ; yet Scotland can now pro- duce able writers in almost every branch, and equal progress has been made in moral philosophy. Among the new departments oi literature in which the Scottish authors have been unsuccessful, may be named epic poetry, comedy, and the critical illustration oi the classics. Education.~\ The mode of education pursued in Scotland is highly laudable, and to judge from its effects is, perhaps, the best practical system pursued in any covntry in Europe. The plan ■\vluch is followed in the cities is nearly similar to that of England, i02 SCOTLAND. cither by private teachers, or at large public schools, of which that of Edinburgh is the most eminent, and may be traced from the sixteenth century. But the superior advantage of the Scottish education consists in every country parish possessing a school- master, as uniformly as a clergyman; at least the rule is general, and the exceptions rare. The schoolmaster has a small salary, or rather pittance, which enables him to educate the children at a rate easy and convenient, even to indigent parents. In the High- lands the poor children attend to the flocks in the summer, and the school in the winter. There is no country on the globe, ex- cept New-England, in which the education of the poor is so uni- versally attended to. Universities.~\ The universities of Scotland, or rather colleges, (for an English university includes many colleges and founda- tions,) amount to no less than four, three on the eastern coast, St. Andrew's, Aberdeen and Edinburgh ; and one on the western, that of Glasgow, The university of St. Andrew's was founded by Bishop Ward- law, in the year 1412 ; but as it is now of small importance in the pi'oximity of that of Edinburgh, it would be a patriotic measure to transfer it to the Highlands. That of Glasgow was foui-ded by Bishop Turnbull, in the year 1453, and it has produced many il- lustrious professors and able students. The late Mr. Anderson, professor of natural philosophy, founded an institution to promote the knowledge of natural philosophy and history, and more espe- cially the application of these sciences to the useful purposes of commerce and manufactures.* The third university, that of Aberdeen, was founded by Bishop Elphinstone, in the year 1500, and it has always supported its high character and intentions. In the year 1593, George Keith, fifth Earl Marshall, founded a college at Aberdeen, being the only Scot- tish nobleman who can claim that high honor. The last, not least, is that of Edinburgh, founded by James VI. in 1580 ; and the bare enumeration of its illustrious professors and writers would occu- py too much space for the present plan. The buildings being mean and confined, the foundation of a new edifice was laid in 1789, and, it is hoped, will soon be completed on the magnificent plans adjusted by Adams. Cities a?id Toivns.^ The chief cities and towns in Scotland must now be considered. Edinburgh, the capital, is comparatively of modern name and note, the earliest hint that can be applied to it, occurring in the Chronicon Pictoru?n, about the year 955, where mention is made of a town called Eden, as resigned by the Eng- lish to the Scotts, then ruled by Indulf. Holyrood house was the foundation of the first David. The population of Edinburgh, including the port of Leith, was, in 1678, computed at 35,500 ; in 1755, at 70,430 ; and in 1791, at 84,886.t *\ Garnet's Tour, ii. 193. t Statist. Account, vi. 56-i. SCOTLAND. 105 The whole number of inhabitants in the old and new to^vn of Edinburgh together with the suburbs and the sea ports of north and south Leith were found by actual enumeration in 1801 to amount to 82,5 60.* The arrivals and clearances at Leith Harbor, exceed the number of 1700 vessels of various descriptions. Of these 165 belong to the town. The commerce has been stated at half a million an- nually. The houses in the old town of Edinburgh, are sometimes of re- markable height, not less than thirteen or fourteen floors, a singu- larity ascribed to the wish of the ancient inhabitants, of being un- der the protection of the castle. This part of the city stands on the ridge of a hill, gradually descending from the lofty precipice on which the castle is situated, to a bottom, in which stands the pal- ace of Holyrood-house. Adjacent to this edifice, is a park of con- siderable extent, replete with mountainous scenery ; for the basal- tic heights of Arthur's seat, and Salisbury crags, are within its precincts. The new town of Edinburgh is deservedly celebrated for regularity and elegance, the houses being all of free-stone, and some of them ornamented with pillars and pilasters. There are several public edifices in Edinburgh, which would do honor to any capital ; among such may be named the castle, the palace, the principal church, Heriot's hospital, register office, the new college, and several buildings in the new city.f There is an elegant bridge, reaching from the hill on which the ancient city stands, to the elevated side of the new town. Another bridge passes in a line with the former, towards the south, over a street called the cow-gate : and an artificial mound extends from the western part of the ridge to the opposite hill. The environs of Edinburgh are singularly pleasing and picturesque. On the north is an elevated path, leading to the harbor of Leith : on the east are Musselburgh and Dalkeith, rural villages, watered by a beautiful stream. On the south, Pentland hills ; and towards the west, the rivulet Leith, and banks of romantic variety. The second city in Scotland is Glasgow, of ancient note in ec- clesiastical story, but of small account in the annals of commerce, till the time of Cromwell's usurpation.:): The population of Glas- gow, in 1755, was computed at 23,546, including the suburbs ; the number in 1791, was estimated at 61,945 ; and the amount of the enumeration in 1801, was 77,385. Tne ancient city was rather venerable than beautiful, but recent impi-ovements have rendered it one of the neatest cities in Scotland. Its western situation exposes it to frequent rains, a disadvantage recompensed by its favorable position for commerce with America and the West In- dies. Its commerce has arisen to great extent since the year 1718, wiieu the first ship that belonged to Glasgow crossed the Atlaniic.^ The number of ships belonging to the Clyde, in 1790^ was 476, the tonnage 46,581 ; but beiure the American war, it w^s * Ai 9 VMCt of the answers and roturns, 8cc. P. II. t Deiiholme's Glasgow, t Arnoi's Kdinburgh. Kiiicaitl's do. § Statist. Ace. v, 498 104 SCOTLAND. supposed to have amounted to 60,000 tons. Though the manu- factures scarcely exceed half a century m antiquity, they are now numerous and important.* That of cotton in 1791, was computed to employ 15,000 looms; and the goods produced, were supposed to amount to the yearly value of 1,500,000/. the manufacturers of linens, woollens. Sec. are far from being of similar consequence. The ancient cathedral of Glasgow survived the reformation, when the other Scottish edifices of that denomination sunk into ruins. Two convenient bridges are thrown over the Clyde. The envi- rons of Glasgow present little remarkable. Next in eminence aix; the cities of Perth and Aberdeen, and the town of Dundee. Perth is an ancient town, supposed to have been the Victoria of the Romans. It is pleasantly situated on the west- ern bank of the river Tay ; and has been known in commerce since the thirteenth century, but at present the trade is chiefly of the coasting kind, Dundee possessing a more advantageous situa- tion for foreign intercourse. Linen forms the staple manufacture, to the annual amount of about 160,000/. There are also manufac- turers of leather and paper. Perth displays few public edifices worth notice. Inhabitants, about 23,000. There is a noble bridge, of recent date, over the Tay, and the environs are interesting, particularly the hill of Kinnoul, which presents singular scenes, and many curious mineral productions. About 18 miles nearer the mouth of the Tay, stands Dundee, in the county of Angus, a neat modern town. The firth of Tay is here between two and three miles broad ; and there is a good road for shipping to the east of the town, as far as Broughty-castle. On the 1st of September 1651, Dundee was taken by storm by gener- al Monk ; and Lumisdcn, the governor, perished amidst a torrent of bloodshed. The population is, however, now equal to 26,084 ; the public edifices are neat and commodious. In 1792, the ves- sels belonging to the port, amounted to 116, tonnage 8,550. The staple manufacture is linen, to the annual value of about 80,000/. canvass, &c. about 40,000/. Colored thread also forms a consider- able article, computed at 33,000/. and tanned leather at 14,000/.t Aberdeen first rises to notice in the eleventh century, and con- tinued to be chiefly memorable in ecclesiastical story. In the fourteenth century it was destroyed by Edward III. of England. The population in 1795 was computed at 24,493, and in 1801 it amounted to 27,500. Though the harbor be not remarkably com- modious, it can boast a considerable trade, the chief exports being salmon and woollen goods. In 1795, the British ships entered at the port, were 61, the foreign five; and the British ships cleared outwards, amounted to 28. The chief manufactures are woollen goods, particularly stockings, the annual export of which is com- puted at 123,000/. The coarse linen manufacture is not of much account, but the thread is of esteemed quality. The other chief towns of Scotland shall only be briefly mention- ed, begimiing with the south east part of the kingdom. Berwick * Stntist. Ace. V. ."505. f Tbiil. Xer. riii.p. 284. S«c SCOTLAND. i05 is a fortified town of some note, and carries on a considerable trade in salmon. The vessels built at this port are constructed on excellent principles. Jedburgh, on the river Jed, which descends from the Cheviot hills, is chiefly remarkable for the beautiful ruins of an abbey, founded by David I. Present number of inhabitants 3,834. Dumfries stands on a rising ground, on the eastern banks of the Nith, and contains 7,288 inhabitants. Ayr, in the S. W. of Scotland, is situated on a sandy plain, on a river of the same name ; the chief trade is in grain and coals ; and a few vessels are built. Inhabitants 5,492. Kilmarnock has a population of 8,079. Irwine has 4584. Lanark stands in a most picturesque country, near the cele- brated falls of the Clyde. It was only noted for its academy, un- der the management of Mr. Thompson, brother-in-lav/ of Thom- son the poet, till the recent cotton manufacture, and other erec- tions by the patriotic Mr. Dale, rendered this town still more worthy of attention. Inhabitants 4,692. Hamilton in the same shire contains 5,908 souls. Greenock and Port-Glasgow, are considerable towns, which have arisen to celebrity, by sharing in the trade of Glasgow. Greenock contains 17,458 inhabitants ; Port-Glasgow about 3,865. Paisley, in the .•• ame county, is celebrated by its manufacture of muslin, lawns, and gauzes, to the annual amount it is said, of 660,000/. Tlxe population amounts to 31,179. Dumbarton, on the opposite shore of the Clyde, contains about 2,541 souls, and is also subservient in the manufactures of Glasgow. Sterling is rather remarkable for its commanding and truly roy- al situation, than for its industry. The inhabitants amount to 5,256. Between Sterling and Edinburgh stands Boness, former- ly called Borrowstowness, in the midst of collieries and salt- works: the harbor is good and there are 2,790 inhabitants. Fal- kirk in the same shire contains 8,838 souls ; and St. Neman's 6,849. The county of Fife contains many towns, some of which were in a more flourishing situation, when Scotland carried on a con- siderable intercourse with France. Dunfermline is a pleasant town, containing 9,980 inhabitants, and carries on a considerable manufacture of diapers. There are ruins of a palace, the royal residence in the time of Malcolm III. St. Andrews has 4,203 ; it is chiefly remarkable for its ruined cathedral. Dysart contains 5,385. Forfar, in Angus, contains 5,165 souls, and tlie linen manufac- tures deserve mention. Dunkeld is of venerable and picturesque fame, but its linen manufactures are inconsiderable. Brechin contains 5,466 peo- ple : its products are linen, cotton, and tanned leather. Mont- rose has a population of 7974, and a few manufactures; the build- ings arc mostly modern and neat. The county of Mearns presents no town worth mention, Peter- head, in Aberdeenslure, contains about 2Q00 souls. It has a raiji- VOL. II. 14 106 SCOTLAND. eral spring-, and carries on some trade with the Baltic. Frazer^ burgh, near the promontory of Kinnaird Head, has also a good har- bor. Inhabitants 2,215. Portsoy is a sea-port town, peopled with about 2000 souls. In the neighborhood, are the I'ocks well known to mineralogists, con- taining elegant granites of different kinds, serpentines and steat- ites, with their usual concomitants, asbestos and amianthus. Elgin, the capital of the county of Moray, boasts of the remains of an elegant cathedral, and contains 4,345 inhabitants. Inverness is an ancient and flourishing town, the capital of the northern Highlands. The population equals 8,732. The chief manufactures are ropes and candles. An academy has lately been founded here on an excellent plan. The few towns further to the north are of little account. Port Rose has only 800 souls ; but Cromarty has 2,208, a small manu- facture of coarse cloth, and some coasting trade in corn, thread, yarn, nails, fish and skins. Dingwall contains 1,418 souls, and a small linen manufacture. Tain has 2,277 inhabitants. Dornoch was once the residence of the bishops of Caithness : population 2372. After a dreary interval Wick occurs, the last town on the east- ern coast; the inhabitants, 3,986, chiefly deal in cod and herrings,. Thurso, on the northern shore, fronting the Orkneys, has manu- factux'cs of woollen and linen. Population 3,628. Hence there is a lamentable void along the western half of Scotland, till we arrive at Inverary, in Argyleshire, the founda- tion of the noble house of Argyle, after passing a space of about 160 miles, Avhcre only a few scattered hamlets can be fovmd. In- verary is a neat and pleasant town, of about 1000 souls ; there are manufactures of linen and woollen, and a considerable iron work. The ore is brought from the west of England, and is snKslted with charcoal from the woods of Argyleshire. In the same county is Campbeltown, a royal borough, in the southern part of the peninsula ot Cantire. The trade is consider- able, as it is the general resort of the fishing vessels ; and the in- habitants amount to 7,093. The harbor is excellent, in the form of a crescent, opening to the east, in front of the island of Arran. About fifty weavers are employed in the cotton manufacture.* Inland J\''uvigation.~\ The most remarkable inland navigation in Scotland, is the excellent and extensive canal from the Forth to the Clyde, commenced in 1768, from a survey by Smeaton four years before. *' The dimen,sions of this canal, though greatly contracted from tlie oi'iginal design, are much superior to any work of the same nature in south Britainf. The English canals are generally from three to five feet deep, and from twenty to forty feet wide, and the lock gates from ten to twelve feet ; but they answer the purpose of i\iland carriage from one town to another, for which alone they were designed. The depth of the canal between the Forth and Clyde is seven feet; its breadth at the surface fifty six feet; * Statist. Accovuit, X. 552. f Phillips, 276. SCOTLAND. lor the locks are seventy fi'.e feet long-, and their gates twenty feet wide. It is raised from the Carron by twenty locks, in a tract often miles, to the amazing height of 155 feet above the medium full sea mark. At the twentieth lock begins the canal of partition on the summit, between the east and west se^as ; which canal of partition continues eighteen miles, on a level, terminating at Hamilton-hill, a mile N. W. of the Clyde, at Glasgow. In some places the canal is carried through mossy gi'ound, and in others through solid rock. In the fourth mile of the canal there are ten locks, and a fine aqueduct bridge, which crosses the great road leading from Edinburgh to Glasgow. At Kirkintullock, the canal is carriecl over the water of Logic, on an aqueduct bridge, the arch of which is ninety feet broad. There are in the whole eighteen draw bridges, and fifteen aqueduct bridges, of considerable size, besides small ones and tunnels." The supplying the canal with water, Avas of itself a very great work. One reservoir is above twenty four feet deep, and covers a surface of fifty acres, near Kilsyth. Another, about seven mileS north of Glasgow, consists of seventy acres, and is banked up at the sluice, twenty-two feet. The distance between the Firths of Clyde, and Forth, by the nearest passage, that of the Pentland Firth, is 600 miles, by this canal scarcely 100. On the 28th of July 1''90, tlie canal was com- pletely open from sea to sea, when a hogshead of the water of Forth was poured into the Clyde, as a symbol of their junction. The length of the canal is precisely thirty-five miles, and no work of the kind can be more ably finished. Manufactures and Co?n7nerce.^ The general commerce of Scot- land, though on a smaller scale, and with smaller capitals, is in most respects similar to that of England, and shares in the nation- al prosperity. That of the capital, thi'ough Leith its port, has been estimated, as we have seen, at half a million yearly. The chief exports are linen, grain, iron, glass, lead, woollen stuffs, soap, &c. Ecc. The imports are wines, brandy; and from the West Indies and America, rum, sugar, rice, indigo. Glasgow ex- ports cottons of all kinds, muslins, l-awns, gauzes, 8cc. glass, stock- ings, earthen ware, cordage. Sec. candles, soap, iron, leather. Sec. Sec. The chief imports are tobacco, sugar, rum, and cotton, from the West Indies ; Irish beef, butter, and linen ; wines from Por- tugal, and other counti'ies. The herring and salmon fisheries on the coast, the whale fish- ery in Greenland and Davis' Straits, and the cod fishery on the banks of Newfoundland are productive of great wealth to Scot- land, and have met with the direct patronage of the government. The exports of Scotland in 1800 amounted to £ 2,346,069 ; in 1805 to £ 2,504,867 ; and in 1809 to £ 4,383,100. In 1805 the trade em.- ployed 2,581 vessels, amounting to 210,295 tons, and 15,160 sea- men. The annual amount of the linc?i maiinfactures is said to be )C 750,000. They have been much injured of late by the rivalry of Ireland. Of woollens. /Scotc/t carpets^ cheap, neat and dura- 108 SCOTLAND. ble ; cafis, and stockings form the chief branch. The thread manu- facture of Scotland is uncommonly excellent. The quantity of ardent spirits distilled in 1708"^ 50,844"! 1760 ! . 145,460 ! ,, 1784 f- ^""' 268,503 j^ S^"°^^- 1 791 J 1,69 6,000 J The iron manufactures, particularly that at Caron. deserve also to be enumerated among the chief national advantages. In 1763, there were 396 four-wheeled carriages, and 462 two-wheeled, en- titled to pay duty. In 1790, there were 1427 of the first kind, and 643 of the last. CHAPTER II. NATUEAL, GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FACE OF THE COtTNTRV, SOIL AND AO- RICULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, MINERAL WATERS, NATURAL CURI- OSITIES. Climate arid Seasons.'] THE climate of Scotland is such as might be expected in a latitude so remote, and a country so mountainous. In the eastern parts, there is not so much humidity as in England, as the mountains on the west arrest the vapors from the Atlantic. On the other hand, the western countries are deluged with rain, an insuperable obstacle to the progress of agriculture. Even the winter is more distinguish- able by the abundance of snow, than by the intensity of the frost ; but in summer the heat of the sun is reflected with great power in the narrow vales between the mountains. These obser- vations chiefly apply to the north and west. In the east and south, the climate differs but little from that of Yorkshire ; and corn sometimes ripens in the vales of Moray, as early as in Lothian. Face oj the Country.] The face of the country, is in general mountainous, to the extent, perhaps, of two thirds ; whence the population is of necessity slender, in comparison with the admeas- urement. But the name of Highlands is more strictly confined to Argyleshire, the west of Perthshire, and of Inverness ; and the entire counties of Ross, Sutherland, and Caithness. In proceed- ing from the south east, the entrance into the Highlands near Diuikeld, is very impressive, there being a considerable tract of plain, just before what may be termed the gates of the mountains. Even the eastern parts have little of uniform flatness, but are sweetly diversified Avith hill and dale. The rivers in general are remarkably pure and transparent, and their course rapid. The rich roughness of an English prospect, diversified with an abundance of wood, even in the hedge vows, is in Scotland rarely visible ; SCOTLAND. 109 whence the nudity of the country makes a strong impression ou the stranger. But the laudable exertions of many of the nobility and gentry, who plant trees by millions, will soon remove this re- proach. &oil and JgricuKure.'] For a minute account of the various soils that prevail in Scotland, and the different modes of agriculture, the reader must be referred to the Statistical Accounts, published by Sir John Sinclair. The excellence of the English agriculture, has iustlv entitled it to, an imitation almost universal. But this advantag'e is of recent date ; and, for a long period of time, Scot- land was remarkable for producing the best gardeners and the worst farmers in Europe. Riveis.'] The three chief rivers of Scotland, are the Foi'th, the Clyde, and the Tay. The chief source of the Forth is fi'om Ben Lomond, or rather from the two lakes. Con and Ard : the stream of Goudie soon joins it from the lake of Menteith ; and the river Teith, fed by the lakes Ketterin, Lubnaig and others, sv/ells the Forth to a noble stream, about four miles above Stirling. The Clyde is said to issue from a hill in the S. E. corner of Tweeddale, called Arrik Stane, which is undoubtedly the chief source of the Tweed, and one source of the Annan : but the Clyde has a more remote source in Kirshop, or Dair Avater, rising about six miles further to the south, in the very extremity of Lanark- shire ; and the true source of the Annan seems to be Loch Skeen, in the county of Selkirk. However this be, the Clyde passes through Crauford Moor, leaving the range of Leadhills on the left, and winding under the lofty hill of Tinto, near Symington, pursues a northerly course, till about two miles to the south of Cai'nwaith, when it resumes its chief westerly direction. The principal source of the Tay, is the lake of the same name, or the river may be traced to the more westerly sources of the Attrick and the Dochart, and the smaller stream of Lochy ; which fall into the western extremity of Loch Tay. Soon after this noble river issues from the lake, it is joined by the river Ly- on ; and, at no great interval, by the united streams of the Tarf, the Garry, and the Tumcl, the last, a rapid and romantic river. The streams of Ericht and Hay, swell the Tav, about nine miles to the north of Perth ; after passing which city, it receives the venex'able stream of the Ern, and spreads into a wide estuary. Next in consequence and in fame-, is the Tweed, a beautiful and pastoral stream, which, receiving the Teviot from the south, near Kelso, falls into the sea at Berwick. The Scottish Tyne is an inconsiderable river, which runs bv Haddington. In the south west, the Annan contributes largely to the Firth of Solway, but no tovvn worth mentioning adorns its banks. Dum- fries stands upon the Nith, a river of longer course than the An- nan, and marked at its estuary by the ruins of Caerlavroc castle, an important fortress in ancient times. The river Orb, and that recently styled Kirkudbright, anciently and properly called the Ken, (whence is derived the title of Kenmurc,) and the Flee!;, are 1 10 SCOTLAND. surpassed by the river Cree or Crief ; which formerly split Gal- loway into two divisions, and which opens into the noted bay of Wigton. The rivers of Ayrshire, flowing into the grand c-stuary of the Clyde, are of inconsiderable size. To the north of the estuary of Forth, occurs the Eden, which, after watering the royal park of Falkland and Coupar, the county town, meets the ocean, about two miles to the north of St. An- drews. To the north of Tay are the South Esk, which passes by Bre- chin and Moutrose ; and the North Eske, a less considerable stream. In the county of Kincardine there is no river of consequence. But the Dee is a considerable and placid stream, issuing from the mountains Scairsoch, and pursuing a due easterly course to Ab- erdeen. The Don runs almost parallel, a few miles to the north, joining the sea about two miles from Aberdeen, after passing Old Aberdeen, or rather, in the old orthography, Aberdon. A few miles to the north of the Don, the river Ythan falls into the German ocean, a stream formerly celebr:..tcd for its pearl fish- erics, of which some relics remain. The Uggie is the last stream of any consequence in Aberdeenshire. The folloAving rivers direct their course to the north. The Devon joins the sea at Banff. The Spey is a grand impetuous river, rising from a small lake, called Loch Spey, in the vicinity of the high mountain of Corriarok, near Fort Augustus, whence it rolls to the south east, amid mountainous wilds, till it suddenly turns to its fixed direction, the north east, being, perhaps, upon the whole, the most considerable Alpine river in Scotland. The water of Lossie is only remarkable, as it washes the ven- erable remains of Elgin ; but Findorn, which runs by the Forres of Macbeth and Shakespeare, is a considerable torrent. The Ness, issuing from the lake so called, and the Beuly, con- spire to form the large estuary, called Murray Firth ; while that of Cromarty is formed by the Grady, the Conon, and other streams. The estuary of Dornoch is formed by a river which issues from Loch Shin, by the Caran, and by the intermediate stream, called Okel. The other streams in the furthest north of Scotland, are un- happily of small consequence. The water of Thurso, and that of Naver, are the chief. In the north-west extremity are the Strath- more, the Strathbeg, and the Durness, which enters the sea to the east of the stupendous promontory of Cape Wharf, now moderniz- ed Wrath. On the west of Scotland there is no river of any moment ; but the defect is compensated by numerous lakes, or rather creeks, of which the most considerable are Laxford, Calva, Ennard, and that of Broome, which forms a noble bay, studded with islands, nearly parallel v.ath the bay of Dornoch. On its shore is the projected settlement of Ullapool, to which every patriot must wish success. Next are the En and the Gare, the Torridon, the Kessern, and oth- SCOTLAND. HI -crs of smaller note. Argyleshire exhibits the Sunart, a long in- let, which terminates at Strontian ; and the Linney, extending to Fort William. The Et*f is impeded by a singular cataract, at its entrance into the sea. The small inlet of Crinan attracts obser- vation, by the promised canal ; and the list is closed by Loch Fyne, and Loch Long, forming vast inlets from the estuary of Clyde. Lakes.~\ Among the lakes of Scotland, the chief in extcjit and beauty is that of Lomond, studded with romantic islands, and adorned with shores of the greatest diversity. The isles are sup- posed to form part of the Grampian chain, which here terminates on the west. The depth of this lake in the south, is not abov-e twenty fathoms ; but the northern creek, near the bottom of Ben Lomond, is from sixty to eighty fathoms. This lake is thirty miles .long, and in some places eight or nine broad. Its surface contains upwards of 20,000 acres of water. It has about thirty islands scat- tered over it, eleven of considerable size. These and the country bordering on the lake are distinguished for their beauty and fer- tility. The Eadrick falls into it on the south east, and its waters are discharged through the Leven into the Firth of Clyde. It abounds with delicious salmon and trout. The coimtry from Moray-Firth to the sound of Mull is a contin- ued valley numing in a direction from N. E. to S. W. It is cal- led Glen-more -na-h'' al-abin^ or the Great glen of Caledonia^ and is almost filled with extensive lakes. A chain of lakes and rivers passing through it almost insulate the northern division of Scot- land. This chain consists of Loch Linne, Lochy river, Loch Lochy, Land, Loch Oich, Oich river, Loch Ness, and Ness river. This distance is divided as follows : Miles. Miles. Loch Linne 40 . Loch Oich 4 River Lochy 17 River Oich 5 Loch Lochy 10 Loch Ness 22 Land 2 River Ness 8 98 Loch Linne is a deep narrow arm of the sea. At Fort William it turns to the N. W. and is called Locheil. The whole length of Loch Lochy in its wim lings is fourteen miles, and its breadth from one to two. Loch Ness is 22 miles long, from 1 to 2 i broad, and from 60 to 135 fathoms deep, fts shores are remarkably bold, and a snip of the line might sail in any part of it. Its waters abound with fine trout, and are never frozen. The high hills, which environ it, present a delightful view of woods, pasture, cul- tivated lauub, cascades, and rugged and broken precipices. Loch Awe in Argyleshire is tnirty miles long and from one to two broad. Itcontaiiis many isianas, on one of which are the ruins of an ancient castle. At the N. E. extremity rises Ben Cruachar to the ueignt of 3,390 feet above its surface, from the top of which descends the riyer that forms the lake. The scenery of this lake iJ2 SCOTLAND. and its shores is remarkably picturesque. Its waters abound with Salmon, trout, and eels ; and fall into Loch Etive an arm of the gea at Bunaw, a place celcl)ratcd for its sahnon fishery. Loch Shin, in the county of Suthciiand, is 20 milss long, and from one to two broad. Its waters flow through the river Shin six or cio-ht miles, over several cascades to the head of the Firth of Doriioch. Loch Ericht in Perthsliire, in the very heart of the Grampians, is 24 miles long and scarcely one broad. It is encompassed on all sides by lofty mountains and rugged cliffs of the most tremendous aspect. Cultivation is a stranger to its banks, which are occupied by h,eath and a few straggling birches and alders. Its outlet joins the Tay. Loch Taij, in Braidalbin in Perthshire, is 15 miles long, and from one to two broad. Its depth is from 15 to 100 fathoms. Its banks on both sides are fruitful and populous, and finely diversi- fied by the windings of the coasts and the various appearances of the mountains. Its waters like those of Lomond, Ness, and oth- ers, cU-e liable to violent and unaccountable agitations. The Loch- ay and the Dochart flow into it on the S. W. and the Tay on the N. E. empties its waters into the Firth of Tay. ■ Loch Archaig in Inverness-shii'e, 16 miles long, and 1 \ broad, of great depth and abounding with trout, empties by the Archaig in- to Loch Lochy, which is only one mile distant. Loch Laggan, in Invernesss-hire, 15 miles long and 1 Abroad, 13 exceedingly deep with a bold rocky shore and surrounded with woody mountains. On the S. side is the Coill-More^ or Great Woodf the largest remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest. Its waters abound with char and various kinds of trout. They empty through the Spen, into Loch Lochy near Fort William. Loch Rannock in Perthshire, twelve miles long and from one to two broad, empties at its east end through the Tumme! into the 'i'ay. Loch Shicl, in Inverness-shire, ten miles long and two broad discharges itself by the Shiel into the western sea at Castle Ti- Oram. Loch Levcn., in the counties of Kinross and Fife, is twelve miles in circumference. It contains four islands. On the largest of these 8t. Serfs was formerly situated ; the ancient priory of St. Serf, the monks of which were Culdees. On another are the re- mains of the castle of Loch Leutn, formerly a royal residence, in which Mary Queen of Scots was for some time kept close prison- er after the battle of Pinkie. This lake abounds with pike, perch, eels, char, and trout. Its waters pass through the Leven a course of twelve or fourteen miles into the Firth of Forth. Moii7itamsr\ But the chief distinctive feature of Scotland con- sists in its numerous mountains, which intersect the country in various directions. In the south-west, the ancient province of Galloway presents an extensive assemblage of hills, which seldom describe any uniform chain. From, the bay of Glenluce, which extends towards Loch Rvan : and thence in a N. E. direction to SCOTLAND. 113 Loch Doon, the source of the river of the same name. Other i-idges run in various directions, generally north and south, accord- ing to the course of the rivers, till we. arrive at the Nith, near which is Cruffel, a detached summit of considerable height. Ac- cording to general Roy, than whom there cannot be a better au- thority, the mountains of Galloway form a connected chain with those of Cheviot on the N. E. But the chief elevation of this part of Scotland is that metalli- ferous ridge in its very centre, called the Lead Hills. The small stream of El van conveys particles of gold to the Clyde, and Ger- man miners are said to have discovered considerable quantitiAof that precious metal. The chief summit of this ridge is Har^ll,^ which, according to some accounts, is 3,300 feet above the level of the sea ; but by'others 2,582. To the east we find the uniform^ ridge of Lamermoor, terminating in St. Abb's head. The hiils of Pentland, on the south of Edinburgh, are rather picturesque than important. Berwick Law, and the romantic summits in the vi- cinity of Edinburgh, close the list of the southern hills. The Lead Hills chiefly consist of argillaceous schistus ; but the grey granite abounds in the mountains of Galloway. In all, however, the chief portion seems to be calcareous ; the summits are round, some verdant, others covered with heath. The red granite, and other grand Alpine rocks, seem here unknown. In the Lothians the calcareous strata support vast masses of whin, trap, and bas- alt, which extend to the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. On passing the Forth appears the I'ange of Ochill-hills, more re- markable for their singular agates and calcedonies, than for their height. On the northeast of Aberdeenshire is Mormond, a remarka- ble solitary summit ; whence no mountains of note occur till Inver- ness, on the west, opens the path to the Highlands. Yet, it must nqt be forgotten, that from the lofty promontory of Trouphead to Poi'tsoy, extend vast masses of beautiful red granite, interpersed with schorl, and of serpentine with steatites, and other valuable stones. Before leaving the Lowland hills, it may be observed, that the small ridge in Fifeshire, between the Eden and Leven, called LoniaU hills, consists mostly of hai-d free-stone, with super- incumbent strata of whin and basalt. The Grampian hills may be considered as a grand frontier chain, extending from Loch Lomond to Stonehaven, and forming- the southern boundary of the Highlands, though four or five coun- ties on the northeast of that chain, have, in their eastern and nor- thern parts, the name and advantage of Lowlands. The transition to the Grampians is gradual, the first chain, according to General Roy, consisting of the Sadley-hiils on the east, the Ochills in the middle, and Campsy-hills on the west. To the Grampian chain belongs Ben Lomond (3,262 ;) Ben Ledy (3,009 ;) Ben More (3,903;) Ben Lawres, the chief summit (4,015 ;) Shihallion (3,564;) Ben Vorlich (3,300 :) and other less important elevations on the east. Mount Battock, in Kincardinshire, is 3,465 feet. Ben Cruachan, in Argyleshire, is a solitary mountain, 3,390 feet above the sea. VOL. 11. 15 114 SCOTLAND. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Great Britain, being esti- mated at 4,350 feet above the level of the sea, not much above a qiiai'tcr of the height of Mont Blanc. It lies in the parish of Kilmalie, in Inverness-shire. It has not hitherto been ex- plored by any mineralogist. On the N. E. side it presents a prec- ipice, nearly perpendicular, and of prodigious height, by some ac- counts 1 500 feet. The view from the summit is grand,* exhibit- ing most of the western Highlands, from the paps of Jura, to the hills of Cullen, in Skey ; on the east it extends to Ben Lawres, in Perthshire, and the river Ness : extent of view about 80 miles. The sugprior half of the mountain is almost destitute of vegc- tatioii. It would be difficult to divide the remaining mountains of the Highlands into distinct lines or groups ; they shall, therefore, be briefly mentioned in the order of proximity. To the N. W^ of Ben Nevis is the long mountain of Corriarok, near Fort Au- gustus, over which a military road has been directed, in a zig-zag direction. From the foot of this mountain arises the rapid river Spey ; and other streams run to the west, circumstances which indicate great elevation. About thirty miles to the east rises the mountain Cairngorm (4,060 feet,) or the blue mountain, clothed with almost perpetual snow, and remarkable for quartz of differ- ent colors, chiefly the smoaky kind, well known to lapidaries. The other chief mountains in this region are those of Braemar, or Scairsoch, at the source of the Dee ; Ben Awn, and many of smaller height, such as Benibourd,t Benachie, Sec. In the second division of the Highlands, which lies beyond Loch Linny and Loch Ness, the mountains are yet more numerous, but not so memorable. The western shore, in particular, is crowded with hills, from the island of Skey to Cape Wrath, while a branch, spreading eastward towards Ord-hcad (1,250 feet) forms, what are termed by seamen, the Paps of Caithness (1,929 feet.) The chief mountains on the west of Ross-shire, are Ben Chasker, on the south of Loch Broom ; and Ben Wevis (3,720 feet.) On proceeding to the most northern parts of Scotland, the counties of Sutherland and Caithness, first occurs Ben Ormoid ; then extends the chain, called the Paps, consisting of the moun- tains Morben, Scuraben, Sec. from which run in a nortlierly direc- tion, according to the course of the rivers, inferior chains. The N. W. extremity of Scotland presents some pleasant vales to- ward the sea, and inland that of Dornadilla, and an elevated plain on the west of Loch Loial, called Diri7more forest ij further to the west no names occur, except that of Cape y-'rath, and the re- gion is described by an intelligent traveller in the i^llowing terms :§ " A wide extent of desert country lay before us, and exhibited a most august picture of forlorn nature. The prospect was alto- gether immense, but wild and desolate beyond conception. The * Statist. Ace. viii. 414. . t Always coveted with snow, and, perhaps, as Mr. Aikin conceives, higher than Cairngorm. At about the heiglit of 4,000 feet, snow remains all Ihc year in Scotland, i Cordiner's Letter to Pennant, p. 11 1. <$ Ibid. lOi. SCOTLAND. 115 mountains presented nothing to view but heath and rock ; between them formless lakes and pools, dark with the shades thrown from prodigious precipices, gave grandeur to the wildei-ness in its most gloomy forms." Having thus explained, at some length, the directions and posi- tions of the Scottish mountains, because they constitute the most remarkable feature of the country, and yet have never received due illustration, their constituent parts remain to be briefly exam- ined.* On entering the Highlands, near Dunkeld, the first ridges are alluvial hills of gravel, containing pebbles of micaceous schis- tus, quartz, and granite. The rocks immediately to the north of Dunkeld are composed of micaceous schistus, penetrated in every direction by veins of cjuart-z. From the junction of the Tay and Tumel, westward to Loch Tay, the northern bound of the vale is of the same substances, sometimes interspersed with garnets, The whole summit of the higher chain is covered with large rounded masses of granite. The southern shores of Loch Tay consist of micaceous schistus, Avith a few garnets, interrupted about the middle with banks of compact bluish grey lime-stone. •The northern shores are similar, but the lime-stone is mica- ceous. The mountains in Glenlochy are mostly of micaceous schistus, interspersed with garnet ; Glen Lyon presents small veins of lead. The vale of Tumel, between Loch Tumel and Loch Rannock, is overspread with rounded fragments of gran- ite and micaceous schistus, but contains granitoid, and some granite. The lower part of Glen Tilt chiefly exhibits mica- ceous schistus ; the upper principally granite and lime-si.one. Such are the more southern parts of the Highlands. In the west, towards Ben Lomond, micaceous schistus also abounds ; but that mountain is chiefly of gneiss, and the like features are found in the peninsula of Cantire. In the north of Argylcshire appears the beautiful red granite, which chiefly constitutes the central chain, already indicated ; to the north of which first appears mi- caceous schistus, and afterwards a remarkable course of pudding- stone, extending from Loch Ness to Oban. The mountains in the north have been little explored, but Mr. Jameson tells us, that the coast is chiefly a course of argillaceous sand stone, often appear- ing in the form of flags, while in some places are masses of brec- cia, being pebbles of red granite, micaceous schistus and quartz, in arenaceous bases. Mount Scuraben is sand-stone, with a sum- mit of white quartz. Morben, and other mountains in this dis- trict, from their white color, seem to be of the same composi- tion. About the Ord of Caithness appear granite and micaceous schistus. The central and western parts of Sutherland and Ross-shire have not been explored ; but it would seem that the west of Suth- erland is chiefly primitive lime-stone. The mountains seem to be of granite and micaceous schistus, but often present the singular feature of vast summits formed of Mhite quartz. Near Loch * >fr, Aikjn'a Notes. 116 SCOTLAND. Broom is found that sort of gi"anite which is best adapted for mill- ■ , Upon the whole it would appear, that the chief, or granitic chain of the Scottish mountains, extends in a S. W. and N. E. . direction, from E-.n Nevis to Portsoy. In many parts it has sunk or subsided, as is not unusual, but the line is marked by the grad- ual transitions from Iime-stone, and sand-stone, to micaceous schistus, and thence to granite. Ben Nevis, Cairngorm, and oth- er lofty sunmiits, mark this primitive chain. The Grampians, which form the outer skirt of this chain, consist, according to a German minei-alogist,* of micaceous lime-stone, gneiss, porphy- ry, slate, and granite, alternating Avith each other; and another German says, that the fundamental rock of the country consists of granitic aggregates. The mountains in the S. W. are chiefly schistose, and the granite is grey, and of an inferior kind ; but Mr. Williams informs us, that Ben Nevis, and other mountains in that quarter, are composed of elegant red granite, in which the pale rose, the blush, and the yello^vish colors, are finely mixed and shaded. t The like granite is found at Portsoy and Trouphead, and is probably continued through the whole chain, the superior height of the region being marked by the extreme rapidity of the river Spey. This tendency of the leading chain is not only mark- ed out by the Grampians, but by that of the islands, and of the grand chain in Norway, which, indeed, seems a continuation of the Scottish chain, and the last, probably contains silver as well as the Scandinavian. The mountains on the north west of the lakes Ness and Linny, are "probably only exterior fikirts of the same chain, and present the usual declension of micaceous schis- tus terminating in lime-stone and sand-stone, in the northern parts of Sutherland and Caithness. The islands of Shetland chiefly pre- sent micaceous schistus, interspersed with a few masses of gra- nite ; and the Orkneys, &c. consist mostly of sand-stone. The weiStern islands may be supposed to be chiefly calcareous. It is remarkable that the space from Inverness to DunoUa, on the west, abounds with pudding-stone, composed of pebbles of quartz, prob- ably washed dov/n from the granitic chain, and afterwards ce- mented by some unknown process of nature, either by iron or sil- iceous earth. General Roy mentions two remarkable features of the High- lands, first the moor of Rannock, a high desert of twenty miles square, on the S. E. of Ben Nevis, a flat uninhabited morass. The second is part of the N. W. coast, extending from Loch Inchard. twenty four miles to the south, breadth about ten miles, whicl presents a most singular appearance, as if mountains had beei broken into fragments, interspersed with pools of water, I'''o7-est.s.'] The forests of Scotland arc very rare in the proper acceptation of the term; and the Syiva Caledonia has long since vanished. The whole county of Selkirk was formerly dcuominat- * Kirwan's Geol. Essays, 481. i Prov. of Moraj-, Aber. 17'J8. 8vo. p. 2C7. SCOTLAND. 117 ed Ettric forest. There was also a considerable forest, that of Marr, m the west of Aberdeenshire, where now remains the for- est of Abevnethy:f, extending to Cairngorm. In the county of Sutherland was the forest of Sictadale, on the north of Dunrobin, the scat of the earls of Sutherland ; and in the north of the same county, are marked Parff-forest, between Ashir and Dunan ; to the south of which were Rcay forest, or that of Dirrymore ; with those of Dirrymore, and Dirrymena oi.* the north and south of Loch Shin. No other forest occurs till we. reach the county of Ai- gyle, which contains Boachiltive forest on the north. JSota?!!/.'] Having given a general account of the indigenous plants of England, it will suffice, for the botany of Scotland, to point out the particulars in which the two floras differ, together with the causes of the difference. The northern part of Britain differs from the southern as to cli- mate, in being colder and more rainy ; and as to soil, in consisting chiefly of mountainous, granitic, or micaceous districts, the high- est peaks of which are buried in perpetual snow. There are no chalk-hills in Scotland ; nor any of that soil which characterises the southern part of the island, and is composed^ for the most part, of sand and calcareovis marl. We might, therefore, a firiori^ expect to meet with more alpine plants in Scotland than of those which flourish best in a light, chalky soil, and in a mild climate ; this is found to be in fact the case. The greater number of vege- table species is the same in both counti'ies ; but the warm, moist region of Cornwall, Devonshire, and Dorset ; the range of chalk- hills on each side of the valley of the Thames ; the dry, sandy tracts of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridge, and the fens of Lin- colnshire, contain many plants that are unknoAvn to Scotland ; as, on the other hand, the snowy summits of the Grampians, the ex- tensive forests of Badenoch and Braemar, and the bleak, shelter- less rocks of the Hebudes, possess many hardy vegetables, whicli are not to be found in England. South Britain contains a greater number of species peculiar to itself; but those that are similarly circumstanced in the northern part of the island, are of more frc- qiient occurrence, and therefore more characteristic : to the Eng- lish botanist, Scotland will have more the air of a foreign country than England will to a Scottish naturalist. Amidst the grand ro- mantic scenery of the Highlands the search of the English botan- ist is continually solicited and repaid by the appearance of plants, either altogether new to him, or which he has been accustomed to consider as the rare reward of minute investigation. In travers- ing the vast natural forests of birch and pine, although his notice will be first attracted by the trees themselves, in every stage of growth, from the limber sapling to the bare weather-beaten trunks, that have endured the storms of five or six hundred winters, ye: the new forms of the humbler vegetables will soon divide his at- tention ; the red and white blossoms of the trailing Lirinxa^ the P'tjrola secu?ida, and v?iifloro, Satyrhan rc/icns^ 0/i/i)ys corallor' j Mineral King. JI. 13. 118 SCOTLAND. hiza^ and Convallaria verticillatas^ will each attract their share of regard. The moist and shady recesses of the slate mountains are carpeted by the three Veronicas, the Jlfiiiia, the saxatilis, and fruticulosa. The mountainous districts of granite are peculiarly rich in alpine plants ; the ledges and crevices of the rocks are adoimed by tufts of the golden cinqucfoil, and luxuriant festoons of the Arbutus alfiina, and Arbutus u-va tirsi, glowing with their scarlet and deep blue berries among their glossy leaves. The cloud berry, and some of the lichens, flourish amidst the snow and solitude of the most elevated summits ; and afford at the same time shelter and food for the Ptarmigan, almost the only one of our native birds that can inhabit so cold a situation. The Lowlands of Scotland seem to contain no plants which are not found in simi- lar soils in England ; the sea coast, however, exhibits two umbel- liferous vegetables, the Liguslicutn Scoticum, and Imperatoria Qs- truthiiim, Avhich cannot be met Avith on the soutliern shore. Zoologij?\^ The zoology of Scotland presents little remarkable, •'as distinct from that of England. The small horses of Galloway seem to have been a primitive breed, and, in diminutive size, are exceeded by those of Shetland. The cattle in Galloway are often without horns, a defect which is supposed to be recompensed by the Superior quantity and quality of the milk. The kylics, as al- ready mentioned, are a middle-sized breed from the province of Kyle, and other districts of Ayrshire and Galloway. On the easl are found large cattle of various breeds. The sheep are smaller and shorter than those of England ; those of Shetland are remark- able for the fineness of the wool, Avhich is, however, interspersed with coarser piles. Goats are not so numerous in the Highlands and Isles as might be expected. Of wild animals, the wolf has been extirpated in Scotland only since the year 1 680. The beaver and the bison formerly were found here. The wild cat is still occasionally found ; the other classes correspond with those of England, except that the Roe is still not unfrequent. Among the birds, eagles are not unknown, nor ele- gant falcons. The shores and islands present numerous kinds of sea-fowl. Scotland abounds with fish of all kinds, and contributes great supplies to the English market, particularly in lobsters and salmon. The transparent lakes, rivers, and rivulets, present a beautiful variety of fish : on the northern and western coasts are numerous seals. The whale sometimes appears, and the basking shark frequently plays in the western inlets. Pearls arc found in the rivers Teith and Ythan, in a large kind of mya, or muscle. Many beautiful zoophites, on the northern shores, have been found and introduced to public notice by Mr. Cordiner. Mineralogij .~]^ The small quanti'y of gold found in Scotland has been procured from the Lead-hills, which are mostly composed of coarse slate. None worth mentioning has been met with recent- ly. The silver found in Scotland has hitherto been of little ac- count ; the chief mine was that at Alva, which has since only af- forded cobalt. Nor can Scotland boast of copper, though a small SCOTLAND. il9 quantity was found in the Ochills, near Alva, with silver and co- balt : and it is said that the islands of Shetland offer some indica- tions of that metal. Copper has also been found at Colvend, in Galloway ; at Curry, in Lothian ; at Oldvi'ick, in Caithness ; and Kissern, in Ross-shire. The chief minerals of Scotland are lead, iron, and coal. The lead mines in the south of Lanarkshire have been long known. Those of Wanlock-head arc in the immediate neighborhood, but in the county of Dumfries. Some slight veins of lead have also been found in the western Highlands, particularly Arran. Iron is found in various parts of Scotland ; the Carron ore is the most known, it is an argillaceous iron-stone, and is found in slaty masses, and in nodules, in an adjacent coal-mine, of which it sometimes forms the roof. At the Caron-works this ore is often smelted with thp red greasy iron ore from Ulverston, in Lancashire, which im- parts easier fusion, and superior value. Calamine, or zinc, is al- so found at Wanlock-head ; and it is said, that plumbago aixi an- timony may be traced in Scotland. But the chief mineral is coal, which has been worked for a suc- cession of ages. Pope Pius IL in his description of Europe, writ- ten about 1450, mentions that he beheld with wonder, black stones given as alms to the poor of Scotland. The Lothians and Fife- shire particularly abound with this useful mineral, Avhich also ex- tends into Ayrshire ; and near Irwine is found a curious variety, cal- led ribbon coal. In passing to the less important minerals of Scotland, the new earth originally found at Strontian, and called after the name of the place, deserves the first notice. Fine statuary marble is found in Assynt, and the marble of Tiree ranks among the most beauti- ful varieties. Among the precious stones of Scotland are the sapphire, of dif- ferent shades, from a deep red, to a transparent white, and of equal hardness with the oriental ; the topaz, of various hues, generally in hexahedral crystals ; the ruby and hyacinth, near Ely in Fifeshire, usually small and of inferior lustre ; the em- erald and amethyst, frequently to be met with, the latter often very large and beautiful ; garnets in many places of the Highlands, large, and frequent ; agates and cornelians, abundant, and unrival- led in their variety and beauty ; jaspers in almost every district, some of great beauty and value ; the chalcedony, in Fifeshire, equal in hardness to the oriental granite ; that of Ben Nevis equal in beauty to the Egyptian, and that of Portsoy of the kind called Moses' Tables, resembling Hebrew characters on a white ground. Mineral IVaters.^ The mineral waters of Scotland are numer- ous, but none of equal fame with those of England. The chief are Moffat wells in the south, and those of Peterhead in the north. A'atural Curiosities.^ Scotland, like otiier mountainous coun- tries, abounds with singular scenes, and natural curiosities. The beautiful falis of the Clyde, near Lanark, have deservedly excitetl muclj attention. The beauties of Loch Lomond have been so of- 120 SCOTLAND. ten described, that it is unnecessary to repeat so trivial a theme. The rocks ofi the coast of Aberdeenshire often assume singular forms of arches and pillars, of which the Bullcrs of Buchan are the most remarkable ; and the space from Trouphead to Portsoy abounds in uncommon rocks, and singular marine productions. SCOTTISH ISLES. The islands that belong tb Scotland are numerous and impor- tant, and fall naturally into three grand divisions ; the Hebudes,* or Western Islands ; the Orkneys ; and the islands of Shetland. On passing the conic rock, called Ailsa, towards the north, two beautiful islands adorn the Firth of Clyde, those of Arran and Bute.f The first is about twenty-three miles in length by four- teen in breadth, and has 5,179 inhabitants. The chief place is the village of Ranza ; and Brodie castle is memorable in history. The exports are black cattle and barley.^ Mr. Jameson has recently published an account of this island, particularly its mineralogy, from which it appears that it is a mountainous region : and Goat- fell is near 3000 feet in height. The southern parts of the island present low and cultivated grounds. Bute is about eighteen miles in length, and from four to five in breadth; inhabitants 6,i06; the chief town is Rothsay, containing 5,231 inhabitants; and in the vicinity is Mount J^*tuart, the orna- mented residence of the Marquis of Bute, and v/orthy of the dis- tinguished taste of the noble proprietor. Kingarth, the other town, contains 875 inhabitants. The two Cambrays, lying east of Bute, contain 506 inhabitants. To the west of the Chersonese of Cantirc begin the Hebudes ; or Western Islands, properly so called. The first is Ila, twenty- eight miles in length and eighteen miles in breadth. Ila produc- es many black cattle, which are exported, and sometimes pass as far as England.§ But the sheep are rare ; small horses are much used, as the country is not very mountainous. This isle belongs to Mr, Campbell, of Shawfield. Inhabitants, 8364. Lead -mines were here discovered h\ the sand-stone, 1763; this lead is, as usual, mingled with silver. Jura is divided from the last by a narrow sound : it is thirty miles in length, and on an average seven in breadth. It is the most rugged of the Hebudes, which, in general, are mountainous regions. The paps of Jura, a line of conic hills, present a singu- lar appearance ; they are on the western side of the island, and al- most bare of vegetation.|| The best crops are potatoes and bar- ley ; and the isle contains abundance of peat. The cattle are small, but the sheep excellent. The noted gulf or whirlpool of Bre- can or Corryvrekan, is on the northern extremity of Jura.lf In- habitants 1202. * This name ^Va.s corrupted by Rector Boyce, into Hebrides. t Peunara's Voyage, 168. t Stat. Account, vol. ix. p. IfJQ. § S. A. xi. 278. II S, A. xii. 318. ^ Knox's View, ii. 451. SCOTLAND. 121 To the west of Jura are the isles of Oransa and Colonsa; and the strait between them being- dry at low water, they may be con- sidered as one island, about ten miles in length. The soil is gen- erally light and arable, producing barley and potatoes. The ven- erable ruins of the ancient monastery of Canons regular in Colon- sa now exist no longer ; but those of a curious priory in Oransa still remain.* Inhabitants of both 718. Balnahuaigh contains 132 inhabitants, and Scarba and Lurga 79. The next isle of any consequence is that of Mull, one of the largest of the Hcbudes, and surrounded with smaller interesting- islands. Mull is about twenty-eight miles in length, by a medial breadth of about eighteen, containing 425 square miles. The pop- ulation is 8,357.t On the north-east is the new village of Tober- mory. But the most curious objects in the vicinity of Mull, are Icolm- kill and Staffa. Hyona, or Icolm-kill, is about three miles long, by one broad, and is venerable, as the primitive seat of Scottish literature and religion, founded by St. Columba in the sixtli cen- tury. Its history and ruins have been often described ; but it may be added, from a recent traveller, that the isle produces beautiful white marble,- and large blocks of indurated steatites. Staffa, about six miles to the north of Hyona, was first introduc- ed to public notice by Sir Joseph Banks. Buchanan has men- tioned the isle, but not its grand singularities, its beautiful basal- tic columns, and one of the most surprising objects of nature, the vast basaltic cavern, called Au-ua-vine. Fiuhn Mac CoiWs, or Fingal's Cave or Grotto. This cave is on the west side of the island. It is an immense excavation in the side of a mountain of solid rock, the roof of which is arched, and is supported by numberless basaltic pillars of various sizes and heights of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 sides, the pentagonal and hexagonal being most numerous. These columns are mostly above 50 feet high. The bottom of the cave is filled with the sea, reaching to the very extremity. In calm weather a boat may sail in safely ; but if the waves are agitated in a slight degree, it is inevitably dashed to pieces, Sir Joseph Banks, who visited it in 1772, gives the following as its dimensions : Breadth of the mouth - - Do. at the farther end - - Height of the arch at the mouth Do. at the end - . - Length from the pitch of the arch to the farther end Height of the tallest columns on the right side of the entrance - . . . Depth of water at the n\outh . . , . Do. at the farther end - - - - * Statist. Ace. sii. 32". | St. Fond, tome ii. p. 89, VOL. II. 16 Feet 1 Inches. 53 7 20 0 117 6 70 0 250 0 45 0 18 0 9 0 !:52 SCOTLAND. A small cave at the farther extremity sends forth an agreeable noise every time the v/ater rushes into it ; from which circum- stance it has received the name of Jlu-ua--uine^ or the melodious cave. The light from without is sufficient to illuminate the whole cave, and the air is perfectly free from damp and noxious vapors. To the N. W. of Mull are the isles of Tirey and Col, the for- mej' 1 1 miles long and 2 | broad, producing a most beautiful mar- ble, of a rose c(^or, penetrated with small irregular crystals of green hornblende, and v/hich the French naturalists have, from the name of the isle called Tirite, no similar marble being any where found. Tirey is generally plain and fertile. Population 2,416. Col, on the contrary, is rocky, but has several small lakes, replenished with fish. It is thirteen miles long and three broad. Population 11,622. Another group consists of Skey, in the Scandinavian styled Skua, and the surrounding isles. Skey is the largest of the He- budes, being about 50 miles in length, and about 40 in breadth. Inhabitants 17,691 ; chief exports black cattle and small horses : the land, as usual in the Hebudes, rough and hilly. The houses are chiefly turf, covered with grass. The face of the country wild, heathy, and deluged with continual rains. Skey contains eight parishes. To the south of Skey are the isles Canna, Rhum, Eig, and Muck ; and to the N. E. of Skey, Rona, Raza and Scalpa. The population of these four, Canna, Rhum, Eig, and Muck, is 1,339. The other isles in this group offer little memorable. Canna and Eig contain basaltic pillars, and in the former is Compass hill, which strongly affects the needle. It now remains to give some idea of the exterior chain of the Western Isles, forming, as it were, a bai-rier against the Atlantic. Two small and remote isles have attracted considerable notice. The first is that of Rona, about twelve leagues to the N. W. of Cape Wrath, and about thii'ty leagues W. from the Orkney,-^. This little isle, with its companion Suliska, or Bara, has almost escaped from the Scottish maps, being little known, and rarely visited. In the last century. Sir George M'Kenzie, of Tarbat, af- terwards Earl of Cromarty, drew up a short account of Rona, from the oral information of inhabitants, at that time consisting only of five families.* The small isle of Hirta, or St. Kilda, must have attracted much notice, even in Lesley's time, for in his map he has represented it as about six times the size of Skey, while in truth it is only three miles long and two broad. St. Kilda is about 60 miles to the west of North Vist, and 140 from Scotland; and has been repeatedly described ; the lingular and simple manners of its inhabitants have excited considerable attention. Its shores are every where, eX' cept in the bay, a perpendicular face of rock of prodigious height. Inhabitants about 300. Having thus briefly mentioned these remote and little visited isles, the plan here followed must be resumed by some account • Monro's Desciipt. of the W. Isles, in 1549. Edin. 17"4. Deuodecimo, p. 63. The .Stat. Ace. -vix. '271, udtls nothing. SCOTLAND. 123 of Leuis, the principal island of the western chain. It is about 60 miles in Length, by twenty in breadth. The face of the country consists of a heathy elevated ridge full of morasses from the S. V/. to N. E. but near the shores are several verdant vales capable of cultivation. The Harris, or south end of this isle, is still more mountainous, and presents what is called a forest, because some deer are there found. James VL attempted to introduce indus- try into the Hebudes by planting a Dutch colony at Storna- way, in Leuis ; but it was soon extirpated by the inhabitants. Stornaway is, however, now a considerable and flourishing town, with an excellent harbor, and contains 2,974 inhabitants. Besides cottages, there are about seventy houses covered with slate. The seasons in Leuis are oppressed with rain, as usual in the western Highlands and isles ; but there is a considerable fishery. The crops are oats, bigg, and potatoes ; no trees will thrive except al- der and mountain ash ; and hardly a shrub appears : but there arc many black cattle and sheep, nor is there any want of small horses. Population of the whole island 12,164. To the south of Leuis is North Vist, about twenty two miles in length fi-om E. to W. and about seventeen ia breadth N. to S. for recent discoveries have restored this isle to its proper form, among many other improvements which have taken place within these few years in Scottish geography. The face of the country corresponds in general with that of Leuis ; and trees are equally unknown. Potatoes are generally cultivated. Westerly winds, with rain or fog, usurp two thirds of the year. Lord Macdonald is the proprietor.* Inhabitants 3,010. The small isle of Benbecula, and some others, lie betwixt North and South Vist ; the latter is about 32 miles in length N. to S. by about ten in breadth W. to E. The morassy central chain extends also through this isle ; but to the east are dry hills covered with heath and verdure. The productions also resemble those of Leu- is ; and there are many small lakes full of excellent trout. Chief exports black cattle and kelp. This isle is also naked of wood. Inhabitants 4,595. The whole population of the Hebudes in 1801, was 80,880. Berra, a little to the S. W. is eight miles long, and four broad. It is mountainous. Produces corn and oats ; but the chief atten- tion is paid to rearing cattle, burning kelp, and to the cod-fishery. Inhabitants 1,925. Between it and South Vist lie Eriskay, Fiarra, Giga, Cara, and Helisay, and south of it Watera, Deer I. Samderaj Pabba, Mingalla, and Bernera. The islands of Orkney and Shetland remain to be desciibed. The Orkneys form a numerous group around the Main Land, or M'hat, by some new and fabulous term, is called Pomona. f The Main Land is about thirty miles in leugth E. to W. by about thir- teen in breadth N. to S. Kirkwall, the chief town of the Orkneys, contains 2,621 inhabitants, and has a stately cathedral dedicated * Stat. Ace. xiii. 300. t The old accounts are Wallace's 1693, and B-f-and's J 701 ; the modem, the Sta- tistic Survey 124 SCOTLAND. to St. Magnus. Opposite stands the bishop's palace, now called a castle. The chief exports of Kirkwall are beef, pork, butter, tal- low, hides, calf skins, rabbit skins, salted fish, oil, feathers, linen yarn, and coarse linen cloth, kelp,* and in fruitful years corn. The chief imports are wood, flax, coal, sugar, spirits, wines, to- bacco and snuff', flour, and biscuit, soap, leather, hardwares, broad- cloth, printed linens and cottons. In 1790 the exports were val- ued at 26,598/; and the imports at 20,803/. The harbor is excel- lent. The manufactures are linen yarn, and coarse linens, and kelp. This last was introduced about sixty years ago, and has been since diff'used over the Highlands and isles. In most parts of the main land the soil is good, though shallow, with a calcare- ous bottom. The horses are small, but spirited ; and the cows, though also small, yield excellent milk. The sheep in the Isl- ands of Orkney are computed at 50,000. Swine also abound, of a dirty white color, and di ninutive size. The numbers of sea- fowl may be easily imagined. The Norse language has yielded to the English, and tlie manners of the people are singularly civil- ized for so remote a region. Their, number is 13,176. Hoy-Island^ S. W. of Pomona, is ten miles long and six broad. Its surface is mountainous. Inhabitants 244. They are employed in rearing cattle and sheep. The Dwarjic Stone, a celebrated relic of antiquity is in this island. It measures 32 feet in length, 161 in breadth, and 71 in height, hollowed into several apartments. A very rich ore of lead was lately discovered here. South 1-ionald- s/iaij, E. of Hoy, is six miles long and three broad. Surface level, soil fertile. Inhabitants 1,610. It possesses two excellent harbors, Widewall Bay, and St. Margaret's Hofie. Shafiinsha, three miles north of Pomona, is seven miles long and three broad, in the shape of a cross. Inhabitants 744. Rousa, N. W. of Pomona, is nine miles long and four broad. It is generally hilly. Its inhabitants with those of Eglishay, Weir, and Inhallow are 1,061. They prosecute the fisheries with great diligence. Stro?isa, 71 miles long and nearly as broad, is extremely indent- ed with bays. It is very hilly and contains about 3,000 sheep, 900 cattle, 500 houses, and 300 swine. Inhabitants 924. £da is 5-^ miles long and 11 broad, and is hilly. Inhabitants 718. Wcstray is ten miles long and from two to six broad, and is val- uable for its cattle, its sheep, and its kelp. With the little isle of Fafia Westray it contained, in 1801, 1,624 souls. Sa7ida, twelve milea long and three broad, is generally low and productive. The domestic animals in 1792, were 4,200 sheep', 1,314 cattle, 356 horses, and 140 swine. It annually produces from 500 to 600 tons of kelp. With North Ronaldshay it contained, in 1801, 2,148 inhabitants. This last is the farthest north of tlic Orkneys. The total population of these islands in 1801 was * Saiiba produces great (jnantitiesof kelp; when the Orkneys in general rnay j ieW 2,500 tons, 500 anil 000 .ire drawn from that isle only. S. A. vii. 4.S5. SCOTLAND. 125 24,478. The number of the- islands is 30, of which 26 are in- habited. The islands of Shetland present another group similar to those of Orkney; with a main land or chief island in its centre. The main land is much intersected by the sea : and is about 60 miles in length, by 12 miles of medial breadth.* Inhabitants 15,593. They are hardy, docile, and ingenious ; and manufacture coarse linen and woollen cloths for their own use, and very fine worsted stockings for exportation. Their great occupation is fishing. Yell, or Zell, farther north, is about twenty miles long, and twelve broad. Its coast is bold, rocky, and indented, surface level, and soil tolerable. Inhabitants 2,965. ' Unst, the most northern, is in 61, 15, N. It is twelve miles long, and four broad, and generally level. It is very rich in minerals, and in cattle. Eighty tons of cured fish are annually exported. Inhabitants 2,259. These islands are 86 in number, of which 26 are inhabited. Their whole population in 1801, was 22,379. The hills in Shetland are chiefly composed of sand-stone, brec- cia, &c. The basis seems gneiss, and micaceous schistus, which are sometimes exposed to the air. Lime-stone is also found, and some granite ; but on the whole the mass is arenaceous. The climate of the Shetland isles is variable, and disturbed with rains and thick fogs. The frosts are seldom severe, and snow rarely continues long on the ground. The inhabitants are indeed sufficiently wretched, without additional evils ; and a benevolent government ought to pay a particular attention to those distant prisoners. The corruscations of the Aurora Borealis illuminate the long gloom of winter, and delight the inhabitants, who call them merry dancers. The arable land is mostly near the c.oast, and produces a coarse kind of oats and bigg. Potatoes have lately formed an addition of singular advantage. The chief food of the inhabitants consists of fish, and various kinds of sea-fowl, which cover the rocks ; the captors of the last shew singular skill and intrepidity, and often meet with a violent fate amidst the stupen- dous precipices. The cattle are rather larger than those of Ork- ney, and the butter is excellent if properly prepared. Sheep are not uncommon, and have been recently praised for the fineness of their fleece. The horses have mettle and beauty, and on account of the singular minuteness of their size have become objects of luxury and curiosity in England. Lerwick, the chief town or rather village containing about 150 families, stands on an excellent harbor called Brassa Sound, form- * We have beUer charts of the coa?;ts of New Holland, than of the isles of Orkney and Shetland. Capt. Donnelle}'s chart of the Shetland isles, seems the most accurate, in which the INIain laud corresponds in length with Leuis, while Aiiisley's would give a length of almost ninety miles. Yell and Unst seem also more properly disposed in Captain Uounelley's map. The Danish Captain Voii Lowenorn (Zach's Ge(igrai)hieal .Tournal, May, 1799) found that the Shethind isles were about one third shorter than represented in the English map (Preston's;) which also puts the northern extremity half a degree further north than it was found by minute observations, Lowenorn puli- l.'slied a map of these isles in U^T. V26 IRELAND. ed by the little isle of Brassa on the east of the Main land, and formerly i^reatly frequented by the Dutch fishers. The chief exports of Shetland are fish of various kinds, chiefly herrings, cod, ling, and tcrsk, or tusk. In this distant region there arc neither roads nor bridges, which may be pronounced the first steps in any country towards the progress of industry. The same deficiency occurs in the Orkneys, and even in the Northern ex- tremity of Scotland ; where hovy^ever a road has btcn recently opened between Ullapool and Dornoch. IRELAND. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. NAMES, EXTENT, ORIGINAL POPULATION, PROGRESSIVE GEOGRA- PHY, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, ANTIQUITIES. Mimes.'] THE large and fertile island of Ireland, being situated to the west of Great Britain, was probably discovered by the Phoenicans as early as the sister island ; and it appears that the island was known to the Greeks by the name oi' Juvtrna, about two centuries before the birth of Christ. When Coesar made his expedition into Britain, he describes Hibernia as being about half the size of the island which he had explored ; and, while the Ro- mans maintained their conquests in the latter region, Ireland con- tinued of course to be well known to them, and Ptolemy has given a map of the island wliich is superior in accuracy to that which represents Scotland. Towards the decline of the Western Em- pire, as the country had become more and more known, and had been peopled with various tribes, the Romans discovered that the ruling people in Ireland were the Scoti ; and thenceforth the coun- try began to be termed Scocia, an appellation retained by the mo- nastic writers till the eleventh century, when the name Scotia hav- ing passed to modern Scotland, the ancient name of Hibernia be- gan to reassume its honors. It is supposed that this name, and the Gothic denomination Ireland, are mere modifications of the native term Erin, implying the country of the west. Extent.] The extent of this noble island is about 300 miles in length, and about 160 at the greatest breadth. The contents in square miles may be computed at 27,457*, and the population be- ing about four millions, there will be about 146 inhabitants to each square mile. Original Population.] It is probable that tlie original popula- • Beaufort, p. li, says 30,370 English miles. IRELAND. l^r tion of Ireland passed from Gaul, and was afterwards Increased by their brethren the Guydil from England. About tlie time that the Bclgi-e seized on the south of England, it appears that kindred Gothic tribes passed to the south of Ireland. These ai-e the Fir- bolg of the Irish traditions ; and appear to have been the same people whom the Romans denominated Scoti, after they had emerged to their notice, by not only extending their conquests to the north and east in Ireland, but had begun to make maritime ex- cursions against the Roman provinces in Britain. Fi'ogrest called the upper, lower, and Muckruss lake ; and is surrounded by an amphitheatre of mountains, clothed with trees, whose verdure is contrasted with intervening rocks. The Arbutus, with its scarlet fruit, and snowy blossoms, here vegetates in great luxuriance. Nor are cascades, and other features of rural beauty wanting to complete the scene.* The isle of Innisfallen is not only romantic, but of venerable fame for the annals there written. What is called the Giant's Causeway must be distinguished among the most remarkable of the curiosities of Ireland. The first account is that given by Sir R. Buckley, in a letter to Doctor Lister, 1693. This surprising collection of basaltic pillars is about eight miles N. E. from Coleraine. The adjacent coast is verdant, but precipitous ; and from it the Causeway projects into the sea, to an unknown extent. The part explored is about 600 feet in length ; the breadth from 240 to 120 ; the height from 16 to 36 feet above the level of the strand. It consists of many thou- sand pillars, mostly in a vertical position ; some of them high, others broken, and, for a considerable space, of an equal height, so as to form a pavement. They are closely compacted together ; though the forni be various, trigonal, tetragonal, pentagonal, hex- agonal, and hcptagonal ; the most numerous are the pentagonal. The pillars are rarely composed of one entire piece, but mostly consist of short or long joints, either plane or alternately concave and convex. The pillai's are from 15 to 24 inches, or more, in diameter. Towards the N. E. is what is called the organ, in the side of a hill, consisting of fifty pillars ; that in the middle is 40 feet high, the others gradually diminishing. Similar pJ liars are also found a mile and a half inland, four miles to the west of the Giant's Causeway, and at the capes of Bengore and Fairhcad, * Young i. 'i44, ^c. 142 IRELAND. The basalt of the Giant's Causeway is of a very compact tex- ture, and the angles of the pillars have preserved their sharpness, though exposed to the sea for perhaps two or three thousand years.* The same shore also presents horizontal and bending pillars, like those of Stafifa ; the attendant minerals are zeolite in the irregular basalt, steatite, and bits of agate, red ochre, and iron ore. IRISH ILES. The few and small isles around Ireland are unimportant, but must not be wholly omitted. To the N. E. of Dublin is Lambey, a small island, already mentioned ; and at the S. E. extremity of Ireland, appear the rocks called Tashard and the Saltee isles. At the southern extremity is the isle of Clare, about three miles and a half in length, and more remarkable for its southern prom- ontory called Cape Clear, than for any other object. Turning to the N. W. are the isle of Densey, the Hog islands, and the Skel- ligs ; to the north of the latter is Valentia, off the coast of Kerry, w^hich is followed by the Blaskets, or Ferriter islands. The south Arran islands lie at the mouth of the noble bay of Galway, and are remarkable for a small kind of oats without any husk, and for large calves : the chief is near seven miles in length. A number of small islands encircle the coast, which projects fur- thest into the Atlantic, such as Ganorena, Littermore, Minish,In- conee ; and further to the N. W. Dunloghan, Omey, Crua, Sec. Bosin was famous in the days of monastic sanctity, and has re- tained its ancient appellation. To the N. E. are the Inisture, and another Clare at the mouth of Clew bay ; at the bottom of Avhich is a numerous group of small islands. To the north is Achill, the largest of the Irish isles, being about 12 miles long by 10 broad. It is separated from the coast of Mayo by a narrow channel, but no minute description of it has appeared. Inisnnorry is a small isle at the mouth of the bay of Donnegal ; and no other isles worth mention appear till we arrive at the northei'n islands of Arran, off the coast of Donnegal. The N.W. extremity of Ire- land is marked by T017 isle ; and returning towards the east, we meet with Inistrahull ; and after an equal distance, Rach- lin, the Racina, of Ptolemy, and memorable as the retreat of Rob- ert I. of Scotland. * Kirwaa Miu, i. 232. LAPLAND. u: LAPLAND. F.XTENT, DIVISIONS, ORIGINAL POPULATION, RELIGION, GOVERN- MENT, POPULATION, LANGUAGE, TOWNS, MANUFACTURES, CLI- MATE, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY. Extent.'] LAPLAND reaches from lat. 65, N. to the North Cape ; and from the Atlantic on the W. to the government of W. Bothnia, in the south, and farther north to tlie White Sea, on the E. Division^.'] Part of Lapland is in Norway, part in Sweden, and part in Russia. To Norway belong- the northwestern and north- ern ; to Sweden the southern ; to Russia the eastern. Original Pofiulalion.~\ Very little is known with certainty of the origin of the Laplanders. Some writers have supposed them to be a colony of Finns ; others have thought that they bore a stronger resemblance to the Samoeids of Asia. Their language is said, by Leems, to have less similitude to the Finnish, than the Danish to the German ; and to be totally unlike any of the dia- lects of the Teutonic. Religion.'] It is but little more than a century since the Lap- landers were converted from Paganism. They are still very fond of many of their old sviperstitions. Their deities were of four kinds ; 1, Supercelestial, Kadien Atzhie, or the fountain of power, their Jupiter ; and his son Radien Kiedde, the creator : these were the supreme gods. 2, Celestial, Beiive., the Sun or Apollo ; and Ailekes, to whom Saturday was consecrated. 3, Subcelestial, or in the air and on the earth ; Maderakka., or the Lapland Lucina ; Saderakka., or Venus, to whom Friday was holy ; and Juks Akka., or the nurse. 4, Subterranean, Saiwo^ and Saiwo-Olmak, gods of the mountains ; Saiwo Quelle, or their Mercury, who conducted the shades to the lower regions ; Jabme Akko., or he who occupied their Elysium, in which the soul was furnished with a new body, and nobler privileges and powers, and entitled at some future day to enjoy the sight of Radien, and dwell with him for ever in the mansions of bliss. Rota, their Pluto, who occupied and reigned in Rota-Abimo, or the infernal regions; the occupants of which had no hopes of an escape ; he, together with his sub-ordinates, Fudno, Mubber and Paha EngeL were all considered as evil-disposed toAvards mankind, but were nevertheless worshipped. To their various deities they sac- rificed the rein-deer, the sheep, and sometimes tlie seal ; ami made libatio4is of n^.iik, whey and brandy, and offerings of cheese. Government.] The Danish and Russian Laplanders are still savages in their mode of life, and hardly know what is meant by governm.eut. Those of Sweden have been reduced to more -sulj- ordination. Po/ndation.] This country will ahvays be thinly uihabited. Its present population is thought not to exceed 60,000. Russian. 144 LAPLAND. Lapland contains about 1200 or 1300 families. The Laplanders are generally about four feet high, with short black hair, narrow dark eyes, large heads, high cheek bones, wide mouth, thick lips, and a swarthy complexion. They call themselves Same ; their speech, same giel, and their country Scnne-Edfia^ Manners and Custo7}is.~\ Towards the shore they build huts ; and on the mountains are tents of a conical shape, divided into apartments for themselves and their cattle. Their dress consists of a red kersey cap, with yellow stripes ; a tunic of sheep-skin ; a cloak and leggins, (a sort of pantaloons reaching from the ancle to the hip,) made sometimes of cloth, and sometimes of the skiu of the rein-deer ; and shoes of the undressed hide of the cow. The maritime Laplanders subsist on fish, and on their cattle and sheep ; the mountaineers, chiefly, on their rein-deer and by hunting. La77guage.~\ The language of Lt'.pland, commonly called the Laponic, is said to have no words in common with the Gothic or Teutonic, except a few Norwegian words, which are evidently foreign. They have no written language. Leems mentions a number of words both in Hebrew and in GrecK and Latin, wluch a.re to be found in the Laponic. The Lord's prayer is as follows : Atki mijam juco lee aitnensisne. jiilis ziaddai tu nam. Zwei- gubatta tu Ryki. Ziaddus tu Willis nankuchte almesne nau ei ediia mannae. Wadde mijai ubii mijanfert fiefwen laibebm. Jah anda- gasloite mi jemijan suddoi naukuchte mije,an-dagasloitebt Mudi ^7lije welgogas lien. Jah sissalaidi mijabni. ILle tocko keckzellebma jia- hast. Amen. To'wns7\ Kola is the chief town of Russian Lapland. It is near the Frozen Ocean, on the river Kola, in lat. 68, 50, N. It is a considerable fishery for whales and sea-dogs. Tornea^ the capital of Swedish Lapland, stands on an island formed by the river Tornea, a short distance from its entrance into the Gulf of Bothnia. Its harbor, formerly excellent, has been greatly injured by the accumulation of sand, and the gradual de- pression of the Baltic. It contains about 600 souls : the houses are all of one story. The sun on the longest day is visible at mid- night. Enontekis is an extensive parish in Norwegian Lapland, con- taining 930 inhabitants, principally ?io//iadesov wandering families. Manufactures.^ The men make cups and casks of beech-wood, and spoons of the horns of the rein-deer. Steel they work into knives. Their sledges are made in the shape of boats, having a flat stern. They have a keel and thwarts, with side planks fast- ened with wooden pegs. The sledge is caulked, and has the drawing rope fastened to the head-post. Sawing-mills have been lately introduced. The women prepare the furs of animals taken in hunting ; and manufacture thread out of their sinews. They manufacture also tinsel-wire, and dye cloth of a yellow color. They weave blankets for their beds, and for their tents. Climate.'] The great body of Lapland is situated in the north- ern frigid zone. It is also very mountainous. These circum- stances expose it to a cold too intense tg be borne by the natives LAPLAND. 145 of more temperate regions. In the summer, however, the heat is, for a short time, often excessive. The whole process of vege- tation is completed in two months. At Utsjoc/ci, upon the Tana, An lat. 69 53 N. the sun is hid from Jan. 21 to Nov. 20. The ice disappears from the lakes about June 20th. The night-frosts be- gin in July ; and the rivers freeze early in October. i'cce of the Country.^ Norwegian Lapland is almost entirely mountainous, the principal range being much nearer to the Ocean than to the Gulf of Bothnia. The prevailing appearance of Swed- ish Lapland is also mountainous. The mountains of moderate elevation are covered with forest-trees, as is almost all the level country. There are great numbers of rivers and fresh water lakes generally incapable of navigation, and the country at large has the appearance of a wilderness. Between Alten, on the western coast, and the North Cape, the peninsula is a continuation of mountains, intersected by lakes, rivers and morasses. Rivers7\ The Tornea rises in a lake, called Tornea Trask, in the mountains of Kola. It receives the Muonis a mile below Kengis, which rises above Enontekis. Near its mouth it is gen- ei'ally 900 yards wide, and in some places 10 yards deep. The Alten rises among the same mountains, and after a course of more than 150 miles in a N. W. direction, falls into the Ocean at Alten. The Tana, a larger stream, pursues a N. E. direction, and empties into the Tanafiard east of the North Cape. It is ex- tremely rapid, and distinguished for the excellence of its salmon. Its source is among the mountains of Kemi, a chain which is not broken by any of the rivers. Lakcs7\ The number of lakes and ponds in Lapland is very great. They are to be met with every where among the mountains', and are the sources of most of the rivers. Several of the rivers also v/iden into lakes, in one or more instances, during their course. The Enara, between Swedish and Russian Lapland, is 70 miles long and 30 broad. Mountains.^ A chain of mountains is described by Tooke, as proceeding eastward from the range of Kolen, till it meets the mountains of Olonetz. This chain is called, on the maps, the Mountains of Kemi. It reaches more than 15 degrees of longi- tude, and divides the rivers of the Baltic from those of the Arctic Ocean. The only summit of this chain, whose name we know, is Mount Pallas. Its height is very great, but has not been meas- ured. Tho range of Kolen separates Norwegian Lapland fro:ii Swed- ish, and continues as far as the North Cape. A branch of it is said to run eastward, as far as the White Sea. jBota)iy.'] Between Alten and the North Cape no tree is found but the birch ; nor on the mountains north of Kautokeino 1 0( > m.iles farther north. The pine begins at Alten on the coast, and at Kautokeino in the interior. The fir, five varieties of the wil- VOL. II. 19 145 LAPLAND. low, and the strawberry-tree are abundant in the country round Tornca. TJie smaller plants are butterwort, mcadowgrass, bellflowei', gentian, cychnis, cudweed, lady slipper, diapensia, honeysuckle, sedge, buli'ush 2 vai'ieties, stichwort 3,marshcistus 3, saxifrage 4, raspberry 2, crovv-foot 3, lousewort 3, whitlowgi-ass 3, liverwort 4, moss 5. The arctic raspberry is the most delicious of its kind, and has a very agreeable and penetrating smell. Zool-j^yT^ The rem-deer is the pride of Lapland. It is four feet six inches high \ body thick, and somewhat square ; legs short ; color brown above, and white beneath. The horns are long and slender. The hoofs ai'e large, and make a clattering noise as they move. It is one of the fleetest animals known. The tame ones draw the sledges 200 miles a day ; feeding in summer on leaves, and in the winter on moss. Their flesh is well-tasted, their milk and cheese nutritive and pleasant ; their skins furnish excellent cloth- ing for the bed and the body ; and their intestines and sinews form strong thread and cordage- Cows, sheep, goats, and dogs are also among the domestic animals of the Laplanders. Bears are very numerous. Red, black, silver-haired and whits foxes are found in very great numbers. Of martens there are the stone marten^ the birch marten, and the Jir-marten. The glutton is rather uncommon ; the beaver more frequent. Three species of otters abound, the sea-otter, the bay-otter, and the fresh-xvater- otter. There are also immense numbers of ermine and mice, and great numbers of squirrels. Notwithstanding the rigor of the climate, animals both wild and tame are remarkably prolific. Seals are found all along the northern and western coasts. Eagles, falcons, pelicans, cormorants, owls, ravens, swans, daws, partridges, die eider-du«k, sea-crows, wild geese, water-hens, snipes, woodcocks, niagpies, bustards, plover, thrushes, snow- birds, linnets, gold-finches, and siskins, are common birds in Lap- land. Pigeons, doves, and cuckows are here occasionally. The forests abound also with fine singing birds. Many, both of the birds and beasts are of kinds peculiar to the country. Salmon abound in the i-ivers ; cod, hake, ling, haddock, whit- ing, skate, turbot, flounder, and halibut arc caught in great num- bers on the coast and prepared for exportation. Whales appear in astonishing numbers early in February. There are several va- rieties of the shark. The sword-fish, springer, and porpoise are very numerous. Herrings are in immense profusion ; but the Laplanders have not yet learned how to take them. The story of the Kraken, a marine animal several miles in length, is on the same footing with the narratives of hobgoblins. Mineralsf] Baron Hermelin, the celebrated Geographer of Sweden, Finland, and Lapland, has discovered the following among the minerals of the latter country. 1. Stones. Of the calcareous kind, limestone, calcareous spar, scaly limestone, sidero-calcite, marble, gypsum, and lune with garnets ; of the siliceous, quartz, rock crystal, amethyst, garnet, black and common jasper, shorl, zeolite, hornstone, siliceous DANISH EMPIRE. 147 schistus, felspar; of the muriatic steatite, serpentine, chlorite, as- bestus, amianthus, asbestoid ; of the barytic, ponderous spar ; of the argillaceous, trap, hornblcndmica, aluminous earth, wacken, and clay containing iron ; of aggregates, serpentine rock, norka, amygdaloid, porphyry, breccias, sandstones, gneiss, puddingstone, granitell. 2. Inflammable substances. These are plumbago, native sul- phur, martial pyrites. 3. Metals ; lead, zink, iron, antimony, copper, arsenic, molyb- dena, and gold, once found at Svappuwara in Torneo Lapmark. There are no less than twelve mines of the different metals eiju- meratcd ; but we do not know their kinds, or tlieir value. DANISH EMPIRE. 1. IN EUROPE. 1. Kingdom of Norway. 2. Kingdom of Denmark. 3. Ferro Islands. 2. IN AMERICA. 1. Iceland. 2. Greenland. 3. IN ASIA. Three of the Nicobar Islands are said to belong to Denmaj'k. 4. IN AFRICA. Christlansburg and Freidensburg, two settlements and fortresses on the coast of Guinea. Denmark till lately possessed St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John's, in the West Indies ; Serampore in Bengal ; and Tran- quebar in Coromandel. The^e have been taken by the British. NORWAY. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. NAMES, EXTENT, BOUNDARIES, DIVISIONS, ORIGINAL POPULATION, PROGRESSIVE GEOGRAPHY, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, RELIGION, GOV- ERNMENT, LAWS, POPULATION, ARMY, REVENUE, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, EDUCATION, CITIES, ROADS, COMMERCE. Mam€s.~\ THIS country is a part of the ancient Scandi- navia. Its present name, Norway, formerly written JVorvick, is said to denote the Northern Kingdom. The natives now call it JVorgie. Extent.'] Its length from the Naze, in 58 N. to North Cape^ in 71 10, is 1000 miles. Its width, in lat. 59, is 210 miles ; in lat. 61 20, about 235 ; and north of lat. 63, it is rarely more than 80. On the north of Sweden it extends considerably east of the North 148 DANISH EMPIRE. Cape until it meets Russian Lapland. It contains, according to Hassel, 152,680 square miles. In lat. 65 N. the Swedish prov- ince of Herndahl pushes westward to the sea, and breaks the con- tinuity of the Norwegian coast. Boundaries.~\ Bounded N. by the Frozen Ocean ; E. by Rus- sian Lapland, and also by Sweden, from which the northern half of the country is separated by a lofty chain of moiintains ; S. by the Scaggerac ; and W. by the Atlantic. Divisions.^ Norway is naturally divided into two parts, North- ern and Southern. Northern Norway is a long narrow slip of land, reaching from the North Cape to the narrow Swedish province of Herndahl, which, between lat. 65 and 66, separates it from Norway proper. It is divided into Nordland, Finmark, and Lapmark, all under the government of Drontheim. Southern Norway, which is the great body of the country, reaches northward to about lat. 65, N. Norway is politically divided into four governments. 1. Drontheim in the N. 92,406 square miles.* Counties, Lapmark, Vaerdals, Finmai'k, Saelbo, Nordland, Guledal, Nummedal, Northmoer, Indero, Romsdal. Fosen, 2. Berghen in the W. 16,000 square miles.f Cou7itics. Southmoer, Vosse, South Bay, Hardanger. Sogne, 3. Aggerhuus, in the E. and S. 29,808 square miles. | Counties. Eastdal, Romerige, Gulbrandsdal, Buskemds, Hedemarke, Christiania, Valder, Sandsvaer, Ringerika, Rakestad, Toten, Tarlsberg, SoUoer, Bamble. 4. Christiansand, in the S. W- 14,466 square miles.§ Cou7ities. Tellemarkensj Lister, DelaguetSj Mandals, Ryffylke, Nedenaes. Dalernes, Original Pofiulation.~\ The original possessors of Norway ap- pear to have been the Fins and the Laps, who were driven to the northern extremities by the Gothic Invasion, conducted by Odin. The population has since continued pure and unmixed by foreign * JIassel. t Hassel. 4 Hassel. § Hassel. NORWAY. 14y conquests, and the inhabitants still retain the rauscular frame, blooming countenance, and yellow hair of the Normans, so well known in Franc'e, Italy, and England. ■ Progressive Gecgraphy.'] The early Geography ot Norway is very obscure. There is reason to believe, that no part of it, ex- cept the southern extremity, had been seen by the Roman mari- ners. Few materials even afterwards arise for the progressive geograpliy of this country, till the time of Jormandes ; whose ac- count is succeeded by the navigation of Ohtcr, and the description by Adam of Bremen, in the eleventh century, Hhtorical Enochs!] 1. The original population by the Fins and Laplanders. 2. The conquest by the Goths. 3. The consolidation of all the petty monarchies into one, by Harald Harfagre, about A. D. 9 10. Many of the petty princes left the Kingdom. Ganga Hrolf, or RoUo the Walker, went to France; and, in 9 12, subjugated the province, which, from him, and his followers, the jYormen was called Normandy. 4. The conversion of the country to Christianity, in the reign ofOlafI, A. D. 994. ■ 5. The invasion of England by Harald III. who was slain in a battle with Harold, King of England, Sept. 25th, 1066. 6. Its union with Sweden, under a common sovereign, at the death of Hagen V, A. D. 1319. 7. Its union with Denmark and Sweden under Olof V, the hus- band of Margaret, A. D. 1380. Keligio?ir\ The Lutheran is the established religion, and the great body of the inhabitants profess it. Norway is divided into 4 Bishopricks ; 1, Christiana, the bishop of which is a metropolitan, though without the title of archbishop ; revenue jC400 sterling. 2, Christiansand, revenue £600. 3, Berghen, revenue jC400. 4, Dronthein, revenue /;400. The inferior clergy are provosts or archdeacons, parish priests and chaplains. Each diocese is di- vided into districts, under the care of provosts ; each district into parishes. A large parish, beside the principal church, has one or more chapels of ease, under the care of chaplains. The livings vary from iC200 sterling to >C60. A clergyman's widow is entitled to his salary for the year following his decease, and to a pension froin his successor of one eighth of the annual income. Governrnentr\ Norway is a province of Denmark, The vice- roy, who is also the governor of Aggerhuus, resides at Christia- nia. He presides in the high court of Justice, which is held at that place. Inferior governors are appointed in the other three governments. Zcws.J The Code called A^omvaij Lanv^ compiled by Grieffel- fcld, at the command of Christian V, is still in full force. By it all the peasants of Norway, except a few near Frederickstadt, are made free. A curious custom prevails, called odel's right, or the rig/it of inheritance, by which the proprietor of freeholds may re-purchase an estate, which he or his ancestors have sold. To enforce it, 150 DANISH EMPIRE. however, he or his ancestors must have asserted their claim evei-y tenth year, at the sessions ; and likewise their inability to re-pur- chase it at that time. Poiiulation.~\ Coxe estimated the population of Norway at 750,000. By a census taken in 1802 it amounted to 910,074 ; and Hassel, in 1809, estimated it at 9 12,000, which is probably less than the truth, for the births are to the deaths as 231 to 171.* The population of Northern NorAvay, in 1769, was only 5,984. Arviy.~] Norway maintains its own army, which consists of 32,053 infantry, and 10,478 cavalry. Every peasant, not born in a town or on some noble estate, is, by birth, a soldier, and enrolled at the age of 16. Till 26 he is classed in the young militia ; then he enters into the old militia, and is discharged ai 36. The troops are esteemed for their bravery, and much attached to their coun- try.' The horses of the cavalry are small, but strong, active, and hardy. These troops take the field every year in June, and re- main encamped about a month. Beside these, a regular militia has been enrolled since 1801, who arc to fly to arms at a moment's warning. Their number is 40,000. Revenuc.~\ The revenue annually raised by Denmark from Norway was, in 1809, 1,725,000 guilders,! which at 40 cts. the guilder|: is §690,000. This is raised from the land-tas, customs, excise, and licenses granted by government. Manners and Custo?ns.~\ The common food of the peasants is milk ; cheese ; dried or salted fish ; oatbread, which they bake but twice a year ; and, very rarely, a little flesh or dried meat. In times of scarcity they eat the bark of the fir, ground to a pow- der, and mixed with oat meal. The potatoe has been lately intro- duced ; but it grows only of a moderate size. The Norway houses are generally of wood. Those of the peas- ants have an opening in the top, which serves instead of a chim- ney, and windows. This hole is open in summer and is covered in winter with the membrane of some animal. The ceiling is about 8 feet high, and arched like a cupola. The family table stands directly under this opening. Their dress consists of a flapped hat, or cap, ornamented with ribbands ; a wide loose coarse jacket, with waistcoat and breeches of the same ; a broad leathern belt round the body, adorned with brass plates and a brass chain that sustains a large knife, gimlet, and other tackle ; shoes without outer soles, and in the winter teathei^n buskins, also vskates and snowshoes. They are taught in youth to wrestle, ride, swim, skate, climb, shoot, and forge iron. Their amusements are making verses, blowing the horn, playing on the guitar and violin, and dancing. The Norwegians are tall, well formed, robust, brave, honest, hospitable and ingenious ; yet savage, rash, and litigious. They make excellent soldiers and sailors. * Coxe. f Hassel. t The guilder of Saxony is 51 cents 85 mills. If Hassel's was the Saxon Guildei;, the revenue will have been more, of course. NORWAY. 151 La7ig'uage.^ The original language of Nonvay was that ■which is called the Icelandic, the purest dialect of the Teutonic or Goth- ic. The inhabitants now generally speak an intermediate dialect of the Teutonic, between the Danish and Swedish. The gentry and inhabitants of the principal towns, however, speak a purer Danish, than is usual even in Denmark. £ducation.'] Each parish is provided with two or three schools, where children are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic. The masters have £\2 sterling //S AND TOWNS, EDIFICES, ROADS, INLAND NAVIGATION, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. Manners and Customs.^ THE manners and cus- toms of the superior Danes differ little from those of the same classes in other parts of Europe. The peasantry continue ia a State of vassalage ; except those of the crown, who have been • Probably the Guilder here mentioned by Hassel, is the Sa-xon Guilder, which is about 51 cts. in value, DENMARK. 161 recently delivered by the patriotism of the heir apparent, and a few other instances. They are of course idle, dirty, and dispirited. Language .~\ If we except the Laponic, the languages spoken in the Danish dominions arc all sister dialects of the Gothic. The Icelandic is the most ancient and venerable ; and being esteemed the most pure dialect of the Gothic, has engaged the attention of many profound scholars, who liave considered it as the parent of the Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish, and in a great degree of the English, though it would seem that this last is more connected with the Frisic, and other dialects of the north of Germany. In the an- cient Icelandic the Lord's prayer is as follows : Fader uoi' som est i Himlum. Halgad ivarde thitt na7na. Til- komvre thitt liikie. Skie thin Vilie^ so som i Himmalam so och fio loiidanne. Wort dachlicha Brodh gif os i dagh. Oghforlat os uo7'a Skuldar so soin og/i xn forlate them os Skildighe are. Oh inled os ikkie i Frestalsan. Utanfrels os ifra Ondo. Amen. In the Finnish it is as follows : Isa vicidan joca olet taiivassa. Pijhitctty olcon sinum J\''imes. Lakes tulcon sinum Waldactindas. Olcon sinum tahtos niin maasca ruin taiwasa. Anna meile tanafialwana meidan joca jiaiivainen Icijiam. Sa anna meille meidan sijndim andexi niincuifi jnekin andex annam meidan wekvottisten. Ja alajahdata meita kiusauxen. Mut- ta fiaasta m^ita pahasta. Ameii. And thus in the Laplandic : Atki mijam jicco lee aimensisne. Ailis ziaddai tu A'am. Ziveigu- batta tu Ryki. Ziaddus tu JVillio nankuchte almesne nau ei edna mannal. Wadde mijai udni mijanfsrt psfiven laibebm. Jah anda- gasloite mi jemijan suddoid naukuchte mije andagasloitebt kudi mije welgogas lien. Jah sissalaidi mijabni. JEle tocko kackzcillebma Jiahast. Amen. It will hence appear that the Laplanders have borrowed some terms from the Gothic, as well as from the Finnish. Literature. ~\ The literature of Denmark cannot aspire to mucli antiquity, having followed, as usual, the introduction of Chris- tianity, which was not established till the eleventh century. In the next century lived Saxo Grammaticus, whose history of Den- mark abounds with fable, but whose style and manner are surpris- ingly classical for that age. His contemporary or predecessor, Sveno, is more faithful and concise, and is esteemed the father -of Danish history. After the restoration of letters Denmark continued to maintain her wonted ascendancy over Sweden : and the name of Tycho Brahe is yet celebrated ; but his little isle of Hwen, noted for his astroaoniical observations, now belongs to Sweden. The botany of Denmark has been illustrated by CEder ; and Niebuhr is dis- tinguished as .Ji intelligent traveller ; but in the other paths of science and literature there seems to be a deplorable deficiency. Ldiicaiion.j The silence of travellers and geographers con- cerning the rncucs of education pursued in different countries is much to be regretted ; but the materials are not equally deficient concerning Denmark. Each parish is provided with two or three VOL. II. 21 1.62 DANISH EMPIRE. schools, where children are taug-iit to read and write their nativ^e tongue, and the principles of arithmetic : the schoolmasters are allowed about 12/, a year, with a house, and some other advanta- ges,* There are besides many Latin schools, maintained at the royal expense ; 16 in Holstein ; 11 in Sleswic ; 19 in Jutland, and the isles ; and at Soroe, Odensee, and Altona, there are supe- rior academies of education. Universities.^ The universities are at Copenhagen and Kiel. That of Copenhagen has 4 colleges and about 600 students. It is richly endowed, and 180 poor students are supported by its funds. That of Kiel, founded in 1650, contains 24 Professors and 300 students. The royal academy of sciences was founded in 1742, but has been more distinguished in national antiquities, than natural history. In 1746 was founded the society for the improt^e- ment of northern history, also styled the royal society of Icelandic literature. There is another respectable institution at Drontheim, styled the royal society of sciences. These foundations confer honor on the Danish government ; and will doubtless contribute to diffuse science, and inspire emulation. Cities and To%vns.~\ Copenhagen, the chief city of Denmark, stands on the eastern shore of the large and fertile island of Zeal- and, about 25 British miles to the south of the noted sound, where the vessels that visit the Baltic pay a small tribute to Denmark. It is the best built city in the north ; for, though Petersburgh pi'e- sent more superb edifices, yet Copenhagen is more uniform ; the houses being mostly of brick, but a few of freestone from Germa- ny-t The streets are rather narrow, but are well paved. This city only became the metropolis in 1443, being formerly an ob- scure port, whence it retains the name of Kiobenhaven^ or the har- bor of the merchants, and it has little claim to antiquity. The royal palace, which was a magnificent pile, was consumed by fire a few years ago : and the city suffered dreadfully from the same cause in 1728. It is regularly fortified, the circumference being between four and five miles, and the inhabitants in 1806,97,438. The harbor is spacious and convenient, and well fortified, having on the south the isle of Amak, peopled by the descendants of a colony from East Friesland, to whom the island was granted by Christicrn II. to supply his queen with vegetables, cheese and butter, a destination still retained. Copenhagen has about 440 ships, of about 48,000 tons. The number of vessels entered in- wards in 1798 was 5,974. The magistrates are appointed by the king ; but the burgesses have de^iuties to protect their rights. It is in lat. 55 41 4 N. and 12 35 15 E. The second city of Denmark is Altona on the Elbe, within a gun-shot of Hamburgh, originally a village of the parish of Ot- tcnsen ; but in 1640 it became subject to Denmark, and was con- stituted a city in 1664. In 1713 it was almost entirely reduced to ashes by the Swedes ; but its commerce was afterwards so much fostered by the Danish sovereigns, as a diminutive rival of Ham- burghi that it is computed to contain 30,000 inhabitants and 3,400 * Coxe, iv. 57 v. 187. t Coxe, v. 126, DENMARK. 163 houses. It has 8 places for public worship, viz. 3 Lutheran churches, 2 Calvinistic, 1 Catholic, and 2 Jewish synagogues. It contains also a mint, a bank, royal exchange, and six ship yards. N. lat. 53 35. Kiel stands on a small peninsula at the bottom of a narrow bay of the Baltic, in 54 22 25 N. and 10 26, E. Its harbor is very convenient for large ships. It contains 800 houses, and 8000 in- habitants, and is one of the most commercial places in Holstein. The canal connecting the Eyder with the Bay of Kiel has greatly increased its commerce. Schlelswick is the capital of the province or duchy of the sam.e name, and is situated at the bottom of a very deep, narrow gulf, cs.l\ed the Gu(f of Sley. It is an irregular town of great length, containing 1280 houses, and 5629 inhabitants. The houses are of brick, and resemble, in their neatness and form, those of Holla;nd ; the inhabitants speak Dutch, German and Danish. Odensee, a name occurring in the earliest Danish history, was a town of great note long before the existence of Copenhagen. It is the capital of the island of Funen, and stands on a small river^ one mile from its enti'ance into the Bay of Stegestrand. Inhabi- tants 5363 ; houses 930. Its exports are grain and leather. Aalborg stands about 10 miles from the Scager-Rack, on the S. side of the extensive Gulf of Lymfort. The harbor is safe and deep, and the chief exports herrings and grain. It has extensive manufactures of muskets, pistols, saddles, and gloves. Inhabi- tants 5,200; houses 831. Lat. 57 2 32 N ; Long. 10 2 1 1 E. Aarhuus stands between the Baltic and a small lake, from which a river runs through the town. It has 6 gates, 2 churches, 2 markets, a college, a free school, and a hospital. Inhabitants- 4900, houses 690. Lat. 56 9 35 Long. 10 19 35. Gluckstadt, about 20 miles from the mouth of the Elbe, con- tains 800 houses, and 4500 inhabitants. Lat. 53 47 42 N. Long. 9 32 32 E. Tonningen, on the Eyder, is a town of considerable commercial importance. Inhabitants 2000. Edifices.~\ The chief public edifices are in the cities. The castle and palace of Cronberg, and the two other royal villas in Zealand, do not merit a particular description, the buildings and gardens being generally in an antiquated taste. The roads in Denmark were till lately much neglected, and formed a striking contrast with those of Sweden. Inland Mivigat'07i.~\ The chief inland navigation of Denmark is the canal of Kiel, so called from a considerable town in the north of Holstein, This canal unites the Bay of Kiel with the river Eydar, which flows into the German sea. It commences 5 miles N. of Kiel, and is fed by the waters of Lakes Flemhuder and Wester. The extent of this important canal is about 20 British miles and a half; from its W. end to Rendsberg 6^, and thence to the mouth of the Eyder about 60. The breadtli 100 feet at top and 54 at bottom ; the least depth is about 10 feet, so 164 DANISH EMPIRE. as to admit vessels of about 120 tons. It was begun in July 177/, and was finished in 1785. Manufactures and Co?mnerce,~\ Leather is manufactured for exportation in great quantities, particularly at Altona. The leath- ern gloves of Odensee, are famous all over Europe. The earthen ware of Aarhuus and Ripen, supplies Denmark, and many parts of Germany. The manufactures of calicoes and cottons, at Co- penhagen, prevent the necessity of importation ; as do those of worsted stockings in Jutland, Ferro, and Iceland. The army is fully supplied with muskets, bayonets and sabres, by a manufac- tory near Elsineur ; 3500 muskets are made there annually. There is a very extensive one of cannon, cannon-balls, salt-petre, and gunpowder, at Frederickswark, near Isefiord Bay. Ribbands and silk stockings are made in great quantities at Copenhagen" and Altona. Two thirds of the coarse linen and most of the sail cloth and paper is made in the country, and a considerable part of the woollen cloth ; but almost all the fine linen is imported. The thread lace manufacture of Tondcrn gives employment to 10,000 hands. The manufactvires of Denmark have been nobly patronized by the government. The number of merchant vessels belonging to Denmark in 1799 was 2173. The commerce with Iceland employs from GO to 70 vessels all Danish. Greenland furnishes fish, oil, whalebones, and elder-down, but the whale-fishery is the principal object. The West India trade employed 30 ships. The imports Avere about 90,000 cwt. of sugar, 10,000 puncheons of rum, and 2,500 cwt. of cotton. The Danish trade in the Mediterranean is prin- cipally the carrying trade ; and employed in 1798, 126 vessels. The trade in the Baltic with Sweden, Germany and Prussia, em- ploys about 300 vessels, and is generally against Denmark. Lin- ens, woollens, wood, brandy and haberdashery are brought from Germany ; and corn, flax, hemp and wool from Prussia. The E. India trade is in the hands of a privileged company. It is now little or nothing. In 1803, 1536 ships cleared out from Denmark and Norway, for G. Britain, two fifths of which were British. The exports of Denmark consist of corn to Norway, and fre- quently to the amount of /; 100,000 sterling, to other countries ; horses to Germany, France, Russia and Sweden, to the amount of ;C200,000 sterling ; oxen to Holland and Germany ; live hogs and bacon to Norway and the Baltic ; and salt-beef, butter, and cheese in considerable quantities, besides the various manufactures al- ready mentioned. The great trading places are Copenhageji, Altona, Elsineur, Aalborg, Flejisborg, Gluckstadt., and Colding. DENMARK. 165 CHAPTER IV. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FACE. OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRI- CULTURE, RIVERS, BAYS, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOOL- OGY, MINERAOLOGY, MINERAL V. ATERS. Climate and Seasorifs.'] THE kingdom of Denmark prop- er, consisting of those ancient seats of the Danish monarchy ; the- isles of Zealand, Funen, Laland, and Falster, with others of inferi- or size ; and the extensive Chersonese or peninsula, which con- tains Jutland, Sleswic, and Holstein, may be considered as possess- ing a humid and rather temperate climate. Yet the winter is oc- casionally of extreme severity, and the sea is impeded Avith ice. The Sound has, at times, been crossed by heavy loaded carriages. Face of the Country. ~\ The isle of Zealand, which is about 200 G. miles in circumference, exclusive of the windings and indenta- tions of the coast, in a fertile and pleasant country, with fields sep- arated by mud walls, cottages cither of brick or white-washed, woods of beech and oak, vales, and gentle hills. The same de- scription will apply to Funen, which is about 140 G. miles in cir- cumference, and Avhich Mr. Marshall says is as well cultivated is most of the counties in England. Holstein and Sleswic are also level countries ; 'and though Jutland present many upland moors, and forests of great extent, especially towards Aalborg, or in the centre of the northern part, yet there are fertile pastures ; and the country, being marshy and not mountainous, might be greatly im- proved. The western coast of Sleswic is exposed to the inroads of the German ocean, and is therefore keptimbanked at a very great expense. The country generally is agreeably diversified with woods and lakes. Soil and Agriculture. '\ In Funen, Holstein, and the south of Jutland the agriculture may be compared with that of England ; the fields are divided by hedges and ditches in excellent order, and sown with corn and turnips. Farther to the north, cultivation is less perfect. Hops are cultivated in Funen ; tobacco in Jut- land, Zealand and Falster ; rape-seed in Sleswic and Holstein. Madder thrives very Avell near Copenhagen. Rye, barley and oats are found every where. But wheat is the great staple of Den- mark, great quantities of which are exported. In 1780, the coun- try contained 847,000 sheep. The best wool is that near Eyder- stadt. Rivers and Bays.'] The Eyder is navigable for vessels of 120 tons 7 miles above Rendsburg, which is 60 miles from its mouth. It falls into the German ocean through the bay of Tonningen. Its source is about 20 miles S. of Kiel, and it passes through Lakes Wester and Flembuder before it joins the canal. The Gulden runs about 100 miles, and falls into the Cattcgat, a few miles below Randers. The Elbe bound.s Holstein on the S. i66 DANISH EMPIRE, The Lymfiord or Lymfur is a long, narrow and navigable ba} > in the northern part of Jvitland, setting up westward from the Cat- tegat nearly across the peninsula. It is 30 miles long, f.nd is di- vided Ijy a sand bank of only two or three miles width from the German ocean. A northern arm of it approaches very near the Skager-Rack. It contains several islands, particularly Mar^ 16 miles long and 6 wide. Isefiord is a bay on the north side of the island of Zealand, a- bout 30 miles long, and 25 wide, opening through a narrow strait into the Cattegat. A narrow peninsula divides it into tv/o. The Bay of Ringkiobing puts up northward from the German ocean, from which it is separated by a long narrow sandbank. It is 35 miles long, and no where more than 8 broad. It is deep and secure, but there are sandbanks near the entrance. It affords plenty of good fish, particularly oysters. Sley is a shallow Bay about 30 miles long, with the width of a river. Mountahifi.'] In the kingdom of Denmark proper there are no heights, Avhich can aspire to the name of mountains. jForests.^ There are some woods in the Danish isles, and for- ests in Jutland. The western part of Jutland has not wood enough for fuel. Tne eastern is well supplied. Botany.']^ The botany of Denmark proper does not materially differ from that of the other northern provinces of the German em- pire, which will be hei'eafter noticed more minutely when describ- ing the states of the Germanic body. Zoology.'^ The Danish horses are much esteemed both for their speed and their strength. They are sought after in France, Russia, Germany and Sweden, for light and heavy cavalry and as coach-horses. The oysterbanks, which extend from Heligoland to the coast of Jutland are let to farmers by the crown. Minn-alogy.'^ Some fuller's earth, alum and vitriol found in Jutland, and some porcelain clay in the island of Barnholm, con- stitute the whole of the mineral productions of Denmark. Mineral Waters.'] In mineral waters the Danish dominion are very deficient ; and those discovered in 1768 at Oersten in the Sondmoer appear to be little frequented. DANISH ISLANDS. The prime seat of the Danish monarchy having ever been in the isles of Zealand, and Funen, they have been considered in the gen- eral description of the monarchy. The other principal islands in that group ai'e Moen, Falster, Laaland, Langeland, Femeren and Alsen. Moen, 16 miles long, and from 3 to 5 broad, is S. E. of Zealand, contains a single town, called Steege, and belongs to the diocese of Zealand. Falster is 60 miles in circumference, contains two towns, and is W. of Moen. A governor resides here, appointed by the crown- Laaland, W. of Falster, is 30 miles long and 1 2 broad. It is DENMARK. 167 rhoughl the must fertile spot in the Danish dominions, and produ- ces very great quantities of corn of every kind. The land is low, the soil damp, and the climate unhealthy. The eastern part of the island is well furnished with wood. Naskow is the capital. It has likewise its own governor. Langeland^ 30 miles long, and from 3 to 5 broad, is very fertile. It belongs, with the two last mentioned islands, to the diocese of Funcn. Femeren^ in the diocese of Holstein, is 30 miles in circumfer- ence. It contams the town of Burg, and several villages. Jlsen^ in the diocese of Sleswic, is 18 miles long and 6 wide. It is fertile, \yc\\ wooded, and well stocked with game. Born/iolm, the most easterly of all the Danish islands, is 18 miles long and 10 broad. Though surrounded by rocks and the soil stony, it is fertile, abounding with excellent pastures ; oats, butter and fish constitute the wealth of the inhabitants. It contains mines of coal and quarries of marble. It is 75 miles from Zea- land, and 15 from Schoncn. Lat. 55 12. Long. !5 20, E. It was ceded to Sweden in 1658; but the inhabitants revolted the same year, and restored the isle to Denmark. Off the west coast of Jutland are the isles of Nordstrand, Fora» Sylt, Rom, Fanoe, and others, which with Heligoland were known to the Romans ; and the writers of that nation appear often to have confounded them with some of the Orkneys, and even with the islands in the Baltic. For many years the Norwegians held the isles of Orkney and Shetland, which last Avas styled by them the Land of Hialt, from aiv adventurer so called, whence the corrupt names of Zetland, Yctland, and Shetland. The Ferro, Faro or Faroes islands are 22 in number, lying be- t^v'een lat. 61 15 and 62 21 N. and extending 67 miles from N^ to S. and 45 from E. to W. They consist of a group of steep rocks or hills lying so close to each other, that their bases are merely sepai'ated by a brook. Towards the sea they generally terminate in perpendicular rocks from 1200 to 1800 feet in height. Those declining more gradually have two or three sloping terraces, form- ed by projecting rocks, and covered with grass. Those parts v.hich are arable have no where more than 4 feet depth of soil, ly- ing upon a rocky bottom, often not more than 8 inches ; and often the sides are so steep that no earth can remain on them. Strata of basaltick columns are found among the hills. In Suderoe these are of considerable height and resemble those of Staffa, reach- ing into the sea. Deep fissures of considerable length are met with among the hills. Caverns also are frequent in the shores, the favourite haunts of seals ; some so deep that a boat may enter a hundred fathoms ; some pass through a hill, and arc open at both ends ; some stretch through a whole island. There are several lakes on the hills, the largest 2 miles in circumference. Torrents are numerous, and afford great facilities for watcrmills. The highest, called Fosaa in Nordotromse, consists of two descents each, of 100 feet. Seventeen of these islands are inhabited. They were first peopled in the 9th century by some Norwegian pirates who 1 6^ SWEDEN, were reduced to obedience by Magnus the Good. A small colony of Fins afterwards occupied the more southern islands. The pop- ulation in 1801 was 5,265, and the revenue, in .'790, 639/ 8.s ster- ling. The inhabitants enjoy peculiar freedom. They live princi- pally by fishing. The islands compose 7 parishes, divided into 39 congregations Avith each its church. There is a clergyman in each parish. The largest income is 25/ sterling. At one island it is necessary to hoist the clergvman by a rope from his boat, there being no other landing. There is no schoolmaster in the islands, parents instructing their own children. All of them can read, except a few persons of great age. They are remarkably Avell instructed in the Christian religion, and often thoroughly acquainted with the Bible. The men dress plainly ; the women are fond of ornaments. They are remarkably kind and upright in cases of snipwreck. — The gout, catarrhal fevers, the stone, and scrofula are the common diseases. The leprosy is disappearing. The most violent hurri- canes are prevalent. They frequently unroof houses, and even tear the turf from the sides of hills. The falcon, crow, martin, starling and wren, and most kinds of sea-fowl, are common. — Rats are so numerous as frequently to destroy a cornfield in two nights. There are no amphibious animals of any kind. SWEDEN. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGIlAPliV. XAMES, EXTENT, BOUNDARIES, DIVISIONS, ORIGINAL POPULATION. PROGRESSIVE GEOGUAPHY, ANTiqUITIES, RELIGION, GOVERN- MENT, POPULATION, COLONIES, ARMY, NAVY, REVENUE, MAN- NERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, EDUCATION, UNI- VERSITIES, CITIES, EDIFICES, ROADS, INLAND NAVIGATION, MANUFACTURES, AND COMMERCE. Aames.'] SWEDEN, in the "aative language Stift/ieod, and more modernly Siueircke, appears to be a very ancient appel- lation, and is said, by the northern antiquaries, to imply a country whose woods had been burnt or destroyed. The name seems as ancient as the time of Tacitus,* who, after describing the Suioncs who lived in islands of the ocean, passes to the Sitones, and after- wards to the nations at the farther end of the Baltic. The Sitones must have dwelled in the southern provinces of Sweden ; and the name either have been derived from Sictuna, the old name of the chief town, as appears from Adam of Bremen, or from Suithcod, the native term, softened as usual by the Roman enunciation. Extent.~\ The kingdom of Sweden, from the most soulV.crn * Clpi'innn c. 44, 45. SWEDEN. 16.9 promontory of Scone, in lat. 55 20, N.to the northern extremity of Swedish Lapland, in lat. 69 30, N. is 1000 miles in length. Its Avestern extremity, the promontory of Hodal, is in long. 1 1, E. and its eastern limit, before the late dismemberment of Finland, was in long. 32 30, E. In Lapmark it now reaches to about long. 29, E. Its greatest breadth, in lat. 62 30, N. was then 630 miles. — The average breadth at present is about 220. The number of square miles in Sweden, including Finland, is, according to Pin- kerton, 208,912 ; according to Hassel 288,160 ; from which last, deducting those of Finland, there wil! remain for Sweden 188,433 square miles. Boundaries.'] Sweden is bounded N. by Norway*; E. partly by Russia, principally by the Baltic ; S. by the Baltic ; W. by the Cattegat, Norway, and, for a small distance, by the Atlantic. The little Swedish province of Herndal lies W. of the Kolen chain, and reaches thence to the Atlantic ; extending from 65 N. as far as we can learn, about 30 or 40 miles on the coast, and completely di- viding Northern, from Southern, Norway. Divisions.] Sweden is divided into four great districts, or gov- ernments, which are subdivided into provinces as follows. 1. GOTHLAND. Provinces. Skone, Brekingc, Halland, Sine land. West Gothland East Gothland. 2. SWEDEN PROPER. Provinces. Warmeland, Upland, Nerike, Westmanland, Sudermanland, Dalecarlia. Stockholmland, 3. NORLAND. Provinces. Jemtland, Angermanland, Medelpad, 4. LAPLAND. Halsingland, Gastrikland, Hcrjeadelen. Provinces. Asele, Umea, Herndal, Pitea. West Bothnia", Lulea, Tornea, Kemi. Gothland, the southern province, belonged to Denmark till 1654; and with the other provinces, reaches from the Baltic to Norway. Swedish Lapland reaches from Norland N. and E. to Russian Lapland. That part of it which lies upon the coast is call- ed West Bothnia. Sweden possesses the island of St. Bartholo- mew in the W. Indies. It lately possessed Finland., or the coun- try between the river Keuii, and the Gulf of Finland, divided into * Norwegian Lapland extends eastward to Russia, and entireJy separates Swedish Lapland from the Arctic Ocean. vol,, II. 22 I iro SWEDEN. Karelen, P'avastland, Nyland, Abo, Bjorneberg,aud Kymmengardt in all 99,627 square miles.* Finland now belongs to Russia* Swedish Pomcrania, also, a small territory on the coast of Upper Saxony, containing- 1440 square miles, and 103,345 inhabitants was lately taken from Sweden by the French. Orig'mal Pofiulatio?u] As there is no evidence that the Celts ever penetrated to Scandinavia, the first population appears to have consisted of Fins, who, perhaps seven or eight centuries be- fore the Christian era, were supplanted by the Goths, mythologic- ally represented as having been conducted by Odin, the god of war. No foreign conquest having since extended hither, the pop- ulation continues purely Gothic in the southern parts ; Avhile in the north there are the Laplanders, a native diminutive race re- sembling the Samoieds of the north of Asia, and the Esquimaux and Greenlanders, Arctic races of America. J^7-offressive Geogta/i/iy.^ The southern parts alone of Scandi- navia being known to the ancients, its progressive geography is rather obscure. The only people there situated known to Taci- tus, were the Sitoncs. Ptolemy mentions five or six tribes, among which are the Gutx of Gothland, as inhabiting the portion of Scandinavia known in his time. His four Scandicavian islands are evidently those of Zealand, Funen, Laland, and Falster. Af- ter this period there is little progress in Scandinavian geography- till the time of Jornandcs, in the sixth century, who describes Scanzia, or Scandinavia, at some length, and mentions various na- tions by whom it was inhabited. The next notices are due to the voyage of Ohter, recited by Alfred the Great ; and the more cer- tain and general knowledge begins to dawn with Adam of Bremen, and the Icelandic historians. Historical Epochs.'] The folloAving seem to consitute the chief historical epochs of Sweden : 1. The early population by the Fins and Laplanders. 2. The conquest by the Goths. 3. What little knowledge the ancients possessed concerning the south of Scandinavia. 4. The fabulous and traditional history, which begins about the year of Christ 520, and includes the conquest of Sweden by Ivar Vidfatme king of Denmark, about A. D. 760. Hence there is an obscure period till the reign of Biorn L A. D. 829, commemorated, with his immediate successors, by Adam of Bremen. 5. The conquest of Denmark by Olaf H. about the year 900. 6. The partial conversion of Sweden to Christianity in the reign of Olaf HL A. D. 1000 ; but more than half a century elapsed be- fore Paganism can be considered as finally abandoned, in the reign of Ingi the Pious, A. D. 1066. 7. The accession of the Folkungian branch, about the middle oi the thirteenth century. 8. The Swedes, discontented with their kmg Albert of Meck- lenburg, in 1388 elect as their sovereign Margaret heiress of * Hasscl. SWEDEN. 171 Denmark and Norway. Tluis ended the Folkungian race : and by the celebrated treaty of Colmar, A. D. 1397, the three king- doms of the north Avere supposed to be united for ever. But after the death of Margaret in 1412, the Swedes began to struggle for their liberty ; and in 1449 Karl or Charles VIII. was elected king of Sweden. 9. The struggles between Denmark and SweC^n, till the cruel and tyrannic reign of Christiern II. king of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. 10. Tyrants are the fathers of freedom. Gustaf Wase, whom we style Gustavus Vasa, delivers his country from the Danish yoke, after a contest which forms one of the most interesting por- tions of modern history. The revolt may be considered as having commenced when Gustaf appeared at Mora in Dalecarlia,'A. D. 1520, and completed three years afterwards, when he entered Stockholm in triumph. Dissatisfied v.ith the power of the clergy, which had repeatedly subjugated the kingdom to Denmark, this great prince, 1527, introduced the reformed religion, and died in his seventieth year, September 1560, after a glorious reign of thirty-seven years. 11. The reign of Gustaf Adolph, or Gustavus Adolphus, A. D. 1611 — 1631. Austria, Spain, and the other Catholic kingdoms, having conspired to extirpate the Protestant religion in Germany, this king was invited to assist the reformed, and carried his victo- rious arms to the Rhine and the Danube. 12. The reign of ChaHes XI. 1660 — 1697, when tlie arts and sciences began to flourish, and the pov/cr of the kingdom was car- ried to its utmost height. This reign of solid beneficence was fol- lowed by the calamitous sway of that madman Charles XII. 13. After the weak reign of Charles XII. Sweden sunk into po- litical humiliation ; and is now regarded as little better than a province of France, to which disgrace the Swedish aristocracy as naturally tends as that of Poland. Jntujuiiies.'] T\\t ancient monuments of Sweden consist chief- ly of judicial circles, and other erections of unhewn stone, follow- ed by the monuments inscribed with Runic characters, some of which are as recent as the fifteenth century, and none of them can safely be dated more anciently than the eleventh. Not far from Upsal is the morasten, or stone on which tlie king used to be en- throned, as the old Scottish monarchs were at Scone. The an- cient temples, called Skior, or Skur, were of v.ood, and have con- sequently perished. Some of the old castles, erected since the use of stone, arc remarkable for their resemblance to what are call- ed Pictish castles in Scotland. 17^ SWEDEN. CHAPTER II. POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. RELIGION, ECCLESIASTIC GEOGRAPHY, GOVERNMENT, LAWS, POP- ULATION, COLONIES, ARMY, NAVY, REVENUE, POLITICAL IMPOR- TANCE AITD RELATIONS. ReligioJi.'] THE established religion is the Lutheran. There are 14 dioceses ; the Archbishopric of Upsala in Sweden Proper ; and the Bishoprics of Linkoping, Skara, Wexio, Lund, Gotheborg, and Calmar, in Gothland ; Straengnoes, Woesteras, and Carlstadt in Sweden Proper ; Wisbrey in the island of Goth- land, and Hernosand, in Norland, under which diocese Lap- land is included. There are two bishoprics also in Finland, Abo and Borg. The revenues of Upsala and Woesteras are a- bout ^ 1,000 sterling fier anii. Those of the lowest bishoprics about £ 300. The subordinate clergy are dom/irosts or deans, firosts or archdeacons; /lastors or rectors, and comministers »r perpetual curates. The parishes are estimated at 2,537 ; the curates at 1378 ; .with 134 rectors, and 192 inspectors. Some of the parish- es are very extensive. Go-vernment.'] The government of Sweden is a limited, here- ditary, monarchy. The supreme power is in the Diet, which is composed of the King and the States. The King has the command ofthe army and navy, fills up all commissions, nominates to all civil offices, and appoints the judges ofthe various courts. He a- lone convenes and dissolves the States, has the disposal ofthe pub- lic money, declares war and makes peace. The power of inaking laws and of laying taxes, is vested in the Diet, and the King can- not do either without the consent of the States. The States are composed of four houses : 1. The House of JVobles. This consists of counts, barons, and untitled nobility, all originally ennobled by the crown. The head of each noble family in a direct line is en- titled to a seat in the house. Of these there are, says Coxe, about 1200, though but a small part of these usually assemble. The younger sons have however a tide, and the other privileges of no- iiility. 2. The House ofthe Clergy. This is composed of the 12 dignitaries, and a certain number of ecclesiastics, chosen by the Clergy of the respective districts. The number of members is seldom less than 50, or more than 80. 3. I'ke Hoiise of Citizens ■ There are 104 towns in Sweden, each of which, if a staple town, may send two members, several of the largest three, and Stock- holm ten. The number of members varies from 100 to 200. 4. The House of Peasants. The electors must own land, worth £ 30. None but those whose ancestors were peasants, can vote or be e- lected. Their number is usually about 200. The Archbishop of Upsal is speaker of the House of Clergy. — The other houses choose their own speaker. The assent ol three of the Houses and of the King is necessary to pass a law and to lay a tax. In 1800 the king was entrusted with the power of chang- SWEDEN. 173 ing the nature and amount of the taxes imposed by the Diet. The King or either house may originate bills. There were, before the late dismemberment, four superior courts of justice, called Hof-raett, one at Stockholm, for Sweden Proper, and the counties north ; one at Jonkioping for Gothland ; one at Abo for South Finland ; and one at Wasa for North Fin- land. There are the High Courts of Appeal in all capital cases, and in civil cases of great consequence. Every small town has one court of justice, and every large town two. The penal laws are mild. Whipping and confinement are the usual punishments. The Harad^s-ractt^ or provincial criminal court, consists of the county judges, and a kind of jury of 12 peasants chosen by the in- habitants for life. Whenever they are unanimous they decide the cause though against the decision of the judges. As the monarch is not opulent, it is evident that so large and respectable a body might constitute a formidable barrier ; but the evils of faction have been so great and the Russian power and influence so destructive to the very existence of the state, that the deputies seem justly to regard the dictatorial power of the monarch, as necessary tor their own preservation. Pofiulation.'] The number af inhabitants in Sweden, including Finland, was, in 1752, 2,215,639 1760, 2,383,113 1775, 2,640,177 1776, 2,671,949 1780, 2,769,628 The increase in 48 years was 966,500, or about two fifths of the whole. The increase in the last five years was less than 1 fiei- cent, ficr ann. The number of males in 1776 was 1,284,989 and of females, 1,386,962. Of the population in 1800, 12,068 were of the order of the nobility ; 16,434 of the clergy ; 7,126 students ; 1,275 of the wholesale merchants ; 17,233 retailers ; 2,605 of the manufacturers ; 87,434 mechanics ; 19,653 of the seafaring men ; 188,734 of the army and navy ; and 356,581 of other descriptions. The population of the various provinces in 1 800 was as follows. Square miles. Inhabitants. Do. on a S'|tiarcmile. Gothland, 41,931 1,454,462 34-7 Sweden Proper, 40,577 653,767 16-1 Norland k Lapland, 105,925 239,072 2-16 Finland, 99,627 834,838 8-38 1785, 2,821,669 1790, 2,864,512 1795, 3,045,617 1800, 3,182,139, Sweden, 288,160 3,182,139 11 As Finland now belongs to Russia, the population of Sweden, exclusive of that province, is 2,347,301, or about 12-5 to the square mile. Colonies.~\ Sweden only possesses one small colony, that in the island of St. Bartholomew in the West Indies, which was ceded to them by the French in 1785.* * Olivarius Le Nonl Littemh-e, No. 12. 174 SWEDEN. Jlrmy.'] The Swedish army consists of national and regular troops to the number of 53,035, viz. Cavalry, - - . - 12,000 Infantry, - - - - - 34,171 Artillery, - - . . . 3,230 Engineers, - . _ . 800 Galley-soldiers, - - - 2,706 Life Guards, - - - - 128 Of these 18,424 are regular troops. The army is under the immediate command of 3 Generals, 14 Lieutenant-Generals, 14 Major-Generals, 33 Adjutant-Generals, and 93 Colonels. The amiual expense of the regular troops is about 800,000 rix-dollars. The national troops are quartered upon the peasants, and are fed, and clothed, and paid by them. In time of peace they are under arms three weeks in the year, and are constantly exercised on Sundays after divine service. A'avy.^ The fleet in 1808 consisted of 58 sail, viz. Ships of the line, _ . - - 20 Frigates, - - - - - - 1 6 Brigs, ...... 7 Smaller vessels, - - - - - 15 These were under the direction of 1 lligli Admiral, 1 Admiral, 6 Vice -Admirals, and 1 1 Rear- Admirals. Beside these the galley fleet consisted of 200 sail, in 5 squad- rons. The whole fleet was manned by 1500 marines and 7200 seamen, with a reserve of 8000 for a time of war ; and carried 2760 cannon. Beside these, the galley fleet consisted of 200 sail in 5 squad- rons, defended by 2,706 soldiers. This is called the fleet of the army, and is used in transporting them across the Baltic. Revejiue.'] The revenue in 1 809 is stated by Hassel at 6,000,000 Swedish rix-dollars, which at 5.«. sterling, each, is >C1,500,000 sterling. This arises chiefly from duties, royal demesnes, poll- tax, stamps, taxes on the mines and the lottery. The expense commonly exceeds the revenue. The debt in 1 807 was 1 3,233,632 rix-dollars, of which 9,742,642 was foreign debt, and 3,490,990 domestic. The foreign debt being chiefly incurred at Hamburgh, the country is overwhelmed with the paper money of that city ; and the scarcity of gold and silver, and even of copper currency, is incredible. The ducat, the only gold coin, is worth about nine shillings sterling ; while the silver crown may be valued at four shillings and sixpence. The schelling, or shilling, is worth little, more than one penny sterling ; and the copper consists of half and quarter shillings, the ancient heavy pieces being now rarely visible. SWEDEN. 1 T^ CHAPTER III. CIVIL GfEOGRAPHY. MANNERS AND crSTOMS, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, EDUCATION, UNIVERSITIES, CITIES, TOWNS, EDIFICES, ROADS, INLAND NAV- IGATION, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. Manners and Customs^] THE manners and cusloTns of the superior classes in Sweden are so much tinged with those of the French, their allies, that no striking peculiarly can be ob- served, and even the peasantry have so much vivacity and address, that they have been styled the French of the north. The com- plexion, which in the northeri) latitudes is generally fair, is here much diversified, being in some provinces dark brown.— The men are commonly robust and well-formed, and the women slender and elegant. The natives of the western province of Dalecarlia retain many ancient customs, and have been distin- guished for their courage and probity, since the time that Gustaf Wase issued from the mines of that country to break the yoke of Denmark. The Finlanders, on the cast of the Botlmic gulph, arc now little distinguishable from the Swedes; and any remarkable peculiarities of manners and customs must be sought in Swedish Lapland. Lapland however being very remote, less known, and more recently described ; an account of this singular people is given undci- a separate article. Language.^ The language of Sweden is a dialect of the Goth- ic, being a sister of the Danish, Norwegian, and Icelandic. In the two grand divisions of the Gothic, consisting of the German and Scandinavian dialects, the latter is distinguished by greater brevity and force of expression. There are many words in the Swedish which are also in the English, and in the eleventh centu- ry the natives of the two countries easily understood each other.* In the south of Sweden, which contains the cliicf mass of popula- tion, some German and French words have been adopted ; while the Dalecarlian on the N. W. is esteemed a peculiar dialect, per- haps only because it contains more of the ancient terms and idiom. Literature.'] In the antiquity of literature, Sweden cannot pre- tend to vie with Denmark, Norway, or Iceland : the most early na- tive chronicle, or perhaps literary composition, being not more an- cient than the fourteenth century. In return, while the Danes seem occupied with internal policy, and public regulation, the Swedes have, in modern times, borne the palm of genius in many departments of litciature and philosophy. But Swedish literature can hardly be said to have dawned till the middle of the seventeenth century, when the Queen Christia- na, finding the country immersed in ignorance, iiaited Grotius, Descartes, and other celebrated men, who, though they did not • Coxc. 176 SWEDEN. reside long in liic kingdom, yet sowed the seed of letters, which gradually began to prosper in the wise and beneficent reign of Charles XI. In the succeeding or last century the name of Lin- naeus alone might distinguish the national literature ; and it is joined in natural history with those of Tilas, Wallerius, Quist, Cronstedt, Bergman, and others. In history, Daiin and Lager- bring have distinguished themselves by a precision and force, Avhich the Danes seem to sacrifice to antiquarian discussions. Sweden also boasts of native poets and orators ; and the progress of the sciences is supported by the institution of numerous acad- emies. • Education.~\ The Swedes, like the New-Englanders, the Scotch, and the inhabitants of Iceland, Ferro, and Geneva, are uni- versally acquainted with reading and writing. A school is estab- lished in every parish for these purposes, and all the inhabitants send their children. A public school is maintained also in each large town, at the expense of the crown, in which boys commonly continue till the 1 1th or 12th year, when they are sent to the Gym- naaia. Of these there are 12, and the boys are here taught Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, and the rudiments of the sciences. The great body of the Swedish youths pass through these institutions. At the age of 16 they are usually sent to one of the universities. Of these, before the late dismemberment, there were 3 in Sweden ; that of Lund, in Goth- land, that of Upsala, in Sweden Proper, and that of Abo, in Fin- land. That of Lund was established in 1688, has 15 professors and 300 stvidents, a small botanical garden, and a library of 20,000 volumes. The Professors are ranged under 4 classes ; in The- ology 3, in Jurisprudence 2, in Medicine 3, in Philosophy 7, and several instructors in the elegant accomplishments. The uni- versity of Upsala, founded in 1346, had upwards of 2000 students in 1730 ; but in 1800 only 500. There were 21 Professors, 6 in theology, 2 in law, 3 in medicine, and 10 in philosophy, beside 7 instructors in the elegant arts. Their salaries are from /;70 to /G200 sterling. They deliAtir weekly, each, four public, and four private lectures. The library is large and valuable ; the botan- ical garden small, but well selected. There are no college buildings for the accommodation of the students. The university of Abo Avas founded in 1640, ?.nd has 16 professors, 300 students, and a library containing 10,000 volumes. Cities and Toivna?^ Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, stands in a singular situation between a creek, or inlet, of the Baltic sea, and the lake Maeler. It occupies seven small rocky islands, and the scenery is truly singular and romantic. " A variety of con- trasted and enchanting views is formed by numberless rocks of granite, rising boldly from the surface of the water, partly bare and craggy, partly dotted with houses or feathered with wood."* Somewhat resembling Venice, but with greater diversity of pros- pert, it requires no fortifications. Most of the houses are of stone * Coxe, M'. 33. See afto Marshall, ii. 2io^- SWEDEN, 177 or brick, covered with white stucco ; except in the suburbs, where several are of wood painted red, as usual in the country of Swe- den. This city was founded by the earl Birger, regent of the kingdom, about the middle of the thirteenth century ; and in the seventeenth century the royal residence was transfen-ed hither from Upsal. The entrance to the harbor is through a narrow strait, of somewhat difficult access, especially as there are no tides : and for four months in the year is frozen. It is however deep, and capable^ receiving a great number of vessels. The royal palace stands in a central and high situation : and there are a castle, an arsenal, and several academies. The manufactures are few, of glass, china, woollen, silk, linen, &c. The population of Stockholm in 1800 was 75,5 17, and tliC houses 4,137.* It is in lat. 59 20 31 N. and in long. 18 9 30 E. Upsala stands ih the middle of an open fertile plain, and is di- vided into two almost equal parts by the rivulet Saia. The streets are drawn at right angles ; the houses arc generally constructed of trunks, smoothed into planks, painted red ; and the roofs are covered with turf. Each lioUse has a court-yard and garden. This is the oldest town in the north, and was, till the 1 7th centu- ry, the metropolis, and the royal residence. The inhabitants in 1799 amounted to 4,403, and the houses to 580. It is 45 miles from Stockholm, in lat. 59 51 50 N. and long. 17 42 39 E. ^ Carlscrona is the chief road for the royal navy, and stands prin- cipally upon a small rocky island in the Baltic, connected with the main by a dyke and two wooden bridges. The town is spa- cious, the houses principally of wood, is strongly fortified, and dif- ficult of access. Several noble docks have been formed out of the solid rock for repairing the ships of war, most of which are built at this place, and by English workmen. The population in 1795 was 13,800. The foundations of the town were laid by Charles XI, in 1680. Lat. 56 1 1 N. Long. 15 7 E. Gothenburg, in lat. 57 42 4 N. and long. 12 3 22 E. stands a small distance from the Cattegat, at the confluence of the Goiha and the Moldal. It is built partly on high ridges of rocks, and partly on a marshy plain, which they inclose. The lower part is built upon piles ; the upper hangs oa the declivities. It is 3 miles in circumference. The houses, 1100 in number, are principally of wood, painted red. Popula- tion 13,218. The harbor is between two chains of rocks, a quar- ter of a mile wide, and is fortified. It is the port of the East In- dia Company, and carries on -j^j-ths of the export commerce o/ the kingdom, and ^th of the import. Its herring fishery is very valuable, not less than 600,000 barrels being caught annually, durr ing the 3 weeks that it lasts ; of which 200,000 are salted, and about 27,000 barrels of train oil made of the remainder. The for- tifications arc weak. The harbor is safe and commodious. Nordkioping is built on both sides of the Motala, the outlet of Lake Wetter, 22 miles from the Baltic, in lat. 59 30 N. It is 10 • Hjwsd. VOL. ir. 33 ira ; ; > SWEDEN. miles in circumfevelice. The houses are small and scattered, and the population in 1795 was 8,629. Several valuable manu- factories are established here. Tlie river affords a valuable salmon fishery, and is navigable for small vessels to the town. Fahlun is situated in the midst of rocks and hills, between the lakes of Run and Warpen. The houses, 1135 in number, are chiefly of wood, and two stories. The inhabitants in 1801 were 6,064 ; many of them are employed in the mines. Lat. 60 35 49 N. Gcfle, on the river Gefle, in lat. 60 39 45 N. a«^n lons^. 1 7 E. is the chief commercial town in the north of Sweoen. Many of the. houses are of brick, and many of stone, plaistered white. The river has 10 feet water, as far as the town. The exports are chiefly iron, pitch, tar, and planks. Population in I7J5, 5730. Johnkioping, at the head of Lake Wetter, in Smoland, is the seat of the superior court for the kingdom of Gothland. The houses, 512 in number, are roofed with turf, the usual covering of the Swedish houses. The inhabitants in 1785, we-i-e 4,087. T.e other towns are Linkoping, Carlstadt, Calmar, Lund, Christianstadt, and Wisberg, in the island of Gothland. Edijicesr\ Even including the royal palaces, Sweden cannot boast of many splendid edifices. The roads are in general far su- perioi' to those of Denmark and Norway, Avhich seem unaccounta- bly neglected, good roads being the very stamina of national im- provement. Roads.^ Great attention has been paid by the government to the roads of Sweden. Though not so broad, they are as good as the English turnpikes. The traveller, journeying many thousands of miles, and in every direction, will find scarce one that deserves the name of indifferent. The high roads are made with stone and gravel, yet no toll is exacted. Each landholder is obliged to keep a part in repair, proportioned to his property. The mode of trav- elling from Sweden to Finland in the winter, is in sledges on the ice. The traveller leaves the continent at Grislohaven, and, pass- ing through Aland, and various other islands, lands at Abo, on the other side of the Gulf of Bothnia, a distance of 200 miles. This journey is often extremely hazardous. Inland A'avigation.'j Of late a laudable attention has been paid to inland navigation ; and the chief ettbrt has boen to form a ca- nal between Stockholm and Gotliciiburgh. In this canal, styled that of Trolhattan, conducted along the river Gotha, stupendous excavations have been made through the granitic rocks, in order to avoid cataracts ; one of which, of more than 60 feet, is called the Infernal Fall. Yet the plans have repeatedly failed, from the ignorance of the engineers ; and the first expense ought to have been to procure a superintendant of real skill. The inten- tion was to conduct an inland route from the Meier Lake to that of Hielmer, and thence to that of Wcner ; and by the river Gotha, an outlet of the latter, to the Skager Rack and German Sea. This grand design is already in some measure completed. Manufactures and Com?nercc.'] The Swedish manufactvu'es arc far from being numerous, consisting chiefly of those of iron and SWEDEN. ' ' ' 17y £tecl ; vith cloths, lials, watches, and sail cloth. The manufac- tures of copper and brass, and the construction of ships, also oc- cupy many hands. In 1785, it was computed that 14,000 were employed in those of wool, silk, and cotton. Of native products exported, iron is the most considerable ; and it is feaid that the miners in the kingdom are about 25,600. The commerce of Sweden rests chiefly on the export of their native products, iron, timber, pitch, tar, hemp, and copper. Her- rings and train oil also form considerable articles. The chief im- port is corn of various kinds, particularly rye, Sweden rarely af- fording a sufficiency for her own consumption ; Avith hemp, to- bacco, sugar, coffee, drugs, silk, wines, 8cc. Mr. Coxe has pub- lished a table of the Swedish commerce, whence it appears that the exports in 1781 amounted to 1,368,830/. 13*. 5d. and the im- ports to 1,008,392/. 125. 4|<-/. so that the balance in favor of Swe- den was 360,4o7 Pitea Lapb.od, nily divided by a little v.illev, .-irc- M'.r'":- sfiinposed ot" ircn we. 184 RUSSIAN EMPIRE. are generally quartered here. Next occurs the island of Gothland, known to the literary world by the travels of Linnaeus, about sev- enty miles in length, and twenty-four in breadth ; a feitile district remarkable for an excellent breed of sheep. There are fine woods of oak and pine, good pastures, profitable fisheries, and large quarries of stone on this island. Carnelians and agates arc found here. Wisbury is the capital, the population of which is 3,745. It was subject to the Danes for near two centuries, till 1645, when it was restored to Sweden. The isles of Aland lie in the entrance of the gulph of Bothnia, between lat. 59 47, and 60 30, N. and long. 19 17, and 22 71, E. They are 80 in number. The largest, Aland, is 40 miles long, and 16 broad, containing 462 square miles. These islands form, seven parishes, each of which has a church, besides which there ai-e 7 chapels. The Laplanders and Fins were the earliest settlers. The inhabitants now speak the Swedish language. Those of Al- and alone, amounted, in 1792, to 1 1,260, of whom a sixth part were above 50. The revenue yielded to the crown amounts to 19,936 rix-doUars ; and 298 sailors are here registered for the na- vy. The inhabitants are employed in agriculture and fishing The island of Hisingen, at the mouth of the Gotha, is 16 miles long, and 6 broad, containing 7 parishes. RUSSIAN EMPIRE. THIS niighty empire, the largest in ancient or modern history, reaches from the gulf of Bothnia, to the western coast of America ; and from the Frozen Ocean to Turkey, Persia, and In- dependent and Chinese Tartary. On the Frozen Ocean, it extends from the mouth of the Enaza, in about long. 31 E. to East Cape, in long. 190, E. or 170, W. On the Pacific, it extends southward to the mouth of the Amour, in lat. 53 20, N. On the Caspian Sea, its most southern limit, is Derbcnt, in lat. 42 8, N. The Phasis bounds it on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, and the Neister on the western. The Russian arms have lately however penetrat- ed to the Danube, and the mouth of tliat river may probably be the Russian boundary in the next treaty with Turkey. Polan- g-en, in lat. 55 50, is its southern limit on the Baltic. The countries Avhich it comprehends, together v ith then* population alid extent, are stated by Hassel as follows. 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O O in M -5" ei "^ OT « H .ii l-l •»-> CA O X c/> CO < -a C3 60 o H l-H 1— 1 -g S O t. ^ =J .5 l-H X) c (u u s ,3 < o ill j: pu i- (U O 3 < y rt " if £ X> a. 5^ o -<0 -- c^ccO c/o HH^i; — CN CO ■^ in ose five distinct classes of in- habitants. 1, The Russian Slavi occupy most of the provinces of Great Russia. 2, The Polish slavi constitute the chief population of Witebsk, Mohilef, Minsk, Podolia, Volhynia, Wilna, and 13y- aliStock ; and arc foimd in small numbers in the circle of Selen- ginsk on the Irtish. 3, The Se7~via?is, a colony from the eastern coast of the Adriatic, to whom in 1754, a considerable district was allotted in New Russia, on the Dnieper. They arc now the pop- ulation of the province of Ekaterinoslaw. 4, Tho, Lithuaimms are found in Witebsk, Mohilef, Mhisk, Wilna, and Grodno- They are every where intermingled with the Poles. 5, The Lettes oc- cupy four of the nine circles of Livonia, the whole of Courland and Semigallia, and the Bishopric of Pilten. The Livonian Lettes at the last census were 226,000 in nvmaber. The Cossacks ought here to be described, a Tartarian title sig- nifying armed warriors. They are of Slavonian origin, and arc di- vided into two great branches, the 3Ialo- Russian, or Cossacks of Little Russia, and the Donskoi, or Cossacks of the Don. The for- mer are mentioned as a distinct people in the 14th century. Kiow^ was captured by Gedimhi, prince of Lithuania, in 1320. A multi- tude of fugitives from Little Russia assembled in the lower re- gions of the Nieper, and formed a petty state with a military form of government. Increasing by degrees, they spread themselves over the neighboring country, and about the year 1420 occupied the regions between the Nieper and the Niester. Their freedom, their petty wars with the Turks and I'artars, and their roving life, rendered them brave and formidable. In 1654 they submit- ted to Russia. They are now divided into nobility, militia, burgh- ers, and boors. Their warriors are very nnmerous. Many of them serve in the light-horse. About the year 1500, a colony of them crossed over the Nieper and settled in the government of Karkof, Kursh, and Vorometz, in an uninhabited but fertile coun- try. These are the Slobodian Cossacks, and are very numerous and powerful. A second colony, not many years after, went far- ther south and settled at the Cataracts, or Forogi, of the Nieper. These are the Za/torogian Cossacks, the most warlike and fero- cious of all. In 1775, their warriors were about 40,000 in num- ber. About that lime, in consequence of a rebellion in which they had been engaged, the Russian troops attacked and disarmed them. Part of them remained and took to various trades. The Pest witltdrew to the Turks and Tartars, or roamed on the fron- * P.ngc 185, note. 192 RUSSIA IN EUROPE. tiers of the empire. These last, in 1792, had the island of Tai- man, near the month of the Don, and the country between the river Cuban and the Sea of Azof, assigned to them. They have a wcll-discipihied body of 15,000 warriors. The Ucmskoi Cossacks are probably descendants of fugitives from Great Russia. They are however a Fussio-Tartarean mix- ture, as is evident from their features and language. In 1570, they made Tscherkask their capital, about 50 miles from Azof. They inhabit the plains of the Don in the governments of Saratof and Caucasus, as far as the Sea of Azof They arc estimated at 200,000 in number, keep a corps of light infantry of 25,000 always ready for marching, and can at any time furnish 50,000 cavalry completely equipped. The Wolgaic Cossacks early separated from the original stock. One horde of them, the Dubofskoi^ dwell in large villages on the Wolga, at the mouth of the Dubof- ska, in lat. 49. They can raise 3000 warriors. The other horde, the Astracanskoi, live on the west bank farther down the Wolga, between Astrac:in and Tzaritzin, and are equally numerous. The 07'enberg Co&sacks are a later colony. Their homestead is about the Samara, a branch of the Wolga, and on the Ural, nearly as far down'as Uralsk. They can bring 20,000 men into the field. The Urallan Cossacks, an earlier colony, left the Donskoi stem in the i5th century, and settled on tho Caspian, about the mouth of the, Ural. They now occupy the v/est side of that river from Uralsk down,* and can bring 30,000 men into the field. Their capital, Uralsk, contains 3000 houses of white poplar wood, and 15,000 in- habitants. The Siberian Cossacks are a fourth colony from the settlement on the Don. In the 16th century considerable multi- tudes of the Donskoi roamed eastward to the Caspian, and, by their piracies on that sea and their robberies by land, provoked the an- ger of Ivan II. Terrified by the preparations made in 1577 to chastise them, they dispersed over the neighboring regions. A troop of GOOO or 7000, under Yermak, proceeded up the'" Kama, crossed the Ural mountains, penetrated to the Tobol, the Oby and the Irtish, and subjugated the Tartars, the Voguls, and the Osti- a,ks. In 1581 he made over his conquests to Ivan. His compan- ions intermarried with the natives. The number of the Siberian Cossacks now far exceeds 100,000. The greater, part carry on trades, and 14,000 do military duty. The Finns compose 12 tribes under the government of Russia ; and one, the Hungarians, under that of Austria. The Russian Finns are, 1. The Lafilandcrs, consisting of not much above 120f) families, (see Lapland.) 2. The Fimis, properly so called. By the reduction of Swedish Finland, they are now entirely under the Russian dominion, except a few in Norway. Their numbers arc 1,040,100. 3. The Esthes-y or Esthonians, in Esthonia or Revel, are computed at 180,000. 4. The Lirfs, or Livonia7is, in the re- maining five districts of Livonia, amounted, by the last census, to 257,000. They arc considered, by many, as the same people with the Esthonians ; and Esthoniu and Livonia have rcrotvcfl fhe < -om- • The KiVght^?e8 are on the e^t side of the Vrfll- RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 193 mon name of Liefland. 5. The Permiansy anciently the only pol- ished and commercial race of Finns, now have their home in Wi- atka, and Permia, and the northern districts of the Oby. 6. The Syriacncn arc found iii Wolagda, Permia, and Tobolsk. 7. The Fog-iiles inhabit both sides of the northern Ural, and roam between the Irtisli and the Oby, the Kama and the Wols^a. 8. The Votiaksy in Wiatka, speak a pure Finnish dialect, and are about 45,000 in number. 9. The Tschera?msscs in Kazan, Simbirsk, and Wiatka, are estimated at 20,000. 10. The Tschuvasc/ws reside in the gov- ernments of Tobolsk, Wiatka, Nishni-Novogorod, Kazan, and Simbirsk. Their lanrjuage is the Finnish, with many Tartarian words intermixed ; and they pay the tax for more than 200,000 heads, all the n»ales being taxed. 11. The Mordvines dwell on the Oka and Volga, in Kazan, Nishni-Novogorod, Simbirsk, and Pensa. 12. The Ontia/cs of the Oby, in Tobolsk, are said to be a colony of Permians, and are the most numerous of the Siberian nations. All these various nations of Finns, though widely dis- persed, speak dialects of a common language ; and have a general similarity of appeai'ance and customs. Yu?nviala was the supreme god of all the Finns, as Pcrun was of the Slavonians, and Odin of the Scandinavians. It should also be mentioned here, that a mongrel horde has aris- en, called the Tipteri, composed of the eastern Finns and the Tar- tars. They occupy the Uralian mountains in Ureuburg, and arc found to be fast increasing. In 1762, about 34,000 paid the im- post.* Beside these there arc several bands of European and Asiatic nations, dispersed in various parts of the empire. The Germans arc found in Esthonia, Livonia, and Courland ; and for^n the most considerable, though not the most numerous, part of the inhabi- tants. The nobility of these provinces are chiefly descended front the ancient Teutonic knights. Most of the townsmen also are Germans. They are numerous also in Petersburg and Moscow. A few Swedes arc found in Wiborg and Esthonia. There are Englishmen in most of the sea ports. Frenchmen are dispersed in considerable numbers over the empire. There are remains of a Genoese colony in the Crimea. Greeks are found in Tscherni- goff, Ekaterinoslaw, the Crimea, and on the sea of Azof. In Eka- terinoslaw are also Albanians, Moldavians, Walachians, and Ar- nauts. Turks are found in Orenbnrg, and on the plain of Otcha- kof. In Astrachan, Orcnljurg, and Dcrbent, are Persians ; and on the Kama is a colony of Persians and Arabs. The Armenians are numerous in some of the large towns, and in Caucasivs and Ekaterinoslaw. In Astrakan are likewise settlements of Indians^ jpartly from Ilindostan, and partly from Moultan. Beside these there are scattered in large numbers over Russia, two nations of cosmopolites, tho Jews and the Gypsies. Prog'rvs&ive Gcbgnifihy.'\ To enter nxuch into the progressive geography of the Russian empire, would be to write a history of its revolutions. Till the 16th centmy this empire continued a'l- • Tooke, I. 207—554. For Uie more catstein nations see Rvissia itv Asia, VOL. IT. 2;i 194 RUSSIA IN EUROPE. most unknown to the rest of Europe, and its geography must be faintly traced in the Byzantine annals, particularly in the work of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, on the administration of the empire. The geography of Russia, in the middle ages, becomes not a lit- tle embarrassed from its repeated sub-division into small monar- chies, which remained in a state of vassalage to the Tartars, till the year 1462, when Russia emerged from this eclipse, and grad- ually acquired its present extent and consequence. In modern times, Russia has gradually extended her limits at the expense of the Turks ; and the addition of an ample third of Poland, has af- forded her a source still more stable and fertile of men and power. Historical Ej\ochs?\ The following appear to be the chief his- torical epochs of this mighty empire : 1. The foundation of the kingdom by Ruric, a Scandinavian chief, A. D- 862. His descendants held the sceptre above 700 years. 2. The naval expeditions of the Russians against Constantinople, in the tenth century. 3. In the same century the baptism of Olga the queen, and tlie subsequent conversion of the Russians to Christianity. 4. The invasion of the Tartars under Batu Khan in 1236, and the subsequent vassalage of Russia. 5. The abolition of the power of the Tartars by Ivan III. who died in 1505. 6. The reign of Ivan IV. surnamed Basilowitz, known to west- ern historians by the style of the tyrant John Basilides. 7. The death of the Czar Feodor in 1508, with whom expired the long progeny of Ruric. Several im.postors afterwards appear- ed, under the name of Demetrius, the murdered brother of this sovereign. 8. The accession of the dynasty of Romanow, 1613, in the per- son of Michael Feodorowitz, sprung in the female line from Ivan I V. Ho was followed by his son Alexis, father of Peter the Great. 9< The reign of Peter I. has been justly considered as a most important epoch in Russian history ; but on reading the annals of the preceding reigns from that of Ivan IV. it will be perceived that a part of our admiration for Peter arises from our inattention to his predecessors, and that the light which he diffused was far from being so sudden and grand as is commonly imagined. 10. The late reign of Catliarine II. deserves to be commemorat- ed among the most brilliant epochs in the Russian annals ; nor must her personal crimes exclude her from the list of great and able sovereigns. Antiquities7\ Of ancient monuments, Russia cannot be suppos- ed to afford great variety. Sometimes the tombs of their pagan ancestors are discovered, containing weapons and ornaments. The catacombs at Kiow were perhaps formed in the pagan period, though they be now replete with marks of Christianity. They are labyrinths of considerable extent, dug as would appear, through a mass of hardened clay, but they do not seem to contain tlic bodies lof the monarchs.* * Jlerl/m. Cryptw Kijovicnscs. RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 195 The conversion of the Russians must of course have been fol- lowed by the erection of many churches ; but as Byzantine, or Italian architects were employed, those edifices have but few pe- culiarities. Perhaps no country of considerable extent can afford fewer monuments of ancient art than Russia. CHAPTER II. POLITICAL AND CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, LAWS, POPULATION, COLONIES, ARMY, NAVY, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, EDU- CATION, UNIVERSITIES, CITIES AND TOWNS, INLAND NAVIGA- TION, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. Beligion.'] THE religion of Russia is that of the Greek church. Before the year 1588 the patriarch of Constantinople was the head of the Russian churches. In that year Job, the metro- politan of Moscow, was constituted patriarch. lie had ten suc- cessors. The last, Adrian, died in 1699, and the office was form- ally abolished by Peter the Great, in 1721. Its powers and duties were transferred to a council, called the Sacred Synod, composed of the Emperor, who is president ; a vice-president, who is gen- erally the metropolitan archbishop ; and a number of counsellors and assessors. The clergy are divided into regular and secular. The regular clergy are the bishops ; the archimandrites, or abbots ; and the igoomens, or priors. There are 5 1 eparchies, or bishoprics, yield- ing each a salary of from >G 1000 to £ 1 200 sterling, per ann. Sev- eral of the incumbents have the title of archbishop ; but this is not attached to the see, but a personal distinction, conferred by the sovereign. There are, in the whole empire, 480 monasteries, su- perintended by abbots and priors, and containing 7300 monks ; and 74 nunneries, superintended by abbesses, and containing 1300 nuns. The principal wealth of the church is centered in the mon- asteries. None of the regular clergy are permitted to marry. The secular clergy are the parish priests. They are called/m//«*, or fathers. They are the refuse of the people, and are often una- ble to read. Their salaries are vciy small. They arc obliged to marry before ordination, are not allowed to marry a second time, and on the death of their wives lose their parishes, unless the bishop orders otherwise. The number of parish churciies, in the empire, is 18,350, beside several thousand cJiapels, and the numer- ous churches of the dissenters. The whole number of the clergy, regular and secular, is computed at 67,900, without including their families. They are all exempted from taxation. Gover?i/7ient.^ The early sovereigns of Russia were called Great-Dukes. Ivan II. assumed the title of 7'zar, ov Czar, a Sla- vonian word signifying A7«§-, about 1550, Peter the Great was the first who claimed tliat of Emperor. The spvercign is despotic 196 RUSSIA IN EUROPE. in his authority, and arrogates to himself unlimited power. The throne is heritable oy both sexes. The reigning monarcli, how- ever, may appoint any one of his own family as his successor. The emperor has a privy council, called the Directing Senate, subor- dinate to Avhich are six colleges ; the College of Foreign Affairs, the College of War, the Admiralty College, the College of Justice, the College of Commerce, and the INIedical College. These, in their authority, extend over the whole empire. The governments into which Russia is divided, have each their governor general, executive councils, and courrs of juntice. The circles into which the governments are divided, have also their respective courts. The punishments of Russia were formerly extremely severe. But, during the reign of Catharine, every species of torture, as Avell as coi^fiscation of property, was abolished. Capital punishments are extremely rare. Laws.^ Immediately on the fall of the Roman empire, we find the Gothic tribes sedulously collecting and publishing their pecu- liar codes of laws, but it would be difficult to discover any Slavonic code till the 16th century, when they emanated, not from the na- tional council, but from the arbitrary will of the monarch. The first Russian code dates from the reign of Ivan IV. and the late empress had the merit of drawing up a new code with her own hands. Population. ~\ See Table. Colo7iies.~\ Russia being a state new ifl maritime affairs, cannot boast of any colonies, nor can this name be applied to a small es- tablishment or two in the eastern parts of Siberia. ^nny.~\ The Russian army, in 1805, was composed of the fol- lowing troops. Staff and other officers. 14,979 Infantry, ... 317,110 Cavalry, ... - 54,022 Artillery, ... 44,052 Guards, .^ . . 13,103 Invalid corps, 13,920 Irregular troops, - 100,934 558,120 Kossacks, . - _ 51,748 Tartars, - 48,652 Greek Volunteers, 534 100,954 Total, 659,054 The army was under the command of 5 field-marshals, 74 geur trals, 130 lieutenant-generals, 353 major and brigadier-generals. The irregular troops, Cossacks and Tartars, had also their own officers. Ilassel also mentions, that since 1806, Russia has had a species of national guards, or militia, to the number of 612,000 men. RUSSIA IN EUROPE. i9r jVavy.~\ In I8O5 the Russian navy consisted of Ships of the line, ... 32 Frigates, - - - - - 18 Smaller ships, - - - - 59 Galley fleet, ----- 226 555 These carried 4428 guns, 33,507 sailors, 4000 gunners, and 8262 inarincs; and were commanded by 26 admirals, 13 commodores, and 61 captains. Of these ships there were stationed 1. In the Baltic, 20 ships of the line, 14 frigates, 6 cutters, and 19 sloops and brigs : in all, 2260 guns ; and of the galley fleet, 20 gallics, 25 batteries, 81 gunboats, and 63 yawls ; in all, 705 guns. 2. On the Black Sea, 12 ships of the line, 4 frigates, 7 brigan- tines, 18 sloops and brigs ; 1 125 guns ; and 40 gunboats, carrying 132 guns. 3. On the Caspian, 6 sloops and brigs, carrying in all 70 guns. 4. On the seaof Ochotsk, 1 1 sloops and brigs, carrying 36 guns. Revenue.'] Hassel states the Russian revenue, in 1809, at 115,000,000 roubles. The rouble is equal 10 the Spanish milled dollar. This is raised, 1. From the crown peasants, lands and for- ests about 20,000,000; 2. From duties and monopolies 26,000,000. 3. From general excise 58,000,000. 4. From various other sources 11,000,000. The expenditure of 1802 was. For the Court, - - - 3,209,162 Civil List, - - - 8,763,548 Ministry of the Interior, - 9,930,773 Unterrichtsanstaltcn, - - 2,149,213 Army, above, - • - - 20,000,000 Navy, above, - - - 9,000,000 The Russian debt consists of 100,000,000 of roubles, in domes- tic debt, due for the paper issued by the crown ; and a foreign debt, which, in 1786, amounted to 6,600,000 roubles. Manners and Customs.] As the Russian empire comprises so many distinct races of men, the j-nanners of course must be very various. The Laplanders are well knovvU to be a diminutive race, who would be amiable from the pastoral simplicity of their man- ners, were not their persons ugly and dirty. The Finns are also rather short in stature, with flat faces, deep cheeks, dark grey eyes, a thin beard, tawny hair, and a sallow complexion ; but the southern Finns, though they retain the national features,iare of su- perior appearance. The Finns used to excel in fishing, and the chace ; but they arv^ now much blended with the Slavons, and have generally adopted their manners and customs. The Slavonic Russians, who constitute the chief mass and soul of this empire, are generally middle sized and vigorous : the tall- iiess and grace of the Polish Slavons seem to arise from superior climate and soil. The general physiognomy consists of a small mouth, thin lips, while teeth, small eyes, a low forehead, the nose commonly sm#ill, and turned upv- ards, beard very bushy, hair gen- 198 RUSSIA IN EUROPE. crally reddish.* The expression of the countenance is gravity, with good nature, or sagacity ; the gait and -gestures lively and impassioned. The Russian is extremely patient of hunger and thirst ; and his cure for all diseases is the warm bath, or rather vapour bath, in which the heat is above 100^ of Fahrenheit's ther- mometer. Dr. Guthrie has shewn that the Russians retain many manners and customs derived from their pagan ancestors, and has given some curious specimens of their songs and music, which seem to be very pleasing. He has also compared their dances with those of the Greeks ; and finds in one of them a considerable re- semblance of the wanton Ionic, while another resembles the Pyrrhic. He observes that the covmtry girls dress in the saraphan., resembling the ancient stola^ and bind up their hair with the lenta^ a ribbon like the ancient -vitta. They tinge their cheeks with the juice of the echium Ilaiicurn. When a marriage is proposed, the lover, accompanied by a friend, goes to the house of the bride, and says to her mother, " shew us your merchandize, Ave have got money," an expression which is thought to refer to the ancient custom of buying a wife. The Ru^.sians shew great attention to their nurses, and are so hospitable that they offer to every stranger the Khleh da sol, or bread and salt, the symbol of food, lodging, and protection. At a repast, some salt fish, or ham, and a glass of brandy, are pre- sented in the first place ; and, after dinner, cakes made with hon- ey are usually served ; the common drink is kvass, an acid, thin, malt liquor : the houses are ornamented with stoves, and among the rich, by flues conducted into every room, which is at the same time guarded with double windows. In several instances the Russians form a curious junction of European, and Asiatic man- ners ; mariy of their ceremonies partake of Asiatic splendor : the great are fond of dwarfs ; and some opulent ladies maintain female tellers of tales, whose occupation is to lull their mistresses asleep, by stories resembling those of the Arabian Nights. La?iifuuge.^ The Slavonian is one of the primitive languages of Europe ; and, in its various dialects, more extensively spoken than any of the others. It is the native tongue in Bohemia, Mo- ravia, Croatia, Corinthia, Carniola, Sclavonia, Bosnia, Servia, Al- bania, Dalmatia, Poland, Lithuania, different parts of Hungary, and Bulgaria, and of Russia, both European and Asiatic. The Russian dialect of the Slavonian is extremely rich and harmonious. The alphabet is the Cyrilian, consisting of 36 letters,* and formed by Cyril, a monk of the 9th century. These letters are principally the Greek capitals, together with several others added by Cyril, to express sounds peculiar to the Slavonian. All the Slavonians in Europe and Asia, who profess the Greek religion, use these characters. The Roman letters have been adopted by the Slavo- nian catholics. Literature.'] When Ruric entered Russia, about 862, the whole nation was plunged in the gi-ossest ignorance. Before the intro- * Tooke, ii. 253. • Tookc. — It originally consistcfl of .<»9 cliaracters ; but .is now modified for cwr- mon use, in 1707, was reduced to 30. ^C'oxe.^ RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 199 duction of the Cyrilian, there were no written characters. The first introdviction of literature must be ascribed to Vladimir th& Great ; who, on his conversion to Christianity in 988, instituted schools, and passed a decree regulating the education of youth. Yaroslaf his son ascended the throne in 1018, incited many learn- ed priests from Constantinople, procured tlic translation of many Greek books into Russian, ordered poetical ver::ions of the psalms and hymns for the churches, and established a seminary for 300 students at Novogorod. For the three next centuries the Tartar yoke subjected the nation, and its literature was confined to its monasteries. The Chronicle of Nestor, a monk of Kiow, is a chronological series of the Russian annals from 858 to 1113. He died about J 115, and was the earliest and most interesting historian of the north. Sylvester contimied the chronicle from 1115 to 1123; another monk carries the history to 1157, and another to 1203. The names of these last are not known. No nation in Europe can boast such a connected series of history during the same period. Many historians and annalists have written since. The Russian poetiy, before the 1 8th century, consisted merely of a few songs and ballads. Lomonozof^ the son of a fishmonger at Kolmogori, and born in 1711, raised it at once, by his translations and trage- dies, but chiefly by his sacred and Pindaric odes, to high distinc- tion and refinement. Sumorokof^ the son of a nobleman, and born at Moscow in 1727, has gained, by his tragedies, his comedies, and his historical dramas, the title of the Russian Shakespeare. Khe- raskof, still later, has made the conquest of Casan by Ivan the sub- ject of an epic poem in 12 books, called the Rossiada, a work greatly admired by his countrymen. The Greek language is taught in a few schools. Latin is more common. Many of the classics have been translated, and several of the most approved, published in the original at Petersburg and Moscow. Education.~\ A school was established at Petersburg by Cath- erine, for the instruction of 200 students, designed to be masters of the provincial schools. They are selected from the different seminaries of the empire, at 20 years of age, and continue at Pe- tersburg 3 years. They are then sent to superintend the public schools in each government ; two in each : one as a teacher of mathematics ; the other of history, geography, and natural history. Here they instruct the preceptors for the smaller schools in the lesser towns. Catherine also established many seminaries for the instruction of those intended for holy orders. Universities.'] The university of Petersburg, founded by the late empress Catherine II. is a noble instance of munificence, and it is hoped will escape the fate of the colleges, founded at Mos- cow, by Peter the Great, which do not seem to have met with the deserved success. The number of the Russian universities we are not acquainted with. Cities and Tovjns.'] Moscow stands upon the Moskva, a branch of the Occa, a tributary of the Volga, in lat. 55 45 45 N. and Ion. 37 38 30 E. It is 26 miles in circuaifercnce, and, according to the 200 RUSSIA IN EUROPE. Russian academy, contains 12,54-8 houses, and 300,000 inliabitants. The inhabitants are of many diflerent nations. Russians, Poles, Germans, Cossacks, Tartars, Greeks, Turks, Chinese, English, French, Spaniards, and Italians, all wear the costume of their re- spective countries. Each nation also adopts its own stile of build- ing. The eye ^icre Avitnesses, besides the buildings of the Rus- sians, log-houses from near the Frozen ocean ; plaistered palaces from Sweden and Denmark ; painted walls from the Tyrol ; mosques from Constantinople ; Tartar temples from Bucharia ; pagodas and pavillions from China ; cabarets from Spain ; dvui- geons, prisons, and public offices, from France ; architectural ru- ins from Rome ; terraces and trelisses from Naples ; and ware- houses from Wapping. The suburbs are invested with a low ram- part and ditch, and the five principal divisions of the town are separated by Avails from each other. The Moskva river receives in its course through the city, the Yausa and the Neglina. It is navigable, except in the spring, only for rafts. Moscoav contains, exclusive of chapels, 484 public churches, 199 of Avhite-Avashed brick, and 285 of Avood painted of a red colour. These churches haA^e numerovis bells, some immensely large ; one of 128,000 lbs. weight; another of 288,000 ; and another still larger of 432,000. MoscoAv contains a university, a monastery, and a foundling hos- pital. St. Petersburg, in lat. 59 56 23 N. and Ion. 30 23 15 E. stands upon the Neva, the outlet of the Ladoga, close to the Gulf of Fin- land. The Neva forms several islands at its mouth, on the two largest of Avhich about one third of the city is erected, and the other two thirds upon the southern side of the river. The population, in 1805, Avas 271,137.* The houses arc generally of wood. Those of brick are Avhite-Avashed. Cronstadt is the port of Petersburg, as the Neva is not navigable for large vessels. Peter the Great began the building of Petersburg in 1703. The exports, in 1797, amounted to 32,450,911 roubles; and the imports to 19,366,059. 1053 ships arrived in 1798. Cronstadt, in lat. 59 58 N. Ion. 29 53 15 E. is built on the south- eastern extremity of the island of Retusari, in the Gulf of Finland, 10 miles from the northern shore, 4 from the southern, and 20 miles from Petersburg. The harbor is excellent and strongly fortified, and is the haven for the Russian navy in the Baltic. The population is 40,000.* KioAv stands on the Dnieper, in lat. 50 27 N. Ion. 30 32 15 E. It Avas once the capital of Russia, and now contains 40,000 inhabi- tants.* Riga was built in the year 1200. It stands on the DAvina, in lat. 56 56 32 N. Ion. 24 8 E. and .s, except Petersburg, the most commercial toAvn in the empire. Its population 30,109. The ex- ports are corn, hemp, flax, iron, timber, masts, leather, tallow ; jjlie imports salt, cloth, silks, Avines, groceries, pot-ash, and salted herrings. The DAvina is navigable for large vessels, and is hen" 2600 feet Avide. In 1784, 1085 vessels entered, a-nd 1077 clcarcA * Ilaasl-I. RUSSIA IN EUROPE. .no.l fl'om this port. The exports were 6,392,422 roubles ; the imports 1,422,717. Wilna, on the Wilia, a branch of the Niemen ; in lat. 44 41 2 N. Ion. 25 22 E ; was formerly the chief town in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It contains a university, and 20,900 inhabiL- anls.* Jaroslaw, in lat. 57 37 50 N. l,on. 39 15 45 E. stands upon the Volga, and is celebrated for its manufactories of Russia leather. Population 20,000 : Houses 2754.t Tula, on the Upa, in lat. 54 55 N. Ion. 3.6 36 45 E. is celebrated for its manufactories of hardware, and furnishes abotit 1300 mus- kets weekly, and cutlery for the whole empire. Population 50,000. § The following; are the names of the other large towns in Euro- pean Russia, with their inhabitants, as given by Hassel. Kaluga 19,000, lat. 54 30 N. Neshin, 16,000 ; lat. 51 2 45 N". Tver 17,395 ; lat. 56 50 N. Orel, 15,524 ; lat. 52 36 40 N. Odessa 15,000 ; lat. 46 2-' 30 N. Kursk, 15,180 ; lat. 51 43 50 N. Cherion, 15,000 ; lat. 46 58 29 N. Mohilef 12,500. Mittau, 12,350. Ach- tyrka, 12,788. Elizabeth-gorod, 12,000. Woronesh, 12,000. Rev- el, 1 1,800 ; lat. 59 26 29 N. Witebsk, 1 1,685. Charkow, 10,743. Bolchow, 10,740. Tambow, 10,686, Wologda, 10,529. Tscher- nigow, 10,000. Archangel, 7,200. Novogorod, 7,12 6. Inland A''avigation.~^ The inland navigation of Russia deserves more attention. Among other laudable improvements, Peter the Great formed the design of establishing an intercourse by water between Petersburg and Persia, by the Caspian sea, the Volga, the Mesta, and the lake Novgorod, Sec. but this scheme failed by ihe ignorance of the engineers. During the long reign of the late empress many canals were accomplished, or at least received 5>uch improvements that the chief honor must be ascribed to her administration. The celebrated canal of Vishnei Voloshok was in some shape completed by Peter, so as to form a communication between Astracan and Petersburg, the course being chiefly aftbrd- cd by rivers, and it was only necessary to unite the Twertza run- ning towards the Caspian, with the Shlina, which communicates with the Baltic. The navigation is performed according to the season of the year, in from a fortnight to a month, and it is sup- posed that near 4000 vessels pass annually.^ The canal of Ladoga, so called, not because it enters that lake, but as winding along its^nargin, extends from the river Volkhot" to the Neva, a space of 83 miles, and commvmicates with the for- mer canal. By these two important canals constant intercourse is maintained between the northern and southern extremities of the empire. Another canal leads from Moscow to the river Don, forming a communication with the Euxine ; and the canal of Cronsiadt forms a fourth. Peter the Great also designed to have united the Don with the Volga, and thus have opened an inter- course between the Caspiais, and Euxine seas, and the Baltic ; • Hassel. t Hussel. § Dr. Clarke. f Phillips, 20, 29 vol.. II. 26 203 RUSSIA IX EUROPE. and the Avhoie empire abounds so much with rivers that many ad- vantageous canals remain to be opened. Manufactures and Commercer\ Salt is perhaps the most import- ant manufacture. It is procured from salt-mines, salt-lakes, and salt-springs. The richest salt-mines are about the Tick, in the district of Ufa : on the Wolga, in the government of Caucasus ; and on the Vilui, in Irkutsk. The first produces annually 8,140,000 pood. The salt lakes are the Elton in Saratof, yielding annually 5,700,000 pood ; the salt lakes near Astrachan ; those in Kolhyran ; the Fauridan, yielding annually 3,000,000 pood ; the Caucasean ; and the Irkutskian. The richest salt springs arc those of Solikamsk on the Kama, yielding annually 5,680,000 pood, and those of Starraya-Rura, on the Lovat. The vegetable oils are manufactured extensively. Train-oil is procured in great quan- tities on the Fix)zen Ocean, and on the Caspian. Ising-glass, a preparation from the air-bladder of the sturgeon, the beluga, and the sterlet, is made on all the larger rivers, and especially on the Caspian. The Wolga is the chief seat of the manufacture of Kc- viar., consisting of the salted roes of large fish. Soap, raw-tallow, and candles arc exported in great quantities. Quas, a kind of malt liquor, is manufactured by all the boors. Coarse wines are made extensively from various kinds of fruits. Brandy is distilled from corns to the amount of 5 millions of vech-os.* Aqua-fortis, and aqua regia, are prepared at Petersburg. Potash and salt-pe- tre are extensively exported. The last is made principally in Lit- tle Russia. There are eleven private manufactories of iron and copper-vitriol, and several of 7nagnesia xntriolata. Sugar is refin- ed at Petersburg. There are more than 20 manufactories of dy- ing colours and numerous dye-houses. The manufacture of med- icines is extensive, there being about 60 establishments for this purpose. There are several large manufactures of tobacco ; about 50 of paper ; very large and numerous ones of papcrhang- ings ; and several of playing-cards. Printing is not very exten- sive. Sail-cloth and cordage arc made in the greatest abundance. This is true also of linen, of which thqre are 64 manufactories. The best comes from Archangel. There are 8 cotton manufac- tories, some very considerable ; and of silk not less than 40, in which silk is wrought up into almost every variety of manufac- ture. There are 5 of gold and silver lace, at Petersburg ; and 56 of woollen cloths and stuffs, in the whole empire. Carpet manu- factories are numerous, and those of hats much more so. Russia leather, morocco, shagreen, in Astracan, leather vessels and all the common kinds of leather, are manufactured in abundance. There are several large establishments for glass, earthen-ware and porcelain. Wax is produced in great quantities, but is gen- erally exported unbleached. There are three public works for cutting the precious stones. Pitch and charcoal are made in large quantities by the boors. Powder-mills are numerous. Iron foun- derics and iron works are found every where, and the articles manufactured are hammers, cannon, anchors, nails, wire, needles. The vcdvo holds 5 gallons, or 40 pints. RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 2Q3 coarse cutlery, fire-arms, and domestic utensils. Copper and brass wo"ks, and brass cannon foundaries are established in vari- ous places. Gold and silversmiths, jewellers and clockmakers are numerous in the large towns. The Hanse-Towns established commercial factories in Novo- gorod and Pskow, in 1276. Riga, Reval, and Wiborg were in early times large commercial towns ; and the former flourishing commerce of Taurida, is known to every reader of history. Arch- angel had been the chief commercial town of Russia some time before Petersburg Avas built, and is still a considerable port. All the commerce of the White Sea is carried on there, and the ex- ports in 1793, consisting of Kaviar potash, tallow, wax, hides, hemp. Sec. amounted to 2,525,208 roubles. The commerce of the Baltic is more considerable, than that of all the rest of the empire. The exports amounted in 1793, to 33,604,589 roubles, consisting beside the articles already mentioii- ed, of iron, flax, tobacco, cordage, lumber, soap, tar, hemp-oil, sail cloth, coarse linens, furs, salt-petrc, corn, brandy, rhubarb, Sec. The ports are Petersburg, Riga, Narva, Pernau, Cronstadt, Wi- borg, Reval, yrederickshamn, Onega, and Arensburg. Peters- burg alone, exported to the amount of 23,757,954 roubles, and Ri- ga to the amount of 8,985,929. The commerce of the Euxine is now fast increasing. The ex- ports from all the ports in 1793, amounted to 1,198,395 roubles, and the imports to about 1,500,000. The articles imported are wines, fruits, coffee, and all Turkish commodities. The chief ports areTaganrok, Eupatoria, Oczacow,Cherson, Caffa, Kertsch, Yenicale, and Sebastapal. The whole exports on these three seas amounted, in 1793, to 37,328,192 roubles. The Russian ports on the Caspian are Astracan ; Gurief, at the mouth of the Ural ; Kisliar, on the Terek; and Derbent. The exports are cloths, vitriol, soap, alum, sugar, leather, needles, lin- ens, velvet, glass, paper, furs, hides, tea, corn, butter, wine, bran- dy, iron, copper, tin, lead, iron-ware, clocks, indigo, cochineal, &c. The chief imports are raw silks, rice, dried fruits, spices, saffron, sidphur, naphtha, gold and gold dust, precious stones, and pearls from Khiva and Hindostan. The foreign commerce by land is very considerable. Russia imports scythes, cloths, linens, heijap, flax. Sec. from Poland and Prussia, to the amount of 2,000,000 roubles, and exports various articles to the amount of five hundred thousand roubles. The exports to Persia, through Kisliar and Mosdok, amount to one hundred thousand roubles, and the silks received by the same way, to 200,000. The Kirghiscs bring their horses, horned cattle, sheep and sheep-skins to Orenburg, Troitzk, Peterpaulosk, Yamisheva, Semipalat and Ustkamenogorsk, to the amount of 1,500,000 roubles, and receive household and other European goods to the same amount. The Chinese commerce is likewise a mere barter, and is carried on at the town of Kiachta, on the Ki- achta, a branch of the Bura, a tributary of the Selinga, in Ion. 106 i2 E. and lat. 50 N. The town is separated by a vacant space. 204 RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 140 yards wide, from Maimatschin, a Chinese town ; the frontici- of the two empires passing between them. The Russians cxpoit furs and peltry, woollens, velvets, coarse linens, leather, glass, looking-glasses, hard-ware, tin, talc, cattle, camels, horses, hunt- ing dogs, provisions and meal, to the amount of 2,000,000 roubles. They receive in return from the Chinese, silk and cotton, raw and manufactured, teas, porcelain, japanned ware, fans, toys, tygcr and panther skhis, rubies, white lead, vermillion, and other colours, canes, tobacco, rice, sugar-candy, ginger, sweet-meats, rhubarb, and musk, to an equal amount. The internal commerce is very great. The products of Siberia alone in iron, salt, gold, silver, furs, skins, copper, 5cc. carried an- nually to Russia, amounts to 12,000,000 roubles. That between the northern and southern provinces is also more important. The fairs held in various parts of the empire, greatly facilitate the in- tercourse of tlie provinces. Xhe annual products of the national industry was estimated by Tooke, in 1788, as folloAvs : Roubles. Grain, - - - 144,000,000 Brandy, - - - 15,000,000 Salt, .... 4,200,000 Mines, . _ _ . 8,750,000 Furs, 5,000,000 Hemp, flax, tobacco, linen, hemp-oil, > 30 ooo,000 hnseed-oil, Sec. ^ ' Forests, . - - . _ 20,000,000 Cattle and horticulture, - - 58,050,000 Fisheries, - - - . 15,000,000 300,000,000 The quantity of money in circulation at that time, was estimat- ed thus, Tloiibles. Gold and Silver coin, - - 76,000,000 Copper coin, - - . , 54,000,000 Paper money, , , - . 100,000,000 230,000,000 The annual increase of coin was then estimated at 5,000,000 roubles. CHAPTER III. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRI*' CULTUKK, KIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, MINERAL WATERS, NATURAL CURI- OSITIES, RUSSIAN ISLES. Climate and Seasons.'] THE climate of Russia in Europe, as may be expected in such a diversity of latitudes, presents almost, RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 205 every variety from that of Lapland, to that of Italy : for the newly acquired province of Taurida may be compared with Italy in cli- mate and soil. But winter maintains the chief sway at Petersburg, the capital, and the Neva is annually frozen from November to March or April. The climate around the frozen ocean, and the last European isle upon the N. E. that of Novaya Zemlia, or the New Land, is of noted severity, tlie northern side being encom- passed with mountains of ice, and the sun not visible from the middle of October till February ; while it never sets during June and July. Taurida presents on the contrary, all the luxuriance of the southern year, while the middle regions are blest with the mild seasons of Germany and England. Face of the Country ^^ In so wide an empire the face of the country must also be extremely various ; but the chief feature of European Russia consists in plains of a prodigious extent, rivalling in that respect the vast deserts of Asia and Africa. In the south are some extensive stepfies^ or dry and elevated plains, such as that above the sea of Azof, in length about 400 E-nglish miles. The numerous and majestic rivers also constitute a distinguish- ing feature of this empire. •So/7 mid jlgrindture.~\ The soil is of course also extremely di- verse, from the chilling marshes which border the White and Fro- zen seas, to the rich and fertile plains on the Volga. The most fertile is that between the Don and the Volga, from Voronetz to Simbirsk, consisting of a black mould, strongly impregnated with salt-petre ; that is, a soil formed from successive layers of vege- table remains.* In Livonia and Esthonia the medial returns of harvest are eight or ten fold ; and the latter is generally the pro- duce of the rich plains near the Don, where the fields are never manured, but on the contrary are apt to swell the corn into too much luxuriance. Pasturage is so abundant that the meadows arc little regarded, and the artificial production of grasses is scarcelv known. Some of the meadows arc watered, and produce large crops of hay, the dry pastures yield a short, but nutricious pro- duce, and in a few of the steppes the grass will attain the height of a man, and is seldom mown. The exports of tallow and hides merely, amounted in 1793 to 6,862,000 roubles. Agriculture is hardly known in the northern parts of the gov- ernments of Olonetz, and Archangel ; but in the central parts of the empire has been pursued from time immemorial. In general however, agriculture is treated with great negli- gence, yet the harvests are abundant. In the north rye is most generally cultivated ; but in the middle and the southern regions wheat ; in the government of Ekatarinoslav the Arnautan wheat is beautiful, the flour yellowish, the return commonly fifteen fold; nor is Turkish wheat, or maize, unknown in Taurida. Barley is a general produce, and is converted into meal, as well as oats, of which a kind of porridge is composed. Millet is also widely dif- fused. Rice succeeds well in the vicinity of Kislear. Hemp and flax form great objects of agriculture. Tobacco has been produc- , * TookQ i. 67. 2.G6 RUSSIA IN EUROPE. -ed since the year 1763, chiefly from Turkish and Persian seed. The olive has been tried in vain at Astracan, but prospers in the southern mountains of Taurida along the Euxhie. The govern- ment of Moscow produces abundance of excellent asparagus ; and sugar-melons abound near the Don and the Volga. Large or- chards are seen in the middle and southern parts of Russia, yet quantities of fruit arc imported. While apples and pears are found as far north as the 49°, plums and cherries extend to the 55°. What is called the Kirefskoi apple often weighs four pounds, is of an agreeable flavour, and will keep a long time. A transpar- ent sort from China is also cultivated, called the Nalivui, melting and full of juice.* Bees are not known in Siberia, but form an object of great attention in the Uralian forests. Iiwers.2 The Wolga has already been described. The Nieper or Dnieper, the ancient Borysthenes, rises in the forest of Volonskoi, in the government of Smolensk, near the sources of the Wolga and the Dwina. Its course is S. W. to Or- sa, S. to Kiow, S. E. to the cataracts, and S. W. to the mouth ; on the whole W. of S. It is the largest I'iver that runs wholly in Eu- ropean Russia, has a course of about 1200 miles, and is the scene of an extensive commerce. It has a number of islands ; a bed partly sandy and stony, and partly of marl ; and, though a calcare- ous, yet a salubrious water. From Smolensk to the Cataracts it is navigable in perfect safety, and as far as Kiow, its banks are forested. Below Kiow they are mostly bare and bordered with hills and mountains. The Cataracts are 13 in number. Empty barks pass over them safely, in very high water. The cargoes are carried by land more than 50 miles. The river below them, a distance of 300 miles, is perfectly navigable. Near its mouth it forms a marshy lake, called the Liman, about 50 miles long and 8 broad. The principal triljutaries of the Nieper are the A'o.s/;,the PiyfieCf the DesJia, the Soola^ the Psiol, the Fon-kia, the Sanunara, and the Ligulats. The Don, the ancient yawfl/s, rises in the government of Re- zan, from lake St. John, and pursues a course at first S. E. then S. W. and on the whole S. of about 800 miles, to the Bay of Taganrok, the N. E. part of the Sea of Azof. It has a very gentle current ; a water whitish and turbid, but not unwholesome ; a bed formed of sand, marl, and lime ; and here and there broad sand-banks and islands. It freezes in November, breaks up in February, and is of the utmost importance to the commerce of the neighboring country. The Voronctz, the Khoper, the Donetz, and the Manitsh are its chief tributary streams. Of these the Do- netz is the largest, and is navigable. 'JMie Voronetz is connected by a canal with a small river emptying into the Okka, a branch of the Wolga. The Bog, or Bogue, the ancient Hi//ia?ii.s, pursues a S. E. coiirse, from its source in Podolia, to the Liman, or estuary of the Nieper, into which it empties at Oczakow- lis chief tributaries are the Ingul, the Sinucha, and the Guiloi, and its length is about 400 miles. * Tookc iii. 3iO. RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 207 The Niester, the ancient Tyras, rises in Gallicia, a part of Austrian Poland, near the head of the Vistula, and among the Carpathian mountains. It pursues a S. E. course, of about 600 miles, and falls hito the Euxinc at Akerman. The Podhont, which falls into it atCholzim, is the boundary between Russia and Austria ; and the Niester below Chotzim separates Russia from Turkey. The DwiVA, or Duna, rises from a lake in the forest of Vol- konskoi, in the government of Tver, near tl>e sources of the Wol- ga and the Nicper, and runs S. W- and N. W. about 500 miles to the Gulf of Riga, where its breadth is 900 paces. It is every where navigable, though in several places obstructed by rapids, and is the scene of an extensive commerce. In the spring it is liable to sudden and dangerous inundations. Its tvaters are mud- dy, and its shores sandy and clayey. The Neva rises in Witebsk, runs northerly through Lake JI- men into the 8. E. extremity of the Ladoga ; and, passing by the southern shore of that lake, issues at its S. W. extremity, and runs W. 50 miles, to the head of the Gulf of Finland, into which it empties by several channels. Its length is al^out 450 miles, before its entrance into the Ladoga it is called the Volkhof. The commerce on this river is of immense value to Petersburg. The SviR a navigable river connects the Lakes Onega and La- doga. The Onega falls into the head of the White Sea. The NoRHERN DwiNA flows through a swampy and woody re- gion, and is navigable from Usting. Its western branch issues from Kubinskoi Lake ; its eastern rises in the government of Archangel. It falls into the bay of St. Nicholas, on the eastern side of the White Sea, at Archangel, after a course of about 500 miles. The Kuloi and the Mezen, are also considerable rivers empty- ing into the White Sea, from the East, riear its mouth. The Petshora is a large river, rising in the western side of the Uralian range, and running northwesterly, 450 miles to the Frozen Ocean. Here ought also to be mentioned the Kamma and the Okka. The Kamma is the largest tributary of the Wolga. It rises in Perme, from the Urali,an chain, and pursues a S. W. course of 800 miles ; when it unites with that river about 30 miles below Casan and is scarcely inferior to it in size. The salt and iron of Siberia are very extensively transported on it. Its banks are gen- erally forested with the oak and the fir. The Okka, or Oka, rises in Orel, and runs N. E. to Nishni No- vogorod, where it empties into the Wolga. It is navigable al- most to its source and is one of the most important inland commu- nications of the empire. Lakes.^ The Ladoga, Onega, and Enara have already been de- scribed. The Peipus lies S. of the Gulf of Finland. • It is about 60 miles long, and 45 wide. Through a short and broad stUiit it receives 208 RUSSIA IN EUROPE. the waters of the Pskow from the S, which is about 40 miles long, and 30 broad. The Welika falls into this latter lake, and is the only considerable stream flowing into the Peipus. It has two o\U- lets. The Fellin runs W. through the Wertzerb to the Gulf of Riga. The Narova runs N. and empties into the Gulf of Finland at Narva. The BiELo-OzERo, or White Lake through the Sheksna emp- ties its waters into the Wojga. It is 40 miles long, and 24 broad. The bottom is a white clay, which, in stormy weather, occasions a thick white foam on the surface. The Ilmen is about 32 miles long, and 24 broad. Close to its mouth sfiands the ancient city of Novogorod, on both sides of the Volkhof. Mountains.'] It has already been mentioned that European Russia is rather a plain country, though some parts of it be great- ly elevated, such as that which sends forth the three rivers of Du- na, Volga, ahd Nieper. This region which it passes in travel- ling from Petersburg to Moscow, is by some called the moun- tains of Valday, from the town and lake of Valday, situated on the ridge ; but by the natives it is styled Vhisokay Plostc/iade, or elevated ground ; and no mountains are here delineated in the common maps. In this quarter the ground is strewn with masses of granite, but the hills are chiefly marl, sand and clay ; and what are called the mountains of Valday seem to be a high table land, surmounted with large sand hills, and interspersed with masses of red and grey granite : near Valday is the highest part of the ridge, which seems to be in a N. E. and S. W. direction. The hills, lakes, and groves, are beautiful ; and there is an island with a no- ble monastery. To the south of Valday the masses of granite be- come smaller and more rare ; and calcareous petrifactions appear, which are followed by the clay near Moscow. Mr. Tooke* com- putes the highest point of the Valday at only 200 fathoms above the level of Petersburg, about 1200 feet above the sea ; the height is inconsiderable, and gives a striking impression of the gentle and plain level thi'ough which such extensive rivers must pursue their course. The woods on the Valday are chiefly pine, fir, birch, linden, aspen, and alder : the soil in the vales is fertile, mostly clay and marl. From the Valday towards the S. scarce a mountain occurs, but after passing the steppe of the Nieper, an arid plain with salt lakes which perhaps indicate the extent of the Euxine at remote peri- ods, we arrive at the mountains of Taurida, which are rather ro- mantic than of remarkable height, being calcarcoxis and alluvial. To the S. of this chain, along the shores of the Euxine, are the beautiful vales, so well described by Pallas, productive of the lau- rel, the olive, the fig, and the pomegranate, while the arbutus adorns the steepest cliff's with its red bark, and foliage of perpet- ual green. The caper and the vine also abound in this natural orchard, and the flocks of sheep and goats feeding on the hills, or bounding from the rocks, unite with the simple and good humour- * Vol. i. 130. RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 209 ed manners of the Tatar inhabitants, to render the scene truly- pastoral. The chain of Olonetz runs in a direction almost due N. for the space of 1 5° or about 900 German miles. The most arctic part is said to consist chiefly of granite, petrosilex, and limestone ; and is not of great height, but retains perpetual snow from the alti- tude of the clunate. More to the S. branches stretch on the E. towards the gulf of Kandalak ; the granite is intermixed with large sheets of talc, and patches of trap are found, particularly near the gold mines of Voytz, on the western side of the i4ver Vyg. Various other ores occur in this region, and veins of cop- per pyrites appear in the trap. In the centre, between the mountains of Olonetz and those of Ural, there seems to be a considerable chain extending from the E. of Mezen to the Canin Nos, a bold promontory which rushes into the frozen ocean ; but this chain appears to have escaped the searches of curiosity or avarice, by the perpetual snows with which it is enveloped. The Uralian chain has already been de- scribed. Forests.^ European Russia is so abundant in forests that it would be vain to attempt to enumerate them. There are pro- digious forests between Petersburg and Moscow, and others be- tween Vladimir and Arzomas. Further to the S. there seems to have been a forest of still greater extent, probably the Riphacan forest of antiquity in the direction of the rich black soil so re- markable for its fertility.* Bota7itj.~\ When we consider the vast extent of territory com- prehended under the European sovereignty of Russia, from th& frozen shore of Archangel to the delicious climate of the Crimea, and that the whole of this great empire has scarcely produced a single naturalist of any eminence, all that is known of its vegeta- bles, animals, and minerals, being collected for the most part with- in the last forty years by a few foreigners, under the munificent patronage of Catharine II, it will be evident that the rudiments alone of the Russian flora can as yet be extant. The provinces bordering upon the Baltic, and the newly acquired government of Taurida, have been examined with some attention ; and a few striking features of the botany of the interior of the country have been described by travelleis ; but many years of patient research must elapse before tlie natural history of Russia is advanced to an equal degree of accuracy with that of the western parts of Europe, The Russian provinces N. of the Baltic, contain the same plants as tl">ese of Swedish and Norwegian Lapland, which will be hereaf- ter described. Such as extend between the 50th and 60th deg. lat. abound principally in the common vegetables of the N. of France and Germany, some of which, however, are wanting, on * Mr. Co'ic, TrHvels in Poland, kc. vol. i. S'Z.^, 341, deseribes the vast forest of Volkoiiski, as begini:iii£c near \'i;isn)i»r, and continuing to the gates of ^loscow, as he Ji-avelled through it « iiiiout iiiterruption for J50 miles." He saj s that the Volga, Dunn, and Neiper, arise in tlii.s immense forest, vliicli consists of oaks, beech, mo|intairf.')«h> poplar, pines, and firs, mingled together in endless vaiiety. VOL. II. 27 210 RUSSIA IN EUROPE. account ol'the greater severity of the Russian winters, from their proximity to the vast plains of Tatary, and the forests of Siberia. The trees of most use, and in greatest abundance are, the fir ; the Scotch pine ; the yew-leaved fir ; and the larch : all of which mingled together, form the vast impenetrable forests, whence the vest of Europe is principally supplied with masts, deals, pitch, and tar. The other ferest trees are, the elm, the lime, of the in- ner bark of which the Russian mats are made, and from whose blossoms the immense swarms of wild bees collect the chief part o-f their honey ; the birch, the alder, the aspen, the greater maple, and the sycamore ; of the shrubs and humbler plants, those of most importance are the cloud-berry, the cranber- ry, the bear-berry, the stone bramble ; the fruit of all which, for want of better, is highly esteemed, and is either eaten fresh, or is preserved in snow during the winter. Quittin.g the pine forests of the N. and middle of Russia, if we turn pur attention to the few vegetable productions that have as yet been noticed amidst the myriads that adorn and enrich the broad vales of the Don and the Neiper, that glow upon the warm shores of the Black sea, or luxuriate in the delicious recesses of Taurida, we shall see what a rich harvest is reserved for future naturalists, and with what ease the inhabitants, when once become civilized, may avail them- selves of the uncommon bounties of their soil. Here rises in state- ly majesty for future navies, the oak, both the common kind and the species Avith prickly cups, the black and the white poplars of unusual size, skirt along the margins of the streams, the ash, the horn beam, the nettle tree, occupy the upland pastures, and the elegant beech crowns the summits of the lime stone ridges. Of the fruit-bearing shrubs and trees, besides the gooseberry, the red, the white, and the black currant, which are dispersed in abundance through the woods, there ai-te the almond and peach ; the apricot and crab-cherry : the medlar ; the walnut ; the Ta- tarian, the black, and white mulberry ; the olive ; the Chio tur- pentine tree ; the hazlc nut ; the fig ; the vine and the pome- granate. Zoologi/.^ The zoology of Russia is vast and various, and only a very slight sketch can here be attempted. The more peculiar ani- mals are the white bear of Novaya Zemlia, and the souslik of the S. In the more northern parts are found the the wolf, the lynx, the elk ; nor is the camel unknown in the lower latitudes. The animals in the centre seem common to the rest of Europe. Among the more useful animals the horse has met with deserved atten- tion, and the breed in many parts of the empire is large, strong, and beautiful. Even the country near Archangel is remarkable for excellent pasturage and fine cattle, which may be said in general to abound iu the empire. The sheep in the northern provinces arc of a mid- dle size, short tailed, and tiic wool coarse ; nor is proper attention paid towards improving the breed. Those in the S. are long tail- ed, and yield a superior wool ; but the best is from the ancient kingdom of Kazan, and other regions in the cast. RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 211 In Taurida it is said that common Tatars may possess about 1000 sheep, while an opulent flock is computed at 50,000 ; those ofthcAvhole peninsula were supposed to amount to 7,000,000 : nor is the rein-deer unknown in the furthest N. ; sO that the em- pire may be said to extend from the latitude of the rein-deer to that of the camel. Mineralogy.'] Peter the Great was the founder of the Russian mineralogy, by the institution of the College of Mines in 1719. As the control of this college extends over the empire, wt- shall include under this article an account of all its valuable mines. There are two proper gold mines. That of Beresof^ near Ekatc- rinenburg, on the Ura), employs 2000 workmen ; and, at present, yields annuallv from 7 to 8 pood of pure gold, valued at from 70 to 80,000 roubles. The whole produce from 1754 to 1788, was 120 pood, valued at 1,200,000 roubles. The Voytzer mines on the mountains of Olonetz have latterly been abandoned. The Silver m.ines of Kolhyvan are in the Altaian range. That of the Schlangenburg is one of the richest ever knoAvn. The pro- duce cf these mines from 1745 to 1787 was 24,460 pood of fine silver, and 830 of gold, valued at 30,000,000 roubles. The whole expence only 7,000,000 roubles. The silver and lead mines of Nei'tschinsk are in Dauria near the Amour. From 1704 to 1787 they produced 11,644 pood of silver, and 32 of gold, both valued at 10,000,000 roubles. The rojifier mines in the Uralian chain, had, in 1779, 60 foundcries, containing 229 furnaces, and yielded, in 1782, 190,752 pood o£ eopper. A Coppermine in the Altai yielded in 1782, 18,793 pood. The value of both was about 2,000,000 roubles. The iron mines in the Ural chain yielded, in 1782, 3,940,000 pood of iron ; which, / added to the product of the mines of Siberia and Olonetz, made a total of about 5,000,00(' pood, valued at 4,500,000 roubles. In 1793 the manufactured and unmanufactured iron exported amounted to 3,033,249 pood, valued at 5,204,125 roubles. I, cad is found in all the mines, particularly in those of Nert- schinsk, and the Altai. The product of the former is about 30,000 pood. Jrscnic is found in all the mineral mountains, ylntimony is abundant in the Nertvchinsk mines, and zinc ore in those of the Altaian. Quicksilver has been found in Nertschinsk, and near Ochotsk. Russia has valuable stores of porphyry, jasper, agate, chalcedony, cornelian, onyx, rock chrystal, beryl, garnet, lapis lazuli, and alabaster. White marble equal to the Parian is found in the Uralian quarries ; yelloAV, grey and cloudy marble are found in the greatest abundance in Wyborg, and Olonetz. Quartz is found every where. The argillaceous earths are abundant. Turf and coal are found in some parts. Sulphur is in sufiicient quan- tities to supply the empire. Cilauber and bitter salts, alum, sal ammoniac, vitriol, saltpetre and natron are in vast profusion. Common salt has already been mentioned, Mineral waters.'] European Russia being a plain country can boast of few mineral waters, the most celebrated is near Sarepta 2ia POLAND. on the Volga, discovered in 1 775. The springs are here numerous and copious, and strongly impregnated with iron. In the district of Perekop, and on the isle of Taman, belonging to the govern- ment of Taurida, there are springs of Naphtha.* Katural curiosities.^ The natural curiosities of Russia in Eu- rope have scarcely been enumerated, except those which indicate the severity of winter in so northern a clime. Not to mention the rocks of ice, of many miles in extent and surprising height, which navigate the frozen ocean, adorned like cathedrals with pinnacles, which reflect a thousand colours in the sun, or Aurora Borealis ; it is well known that the Empress Anne built a palace of ice, on the bank of the Neva, in 1740, which was 52 foet in length, and when illuminated liad a surprising effect. RUSSIAN ISLES. Nova Zembla, or Novaya Zemlia, is separated from the northern shore of Europe, by the streights of Weygat. It is said to consist of 5 islands, but the passages between them are always filled with ice. The most northern point is called Ys-hock or Icy Cape, and is in lat. 77° N. The number of square miles, as given by Hassel, is 125,264. The island nearest the shore is called Weygatz, on the maps. Nova Zembla is uninhabited. Hunters however resort thither from Archangel and Mezcn for rein-deer, white bears, white and blue foxes ; and fishermen for whales, belugas, spermaceti whales, morses, dolphins, sea-hogs, seals, sea- bears, sea-lions, and sea-otters. Stockfish, also, and herring and white-fish are abundant in the surrounding ocean. The islands are well supplied with water, but are rocky, unfruitful, and desti- tute of wood. Ice mountains entirely encompas-s them on the north. The snow fedls to the depth of 9 feet. The sun does not set in May, June, or July. Kalgueva, or Colgucf, is a much smaller island, lying at no great distance east of the mouth of the White Sea. The isle of Cronstadt has been naentioned. POLAND. JVame.] POLU or Pole in the Sclavonian is said to denote a country fit for hunting, a name very properly applied to Poland as It is one extensive plain with few unevenesses of sui*face. Extent.'] Before its dismemberment Poland was in size the second country in Europe ; its lengtli being about 700 miles and its breadth 680. It lay between 16° and 34° E. and between 46° 30' and 57° 35' N. The Dwina and the Neiper separated it from Russia, the Niester from Turkey, and the Carpathian mountains from Hungary. • Tooke, i. 285. POLAND. 213 Divisions.^ Lithuania the northeastern part of Poland, was formerly an independent state with the title of a Grand Duchy. In 1386 Ladislaus Jaghellon, the grand duke, and son-in-law of the Polish king, was raised to the throne of Poland. In 1401 an offensive and defensive alliance was entered into between the two states ; and in 1413 the nomination of the grand duke was given to the King of Poland. In 1569, Lithuania was made an integral part of Poland, aud the King of Poland was constituted ex-officio the grand duke of Lithuania. About 1320 Gedimin, grand duke of Lithuania, conquered from Russia, Smolensk, Polotsk, Iver, Witebsk, and Kiow with the Slobodian Ukraine east of the Neiper. Several of these were re- conquered in 1477. About 1600 Russia lost to Poland Smolensk, Mohilew and Tschernigow. Kiow and the Ukraine were reclaimed by Russia in 1655 ; at the first dismemberment in 1773 Smolensk, AVitepsk, Mobile w and Polish Livonia. In 1793 the second divi- sion of this country took place between Russia, Prussia, and Aus- tria ; and in 1795 the kingdom was annihilated. The following table exhibits the divisions of Poland in 1793» the state to which they fell, and their extent in square miles. Provinces. Pnlatinates. Sq. Miles.- Pftlatinates. Pomania Kallitz Birsest Vladislaw from Prussia and both were . 19,200 Rawa Lenzits Sieradz Inowlodz Cracow Sandomir , Lublin C Courland Proper I Semigallia Wilna Braslaw Polotsk Witebsk Iroki Minsk Micislaf ^Novogrodek <^ 18,000 6,400 8,900 8,000 4,400 ;> 64,800 84,000 4i,000 14,000 } 214 POLAND. Provinces. Palatinates. ijq. IVIiles. Polesia or Birsetsk, chiefly to } \lussia, partly to Austria, 5 rChelm Red Russia to Austria, ■< Beltz \. 25,200 .(_Lemburg or Leopold Podolia chiefly to Russia part- > ^ ly to Austria, .5 " ' Volhynia to Russia, 25,000 235,500 Historical Epochs.~\ 1. The commencement of the authentic history of Poland at the ascension of Piast in 842. 2. The introduction of Christianity in 992. 5. The assum])tion of the title of king by Uladislaus duke of Poland and father of Casimir the great, in 1320. 4. The ascension of the hovise of Jaghellon, dukes of Lithuania in 1386. They ruled in hereditary succession till 1572. Previous to this the throne had been sometimes hereditary and sometimes elective. 5. In 1574 the throne becomes merely elective in the person of Henry de Valois. 6. John Sobieski king of Poland forced the Turks to raise the siege of Vienna, which was the last valiant action of the Poles. 7. The first dismemberment of the kingdom in 1773. 8. The second dismemberment in 1793. 9. The annihilation of the monarchy in 1795. A7itiquities.~\ The Polish coinage begins about the 12th centu- ly, and is on the German model. Religion.'\ Most of the Poles are catholics. The Baltic prov- inces are inhabited chiefly by Lutherans. There are many of the Greek church in Podclia Volhinia, and the Ukraine ; and a con- siderable number of Jews and Mahometan Tatars in Lithuania. The whole number of Jews after the first dismemberment was 601,479. There were two archbishoprics and 13 bishoprics in Poland. The monasteries were said to be 576 in number ; the nun- neries 117, besides 246 seminaries and 31 abbeys; the secular clergy 18,369 ; the regular clergy 10,189 ; nuns 2,579. Government.'] Poland was an elective monarchy. The supreme power was vested in the diet consisting of the king, the senate, and the gentry. The King was the fountain of honour, ot titles, and of offices. He presided in the Diet. The Senate was composed of spirit- ual and temporal Lords. The spiritual lords had the precedence. The archbishop of Gnesna was its president. The temporal lords %vere the Palatines or governors of the palatinates, the Castcl- lans or commanders of the troops in the respective palatinates and the 16 ministers of state. The Senators before the first dis- memberment were appointed by the King. The Nuntios or rep- resentatives of the gentry were chosen by the gentlemen ot each Palatinate. The Diet met ordinarily once in two years and could POLAND. 215 continue in session only 6 weeks. Each member of either house had the right of exercisini^ the Lib erum veto ; or, by his single negative, of suspending and preventing every law and every res- olution. This was perhaps the prime cause of the ruin of Po- land. Population.'] By the first partition in 1773, Russia gained about 1,500,000 inhabitants, Austria 2,500,000, and Prussia 860,000, By the final partition, Russia gained 4,592,544, Austria 2,075,686, and Prussia 1,037,742. The whole gain of Russia was therefore al)out 6,100,000 ; that of Austria 4,600,000 ; and that of Prussia 1,900,000; making a total of about 12,500,000 inhabitants. The territory acquired by Russia was far the most extensive ; that of Prussia the most commercial. Anny.~\ Poland maintained in 1778 a standing army of about 20,000 men of whom 7,500 were furnished by Lithuania. Revenue.'] The disbursements almost always exceeded the revenue. The receipts in 1789 Avere from Poland 28,237,306 ilorins, from Lithuania, 9,339,930 ; total 37,577,256. The expen- ditures in that year were, Poland 29,809,688 florins, Lithuania 12,763,136; total 42,572,824. Manners and customs.] The Poles were divided into four classes, nobles, clergy, citizens, and peasants. All who possessed freehold estates, and all who were descended from such were no- bles. The clergy were mmicrous and amenable to the civil pow- er. Tlie burghers were the inhabitants of towns, they had no right to vote for the nuntios. The peasants were slaves transferable like cattle from one master to another. Many of these were Ger- mans introduced into Poland by Casimir the great. " The features of the Poles and their general appearance are rather Asiatic than European. Men of all ranks wear whiskers and shave their heads, leaving only a circle of hair on the crown. The dress of the higher orders is uncommonly elegant. That of the gentlemen is a waistcoat with sleeves over Avhich they wear an upper robe of a different color, which reaches down below the knee and is fastened by a sash or girdle. The sleeves of this up- per garment are in warm weather tied behind the shoulders ; a sabre is a necessary part of their dress as a mark of gentility. In summer the robe, Sec. is of silk ; in winter of cloth velvet or stuff edged with fur. They wear caps bonnets, and buskins of yel- low leather, the heels of which are plated with iron or steel. The dress of the ladies is a simple fiolonaise or long robe edged with fur." The Poles are said to be the handsomest nation in Europe. Their law of divorce and various other causes had however before the final dismemberment greatly corrupted their morals. Language.] The Polish language is a dialect of the Slavonian. That of Lithuania is a different dialect, and very much like the language of the Lettes. Latin is also spoken fluently by the com- mon people. For the cities 8cc. of Poland, see Russia, Prussia and Austria. Univcisities.] There were three universities in Poland. That of Cracow, in 1778, consisted of 11 colleges, contained 500 stu- 2L6 PRUSSIA. dents, and had the supervisorship of 14 grammar schools. It fell to Austria. Of the other two Wilna belongs to Russia ; and that of Posen or Posna fell to Prussia, but now belongs to the new king- dom of Saxony. The great body ot the people are extremely ig- norant, and learning was never widely diffused in Poland. PRUSSIA. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. XAMES, EXTKXT, SUBDIVISIONS AND POPULATION, LOSSES, ORIG- INAL POPULATION, PROGRESSIVE GEOGRAPHY, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, ANTIQUITIES, RELIGION, ECCLESIASTICAL GEOGRAPHY, GOVERNMENT, ARMY, REVENUES, POPULATION, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, EDUCATION, UNIVERSITIES, CITIES AND TOWNS, EDIFICES, INLAND NAVIGATION, MANUFAC- TURES, AND COMMERCE. THIS kingdom, Avhich only commenced with the eigh- teenth century, by e:radual accessions became so extensive, as de- servedly to I'ank till lately among the first powers of Europe. The dominions of Prussia were small and scattered, till the acqui- sition of Silesia, and afterwards of a third part of Poland, gave a wide basis to the monarchy. But in 1807 it was reduced to the level of a petty German principality. JVames.'] Tiiis region Avas faintly known to tlie ancients, wl;o mention various tribes that possessed it : and the amber, which here only was found in such quantities as to form a regular article of commerce, greatly contributed to its celebrity. The name of the country originates, according to some, from the Pruzzi, a Slavo- nic tribe ; but more probably^ according to others, from the name of Russia, and the Slavonic word Fo, which signifies near, or adjacent. Jijcteyit.'] The territories of Prussia, before the acquisitions ia Poland, were estimated at 56,414 square miles, with a population of 5,621,400. They were greatly enlarged in 1773, and still far- ther in 1793, when, according to the estimate of Hasscl, they contained 121,417 square miles. At that time the kingdom ex- tended from Horiiburg and the river Ocker in the country of Halberstadt the farthest western connected limit, to the river Niemen or about six hundred miles. The breadth from the southern limit of Silesia to Dar.tzic 340; and the average width from the Baltic to the frontiers of Russian and Austrian Poland upwards of 200. On the Baitic it possessed a connected seacoast from the mouth of the Peen, in long. 14 E. to Poiangen a little N. of Mem el. Prussia now reaches from the Elbe near Magdeburg, to the Niemen. Its seacoast is entire except the district of Dantzic. PRUSSIA. 217 Its boundary qu Old SaXony and Lusatia, is as before in about 52° N, Silesia is entire. The acquisitions from Poland are all lost. Its present breadth from the Baltic to the boundaries of Russian Hud Saxon Poland is from 90 to 100 miles. Its possessions from the southern limit of Silesia to the mouth of the Oder are still vn- interrupted ; as are those from the Elbe across the Vistula to Po- langcn. On the Vistula ii reaches S. to Schwetz and the mouth of the river Bro. But Culm and Thorn are in Saxony. The present extent in square miles is 62,612. The losses amounted to 58,705. DivviionH.~\ These -with the Population are stated by Hassel in 1809 as follows : Provinces. S([uare Miles. Population by census. Estimated do> i^ 1808.'' 1. PRUSSIA PROPER. I East Prussia 8,964 555,1431 2 Lithuania 6,466 397,889 [► 1802 3 West Prussia 9,074 524,574j 24,504 1,477,60.6 1,478,000 2. DUCHY OP SILESIA. 1 Lower Silesia 9,008 1,202,0611 2 Upper Silesia 5,458 601,128 l 1802 3 Glatz 636 101,919j 2,021,059 m 1805 15,102 2,050,000 >>. DUCHY OF POMERANIA. ^ 1 Farther Pomcrania 2 Hither Pomerania 1,783 7,907 9,690 X 1803,504,311 505,000 4. MARCH OF BRADENBURQ. 1 Kurmark 1 Middlemark with B^ J w«s tiiat of Bayreuttj, VOL. TT. '?^ 218 PRUSSIA. in Franconia. The JMai'qiiisate of Anspsch, in Franconia, was an- nexed to Bavavia. The Principality of East Friesland, in West- phalia, the district of Guelders and that of Moeurs of Meurs, were added to the kingdom of Holland, and with that kingdom m 1810, became a part of the French empire. Stendal and Salzwc- del W. of the Elbe in Brandenburg ; the Principality of Halbcrs- tadt and the part of that of Magdeburg, which lay Avest of the Elbe, in Lower Saxony ; and those of Minden and Ravensberg in West- phalia were assigned to the kingdom of Westphalia. While the Duchy of Cleves, and the counties of Marck, Tecklenburg, and Lingen, now make a part of the Grand Duchy of Berg. Table of Losses in 1807. Square Miles. Population. Bjalystock 6,379 183,300 Duchy of Warsaw 40,570 2,777,000 District of Dantzic 416 84,000 Neufchatel 362 47,000 East Friesland 1,247 133,000 Guelders 250 48,000 Moeurs 64 17,000 Bayreuth 1,255 233,000 Anspach 1,260 316,141 (1806) Cleves 613 83,456 (1806) Marck Tecklenburg 1,008 137,890 (1806) 110 20,059 (1806) Lingen 175 25,021 (1806) Stendal 709 50,799 (1807) Salzwedel 1,020 43,853 (1807) West Magdeburg 1,802 259,210 (1807) Halberstadt 489 79,443 (1807) Minden 580 r7,oi2r (1807) Ravensberg 396 91,802 (1807) Original Population.'] The original population of Prussia ap- pears from Tacitus and Pliny, to have consisted of the Peucini and ^stii, Gothic tribes bordering on the Venedi, who were Slavons. The amber of the ^Istii continued to be celebrated in the time of Theodoric ; but at what precise period these original inhabitants were expelled, or subdued, by the Slavonic ti'ibes on the east, re- mains uncertain. Suffice it in general to observe that the Slavonic tribes extended widely over the N. of Germany ; after the old Gothic inhabitants had crowded to the more fertile regions of the S. in consequence of the decline and fall of the Roman empire. Progressive Geografihy.] The progressive geography of those provinces which now constitute the Prussian territory, would form an embroiled and multifarious topic. One of the most singular features in the geography of these regions, during the middle ages, is the existence of Julin, a city of great extent and com- merce, on the right bank of the Oder in Pomerania, which was destroyed by Waldemar king of Deiunark. Farther to the E. the PRUSSIA, 219 Slavonic tribes on the Baltic continued pagans to a late period ; and the country M'as litttle known or visited, except by a species of crusaders, who went to assist the Teutonic knights in subduing those Saracens, as they were styled in the ignorance of the times. Historical Efiochs.'] As this kingdom is recent, and composed of several ancient states, its historical epochs and antiquities arc of course complex. Not to mention the smaller provinces, among which is the distant principality of Neufchatel, on the frontiers of France and Swisscrland, Prussia may be regarded as consistiiig of four great divisions, the electorate of Brandenburg ; the kingdom of Prussia proper ; the large province of Silesia ; and a third part of the ancient kingdom of Poland. As the family which now rules those extensive domains was originally the electoral house of Brandenburg, it Avill be proper first to trace the progress of its power. 1. The emperor Chai'les IV. in 1373, assigned Brandenburg to his second son Sigismund, who in 1415, being then emperor of Germany, sold this margraviate and electorate to Frederick bur- grave of Nuremburg, for 400,000 ducats. This prince was the ancestor of the present reigning race. 2. Joachim II. elector of Brandenburg, embraced the Luthe- ran religion in 1539, Avhich has since been the ruling system of the state. 3. John Sigismond becomes duke of Prussia in 1618- 4. Frederic William, surnamed the great elector, succeeded his father in 1640 ; and in 1656 compelled the king of Poland to de- clare Prussia an independent state, it having formerly been held of the Polish sovereigns. This prince is highly praised by his royal descendant, the author of Memoirs of the house of Bran- denburg, as the chief founder of the power of that family. He was succeeded in 1688, by his son, 5. Frederic III. who supporting the empei'or in the contest for the Spanish succession, was by him declared king of Prussia ; un- der Avhich title he was proclaimed at Konigsberg, on the 18th day of January, 1,701, he himself placing the crown upon his head. 6. Frederic William II. ascended the throne in 1713; and in 1721 founded the city of Potsdam. But he was chiefly remarka- ble as the father of that great prince Frederick II. who ascended the throne in 1740, and died in 1786, after a long and glorious reign ; the most memorable and lasting event of which was the acquisition of Silesia from the hoHsc of Austria in 1742. 7. The short reign of his nephew is known to every reader. The failure of the Prvissian tactics in France and Poland convmced Europe that the great Frederic had been the soul of the machine. But these checks were recompensed by the completion of the Prussian acquisitions in Poland. The reign of his son, the pres- ent monarch, has hitherto been distinguished rather by prudence than enterprize. The historical epochs of Prussia proper are not deserving of * III tlic regal genealogy the name of Frederic alone is considered as distinct from that of Frederic-SVilUaui, ^O PRUSSIA. much elucidation. The knowledge of the ancieiii's concerning this country has already been explained. A faint dawn of history, in the middle ages, discloses at the mouth of the Vistula the Pruz- zi^ a Slavonic nation, who were afterwards subdued by the knights of the Teutonic order. 1. This order originated A. D. 1 190, in the camp of the Cru- saders before Acca, or Acre, from some citizens of Lubec and Bremen. Next year a bull of institution was obtained from the pope, with all the privileges granted to the knights templars. The crusades to Palestine having failed, the knights directed their cn- terprize against the pagans of the N. of Germany, A. D. 1 227 ; and in a few years conquered Prussia, and founded several cities. 2. The knights thus established in Prussia directed their efforts against the Lithuanians, and other pagans in the east. But re- peated wars with Poland were less fortunate ; and about 1446 the four chief cities of Prussia, Elbing, Thorn, Konigsberg, and Dant- •zic, withdrew their allegiance from the Teutonic order, and claimed the protection of Poland. 3. In 1466, Casimir king of Poland, forced the Teutonic order to abaiadon to him the eastern part of Prussia, and to pay homage for the western part. 4. Albert of Brandenburg, grand-master of the order, obtained ffoni his maternal uncle, Sigismund king of Poland, the hereditary- investiture of all that the order possessed in Prussia, and embraced the Lutheran religion. 5. In 1618, John Sigismund elector of Brandenburg acquired this duchy ; and in 1621 his successor I'cceived the solemn invcs- titvirc from the king of Poland. Silesia affords few materials for history. This country was for- merly a Slavonic province of the Polish dominion ; but in 1339 •yvas seized by John of Luxemburg king of Bohemia, and passed with that sovereignty to the house of Austria. The house of Bran- denburg certainly had some ancient claims to this province, which \yere finally ascertained by the sword in 1742, as already mention- ed. The cJiief epochs of the Polish history have already been repeated. ylnti(juities.~\ From this general view of the component parts of tke Prussian history it will appear that few ancient monuments can be expected in regions, where even a lude knowledge of the arts is comparatively so recent. Some Slavonic idols, cast ia bronze, constitute almost the only pagan antiquities ; and the cas- tles, and churches, erected after the introduction of the Christian religion, have few singularities to attract particular attention. JieUgion.'] The ruling religion of Prussia is the protestant, un- der its two chief divisions of Lutheran and Calvinistic. The uni- versal toleration wisely embraced by -the Prussian nipnarchs, has had ns usual effect of abating theological enmity, and the differ- ent sects seem to live in perfect concord. Ecck&iasticat Geagrafihy.'] The ecclesiastical geography of Prussia Avould be at once little interesting, and of difficult detail. The bishoprics in Poland aiid Silesia seem to retain their aHr PRUSSIA. 221 cient limits, while the power of the prelates is considerably abridged. Government', Istc.'] As no vestige of any senate or delegates from the people is known in this kingdoaii, it must be pronounced an absolute government ; but the spirit and good sense of the na- tion unite with the wisdom and mildness of successive monarchs, (Avho have ur.iformly wished to invite foreign settlers by views of ease and freedom, instead of expelling their own people by rigor,) to render the sovereignty as conciliatory, and perhaps more be^ neficent, than if joined with a venal senate. Tlie late great mon- arch reformed many abuses in the laws ; but it cannot be dis- guised that the tenour of his government was too military, a fault inherent in the Prussian system. Army.'] The army of Prussia in 1806 amounted to 239,667 men, viz. Infantry - , 175,307 Cavalry - 40,476 Artillery - 13,240 Sundry troops - 7,470 Guards - - 3,174 The xmfoitunate monarch in 1808 had only from 60,000 to 80,000 men, and of these only 20,000 were equipped and ready for service. Revenues.'] In 18,08 the revenues Avere as follows, Guildei's. From the March of Brandenberg 8,300,000 From the Duchy of Silesia 9,000,000 From the Duchy of Pomprania 3,000,000 From Prussia proper 6,000,000 26,300,000 guilders or about 13,150,000 dollars, the guilder being worth 51.85 cents. Before the peace of Tilsit the revenue was annually from 56 t» 58,000,000 guilders. The debt of Prussia .is stated by Hassel at 50,000,000 guilders. Pofiulation.] The number of inhabitants in Prussia, in 1808 after the peace of Tilsit was, accorduig to Hassel's tables, 5,030,000. The number of houses was 516,600; of cities 431; of market towns 81 ; of villages 20,687. The number of houses in 1806 was 1,410,721 ; of cities 1062; of market towns 219; of villages 46,345. Prussia lost to the kingdom of Westphalia 602,1 19 inhabitants ; to the Grand Duchy of Berg 266,436; to Bavaria 316,141 ; to France about 478,000 ; to the New Hanse Towns about 84,000 ; to the kingdom of Saxony about 2,777,000 ; and to Russia about 183,300. Sotzman, a German writer, estimtites the total loss at 4,805,000 which differs but little from the preceding statement and estimates of Hassel. Manners arid Ciist 07ns.'] The manners and customs of a coun- try composed of such va^'ious inhabitant.?,, recently imited under 222 PRUSSIA. one sovereignty, must of course be discordant. Travellers have •remarked that in comparison with the Saxons, who are a lively and contented people,, the Prussians appear dull and gloomy ; a char- ajcter which they impute portly to the militaiy government, and partly to the general anxiety which must have been excited by the repeated dangers to which their country was exposed, when con- tending with the powers of Russia and Austria. Languaffe.'] The ruling language of Prussia is the German ; which it is probable may in time supplant the Polish, in those parts which are subject to Prussia and Austria Lile7-atu7-e.^ Tiie literature of Prussia may well be conceived to be of recent origin ; nor even after the restoration of letters did any remarkable author arise in the electorate of Brandenburg. But Dantzic was the native country of Cluverius, an eminent geographer; and Copernicus a great name in astronomy, was born at Thorn, as his predecessor Regiomontanus was at Konigsberg, his name being a Latin translation of that of his birth-place. Sile- sia has likewise few pretensions to literary fame, nor are those of Poland highly illustrious. Kadlubko, the most ancient Polish his- torian, Avrote in 1223 ; and since his time there has been a succes- sion of Latin chroniclers. J'rederic the Great had a mean opin- ion of German literature ; and though he wrote in French, must be classed among the most distinguished authors of his kingdom. Nor is count Hertsbcrg, his minister, without merit. Among the other names, either natives or who flourished in Prussia, may be mentioned Ramler the poet, Nicolai an original writer of ro- mances, 8cc. Busching the geographer, Spalding, and Mendelsohn. Education.~\ The state of education in this country seems to be equally neglected as in the far greater part of Europe. The num- ber of recruits wanted for the army, and the consequent uncertain- ty of destination for life, must singularly impede the national instruction. Univcrfiitics.~\ There are however several universities, such as ♦hat of Frankfort on the Oder, foundedby Joachim elector of Bran- denburg in the year 1516. Konigsberg in Prussia was founded in 1544. Cities and Towns. ~\ Berlin the largest of all the Prussian cities, and the second in Germany, is built on the banks of the Spree, in Ut. 52° 3 1' 44" N. and Ion. l3°28'E. It was founded in the r2th century by a colony from the Netherlands. It is chielly built on a barren sandy plain, much exposed to dust. A part of it however stands upon two islands in the river. It is 4|. miles long and 3 broad, containing in 1804, 156,664 inhabitants, and 7241 houses. The houses are uncommonly beautiful from without, but the fin- ishing within docs not correspond with the elegance of the exte- rior. The streets are regular and of convenient breadth. There are 14 Lutheran churches, 10 Calvinistic and 1 Catholic, all strangely decorated with Mercuries, Apollos, INIinervas, and Cu- pids. The town is surrounded by a wall and palisadoes. The average of temperature for 13 years, from 176i) to 1782, was 49 degrees. There is a free communication by canals, with the Oder and the Elbe. PRUSSIA. 253 Konigsbcrg- was founded Ity the Teutonic Knights, in 1255, and is well fortified. It stands on the Pvcgcl near its entrance in- to the Frisch-Haft', and maintains a considerable commerce with the Baltic. It contained 4,508 houses in 1802, and 56,410 inhab- itants. It is the capital of Prussia Proper. Breslaw, the capital of Silesia, has long been celebrated, as one of the most beautiful cities of Germany. It is of uncertain an- tiquity, but was burnt by the Tatars in 1211. It stands upon the S. bank of the Oder, in lat. 51 3 N. Ion. 17 8 45 E. and contained in 1805, 62,923 inhabitants and 3,338 houses. The town is very extensive, being not less than 8 miles in length. There are 9 Lu- theran Churches, 1 Calvinistic, 1 Greek, several Catholic, and 2 Jewish synagogues. Elbing is in West Prussia, on an arm of the Vistula, called the River Elbing, a short distance from the Frisch-Haff, in lat. 54 7 54 N. Ion. 10 27 27 E. It was built by a colony from Lubeck iii 1239, and was in the Hanseatic League, till the end of the 16th century Houses in 1802, 2,159. Population 19,274. Its com- merce has always been considerable. In 1803, it owned 7110 tons of shipping, besides 50 coasters and 25 lighters, employed to take cargoes to the large ships at Pillau. Vessels of 100 tons come up to the town. It has a large manufactory of soap, one of tobacco, two of weed ashes, two of starch, a sugar-house and a saw-mill for cutting deals. Stettin stands upon the Oder, in lat. 53 25 36 N. The river here divides into 4 branches. The town carries on an extensive commerce, and contained in 1802, 1594 houses, and 18,463 inhab- itants. Potsdam a recent city, is built on an island in the Havel, in-lat. 52 24 43 N. and long. 13 10 31 E. No expense has been spared in its decorations. The inhabitants, in 1802, amounted to 17,982 ; the houses to 1959. It was till lately the favorite residence of the Prussian monarchs. Brandenburg is also on the Havel, 31 miles from Berlin. It was made a Bishop's Sec in 949. Manufactures of cloth, fustian, and canvass have been established by the French Calvinists. There is a lake near the town two miles long. Inhabitants in 1802. 10,329. Houses 1485. Frankfort on the Oder, is in Middlemark, 48 milfis E. of Berlin. It contauied in 1802, 13 14 houses, and 10,291 inhabitants. The other towns are in Silesia, Brieg, 8,682 inhabitants ; Schwcidnitz 8,232 ; Neisse, 7,489 ; Glatz 6681 ; Hirschberg, 5,996 : in Prussia Proper, Tilsit 8,656 ; Marienburg, 7,172 ; Braunsberg, 5,798; Mcmel, 5,111 ; Chrisfrin, in Brandenburg, 5,400 ; and Stargard in Pomerania, 6,749. Edijices.'] Some of the most splendid edifices of this country adorn Berlin the capital, such as the palace and the theatre. But tJie other grand buildings seem not to have impressed travellers with veneration, being barracks for soldiers and the like * And • Wraxall's Mem. i. 101. 824 PRUSSIA. the city itself is almost entirely built with brick, though the fronts of the houses are disguised with stucco. The palace at Potsdam deserves superior applause ; and on an eminence near the city stands the royal villa of Sans Souci, which however can claim no ij;randeur of external architecture. Konigsberg, andDantzic, also offer to view respectable public buildings ; but in general this kingdom yields even to Russia in this respect. Inland .Yavigation.'] The advantages of inland navigation seem little known or cultivated in the Prussian dominions ; and though several small canals might be mentioned, yet they I'ather belong to the office of the topographer than to a general system of geography. JManMfactures and Com?nerce,'] If we except the linens of Si- lesia, the manufactures of the Prussian dominions are of small importance. Yet they afford for home consumption, glass, iron, brass, paper, and woollen cloth ; and Frederick II. introduced a small manufactuj-e of silk. Even the exports of Dantzic consist almost entirely of timber, corn, tallow, and similar articles. If we except the ancient staple of grain so abundant in the level plains of Poland, the commerce of Prussia is comparatively of but little consequence. Amber is by nature constituted a monopoly of the country, but fashion has rendered this branch of commeice insignificani. Yet among the considerable exports may be named excellent timber of all kinds, skins, leather, flax, and hemp, mad- der, linseed, pearlash, and every species of grain ; nor must the linens of Silesia be passed in silence, many of which are sent into Holland, and sold under the name of Dutch manufacture. In re- turn Prussia receives wine, and other products of more southern and favoured countries. CHAPTER H. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRI- CULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, BOTANT, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, MIMEHAL WATERS, NATURAL CURI- OSITIES, y Climate and Seasons.^ THE climate of the Prussian do- minions is, upon the whole, cold and mmst. Brandenburg and Pomerania may be regarded as more free from humidity than Prussia proper, which, as Busching informs us,* has about eight months of winter, the autumns being often deluged, with rain. Tlie northern part of Poland, which has fallen under the Prussian sceptre, abounds with forests and marshes, which cannot be sup- posed to render the air salubrious. The lower parts of Silesia are regarded as tlic most healthy and fertile provinces of the mon- archy ; but the southern and western parts of that duchy, border- ing on elevated mountains, long covered with snow, are exposed even in summer to severe freezing gales. • ui. 5. PRUSSIA. . 223 ^ace of the Counirv.'] In considering- the general appearance of these extensive regions, Brandenburg is a sandy, and uarrcn coun- try, but Prussia proper formerly abounded in woods, and displays superior fertility, a character which may also 1:»e extended to Prus- sian Poland, an immense plain. Silesia on the contrary, displays a pleasing diversity, being level and open towards Poland, but separated from Hungary on the S. by the Carpathian mountains, a branch of which proceeding N. W. divides this country from Moravia and Bohemia. It is every where watered by the Oder and its tributary streams : nor is there any deficiency of rivers in tl:e other parts of the Prussian sovereignty. Soil and y/gricuiticrr.^ The soil of Brandenburg is meagre, and even the space between Berlin and Potsdam resembles a MJlder- ness ; but that of Prussian Poland is loamy and fertile. The northern extreiiiity of Silesia resembles Brandenburp;, yet this province is in general extremely productive, and abounds in fruits and culinary vegetables. Agricultural improvements are little known, and Brandenburg' chiefly produces buck wheat and turnips, with scanty crops of rye ; but Prussia proper, and the Polish provinces display every kind of grain, and esculent plant, that can flourish under such a latitude ; and among the productions of Silesia must be classed maize, and even vines, but the wine is of inferior quality. The peasants, though oppressed by heavy taxation, being free from the wanton extortions, and capricious personal services, ex- acted by the Polish aristocracy, display signs of comparative ease and prosperity. In different parts of Silesia the land is let in farms, as in England, and the peasants hired as day labourers ; whiU- under the detestable government of Poland they were mere slaves, and every avenue to industry was barred. Jiive7-s.^ Among the chief rivers of the Prussian dominions may be first mentioned the Elbe, which rises in the S. of Bohe- mia, and pervades the duchy of Magdeburg. The Spree, which passes i)y, Berlin, falls into the Havel, a tributary of the Elbe. The Oder, the Viadrus of the ancients, may be regarded as a river entirely Prussian ; it rises in the mountains of Moravia, and, after watering Silesia, Brandenburg, and Pomerania, jouis tjie Baltic, after a course of about 350 miles. Next appears another noble stream, the Vistula, whicii, rising in the Carpathian mountains, passes Warsaw, and joins the sea near Dantzic, after a circuit of about 450 miles. The Pregel, passing by Konigsberg, springs from some lakes and marshes in Prussif.n Poland ; and the Memel, a superior river, now forms in part the Prussian boundary on the east. Lakes.'\ The lakes in the Prussian dominions are numerous, ©•specially in the eastern purt, where among others may be men- tioned the Spelding See, which, with its creeks, extends more than twenty British miles in every direction. That region con- tains many other lakes, which supply the sources of the river Pre- gel. At their estuaries the rivers Oder, Vistula, and Memel, pre- sent singular inland sheets of water, in rtie German language o:tll^ VOL. ir. 29 2-26 PRUSSIA. ed Haffs ; that of the Oder being styled Grass llaH"; that of the Vistula, Frisch Haff (with another inland creek called the lake of Drausen ;) and that of the Menjel, Curisch Haff. The Frisch Haff is about seventy miles in length, and from three to ten miles broad, being separated from the Baltic by a long slip of land, saic^ to have been thrown up by the tempests and waves about the vear 1 190. This lake or bay is of small depth, and will not admit ves- sels of much burthen.* The Curisch Haff, so called from its situation in the ancient duchy of Courland, is about 60 British miles in length, and about 30 in its greatest breadth. A similar ridge of land divides it from the Baltic ; and it is full of dangerous shelves, and infested by fre- quent storms. Mou7iCains.^ Magdeburg, Brandenburg, Pomerania, Prussia, and Poland, are in general level countries ; and the only moun- tains in the Prussian dominions arc those of Silesia. The moun- tains in the S. and W. of this province maybe regarded as a north- ern branch of the Carpathian chain, which itself forms the most southern boundary. This branch extends from Jablunka S. E. to Friedberg in upper Lusatia, N. W. near 200 British miles in length, and is called Sudetische Gebirge, or the Sudetic moun- tains. In the north western parts of Silesia are also detached mountains of considerable height,! as the Spitzberg and Gratz- berg. Their precise height seems not to be ascertained, yet they may safely be concluded to yield greatly to the Carpathian chain, aj4 account of which will be found in the description of the Aus- trian dominions. Foresfs.'] Few parts of the Prussian kingdom are destitute of Woods and forests, which particularly abound in Prussia proper, and in the recent Polish acquisitions. Towards Hungary, Silesia presents a continuation of thick forests, which conspire with the elevated mountains to form an impenetrable barrier. BoUinij.'] The indigenous vegetables of the Prussian domin- ions have hitherto been viewed in only a very cursory manner. Among these there do not seem to be any which have not already been sufficiently noticed in the preceding accounts of Britain and Austria. The mountainous ridges of Prussia being few, and of little importance, there is in consequence a great deficiency of al- pine plants, the prevailing vegetables being those that inhabit level and sandy districts. Tobacco, originally a native of America, and probably also of the east, having been long cultivated in Prussia, has at length established itself in the soil, and is found in the plowed fields and hedges as a common weed. Zooloffij.^ The breeds of horses and cattle seem not to have impressed travellers with any distinction from those of the adja- cent countries ; and few parts are calculated for excellent breeds of sheep. The urus, or large and ferocious wild cat of Lithuania, have also appeared in Prussia proper, but the race seems nearly extuict. One of its chief haunts was the forest of Masavia not far from Warsaw. ' Buschiog iii. 10. t I^^hI. >i. 21i. LOW COUNTRIES. 227 Mineralogy.^ The mineralogy of the Prussian dominions will not afford an extensive theme. Sand and plains rarely contaiu minerals, and even the mountains of Silesia boast of few hidden treasures. Yet in the southern districts of that province there v/ere formerly mines of gold and silver, but the produce did not defray the expense. Mines of copper and lead however still exist, and there are considerable founderies of iron. Agates, jaspers, and rock crystal, arc also found in the Silesian mountains. Coal, a more useful mineral, occurs in various parts of Silesia, and the level districts sometimes offer good peat moors. But the most distinguished and peculiar mineral production of Prussia is amber, which is chiefly found on the Samland shone of the Baltic, near Pilau, on a neck of land formed by the Frisch Ilaff, which seems to have been the chief scat of this mineral from the earliest ages. It is found at the depth of about 100 feet, re- posing on wood coal, in lumps of various sizes, some five pounds in weight, and is often washed on shore by tempests. It adds about /CSOOO yearly to the royal revenue. Mineral waters.^ Silesia presents one spring of hot water at Warmbrun, near Hirschberg, which is believed to be the only mineral water Morth notice in the Prussian dominions. A'atural mriosities.^ The Sudetic chain of mountains lias been little explored, and the level parts of the Prussian dominions can, of course, afford few objects of natural curiosity, if we except the mines of amber above-mentioned. LOW COUNTRIES. THE Low Countries include the seven United Provinces, or Holland, and the Austrian and French Netherlands. They ob- tained the general name of Low Countries from their i-elative sit- uation and elevation with regard to Germany. Though they arc now an integral part of the French Empire, we have still concluded to give them a separate description. The natural characteristics of these countries are entirely different from those of France ; the inhabitants of all of them are wholly unlike the French in their or- igin, history, language and character, and those of Holland also in their religion. These facts authorize us to hope that the first great change in Europe will release them from their present thraldom ; and that Holland, at least, may again be ranked among independent nations. 228 HOLLAND. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. NAMES, EXTENT, DIVISIONS, COLONIES, ORIGINAL POPULATION', PROGRESSIVE GEOGRAPHY, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, ANTIQUITIES, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, LAWS, POPULATION, ARMY, NAVY, REVENUE, BANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, EDUCATION, CITIES AND TOWNS, INLAND NAVIGATION, MANU- FACTURES AND COMMERCE. J\/'a?nes.'] HOLLAND was a part of Gallia Belgica. Its apj)ropriate name was Batavia from the Batavi^ a people highly celebrated by Tacitus. The limits of Batavia were not however equally extensive with those of modern Holland. The name o£ Holland is said by some to be derived from the German Avord Holtland^ signifying- woodland. Pinkerton with more probability says the country was so called from the German word Hohl^ cor- responding to the English word hollow. The name was original- ly given only to the largest of the provinces, but in process of time v/as tranfcrred to the whole seven. The people arc called Dutch^ and sometimes Lonv Dutch.^ from the German Deutach or Teutsch ; as the Germans are High Dutch : Dcut^chland properly signify- ing the whole extent of Germany and the Low countries. Extent.~\ The length of Holland from the N. of Groningen to the southern boundary along Austrian Flanders and Brabant is about 150 miles ; the Ijreadth is 100. The square miles before the late addition of East Friesland on the N. E. from Germany, were, according to Hassel, 1 1,415, East Friesland with Fever, Va- rel, and Knipliauscn, contains 1247. Divisio7is.lf There were originally seven provinces in Holland. Zealand and Holland lay on the W. Friesland and Groningen or Zutphen on the N. Overyssel and Guclders on the E. and Utrecht on the S. Dutch Flanders was afterwards annexed on the S. W. and Dutch Brabant a much larger territory on the S. and S. E — • When the United Provinces in 1806 were erected into a kingdom, East Friesland was added to it on the N. E. Holland was divided into Amstelland and INIaasland ; Drentc was taken from Overys- sel, and formed into a distinct territory ; Brabant was made an in- tegral part of the kingdon^. ; and Dutch Flanders was annexed to France. The following is Hassel's tabic of the Departments, wi^h their extent and population in 1809. 1. Amstelland, 960 458,000 2. Maasland, 1296 341,978 3. Utrecht, 513 108,820 4. Zealand, 414 74,050 5. Brabant, 1689 207,708 6. Guelders, 209t 323,282 7. Overyssel, 1337 135,060 8. Drente, 815 39,672 9. Fricsland, 1192 96,846 10. Groningen, 1107 103,000 1 1, E. Friesland, 1247 133,000 229 12,662 2,001,416 Colomes.~\ The foreign possessions of Holland were extensive and valtiablc before the commencement of the French Revolution. Since that event they have all except Batavia fallen into the hands of the English. I. In Asia. 1 . Factories at Gomson and Bassora in the Persian Gulf. 2. At Surat Petra, &c. 3. Cochin and several other set- tlements on the Malabar and Coromandel coasts. 4. The Sea coast of the island of Ceylon. 5. The Government of Batavia in Java 916,000 inhabitants. 6. Island of Madura 60,000. 7. Gov- ernment of Amboyna Banda Ternate Tidor Motyr and Bachian 300,000. 8. Government of Malacca. 9. Possessions in Borneo, Celebes and Timor. 10. Chinsura in Bengal. Population of the three last 500,000. (Hassel.) II. In Africa. 1. Cape of Good Hope. 2. Thirteen small fac- tories on the Coast of Guinea. III. In the West Indies. 1. Carra9as. 2. Eustatia and Saba, o. St. Martyn. IV. In Sovith America. Surrinam, Essequebo, Berbice and Demarara. Original Po/iulation.'] The original population appears to have been Celtic : but when the Romans conquered this country, the chief inhabitants were the Batavi, the most northern people of Belgic Gaul, and incontestibly a German or Gothic progeny ; who appear to have been secure in their marshes and islands, till the Fri- siajis, the next adjacent people in the north, in the seventh centu- ry extended themselves even down to the Scheld. In the eighth century the Frisians were subdued by the Franks under Charles Martel ; but the Frisians and Franks may be regarded as mingled in the population with the ancient Batavians.* Progresftiz'c Geografihy.'] The progressive geography of this region becomes curious and interesting, from the singular phe- nomenon of the increase of the sea. Upon inspecting the accu- rate maps of the ancient and middle geography of Gaul by D'An- villc, it will be perceived that the R line divided itself into two grand branches at Burginasium or Schenk, about 5 miles N. W. of the Colonia Trajana,no\v an inconsiderable hamlet called Koln near Cleyes. The southern branch joined the Mcuse at the town of Mosa or Meuvi ; while the northern passed by Durstadt, Utrecht, and Leydcn, into tlie ocean. From the northern branch was led the canal of Drusus, which originally joined the Rhine to the Issil, . a river that flowed into a considerable inland lake called Flevo, now a southern portion of the Zuyder Zee. This canal of Drusus * D'Anvillc, Etats form, en Europe, p. 26, 230 HOLLAND. being neglected, and left to the operations of nature, the Rhine joined the Issil with such force that their conjunct waters in- creased tlie Lake of Flevo to a great extent; and instead of a river of tlje same name, which ran for near 50 Roman miles from that lake to the sea, there was opened the wide gulf which now forms the entrance. The northern and chief mouth of the Rhine was, ut the same time, weakened and almost lost by the division of its waters, and even the canal of Drusus was afterwards almost oblit- erated by the deposition of mud in a low country, in the same manner as some of the ancient mouths of the Nile have disap- peared in the Delta of Egypt. The southern branch of the Rhine, Avhich flowed into the estu- ary of the Mcuse, as above mentioned, was anciently called V^aha- lis, a name retained in the modern Waal ; the ancient isle of the Batavi being included between the two branches of the Rhine, and thus extending about one hundred Roman miles in length by about 22 at the greatest bi-eadth. The estuaries of the Mcuse and the Scheld have also been open to great inroads from the ocean : and the latter in particular, which anciently formed a mere delta, with four or five small branches, now presents the islands of Zea- land, and the most southern of those of Holland, divided by wide creeks of the sea. This remarkable irruption is supposed to have happened at the time that the Goodwin sands arose. These great changes may be conceived to have made a slow and gradual pro- gress ; and none of them seem so ancient as the time of Charle- magne. Some of them are so recent as the 15th century ; for in 1421 the estuary of the Meuse, or Maese, suddenly formed a vast lake to the vS. E. of Dort, overwhelming 72 large villages, with one hundred thousand inhabitants, Avho perished in the deluge.* By a subsequent change the Rhine was again subdivided ; and a chief branch fell into the Lcck, which joins the estuary of the Meuse between Dort and Rotterdam, and must now be regarded as the northern mouth of that noble river ; while the Vahalis or Waal continues to be the southern : both branches being lost in a compar'atively small stream the Meuse. The less important va- riations in the geography may be traced with some precision in the Francic historians, and other writers of the middle ages. Hintorical Efiochs.] Among the chief historical epochs may be numbered ; 1. The actions of the Batavi in the Roman period, from the first mention of that nation by Julius Caesar. 2. The conquest by the Frisians, and afterwards by the Danes, and by the Franks. 3. The countries watered by the Mcuse and the Rhine were for a long time divided into small earldoms; but in the year 923 Theodoric or Diedric, brother of Herman duke of Saxony, and of Wickman earl of Ghent, was appointed count of Holland by • Cluver. 96. Guicciardini, 271. Some authers arbitrarily assign these cbiinges tg violent lenipcsts, A. ]). 8G0; others to 1170. A Zealaiidie chronicler, rovince of the same name, is in the nortliern part of Holland, about 10 miles from the sea. — The river Hunes runs through it to the ocean northward, and the Dunster runs eastward to the estuary of the Ems. Its port is very commodious, into which ships enter with great ease by means of the canal. The university was established in 1614. The town is strongly fortified, and adorned with many excellent buildings, puolic and private. It contained in 1796, 23,770 inhabitants. Haerlcm, or Harlem, in Holland, lies on the Sparen, about 3 miles from the Sea or Lake of Haerlem. It contains 4 Dutch Calvinist churches, ! French Calvinist, 1 Lutheran, 1 Arminian, 4 Anabaptists, and sfveral private Catholic chapels. Here are extensive manufactories of linen, ribbands and tape. The num- ber of houses iii 1796, was 7,963, and of inhabitants 21,360. Dort, or Dordrecht, in Holland, lies on a small island in the Mouse, which v/as first detached from the main land by an irrup- tion of the river in 1421. Its harbor is very commodious for trade. It contained in 1796 about 4000 houses and 18,014 inhabitants. Middlcburg, the chief town in Zealand and the capital of the island of Walchcrcn, was surrounded by a wall in 1132. The town house is a large magnificent building. The fortificaiions are strong and regular. The situation is extremely unhealthy. In 1796 it contained 17,687 inhabitants. In 1809 the town and tiie island were taken by the British, but Avere soon after abandoned. Lcuwa.'den, the capital of Friesland, is large, and well fortified. All the streets are straight, broad and liandsomc. Various canals connect it with the sea and with otiur parts of the province, by jTicans of which it carries on a considerable trade. In 1796 it contained 15,525 inhabitants. Nuncgucn, inGuclderland, stands on the south side of the W4l- HOLLAND. 237 hal, the southern branch of the Rhine. It is a very ancient city, has 13 gates, and is well fortified. In 1796 it contained 12,785 in- habitants. Delft, in Holland, is situated on a large canal called the Schie, connected with the Meuse at Schiedam. The country is low, but pleasant. It contained in 1796 about 5000 houses, and 13,737 in- habitants. Tlic city was formerly much celebrated for its beer, and for \ts d elf l -ware. Of the remaining towns, Herzogenbusch, in 1796, contained 12,627 inhabitants, Zwole 12,220, Gouda 11,715, Emden 11,128, Arnhcim 10,080, Zaandam 10,012, Hoorn 9551, Schiedam 9111, Amersfoort 8584, Tilbury 8532, Alkmaar 8373, Breda 8250, Harlingen 7456, Zutphen 6878, Enkhuysen 6803, and Zierikzee 6086. Inland J\"avigation.~\ The canals of Holland arc innumerable, and they serve the purpose of public roads. By those of Holland and the Netherlands a prodigious inland trade is carried on between those countries, and France and Germany. When frozen, the in- habitants travel on them with skaits ; while heavy burdens are conveyed in sleighs. The profits which have accrued from them have been incalculable. They are generally 60 feet wide and 6 deep, and are kept well cleansed; the mud being very valuable as manure. They are generally level and need no locks. Manufactures and Co7nmerce.^ The chief manufactures of Hol- land are linens, many of which however are made in Silesia ; pot tcry, and painted tiles, especially at Delft; leather, wax, snuff, sugar, starch, paper, besides some of woollen, cotton, and silk.* But the most precious branch of commerce consisted in spices and drugs, brought from the settlements in the East Indies ; and the Dutch East India company was, for a considerable time, the greatest mercantile firm in Europe. The fishery in the Northern Seas, and even on their own and the English coasts, was also an object of great commercial importance. Latterly perhaps the chief advantage was derived from Holland being the grand de- posit of commerce between Great Britain and the continent, par- ticularly Germany and France. The inland trade with Germany, by the canals and the Rhine, is almost the only branch which has escaped the ravages of war. Of this the most remarkable feature consists in the vast floats of timber, Avhich arrive at Dort from Andernach, and other places on the Rhine, whoso copious stream received the trees of the German forests. The lengtli of these rafts is from 700 to 1000 feet, the breadth from 50 to 90 ; and 500 labourers direct the floating island, which is crowned with a' vil- lage of timber huts for their reception. The navigation is con- ducted witl\ the strictest regularity ; and on their arrival at Dort the sale of one raft occupies several months, and frequently pro- duccs^more than ;G30,000 sterling. f The other branches of inland traffic are numerous : and the Rhine may be said to supply Hol- land with insular advantages, secure from the destructive inroads of maritime war. At present the Dutch have no commerce on the ocean. • Marshalj vol. i. 225—255. f Radcliffe, ii, lU. I !?38 HOLLAND. CHAPTER n. > XATLRAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AG- RICULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, ISLANDS. CUmate and Seasons.'] THE air of Holland is always moist and cold. Strangers coaiplain of it as unhealthy ; but the natives enjoy more than commonly firm and vigorous constitu- lions. The phlegm of the Dutch character is in a great measure attributable to their climate. Face of the Country.'] The coast is every where flat and sandy ; and so low, that the inhabitants have been obliged to build dykes or movnids along a great part of it to prevent inundations from the ocean. They are usually 25 feet in height and 25 ells in thick- ness. The coast of the small province of Zealand alone, is dyked to the extent of 40 miles, at an original expense of >C340,000 ster- ling. Holland, Fi'iesland, Groningen, and East Fricsland are similarly defended. The general face of the interior is that of a Harge m.arsh that has been drained. Much of the surface is below the level of the sea. The meadosvs are usually under water in the winter; but the inhabitants in the spring discharge this water into the canals and ditches by mills invented for the purpose. In the midst of these SAvamps and marshes, the eye is surprised and delighted to sec numerous and important cities and towns rising- in quick succession, and all the intervening country wearing the appearance of a continued flourishing village. Industry seems to have selected this most untoward spot as her favorite residence, and here the extent of her powers is most strikingly displayed. Yet the E. of Dutch Brabant is still disfigured by the large morass ©f Peal extending about 30 miles in length : Over-Yssel is almost wholly composed of marshes and heaths : and the morass of Bour- tang rivals that of Peal in extent. The S. and S. E. parts ofp'ries- land, Groningen and E. Fricslend present extensive heaths ; Avhile the parts towards the sea rival the morasses of Holland. Thus the whole country may be said to display an intimate combination of land and water ; and the few elevations commonly consist of barren sand. Soil and jlgriciilturc] The agriculture of such provinces can- not be expected to be considerable, the land being mostly under pasturage, except a few crops of madder, and tobacco, which are cultivated with great predilection.* The pasturages in the north of Holland, especially those of Bemster, and in Friesland, supply such quantities of excellent butter, as to become a staple article of commerce. The cows seem to have been originally from Hol- stein, and the utmost attention is paid to warmth and cleanliness, * Marshall, i. 26 i. HOLLAND. . 23^. so that even in summer the animals appear in the mcadov.s cloth- ed with ludicrous care.* Haijs.^ The Zuyder Zee is a great hay of the Gemian Ocean, setting up from the N. into the United Provinces. It is so called irom its situation towards the S. and is said formerly to have been a lake ; an opinion which the great number of the shoals and islands at its mouth certainly countenances. It is of a winding irregular figure, and has a circuitous h.ngth of about 120 miles. It abounds in shoals and flats. Holland and the islands Texel, Vlieland, Scheling, and Amelandt separate it from the main ocean. The northern branch of the Rhine called the IssqI falls into the S. E. part of this sea near Campen. The common estuary of the Scheldt, the Meuse, and the two southern branches of the Rhine is a broad hay setting up from the VV. between Holland and Dutch Flanders. The Dutch call it the Zeeuwsc/ie Stromen, or Sea-Streams. Dollart Bay, between Gro- ningen and E. Friesland, was formed by an inundation in 1277, which is said to have destroyed 33 villages. It receives the waters of the Ems. Jiivn-s.^ The Rhine has three sources, all of which rise in the country of the Oi'isons. The northeni rises from a glacier on the summit of mount Bedus or Bader. The Middle Rhine is the long- est, and rises not far from motmt St. Gothard. These united receive the southern which rises from mount Avicula at the head of a valley about nine leagues long, called the RhincAvald. These heights are upwards of 6000 feet above the level of the sea. The course is E. of N. to the southern corner of the lake of Con- stance, whence it bends west to Basil. It pervades or borders Sv.'itzerland for the space of 250 miles. From Basil it runs N. E. to Spire, and thence N. W. to the ocean. From its northern bend to its entrance irito Holland it is the present boundary be- tween Germany and France. Its principal tributaries are the Aar from Switzerland, the Neckar, the Mayn, the Lahn, and the Lippe from Germany, and the Moselle from France. As it enters Holland it divides at Schenkan Schans. The southern branch, the Wahal, Vahalis, pursues a south westerly course, mingles with the Meuse at the small island of Voorn, separates from it, and joins it again at Warcum. The united stream flows into the ocean, after passing the islands of Holland and Zealand. The northern branch, retaining the name of the Rhine, runs N. about 10 miles, and again divides near Arnheim. The rigiit branch called the Issel, Halla, flows N. and falls into the Zuyder Zee at Campen. The left branch, still called the Rhine, runs west- ward to Wyck where it divides a tliird time. The larger branch, called the Lech, runs S. of W. and joins the Wahal and Meuse at Crimpc. The other called the Old Rf'Mic^ and anciently the chief arm of the river, runs N. W. by Utrecht, ^Voerden and liCyden, and loses itself in the sand a few miles from this latter city, and at a small distance from the German ocean. The whole length of the Rhine is about 800 miles. * Marshall, i. C^ 2.40 HOLLAND. The Meiise rises in France near the sources of the Seine, the Saonc, and the Moselle. Its course is principally northerly, in France and the Netherlands ; and W. in Holland. The mouths of the Scheldt are in Holland. The Ems also is now in part a Dutch river. The Wechte rises in Germany and empties into the Zuydcr a little north of the Issel at Gelmuyden. JLai-es.^ The lakes are of small extent, if we except what is called the sea of Haarlem, on the N. of which is the Y, a broad piece of water passing through Amsterdam, rather wearing the semblance of a creek of the sea, than of a river. There are oth- er small lakes in the N. of Holland, and in Frieslaud and in Gron- ingen ; not to mention some amidst the marshes of Over-Yssel. Botany.'] Few of the plants or trees of Holland are peculiar to it, or worthy of particular notice. Zoology.'] In the zoology of tlie United Province:^ there is nothing peculiar, or worthy of remark ; the horses are chiefly from England and Flanders, the oxen from Holstein. The stork is here frequent. The shores abound v/ith excellent fish, partic- ularly turbot and soals. Mineralogy.] Minerals are unknown, if we accept the slight inci- sions for peat ; which the Dutch not only procure from the morass- es, but also from the bottoms of the river, by dragging up the mud, ■which is exposed to dry on the shore, then cut into small pieces, and again dried for use. No mineral waters are here known ; and there are few uncommon appearances of nature, though the whole country may be deemed an artificial curiosity, from the number of canals, and from the vast dykes erected to exclude the sea. Islands.] Cadsand, near the coast of Dutch Flanders, com- mands the entrance of the West Scheldt. It is fertile in corn ; the meadows are luxui'iant ; and the farmers make excellent cheese. Cassandria is the pi'incipal place. Walcheren, the most westerly of the isles in the province of Zealand, is 13 miles from N. to S. and 8 from E. to W. Flushing, or Vliessengcn., the next town after Middlcburg, is the key of the Scheldt and contain- ed in 1796, 5691 inhabitants. South Beveland is about 20 miles long and 7 wide. The chief town Goes is well fortified, and contt^ins 3700 inhabitants. North Beveland is 6 miles long, and 4 broad. Tolcn is 10 miles long, and 4 broad. Tolen, the capital, is a handsome town, and strongly fortified. Schouwen, N. E. of Walcheren, is 14 miles long and 5 broad. Ziriczee, the capital, is one of the oldest towns, and was built and walled in 859. In 1796 it contained 1800 houses and 6086 inhab- itants. St. Philip's Land and Duyvelland lie east of Schouwen. Ovarflakee is in the province of Holland. Sommerdyk is the capital. Goeree is 10 miles in circumference. Voorn is 20 miles long and 5 broad. Briel, the capital, is on the N. side, has a good harbor, 970 houses, and 3170 inhabitants. NETHERLANDS. 241 Here admiral Tromp was born. Helvetsluys, on the 8. side of the island, ha^ a noble harbor, and is the general port for packets from England, Beyerlandtlics between Voorn and Dort. Stryen is the capital. Isselmond is a long narrow island opposite Rotterdam. The Texel, at the mouth of the Zuyder, a part of Holland, is 15 miles long, and 6 broad. The town of the same name has an ex- cellent harbor, and a fort which commands the entrance. The land is fertile and well secured with dykes. Vlieland, 8 miles long and 3 wide, is 5 miles from fhe Texel. Schclling is a narrow sand bank, 15 miles long and 3 wide. Amelandt, a part of Friesland, is 12 miles long and 3 wide. Litr tic islands are scattered eastward along the whole coast of Git/- ningcn and East Friesland. NETHERLANDS. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. -XAMES, EXTENT, DIVISIONS, ORIGINAL POPULATION, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, UNIVERSITIES, ARTS, TOWNS, EDIFICES, INLAND NAVIGATION, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. OUR account of this country must be very brief, as it will be included under the next article. JVfi7?zt-,s.] This territory was a part of Gallia Belgica ; and the chief tribes were the iMena/iii, the Tungri^ the jYi-rvi, and the Mo- riui. After the irruption of the Franks it formed a part of A'eus-^ ttia, or the new kingdom ; the ancient kingdom of the t'raaks be- ing on the E. of the Rliine. In the middle of the 9th centuff arose the powerful house of the Earls of Flanders ; a:;d the Counts of Hainaut commence about the same period. The Dukes of Lower Lorrain and Brabant arc little known before the end of the luth. — In the 15th, most of the country v.'as subjected to the Dukes of Burgundy. The title of Austria to the Netherlands came through the heiress of the latter house. The inhabitants of Flanders are called Fle7uings<, and this name is sometimes applied to all the Netherlands. Extent.'] The length of the Netherlands, from Dunkirk to the frontiers of Treves, is about 200 miles, and the breadth is about 120. They contain 17,500 square miles. Boundaries.] Bounded N. by Holland ; E. by Germany ; S. and S. W. by France ; W. by the German ocean. Divisions.] This territory, before the French Revolution, com- prised 40 provinces ; and bejonged to Austria, fhc French, and the Dutch. VOL. II. " 1 242 NETHERLANDS. ^ 1. PROVINCE OF BRABANT. Subili\isioU9. Cliief Town?. fBoisleduc Breda J. N. _ , T. , ^ j BerGren-op-Zoom I.Dutch Brabant <: Grave, n! E. Lillo I ^ y^ ^Steenburgeii 3 'Brussels, E. Ion. 4 6, N. lat. 50 50 T» 1 J Louvain 1 2. Austrian Brabant o i? French Luxemburg. ^Montmcdy 5 ^•^' 6. PROVINCE OF NAMUR, |K In the middle, formerly subject to Austria. {Namur, on the Sambre and MaesCj E. Ion. 4 50, N. lat. 50 30. Charleroy on the Sambre. 7. PROVINCE OF HAINAULT. Subdivisions. Cliief Towns. . ,T • , CMons, E. Ion. 3 53, N. lat. 50 30> in the Austrian Hainauh. jAethEnguien _ 5 middle „ , ,x • , \ Valenciennes Bouchain Conde > <, axt- FrcnchHainault. ^L^ndrecy S ^- ^' 8. PROVINCE OF CAMBRESIS'. CCambray, E. of Arras, E. long. 3 15, N. lat. 50 15. Crevccour, S. of Cambray. Subject to France. < lat. 50 15. NETHERLANDS. 243 Subject to France. PROVINCE OF ARTOIS. 'Arras, S. W. on the Scarpe,E. Ion. 2 5, N- lat. 51 20. St. Omcr, E. of Bolognc. Aire, S. of St. Omer. St. Venant, E. of Aire. Bethune, S. E. of Aire. Terouen, S. of St. Omer. Subdivisions. Dutch Flanders. Austrian Flanders. French Flanders. 10. PROVINCE OF FLANDERS. Chief Towns. CSluys, N. Axel, N. Hulst, N. Sas van i Ghent, N. Ghent on the Scheldt, E. Ion. 3 36, N. lat. 51. Bruges 1 Ostend i. N. W. near the sea. Newport j Oudenard, on the Scheldt. Coutray } Dixmude 5 Yprcs, N. of Lisle. Tournay, on the Scheldt. ^Menin, on the Lis. Lisle, W. of Tournay. Dunkirk, on the coast E. of Calais. Douay, W. of Ari'as. Mardike, W. of Dunkirk. St. Amand, N. of Valenciennes. Gravelin, E. of Calais. On the Lis. The Netherlands now constitute numerous departments of the French empire. Origi7iai Population.'] The Celts Vfcve. the first inhabitants . They were driven out by the Bclgx, a Gothic colony ; and they by a kindred nation, the Franks. Historical Epochs.'] 1. The occupation of the country by the Celts, and then by the Belgae. 2. The partial conquest by the Romans. I « 3. The conquest by the Franks. 4. The state of the country under the earls of Flanders and Hainaut. 5. The power of the dvikes of Burgundy. During these two epochs, the Netherlands became the great mart of commerce for the west of Europe. 6. The acquisition of the country by Maximilian of Austria, to- wards the end of the 15th century. After the liberty of Holland had been secured by the treaty of Utrecht, in 1579, the commerce and wealth of the Netherlands passed cjuickly to tlieir noitlicru neighbors. 244 NETHERLANDS. 7. The conquest by France, and annexation to its territories- ReUgion.~\ The established I'cligion was the Catholic, but Pro- testants were unmolested. There was one archbishopric at Ma- lines, and 9 or 10 bishoprics. GQvernme7it.~\ The Austrian Provinces were governed by a Regent. Each had its own governor also, and an assembly con- sisting of the clergy, nobility and deputies of the towns. There Avas likewise a general assembly of the provinces which met at Brussels. Notwithstanding this shadow of liberty, the Austrian Court had absolute poAver. Pofiulation.~\ According to the Imperial Almanac of 1808, the population of the Netherlands amounts to 4,140,255; of which 1,410,670 belong to what were formerly called French Nether- lands ; and 2,729,585 to the Austrian and Dutch Netherlands. This is a population for the whole country of 236 to the square mile. Manners and Custom!ir\ The Flemings on the frontiers of Holland dress like the Dutch boors, and are scarcely distinguish- able from them in character or appearance. The inhabitants of French Flanders, on the contrary, have much of the French vivac- ity, and dress like their southern neighbors. Language.^ The Flemish is an intermediate dialect, between the German and the Dutch. The better sort of people speak the Fr'iich. The language of the common people on the borders of Fraice is Flemisli and French intermixed, and is called the Walloon. Universities.'] These Avcre at Louvain, Tournay, Douay, and St. Omer. The first was founded in 1426, had great privileges, and Avas long highly celebrated. y/n's.] Tlie Flemish painters and sculptors have great merit, and form a school by themselves. Tne Avorks of Rubens and Vandyke cannot be forgotten. The Flem'ngs formerly engross- ed tapestry weaving to themselves. They have invented various valuable manufactures. Cities and Toivns.~\ Brussels, in Austrian Brabant, was built in the latter part of the 9th century. It stands partly on a hill, and partly in a valley, on the banks of the Sonne, a branch of the Scheldt, and is said to be seven miles in circumference. The chief edifices are the church of St. Guduic, the palace, the, guild- hall, an4 the hotel de ville. There is a park, a green walk on the canal 2 miles in length, 7 market places, and 20 public fountains adorned with statues. Its camlet and tapestry were formerly in higii estimation, and its lace and its carpets are known all over the woi'id. It contained, in 1802, 66,297 inhabitants. Before the revolution, Brussels was the capital uf the Austrian Nether- lands. Antwerp is built in a large plain, on the east bank of the Scheldt ; which is deep enough to admit vessels of great burthen close to the quays; and by means of the canals vessels may be. brought to unload at the very doors. It is surrounded by a wall 3Jid regular fortifications. The streets are genarally wide {ind NETHERLANDS. 245 straight. The chief edifices are the cathedral, the stadthouse, and the exchange. Its population, in 1803, was 56,318 souls — About two centuries and a half ago Antwerp was the most com- mercial city in the world. In 1543, it contained, according to Guicciardini, 100,000 inhabitants. When the Dutch revolted from Spain, they destroyed the commerce of this city, by sinking obstructions in the channel of the river. Ghent, in Austrian Flanders, anciently TVanda, was the chief city of the JVervii. It is built at the conflux of the Scheldt, the Lys, and the Licve ; and was in the time of Charles V. a large, strong, and splendid city. It has cloth, linen, and silk manufac- tures, and its trade is greatly facilitated by several excellent ca- nals. It contained, in 1802, 55,161 inhabitants. Charles V. was born here. Lisle, in French Flanders, was built in 640. It stands in a rich marshy plain on the Deule, and was fortified by Vauban. Its cit- adel is thought the strongest in Europe, except that of Turin. The inhabitants carry on a variety of manufactures, and in 1802, amounted to 54,756. Bruges, in Austrian Flanders, is built at a small distance from the German Ocean, and has communication, by means of canals, with Dunkirk, Ostend, Nicuport, Sluys, and Ghent. In the 13th and 14th centuries, it was the greatest emporium in Europe. It is still a place of considerable trade, and has manufactories of baize and linens. In 1808, it contained 33,632 inhabitants. Tournay, Tumacum, in Austrian Flanders, the most ancient town of the Netherlands, and a city of the JVervii^ is said to have been built 600 years before our Saviour. It stands upon the Scheldt, near tlie frontier of these provinces. It contained, in 1802, 3800 houses, and 21,349 inhabitants. Dunkirk, in French Flanders, or (he church on the downs, is a large maritime town with one of the best harbours on the coast. The strength of its fortifications and the fact that it is the key of the Netherlands, have rendered it the object of perpetual conten- tion among the various powers of Europe. Few towns have had so many masters, or suffered so often or so much from sieges and bombardments. In 1636 it contained 1639 houses, and 14,374 in- habitants ; and in 1802, 1800 houses, and 21,158 inhabitants. The chief manufactures are those of tobacco, starch, glass and leather, beside several ropewalks, distilleries and sugar-houses. St. Omcr, in Artois, is built on the Aa, and strongly fortified. In 1802, it contained 20,109 inhabitants. Arras, jVcmetaciati, on the Scarp, was the capital of Artois. The fortifications were by Vauban. Houses, in 1802, 3768 ; inhabit- ants, 19,958. Douay, Duacuiyi, is built in a fertile country on the Scarp, and is well fortified. Here are manufactwrcs of earthen-ware, glass "bottles, soap, oil, tin, linen, cambric, cambric muslin, thread, and thread lace. It contained, in 1802, 2737 houses, and 18,230 inhab- itants, Monsj in Austrian Hainaut, on a branch of the Scheldt, is said 246 NETHERLANDS., to have been a town cf some standing in the time of Caesar. The streets arc broad, and the public buildings rich -and elegant. In 1802, it had 4600 houses, and 18,291 inhabitants. Macstritcht, in Brabant, on the Meuse, with a small territory around it, belonged to the Dutch. It is one of the strongest places in Europe. It contained, in 1802, 17,963 inhabitants. Valenciennes, at the head of navigation on the Scheldt, iu French Hainaut, is said to have been built by the emperor Valcn- tinian, A. D. 367. The fortifications arc regular and strong. The streets are generally narrow, dark, and crooked. In 1802, the town contained 2500 houses, and 16,918 inhabitants. Its munici- pal laws have been celebrated for their wisdom, and were the models of those of Venice and Nurcmburg. Malines, or Mechlin, on the Dyle, a tiibutary of the Scheldt, was the only archbishopric of the Netherlands. Here arc manu- factures of bed-quiits, thread, and lace. These last are celebrat- ed. Here is also an extensive cannon foundery. In 1802, the inhabitants were 16,072. Ypres, or Ipres, in Austrian Flanders, has extensive manufac- tures of cloth and serge. It stands on the Ypre, and contained, in 1802, 15,148 iniiabitants. Namur, in a valley at the conflux of the Meuse and the Sambre, is tl ought not to be sui^passed in the strength of its fortifications, by any place in Europe. The motto over one of its gates is " Beddi non vinci fiotcst." Inhabitants in 1802, 15,085. Cambray, Catnaracumy in Cambresis, on the Scheldt, near its source, is fortified by a strong citadel and a fort. It* has twelve churches, three abbies, two convents, and two hospitals. Its prin- cipal manufactures are lace, linen cambric, soap and leather. In- habitants in 1802, 15,830. Courtrai, or Ccrtrick, in Austrian Flanders, stands upon the Lys, and is celcbiated for its manufacture of table linen. It has suffered severely iu the wars in the Netherlands. Inhabitants, in 1802, 13,572. Ostcnd, in Austrian Flanders, is built on an excellent harbor, on the German Ocean. It is one of the keys of the Netherlands, and rivals even Dunkirk, Namur and Maestricht in the strength of its fortifications. At the beginning of the 1 7th century, it endur- ed a siege of more than three years, and was not surrendered till 80,000 Spaniards had fallen before it. Its population, in 1802, amounted only to 10,459. Luxemburg, Augii:-ita Romanorum., lies on the Alsitz, a branch of the Moselle, and had 9002 inhabitants in 1802. Edifices.'] Even at the present day, every traveller is impres- sed with surprise, not only at the number, but the great extent of the Flemish cities, towns, and even villages ; in which respect the Netherlands exceed every country in Europe, except the United Provinces. The chief edifices are the cathedrals, churches and monasteries ; though a few castles belonging to ancient families or , rich merchants, used to attract some notice; thcjtaste of the lat- ter buildings being faithfully copied in the Flemish landscapes, NETHERLANDS. 24* and more remarkable for peaked roofs, fantastic ornaments, the muddy moat, and draw-bridge, than for grandeur of design, or beauty of situation. Inland J\ravigation.'\ Idle would be the attempt even to enu- merate tlie canals which intersect tht-se provinces in all direc- tions. Some of them date even from the tenth century, and the canal from Brussels to the Scheldt is of the sixteenth. Other im- portant canals extend from Ghent, Ant« erp, Ostend, and other cities and towns, especially in the western districts ; but, under the Austrian domination, these important means of intercourse were shamefully neglected. Manufacturca and ConunerceJi The manufactures and com- merce of the Netherlands, for a long period superior to any in the west of Europe, have suffered a radical and total decline, owing partly to the other powers entering- into competition, and partly to the establishment of freedom in the United Provinces, whence Amsterdam arose upon the ruins of Antwerp. What little com- merce remains is chieily inland to Germany, the external employ- ing very few native vessels. The East India Company establish- ed at Ostend was suppressed by the jealousy of England and other powers ; and the chief commerce was afterwards carried on by the English established in that city. Yet of the manufactures a few fragments remain : Cambray, is still renowned for the cam- brics which thence derived their name ; as Tournay, or Dornick ■was anciently famous for the finest linens. At Bruges there are still some manufactures of broad says, baize and other woolens • considerable fabrics of broadcloth, druggets, shalloons, and stock- ings, were conducted at St. Omer, chiefly with wool smuggled from England.* But the chief manufactures are of fine linen, and laces, at Mechlin, Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, and Louvain, which still enrich the country around, and induce the farmers to culti- vate flax, even on the poorest 3oils.t The Netlierlands produce, for home consumption, abundance of corn and vegetables ; and the coal mines would become important, if the operations were skil- fully conducted. There is besides abundance of turf for fuel ; with iron, porcelain clay, and other commodities. CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLMIATE, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL. AND AGRICULTURE, RIV- ERS, FORESTS, MINERALOGY. Climate.'] THE climate is equally moist, but less cold than that of Holland. It considerably resembles that of the south of England, though the seasons are m6re regular. The vine is cultivated with success in Luxemburg. Face of the Country.] Flanders is one uniform level, in whicli tlie rivers and the canals are scarcely distinguishable. Farthel- * Marshall, ii- U. r Tbic^.fiS. 248 NETHERLANDS. east the country is pleasantly diversified -with hills and valliesy meadows, fields, and forests. ' Soil and jigriculture.'] The soil is in s^eneral a rich sandy loam, sometimes interspersed Avith fields of clay, but oftener -with large tracts of sand. The agriculture of the Netherlands has been cel- ebrated for 600 years, ever since their commerce and manufac- tures were extensive. They were long considered the garden of Europe ; a praise which they still share with England and Lom- bardy. Flax is a great source of riches to the country. The butter and cheese equal those of Holland. Rivers.~\ The Scheldt, the ancient Scaldis, rises in France, about 8 miles N. of St. Quintin, and runs N. E. to Antwerp 7 and thence, N. W. to the German Ocean. About 15 miles below Ant- werp, it divides into numerous branches, which encompass the isl- ands of Zealand. These branches are called by the Dutch Zecuivsche Stromen, or sea {itrea?ns, being chiefly arms of the sea. The length of this river is about 150 iTiiles. The Lys rises in France, near Lysburg, and runs N. E. to the Scheldt, which it joins at Ghent. The Dender falls into the same river at Dendermondc. The Dyle rises a little N. W. of Namur, and unites with the Scheldt at Niel, after receiving the Derme, the Sennc, and the Nette. The Meuse has been described. The Sambre rises near Nouvion, and runs N. E. to Namur, where it falls into the Meuse. The Moselle, Mosella, rises in the mountains of the Vosges, runs through Luxeml^urg, and falls into the Rliine at Coblentz. Forests.^ That of Soigne is in Brabant. Further to the cast and south, are immense forests, which almost pervade Hainaut and Luxemburg, from Valenciennes to Treves, forming striking remains of the ancient forest of Ardenne. Mineralogy. Coal is found in several districts. Lead and cop- per are found in Namur ; in Hainaut iron and slate ; and Luxem- burg derives its chief wealth from its iron works. Marble and alabaster are also found in the eastern districts. FRENCH EMPIRE. 249 * C) ,—i ys 00 — t^ 00 »n CO -1 CO CO to C\ a '^'' a> 00 V3 O — 00 o t^ « o i-H 1^ CM (N (N n O 1^ vo -^ »o t>. Oi ■V CO >r> rl< a> 00 — < — « '^ ■* •^ ^~ c/5 a. " Nl 5' 1 1 Chief Bru Ghe lation. ,121 ,964 f- fi^S wtoOT;,. Ptfl oh.-^»0- oco— 'OiioOt^ CO 00 O'. c^ «? £- TifinTft ^ pll^^iO 00 >0'*-<*(NCM— "CN to C^C^CO <£> 3 :^ w (J ■< to OT S.2 j2 •5 S lU ■a ^ ti >, . P5 -TJ » S A ^ c: -^ c J3 0 CJ H c ?i s 0 -S rt 0 0 tf C/2 ^ Pi 0 3 0 rt Oj (0 0 CL, « <*- oT X r5 +_ 3 r " ^-rt*3 !-_. 3?; VOL. II. . 32^ 250 FRENCH EMPIRE. »; o Tf CO o — • CO T? Oc^JcocnO^Ocooo'^'^^O rrco^br-TaicTaToiooour o go § I 3 o I ^ ' O '^ ul O g g M S ° § S :z; W O !^ <1 Q S > c „ m o «h3 eo to h. Ni <0 c» cj o o r» ci a> >o T? •* -*" o" oiT c<> 00 00 CO -< O rt y fl ^ COS 3 oooooM»o--'- >O-^c0C0t^'*C0O00C0-*'*CTlCN 00 (i<£!Tic-»(MC<» ■3 CO K ^ O ■* :5 iv — c» (N b- t^ CO 00^ CT> «2L S ci c" ^ »o i-o" S5 •«*< 00 <£> 0 g 0 (h [ii P^ « n3 V C bo c 4i a u a u jg 0 U •^ o> c *N 60 ■iH 0 bo 3 0 0 q; pq 0 0 73 -M c (1 a a hi Pi di o FRENCH EMPIRE. 251 'Jo *n 9S v5C^i^oo>ncocN-0 (N O <0 >rt 00 cT CO -* Q M .2 o o'C ^ C CO « 5 • % -< fW —I >• ^ .^ ^ o i> «>;z;H^j-o>OV5 ■— o c c "J (^1 o g DO-:; -C "C 'U 3 *->>s>-.t-it-t:j-ifc-r>?"C>— I C c u -; o c " OS CO "in I n 4) o u S c 3 < p* T3 ta m c d O bo ^ c o ■Ji U5^ FRENCH EMPIRE. o> r o rt 3 CO rt •— • CO (N <7i OC SO <0 VO S*- >o CTi 'ft -J Oi — "* -* c-i o^ CO Ci ^O O t- C^ C0O<0tMC0CTi<0t--<;0<£>CTih.— -t^Oi — C^OC^ — OO'OyS l^Oi ''>c^c>'^°o,i^^o^*^-^c^-^"^oooh-a>b-o<:oco^ CT> — — < lO— ' — CO — CO 00 CO—' :?^ 42 SJoSd-Sx^^JS^^ShJo^^. 2 o-e:c,o 0^0053 3 d c j:~ 00 0 >r) r<> xo m >o 0 0 fN CO CO -* '^ K v> CO CO Ck a» Tl< CO 00 0 (J> CN ^^ CM to ^ CO CO — • cr, fN 00 ri< 0 >n CO «D 00 i>- '— 00 0 UD »n to to CO — " — ' — ^ C7> CO 'JO C CO _• ^ c-^ (N 'O 0 ^^ ^^ h- r^ 00 0 CO .—4 >o 00 r>» Ch CO 0 00 0 CI CO "^ OS o tJ ^ w r P5 O ffl ,!_) c 'U 5 "6 0 P^ ^ S ^ c •N 0 0 -c c u 0 0 t/? r^ ;2 c t. 0 w fcO c :3 0 c5 0 ;3 rt pi. J 1—1 < ■p. FRENCH EMPIRE. 251 C<»0(NOfN'*'*a>>ri»Oh-C>» c» — — r» — 1^ — CO 00 —< ^> o o o O S o JyO > C > cc a^ S > <5 .=* -r o ■" -^ -r •S S ^ O ^ 3 i, U ^.5 2 S o o • =h.lv-tO00O — Ob-00— 'O _ ^■CN ■* 00 O C^ O'OCON-C^JCOiO'tOOt^C ^ ^ -^ C-l — ' 30 >-l C^ O O C b^ lO 00 «0 O O CO •'f C>» ■* oT O^ C^ t^ CO -SJ - CX ^T UU ^-^* ^'C ^J^ ^^ ^1 ' — ■ L.X U*! wfi U-i Ul IjX ^ -" U) »-" "»- e" CO — ' CN ^ " CN •* CJ O — C^ (N •<3< CO (M (M CO CO — fi ^ .2 0 D. ^ < a< o Sh t3 1) c E cJ o c < 3 Q ba 3 O 2 ^ O ° (L* be*- .2 3 5^ n +;; o *j 2 5 p J5 5 o rt c o s "3 o a O S S- ^ " ^ tf o u 2 » 4) V ^ a a 4^ a o r> tr, JZ -»- » i^ 254 FRENCH EMPIRE. The annexation of what was lately the kingdom of Holland, during the present year, has added to what is called France 12,662 square milef, and 2,001,416 inhabitants. H. DEPENDENXIES. I. In Italy and the Mediterranean, 1. Etruria 1. The territory of Florence 2. The territory of Pisa 3. The territory of Siena The islands Gorgona, Giglio, and Gianuti 2. Parma and Piacenza 1. Duchy of Parma 2. Duchy of Piacenza 3. Ionian Islands 1. Corfu 2. Paxo with Antepaxo 3. Santa Maura 4. Cefalonia 5. Theaki 6. Zante 7. Cerigo 4. Lucca and Piombino 1. Lucca 2. Piombino 3. Massa, Carrara and Garfagnana 5. Principality of Beneventum 6. Principality of Ponte Corvo II. In Switzerland, 7. Principality of Neufchatel 1 . County of Neufchatel 2. County of Vallcngin III. In Germany, 1. Hanoverian States 1. Calenburg , 2. Luneburg 3. Lauenburg- 4. Hadeln 5. Duchy of Bremen 6. Verdcn 7. Hoya 8. Diepholx 2. Swedish Pomerania 3. Erfurt with Blankcnhayn 4. Bayreuth 5. Fulda 6. Hanau 7. Lower Catzenebolgen Square Miles. 26,542 11,650 7,715 1896 965 1,074 175 44 362 14,530 InliabitaTits. 2,978,000 1,725,000 1,100,000 240,000 187,000 172,000 20,000 6,000 47,C«00 1 ,206,000 629,0Q|i) 1 1 6,000 5 1 ,000 335,000 9 1 ,000 66,000 18,000 FRANCE. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. KAMES, BOUNDARIES, EXTEKT, ORIGINAL POPULATION, PROGRES- SIVE GEOGRAPHY, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, ANTiqUITIES, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, COLONIES, ARMY, FORTIFICATIONS, NAVY, REVENUE, POLITICAL IMPORTANCE AND RELATIONS, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, EDUCATION, CITIES AND TOWNS, SEAPORTS, EDIFICES, ROADS, INLAND NAV- IGATION AND CANALS, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. J^fames.'] THAT the Phenicians occasionally visited France in their voyages to Spain and England is highly probable ; but we know of no name Avhich the country then bore, except that which it received in common with the rest of Europe, from the early Asiatics. The aborigines styled themselves Celtae. The Gi'eeks called the country Galada, and the inhabitants Golatae. Timaeus Siculus asserts that a colony of lonians, sailing from Phocea, founded Marseilles, 1 20 years before the battle of Saiamis ; corresponding with 600 before 'the christian era. About 480 years afterwards the Romans explored the S. E. parts of France, and soon founded the province called Gallia Braccata. They gave the name of Gallia to the whole country, though the name Gain was, in the time of Caesar, especially appropriated to the Celtae. The tribes in the north were then called Belgae ; those in the south Aquitani. The name Armorica,* signifying maritime^ was likewise given to the territory of the Celtae. The country was called Mranvia or France after it was taken possession of by the Franks. Boundaries.'] What was France before the revolution was bounded W. by the Bay of Biscay ; N. W. by the English clian- nel ; N. E. by the Netherlands ; E. by Germany, Switzerland and Italy ; S. E. by the Mediterranean ; and S, W. by Spain. The subsequent annexation of Holland and the Netherlands makes the Bay of Biscay, the English channel, and the German ocean, the western boundary ; and the German ocean the northern. The ad- ditions in the S. E. have still left Italy a part of the eastern boundary. Extent.'] The length of France, in 1790, from Calais to the Pyrenees, was 620 miles ; and its greatest breadth from Cape St. Mahe to the Rhine, 560. It extended from 42 10 to 51 N; and from 4 40 W. to 7 'iO E. Its contents were, according to Her- bin and Chanlaire, as quoted by Hasscl, exclusive of the islands • Armorica especially denoted the country betwec-.i the Seine ."^nd the Loire ; though, ill the time (it" C'lBSiii", ii w:is give'i to the whole nurllicrii and vcsiern co"st. Between these two nvers, and in vai-ious otIuT ,iaris of the eouiitn, liie Lellic long continued the vernacular tongue. This dialect ol'it was culled the Jltinuric. 256 FRANCE. Corsica and Elba, 187,385 square miles, or 119,926,400 acres, Templeman estimated them at 186,282 square miles, or 119,220,874 acres; while Neckar made them 205, Sl6 square miles, or 13,1,722.295 acres. Pinkerton's estimate, at 148,840 square miles, is doubtless far short of the truth. The table, which is taken from Hassel, states the extent of France in 1809, when the Netherlands, all of Germany west of the Rhine, the little territory of Geneva, and the western part of Italy had been added. The contents, as there stated, are 244,270 square miles ; of which ' 4,135 are contained in the islands Corsica and Elba ; and 17,500 were added from the Netherlands ; 12,720 from Germany, and 22,530 from Italy, including the territory of Geneva, containing about 60 square miles. If to this sum we add the square miles in Holland, we shall have a grand total of 256,932.* The present length of France, from the Pyrenees to the north coast of Holland is 790 miles. Origmal Pojiulatioii. The Celts were the first inhabitants of Gaul ; and. for a long period, they appear to have occupied the whole country without disturbance. The Ionian colony has been mentioned. Before the time of C?csar, the Belgae, a Gothic nation, had crossed the Rhine ; and, in his first campaign, he found them possessed of the territory N. and E. of the Marne and the Seine. The Jr/uitani, also, probably of African origin, had advanced fi'om Spain, and driven the Celts before them as far as the Garonne. In the 4th century a Celtic colony from Britain, in consequence of the Saxon invasion, settled in Armorica. In the 5th, the Franks or Freemen ; an assemblage of Gothic tribes from the district between the Weser, the Rhine, and the ocean ; overspread the country, and became the governing nation. Early in the 1 0th, the J^ormen^ from Scandinavia, seized upon Normandy. Their de- scendants are now possessed of that province. Progresfiive Geografihy.~\ The Romans appear at first for a long- time to have had very confused notions of the situation and extent of Gaul. The name Gallia was first given to all that part of Italy, which lies north of Ancona^ on the Adriatic, in lat. 43 37. After the conquest of this region the Roman arms advanced westward ; and, about the year 120 B. C. reduced the S. E. part of France. The country, before called Gallia simply, now received the name of Gallia Cisalpina : while, on an indefinite extent west of the maritime Alps, was bestowed the name of Gallia Transalfiina ; and, on that part of it which they had just subdued, the name of Pro-vincia Rornana^ including the late provinces of Languedoc, Provence, Dauphine, and Savoy. The stale of the country in the time of Julius Caesar has been mentioned. Transalpine Gaul was then considered as comprehending Switzerland, and all the country between the ocean, the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean, the ' Tlie minister of the Interior, in his Exposition of the ttate of the French empire presented to the 1 cgislaiive body, .[line, 1811 — says, "Since your last cession, the empire has recciNedan addition of IC departments, 5,000,000 of people, a territory yielding a rcvL-iiUe of 100,000.00.) of livres, an )iundreil leaijiies of coast, vilh aH their maritime means." FRANCE. 2A7 Alps, and the Rhine. Augustus gave the nawnc of Gallia jYurbo' ?2e7isis to the Provincia ; and divided the rest of Transalpine Gaul into ^(/uUatiia, between the Pyrenees and the Loire ; Gallia Ccl- tica^ between the Alps, the Loire and the Seine ; and Gallia Bel- fficay north of the Seine, and also including Switzerland.* In the the new arrangeme^it of the empire, made by Constantine, Trans- alpine Gaul was divided into 17 provinces. At its final subversion, the Armorici, deserted by the Romans, formed themselves into a commonwealth, to resist Clovis, king of the Francs. This they did with success ; but soon after were amicabJy received into the number of his subjects. At the same time the Burgundians, whose kingdom lay along the Rhine and the Rhone, maintained their in- dependence, and were not reduced into the form of a province, till the year 5:14. Historical E/iochs.~\ I. The possession of the country by th.3 Celtae, the Belgae, and the Aquitani. 2. The conquest by Caesar, in the yeaf 54 B. C. and the subse- quent dominion of the Romans. 3. The establishment of the Merovingian line of kings in 448, and the complete overthrow of the Roman power by Clovis, grand- son of Merovacus, in 487. Nine years afterwards the Francs, with Clovis, v.erc converted to Christianity. 4. The elevation of Pepin, the head of the Carlovingian race, in 75 1 ; followed 20 years afterwards, by the celebrated reign of Cluirlemagne ; who subdued that part of Spain which lies north of the Ebro, Italy north of Calabria, the whole of Germany, and a part of Hungary. He was the founder of the German empire, and was crowned in the year 800. 5. The accession of the House of Capet, in 987, which, till then, had borne the title of Counts of Paris. 6. The Crusades, in which the French acted a conspicuous part, in the 13th century. 7. The wars of the English in France, and the temporary con- quest of the country by Henry V. in 1421. These wars continu- ed from 1337, to 1450. 8. The accession of the House of Valois, a collateral branch of the House of Capet, in 1328. 9. The reign of Louis XI. beginning 1461. He rendered tiic monarchy absolute. 10. The civil wars with the Pi-otestants, and the massacre of St. Barthclemy in 1571. 11. The accession of the House of Bourbon, a second collater- al branch of the House of Capet, in the persoai of Henry IV. justly styled the Groat, in 1588. 12. The reign of Louis XIV. often styled the Augustan age of France. 13. The French revolution. * The Rom.ins also ^ve the name of Gallia To^cita, to Cis.Mpine Gaul, because the inhabitants uore the Roman toga ; that of Galliu Bvaccata, to the Provinein, on account also ot" the (h-e&s ot the inhabitants; anil that of Giillia Cotnata, to (clfic (jaul, because the people siiffeied their hair to grow to an uncommon length. VOL. II. 33 l3o8 FRANCE. 14. The erection of France into -an empire, and the accession of the family of Bonaparte, Dec. 2d, 1804. yJntic/uities.^ Several ancient monuments exist in France Avhich are ascribed to the first epoch. The Greek colony at Mar- seilles seems to have imparted some degree of civilization to the country, and the rude Gallic coins are evidently an imitation of the Grecian model.* The Roman aiili'-;uities in France are numerous, and some of them in excellent preservation. Those at Nismcs arc particularly celebrated, consisting chiefly of an amphitheatre, and the temple called La Maison Carre. The architeeCure and sculpture of this building are so exquisitely beautiful, that it enchants even the most ignorant ; and it is still entire, being very little affected ei- ther by the ravages of time, or the havoc of war. At Paris, in La Rue de laHarpe, may be seen the remains of a palace, or thermse, supposed to have been built by the emperor Julian, surnamed the Apostate, about the year 3.56, after the same model as the baths of Dioclesian. The remains of this ancient edifice are many arches, and within them a large saloon. It is fabricated of a kind of mas- tic, the composition of which is not now known, intermixed with small square pieces of free stone and bricks. In Aries in Provence is to be seen an obelisk of oriental granite, which is 52 feet high, and seven feet diameter at the base, and all but one stone. Roman temples are frequent in France. The most curious are in Burgundy and Guienne ; and other plac- es, besides the neighborhood of Nismes, contain magnificent ru- ins of aqueducts. The passage cut through the middle of a rock near Eriancon in Dauphiny is thought to be a Roman Avork, if not of greater antiquity. The round buckler of massy silver, taken out of the Rhone in 1665, being 20 inches in diameter, and weighing 21 pounds, containing the story of Seipio's continence, is thought to be coeval with that great general. It would be endless to re- count the different monuments of antiquity to be found in France, particularly in the cabinets of the curious. These have been greatly increased, during the revolution, by the spoils obtained in Italy, Egypt, Sec. Accerding to Raymond the very summit of Mount Perdu, the highest summit of the Pyrenees, 10,000 feet above the sea, abounds with marine spoils, and must have been covered by the sea. This observation is confirmed by La Peyrouse. Thus the everlasting mountains tell the reality of Noah's deluge. Other periods of French antiquity have been ably illustrated by the learned work of Montfaucon ; and the disclosure of the grave of Childeric, near Tournay, in the last century, presented some of the most curious fragments. In an old tower of St. Germain du Pre arc representations of several of the first monarchs of the * In Picardy and other parts possessed by the Belgie, there are circles, and oilier monuments of t!ic kind which we call druidic. Neai- the town of Carnac, on the coa-t of \'aniies, in Rietagne, there is a grand monument of this kind, far exceeding Stonehenge, if the account be not exaggerated, which sajs, tliUt there arc about iOOO stones, many as iiigli as 18 or '20 feel, disposed in the form of a (juincunx of elevea FRANCE. 25^» ^Francs, and many of their efligies were presei'vcd on their tombs " at St. Dennis, and other places, till the late revolution. The ru- ins of an amphitheatre arc to be found in Chalons, and likewise at Vicnne. Nismes, however, exhibits the most valuable icmalns of ancient arcliitecturc of any place in France. The famous Pont du Garde was raised in the Augustan age, by the Roman colony of Nismes, to convey a stream of water l)ctween two mo\intains for the use of that city, and is as fresh to this day as Westminster bridge : It consists of three bridges, or tiers of arches one above another ; the height is 174 feet, and the length extends to 723. The monuments of the Carlovingian race arc yet more nume- rous, and Roman mosaics have illustrated the fame of Ch.arle- magne. The suit of tapestry, preserved in the Cathedral church of Bayeux, in Normandy, represents the beginning and termina- tion of the grand contest between William and Harold, which led to the conquest of England by the Normans. It is said to have been the work of Matilda, wife of William ; and bears every mark of that remote antiquity. Iieligio7i.~\ Before the revolution the established religion was the Catholic ; and, after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, in 1685, no other christian sect was legally tolerated. The Jews, however, were permitted to reside in various parts of the king- dom, under certain restrictions. The Pope had always less inter- est in the Galilean church, than in those of most other catholic countries, the benefice being entirely in the gift of the king. The French clergy were ntimerous, and their livings generally well endowed. In 1784, there were 18 archbishops, 1 1 1 bishops, 166,000 inferior clergy, and 5,400 monasteries and nunneries, containing 200,000 persons devoted to a monastic life. The church rcTcnucs amounted to 121 millions of livrcs. During the anarchy of the revolution, the established religion was abolished, and the worship of the Goddess of Reason was substituted. The church property and revenues were seized upon by the Sans-Culottcs ; and the clergy were, in immense numbers, banished to Cayenne, or brought to the guillotine. In 1800, during the consulate of Bonaparte, the catholic religion was reestablished ; but the various sects of Protestants were toler- ated. Fraiice was divided into 10 archbishoprics ; that of Paris, containing 8 bishoprics ; that of Malincs, containing 7 ; Besan9on, 5 ; Lyons, 4 ; Aix, 4 ; Toulouse, 5 ; Bordeaux, 3 ; Bourges, 3 ; Tours, 7 ; and Rouen, 4. The church was rendered entirely in- dependent of the Pope. The salary for the archbishops was fixed at 15,0('0 livres ; that of the bishops at 10,000 : both are appointed by the government. The bishops appoint the Cures. The Cal- vlnistic churches, at the same time, were placed under the direc- tion of consistories and synods. A consistory was established for every 6000 souls of this denomination, and 3 consistories formed the district of a synod. There is a seminary at Geneva for the education of the Calvinistic clergy. The Lutheran churches were committed to local consistories, having a jurisdiction equally ex- tensive v.ith tl^osc of the Calvinistic churches ; inspections, hav 260 FRANXE. ing jurisdiction Cvcr 5 consistories ; and three General Consisto- ries : one at Strasburg, for Augsburg emd the departments of Upper and Lower Rhine ; a second at Mentz, for those of Sarre and Mont Tonnere ; a third at Cohigne, for those of the Rhine, Moselle, and Roar. A seminary is established in the east of France for the education of the Lutherau clergy. These various bodies can assemble only v.ith permission of the government. As to the present state of the Catholic church, few of the cvu't-s are supplied ; and, where cures arc found, they are, in most in- stances, ignorant and profligate. The existing public schools fur- nish so few of the means of education for the priesthood ; the an- nual stipend of the inferior clergy is so little ; and so much of that little is withheld ; and the morals of the French community are so generally corrupt ; that few can be found with the disposition, the courage, or the capacity, to discharge the clerical office. Go~ocrrnne7it.'] From the time of Louis XL to the death of Louis XVL the French government had been an absolute mon- archy, administered sometimes with n:ildness, often with cruelty. During the 14 years of the revolution, the government passed through almost every conceivable form, ajid at length settled into an iron despotism, under Napoleon Bonaparte. This despotism is military in its character, and must always depend on the army for its support. The imperial dignity is hereditary, in the order of primogeniture, to the exclusion of females and their descent. The members of the Emperor's family arc to be princes. The Great Dignitaries are the Great JElecCor, the Arch Chancellor of the Empire, the Arch Clianccllor of State, the Arch Treasurer, the Constable, and the High Admiral ; who rank next to the princes, form the great council of the Emperor, as well as that of the Legion of Honor, and are ex officio Senators. The Great Of- ficers of the Empire are the Marshals, the Colonels General, and the Great Civil Officers. The most important of these last arc the Minister of the Interior, of the Police, and of the Finances. All these are iri^movable. The Emperor swears to respect, and . cause to be respected, liberty of conscience, and the laws of the Concordat ; the equality of rights ; political and civil liberty ; and to levy no tax, but by virtue of a law. The Senate consists of the Princes ; of the Great Dignitaries ; of 80 members chosen by the Emperor from lists formed by the Electoral Colleges ; and of suca other citizens, as the Emperor shall choose. France is subdivided in 110 De}iartments^\n each of which is a Prefect^ and several Sub- Prefects. Their business is mechanic- ally to execute the various orders of the government, particularly with regard to taxes and the conscription ; and to act as spies up- on the inhabitants. The departments are divided into communes^ iu each of Avhich is a JMaijor, subordinate to the Prefects, and also employed to administer the revenue for local expenses. There are assemblies for the departments, and likewise for the com- ■Riunes. The time and duration of their sittings, and the subjects of their deliberations, are regulated beforehand at Paris. They do little more than vote, and apportion ^hc taxes ordered by the minister of Finance. FRANCE. 261 The influence of the government is absolutely universal. It af- fects every iudiviclual, in all his conduct, and in all his interests. All the subordinate civil officers are spies. They investigate ev- ery man's circumstances, to sec whether he has property to bo taxed or extorted ; and whether he is a candidate for the conscrip- tion or the bastiles. The great means adopted by the government, to perpetuate this system, has been to corrupt, hopelessly, the morals of all the offi- cers, civil and military ; and then to appeal forcibly to their ava- rice and their love of power. Population.'] The Imperial Almanac of 1808 states the popu- lation of the whole empire, according to the census of 1807, ar 36,350,987. Of these, 26,775,397 belong to old France ; and of the remaining 9,575,600, 4,140,255 belong to the Netherlands ; 3,291,291 to Italy, including that of Geneva; and 2,144,054 to Germany. If to these be added the population of Holland, that of the whole French empire, as it is in 1811, will amount to 38,352,403. Colonies.'] At the commencement of the revolution France had very valuable colonics in the West Indies, in South America, in Africa, and in Asia. At present, every one ot them, except St. Domingo, is in the hands of the English. That island, we have already seen, forms an independent kingdom. jir7ny.] The following is an abstract of the account of the French army, at the close of the year 1807, as given in the Impe- rial Almanac of 1808, Officers. General Staff 2,049 Imperial Guards 847 Imperial Gens d'armes 693 Infantry 11,439 Cavalry 3,234 Artillery 2,367 Engineers 602 V^etcrans 770 Privates. Total. 2,049 14,498 15,345 16,752 17,445 380,290 391,729 69,086 72,320 49,937 52,304 4,186 4,788 13,180 13,950 Total 22,001 547,929 569,930* The officers in the first column are all commissioned. The second column includes both non-commissioned oflicers and pri- vates. The army, since 1798, has been raised by what is called the Conscrijitioyi. This takes eflcct every year, and includes all the male population from the age of 20, to 25. All of this description are liable to be called into service whenever the government di- rects. Those of 20 are drawn out first. The others remain lia- ble, till the end of the 25th year, whenever the quota required is deficient. If these are found insufficient, tlie conscription age is * According to Herbin, the array ot 180'2, contained 600,949 men ; the Political Miscellany, slates that ot" 1805 at 414,1'25 ; ami Uoicli s;iys, that that uf 1806 amounted to 610,976 etlt'ctive men. In June, 1811, France had 8W,UU0 men under ai'ins.— [£a'- pp^e of the ^Minister of the Interior, 262 FRANCE. changed, and youths from 1 6 to 20, and men of any age, over '25, arc demanded. If the conscript can find a substitute whom the government will accept, he may get clear frorn personal service • at an expense of from 4000 to 6000 francs* ; but, if the substitute desert, the conscript still must go, or procure another. If the conscript once sets out for the army, there is but little hope of his return. The term of service is limited only by the duration of hos- tilities. The day of drawing lots for the conscription is a day of public mourning ; and of anguish for every private family. For this reason, the public functionaries are obliged to employ every possible engine to accomplish the object ; threats and exhorta- tions ; force and persuasion ; fraud and violence. Such a scheme of terror and oppression was never before known or imagined. t FortiJicatiQns?\^ In 1810 and 1811 more than eight millions were expended on the forts of the Scheldt. Other works con- structed at Ostend, Boulogne, Cherbourg, and Havre. "Havre had been constructed Uy Vauban : some years before the Revolu- tion, it was thought proper, under foolish pretences, to destroy the fortifications. That city was left dismantled and exposed, which is the key of the Seine, and which maybe propei-ly called the port of Paris. It is now fortified, and in a state to support a siege." At Corfu, a place already very strong, great works have been constructing for the last four years. New plans have been adopt- ed, and this key of the Adriatic is guarded by 12,000 troops, hav- ing provisions for two years, and a numerous artillery provided for a siege of the longest duration. Navy?^ Hassel states it, in 1809, to amount to 40 ships of the line, and 50 frigates. It has since been increased. By the an- nexation of Holland to France she gained 13 ships of the line, and 10,000 seamen. Fifteen ships of the line were on die stocks at Antv.erp in the summer of 1811 ; and arrangements were dherc made to add annually a great number of ships of war to the squad- ron in the Scheldt. More ships of the line were in building at 'Cherburg, L'Oricnt, Rochfort, Toulon, and Venice. Re-venue.^ Hassel states the revenue of four years as follows: TrHtiks. Franks. 1803 664,500,000 1805 710,000,000 1804 700,000,000 1807 720,000,000 That of 1807 was raised in the follo^ying manner: I. DIRECT taxe;5 511,840,635 • 1. Land tax . 244,458,974 I 2. Poll and furniture tax 35,381,711 3. Door and window tax 16,000,000 4. Patent tax 16,000,000 II. INDIRECT TAXES 378,159,215 1. Stamp, Domain, "J Record, and \ 180,000,000 Forest taxes J 2. Tolls and salt duties 80,000,000 * Five francs are commonly sakl to make a dollar ; but a iVanc is more exactly lii (fents, f^ or 4fi2 sterlbg. f See titber's Sketches. FRANCE. 26; 3. Lottenc$ 12,000,000 4. Post office 1 1 ,000,000 5. Trading companies 68,000,000 6. Tobacco ahd salt pits 5,000,000 7. Eastern salines 4,625,739 8. Powder and saltpetre 1 ,000,000 9. Mint 540,000 lo- Remainder of former taxes 8,000,000 ll. Various revenues 7,993,576 II. EXTERNAL REVENUES 30,000,000 720,000,000* To this should now be added the revenue of Holland, amounting to £ 4,375,000 sterling. The expenditure of that year, as estimated by the same author, equalled the revenue, viz. Interest of national debt 75,1 59,000 Civil list 28,000,000 Service of the state 616,841 ,000 720,000,000 The natioiial debt, in 1 807, was estimateid at 2,000,000,000 francs'.t A sinking fund of 60,000,000 was established in April, 1806. The French Budget foiM8 1 1, was as follows, viz. Public Debt. Li\Tes. Perpetual debt 62,300,000 Ditto of HoUancI 26,000,000 Floating debt 16,300,000 Ditto of Holland 1,200,000 105,800,000 Pensions. Pensions civil and Military 10,000,000 Ditto of Holland 3,300,000 Ecclesiastical pensions, 28,900,000 Civil list and French princes 28,300,000 80,500,000 Services. Judicial salaries 27,466,000 Exterior relations 8,800,000 Interior 60,000,000 Finance 24,000,000 Imperial treasury 8,100,000 War 230,000,000 Commissariat 180,000,000 Marhic 1 40,000,000 Public worship 16,500,000 General police 2,000,000 Expenr.cs of negotiation 8,500,000 Fund of reserve 23,034,000 Grand Total , 954,000,000 * 30,00n,0£)0/. sterling. | 83,333,33»/. sterling. 2G4 ' .^ FRANCE. The current money of France used to be computed at ,C90,000,000^ sterlins:^, when that of G. Britain was estimated at C 40,000,000. Political Imfwrtance and Relations.^ France, at present, is by far the mo&t powerful nation on the continent, and has command- ing influence in almost every cabinet of Europe. Holland, the Netherlands, a part of Germany and Italy, are integral parts of her einpire. The States composing the Confederation of the Rhine, Svv'itzerland, and the residue of Italy are mere dependencies. Denmark and Sweden are barely above a state of vassalage. The dissolution of the Germanic body, the late misfortunes and losses of Austria, and the disgraceful alliance by which they v.'cre ter- minated, prove at once how low her government is sunk, and how little can be l)c hoped irora her exertions. Prussia must side with France or Russia, when they quarrel, and will fall to the conqueror. Russia has always been at a distance from the scene of action, and her whole strength has never been called forth. She has, on the Avholc, been a gainer by the troubles of Europe, in ex- tent, wealth, and population. With a great man to direct her re- sources, she would meet, without fear, the legions of the French Emperor, and stand w ith Great Britain, a bulwark of almost sub- jugated Europe. But the House of Romanof has lost its original .s:reatness. Turkey is kept from crumbling to pieces by the com- pression from without. She is safe, however, so long as France- and Russia cannot agree as to the division. The resources of France may be estimated, with considerable accuracy, from the following table, in round numbers, of the pop- ulation, and armies of the empire, and bf the several states which are noAV dependent : Popul.ition. Army. France 36,351,000 570,000 Dependencies 2,978,000 20,000 Holland 2,001,000 22,000 Confed. of the Rhine 16,928,000 205,700 Kingdom of Italy 6,389,000 40,000 Naples 4,964,000 21,600 Ecclesiastical state 68,000 4,700 Switzerland 1,638,000 15,000 Denmark 2,609,000 75,000 Sweden 3,191 ,000 43,000 77,717,000 1,057,000 Maymcrs and Custoins.~\ The French are distinguished fo* „ taste and elegance in their houses, furniture, equipage, and dres s for ease and gracefulness of manners ; for quickness of apprchcn-; sion ; for vivacity and gaiety of temper ; and for a perpetual fond- ness for anmsement and pleasure. This is the bright side of the medal. The reverse, painful and distressing before the revolu- tion, is now loathsome and awful. During the revolutionary peri- od of anarchy, the morals of the nation, distinguished for their corruption before, were rendered immensely more corrupt by profligate rulers and profligate literati. The restraints of law, of FRANCE. 2.p5 i;eUgion, and of decency, were taken off, and the worst passions of the mind were kept in a steady and violent action. This state of things produced in those, who were already grown up, a hope- less abandonment of principle and of decency ; while it cut off the young, not only from the possession of them, but even from the knowledge of what they w.ere. The present government, so far from remedying these evils, has only increased them. The French, as a nation, are at present, by the confession even of sober and discreet Frenchmen, false and faithless ; revengeful and san- guinary. The law of divorces has rendered marriage the mere cover for prostitution ; and France presents at this moment the picture of one great common brothel, in which every variety of lewdness is indulged without shame and without restraint. The only liberal education is that for the army ; and the young men of promise and of rank have only this advantage over their inferiors, that they are earlier fitted for scenes of l^arbarity and bloodshed. This sanguinary education explains the havoc and the ruin, which every where mark the progress of French arms ; and which have rendered Frenchmen the objects of terror and abhorrence wher- ever they are known. Languag-e.'] The French is a corruption of the Latin, with many Gothic and some Celtic words intermixed. Even in the 10th century it was called the Jio?nancc, a name afterwards transferred to the tales and poems of chivalry, which are written in this dialect. The language did not attain to classical purity, till the reign of Louis XIV. The earlier specimens both of prose and poetry are, in «. greater or less degree, rough and barbarous. It was always a commanding object with the government to extend the French language and French fashions; and at this time the language is more universally diffused than any other in Europe. Its purity has, however, been very much corrupted by the introduction of new and barbarous words and phrases since the revolution. Literature.^ The French were long distinguished for their attention to elegant literature ; and their researches in mathe- matical and physical science have been highly respectable. Even in the Roman period we find Ausonius, Sidonius ApoUinaris, and Sulpilius Severus, who has been styled the christian Sallust. After the conversion of the Franks to Christianity, the literature of the nation was confined chiefly to the ecclesiastics. Among these Gregory, of Tours, is distinguished by his History of France, his Lives of the Saints, and his Credulity. At the period of the re- formation, France may boast of having given birth to Calvin, a man surpassed by no one of the reformers in vigor of intellect, or force of eloquence. Descartes, in spite of his whims and his vor- tices, ranks nigh among natural philosophers. He was the first who applied algebra to the solution of geometrical problems. Any nation might have been proud of D'Alembert, as a mathema- tician. Buffon in natural history would yield the palm only to Linnaeus, while in chemistry, Lavoisier, Fourcroy, and Chaptal may claim a fall equality with Black, Priestley, and Davy. In the eloquence of the senate and of the bar, the French, for obvioys VOL. II. J4 2&6 FRANCE. reasons, cannot vie v.-ith the English ; but in the pulpit, Bos- suet, Bourdaloiie, IVIassillon, and Saurin can find few compet- itors. Robert Hali alone can challenge a decided superiority. In epic poetry the French have as yet done nothing ; for the Henri- ade of Voltaire is the effort of a child. But the tragedies of Cor- neiile, of Racine, and of 'Crebillon, and the comedies of Moliere, can never be forgotten ; Avhile in sound criticism and elegant sa- tire, Boileau stands unrivalled since the days of Horace. In the lighter belles lettres,the French are distinguished for the number of their agreeable Avriters ; among whom may be mentioned Mon- taigne, D'Argens, Rousseau and Marmontel. At the present time science is encouraged, only as it has a tendency to promote the views of the government. The attention of the French savans, therefore is ctiiefly directed to the mathematics and the various branches of natural history. lordly a man of learning, in the ap- propriate sense of the word, is to be found in the nation. The study of the Greek and the oriental languages has been banished from the public schools, and the writers of antiquity are seen only in a French costume. Jiducalion.l^ By the imperial decree of Api'il 1808, the various schools, academies, and colleges of France are connected together, and form the Imperial Uni-vtrsity. This is composed of as many Provmcial jicademics^ as there are courts of appeal in the empire. The schools belonging to each Academy are arranged in the follow- ing order. 1. The Faculties^ for the more profound sciences, and for the conferring of degrees. 2. The Lyctums or Lycees, for the classics, history, logic, ma^ematics, and physics. 3. The Colleges^ for the elements of the classics, of history, and of the sciences. 4. Schools kept by private musters^ in which the instruction ap- proaches that of the Colleges. 5. Boarding schools^ where it is less severe. G. Primary schools, were reading, writing, and arith- metic are taught. The members of the faculties are men of mere science, and those who are soon to be the professors of the infe- rior institutions. Of the Lyceums there are 45 in the empire. Each has a board of 8 professors, and a library of 1500 volumes, both selected by the government. No additional books can be in- troduced without the permission of the minister of the interior. The government also prescribes the price of tuition, the internal discipline, and the course of instruction. Arrest and imprison- ment arc the only punishments inflicted on delinquents. The course of studies embraces the latin, history, chronology, geogra- phy, the belles lettres, the mathematics, and natural philosophy. Beside the professors, there is an officer intilled L' Officier In- utructeur, who is charged with the militi^ry inst'uction of the pu- pils. They are divided into companies of 25 with each a sergeant major, a sergeant, and 4 corporals. They assemble at given hours of the day, and go through with all the military evolutions. The students are composed of the children of the weaitliy families of France, and of those who are educated at tnc public expense. Of these last the government may, by law, maintain four thousand from old France, selected trom the best proficients in the colleges ; FRANCE. 26r and two thousand four hundred from the territories lately an- nexed. Those who maintain themselves may enter the Lyceums without any previous instruction, except that of readins^ and writing. They correspond only with their relations, and their let- ters are subjected to the perusal of the faculty. They are not privileged from the conscription ; and if they escape it during their scholastic career of six years, they are then drafted for it, or transferred to the military academies, or employed as public functionaries in the departments. The students educated at the public expense, are said to exceed in number those educated by their parents at the Lyceums. The professors are generally per- sons of slender abilities, and are very miserably supported by thcii salaries. The buildings appropriated to these institutions are in a neglected and mouldering state. In each of the colleges the government maintains 25 students. Little solid instruction, however, can here be obtained. The infe- rior schools are absolutely neglected. The poverty of the rural communes ; and the want of capable teachers, are the reasons as- signed by the director general. Scarcely any of the common peo- ple are able to read and write, and their ignorance is not compen- sated by religious instruction. The instructors of all these va- rious seminaries are appointed directly or indirectly by the gov- ci-nment. The military academies contain about fifteen hundred young men, all supported by the state. They are selected from the alumni of the Lyceums. The term of instruction is two years. They are supplied with the ablest professors, and are in every respect admirably organized. They send,forth annually a host of accomplished officers, engineers and mechanicians.* Cities and Towns.'] The number of large and populous towns in France is so great, that only a small part of them can be par- ticularly described. Exclusive of those in Holland and the Neth- erlands, there are considerably more than 100 towns in the empire whose population exceeds 10,000. Paris, Lutetia, Lutctia Farisiorum, and Farisii, was the capital of tlie Pcmi/, a tribe of the Celts, who set fire to it when they were invaded by Caesar. It was rebuilt by the emperor Julian, and enlarged by Clovis, who made it the royal residence. It was then neglected, till about 954, when Hugh Capet made it the cap- ital of the kingdom. It has been the capital ever since. It is built on an extensive plain on both sides of the Seine, and on three islands in that river, in a healthy and pleasant situation, with de- • " All public education ought to be FeguUited on the principles of military disci- pline, and not on those of civil or ecclesiastical police. — The habituate ofiiiililary disr cii)line is the most useful, since at all periods of life it is rennisite for the citizen to be able to defend his property against internal or external enemies. ♦'Ten yeai's more are still requisite for realizing all the benefit which his majesty expects from the University, and for accomplishing his views; but already great advan» tages are obtiiined, and what exists is preferable to what has ever existed. *' For the primary instruction of children his majesty perceives with pleasure the , establishment of small schools ; he desires their increase. "Besides the houses of St. Dennis and — . — , six houses have been established for the education of girls whose fathers have been devoted to the service of the state." — [£-V- pose of the Mir\isCer of the Interiov, June, 1811. •268 FRANCE. lightful environs ; and is said to be 1 1 miles in circumference. It co\ ers a very large freestone quarry, which has furnished ma- terials for most of the houses, and has been so extensively exca- vated, that an earthquake might easily bury the citv- The num- ber of houses is 32,000, from four to seven stories high, generally handsome, and with uniform fronts. The population in 1807, was 547,756. The tinest public buildings are the Louvre, one of the noblest specimens of modern architecture, the church of St. Genevieve, the Thuilleries, the Palais Royale, and the Hospital of Invalids. The city has beea enlarged, and greatly improved, since the revolution: particularly by the collections of paintings, statues, and other objects of taste and curiosity, which have been plundered from the conquered countries. Paris surpasses Lon- don in magnificence, but yields to it greatly in cleanliness and convenience. The streets are generally without sidewalks for foot passengers, and the narrowness of many of them renders this EL very serious i^iconveniencc. There are 12 bridges over the Seine, and 26 fine quays along its banks. There were, before the revolution, 88 churches, 40 chapels, 10 abbeys, 28 priories, and 103 convents, besides numerous hospitals and seminaries.* Marseilles, Massilia., has already laeen mentioned as founded by the Phoceans. It is seated at the foot of a rocky mountain near the sea, and is divided into the old and new town. The former is on an eminence, has narrow crooked streets, and mean houses ; in the latter the streets arc straight and broad, and the houses handsome. The harbor, a parallellogram, with buildings on both sides and one of the ends, is well defended, capacious, and one of the best in the Mediterranean ; but the entrance has not depth of water enough for men of war. Here is a large arsenal, and one of the finest armories in the kingdom. The population, in 1807, was 96,4 J 3. Bourdeaux, Burdcgala, is built on the W. bank of the Garonne, about 40 miles from its mouth. The tide flows quite up to the city ; its port is ample, commodious, and strongly fortified ; and ships of considerable burden may unload at the quays, which are grand and extensive. It is the first commercial town in France, and formerly it was not unusual to see 400 or 500 vessels in the harbor at once. The chief exports were brandy and claret. The * " The canal of rOiircqne, and the distribution of its waters In the different parts of Paris, are attended with an expense of two miUioo and a half of francs a year. In a few years these works will be completely finished. ''Already ^ixty fonntains spread the waters of the Ourcque in the different quarters of Paris. The water arrives there constantly. The Seine, the Marne, the Yonnc, and the Oise, have considerable works constructing on them to improve the navigation. •' The cut of St. Maure which will be finished in the next year, will shorten the navigation of the Marne by five leagues, and will spread its waters by numerous chan- nels. 'I'he *.luices constructed at Port d Arche, at Vernon, and at , will facilitate the n.ivigation of the Seine ; and other sluices will continue it to 'J'royes and I'Aube. "The bridges of Choisy, Besen, and Jena, facilitate the communications, or concur in the establishment of the cajiital. > " The Louvre is finishing ; tUcy are pulling down that quantity of houses which was between the I,ouvre and Uie Thuilleries. A second galltiy ic-uuites the two palacev.'* J Expose vj the ^Minintcr yftlie Jntenor, Jviir, 1811-. FRANCE. 269 theatre is the most magnificent of any in France. The tower- gate, constructed in the lime of Augustus ; the amphitheatre, an oval of 227 feet by 140 ; and the palace of Gallicnus, are among the vestiges of Romam art and grandeur. The annual tempera- ture oi Bourdcaux is 56.8°. The population in 1808, was 90,992. Lyons, Lug-dunu»i, at the conflux of the Rhone and the Saone, was built by Plancus 10 years before tlve birth of Christ. It was the second city in France before the revolution, and is said to have contained 150,000 souls. It was the centre of the inland com- merce in this part of the kingdom, and the seat of the most exten- sive manufactvires. Irreparable injury was done to the city by the jacobin party, in consequence of the fidelity of the inhabitants to the king. In 1802 it had 1 1,000 houses, and 88,919 inhabitants. Rouen, Rotonmgus, the ancient capital of the Velecasses, is built on the Seine, and is a large commercial and manufacturing town. In 1802 it had about 10,000 houses, and 84,223 inhabitants. Nantes, Condi-vicnum, the ancient seat of the Ac/m^^t's, is situat- ed on the Loire, and is one of the largest trading cities in France. It had in 1807 about 13,000 houses, and 77,162 inhabitants. I Toulouse, Tolosa, the chief city of the Tolosates, is built upon the Garonne. The streets are broad, and the houses chiefly of brick. The town annals, kept since 1288, contain all the me- morable transactions of the kingdom. A few miles below, the ca- nal of Languedoc joins the river, which here becomes navigable. It had 50,171 inhabitants in 1802. Strasburg, or the city of the street, so called because it is the thoroughfare between France and Germany, is situated at the con- flux of the He and the Brusch, about a mile from their entrance into the Rhine. The cathedral is a beautiful Gothic structure of the 11th century. The town was taken from the emperor in 1682. Most of the inhabitants are Lutherans. Here are manufactures of tobacco, china, steel, lace, carpets, cloth, and leather. Houses 4000; inhabitants, in 1802,49,056. Cologne, Colonia ^grijifiina, in the ancient territories of the Ubii, is built in the form of a crescent on the Rhine, and is fortified in the ancient manner ; but its walls are weak and tottering. It extends 3-| miles along the river. The streets are narrow, wind- ing, and gloomy ; and most of the houses high, old, and ruinous. It contains very numerous churches, chapels, and monasteries ; and an uncommon number of ecclesiastics and beggars. The few protestants who live here engross all the wealth of the city. This place is two centuries behind the rest of Germany in improve- ment. The quay, a mile and a half long, is always crowded with sliipping ; but the cargoes are the property of foreign merchants. Inhabitants, in 1807, 42,706. Orleans, Geitabuni, in the country of the ancient Camu^e*, stands upon the Loire, and is one of the most agreeable cities in France. The principal trade is in stockings, sheepskins, brandy, corn, and wine. Inhabitants, in 1802, 41,937. Amiens, Samarobriva, the capital of the ancient Ambiani^ is built pn the Sommc. It abounds with woollen manufactures. The '^ro FRANXE. cathedral is large and beautifully liglit and decorated. Houses, in 1807, 5980 ; inhabitants 41,279. Nismes, JVc7naususy at a little distance from the Vistrc, is large and pleasantly situated on the side of a hill, covered with vine- yards and orchards of fruit. Here are manufactures of cloth, silk, and stockings. Here likcAvisc are reliques of Roman art of uncom- mon beauty and magnificence. The amphitheatre is a prodigious woi'k, capable of holding 17,000 persons. The temple ot Diana, the grand tower, the ancient baths and the IMaison Quarre, a tem- ple of tlie Corinthian order; all discover exquisite taste, and arc in perfect preservation. Houses, in 1807, 4,500; inhabitants 39,594. Angers, Juliorvagus^ the chief town of the ancient ^Indrs, stands at the confluence of the Maine, the Little Loire, and the Sartc. It has 1 6 parish churches. The cathedral is a beautiful building. The castle is built upon a rock. It had in 1802, 5410 houses, and 33,900 inhabitants. Montpellier stands upon a rising ground fronting the Mediter- ranean, which is about nine miles to the south. On the north is an agreeable plain extending about the same distance to the moun- tains of the Cevenner. In clear -weather the Alps arc distinctly visible to the east, the Pyrenees to the southwest, and the Mediter- ranean to the south. The streets are generally narrow, and the houses dark. The climate was long famous for its mildness and salubrity. It is said to have altered. Here are manufactures of silk and woollen goods. Cette is the port of Montpellier. The goods are carried up to the town on the canal, llouses, about 8,000, and inhabitants, in 1807, 32,723. Metz, Divodururn, anciently the capital of the Mtdiomalricit and afterwards of the kingdom of Austrasia, stands at the conflux of tlie Seillc and Moselle, The houses, though old fashioned, are handsome, but the streets are narrow. The town is well fortihed, and in 1807, contained 5,827 houses, and 32,099 inhabitants. Caen lies in a vallej , at the conflux of the Orne and Odon," about seven miles from the English channel. It has a good trade in cloths and fine linen. The royal square is spacious and regular. In 1807, it had about 10,000 houses, and 30,923 inhabitants. Rheims, Durocotorum^ anciently the capital of the Rhcmi^ is sit- uated on the Vesle. It has several fine remains of Roman anti- quities. Formerly the archbishop of Rheims was the first peer of France, and always crowned the king. In 1802, it had 30,225 inhabitants. Clermont, Augustonometiun^ a town of the Jrvern^ is seated on a small eminence at the foot of a lofty mountain. A wooden bridge, over a brook in one of the suburbs, is completely petrified. Inhabitants, 30,000. Besancon, Fisontis, on the Doubs, the ancient capital of the Se- guani, is surrounded by high mountains, and badly fortified. Here ai-e many remains of Roman magnificence. It contained, in 1807, 3,293 houses, and 28,436 inhabitants. Nancy, .A'wsmw, the capital of the Lingoncf. and afterwards ol FRANCE. 2ri the duchy of Lorraine, stands upon the Meurte, in a beautiful an4 fertile plain. In 1807, it contained, 28,227 inhabitants. Versailles, at the close of the last century, was a little village- in the midst of a forest. Louis XIV. made it the royal residence. It contained, in 1802, 27,574 inhabitants. The large towns taken from Italy will be described under that article. The following towns arc not in the table : Abbeville 18,125 in- habitants; Aach 24,419; Aix 21,009; Aries 18,470; Bayonne 13,190; Beziers 14,535; Chalons, on the Marne, 11,120; Cha- lons, on the Saone, 10,431 , Cherbourg 1 1,389 ; Coblcntz 10,691 ; FAienne 16,259; Falaise 12,549; Issoudun 10,265; Lisieux 10,171 ; Luneville 10,436; Mentz 21,583; Moissac 10,035; Montauban 21,958 ; Orient 17,837 ; St. Quintin 10,458 ; Rennes 25,984; Riom 13,828; Sens 10,603 ; Servans 10,150; Thiers 10,605 ; Verdun 10,172; Verviers 10,072 ; Vienne 10,362 ; Ville Franche 10,009.. St'a/ioris.l[ Several have already been mentioned. Toulon'on the Mediterranean, a little east of Marseilles, has an outer harboi- which is large, circular, and surrounded by hills. The entrance on both sides is defended by a foi't with strong batteries. This harbor communicates with two inner basins, called the old and the new harbor, which are also connected by a canal. The new har- bor is an artificial basin, the work of Louis XIV. It is Avell de- fended l)y batteries, and round it stands the arsenal, where every man of war has its own particular storehouse. Here cordage and cannon are extensively manufactured. Toulon is the only har- bor for the navy on the southern coast. Houses, 2400 ; inhabi- tants, 29,760. Brest, Partus JBrivates, is the chief resort of the navy on the western coast. The houses, 2600 in number, are planted on the declivity of a hill, on one side of the harbor. The streets are few, narrow, and inconvenient. It has two parish churches, a marine seminary, a court of admiralty, and 25,865 inhabitants. The har- bor, if we except Toulon, is the largest and safest in the kingdom, and capable of containing 500 ships of war, in 8, 10, and 15 fath- oms, at low water. Its entrance from the W. S. W. called the "Gullet" is narrow and rocky, and the passage is diihcult and V.'.ngerous on account of the sunken rocks on both sides. The entrance is also guarded, on one side, by a strong castle, seated on a rock, and defended by a large ditch and other fortifications ; and on the other by a strong tower. On one; side of the port is a no- ble quay, more than a mile long, and two hundred paces broad, covered with storehouses ; and a quay for the warehouses on the other. At the bottom of the harbor are two noble docks for the building of ships of war. Boulogne, Gesuriacumy and afterwards Boyionia, lies on the English channel, on the declivity, and at the foot of the chaik mountain. It has 1600 houses, and 10,685 inhabitants. Tlic har- bor, formed by the river Liane, is defended at the mouth by a small fort. The entrance is diflicuU. Here lay the flotilla, in 18a4 and 272 FRANCE. 1805, prepared for the invasion of Great Britain. Ships oi \yar can proceed no farther than the road of St. John, where there is from 5 to 15 fathoms, and a hard sandy bottom. The famous pharos, built by Caligula, and repaired by Charlemagne, fell down in July 1644, and is now a heap of rubbish. The channel is here 30 miles wide, and much frequented by English smugglers. Rochefort, on the bay of Biscay, has 15,024 inhabitants, tlic harbor has four fathoms, at low water, and is defended from ev- ery wind. Here are excellent docks for building ships, and mag- azines well replenished with naval stores. A part of the navy usually lies here. Rochelle, Partus Saiitonum, eight leagues N. of Rochefort, con- tains 17,331 inhabitants. Its commerce is extensive. The har- bor is safe, but its entrance is narrow -and shoal. The fortifications are by Vauban, The neighboring salt marshes, here as well as at Rochefort, render the air unwholesome. Bayonne, at the corner of the bay of Biscay, is a league from the sea, on the Nive, which forms a good harbor, with a narrow and dangerous entrance. The commerce with Spain is valuable. Masts, from the Pyrenees, are brought here, and shipped to Brest and other ports. The common people speak the old Biscayan lan- guage. Inhabitants, 13,190, houses 1520. Dieppe, the nearest sea port to Paris, is a handsome well built town, containing 20,000 inhabitants. The harbor is semicircular, and has two fine moles of strong brickwork. In time of peace, the commerce is extensive, particularly in the fisheries. Here are numerous thread lace manufactures. The shortest route from London to Paris is through Brighton and Dieppe. Havre, or Havre de Grace, Carrocotimun., a town of the Caletes, lies a little north of the mouth of the Seine. The harbor has depth for large vessels, and the water does not ebb, till three hours after full tide, being as it were dammed up by the current of the Seine, which crosses its mouth. Havre, in 1802, had 1500 houses, and 20,620 inhabitants. " At Antwerp, since the end of the year 1810, the dam from the bason has been removed. Eighteen ships of the line, even three- deckers, can enter, and go out fully equipped. In the beginning oftliisycar, two 80 gun ships have been coppered and refitted there. The works are going on with great activity. Before ^^»^ end of next September, the bason will be able to hold thirty ships. " Ships of the line can only enter the bason of Flushing without their guns. The sluice is now dried and insulated, and they are busied in lowering it, so that twenty ships will be able to enter it with their guns. The keys that the English had overthrown, arc re-established. Men are at work to rebuild the general magazine, and are placed put of the reach of the bombs. " The first funds have been provided for the bason of Terncuse ; i' " foundation is laying. Twenty ships of the line entirely armed, will be able to depart from this bason in a single tide. It will be capable of containing more than forty. " The tide sluice ^f Qstend is terminated ; it has done the great- FRANCE. 2/3 est good to the harbor ; that of Dunkirk will be in play at the end of the year ; threat advantages are expected from it for the dig- ging of the pass. The sluice of Havre is completed ; it has hap- py effects. " At Chcrbourgh, the expenses of the road are of two sorts. The first oncration is to raise the dyke above the low water mark, and this will be accomplished in the course of the present year ; the second is to construct forts at the extremities of this dyke to defend the road ; the fort of the centre is just finished. The road being in this manner secured, it remained to dig the port of this great work ; nine tenths arc executed. Thirdly, ships of tli.e line will be able to lie in the port and bason ; already a vessel which had received damage at sea has entered the Ijason, and been refitted there. The avant-fiort and bason will be finished in 1812. The building docks and frames already exist. The works of Cherbourg alone require more than three millions yearly."* ^difices.'] Several of the most noble edifices of France are in Pans, and its vicinity. To those already mentioned must be add- ed, the palace of Versailles, rather remarkable, however, for the profusion of expense, than for the skill of the architect ; the parts being small and unharnjonious, and the general effect rather idle pomp than true grandeur. The bridge of Neuille is esteemed the most beautiful in Europe, consisting of five wide arches of equal size. The ancient cathedrals and castles are so numerous that it would be idle to attempt to enumerate them ; and the l!^rench no- bility were not contented, like those of Spain, with large houses in ihe cities, but had grand chatteaux scattered over the kingdom, to ■which, however, they seldom retired, except when compelled by formal banishment from the court. Roads.'] In the improvement of the roads the distances are lessened. — It has been computed that Turin has already been brought 56 hours nearer Paris, 24 hours by the passage of Mont Cenis, and 12 hours more by the new road of Maurienne. A new road from Paris to Chamberry by Tournees has been established. This road, by avoiding the mountains, will be shorter by eight hours. In this manner Turin will be brought nearer to Paris by 14 hours, which is almost half the distance. Milan is by the road of Simplon brought nearer Paris by more than a march of 59 hours, if the present road is compared with that which existed ten years ago. liayonne, and Spain have been brouglit nearer to Paris by 18 hours, by the road which has been made through the sandy plains between Bourdeaux and Bayonne. Mayence an jgar in London. General Paoli was chosen chief of the island, in 1 755. His measures were * Young, i. 379 28* FRANCE. so well taken that the Genoese were compelled to call in the French in 1764, who compkned the conquest of it for themselves, in 1769. The English conquered the island in 1795 ; but, in a few years, the inhabitants returned to their allegiance to France. The religion is the catholic. The island now constitutes two de- partments of France. The northern, Go/o, contains 2,177 square miles, and in 1807, 1 12,348 inhabitants. The southern Liamore, includes also the island of Elba, exclusive of which it contains 1800 square miles, and 73,347 inhabitants. Total population, 185,695. The population in 1740, was 120,380; and in 1802, 166,813. The language is the Italian. The Genoese purposely- kept the inhabitants in ignorance. There was a university of some reputation at Corte, in the centre of this island. Bastia on the N. E. side, the largest town in the island, had in 1807, 1 i,366 inhabi- tants. It has a small good harbor for merchant ships. A moun- tain in the neighborhood commands the town. Ajaccio on the S. E. coast, the birth-piace of Napoleon Bonaparte, contains 6576 inhabitants. Bonifacio, in the S. has 3187. Manufactures are in their infancy. Their cloths are of the coarsest kind. Their leather is not tanned but dried. Coral, which is found abundantly on the coftst, is the chief article exported. The commerce might be extensive. The coast every where offers good anchorage, and there are numerous and excellent harbors on every side of the island. San Ficrenzo in the N. is a bay, 15 miles long, 5 wide, and many fathom deep. Calvi, in the N. W. has a large, deep, and commodious harbor. Porto Vecchio, in the S. E. is 5 miles long, 1| broad, with a great depth of water, and a good bottom. It is one of the best in Europe. The climate is mild ; and the air, except in the neighborhood of marshes, healthy. Many of these have been drained. The interior of the island is mountain- ous ; and a chain of mountains commences near the coast, about 20 miles E. of Porto Vecchio, and runs N. N. E. across the island lea- ving about I of the island to the E. Gradaccio, the highest elevation, is near the centre. The whole island, together -with the coasts of France and Italy, are visible, from its tops. There ai'e large tracts of woodland. The inhabitants live chiefly in little villages ; many of which are built on the summits of the mountains, at such a height that they are visible only in the night, when the shep- herds kindle their fires. The soil is fertile, even on the moun- tains. It produces flax, wheat, rye, barley, and millet. Excel- lent wines are made in several of the cantons ; and the vine and the olive find here a kinder climate than in France. The lemon, orange, pomegranate, almond, and mulberry are thrifty. Chest- nut trees are wonderfully numerous. The oak, the fir, the cedar, and the pine grow to a great height. The island swarms with bees : the honey is rather sharp, but the v.ax is excellent. The horses arc of the Sardinian breed; smail, but strong and active. The cattle are large ; but i^iferior. Oil supplies the place of but- ter. Sheep are numerous ; their wool is coarse, but their mut- ton excellent. The Golo, the largest river rises fron\ lake Ino, runs N. E. 70 miles, and empties 10 miles S. of Bastia. The FRANCE. 285 Tavignano issues from lake Creno, ^nd flows E. to the Tuscan sea, near the ancient c"hy of Aleria, havinj; a length of about 60 miles. The Ino and the Creno are two miles apart, are both on mount Gradaccio, and arc of considerable extent. Eels and trout are large, fat, and abundant in the rivers and lakes ; and the best of oysters on the coast. The wild boar, the fox, the hare, and the muffoli are numerous. Rabbits and apes formerly were found here. The woods abound with game. The island is very rich in minerals. Lead is found at Buzaggia; copper at Verde ; iron at Corte, cape Corso, and Farinole ; antimony at Erza ; silver at Caccia, Farinole, GaJeria, and near St. Fiorcnzo. This last is extremely rich. Corsica has also alum, granite, talc, jasper, as- bestos, saltpetre, and quarries of beautiful black porphyry, and serpentine. Mineral springs abound. The inhabitants are thin and swarthy. They are described as generally indolent, ignorant, and superstitious. They are not distinguished for their probity, and are said never to forgive an injury, or an affront. At the same time, they are intrepid, active, sagacious, and hospitable. Elba, with the little isles of Capraja, Pianola, Palmajoia and Monte Christo, was added to the French territory in 1802. It is 12 miles from Etruria, and 50 from Corsica. It is chiefly moun- tainous. The air is delightful. The soil produces the fine fruits of tropical climates. Wood and pastures are scarce. It is won- derfully rich in mineralogy. Here are mines of gold, silver, cop- per, iron, magnet, lead, sulphur, and vitriol ; and quarries of mar- ble, granite, and slate. The iron mine of Rio formerly yielded a clear annual profit of 50,00(^ crowns. The mines are now farmed for 500,000 livres. The island contains 158 square miles, and had in 1807, 13,750 inhabitants. Porto Ferrajo has 3000 inhabitants, and Marciana 2500. The blands called Hyeresnear Toulon have a barren and naked appearance, and only present a few stinted and scattered pines. On the western coast first occurs the isle of Oleron, containing 158 square miles, celebrated for a code of maritime laws issued by Richard I. king of England, of whose French territory this isle constituted a portion. To the N. is the isle of Re, opposite Ro- chelle, having 1 18 square miles, and noted for an expedition of the English in the 17th century. Ycu is a small and insignificant isle, containing 45 square itjiles, followed by Noirmoutier^ M'hicli became remarkable in the war of La Vendee, and containing 1 60 square miles. Bellisle has been repeatedly attacked by the English : it contains 56 square miles, and is surrounded by steep rocks, which, with the fortifications render the conquest difficult. The isle of Ushant, or Ouessant, is remarkable as the furthest headland of France, towards the west, being about 1 2 miles from the continent, and about 9 in circumference, with several hamlets, and abouf600 inhabitants. Several other small isles may be pass- ed in silence, but those of St. Marcou, about seven miles S. E. of La Hogue are in the possession of the Englisii : they received their name, it is believed, from a Norman saint, Marcoul, abbot of Nantouille, who died in 558. ,*x GERMANY. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. KAMES, EXTEST, BOUNDARIES, ORIGINAL POPULATION, ANCIEN f DIVISIONS, PROGRESSIVE GEOGRAPHY, HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY, ANTIQUITIES, RELIGION, LITERATURE AND UNI VERSIFIES, GOV- ERNMENT, POPULATION, REVENUES, POLITICAL IMPORTANCE AND RELATIONS, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY. THE geography of Germany has always been the most difficult of any country m Europe. It is subdivided into so many states, and these again into so many petty districts, each an inde- pendent principality, governed by its own laws and regulatuig its own pol'ce, that the geographer has found it impossible to be con- cise, without being defective ; minute without being tedious ; or either, witiiout being obscure. The late changes have not relieved him from these difficulties. A'anirs.^ Tne most ancient name of this country is said to have been Trutschland.^ from the Tcutones or their god Tcuth. The common people still call themselves Teutsc/icrs.* The Roman name was Gennania. The French call the country Alemegna from the ancient Jlcmamii. The word German or Garman is said to be Celtic, and to signify a warlike man.* Extent. ~\ Germany anciently reached from the Rhine to beyoncj the Vistula, and from the Baltic to the Danube. Its modern breadth, from the Rhine to the eastern confines of Silesia, is 500 miles ; and its length, from the Isle of Rugen to the southern limits of Austria, is 600. The country south of the Danube, in the circle of Austria, is the ancient jVoricum ; west of wliich lay Rhe' tia and Vindelicia. Boimdcries.'] On the N. are Denmark, and the Baltic ; on the E. Prussia, Poland, Hungary, Sclavonia, and Croatia ; on the S. Italy and Switzerland ; and on the W. France, the Netherlands, Holland, and the German ocean. Origi7ial Fofiulation.~\ The Celts, the earliest occupants of Eu- rope, appear to have settled principally in its southern regions. The Cimhri, one of the Celtic nations, appear, however, to have penetrated farther north. They occupied a large portion of the N. W. of Germany, and from them Jutland was called by the Ro- mans Cimbrica Chersonesus. They Avere early the terror of Rome ; but in the time of Tacitus an inconsiderable people. The J'inns, who followed them, went rather to the E. and the N ; and appear never to have interfered with the Celtic tribes. Several of ihe Finnish nations in the time of Tacitus, particularly the Estyi or * Adam's Ant. Geog. p. 555. GERMANY. ^87 Msthes, oecMpied the N. E. parts of Germany ; and iltc Huns, the only one of them that ever acquired extensive power, have long been settled on its eastern frontier. Both the Celts and the Finns however are obliged to yield to the invasion of the Goths or Scy- thians who migrated westward from their original seats on the Euxine, and had planted colonics in Germany, Britain, Gaul, and Spain long before the Roman interference in the affairs of those countries, Ainricnt Divisions.~\ The tribes on the Rhine in the time of Tacitus were the Calti on the northwestern skirts of the Hercy- nian forest; the U.si/ifiii and Tcucteri lower down on the river, and the Bructeri near its mouth. North of its mouth lay the J'risii, in Avhat is now Fiieseland ; the C/iauciy an extensive tribe directly north, and also on the Baltic ; and east of these last the Cherusci and the Fossii. The Cimbri were in what is now Holstein, and probably also on the southern bank of the Elbe. The Generic name of Suevi was given to the tribes lying be- tween the Elbe and the Vistula. Their names were the Semnones, the I^OTig'obardi, the Reudigniy the Aviones, the Angli, Avho after- Avards gave name to England, the Varini, the Encloses, the Suar- doses and the J\,''uit hones. The Estyi were on the S. E. of the Baltic. The Peucini and Bastarnte lay east of the Vistula, but were ranked among the Ger- man tribes. The states of the Germans, on the banks of the Dan- ube, were the Hermundurii, the J^arisci, the Marcomenori, and the Quadi.* On the decline of the Roman empire Germany was formed of 7 principal nations, the Franks, Sv/abians, Alemans, Frisians, Sax- ons, Thuringians, and Bavarians. The emperor Maximilian grandfather, and predecessor of Charles V. divided Germany into 10 circles. f 1. Pomerania V Upper Saxont. e principal part of Franconia, about one third of Swabia, and the whole of the Tyrol. Its length, from Schwcin- furth on the Mayn, to the southern part of the Tyrol, is 300 miles. Its breadth, from above Ulm on the Danube to Passau, is 160 miles. It is bounded on the E. by Bohemia and Austria ; S. by Venice ; Vv''. by Swisserland, the grand duchy of Baden, and the kingdom of \yurtemburg ; N. by the Mayn, and by the principality of Bayreuth. It contahis 35,870 square miles, and is divided into 15 circles which are named from the rivers on which they lie. Upper Danube Lech Regen Lower Danube Iser Bavaria is part of the Rhetia V'mdelicia, and JVoricum of the an- cients, and probably derived its name from the Boii^ who first inhab- ited it. In the 6th century it became subject to the Austrian kings, and was governed by dukes. In 889 Luitpold, the first duke of the Francic family assumed the style of king. His prog- eny extend to the present day, though interrupted in 946, when Bcrthold dying without issue, the emperor Otho gave Bavaria to Jiis brother Henry of Saxony. In 107 1 Welph son of Azo of Erte became duke of Bavaria, which, in 1138, passed to the house of Austria, and in 1 154 reverted to the family of Welph, in the per- son of Henry the Lion. In 1 180 it finally returned to the family of Luitpold, by the succession of Otho of Wittlebach. The Palatinate, which belonged to Bavaria before the French revolution, lies on both sides of the Rhine. The western half is now inoiporated with France, the eastern is a part of the grand duchy of Baden. The population of Bavaria, in 1807, Avas 3,231,570; and the revenue in that year, 17,375,080 guilders. The debt, in 1808, was 80,000,000 guilders. The army, 28,820 infantry ; 5504 cavalry, and 1570 artillery : total, 35,894. The contingent 30,000 men. The established religion is the Roman catholic, with some Luthe- rans in the provinces, taken from Franconia and Swabia. The eastei-n part of Bavaria is plain and fertile. The western is moun- tainous and forested, and interspersed with large and small lakes. The Tyrol is almost made up oi" ranges of mountains, call- ed the Tyrolese Alps. Their direction is N. E. and S. W. The greatest elevations rise to the N. of Stirzing, whence streams pro- ceed towards the In;', on the N. and the Adige on the S. The glacier of Stuben is 4692 feet above the ocean, the Brcnucr 5i09, and the Gcfrorn, the Tributaan and the Bock-kogoarc slillliighcr. On the highest mountahis arc found rubies and emeralds, and on GERMAN STATES. 307 the lower, silver, copper, lead, mercury, iron, aium, and siilphur. The southern ranj^jcs are rich in wood and pasturage, the north- ern bleak and barren. The chief rivers of this kingdom are the Danube, the Inn, the Iser, the Lech, the Nab, and, in the Tyrol^ the Adige. The lake of Constance forms part of the -western boundary. i^- Munich, the capital, stands upon the Iscr, in 48 8 20 N. It is on(v of the handsomest cities in Germany, and lately contained 227C> houses, and 48,740 inhabitants. Here are manufactures of velvcjtj silk, wool, and tapestry. It was built about 1 175. .:■, Nuremburg contaii\s 3284 houses, and 30,000 inhabitants. It stands on the Pcgnitz, and is environed with double walls. It contains 17 churches. The town has long been celebrated for its toys. Augsburg, between the Lech, and the Wcrlach, in 48 21 41 N. is in a fertile and delightful country, and is surrounded with ramparts, walls, and ditches. It contained, in 1807, 3680 houses, Hud 28,534 inhabitants. Anspach, in 1801, contained 1007 houses, and 13,928 inhabi- tants. It lies on the Rezat, 13 miles from Nuremburg. Um lies on the Danube. The inhabitants are Lutherans. In 1803 they amounted to 1 1,289, and the houses to 1626. Innsi)ruck on the Inn, the capital of the Tyrol, contains 1 1 ,000 inhabitants. Trent lies in a valley, on the Adige, in the southern part of the Tyrol. It is memorable for a grand council held there from 1545 to 1563. It contains 700 houses, and 7000 inhabitants, a cathedral, three parish churches, a college, and several convents. Schweinfurt, onthe Mayn, contains two churches, a hospital, and a college. Its trade is in cloth, linen, and feathers. It has 879 houses, and 6361 inhabitants. Lindau stands on an island in the lake of Constance, connected witli the main land by a bridge. The castle and the wall, are reckoned Roman works. The religion is Luthei'an. The houses are 700 in number ; the inhabitants 5176. II. The kingdom of Wurtemburg, in the central part of Swa- bia, reaches from the Taxt, a branch of the Neckar, to within 20 miles of the lake of Constance, about 120 miles in length, and contains 7220 square miles. The kingdom of Bavaria lies on the E. ; the same and the grand duchy of Baden, on the S. ; that duchy on the W. ; and the laxt and the Neckar on the N. There were earls of Wirtemburg in the 12th century; and in 1495 the ducal title was conferred on earl Evcrard. The present duke, like the electors of Saxony and Bavaria, received the empty title of royalty, and considerable additions to his territories, as a com- pensation for his want of fidelity to the empire, and for the loss of real independence. The population of the kingdom, in 1807, was 1,181,372; the revenue 8,000,000 guilders, and the debt 25,000,000. The army was 20,000 men, and the contingent 12,000. The king- dom is divided into 12 counties, Stutgard, Ludwigsburg. Hcil- bronn, Dehringen, Calw, Rothcnburg, Rothweil, Urach, Ehingen, ^08 GERMAN STATES. Altdorf Schorndorf, and Elwangen. The soil is very fertile. The mountains of the Black Forest on the W. and those of the Alb on the E. and S. diversify the face of the country, and supply timber, fuel, and mines. Spelt is the chief grain, and Rome barley and ■wheat, with flax. Wine and cyder are made in considerable abundance. There are mines of silver at Freudenstadt, Konigs- wart, and Konigstein ; and of copper at Guttach, near Hornberg. The religion is the Lutheran, Avith some Calvinists, and some colo- nies of the Vaudois. The church is ruled by four abbots and 38 deans. Education and ecclesiastical studies arc favored by laud- able institutions, particularly the seminariesof Tubingen and Stut- gard. This last is the chief town, and contained, in 1808, 2012 houses, and 22,680 inhabitants. The streets are large and straight, and the houses handsome. The town stands on the Nisenbach, two miles from the Neckar, and contains nanufactoriea of stuff's, silk stockings, and ribbands. Tubingen had, in 1803, 700 houses, and 5765 inhabitants. It is a place of great antiquity, and stands in a valley on the Neckar. Heilbronn, the same year, contained 900 houses, and 5485 inhabitants. It is well built, contains three churches, two convents, a seminary, a library, and public baths. III. The grand duchy of Baden, has the kingdoms of Wirtem- berg and Bavaria on the E. ; the lake of Constance and the Rhine, which divide it from Swisserland, on the S. the Rhine on the W. and on the N. by the principality of Stackenburg, in Hesse, and by the Mayn. It is every where narrow, except near its southern ex- tremity ; but its length exceeds 1 50 miles, and the number of square miles is 6030. The religion is the Lutheran. The population in 1807 was 922,649. In 1808, the revenue was 2,953,936 guilders, the expenditure 3,472,765 ; and the debt 18,000,000. The army contains 12,000 troops, and the contingent 8000. Manheim, the chief town, in 1800, had 1548 houses, and 18,8 18 inhabitants. It is on the Neckar near its mouth, and was formerly the capital of the Elector Palatine. It is strongly lortified. Friburg stands on the Traisam, and contains 900 hovises, and 7916 inhabitants. It is the scat of a university and contains 13 churches, and 10 convents. IV. The grand duchy of Wurtzburg lies on both sides of the jVIayn, and extends from the Pegnitz, westward to the limits of Baden, and from Mergenthcim on the Taubcr, northward to the territories of the house of Saxc. It contains 2126 square miles, and 311,000 inhabitants. The revenue, is 2,800,000 guilders. The debt, in 1802, was 3,954,730. The army is 2500 men, and the contingent 2000. Wurtzburg, the capital, is situated on the Mayn, and is well fortified, containing 1913 houses, and 21,380 inhabitants. V. The United Principalities compose a state similar to the New Hanse-Towns, and consist of the Principalities of Ratisbon, on the Danube, in the heart of Bavaria, containing 90 scjuare miles, 32,200 inhabitants, and Aschafi"enburg on ihe Mayn, containing 460 square miles, and in 1802, 67,71 1 inhabitants ; of the county pf "Vyezlar on the Lahn, containing 1 1 square miles, and 498S in- AUSTRIA. 309 Jiabitants ; and of the district of Frankfort on the Mayn, contain- ing 88 square miles, and 52,000 inhabitants : besides three hered- itary lordships on the north bank of the Mayn, near Aschaffcnburg, containing 203 square miles, and 18,137 inhabitants. The whole revenue is 1,800,000 guilders ; the army 1500 men. The city of Ratisbon, on the Danube, is an ancient, large, well- built, and commercial town, and from 1662, till witliin a few years, was the scat of the diet of the empire. It exports large quantities of salt, corn, wood, and all kinds of provisions, to ^^ienna. It con- tains 1287 houses, and 22,000 inhabitants. Frankfort-on-the-Mayn, so called to distinguish it from Frank - fort-on-the-Oder, was anciently the residence of the kings of the Franks, and afterwards of the immediate successors of Charle- magne in the empire. Here the emperors of Germany have al- ways been crowned. It is strongly fortified, contains 6 Lutheran churches, and 3 Roman catholic, a synagogue, 2997 houses, and 37,000 inhabitants. Two fairs are held here annually, and the trade is considerable. VI. The little principality of Leyen, lies in Baden, on theKint- zig, near its entrance into the Rhine. Square miles 54. Inhabi- tants 4500 ; revenue 34,000 guilders; contingent, 29 men. VII. The principality of Liechtenstein, containing the lordship of Vadut^and Schellenburg, lies on the Rhine, before its entrance into the lake of Constance. Square miles 54 ; inhabitants 5100 ; revenue 40,000 guilders ; contingent 40 men. Here ought also to be mentioned the principality ofBayreuth, or Culmbach, which lies north of Bavaria, between Wurtzburg and Bohemia, containing 1225 square miles, and 233,000 inhabitants; and yielding a tribute of 900,000 guilders. Bayreuth, the capital, contains 856 houses, and 10,000 inhabitants. Hoff, on the Saale, contained in 1792, 620 houses, and 4809 inhabitants. Culmbach, in 1800, 412 houses, and 2859 inhabitants. AUSTRIA. THE head of the house of Austria, was styled, till 1809, emperor of Germany, and king of Bohemia and Hungary. After the termination of the unfortunate campaign of tijat year, the con- stitution of the Germanic body was dissolved, and Francis II. not only lost a part of his own hereditary dominions; but also resigned the imperial crown of Germany. His remaining territories, how- ever, were at that time formed into an empire, called the Empire OF Austria ; and, as its hereditary sovereign, he still possesses sufficient power to claim the third place among the sovereigns of the continent. 510 AUSTRIA. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. KAMES, EXTENT, BOUNDARIES, DIVISIONS, ORIGINAL POPULATION, PROGRESSIVE GEOGRAPHY, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, ANTIQUITIES, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, LAWS, POPULATION, ARMY, NAVY, REVENUE, EXPENDITURE AND NATIONAL DEBT, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, GYPSIES, LANGliAGE, LITERATURE, EDUC ATION, UNI- VERSITIES, CITIES AND TOWNS, EDIFICES, M ANUF ACTtRES AND COMMERCE. . J\fames.'] THE archduchy of Austria may be considered as be- longing, in part to ancient Pannonia, ihe Vindobona of the Romans •being the modern Vienna. But that half of Austria, Avhich lies north of the Danul)e, av as, occupied by tlic Quadi, a barbaric na- tion, who anciently infested the adjoining provinces of J^aimonia and JK'oriciun ; for the western part of Austria on the S. of the Danube, falls under .the latter ancient appellation. The German name and division of Osterich,* or the eastern kingdom, softened into Austria by the Italian and Fiench enunciation, arose after Charlemagne had established the western empire, being a rem- nant of the sovereignty of what was called eastern France, estab- lished by that conqueror. It was also styled Marchia Oricntalis^ the eastern march, or boundary : and after the failure of the Fran- cic line became a marquisate feudatory to the dukes of Bavaria, till the emperor Frederic Barbarosa, in 1 156, constituted it a duchy held immediately of the empire. f Hungary, a part of which be- longed to ancient Baria, derives its modern appellation from the Ugurs, a nation of Turkomanic or Tataric origin, who after spreading devastation through a great part of Germany, fixed tlieir residence here in the 10th century. In the time of Charle- magne it was possessed by the Avars, a Slavonic people.:}: The Hungarians style themselves Magiar ; and their language is a Finnic dialect. Bohemia, or the habitation of the Boii, was a cen- tral province of Barbaric Germany, afterwards seized by a Slavo- nic tribe, whose chiefs were originally styled dukes of Bohemia. Transylvania, and the Buckovina are parts of the province of Dn- cia, founded by Trajan. The former is by the Flungarians called Erdeli: by the Germans Sieben-burgen, or the Seven towns, from a colony there establislied ; the more common name seems de- rived from the woody passes of the Carpathian mountains, and was imposed by the monkish writers. £ji.tc7i(.^ The length of Austria, from the eastern limits of Transylvania, to the western of Carinthia, is 620 miles ; the breadth, from the Bug, which separates Gallicia from the grapd * Several of Uic German names of Austrian provinces n o >-o fN (N ,._ t^ 'S" ~^ r> 'O o CO If) •—1 ■_-. ^^ 1- c« 00 h- 00 oc w 1^ ■^ CO T»< CO vo 1^ t-- ■y. CT> CO (T> a> ^ 1^ o 00 t: CD o CO x-i >D ^-. -* c c^ (O "r;. CI >n «D ■^ c^ t^ ^o o K O t^ o ■— • VO — < ^ )— « "O 00 CO cs CO o CO •-H ^ (N CO >n o« •^ o c» __ , (M , -* >o , VD CO O 00 o o b- o CO « CN ^ o o — • ■<*< r^ o o 1^ t- o CO ^ ^^ 00 rN C< C *f (N o CT. UO 00 CO CO « o »o co o^ Tf >o CO 00 CO o c ;^ ^O ^« Oi CO (>) CO ^^ CO c>» >r> ^o o o CO CO "■ >■ CO — < -H ^- — ^ (i. w ^ ^? ^M t^ CN CO »o 00 ^H o ^^ —I Tj< — CO O) »^ o CO to f^ »; ?, 00 »r> r}« o> O a> o\ .-^ CI r-^ «o cr» S5- o> CO — CO (N «|l »- o o ■* t- CO o ^^ c< , , 00 'O — l^ ^ -* >o lO CO _^ o» 00 40 IT) n ^^ 1-.. >r> Oi c-i -* O CO 00 to I— « i— * o o Tf c-« to o o '^o ^ 2 r CO ■T" O — \ ^ o o O o o to CO >r5 o in O ,-' o L:: o oc O ^^ CO h- o O :r. o o o rt o cz o o c< xf 'n O o CO to .'^ o :^ o - O 00 o c> o O =: in »n o d o en 'D c» 'O CT> CO b- o — to'c'f C (»0 •— « <— • Ol C -"o N. — so" o <£) r^ •— . .-^ 00 O o CJ c^ :: -: S <^' 7^ ''•-co 1^ V5 to 00 00 in CO 2J »^ h- 00 3< 1^ &. O o t^ 00 c» ■* CI 0) o in rN »— < 00 C =^Tj. 1^ m ^- in 00 — ^ -^ CO >o CO — ncoo>»oc»»nc^co ^ to co'^N-tO'-<— o^nin •* co»n— 'Oi— «totoin i^ ci c»»nc»co-*cj rfinci in^co^b-^Oco^— .— 00 cj 00 O — ON.O'3' ooco oi tocc^T^in"— . o O " wrcJoTcT bTbT to^cn^S" to — • — ci — < . 'n CO .^ o 00 c» w S p: o 6 < hJ C/2 H W o -55 •- ^ S ., ii < K '3 "IT cs ? ■^ :i -^ = i o ^ -^ C<" CO* ^ ui "^ r'x CO -^ c5 CO -!? 312 AUSTRIA. Austria also possessed, before the campaign of 1805, Square IWiles. Population. 1, The Tyrol, 10,154 • 620,854 2, Part of Bavaria > -7071 E. of the Inn, 5 ' 3, Part of Swabia, 298,433 4, Dalmatia, 7,230 296,415 5, Venetian territories, 9,349 1,630,179 The three first are noAV attached to Bavaria. Dalmatia and the territories of Venice, under the name of East Lorabardy, form two great divisions of the kingdom of Italy. At the commencement of the French revolution Austria also possessed Lombardy, or the Duchies of Milan and Mantua ; and the Austrian Netherlands. These last are now an integral part of France. Milan and Mantua belong to the kingdom of Italy. Original Population. ~\ The original population of these exten- sive regions is various, but chiefly Gothic and Slavonic. The native ancient Germans, a Gothic race, form the ruling, most in- dustrious, and most important part of the inhabitants. Bohemia and Moravia were originally Slavonic kingdoms ; the people of Poland may be referred to the same origin ; Avhile those of Hun- gary are the largest of the Finnish tribes, and the ouly one that ever gained the rank of a kingdom. The Transylvanians are diiefly Slavonic. But a great number of Saxons are found in the large towns. The Croats and Slavonians ai"e almost Avholly of Slavonic origin. The number of JeAvs has been mentioned. Progressive Geography.'] The progressive geograp'hy of the southern part of the Austrian dominions commences at an early period. Yet the Adriatic was not a favorite sea of the Greeks ; and the Roman writers throw the first steady light upon these re- gions. Passing from Cisalpine Gaul in defiance of the barriers of the Rhactian, and Carnic, or Julian Alps, now the mountains of Ty- rol, Carinlhia, and Carniola, the Roman generals subdued many barbarous tribes ; and founded the provinces of Noricum and Pan- nonia, their most northern acquisitions in this quai'ter, till Tra- jan added Dacia. The Rhaeiians were subdued by Drusus in the reign of Augustus, under whose sway, or rather in the time of his successor Tiberius, Pannoniaand Noricum also became provinces of the Roman empire. Concerning those regions much informa- tion may be derived from the luminous page of Tacitus ; an Austrian dominions, hav- ing been trequently exposed to the ravages of war, many ancient monuments have perished ; yet several castles, churches, and * Gibbon, vol. i. p. 22. AUSTRIA. Sir monasteries still attest the magnificence of the founders.* The cathedral church of St. Stephen, in Vienna, is a gothic fabric of singular pomp, and minute decoration. Religio7i.~\ The established religion of the monarchy is the Ro- man Catholic. Formerly no others were tol^^rated. The later emperors have wisely encouraged the settlement of protestants. Various sects are extensively spread over Bohemia and Moravia ; and Lutherans are found even in Vienna. In Hungary the Pro- testants and Greeks are thought to constitute a majority of the in- habitants ; though the Catholic religion is also there established. In Transylvania Catholics, Lutherans, Calvinists, Socinians, Ari- ans, Greeks, Mahometans, enjoy their several religions. The Mahometans are principally in the eastern parts. The Slavoni- ans are zealous Catholics, though Greeks and Jews are tolerated. This is equally true ol the Croatians. Prague is an arehbishopx'ic, in Bohemia ; and Presburg, Gran, and Colocza, in Hungary. Konigsgi*atz is a bishopric in Bohe- mia ; Olmutz in Moravia ; Neusaz, Agria, Vesprhi and Raab, in Hungary ; Hermanstadt in Transylvania ; Posega in Slavonia ; and Agram in Croatia. Go-vernment.~\ Austria was created a marquisate by Otho I. a duchy by Frederic Barbarossa, and an archchichy in 1477. In 1809, it Avas formed into an heixditary empire, with a power near- ly absolute, vested in the sovereign. Bohemia is really an hered- itary kingdom, of which the head of the House of Austria has been king since 1526. The States pretend to claim the right of elec- tion to the crown. No taxes can be raised without their consent, nor except when they are assembled ; still they always grant the supplies proposed by the Imperial Commissioner. It is divided into 12 circles, in each of which are two head men, appointed an- nually for the administration of government. Hungary also is a hereditary kingdom. The States composing the Diet consist of the prelates, barons, gentry, and burghers. These meet at Presburg. The king's representative is called the Palatine. Transylvania has its states, which meet at Hermanstadt. The pi'ince's representative is called the Stadtholder. Croatia and Slavonia constitute a viceroyalty. The Transylvanians, Slavonians, and Croats, have always been characterized by a love of freedom, and an impatience of control ; and the emperor has found his interest in letting them live in their own manner. Latvs.'] The laws vary according to the different provinces, almost every state having its peculiar code. The Hungarians in particular have vigorously defended their ancient laws, though in many instances illaudable, the peasantry being in a state of vil- lanage till 1785. t In 1786 Joseph II. after suppressing tillanage in Bohemia and Moravia, extended the like freedom to Hungary ; and this decree remains uncancelled, though many of the laws of * Dr. Brown's Trav. part ii. p. 80. f Townson, 10^ 107. 31» AUSTRIA. that well-meaning, but injudicious, monarch expired with their au- thor. Yet the boasted freedom of Hungary is rather that of a powerful aristocracy, than of the people at large. In general the laws may be regarded as mild and salutary ; and the Austrians in particular are a well regulated and contented people, while the Hungarians are loften dissatisfied, and retain much of their ancient animosity against the Germans. Pofiulation.'] Hassel estimates the population of the Austrian dominions in 1809 at 23,570,000. The latest actual census is that of 1801, which gave the following results in the territories now belonging to Austria : Christian families 4,284,408 Jewish do. 100,315 Male Christian subjects 10,795,189 Female do. 11,145,897 Strangers and Paupers 396,545 Jews 221,046 Jewesses 229,861 Duchy of Salzburg* 2 1 7,0 1 8 Army* 346,791 -4,384,723 -23,352,347 Of the male population 41,009 were clergy; 258,912 nobility ; 36,998 officers of state ; 545,714 tradesmen ; 1,503,873 peasants ; 1,013,045 assistants of tradesmen and peasants; 3,011,049 were boys under 12 years of age ; and 843,533 were boys between 12 and 17. jirtny.'] The Austrian army in 1809, is stated by Hassel as follows, viz. Infantry, 8 1 regiments, 266,296 Cavalry, 35 regiments, - 47,579 Artillery, 13,514 Engineer corps. 146 Miners, 4 companies, - 420 Sappers, 4 do. 420 Pontonneers, 6 do. - 629 Pioneers, 300 Sundry other corps, 17,000 Guards, 387 346,791 This army was under the command of 9 field marshals, 21 mas- ters of ordnance, U generals of cavalry, 125 field marshal lieu- tenants, and 272 major generals. The Austrian army has varied as follows, under different emperors : * The census of Salzburg, in the Archduchy, appears only to have been taken ia the gross. As the army was not included, we have added it, as it was in lii09. AUSTRIA. Ferdinand II. who flourished about 1 639 150,000 Leopold I. 60,000 Afterwards 97,000 Joseph I. 130,000 Charles VI, 150,000 Maria Theresa 200,000 Joseph II. 364,000 Francis II. 496,000 Afterwards 346,000 ;i9 JVavy.'] Austria has a few armed vessels in the harbor of Trieste, and a fleet of flat bottomed vessels on the Danube. Revenue, Ex/icnditure, a7id National Debt.~\ The amount of the ordinary revenue, in 1809, was 104,000,000 guilders ; of which 19,000,000 were raised from the royal domains, 48,000,000 from the impost, and 37,000,000 from the land, poll, aiid circulation taxes. The royal domain, in 1 803, were estimated at 350,000,000 ; and the ecclesiastical domains at 80,000,000. This revenue, exclusive of that from the royal domains was proportioned nearly as follows : from .the Hereditary States 43,000,000 Gallicia 18,000,000 . Hungarian States 24,000,000 85,000,000 This sum is chiefly raised, as follows : Mountains, salt, and mines 13,000,000 Post-office 1,800,000 Stamps 500,000 Tobacco 8,000,000 Lotteries 200,000 Tolls 24,000,000 Land tax 28,000,000 Poll tax 6,000,000 The extraordinary revenue is from 12 to 16,000,000. The expenditure is from 105 to 1 10,000,000. The sources of expenditure are stated by Hassel, as follows : Court 6,500,000 Corps Diplomatique 800,000 Civil list 16,600,000 Privy purse 12,000,000 Public buildings 4,000,000 Pensions 2,60o,000 Harbor of Trieste 60,000 Order of Theresia 126,000 Army 28,000,000 Interest of national debt 25,000,000 Other expenses 10,000,000 105,686,000 The national debt is estimated at from 1,200 to 1,600,000,000 in- cluding from 800 to 1,000,000,000 guilders in paper money, capa- 520 , AUSTRIA. ble of being redeemed al half its nominaf value. The circulating specie amounts to from 100 to 120,000,000 guilders. Manners and Customs.~\^ Various are the manners and customs of the numerous kingdoms and provinces subject to the house of Austria. Vienna, the capital, presents as it were an assemblage of nations, in their various dresses. In Austria proper the peo- ple are much at their ease : and the farmers, and even peasantry, little inferior to those of England. Travellers have remarked the abundance of provisions at Vienna, and the consequent daily lux- ury of food, accompanied with great variety of wines. The Aus- trian manners are cold, but civil ; the women elegant, but devoid of mental accomplis.hments. The youth of rank are commonly ig- norant, and of course haughty, Ijeing entire strangers to the culti- vation of mind, and condescension of manners, to be found among the superior ranks of some other countries, a circumstance more striking to the English traveller in particular from the very great contrast. An Austrian nobleman or gentleman is never seen to read, and hence polite literature is almost unknown and unculti- vated. In consequence of this ignorance the language remains unpolished; and the Austrian speech is one of the meanest dia- lects of the German, so that polite people are constrained to use French. The lower orders are, however, little addicsed to crimes or vices, and punishments are rare : robberies are seldom commit- ted, and murder little known. When capital punishment becomes vmavoidable, it is administered with great solemnity, and accom- panied with public prayers, an example worthy of universal im- itation. The next people in estimation, and the lii'st in numbers, are the Hungarians. Their manners are now considerably tinctured by those of the ruling Germans, but they remain a spirited people, and affect to despise their masters. Their dress consists of a tight vest, mantle, and furred cap, is graceful ; and the whiskers add a military ferocity to their appearance. The Transylvanians are a medley of several different nations, and are characterized by noth- ing but their savage manners, and their impatience of restraint. The Slavonians and Croatians are equally lawless. Gy/isies.'] We ought, in this connection to mention a singular race of people, dispersed indeed over almost every country in Eu- rope ; but found in great numbers in the Austrian dominions. The Gypsies made their first appearance in Germany, in the 16th century. Historians inform us, that, when Sultan Selim conquer- ed Egypt, several of the natives, refusing to submit to the Turk- ish yoke, revolted under one Zinganeus, (whence the Turks call them Zingances ;) and agreed to disperse in small parties over the world. The French call them Bohemimis, Mr. Grellman and Mr. Marsden consider them of Hindoo origin. They wander about in Asia ; in the interior of Africa ; and, like locusts, have overrun most European nations. Their whole number in Europe is be- lieved to exceed seven hundred thousand. They are found in con- siderable numbers in Great Britain. The vigilance of the police has rendered them less numerous in France. In Spain they are AUSTRIA. 321 believed to amount to eighty thousand. They are somewliat nu- merous in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Russia. In Italy they aboKnd, particularly in the states of the church. But their chief population is in the S. E. parts of Europe, particularly in Hunga- ry, Transylvania, and various parts of Turkey, which seems ever to have been the place of general rendezvous for the Gypsy tribes. England endeavoured to expel them in 1530; France in 1560; and Spain in 1591 ; but never with complete success. For three centuries they have continued the same, wherever they have gone ; unaltered by the lapse of time, the variation of climate, and the force of example. Their physiognomy, and their manners are equally singular in evei-y country. Their swarthy complexion is the same in Africa, and in Europe. They acquire no additional laziness in Spain ; and no new industry in England. Religion, powerful in its influence over most ignorant tribes, is here impotent ; and the cross and the crescent are be- held Avith equal indifference. In the neighborhood of civilized life, they continue barbarous ; and in the midst of cities and vil- lages, they live in tents and holes of the earth, and wander from place to place as fugitives and vagabonds. They are passionately fond of ornaments and of plate. Theii' principal occupations are smith's work, or tinker's, or wooden ware, and horse-dealing. In Hungary and Transylvania they are executioners, flayers of dead beasts, and washers of gold. The women, many of whom are addicted to prostitution, deal in old clothes, and fortune-telling. The majority of both sexes are lazy beggars, and thieves. They are fond of their children. Their diseases are the measles, smallpox, and weak eyes, occa- sioned by smoke. They live to an advanced age. Their reme- dies in sickness are saffron in their soups, and bleeding. The Austrian gypsies are particularly fond of cattle that die of any dis- temper ; acting on the principle, " that the flesh of a beast^ which God kills^ must be better than that of one killed by 7nan." In Transyh ania, they have a sort of regular government. Their chiefs are styled JVaywodes, and are elected from the children of former chiefs. They have no sense of religion. They speak every where the language of the country ; but have all one pecu- liar language, which is every where the same. Music is the only science of which they are fond. Their train of thinking is childish ; and the little reason, which they possess, is wholly devoted to the gratification of appetite. They are lively, loquacious, and chattering ; fickle and inconstant ; faithless and ungrateful ; timid and servile ; cruel and revenge- ful. They are excessively addicted to ardent spirits ; and, what would hardly be expected, are universally vain. While they con- tinue insensible of religion, all attempts to civilize will probably be ineffectual. Latiffuag-e.'] The languages spoken in these aggregated do- minions are numerous and discrepant. They belong chiefly to three grand divisions, the Gothic or German of the ruling nation ; VOL. II. 41 322 AUSTRIA. the Slavonic oi' tlic Poles,* part of the Hungarians, and also the- ancient speech used in Bohemia and Moravia : and lastly the Hungarian., which is a branch of the Finnic, Among people of rank at Vienna, the French was formerly prevalent. Literature.~\ The literaiy history of the Austrian dominions cannot ascend to a remote period. That of Austria proper in par- ticular, is little interesting, and even the chronicles and lives of saints are comparatively recent. If the emperor Maximilian, grandfather of Charles V. be the author of an eccentric poem al- luding to the events of his own life, and usually ascribed to him, though many assign it to his chaplain, he may be considered as the father of Austrian literature, as well as of Austrian greatness. But the succession of authors is interrupted ; and many of those who flourished at Vienna were aliens. In the medical branch, Van Swieten, Storck, and others have acquired deserved celebrity. Bohemia and Hungary have no ancient claims to literature. Cosmas of Prague, a venerable historian, flourished about the year 1 1 30 ; and Hungary has a contemporary father of history in the anonymous notary of king Bela.f The encouragement given to writers by the celebrated Mathias Corvinus little stimulated na- tive literature. There is no Hungarian writer particularly cele- brated among the modern Latin classics ; nor is the native lan- guage yet known by any work commanding celebi'ity. Baron du Born, a native of Transylvania, has written many able works in natural history ; but he used the Latin and French languages. The causes which have retarded the progress of letters and phi- losophy in the Austrian dominions are the coarseness of the Ger- man dialect, and the absence of the Slavonic and Hungarian from the learned laj^guages of Europe ; the military education of the nobility, and that metaphysical bigotry, which perverts their ra- tional powers, and blights every bud of genius and solid knowl- edge. Education.'] The empress Theresa instituted schools for the education of children, but none for the education of teachers. Hence the children are taught metaphysics before they know Latin ; and a blind veneration for the monks forms one of the first exertions of nascent reason. Yet the example is highly laudable, and with all its disadvantages may lead to important consequences. Universities.'] The universities, like those in other catholic countries, little promote the progress of solid knowledge. The sciences taught with the greatest care are precisely those which are of the smallest utility. The university of Vienna has, since the year 1752, been somewhat improved. Jtwas founded in 1237, and that of Prague in 1347; that of Inspruck only dates from 1677, and Gratz from 1585. Hungary chiefly boasts of Buda, though the Jesuits instituted academies at Raab and Caschau. A late travellert informs us that that the university of Buda, by the Germai.s called Offen, possesses an income of about twenty thou- >fof is it disused in Bohemia, which may be regarded as_ the extreme westeni of the Slavonic zo?jir?(e / lor " " ' ' t Katoiia, Hist, Crit. iimig. Vi limit of the Slavonic tongue ; for the people extend to the mouth of the Elbe, ^jolcg. -1^ Townsoii, p. 7'J. AUSTRIA. 323 sand pounds sterling, only four thousand of which are applied to pay the salaries of the professors. " Besides the usual chairs which exist in every university, there are those of natural history, botany, and economy. The collection of instruments for natural philosophy, and the models of machines, are good ; and the mu- seum of natural history, which contains the collection of the late professor Filler, besides that of the university may be ranked among the fine collections of Europe." There is a calvinist col- lege or university at Debretzin : and the bishop of Erlau has re- cently established a splendid university at that city. Cities and To%vns.'\ Vienna, the chief city of the Austrian do- minions, lies on the S. or rather W. side of the Danube, in a fer- tile plain watered by a branch of that river, (beyond which stands the suburb of Leopoldstadt,) and by the little river Wien. The Danube is here very wide, and contains several woody isles : the country towards the N. and E. is level, but on the S. and W. hilly, and variegated with trees. It is founded on the site of the ancient Vindobona ; but was of little note fill the 12th century, when it be- came the residence of the dukes of Austria, and was fortified in the manner of that age. The manufactures are little remarkable, though some inlcnd commerce be transacted on the noble stream of the Danube. The number of inhabitants was in 1801, 232,049, and of houses, 6,649. The suburbs are far more extensive than the city, standing at a considerable dist,p.nce from the walls. The houses are generally of brick covered with stucco, in a more dura- ble manner than commonly practised in England ; the finest sand being chosen, and the lime, after having been slacked, remain- ing for a twelvemonth, covered with sand and boards, before it is applied to the intended use. The chief edifices are the metropo- litan church of St. Stephen, the imperial palace, library, and arse- nal, the house of assembly for the states tf lower Austria, the council house, the university, and some monasteries. The impe- rial park, is an island on the Danube well planted with wood ; and to the S. is the chapel of Herenhartz, which during Lent is much frequented for the sake of amusement, as well as of devotion. Provisions of all kinds abound in Vienna, particularly wild boars, venison, and game. The people delight in the combats of wild beasts, and of bulls. In one of the suburbs is the palace of Belvi- dere, which foi'merly belonged to prince Eugene ; and at the dis- tance of a few miles stands Schonbi'un, another imperial palace. Though Vienna be much exposed to the northern and eastern winds, yet the southern hills serve as a fence against the rain, and the traveller rather complains of dust than of moisture. The pleasantness of the environs in general is improved by the happy- aspect of the Austrian peasantry. The honor of the second city in the Austrian dominions must be claimed by Prague, the population being 80,317, and the houses 3,237. This metropolis of Bohemia stands on both sides of the river Mulda, over wliich there is a noble bridge of stone, founded in 1357. The fortifications are of small moment ; but the houses are of stone, and commonly three stories in height. This city has 324 AUSTRIA. liad the fatality of being exposed to frequent sieges, commonly fortunate to the aggressors. About a sixth part of the population consists of Jews. The third city is Lcmbevg, or Leopold, in Gallicia. Its situa- tion is low on the banks of the Pcltcw just above its entrance into the Bug, being surrounded with hills and mountains, which com- mand the town. It Avas made an archbishopric's see, in 1561. The fortifications are in the Polish manner, merely of timber. The houses are 2850 in number ; and the inhabitants in 1808, were estimated at 50,000, being a mixture of several nations. Next stands Gratz, the capital of Stiria, supposed to contain 40,000 souls, and 4600 houses. This city stands on the west side of the river Muehr, joined by a bridge to an extensive suburb on the opposite bank. There are regular fortifications ; and on a bold rock near the river is placed a strong citadel. Pest is a royal and free town of Hungary on the cast side pf the Danube, opposite Buda, 103 miles 3. E. of Vienna. It has suffer- ed much in the wars with the Turks. The supreme court of ap- peal is held here. The town contains a large military hospital, 6 convents, several churches, and in 1807, 2909 houses, and 36,000 inhabitants. Debrctzin, also in Hungary, stands on a branch of the Thcis in 47 30 N. Its houses in 1806 amounted to 3600 and its inhabi- tants to 35,000. Presburg, the capital of Hungary, only contains 32,000 inhabi- tants, its precedence being of modern date, after Buda the ancient capital had been repeatedly taken by the Turks. Presburg is beautifully situated on the Danube, towards the western extremity of Hungary, being only about 35 British miles to the cast of Vien- na ; but the position is still more uncentrical than that of Buda. The Danube is here^cry rapid, and about 250 yards in breadth. About one quarter of the inhabitants are Lutherans, who are so opulent as to pay about one half the taxes. A good theatre, and convenient cofTee-houses contrilnite to the pleasure of the inhabi- tants. Jews also abound in this city. Theresienstadtin lat. 46 6 N. stands near a branch of the Theis, and contains about 2380 houses, and 28,000 inhabitants. Szceedin is built near the confluence of the Maros and the O Theis, and is well fortified. Its trade is chiefly in cattle. In 1808 it contained 25,347 inhabitants. Cracow, in Gallicia, the ancient capital of Poland, stands on the Vistula, near it source. It has a castle, but is weakly fortified. In 1808, its houses amounted to 1,992, and the inhabitants to about 25,000. Buda, by the Germans called Offen, the ancie'.it metropolis of Hungary, contained, in 1787, 1,640 houses, and 24,872 inhabitants. Here are hot-springs of some celebrity. The people, like those of Vienna, delight in bull-fights and exhibitions of wild beasts. In 1784 the seat of the provincial government was transferred from Presburg to this place. Brunn, the capital of Moravia, is built at the conflux of the AUSTRIA. 325 Schwai'saw and the Surtawa, tvibutai'ies of the Danube. It has considerable manufactures of cloth, velvets and plush. The diets are held alternately at Brunn and at Olmutz. It is defended by a strong fortress, has 6 cloisters, a collegiate church, and a college of Jesuits, and in 1801 contained 1,621 houses, and 23,598 inhab- itants. Trieste lies on the N. E. part of the Adi-iatic, called the gulf of Trieste. The harbor is well fortified, and the trade considerable. It contained, in 1801, 23,633 inhabitants, and only 1,210 houses. Schemnitz, the largest of the mine-towns in Hungary, lies be- tween hills, in a long valley. The houses, 1692 in number, stand scattered a considerable way up the acclivities on both sides. The inhabitants are 22,241 in number, of whom two thirds are Protestants. Brody, on the confines of Russian Poland, was estimated to con- tain, in 1808, 21,000 inhabitants. Laybach, in Carniola, on the Laybach, a branch of the Save, in 1808, contained, 1,394 houses, and 20,000 inhabitants. Linz, or Lintz, lies on the Danube, in 14 E. and is a handsome, well built town. It is the capital of the province, west of the Ens, sometimes called Upper Austria, and in 1808 contained 998 houses, and 18,754 inhabitants. • Cronstadt is in the S. E. part of Transylvania near the borders of Walachia, from which it is separated by lofty mountains. It contains 2010 houses, and 18,1 18 inhabitants, consisting of Bulga- rians, Hungarians and Saxotis. Erlau, in Hungary, in lat. 47 53 N. Ion. 20 30 E. contained, iu 1808, 15,942 inhabitants, Salzburg, on the borders of Bavaria, contained, in 1805, 15,508 inhabitants. Zomber, a little east of the Danube, in Hungary, near the con- fines of Turkey, contained, in 1808, 14,956 inhabitants. Clausenburg,orColosvar, in Transylvania, on the Samos, a trib- utary of the Theis, contains 1060 houses, and 14,522 inhabitants. This is the Zeugma of the ancients, and in Latin Claudiofwli^. It is surrounded by an ancient thick wall, and is the principal seat of the Unitarians in Transylvania. Miskolez,in Hungary, near the confines of Silesia, cotains 2400 houses, and 13,500 inhabitants. Hermanstadt in Transylvania, on the river Szeben, is fortified with a double wall, and a deep moat. It contained, in 1785, 13,313 iuhabithnts. Neusatz, on the Danube, in Hungary, opposite the village of Peterwardein, in Slavonia, is a bishop's see, and well fortified. The inhabitants, who are Rascians, amounted, in 1808, to 13,262, and the houses to 2000. Raab, or Gyor, is a strong fortress of Hungary, 28 miles from Presburg, in a pleasant country, at the conflux of the Danube, the Raab, and the Rabnitz. Its houses, 1,610 in number, are all of stone. The population, in 1810, was 13,071. Of the remaining towns none are so large as to demand a minute 826 AUSTRIA. descripLion. In Bohemia, Reichenberg contains 10,500 inhabi- tants : in Moravia, Iglau, 10,948, Olmutz 8,595, Troppau 8000, Nickolsburg 7,520 : in the archduchy, Neustadt 10,680, Hallstadt 8000 : in Croatia, Agram, 8,900, Bukari 7,805, Fiume 11,000 : in Carinthia, St. Andre, 8,900, Klagenfurt, on the Drave, 11,000 : in Carniola, Goritz, 12,000: in Slavonia, Semlin, 7,089 : in Gal - licia, Jaroslaw, 12,000, Jaszbereny 12,000, Lublin 7,400 : in Hun- gary, Csaba 12,000, Eger 7,544, Eszeg 7,656, Furfkirchcn 8,925, Cardszag, 9,000, Carlsburg 11,279, Kaschau 12,000, Comorn 12,067, Kremnitz 10,200, Fasarhely 8,500, Nagykoros 12,000, Oedenburg 12,319, Smohiitz 9,000, Stulweissenberg 12,248 : and in Transylvania Temeswar, 10,097. Edifices.^ The chief public edifices are at Vienna, Buda, and pest, but there are many splendid churches and monastei'ics in the several regions of the Austrian dominions. ]Many of the Hungarian nobility, who have vast estates, possess castles of cor- responding magnificence. Amongst the chief are the Palesy, Scha- lii, Erdoby, Sichy, Forgathese, Kohari, Karoly ; but above all Ester- hazy, whose castle, about a day's journey from Presburg, is said to rival Versailles in pomp ; and seems also to rival that palace in the surrounding desolation, being in a morassy country near the Neusidler lake.^ Manufactures and Conwierce.^ Manufactures do not seem to be cultivated to a great extent in any part of the Austrian domin- ions. Vienna perhaps equals any other of the cities in manufac- tures, which are chiefly of silk, gold and silver lace, cloths, stuffs, stockings, linen, mirrors, porcelain ; with silver plate, and sev- eral articles in brass. f Bohemia is celebrated for beautiful glass and paper. The linen manufactures of Bohemia amount annual- ly, according to Hoeck, to 16,000,000 floriiis, beside some in wool and in cotton. The woollen manufacture at Lintz, employs 30,000 persons ; and in the whole archduchy there are 7 great manufactures of cotton cloth, which employ 140,000 persons. But the commerce of the Austrian dominions chiefly depends upon their native opulence ; Austria proper and the southern provinces producing aburidance of horses and cattle, corn, flax, saffron, and various wines, with several metals, particularly quicksilver from the mines of Idria. Bohemia and Moravia are also rich in oxen and sheep, corn, flax, and hemp ; in which they are rivalled by the dismembered provinces of Poland. The wide and marshy plains of Hungary often present excellent pasturage for numer- ous herds of cattle ; and the more favored parts of that country produce corn, rice, the rich wines of Tokay, and tobacco of an ex- quisite flavor, with great and celebrated mines of varioOs metals and minerals. The Austrian territories in general are so abun- dant in the various necessaries and luxuries of life, to be found either in the north or south of Europe, that the imports seem to be few and inconsiderable. The chief exports are from the port of Trieste, consisting of qviicksiiver and other metals, with wines * Riesbeck, ii. 49, 66. f Buschh g, vi. 549, See Hocck. AUSTRIA. 3f2r and various native products. Dr. Townson gives a table of the exports of Hungary for one year, from which it appears that they consisted chiefly of cattle, hogs, sheep, fiour, wheat, rye, wool, and wine, carried to other Austrian provinces i and only about one-seventh part sent to foreign countries. CHAPTER H. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRI- CULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOO- LOGY, MINERALOGY, MINERAL WATERS, NATURAL CURIOSITIES. Climate and Seasons.^ THE climate of Austria proper is commonly mild and salubrious, though sometimes exposed to vi- olent winds, and the southern provinces 'in general enjoy delight- ful temperature, if the mountainous parts be excepted. The Biore northern regions of Bohemia and Moravia, with the late ac- quisitions in Poland, can likewise boast the maturity of the grape, and of gentle and favorable weather. The numerous lakes and morasses of Hungary, and the prodigious plains, are supposed to render the air damp and unwholesome, the cold of the night ri- valling the heat of the day ; but the blasts from the Carpathian mountains seem in some measure to remedy these evils, the in- habitants being rather remarkable for health and vigor. Face of the Country r\ The appearance of the various regions subject to Austria is rather mountainous than level, presenting a striking contrast in this respect to those of Russia and Prussia. The Tyrolese Alps branch out on the S. and N. of Carinthia and Carniola. Stiria displays chains of considerable elevation. The southern limit of Austria proper is marked by other heights ; and Bohemia and Moravia are almost encircled by various mountains, which on the east join the vast Carpathian chain, that winds along the north and east of Hungary and Transylvania, divided from each other by another elevated ridge : tlie dismembered provinces of Poland, though in the south they partake of the Carpathian heights, yet afford tiie widest plains to be found within the limits of the Austrian power. The general face of the Austrian dominions may be pronounced to be highly variegated and interesting ; and the vegetable pro- ducts of both the north and south of Europe unite to please the eye of the traveller. Soil and jli;riciilture.'^ The soil is upon the whole extremely fertile and productive, in spite of the neglect of industry, Avhich has permitted many parts of Hungary, and of the Polish provinces, to pass into wide forests and marshes. The latter country, par- ticularly in many places, exhibits few symptoms of an inhabited and still less of a civilized region. Were skill and labor to as- sume the axe and spade, those very parts might display the great- 32S AUSTRIA. est exuberance of fertility. The state of agriculture in Moravia is superior to the rest, being improved by Flemish farmers. The following is the estimate furnished by Hassel of the distri- bution of the Austrian territories. Square Jochs. .Ploughland - - 19,500,000 Pasture - - - 9,200,000 Meadows - - 12,500,000 Gardens - - - 2,501,000 Wine-mountains - 1,250,000 Water - - - 1,500,000 Forests - - 28,407,500 78,858,500 The square joch appears to be a very little more than two acres- Rivers.'\ After the Danube, which has already bee*i described, the river next in consequence is the Teis, which rising froni the Carpathian mountains, tOAvards Buckovina, and bending towards the Avest, receives many tributary streams from that Alpine chain ; and afterwards turning to the S. falls into the Danube not far to the W. of Belgrade, after a course of about 420 miles. At Bel- grade the Danube receives the Sau, or Save, which forms a boundary between Austria and Turkey, rising not far from Idria in the mountains of Carniola, and pursuing a course nearly eqvial in length to that of the Ticss. That of the Drau, or Dravc, ex- tends to about 350 miles, from its source in the eastern mountains of Tyrol, till it joins the Danube below Esseg, The Inn rises in the E. of Swisserland, from the mountain of Maloggia in the Grisons, being a point of partition dividing the waters which run towards the Black Sea, from those which flow into the Adriatic* This powerful river is more gentle near its source, than the other Alpine streams, but soon becomes more pi'ccipitous ; and joins the Danube at Passau with a weight of wa- ter nearly equal to that stream, after a course of about 250 miles. It is now only a frontier of Austria, and that but for a small dis- tance. The Raalj, and the Leytha, intermediate streams between the Drave and the Inn, only desei've a brief mention. The Mulda is a considerable river which rises in the southern mountains of Bo- hemia, and after running about 50 miles S. E. bends due N. and joins the Elbe near Melnick, after passing through Prague. The Elbe itself rises in the Sudetic mountains between Bohemia and Silesia, and waters a great part of the former kingdom before it enters Saxony, bending its coiu'se N. W. towards the German ocean. The Morau, whence Moravia derives its name, also rises in the Sudetic mountains ; and passing by Olmutz joins the Dan- ube not far to the W. of Presburg. Lakes.~\. The lakes in the Austrian dominions are numerous, and some of them of considerable size. Bohemia presents a few * Coxc's Swiss, iii. 2S. AUSTRIA. 3.29 small pieces of water towards its southern boundary ; tut on en- tering Austria proper, the lake of Traun, the Ebernsee, and oth- ers, are of greater extent. Carinthia contains a large central lake not far from Clagenfurt ; and Carniola another, the Cirknitz See. Hungary contains many morasses, and lakes ; the most im-_ portant of the latter being that of Platte, or the Flatten See, ex- tending about forty-five British miles in length, by eight in breadth, and abounding with fish. The Neusidler lake, about thirty miles S. E. of Vienna, is about thirteen miles in length by four'in breadth. It is almost surrounded by fens ; and is chiefly remarkable for being in the vicinity of Eisenstadt, the princely residence of the family of Esterhazy. On the E. of the Tiess is the lake of Palitzer, about eight miles in length. In Transylva- nia is the Tsege To : and many small lakes are situated amidst the Carpathian mountains. Mountains.^ The provinces of Carinthia and Carniola present many considerable chains of mountains ; as that of Lobel which separates these countries ; and the Julian, or Carnic Alps, (noW called Birnbaumber Wald) which divide Carinthia from Italy. Upper Austria, or the western part of this province, contain?; many considerable mountains, the highest of which is in the maps called Priel, but the proper name is Gressenberg. Towai'ds the N. Austria is divided from Bohemia by a ridge of considerable el- evation, which passes to the N. E. of Bavaria. On the N. W. Bohemia is parted from Saxony by a chain of metallic mountains^ called the Ertzgeberg, a word that implies hills containing mines. On the W. of the river Eger, near its junction with the Elbe, stands the mountainous group of Milessou, supposed to be the highest in the province. On the N. E. the Sudetic chain, which branches from the Carpathian, divides Bohemia and Moravia from Silesia, and the Prussian dominions. The Carpathian mountains, that grand and extensive chain, which bounds Hungary on the N. and E. have been celebrated from all antiquity. By the Germans they are styled the mountains, of Krapak, probably the original name, which was softened by the Roman enunciation : the Hungarians, a modern people, call them Tatra. This enormous ridge extends in a semicircular form from the mountain of Javornik S. of Silesia towards the N. W. But at the mountain of Trojaska, the most northern suncimit, it bends to the S. E. to the confines of the Buckovina, where it sends forth two branches, one to the E. another to the W. of Transyl- vania ; which is also divided from Walachia by a branch running S. W. and N. E. The whole circuit may be about 500 miles. The highest summits of these mountains, according to Dr. Town- son, do not exceed 8 or 9000 feet, and they are for the most part composed of granite and primitive limestone. J'orests.^ To enumerate the forests in the Austrian dominions would be a task at once laborious and fruitless. Suflice it to ob- serve, that numerous and extensive forests ax'ise in every direc- tion, particularly along the Carpathian mountains, and in the provinces acquir^l from Poland. Even Bohemia was formerly voL'ir. 42 33.0 AUSTRIA. remarkable ibr a i'orest of great extent, a remain of the Het- cijnia Sylva of antiquity, which extended from the Rhine to Sar- matia, from Cologne to Poland. The Gabrata Sylva was on the S. W of the same country, where a chain of hills now divides it from Bavaria. Botany.'] The botany of Austria proper has been carefully il- lustrated by Jacquin ; and that of Carniola by Scopoli and Hac- quct, but that of Hungary is still very impe'-fect ; and the acqui- sitions in Poland by the last and former partitions are as yet in ,a manner unknown to natural history. The general mild tempera- ture of the Austrian states, their variety of soil and situation, from the lakes and rich levels of Hungary, to the snowy summits of Istria and Carinthia, are a sufficient evidence of the richness of their flora ; each year it is augmented by the discovery of new species, and will doubtless long continue to be increased by the investigations of future botanists. Of the bulbous-rooted plants,the principal are the tufted and clus- tered hyacinth ; alium victoriale, one of the most stately and orna- mental species of the large genus gai-lic ; the orange lily ; martagon, and turncap lily ; dog's tooth violet, one of the earliest beauties of the spring ; yellow and tawny day lily ; and lastly, though perhaps superior in beauty to any of the preceding, veratrum al- bum and nigrum, tvhite and black hellebore. Of the class decandria, are the alpine and maiden pink ; fraxi- nella ; and two species of rhododendron, the hairy and ferrugi- nous. The sides of the mountains from the Carpathian chain to the heights of Istria are adorned by the soldanella alpina and are- tia alpina, the former with purple, the latter with white and flesh- Colored blossoms. Among the numerous species of flax, the fol- lowing very elegant ones are natives of Austria : hairy flax ; yel- low flowered f. ; and Austrian f. ; with large deep-blue blossoms ; the stemless gentian, and the Pannonian gentian, bearing large purple blossoms. Among the native plants of the Austrian dominions, may be dis- tinguished tv/o species of Adonis or pheasant's eye ; the alpine poppy, with snow-white flowers ; mountain anemone , the Christ- mas rose ; and potentilla nitida : the sacred lotus of Egypt and India has also of late been found in some lakes in Hungary. The flowering shrubs are, the laburnum, the flesh-colored heath, lilac, and German tamarisk. The common fruit-trees of Europe are largely cultivated in the provinces of Austria, but their list of native fruits is very scanty. The forest trees are, the elm ; the wych elm ; lime-tree : birch and alder ; common and prickly- cupped oak ; sumach ; walnut ; chesnut and beech ; hornbeam ; black and white poplar and aspen ; sycamore and maple ; the ash, the pine, the fir, the yew-leaved fir, and the larch. Zoology i^\ The domestic animals in the Austrian dominions are commonly excellent, particularly the cattle. Many of the native horses run wild, and arc sold in great numbers at the fairs, before they have suftered any subjection. The breed of cattle is mostly ot a singular color, a slaty blue ; and the Hungarian sheep re- AUSTRIA. 331 bemble the Walachiaii in tlicir long spiral horns, and pendant hairy fleece. The Urus or Bison, is said lo be found in the Carpathian for- ests, as Avell as in those of Lithuania and Caucasus. Among the wild quadrupeds, may also be named the bear, the boar, the wolf, the chamois, the marmot, and the beaver. The Danube boasts of some fishes seldom found in other rivers, among which is a small and delicate sort of salmon. There is scarcely a province of this extensive territory, from the frontiers of Bavaria to those of Tui'key, which cannot boast of advantages in the mineral kingdom ; and as it were by a destiny attached to the house of Austria, even the acquisitions in Poland contain one of the most i-emarkable mines in Europe, the saline excavations of Wielitska. The mines of Bohemia have been cel^ ebrated from ancient times.* Silver is found at Kuttenberg, and at Joachinsthal, on the western frontier towards Saxony, probably a continuation of the veins of that country: and gold has been discovered at Keonstock. One of the most singular products of this province is tin, whicli is found at Zinwald (that is the tin for- est,) and other western districts of Bohemia ; where is also found, at Dreyhacken, a mine gf very pure copper. Lead occurs at Bleystadt, in the same quarter. The garnets of Bohemia are among the most beautiful of the kind. They are chiefly found in clay, mingled with mica, at Meronitz in the mountain of Stiefel- berg, whence they are carried to Bilen.f The women wash the clay in which the garnets are found ; after which they are sifted and arranged according to size ; and sold by the pound weight from about three to ten shillings. Many workmen are occupied in cutting and piercing them, for necklaces, and other ornaments : they are polished in facets, with emery on a piece of freestcce, and pierced with a small diamond. This branch of commerce is of great antiquity at Carlsbad, and at Walkirk in Suabia, where twenty-eight mills are occupied in this article only. The fertile archduchy of Austria displays few minerals, though there be mines of gold near the abbey Goectwrg, and of alum near Krems : saltpetre is however prepared in abundance ; and at a little distance from St. Annaberg, near the frontiers of Stiria, a rich mine of silver was opened in 1754. The southern provinceii of Stiria, Carinthia, and Carniola, afford many important minerals. The iron of Stiria supplies the finest steel, and great quantities are imported into England : there are considerable lead mines near Pegau on the river Mohr, yielding about 500 tons yearly. Stiria also affords coal at different places ; not to mention minerals of mere beauty or curiosity, among which may perhaps be named the singular blue granite, which is fouod near Villach, in Carin- thia. On the E. of Stiria extends the duchy of Carinthia, also yield- ing excellent iron, the mines of Friesach on the N. being particu- larly famous. In the neighborhood of Villach, at Bleyberg, are • Biischipg, vol. vi. ^26. Frepqji edit. Svo. f Joarn. des Min. No. iv. 3C". ■332 AUSTRIA. found rich lead mines ; and the same place supplies what is called fire-marble or lumachelli. Carniola, or Krain, abounds with immense caves, and other nat- ural curiosities : but except a few iron works, the mineralogy is little remarkable. On the west, towards the county of Gorz, which produces excellent wines, lies the Ban of Idria, a district immediately subject to the chamber of inner Austria at Gratz. The quicksilver mines of Idria arc celebrated in natural history, poetry, and romance. They were discovered in the year 1499 ; and the hill of Vogelberg has annually yielded more than 300,000 pound weight of mercury. The common ore is cinabar ; but sometimes pure quicksilver runs through the crevices. But the principal mines in the Austrian dominions are situated in the eastern provinces of Hungary and Transylvania. About 40 miles to the S. of the Carpathian hills are the gold mines of Cremnitz ; and 20 English miles further to the S. the silver mines of Shemnitz : cities which have arisen solely from these labors, and thence called mining towns. Shemnitz is esteemed the prin- cipal. The academy here instituted for the study of mineralogy is highly respectable, and only rivalled by that of Freyberg in Sax- ony. Hungary contains mines of copper at Schmclnitz and Her- rengrund, of very rich antimony at Rosenau ; and in different parts, of ooal, salt, and alum. Saltpetre is also produced in con- siderable quantities : and natron or soda is found in a lake near Kismaria, towards the frontier of Transylvania.* Butaminei'al peculiar to Hungary, and as yet discovered in no other region of tlic globe, is the opal, a gem preferred to all others by the oi-ien- tal nations. The opal mines are situated at Czerweniza, a short day's journey to the N. of Kaschaw, and nearly under the same latitude with Cremnitz. The hill in which they are found con- sists of decomposed porphyry ; and they only occur at the dis- tance of a few fathoms from the surface, of various qualities, from the opake white, or semi-opal, which is also discovered in Corn- wall, to that utmost efTulgence of iridescent colors which distin- guishes this noble gem. The mines of Transylvania and the Bannat are also numerous and valuable. Those of Najiag, twelve British miles to the N. E. of Deva, produce the grey gold ore. They are the richest in Transylvania. At Ofenbanya, about 25 British miles to the N. of Karlsburg is found the white gold ore, which also occurs in the hills of Fatzebay, in the same quarter. The country towards the W. of Karlsburg presents numerous gold mines near Zalathna : and in the N. of this province are those of Kapnick, Felsobanya, and others. The chief mining tov/n of the Bannat is Orawiza, to- wards the S. of which are found mines of copper ; and gold and silver at Dognaska to the N. The salt mines acquired from Poland alone remain to be de- scribed. They are situated, as already mentioned, at Wielitska, eight miles to the S. of Cracow, being excavated at the northern * Journ. des Miu. No. 2, SWITZERLAND. 5*33 extremity of a branch of the Carpathian mountains. The descent is by pits of great depths ; and the galleries and chambers are of immense size, commonly supported by timber, or by vast pillars of salt, out of which material even subterraneous chapels ai'e form- ed ; but travellers have idly exaggerated the splendor and extent of the saline apartments.* The salt is of an iron grey color, sometimes intermingled with white cubes ; and sometimes large blocks of salt appear imbedded in marl.f The purest sort is found at the bottom of the mine, and is sparry. The length of the mine is 6,697 feet, the breadth 1,115, and the depth 743. It has been worked above 600 years, and is apparently inexhaustible. Before the partition it yielded annually ,C97,222 sterling. But it has been less productive since. Mineral Waters.~\ The mineral waters in the Austrian domin- ions are very numerous, as is to be expected in a country so mountainous, with the exception of the great plain in the west of Hungary, extending more than 250 miles in every direction. The chief are those of Baden, in Austria ; those of Carlsbad, Toplitzi Agra, and Desny, in Bohemia ; and those of Rank, Bestfeld, Gran, Buda, and Groswardin, in Hungary. These last are fre- quented for the hot-baths by the neighboring Walachians. JVatural Curio sit is s.~\ Tlie glaciers and peaks of the Brenner, the calcareous hills of Carinthia and Carniola, may be ranked among the most prominent curiosities. Near Trautenau, in Bohe- mia, is what may be called a forest of stones, from 60 to 150 feet high ; they are by some thought to be the skeleton of a hill. The lake Cirkutz, or the Zirchrictzer See, 8 miles long and 4 broad, in the month of June, descends through many apertures into the ground ; in September it rises again, after yielding rich pasturage through the summer. In the winter it abounds with lish. The Lesero, m the isle of Cherso, diffuses its waters only every fifth year. SWITZERLAND. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. ,JJAMES, EXTENT, BOUNDARIES, DIVISIONS, ORIGINAL POPULATION,, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, ANTIQUITIES, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, ARMY, REVENUE, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LAN- GUAGE, LITERATURE, EDUCATION, CITIES AND TOWNS. JVhmes.] WE have already remarked, that this country- was a part of Gallia Belgica. The principal tribe, which possess- ed it in the time of the Romans, was the Helvetii, after whom it was also called Helvetia. The name Switzerland was not given * Coxe's Pol. i. 200. | Townson, 388'. r^3A SWITZERLAND. to it till early iii the 14th century. The name is derived from one of the cantons, called Schwitz, from the circumstance, that, within the limits of that canton, the first league was formed against the tyranny of Austria. Jixte?^.'] The length of Switzerland from E. to W. is about 200 miles ; its breadth from N. to S. about 1 30. The contents, in square miles, are, according to Hassel, 15,755. Bounda7-ies.'] Bounded N. W. by France ; N. by the Rhine and the lake of Constance, which separate it from the grand duchy of Cleves, and the kingdom of Bavaria, both in Germany ; E. by the Tyrol, which is a part of Bavaria, by the kingdom of Italy, and by Piedmont ; S. W. by Savoy. Di~jisions.~\ Switzerland formerly consisted of 1 3 cantons, with their allies and subjects. Several of the allied and subjected states have been annexed to France and Italy. The remainder have been formed into new cantons. The old 13 cantons retain their former names and extent, and are the first in the following table, taRen from Hassel, and exhibiting the state of the country in 1809. 1 he population is partly from from a census, and partly from his estimate. Cantons. Inhabitants. ( Cantons. Inhabitants, 1. C Bern I Aargau* 232,508 11. Zug 14,735 2. 134,444 12. Switz 31,400 3. Basil 42,193 13. Uri 17,500 4. Schaffhauscn 27,590 14. Underwald 21,200 5. Zurich 182,123 15. Grison's Country 74,000 6. Appenzcl 55,000 16. St. Gall 162,000 7. Giarus 19,280 17. Tcssinot 161,000 8. Friburg 89,610 18. Thurgaul 74,000 9. Lucern 110,000 19. Pays de Vaud§ 145,215 iO. Soleui'C 43,610 The following countries lately belonged, or were allied, to Swit- zerland ; Geneva, now a part of France ; Neufchatel, taken from Prussia by the French, v\ovr a dependency of France ; the Valte- line, annexed to the kingdom of Italy ; and the Valais, still a dis- tinct republic. The situation of these various districts can best be learned from the map. Original Populction.~\ The Helvetil, the first occupants of the country with whose name we are acquainted, were undoubtedly a Gothic tribe ; and there is little reason to believe that the Celts, in their progress westward, ever took Switzerland in their way. Historical Efiochs.~\ The chief historical epochs may be ar- ranged in the following order : 1. The wars Avith the Romans; the subjugation of the Helvetii and RhjEti, and the subsequent events till the decline of the Romany empire in the west. * Aargau is a part of the old canton of Berne. f Tessino, formerly the Italian Bailliages, t" Thurgau or Twrgoria. § Pays de \'aud, or Waadt. SWITZERLAND. S3a 2. The irruption of the Alemanni in the beginning of the 4th century, who are by some supposed to have extirpated the ancient Helvetians. 3. The subjugation of the western part of Switzerland as far as the river Reuss by the Franks, who annexed that portion to Bur- gundy. The Grisons on the e?.st were subject to Theodoric, and other kings of Italy. 4. The conversion of the country to Christianity by the Irish monks, Columbanus, Gallus, and others, in the beginning of the 7th century. 5. The invasion of Alemannia by the Huns* in the year 909 j and the subsequent contests with these barbarians till the middle of that century. 6. About the year 1030 the provinces which now constitute Switzerland began to be regarded as a part of the empire of Ger- many ; and in the course of two centuries they gradually became subject to the house of Hapsburg. 7. The commencement of the Swiss emancipation, A. D. 1307; and the subsequent struggles with the house of Austria. 8. The gradual increase of the confederacy, the Burgundian and Swabian wars : and the contests with the French in lialy. 9. The history of the reformation in Switzerland. ' 10. The insurrection of the peasants of Bern, in the middle of the 17th century. II. The dissolution of the confederacy by the French invasion, A. D. 1798. .4ntiquities.~\ The ancient monuments of Sv.itzerland are not numerous, consisting chiefly of a few remains of the Romans, at Aventicum and Vindernissa. Some also occur at Ebrodunum,or Yverdun, and at Baden, the ancient Thermae Helvetica;. Of the middle ages are many castles, churches, and monasteries ; the most noble among the lattei being the abbey of St. Gal, the libra- ry of which supplied the manuscripts of three or four classical au- thors, no where else to be found. Some interesting monuments relate to the emancipation of the country, and have contributed to extend the spirit of freedom from generation to generation. Religion.'] The inhabitants compose but two sects, Calvinists and Catholics. The former are the most numerous. The pro- portion is more than 9 to 7. Berne, including Aargau, Basil, Schaff" hausen, Zurich, the Pays de Vaud, the country of the Gri- sons, three fourths of Glams, and two thirds of Appenzel and Thurgau, are Calvinistic ; the remainder are Catholic. The Cal- vinistic clergy were all absolutely on a level. The Catholics were subjected to one archbishop, and six bishops. Governtnent.~\ Each canton was formerly an independent re-- public, governed by its own laws, and appointing its own magis- trates. The form of government in the cantons was various. Berne, Friburg, Lucerne, Zurich, Soleure, and Schaff hausen had * The Ugurs, so called by fhe writers of the tim-p. The>' •nere a brnne.h of xhn V()gu^|(, s Fiunitih nice. .'po SWITZERLAND. more of the aristocratical form, while the others incUneci rather to a democracy. A general diet composed of two members from each canton, and three from the various dependencies, superin- tended the common interests of the country. In this each canton •had one vote, and every question was decided by the majority. Under this government the Swiss had enjoyed, for a succession of ages, more civil and political liberty, than any nation in Europe. No nation was as virtuous ; none was as happy. The French ■were led thither by no provocation but innocence, by no motive but plunder ; and when they came, the happiness, the virtue, the liberty, and the glory of the Swiss were all buried in one common grave. A new constitution was established for them by the first Con- sul, in 1802. The government consists of two landammans, a senate, and a diet. The diet, composed of representatives from the cantons, meets annually ; and, at the proposition of the senate, declares war and makes peace, ratifies treaties, and adopts, or rejects, such laws, as less than two thirds of the cantons have ap- proved. The senate consists of 2 landammans, 2 stadtholders, and 26 councillors. It names all public functionaries. A depu- tation Of the senate administers the government during a recess of that body. This government was forced upon the inhabitants at the point cf the bayonet. Population?^ The amount of the various sums in the table is 1,635,408. Hassel's general estimate is 1,638,000. ArTiiy^\ The military force, in 1809, was 15,023 men. There were then from 20 to 30,000 Swiss soldiers in foreign countries. France alone had 15,000 ; the rest were in England, Spain, and Holland. Re-v€nucr\^ The revenue in 1809, was stated by Hassel at 1,000,000 German guilders, or 555,500 dollars. Formerly it was computed at more than a million sterling. Bern is still the rich- est of the cantons, and is said to have large sums in foreign funds. Manners nud Cusfo?ns.l^ The houses of the Swiss are of wood, constructed in the most simple form, with staircases on the out- side. The dress of the inhabitants in most of the cantons, was regulated by sumptuary laws. In the rest, the changes of fash- ions were little regarded. The cleanliness of the houses, and of the people, v. as striking. Even the cottages conveyed a lively idea of neatness and simplicity, and impressed a pleasing convic- tion of the peasant's happhiess. Each had its little territory dis- tributed into a garden, afield, a meadow, and a pasture, frequently skirted with trees, and well supplied with water. The diver- sions of the inhabitants were chiefly of the active and warlike kind, such as running, wrestling, and shooting with the bow and musquet. The magistrates were exemplary in the punishment, and prevention of petty offences, than which no surer method can be taken to preserve the morals of the community. The Swiss •were intensely attached to their native country. The slightest circumstances reminded the absent soldier of the scenes of his in- SWITZERLAND. 337 fancy,- and dl'e^v him back by an irresistiblff" attraction to the streams and the vallies, the mountains and ihe forests, among which he passed the happiest season of life. Language,~\ The French is spoken in the Pays de Vaud. Tlie Ianguae;e c?.lled the Vaudois appears to have been confined to the vallies of Piedmont. Lite7'ature.'\ The early monuments of Swiss literature consist, as usual, of chronicles and lives of saints. Since the restoration of letters, and the reformation of religion, Switzerland boasts of many eminent names, as the reformer Ulric Zwingli, born at Wildhausen ; Herbsk, who called himself Oporinus, the printer ; Conrad Gesner, born at Zurich in 1516, who published an univer- sal library, and some treatises on natural history ; and that noted quack Paracelsus. Among the writers of the last century may be named Bernoulli, the mathematician, a native of Basil ; Scheuch- zer, the natural historian ; Haller ; John Gesner, the natural phi- losopher ; Solomon Gesner, the poet ; Bonnet, Hirzel, and Zim- merman, physicians ; Rousseau, and Necker, natives of Geneva ; Lavater, the physiognomist ; Euler, the mathematician ; and ma- ny others. Education.~^ Switzerland resembled Connecticut in the gen- eral diffusion of knowledge. The education of the common school was universally shared by the inhabitants. Religious instruction was communicated successfully every sabbath, and the inhabitants generally had an important acquaintance v.'ith the doctrines and the duties of Christianity. There was an tmiversity of some rep- utation at Basil, founded in 1469, and colleges at Berne, Zurich, and Lucerne. Cilies and Toivns.'] Basil, or Basle, formerly Basilea, is built on the Rhine, which is here broad, deep, and rapid, very near its great northern bend. The greater part of the town lies south of the rivei'. A bridge connects it with the other part. Its extent is capable of containing 100,000 inhabitants, and it is said to have 220 streets and 6 market places. The environs consist of fine level fields and meadows. Here were extensive manufactures of ribbands and cottons, and the trade of the place was considerable. The number of inhabitants is 15,060. The cathedral is a noble Gothic building, containing the marble tomb of Erasmus. There are 6 parochial churches, and various other public buildings. Berne stands on a peninsula formed by the Aar, the neck of which is fortified. The streets are wide, and the houses mostly of stone. The great church is a most beautiful piece of architecture. The city is of singular neatness, and beauty, and the environs are rich and fertile, presenting a prospect of hills, lawns, wood, and water, bounded at a distance by the long chain of the superior Alps. In- habitants 13,339. Zurich, Tigiiruin, stands at the mouth of the Lake of Zurich, where its waters are discharged northwards, through the Lam- mat towards the Rhine. Here were manufactures of linens, cot- tons, muslins and silk handkerchiefs. Inhabitants, in ISOr, 10,353. VOL. Hi 43 53S SWITZERLAND. Lausanne, in the Pays de Vaud, is prettily built en three small hills, about half a league from Geneva Lake. Houses, in 1798, 1,300 ; inhabitants 9,965. Freiburg has 800 houses, and 6,094 inhabitants. Schaffhausen, on the north bank of the Rhine, near a celebrated cataract, has 81 1 houses, and 7000 inhabitants. It had 4 church- es, and a college with 8 professors. St. Gall, a little S. W. of the Lake of Constance, has, according to the Helvetic almanac of 1808, 962 houses, and 9000 inhabitants. Here were extensive linen manufactures. CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRICULTURE, RIV- ERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, MIN- ERAL WATERS, NATURAL CURIOSITIES. Climate.'] MANY of the mountains are covered with perennial snows, and the frosts of Avinter are often very severe. But the summer has sufficient heat to mature the grape, though the \ine harvest is I'endered precarious by the occasional cold ■winds from the Alps, Even the corn harvest is so often injured by rains and tempests, that public granaries were every where erected to supply the failure of crops. The vallies are generally warm, and such is the diversity of seasons in different parts, that the inhabitants are often reaping on one side of the mountains when they are sowing on the other. I^'ace of the Country.] Switzerland is generally mountainous, hut less so in the north, than in the south. Basil, Berne, Zurich, Schaffhausen, Soleurc, Friburg', and Thurgau, are the most level ; but even here are eminences from 2000 to 2500 feet above the feea. Some of the mountains are barren, inaccessible rocks, often overspread with immense fields of ice ; others are ci'owned Avith groves and forests, and ornamented with vineyards, fields, and meadows ; while others are every where studded with cottages and hamlets. Soil and ..dgriculture.] The vallies and plains, though generally stony, are fertile. The sides of the hills, also, with a vigorous cul- tivation, repay the labor of the husbandman, and perhaps in no country^ except Holland, docs the eye meet with more numei'- ous proofs 'of persevering industry. Sufficient grain is commonly raised for home consumption. Barley is cultivated on the moun- tain tops ; oats, rye, and spelt, require successively a warmer sit- uation. Flax and hemp are cultivated to a considerable extent ; and tobacco has lately been introduced. The vine is cultivated with most success in Berne, Schaffhausen, and the Pays de Vaud. The attention of the Swiss farmer is, however, cliicfly devoted to his cattle, and most of the fertile land is used for meadow and j)asturc. Apples, pears, plums, cherries, and nuts, arc found ev- SWITZERLAND. 539 eiy where in abundance ; and, in the warmer districts, peaches,, almonds, figs, and pomegranates. Rive7-s.^ The Rhine and the Rhone have already been de- scribed. The Aar has its source in Mount Grimsel, in the southern part of the canton of Berne, and pursuing a winding course towards the N. W. passes through the Lake of Thim, to Aarberg. Here it turns to the N. E. and receiving the waters of the Lake of Neuf- chatel, and being joined by the Reuss and the Limmat, falls into the Rhine, opposite Waldshut, after a course of 150 British miles. The Reuss issues from Mount St. Gothard, and passing through the Lake of Lucern runs N. to^the Aar, a course of 80 miles. The Limmat, running 20 miles, enters the Lake of Zurich ; from which it runs about the same distance, and joins the Aaar, a little below the Reuss. The Thur runs westward, and joins the Rhine below SchafF- hausen. The Tessino falls into the Lake of Maggiore. LaA-es"] The lakes of Switzerland are numerous and interest- ing. The most considerable are those of Constance on the N. E. and Geneva on the S. W. The former is about 45 miles in length, and in some places 1 5 in breadth. This beautiful expanse of wa- ter is by the Germans also styled the Boden Zee. Like all the other lakes of Switzerland, it is deeper in the summer than in the winter, owing to the melting of the snows, and is remarkable for producing large red trout. The lake of Geneva extends in the form of a crescent, about 40 amiles in length, and 9 at its greatest breadth. The beauties of this lake have been celebrated by Rousseau ; but would be con- siderably increased if it were sprinkled with islands. Only a part of the lake Maggiore, or that of Locarno, is in Swit- zerland ; but the lake of Lugano forms an extensive body of water in that region. The lakes of Ncufchatel and Zurich are each about twenty-five miles in length, by about four in breadth. That of Lucerne is about fifteen in length, and the breadth no where above three. Next to these are the lakes of Thun and Brientz ; of Joux and Rouss, on the French confines ; the lakes of Morat, and Bienne, of Sempach, Zug, Wallenstadt,and others of inferior note. Motintains.'] The Alps, the most celebrated of the mountains of antiquity, commencing near the Gulf of Genoa, not far from Monaco, pass between Piedmont, on the E. and France and Sa- voy on the W. through Switzerland, and between Italy on the S. W. and Germany on the N. E. till they terminate at the Gulf of Carnero, on the E. of Istria. The whole length of the chain is about 550 miles. Different parts of it have received different naiiies, but the common name of Alps has been extended to the v/hole. The Maritime Alps, Jl/ies JMaritimae, vel Liitoreae, reach jirom the Gulf ot Genoa to Mount Cenis, near Susa ; though the northern part of this ridge, from Mount Viso N. was anciently- called .dl/ies Cottiacy now Mont Genevre, in which are the springs of the Durance. The Jl^ie? Graiac, now Little St. Bernard, in- 340 SWITZERLAND. elude Mount Cenis, -and pass between Savoy and Piedmont, to Great St. Bernard. The Pennine Alps, Allies Pennmae., include St. Bernard and Mont Blanc, and the grand chain south of the Rhone, which separates the Vallais from Piedmont, and terminate at Mount St. Gothard. The eastern part of this ridge was for- merly called, from the tribe that inhabited it, the Leponiine Alps, and gives rise to the Rhone and the Tessino. The ridge running eastward from Mount St. Gothard, to the sources of the Piave, is called the Rhetian Alps, Alpes Rheticae. East of this the ridge "was anciently called Aljies Moricae^ to the sources of the Taglia- mento ; at the eastern extremity of which the chain bends more to the S. and is called the Carnic Alps, anciently Alpes Venetacy Allies Pannonicae, and afterwards Alfies Juliae. These are all regular continuations of the Great Chain of the Alps. The high- est eminence of this chain is Mont Blanc, separating the N. W. coraer of Piedmont from Savoy. Its summit and sides, to the depth of 4000 feet perpendicular, are covered with perpetual ice and snow. The first, who explored its svmimit, was Mr. De Saussure, of Geneva, in 1787. Sir George Shuckburgh measured its height Avith great accuracy, and found it to be 15,662 feet above the ocean, a greater elevation than that of any measured luountain in the old Avorld. The other high summits in the chain are St. Bernard, Mavidit, Combin, Ccrvin, and Rosa ; the last of which is midway between St. Bernard and Lake Lugano, and falls only 60 feet short of the height of Mont Blanc. The Helvetic Alps are a ridge north of the Rhone, and njjining nearly parallel Avith the principal chain from the bend of that river to Mount St. Gothard, which seems to be a bond of union between the ridges, for it is described as belonging to both. Thence the Helvetic ridge, however, continues its former course., comprising Mount Badur, and the glaciers to the north of the Farther Rhine, while the southern chain bends more to the S. The chief eminences between the Rhone and INIount St. Gothard, are Gemmi, Jungfrau, Sehreckhorn, and Finsteraar, both 13,218 feet high; Grimsel, Furca, and Titlis, 10,818; while St. Gothard is estimated by Pfcffcr, at only 9,075. Of all these the Jungfrau is Said to be the highest, while the Schreckhorn or Peak of Terror^ by its very name, announces its peculiar ruggedness and horror. Botany?^ The rocks of the higher Alps, arc almost wholly destitute of vegetation ; the crustaceous lichen, the Silene acau- lis, saxifraga nivalis, and siellaris, comprise the whole of their ■scanty flora. Li the alpine valleys, are the juniperj the savine, the stonepine, alder, and the alpine rose ; in the clefts of the rocks are tufts of saxifrages, and auricula ; and the hillocks are adorned with the rhododendron, and azalea. Bciow these commence the forests of larch, pine, and fir, inlcr- Tnixed here and there with the yew, the mountain ash, and the bircn. Here in the upper meadows, the richest of Switzerland, we find the yellow gentian, the white hellebore, the actica, the alpine ane- mone, and innumerable other mauntain plants. SWITZERLAND. , 341 The subalpine regions are diversified with njieadows and corn- fields, and forests of deciduous trees. The oak, the elm, the beech, the ash, the lime, and the harnbeara are the most prevalent, and the borders of the streams are shaded by jf^plars and willows. In the plains and broad vallies of Geneva, of Basle, and of the -Pays de Vaud, we meet with numerous vineyards. The walnut, the chestnut, the fig, the pomegranate, the bay, and laurel, and the Cornelian cherry, are among the trees ; the lavender, hyssop, fraxinella, sevei-al kinds of cistus, and the peony, are the chief of the plants and shrubs. The valleys that open towards Italy con- tain, the lilac, the caper-bush, the almond, the Indian fig, and American aloe. Zoology.'] The horses of Switzerland are esteemed for vigor and spirit : and the cattle attain great size. Among the animals peculiar to the Alps may be first named the ibex, or rock goat. This animal resembles the cominon goat ; but the horns of the male are very long and thick. The hair is long, and ash colored, with a black list along the back. Another singular animal is the chamois, which is commonly seen in herds of 20 or 30, with a centinel who alarms them by a shrill cry. The color is yelloAvish brown ; but they sometimes occur speckled. The marmot is common in the Swiss mountains. The skin of this animal is used for furs. The size is between that of the rabbit and the hare. Among the birds may be. named the vulture, called also the golden or bearded vulture. It inhabits the highest Alps, forming its nest in inaccessible rocks. Mineralogy.] The mountains contain iron, sulphur, and Chrys- tal. This last is found in pieces weighing from 7 to 800 weight. Rock salt is found in the canton of Berne. Granite, porphyry, as- bestos, jaspers, and agates are abundant in the Alps. Tremolite has its name from mount Trem.ola, near St. Gothard. Mineral Waters.] Of mineral waters the most remarkable are those of Leuk. To the S. E. are the baths of Alvenew, which are sulphureous and resemble Harrowgate water. Natural Curiosities.] The glaciers of the Alps are immense fields of ice, unrivalled in their extent and magnificence. The peaks and ridges of the higher summits are overspread with per- petual snows; and the intermediate depths and spaces between them are filled with ice, spread out like a sea, and reaching often a great distance down the mountains, even to the borders of the cultivated vallies. These immense masses resting on an inclined plane, and often feebly supported, sometimes slide down the de- clivities, and in a moment overwhelm the villages and hamlets be- low. They are usually intersected by numerous deep fissures, and chasms, and present to the eye a thousand fantastic shapes of walls and pyramids, of houses and temples, of cascades and tor- rents. In some places the ice is of a splendid white ; in others of a beautiful azure, and every Avhere trajisparent and dazzling. Mr. Coxc compares the surface of the glaciers to the appearance of a lake frozen in the midst of a tempesc. The torrents frcijueatly undermine large masses of rock and of 343 SWITZERLAND. earth on the mountains, till at length they are precipitated into the vallies below. A memorable instance of this kind occurred in September 1806, in the canton of Schweitz. The Knipperbuhl rock, the summit of Rosenberg, and a considerable part of the mountain having been thus undermined, fell from an immense height into the valley and a lake adjacent, and in a moment buried beneath them several populous villages, with their churches, and numerous mills and farms. Upwards of 1000 persons perished. General Pfaffer, from his knowledge of the mountain, had predict- ed such an event 20 years before. , THE VALLAIS. THIS republic was separated from its connection with Switzerland, at the time of the new organization of the govern- ment of that country and was annexed to France in 1811. It has - Saxony on the W. Piedmont on the S. and Switzerland on the N. and E. It is about 100 miles long fromN. E. to S. W. and about 25 broad, containing 2027 square miles. This territory was call- ed FalesiUi in the middle ages. In 1475, the inhabitants withstood the power of Austria, and joined the cantons. The religion is the- Roman Catholic ; the population abovit 100,000; and the revenue 80,000 guilders. The whole country is one large valley. The soil surpasses that of Switzei'land. The iine fruits of Italy grow in full perfection. The asthma is a prevalent disease, ajid most of the inhabitants are afflicted with goiters. The languages spoken are the German, French, and Italian. Sion is the capital of the country. It stands upon Sion river near its junction with the Rhone, and contains a college, some convents, and 6 churches. The hills and vallies breed great numbers of cattle, and afford plenty of deers, hares, and other game. Here are said to be mines of silver, coppei', lead, and coal. The hot baths of Brugg, and Leuckj are celebrated mineral waters. GENEVA. THIS little republic was situated at the southern extremity of Geneva lake, where, contracthig, it forms the Rhone. The in- habitants became christians in the 3d century, and in the middle of the 4th, was the see of a bishop. After the overthrow of the empire, it fell successively to Burgundy, France, and Germany. In 1526, it entered into an alliance with the cantons, to resist the encroachments of the dukes of Savoy. In 1535, the doctrines of the reformation were established, and the celebrated Calvin here found a safe retreat from the persecution of the Catholics. The territory belonging to the republic comprised about 60 square miles ; and the population was 30,000. The city of Geneva itself, contained, in 1802, 23,309 inhabitants. The Rhone divides it into two unequal parts. The town and territory arc nov/ an integral part of France. SPANISH EMPIRE. THE Spanish, like the British Empire, embraces portions ef territory in all the four quarters of the globe. 1. In Europe, Spain. Major( Minorca, V Islands in the Mediterranean. Ivica Tca,l irca, > > J 2. In Africa. African Presidencies, Ceuta, Melilla, and a few other cities. Canary Islands, "1 Isle of Fernando Po, i . ^, .^, . ■n • «'o T 1 A > m the Atlantic. Prnice s Island, j • Annabon Island, J / 3. In Asia. Philippine Islands, Calamianes, Ladrones, or Marian Islands, Carolinas, Part of Magindanao, Baihee Islands (south of Formosa.) -^ 4. In America. Floridas, Mexico, Cuba, I. Porto Rico, I. New Grenada, or Western Terra Firma, - "Peru, Chili, , Buenos Ayres, or Paraguay. Falkland Islands. The republic of Venezuela was, till July 5th, 1811, a province of Spain, called the Ca/itaing-eneralshi/i of Caraccas. At that time the inhabitants declared themselves free, and formed an inde- pendent government. Buenos Ayres, Chili and Peru, acknowl- edge also but little dependance on the mother country, and prob- ably, with the rest of the Spanish provinces in South America, will soon become independent states. SPAIN. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. EXTENT, BOrXDARIES, NAMES, DIVISIONS, ORIGINAL POPULATION'- HISTORICAL EPOCHS, PROGRESSIVE GEOGRAPHY, ANTiqUITIES, KELIGION, GOVERNMENT, LAWS, POPULATION, ARMY, NAVY> REVENUE, POLITICAL RELATIONS, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LAN- GUAGE, LITERATURE, UNIVERSITIES, CITIES, EDIFICES, MANU- FACTURES AND COMMERCE. Extent?^ SPAIN lies between Ion. 9 17, 30 W. and 3 45 E. and between lat. o^ 6 30, and 43 4630 N. Its greatest length, from Cape Finisterre to Cape Ortegal, is 620 miles : and its great- est breadth is 530, The number of square miles, according to Hassel, is 195,510, and including the Balearic islands, 193,330 ; while Pinkerton estimates it at only 148,000, Boxmdaries^ Spain is bounded N, by the Bay of Biscay and France ; E. by the Mediterranean ; S. by the same and the Atlan- tic ; W. by Portugal and the Atlantic. J\''amesr\^ The Greeks knew this country by the name of Iber'm^ derived froin the river Iberus^ now the Ebro. The Roman poets called it Hesjieria^ or the western land, and Hesfieria Ulterior, to distinguish it from Hesfieria Citcrior, or Italy. Its geographical name among the Romans was Histiaidan, derived undoubtedly from Sjianija, the name originally given it, according to Bochart, by the Phoenicians, from S/ian, a rabbit, because it abounded with those animals. From Hispania the Spaniards have derived J£s- fiana ; the Italians Esfiagna ; the French Es^iagne ; the English Spain ; and the Germans, Sjiajiicn. Divisions.^ The following we believe to be an accurate ac- count of the divisions and subdivisions of Spain, with the extent and the population of each in 1 787 ; together with the number of cities, boroughs, villages, and parishes. Kingdoms, Provinces. Extent. Population, Cit. Bor. A'iUa. Par. Gallicia, 14,030 1,343,803 1 120 187 306 Asturia, COvicdo, I Santillana, ^ 5260 347,776 3 290 4757 1284 r Biscay, 1430 116,042 124 Biscay, -! Alava, 1100 71,399 432 (_Guipuscoa, 800 120,716 76 Navarre, 3950 227,382 Arragon, 15,550 623,308 11 Catrilonia, 12,710 8 1 4,4 1 2 Valencia, 10,740 932,150 S!>AIN. 545 Kingfloras. Mallorca, Murcia, Granada, Andalusia, Estremedura, Pi'ovihces. r Mallorca, < Minorca, (_Irica, C Granada, I Antequera, r Seville, < Cordova, (_Jaen, } Extent. Population. Clt. Bor. Villa. Par. 179,066 Leon, -fLeon, I Palencia, j Toro, j Zaniora, I Salamanca, tValladolid, fBurgos, OIdCastille,<<'^^S.°^^^' ' i Soria, 1890 5't80 I2,riO 9250 6490 5260 14,950 )>1 7,640 1 J 337,686 661,661 19,638 754,293 236,016 177,136 416,922 250,134 112,514 92,404 74,669 210,389 196,839 465,410 174,289 i70,565 115,172 216,226 337,078 114,379 266,182 214,078 230 81 59 134 179 83 160 55 58 182 60 588 100 132 90 73 229 187 232 93 133 3203 185 502 554 229 26 11 172 1 1191 302 482 207 17 100 110 186 93 365 365S 67 249 76fi 493 329 219 63 74. 39r 108 182S 410 639 286 92 327 319 431 , iU l^Avila, fMadrid, I Toledo, Ne\vCastiIle,<; Guadalaxara )>37,940 Cuenza, 266,182 2 LMancha, J 214,078 2 Original Po/iulation.'] The Celts, from Gaul, constituted the original population of Spain. They were called Celtiberians, as they were Celts in\iabiting Iberia, to distinguish them from the Gallic and British Celts ; and appear, in very early periods, to have overspread the whole of the country. Spain was occupied by them, when the Egyptians, Phenicians, and Tyrians succes- sively established themselves on its coasts, and made its ports the seat of an extensive commerce. The Celts were compelled tore- tire before the Maui% or Moors, from western Africa, who drove them from the southern and eastern parts of Spain, and who long before the time of Julius Caesar had passed the Pyrenees, and, un- der the name of Aquetani, had possessed themselves of the south- western part of France. The Carthaginians had been called in by the Tyrians to their assistance against the Spaniards at an eai'ly period, even a short time after they had built Gadcs, or Cadiz ; ■and had subdued the neighbourig country. But they were never extensively dispersed over Spain, till about the time of Hamilcar. Probably great numbers of these colonists never left the country. The Romans, even before the fall of Carthage, had conquered Spain, and pi'odigious numbers of them emigrated to the newly acquired territories. No one of the subjugated countries appears to have al- lured away so many of the inhabitants of Italy. A great proportion of the present population is descended from these colonists. Tnis fact explains the reason why the Spanish language so near! v ■■ ■:«- jles the Latin. The Vandals, Alans, and Sueyi, destroyed theRomUn VOL. II. 44 34.6 SPAIN. power in Spain, and were succeeded by the Visigoths, wiiose em- pire extended over a considerable part of the country for 1 30 years, and v^as finally overthrown by the Saracens, or Mahome- tan Moors, in the early part of the 8th century. The Saracens during their long dominion gave a decided cast to the Spanish character and language, and various places in Spain still retain their Arabic names. Few however of their descendants remain in the country ; and the modern Spaniards may be considered as chiefly descended from the Romans, the Mauri, the Celts or Cel- tiberians, and the Visigoths. Historical E/iochs.'] The following are the chief epochs in Spanish history. 1. The original settlement by the Celts, and then by the Mau- ri. During this period the Egyptians, Phenicians, Tyrians, Mi- iCsians, Carians, Lesbians and Phoceans are mentioned by Euse- bius, as having successively got possession of a part or the whole of the coast, and for a time to have held the dominion of the sea. 2. The Cai'thiginian conquest of Spain about the time of the first Punic War. 3. The Roman dominion, which lasted from B. C. 196 to A. D. 411. 4. The domination of the northern barbarians. The Suevi, Vandals, and Alans, divided Spain and retained it till the Visi- goths, under Euric, subdued all the country except Gallicia, which to this day is peopled by descendants of the Suevi. 5. The domination of the Saracens. Their first descent on Spain was made in the year 712. In eight months they overthrew Roderic, the Spanish king, and his army, and overran the whole country, except Asturias, Burgos, and Biscay. In 718, Don Pela- gio, one of the royal family, reestablished the Gothic kingdom among the mountains of the Asturias. His successors built Ovie- do in 757, and made it their capital. Afterwards conquerinc^ Leon from the Moors, they called their kingdom the kingdom of Oviedo and Leon. In 758 the christian kingdom of Navarre was established urder Don Garcia Ximenes. In the same year, Ab- delrahman, the caliph's viceroy, assumed the title of Caliph of Spain, and made Coi'dova the seat of his government. This dy- nasty lasted till A. D. 1038, when the Moorish governors of To- ledo, Cordova, Seville, Valentia, and Granada, usurped the royal style, and for some time maintained the shadow of royalty. The christian kingdoms of Castile and Arragon, however, had been formed previous to this last epoch, for Don Sanchez, king of Na- varre, had bestowed the former, in the year 1035, on his eldest son Ferdinand ; and the latter, the same year, on his son Ramira. 6. The union of the crowns of Castille and Arragon by the marriage of Isabella and Ferdmand in 1474. The kingdom of Granada, the last of the Moorish possessions, was subdued by Ferdinand in 1490. 7. The reign of the emperor Charles V- king of Spain, and emperor of Austria, which began in 15 17. The power of Spain was now at its zenith. 8. The conquest of Portugal by Philip II. of Spain, and I. of SPAIN. 547 Portugal, in 1580, soon after the defeat of the Portuguese, in Africa, by Muley Moloch. The Spaniards found their conquest an tinquiet possession during the 60 years of its subjugation. In 1640, John duke of Braganza, put himself at the head of the Por- tuguese, who unanimously shook off the Spanish yoke, and bravely achieved their independence. 9. The termination of the Austrian dynasty by the death of Charles II. November I, 1700 : and the accession of the house of Bourbon, in the person of Philip grandson of Louis XIV. 10. The kidnapping of the Spanish royal family at Bayonne, in the spring of 1808, by the French emperor, and the subsequent attempt to impose his brother Joseph on the Spaniards, in the room of Ferdinand VII. the lawful monarch. Progressive Geografihij.'] Before the Carthaginian conquest Spain was divided into a multitude of petty states, of which even the names have not reached us. We are equally unacquainted with the Carthaginian divisions. The Romans at first divided the country into Hispania Citerior, and Ulterior. The former reached from the Pyrenees to the mouth of the Douro, on the Atlantic, and to the eastern boundary of Grenada on the Mediterranean. In the time of Augustus it received the name of Tarraconensis ; while Hisjiania Ulterior was subdivided. That part between the- Douro, on the N. and the gulf of Cadiz, was called Liisitania ; and the southeastern division Baetica. The principal tribes inhabit- ing Spain were in Tarraconensis, the Callaeci in Gallicia ; the Asturcsy in Asturia ; the Contabri in Biscay, after whom the Bay was called Sinus Contabricus, and who were the last that yielded to the Romans ; the Concani, in the eastern part of the same province, famous for drinking the blood of horses ; the Vasconcs in Navarre ; and ihe Celtiberi, an extensive and powerful nation, in the country of the Ebro ; in Baetica the Tnrdetani, who occupied most of An- dalusia ; and the Bastuli and Bastitani in Grenada : in Lusitania the Lusitani in the S. and the Veltones in the N. The origin of the modern divisions has already been found in the petty states and kingdoms of the Moors and Christians. Antiquities.'^ No remains of the Celtae or Mauri have yet beeri^ discovered, nor any of the Carthaginians, except coins which have been found in considerable numbers. Some of the finest reliques of Roman art are found in Spain. The aqueduct of Segovia was built in the time of Trajan, and has braved with impunity the corrosion of 1 6 centuries. It rests on 161 arches, three of which, in some places, stand one upon another. Its greatest height, in the valley which it crosses, is 102 feet, and its length 2220, It is composed of square stones, placed one upon another without any appearance of cement. In Murviedro, the an- cient Saguntum, is a large theatre capable of holding 9000 persons. Here also are the remains of an ancient circus, and a temple of Bacchus. In Tarragona and Toledo, also are various remains of a similar nature. The Visigoths have left few relics, except their coins, which are of gold, a metal then unknown to the other European mints, TIrt 345 SPAIN. Alcazar, the ancient habitation of the Gothic kings, at Toledo, \\di> repaired by Charles V. It is now in ruins. The Moorish antiquities are numerous and splendid. Of these the palace of the Jl/ia?ndra, at Granada, is far the most magnificent. The court to which you are first admitted is called the Coinmuna^ a large room 150 feet by 90, with a deep bason of clear water in the midst, 100 feet in length, into which is a descent by two flights of marble steps, and on each side a parterre of flowers and a row of orange trees. At each end is a colonnade. From hence you pass into the court of the lions, an oblong room 100 feet long, and 50 broad, adorned with a colonnade of 140 marble pillars. In the centre arc twelve ill-formed lions, muzzled, bearing on their backs an enormous bason, out of which rises another of smaller size. The royal bedchamber has two alcoves, adorned with columns, and a founta'»i between them. The great hall is 40 feet square, and 60 high, with eight windows, and two doors, all in deep recesses. Between this and the Connnuna is a gallery, 90 feet by 16. The dressing room of the Sultana is a littte tower, in one corner of which is a large marble flag, penetrated with Iroles, through which the smoke of perfumes ascended from furnaces be- low. A long passage leads hence to the hall of the ambassadors, ."vvhich opens into the great audience hall, 36 feet square, 36 feet high, to the cornice, and 18 thence to the centre of the cupola. On the south side of the court of the lions is a circular drinking room, in which the Abencarrages were put to death by Abouab- dallah. The exquisite manner in which the stucco is designed, painted and finished exceeds all power of description. This palace "was completed in 1336. TheGeneralif, or house of pleasure, built by Omar, stands upon a high mountain at a small distance, ?.nd is surpassed in magnifice-ice only by the Alhambra. The beauty of its situation is unrivalled. Other superb monuments of Moorish art arc found at Toledo, Seville, and Cordova. The only christian antiquities worthy of notice, are the cathe- drals and castles. The cathedral of Cordova is 474 feet by 414, adorned by 600 columns of marble. That of Grenada, is 425 ect Tong and 249 broad, with a dome 160 feet high, and 80 in diameter. Those of Burgos and Segovia are also large and magnificent. Religion.'] The Catholic is almost the only religion known or tolerated in Spain, and is here exercised in all its ceremonial or- thodoxy. Only at Madrid, and the most important sea-port towns, are persons of different persuasion suffered to reside, though in most parts of the country there arc secretly great numbers of Jews "and Mahometans. The Court of Inquisitioi'i, instituted in 1178, by Ferdinand the catholic, was long invested with exorbitant power> a power exercised with a degree of intolerance and cruelty known in no other country but Portugal. The high court is at Madrid, and 8 subordinate courts arc scattered over the kingdom. For some time previous to the late revolution, it Avas nearly stript of its terrors, and since that event, an edict of king Joseph, has or- dered it to be abolished. There arc in Spain 8 archbishoprics. SPAIN. 349 48 bishoprics, 1 17 cathedrals, 18,537 parishes, 2,145 monasteries, and 1023 nunneries. The revenues of the archbishoprics are vcry great. That of Toledo is about jC90,000 sterling-. The whole number of clergy, in 1787, was 188,625,of whom 22,460 were parish priests, and their assistants ; 61,617 monks; 32,500 nuns; and 2,705 in- quisitors. The clergy have three spiritual orders of knighthood, those of Santiago, Calatrava, and Alcantara, all possessed of very large estates. The Spaniards are bigotted Catholics, They oftea unite a ceremonial piety with the practice of every vice. Government.'] The fundamental laws of the monarchy are the indivisibility of the monarchy, the right of primogeniture, and the exclusion of females from the throne, tUl after the whole male line is extinct. The government is now a despotic monarchy, balanced however by the power of the church, and tempered by many coun- cils, who are responsible for the success of their own measures. Formerly the Cortes, ov states of the kingdom, met annually* and for a longtime limited the sovereign power. These consisted of deputies of four classes, two from the nobility, one from the clergy, and one from the cities. This body met but twice during the last century. The chief councils are, 1. The Cabinet Council composed of the king and the ministers of foreign affairs, of war, of the naarine, oi" finances, of the Indies, and of favor and justice. 2. Tiie Council of State. 3. The Council of Finances. 4. The Council of War. 5. The Council of Castile. 6. The Council of Arragon. 7. The Council of the Inquisition. 8. The Council of the orders of Knighthood. 9. The Council of the Indies. 10. That of the Crusada, which determines the subsidies to be granted by the clergy. There are 12 tribunals in the different provinces, called Audiencias. The judges of the inferior courts of justice in the smaller towns, are called Alcaides ; those in the large cities. Cor- regidores. The Spanish grandees ai'e extremely numerous. All.tiie Bis- cayans and Asturians are reputed noble. Lanvs.~\ The only authentic laws by which justice is adminis- tered are registered in the codes published by the ancient kings. The principal code, and that which is in constant use, is called Reco/iilacion. It is a collection of edicts from the earliest ages, to the present time. A new edition is occasionally published, in which the late laws are inserted. The Roman civil law is fre- quently consulted in practice. The canon law is the received code in all ecclesiastical affairs^ Torture is not wholly disused. Law- suits are exceedingly expensive, and of long duration. Fofiulation.'] The census of 1787 gave a population of 10,268,150. Hassel estimated it in 1809, at 10,396,000. Since tliat time it must have been seriously diminished by the indiscriminate carnage occasioned by the armies of France. Spain hss for a long time been one of the least populous countries in Europe. This defi- ciency is imputed, by Townsend, to the expulsion of the Jc-^s and floors, to the contagious fevers in the south, to the intcsUne wars vyiih the Moors, carried on incessantly for 7 centuries, to the emi- 550 SPAIN. grations to America, and to the vast number of the clergy who never marry. A more operative cause than either, and perhaps than all of these, mav be found in the extreme indolence, which has so long characterized the great body of the Spaniards. The population, in 1787, was thus divided. Unmarried Males 2,926,229 Married do. 1,947,165 Widowers 23-5,778 5,109,172 Unmarried females 2,753,224 Married do. 1,943,496 Widows 462,258 5,158,978 10,268,150 The numbers of each rank were as follows. Male Clergy 156,125 Knights 480,589 Lawyers 5,917 Scriveners, notaries, and clerks 9,6 11 Scholars 50,994 Husbandmen 917,197 Day laborers 964,571 Merchants 34,339 Manufacturers 39,750 Mechanics 270,989 Servants 280,092 Persons in the king's pay 36,465 Persons with military privileges 77,834 Of the Knights, 401,040 were in the provinces of Asturias, Bis- cay, Burgos, Gallicia, and Leon. The census of 1787 exceeded that of 1768-9, by 960,346 souls, jir?ni/.'] In 1806, the army amounted to 153,840 men, consisting of infantry, 99,240 ; cavalry, 8,894 ; guards, 8,070 ; artillery, 6,000; engineers, 1,396; provincial troops, 50,240; under the command of a generalissimo, 5 captain-generals, 92 lieutenant- genei'als, 136 major-generals, and 225 brigadiers. Since the revolution almost every man has become a soldier, and the Spanish recruits have in many instances exhibited the valour and intrepid- ity of veteran troops. The want of talents in the Spanish gener- als, and of vigor and unanimity in the Junta, will be the chief causes of the ruin of the patriots, if they are ultimately unsuc- cessful. JVavy.'] In 1808, the navy amounted to 218 sail; Avhereof 42 were of the line, 30 frigates, 20 corvettes, 4 zebecks, 40 brigan- tines, 15 bomb- vessels, and 67 smaller vessels. These were manned by 2,379 marines, 3,320 artillery, and 36,000 sailors. Revenue.'] Llerena states the Spanish revenue at 6 1 6,295,675 Rials de vellon, or about 32,575,000 dollars. Others state it at 50 mill- ions ofpiasters, or 40 millions of dollars. The first nearly agrees with the estimate of Hassel, and is probably correct. Of this revenue America furnishes about 2,100,000 dollars. The expenditure usu- ally somewhat exceeded the revenue. The national debt, in 1 809, SPAm. 331 was estimated by Hassel at about 3 1 1 ,000,000 dollars. In 1 783, ^t was 81,364,000 ; in 1790, 123,200,000; and in 1800, 203,000,000. Spain is the poorest country in Europe, although it annually re- ceives more specie, than any other. About 40,000,000 dollars are annually brought hither, pf w^ich about 32,000,000 come from America. The whole amount imported in the registered ships alone, from the discovery of the mines to the year 172 5, was 5,185 millions in gold and silver. But it merely passes through Spain, to the residences of industry and enterprize. Political Relations.'] The power and proximity of France had long rendered Spain in a measure dependent ; and till the late revolution they had for many years been closely united. Nothing but the American colonies gave the mother countrv any influence on the politics of Europe. The late rude attack upon her independ- ence, has opened the eyes of her own citizens to the I'eal designs of the French government. The supineness of the Spanish char- acter has, to a good degree, been shaken off, and many of the sol- diers have exhibited as great valor, as the pen of history ever described. The scenes at Saragossa and Gerona, were never surpassed, and the name of Palafox can find few competitors. Hitherto the loss of men has been the greatest on the side of the invaders. If Spain is subdued, she will prove an unquiet con- quest ; and the natives of France will find no safety but in the neigh- borhood of their forts and armies. The invasion of this unhappy country was like an invasion from the infernal pit ; the invaders have proved themselves the mere enemies of peace, of innocence, and of happiness ; and the name of Frenchman, for a succession of ages, will probably here be felt to denote all that is wanton in lust, all that is fiend-like in cruelty. Manners and Customs^] The houses of the nobility and gentry are capacious and often elegant; but the others, both in cities and in the country, arc small and miserably built. The Spanish inns are not very numerous, but they are every where dirty and desti- tute of conveniences. In many, the traveller is obliged to provide and cook his own victuals. The wealthy Spaniards are extremely averse to living in the country, and this is the reason why there are so few cheerful villas, handsome farmhouses, and fertile thrifty farms. The dress of the Spaniards is subject to little variation. The eloak, the long sword, and the large round hat, are national fash- ions, which even an arbitrary monarch could not alter for the more elegant modes of France. Black is the favorite color. Those who adopt the French dress make choice of the most lively col- ors, and it is not uncommon to see men of 50 dressed in red, or sky-blue silk. The Spaniards are often indelicate and gross in their conversa- tion. In their language and their topics they use a degree of free- dom unknown in most other countries. Loose innuendoes, volup- tuous descriptions, equivoque and obscenity are not only pardon- ed, but uttered by ladies of distinction in mixed companies. Both •iexes are extremely fond of dancing, and possess the greatest 352 SPAIN. aptitude to excel in the art. The favoi-ite dances are the fan- dango.) and the seguidilla, both decidedly of Cyprian origin, and wholly offensive to the eye, even of decency. They are also de- voted to music, and balls, and concerts, and conversation parties, are their chief social amusement. They rarely assemble to eat at each others houses. Few of them are fond of the chace. Throw- ing the bar is the most customary sport of the common peoplb. But the bull-fights are the favorite national amusement. These take place in amphitheatres, prepared for the purpose, and usually in the summer. The animal is first attacked by horsemen, armed with lances ; then by men on foot, who carry a kind of arrow, ter- minated like a fish-hook. These give the animal exquisite pain, and redouble his fury. When the bujl is almost exhausted, a man, called the matador^ advances alone with a long knife, and usually with a single blow terminates his sufferings. If the animal ap- pears deficient in spirit, a pack of dogs is let in; several of which are commonly killed before their purpose is accomplished. Fre- quently six or eight of the horses are killed in a single fight, and sometimes, though rarely, one or more of the human combatants. In spite of the wanton cruelty of this amusement, both sexes, of every age and rank, crowd to a bull-fight day after day with en- thusiasm, and ge'.itry and nobles do not disdain to appear as com^ batants. The Spaniards arc generally short, thin, and well-proportioned. Their complexion is olive. Their mannei s are grave and slow, but graceful. They are distinguished for their national and per- sonal pride, Tliese prevent them from stooping to the more grovelling vices. They are credulous, superstitious, and bigot- ted ; but at present not intolerant. They are revengeful ; but as- sasinalions are less frequent than formerly, and are not common except in Andalusia and Granada. Jealousy was formerly a com- mon characteristic of the nation, but it has been succeeded by a more criminal indifference. One of the most striking of the present national manners and customs is the common practice of adultery, under the mask of religion. The cicisbri first appeared as a distinct class of men in Italy several centuries since, and were soon found in Austria, Spain, and Portugal. In France they were unnecessary. In Italy they are usually gentlemen. In Spain they are often monks and ecclesiastics. They are called cortcjos, and often discover a, singular degree of fidelity and constancy in their criminal attachment. In general the Spaniards are patient, cautious, distinguished for their sobriety and temperance, charitable, friendly, faithful, and strictly honest in their dealings. They are obedient to the laws, and willing to undergo any sacrifice for the honor of their country. The manners of tiie different Provinces, have each also their particular character. The Catalans are the most industrious, ac- tive and ingenious. They are fond of property. Their manners are rude and vulgar. The Valencian is mild and supple in his manners, idle, subtle, and false. All the mountebanks and tum- blers come from ^^alcncia. The Andalusiun is well made, nimble. SPAIN. 355 lively, idle, vain, extravagant, and licentious. The Caslilian is haughty, grave, distant, dienified, mistrustful, and usually well informed and intelligent. The Gallicians leave their own coun- try, and are employed in the rest of Spain, in the lowest occupa- tions, as in sweeping chimneys and cleaning shoes. Most of the servants are Asturians : they are faithful, not very intelligent, but exact in the performance of their duty. Lanffuag-c.'] The Spanish is chiefly derived from the Latin, and resembles it more than the French or Italian. Many of the words however are of Arabic, and some of Gothic origin. The Moors resided so long in Spain, as not only to communicate to the language many of their words and expressions, but also gave it much of the slow formal manner of the orientals. The speech is grave, sonorous, of superior dignity, and of exquisite melody. The dialect of Castile is by far the purest. The Biscayans speak an entirely different language from the Castilian. It is of Gothic derivation. The Asturian dialect is said to resemble it, and, in a smaller degree, the Gallician. There are serious varieties in those of the other provinces. Literature.'] During the long Rom.an domination Spain re- ceived so many colonists from Italy, that she became at length scarcely inferior to it in civilization and learning. Some of the best Latin writers were natives of Spain. Among these may be mentioned Quinctilian, Lucan, Martial, Pomponius Mela, Silius Italicus, and Seneca. The Spaniards had translations of the best Greek and Latin classics before the close of the 15th century, which was long before they were translated in France or England. Isidore of Seville may be mentioned among the fathers of litera- ture in this country. He flourished in the 7th century, and wrote in Greek ; and is inferior in merit to few of his cotemporaries. Under the Caliphs of Cordova flourished many celebrated writers. Among these may be mentioned Averroes, Aben Zoar and Rhazes. The History of Spain by Father Mariana, to the reign of Ferdinand the Catholic is written in an admirable style, and generally with accuracy. The chronicles of Fcrreras de Saavedra are in great estimation. The History of Catalonia, by a bishop of Lerida, is no contemptible imitation of Livy. The best memoirs are those of the Marquis of Saint Philip, on the war of the succession. The History of Mexico by Antonio Solis is translated into every European language. The Conquest of Peru, by Garcilasso de la Vega, is exact, but dry and uninteresting- Hermondez's His- tory of the Indies ought also to be mentioned for its admirable simplicity. Francisco Perez Bayer, author of a dissertatien on, the Phenician language, stands in the first list of Spanish literati. The Spaniards have been distifjuished for their success in com- positions of gallantry, in fables, and ingenious fictions. P'or nar- rative invention they are not rivalled by any European nation. The plots of their fables, their comedies, farces, novels, and ro- mances, are original ; and have been borrowed by the Italians, French, English, and Germans. Cervantes will always be the first model of satirical and humorous narrative. Their best comic VOL II. 45 354 SPAIN. poets are Lopez de Vega, Roxas, Solis, Moreto, Arellano aiut the immpi'tal Caldei'on. iM'cilla was a soldier in Chili, whenhe wrote his Araiicana. The other distinguished poets are Luis de Leon, Quevedo, and Villegas. The best English and French works on morality, history, and philosophy are translated into Spanish. In philosophy the na- tive authors have not excelled. For some time past the nation has not been distinguished by its progress in learning or science. Univcrsilies.^ The Spanish universities are 22 in number.' Six of these were devoted to the education of young men of fam- ily. The privileges they enjoyed became a source of abuse, and in 1777, they underwent a thorough reform. The University of Salamanca has a library of more than 20,000 volumes, and in 1785 contained 1909 students. The Logic of Aristotle, and the Theol- ogy of Thoma.s Aquinas are still taught in all the universities. Theje are academies for the laws of Spain, for the canon law, and for medicine at Madrid ; for the belles lettres and for medicine at Seville ; and academy of the arts at Valencia and Saragossa ; one of geography at Valladolid ; one of mathematics and drawing at Gi'anada ; and one of belles lettres at Barcelona. : Cities.^ Accoi'ding to Hassel there are in Spain 145 cities, 4,364 borough towns, and 9,293 villages. Madrid^ the capital of Spain, is built on a small stream call- ed the Manzanares, which empties into the Xarama, a ti-ibutary of the Tagus, in lat. 40 23 N. and 3 12 W. It continued an obscure town in Castile, till Charles V. made it the royal residence. It has no fortifications nor ditches, being only surrounded by a bad Avail with 15 gates. The streets are not at right angles, but they are almost all straight, wide, clean, and well paved. It has also several squares, or areas, not very spacious or regular; but the. Plaza Mayor is distinguished for its beauty and regularity. It is 1536 feet in circuit, a!id inclosed by 136 houses, of five stories, or- namented by balconies which are supported by pillars. This is the scene of the bull-fiQ;hts, and public executions, and was for- merly qf auto-da-fes. The streets and squares are adorned with fountains, the water of which is excellent, and the air of the town is ^ cry pure and healthy. Madrid contains 18 parishes, 35 coa^ veuLs of monks, 31 of nuns, 39 colleges and hospitals, 14,100^ houses, and 156,672 inhabitants. The houses are chiefly of brick, aiid several are large and handsome. The Manzanares, which runs W. of the town, a small distance from its wails, in winter is a. torrent, but dry in summer. There arc two bridges over it, one leading to Segovia, the other to Toledo. Among the edifices the Palace of Madrid, on the west side of the town, near the river, de- serves the first mention. It is new, and presents four fronts of 470 feet each, and 100 in height, enriched with numerous pillars and pilasters. In the middle is a spacious court, around which are large piazzas. The audience chamber is a double cube of 90 feet, hung with crimson velvet, and adorned with sumptuous can- opy, and painted ceiling. In almost every room are suspended numerous portraits, and other paintings, the works of the ^v<^\ SPAIN. S55 masters. The palace of Buen Retiro,on the east side of the town, is very large, but destitute of beauty and magnificence. It fronts upon the Prado, a public walk, a mile and a half in length, which has long been famous in Spanish comedy and romance. It is planted with trees, and adorned with statues and fountains. Se- veral of the principal streets terminate on it. That of Alcala, the widest in Europe, crosses it, and runs by the side of the gardens of the palace. The churches of Madrid are not distinguished for their architecture. Those of St. Pasqual, St. Isabella, and the Carmelites, contain collections of pictures, which cannot be seen without admiration. Madrid has little trade, and prospers chiefly by the presence of the court. The royal manufactures of china and salt-petre are established here. The environs of Madrid arc far from being handsome, and entirely unadorned with palaces and villas. Barcelona, a sea-port of Catalonia, was built by Amilcar Barcas, father of 'Annibal 250 B. C. and was called by him Barcino. It stands on a plain open to the S. E. but protected by hills on the N. and W. It is surrounded by a double brick wall with 1 4 bastions, hornworks, ramparts, and ditches. The old and new town are se- parated from each other by a wall and ditch. The streets are nar- roAv and crooked, and the churches are rather rich than beautiful. The arsenal is of large extent, and a prodigious gallery, containing 28 forges, has been erected in it within a few years. The other chief edifices are the cathedral, the church of Notre Dame, the exchange, and the palaces of the bishop, the governor, that for the deputation of the nobles, and that of the inquisition. The hospi- tal contains 1,400 industrious poor. The town contains 8 parishes, iO, 183 houses, and 111,410 inhabitants. The inhabitants are in- dustrious and hospitable. The women are distinguished for their beauty, their vivacity, and their freedom from restraint. The har- bor is spacious, deep, and secure. A mountain called Montjoui rises near the city, in the middle of the plain, runs into the sea in the form of a promontory, is covered with vineyards, gardens, and groves, and a strong fort, and furnishes a quarry of fine hard free stone. On the other side of the entrance is a large mole, with a light-house and fort at the extremity. This is the second com- mercial town in Spain. It has extensive manufactures of silk, cot- ton, wool, glass, cutlery and fire arms, and a noble foundery of can- non. The imports are corn, codfish, woollens, silks and stockings ; she exports wine, brandy, cloth, and leather. Valencia, CELUed Julia Coionia, and afterwards Valentia, was built by Junius Brutus, a Roman consul about A. U. C. 677. It stands on the Guadalaviar, about half a league from its mouth. The streets are narrow, but every where clean, and the appearance of the town is pleasing. Here are a military school, a public libra- ry, and 45 convents. Fine edifices are not numerous. The chief are a large cathedral, and the church of the Patriarch, both richly ornamented with pa.intings, and the temple, a church entirely mod- ern, and built in a simple and noble taste. The silk-manufaciures ■ of this citv arc some of the most extensive in Europe. About 4000 356 SPAIN. silk looms give employiVient to more than 20,000 of the inhabi- tants, and corjsume yearly 627,000 lbs. of raw silk. Here also are manufactured soap, tiles, mats, and cordage. A fine -walk along the river passes five handsome stone bridges, and leads to Grao, a little village at its mouth. It has less a harbor, than a bad road without anchorage or shelter. Vessels seldom approach nearer than half a league. The cargoes are there usually put into barks, which are rowed almost to the shore, and afterwards towed by oxen, till they are out of the water. The trade of the city is, how- ever, extensive in wine, brandy, salt, fruits, oil, wool, silk, rice, potash, soda and barilla. . From the mouth of the Ebro, to Car- thagena the roads of Alicant and Santa Pola, are the only places where anchoring is saie. The rest of the coast of Valencia is low, dangerous, and exposed to violent east winds. The environs of the city are every where crowded with villages and orchards in the midsi of a fertile and beautiful country, and the top of a very lofty tower in the city gives one of the most beautiful prospects in Eu- rope. Population, 105,000. Sc-uilii, the HitijiaUs of the Romans, the Hisfialia of the Goths, and the Ixhilla^ of the Moors, was built long before the Romans ventured into Spaiii, but when, or by whom, is vmcertain. It stands in the midst of a large circular plain, on the south side of the Guadalquiver, 54 miles from its mouth, in the midst of a coun- try well cultivated and adorned with orchards and villas. It is surrounded with walls, flanked with towers. It is the most exten- sive city in Spain, and contains 30 churches, 90 convents, a uni- versity, several hospitals and free schools, an exchange, and a mint, 13,500 dwelling houses, and 80,268 inhabitants. When Fer- dinand took Seville from the Moors, it is said to have had a popu- lation of 400,000 souls. The streets are irregular, and many of them very narrow. The houses are frequently built upon poles, and are generally of a mean appearance. Seville is the see of an archbishop, the seat of an audienza real, and of a tribunal of inqui- sition. Here are considerable manufactories of salt-petre, verdi- grise, leather, silks, cloth and gold lace, and a foundery of can- non. Ferdinand IV. in 1757, established in this town a royal to- bacco manufactory, at an expense of 30,000,000 rials. The chief building is a square of 750 feet, two stories high constructed of a white stone. From 1500 to 2000 persons are here daily employ- ed, and 80 mills are worked by 100 horses or mules. All the to- bacco of Spain is prepared here. The Guadalquiver is navigable by ships of burthen to this place ; but thence to Cordova only by small craft. It was the seat of the American commerce, till 1717, when it passed to Cadiz. The exports are tobacco, wool, oil, saf- fron, wine and lemons. Cadiz, the Gadir of the Tyrians, and the Gaden of the Romans, was built by the former nation, about 40 years after the founding of Rome, and was soon transferred to the Carthaginians, who held it several centuries before their conquest of Spain. It is built on the N. W. extremity of a long sandy peninsula, whicii is connected by a very narrow isthmus with the isle of Leon. This island is 10 miles SPAIN. 357 in length, and is separated from the continent by a winding narrow strait, which at its N. E. end opens into the hai-bor of Cadiz. The harbor stretches from E. to W. and opens northwards between Forts Matagordo and Lorenzo, or the Funtalcs^ mto the Bay of Clidiz. Both the Bay and harbor are secure and spacious. The Rota, and Fort St. Sebastian defend the entrance of tne bay. Fort St. Catherine is farther in, and Cantera and St. Banez are inside of the harbor. On the S. side a high and steep shore, on the N. rocks and sand banks, and on the west a ridge of rocks render it inaccessible from the Ocean. Very strong fortifications secure it from an attack by the isthmus. The city is nearly a square. The streets are narrow, yet well paved and clean. Two large open squares contribute to ornament and health, and the rampart affords an airy and delightful promenade. The houses are well built, and very lofty, and have iiat roofs, which are covered with a white cement. The population in 1 802 was only 57,387. Thirty years before, it was estimated at 80,000, and in 1787 it was 67,987. Many of the inhabitants are foreigners. Of these the Irish, Flemings, Genoese, and Germans are most numerous. There are also a few French, English, and Dutch. This town for 90 years has been the emporium of the American trade, and is the niost commercial in Spain. Its commerce em- ploys about 1000 vessels, of which nearly one tenth are Spanish, The exports to4f America in 1784, amounted to ;C3, 62 1,443, ster- ling ; the imports in money and jewels, to )C8,297,164 ; and in merchandize, to yJ2,990,757. This last consisted of cochineal, indigo, cocao, sugar, hides, vicugna wool, cotton, copper, tin, to- bacco, and various kinds of wood. Ribbons and linen are man- ufactured here extensively, and wax is refined. Salt also is made in vast quantities on the other side of the bay, with little labor and expense. The chief edifices are the two cathedrals, the custom- house and the theatre. All the necessaries and luxuries of life abound here, and ar^ very cheap, except fresh water, which is brought from across the Bay. Consideral)Ie inconvenience has been experienced from this source during the present siege of Cadiz by the French. Granada, anciently Iliberia, a municipal town of the Romans, and a city of very early date, stands at the foot of the snow-topped Sierra Nevada. It is built on two hills, wluch arc separated by the Darro, and its walls are washed by the Xenil, a tributary of the Guadalquiver. The two streams unite in the lower part of the tov/n. To the S. and W. lies a very extensive plain, covered witli fertile farms and thrifty orchards, and interspersed with pleasant towns and villages. It had formerly 20 gf^tes, of which only 12 remain. The streets are narrow, irregular, and badly paved. Few of the houses are splendid. They are about 12,000 in number, and the population in 1787, was 52,345. There are here 24 churches, 4 convents, 13 hospitals, and a university. Among all their losses in Spain the Moors are said to lament nothing but Granada, and in their evening prayers they supplicate Fleaven to restore it to their possession. Murc/a was a small Carthaginian village, till the time oi Scipio. 358 SPAIN. The Romans dedicated it to Venus on account ol" hs luyrtlcs and fountains. It stands on the N. side of the river Segura, about 20 i-niles from the Mediterranean, in a dciightful valley, 25 leagues long from E. to W. and a league and a half bVoad. The environs are adorned with gardens and orchards of mulberries, and Venus might still ov, n it for its myi'tles. The town contains 6 parish churches, a cathedral, 16 convents, and a large library, but not a single inn. The population is 44,000. The river is decorated "with a fine stone bridge, and a magnificent quay. This city be- longed to the Romans 616 years, to the Goths 310, to the Moors $27. They lost it in 1241. Sarag-ossa, the ancient Caesaria Augusta., and the present capital of Arragon, stands in a fertile plain, on the southern bank of the Ebro, which by its windings renders the neighborhood extremely rich and delightful. The streets are long and broad, but dirty and ill-paved. Here are two cathedrals, 15 parish churches and 10 convents ; also some distilleries, and manufactories of silks, cot- tons, and hats. The vmiversity has been mentioned. Population 42,000. Malaga., in the W. part of Grenada, wasbuilt by the Phenicians, who called it Malacha^ from the quantities of salt-fish sold there. The harbor is safe and commodious, being protected by an ex- pensive mound running 1200 feet into the sea. The town stands at the foot of a high mountain, and is small, but handsome. It contains 5000 houses, and in 1808, 41,982 inhabitants.* The neighboring country is peculiarly fertile in vines and fruits. The exports are wines, brandy, raisins, oil, lemons, figs, almonds, sweetmeats, and black sarsnet, to the amount of ^'400,000. The imports are wheat, barley, linens, stockings, woollens, cheese, but- ter and fish to the amount of j^200,000. The cathedral is elegant and noble. Fcrrol is a strong fortress and seaport on the Bay of Corunna, or the "Groyne," with one of the best and safest harbors in Eu- rope. It is one of the stations of the navy, has a large sea-arsenal, the most important dockyards and sail-cloth manufactories in the kingdom, and a large marine hospital, capable of receiving 5000 patients. It had in 1793, 30,Ouo inhabitants, and as late as 1752, was merely a collection of fisherman's huts. Cartbagena.; in Murcia, anciently JVova Carthago^ was built by Asdrubal the brother of Annibal, B. C. 229. The environs for some distance are ci'owded witli villages, farms, and country scats. High mountains and barren rocks protect the town on the S.-and W. On the N. and E. it is open. The harbor is the best in Spain, deep, well sheltered and well defended ; and affords a fine fishery. The streets are wide, and the houses commodious. They have fiat roofs, affording an agreeable retreat after sunset. In the middle of the city is a high hill, with a fort. The trade is in silks and barilla. Esparto ropes and cables arc manufactured here. Population 29,000. This is a station of the royal navy. * Ilassel. SPAIN. ' 159 Ecija, in Andalusia, is delightfully situated on the banks of the Xenil. It has 6 parish churches, 8 chapels, 20 convents, 6 hos- pitals, 6000 dwelling houses, and 28,176 inhabitants. The town plat is large, the houses are well built, and the environs abound, in villas and plantations of olive-trees. Jac7i^ in the same province, on a small tributary of the Guadal- quivir, is built in a country fertile in corn, wine, oil, silk, and ex- cellent fruits. It is surrounded Avith walls, and has several beau- tiful churches and convents. Population 27,500. Toledo,'m New Castile, anciently Tolctum, 42 miles from Madrid, is built on a rock of granite that is almost surrounded by the Tagus. The town is large, but the streets are solitary, and many houses are in ruins. Toledo was formerly the capital, and contained 200,000 inhabitants. It has now but 25,000. The Toledo rapiers were once celebrated for their temper, ^|jd the secret of hardening them is said to have been lately recovereS. Valladolidy'in Leon, is an ancient handsome town, on the Pisu- erga, containing 15 churches, 16 convents, and 24,000 inhabitants. An annual fair is held here, and the streets are lively and full of business. Lorca^ in Murcia, stands on a hill round which flows the Guada- lentin. It is a large, but decayed city, containing 2000 houses, and 21,866 inhabitants. St. Jago di Co7}!/iostel!a,ihe capital of Gallicia, stands in a beau- tiful valley on all sides surrounded with hills, between the Tambra and Ulla. The public squares and churches are magnificent, and the dwelling houses well-built. It contains a cathedral, 1 i parish churches, 12 convents, about 2000 houses, and 21,334 inhabitants. The belief that the body of the apostle James was buried here, for- nierly drew hither multitudes of pilgrims from all parts of Chris- tendom, and still draws a few zealous catholics from Spain. Oi-i/mela, on the Segura, in Valencia, stands in a delightful plain, environed with mountains, and fertile to a proverb. Its manufac- tures of silk and salt-petre are considerable. Population 21,000. Cordova, in Andalusia, the ancieiit Corduba, and the birth place of both the Senecas, and of Lucan, is built in a semicircular am- phitheatre, inclosed by a brarxh of the Sierra Morena, on the nortli bctnk of the Guadalquiver. On the opposite side lies an extensive and fertile plain. The bridge is of stone, a Moorish structure. It contains 26 churches, and 40 convents, many of the houses are deserted, and many in ruins. The streets are long, narrow, and ill paved. Population 20,274. There are many vineyards and gardens in the town, and the country aroitnd abounds in orange and lemon groves. Alicant, in Valencia, is built between a mountain and the sea, and is well defended by strong bastions ; it has a good harboi , and an extensive commerce. Population 17,435. Elchc, a few miles south, contains 17,403 iphabitants. Of the most noted smaller towns, Bilboa has 13,000, Burgos, 10,000, Badajos 10,000, Lerida 16,818, Pampeluna 14,054, Sala- manca 15.000, and St. Sebastian 12,000. S60 SPAIN. £dfjces.'] The palace and monastery of the Escurial liavebeen described at great length by many travellers. It is seated m a deep recess, at the foot of hi[yh mountains ; and was built by that bigot Philip II. in the strajige form of a gridiron, the instrument of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence, upon whose anniversary the Spaniards gained the victory of St. Quintin. The convent is 740 feet by 580 ; and the palace forms the handle of this imaginary gridiron. The paintings are excellent and numerous; and the vault containing the royal tombs is grand and impressire. But the palaces of Aranjuez and St. Ildefonso are greater favourites with the court. The gardens of the former, watered by the-«Tajo, are laid out in a just and natural taste. St. Ildefonso is a summer resi- dence exposed to the north. Manufactures and Commerce.'] The most flourishing period of Spanish manufactures Ajj|as the reign of Charles I. At that time Segovia and Seville were the greatest manufacturing towns in Eu- rope, and Spanish silks went every where, even to the Levant. There are now respectable woollen manufactures at Segovia, Se- ville, Guadalaxara, and several other places, that produce broad- cloths, blankets, flannels, and other articles of a good quality. Cotton manufactures are also found, especially in Catalonia. The silk manufactures are the most important and flourish most in Catalonia and Valencia. Great quantities of silk however are smuggled in from France. At Carthagena, Ferrol, and other places are considerable linen and sail cloth manufactories ; but the greater part of these articles is supplied from abroad. Manu- factures of leather are found in every considerable town, and most of the small ones. There are about 200 paper mills in Spain, the most and best in Valencia ; where china is also manufactured, which rivals that of Saxony. The salt-petre works, powder-mills, and tar ovens, yield nearly a sufiicient supply. Soap manufacto- ries are found every where. The Tobacco manufactory of Seville is the largest in the world. The best dockyards arc at Seville, Malaga, Alioant, Barcelona, and St. Sebastian ; and ship-building is reviving. Salt is made in immense quantities in Valencia, and Andalusia. Manufactures in metals are almost wholly neglected. All sorts of hardware, and most of the furniture and tools that are used, are imported from France and England. The inland trade has been latterly much facilitated by the in- troduction of a unity of measures, weights, and coins, throughout the kingdom, by the removal of various burthens, by the improve- juent of the roads, and by the construction of canals. Still it is chiefly in the hands of the rich. The poverty of the husbandman often compels him to sell his harvest before it is sown, at an enor- mous discount. The foreign trade is mostly carried on by other nations. Spanish ships sail to the ports of the Mediterranean, and lo the colonics of Spain. The chief imports arc hardware, corn, bvuter, cheese, fish, (upwards of /CI, 000,000 sterling annually,) fur- niture, cpiicksilvcr, guns and other arms, timber, linen, sail-cloth, cordage, flax, hemp, wax, paper, millinery, sugar and spices. The chief exports are wool, (nearly ,C1, 000,000 sterling annually,) SPAIN. '36 ^ raw and manufactured silks, wine, raisins, brandy, figs, lemons, salt, iron, saffron, horses, tobacco, cork, soda, barilla, ( 1 50,000 quin- tals,) rice, (^^2 50,000 sterling,) saltpetre, and various American goods. The balance of trade is greatly in favor of Spain. In 1784 the imports from America amounted, in money and jewels, to ;C9,29 1,237, in merchandize, to .^3,343,936, the exports to ;e4,348,078. In 1796 tlie exports to Gi'eat Britain, were £809,881 ; the imports £546,126. It will readily be seen, that almost all we have already said respecting Spain, is predicated on a period of quiet and ordei', a»d that few things capable of change, can remain unaltered in the present season of uproar and misrule. CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRICULTURE, Riy- ERS, MOUNTAINS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MINERALS. Climate.'] MANY of the highest mountains are covered with perennial snow. The winter is very mild in the low and southern districts, where it seldom freezes ; but in the higher tracts, the winter is often as severe as in England or Germany. In the south, the air is hot and damp during tho summer ; in the north it is cooler and drier ; but every where liable to sudden changes. On the whole, the climate is less salubrious and less favorable to longevity, than that of the more northern countries of Europe. Infectious and malignant fevers originate and prevail in the south, and sometimes sweep off great numbers. On the Mediterranean the sea-breeze blows every day from 9 till 5 o'clock ; and pleasantly tempers the warmth of summer. The south wind from A^frica, called the Salano, is oppressive and un- wholesome ; but the Gallego, a N. W. wind, from the mountains of Gallicia, is cool and refreshing. In many parts the trees re- tain their verdure all the year, and where the leaf falls it buds again in January. I'ace of the Country. ~\ Spain is probably the most mountainous country in Europe. The western part of New Castille is open and plain. The centre of Arragon is level and sandy. Valencia and the northern half of Murcia, consist chiefly of extensive plains and vallies, every where fertile and well cultivated. The rest of the country is rough and broken. The highest mountains are chiefly destitute of vegetation, and the\r tops are always white with snow. The lower eminences are, still, almost universally forest- ed, and in this respect resemble the mountains of New-tngland. The rivers and streams are numerous, and, with the exception of Now Castille, the country is well watered. Soil and yJgriculture,] The soil is generally light and rests on beds of Plaister of Paris, which is itself an excellent manure. Near the shore, and along the banks of the rivers, it is generally VOL. II. 46 352 SPAIN. more fertile than in the central districts. The two Caslilles, Bis- cay, Navarre, Arragon, and especially Gallicia, and Leon, have an indifferent soil ; yet susceptible of high fertility under skilful and vigorous husbandry. Asturia, Estremadura, and the Meditcrra-. nean provinces ; especially Andalusia and Valencia, have natively an exuberant fertility, and, with moderate cultivation, yield many of the luxuries of life. In the vale of Valencia wheat yields from 20 to 40 for one ; barley from IS to 24 ; oats from 20 to 30; maize 100; and rice 40. The Provinces on the Mediterranean, except Andalusia, especially Valencia and Granada, are under high cultivation, as are also Gallicia, Asturia, Biscay and Navarre, The agriculture of the other provinces is much neglected. Leon is merely a sheep-pasture. And large uncultivated tracts are spread over New Castille, and the other provinces. In this part of Spain the villa.i;es are large and at a distance from each other, and the country between them, except about a league round each, is merely a forest or a barren. Frequently there is not a single habitation in the space of four, five, or six leagues. The vine, the olive, maize, wheat, rye, barley, hemp, flax, and saffron, are culti- vated in every province. The best wine districts are New Cas- tille, La Mancha, in particular ; Malaga, Seville, Cadiz, Valencia, Arragon and Navarre. Of the three sorts of Malaga wine, Mala- ga^ Mountain, and Tent, about 30,000 ankers are yearly export- ed ; and of the Xeres or Sherry wine, about 20,000 pipes. This is made at Xeres do la Frontera, 10 miles N- E. of Cadiz. A great part of the wines made in Spain is distilled into brandy ; of a qual- ity, however, much inferior to the French. The best raisins are made of the grapes of Malaga, Alicant, Valencia, and Grana- da. Biscay and Asturia abound in orchards, and make the best of cyder in great quantities. The northern provinces raise great quantities of cattle. The sheep are of two kinds, the travelling ov Merinos, estimated at 5,000,000 in number, and the stationary at 8,000,000. The first winter in the Sierra Morena, and in the month of May travel northward in flocks of 10,000 to the mountains of Old Castille. They yield the finest fleeces, which in 1792 amount- ed to 1 1,250,000 lbs. of clear wool. The stationary abound ifi va- rious provinces, particularly Leon and Estremadura. The mule is the usual beast of burden in Spain. Goat's milk is generally used instead of cow's milk, t-.nd oil instead of butter. Rice is cul- tivated chiefly in Catalonia and Valencia ; sugar in Granada, hon- ey there and in Andalusia ; cotton and the best olives and oil in the south. The 6a//co?v;ifl, Oi' shrubby glasswort, is raised exten- sively in the S. E. coast. It is sown in plowed or well-manured fields, near the sea or salt-lakes ; it is reaped in the same manner as hay, tied up in bundles and burned in covered holes in the ground. Under the iishes the barilla is found in firm lumps. The Spanish potatoes, artichokes, asparagus and other products of the garden are excellent; but horticulture is much neglected. Rivers.'] The only large river that falls into the Mediterranean in Spain, is the Ebro, the ancient Iberus. It rises in the Asturian mountains, and pursues a S. W. course through Old Castille, Na- SPAIN. 363 varre, Arrag-on, and Catalonia. Its length is about 440 miles. It begins to be navigable at Tudela ; and its water is remarkable for its salubrity. Tho chief branches are Arga from Navarre, the Xiloca from Arragon, and the Sagre from Catalonia. The small- er rivers that fall into the Mediterranean are the Guadalaviar, fTuriasiJ at Valencia; the Xucar, ( Sucro,) below Alzira ; and the Segura, (Tcrebus) below Orihuela. The Guadalquivir, the ancient Baetis^ rises in New Castille from the Sierra Morena, and runs S. W. through a corner of Gra- nada, and through Andalusia, to the Atlantic, at St. Lucar de Bar- zameda, about 20 miles N. W. of Cadiz. Its length is about 340 miles. Anciently it is said to have had a southern arm which emp- tied at Cadiz. The Xenil (Singulis) its principal branch runs by- Granada, and falls in about a league below Ecija. The Gaudiana, the ancient Jnas, rises in the mountains of To- ledo, and runs S. W. through New Castille and Esti-emadura, to Ba- dajos, where it enters the province of Alentejo in Portugal. Thence its course is S. W. and then S. E. till at length it becomes a boun- dary of the two kingdoms, separating Algarve from Andalusia, and falling into the Atlantic, after a course nearly equal to that of the ' Ebro, It is navigable to Mertola, about 45 miles. The Tagus, or Tajo, rises in the mountains of Molina, the wes- tern boundary of Arragon, near Albarracin, and runs W. S. W. through New Castille and Estremadura, to Alcantara. Here for 20 miles, to Errera, it separates Estremadura from Beira, in Por- tugal, where entering that kingdom it flows through Estremadura to the Atlantic by a mouth 4 miles broad forming the harbor of Lisbon. Its course is rapid and the upper part impeded by cata- racts. Its length is about 520 miles, and it is much the largest river of Spain. The tide flows up to Santarem, and tlie river is navigable for flat vessels about ? 20 miles. The Douro, or Duero, the ancient Duriiis, rises in the Molina, and runs westward through Old Castille and Leon, to Miranda. Thence it runs S. W. between the two kingdoms, about 80 miles, separating Leon from Tras-os-Montes. Here it enters Portugal, and runs westward to the Atlantic, into which it falls a little be- low Oporto. Its whole course is about 400 miles. The Minho, the ancient Minius, rising near Mondonedo in Gal- licia, runs S. W. 180 miles to the Atlantic, into Avhich it falls 15 miles below Tuy. For about 40 miles it constitutes the northern boundary of Portugal. Its waters abound with excellent salmon and sturgeon. Its current is gentle, and it is navigable about 25 miles. A bar at the mouth prevents the entrance of large vessels. The Tinto is a little river falling into the Atlantic about 25 miles N. W. of the Guadalquivir. Its water is said to be of a deep yel- low color, and to have very singular petrifying powers. It withers all verdure on its banks, and no kind offish live in its stream. Mountains.~\ The Pyrenees between France and Spain have al- ready been described. The Northern, or Cantabrian chain, commencing near Cipe Fi- nisterre, runs through Gallicia, south of Asturias and Biscay, and 364 SPAIN. I through Navarre, till it jpins the Pyrenean chain, of which it is merely a continuation. It is called in different parts, the Moun- tains of Mondopedo, Asturias, and Biscay, and no where contains very lofty suminits. The *Sierra de Molina is a range branching from the Canta- brian in Old Castille, and running S. E. through that province, and betv/een New Castille and Arragon, and advances towards the Mediterranean in the N. of Valencia. The mountains of Guadarama break from the last mentioned chain in a W. S. W. direction, separate the two Castilles, and crossing the northern part of Estremadura enter Portugal, across which they run in a S. W. direction nearly to Cape Roca. In Por- tugal the chain is called *Serra d' Estrella. The mountains of Toledo, farther south, run nearly parallel with these between the Tagus and Guadiana, across Estremadura and New Castille, and unite also with the range of Molina. The Sierra Morena, a third parallel range between the Avaters of the Guadiana and the Guadalquivir, separates Ncav Castille and Estremadura from Andalusia, and after being pierced by the Guadiana enters Portugal and serves as the northern boundary of the province Algarve. The chain in Portugal runs from E. to W. the whole M'idth of the kingdom, and is called Serra de Mon- chique. The Sierra Nivada, or Snowy Mountains, run between the Guadalquivir and the Mediterranean, nearly parallel with the lat'- ter, through Andalusia and Granada; and, at lengtii turn north- ward, bounding Murcia on the W. Montserrat, or the Sawed Mountain, so called, on account of its jagged pyramidal summits, lies about 30 miles N. W. of Barcelona. It is a detached solitary rock more than 11,000 feet high, and about 10^ miles in circumference, from the top of which Majorca and Minorca are distinctly visible, at the distance of 50 leagues. It is composed of limestone and gravel united by a calcareous ce- ment. A large convent of Benedictines has been built upon it, to which a mira,culous image of the Virgin Mary, discovered by some shepherds in 880, attracts an immense number of pilgrims. All the poor Avho come here, are fed gratis for thi'ee days ; and all the sick are received into the hospital. In the convent are 60 monks, who live in a recluse manner, and adhere to very rigid rules of abstinence. Higher up the mountain are thirteen hermitages, each having a small chapel, a cell, a Avell in the rock, and a little garden. The hermits are chiefly persons of family and fortune, who have retired thither from the worjd to devote themselves to meditation and silerxe. A mule is sent weekly from the convent with thirteen baskets of provisions, one for each of the hernuts. One of the hermitages is very curiously and aAvfully constructed between two narrow projections of the rock ; and though it is 2500 paces distant from the convent, it impends so much over it, * Sierra in Spani.'-li, and Serra in I'ortugnese, tu-e. general denominations of clniin of mountains, tlie successive peaks of which inesent tlie reseinblauce of a sa-c SPAIN. 3^5 I'hat the music in the church below can be heard very distinctly. This church contains immense treasures of gold and silver, the voluntary spoils of numberless pilgrims ; among other things 640 massy silver lamps, a great number of golden candlesticks, whole rooms filled with busts and statues, and ministerial vessels also of gold. The traveller is surprised to meet with delightful valleys in the midst of these threatening rocks, to find shade and verdure surrounded by sterility, and to see natural cascades rushing from the steepest points of the mountain to fertilize the scattered ?var- dens, and by their unvarying murmurs, to give a deeper gloom to the surrounding silence. The mountain of Cardona, a few miles N. W. of Montserrat, is an immense mass of i-ock salt, rising to the height of nearly 500 feet above the surface of the ground, and nearly 5 miles in cir- cumference. The salt is of almost every color, and the various em- inences when illuminated by the sun remind one of the mountains of emeralds, rubies, and diamonds in Fairy-land. Vases, urns, and various other utensils are made of this mineral, some of ele- gant orange, others of violet, green and blue, all beautifully wrought and fearing no enemy but water. Part of the mountain is covered with shrubs, and the top is shaded by a forest of pines. Botany.'^ The forest trees of Spain are the pine, the white oak ; the evergreen, sweet oak ; the kermes oak, under the prickly leaves of which is found the gall-insect ; the suber or oak which produces cork ; the Encina or Spanish oak ; the beech ; the walnut ; the lime ; the ash ; the yew ; the larch ; the holly ; the juniper ; the fir ; the carob tree ; the wild olive ; the wild almond ; the sumach ; the laurel ; the bay ; the laurus tinus and Portugal laurel ; the great palm-tree, abounding in Valencia, and bearing dates of from 15 to 25 lbs. weight; the Indian fig tree; the cornicabra or tur- pentine tree, susceptible of a fine polish, and manufactured into snuff-boxes ; the box, and the chestnut. The fruit trees are the apple, pear, cherry, peach, apricot, mul- berry, olive, lemon, palm, fig, orange lemon, and pomegranate. Whole forests are seen of these, and the fruit possesses a richness of juice and flavor not surpassed by that of Italy. In the heaths are found the thyme, the lavender, sage'and rose- mary ; the dwarf myrtle and the cistus : in the dry thickets the fan-palmetto, yellow laurel, Spanish broom and white broom : and in the moister grounds, the asphodel, yellow amaryllis jonquil, violet, orange and martagon lily, white tulip, oleander, tamarisk and myrtle. Samphire, tree-violet, tragacanth, vetch and caper- bush overspread the rocks on the shore ; and on the sands are found the sea-daffodil, the salicarnia, or shrubby glasswart ; and the esparto-grass, out of which is made the most durable kind of mats and cordage. Zooloffij.~\ The Spanish horses are famous for their beauty and elegance of shape, in which they surpass even the African horse. The Andalusian are the finest. Those of Asturia are highly esteemed for strength and swiftness. The whole cavalry is mounted on stallions ; mares arc not much valued, being generally 365 SPAIN. employed for breeding, and threshing corn. The best mules arc found in La Mancha. The ass of La Mancha is a very large race peculiar to that province. The breeding of horned cattle meets with little attention. Those of Estremadura are the best. The wild bulls of Andalusia are employed in the bull-fights at Madrid. The Spanish sheep have been mentioned. Since the French inva- sion great numbers of the merinos have been transported to England and the United States. Goats are found every where : immense flocks of them browse in the neighbourhoods of the large towns. Hogs are very generally bred ; they are usually black, with curled bristles, and go all the year in the woods. Rabbits, and every k!?id of poultry, ai'e raised in the greatest abundance. Wolves are found in immense numbers on the Pyrenees ; and deer and almost every species of game abound in the forests. Mmerals.'\ Spain was anciently celebrated for its mines of gold and silver, which were long wrought by the Carthaginians, and proved the sinews of their wars. But since the discovery of simi- lar mines in America, those of Spain have not been worth working, and now lie neglected. Tlie iron, copper, tin, lead, and quicksil- ver mines, on the contrary, are worked with great advantage, though mostly by English, French, and German miners. The Spanish iron is esteemed for its elasticity and sofmess ; Biscay in particular is rich in this metal, where the ore yields from 30 to 40 per cent, pure iron. Most of this metal was formerly sent abroad to be manufactured, but latterly the Spanish cannon have been east at Lierganes and Cavada, the fire-arms have been made in Guipuscoa and Placentia ; and cast-iron fi'om the forges of Eugui and Muga. In Navarre and Catalonia are the best copper mines. A great part of the cofijier is manufactured into verdigris. At Linarez, in Jaen, there are lead mines so uncommonly rich, that the ore yields from 60 to 70 per cent : they are worked for the government, and contain immense quantities of this metal. In Catalonia and Arragon, tin is found in the greatest quantities. It is equal to the English. The richest quicksilver mines are at Al- mada, in La Mancha. They are worked by German miners, and yield annually 18,000 cwt. of mercury. All this, with that obtained, from Andalusia, is transmitted to America. Calamine appears near Alcavas, cobalt in the Pyrenees, antimony in La Mancjia, arsc7iic in various places. Coal is met with in Asturia and Catalo- nia, sulphur in Murcia, amber, jet, lapis-lazuli and asbestos, in Asturia, turkois stones in Leon, garnets and hyacinths in Granada, fine marble there, and in Arragon. Alabaster, free-stone, pipe- clay, and fuller's earth are also common, and gypsum is as abund- ant as chalk in England. The salt-works, and rock salt of Spain, have already been mentioned. Salt-petre also is made of the best quality, and in immense quantities, in La Mancha, Arragon, and near Madrid. The wjorks at Madrid furnish about 30,000 quin- tals annually. SPAIN. 36? SPANISH ISLES. Majorca, Minorca, and Ivica, the ancient Ealeares, are the chief Spanish isles in Europe. Majorca, the largest, lies between the other tv/o, 23 miles S. W. of Minorca, 46 N. E. of Ivica, 92 from Barcelona, and 120 from Valencia. It is 55 miles long, and 46 broad, containing about 1200 square miles, with a population of 135,900. The N. W. part is hilly, but has many rich and fertile tracts. The S. and. E. parts are laid out in arable lands, pastures, vineyards, and orchards. The chief productions are corn, wine, oil, honey, fruits, capers, almonds, figs, saffron, fish, and game. In these articles, and in silk, wool, soap, and salt, a considerable trade is usually- carried on with France and Italy. The inhabitants resemble the Catalonians in their manners. The higher order spej-k Spanish ; the lower, the Lingua Franca, a medley of Latin, Greek, Spanish, French, and Arabic, and generally spoken on the Mediterranean coasts. The capital, Majorca, not long since called Palma, is a large and elegant town, on a handsome bay, on the S. W. coast. It has a good harbor, defended by three citadels. The streets are broad, and the squares spacious, and the houses are well built of stone. It contains a university, a magnificent cathedral, and 22 other churches, 6 hospitals, an exchange, a palace, several silk and woollen manufactories, and 29,259 inhabitants. The govenor, the audience, and the bishop of the province reside here. Alcudia, 32 miles N. W. of Palma, has 1000 houses, and 7000 inhabitants, and lies on a narrow neck between two harbors. Porto Pedro is a town on the S. E. having a safe and spacious harbor, defended by a fort. The climate of the island is warm, but healthy. There are no rivers, but excellent and numerous wells and springs. The little island Cabrera, or Goat-island, S. of Cape Salinas, is all over mouintainous, has one excellent harbor, guarded by a castle, and is a place for exiles. Minorca is 37 miles by 14, and has about 30,000 inhabitants. The south shore is smooth, the north is rugged, with deep and swampy vales, and many creeks and inlets. Mount Toro, in the centre, can be seen 18 miles out at sea. The inhabitants depend on their cisterns for their fresh water. The soil is moderately fertile. The annual vahie of the growth of the vine is estimated at 30,0001. sterling. The fishery on the coasts is valuable, and the oysters are delicious. The minerals are iron, copper, lead, and marble, and great quantities of salt collected in the cavities. The exports are wine, oil, wool, salt, and cheese, and are nearly balanced by the imports. The inhabitants live mostly on vegeta- bles, have a turn for poetry, and are still celebrated as slingers. Port-Mahon, the capital, stands at the foot of a mountain on an ex* cellent hai-bor on the S. E. side. Civitadella on the N. W. was formerly the capital. The English owned INIinorca with one short interruption from 1708 to 1781, since Spain has possessed it. I-vica is about .35 miles east of Cape St. Mastin, 15 miles long and 12 wide. The soil is fertile and produces corn, grapes, figsj -S-es SPAIN. and other fruits, the wild olive and the pine. The inhabitants are occupied in making sal*^, highly esteemed for its whiteness, of which great quantities are exported. Ivica, the capital, is on the S. E. side. It is little more than a garrison. The little isle of Formentesa lies south of Ivica, and has long been deserted on ac- count of its exposure to the African corsairs. It is now occupied by the wild ass, ajid an immense multitude of snakes. THE FORTRESS OF GIBRALTAR. This fortress, though a part of Spain, has so long been in possession of England, that a separate account of it seems to be proper. It lies at the southern extremity of Spain in 36 6 30 N. The name is a corruption of two Arabic words Gabel Tarek, or the mountain of JWrc/C- from Tarek, the Saracen general, who conquer- ed Spain early in the 8th century. It is an immense rock rising perpendicularly about 440 yards, measuring two miles from N. to S. and one from E. to W. On the E. of the rock is the INIediter- rancan ; on the W. Gibraltar Bay, a beautiful sheet of water 9 miles long and 5 broad, receiving several small rivers, more than H 00 fathomr deep in the middle, and well defended against every wind. This bay makes a small harbor on the N. W. side of the rock com- modious for small vessels. The southern extremity of the rock is called Europa point. The town lies along the bay on a declivity of the rock, and contains about 500 houses chiefly of stone and brick, and in 1806, 8500 inhabitants. They are supplied with fruits, vegetables, and fresh provisions from the coast of Barbary, At the extremity of a rock, which advances into the sea, is a large fort covering a mole, made to facilitate the anchoring of vessels. The garrison consists of about 5000 men with upwards of 300 'pieces of cannon. The town of Algeziras, or Old Gibraltar, is 5 miles W. on the opposite side of the bay. A little distance from it is the island of Algeziras. The town of St Roche stands a little N. W. of the fortress of Gibraltar, nearer than which are the ruins of the camp of St. Roche, between which and the fortress lies a deep marsh extending to the very foot of the rock, and affording onlv a narrow causeway commanded by 100 cannon. This important fortress first attracted attention as a place of con- sequence ill 7 1 2, when it was taken jx)ssession of by the Moors, who kept it till 1462. In July 1704 the English under Sir George Rookc took it from the Spaniards and have retained it ever since. In Ju- ly 1779 commenced the celebrated siege by the combined forces of Spain and France. The reduction of the fortress was a darling object with the former power, and every scheme which ingenuity could devise, which rashness could hazard, or force execute, was tried by the besiegers to no purpose. The siege lasted till Feb- ruary 1783, and General Elliot and his brave companions receiv- ed the applauses of Europe.* / * For a more full account of this cclcbr:ite, bevond the Tajiis .• Al^arvc is a Moorish nasiic * SriJ PORTUGAL. Statutes of Lamego, issued by Alphonso T. in 1 145. By these the monarchy is hereditary, and in case of the king's demise without male issue, his next brother succeeds ; but his sons have no right to the throne till confirmed by the states. By these statutes the monarchy is not arbitrary, for the consent of the states is necessary to the imposition of new taxes, to the settlement of the succession, and other important concerns. The States were called the Cortes-, and consisted of the clergy, the high nobility, and the commons. But as this assembly has not met since 1697, the power of the king was in fact absolute. The royal children are styled infants and infantas j but the heir apparent is entitled the Prince of Brazil. In 1805, there were 65 noble families, 2 dukes, 21 marquises, 29 counts, 7 viscounts, and 6 barons. Since the removal of the royal family, the government has been administered by a regency. Pofiulation.~\ The population stated in the table, is the result of the last census, taken in 1780. This gave 3,558,712, as the ■whole number of inhabitants, amounting to almost 99 on a square mile. The most populous province, Entre Douero e Minho, had 342 on the square mile; the least populous, Alentejo, had only 32. The population must now be considerably diminished by the late removal of great numbers to Brazil, and by the battles and massacres of the French armies. .■frmy."] In 1803, the army consisted of the following troops : Men. 24 Regiments infantry 38,400 12 do. cavalry 15,520 4 do. artillery 4,944 1 Legion light hussars 1,323 1 Corps engineers 128 - 9 Independent companies 1,312 8 Companies royal guards 80Q 52,427 45 Regiments of militia 3S,C00 86,027 A much larger army has been assembled and organized since the late invasion, and the troops have evinced the most generous valor, and the most ardent love of country, JVai^z/.] The ships of war consisted in 1804, of 13 ships of the line, of from 60 to 80 guns, 15 frigates of from 24 to 48 guns, and about 30 smaller vessels, of various sizes, manned by 12,000 ma- rines. The greater part of these vessels are now in Brazil, and a part are still in Portugal. Beve7iuc.'] Ths income of the state from Portugal and the colon'tcs is estimated at 1 6,000,000 dollars, and the debt is stated to be 20,000,000. Great quantities of specie were brought every year from Brazil, but the industry of the inhabitants was not suf- Hcient to retain it. The whole of it went immediately to England, in exchange for her manufactures. Manners and Cusioni&.'] The national character of the Portu- PORTUGAL. 573 guese resembles that of the Spaniards ; their bigotry, their ven- eration for the clergy, their propensity to revenge, their aversion to labor, their dress, and their love of pomp, music, dancing, and bull-fights, are nearly the same. The nobility also have similar prejudices, and there is the same Avant of that general intercourse among the various ranks, which imparts knowledge, and vigor to society. The peasantry are miserable vassals. In stature the: Portuguese are inferior to the Spaniards. Their complexion is swarthy, approaching to an olive. They have genei*ally graceful forms, regular features, and dark, brilliant, expressive eyes. The- ladies are very beautiful when young. They still imitate the in- dustry of their ancestors in spinning flax from the distaff. The inhabitants of the northern provinces are more industrious, intelli- gent, sincere, and hospitable ; those of the southern more polished, shrewd, and indolent. The industry of the inhabitants of Entrc: Minho e Douero would not suffer on a comparison with that of the: more northern countries of Europe, and accordingly they are pos- sessed of opulence, and enjoy all the comforts and luxuries of life. Those of Tras-os-Montes are a hardy race, and industrious also, in spite of their natively barren and mountainous region. In Alen- tejo are more wandering beggars, than in all the vest of the king- dom. The best mariners come from Algarve, The inhabitants are rough and coarse, but remarked for their wit and shrewdness. Language.~\ The Portuguese language strongly resembles the Spanish ; both are derived chiefly from the Latin ; but the lattei^ is more remote from it and harsher to the ear than the former. They have both about the same proportion of Arabic ; but the Portuguese has borrowed none of the guttural sounds of that lan- guage, which are now numerous in the Spanish, though they did not exist in the first ages of its literature. There is nothing un- pleasant in the Portuguese, except a nasal sound, which however is far less disagreeable than that of the French. Literature.^ The poems of King Diniz, who lived in the latter Imlf of the 13th century, are said to be among the earliest efforts of the Portuguese muse. It is not known whether they are extant. The earliest accessible poems are the Cancioneiro of Recende, a large collection, written chiefly in the reigns of Alphonso V. and his son, but comprising a few of an earlier date, and some by King Pedro, famous for his unfortunate amours with Ines de Castro. The volume consists of complimentary and satyrical verses, love songs, and lamentations. The popular ballads of the Portuguese have perished. The earliest fashion of the Spanish poetry was derived from Gallicia and Portugal. The present fashion of both countries is of Italian origin. Boscan eftected the change in Spain, and Sa de Miranda in Portugal, both early in the 1 6th century. From that time the octave stanza became the heroic, and the tri- nal-rhyme, the moral and satirical measure of both countries, and sonnets swarmed as they have done in Italy. The Ines de Castro of Ferreira was the first regular tragedy of Portugal, and the se- cond of modern limes. The Sofonisba of Trissino was the first, Ferreira introduced the epigram, the ode, ar.d the epithalamium, i7i PORTUGAL. and imitated Miranda in the sonnet, the elegy, and the Horation epistle. The Lusiad of Camoens, settled the language of Portu- gal. He is their first poet, and though miserably poor, while liv- ing, he is now felt by the nation to be its boast and its pride. Tlic translation by Mickle surpasses the original in richness of de- scription, but not in vigor. The minor poems of Camoens are totally destitute of the licentiousness, every where appSirent in the translations of Strangford. Beside the Lusiad, the Portuguese have epic poems commemorative of the founder of their state, Count Henry ; of their first king Don Alphonso ; of their deliver- ance from Castille by Jo'hn I ; of the chivalrous valor of Nunal- varez Pereira ; of their victories and defeats under Sebastian in Africa ; of the discovery of India ; of the conquests of Goa and Malacca; of the two sieges of Diu; of the Braganzan revolution; and of the marriage of Charles H and Catherine. In the age of fable also they have fouOd Ulysses for a national hero, and in an- cient history the great Viriatus. These works contain many pas- sages of striking beauty, and many more of whimsical taste and extraordinary absurdity. Gil Vicente, their celebrated dramitist, ' was estimated by Lope de Vega, and Quevedo, and Erasmus learn- ed Poi'tuguese to read his works. Faria e Sousa wrote in Span- ish, a man of great learning, and considerable genius, but of mis- erable taste. Antonio e Silva stands unrivalled in the latter ages of Portuguese poetry. He is celebrated for his Pindaric odes, his dithyrambics, and especially for his mock-heroic called the Hys- sopaida. Amadis de Gaul is without a rival among prose romances. The Palmerin of Francisco de Moraes, is a similar Avork of great merit. The Portuguese have produced nothing like the modern novel. In the Portuguese sermons, the finest oratory is spoiled by the most fantastic conceits. The lives of the Saints are mere roman- ces. There are no modern travels in the language. Their old literature is rich in this branch of knowledge. Fernam Lopez is the best cln'onicler of any age or nation. Gomez de Azurera is surpassed only by Lopez. These have been followed by a reg- ular succession of historians of great merit. The Decadas de Asia by Joam de Barros, for a history, display an uncommon ex- tent of learning. In Mathematics Pedro Nunnez distinguish- ed himself at tlie beginning of the 16th century. Of late years natural history begins to be a little studied ; but books of devo- tion and petty poems constitute the bulk of the yearly productions cf the Portuguese press. Universities.'] The university of Coimbra is the most ancient, and was founded in the latter part of the 13th century. It lately contained 800 students, and had a good observatory, a fine botan- ical garden, a chemical laboratory, anatomical theatre, and a cabi- net of natural curiosities. The university of Evora was founded in 1553, and the college of Mafra,in 1772. This last has a philosoph- ical apparatus, and a library of 40,000 volumes. Education, howev- er, is generally neglected, and no provision l^ made for the instruc- tion of the common people. PORTUGAL. 375 Cilies.'] Lisbon the capital was lately the second city of Europe in commercial importance. It was the Olisi/i/io of the ancients, and is said to have been built by the Phenicians. It stands on sev- en hills, on the northern side of the Tagus, not far from its en- trance into the sea, and is sheltered on the N. W. by a ridge of tills. The harbor is one of the best in the world, uniting in a very- unusual degree, the four qualities of size, depth, security, and con- venience. The Tagus is here about four miles broad, and has two outlets separated by a sandbank, and the rock of Cachopos, and defended by forts. Fort St. Julian, 1 1 miles from Lisbon on a rock in the sea, defends the northern. Opposite to it is the Biijio, which is built on piles on a sandbank. The fort of Belem is 4 miles from Lisbon on the north side, and entirely commands the entrance to the city. On the south, directly opposite, is Fort Sebastian on the angle of a mountain, all along which the passage is defended by a chain of 12 forts. An old Moorish wall, with 77 towers and 56 gates, incloses the eastern part of the city. The western has been built since. The breadth of the town is inconsiderable ; but it is very long from E. to W. The vallies of the hills form streets of above three miles in length, most of them narrow, ill-paved, and dir- ty, and many of them steep'and troublesome. On one of the hills in the centre stands a citadel, which commands the whole city. There are 41 parish churches, 40 monasteries, II colleges fgr noviciats, 24 nunneries, 99 chapels, and 19 hospitals. The churches in gen- eral are elegant and rich ; but that belonging to the patriarchato is of surpassing magnificence ; the very ornaments e.nd plate in it containing the treasure of several Brazil fleets. The Dominican church is very large, and the cathedral on one of the hills is splen- didly ornamented. One of the hospitals, St. Joseph's, is an insti- tution honorable to the city. In 1789, it received 1 1,020 patients ; and the foundling hospital in the same year received 1279 children. Several of the royal palaces are magnificent, and many belonging to the nobles are stately. The Exchange aad the India house are particularly deserving of notice. But the aqueduct to the north of the city is one of the noblest works of modern architecture. It Avas built in the years 1713 — 1732, and remained unhurt by the great earthquake of 1755, which destroyed the greatest and best part of the city. It rests on a long row of marble pillars, and on 75 arches is carried across the vale of Alcantara from one moun- tain to another. The number of houses is 44,057, and the number of inhabitants, accordii;;^ to Ruders, 350,000. Indolence, pride, and poverty too much characterize the inhabitants. The foreigners, who are settled here, are very numerous, and the most industrious of the inhabitants. The number of servants is disproportionatcly great. The police is very indifferent ; the streets swarm with beggars in the day, and banditti are not unfrequent in the night. The ecclesiastics are also very numerous, and spend their time in the greatest luxury and idleness. About one sixih of the inhabit- ants are negroes and mulatoes. Here are two theatres, one for Italian operas, the other for Portuguese plays. There is also a Targe circus for btillfights. The inhabitants ha^^-c a peculiar cus- 37i> PORTUGAL. torn of throwing water on passengers in the street, at certain sea- sons. The commerce of the city is chiefly in the hands of for- eigners. The extent of it may be estimated from tlie following list of the ships, which entered the port in 5 different years exclu- sive of coasters. 1774 1784 1793 1797 1802 English, 348 252 234 553 383 Portnguese, 104 335 230 268 314 United States, 23 96 154 175 Swedish, 45 80 76 135 130 Danish, 41 30 58 218 96 Rest of Europe, 107 226 148 128 271 645 964 864 1586 1369 The chief exports are corks, drugs, dyeing stuffs, fruit, oil, pot- ash, raw-silk, brandy, vinegar, 5c c. Manufactured goods, and all sorts of provisions are imported. Oporio, the capital of Entre Minho e Douero, and the second city in the kingdom, is built on the north side of the Douro, about 5 miles from its mouth. The harbor, formed by the river, is dif- ficult to enter, but spacious and secure. A single castle is a suf- ficient defence. The town plot is uneven, but the streets are well paved, neat, and handsome. The number of houses is 15,138, and the number of inhabitants 70,505. It contains 10 churches, 12 convents, and 9 hospitals. Here are considerable manufactures of silks, hats, pottery, and several ropewalks, and dockyards. The trade of the city is extensive. More than 500 ships annually enter. The imports in 1790 amounted to ;C600,000 sterling, and the ex- ports to /;800,000, of which about 80,000 pipes of wine constituted the chief article. The others were Brazilian goods, vinegar, and brandy. JElvas, tlie capital of Alentejo, is a fortified city, 14 miles W. by N. of Badajos. It has a castle on an eminence, and is commanded by Fort La Lippe. The city contains 3 parish churches, and a cathedral, 2 hospitals, 7 convents, 3,000 houses, and 12,500 inhab- itants. The streets are narrow and dirty, and the houses badly built. Here is a remarkable aqueduct, supported by 3 arches, one over the other, 4 miles in length, which conducts the water into a very large reservoir. At some distance from the town the coun- try is bleak and barren. Braga^ in Entre Minho e Douero, the ^.'ugusta Braccara of the Romans, is seated in a pleasant plain, cultivated and shaded by trees, near the Cavado. Several of the streets are wide and open, but the houses are generally small. It contains 6 parishes, 8 monasteries, and one hospital. The nvimberof houses is 3087 ; ot inhabitants 12,362. Here is an extensive hat manufactory, which supplies the greater part of the kingdom ; also manufactories ol linen and knives. Every part of the town exhibits marks of in- dustry. The old gothic cathedral and the remains of a Roman amphitheatre, and aqueduct, are objects of curiosity to the an- tiquary. PORTUGAL. 377 St. Ubes, or Setuval, the ancient Cedobriga, Is Situated on a fine bay, into which the river Sadaon discharges itself. Tiie harbor is not large, but secure, and deep enough for vessels of any burden. It is defended by the strong fort of St. Jago. The town is for- tified by eleven whole, and two demi-bastions, and a citadel. It contains 5 parishes, 9 monasteries, 2 nunneries, 1 almshouse, 1 hospital, 2090 dwelling houses, and 12,000 inhabitants. About 500 sea vessels, and as many coasters, enter here annually. Here are very extensive salt-ponds, and a considerable trade is carried on in salt, wine, and oil. The environs are fertile and well cultivated. Evovra, in Alentejo, the ancient Ebora^ said to have been built by the Phenicians, and walled about by Sertorius, stands in a large plain surrounded on all sides by mountains. It contains 5 churches, 3162 houses, and 14,200 inhabitants. The aqueduct built by Ser- torius, still in excellent preservation, is a beautiful monument of Roman architecture. Coimbra, in Beira, the ancient Coninibrica^ was built about 300 years before Christ. It stands in an elevated situation, on both sides of the Mondego, and is a large and handsome city. Its Ro- man walls are still standing, having several towers, and 6 gates. The town contains 5 churches, 7 convents, an almshouse, and an hospital, 3053 houses, and 11,871 inhabitants. Here is an exten- sive manufactory of earthen, and some linen and woollen manufac- tures. A strong stone bridge connects the two parts of the town. E(lifi.cea.~\ In the town of Mafra is the royal palace, built by John V. in the years 1717-1731, which, for its uncommon magni- ficence, is called the Portuguese Escurial. The whole composes one immense building with a vaulted covering, 866 rooms lighted by 5,200 windows. The apartments of the court are large and sumptuous. The church is built entirely of marble, and has in. its towers 1 14 chiming bells. The convent furnishes habitations, and a large income to 200 capuchins, besides splendid apartments for the patriarch, and 24 canons. The college, also a part of the palace, has a library of 40,000 volumes, and a fine mathematical apparatus. The gardens and grounds are extensive, and kept in excellent order, and are richly stored with exotics. The building looks towards the sea, and serves as a landmark for mariners. Portugal, like Spain, exhibits but fev/ splendid villas. ManufactMrrf;.~\ The hat manufactory at Braga is the most im- portant establishment in Portugal. The same article is manufac- tured at Oporto and Lisbon. Silk is extensively fabricated at Oporto, and 200 looms are employed in weaving the velvets of Bragan2!a. Woollens are made at Elvas, and in great quantities at Covilhao, for the army and the court. At Azeitao is a large establishment for fine cottons. At Coimbra and Estremos, earth- en ware is extensively manufactured, and less so at Oporto. Linen also is made at Braga, and Coimbra, thread at Braganza, glass of an excellent quality at Marinha, salt in abundance at St. Ubes, and great quantities of a peculiarly white salt at Alca;rur-do-Sol. At Braga there is also a manufactory of knives. Commerce.~\ The trade of Portugal is principally carried on VOL. Ii: 48 37S PORTUGAL. ■with England and Brazil. The exports to England, in 1799, were ^1,047,034 sterling, and in 1800, ^^9 16,848 ; the imports in 1799, .^C 1,073,411, and in 1800, /;i,01 1,893. In 1806, 468 vessels cleared out for England, and 332 entered from that country. England transmits woollens, hardwares, cottons, fine linens, salted and dried fish, to the amount of /;200,000 sterling ; and receives in return, bullion, coin, precious stones, wines, brandy, and fruits. Portugal sends to Brazil woollens, linens, stuffs, gold and silver lace, glassj dried fish, hams, and sausages. The goods returned, are gold, silver, pearls, precious stones, cotton, dyes, indigo, rice, coffee, maize, wheat, ginger, sugar, molasses, ornamental wood, and drugs., The other exports from Portugal, are salt, cork, sumach, sugar, oil and vinegar, and the various articles received from Bra- zil. The imports from the United States, in 1806, amounted to about 1,925,000 dollars. The exports to France, in 1801, were about 1,937,000 dollars ; the imports about 734,000. Of port wine about 48,000 pipes are annually exported, valued at §4,200,000; of Lisbon 10,000 pipes, valued at 500,000 ; of wool 1,000,000 pounds ; of oil 1200 pipes j of salt 2,400,000 bushels ; and of fruits 95 cargoes. CHAPTER n. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRICULTURE, RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, MINERALOGY. Climate.~\ THE breezes from the ocean temper the cold of win- ter and the heat of summer so much as to render those seasons far more similar here, than in the other countries of Europe. The winters of Portugal are more characterized by their rains, than their cold. Both heat and cold in Spain are more excessive than in Portugal. The spring is uncommonly delightful. Lisbon has been the great resort of consumptive persons from Great Britain, and the climate of the whole country is unus^mlly salubrious. The number of clear days annually in Lisbon, is about 200, and of set- tled rain about 80. The medial heat is about 60 of Fahrenheit. Face of the coiintr-y.']^ Portugal is a far more level country than Spain. None of the provinces, except Tras-os-Montes, can pro- perly be called mountainous. Alentejo is generally level. The others are generally diversified by hill and dale. Soil and Jgriculture.'] The soil, like that of Spain, is generally light and shallow, but capable of producing abundantly everything requisite for the sustenance and comfort of man. Entre Douro e Minho, Estremadura and Algarve are peculiarly fertile. The vallies of Tras-os-Montes are rich and delightful, but the province on the whole is wild and barren. Beira and most of Alentejo, with the proper cultivation, may be made to produce abundant crops. The agriculture of Portugal, generally is much neglected. The northwestern province, however, is in a high state of cultivation, as arc the vallies of the northeastern. The chief productions are corn, maize, wine, oil. honey, flax, wool, silk, and fruits. PORTUGAL. 379 JRiver^.'] The Minho, the Douro, the Tagus, and the Guidia- na have already been described. The Lima, anciently the Lethe^ rises in Gallicia, runs a S. W. course, and forms the harbor of Viana. Its current is gentle, and small vessels navigate it about 20 miles. The Cavado runs a parallel course, and is boatable about 5 miles. The Monde^o rises in the Serra d'Estrclla, near Guarda, runs a W. S. W. course of about 110 miles, of which about 60 are navigable for boats. The Sadaon is a small stream forming the harbor of St. Ubes. The Soro is the chief tributary of the Tagus in Portugal, and the turbulent Ardala, of the Guadiana. Mountainsi] The Serra Monchique, the northern boundary of Algarve, is separated by the Guadiana from the Sierra Morena. Its course in Portugal is from E. to W. about 80 miles. A part of this chain is called the Serra de Caldeirao. In Alentejo is a small chain, about 30 miles long and 6 broad, which tei'minates a little N. W. of Evora. It is merely a continuation of the mountains of Toledo, The Serra d'Estrella is the longest chain in Portugal. It may be considered as commencing at the Rock of Lisbon, and running N. E. through Estremadura and Beira, till it joins that part of the mountains of Guadarama, called Sierra de Gata, The highest summit of this range, the Mons Hermeniiis of the ancients, is call- ed Estrella, and gives its name to the whole chain. At its foot stands Villa St. Romao, a village of Beira. On the top the trav- eller finds verdant pastures, and rivulets of clear water. But that which most arrests his attention is a lake, surrounded by high rocks. The water is clear and tepid, and has a tremulous mo- tion in the middle, and now and then small vesicles are seen to rise aloft from its surface. From the strong current in it at one particular place, it is believed that there is an aperture, through which it feeds another lake farther down the mountain. The summits of Tras-os-Montes appear to be an extensive clump of hills, pursuing no settled course, and connected with no regular chain. The Rock of Lisbon, or the Roca-di-Cintra, consists of large rocks of flint, some of ten feet in diameter, lying on each other without order or connection. It is rich in ore, and produces ma- ny remarkable plants. Near the summit are seen the ruins of an old Moorish town and fortress, with a reservoir, under an arch, of very fine water. On the top, which is 3000 feet above the ocean, is a hermitage and a convent. Zoology. ~\ The horses of Portugal are much inferior to those of Spain, and great numbers of the latter are annually imported. Asses and mules are numerous. Horned cattle are too much neglected. Less attention is paid to the breeding of sheep than in Spain ; but the wool is in all respects equal. Hogs abound. They live in the woods, on acorns, and the hams are excellent. Botany.'] The indigenous plants of Portugal are the same as those of Spain ; but a number of exotics have strayed from the 380 ITALY. gardens and groAvn wild, pai'ticularly around the large seaports. Among these are the American aloe, the Indian fig, the magna- lia grandiflora, the date palm, the Lusitanian cypress, originally from Goa, the tea tree, the fragrant olive, the Cape jasmine, the ice plant, and the myrica faya. Wheat, barley, rye, oats, maize, rice, Guinea corn, millet, sweet potatoe, plantains, pulse, lupins, Monk's beans, Jerttsalem artichoke, the tomato, ^jurds, cucum- bers, and melons, are among the esculent plants of the field and garden. The fruit trees have been mentioned. -Mineralogy.^ The mineralogy of Portugal has been much neglected. Small vems of gold have been observed in the moun- tains of Goes and Estrella ; and it is still found in the sand of some streams, as in ancient times the Tajo was celebrated for this metal. Under the dominion of the Spaniards, a mine of sil- ver was worked, not far from Braganza, so late as the year 1628. Tin was also found in various parts of the northern provinces. There are lead mines at Mursa, Lamego, and Cogo ; and the ga- lena ores are very productive of silver ; copper is found near El- vas, and in other districts. The iron mines are neglected, from a deficiency of fuel ; though coal is found in different parts of the kingdom, and that of Buarcos supplies the royal foundery at Lis- bon. Emery is found near the Douro ; and many beautiful mar- bles abound in this kingdom. Fullers earth occurs near Guime- rans. Portugal also boasts of antimony, manganese, bismuth, and arsenic ; and near Castello-Branco are mines of quicksilver, Rubies have been discovered in Algarvc ; jacinths in the rivers Cavado and Bellas ; beryl or aquamarine in the mountain of Es- trella. In short, Portugal abounds with minerals of most de- scrJptioTis ; and npthing is wanting but fuel and industry. ITALY IN GENERAL. CHAPTEPv I. BOUNDARIES, EXTENT, DIVISIONS, NAMES, ORIGINAL POPULATION, HISTORY, RELIGION, GOVERNMENTS, LANGUAGE, POPULATION, CLIMATE, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, AGRICULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY. J3oundaries.~\ THE Alps divide Italy from France, Swit- zerland, and Germany on the North ; the Adriatic Sea bounds it on the Northeast ; on the South and West it is washed by the Mediterranean. Extent.'] Italy lies between 37 and 46 50, N. lat. and 6 10 and 18 35, E. Ion. Its greatest length is 740 miles, and its greatest breadth is 400. The contents in square miles, exclusive of the islands, is 95,585, viz. 31,505 in the kingdom of N?.p!es ; 32,920 ITALY. ;si in all the annexations to France ;* and 31,160 in tliat part of the kingdom of Italy which is in Italy. niviaions.^ The ancients divided Italy into Gallia Cisal/ima on the north, Italia Propria in the middle, and Magna Graecia on the south. These divisions were recognized till the time of Augus- tus, who subdivided Italy into eleven regions. The whole of the Italian dominions, comprehending Corsica, Sardinia, the Vene- tian and other islands, before the late revolutions, were divided in the manner exhibited in the following TABLE. Countr es NamfS. Squ arc Miles. Length. Breidth. Chief Cides. "Piedmont 6,619 140 98 Turin Savoy 3,572 87 60 Chambery To the king J Montserrat 446 40 22' Cassal of Sardinia.'^ Aiessandrine 204 27 20 Alexandria Oneglia 132 24 7 Oneglia ^Sardinia Island 6,600 135 57 Cagliari To the king 5 Naples 22,000 275 200 Naples of Naples. ^ Sicily Island 9,400 180 92 Palermo ^ , .^ f Milan 5,431 1 55 70 Milan To the Em- Uj^^^^^ 700 47 27 Mantua peror. ^Mirandola 120 19 10 Mirandola N.lat.41 54 Pope's dominions 14,348 235 143 Rome E. Ion. 12 45 Tuscany 6,640 115 94 Florence ,^ , . Massa 82 16 11 Massa To their re- p^^.^^ spective <; j^^^^^^ 1,225 48 37 Parma 1,560 65 39 Modena pnnces. Piombino 100 22 18 Piombino ^Monaco 24 12 4 Monaco 1 Lucca St. Marino 2S0 28 15 Lucca Republics. "" 8 St. Marino 1 .Genoa 2,400 160 25 Genoa To England Corsica Island 2,520 90 38 Bastia Venice 8,434 175 95 Venice To the re- Istria P. 1,245 56 32 Capo d'lstria public of^ Dalmatia P. 1,400 I 35 20 Zara Venice. Isles of Dalma- >. tia 1,364 ,i 'Cephalonia 428 40 18 Cephalonia Corfu, or Cor- 194 31 10 Corfu Islands in 't' ^ ^^ ^ theVene.^2^"^' °^' ^^- 120 23 12 Zant J << cynthus Han do- ' c.. Tvr . . St. Maura 56 12 7 St. Maura mmions. Little Cepha- lonia, Ithaca 14 7 ■3 olim Total, 75,056 The present tlivisions of Italy noil/ be seen in the sequel, * The reason why the number of square miles ami population annexed to France from Italy, as here gi^cn, iliffers IVom that j^ivcii in t^e acionnt ot France is, that the' 382 ITALY. A'antes.'] This celebrated country was known in ifiorc andent limes by the names Saiurnia, CEnotria, Ausonia.^ and Hesficria. It- aly, its present name, was probably the Aitolia of the Greeks, transferred to the other side of the Adriatic, though some authors derive it from Italiis., a king of Arcadia. Original P ovulation. ~] Ancient writers are extremely confused in their account of the first inhabitants of Italy ; and it is difficult to come to any satisfactory conclusion with regard to their names, numbers, and origin. The authors of the Universal History con- sider the Umbri as the aborigines of northern and central Italy. The Gauls drove the Uinbri southward, and, in the first ages of Rome, were possessed of a great part of Gallia Cisalfiina. The Tyrrheni^ or Etruscans from Lydia, in Asia Minor, possessed themselves very early of the central parts of Italy, and appear to have become incorporated with the Umbri. The v/hole of Italia Propria was denominated Tyrr/ienia by the Greeks. The south- ern parts of Italy were peopled by numerous small colonies of Greeks, Avho settled there in different periods, and gave the coun- try the name of Magna Graecia. It is doubtful Avhether Eneas ever settled in Latium with a colony of Trojans ; but, be this as it may, the Romans were chiefly or wholly descended from the Etruscans. The founders of their city Vv-ere a company of freebooters, headed by Romulus and Remus, the first of whom gave a name to the city and nation. History.'] Nothing can be said here of the modern petty states ; we shall merely notice those great events, which have in a meas- ure affected the whole country. 1. The earliest known condition of Italy when the northern and central parts were in the possession of the Umbrians ; and the southern, of various colonies of Pelasgi. 2. The settlement of the Etruscans, a colony from Lydia, in the ■middle of Italy, probably before the Trojan war. Their empire became at length very extensive. The Gauls also got possession of all the continental part of Italy, driving before them the Um- brians and Etruscans. 3. The building of Rome by Romulus, the grandson of Numi- tor, about 750 years before Christ, and the establishment of the monarchy, which lasted 243 years. 4. The burning of the city by the Gauls B. C, 384. Before this event the Sabines, Veientes, and Fidcnates had been vanquished and brought into subjection. annexation ofllie States of the Cluircli, and various otlicr districts, was not known to she Author when the 16''071 withGuastalla5 "' 11, Panaro 189,216 12, Lower Po 257,534 13, Reno 379,010 14, Rubicon 254,723 15, Metaurol 16, Musone I 680,000 17, Tronto J III. East Lombardy, 9,350 square miles, 1,630,179 inhabitants. 18, Adriatic 216,500 19, Bachiglione 243,162 ao^.Brenta 284,066 21, Istria 89,634 22, Passeriano 383,305 23, Piave 105,902 24, Tagliamento 307,610 IV. Dalmatia, 7,228 square miles, 296,415 inhabitants. Square Miles. Inhabitants. 1, Dalmatia Proper 4,480 100,491 2, Islands of Quarnaro 297 36,000 3, Dalmatian Islands 1,547 59,000 4, District of Ragusa 657 60,000 5, Distinct of Cattaro 247 40,924 V. Territory of St. Marino, 30 square miles, and 7000 inhabi- tants. History r\ Venice is the most extensive of the component parts of this kingdom. The city was founded in the 5th century, by the Veneti from the opposite shore, on the islands where it now stands. At first each isle was governed by a consul, and afterwards by a tribune, till the year 697 ; when the first Doge was elected, and unlimited power conferred on him. In 1171, the power of the Doge was curtailed, and the sovereignty vested in the nobles. The Venetians having already extended their dominions over Istria, Dalmatia, Syria, and Lombardy, in 1 204, possessed themselves of Cajidia, the principal islands in the Archipelago, and several 392 '^ ITALY. Greek provinces. After the war with Genoa, which lasted 130 years, and terminated in 1381, they were the first commercial power in the world, and continued to be sa till the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope, by Varco de Gama. Since that time they have sunk into insignificance. The Duchy of Milan, the territory of the ancient Insubrcs^ was a part of the kingdom of Lombardy. Charlemagne appointed governors in it. It next fell to Germany, and affecting inclepend- ence, was severely punished by the emperor Barbarossa, in 1 15.3. Otho Visconti was proclaimed lord of Milan, in 1277, and the family possessed this opulent principality, till 1450. The first of them who took the title of duke, was John Galeazzo, in 1395. They were succeeded by the Sforza family, and on its failure, in 1536, Charles V. declared Milan a fief of the empire, and gave it to his son Philip II. of Spain, whose successors held it till 1706, when it reverted to Austria. The Duchy of Mantua was taken possession of by Louis de Gonza- ga, a German, in 1 528, with the title of vicar. In 1 432, it Avas made a marquisate, and a dukedom by Charles V. when Montserrat was annexed. In 1707, the last of the Gonz family was put under the ban of the empire, and the duchy overrun by the troops of Austria. Mirandolawas made a duchy from a county in 1619. Its ducal house was the family of Pico. The last duke, siding with Spain in the war of the succession, was put under the ban, and the duchy sold by the emperor, in 171 1, to the duke of Modena. Ferrara and Modena belonged to the family of Este, a small city in Padua, of which Azo was marquis. His descendants ac- quired Ferrara, Modena, Reggio, and Rovigo. Borsus, in 1452, was created duke of Modena and Reggio, and count of Rovigo, and in 1472, duke of Ferrara. Rovigo fell to Venice in 1500. The Este family failing of lawful heirs, in 1557, the Pope seized Fer- rara. The emperor confirmed INIodena and Reggio to the ille- gitimate heirs. In the war of the succession, the duke lost his possessions, but had them restored in 1748. The Bolognese, the ancient seat of the iJc?//, became a republic under the emperors. Divided by two factions, one of them had recourse to Pope Nicholas II. He assumed despotic authority. The people revolted, and chose Thaddeus Pepoli their first ma- gistrate. His sons sold the country to the duke of Milan. The people shook oft' this yoke, and in 1513 became subject to the Pope. In 1802 this territory was annexed to the Cisalpine Re- public, and in 1805 to the French kingdom of Italy. St. Marino was founded by a mason, of the name of Marino, in the 6th century. Turning hermit, he retired to this mountain. His sanctity drawing numl)ers to the spot, in time it became a state. The Pope took possession of it in 1739, but immediately gave it up. Excluiiive of that instance, it always retained its ircc- dom. Istria was a part of the ancient lUyricum. After the first Pu- nic war, the Romans annexed it to Italy. In the middle ages it l)elongcd to the marquisate of Aquileia. In 1 190 it was conquer- ed by Venice. ITALY. 393 Dalniatia was conquered by the Romans about 240 years B. C. subdued by the Goths, and reconquered by Justinian. The Slavi subdued it about \. D. 650. It then fell to Hungary, and in the 15th century the maritime parts to Venice. The people are still Slavonians, use their language and customs, and profess the Cath- olic religion. Government.^ The French emperor has been king of this monarchy, since its formation in 1805. His infant son also has this title, and if he and the family last, will probably some time hence enjoy the reality. Fo/iulation.'] The population of Lombardy, contained in the table, is the result of the census in 1 808 ; that of Dalmatia, of an enumeration in 1804. That of St. Marino is merely calculated. The amount of the respective numbers is 6,375,342. Hassel esti- mated the population, in 1809, to be 6,389,000. jirmy and J\,''axnj~^ The army consists of 8 regiments of infant- ry, 10 of cavalry, 3 of artillery, 1 of invalids, and 4 battalions of guards ; amounting to 40,000 men. The navy consists of 3 ships of the line, 5 frigates, and 16 smaller vessels. Kevenuc.'\ The revenue of 1807 amounted to 1 19,000,000 livres, or 14,690,000 dollars. The debt in 1809, exceeded 20,000,000 dollars. Cities.'] Venice is built on a multitude of islands, in a marshy bay of the Adriatic. The town stands 5 miles from the continent. The bay is too shallow for large vessels to pass between. This marsh is separated from the Adriatic by some islands, a few miles from the town, which break the force of the high winds, and ren- der the bay safe and quiet. The town is 6 miles in circuit. The streets are narrow, and the freestone pavements are slippery in wet v/cather. It contains 70 parish churches, 40 chapels, 18 ora- tories, 54 monasteries, 26 convents, 17 hospitals, 53 squares, ISS public statues, and 150 palaces. The houses, 15,000 in number, are built with little taste, and generally make a mean appearance. The population is 137,240, Numerous natural and artificial ca- nals intersect the city. Over these there are about 500 bridges, the largest of Avhich is the Rialto, over the middle of the great canal. Scarlet cloths, silks, looking-glasses, and gold and silver stuffs are extensively manufactured. Milan, the ancient Mediolanum, stands in a fruitful and pleasant plain, near the Adda. Its wall has 22 gates, and is 10 miles iu circuit, but half the inclosed ground is occupied by gardens. The citadel is a large hexagon, and is one of the strongest fortresses in Italy. The streets arc broad and neat, the squares spacious and handsome, and the houses lofty. There are here 230 church- es, 40 monasteries, 50 nunneries, and in 1805, 128,862 inhabitants. The cathedral is a vast structure, 500 feet long and 30u broad, built wholly of white marble. Milan was built by the Gauls, B. C. 338. A short canal connects it with the Aada, and a much longer one with the Tessino. About 2 miles from the city isxm artificial echo, which will repeat the report Qi a pistol 60 times. VOL. II. tO 394 ITALY. The enviions are ehibellishcd with beautiful villas, y;aidens and orchards. Bologna, the ancient Felcina^ is situated in a beautiful plain, at the foot of the Appennines. The river Savona washes its walls, iuid the rivulet Reno passes through it. A solid and lofty brick wall, 5 miles in circuit, surrounds the city. The streets are too narrow. The public buildings a'-e magnificent. Here are near 200 churches, 35 monasteries, and 38 convents. The cathedral is noble. The theatre also is very large and beautiful. Many of the houses are splendid, and have lofty porticoes. The popula- tion, in 1805, was 63,420. The manufactures are silks, velvets, laces, crapes, pape^r, glass, leather, bottles, playing cards, toys, perfumes, and confectionary. The Bologna hams, sausages, and dried tongues, are celebrated. This is one of the most agreeable cities in Italy. Verona lies in a plain on both sides of the Adige, over which there are 4 stone bridges, the longest 348 feet. The fortifications are some of the strongest in Italy. The streets are narrow, crooked, and dirty, and the houses mean. The population, in 1805, was 55,887. The environs are remarkably pleasant and fertile. Olives, oil, wine, linen, woollens, and sewing-silk are exported. Padua, the ancient Fctavium^ is situated on, a tributary of the Brcnta. The walls are very extensive, but much of the inclosed space is without buildings, and many of the houses are unoccu- pied. The houses are generally well built. Population, 34,000. Here are 26 churches, 2 3 monasteries, 18 nunneries, and 4 hos- pitals- The church of St. Antonio is singularly magnificent. The streets, however, are narrow, dark, dirty, and ill-paved, and many of them are grass-grown. The first of historians* was a native of Padua, and a cenotaph is erected to his memory. Brescia, the Brixia of the Romans, was built by Brenus. It stands on a beautiful plain, on the Garza, is a league in circuit, well fortified, having a strong castle on u hill, and surrounded by walls, which have 5 gates. The streets are handsome, and the buildings good. -The number of inhabitants, in 1805, was 41,972. It has 20 churches, and 30 convents. Here are extensive manu- factures of linen, and the fire-arms, swords, and cutlery of Bres- cia, are celebrated. This was the birth-place of Tartaglia, the mathematician, and of Gambara, the poet. Modena, the ancient Mutina, is built between the Secchio and Panaro, and surrounded by fortifications. The streets are broad and straight, and the houses ornamented by porticoes. In 1805, the population was 26,884. Tasso and Corregio were born al Modena. > Bergamo, anciently Bcrgomuviy stands at the foot of a mountain, and is strongly fortified with walls, bastions, and ditches. Tiie inhabitants, in 1805, amounted to 24,459, and are noted for their iadustrv. Their silks, woollens, and serges are celebrated. * I.irr. ITALY. 395 Ferrara stands on a branch of the Po, and is 4 miles in circum- ference. The streets are very broad and regular, and the houses uniform. There are many magnificent palaces, and beautiful churches. The number of churches is 100, and of convents 38. The population in 1805, was 24,444. Ariosto lies buried here, and Tasso here wrote his " Jerusalem Delivered." Pavia, the ancient Ticinum, stands in a beautiful plain, on the Tesino. It was founded by the Gauls. The streets are broad and straight, but the houses are indifferent, and it has little the appearance of having been the capital of the kingdom of Lonibar- dy. The fortifications are decayed, and the citadel in ruins. It contains 25,237' inhabitants, 19 churches, and 38 convents. Fran- cis I. was taken prisoner, while besieging this town, in 1525. Ravenna stands on the Montonc, 3 miles from its mouth, and was founded by the Thessalians. When the capital of the exar- chate, it stood on a bay of the Adriatic, but the sea has gradually retired. The iron rings are still in the wall, to which ships were anciently fastened. It contains several churches, and 24 convents. Here are some remains of the palace of Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths, and in a wall of the front, is his coffin of porphyry. The tomb of Dante is in a Franciscan convent. He died here in 1321. The citadel and fortifications are in a ruinous state. Cremona was built 391 years B. C. It stands on a delightful plain, on the Oglio and the Po, and is 5 miles in circumference. A canal passes through the town, connecting the two rivers. The streets are wide and straight, but the houses are not well built. Here are 40 parish churches, 43 convents, and 21,039 inhabitants. Mantua, the birth-place of V^irgil, was founded many years be- fore Rome. It stands on a lake, formed by the IVIincio, which is 10 miles long and 2 broad. The walls have 8 gates, and are 4 miles in circuit. The water divides the city into two equal parts, connected by 6 bridges. The streets are long, broad, and straight, with handsome stone houses, fine squares, and stately churches. Tht;re are 39 churches, 1 1 oratories, and 40 convents within the walls ; and 5 churches and 7 convents in the suburbs, yhe pop- ulation is 20,343. Jfilandfs.~\ The isles of Quarnaro lie in and near the Gulf of Fiume, S. E. of Istria. The chief are Cherso, Veglia, Arbo, Pa- go, and INIelada. Cherso, the largest, is 150 miles in circumfe- rence. They are all stony and mountainous, but yield a great deal of wood, cattle, wine, oil, honey, and some salt. The town of Cherso contains 3000 inhabitants, and is in the centi-e of the island. The tov.n of Veglia, is in the W. part of that island, has a hartJOr and castle, is the see of a bishop, and contaiiis 3U00 inliabitants. The town of Pago contains 200u. The chief Dalmatian isles are Grossa, Brazza, Leiiina, Curzo- la, IMeleda, Lagosta, Cazzola, Cazza, and Lissa. The high parts of these islands are barren and rocky ; the plains are fertile. The chief productions are wine, oil, figs, almonds, saffron, honey, aloc-s> oranges, avooI, cheese, s^lt, and wood. Salt fish is thf- 396 ITALY. chief export. The town, Lesina, has a large, strong, and safe harhor, is surrounded with walls, and is the see of a bishop. Curzola also has a good harbor, and is well fortified. CHAPTER IV. KINGDOM OF NAPLEF. EXTENT, DIVISIONS, HISTORY, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, POPULA- TION, ARMY AND NAVY, REVENUE, CITIES, BAYS, SOIL AND PRO- DUCTIONS, ISLANDS. £:z;te7it.^ THIS kingdom liei in the southern extremity of Italy. The late possessions of the Pope lie oil the N. VV. The Straits of Messina separate it from Sicily, and those of Otranto from Turkey. On the Adriatic it reaches to lat. 42 50, N. on the Mediterranean, to 41 15. The greatest length is about 320 miles; the breadth varies from 100 to .30. The number of square miles is 31,505. Divisions.^ Naples is divided into 12 provinces, which, with their population in 1789, as given by Galanti, are as follows. Adriatic Provinces. Mcditerrane.m Provinces Farther Abruzzo 258,000 Farther Calabria 408,000 Hither Abruzzo 227,000 Hither Calabria 345,000 Molise 159,000 Basilicata 4''7,000 Capitanata 364,000 Terra di Salerno 481,000 Terra di Bari 289,000 Terra di Lavora 1,245,000 Terra d'Ot ran to 293,000 femral. Prmcipato Ultra 335,000 History.'] The early history of this country has already been given. The chief epochs of its modern history are the followinir. Arechis, son-in-law of the last king of the Lombards, when their kingdom was destroyed by Charlemagne, was duke of Benevento, a dukedom which then comprized the greater pi>rt of Naples. The city of Naples still belonged to the Greeks. Compelkd by Charlemagne to acknowledge him as king of Italy, Arechis soon renounced his allegiance, and assumed the title of king. The Saracens first repeatedly invaded the country from 836 to 896, when they wore driven out, during which period the Greeks got possession of the soutli. In 1015 numerous Normans came into tlie cou)itry, and in 1056, under Robert Guiscard, became the ruling nation in Naples, and, in 1071, in Sicily. In 1 195, the em- peror got possession of both countries, and in 1266 they were granted by the Pope to Charles, duke of Anjou. After the Sicil- ian vespers, 1282, Sicily v.'.is seized by a fleet sent by the kings of Arragon, but Naples continued to acknowledge the line of An- jou, wt\ic', expired in the infamons Jean, 1382. In 1303, the two kingdoms were ibrn)aHv disjoined, Sicily falling to Fredcrir of ITALY. 397 Arragon, Naples belonged to Charles' successors, till the begin- )nng of the 16lh century, when king Frederic resigned it to Louis Xli. on being created count of Anjou ; but the French, in 1504, were compelled by the Spaniards, to evacuate the country. From that time till 1707 they retained it, when the emperor took it, and kept it till 1734. Then the Spaniards recovered it, and kept it till the year 1806, when the king withdrew to Sicily, which he still retains, and Joseph Bonaparte took possession of Naples, who has since resigned it for another kingdom. Religion.'] The inquisition was never established in Napl';s. The catholic religion was established ; but protestants had con- siderable privileges. Before the, late revolution, one third of the Avhole property of the kingdom was estimated to belong to the ec- clesiastics. Naples then had 21 archbishops, and UO bishops. The whole number of the clergy in 1803, was 72,000. Goveminent.'] The late king was nearly despotic. The states consisted of nobility and commons, and met once in two years. The chief business y/as to deliberate on the customary free gifi to the crown. The high colleges were the council of state, privy- council, treasury, Sicily council, and council of war. The nobili- ty were extremely numerous, and generally poor. Population. ~\ The royal calendar for 1803, gives the popula- tion of Naples at 4,963,502. Army and JVaxnjr] In 1809, the number of troops v/as 21,600 national troops, and 30,000 French auxiliaries. At that time only 3 frigates, and a few galleys and gun-boats, amounting in all to 8 saii, remained of a navy, which, in 1790, had 4 sail of the line, 8 frigates, and 27 smaller vessels, and was manned by 2,874 ma- rines. Re-oenuer\ The revenue, in 1808, amounted to about 9,880,000 dollars ; the expenditure nearly equalled it; and the debt amount- ed lo about 26,000,000 dollars. OYifs.] Naples, the ancient Parthcnojie^ and the sepulchre of Virgil, was built by a Greek colony from Chalcis. It stands at the head of a large harbor of the Tuscan sea, of a nearly circular shape, and 12 miles \\\ diameter ; all ;.!ie borders of which are or- namented by mulberry, olive, and orange groves, by extensive viueyards, by hills, dales, and downs, covered Avith verdure, and by many delightful villas and flourishing villagos. It is built in the form of a vast amphitheatre, sloping from the hills towards tlic br.y. On the east lie the ricli plains leading to Vesuvius, which is in full view beyond them. On the west are the grotto ofPausilippo and the hill of Virgil's tomb. On the north fer- tile hills gradually rise from tlic shore ; and on the south is t!ie b.ay, confined by two promontories of Misenum and Minerva, and .npparently separated from the Mediterranean, by the islands Pro- cida, Ischia, and Caprea. The walls are only 9 mi!es in circuit, but the circumference of the whole town is 18. The streets are generally broad and well paved. The Strada di Toledo is one of the handsomest in Europe. Few towns are better built than Na- ples. Most of the houses are *ive and si:^ slorias high, with Hot 598 ITALY. voofs, on w hich are ])laCed numbers of (lower vases, or fruit Liees, in boxes of earth. The town contains 149 convents, 45 hospitals, 106 churches, 130 oratories, and 5 seminaries for ecclesiastics. The exterior of the churches, their paintings and marble orna- ments arc inferior to those of Rome ; but every thing else about them, in beauty and richness surpasses ail of the kind in Italy. There are five piazzas, or large covered walks, for the nobility, and one for the commonalty. The population of the city, in 17H9, Avas 412,489. Few of these arc employed in any useful labor, and the streets are constantly so much thronged with idlers and saun- terers, that the noise of carriages is completely drowned in the ag- gregate clack of human voices. The number of priests, monks, tidlers, nobility, footmen, and lazaronjs, surpasses belief. These last are persons not regularly brought up to any trade, but ready to be hired for any kind of labor. They constitute a disthict class of people, have their chief or captain, live in the open air day arid J light, and are miserably destitute of clothing and comfort. Their number ts about 40,000. Numerous banditti also make it their steady residence, and the number of castrati is so great, that many of them cannot procure employment in their professional busi- ness, and have therefore been admitted among the secular clergy. Mobs and riots however are very unfrequent in the streets, aiid the common people are rarely inflamed by ardent spirits. The lawyers are among the most respectable citizens ; their numbers are very great, and the inhabitants are extremely litigious. Pro- visions are j)lentiful and cheap ; poultry, fish, and game, are abundant, and the finest fruits are to be had throughout the year. Peas, asparagus, and other vegetables, are ripe in January. Ice is always abundant, and ice punch and creams are constantly liawked about the streets. The trade of Naples is not extensive. The chief articles manufactured are silk stockings, soap, snuff- i)oxcs of tortoise shell and lava, marble furniture, and ornaments. Their pastes, confections, and liqueurs are excellent. Beside these articles they export silk, oil, sulphur, manna, rosemary, re- sin, tartar, figs, and other truits. The harbor has a canal, and a inole 500 paces long, for its greater security. A block house and batteries defend the mouth. A lofty pharos points out its en- trance. The dock-yard and magazines are spacious. Castello Nuovo is on the east side of the harbor, and several batteries on the points of land below have a point blank shot. Castello del Uovo is on an island on the west side, which is connected with the tov/n by a bridge. St. Elmo is a castle, on a mountain west of the town, and resembles a star of six rays, which arc hewn out of a rock. Its subterranean works arc wide, lofty, and bomb-proof. It entirely commands the city. Water is conveyed to the town by an aqueduct, a nobiC monument of antiquity, from the foot of Mount \'esuvius. Taranto, the Ofbalia of the aboiigines, the "J'ara.t of the Greeks, and the 7>/;T/i///?/i of the Romans, was taken and repaired by a coloiiy of Spartans, under Piialanthus, 707 years B. C It is built on a smoll oeni^-isub, r.t the, head of the Gulf gf Taranto. Tiie ITALY: 599 harbor was once excellent ; it is now too shallow to admit any thing but fishing boats. The siveets are narrow and dirty, and the houses indifferent. Population in 1789, 18,457. Bari is built on a rocky peninsula, on the Adriatic, and is de- fended by a double wall of an old castle. The houses are gen- erally built on the ruiws of former edifices. The trade is exten- sive. The population in 1789, was 18,191. Reggio is in farther Calabria, nearly opposite Messina. Here are manufactures of stockings and gloves, and the exports arc chiefly olive-oil, silk, and fruits. Population 16,439. Bays.'] These are the Gulf of Manfredonia, on the Adriatic, the Gulfof Taranto, in the south, and the bays of Policastro, Sa- lerno, Naples, and Gaieta, on the Mediterranean. The Straits of Messina separate Calabria from Sicily, and the Straits of Otranto lie between Otranto and Albania. The peninsula on the east side of the Gulf of Taranto, is , the province called Terra d'Otranto, and contains 2611 square miles; that on the west side includes the two Calabrias, and contains 6714 square miles. Soil and Prodnctio?7s.'] The soil of Naples is every where of un- rivalled fertility, being productive to an exviberance,of wheat of ma- ny species, barley,iiiaize, rice, fiax, manna, and saffron, olives, figs, oranges, pomegranates, lemons, grapes, and many other kinds ot fruit, and of every species of vegetable in the greatest perfection. Silk is raise.d in great abundance. Alum, vitriol, sulphur, rock crystal, and marble, are abundant. There are specimens, also, of gold, silver, lead, and copper. Their chief manufacture* are of iron, silk, woollen, and glass. A species of shcU-fish, at Taranio, called /<'m/7«, about an ell long, affords a tuft of fine hair or threads of polished green color. Out of this the women knit gloves, stockings, and other articles of dress. Various sorts of lizards, black snakes, and the tarantula, are very common throughout the country. jVea/iolitan Is/es.'] In the Adriatic, in lat. 42, and close on the coast, are the small isles of TremUl, St. Do77ii?w, Cajiraria., and St. JVicolo. This last is 8 miles in circumference, and contains a few little hamlets, a convent, a castle, and 25 soldiers. Ca/iri, the an- cient Caprea, and the seat of Tiberius' debaucheries, lies at the mouth of the bay of Naples. It is 8 miles in circumference, mountainous, fertile, and abundant in game. Ischia, on the other side of the same bay, is 10 miles round, and is believed to be the offspring of a volcano. It is also mountainous, and abounds in fruits and game. Its white wine is noted. The air is fine and healthv. Ischia, its capital, is a bishop's see, and contains 3,1.'>() inhabitants. A7,9/:/a, farther in the bay, is smaller, and is merely a large garden, laid out in slopes and terraces. Procula, N. ot Ischia, produces abundance of fruit, and excellent wiiie, and also of pheasants and partridges. It is 6 miles in circuit, and_co"ntains 4000 inhuliitants. The Ponzian Isles, Ponzu, Palmaria, and Z.i- nona, li. Val di Mazzara 643,000 Val di Demona 52 1,000 Val di Noto 459,000 Lipari Islands 18,000 AcgatiLm Islands "^12,000 Pantailarea I. 3,000 1,656,000 Massel estimates them in 1809, at 1,056,000. 07-igmnl P6lntlatwnr\ Leaving the Cyclofies and I.acstJ-igor.cs-, •where we find them, in fable ; the first occupants of the island were the ^'ica?:i, a Spanish colony. Some Trojans landing in the island, after the destruction of their city, built Eryx and Egesta. and became one people with the Sicani. The SiriiH, several cen- turies after, went over from Italy, and got possession of (he great- er part of the island. About 300 years after, the fireeks planted numerous colonies l.ere. One of these, under Archias of Corinth, one of the Heraclidae, laid th.e foundation of Syracuse, B. C. 732. which after a time became the mistress of the island. Bistorij.'] The following are the chief epochs of Sicilian his- tory. 1 . The situation of the island under the Sicani, Siciili and Cr(?eks. Avho successivc'lv o!)tain<.d the donnuion of the wl'olc inland. ITALY. 40,1 2. The invasion of tlie island by an immense army and fleet of Carthaginians, under Ilamilcar, the sonof Hanno, B. C. 481. Ga- lon, king of Syracuse, kills or captures every man of them, and sets fire to their fleet. 3. The Athenian invasion, under Nicias and Demosthenes, B. C. 416, in which, after a three year's war, they were entirely cut off". 4. The Carthaginians iuvade the island a second time, in 404 B. C. and again in tlie time of Hannibal, but at length the whole is subdued by the Romans, B. C. 198. 5. The overthrow of the Roman domination by Genseric, king of the Vandals, A. D. 439, who yielded it to Odoacer, king* of Ita- ly. But in 535 it was -recovered by Belisarius, and made a part of the eastern empire, till 828. 6. The Saracens, who had before repeatedly disturbed the tran- quillity of Sicily, in 828, completely subdued it, and for more than 200 years the Mahometan standard waved upon the walls of Sy- racuse. 7. The Normans, under Roger, brother of Robert Guiscard sub- due the Saracens, and get possession of the island, A. D. 1071. Roger is made count of Sicily, in subordination, however to his brother, the king of Naples. The succeeding great events of Si- cilian history are enumerated in that of Naples. Religion.^ The Roman Catholic is established, but Jews are tolerated. There are 2 archbishoprics and 7 bishoprics. A sove- reign ecclesiastical tribunal judges of all matters and disputes in which the clergy are concerned. The number of churches, con*- vents, and religious foundations, is considerable ; the buildings of which are handsome, and the revenues great. Go-ucrnment.'] The monarchy is hereditary, but is not absolute. The Parliament consists of clergy, nobles, and deputies from some of the towns. The archbishops, bishops, abbots, and priors, to the number of 66, constitute the spiritual arm, 239 nobles, the military arm, and 43 representatives of free towns, the demanialo arm. Out of each arm four deputies are chosen to transact busi- ness. No tax can be imposed without the consent of the Parlia- ment ; but the most powerful of the members are always made dependent on the court. The whole number of nobles of every class, is 616. Pojiulatio7i.~\ By the table, taken from the royal calendar of 1 803, the whole population of the island of Sicily is 1,623,000, and of the dependencies 33,000 : in all, 1,656,000. This however ap- pears to be derived from the census of 1797, which gave the num- ber of inhabitants 1,655,536, of cities and market towns, 340, and of houses 268,000. Army a7id A'avy.~\ In 1809, the number of regular troops Avas 10,000 men, country miiitia 8000, and a body of British auxilia- ries. The navy at that time consisted of 1 ship of the line, 2 frig- ates, and 5 smaller vessels. Reveimc.'] The revenue amounts to about 2,670,000 dollars, of which about 1,080,000 arise from the royal domains, and the land-tax. HasscI also gives an estimate of the Avhole value of VOL. II-. 5i 402 ITALY. moveable and immoveable property in the island, amounting to 111,612,400 dollars. Mminers and Customs. ] The Sicilians are described as big- otted Catholics. They have always discovered an ardent love of liberty. They are animated in conversation, and in the art of ges- ticulation excel even the French. Their women have remarkably beautiful hair, they marry very young, and early lose their beau- ty. Both sexes have very dark complexions. Both sexes are amorous, and there is perhaps less chastity here than in Italy. Ci- cisbe grapes, rai- sin grapes, citrons, figs, olives, almonds, pomegranates, Berga- mot oranges, mulberries, dates, apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums, and currants. Most of these grow wild, and often form extensive forests. They are all in high perfection. Animals.'] The horses of Sicily are celebrated by Sophocles, Pindar, and Virgil. They far surpass those of Italy generally, and are strong, handsome, animated and active. The mules are large and strong, and are chiefly used in the country among the •mountains. The cattle pasture the whole year. They are all, without exception, red, and have prodigious horns. They are short, strong, and numerous. The sheep and goats are of a good kind. The hogs are universally black. The wild boar, the roe- buck, the wild goat, the chamois, and many species of smaller game are found in the mountains. The race of bears and stags is thought to be extinct. Lizards of various kinds abound. Snakes of a prodigious size are occasionally met with in the for- ests. The aspic and the scorpion, both poisonous, many smaller kinds of snakes, and the harnlless scorpion, are not unfrequent. Wasps, ox -flies, and gnats, are peculiarly venomous. Minerals.] The mountains produce emeralds, jasper, agate, porphyry, lapis-lazuli, and catochite. Between Taormina and Messina, are mines of gold and silver ; they are not worked. Valuable mines of antimony are found near Fiume di Nisi, Abun- dance of coral is found on the coast. SICILIAN ISLES. Lifiari Islands.] These were the Hejihacstiades of the Greeks, and the JEoliae and Vulcaniae of the Romans. They produce af- um, sulphur, cinnabar and nitre, corn, almonds, currants, figs and raisins, wines, and contain 18,000 inhabitants. Lipari, the largest, is of an irregular shape, about 18 miles in circumference. It is healthy and fertile, and exports corn, wine, almonds, figs, raisins, sulphur, alum and bitumen. Here arc some noted hot-springs. Lipari, the capital, is a bishop's see, and strongly fortified by na- ture and art. This and all the other islands arc high, and their shores are steep. They have all vast caverns. Here, say the po- ets, dwelt tRoIus, and in these caverns he confined the winds. When he disappeared, his turbulent prisoners broke loose, and have never ceased to raise frequent storms and tempests around their gloomy prison. Volcano, the ancient Niera, is 6 miles S. of Lipari. It has two volcanoes. Vulcan here made the armor of yEnoas. ITALY. 40? La Salina, 3 miles N. of Lipari, and 8 in compass, is uJiinhab- ited. It contains a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and a few vineyards. Euonymos is inconsiderable. Panaria, 20 miles E. N. E. of Lipari, and 7 in circuit, is uncul- tivated, but uninhabited. Strombolo, 30 miles N. E. of Lipari, and 10 in circuit, is a burn- ing mountain, of extraordinary height, pouring forth incessant fire and smoke. It has no inhabitants. Felicudi, 30 miles W. of Lipari, and 10 in circuit, is uninhab- ited, and dangerous to approach, on account of rocks and shoals. Alicuda, 15 miles W. of Felicuda, is inhabited by a few fisher- men, and produces heath and weeds. Ustica, 80 miles E. N. E. of Lipari, is desert and uninhabited. Aegatian Islands. ] These lie at the western end of Sicily, near Trapani. They are three in number, Lavenzo, ^Maretamo, and Favignana, the ancient Phorbantia^ jEgusUjand Hiera. They are all lofty. They produce corn, cheese, good wine and figs, and pomegranates, and breed rabbits and the chamois. Population 12,000. Pantalaria^ the ancient Cosyra, is half way between Sicily and Cape Bon, and about 60 miles from each. It is 25 miles in cir- cuit, abounds in hills, woods, corn fields, wines, oil, fruits, vegeta- bles, and particularly in eotton. The inhabitants, 4000 in number, breed many cattle and goats. They are industrious, and are ex- cellent seamen. KINGDOM OF SARDINIA. The island is 160 miles long, and 70 broad, and contains, ac- cording to Azuni, 9420 square miles. Its Greek names were Ich- musa, Sandalioiis, and Sardo. It is divided into four provinces, which, with their population in 1780, foiloAV. Names. Situation. Population. Towns. Cagliari S. E. 115,541 Cagliari Arborea S. W. 130,974 Oristano Gallura N. E. 71,428 Terra Nuova Logodori N. W. 133,544 Sassari. The Phenicians and Greeks colonized the island. The Car- thaginians dispossessed them, and yielded it to the Romans, who were driven out by the Saracens, hi the 8th century. The Geno- ese next took it, and next the Spaniards, who were expelled by the emperor in 1708. The Spaniards recovered it in 1713, but lost it two years after, when it fell to the duke of Savoy, who then took the title of king of Sardinia. When the king, in 1792, lost his continental dominions, he removed to Sardinia, The 40B ITALY. nearness of Corsica renders him little more than a tiibutary of France. The religion is the Roman Catholic. There are 3 archbishop- rics and 4 bishoprics, and the clergy enjoy great immunities and emoluments. The government is an absolute monarchy. The number of in- habitants in 1780 was, according to Azruni, 451,487 ; the number in 1788, was 456,990. Many of the nobility and others removed with the government from the continent ; and Hassel estimates the population in 1809 at 520,000. The number of regular troops was then 4000, besides a considerable number of country militia. The revenue also was then 644,750 dollars. The Sardinians are I'epresented as proud, brutish, ignorant, and indolent. The nobil- ity are exempt from taxes, and for all offences, except treason, are tried by seven of their peers. While they riot in wealth and luxury, the lower classes are plunged in indigence and slavery. The language is the Spanish. Cagliari, anciently Calaris^ is the capital. It stands in the S. at the head of the bay of Cagliari, and is built on the declivity of a hill. That part of the town near the shore has a mean appear- ance ; the rest is well built and handsome. It contains 6 church- es and 25 convents. The cathedral is magnificent. The popu- lation is about 50,000, and the commerce is considerable. The har- bor is large, deep, and safe, sheltered by an island, and defended .by a castle and battery. Sassari is in the N. W. on the river Tarres, 7 miles from the sea. It contains several churches, 1 6 convents, and 30,000 in- habitants. In the neighborhood are mines of gold and silver. Oristano, or Oristagni, stands on the gulf of Oristano, on the west coast, among marshy grounds and stagnant waters. The harbor is shallow. Population 5000. Alghieri is on the west coast, north of Oriitano, and contains 6000 people. It has a coral fishery. The air of the island is unwholesome, and the Romans there- fore fixed upon it as their place of banishment. The soil v/hen cultivated is fruitful, yielding corn, wine and oil, plenteously, with citrons, oranges, plums, pears, and chesnuts. The north part of the island is mountainous, and a chain of mountains runs along the eastern coast. Sardinia produces cattle, buffaloes, foxes, deer, and other game. The only venomous animal is the maffrone^ a species of spider resembling a frog. The minerals are gold, silver, lead, iron, alum, and sulphur. The islands around Sardmia, are Tara and Serpentara, on the S. St. Pietro, St. Antiocho and Vacca on the S. W. Asianara, Ros- sa, Magdalena, and Tazzo, on the N. and Tavolara, Posata, and Ogliastro on the E. Asinaria, the largest, is 28 miles in circum- ference. ITALY. 409 MALTA. MaltUythe Iberia, Ogygia, and Me/it e of the Greeks, from which last the Saracens formed Malta, is an island in the Mediterranean, 50 miles S. from the coast of Sicily. The island is a rock of fine free stone, of an oval figure, 20 miles by 12, and 60 in compass, and contains 134 square miles. It has been successively subject to the Phoeacians, Phenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Goths, Saracens, Normans, Knights of Malta, and English. These knights were hospitalers of St. John, in Jerusalem, in the middle of the 11 th century. They assisted Godfrey in his crusades, and maintained themselves in the Holy Land, till 1191, when they re- tired to Cyprus, and then to Rhodes, which they defended for two centuries, and were called Knights of Rhodes. Thence tiiey with- drew to Candia, and thence to Italy, Avhere they remained till Charles V. gave them Malta. The religion is the Catholic. The island is now a colony of England. The population of Malta, as given by Hassel, is 74,705 ; of Gozzo, a neighboring island, 12,464 ; and of Comino, 603. To- tal, 87,772. The three islands contain 8 cities, 6 towns, 33 villa- ges, and 10,966 houses. There are on these islands numerous country seats. Valette, the capital, is surrounded with a strong -yvall. It stands vipon a very large, safe, and commodious harbor, having several bays, and defended by Fort Ricasoli, and the celebrated castle of St. Elmo. This last stands on the point of a peninsula, separating the narbor of Valette from another on the right, and commands them both. It contains several churches and convents, a large hospital, and, in 1798, 23,680 inhabitants. The palace and St. John's church would ornament any city in Europe. Civita Vecchia, the only other town of any size, stands on a hill in the middle of the island, and is strongly fortified. It is a bish- op's see, contains several churches and convents, and 5000 in- habitants. Every village has an elegant church, adorned with statues, tapestry, and plate. The soil is only about 8 or 10 inches deep, and lies on the rock. The industry of the Maltese is incon- ceivable. Much of the soil was brought fi'om Sicily in boats. Every inch of ground is improved, and the crops of cotton, indigo, grapes, olives, figs, lemons, oranges, and other fruit, pulse, roots, herbs, and culinary vegetables of every kind, are abundant. About half of the corn is raised which is necessary for the support of the inhabitants. Wine is also imported. Here is plenty of pasture. • Cotton is the staple. The sugarcane is cultivated. The oranges are among the finest in the world. Many of them are red. The heat is excessive, and the inhabitants are much incommoded by gnats. One side of the island is of a great height, and perpendic- ular. The fortifications of the other sides are a most stupendous work. The ditches, of a vast size, are ail cut out of the solid rock, and extend many miles in length. VOL. IT. 5'1 41C) ITALY. , Gozza lies to the N. W. of Malta, contains 40 square miles, several good harbors, and strong forts, and is fruitful. Comingo lies between them, has a fort, and covers 3 square miles. IONIAN REPUBLIC. This little cluster of islands received this name from the French government. It is sometimes called the Rejiublic of the Seven Islands, and sometimes the loniati Islands. They have been captux'- ed the present year, 1811, by the British, having till then enjoyed a nominal independence, under the protection of France, to which they were ceded by Russia in 1807. Russia took them from France in 1799, and France from Venice in 1797. Venice had then had possession of them from the year 1224, except that the Turks took them in 1479, and kept them 20 years. These islands lie in the Ionian Sea, S. E. of the Straits of Otranto, and near the coast of Turkey. Their number is very great, but seven more particularly deserve our notice. These are arranged in the fol- lowing table, geographically, beginning with that farthest north. Names, Ancient Names. Sq. Miles. Population. Towns. Corfu Corcyra 219 65,000 Corfu Paxo Paxos 34 6,000 Sta Maura Leucadia no 1 6,000 Amaxichi Cephalonia Cephalonia 350 55,000 Argostoli Theaki Ithaca 66 7,000 Theaki Zante Zacynthus 88 30,000 Zante Cerigo* Cythera 98 8,000 Cerigo. 965 187,000 The climate of these islands is warm, but healthy ; the land .generally fertile and productive. I'he trees blossom in the win- ter, and bear fruit in April and November. The last are the small- est. Corn is sown in the winter and reaped in June. Oranges, citrons, the most delicious grapes, olives, figs, melons, peaches, honey, wax, and oil, are very abundant. The chief exports are oil, muscadine wine, currants, and salt. Corfu, the largest town in these islands, is fort' 'led and defended by two forts, contains 12,000 inhabitants, several Greek and Ro- man churches and convents, has a good harbor, and carries on a considerable trade. Zante is situated on the east coast of the isl- and Zante, and contains 12,000 inhabitants. Argostoli, in Ceph- alonia, has a large, but insecure harbor, and contains 6000 inhab- itants. Amaxichi, in Sta Maura, has an equal population. Lixu- ri, in Cephalonia, has 5000. The religions of these islands are the Greek and Roman Catholic. The first is far the most predomi- nant, and alone prevails in Cerigo. In Zante the Greeks have 40 * Cerigo lies directly S. of the Morea, at a small distance from its coast. TURKISH EMPIRE. 411 churches, numerous convents, and a bishop ; the Catholics 3 con- vents and a bishop. In Corfu, the Greeks have numerous church- es and convents, and an archbishop. Their clergy are proverbial for their ignorance. The inhabitants of Cerigo aro chiefly pirates. TURKISH EMPIRE. THE Turkish Empire is central to the Eastern Continent, embracing a portion of Europe, Asia, and Africa ; and having been the scene of most of the transactions recorded in the Bible, is doubtless the most interesting portion of the world. Its divisions, according to Hassel, follow. Sqiwre Miles. Inhabitants. I. In Europe, 217,758 9,882,000 ■0 1, Moldavia 19,178 420,500 2, Bessarabia, or Bud- > ziac Tartary 5 8,923 200,000 3, Wallachia 24,658 950,000 4, Servia 20,165 960,000 5, Bosnia 16,000 850,000 1, Bosnia Proper 9,863 2, Herzegovina, or > Dalmatia 3 4,383 3, Bielogrod 1,754 6, Bulgaria 38,137 1,800,000 7, Rumelia, or Romania 55,990 2,200,000 8, Albania 48,526 1,920,000 1, Macedonia 15,780 700,000 2, Albania Proper 15,210 207,000 3, Janna, or Thessaly 3,618 300,000 4, Livadia 6,028 249,000 5, Morea 7,890 464,000 9, Province of the Cap- } tain Pacha 3 1,863 240,000 1, Province of Gallipoli L 833 100,000 2, Negropont 482 40,000 0, Tino 66 24,800 [4^000 to 45,()00. Langdon. 4, Santoririi 12,000 [30,000. Langdon. 5, Andros 12,000 6, Naxia 8,000 7, Lemnos 8,000 8, Thermia 6,000 tsooo. Langdon. 9, Siphnos 5,00.0 412 TURKEY IN EUROPE. Square Miles. 10, Nio, or Dios 10, Candia, or Crete 4,318 II. In Asia, 531,775* 1, Anatolia, or Asia' Minor 2, Scham, or Syria 3, Algezira,or the upper part of Mesopotamia ' 4, Satabago, or Caucasus 28,100 5, Irak Arabi, or the ^ lower part of Mes- j opotamia, and the J> 69,040 country around the I .Persian Gulf 6, Curdistan 7, Armenia III. In Africa. Egypt 1, Zaid, or Upper ^ Egypt S 2, Vostani, or Middle Egypt 3, Bahira, or Lower > Egypt S J 32,572 34,937 192,770 15,780 Inhabitants. 3,700 281,000 11,090,000 6,000,000 1,500,000 800,000 300,000 1,040,000 500,000 950,000 3,500,000 TURKEY IN EUROPE. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY, NAMES, EXTENT, BOUNDARIES, ORIGINAL POPULATION, HISTORI- CAL EPOCHS, ANTIQUITIES, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, POPULA- TION, ARMY, NAVY, REVENUE, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LAN- GUAGE, LITERATURE, CITIES AND TOWNS, TRAVELLING, MAN- UFACTURES AND COMMERCE. JVames.'] THIS country had anciently no one name, which comprehended the whole of it, but was composed of many distinct countries, inhabited by different nations. Moldavia and Walla- chia were a part of Dacia, and Bessarabia of Sannatia. Servia and Bulgaria were Maesia Superior and Inferior. Bosnia belonged to * The correctness of the number of S(iiiare miles in the Turkish dominions, in Asia and Africa is doubted. **■' TURKEY IN EUROPE. 413 I/lyricum ; Ramelia, or Romania, constituted Thracia ; and the province of Albania, the whole of ancient Graecia. Of the subdi- visions of Albania, Macedonia retains its ancient name ; Aloania Proper, is E/iirus ; Janna, Tfiessalia ; Livadia, Graecia Profiria ; and the Morea, Pelofioimesus. On the separation of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western, Turkey became an important part of the Eastern ; but it did not assume its present name, till some time after the capture of Constantinople, by the Turks, in 1453. The empire is often called the Ottoman Empire ; and the Turkish, less frequently, Ottomans, after their Caliph Othman, who reigned in the begmningof the 14th century. Extent.'] The length of Turkey, from Cape Matapan to the noi'thern limit of Moldavia, is about 870 miles. The greatest breadth, from the western boundary of Bosnia, to the Black Sea, is about 600. The extent of continental Turkey is stated in the table, taken from Hassel, at 212,410 square miles; while the Eu- ropean Turkish islands are estimated at 5348. B undaries.~\ Bounded N. by Austria and Russia ; E. by Rus- sia, the Black Sea, the Straits of Constantinople, the Sea of Mar- mora, the Da^'danelles, and the Archipelago ; S. by the Mediter- ranean ; W. oy the -oame, the Adriatic, Venetian Dalmatia, and a part of Austrian Croatia. Original Population.] Herodotus speaks of the inhabitants of all the northern provinces, under the general name of Scyt/iians, now generally supposed to be the same with the Goths. These were the successors of the Celtae, and their descendants noAv con- stitute the chief population of Europe. The earliest Greeks were called lanes, and are generally considered of Scythian oi'igin. The Sausomatae, or Slavi, at length encroached upon the Scythi- ans, from the north, and the greater part of the present inhabitants of Moldavia, Wallachia, Servia, Bosnia, and Bulgaria, are sup- posed to be their descendants. Many of the Wallachians also are thought to be descended from the Roman colonists in Dacia. The present ruling nation, the Turks, are more recently from Asia. This name is given by the eastern historians to the numerous tribes, which, in Europe, are called Tartars. The ancient Huns are a kindred race with the Turks. The date of their first empire in Asia, is the year 1200 before Christ. It included the whole of Asiatic Tartary, and was at length dissolved by the dissensions of the reigning family, and the victories of the Chinese. The dis- persed Huns emigrated to different countries. Part of them in- vaded Europe, in the reign of the emperor Valens, and founded an empire, which lasted till A. D. 468. The Tui-ks, a branch of this anoient nation, were first heard of among the Altaian moun- tains, where, for 450 years, they were subject to the Georgian Tartars. In A. D. 552 they revolted, and wrested the empire from their master. The Turkish empire thus established, extended over the avIioIc of Tartary. Its western limit was the Palus Maeotis. Its dura- ration was 2 1 1 years. The immediate ancestors of the European Turks, lived originaliy in the neighborhood of Mount Caucasus. 414. TURKEY IN EUROPE. Leaving their ancient habitations, and passing the Caspian Straits, they settled in Armenia about the year 844. There they contin- ued, an unknown, despicable nation, till the civil Avars of the Sar- acens raised them into notice. In 1289 they first invaded Eu- rope. In 1453 they took Constantinople, and soon after possessed themselves of the whole of European Turkey, Historical Efiochs.~\ So many ancient states are comprized ■within ther limits of Turkey, that it would be useless to recite the various epochs of their history. This article will therefore be confined to those of the principal nation. 1. The establishment of an extensive empire in central Asia, A. D. 552, among the Altaian mountains, and its subsequent dis- solution, followed by the dispersion of the Turks, about the year 763. 2. The emigration of the Turks into Armenia, in the year 844. 3. Mohammed, Sultan of Persia, calls to his assistance Tangro- Hpix, and 3000 Turks, who enabled him to overcome the Sultan of Babylon, A. D. 1030. After this victory, Mohammed, refus- ing to let the Turks return, Tangrolipix fought with the Persians, and soon made himself master of Persia and Babylc^. The year 1041 was the commencement of their attack:; on the eastern Ro- man Empire. 4. Their permanent settlement in Europe, in 1357, afrer the Ayhole of Asia Muior had beeu subdued. In three years they took Adrianople. 5. The capture of Constantinople, and the complete subversion of the Roman Empire, in 1453. Athens and Corinth were taken in 1458, and the whole of the Morea by the end of the following year. Albania submitted in 1467. 6. The conquest of Egypt, in 1517, and that of Hungary, in 1540. Before this, however, the northern provinces had all been subdued. 7. The destruction of the Turkish maritime power, in 1571, by the Venetians, at the battle of Lepanto. 8. The loss of Hungary, Transylvania, Moldavia, and Walla- chia, in 1594. 9. The peace of Carlowitz, in 1698, by which the Morea was given to Venice, Transylvania finally ceded to Austria, and A*- zof to Russia. 10. The late wars with Russia. By that of 1769, the bounda- ry of the two empires was transferred from the Bog to the Dnie- per, and the Crimea finally lost. The Russians have since taken the whole of the country between the Dnieper and the Dniester, while Moldavia, Wallachia, and Bessarabia have, within the last two years, been occupied by Russian armies, and the seat of war is transferred across the Danube. Antiquities. ~\ These are more numerous, and more interesting in Turkey, than in any other country in Europe. They consist principally of the remains of Grecian refinement, the ruins of an- cient temples, aqueducts, theatres, columns, and arches ; the bare, enumeration of which would rarrv us bcvond our limits. The TURKEY IN EUROPE. 415 cathedral of Sancta Sophia, a venerable Tnonument of antiquity, is still standing within the city of Constantinople. It was built by Justinian, in the 6th century, and serves the Turks as a model of {irchitecture. All their principal mosques are built in close imi- tation of it. Religio7i.'] The Mahometan is the established religion of Tur- key ; but at least two thirds of the inhabitants are Greek Chris- tians. The Mahometans divide their religion into two general parts, faith and practice. The articles of faith are the existence and unity of God ; the existence of angels, devils, and good and evil genii ; the inspiration of the pentateuch, the Psalms, the Gos- pel, and the Koran ; the mission of the prophets, six of whom, Adam, Noali, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mahomet, brought new dispensations, which successively abrogated the preceding ; a general resurrection, with a consequent judgment and retribu- tion ; and the ^^bsolute predestination both of good and evil. The articles of practice are circumcision ; prayer, at 5 stated seasons of the day, with the face turned towards Mecca ; alms, legal and voluntary ; ablutions, fasting throughout the month Ramadan ; a pilgrimage to the temple of Mecca. The Mahometan religion prohibits the use of wine, the flesh of hogs, and the blood of ani- mals ; also the slaughter of dogs and other domestic animals, ex- cept such as are fit lor food. Private revenge is tolei'ated by the express declaration, and by the example of Mahomet. Polygamy and divorce ai^e both authorized by the precepts of the Koran. The Muftit or Sheik-Islam., is the head of the Mahometan re- ligion. He is appointed and may be deposed by the Sultan, and is the second subject in the empire. He is chosen from those who have been Hadislekersy or military judges for Europe. He resides at Constantinople, and is the head of the Ule?na, a body highly respected and powerful, the guardians of the religion and interpreters of the laws. These possess the most lucrative em- ployments, are secure from the extortions of office, and cannot be put to death without the consent of the Mufti ; Avhile their pi'op- erty, at their decease, passes as a right to their heirs. The three classes of the Ulema are the muftis., or doctors of the law ; the cof/w, or ministers of justice ; and the whowjs, or ministers of re- ligion. In the larger mosques there are preachers ; readers, who recite the prayers ; persons Avho summon the people together, and sextons. In small parishes, the imam perforrns all these du- ties, and is sometimes the village schoolmaster. The Dervises are an entirely distinct order from the imams, or priests. There are two classes of them. '£hc Mcvclavis^ov fol- lowers of one Mevelava, live in convents, and are very numerous. Their chief monastery is near Cogna, in Anatolia, where the chief of the order resides, and where its assemblies arc held. All the others are dependant on this. They affect great modesty, pa- tience, humility, and chastity ; go bare-legged and open-breasted ; submit to frequent penances, and fast every Wednesday. Their chief religious solemnity is turning violently round to the sound of a flute, till thev become delirious. Thev leave their convents 416 TURKEY IN EUROPE. when ihey please, and then arc or liberty to marry. The Bekta- chis have no fixed habitations, but stroll about the country. They are generally mountebanks, and lay claim to skill in niasric, sor- cery, and a knowledge of future events. Some attach themselves to the pashas, others to the companies of janizaries. The Patriarch of Constantinople is the head of the Greek church, enjoys an ample revenue, and claims precedency of the patriarchs of Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria. He is chosen by the archbishops. The ofiice is uniformly set to sale, and be- stowed on the highest bidder. The inferior clergy are bishops, archimandrites, abbots, arch-priests, priests, and deacons. The Greeks have few nunneries, but numerous convents. Governme7it.'] Mahomet himself, like Moses and Joshua, sus- tained the double character of a military chief and an inspired le- gislator. His orders and regulations were professedly the dic- tates of inspiration. His successors, the Saracen ctilifs, claimed a high sanctity of character, as descendants of the Prophet, and as guardians and expositors of the law. The Ottoman emperors, at the suppression of the califat, separated the temporal and spiritu- al authorities. Eager for military glory, they resigned into the hands of the theological lawyers the spiritual supremacy. The power of this body of men was scarcely perceptible under the warlike monarchs ; but since the decline of the military spirit of the Sultans, it has been great and formidable, often in direct op- position to the will of the sovereign, always in balance against it. This, with the mutinies of the janizaries, and the insurrections of the provincial pachas, is the only barrier tigainst despotic power. The empire is governed by a code of laws, called multeka^ founded on the precepts of the Koran, the oral laws, usages and opinions of the Propiiet, and the sentences and decisions of the early califs and doctors. This code regulates alike religious, civ- il, criminal, political and military affairs. On matters unprovided for, the Sultan pronounces as the good of the state dcm?.nds. The Sultan is the sole fountain of honor and of office, and claims to be the proprietor of all the immoveable wealth of the empire. He has the absolute power of life and death, arid exercises it over his ministers and governors, with military severity and promptitude. The eldest surviving male of the imperial family is always the heir to the crown. The succession is limited to the family of the Othmanidae, or descendants of Osman ; and in case of failure, to the late sovereign family of Crim Tartary, which is descended from. Jenghis Khan. The presumptive heirs of the crown are kept in honorable confinement, in a state of the most deplorable ignorance, devoted only to sensual gratifications. The Sultan usually has little to do with the administration of the governments. His substitute, the Grand Vizir, or Vizir azem^ has, under the Grand Seignor, absolute authority. In time of peace, he regulates the internal affairs of the country ; in time oi war he commands the armies, and a lieutenant is appointed for the home administration. He is president of the Divan, or su- preme council, composed of the mufti ; the kiaija-bcy^ or licuten- TURKEY IN EUROPE. 41- ant of the vizir ; the reis-effendi, ov chancellor of the empire, and minister for foreign affairs ; tlie tefterdar effendi^ or minister of the finances ; the tcheU-bi effendi, or receiver of the tax on mer- chandise ; the tersand-emini, or minister of the marine ; the tchl- aoux-bacM, or secretary of state ; two ex-re.is-tffendi, and two ex- tefterdarscffcndi. The captain-pacha, or high admiral, and the kiaya of the sultana-mother, are called to the extraordinary sittings of the divan. The other officers are the two radUeskejs, or supreme military judges for Europe and Asia ; the istambol-effendi^ or judge of Constantinople ; the moulahs^ or judges of the large towns ; the cadis^ or judges of the small towns, and their substitutes, the naihs. The governors of the provinces are styled fiachas. The Pachas with three tails possess absolute power, subordinate only to that of the Sultan, and command the troops of their provinces. Those of Romelia, Anatolia, and Damascus, have the title of beylerbeys. PofiulatiQn7\ Pinkerton calculates the population of Turkey in Europe at 8,000,000 ; Avhile Hassel's estimate is 9,822,000. This last is derived chiefly from Beaufort, Pougneville, and Oli- vier. Army?!^ The Political Journal for 1804, quoted by Hassel, gives the following estimate of the Turkish forces. 1. Infantry. Janizaries 40,000 Artillery 20,000 Provincial do. 80,000 Frontier troops 50,000 — 190,000 2. Cavalry. Spahis 20,000 Provincial cavalry 75,000 Frontier do. 12,000 — 107,000 Total, 297,000 The Janizaries are a corps of infantry instituted by Amurat I. At first they were prisoners and christians ; now they are only mussulmans. They are scatte*-ed and organized in all the towns. The Spahis are a more ancient corps, and constituted at first the chief strength of the Ottoman armies. The Turks at present are indifferent soldiers. They have little skill, discipline, or subor- dination. Mtvy.'] The navy, in 1806, comprized 20 ships of the line, 15 frigates, and 32 smaller vessels, carrying 2156 guns, and 4000 marines. Formerly the gallies of Tripoli, Tunis, and Algiers, AVGuld have been added to this list j but over these the Grand Seignor has now no control. Re-uemie.'] The Turkish revenue is divided into two parts, the Miri and the Hasne. The miri, or public revenue, is raised from a land-tax, a tax on moveables, tolls,poll-tax, monopolies,the mines, the mint, a tribute from the waiwodes of Moldavia and Wallachia, and a provincial tax. Hassel estimates the amount of it at VOL, H. 53 418 TURKEY IN EUROPE. 30,000,000 guilders, or 15,555,000 dollars. The hasne^ or revenue of the Sultan, arises fi'om the roya.1 domains, escheats, presents, and extortions from the rich christians, and from public officers. It is impossible to ascertain its exact amount ; but it is' known greatly to exceed the miri. The expenses of the seraglio fall far short of Its amount ; and the excess is religiously preserved by the Sultans. The quantity of treasure thus accumulated is sup- posed to be very great. The national debt, in 1803, is stated by the same author, at 106,700,000 guilders, and the debts then due the government, at 17,066,480 piasters, or about 15,300,000 dollars. The revenue system in Turkey is bad in all its parts. It is a monopoly in the hands of the rich, to whose benefit the produce of all the taxation is appropriated. The destruction of commerce and manufactures, consequent upon this, has reduced the Turkish subjects to poverty* Maimers and Customs.'] The Turkish houses are generally of wood. The wall is generally covered v/ith painted planks and rather ill joined. The roofs, in most parts of the empire, are flat, and covered with hollow tiles. In most houses there are no ehimnies, except in the kitchen. The apartments of the women are separate from the rest of the house, and are never entered by any male, except the master of the family. Every room in a Turkish house serves for every purpose, and the furniture in each differs only in its quality. The sopha extends round three sides of the chamber, on a frame raised a few inches from the floor. On these are placed mattresses covered with wool, and sometimes with Gotton. These are the only beds ; and the bed furniture consists m.erely of a quilted coverlet, a sheet and a pillow. The floor, in Avinter, is covered with a rich carpet ; in summer, with Egyptian matting. The dinner is served on a large circular tray, of tinned copper, placed on a low stool, at a corner of the sofa ; the chil- dren sitting on cushions spread upon the floor. The dishes are brought singly, and succeed each other very rapidly- A long nap- kin is spread over the knees, instead of a table-cloth. The fingers perform their original office, and wholly supersede the use of knives and forks ; even plates are considered as prohibited. The turban of the men is of white muslin, and is heavy, thick, and un- healthy. The vvomen instead of it, wear a bonnet, like an invert- ed basket, formed of pasteboard, and covered with cloth of gold. In other respects the dress of both sexes is nearly similar. The bhirt is of calico. The robe is of fine broadcloth, and generally embroidered. A muslin or silk sash is always worn round the waist. The breeches are large and fall, fastened at the knee, and hanging down in a fold nearly to the middle of the leg. The shoes are slight and unfit for service. Marriage in Turkey is merely a civil contract. The parties rarely see each other beiore its celebration. Every mussulman is permitted by law to have four wives, and as many concubines as he pleases. Divorces ssl» * liansrdon. TURKEY IN EUROPE. 419 dom occur, except for sterility ; adultery being usually followed by the death of both offenders, inflicted by the husband. The con- cubines are usually slaves, purchased in the market. The mor- als of the Turks are loose in the extreme, and lewdness, in its worst forms, is common throughout Turkey. Both sexes are dis- tinguished for cleanliness, and bathing is one of their stated amusements. The public baths are elegant and noble. The Turks are fond of conversation, story-telling, dramatic exhibi- tions, dancing and gladiatorial shows. Most of their time, how- ever, is spent in smoking and chewing opium, and in the indul- gence of the reverie which they occasion. The miserable ten- ants of the haram resort also to these, as amusements, when tired of their embroidery, iheir singing, dancing, and music. Games of chance are forbidden by the Koran, but chess and draughts are universally played. The period of mourning is very short, and the corpse is buried on the day of decease. The burying grounds are without the cities, usually by the road side. Slabs of marble, or coarse stone, are placed at the extremities of the grave, with an inscription and a turban, carved in stone, on the tombs of the males. Over every new grave a cypress is planted. The Turks have confidence in amulets and charms, and are su- perstitious observers of omens and dreams, though they are not countenanced in these delusions by the Koran. They believe it unlawful to paint or carve any parts of the human body, except the hands and feet of Mahomet, and they firmly believe that an- gels can enter no house where there are pictures of men. Paint- ing and sculpture are of course in a great measure neglected. The mussulmans are courteous and humane in their conduct to each other, but they refuse to unbelievers the salutation cf peace. The external modes of good breeding among the Turks differ en- tirely from those established in the other countries of Europe. The uncovering of the head, with us an act of reverence, is not only ridiculed by them, but considered as indecent and improper. Their usual form of salutation is natural and graceful. In greet- ing an equal, they put the hand on the heart ; in addressing a su- perior, they apply the right hand first to the mouth, and then to the foreliead. In many respects the Turkish customs are a strik- ing conti-ast to our own. Their robes are large and loose, en- tirely concealing the form of the body. They reverence the beard, and permit it to grow to an extravagant length. In performing their devotions, or on entering a dwelling, they take off their shoes. In inviting a person to approach them, they use what with us is con- sidered as a repulsive motion of the hand. In writing, they trace their lines from right to left. The master of a house does the honors of his table by serving himself first from the dish ; he drinks without noticing the company, and they wish him health when he has finished his draught. They lie down in their clothes. The Turks exhibit but few marks of taste in their buildings. Their cities are not adorned with public monuments. Their tem- ples, baths, fountains, sepulchral monuments, and other works 420 TURKEY IN EUROPE. connected with their religion, are their only ornamented structures. Upon bridges and aqueducts they bestow no ornamevit. The Greeks are gay, witty, and cunning. Those on the coast carry on almost all the navigation of the empire. Those in the interior pursue agriculture with a degree of spirit and intelligence. The rich are well informed, supple and intriguing. They are generally superstitious, timid, and exact observers of holidays. Their priests are numerous. The superior clergy are well edu- cated and rich ; the inferior are poor and ignorant. The Armenians are all tradesmen, and are the most intelligent of the profession in Turkey. They travel into the i.iterior of Asia and India, and are patient, economical, and indefatigable. They are at the same time ignorant and superstitious. Languagc.~\ The 'i'urkish language originally was far from being copious, and a great proportion of its words is deri\ cd from other oriental dialects. The arrangement of the words is re- markably inverted. Their expression is soft and musical, and the language is well fitted for colloquial purposes ; but it is not char- acterized by elegance or force. It is defective in teimsofart, and expresses philosophical ideas imperfectly. The characters are fundamentally the same with the Arabic and Persic. They are 28 in number ; but the number of distinct sounds is 36. A distinguished critic, comparing the three western languages of Asia, speaks of the Persian as excelling in sweetness and melo- dy ; the Arabic in copiousness and strength, and the Turkish in gravity and dignity. The first is the language of love, the sec- ond of eloquence and hci'oism, the last of narration and instruc- tion. JLiierature.'] The Turkish poetry is entirely oriental in its character, and has the same boldness of personification, the same extravagance of hyperbole, the same minuteness of allegory, and generally the same luxuriance of imagery, with the Arabic and the Persian. I he Turks have many historians, but the ignorance they discover of geography and chronology, renders their works of little value. Astrology is still cultivated with the utmost assi- duity. The chief of the astrologers is an officer of the seraglio, and is consulted on eveiy subject which relates to the health or safety of the Sultan ; and it is even considered essential to the public warfare that he should determine the precise instant when any important public business is to be undertaken, such as the march of an army, the sailing of a fleet, the launching of a ship of Avar, and especially the appointment of a grand vizir. The mode of education among the Turks is completely in the ancient style. They study the logic, philosophy, and metaphys- ics of the dark ages. They are ignorant of the modern improve- ments in chemistry, agriculture, and natural philosophy, 'ihe telescope, microscope, and electrical machine are unknown, as to their real uses, and even the compass is not universally em- ployed. They have no principles or theory, and liicir practice is a servile imitation. Their knowledge of geography is limited to their empire. iMeu in high office are frequently ignorant of the TURKEY IN EUROPE. 421 .relative situation of their neie^hbors. In astronomy, they barely know how to calculate eclipses, with a moderate degree of accu- racy. Medicine is still considered as a species of sorcery. Their surgery is rude from Avant of science, of skill, and of instruments. In the management of their small coasting vessels, they are by no means inexpert. This however is done chiefly by the Greeks. They have no idea of physics or natural history. Few of the Turks can read or write. Those who study, apply themselves chiefly to poetry, and the Arabic and Persian languages, Avhile the doctors of the law are well I'cad in the Koran, and the impei-i- al constitutions. They reckon time by lunar revolutions, and the hours of prayer are regulated by the rising and setting of the sun. The civil day begins at sunset. Sculpture in wood and in stucco, and the engraving of inscriptions on monuments and seais, are per- formed with neatness and predion. Their paintings have little merit in design or execution. Cities and Towns.'] Constantinofile^ called by the Turks Stam- bot, or Istambol., was built on the ruins of the ancient Byzantium, by Constantine the Great. Eusebius says this latter city was founded in the third year of the 30th Olympiad, during the reign of TuUus Hostilius ; while Diodoi'us Siculus asserts th?.t its foundations were laid by one Byzas, about 1263 years before Christ. In 330, it received its present name from Constantine, who, at the same time, made it the seat of the Roman empire, and in 1453 was taken by the Turks, under Mahomet II. after a siege of 53 days. It stands at the mouth of the Thracian Bosphorus. The Sea of Marmora lies on the S. W. the Bosphorus on the S. E. the Harbor, anciently the Gulf of Ceras, on the E. and a wall separating it from the adjoining country on the N. W. The southeastern side is so short as scarcely to prevent the town-plat from presenting the appearance of a triangle. The houses rise gradually from the shore, like the seats of an amphitheatre. Most of them are meanly built of earth and wood, and none exceed two stories in height. The streets are long, narrow, dirty, and badly paved. Many of the public buildings, as the palaces, the mosques, bagnios, bazai's, and caravanseras, are magnificent. The seraglio occupies the S. E. part of the city, and is supposed to cover the whole of the site of the ancient Byzantium, and to contaiiT 10,000 inhabitants. A wall, 36 feet high, separates it from the rest of the city, with which it has communication by 9 gates. It is above 6 miles in circumference, including the gardens, and is an assem- blage of palaces and apartments, placed by the side of each other, without symmetry or order. The Harem is that part of the se- raglio appropriated to the females of the imperial family. The Mosque of St. Sophia fronts the great gate of the seraglio, and, in some respects, exceeds the church of St. Peter, at Rome, in grandeur and in beauty of architecture. This and the six other imperial mosques have religious, literary and charitable founda- tions annexed to them, ihe Gi'eeks have 22 churches, besides the patriarchal church ; the Armenians have an archbishop and 3 churches ; the Roman Catholics have 6 convents, and the Jews 422 TURKEY IN EukoPE. several synas^ogues. There is also a Swedish Lutheran church. There arc in Constantinople 518 seminaries of learning, 1250 schools, and 35 public libraries, some of which contain 15,000 volumes. Hassel states the number of houses to be 88,185 ; and, following Eaton, estimates the number of inhabitants at 300,000. Olivier says the population exceeds 500,000. Probably the cal- culation of Dalloway is more correct than these. He says that there are 200,000 Turks, 100,000 Greeks, and 100,000 Jews, Ar- menians, and Europeans. The city has suffered often and se- verely by the plague and by fires. The trade of the city is chiefly in the hands of the Jews, Armenians, and Greeks ; and the navi- gation is carried on by Europeans, who are all confounded under the general name ©f Franks. Besides silk, cotton, Avool, flax, drugs, cofFee, sugar, wax, honey, fruits, hides, and tobacco, Con- stantinople exports its own printed muslins, the satins, silk stuffs and velvets of Brusa and Aleppo, the serges and camelots of An- gora, the crapes and gauzes of Salonica, the sword-blades of Da- masciis, and the carpets of Smyrna. The harbor is capable of holding 1200 ships. Its length is upwards of 3^ miles; its breadth varies from 2000 to 3000 feet ; and its depth is every where sufficient for the largest ships. On the east side of the mouth of the harbor is Galita, a suburb, inhabited by merchants ; and east of this lies Pera, where the foreign ambassadors reside. Scutari is another very large suburb, opposite the seraglio, on the coast of Asia. /'/nYzyi'/?/, orPhilippopoli, on the river Maritz, was founded by Philip of Macedon. This city is famous for two battles fought in its neighborhood, between Augustus and Brutus. To the inhab- itants of this city, and of Philippi, St. Paul addressed one of his epistles. The town is meanly built, without fortifications, or one good street ; the situation being so low and moist that the mud is sometimes two feet deep, and stones, like posts, are set up to fa» cilitate the progress of foot passengers. The number of houses in 1790 was, according to Hassel, 26,000 ; and the number of in- habitants 120,000. Lat. 42 22, N. Adrianople^ called Edrene by the Turks, stands also on the Ma- ritz, at the confluence of the Tunsa and the Hax'da, and rises gently on the ?ide of a small hill. It is of a circular form, and is sur- rounded by decayed walls and towers, which do not deserve the name of a fortification. Some of the houses are of brick ; gen- erally they are of mud and clay. '1 he streets are dirty and nar- row. The bazar, or market-place, is an arched building, about half a mile long, Avith six gates, and a great number of shop?. There are four mosques. The imperial seraglio stands upon a plain, near the Tunsa. The number of inhabitants is about 100,000, and the commerce is very extensive. It is the see of the Greek archbishop, and often the residence of the Grand Siguier during the plague. N. lat. 41 41, E. Ion. 26 27. Soloniki, at first called Therma, and afterwards Thessalonica^ by Cassander, son-in-law of Philip of Macedon, stands at the head of an extensive gulf, called the Gulf of Salonica, in Macedonia, In TURKEY IN EUROPE. 423 the N. W- corner of the Archipelago. Here are churches, pillars, and triumphal arches, and many other splendid remains of ancient architecture. St. Paul addressed two of his epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. The number of inhabitants is 62,000. This town has always been distinguished for its commerce. Serai, Serajo, or Bosna ; Serajo, the capital of Bosnia, is built on the river Bosna, a tributary of the Save. It is large, rich, and commercial, and contains 12,000 houses, and 4>8,000 inhabitants, Sophia, the capital of Bulgaria, was built by the emperor Jusr tinian, on the ruins of the ancient Sardica. It is the see of a Greek archbishop. The town is commercial, and well built, but without walls, and the streets are narrow, uneven, and dirty. Houses 8000 ; inhabitants 46,000. Bucharest, the capital of Wallachia, stands upon the Deinbro- vitz, a tributary of the Danube. The streets are paved transverse- ly, with planks of wood, badly fastened, and much decayed. Here is a singular number of churches and convents. Population, 42,000. Belgrade., Alba Graecorum, the capital of Servia, stands on a side hill, at the conflux of the Save with the Danube. The sub- urbs are extensive, and it is a great resort of merchants from many different nations. The chief trading streets are covered with wood, as a shelter from the rain and sun. The Armenians and Jew^ are employed as factors. The adjoining country affords fine timber for ship-l>uilding. Population 30,000. The fortifica- tions of Belgrade, formerly yery strong, were demolished in 1739. Jarma, or Yanina, in Thessaly, is situated on a lake which com- municates with the river Peneus. It is a considerable town, and the see of a Greek bishop. Population 50,000. Ibrail, in Wallachia, stands upon the Danube, a little above tlie mouth of the Sereth, and contains 30,000 inhabitants. Seres, or Serra€, in Macedonia, 36 miles E. N. E. of Salonica, is the see of a Greek archbishop, and contains 30,000 inhabitants. Sistove, in Bulgaria, on the Danube, contains 4000 houses and 21,000 inhabitants. Widdin, also in Bulgaria, is the see of a Greek arohbishop, and contains 20,000 inhabitants. ,,■ i Lai-issa, in Thessaly, a city of very remote antiquity, stands up- on the river Peneus, at no great distance from the celebrated Olympus. Its present population is 20,000. Scutari, or Iscodar, in Albania, stands on a small lake, which is conducted to the Adriatic. It is the residence of a Greek ax'ch- bishop, and contains 20,000 inhabitants. Mco/ioli, in Bulgaria, on the Danube, is the see of a Greek bishop, and contains a population of 20,000. Bender, in Bessarabia, on the Dniester, is the celebrated re~ ti'eat of Charles XII. of Sweden, when he put himself under the protection of the Turks. Population 20,000. Akerman, in Bessarabia, at the mouth of the Dniester, has an equal population. Choctim,ov Choczim, in Moldavia, on the Dniester, at the nor- 424 TURKEY IN EUROPE. thern extremity of the empire, is noted for two victories gained by the Poles over the Turks, in the 17th century. Population, 20,000. Of the remaining towns, little more can be mentioned than their names and population. In Wallachia, Giurgewo, or GeorgetoAvn, contains 18,000; in Rumelia, Gallipoli, 17,000, and frajanople 15, 000 ; in Macedonia, Achrida, 16,000, and Vodina, 12,000 ; in Bos- nia, Banjaluka, 15,000, Mostar, 18,000, Trawnik, 12,000, and Zwor- nik, 14,000; in Moldavia, Jassy, 15,000; in Bessarabia, Ismail, 10,000; in the Morea, Tripolizza, 12,000; in Albania, Paramith- ia, 15,000; in Bulgaria, Riischiuk, 50,000, Schumla, 12,000 ; and Warna, 16,000 ; and in Servia, Semendria, 10,000. Athiiiia^ or Setines, the ancient Athenae, is the see of a Greek archbishop, with a revenue of .-C1,000 sterling, and is inhabited al- most exclusively by Greeks. It stands on the N. E, coast of the gulf of Engia, with a safe and large harbor, narroAv at the en- trance, and commanded by the citadel. Silk, wax, wool, and oil, arc the chief exports. The Athnians are still distinguished by the subtlety and acuteness of their understandings, and are more polished in their manners and conversation than their neighbors. The population is 12,000 souls. The houses are mostly mean and straggling, with many large areas, or courts, before them. The Greeks have numerous convents and churches. The monuments of ancient art remaining in this city, are probably unrivalled in their magnificence. Misi7'ia, the ancient Sparta, stands upon the Eurotas, and is de- fended by a strong castle. The Greeks have numerous churches, one called the Perileptos, distinguished for its beauty. The Jews have their synagogue, and the Turks a superb mosque. It is the residence of a Greek archbishop. Population, 12,000. £fi/iesus, called by the Turks Ay as aluke., was anciently the chief metropolis ofLydian Asia, and the seat of a Roman Procon- sul. It is distant fix>m Smyrna to the .S. E. about 46 miles, and is situated on a plain south of the river Caystre. The plain is en- compassed by a zone of hills, leaving a communication between the city and the sea. Ephesus was once a very considerable and Avealthy place, and has been the scene of much robbery and blood- shed. In the 3d century, it was plundered by the Persians, and the Scythians ravaged it sometime afterwards. The temple of Diana Avas plundered and destroyed by Constantine, in conse- quence of his edict to destroy all the heathen temples. Its con- sideration and wealth exposed it to tli« ravages of the Mahometan princes, and Tamerlane, after the battle of Angora, spent a month in plundering the city and its neighborhood, carrying away its gold, silver, and jewels, and even the clothes of the inhabitants. It con- tinued to be ravaged and destroyed until Mahomet I. obtained pos- session of it. Since this event, it has been under the quiet domin- ion of the Turks. It is now known neither as a place for trade, nor as a magnificent city, but is distinguisJied only by its ruins. The temple, which on account of its magnificence and gigantic TURKEY IN EUROPE. 425 Size, was formerly ranked among the wonders of the world, was erected at the expense of several of the wealthiest cities of Asia. Pliny says it was 425 feet long, and 220 feet in breadth. Its vault- ed roofs and lofty porticoes, were supported by 127 pillars, each 60 feet high. After this was destroyed by Herostratus, the Ephe- sians sold the remains, and erected another of superior magnitude and beauty. The stones which composed the building are of im- mense size, cut out from mountains in the vicinity. The ruins of this magnificent temple are scattered throygh a considerable ex- tent of country. Five and twenty miserable Turkish hovels con- stitute the whole of modern Ephesus. Its population k about 300. The country around is fertile and pleasant. Wheat and barley grow here plentifully. Travell'mg.] The high roads are rarely travelled by individu- als, except on business. The Turkish caravans, both in Europe and Asia are composed of horses and camels ; and merchandise is transported by these conveyances from the Hungarian frontiers to the Persian Gulf. Wheel carriages are not unknown, but are little used, from their not being adapted to the nature of the coun-/- try. The Tartars are public couriers, much respected for their good conduct and fidelity. They are strong and hardy, and per- form their journies with remarkable celerity. As there is no such thing as a general post, a certain number of these Tartars are attached to the court, to the army, and to the governors of provinces, and are occasionally dispatched to all pans of the em- pire. Manufactures a7id Covwierce.^ The Turkey carpets have lono* been distinguished for their beauty ; as have the printed muslins of Constantinople, and the crapes and gauzes of Salonica. The brass cannon of the Turks are admired, and their musket and pis- tol barrels, and sword-blades, are held in great estimation by for- eigners. Morocco leather is manufactured in large quantities, and of the best quality, in Gallipoli and the Dardanelles. The commerce of Turkey is very far from being in a flourishing state. The oppression of public officers, the venality of tribunals, and the general want of common honesty, inspire an universal distrust, and render commercial risks extremely precarious. The effect of this state of things, is to raise the interest of money, and the price of goods, to an exorbitant height. Commonly money cannot be borrowed, nor goods purchased on credit, without a pledge aoovc their value. The interest of money lent to Euro- peans is from 8 to 10 per cent. ; to Jews, Armenians, and Greeks, from 15 to 20 ; to private Turks, from 25 to 30 ; and to Turks Avho belong to ihe government, from 40 tcf 50. Turkey depends upon no foreign country for subsistence. The corn countries, in spite of the impolitic restrictions of the government, besides pour- ing plenty over the empire, secretly export their superiluities to foreign countries. Their corn, their maize, and their rice, are all of superior quality ; their wine and oil, though deprived of half their excellence by the unskilfulncss and negligence of prepara- tion, arc sufficient, not only for the demands of an extensive home VOL. ir. 5^ 426 TURKEY IN EUROPE. consumplion, but for the supply of several foreign markets. Their wool, camel's hair, goat's hair, cotton, buffaloe's hides and tongues, hares' skins, morocco leather, silk, flax, coifee, sugar, honey, to- bacco, wax, box, copper, hart's-horn, furs, horse-hair, nutgalls, currants, figs, saffron, drugs, and Parian marble, are distributed over both continents. CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY, ctlMATE AND SEASONS, RIVEHS, GULFS, STRAITS, ISTHMUS, MOUN- TAINS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, NATURAL CU- RIOSITIES. Climate and Seasons.'] THE climate of Turkey is gener- ally mild, the air pure, and the seasons regular. Indian corn and the vine flourish even in Moldavia and Wallachia ; and rice and the olive, tog'ether v/ith these, in the more southern regions. The Country is rather mountainous. Rumelia, however, is chiefly a plain country, and many plains and vallies are found in the other provinces. The soil is almost universally fertile, yielding vast quantities of excellent grain, particvilarly wheat, barley, indian corn, and rice. The characteristicai indolence of the Turks suf- fers extensive tracts of fine land to lie in an uncultivated state. Rivcrs.~\ The Danube has already been mentioned as in part a Turkish stream. The Save also separates Slavonia from Bosnia. The most considerable tributary of the Danube from Turkey, is the Mo7'ava, the ancient Margus^ which rises from many sources in Mount Haemus, and, running through Servia, falls into it a lit- tle below Semendria, after a course of 200 miles. The Esker runs 120 miles, and falls into it above Nicopoli. The Maritz^ the ancient Hedrus, rises in a more eastern part of the same mountains, near Bagni, and running S. E. and afterwards S. W. falls into the Archipelago, after a course of about 300 miles. The Vardari., formerly the ^xiur?, issues from the western part of the same range, called Mount Argentaro, and pursues a south- easterly course of more than 200 miles, to the Gulf of Salonica. The Z)?-m pursues a winding course of about 120 miles, and empties into the Gulf of Drin, in the Adriatic. Another Drin of similar size falls into the Save, at Ratsha. Gulfs.'] The Gulf of Lepanto, Sinus Corinthiacns., sets up east- ward, about 120 miles from the Ionian sea, separating the Morea from Livadia. It is every where narrow, though wider near its head, than near its mouth. The Gulf ofEngia, Sinus Saronicus, on the opposite side of the isthmus of Corinth, extends from S. E. to N. W. about 60 miles, and is 25 miles wide at the mouth. A little farther south is the Gulf of Napoli, Sinus Jrcfolicus, lying in the same direction, and nearly of the same extent. TURKEY IN EUROPE. 42r The Gulf of Salonica, 5mw.? Thermaicics^ and Macedonicus, is Uie N. W. termination of the x\rchipeIago. It is about 120 miles long, and 30 wide. Pelion, Ossa, and Ohjmfms, Ue near its west- ern coast, and the Peneus, the Haliacinon, the Erigon, the Jxiu,s, and the Echidorus, contribute to its waters. ( Straits.'] The Dardanelles, and the Straits of Constantinople, have formerly been described. The channel of Negropont sep- arates that island from the coasts of Attica, Boeotia, Phocis, and Thessaly. Its whole length is not less than 130 miles. ., Its great- est breadth is about 15 miles, while that of the narrowest part, near the town of Negropont, called the Euripus, scarcely exceeds the breadth of a galley. Isthmus.'] '1 he isthmus of Corinth separates the Gulfs of Le- panto and Engia, and connects the Morea with Livadia. This was the scene of the celebrated Isthmian Games, which began B. C. 1326. The length of the isthmus is 25 miles, and its breadth 14 miles. Mountains.] The chains of mountains are numerous and ex- tensive. To the W. of Moldavia and the Buckovine, runs N. and N. W. for about 200 miles, part of the grand Carpathian chain, anciently called the Bastarnic Alps. '1 he most southern branch of this grand chain, tending S. W. for more than 200 miles, forms the N. and W. boundary of Wallachia. On the S. of the Danube appears the grand ronge of the Hae- mus, which Ptolemy represents as running from the S. W. to the N. E. while modern ob'scrvations indicate the opposite direction ; but the recent maps of these regions are still very imperfect. However this be, the chain of the Haemusis deservedly celebrated by the ancients, being of great elevation and extent, as appears from the numerous and large rivers w hich issue from its sides. This mountainous tract extends more than 400 miles, and is now known under various names, as Emineh, or Hemineh Dag, on the east ; Bulkan and Samoco in the middle ; Ivan on the west ; while the Despoto Dag branches off to the S. E. and may, per- haps, be the Rhodope of the ancients. From the western extremity of the Haemus seem to branch off two other extensive chains ; one i-unning N. W. between Dalma- tia on the W. and Bosnia and Servia on the E. while the othev passing S. forms the mountains of Albania and the W. of Greece. The chain running to the S. has many classical appellations, as the Acroceraunian, Pindus, &c. The E. and S. of Greece are al- so crowded with small chains of mountains and solitary hills. There is a range which commences near the Gulf of Volo, Si' tms Fagasalus, and, after winding to the N. W. runs parallel with the coast of Thessaly, as far as the river Salambria. The southern half is called Mount Pelion, the northern Mount Ossa. The continuation of the chain beyond that river, is the celebrated Olympus, the famed residence of the gods, and the court of Jupi- ter. Xenagoras, in the 4th century before Christ, measured the highest summit, and found it to be 10 stadia and 1 plethrunij wr*iting 6 feet, or 6135 English feet in height. Mr. Bernouilli, 428 TURKEY IN EUROPE. by his measurement, finds it to be 6501 feet. Between Ossa and Olympus, winds the valley of Tempe, painted by the poets as the most delightful spot on the earth, and often honored by the pres- ence of the gods. Mount Othrys^ the residence of the centaurs, was a range in the south of Thessaly ; and Pindus, the favorite resort of Apollo and the Muses, separated it on the west fro- 1 Epyrus. Farnasaus Avas merely the continuation of the same range, through Etolia and Phocis ; while Mount Helicon was its southeastern termination, in Boeotia, near the head of ihe Gulf of Lepanto. Mount Athos^ or Monte Sancto, is on a peninsula, in Macedonia, having the Gulf of Contessa, or Orfana, on the N. E. and the Gulf of Monte S;uicto on the S. W. It consists of a chain of eminences, 7 or 8 leagues long, and 3 or 4 broad, the loftiest of which is said to exceed two miles in height ; and Plu- tarch and Pliny assert that it projected its shadow, at the summer solstice, on the market place of Myrina, the capital of the island ofLemnos. The cold on its summit is extreme, yet it abounds with many kinds of plants and trees, particularly the pine and the fir, and supplies a multitude of springs and streams. It is now inhabited by the Caloyers, a sort of Greek monks, of the order of St. Basil, who never marry, and live chiefly on olives. They are about 6000 in number, and have 24 monasteries on the mountain, raised to the height of 5 or 6 stories, and well fortified" against the assaults of banditti. Forestsr\^ The forests of Greece, the Greek islands, and the provinces bordering the Archipelago to the north, consist of the common and yew-leaved fir, the pine, the larch, the cedar, the ilex, the kermcs oak, the common oak, the oriental plane-tree, the maple, the horn-beam, the sycamore, the elm, the walnut, the chesnut, the ash, and the beech. Considerable forests, composed of olive-trees, mixed with the broad-leaved myrtle, adorn the shores of Crete and Attica ; the other fruit trees are the orange, the fig, the vine, the pistachia tree, the pear, the apple, the cher- ry, the mastich tree, the mulberry, and the pomegranate. Botany?^ Of the shruljs and small trees the most worthy of notice, are the bay-tree, the laurel, two kinds of arbutus, the cy- press, the oleander, and the caper bush. A large proportion of the soil in Greece and the Greek islands being calcareous, the Greek flora, in its present imperfect state, consists for the most part of those plants that are peculiar to limestone districts. The island of Crete has always been celebrated for its vegetable pro- ductions, of which the following are the chief, and, all of them in- dicative of a calcareous soil : Cretan woundwort, thistle-leaved acanthus, Cretan origany, Cretan dittany, tragacanth vetch (from which the gum of this name is procured), and iadanum cistus ; an elegant shrub, from tlie leaves and tender stalks of which the fra- grant gum ladanon exudes ; this is collected by whipping the plants Avith leathern thongs, to which the gum adheres, and oft" which it is scraped from lime to time. Zoolo'^yP^ The zoology of European Turkey presents few pe culiaritios. The jackal, frequent in Africa and Asia, is not un- TURKEY IN EUROPE. 429 known in these regions ; and among the beasts of burden must be classed the camel. The Turkish horses are celebrated for spirit and form ; and those of Wallachia deserve particular praise. The breeds or qualities of their cattle have been little explained. The sheep, distinguished by the name of Wallachian, have spiral horns of singular elegance ; but the fineness of the fleece would be a more useful distinction. The roe and the red-deer are notimfre- quent. The buffalo abounds in the northern provinces. The hare is very numerous. Mineralogy r\ The mineralogy of these provinces is also a bar- ren field ; for the indolence and ignorance of the Turks have gen- erally neglected this branch of opulence ; though ft-om the mines in the adjacent regions of Hungary and Transylvania, and from the ancient accounts, there would be room to expect great min- eral treasures. The gold mines of Philippi, about 80 miles to the east of Saloniki, in the time of Philip of Macedon, produced yearly about 10,000 talents, £2,880,000 sterling ; and silver mines were found in Attica, and other quarters. An extensive coal mine is found near Rodosto. Natural Curiosities.^ The natural curiosities in the northern parts, and around mount Hsemus, remain undescribed. Of those in the south, the principal is the grotto of Antiparos, one of the islands of the Cyclades, to the west of Paros. The whole isle is a I'ock of fine marble, about 16 miles in circumference. In its southern part, about a mile and a half from the sea, rises a rugged cavern, with some ancient inscriptions. After proceeding about twenty paces, appears a dark and low passage, whence the trav- eller, being provided with lights, descends by a rope, and after- wards by a ladder placed by the side of deep abysses. The path now becomes more easy, and conducts to another steep precipice, which is descended by another ladder. After much fatigue, and some danger, the traveller at length arrives in the grotto, which is supposed to be about 900 feet from the first opening. Tournefort estimates the height of the grotto at about 40 fathoms. The sta- lactitic marble hangs from the roof, in the most elegant and pic- turesque forms ; and on the floor are large masses of stalagmite, brownish and less pure, produced by the liquified stone dropping from above. A great distinction between this grotto and others of a similar kind in England, and other countries is, the pui'ity of the material, being marble of a snowy whiteness, and the finest calcareous spar. The marble of Paros has been known and cele- brated since the classical times, as the most pure the sculptor can employ ; some, however, prefer that of Carrara, as of a finer and closer grain, and therefore more obedient to the chisel than the Grecian, which is of a large chrystalline grain. TURKISH ISLANDS. Candia., anciently Crete, lies at the bottom of the Archipelago, and is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean. It extends from E, to W. about 180 miles in length, bctv.ctn Ion. 23 30 and 43u TURKEY IN EUROPE. 26 30, E. and about 40 from N. to S. containing, aLcorciing to Hassel, 4318 square miles. This island was settled very early, but historians are not agreed to Avhat nation the Cretans belonged. In the time of the Trojan war it contained 90 cities, and 10 were afterwards built by the Dorians. Of these 40 remained in the time of Ptolemy. The government Avas for a long period mo- narchical, in the family of Minos ; afterwards it was republican. In A. D. 66, the island was subdued by Metellus, the Roman Consul, and continued subject to the Romans, till the year 812, when the Saracens reduced it. In 962, they were driven out, and the island was reannexcd to the empire. In 1204, it fell into the hands of the Crusaders, and in 121 1, was sold to the Venetians. In 1646, the Turks made a descent on the island, and laid siege to the city of Candia, which they were unable to reduce till the yeat 1669 ; when the whole island, a few forts excepted, fell into their hands. These were not given up by the Venetians till 1715. Candia is divided into 3 pachaliks, that of Retimo, in the west, Ca- nea, in the middle, and Candia, in the east. The governor of the last is a pacha of three tails, who is genei^al in chief of all the forces of the island. The governors of Retimo and Canea are pachas of two tails, aiid independent of the pacha of Candia, except in mili- tary matters. The pachaliks are divided into districts, each com- prising a certain number of villages, some of which belong to the imperial mosques, some to the sultana mother, and the greater number are granted for life to the agas, or lords, who superintend the police, and dispose of most of the taxes. The Greek inhabi- tants appoint a cafiitam to decide their own differences, and a dascalos to register their names and taxes. The population of the island is estimated by Olivier, at 240,000. One half of these are Greeks. The mountains to the S. of Canea and Retimo, are inhabited by the S/iachiots, supposed to be descendants of the ear- ly Cretans, and distinguished from the other Greeks by their tall stature, their courage, and their love of liberty. Under the Ro- mans, tlie Saracens, the Venetians, and the Turks, they preserved their laws and customs, and found in their bleak and rugged moun- tains the abode of health and strength, and the safe asylum of liberty. A few remains of the Saracens are found on Mount Ida. They are called Abadiots^ occupy 20 villages, and are 4000 in nunlber. They are swarthy, meagre, of middling stature, ma. licious, and vindictive. The Turks here are taller, larger, and inore corpulent than the Greeks. The leprosy is the only conta- gious disorder. The exports arc horses, oil, soap, wax, honey, cheese, raisins, almonds, walnuts, chestnuts, linse^, and liquorice root. The islanders carry on some trade, but it is chiefly in the hands of for- eigners. There is scarcely a safe anchorage on the southern coast, but many fine harbors and roadsteads on the northern. The climate has from remote antiquity been celebrated for its salubrity. Winter is mei-ely a rainy reason on the plains, though fhe high mountains arc covered Avith snov/. The refreshing sea- TURKEY IN EUROPE. 43J breeze constantly tempers the heat of summer. The rivers ai^ little more than torrents, swelled by the rains of v/inter. Considerable quantities of corn are annually imported. The Candian wines are still delicious, but of a fiery quality. Jupiter would drink no other nectar, than the malmsey of Ida, during his stay on the island. Some cloths are manufactured in silk and cot- ton, and in silk and flax. Most of the cotton, some of the flax, and all the silk are imported. The olive is not very abundant. For- ests of pines, cedars, and firs, cover the declivities of the moun- tains. Mutton, pork, and poultry are cheap and excellent. Lambs and kids may be obtained in the large towns. The argali and wild goat are plentiful on the mountains. The quail, turtle, ring-dove, loriot, roller, thi'ush, fig-pecker, wood-cock, black-bird, lark, ortolan and partridge, abound in the woods and fields. The town of Candia is the capita! of the island. It is a sea-port on the northern shore about the middle of the island. The har- bor is small, but well fortified. The streets are straight, and at right angles. The town contains from 10 to 12,000 Turks, from 2 to 3,000 Greeks, and about 60 Jews. Here are 23 soap houses. The environs present a few fertile plains and rising grounds. Canea, near the western extremity lies on the coast- The harbor is well defended. The streets are straight and tolerably wide. In the public squares are fountains, that flow A^'ith an abundant stream. Most of the houses are of one story, and have flat roofs covered with tiles. The town is surrovmded by a strong ■wall and deep ditch. Here are 20 soap houses. TJie town is es- timated to contain 4000 Turks, 2 or 3000 Greeks, 150 Jews, 4 French, and some Italian houses. Canea is the most commerciaT town in the island. Rethno^ built on the ruins of the ancient Ritlnjnma, about half- way between Candia and Canea, is also a sea-port, on the northern shore. Its harbor is small and shallow. The environs are de- lightful. It contains about 6000 inhabitants ; half Greeks and half Tvirks. The citadel on the N. W. of the town is built on a mass of high, steep rocks advancing into the sea. A range of lofty mountains runs the whole length of the island. This range is called the White Mountains. Mount Ida, the highest summ.it, and once the nursery of Jupitei', is near the middle of the island, about 1 6 miles W. of Candia. ^ .A''egrojiont^ or Euri/io, the ancient Euboea, stretches from S. E. to N. W. along the coast of Graecia Propria, and is 96 miles long, and from 8 to 16 broad; containing, according to Hassel, 482 square miles. It is very fertile, abounding in grain, Avine, oil, and excellent fruits. Here are several movmtains, which for a considerable part of the year are covered with snow. The high- est of these is Mount Ocha, in the south, which very anciently gave name to the Avhole island. The v/hole num.ber of inhabi- tants is stated in the table at 40,000, which is far less than the an- cient population. Formerly the island contained numerous cities, the chief of which was Chalcis. The only places now worth no- tice are Negropont and Castel Rosso. Negropont stands on the 43^2 TURKEY IN EUROPE. western side of the island, on the narrowest part of the Strait, called the Euripus. It is the see of a Greek bishop. The har- bor is large and deep, and seldom without a fleet of gal lies. The town is the I'esidence of the admiral of Turkey, who is the governor ofEuboea, the smaller islands and of the district of Gal- lipoli. Population 16,000. Castel Rosso, or Caristo, on the southern extremity of the island, is the see of a Greek bishop, and a town of considerable size. Lemnos^ called by the Turks Stalimene^ in the northern part of the Archipelago, is 15 miles long and 11 broad. The eastern part of the island is dry and barren ; the westei'n is fertile and abound- ing in springs. There are two high mountains in the island, call- ed Meschilae, both anciently volcanic. These were the iron works of Vulcan, to whom the island belonged. It has always been famous for a peculiar kind of earth or clay, which takes the impression of a seal like wax. Stalimene, the ancient Myri7ia, is the see of a Greek bishop. The other town is Cochino, the an- cient Hejihestias. The whole population is 8,000.* Androsy a small distance S. E. from Negropont, is 90 miles in circumference. It is generally high and mountainous. Its plains are fertile and well watered. SiT.v is the principal produce, of. which 6000 okes are annually exported, as well as a considerable' quantity of oranges and lemons. The other productions are wheat, barley, wine, oil, legumes, herbage, various fruits, honey, wax and cotton. The population is 15,000 souls, distributed into 12 villages. Andros is the appanage of a sultana, and yi&lds an annual revenue of 30,000 piastres. Tinot formerly Tenos^ one mile S. E of Andros, is 60 miles in circui^iference, contains about 70 square miles, and is almost every where lofty and mountainous. The inhabitants are the bravest in the Archipelago, and though often attacked, did not submit to the Turks, till J714, when they were probably betrayed by the gover- nor. Here are reckoned 60 towns or villages, inhabited by 40,000 to 45,000 sowls.f No Turk here incommodes the inhabitants. The people annually elect their own magistrates, and are the freest in these seas. The soil is not very fertile, but this is more than compensated by the persevei'ing industry of the inhabitants. The Europeans and Greeks of the large cities in Turkey procure their domestics from Tina. The girls usually stay in service 5 years, and then return and marry in the island, always bringing home their wages. The revenue is 36,234 piastres. Silk is largely exported ; and figs, oranges, wines, hay, and sheep in small quantities. Myconi, 12 miles S. E. of Tino, is far from fertile, and almost all mountainous. The inhabitants, 6,000 in number, all reside in one town on the coast. They are all farmers or mariners. A little barley, and wine are annually exported. The impost is 7,500 piastres. MixiUy or Naxas, is chiefly covered with high mountains, the • Langdon says, ■40,000^ ■\ According to H.^ssel, 24,800^ ^ TURKEY IN EUROPE. 43.3 Highest of which, called Dia, or Jupiter, affords an extensive prospect of the Archipelago. The town Naxos containing 2000 souls is on the western side. The other inhabitants, exceeding 8000, are scattered through 41 villages. The taxes exceed iC1660 sterling. About 600 of the inhabitants are Catholics; the rest are Greeks. The hills are covered with the myrtle, arbutus, lentisk, hypercum, savory, thorny broom, leguminous shrubs, and rock-roses. The rivulets are bordered with the plane-tree, the agnus-castus, and the oleander. The exports are barley, oil, oranges, lemons, citrons, cheese and salt. Paros, 6 miles west of Naxia, contains 6,000 inhabitants. It has 4 excellent harbors. The celebrated Pariati marble is obtained from this island. The best quarries are those in Movmt Marpesus.. Antiparos,7 rm\es?>. W. and 16 in circumference, is chiefly celebrated for its grotto. At the entrance it appears to be a rustic eave, in the side of a hill, about 30 feet wide, divided by some nat- ural pillars, between which the ground slopes gently, and then more precipitately, to the bottom of the cavern. At last the descent is by a ladder, to the grotto itself, which is about 300 fathom below the surf?.ce, and about 40 fathom high, and 50 wide. It is full of large and beautiful stalactites, hanging from the roof, and cover- ing the floor. When the place is completely lighted up, the mind cannot conceive of a scene more beautiful and magnificent. The ceiling so lofty, that the eye can scarcely reach it, and hung all over with glittering icicles, transparent as glass, yet solid as marble. The sides regularly formed with spars fastened to the walls. The floor, consisting of solid marble, supporting, in various places, magnificent columns, thrones, and altars, as if nature had designed to mock the curiosities of art, and the whole presenting the idea of a vast and brilliant tlieatre illuminated with an immense profusion of lights. The voice, on speaking, or singing, is re- doubled to an astonishing loudness ; and upon the firing of a gun the noise and reverberations are almost deafening. J^iOf anciently /os, 40 miles in circuit, is lofty and mountainous, and far from being fertile. It contains 3700 inhabitants, all Greeks, and pays a tribute of 9000 piastres. Homer is said to have been buried here. M7o, formerly Melos^ the southwesternmost of the Cyclades, is 60 miles in circumference, and has a very large harbor, one of the finest in these seas. The population does not exceed 1500. A little east of the ruins of the town, called C/f?«c, by the modern Greeks, in a hill of pumice stone, are numerous ancient catacombs in excel- lent preservation. These are chambers cut out in the rock for burying places. Most of the catacombs contain 7 sarcophagusses, 3 on each side, and 1 at the farther end. Each sarcophagus, is about 6 feet long, and 15 inches high, surmounted by an arch, the whole dug in the rock. Those at Alexandria, on the contrary, are cells dug deeply into the walls of galleries. The inhabitants now employ these catacombs as cisterns to catch the winter rains. .Ships generally stop at this island for'pilols, through the Archipe- lago. VOL. ri. 5*5 434 ASIA. Santori/ti, formevly Thera and Caliste^ is 40 miles in tircumt'er- fence, and in shape like a horseshoe. The coast rises abruptly from the sea, often to the height of 600 feet. The road is 7 miles long, and 6 deep. The water in it has a depth of from 250 to 300 fathom, so that ships can find no anchoring ground. The popu- lation exceeds 12,000 ; about one sixth of which are Roman Cath- olics. Here are two bishops, one Latin, the other Greek, and two nunneries. The inhabitants are distinguished for their industry, temperance, probity, and good morals. The men are employed chiefly in the culture of the vine, and of cotton. The women make cloths, caps, and stockings, which ai'e sent to Russia and Italy. The best wine, called vitio santo, is sent to Russia.* The revenue is 55,000 piastres. In propoition to its extent this is the richest and most populous of all the islands in the Archipelago. There are 5 large villages, and numerous smaller ones. The other considerable islands will more properly fall vmder the description of Turkey in Asia. ASIA. AS Asia exceeds Europe and Africa in the extent of it^ territories, it is also superior to them in the serenity of its air, the fertility of its soil, the deliciousness of its fruits, the fragrancy and balsamick qualities of its plants, spices and gums ; the salu- brity of its drugs ; the quantity, variety, beauty, and value of its gems ; the richness of its metals, and the fineness of its silks and cottons. It was in Asia, according to the sacred records, that the all-wise Creator planted the garden of Eden, in which he formed the first man and first woman, from whom the race of mankind has descended. Asia became again the nursery of the world after the deluge, whence the descendants of Noah dispersed their va- rious colonies into all the other parts of the globe. It was in Asia that God placed his once favourite people, the HebrcAvs, whom he enlightened by revelation delivered by the prophets, and to Avhom he gave the Oracles of Truth. It was here that the great and merciful work of our Redemption was accomplished by his Divine Son ; and it was from hence that the light of his glorious Gospel was carried with amazdng rapidity into all the known nations, by his disciples and followers. Here the first chi'istian chuixhes were founded, and the christian faith miraculously propagated and cherished, even with the blood of innumerable martyrs. It was in Asia that the first edifices were reared, and the first empires founded, while the other parts of the globe were inhabited only by wild animals. On these accounts, this quarter claims a supc- * Withlu a few years> howevc^r, several cargoes have been purchased ftJr the Eng- \\^ market. s ASIA. 435 riority over the rest ; but a great change has happened, especially in that part of it called Turkey, which has lost its ancient splendor, and from the most populous and best cultivated spots in Asia, is become almost a wild and uncultivated desert. Extent.'] This division of the earth extends from the Helles- pont, the most westerly point, which is in about Ion. 26 E. to East Cape, in about 190 degrees E. Ion. from London, being 164 de- grees of longitude, or taking the degree at a medial latitude, 7583 miles in length. In breadth it is 5250 miles, from the south- ern cape of Malacca, in N. lat. 2 to cape Cevero Vostochnoi, in the Arctic Ocean, N. lat. 77. Of this extensive portion of the world, the ancients entertained very imperfect ideas ; and in fact the discovery of this great divi- sion of the world may be said to have commenced with the travels of Marco Polo, the Venetian, m the end of the thirteenth century : and it was not completed, with regard to the eastern extremities, iill the recent travels through Siberia and the other Asiatic do- minions of Russia, and the voyages of Beering, Cook, and La Pe- rouse. It is now well known that Asia is limited, on the east, by a strait v/hich divides it from America, and which, in honour of the discoverer, is called Beering's Strait. The northern and southern boundaries are the Arctic and Indian oceans, in which last many large islands, particularly that of New Holland, now more classically and properly styled Australasia, affords a vast ad- ditional extent to this quarter of tlie globe. The western limits of Asia have already been defined. Original Fo/iuladon.'] The population of Asia is by all anthors allowed to be wholly primitive and original ; if we except that of the Techuks or Tchuktchi, who, by the Russian travellers, and Mr. Tooke, are supposed to have passed from the opposite coast of America. A few colonies have migrated from Russia to the northern parts, as far as the sea of Kamchatka ; and there are well known European settlements in Hindostan and the isles to the S. E. ; but the first serious attempt to colonize, what is esteemed a part of Asia, was the recent settlement at Port Jackson. With these and other trifling exceptions Asia presents a prodigious original population, as may be judged from the following table, which will be found more clear than any prolix discussion on tlie subject. LINNiEAN TABLE OF THE NATIONS AND LANGUAGES IN ASIA. Ordo. Genus. Species. {Assyrians. Chaldee. Arabians. Hebrew, &c. Egyptians, r Persians. Armenians,* II. Scythians. < Scythians,intra et ex- (_ tra Imaum, &c. * The Pai'sl and Zend are cognate with the Gothic, Greek, Latin, according to Sir William Jones, Indian Dissert, vol. j. fi. 206. The Pehla\i is Assyrian or Chaldaic Id. 187, 188, -206. 436 ASIA. Sarmats. Genus. 5 Medes. I Parthians. Hindoos. C Chinese. (Japanese. SpecicFii Georgians. Circassians. Northern and South- ern, &c. Barbaric Motions from north to south, and according to the degrees of barbarism. vr. Samoieds. Ostiacs, Yurals, Sec. VII, Yakuts. Yukagirs. (Expelled Tartars, ac- cording to Tooke and Lesseps.Y VIII. Koriacs. Techuks orTchuktchi. \ IX. Kamchadals, Kurillians. § X. Mandshurs.or ^ (Ruling people in Tunguses. China.) XI. Monguls. Kalmucs. Soongars. Tonguts. Burats, &c. XII. Tartars, or Turks. Nogays. Huns.ry Khasars. Uzes. Siberians. Bashkirs. KirguseS or Kaizacks.^ Teleuts. ■f These have a Tartaric form and face : they ape probably highly civilized Tartars, Monguls, or Mandshurs. \ From the oi)posite coast of America. Tookc's Kussia. The Yukagirs are a tribe of the Yakuts (around Yakutsk), aud both are expelled Tai'tars. Tooke's View, ii. 80. Lesseps,ii. 312. § These resemble the Japanese. ^ After the de.struction of Attila's swarms, and the effects of unfortunate inroads, the Huns became subject to the Monguls, who, under Zingis, or Genghiz Khan, Ti- mur, &c. constituted the supreme nation in Asia. The great share of population which Europe has received from Asia, will appea" from the following little table : PRIMEVAL INHABITANTS. Oi-do. Celts. Genus, C Irish. j Welch. II. 111. W'. Fins (chief godYum- viula.J Or-do. Scythians, Or Gk)ths C Odin. J Sarmats or Slavons fPerun.J Armorican. r-Finlanders. N Esthonians. ^ Laplanders. *- Hungarians. COLONIES FK6M ASIA. Genus. ^Icelanders, Norwegians. ) Swedes, Danes. ^Germans. Knglish. Pofes. f P, Ck S/>eci^ . o a « 4* o o ."ti i- o 9. 5^ o o f^*^ 00 CM o o o o . m o_ ^ O M a> •^ t-t o" 5 o 2 §1 a O s O 3 !m o (n '" r3 o o o o o o o o o -o a o o o o o o o o o o * o o o^o^ o o^ o^ q^ q^ •~ bCv cT cT o^o" o cT Q o" o •§-■« ^ o m o O o o o o v> 5 u "^i B 0^:^0 0^ o o q^ o c*^ o O o « cTcT co'co' o ■*^ fS CT ^§SS -< CO 00 c* O •* "ImCN i^ c^ b- o o> h- CO o o» •^ in o> CO CO b- eo O o IJ§§ •^ CO -< <^ '- >n VO t^ <0 t> 00 Ti. k„ - >n ■<* t^ '~' CO o t~ Ti< O O v> «o ■* o o o o o t- o o >o O O O >r) o O 00 O CO -H o °x 9x q^ q q <^ q. Vi 00 O CO CN — 00 O 00 m 00 co'hT ^H CO cf oo" lo ■*" 00 40 ^ — b. Tj. c« C» 'I — -^ o o o »f) CO^ q^ q '^ q^ 's.-S r\ ^ *^ ^ O «N CT> C 00 "* »o ao -H V5 ^ -^ O CO CN ,-^ cT 00 cn" «o 4^ »0 00 OO b- 00 V) •O CN >0 T) 0-. CO ■* 00 CO O "> b- MJ^l-j^ -^CO ■"■ l-H -^ U3 CO •* CM 00 eo ■* p^ cr •^ r^/^o a b p O G C/3 «c/5 .S' :z; "i2 5jjD 6C ^ ;2 CO « C4 o o t;^ s § CO t; S «^ So o tn 22 <3 o .~ W -« CI CO -i" in vO c^< CO 'i' \n VD N. •— < CN to ■* >■" CM a:>s ASIA. O o o^ cT o ^ o o . 02 o ^ o ~ xn 3 ^-©•H 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 -^ « .2 Mo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0, 0 «o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 * -^■f.-^?, 0 -- 0 0 2 ° 00 0 0 0 0 o» 0 o> 0 0 00 00 0 0 to 0 •^ ««s|3 (N CO eo 0 c* '* CO o\ CO 0 ■<* f^s^S '-• CO CO J= C o* e»lM ^ J! 0 « CT> to 0 00 0 "h eo 0 CO 01 0 eo 0 eo ^ S CO '- CO CO CO -^ ^ ^ C<1 r-» (7« 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00000 0 <3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00000 0 o_q^ <^ 0 0^ 00 0 0 00000 0 *N 4S cTo" 0 0 0 cTrf 0 0 00000 03 1. 0 b- 0 0 0 0 b- 0 0 0 0 0 a> 0 o* o^o» c» CO CM O^C^ 0 CO 00000 0 * CO — ' 0 0 r-H CN — ' — -H 00 CO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00000 0 0 CO tO^ 0 0 00 0 0 >n 0 in 0 0 0^ c 2 cTcT CO* 00^ C^ c^ »o cT 0 C? CN N -^ CO o> m CO c^ P-M 00 t- 00 00 0 C-* 00 CO CTi e< ^ t£> CO 00 -s? »n o> .0 vrVwo O g c3 _ o 5 2 i Wet" S .^ ^ "S "o "co -^ ►^ g CW M « rt e o eo •>* V5 «0 .JJ .r; cS rt pj -^ g U o 'JH *-■ s H H ;^ dh cw ^ ro/'-.^ru^^ ■5 «^ '•.'Jh 0) '*< * S: CJ ® H H O 3 5 < jv. 00 oi o ^ c>» . !_; 1 ;^(^^ PC w Jj ^ fl- a?? (/3 (U X t>" »>■ »^ »^ HH * This is the German name, ■wliich we cannot translate, t Fabri, 14,020,000 ; Teropleman, 14,050,000 ; Montelle, 1 7.400,000. i Volney, 240,000,000 ; Busehins, 300,000,000 ; Gatterez, 500,000,000 , busS"- m'llch, 650,000,000. ASlA. 439 Progressive Geography.'] The progressive geography of this . 177. RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. 459 Asia, A. D. 1441. The acquisitions on the frontiers of Turkey and Persia are recent and well known events. As the Russian empire in Asia borders to a great extent, upon Chinese Tatary, or rather the Monguls and Mandshurs, who ac- knowledge the protection and supremacy of China, it may be proper here to commemorate a few events, which have arisen from this proximity. About the middle of the 17th century the Russians had advanced to the river Amur ; here they subdued some Tungusian tribes, and built some small fortresses. The Chinese.monarch, Camhi, having formed a similar design, the two great powers unavoidably clashed ; open hostilities com- menced about 1680, and the Chinese destroyed the Russian forts. In August 1689, the treaty of Nershinsk, was signed by the Rus- sian and Chinese plenipotentiaries, and the limits specified, were a chain of mountains far to the north of the Amur, and the source of the small river Gorbitza, thence to where that river joins the Amur, and lastly along the Argoon, or Argounia, Sec* By this treaty the Russians assert that they not only lost a wide territory, but also the navigation of the river Amur, which would have been of great consequence to their remote possessions in Asia ; yet the advantage was gained of a commercial intercourse with the Chinese. In 1727, the limits were continued westward, from the source of the Argoon, to the mountain Sabyntaban, near the conflux of two rivers with the Yenesei ; the boundary being thus ascertained between the Russians and the Monguls subject to China. The trade with China has been latterly conducted at Zu- ruchaitu, on the river Argoon, lat. 50, Ion. 117, and at Kiachta, about 90 miles S. of the sea of Baikal, lat. 51, Ion. 106. This boundary between two states is the most extensive of any on the globe, reaching from about the 65th to the 145th degree of longi- tude ; eighty degrees (latitude fifty) computed at 39 geographical miles, will yield the result of 3120 milej. Its history, therefore, becomes singular and interesting. Antiqt(ities.~\ The most curious antiquities seem to be the stone tombs which abound in some steppes, particularly near the river Yenesei, representing in rude sculpture human faces, camels, horsemen with lances, and other objects. Here are found besides human bones those of horses and oxen, with fragments of pottery and ornaments of dress. f Religion.~\ The Grecian system of the Christian faith, which is embraced by the Russians, has made inconsiderable progress in their Asiatic possessions. Many of the Tartar tribes in the S. W. are Mahometans ; and others follow the superstition of Dalai Lama, of which an account shall be given in the description of the Chinese empire. But the more eastern Tartars are generally of the Shaman religion, a system chiefly founded on the self-exist- ence of matter, a spiritual world, and the general restitution of all things. ^: The Shamanians believe that even the Burchans, or * Coxe, 2'20. Du Halde, iv. f Dec. Russ. vi. 210. r Tookt'a Russia, 1783, iv. 42. «60 RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. ^ods themselves, arose from the general mass of matter and spir- it. Their epochs of destruction and restitution somewhat resemble those of the Hindoos. While common souls immediately receive their final decree, the virtuous become chubils, or wanderine spirits, who are purified by transmigration, so as also to become Burchans, or gods. Between men and gods are the Tengri, or spirits of the air, who direct sublunary affairs, and all the trifles so important to man, but beneath the most remote attention of the gods. The infernal regions chiefly contain those who have of- fended the priesthood. This system is intimately connected with that of the Dalai Lama, and is so widely diffused, that some have asserted Shamanism to be the most prevalent system on the globe. In Asiatic Russia it is professed by most nations, as a great part of the Tartars, with the Fins, Samoieds, and Ostiaks, the Mand- shurs, and Burats, and Tunguses ; and has even passed td the Coriaks and Techuks, and people of the eastern isles.* The archiepiscopal see of Tobolsk is the metropolitan of Rus- sian Asia in the north, and that of Astracan in the south. There is another see, that of Irkutsk and Nershink, and perhaps a few others of recent foundation. At Karrass, 530 miles S. W. of Astracan, and 260 N. of Tifflis, is a missionary station, supported by a missionary society at Ed- inburgh. The Mohammedan religion prevails in this region, to a great extent. The missionaries have been patronized by the Russian government, and their labors have been successful. Mr. Brunton, one of the missionaries on this station, is engaged in translating the Scriptures into the Turkish language, which is understood by all the Tartars, who can read, from the banks of the Wolga, to the shores of the Euxine, and is also spoken over many extensive and populous regions in the east. Types and pa- per have been sent to the amount of .-CGOO sterling to this station, by the British and Foreign Bible Society, in aid of this benevolent object, and the New Testament has been already published, and is read with interest by some of the most learned Mohammedans. This station is not far distant from the Sonnas, in the Caucasian mountains, already noticed,! and who, in connexion with this mis- sion, may be of essential service in spreading the knowledge of the Gospel through the neighboring countries. ' Govern7nent.^ Siberia is divided into two great governments, that of Tobolsk in the west, and Irkutsk in the east. The smaller provinces are Kolivan, Nershinsk, Yakutsk, and Ochotsk. In the S. W. is the government of Caucasus, with one or two other di- visions, intermingling Europe and Asia. At a distance from the capital the government becomes proportionably lax, and tribute is the chief mark of subjection. PoJiulation.~\ The population of Siberia, according to Tooke, cannot be computed at above three millions and a half. Small Russian colonies have been established in several of the distant provinces and isles. The political importance and relations ot this part of the Russian empire chiefly relate to China and Japan. * Tookc's Russia., iii. t ^'- '^^-- RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. 461 Manners and Customs.'] The manners and customs of Asiatic Russia vary with the numerous tribes by whom that extensive re- gion is peopled. The Tartars, properly so called, are the most nu- merous, not only remaining in their ancient kingdom of Siberia, but constituting many other tribes in the west, as the Nogays, the Kirguses or Kaizaks, the Bashkirs, and other tribes, as far as the sources of the river Ob. Next in importance are the Monguls, of ■whom one tribe, the Kalmuks, are found to the west of the Caspi- an ; while the others, called Burats, Tonguts, 8cc. are chiefly around the sea of Baikal. Yet farther to the east, are the Mand- shurs, or Tunguses. Such are the three radically distinct divis- ions of men, whom former European ignorance classed under the general name of Tai"tars, or Tatars. The manners of the Tartars, who are the same people with the Huns of antiquity, are minutely described by those authors who have delineated the fall of the Roman empire. It would be su- perfluous to enter into a detail of the manners and customs of the various nations in Asiatic Russia, for which the reader may be re- ferred to the works of Pallas, Tooke, and others. The manners of the Monguls may be chosen as a specimen. Those oi the Rus- sian empire are wholly Nomadic, their herds consisting of horses, camels, oxen, sheep, and goats. The women tan leather, dig the culinary roots, prepare the winter provisions, dried or salted, and distil the spirit of mare's milk. The men hunt the numerous beasts and game that roam through ihe vast wilds. Their tents are formed of a kind of felt, and in some parts they erect little temples, and the priests have also wooden hovels around the tem- ples. The Kalmuks are divided into three ranks : the nobility, whom they call Avhite bones ; the common people, who are bond- men, and termed black bones ; and the clergy, descending from both, who are free.* In like manner the noble ladies are called white flesh, and the common people black flesh, but the pedigrees are only reckoned by the bones. The power of the Tuidsha^ or chief prince, consists solely in the number and opulence of his subjects, territory being of no estimation in so wide a region. These subjects form an 0/mss, divided into Imaks^ from 150 to 300 families, each Imak being commanded by a Saissan, or noble. If there be a great khan, or emperor, the princes are only guided by him in aff'aJrs of general importance. The tribute is about a tenth part of the cattle and other property ; but on the first sum- mons every man must appear on horseback before the prince, who dismisses those who are unfit for the fatigues of war. The weap- ons are bows, lances, and sabres, and sometimes fire-arms ; and the rich warriors are clothed in mail of interwoven rings, like that used in Europe till the 15th centuiy. But they cannot op- pose regular armies, and are apt even to throw into disorder those of their allies. The Monguls are rather short in stature, with a fl«.t visage, small oblique eyes, thick lips, and a short chin, with a scanty * Tooke, iv, 14. 462 RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA! beai'd ; the hair black, and the complexion of a reddish or yellow- ish brown ; but that of the women is clear, and of a healthy white and red. They have surprising quickness of sight and appre- hension, and are docile, hospitable, beneficent, active, and volup- tuous. Industry is a virtue entirely female, yet great, and accom- panied with perpetual cheerfulness. Their religious books are in the dialect of Tangut, or Tibet, and there is a schoolmaster in every imak. Animal food is abundant, and sometimes mixed ■with vegetable, while the general drink is water ; but they some- times indulge in sour milk, prepared after the Tartarian manner, butter-milk, and koumiss ; but mead and brandy are now greater favorites. When pasturage begins to fail, all the tribes strike their tents, generally from ten to fifteen times in the year, pro- ceeding in the summer to the northern, and in the winter to the southern wilds. The herds, men, women, and children, form a regular procession, and are followed by the girls, singing with harmony and spirit. The amusements of these jovial wanderers consist in running races on horseback, in which even the girls excel ; archery, wrestling, pantomime, dances, and the songs of the young woimen, generally accompanied by the lute, viol, and pipe, the themes of their ditties being gigantic tales of chivalry, and amorous adventures and sentiments, but the sound is harsh and dismal. Cards are not unknown, but chess is the favorite game. Such, with some slight shades of difTerence, are also the manners of the Tartars and Mandshurs. The three distinct barbaric nations of Tartars, Monguls, and Tunguses, or Mandshurs, are by far the most interesting in these iitiiddlc regions of Asia, as their ancestors have overturned the greatest empires, and repeatedly influenced the destiny of half the globe. The vague name of Tartary is nearly discarded from our maps, and might yield with far greater precision to names de- rived from the seats of the chief nations, as Tungusia, or Mand- shuria, in the cast, IMongolia in the centre, and Tartaria in the ■west. Of these the Monguls are the chief people, and ihe ac- count already given of their manners will suffice to impart an idea ©fthe ethical condition of Asiatic Russia. La7icfuagc.^ The languages of all these original nations are radically different ; and among the Tunguses, Monguls, and Tar- tars, there are some slight traces of literature ; and not a few manuscripts in their several languages. The history of the Tar- tars, by Abulgasi, is a favorable specimen of Tartaric composi- tion. The late emperor of China ordered many of the best Chi- nese works to be translated into the Mandshur language, which, having an alphabet, may be more easily acquired t'^an the origi- nal. In the Mongul language there are also many books, written in the various countries to which their wide conquests extended. Superior, even amid their barbarism, to the chief original nations of Africa and America, the central races of Asia deserve an at- tention, which has been lavished upon inferior objects. Cities and Torjns.'] In Asiatic Russia, the principal city is As- tracan, at the mouth oi' the Volga, which is supposed to contain RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. 46.3. 70,000 inhabitants. This city was founded by the Monguls of Kipschak. In 1554 the Monguls were expelled. Astracan is built on' several small hills, tliat rise amid the meadows of the Volga, The fortress on the west is triangular, but the walls of the city are neglected. The wooden houses have exposed it to frequent conflagrations, and attempts have been vainly made to enforce the use of brick. Vines are cultivated in the neighbor- hood, and other fruits abound. There are 25 Russian churches, and 2 convents. The Armenians, Lutherans, and Papists, have also their places of worship ; and even the Hindoos have been permitted to erect a temple.* Tlie chief trade of Astracan is in salt and fish, particularly sturgeon and kaviar, from the Volga ; and it also attracts some portion of oriental commerce. The fish- ery on the Caspian, which centers at Astracan, is esteemed of the Utmost consequence to the empire. Azof, on the Asiatic side of the Don, is of small importance, ex- cept as a fortified post. The chief towns on the Asiatic side of the Volga are Samara and Stauropol. At the mouth of the river Ural, or Jaik, stands Gurief ; but the chief place after Astracan is Orenburg, founded in the year 1740, to protect the acquisitions in these parts, and promote their commerce. Nor have these views failed, for Orenburg is the seat of a considerable trade with the tribes on the east of the Caspian. On passing the Uralian chain, first occurs the city of Tobolsk, which contains only about 15,000 souls; but is esteemed the cap- ital of Siberia. Being mostly built of wood, it was nearly con- sumed by a destructive fire, about 1786; but, it is believed,- is now rebuilt, chiefly of stone. Tobolsk is more distinguished as the residence of the governor and archbishop, than for the import- ance of its commerce. The upper town stands on a hill, on the east side of the Irtish, and contains a stone fortress of some strength. Indian goods are brought hither by Kalmuck and Bu- charian merchants, and provisions are cheap and plentiful. Kolyvan is a town of some consequence, on the river Ob: In the neighborhood there are silver mines of considerable produce. To the north of Kolyvan is Tomsk, said to contain about 8000 souls. Farther east the towns become of less consequence, but a vil- lage attracts attention, when situated in a desert. On the river Yenisei, is a small town of the same name, and another called Sayansk, whence the adjacent part of the Altaian chain is called the mountains of Sayansk. On the I'iver Angara, which issues from the seaof Baikal, stands Irkutsk, supposed to contain 12,000 inhabitants. There are sev- eral chiirches and other edifices of sione, and the wooden houses are large and convenient. Irkutsk is the chief mart of the com- merce between Russia and China, the see of an archbishop, and the seat of supreme jurisdiction over eastern Siberia. t The nu- merous officers and magistrates have introduced the customs and * TgoIcc's Russia, iv. 311. + Lesseps, ii. 344i 464 RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. fashions of Petersburg, and European equipages are not uncom- mon in this distant region. On the wide and frozen Lena, stands Yakutsk, with some stone churqhes ; but the houses are mostly of wood, and inhabited chief- ly by Prussians, as the Yakuts are fond of a wandering life. The Lena is here about two leagues in width, (though about 700 miles from its mouth) but is greatly impeded with ice ; and there are only a few small barks, chiefly employed in supplying the town with provisions. Ochotsk, on the sea of the same name, may be rather regarded as a station than a town. Manufactures.'] There are some manufactures, particularly in leather, at Astracan ; and salt is prepared there, and in several other places in Asiatic Russia. Isinglass is chiefly manufactured on the shores of the Caspian, from the sounds or air bladder of the sturgeon, and the beluga. Kaviar is the salted roe of large fish. There is a considerable manufacture of nitre, about 40 miles north of Astracan. The Tartars and Bashkirs make felts of a large size, some of which are exported. The Russia leather is chiefly fabi'icated in the European provinces, being tanned with willow bark, and afterwards stained. Shagreen is prepared from the hides of horses or asses, but only a particular part of the back is fit for this purpose ; and the grain is given with the hard seeds of the greater orach, prest into the leather while moist.* Pitch is made by the boors from the pines of Siberia. Near the Uralian mountains are several manufactures in iron and copper. Commerce.~\ The chief commerce of this part of the Russian empire consists in sables, and other valuable furs, which are ea- gerly bought by the Chinese, who return tea, silk, and porcelain : that with the Kirguses is carried on by exchanging Russian wool- len cloths, iron, and household articles, for horses, cattle, sheep, and beautiful sheep-skins. On the Black Sea there is some com- merce with Turkey, the exports being furs, kaviar, iron, linen, 8cc. and the imports wine, fruit, coffee, silks, rice. In the trade pn the Caspian, the exports are the same, but the return chiefly silk. The principal Russian harbors are Astracan, Gurief, and K-isliur, near the mouth of the Terek, but the best haven is Baku, belonging to the Persians. The Tartars, on the east of the Caspi- an, bring the products of their country, and of Buchai'ia, as cotton yarn, furs, stuffs, hides, rhubarb ; but the chief article is raw silk from Shirvan and Ghilan, on the west of the Caspian. * Tooke's View, iii. 531. RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASL% 46-5 CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRI- CULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOO- LOGY, MINERALOGY, MINERAL WATERS. Clhnate and Seasons.'] IN Asiatic Russia the climate ex- tends from the vine at the bottom of Caucasus, to the solitary li- chen, on the rocks of the Arctic ocean. Through the greater part of Siberia, the most southern frontier being about 50, while the northern ascends to 78. The general climate may more justly be regarded as frigid than temperate ; being, in thi'ee quarters of the country, on a level with that of Norway and Lapland, un- softened by the gales of the Atlantic. To the south of the sea of Baikal, the climate parallels that of Berlin and the north of Ger- many, so that the finest and most fertile regions in middle Asia beloiig to the Chinese. The chains of high mountains, which form the southern boundary of these provinces, also contribute to increase the cold ; and the sea of Baikal is commonly entirely frozen from December till May. The finest climate in these east- ern parts is that of Daouria, or the province around Nershinsk j and the numerous towns on the Amur evince the great superioi'i- ty of what is called Chinese Tartary, which is comparatively a fertile and temperate region. The change of the seasons is very- rapid ; the long winter is almost instantaneouly succeeded by a warm spring, and the quickness and luxuriance of the vegetation exceed description. Face of the Country.] In a genei'al view of Asiatic Russia, the northei-n and eastern parts present vast marshy plains, covered with almost perpetual snow, and pervaded by enormous rivers, Avhichj under masses of ice, pursue their dreary way to the Arctic ocean. Even the central parts of Siberia seem destitute of trees, vegetation being checked by the severe cold of so wide a conti- nent. Towards the south there are vast forests. The sublime scenes around the sea of Baikal are agreeably contrasted with the marks of human industry, the cultivated field and the garden.* Even in the south the rivers have already acquired the size of the Danube and the Rhine, and they are navir^able with safety for a great extent. The vast plains, called steppes., constitute a fea- ture almost peculiar to Asia ; but the mountains do not correspond in dignity, rather resembling the Apennines, than the Andes, the Alps, or even the Pyrenees. Soil and ylgriculture.] Many pa.rts of Siberia are totally inca- pable of agriculture ; but in the southern and western districts the soil is of remarkable fertility. Toward the north of Kolyvan * See TjcU's animated description of this region. VOL. ir. .59 466 RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. barley generally yields more than twelve fold, and oats commonly twenty fold. Buck Avheat, in this black light mould, is apt to run into stalk, but sown in the poorest spots yields from twelve to fif- teen fold. Exclusive of winter wheat, most of the usual European grains prosper in southern Siberia. The culture of the olive tree has been attempted near Astracan, and the heat of the sum- mer was sufficient, but the winter cold too severe. The best rhu- barb abounds on the banks of the Ural, or Jaik, in the southern districts watered by the Yenesei, and in the mountains ofDaouria. But in no part of the Russian empire has agriculture made much progress, nor indeed is it possible, while the peasantry are slaves, and sold with the soil. BiveTs.~\ Some of the largest rivers of Asia belong to the Rus- sian empire, nearly equalling in the length of their course any oth- ers on the globe. Of these the principal are the Oby, the Yenesei, the Lena, the Amur, and the Wolga, which have been already de- scribed.* The Selinga is a noble river, farther to the south, which flows into the sea of Baikal, after receiving the Orchon and other rivers, among which is the Tula, or Tola, the last stream that occurs till the wide desart be passed, which here divides the Russian empire from China Proper. The territory adjacent to the Selinga and the Onon is the most interesting in Siberia, abounding with new, and properly Asiatic botany, and zoology. The Yaik is a considerable stream which flows into the Caspi- an : the name was recently changed for that of Ural, on account of a daring insurrection of the tribes bordering on the Yaik.f The Terek also joins the Caspian on the west, and its chief conse- quence is derived from the fertility of its shores. The Kuban, or Cuban, the ancient Hypanis, runs in an opposite direction into the Euxine. The lower shores are plain, and destitute of wood ; near the sources are large forests. Towards the other extremity of Asiatic Russia is the Anadir, which pervades the country of the Fechuks. The long course of the Amur belongs to the Chinese dominions. The Argoon may be properly considered as the original Amur, while the Onon, called also the Schilka, which is regarded as another source of that great river, may be considered as entirely Russian. The course of the Onon is about 500 miles ; and it receives numerous streams from mountains on the N. and S. Lakes.] In the north of Siberia, the most considerable lake is that of Piazinsko. In die south the sea of Baikal is fresh, but the extent far exceeding that of any other lake ; it has been described, with the Caspian, among the inland seas of Asia-t Between the river Ob and the Irtish is a large lake, about half the length of the Baikal, or 170 miles in length, divided by an island into two parts, called the lakes of Tchany and Soumi. In this quarter there are * See p. 17, Sec. •j- TIlis liver alone rises on the E. of the Ural mountains, and afterwards pierces the granitic chain, and passes W. Dec, Russ. iv. 3U'J. + P. 16. RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. 467 many smaller lakes, and others north of the Caspian, some of which are salt, particularly that of Bogdo, near the small moun- tain of this name. The Altan Nor, or golden lake, sometimes corruptly called El- ton, is a large saline lake, on the E. of Zaritzin. The lake of Al- tin, already mentioned in the account of the river Ob,* is called by the Russians Telctzko, and is considerably elevated on the north glde of the Altaian mountains ; but from the best maps is not above 40 miles in length, and 20 in breadth. Mountains.'] The Uralian and Altaian mountains have been al- ready described.! The mountains of Nershinsk, or Russian Daouria, send branches towards the Selinga, and the Amur. The chief heights are to- v/ards the sources of the Onon and Ingoda, where there are pre- cipitous summits of granite. A ridge passing S. W. and N. E. to the south of Nershinsk, between the rivers Onon and Argoon, (the last of which is the real Amur, or Amooi"), is the most fertile in minerals of all Asiatic Russia. Among the products may be named granite, porphyry, jasper, calcedony, carnelian, onyx, large smoky topazes, beryl, or aqua-marine, the real topaz, a,nd the ja- cint. In this opulent district are also salt lakes, and warm springs, with vitriolic pyrites, ores of alum, native sulphur, and coals. The metals are zinc, iron, copper, and many mines of lead ore, con- taining silver and gold. The zoology and botany are alike curi- ous and interesting. I The chain of Stanovi, otherwise called the mountains of Ochotsk, is only a continuation of the mountains of Daouria. This part has been little explored ; but produces nearly the same substances as the former. A great singularity of this ridge is, that some en- tire branches consist of beautiful red and green jasper. That branch which pervades Kamchatka is little known, being covered with perpetual ice and suow. It abounds with volcanoes. This grand chain contains almost the whole mountains of Sibe- ria, the remainder of the land on the W. of the Yenesei being lev- el ; and to the E. of that river are only several long ranges ex- tending from the S. to the N. But in th* S. W. part of Asiatic Russia some ranges deserve attention, as the lower part of the Uralian chain, which bends to the W. above Orenburg. The classical range of Caucasus forms a partial limit between the Russian empire and those of Turkey and Persia. Between the Euxine and the Caspian, the Caucasian chain extends for about 400 miles ; and where the chief heights are distinctly mark- ed, about 5 miles in breadth, but in many places 20 or 30. The summits are covered with perpetual ice and snow ; and consist of granite, succeeded by slate and lime-stone. In ancient times they produced gold ; and there are still vestiges of silver, lead, and * P. 18. f P. 22, 23. * The mountain Adonshollo, celebrated lor minerals, is in the southern extremity of Russian Daouiia, Dec. Ru.ss. v. 502. 468 RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. copper ; and it is supposed of lapis lazuli. The vaies abound with excellent forest trees.* Forests.'] Asiatic Russia is abundant in forests. On the west of the government of Irkutsk, an enormous dark and marshy for- est of resinous trees extends to the river Kan. f The northern and eastern parts of Siberia are bare of wood ; the Norway fir not be- ing found farther north than lat. 60, while the silver fir does not exceed lat. 58. In Europe, on the contraiy, the Norway fir forms extensive forests in Lapmark, within the arctic circle. | Stefifis.'] After the forests, may be considei'ed the extensive level plains, or Step/is, an appearance of nature almost peculiar to Asia, and some parts of European Russia : but somewhat sim- ilar to the sandy deserts of Africa. The stepps are not so barren of vegetation, being mostly only sandy, with scattered patches of thin grass, and at wide intervals a stunted thicket. Between the mouths of the Don and Volga is a stepp, which resembles the bed of a sea ; with spots of salt, and saline lakes, being entirely desti- tute of fresh water and wood.§ On the eastern side of the Volga begins an extensive stepp, formerly called that of the Kalmuks, from tribes who used to roam there, till they withdrew from the Russian dominions in 1771. To the S. it is bounded by the Caspian Sea, and the lake Aral ; while to the N. it may be regarded as connected with the stepp of Issim ; and on the east may be considered as extending to the river Sarusa ; the gi-eater part not belonging to the Rus- sian dominions, but being abandoned to the wandering Kirguses. This vast desert extends about 700 British miles from E. to W. and including Issim, nearly as far from N. to S. but on the N. of the Casi>ian the breadth does not exceed 220. A ridge of sandy hills stretches from near the termination of the Uralian chain to- wards the Caspian ; the rest is a prodigious sandy level, with sea shells, and salt pools. This stepp of Barabin, N. W. of Omsk, is about 400 miles in length, and 300 in breadth, containing a few salt lakes, but in general of a good black soil, interspersed with forests of birch.H That of Issim aspires but rarely to the same quality : and in both are found many tombs, inclosing the remains of pastoral chiefs, Tartar or Mongul, The vast space between the Ob and the Yenesei, from the noi th of I'omsk to the Arctic ocean, is regarded as one stepp, being a prodigious level with no appearance of a mountain, and scarcely of a hill. The same term is applied to the wider space between the Yenesei and the Lena, between the Arctic ocean on the north, and a river Tunguska, lat. 65 ; and to the parts beyond the Lena as far as the river Kolyma, or Covima.** * Seethe last Travels of Pullas, 179o-4. London, ISOl, '2 \ols. 4to. t Dec. Russ. vi. 183. - ■ Pennant, A. Z. p. clsxx, § Tooke'sView, i. 178. •fl I'he poverty of descriptive language is frequently to be regi-etted. A Rnssiii. 3le()p sometimes resembles a tlcsert, at other times a savanna, vavir.g vith luxuri'jfi; grass. *■■ .See r. C5. . RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. 469 Botany.'] When we consider the- great extent of the Asiatic provinces of the Russian empire, the scantiness of their popula- tion, and the few years that have as yet elapsed since the first at- tempt to examine their natural productions, we shall feel rather surprised at what has been done, than disappointed because no greater progress has been made in arranging and describing their indigenous vegetables. The labors of Steller, and Gmelin, and lastly of Pallas, under the munificent patronage of the Em- press Catharine, have disclosed to the view of science the wilds of Siberia and the deserts of Tartary ; and though many exten- sive tracts continue wholly unexplored, yet from the ample speci- men that has been surveyed, we may form a very probable con- jecture concerning the botany of the remainder. Russia in Asia^ with regard to its flora, is divided by nature in- to two unequal portions : The smaller of these is bounded west by the Don, and Wolga, east by the Uralian mountains, and south by the Caspian sea, and the Turkish and Persian frontiers. The climate of this district is delicious, and the soil fertile ; it slopes towards the south, and is protected from the northern blasts by lofty mountains ; in its botany it resembles the province of Tau- rida : the cedar, the cypress, the savine, red juniper, beech, and oak clothe the sides of the mountains ; the almond, the peachy and the fig, abound in the warm recesses of the rocks ; the quince, the apricot, the willow-leaved pear, and the vine, are of frequent occurrence in tlie thickets, and on the edges of the forests. The bogs are adorned by those exquisitely beautiful plants, the rho- dodendron ponticum, and azalea pontica ; the olive, the stately wide-spreading eastern plane tree, the laurel, the bay and laurus- tinus, grow in abundance on the shores of the sea of Azof, and the Caspian ; and the romantic vales of the Caucasus are perfumed, and enlivened with the syringa, the jasmine, the lilac, and the Caucasian rose. From so flattering a specimen it is not to be doubted that future naturalists will gather an abundant harvest of useful and beautiful vegetables in these districts, which have hith- erto been very imperfectly noticed. By far the larger part of the Russian dominions in Asia is the wide expanse of Siberia, sloping towards the north, and shut up on the south by the snowy summitsof the Altaian, and other moun- tains. As the winters are of great length and severity throughout the whole of this tract, none but the hardiest vegetables are found to inhabit it. The oak and the hazle, which endure the rigors of a German winter without shrinking, cannot exist in a Siberian cli- mate ; dwarfish specimens indeed of each, may be traced at the foot of the Altaian mountains, quite across Asia, as far as the banks of the river Amur, in Daouria, where, being screened from the northern blasts, they resume their natural size ; but all that at- tempt to penetrate northward, become more diminutive as they advance, and soon entirely disappear. Even the common heath, and bog myrtle, which cover the lower parts of Lapland, venture but a very little way eastward of the Uralian mountains. We are not however hence to conclude that the mighty rivers of Siberia 470 RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. pour their everlasting streams through a barren waste of perpet- ual snow ; on the contrary they are bordered with inexhaustible forests of birch, of alder, of lime, of Tartarian maple, of black and white poplar, and aspen, besides millions of noble trees of the pine species, such as the fir, the Scotch pine, the larch, the stone pine, and yew-leaved fir. Nor during their short summer are they destitute of many beautiful plants, that lie concealed under the snow during the greater part of the year. The Siberian plum, and crab, the mountain ash, Tartarian lioney-suckle, Tartarian mulberry, and the Daourian rose, form thickets of exqusite beauty, under shelter of which arise the white flowered peony, the yellow saranne lily, whose roots are a favor- ite food with the Tartarian tribes, and a multitude of others, a bare list of whose names would be neither amusing nor instruc- tive. There are two other plants, the heraclcum panaces, and iibiricum, from the dried stalks of which the natives procure a saccharine efflorescence, whence is made, by fermentation and distillation, a coarse, ardent, intoxicating spirit. Zoologij.^ In the greater part of Asiatic Russia the rein-deer, Avhich extends to the farther east, performs the office of the horse, the cow, and the sheep ; if we except Xamchatka, where dogs are used for carriage. But the south may perhaps be considered as the native country of that noble animal, the horse, being there found wild, as well as a species of the ass.* The terrible urus, or bison, is yet found in the Caucasian mountains ; and the argali, or wild sheep, is hunted in Siberia. The ibex, or i-ock goat, is frequent on the Caucasian precipices ; and large stags are found in the mountains near the Baikal, with the musk animal ; the wild boar, wolves, foxes, and bears, of various names and descriptions, are also found. That kind of weazel, called the sable, affords a valuable traffic by its furs. Some kinds of hares appear, little known in other regions ; and the castor, or beaver, is an inmate of the Yenesei. The walrus, or large kind of seal, once termed the sea horse, is no stranger to the Arctic shores ; and the com- mon seal extends to Kamchatka, while the manati, perhaps the mermaid of fable, inhabits the straits of Beering, and the isles be- tween the continents. The horses of the Monguls are of singular Ijeauty, some being ribbed like the tiger, and others spotted like the leopard. The nostrils of the foals are commonly slitted, that they may inhale more air in the course. The three great Nomadic nations of the centre of Asia, the Tartars, Monguls, and Mandshurs, have no a- version to horse flesh, which is in their opinion superior to beef j but it is never eaten raw, as fabled, though they sometimes dry it in the sun and air, when it will keep for a long time, and is eaten without farther preparation. The adon, or stud of a noble Mon- gul, contains sometimes between three and four thousand horses and mares. The cattle are of a middling size, and pass the win- ter in the stepps, or deserts. As these nations use the milk of * Pennant, A. Z. i. 3. Sec also Dec. Russ. vi, 309-. RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. 471 mares, so they employ the cow for draught, a string being passed through a hole- made in their nostril. Mr Bell met a beautiful Tartar girl astride on a cow, attended by two male servants. The best sables are found near Yakutsk and Nershinsk ; but those of Kamchatka are the most numerous, and several stratagems are employed to catch or kill the animal, without any injury to the skin, which is sometimes worth ten pounds on the spot. The black foxes are also highly esteemed,one skin being sometimes sufficient to pay the tribute of a village.* The rock or ice fox, generally of a white colour, sometimes blueish, is found in great numbers in the eastern Archipelago ; this animal rivals the ape in sly tricks and mischief. The bear is destroyed by many ingenious methods. The Koriakas contrive a loop and bait hanging from a tree, by which he is suspended. In the southern mountains his usual path is watched, a rope is laid in it with a heavy block at one end, and a noose at the other. When thus entangled by the neck, he is either exhausted by dragging so great a weight, or at- tacking the block with fury he throws it down some precipice, where it seldom fails to drag him to destruction. On the Euro- pean side of the Uralian chain, where the peasants form bee hives in tall trees, the bear is destroyed in his attempt to seize the hon- ey, by a trap of boards suspended from a strong branch, and slight- ly attached to the entrance of the hive : the animal finding this platform convenient for his purpose undoes the slight fastening to get^at his luscious repast, but is instantly conveyed to a great dis- tance, and I'emains suspended from the branch, till he be discover- ed and shot by the contrivers. Mineralogy.'] The mineralogy of Siberia is equally fertile, and displays many singular and interesting objects. Peter the Great, who directed his attention to every object of utility, was the first who ordered these remote mines to be explored, which have since supplied great resources of national wealth and industry. The chief gold mines of Siberia are those of Catherinburg, on the east of the Uralian mountains, about lat. 57, where an offi.ce for the management of the mines was instituted in 1719. The mines of various sorts extend a considerable distance on the N. and S. of Cathei'inburg ; and the foundries, chiefly for copper and iron, are computed at 105. But the gold mines of Beresof, in this vicinity, were of little consequence, till the reign of Elizabeth. The mines of Nershinsk, discovered in 1704, are principally of lead mixed with silver and gold ; and those of Kolyvan, chiefly in the Schlangenberg, or mountain of serpents, so called by the German miners, began to be worked for the crown in 1748. The gold is sometimes found native, but generally mingled with various substances, particularly silver. Besides the copper mines in the Uralian mountains, there are also somie in those of Altai. The most singular ore is the den- dritic, sbmewhat resembling fern, of a pale color, and perhaps containing silver. Malachite, or stalactitic copper, is found in * Tooke's View, iii. ^X 472 RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN ASIA. the greatest perfection in a mine about 30 miles S. of Catherin- burg ; what is called the Armenian stone is a blue malachite.* The red lead of Siberia is found in the mines of Beresof, on a mi- caceous sand stone. This substance, it is well known, has disclos- ed a new metal called chrome. But the iron, mines of Russia arc of the most solid and lasting importance, particularly those which supply the numerous foun- dries of the Uralian mountains.! Yet Russia still imports quick- silver and zinc ; and the semi metals arc rare. Rock salt is chiefly found near the Ilek, not far from Orenburg. Coal is scarcely known ; but sulphur, alum, sal-amoniac, vitriol, nitre, and natron, are found in abundance. Nor must the gems of Siberia be omitted, of which there is a great variety, particularly in the mountain Adunshollo, near the river Argoon, in the province of Nershinsk, or Daouria. Com- mon topazes are found in Adunshollo, in quadrangular prisms, as is also the jacint. The beryl, or aqua-marine, is found in Adun- shollo, but in greater perfection in what are called the gem mines of Moursintsky, near Catherinburg, along with the chrysolite. Red garnets abound near the sea of Baikal ; and a yellowish white kind was discovered by Laxman. The green felspar of Siberia is a beautiful stone, by the Russians carved into various ornaments. The Daourian mountains between the Onon and the Argoon also produce elegant onyx. The beautiful stones called the hair of Venus and Thetis,^e- ing limpid rock crystals, containing capillary schorl, red or green, are found near Catherinburg. The beautiful red and green jaspers of Siberia are froni the most distant mountains, as already mentioned, and lapis lazuli is found near the Baikal. The Ui'alian chain also presents fine white marble ; and in the numerous primitive ranges there arc- many varieties of granite and porphyry. 'Mineral Waters.'^ Mineral waters do not abound in Asiatic Russia. There is a fetid sulphureous spring near Sarepta, on the frontier of Europe and Asia, and several others in Siberia. The baths on the Terek, towards the Caucasus, are of a middle temperature ; and there are others in the province of Nershinsk ; among the Kalmuks, south of the Altai, in the country sometimes styled Soongaria, and in the neighborhood of the sea of Baikal. Springs impregnated with naphtha and petroleum, are found near the Caspian and the Baikal. But the chief mineral waters are those in Kamchatka, as de- scribed by Lesseps. The hot baths of Natchikin, not far from a volcano in the south of that peninsula, seem not to have been traced to their source, but they fall in a rapid cascade about 300 feet above the baths, benevolently erected by Mr. Kaslofl", for the ben- efit of the Kamchadals, the stream being about a foot and a half deep, and six or seven feet wide. The water is extremely hot, * Guthrie, Table of Gems. Bee XV. p. 212. t Ne:ir mount Kmor, or Neniir, not far tVoui tlie river Yenisei, in the south of Siberia, Dr. I'ailas discovered a large mass of native iron.. CHINESE EMPIRE. 473 and of a very penetrating nature. On the west side of the gulf of Penjina, is a hot spring, which falls into the Tavatona, being of a great size, and emitting clouds of smoke. ISLANDS BELONGING TO ASIATIC RUSSIA. These have been already described in part.* The Kurilian isles extend from the southern promontory of Kamchatka towards the land of Jesso and Japan, being supposed to be about 20 irj num- ber, of which the largest are Poro Muschir, and Mokanturu. Sev- eral of these isles are volcanic ; and some contain forests of birch, alder, and pine. Most of them swarm with foxes of various col- ors. Even after the discoveries of La Perouse, it is difficult to distinguish what particulai- isles in the south of this chain are im- plied by the Russian appellations, and it would even appear that the Russian navigators had, with their usual confusion, described the same islands under different names. The inhabitants of the Kurilian isles seem to be of similar origin with the Kamchadals ; and in the interior of some is a people called hairy Kurilians, from what circumstance is not explained. THE CHINESE EMPIRE. THE Chinese empire, embracing the extensive conquests, of the western countries, made the last century, may now be con- sidered as extending from those parts of the Pacific ocean called the Chinese and Japanic seas, ta the rivers Sarasou and Sihon in the west, a space of 81°, which, taking the medial latitude of 30, will amount to nearly 4900 miles. From N. to S. this vast em- pire may be computed from the Uralian mountains, lat. jiO, to the southern part of China, about lat. 21, being 29 of latitude, nearly 2030 miles. This empire, therefore, consists of three principal divisions ; that of China Proper ; Chinese Tartary, or the territory of the Mandshurs, Monguls, and Cashgar, on the north and west ; and lastly. Tributary Dominions, embracing, among other countries, the singular and interesting region of Tibet, or Tibbet. These, countries, which are arranged in the following table, from Hassel, are not only so wide and important, but are so radically different in the form of government, in the manners, and other circymstan- ees, that it will be proper to describe each apart. * See p. 141, Tol. I. vo.L. II. eo 474 CHINESE EMPIH^ o •^ in a> -- *o CO i^ IT) r-" 00 O -^ CO — c< « CO oooacN vo •MiocO'-'CO — CM — * /^u^.x^ •-50 o o o o o o o o o o o o o q>^. o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o CO 00 «N o> p-^ xn CO CO CO (M <— ' oooooooooooo oooooooooo o o o"crcrcrood"crcroocr oooooooooooo o^q^o,o^o^q^q,q^q^o^o,o^ •<*co>nT^l^ootN'hr— •SB o o o o o, q^ o o o o in o 00 o CO in o a> -* O ■ G<» (N O C« CM o> o^ -"i;^ V5 »r> — V5 — •* — -< O CO 00 »n t^ — cT o 00 CO CO » <0 «£) -"t (M ;^ b^ OJ^ O^ ■* cT <0~ QO" cT CO* ^s iO O 00 o •* o o o o o o o o O O O lO o O CO O vo b- CO -T bT oT co" ■* CO 00 c* a> v) V} c< O O O O O 00 q_o^>x3^ o> c?» »n CO CO t^ o o o o o o o o o o CO O O O ■* oo" O^ bT 00 00 CN O O ■* 00 CJ — — '- s o o a o < 5 c 3 cr" I o O /^A«»^ -a 9 •-H 60 A CI G " 3 s D — W 55 O s c I f ^ o e ■ — < jj C V c o -r- Qi n -^ \n !iJ!l3ffi(y3c/Dc/2^c/5tJO' «Ob.ooo>o-"e»co-*vo i4 W CHINESE EMPIRE. 475 C4 oj tt _< o/) - .5 S *C^ S5 §2 S o o o o o o ^"^"^ cT ^ bT o> ^ o> o o o o o o o o cT 'o' «r o CO b, 00 >^ C-l t^ CO O O o o o q »fj CN CN ■* -a i C C 1/3 P. i^ 1 3 60^ u u bli S i= o ® "* « 3 Ort H Ifl -^ O . . cJ i J S, ti 2 1" f- .3 .s ^ 1^ (C O _, O ^^ IS <^ C "^ «j^ s -< anting, that could be formed by art or perseverance, for the safety of the passengers, in case a canal is crossed by a rapid river, or exposed to torrents from the mountains. These canals, and the variety that is seen upon the borders, render China the most delightful to the eye of any country in the world, as well as fertile, in places that are not so by nature. Manufactures and Commerce.'\ The manufactures of China are so multifarious as to embrace almust every article of industry. The most notc;d inanufacture is that of porcelain, and is fohov/ed in trade by those of silk, cotton. Sec. They make paper of the bark of bamboo, and other trees, as well as of cotton, but not comparable for records, or printing, to the European. Their ink, for the use of drawing, is well known in England, and is said to be made of oil and lampblack. Their priming is done by cutting * Sir G. Staunton, iii, 204. vol.. II. 62 490 CHINA PROPER. their characters on blocks of Avood. The porcelain of China has been celebrated from remote ages, and is chiefly prepared from a pure white clay called kaolin ; while the petunsi is un- derstood to be a decayed felspar. Some writers add soap rock, and gypsum.* The internal commerce of China is immense, but the external trade is comparatively small, considering the vastness of the em- pire ; a scanty intercourse exists with Russia and Japan : but the chief export is that of tea, which is sent to England and America, between one and two millions yearly. The principal port for foreign trade is Canton, which see. CHAPTER n. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATK AND SEASONS, TACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGKI- CULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOO- XOGY, MINERALOGY, MINERAL WATERS, NATURAL CURIOSITIES. Climate and Seasons.'] THE European and American intercourse with China being chiefly confined to the southern part of the empire, the climate is generally considered as hot, whereas the northern part of this extensive country is liable to all the rigors of the European or North American winter.t At Pekin such is the efl'ect of the great range of Tartarian, or rather Manshurian mountains covered with perpetual snow, that the average degree of the thermometer is under 20° in the night dur- ing the winter months ; and even in the day it is considerably be- low the freezing point. In so wide an empire, such a diversity of climate and seasons must occur that no general description can suffice. Face of (he Coimtr-i/,] The face of tho country is greatly diver- &ifled ; and though in a general view it be flat and fertile, and in- tersected with numerous large rivers and canals, yet there are chains of granitic mountains and other districts of a wild and savage nature. Cultivation has however considerably reduced the number and extent of such features, whence the natives seek to diversify the sameness of improvement, by introducing them in miniature jnto their gardens. In general the appearance of the country is render^ed singularly picturesque by the peculiar style of the buildings, and uncommon form of the trees and plants. The soil is various, and agriculture by the account of all travel- lers is carried to the utmost degree of perfection. The emperor flimself sets an annual example of the veneration due to agricul- ture, the first and most important province of human industrj-. * Sir G. Staunton, iii. 500. t ^^- '"• ^^'^- CHINA PROPER. 491 Sir George Staunton thus expresses his ideas of Chinese agricul- ture :* " Where the face of the hill or mountain is not nearly perpen- dicular to the level surface of the earth, the slope is converted into a number of terraces, one above another, each of which is supported by mounds of stone. By this management it is not un- common to see the whole face of a mountain completely culti- vated to the summit. The stages are not confined to the culture of any particular vegetable. Pulse, grain, yams, sweet potatoes, onions, carrots, turnips, and a variety of other culinary plants are produced upon them. A reservoir is sunk in the top of the mountain. The rain-water collected in it is conveyed by channels successively to the different terraces, placed upon the mountains' sides. In spots too rugged, barren, steep, or high for raising- other plants, the camellia sesanqua, and divers firs, particularly the larch, are cultivated with success, " The collection of manure is an object of so much attention with the Chinese, that a prodigious number of old men and ivomen, as well as of children, incapable of much other labour, are constantly employed about the streets, public roads, banks of canals, and rivers, with baskets tied before them, and ^holding in their hands small Avooden rakes to pick up the dung of animals and offals of any kind that may answer the purpose of manure ; but above all others, except the dung of fowls, the Chinese far- mers prefer night soil. This manure is mixed sparingly with a portion of stiff loamy earth, and formed into cakes dried afterwards in the sun. In this state it sometimes becomes an object of com- merce, and is sold to farmers, who never employ it in a compact state. Their first care is t<) construct large cisterns for contain- ing, besides those cakes and dung of every kind, all sorts of vege- table matter, as leaves or roots or stems of plants, mud from the canals and offals of animals, even to the shavings collected by ths barbers. With all these they mix as much animal water as can be collected, or of common water as will dilute the whole ; and in this state generally in the act of putrid fermentation, they apply it to the ;)lowed or broken earth. " The quantity of jnanure thus collected must however be still inadequate to that of the cultured ground, which bears so vast a proportion to the whole surface of the country. It is reserved therefore in the first instance, for the purpose of procuring a quick succession of culinary vegetables, and for forcing the pro- duction of flowers and fruit. Among the vegetables raised most generally, and in the greatest quantities, is a kind of cabbage, called by the Chinese pe-tsai, or white herb, which is of a delicate taste, somewhat resembling cos-lettuce, and is much I'elished in China by foreigners as well as natives. This vegetable and rice, together with a. relish of garlic or of onions, in room of animal food, and followed by a little infusion of coarse tea, serve oSten as a meal for a Chinese peasant or i^'.cchanic. The Chinese hus- bandman always steeps the seeds he intends to sow in liquid ma= • Staunton, iii. 306. » 492 CHINA PROPER. nurc, nnlil they swell and gcrniination begins to appeav: which experience, he says, has taught him to have the effect of hastening the growth of plants, as well as of defending them against the in- sects hidden in the ground in which the seeds were sown. " The great object of Chinese agriculture, the production of grain, is generally obtained with little manure, and without letting the land lie fallow. Irrigation is practised to a very great extent. The husbandry is singularly neat, and not a weed is to be seen." Rivers.^ In describing the rivers of this great empire two are well known to deserve particular attention, namely, the Hoan-ho and the Kian-ku. These have been described.* At about 70 Tailes from the sea, where this river is crossed by the imperial canal, the breadth is little more than a mile, and the 'depth only about nine or ten feet ; but the velocity equals seven or eight miles in the hour.f To these grand rivers many important streams are tributary, but it would be infinite to enumerate the various waters which envich and ado'-n this wide empire. The Yamour and Argun form the boundary between Russian and Chinese Tartary. The Kiam and the Tay are also considerable rivers. Common water in China is very indifferent, and is in some places boiled to make it fit for use. Lakes.^ China is not destitute of noble and extensive lakes. Du Halde informs us that the lake of Tong-tint-how, in the pro- vince of Hou-quang, is more than 80 leagues in circumference. That of Poyang-hou, in the province of Kiang-Si, is about 30 leagues in circumference, and is formed by the confluence of four rivers as large -as the Loire. There is also a considerable lake /not far to the south of Nankin, called Tai-how. Some of these are described in the late embassy. Upon a lake near the imperial canal were observed thousands of small boats and rafts, construct- ed for a singular species of fishery. " On each boat or raft are ten or a dozen birds, which, at a signal from the owner, plunge into the water ; and it is astonishing to see the enormous size of iish with which they return grasped within their bills. They ap- pear to be so well trained that it did not require either ring or cord about their throats, to prevent them from swallowing any portion of their prey, except what the master was pleased to re- turn to them for encouragement and food. The boat used by these fishermen is of a remarkably light make, and is often car- ried to the lake, together with the fishing birds, by the men who arethere to be supported by it." Mountains.'] Concerning the extensive ranges of Chinese mountains, no general and accurate information has yet been given. Du Halde's ample description of the Chinese empire only informs us that some abound with mines of silver, others produce marble and crystal, while some supply medicinal herbs. From the sanse author we learn that the provinces of Yunnan, Koeit- cheou, Setchuen, and Fokien, are so mountainous as greatly to ijnpede their cultivation ; and that of Tchekiang has dreadful * Page 17. t Staunton, iii. 23 k CHINA PROPER. 493 ■mountains on the west. In the province of Kiangnan there is a district full of high mountains, which also abound in the provinces of Chensi and of Shansi. This imperfect information is little enlarged by the account published of the late embassy; and perhaps Mr. Arrowsmith's recent map of Asia contains as authen- tic information as can be procured concerning the course and ex- tent of the Chinese mountains. It hence appears that a consider- able branch extends from those in central Asia, running south to the river Hoan-ho. Two grand ranges, running E. and W. inter- sect the centre of the empire, seemingly continuations of the enormous chains of Tibet. In the southern part of China the principal ridges appear to run from N- to S. jFo7-ests.^ Such is the cultivation diffused throughout China, that few forests remain except in the mountainous districts. Near the royal palaces there are indeed forests of great extent, but they rather bear the appearance of art than of nature. Botany.'] The number of Europeans who have been allowed to visit the interior of China is so small, and those to whom this privilege has been granted having objects of more urgency to at- tend to than the indigenous plants of this vast empire, we are as yet only in possession of some scattered fragments of the Chinese flora. The neighbouiiiood of Canton has been surveyed by Os- beck, and a meagre list of plants is to be found in Staunton's ac- count of the English embassy there. These are almost the only authentic sources that have been hitherto opened, and are calcu- lated rather to excite ihan to satisfy the botanical inquirer. Among the trees and larger shrubs we find particularized the thuya orientalis, an elegant evergreen ; the camphor tree, whose \vood makes an excellent and durable timber, and from the roots of which that fragrant substance camphor is procured by distilla.- tion ; the oleander-leaved euphorbia, a large shrub used as a ma- terial for hedges ; the tallow tree, from the fruit of which a green wax is procured that is manufactured into candles ; the spreading banyan tree, growing among loose rocks ; the weeping willow ; Spanish chesnut, and the larch. Of the fruit trees the following are the principal : China orange ; the plantain tree ; the tama- rind; the Avhiu; and paper mulberry tree ; the former of these is principally cultivated for the use of its leaves, on which the silk worms are fed ; and of the bark of the latter, paper, and a '.ind of cloth are made. Nor must the two species of the tea tree be left unnoticed, whose leaves constitute so large a proportion of the European trade with China. Several beautiful plants grow wild in the hedges, such as the globe amaranth ; the balsam; and that elegant climber ipomca quamoclit. Zoo/ogi/.~'\ There are few animals peculiar to the Chinese ter- ritory. Du Halde asserts that the lion is a stranger to this coun- try, but there are tigers, buffaloes, wild boars, bears, rhinoceroses, camels, tfeer, &c.* The musk deer is a singular animal of China * Staunton, ii. 184. i. 32. 49 i CHINA PROPER. as well as Tibet- Among the birds many arc icniavkable for their beautiful forms and colours, in which they are rivalled by a variety of moths and butterflies. Mineralogy.'] Among the metals lead and tin seem to be the rarest, China possesses mines of gold, silver, iron, white copper, common copper and mercury, together with lapis lazuli, jasper, rock crystal, load stone, granite, porphyry, and various marbles, According to some, rubies are found in China j but others assert that they come from Ava. In many of the northern provinces coal is found in abundance. The common people generally use it pounded with water, and dried in the form of cakes. Pekin is supplied from high mountains in the vicinity, and the mines seem inexhaustible, though coal is in general use. Mines of silver are abundant, but little worked, from an appre- hension of impeding the progress of agriculture. The gold is chiefly derived from the sands of certain mountains, situated in the western part of the provinces of Sechuen and Yunnan, towards the frontiers of Tibet. That precious metal is seldom used ex- cept by the gilders, the emperor alone having solid vessels of gold. Tutcnag, which is a native mixture of zinc and iron, seems to be a peculiar product of China, and in the province of Houquang there was a mine which yielded many hundred weight in the course of a few days. The copper of Yunnan, and other provinces, supplies the small coin current through the empire ; but there is a singular coppei of a white colour, called by the Chinese petong^ v/hich deserves particular notice. This metal must not be confounded with the tutenag, an error not unfrequent. It is indeed sometimes mingled "wdth tutenag to render it softer. CHINESE ISLANDS. Numerous isles are scattered along the southern and eastern coast of China, the largest being those of Taiwan, also called Foi'mosa, and that of Hainan. Formosa is a recent acquisition of the Chinese in the latter end of the seventeenth century ; the na- tives being by the Chinese' accounts little better than savages. It is divided from north to south by mountains, and the chief Chinese possessions are in the western part. It is attached to the province of Fokien, Fochen, or Tootchien, in the vicinity of which it lies, E. of Canton. It contains, according to Hassel, about 22,000 square miles. Its length is from N. to S. between lat. 22 and 25 N. The southern part of Hainan is mountainous, but the northern more level and productive of rice. In the centre there are mines of gold ; and on the shores are found small blue fishes, which the Chinese esteem more than those, which we call gold and silver fish ; but they only survive for a few days, when confined to a small quantity of water. This island is attached to the province of Qinintjtong, and lies S. W. of Canton, bclwccn lat. 18 and 20 N. CHINESE TARTARY. 495 2J DJFISIOJV. CHINESE TARTARY. UNDER this division of the Chinese Empire, Hassel in- cludes the country of the Mandshurs, Montchoos, or Tunguses, and the province of Leatong, which lie N. of China Proper, bor- dering on the Great Wall ; the country of.the Monguls on the N. W. the province of Sifan on the W. between China Proper and Tibet, and Cashgar, or Little Bucharia, N. W. of Tibet ; cover- ing, together, 2,190,000 square miles, and peopled by 3,000,000 of souls. The inhabitants of each of these divisions, according to Hassel, have their own hereditary princes, who are subject to the Emperor of China. Except the Mahometan Buchares, these peo- ple are chiefly the followers of the Lama. They contribute to the , strength of the empire nothing but troops, who themseh'cs must be kept in subjection, by a military force.* In the further description of this division of the Chinese Em- pire, we shall follow Pinkerton, whose account of it, though im- perfect, and somewhat perplexed, is probably the best that can be> obtained of this unexplored and obscure region. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. NAMES, EXTENT, BOUNDARIES, ORIGINAL POPULATION, PROGRES- SIVE GEOGRAPHY, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, RELIGION, GOVERN- MENT, LAWS, POPULATION, DIVISIONS, ARMY, POLITICAL IM PORTANCE AND RELATIONS, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, CITIES AND TOWNS, MANUFACTURES AND COM- MERCE. A'aiues.'] THE common name of Tartary,t was originally extended over the vast regions lying between Tibet, China, auil the Arctic ocean ; and from the Black Sea, in the west, to the ut- most bounds of north-eastern discovery in Asia. As more precise-, knowledge has arisen, the northern part has acquired the name of Siberia, while the southern, in some maps of recent date, is known by the appellations of Western and Eastern Tartary. Yet: even in this part, which might iiiore properly be styled Central Asia, the Tartars properly so denominated are fev,' ; the most nu- * Hassel. f Pinkerton thinks it moi'c properly Tatarv. We prefer the common spelling, however, finding no sufficient reason to change it. 496 CHINESE TAI^TARW merous tribes being Monguls in the Avest, and Mandshuvs in the east. This extensive region might therefore more properly be called Mongolia, as the greater number of tribes are Monguls ; or the •vt'estern part might be styled Tartary, the middle Mongolia, and the eastern Mandshviria, The two latter are the objects of the present description ; as that of Independent Tartary will be fovmd after the account of Persia, with which it has (as now limited) in all ages been connected. jExte7it.'] This wide and interesting portion of Asia, which has repeatedly sent fortn its swarms to deluge the arts and civiliza- tion of Europe, extends from Ion. 72°, east from Greenwich, to tlie 145°, a space of not less than 73° of longitude, which at the medial latitude of 45, will yield about 3100 geographical miles. The breadth from the northern frontier of Tibet, to the Russian confines, is about 18 degrees, or 1080 geographical miles. The boundary towards Russia has been already described. The east- ern boundary is the sea ; while the southern extends along the great Chinese wall, and the northern limits of Tibet. The west- ern boundary is supplied by the celebrated mountains of Belur Tag, or the Cloudy Mountains, which divide the Chinese empire from Balk, and the Greater Bucharia ; Avhile the range on the west of the lake Palkati separates the Kalmucs, subject to China, from the Kirguses of Independent Tartary. Origmal Fo^iulatio7i.~\ Part of the wests of this coimtry ■vvg.s held by the Scythse of antiquity, a Gothic race, who were subdued or expelled by the Tartars, or Huns, from the east, pressed on the other side by the Monguls. Beyond the latter were the Mandshurs, who, though inferior to the Monguls in ])owcr, yet retained their ancient possessions, and in the 1 7th century con- quered China. At present the chief inhabitants are the Mand- shurs of the eastern provinces ; with the tribes denominated Kal- kas, Eluts, and Kalmucs, who are Monguls. The information concerning central Asia is indeed very lame and defective ; and though the late Russian travellers afford a few hints, yet the jeal- ousy of the Chinese, and other causes, have contributed to pro- long our ignorance concerning this interesting region. Progrtsfiive GeograJihij.~\ Though Ptolemy has laid down with some degree of accuracy the country of the Seres, or Little Bu- charia, the progressive geography of central Asia may be said to commence with the travels of Marco Polo, in the end of the 15th century. This writer is justly regarded as the father of Tartaric geography, and his description of the countries to the north of Ti- bet is not a little interesting. The more recent accounts, among which may be mentioned the travels of Gerbillon, published by Du Haide, and those of Bell, with some hints of Pallas, may be said to embrace but small por- tions of this vast territory.* The imperfect state of knowledge * Tlie notes totlie JJiMoire Gmcalo^ique (L'S Tatars, Levde, 1720, Svo. must not be forgotten amidst the few miilerials. CHINESE TARTARY. ^97 concerning this country may be imagined, when even D'Anville has been obliged to have recourse to Marco Polo. Historical Epochs.'] The chief historical epochs of this part of Asia may perhaps be more certainly traced in the Chinese annals, than in any other documents. The first appearance of the Huns, or Tartars, may be observed in the pages of Roman history. The annals of the Mongols, the most important nation, faintly illumi- nates the pages of Abulgasi, whence it would appear that prior to Zingis there was only one celebrated chan named Oguz, who seems to have flourished about the 130th year of the Christian era. The reigns of Zingis and Timur are sufiiciently known in general history ; but the divisions of their conquests, and the dis- sensions of their successors, have now almost annihilated the pow- er of the Monguls, who, being partly subject to China, and partly to Russia, it is scarcely conceivable that they can again disturb the peace of their neighbors. Antiquit.ics.~\ Few antiquities remain to illustrate the power of the Monguls ; but it is probable that when this region shall be more fully explored by travellers, several tombs, temples, and other remains of antiquity may be discovered. Religio7i.~\ The religion most universally diffused in this part of Asia, is what has been called Shamanism, or the belief in a supreme author of nature, who governs the universe by the agen- cy ofnumerous inferior spirits of great power. The Kalkas were accustomed to acknowledge a living Lama, or great spirit embod- ied ; a form of superstition which will be belter illustrated in the aijcount of Tibet. Government, j The government was formerly monarchical, with a strong mixture of aristocracy, and even of democracy. At present it is conducted by princes who pay homage to ihe Em- peror of China, and receive Chinese titles of honor ; but many of the ancient forms are retained. Though writing be not unknown among the Monguls, yet the laws appear to be chiefly traditional. Pofiulationr\ Of the population of these regions it is difficult to form any precise ideas. As the numerous tribes subject to Russia are found, under splendid appellations, to present but a slender number of individuals, not exceeding two or three millions, it may perhaps be reasonable to infer that amidst the wide deserts and barren mountains of central Asia there do not inhabit above 6,000,000. Hassel estimates them at 3,000,000. Divisions.'] The country of the Mandshurs is by the Chinese divided into three great governments. 1 . That of Chinyang, com- prising Leaodong, surrounded in part by a strong barrier of wood. The chief town is Chinyang, also called Mugden, by the Mand- shurs, still a considerable place, with a mausoleum of Kunchi, I'e- garded as the conqueror of Chma, and the founder of the reigning family.* 2. The government of Kircn-Ouia, which extends far to the N. E. where there are many forests and deserts on both sides of the great river Sagalien. Kirem, the capital, stands on the * La Croix, ii. 22!. VOL. II. 63 Ws CHINESE TARTARY. river Songari, which falls into the Sagalien, or Amoor, and was the residence of the Mandshur general, who acted as viceroy.* 3. The government of Tsitchicar, so called, from a town recently founded on the Noniii Oula, where a Chinese garrison is stationed. The Russians call this province Daouria, from the tribe Tagouri, who possess a great part of this territory. The western boundary is the river Argoon, the frontier between Russia and China. These provinces having been the seat of the Mandshur monar- chy before the conquest of China, have since that event remained subject to their ancient sovereigns. To the west are vaiious tribes of Monguls, as the Kalkas, those around Koko Nor, or the Blue Lake, who are also called CElets, Eluts, or Kalmucs, the terms only implying particular Mongul branches. The Eluts have been greatly reduced by two destruc- tive wars against the Chinese, in 1720 and 1757 ; and the great chan has disappeared. Their country may be considered under three divisions. 1. That part called Gete even to the time of Ti- naur, which some regard as the country of the ancient Massagetae, towards the lakes of Palkati, Balkash or Tengis, and Zaizan. 2. Little Bucharia, so called to distinguish it from the Greater Bu- charia, which is subject to the Usbeks, a Tartaric nation : but the people of Little Bucharia are an industrious race of a distinct ori- gin, who are little mingled with their Kalmuc or Mongul lords, o. The countries of Turfan, to the north of the lake called Lok Nor, and that of Chamil or Hami, to the east, regions little known, and surrounded with wide deserts. . Upon the whole, it may per- haps be found that the Mandshurs are the most populous race ; and that the Monguls, though diffused through a vast territory, can hardly boast the name of a nation. The Kirguses, or Tartars proper of the west, are confined to a small and uncertain district; and may more properly be considered as belonging to Independ- ent Tartary. To these Hassel adds the Cashgars, whose num- ber he estimates at 300,000, spreading over a territory of 130,000 square miles. ylr7nij.~\ It is probable that this part of the Chinese empire might muster a large, but ineffectual army ; and amidst modern tactics and weapons little need be apprehended from a new del- uge of Mongul barbarians. Besides, their interests are now so various and discordant, that while the empires of Russia and Chi- na exist, they can only be regarded as connected with the policy of these powerful states. Maniiers and Customs.'] The manners and customs of the Mon- guls have been already briefly described in the account of Asiatic Russia. The Mandsh'.u's, who here deserve particular notice, are little distinguishable in their manners from the Monguls. By the ac- count of the Jesuits, they have no temples, nor idols, but worship a supreme being, whom they style emperor of heaven. But prob- ably their real creed is Shamanism, or a kind of rational poly- theism. • Du Halde, ir. 7. CHINESE TARTARS. 499 Language.'] The three languages of the INIandshin-s, Monguls, and Tartars, radically differ from each other ; the former of which appears to be the most learned and perfect of the Tartaric idioms. Literature.'] Of the native literature of the Mandshurs, little is known, except that a code of laws was drawn up by the order of one of the monarchs, prior, it is believed, to the conquest of China. The imported literature, by the translation of Chinese works, must be considerable. Cities and Toivns.] This extensive portion of Asia contains several cities and towns, generally constructed of wood, and of little antiquity or duration. These shall be briefly mentioned, passing from the west towards the east. In Little Bucharia appear the cities of Cashgar, Yarkand, Ko- tun, and Karia. Cashgar was formerly a remarkable town, giv- ing name to a considerable kingdom, the limits of which nearly corresponded with Little Bucharia.* This town, though fallen from its ancient splendor, still retains some commerce. Yarkand stands on a river of the same name, which, after a long easterly course, falls into the lake of Lop. Turfan, the capital of a detached pi'incipality, is a considerable town, which used to be frequented by'the merchants passing from Persia to China. Hami, Chami, or according to others Chaniil, gives name to a small district in the immense desert of Cobi : it is a small, but populous place, about half a league in circumfe- rence, with two beautiful gates. It stands in a fertile plain, v-'a- tered by a river, sheltered by hills on the N. Some towns occur farther to the south, but seemingly are only usual stations for tents, the Monguls preferring the nomadic life. To the east of the great desert, and near the frontiers of China, several Mongul towns appear in the maps. Coucou seems to be the Couchan of Du Halde, a small tovi^n seated on a hill near a river, which falls into the Hoan-ho. The others are yet more in- considerable. The country of the Mandshurs contains many villages and cit- ies, as Ilotun Sagalian Oula, so called from its position on that river, in the country of the Tahouria, modernized Daouria ; like- wise Tsitchikai*, with IMerguen, Petouna, Kirin Oula, and Nin- gouta. On the north and east of the great river Amoor, scarcely the vestige of a village appears. Of those here enumerated, Pe- touna or Pedne was, in the time of Du Ilalde, chiefly inhabited by Mandshur soldiers and exiles, under the command of a lieuten- ant general. Nincouta was also the residence of a Mandshur general, and the seat of a considerable trade, particularly in the celebrated plant called ginseng, which abounds in the neighbor- hood. Sagalian Oulaf Hotun, signifies the city of the black river, and is the chief Mandshur settlement on that i^oble stream. i • HUtoire des Tatars, 388. ■j- 111 the Mandshur langu.^je, Oula signifies a river, as in the Chinese Kiang Da llaide, iv. 530. P/rw implies the same. \\\ tlie iMongnl, JMuren'Ktt. river; AUn a mountain, also Tabahan ; Jiata is a lock. In the Tatar, or Turkish, Ta^ is a mountain, Daria a river. 1 Du lialde, iv. 19. '5f60 CHINESE TARTARY. Trade.'] The principal trade of the Mandshur country consists in ginsent^, and pearls, found in many rivers, which fall into the Amoor. Excellent horses may also be classed among the exports. Cashgar was formerly celebrated for musk and gold. Their towns are rather stations for merchants than seats of commerce. But the emporia of the Russian trade with China must not be for- gotten, being on the Russian side Zuruchaitu, on the river Ar- goon, and Kiachta ; opposite to which, on the Chinese frontier, are correspondent stations erected of wood. CHAPTER n. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FAC£ OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRI- CULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOO- LOGY, MINERALOGY, MINERAL WATERS, NATURAL CURIOSITIES. Climate.'] THOUGH the parallel of central Asia corres- pond with that of France, and part of Spain, yet the height and snows of the mountainous ridges occasion a degree and continu- ance of cold little to be expected from other circumstances. In climate and productions it is, however, far superior to Siberia. Face of the Cou?itry.] The appearance of this extensive re- gion is diversified with all the grand features of nature, extensive chains of mountains, large rivers, and lakes. But the most sin- gular feature is that vast elevated plain, supported like a table, by the mountains of Tibet, in the south, and Altaian chain in the worth, from the mountains of Belur Tag, in the west, to those that bound the Kalkas in the east. This prodigious plain, the most elevated continuous region on the globe, is intersected by some chains of mountains, and by the vast desert of Cobi, or Shamo. Destitute of plants and water, it is dangerous for horses, but is safely passed with camels. This desert extends from about the S0° of E. longitude from Greenwich, to about the 1 10th°, being 30° of longitude, which in the latitude of 40°, may be 1380 geo- graphical miles : but in this wide extent are Oases, or fertile spots, of considerable extent. On the other hand, the main des- ert sends forth several barren branches in various directions. Agricultwe.] Among the southern Mandshurs, and the people of Little Bucharia, agriculture is not wholly neglected, nor is wheat an unknown harvest. The soil of so extensive a portion of the earth may be supposed to be very various ; but the predomi- nating substance is black sand. Rivers.] The most important river is that called by the Rus- sians the Amur, or Amocr, by the Mandshurs, Sagalian Oula. This river has already been described.* The Russian waters of * P. CO. CHINESE TARTARY. oOl Selinga and Irtish pervade a part of central Asia. Tlic river of Yarkand has a considerable course before it enters the lake of Lop. The Hi, Avhich falls into the lake of Balkash, is noted in Tartaric history. Lak-es.l^ Some of the lakes arc of great extent, as those of Balkash or Tengis, and Zaizan, each about 150 miles in length. Next is the Koko Nor, by some called Hoho Nor, or the blue lake, which gives name to a tribe of the Monguls. Aor is the Mongul term for a lake, which by the Mandshurs is styled 0?no. Mountains.'] The vast ranges of mountains which intersect central Asia have never been scientifically described, and few of them have even I'eceived extensive and appropriate appellations. On the west the great chain called Imaus by the ancients, the Belur Tag, or Dark Mountains of the natives, runs from N. to S. In the eastern country of the Mandshurs the i'idges of moun- tains are laid down in the same direction. The chief difficulties attend those in the centre. Those on the Russian frontier have been well described ; but of the northern mountains of Tibet, and the sources of the Ganges, our kriowledge remains imperfect. Still fainter light falls on the ridges which run in an easterly and westerly direction to the north of the great desert. The great rivers of Onon and Argoon, with others that flow in an opposite direction into the Selinga, rise from the high ridge pf Sochondo, the summits of which consist of large rocks heaped on each other in successive terraces. There are two vast cavities, or abysses, with perpendicular sides, and small lakes at the bot- tom, which receive the melting snows, and give source to torrents which precipitate themselves with a terrible noise amidst the dis- jointed rocks. This ridge is clothed with perpetual snow ; and, after dividing the rivers of Russian Daouria from those that flow into the Baikal, passes S. W. and joins an icy chain which runs into Mongolia. Thei'e are some forests near the rivers ; but in general the ex- treme elevation and sandy soil of central Asia renders trees as rare, as in^he deserts of Africa. Botany.'] Of the botany of the whole central part of Asia, in- cluding the vast territories of Chinese Tartary and Tibet, we are as yet in a manner totally ignorant. No European naturalist has ever even passed through, much less explored the vegetable pro- ducts of these extensive regions. From their elevated situation, and their rigorous winters, it is obvious that no tropical plants, nor even those of the more temperate Asiatic countries, are to be expected in their flora. The only indigenous plants that we are as yet certainly acqi'ainted with, except what belong lo Siberia, or India, are, that well-known and singular fern, the polypodium baromctz, called also the Scythian lamb ; panax quinquefolium, giJiseng; the favorite drug of China ; and rheum palmatum, which at least is one of the plants that furnishes the true rhubarb. Zoology.] The zoology of this wide portion of the globe would supply a fruitful theme, in which the camel of the desert might 503 CHINESE TARTARY. ¥ appear with the rock goat of the Alps, and the tiger with the ermine. The wild horse, and the wild ass, and a peculiar species of cattle, which grunt like swine, arc among the most remarkable singularities. The Avild horse is generally of a mouse colour, and small, with long sharp ears. Mineralogy .'] The mineralogy of central Asia has been little explored. Gold is found both in the eastern and western regions, and the former are also said to produce tin. As Russian Daouria exhibits so many valuable substances, it is reasonable to conclude that they equally abound in the Chinese territory, if similar skill and industry were exerted in their discovery. The mineral wa- ters, and uncommon appearances of nature, have been little inves- tigated. ISLAND OF SAGALIAN, OR TCHOKA. TilUthis large island was explored by the unfortunate navigator La Perouse, it was supposed to be only a small isle at the mouth of the Amoor, the southern extremity being placed by D'Anville about 4°, or 240 geographical miles, to the north of Jesso. By the account and maps of La Perouse it is only divided from Jesso by a narrow strait of about 20 miles in breadth, since called the strait of Perouse. The discovery and account of this large island, which extends from the 46th° of latitude to the 54th°, or not less than 480 geographical miles in length, by about 80 of medial breadth, is the most important portion of that navigator's voyage. The natives seem to approach to the Tartaric form ; and the up- per lip is commonly tatooed blue. The dress is a loose robe of skins, or quilted nankeen, with a girdle. Their huts, or cabins, are of timber, thatched with grass, with a fireplace in the centre. In the south are found Japanese articles. A little trade seems also known with the Mandshurs and the Russians. The native name of this large island is Tchoka, that used by the Japanese Oku Jesso, perhaps implying father Jesso ; while the Russians, who only know the northern part, call it the isle of Sagalian, because it is opposite to the large river of that name. The centre is moun- tainous, and well wooded with pine, willow, oak, and birch ; but the shores are level, and singularly adapted to agriculture. The people are highly praised by La Perouse, as a mild and intelligent race ; and he expressly informs us that they are quite unlike the M^nd<^b'M'e. r." f^,li'- cse. TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. 50^ 3d. DU'lSIQjy. TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS. THIS division of the Chinese Empire, according to Hassel, covers 776,000 square miles, and has 31,500,000 inhabitants. It embraces the following kingdoms : Aln!rdo7ns. ' Square miks. Population, Corea 88,000 1,500,000 Tibet or Tangut 370,000 12,000,000 Annan 165,000 10,000,000 Tunquin 154,000 8,000,000 Leoo Keoo Isles. 1. KINGDOM OF COREA. This kingdom is on a large peninsula, N. E. of China, fix)ni which it is separated on the S. W. by the Yellow Sea. The s©a- of Japan on the N. E. which divides it from the Japan Isles ; on the N. lies the country of the Mandshurs. On the N. W. it bor- ders on the province of Leautong. Corea has for many centuries been tributary to China. It has its own king ; its chief city is Kinkatao, of which we know only the name. Its productions are, gold, silver, iron, beautifxil yellow varnish, white paper, ginseng, with small horses about 3 feet high, furs and fossil salt. This country boasts a considerable popula- tion. According to Hassel it amounts to 1,500,000. All com- merce wi^ this little kingdom is prohibited, of course little i'i known of its former or present state. 2. TIBET, OR TANGUT. This extensive kingdom lies W. of China, and N. of Hindoostaii, and borders on both. It covers according to Hassel, 370,000 square miles, and has a population of 12,000,000. It embraces the empire of the Dela Lama, the empire of the Teshoo Lama, the rajahship of Bootan, the rajahship of Nepaul, or Nipal, ami the kingdom of Setchuen. Such are Hassel's divisions ; v, ho ob- serves, that the principal parts of Tibet are governed by priests of the Budhistic order ; Dalai Lama governs at Lassa ; Teshoo Lama, at Tishulamba ; Rajah Daeb, who is a Lama, at Boota)'. Since the year 1792, Nepaul and Segwin have been under the protection of China. As the latest and most full and authentic account of this vast interior and imperfectly explored region of Asia, we give the following from Pinkerton. j04 TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA # TIBET. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. NAMES, EXTKNT, BOUNDAHIES AND PROVINCES, PROGRESSIVE GEOGRAPHY, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, MANNERS, LITERATURE, CITIES AND TOWNS, MANUFACTURES AND COM- MERCE. THE account of tlie interesting country of Tibet must un- fortunately be limited in the topics, as the materials are far from being ample. The recent narrative of Captain Turner's journey shall be selected as the most authentic : but it only embraces a small part, and for the general geography, recourse must be had to more antiquated authorities. Tibet, with its numerous inde- pendencies, may in fact be still arranged among the undiscovered countries in the centi'e of Asia. Mames.'] The name of Tibet., which is probably Hindoo or Persian, is in the country itself, and in Bengal, pronounced Tibbet, or Tibt. But the native appellation is Pue, or Pue Koacliim., said lo be derived from Pz^e, signifying northern, and Koac/ii/n, snow ; that is, the snowy region of the north.* ILxte?it.^ According to the most recent maps, Tibet extends from about the 75th to the 101st degree of longitude, which in the latitude of 30° may be about 1350 geographical miles. The breadth may be regarded as extending from the 27th to the 35th degree of latitude, or about 480 geographical miles. t The origi- nal population has not been accurately examined. Boundaries and Provinces.^ There is every reifton to believe that the northern boundary of this country maybe |?ifdy extended two degrees farther than it appears in our best ma|^, in which there is no portion of Great Tibet to the N. E. of Cashmir. Tibet is divided into three parts, Upper, Middle, and Lower. Upper Tibet chiefly comprises the province of Nagari, full of horrible rocks, and mountains covered with eternal snow. Mid- dle Tibet contains the provinces of Shang, Ou, and Kiang : while the provinces of Lower Tibet arc Takbo, Congbo, and Kahang. Many of these provinces are again subdivided : Nagari for in- stance, is considered as a kingdom of three departments, Sangkar, Pourang, and Tamo. Shang is on the West, boundedby Ncpaul. The province of Ou contains Lassa, the capital of Tibet. Kiang is to the north-ea.stof Ou; and is inhabited by mingled Tibetans and Monguls in tents. Kahang is in the S'. E. bordering on the Birmans, and is divided into twelve departments. * Turner, p. v. ami 30.). t Prot)Mbly to S7 dc^'iecs, wliicli would aild 120 geognqiliical miles: for .Miis Tag J9, according to the HUiS^iiiiis, t!ie uorlhtru bou.udarv ol libct; and ilicy place lii.'i: ranjre in o8 dcsrrees. TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. 50^ To these must be added the wide region of Amdoa, if it be not the same with Kahang, but it seems more probably to embrace the confines towards China, as the natives are remarkably ingeni- ous, and speak the Chinese langu?gc. The country of Hor is situated betwixt Tartary and the provinces of Nagari and Kiang, and seems to be the Hohonor of our maps. Our Bootan is by the natives styled Decpo, or Takbo : all the countries to the west of which, as Moringa, or Morung, Mocampour, Nepaul, Gorca, and Kemaoon, are not considered as parts of Tibet. The confusion of Chinese, Mongul, and Tibetan appellations, has been a great im- pediment in the geography of this extensive country ; the N. E. part of which was, with the Chinese province of Shensi, before the great wall was extended in this quarter, the celebrated Tangut of oriental history and geography. On the western side high mountains, covered with perpetual snow, and with all the terrible avalanches, and other features of the Swiss Alps, have in all ages prevented the Persians and the conquerors of Bucharia from in- vading this country ; while the deserts in the N. E. have proved ineffectual barriers against the Monguls and Eluts. These west- ern mountains have also prevented travellers from penetrating in that quarter, which is little better known at present than in the time of Ptolemy. Progressive Geografihi/.'] The progressive geography of Ti- bet chiefly dates from a recent period ; for there is no room to be- lieve that the snowy mountains of Tibet bad been penetrated hy the ancients. The Portuguese comm.erce with the East Indies may be said to have first disclosed this ample region, of -which, however, our knowledge, even at this day, is lamentably defective. Tibet seems to have been the southern part of the Tangut of Mar- co Polo,* who describes the province of l^ebcthf (which he says contained eight kingdoms, Avith many cities and villages,) as a mountainous country, producing some gold and spices, a large breed of dogs, and excellent falcons. About 1715, the Emperor of China being desirous to obtain a map of Tibet, two Lamas were sent who had studied geometry in a mathematical academy.t These Lamas drew a map from Si- ning, in the province of Shensi, to the sources of the Ganges ; which was afterwards examined by the Jesuits, and improved by them, so far as their materials would admit. This map, publish- ed in the atlas of Du Haide's work, unfortunately continues al- most the sole authority, and is followed, with a few variations, by the most recent geographers. Yet it seems but of doubtful cred- it ; and reasonable suspicions may be entertained from there be- ing no distinct names of small kingdoms, states, or provinces, though from recent accounts, these seem particularly to abound in the country ; and from the great river Gogra being totally un- known and omitted. The geography of Asia cannot be said to be complete till we have new and correct maps of the central parts, particularly of * Cap. xxxvi. edit. 1537. f Du Hulde, ir. 571. vol.. II. 64 506 TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. Tibet, which may be called the heart of Asia, whence the streams flow into the vast southern regions of that extensive country. The sources of the Ganges and Indus, the Sampoo, and all the prodigious and fertile streams of exterior India, and of China, be- long to this interesting region ; and must be exactly traced and delineated before we can have precise and scientific ideas of Asiatic geography. History.'] The Lama of Tibet was probably the Prester John of the middle ages ; and this strange appellation was as strangely transferred by Portuguese ignorance, to the Emperor of Abyssin- ia. Polo informs us that Tibet had been ravaged by the Monguls, so that in his time it was almost desolate. The quiet succession of the lamas would afford few materials for history ; and the petty secular chiefs* of distinct provinces, or kingdoms, may perhaps sometimes be traced in the Chinese or Hindoo annals, but would little interest an European 'eader. As the tombs and mon- asteries are often constructed of stone, some may remain of remote antiquity. But the idols, cut in the rocks, are little calcu- lated to impress travellers with the idea of much perfection in the arts. Religion.~\ The religion of Tibet seems to be the schismatical offspring of that of the Hindoos.! It is reported to have received its earliest admission in that part of Tibet bordering upon India, (which from hence became the seat of the sovereign lamas ;) to have traversed over Mantchieux Tartary, and to have been ulti- mately disseminated over China and Japan. It still bears a very close affinity with the religion of Brahma in many important par- ticulars, but differs materially in its ritual, or ceremonial wor- ship. Tibetians assemble in chapels, and unite together in pro- digious numbers to perfoi'm their religious service, which they chant in alternate recitative and chorus, accompanied by an ex- tensive band of loud and powerful instruments ; so that these congregations forcibly recal to the recollection both the solejimi- ty and sound of the Roman Catholic mass. There are also numerous monasteries, containing crowds of gylangs, or monks, Avith a few amiees, or nuns. Gove7-7i7ne7it.'^ The ruling government is the spiritual, though the lama was accustomed to appoint a tipa., or secular regent, a right which has probably passed to the Chinese emperor. The laws, like the religion, bear some affinity to that of the Hindoos. Fojiulution.] We have already mentioned Hassel's estimate, Pinkerton differs widely from his. From the ease with which their conquest was effected by the Eluts, and other circumstances, * Yet Tibet was foi* some time subject to secular kings, called Tsan Pa ; ami the lama resided at Lassa, with a power situilar to that of the spiritual prince of Japan. Those Monguls, called Eluts, confjuered tlie secular priuce, and transferred the \» hole power to the lama. (Du Halde, iv. 50.) In 1792, the Nipalese having comniilted great ravages in Tibet, the Emperor ot China sent an army to protect the lan)ii; in consequence ot which the Chinese have established military potts on the frontiers, so that the intercourse between their country aud Bengal is now precluded. Turner, 441. f Turner, p. 306. TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. 507 it can scarcely be conceived that a monarch of all Tibet could have brought into the field an army of more than 50,000 ; and al- lowing that (exclusive of the numerous monks) only every tenth person assumed arms, the population would be half a million, a circumstance which will not surprise those who consider that a •few families in central Asia assume the name of a nation. But this number is probably far too small ; and it can only be said that the population seems scanty. Mevenues.'] The revenues of the lama, and of the secular prin- ces, seem to be trifling ; nor can Tibet ever aspire to any political importance. In a commercial point of view, friendship and free in- tercourse with Tibet might open new advantages to the English settlements in Bengal ; and in this design repeated envoys to the lama were sent by Mr. Hastings, a governor attentive to the inter- ests of liis country. Character, £5'c.] Mr. Turner represents the character of the Tibetians as gentle and amiable. The men are generally stout, with something of the Tartaric features, and the women of a rud- dy brown complexion, heightened like the fruits, by the proximity of the sun, while the mountain breezes bestow health and vigor. ' " The ceremonies of marriage are neither tedious nor intricate in Tibet.* Their courtships are carried on with little art, and quickly brought to a conclusion. The priests of Tibet, who shun the society of women, have no share in these ceremonies, or in ratifying the obligation between the parties, which, it seems, is formed indissolubly for life." It is a remarkable characteristic of the country, that polygamy here assumes a different form from that of other oriental regions; the women being indulged in a plurality of husbands, instead of the reverse. It is the privilege of the elder brother to select a wife, who stands in an equal relation to his other brothers, what- ever may be their number.f Such is the respect paid to the lama, that his body is preserved entire in a shrine ; while those of the inferior priests are burnt, and their ashes preserved in little hollow images of metal. But in general the dead bodies are exposed to the beasts and birds of prey, in walled areas ; and an annual festival is held, as in Bengal and China, in honor of the dead. A curious idea of the manners and customs of the Tibetians may be formed from Mr. Turner's account of his interview with the lama, then an infant, not capable of speech ; for, in the spirit of the eastern metempsychosis, they suppose that the soul of the lama passes from his late body into another, which they discover by infallible marks. Upon the whole, the Tibetians appear to have made a consid- erable progress in civilization ; but the sciences continue in a state of imperfection, the year for instance being lunar, and the month consisting of 29 days. Literature.'] The literature is chiefly of the religious kind, the * Turner, p. 352. -J- Du Halde and Turner. 508 TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. books being sometimes printed with blocks of wood, on narrow slips of thin paper, fabricated from the fibrous root of a small shrvib. In this practice they resemble the Chinese; while the Hindoos engrave their works with a steel stylus upon the recent leaves of the palmyra tree, (borassus flal)elliformis,) affording a fibrous substance, which seems indestructible by vcrrhin.* The writ- ing runs from the left to the right, as in the languages of Europe. The gylong's, or monks, pass through a regular education ; and, it is to be supposed, sometimes teach children not destined to religious confinement. Cities and Toiviif^.'^ Of the cities and towns of Tibet little- is known. The capital is Lassa ; and several other names in the southern part assume the character of towns in the maps, though probably mere villages. There being little commerce, there is no middle class of people, but the transition is rapid from the mis- erable hut to the stone palace, or monastery. Lassa, the capital of Tibet, is situated in a spacious plain, being a small city, but the houses are of stone, and are spacious and lofty.f The noted mountain of Putala, on which stands the pal- ace of the Lama, is about seven miles to the east of the city. As La means a hill in the native tongue, this name may imply the hill of Pouta or Boodh. To the north of Lassa appears another vast range of mountains, covered with snow. Lassa is in the province of Ou, and almost in the centre of Tibet.| . .Edijices.~\ Among the edifices, the monasteries may be first mentioned. Mr. Turner describes that of Teshoo Loomboo, as containing three or four hundred houses, inhabited by monks, be- sides temples, mausoleums, and the palace of the sovereign pon- tiff. The buildings are all of stone, none less than two stories in height, with flat roofs, and parapets composed of heath and brush- wood, probably to emit the melting snow. The centre window projects beyond the wall, and forms a balcony. Some of the pal- aces and fortresses are described and delineated by Mr. Turner ; and the architecture seems respectable. Bridges occur of various fantastic forms ; sometimes consisting of chains, drav/n from pre- cipice to precipice ; sometimes of beams, one end being fixed in the shore, while the other successively increases its projection till the uppermost timbers support a short passage of planks, thus resembling the upper section of an octagon. The roads amidst the rocky mountains resemble those of Svvisserland, and are par- ticularly dangerous after rain. AIaniifactures.~\ The chief manufactures of Tibet are shawls, and some woollen cloths ; but there is a general want of industry ; and the fine undermost hair of the goats, from which shawls are manufactured, is chiefly sent to Cashmir. The principal exports are to Ching^, consisting of gold dusi, diamonds, pearls, lamb skins, some musk, and woollen cloths. Many of the Chinese imports are manufactured articles. To Nepaul, Tioet sends rock salt, tin- cal, or crude borax, and gold dust ; refcciving in return base sil- ' Turner. 323. H Rcnnell, 30G. t licnioulli.iil. 227. TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CIIINA.' 509 ver coin, copper, rice, and coarse cotton cloths. Through Nepaul is also carried on the chief trade with Bengal, in gold dust,tincal, and musk. The returns are broadcloth, spices, trinkets, emeralds, sapphires, lazulite, jet, amber, £cc. With Asam in the S. E. theVe is no intercourse ; and tlie little trade with Bootan, ir*ay rather be regarded as internal. Tracle.^ The trade with China, which is the principal, is chief- ly conducted at the garrison town of Sining, in the western ex- tremity of the province of Shensi, where tea is eagerly bought by the Tibetians. There is no mint in Tibet, as such an institution is prevented by religious prejudices ; but the base silver of Ne- paul is current throughout the country. CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SOIL, RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, NATURAL CURIOSITIES. Climate.'] " IN the temperature of the seasons in Tibet, a re- markable uniformity prevails, as well as in their periodical dura- tion and return. The same division of them takes place here as in the more southern region of Bengal. The spring is marked, from March to May, by a variable atmosphere ; heat, thunder storms, and occasionally with refreshing showers. From June to September is the season of humidity, when heavy and continued rains fill the rivei s to their brim, which run off from hence with rapidity, to assist in inundating Bengal. From October to March, a clear and uniform sky succeeds, seldom obscured either by fogs or clouds. For three montlis of this season a degree of cold is felt, far greater, perhaps, than is known to prevail in Europe. Its extreme severity is more particularly confined to the southern boundary of Tibet, near that elevated range of mountains, whiclj divides it fi'om Asam, Bootan, and Nepaul."* Thus the distinguishing characteristic of the climate is that extreme dry and parching cold, which, under the latitude of 26, near the torrid zone of antiquated geography, rivals that of the Alps, in latitude 46. Face of the Country.] Tibet Proper exhibits only Ioav rocky hills, without any visible vegetation, or extensive arid plains of an aspect equally stern ; while the bleak and cold climate constrains the inhabitants to seek refuge in sheltered vales and hollows, or amidst the warmest aspects of the rocks. Yet Tibet produces great abundance and variety of wild fowl and game ; with nu- merous flocks of sheep and goats, and herds of cattle, and is in- fested by many beasts of prey. Tibet Proper must indeed be con- * Turner, 300. 510 TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. sidered as a mineral country, the mountains presenting a pecu- liarly naked aspect, indicative of rich ores. Soil.'] The nature of the soil here prohibits the progress of sl^- riculture. The vales are commonly laid under water on the ap- proach of winter ; in the spring they are plowed and sown, while frequent showers, and a powerful sun, contribute speedily to ma- ture the crops.* The autumn being clear and tranquil, the har- vest is long left to dry on the ground, and when sufficiently hard- ened, is trod out by cattle. The course of cultivation is wheat, peas, and barley ; rice being confined to a more southern soil. Mivers.] The chief river of Tibet is, beyond all comparison, the Sampoo, or Berhampooter, which rising in the western re- gion, from the same lofty mountains that give source to the Gan- ges, proceeds in an E. and S. E. direction for about the space of 1000 English miles, to the confines of Tibet and Asam, where it bends S. W. and flows into the estuary of the Ganges, after a far- ther course of about 400 British miles. The Hoan Ho, and Kian Ku of the Chinese, also derive their origin from the eastern boundaries of Tibet. Of the other rivers little is known ; but the great Japanese river of Cambodia, or Maykaung of Laos ; that of Nou Kia, supposed to pass near Mar- taban, into the ^If of Pegu ; and the Irrawady of this last coun- try, are all believed to derive their sources from the mountains of Tibet, which may be styled the Alps of Asia. Nor must it be for- gotten that another large river, called the Sardjoo, or Gagra, which after a course of about 600 miles, nearly parallel on the E. with that of the Ganges, joins it near Chupi^a, also derives its spring from the lofty western mountains of Tibet. Z,akes.] These Alpine regions contain, as usual, many lakes, the most considerable being represented under the name of Ter- kiri, about 80 miles in length, and 25 broad. The Chinese lamas, have also depicted many other lakes in the northern parts of the country ; where there certainly exists one very singular, which yields the tincal or crude borax. Equally uncommon is the lake to the S. of Lassa, which our maps call Jamdro or Palte. This strange lake. is represented as a wide trench, of about two leagues broad, every where surrounding an island of about twelve leagues in diameter ; if true, a singular feature of nature. Even the smaller lakes in the south of Tibet Proper are in the winter frozen to a great depth. Mou7itains.~\ The vast ranges of Tibetian mountains have al- ready been repeatedly mentioned ; but there is no accurate geo- graphical delineation of their course and extent. Those in the west and south seem to bend in the form of a crescent, from the sources of the Ga]igcs to the frontiers of Asam, in a N. W. and S. E. direction. To the north of Sampoo a parallel and yet higher ridge seems to extend, the northern extremities abounding with large frozen lakes. The chief elevation appears as usual to be central, to the south of the lake Terkiri, being called Koiran. * Tamer, 35 iv TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. 511 From these great ranges many branches extend N. and S. as in the Alps, and their names may perhaps be traced, but with little accuracy, in the general map of Tibet, and atlas of the provinces, drawn up by D'Anville from the sketches of the missionaries, and already repeatedly quoted. Forests.] Many parts of Tibet abound with forests containing many European trees, and others peculiar to Asia. The high snowy mountains, which contain the sources of the Ganges, are perhaps barren of vegetation, a character generally applicable to Tibet Proper. Zoology.'] Tibet abounds with game of various descriptions. The horses are of a small size, or what we term ponies, but spir- ited to a degree of obstinacy. The cattle are also diminutive. The flocks of sheep are numerous, commonly small, with black heads and legs ; the wool soft, and the mutton excellent. It is a peculiarity of the country that the latter food is generally eaten raw. When dried in the frosty air it is not disagreeable in this state, to an European palate.* The goats are numerous, and celebrated for producing a fine hair, which is manufactured into shawls, and which lies beneath the exterior coarse coat. Nor must the singular brced of cattle be forgotten, called Yak by the Tartars, covered with thick long hair ; the tail being peculiarly flowing and glossj^, and an article of luxury in the east, where it is used to di'ive away the flies, and sometimes dried for ornaments. These cattle do not low ; but, when uneasy, make a kind of grunting Sound, whence the breed is called the dos grunniens. The musk deer delights in intense cold. This valuable animal has two long curved tusks, proceeding downwards from the upper jaw, which seem intended to dig roots, his usual food. The figure of the body somewhat resembles the hog, while the hair approaches the quills of the porcupine. The musk, which is only found in the male, is formed in a little tumour at the navel ; and is the genuine and authentic article so styled, being commonly black, and divided by thin cuticles.f The lakes abound with water fowl in the summer, many of which may perhaps be new to zoology ; and little is discovered concerning the fish and insects of this singular country. Mineralogy.'] The mineralogy is better known from the ac- count appended to Mr. Turner's Journey in 1783, from which it appears that Tibet Proper abounds with rich minerals. Gold is found in great quantities, sometimes in the form of dust, in the beds of rivers, sometimes in '.arge masses, and irregular veins. There is a lead mine, two days journey from Teshoo Lumboo, the ore being galena. Cinnabar, rich in quicksilver, is also found ; and there are strong indications of copper. Rock salt is another product of Tibet. But in general the metals camiot be worker!, as there is a complete deficiency of fuel ; and coal would be fu'- more precious than gold. * Turner, S02. f lb. 200. 512 TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS Or CHINA. The most peculiar product of Tibet is tincal, or crude borax, concerning Avhich Mr. Sanders, who accompanied Mr. Turner, gives the following interesting information. " The lake, from whence tincal and rock salt are collected, is about fifteen days journey from Teshoo Lumboo, and to the northward of it. It is en- compassed on all sides by rocky hills, Avithout ajiy brooks or rivu- lets near at hand ; but its waters arc supplied by springs, Avhich being saltish to the taste are not used by the iiatives. The tincal is deposited or formed in the bed of the lake ; and those Avho go to collect it dig it up in large masses, which they afterwards break into small pieces for the convenience of carriage, exposing it to the air to dry. Although tincal has been collected from this lake for a great length of time, the quantity is not perceptibly diminish- ed ; and as the cavities made by digging it soon w-ear out, or fill up, it is an opinion with the people that the formation of fresh tin- cal is going on. They have never yet met it in dry ground, or high situations, but it is found in the shallowest depths, and the borders of the lake ; which deepening gradually from the edges towards the centre, contain too much water to admit of their searching for the tincal conveniently ; but from the deepest parts they bring rock salt, Avhich is not to be found in the shallows, or near the bank. The waters of the lake rise and fall very little, being supplied by a constant and unvarying source, neither aug- mented by the influx of any current, nor diminished by any stream running from it. The lake, I was assured, is at Icdst 20 miles in circumference ; and, standing in a very bleak situation, is frozen for a great part of the year. The people employed in collecting these salts are obliged to desist from their labour as early as Octo- ber, on account of the ice. Tincal is used in Tibet for soldering, and to promote the fusion of gold and silver. Rock salt is univer- sally used for all domestic purposes in Tibet, Bootan, and Nepaul."* Mineral waters. "^ There are many mineral waters in various parts of this extensive country ; nor is their salutary use unknown to the natives. 3. BOOTAN. This country may be regai-ded as a southern province of Tibet, and occupies, according to Mr. Rennell, at least a degree of lati- tude between Bengal and Tibet. Its capital, Tassaseudon, is in N. lat. 27 43. Paridrong, in lat. 28, is a frontier town in Tibet, bordering on Bootan. This province i:; bounded E. by Asam ; S. by Bengal ; W. by Nepaul. It is a mountainous country. The southernmost ridge of its mountains rises near 14^ mile perpendic- ular above the plains of Bengal, in a hoi'izontal distance of 15 miles ; and from the summit, the plains below appear like a vast ocean, to the eye cf the beholder. Through this ridge, there arc but few passes, and all fortified. Between Tassaseudon and Pa- ridrong, is a chain of still higher mountains, visible from the * Turner, 400. TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA, 51? plains of Bengal, at the distance of 150 miles, covered with snow. These are the Himmaleh momitains, which lie N. of Nepaul, and Mr. Rennell supposes them to be, in point of elevation, equal to any mountains of the old hemisphere. With all its mountains, however, Bootan is covered with constant verdure, and abounds in forests of lofty trees. The oak of Europe is wanting. The sides of the mountains are cultivated by the hand of industry, and crowned with orchards, fields, and villages. Among its few wild animals, are monkeys and pheasants. Mr. Turner visited this country inu 1783, and says, it contains no metal, except iron and a little copper. Compared with Tibet Proper, its climate is mild, though its win- ters are severe. The inhabitants resemble the Chinese, and are a soecies of the Tartaric race. " The government of Bootan is vested in a prince called Daeb, whose authority is neither stable nor extensive. 4. THE RAJAHSHIP OF NEPAULj Oil NIPAL.* BOUNDARIES, EXTENT, POPULATION, CHARACTER, RELIGION, HIS- TORY, GOVERNMENT, ANCIENT LITERATURE, CITIES, CLIMATE, PRODUCTIONS, RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, ANIMALS, MINERALOGY. Bomidaries.~\ NEPAUL is bounded on the N. by the Himma- leh mountains, which separate it from Tibet. E. by the province of Bootan. S. by the \'.rovinces of Baliar and Oude in Hindoostan, and W. by Kemaoon. Extent.~\ The valley of Nepaul is a plain of an oval figure, about 200 miles in circuit, lying between lat. 27° and 28° 6' N. Po/iulation.'y There are several populous cities within the valley, and a great number of villages ; but the whole population cannot be ascertained with any accuracy. It is staled, however, vaguely, at half a million. Character.'] Two distinct races of men with different languages and religion inhabit Nepaul. The first and most numerous race consists chiefly of the two superior classes of Hindoos, the Brah- mins and the Cshatriyas ; the other is distinguished by the name of Newars. The former compose the army and engross all places of power and trust. In their character they do not differ mate- rially from their brethren in Hindoostan. The Newars are repre- sented as robust and healthy, though in some of the valleys they are subject to swellings in the throat, similar to those of the inha- bitants of Switzerland. Their character bears so striking a resem- blance to that of the Chinese, as to leave little doubt of their origin. Like them they are peaceable and timid in a remarkable degree. They are skilled in the same art, and their houses are built in the * The information contained in the following description of Nepaul was derived from the review of Colonel Kirkpatrick's account of this kingdom, which he visited in ir93- The Key. Dr. BuchMnnan visited this secluded counUy in 1S06; but his journal, v>iuch doubtless is very interasting, for reasons unknown to us, has not yet been pub- lished, nor is there any notice taken of this co'inti-v in his Researches. VOL. II. 65 SU TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. same style. Like them too, they are exceedingly jealous of stran- gers. The food of the peasantry, and indeed of the bulk of the inhabitants, is very simple, consisting chiefly of milk, honey, rice, fruits and vegetables. Animal food and spirituous liquors are prohibited. Judicial astrology ia held in great estimation by the Newars. Their favourite pui-Buit is that of consulting their des- tiny at the temples. Religion.^ The popular religion of Nepaul does not differ ma- terially from the Hindooism established in Bengal. It prohibits the use of all animal food, except that of the Buffaloe, on which they are allowed to feed by special indulgence. Nepaul abounds in temples and idols. There are almost as many temples as houses, and as many idols as inhabitants. Sixteen remarkable festivals are annually celebrated, some of which occupy so much time, that scarce a day passes without the public performance of a religious ceremony. They have besides a grand occasional festival, Avhich lasts 4 months. It consists in visiting the shrines of all the gods in Nepaul, which are said to be 2733. Histo?'!/.] The Newars, it is supposed, are Chinese, who set- tled in Nepaul, according to their own accounts, about 900 years ago. The Brahmins and other Hindoos, probably, immigrated at different times since that period, from the plains below. Nepaul was originally divided into 3 districts, governed by as many Rajahs. In 1769, the Rajah of Gorka, a neighboring prince, defeated each of the three Rajahs, and got complete possession of the whole of Nepaul. Thus he united the 2 countries under one government, which has continued in his family ever since. In 1792 the Rajah of Nepaul acknowledged himself a tributary to the Emperor of China, reserving to himself, however, tlie right to exercise sovereign power within his own dominions. Govcrn7nent.~\ The government of this province is vested in a Rajah, or Sovereign, and a body of chieftains, known by the name of Thurgurs. The sovereign is deemed to be oi'iginally the abso- lute proprietor of all lands; and in him, and a council composed of the principal ministers of government, is vested not only the power of disposing of these lands at pleasure, but of punishing and rewarding public officers according to their merits, and of bestowing government and military comm.ands. This council meet annually, and exercise the despotic power with which they are entrusted, in the most arbitrary manner. The condition of the lower class of people under such a government is truly de- plorable. The peasantry of Nepaul are dragged from their houses by the officers of government, for the purpose of assisting those employed in the public service ; and they are not unfrequently deprived of their lands at the moment they are about to reap their harvest. The Dhurma-Shaster forms the basis of civil and crimi- nal jurisprudence in Nepaul, as well as in Hindoostan. Most of- fences, according to this code, are punishable by fine. ' ^hicient Literature.'] There is probably no place in India where a search after ancient and valuable manuscripts would be TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. 515 more successful than in Nepaul. In this secluded valley the re- volutions and contentions, which have affected the other parts of India, have had no influence. Cities.'] The three principal cities are Catmandu, Lelit Pattan, and Bhatgung. The first containing 180,000, the second 24a,000, and third 120,000 inhabitants. The houses are generally built of brick, and 3 or 4 stories high. The streets are paved with brick or stone. At Catmandu, the residence of the Rajah and the court, is the royal palace. The temples are said to vie in splendor with those of the most populous and flourishing cities of Christendoin. One of these, near Lelit Pattan, is described as peculiarly magni- ficent : the court is paved with blue marble, inlaid with flowers of bronze. Beside these cities there are some towns of importance. That of Cirtipour is represented as very considerable. Bhatgung, though inferior in point of size, exceeds all the? rest in its palace and buildings. Climate.~\ The climate may be compared with that of the south of Europe ; sometimes a sprinkling of snow, and now and then a hoar frost covers the ground. The inhabitants have the means of varying the climate by ascending the heights from a heat equal to that of Bengal, to the cold of Russia. The rains set in about the middle of April, and break up in October, during which time the valley is occasionally inundated. This country is generally healthful, excepting a narrow tract, which runs along the southern border, called the Turyani, where the infectious, vapor arising from the sAvampy ground, generates putrid fevers. Productions.'] The peach, the raspberry, the walnut, and mul- berry, grow spontaneously. Their oranges are superior to those of Silket, and are probably ivot surpassed by any in the world. Their pine apples are excellent. Rice is much cultivated. They have turnips, cabbages, and peas, but all of them indifi'erent ; other vegetables good. The Turyani is very rich and fertile, abounding with extensive forests. The pines and saul trees, •which grow there, are not perhaps surpassed by any in the world for straightness or dimensions. Besides timber for masts and yards, great quantities of pitch, tar, and turpentine might be drawn from this fertile spot. Rivers.] Several tributary branches of the Ganges take their rise here, all of which unite at the S. E. part of the valley, and rush through a breach in the mountains upon the plains of Hin- doostan. The Hindoo recoi'ds represent the val'.ey of Nepaul as having been originaVy a great lake. This account is rendered highly probable by the fact, that Nepaul is every where surround- ed by mountains, excepting a narrow spot at the S. E. corner. If this were once stopped, we can easily conceive that the valley must speedily assume the appearance of a magnificent lake. Mountains.] The valley of Nepaul is surrounded by mountains, whose common height is 8000 feet above the level of the sea. On the north are the mountains of Himmalch, supposed to equal in height any of the old hemisphere. Their snowy tops are visible from the plains of Bengal, at the distance of 150 miles. An infe- 516 TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. rior range forms the southern boundary. In this there are fe^v remarkable eminences. Animals.'] The swampy tract, called the Turyani, abounds with elephants, tigers, leopards, buffaloes, and all the wild and ferocious beasts of India. The Yak of Tartary, known in India by the name of Chowin, and the Changra, or Shawl-goat of Cashmir, are also natives of Nepaul. They have sheep with 4 horns, which are the common beasts of burden. Mineralogy.] Nepaul was once supposed to abound in rich gold mines. This however, is not the case. They have mines of copper, from which India was once supplied. Their iron is not surpassed in goodness. They have plenty of marble, and other stone for building, also good limestone and slate. The other division of Hassel, viz. the kingdom oiSetchuen or Seg- win., is included in some of the divisions of Pinkerton, under a differ- ent name. This name is not to be found on any of our English maps. 5. KINGDOM OF ANNAN. This kingdom lies between the gulfs of Siam and Tunquin, on the S. W. and N. E. ; on the S. E. is the China sea ; on the N. W. and N. are Siam and Laos. According to Hassel, this kingdom covers 165,000 square miles, and has 10,000,000 inhabitants. It includes the countries of Cambodia, Ciam/ia, and Cochin China. Though the king of this country is a vassal of the Chinese Em- peror, he is nearly independent. Modern accounts say, that Ton- quin has become subject to the king of Annan. His finances are very considerable. He maintains 113,000 land troops, 30,000 of ■whom are disciplined according to European tactics ; and 26,800 seamen.* CAMBODIA Is the northern province in this kingdom, and is about 400 miles long by 150 broad. Parts of it border on the gulf of Siam and the Indian ocean. Like Siam it is enclosed by mountains on the E. and W. and is fertilized by a large river, variously called Mecon, Camboge, and Japanese, which begins to inundate the country in June. Its mouth by some is represented as full of low isles and sand banks, Avhich impede the navigation ; by others as navigable by ships of the largest size for 49 miles. Its port and town is Saigong, 40 miles from the sea, where there is an ex- tensive naval arsenal. A great part of the coast of this country is covered with under wood, and very low. The sea coast in some parts is so shallow, that at the distance of 5 or 6 miles from the shore, the water is seldom more than 4 fathoms deep, and no ves- sel larger than a boat can approach within two miles of the shore. The air is so hot, that the inhabitants are obliged to reside on the banks of the rivers and lakes, where they are tormented by mus- quetoes. • Hasssl. TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. 5ir The soil is fertile, and produces abundance of corn, rice, excel- lent legumes, sugar, indigo, opium, camphor, and various medi- cinal drugs. The most peculiar product is the Gamboge gum, which yields a fine yellow tint. Ivory also, and silk, are very plentiful, and of little value. The gold of this country is said to be very pure ; and it furnishes amethysts, hyacinths, rubies, to- pazes, and other precious stones. Cattle, particularly of the cow kind, arc numerous and cheap. Elephants, lions, tygers, and al- most all the animals of the deserts of Africa, are found in Cambo- dia. It has several precious woods, and a particular tree, in the juice of which they dip their arrows ; and it is said, that though a wound from one of the arrows proves fatal, the juice itself may be drank without danger. The country, though fertile, is very thinly peopled, insomuch that the king is hardly able to assemble 30,000 men : and its trade is inconsiderable. The inhabitants are Japanese, Chinese, ard Malays, together with some Portuguese, who live without priests, and have intermarried with the natives, 'ihe men are generally well made, of a dai'k yellow complexion, with long black hair ; their dress is a long loose robe, the dress of the women is shorter and closer. They manufacture very fine ♦cloth, and the needle work of the females is much admired. Their religion is idolatry. CIAMPA.* Ciampa, another province of this kingdom, lies south of the de- sert of Cochin China, and east of Cambodia, bordering south oh the China or Indian sea. As seen from the ocean, it appears like a sandy tract, intersected with rocks. The inhabitants are said to be large, muscular, and well made, have reddish complexions, Hat noses, and black hair, their dress very slight. Feneri is their capital, where their chief resides, who is tributary to Cochin Chi- na. The country produces cotton, indigo, and silk. Their junks, or boats, are well built, and employed in fishing. COCHIN-CHINA. This is the largest and most important division of the kingdom cf Annan. It is long and narrow, extending from lat. S 40, to about 20 N. and from 20 to 60 miles broad. On the N. it is sep- arated from Tunquin by the river Sun gen ; on the W. a range of mountains separates it from the kingdom of Laos and Cambodia. On the E. and S. it borders on the China Sea. It is divided into 12 provinces, which succeed each other from N. to S. all border- ing E. on the Chhia Sea. The whole country is intersected by rivers, Avhich facilitate inland commerce. The climate is healthy, its heat being tempered by sea breezes. The rainy seasons are September, October, and November, -vyheu the low country is overflowed by torrents from tlie mountains, ier- tilizing the soil, which yields three crops of grain in the year. All * Ciampn, Siarr.pn, or Tsiampa, as it is variously called. 518 TRIBUTARY DO^nNIONS- OF CHINA. the fruits of India are found here in the greatest perfection, with many of those of China.* This country has been toni for years past by divisions. From the year 1790 to 1800,t its rightful sovereign, Caun-shung, en- joyed only two years peace. These, however, were employed, under the auspices of the excellent bishop Adran, in making im- provements in his country. He established manufactories of salt- petre, pitch, tar, resin, and fire arms ; opened roads of communi- cation between principal towns, and lined the roads with trees, for shade and ornament. He encouraged the culture of the areca nut, betel pepper, silk, and sugar cane ; opened a mine of iron ore, and erected iron works ; organized his military forces, and established military schools on the European plan ; constructed 300 large gun-boats, 5 luggers, and a frigate, on the French plan, and taught his naval officers the use of signals. In 1800 an En- glish gentleman saw a fleet of 1200 sail, under the command of the prince of this country, in fine order, and under excellent dis- cipline. During this interval of peace, he undertook a reform in the system of jurisprudence, abolished torliu'es, mitigated punishments which were too severe ; established public schools, to Avhich pa- rents were compelled to send their children, at the age of 4 years ; issued regulations to promote commerce ; caused bridges to be erected over rivers, ordered the sea coast and harbors to be sur- veyed, and placed buoys and sea mirks, to guard against rocks and shoals, and sent missionaries into the western, mountainous districts of his dominions, to civilize their barbarous inhabitants. In short, this excellent prince, by, his own indefatigable appli- cation to the arts and manufiictures, roused, by his example, the energies of his people, and has effected an almost unexampled reformation in his country. In 10 years, from a single vessel, he accumulated a fleet of 1200 ships, 3 of which were on European construction. This prince professes a veneration for the doctrines of Christianity, and tolerates all religions in his dominions. The mililary strength of this exemplary, intelligent, and enter- prising prince, in 1800, according to Barrow, consisted of 113,000 land forces, and 26,800 mariners ; in the whole 139,800 men, who are active, vigorous, and well disciplined. The inhabitants of this country go bare legged, and generally bare footed ; their hair is twisted in a knot, and fixed on the crown of the head. Their houses, in genei'al, consist of 4 mud walls, covered with thatch. These people are gay and talkative. The women are entrusted with the chief concerns of the family, and engage in the various employments connected with agriculture, manufactures, commerce, and naval affairs, in all which they take an active and laborious part. The men arc employed in war, fishing, felling timber, building ships. Sec. but are addicted to idleness and amusements. Polygamy is here practised, and gross licentiousness prevails. Both sexes are coarsely featured, of a dark complexion, with red lips, and black teeth, occasioned by * Asiatic Register, iii. S4. t Barrow. TRIBUTARY DOMINIONS OF CHINA. 519 che-wing areca and betel. They are fond of theatrical amusements, and cock-fighting, and are expert in playing at foot-ball, shuttle- cock, and leaping. They are sturdy beggars, and addicted to theft. They excel in naval architecture, and have abundance of the best ship timber. Their country is well situ?.ted for commerce. The best harbor is that of Turon, which affords a safe retreat for ships of any burden. The principal exports from this counti-y are silks, sugar of the best kind, ebony, Calamboe wood, edible bird's nests, which are found in plenty on the islands on this coast, gold in dust, or bars, copper, and porcelain, Avhich is brought from China and Japan. The articles received in return, are salt- petre, sulphur, lead, fine cloths, and chintzes. Pearls, amber, and coral, were formerly in demand. The traders of Cochin-China value themselves on being able to cheat an European. The Avritten language of Cochin-China is correctly that of Ghi- ria ; but the language spoken is a corruption of the Chinese. Their religion is a modification of the doctrine of Budha, but more simple, and less involved in mystery. Fi^om a sentiment of gratitude to the benevolent spirit, they offer to the image of the protecting Deity, the firstlings of their living flocks, and of the fruits of the earth. The people are very superstitious. The priests are reckoned the best physicians, but they have more skill in charms, than in medicines.* December, January and February, are cold and moist, pre- senting the semblance of an European winter. The inundations only last two or three days, but happen once a fortnight in the rainy season. Borri's account is -hat the rains only continue for three days regularly in each fortnight : if true, a singular phe- nomenon. March, April, May, form a delicious spring ; while the heat of the three following months is rather excessive. The horses are small, but active : there are also mules and ass- es, and innumerable goats. The products of agriculture ai-e rice of different qualities, yams, sweet potatoes, greens, pumpkins, melons. Sugar also abounds. Gold dust is found in the rivers :, and the mines yield ore of singular purity. Silver mines have also been lately discovered. Both metals are used in ingots, as in China. Mr. Pennant mentions tigers, elephants, and monkeys, as abounding in Cochin-China. The Parades form a long chain of small islands with rocl^s and shoals, parallel to the coast of Cochin-China. 4. KINGDOM OF TUNqUIN. This country is divided from the former by a small river, and may at present be considered as incorporated with it by conquest. It contains 154,000 square miles, and 8,000,000 inhabitants.! The inhabitants resemble their neighbors the Chinese, but their man- ners are not so civilized. The products are numerous, and seem * Barrow. | Ilusse!. 520 JAPAN. to blend those of China -with those of Hindoostan. While the riv- ers in Cochin-China are of a short course, those of Tunquin spring from the Tnountaios of Yunnan ; and in the rainy season, from May to September, inundate the adjacent country. The chief is the Holi Kian, which, after receiving the Lisien, passes by Kesho, the capital. This city is described by Dampier, as approaching the Chinese form, with a considerable population. There is no recent description of this country. 5. THE LEOO KEOO ISLES. The isles of Leoo-keoo, between Formosa and Japan, constitute a little civilized kingdom, governed by an hereditary king, tribu- tary to China. These isles are said to be thirty-six in number, but very inconsiderable, except the chief, which is properly and peculiarly called Leoo-keoo ; by the Chinese accounts the length of it is about 125 miles, nearly twice the extent which is assigned in recent maps. These isles Avei*e discovered by the Chinese in the 7th century ; but it was not till the 14th that they became tributary to China. The emperor Kiang-hi, about A. D. 1720, ordered a temple to be erected to Confucius in the chief island, with a literary college. The language is said to differ from that of China or Japan ; but the civilization seems to have proceeded from the latter country, as the Japanese characters are commonly used. The people are mild, affable, gay, and temperate ; and '< the chief products are sulphur, copper, tin, with shells, and moth- er of pearl. JAPAN.* CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. NAMES, EXTENT, ORIGIXAL POPULATION, PROGHESSIVE GEOGRA- PHY, HISTORICAL EPOCHS AND ANTIQUITIES, RELIGION, GOV- ERNMENT, LAWS, POPULATION, COLONIES, ARMY, NAVY, REV- ENUES, POLITIC AL IMPORTANCE AND RELATIONS, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, EDUCATION, CITIES AND TOWNS, EDIFICES, ROADS, INLAND NAVIGATION, MANUFAC- TURES AND COMMERCE. THE kingdom, or, as it is by some styled, the empire of Japan, has by most geographers been classed among the Asiatic isles, and has in consequence been treated with more brevity than • Having no new information of this Empire, Pinkcrton's account is copied. JAPAN. 521 its importance demands ; for, excepting China, no existing Asiat- ic monarchy can aspire to superior rank, or is more calculated to excite rational curiosity, from the singularity of its government, abundant population, progress in the arts of life, and peculiar manners of the people. The Japanese islands may in some meas- ure be compared with Great Britain and Ireland, forming a grand insular power near the eastern extremity of Asia, like that of the British isles, near the western extremity of hurope. Nor are ample modern materials wanting in the travels of Kaempfer and Thunberg. Kames. ] Marco Polo, the father of modei-n Asiatic geography, mentions Japan by the name of Zipangri or Zipangu. The in- habitants themselves call it Nipon, or Nifon, and the Chinese Sip- pon and Jepuen. Extent.'] This empire extends from the 30th to the 41st de- gi-ee of N. latitude ; and, according to the most recent maps, from the 131st to the I42d degree of E. longitude from Greenwich. Besides many smaller isles, it presents two considerable ones in the S. W. that of Kiufiu (also termed Saikokf, or the western country), and that of Sikokf. But by far the most important isl- and is that of Nipon, to the N. E. of the two former. Tne geog- raphy of K^mpferhas been corrected by recent voyagers, accord- ing to which the length of Kiufiu from N. to S. is about two de- grees, or 140 miles ; the greatest breadth about 90. Sikokf is about 90 miles in length, by half the breadth. The grand isle of Nipon is in length from S- to N. E. not less than 750 miles ; but is so narrow in proportion, that the medial breadtii cannot be as- sumed above 80, though in two projecting parts it may double that number. The Japanese Empire, according to Hassel, con- tains 189,000 square miles. These islands are divided into prov- inces and districts, as usual in the most civilized countries. To the N. of Nipon is another large isle, that of Jesso, or Chicha, which having received some Japanese colonics, is gen- erally regarded as subject to Japan ; but being inhabited by a savage people, is rather considered as a foreign conquest, than as a part of this civilized empire. Original Pofiulation.] The original population of Japan has been little illustrated; but the Japanese seem to be a kindred race with the Chinese, though, according to Ivsempfer, the languages be radically distinct. But if compared with that of Corea^ the nearest land, and the latter with the Chinese, perhaps a gradation might be observable. The Japanese may have migrated trom the continent, when both the Chinese and themselves were in the ear- liest stages of society ; and the complete insular separation may have given rise to a language rendered peculiar by the progress of a distinct civilization. Progressive , Geography.'] Before the account published by Ksempfer, 'Japan had been imperfectly explored by the Portu- guese ; and since 1730, the date of Koempfer's publication, many important improvements have been made. Historical Ejioch^.] The history of their own country is uni-. VOL. II. 66 522 JAPAN. versally studied by the Japanese ; and Kaempfer has produced an elaborate abstract, divided into three epochs, the fabulous, the doubtful, and the certain. The first is wholly fictitious. The second, or uncertain epoch, is by Kaempfer interwoven with the Chinese history ; this part of his woi'k, demonstrating that the Japanese themselves at least ac- knowledge their government and civilization to have been derived from China. Sin Noo, one of these Chinese monarchs admitted by the Japanese into their annals, is represented with the head of a bull, or with two horns, as having taught the use of agriculture and herds ;* perhaps the simple and natural origin of the Jupiter Ammon, and similar images of classical antiquity. The third, or certain period, begins with the hereditary succes- sion of the ecclesiastical emperors, from the year 660 before the Christian era, to the year of Christ 1585, during which 107 princes of the same lineage governed Japan. At the last period the secular princes assumed the supreme avithority. In general tlie reigns are pacific ; though at very distant intervals the Mand- shvirs and Coreans occasionally invaded Japan, but were always defeated by the valor of the inhabitants. In the reign of Gouda, the nineteenth Dairi, or spiritual emperor, the Monguls, under Mooko, attempted a grand invasion of Japan, after havhig con- quered China, about fourteen years before. The number of small •vessels is exagerated to 4000, and that of the army to 240,000 ; ?.nd it is probable that numerous Chinese junks contained a for- midable army of Monguls. But they were dispersed, and almost •wholly destroyed by a furious tempest, which the Japanese pious- ly ascribed to the gods, their protectors. In 1585, the generals of the crown, or secular emperors, who Avere also hereditary, as- sumed the supreme power ; the Dairis being afterwards confined, and strictly guarded, that they might not reassume their ancient authority. Antiquities.~\ The temples and palaces being constructed of •wood, few monuments of antiquity can remain. Some of the castles of the nobility have walls of earth or stone ; but the most ancient relics are probably the coins and idols. Religion.'^ The established religion of Japan is a polytheism, joined with the acknow^ledgment of a supreme creator. There are two principal sects, that of Sinto and that of Budsdo. The first acknowledge a supreme being, far superior to the little claims and worship of men, whence they adore the inferior deities as me- diators, the idea of a mediator being indispensable in almost every form of religion. They abstain from animal food, detest blood- shed, and will not touch any dead body.f The priests are cither secular or monastic ; the latter alone be- ing entrusted witn the mysteries. The festivals and modes of worship are cheerful and even gay ; for they regard the gods as beings who solely delight in dispensing happiness. Besides the first day of the year, and three or four other grand festivals, the • KKmpfer, i. 231. French translation. t Tbunberg, it. 19. JAPAN. 523 first day of the month is always kept as a holiday. There are sev- eral orders of monks and nuns, as in the Roman Catholic system; but human nature is every where the same. The sect of Budsd(f was imported from Hir.dostan, being the same with that of Budha, or Boodh, reported to have been in Cey- lon about 1000 years before the birth of Christ. Passing through China and Corea it has been mingled with foreign maxims, but the tenet of the metempsychosis remains : wicked souls being supposed to migrate into the bodies of animals, till they have un- dergone a due purgation. Soon after the discovery of this country by the Portuguese, mis- sionaries of the Jesuits arrived in 1549 ; and their successors con- tinued to diffuse their doctrine till 1638, when 37,000 Christians were massacred. Several persecutions had formerly taken place, and in 1590, upwards of 30,000 are said to have perished. The pride and avarice of the Portuguese conspired with the vain am- bition of the Jesuits, (who, not contented with their station, en- deavoured to introduce themselves into the governing comicils of the nation,) first to contaminate and render odious the religion which they professed, in its pure principles essentially opposite to such views, and aftex'wards to produce this melancholy catas- troplie ; the existence of the Christian faith being through such perversion found incompatible with that of a state otherwise uni- versally tolerant. Since that memorable epoch Christianity has been held in supreme detestation ; and the cross, with its other symbols, are annually trampled under foot ; but it is a fable that the Dutch are constrained to join in this ceremony. Government.'] The Kubo, or secular emperor, is now sole monarch of the country ; but till near the end of the 17th century, the Dairis, pontiffs, or spiritual monarchs, held the supreme au- thority, being appointed by the high ecclesiastical court, according to their laws of succession. Yet occasionally the appointment has been controverted ; and Japan has been ravaged by many civ- il wars. The ecclesiastical dignities were of six orders, some belonging to particular offices, others merely honorary. The sec- ular prince is accustomed to confer, with the consent of the dairi, two hoaorary ranks, equivalent to noblemen and knights. The ecclesiastical court is chiefly occupied with literary pursuits, the Dairi residing atMiaco ; and his court remains, though not in its former splendor. The government of each province is entrusted to a resident prince, who is strictly responsible for his administration, his fam- ily remaining at the emperor's court, as hostages ; and he is him- self obliged to make an annual appearance, the journey being performed with great pomp, and accompanied with valuable presents. The emperor, as in the feudal times of Europe, de- rives his chief revenue from his own estate, consisting of five in- ferior provinces, and some detached towns. Each prince enjoys the revenues of his fief, or government, with which he supports his court and military force, repairs the roads, and defrays every civil expense. The princes of the first dignity are styled Daimio, 524 JAPAN. those of inferior I'ank Siomio. They are generally hereditary, but the Siomios are not only obliged to leave their families at Je- do, the capital, but to reside there themselves for six months in the year. The singular constitution of J^ian therefore consists of an absolute hereditary monarchy, supported by a number of absolute hereditary princes ; whose jealousy of each other's pow- er conspires, with domestic pledges, to render them subservient to one supreme. Laws.] The superiority of the laws of Japan over those of Europe has been loudly proclaimed by Kaempfer. The parties themselves appear, and the caus« is determined without delay. Yet Kaempfer's information on this head is defective, as he does not mention any code of laws. Thunberg informs us that the laws are few, but rigidly enforced, without regard to persons, par- tiality, or violence.* Most crimes are punished with death, but the sentence must be signed by the privy council at Jedo Parents and relations are made answerable for the crimes of those whose moral education they ought to have superintended. The police is excellent, there not only being a chief magistrate of each town, but a commissary of each street, elected by the inhabitants to watch over property and tranquillity. Two inhabitants, in their turn, nightly patrole the street to guard against fir^-. The best proof that the laws are salutary is, that few crimes are committed, and few punishments are inflicted. The brief code, according to Thunberg, is posted up in every town and village, in large letters, on a spot surrounded with rails. f Population.] The population of the Japanese empire, like that of other Asiatic states, cannot be treated with much precision. Ancient and modern travellers seem to have passed this subject in silence. Perhaps the Japanese have some prejudice against any enumei'ation, or choose, from political views, to bury it in ob- scurity ; while the Chinese, with like design, may perhaps mag- nify the population of their country. All travellers however agree that the population is surprising, and though a great part of the country be mountainous, yet even the mountains are the ob- jects of obsthiate cultivation. Hassel estimates the number of inhabitants in this empire at 15,000,000 ; and its army at 100,000. Thunberg observes that the capital, Jedo, is said to be 63 miles in circumference, and at any rate rivals Pekin in size.t Many of the villages are three quarters of a mile in length ; and some so long that it requires several hours to walk through them : and these large villages frequently occur at very short distances. Ksempfer says that the number of people daily travelling on the highways is inconceivable, and the tokaido^ the chief of the seven great roads, is sometimes more crowded than the most frequented streets of European capitals.^ Varenius, the geographer, who justly esteemed this country so interesting as to deserve a partic- ular description, has, horn the best authorities, estimated the standing army maintained by the princes and governors, at 368,000 * iv. GV. t Thunberg, iv.rS. t- iii- 282. § ii. 345, and iii. 318. JAPAN. 525 infantry, and 38,000 cavalry : while the Kubo emperor, maintains 100,000 foot, and 20,000 horse ; thus constituting in all a regular force of 458,000 infantry, and 58,000 cavalry.* It is probable that this army does not bear a greater proportion to the popula- tion, than that of an European state in time of peace ; and as the army doubles that of France under the monarchy, so the popula- tion may also be double. Perhaps a more safe estimate may be formed, by supposing the population of Japan to equal that of Chi- na ; and the former country being about one tenth part the size of the latter, the population will be about 30,000,000. Colo7ties.'] Though the national laws prohibit emigration, yet where the Japanese make conquests, they seem to regard the country as their own, and to form settlements without hesitation. Hence Japanese colorvies may be found in Jesso, and other adja- cent isles : nay even in isles of the Indian Archipelago, so that their laws, as in China, seem rather theoretic, ./f»?«z/."| The army has been already mentioned as amounting to more than half a million ; and the character of the people is singularly brave and resolute. The navy, like that of the other oriental powers, is beneath notice. The Japanese vessels are open at the stern, so that they cannot bear a boisterous sea ; and though, like the Chinese, they have the use of the compass, yet it is in- conceivable how they could in former times, make voyages, as is asserted, to Formosa, and even to Java. Reveyiues.^ The revenues of this empire are minutely slated by Varenius, according to priiices and provinces, the sum total being 2834 tons of gold, on the Flemish mode of computation; and taking the ton at only 10,0001. sterling, the amount would be 28,340,0001. sterling, besides the provinces and cities which are immediately subject to the emperor.f These revenues must not, however, be considered as national, being only yielded in coin to the various princes. The emperor, however, besides the large revenues of his provinces, has a considerable treasure in gold and silver, disposed in chests of lOOOtaels, or thayls, each being near- ly in valae to a Dutch rix dollar, or about four shillings and four- pence English money. As the frenzy of mankind generally ex- pends the public revenue in the supportof an army, the real weight of the Japanese resouixes may best be estimated from the num.er- ous army supported.:}: Political I?}i/iortance and Relations.'\ Japan maintains no polit- ical relations with any other state ; and consisting of islands without a navy, its external political importance is of course con- fined, if not annihilated. Manners and Customs.~\ A recent traveller has described the persons of this singular people in the following terms.§ "The * Drrer. Jap. cap. ix. f Hassel states the revenue at 424,500,000 guilders. i rhunbergiv. 8, computes the revenue ot" the crown lands at more than forty-four thousands of niiHions of sacks of rice, each sack being about twenty pounds weight. But this calculation implies nothing to an European reader. § Thunbergjiii. 251. 526 JAPAN, people of this nation are well made, active, free and easy in theii* motions, with stout limbs, although their strength is not to be compared to that of the northern inhabitants of Europe. They are of a yellowish color all over, sometimes bordering on brown, and sometimes on white. Ladies of distinction, who seldom go out in the open air without being covered, are perfectly white. Jt is by their eyes that, like the Chinese, these people are distin- guishable. These organs have not that rotundity which those of other nations exhibit ; but are oblong, small, and are sunk deep- er in the head, in consequence of which these people have almost the appearance of being pink-eyed. Their eyes are dark brown, or rather black ; and the eyelids form in the great angle of the eye a deep furrow, which makes the Japanese look as if they were sharp sighted, and discriminates them from other nations. The eyebrows are also placed somewhat higher. Their heads are in general large, and their necks short ; their hair black, thick, and shining, from the use they make of oils. Their noses, though not flat, are yet rather thick and short." This highly civilized people must of course display great di- versity of character, but the virtues far preponderate over the vices ; and even their pride is useful, as it prevents them from stooping to the mean tricks of the maritime Chinese. The Jap- anese use great varieties of food and sauces. The master or mis- tress of the house is not harassed with the trouble of carving, the meat being previously cut into small pieces, served up in ba- sons of porcelain, or japanned wood. The general drink is sacki, or beer made of rice ; which last article also supplies the place of bread. They use many kinds of vegetables and fruits. The use of tea is also universal ; but wine and spirituous liquors are unknown. The use of tobacco seems to have been introduced by the Portuguese ; and the practice of smoking has become general. The houses of the Japenese are of wood, colored white, so as to resemble stone : and though roomy and commodious, never exceed two stories in height, the upper serving for lofts and gar- rets, and are seldom occupied.* Each house forms but one room, which maybe divided into apartments at pleasure, by move- able partitions, sliding in grooves. They use neither chairs nor tables, sitting on straw mats, the meal being served apart to each on a smali square wooden salver. In Jedo, the houses are cov- ered with tiles ; but the general fabric is a frame work of wood, split bamboos, and clay. The dress consists of trowsers : and what we call night gowns, or loose robes of silk or cotton, are universally worn by both sexes.* These are fastened by a girdle ; the number being in- creased according to the coldness of the weather. Stockings are not used ; and the shoes are commonly of I'ice straw. The men shave the head from the forehead to the nape, but the hair on the bide is turned up and fastened at the crown of the head : conical * Thunberg, iii. 112, t W- »'• 2C/'- JAPAN. 52r hats made of grass are worn on journeys, but the fashion of wear- ing the hair forms the common economical covering of the head. The Japanese festivals, the games and theatrical amusements, equal those of most civilized nations. Language.'] Thunberg has published a curious vocabulary of the Japanese language, which seems indeed to have little connec- tion with the monosyllabic speech of the Chinese. There are also dictionaries drawn up by the Jesuits. Literature.'] In the sciences and literature the Japanese yield to few of the oriental nations. This sensible people study house keeping, or domestic economy, as an indispensable science ; and next to this every Japanese is versed in the history of his country.* Astronomy is cultivated, but has not arrived at much perfection. They survey with tolerable accuracy ; and their maps are as exact as their imperfect instruments will permit. The art of printing is ancient, but they use blocks, not moveable types, and only im- press one side of the paper. Some of tiieir arts and manufactures even surpass those of Europe. There are excellent workmen in iron and copper ; and to no eastern country do they yield in man- ufactures of silk and cotton ; while in varnishing wood they are well known to have no equals. Glass is also common ; and they even form telescopes. The porcelain is deemed superior to that of China. Their swords display incomparable skill ; and many varieties of paper are prepared from the bark of a species of mul- berry tree. Education.] There are many schools in which the cliildren are taught to read and Avrite ; their education being accomplished without the degradation of personal chastisement, while courage is instilled by the repetition of songs in praise of deceased heroes. Cities a7id Toivns.] The capital city of the Japanese empire is Jedo, centrically situated on a bay in the S. E. side of the chief island Nipon. The houses never exceed two stories, with numer- ous shops towards the streets. The harbor is so shallow that an European ship would be obliged to anchor at the distance of five leagues. A fire happened in this city in the year 1772, which is said to have consumed six leagues in length, and three in breadth : and earthquakes are here familiar, as in other regions of Japan. The emperor's palace is surrounded with stone walls, and ditches with draw bridges, forming of itself a considerable town, said to be five leagues in circumference.f In this, and similar instances of oriental population and extent, though the best authorities be followed, yet the reader may, with the author, suspend his belief. The Japanese affirm that Jedo would occupy a person twenty-one hours to walk round its circumference, which might thus amount to about twent>'-one leagues : and that it is seven leagues in length by five in breadth. A large river passes through the capital, and besides tlie wide ditches of the palace, supplies several canals. There are no Avails nor foi'tifications, which are unknown in Jap- anese cities : but there are many splendid houses of U^e numer- ous princes. * Thunberg, iv. 54. f Id. iii. 189. 528 JAPAN. Miaco, the spiritual capital, and second city of the empire, is placed in an inland situation about 160 miles S. W. from Jedo, on a plain. Yet it is the first commercial city, and is celebrated for its manufactures. It is also the seat of the imperial mint : and the Dairi's court being literary, all books are printed here. Ksempfer informs us that, upon an enumeration taken in 1674, the inhabi- tants were found to amount to 405,642, of whom were males 182,070; and 223,572 females, without including the numerous attendants of the Dairi. Nagasaki, being the nearest city to the Dutch factory in the isle of Dezima, has of course attracted the particular attention of travellers. The harbor is the only one in which foreign ships are permitted to anchor, a privilege now enjoyed only by the Dutch and Chinese. The Portuguese trade raised this place from a mere village, to its present size and consequence. The other cities in the Japanese empire amount to about thirty or forty ; but, except those on the route from Nagasaki to the capital, few have been explored by European travellers. Osacca, and Sakai, boast the name of imperial cities. Ed{fices.~\ Of the principal edifices of the Japanese some idea may be formed from the descriptions given by travellers of the imperial palace, which, like those of the Chinese, consists of many dwellings, occupying an immense space. The saloon of the hun- dred mats is 600 feet in length, by 300 in breadth. There is a high square tower (a mark of dignity not permitted here to the grandees, though usual at their own courts,) which consists of several stages richly decorated ; and most of the roofs are orna- mented with golden dragons. The pillars and ceilings are of ce- dar, camphor, and other precious woods ; but the only furniture consists of white mats, fringed with gold. The emperor gives audience in a smaller chambei', where he is seated on carpets. The roads seem to be maintained in excellent order ; but the mountainous nature of the country has prevented the formation of canals, which indeed the universal proximity of the sea renders almost unnecessary ; otherwise so sensible and industrious a na- tion would doubtless have imitated the Cninese example. Manufactures and Comm€rcc7\^ The chief manufactures of Japan have been already mentioned in the account of arts and sciences. The inland commerce is very considei'able, being free and exempted from imposts.* The harbors arc crowded with large and small vessels ; the high roads with various goods ; and the shops well replenished. Large fairs are also held in different places, to which there is a great concourse of people. Tlie trade with China is the most important, consisting of raw silks, sugar, turpentine, drugs. Sec. while the exports are copper in bars, lack- <:red ware, Sec. Thunberg represents the profits of the Dutch trade as very inconsiderable, so that the company only employed two ships. The Japanese coins are of remarkable form, the gold being called Kobangs. The silver, called Kodama, sometimes * Thunberg, iv. lOG. JAPAN. 52? represents Daikok, the god of riches, sitting upon two barrels of rice, with a hammer in his right hand, and a sack at his left. The Seni, of copper or iron, are strung like the Chinese pieces of a similar value. CHAPTER II. NATURAL GF.OGKAPUY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRI- CULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, VOLCANOES, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, ISLES. CUiAnte and Seasoiis.'] THE heat of summer in Japan is ex- treme, and would be insupportable, were it not for the sea breez- es. Equally severe is the cold in v/inier, when the -^ind blows from the north, or north-east. The weather is changeable through- out the year ; and there are abundant falls of rain, especially in the satsaki, or rainy months, which begin at midsummer.* This copious moisture is the chief cause of the fertility of Japan, and its consequent high degree of population. Thunder is not unfrequent ; and tempests, hurricanes, and earthquakes, are very common. Thunberg has published his thermomctrical observations, from which a clear idea may be formed of the climate. Tlie greatest degree of heat, at Nagasa- ki, was 98°, in the month of August ; and the severest cold in January 35°, The thunder in the summer months is generally during the night ; and the snow will remain on the ground some days, even in the south. I'^ace of the Cowitry.'^ Though there be plains of considerable extent, as appears from the description of Miaco, yet Thunbo'g assures us that the whole country consists of mountains, hills, and vallies, the coast being mostly rocky and precipitous, and invest- ed with a turbulent sea. The face of the country is also diversi- fied with many rivers, and rivulets, by numerous singular tribes of vegetation ; and generally excites the social ideas of industry, more calculated perhaps to delight the heart, than the wild ap- pearances of deserted nature. The soil in itself may be said to be rather barren ; but the prolific showers conspire with labor and manure to overcome even this obstacle. Agriculture is a science in the highest estimation with this sensible people, so that except the most barren and untractable mountains, the earth is universally cultivated ; and even most of the mountains and hills. Free from all feudal and other impedinienis, and highly respected by other social classes, the farmer cultivates the soil with freedom and industry. There are no commons ; and if any portion be left uncultivated it may be seized by a more industrious ■ Thiuiberg, iii. 23i. VOL, IT.. fjr »630 JAPAN. neighbor. The Japanese mode of manuring is to form a mixture of excrements of all kinds, with kitchen refuse, which is carried in pails into the field, and poured with a ladle upon the plants^ when they have attained the height of about six inches, so that they quickly receive the whole benefit. The weeding is also carried to the utmost degree of nicety. The sides of the hills are cultivated by means of stone walls, supporting level plats sown with rice or esculent roots. " Thou- sands of these beds adorn most of their mountains, and give them an appearance which excites the greatest astonishment in the breasts of the spectators." Rice is the chief grain ; buck wheat, rye, barley, and wheat, being little used. The sweet potatoe is abundant ; with several sorts of beans and pease, turnips, cabbage, Sec. The rice is sown in April, and gathered in November : in which last month the wheat is sown, and reaped in June. The barley also stands the winter. From the seed of a kind of cabbage, lamp oil is express- ed, and several plants are cultivated for dyeing ; there are also cotton shrubs, and mulberry trees, which last feed abundance of silk worms. The varnish and camphor trees, the vine, the cedar, the tea tree, and the bamboo reed, not only grow wild, but are planted for numerous uses. Rivers.'] The rivers of Nipon have not been delineated with much care. Among the few named are the Nogasa, and the Jed- ogawa, which passes by Osaka, where it is crowned with several bridges of cedar, from 300 to 360 feet in length. The river Ojin- gawa is one of the largest and most dangerous in the country, though not subject like the others to swell during rains. Fusi- gawa is also a large and rapid river, as is that called Sakgawa. The largest river seems to be the Jodo, or Yodo, which Hows S. W. from the central lake of Oitz ; but our geography of the Japanese empire is far from being complete. Among the most important rivers Ksempfer names the Ujin (the Ojin of Thun- berg), the Oomi reported by the Japanese history to have burst from the ground in one niglit, and the Aska.* Lakes.] One of the chief lakes is that of Oitz, which emits two rivers, one towards Miaco, the other towards Osaka, and it is said to be 50 Japanese leagues in length, each about an hour's ride on horseback ; and the breadth is considerable. Alountains.] The principal Japanese mountain is that of Fusi, covered with snow almost throughout the year. The Faconie mountains are in the same quarter, surrounding a small lake of the same namcf Many of the mountains are overgrown with wood ; and others cultivated as before explained. There are several volcanoes, and in general they abound with evergreen trees, and crystalline springs. Volcanoes.'] Near Firando there is a volcanic island, nor arc others unknown in the surrounding seas^ In the province of Figo there is a volcano,which constantly emits flamcs,and anothcr,former- * Timnberg.i. 163. f l'^- '"• l*^*- * Kxmpfcr, i. 160, JAPAN. 531 ly acoal mine, in the province of Tsikuser. The course and extent of the various ranges of mountains have not been indicated. Near the lake of Oitz is the delightful mountain of Jesan ; W'hich is esteemed sacred, and is said to present not less than 3000 temples.* J^oresii:'] In the high state of cultivation, few forests can ap- pear, except those already mentioned, as decorating the sides of mountains. Botany.'] The vegetable treasures of Japan are numerous, and have been ably explored by Kaempfer and Thunberg ; on account however, of the enormous population of the country, and the ab- solute necessity of paying the utmost attention to the introduction of whatever may contribute to human sustenance, it is not easy to ascertain how far several of the esculent plants cultivated here are truly indigenous. There are many points of resemblance be- tween the floras of China and Japan, and this similarity has prob- ably been strengthened by a mutual interchange of useful veget- ables ; if indeed both countries have not rather derived some of their most valuable plants from Cochin-China, or the Phillippine islands ; the ginger, the soy-bean, black pepper, sugar, cotton, and indigo, though perhaps natives of the more southern regions of Asia, are cultivated here v/ith great success, and in vast abun- dance. The Indian laurel, and the camphor tree, are found in the high central parts of Japan, as is also the rhus vermix, from the bark of which exudes a gum resin, that is supposed to be the ba- sis of the exquisitely beautiful and inimitable black varnish, with which the inlaid cabinets and other articles of Indian luxury are covered. Besides the common sweet, or China orange, another species, the citrus japonica is found wild, and almost peculiar to this country ; two kinds of mulberry are met with, both in an indigenous and cultivated state, the one valuable as the favorite food of the silk worm, the other esteemed for the white fibres of its inner bark, which are manufactured into paper. The larch, the cypress, and weeping Avillow, found in all the warm regions between Japan and the Mediterranean, here arrive at the extrem- ity of their boundary to the east ; the same may be said of the opi- um, poppy, white lily, and jalap. The trumpet-flower (bignonia catalpa) is common to this pai"t of Asia, and Peru ; in Avhich cir- cumstance it resembles the vanilla, whose berries form an article of commerce, being largely used in the pi'eparation of chocolate. The tallow tree, the plantain, the cocoa-nut tree, and two other palms, the chamserops excelsa, and cycas circinalis, adorn the woodland tracts, especially near the shore, by the variety of their growth and foliage, while the uncultivated swamps by the sides of the rivers are rendered subservient to the uses of the inhabitants, . by the profusion and magnitude of the bamboos with which they are covered. Zoology.'] It is not a little remarkable that neither 'Sheep nor goats are found in the whole empire of Japan ; the latter being * Kcempfer il. "SS-, S52 JAPAN. deemed mischievous to cultivalion, while the abundance of cotton recompenses the want ofvvool. Swine are also deemed pernicious to agriculture ; and only a few appear in the neighborhood of Nagasaki, probably introduced by the Chinese.* There are in general but few quadrupeds ; the number of horses in the empire being computed by Thunberg, as only equal to those of a single Swedish town. Still fewer cattle are seen ; and the Japanese nei- ther use their flesh nor their milk, but employ them only in ploughing or drawing carts. The food consists almost entirely of fish and foAvl, with vegetables. Hens and common ducks are do- mesticated, chiefly on account of their eggs. A few dogs arc kept from motives of superstition ; and the cats are favorites of the ladies. The wolf appears in the northern provinces, and foxes in other parts ; these last being universally detested, and considered as demons incarnate. Mineralogy.'] " That the precious metals of gold and silver arc to be found in abundance in the empire of Japan, has been well known, both to the Portuguese, who formerly exported whole ship loads of them, and to the Dutch in former times. Gold is found in several parts, and perhaps Japan may in this respect contest the palm with the richest country in the world : but in order that this metal may not lose its value, by becoming too plentiful, it is pro- hibited to dig more than a certain stated quantity ; not to mention that no metallic mine, of any kind whatever, can be opened and wrought without the emperor's express permission. When this permission is obtained two thirds of the produce are the portion of the emperor, and the proprietor of the land receives one third for the expenses. The finest gold, together with the richest gold mines, are found on the largest of the Nipon islands near Sado. It is used for the mint, gilding, and embroidery ; but is not car- ried out of the country. " Silver must formerly have been found in much greater plenty than at present, as a large quantity of it was then exported from this country. The Japanese consider it as being more rare than gold, although the latter metal is dearer. It is said to be found in the province of Bingo ; and in the more northerly parts towards Kattami, \ery rich silver mines are to be met with. Independ- ently of these places, the two islands, which are called the gold and silver isles, fGinsima, Kinniina,) are said to contain a gieat quantity of both of these precious metals. Silver is used for coining and for plating. " Copper is quite common in every part of the empire, and is* richly impregnated with gold, constituling the main source of the wealth of many provinces. It was not only formerly exported in amazing quantities, but still continues to be exported both by the Dutch and Chinese merchants. The finest and most malleable is du;^- in Suruga, Atsingo, Kyno, Kuni. The last sort is esteemed to h& the most malleable of any j whilst |hat from Suruga contains * Tluniljcrg, iv. 93. BIRMAN EMPIRE. 55" the greatest quantity of gold. Of this metal are made small pieces of money for change ; it is used likewise for plating and for making utensils, such as pots, kettles, &c. . " Iron seems to be scarcer than any other metal in this coun- try. This they are neither fond of importing, nor yet of exporting it for sale. Of it they manufacture scymitars, arms, scissars, knives, and various other implements, of v/hich they stand in need. " Brimstone is found in great abundance in Japan. Pit coal is likewise to be met with in the northern provinces."* Here are several warm mineral waters, which the inhabitants use for various diseases ; particularly those of Obamma, and those in the mountain of Omfcn. The natural curiosities of Japan have been little investigated, as Europeans have seldom visited the interior of the country. /.s/cs.] There are many small isles dependent on Japan, par- ticularly in the S. and E. ; among which is Fatsifo, the place of exile for the grandees. This and the other small isles are scarcely known, except by name. THE BIRMAN EMPIRE.! COMPRISING THE KINGDOMS OF AVA, PEGU, AND AJIRACAX CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. NAME, EXTENT, BOUNDARIES, ORIGINAL INHABITANTS, PROGRES- SIVE GEOGRAPHY, MODERN HISTORY, RELIGION, LAWS, GO VERN- MENT, POPULATION, ARMY, NAVY, REVENUES, POLITICAL IM- PORTANCE, MANNERS, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, CITIES, EDI- FICES, MANUFACTURES, COMMERCE. jYame.'] BEFORE the appe.arance of a recent in- teresting publication,^ scarcely any thing was known concerning this new empire ; and geographers were constrained to detail the old accounts, which are little satisfactory. The Birman em- pire derives its name from the Birmahs, who have been long- known as a warlike nation in the region formerly styled India BEYOND THE Ganges ; the capital city of their kingdom being Ava, or Awa. Pegu is by the natives styled Bagoo ;§ being tht; • Tliiinler.E;, iv. 102. I The nccount of tliis Empire, witli few additions, is from Pinkeitnn. I Synics's account of llie Einbas'r\' to Ava. § Ib.i. 6. 8vo. edit. 534 BIRMAN EMPIRE. country situated to the south of the former, and justly inferred to have been the Golden Chersonese of the ancients. Extent and Boundaries.^ It is difficult to ascertain with preci- sion the boundaries of the Birrnan empire. Mr. Symes informs us that " it appears to include the space between the 9th and 26th degree of noi'th latitude, and between the 92d and 107th degrees of longitude east of Greenwich ; about 1050 geographical miles in length and 600 in breadth : these are the ascertainable limits, taken from the Birman accounts. It should however be remark- ed that the breadth often vax'ies, and is in many places very incon- siderable on what is called the Eastern Peninsula."* According to Hassel, this empire, embracing Ava, Pegu, and Arrakan, con- tains 223,750 square miles. The geography of what is called India beyond the Ganges, a vague name for the wide and various regions between Hindostan and China, is still defective. To the north the Birman empire is divided by mountains from Asam, a country little visited or known ; and farther to the east it boi'ders on Tibet and China. On the Avest a range of mountains and the little river Naaf divide the Birman possessions from the British dominions in Bengal ; and the limit is continued by the sea. But the southern and east- ern boundaries still remain obscure. Amidst this vmcertainty it must suffice to observe that the Birman empire constitutes the fifth grand native power in Asia since Hindostan and Persia have been divided, and may probably extend its authority over Laos and Cambodia, while it remains divided by desei'ts and ranges of lofty mountains from the united kingdoms of Cochin-China and Tun- quin. Original Population.'] The original population of this region has been little illustrated. The alphabet, literature, and religion, are derived from those of the Hindoos ; but the language, the grand criterion of national origins, has not been regularly collated with those of the adjacent countries.! Progressive Geography.'] Although this country appears to have been known to the ancients, constituting the utmost boun- dary of their knowledge in this quarter of the globe,| yet the first pi'ecise ideas concerning this part of the globe were derived from the discoveries of the Portuguese, but the geography remains so imperfect that even D'Anville has erred in the delineation ; and Mr. Symes's work leaves room for many illustrations and improve- ments when future travellers shall investigate with care the coun- tries beyond the Ganges.§ History.] The history of the Birman empire is detailed at some length in the introductory part of the recent publication ; and as it displays the origin of a new and giipat Asiatic power, it may * Symes's Account of the Embassy to Av:i, ii. 411. f See vol. vi. of the Asiatic Researches. i Geograph. 'ic;ii are rai-e. Tliere is one of Tiiiiquiii and Lao?, translated I'rom the Italian ol Marinl, Ta- lis, IGCI, -i'.u. BIRMAN EMPIRE. 535 be interesting to present an abstract. From the Portuguese ac- counts it appears that the Birmans, a brave and warlike race, for- merly subject to the king of Pegu, became afterwards masters of Ava, and caused a revolution in the former country about the mid- dle of the sixteenth century, when they took Martaban. The Portuguese continued to influence these countries, till they were expelled by the Dutch, Miio obtained settlements in various parts of the Birman territory ; while the English had factories at Sirian, and even at Ava. The Birmans continued to exercise their supremacy over Pegu till about the year 1740, when a civil war arose, during which the British factory at Sirian was destroyed in 1744. By some Euro- pean aids the Pegue.sc in 1750 and 1751, gained several victories over the Birmans ; and in 1752 Ava was besieged and taken ; the last of a long line of Birman kings being reduced to captivity ; but two of his sons escaped to Siam. When Binga Delia, king of Pegu, had completed the conquest of Ava, he returned to his own country, leaving his brother Ap- poraza to govern the late capital of the Birman king. All wore the aspect of tranquil submission, when there suddenly arose one of those men who are destined, by means almost invisible, to break the strongest rod of power, and to change the fate of empires. Alonipra, a Birman of low extraction, was the chief of a small vil- lage, and was continued in this petty office by the victors. With one hundred devoted followers he attacked abandoffiftyPeguese, whom he put to the sword ; and afterwards defeated a small force sent against him ; and about the autumn of 1753, took possession of Ava, while the Peguese government seems to have been lost by mere infatuation. After i-epeated defeats Binga Delia himself advanced against Alompra, and the war was conducted by fleets on the great river Irrawady, as well as by land, that of the Pe- guese being utterly defeated in close combat by that of the Bir- mans. Alompra proceeding in his conquests founded the town now well known by the name of Rangoon, which signifies " vic- tory atchieved ;" and soon after chastised the people of Cassay, who had revolted from the Birman authority. In 1756 he block- aded Sirian, which yielded to his arms ; and after having deprivccl the capital of any foreign aid by water, he advanced against the city of Pegu, situated on an extensive plain, and then surrounded with no mean fortifications, while the stupendous pagoda of Sho- madoo served as a citadel. This capital was invested in January 1757, and in about three months became a prey to the Birmans. Alompra then proceeded to subdue the countries to the eastward, as far as the three pagodas, the ancient boundary between Pegu and Siam. Tavoy has been since added to the Birman possessions in this quarter, Alompra next determined to chastise the Siamese, for the cu- couragement they had given to his rebellious subjects, and order- ed a fleet to sail to Merghi, a sea-port belonging to the Siamese, which was easily taken, and was followed by the conquest of Tai»- aserim, a large and populous city. 536 BIRMAN EMPIRE. The victor next advanced against the capital of Siam , but two days after the siege had commenced, Alonipra was seized with a deadly disease, which saved the Siamese from destruction. He died within two days march of Martaban, about the 15th of May, 1760, regretted by his people, who at once venerated him as their deliverer, and as a great and victorious monarch. This ibundci- of the Birman empire had not completed his fiftieth year; his person strong and well proportioned, exceeded the middle size ; and though his features were coarse, his complexion dark, and his countenance saturnine, there was a dignity in his deportment that became his high station. He was succeeded by his son Namdogee, who suppressed sev- eral insurrections, and died in 1764, leaving an infant son, Momien, whose uncle Shembuen, second son of the great Alompra, assumed the regency and afterwards the diadem. Sheinbuan, to divert the national attention, as usual with usurp- ers, declared war against Siam ; and in 1760 two armies entered that country from the N. and S., and, being united, defeated the Siamese about seven days journey from their capital. The Sia- mese king privately withdrew after a blockade of two months, and the city capitulated ; a Siamese governor being appointed who swore allegiance to the BirEian sovereignty, and engaged to pay an annual tribute. The Chinese, apprehensive of the progress of these conquests, ■advanced an army from the province of Yun?.n, but were com- pletely defeated by the Birmans. Policy spared the captives, who were invited \.o marry Birman wives, the Hindoo prejudices being here unknown. Shenibuan rebuilt Ava Haung, or ancient Ava, the metropolis of the empire, which had fallen to ruin during the late commotions. The Siamese though vanquished remained un- subdued ; and there is an inveterate enmity betwixt the nations, which will prevent cither servitude or alliance.* A Siamese prince assumed the monarchy, and in 1771, defeated the Birmans. Shembuan afterwards turned his arms to the west, and forced the raja of Cachar to pay homage to his power. He died at Ava, in 1776, and was succeeded by his son Chenguza, whose tyrannnical conduct occasioned a conspiracy, at the head of which was Shem- buan Minderagee, the present monarch, younger brother of the deceased Shembuan. Chenguza was slain in I7b2. The southern conquests of tlie Birmans had already extended as far as Merghi, and the northern provinces formerly belonging to Siam, had been reduced to subjection and tribute. Minderagee determined to pass the mountains of Anoupec, and subdue Arra- can, the raja or prince being of a supine character, and his suB- jecLs unwarlike, though they had never becri reduced to pay hom- age to any foreign power. This conquest was commenced in 1783, and was speedily effected. After this conquest the Birman arms were again turned against Siam, and in 1735 a fiCCL was sent to subdue the isle of Junkseylon, * iSynieSj i. 171. BIRMAN EMPIRE. 537 ■which carries on a considerable trade in ivory and tin, and is the only remaining mart of Siamese trade on this coast. Meeting with a repulse, the Birman monarch left his capital at the head of 30,000 men, with a train of 20 field pieces ; but was defeated by the king of Siam, who in his turn failed in an invasion of the vice- royalty of Martaban, which comprehends Tavoy, Merghi, and all the Birman possessions to the south. In 1793 a treaty was ratified between the Birmans and Siamese, by which the latter ceded the western maritime towns as far S. as Merghi inclusive. But with this exception, and that of some northern provinces, the Siamese monarchy retains a considerable portion of its ancient fame. Hence it appears that the Birman empire can scarcely be computed to extend beyond the 1 02 degree of longitude, and that only in the part to the north of Siam. Religion.^ The Birmans follow the worship of Hindostan, not as votaries of Brahma, but as disciples of Boodh, which latter is admitted by Hindoos of all descriptions to be the ninth Avatar, or descent of the deity in his capacity of preserver.* The Birmans believe in the transmigration of souls ; after which the radically bad will be condemned to lasting punishment, while the good shall enjoy eternal happiness in the mount Meru. '1 hey esteem mercy to be the chief attribute of the divinity. Of the religious buildings appropriated to the Birman worship, are temples near Rangoon, at Pegu, and Syriam. Laivs.'] The laws of the Birmans are inseparable from their i-eligion. The sacred verses or forgeries of IMenu are illustrated by numerous commentaries of the Munis, or old philosophers, and constitute the Dherma Sastre, or body of laws. Both the religion and laws proceeded originally from Ceylon, and passed through Aracan to Miama. " 1 he Birman system of jurisprudence is re- plete with sound morality, and is distinguished above any other Hindoo commentary for perspicuity and good sense ; it provides specifically for almost every species of crime that can be committed, and adds a copious chapter of precedents and decisions, to guide the inexperienced in cases where there is doubt and difficulty. Trial by ordeal and imprecation are the only absurd passages in the book ; but on the subject of women it is to an European of- fensively indecent ; like the immortal Menu, it tells the prince and the magistrate their duty, in language austere, manly, and en- ergetic." ^ GoverntneJit.'] Though the form of government be despotic, yet the king consults a council of ancient nobles. 1 here are no hereditary dignities nor employments ; but all honours and offices, on the demise of the possessor, revert to the crown The tsalocy or chain, is the badge of nobility, the number of strings or divisions denoting the rank of the person, being three, six, nine, or twelve, while the king alone wears twenty-four. Rank is also denoted by the form and material of various rrticles in common use. Pofiulation,'\ The number of cities, towns and villages, in this Syraes ii.3l3- VOL. li. ^8 538 BIRMAN EMPIRE. empire, accord iiig to Col. Symes, is 8000. He states its popula- tion at 17,000,000, confessedly however the result of a very vague estimate. Of these 1 4,000,000 are in Ava and Pegu, and 3,000,000 in Arracan.* Army and JVary.] Every man in the empire is liable to mili- tary service, but the regular army is very inconsiderable. Dur- ing war the viceroys raise one recruit from every two, three, or four houses, which otherwise pay a fine of about jC40.t sterling. The family of the soldier is detained as hostages ; and in case of cowardice or desertion suffer death, a truly tyrannic mode of se- curing allegiance. The infantry are not regularly clothed, but are armed with muskets and sabres ; while the cavalry carry spears, about seven or eight feet in length. The royal magazines are said to contain about 20,000 indifferent firelocks. But the war boats form the chief military establishment, consisting of about 500, formed out of the solid ti-unk of the teak tree, the length be- ing from 80 to 100 feet, but the breadth seldom exceeding eight. They carry from 50 to 60 rowers, the prow being solid, with a flat surface, on which a piece of ordnance is mounted. Each rower is provided with a sword and lance, and there are 30 soldiers armed with muskets. The attack is impetuous, and chiefly con- ducted by grappling ; but the vessels being low in the water, the greatest danger is that of being run down by a larger boat striking the broad side. Their naval actions thus recal to remembrance those of classical antiquity. Revenues."^ The revenue arises from one tenth of all produce, and of foreign goods imported; but the amount is uncertain. Yet as grants are commonly made in land or offices, and no money leaves the royal treasury except in cases of great emergency, it is supposed that the monarch possesses immense treasures. Potitical Lnjiortance and Relations.'] The political importance and relations of the Birman empire may considerably influence the commerce of the east, and may be considered as a barrier against the ambition of the Chinese, who might perhaps be in- duced to extend their possessions in this quarter, and might, in co-operation with the native princes, endanger the British posses- sions in Hindostan. Such is, however, the superiority of European arms, that this event is little to be apprehended. But if the Birmans, as is not improbable, were to extend their authority over the whole of that part called India beyond the Ganges, they might, as being a most brave and determined nation, prove dangerous neigh- bors to the English possessions in Bengal, especially if so tar advanced in policy as to co-operate with the western princes of Hindostan. The temporary disgusts therefore between the British and Chinese ought not to induce the former to forget the greater danger from the Birmans, whose empire it cannot be for the Brit- ish interest to enlarge, though policy will prevent their offering any open obstruction. - Manners and Customs.'] The general disposition of the Birmans is strikingly contrasted with that of the Hindoos, from whom they * llrtssel. t Symes, ii. 352. BIRMAN EMPIRE. 539 are separated only by a narrow range ofmountains, in many places admitting of an easy intercourse.* Notwithstanding the small extent of this barrier, the physical difference between the nations could scarcely be greater, Had they been situated at the opposite extremities of the globe. The Birmans are a lively, inquisitive race, active, irascible, and impatient ; the unworthy passion of jealousy, which prompts most nations of the east to immure their women within the walls of an haram, and surround them with guards, seems scarcely to have any influence over the minds of this extraordinary and more liberal people. Birman wives and daughters are not concealed from the sight of men, and are suf- fered to have as free intercourse Avith each other, as the rules of European society admit ; but in other respects women have just reason to complain of their treatment, they are considered as not belonging to the same scale of the nation as men, and even the law stamps a degrading distinction between the sexes ; the evi- dence of a woman being not received as of equal weight with that of a man. The women though free are generally too much occupied in the labors o/ the loom to admit of infidelity, the offspring of idle- ness. In war the men display the ferocity of savages, while in peace they can boast a considerable degree of gentleness and civ- ilization. The Birman year comprises twelve months of 29 or 30 days alternately, a month being interposed every third year. Th^ subdivision of the month is peculiar, as they number the days not only from the new moon, but from the full, which last is called the decreasing moon. They are fond of poetry and music, and among their instruments is the heem, resembling the ancient pipe of Pan, formed of several reeds neatly joined together, and sounded by a common mouth-piece, so as to produce a plaintive melody. Lariguage and Literature 7^ The alphabet represents 53 simple sounds, and is written from left to right like the European. The Birman books are more neatly executed than those of the Hindoos, and in every kioul or monastery, there is a library or repository of books. Colonel Symes was surprised at the number contained in the royal library, in which the large chests amounted to about 1 00. t The books were regularly classed, and the contents of each chest were written in gold letters on the lid. The study of the laws and national religion must of course con- stitute a considerable branch of education among the great ; that of the poor seems to be utterly neglected. Cities?^ Ava, the ancient capital, has been permitted to sink into ruin since the recent foundation of Ummerapoora, on the eastern side of a great river which flows into the Irrawady. The new capital, with its spires, turrets, and lofty piasath, or obelisk, denoting the royal presence, seems to rise, like Venice, from the waters, being placed between a lake on the S. E. and the large river, with numerous isles, on the N. W. The lake is called Tounzemahn, from a village on the opposite side, ornamented • Symes, ii. 383. | lb. iii, 93. 540 BlRMAN EMPIRE. •with tall groves of man^o, palmyra, and cocoa trees. The num- ber and sing-vilarity of the boats that were moored in the lake, snd the surrounding amphitheatre of lofty hills, conspired to render the scene grand and interesting. The fort is an exact square, ■with public granaries and store rooms ; and there is a gilded tem- ple at each corner, jiearly 100 feet in height, but far inferior to others in the vicinity of the capital. In the centre of this fort stands the royal palace, with a wide court in front, beyond which is the Lotoo, or hall of council, supported by 77 pillars, disposed in eleven rows. The extent and population of this city have not been accurately stated, but are probably inconsiderable. Ava, formerly the capital, is also styled Aungwa, but is in a state of ruin. '' The walls are now mouldering into decay? ivy clings to the sides, and bushes, suflercd to groAv at the bottom, undermine tlie foundation, and ha\c already caused large chasms in the different faces of the fort. The materials of the houses, consisting chiefly of wood, had, on the first order for removing, been'transported into the new city of Ummtrapoora : but the ground, unless where it is covered with bushes or rank grass, still retains traces of former buildings and streets. The lines of the royal palace, of the Lotoo, or grand council hall, the apartments of the •women, and the spot on which the piasath, or imperial spire had stood, were pointed out to us by our guide. Clumps of bamboos, a few plantain trees, and tall thorns, occupy the greater part of the area of this lately flourishing capital. We observed two dwelling houses of brick and mortar, the roofs of which had fallen in ; these our guides said had belonged to Colars, or foreigners. On entering one we found it inhabited only by bats, which flew in our faces, whilst our sense of smelling was offended by their filth, and by the noisome mildew that hung upon the walls. Nu- merous temples, on which the Birmans never lay sacrilegious hands, were dilapidating by time. It is impossible to draw a more striking picture ot desolation and ruin."* Pegu, formerly the capital of a kingdom, is also in ruins, having been razed by Alompra, in 1757, the praws or temples being spar- ed ; and of these the vast pyramid of Shomadoo has alone been reverenced, and kept in repair. The present Birman monarch has endeavored to conciliate the Taliens, or native Peguese, by permitting them to rebuild their ancient city, within the site of •which a new town has accordingly been reared. The city occu- pies about half its former extent, and is the residence of the May- woon, or governor cf Pegu. It is decorated with that extraordi- nary edifice the Shomadoo, seated on a double terrace, one side of the lower being 1391 feet, of the upper €84. The building is composed of brick and mortar, octagonal at the base, and spiral at the top, without any cavity or aperture. At the summit is a Tee, or sacred umbrella, of open iron work, gilt, 56 feet in circum- fei-cnce ; the height of the whole being S61 feet, and above the inner terrace, 331 feet. Tradition bears tli^at it was founded * S; roes, ii. 270. BIRMAN EMPIRE. 541 about 500 years before Christ. A more complete idea of this very singular edifice may be obtained from the print published by colonel Symes, than any verbal description can convey. One of the chief ports of the Birman empire is Rangoon, which, though like the capital, of recent foundation, is supposed to eon- tain 30,000 souls. Towards the mouth of the river Pegu, stands Sirian, formerly one of the chief ports of that kingdom, and of considerable commerce when in possession of the Portuguese. It was particularly celebrated for the export of rubies, and other precious stones, which seem, however, to be chiefly found in the northei-n mountains. Martaban was another sea port of considerable eminence, till the harbor was impeded by order of the Birman emperor. Of Tavoy and Merghi, liltle is known ; but Tanaserim m.aintains the dignity of a city. The grand river uf Irrawady is bordered vyfith numerous towns and villages. Persain, or Bassien, stands on its western branch. At a considerable distance to the north is Prome, celebrated as the scene of many long sieges and bloody conflicts. The number of inhabitants exceeds that of Rangoon. Pagahm is also a con- siderable place. Nor must Aracan, a recent acquisition, be for- gotten, v/hich is divided by several canals, derived from a river of the same name. Towards the Chinese frontier are Quangtong, corresponding iu name with the .distant province, called Canton, by Europeans ; Bamoo, and in the county of Cassay, Munnipora. Monchaboo is a considerable town to the north of the capital. Edijicesr\ The most remarkable edifice is the Shomadoo, be- fore described. The Kioums are often of singularly rich and fan- tastic architecture, as may be observed iu the delineation given by colonel Symes ; who has also published a view of the grand hall of audience, perhaps as splendid an edifice as can well be ex- ecuted in wood. His reception at the " golden feet," such is the term used for the imperial presence, was also remarkably grand, the pomp in some degree corresponding with that of the ancient Byzantine emperors. Inland jYavigation.~\ Nature has so ainply provided the means of inland navigation, by the numerous mouths and streams of the grand river Irrawady, that additional industry seems superfluous. Manufaciures.~\ The Birmans excel in gilding, and several other ornamental manufactures. The edifices and barges are constructed with singular oriental taste aud elegance ; and at Chagain is a manufacture of marble divinities, the material being remarkably fine, and almost transparent. Commerce.~\ A considerable trade is carried on between the capital and Yunan, the nearest province of China, consisting chief- ly in cotton, with amber, ivory, precious stones, and betel nut ; the returns being raw and wrought silks, velvets, gold leaf, pre- serves, paper, and some utensils of hard ware. Several thousand boats are annually employed in transporting rice from the lower provinces, to supply Ummei apoora, and the northern districts. $42 BIRMAN EMPIRE. Salt and gilapee, a kind of fish sauce, used with vice, are also Ar- ticles of internal commerce. European broad cloth and liavd ware, coarse Bencral muslins, China ware, and glass, are imported by foreigners. The Birmans, like the Chinese, have no coin ; fcut silver in bullion, and lead, are current. CHAPTER II. NATURAL fEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, ISLES. Climate and Seasons.'] THE vigorous health of the natives attests the salubrity of the climate, the seasons being regular, and the extremes of heat and cold little known. Face of the Country.] The face of the country affords almost every variety, from the swampy Delta of the Irrawady to pleasant hills and dales, and considerable ranges of mountains. " The soil of the southern provinces of the Birman empire is remarkably fertile, and produces as luxuriant crops of rice as are to be found in the finest pai'ts of Bengal. Farther northward the country be- comes irregular and mountainous ; but the plains and vallies, particularly near the river, are exceedingly fruitful ; they yield good wheat, and the various kinds of small grain which grow in Hindostan ; as likewise legumes, and most of the esculent veget- ables of India. Sugar canes, tobacco of a superior quality, indi- go, cotton, and the different tropical fruits in perfection, are all indigenous products of this favorite land."* Agriculture seems to be pursued with considerable avidity, but tlie mode has not been particularly illustrated. Rivers.] I he chief river of the Birman empire is the Irrawa- dy, which, probably passes by Moguang to Bamoo, and thence by Ummerapoora, and Prome, towards the sea, which it joins by ma- ny mouths, after a comparative course of near 1200 British miles. The Keen Duem seems to rise in the mountains towards Asam, be- ing of much inferior size where it joins the Irrawady. The river Sitang is the next on the east, after passing the small yiver of Pegu, but seems to be a kind of remote branch of the Ir- rawady. The Thaluan enters the sea near Martaban, the length of its course exceeds that of the Irrawady, though not being fed by such numerous streams, it cannot equal it in size. The river of Siam, or Maygue, also pervades a part of the Birman territory. The geography of all these rivers remains imperfect. Moujitains,] It is probable that the highest range of mountains is on the frontiers of Tibet. The other ranges are delineated ais * Symcs, ii. 572. BIRMAN EMPIRE. 543 passing N. and S., but the names are not indicated, except those of Anoupec, between Ava and Arracan,and a small range running E. and W., which supplies the sources of the river of Pegu. Forests.^ The forests are large and numerous, many parts re- maining in a state of nature. They supply almost every descrip- tion of timber that is known in Hindostan; and, about four days journey to the N. of the capital, firs grow in abundance. But the lord of the Birman forest is the teak tree, superior to the Euro- pean oak, which is thei*e unknown : the teak flourishes in many parts of the empire, to the N. of the capital as well as to the S. Botamj.'] All the countries that compose the rich and exten- sive territory of India beyond the Ganges, including the Birman empire, and the dominions of Pegu, Siam, Cambodia, Cochin- Chir*. and Malacca, bear such a similarity to each other in their vegetable productions as far as they have been investigated, as renders it impossible to give a generjal and separate view of their respective floras without continual repetitions. Certain districts also in farther India have been examined with considerable atten- tion, while others similarly situated have remained almost wholly overlooked : it is only therefore from analogy (a highly pi'obable one indeed) that we can conjectui'e the most characteristic species of their indigenous plants. The mountains of the interior, and \n general the whole northern frontier, are still totally unexplored, and the deep forests infested with tigers, must ever continue, even in the moi^ accessible parts, to oppose no trifling obstacles to the spirit of scientific adventure. It is in those parts of the torrid zone that abound with water, and where, from the influence of the monsoons, the country is ex- tensively flooded every year, that vegetation assumes a vigor and sublimity wholly inconceivable by the native of more temperate climates : everlasting verdure, grace, and majesty of form, height and amplitude of growth, are the distinguishing attributes of their trees, compared Avith which the monarchs of our forests sink into vegetables of an inferior order : the same exuberance of nature is conspicuous in their shrubs and herbaceous plants, in their blos- soms and their fruits, whose vivid brilliancy of color, sing-ularity of shape, aromatic fragrance, and exalted flavor, reduce to rela- tive insignificance the puny produce of European summers. Here rises in proud magnificence the white sandal tree, whose fragrant wood is in high request through the whole east for the grateful odour of its smoke. The teak tree (tectona theca) is at least equal even to British oak as a durable material for ship- building : the true jet black ebony wood is the produce of one of the indigenious trees of Cochin China. The sycamore fig, the Indian fig, and the banyan tree, itself a grove, by the breadth of their leaves and the luxuriance of their foilage, afi'ord a most de- licious shelter, impenetrable even by the meridian ardor of an In- dian sun. Of the plants that are used in medicine or the arts some of the most important are natives of farther India : the nature of this work does not admit of specifying the whole, but those of most 544. BIRMAN EMPIRE. consequence are the following. The ginger and cardamon, two pleasant aromatics, are found wild on the river sides, but are also cultivated in great abundance ; the turmeric, whose principal use in Europe is as a dying drug, is largely used by the natives of the coast to tinge and flavor their rice and other food : the leaves of the betel pepper, with the fruit of the black and long pepper, are the most favorite of their native spices, to which may also be added three or four kinds of capsicum. The cinnamon laurel grows in abundance on each side of the Malayan peninsula, and. sometimes, as it is said, accompanied by the nutmeg. The su- gar cane, the bamboo, and the spikenard, the three most cele- brated plants of the grass tribe, are found throughout the whole country ; the two former in rich SAvamps, and the latter on dry hills. The sweet potatoe, mad apple and loveapplc, gourds, melo"^, wa- ter melons, and a profusion of other esculent plants, enrich tnis fa- vored country ; all these hov/cver require cultivation : but the plan- tain, the cocoa nut, the sago palm, furnished by the free unstinted bounty of nature, contribute most plentifully to satisfy the wants of the inhabitants. Of native fruits they possess a vast variety and an inexhaustible abundance. The vine grows wild in the forests, but from excessive heat and want of cultivation its fruit is far inferior to that of the south of Europe : to compensate how- ever for this deficiency, they have the luscious mango, the pine apple, the sapindus edulis (the li-tschi of the Chinese,) the man- gosteen plum, the custard apple, the papaw fig, the orange, the lemon and lime, and a multitude of other exquisite fruits, whose very names are scarcely known in Europe. Zoology.^ The animals in general correspond with those of Hindostan. Elephants principa.ily abound in Pegu. The horses are small, but spirited. A kind of wild fowl called the henza, and by the Hindoos the braminy goose, has been adopted as the symbol of the empire, like the Roman eagle. Mineralogy.'^ The mineralogy of this region, the Golden Cher- sonese of the ancients, is rich, and some products rather singu- lar. While Malacca, which has hitherto been supposed the Golden Chersonese, scarcely produces any mineral, except tin, and is in truth a poor country, celebrated chiefly as an emporium of Portuguese trade with China ; the rivers of Pegu, on the con- trary, still continue to devolve particles of gold ; and their sands must in ancient times have been yet more prolific of that precious metal. Nor is it improbable that the practice of gilding the roofs and spires of temples and palaces is very ancient, as we are told that the Shomadoo was built about 500 years before the Christian era ; in which case the splendid appearance might natuially give rise to the classical appellation of the country. In many regions gold is found intermingled with silver; and six days journey from Bamoo (probably towards the north) there arc mines of gold and silver at Badoucm, near the frontiers of China. By a singu- lar conjunction, there are, according to the same authority, mines of gold, silver, rubies, and sapphires, at present open on a mouRr- tain called Wooboloo-taun, near the river Keen Duem. MALA.YA, OR MALACCA, 545 There is also abundance of inferior minerals, as tin, iron, lead, antimony, arsenic, and sulphur ; and amber, a rare and singular product, is not only dug up in large quantities near the river Irra- wady, but is uncommonly pure and pellucid. The most singular product of Pegu is the ruby, a stone next to the diamond in value, and which is found in a mountain between Sirian and Pegu, this substance being almost as peculiar as the diamond is to Hindostan. Rubies and sapphires are also found in the north western part of the empire ; but the most valuable mines are in the vicinity of the capital, or rather about 30 miles to the north. MALAYA, OR MALACCA. PROGRESSIVE GEOGRAPHY, NAME AND EXTENT, LANGUAGE, PRO- DUCTS, CITY OF MALACCA, GENERAL REMARKS ON THE MA- LAYS, ISLES OF ANDAMAN AND NJCOBAR. THE peninsula appended to theBirman territories on the south is styled Malaya or Malacca. Progressive Geografihy.~\ This Chersonese was certainly un- known to the ancients, and seems to have escaped the knowledge of Marco Polo, if this be not his Maletur, where he says there was abundance of spices, and the natives had a proper and pecu- liar speech. However this be, the Portuguese are regarded as the first dis- coverers of Malacca in 1509, to which they were led by the vain idea of finding the golden Chersonese of the ancients. In 1511 the Portuguese conqviei'cd the peninsula. J^amcr^ The name is derived from the Malaya, who are most- ly Mahometans, and in some degree civilized ; but the inland parts seem to be possessed by a more rude native race, little known amidst the imperfection of materials concerning this coun- try. The northern limits are not strictly defined ; but Malacca is about 8°, or near 560 miles in length, by about 150 miles of me- dial breadth, a territory sufficiently ample for a powerful mon- archy, had its native productions corresponded with its extent. Language.'^ The Malayan language has been called the Ital- ian of the east, from the melody of frequent vowels and liquids. The Arabic character is made use of ; and an influx of words of that language has followed the adoption of the Mahometan reli- gion. They write on paper, using ink of their own composition, and pens made of the twigs of a tree. The purest Malay is still supposed to be spoken in the peninsula, and has no inflexion of nouns or verbs. Divisions.'] Malacca is represented as divided into the king* VOL. II. 69 546 MALAYA, OR MALACCA. dom of Patani in ihe north, and that of Yohor or Jor occupyuig the " southern extremity of the peninsula, the chief towns being Batu- saber the capital, Linga, Bintam, and Carimon. Products.~\ The inland parts of the Malayan peninsula seems to re«i;ain full of extensive aboriginal forests ; nor do the an- cient or modern maps indicate any towns or villages in these parts. The indolence of the inhabitants has prevented the country from being explored ; but it produces pepper, and other spices, with some precious gums and woods. The wild elephants supply abundance of ivory ; but tlie tin, the only mineral mentioned, may 'perhaps be the produce of Banka. The city of Malacca, which seems to have been founded by Ma- hometans in the thirteenth century, Avas held by the Portuguese till 1 641, when it was seized by the Dutch. It was considered as situated in the southern kingdom of Yohor ; and in the last cen- tury was supposed to contain 12,000 inhabitants, of which how- ever only 3000 dwelt within the walls. Not above 300 were na- tive Portuguese, the others being a mixed race of Mahometan Malays, accounted among the chief merchants of the east. The Portuguese settlement did not extend above five leagues around ; vet became highly important from its advantageous position for Indian and Chinese comn(\erce.* The disgraceful jealousy of the Dutch concerning their oriental possessions renders the recent accounts of this city imperfect. In general the Malays are a well made people, though rather below the middle stature, their limbs well shaped, but small, and particularly slender, at the wrists and ancles. Their complexion is tawney, their eyes large, their noses seem rather flattened by art than nature ; and their hair is very long, black, and shining. Besides the tiger and elephant, Malacca produces the civet cat described by Sonncrat, who also mentions that wild men are found in this .peninsula, perhaps the noted Orang Outang. They are restless, fond of navigation, war, plunder, emigrations, colonies, desperate enterprizes, adventures, and gallantry. They talk incessantly of their honor and their bravery, whilst they are universally considered by those with whom they have intercourse, as the most treacherous, fei'ocious people on the globe ; and yet, they speak the softest language of Asia. This ferocity is so well known to the European companies, who have settlements in the Indies, that they have universally agreed in prohibiting the captains of their ships, who may put into the Malay islands, from taking on board any seamen of that nation, except in the greatest distress, and then on no account to. exceed two or three. It is nothing uncommon for a handful of these savages suddenly to embark, attack a vessel by surpvize, poniard in hand, massacre the people, and make themselves masters of her. Malay barks, with 25 or 30 men, have been known to board European ships of 30 or 40 guns, in order to take possession of them, and murder • Mandelslo, i. Col. 337. SI AM. 54r with their poniards g'reat part of the crew. The Malay history is full of such enterprizes, which mark the desperate ferocity of these barbarians. Opposite to the coast of Malacca, though at a considerable dis- tance, are the islands of Andaman and of Nicobar. The great Andaman is about 140 miles in length, but not more than 20 in the greatest breadth, indented by deep bays affording excellent harbors, and intersected by vast inlets and creeks, one of which, navigable for small vessels, passes quite through the isle.* The soil is chiefly black mould, the cliffs of a white arenaceous stone. The extensive forests afford some precious trees, as ebony, and the Nicobar bread fruit. The only quadrupeds seem to be wild hogs, monkeys, and rats. The sea supplies numerous fish, and excellent oysters. The people of the Andamans. are as little civilized as any in the world, and are probably cannibals. They have woolly heads, and perfectly resemble negroes. Their char- acter is truly brutal, insidious, and ferocious, and their canoes of the rudest kind. On Barren isle, about 15 leagues east of the Andamans, is a violent volcano, which emits showers of red hot stones ; and the whole island has a singular and volcanic appear- ance. A British settlement has been recently formed on the Greater Andaman, and some convicts sent thither from Bengal. The natives, about 2000, have already profited by the example of English industry. The Nicobars are three ; the largest being about five leagues in circumference.! They produce cocoa and areca trees, with yams and sweet potatoes ; and the eatable bird's nests, so highly esteemed in China, abound here as well as in the Andamans. The people are of a copper colcur, with small oblique eyes and other Tartar features. In their dress a small stripe of cloth hangs down behind ; and hence the ignorant tales of seamen, which led even Linnaeus to infer, that some kind of meiT had tails. The only quadrupeds are swine and dogs. The traffic is in cocoa nuts, of which one hundred are given for a yard of blue cloth. ' SIAM. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRxVPHY, KAME, EXTENT, BOUNDARIES, ORIGINAL POPULATION, PROGRES- SIVE GEOGRAPHY, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, RELIGION, GOVERN- MENT, LAWS, POPULATION, ARMY, NAVY, REVENUES, POLITICAL IMPORTANCE, MANNERS, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, CITIES, EDIFICES. MANUEACTURES, COMMERCE. TILL the recent extension of the Birman empire, the rich and flourishing monarchy of Siam was to be regarded as the » As. Res.iv. 385. f 't'jid- "»• 149« 548 SIAM. chief state of exterior India, This kingdom, with Malacca, con- tains, according to Hassel, about 143,000 square miles. J\i''anie.'\ The name of this celebrated country is of uncertain origin, and in appearance first delivered by the Portuguese,in whose orthography Siam and Siao are the same, so that Sian, or Siang, might be preferable to Siam ;* and the Portuguese wi'iters in Latin call the natives Siones. The Siamese style themselves Tai, or freemen ; and their country Menang Tai., or the kingdom ot freemen. It is probable that the Portuguese derived the name Sian from intercourse with the Peguese.f Extent and Boundaries^ The extent of the Siamese doininions has been recently restricted by the encroachments of the Birmans, nor can some of the limits be accurately defined. On the west of the Malaian peninsula a few possessions may remain, to the south of Tariaserim ; and on the eastern side of that Chersonese Ligor may mark the boundary. On the west a chain of mountains seems to divide Siam, as formerly, from Pegu, — but the northern prov- ince of Yunshan would appear to be in the hands of the Birmans, who Itere seem to extend to the river Maykang. To the south and east the ancient boundaries are fixed ; the ocean, and a chain of mountains, dividing Siam from Laos and Cambodia. Thus the ancient idea may be retained, that this kingdom is a large vale be- tween two ridges of mountains. The length of the kingdom may be about ten degrees, or near 700 British miles : but of this about one half is not above 70 miles in medial breadth. Original Population.'^ The original population of Siam, and other regions of exterior India, can only be traced by affinity of language : and the topic has been little illustrated. Progressive Geograjihy.^^ The progressive geography of Siam ascends to classical antiquity, if the people be, as is resonably in- ferred, tliie Sina; of Ptolemy. In the reign of the emperor Justin- ian, Cosmas, called Indicopleustes, mentions the silk of the Sinse, as imported into Taprobana; which he also calls Sielediva, coin- ciding with Selendib, the oriental name of Ceylon : and when he adds that this isle was at an equal distance from the Persian gulf, and the region of the Sinse, he affords an additional proof that the lat- ter was Siam. This country is not indeed at present remarkable for the production of silk, the staple article of the ancient Sinae ; but it appears that the silk of the early classics was the growth of a tree, a kind of silky cotton, still abundant in Siam ; and perhaps, as Malacca afterwards became famous for products not its own, so Siam, in a similar centrical position between China and Hindostan, might, in ancient times, be the mart of this and other more oriental articles. Some faint notices concerning Siam may probably occur in the oriental geographers of the middle ages ; but such inquiries are more proper for an antiquarian dissertation. Suffice it to observe * Louhere, i. If), edit. Amsf. 1714. I S/ian h the ojit-iitul tejin, as ^])iie:irs fiora several iKiiJers in the Atiatic Kc- searclii's. SI AM. 549 tTiat, till the Portuguese discoveries, Siam may be said to have re- mained unknown to Europeans. In the middle of the seventeenth century Mandelslo* has compiled a tolerable account of this country; but the French descriptions present more precision of knowledge, as well as more extent of information. By the latter was reformed a singular error in the geography, which deduced the great rivers of Ava, Pegu, and Siam from a large inland lake, called Chiamai, in lat. SO, while Tibet is placed in hit. 40. But on comparing the maps of Asia in the beginning of last century, the reader will be sensible of the great progress of geography in re- cent times. Histo7-ical E/iochs.'] The Siamese history is imperfect, and abounds with fables. By Loubere's account their first king began to reign i^ the year 1300 of their epoch, or about 756 years after the Christian era. Wars with Pegu, and occasional usurpations of the throne, constitute the hinges of Siamese history siljce the Portuguese discovery. In 1568 the Peguese king declared war on account of two white elephants, which the Siamese refused to sur- render, and after px-odigious slaughter on both sides, Siam became tributary to Pegu. But about 1 620, Raja Hapi delivered his ci'own from this servitude.t In 1630, Phalcon, a Greek adventurer, be- ing highly favored by the king of Siam, opened an intercourse with France, in the view of supporting his ambitious designs ; but they were punished by\his decapitation in 1 689, and the French con- nexion ceased in censequence. The latter events of Siamese history may partly be traced in that of the Birman empire. In 1775, Siam regained its freedom, having lost much of its former grandeur.^: Religion.'] The religion of the Siamese, like that of the Bir- mans, resembles that of the Hindoos ; and the transmigration of souls forms an essential part of their doctrine ; but they imitate the Chinese in their festival of the dead, and in some other rites of that singular nation. Govcrmnent.'] The government of Siam is despotic ; and the sovereign, as among the Birmans, revered with honors almost di- vine. The succession to the crown is hereditary in the male line. Laws.] The laws are represented by all writers on this country as extremely severe, death or mutilation being punishments even of unimportant offences. Fo^iuUition.] Concerning the population of Siam there are no adequate documents. If the Birman empire contain, as is assert- ed, more than fourteen millions, it might perhaps be rcsonable to conclude that the Siamese dominions may be peopled by about eight millions. Yet Loubere assures us, that from actual enume- ration, there were only found of men, women, and children, 1,900,000.§ This last estimate corresponds with that of Bruns. So uncertain are the computations in oriental countries ! Army.] Loubere says that, in his time, there was no army ex- cept a few royal guards ; but Mandelslo estimated the army, which * Col. 304 — 331. f Mandelslo, 522. + Ilassel. § Mandelslo, i. 30. 550 SI AM. may be occasionally raised, at 60,000, -vrith not less than 3000 or 4000 elephants. The manner of raising this army resembles that already described, as practised in the Birman empire. .Aarv-l The navy is composed of a number^f vessels of va- rious sizes, some of which are richly decorated. Hence, as in the Birman history, naval engagements are not uncommon ; and the large rivers of exterior India are often reddened with human gore. Both the Birman and Siamese vessels frequently display a singu- lar, fantastic elegance. Mez-enues.^ The revenues of this sovereignty are of uncertain computation. There is a royal treasury, as in most other eastern states, but voyagers have not attempted to define its probable amount- Pz'.iiical Imfiortance and Relations. ~\ 'Siam appeared of consid- erable political importance to the French in the reign of Louis the XIV., who aspired to form lasting settlements, and render it a mart of Indian commerce, and a source of great opulence to themselves. Were the Birmans to become dangerous to the Brit- ish possessions in Bengal, a firm alliance with Siam might be highly serviceable to that nation. In a merely commercial pK)int of view, as it may be difficult to preserve the frendship both of the Birmans and the Siamese, it is matter of calculation from which state superior advantages may be derived. Manners and Cu-itoTngTl There is a considerable similitude in the manners and custom^s of all the states between the vast coun- tries of China and Hindostan ; with shades of difference, as they approximate to either of these foci of civilization. Siam, though centrical, has embraced a branch of Hindoo faith, and the manners are rather Hindostanic than Chinese. The women are under few restraints, and are married at an ear- Iv age. The espousals are concluded by female mediation ; and on the third visit the parties are considered as wedded, after the exchange of a few presents, without any farther ceremony, civil or religious. Polygamy is allowed ; and one wife is always ac- knowledged as supreme. The Siamese funerals considerably resemble those of the Chi- nese." The body is enclosed in a wooden bier, or varnished cof- fin ; and the monks, called Talapoius, ^^^perhaps from their talepan^ or peculiar umbrella.'' sing hymns in the Bali tongue. After a solem.n procession the body is burnt on a funeral pile of precious woods, erected near some temple ; and tlie spectacle is often ren- dered more magnificent by the addition of theatrical exhibitions. The tombs are in a pyramidal form, and those of the kings large and lofty. Mourning is not prescribed by the laws, as in China : and the poor are buried with little ceremony. The common nourishment of the Siamese consists in rice and fish, both which articles are abundant- They also eat lizards, rats, and several kinds of insects. The houses are small, and constmcted of bamboos, up)on pillars, to guard against inundations, which are common ui this country. * Louiere, L orL • SIAM. 551 They are speedily destroyed and replaced ; and a conflagration, if a common, is at the same time a slight, calamity. Even the palaces only exceed the common habitations by occupying a more extensive space, and being constructed of timber, with a few or- naments : they are also of a greater height, but never exceed one floor. In person the Siamese are rather small, but well made.* " The figure of the countenance, both of men and women, has less of the oval than of the lozenge form, being broad, and raised at the top of the cheeks : and the forehead suddenly contracts, and is al- most as pointed as the chin. Besides, their eyes rising somewhat towards the temples, are small, and dull : and the ivhite is com- monly completely yellow. Their cheeks are hollow, because the upper part is too high ; the inouth is very large, with thick pale lips, and teeth blackened by art. The complexion is coarse, be- ing brown, mixed with red, to which the climate greatly contrib- \ites."t Hence it would appear that the Siamese are much inferior in personal appearance to the Birmans ; and rather approach to the Tartaric or Chinese features. The dress is very slight, the warmth of the climate rendering clothes almost unnecessary. The Siamese excel in theatrical amusements. The subjects are often taken from their mythology, and from traditions con- eerning their ancient heroes. They have also races of oxen, and those of boats, combats of elephants, cock-fighting, tumbling, wrestling, and rope-dancing, religious processions, and illumina- tions, and beautiful exhibitions of fire-works- The men are gen- erally indolent to excess, and fond of games of chance, while the women are employed in works of industry. Language.~\ Like the other languages of farther India, the Si- amese has not been completely investigated, and compared with the adjacent tongues. There are thirty-seven letters, all conso- nants ; the vowels and diphthongs constituting a distinct alpha- bet. The R appears, which is not known to the Chinese, and the W. There is a considerable chant in the enunciation, as in other ancient languages. There are no inflexions of verbs or nouns ; and the idioms being very remote from those of Europe, any translation becomes very difficult. The words seem mostly mon- osyllabic, like the Chinese. The Bali of the Siamese resembles that of the Birmans, and has thirty-three letters. Literature.'] In literature the Siamese are far from being de- ficient, and Loubere has well explained their modes of education. | At the age of seven or eight years the children are often placed in the convents of the Talapoins, where they are instructed in reading, writing, and accompts ; for the mercantile profession is very general. They are also taught precepts of morality : but it • Loub. i.81. t Kampfer, i. 29, calls tliera negroes, so dark did their complexion appear to hiai ; and he compares their persons lo apes. \ i. 180. 552 SIAM. is to be i-egretted that BooJh is not only the god of wisdom, but of cunning, which is esteemed, if not a positive virtue, yet a proof of superior abilities. Books of history are not unknown, and there is an excclleent code of laws. Poetry, tales, and mythologic fa- bles, seem to constitute the other departments of Siamese litera- ture. Cities and Towns.~\ The capital city of the kingdom has been called Siam, by the vague ignorance of the Portuguese navigators. In the native language, the name approaches to the European enun- ciation of Yuthia. It is situated in an isle formed by the river Meinam. The walls, in Loubere's time, were extensive ; but not above a sixth part was inhabited. Its condition, since it was delivered from the Birman conquest in 1766, has not been de- scribed. The other chief towns in the Siamese dominions, are Bankok, at the mouth of the Meinam ; with Ogmo and others on the east- ern coast of the gulf of Siam. In general these towns were only collections of hovels, sometimes surrounded with a Avooden stock- ade, and rarely with a brick wall. As there is no recent descrip- tion of the country, it would be superfluous to dwell oa old de- scriptions of places, perhaps ruined in the frequency of oriental revolutions ; while other cities may have arisen as yet unknown in geography. Edijices.~\ Ksempfer, in 1690, visited Siam; and his account) though brief, is solid and interesting. IJe minutely describes two remarkable edifices near the capital.* The first is the famous pyramid, called Puka Thon, on a plain to the N. W. erected in Miemory of a victory there obtained over the king of Pegu. It is a massy, but magnificent structure, about 120 feet in height, in a square spot, enclosed by a wall. The first stage is square, each side being about 115 paces long. The others vary in foi'm ; and there are open galleries, ornamented with colunms. At the top it terminates in a slender spire. The second edifice consists of two squares to the east of the city, each surrounded with a fair wall, and separated by a channel of the river. They contain many temples, convents, chapels, and columns, particularly the temple of Berklam, with a gi'and gate, ornamented with statues and other carvings : the other decora- tions were also, by his account, exquisite. That intelligent voyager also describes some other edifices ; and his ideas on the subject deserve to be contrasted with those of Loubere, who, accustomed to the pomp of Louis XIV. or dis- gusted by the massacre of his countrymen, may in this, and some other instances, have perhaps given unfavorable representations of this celebrated country. Manufactures?^ Though the Siamese are an indolent, yet they are an ingenious people, and some of their manufactures deserve praise. They are little skilled in the fabrication of iron or steel ; but excel in that of gold, and in miniature painting. The com- SI AM. 553 mon people are mostly occupied in procuring fish for their daily- food, while the superior classes are engaged in a trifling traffic. Cotnmerce.'] The commercial relations are chiefly with Hindos- tan, China, Japan, and the Dutch. The productions of the country are grain in prodigious quanti- ties, cotton, benjamin ; sandal, aguallo, and sapan woods ; antimo- ny, tin, lead, iron, load-stone, gold, and silver ; sapphires, eme- ralds, agates, crystal, marble, and tombac* CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE AND SEASONS, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRI- CULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MIN- ERALOGY. Climate and Seasons.''] THE two first months of the Siam- ese year, which correspond with our December and January, form the whole winter of this country : the third, fourth, and fifth, be- long to what is called their little summer ; the seven others to their great summ.er.f Being on the north of the line, their win- ter of course corresponds with ours ; but is almost as warm as a French summer. The little summer is their spring ; but autumn is absolutely unknown in their calendar. The winter is dry ; the summer moist ; the former is distinguished by the course of the wind, which blows almost constantly from the north, refreshed with cold from the snowy mountains of Tibet, and the bleak wastes of Mongolia. Face of the Country.'] This country, as already mentioned, is a wide vale between two high ridges of mountains, thus somewhat resembling Egypt, on a wider scale. Compared with the Birman empire, the cultivated level is not above half the extent either in breadth or length. Nor do the Siamese seem so industrious as the Birmans, as their agriculture does not appear to extend far from the banks of the river and its branches ; so that towards the mountains there are vast aboriginal forests, filled with wild ani- mals, whence the numbers of deer and other skins, exported as merchandise. The rocky and variegated shores of the noble gulf of Siam, and the size and inundations of the Meinam, conspire with the rich and picturesque vegetation of the forests, illumined at night with crowds of brilliant fire-flies, to.impress strangers "with delight and admiration. SoiL] The soil towards the mountains is parched and barren, but the shores of the river consist, like that of Egypt, of a very rich and pure mould, in which it is even difficult to find a pebble. It is in fact a muddy deposit, accumulating fr<»:n early ages, and manured, as it were, by regular inundations, so as to produce * Dalryrnple's O.ientp.l Repertorj-, p. 118. | Loubere, i, 53 VOL. II. 70 55 4 SI AM. abundance of rice. The countiy would be a terrestrial paradise, were it not subject to the most absurd despotism, which impov- erishes itself, and may perhaps be classed among the worst of governments, being far inferior to that of their neighbors, the Bir- mans. jlgricultureJ] Agriculture, as usual in the cast, is simple and primitive. The chief product is rice of excellent quality; but wheat is not unknown, in lands at a distance from the inundations. Peas, and other vegetables, also abound. Maize is confined to their gardens. From indolence or prejudice, seldom more than one crop in a year is taken from the same land.* Rivers.'\ The grand river Meinam, a name which signifies the mother of tvater^ is the largest among the Siamese streams. It is very deep and rapid, ahvays full, and, according to Kaempfer, larg- er than the Elbe.f He adds that the inhabitants suppose its source to be in the mountains, which give rise to the Ganges, and that it branches through Cambodia and Pegu. The inundations are in September, after the snows have melted in the northern mountains, and the rainy season has commenced. In December the waters decline, and sink by degi-ees to their former level. The water, though muddy, is pleasant and salutary. The banks of the Meinam are generally low and marshy, but thickly peopled from Yuthiato Bankok, below which are wild des- erts, like the Sunderbunds of the Ganges. Monkeys, fire-flies, and musketoes, swarm on the fertile shores. To the north of the Siamese dominions, some rivers join the IMeinam ; but their names are unknown, and they belong to the Birman territories. LakesT^ In the east of the kingdom a small lake is delineated, giving source to a river which flows into that of Cambodia ; and it is probable that others may exist near the mountains, though unknown to geographers. Alountains.] The extensive ranges of mountains, which en- close this kingdom on the east and west, have been repeatedly mentioned. These may be called the Siamese chains, till the native names be ascertained. A small ridge also passes east and west, not far to the north of Yuthia. In the north Siam terminates in plains ; nor does it, even by conquest, seem ever to have reach- ed the mountains on the Chinese frontier. J'^oj-ests.^ The forests arc numerous and large, and produce many kinds of valuable woods. Zooloffy.^ The chief animals of Siam are elephants, buff'alocs, and deer. Horses seem little known or used, though found wild in Tibet ; yet there are, or were, a few^ ill-mounted cavalry. The elephants of Siam are of distinguished sagacity and beauty ; and those of a white color are treated with a kind of adoration, as the Siamese believe the souls of such are royal. Wild boars, tigers, and monkeys, are also numerous. The Meinam is, at distant in- tervals of time, infested with small poisonous serpents ; and the * Loubere. i. 5o. . t '• ^^> ^''- ^^^'^* LAOS. 555 trees on its banks are, as already mentioned, beautifully illumin- ated with swarms of fire-flies, which emit and conceal their light as uniformly, as if it proceeded from a machine of the most exact contrivance. Mineralogy.'] There are some mines of gold, and others of copper, mixed with a variable proportion of gold ; but the mines chiefly wrought by the Siamese are of tin and lead. The tin, called calin, by the Portuguese, was sold throughout the Indies, but was soft and ill refined ; all of it, except that of Junkseylon, was a royal perquisite.* Near Louvo was a mountain of load-stone : fine agates abounded in the mountains, nor were sapphires unknown. Isles-I Among the numerous and minute isles, which oM-e a doubtful subjection to Siam, Junkseylon alone deserves mention. By Captain Forest's account, who visited this isle in 1784, it annu- ally exports about 500 tons of tin, and contains 12,000 inhabitants. LAOS. LAOS, a country of Asia, bounded N. by the Chinese prov- ince of Yun-nan, E. by Tunquin, S. by Cambodia, W.by Siam and Ava. It is a flat country, surrounded by mountains, covered with forests, which serve as barriers against the potent kingdoms in its neighborhood, and difficult of access by water. From these moun- tains descend many streams, which foi'm the large river Mecon, or Meinamkong, that crosses the whole region, from N. to S. In Mr. Dalrymple's valuable map of exterior India this grand stream is called the Kiou Long, or Maykaung ; and Mr. Arrowsmith de- rives it from the Tibetian alps, where it is styled the Satchou, and afterwards by D'Anville, the Lan-tsan Kiang ; which seems to identify it, as implying the I'iver of Lan-tsang, orLeng, the capital of Laos. The climate is temperate and healthful ; the soil generally very good, rendered fruitful by a number of canals cut from the great river Mecon. The principal drugs are benjamin and lak. The soil is fertile in rice. It furnishes Cambodia with the best ben- zoin and lacca ; also with musk. The forests are of great extent ; on the plains are many flowers, which yield abundance of honey and wax. Here are mines of iron, lead, tin, gold, silver, rubies, and the fresh water mya, which yields pearls ; the inhabitants col- lect those metals out of the river. The inhabitants are well-shap- ed and robust^ and of an olive color. They ai'e good natured, af- fable, courteous, upright, faithful, and obliging. When they see what pleases their fancy, they seldom cease importuning the owner till they obtain it. In case of a refusal, they never use * Loubere, i. 28r. • 556 LAOS. force. The country is very populous, containing 3,000,000,* and the inhabitants live to a great age. The Laos are not of a warlike disposition, nor expert in the use of fire-arms. If enemies make an inroad upon them, they poison their rivers. It was thus that the king ofTunquinwas obliged to retreat, after having lost a great part of his army, with which, abo"ut the year 1650, he pro- posed to annex this monarchy to his own. The Laos, or Lanjans, apply themselves to nothing but agricul- ture and fishing, neglecting all arts and sciences. They are idle and amorous ; their belief in witchcraft and magic is still more pernicious. They have a notion that if the head of an elephant be rubbed with wine, enriched with a drop or two of human gall, the beast will become more robust, and his owner more coura- geous. In this ridiculous conceit, the governors sometimes em- ploy desperate fellows, Avho for 25 or 30 crowns, v/ill go into the forests to hunt men ; and the first they meet with, they open his belly and stomach, while alive, and taking out the gall bladder, cut off his head, to convince the more savage purchaser he has not deceived him. In case the assassin does not perform his en- gagement in the limited time, he is obliged to kill himself, his wife, or child, that his employer may take out the gall of the un- happy victim. The food of the Laos consists of rice, fish, legumes, and the flesh of buffaloes. They wear gowns close to their bodies. They go with their feet bare, and the head commonly uncovered. Their hair is clipped round, and short, excepting one lock on the tem- ples, which is left to grow and run through holes made in the ears for that purpose. The Laos approve of having only one wife ; but they make their female slaves subject to their pleasure, whom they marry ; they choose the oldest married couple they can find, who have lived happily together, and promise before them to fol- low their example till death. But they often separate and marry others. When any of their relations die, they make a feast, which lasts a month ; and celebrate the funeral with great mag- nificence. The corpse is put in a cofhn, daubed with bitumen. They employ great part of their time in repeating certain hymns, adapted to the occasion ; by means of which the soul, as they say, is taught the way to heaven. After this ceremony the relations think no more of the defunct, nor ever name him : because, ac- cording to the docti'ine of the transmigration, which is received in this country, they believe the soul is gone to the place destined for it, consequently belongs no longei* to them. The language of the Laos is like that of the Siamese ; who, they say, have had the art of writing, and their sacred language, from them : but they cannot pronounce the letters L and R. They w rite on the leaves of trees, like the Pcguese and Malabars ; but matters relating to civil affairs, are inscribed on a sort of coarse -paper, Avith earthern pins. The religion of the Laos, resembles that which prevails in aU * HhsscI. HINDOSTAN. 557 the countries comprised in the Farther Peninsula of the Indies. They lived a long time in form of a republic, and observed the laws of nature, rather than those of the Chinese, their neighbors. They were formerly a powerful state.* The open sky was their temple ; and they adored one being, whom they esteem.ed above all things, under the name of commander. Presently after the disciples of Shaka arrived in this kingdom, the Laos saw them- selves surrounded with temples consecrated to idols, and priests, named talapoy, destined to their service. The king of Laos is an absolute independent pi^ince, and acknowledges no superior, ei- ther in temporal or spiritual affairs. The property of lands lies wholly in him, who disposes, at pleasure, of the effects belonging to his subjects ; nor can any family in the kingdom inherit or possess any thing left them by will.f The description of the various kingdoms of exterior India be- ing thus completed, as far as the present design and the imperfect materials would admit, the geographical progress must return to the westward, and discuss the wide regions of Hindostan. HINDOSTAN. J INTRODUCTION. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS, ARRANGEMENT, NATURAL AND POLIT- ICAL DIVISIONS, PLAN OF THIS DESCRIPTION. General Geografihy.'] THE description of this interesting portion of Asia is not a little difficult, from its vast and irregular extent, from the want of grand subdivisions, from the diversity of nations and powers, large foreign settlements, and other causes, so that the first object must be to determine a clear and natural arrangement. Mr. Pennant, who often excels in geographical delineation, has, in his view of Hindoston, been contented with the vague divisions of Western, Eastern, and Gangetic, or that part which is pervaded by the Ganges, and its tributary streams. Major Rennell,to whom \vc are indebted for an excellent map and memoir, which have thrown great light on Indian geography, first considers the sea coast and islands ; as, in the construction of a map, the outline of the coast is the earliest object. He then describes Hindostan iu four other sections : 1. That part occupied by the Ganges and its principal branches : 2. That occupied by the course of the Sinde, Sindeh, or river Indus : 3. The tract situated between the river * Krempfer. -j- Gaz. of Eastern Continent. + We, copy Pinkcrton's accoimt of tliis country, ititei-weaving; such later information, as has corac to our kiiowlcigc. 558 HINDOSTAN. Kistna'and the two former divisions : 4. The countries to the south of the Kistna, or what is perliaps improperly called the southern peninsula, as no part of Hindostan can be styled a peninsula, in t,he modern acceptation of being nearly surrounded by the sea. General Divismis.~\ The general plan adopted by Major Ren- nell seems to be best, not only in itself, as was to have been ex- pected from his profound acquaintance with the subject, but as having the advantage of being familiar to the public, from the ■widely diffused reputation of his work. Amidst the want of im- portant ranges of mountains, rivers alone can be assigned as nat- ural divisions : and as in Hindostan they do not form limits, the countries pervaded by their courses and tributary streams may be considered as detached by the hand of nature. Hence the Gan- getic part of Hindostan, to use Mr. Pennant's term, includes the space from the confines of Tibet to the sources of the Chumbul and Sippra, and from the mountains near Agimei-e and Abugur hills, to the most eastern boundary of Hindostan. That portion watered by the Sinde or Indus, and its subsidiary streams, may in like manner be termed Sindetic Hindostan ; and as a supplement to this division may be considered the country of Sirhind, and other tracts to the west of Gangetic Hindostan. The southern part is encompassed by the sea, except on the north, where the River Kistna and its subsidiary streams form the boundary. In ancient times this portion was styled Deccan, a native term implying the south. But the Deccan of the Hindoos extended twice as far in a northerly direction, even to the river Nerbudda ; so that it would in fact, with the Gangetic and Sin- detic divisions, nearly complete the whole of Hindostan. The term Deccan is therefore here used for the portion to the south of the Kistna. That portion on the north of the Kistna, reaching to Gangetic Hindostan on the north and east, and the Sindetic with its supple- mentary provinces on the north and west, may be styled Interior or Central Hindostan. In this arrangement the Gangetic part will include Bengal, Bahar, Allahabad, Oude, Ayra, and a part of Delhi and Agimere. The Sindetic contains Kuttore, Cashmir, Cabul, Candahar, Lahore, Moultan, and Sinde. The central division represents Guzerat in the west, with Can- deish, Berar, Orissa, the Sircars, the chief part of Golconda, Vi- siapour, Dowlatabad, and Concan, The southern division includes a small portion of Golconda, Mysore, the extensive region called in modern times the Carnatic, with Madura, and other smaller districts, the westei-n coast being called that of Malabar, and the eastern that of Coromandel. In this part is naturally included the island of Ceylon. Political Divisions.^ The next topic to be considered, in a gen- eral view of Hindostan, is its political situation as divided among various powers. Of these the English is at present preponderant, rot only from European tactics, but from an actual extent of ter- ritory at least equal to thavof any native power. To their former HINDOSTAN. 55^ ■wide possessions in Gangetic Hindostan, with a large portion of the eastern coast from below the estuary of the Kistna to the lake pf Chilka, and the detached government of Madras, have been recently added extensive regions in the south and west of Mysore, with Seringapatam, the capital, not to mention Bombay and other detached establishments. And the large and important island of Ceylon has been taken from the Dutch. Next in consequence are the Maratta states, chiefly comprised in the central division of Hindostan. The Nizam, or Soubah of the Deccan, the firm ally of the Eng- lish, has considerably enlarged his territory in the south at the expense of Tippoo ; the central part of whose dominions, except Seringapatam, is subject to the raja of Mysore, a descendant of the race dethroned by Hyder, an usurper. The British, the Marattas, and the Nizam, may be regarded as the three leading powers, to which may be added on the west, or on the Sindetic division, the Seiks,and Zemaun Shah, or whatever prince holds the eastern division of Persia. The following table, extracted, with a few alterations, from major Rennell's memoir, will convey a more complete and satis- factory idea of this important topic. I. British Possessions. 1. Bengaland Bahar with the Zemindary of Benares, 2. Northern Sircars, including Guntoor, *3. Barra-Mahal, and Dindigul. 4. Jaghire in the Carnatic. *5. The Calicut, Palicaud, and Coorga countries. II. British Allies. }. Azuph Dowlah. Oude. 2. Mahomed Alii. Carnatic. 3. Travancore, and Cochin. III. Maratta States. PooNA Marattas. Tributaries 1. Malwa. 1, Rajah of Jyenagur. 2. Candeish. 2. Joodpour. 3. Part of Amednagur, or Dowla- „ ^ ,. tabad. -^ Oudipom. 4. Visiapbur. ' 4. Narwah. 5. Part of Guzerat. 5. — ■ Gohud. 6. Agra. 6. Part of Bundelcund. 7 Agimere. 7. Mahomed Hyat. Bopaltol. 8. Allahabad. 8. Futty Sing. Amedabad. * The countries thus raarke*!, are acquisitions from Tippoo Stiltan under the late treaty of Seringapatum. To which must now be added Coimbetore, Canara, and ether districts acquired in 1799. See Ueiinel's Supplementary Map, dated 5th April, 1800. ' 560 HINDOSTAN. 9. Shanoor, or Sanore, Bancapour, 9. Gurry Mundella, &c. £cc. Darwar, Sec. situated in the Dooab,or country between the Kistna and Tombudra rivers. Berar Marattas. Tributary. 1. Berar. Bcmbajee. 2. Orissa. IV. Nizam Ali, Soubaii of the Deccan. 1 . Golconda. bam) and Gandicotta or 2. Aurungabad. (Ganjecotta.) 3. Beder. 7. Part of Gooty, Adoni, and 4. Part of Berar. Canoul. 5. Adoni, Rachore, and 8. Part of the Dooab. Canoul. [9. Other districts acquired 6. Cuddapali. Cummum (or Com- in 1799.J V. Seiks. Lahore, Moultan, and the western parts of Delhi. As the other great power chiefly extends over Persia, and may be regarded as foreign, it only remains to mention the small states. 1. Successors of Zabeda Cawn. Sehaurunpour. 2. Jats. 3. Pattan Rohillas. Furruckabad. 4. Adjig Sing. Rewah, See. 5. Bundelcund, or Bundela, 6. Little Ballogistan, To which may now be added the Raja of Mysore. The British possessions prior to the fall of Tippoo, 1799, were supposed to contain 197,496 square British miles, being about 60,000 more than are comprized in the united kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland : the number of inhabitants was computed at ten millions. The acquisition in 1799 probal)ly adds 15,000 square miles, and the population subject to Great Britain is supposed to be 12 or 14,000,000. The net revenue exceeded three millions before the cessions of Tippoo in 1792 computed at 400,0001.; "while those in 1799 do not appear much to exceed half that sum. This great power and revenue of so distant a country, maintained in the midst of a highly civilized foreign nation, is perhaps unex- ampled in ancient or modern times. The Marattas are divided into two states or empires, that of Poona, or the western, and Berar, or the eastern ; each ruled by a number of chiefs or princes, who pay a nominal obedience to the paishwa, or sovereign. An account of the Marattas belongs to the central division of Hindostan. The Seiks, a new religious sect, first appeared in the middle of the 1 7th century, and have gradu- a,lly become formidable to the neighboring states. The Jats, or Jets, were a tribe of Hindoos, who about a century ago erected a state around the capital Agra. The Afghans, another peculiar people, originated from the mountains between Persia and India. HINDOSTAN. 561 Before closing these general considerations with regard to this extensive country, it may be proper to observe, that the name of Hindostan has been considered as synonymous with the empire of the great Mongul, But the power of the Monguls, which com- menced under Baber, 1518, Avas most eminent in the northern parts, the Deccan, or south, remaining unsubdued till the time of Aurun- zeb, 1 678, Avhen that region, with what is called the peninsula, a few mountainous and inaccessible tracts only excepted, were either vanquished or rendered tributary to the throne of Delhi.* When Aurunzeb died in 170T, in his 90th year, the Mongul empire had obtained its utmost extent from the 10th to the 35 th degree of lat- itude, (about 1750 miles,) and about as much iu length: the rev- enue exceeding thirty-two millions sterling, in a country where provisions are about four times as cheap as in England, or Amer- ica. The number of his subjects may be computed at about 60,000,900. But this great power declined so rapidly that, within 50 years after his death, it may be said to have been annihilated, and the empire of the great Mongul nas vanished from modern geog- raphy. The plan t€> be pursued, in the subsequent brief account of Hin- dostan, iias been above indicated, as divided into four parts ; the region on th'j Ganges, those on the Indus, the central, and the southern. In three of these divisions the British possessions are powerful, if not predominant ; and it is difficult to connect the po- litical with the natural geography. Doubts may justly arise, whether the British territories ought not to form a separate and distinct portion in a perspicuous arrangement, this being another of the peculiar difficulties which attend the geography of Hindos- tan. But as the grand mass of the population in these settlements consists of native Hindoos, and the natural geography of the coun- try must not be sacrificed to any extraneous consideration, it still seems preferable to abide by the division already laid down. Hence that form of description must be chosen, which, resting on the perpetual foundations of nature, cannot be injured or obliter- ated by the destinies of man. These considerations being premised, a similar arrangement shall here be followed in describing Hindostan, a labyrinth of eastern geography, with that used in delineating Germany, that labyrinth of European geography. A general view of the whole region shall be followed by successive chapters on each of the above divisions ; in which the several states, chief cities, and other geographical topics shall be briefly illustrated. * Rennell's Memoir, page Isi. Vol. it. 56: HIXDOSTAN. CHAPTER I. GENERAL VIEW OF HIXDOSTAX. :CAME, EXTEST, BOUXDARIES, ORIGIKAL POprLATIOS, PKOGRES- SltE GEOGRAPHY, BISTORT, CHE.0XOLOGT, HISTORIC AL EPOCHS, AXCIEXT MOSUMEXT5, MYTHOLOGY, RELIGION', GOTERXMEST, LAWS, POFCLATIOX, GEXERAL REVEXCES, POLITICAL IMPOR- TASCE, MAXXERS AXD CCSTOMS, LAXGUAGES. LITERATURE, AXCIEXT CIVILIZATIOX, CXIVERSITIE3, IXLAXD XATIGATIOX, MAXCFACTVRES. XATIVE PRODUCTS, CLIMATE AXD SEASOXS, GEXESAL FACE OF THE COUXTRT, SOIL, RIVERS, LAKES, MOCS- TAIXS, DESERTS, FORESTS, BOTAXY, ZOOLOGY, JIIXERALOGT, ?.ItXERAL WATERS. XATURAL CURIOSITIES. .Yame.'j THE original name of this celebrated country is said to be in the ancient Sanscrit languag^e Bharata.* That of Hindostan seems to have been imposed by the Persians, and derived, like the classical name India, from the great western river, with the Persian termination Tan^ or Stan, which signifies a country. It was long known, as already mentioned, by the name of the Empire of the Great Mongul, because it was then subject to Mongul emperors successors of Timur. i'JSxteni.~\ This portion of Asia extends from cape Comari, Called by navigators Comorin, in the south, to the mountains which form the nonhem boundary of Cashmir ; that is, according to the most recent maps, from about the 8th to about the 35th de- gree of northern latitude, being 27 degrees, or 1520 g. miles, nearly equal to 1890 British. The northern boundary may be yet farther extended to the Hindoo Koh, and mountains running E. and W. on the noith of the province of Kuttore. From tfae river Araba, on the west of the province of Sinde, to the mountains which divide Bengal from Cassay and the Birman dominions, that is from about the 65th to the 92nd degree of east longitude from Greenwich, there are 25' which in the latitude of 25^ constitute a breadth of more than 1400 g. miles, or 1600 Brit- ish. Comparauvely if we exclude Scandinavia, the former king- dom of Poland and the Russian empire, the extent may be consid- ered as equal to that of the remainder of Europe. Boundarie^.'j The bomidaries are marked on the north by the mountains above mentioned. On the west, tovrards Persia, other ranges and deserts constitute the frontier till the southern separa- tion ends in the river Araba. The other boundaries are supplied by the Indian ocean, and Bay of Bengal, vrhere the eastern ex- tremity is limited by the little river Naaf, and those mountains which divide the British possessions from Aracan, Cassay, and Cashur. The northern boundary generally consists of the south - * BcomUjXx. foooi WHkiu: bat tbe proper native term seems to be ^Medbrama, ad Bharat vu tLe first klos. As. Rt». L 4l9. HINDOSTAN. 563- ern ridges of the Tibetian Alps. On the N. E. of Bengal pj similar ridge divides Hindostan from the small territory of Asamj? which seems an independent state, never having formed a portion of Hindostan, of dubious connection with Tibet, and as yet unsub- dued by the Birmans. Original Pofiukition.'] The original population may be gener- ally considered as indigenous, or in other words peculiar to tl^e country. Yet in so extensive a region, and amidst the great diversity of climate and situation, the native race presents considerable varieties, especially as being fairer in the northern parts, and in the southern almost or wholly black, but without the negro wool or features. Still the tinge of the women and superior class is deep olive, with sometimes a slight and agreeable mixture of the ruddy, and the Hindoo form and fea- tures may be said to approach the Persian or European standard. The sole ancient conquests of Hindostan having proceeded from the N. W. and W. there may be some slight admixttire of the Persians, of the Greeks of Bactriana, and of the ancient Scythians. More recently Mahmud of Ghizni, introduced a group of Mahom- etans of various origins. The Patans or Afghans proceeded from the mountains toward Persia, being asserted to be a tribe of Alba- nians, who emigrated to the eastward. The Monguls are AveU known to have included many Tartars, and Mahometan tribefi from the east of the Caspian. These, with tlie Arabs and Per- sians, are generally called Moors. Progressive Geograji/nj.'] The progressive geography of Hin- dostan may be said to begin with the victories of AlexaiKler thfe Great. After the age of this prince many Greek and Roman au^ thors, particularly Strabo, Arrian, and Pliny, have left information concerning the state of India. One of the most important ancieiit records is the description and map of Ptoleiny, but they are so much distorted as to embarrass the most learned inquirer. This celebrated country received little farther illustration till the 6th century : the intelligence however of Cosmas is of no con- sequence, except as it elucidates the Persian traffic with India. Some materials may also be derived from the accounts of the M^^ hometan travellers in the 9 th century, and the oriental works tX. geography ; nor Avas the great English king, Alfred, incurious coH- cernmg this celebrated region.* Marco Polo, the father of eastern geography as known to Europeans, was followed by other travel- ers ; and at length the Portuguese discovery of the Cape of Good Hope, gradually led the way to the precision of modern knoAvled^, to which Major Rennell, has contributed with great success antl deserved celebrity. Hiiitory.'^ The history of Hindostan, is obscure andembarrassed, aseitherno native chronicles were written, or they were destroyed * The Saxon chronicle, and other English writers, mention that Snitbelm bishop of Shirelmrn carried a \)rcsent tVoni Alfred lo the shrine of St. Thomas in India, and ro- turned in safety with some curiosities from the countrj . This Thom."»s was not the apostle, but some Nestoriaii missionary ; and his shrine is at Melapour, near Madras, on the coast of Coromandel. Alfred little foresaw that an English setllenieiit was to include this holy ground. 564 HINDOSTAN. by the Bramins, anxious to obliterate the memory of former and happier ages, ^hen their inoi'dinate power was not cstub;i::>hed. Sir William Jones, and Anquetil du Perron, have bestowed some attention on this subject ; but their investigations are more inter- esting to the antiquary, than to the general reader.* The native traditions seem to describe the northern part of Hindostan, as sub- ject to one rajah or sovereign, which is little probable, as the most ancient extraneous accounts represent this wide country divided, as was to be expected, into many monarchies. By ail accounts, however, the Deccan, or southern part, was subject to a distinct emperor, even to modern times. " Its emperors of the Bahmineah dynasty, (which commenced with Hassan Caco, A. D. 1347,) ap- pear to have exceeded in power and splendor those of Delhi, even at the most flourishing periods of their history; The seat of gov- ernment was at Calberga, which was centrical to the great body of the empire, and is at this day a considerable city. Like other overgrown empires, it fell to pieces with its own weight, and out of it were formed four potent kingdoms, under the names of Visiapour (properly Bejapour), Golconda, Berar, and Amed- nagur, of whose particular limits and inferior members we are not well informed. Each of these subsisted with a considerable de- gree of power until the Mongul conquest; and the two first, as we have seen above, preserved their independency until the time of Aurungzebe."t Chronology.'] The Hindoo chronology published by Anquetil du Perron, is that of the rajas or sovereigns of Bengal ; and the most remarkable facts are repeated invasions by the Persians, one of them supposed to be fourteen centuries before the Christian era. This kingdom of Bengal seems to have included almost the whole of Gangetic Hindostan. But the names and extent of the early kingdoms of Hindostan are little know^ or investigated. Historical Epochs.] The Hindoo epochs consisting of millions of years, and other fabulous circumst?nces, have hitherto attracted more attention than a clear arrangement of the Hindoo sovereign- ties, and an account of the most authentic facts that can be recovered concerning them. While these chronologies differ by one or two thousand years concerning the incarnation of Buddha, we may judge of their exactness in less important events. Tlie Hindoos never seem to have bqasled of one native historian, and the best materials are derived from Persian memoirs ; from "which Ferishta himself, a Persian, compiled his histories of Hin- dostan towards the beginning of the seventeenth century. Indeed in the whole complex maze of Hindoo literature there is a striking deficiency of good sense. | In this defect of native records we * Asiatic Resenrches, vol. ii. and Bcrnoullis's collection concerning Intlia. Berlin, 1786, 4to. tome ii. f Iteniiell, Ixxix. + iVlr. Ik'iitley observes, As. Res. v. 31;>, that the Hindoo eras and dates are n!l Mended together into one mass of absurdity and conlradictii.n. A envious instance of this ajipears vulh regard to the celebrated lemi>les of f.llora, and the singular lortrcM of Deoghir, or Dowa'tabad, formed on a liigh conic rock ; lor the ISliihomeians, whom we Kurojif-ans regard as rather extravagant in chronology, say that they were ended 900 years ago; while the Bramins affirm that they have stood not less lh;»n IVii^ years ! As. Uts. >'i. 385. HINDOSTAN. 565 must be contented with the epochs derived from foreign sources. 1. The invasion by Alexander the Great, who found western India divided among numerous potentates, though he advanced little farther than Lahore. If even the northern half of Hindos- tan had been subject to one sovereign, as fabled in the native t?.les, the circumstance would have been clear and apparent. 2. At a long interval appears the conquest of the north-western part by Mahmoud of Ghizni, A. D. 1000. 3. The dynasty of the Patan, or Afghan emperors begins with Cuttub, A. D. 1205, and ends Avith Mahmoud III. 1393. 4. The great Moguls or Mongul emperors begin with Babar, 1525 ; and continued, with a short interruption, by the Patans to Shah Aulum, to 1760. The invasion by Timur, and, at a distant interval, that by Nadir, also form remarkable epochs in the history of this passive coun- try. The latter may be said to have virtually dissolved the Mo- gul empire. The Portugese settlements were followed by those of the Dutch. The French power began to predominate in 1749, but speedily closed in 1761, with the loss of their principal settle- ment Pondicherry. As merchants the English had long held small settlements in Hindostan ; but the expedition into Tanjore, 1749, was the first enterprise against a native prince. Other con- tests followed concerning Arcot, in the kingdom of Carnada, or what we call the Carnatic. In 1756, the fort of Calcutta, the chief settlement of the English in Bengal, was taken by the na- bob, and many of their brave countrymen perished in a shocking maniiCr, from being confined in a sniall chamber. The battle of Plassey, fought in June, 1757, laid the foundation of the subse- quent power of Britain. Lord Clive, governor of Bengal, 1765, ©btained a grant from the nominal Mogul, of Bengal, Bahar, and part of Orissa, on condition of an annual tribute. Soon after the English were engaged in a contest with Hyuer Alii, a soldier of fortune, who had dethroned the lineal sovereign of Mysore, and extended his conquests to the adjacept territories. Some conflicts followed on the confines of Carnada and Mysore ; but the event was little advantageous to either party. Hydcr, dying in 1783, was succeeded by his son Tippoo, who seems to have been a prince of inferior abilities, and expiated his ill arranged plans by his death, and the partition of his territories, in 1799. The Bengal provinces have been in possession of the British since 1765 ; and Benares was added in 1775. This portion might constitute a considerable kingdom, and is sufficiently compact and secure by natural advantages, independently of a formidable force. The Sircars, or detached provinces, partly belong to Golcon- da, and partly to Orissa, forming a long narrow slip of country from twenty to seventy-five miles wide, but about three hundred and fifty in length. The word Sircar is almost synonymous with an English county, implying a division of a Souba, or great prov- ince ; and these detached Sircars, or comities, being to the north of Madras, on which they are dependent, arc commo.nly styled the 56S HINDOSTAN. northern Sircars.* In 1754, thejr were acquired by the French ; and conquered by the English, under Colcncl Clive, in 1759. The English settled at Madras about the year 1640 ; and their territory here extends about 108 miles along the shore, and 47 in breadth, in the centre of the ancient kingdom of Cai'nada. The recent and extensive acquisitions in the south haA^e been already mentioned. Nor among the modern historical epochs of Hindostan must the celebrated battle of Panniput, not far to the N. W. of Delhi, be omitted, which was fought in 1761, between the Mahometans un- der Abdalha, king of Candahar, and the Marattas, in which the latter were defeated: the Mahometans were computed at 15'0,000, and the Marattas at 200,000. Ancient Monuments.'] The ancient monuments of Hindostan are very numerous, and of \afious descriptions, exclusive of the tombs and other edifices of the Mahometan conquerors. Soittc of the most remarkable are excavated temples, statues, relievos, £;g. in an island near Bombay. t The idols represented seem clearly to belong to the present mythology of Hindostan ; but at what period these edifices were modelled, must be left in the darkness of Hindoo chronology. Several ancient gi'ants of land, aome coins, and seals, have also been found. Yet all these re- mains little correspond with the exaggerated ideas entertained concerning the early civilization of this renowned country ; while the Egyptian pyramids, temples, and obelisks, strongly confirm the accounts preserved by the ancient historians. Mythology.] Though the mythology of the Hindoos may pre- tend to great antiquity, yet their present form of religion is sup- posed to vary considerably from the ancient. It is inferred that while the religion of Boodha, still retained by the Birmans and other adjacent nations, was the real ancient system of Hindostan, the artful Bramins have introduced many innovations in order to increase their own power and influence. In a system so full of imagination it is no M^onder, that the analyses are sometimes dis- cordant, but it appears that the fabric rests on that almost univer- sal system of the east, the belief in a supreme Creator too inefl'a- fele and sublime for human adoration, which is therefore address- ed to inferior, but great and powerful, divinities. Religion.] The religion of the Hindoos is artfully interwoven with the common offices, of life; and the different casts are sup- posed to originate from Brahma, the immediate agent of creation, under the supreme power, in the following manner : The Brahmin from the mouth (wisdom) : To pray, to read, to instruct. The Chehteree^ from the arms (strength) : To draw the bow, to fight, to govern. The Brice^ from the belly or thighs (nourishment) : To provide the necessaries of life by agriculture and traffic. The Sooder, from the feet (subjection) : To labour, to serve. :f * Ilennell, exxxir. f -'^s- Res, vol. i. and vi. t Robertson's Disquisition, p. Z3S. HINDOSTAN. 567 The ancients sometimes enlarged the number of these casts, or perpetual orders of men, by an erroneous subdivision of two or more, yet it is impossible to read their accounts without perceiv- ing that the casts themselves existed from time immemorial, but with one important variation. For it would appear that in ancient times the Brahmans, like the priests, or monks of Ava, Siam, and other states, which still follow the worship of Boodh, were not hereditary or a distinct levitical tribe, but that any member of the other casts might enter into this order, which was of course deem- ed inferior to the chief secular or military cast. At present the meanest Brahmin will not condescend to eat with his sovereign. Setting the i-idiculous and fanciful tales of this interested tribe wholly out of the question, it would appear that in the usual circle of human affairs, a contcothad arisen between the regal and eccle- siastical powers. The latter, instead of being subdued, as in China and Japan, acquired the superiority, as in Tibet. But in Hindostan, frum a most refined and cunning policy, the priesthood asserted the divine institution of the several casts, and as was nat- ural, pronounced their own to be the supreme, and possessed of innate and hereditary sanctity. Governvtent.^ Hindostan is now divided into many govern- ments, the form of which must be considered in describing the several states. Suffice it here to observe, that though the Bra- mins be the most dignified cast, yet there do not seem to have been one or more high priests, as in the surrounding countries. The sovereignty was abandoned to the military cast, and the mon- arch was presumed to be the proprietor of all the lands, except those belonging to the chuixh. The Ryots held their possessions by a lease, at a fixed rate, and considered as perpetual. The Ze- mindars were in the opinion of some, only collectors of the royal tents from the Ryots ov farmers ; but according to others, the Zemindars were landed gentlemen, who had a hereditary right to these rents, upon paying a settled proportion to the crown. Laivs.^ The laws of the Hindoos are intimately blended witli their religion, and the curious reader may consult the code, trans- lated and published by the direction of Mr. Hastings. Pofiulationr\ The population of this extensive part of Asia, is supposed to amount to sixty millions, of which the British pos- sessions may now perhaps contain a quai'ter, especially as fre- quent recent conflicts have thinned the population in many other parts of Hindostan. When it is considered that China is about one quarter less than Hindostan, and yet is said to contain 333 millions, we may judge of the boasted effects of Hindoo philoso- phy, more fit for the visionary call of the recluse, than to promote enterprise and industry. • General Revenues.'] The general revenues of Hindostan Avere computed in the time of Aurunzeb, as already mentioned, by a precise calculation of those of the several provinces, at thirty-two millions sterling ; equal perhaps, considering the comparative price of products, to one hundred and sixty niillions sterling in modern Knarland. ^68 HINDOSTAN. ■ Potitical Imfiortayice.'] The political iinportaiice and relatione of Hinclostan ai-e now divided among many powers. So m'<^orable was the internal constitution that this wide and populous country, defended on all sidesby ranges of mountains, has in all ages fallen a prey to every invader. The fantastic institutions, like those of the ancient Persians, prevent the Hindoos from forming a marl- time power ; and even the small fleets of Siam and Pegu, which follow the more liberal doctrines of Boodh, seem unrivalled in the history of Hindostan. Manners and Customs?^ The manners and customs of the Hin- doos are intimately blended with their religion, and ai"e univer- sally similar, with a few exceptions in mountainous and other pe- culiar districts. One of the most singular begins to expire, that of giving the living widow to the same flames with her husband's corpse. The ancients represent the Bramins as accustomed to terminate their own lives on funeral piles lighted by themselves. But by what refinement of cruelty this custom was extended to involuntary and helpless females, has not appeared ; perhaps the cause was to enforce the preservation of their husband's health, by making their life depend on his. But this and other monstrous institutions of the Bramins are treated with lenity, and even re- spect, by many authors, who seem to inherit the Greek astonish- ment at these fanatics. The other manners and customs of the Hindoos have been il- lustrated by many travellers. As soon as a child is born, it is carefullj; registered in its proper cast, and astrologers are con- sulted concerning its destiny ; for the Hindoos, like the Turks, are strict predestinarians. A Bramin imposes the name. The infant thrives by what we should call neglect ; and no M'here are seen more vigor and elegance of form. The boys are generally taught reading and writing by Bramins, but the girls are confined at home till their twelfth year.* Polygamy is practised, but one wife is acknowledged as supreme. It is well known that the Hin- doos are extremely abstemious, and wholly abstain from animal food and intoxicating liquors ; yet if we judge from the fanatic penances, suicides, and other superstitious frenzies, no where on earth is the mind so much disordered. The houses are built of earth or bricks, covered with mortar, and sometimes with ex- cellent cement, with no windows, or only small apertures. There is generally only a ground floor, inclosing a court, Avith a small gallery, supported by slight wooden pillars. The amusements consist of religious processions ; but though dancing girls abound, yet theatrical exhibitions do not seem so common, as in the coun- tries farther to the east. Languages^^ The general ancient language of Hindostan is believed to have been the Sanscrit, an original and refined speech, compared by Sir William Jones with the Greek and Latin. Thc more common dialects are chiefly the foUowiiig.f * See a voyage to the East Indies by IVa. Paoiino da San IJaitoloraeo, ISOO, 8vo Tlie aiitlior's'luv name was Wcsdin, au Austrian. t Wcsdin, oTr. HINDOSTAN. 569 1. That of Kandi, in the interior of Ceylon, which is said nearly to resemble the Sanscrit. 2. The Tamulac, used in the Deccan, or southern part, in Ma- dura, Mysore, and some parts of the Malabar coast. 3. The Malabar language, extending from cape Comari to the mountain Illi, which divides Malabar from Canara. 4. That of Canara, which extends as far as Goa. " 5. The Marashda language. It is prevalent throughout the whole country of the Marashdi^ who are very improperly called ■Marattas. " 6. The Talenga, an harmonious, nervous, masculine, copi- ous, and learned language, which, like the Sanscrit, has fifty -two characters ; and these are sufficient to write the latter. It is spoken on the coast of Orixa, in Golconda, on the river Kishna, and as far as the mountains of Balangat. All these languages have their own alphabets : so that in every province you must make yourself acquainted with a distinct kind of characters, if you wish to express your thoughts in the dialect common in each. " 7. The common Bengal language : a wretched dialect, cor- rupted in the utmost degree. It has no V, and instead of it em- ploys the B. It is spoken at Calcutta, and in Bengal, on the banks of the Ganges. " 8. The Devangaric, or Hindostan language, called by some Nagru, Nagari, and also Devanagari. It is spoken at Benares, or Venares, and consists of fifty-two characters, with which the Sans- crit may be written. " 9. The Guzaratic, which has been introduced not only into the kingdom of Guzarat, but also at Barsche, Surat, Tatta, and the neighborhood of the Balangat mountains. Its characters are little different from those of the Devanagaric. " 10. The Nepalic, which is spoken in the kingdom of Nepaul, and has a great similarity to the Devanagaric." Literature.^ The literature of Hindostan doubtless contains several valuable and curious monuments ; but their epochs are extremely uncertain. There seems no chronology of authors, who successively quote or mention each other ; and there is not even any great land mark, like the age of Confucius, among the Chuiese. Hence little else than confusion and contradiction are to be found in the numerous accounts published of Hindoo litera- ture. The most important books are the Vedas ; there are also some epic poems, which pretend to contain fragments of genuine his- tory. " i he most ancient, called Ramayna,* was written by Val- meeki, and next in celebrity, is the Mahabarat of Vyasa, who is said to have been the author of some Pui^anas, and of course could not have flourished above seven hundred years ago ; and it is probable that the more ancient poem cannot aspire to a much higher date. It is a great singularity that the old Hindoo grants * This work ha» been translated by Rev. Drs. Carey, and Marshman, and printed at Serampore, in 180G. i VOL. II. 72 570 HINDOSTA>5'. of land, many of which have been translated and published, are extremely long, and in a strange poetical or inflated style, some of the compound words consisting of not less than one hundred and fifty syllables ! When we compare these singularities with the brevity and clearness of the Greek and Roman inscriptions, and the unbiassed dictates of plain good sense, we are led to con- clude that the Hindoos are the puerile slaves of a capricious im- agination. And though some translations of their best works have already appeared, they have not acquired the smallest de- gree of European reputation ; and have very little interested a few curious inquirers, though eager to be pleased. To compare such tedious trifles, alike destitute of good sense, vigorous genius, or brilliant fancy, with the immortal productions of Greece or Rome, would only confirm the idea, that the climate itself impairs judgment, while it inflames imagination. The Hindoos are ignorant of the Chinese art of printing, nor have we any rules for determining the antiquity of their manu- scripts. To an exact inquirer this would have been the first topic of investigation ; but it has, on the contrary, been completely neg- lected. We have merely the bold assertions of Bramins, eagerly imbibed by European credulity, instead of successive arguments and proofs. Ancient Civilization?^ The ancient civilization of the Hindoos has probably been greatly exaggerated, both with regard to its degree, and its duration ; they are nevertheless at present in gen- eral highly civilized, and of gentle and amiable manners. But perhaps in no art nor science are they equal to the Chinese or Japanese ; and in most are confessedly greatly inferior. Universities.'] The chief university in the north, is that of Be- nares, a most celebrated and ancient school, now included in the Eng-lish possessions. In the Deccan, the academy of Triciur, on the Malabar coast, is also in great repute. " At Cangiburam., in Carnate, there is still a celebrated Brahman school, which, ac- cording to the testimony of Ptolemy, existed in the first century of the Christian era ; and its members are certainly equal in ce- lebrity to the Brahmans of Fanares, or Benares.* It is to be hop- ed that the recent acquisitions in the south will lead to the dis- covery of new literary treasures in that quarter, where it is to be expected that native knowledge is more perfect, than in the north, where it was so long trampled under foot by the Mahometan con- querors. Inland Nitvigation.'] With respect to inland navigation, Hin- dostan forms a striking contrast with China. In the 1 4th centu- ry, Feroz III. of the Patau dynasty, ordered some short canals to be dug in the neighl)orhood of Delhi ; and had an intention of uniting the Ganges with the Indus, or Setlege. This intended canal, which would not have been above one quarter the length of the p:veat canal of China, has been praised, as a wonderful design ; a sufficientproof of the great inferiority of the Hindoos, and their Mahometan victors, in the solid and useful arts. » Wesdin, 283. HINDOSTAN. 571 Manufactures.'] The manufactures of Hindostan have been celebrated from early antiquity, particularly the muslins and other fabrics from cotton. Piece goods are mentioned by the author of the Periplus, and other ancient writers, who praise the raanufac* ture and its beautiful colors. The Hindoos, in the time of Stra- bo, were also noted for elegant works in metals and ivory. Nor is Hindostan celebrated at this day for any manufacture, except those of muslins and calicoes, the other exports consisting of dia- monds, raw silks, with a few wrought silks, spices, drugs, 8cc. The shawls ofCashmir are also deservedly esteemed ; being there woven from a material chiefly supplied by Tibet. Painting is in its infancy ; and they arc strangers to shade and perspective. Sculpture is as little advanced as painting, the design and execu- lion being alike bad ; yet the temples are sometimes majestic and solemn. In most trades very few tools are em.ployed. The sim- ple loom is reared in the morning under a tree, and carried home in the evening. JVative Products.'] It is the abundance of native products, ■which has in all ages rendered Hindostan the centre of great trade. Diamonds, and some other precious stones, are products almost peculiar ; as well as many spices, aromatics, and drugs. In modern times the tea and porcelain of China, and other oriental articles, have been vaguely included among those of the East In- dies. But rice, sugar, and many articles of luxury, are products of Hindostan. Climate and Seasons.] The climate and seasons are consid- erably diversified by difference of latitude, and local situation. Yet in general, though the northern Alps of Tibet be covered with perpetual snow, there is some similarity of climate through the wide regions of Hindostan. In Bengal the hot, or dry season, begins with March, and continues to the end of May, the ther- mometer sometimes rising to 110°: this intense heat is some- times interrupted by violent thunder storms from tJie lK)rth^\^st, the seat of the grand Alps of Asia. The rainy season continues from June to September : the three last months of the year are generally pleasant ; but excessive fogs often prevail in January and February. The periodical rains are also felt in Sindetic Hin- dostan, except in Cashmir, where they seem to be excluded by tlie surrounding mountains. In the rest of Hindostan they al- most deluge the country, descending like catai'acts from the clouds, and the Ganges and other rivers spread to a wide extent, the in- undation ceasing in September. By the latter end of June the Ganges has risen fifteen feet and a half, out of thirty-two, which is the total of its overflow.* In the mountains the rainy season begins early in April ; but rarely in the plains till the latter end of June. " By the latter end of July all the lower parts of Bengal, contiguous to the Ganges and Burampooter, are overflowed, and form an inundation of more than a hundred miles in width ; noth- ing appearing but villages and trees, excepting very i-arely the * Renncll, 3>i9. 572 HINDOSTAN. top of an elevated spot (the artificial mound of some deserted vil- lage) appearing like an island." In the southern division the chains of the Gauts, or mountains of Malabar and Coromandel, supporting the high table land in the centre, intercept the gi'eat mass of clouds ; and the alternate S. W. and N. E. winds, called the Monsoons, occasion a rainy season on one side of the mountains only, that is, on the windward side. Yet it appears that during the first part of the rainy monsoon, in May and June, on the coast of Malabar, a considerable quantity of rain falls in the upper region, or table land, of Mysore. The monsoon is from the N. E. from October to April ; and from May to Sep- tember in the opposite direction. The rainy season on the coast of Coromandel is with the N. E. monsoon ; and on that of Mala- bar with the S. W. : in general Marcli, April, May, and June, are the dry months. Hence, while in Tibet the winter nearly corresponds with that of Switzerland and the rest of Europe, in the whole extent of Hin- dostan, except in Cashmir, there can hardly be said to be a vest- ige of winter, except the thick fogs of an English November: and excessive rains, or excessive heats, form the chief varieties of the year. General Face of the Country.'] The aspect of this wide coun- try is greatly diversified ; but in general there are no mountains of any considerable height, the highest Gauts in the south not be- ing estimated at above three thousand feet. The frontier moun- tains of Tibet are of small elevation, compared with those of the interior of that country ; and the wonderful extent of Hindostan consists chiefly of extensive plains, fertilized by numerous rivers and streams, and interspersed with a few ranges of hills. The periodical rains and intense heats produce luxuriance of vegeta- tion, almost unknown to any other country on the globe ; and the variety and richness of the vegetable creation delight the eye of every spectator. Soil.~\ 'i he soil in some places consists of black vegetable mould, to the depth of six feet. Rice is the chief grain ; and on the dry sandy lands of the coast of Coromandel, great industry is displayed in watering it.* Maize and the sugar-cane are also favorite products. Great attention to manure seems far from being so general as in China, or Japan ; nor perhaps is it necessary. The cultivation of cotton is also widely diffused ; and this plant particularly thrives on the dry coast of Coromandel. Rivers.'] In describing the large and numerous rivers of Hin- dostan, the Ganges and Indus shall be first considered, with their chief tributary streams ; and a short account of the principal rivers in the central part shall be followed by those in the south- ern division. This arrangement naturally arises from the four grand divisions formerly mentioned. The Ganges must still be considered as the sacred sovereign of * Sonnerat, i. TOG. HINDOSTAN. 573 the Hindoo rivers, an attribute not infringed by the recent discov- er)' of the Burrampooter. It receives such a number of important tributary streams, that its magnitude exceeds what might have been expected from the comparative length of its course ; which may however be estimated at about fourteen hundred British miles, while the Hoan-ho of China has been computed at two thousand, and the Kian-ku at two thousand two hundred. The source of the Ganges remains a curious object of investigation ; nor can much reliance be placed on its delineation in the map of Tibet, by the Chinese Lamas, published by Du Ilalde, and follow- ed by all succeeding geographers. Tieffenthaler has laid down the latitude of the noted Gangoutra, or Cow's mouth, in lat. 33°, being a celebrated cataract, where the Ganges is said to pass through a vast cavern in a mountain, falling into a large bason, which it has worn in the rock. At Hurdwar, about two hundred and eighty miles to the south of the Cow's mouth, (if this last be not a dream of the fabling Hindoos,) the Ganges enters the wide plains of Hindostan ; and pursues a south-east direction by the ancient city of Canoge, once the capital of a kingdom, by Allaha- bad, Benares, Patna, Sec. till dividing into m.any grind and capa- cious mouths, it forms an extensive delta at its egress into the gulf of Bengal. The extreme mouths of the Ganges are inter- sected witn isles, called the Sunderbunds, overgrown with tall bamboos and other luxuriant vegetation, the impenetrable haunts of the royal tiger, and other beasts of prey. On the westernmost outlet of the Ganges, called the Hoogley, or Ugli, stands Calcut- ta, the capital of British Hindostan. This, and the most eastern, which receives the Burrampooter, are the widest and most im- portant branches. The noblest tributary stream of the Ganges is the Burrampoo- ter, or as styled by the people of Asam, the Burrampoot, being the Sampoo of the Tibetans. The course of the river, and its junction v/ith the Ganges, were first ascertained by Major Ren- nell. This noble river runs for four hundred miles through the British territory ; and for the last 60 miles before its junction with the Ganges, is from four to five miles .wide. On their union below Luckipour, they form a body of running fresh water, re- sembling a gulf of the sea, interspersed with islands, some of which rival in size and fertility the Isle of Wight. In the mouths of the Ganges, and the Megna, or Burrampoot, the bore or sud- den influx of the tide will rise instantaneously to die height of from five to twelve feet.* Between Bengal and Tibet, the Burram- poot passes through the country of Asam, a region hitherto little known, and which may be here briefly described. It is divided into two parts by the river ; the northern being called Uttercul, and the southern Dachincul. The mountains of Duleh, and Landa, divide Asam from Tibet.f Asam is intersected by several streams which run into the Burrampoot ; among which is the Donee, in the south, the environs of which present fields, groves, and eai- * Hcnncll, S58 - t As. Res. ii. 171 = ^U HINDOSTAN. dens. Among the products are many kinds of valuable fruits, with pepper, cocoa nuts, sugar, and ginger. The silk is said to equal that of China; nor are the musk deer unknown. The northern province, Uttarcul, surpasses the southern in tillage and population ; gold and silver are said to be found in the sand of the rivers, and to furnish employment to many of the natives. The Hindoo tenets are not known by the generality, though thei*e be Bome Bramins, and the vulgar dialect somewhat resembles that of Bengal. The raja, or king, resides at Ghargon, the capital, which, by this account, stands on the south of the gi*eat river : it is fenced ■with bamboos, and has four gates, constructed of stone and earth. The palace, public saloon, 8cc. seem rudely to resemble those of the Birmans. The natives are a stout and brave race ; and re- peatedly foiled the invasions of the Moguls. The course of the Burrampoot is supposed to be nearly equal in length to that of the Ganges. The sources of these great I'iv- ers are stated to be very near, yet they separate to the distance of more than a thousand miles, and afterwards join in their termina- tion. The most important tributary streams which swell the Ganges, are the Gagra, also called Sarjoo, (a great part of whose course, like those of the Cosa and Teesta, belong to Tibet) ; the Jumna, or Yumena, which receives many considerable rivers from the south, particularly the Chumbul and the Betwa : and lastly the Soan. The Gagra, after pursuing a long course from the mountains of Tibet, pervades the province of Oude. The Jumna rises from the mountains of Sirinagur, pursuing nearly a parallel course to the Ganges, on the west, as the Gagra does on the east ; but its comparative course has not exceeded five hundred miles when it flows into the Ganges at Allahabad. By receiving numerous and extensive streams from the south, the Jumna contributes greatly to increase the breadth of Gangetic Hindostan ; and the Chumbul, which joins the Jumna, is itself swelled with many tributary streams. The Soan is said to spring from the same lake with the Nerbu- da (which flows in an opposite direction to the gulf of Cambay,) and joins the Ganges not far below its union with the Gagra. Several streams of smaller account fall into the Hoogley, or west- ern branch of the Ganges. The Indus, and Its confluent streams, form the next object. This celebrated river is by the natives called Sonde, or Sindeh, and in the original Sanscrit, Seendho. It is also called Nilab, or the Blue River. The source, like that of the Ganges, remains unknown. From the map of Islcnieff, 1777, it appears that the chain of mountains which gives source to the Amu, or Gihon, on one side, and on the other to the rivers of Little Bucharia, is that of the Beluv Tag, or Cloudy mountains ; from the eastern side of Avhich chain the Indus seems to arise. Its comparative course may be about a thousand British miles, when it forms a delta in the province of Sinde, enteinng by many mouths into the Indian sea. HINDOSTAN. 575 The tributary rivers of the Sinde chiefly join it in the northern half of its course, where they form the Panjab, or country of five rivers. From the west run into the Indus the Kameh, with its tributary streams, and the Comul : from the east the Behut, or Hydaspes ; the Chunab, or Acesinas; the Rauvee, or Hydrastes; and the Setlege, or Hesudrus, with a tributary stream on the west, the Hyphasis ; the Panjab country being on the east of the Sinde. The whole of this part of Hindostan is little known to the moderns ; and it is uncertain whether the Caggar, a considerable and distant river to the east, join the Sinde, or fall into the gulf of Cutch.* Having thus briefly described the most important rivers in the two first grand divisions of Hindostan, those of the central part must next be considered, being chiefly the Pudda, Nerbudda, and Taptee, on the west ; and on the east the Subanrceka, or Subun- reka, which joins the sea about thirty miles to the west of that mouth of the Ganges called the Hoogley, or more properly, from a city on its shore, the Ugli. The Subunreka being here consid- ered as the N. E. boundary of Central Hindostan, is followed by the Bramnee, the Mahanada ; and after passing the little streams of the Sircars by the Godaveri, the last and most important stream of Central Hindostan. The Godaveri rises at Trimbuck Nassor, in the western Gaute, more properly called the Suckhien mountains, from several sources, about seventy miles to the N. E. of Bombay. f This great river was little known in Europe till recent times ; and is also called the Ganga, a Hindoo term for a river in general, though applied by pre-eminence to the Ganges. | About ninety miles from its egress into the sea, the Godaveri receives a large river, the Bain Gonga, which pervades immense teak forests in a singu^ lar wild country inhabited by savages, in the centre of Hindostan, and as yet little known or explored. The Bain Gonga was first discovered to Europeans by the late Colonel Camac, its course being about four hundred miles, while that of the Godaveri may be seven hundred. This last great river, like another Nile or Ganges, fertilizes the country ; and from the benefits which it confers is esteemed sacred. Besides the Bain or Eaun Gonga, it receives many tributary streams, as the Burda and others from the north ; and from the south a circuitous large river, the Mun- zora, which passes by Beder. The next in consequence, in the central division of Hindostan, is the Nerbudda, which may be called a solitary stream, as it receives so few contributions. Its course is almost due west, and about equal to that of the Godaveri. The Taptee, which passes by Su- rat, is also a considerable river, about four hundred miles in length. To the south of this river the superior elevation of the Sukhien mountains, or western Gauts, ditluses all the rivers towards the east. * Major Rennell's excellent map may here be compared vith that of de la Ro- cheUe, published by Faden, 1788, which is well execuled, and compiled with great care. f As. Res. v. 1. 5. i Reimel'., 244. 576 HINDOSTAN. In the arrangement here tbllowed, the Deccan, or most south- ern part of Hindostan, is considered as bounded and enriched by the Kistna, and its tributary streams. The Kistna, a sacred river, rises at Balisurin the chain of Sukhien, not far to the south oi" Prona, and forms a delta near Masulipatam, after a comparative course of about 500 hundred miles. This river rivals any Indian stream in the fertility diffused by its inundations ; and the richest diamond mines in the world arc in the neighboring hills to the north. The chief tributary streams in that quarter are the Bee- ma; passing near the diamond mines of Visiapour, and the Musi, or Moussi by those of Golconda. But the most considerable river joins the Kistna from the south, being the Toombuddra of Ren- nell's last map, the Tunge-badra of D'Anville ; on the banks of which have been recently discovered many populous provinces, and flourishing towns. To the south of the Kistna appear the Pennar, the Paliar, and above all the Caveri, another large and sacred stream, which pas- ses by Scringapatam the capital of Mysore, and forms a wider del- ta than any other southern river, when it enters the sea after a course of about three luuidred iniles. The Caveri in general per- vades a country in which public monuments, unequivocal marks of civilization and opulence, are more common than in the northern parts of Hindostan.* As the course of the Caveri is compartively short, its tributary streams are unimportant. Lakes.~\ The lakes seem to be fev.'. Rennell mentions that of Co- lair, during the inundations about forty or fifty miles in extent, and a considerable piece of water in all seasons, lying about mid- way between the Godaveri and Kistna, in the new soil gradually formed by the inundations of these rivers, about twelve miles north of Masulipatam. That of Chilka bounds the British Sircars on the N. being a kind of a salt crock communicating with the sea. The lake of Pulicat is of a similar kind. One or two lakes may also be traced in the vicinity of the Ganges and the Indus. The country of Cashmir is supposed to have been originally a large lake, as reported in the native traditions ; and a considerable ex- panse of water stiM remains in the northern part of this delightful country, called the lake of Ouller or Tal, bemg about fifty-three British miles in circuit. Moicntains.'] Ilie mounlains chielly celebrated by the Hmdoos may be said to be only visible from their country, being the north- ern chain of the Tibetian Alps, covered with perpetual snow. Plence they are called Ilimmala from a word denoting snow. This name may perhaps be the source of the Imaus of the ancients. Ptolemy not only describes an Imaus as running north and south, or the Bclur Tag of the Russians and Tartars, with its ridges to the west, now called Argun, Ak Tau, Sec. but another Imaus pass- ing E. and W. to the N. of Hindostan. As the northern Imaus of Ptolemy is clearly the Eelur Tag, so his southern Imaus may be fafely regarded as the Himmala of the '* Rennell, 275. HINDOSTAN. 577 Hindoos, which may be admitted to have been known to the an- cients, who were no strangers to tlie rich Gangetic regions of Hindostan. It must be observed however that there is no small confusion, even in the most recent delineations, of the Indian I'anges of mountains, or rather hills, and their exact denominations. The ridges to the south of Nepaul and Bootan are far inferior in heif^ht to the Himmala, or sj-owy ridge ; nor can we much depend on the Tibetian names given by Du Halde, An equal defect at- tends the mountains from Sirinagur to Cashmir. The ridge of Kuitore is properly on the north of that province, running east and west : and is followed by the Hindoo Koh of oriental geogra- phers. The mountains to the west of the Indus, or on the Persian fron- tier, seem to be the Becius and Parvetius of Ptolemy ; but the modern names are little known. In Major Rennell's excellent map of Hindostan the ridges are rather inserted in the minute and antiquated manner of D'Anville, than treated with a bold and scientific discrimination. The Gauts, are ranges which run along the western and eastern coasts of the Deccan. The former is by the natives called the mountains of Sukkien.* The chains of mountains rise abruptly on each side, but partic- ularly the west, forming as it were enormous Avails, supporting a high terrace or table land in the middle. This elevated tract, passing through a great part of the Marattateri'itories to the north of Mysore, is termed in general the Balla Gaut, through its whole extent, while low passes are called Payen Gaut.f Opposite to Paniany, on the western coast, there is a break or interruption of the mountains, about sixteen miles in breadth, chiefly occupied by a forest ; exclusive of this gap the mountains of Sukhien extend from Cape Comorin to Surat, at the distance of from forty to sev- enty miles from the shore.:}: Their eftect on the seasons has been already mentioned ; and it ceases at Surat, where the S. W. wind carries uninterrupted moisture over Hindostan. The high ter- race in the middle of the Deccan receives little rain ; and the coast cf Coromandel, which receives its rain from the N. E. mon- soon, is also of a dry soil, as already described. The sandy desert on the east of the Indus must not be omitted, extending in length between four and five hundred miles, and in breadth from sixty to a hundred and fifty. Of this great desert the accounts are imperfect ; but it is styled that of Agimere, and seems to have been known to Herodotus. Such wide expanses of barren sand form features peculiar to Asia and Africa. Forests.~\ Of this extensive portion of Asia a great ptirt re- maining in primitive wildness, there are large forests in various quarters, particularly near the mouth of the Ganges, and in the wide unexplored regions on the west of the Sircars. These forests * As. Res. V. 1.5. \ Kennell, cxxvii. \ Rennell, 276, and his map of the Deccau 1800, in which the southern mountains are well expressed. VOL. ir. 7.'^ 578 HIND03TAN. surpass in exuberance of vegetation any idea which Europeans can imagine ; creeping plants of prodigious size and length, ex- tended from tree to tree, forming an impenetrable gloom, and a barrier, as it were, sacred to the first mysteries of nature. Botaiiy.'] The general observations which were made on India beyond the Ganges, apply with still greater propriety to the botany ofHindostan. A more fertile soil, and a climate better adapted to the most profuse luxuriance of vegetation than the well-watered tracts in this vast peninsula, cannot possibly be found in any part of the known world. The liberality Avith which nature has scat- tered over this favored country the choicest of those plants that contribvite to the sustenance, the convenience, and elegance of hu- man life, is boundless, and almost without competition : double harvests, two crops of fruit from many of the trees, and from most of the rest a copious and regular supply during the greater part of the year, are the bases that support its swarming population, while its timber of every quality, its plants of medicinal virtue, its numerous and exquisite dyeing drugs, and its cottons and other vegetable articles of clothing, offer to its inhabitants the materials of enjoyment and civilization. The most distinguished feature in tropical landscapes is the multitude of lofty trees of the palm kind ; all these rise with a simple trunk to a considerable height, terminated by a tuft of large leaves, and wholly destitute of branches except while they are in fruit : of these many species are natives of India. The co- coa nut tree, perhaps the most widely diffused of any, is found in abundance on the coasts of Malabar and Coromandel ; its fruij supplies an agreeable nutriment, and the fibrous covering of the nut is manufactured into the most elastic cables that are known. The areca palm is another of this family, of rare occurence in a truly wild state, but cultivated over all India for its nuts, which, mixed with the leaves of the betel pepper and a little quick-lime, are in general request for chewing as tobacco is used in Europe. The smaller fan-palm (borassus flabelliformis) is distinguished for its broad fan-shaped leaves, which are used for writing on and for thatching : its wood is in high esteem for rafters ; and of its juice the best palm toddy, the common distilled spirit of the coun- try, is made. This, although a large tree, is far inferior to the greater fan-palm (corypha umbraculifera) which abounds on the lower mountains of the Carnatic ; each leaf of this vast tree is capable of covering ten or a dozen men, and two or three of them are sufficient to roof a cottage. The most beautiful of all, the sago palm, is also found here, though not so plentifully as in some of the Indian islands. Besides these may be mentioned the elate sylvestris, whose sweet mealy fruit is the favorite repast ol the elephant ; and the plantain, distinguished by its tuft of broad, sim- ple, light, green leaves, and its wholesome farinaceous fruit. Of the other fruit bearing trees the number is so great, and they are for the most part so little known, even by name, to Euro- peans, tliat only a few of the principal need be here mentioned : these are, the papaw fig ; two species of the genus known to bot- HINDOSTAN. 579 anists by the name of eugenia, and remarkable for the sweetness and rose flavor of their fruit ; and the spondius dulcis, whose sweetness, pleasantly tempered with acid, renders it peculiarly agreeable in this hot climate. The pillaw is a tree of equal sin- gularity and use : from its trunk and larger branches are pro- duced fibrous bags, sometimes of the weight of 25 pounds, which are filled with nuts like the chestnut, and resembling the almond in flavor. The dillenia indica is remarkable for its beauty, and valuable for its large pomaceous fruit of a pure acid, and equal to the white lily in fragrance. The averrhoa carambola produces three crops of fruit in the year, and another of the same genus, the a. bilimbi, is in a manner covered with large juicy ber- ries of the size of a hen's egg, and resembling the grape. The mango however is reckoned the most exquisite of the Indian fruits, and is found in considerable abundance, both wild and cultivated through the whole peninsula, nor ought the elephant apple, (fero- nia elephantum,) to hp omitted, almost equally a favorite with the animal whose name it bears, and with the native Hindoos. Of the trees whose produce is used in medicine orthe arts, the most worthy of notice are the cassia fistula ; the tamarind ; the gambogia, from whose bark exudes the gum of the same name ; the laurus cassia, whose bark is a common substitute for cinna- mon ; csesalpina sappan, a red wood used in dyeing ; sandal wood; strychnos potatorum, the fruit of which, called the clearing nuts is in general use for clearing muddy water ; and semecar- pus anarcardium, or marking nut used for giving a durable black stain to cotton. The chief timber trees are the teak, used espe- cially for ship-building ; a large tree called by botanists gyro- carpus, whose strong liglit wood is in great request for rafts, or catamarans ; the ebony ; the ferreola, the hardest of all the In- dian woods ; and the dalbergia, a dark gi'ey wood with light col- ored veins, very heavy, and capable of a most exquisite polish ; it is much used for furniture. A few other trees require notice from their size or beauty, such as the banyan tree and Indian fig; the hibiscus ficulneus is re- markable by its magnitude, and the pi'ofusion of its elegant blos- soms, and is of peculiar value in a tropical climate, as hardly any insects are found under its shade. The cotton tree rises with a thorny trunk eighteen feet in circumference to the height of fifty feet without a branch, it then throws out numerous boughs, which are adorned in the rainy season with purple blossoms as large as the open hand, and these are succeeded by capsules filled with a fine kind of cotton. The shrubs and herbaceous plants are i^mu- merable, and multitudes would be well worth recording for their beauty or use, if the nature of this work allowed an opportunity ; we cannot however omit the indigo and the Indian madder, whence the beautiful colors of the Indian chintzes are procured. The nyctanthes hirsuta, and the jasminum grandiflorum, boast the most fragrant blossoms of the whole east, the former perfum- ing the night, and the latter scenting the day. The gloriosa su- perba, cecropegia candelabrum, and Indian vine, form by their 680 HINDOSTAN. union bov/ers worthy of Paradise ; and the butea superba, a small tree, by the striking contrast of its green leaves, its black flower- stalks, and its large scarlet papilionaceous blossoms, attracts with its ostentatious charms the notice and admiration of the most in- curious. Zoology.'] For an ample account of the zoology of Hindostan, the curious reader may consult Mr. Pennant's view of this country, this being the peculiar province of that great naturalist. The numerous cavalry, which form the armies of the Hindoo princes, suppose great numbers of horses ; and the breeds most celebrated are those of Lahore and Turkistan, but the grandees are supplied from Persia and Arabia. The inferior breeds though ugly, are active, and in some regions there are poneys not exceeding thirty inches in height* The horses of Tibet, generally pyed, arc often used in Gangetic Hindostan. The animal called the wild mule, and the wild ass, sometimes pass in herds to the northern mountains, from the centre of Asia and the desert of Gobi. The cattle of Hindostan are numerous, and often of a large size, with a hunch on the shoulders. The sheep are covered with hair instead of wool, except in the most northern parts. Antelopes abound, of various beautiful kinds, particularly that called the Nilgau, which is of a considerable size. Bernier, the most intelligent of travellers in India, gives an account of the chase of the antelopes by means of the hunting leopard, trained as in Persia to this sport. t The Arabian camel, or that with a single hunch, is not unfre- quent about Patna. The elephant has been frequently described ; the usual height of this intelligent animal is about ten feet. Apes and monkeys abound in various regions of Hindostan ; and the orang outang is said to be found in the vast forests on the W. of the Sircars. The dogs are generally of the cur kind, with sharp erect ears and pointed noses : die smallest size is that kept by the Pariars, or degraded poor, rendered doubly miserable by the fan- atic prejudices of the abominable system of the Bramins. The other animals are wild boars, boars, wolves, foxes, jackals, hyenas, leopards, panthers, lynxes : in the north, musk weasels, and many other quadrupeds of inferior size. The lion seems to have been always unknown in Hindostan, where the ancient sculptors have attempted in vain to represent an animal which they never saw ; but Mr. Pennant assures us Uiat they are found near the celebrated fort of Gvvaiior, about Marwah, and near (Jashmir. The royal tiger of Bengal is however a far more terrible animal than the stoutest lion, and was kiiOwnin clas- sical times, as Seneca the poet calls it Gaiigctica ti,^risy or the Gangetic tiger. Such is their size and strength that cuey are said to carry off bullocks, the height of some being said to ue five teet, and the length in proportion. Parties of pleasure oa the isles at the mouta of the Ganges have often been shockingly iuter- * Pennant, vol. ii. 239. f 'rhose of Tippoo are in the Tower of London; their legs are much higher in pi'oportiou than those ol any other seline aniiual. HINDOSTAN. S8i rupted by the sudden appearance of the tigej, prepared for his fatal spring, which is said to extend a hundred feet, not improba- ble when compared with that of the cat. Siich is the nature of the animal, that if disappointed in this first leap, he couches his tail and retreats. The rhinoceros with one horn, an animal of the swamps, also abounds in the Gangetic isles. Wild peacocks abound in Tibet and Ceylon ; our common fowl are also found wild in the jungles, whence they are called jungle fowl. Hence it seems reasonable to conclude, that as these animals have been diffused over the civilized world from time immemorial, they must have passed from Hindostan to Persia, whence they were distributed to the western countries. Mineralogy.^ The mineralogy of Hindostan may be opened by its most distinguished and peculiar product, celebrated in all ages of the world, that of diamonds, which are indeed also found in Brazil, but of far inferior quality. This substance is the most hard, transparent, and brilliant of all minerals ; and is commonly colourless, but is found occasionally of a citron yellow, grey, brown, or black. It is found in beds of torrents, or in yellow ferruginous earth, under rocks of quartz or sand stone. The chief and most celebrated diamond mines are those near Visiapour and Golconda, both near streams that flow into the Kist- na in the southern division of Hindostan, Golconda being in the territory of the Nizam, while Visiapour belongs to the Marattas.* Raolconda, a famous diamond mine in the territory of Visiapour, about forty British miles N. W. from the junction of the Beema and Kistna, seems to be the most noted of those in that quarter.! A district on the river Mahanada, to the S. of Sumboulpour, is also celebrated for this rich product ; as is Gandicotta, on the southern bank of the river Pennar.f The mine near the Mahanada is not the sole example of the diamond being found to the north of the Deccan, for this mineral unexpectedly occurs so far north as Penna, in the territory of Bun- delcund, about sixty miles south of the river Jumna, which flows into the Ganges.§ Next in value to the diamond are the sapphire and the ruby, which are chiefly found in the Birman territories ; but the ruby- also occurs in Ceylon, which likewise produces an inferior kind cf sapphire, the topaz, and other precious stones. Among the metals gold is found in the rivers, which flow from Tibet into the Ganges and Indus ; but no gold mines seem ever to have been known in Hindostan, which has rather been celebi'ated for attracting this metal in commerce from other countries. On the other hand Tibet, a mountainous country, abounds in this pre- cious metal. Silver seems rai*e in general thronghout the oriental regions, and there is no indication of this mineral throughout all In- dia. Taunberg mentions iron ore and plumbago among the min- erals of Ceylon ; but says nothing of copper, which seem also little known in Hindostan. * Colore, another diamond mine, is on the southern bank of the Kistna, not lav from Condavir. Rennell, ii90. t Reauell, '233. i lb. 240. § lb. 233. 582 HINDOSTAN. Mineral Waters^ The natives sometimes seek for the cure of diseases by bathing in the sacred streams ; and their devotion to •\vater in general seems to prevent their exploring any medicinal sources. Yet there are a few exceptions, and several warm springs are reputed sacred. Matural Curiosities,^ Among the singular features of nature jnay be mentioned the appearance of the provinces on the rivers, during the season of inundation, when an access is opened by nu- merous channels to places before inland. The grand aspect of the northern mountains covered with snow, and the wide desert on the east of the Indus, are also grand features ; as is the high table land of Mysore, supported by natural buttresses of mountains. The Sunderbunds, and prodigious forests, have been already mentioned. The detached ridges of rock, sometimes crowned with strong for- tresses, may also be named among the natural curiosities. But one of the most noted in the Hindoo tradition is the Gangoutra, or fall of the Ganges, sometimes called the Cow's Mouth. Accord- ing to the report of a Bramin, Avho pretended to have visited the spot, the Ganges springs from the peak of Cailasa, seven days journey to the south of Ladac, or Latac, the capital of a small ri- betian principality.* This peak is about two miles to the south of Mansaror ; and the river thence flows, for about seven or eight miles, when it finds a subterranean passage, until it again emerges in the country of Kedar Nauth, at the place called Gungowtry. Adam's bridge is also a noted fable of the Bramins, for in their strong imaginations and weak judgments every thing assumes a fabulous tinge. It is a kind of sand bank, with some isles stretch- ing from a promontory to the opposite isle of Ceylon ; but the name of Rama has been exchanged by the Mahometans, for that of Adam. CHAPTER II. GANGETIC HINDOSTAN, OR THE COUNTRIES ON THE GANGES. EXTENT AND DIVISIONS, BRITISH POSESSIONS, REVENUE, GOVERN- MENT, COLLEGE, ARMY, NAVY, CITIES AND TOWNS, SURROUND- ING STATES. Extent and Divisions.'] THIS grand division of Hindos- tan extends from the eastern boundaries of Bengal, to the country of Sirhind, a length of about 1000 miles. The greatest breadth, from the sources of the Chunibul to the mountains of Sewalik, is about 450 ; and the least, on the west of the province of Bengal, about 230 miles. It comprises the provinces of Bengal, Bahar, Allahabad, Oude, Agra, with part of Delhi and Agimere, and of Malwa in the south ; most of them equal in celebrity to any in Hindostan, and the chosen seats of the power of the Monguls, as "vvell as of mighty kingdoms, even in classical times. * As.Res. v.45j vi. 102. HINDOSTAN. 583 British Poses.'.ions.'] Bengal, Bahar, with Benares, and some other districts to the west, forming the chief basis and centre of English power in this country, it is proper first to consider them apart, and then proceed to some account of the other pi^ovinces. The British settlements here extend about 550 miles in length by 300 in breadth, in themselves a powerful kingdom. The native population is computed at ten or eleven millions of black subjects, exclusive of the English, whose number seems not authenticated. Revenue.l The revenue of these British provinces is computed at 4,210,0001. sterling; the expense of collection, military and civil charges. Sec, 2,540,0001. ; so that the clear revenue is 1,670- OOOl.* They are well situated in respect to security from foreign invasion ; and since they were in posession of the British have en- joyed more tranquility than any part of Hindostan has known since the reign of Aurungzeb. Government.'] The government of Bengal and its wide depen- dencies, was first vested in a governor general and a supreme council, consisting of a president and eleven counsellors : but in 1773 these were restricted to four, with Warren Hastings the governor general, who were to direct all affairs, civil and military, in the kingdoms of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa ; and to controul the inferior governments of Madras on the E. and Bombay on the W. with Bencoolen in the island of Sumatra. t The court of judicature consists of a chief justice and three other judges, with civil, criminal, naval, and ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The Hin- doos are governed by their own laws ; but it is to be wished that in these and the other British possessions the abominable influence of the Bramins were extinguished, and the casts totally abolished, as the most shocking obstacle to all the best feelings and exertions of human nature, that ever was imposed by crafty superstition upon consummate ignorance. College.^ jThe College of Fort William, at Calcutta, in Bengal, was founded on the fourth of May 1800. During the seven first years of its establishment it produced nearly one hundred volumes in Oriental literature. This College, after encountering several difficulties, is now in a flourishing condition, and has received the sanction and patronage of the East-India Company. The benefit of this institution consists principally in diffusing a knowledge of the Scriptures over the East. There is a department for the translation of the Bible into the Oriental languages, And a com- mencement had been made, in 1805, in five languages. | Jrtny.] The military establishment in Bengal is always re- spectable, but varies according to the situation of affairs. The British troops are supported by the Sepoys, a native militia, who are accustomed to have numerous idle followers, so that the effect- ive men seldom constitute more than a quarter of the nominal army. A force of 20,000 British soldiers might probably encounter and vanquish 200,000 blacks or Hindoos. The decisive battle of Plas- sey, which secured to the British the possession of these opulent * Pennaut, ii. 327. fRennellj c\iv. ^ Buchannan's Researches. 584 HINDOSFAN. provinces, was gained by the formidable array of nine hundred Europeans.* Citits and Towns.'] The chief city of Bengal, and of all the British possessions in Hindostan, is Calcutta. The latitude is 22 S3 north, and the longitude 88° 28' east from Greenvvich. "Generally speaking, the description of one Indian city is a description of all ; they being all built on one plan, with exceedingly narrow, confined, and crooked streets ; Avith an incredible number of reservoirs and ponds, and a gi'eat many gardens, interspersed. A few of the streets are paved with brick. The houses are vari- ously built, some of brick, others with mud, and a still greater proportion with bamboos and mats : and these different kinds of fabrics, standing intermixed with each other, form a motley ap- pearance : those of the latter kind are invariably of one story, and covered with thatch. Tlwse of brick seldom exceed two floors, and have flat terraced roofs. The two former classes far outnumber the last, which are often so thinly scattered, that fires, which often happen, do not sometimes meet with the obstruction of a brick house through a whole street. " Calcutta is, in part, an exception to this rule of building ; for there the quarter inhabited by the English is composed entirely of brick buildings, many of which have inore the appearance of pala- ces, than of private houses ; but the remainder of the city, and by much the greatest part, is built as above described. Calcutta is the emporium of Bengal, and the seat of the Governor General of India. It is a very extensive and populous city, being supposed at present to contain at least 500,000 inhabitants. Calcutta is sit- uated on the western arm of the Ganges, about 100 miles from the sea ; and the I'iver is navigable up to the tow^n for the largest ships that visit India. It is a modern city, having risen on the site of the village of Govindpour, about ninety years ago. The citadel is superior in every point, as to strength and correctness of design, to any fortress in India ; but on too extensive a scale to answer the useful purpose intended, that of holding a post in case of extrem- ity.t" In this grand capital of British Asia, the mixture of people and manners presents a picturesque and interesting scene. The black Hindoo, the olive-coloured Moor or Mahometan, contrasted with the fair and florid countenances of the English ; and the charms of the European damsel receive a foil from the dark Hindoo beau- ties. The luxuries of the Asiatic are added to the elegance and science of the English life. Even the newspapers are drawn up with care, and printed with elegance ; and the Asiatic society, in- stituted by the late excellent Sir William Jones, forms a noble monument of science in a distant country. The commerce of Calcutta is very great in salt, sugar, opium, jilks, and muslins, &c. The poppy which yields the opium is particularly cultivated in the province of Bahar. On the Ganges are transported to Asam cargoes of salt, in exchange for gold, sil- • Rennndl, xcv t Rcnnell, 58, 59 HINDOSTAN. 585 Ver, ivory, musk, and a particular kind of silky cotton. Tlie cowry shells, used as a small coin, are imported from the Maldives in exchange for rice. The fine muslins are chiefly fabricated in the rainy season from May to September, and, with calicoes, foi'm a great part of the exports to Europe. In the eastern part of the British possessions the most consider- able town is Dacca, beyond the principal stream of the Ganges, but defended on the east by the Megna or Burrampoot. Dacca is celebrated for manufactures of the most delicate muslins, so much in request in the European market, and which are made from the cotton of the district. It was once the capital of Bengal, and was succeeded by Moorshedabad, a modern city. Hoogley, or Ugli, is a small but ancient city, about 26 miles above Calcutta, on the grand western branch of the Ganges, which thence receives its name. Patna is the capital of the province of Bahar, situated about 400 miles N. W. from Calcutta, being tolerably fortified, and a place of considerable trade ; most of the saltpetre in particular, exported to England, is made in the province of Bahar. Benares approaches to the western frontier of the British pos- sessions, the district having been ceded to the East India Company in the year 1755. It is a rich, populous, and compact city, on the northern bank of the Ganges, about 460 miles from Calcutta. Be- nares, anciently called Kasi, was the most early seat of Bramin- ical knowledge in the north. On leaving the British possessions, and proceeding towards the west, first occurs Allahabad, in the province so called, at the con- fluence of the Jumna and the Ganges, a city belonging to the na- bob of Oude, but of little consequence. Not far to the S. W. of Allahaliad, are the diamond mines of Penna, in the small detached province of Bundelcund. Lucknow is the present capital of Oude, having superseded Fyzabad, a city on the Gogra, near the ancient city of Aiudh, which seems to have given name to the province. At a consider- able distance to the N. W. is Boriili, a small, but noted town, near the northern frontier. The great and good emperor Acbar constituted Agra, the capi- tal of the Mogul empire, about A. D. 1566. It was then a small fortified town, but it soon became an extensive and magnificent city, and has as rapidly declined. To the N. W. of Agra, near the confines of Sindetic Hindostan, stands the celebrated city of Delhi, the Mahometan capital of In- dia, said to be of considerable antiquity, by the name of Indarput. That intelligent traveller, Bernier, computes the extent of Delhi, in 1663, at three leagues, exclusive of the fortifications ; and he represents Agra as of wider circuit. This metropolis may be said to be now in ruins ; but there are many noble and splendid remains of palaces, with baths of marble.* The grand mosque is a magnificent edifice, of marble and red free-stone, with highmin- * As. Res. ir. 417. VOL. II. 74 $86 HINDOSTAN. arets, and domes richly gilt. One of the quarters of the city has been very thinly inhabited since the dreadful massacre 1^- Nadir Shah, in which one hundred thousand people are said to have perished. The city of Agimere, or Ajimer, maybe more properly allotted, with the greater part of that province, to Sindetic Hindostan : but Oujein may be considered as the farthest city in the south of that portion now under view. Oujein is about six miles in circumfe- rence, surrounded by a strong wall, with round towers. The houses, partly brick, partly wood, covered with lime, tarass, or tiles : the bazar, or market, is spacious, and paved with stone : there are four mosques, and several Hindoo temples, with a nev/ palace built by Sindia. On the south runs the river Sip para, which here suddenly turns north, pursuing its eourse into the Chumbul, the last a large river, not less than three quarters of a mile in breadth, at some distance from its egress into the Jumna.* Turning to the east, the river Nerbudda may for a part be con- sidered as the most southern limit of Gangetic Hindostan ; yet concerning Gurrah, a city ©r town of some note, there are no de- tails ; and the other names are too unimportant for general geog- raphy. But the noted fort of Gwalior must not be omitted, being^ a striking object in Hindoo topography. The insulated rock ou which it stands, is about four miles in length, but narrow : the sides are almost perpendicular, from two to three hundred feet above the surrounding plain. f On the top there is a town, with wells and reservoirs, and some cultivated land. This celebrated fortress, which is about 80 miles to the south of Agra, was taken by surprise by a fc\;v English, under Major Popham, in 1779. Such isolated forts on rocks, were not uncommon in ancient In- dia ; and that of Aornos is distinguished in the history of Alex- ander. Surrounding States.'] Before closing this brief delineation of Gangetic Hindosian, the most large, celebrated, and best known quarter of that extensive region, it may be proper to offer some remarks on the surrounding states on the E. and N. The Ro- shawnof Rennell is the same with Aracan, being merely a Hindoo term for that country. His Cossay is only another name for jMcck- ley, or the country of the Muggaloos, a people between Asam on the north, and Aracan on the south, whose chief town is Munni- pura.f These eastern tribes of rude mountaineers arc little known, but approach to the savage state. Asam has been al- ready briefly described in the account of the river of Burrampoot ; but to the west open the wide and obscure regions of Tibet. Of Sirinagur, laid down in the maps as the most northern fron- tier country, an interesting account has recently appeared.§ To the north is seen the lofty chain of snowy mountains, passing in an extensive line from east to west at the distance of about 80 miles to the N. of the town of Sirinagur. * As. Res. vl. 40. \ Ilodgcs, 139. t As. Kea. v. 223, and 230. :^ As. Kcs. vi. 309. IIINDOSTAN. 58r One of the most conspicuous summits is that of Hem, rising in four or five conical peaks ; and near its base is a place of Hmdoo worship, called Buddrinaut. Several rivulets descer.d mto the Aliknundra, here acknowledged by the Hindoos as the genume and divine Ganges. The raja and natives are of the Hmdoo faith ; but the country, a mass of mountains, extremely poor. The channel of the river is here not less than 250 yards in breadth. The sands are washed for gold ; and about forty miles to the north of the town are two copper mines, with one of lead, about fifty miles to tlie east. CHAPTER HI. SINDETIC HINDOSTAN i OR THE COU'^rTRTES QN THE RIVER SIN- DEII, OR INDUS. EXTBNT, WESTEHN BOUNDARY OF HINDOSTAN, CHIEF CITIES AND TOWNS. Extent,'] THIS part extends from the northern mountains of Cashmir, and the Hindoo Koh, in the north of Cabul, to the mouth of the Indus, a length of about 900 miles, and about 350 in medial breadth. Besides part of the provinces of Delhi and Agimei', it contains the extensive province of Moultan, with La- hore, Cashmir, Cabul, the frontier region of Candahar, and that of Sindi, at the mouth of the Indus. These provinces are the most remote from the seat of British power, and, the* greater part of modern travellers having visited Hindoatan by sea, they are less accurately known than any other quarter. The chief cities which occur in this extensive region, are La- bore, Cashmir, Cabul, Ghisni, or Gasna, Candahar, Moultan, and Tatta, in the Sindean Delta. On the east of the Indus, or in Pan- jab, the Seiks, a new religious sect, form the leading power ; while on the west, and even as far as Cashmir, the dominions of a Persian Shah, whose seat of empire is at Candahar, comprise all the provinces, with several in the east of Persia, and to him even Sindi is tributary. This brief account of Sindetic Hindostan shall begin with the N. E. and end with the S. W. after mentioning that Agimer, ■which may be regarded as the most eastern city of this division, is little remarkable, except for a strong fortress on a hill. Chief Cities and Towns.] The town of Sirhind is placed by modern maps on the river Caggar, which D'Anville bends west into the Indus, but Major Rennell supposes it to follow a detached course into the gulf of Cutch : perhaps it may be lost in the great sandy desert. Lahore, now the capital of the Seiks, was the residence of the first Mahometan conquerors before they advanced to the more central parts ; and, including the suburbs, v/as supposed to be 583 HINDOSTAN. three leagues in length. From Lahore to Agra, near 500 English miles, there was an avenue of shady trees.* The river Rauvee passes by Lahore, being the R^va of the Hindoos, said by them to derive its source from the mountain Vindhia, as the Sarjou from the Himar, or Himala.f Nearly north from Lahore, at the supposed distance of about 200 miles, stands Cashmir, the capital of the delightful province, so called. This city is said to be also called Sirinagur, having been confounded with the town of the same name, already men- tioned in the account of Gangetic Hindostan. To avoid the con- fusion arising from identity of names, it is better to follow the au- thoiities of Bernicr and Forster, who denominate the capital of Cashmir by the same term as the country. " The city, which in the anci< ;it annals of India was known by the name of Siringnaghur, but now by that of the province at large, extends about three miles on each side of the river Jalum, over which are four or five wooden bridges, and occupies in some part of its breadth, which is irregular, about two miles. The houses, many of them two and three stories high, are slightly built of brick and mortar, with a large intermixture of timber. On a standing roof of wood is laid a covering of fine earth, which shelters the building from the great quantity of snow that falls in the winter season. This fence com- municates an equal warmth, in winter as a refreshing coolness in the summer season, Avhen the tops of the houses, which are planted with a variety of ilowers, exhibit at a distance the spacious view of a beautifully checkered parterre. The streets are narrow, and choaked with the filth of the inhabitants, who are proverbially unclean. No buildings are seen in this city worthy of remark ; though the Kasmirians boast much of a wooden mosque, called the Jumah INIussid, erected by one of the emperors of Hindostan ; but its claim to distinction is very moderate.":}: The country of Cashmir is a delicious vale, extending in an oval form, about 90 miles from S. E. to N. W. It was subject to the Zagathai prin- ces (a Tartaric race, who speak the same language with the Turks,) till A. D. 1586, when it became subject to the Monguls, and afterwards to the Afghans. Rice is the common product of the plains : while the surrounding hills yield wheat, barley, and other crops. The celebrated shawls arc only manufactured here ; the material being from Tibet, especially those districts which lie at a month's journey to the north-east. Tiie price, at the loom, is from 26s. to 5l. and the revenue is transmitted to the Afghan capital in this fabric. The Cashmirians are stout and well form- ed, but their features often coarse and broad, even those of the women, who in this northern part of India are of a deeper brown complexion than those of southern France or Spain. The dress is inelegant, but the people gay and lively, and fond of parties of pleasure, on their delicious lake. The Afghan government iias, however, somewhat crushed their spirit. The language is dc- • Rennell, 82 ; but others oiJv extenil it to Dellji, t Wesilin, Q3.3, ? Foiiter, vol. ii. HINDOSTAN. 589 rived from the Sanscrit, but the Persian is chiefly used in elegant composition. During the summer heats, the great Moguls used to retire to Cashmir, where they enjoy a cool and refreshing cli- mate. The wide space from Cashmir to Cabul, is more remai'kable for numerous streams and mountains than any other circuinstance ; and the conquerors of India preferred the south. Even in Cabul the moimtains are said to be covered with perpetual snow ; but the country is diversified Avith gentle hills, fertile vales, and state- ly forests. It is also intersected by many streams, and besides delicate fruits and ilowers, is abundant in other productions. Ghizni was the ancient capital of the country, of which Candahar was then reckoned a part.* The city of Cabul is the capital of the dominions of the Persian Shah, usually styled king of Canda- har, whose dominions extend westward beyond the sea of Durrah, including a great part of Corasan, with the large Persian province of Segistan, being about 800 miles in length by about half that breadth. Cabul is esteemed a considerable city, in a romantic and healthy situation. Ghizni, or Gasna, is remarkable as the seat of the first Mahom- etan conquerors of Hindoatan, Avhose empire almost corresponds with the modern kingdom of Candahar. The city which gives name to the last is of small account, ex- cept as a noted pass from Persia into Hindostan. Having thus reached the most western frontier, and nothing farther worthy of observation arising on that side of the Sindeh, it will be proper to pursue the course of that grand stream to- wards the south. The small city and fortress of Attock were built by Acbar, 1581 ; but the vicinity was memorable in ancient times as the general passage from India to the west. The Indus, about twenty miles above Attock, is a rough, rapid stream, about a mile in breadth, where not interrupted by isles. This size indi- cates .. remote source, and many tributary streams. Moultan, the capital of the province, so called, is about 170 miles to the south of Attock, on the large river Chunab, not far from its junction with the Indus, along which there is an unin- terrupted navigation for vessels of 200 tons, not only to this city, but as far as Lahore.f Moultan is a small city, and of little con- sequence, except for its antiquity and cotton manufacture. The last remarkable city on the Indus is Tatta, the capital of the province of Sindi, and situated within the Delta, the upper part of which is well cultivated, while the lower, instead of the lofty forests of the Ganeetic Sunderbunds, presents only low brushwood, swamps, and lakes. In the months of July, August, and September, when the S. W. monsoon brings rain in most parts of India, the atmosphere is here often clouded, but no rain falls except near the sea. At Tatta the heats are so violent, and the winds from the sandy deserts on the E. and N. W. so perni- * Rennell, 152. fib. irS; yet, pnge 03, he mentions the rlvei' of Moultan as heiirg cliOaVejJ un aljout 1605. 6'90 HINDOSTAN. cious, that many precautions are used. The manufactures of this city in silk, wool from Kerman, and cotton, have greatly declined. The Mahometan prinoe of Sindi is tributary to Candahar. CHAPTER IV. CENTRAL HINDOSTAN, OR THE MffiDLE PROVINCES. BOUNDARIESj CHIEF CITIES, SIRCAUS, ANCIENT TRADE, PIRATES. JBoundaries.'] THIS division is chiefly bounded by Gangetic Hindostan on the north, and on the west by the sandy desert and the ocean. The southern limit is the river Kistna, with its tributary stream the Beema, while the E. is washed by the bay of Bengal. The length from E. to W. from Jigat point to Cape jPalmiras, is little less than 1200 miles ; while the medial breadth is about 400. In it are comprehended the province of Orissa, with part of Golconda, Berar, Dowlatabad, Candeish, and Guzerat, and other districts of inferior name ; and on the eastei*n shore are the British provinces of the Sircars. Chief Cities.'] In a natural transition from the division of India last described, the province of Guzerat first presents itself, like a large promontory, but the shores seem little adapted to commer- cial purposes. The chief city, Amedabad, is considerable, and •well fortified, taken by the English under General Goddai'd in 1780, restored to the Marattas in 1783. Cambay, at the distance of more than 50 miles, may be called the sea port of this capital ; itself a handsome city, formerly of great trade in spice, ivory, silk, and cotton cloths ; but the harbor was impeded with sand and mud, and is now little frequented, the trade being "Jiiefly transferred to Surat. The sovereigns of Guzerat were formerly powerful, and long withstood the power of the Monguls. Surat was formerly more celebrated as the port whence the Ma- hometans of India embarked on their pilgrimage to Mecca, than for any other circumstance, though reported to have been an im- portant city in ancient times. The Portuguese seized Surat soon after their arrival in Hindostan ; and it was among the first places in this country frequented by the English.* Bombay, at a considerable distance to the south, is a well known English settlement, on a small island about seven miles in length, containing a very strong, capacious fortress, a large city, a dock yard, and a marine arsenal. f It was ceded to the English in 1662 by the Portuguese, as part of the dower of the queen of Charles II. * For a recent account of Surat see Stavorinus, vol. ii. p. 479. T^.e ioh.ibitantsare Enid to be SOO.OOO, a considerable part of whom are Jfoors, that is Arabs, Persians, JSIor.guls, Turks, professing Mahometanisni, but retaining some Pagau rites. t Kennel, 31. j the name m Portuguese, Buon baliia, a good bay. HINDOSTAN. 591 In %he same sound, or small bay, are the isles of Salsette and EI- ephanta, in which are subterraneous temples. Juggernaut in the province of Orissa, is noted for being the seat of a famous idol of the Hindoos. At the celebration of the annual festival the multitude collected at this spot is immense. The natives when speaking of the number say, that 100,000 would not be missed. The pilgrims are from all parts of India, of all characters and all ages. Multitudes perish on their jour- ney, and for the distance of 50 miles from Juggernaut the ground is strewed with human bones and skulls. 1 he fatigue of long journies in the hottest season of the year, together with extreme famine, but above all the immense number of voluntary human sacrifices, has occasioned so large a collection of dead bodies, that the vultures, dogs and jackalls, seem to live on human prey. The vicinity of Juggernaut to the sea probably prevents the con- tagion, which otherwise would be produced by the putrefactions of the place.* On leaving the shore and proceeding towards the east of central Hindostan, first occurs the city of Burhampoui', of small note. EUichpour is of considerable importance, being the chief city of Berar. Nagpour is the capital of the eastern division of the Ma- ratta empire, as Poena is of the western, being a modern city of small size. At Nagpour, which may be called the central eity of Hindostan, the rainy season commences with the S. W. monsoon. Not far to the east of this city begins that extensive and unex- plored wilderness, which is pervaded by the great river Bain or Baun Gonga, and terminates in the mountains bounding the En- glish Sircars.f The acquisition of these provinces has been al- ready mentioned in the first chapter. They present little worthy of notice. Nor does there appear to be any capital city, or chief town, in the Delta of the Godaveri, or throughout the Sircars, the wide tract of forest on the N. W. having prohibited inland trade or intercourse. Masulipatam is indeed a place of some account ; but standing on the northern branch of the Kistna, may be arrang- ed in the southern division of Hindostan. On turning towards the west, few places of note arise, except Aurungabad, a modern city, deriving its name from Aurungzeb. in whose time it was the capital of the Deccan, or parts to the si of Hindostan proper. It was afterwards the metropolis of the Nizam's territory, till the preference was given to Hydrabad. Near this city is Dowlatabad, which gives name to the province, with a singular fortress on a pealed rock.|; This central part of Hindostan nearly corresponds with the Dec- can, or southern countries of the Monguls, who did not pass the Kistna till a recent period ; and, instead of using the term in its * Buchannan. f See Mr. Bliint's journey, above quoted, for minute details conceming this for- merly obscure region. Asiat. Keg. ii. 128— 2ii0. This inipoitant journey Mppears to have been undertaken solely with geographical views ; and it is said that the East India Company entertain the highly laudable intcutioa of publishing aa entirely new mop of Hindostan. ■f See the print, Bernoulli, i. 4S0. 5p.2 HINDOSTAN. just acceptation, applied it to the southern provinces of their em- pire. Though formerly the seat of great power, and the western coasts greatly frequented by foreign merchants of all nations, the harbors have since been impeded, and the commerce has declined, being now chiefly transferred to the Ganges, which presents such superior advantages as amply compensate for the greater distance of the voyage. The Roman and Arabian fame of the western shores has vanished ; and silence prevails in the streets of Bary- gaza or Baroach, the port of the great inland city Tagara, whence the products of India, gems, ivory, myrrh, pepper, ginger, and cotton cloths, plain or ornamented with flowers, were, in the time of Arrian, exported to the western world. In later times the southern part of this coast was remarkable \ipon another account, being the chosen residence of daring pii'ates. Yet these freebooters were known even to Pliny and Ptolemy, being stimulated in all ages by the richness of the commerce. They resembled on a small scale the piratical states of Barbary, and a succession of A7ignas was continued till 1756, when the English seized Gheriah, the piincipal fortress. CHAPTER V. THE sou FHERN DIVISION OF HINDOSTAN. BOUNDARIES, BRITISH POSSESSIONS, CHIEF CITIES AND TOWNS. Boundaries.'] THIS pUrt, which may also be called the Deccan or South, in the most proper acceptation of the term, is bounded, as already explained, by the river Kistna, and its most northern subsidiary streams flowing into the Beema. Hence it will extend from the latitude of Bombay, to the southern point of Cape Comorin, about 830 miles in length, and about 350 of medial breadth. It contains nearly the whole of the province of Visia- pour, and the most important part of that of Golconda, with the central kingdom of Mysore, the long eastern province of Carnada, or the Carnatic, the principalities of Tanjore, Travancore, and the Samorins of Calicut, the pepper coast of Canara, and other districts, of which Conam is supposed to be the Kamkam, which the Arabian authors mention as adjoining to the territory of the Balhara. In this division of liindo&tan may also be included the island of Ceylon, the coasts of which are now possessed by the En- glish, who have supplanted the Dutch ; while the native princes retain the extensive inland parts. British Possessiojis.'] In addition to the district around Mad- ras, the British power was, in 1792 and 1799, extended over wide provinces in the south and west of Mysore, and Seringapatam, the capital, is also in their possession, so that their territories in this portion of Hindostan only yield in extent and consequence to HINDOSTAN. 593 those on the Ganf^es. Seringapatam is not only detached, but is by its inland situation little adapted for a commercial capital ; it may therefore be perhaps expected that Calicut, an ancient and celebrated emporium, or some other place on that coast, will be selected as a metropolitan town of the new acquisitions. Chief Cities.'\ In recent times Seringapatam may be regarded as the most important city in this portion of Hindostan. It is sit- uated in an isle, surrounded by the river Caveri, Avhich is even here about five feet deep, and runs over a rocky channel. The length of this isle is about four miles, and the breadth about a mile and a half; the western side being allotted to the fortress, distin- guished by regular out-works, magnificent palaces, and lofty mosques ; for i ippoo and his father were Mahometans. The en- virons were decorated with noble gardens ; and among the means of defence Avas what is called the bound hedge., consisting of evcv thorny tree or caustic plant of the climate, planted to the breaUtn ©f from thirty to fifty feet. In this central territory the British also possess several consider- able towns, Salem and Attore in the E. ; Dindigul, Coimbetore, Pa- licaud, on the south ; and on the western coast, Paniany, Feroka- bad, Calicut, now nearly deserted, Tellicherri, Mangalore, and the northern British possession of Carwar is within forty miles of the Portuguese settlement of Goa ; while on the S. they approach within a like distance of Cochin. Of shese places, Calicut is me- morable as the first Indian port visited by the Portuguese under Vasco de Gama, and as the seat of the Zamorins, who at that pe- viod appear to have possessed the whole Malabar coast from Goa to Cochin. The native rajahs of Mysore, a part of whose dominions have been conquered by the British, were princes of some eminence, supplanted by the Mahometan usurpation of Hyder. In the C'ar- natic the British have long held Madras, where they settled about 1640 ; but the fortress, which is strong, and includes a regular well built city is of modern date. Unhappily there 5s no port, nor is there indeed one haven for large vessels, from the mouth of the Ganges to Trincomali, on the eastern side of Ceylon, ■which renders this last of singular benefit to the English com- merce. Through this wide extent of fifteen degrees, or more than 1000 miles, the coast forms nearly an uniform line, infested with a dangerous surf, and scarcely accessible except in the flat- bottomed boats of the country. But if found necessary, European industry might certainly form a port at the wide but impeded mouths of tiie Godaveri, the Kistna, or the Cavei'i ; and when the British colonies shall have assumed a permanent and steady prog- ress of population, it is probable that such designs may be ex- ecuted. Not far from the vrestern frontier of the British settlement at Madras stands Arcot, esteemed the capital of Carnada or the Car- natic. The Nabob* oiten resides at Madras. In his dominions * This word, also written J\'avab. implies tieuteiiant-j^'ernorj or Ticeroy : Viv*^ the title became hereditary, VOL. II. 75 ^94. IIINDOSTAN. there are several celebrated temples, visited bj- numerous pil- grims ; and in general the southern parts of Hindostan display morc numerous edifices, and other marks of civilization, than the northern. Having- thus briefly mentioned the British possessions in this quarter of Hindostan, and their nearest ally, it may be proper to indicate a few other remarkable places to the south of these pos- sessions. Tranquebar is a noted Danish settlement in the king- dom of Tanjore, which embraces the wide Delta of the Caveri. This settlement was formed about 1617, and has been chiefly re- markable on account of the Lutheran missionaries, who resorted liither to convert the Hindoos, and have sometimes contributed to illustrate natural history. Pondicherri was the principal settle- ment of the French, founded in 1674, and before the war of 1756, was a large and beauiiful city. " On the western cc^ast, or that of Malabar, stands Cochin, on the northern point of a long tract of land, forming a kind of island, surrounded on the east by a creek of the sea, which receives several streams. But this seemingly ample harbor is obstructed by a dangerous bar. When the Portuguese first visited Hindos- tan, Cochin and the surrounding territory were possessed by a native rajah, and the celebrated Vasco de Gama died here 1525. This city remained subject to the Portuguese till 1660, when it was taken by the Dutch. The surrounding creeks and marshes of this low and unhealthy shore abound with fish and game.* About a mile from the city of Cochin, is a town called Jews'- Town. It is almost wholly inhabited by Jews, who have two re- spectable synagogues. There are Jews here from remote parts of Asia, so that this is the fountain of intelligence concerning that people in the East. The resident Jews are divided into two class- es, called the Jerusalem, or white Jews, and the ancient or black Jews. The white Jews reside at Jews'-Town. The black Jews have a synagogue there, but the great body of that tribe inhabit towns in the interior of the province. The black Jews have been settled here much the longcst.f To the north of the British territories first occurs Goa, for- merly a capital settlement of the Portuguese, and a noted seat of their Inquisition. This city, once magnificent, stands on a small isle in the midst of a beautiful bay, which receives a rivulet called the Gonga, and two or three others from the Balagauts, or highest mountains of Suckhicn, which form a grand distant prospect, ■while the intervening scene is variegated with hills, woods, con- vents, and villas. It was seized by the celebrated Albuquerque, the greatest of the Portuguese commanders in India, A. D. 1513. It afterwards became another Malacca, another centre of Portu- guese trade, I The harbor is ranked among the first in India, and if in the hands of the English, would probably resume its former consequence. There is an Old and New Goa on the W. coast of Hindostan. '' \Vc?'Vm, 130. gives a good accouat of Cochin. f Buchannan. T remiatit, Wi. HINDOSTAN. 5.9/. The old city is about 8 miles up the river Mandova. The Viccroy and chief Portuguese inhabitants reside at New Goa, which is at the mouth of the river, within tlue forts of the harbor. The old city, where the inquisition and churches are, is now almost en- tirely deserted by the secular Portuguese, and is iiihabitcd by the priests alone. The unhealthiness of the place, and the ascenden- cy of the priests, are the causes assigned for abandoning the an- cient city. The churches of Old Goa, are remarked for their magnificence. Old Goa is properly a city of churches ; and the wealth of provinces appear to have been expended in their execu- tion. The chapel of the palace is built after the plan of St. Peter's at Rome. The cathedral of Goa is worthy of one of the principal cities of Europe. In this place is the noted inquisition, so remarkable for its secret and excessive cruelty towards the ene- mies of the Romish church. This inquisition was suppressed by Royal Edict in the year 1775, and established again in 1779. There are upwards of three thousand priests belonging to Goa, who are resident at the place, ov reside with their cures at a distance.* The other parts of the coast presenting few renaarkable objects, it will be proper to pass the mountainous ridga, and first visit Porna, the capital of the western empire of the Marattas, but a mean, defenceless city ; the archieves of the government, and in all appearance the chief seat of power, being at Poorunder, a for- tress about eighteen miles to the south-east. Visiapour, in the Maratta territory, also called. Bejapouv, is a considerable city, and was once the capital of a large kingdom of the same name. In the vicinity are celebrated diamond mines. Hydrabad is the metropolis of the Nizam's territory, and par- ticularly of the celebrated kingdom or province of Golconda, but seems otherwise little remarkable. Betwij^ these two last-named cities stands Calberga, formerly the capital m a powerful kingdom, that of the Deccan, under the Bamineah dynasty, as already men- tioned in the general view of Hindostan. On passing the Kistna, few places of distinguished note. occur. The regions on the great river Toombuddra, which rises nearly in the parallel of Seringapa- tam, and pursues a northern course of about 350 miles till it joins the Kistna after passing Canoul, have been delineated with superior accuracy in Rennell's last map, April 1800. In the interior of Travancore and Malabar, on the S. point of Hindostan, near Ceylon, are the Syrian Christians ; a people who have been settled here, though long unknown to Europeans, from the first ages of Christianity. The Portufuese, in their discove- ries of the sixteenth century, make the first mention of them. Since that time little notice has been taken of their accounts, and in modei'n times their existence be gu^^ to be questioned. Di". Bu- channan, however, in the year 1 806, travelled into their country, and confirms the Portuguese accounts. He says, that their churches bear some resemblance to the old parish churches in England. In the articles of their faith, and in their church government, they * Di-. Buchannan , 596 CEYLON, agree in every material point with the church of England. Their archbishops, bishops, deacons, and other inferior officers, are the same. TJiey have a Liturgy, from which they read prayers in public : and their manner of performing divine service agrees with that of the Episcopal church. Their churches are 55 in number. Among these Christians have been preserved in manu- script the ancient copies of the Bible, which will probably be of essential service in throwing light upon many disputed passages. ISLAND OF CEYLON. EXTENT AND NAME, RELIGION, POPULATION, MANNEllS AND CUSTOMS, TOWNS, MANUFACTURES, CLIMATE, PRODUCTIONS, RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, PEARL FISHERY, OTHER ISLES. Extent and JVamer\ THOUGH this island be not above a fifth part of the size ascribed to it by the strange exaggeration of the ancients, it still approaches to that of Ireland, being gen- erally supposed to be about 260 miles in length by about 150 in breadth : but in the wide continent of Asia, territory is on so large a scale, that what in Europe would constitute a ivingdom, is here scarcely a pi'ovince. This isle is the Trapobana, Salice, and Sie- ledeba of the ancients, the Serendib of the Arabians : in the Hindoo language it is called Lanca ; and the people are doubtless of Hin- doo origin. Its history is little known. In the reign of Claudius, ambassadors were sent to Rome by a Singalese rajia, raja, or king, whom Pliny, mistaking his title for his name, has called Rachia.* When the Portuguese seized this island, 1506, the chief monarch was the king of Cotta ; but the central province of Candca, or Candi, afterwards appears as the leading principality. The Por- tuguese retained possession of the shores (the inland parts rising to a high table land, bounded by forests and difficult passes,) till about 1660, when they were expelled by the Dutch, between whom and the king of Kandi a war arose 1759, which terminated 1766 by the subinission of the latter, who surrendered all the coasts, and agreed to deliver yearly a quantity of cinnamon at a low rate.f From the sordid domination of the Dutch it has recently passed under the more liberal banrier of British power. Religion.'] The religion of Ceylon is the ancient w^orship of Boodh> whose images appear with short and crisped hair, because it is fabled that he cut it with a golden sword, which produced that ef- fect.:}: The worship of Boodh is supposed to have originated in * Pliny, vl. 22. r Wcsdin, 42. ; As. Res. Ti. i?% CEYLON. 597 Ceylon ; and thencft to have spread to ancient Hindostan, to exte- rior India, Tibet, and even to China and Japan. Such are the tra- ditions in Siam, Pegu, &c. which suppose that Boodh, probably a kind of Confucius or deiiied philosophei-, flourished about 540 years before the Christian era ; and as the Boodhis in general shew a prodigious superiority of gcvod sense to the visionary Brah- mins, tneir accounts deserve more credit than the idle dreams and millionary chronology of the Pundits. Others however suppose that the worship of Boodh originated in exterior India.* Ceylon is believed by some of the Easterns, both Mahomedans and Hindoos, to have been the residence of the first man, because it abounds in trees pleasant to the eyes, and good for food, and is famous for its rare metals, and precious stones. There is gold, bdellium and the onyx stone. The rocky ridge, which connects this happy island with the main land, is called Admn's Bridge \ the lofty mountain in the middle of the island, and visible from all parts of it, is called Adam's Peak, and there is a sepulchre of im- mense length, called AheCs tomb. All these names were given many ages before Christianity was introduced from Europe. Population.'] In this island the population under the British government ainounts to upwards of 500,000 ; one third of which profess Christianity. The number of natives is unknown. The hundreds of cities mentioned by ancient wa-iters are now es- teemed completely fabulous ; nor does there seem to be one place deserving the name of a city, mentioned either in ancient or mo- dern record. This island is only important in a commercial view, from its celebrated products of cinnamon and gems. The harbor of Trincomali on the E. is to the British of great conseqitencc, be- cause there is none on the eastern coast of Hindostan : and it has even been suggested that in case any revolution, to which all hu- man affairs are subject, should expel the British from the conti- nent of Hindostan, this island might afford an extensive and grand asylum, where the British name and commerce might be perpet- uated. Alarmers and Customs.~\ The natives of Ceylon, called Singalese, either from a native or Portuguese term, are not so black as those of Malabar, and have a few manners and customs distinct from other Hmdoos. It is said that several brothers may have one wife in common, as in Tibet, but the polygamy of males is also allow- ed.! In general, chastity is little esteemed in the oriental coun- tries ; and the morality of many nations is so lax in this respect, that the intercourse of the sexes is considered as far more indif- ferent than the use of certain foods. The language is rather pe- culiar; but some of the natives understand both the Tamulic and that of Malabar. Tow7is.~\ The native town Kandi, in the centre of the isIC; seems to be of small size and consequence, and probably only dis- * There are three cliicf distinctions between tlie priests of Boodh and the Bramins : the tbi-niei' may lay down the priesthood ; thej- eat flesh, but will not kill the animal; and ihey form no cast nor tribe, but are frum the mass of the people. •598. CEYLOK", tinguishcd by a palisade and a few temples." It was taken by the Portuguese in 1390 ; but no recent traveller appears to have visited this deep recess of sovereign power. The chief town of the Portuguese, Dutch, and English posses- sions, is Colombo, on the W. side of the Island, a handsome place, and well fortified ; the residence of the governor is elegant, but only consists of one floor, with a balcony to receive the cool air.] Ceylon being exposed on all sides to the sea breezes, the climate is not so hot as that ofHindostan; far less pestiferous, like the marshy exhalations of Batavia. At Colombo there is a printing press, where the Dutch published religious books in the Tamulic, Malabar, and Singalese languages. The name of Colombo seems indigenous, as well as that of Nigombo, a fortress a few miles to the N. of this capital. The northern parts of Ceylon are chiefly left to the natives, but the town of Jafnapatam, or Jafna, was a Dutch settlement in a detached isle. The grand pearl fishery is conducted in the gulf of Manar, near Condatchey, a miserable place in a sandy district, to which water is brought from Aripoo, a village four miles to the south : the shoals near Rama's bridge supply inexhaustible stores of this valued production. | On pursuing the shore towards the east, it is mostly guarded by sandbanks, or rocks ; but the whole harbor of Trincomali opens at the mouth of the MoM'il Ganga, the Ganges of Ptolcmey's large map of Taprobana ; and was defended by a strong fortress. Ba- lacola is an inferior haven on the same side of the Island. But the southern side of Ceylon has been chiefly visited, abpund- ing with gems and other rich productions. IMatura was a Dutch factory near the most southern promontory called Dondra, Avherc excellent kinds of cinnamon were collected, and varieties of pre- cious stones abound in the vicinity.§ Not far to the W. of Matura is Gale, or Galle,near a point so called, a handsome town, strongly fortified, on the projecting angle of a rock.*! Majiufacturcn.'] There is little mention of any manufactures conducted in this island ; but the natives seem not unskilled in the common Avorks in gold and iron. The Dutch ships ufeed to sail from Galle, laden with cinnamon, pepper, and other spices ; nor must pearls and precious stones be forgotten among the arti- cles of export. The Colombo wood, a bitter in recent use, receives its name from the capital ; but its native country or district secras still imknown. Climate.] The climate and seasons correspond in some degree with the adjacent continent ; yet the exposure on all sides to the sea renders the air more cool and salubrious. The general aspect of the country somewhat resembles that of southern Hindostan ; a high table land, in the centre, being surrounded with low shores, about six or eight leagues in breadth. High mountains, prodi- gious forests, full of aromantic trees and plants, and many pleas- ant rivers and streams diversify this country, which by the Hin- * Mandetslo, 2"9. who gives a list of the other towns. t Thunberg, iv._175. i As. Kes. V. 597. § Thunberg, Jv. 195. 231. If lb. lOi. CEYLON. 509 doos is esteemed a second paradise. The vales are of a rich fat; soil ; and, when cleared, amazingly fertile in rice, and other useful vegetables, Productionsr\ Ceylon is chiefly distinguished for its spices. The groves of cinnamon are sometimes a mile in length. The soil is very sandy, and in this respect favorable to the growth of the cinnamon trees. Rivers.'] There are five considerable rivers described by Ptol- emy ; of which the chief is the Morvil Ganga, on which stood Maagramum, the capital in his time, and modern Kandi stands on the same stream, one of the royal palaces being on an isle in that river, where the monarch keeps a treasure of gems ; and his offi- cers, like those of exterior India, are decorated with slight chains of gold. Mountains.'] The chain or chains of mountains run N. and S. These mountains seem granitic ; and are peculiarly rich in pre- cious stones imbeded in primitive quartz. What the Mahometans have teiTrted Adam's Peak is esteemed the highest ; and is in San- scret called Salmala, Boodh being fabled to have ascended from it to heaven. Forests.] The forests are numei'ous and large, the haunts of innumerable elephants, like the Gauts of soviihcrn Hindostan. An ample account of the botany of this island is given by the skil- ful Thunberg : one of the most peculiar and precious trees is that producing the best cinnamon. Zoology.] The elephants of Ceylon are supposed only to yield in beauty to those of Siam, and chiefly frequent the southern part of the island. Buff*aloes are also found in a wild state, while the tame are used in rural economy. The wild boars are numerous and extremely fierce ; nor is the tiger unknown. Bears, chakals, and many tribes of deer and monkeys are also natives of Ceylon. The alligator, frequent in the Hindoo rivers, here sometimes i'eaches the length, of eighteen feet. Among a vast variety of el- egant birds, the peacock, that rich ornament of the Hindoo forests,. swanTjs in this beautiful island. Mineralogy.] Ceylon, opulent in every department of natural histoi-y, presents many minerals of uncommon beauty. Not to mention iron, gold, plumbago, &c., Thunberg has given a list of the precious stones, among which are the genuine ruby, sapphire,, and topaz. The finest rock crystals, both the colorless, and those ef a violet color called amethysts, are found here in abundance, and ai-e generally dai'k brown or yellowish ; while those of other col- ors come from Brazil and Tyrol. It is also asserted that this island produces the genuine emerald, which is commonly esteemed pe- culiar to Peru. The cat's eye seems the characteristic mineral of Ceylon, as the noble or genuine opal is of Hungary. Pearls.] Nor must the pearl fishery be forgotten, which com- monly begins on the N. W. shore about the middle of February, and continues till about the middle of April, when the S. W. mon- soon commences.* The village of Condatchey is then ciowded * As. Res, Y. 394, 600 PERSIA. with a mixture of thousands of people of different colors, couu- tries, casts, and occupations ; with numerous tents and huts, and bazars, or shops ; while the sea presents many boats hastening to the banks, or returning with the expected riches. The divers are chiefly Christians or Moslems,who descend from five to ten fathoms, and remain under water about two minutes each, bringing up about, a hundred oysters in his net. These pearls are ahvays formed like the coats of an onion, around a grain of sand or some other extran- eous particle. The yellow or gold colored are most esteemed by the natives ; and some are of a bright red lustre ; the dull grey and blackish are of no value. Other Isles.~\ There are no other isles of any consequence near the coast of Hirdostan. Those called Lacadives and Maldives scarcely merit a particular description in a work of this general nature, and the Andaman and Nicobar isles properly belong to exterior India, where a short account of them may be found after the peninsula of Malacca, to which coast they aie the nearest. It may here suffice to observe that in the Hindoo language dive im- plies an isle : and Ptolemy imputes those which mariners saw before they reached Ceylon, that is the Maldives, at more than thirteen hundred. They form as it were an oblong inclosure of small low regular isles, around a clear space of sea with very shallow water between each. They are governed by a chief call- ed Atoll, and the trade is in cowrie shells, with cocoa nuts and iish.t The language is Singalese, and there are some Mahome- tans. The Lacadive islands form a more extended group, though only thirty in number. They also trade in cocoa nuts and fish ; and ambergris is oken found floating in the vicinity. Goa is a small fertile island 8 leagues in circumference N. oi the Lacadives, on the W. coast of Hindostan, lat. 1 5 30 N. PERSIA.+ CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. DIVISIONS, NAME, EXTENT, POPULATION, PROGRESSIVE GEOGRA- PHY, PROVINCES, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, ANCIENT MONUMENTS, MODERN HISTORY, EASTERN PERSIA, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, ARMY, NAVY, REVENUES, POLITICAL IMPORTANCE AND RELATIONS, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, LITERA- TURE, EDUC A 1 ION, CITIES, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. Divisions.'] THE ancient and powerful monarchy of Persia has, duruig the greater part of me last century, been in a most distracted and divided condition, and the inhabitants, formerly t Pennant, i, 51. n From Pinkerton's Abridgment, w'l'« improvement. PERSIA. 601 renowned for wisdom and benignity, have been degraded by civil discord, and mutual enmity and distrust, into a temporary debase- ment both moral and political. This empire seems at length, in some degree, to have settled in two divisions, the eastern and the western ; while the provinces near the Caspian, secured by moun- tains and fastnesses, have asserted a kind of independence. These circumstances are unfavorable to a just and exact delineation of the present state of the country ; but the chief limits and many of the most important geographical topics have been inviolably fixed by the hand of nature; and the following description shall embrace modern Pei-sia in general as it was in the time of Chardiu, com- bined with the most recent and authentic information. J\/avie.'] The name of Persia spread from the province oi Pars or Fars throughout this mighty empire. Thb name, has, howev- er, been little known to the natives, who in ancient and modern times, have termed their country Iran, under which denomination were included all the wide regions to the S. and W. of the river Oxus, or Gihon, the Amu of the Russians and Tartars ; while the countries subject to Persia beyond that celebrated river were in ancient times styled Aniran. Extent.~\ From the mountains and deserts, which, with the river Araba, constitute the eastern frontier towards Hindostan, Persia extends more tlian 1200 miles in length, to the western mountains of Elevend, and other limits of Asiatic Turkey. From south to north, from the deserts on the Indian sea, in all ages left to the wild tribes of Arabs, who live on fish, to the other deserts near the sea of Aral are about 1000 miles. It lies between lat. 25 and 44 N. and Ion. At! and 70 W. and is estimated to contaiji about 1,300,000 square miles.* The limits of Persia, according to Sir John Chardin, differ from those of other countries, which are separated from their neighbors by a line, a rivulet, or some other such artificial or natural boun- dary. " Persia has, on almost every side of it, a space of three or four days' journey, uninhabited, though the soil be, in many places, the best in the M^orld, particularly on the sides of the east and the west. The Persians look upon it as a mark of true grandeur, to leave thus abandoned the counti'ies that lie between great empires, which prevents, they say, contests about their limits, these desert countries serving as walls of separation between kingdoms."! Original Po^iulation.'] The original population of the moun- tainous country of Persia appears to have been indigenous, that is, no preceding nation can be traced ; and in the opinion of all the most learned and skilful inquirers, this nation is Scy^Jiic or Goth- ic, and the very source and fountain of all the celebrated Scythian nations. While the southern Scythians of Iran gradually became a settled and civilized people, the barbarous northern tribes spread around the Caspian and Euxine seas ; and besides the powerful settlements of the Getse and Massagetae, the Gog and Magog of oriental authors, and others on the north and east of the great I'idge * HasseJ. f Harmav's Observ. vol. iv. p. 276, VOL. II. 76 §Q? PERSIA. of mountains called Imaus, orBelur Tag, they detached victorious colonies into the greater part of Europe many centuries before the Christian era. The ancient Modes and Parthians, in the north of Persia appear however to have been of Sarmatic, or Slavonic or- igin, and to have spread from their native regions on the Volga, towards the Circassian mountains, along ■which ridge they passed to the south of the Caspian, the ancient site of Media and Par- thiene. The grand chain of Caucasus forms a kind of central point of immigration and emigration from the E. and W. whence the great variety of nations and languages that arc traced even in modern times. The late very learned and excellent Sir William Jones, who did honor to his country and century, has repeatedly expressed his opinion, that while the Parsi and Zend, or proper and peculiar Persian language, is of the saine origin v»ith the Gothic, Greek, and Latin ; the Pehlavi is Assyrian or Chaldaic. Progressive GeograJihij.'\ The contests of ancient Persia with Greece and the Greek colonies established in Asia Minor, then within the Avxde limits of the Persian empire, have rendered the ancient geography of this country not a little luminous. Hero- dotus, the father of history, was born at Halicarnassus, one of these colonics ; and his account of the twenty satrapies, or great provinces of the Persian empire, in the reign of Darius Hystaspes, has been ably illustrated in a late work of Major Rennell. The present design however only embraces the modern provinces and limits ; and the former may be thus arranged, proceeding from the W. towards the N. E. after remarking that the limits of the ancient and modern provinces often coincide, as they consist of rivers and ranges of mountains. Provinces.'] 1. Georgia, or more properly Gurgustan, in which may be included Daghistan and Shirvan. These may he consid- ered as constituting the Albania of the ancients ; a name applied in different quarters. to mountainous regions. 2. Erivan, a large portion of ancient Armenia, between the riv- er Kur, or Cyrus, on the north, and the Aras, or Araxes, on the south. 3. Aderbijan, including Mogan, the Atropatena of the ancients, 4. Ghilan, to the east of the last, on. the Caspian sea, and sy- nonymous with the ancient Gela. 5. To close the list of countries on the Caspian, Mazendran ap- pears encircled on the south by a lofty branch of the Caucasian chain, the scat of the Mardi of antiquity ; to the E. of which was the noted province of Hyrcania, now Corcan and Dahistan. 6 Returning to the W. frontier, you come to Irac Ajemi, chiefly corresponding with the ancient Ecbatana. In the south of this province is Ispahan, the modern capital of Persia. 7. Chosistan, extending to the river Tigris ; but the capital, Bussora, or Basea, after a recent vain attempt of the Arabs, re- mains subject to the Turks. This province corresponds with the ancient Susiana. 8. The celebrated province of Ears, Persis, or Persia proper, surrounded with mountains on the N. the W.the S., and on tiie E. PERSIA. 603 separated by a desert from Kerman. Fars contains the beautiful city of Shiraz, with Istakar, and the ruins of Persepolis. 9. Kerman, the ancient Carmania. 10. Laristan, a small province on the Persian gulf, to the S. E. of Pars, of which some regard it as a part ; nor does the subdi- vision seem to be known in ancient times, though the long ridges of mountains on the S. of Fars, and generally about 60 miles from the Persian gulf, seem here naturally to indicate a maritime province ; which, if the ancient Persians had been addicted to commerce, would have been the seat of great wealth by inter- course with Arabia, Africa, and India. 11. To the E. of Kerman is the large province of Mekran, which extends to the Indian deserts, and is the ancient Gadrus- tan, or Gcdrosia. This province has always been unfertile and full of deserts ; and classical geography here presents only one mean town, called Pura, probably Borjian, on the W. frontier. 12. Segistan, another wide frontier province towards India, was chiefly the Arachosia and Saranga of antiquity ; while the prov- ince of Paropamisus, in the N. E. encroached on Candahar, and the modern limits of Hindostan. 13. The grand and terminating division of modern Persia in the N. E. is Corasan, bounded by the Gihon, or Oxus, on the N. E. and on the S. by the lake of Zere, or Zurra, the grand Aria Pa- ins of antiquity. The classical provinces comprised within Co- rasan, are, in the N. Margiana, and in tlie S. Aria. Besides these provinces, and exclusive of Asiatic Tui'key on the W. the ancient Persian empire comprised Bactriana or Balk, which may be termed a wide and well watered kingdom, of be- tween 300 and 400 miles square; and on the other side of the Oxus, Sogdiana, or the country on the river Sogod, which passes by modern Samarcand. The fifteenth satrapy of Herodotus com- prises the Sacse and Caspii, probably the country of Shash, and some other tribes nearer the Caspian sea. This province ad- joined on the W to Corasmia, which belonged to the sixteenth satrapy, and is now the desert space of Kharism; with the small territory of Khiva. The countries last mentioned form so considerable a part of what is called Independent Tartary, and have in all ages been so intimately connected with Persian history, that some account of them shall be annexed to this article ; which, joined with that in the Chinese empire, will complete the description of the countries between the dominions of that great state and those of Russia and Persia, so far as the very imperfect materials will allow. The progressive geography of Persia may be traced through Straboi Pliny, the historians of Alexander, and other classical sources ; and afterwards through the Arabian authors, Ebn Haukal, Abul- feda, 8cc. Sec. lo the modern labors of Chardin, and other intelli- gent travellers. Historical Ejioclis.'] The chief historical epochs of the Persian empii'e may be arranged in the foiiowing order : 1. The Scythians, or barbarous inhabitants of Persia, according €04 PERSIA. to the account of Justin, conquered 3 great part of Asia, and at- tacked Egypt, about 1500 years before the reign of Ninus, the founder of the Assyrian nnonarchy ; that is, so far as the faint light of chronology can pretend to determine such remote events, about 3660 years before the Christian era. The Egyptians, a people of Assyrian extract, as the Coptic language seems to evince, were from superior local advantages civilized at a more early period, and their genuine chronology seems to begin about 400 years before Christ. The venerable historical records contained in the scriptures attest the early civilization and ancient polity of the Egyptians. The first seat of the Persian monarchy was probably in the N. E. on the river Oxus ; while the Assyrians possessed the Euphrates and the Tigris, and the S. W. of Persia. The history of the Assyrian empire begins with Ninus, about 2160 years before Christ, who is said to have formed an alliance with the kiiig of Arabia, and, in conjunction with him, to have subdued all Asia, except India and Bactriana ; that is, according to the ancient knowledge, he subdued Asia Minor and the west of Persia. 2. Zoroaster, king of Bactriana, is said to have been contem- porary with Ninus, and to have invented magic ; that is, he was a wise man, who could produce uncommon effects by common causes. But the history of this Persian lawgiver is lost in remote antiquity. 3. Cyrus founds what is called the Persian empire, 557 years before the Christian era, and soon after takes Babylon. This great event may be said only to have disclosed the Persians to the civilized nations of the west, for the native Persian histories as- cend to Kayumarras, great grandson of Noah, and the ancient traditions chiefly refer to wars against Touran and India, which indicate the primitive eastern position of the people. 4. The overthrow of the first Persian empire by Alexander, B. C. 328, followed by the Greek mowarchs of Syria, and the Grecian kingdom of Bactriana, of which last an interesting history has been compiled by the learned Bayer. It commenced about 248 years before Christ, and contained several satrapies, among which was Sogdiana. 5. 'i he Parthian empire, which likewise began about 248 years B. C. This was a mere revival of the Persian empire, under a new naiTie. 6. Ardshur, or Artaxerxes, about the year 220 of the Christian era, restores the Persian line of kings ; this dynasty being called Sassanides. f . The conquest of Persia, by the Mahometans, A. D. 636. The native kingdom was revived in Corasan, A. D. 820 ; and after several revolutions resumed its former situation. 8. The accession of the house of Boniah, A. D. 934. 9. i hat of the house of Scfi, or Sofi, A. D. 1501, whence the title of Softs of Persia, for it is unnecessary here to repeat the con- quests of Zingis and Timur, and the subsequent divisions and revolutions. PERSIA. 605 10. The reign of Shah Abas, surnamed the Great, A. D. 1586. 11. The brief conquest by the Afgans, 1722; and consequent extinction of the house of Sefi, and elevation of Nadir, surnamed Thamas Kouli Khan, A. D. 1736. This ferocious chief was born in Corasan ; and after a reig'n of eleven years was slain, 20th June, 1 747, near the city of Meshid, in the same country. Ancient Monument s.~\ Some account of the modern history and state of Persia shall be given, after a very brief view of the ancient monuments. Of these the ruins of Persepolis are the most celebrated and remarkable. They are situated at the bot- tom of a mountain, fronting S. W. about forty miles to the north of Shiraz. They command a view of the extensive plain of Mer- dasht, and the mountain of Rehumut, encircles them in the form of an amphitheatre ; the nature of these ruins may be seen in the numerous plates which have been published ; and it would be an idle attempt to describe in few words the grand portals, halls, and columns, and numerous relievos and devices. There are many inscriptions in a character not yet explained, the letters of which somewhat resemble nails, disposed in various directions. Several small edifices and caverns of similar architecture, arc found in various parts of Persia, all which undoubtedly preceded the Mahometan conquest, but it is difficult to ascertain their pre- cise era. In many parts of Persia there must I'^main several curious monuments of antiquity, which might well excite the curiosity of the learned traveller to investigate this interesting country. The design of the present work rather requires some information con- cerning the modern state of this once powerful monarchy, which shall be chiefly derived from Mr. Franklin's view of the transac- tions in Persia from the death of Nadir Shah, 1747, to 1788 ; co\n- baned with the accounts of Gmelin, who by command of the Em- press of Russia inspected the northern provinces and Ghilan ; and tliose of Pallas, in his last travels, during the years 1793 and 1794. Modern History.^ Nadir Shah was succeeded by his nephew, Adil, who, after a transitory reign, was followed by his brother Ibrahim. Mean while Timur Shah reigned in Cabul, Candahar, and the Persian provinces adjacent to Hindostan ; and availing himself of the confusion in Persia, he besieged Meschid, which he took after a blockade of eight months. This event was followed by such anarchy and confusion, that it seems impossible to settle the chi^onology of the crimes which were committed during the contests of numerous chiefs, which desolated almost every province from Gombroon to Russia, leav- ing indelible marks of destruction throughout the kingdom, and cnanging even the very character of the people, whose prudence is degenerated into cunning, and their courage into ferocity. At length the government of western Persia was happily settled for a considerable space of time in the person of Kerim Khan, who however never assumed the title of Shah, but v/as contented with that of Vakeel, or regent. This great and mild prince had been a 60& PERSIA. favorite officer of Nadir ; and at the time of that tyrant's death tvas in the southern provinces, where he assumed the power at Shiraz, and was warmly supported by the inhabitants of that city, who had observed and revered his justice and beneficence. In rc- tvard he embellished this city and its environs with noble palaces, gardens and mosques, improved the highways, and rebuilt the car- avanseras. His reign was established by the sword, but was af- terwards unsullied by blood ; and its chief peril arose from ex- treme mercy. His charity to the poor, and his attempt to restore the commerce of the country are gratefully remembered by na- tives and Europeans. Another unhappy period of confusion followed the death of Ke- tim ; his relation Zikea or Saki seized the government, which was contested by another kinsman, Ali Murad. The detestable cruelty of Zikea led to his own destruction, and he was massacred fey his troops at Yezdekast, about six days jonrney N. of Shiraz, on the road to Ispahan. Abul Futtah was then proclaimed king by the soldiers, and to him Ali Murad submitted ; but Sadick, brother of Kerim, opposed his nephew's elevation. Sadick marched from Bussora at the head of an army, dethroned the young monarch, and after depriv- ing him of his sight, ordered him into strict confinement. Ali Murad, tlien at Ispahan, rebelled against this usurper, and with an army of 12,000 men besieged and took Shiraz, and put Sa- dick to death with three of his children. A son Jaafar was ap- pointed by the new king governor of Kom, a city or pi'ovince to the N. W. «f Ispahan. Ali Murad was now regarded as peaceable possessor of the Persian throne ; but an eunuch called Aga Mamet or Akau, had, since the death of Kerim, assumed an independent sway in the Caspian province of Maaendran. When advancing against him, Ali Murad fell from his horse and instantly expired. Jaafar hav- ing assumed the sceptre, was defeated by Akau at Yezdekast, and retired to Shiraz. In 1792, Akau again collected an army, and conquered the cities of Kasbin and Tekheran or Tahiran. Having then rein- forced his troops with those of Ali Khan of Hamfa, a prince who had asserted a kind of independency since the death of Ali Mu- rad, he advanced against Jaafar, Avho retreated to Shiraz, where he perished in an insurrection, and his son Lutuf fled to the south. Akau had now no rival except Hidaet, khan of Ghilan, Avho was forced to fly from Rasht his place of residence, but was killed near the port of Sinfili. In consequence of these events Akau be- came monarch of all western Persia ; and being an eunuch, had nominated for his successor his nephew Baba Serdar. Eastern Persia.] Having thus as briefly as possible discussed the recent history of western Persia, the eastern half yet remains, being unhappily separated in a great degree by high ridges of mountains and sandy deserts, a circumstance which has been re- peatedly productive of great disasters to this wide empii'c. This natural separation has occasioned great obscurity in the PERSIA. 60r ancient history of Persia, the eastern half remaining a distinct and independent country, of the same general name with the western, but with limits and history totally distinct. The best materials concerning the kingdom of Candahar seem to be those collected by Rennell ; and they are, if possible, yet more scanty than those concerning the western half. Ahmed Ab- dalla, first king of Candahar, was originally the chief of an Afgan tribe, conquered by Nadir Shah, on whose death he suddenly ap- peared among his former subjects, and soon erected a considera- ble kingdom in the eastern part of Persia, including most of the Indian provinces ceded by the Mogul to Nadir, He established the capital at Cabul, at a secure distance behind the mountains of Hindoo Koh. Ahmed died about the year 1773, and was succeeded by Timur, who continued to reside at Cabul ; but the monarchy has been styled that of Candahar from a central province. The successor of Timur was Zemaun, who probably still rules this extensive country, which has happily been free from the intestine commo- tions which have desolated western Persia. Since the great bat- tle of Panniput, fought by Ahmed Abdalla against the Marattas 1761, the kingdom of Candahar seems to have remained in a pa- cific state, and the government is of applauded lenity. The farthest extent of this monarchy on the east comprizes Cashmir, which was probably subdued about 1754.* In the west» according to the opinion of Rennell,! it extends to the vicinity of the city of Tershiz, or Turshiz, in the same line of longitude with Meshid, a length of about 900 miles. The province of Sindi, at the mouth of the Indus, is also subject to Zemaun, with the west- ern part of Moultan ; but the remainder on the east bank of that river, and the wide and fertile province of Lahore, are possessed by the Seiks, a warlike nation. The other provinces are Kuttore, Cabul, Candahar, and within the Persian boundary Segistan, and probably Mekran, with the eastern part of Corasan, and the prov- ince of Gaur, the medial breadth being probably about 500 miles. The remainder of Balk and Great Bucharia belong to Independent Tartary. The chief subjects of Zemaun are the Afgans, or peo- ple of the mountains between Persia and Hindostan, who may be considered as the founders of the empire ; the others are Hmdoos, Persians, and a few Tartars. Meligion.'] The Persians are Mahometans of the sect of Ali ; for which reason the Turks, who follow the succession of Omar and Abu Bekr, call them heretics. Their religion is, if possibk, in some things more fantastical and sensual than that of the Turks ; but in many points it is mingled with some Bramin su- perstitions. When they are taxed by the Christians with drink- ing strong liquors, as many of them do, they answer very sensibly, " You Christians whore and get drunk, though you know you are committing sins, which is the very case with us." In one point they far excel many professing christians, who * Forster, ir. 14. f PagelS2. 508 PERSIA. would be as ashamed to be seen at pi'ayer, or attending the ordi- nances of Christ, as in the commission of some disgraceful crime. The Persians have no marks of this false modesty. If a bold, masculine piety, and a sincere, awful sense of the Deity are very consistent things, then this fear of raan among Christians must be ov/ing to an error in education.* Having mentioned the Bramins, the comparison between them and the Persian guedres, or gaurs^ who pretend to be the disci- ples and successors of the ancient magi, the followers of Zoroas- ter, may be highly worth a learned disquisition : That both of them held originally pure and simple ideas of a Supreme Being, may be easily proved ; but the Indian bramins and parsees accuse the gaws, who still worship the fire, of having sensualized those ideas, and of introducing an evil principle into the government of the world. A combustible ground, about 10 miles distant from Baku, a city in the north of Persia, is the scene of the gucbres de- votion. It must be admitted, that this ground is impregnated with very surprising inflammatory qualities, and contains several old little temples ; in one of which the guebres pretend to pre- serve the sacred flame of the universal fire Avhich rises from the end, and a large hollow cane stuck in the ground, resembling a lamp, burning with very pure spirits. If any tube be inserted in the ground, and the top of the ground touched with a coal, a flame bursts forth. They have no floors ; this is the mode of their lighting their rooms, of cooking their victuals, and by these tubes, piling the stones over them, they burn their lime. Their springs, particularly on the isle of Wetoy, furnish a black naph- tha in great quantities. When scattered on the sea it burns ; the flame is often wafted to a great distance. The Mahometans are the declared enemies of the gaurs, who were banished out of Persia by Shah Abbas. Their sect is said to be numerous, though tolerated in very few places. The long wars between the Persians and the Romans, seem early to have driven the ancient Christians into Persia and the neighboring countries. Even to this day, many sects are found that evidently have Christianity for the ground-work of their re- ligion. Some of them, called Souff'ees, who are a kuid of quiet- ists, sacrifice their passions to God, and profess the moral duties. The Sabean Christians have, in their religion, a mixture of Juda- ism and Mahometanism ; and are numerous towards the Persian gulf. We have already mentioned the Armenian and Georgian Christians, who are very numerous in Persia. The present race of Persians are said to be very cool in the doctrines of Mahomet, owing chiefly to their late wars with the Turks. Government. ~\ The government of Persia, like that of all other oriental states, appears to have been always despotic ; but its ad- ministration in Eastern Persia, or the kingdom of Candahar, is represented as mild. The state of the people seemb to be de- plorable, being subject to the arbitrary power and extortions of * Ilunwaj", PERSIA. 609 vhe numerous Khans, or chiefs. These are sometimes governors of provinces, sometimes only possessors of small districts, and pretend to hereditary succession, though liable to be forfeited or put to death by the arbitrary mandate of the sovereign. The great Khans are sometimes styled Beglerbcgs, or lord of lords ; and in time of war Serdars, or generals. Those who command cities are commonly styled Darogas, or governors.* Po}iulatiQn7\ 1 he present state of the population of Persia is reckoned by Hassel at 22,000,000, of which 3,000,0001 are in W. Persia, and 19,000,000^ in E. Persia. Pinkerton strangely re- duces the number in both to only 10,000,000. Though Mr. Franklin have supposed that the rival kings in western Persia could not muster more than twenty thousand men each, yet from the account of Pallas, Aga Mamet raised an army of seventy thousand. But supposing western Persia united, and somewhat reinstated in prosperity, it is not probable that the army could exceed !0o,000 effective men, which may probably also be the amount of that of Candahar. Yet the Afgans alone, who are a brave people, are supposed by Hassel, able to raise an army of 300,000 men ; and Western Persia, in the opinion of the same au- thor, can raise 100,000 men. A'a-y?/.] From some particular precepts in the laws of Zoroas- ter, which it was impossible to observe at sea, the ancient Persians were never a maritime people, though they commanded an am- ple gulf with the mouths of the Euphrates and the Tigris. The commerce on the Indian ocean, as well as on the Caspian sea, has been always chiefly conducted by the Armenians, a most irciustri- ous and respectable people. Hence the commerce of this coun- try, so advantageously situated, has always been in the hand of strangers ; while the natives, with feudal pride, attend to their horses and the chace, and lead what is called the life of a gentle- man, neither improving their own property nor the coimtry in general ; scarcely one Persian vessel, therefore, has in any age navigated the sea. Re-venues?\ The actual revenues of Persia it is impossible to estiniate ; but the ruinous state of the country must render it un- productii^ The Turkish revenue has been computed at seven millions sterling ; and it may perhaps be conjectured with some slow of probability, that the monarcii of Candahar may draw from his various and extensive provinces about three millions sterling j while western Persia scarcely supplies two millions. Charclin says tiiat the ancient revenue consisted partly in contributions in kind ; Kurdistan, for instance, furnishing butter, while Georgia supplied female slaves ; and partly arose from the royal aon»aias, witi'. a third of metals, precious Siones, and pearls ; and a few du- ties and taxes. The whole revenue was by some estimated at 7o0,uoo tonians,§ or about thirty-two millions of French livres. * Ctiaidin, vi 41. \ Schamiiig. + Olivier. § Tlie toitiaii is computed at about .31. 7s. being ratlier more tlian equal to two gold hiiiliiiis, rd Abas II. Towards the Turkish frontier, one of the largest rivers of Per- sia, the Ahwaz, or Ancient Choaspcs, flows into the Tigris ; but though the ancient Susa decorated its banks, the modern towns of Kiab a.nd Ahwaz are of small account. The celebrated Persian gulph has been always more remarka- ble for the factories of foreigners, than for native establishments. Bander Abassi was a port opposite to the isie of Ormus, or rather on the coast between Ormus and Kishmish, or Kishma, and is now more commonly known by the name of Gombroon. The trade, once considerable, is now greatly declined ; and even the Dutch left it, and settled in the isle of Karek or Garak. The French Indian commerce has failed ; and the English staple is Bussora. In the small isle of Ormus, at the entrance of the Persian gulph, was formerly a celebrated mart of Portuguese trade, established there by consent of the petty king of the country, who also pos- sessed some districts on the opposite coast. But the Portuguese were expelled by Abas the Great, with the assistance of the Eng- lish, A. D. 1622. The province of Kerman contains a city of the same name ; but some late authors represent Yezd, as the capital, though generally supposed to belong to the province of Ears. This city is cele- brated for the manufacture of carpets, and stuff's made of camel hair : but the chief manufactures of carpets are in the fertile vale of Segistan, in eastern Persia. In passing to the eastern division, or kingdom of Candahar, it iiiay be proper to observe that Cabul, the metropolis, is situated within the limits of Hindostan ; but Candahar is by D'Anville and others ascribed to Persia, being however a city of small size, and chiefly memorable as the grand passage between these exten- sive empires. The dominion of Zemaun Shah comprises a considerable por- tion of Corasan. The ciiv of Herat stands on a spacious plain, in- PERSIA. t>i^ lersected with many rivulets, which, with the bridges, villages, and plar.tations, delight the traveller, fatigued in passing the eastern deserts cf Afgahistan, or the country of the Afgans.* It is a smaller city than Candahar, but maintains a respectable trade, and provisions are cheap and abundant. Some European goods pass hither from the gulph of Persia; but coarse strong woollens are manufactured in the at^jacent districts. This city was the capital of Corasan, till the first Sefi of Persia transferred this rank to the northern city of Mcshid, which contained the tomb of Mu- za, his supposed ancestor, and one of the twelve great Imams of Persia. Edifices.'] In the recent desolation of the country many of the most splendid edifices are become ruinous, and among others the palace of Ashref in Mazendran. The late Kerim has however decorated Shiraz with many beautiful buildings. Pie also im- proved the roads in the vicinity ; but in Persia, which may, as Chardin observes, be called a country of mountains, the roads are not only difiicult, but kept in bad repair.f The tombs of the kings of Persia are stupendous v/orks, being cut out of a rock, and highly ornamented with sculptures. The chief of the modern edifices is a pillar, to be seen at Ispahan, 60 feet high, consisting of the skulls of beasts, erected by Shah Ab- bas, after the suppression of a rebellion. Abbas had vowed to erect such a column of human skvills; but upon the submission of the rebels, he performed his vow by substituting those of brutes^ each of the rebels furnishing one. Manufactures and Connnerce.] The manufactures and com- merce of this great country may be said to be annihilated, though a few carpets still reach Europe at extravagant prices. Even the trade with the Russians on the Caspian is of small account, con- sisting of salt and naphtha from Baku, and some silk from Shirvan, called by the Russians Shamakia, but chiefly from Ghilan, where there is a Russian consul at Enseli or Sinsili. 'I'he Persian mer- chants also bring goods to Balfrush, tlie largest town in Mazen- dran, wliere they trade vwith those of Russia. That intelligent traveller, Chardin, has given an ample view of the Persian manufactures and commerce in the 17th century. Embroidery was carried to the greatest perfection, in cloth, silk, and leather. Earthen ware was made throughout Persia; but the best at Shiraz, Meshid, Yezd, and particularly beautiful at Zarand, which equalled the Chinese porcelain in fineness and transparency : the fabric was so hard as to produce lasting mor- tars lor grinding various substances.^ That of Yezd, which Char- din places in Kirman, was noted for its lightness. The manufac- tures of leather, and shagreen, were alsp excellent ;§ and they ex- celled iu braziery, using the tin of Sumatra to line the vessels. * Foster, ii. 115. "i? 'Die CMUse.v ot' AI)as Uie Great is a nol>le monument,. extendi\ig about SOU \\. ': on tilt- S.ot'tlie C:i'^pi;in. Hanway, j. 19S. + Cli;ir(1"ui, iv. 24.S. § The {)rop€r term \% scoria, froin the Per=nin won.] Sn^ru Ch?.!d. iv. 250. dI6 PERSIA. The bows of Persia were the most esteemed of all in the east, and the sabres finely damasked, in a manner which Chardin thinks in- imitable in Europe ; for, not content with their own mines of steel, they imported it from India, and wroU;j;ht it in a particular manner described by our author. Their razors, and other works in steel, were also good ; and they excelled in cutting precious stones, and dyeing bright and lasting colors. Their cotton and woollen cloths, and those made of goats' and camels' hair, with their silks, bro- cades, and velvets, were superior manufactures. The carpets, as already mentioned, were chiefly from the province of Segistan ; and Chardin adds, that in his time, they were called Turkey car- pets, because they were brought to Europe through that country ; and were valued by the number of threads in the inch, being some- times fourteen or fifteen. The stuffs made of camels' hair were chiefly from Kirman, and those of goats' hair from the mountains of Mazendran, but the cotton cloths principally from Hindostan : and the fabric of broadcloth was unknown, and supplied by a kind of felt. Tlie king himself was engaged in merchandize of silk, bro- cades, carpets, and jewels ; probably with as little advantage to the country as the royal monopolies in Spain. The standard na- tive merchandize was silk of various qualiues. To Hindostan were sent tobacco, preserved fruits, especially dates, wines, horses, porcelain, and leather of diff'erent colors. To Turkey, to- bacco, and kitchen utensils ; to Russia, manufactured silks. Such were formerly the manufactures and commerce of this extensive countrv. CHAPTER II. I NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRICULTURE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, DESERTS, FORESTS, BOTANY, ZOO- LOGY, MINERALOGY, MINERAL WATERS, NATURAL CURIOSITIES, ISLES. Climate.'] PERSIA has been said to be a country of three climates ; but even in the south the high mountains con- tribute to allay the extreme heat. The northern provinces on the Caspian, are comparatively cold and moist ; the exhalations from that sea being arrested by the mountains to the south of Mazendran. In the centre of the kingdom Chardin observes that the winter begins in November, and continues till March, com- monly severe, with ice and snow. From March to May high winds are frequent ; but thence to September the air is serene, refreshed by breezes in the night. From September to Novem- ber the winds again prevail. In the centre and south the air is generally dry, thunder or lightning are uncommon, but hail is PERSIA. 6ir often destructive in the spring. Near the Persian gulf the hot wind called Samiel sometimes suffocates the unwary traveller. Face of the Countri/.'] Persia may be called a country of moun- tains ; and where great plains occur they are generally desert. The most remarkable feature of the country is the want of rivers ; in which respect it yields to all the Asiatic regions, save Arabia. Except in the north, and some parts of the western mountains, even trees are uncommon ; and the respect paid by the Persian mon- archs to planes, and other trees of diffuse shade, is no matter of surprize. Considered in a general scale, one of the most singu- lar features of the country is its division intot.v'O parts by deserts and mountains ; a circumstance which in all ages, as already ex- plained, has greatly influenced its history and destinies. Soil and ylgrkulture.'] The soil may be regarded as unfertile, and even the valleys are sometimes sandy and stony, or of a hard dry clay; both unproductive, if not well Avatered. Hence the chief industry of the Persian farmer is employed in watering his lands. These remarks however must be restricted to the central and southern provinces ; for those in the north are sufficiently rich and fertile. The most common grain of Persia is wheat, which is excellent ; but I'ice is a more universal aliment, and regarded by the Persians as the most delicious of food.* It is generally produced in the northern or best watered provinces. Barley and millet are also sown. The plow is small, and the ground merely scratched. After which the spade is also used, to form the ground into squares, with ledges or little banks to retain the water. The dung is chiefly hum.an, and that of pigeons mingled with earth, and preserved for two years to abate its heat. Rivers.'] The noble streams of the Euphrates and the Tigi'is can scarcely at any period be considered as strictly Persian, though Ctesiphon, the capital of the Parthian monarchy, and Se- leucia, stood on the latter river. The river of Ahwaz rises in the mountains of Elwend, and pursues a southern course till one branch enters the Tigris above its junction with the Euphrates, while the main stream flows into the estuary of these conjunct I'ivers. This seems to be the Gyndes of Herodotus, now, accord- ing to D'Aiiville, called the Zeindeh, and by the Turks Karu- Sou, or the black river. The course of this stream, one of the most considerable in Persia, little exceeds 400 miles. From the range of mountains on the N. E. several rivers of short course fall into the Persian gulph, one of the most consid- erable being the Rud or Divrud, which joins the mouth of that gulph. The rivers of Mekran are of more considerable course, as the Krenk and Mekshid, which, conjoined, form the river of Mend, so called from a town by which it passes. The Haur and the Araba are of small consequence, except that the latter serves as a nominal boundary towards Hindostan. In the N. E. the large river of Gihon, better styled Amu, to * Chardin, iv. 2'22. VOL. U\ 78 618 PERSIA. avoid the confused similarity with another large river, the Sihoii, rather belongs to Independent Tartary, with its numerous tribu- tary streams ; except the Margus or Margab, called also the Mourgab, which however, in the opinion of D'Anville and La Rochette, is rather lost in the sands. To the W. the river of Tedjen or Tedyen, the ancient Ochus, flows into the Caspian ; which also receives many small streams from the mountains of IMazendran. D'Anville assigns a veiy considerable course to the river of Kizil Ozen, or Seesid Rud, which he derives from the mountain of Elwend, not far to the north of Hamadan ; so that, by a very winding course to the Caspian, its length doubles what is assigned in more recent maps. This river is the Mardus of antiquity, and must be the Swidura of Gmelin, rising on the con- fines of Turkey, ajid falling into the sea below Langorod.* It produces numerous pike, cavp, and other kinds of fish, esteemed by the Persians : Gmelin says that it abounds in sturgeons. Farther to the N. the large river Aras, the ancient Araxes, falls into the Kur or Cyrus, both rising in the Caucasian mountains, and pursuing a very rapid course. The Kur abounds with stur- geon and other larg-e fish ; and at its mouth are several isles, lia- ble to be overflowed in the spring. f The central rivers of Persia remain to be mentioned, most of which are soon lost in sandy deserts, but deserve attention from their historical celebrity. The Zenderud rises in the western chain of Elwend, and passes by Ispahan, beyond which capital its course is soon lost in the sand : this I'iver seems to have been the second Gyndes of the ancients. But the most important river in this quarter is that which pass- es between Shiraz and Istakar, or the celebrated ruins of Perse- polis, called the Bundamir, and supposed to be an ancient Araxes. This celebrated river flows into a salt lake called Baktegan, and which also receives a considerable stream from the N. E. called the Kuren.:j: Between these two rivers a branch of the moun- tains of Elwend extends S. E. on the western side of which stand the ruins of Persepolis. The largest and most remarkable inland river is the Hinmend of the province of Segistan, which rises from two widely separated sources, one in the mountains of Gaur, a part of the Hindoo Koh, and the other far to the S. from the mountains of Gebclabad. These streams join not far to the E. of Bost, whence the river pur- sues a westerly course, and, according to the account of Ottor,§ divides into many branches, which are lost in the central deserts of Persia. Our geographers, on the contrary, suppose that the Hinmend passes by Zaraiig into the sea of Zerch. Lakes.^ Among the lakes of Persia, the most considerable bc- * Decouvertes Riisses, ii. S";?. See also Hanway, i. 179, and 2T5, where this river is called Sefietrod. Thert; is a bar at the tulrance, but a coiisiderablc depth ■within. •(• Gnierm, ib 23G. i Tl'.is river Lu }ioch«tte, in his elen;ant inap of the marches of Alexander, supposes was the .Me it for leagues together. When the weather is thick and hazy the springs boil up the higher ; and the naphtha often takes fire on the surface of the earth, and runs in a flame into the sea in great quantities, to a distance almost incredible. In clear weather the • Hanway, i. 263. 624 PERSIA. springs do not boil up above two or three feet. In boiling over, this oily substance takes so strong a consistency as by degrees al- most to close the mouth of the spring; sometimes it is quite clo- sed, and forms hillocks that look as black as pitch ; but the sprinj^-, which is resisted in one place, breaks out in another. Some of the springs, which have not been long opened, form a mouth of eight or ten feet diameter. " The people carry the naphtha by troughs into pits or reser- voirs, drawing it off" from one to another, leaving in Jthe first re- servoir the water, or the heavier part, with which it is mixed, when it issues from the spring. It is unpleasant to the smell, and used mostly amongst the poorer sort of the Persians, and other neighboring people, as Ave use oil in lamps, or to boil their vict- uals, but it communicates a disagreeable taste. They find it burns best with a small mixture of ashes ; and as they procure it in great abundance, every family is well supplied. They keep it at a small distance from their houses in cartnen vessels, under ground, to prevent any accident by fire, of which it is extremely susceptible. " There is also a white naphtha on the peninsula of Apcheron, of a much thinner consistency ; but this is found only in small quantities. The Russians drink it both as a cordial and a medi- cine, and also use it as an external application. Not far from hence arc also springs of hot water, which boil up in the same manner as the naphtha, and very thick, being impregnated with a blue clay ; but it soon clarifies. Bathing in this warm water is found to strengthen and procure a good appetite."* The justly celebrated Kaempfer had visited these remarkable springs in the end of the seventeenth century ;t and Gmelin, 1 773, has added little to the account of Hanway, except that the soil is a coarse marl, mixed with sand, and effervescing with acids. There are many other wells in an adjoining peninsula ; and the re- venue arising from this uncommon product to the khan of Baku ■was computed at forty thousand rubles. I Isles.^ The few Persian isles in the southei'u gulf, among which the most remarkable arc Ormuz, once famous, now abandoned ; Kishma ; and, towards the other extremity, Karek, from, which the Dutch were expelled in 1765, do not merit a particular de- scription in a work of this nature ; and far less those in the Cas- pian sea, the chief of which are on the coast of the Uzbeks. * Ilanw.'iy, i. 2C3, ^c. f See his Amoen. 0\ot. i Dec. des Russes, ii. 21.'>. INDEPENDENT TARTARY. CHAPTER I. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. NAME, EXTENT, CHIEF DIVISIONS, PROGRESSIVE GEOGRAPHY, MODERN GEOGRAPHY, CONNEXION WITH LITTLE BUCHARIA, AND REVIEW^ OF THE ANCIENT AND MODERN GEOGRAPHY OF THAT COUNTRY, RELIGION, POPULATION, AND CHARACTER. THE descriptions already given in this volume of Asiatic Russia and the Chinese empire, comprise the fai' greater part of what geographers denominated Tartary, by a vague term applied to a country exceeding all Europe in extent, and possessed by va- rious and distinct nations and races of men. By repeated victories over the Eluts and Kalmuks of Mongoliaj the Chinese dominion has been extended to the mountains of Be- lur, thus including Little Bucharia ; while in the E. Mandshuria remained subject to its sovereigns, who had become emperors of China. J^ame.'] The title of Independent Tartary becomes however unexceptionable, when confined to the bounds of the present de- scription, for the Uzbeks and Kirguses are of undoubted Tartar origin ; and their country must still be regarded as independent ©f the great neighboring powers, China, Russia, and Persia. Extent.'] The extent of territory possessed by these tribes may be measured from the Caspian sea to the mountains of Belur, a space of not less than 870 miles. From the mountains of Gaur, in the south, to the Russian boundaries, on the north of the desert of Issim, may be near 1500 miles ; but of this length a great part is desert. JDivision8.~\ The chief divisions are the wide stepps or baa'ren plains in the N. held by three hordas of Kirguses, the Great, Mid- dle, and Lesser ; with some small Tartaric tribes near the sea of Aral. This portion was anciently called Western Turkistan : the capital being Taraz, on a stream which flows into the Sirr or Sihon, not far above Otrar, and which was also sometimes denom- inated Turkistan, from the name of the country. To the S. of the mountains of Argun the land begins to fertilize along the course of the Siri', Sirt, or Sihon, the laxartes of the an- cients, also called the river of Shash from the chief territory ; and on the banks of its tributary streams, which devolve from the Ar- gun on the N. and the Ak Tau or white mountain on the S. while * From PinkertoB. VOL. li. 79 6:26 INDEPENDENT TARTARY. the river itscir springs from the mountains of BcKir. Ilak and Shash, the most northern provinces on the Sihon, are followed by Fergana, and a district called Orushna, round a town of the same name. Divided from these pi'ovinces by deserts and mountains, the kingdom of Kharizm, formerly so powerful as to oppose the great Zingis, has gradually yielded to the encroaching desert. To the S. of the range of the Ak Tau appears the fertile region of Sogd, the ancient Sogdiana, with its capital Samarcand. On the S. the provinces of Balk, Kilan, Tokarestan, and Gaur, termi- nate the bounds of Independent Tartary, here separated by deserts on the W. from the Persian province of Corasan. In general, Kharizm on the W. is not considered as a part of Great Bucharia, but this last appellafion must be regarded as embracing the whole extent, from the mountains of Argun and sources of the river Ilak, tor the confines of Hindostan. Pi'Qgrcssive Geografihy.'] Jn ancient periods Western Turkis- tan, and the north of the Caspian, were the seats of the Massage- tae ; to the S. of whom were the Scythians on this side of the Im- aus or Belur Tag. Modern Geog-ra/ihy.'] As few materials will arise for a de- scription of the present state of Independent Jartary, a country exceeding the German empire in extent, it may not be uninterest- ing to offer some observations on the modern geography of this country, which, to the disgrace of science, remains in a wretched state of impei'fection. The natural and unavoidable connection between the ancient Scythias, on both sides of the Imaus, and in later times between western and eastern Turkistan, Great and Bucharia, will authorize and demand some previous acquaintance with the latter country, though recently subjugated by the Chi- nese, and briefly included in the description of that empire. The north-western province of China, called Shen-si, presents a remarkable district, narrow, but of considerable length, extend- ing like a promontory between the great desert on the N. E. and the Eluts of Koko Nor on the S. W. The great wall is here low, and rudely constructed of turf or hardened clay. This tract formerly belonged to the kingdom of Tangut, being a modern ad- dition to China. Beyond these parts, which are the first approached by the car- avans, several rivers, lakes, towns, and stations, are laid down in the maps by the Jesuits, as the river Etzine, with the towns of Ouey-yuen and Chao-maing ; and the lakes Sopou and Souhouc. To the W. runs another considei'able river, the Polonkir, near which is the city of Sha-cheou, where the river runs into a lake called Hara or Kara Nor, the black lake. With the southern boundaries and provinces of Little Bucharia we aj-e almost wholly unacquainted ; but the western and north- ern parts are known with more accuracy from various accounts, and from the maps of D'Anville and Islenieff. To avoid the dif- ficulties of sandy deserts, rendered alrriost impassable by broken rocks, the caravans proceed, to Hami by a circuit to the north ; INDEPENDENT TARTARY. 627 where, at the bottom of the mountains of Alak, which afford some protection from the piercing cold, stand the cities and towns of Little Bucharia, in all its features one Qf the most singular regions in the world. Toivris.] The chief towns, by all accounts, are Cash gar and Yarcand, followed towards the N. E. by Axu or Aksu ; Chialish, also called Yulduz, and by the Turks Karashar or the black city ; and Turfan. Hami or Camil, with its surrounding villages, is rather considered as a detached province, for some ages under the protection of China. History.'] Little Bucharia was subject to the Kalmuks, who were recently conquered by the Chinese. In more ancient times it was the country of the Seres ; but was little known till the time of Zingis, after whose death it became the portion of his son Za- gathai. It was considered as apart of Mogulistan, or Mongolia ; and the northern provinces belonged to the country of Gete, in which, to the N. E. of Turfan, were the ancient habitations of the Eygurs or Ugurs, a Finnish race who spread dismay throughout Europe in the 10th century, and afterwards settled in Hungary. The late wise and benevolent emperor of China, Riang Long, or Chen Lung, made repeated visits to Mongolia, in order to over- awe the Kalmuks, the most dangerous neighbor of the empire, by the display of superior power. In 1759, he completely van- quished these people, and thus annexed a vast territory to his do- minions. Independently of the regions to the north, the extent of Little Bucharia, as it is absurdly named, from the confines of Hami to the mountains of Belur, is more than 1000 miles: and the breadth, from the mountains of Tibet to those of Alak, more than 500. Religion.!. The prevailing religion is the Mahometan, for the Kalmuk conquerors, though they retained their idolatry, were tolerant. Pofiulation.) i^c'\ The population cannot be extensive, and is supposed chiefly to consist of original Bucharians, who are de- scribed as of a swarthy complexion, though some be very fair, and of elegant forms. They are said to be polite and benevolent, and their language is probably that called the Zagathian, which is the same with the Turkish, that speech having supplanted their na- tive tongue ; for that the chief population is original seems to be allowed, though there be a great mixture of Tartars, or Turco- mans, and a few Kalmuks. The dress of the men does not reach below the calf of the leg, with girdles like the Polish. The female raiment is similar, with long ear-rings, like those of Tibet : the hair is also worn in very long tresses, decorated with ribbons. They tinge their nails with henna. Both sexes wear trowsers, with light boots of Russia leather. The head-dress resembles the Turkish. The houses are generally of stone, decorated with some Chinese articles. They are cleanly in their food, which often con- sists of minced meat ; and, like the Russians, they preserve their victuals frozen for a considerable time. Tea is the general drink. The wives are purchased ; and the ceremonies of marriage, Sec 628 INDEPENDENT TARTARY. differ little from those of other Mahometans, the mullahs or priests having great influence. They have small copper coins ; but weigh gold and silver like the Chinese, with whom they maintain- ed a considerable commerce before the Kalmuk invasion, and which is now probably more productive than ever by their union under the same sovereign. They ure not warlike ; but use the lance, sabre, and bow, while the rich have coats of mail. The country is very productive of many kinds of fruits, and particularly wine. They are said to have many mines of gold and silver, but neither the natives nor Kalmuks had sufficient skill to work them : on the melting of the snows abundance of gold is found in the tori'ents, which they carry to China, and even to i'obolsk in Siberia. Precious stones, and even diamonds, are also found ; and one of the products is musk, probably from the southern mountains near Tibet, in which last country the animal abounds. In contradiction to the usual course of nature, the southern part bordering on the vast Alps of Tibet is colder than the northern, which is pi'otected by the inferior ridge of Alak. As the dress is chiefly cotton it is probable that the plant abounds in the country. Such are the chief particularities concerning this interesting countiy to be collected from the accounts above quoted. Dr. Pallas, in his travels in Russia, gives some idea of Bucharian commerce, in describing the city of Orenburg.* But as he joins the Bucharians with the people of Khiva, he probably implies Greater Bucharia. He seems to mention raw silk as a product of the country, as well as lamb-skins of a remarkably fine kind, and the hair of camels.. CHAPTER II. DESCRIPTION OP INDEPENDENT TARTARY. KIRGUSES, STEPP OF ISSIM, HORDS, NUMBER, MANNERS, DRESSj TRADE, HISTORY, KHARIZM, NAME, KHIVA, TRADE, GREAT BU- CHARIA, NEPTHALITES, EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES, HISTORY, RELIGION, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, PROVINCES, CITIES, MANU- FACTURES, CLIMATE, RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, MINERALO- GY, CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE. Kirguses.'] ABOUT one half of Independent Tartary is occupied by the Kirguscs in the north, a people of imdoubted Tartaric origin, and the Uzbeks in the south. Ste/iji of Issim.'] The great stepp, or desert of Issim, divides these Kirguses from Siberia. This stepp is intersected by a river of the same name ; and there are other streams, which either join that river, are lost in the sands, or fall into extensive lakes, for the most part either saline or bitter.f Even the soil ia * pec. Russ. jii. 123. t Dec, Rass. iv. 456. Pallas calls it the stfipp of ^s^tf. INDEPENDENT TARTARY. 6^9 impregnated with salt and nitre. This extensive plain must not however be regarded as a mere desert, destitute of all vegetation ; •and it is said that many ancient tombs occur in its wide expanse, as well as the Barabinian stepp, between the Iitish, and the Orb, vhich last consists of a tolerable soil, and presents several forests ^ of birch, with the appearance of having been formerly a prodigious saline marsh. Oil the Avest of the Kirguses there still remain some tribes of Kalmuks, thouf';h the greater part migrated from tlie Volga in 1770, when they sought the protection of the Chinese. The Kir- guses are supposed to be so called from the founder of their bord ; and have from time immemorial been here classed under three divisions of Great, Middle, and Lesser, though quite un- known to Europe till the Russian conquest of Siberia, some tribes becoming subject to that empire in 1606.* They are considered as faithless, pusillanimous, yet restless ; but the Great Hord, de- fended by mountains on the S. and E. asberted their independence in repeated contests with the Kalmuks of Soongaria. The Mid- dle and Little Hords have acknowledged the Russian sovereignty since 1751 ; but this subjection is merely nominal, for the Rus' siansare obliged to fortify themselves against these allies. These two hords are each estimated at 30,000 families ; and supposing the Great Hord to contain 60,000, and each family 6 persons, the population of this wide region would amount to 720,000 ; but it probably does not exceed half a million. Man7iers, ijfc.^ The Kirguses have gradually moved from the east towards the west. Their manners, comiiTon to the Tartars, have been described at considerable length by Pallas. f Their tents are of a kind of felt ; their drink kumiss, made of acidulated mare's milk. The Great Hord is considered as the source of the two otiiers. Being settled near the mountains of Alak, also called Ala Jau, this hord has been called the Alatanian Kirguses. | They lead a wandering life, from the borders of the Upper Sirr, or Syrt, near Tashkund, to the stepp of Issim. Each hord has its particular Khan ; but the Middle hord, when Pallas approached this country, was contented with a Saltan, or prince, who seemed to acknowledge the Khan of the Lesser hord : and in 1 777, this Khan of the Lesser hord, whose election had been confirmed by Russia, Avas called Nur Hali, a sensible and equitable prince. 1 heir features are Tartaric, with the fiat nose and small eyes ; but not oblique, like those of the Monguls and Chinese. They have horses, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats. It was asserted that some individuals in the Middle hord had 10,000 horses, JLO camels, 3 or 4000 cattle, 20,000 sheep, and more than 2000 goats : while in the Lesser hord, were proprietors of 50.00 horses, and a proportional number of the other animals. Their dromedaries furnished a considerable quantity of woolly hair, which was sold to the Russians and Bucharians, being annually clipped like that ot sheep. Their chief food is mutton, of the large tailed sort ; * Toojie, ii. 78., | Dec. Iluss. iii. 375. t lb. 379. G30 INDEPENDENT TARTARY. and so exquisite is the lamb, that it is sent from Oi'cnburg to Pe- tersburg, for the tables of the palace. The lamb skins are the most celebrated after those of Bucharia, being damasked, as it -.vere by clothing the little animal in coarse linen. But the wool of the sheep is coarse, and only used in domestic consumption for felts and thick cloths. The stepps supply them with objects of the chace, wolves, foxes, badgers, antelopes, ermines, weasels, marmots, Sec. In the southern and eastern mountains are found •wild sheep, the ox of Tibet, which seems to delight in sjowy alps ; with chamois, chacals, tigers, and wild asses.* As the Kirgusians regard each other 9.5 brethren, they are obliged to employ slaves, being captives, whom they take in their incursions. Their dress is the common Tartaric, with large trowsers and pointed boots. The ladies ornament their heads ■with the necks of herons, disposed like horns. They appear to be Mahometans, though rather of a relaxed creed. Trade.'] The Kirgusians carry on some trade with Russia. The chief traffic, which is wholly by exchange, is at Orenburg, but the Middle hord proceed to Omsk. Sheep, to the amount of 150,000, are annually brought to Orenburg ; with horses, cattle, lamb skins, camels wool, and camlets ; sometimes they offer slaves, Persians or Turcomans. In return they take manufactured arti- cles, chiefly clothes and furniture. From Bucharia, Khiva, and Tashkund, they receive arms and coats of mail, which Russia re- fuses them, in return for camels and cattle. They are extremely fond of the Kalmuk women, who long retain their form and charms ; and often marry them if they will adopt the Mahometan religion. There is an annual festival in honor of the dead. About the be- ginning of the 17th century this people, who were formerly Sha- manians, became children of circumcision, by the exertions of the priests of Turkistan ; but Pallas, in 1769, found them addicted to sorceries and other idle superstitions. History.] Even this barren region, now inhabited by the Kir- guees, has been the scene of considerable events ; and it is not im- probable that its numerous deserts and plains may formerly have been more fertile, at least in pasturage. The gradual desiccation, observed in the southern stepps of Siberia, may warrant the con- clusion that the hills and plains, on the north of the Caspian and Aral, anciently presented more numerous streams and richer verdure. However this be, these regions have been held by suc- cessive nations of high repute, from the Massagetae of early times to the Turks. These last imparted the name of Turkistan, hav- ing migrated from their habitations near the mountains of Bogdo, adjoining to those of Altai. In the 6th century these Turks had already spread to the Caspian ; while the Eygurs seem to have succeeded them in their original seats. They soon after subdued the people of Sogdiana, and the Nepthalites of Great Bucharia, called in that ignorant age White Huns. As the Turks founded th^ir first v/estern settlements in the regions now held by the ■'* Dec. Russ. ii, 3?Qv INDEPENDENT TARTARY. 631 Kirguses, they thence received the name of Turkistan. From this centre of their power issued those Turkish armies, wliich have changed the destinies of so many nations. Little Bucharia was called Eastern 'J urkistan, from a similar cause ; but appears to have been first subdued by the Turks of Cathay, on the N. W. of China. The Turks and Huns may be considered as one and the same Tartaric race, totally unknown to Europeans till the ap- pearance of the latter, who first passed the stepps, deserts, and, mountains which had concealed them from classical observation, till the fourth century. The Huns, who appeared about A. D. 375, by their peculiar features impressed the writers of the time, as a new and unknown race, having seemingly passed in one course of depredation from Asia to Europe ; while the Gothic and Slavonic nations had left many of their settlements vacant, in their progress into the Roman empire. But the Turks, though originally the same people, perhaps warned by tjie fate of their brethren, made a slow and gradual progress ; and appear to have been mingled by marriages and conquests with the Slavonic and Gothic tribes, on the N. arid E. of the Caspian. Such was the origin of the natne of Turkistan ; from which the Turks spi-ead desolation over the most beautiful counti'ies of the east, and even threatened the liberties of Europe. K/iaris?n.'] Before proceeding to Great Bucharia, it may be proper briefly to describe the country of Kharism, which extends from the Gihon, or Amu, to the Caspian sea, bounded on the N. and S. by wide deserts, the chief town being now Khiva, but an- ciently Urghenz. This country is about 350 miles in length and breadth, and in the time of Zingis was a powerful kingdom, but at that time included Corasan, and a part of Great Bucharia. At present this state is almost restricted to the district of Khi- va, the circuit of which may be performed on horseback in three days ; but there are five walled cities, or rather towns, within half a day's joumey of each other.* " The khan is absolute, and -entirely independent of any other power, except the Mulla Bashi, or high priest, by whom he is controlled. The Kievinski Tartars differ very little from the Kirguses ; but surpass them in cun- ning and treachery. Their manners are the same, only that the Kirguses live in tents, whilst the others inhabit cities and villages. Their only trade is with Bokhara and Persia, whither they carry cattle, furs, and hides, all which they have from the Kirguses and Turkoman Tartars, who often prove very troublesome neighbors to them. The place itself produces little more than cotton, lamb furs of a very mean quality, and a small quantity of raw silk, seme of which they manufacture. "f 1 he same author informs us that the town of Khiva stands on a rising^ ground, with three gates, and a strong wall of earth, very thick, and much higher than the. houses : there are turrets at small distances, ai)d a broad deep ditch full of water. It occtipies a. considerable space, and com- * HanwavJ. 241. rVM. 6:^ INDEPENDENT TARTARY. iiiands a pleasant prospect of the adjacent plains, wlucii the in- dustry of the inhabitants has rendered very fertile ; but the houses are low, mostly built with mud, the roofs flat, and covered with earth. Khiva is said to stand at the distance of seventeen days from the Caspian sea, and from Orenburg thirty-three, computing the day's journey forty versts.* In 1739, the khan of Kliiva assem- bled an army of 20,000, to oppose Nadir ; but the city surrender- ed at discretion. Pallas informs us that the people of Khiva bring to Orenburg considerable quantities of raw cotton. f But the coasts of the Cas- pian are held by some remains of Turkomans in the north, and by Uzbeks in the south. The bay of Balkan is visited by Rus- sian vessels : the isles yield rice and cotton, and one of them, Napthonia, a considerable quantity of naphtha, the bed seeming thus to pass the sea from Baku, in a S. E. direction ; but they arc inhabited by Turkoman pirates. A more considerable trade is maintained with Mangushlak, which our maps represent as stand- ing at the egress of the river Tedjen ; but, according to tlie learned Wahl, that river, and another which flows by Meshid, are received by an inland lake, the Kamysh Teshen, on the S. of the bay of Balkan ; a circumstance which seems to be confirmed by the chart of the Caspian, published by Hanway, in which the mouth of the Tedjen does not appear.| To the N. of the large bay of Balkan are the lake of Karabogas, and another inlet, Avhich is followed by the port of Alexander, or Iskander. As the merchants of Khiva brought gold and gems to Astrakan, prubably from the two Bucharias, an idea was suggested to Peter the Great, that these precious products were found in Kiiarism, and he in consequence attempted a settlement. But the Russians, to the number of 3000, advancing under the command of a Circas- sian prince, called Beckawitz, towards Khiva, were all cut off by the Uzbeks. The history of Kharism has been ably illustrated by its king, or khan, Abulgazi, in his general history of the Tartars, written, about 166). He was born in 1605, and elected khan, 1643, alter a long imprisonment in Persia. He died in 1663, revered as an excellent prince, and a man endowed with the rarest qualities. Great Buc/iaria.~\ By far the most important pait of Independent Tartary is comprised under the name of Great Bucharia, general- ly supposed to have originated from the city of Bokhara, the first which the Persian merchants entered on visiting the country. It is part of the Touran of the ancient Persians, and was chiefly known to the Greeks and Romans by the names of Sogdianaand Bactriana ; the former being the Maweralnahar, or country beyond * Equal, by Hanway's account, to 27 miles : hence the distance of Khiva from the Caspian would be 459 miles, while our maps scarcely allow 3U(), t Dec. l{ii,ss. iii. \.-2i. i Wahl, probably after D'Anville, places Mangushlak far to the north, near the Dead Gult, in the country of the Mankats, called Karakalpaks, by the Russians. The mapofRuisia, 1787, gives tliegull'of Mangushlak on the north of cape Kalagan, (Jol- orrel Bruce can deserve no credit in opposition toail the Russian accounts. INDEPENDENT TARTARY. ^i^ the river, of oriental geography ; while Bactriana corresponds with Balk. From the second son of Zingis, it received the name of Zagathai. By the Byzantine historians, the people are called Ephthulites, or corruptly, Nepthalites, a name derived from the Oxus, or Amu, by the Persians styled Abtelah, or the river of gold. Those Byzantine writers, who affect to imitate classical language, call the Ephthalites, White Huns. Extent and Boundaries.'] Great Bucharia extends more than 700 miles in length, from N. to S. by a medial breadth, if Fergana be included, of about 350, thus rather exceeding Great Britain in size, but much inferior to the country called Little Bucharia. The northern boundary appears to be the mountains of Argun, On the western bide a desert, the ri\er Amu, and other deserts, divide Bucharia from Kharism, and Corasan : v/hile on the S. and E. the mountains of Gaur, or Paropamisus, the Hindoo Koh, and the chain of Belur, are perpetual barriers. History.] The original population of this country was Scythi- an, like that of Persia. Its history might be traced from the ear- liest periods, as the seat and source of the most ancient Persian monarchy. This region became better known, by the expedition of Alexander, and the establishment of the Greek monarchy of Bactriana. But it is not till after the Mahometan conquest of Per- sia, in the 7th century, that the history of this country becomes sufficiently clear. In 1494, Sultan Baber, a descendant of Timur, was, with his Monguls, expelled from Great Bucharia ; and pro- ceeding into Hindostan, there founded the Mogul power. Th& Tartarian victors, called Uzbeks, established a powerful monar- chy in Bucharia ; and successive khans held the sceptre from 1494 to 1658, soon after which period this great and fertile coun- try appears to have been divided into several dominations, under numerous khans. In 1741, the city of Bokhara, with a small ter- ritory around it, constituted all the monarchy of one of these khans.* Nadir first distinguished himself in Corasan, in combats with the Uzbeks. The province of Gaur, is subject to the kings of Candahar ; but Balk and Samarcand appear to remain subject to their own Uzbek khans. In the deficiency of recent accounts, it can only be conjectured, that the chief powers of this country- are the khan of Balk in the S. and of Samarcand in the N. Religioii.~\ The religion of the Uzbeks and Bucharians is the Mahometan, of the Sunni sect, and the government of the khans is despotic. There is no precise evidence of the state of the pop- ulation, which consists of the Tartars and of the Bucharians. It is probable, that upon an emergency, an army might be mustered of 100,000 ; but though Nadir reduced Bokhara and Khiva, he seems to have respected Balk and Samarcand, considering them as allied states, which furnished him with the best troops in his army : and he even regarded himself as a Tartar, not as a Per- sian. Tliere is no statement of the revenue of these fertile prov- iftces. From an account published by Hanway of the revenues of * Hanway, i. 2-i3. VOL. lU SO 634 INDEPENDENT TARTARY. Nadir, it appears that Corasan yielded half a million sterling an- nually, being equal to that of Erivan, and superior to any othei* Persian province. It is probable that the revenue of Great Bu- charia is at least equal to that of Corasan. Manners and Customs.'] The manners and customs of the Uz- beks are similar to those of the other Tartars : but they are sup- posed to be the most spirited and industrious of these barbarians. Though many reside in tents in the summer, yet in winter they inhabit the towns and villages. They are, however, addicted to make sudden inroads into the Persian provinces. Those of Balk are the most civilized, and carry on a considerable trade with Per- sia and Hindostan. The native Bucharians, or Tadjiks, are com-, paratively fair ; and correspond, inelegance of form and features, with tliose of Little Bucharia, whom they also resemble in the m.ode of dress. The Bucharians never bear arms. The Uzbeks, On the contrary, are no strangers to the use of the musket ; and it is said that even their women, who surpass those of the other Tartars in beauty, are not averse to warfare, but will sometimes attend their husbands to the field. The language is Zagathaian, that is, Turkish, or Turkomanic ; but that of the Bucharians has never been investigated, though it be probably Persian, like their physiognomy, but intermingled with Turkish, Mongolian, and even Hindoo terms. The literature of Great Bucharia would furnish an ample theme, Samarcand having been a celebi'ated school of oriental science, cultivated even by monarchs, as Ulug Beg, and others : it was still, in the beginning of last century, the most celebrated of Mahometan universities.* Provjnces.'] The cities in Great Bucharia generally give name to the provinces, or receive their appellations from them. In the noilh the province of Fergana appears to be subject to the Kir- guses of the Greater llord ; and of Andcgan, its capital, there is no recent account. The other chief provinces are the western part of Sliash, and a district called by D'Anvillc Ofrushna, from a town of the same name.f The most fertile and celebrated prov- ince is that of Sogd, so called from the river which pervades it. Next are Vash, Kotlan, and Kilan. Tokarestan and Gaur are the most southern provinces. Cities.'] The chief city of Great Buchai'ia is Samarcand, on the southern bank of the river Sogd, which, at the distance of above a hundred miles, after Avashing the walls of Bokhara, pass- es through a considerable lake, and is supposed to join the Oxus, or Amu. Of this celebrated capital there is no recent account, but it seems greatly to have declined since the time of Timur, the fes- tivities of whose court at his palace here, and villas in the vicinity, have been so well described by his Persian historian. Towards the beguming of the last century, Bentink says that Samarcand Was fortified with ramparts of turf, the houses being mostly of * B«ntinkon AbuJgar.i, p. 279. t The SetrushU'h ol i:bii Haukal, p. C61'. INDEPENDENT TARTARY. 635 hardened clay, though some were of stone, from quarries in the neighborhood. The khan of Great Bucharia commonly encamp- ed in the adjacent meadows, the castle being almost ruinous. The excellence of the paper made of silk, recommended it to all the countries of the east : and it is supposed that this invention is derived from Samarcand.* The rich vale of Sogd produced such abundance of exquisite grapes, melons, pears, and apples, that they were sent to Persia, and even to Hindostan. Bokhara, on the same rive^, has repeatedly contested the metro- politan dignity Avith Samarcand. When visited by the English agents in 1741, it was a large and populous city, subject to its khan ; standing on a rising ground, with a slender wall of earth ; the houses of clay, but the numerous mosques of brick. f The citi- zens manufactured soap and calico ; and the chief products were cotton, rice and cattle. From the Kalmuks they received rhu- barb and musk ; and from Badakshan, the capital of a country so called, they used to receive lapis lazuli, and other precious stones; that city being computed at sixteen day's joui'ney from Bokhara. There v.'as gold and copper coin : and after Nadir took this city, the Persian and Indian silver became common. In the tenth century it was distinguished by the manufacuire of fine linen. ^ Balk is a distinguished city on the river Dehash, Avhich flows into the Amu from the southern mountains of Gaur, or Paropa- misus, probably, as in the beginning of the last century, still sub- ject to its particular khan of the Uzbeks ; being then the most considerable of all their cities, large and populous, with houses of brick or stone ; while the castle or palace consisted almost en- tirely of marble from the neighboring mountains. This beautiful city Avas an object of ambition to the neighboring powers of Per- sia and Hindostan ; but was secure, not only from their mutual jealousy, but from the difficult access through high mountains on one side, and deserts on the other. The people were the most civilized of all the Tartars, and beautiful silks were prepared from the product of the country, which seems then to have in- cluded the whole of Great Bucharia to the S. of the Amu, which in this part of its course is also called the Harrat. It is the chief seat of the trade between Bucharia and Hindostan. Zouf, which is also called Gaur, from the province of which it is the capital, is said to be now subject to the kingdom of Canda- liar, and Bamian, in the same province, must have shared the same fate. The latter city was remarkable for numerous images, and other monuments, carved in the adjacent mountains. Aude- rab is the chief city of Tokarestan ; near a pass through the moun- tains of Hindoo Koh, strictly guarded by the khan of Balk. In the neighborhood of this city were rich quarries of lapis lazuli, a • This manufacture is said to liave been known A. D. 650. Ouseley's Kbn Har- kal, p. 300. Ihe same work may be Bonsulted for the state of this great city in tl e tenth century. f Hanway, i. 242. ^36 INDEPENDENT TARTARY. substance with which Great Bucharia seems chiefly to have sup- plied the ancient and modern world. Not far to the north stands Badakshan, on the river Amu, or Harrat. In the last century this city belonged to the khan ot~ Great Bucharia, or ratlier of Samarcand ; and being secluded in & branch of the Belur alps, was used as a state prison for rivals or insurgents. Badakshan Avas small, but well built and populous ; and its inhabitants were enriched by the gold, silver, and rubies, found in the neighborhood ; the grains of gold and silver abound- ing in the torrents which descend from the mountains, when the snow melts in the beginning of summer.* Several caravans for Little Bucharia and China pass by this city. Kotlan, or Khotlan, is the capital of a province so called, but Otherwise seems little memorable. Termed, situated on the Amu, is scarcely known in modern accounts : and in general the northern cities seem greatly to have declined under the domina- tion of Uzbeks. Manufactures.'] The chief manufactures have been already mentioned in the account of the cities. Besides the caravans to Persia, Hindostan, and China, some trade is carried on with the Russians, the Bucharian merchants not only furnishing their ow» products, but others from the eastern countries to which they trade. Climate.'] The climate in general appears to be excellent, the heat even of the southern provinces being tempered by the high mountains capped with perpetual snow ; and though situated in the parallel of Spain, Greece, and Asiatic Turkey, the proxim- ity of the Siberian deserts, and the lofty Alps, render the summer more temperate. The face of the country presents a great vari- ety ; but though there are numerous rivers, hills, and mountains, there seems to be a deficiency of wood.f Near the rivers the soil is very productive, so that the grass sometimes exceeds the height of a man ; and in some parts considerable industry is shewn in the cultivation of rice and other grain. In any other hands but those of the Tartars, this country might rival any European region. Rivers.] The chief rivers of Independent Tartary are the Amu and the Sirr, or river of Shash. The former is the ancient Oxus, and near its source is called the Harrat : oriental geographers also term it the Gihoon, as they call the Sir the Sihoon. The Amu rises in the mountains of Belur, more than 200 miles N. E. from Badakshan, and before it reach that city has already received the Ortong from the E. From Badakshan it passes W. to Termed after receiving numerous streams from the Ak Tau on the N. and from the Hindoo Koh on the S. After being joined from the same quarter by the Dehash, or river of Balk, with col- lected streams from the mountains of Gaur, the Amu fellows a N. W. direction, and fails into the sea of Aral, which appears, as be- fore mentioned, to have been in all ages its chief receptable, * Benlink on Abvilgazi, p. 55. f It is probable there may be Lirge forests on the western siile of the Belur, as Boa- tiiik,!). '258, says that timber abounds. INDEPENDENT TARTARY. 637 though a branch formerly passed by Urghenz towards the Cas- pian, and another seems t6 have been detached near Hazarasp. The whole course of this noble river surpasses that of the Tigris, being probably not less than 900 miles. It abounds with fish of various sorts. The Sirr, or river of Shash, also rises in the mountains of Belur, and falls into the eastern side of the sea of Aral, after a course of about 550 miles. According to Islenieif the furthest source of the Sirr is the river Narin, which rises to the S. of the lake Tuz- kul in the chain of Alak, near its junction with the Belur alps ; and by the account of Pallas the source is near that of the river Talas, The Narin itself consists of numerous streams collected from the ridges of Alak and Argun, bending to the S. while the other rivers in this quarter flow in a north direction ; but the Sirr, peculiarly so called, rises in the mountains of Terek Daban, or northern part of the Belur chain, where it joins that of Alak. After passing Andegan and Cojend, the Sirr or laxartes runs N. W. by Tashkund and Tuncat, where it is joined by a considerable river from the E. At Otrar it receives the river Taraz. The remaining course of the Sirr is chiefly through the desert of Bur- zuk ; and it is doubtful if it be joined by the Sarasu, a large river from the N. so imperfect is the geography of these regions. In the country possessed by the three Herds of Kirguses are also other considerable streams, as the Dzui, which rises on the N. of the lake Tuzkul ; and the Irghiz and Turgai, which flow into a lake on the N. of the Aral ; not to mention the Issim, per- vading the stepp of the same name. Several of these lakes and rivers, now obscure, are remarkable in the history of Zingis and his successors, when, directing their conquests to the N. of the Caspian, they subdued the greater part of European Russia. Lakes.~\ The most considerable lake is the sea of Aral, or of eagles, already mentioned in the general view of Asia. The lake Tengis, Baicash, or Palkati, is near 140 miles in length, by half that breadtli, being the largest lake in Asia, after the seas of Aral and Baikal ; but this, with two other very considerable lakes to the E. properly belong to the Kalmuks subject to China. The lakes in the country of the Kirguses and in Great and Little Bu- charia are of less moment. Mountains.'] The principal range of mountains is that of Be- lur, which, according to all accounts, is a great alpine chain, covered with perpetual snow. The chief branches proceed to- wards the W. for on the E. is the high central plain of Asia, full of deserts, as if nature had here performed her earliest operations, ■when this first and greatest continent emerged from the primeval waters. Of this extensive table-land the Belur may be regarded as the western buttress, continued by the mountains of Jimbal and Kisik Tag to the Altaian chain, which forms the northern buttress on the S. of the sea of Baikal. On the E. this plain gradually de- clines from the sources of the Onon and Kerlon, and the S. limit of the desert of Shamo, while the numerous alps of Tibet, to which country there is a gradual ascent from China, form thfe %38 INDEPENDENT TARTARY. southern and cKcrescent buttress. Except in some few places, sheltered from the N. and E. this extensive elevation is exposed to extreme cold, the reverse of the deserts of Africa. It is inter- sected with great ranges of mountains, whose height must be enormous superadded to that of the bases ; the western parts in particular, between Siberia and Tibet, abound with irregular ridges of naked rocks, presenting as it were the ruins of moun- tains. The chain of Behtr, the ancient Imaus, proceeds nearly N. and S. and is continued by the mountain of Alak or Alak Oola on the K. of Little Bucharia, which join the great Bogdo, the highest mountain in central Asia, according to the reports of the Monguls and Tartars. On the S. the Belur seems more intimately con- nected with the Hindoo Koh than with the northern ridges of Ti- bet. The Hindoo Koh, and mountains of Gaur, must not be for- gotten among those of Great Bucharia, being seemingly an ex-, tension of the chain of Belur, without any interruption, except a narrow pass to the S. of Anderab The mountains of Argjun or Argun seem to form one chain with the Kara Tau, though broken, as not unusual, by the transition of a river ; and like the Ak Tau in the S. appear a branch detached from the Belur, Mmeralogy.~\ Neither the botany nor zoology of this country have been explored by any intelligent naturalist. We have seen that the alpine regions present many of the animals of Tibet. The mineralogy is not so obscure, though the Monguls and Tar- tars, who may be said to have possessed this country for a thou- sand years, have not industry for the proper pursuit of metallur- gy. The alpine heights in the S. E. contain gold, silver, and a pe- culiar production, the balay, or pale rose-colored ruby ; not to mention lapis lazuli. In the 10th century, before the native in- dustry had expired under long oppression, Fergana produced sal ammoniac, vitriol, iron, copper,* gold, and turkoises : and quick- silver is added, a rare and valuable product. In the mountain of Zai'ka there were springs of naphtha and bitumen, and " a stone that takes fire and burns," which must iinply coal. In the coun- try of Setrushteh, D'Anville's Ofrushna, there was a cavern, Avhence a vapor arose, which in the night seemed fiery, and from which sal ammoniac was procured. On digging the ground a similar vapor would arise, as we arc told of the fires near Baku. In the mountains of Ailak or Ilak, the most northern prov- ince around Otrar, there Mxre mines of gold and silver. The venerable father of Arabian geography, Ebn Haukal, has compen- sated for the penury of his information respecting natural history, by an animated character of this country and its people, which may be here introduced as a relief from the dryness of some of the details, unavoidable in describing a country highly celebrated, but the geography of M'hich unaccountably remains the most de- fective of any in Asia, with the single exceptionof interior Arabia. " Such are the generosity aud liberality of the inhabitants, thai • Ebn Haukat INDEPENDENT TARTARY. 635^ no one turns aside from the rights of hospitality ; so that a person contemplating thern in this light, would imagine that all the fami- lies of the land were but one house. When a traveller arrives there every person endearors to attract him to himself, that he may have opportunities of performing kind offices for the stranger : and the best proof of their hospitable and generous disposition is, that every peasant, though possessing but abai-e sufficiency, allots a portion of his cottage for the i-eception of a guest. On the ar- rival of a stranger they contend one with another for the pleasure of taking him to their home, and entertaining him. Thus, in acts of hospitality, they expend their incomes. I happened once to be in Sogbd, and there I saw a certain palace, or great building, the doors of which were fastened back with nails against the walls. I asked the reason of this, and they informed me that it was an hun- •dred years and more since those doors had been shut, all that time they had continued open day and night, strangers might arriv© there at the most unseasonable hours, or in any numbers, for the master of the house had provided every thing necessary both for the men and for their beasts ; and he appeared with a delighted and joyful countenance when the guests tarried awhile. " In all the regions of the earth there is not a more flourishing or a more delightful country than this, especially the district of Bokhara. If a person stand on the Kohendiz (or ancient castle)- of Bokhara, and cast his eyes around, he shall not see any thing but beautiful and luxuriant verdure on every side of the country ; so that he would imagine the green of the earth and the azure of the heavens were united : and as there are green fields in every quartei', so there are villas interspersed among the green fields. " The walls and buildings, and cultivated plains of Bokhara, ex- tend above 13 farsang, by 12 farsang ; and the Soghd, for 8 days journey, is all delightful country, affording fine prospects, and full of gardens, and orcliards, and villages, corn fields, and villas, and running streams, reservoirs, and fountains, both on the right hand and on the left. You pass from corn fields into rich mead- ows and pasture lands ; and the fruits of Soghd are the finest in the world."* * Ebn Haukal, hy Sir Wm. Ousely, p. 23i. ARABIA. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. EXTENT, BOUNDARIES, NAME, DIVISIONS, ORIGINAL POPULATIONj PROGRESSIVE GEOGRAPHY, HISTORICAL EPOCHS, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, DRESS, LANGUAGE, LIT- ERATURE, CITIES AND TOWNS, EDIFICES, MANUFACTURES, PROPUCTS, COMMERCE. ExtentJ] ARABIA, taken in its largest extent, lies between lat. 12 30 and 31 30 N. and Ion 34 14 and 59 14 E. and forms one of the largest peninsulas in the world. Boundaries.'] It is bounded on the E. by the Euphrates, the Persian gulf, and the bay of Ormus ; on the W. by Palestine, part of Syria, the isthmus of Suez, and the Red Sea ; on the S. by the straits of Babelmandel, and the Indian ocean ; and on the N. by part of Syria, Diarbekir, Irak and Khuzestan. Its northern limits, however, are less strongly marked, than the others ; but in both ancient and modern times they rise to an angle about an 100 miles to the E. of Palmyra, which is not included in Arabia. Thence the line proceeds S. W- to the S. E. angle of the Medi- terranean, a northern boundary of Arabia Petraea. Moses, how- ever, with a geographical accuracy that defies the severity of criticism, determines the boundaries of this kingdom, when he tells us, that on the south it reached to the sea of Suph or Red Sea ; on the W. to Paran and Tophel ; on the N. to Laban, Hatseroth, and Di-Zahab, that is, to the borders of Syria ; and on the E. to Kadesh-> Barnea, about 1 1 days journey from mount Horeb. From the cape of Babelmandel to the extreme angle on the Euphrates, the length is not less than 1800 miles ; while the me- dial breadth is about 800; containing about 1,440,000 square miles. JVaine.'] The revolutions of time have produced no change in its primitive denomination ; since even in the ages bordering on the deluge it was known by the name ol Ji-abah. By the Syrians, nnd many of the orientals, it was called Aralmtan ; and in the scriptures it is spmetimes denominated the la7id of Cash : Moses himself styles the western Arabia, ylrabah, which affords a strong- presumption that its original name was derived from a Hebrew word signifying the we&t ; and when the Ishmaelitci, who pos- sessed it, gradually reduced the adjacent parts, they carried with them the appellation of Arabah, and applied it to the whole penin- sula : the first part of the peninsula of the Arabs was divided into Kedem and Arabah, as we learn from scripture. Divisio72s.] The best eastern writers have divided this penin- sula into five provinces or kingdoms, viz. Yaman, Hejaz, Tehcma, ARABIA. 641 Naid antl Yamama. It was divided by Ptolemy into Arabia Pe- trea, Arabia Deserta, and Arabia Felix ; and since his time this division has generally prevailed : Arabia is divided by the inhab- itants themselves into eight provinces, entirely independent on one another, viz. Yemen, on the S. towards the straits of Babel- mandel, Hadramant, on the shores of the Indian ocean, Omam, on the S. of the entrance of the Persian gulf, Hadsjar or Hajar, Ned- siedor Neged, and Hedjas or Hejaz. The territory of the Bedu- ins». or of the Arabs in the desert of Syria, may be reckoned a seventh province, and to this again may be added the Arabian es- tablishments on the southern coast of Persia.* Original Pofiulation.^ The population is original and indi- genous, the Ai'abians being the same race with the Assyrians of remote antiquity, the probable fathers of the Syrians, Egyptians, and Abyssinians, whose languages are intimately allied, as is that of the Hebrews ; being totally different in form and structure, from that of the Persians, their powerful neighbors in the E. By all accounts, sacred and profane, the Assyrians were the most an- cient civilized and commercial people ; and when modern philos- ophy is divested of its prejudices, there will be no reason to infer superior pretensions from China, and far less from Hindostan. Situated in a country nearly central, between Asia, Africa, and Europe ; and m the wide intercourse of the Mediterranean, and the Arabian and Persian gulfs ; it was natural that the variety of productions and wants should occasion the first rise of commerce in Syria ; and the merchants of Tyre had explored the shores of Britain, while the Chinese seem not to have discovered those of Japan. This early civilization will excite the less surprise, when it is considered that even the modern Arabians are a most saga- cious and intelligent race of men, remarkable also for spirit and valor, whose country alone has never been subdaed by any invader, and who alone, of all Asiatic nations, have preserved the sacred flame of freedom, which their progenitors kindled in their inac- cessible mountains. In comparatively modern times they have vindicated the fame of their ancient pre-eminence by giving re- ligion and laws to half of Asia and Africa, and a great part of Eu- rope. The Arabian califs in Spain, Africa, and Egypt, as well as at Bagdad, cultivated the arts and sciences ; and shewed a great superiority to the barbarous powers of Europe at that period. From Samarcand to the centre of Africa, the Arabian language and manners are held in veneration. Progressive Geograjihi/.^ This distinguished country is known in the earliest records of history and geography; and being cele- brated for products, v/hich could only be procured by navigation, must have been no stranger to mercantile enterprize on its fur- thest shores towards the Indian ocean. Strabo, and even Eratost- henes, appear to have known the southern coasts, though not so distinctly as those on the east of the Arabian guif. Ptolemy's de- scription of Arabia evinces a considerable portion of accurate * Rees' Cyclopedia, article Arabia. VOL. n, 81 642 ARABIA. knowledge ; and of the interior parts, as well as those of AfricSi he probably, from his residence and opportunities in Es^ypt, had acquired a knowledge far superior to any possessed at the present moment. He has however greatly diminished the length of the Arabian gulf; and by increasing the size of the Persian has con- siderably injured the just form of the country. Some of these errors have been rectified by the later Arabian geographers, and our knowledge of the interior of the country has received consid- erable additions from the same authors. Yet even the just geog- raphy of the shores is recent, and has been improved since the time of D'Anville. Niebuhr, to whom we are indebted for the best account of this country, penetrated but a little v/ay into the interior ; and many discoveries here remain for the enterprizing traveller : but the passage is extremely difficult, the country be- ing divided among a surprising number of Imams and Sheiks, who often carry on petty wars, and plunder all strangers that fall into their hands. Historical E/iochs.^ The present Arabians, according to their own historians, are sprung from two stocks. Kahtan or Joktan, ihe son of Eber and Adnan, descended in a direct line from Ish- mael, t)ie son of Abraham and Hagar, of whose posterity it was foretold, that they shall be invincible, " have their hands ag«.inst every man, and every man's hands against theirs." They are at present, and have remained from the remotest ages, during the various conquests of the Greeks, Romans and Tartars, a con- vincing proof of the divinity of this prediction. According to prophecy they still " dwell in the presence of their brethren." Sometime after the confusion of tongvies at Babel, or above 3600 years ago, Yarab, the elder of Joktan's sons, succeeded his father in the kingdom of Yemen ; and Jorham, the younger, founded the kingdom of Hejaz, where his posterity possessed the throne, till the time of Ishmael. The former kingdom lasted, ac- cording to Abulfeda, 2020 years ; or as other Ai'abian writers say, above 3000. The first great calamity that befel the tribes settled in Yemen, was the inundation of Aram, Avhich is said to have happened soon after the time of Alexander the Great. On this occasion, eight tribes were forced to abandon their dwellings ; and some of them in their migration gave rise to the two kingdoms of Ghassan and Hira ; both of them out of the proper limits of Arabia. The founders of the former maintained their kingdom, according to Abulfeda, 616 years : five of these princes were named Hareth, written by the Greeks Aretas ; and it was the governor of one of these, who ordered the gates of Damascus to be Avatched, for the purpose of apprehending the apostle Paul. Jorham, the son of Kahtan, who founded the kingdom of Hejaz, and his posterity, remained in possession of it, till the time ot Ishmael. Arabia never appears to have been united, cither in a republic or under one monarch, except in the time of Mahomet and his successors. The Romans m'adc several incursions into ARABIA. 643 Arabia, but neither they nor any other foreign power were ever able to subdue it. We think it proper to subjoin to this article, the following sketch of Mahomet, as casting light on the history and religion of this country. Mahomet was born in the 6th century, A. D. 569, in the reign of Justinian II. emperor of Constantinople. Though descended of a mean parentage, illiterate and poor, Mahomet was endowed with a subtile genius, like those of the same country, and pos- sessed a degree of enterprize and ambition peculiar to himself, and much beyond his condition. He had been employed, in the early part of his life, by an uncle, Abuteleb, as a factor, and had occasion, in this capacity, to travel into Syria, Palestine and Egypt. He was afterwards taken into the service of a rich merchant, upon whose death he married his widow, Cadiga, and by her means came to be possesed of great wealth, and of a numerous family. During his peregrinations into Egypt and the East, he had ob- served the vast variety of sects in religion, whose hatred against each other was strong and inveterate, while at the same time there were many particulars in which the greater part of them were agreed. He carefully laid hold of these particulars, by means of which, and by addressing himself to the love of power, riches and pleasure, passions universal among them, he expected to raise a new system of religion, more general than any which hitherto had been established. In this design he was assisted by a Sergian monk, whose libertine disposition had made him forsake his clois- ter and profession, and engage in the service of Cadiga, with whom he remained as a domestic when Mahomet was taken td her bed. This monk was perfectly qualified by his great learn- ing, for supplying the defects which his master, for want of a lib- eral education, labored under, and which, in all probability, must have obstructed the execution of his design. It was necessary, however, that the religion they proposed to establish should have a divine sanction ; and for this purpose Maliomet turned a calam- ity, with which he was afflicted, to his advantage. He was often subject to fits of the epilepsy, a disease which those whom it af- flicts are desirous to conceal ; Mahomet gave out therefore th?t these fits were trances, into which he was miraculously thrown by God Almighty, during which he was instructed in his will, which he was commanded to publish to the world. By this strange story, and by leading a retired, abstemious, and austere life, he easily ac- quired a character for superior sanctity among his acquaintance and neighbors. When he thought himself sufficiently fortified by the numbers and the enthusiasm of his followers, he boldly de- clared himself a prophet, sent by God into the world, not only to teach his will, but to compel mankind to obey it. As we have already mentioned, he did not lay the foundation of his system so narrow as only to comprehend the natives of his own country. His mind, though rude and enthusiastic, was enlarged by travelling into distant nations, whose manners and religion he had made a peculiar study. He proposed that the system he es- 644 ' ARABIA. tablished should extend overall the neighboring; nations, to whose doctrines and pre judices he had taken care to adapt it. Many of the inhabitants of the eastern countries were at this time much ad- dicted to the opinions of Arius, who denied that Jesus Christ was co-equal with God the Father, as is declared in the Athanasian creed. Egypt and Arabia were filled with Jews, who had fled into those corners of the world from the persecution of the emperor Adrian, who threatened the total extinction of that people. The other inhabitants of these countries were Pagans. These, how- ever, had Utile attachment to their decayed and derided idolatry ; and, like men whose religious principle is weak, had given them- selves over to pleasure and sensuality, or to the acquisition of riches, to be better able to indulge in the gratifications of sense, which, together with the doctrine of predestination, composed the sole principles of their religion and philosophy. Mahomet's system was exactly suited to these three kinds of men. To gratify the two former, he declared that there was one God, who created the ■world and governed all things in it ; that he had sent various prophets into the world to teach his will to mankind, among whom Moses and Jesus Christ were the most eminent ; but the endeav- ors of these had proved ineffectual, and God had therefore now- sent his last and greatest prophet, with a commission more am- ple than what Moses or Christ had been entrusted with. He had (Commanded him not only to publish his laws, but to subdue those ■who were unwilling to believe or obey them ; and for this end to establish a kingdom upon earth which should propagate the di- vine law throughout the world ; that God had designed utter ruin and destruction to those who should refuse to submit to him ; but to his faithful followers, he had given the spoils and possessions of all the earth, as a reward in this life, and had provided for them hereafter a paradise of all sensual enjoyments, especially those of love ; that the pleasures of such as died in propagating the faith, would be peculiarly intense, and vastly transcend those of the rest. These, together with the prohibition of drinking strong liquors, (a restraint not very severe in warm climates) and the doctrine of predestination, Avere the capital articles of Mahomet's creed. They were no sooner published than a vast number of his coun- trymen embraced them with implicit faith. They were written by the priest we formerly mentioned, and compose a book called the Koran^ or Alkoran, by way of eminence, as we say the Bible, which means the Book. The person of Mahomet, however, was familiar to the inhabitants of Mecca ; so that the greater part of them were sufficiently convinced of the deceit. The more en- lightened and leading men entered into a design to cut him off' ; but Mahomet, getting notice of their intention, fled from his na- tive city to Medina Tahmachi, or the city of the Prophet. 1'hc fame of his miracles and doctrine was, according to custom, great- est at a distance, and the inhabitants of Medina received him with open arms. From his flight which happened in the 622d year of Christ, the 54th year of Mahomet's age, and the lOth of his niin- ARABIA. 645 Istiy, his followers, the Mahometans, compute their time, and the era is called in Arabic, Hegira, " the Flight." Mahomet, by the assistance of the inhabitants of Medina, and of others whom his insinuation and address daily attached to him, brought over all his countrymen to a belief, or at least to an ac- quiescence in his doctrines. The speedy propagation of his sys- tem among the Arabians, was a new argument in its behalf among the inhabitants of Egypt and the East, who were previously dis- posed to it. Arians, Jews, and Gentiles, all forsook their ancient faith, and became Mahometans. In a word, the contagion spread over Arabia, Syria, Egypt, and Persia ; and Mahomet, from a de- ceitful hypocrite, became the most powerful monarch in his time. He was proclaimed king at Medina, in the year 627 ; and after subduing part of Arabia and Syria, he died in 632, leaving two branches of his race, both esteemed divine among their subjects. These were the caliphs of Persia and of Egypt, under the last of which Arabia was included. The former of these tui'ned their arms to the East, and made conquests of many countries. The caliphs of Egypt and Arabia directed their ravages to- wards Europe, and vmder the name of Saracens, or Moors (which they obtained, because they entered Europe from Mauritania, in Africa, the country of the Moors) reduced most of Spain, France, Italy, and the islands in the Mediterranean. In this manner did the successors of that impostor spread their religion and conquests over the greatest part of Asia, Africa, and Europe ; and they still give law to a very considerable part of mankind. Religion.'] The Arabian religion was, in the state of ignorance, as they called the period before Mahomet, Sabian ; but the Sa- bian faith is not clearly and satisfactorily ascertained. It is gen- erally allowed that they admitted the existence of one supreme God, the Creator and Lord of the universe, whom they denominat- ed " Allah Taala," the most high God : and the religion of the noble and learned Arabs, as well as of the poets, was pure theism. We have Arabian verses of unsuspected antiquity, which contain pious and elevated sentiments with respect to the goodness, jus- tice, and omnipotence of God- It is certain, however, that they very soon degenerated, and fell into idolatry. This consisted chiefly in the worship of the fixed stars and planets. To the worship of these they were easily led by observing the regularity of their motions, and also, that the changes of the weather hap- pened at the rising or setting of some of them for a considerable period ; and hence they ascribed to them a divine power, and conceived themselves indebted to them for their rruns, which were highly beneficial to their parched country. These they honored as inferior deities* and as m.ediators with God, implored their intercession. This kind of worship was proscribed by Mo- ses, and is frequently alluded to in the book of Job, particularly ch. xxxi. 26-28. Accordingly they had seven celebrated temples, dedicated to the seven planets ^ and this planetary worship ha'? been supposed by some to Jiave been the first species of idolatry. Ud ARABIA. The Magian religion was introduced among some tribes of Arabia, a long time before Mahomet, in consequence of the vi- cinity of the Persians, and their intercourse with the Arabians • and hence this impostor borrowed many of his institutions from it. Judaism also is said to have been introduced among the idol- atrous Hamyarites, by Abu Carb Asad, about 700 years before Mahomet, and the Jews, who fled into Arabia, in great numbers, after the destruction of their country by the Romans, made pros- elytes of several tribes, and in time became very powerful, and obtained possession of several towns and fortresses. At length, Yusef, king of Yemen, raised a dreadful persecution against them, and put them to death by various tortures, one of which was throwing them into a glowing pit of fire. Christianity had likewise made great progress in Arabia, be- fore the time of Mahomet. Whether St. Paul preached in any part of Arabia, properly so called, it is not easy to determine ; but that the Christian religion was planted, at a very early period, in this country, is an unquestionable fact. When the eastern church, soon after the beginning of the third century, was much harassed by disorders and persecutions, great numbers of them sought shelter in Arabia The principal tribes that embraced Christianity were Hamyar, Ghassan, Rabia, Taghlah, Bahra, Tomuh, part of those of Tay, and Kodaa, the inhabitants of Najran, and the Arabs of Hira. Such were the principal religions which obtained among the ancient Arabs. For an account of the mod- em religion of these people, see the preceding article. Governj7ient.~\ The primitive form of government, among the Arabs, was of the patriarchal kind ; and the same form, according to Niebuhr-, has ever subsisted without alteration ; a circumstance which pro v-es the antiquity of this people. Among the Beduins, Or pastoral Arabs, the descentlants of the ancient Scenites, or Sunnites, it is preserved in all its purity. Of these, such as live in tents, h^ve many sheiks, each of whom governs his own family with a power almost absolute. All the sheiks, however, who be- long to the same tribe, acknowledge a common sheik, whose au- thority is limited by custom. The dignity of grand sheik is he- reditary in a certain family ; but the inferior sheiks, upon the death of a grand sheik, choose a successor out of his family, withovi t regard to age, or lineal succession, or any other consid- eration, except superiority of abilities. This right of election obligCiS the grand sheik to treat those of the inferior order rather as associates, than subjects, sharing with them his sovereign au- thori ty. M^anners and Customs.'] The manners and customs of the in- habitants are for the most part similar to those of the other Be- duius, so frequently described by numerous travellers. Those of the country of Yemen have been accurately delineated by Niebuhr ; ane received nomenelature. A3IATIC ISLES. 661 ASIATIC ISLES. ARRANGEMENT OF THOSE IN THE ORIENTAL ARCHIPELAGO. 1. ISLES OF 6UNDA, OR SUMATRAN CHIAN. 2, BORNEO. 3. MANILLAS. 4. CELEBEZIAN ISLES. 5. SPICE ISLANDS. AN inspection of the maps and charts of this part of the globe, will sheiv that a great chain of islands ex^ends from Sumatra N. W. to Lackal or Lachal S. E. This chain includes Sumatra, Java, Balii, Sumbava, Florcz, and Timor, as the chief isles ; with Suraba in the S. and in the N. Madura, Billiton, Ban- ca, &c. This chain might either be termed the Suniatran islands, from the chief, or the received name of the isles of Sunda may be extended and restricted to this group ; which, besides the strait so called, presents many other sounds or passages, from the In- dian ocean towards the Pacific and the Chinese sea. Borneo, an island of vast extent, should not be considered as belonging to any group ; but the small isles around it may be termed the Bornean islands, as the Sooloos, Pulo Laut, Anumba, •Natuna. The Phillippine islands may already be regarded as the most regular and precise group in these seas, including the Bashees, and other little groups in the north, and Mindanao and Palawan in the south. There remains the large island of Celebez, which may be con- sidered as grouped with Shulla, Boutan, Salayar, &c. and the ivhole may be termed the Celebezian isles. The Molucca islands, an ancient and venei'able name, are prop- erly only five, of small size, on the west of Gilolo ; but it seems j)roper to extend this appellation to Gilolo, Mysol, Ceram, Am- boyna and Banda. The remaining isles in the S. E. belong to Papua in Australasia. » These five divisions are not only indicated by the hand of nature, but seem sufficient for a description of this vast archipelago. 1. THE ISLES OF SUNDA, OR THE SUMATRAN CHAIN. This division, as already explained, comprises Sumatra, Java, Balli, Lomboky Sumbava, Florez, and Timor ; with several isles of less note in the vicinity of these. Sumatra is an island of great extent, being not less than 950 miles in length, by about 200 in breadth, containing 177,000 square miles ;* on so vast a scale are the regions connected with Asia, that Great Britain, if situated in the oriental archipelago, would only in size rival Sumatra and Borneo. The English settlement of Bencoolen, in the S. E. pan of this island, has occasioned par- * Hassel, 66b ASIATIC ISLES. ticular attention to its nature and productions, especially sincc'Mi. Marsden published an ample and intelligent account of this inter- esting island, from Avhich this brief description shall be abstract- ed.* It was certainly unknown to the ancients, the information of Ptolemy terminating considerably to the north, and the mountain of Ophir, whence some have supposed this country known to Sol- omon, is a modern Eui*opean denomination. The Arabs seem lo have been acquainted with this island in the 9th century, but it became hrst known to the Europeans in the 16th. A chain of mountains runs through the whole isle, the ranges being in many parta double and treble, generally nearer to tlie western coast, whei^e they approach within 20 miles of the sea ; but the height is not so considerable as to retain snow. Mount Ophir, immediate- 3y under the equinoctial line, is 13,842 feet above the sea, only yielding about 2000 feet to mount Blanc. Between the ridges of mountains are elevated plains with lakes and water-falls, one of Avhich is from the summit of a conic mountain. There are many rivers on the western coast, but commonly impeded by sand- banks, so as to present few means of navigation. In the midst of what is called the Torrid Zone, the thermometer seldom rises above 85°, while in Bengal it attains 101° ; and the Inland inhabit- ants of the mountains use fires to dispel the morning cold ;^yet frost, snow, and hail are unknown. Thunder and lightning arc frequent, particularly during the N. W. monsoon. The year has two divisions, called the rainy and dry monsoons ; the S. E. or dry, beginning about May, and ending with September ; the N. W., or wee, beginning with November, and ending about March ; the intermediate months, April and May, October and November, being variable : on the west coast the sea breeze begins about ten in the forenoon, and continues till six in the evening ; being suc- ceeded by the land breeze during the night. The soil is generally •a stift" reddish clay, covered with a layer of black mould, the source of perpetual verdure ; but three quarters of the isle, especially towards the south, present an impervious forest. On the west, betvicen the mountains and the sea, there are large swamps ; but even here the face of the country is remarkably broken and un- even. There seem to be many mines of gold, though mostly ne- glected ; and the copper is mingled with that metal. There arc excellent ores of iron and steel : and that rare mineral, tin, is one of the chief exports, being principally found near Palimbang on the eastern shore, a continuation probably of the rich be-dsof Ban- ca. Gold is found near Bencoolen, and in other places, but of in- ferior quality. The little island of Poolo Pisang, close to the foot of mount Poogon, is mostly a bed of rocky crystal. There are several rolcanic mountains in Sumatra, as in most of the other islands of the oriental arcliipelago, but eruptions arc unfrequent. The number of inhabitants in this island is estimated by Hasscl,at 4,500,000 ; by Bruns, only at 2,250,000. The sea coast is chiefly occupied by the Malays, who seem to be recent settlers, and their * llirtarv of Sumatra, 1784, 4to 2J edit. ASIATIC ISLES. 663 language a dialect of a speech most widely extended, from Malac- ca, and perhaps the south of Hindostan, nearly as far as the west- ei'n coasts of America, through the innumerable islands of the Pacific. By the account of Mr. Marsden there are inland races, of whom the Googoo are covered with long hair, and little supe- rior to the Ourang Outangs of Borneo. The chief native sove- reignty is that of Menang Cabou, but the Rejangs seem to retain the purest race and manners. They are rather short and slender : the noses of infants are flattened, and their ears are extended ; but the eyes are dark and clear. The complexion is properly yellow, being without the red tinge, which constitutes a tawneyor copper color : but the superior class of women is fair, and commonly of not unpleasing countenances. The chief distinction between the natives and the Malays of the coast seems to be, that the former are fairer and stronger. The original clothing is made of the inner bark of trees, as in Otaheite • but the dress of the Malays consists of a vest, a robe, and a kind of mantle, with a girdle, in which is the crees or dagger. The vil- lages are commonly on hills, and surrounded with fruit trees ; the balli, or common hall, being in the centre. The houses are of wood and bamboos, covered with leaves of palm, standing on pil- lars, and scaled by a rude ladder. The furniture is of course sim- ple, and common food rice : sago, though common, being less used than in the islands farther to the east. The horses are small but well made, and hardy : the cows and sheep also diminutive, the latter probably from Bengal. Here are also found the ele- phant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, tiger, bear, otter, porcupine, deer, wild hog, civet cat, with many varieties of the monkey. The buffalo is employed in domestic labour. Among birds, the Sumatran or Argus pheasant is of distinguished beauty. The jungle fowl, or wild poultry, also appear ; and there is a breed in the south of remarkable height likewise found in Bantam on the west of Java, which also gives name to the well known small breed. Insects of all kinds swarm, particularly the destructive termites. The most abundant article is pepper, the object of the British settlement ; being produced by a climbing plant resem- bling a vine. The white pepper is procured by stripping the outer husk from the ripe grains. Camphor is another remarkable vegetable product, and cassia, a coarse kind of cinnamon, is found in the central parts of the country. Rattans are exported to Eu- rope for walking canes. " The silk cotton (bombax ceiba) is also to be met with in every village. This is to appearance, one of the most beautiful raw materials the hand of nature has present- ed. Its fineness, gloss, and delicate softness, render it to the sight and touch m.uch superior to the labor of the silk worm : but owing- to the shortness and brittleness of the staple, it is esteemed unfit for the reel and loom, and is only applied to the unworthy- purpose of stuffing pillows and mattrasses. It grows in pods froni four to six inches long, which burst open when ripe. The seeds entirely resemble the black pepper, but are without taste. The tree is remarkable, from the branches growing out perfectly 664 ASIATIC ISLES. straight and horizontal, and being always three, forming equal an- gles at the same height : the diminutive shoots likewise grow flat; and the several gradations of branches observe the same regular- ity to the top. Some travellers have called it the Umbrella tree, but the piece of furniture called a dumb waiter exhibits a more striking picture of it.* The commerce is chiefly with Hindostan and China. The Ma- lays excel in gold and silver fiilagree, and in Aveaving silk and cot- ton ; but the manufactures are imperfect, and the sciences little cultivated. Besides the Malays, several languages are spoken, which seem however to have a manifest afiinity amongst them- selves, and with that widely diffused speech which may be called the Polynesian, as it is diffused through innumerable islands in the Pacific. Even the rudest tribes of Sumatra and the other Asiatic isles, as far as the utmost bounds of Polynesia, display a certain degree of civilization. The panjeran or prince presides over many magistrates ; but his government is limited, his power be- ing confined by his poverty. Laws are unknown, the chiefs ren- dering judgment according to customs. Most crimes are com- pensated by money, murder itself not excepted. The difficulties attending marriage form an exception to the general customs of uncivilized countries, and the general chastity seems remarkable. The celebration is commonly in the balli, or village hall, and is accompanied with dances and songs. Combats of cocks and quails are among the most favorite amusements, together Avith dances, dice, and other games. The use of opium is extensive, but rarely leads to other excesses. What is called a muck, by the natives mongamo^ rather proceeds from revenge, or a sense of oppression, than from intoxication. The Christian religion is unknown in Su- matra, the missionaries having unaccountably neglected this large island. The natives of Sumatra and the other Malay islands, are of three casts ; Pag-ans, Mahometans, and Christians. The Pa- gans generally inhabit the interior of the islands. The barbarism of these Pagans almost exceeds belief. Marsden, in his history of Sumatra, informs us that they kill and eat each other. And the researches of Dr. Leyden have led to the discovery, that they sometimes eat their own relations, and this not so much to gratify their appetite, as to perform a pious ceremony. When a man be- comes aged and infirm, he invites his children and friends to come and eat him. He ascends a tree, round which his relations and friends assemble, and join in a funeral dirge, the import of which is, "The season is come, the fruit is ripe, and must descend." Af- ter which the victim descends, and is eaten by his children.! The kingdom of Acheen in the N. W. extremity of the island car- ries on a considerable trade Avith the coast of Coromandel. J he natives are more stout and tall, and of d darker complexion than the other Sumatrans. Several small isles encompass Sumatra. Banca is particularly Marsden, 127. \ Buclianuan's Bcseaixbcs, ASIATIC ISLES. 665 celebrated for its tin.* Of Billcton little is known ; nor of the isles that lie between Sumatra and Malacca called Pitti, and other names, with the common addition q{ Fulo, which in these seas ap- pears to imply an island, being' a Malay term. The JVassau or Poggij isles, lie off the W. coast of Sumatra, distant 20 or 30 leagues. The northern extreme of the northern island is in lat. 2 18 S. and the southernextremity of the southern island is in lat. 3 16 S. These are separated by a narrow passage in lat. 2 40 S. Ion. 100 43 E. The islands rise into rough hills and mountains, exhibiting strong marks of some powerful convul- sion. Excellent timber is found to the summit of the mountains. The tree called Bintangoor or Pohoon is of sufficient size for the lower masts of the largest ships. The Jago, cocoa nut, and bam- boo, are plenty. Pine apples, iiiagnostans, and plantains, are com- mon. The woods are impervious to man, inhabited by a few red deer, hogs, and monkeys. Pork, and fish are a favorite food with the islanders. Their language, their manners, and character are very different from their neighbors on Sumatra. The two princi- pal islands have about 1400 people, divided into small tribes, each occupying a stream of water. Their houses are of bamboos, raised on posts: the under pait is inhabited by hogs and poultry. Their clothing is a piece of coarse cloth made of bark, worn round the waist. Beads and other ornaments are worn. They file, or grind their teeth to a point. Their color is brown ; their stature seldom exceeds 5 feet and a half They live together in great harmony, believe in God and a Providence. A fowl or hog is sometimes sacrificed to avert distress, but they have no stated religious wor- ship. Omens of good or ill fortune are drawn from appearances in the entrails of their victims. Their government is democratic, the whole village assembles to try a criminal. Estates descend to the males. When a thief cannot make restitution, he is punished with death. A murderer is delivered to the relations of the de- ceased, who may put him to death. Marriages are settled by the parents ; when the bride is taken home, a hog is generally killed, and a feast made. Polygamy is not tolerated. In case of adultery, when the wife is the offender, the husband may seize all the effects of the paramour, and punish his wife by cutting off her hair. When the husband offends, the wife may quii him. The geneial custom of tatooing themselves, and the manner of their disposing of their dead, bear a striking resemblance to that of the Otaheit- ans.f Java is not only an extensive island, about 650 miles in length, by about 100 of medial breadth, but is remarkable for the city of Batavia, the ctlebrated capital of the Dutch possessions. This island, like the former, abounds with forests, and presents an en- chanting verdure. It is also intersected by a ridge of mountains, * The industrious translator of Stavorinna, vol. i. p. oSZ, says that these mines wjfe ouly discovered iu I'lO or 1/1 1, and thougli the Dutch reeeive ai^out tbi'ee mill- ions of pounds wcJijht, the vein seetns inexhaustible, j Asiatic, liesearche^. VOL-, ir-. 84 666 ASIATIC ISLES. like a spine pervading its length.* Batavia is strongly fortified with M'alls, and a citadel towards the sea. There are many canals about four feet in depth, and the town is large, and well built oi stone. This metropolis of the oriental archipelago presents many nations and languages ; and the Chinese constitute the greater part of the inhabitants, being contented for the sake of gain to for- get the tombs of their ancestors, and the laws of their country against emigration. The Malay language, the French of the east, is here universally understood. The streets are planted with large trees, which practice, with the Dutch canals, probably contributes to the unhealthiness of this spot. The heat is not so intense, con- sidered in itself, being between 80 and 86^*, as from the low situa- tion of the town, and the murky exhalations from the bogs, canals> and a muddy sea, whence from nine o'clock till four it is impossi- ble to walk out. The sun being nearly vertical, rises and sets about six throughout the year ; but the noctufnal repose is infest- ed by moskitos. In the evening, from six to nine, parties are formed, and intemperance assists the poison of the climate. The water is also of a bad quality. The air is so unwholesome, from fetid fogs and other causes, that dysenteries and putrid fe- vers destroy prodigious numbers ; and of three settlers it is rare that one outlives the year. The rainy season begins with De-. cember, and lasts till March. Crocodiles abound in the rivers, as in most of the oriental isles. Java is divided into three of four principalities, the chief being the emperor of Surikarta. The products resemble those of Sumatra ; and the existence of the poisonous tree, which has supplied Dr. Darwin with a highly po- etical description, appears to be completely confuted. This isl- and Was captured by the British, August, 1811. The small isle of Madura, on the N. of Java, had its independ- ent prince, whose sufferings under the tyranny of the Dutch have been related by Mr. Pennant.f The Dutch phlegm seems to have led them to greater cruelties than the fanaticism of the Por- tuguese or Spaniards ; and it is to be regretted that the English had not retained for some years the possession of the Dutch settlements, to convince the Batavians, by example, that con- quests may be better maintained by lenity than by sordid cruelty. The isle of Balli seems only remarkable for furnishing slaves, cotton, yarn, and pickled pork.:}: It has 600,000 inhabitants, who are pagans, black and addicted to war. OfLoMBOK, SuMBAVA, and Florez, little is known. Timor was discovered in 1522 by the companions of Magalh?,cns, who found in it alone the white sandal wood.§ The Portuguese, after a long struggle, effected a settlement ; but were expelled by the Dutch in 1613, who regard this isle as a kind of barrier of the spice trade. Timor is nearly 200 miles in length, by 60 ia breadth ; " Thuuberg, ii. 213. For a tolerable miip of Java see llie voj-age of Stavorinus, irOS, V. i. p. 313, where therois also a l(jui>; and minute description of the Island, t Outlines, iv. 31. Hue, ib. 2!>. the mjssacrc of l'i,OUO Chinese in 1740. t See Forrest, 170. § Frenujer Voyage RW tout du nwnde par Pigafctta. Paris, an 9, p. 213, 214. ASIATIC ISLES. 667 and the inhabitants are esteemed the bravest in the Oriental Aj> chipelago. It was captured by the British in 1811. II. BORNEO. THIS island is reputed the largest in the world ; and eveii after recent discoveries seems only to yield to Now Holland, which, as it rivals Europe in size, may more properly be regarded as a continent. Borneo seems clearly to be the Greater Java of Marco Polo, which he says is 3000 miles in circuit, as it is about 900 miles in length, 6y 600 in its greatest breadth, containing about 313,500 square miles.* The interior parts of the great island of Borneo are little knoTvn, though a considerable river flows from the centre of the country almost due south, forming the harbor of Bender IMassin ; and the names of several villages on the banks are laid down by D'Anville. " The far greater part of Borneo, next to the sea, especially the northern side, consists of swamps, covered with forests of trees of numberless species and great sizes, which penetrate for scores of miles, towards the centre of the island. The unstable muddy flats are divided by rivers, which branch into multitudes of canals, and are the only roads into the interior parts. Lofty mountains are said to rise in the middle of the island : many are volcanic, and often occasion tremendous earthquakes."! This island has five millions, some say six millions inhabitants.^ The houses are often built on posts fixed in rafts, which are moored to the shore, and may be moved from place to place according to the convenience of the inhabitants. The coasts are held by Malays, Moors, Ma- cassars from Celebez, and even Japanese. The natives in the in- terior are blacks, with long hair, of a middle stature, feeble and inactive ; but their features are superior to those of negroes. European settlements have been unsuccessful, the adventurers having been massacred. Pepper abounds in the interior country, with the gum called the dragon's blood, camphor, and sandal wood. Edible birds' nests are abundant. Gold is found in the interior country ; where there are also said to be diamonds, but inferior to those of Golconda. The Ourang Outang abounds. The na- tives are called Biajos, but their language has not been explained ; they are said to offer sacrifices of sweet scented wood to one su- preme beneficent deity ; and the sentiments of piety, or in other words, of delightful gratitude, are accompanied by laudable mor- als. The Biajos come down the great river of Banjar to the port of Masseen in rude boats, with gold dust, and other articles, the Moors, called Banjareens, being the factors. These Biajos are ta- tooed blue, with a small wrapper about the loins. The chiefs extract one or two of the fore teeth, substituting others of gold ; and strings of the teeth of tigers, a real badge of knighthood, or cour- age, are worn round the neck. The town, called Borneo, on the N. W. consists of about three thousand houses, floating as above • Uassel. f Pennant's Ontliiics^ iv. 61?. $ Hassel and Briitw. 668 ASIATIC ISLES. described ; it was greatly frequented by the Chinese, who proba- bly continue to be the chief traders to Borneo. This large island is surrounded with many small isles which, from their relation to this comparative continent, may be termed Bornean islands. Such is the group of Sooloo in the N. E. ; of which Mr. Dalrymple, whp visited them, has given a good account. They are rich in pearls, for which u-ey were noted in the time of Magalhaens. The chief isle is thirty miles by twelve : the natives rather polished, the government being vested in a sultan, for the Mahometan religion extends thus far.* The isle of Taivee lies between the Sooioos and Borneo. At the northern extremity is Banguey.) not far from Balubac, the most S. W. of the Philippines ; and Bala?nbangan.f remarkable for a settlement attempted by the English in 1773, but evacuated either on account of the unhealthy climate, or of a Dutch invasion. To the W. of Borneo are the groups of Aaiuna and Anamba little visited or known ; an obser- vation applicable also to several isles in the S. of Borneo ; hwtFulo Laut, which by D'Anvillc is represented as an isle, is by later dis- coveries attached to the continent of Borneo. III. THE MANILLAS, OR PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. This large group was discovered by Magalhaens in 1521, who called them the archipelago of St. Lazarus ; but they were after- Avards styled the Philippines, in honor of that infamous tyrant Philip II. of Spain. They contain 3,800,000 inhabitants.! Luzon is the largest and most important of these isles, being more than seven degrees, or near 500 miles in length, by about 100 of medial breadth. The jealousy of the Spaniards has pre- vented the acquisition of precise knowledge concerning this im- portant island, which is pervaded in its length by a chain of high mountains towards the east. Gold, copper, and iron are among the certain products ; and the soil is reported to be uncomm.only fruitful. The natives, who are of a mild character, are called Tagals, like all those of the Philippines, and seem of Malay origin.^ They are tall and well made, wearing only a kind of shirts with loose drawers, but the dress of the women is chiefly a large mantle, and their black and beautiful hair sometimes reaches the ground, the complexion being a deep tawny. The houses are of bamboo covered with palm leaves, raised on pillars to the height of eight or ten feet. The chief food is rice, and salted fish. There are many lakes in . 'le isle of Luzon, the most considerable being that which gives source to the river of Manilla. Several volcanoes occur, and earthquakes are not unknown. 1 he cotton is of pecu- liar beauty ; and the sugar cane and cocoa trees are objects of particular culture. The city of Manilla is well built and fortified, but a third partis occupied by convents : the number of Christian inhabitants is computed at 12,000. Between this city and Aca- * See alsothe A'oyagesof Soinierat and Foirest. I Hassel. t Scnnerat ii. lOS. ASIATIC ISLES. 66^ pulco, nearly in the same parallel on the W. of Mexico, was con- ducted a celebrated commerce through a space of about 140 de- grees, or about 8400 g. miles, more than one third of the circum- ference of the globe. The Manilla ships, or galleons, were formerly of great size, but latterly smaller vessels have been used. The city of Manilla was taken by the English in 1762. The Chinese were here numerous till the beginning of the i7th century, when the Spaniards committed a terrible massacre of that industrious people. In 1769 it is said that they were again expelled from all these isles, by the bigotry of the governor : since which time there has been a great decline in industry and produce. Next in size is 3Iindanao, a beautiful and fertile island, the chief Spanish settlement being at Sambuang in the S. W.* This island is in general mountainous ; but the vales consist of a rich black mould, watered with the purest rivulets. The Lano is a large in- land lake, about 60 miles in circumference. Horses and buffaloes have here mu'tiplicd to a s\irprising degree. In the south there is a volcano of constant eruption, Avhich serves as a sea mark. The other chief Philippines are Pulanvain, Mindoro, Pani Bug- las or isle of JVeffroes, Zedu, JLeyt, or L,eita, and Samar. On the E. of Zebu is the small isle of il/acfa??, where the celebrated navi- gator Magalhaens was slain. The other little islands might be counted by hundreds. In general this grand and extensive group presents many volcanic appearances ; such as lava, volcanic glass, sulphur, and hot springs. These isles present wild boars, deer, and useful animals of various kinds ; and among vegetables the bread fruit must not be forgotten, which first appears on the east- ern coasts of Sumatra, and thence extends its benefits thtough innumerable islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans. IV. THE CELEBEZIAN ISLES. Celebez is an isle of great and irregular length, more than GOO miles, but divided into various portions by great bays, so that the breadth is commonly not above 60 miles, containing about 92,000 squai-e miles, and 3,000,000 inhabitants,! Ion. from 116 to 124 E. lat. 1 30 to 5 30 N. This island is lofty and mountainous, especially towards the cC'lre, and there are several active volca- noes. Though the Asiatic isles abound in sublime and beautiful scenery, this is depicted as exceeding them all4 Rivers abound, rising in the high mountains, and precipitating down vast rocks, amidst a sylvan scene of lofty and singular trees. The Portu- guese obtained a settlement near Macassar in the S. W. being fa- vored by the king of that region, but were expelled by the Dutch in 1660, who continue to control the island, the Chinese alone being permitted to trade. The natives, commonly called * Sonnerat, ii. 116. For an amjile ami emions account of this island the reader may consult Foreft's Vojage to New tiuinea. 'I'he Haraforas, or black natives, are sold viih the land. t Hassel. if Pennaflt i\>. 8f6. 670 ASIATIC ISLES. Macassars,* often degrade their eourage in the quality of free- booters, attacking vessels with surprising desperation, and often with lances, or arrows poisoned with the juice of the notorious tree called upas. Their houses are raised on pillars, as usual, on account of the rainy season, or W. monsoon, from November till March. The Celebezian group might aptly be termed the Isles of Poison, being full of poisonous trees and plants ; though the noted upas be exaggerated and ascribed to Java, where it seems less known. Nature has thus contrasted the salutary productions of the spice islands with the most pernicious proofs of her power. This large island having been, like Borneo, little explored, there as a great deficiency in its natural history. The inhabitants are said to cultivate great quantities of rice. Around Celebez are n>any small isles, as Sanguy in the N. the Shullas and Peling in the E. with Boutan and Sala in the S. and some of smaller note in the W. Even the smallest isles are mostly inhabited, and governed by chiefs. In Sarguy and some others there are small Dutch garrisons, as advanced guards to protect the Spice islands. Boutan is probably still ruled by a Mahometan sultan. V. THE SPICE ISLANDS, INCLUDING THE MOLUCCAS. THE Moluccas, originally and strictly so termed, are only five small islands on the W. of Gilolo, namely Ternat, Tidore, MoTiR, Makian, and Bakian or Batchian :t but as the kings of the Moluccas have possessed territory in Gilolo and other ad- jacent isles, and as the term Moluccas is considered as synony- anous with that of Spice Islands^ the appellation has been extend- ed. The Moluccas of D'Anville include all the islands in the oriental Archipelago, except those of Sunda and the Philippines ; but this extension is objectionable, as leading to vague ideas and confused description ; and it seems preferable to include under the name of Spice Islands those from Mortay in the N. to Banda in the S. and from Mysol in the E. to Bouro and Oubi in the W. Thvis the chief Spice Islands will be Gilolo, Ceram, and Bouro, with MoRTAY, Oubi, Mysol, Bouro, that of Amboyna, and the group of Banda, with such small isles 'S approximate nearer to these than to the Celebezian group, or Sumatrian chain. In this description are specially included the five celebrated isles, origi- nally and peculiarly termed the Moluccas. GoLiLO is of considerable extent; but in irregularity of form similar to Celebez. The length is about 230 miles ; the breadth of each limb seldom above 40. The shores are low : the interior rises to high peaks. Gilolo is said to have been once governed by one sovereign, a sheref from IVlecca ; but the sultans of Ternat and Tidore seem now to share this large isle between them \\ a • The most powerful people are the Bonians, on the bay of Boiii, cnllevo thirds ; each contrib- uting a similar proportion to defend the islands from invaders.* But in the short course of three years the Dutch, actuated by their insatiable avarice, determined, by the most diabolical means, to free themselves from all competitors. They forged a plot of the English against their lives and liberties, and put them to death by the most exquisite tortures. The clove is said to have abounded particularly in iVIakian, but the g;rowth was afterwards confined by the Dutch to Amboyna. The nutmeg s-pecially flourished in the group . f Banda ; and the Romans appear to have known the clove, but not the nutmeg, which was probably brought to Europe by the Mahometans. The largest of the little Moluccas is Batchiak, being governed by a sultan, who is likewise sovereign of Oubi and Ceram, with Go- ram, a little isle S. E. of Cerara, reputed the most eastern boundary of the Mahometan faith. This monarch has a pension from the Dutch, either for the destruction or supply of nutmegs, but is otherwise little subservient. Batchian rises into woody hills ; and on the shores, as in most isles of this archipelago, there are prodigious rocks of coral, of infinite variety and beauty. Ma- KiAN is a small isle at a greater interval, to tlie N. of Batchian, than appears between the otlier Moluccas, and rises like a high conic mountain from the sea. This was regarded as the chief Dutch settlement before Amboyna became the metropolis of the Moluc- cas. Next is MoTiR, formerly, said to be the seat of Venus and voluptuousness. The most distinguished of the proper Moluccas are Tidore and Tzrnat- While Portugal was united to Spain the Dutch were defeated near Tidore in 1610 by the Spanish ad- miral Sylva ; but by the assistance of the king of Ternat the Bata- vians seized the fort. In Tidore there are 25 mosques ; and the sultan, as already mentioned, possesses also the south of Gilolo, and claims tribute from Mysol. Ternat is the most northern and most important of the Mo- luccas, though it scarcely exceed 24 miles in circumference. The sultan controls r^Iakian and Motir, with the north of Gilolo, Mortay, and even some Celebezian isles, and part of Papua, whence he receives a tribute of gold, amber, and birds of Paradise. In 1638 the Batavians formed an alliance with the king of Ter- nat and the lesser princes, which has been repeatedly renewed ; but garrisons are established to enforce the observance, and the sultans of Ternat and Tidore are watched with great attention. Ternat consists chiefly of high land, abounding with streams. " Rvmei'srocilera. xAii. 171*. • ASIATIC ISLES. 673 "iwhich burst from the cloudy peaks : and there is a volcano which displayed great force in 1693. The chief quadrupeds, are goats, deer, and hogs, and the birds are of distinguished beauty, particu- larly the kingfisher, clothed in scarlet and mazareen blue, called by the natives the Goddess. In Ternat the Boa-serpent is some- times found, of the length of thirty feet ; and by its power of suc- tion and constriction is reported sometimes to swallow even small deer. Equally distinguished are the most southern spice islands of Amboyna and Banda, cloves being now restricted, so far as Dutch avarice could effect, to Amboyna, and nutmegs to Banda. The governor of Amboyna makes an annual progress throughout the Spice Islands, to see that treaties are observed, and suppress any- new object of jealousy. Amboyna was discovered by the Por- tuguese about 1515, but was not seized till 1564; and was con- quered by the Dutch about 1607. This celebrated isle is about 60 miles in length from N. to S. and on the west side thei'e is a large bay, which divides it into two limbs or peninsulas. On the east- ern side is another bay, with a bad harbor, where the Portuguese erected their chief fortress Victoria. The town of Amboyna, the capital of the isle, stands near the S. W. extremity and is neatly built ; the houses, on account of the frequent earthquakes, seldom exceed one floor. The face of this island is beautiful, woody- mountains and verdant vales being interspersed with hamlets, and enriched by cultivation.* The clove tree grows to the height of about 40 or 50 feet, with spreading branches and long pointed leaves. In deep sheltered vales some trees will produce 30 pounds weight annually, the chief crop being from November to February. The soil is mostly a reddish clay, but in the vales blackish and sandy. When Amboyna was recently seized by the English,t it was found, with its dependencies, to contain 45,252 souls, of which 17,813 were Protestants, the rest Mahometans, except a few Chinese and savages. The Dutch are tolerably polished, this be- ing the next settlement to Batavia in wealth and consequence. The natives cannot be praised, they differ little from other Ma- lays ; and when intoxicated with opium will commit any crime. The dress is a loose shirt, or frock, of cotton cloth ; and the chiefs are called rajahs. Cattle, grain, Sec. are imported from Java. The Dutch discouraged the growth of indigo, lest the natives should become rich and rebellious ; but the sugar and coffee are excellent, and among many delicious fruits is the mangosteen of Hindostan. About eleven years ago nutmegs were permitted to be cultivated in Amboyna, Banda not furnishing a sufficient sup*- ply. The chief animals are deer and wild hogs, and among the birds is the cassowary. The most curious woods are brought from Cei'am. • An account of the Spice Islands, since they have been in the possession of Great Britain. Asiatic Register, 18U0, p. 200. There was a most violent eaithquake in 1755. ■j- The Islands of Amboyna .ind Banda m ere taken without resistance in Februaiy and March, 1796, by the English admiral Rainier, VoL.Ti. 85 674 AUSTRALASIA. Banda, or Lantor, is the chief isle of a group which com- prises six or seven others ; it does not exceed 8 miles in length, W. to E. and the greatest breadth at its eastern extremity may be 5 miles. The nutmeg tree is the principal object of cultivation in these isles ; and flourishes not only in the rich black mould, but even amidst the lavas of Gonong, which is the highest isle, the summit being 1940 feet above the sea. When the English seized these isles in 1796, the annual produce was about 163,000 pounds of nutmegs and 46,000 pounds of mace.* The nutmeg tree grows to the size of a pear tree, the leaves resembling those of the lau- rel, and bears fruit from the age of ten to one hundred years. The nutmeg, when ripe on the tree, has both a very curious and beautiful appearance : it is about the size of an apricot, and nearly of a similar color, with the same kind of hollow mark all round it ; in shape it is somewhat like a pear : when perfectly ripe the rind over the mark opens, and discovers the mace, of a deep red, groAving over and covering in part the thin shell of the nutmeg, which is black.f The ground being chiefly occupied with these precious planta- tions, cattle, grain, 8cc. are imported from Batavia ; and the Chi- nese merchants carry European articles even to Papua or New Guinea. The inhabitants of the Banda isles were found to be 5763. The English were expelled from Lantor, and Rohn, or Pulo Rohn, prior to the massacre of Amboyna j but seized the whole Spice Islands in 1796, and restored them to their Bato.vian masters by the treaty with France, 1801. In 1810, they were again taken by the British, in whose possession they now remain. AUSTRALASIA. AUSTRALASIA, as already explained, contains the following countries : 1. The central and chief land of New Holland, with any isles which may be discovered in the adjacent Indian ocean, twenty de- grees to the W. and between twenty and thirty degrees to the E. including particularly all the large islands that follow : 2. Papua, or New Guinea. 3. New Britain and New Ireland, with the Solomon Isles. 4. New Caledonia, and the New Hebudes. 5. New Zealand. * The hurricane ami earthquake, 1778, almost annihilated Uie nutmeg trees ia Banda, so that the Dutch have become the dupes of their own avarice. From 1796 to 1798 the English East India Company imported 817,312 lb. cloves, 93,732 lb nut- megs, 4G,7oO lb. mace, besides private trade, araountins to about a third part of the above. Stavoi'inus, ii. 418. t Asiatic Register, 1800, p. 21(7. AUSTRALASIA. 675 5. The large island called Van Diemen's Land, recently dis- covered to be separated from New Holland by a strait, or rather channel, called Bass's strait. 1. NEW HOLLAND. SOME suppose that this extensive region, when more thor- oughly investigated, will be found to consist of two, three, or more vast islands, intersected by narrow seas. However this be, the most recent and authentic charts still indicate Nev^ Holland as a country fully entftled to the appellation of a continent. The length from E. to W. is about 43 degrees of longitude, in the medial lat- itude of 25°, that is about 2730 miles. The breadth from N. to S. extends from 1 1° to 39°, being 28 degrees, 1960 miles. Eui'ope, the smallest of the ancient continents, is supposed to be about 3300 miles in its utmost length, and its greatest breadth 2350. New Holland, appears therefore, to be a quarter less than Europe. But the proximity of so many large islands recompenses this defect ; and the whole of Australasia Avill probably be found great- ly to exceed the European continent. It must at the same time be remembei'ed, that New Holland may be discovered to consist of two or more islands, so that Australasia is not admitted as anew continent., but merely as a new division of the globe ; in which view this and Polynesia may be termed maritime divisions, while the four ancient quarters are strictly terrene. Although the northern parts of Papua were probably not unknown to the Chinese, yet there is no evidence, that they had discovered New Holland ; there is therefore room to believe that the first civilized people to whom it was disclosed were the Spaniards or Portuguese, the earliest European navigators in this portion of the globe. An ancient map now lodged in the British museum has been thought to evince, that a considerable portion of the coast, now called New South Wales, was known to the Spaniards or Portuguese ; but the precise epoch of the map or discovery seems uncertain. The Portuguese being supplanted by the Dutch, the latter are regarded by the learned president Des Brosses, as the chief dis- coverers of Australasia, between the year 1616 and 16%4.* The first discovery he dates in the month of October 1616, when the western extremity was explored by Hartog. The northern part, called Diemen's Land, was disclosed by another Dutch navigator, named Zeachen, who bestowed the appellation in honor of Antony Van Diemen, governor general in the East Indies. In like man- ner Carpentaria was named from general Carpenter, being discoy- ered in 1628. In 1642, that celebrated navigator, Tasman, leaving Batavia with two ships, performed almost a circuit of Australasia, and dis- covered the southern land of Van Diemen^ with New Zealand, and * Des Brosses, i, WC, * 676 AUSTRALASIA. some isles of less consequence. It would be foreign to the pre- sent purpose to detail the other discoveries, \vhich preceded the voyages of Cook, in 1768, 1772, and 1776, which, from the super rior amplitude and accuracy of the details, may be said to amount to a new discovery. The eastern coast having been carefully examined by Cook, and justly appearing of great importance, was formally taken posses- sion of in the name of the king of Great Britain, 1770. On the close of the American war, it being difficult to select a proper place of ti'ansportation for criminals sentenced to that punishment by the laws of their country, this new territory was at length pre- ferred, in 1786, and the first ship sailed from Spithead on the 30th January 1787, and arrived on the 20th of the same month in the following year.* Botany Bay being found to be a station of infe- rior advantages to what were expected, and no spot appearing proper for the colony, it was immediately resolved by Governor Phillip to transfer it to another excellent inlet, about twelve miles farther to the north, called Port Jackson, on the south side of which, at a spot called Sidney Cove, this settlement is now fixed. Port Jackson is one of the noblest harbors in the world, extending about fourteen miles in length, with numerous creeks or coves. Difficulties with regard to subsistence and some unexpected misfortunes attended the new colony, the sheep being stolen, and the cattle wandered into the woods. For a minute account of the progress of this interesting colony till 1797, the reader may con- sult the work of Mr. Collins, who held an eiuinent situation in the establishment.t A space of about 50 miles around the colony had then been explored, and two rivers called Nepean and Hawksbu- ry, and some mountains, had been discovered. The cattle v/erc found grazing in a remote meadow, in 1795, after they had been lost for seven years, and had increased to a surprizing degree. The most I'ecent accounts seem to authenticate the flourishing state of the colony. The mode of cultivation has been improved, coal and rock salt discovored ; and there is room to expect that this wide territory will not be found deficient in the usual riches of nature. Division.'] The name of Cumberland county is given by the government to the settlement at Sidney Cove. It is about 50 miles in length, and 30 in breadth ; bounded W. by Caermar- then and Lansdown Hills ; N. by Broken Bay, and S. and S. W. by Botany Bay. The chief place of settlement, is at Sidney Cove, near the centre, where a town has been regularly laid out, and built. The principal streets are 200 feet wide. • The climate is said to be equal to the finest in Europe. I7ihabitants.~\ These historical outlines being premised, it will be proper to offer a brief and indeed necessarily defective descrip- tion of this new continent, as it is conceived to be in its original state. From the accounts of various navigators, there is room to infer that this extensive tract is peopled by three or four races oi * Cdllins, i. p. ii. t For later information, the reade/ is referred to Peron's vCjage to Australasia. AUSTRALASIA. 677 men, those observed in the S. W. being desbribed as different from those in the N.* and both from those in the E. with whom alone we are intimately acquainted. These are perhaps in the most early stage of society which has yet been discovered in any part of the globe. They are merely divided into families, the se- nior being styled Be-ana, or Father. Each family or tribe has a particular place of residence, and is distinguished by adding jr«/ to the name of the place ; thus the southern shore of Botany Bay is called Gwea, and the tribe there Gwea-gal. Another tribe nume- rous and muscular, has the singular prerogative of exacting a tooth from young men of other families, the sole token of govern- ment or subordination. No religion whatever is known, though they have a faint idea of a future existence, and think their peo- ple return to the clouds, whence they originally fell. They are of a low stature, and ill made ; the arms, legs, and thighs, being remarkably thin, perhaps owing to their poor living on fish, the only food of those on the coast, while a few in the woods subsist on such animals as they can catch, and climb trees for honey, fly- ing squirrels, and opossums. f The features of the women are not unpleasant, though approaching to the negro. The black bushy beai'ds of the men, and the bone or reed, Avhich they thrust through the cartilage of the nose, gives them a disgusting appear- ance : which is not improved by the practice of rubbing fish oil into their skins, as a protection from the air and moskitos, so that in hot weather the stench is intolerable. They color their faces with white or red clay. The women are marked with the loss of the two first joints of the little finger of the left hand, as they were supposed to be in the way when they coiled their fishing lines. |: It is however not improbable that this practice, and the extraction of a tooth from the boys, may be meie initiations, rude lessons that they may learn to bear pain with apathy. The children are sel- dom disfigured, except by accidents from fire ; and their sight is surprisingly acute. Some are nearly as black as Afi'ican negroes, while others exhibit a copper or Malay color, but the hair is long, not woolly like the African. Their noses are flat, nostrils wide, sunk eyes, thick brows and lips, with a mouth of prodigious width, but the teeth white and even. « Many had very prominent jaws ; and there was one man who, but for the gift of speech, might very well have passed for an ourang outang. He was remarkably hairy ; his arms appeared of an uncommon length ; in his gait he was not perfectly upright ; and in his whole manner seemed to have more of the brute, and less of the human species about him, than any of his countrymen."§ * Yet the description of Dampier, who visited this part in 1688. presents a g:reat similarity with that of the natives in the colony near Port Jackson. (Vol. i. p. 462.) t Collins, i. 550. T Patterson, in his travels in Africa, tells us that he met with a tribe of Hottentots, near Orange River, all of whom had lost the first joint of their little finger : the reason they gave for cutting it off was, that it was a cure for a particular sickness to which ihey were subject when young. It would be a curious coincidence, should it be dis- covered that the natives of New-HoUand do it for any similar reason. $ Collins, i. 654. 678 AUSTRALASIA. The huts ave most rudely constructed of the bark of trees, in the form of an oven, the fire being at the entrance. Here they sleep promiscuously, if not interrupted by their frequent enmities and assassinations. Fish are killed with a kind of prong, or taken by the women, with lines of bark and hooks of the mother of pearl oyster, rubbed on a stone, till the proper form be obtained. The fish are often broiled on a fire laid on sand in the canoe. Beasts are taken in a kind of toils. Caterpillars and worms are likewise articles of food. The canoes are made of bark, extended on a timber frame. These poor savages are the abject slaves of superstition, believ- ing in magic and witchcraft and ghosts ; they have also spells against thunder and lightning, and pretend to foretell events by the meteors called falling stars. They have not only personal property in their weapons and fishing tackle, but some are sup- posed hereditary proprietors of certain spots, perhaps assigned as rewards for public services, ar acts of great bravery. They have names for the sun and rsoon, some few stars, the Magellanic clouds, and the milky way. Young people are buried, but those who have passed the middle age are burnt ; a rude tumulus being erected by way of tomb. Language.'] Of the language Mr. Collins has given an ample vocabulary, and it is reported to be grateful to the ear, expressive and sonorous, having no analogy with any other known language ; but ihe dialects of the various regions seem entirely different. Whether these people be remains of aboriginal tribes from the most southern extremities of Asia, or have passed from Madagas- car and the eastern shores of Africa, are matters of future discov- ery and investigation. Climate and Seasons.'] From its situation, on the southern side of the equator, the seasons are like those of the southern part of Africa and America, the reverse of those in Europe ; the sum- mer corresponding with our winter, and the spring with autumn. Mr. Collins found the weather in December very hot, but the cli- mate was allowed to be fine and salubrious. The rains were heavy, appearing to fall chiefly about the full and change of the moon ; and at intervals there were storms of thunder and light- ning. In Norfolk island there is what may be called a rainy sea- son, from February to August. As the south is in this hemis- phere the region of cold, there must be great difference in the temperature of this wide continent ; which may also be affected as usual by chains of mountains, and other circumstances yet un- discovered. I'^acc of the Country.] It would be idle to attempt any delinea- tion of the general aspect of this country. The small portion known seems hilly, but not mountainous, partly covered with tall trees clear from underwood ; which last however covers exten- sive tracts towards the shores, in which large swamps also occur.* The soil around Botany Bay is black and fat, and fertile * Pennant's Outlines, iv. 108 ; but tliis excellent uatui-alist seenjs prejudiced against the country and the colony. AUSTRALASIA. 679 of plants, whence the name arose ; but tliese favorable appear- ances were counteracted by geat disadvantages ; it is to be hoped that when experience has indicated the proper means, this may- be rendered a productive country. liiversy Lakes^ and Mountains.'] Concerning the rivers, lakes, and mountains of New Holland there is little information. Ne- pean river in New South Wales, is 34 miles S. W. of Port Hunter, and 46 from the town of Paramatta. The Paramatta river passes the town of this name, which is the residence of the missionary, and is a flourishing place. A chain of mountains is said to run N. and S. between fifty and 60 miles inland, but not easily accessi- ble on account of numerous deep ravines. Basaltic columns often appear ; and in Howe island they rise to such a height as to be visible at the distance of twelve leagues. Zoology.'] This wide country presents a peculiarity in the ani- mals, being mostly of the opossum kind, and leaping habitually upon the hind legs : the chief in size is the Kangooroo. The native dogs are of the chacal kind, and never bark ; they are of two colors, black or white with tinges of red, and some are very handsome.* Among the few other quadrupeds yet described are weazels and ant-eaters, with that singular animal the duck-billed platypus, in which nature seems to delight in transgressing her usual law, the jaws of a quadruped being elongated into the com- plete bill of a bird. Among the birds are the brown eagle, sevex'^ zX falcons, and many elegant parrots ; there are also bustards and partridges, with some pigeons. A new kind of cassowaiy must not be omitted, said to be seven feet in length :t it is not uncom- mon, and th6 flesh tastes like beef. A.mong the aquatic birds are the heron, and gigantic pelicans. There are also peculiar ducks and geese ; and the black swan is a rare progeny of the new con- tinent. " It is in size superior to the white. The bill is of a rich scarlet ; near the tip is a small yellow spot. The whole plumage of the most intense black, except the primaries and secondaries, which are white, the eyes black, the feet dusky : it is found in Hawksbury river, and other fresh waters near Broken Bay, and has all the graceful actions of the white kind."| The tortoises, called green turtle, appear on the coast of New- Holland. There are several lizards and serpents. Of the fish may be named dolphins, porpoises, and a singular amphibious kind which leaps like a frog, by the help of strong breast fins ; so that nature has not only here blended the bird with the quadruped, but brought fish upon land. The blue crab, of an ultramarine color is of exquisite beauty. Mineralogij.] As the interior mountains of this region have not been explored, little can be said concerning the mineralogy. In 1797 a ship from Bengal being wrecked on the southern shore, of seventeen men only three reached the settlement, after a journey of eighty days : on their way they discovered immense strata of coal, Avhich may prove far more valuable than mines of gold.§ * Collins, i, 567. f Pennajit, iv. 12". = lb. 1.30. § Collins, i, 617, 680 AUSTRALASIA. Islands.'] A/oi'folk Island lies in S. lat. 29 4, E. Ion. 168 12 ; at the distance of 1000 miles N. E. Port Jackson, containing 1 1,000 acres of an excellent soil ; it is seven leagues in circumference, discovered by Capt. Cook, in 1774, w^ho observed the flax plant luxuriant here ; but the chief produce is spruce pine, which grows to a large size, many of the trees as thick as two men could fath- om, very straight and tall. For about 200 yards from ihe shore, the ground is covered so thick with shrubs and plants, as hardly to be penetrated farther inland. The woods are perfectly clear and free from underwood, and the soil is deep. The island is very hilly. The highest peak, named Mount Pitt, is 1200 feet high. The clifts round the coast are 240 feet perpendicular. In Febru- ary, 1788, twenty six persons from the New Holland colony took possession of this island, which was inhabited, with a view to cul- tivate maize, wheat, and particularly the flax plant, which has since been discovered at Sidney. The settlement was formed on Sidney bay, on the S. side of the island. This settlement, for want of a harbor, was removed to Port Dalrymplc, in 1805. Green turtle abound on the shores of this, and of Howe island. JVe/iean Island, is opposite Port Hunter, on the S. coast of Nor- folk Island. It is a mass of sand, surrounded by a border of hard rocks. The surface is covered with coarse grass, and upwards of 200 fine pines are growing on it. Middleton's Island, was discovered by Shortland, appeared about six leagues long ; the land very high, with a remarkable peak, Ion. 159 5 E. lat. 28 10 S. II. PAPUA, OR NEW GUINEA. THIS country is one of the most interesting in Australasia, as partaking of the opulence of the Moluccas, and their singular varieties of plants and animals. The land of Papua is said to have been first discovered by Saavedra, a Spanish captain, in 1528, who had sailed from Mexico by the command of Cortez, to explore the Spice Islands from that quarter.* Other Spaiiish navigators en- larged this discovery ; and the strait between this country and New Holland was explored by Cook, while the learned President Des Brosses, and even Bougainville, the French circumnavigator, had doubted whether such a passage existed.f This extensive country is still far from being completely investigated, but is con- ceived to be a vast island, extending from a cape, absurdly styled of Good Hope, but more properly White Point, in the N. W. proba- bly to Cape Rodney in the S. E. a length of more than 1200 miles, by a medial breadth of perhaps 300, and thus far superior ia size to Borneo, formerly x-eputed the largest of islands. • Des Brosses, i. 159. t Introduction to Cook's last voyage (hy Bishop Douglas, p. xvi ) The reader who wishes for more pai-ticular details concerning liie progress of discoveries in the Pacific may be referred to the work of Des Brosses, often quoted ; and to Mr. Dalrymple s collection of voyages in the Pacific, \7~Q, 4io. Tlie learned French publication was translated by J6hn Callander, Edin. 1766, S vols 8to, who seems disposed to pass it as an original, under the title of Terra A^istralis Cog-nitn. AUSTRALASIA. 681 Original Foundation.'] On this extensive territory, in a situation so highly favored by nature, and probably enriched with the choic- est productions, there is no European settlement. The inhabi- tants of the northern part are called Papous, whence the name of the country. The traditions bear that they are brethren of the Moluccans, and the language seems to have no affinity with that of New South Wales, but is probably connected with that of Bor- neo, &c. on the west, and that of New Britain and the isles on the other side, being part of the wide Malay diffusion. The inhabi- tants are black, and even said to have the woolly hair of negroes ; but this last circumstance will pi'obably be discovered, as in New Holland, to proceed from art, and in some parts it would seem that the inhabitants have the true Malay complexion and features. In the interior is a race called Haraforas, who live in trees, which ihey ascend by a notched pole, drawing it after them to prevent .surprise. The appearance of the Papuans and their habitations is grotesque, the latter being built on stages in the water ; in which they resemble the Borneans and other nations in the Asiatic isles. The women seem the most industrious in making mats, and pots of clay which they afterwards burn v/ith dry grass, or brush wood ; nay they will even wield the axe, while the men are indolent, or preparing for the chace of wild hogs.* " The aspect of these people is frightful and hideous ; the men are stout in body, their skin of a shining black, rough and oftea disfigured with marks like those occasioned by the leprosy ; their eyes are very large, their noses flat, mouth from ear to ear, their lips amazingly thick, especially the upper lip ; their hair woolly, either a shining black or fiery red. It is dressed in a vast bush, so as to resemble a mop ; they sometimes ornament their hair with feathers of the birds of Paradise ; others add to their deformity by boring their noses, and passing through them rings, pieces of bone, or sticks ; and many by way of ornament, hang round their necks the tusks of boars. The heads of the women are of less size than those of the men, and in their left ear they wear small brass rings." The religious tenets of the Papuans have been little examined. They make tombs of the rude coral rock, sometimes with sculp- tures. The chief commerce is with the Chinese, from whom they purchase their instruments and utensils. Their returnS are am- bergris, tortoise-shell, small pearls, birds of paradise, and other birds, which the Papuans dry with great skill. Some slaves are also exported, probably captives taken in intestine wars. The coasts of Papua are generally lofty, and, inland, mountain rises above mountain, richly clothed with woods. The shores abound with cocoa trees, and the whole country seems to have impressed every navigator with delight, and well deserves more cultivated and industrious inhabitants. But by a singular fatality many extensive and beautiful portions of the globe are thinly in- habited by a few savages, while cold and barren provinces are the crowded seats of civilized nations. * Forrest's voyage to New Guraea. Pennant's Outlines, iv. 208. VOr.. II. 86 68^ AUSTRALASIA. The natural history of this country is little kno^vn, but the zool- ogy is striking and romantic. Papua is the chosen residence of the splendid and singular birds of paradise, of which ten or twelve sorts are enumerated by Mr, Pennant. They seem to be chiefly caught in the adjacent isles of Arroo, being supposed to breed i-i Papua, and reside there during the Avet monsoon ; while during the dry, or western, they i-etire to Arroo, migrating in flocks of thirty or forty. During their flight they cry like starlings, but when surprised witli a strong gale they croak like ravens, and as- cend to the superior regions of the air. They alight on the high- est trees, seeming to feed on berries, and according to some on nutmegs and butterflies : and are either shot with blunt arrows, or caught with birdlime, or nooses. The bowels and breast bone being extracted, they are dried with smoke and sulphur, sold for nails or bits of iron, and exported to Banda. Papua also boasts of elegant parrots ; while the crowned, or gigantic pigeon almost e- quals a turkey in size. Captain Forrest, to whom we are indebted for an interesting voyage in these seas, only visited the harbor of Dory in the north- ern part of Papua, so that our knowledge of this large island re- mains extremely imperfect. He observed, at a considerable dis- tance, the mountauis of Arfac of a remarkable height. Near the harbor of Dory he found in some little isles abundance of nutmeg trees, and there is room to infer that the land of Papua is not des- titute of the same productions, and may perhaps also boast of cloves. Some of tlie small adjacent islands are better knoAvn than the main land of Papua. At the N. W. extremity the chief isles arc Waijoo, and Salwatti ; besides several smaller ones. Farther to the S. are the Papuan islands of Arroo and Timor- laut. Waijoo, or Wadjoo, is an isle of considerable size, and is said to contain 100,000 inhabitants. The land is high with lofty moun- tains, and on the north side are two excellent harbors, Piapis and Off"ak.* Salwatti is also a populous island, governed by a raja. The people of these two large islands resemble those of the main land of Papua, being a singular race of horrible appearance, and great ferocity. They live on fish, or turtle, and sago, that tree abound- ing in Papua, but the substance is chiefly prepared by the people of Waijoo. Timorlaut is another Papuan island of considerable size, but of which there is no particular account. The Arroo islands appear, in Arrowsmith's cliart, divided into five by intervening straits, and, as already mentioned, are the remarkable seats of the birds of pa- radise. The chief product is sago; and the people make expedi- tions to the main-land, where they seize captives and sell them at Banda. In political geography the Arroo isles have been consid- ered, since 1623, as belonging to the Dutch East India Company, and subservient to those of Banda. t • See Fon-est's Voyaj^ anil the Chart. t ^^ TBrosses, i. 443. AUSTRALASIA. 683 On the N. of the main land of Papua are the isles of Mysory and Jobi, with several others of smaller consequence ; nor indeed are the discoveries sufficiently complete to trace with precision the northern shores of Papua, or the isles adjacent. III. NEW BRITAIN, AND NEW IRELAND, WITH THE SOLOMON AND navigators' ISLES. New Britain Avas first explored and named by Dampier, that navigator having passed a strait, to which his name is given, be- tween this country and Papua. In 1767 Captain Carteret passed through a channel between New Britain and New Ireland, which last is a long slip of land stretching from N. W. to S. E. ; and it is also probable that New Britain may be found to be divided into two or more islands. In these parts the nutmeg tree is found abundant, being perhaps the most remote region towards the east, of that valuable plant. Dampier visited a bay in New Britain, called Port Montague, A. D. 1700, and found the land mountainous and woody, but interspersed with fertile vales and beautiful streams. The country seemed very populous, the natives resem- bling those of Papua, and navigating their canoes with great skill. The chief product seemed to be cocoa nuts, but there were yams, and other roots, particularly ginger ; and the sea and rivers swarm- ed with fish. Inlhe main land, and adjacent isles, there are several volcanoes. I7ihubitants.'\ Captain Carteret found the natives of New Ire- land very hostile, having lances headed with flint. Their faces wei*e streaked with white, and their hair dabbed with powder of the same color. They are black, and said to be woolly headed, but without the thick lips or flat nose of the negro. Some of the canoes of New Ireland were ninety feet in length, formed out of a single tree. Bougainville also visited this country, and observ- ed here the pepper plant, while, among the numerous birds, was the great crowned pigeon. A more ample description is unnecessary, as these countries are far from being completely discovered. The same observation must be extended to what are called the Solomon Islands, which appear to have been discovered by Mendana, who sailed from Li- ma to the westward in 1575. The Solomon islands, as laid down in Mr. Arrowsmith's chart of the Pacific, may be considered as a large group, extending iVom Lord Anson's isle, or the Bouka of Bougainvil!e,.in the N. W. to the isle called Egmont by Carteret in the S. E. Some of the islands, towards the centre, seem of considerable size, partic- ularly in length. If these be the Solomon Isles of the Spaniards, it is asserted that they are rich in gold. Some of the natives were of a copper color, others of a deep black, with a wrapper of linen around the waist, while the neck was ornamented with little beads of gold. The canoes were small, two being common- 684 AUSTRALASIA. ly fastened together. In baskets of palm leaves they carry a kind of bread made of roots.* A''avigators Islands^ are a clust-rr of islands in the S. Pacific Ocean. The inhabitants are asti'ong and handsome race : scarcely a man of them is less than 6 feet high, and well proportioned. The women are delicately beautiful ; their canoes, houses, &c. well constructed ; and they are much more advanced in internal policy, than any other island in this ocean ; Ion. 169. W. lat. 14 19 S.f These islands are the land of the Arsacides of Bougain- ville. IV. NEW CALEDONIA, AND THE NEW HEBUDES. THESE regions were discovered by Captain Cook in 1774 ; but Bougainville in 1768 had sailed through the New Hebudes ; and the most northern is supposed to be the land of the Holy Ghost ol Quiros. New Caledonia is a large island, the southern part of which in particular has been little explored. The natives are said to be a muscular race, of a deep brown complexion, resembling those of New Zealand. The north western part of this large island was explored by Cap- tain Cook, who says that this district was called Balade. The name of Tee, which in the Society isles implies a guardian spirit, seems here to denote a chief. The women are more chaste than in the other isles of the Pacific. The houses are neat, some having carved door posts, and they rise in the form of a bee hive, warm but full of smoke. The dress is a slight wrapper ; and the hair which is frizzled, not woolly, is ornamented with a comb, while the beard is worn short. They subsist on roots and fish, the couritry being very barren and rocky. In New Caledonia Dr. Forster found lai'ge rocks of quartz, with layers of gold colored mica, blended with serpentine, hornblende, talc, and garnets. The bread fruit and cocoa nut are scarce ; but many new plants were observed. Among the New Hebudes Captain Cook has given the most particular account of Mallicollo in the north, and Tanna in the south. Dr. Forster thought that the people of the former, who are ugly and diminutive, had a language difTerent from any they met with io the voyage. In Tanna there is a remarkable volcano, with some hot springs. Here are found plantains, sugar canes, yams, and several kinds of fruit trees. The natives rather resem- ble those of New Holland than the Friendly Islanders, and arc particularly dexterous in the use of the spear. V. NEW ZEALAND. THIS country was first discovered by Tasman in 1642, but he did not land. '1 he natives however came on board, and some intercourse took place, during which seven of the Dutch, who had "• Des BrosECo, i. 259. f Peyrouse. AUSTRALASIA. 685 gone ashore unarmed, were cruelly slaughtered. The people %vere described to be of a coior between brown and yellow, with lone^ black Iiair resembling the Japanese. Our great navigator Cook explored these regions in 1770, and discovered a strait which divides the country into two large islands. The southern was supposed to be called by the natives Tavia Poe- ramoo, and the northern Eaheianowmawe, names which equal the Russian in length, and which might well be contracted. The first is not less than 600 miles in length, by about 150 in medial breadth ; and the second is little inferior in size. One of these islands appears to be far more fertile than the other ; but both enjoy a temperate climate, similar to that of France. The natives were again observed to be of a brown com- plt,xion, little deeper than the Spanish, and some are even fair. They equal the tallest Europeans in stature ; and their features are commonly regular and pleasing. It is singular to observe such a diversity between them and the natives of New Holland, when theory would expect to find them the same race of men. So far as present discoveries extend, the natives of New Holland and Papua seem to display an African origin ; while most of the other islands in the Pacific appear to have been peopled from Asia. Manners and Cic&toms.^ The New Zealanders inter their dead ; they also believe that the third day after the interment the heart separates itself from the corpse, and is carried to the clouds by an attendant spirit. Suicide is very common among the New Zealanders, and this they often commit by hanging themselves on the slightest occa- sions ; thus a woman who has been beaten by her husband will pei'haps hang herself immediately. They have no other division of time than the revolution of the •moon, until the number amounts to one hundred, which they term " Ta-iee E-tow," that is one Etow, or hundred moons ; and it is »hus they count their age, and calculate all other events. Captain Cook's last voyage contains considerable information relative to the southern isle, from which a few brief hints may be added, as this region only yields to Papua in size and consequence. Storms were found to be not only frequent but violent, and ofteii changed in their direction by the height of the mountains, which at these times are always loaded with vapours. The natives have no ?norai, or place of worship ; but the priests alone address the gods for prosperity. The enormous lizards described by the natives are probably al- ligators. The bases of the mountains seem to be sand stone ; and the soil resembles yellow marl ; even the hills are covered with trees of the most lofty luxuriance, seeming to retain their foliage till expelled by the succeeduig leaves in spring ; for in June, which corresponds to our December, the verdure was complete. The flax of New Zealand has excited particular attention, being of a beautiful silky appearance, and the plant remarkably tall. The culture has been attempted both in France and England with- cut success ; perhaps from some remarkable difiercnce in soil, or QSd AUSTRALASIA. the entire reversion of seasons. The birds seem to be often pe- culiar in species and color ; and it is not a little remarkable that, in this extensive land, no quadruped was observed, except a few rats, and a kind of fox dog, which is a domestic animal with the natives. The general dress is an oblong garment made by knotting the silky flax ; and the ears are ornamented with bits of jad or bads, the face being often besmeared with a red paint, seemingly iron ochre mingled with grease. The habitations are far superior to those in New Holland ; and the boats are Avell built of planks, raised upon each other, and fastened with strong withes. Some are fifty feet long, and so broad as to be able to sail without an out- rigger, but the smaller sort commonly have one, and they often fasten two together by rafters. The large canoes will carry thirty men or more ; and have often a head ingeniously carved. They bake their fish in a rude oven ; and the use of bread is supplied by a kind of fern, which yields a gelatinous substance like sago. They ai*e ingenious mechanics with their rude tools, which are mostly of green jad. Their weapons are spears and javelins, with the pa-too, a kind of club or rude battle-axe ; and in combat they distort their features like demons. The yet warm bodies of their enemies are cut in pieces, broiled, and devoured with peculiar satisfaction.* The warlike actions of their ancestors are preserv- ed in traditional songs, which are frequently sung, and accompa- nied with their rude flute. Mount Edgecumbe is a prodigious high peak, on the W. side of the entrance of Cook's strait in New Zealand. VI. VAN DIEMEN S LAND. THIS is the last great division yet discovered of the wide expanse of Australasia. The name was imposed by that eminent Dutch navigator Taeman, as already mentioned, in honor of the Dutch governor-general in the East Indies.f It has been recently discovered to be an island, in the form of an oblong square, about 160 miles in length by half that breadth, being divided from New Holland by a strait, or rather channel, more than thirty leagues ■wide, which in recent maps is called Bass's strait, and contains a chain of small islands running N. and S. During his last voyage, Captain Cook, in January 1777, visited Diemen's land for supplies of wood and water, and grass for the animals on board. They were met by some of the natives, who were entirely naked ; of a common stature, but rather slender, the skin being black, and the hair as woolly as that of any native of Guinea, but their lineaments were more pleasing than those of African negroes. The hair and * Cook, ib. i. 162. t Tlicre is another Van Diemen's Land, a northern cape of New Holland. Such duplicate names are injurious to i.iie study of geography, ami ought to be fornrjally ab- rogatcil, if a ''nard of Nonicniliiture, so nmcli wanted, were instituted. The stiuthern Van Dicii-ien's Land, on one of the isles of New Zealand, should be called Tasmania, in honor cf the discoverer. POLYNESIA. 6.8r beards, and of some the faces, were smeared with red ointment. They seem to prefer birds to all other food. The land is chiefly of a good height, diversified with hills and valleys, and every ■where of a greenish hue, being well wooded and watered. The Fluted Cape appears to be composed of a very fine white sand- stone, which in many places bounds the shore, and the soil is ei- ther sandy, or consists of a yellowish mould, and in some places of a reddish clay. The forest trees seem to be all of one kind, growing quite straight to a great height, and may be well adapted for masts. The only quadrupeds discovered were opossums and kangoorooS ; and the birds cannot differ much from those of New Holland, to which there is as it were a passage by intermediate isles. The hovels resemble those of New Holland ; but some- times large trees are hollowed out by fire to the height of six or seven feet, so as to form a rude habitation. Dusky Bay is a bay on the S. W. coast of New Zealand. It is between three and four miles broad at the entrance, and seems to be as deep as broad, affording a very good shelter for vessels. The land behind consists wholly of mountains, totally barren and rocky ; but the land bordering on the sea coast is thickly covered with wood. Dusky bay abounds with fish ; and there is also a great plenty of ducks. The most mischievous animals are the small black sand flies, which are very numerous. The inhabitants of this bay belong to the same race of people with those in the other parts of this country. They live a wandering life, and seem not to live in amity with one another.* POLYNESIA. THE boundaries of this extensive divisioft of the globe have already been briefly mentioned in the introduction to the Asi- atic Islands. A line passing due north, in the meridian of Ion. 130 E. from Greenwich, will leave the Philippine Islands in the oriental archipelago, divided by a wide sea from the Pelew Isles, the most western group of Polynesia, though a few small detached isles appear to the S. W. About 20 N. lat. the line of demarka- tion bends N. E. so as to include the isle of Todos los Sa7itos, and that called Rica de Plata, thence proceeding E. so as to include the Sandwich Islands, and pass S. about Ion. 122 W. till it reach the southern lat. of 50, Avhere it tui'ns to the west, and joins the boundary of Australasia. It is probable that future navigations may greatly improve and enlarge the geography of Polynesia, by the discovery of new groups, and the more accurate arrangement of those already known. At present the following appear to be the chief subdi- visions : '' Hawksworth. 688 POLYNESIA. 1. The Pelew Isles. 2. The Ladrcnes, a chain extending in a northerly direction, the small islands in the Pacific seeming to be mostly the summits of ranges or groups of mountains. 3. The Carolines, a long range from E. to W. so as perhaps, in strictness, to include the Pelews. 4. The Sandwich Isles. 5. The Marquesas. 6. The Society Isles, so named in honor of the Royal Society. 7. The Friendly Isles. There are, besides, many isles scattered in different directions, Avhich it would be Jifficuit to connect with any gro\ip, and indeed none of them, yet discovered, appears to be of any consequence. I. THE PELEW ISLES. THIS group lying between Ion. 130 and 136 E. and lat. 5 and 9 N. recently attracted considerable attention, from an ingenious and pleasing account of them, drawn up by Mr. Keate, from the papers of captain Wilson, who suffered shipwreck on these islands in 1783. The narrative is doubtless heightened by Mr. Keate's imagination, but the people appear to be a most gentle and amia- ble race, the gay and innocent children of nature. It is a pecul- iarity, in the oriental archipelago, that the small isles are the chief seats of comparative civilization, by the concentration of soci- ety. To this circumstance may be added, that in large islands the natives split into distinct tribes, generally hostile to each other, whence the pleasurable passions almost expire in the constant succession of fear and rage, while in the small islands, there being no room for secession, the society becomes as it were one family. The Pelewans are a stout well made people, rather above the middle stature. Their complexions are of a far deeper color than what is understood by the copper hue, but not black, and their hair is long and flowing.* The men are entirely naked, while the women only wear two little aprons, or rather fringes, made of the husk of the cocoa nut. Both sexes are tatooed, and the teeth are dyedblack. Polygamy is allowed, and the dead arc interred. There seems no appearance of religion of any kind, though they have an idea that the soul survives the body. Mild, affable, and industrious, this little tribe, like the inhabitants of Otaheite, form an exception to the general rule of savage existence. The language is probably a dialect of the Malay, so widely diffused through these seas. The government is in the hands of a king, under whom there are rupahs^ or chiefs, who also constitute a kind of nobles. Tlie prop- erty of all the land is supposed to be vested in the sovereign ; while that of the people is only personal, as a canoe, weapons, or rude articles of furniture. Our domestic poultry arc here wild in the woods, and were neglected by the natives, till taught by the English that they were proper for food. 'Ihoir chief nourishment • Keate, . 31 8 POLYNESIA. 689 appears to be fish ; but they make a kind of sweetmeat from the sugar-cane, which seems indigenous. The chief drink is the milk of the cocoa nut. They commonly rise at daylight, and im- mediately go to bathe in fresh water. Their houses are raised on large stones, about three feet from the ground, being constructed of planks and bamboos, and the fire-place in the middle, sepured with hard rubbish. Tliere are large mansions for public meet- ings. The best knives are of mother of pearl, others of a large muscle shell, or split bamboo. They make oval vessels of coarse earthen ware. In general their articles resemble those of Ota- heite, and other isles in the South Sea. The Aveapons are spears, darts, and slings : and the canoes are formed of the trunk of a tree, neatly ornamented. These isles had scarcely been visited by any European till cap- tain Wilson landed at Oloolong. They are in general of a mod- erate height, well covered with wood ; and are circled on the west side by a reef of coral, from two to six leagues from the shore, and of great length. The ebony tree is found in the forests, and the bread fruit and cocoa tree seem to abound, with sugar- canes and bamboos. No kind of grain was seen, uor any quad- rupeds, except some rats in the woods, and three or four cats in the houses, probably drifted ashore from some wi'eck. Of birds, pigeorrs seem the most numerous : and^ the wild poultry have been already mentioned. II. THE LADRONES. • THIS appellation implies the Isles of Robbers, and ^tas given by that distinguished navigator Magalhaens, Avho first discovered these islands in 1521, the natives shewing great dispositions to pilfer, and much address in the execution of their designs. According to the Jesuit Gobien, who has published a particu- lar history ot the Ladrones, or Marian Islands,* the inhabitants, till the arrival of the Spaniards, regarded themselves as the only men in the world. When they vv-cre visited by the Spaniards and Dutch, they inferred that these strangers were brethren, who bad lost the primitive Guamese language. In color, speech, man- ners, and government, they considerably resemble the Tagals or people of the Philippines, before the Spanish conquest. These isles were then very populous, Guam, in 40 leagues of ciixuit, hav- ing 30,000 inhabitants. In the reign of Philip IV. of Spain these isles were also called the Marians, in honor of his queen, Mary of Austria. The largest is that of Guam, but Tinian has attracted more attention, from the romantic description in Anson's voyage. There is no doubt that mariners who harve been long at sea, and suffered many diseases and privations, will be infinitely delighted with any verdant landj and find beauties where none exist. Hence swb-icqucut navigators ■ I';ii-is, 1700. 12mo. VOL. u. 87 690 POLYNESIA. have been greatly disappointed in Tinian. Anson lound here abundance of wild cattle, of a white color, except the ears, which are generally black or brown. But they had probably been ini- ported by the Sptiniards, as a supply for the garrison at Guam. Here were also found oranges, limes, and cocoa nuts, with that cel- ebrated and remarkable tree which bears the bread fruit. The Ladrones are computed to be twelve or fourteen in num- ber ; but not above three 6r four are inhabited. Their vessels, called flying proas, have been esteemed singular specimens of naval architecture, and at a distant interval impressed Pigafetta and Anson with the ingenuity of the contrivance. The natural history of these islands is little known. It appears from the voy- age of La Perouse that some of them are volcanic. To the N. of the Ladrones are many small islands, extending to Todos Los Santos, lat. 30, those fartlier to the N. belonging to Japan. This group may either be arranged among the Ladrones, or might perhaps admit of a distinct appellation. The Golden and Silver Isles seem to be so styled from Japanese fables, and with a few other scattered isles on the N. of the Caro- lines, merit little attention. In these seas is the stupendous rock called Lot's Wife, rising in the form of a pyramid, and thus de- scribed by Mr. Meares in his voyage : " The latitude was 29 50 N. the longitude 143 23 E. of Greenwich. The waves broke against its rugged point, v/ith a fury proportioned to the immense distance they had to roll beforothey were interrupted by it. It rose almost perpendicular to the height of near 350 feet. A small black rock appeared just above the water, at about 40 or 50 yards from the western edge. TJicrc was a cavern on its south-eastern side, into which the waters rolled with an awful and tremendous noise. In regarding this stupendous rock, which stood alone in an immense ocean, we could n.ot but consider it as an object which had been able to resist one of those great convulsions of nature that change the very form ol those parts of the globe which they are permitted to desoiate." Liquor is an island in the western ocean, so named by the com- panions of Beneyowski, who landed here in 177!, in a most perish- ing condition, without water or provisions. They found excellent water, fowls, lish and hogs ; also cocoa, orange, and banana trees. It is a pleasant island. Beneyowski set up a cross here, with an inscription, lat. 34 47 N.* III. TUli CAROLINES. THIS is the largest group, or rather the most extensive range of islands in the Pacific ocean. This chain appears to have been first discovered by the Spaniards in 1686, and wr.s named from the Spanish monarch Charles 11. They arc about thirty in number, and very jjopulous, except three which were uninhabited. The natives resemble those of the Philippines, ar.d chielly live upon * Bciicvottiiki. POLYNESIA. 691 fish and cocon nuts : and it is probable that their language only differs in a few shades. According to the letters of the Jesuits, each isle was subject to its chief, but all respected a monarch, who resided at Lainurec. Thej- believe in certain celestial spirits, and think they descend to bathe in a sacred lake in Fallalo, but there are neither temples nor idols, nor any appearance of worship. The dead are some- times thrown into the sea, and at others interred, the grave being surrounded with a stone wall. It is said that those of Yap worship a kind of crocodile, and have their magicians. Polygamy is al- lowed, and the Tamul or chief of the large isle of Hogaleu had nine wives. Criminals are banished froin one isle to another.* They do not appear to have any instruments of music, but their dances are accompanied Avith songs. Their only weapons are lances, armed with bone. Even in this distant quarter of the globe negro slaves are not unknown : and in one or two of the islands the breed is said to be mingled, twenty-nine Spaniards having been left on one of these islands, who are supposed to have maPr ried and settled. The people of Ulea are reported to be more civilized than the rest, and appear much to resemble those of the Pelews. The most considerable of the Cai'olines is Hogoleu, about 90 miles in length by 40 in breadth. Next is Yap, in the western extremity of this chain, but not above a third part of that size. The Caroline islands have been little visited by receuit navigators ; but a few small groups have been discovered in their eastern ex» iremities, which may properly be classed in the same range. IV. THE SANDWICH ISLES. THESE islands appear to have been first discovered by the i^reat navigator Cook, and the island Owhyhee, the largest in the group, being about 280 miles in circumference, is unfortunately- distinguished as the place where this able commander was slain by the natives in February 1779. These islands were so named by Cook in gratitude to the earl of Sandwich, a minister who had warmly promoted his labors. The natives are rather of a darker complexion than those of Ota- heite, but the features are pleasing ; and the death of Cook was not owing to ferocity, but a sudden impulse of undeserved resent- ment. The hair is sometimes long, sometimes curled, c.s among Europeans : but the nose is always spread at the point, perhaps owing to the mode of salutation, in which they press their noses together. Captain King represents them as a mild and affection- ate people, free from the Otaheitan levity, and the proud gravity of those of the Friendly Isles, 'i'his ingenious people has even made some progress in agricultiM'c and manufactures ; yet they hlill sacrifice human victims, but do not e«t them like the people * D .'b 15ro3scs, ib -iSfi. 692 POLYNESIA. of New Zealand, at least so far as information could be obtained. The beard is generally worn ; and among the ornaments of both sexes is a kind of fan to drive away flies, made of the fibres of the cocoa nut, or of long feathers. Like the other nations of Polyne- sia, they tatoo their bodies ; and among females even the tip of the tongue. The dres's consists of a narrow piece of coarse cloth called the maro, prepared in the same manner as at Otaheite, ■which passes between the tegs and is fastened round the loins. In battle the men throw a kind of mats ovcv their shoulders, and this armor is neatly manufactured. On solemn occasions the chiefs wear dresses, artfully and beautifully formed of feathers. The women have only a slight wi'apper, and the hair is cut short be- hind, but turned up from their forehead. The food consists chief- ly of fish, to which are added yams, plantains, and sugar canes ; while people of rank feast on the wild boar, and sometimes the flesh of dogs. The government is in a supreme chief called Eree T-aboo, whose funeral is accompanied by the sacrifice of two or more servants. The inferior chiefs are styled Erees ; and there is a second class of proprietors, and a third of laborers, all these i*abk3 seeming to be hereditary. Though human sacrifices be licre more frequent, the other rites appear to correspond with those of the Society Islfinds, which shall be described in the ac- count of Otaheite. . Climate.'] The climate appears to be more temperate than that of the West Indies ; and in Owhyhce the mountams arrest the clovids, and produce rain inland, while there is sunshine on the shore. The winds seem generally easterly, and there is a regular land and sea breeze. Zoology.] The quadrupeds, as usual in Polynesia, are few ; ©nly hogs, dogs, and rats, being discovered. The kinds of birds are not numerous, being, among others, large white pigeons, plovers, owls, and a kind of raven. These islands produce abun- dance of the bread fruit, and sugar canes of amazing size. Upon the whole this discovery was important ; and Owhyhee is the largest island yet found in the wide extent of Polynesia. V. THE MARQUESAS. * THESE islands were discovered by Meiidana, who imposed the lianle in honor of Don Garcia dc Mendoza, marquis of Caniente, Ticeroy oi Peru, whence they are also sometimes styled the Isles of Mendoza. One of the best known to Europeans is the isle of Ohittihoo, to the S. of the larger Isle Ohevahoa. In 1774 the Marquesas were visited by captain Cook, and in 1789 by the French circumnavigator Marchand. The best recent account of them is that given in the Missionary Voyage, captain Wilson having visited the Marquesas in 1797. The natives are said to surpass all other nations in symmetry of shape, and regularity of features ; and were it not for the prac- tice of tatooing, which blackens the body by numerous puncture?. POLYNESIA. 693 the complexion -would be only tawny, wlule the hair is of many colors, but none red. Some of the Avomen are nearly as fair as Eu- ropeans, and among them tatooing is not so universal.* A long narrow piece of cloth was wrapt round the waist, the ends being tucked up between the thighs, while a broad piece of their cloth was thrown over the shoulder, reaching halfway down the leg. The religious ceremonies resemble those of Otaheite ; and they have a Moral in each district, where the dead are buried un-^ der a pavement of large stones. Their deities are numerous, and the chiefs seem to have little power, custom alone being fol- lowed, instead of laws. Like most uncivilized i^ations, they have no regular meals, but eat five or six times a day, or oftener. The women seem more subjected to the men, than at Otaheite. The canoes are made of wood, and the bark of a soft tvee, being com- monly from sixteen to twenty feet in length, the prow carved in rude resemblance of a human face. No quadrupeds were discovered except hogs, but there are tame poultry ; and the woods are filled with many beautiful birdsi In one of these isles an English missionary was left, in the benev- olent intention of discouraging mutual slaughter, and human sac- rifices. The largest isle of the Marquesas, Noabeva, is not above half the size of Otaheite : and in general the multitude of small isl- ands in these seas presents a won/ierful variety in the woi-ks of nature, the largest island yet discovered in Polynesia being O- whyhee, which is about 100 miles in length. VI. THE SOCIETY ISLES. THIS group has attracted more attention than any other in P6«- lynesia, and our admiration of Otaheite has excited some degree of ridicule on the continent. All the islands from longitude 160 west from Greenwich, to the eastern extremity of Polynesia, may be included under the gene- ral nam,e of Society Islands, a range which will thus even exceed the Carolines in number, amounting to sixty or seventy. Of these, Otaheite is still by far tlie most considerable in size, being about 120 miles in circumference. It consists of two peninsulas, joined by a neck of land, about three miles in breadth, the small-' est peninsula to the S. E. being about fifteen miles in length, by ten in breadth, while the large peninsula to the N. W. is almost circular, and about twenty-five miles in diameter : the whole length being thus about forty g. miles, or about forty-six British. From the map drawn by captain Cook, and republished with some im- provements in the Missionary Voyage, this island appears to con- sist of two mountains, a larger and a smaller, joined by the narrow ridge above mentioned ; and the habitations are entirely confined to the level coastn. This circumstance seems universal in Poly-; Misoinnary Voyage, London, ir?9. 4lo. p. 14?. 694 , POLYNESIA. nesia, as the nj.tivcs crowd to the shores for fish, their chiel' ali- ment ; and it is probable that, the original colonies having settled on the coasts, indolence has prevented them from visiting the in- land heigh' s. Nor is it improbable that even in the laige countries of Australasia a similar singularity may be observed, the scarcity of animal food probably compelling the natives chiefly to reside on the shores. Near the central summit of the large mountain of Otaheite, which in circumference, though not in height, resembles Etna, there is a curious lake of some extent : but no river appears, there being only rivulets, which spring from the skirts, and pursue a brief course of two or three miles to the ocean. Inhabit ant s.~\ The natural color of the inhabitants is olive, in- clining to copper. Men exposed to the sun become very dark ; but the women are only a shade or two deeper than an European brunette. They have fine black eyes, with white even teeth, soft skin, and elegant limbs ; while their hair is of a jetty black, per- fumed and ornamented with flowers.* But with ail these advan- tages they yield infinitely in beauty to the women of the Marque- sas, the face being widened from continual pressure from infancy, which by distending the mouth, and flattening the nose and fore- head, gives a broad masculine appearance. Hence it is evident that the Grecian and academical forms, given by artists void of real taste or precision, to the people of the Soiith Seas, in the prints that accompany the English and French voyages, are totally false and iroaginary. The chiefs are taller than the people, few being under six feet ; and as personal size and strength arc the chief distinctions in early society, it is probable that their ancestors were selected for these advantages, which have been continued by superior food and ease. The dress of both sexes is nearly the same, except that the men wear the viaro^ a narrow piece of cloth wrapped round the waist, and passing between the tliighs ; an oblong ])iece, cut in the mid- dle to admit the head, hangs down before and behind ; and anoth- er piece is wrapped round the middle, and a square mantle is thrown over all. Both sexes wear garlands of flowers and fea- thers ; and the women use a kind of bonnet made of cocoa leaves. Parturition is easy ; and the infant can swim as soon as it can walk. Their voice and speech are soft and harmonious ; and their di- alect is the Italian of the Pacific oeean. Their rude manufactures are truly wonderful, and evince the greatest ingenuity. Their dwellings arc about eighteen feet in length, with a few articles of furniture, such as trays, baskets, mats, and a large chest. Rcligion.~^ Their deities are numerous; each family haying its Tee, or guardian spirit, whom they worship at the Morai ; but they have a great god, or gods of a superior order, styled Fwha- now Po, or the progenv of night. These benevolent people cannot conceive a future punishment ; and regard the idea alone as the ut- inqst clTort of human malignity. But they admit the immortality * Miss. A'ovagCj '627. POLYNESIA. 695 of the soul, and degrees of future eminence and happiness, pro- portioned to its virtue and piety. The Tahouras, or priests, are numei'ous, and have great power ; but all the chiefs officiate on certain occasions. The human victims are commonly criminals, and are killed during sleep ; a curious instance of ferocious su- perstition, mingled with mildness of character. ZnologLj.'] The chief animals are hogs, as usual in all the isles of Polynesia, and they have also dogs and jroultry. The bread fruit tree abounds ; and large plantations are made of cocoa trees and plantains. The seas swarm with fish, and in catching them great ingenuity is displayed, the canoes having outriggers, or be- ing doubled, by lashing two together. Though the people of the Friendly Islands be superior in im- provem-cnls and government ; and the women of the Marquesas far superior in beauty ; yet the people in Otaheite are so polite and affable, and their manners so engaging, that, joined with the ro- mantic beauty of the country, the numerous streams, and the su- perabundance of spontaneous productions, this island is still pre- ferred to all others in Polynesia. It has already been mentioned that this island consists as it v,'erc of two mountains. These are encircled by a border of low land, from the beach to the rising of the hills, in some places near a mile in breadth, while in others the rocks impend over the sea. The soil of the low lands, and of the vales which intersect the ridge to- wards the ocean, is remarkably fertile, consisting of a rich black- ish mould. When the trade wind gets far to the south it rains on that side of the island ; but on the north the showers are less fre- tjuent and violent. In the latter the harvest of bread fruit begins about November, and continues till the end of January : while in the southern part it often begins in January and continues till No- vember, On ascending the hill.s, the soil changes from a rich loam into veins of clay, or marl, of various colors. Beneath is a soft sand stone, of a brownish color j and basalt also abounds, of a fine grain, of which they used to make their tools. The black volcanic glass, called obsidian, is said to be found in the rivers, and also pumices, sure indications that a volcano once existed. The large fresh water lake above mentioned may perhaps have been its crater. This lake is said to be fathomless ; but its chores are well peopled by an industrious race. The chief harbor of O- taheite appears to be Matavai, on the north side of the island j but there is another of similar note in the S. E. called Langaras. The next island in regard to size is Uiitea : and the others of this group, even taken in its utmost extent, are of far inferior di- mensions to Otaheite, nor has any striking singularity yet been observed which might claim attention in a general description. As an appendage to this article, some account may be added of Easter Island, a detached and remote region, which however, so far as the discoveries yet extend, seems rather to belong to Polv- nesia than to South America. This isle appears to have been firs; seen by Davis in 1GS6; and was afterwards visited by Cook and I.a Pcrousc. It is of a trjanguUr forni, tiic longest side bein:< 696 POLYNESIA. about twenty-five miles in length, and at one extremity there ap- pears to kave been a volcano. The inorais, or burial places, are of a remarkable structure ; being a kind of platform, in which are fixed shapeless and uncouth masses, rudely carved in imitation ot" busts, sometimes about fifteen feet in height. In these a red lava, very porous and light, is chiefly employed. There is scarcely a tall tree in Easter Isle, nor any brook, the water being retained in cavitres made in the rocks ; but the natives are very industrious, and plant paper-mulberries, and bananas, with I'egular fields of potatoes and yams. They have the same language and features with the other natives of Polynesia. Vll. THE FRIENDLY ISLES: THIS group extends chiefly from S. W. to N. E. including the Fecjee Isles, those called the Isles of Navigators, and several detached isles in a more northerly position. The name was im- posed by Captain Cook, in testimony of the disposition of the peo- ple ; but tliey had been discovered by Tasman in 1643, who called the chief isle, now styled by the native term Tongataboo, by the name of Amsterdam.* His account of the manners of the people corresponds with the more recent and precise information given by Captain Cook, and other late navigators. They are contrasted with those of Otaheite, as being of a more grave and regular be- havior; and the power of the chiefs is more despotic. A greater security of property has also superinduced moi'e ingenuity and in- dustry : but in general the manners and customs approach so nearly, that a farther account might appear repetition ; and the persons of the natives are likewise similar, though the chiefs seem inferior in stature. In the Missionary Voyage, 1797, there is an interesting map of Tongataboo, which thence appears to be a plain country, in an universal and surprising state of cultivation, the whole island con- sisting of inclosurcs, with reed fences about six feet high, inter- sected with innumerable roads. The whole is such a picture of industry, as to form a reproach to nations who call thembelves civ- ilized. The length of Tongataboo is only about sixteen miles, by about eight at its greatest breadth. On the north side there is a lagoon, with several isles, constituting a tolerable harbor. The commodities are, as usual, hogs, bread fruit, cocoa nuts, and yams. Though the people of the Friendly Isles be more free from Avars than those of the group before described, yet Tongataboo is often stained with human victims ; nor do their ideas of property pre- vent their stealing from strangers. Some missionaries were here left, who imparted some useful arts to the natives, but the rat.s were very destructive to the European plants. These, with hogs, dogs^ and guanos, consiituted the only quadrupeds, till cats were ieft in the voyage of 1797. The morais seem to be here called * Sec hii ucs.cfiiiiron um! prints in D;t!rvmple's Collection, vol. ii. p- ~ ■. POLYNESIA. 697 fialookas ; and are constructed in the form of terraces with high steps, the material being coral stone. To the N. W. are the Feejee isle*, which the English missiona- ries discovered to be now subject to Tongataboo. From the accounts of La Perouse it would appear that the isles discovered by Bougainville in 1768, and by him called the Islands. OF Navigators, are by far the most important in this large group. At Maouna, one of these islands, Captain De Langle, Lamanon the naturalist, and nine seamen w^re massacred by the inhabitants, the captain having unadvisedly given beads to a few of the chiefs, while he neglected the others. From the chart of La Perouse it appears that the largest of these islands, which he calls Pola, is about thirty-seven g. miles in length, by about half that breadth, being tnus inferior to Otaheite, though far surpassing Tongataboo, Next in gradual diminution of size, and in position from W. to E. are Oyolava, Maouna, and Opoun. If the accounts of La Perouse be not greatly exaggerated, the Islands of Navigators constitute the most important group yet discovered in southern Polynesia, in regard to fertility and population. At Maouna the frigates were surrounded with two hundred canoes, full of different kinds of provision, fowls, hogs, pigeons, or fruit. The women were very pretty and licentious ; and the men of remarkable stature, strength, and ferocity : so that they despised the comparatively diminutive size of the French. The villages are delightfully sit- uated in the midst of spontaneous orchards, and the huts neatly erected, with rude colonades, and covered with leaves of the cocoa palm. Hogs, dogs, and fowls abotuided ; with the bread fruit tree, the cocoa nut, the banana, the guava, and the orange. Iron and cloth v/ere despised, and beads alone acceptable. According to La Perouse the island of Oyolova is at least equal to Otaheite, in beauty, extent, fertility, and population ; and he supposes that this isle, with the larger isle of Pola, and that of Ma- ouna, contain 400,000 inhabitants.* Such is the abundance of provisions, that at Maouna 500 hogs, and an immense quantity of fruit were procured in 24 hours. The natives of Oyolava are also of great stature ; and hei"e was observed the largest village in all Polynesia, smoking like a city, while the sea was covered with ca- noes. Though the people be remarkable for a ferocity of char- acter, scarcely to be observed in any other part of Polynesia, they are still industrious and ingenious, polishing their wooden works very highly, with tools made of basalt. They have not only the bark cloth, but a kind composed of real thread, probably from flax, resembling that of New Zealand. Their speech was vmdersiood by a native of the Philippines, being derived from the Malay, a language diffused through all the scattered isles of Polynesia. The Islands of Navigators are covered with fruit trees of vari- « • La Perouse, 414. So Cook over-rated the people cf Otaheite, now asce»tained to be only I6,u50. Miss. Voy. i'orster, Obs. 'il9. sagely argues iliai Otaheiie con- tains at least 1 60,OHO. In like manner La Perouse's 400,000 nray probably be 40,000, It is probable that there are not .S00,000 souls in a!l Au^Cralsnia ju! being gathered while yet unripe, and roasted in the ashes, is a most ■wholesome nourishment, ^and in taste resembles new Avheaten bread : for eight successive months every year does this tree con- tinue to furnish fruit in such abundance, that three of them are amply sufficient for the support of one man ; nor is this the whole of its value, the inner bark is manfactured into cloth, the wood is excellent for the construction of huts and canoes, the leaves serve instead of napkins, and of its milky glutinous juice a tenacious cement and birdlime is prepared. Of almost equal importance with the breadfruit, and even more generally diffused through the islands, are the plantain and cocoa nut trees. The sweet orange is found sparingly in the New Hebudes, and the fan palm is met with on the movmtains of the Friendly Isles. The sugar-cane, the paper mulberry, and figs, are inhabitants of all the larger and rocky isles ; and the piper methysticum, from which is prepared tl^c in- toxicating a va or kava, is unhappily but too frequent. AFRICA AFRICA is, in size, the third of the four great quarters of the globe ; being less than America or Asia, and larg.er than Eu- rope. It lies between lat. 37 18 N. and 34 50 S. ; and between Ion. 17 33 W. and 51 E. Its length, from cape L'Jguillas^ its southern extremity, to cape Serra^ its northern, is 4990 miles. Its greatest breadth from cape Verdt to cape Guardefan^ is 4600. Its bi'eadth, on the N. shore is 2300 , from the head of the gulf of Guinea, to the coast of Adel 2800, from Angola to the coast of Zanguebar, 1950 ; and on the southern coast about 700. On the N. lies the Mediterranean ; on the E. the isthmus of Suez, the Red Sea, and the Indian ocean ; on the S. the southern ocean, and the gulf of Guinea j and on the W. and N. W. the At- lantic. The religion of Mahomet is professed in the Barbary States, in Egypt, Sennaar, and the coast of Ajan. It is also the religion of the tribes of the desert ; and of all the Moors, and many of the ne- groes, of Soudan. Christianity, in a remarkably corrupted form, is esiablished in Abyssinia ; and prevails extensively in Egypt. It was long since introduced by the Portuguese on the coasts of Congo and Zanguebar. Into the colony of the Cape, and in other parts of S. Africa it has lately been inti'oduced by the venerable Vaiiderkemp, and other missionaries. The native governments of this continent are throughout des- potic and oppressive. All, hewever, appear to be independent. Egypt is little more than nominally dependent on Turkey, The Cape of Good Hope is the only considerable European colony. We have heretofore stated the population at 50,000,000. It doubtless exceeds this number, though it may not amount to 98,945,000, which is Hassel's estimate. The great natural features of Africa, the desert, the Nile, and the Niger, and the chains of Jibbel Kiimra^ and Atlas, have here- tofore been illustrated. Our description of the various divisions of Africa will com- mence with Morocco in the N. W. and proceed along the coasts of the Mediterranean, the Red sea, the Indian, Southern, and At- lantic oceans, and will conclude with some account of the slates in the interior of Soudan, and some of the oases of the desert. The geography of the African islands -will close our long and arduous undertaking. KINGDOM OF MOROCCO. INCLUDING SUSE AND TAFILELT. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. KOCTENT, BOUNDARIES, DIVISIONS, NAMES, ORIGINAL POPULATION, HISTORY, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, ARMY, NAVY, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGES, CITIES, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. JExient.'^ THIS kingdom reaches from cape Spartel to cape Noon on the Atlantic coast, upwards of 630 miles, and on the Mediterranean, from cape Spartel to the mouth of the Muluwia, about 240. Its breadth near the middle and at the southern ex- tremity is about 350. Boundaries.'] On the W. is the Atlantic ; on the N. the Med- iterranean ; on the E. Algiers, the desert of Angad, and Bled-el- jerede ; and on the S. Sahara, or the Great Desert. ' Divisions.'] The divisions of the emperor of Morocco comprise the former petty kingdoms of Fas, Morocco, Tarudant or Suse, and Tafilelt, together with the wandering tribes of Mount Atlas. They are now united under one government, and are divided as follows, I. NORTHERN DIVISION, OR KINGDOM OF FAS. Situation. Towns. Erreef, IVIediterranean, Gomera, El Garb, "J Tetuan, Benihassan, i- Atlantic, Rabat, Temsena, J Dar el Beida, Shawia, 1 District of Fas, S- Inland, Fas, Meqincz, Mulcy-Driti, Tedla, J II. CENTRAL DIVISION, OR KINGDOM OF MOROCCO. Duquella, '^ Mazagan, Abda, • y^^j^jj^-j, Saffee, Shedma, [ * ' Mogndor, Haha, J Tidsi, District of Morocco, Mediterranean, Morocco. III. SOUTHERN DIVISION, OR KINGDOM OF TERODANT Suse, Atlantic, Terodant, Lower Suse, > ^ i t Akka, Draha, ^ I"^^^^' Draha, IV. EASTERN DIVISION, OR KINGDOM OF TAFILElT- Tafilelt, Tafilelt. KINGDOM OF MOROCCO, ro^ JS/ames.'] The Romans called this country Mauritania, and Maurusia, or the country of the Mauri, or Moors ; and Tingitania, from its principal city, Tingi. The Arabs, or modern Moors, call it Maroksh, and the proper English name is Marocco, and not Morocco, as it is now written. Original Population.'] The Misraim, or first settlers of Egypt, are supposed to have been the earliest colonists of Mauritania ; for the authors of the Universal History remark, that the Misraim are called Mauretani, in the Jerusalem Targum, on Gen. x. Numer- ous colonies of Phosnicians also, were early planted here. Pi'oco- pius mentions two pillars of white stone, as standing there in his time, with the following inscription in the Phoenician language and character : " We are the Canaanites, who Jied from Joshua, the son o/Nun, that notorious robber." Augustus planted 9 Ro- man colonies here, and Claudius 3. The present Moors are prin- cipally Arabs. History.] The chief events in the history of this country are, 1. Its situation when occupied by the Mauri, with whom the vari- ous nations, that commanded the navigation of ti'ie Mediterranean, eai'ried on an extensive commerce. 2. Its subjugation by the Romaus, under Julius Csesar, B. C. 46. Augustus gave it to Ju- ba, in lieu of his oym. kingdom of Numidia. The Romans kept the country upwards of 400 years, and were driven out by the Goths ; they, about A. D. 600, by the Vandals, they by the Greeks, and they by the Saracens, who have ever since possessed it. Religion.] The religion is the Mahommedan, which was first planted here by Muley Dris Zerone. Great numbers of Jews are found in the country, but they are extremely oppressed. Government.] The government is strictly despotic, the whole power over life, liberty, and property, being vested in the emper- or. The only written laws are the Koran, and the comments on it. The laws are very severe. Murder, adultery, and theft, are pun- ished with death, a death usually preceded by torture. The em- peror and his bashaws are frequently the executioners. Fofiulation.] The following is the account given by Jackson of the population of Morocco, taken from the Imperial Register. The sources of his information appear to warrant the belief, that it is as accurate a statement as can be obtained in such a country, where no census is ever taken. The estimate is given first of the larger towns, and secondly of the provinces, exclusive of those towns. Province of Erreef, A* 200,000 El Garb, A 200,000 Beni Hassan, A 3D0,000 Temsena and Shawia, A 1,160,000 District of Fas, A 1,280,000 Largo towns in this kingrlom, 574,500 >■ ■ ■3,714,300 * Tlie T-rovinc€s marked A, are peopled whollv, oi" cliicflv, vith Arabs; lho?<- r04 KINGDOM OF MOROCCO. Province of Duquella, A 966,000 Abda, A 500,000 Shedma, A 550,000 Haha, S 708,000 District of Morocco, A and S 1,250,000 Large towns in INIorocco, 295,000 I 4,269,000 Province of Draha, S 350,000 Suse, including Lower Suse, S 2,417,000 Large towns in Terodant, S 26,300 2,793,300 Tafilelt, A 650,000 Tribes of Berebbefs of North Atlas, 3,000,000 14,886,600 This population is divided by Jackson into four classes. Moors, Arabs, Berebbers, and Shullahs. The Moors are the descendants of those who were driven out of Spain. They inhabit the cities of Morocco, Fas, Mequinas, and all the coast towns in the northern and central divisions. The Ai-abs have their original stock in Sa- hara, whence they emigrate to the plains of Morocco, whenever the plague, famine, or any other calamity makes room for a new colony. The Berebbers inhabit the mountains of Atlas, north of the city of Morocco. They are probably descended from the an- cient Maurif with many Romans, Goths, and Vandals, intermixed. The Shclluhs inhabit the mountains of Atlas, south of Morocco, the provinces of Suse, and the greater part of Draha. Many fam- ilies cf the Shelluhs are said to be descended from the Portu- guese, who possessed all the ports on the coast before the discov- ery of America. Other travellers mention a fifth class, namely Negroes. These were introduced in large colonies, from Guin- ea, by a late emperor Muley Ishmael, who built towns for them, as- signed them lands, and gave thern many privileges. By au in- termixture with the other inhabitants, a numerous race of Mulat- toes has started up in the kingdom. jirmtj.~\ The array amounts to 36,000 men. Of these, about 6000 constitute the emperor's body guard, 3500 are artillery, and the rest are light dragoons. The greater part of the troops are negroes and mulattoes. Their arms are a sabre, a long musket, a small red leather box in front for balls, and a powder-horn slung over tlieir shoulders. Afavy.'] The navy consists of 10 frigates, of from 16 to 30 guns, and 14 galliots, of from 2 to 10 guns, manned by 6000 sailors. These vessels are kept for piracy, and seldom unite in a fleet. An admiral, however, has the command of them. Re-venue.~\ The revenue amounts to somewhat more than a Tnillion of dollars, and the expenses to a little over 300.000 ; of ivhich 180,000 are expended on the army and navy. Manners a>id Customs.^ The dress of the Moors consists of a red cap and turban, a (kunaja) s!)irt, which haiig-s outside of tl>e KINGDOM OF MOROCCO. 705 cjirawers, and reaches below the knee ; a (caftan) coat, which but- tons close before from top to bottom, with large open sleeves ; and when they go out, a long shawl (hayk) of white cotton, si'k, or wool, five or six yards long, and five feet wide, thrown careless- ly round the shoulders. The dress of the women is similar. They wear also a profusion of ribbands, rings, necklaces, and bracelets. The Arabs dispense with the coat, and often with the shirt. The Berebbers wear drawers, and a cloak of dark blue cloth, with yel- low sandals. The houses of the Moors have flat roofs, covered v.ith terrace, a composition of lime and small stones. The Arabs live in tents. They are restless and turbulent, and their ka- byles, or clans, are frequently at war with each other. The Berebbers also live in tents. They are a hardy, industrious race, and are occupied chiefly in husbandry, and the rearing of bees-. The Shelluhs live in towns, are occupied in husbandry, live chief- ly on barley, and are a small, meagre ^leople. The natives gen- erally are of a middling stature, with less nerve than Europeans. Deformed persons are rarely met with ; though the Moors, from their habit of sitting cross-legged, have clumsy legs and ancles. The blind are more numerous than in Eui-ope ; but lame people are seldom seen. All shades of complexions are found here. Both sexes hare very fine teeth. The Moors are scarcely darker than the Spaniards. The women of Fas are as fair as Europeans, and are generally of a pale complexion. The women of Mequi- nas are celebrated for their beauty. They have all dark hair, and black sparkling eyes, with a complexion of clear red and white admirably blended. All the women fade very early. The Moors are distinguished for their pride and arrogance. Their sensuali- ty knows no bounds, and the worst crimes committed by man are common. Marriages take place very early on the part of the fe- male, and though the law allows to each man four wives, yet few, except the most wealthy, indulge in this latitude. Many, however, marry four in succession, waiting till the blof^m of the preceding one is passed, before a new one is taken. Many of them have concubines, and these are usually black women. The situation of the women is deplorable. The husband is safe in exercising any degree of cruelty on them from the extreme difficulty of de- tection. Both sexes are very cleanly in their persons, i hey wash before every meal, and eat with their fingers. In their houses they sit cross-legged, in the manner of tailors, on carpets and cushions, and at meals the bowl, or dish, stands upon the floor. The usual games are leap-frog, jumping, and foot-ball. Some of the well educated Moois are courteous and polite, and slow at taking offence, and where they repose confidence, affable and communicative. They all possess uncommon fortitude un- der misfortune. Languages.^ The language of the Moors is a corrupt Arabic, intermixed with Spanish. That of the Arabs is the language of the Koran, somewhat corrupted. That of the Berebbers is prob- ably the language of the ancient Mauri, which was a kindrea dia- fect to that of Num.idia, and strongly resembled the Phceniciajn. vol.. IT. 8^ 706 KINGDOM OF MOROCCO. The languacre of the Shelluhs is different from aii the others, AH classes are extremely ignorant. Even the Moors, so distin- guished for their literature in Spain, appear, immediately after their removal, td have renomiccd all iheir attention to learninp; and the sciences. The physicians of the country are mere em.- pirics ; their whole materia medica consisting, with hardly an ex- ception, in herbs and vegetables. Ci;iesr\ Morocco was built by Jusuf Teshfin, of the family of Luntuna. a tribe of Arabs inhabiting the plains E. of Atlas, about the middle of the 1 1th century, and stands in a fruitful plain, very nearly in the centre of the country. It is about 120 miles from the sea, and at a small distance from a spur of Mount Atlas. The environs are delightful, and richly cultivated. They abound witlx cornfields, with groves of palm, with the apricot, peach, pear, plum, pomegranate, and vine, and with numberless flov/ers, all growing spontaneously. The walls are very thick, and composed of lime and sandy earth, hardened in moulds. The houses are all behind high walls, of the rudest construction, and are not visi- ble from the street. Some of them are built with elegance and taste. The palace is of hewn stone, ornamented with marble. The architecture of the principal gates is Gothic, embellished with various Arabesque ornaments. The walls of some of the rooms are of filJagree work, and others of glazed tiles, like the Chinese. To the palace are attached three gardens, containing the flowers and fruits of Barbary Timbuctoo and Soudan, and numerous pa- vilions, about 40 feet square, with pyramidal roofs. There are many private gardens also, similarly encircled and ornamented. The town has numerous mosques, sanctuaries, and temples. One of these, built l)y Muley el Monsore, is 7 stories high, in each of which are windows narrow without, but wide within. The body of it is supported by many pillars of marble, and the walls are 4 feet thick. The tower is square, and the ascent is by a gradui-lly winding terrace. The population of the city is, according to Jackson, 270,000. About 2000 families of Jews reside in the east- ern part of'it. Great numbers of these people have emigrated to the neighboring mountains, to escape from oppression. The city is supplied with water from numerous springs and wells in the suburbs. The rich procure it from the Tensift, which flows a small distance to the north. There is also a subterraneous aque- duct of brick, 20 feet below the surface, which goes round the town, from which, at about every hundred yards, pipes of brick- work branch ofl\ and convey the Avatcr to the different houses. The streets-are far from being cleanly. Many of them are filled ■with heaps of dung and other filth, and with the ruins of decayed houses : for the towri was some centuries ago several times more, populous than it is at present. 'l"hc air is generally calm. The days of summer are intensely hot ; the nights are cool. In winter the cold is sensibly felt. The neighboring Atlas keeps off the Shiune^ or hot wind, of the desert. Fas, or Fez, as it is commonly written, was founded about A.D., 78G, by Idvis a descendant oX Mohammcdj \\ ho had fled from Me- KINGDOM OF MOROCCO. « 707 dina to avoid the persecution of the Khalif Alxlallah. The town is divided into Old and New. The centre of Old Fas is low, and in the winter dirty. The rest of the town is built on gentle ac- clivities. The houses are lofty and spacious. They all have flat roofs, on which carpets are spread in the summer evenings. A small turret is erected on each roof for the use of the females. In the centre of each house is an open quadrangle, surrounded by a gallery, which communicates with the staircase, and with the doors of the difierent apartments. The portals of the houses are supported Avith pillars of brick, plastered over. The best houses have cisterns for the baths, B»/ery house also is supplied with •Avater by a branch of the Scboo, from Mount Atlas, which eniers the town in two places by covered channels. The number of mosques is very great, and about 50 of them are very sumptuous edifices, ornamented with a most beautiful kind of marble, un- known in Evii'ope, and procured from Mount Atlas. A public bath is attached to each mosque for religious ablutions. There are also other public baths, in various parts of the town. The hospitals are few, and in a wretched condition, 'i here are about 200 caravanseras, each 3 stories high, and containing from 50 to 100 apartments. The lodger provides his own bedding and food. Each trade has a separate part of the town allotted to it. New Fas is contiguous to the old town, is well built, and contains the machinery for the different trades. The population of both parts of the town is stated by Jackson at 380,000. Mequinas stands near the river Seboo, and at a small distance from Fas, in the midst of a beautiful valley, surrounded by gentle eminences. These are ornamented by groves of the richest fruit- trees. In the plain, on the east of the city, is a wall of circumval- lation, 6 feet in height, built as a defence against the Berebbers. At the south end is the palace, a very large square edifice, built wholly on the ground floor. The rooms are all 25 feet long, 12 wide, and IS high. To this are annexed several beautiful gar- dens. The Miilah, or that part of the city occupied by the Jews, is walled round, extensive, and in good repair. Contiguous to this is the Negroes' quarter. The streets are not paved, and in ■winter are almost impassable. The population is 1 10,000. The inhabitants are generally hospitable. Their manners are more mild than in any other part of the empire. -Terodant, formerly the capital of the kingdom of Suse, or Tero- dant, is now the metropolis of the south. It is extensive and an- cient. There is a noble palace here, adorned with gardens, con- taining the most delicious fruits. The population is 25,000, and was formerly far greater. The town is now famous for salt-pctre of a superior quality, for the manufacture of leather and saddles, and for dyeing. The river Suse passes through, and the inhabi- tants show massive iron rings in the castle walls, to prove that it was once navigable for ships to the town. Rabat is a seaport, at the mouth of the Bu-Rcgreg, on its south bank. The environs abound with excellent fruits. The wails arc about 2 milos in circuit, and are strengthened by squ.aro two.- fOS KINGDOM OF MOROCCO. ers. The houses are poorly built. The population is 25,00Q. There is here a manufactory of cotton cloth, and docks for ship- building*. Here are the ruins of a spacious mosque, built by Sul- tan el Mansor, the roof of which was supported by 350 marble pil- lars. Near it are the ruins of a large subterranean cistern attached to the mosque, the tower over which is built of hewn stone, and 180 feet high. The view from it is pleasing and extensive. On the E. side of Rabat is a walled town, called Sheila. This is sa- cred ground, and contains many Moorish tombs. Various Roman and African coins have been dug up hi;re. Salee is a walled town at the mouth of the same river, on the opposite side from Rabat. It was formerly a nursery of pirates, and the Salce rovers were the common terror of all ships sailing near the coast. The population is 18,000. The road of Salee is daijgerous for shipping, and the sand bank at the mouth of the river -will scarcely permit vessels of 100 tons to enter. The road of Rabat, without the river, is safe from April to September inclu- sive. Violent winds from the S. render it unsafe the rest of the year. A battery in Salee, of 24 cannon, commands the entrance of the river. Tetuan stands 4 miles from the Meditei-ranean, a little S. E. of the straits. The environs abound with the most delicious fruits. Its oranges are celebrated. Its population is 16,000. It was much greater when the Moors v/ere driven from Spain. The in- habitants are Moors and Jews, who both speak a corrupt Spanish. From the raisins and figs of the neighboring gardens, the Jews dis- til an ardent spu'it, called mahaya^ much like the Irish esquebaugh. Saffee, or AsFEE, is S. of Cape Cantin. It lies between two hills, which render the town intolerably hot in summer, and in winter very disagreeable, as the rains run from the hills into the town, and discharge themselves through the main street into the ocean, deluging the lower apartments of the houses, and some- times so suddenly, that there is no time to remove the property from the stores. The walls of the tOAvn are thick and high, and were probably built before the Roman invasion. Population 12,000. MuLEY Duis Zerone is an inland town, eastof Mequinas, among the mountains, and contains 12,000 inhabitants. MoGoDou, or Sueuah, is built about 70 miles S. W. of SafFec, on a low flat cicsert of accumulating sand, which separates it froni the cuiuvatcd country, and is defended from the encroachment of the sea by rocks, which extend from the northern to the southern gate ; though at spring tides it is almost surrounded. Within the harbor al the landing place, are two long batteries mounted with handsome brass eigjueen pounders. On the land side also is a battery of considerable force. The harbor is formed by a little island 3 miles in circumference lying S. of the town. Between this and tl)e main land ships anchor, but there is only 12 feet wa- ter at low tide. The houses are all of stone and white, and look beautifully from the sea. the streets cross each other at right an- gles and are narrow. The houses have few windows lov.'ards the street Those of the foi'eign merchants are the most spacious and elegant. Population 10,000. KINGDOM OF MOROCCO. 709 Tangier, the ancient Tingis, is situated near the west mouth of the straits, a few miles from Cape Spartel. The Goths took this town from the Romans, then the Arabs obtained it, and next the Portuguese in the 15th century, who, in 1662, gave it to the En- glish. They, in 1684, destroyed the fortifications, and abandoned it. It still has some good batteries. The inhabitauts are 6, 000 in number. They supply Gibraltar with provisions. Ceuta, or CiBTA, stands close by Mount Abyla, or Apes moun- tain, as the Moors call it. The town belongs to the Spaniards. The emperor twice attempted to take it, aboutthc close of the last century, without success. Melilla is in the northeastern part of vhe country, beyond the cape of the Three Forks. The country around is pleasant, and abounds with wax and honey. This also belongs to the Spaniards. These towns are called by them the African presidencies, and con- tain together about 1 5,800 inhabitanis. Garrisons are kept in both. Manufactures and Conwierce.^ Few manufactures are attempt- ed in this country, and most of those which exist are inferior to European. Shawls, and sashes of silk and gold, hayks of cotton, cf silk, of cotton and silk mixed, and of wool, are made of a supe- rior quality at Fas and at Tafilelt. Morocco leather, both of goat and calf skins, is made extensively, also tallow candles in small quantities. The gun powder made by the Arabs of Wooled- Abussebah, south of the river Suse, is of a quality far superior to that of Europe, Carpets are made in the province of Tedla. The commerce of Morocco is Avith foreign nations, and with the interior of Africa. That by sea is entirely passive. The exports are sweet and bitter almonds, gums, Barbary, Senegal, and San- drac, bees-wax, goat, cow, and calf-skins, oil of olives, wool, os- trich feathers, ivory, pomegranate peals, dates, raisins, worm- seed, rose-leaves, wild thyme, glue, anniseed, fennel, gingelin seed, walnuts, straw, tallow, tallow-candles, and string: the im- ports are woollens, linens, silks, nankeens, cottons, cotton, gum- benzoin, musk, slick-lack, capilaise, gin, sugar, teas, cloves, pota- toes, sal ammoniac, tin, iron, steel, copperas, alum, silk handker- chiefs, raw silk, looking glasses, hardware, red and white lead, arsenic, lavender, amber beads, china and earthen v/are, dollars, Hebrew Bibles, drugs, and confectionary. Mogodor is the prin- cipal port. The exports from that town in 1804, amounted to ;G 127,679 sterling, and the imports to .-CI 5 1,450 sterling. The inland trade is chiefly with Timbuctoo, across the desert. The articles are carried on camels, accompanied by the Arabs, \f\\o let them at a low rate to the merchants. This tedious and perilous journey is usually made between September and April inclusive. Several hundred camels usually go together. A guard of soldiers accompanies the caravan to protect them fiom the wild Arabs of the desert. The course of the caravan is net in a direct line ; but is determined by the oafics or fertile spots, interspersed like islands, in this ocean of sand. At each of these it usually halts about a week. In the intermediate journeys the shumc is often so violent as to exhale the water, carried in skins bv the 710 KINGDOM OF MOROCCO. camels. TLie guides of the caravan s*eer by the stai's in the night, which is far the pleasantest time for marching. The journey from Fas to Akka, the place of rendezvous on this side of the de- sert takes up 18 days. Here they halt a month ; and then in 16 days reach Tagassa, where they remain 15. In 7 more they reach Arawan, where they make a similar stop, and in 6 days reach Tim- buctoo, making a journey of 54 days actual travelling, and 75 of repose. The articles carried to Tirnbuctoo are linens, cottons, muslins, fine cloths, coral and amber beads, pearls, raw silk, brass nails, coffee, tea, refined sugar, Italian silks, rexl woollen caps, turbans, nutmegs, cloves, ginger, pepper, tobacco and salt, and the various manufactures of Moi'occo. The articles brought back are gold dust, twisted gold rings of Wangara, gold rings of Jinnie, bars of gold, elephants' teeth, gum of Soudan, grains of Sahara, odoriferous gums, and slaves. Ostrich feathers and ambergris are also collected on the confines of the desert. CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRICULTURX, RIV- ERS, CAPES, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS, ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, MINE- RALOGY. Climate.'] FROIM March to September the atn>osphere is hardly ever charged with clouds, and in the rainy season the sun is rarely hid a whole day at once. The summer days are excessively hot, and in the south the inhabitants are often visited by the shume, or parching wind, from the desert. Many loath- some and distressing diseases prevail in Morocco. Children are often afflicted with bahlness and epilepsy. The women are very subject to the latter. Pains in the head, stomach, bowels, and bones are very common. Schirrous ulcers, and other eruptions, fre- quently break out on the bodies and limbs of the inhabitants. The leprosy is very common, especially in Haha. There they are seen k\ parties of 10 and 20 begging charity. In the city of Morocco tlierc is a separate quarter for them, outside of the walls. When-t ever thev leave home, as the disorder is thought contagious, they are obliged to wear a straw hat, with a very broad brim, tied on in a particular manner, as a badge of their disease. They intermar- ry only with one another. The want of eye-brows is the only ex- ternal mark of disease. In damp weather they may be seen in clusters sitting round a fire, warming their bones, for they ache all over, till the weather resumes its Avonted dryness. Tlie c/e- phcmtiaais.) and hydrocele., are frequently met with. JJroJisij and hernia are more rare than in Europe. Ophthalmia is very common. The plague also occasionally visits Morocco, and is awfully destructive in its ravages. That of 179'J carried off about 50,000 of the inhabitants of Morocco, and about 65,000 of those of Fa^. KINGDOM OF iVlOROCCO. 7U But the most prevailing disease, is that which has so long proved the scourge of voluptuousness, and which is one of the few direct punishments, which, on this side of the grave, are seen to be in- flicted by God on transgression. It is said to have been introduced into Morocco by the Jews, on their expulsion from Spam ; and now there is scarcely a Moor in the Barbary States, who has not the virus in his veins. Face of the Country.'] The kingdoms of Morocco and I' as, W. of Mount Atlas, except the province of Haha, are a pleasant champaign country, every where covered with vegetation, and generally cultivated. Except in the towns on the coast, and in the four inland cities of Mequinas, Fas, Muley Dris Zerone, and Morocco, the only dwellings are tents inhabited by Arabs. The provinces of Haha and Suse are interspersed with mountains and valleys, hills and dales. Here villages and walled habitations are scattered over the country. The houses in Haha are built ot atone, each having a tower ; and stand on elevated situations, forming a pleasing view to the traveller. Draha and Tafilelt are chiefly plain countries, and are very scantily supplied with water. Between Tafilelt and Atlas lies a plain, five days journey in width ; nearly destitute of vegetation, on which rain never falls. The soil is a whitish clay, which, when moistened, resembles soap. The dwellings in these provinces are walled houses; and are chiefly placed near the two principal rivers, which pass through them, Draha and Fillelly. Soil and Jffriculture.'] The soi! of all the provinces west of the mountains is very fertile. That of the kingdom of Fas is gener- ally black, but sometimes red, without stones or clay, generally without trees, but incalculably productive. Suse is the richest province of the empire. The soil of Draha and Tafilelt is of a. saline nature, communicating a strong briny taste to the rivers. It is not generally productive, except on their banks. All the provinces north of Haha are extremely productive of wheat and barley, and with superior cultivation might export immense quan- tities. As a specimen of their agriculture the inhabitants reap the grain high from the ground and burn the stubble for manure. They also throw the grain on the ground, and afterwards plow it. Beans, peas, caravances, and Indian corn, are cultivated here occasionally. The fragrant tobacco, called Megumasi grows ia Benchassan and near Mequinas. Cotton, of a superior quality, and hemp are grown near Salee and Rabat. The fruits cultiva- ted in this part of the country are figs, grapes, most delicious or- anges, pomegranates, citrons, lemons, limes, the opuntia, or prickly- pear, a native of the Canary Isles, apricots, peaches, plums, ap-. pies, pears, melons, and strawberries. These also grow wild, and many of the fruit trees form extensive groves and forests. Th^i productions of Haha arc v.^ax, gum sancb'ac, and arable, olives, . almonds bitter and sweet, oil of olives and of argan, besides all the fruits of the north. Barley is here more abundant than wheat. Grain is ^ot generally cultivated in Suse, only enough for ther. gwn consumption ; bvit ajl the fruits, vrhich have been m'm'io':!Cf*.'. 712 KINGDOM OF MOROCCO. together with the date, are abundant. The grapes of Edautcnatl are exquisite. The sugar cane grows spontaneously about Tero- dant. Near Terodant and Ras-cl-Wed, are forests of olives of two days' journey in breadth. Those of almonds also are very nume- rous and extensive. The Jews in this province manufacture wine and brandy. Cotton, indigo, and stick-liquorice, gums, amarad, arabic, soudan, eupharbium, and sandrac, wax, wild thyme, or- chilla weed, orriss-root and coloquinth, are also among the pro- . II. 90 71^1 KIN'GDOM OF MOROCCO. ^'■'Zoology.'] The- horses of West Barbary are renowned for fleet- ness and activity. The breed, however, has been hiuch nep-lect- ed, except in Abda and the province of Morocco. These horses have stronger sinews than those of Europe, and, after a little man- agement, are extremely tractable. The stallions only are rode ; the mares are kept for breeding ; geldings are unknown in Ma- hometan countries. Mules and asses abound every where, also camels and horned cattle. Lions are very common in the forests, and often infest the roads, so as to render them impassable. The hyena (duhbab) is found in all the rocks and caverns of the moun- tains, Avhere he is far less ferocious than when confined. The detb resembles the hyena in his propensity to devour dead bodies, but is only half of his size, and is far more fierce in his disposition. The leopard (nimmer) is spotted, and has the size of the royal tiger of Asia. His strength and agility are wonderful. The -wild boar is the favorite game of the Morocco hunters, and abounds in the southern provinces. The rhinoceros (rtcm) is highly val- ued for his horn. The wild cat is very fierce, and sometimes liardy enough to attack a man. The s/i^ifd is an intermediate ge- inis, between the rat and the squirrel, and in its form resembles thfe ichneumon. It is very active, and lives in holes in the rocks. The antelope (■gazel) is the favorite of the Arabian poets.. It has strdight dark Irorns, with a beautiful and prominent black eye, and ittbyes swift'as the wind. The harreh is, among the Arabs, the embltnr^f purity. The head and back are of a light red, the b^lly'of a beautiful white. It is not found north of the river Susc. Tfe'Hlzoai^Vtonc is produced by the harreh. The aoiidad^ in size aiid color, resembles a calf, and is the Avildest animal of the Afri- can woods. The red' fox (thaleb) is like that of Europe in its sceht and disposition. The ape is of a very large size in North Atlas. The jinnar is the offspring of the bull and the ass. It is very uncommon. The heirie^ or camel of the desert, is more ele- gantly formed than the camel of burdeh. They will generally go 7 day's journey in one, and continue 3 days without eating. They gb from Timbuctoo to Tafilelt in 7 days. The sh'rubah er^reeh^ a horse ofthe desert, travels also *vil.h astonishing swiftness, but requires to be fed once a day Jn camels' milk. The sheep of Suse feed only on the wild aromatic herbs, and are wholly singu- lar in the fineness of their flavor. The wool of some of them is also extremely fine. The wool ofthe sheep of Tedla has the s"oft- ness of silk. The goat is very common, but peculiarly so in Tafi- lelt, Mdierc the finest morocco leather is manufactured. The camelion, Sahara lizard, locust, scorpion, musquitoe, gnat, and cricket are among the insects of Morocco. The buska is a black venohious serpent, 7 or 8 feet long. When attacking trav- ellers it coils itself up and then darts to a very great distance. The wound inflicted is small, but the sufierer in a few minutes turns black and expires. The haffah is 2 feet long, as thick as a mail's arm, and beautifully spotted with yellow and brown. Its poison is almost instantaneous in its operation. The qisaivie, or charmers of serpents, carry these animals about for a show. The KINGDOM OF MOROCCO. ,7 is 6oa, or serpent of the desert, is often 80 feet long*, as thick as a. man's body, and of a dingy color, but not venomous. It moves witli such' swiftness, that it is impossible to escape froni it. It will twist itself round an ox, and after crushing its bones will swal- low it gradually, after which it lies supinely on the ground for two or three days unable to proceed, till the animal is digested. Do- mestic serpents are found in alniost every house, and are treated as members of the family. The tortoise is very large and com- mon ; those of the desert weigh from 400 to 600 weight. The os- trich, eagle, vulture, bustard, white heron, wild goose, ox-keeper, pelican, stork, flamingo, partridge, pigeon, wood pigeon, cream- colored dove, turtle-dove, ring-dove, curlew, plover, lark, crested- lark, black-bird, starling, cuckoo, nightingale, and owl, arc among the birds of this country, as well as the rogr, a dark kind of par- tridge, the tibib, a species of sparrow, and the hage, a little ash-col- ored bird that feeds on beetles. The shebbel, a fine species of salnioti, is taken in all the rivers. The fish on both coasts are the mullet, red and gray, brim, anchovy, sardine, herring, mackarel, rock cod, skate, sole, plaice, turbot, and turtle. The azaliwgi, tasargalt, and irgal are peculiar to the western coast of Morocco. They are taken in the bay of Aga- deer, or Santa Cruz, and prepared in the ovens of Agurani, whence they are transported, in immense quantities, to Bled-cl- Jerede. Whales are frequently cast on the shore. Botany.~\ The fruits, and medicinal herbs, have already been mentioned. The gum-sarbac tree looks like the juniper. Its ■wood has a fine fragrance, and is impenetrable to the worm. The tizrcif a plant 3 feet high, the snobar and the rassul, are us- ed by tanners. The hasMs/ia, or African hemp, is reared for the manufacture of ropes. When smoked instead of tobacco, it produces an agreeable intoxication. A decoction of the suniag is a powerful, but dangerous stimulant. The lotus, or water lily, grows in the rivers. Mallows are every where cultivated. Truf- fles ai'e roots which grow in sandy places. '1 hey are highly stimulating and very palatable. The gum euphorbiem is pro- cured from a curious succulent plant, resembling the wild thistle ; gum ammoniac from one which is like the European fennel ; and gum arable, from the attaleh, a high thorny tree with leaves Jike those of the juniper. Pitch is made in great quantities from the wild juniper. Mineratogij.'] Gold and silver mines are found in various parts of Morocco, but more particularly near Messa in Suse, on the south bank of the river. The Portuguese formerly worked them. About Shtuka and Elala, in the same province, are very rich mines of silver. There is another in the plains of Msegina, near Santa Cruz. Gold is also found in many places on the mountains. In Suse, near Idaultil, there is iron, which the people manufac- ture into gun-barrels and other articles. At Teselagt, a little N. E. the copper mines are very abundant. They work them only .as they want the ore. In the neighborhood there are lead r^iines. Ih Tafilelt arc mines of antimony, of a peculiarly fine quality, and ri6 ALGIERS. abundance of lead ore. Morocco, Bled-el-Jerrede^ and parts of Sahara abound in mineral salt, which is dug from quarries and mines. In Abda is a large salt lake, which furnishes great quan- tities of salt of a remarkably pure quality. Vast quantities of salt are conveyed by the caravans to Timbuctoo, where they have none. Salt-petre is made abundantly at Fas, Morocco, and Terodant This last is distinguished for its strength and purity. ALGIERS. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. EXTENT AND BOUXDARIES, DIVISIONS, NAMES, HISTORY, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, ARMY, NAVY, REVENUE, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, CITIES, MANUFACTURES. Extent and Bomidaries.'] THE length of this territory, on the Mediterranean, from the mouth of the Muluwia, in Ion. 1 30 W. to the mouth of the Zane, in Ion, 9 16 E. is 610 miles. Its breadth in the W. is not more than 60 miles ; but E. of Algiers it exceeds 100. It has Morocco W. the Mediterranean N. Tunis E. and the desert of Angad S. Divisions.'] It is divided into three provinces : Tlemsen, some- times called Tremeccn, and sometimes Mascara, in the W. ; Ti- teri in the S. and Constantina in the E. This last is much the largest and richest. Mames.'] This country was the ancient JVumidia ; and, after the reduction of Africa by the Romans, was called Mamntania Casa- riensis ; while Morocco was then called Mauritania Tingitana. History.] The Numidians had the same origin with the Mau- ri; but we know very little of their early history. In the time of the first Punic war it contained two kingdoms ; that of the Mas- syli in the E. extending about 130 miles on the coast, and that of Massaesijli in the W. occupying the rest of the country. Massi- nissa, king of the former, a very brave, able and honorable prince, imited them both under his dominion about 190 years B. C. Cae- sar reduced the country lo a Roman province B. C. 46. The Van- dals drove out the Romans ; Belisarius expelled them for the Greek emperor ; and the Saracens terminated the Greek domina- tion about A. D. 650. Till 105! this country was divided up into a great number of petty states, when Abubeker, an Arab of the Zin- hagian tribe, drove out the Sheiks, or petty chieftains, and poS- ses^jcd himself of Morocco and Algiers. In the 1 2tK century Ijis ALGIERS. 7ir ^esceadant Braham Ali was expelled by the Marabouts, or priests, with Mohavedin at their head ; they, by the governor of Fas ; and he, in the 13th, by the Sherrifs of Hascen, the descendants of the Sheiks ; who divided the country into four kingdoms, Tlemsen, Tenez, Algiers and Bujeyah, which lasted till 1517, when Barba- •rossa M'as master of them all. In 1505, and fi-equently afterwax'ds, the Spaniards invaded the country, and took the principal towns. In one of these, in 1541, the emperor Charles V. lost the greater part of an immense fleet and army, and hardly escaped with his life. Haraydin, the brother and successor of Barbarossa, in 1530 put Algiers under the protection of the grand seignor, and for a long period the Ottoman court nominated the dey. In 1555, Bu- jeyah, the last of their possessions, was taken from the Spaniards. The power of appointing their own deys was obtained early in the 17th century, and in 1630 the Ottomon yoke was entirely shaken oflP. Religion.^ The Algerines are Mahometans, and more super- stitious than the Turks. Their three chief ecclesiastical officers are the Mufti, the Cadi, and the grand Marabout. Government.'] The government is composed of the Dey, and -the Douwan. The dey is chosen out of the army, each rank hav- ing an equal right, and every bold, aspiring soldier is an obvious candidate. Every election is usually attended with tumult and bloodshed. The dey, for a long period has been possessed of ab- solute power. When he exercises it tyrannically, however, he is always murdered. Scarcely one in ten has the good fortune to die in his bed. The next officer to the dey, is the aga, who is general of the Janizaries. He keeps the keys of the city, and is- sues, in his own name, all military orders ; but enjoys his post for two months only, when he is succeeded by the c/iiah or next senior officer. Tbc chiah-bashaivs, or chief colonels, are about 30 in number, and with the mufti and cadi compose the Douwan, which is now convened, as a mere matter of form, to sanction measures before resolved on. I^/iulation.'] The population of Algiers cannot be stated with accuracy. Hassel estimates it at 1,500,000 ; but does not give his authority. Jrmy.'] The army amounts, in time of peace, to about 6500 men, of whom 4000 are Turks ; but 25,000 can be raised on an emergency. JVavy.^ The navy consists of 8 ships, of from 36 to 50 guns, 10 or 12 sloops of war, and 30 gunboats, which never leave the har- bor. Revenue.'] Hassel states the revenue, on the authority of Bruns, at §670,400, of which 450,400 are certain, and 220,000 accidental. Shaw says it was, in 1732, 300,000 from taxes, and about as much from accidental sources. Manners and Customs.'] The inhabitants are Turks, Moors, Cabyles, Arabs, Christians, and Jews. The Turks have been es- tablished since the middle of the 16th century. They form the highest rank ii) the country, and possess most of the offices aufl 71 S ALGIERS. employments. No native can be a Turk. He alone is conr^idcrcd one, who is born of Mussulman parents within the grand seit^nor'a dominions. The number of Turks is about 10,000, and thcv are characterized as ignorant, proud, indolent, voluptuous, jealous, and revengeful; but at the same time, faithful, courageous, and tolerant. They pay no poll-tax, are punished only by an express order from the dey ; when condemned to die, are strangled ; purchase the necessaries of life lower than others, and may take as much fruit from gardens and vineyards, as they can Qat. Their children, by Algerine women, are called ColorU. They are nu- merous, form a middle class between the Turks and Moors ; and have more industry, and the same pride, courage, jealousy, and vo- luptuousness with the former. In size and strength, also, they resemble them, and the most expert artists and artificers are of this class. The Moors are the descendants of those, who were driven out of Spain. Those, who live in towns and engage in commerce, have a degree of polish in their manners, and are many of them wealthy. Others are artificers and mariners, and in the lowest class of them are found most of the thieves and profligates of Al- giers. Few of the Moore that live in the country are wealthy. They are ignorant and rude ; strangers to the pleasures of social life, and distinguish themselves by their tribe. They practise po- lygamy, which is not done by the Moors in the cities. They arc much more profligate than the I urks. The Cabyles are the same people with the Berebbers of INIo- rocco, though their language is more complex by an intermixture of Arabic. Many of them do not acknowledge the sovereignty of the dey. The Arabs live in tents, and constitute numerous distinct tribes, many of which are independent of the dey, and the others are only tributaries. They live in the mountains, and in the desert, and are wilder than the Arabs of Morocco. ^ The Jews are not numerous, and are despised and oppressed. They cannot own land, nor ride in the city, or through thei^ates, and are obliged to wear a peculiar dress of a dark color. They are generally perfidious, and addicted to cheating and fraud. The Christians are chiefly transitory residents. In the W. the Spaniards possess Oran and Massalquiver, where they keep gar- risons. In the other towns the Christians are slaves, captured by the corsairs, and sold at auction. From 150 to 180 negroes arc annually imported as slaves from the S. The women are often kept as concubines by the wealthy Turks. Slaves of any color, who turn Mahometans, gain their freedom. The Jews and Christians, who do thi^., are called renegadocsf and may be advanced to honorable and lucrative employment. C"nics.~\ Algiers, the capital, formerly IMesgana, is built on the west side of a bay of the Mediterranean. This bay opens be- tween Cape Matisou, on the E. and Cape Caxines on the W. 1 he mole, wiuch forms the harbor, is 500 paces long, in the lorm of a semicircle, and reaches to a little island facing the town. The ALGIERS. risr harbor has anchorage in from 18 to 25 fathom water, acd is de- fended by a castle with three batteries of cannon, which stands on the solid rock of the island, and serves also for a light house. At the south end of the island is another fort of three batteries, and there arc several others along the coast. The walls are high, and 12 feet thick, flanked with square towers, but greatly decayed. The large ditch beneath is nearly filled up. There are five gates, which are open from sunrise to sunset. The town is built on a declivity, in the form of an amphitheatre, the houses rising grad- ually above one anothci-, so that at sea their white terraced roofs look like a whitener's ground covered with linen. There is but one handsome street, which nuis E. and W. through the city. The others are so narrow, that carriages cannot run in them. The houses are built of brick or stone, of a square shape, with a paved court in the middle. A chimney at each corner of the flat roof rises like a cupola. The palace of the Dey, in the middle of the city, has too spacious halls, one for the Dowan, and is a magnifi- cent building. 'Ihe barracks for the Turkish soldiers are also grand edifices. The mosques are numerous, and seven of them, very large. The baths also are many and spacious. In 1732, Dr.. Shuw computed the population at 100,000 ; now it is estimated at 80,000 : in Avhich number are included several hundred Jewish families. The city is supplied with water from the adjacent mountains, by two aqueducts, Avhich distribute it to a number of fountains at convenient intervals. The environs are every where fertile, and pleasantly uneven, adorned with gardens, groves, and villas. The gardens are stocketl with plenty of fruit-trees, mel- ons, and pot-herbs. The villas, are little white houses, shaded with a variety of fruit-trees and evergreens, and present a beauti- ful prospect at sea. Lon. 2 12 t5, E. lat. 36 49 30, N. Tlemsev, the capital of the western province, stands on arising ground, at the foot of several rocky precipices, from which issue a number of springs. The walls are of a composition of sand, lime, and gravel. About 1670, the greater part of the town was laid in ruins, and it has never recovered. Among these are found some fragments of Roman antiquities. In the west part of the town is a large bason, of Moorish workmanship, 200 yards long, and 100 wide. It may easily be filled from the adjohiing hills. Oran is built on the declivity, and near the foot, of a high mountain, about 50 miles E. of Tlemsen. Blkeda, the capital of Titeri, is built under the shade of a spur of Mount Atlas, is a mile in circumference, and tolerably populous. The oiher towns are Marcara, Tenez, and Medea. Alanufac lures.'] There are manufactures here of silk, cotton, wool, leather, and other commodities. The carpets are good, but inferior to those of Turkey. In the city of Algiers there are looms for velvet and taftety, and a coarse kind of linen is made in mo^t parts of the kingdom. The exports are ostrich feathers, wax, hides, wool, copper, rags, silk sasiies, embroidered handkerchiefs, dates, and Christian slaves. Wheat and barley were formerly ship- ped, to tlie amount of 70C0 or 8000 tons. The imports consist 720 ALGIERS. chiefly of gold and silver stuffs, d&masks, cloths, spices, the met- als, naval stores, fire-arms, ammuiiition, paints, rice, sugar, soap, cotton, and drugs. The commerce of this country is chiefly car- ried on by the corsairs, and most of the imports are captures. CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. SEASONS, AGRICULTURE, RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. Seasons.'] THE winds here generally blow from the sea, or from the east or west. East winds are common from May to September, and then the westerly winds become the most fre- quent. The southerly winds from the desert, are unusually hot and violent, but not frequent. When they blow for 5 or 6 days in July and August, they are very suftbcating, and the inhabitants sprinkle the floors of their rooms with water or vhiegar. rhe quantity of rain at Algiers averages 27 or 28 inches ; of which little falls in summer, and in most parts of the Desert, they have no rain at all. Jgticulture.'] The first rains fall in September or October, af- ter which wheat is sown, and beans are planted. Barley is sown about the end of November. The latter rains in April secure the ci'op. Rice, Indian corn, and millet, are also cultivated. The pa- triarchal mode of threshing is still continued. i he sheaves are spread upon the threshing-floors, and horses or mules are driven over them. They winnow the gi-ain by throwing it up against the wind with a shovel. Of the pulse kind, beans, lentils, kidney- beans, and the chick-pea, are the most abundant. Of the roots, herbs, and fruits, of the kitchen garden, they have considei able variety. The soil is generally fertile, more especially on the coast and in the valleys. There are few forests, but tracts of thickets and bushwood are more common. The district round Bugia sup- plies the greatest quantity of timber. In the spuih, the fertility is less, though even in the desert, and on its borders, there are some cultivated districts, which produce corn, figs, aiid dates. Jiivers.] The chief rivers of this country are the Zha, which runs across the Desert of Angad and Tlemsen, and falls into the sea near Tabecrita ; the Haregal comes down from the greater Atlas, crosses the same territories, and falls into the sea 5 leagues from Oran ; the Mina, a large river, Avhich runs through the plains of Bathala, and empties near Arzcw ; the She- lif, which descends from Mount Guanexeris, runs through the desert of Angad, the lake Titteri, and the province of Tlcmscn, and empties near Mostagan ; the Celef, which runs only 60 miles, and falls into the Mediterranean, 3 leagues west of Algiers ; the IIued-Alquivir, which runs down with a swift cwirse from the TUNIS. rsi high mountains of Cuco, and empties near Bugia ; the Suf-Gemar lias its source on Mount Auras, on the confines of Atlas, and after ■watering the desert and the fertile plains of Constantina, where it, receives numerous tributaries, falls into the sea a little east of Gi- geri ; the Ladag, which empires near Bona ; and the Guadi, which comes from Tripoli, and empties near Tabarea. Mozmtains.~\ Several smaller chains of the Atlantean range, lie beneath it to the north. These give birth to some of the riv- ers, and by some of them they are all broken. The mountain of Jurjura is the highest in Barbary, being about eight leagues iri length, m a N. E. and S. W. direction, full of rocks and precipi- ces, and only covered witli snow in the winter. It is about 60 miles S. of Algiers, and is a noble spur from Mount Atlas. Botany^ Zoology^ and Mmeralogy .] The botany and zoology of this country are the same with those of Morocco. In the m.oun- tains are found lead and copper, and various other minerals. TUNIS. 'SITUATION AND EXTENT, HISTOnV, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, MIL- ITARY FORCE, REVENUES, POPULATION, CITIES, MANUFAC- TURES, COMMERCE, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, CLIMATE, SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS, RIVERS, LAKE, MOUNTAINS, ANTiqUITIES, ISL- AND. Situation and Extent.'] THIS country lies next to Algiers, and is 300 miles long, from N. to S. and 170 from E. to W. Having*tJie Mediterranean on the N. the same sea and Tri- poli on ihe E. Tripoli and the desert on the S. and Algiers on the W. It is divided into two circuits, the northern, which the Bey rides through in the summer, and the southern in the winter. J-Iirjory.~\ Tunis is the western part of the Jfrica Propria of the Romans, and the ancient seat of Carthaginian power. After the destruction of Carthage, it fell under the dominion of the Ro- mans, from v/hom it passed to the Goths, and then to the Vandals. The Saracens were its next occupants, who governed it by vice- roys, or emirs, till at length it was conquered by the emperor of JMorocco. After a short subjection, it became an independent and powerful kingdom. In 1538, during the Spanish attacks on the Barbary States, it was seized by Barbarossa, and became subject to Turkey. About 120 years the Tunisians claimed the right of electing their own Beys, and since that time they have been inde- pendent. Religion^ Goverri7nent, ts'c.'] The religion is the Mahometan. The government is now despotic and hereditary. The Bey nom- inates his successor, and is not confined to his own faipily. The VOL. ir. 9 1 ' ■ 722 TUNIS. Douvvaii now retains only the shadow of authority, and Is comiJos- ed of the creatures of the Bey. It was formerly possessed of con- siderable power. The Bey is able, at any time, at a short warn- ing, to bring from 40 to 50,000 men of his militia into the field, more than three fourths of which are cavalry. He has besides in his service about 6000 Turks, who arc reckoned better soldiers than the natives. Revenuesr\ The revenues of the Bey are regular and acci- dental. The regular revenue arises from the tythes of produce, the domains, licences to trade, duties, monopolies, taxes on the Jews, and from the sale of slaves. It amounts to about 6000 pi- astres. The accidental revenue arises from extortions, from seiz- ures of the wealth of those who die, and from the Bey's profit in trading. The present Bey is extremely rich. He is called Ha- Tnooda Basha Bey, and ascended the throne in 1782, being then 30 years old. He is a man of superior talents. Population.'] The population of the country is estimated at, 2,000,000 ; (though Hasscl estimates it at 1,000,000 only) of whom ' 100,000 are Jews, and 20,000 Christians. A plague in 1785, and .a famine in 1803, swept off great numbers of the inhabitants. Cilies.~] The city of Tuxis is situated on a rising ground on the west bank of a lake, about 6 miles from the head of the Gul-f of Tunis. This lake is of salt water, and is connected by a nar- row passage with the sea. The city is enclosed by a miserable wall of mud and stone, neither useful nor ornamental. The hous- es are of stone, but of the most miserable architecture. Ihe new palace of the Bey, the only decent building in the city, is occupied by shops on t^e ground floor, and stands in a very unpleasant situ- ation. The streets arc narrow, dirty, and ill paved, 'ihe cistern:; furnish the only supply of fresh water. The bazars, or shops, arc miserable buildings, and indifferently stocked Avith merchandise. The port of funis is at the Goletia, or entrance of the I^ake, through which there is a constant current from the sea. Here are two forts built bj;' the Spaniards in the time of Charles V, iu tolerable repair. At the upper v nd of the city is the gaspa, or citadel, built also by the Spaniards, which commands the town, and might keep it in complete subjection. The population oK Tunis probably exceeds 100,000. The Tunisians estimate it at 150,000. Jerba is an interior manufacturing town. Manufaclurcs.'] The chief manufactures are tiiose of scull- caps, woollen stuffs, and morocco leather. The caps are of Span- ish wool, and are dyed of a crimson color at Zaivan, about 30 railes from Tunis ; because the waters of that place communicate, a singular richness to the coloring. Formerly 50,000 people were occupied in this manufacture, and 3,000 bales of Spanisii wool were consumed by it, with a clear profit, after all expenses ■were deducted, of 7,000,000 piastres. At present it is reduced to one third of its original extent. They are sold on the Barbary coast, and in the Levant. The v.oollen stuffs are of a thin tex- ture, but cxtre-iely beautiful, and many thousands are occupied in m'aking them. Thc^- are the common dress of the inhabitants. TUNIS. ^23 The exports consist of grain of different kinds, oil, vrool, hides, wax, soap, dates, senna, madder, coral, oil of roses, and ostrich feathers. Commerce.'] Tunis has an extensive commerce with the inte- rior of Africa, by means of caravans. These go not only to Tim- buctoo and other places in Soudan ; but crossing the Niger, and the mountains of the Moon, they visit the coast of Guinea. Three of these caravans arrive yearly at Tunis. They bring gold dust, senna, ostrich feathers, and black slaves ; and carrv away cloths, muslins, linen, silks, morocco leather, cochineal, and spices. Car- avans also, in time of peace, pass and repass from Constantina, in Algiers, bringing hides and bees-waj^, and carrying away Euro- pean and Tunisian manufactures. Cai-avans from Gerida, the country of Dates, come loaded with the fruit of the palm, and a lew coarse woollens. Those from Jerba, a t^wn in the interior of Tunis, bring immeiS^e quantities of the v/oollens so much Avorn by all classes. The commerce with Algiers has for a long time been interrupt- ed by war, in which the Tunisians have generally been successful. The foreign commerce also is extremly shackled by monopolies, and by the privileges which the present Bey, who is the first mer- chant in the regency, secures to his own mercantile connections. Manners and Customs.] The Tunisians are more superstitious than other mussulmen. They will not allow Christians to ap- proach their mosques. These buildings are numerous and inhab- ited by many saints, who are all distracted people, and are believed to have the power of prophesying and working miracles. The merchants of Tunis are universally dishonest, and avarice is a common characteristic of all classes. The inhabitants, however, are more polished in their manners, and discover less of the sav- age in their character, than those of the other Barbary States. They have scarcely any of the common jealousy of Mahometans. The Tunisian women are not confined to the Harani, but are at liberty to walk the streets as freely as the ladies of Europe. Clwiate.] The climate of this country is commonly salubrious and pleasant. Rain is rare in the summer. The season for it usually commences in October, and lascs till April. Soil and Productions.] The soil is every Avherc rich and yields an abundant harvest. In the eastern part of the country, it pro- duces, in a favorable year, one hundred fold. The annual crop of wheat in the regency, is estimated at 7,200,000 bushels, and with the proper cultivation might be tenfolded ; that of barley is still greater ; that of beans 180,000 bushels, and that of Indian corn 90,000. The produce of the oil of olives is estimated at 5,130,000 gallons, and every third year a greater crop is expected. Of ihis one fourth is fine eating oil, and the rest is used in lamps and the man- ufactories. The quantity of wool exported is only about 3,000,000 lbs. ; but the quantity raised in tlie regency is immense. About 100,000 hides are annually exported. The bccs-wax is ex- cellent, and about 27,500 lbs. are annually collected. The barilla of Tuni^: is excellent, and the quantity of ^oan depends upon tU< 724 TRIPOLI. clemanil. The Tunisian oil of roses vvill command sixteen times the price of that made in the Levant. Spring water, in the country, is generally either salt or hot. The inhabitants, liowevcr, drink it without inconvenience. The ]iot baths of Gurbis are celebrated. Rain is never known in the Tsouth country, particularly in Gerida. The palm tree is there ■watered by the hand, and the water of the rivers is hot and brack- ish. The black cattle arc small. The mutton is not esteemed. AH the sheep are of the broad-tailed breed. Goats are numerous. The horses are a degenerate race. The mules and asses are •good, and much used. Camels are the ordinary beasts of biirden. The race of dromedaries is almost extinct. The wild animals re- ■semble those of Morocco. Bivers, iJ'c.'] The chief river is the Mejerda, the ancient Ba- grada. There is a large lake in the interior, called Lake Low- deah, the Palus Tritonis of the ancients, jjjl is not yet ascertained -whether the chain of mountains crossing the regency in a N. E. direction, and terminating at Cape Bon, is the real Atlas, or mere- ly a spur from it. ^ntiijuities.'] The ruins of Carthage are 15 miles N. E. of Tunis. It was built B. C. 869, in the time of Livy, was 23 miles an circumference, and at the beginning of the third Punic war contained 700,000 inhabitants. It was many times destroyed, and again rebuilt ; but the last destruction, by the Saracens, A. D. €98, left few traces, even of its ruins. All its remains in 1732, ■were the area of a spacious room, on one' of the hills, with several smaller ones at a little distance ; the common sewers, not in the least impaired by time, and the cisterns, which are nearly perfect. Island.] The little island of Tabarka, near the mouth of the liaine, the western frontier, is highly valuable for its coral fish^ cry. About 150 boats, each manned by 10 men, are annually ena- ployed in it from Sicily and Naples, who pay a premium for the permission. The French keep a consul here, merely to attend to their interest in this fishery. TRIPOLI, INCLUDING BARCA. EOrXDARlJES AND EXTENT, HISTORY, RELIGION', GOVERNJ^ENT, S;C, • CITIES, SOIL, Sec. BounzlarLcs and Extent.'] This extensive country has Tu- i^is on the W. the Desert on the S. Egypt on the E. and the Med- ucrranean on the N. Its length, on that sea, from the Gulf of Cabes, or Lesser Syrtis, to the Tower of the Arabs, is about 1 100 tniles.. The breadth of the western part, or Tripoli Proper, ia \ TRIPOLI. 725 about 200 miles ; while that of Barca is about 90 or 100. It con- T^ains 194,420 square miles.* History.'] This country comprehends the ancient Regio Sijrti- ca^ or the country between the two Sijrtes, in the W. Cyrenaica ill the middle, and Marmarica in the E. Like the other Barbary states, Tripoli was a successive prey to the Romans, Vandals, and Saracens. It afterwards fell under Morocco, Fas, and Tunis, and during this period the capital was takee by the Normans from Sicily, in 1146, and retained till 1159. The inhabitants, about. 1450, shook off the Tunisian yoke, and chose a monarch of their own. The emperor Charles V. took the capital soon after he as- cended the throne, and with the knights of Malta, retained it a little more than 40 years, when it was taken by the Turks, in the; reig-n of Solyman. The Turkish influence has continued from that time to the present, though now considerably impaired. Religmi, Government, l^c.\ The religion is the Mahometan. The governor is a Turkish bashaw, but possesses little authority. Tripoli Proper is divided by the Turks into seven provinces, over each of which is placed a Bey. PoJmlation.~\ The population of Tripoli is 1,000,000. The army amounts to 6000 land ti'oops. The government has one 50 gun ship and 6 galliots. The revenue amounts to 750,000 guilders. The sultan of Fezzan is powerful and respected. He pays no tribute to the pasha of Tripoli, but presents him annually with a few negro slaves. f The settled inhabitants resemble these of the other states of Barbary in their manners, customs, classes, and character. C'Ules.'] Tripoli, the capital, stands on the Mediterranean, on a sandy plain of considerable extent, and is surrounded by high ^v'alls and stout ramparts, and is flanked with pyramidical towers. The Avall has an inland gate on the S. and another towards the sea. The harbor is a very fine one, and the western side of it is defend- ed by a strong castle, and by fortifications in the modern stylo. The town was extensive and magnificent, till destroyed by Omar II. The streets are now narrow, dirty, and irregular ; and tht; houses low and mean. The inhabitants procure their fresh water from cisterns. They have few slaves, and manufacture great quantities of linen. The harbor is much frequented by corsairs,, who capture many of the Levant ships. The hills Avhich linii: the view S. of the town, are covered with forests of palm trees ; lal. 32 35 N. Ion. 13 12 E. 275 miles S. E.of Tunis, and 570 E. S. E. of Algiers. Derxe is the chief town of Barca, and stands about half a mile from the Mediterranean, in Ion. 22 55 E. The soil around it is fertile and productive. Derne, in 1805, was the scene of the ex« ploits of the gallant general Eaton, and his handful of intrepid Arabs. The other chief towns of Tripoli are Gerbi, Mesurada, and Kasr Ahmed ; aiTd of Barca, Porto Raccaliiio, Porto Tabarca, So.- lona, and Angela. * JIassf\ t Ibitl.- rz.$ e:gypt. Soli, cifc] The soil of this country is generally barren, and inost of the settled inhabitants live in the towns on the coast ; but the great body of the population is composed of the Bedouin Arabs, who wander in search of prey over the pathless Avilds of the de- sert. Barca itself is merely a northern arm of the great Sahara. EGYPT. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. i^JCTENT, BOUNDARIES, DIVISIONS, NAMES, HISTORY, ANTIQIJITIES, RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, ARMY, REVENUE, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, LANGUAGES, CITIES, COMMERCE. JSsctent.'] THE length of Egypt, from Syene in lat. 23, to Cape Burlos, the northern extremity of the Delta in lat. 313 N. is 560 miles. Its greatest breadth, on the Mediterranean, from the Tower of the Arabs, in Ion. 29 48 E. to its eastern limit be- tween Refah and Gazah, in Ion. 34 30 E. is about 280 miles. S. of the Delta, however, the cultivated part is merely a narrow strip, di\jided by the Nile, and terminated on the E. and W by parallel ridges of hills, or mountains. The desert, included between this valley and the Red sea, is, however, geographically included in the territory of Egypt, while that on the W. is assigned to Barca and Sahara. The average width of the country, therciore, from Suez S. is about 170 miles. Boujidaries.'] On the N. is the Mediterranean ; on the E. Ara- bia Petraea, the gulf of Suez and the Red sea ; on the S. Nubia ; and on the W, Barca and Sahara. Divmons.'] This country is usually divided into Upper and Lower Egypt. Lower Egypt is called Bahri, and includes the countiy N. of Cairo and Suez. Upper Egypt commences a little S. of Cairo, and is divided into Vostani and Said. Vostani termi- nates at Siut, or Assiut, horth of which town the crocodile is never known to advance. JVa7ncs.^ Egypt is sometimes called in the Bible, the Land of Ham ; but generally Misraim, and the land of the Misraim or ciiil- dren of Mcsr, one of the sons of Ham, by whom it was peopled soon after the ilood. The Arabs still call it Mesr or JIassar, The Greeks gave it the name of Egypt. IHstortj.j 1. According to Blair, Mesr, the son of Ham, set- tled in Egypt and establishxid the Egyptian mouvuchv, in the yea;.' B. C, 2188. EGYPT. 727 2. Alter an unascertaioed succession of kings the country was irtvaded by the Auritx^ Hycsos, or Shefiherds, a band of fortunate adventurers from the E. Manet ho says they were Arabians. Bryant supposes them to have been Arkites, expelled from Baby- lon by the children of Shem; at the time of the second dispersion. Usher places their invasion of Egypt in the year B. C- 2048. They drove the original inhabitants into Upper Egypt, and held the do- minion of Lower Egypt, till the year B. C. V825. They ^¥entfronl Egypt toPhenicia, Syria, Greece, andntli^r regions, carrying with them their inventions and improvements. The original monarchy- was then reestablished. 3. Jacob went down to Egypt with his family from Canaan, and settled in the land of Goshen B. C. 1706. His posterity remained there 215 yeaa's, and in 1491 B. C. departed. '1 he Egyptian king, supposed to have been Amenophis, the father of Sesostris, follow- ing after them, was drowned with his host in the Red Sea. 4. The monarchy was overthrown by Cambyses the son of Cy- rus, who made Egypt tributary to Persia B. C. 525. The inhabi- tants revolted from Artaxerxes Longimanus B. C. 463, but were soon reduced. They revolted again from Darius Nothus, B. C. 414, and for a short interval enjoyed their own kings, but were reduced again B. C. 350. 5. Alexander the Great having overrun Persia, invaded Egypt, B. C. 331 which submitted to him without resistance. 6. After his death, Ptolemy, one of his generals, took possession of the country, B. C. 323. He and his posterity sat on the throne 283 years. The last of them was the infamous Cleopatra. 7. Augustus Caesar reduced Egypt to a Roman province, B. C 30 : and entrusted the government of it to several Roman knights. 8. Amrou, the general of Omar the caliph of the Saracens, sub- dued Egypt A. D. 640. The country under his administration became rich and populous, and Amrou opened a canal 80 miles in length, between the Nile and the Red sea. 9. Saladin A. D. 1174 conquered Egypt, as vizir of Nuroddin, caliph of Bagdad, established the empire of the Turks in Africa, and soon assumed the title of sultan. 10. In the year 1250, the Turkish empire was overthrown by the Mamelukes. These were originally slaves, procured from the regions of Caucasus, who were taken prisoners by the Tartars iri 1227, and to the number of 12,000 were bought by the sultan, and educated at his expense as soldiers. They were introduced into Egypt to maintain the existing government, and by their superioi" skill and bravery became, in about 30 years, absolute masters of the country, and chose a sultan from among themselves. They constantly replenished their numbers by purchasing Circassian slaves, and educating them as soldiers. 11. Selim, the Turkish sultan, in 1517, reconquered Egypt, and annexed it to the Turkish dominions. The conquest was a bloody one, and many of the INIamclukes were massacred. Out of those that remained, Selim appointed the governors of the 24 prov- inces into which he divided Egypt, with the title ©f Beijs or ^^jj^i* 728 EGYPT. * giacs. The government of the whole country he left to aTurkiah bashaw ; but the chief powxr was lodged in the hands of the beys, as his divan, who were even authorized to displace him for propcv reasons. 12. The Turkish power, at first considerable, at length grew weaker and weaker, and the beys had the supreme control for a long period, acknowledging the sovereignty of the grand seignor. But in 1746, Ibrahim Kiaya, of the Janizaries, rendered himself master of the country. He was followed in 1766, by Ali Bey, and he by Mohammed Bey in 1773. From that time the Beys Avere constantly contending for superiority, till 1798, when they and the rest of the Mamelukes were compelled to unite, in order to resist the French, under general Bonaparte. The French armies drove the Mamelukes before them, as far as Syene, and on their retura were driven out of Egypt by the British troops, under Sir Ralph Abercrombie, in August 1 SO i , Antiquities.'] The pyramids of Egypt are the most wonderful monuments of ancient architecture. Three large ones are nearly opposite Cairo on the W. side, about 1 1 miles from the river's bank. They stand in the desert, and a large mass of each has been covered by the sands, which have been piled up around them. Their bases are squares, and each side an isosceles triangle. The. four corners of each point to the four cardinal points. The length of one side of the base of the largest is about 700 French feet ; Herodotus made it 800. Its height is now upwards of 600 ; He- rodotus made it just equal to a side of the base. It is composed of layers of flat, calcareous stones, 212 in number, and from 2 to i feet in height, which overleap each other, and thus form steps from the bottom to the top. The interior contains various rooms, one a large parallelogram, the roof of which is composed of seven enormous stones of granite, which reach from one wall to the other. At one end of it is a sarco/i/iagus made of a single block of marble. To these rooms the light of the sun never penetrated, and for a long period Uiey have been tenanted by immense num- bers of bats, who remain here undisturbed, from century to ecu- liu-y, except when the unwelcome lamp of the traveller faintly il- lumes their dark retreat. On the east side of the second pyramid is the sphynx, an enor- mous mass of one solid stone, of which the head and neck only are visible above the sand, and are 27 feet high. The distance from tlic ear to the neck is 15 feet. Pliny says that the head was 102 lectin circumference, and the body, (he probably means tire whole figure from the feet to the neck) 143 feet high. At Saccarah, about 18 miles farther south, there are also many pyramids, one of which is as large, but not as high, as the one we have described. There are others at Meidum and Hilahum, still farther up the river. The Egyptian catacombs arc grottoes and subterranean excava- tions lor the burial of the dead. Those of Alexandria begin where the ruins of the old city terminated, and extend along the shore for 'a long diiitance. They consist of long i^allerics with apartmcntj. EGYPT. 723 on each side excavated in the rock. In the sides of these apart- ments are three tiers of holes, or niches, where the bodies were deposited. These galleries sometimes cross each other, but are generally parallel. The niches have all been despoiled of their mummies. Near the pyramids of Saccara is a series of catacombs, extending about half a mile. They are entered by various wells 4 feet, and from 20 to 30 deep, cut through the rock. At the bot- tom is a passage 50 feet long and 5 Avide, which leads to a gallery of the same size, 6 feet high. On one side of this gallery there are apartments with platforms 2 feet high, and on the other, nar- row cells for coffins. To this succeeds another gallery inucli narrower, with niches for -upright coffins. There are similar ex- cavations near Siut and at Gebel Silsilis. But those of Thebes are far more extraordinary. They are on the N. W. of the city, on a step of the lower part of the Lybian chain, an arid and deso- late spot, devoted by nature to silence and death. The rock cut down on an inclined plain presents three sides of a squra-e, ia which double galleries have been excavated, and behind theia se- pulchral caves. These excavations occupy a space of nearly a mile and a half square, and are called the Necropolis, A little farther N. are the sepulchres of the kings of Tiiebes. Of these there are 18, of Avhich only 9 can be entered. The entrance of each grotto is a square doorway opening into the rock, through a long arched gallery 12 feet wide, and 20 high, every where riciily ornamented with painted and sculptured hieroglyphics. Four or five of these galleries, one within the other, generally lead to a spacious room containing the sarcophagus of the king, composed of a single block of granite, 12 feet long by is wide, square at one end, and rounded at the other. They are covered by a lid of enor- mous thickness, sliutting with a groove. Tiie figure of the king is sculptured on the lid. Religion a?id Government.'] The great body of the present in- habitants are Mahometans. The Copts are JMonophysite Christ- ians, who hold that the divine and human nature iri Jesus Christ, were so blended as to make but one nature. This is also the doc- trine of the Syrian, Armenian, and Abyssinian churches. Egypt had been a Christian country a long time, when Amrou, in 640, conquered it, and introduced Mahometanism. The Greeks and Monophysites were then very numerous in Egypt, and the for- mer, aided by the Greek einperor, persecuted the latter, and re- duced them to poverty and distress. Tiie Greeks fought Anircu, and were expelled the country; the Monophysites receiv'ed the Saracens, as the deliverers of their church. Their patriarch re- sides at Cairo, though called the patriarch of Alexandria. Their second officer, the patriarch of Jerusalem, rebides at the same place, and is merely a bishop of Cairo. He goes to Paksiino every Easter. The subordinate officers are bishops, arclumandrites, priests, and deacons. The clergy are divided into secular and regular, are extremely ignorant, and are allowed to marry. They have monasteries and nunneries. Their worsliip is very disor- derly. They have three liturgies. The Copts are numerous in VOL. u. 92 r.3Q " EGYPT. the Said, whcvc, in the desei't of Nitria, they have a very large monastery strongly fortified. As to the government, it is difficult to say, who at present have the dominion over the country. The Turks however still claim it as a province ; but since the French and English invasions their authority has been annihilated. Po/iulation.'] Hassel estimates the number of inhabitants at 3,500,a')0. Volney cailculated it at 2,300,000. This population is divided into various classes. I. The Cophti, or Copts, are descended from that mixture of Egyptians, Persians, and Greeks, who, under the Ptolemies and Constantines, Avere so long in pos- session of Egypt. Several families of them are found in the Delta. Numbers also live at Cairo, where they form the class of writers, the head of which is the writer to the principal Bey, Avho disposes of all employments in that department. They are here the intend- ants, secretaries, and collectors of government. But the great body of them is in the Said, or Upper Egypt, where, in some places, they occupy whole villages. II. The Arabs. These are of three kinds. 1. The Saracenic Arabs arc the descendants of the followers of Amrou, who came into Egypt in 640. They are husbandmen and artisans. 2. The Mograbians, who have arrived at different periods, and under different chiefs, from the W. and united with the former. They are emigrants from the Barbary States, and descendants also of the early Saracens. They are settled chiefly in the Said, where they are artisans and husband- men. 3. The Bedouins, or Eedotveensf the ancient SceirJes, or dwellers in tents, are the Arabs of the desert. They live in small independent tribes, wandering from place to place, and are only Tobbcrs and marauders. In Egypt they roam between the Nile and the Red sea, and along the isthmus of Suez, and along the skirts of the western mountains ; and number in all about 30,000 horsemen. III. The Turks are settled chiefly about Cairo. They claim to be the dominant nation, but have now no influence. They are chiefly artisans, priests, and military ofhcers, and arc not nu- merous. IV. The Mamelukes are chiefly Georgians, Circassians, and Mingreliaijs. They have the' flaxen hair so universal at the foot of Caucasus, and marry only wdth slaves from that country, "who are constantly sold in the market. They never have descend- ants beyond the second generation, and those are greatly inferior to themselves in activity and energy. Hence they are constantly obliged to replenish their number by youths from Georgia, and the neighboring countries ; who are brought to Egypt, sold as slaves to the jNIamelukes, educated as soldiers, and then set free. V. The Jews devote themselves to commerce and manufactures. Many of them arc goldsmiths, and their works in fiUagree, and precious stones, are greatly admired. Some of them manufac- ture light stufls out of Bengal cotton, and Syrian silk. VI. The Berebbers, Brebcs, or Barabras^ in the upper part of the Said, and in Nubia, are undoubtedly the descendants of the earliest Egyptian colonists, of those who were driven from the Delta by the shep- shcrds, to the country which they now occupy. They have a common name with the Berebbers of Mount Atlas, and in com- EGYPT. rsi mon with them pass as the descendants of the aborii^inal Africans. Those of Egypt are probably» however, less intermixed with other nations ; for those of Morocco are known to have sprung from the inhabitants, who occupied that country at the time of the fearacenic invasion ; and those were a mixture of Egyptian col- onists, of Phenicians, and of Romans. ^rmy.^ The regular military force of Egypt should be 20,000 infantry, and 12,000 cavalry. At present it is not possible to as- certain its actual amount. Every Bedouin however spends his life in arms. Re-ue7iue.'\ The regular sources of the Egyptian revenue are the customs, a land tax, and a capitation tax on Jews, and Christ- ians. The amount of the customs of Alexandria, Uamietta, Ro- setta, Suez, Cosseir, Cairo, and Assiut is very considerable. The Beys make the land tax yield a million and a quarter sterling, and even more ; though regularly it should produce only j(;420,000. The capitation tax is supposed not to exceed 1500 purses, or £73,000. The whole regular revenue may be calculated at iJ,000,C)00 sterling. The uncertain revenue is obtained by extor- tions, and is very great, but merely enriches the individual plun- dei'er. The prii.- ,pal copt, the secretary of the ruling Bey, had the control.of the taxes. He was the comptroller and farmer- general, regulated the customs, appointed the collectors, had va- rious monopolies, and was, in short, the despot of commerce. The copts under him had registers of each village, and w ere ex- tremely rigorous in exacting the land-tax. The customs were formerly farmed to the Jews; but when they were ruined by the extortions of Aii Bey in 1769, this branch of the revenue went. into the hands of the Syi'ian Christians of Damascus, of whom there are about 500 families in Cairo, all very opulent. Maimers and Customs.'^ The Copts have a dusky brown com- plexion ; dark hair and eyes, the former often curled like that of Europeans, but not at all like the wool of the negro, aquiline noses, and lips usually of moderate thickness. Their women have large black eyes, and a genteel form. They are despised by the Turks and hated by the common people. The Saracenic Arabs have a complexion nearly black, and are taller and more robvist than the present inhabitants of Arabia. They have deep, lively, and penetrating eyes, a short beard hanging in filaments, lips thin, and open, displaying fine teeth, fleshy arms, and much ac- tivity of body. The Bedouins are divided into tribes, each of which has a distinct portion of land. They live in tents, and sleep on the ground. They have numerous camels, live on their milk and on dates, and are constantly roaming from one place to another. They are gfcnerally about five feet, two inches high, and have a deep, tawny complexion. Their great business is robbery and plunder. The Berebbers have neither flesh nor fat, but simply bones, nerves, muscles, and tendons. 1 heir skin is of a shining, jetty black. Their eyes are deep and -sparkling, with the brows hanging over ; the nose pointed ; the nostrils large ; the jnouth wide ; the lips of moderate size j and the hair 732 EGYPT. scanty, and in scattered locks. They wear a piece of white wool- len cloth, and subsist on almost nothing. Many of them go down to Cairo, and are employed to guard the magazines and timber- yards. They are faithful, and strongly attached to their masters. Langnaffcs.'] The Arabic is spoken by all the Arabs, by the Copts, the Jews, and the Greek and Syrian Christians. The Mam- elukes speak both that and the Turkish, as do some of the Turks. The Bercbbers have a language of their own, but those who live at Cairo, and probably some of those on the frontiers, speak Ara- bic. The Copts have also an appropriate language, called the Cophtic ; but for three centuries they have ceased to use it, ex- cept in their religious services. In these they rehearse the Gos- pels and Epistles twice over, first in Cophtic and then in Arabic. This language is a mixture of the ancient Egyptian and the Greek. From the time of Ptolemy the Greeks abounded in Egypt for nearly 1000 years, till they were banished by Amrou. The lan- guage of the earliest colonists before corrupted by the intercourse with the shepherds, the Jews, and the Persians, now lost much of its oriental character. The Greek letters, first taught in Egypt, in the reign of Psammeticus, about 660 B. C. became in a meas- ure the national alphabet. In the Coptic vc ""jion of the New Testament, made a long time before the invasion of .Amrou, the letters, in their form and names, have a strong resemblance to those of the Greek, and in their force are exactly the same, with the addition however, of seven sounds from the old Egyptian, which the Greek had not. A great number of the words, also, are pure Greek ; the rest are Egyptian, with a vcy few Arabic. The declensions of the nouns and verbs, even of those from the Greek, are made as in the Hebrew, by prefixes, and not by a change of termination. Ci/ies'] Cairo, or Grand Cairo, was founded A. D. 968, by Jauhar, general of Moaz, tne first caiiph of the race of the Fati- mites. It stands on the E. side, nearly a mile from its bank, and about 10 from the angle of the Delta. To the E. and S. E. at a small distance lies the ridge, called Mokattam, of the extensive chain which runs parallel with the Nile to Upper Egypt. This ridge is here totally destitute of verdure, and presents nothing to the eye but dry sand and stones calcined with the sun. To the N. a fertile plain reaches to the Delta. Immediately under the mountain is the castle, nearly a mile in circumference, which commands the town, a place of great strength before the use of cannon. Within the castle is a well, called the well of Joseph, 280 feet deep, and 42 in circumference. The walls of the city are 9 miles in circumference. Its length from N. to S. is nearly 3 miles, and its breadth 2. The streets are narrow, crooked, and tinpaved, intersected here and there with large vacancies, which become lakes during the increase of the Nile, and are gardens the rest of the year. They are greatly infested with dogs. The Khalig, or canal of Amrou, traverses Cairo from N. to S. and loses itself 12 miles E. of the city, in the lake of the pilgrims. Ii for- merly extended to the Red 8ea ; but eastward of that lake it is EGYPT. 73$ now entirely choaked wp, and the part ■which remains contains no water, except durii.g the inundation. During the rest of the yeai', it is a mere receptacle for the filth of the city. The principal street runs parallel to the Khalig-, and on this canal are all the houses of the Europeans. The houses of the city are chiefly of earth and bricks, badly burnt; the rest are of a soft stone, from the neighboring mountains. They have two or three stories, ovei' ■which is a fiat terrace of stone or tiles. They look like prisons, for they have no windows towards the street, and the doors arc extremely low. Those of the wealthy have a lai*ge square open inner court, planted with fiowers and fruit trees ; through which light is admitted into the various rooms. The front door also opens into a vast hall, paved with marble, and ornamented with a fountam in the centre, which spouts into a marble reservoir. The floors of the rooms in these houses, are generally covered with mats and matrasses, over which is spread a rich carpet, on which they sit cross-legged. Around the wall is a sort of sofa with cush- ions to support the back and elbows, andabove, a range of shelves, ornamented with porcelain. The windows have no glass, but only an open lattice work. Mr. Browne estimates the population at 300,000. The Saracenic Arabs form thebody of the people. The Copts are numerous. The Mamelukes are about 12,Oob in num- ber. The Syrian Christians have upwards of 500 flimilies. 'J here are some Greeks and Armenians. The Mograbians have a dis- tinct quarter assigned them, and are frugal and industrious. Few of the Turks are steady residents. l"he Jews are numerous. There are many negro slaves from Guinea, and a number of Be- rebbers from Said and Nubia. The women are generally well formed, but not tall. Those of the higher ranks are tolerably fair ; they marry at 14, and are passed their prime at 20. Among the amusements, are dancing girls, and rope dancers ; chess and drafts are favorite games. Fireworks are occasionally exhibited. The ladies, oi# Friday, make parties of pleasure to a mosque with- out the walls, and in gondolas, on the increase of the Nile. The diseases here prevalent, are opthalmia, syphilis, hydrocele, ma- lignant fevers, and the plague. The mean annual heat is 73°. Within the walls are more than 300 mosques, most of which have several minarets or high steeples, surrounded with galleries. They have no bells. The people are assembled by criers, about 800 of whom are employed at once, in every quarter of the town. The city abounds with large and sumptuous reservoirs, which supply passengers with water, and also with commodious and mag- nificent baths. Cairo had once an extensive commerce, and it is now the metropolis of the trade of eastern Africa. Caravans leave it for Syria, Arabia, Abyssinia, Sennaar, Darfur, Fezzan, Tripoli, • Tunis, and Morocco. The okals, or warehouses, for v/holesalc goods, are spacious, strongly built, convenient, and clean ; the ba- zars are extensive buildings, with convenient shops, each trade being allotted its OAvn quarter, and having its own shiek, or leader. There are manufactured in the town, indifferent sugar, sal-ammo- tuap of an excellent quality, glass lamps, salt-petrc, coarse gun 734 EGYPT. powder, red and yellow leather, and iinen clotli, of the fine Egyp- tian flax. The silk stuffs also are carried to a high degree ot" perfection. To the N. E. of the town, are extensive gardens, and elegant country houses. The ground under the mountains, to the E. is filled with tombs. Between Cairo and the river lies Boulac, Avhich is really a sub- urb, and is the port of Lower Egypt. It extends nearly 2 miles along the river, but is narrow. Here all the merchandize is land- ed from the Mediterrane?n. It was taken by th«. French under Bonaparte, July 23, 1797, but afterwards abandoned*. Lon. 31 27 E. lat. 30 2 N, Alexandria, called by the inhabitants Scanderia, was built by Alexander, B. C 332, 12 miles west of the Canopic branch of the Kile. The lake Mareotis bathed its walls on the south, and the harbor on the north. For 1800 years it was the grand emporium of eastern commerce. Diodorus Siculus says it was 1 1 miles in circuit, and contained 600,000 inhabitants. When taken by Am- rou, it consisted of three towns, Alenna, or the part including the island of Pharos ; Alexandria Proper, or the modern Scanderia ; and Nekita, or the Necropolis of Strabo. The modern city is built near the brink of the sea, on a kind of peninsula, on each side of which is a harbor. That on the cast, assigned to Europeans, has an entrance clogged with sand, a rocky bottom, and is very unsafe. The other to the west, is called the port of Africa, and is much larger and nearer the town. The walls are 6 miles in circuit. They are flanked with large towers at the distance of 200 paces. Much of the inclosed space is occupied with ruins. The streets are narrow, irregular, and unpaved. The commerce of the town is now of considerable importance. The languages spoken here are Arabic, Italian, and the Lingua Franca. The reservoirs, built 2000 years ago, vaulted with much art, and ex- tending under the whole town, are still entire. They furnish the ivhole supply of fresh water to the city. The frtfcit of Caesar's palace is still standing, and a few of the porphyry pillars. One of Cleopatra's needles is still standing. The other is thrown down. They are two obelisks, each a single stone, 60 feet high, and 7 feet square at the base. The lake of Mareotis is now filled up by the sands of the desert, and the island of Pharos has be- come a part of the continent. Pompey's pillar, and the catacombs, are half a league south of the walls. Tiie canal of the Nile com- municates with the eastern hr^rbor. It is 40 miles long, and was cleared out, by the order of Bonaparte, in 1798. Damietta stands on the eastern bank of the eastern branch of the Nile, about 2 miles from its mouth. The river has here a semicircular bend, which gives that form to the city, and the east- ern bank is merely a narrow tongue of land, from 2 to 6 miles wide, between the river and lake Menzale. The houses are lof- ty, and have generally handsome saloons built on the terraces. It has several large public squares. The bazars are well built, and filled witii merchants. The commerce of the town is carried on almos;t wholly by Christians, from Damascus and Aleppo. Scv- EGYPT. 7.3^ f.Yfd lai'J^e mosques, with loFty minarets, are scattered over the city, and the public baths are lined with marble, and admirably- well attended. The, harbor is indifterent, but constantly crowded with vessels. The population is about 80,000. The environs are singularly fertile, and throughout the year present flowers, fruits, and harvests. The climate is always temperate and healthy. In the neighborhood of the town are many pleasant and flourishing village s. RosETTA is built on the west bank of the west branch of the Nile, and is now about 6 miles from its mouth, although it stood upon tl>e shore when it v/as founded in the 8th century. It ex- tends on the river 3 miles, and is 1 mile wide. The streets are nearly straight, and are wider than is usual in Egypt. The hous- es are handsome. Several of the mosques are magnificent. Ex- tensive gardens lie north of the city, in which citron, orange, date, and sycamore trees are promiscuously planted. The commerce of the town is extensive. Suez is built on a peninsula, at the head of the Gulf of Suez, in the midst of a desert. The houses are indifferently built, and stand so near together that there are but two passages into the city. The only water comes from Naba, 6 miles off", on the other side of the gulf, and the only provisions, except fish, from Cairo, and from places in Arabia still farther distant. The population is small. The commerce, by caravans, with Cairo, and by sea, with Jidda, is extensive. CossEiR lies on the west shore of the Red Sea, in lat. 2$ 8, N". and Ion. 35 4, L. about 280 miles S. E. of Suez. It stands among hillocks of floating sand, and is defended by a square fort of hewn stone, with three square towers in the angles, mounted with four guns. The houses are built of clay. The inhabitants are Arabs, from the opposite shore. The harbor is formed by a rock, which, runs 400 yards into the sea. Rough and lofty rocks of porphyry and granite environ the town at a small distance. The number of settled inhabitants is small, but great numbers of strangers are constantly passing and repassing. The commerce is considera- ble, particularly in coffee. SiuT, or AssiuT, is built on the ruins of the ancient Lycopolis, and stands about 2 miles from the west bank of the Nile, and about 200 in a direct line S. of Cairo. It is a large, populous, and 'well built town, and the sec of a Coptic bishop. The gardens abound with vegetables and fruits. GiRGEH is the chief town of the Said, and stands close to the west bank of the Nile, which grazes its vt^alls, and 80 miles in a direct line from Siut. It is 5 miles in circumference, and con- tains several mosques, bazars, and squares. Syene is on the east side of the Nile, and on the confines of Egypt, about 200 miles S. ofGirgeh. The houses are indifferent, but the population is numerous, and its commerce, in senna and dates, is extensive. The island of Elephantina is opposite the town. The ruins of the ancient Syene are on a hill a little south. The ancients supposed that it lav directly under the trop- 736 EGYPT. ic. Eratosthenes here made the first attempt to measure the circumference of the earth. Commerce.'] Tne commerce of Egypt is on the Mediteriane- an, on the Red Sea, and over land by caravans. The chief har- bors on the Mediterranean are Alexandria, Rosetta, and Danii- etta. Fron! these are exported rice, and linseed in immense quantities, kali, linens, flax, sal-ammoniac, sugar, grain of vari- ous kinds, the flower of the charthamus, dates, oranges, figs, lemons, and pomegranates, all the produce of the country ; coffee, assafoetida, senna, cinnamon, cassia, tamarinds, gums, in- cense, myrrh, aloes, spikenard, ostiich feathers, balm cf Mecca, coloquiutida, buffaloes', bulls', and cows' hides, and precious stones. The imports in return, are hard-ware, firc-aims, cuilery, gun-powder, and cloths, from England ; wines, velvets, aiid oth- er silks, from Sicily ; almonds, nuts, cloth, paper, and n.oney, from Marseilles ; money, copper vessels, and furs, from Turkey ; •wines from Zante ; and beads, paper, mirrors, cutlery, china ware, and money, from Italy. According to Niebuhr, about 1600 bales of broadcloth, 400 of pepper, 200 barrels of cochineal, and 60 of pewter, are sent yearly from Europe to Egypt. Egypt procures from the Red Sea the coffee, odors, gems, and drugs of Yemen, the perfumes of Arabia, the spices of Ceylon, the pearls of the Baharean isles, the muslins and linens of Bengal, and the shawls of Cashmir. The coffee alone is an annual object of 11 millions of livres. Every year a caravan leaves Morocco for Mecca, in Arabia. It passes along the Mediterranean shores, col- lecting pilgrims and merchants as it moves, and usually arrives at Cairo in May, bringing the gums of Morocco, and elephants* teeth, tamarinds, parrots, ostrich feathers, gold dust, and black slaves, from the other side of the Sahara. About 50,000 per- sons usually come in the caravan to Cairo, and the number of camels is still greater. They stay here upwards of a month. The city all this time presents the appearance of a fair, and the resort of strangers to it is immense. Here it is joined by the pilgrims, and merchants of Egypt, and usually doubles its num- bers. It proceeds to Suez, where it is greatly increased by ad- ditions from Syria and Persia, and in its rout, on the eastern side of the Red Sea, from Hindostan. At Mecca it is found usually to contain 200,000 persons. The western part of it returns to Cairo in 100 days from the time it left there, loaded with the merchandise of Arabia and the east, collected at Mecca and at Suez- A part of this is left in Egypt ; and the remainder, with cloths and clotlung of every description, glass-ware, broad-swords, false pearls, coral, and amber, purchased at Cairo, are carried westward for the Barbary States, and for Timbuctoo. Other caravans go from Cairo to Damascus, Scnnaar, Abyssin- ia, and Fezzan. EGYI»T. 737; CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND AGRICULTURE, RIV- ERS, LAKES, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, MIXERALOGV, MINERAL W.V- TERS. Cli7nate.'] THE climate of Egypt is extremely liot, as wo iTiight infer from its latitude, commencing at the torrid zone, and extending 8° into the temperate. The heat of the day, in July and August is usually 86° or 88'^ of Fahrenheit, in the shade, and in the Said it is much higher. The small elevation of the land is also the reason why the heat of Egypt exceeds that of other countries in the same latitude. From March to November iiy:lu- sive, the heat is hardly supportable to an European. The sky is then sparkling, the air inflamed, and nearly destitute of moisture, and during the three first months the weather is variable, and the> feeason very unhealthy. In June, July, August, the autumn and winter, diseases are less prevalent, and the weather is more vini- form. The heat of winter never exceeds 52° or 50°; of course snow and fc ail are unknown. In the nights of the warm season, particularly in the spring, the dews are very copious, but rains all this time are unknown ; and they occur very rarely in the winter. Rains are most frequent in the Delta, and the dews are there most copious. Both are brought on only by winds from the Mediterranean. The winds of Egypt have a singular degree of regularity. In June they blow from the N. and N. W. ; in July between the N. W. and N. E. ; thence to the equinox they are constantly N. and moderate, brisker by day than by night. At this period an universal calm remains on the Mediterranean. From the equinox, till December, they are chiefly from the N. and E. In the three winter months they become more violent and tempesuious, change frequently, and yet blow from the N. W. and W. In March and April they come from the S. E., S. and S. W. ; and in May the east v/ind divides with the north the empire of the sea. The south winds are hot and parched ; al- though, when they occur in winter, they are as cold as the north. The climate is generally healthy. The inhabitants are robust, and live many of them to old age. The dryness of the air pre- vents meat from putrifying, even in summer. Almost all the in- habitants drink of the Nile. Its waters, though turbid, are con- sidered as highly s:dubrioUo, and as rendering the Egyptian wo- men remarkably prolific. The plague does not originate in Egypt, but is brought there from abroad. Herniae are not common. Cutaneous diseases are prevalent, and would be more so were it not for the daily use of the bath. The leprosy and el- .ephantiaris arc rare. Ophthalmia is almost universal ; an,d the VOL. II, 9.:. yse EGYPT. number of the blind is very great. The ravages of the syphilis are dreadful. Malignant fevers sometimes become epidemic. . The Egyptians are generally of a bilious habit, and the colic is the habitual malatiy. " Face of the Country.'] The habitable part of Upper Egypt is a long narrow valley, commencing at Syene, and terminating a little south of Cairo. Two chains of mountains, taking their rise from the lower cataracts of the Nile, bound this valley on tlie east and west. The width of the valley is from 12 to 30 miles. At Cairo the chains separate to the right and left. Tlie western, consisting of sandy hillocks over a bed of calcareous stone, winds to the N. W. and terminates in the sand banks near Alexandria. The other, Mount Mokattara, composed of high and steep rocks, turns to the E. and runs to the Red sea. Between these insur- mountable barriers the Nile winds upwards of 6 degrees of lati- tude, with varied current, sometimes smooth and tranquil, at others impetuous, and overflowing the valley, which it fertilizes with its waters. Beyond the eastern range is the desert of the Red sea, of which the Egyptian part is 480 miles long, 200 wide in the south, and 70 in the north ; a barren expanse, intersected by various ranges of hills, which abound in marble and porphyry, but are destitute of water and of vegetation, and are chiefly cover- ed W'ith sand. Across these hills runs the solitary road, which leads from Cosseir to Keft and Keueh, on the Nile. Beyond the •western range stretches a vast desert of sand, AVhich is the eastern skirt of the Sahara. This is also intersected by chains of barren hills, and roads from Girgeh and Siut lead to the two Oases, the greater and the less, which are considered as belonging to Egypt. Below Cairo the valley of the Nile widens, and embraces not only the Delta, but all the country watered by the canals connected with the easicrn, or Peiusiau branch of the Nile. The country N. E. of Suez, to the Mediterranean, is also chiefly a barren, sandy plain. '1 he coast of Egypt, on the Mediterranean, is so low that it can be seen but a very short distance ofl'at sea. The coast on the Red sea is rocky^ and often elevated. Soil and Agriculture.'] The basis of Egypt from Syene to the Mediterranean, is a continued bed of calcareous stone, of a whit- ish hue, and somewhat soft, containing shells of echini, volutes, bivalves, and a species in the shape of lentils. The soil upon this bed in the valley of the Nile, and in and near the Delta, is a black fat loam, of a clayey cementing quality, and eminently productive. When left uncultivated, it is liable to be cracked by the intense heat of the sun, to the depth of several feet. The most fertile districts are the Delta, and tlie province of Fayoum, between the Canopic branch and the canal of Alexandria. The harvest of rice on the Delta is very great. The value of 600,000 livi-es is ex- ported from DanVietta alone. Grain grows every where. The chief species being whe?.t, and barley for the horses. The wheat of Upper Egypt is the sustenance of Arabia, and is shipped at Cosseir. 1 lie Delta and the neighboring country are watered by the overflowing of the Nile. Most of the water in Upper Egypt EGYPT. rs$ is conveyed to the lands by machinery. Indian corn, flax, hemp, and tree sugar, are very extensively cultivated. Lentils form a considerable article of food in the Said. The Egyptian onions and leeks are remarkably mild, and most of^the European vegeta- bles grow in the gardens. Millet and Turkey corn, the vine, and the Egyptian privet ; the carthamus, senna, coloquintida, and several other medicinal plants ; and fence-greek and barsim, two species of fodder, are also extensively cultivated. Bivers.'] A minute description of the extent and course of the Nile has already been given. The water begins to rise about the 19th of June, and subsides in October. Before the 20th of August it usually has risen at least 16 cubits, the increase necessary to insure a favorable crop. This rise in the Nile is owing to the rains of Abyssinia. Lakes. J The largest lake, Mcnzala, the ancient Tarns, lies east of the Pelusian arm of the Nile. It is 60 miles long, and 12 broad, and lies parallel with the Mediterranean, from which it is separat- ed by a narrow strip of sand. Several canals connect it with the river, the waters of which discharge themselves copiously into the lake during the inundation, and render its water soft. In winter the reflux of the sea renders it brackish. There are several isl- ands in the lake, built over like towns, as Nabli, Touna, Samnaa, and Hassan-El ma, which can only be approached by boats. Of these, about 1200 continually fish on the lake, and pay an annual tribute of /; 2 160 sterling for the privilege. Lake Berelos is in the Delta, between Damietta and Rosetta. It is 32 miles long and 10 broad, in the middle, but contracts at both ends. It also contains several islands. Lake Elko is a long narrow strip of water near Aboukir. Lake Kerun lies S. W. of Cairo, and is about 30 miles long and 6 broad. Though at a con- siderable distance from the Nile, it is in a fertile district, which shoots out like an excrescence westward. The Natron Lakes are in the desert, west of the Nile, about half way between Kerun and the sea. They produce natron, or the mineral alkali. Botany. ~\ Fruit trees abound in this country. The figs are of excellent flavor. The date-palm and the sycamore-fig, rises in every khid of soil, even in the sands. Its bark affords filaments, out of which are manufactured ropes and sails ; baskets are made of its leaves, and javelins of its branches. The orange, the lem- on, olive, and pomegranate, are abundant. A species of cyperus here produces a delicious fruit, resembling the earthnut, wi)ich yields a pectoral emollient juice. The banana-tree grows in Lower Egypt. The fruit of the custard apple-tree has a fine fra- grance and flavor. The apricot, peach, almond, and pistachio- nut, are cultivated with success. The lotus, a species of water- lily, covers the canals and pools after the inundation. The papy- rus is still found on the banks of the Nile. The oriental plane- tree, the caper-bush, the arum-colocasia, the cotton tree, sugar- cane, plantain, mallow, Jew's mallow, the esculent hibiscus, senna, mimosa nilotica, coloquintida, hcnne, carthamus, and helbe, ought "also to be mentioned in the botany of Egypt, Tlie atlc, a large r40 • EGYPT. species of tamarisk, is the only wood that is common for fuel, of manufactures. Zoology.'] The ox was anciently one of the Dii majorcs of Egypt ; and then, thc^brced was eiccellent. Since that time the aiumber of these animals has greatly decreased, and their quality has degenerated. They are now of a fawn color, their horns are small, and they arc employed in tillage, and hydraulic machines. The buffalo was brought from Persia. The female is reared fo^ Its milk, and the male for its flesh, which is red, hard, and dry, and has a musky fragrance. There arc numerous species, all do- mestic. The horses of Egypt are scarcely inferior to those of Arabia, in spirit, activity, or beauty. Their reputation has been high since the time of Solomon, who here supplied his 4000 stalls. The male horse is permitted to i-jtain his perfect character. The JEgyptian ass is rivalled only by the ass of Nubia and Arabia. Those of the Said particularly, are highly valued for their vigor and beauty. They are hardier than the horse, less diflicult as to the quality and quantity of their food, and better fitted for traversing the desert. The mules are equally excellent. The Egyptian dogs are a race of large gray hounds, that never leave the quarter where ihey arc born, and form distinct tribes. They throng the streets of all the cities, and the Bedouins have great numbers, which they defend with theii- lives. The cat was once sacred. They are now numerous, and are still treated with great attention and tender- ness in every house. Sheep and goats are not found in great 3iumbers. The tyger, jackal, antelope, deer, fox, and hare, are found in desert places. The Egyptian ape has a head like that of a dog, and is strong and ferocious. Crocodiles are very numerous on the banks of the Nile, between Syene and Siut. Tiie ichneu- 3non, one of the ancient deities, destroys the eggs of the crocodile, but is also very fond of poultry. This propensity has lost him the respect of the inhabitants, notwithstanding he is an excellent inouse and rat catcher. He is less common in the Said, than far- ther north. The thirse, a species of tortoise in the Nile, is the •worst enemy of the crocodile ; he kills and devours the young ones, as soon as they creep into the river. The number of rats and mice Avould render the country uninhabitable, were it not for the annual deluge. Camcleons are numerous about Cairo, and lizards and vipers in various places. Scorpions are very large in the Said, and also venomous. Wasps are there very common. The gnat has a dismal sting, and comes in swarms after the rice harvest. Swarms of winged insects float in the air, and furnish incessant employment for swallows and wag-tails. Great atten- tion is paid to the culture of honey. The hives of several villages in Lower Egypt, are put on board large boats, and sent up the river to cull the earlier sweets of Vosthani and the Said. The 1)oatmen stop at every place where they find flowers and verdure. The bees at day -break quit their cells by thousands, and soon re- turn loaded with the spoils of the orange-flower, the rose and the icssaminc, and the numberless wild flowers that adorn the valley j!f the Nile. The flqet u'^uallv returns in three month."?, and the NUBIA. ?4l boatmen receive their recompense in the honey, Avhich the bees have collected. Mineralogy J^ Immense quarries of marble are found near Cos- seir, and in the road from that place to Keneh. Similar quarries extend more than 25 leagues from Mon^ut to Sawadi. It is also found in the mountains N. E. of Syene. A range of porphyry mountains commences on the coast of the Red sea, in lat. 24 N. at Hamra, and reaches to 23 30 in Nubia. On the road from Cairo to Suez are found great numbers of Egyptian pebbles. Copper is the only metal found here by the ancients. Quarries of red granite reach from the cataracts below Syene. N. W. of that town is a quarry of serpentine, of which the inhabitants make vessels which stand the fire. In the same parallel there was anciently a mine of emeralds, the traces of which are now lost. Mineral Waters.^ The situation of the Natron lakes has been mentioned. They are two in number, 3 or 4 leagues long, and about a mile broad, with a solid stony bottom. For 9 months they are without water. In the winter there oozes out of the earth a reddish violet colored water, which fills the lakes to the height of 5 or 6 feet. This is evaporated by the heat of the spring, and There remains a bed of salt 2 feet thick, which is broken with iron bars. Thirty tliousand quintals are produced annually. NUBIA. THIS name has long been given to a tract of indefinite extent, lying between Egypt and Abyssinia. On the Nile it may be considered as commencing a little above Syene, immediately mider the tropic ; and in the same latitude on the Red sea. Its proper southern limit, on the Red sea, is the northern bovmdaryof Abyssinia, in lat. 16. On the E. bank of the Nile, it reaches a lit- tle above the mouth of the RahacU or Dcndtr ; and on the W. bank, as far S. as the cataracts in that river. It extends west- ward beyond the Bahar El Abiad^ as far as the frontiers o{ Dar Fur. The northern part of this country is an extensive desert, called the Great Desert of JViibia. This desert commences at the tropic^ The mountains, which run parallel with the western shore of the Red sea, from Suez to Babelmandel, are its eastern limit. West- ward it extends beyond the Nile, joining the desert of Libya ; of Avhich it is merely a continuation. On the S. it terminates at GoQs, in lat. 1 8, just below the mouth of the Atbara. liiuce cross- ed this desert on his return from Abyssinia. From Goos he v/ent nearly in a straight course to Syene. The country is here an im- mense expanse of sand; the level surface of which is here and '.here broken bv sharp ridges of rock rising out of the plain, and 742 NUBIA. sometimes attaining a considerable elevation. The wild Arabs roam over it to attack the travellers, who cross it on the road to Syene ; and those who proceed from the interior of Africa in car- avans, to Mecca. The only interesting objects remarked by Bruce, were the vioving fiillars ofsaytd, and the simoom. The pil- lars of sand at times proceed with great celerity, and at times they stalk with majestic slowness. When Bruce was at the halting place, called Ikssa 7tagga, in lat. 19 20, he saw eleven of them about 3 miles distant. They followed the course of the wind, and often with such rapidity, that the swiftest horse would in vain have at- tempted to escape them. The greatest diameter of the largest, appeared, at that distance, as if it would measure 10 feet. Their tops often seemed to reach to the clouds, and were frequently sep- arated from the bodies. In this case they were immediately dis- persed in the air. Sometimes they were suddenly broken near the middle, as if struck with a large cannon shot. Sometimes they pass between the traveller and the sun, and then assume the appearance of pillars of fire. The simoom^ or poisonous blast from the desert, at a distance, has ihe appearance of a haze, iu color, Jike the purple part of the rainbow, but less compr.eased and thick. The one, which Bruce describes, Avas not more than 20 yards in breadth, and about 1 2 feet from the ground. It was a I;ind of blush upon the air, and moved very rapidly. The only re- source of the traveller is to fall flat upon the ground with his face to the earth. An inhalation of the fatal atmosphere, which it brings, is soon succeeded by death. After the purple meteor has vanished, a light air still blows, of a heat to threaten suffocation. DoNGOLA is a town on the E. bank of the Nile, in lat. 15 30 N. and Ion. 32 E. It is the capital of the kingdom of Dcnt'ola ; which lies on both sides of the Nile, and is considerably extensive. We have seen, however, no satisfactory account of it. Of Sennaar, the southern kingdom of Nubia, Bruce has given an interesting descriplion. It may be considered as Comprising the country between the Red sea and the Nile, as far S. as the N. W. limits of Abyssinia ; as reaching on the E. bank of the Nile, between it and the Atbara or Tacazzc, to about lat. 13 ; as com- prehending all the country between the Nile and the Bahar el Abi- ad, as far S. as the cataracts of the Nile ; and also as including the provinces of Shillook and Kordofan on the W. of the latter river. The kingdom of Darfur is its S. W. boundary. The tract between the Atbara and the Nile, is called Atbara. The province of Sennaar, includes the northern part of the country be- tween the Bahar cl y\biad and the Nile ; and that of Fezcuclo^ the southern, as far as the cataracts. The province of Shillook lies W. of the Bahar el Abiad, in the latitude of Sennaar ; and that of Kordofan., lies S. of ShiUook, and W. oi Fczcuclo. From the time of Saladin, to the conquest of Selim, emperor of the Turks, who finished the reign of the Mamelukes in Egypt, i. c. from the 12th to the 16th century, the Arabs in Nubia had been incorporated with the old indigenous inhabitants of the country, which were the shepherds. The only distinction that remained. NUBIA. 743 xvas, that the Arabs lived chieny in tents, while the aborigines lived in villages, mostly by the sides of rivers, and amo.ig planta- tions of date trees. Those of tlie Arabs, however, who belonged to the race of Bejii Koreish, i. e. Mahomet's own family, lived in towns. The Arabs, after a while, became the ruling nation, and the aborigines were connected to Mahcmetanism. The title of the Arab prince, was Ali Welled Ageeb^ and he always was of the race of Beni Koreish. His residence was at Gerri, on the E. bank of the Nile, just below the junction of the two great branches of that river, and at the northern limit of the tropical rains, in lat. I6N. In the year 1504, a black nation, hitherto unknown, called the Shillook nation.) inhabiting the western banks of the Bahar el Abiad, in about lat. 13 N. made a descent in a multitude of canoes or boats on the Arab provinces ; and in a battle near Herbagi, a town opposite the mouth of the Deader., defeated the Welled Ageeb, and forced him to a capitulation. The Arabs agreed to pay the negroes half of their stock, and every year half of the increase. The negroes founded Sennaar, as their own capital in 1504, and removed the seat of government of the Welled Ageeb, from Gerri to Herbagi, that he might be more under their own eye. Bruce was at Sennaar, in 1770. In the 266 years that had followed the foundation of the monarchy, 20 kings had reigned in Sennaar. Amrou, the first king, reigned from 1504 to 1534. Eight of the 30 had been deposed. Ismain the king, in 1770, was a man 34 years of age, and had reigned 3 ycai's. The Shillooks were pagans when they invaded the country. Soon after they were converted to Mohammedism ; when they took the name of Fungc, or conquerors. It is a fundamental law of the monarchy, that the king may lawfully be put to death, when a council of the great officers decrees, that it is not for tlie advantage of the state that he should reign any longer. The king ascends tlie throne under an admission of the force of this law ; and there is always one officer of his own family, the sid el coom, or master of the household, to whom the death of the king is on such occasions, by law, entrusted. This officer has no vote in deposing him. The only weapon he may lawfully use for this purpose is a sword. The eldest son of the king succeeds by Tight, and, immediately after- wards, puts to death as many of his brothers as he can apprehend. A female cannot succeed to the throne. The crown, since 1504, has always been in the family of Amrou. The king is styled the Mek of Sennaar. The forces at Sennaar, around the capital, con- sists of about 14,000 JSfuha, who figlu naked, having no armor but a short javelin, and a round shield; and about 1800 cavaliy, all blacks, mounted on black horses, armed with coats of mail, and broad Slavonian swords. These last arc remarkably brave, and weii disciplined. The revenue derived from the province of Kordofan consists chiefly of slaves procured from Dyre and Tcgla. That of Fez- Guclo is in gold ; as is that from Atbara and the country E. of the river of that name. The Welled Jgeeb collects all the re\enuc from the Arabs. It amounts to a very large sum in gold. CKceetl- 7U • NUBIA. ing that of all the other provinces. He pays it to the Mek. Hxs own revenues from the Arabs are said to be six times as large. The dress of Sennaar is very simple. It consists of a long shirt of bhie Surat cloth, called Maroivty, which covers them from the lower part of the neck to the feet. That of the women covers the neck also. The men have sometimes a sash about the middle. Both sexes go barefoot in the house. Their floors are covered ■with Persian carpets. In fair weather they wear sandals without, and sometimes a kind of wooden patten, ornamented With shells. Both sexes anoint themselves at least once a day with camel's grease, mixed with civet, and sleep in shirts similarly treated. Their beds are merely tanned bull's hides, much softened by this constant greasing. The principal diet of the poorer sort is millet, made into flour and bread. The rich make a pudding of millet, and also eat beef partly roasted and partly raw. Their horned cattle are remarkably fine ; but the common meat sold in the mar- ket is camel's flesh. Bruce was called upon by the Mek to administer to several of the sable bodies of his seraglio. He gives us the following ac- count of his visit. " I was admitted into a large sqviare apartment very ill lighted, in Avhich were about fifty women, all perfectly- black, without any covering but a very narrow piece of cotton rag about the waist. While I was musing whether or not these all might be queens, or whether there was any queen among them ; one of them took me by the hand, and led me, rudely enough, in- to another apartment. This was much better lighted than the first. Upon a large bench, or sofa, covered with blue Surat cloth, sat three persons, clothed from the neck to the feet w^ith blue cotton shirts. " One of these, who I found was the favorite, was about 6 feet high, and corpulent beyond all proportion. She seemed to me, next to the elephant and rhinoceros, the largest living creature I had met with. Her features were perfectly like those of a negro ; a ring of gold passed through her under lip, and weighed it down, till like a flap it covered her chin, and left her teeth bare, which were very small and fine. The inside of her lip she had made black with antimony. Her ears reached down to her shoulders, and had the appearance of wings ; she had in each of them a large ring of gold, somewhat smaller than a man's little finger, and about 5 inches in diameter. She had a gold necklace, like what ■we used to call esclavag-c, of several rows one below another ; to which were hung rows of sequins pierced. She had on her an- cles two manacles of gold, larger than any I had ever seen upon the feet of felons ; with which I could not conceive it was possible for her to walk, but I afterwards found that they were hollow. The others were dressed much in the same manner. Upon my coming near them the eldest put her hand to her mouth, and kissed it ; saying at the same time, in very vulgar Arabic, " f^if- halek honuaja .?" (how do you do, merchant ?) 1 never in my life was more pleased v/ith distant salutations than at this time. I an- swered " Peace be among you I I am a physician, au,d not a mer- chant." NUBIA. 74S « I shall not entertain the reader with the mnltitude of their complaints ; being- a lady's physician, discretion and silence are my first duties. It is sufficient to say, that there was not one part of their whole bodies, inside or outside, in which some of them had not ailments. The three queens insisted upon being- blooded, which I complied with, as it Avas an operation that required short attendance ; but upon producing the lancets, their hearts failed them. I sent my servant home for the cupping instrument, which performed the operation with great success. The room was over- flowed with royal blood, and the whole ended with their insisting that I should give them the instrument itself ; which I was obliged to do, after cupping two of their slaves before them, who had no complaints, merely to show them how the operation was per- formed. " Another night I was obliged to attend then*, and gave the queens, and two or three of the great ladies, vomits. The ipeca- cuanha had great effect, and warm water was .drank very copious- ly. The patients were numerous, and the floor of the room re- aaived all the evacuations. It was prodigiously hot, and the hor- rid black figures, moaning and groaning with sickness all around me, gave me, I think, some slight idea of the punishment in the world below. My mortificatior.s did not stop here. I have ob- served, that, on coming into their presence, the queens were all covered with cotton shirts ; but no sooner did their complaints make part of our conversation, than, to my utmost surprise, each of th6m in her turn stript herself entirely naked, laying her cotton shirt loosely on her lap, as she sat cross-legged, like a tailor. The custom of going naked in these warm countries abolishes all her delicacy concerning ic. I could not but observe that the breasts of each of them reached the length of their knees. " This exceeding confidence on their part, they thought merited some consideration on mine ; and it was not without great aston- ishment that I heard the queen desire to see me in the like dish- abille in which she had spontaneously put herself. The whole court of female attendants flocked to see the spectacle. Refusal or resistance were in vain. I was surrounded by fifty or sixty- women, all equal in stature and strength to myself. The whole of my clothing was like theirs, a long loose shirt of blue Surat cot- ton cloth, reaching from the neck to the feet. The only terms I could possibly make for mysel^ were that I should strip no farther than the shoulders and breast. Upon seeing the whiteness of my skin they gave all a loud cry in token of dislike ; and snudder- ed, seeming to think it rather the eff'ects of disease, than natural. I think I never in my life felt so disagreeably. I have been in more than one battle, but surely I would joyfully have taken my chance again in any one of them to have been freed from that ex- amination. I could not help likewise rcflcciing, that if the king had come in during this exhibition, the consequence would either have been impaling, or stripping off that skin they were so curi- ous about ; though I can solemnly declare there was not an idea i-n my breast, since eyor I had the honor ©f seeing these royal beau- VOT,. 11'. 94 746 NUBIA. ties, that could have given his majesty of Sennaar the smallest reason for jealousy." The Arabs, like the Creoles of the West Indies, prefer the black women to their own in summer, on account of the superior coolness of their skins. It is remarkable, that the issue of an Arab and negro has uniformly the light copper complexion of the Arab, with no mixture of the black ; and it makes no difference whether the Arab be the father or the mother. Bruce says he never saw one black Arab in Sennaar, notv/ithstanding the gener- ality of this intercourse. The town of Sennaar is in lat. 13 34 36, N. and in Ion. 33 30 30, E. It is built on the west side of the Nile, close to its bank, on ground just high enough to save it from inundations. The site of the town is extensiv'>. The king's pala"e covers a great deal of ground. It ie all of one story, built of clay, and the floors o£ earth. The houses of the great officers are of two stories, and have parapet roofs. The other houses are of but one, and they are all built of clay, with very little straw mixed with it. jE/-.4icays, that the largest armies ever collected in the country, were at the battle of Serbraxos. The rebels had then 60,000 men, and the king 40,000, The usual amount of the army does not exceed 20,000. Hassel, however, reckons the number at 40,000. The cavalry is good. The king's household troops consist of 8000 infantry. They are armed with matchlocks. Most of the other troops have only lances and shields. Jievenue.'\ The royal revenue is paid, partly in ounces of gold; and partly in honey, cattle, horses, cloths, and various other articles. Manners and Cuntomfi.'] The principal part of the dress of the natives is a large cotton cloth, 24 cubits long, and 1 ^- broad, with a blue and yellow stripe round the bottom. They are called kuuras, 2.nd are very beautiful and light. The other pieces of dress are breeches, which reach to the mid-thighs. Those of the common people are gi'.t with a white cloth girdle ; while the better sort •wear red Indian cotton cloths for breeches, and silk or wors- ted colored girdles. When they ride they hold the stirrup be- tween the great and second toes. Even the king rides bare-foot-r ed. Almost all the houses are built of clay, with thatched conical roofs. The chief articles of food are cakes of unleavened bread, and raw flesh, which as far as possible they cut from the animal while living, that it may be the more tender. At their feasts an equal number of both sexes are invited, and they always terminate in drunkenness and extemporaneous debauchery. The ordinary jTiai'riage is contracted by mutual consent without any ceremony, and is dissolved by the dissent of either party. As soon as this takes place, both parties marry again. They also divide the chil- dren, the eldest son falling to the mother and the eldest daughter to the father. Marriages, according' to the churc/i, are celebrated as follows. The man sends some one to ask the girl of her father, and is rarely refused. He is then invited to the house, and an qath is reciprocally taken by both parties to be faithful to each other. He then receives her fortune, usually a sum of gold, and some oxen, sheep, or horses. He is at the same time obliged to find security for the goods, in case he should dismiss his wife, and be unable to refund them ; and also to promise a certain sum of money, should he abandon her. On the day of marriage a feast is prepared at the house of the bride's father ; the oaths are renew- ed, and she is taken to the bridegroom's. In 20 or SD days they appear before the priest to receive the sacrament, at>d acknowl- edge each other to be man and wife. No distinction's made in Abyssinia betv/een legitimate and illegitimate children.' Nothing is known of personal purity among any of the inhabitants. From the family of the king to that of the beggar the same licentiousness and profligacy are prevalent. When an Abyssinian approaches into the presence of the monarch, he falls upon his knees, then on the palms of his hands, and then inclines his head till the forehead touches the earth ; and, in case he has an answer to expect, re-. mains in that posture, till he has received it. The country has for many years been tlie scene of civil wars, which have called into exercise all the ferocious passions, and exhibited a constant sac- cession of treachery, murder, and assassiuation. ABYSSINIA. Tol tiiies.'] GoNDAR, the capital, is in lat. 12 34 50, N. and in Ion. 37 S3., E. Il is situated on a hill of considerable height, which is every where surrounded by a deep valley. This valley has three outlets ; one to the S. E. to Dembea ; a second to the N. W. over Debra Tzai, ov the mountain of the Sun, towards Sennaar ; a third to the N. towards Tigre and the Red sea, over the high mountain Lamalman. The river Kaha, coming from Debra Tsai, flows N". of the town, and the Angrab skirts the hill on the S. They to- gether almost encircle the town, and unite a qu;^rter of a mile from it, at the foot of the hill. The top of the hill is a plain of very considerable extent. The length of the town is 3 miles from E, N. E. to W. S. W. and its breadth 1 mile. It contains about 10,000 houses, and about 50,000 inhabitants. Immediataly on the bank, opposite Gondar, is a large Mahometan village, of about 1000 houses. The royal palace is at the \V. end of the town, in the'middle of a square court, which is a mile in circumference. Originally it was a square building, erected by rnaso«s from In- dia, flanked with square towers, 4 stories in height, and built of stone. As this gradually decayed for want of repairs, different princes added small houses of one story in dificrcnt parts of the court. These are comj>osed of wood and clay, thatched with straw. The two lov/er stories of the original palace still remain. The audience chamber is 120 feet long. A substantial double stone wall surrounds the square. It is 30 feet high. There are battlements on the outer wall, and a parapet roof between the outer and inner. The town contains numerous churches. AxuM, the ancient capital, is in lat. 14 6 36, N. and Ion. 33 40, E. It stands in a plain, 140 miles N. E. from Gondar, and 120 from the Red sea. It is now a mere heap of ruins. In one square, apparently near the centre, there are 40 obelisks. They are each a single piece of granite. Two magnificent flights of steps, each several hundred feet long, are the only remains of a superb tem- ple. It is watered by a small perennial stream, which still flows into a magnificent bason, 130 feet square. The present tov.n, at a little distance from the ruins, contains about 600 houses. Sire is larger than modern Axum. It is in lat. 14 4 35, N. and in Ion. 38, E. Its form is that of a half m.oon, and the town is famous for the manufacture of coarse cottons, Masuah is on a small island, which is only three quarters of a mile long, and of half that width. Not more than a third of it^ surface is covered with houses. The island is in the large bay of Masuah, in lat. 15 35 5, N. and Ion. 39 36 30, E. About 20 of the houses are of stone, 6 or 8 of which are of two stories. The othtr houses are composed of poles and bent grass. Arkeeko is on the bay of Masuah. There is water enough for large vessels close to the town ; but the bay being open to the N. E. makes it uneasy riding in blowing weather. The town con- tains about 400 hoases, built principally of coarse grass, like reeds. Commerce.'^ lieforc the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope, the commerce of this country was valuable. It was carried on chiefly with Arabia, aad India, and Masuah was a harbor of grea-t 752 ABYSSINIA. resort. Gold, ivory, elephants, and buffaloes' hides, were ilie chief exports ; and they are now exported to some extent. Slaves also are exported to India and Arabia. The imports from Ara- bia are blue cotton, Surat cloths, cotton in b?les, Venetian beads, drinking and looking-glasses, and crude antimony. A small car- avan goes yearly to Cairo, laden with gold dust. CHAPTER II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, RIVERS, LAKE, 5I0UNTAINS. Climate.'] THE rainy season commences in April, and ends about the 8th of September. An unpleasant sickly season follov/s, till about the 20th of October, when the rain? recommence. They then continue constant, but moderate, till about the 8th of November. All epidemic diseases cease Avith the latter rains. The heat depends on the elevation of the gi'ound. Bruce kept a register of the weather at Gondar upwards of a year and three months. The greatest elevation of the mercury was 91°, in April, the least, 54°, in July. The hills are generally healthy, and great numbers of the towns and villages are built on them. The more prevalent diseases are violent fevers, which prove fatal on the 5th day ; the tertian fever ; the dysentery ; the hanzea^ a species of king's evil ; the farcnteit, or worm of Pharaoh ; and the elephan- tiasis. /•^acc of the Countrij.~\ The surface in the middle and S. is generally rugged and mountainous, and abounds with forests and morasses. It is also interspersed with many fertile valleys and plains. In the N. it is chiefly a flat country. «So27 and Agriculture. ~\ The soil, though often thinly spread, is rendered extremely productive by the rains, and the overflow- ing of the rivers. Wherever it can be tilled and w^ell watered, it yields abundant crops. The inhabitants first sow a crop of bar- ley about the last of April. It ripens in the rains in June, and is carried from the fields to prevent its rotting. They then sow fitches, which ripen in August. In September they sow wheat ©r teff.^ which is cut down in December. Those who have water, sow barley or fitches again in January. At a medium "a harvest is only about 20 for I. They never manure the grounti, and the rats and ants constantly devour the crop. All their harvests are not equal to one in Egypt. Rivers.~\ The eastern branch of the Nile, called the Eahar El ylsrcky rises in Abyssinia, and is for some distance its eastern boun- dary. It has heretofore been minutely described. The Atbara, heretofore called the Siris, the Jstaborasn, and the Tacazzc, has three sources, the most remote of which rises near the village of Gourie in the province of Angot, 250 miles E. S. E- EASTERN COAST OF AFRICA. 753^ of Gondar. It pursues a N. W. course of about 800 miles, join- ing the Nile, in lat. 17 50, N. The northern ^?2^'TaZ>, which rises near Gondar, falls into the Atbara on the W. and still lower down the Guangue. The Mareb is a stream which rises in the mountains, on the borders of the Red sea ; and, passing about midway between Arkeeko and Axum, runs N. W. to join the At- bara in the desert of Sennaar. The Rahad, or Dender, is a considerable river, that joins the Nile from the E. 40 miles below Sennaar. Lake.'] The lake of Tzana, or Dembea, lies 24 miles S. S. W. of Gondar. It is 49 miles in length, from N. to S. and 35 ia breadth. It contains 10 or 12 islands, some of considerable size. The Bahar el Asrek passes through it. Mountains.'] A chain of mountains runs along the whole coast of the Red sea, from Suez to Babelmandel. In lat. 1 3, a chain leaves it to the S. W. and W. which crosses the Nile at its cat- aracts, and unites with the mountains of Tugula. Still farther S. a chain seems to separate from it in the same direction, and pass- ing S. of the Nile, to join the mountains of the Moon. EASTERN COAST OF AFRICA. THE coast, from Cape Gardefan, to the equator, is called Jjan^ the Azania of Ptolemy, and includes the kingdoms of Adel^ and MagadaxQ. Adel. Adel lies S. E. of Abyssinia, has the country of the G alias on the W. and Magadaxo on the S. We do not know its exact limits. It commences, on the N. W. at the Straits of Ba- belmandel. It I'cvolted from Abyssinia about the year 1320 ; and after having since been repeatedly subjugated by that coxmtry, is now independent. The inhabitants are Mahometans. The king is absolute. Heretofore he has been tributary to the Grand Seign- ior, and has been assisted by troops from Arabia, against the Abyssinians. The country is populous, and has proved too pow- erful for its enemy. Several of the pi'ovinces of Abyssinia are now subject to Adel. The inhabitants ai'e tawney, and have long, sraighthair. Zeila., its principal sea-port, is about 50 miles S. of the Straits of Babelmandel, at the head of the Gulf of Zeila. Adel^ the royal residence, is in lat. 8 5, N. Ion. 44 20, E. on the Ha- wash. Assem is a sea-port on the eastern coast, and Meta on the northern. The country, though it seldom has any rain, is so well v/atered by rivers and canals, that it is very fertile and productive. It yields abundance of wheat, barley, and millet. The chief ex- ports are gold dust, frankincense, ivory, and slaves. The Arabs come to Zeila lo tr?.de with the Adelites. The dress of the in- habitants consists of a piece of cotton, which rovers them from vei,. ir. 95 ^ ?54 EASTERN COAST OF AFRICA. the girdle to the knee. The Arabs call them the Gibberiis, or Jaithful. INIagadoxo. This kingdom is said to extend on the coast from about lat. 5, N. to the mouth oi" the Jubboo, whieh empties under the equator. It bounds N. on Adel, and S. on Melinda. Its limits in the interior are not ascertained. The inhabitants, of whatever extract, (for some of them are white, others tawney, others olive, and others quite black,) speak Arabic. They are stout, and warlike ; and, among other Avcapons, use poisoned ar- rows and lances. The king and his court are Mahometans, and most of the inhabitants are of the same religion. A few in the. interior are Abyssinian christians. Magadoxo, the capital, in. about lat. 2 50, N. is a place of great commerce with the Arabs, and the people of Ad-el. Gold, ivory, wax, and slaves, are export- ed for cotton, silk, spices, and drugs. The city stands at the mouth of a very large river, called by the Arabs The A'iie of Mag' adoxo. It is said to rise in the mountains of the Moon. The country is less fertile than Adel, particularly on the coast. The coast south of the equator, as far as about lat. 24, is called The Const of Zanguebar ; which is said to import the coast of the negroes. It comprehends a number of kingdoms. Melinda. This kingdom bounds N. on Magadoxo, reaching to the equator. The inhabitants are chiefly Mahometans, but some are idolaters. The king is absolute, and is held in great veneration by his subjects. He is to a deg-ree dependent on Por- tugal. The proper aborigines arc negroes, but great numbers of Arabs are found here. The men wear the Mahometan turban. Their other dress is a piece of cotton, reaching from the girdle to the knees. ISIelinda, the capital, is in lat. 2 50, S. The Abyssin- ians call it Tarshlsh. It is in a beautiful plain, on the coast, sur- rounded by fine gardens and orchards. The houses are built of square stone. They are for the most part handsome, and some tire even magnificent. It is the habitation of many wealthy mer- chants, Arabs, and Portuguese. The exports are gold, copper, ivory, wax, and drugs. The harbor is difficult of access, because of the rocks and shelves. On this account vessels are obliged to anchor at a distance from the town. The Portuguese have a for- tress here, and several churches. The territory is generally rich and fertile. The necessaries of life are abundant, and the fine tropical fruits are found in high perfection. MoMBAZA. This is the next country S. of Melinda. The Por- tuguese early subjugated it, but were driven out by an Arabian Sheikh, in 1631. They reconquered it in 1729 ; and, we believe, have now the sole government. The people are more civilized than any others on the coast. The aboriginal blacks are partly idolaters, and partly Mahometans. The Arabs are Mahometans, and are numerous. The Portuguese are also numerous, and are Christians. Mombazo, the capital, is in lat. 3 45, S. It has a deep and commodious harbor, and is well defended. The streets arc straight and narrow. The houses arc built of stone, with terraced i*oofs. Its commerce is extensive. The climate is said to be EASTERN COAST OF AFRICA. 757 Healthy, and the soil is highly productive. Millet and rice are principally cultivated. QuiLOA. The Portuguese possess Quiloa, a country lying S. of Mombazo, and extending about 60 leagues from N. to &. Most of the inhabitants are Mahometans. The king is absolute over his OAvn subjects, but tributary to the Portuguese. The Ar- abic is universally spoken. The inhabitants are chiefly negroes, but some 'are Arabs. The city of Quiloa is in lat. 8 50, S. It stands on an island, near the mouth of the Coaro, and is said to be large, rich, and well built. The houses are of stone, several stories high, and have large gardens behind them. The climate is healthy, and on the coast, temperate. The soil is generally fertile, and produces millet, rice, fruits, and good pastui^. MosAMBiQUE. South of Quiloa lies Mosambique. It is of very considerable extent along the coast, reaching from about lat. 10 to 15, S. Vasco de Gama landed at the capital in 1492. At that time the country was subject to the king of Quiloa. We know not when it became independent of that monarch. The in- habitants are chiefly black, and the Arabs are not numerous. Ar- abic, however, is extensively spoken. The Portuguese have long been the real masters of the kingdom. The capital is situated on the small island of iMosambigue, 2 miles from the mahi, in about lat. 14, S. It is handsomely built, has a number of elegant churches and convents, and is protected and kept in subjection, by a very stron g fort, at a little distance. There are several con- siderable ports on the main. Ivory, ebony, slaves, and cattle, are exported. The soil of the island is a white, barren sand. That of the country is rich, and produces millet, rice, and various fruits and vegetables. Vast numbers of cattle are here raised. The forests abound with elephants, wild boars, and stags. MoNOMOTAPA. This is also an extensive country, reaching; from about lat. 15 to 20 S. and stretching 420 miles along the coast. About two centuries ago, the whole of the coast of Zan- giicbar, S. of Mosambique, was subject, or tributary to the empe- ror of Monomotapa ; but the country S. of lat. 20 was divided into several tributary kingdoms. Whether these are now dependant or not, we cannot learn. The emperor, however, is still power- ful. The influence of the Portuguese is considerable. The na- tives are all black. They are well shaped, robust, active, and fond of M'ar. Their dress consists of a single piece of cloth, de- pending from the girdle. That of the common people is of dyed cotton, that of the rich, of India silk. Polygamy, to any extent, is allowed. The emperors, in this particular, often rival the Jewish monarch. The metropolis is called Benemetapay and is a large spacious city, several days journey from the coast. The houses are neat, and are generally whitewashed. The palace is a very large edifice, well flanked with towers, with four gates, defended by a numerous guard. The Portuguese are settled on the coast, and are the merchants of the country. Gold and ivory are ex- tensively exported. The climate is described as healthy, and temperate, and the surface as chiefly upland. There is a chain of 756 COLONY ^F THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. high mountains in the interior, called Lufiata^ from which most ot the gold is procured. The Zambeze^ or Ciiaina., is a long river in the southern part.of Monomotapa Proper. SoFALA. This country, bounding Monomotapa on the S. is described as reaching about 140 miles along the coast, and 350 into the interior. We know not whether the king is a tributary of the emperor of Monomotapa. A considerable number of the inhabi- tants are Mahometans. The capital, Sq/ata, is at the mouth of a large river of the same name, in about lat. 21 S. Bruce supposes that it was the Ofihir of Solomon. The Portuguese have here a strong fort. The natives are black, with curley hair. Their dress is the same with that of the Monomotapans. Large quantities of ^old are procured from the mountains, Sabia, or Sedanda, is a country of small extent, S. of Sofala, jich, fertile, and populous. Inha^wbane lies S. of Sabia. "With this terminates the Zau- ffiiebar coast. De La Goa The bay of De La Goa, lies in lat. 26 S. and Ion. S2 E. ; is often visited by the southern whalers, and is of considera- ble extent. The Manica and Mafumo, are two large rivers which fall into it. Mr. White* informs us, that a king named Capellah, rules the country S. of the Mafumo, 100 miles along the coast, and 200 into the interior ; and that he has 14 chiefs tributary to him. The inhabitants are Pagans, of a bright black color. They are tall and stout, and go nearly naked. The dry season lasts from April to October. The soil is a rich black mould. Rice, maize, millet, and the sugar cane are cultivated. Cattle and poul- try are very cheap. The wild beasts, are the tiger, rhinoceros, ■wild boar, antelope, hare, and rabbit. Natal is the name given to the whole coast S. of the coast of Zanguebar, as far as the colony of the Cape. The Coffers, or Xoussis, are a numerous race, inhabiting on the borders of the Cape colony. The eastern part of that colony was also formerly in their possession. COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. CHAPTER L HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. EKfENT, BOUNDARIES, DIVISIONS, NAMES, HISTORY, RELIGION, MISSIONS, GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, REVENUE, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS,' TOWNS, TRAVELLING, COMMERCE. jExtcjit.'] ACCORDING to Barrow, M'hose judicious work will be made the basis of our remarks on this important colony, its eastern limit is the mouth of Great Fish river, ia Ipn» *" Yoy.igc lo Madi-a^j ISOO, 4t» COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 757 28 20 E. Its northern, on the Atlantic, is the mouth of the Kous- sie, in lat. 29 55 S. Cape L'Aguillas, the southern extremity of the continent, is in lat. 34 50 S. The length on the S. coast, irom Cape Point to Great Fish river, is 580 miles ; on the N. from the river Koussie, to Zuureberg, 520. The breadth in the W. from the Koussie to Cape Point, is 315 ; in the middle from Nieuweldt mountains, to Plettenberg's bay, 1 60 ; in the E. from the mouth of Tush river, to Plettenberg's Baaken, 225. These measures give a parallellogram, whose mean length is 550 miles, and mean bi'eadth 233 ; comprehending an area of ! 28,150 square miles. Boundaries.'] On the N. lie several extensive arid plains, and several large tracts of country inhabited by the Bosjesmen ; on the E. the land of the Caffres ; on the S. the Southern ocean ; and on the W. the Atlantic. The JVaniaquas, on the N. W. are chiefly within the colony ; as are some of the Caffres^ and many of the Bofijesmen. Divisions'] The colony is divided into four ditricts ; 1. Cafie district in the S. W. which reaches on the Atlantic ocean to Helena bay, about 120 miles ; and, on the southern, only to the middle of False bay : 2. Stellenborch district in the W. which reaches from the Koussie to Helena bay, on the Atlantic ; and from the middle of False bay to the mouth of Breede river, on the southern ; while, in the interior, it stretches eastward to Lion's river, as far as Ion. 23 E. : 3. Ziuellendam district, which reaches from Breede river to Great river, that falls into Camtoos bay, on the coast, and no where extends far into the interior : 4. Graaft Reynet dis- trict, which comprizes all the country E. of Lyon's river, and N. E. of Zwellendam. JVcmcs.] Bartholomew Diaz first discovered the Cape, which gives name to the colony. He called it Cado dos Torme?itos, or the Cajie of Storms ; but his master, John IL king of Portugal^ gave it a name of better omen, the Cafie of Good Hope. History r\ Diaz discovered the Cape in 1487, but went no farther. Vasco de Gama, also a Portuguese, reached the Cape on the 20th of November, 1497, on his way to Calicut; and was the first voyager, that ever coasted the southern shore of Africa ; un- less we admit, that Sesostris circumnavigated that continent. The Portuguese, soon after, planted a settlement at the mouth of Great Fish river, then called by them Rio cVInfante.f after the ad- miiral, who projected the settlement, on the eastern frontier of the present English colony. This place they abandoned for want of shelter for their shipping, which they found farther E. in the bay ofDELAGoA. After this the English, Dutch, and Portuguese, made use of the cape merely as a watering place, till 1620 ; when the commanders of two English fleets, bound for Surat and Ban- tam took formal possession in the name of James \. ; but the Eng- lish did nothing towards planting a colony. \\\ 1650 the Dutch East India company, in consequence of the favorable representa- tions of Van Riebeck, a surgeon of an India ship, sent to the cape a colony of 100 males ; and soon after as many females from the houses of industry \\x Holland. The company laid the colony un- VSB COLONY OP THE CAPE OF GOOB HOPE. der such severe restrictions, that it never flourished. The English, under Sir James Craig, in September 1795, took possession of the cape in the name of the prince of Orange. They restored it to Holland, at the peace of Amiens, in March 1 802. An English squadron, under Sir Home Pophan, anchored in Saldanha bay, on the 6th of January, 1806. On that, and the following day, 7000 troops we'-e landed under Sir David Baird. The capitulation was signed on the 10th, by general Jansen, the Dutch governor. Re/igion.'] Calvinism was the established religion of the colo- ny while in the hands of the Dutch. Other sects were tolerated. The Lutherans and Methodists had each a church at Cape Town. The Malay Mahometans, having been refused a church, per- formed their public service in the stone quarries at the head of the tov/n. The funds of the Calvinistic church at that place, in 1798, amounted to 22,168/. 8s. Sd. ; and their annual grants to the pool-, to 1,112/. 17s. The funds of the Lutherans Avere 14,829/. 13.?. 2d. ; and their grants to the poor, 194/. 9s. 2d. The Church of England is probably now established. Missions.^ The Moravians, many years ago, established, and have to this time successfully maintained, a mission at Bavian's Kloof, within the limits of this colony. About the beginning of the present century, immediately after the Cape of Good Hope and its dependencies came into the possession of the British na- tion, a number of mibsionaries, with the venerable Dr. Vander- KEMP at their head, were sent to this southern part of Africa, by the London Missionary Society, whose labors among the colonists, but especially among the natives, have been attended with vari- ous degrees of success, and are still continued. Government.~^ Previous to the first seizure by the English, the colony was committed to the direction of a governor, appointed by the East India Company. After the capture it was entrusted to a governor and lieutenant governor, appointed by the crown ; who also constituted the high court of appeals. A burgher senate, or council of burghers, consisting of 7 members chosen out of the burghers of the town, is a court having original juris- diction in the cape district, and appellate jurisdiction in the other three. Over each district is placed a civil magistrate, called a Landrost ; who, with six Hemraaden., o^ 2l council of county bur- ghers, have power to regulate the police of the district, superin- tend the affairs of government, and adjust litigations. An appeal lies from them to the burgher senate. Pofiulation.~\ Barrow estimated the population of the whole colony, in 1797, whites, slaves, and Hottentots, at 60,000, or 1 to every 2 square miles ; of whom 22,000 were christians. The pop- ulation of the cape district, at that time, consisted of 6,261 free persons, chiefly whites, and 11,891 slaves; total 18,152. As the colony was very flourishing during its former possession, and has been equally so since Uic late capture, its population must have greatly increased. Revenue.'] The revenue is collected from rents of leased Jands ; taxes on produce, ancticns, the of sale lands and buildings, COLONY OF THE CAPE OF* GOOD HOPE. !?59 llie customs and port fees, portage, seizures, fines and penalties,' licenses, loans, and stamps. In 1801 it amounted to 90,142/. 13s. Ad. sterling ; and, during the whole government of Lord Macart- ney, was more than adequate to the expenditure. Manners and CuntojnsJ] The free inhabitants of the colony consist of 4 classes : the inhabitants of the capital, wine-growers, corn-farmers, and graziers. The inhabitants of the town consist of the magistrates and clergy ; of a sort of gentry, who, having estates m the country, retail the profits of them by means of their agents, usually Jew brokers, with whom they lodge while iu town; of a number of petty dealers, who call themselves mer- chants ; of mechanics, who carry on their several professions by their blacks ; and of free people of color, many of whom are me- chanics and fishermen. Almost all of these are petty dealei's iu some v/ay or other ; and they have all a remarkable pi'opensity for public vendues. Their chief amusemeiit& are eating, diunk- ing, and smokuig. There is not a bookseller's shop in the town. The wine-growers are chiefly of French extract. They live on lands possessed in fee, and occupy the best houses and most valu- able estates in the country. These estates are each of about 120 acres, and lie principally in the Cape District. The corn-boors live in the same district, and in those parts of Stellenborch withiu .3 days journey of the town. They are next in rank to the wine- boors. They have little intercourse with each other, and spend the day in smoking, in lording it over a few Hottentots, and in in- dulging to excess in the gratification of every sensual appetite. The graziers are in the more distant parts of the colony, and are the least advanced in civilization. They live in hovels, having two rooms, in which the parents, children, and house Hottentots ail sleep. Their bedding consists of skins. The walls of their hovels are formed of mud or clay, baked in the sun. As to their clothing, they wear a broad-brimmed hat, a blue shirt, and leather pantaloons, no stockings, and a pair of dried skin shoes. The women have a thick quilted cap that ties with two broad flaps under the chin, and falls behind across the shoulders ; a short jacket and a petticoat, but no stockings, and often no shoes. A large iron pot serves both to boil and broil their meat. They have neither linen for the table, nor knives, forks, or spoons. The bon carves with a large jack-knife for himself and the family. Their huts and their persons are equally dirty ; and their whole appearance betrays an indolence of body, and a grovelling mind. The women are greater drudges thaji the men, and yet these are not industrious. Thongs cut from skins serve for i-opes, and fibres for thread. The kraals, or folds of the cattle, are in front of the doors of their houses, and are never cleaned out- All the boors are extremely cruel in their treatment of tlie Hottentots. To7vns.~] Cape Town, the capital, is situated on the S. E. an- gle of Table Bay. The Bay is faulty in every point that consti- tutes a proper place for the mart of shipping, and so boisterous for 4 months in the year. May, June, July, and August, when th<; •N. and N. W. winds are stvongest, that u® ship call enter it. Duiv 760 COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. ing those months ships put into Simon's bay, a cove or indent on the western shore of False bay, where they find a safe harbor. During; the otlier 8 months, when the S. E. winds are predomin- ant, Table bay affords a most secure shelter. The town is built on a sloping plain, that rises with an easy ascent to the feet of Devil's hill, on the E. of Table mountain on the S. and of Lion's Head on the N. W. The citadel or castle, is a pentagonal fort, which com- mand§ the town and the anchorage ; bvit is itself commanded by the commencing acclivity on the E. 'Jhis acclivity is now occu- pied by various redoubts, batteries, and block houses, command- ing each other. Fort Knokke is connected with the citadel by a rampart drawn along the shore, called tfie sea lines, defended by several batteries, mounted with heavy guns, and furnished with ovens for heating shot. On the W. of the bay are three strong batteries, Rogge-bay, Jlmsterdam, and Chavonne ; all the guns of which bear upon the anchorage. The Mouille is another, com- manding the entrance. The streets arc straight, and cross each other at right angles. Many of them are well paved, open, and airy ; with canals of water running through them, walled in, and planted on each side with rows of oaks. Three or four public squares give an openness to the town. In one is held the public market ; another is the resort of the peasantry with their wag- gons ; and another, near the shore of the bay, and between the town and the castle, is a place of parade for the troops. This is an open, airy, and extensive plain, perfectly level, composed of a bed of firm clay, covered with small hard gravel. It is surrounded by canals or ditches, which i-eceive the waters of the town, and convey them into the bay. Two of its sides are completely built up Avith large and handsome houses ; and a third is occu- pied by the barracks, a large, well-designed regular build- ing, with tv/o wings. The upper part of this building is large enough to contain 4000 men. The castle contains barracks for 1000, lodgings for the officers of one regiment, magazines for ar- tillery, stores, and ammunition, and most of the public offices of government. The other public buildings are a Calvinist, Luther- an, Episcopal, and Methodist church, a guard house, in which the Burgher Senate meet, a large building for the government slaves, and a court house. The houses, 1145 in number in 1797, are built with great regularity and order. They are generally white-washed, with the doors and windows painted green, two stories high, with flat roofs, and a kind of pediment in the centre of the front. The population at that time consisted of about 5,500 whites, and 12,000 blacks. The number of marriages for 8 years (1790-1798) was 1449, of baptisms 2589, and of burials 1173. The whites are on the whole, an idle, dissolute race of men, subsisting chiefly on the labor of their slaves. Provisions are very cheap, while labor is dear ; as are house -rent, fuel, and clothing. Immense numbers of dogs prowl about the streets, particularly by night, when they quit their dens and lurking places in quest of the offals of butcher's shops ; and the wolves and hye- nas occasional! V descend from their dens in the Table Mountain, COLONY OF THE CAPE OP GOOD HOPE. 761^ to dispute their spoil with the dogs. At such times the town re- sounds with their hideous howlings during; the whole night. The settlers seem to have fixed on this spot for the site of the town, for tlie convenience of water, which rushes in a plentiful stream out of the Table mountain. Travelling.'] The roads near the cape are good. But in the great body of the colony, their character depends on the nature of the surface and of the soil ; as they are wholly neglected by the boors. The passes of the mountains, and the fords of the rivers, are often extremely difiicult and dangerous. The established mode of performing long journies, is in covered waggons, drav/n by bullocks. These carriages are strong, light, and expensive ; and in them are carried all the necessaries for a journey in a coun- try where there are no taverns, and where often the houses are many days' journey apart. They are drawn by a team of 10 or 12 oxen. Each day's journey is from 5 to 15 hours, according to local circumstances. It is customary to travel by night, that the cattle may graze, or rather browse, by day. Where the country is tolerably level, and the surface hard, an ox will travel 3 miles an hour ; at which rate he will continue 10 or 12 hours without halting. As a specimen of the common difficulties of travelling, Barrow mentions the manner of crossing Breede river, a stream 40 yards wide. This is done by a small flat bottomed tub, about 6 feet by 3. In this machine two travellers haul themselves over, by a rope fixed to two posts, one on each side of the river. When a horse is to cross, the saddle is taken off, the rider gets into the tub, and drags the animal after him. But when a waggon is to be transported, it must first be unladen, and the baggage carried over in the vessel ; the carriage is then made fast by one end to the tub, and the other is buoyed up by a cask, and in this manner it is dragged over. Thus half a day is spent, when a few planks properly put together, would enable a waggon to pass in 5 minutes. Hospitality to strangers characterizes ail the boors. A coun- tryman, a foreigner, a relation, a friend, are all equally welcome to whatever the house will afford. A Dutch farmer never passes a house on the road without alighting, except indeed his next neigh- bor's, with whom it is ten to one he is- at variance. If two peasaiits meet, though perfect strangers, they instantly dismount to shake hands. When a traveller arrives at a habitation, he alights, en- ters the house, shakes hands with the men, kisses the women, and sits down without farther ceremony. When the table is served, he takes his place without an invitation. If there is a bed in the house, he has it. If not, he sleeps on a bench or a heap of sheep skins, among the rest of the family. In the morning, after a solid breakfast, he takes his so/iie, or a glass of brandy, orders his Hot- tentot to get ready the horse or w3.ggon, shakes hands with the men, and kisses the women ; he wishes them health, and they wish him a good journey. In this manner he may pass through the whole country. Commei'ce.'] Wine and brandy are the staple commodities of ihe Cape. Ten or twelve different kinds of wiue are manufactured. VOL, II*. 96 762 COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. The other exports are grain and pulse, wool, hides and skins, whale oil and bone, dried fruits, salt provisions, soap and candles, aloes, ivory, ostrich feathers, and tobacco. The value of wine and brandy exported, is about g50,000 ; that of aloes 6500 ; that of skiiiS 6000; that of dried fruit 3000 ; that of ivory 1600 ; and that of ostrich feathers 1000. The total value of exports for 4 years, (1799 — 1802) was S3(X),925. The imports for the same period, amounted to ;C 1,195,507 3s. 6d. currency. The imports from England were woollens, cottons, hardware, cutleiy, haberdashery, millinary, boots, shoes, stationary, furniture, paints and oils, earth- en ware, naval stores, smoked meats, cheese, and pickles ; from the E. Surat piece-goods, tea, coffee, sugar, pepper, spices, and rice ; from America, lumber, salt-fish, pitch and turpentine ; from the N. of Europe, iron, plank, French v/ines, beer, gin, Selt- zer water, coffee, and preserves ; and slaves from the coast of Guinea. The small amount of exports, was owing to the previous severe x'estrictions of the Dutch East India company, by which the enterprize of the colony had been completely cramped; and from the effects of which, it will demand a considerable pe- riod oWiheral encouragement to raise it. CHAPTER n. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATE, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, AGRICULTURE, RIVERS, BAYS, MOUNTAINS. Climate!^ THOUGH it has been usual to consider the year as consisting of two periods, the good and the bad monsoon ; yet, as these are neither regular in their returns, nor certain in their continuance, the division into four seasons, the reverse of those in northern latitudes, is more proper. The spring, from the first of September to the first of December, is the most agreeable. The summer, from December to March, is the hottest ; the au- tumn, from March to June, is variable, but generally fine and pleasant weather. The winter, from June to September, though the greater part of the time pleasant, is frequently stormy, rainy, and cold. The two most powerful winds, are the N. W. and S. E. The first commences towards the end of May, and blows occa- sionally to the end of August, and sometimes to the end of Sep- tember ; usually about 4 months in each year. 1 he S. E. pre- dominates the rest of the year ; and, when the cloud shows itself on the mountain, blows with great violence. "In the midst of one of these storms of wind," says the Abbe De la Caille, " the stars look larger, and seem to dance ; the moon has an undulating tre- mor ; and tlie planets have a sort of beard, like comets." The approach of winter is first observed by the S. E. winds becoming less frequent, less violent, and blowing clem\ without COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 763 the fleeey cioud on the mountain. ' Dews then begin to fall very heavy, and thick fogs hang, in the morning, about the hills. The N. W. winds feel raw and cold, and increase at length to a storm, -with heavy rain, thunder and lightning, continuing generally for two or three days. When the weather clears up, the high nnoun- tain tops appear buried in snow, and the Table Land has also a slight sprinkling of snow or hail. At such times the thet mometer at sunrise is about 40°, and at aeon rises to 70° ; making a varia- tion of 30° in 5 or 6 hours. The general standard for the three winter months may be reckoned from 50° at sunrise, to 60° at noon. In the middle of summer it varies frc-m 70° to 90° ; but generally rests for days together at 83° or 84°. It has been known to ex- ceed 100°, but tills is rare. The heat of summer is seldom op- pressive. The mornings ai'e sometimes close and sultry, but the nights are always cool. A S. E. breeze usually blows from noon till evening. When violent, and accompanied with the fleecy cloud on the mountain, a storm of rain usually commences at 2 P. M. and continues in squalls till midnight. From November to April, a shower of rain scarcely ever falls. The barometer stands higher in the clear cold days of winter, than in the settled serene weather of summer. The height of the column varies in the former season from 29.46 to 30.35 inches ; one point indicating a storm, with rain, thunder, and lightning ; and the other settled fair weather. The changeable point is about 29.95 or 30 inches. The slightest alteration is sure to indicate a change of weather. The range of the mercury in summer is still less, being scarcely ever above 30.10, or below 29.74. The S. E. winds seldom occasion a change of more than 0.15. Happy for the inhabitants of the town, these winds keep up a constant circu- lation ; without which, the i-eflected heat from the naked front of the Table mountain, would make the town insupportable. Most of the fatal diseases proceed rather from the mode of liv- ing, than from the climate. The very frequent consumptions are attributable partly to the sudden changes of temperature ; and partly to imprudent exposures, and the very free use of spiritu- ous liquors. A confined and sedentary life ; eating to excess, commonly thrice a day, of animal food swimming in fat, or made up into high-seasoned dishes ; drinking raw ardent spirits ; smok- ing'tobacco ; and, when satiated with sensual indulgence, retiring in the middle of the day to sleep ; seldom using any kind of ex- ercise, and never such as requires bodily exertion ; are the usual habits, in which a native of the Cape is educated. An apo/ilexy^ ov schirrous /n^er is the consequence. The former is seldom im- mediately fatal, but terminates in a dropsy. The diseases of chil- dren are eruptions and sore throats. The small-pox and measles are not endemic. Instances of longevity are rare ; few living more than 60 years. The mortality in the town among the whites is 2| in the 100, and among the slaves 3 in the 100. Bilious fe- vers carry off a good many of the slaves in the country. Face of the Country. '\ The Cape Peninsula is a high moun- tainous tract, between Table and False Bays, 36 miles from N. to 764 COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. S. and 8 from E. to W. connected with the main by a low flat isth- mus, from 20 to 30 feet above high water mark. This isthmus has few irregularities of surface, except such as are made by- ridges of sand, adventitiously brought thither by the strong S. E. winds from the shores of False Bay. The Table Mountain, flank- ed by the Devil's Hill on the E. and the Lion's Head on the W. forms the northern extremity of the peninsula It is composed, properly speaking, of one m'juntain, called the Table Zawc/, broken indeed into masses more or less connected by several gorges. Some of these masses have horizontal summits ; others peaked and conical ; some consist of broken fragments 6f rock ; others are clothed with verdure. The sandy isthmus is limited on tlie E. by a short range of hills, called the Tigerberg^ at the foot of which are several fertile farms, gardens, vineyards, and fruit yards. On the southern coast lies an irregular belt of land, from 20 to 60 miles broad, generally level or agreeably uneven, indented by several bays, intersected by numerous streamlets, well clothed with grass, and small arboreous, or fruitescent plants, well-wood- ed in many parts with forest trees, supplied with frequent rains, and enjoying » mild and agreeable temperature. The first chain of mountains bounds it on the north. Beyond this chain lies a valley, about as wide as the belt on the shore, of a very varied surface, composed in some parts of barren hills ; in otliers o£ na- ked arid plains, called, by the Hottentots, Karroos ; and in others of choice patches of well-watered and fertile grounds. The gen- eral surface of this second belt, has a considerable elevation above the first, and a less uniform temperature ; it is far less valuable. On the N. it is limited by the Zevarte Berg., or Black mountains. Beyond this chain lies the Great Karroo., or arid desert, inhabited by no human creature. This is about 300 miles from E. to W. and 80 in breadth, and is far more elevated than the second belt. It IS scarcely ever moistened by a shower of I'ain, exhibits a sur- face of clay, thinly sprinkled over with sand, out of which a few shrivelled and parched plants here and there m.eet the eye, faintly- extending their half withered fibres along the ground, and struij- gling, as it were, to preserve their existence against the exces- sive heat of summer, and the severe frosts of winter. The JVieu- •wveldt's GebergtCf limits the Grand Kooroo on the north. On the western coast, the country likewise ascends from the shore, in successive terraces. Only a single chain of mountain* runs due N. and S. This commences at the Hangli/i, tiie S. E. promontory of False Bay ; and, crossing Berg River', continues a direct course to Olifani's River, 210 miles. The belt between it and the sej is about as broad as that on the southern shore, but far less fertile. The other belts and chains run from S. E. to N. W. are successively higher than tlie first, and arc merely con- tinuations of those heretofore mentioned, in a N. W. direction. The most elevated chain, the Roggei^cld, falls in witn the A'/Vm- loveldt, and is indeed the same. North of 01if;uit's River, the Continuation of the Zevarte Bcrgy here called Karrc Berg, is the «hain nearest to the shore. Between this and the Roggeveld lies COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 765 the continuation of the Great KaiToo. The whole tract of coun- try to the N. of the Cape, is much moi*e sandy, barren, and thinly- inhabited, than to the E. in which direction it increases in beauty and fertility with the distance. JgricuCtiire.^ Barrow calculates that at least half of the land in the colony may be considered as an unprofitable waste, unfit for any sort of culture, or even to be employed as pasture for cattle. The lands of this description are either kooroos, level, arid plains, producing a few straggling tufts of acrid saline, and succulent plants ; or chains of mountains either totally naked, or clothed in parts with sour grasses only, or such plants as are noxious to an- imal life. In Europe the breath of horned cattle is proverbially sweet ; in this colony, owing to the multitude of these acrid plants, it is altogether nauseous. The lands are held by the colonists by different tenures. Those in fee simple are chiefly in and near the Cape District, and are the choicest patches of land, consisting of 120 acres each. The quit rents are waste grounds, contiguous to other estates leased by government for 15 years, at a shilling per acre. Of these there are 35. The gratuity lands are a sort of customary copy-holds, 107 in number, not of any determinate size, and paying a ront of 24 rix-dollars a year. The loan-lands were farms granted to the first settlers, and are each a square of S miles on a side, (9 square miles, or 3760 acres) paying a rent of 24 dollars per farm. In 1798 the number ofthese farms was 1832, containing 16,488 square miles, or 10,552,320 acres, renting at 43,978 rix-dollars. Wine is chiefly cultivated in an extensive valley on Berg Kiver, called Drakenstein Valley^ commencing about 60 miles E. ^of the Cape. This valley is a remarkably fertile tract of land, and is owned wholly in fee simple. About 5000 vine-stocks are plant- ed on an acre, and 1000 of these will yield a leaguer^ or pipe of 154 gallons. The variety of wines is very great. About 6000 league7-s are made annually in this valley. Great quantities of choice fruits are also raised here ; and every month in the year, at Cape Town, the table may be supplied, at a very low rate, with 10 or 12 different sorts of fruit, all excellent. The cele- brated Constantia wine is raised on two farms, close under the mountains, about midway between False and Table Bays. One of the farms produces the iv/iite, and the other the red Con- stantia. From 150 to 200 leaguers are annually made of both. The following table shows the quantity and value of the genuine Constantia, exported in four years. Tears. Leaguers. Rix-Dollais. 1799, 157 11,752 1800, 188 14,070 1801, 173 13,007 1802, 210 15,745 The other Cape wines are often fraudulently sold for Constantia. The colonists are generally very bad agriculturalists. They 766 COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. rarely manure, except for barley ; and the plows they use are Dutch instruments. The common returns are 15 for 1 ; in the good lands, from 20 to 30. The grain is trodden out by cattle. Cotton succeeds well in the light sandy soils. The tea plant has long been in the colony, but is totally neglected. The coffee and sugar cane may both be profitably cultivated. Two species of indigo grow wild. Flax yields two crops a year. Hemfi is raised in lieu of tobacco. The cactus, on which the cochineal insect feeds, grows wild. All the distant farms are devoted td grazing, and immense numbers of cattle are annually raised for txpoi'tation, and driven from 100 to 600 miles to Cape Town. Rivers.] All the large rivers of the colony rise from the JVieuwveldt range, and from the Roggeveld, its continuation. They all have bars of sand at their mouths. Great Fish River empties in lat. 38 ^b, S. and Ion. 27 37, E. 580 miles E. of the Cape. It is here very deep, and from 300 to 400 yards broad. It rises in the N. E. part of the colony, issuing from that part of the Nieuwveldt, called the Zivereberg ; on the other side of which the head waters of Orange river are turned off to the western coast. It runs in a S. and S. S. E. course about 300 miles. Sundatj River rises in that part of the same chain, called Com- passberg ; from the opposite side of which flows Sea-Cow River, a large branch of the Orange. It is at least 250 miles long ; and, running S. and S. S. E. falls into Ztvartkofi's Bay. Great River runs about the same distance, first S. and then S, E. falling into Camtoos Bay. It crosses the Great Karroo. Gauritz River empties a little W. of Muscle Bay. It may properly be called the Sink of the Colony. All the waters that originate within 150 miles to the E. or W. upon the Great Kar- roo, and along the Nieuwveldt, meet in one immense chasm of the chain of mountains nearest the sea, and are discharged through the channel of the Gauritz. In the dry season, it is easily ford- ed ; in the rainy seasons, it has been known to rise to the height of nearly 100 feet, leaving ruin and desolation behind it. The Ghamka, or Lion's River, is its principal source ; which rises on the opposite side of the same mountain, that turns off Sack River^ to the northward, and running about 180 miles S. and S. W. re- ceives Olifant's River from the E. a large stream, issuing from the Zwartberg, near Great River, and flowing due W. 120 miles. About 20 or 30 miles below, it is joined by Bnjffaloe River from the N. W. Breede, or Broad River, rises in the Zwarteberg, and runs S. E. to St. Catherine's Bay, about 150 miles. Berg River I'ises in the opposite side of the same mountains^ and runs N. W. to St Helena Bay, about the same distance. Olifarit's, or Elephant'' s River, an Atlantic stream, heads near the sources of the Buffaloe, and runs N. W. and W. about 300 miles, emptying in lat. 31 30, S. It has several large branches. The Koussie is the N. W. limit of the colony. Bayn.'] St. Helena Bay resembles Table Bay in its position a"nH COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 767 jRgure, is a little more open and exposed to the N. and N. W. winds, but has much clearer anchorage. Saldanha Bay, as a spacious, secure, and commodious sheet of inland sea-water, for the reception of shipping, can scarcely per- haps be equalled. It extends in length about 15 miles in the direc- tion of the coast, which is here about N. by E. and S. by W. The entrance is near the N. end, through a ridge of granite hills, mod- erately high. In the entrance are three rocky islands, two of which, named Jetten and Malagas^ are partly without ; and the third a flat, naked rock, called Marcus, is directly in the mouth of the passage, a little rnore than a mile from the southern shore, and three fourths of a mile from the northern. These and the island once fortified would render the bay absolutely inaccessible to an enemy's fleet. The north part of the bay, called Hootjes Bay, is the best anchoring ground, and is only 15 miles across to Helena Bay. The want of fresh water alone prevented the estab- lishment of the town on Saldanha Bay. Table Bay has heretofore been described. False Bay is a large body of water in the shape of a parallelo- gram, E. of the Cape Peninsula, opening into the Southern Ocean, between the Cape of Good Hope on the W. and Hanglip Point on the E. It sets up northward about 30 miles, and is of about the same breadth. On its west shore are numerous small bays or in- dentations. Muscle Bay,\\\.Q all those on the southern coast, is open to the S. E. but has a safe and good anchorage in most winds. The westera point, Cape St. Blaize, is in lat. 34 10 S. and Ion. 22 18 E. 240 miles from the cape. A magazine for the reception of grain is e- rected near the landing place. It is a strong stone building, 150 feet long, and will conveniently hold 10,000 bushels. The bay a- bounds with excellent fish. Plettenberg's Bay is 320 miles from the cape. The west point, called Rebenberg's Point, is in lat. 34 6 S. and Ion. 23 48 E. The eastern shore rounds off" into the general tending of the coast. At the landing place are a new and handsome dwelling house ; a magazine for the reception of timber, 200 feet long ; and a strong commodious building for the reception of troops. Camtoos Bay is merely a wide open indentation of the coast. Zwartkop's, or .dlgoa Bay, is open to all winds from N. E. toS. E. It has a good bottom, and five fathoms depth, at the distance of a mile. The landing place is in lat. 53 56 S. and Ion. 26 53 E. 500 miles from the cape. The mouth is 20 miles broad. Fresh water is abundant. Moimtains.'] The north front of the Table Mountain directly facing the town, has a horizontal ridge two miles in length. The bold face, that rises almost at right angles to meet this ridge, is supported, as it were, by a number of projecting buttresses which rise out of the plain, and fall in with the front, a little higher than midway from the base. The height of the ridge is 3,582 feet. The E. side is still bolder, and has one point considerably higher. The W. side alotig the shore is rent into deep chasms, and is worn 768 WESTERN COAST away into a number of pointed masses. In advancing to the southward about four miles, the mountain descends by a succes- sion of terraces to the level of the chain that extends to the cape. Devil's Hill is merely a wing of the Table Mountain, on the E. 3,315 feet high ; as is Lion's Head another on the W. 2,160 feet high. Barrow does not mention the name of the chain nearest the southern coast. Its elevation is no where great, and it is broken by all the considerable I'ivers. The Zivartberg is much more lof- ty and rugged, and consists in many instances of double, and some- times of treble ranges. He says that the height of the JVieuivvcldt is at least 10,000 feet. Its summits are usually covered with snow six months in the year. WESTERN COAST AND INTERIOR OF AFRICA. SCARCELY any thing is knoAvn of the coast betAVcen the mouth of the Koussie in lat. 29 55 S. the northern limit of the colony of the Cape ; and Cape Negro in lat. 16 15. Very few of the Namaquas are found N. of the Koussie. Barrow says, that the whole coast between the Koussie and the Orange, in lat. 28 S. is a mere desert, perhaps a continuation of the Great Karroo. Or- ange river rises in the country of the Bosjesmen, in the N. E. cor- ner of the Cape colony, in about lat. 31 S. and ion. 27 E. and emp- ties in lat. 28 S. and Ion. 16 E. ihe distance of these two points, in a direct line, is about 650 miles. Its whole length is at least 1000. Barrow saw it 70 or 80 miles from its source. It was from 300 to 500 yards broad, and the volume of water was immense. Like the Nile, it has its inundations and its cataracts. The whole coast, from Cape Negro, in lat. 16 15 S. to the head of the Gulf of Guinea, is called the' Coast of Congo ; because it is said to have been all formerly subject to the king of Congo. Benguela. This is a kingdom of considerable extent, and is said to reach from Cape Negro to the mouth of the Coanza, in lat. 9 54 S. about 150 leagues. It was formerly powerful ; but the Jagas^ or Giagas, who border it on the E. have greatly reduced its strength. St. PhUiJi de Benguela is a town, in lat. 12 8 S. on the S. side of a large bay, called Bahia das Faccas, in which the Por- tuguese have a fort and a settlement. Old Benguela is a town on a high mountain, near the coast, in lat. 1 1 5 S. carrying on a con- siderable trade in provisions and ivory ; for which it receives muskets and other fire arms. The country is chiefly mountam- ous, and swarms with wild beasts. It is said to be extremely un- wholesome near the coast. AND INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 769 Angola. The extent of this country, on the coast, is not very ^reat, as it reaches only to the mouth of the river Dando, in lat. 8 S. Benguela, however, is so far dependent on it, that it is often spok- en of as a part of Angola. The Portuguese have several forts on the coast. Congo. The northern boundary of Congo is said to be the Zair, or River of Congo, which divides it from Loango, in lat- 6 30 S. It reaches very far into the interior, and has Fungono on the N. E. and Matamba on the S. E. When the Portuguese first dis- covered this country, in 1484, it was covered with large towns tind villages, and the capital contained 50,000 inhabitants. The army of the king was numerous and powerful. He is despotic, is elect- ed by the nobles out of the seed royal^and is the proprietor of all the lands in his dominions. He has a brilliant court, a strong body-guard, and a numerous haram. Great numbers of petty princes are tributaries. Treason and murder are punished with decollation, and surcery with burying alive. Hanging, the bastinado, fines and imprisonment, are the punishments for lesser offences. The king was early converted by the Portuguese to the Catholic faith, and a profession of that faith is said now to be an indispen- sable requisite for the succession to the throne. Numbers of the Congoese also are Catholics ; but a great majority are Pagans. These worship various animals. The natives are blacks, with curled hair, and deep black eyes. Thoy have not the flat noses and thick lips of the Guinea negroes ; and are of a middle stature- They are described as indolent, licentious, cruel, faithless, and without natural affection. Banza, or St. Salvador, their capital, is situated 40 leagues up the Zair, on a rocky eminence, and is said to contain a number of churches, and about 40,000 inhabi- tants, of whom about 4000 arc Portuguese, who reside in a quar- ter by themselves. The inhabitants receive the products of Bra- zil, and the manufactures of Europe, in return for slaves, of whom about 16,000 are annually procured for the Portuguese. The rainy season lasts from October to March. The first harvest is sown about the last of January, and reaped in April ; the second is sown in September, and I'eaped in December. The soil is generally excellent, and the surface uneven. Millet, maize, the sugar-cane, and various excellent fruits, particularly scvei-al vari- eties of the palm are cultivated. The Zair is a very long and large river, probably not inferior in size to Orange river. Copper and iron are procured from the mines. Loango. We know not how far this country reaches to the N. Some writers extend it to Benin ; but Biafra is certainly between. Perhaps Cape Lopez de Gonsalvo may be taken as its northern limit. It was anciently dependent on Congo ; but the 7}iani, or petty princes, revolted, and one of them at length subdued the others. The king is powerful, and is addressed by his subjects by the title of Sambo Pongo, the name of their deity. The country is populous. The inhabitants are Pagans, but use circumcision. Their dress is formed of the leaves of the palm, and consists of a garment fastened at the girdle, and VOL. ir. 97 770 WESTERN COAST depending to the ancles. They wear numerous beads roTind the neck. Polygamy is common. They are licentious to an extreme. Loango, the capital, is in latitude 4 40 S. on a considerable river, about 2 leagues from the sea. The streets are wide and clean, and are planted with palm-trees. The palace consists of an immense number of buildings, surrounded by a palisade, and having a large open square in front. The haram is numerous. The houses are of one story, and are fenced round with hedges. The town is large and populous. The exports ar© principally slaves and copper ; ivory, tin, and iron, are also arti- cles of commerce. The climate is remarkably hot. The soil is fertile, but the agriculture is miserable. BiAFRA This kingdom is said to be powerful and populous. It bounds N. W. on Benin, reaching to the head of the gulf of Guinea. It has a capital of the same name, and the bay on its coast is called the Bite of Biafra. The natives are idolaters. Guinea. The whole coast, from the mouth of the Del Rey^ in Ion. 8 30 E. to that of the Mesuradain 11° W. about 500 leagues, is called the Coast of Guinea ; and the country of Guinea, is considered as extending northward to the Mountains of the Moon ; an immense chain, heretofore described, stretching from E. to W. parallel with the coast, at the distance of about 6 degrees of latitude. On the coast it is divided into Benifi, on the E. reach- ing to the River Volta, 220 leagues ; Guinea Proper, reaching thence to Cape Palmas 180 ; and Malaqiieta^ or the Grain Coast? between Cape Palmas, and the Mesurada. Benin. The country so named, is divided into Benin Proper, in the E. Whidah in the middle, and Ardra in the W. Each of these has its own monarch. The king of Benin Proper has a large revenue, and can bring 100,000 men into the field. Their arms are swords, noinards, javelins, bows, and poisoned arrows. The inhabitants acknowledge a Supreme Being ; but they chiefly worship an evil spirit, who is considered as the author of all their calamities. Polygamy is common. They have no idea of per- sonaUpurity. The dress of the better sort is of fine calico, made in- to a species of drawers, covered with a sort of calico apron. They cultivate the ground, and carry on various manufactures. Almost all the labor devolves on the women. Benin, the capital, is in lat. 6 38 N. and Ion. 4 47 E. on the river Benin, or Formosa, 69 miles from Agatten, at its mouth. It is said to be 4 miles in circum- ference, and to contain 30 long, broad, and straight streets, of io>? houses. The streets are adorned with a variety of shops, filled with European wares. The palace is very extensive. None but natives are permitted to live here. The entrance to the city is through a wooden gate, where a guard is stationed to collect the. customs on merchandize. This country has been one of the principal marts for slaves. All those purchased on this coast, except a tribe known by the name of " Tl/ocof*," are called in the West Indies, " Eboes," prob- ably from Archo, a town on the river Benin. In general they ap- pear to be the lowest, and most wretched of the African nations AND INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 771 In complexion they are much yellower than those from Guinea Proper ; but it is a sickly hue, and their eyes appear as if suffused with bile. The features of most of them resemble those of the baboon ; particularly in the great elongation of the lower jaw. As slaves in the West Indies, they are constitutionally timid and despondent ; often seeking relief from their melancholy in volun- tary death. The women labor better than the men. In their own country, they ^re nevertheless cannibals. There they worship the guana, a species of lizard, and offer to it human sacrifices. They also practise circumcision.* The coast of Benin is generally low and marshy, and the cli- mate unhealthy. The soil is fertile, and produces a great variety of fruits, also millet, maize, and pepper. The River Benin is a considerable stream, emptying by a number of mouths. The Ca- labar is a large river near the eastern frontier. Whidah is a much smaller kingdom than the preceding ; but is remarkably fertile and populous. It is described as being a continued village. It is divided into a number of lordships, all subject to one monarch, who resides at Sabi, a town about 8 miles from the sea. The inhabitants know many of the arts of civilized life. They are enterprising and industrious. The commerce of the country is extensive, and the manufactures are important. Slaves are the chief exports. These slaves in the West Indies are called Pa/iaws, and are the most docile, submissive, and well-disposed of any that are im- ported from Africa, l hey are 'ngenious and industrious ; addict- ed at the same time to thieving and gambling; and extremely- apprehensive of death. Many of thera are circumcised.f The natives are generally tall, well made, straight and robust ; of a deep black, but less glossy than those of Guinea Proper. Their money, called Besjis, consists of shells strung on a cord. Tne country is well cultivated, and is described as a continued g arden . Ardra lies between Whidah and the Volta, and extends far into the interior. Its government is despotic, and the crown he- reditary. The court is numerous and splendid. The chief priest is prime minister. The soil is fertile, producing millet, maize, yams, potatoes, lemons, oranges, cocoa nuts, and the palm. Salt is made near the sea. The manners of the people resemble those of Whidah. The country is populous. GuLjJEA Proper. This country is divided into the Gold Coasty on the E. and the Ivory Coast, on the W. The latter is the most extensive, reaching eastward nearly to Cape Three Points. Both are divided into numerous petty principalities, independent of each other, and engaged in almost constant wars. This renders them intrepid and ferocious. The prisoners are always sold as slaves. The climate is healthy to the natives, but prejudicial to Europeans. Slaves, ivory, and gold, are exported to a great ex- tent There are several establishments of the English on the coast. All the slaves from this coast are, in the West Indies, * Edwards West Iodic, ii. 280— ^93. t F-'l^ards, yril WESTERN COAST called Koromantyns. They are distinguished from all the oLhci negroes by firmness, both of body and mind, by activity, courage, and an elevation of soul, which prompts them to enterprises ol difficulty and danger, and enables them to meet tortures and death with fortitude or indifference. They sometimes labor Avith great promptitude and alacrity, and have constitutions well adapted for it. These are usually such as hare been slaves in their own country, having been sold for their debts, or their crimes. The great body of them are prisoners of war, always ready by the most desperate measures to regain their freedom. Most of the insurrections in the islands are owing to them. Edwards* gives an account of a formidable insurrection in Jamaica, in 1760, occa- sioned by 100 newly imported Koromantyns, all on one planta- tion. After it was quelled, three of them were made examples of. One was burnt alive, and two were gibbetted. " The wretch that was burnt, was made to sit on the ground, and his body being chained to an iron stake, the fire was applied to his feet. He ut- tered not a groan ; and saw his legs reduced to ashes with the utmost firmness and composure : after which, one of his arms by some means getting loose, he snatched a brand from the fire that was consuming him, and flung it in the face of the executioner. The two that were jibbetted were indulged, at their own request, with a hearty meal immediately before they were suspended. From that time till they expired, tliey never uttered the least complaint, except of the cold in the night, but diverted themselves all day long in discourse with their countrym.en. One of them fizYcn^/z/ expired on the morning of tlie 8th day, and the other on that of the 9ih." Even the children of the Koromantyns discover the same evident superiority, both in hardiness of frame, and vig- or of mind. " A gentleman of my acquaintance," says Edwards, " having bought 10 Koromantyn^ and 10 Eboe boys, caused them, to be collected iu my presence, to be marked on the breast. This operation is performed by heating a small silver brand., com-- posed of one or two letters, in the flame of spirits of wine, and applying it to the skin, v/hich is previously anointed with sweet oil. When the first boy, who happened to be one of the Eboesy and the stouttst of the whole, was led forward to receive the iTtiark, he screamed dreadfully ; while his companions of the same nation manifested strong emotions of terror. The gentle- man stopped his hand ; but the Koromantyn boys, laughing aloud, immediately came forward of their own accord, ijftercd their bosoms undauntedly to the brand, and receiving its impres- sion without flinching in the least, snapt their fingers in exulta- tion over the poor Eboes" One cannot surely but lament that a people thus naturally emulous and intrepid should be sunk into so deplorable a state of barbarity and superstition ; and that their minds should ever be broken by the yoke ot slavery. In their own country masters have the power of life and death Over their slaves, and parents over their children. Prisoners lak- * 11, 2G8-2-3 AND INTERIOR OF AFRICA. vrs en in war are either sold or butchered, with circumstances of outrageous barbarity. When a great man dies, several of his wives, and great numbers of his slaves, are sacrificed at his fu- neral. They believe in a God of the Heavens, the Creator of all things, called Accomfiong^ to whom they offer only praise and thanksgiving. Assarci is the god of the earth ; to him they offer the first fruits, and pour out libations. Ijiboa is the god of the sea : if the arrival of ships trading on the coast is delayed, they sacrifice a hog to deprecate his wrath. Obboney is the author of all evil ; to him they sacrifice prisoners, or slaves. Besides these every family has a tutelar saint, who is some ancestor : on the anniversary of whose burial all his descendants assemble round his grave, and sacrifice a cock or a goat. Grain Coast, or Malagueta. This country, 100 leagues in extent, from Cape Falmas to the Messurada, produces a great abundance of Guinea pepper, called Malagueta by the Portuguese, and often Grains of Paradise by the English. Hence its names. It is said to be subject to a single monarch, whose power is des- potic, and vho assumes great pomp and magnificence. The people are Pagans, worshipping the moon, and believing in sorce- ry. Great numbers of them are mulattocs. These carry on the commerce of the country, and are the reliques of the old Portu- guese traders ; that nation having long since been banished from, the coast. The natives freely of^'er their wives and daughters to Europeans. They are strongly addicted to stealing. But fev/ slaves are procured here. The English engross the whole com- merce. Guinea pepper is the chief export. The remainder of the coast, between the Mesurada and Cape Bojador, the S. W. extremity of Morocco, may be considered un- der two grand divisions, Soudan on the S. and Sahara on the N. Soudan, as we are informed by Jackson, is the name given by the Moors to the immense tract lying between the Jibbel Kmiira, or Mountains of the Moon,* on the S. and the Desert on the N. Soudan. This region may be considered as reaching from N. to S. on the coast from the Mesurada, to several degrees N. of the Senegal, the exact southern limit of the Desert, on the coast, not being known. Both the Desert and the chain of Jibbel Kum- ra reach eastward across the continent. It is probable that Sou^ dan will be found to do the same. Park explored the western part of this extensive tract, descending the Niger, as far as Sillas^ a village of Bambarra, in about lat. 15, N. and 1 SO, W. He found it throughout fertile, well watered, thickly peopled, and di- vided into numerous kingdoms. Jackson, from information ob- * Although the country hetween the Mesurada and Rio Grande seems Jianllr v.ithiu the limits of Soudan here set ; yet, as the Jibbel Kumra are believed not I'o extend to the coast, (their western ternunation not being known) and as the iniiabilkiits in this tract difter so m:iterially ii-oni those of Guinea, and resemble in raanv resi)et'.s those of Soudan, wo liave concb;d'-'d to corapi-i?? a 'ni our account of the lallei-. m WESTERN COAST tained of the Moorish traders to Tombuctoo, tells us that the Niger ruiis eastward to the Nile, and that the country through ■which it flows, continues of the same description. Horneman communicates the same information. The petty kingdoms lying W. of the sources of the Nile, Bar Baghermi, Dar Bergoo^ and Dar Fur^ are probably a continuation of Soudan, which apparently widens towards the E. and Sennaar oxxA Abyssinia are in that case its eastern termination. The Setiegal, the Gambia, the Grande, and the Mestirada, are the great rivers of the western coast ; and the JViger of the inte- rior. The Senegal is formed by two branches. The Kokoro ris- es, according to the map of Park, in the mountains of Manding, and pursues a N. W. course of 300 miles. The Bajing heads in the chdan oi Jib bcl Awmra, and pursues a more northerly course of 350 miles, joining the other in about lat. 14, N. and 9, W. The united stream, called the Senegal, pursues the course of the for- mer, and, about 150 miles below', receives the Famele from the last mentioned chain, which heads near the Gambia. Its course is thence N. W. and W. almost to the shore of the ocean, parallel with which it runs southward, from 80 to 100 miles, emptying in about lat. 16, N. Its whole length must exceed 1000 miles. The quantity of water depends on the season. The Gambia heads in the same chain, and runs N. W. and W. about 700 miles, emptying in about lat. 13 SO, N. Cape Verd is about equidistant between the two rivers. Of the Grande, we can only say that it is less than the Gambia, and empties in about lat. 1 1, S. and of the Mesurada, that it runs S. W. and is said to rise in the Jibbel Kuvira. Of the inhabitants of this tract we may remark here generally, that they are of two great classes, J^egroes and Moors. The ne- groes are the most numerous. Their kingdoms occupy the whole of the coast, and the southern division of the interior, perhaps about two thirds of the breadth, from the Desert to the Jibbel Kumra. A few negroes are in the Moorish division. They are all of a much lighter color than the negroes of Guinea. Park supposes that at least two thirds of the population of the negro di- vision are slaves. Great numbers of the negroes are Mahome- tans ; the rest are Pagans. The Moorish kingdoms occupy the northern division, but great num.bers of the Moors are scattered over the negro kingdoms. The Moors are all zealous Mahome- tans. Southern FouLAHS. These occupy a great extent of coun- try between the Mesurada, the Rio Grande, and tlie Mountains of the Moon. Their capital is Teembo. It is said they can bring ] 6,000 cavalry into the field. Many of them are Mahometans, though they border E. and S. E. on many Pagan nations, with Tvhom they have carried on incessant wars merely for slaves. They have a very dark complexion, but are not blacks. SiERiiA Lkone, where the English have a colony, and an im- portant mission, under the direction of the African institution, is near the middle of the country of the Southern Foulahs. Some AND INTERIOR OF AFRICA. rfS extend its limits from the Grain Coast on the S. E. to Cape Ver- ga or Vcp;a on the N. W. ; that is, between 7 and 10 N. lat. Oth- ers confine the country between cape Verga and cape Tagrin. In the open and plain parts, the heat of the sun, before any breeze arises, is almost intolerable ; but as a refreshing gale constantly springs up about noon, it renders the country supportable. The whole tract, on each side the river, is fruitful in rice and millet, which is the chief sustenance of the inhabitants. The Sierra Leone river, which gives name to this country, has not been traced to its source. Its mouth, in Ion. 12 30 W. lat. 8 15 N. is 9 miles wide. In 1791, an act of parliament was obtain- ed, incorporating a company, called the Sierra Leone Company, for the purpose of cultivating W. India and other tropical produc- tions, on the banks of this river. The first settlers amounted to 460 ; 400 were blacks, 60 white women of lewd conduct ; they ■were afterwards reduced to 276. The second embarkation in 1792, consisted of 1200 free blacks from Nova Scotia. The na- tives appeared to be extremely friendly, and a few, in 1792, had come to work for the colony. On the setting in of the rains, about the latter end of May, the same year, sickness and mortality pre- vailed, occasioned chiefly by the insufficiency of the temporary habitations, wiiich could not be completed before the rains set in : 35 white persons (of whom 14 were soldiers) and many of the blacks died of this sickness, 1 he colonists were put into posses- sion of small lots of land, and a new town, on a regular and ex- tended scale,,was begun. Beside the Nova Scotia blacks, a large paj'ty of the natives were at work for the company, and the experi- ments in sugar, cotton, 8tc. appeared promising. I he native chiefs and people continued to be friendly ; and the company's schools were regularly attended by 300 children, among whom were some children of the natives. In Sept. 1794, a French squadron destroyed the settlement, and captured several of the company's ships ; but from this disaster they have since recovered ; and a jfcctory was established in the Rio Pongos, in 1795, which is likely to beconiie the means of a lucrative trade. Missionaries are set- tled, who also labor to spread the gospel among the neighboring tribes. Schools are established. In Nov. 1801, an unprovoked and unsuccessful attack was made on this settlement, stimulated by the Timmanys, a neighboring tribe of Africans. A second attack of the same nature and issue, and from the same tribe, was made tlie 11th of April, 1803. Sierra Leone, or Lion Mountains, divide Nigritia from Guinea, and extend as far as Abyssinia. They were styied by the ancients tlie Mountains of God. Sherbro is anoilier English colony 100 miles S. E. of Sierra Leone. Feloops. The Feloofis ave a wild unsociable race, near the coast S. of the Gambia. They are fierce and unrelenting, but grateful, affectionate, and honest. They are employed in collecting honey- in the woods, which they convert into wax. This they carry tu Vintein, a settlement two miles up a creek, which empties into the 776 WESTERN COAST Gambia fiom the S. about 60 miles from its mouth. They also carry thither rice, which grows plentifully in the country ; also goats and poultry ; and employ Manclingo brokers, who cheat them out of most of their profits. They speak a peculiar language. Governor Ludlam gives the following account of the baneful effects of the slave trade, witnessed by himself, in the country on the banks of the river Sherbro, 100 miles S. of Sierra. Leone ; " Thus has this fertile country been rendered a desert, and its ti'ade, once extensive, been almost annihilated. Some thousands of square miles are now without an inhabitant. In this extent is included the richest land on the Windward coast. No place equalled Boom in fertility. Finer sugar cane is not found in the West Indies, than grows wild in Bagroo. And as for tiie interior country behind the Sherbro, it must also be rich from the quantity of rice, and cotton cloth brought thence."* Mandingoes. These originated from Mandhig, on the head- Avaters of the Kokoro, and also on the J^iger, near its source. They are now far the most numerous nation in the W. of Soudan. They commence on the coast at the mouth of the Gambia, borderiiig S. on the Feloojis^ Barra^ Yani^ and Woolli, three kingdoms on both sides of the Gambia from its mouth eastward ; Te?ula JVeola, and Dentila^ districts on its N. side ; Saladoo, Konkodoo, JVoradoo^ JCuUoo, and Gadou, districts in the same parallels, between the Faleme and the Kokoro ; Manding on the Kokoro and Niger ; Kaarta, a large kingdom N. of Manding, and W. of Bambarra ; and JCasson, a kingdom W. of Kaarta ; are jMa7idingo teri;itories. The Mandingoes also constitute the chief population of western Bam- barra. The men are well shaped, above the middle size, strong, and capable of enduring labor. The women are good natured, spright- ly, and agreeable. They breakfast about daybreak, on gruel made of meal and water, acidified by the juice of the tamarind. At 2 P. M. they dine on a sort of hasty-pudding, with ^Am butter. Supper, their principal repast, is seldom ready before midnight, and con- sists o^ kouskous, a prepartion of meal, with a small portion of an- imal food mixed with it. Their beverages are beer and mead. With a few diversities this is the mode of living of all the negro nations. Both sexes dress in cotton of their own manufacture. That of the men is a loose frock, Avith drawers reaching half down the leg, sandals on the feel, and white cotton caps on the heads. The women wrap two pieces of cotton round the waistj which hang down to the knees in lieu of a petticoat ; and throw ?. third piece over the shoulders and bosom. This is the common dress of the Soudan tribes, the only diversities being found in the head-dress of the women. Like the other negroes, the Mandin- goes live in huts consisting of a circular mud wall 4 feet high, on which is placed a conical roof of bamboo canes, thatched with grass. A hurdle of canes placed upon upright stakes 2 feet high, on which is spread a mat, or bullock's hide, serves for a bed. A * Rcpni't 2J of ihe Gommittee of the African Institution, r- '5- AND INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 777 •^'ater jar, some earthen pots to cook in, a few wooden bowls and calabashes, and one or two low stools, compose the rest of their furniture. Polygamy is universal, and each wife has her own hut. All the huts of one family are enclosed by a hedge fence. Agriculture and pasturage are the favorite employments of the Mandingoes. These occupy them through the rainy season. In the dry season they catch fish in wicker baskets, or small cotton nets, and hunt birds and beasts, i'he women, at the same time, manufacture cotton cloth, coarse, but durable. One woman will make 8 or 9 garments a year. They die it a rich and permanent blue color. Tanners and blacksmiths arc the only mechanics by profession. Their instruments of music are the koonting^ a sort of guitar with 3 strings ; the korro^ a large harp, with 18 strings ; the simbing, a small one with 7 ; tlie balajou^ composed of 20 pieces of hard wood of different lengths, with shells of gourds hung un- derneath, to increase the sound ; the tangtang^ a drum open at the lower end ; and the tabala. a war drum. They have singing men, both Pagans and Mahometans. The former are extempo- raneous poets, and are stationary : the latter are strollers. Both are much employed and respected. Park describes the Mandingoes as gentle, cheerful, inquisitive, credulous, simple, and fond of flattery. They are prone to steal from strangers ; but are at the same time hospitable and kind. A lively natural affection subsists between the mothers and their children. The practice of truth is strongly inculcated in child- hood. They have double names ; the last denoting the clan ; the first sometimes the family, but often the result of accident. Sa- lutations are observed among all the negroes, when they meet. Circumcision is universal, and takes place at the age of puberty. The value of two slaves is the common price of a wife. If the father receives it, the girl must marry the lover, or always remain single. The authority of the husband over his wives is great, but the women are not generally treated with cruelty. They partake of all public diversions, and are little given to intrigue. Adultery, murder, and witchcraft are the crimes, that are punished with slavery. 1 he Pagan negroes always offer a short prayer to God, at the appearance of the new moon, and this is their only wor- ship. The belief of one God, and of a future state of rewards and punishments, is universal. They rarely survive 55 or 60, and are gray and wrinkled at 40. Barra is the kingdom at the mouth of the Gambia on both sides, reaching up sbout 180 miles, ^The necessaries of life are abundant, and the chief trade is in salt, Avhich they carry up the river a great distance, and bring back maize, cottons, ivory, and a little gold dust. A duty of near £20 sterling is collected for the king, by an officer stationed at Jillifrey, a town on the N. bank, on every ship, great or small, that enters the river. Yani lies E. of Barra, reaching about 100 miles up, on both sides of the Gambia. Pisania is a well known English fort in this kingdom, on theN. bank. W'ooLi, E, pf Yani, reaching about as far along the Gambia, VOL. n. 98 lus WESTERN COAST has Foota Torra N. and Bondou N. E. The chief pi'oducts are cotton, tobacco, maize, and vej^etables. Medina, the capital, con- tains about 1000 housts, has a high wall built of clay, and an out- ward fence of pointed stakes. Tenda, JVeola,, Deniila, Satadoo, Konkodoo, Worodoo, KuiloOf and Gadoo, are Mandingo districts, the inhabitants of which appear to be subject to no monarch, and to have no government, but that of their respective towns. A considerable part of this tract is a Avilderness, on which the Jallonkas from the S. have encroached. Manding is a sort of oligarchy, each town has a particular chief, called a Mansa ; and, in case of invasion, the supreme power is lodged in an assembly of the whole. Fooladoo lies N. W. of Man- ding, and both bound Kaarta on the S. Kaarta a kingdom of considerable extent ; having Bambarra on the E. and Ludamar, a Moorish kingdom, on the N. Kevimoo its capital is in the S. W. Kasson lies N. W. of Foolado, W. of Kaarta, and bounds N. on the Moors. Kooniakary is the capital. FooTA Jallo. This is an extensive kingdom of the southern Foulahs, lying S. of Neola, and Dentila. Jallonkahs. The country of this nation lies E. of Foota Jal- lo, and S. of the districts of Satadoo, Konkodoo, Worodoo, Kulloo, Gadoo, and Manding; and is called Jia/Zo/zXrarfoo, reaching S. to the Mountains of the Moon. Jallonkadoo is divided into several petty kingdoms. Their language has some affinity to the Mandingo. Wassela. This bounds N. on the eastern part of Mandingy and W. on Jallonkadoo. Ko.vG. This is probably the most extensive and powerful king- dom of western Soudan. It has Wassela on the W. and Bambar- ra on the N. ; and reaches eastward a great distance along the Mountains of the Moon. It has not been explored. Bambakra. In the S. W. Bambarra commences on the Niger, at Bamiyiakoo, and reaches down that river, on the N. bank, to iMoorzan about 300 miles, and, if we include its ti'ibutary king- dom Afasina, to lake Dibbie about 400. On the S. bank it reaches also to lake Dibbie. Below Seg'o it is narrow ; unless we include Masina. Above, it is from 200 to 250 miles wide. Wassela, Manding, Fooladoo, Kaarta, and Ludamar, lie on the S. W. and W. ; Beero, and Masina, a tributary kingdom to Bambarra, on the N. ; Gottoo a powerful kingdom, Baedoo, and Maniana, on the E. and S. E. and Kong, on the S. The subjects of the king in the S. W. are of Mandingo ori^n, and speak a corrupted dialect of that tongue. Those i;i the E. speak a different language. Great numbers of Moors are scattered over the kingdom. They will probably in time, !)ccome the ruling nation. Sfgo, the capital of the kingdom, is on Pork's map, in lat. 14- 15 N. and in Ion. 2 30 W. ; on both sides of the Niger. It con- sists, properly speaking, of 4 towns : Scgo Korro, and Sego Booy on the N. Bank ; and Sef^o Soo Korro, and Srg-o Sec Korro, the king's residence, on the S. These are all surrounded with high mud walls ; the streets are sufficiently broad ; the houses are AND INTERIOR OF AFRICA, fr9 built of clay, of a square form with flat roofs ; some of them have two stories, and many are whitewashed. Moorish mosques are seen in every quarter. The town contains about 30,000 inhabi- tants. The king derives a considerable revenue from the ferry- boats on the Niger, which are numerous, and are rowed by liis slaves. The fare is 10 Kowrie shells an individual. The sur- rounding country is in a high state of cultivation. Jenne, like Masina^ in which it lies, belongs to the king of Bambarra. The inhabitants of Masina, are northern Foulahs^ em- ploy themselves chiefly in pasturage, and pay an annual tribute for their lands. Jenne stands on an island in the Niger, half way from Manzo7i to lake Dibbe. It is even larger than Sego. Bam- mikoo^ on the S. W. frontier, is a considerable town on the river, carrying on a large trade in salt. Maraboo is about the same size, 50 miles below ; and KooUkorro is about as large 30 miles farther. Yamina and Sansanding are still larger, between this and JiNBALA. This kingdom occupies the large island in the Ni- ger, below lake Debbe. On Park's map, it is 100 miles long, and 50 broad. Tombuctoo lies N. and N. E. ; Gotto S. and S. E. The soil is remarkably fertile ; and the whole country so full of creeks and swamps, that the Moors have been baffled in every attempt to subdue it. The inhabitants are only negroes, and live in consid- erable affluence. The capital, Jindala, is on the Jin, the N. arm ^f the Niger. Gotto. This is a powerful negro kingdom, bounding N. on Jinbala and Tombuctoo, from both of which, it is separated by the Niger. Moossedoo is tlie capital. Baedoo. The king of Bambarra conquered Baedoo about 7 years before Park's joui'n&y, when it was tributary to him. It lies S. W. ofGottoo. Maniana. This lies S. W. of Baedoo, and bounds both on Bom- barra and Kong. The inhabitants are cruel and ferocious, and are said to be cannibals. We know not to what nation the inhab- itants of these four last kingdoms belong. FouLAHS. This is, next to the Mandingoes, the most extensive negro race in the W. of Soudan. FooLadoo was tlieir original country ; having the Kokoro on the S. W. ; Manding on the S. E. ; Kaarta ou the N. E. ; and Kasson on the N. W. They are btill inhabitants of that country, and also oi Brooko^ Bambouk, Bondou^ Foota Tarra, and the country thence W. on the S. bank of the Senegal. They have already been mentioned as constituting the population of Masina, and are extensively dispersed over the king- doms of Kaarta and Bambarra. Most of the negroes in the Moor- ish kingdoms are Foulahs. Many of them are settled as agricul- turists in the Mandingo districts on the Gambia. They appear to be of a diff'erent race from the Souther7i Foulahs. Their com- plexion is tawney, and they have small pleasing features, and soft silky hair. The great body of them are Mahometans, and the Ko- ran is both their statute book and Bible. They are reserved, not distinguished for their hospitality, but not intolerant. Schools !i'SO WESTERN COAST are kept by the Mahometan priests in all their villages. The children are taught to read the Koran, and discover great docili- ty and submission. Most of the Foulahs speak Arabic ; but they have a language of their own, abounding in liquids, though un- pleasant in its enunciation. Most of them are engaged in agri- culture and pasturage. They are commendably industrious, and discover great skill in the management of their cattle. They possess some excellent horses. A considerable number of the Foulahs are robbers. FooLADoo is long, from S. E. to N. W. and narrow. Park did not traverse it ; nor Brooko or Bamboiik, on the W. of it, which lie between the Senegal, on the N. and the Mandingo districts on the S. BoNDOu lies W. of Bambouk, and has Kajaaga on the N. Ten- da on the S. and Wooli on the S. V/. The soil is not surpassed in fertility. The inhabitants are wealthy and industrious. They sell large quantities of salt to the inhaoitants of the interior, and the great body of the slaves from the E. pass through Bondou. Most of the merchants, hov/cver, are Mandingocs and Serawoolies. The customs are very heavy. Fatteconda, the capital, is a con- siderable town about 15 miles E. of the Faleme. The houses of the king are surrounded by a lofty mud wall, which converts the whole into a kind of citadel. The king's troops are well supplied with fire arms and ammunition. Foota Torra is a considerable kingdom W. of Bondou, and N* of Wooli. Jaloffs. The Jaloffs are an active, powerful, and warlike race, inhabiting an extensive tract of country, between the Fou- lahs of the Senegal N. Foota Torra E. the Mandingo states on the Gambia S. and the coast W. They are of a jet black. Their noses, howevei', are less flat, and their lips less prominent than those of most negroes. They are divided into several inde- pendent kingdoms, frequently at war with their neighbors, or each other. In their government, superstitions, and manners, they resemble the Mandingoes ; but excel them in the manufac- ture of cotton cloth, spinning the wool to a finer thread, weaving it in a broader loom, and dying it of a better color. Their lan- guage is appropriate, copious, and significant. Serawoolies. These occupy only one independent kingdom, that o{ Kajaaga ; bdt many of them arc dispersed as merchants, brokers, and slave-drivei's, over the whole country, particularly near the coast. They are of a jet black. Their language abounds in gutturals, and is less harmonious than the Fouiah ; but is very generally understood in Kasson, Kaarta, Ludamar^ and the north- ern parts of Bambarra. In all these countries the Serawoolies are the chief traders. They are habitually a trading people, but always look upon Kajaaga, as their country. They trade with the British factories on the Gambia, are tolerably fair and honest, indefatigable in the pursuit of wealth, and derive coMsiderablc profit from the sale of salt and cottons in distant countries. Kajaaga has Bondou on the S. W- Bambouk on the S. E. and is AND INTERIOR OF AFRICA. ^81 separated by the Senegal from Kasson on the N. E. and Gedumah on the N. The king is absolute and powerful. The climate is peculiarly healthy, and the soil fertile. Maatia is the capital. Joag is a frontier town of 2000 inhabitants, on the Senegal. Moors. The Moors possess a number of kingdoms between the desert on the N. and the negro kingdoms on the S. The Sen- egal divides them from the negroes, as far up as about opposite to Joag. Thence eastward, they bound S. on Kasson, Kaarta, Bambarra, Masina, and Jinbala. They are divided into numerous tribes, or kingdoms. Trasart and Il-brakeHf lie N. E. of the Foulahs, on the Senegal ; Gcduma^ N. of Kajaaga ; Jafnoo, of Kasson ; Ludamar, of Kaarta ; Bec- roo, of Bambarra and Masina ; Tombuctoo, of Jinbala and Gotto ; and Houssa, still farther E. The origin of these Moorish tribes is explained by John Leo, the African. Before the Arabian conquest, about A. D. 65t), all the inhabitants of Africa, whether descended from Numidians, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, or Goths, were comprehended under the general name of Mauri, or Moors. All these nations were converted to Mahommedism during the Ara- bian empire under the Caliphs. About this time many of the Numidian tribes, who led a Avandering life in the desert, and sup- ported themselves upon the produce of their cattle, retired south- •ward across the Great Desert, to avoid the fury of the Arabians ; and by one of these tribes, Leo says, that of Zaiihaga^ the negro nations on the Niger were discovered, and many of them conquer- ed. There is reason to believe, says Park, that their dominion stretches from W. to E. across the continent, in a narrow belt, from the mouth of the Senegal to Abyssinia. Their complexion resemlales that of the mulattoes of the West Indies ; but their features bespeak low cunning and cruelty, and their eyes have a staring wildness. Park conjectures that thef are a mixture of the northern Moors, and the Negroes. Their dress resembles that of the negroes, except that they universally wear turbans of white cotton ; and that their drawers, or smaft clothes, are miuch fuller and larger. Their houses are built of clay and stone. Many of them live in tents, and roam from place to place. The chief wealth of these consists of camels, cattle, and goats, and their chief business is pasturage. They are all extreme* ly indolent, but rigid taskmasters to their slaves. Their country being nearer the Desert is far hotter andjess fertile than that of the negroes. It is subject to a sand wind from the N. E. which is extremely distressing. They hav^fine horses, and are excel- lent horsemen. They pay scarcely any attention to agriculture, purchasing their corn, cotton, and other necessaries of the negroes, in exchange for salt, which they dig from the pits in the Desert. They manufacture cloth for their tents, and leather for saddles and bridles ; also spears, knives, and pots ; but sabres and fire arms are purchased of Europeans, in exchange for slaves. They are all rigid Mahometans, bigotted, superstitious, and in- tolerant. All the males read and write. Their language is Ara- y82 WESTERN COAST bic. Their women are taught nothing, except voluptuou'sTiess and submission. Corpulency in their females is the fisst charac- terietic of beauty. They are extremely unkind to their slaves and to strangers. Park describes them as universally proud, ferocious, false, and treacherous. Trasa7-t and Il-braken are both formidable tribes. Those of Geduitiali and Jafnoo^ are less numerous, but equally warlike. Their chiefs, or kings, have absolute jurisdiction. Ludamar bounds W. on Jafnoo, S. on Kaarta, S. E. for some distance on Bambarra, E. on Beroo, and N. on the Desert. Jarra is a town in Ludamar, of considerable extent, on the confines of Kaarta. The houses are of clay and stone intermixed. The ma- jority of the inhabitants are negroes, who pay tribute to the Moors, rather than be exposed to their hostile incursions. Benown is the capital of the kingdom. Deena and Sampika are of about the same size as Jarra, and farther E. Of BeeroQ we know nothing, but that it bounds the greater part both of Bambarra and Masina, on the N. and that its capital is Walet. Tombuctoo, called by Jackson, Timbuctoo^ extends on the N. bank of the Niger, from Beroo to Houssa. The Moors are the ruling nation, but great numbers of the inhabitants are slaves. The king is powerful, and has a magnificent cour:. Tombuctoo^ his capital, is situated on a plain, 130 miles E. of Beroo, and 12 miles N. of the Niger ; in about Ion. 1 30, E. and 90 miles from the confines of the desert. It is a very large town ; the Moors told Jackson, about 12 miles in circumference. The houses are spacious, and of a square form ; of one story, with a hollow open square in the centre. The government of the town is in the hands of a divan of 12 ^ lemma, men learned in the Koran, ap- pointed for 3 years. Its police is excellent. Kobra is its port on the Niger. The commerce of Tombuctoo is very important. The articles brought by the Akkabaahs from Morocco to the capital, are sent from Kabra, both up and down the Niger. A caravan goes also to Fezzan, and another to Egypt. The soil is generally fertile. Rice, millet, and maize, are extensively cultivated ; wheat and barley also in the plains. Coflee and indigo grow wild. The cotton manufactures are superior. Great quantities of honey are annually collected. HoussA. This kingdom lies E. of Tombuctoo, on both sides of the Niger. An extftisive desert on the S. is said to separate it from Gotto. Houssa, the city, lies aboujL 60 miles from the N. bank of the river, and is, according to Park, 1 1 days journey, or 530 miles below Kabra. It is said to be even larger than Tom- buctoo, and is likewise a great commercial emporium. Hornc- ir.an was informed, that the kingdom of Housaa reached eastward to the limits of Bourno, beyond Ion. 15, E. and that it compre- hended several large provinces, of which Kas/nia and Gana, or Kano, were the most eastern. Kashna, the capital of the first is said to be far the largest town in the country, and in the interior of Africa. The Houssians are chiefly negroes. BoURXou. This is a very extensive country, placed by Rennol AND INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 783 E. of Houssa, beyond which lie the kingdoms of Dar Bagherme and Dai Fur. The inhabitants of all these are mere negroes. Sahara. We know of no exteoisive oases in the western part of the Sahara ; but in the eastern part there are several very in- teresting to the geographer and historian. TuARicK. Horueman tells us, that that part of the Desert, ly- ing N. of Houssa, and N. W. of Bouinou, is occupied by the Tua- rick, a very extensive nation, that roams over the whole desert, even to Morocco. They are divided into many different tribes, who all speak the same language. Most of those near Soudan, as the KoUuvian Tuarick, are very dark, and some quite black, but they have no other resemblance to negroes- Those more to the N. and W. are yellow, like the Arabs. All the Tuarick seen by Horneman, were thin, and rather tall, with a swift, firm walk, a stern look, and a warlike demeanor. They discover strong nat- ural powers of mind. Their character is much esteemed. Their clothing consists of wide, dark blue breeches, a short narrow blue shirt, with wide sleeves, over this a larger shirt, or frock, and a black cloth on the head. They are chiefly Mahometans, but the Tagama Tuarick-, on the borders of Tombuctoo, are whites, and are Pagans. They always carry in their hands a small lance, about 5 feet long. Over the frock a long sword hangs from the shoulder. The travelling merchants alone have fire arms. They carry on a commerce between Soudan, Fezzan, and Gadamis, near Tripoli. Most of the Tuarick lead a wandering life. Some live in the small oases in the Desert. TiBBoos. These are an extensive nation living E. of the Tw arick, in the Desert. Fezzan. This country limits the Tuarick ox\ the N. E. Horne- man says that it is of an oval shape, about 300 miles from N. to S. and2'i0 from E. to W. Kennel lays it down between Icn. 14 and '17, E. and about 150 miles S. from the shore of the Greater Syrtis. Arabs, nominally dependent on Tibet, border it on the N. ; the country of the Tibboos on the E. and S. E. ; that of the noma- dic Tuaricks on the S. and S. W. ; and Arabs on the W. The king- dom contains 101 towns and villages. The religion is the Ma- hometan. It is governed by a sultan, a descendant from the family of the Sherretfs. The tradition is, that the ancestors of thft reigning piince, coming from western Africa, invaded and conquered Fezzan, about 500 years since. The sultan is abso- lute ; but holds his dominions of the Bashaw of Tripoli, to whom he pays 4000 dollars as a yearly tribute. An officer of the bashaw comes annually to Mourzouk to receive this sum, or its value in gold, senna, or slaves. The throne is hereditary in one fam- ily. The eldest prince of the royal family always succeeds. The dignity of chief judge, or cadi, is hereditary in one family. The cadi is also chief priest. The sultan gives public audience to his subjects daily. His official attendants are the kaledyma, or first minister, the keijuvima, or second minister, the general of his troops, and a number of black and white slaves. The chief inilu-. ence, ia 1800; was iu the hands of the Mamelukes. Horneman 784.- WESTERN COAST estimates the population at 75,000. The revenue arises iVom taxes on gardens and cultivated lands ; from arbitrary fines and requisitions ; from duties on foreign trade, paid by the several caravans ; and from predatory excursions. The expenditure consists chiefly in the maintenance of the sultan, his court, and palace. The cadi and each one of the royal family has a district assigned for his support. In the northern part of the country the complexion is like that of the Arabs. In the S it is mixed. The indigenous Fezzans are small, of a deep brown cole, short black hair, vv-ith regular features, and noses like Europeans. The mien, walk, and every motion and gesture, denote a want of energy either of body or mind. The only tradesmen are shoemakers and smiths. The women fabricate coarse woollens, called abbes. The dress con- sists of a shirt or frock, made of coarse linen, or cotton, brought from Cairo, and of the abbe. The middling classes also wear frocks of the blue cloth of Soudan. The rich dress in the Tripo- litan habit. The Avomen Avear many ornaments. They are fond of dancing, and every amusement ; and are v.anton and licentious. The men arc addicted to drunkenness, contracted by drinking the fresh juice of the date. Singing girls are common. The houses are miserably built of stones, or of bricks, composed of a calca- reous earth, mixed with clay, and dried in the sun. As to diet, no people are more abstemious. Mourzouk^ the capital, is in about lat. 27 23 N. and in Ion. 1 5 40 E. 420 miles in a direct line S. S. E. of Tripoli. Zeula lies about 70 miles E. by N. of Mourzouk*. The commerce of Fezzan is considerable. From October to Feb- ruary Mourzouk is the great emporium for the caravans from Cairo, Tripoli, Gadamis, Bengasi, a town on the N. coast, Soudan, and various others. The inhabitants of AugUa carry on the trade from Cairo ; those of Sockna., that of Tripoli ; and the Kolluvian Tuarickn, that of Soudan. Slaves, ostrich feathers, ribette, tiger skins, and gold came from Soudan ; copper from Bornou ; silks, melayes., (striped blue and white calicoes,) woollens, glass, mock coral, beads, and East India goods from Cairo ; tobacco, snuff, and sundry Turkish wares from Bengasi ; paper, mock coral, fire- arms, sabres, knives, and red worsted caps are brought from Tripoli, and Gadamis ; butter, oil, fat, and corn by the smaller Tuarick and Arab caravans from the W. and senna, ostrich fesKh- ers, and camels by those from the S. The climate is at no season temperate or agreeable. In sum- mer, the heat is intense, and when the wind blows from the S. scarcely supportable. Through the winter, a bleak, chilling, damp N. wind prevails. Thunder slorms arc not frequent ; but tempests and whirlwinds are common, both from the S. and N- Syphilis, hemorrhoids, and fever and ague arc the common dis- eases. Dates are the natural and staple produce. Senna is grown in the W. Pot-herbs and vegetables are plentiful. Wheat and barley are suited to the soil and climate. Ilorned cattle are found only in the most fertile districts. Goats are the common don:(jstic animal. Sheep arc bred in the S. Horses arc few ; asses are the AND INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 7mi ordinary beasts of burden. Camels are very dear, and are owned only by the chief people or richer merchants. All these animals are fed on dales. Gademis. This is an oasis, near the S. W. corner of Tripoli, We have no information respecting it. AuGiLA. This small, but celebrated territory, lies nearly mid- way between Egypt and Fezzan. It is about 165 miles from the coast, in lat. 29 30 N. and Ion. 23 E. ; and is 450 miles, in a direct line E. N. E. of Mourzouk. It is an oasis, flat, well watered, fer- tile, and surrounded by arid deserts, either sandy or rocky. Its dates are celebrated. These and its gardens constitute the chief culture. There are 3 towns, Augila, Mojabra, and Meledila : the two last near together, and both 4 hours E. from the first, jiugi' la, well known in the time of Herodotus, covers a space of one mile in circumference. It is badly built. The streets are nar- row and dirty. The houses are of one story, of limestone, with an open hollow square in the centre. The apartments are dark. The public buildings are mean and wretched. Mojabra is small- er, but proportionally more populous. The inhabitants are chiefly merchants. Those of Meledila are employed in the culture of the ground. The men employed in trade, generally keep ihree houses ; one at Kardaffi, near Cairo, one at Mojabra, and one at Zuila or Mourzouk. Many have a wife and family at each estab- lishment. The women manufacture abbes. Wheat is imported by the Arabs from Bengasi. The inhabitants can speak Arabic, but their vulgar tongue is that of Siiva/i, the same with that of all the Tuarick. Augila is governed by a vicegerent for the bashaw of Tripoli. SiwAH. Siwah lies 210 miles a little S. of E. of Augila, The route of the caravans is an almost straight course from one to the other, along the foot of the Mountains of Gerduba. It is 1 5U miles from the Mediterranean, and 260 W. S. W. of Cairo. The road to Cairo crosses the Nation valley. The I'oute of the caravan to Cairo, is about 50 miles N. E. ; and the rest of the way in an E. by N. course, along the foot of the Bills of Mogurra. Siwah is a small independent state. It acknowledges the grand seignior paramount, but pays him do tribute. The territory is of considerable extent ; its principal and most fruitful district is a ■well watered valley, 50 miles in circuit, hemmed in by steep and barren rocks. It is supposed, with great probability, to have been the ancient Oasis of Ammon ; and a pile of ruins on the W. of the capital are said to be the remains of the celebrated temple of Ju- piter Ammon. As the language of the present Siwahans is Tua- rick, they are believed to be of Tuarick origin. They are all Mar hommedans. The government of the territory is in the hands of 32 sheikhs, who sit in a general council. Justice is administered according to ancient usage. Sivjah the capital is nearly in the centre of the valley. It is built upon a round mass of rock. The houses might be taken for caves. The streets are so narrow, that the houses almost touch each other. Many stand on the declivity of the I'ock. It resembles a bee hive in its shape, and Ln the buzz VOL. II. 99 rse AFRICAN" ISLANDS. of its streets. At the foot of the rock are erected stables for the camels, horses and asses, which cannot ascend to the town above. Five villages surround the town, at one or two miles distance. The dress of the men consists ofa white cotton shirt and breeches ; a iiuUiyef folded round the person, and thrown over ihe left shoulder ; and a red worsted, or cotton cap. The women wear •wide blue shifts, reaching to the ancles, and a melaye wrapped round the head, and falling over the body, like a cloak. They also wear many ornaments. The Siwahans are great thieves. Many of them are rich. Each individual has one or more gar- dens, and these it is his whole business to water and cultivate. The soil is a sandy loam, yielding corn, oil, and vegetables, but the chief produce is dates. These are all kept in a public store- house. N. W. of the capital there is a stratum of salt, extending a full mile, and near it salt is found on the surface, lying in clods, or small lumps. AFRICAN ISLANDS. IN our account of these we will begin with Madagascar, the only one of any considerable size. The smaller African Isl- ajids shall be considered in a geographical order. MADAGASCAR. THIS noble island, the largest in the world, except New Holland and Borneo, lies between lat. 11 22 and 25 42 S. Ion, 41 14 to 48 14 E. Its length, from Cape St. Mary to Cape Natal, is about 9uO miles, und its mean breadth is about 250. It lies in the Indian ocean ; and the channel of Mozambique, 90 leagues across, bounds it on the W. and separates it from the continent of Africa. It is divided into 28 provinces. Marco Polo, in the 13tli century, describes it under its present name ; having been indebted for his knowledge to the Arabs. Three races among the inhabitants are erident ; that of Qafc Ibi'ahirn, or Abraham ; these practise circumcision, and the names of Isaac, Jleuben and Jacob, are familiar with them. The second race is thatof Qaferamini, who have, it is supposed, been here six centuries. The third race is of the Arabian extraction, and more modern. This island was discovered by the Portuguese in 1506. The French took possession of it in 1641, but were driven out in 1652. A considerable settlement was made here again under the French government from 1772 to 1776, by the Baron .lieneyowski. He erected buildings, raised fortifications, dug canals, opened roads^ exerted himself to civilize tlie people. He fell here worthy a AFRICAN ISLANDS. *^^ better fate. On the 18th of February, 1811, this island surren- dered to the British. The eifcct of this conquest, it is expected, will be the freedom of these seas from the French flag, and the security to the British of an unmolested traflic with this fruitful and important island. The population of the island is reckoned, by Rochon, at 4,000,000 souls. The language of all these islanders is nearly the same. The inhabitants believe in a Supreme Being, whom they call Zanhare, i. e. Creator of all things. They have no temples, no idols, no priests ; but make sacrifices of sheep and oxen. They believe the soul immortal, but suppose the wicked and good re- warded in this life. They are a friendly, intelligent, excellent people, possessing a quick sense of honor and gratitude, far less mindful of injuries done themselves, than of those offered their family. Some are of a deep black, and have ivoolly hair ; others are tawney, and others copper-colored ; but most of an olive. They are all portly in their persons, and nse above the middle stature. Writing is not unknown. They have some kis- torical books in their own languages ; but their men of learning, whom they call Ombiasses, use only the Arabic character. That language has made some progress in the N. of the island Their hospitality is worthy of notice and imitation. The traveller, though a stranger, enters the cottage, sits down v^^ith tlie family, and par- takes of their I'epast. This custom is general. The oaths, which tliese islanders arc not known to violate, are taken in a solemn, impressive manner. The most sacred is the ^ath of blood. The left breast of the person engaging is opened with a razor, from Avhich the other sucks a drop of blood, wishing anathemas on him, who shall violate, and blessings on him, who shall keep the oath. A barbarous custom has prevailed here of destroying those infants, who have any natural defect, or are born on those days, they call unlucky. They have dancers and comedians to amuse them ; and phy- sicians to visit them when sick. These amiable people are torn from their country, their famiUes, their parents, their children, their lovers, and sold in thousands, in the French colonics, and more cruelly treated than beasts of burden. Under the blazing sun of Bourbon, or the isle of France, the wretch toils, almost naked, with an iron collar fastened round the neck, from which rise plates of iron, foi'ming a mask and head piece ; before the ■ mouth is a round plate of iron, in which are small holes to emit the breath ; there is a place for the nose ; a flat piece of iron passes through the mouth, as a bit in the horse's mouth. The skin is soon worn from the moutn, nose, face and chin. This, with the heat of the iron in a hot day, renders the torment intolerable. Their punishments are insupportable, and they giadly met t death. They often hang or poison themselves, or rush into the open ocean in a little boat. All the artisans of Europe are not found here ; but they have ■manufactures of iron and steel. They are ingenious goldsmiths, potters, joiners, carpenters, rope-makers and weavers. Their f8« AFRICAN ISLANDS. linens are woven by women ; they are very fine, and beautifully colored. The climate of Madagascar is healthy ; the heat is not excessive, being in some parts tempered by land breezes, from sun-setting, till 10 or 1 1 o'clock in the morning. They live in towns and vil- lages. The towns are surrounded by a ditch and pallisadoes, guarded by 10 and 20 soldiers. The houses of private people consist of a convenient cottage, surrounded by smaller ones for their wives and slaves. They are of wood covered with leaves or straw. The houses of the wealthy are spacious and divided into several apartments. The princes have buildings of taste and beauty. This island is watered by a greatnumber of considerable rivers, which form at their mouths many bays and gulfs, in which are found good roads and harbors. Foulepointe is the port most fre- quented on the N. coast. The harbor is surrounded by a reef of rocks, which defend the vessel Irom the force of the waves. The shores are bold, and the depth 23 feet, at low water. The country produces oxen, sheep, goats, and cotton in abun- dance. Ebony, gum guttae, cucumbers, peas, beans, barley, rice, and citrons, are plenty. Cardaman plants, banana, and orange trees flourish. Rock crystals, copper, silver, gold, iron, and pre- cious stones are found here. A great variety of ornamental plants, of fruit trees, and valuable timber, grow on this island. SMALLER AFRICAN ISLANDS. Porto Santo. This is a small island, about 20 miles in com- pass, in lat. 32 55, N. and 125 leagues W. of Cape Blanco ; dis- covered and possessed by the Portuguese. It has one good har- bor, safe from all winds but the S. W. Here the India ships usu- ally stop to refit, both going and returning. The island is inhab- ited by Portuguese, is very rich, and produces wheat and maize, cattle, wild boars, and rabbits. Dragon's blood, honey, wax, and fish, are exported. Madeira. The form of Madeira is a triangle of 150 miles in circuit, lying in lat. 32 30, N. and Ion. 16 50, W. 120 leagues VV. of Cape Cantin. It is divided into two provinces. The Portu- guese discovered it in 1431. The population is said to amount to 70,000. The forces are 150 infantry, and 2000 militia. Fun- chal, the capital, is in a valley, on the S. coast. The harbor is defended by several oatteries, and a castle. The town is divided into 6 parishes, and contains 6 convents, as many churches, and about 15,0U0 inhabitants, consisting of Portuguese, French, En- glish, Irish, mulattoes, and blacks. The streets are straight, and the houses neat. The windows are sashed with lathwork. The town is the see of a bishop, and the residence of the governor. The principal 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, ^0,000 AFRICAN ISLANDS. m hogsheafis, and sweet meats. Every species of tropical fruit grows to perfection. Canaries. There is a group of 13 islands lying otf Cape Non, or Nun, between lat. 27 15, and 29 50, N. and between 13 and 17 30, W- Six are small and uninhabited ; Graciosa, RoccOf Allegranza., Sla. Clara., Inferno, and Lobos. Some also considet the Salvages, a cluster of rocks to the N. W. as in the group. The seven large islands are Lancerotia, Forteventura, Grand Canary, Teneriffe, Gomera, Ferro, and Palma. They arc thought to be the same with the Fortunate Islands of the ancients. They were impei'fectly known to the Spaniards about the year 1300. John de Bethencourt conquered and took possession of them, for Henry III. of Castile, about 1404. With the king's consent he soon after assumed the title of King of the Canaries. They still belong to Spain. The natives were called Guanches. The race is nearly extinct. They were stout, robust, of a tawney com- plexion, with large flat noses, lively, cunning, brave, and addict- ed to war. They were polygamists and idolaters. The I'eligion is the Catholic. The bishop has a revenue of >G 10,000, and is suffra- gan to the archbisliop of Seville. A tribunal of the inquisition is established at Palma, the capital. The government is vested in a governor and royal audience. The audience sit at Palma, xhG capital of Grand Canary. The population of the whole group is stated at 196,500, distributed as follows : Teneriffe, 100,000* Lance'rota, 8,000 Grand Canary, 40,000 Comera, 7,000 Palma, 30,000 Ferro, 1,500. Forte Ventura, 10,000 These islands yield a revenue to the crown of about ;C60,000 sterling. The inhabitants are chiefly Spaniards. Most of them ai'e poor, and are tenants. Bread is eaten only by the rich. The poorer sort subsist on goffio^ a parched grain, ground by a little hand-mill. The commerce with England, Spain, and Spanish America, is important. The exports to Spanish South America, in 1788, amounted to yC88,255 sterling, and the imports to ;C7 1,586. Wine is chiefly exported from the islands of Teneriffe and Palma. Tropical fruits are raised in great abundance. The climate is temperate and mild. The soil is generally fer- tile. The articles of culture arc the vine, sugar-cane, cotton, wheat, barley, and rice. All the islands are well supplied with cattle. Forteventura, 50 miles long, and from 8 to 24 broad, is 40 leagues W. from Cape Non. It is fertile, well watered, and productive, abounding in goats. La Villa, in the centre, and Olivia, in the N. are the largest towns. Lancerotta lies directly N. of the preceding, and is 30 miles by 8. The capital of the same name has 100 houses. Its vallies are fertile, and it abounds in goats. Grand Canary lies S. S. W. of Forteventura, and 100 miles N". W. by N. of Cape Bojador, and is 100 miles in compass. Palma, X\\Q capital, is on the S. W. side, at a small distance from the sea, ?90 AFRICAN ISLANDS. and is about a league in circuit. It contains 12,00© inhabitants. The houses are of one story, Avith flat roofs, but are well built. Jlerc are 4 convents. The soil is a rich mould, yielding two har- vests. Filtering stones are among the exports. Teneriff'e is 70 miles west of Grand Canary, and 1 60 N. W. of Cape Bojador. Its length is 70 miles, and its mean breadth 22. Santa Cruz, the capital, on the S. E. has a good harbor, and is a liandsome, populous town. The governor resides here. No soil is more fertile than that of this island. About 40,000 pipes of •wine are made annually. The climate is remarkably healthy. The celebrated Peake of Tcnerifle is a vi^ell known land-mark, visible more than 120 miles. GoMERA lies W. of TenerifFe, is 20 miles long, and 10 broad, and has a capital of the same name, on the E. coast, with a good harbor. It is fertile and well cultivated, producing great quanti- ties of silk. Ferro, orHiERRO, the m©st western of the Canaries, and the naost western land known to the ancients, constituted, for several centuries, the only first meridian of geographers. It is about 5 leagues in circuit, and not very fertile. The longitude of its west coast is 17 46, W. Palma, N. by E. of Ferro, is 20 leagues in circuit. It is very fertile and productive, and has a capital of its own name. Cape Verd Islands. These are a cluster of islands, 130 leagues W. of Cape Verd, between lat. 16 and 18,N. The prin- cipal ones are St. Anthony, St. Vincent, St. Nicholas, Bonavista, and St. Jago. They have long belonged to the Portuguese. The inhabitants of all are said to amount to 100,000. By long resi- lience, and by intermixture, they have become nearly of the ne- gro complexion and features. The manufactures of leather and salt form the principal riches. The soil is indifferent. Tropical fruits abound. The first modern who visited them, was Antonio Nolli, a Genoese, in 1449. GoREE. This is a little island, two miles in circuit, close to the coast, S. of Cape Verd. The Dutch planted it in 1617. The French drove them out in 1677, and wxre lately driven out by the English. BissAo. This island is 80 miles in ciicuit, and is close to the coast, in lat. 1 1 30, just N. of Rio Grande. It is the only posses- sion of the Portuguese near the coast, between Cape Verd and the Coast of Congo. BissAGos. These form a little aixhipclago, lying along the coast, near the mouili of Rio Grande. Fernando Po. This isle is about 30 leagues in circuit, in lat. 3 20, N. and Ion. 10 45, E. near the coast of Benin. It belongs to Spain, is high, has a fertile soil, and produces manioc, sugar, rice, fruits, and tobacco. Prince's Island. This lies directly S. of the former, in lat. 1 30, N. and is 20 leagues in circuit. The town on the N. coast has a good harbor, and contains 200 houses. The soil is good, and the produce like that of Fernando Po. It belongs to Spain. AFRICAN ISLANDS. 791 S-f. Thomas. St. Thomas is about 20 leagues in circuit, and lies a little W. of S. from Prince's Island, directly under the equator, and about 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. Annobon. This is a high, mountainous, and fertile island, about 6 leagues in circuit, in lat. 1 45, S. 80 leagues from Cape Lopez. It was settled by the Portuguese, and is said now to be- long 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 30, S. Ion. 14 22 31, W. It was discov- ered in 1501, is 10 miles long from N. W. to S. E. and 5 or 6 broad. It is barren and desolate, but abounds with turtle. St. Helena. This is a beautiful island, 20 miles in circum- ference, belonging to the English East India Company. It has some high mountains, particularly one called Diana's Peak, which is covei-ed with wood to the very top. There are other hills al- so, which bear evident marks of a volcanic origin ; some have huge rocks of lava, and a kind of half vitrined flags. Every valley is watered by a rivulet, and the island can support 3000 head of its small cattle. The number of inhabitants does not exceed 2000, including near 500 soldiers and 600 slaves, who are supplied with all sorts of manufactures by the company's ships, in return for refreshments. The town is small, situated in a valley, at the bottom of a bay on the south side of the island, between two steep dreary mountains; has a church, and is well defended by forts and batteries. It lies between the continents of Africa and South America, about 1200 miles west of the former, and 1800 east of the latter. Ion. 5 49, west, lat. 15 55, south. The Company's affairs are here managed by a governor, depu- ty governor, and store-keeper, who have standing salaries allowed by the Company, besides a public table well furnished, to which all commanders, masters of ships, and principal passengers are welcome. Saxemberg, Tristran de Cunba, DiegOy and Gough's Island, are small islands to the W. of the Cape of Good Hope. Prince Ed- ward's and Desert Islands, lie to the S. L. of that Cape. The Isle of Desolation, called by the Fi'ench, Kerguelen's Land, is about equidistant from Africa and New Holland. Bourbon. The Portuguese discovered it in 1545, and called it Mascarcnhas. The French took possession in 1642, and called it Bourbon. They have lately called it Isle de Reunion, and still later, Bonaparte. It is 60 miles long, and 40 broad, 370 miles E. from Madagascar. The island is difficult of access. St. Denis is the principal port. It has lately been taken by the English. Its first inhabitants were pirates, who planted themselves hei'e in 1657. The island has now, according to St. Pierre, 60,000 blacks, and 5,000 other inhabitants : Ion. 55 30, E. lat. 20 52, S. Mauritius. This island, 150 mileg in circumference, lies E. 7n AFRICAN ISLANDS. N. E. of Bourbon, and 400 miles E. of Madagascar, was discover- ed and settled by the Dutch, in 1598, and relinquisr.ed in 1710. The French took possession soon after, and retained 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 vallies are well wa- tered v/ith rivers, and are made very productive of cultivation, of which indigo is the principal object. The town and harbor arc called Port Louis, and are strongly fortified ; Imt in the hurricane months, the harbor cannot afford shelter for more than eight ves- sels. Here are large store houses, and every thing necessary for the equipment of fleets. The number of inhabitants on the island, exclusive of the mili- tary, is 8,000 whites, and 12,000 blacks. These black slaves cul- tivate the soil, do all the drudgery, and are treated in the most cruel manner. In desperation, they often hang or drown them- selves. More frequently, they fly to the woods, where they are hunted and shot, like beasts, by parties of pleasure formed for the purpose 1 1 Lon. 57 28 E. lat. 20 9 S.* CoMORA Islands, a cluster of islands in the Indian ocean, be- tween the coast of Zanguebar and the N. part of the island of Ma- dagascar. They afe 4 in number, viz. Johanna, Mayotta, Mohilla, and Comora, which last is 6 leagues long and 3 wide, and gives its name to the group. It has no safe harbors. Its high moun- tains are richly covered with verdure and fruit trees, and give rise to numerous fertilizing streams, on which are many beautiful cas- cades. The vallies between the mountains are extensive, and in richness and beauty are exceeded by none in the world. These islands produce rice, peas, yams, indian corn, purslain, cocoa-nuts, plantains, oranges, lemons, citrons, limes, pine apples, cucumbers, tamarinds, sugar canes and honey. Their animalsare bufi'aloes, goats, tortoises, camelions, hens, and a great variety of birds, many of which are not known in Europe. Johanna, though not the larg- est, is yet in many respects the principal island. The Arabs are settled here, and exact tribute from the natives of this and the other islands. The Arabs, about 3000 in number, professing the Mahometan religion, are settled together in a v/alled town on the S. E. part of the island. The town, which is the residence of the king of all the isles, contains about 900 houses, one story of 15 or 20 feet high, and thatched with cabbage-tree leaves. The town covers about 10 acres. A mosque of stone rises in its cen- tre. The walls ai'e about 6 feet high, and encompass the whole town, leaving but one place of entrance, and are mounted with 18 cannon, taken from the wreck of a French ship ; but they are of no use for defence, as the inhabitants arc without ammunition, and ignorant of the manner of managing them. The streets are dirty, and so narrow as to admit but tvvo persons abreast. The drink of the inhabitants is the milk of the cocoa-nut, from which they have * St. Plenv, AFRICAN ISLANDS. 795 the art of extracting an intoxicating liquor. From the sugar-canes they extract molasses. The Arabs in the town are clothed, and in some degree civilized ; but the aborigines, about 7000 in num- ber, who inhabit the hills, and who are often at war with the Arabs, go naked, are of a dark complexion, and stupid. In the interior of the island is a lake, held sacred by the natives, in which are ducks, which are also venerated. All strangers, who visit this lake, are required to leave their guns 5 miles from it. The birds thus protected, are tame, and fearlessly approach those who visit them. The Arabs, though they dare not openly oppose, yet de- test this superstition. The East India ships often touch here for refreshment. The Arabs, some of them, speak broken, but intel- ligible English — preserve the manners of Arabia, and are not so dark as the natives. These isles lie between 1 1 and 13 S. lat. and 44 and 47 E. Ion.* MoNFiA, Zanzibar and Pemba, lie along the coast of Zangue- bar. The latter is governed by a king, who pays tribute to the Portuguese, and who receives a tribute from the other two. ZocoTRA or SocoTRA. This is a large island, 25 leagues from Cape Guardefan, and 80 from Arabia. It is 75 miles in length, from E. to W. and 50 broad. It has a fine bold shore, and many excellent harbors. It is fertile and populous ; and is governed by a prince who is tributary to the Sheikh of Keschin^ a town of Hadramaut in Arabia. The inhabitants are of Arabian descent, and are Mahometans. The island is very productive. ' Capt. Ham, Walker, Grose. [" , THE END, VOL, tT. 100 CHRONOLOGICAL Tx^BLL' OF REMARKABLE EVENTS, DISCOVERIES AND INVENTIONS : COMPREHENDING, IN ONE VIEW, THE AJVAL YSIS OR 0 UTBIXES OF GEA''ERAL HISTOR Y* FROM THE CREATION TO THE PRESENT TIME. Bef. Oirist. 4004 'I'HI'j creation of the worlJ, and of Adam and Eve. 3017 Enoch translated into Iieaven. 254-8 The old world destroyed by a deluge, which continued ii77 days. • 3247 The tower of Babel is built about this time by Noah's posterity; upon \v)iicl« God miraculously confounds their language, and thus disperses them into dif- ferent nations. 2234 Celestial ob.servations arc begun at Babylon, t]>e city which first gave birth to learning and tiie sciences. 21SS Misraim, the son of Ham, founds the kingdom of Egypt, which lasted 1G03 years, to the conquest of Oambyses. 2059 Ninus, the son of Belus, founds the kingdom of Assyria, which lasted above 1000 years. 1921 The covenant of God made with Abraham, when he leaves Haran to go into Canaan, which begins the 4:^0 years of sojourning. 1897 The wties of Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed for their wickedness by fire from heaven. 1822 Memnon the Egyptian mvents the letters. 1635 Joseph dies in Egypt, which concludes the book of Genesis, containing a peri- od of 23C9 years. 1574 Aaron born ; 1490, appointed by God first high priest of the Israelites. 1571 Moses, born in Egypt, an'e by Nebuchadnezzar to Baby- lon. •■687 The city of Jerusalem taken after a siege of 18 months. 5C2 The first comedy at Athens acted upon a moveyble scaffold. 5.59 Cvrus the first King of Persia. 53S The kingdom of Kabylon destroyed; that city being taken by Cyrus, vlio, itt 530, issued mi edict for the return of the Jews. 53i The first tragedy acted at Atliens, on a waggon, by Thespis. 5'26 Learning is greatly encouraged at Athens, and a public library first founded. 515 The second temple at Jerusalem is finished under Darius. 509 Tarquin the seventh, and last king of the Homans is expelled, and Rome is governed bv two eousuls and other republican magistrates, until tlie battle of Pharsalia, 461 years. 504 Sardis taken and burnt by the Athcniiins, XihicU gave occasion to the Persian in- vasion of Greece. 4SG -5;schylus, the Greek Poet, first gains the prize of tragedy. 481 Xerxes, King of Persia, begins his expedition against Greece. 458 Ezra is sent from Babylon to Jerusalem, with the captive Jews, and the vessels of gold and silver, kc being seventy weeks of years, or 490 years before the crucifixSon of our Saviour. 454 The Romans send to Athens for Solon's laws. 451 The Decemvirs created at Rome, and the laws of the twelve tables compilejl and ratified. 443 Censors created at Rome. 438 Nineteen years cycle invented by Meton. 4.^0 The history of the Old Testament finishes about this time. 430 Malachi, the last of the prophets. 401 Retreat of 10,000 Greeks, under Xenoplion. 400 Socrates, the founder of mora! philosophy among the Greeks, put to deatli by the Athenians, who soon after repent and erect to his memory a statue of brass. 336 Philip King Macedon murdered, and succeeded by his son Alexander the Great 332 Alexandria in Egypt built. 331 Alexander, king of Macedon, conquers Darius King of Persia, and other nations of Asia. 323 Dies at Babylon, and his empire is divided by his generals into four kingdoms. S591 Darkness at Rome at noon day. 290 Solar quadrants introduced atRome. 285 Dionysius, of Alexandria, began his astronomical era on Monday, June 26, being the first who found the solar year to consist exactly of 365 days, 5 hours and 49 minutes. 284 Ptolemy Philadelphus, King of Egypt, employs seventy -two interpreters to translate the Old testamemt into the Greek language which is called the Septuagint. 269 The first coinage of silver at Rome. *" 264 The first Punick war begins, and continues 24 years. 260 The Romans first concern themselves in naval afiiurs, and defeat the Carthagini- ans at sea. 250 Eratosthenes first attempted to measure the earth. 218 The second Punic war begins and continues 17 years. Hannibal passes the Alps, and defeats the Romans in several battles. J 90 The first Roman army enters Asia, and from tlie spoils of Antiochus brings the Asiatic luxury to Rome 170 Eighty thousand Jews massacred by Antiochus Epjphanes. 168 Perseus defeated by the Romans, which ends the Macedonian kingdom. 167 The first librai^ erected at Rome, of books brought from Macedonia. 163 Tlie government of Judea under the Maccabees begins anci contitiues 126 years. 146 Carthage and Corfntl) rossd to (!he gi'oijral by the Romans,- 796 CHRONOLOGICAt, TABLE. B C. 145 A. hundred thousand inhabitants of Autioch massacred in one day hy the Jews. 135 The history of the Apocryi>ha ends. 5'2 Julius CiEsar makes Ihs first expedition into Britain. 4r Tlie battle of Pharsalia between Cicaar and Pompey, in wl\ich the latter is de- feated. The Alexandrian library, consisting of 400,000 valuable books, hnrnt by acci- dent. 45 The war of Africa, in which Cato kills iiimself. The solar year introduced by Caesar. a Caesar killed in the senate house, alter having fought 50 pitched battles an^ over- turned the liberties of his country . 43 Brutus, one of the conspiritors as;ainst Cxsar, and chief of the republicans, be- ing vanquished in the battle of Philippi, kills himself. 41 The battle of .\ctium fought, in which Mark Antony and Cleopati-a are totally de*eated by Octavius, nephew to Julius Cwsar. 30 Alexandria taken by Oc-tavius, and Egypt reduced to a Roman province. 27 Octavius, bv a decree of the senate, obtains the title of Augustus Csesar, and an exemption from the laws, is the first Roman emperor. S Rome is at this time 50 miles in circumference, and contains 4G3,000 men fit to bear arras. The temple of Janus is shut by Augustus, as an emblem of universal peace; and JESUS CHRIST is supposed to have been born in September, or or Monday, December 25. After Christ. 12 Christ disputes witli the doctors in tlie temple. 29 ■■ . ■ is baptized in the wilderness by John. S3 _____ is crucilied on Friday, April 3, at 3 o'clock, P. M. His resarrection on Lord's Day, April 5 : His ascension, Thursday, May 14, 3f> St. Paul converted. 39 St. Matthew writes his Gospel. Pontius Pilate kills himself ^0 The name of Christians first given at Antioch to the followers of Christ, 43 Claudius Ctesar's expedition into Britain. 44 St. Vlark writes his Gospel. 46 Christianity carried into Spain. 49 London is founded by the Romans. 51 Caractacus, the British king, is carried in chains to Rome. •"52 The council of the .Apostlei at Jerusalem. !>!i St. Liikc writes his Gospel. 69 The tyrant Nero puts his inother and brotliers to death. fiO Christianity preached in Britain. CI Boadicea, the British queen, defeats the Romans; but is conquered soon after by Suetonius governor of Britain. 62 St Paul is sent in bonds to Rome — writes his epistles between 51 and 06. 03 The Acts of the Apostles written. Christianity is supposed to be introduced into Britain by St. Paul, or some of his disciples about this time. 64 Rome set on fire, and burned foi- six days; upon which began, under Nero the first persecution against the Christians. 67 St. Peter and St. Paul put to death. 70 Titus takes Jerusalem, which is rased to the ground, and the plough made to pass Dver it. 79 Herculaneum overwhelmed by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. 96 St. John the Evangelist wrote his Revelation — his Gospel in 9". 136 The second Jewish war ends, when they were all banished Judea. 139 Justin writes his first apology for the Christians. 152 The Emperor Antonins Pius stops the persecution against the Christians. 5274 Silk first brought from India, and the manufacture of \t introduced into Europe 551. .103 The tenth genevat persecution begins under Dioclesian and Galerius. .^06 Consfantinc the Great begins his reign. 308 Cardinals first instituted. 313 rhe tenth persecution ends by an edict of Constantine, who favors the Christians, and gives full liberty to their religion. 335 The first general council at Nice, when 318 fathers attended against Aritis,. tvherc was composed the fiiraous Nicene Creed. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 7Q7 A. C. ... •328 Consfantine removes the seat of empire from, Rome to Byzantium, Avliich is thenceforward called Constantinople. SSI Constantino orders all the heathen temples to be destroyed. 563 The emperor Julian, the apostate, endeavors in vain to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem. 564 The Roman empire is divided into the eastern (Constantinople the capital) and western (of which Rome continued to be the capital ;) each being now undel- the government of difterent emperors. 400 Bells nivented by bishop Paulinus of Nola in Campagnn. •410 Rome taken a«d plundered by Alarick, King of the Goths. 412 The Tandals begin their kingdom in Spain. 420 The kingdom of France begins, under Pharamond. 432 St. Patrick began to preach in Ireland : died 493 aged 122 years. 447 Attila, (called the scouige of God) with his Huns ravages the Roman empire. 476 The western empire entirely destroyed ; upon the ruins of which several new- states arise in Italy ; under whom literature is extinguished, and the woriis «i the learned are destroyed. 496 Clovis, king of France, baptized, and Christianity introduced. 510 Paris becomes the capital of France. 516 The computing of time by the Christian era is introduced Dyonysius the moiik. 529 The code of Justinian, the eastern emperor, is published. 557 A terrible plague, all over Europe, Asia, aud Afiica, which continues near fifiy years. 581 Latin ceased to be spoken about this time in Italy. 600 Bells first u.sed in churches. 606 The power of tlie Popes begins by the concessions of Phocas, emperor of the east. 622 IVIahomet flies from Mecca to Medina in Arabia. His followers compute tlieii; time from this era, called Ilegira, i- e. the Flight. 637 Jerusalem taken by the Saracens or followers of Mahomet. 642 Alexandria in EgAptis taken by the S.^racens, and the grand librajy there 1>iTrji- ed by order of Omar their caliph, or prince. 664 Glass invented in England by Benalt, a monk. 696 Churches first began to be built in England. 713 The Saracens conquer Spain. 726 The controversy about images begins, which disturbs the Eastern empire, 748 The computing of years from the birth of Christ begins. 761 Thirty thousand books burnt by order of the emperor Leo. SOO Charlemagne, king of France, begins tlie empire of Germany, afterwards cjiVieff the western empire, and endeavors in vain to restore learniiig in Euroi)e, 828 Egbert unites the Heptarchy by the name of England. 886 Juries first instituted. 896 Alfred the Great, after subduing the Danish invaders, composes his body of laws divides England into counties, hundreds, and ty things; founds the University of 0.\ford. ei."? The University of Cambridge founded.! 936 The Saracen empire divided into seven kingdoms by usurpation. 94-0 Christianity established in Denmark. 989 Christianity established in Russia. 991 The figures in Arithmetic are brought into Europe by the Saracens, from Arabia. Letters of the alphabet were hitherto used. iOOO Paper made of cotton rags comes into use, that of linen do. 1170. — The manufac- tory introduced into England at Dartford 1588. 1014 The famous battle of Clontarf was fought wherein the Danes were completely de- feated with the loss of 11,000 men, and driven out of Ireland. 1015 Children forbidden by law to be sold by their parents in England. Priests forbidden to many. 1017 Canute, king of Denmark, gets possession of England. 1025 Musical gamut invented. 1040 The Danes driven out of Scotland. 1041 The Saxon line restored under Edward the Confestor. 1043 The Turks become formidable and take possession of Persia. 1054 Leo IX. the first Pope that kept up an army. 1065 The Turks take Jerusalem from the Saracens. J066 The battle of Hustings fought, between Harold and William duke of N orman(!y, after which William becomes King of England. 1070 William introduces the feudal law. 1075 Henry IV. Emperor of Germany and the Pope quarrel about the nomination of the German bishops. Henry iri penance, walks barefooted to Rome, towards the end of Januarv, 79S CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. A, C. 1080 Doomsday bookbef;an to be compiled by order of William, from a survey of all the Estates in Kngland, and linislied in lOSo. Tiie lower of Lnndoti built by the same prince, to curb his English subjects. lOSG Kingdom of Uohemia begi\n. 103i The Saracens iu Spain, being hard pressed by the Spaniards, call to their assis- tance Josepii, King of Morocco ; by which the MoOrs get possession of all the Sar.'icen dominions in Spain. 109G The first crusade to the Holy Land to drive thence the infidels. ll.'il The canon law collected by Gratian, a monk ofliologna. 1163 London bridge, first built of stone. • 1180 (ilass windows began to be used in private houses in England. 1182 Pope Alexander III. compelled the kings of England and France to hold the stir- rups of bis saddle when he mounted his horse, 1186 The gi-eat conjunclioa of the sun moon and all the planets in Libra, happened iji September. 1192 The battle of Ascalon, in .Tudea, in which Riohard, King of England, defeats Saladinc'.* army consisting of SOO,OW combatants 1200 Chimnios were not known in England. SLU-iianies now began to be used ; first among the nobility. 1208 London incorporated, and obtained its first charter from King John. 1215 Magna Charta is signed by King lohn and the barons of England. 1227 The Tartars, a new race of Barbarians, under Gingis Khan, emerge from the northern part of Asia, conquer the gi-eatest part of that continent, and in 22 years destroy upwards of 14 millions of people. 12.3.3 The inquisition, begun in 1204, is now trusted to the Dominicans. 1252 Magnifying glasses invented by Roger Bacon. 1253 The famous astronomical tables composed by Alonzo Kins of Castile. 12.58 The Tartars take Bagdad, which ends the empire of the Saracens. 1263 Acho, King of Norway, invades Scotland with IGO sail, and lands 20,000 men at the mouth of the Clyde, but most of them are cut to pieces by Alexander 111. who recovers the western isles. 1273 The empu-e of the present Austrian family begins in Germany. 1280 Pulvis fulminans and gunpowder invented by Roger Bacon. 1282 Wales united to England. 1285 Spectacles invented by Alexander Spina, a Spanish monk. 1298 The present Turkish empire begins in Bithynia under Ottoman. Silver hafted kaives, spoons, and" cups, a great luxury. Splinters of wood gene- rally used "br lights Wine sold by apothecaries as a cordial. 1299 Windmills invented. 1300 About this time the mariner's compass w.as invented, or improved by John Gioia, or Goya, a Neapolitan. The flo.ver-de-luce, the arms of the dukeof Anjou, then king of Naples, was placed by him at the point of the needle, ia compliment to tliat prince. 1307 The beginning of the Swiss Cantons. Intei-est of money in England at 45 per cent. 1308 The Popes remove to .Avignon in France for 70 years. 1320 Gold first coined in Christendom — in England 1344. 1336 Two Brabant weavers settled at York, wliich,says Edward III. may prove of great benefit to us and our subjects. 1337 The first comet apj>cared whose course is described with astronomical exactness. 1340 Gunpowder first suggested as useful for warlike purposes by Swariz, a monk of Colonge; 134G, Edward III, had four pieces of cannon, which coutjibuted to gain him the battle of Cressy. Oil painting first made use of, by John Vaneck. 1344 The first creation to titles by patent used by Edward III. 1352 The Turks first enter Europe. 1356 The battle of Poictiers, in which king John of France and his sons are taken prisoners by Edward the Black Prince. 1S57 Coals first brought to London. 13G2 The law pleadings in England^ changed from French to English, as a favor of Edw.ard III. to his people. 1386 A company of linen weavers from the N«;therlands established in London. 1391 Cards invented in France for the king's amusement. 1402 Bajazet defeated by Tamerlane, and the power of the Turks almost entirely de- stroyed. 1404 Hats for men invented at Paris by a Swiss. 1422 Denmark united with the crown of Norway. 1415 Tbe battle of Agiiicoui't, gained otct the French by Ifenry V. of England. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 799 U28 The sie,e of O.Jeans The celebrated Ma.d of Orle^-PP^J-J^''^^ S-yes^^^^ first blow to the English power in France. She is afteiwaid* taken i...soDei U30 Uurt^:;^'Ke^:lrt.nts the art of r-.n.ojlch 1. J>J^tJd .Hj separate uooden types. Gottenburg altervv^.ds .'"^^ 'te i cut ^«=^«» ^^^'^'j Pe[er Schceffer invented the mode of casting t>; pes '" "^^^V^'^^^^^f'i^laoXs, authentic accounts ascribe the iuvent.en ot rr.ntms to Dr. Faust, or.iraostus. The sea breaks ir. at Dort, in Holland, and drowns 100,000 people. J 446 The Vatican library founded at li'ime. ,.„..t^vnw<; tlip Rnraan em- 1453 Constantinople taken by the Turks, which utterly o^erthl0^vs the Koraan em 1454 Otto Guerick, a German, invents the air-pump. Jud-vment of Duelliug appointed in certain cases m France, in order to haAe the jUii^raeni oi 1460 Engravings and etchings in copper in%'ented. tv-.Mnomctrv introduced, U7i Decimal arithmetic invented, and the use of tangents mti.gonomctry introaucea, bv Regioraentanus. ... * 1485 Great numbers carried off by the sweating sickness. Polumbiis 1489 Maps and sea charts first broughtito England by Lartholomeyv Lclumb^s. 1492 .\MERI(;\ discovered by Columbus. 1494 Algebra fii-st known in Europe. /^ «„ „r Pn^l TTnnp 1497 The Portuguese first sail to the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope South America discovered by Americus \ espusius. North America discovered by Cabot. . 1503 Mines, used in tlic attack and defence of places, inventea. 1509 Gardening introduced into England from the Jietherlands. The island of Jamaica settled by Spain. 1512 Florida discovered. ,. t i"-- 1515 Paraguay discovered by the Spaniards, and settled by them i^oj. 1517 Martin Luther began the Reformation. Egvpt conquei-ed by the Turks. . , . , i .• 1518 Magellan, in the service of Spain, discovers the straits which bear his name, makes the first voyage round the world, but is killed by the savages m the Ma- rianne islands. ' R«;pub!ic of Geneva founded. , • . r « r* c j 1520 Htury Vlll. for his writings in fovor of Popery, receives the tit e At Uetendef of the Faith" from the Popo. , Chocolate first brought from Mexico by the-Spaniards. _ • ♦ t. 1529 The name of Protestant t.ikes it rise from the Reformed, protestmg against the church of Rome, at the diet of Spires in Germany- 1530 Copernicus revives the Pythagorean system of astronomj'. , n • v. 1539 'l"he first English edition of the Bible'aulhorised ; the present translation hnish* ed 1611. About this time cannon began to he used in ships. 1540 The order of the Jesuits established by Ignatius Loyola, a Spaniard. 1543 Silk stockings first worn bv the French king. Pins first used in England," before wliich time the ladies used skewer.s. 1545 The famous council of Trent begins, and continues 18 years. ■ 1546 Interest of money first establibhed in England by law at 10 per cent. Potosi mountain discovered. The richest mine in America. 1549 Brazil settleil by the Portuguese. Discorered in 1500. , . 1553 Circulation of the blood through the lungs first published, by Michael SciTetUS. 1557 Groats ftnd half groats the greatest silver coin in England. 1560 John Knox establishes Presbyterianisra in Scotland. Siberia discovered in the reign of the Czar Ivan Basilides. 1562 John Ribalt, with a fleet from France, discovers the river St M»Ty. 1563 Knives first made in England. The 39 articles of the English faith established, 1565 Potatoes first brought to Ireland from New Spain, in America. 1569 Circulation of the blood published by Cisalpmus. 1572 The great massacre of Protestants at Pai'is, August 24. 1577 Sir Francis Drake sets sail on his voyage round tlie world— returned 1580, being' the first English circumnavigator. 1579 The Dutch sliake off the Spanish yoke, and found the republic of Holland. English East India Company incorjKirated — established 1600. 1581 J. Usher, Archbiehop of Armagh, born in Dublin, drew up 104 articles f»f religion for Ireland, 1615 j wfeick \t&rc establ»#ied 1635.— JJied 1656. 800 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. A. C. 1582 PopcGi'6garyin(ro(luces the New Style in Italy; the 5th of October being coont- ed 15. 1583 Tobacco first brought from Virginia into England — first discovered by the Spaniards in Yucatan in 1320. 15S5 Davis* Straits discovered. 1587 Man-, Queen of Scots, beheaded by order of Elizabeth, after 18 years' impris- oniTient. Duelling introduced into England. 1588 The Spanish Armada destroyed by Drake and other English Admirals. Heni-y IV. passes the famous edict of Nantz, tolerating the Protestants. The Niatiufacture of paper inlro CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. A. C. 1799 President Adams nominated Messrs. Ellsworth, Davie, and Murray, lo inake a further attempt to adjust differences with the French Kepublic, Feb. — The envoys embarked for France, November. GEORGE WASHINGTON died December 14, aged 67, and left his country in tears. The American militia was upwards of 354,000 and the seamen upwards ot 63,000. ISOO The American envoys concluded a convention with the French Republic, •which was signed at Paris, September 3. A bill for uniting Ireland with Great Britain, signed July 2. American navy consisted of 4'2 vessels and 9.^0 guns \accination introduced by Dr. Waterhouse, and extensively propagated over the United States by many, and particularly by John Vaughan of Philadelphia. Boats begin to pass through the canal in South Carolina, extending 22 miles be- tween Santee and Cooper rivers. This work cost the proprietors above §600,000 — a sum exceeding seven times the amount of what the province had sold for 72 years before. 1 801 The maritime treaty of 1780, between the three northern powers of Europe, was renewed, January. Treaty of peace between Germany and France, signed at Luneville, Feb. 9. The Legislature of Massachusetts agreed to present a respectful address to Jon v Adams, on the occasion of his retiring from the presidency of the United States, expressive of " the grateful and high sense the legislature entertain of the numerous and eminent services he has rendered his country, particularly as President of the United Slates ; and assuring him of their undiminished confidence in his character, and of an affectionate welcome into the bosom of tiis country," March 3. Thomas Jefferson, elected president of the United States, and Aaron Burr, vice president. National government removed to Washington. The manufacture of straw bonnets commenced in Wrentliam, ISIassachusetts, and proceeded so rapidly, that after eight years the proceeds amounted annu- ally to S 100,000. Oct. 1. Preliminary articles of peace between France, Great Britain, Spain and Holland, signed at London. 1802 March 25. Definitive treaty between the above powers signed at Amiens, by Bonaparte, Comwallis, Azaza and Schimmelpenninck. IMerino sheep were introduced by R. R Livingston, and Col. Humphries, and extensively propagated. About the same time the recently extensive cultiva- tion of cotton in the southern states and the more extended use of plaster of Paris as a manure had become so general as to add immensely to the wealth of the United States. 1803 March. The king of Great Britain, in consequence of the formidable military preparations in the ports of France and Holland, embodied the militia of the country. July. War commenced between France and Great Britain. Oct. 11. A treaty of peace was signed between the United States and the em- peror of Morocco. Louisiana purchased bv R. R. Livingston, for the United States, from the Frencli, for g 15,000,000. 1804 Dec. 3. Bonaparte crowned emperor of ?■ ranee, by his holiness the Pope, by the title of Napoleone I. with great splendor. The emi)eror presented the Popt- a triple crown, valued at 20,000 1. Dec. 13. Spain declared war against Great Britain. Great huriicane in South Carolina and Georgia. 1805 Mai'ch 4. Thomas Jefferson and George Clinton, inaugurated president and vice president of the United States. Samuel Chase, one of the Associate Judges of the L^nited States, having been impeached by the House of Representatives, and tried by the Senate, is iion- OuAEi.Y acquittwl. A Botanic garden instituted ip Charleston, and a Botanic Society incorporated •by the legislature of South Carolina. Botanic gardens were formed about the same time in the vicinity of New York, and Boston. The foriuer by Dr. Ho- sack, the latter by the University of Cambridge. 18p6 Captains Lewis ami Clarke, returned to St. Louis, after having with the loss of only one man' out of 45 traversed the North American continent, from the mouth of the .Missouri to the Pacific ocean in £8 months and 10 days, making the whole distance from the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi to the disphargc of the Columbia river into tUt Pacific ocean, to be 3555 miles in a CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 811 A. C. line correspoading with the course of these rivers, and in a direct line of about 40 miles from one to the other. The distance between the source and the mouth of the Missouri was 3096 miles. 1807 Four seamen are killed on board the American frigate Chesapeake, within the waters of the United States, by order of the British admiral Berkely. The act of Berkely was disavowed by his royal master, and has since been amicably settled between the two governments. ! 808 A general embargo imposed by law on the United States operates through the whole of the year, to the incalculable injury of the morals and interests of the people. A Theological institution was established at Andover, in Massachusetts. Funds for its support to an amount exceeding % 110,000 were raised by private sub- scriptions. From this source provision was made not only for the mainte- nance of candidates for the ministry, but for adequate salaries to professors in every department necessary to form the complete Theologian and accomplish- ed preacher. Divinity had been regularly taught by professors in Harvard College ever since the year I7ii2, and in Yale College since 1756, and occasion- ally in the college of Princeton since 1768. A plan for the instruction of The- ological students was devised about the year 1770, by the Reformed Dutch Church, which, though for several years suspended, has been carried into full eft'ect under the direction of Dr. Livingston ever since 1796. An institution of the same kind was formed by the Associate Reformed Synod of North Amer- ica, and committed to the care of Dr. Mason, which had been in complete operation since the year 1806. In the third year after the institution of the Andover Theological Institution, four of its pupils by name Adoniram Judson jim. Samuel Nott jun Gordon Hall, and Samuel Newell, magnanimously of- fered themselves to serve as missionaries to Heathen nations for life, and with Luther Rice, in February 1812, sailed for Calcutta, in expectation of spending their lives in some part of India. 1808, 9, 10 Fifteen Bible Societies, composed of Christians of various sects, were formed for the purpose of gratuitously distributing cheap editions of the Bible. Thomas Jefferson declines a reelection as president — James Madison elected his successor. 1809 In this and the i)receding 19 years upwards of 1200 patents for inventions were issued from the patent office of the United States. There were 2000 post offices in the United States. In 1793 there were only 195. In 1773 only 52. 1 810 The History of Printing in America was published by Isaiah Thomas. An use- ful original work, easting great light on the early literature of the English col- onies. From this work it appears that " There are in the United States up- wards of 169 paper mills. Of these are in New England 66, in Vermont 9, New York 12, Delaware 4, Maryland 3, Virginia*, Kentucky 6, Tennessee 4, South Carolina 1." In this one, coarse paper is made from corn husks. These mills are constantly employed, and the demand for paper is daily rising. Besides a large number of presses for printing books, "The number of estab- lishments for printing newspapers is about 349. Of these 27 are daily papers. The whole number of newspapers annually circulated in the United States is above 22,000,000. These newspaper establishments are distributed throughout the United States as follows : In New England 62, in Vermont 14, New York 66, New Jersey 8, Pennsylvania 71, Delaware 2, Maryland 21, District of Co- lumbia G, Virginia 23, North Carolina 10, South Carolina 9, Georgia 13, Ken- tucky 17, Tennessee 6, Ohio, 14, Indiana Territory 1, Missisippi Territory 4, Orleans Territory 10, Louisiana 1." From a census of the nation of Cherokee Indians it appeared that their number is 12,395. The emperor of France makes a general seizure of floating American properly in European ports subject to his control. The manufactory of artificial mineral waters, which had before originated in the middle and northern States, was introduced in Charleston, S. C. 1813 March 26. An earthquake, which lasted a minute and a half, destroyed the town or port of Laguira, and city of Carraccas, in Venezuela, (South Amer- ica,) antl from 12,000 to 15,000 people are said to have perished in their ruins. April. An embargo laid by Congress for 90 days ; declared by high authority to be the precursor of war with Great Britain. April 3. The Washington Benevolent Society of 1500 members celebrate in Boston the inauguration of the Father of his Country, as the first president of the United States. LIST OF ANCIENT AND MODERN LEARNED AND EMINENT MEN. \_£i/ the Hates is implied the time tvhen the follo~i'ing Writers died; but when that Period happens not to be knoiun, the Age in ivfnch they flourished is SiVra- Jied by il] B. C. 907 HOMER, The first profane writer ami Greek poet, flourished. Hesiod, the Greek poet, supposed to live near the time of Homer. 884 Lycur^iis, ttie Spartan lawgiver. 600 Sappho, the Greek lyrick poetess, fl. 558 Solon, lawgiver of Athens. 556 iEsop, the first Greek fehulist. 548 Thales, the first Greek astronomer and geographer. 497 Pythagoras, founder of the Pythagorean philosophy in Greece. 474 Anaereon, the Greek lyric poet. 456 jEschylus, the first Greek tragic poet. 435 Pindar, the Greek lyric poet. 413 Herodotus, of Greece, the first Mi-iter of profane history. 407 Aristophanes, the Greek comic poet, fl. Euripides, the Greek tragic poet. 406 Sophocles, ditto. , Confucius, the Chinese plxilosopher, fl. 400 Socrates, the founder of moral philosophy, in Greece, 591 Thucydides, the Greek historian. 561 Hippocrates, the Greek Physician. Democritus, the Greek philoshopher. 359 Xenophon, ditto, and historian. 348 Plato, the Greek philosopher, and disciple of Socrates. 336 Isocrates, the (ireek orator. 332 Aristotle the Greek philosopher, and disciple of Plato. 313 Demosthenes, the Athenian orator, poisoned himself. 288 Theophrastus, the Greek philosopher, and scholar of Aristotle . 285 Theocritus, the first Greek pastoral poet, fl. 277 Euclid, of Alexandria, in Egypt, the mathematician, fl. 270 Epicurus, founder of the Epicurean philosophy in Greece. 264 Xeno, founder of the stoic philosophy in Greece. 24+ Callimnchus, the Greek elegiac poet. 208 Archimedes, the Greek geometrician. 184 Plautus, the Roman comic poet. 159 Terence, of Carthage, the Latin comic poet. 155 Diogenes, of Babylon, the stoic philosopher. 124 Polyhius, of Greece, the Greek and Roman liistoiian. 54 Lucretius, tlie Roman poet. 44 Julius Ciesur, the Roman historian and commentator killed. Diodorus Siculus, of Greece, the universal historian fl. Vitruvius, the Roman architect, fl. 43 Cicero, the Roman orator and philosopher, put to death. Cornelius Nepos, the Roman biographer, fl. 34 Sallust, the Reman historian. 30 Djonysius of llalicarnassus, the Roman historian, fl. t9 Virgil, tl)e Roman epic poet. 11 Catullus, Tibullus and Propertius, Roman poets. 8 Horace, the Roman lyric and satiric poet. A. c. 17 Livy, the Roman historian. 19 Ovid, the Roman elegiac poet. 20 Celsus, the Roinan philosopher and physician, fl. 25 Strabo, (he (ircek geographer. 33 Pba;dru.s tlie Roman fabulist."* LEARNED AND EMINENT MEN. Sl'3 A. C, . . J, 45 Paterculus, the Roman historian, fl. C2 Persius, the Roman satiric poet. . r> * a 04 Quintius Ciirtius, a Roman historian of Alexander the Great, H. Seneca, of Spain, the philosopher and tragic poet, put to death. 65 Liican the Roman epic poet, ditto. 79 Pliny the elder, the Roman natural historian. 93 Josephus, the Jewish historian. 94 Epictetus, the Greek stoic philosopher, fl. 95 Quintillian, the Roman orator and advocate. 96 Statius, the Roman epic poet. 98 Lucius Florus, of Spain, the Roman historian, fl. 99 Tacitus, the Roman historian. 104 Martial, of Spain, the epigrammatic poet. Valerius Flaccus, the Roman epic poet. 116 Pliny the younger, historical letters. 117 Suetonius, the Roman historian, fl. 119 Plutarch of Greece, the biographer. 128 Juvenal, the Roman satiric poet. 140 Ptolemy, the Egyptian geographer, mathematician, and astronomer, fl. 150 Justin, the Roman historian, fl. 161 \ I riau, the Roman historian and philosopher, fl. 167 Justui, of Samaria, one of the oldest Christian authors after the apostles. ISO Luciaii, the Roman philologer and satirist. Marcus Aurelius Antonius, Roman emperor and philosopher. 193 Galen, the Greek philosopher and physician. 200 Diogenes Laertius, the Greek biographer, fl. 2'29 Dion Cassius of Greece, the Roman historian, fl. 254 Origen, a Christian father of Alexandria. Herodian, of Alexandria, the Roman historian, fl. £J58 Cyprian, of Carthage, suffered martyrdom. 273 Longinus, the Greek orator, put to death by Aurelian. 520 Ldctantius, a father of the church, fl. 356 Arius, a priest of Alexandria, founder of the sect of Arians. .•)42 Eusebius, the ecclesiastical historian and chi-onologer. 379 Basil, bishop of Csesarea. 389 Gregory Nazianzen, bishop of Constantinople. 397 Ambrose, bishop of Milan. 41 5 Macrobius, the Roman grammarian. 428 Eutropius, the Roman historian. 524 Boetius, the Roman poet and Platonic philosopher. 529 Procopius, of Cxsarea, the Roman historian. ENGLISH, SCOTCH AND IRISH AUTHORS. A. C. 753 BEDE, a priest of Northumberland < history of the Saxons, Scots, kc. 901 liing Alfred ; histoid, pl.ilosoiihy, and poetrj. 1269 Matthew Paris, monk of St. Albans; history of England. 1292 Roger Bacon, Somersetshire ; natural philosophy. 1308 John Fordun, a priest of Mernshire, history of Scotland. 1403 GeoS'ry Chaucer, London ; the father of English poetry. 1404 John Gower, Wales ; the poet. 1535 Sir Thomas More, London ; history, politics, divinity. 1552 John Leland, London ; lives and antiquities. 1568 Roger Ascham, Yorkshire ; philologv and polite literature. 1572 Rev. Joseph Knox, the Scotch reformer; history of the church of Scotland. 1582 George Buchanan, Dumbartonshire ; history of Scotland, Psalms of David, Pol- itics, &c. 159S Edmund Spenser, London ; Fairy Queen, and other poems. 1615-25 Beaumont and Fletcher ; 53 dramatic pieces. 1616 William Shakespeare, Stratford ; 42 tragedies and comedies. 1617 Sir Walter Raleigh, histoi-y of the world. If 22 John Napier, of IMaixheston, Scotland : discoverer of logarithms. 162.; William Camden, London ; history and antiquities. 1626 Lord Chancellor Bacon. London ; "natural philosophy and liieratore m general. 1634 Lord Chief Justice Coke, Norfolk ; laws of England. 1638iBen Johnson, London ; 53,dramatio pieces. iu LEARNED AND EMINENT MEN. A. C. 1G38 Joseph Mead, B. D. dissertations ou the prophecies, and various learned atuj critical works. 1641 Sir Henry Spelman, Norfolk ; laws and antiquitiee. 1654 John Shelden, Sussex ; antiquities and laws. 1657 Dr. William Harvey, Kent ; discovered the circulation of the blood, l(jQ7 Abraham Cowley, London ; miscellaneous poetry. 1674 John Milton, London; Paradise Lost, Regained, and various other pieces in verse and prose. ,,_. ^yde. Earl of Clarendon, Wiltshire ; History of the civil wars in England. 16/ D James Gregory, Aberdeen ; mathematics, geometry and optics. Rev. Dr. John Lightfoot ; divinity and criticism. 1677 Rev. Dr, Isaac Barrow, London ; natural philosophy, mathematics and sermojis. 1680 Samuel Butler, Worcestershire; Hudibras, a burlesque poem. 1685 Thomas Otway, London ; ten tragedies and comedies, with other poems. 1687 Edmund Waller, Bucks; poems, speeches, letters, kc. 1688 Dr. Ralph Cud worth, Somersetshire ; intellectual system. 1689 Dr. Thomas Sydenham, Dorsetshire ; History of Physic. 1690 Nathaniel Lee, London ; eleven tragedies. Robert Barclay, Edinburgh ; Apology for the Quakers. 1C91 Hon. Robert Boyle ; natural and experimental philosophy and theology. Sir George M'Kenzie, Dundee ; Antiquities and Laws of Scotland. Rev. Richard Baxter ; divinity. 1694 John Tillotson, archbishop of Canterbury, Halifax ; 254 sermons. 1697 Sir \Villiam Temple, London ; politics and polite literature. 1(.99 Rev. Dr. William Bates, divinity. 1701 John Dryden, Northamptonshire ; 27 tragedies and comedies, satiric poems, Virgil. J 704 John Locke, Somersetshire ; philosophy, government, and theology. 1705 John Ray, Essex ; botany, natural philosophy, and divinity. 1707 George Farquhar, Londonderry ; eight comedies. 1713 Ant. Ash Cooper, Earl of Siiaftsbury ; characteristics. ■^71 ?r"?^'^^ Burnet, Edinburgh, bishop of Salisbury ; history, biographv, divinity ,ke. 1718 Nicholas Rowe, Devonshire; seven tragedies, translation of Lucan's Pharsalia. 1/19 Rev. John Flarastead, Derbyshire ; mathematics and astronomy. Joseph Addison, Wiltshire ; Spectator, Guardian, poems, politics, -o. ?/■ "^"''^ ^^'''' Edinburgh ; mathematics and astronomy. 1 / 21 Matthew Prior, London ; poems and politics. ]l^f William \yollaston, Staffordshire ; Religion of Nature delineated. i-in o"^ isaac Newton, Lincolnshire ; mathematics, georaetrv, astronomy, optics. 1/1^9 Rev. Dr. Samuel Clarke, Norwich ; mathematics, divini'ty, &c. ^"' 'f'chard Steele, Dublin ; four comedies, papers in Tatler, &c. '<"-o T J"'^ Congi-eve, Staffordshire ; seven dramatic pieces. liby John Gay, Exeter ; poems, fables, and eleven dramatic pieces. -/*'t 1^'" i° Arbuthnot, Mearnshire ; medicine, coins, politics. J/4i, Dr. Edmund Halley ; natural philosophy, astronomy, navigation. i~i' \ ^"^"*'''' I^entley, Yorkshire ; classical Icaming, criticism. 174* Alexander Pope, London ; poems, letters, translation of Homer. 1746 Rev. Dr. Jonathan Swift, Dublin ; poems, politics and letters. 1747 Colin M'Laurin, Argjleshire ; algebra, view of Newton's philosophy. 1748 James Thomson, Roxburgshire ; Seasons, and other poems, fjveU-agcdies. Rev. Dr. Isaac Watts, Southampton; logic, philosophy, psalms, hymns, ser- mons, &c. Dr. Francis Ilutcheson, Airshire ; syster* of moral philosophy. 1750 Rev. Dr. Convers, Middleton, Yorkshire ; l,ife of Cicero, kc. Andrew Baxter, Old Aberdeen ; metaphysics and natural philosophy. 1751 Henry St. John, lord Bolingbroke, Surry ; philosophy, metaphysics and politics. Dr. Alexander Monro, Edinburgh ; anatomy of the human body. 1754 Dr. Richard Mead, Lwidon ; on poisons, plague, small-pox, medicine, precepts. Henry Fielding, Somersetshire ; Tom Jones, Joseph Andrews, fecc. 1755 Dr. Nathaniel Lardner, History of the Apostles and Evangelists, writers of the New Testament, Credibility, &c. 1^57 CoUey Cibher, London ; 25 tragedies and comedies. 1761 Thomas Sherlock, bishop of London ; 69 sermons, &c. Benjamin Hoadley, bishop of Winchestei- ; sermons and controversy. Samuel Richardson, London ; Grandison, Clarissa, Pamela. Rev. Dr. John Leland, Lancashire ; Answer to Deistic.al writers. 1765 Rev. Dr. Edward Young , Night Thoughts, and other poems,;3 tragedies. Robert Simson, (Glasgow ; conic sections, Euclid, AppoUonius. 1768 Rev. LawrciiccSternc ;_45 sermons, Senliiuculaljuuniey, Tristram Sliandy. LEARNED AND EMINENT MEN. S15 A. c; . . 1769 Robert Smith, Lincolnshire ; liarmonies and optics. 1770 Rev. Dr. Jortin ; Life of Erasmus, Ecclesiastical History and sermouf- Dr. Mark Akenside, Newcastle upon Tvne ; poems. Dr. Tobias SmoUet, Dunbartonshire ; History of England, novels, translations. 1771 Thomas Gray, Professor o'' Modern History, Cambridge ; poems, 1773 Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield ; letters. George Lord Lj'ttleton, Worcestershire ; History of England. 1774 Oliver Goldsmith ; poems, essays, ana other pieces. Zachary Pearce, bishop of Rochester ; Annotations on the New Testament, 8c. Babylon, Us rain's 445 Badakshan 636 Baden 308 Baedoo 779 Bagdad 445 Bahrin isle 658 Baikal sea 16 Baktegan lake fil9 Balbee 442 Balk 635 Baltic sea 11 Bambara 778 Banda or Lantor iiland 674 Banna river 137 Barabin stepp 46S Barca 72« Barcelona 355 Bari 399 Barra kingdom 777 Barrow river 137 Basil or Basle 337 Basra or H;isora 445 Batchian island 672 Bavaria 306 Bayonne 272 Bayreuth, principality qf ao9 Beeroo 782 Belfast 134 Belgrade 423 Beliisle 285 Belur mountains 637 Benbecula isle 123 Benares 58» Bengal, bay of 13 Benguela kingdom 768 Benin kingdom 770 Ben Nevis mountain 114 Berelos lake 739 Bergamo 394 Berg, grand duchy of 302 river 766 Bergen 151 Berh^impooter river 710 Berlin 222 Berra isle 123 Besancon 270 Beveland islands 240 Bhatgung 515 Biafra kingdom 770 Bielo-Ozero or White lake 208 Birman Empire 533 original population of 534 progressive geography of 534 Biscay, bay of 13 Bissagos island 790 Bissao island 790 Bistan €14 Blackwater river 137 Bleeda 719 Blocksberg mountains 293 Boden Zee 339 Bog or Bogue river 206 Bosrs of Ireland 139 Bokhara . 635 Bologna 394 Bombay 590 Bondau 780 Bootan 512 820 INDEX. rase. P»g.. Borneo ish'nd 667 Cairo 732 Bornholm island 1G7 Cambay 590 Botany of Arabia CSS Cambodia 516 Australasia, and Polynesia G98 Cambray 246 Austria 3.J0 Cambridge univeraty 57 Birman Empire 541 Campbeltown 106 China Proper 493 (>anals of France 27i Chinese Tartary 5i)l Canaries 789 Denmark IGO Candia 429 Egypt 739 Canea 431 England 81 Oantabrian chain of mountains 363 France 280 Canton 487 Germany 294 Cape of Good Hope 755 Hindostan 578 Cape town 759 Holland 240 Cape Verd islands 790 Japan 531 Cardona mountain 365 Ireland 139 Carlscrona 177 Italy 386 Carolines isles 690 Lapland 145 Cai'pathian mountain's 329 Morocco 715 Carthage, ruins of 724 Persia 6'21 Carthagena 358 Portugal 379 Cashgar 499, 62/ Prussia 12'26 Cashmir 588 K issia in Europe S09 Caspian Sea 16 Russia in Asia 469 Cassel 299 Scotland 116 Catania 403 Sicily 406 Catacombs of Egypt 728 Spain 365 Catmandu 515 Sweden 181 Caucasian mountains 450, 467 Switzerland 340 Caveri river 570 Turkey in Europe 4'28 Celebezian isles 669 Turkey in Asia 452 Central Hindostan 590 Bourbon island 791 Ceram island 671 Bourdeaux 258 Cerigo 410 Boulogne 271 Cephalonia 410 Bournou 782 Cevennes chain of mountains 278 Bouro island G71 Ceuta or Cibtu 709 Boyne river 137 Ceylon island 590 Eraga 376 Character and manners of Abysinia 750 Braiidenburgh 223 Algiers 717 Breede river 766 Arabia 646 Ereme» 305 Austria 320 Brescia 394 Birman Empire 538 Breslau 223 Bucharia 634 Brest 271 Ceylon 597 Briai-e canal 274 China Proper 483 Bridges of England 68 Chinese Tartary 498 British Empire 30 Denmark 160 possessions in Hindostan 553, 592 Egypt 731 Brody 325 England 52 Brunu 324 France 264 Brunsv.ick 300 Good Hope, cape of 759, 761 Bruges 245 Hindostan 568 Brussels 214 Holland 233 Eucharia, Great f)34 Japan 525 Bucharest 423 Ireland 131 Buda 324 Lapland 144 Bundamir river 618 Nepaiil 513 Burrampootcr river 010,5" '5,21 Netherlands 244 Bute island 120 New-Holland 676 Cabul 589 Norway 150 Cadiz 356 Persia 610 Cadsand iilaud 2-iO Poland 215 Cj»en 270 Portugal 372 Oaffa, straits of 15 Prussia 221 Gaffers 756 llussia in Europe 197 Capliari 408 Siam ' 550 Culciifta iS4 Sicily 402 INDEX. 821 Bcotlatul Spain S weden Switzerland Tartary, Independent Tibet Turkey in Europe Turkey in Asia Gherbourgh Cherso Chiea Proper original population of progressive geography of China Sea Chinese Empire Tartary original population of progressive geography of Christiana Christiansand Ciampa Cii'kutz lake Cirtipour Clara river Clermont Clausenburgli Cobi desert Cochin Cochii\China Coimbra Coimbra university Colair lake Cologne Colombo Colonies of France Comingo isle Coniera islands Commerce and manufactures of Algiers Arabia Austria Abyssinia Birman Empife Buchari Ceylon China Proper Chinese Tartary Denmark England Egypt France Good Hope, Cape of Hindostan Holland Ireland Japan Lapland Norway Netherlands Persia Portugal Prussia Russia Scotland Siam Sicily Spain Sweden Page. 'J9 350 175 33C €29 607 4t8 4 is 273 395 476 476 47C 14 473 495 496 496 151 151 517 sss 515 180 270 325 25 594 517 377 374 576 269 598 261 410 792 719 652 326 751 541 636 59« 4S9 600 164 .70 736 275 761 571 237 135 528 144 152 247 C15 377 223 202 107 552 4'Ji 360 178 Tartary, Independent Tibet Turkey in Europe Turkey iu Asia Conp'O kingdom Constance lake Constantinople straits of Copenhagen Copper mine of Fahlun Roraas Cordova Corea kingdom Corfu fortifications of town of Corinth, isthmus of Cork Corrib lake Corsica Cos or Coos island Cosseir Cossacks Courtra or Cortrick Courts of Denmai'k Cracow Cremona Cronstadt Curiosities oatural of Arabia Austria England France Hindostan Ireland Norway Prussia Russia Scotland Switzerland Tmkey in Europe 429 Curiseh Haff 226 Customs. See character Cyprus island 455 Dacca 585 Dahl river 180 Dalmatian isles 395 Damietta ^34 Damascus 443 Danisli Empire 147 Dantzic 305 Danube river 22 Dardanelles 15, 427 Dchnetzin 324 Delft 237 Delhi 585 De la Goa 755 Denmark 156 original population of 156 progressive geography of 156 Derbent 613 Derne 725 Deserts of Arabia GSS Europe 24 Persia 620 Dieppe 272 Dnieper river 206 DoUart bay 239 Don river 205 Dort or Dordrecht 235 Page. 630 508 425 447 769 339 421 15 162 183 154 359 503 262 410 427 133 137 283 455 735 19t 246 159 324 395 200 657 333 87 ,283 582 141 155 227 212 119 341 ?22 INDEX. Douay 245 Dnuro rirea- 563 Dover straite 15 Draha river 7J3 Dresdea 297 Drin 4'26 Drontheina 151 Dublin 133 Dublin universIXy, 13'^ Dimifries 105 Dundalk 134 Dundee 104 Dunfermline 105 Duokeld 105 Dunkirk 245 Durra sea 619 Dusky Bay 687 Dwina river 207 Eastern Contineut 9 Eboes negroes 772 Ebro river 36'2 Ecclesiastical Geography of Irekind 130 Ecija 359 JEdifices of Arabia 652 Austria 326 Birman Empire 541 China Proper 488 Denmark 183 France 273 Japaa 528 Netherlands 246 Persia 615 Portugal 377 Prussia 223 Siam 1 552 Spain 360 Sweden 178 Tibet 508 Edinburgh 103 university 102 Etlucation of Austria 322 China Proper 486 Denmark 161 England 56 Franca 266 Holland 234 Japan 527 Ireland 132 Norway 151 Persia 611 Prussia 222 Russia 199 Scotland 101 Sweden 176 SwitztjrlfiBd 337 Egypt 726 El-Aicc 746 Elba island 285 Elbe river 291 Elbing 223 Elko lake 739 filvas 376 Enara lake 145 Engia gulf 4^26 England 31 list of the kjngs'o'f 45 English channel 15 Encntekis 144, Ephesus Erivan Erlau Ern lake Krzgeberg mountains Ku[ibraies river Europe Euxine sea Eyora university Eyder river Fahlun Falster island False Bay Femeren island Fe loops FernKrido Po island Ferrara Ferrol Ferro islands Ferro or Hierro island Fez or Fas, city of Fezzan Fillelly river Fingal'scave, or grotto Finns Fish river Florence Folmund lake Foolado Fonta Jallo Foota Torra Formosa island Forests of Austria Birman Empire Ceylon China Proper Denmark England France Germany Hindostaii Japan Morocco Netherlands Norway Persia Prussia Russia in Europe Russia in Asia Scotland Sweden Tibet Turkey in Europe Turkey in Asia Forth river Forteventura Fort William College Foulahs Foulabs, Southern Foyle liver France original population of progressive geography of Frankfort en the Alayn Fredcricksnall Frejjth Empire 4^4 613 325 1.37 2t»3 ■448 26 It 377 374 165 178 If^ 7-7 17 775 790 39J 358 167 790 706 785 7»3 121 190, 192 76S 389 153 780 778 780 494 329 543 599 493 166 80 280 2l'4 577 531 713 248 153 620 226 209 468 116 181 511 428 452 109 789 583 779 774 137 255 256 256 223 309 152 249 INDEX^. French possessions in Italy Frieiidl} isles Frisch Hafl" Fu!fla, |>iiiicipality of Fiinen island Fusi raountaift Gaderuis Ga5;ra i-iver Galway Gambia river Gane;es river Gangetic Hindostan Garonne river Gaucliana river Gawritz river Gauts Gefle Geneva lake \ Genoa George's, St. channel Germany original population of progressive geography of German ocean Ghent Ghizm or Gasna Giants' Causeway Gibraltar fijrtreSs Gibraltar straits Gilolo island Girgeh Glamme river Glaciers ot the Alps Glasgow university Gluckstadt Goa Godaveri river Gold coast Goniera island Gondar Good Hope cape e^f Goree island Gotha river Gothenburg Gothland island Gottingen Gotto ' Government of Abyssinia. Algiers Arabia Austria Asia Birinan Empire China Proper Chinese Tartary Denmark Egypt England Europe France Germany Good Hope, cape of Gangetic Hindo3t«n Hindostan Holland Japati 21, 572, rage 3S, 69() 226 305 15C 530 785 57-^ 134 774 57-2 58'J 278 36.. 76t, 577 178 342 339 389 15 368 268 288 14 245 589 141 368 15 670 735 152 341 103 102 163 594 575 771 790 751 756 790 189 177 184 300 779 747 717 646 S17 440 537 481 497 158 729 43 29 260 eofi 758 583 563 2.'5-' Ireland Italy in general Italy, kingdom of, Lapland Morocco Naples Nepaul Netherlands Norway Persia Poland Portugal Prussia Russia Scotland Siam Sicily Spain Sweden Switzerland Tibet Turkey in Enrope Gozza isle Gramy)ian Hills Grain Coast Gi-anada Grande river Gratz Great river Groningen • Greenock Guadarana rmountainS Guadalquivir river Guernsey isle Guinea kingdom Guinea proper Gulden river Gypsies Haerlem aea of Hssmus chain of mountains Hague Hainan island Hamburg Hanover Hanoverian states Han.seatic League Havre Havre, fortifications of Hebudes Helena, St. island Helena, St. bay Helicon mount Herbagi Hern)anstfldt Hesse, giand duchy o£ Hildeshiem Himmaleh mountains Hindostan original population of progressive geography Central Gangetic Sindetic Southern Hirta or St. Kild isle Historical Epochs of Algiers Arnl'ia 82S Page. 130 384 393 143^ 703 397 514 244 149 608 2i4 371 221 195, 46e 98 • 549 401 349 172 335 506 416 410 113 773 657 774 324 •765 236 105 ;364 363 89 770 771 165 320 236 240 427 235 494 304 301 300 304 272 262 120 791 766 428 746 325 302 300 515, 576 557 563 56a 590 582 587 592. 122 716 C42 f of 8'24. INDEX. historical Epochs of Austria rage. 31-2 I Birman Empire 534 Biicharia 633 China Proper 477 Chinese Tartary 497 Denmark 157 E?ypt 726 England 36 France 257 Germany 288 Good Hope, cape of 757 | HiufioPtau 563 jHollaiid 230 - Japan • Ireland 521 127 IiaSv in general S8i Italy kingdom 301 Morocco 703 Naples 396 NepHul 514 Netherlands 243 Norway 149 Persia 603 605 Poland 214 Portugal 370 Prussia 219 Russia in Europe 194 in Asia 458 Scotland 94 Siam 549 Sicily 400 Spain 346 .Sweden 170 Switzerland 334 Tibet 506 Tartary, Indepeod .6-27 Turkey in Asia 442 in Europe 414 Iloang-ho river 17 Holland 228 original population of 229 progressive geography of 229 Horses of Arabia 656 Horticulture of England 77 Houssa 782 Humbcr river 77 Hydrabad 595 Jaea 359 Jago, St. di Compostella 359 Jaloss 780 Jallonkhas 478 Janna 423 Japan 520 original population of 521 progressive geography of 521 sea 14 .Taroslau 201 Java island 605 sea 14 Icolmkill 121 Ida inoMiit 451 Jedburgh 105 Jedda 651 Jedo 527 Jenne 779 Jersey isle S9 Jerusalcn; 446 Da ijlaiid 120 Ilmen lake Indus river inhanibane Inn river Innspruck Inverness Johnkioping Jordan river Ionian Republic Ireland original population of progressive geography of Irkutsk Irrawady river Iron mines of Norway Isrhia island Isefiord bay Isenberg principality Isle of Man Wight Ispahan Issimstepp Italy in general original population of French territory within kingdom of Judicature of England Jumna river Jura island Juggernaut Ivica island Ivory coast Kaarta Kajaaga Kalmuks, stepp of Kamschatka sound Kandi Karroo desert Kas 82(3 INDEX. Makifin islands 67'2( Malaga 358 Malaya or Malacca • 545 Malagueta 773 Malines or Mechlia 246 Malstrom whirlpool 155 Majta 409 Religion ib. Population ib. Man, isle of 90 Manchester 61 Maniaiiana 779 Manding kingdom 778 Mandingoes 775 Manillas, or Piiilippine islands 668 Manners. See Character Mantua 395 Maritz 426 Marmora, Sea of 10 Mar^nesas isles 692 Marseilles 268 Marlaban 541 Masuah 751 Matthew St. island 791 Mauritius island 791 Mayn river 292 Mecca 650 Medina 650 Mediterranean Sea 10 Mecklenburg, House of 302 Meinani river 554 Meier lake 180 Melilla 700 Melinda kingdom 754 Menzala lake 739 Meisey river 77 Megnino 707 Messina 403 Mesurada river 774 Metz 270 Meuse river 240 Miaco 528 Middleburg 230 Midflleton's island 680 Milan 383 Milo island 433 Mioss lake 153 Minho river 363 Mindanao island 669 Minorca island 367 Misitra 424 Mineralogy and mineral waters of Arabia 657 Austria SSl Birman Empire 544 Bucharia 638 Ceylon 599 China Proper 494 Chinese Tarlary 502 Denmark 160 Egvpt 741 England 80 France 282 Hindoslau 581 Holland 240 Japan 532 Ireland 140 Italy 587 Mineralogy and mincrai waters of Lapland 146 Morocco 715 Nepaul 516 Netherlands 24g New-Holland 679 Norway 153 Persia 622 Portugal 380 Prussia ♦ 227 Russia in Europe 211 Russia in Asia 471 Scotland 115 ,118 Siam 555 Sicijy 406 Spain 366 Sweden 182 Switzerland 341 Tibet 511 Turkey in Europe 429 Turkey in Asia 45^ Modena 394 Moen island 16C Mosodor 708 Moluccas 670 Mombaza kingdom 754 Mondori 390 Monomotapa kingdom 75.'; Monsoons 572 Mons 245 Montpellier 270 Montserrat 364 Moors 78! Morocco 702 city of 706 Mortay island 671 Mosambique kingdom 755 chaunel 14 Moscow 199 Moselle river 248 Moskoestrora whirlpool 155 Motala river 180 Moultan 589 Mulhauscu 300 Mull isle 121 Munich 307 Murcia 357 Muscle Bay 767 Myconi island 432 Mysol island 671 Mytilene island 454 Nagasaki 528 Namur 246' Nancy 270 Nankin 487 Nantes 269 Naples kingdom 396 city 397 Nassau, House of 303 or Poggy islands Natal 665 756 Natron lakes 739 Navigation, inland, of Birman Empire 541 China Proper 48S 1 Denmark 163 England 68 Fi-ancii 274 INI )EX, 827 PaE.e. Page Navigation, inland, of Okka river 207 Hindostan 570 Okotz bay 13 Holland 237 Gland island 183 Ireland 135 Oldenburgh, duchy of 303 Netherlands 247 Oleron isle 285 I'russia 224. Olipliants or Elephants river 766 Hussia in Europe -20) Olonetz mountains 209 Scotland 106 Olympus mount 427,457 Sweden 178 Omer St. 245 Navigators islands C84, 697 Onega river 205^ ■Navy of Algiers 717 lake 16 Austria 319 Oparo isles 698 Birman Empire 538 Oporto 376 Denmark 160 Oran 719 England 49 Orihuela 359 France 262 Oristano 408 Italy- 3B3 Orkneyisles 123 Morocco 704 Orleans 269 Naples 397 Orontes river 449 Persia 609 Osnaburg 300 Portugal 372 Ostend 246 Russia in Europe 197 Otaheite isle •691 Siam 550 Owhyhee 692 Sicily 401 Oxford university 57 Spain 350 Oyolova isle .697 Sweden 174 Padua 394 Turkey 417 Palermo 402 Naxia or Naxas island 432 Pal ma island 790 Neagh lake 138 Palmyra 442 Necker river 292 Pantalaria 407 Negropont island 431 Papua or New Guinea ^80 Nepaul or Nipal 513 original population of ' 681 Nepeau island fiSO Paris 267 Nerbudda river 575 Panua 390 Netherlands 241 Parnassus mount 428 original population of 243 Paros island 433 Neuille bridge 273 Patna 585 Neusidler 329 Pavia 395 Neva river 207 Pearls of Ceylon 699 New-Britain island 683 Pegu 540 New-Caledonia 684 Peipus lake 207 New-Hebudes 684 Pekin 287 New-Holland 675 Pelew isles 688 New-Ireland 684 Persia 600 New-Zealand 684 original population of 601 'Nieper river 206 progressive geography of 602 Niester river 207 Persian Gulf 12 Niger river 19 Perth 104 Nile river 19 Pest 324 Nimeguen 236 Petersburgh St. 200 Nio islands 433 university 199 Nismes 270 Petshora river 207 Nordkioping 177 Philippi or Philippopoli 422 Norfolk island 680 Philippine islands 668 Norway 147 Pisa 390 original population of 148 Piazinsko lake 466 progressive geography of 149 Plettenbergs bay 767 mountains of 153 Po river 385 Nova Zembia 212 Political importance of Nubia 741 Birman Empire 538 Nuremberg 307 China Proper 483 Oases of Africa 24 Denmark 160 Oby Gulf 13 France 264 river 18 Germany 290 Ochill hills 113 Hindostan 56S Odensee 163 Japan 525 Oder rivet 225 Ireland 131 Oitz lake 530 Persia 610 384, 828 Political iraportaoce of Siatu SpaiQ Poland Polynesia Pomerania, Swiedisli Porto Santo island Portugal Posen or Posna Potsdam Population of Abys^ihia Africa Algiers Austria Birman Empire Ceylon China Proper Chinese Tartary Denmark Egypt Eneland t ranee Germany Good Mope, Cape of Hindostan Japan Ireland Italy Lapland Morocco Naples Nepaul Netherlands Norway Persia Poland Portugal Prussia Russian Empire iu Asia Siam Scotland Sicily Spain S vveden Switzerland 'I'artary, Independent Tibet Turkey in Europe Turkey in Asia WorUl Prague Pregel river Presburg Princes island Prusa l^russia original population of progressive geography of Pyramids of Egypt Pyrenees Quarnaro isles Quiloa kingdom Raab Kabat Hackama lake Rands lake Rangoon Raniiock moor INDEX. Page 550 361 212 687 305 788 369 298 223 : 740 701 717 318 537 597 483 497 159 730 48 261 290 758 567 524 131 393 143 703 397 513^ 244 150 609 215 372 221 189 460 549 99 401 349 173 336 627 506 417 442 9 S23 625 324 790 444 216 218 218 728 i 279 395 755 525 707 450 153 541 116 Rasht Ratisboii Rav«nna Red Sea Beggio Religion of Abyssinia . Algiers Arabia Austria Birman Empire Bucharia Ceylon China Proper Chinese Tartary Denmark Egypt England France Germany Good Hope, Cape of Hindostan Holland Japan Ireland Italy Lapland Morocco Naples Nepaul Netherlands Persia Poland Portugal Prussia Russia 195, Scotland Siam Sicily Spain Sweden Switzerland Tartary, Independent Turkey Retimo island Reussen, house of Revenue of Abyssinia Algiers Austria Birman Empire China Proper . Denmark " Egypt England France Gerraaii)- Good Hope, Cape of Gangetic Hindostan Hindostan Holland Japan Ireland Italy IVIorocco Naples Norway Persia PoLand Portugal 613 309 395 12 399 748 717 645 317 537 633 597 479 497 158 729 39 290 289 758 566 232 523 129 384 143 703 397 514 244 607 214 371 220 459 96 549 401 348 173 335 027 415 431 305 ,750 717 319 538 483 160 731 50 262 290 75S 583 567 233 523 131 393 704 397 150 609 215 372 INDEX. Revenue of PrusaA Russia in Europe Siam Sicily Spain Sweden Switzerland Tibet Turkey Rheims Rhine river Rhodes island Rhone river Riga Ringkiobing bay Roads of China Proper France Ireland Norway Sweden Rochefort Roehelle Roggeveld mountains Rome Rona isles Roraas copper mine Rosetta Rostock Rotterdam Rouen Russian Empire Russia in Europe original population. of 221 197 550 401 S50 •174 336 507 417 • 270 239, 292 455 277 200 166 488 273 135 152 178 272 272 764 388 122 154 735 302 235 269 184 189 190 Russia in Asia Sabia or Sedanda SafFae Sagalian island Sahara Sahara desert Sau'anhaBar Salm, house of Salonica, gulf of Saloniki ' Salt mines of Austria Salee Salwatti island Samarcand Sambre river Samos island Sana or Saana Sandwich isles Santorini island Sarabat river Saragossa Sardinia Sari Sasari Saxe, House of Saxony Schaffhausen Scheldt Schemnitz Schleswick Schouwen island Schwarzburg, House of Schweinfuat Schwerin progressive geography of 1 93 456 756 708 502 783 24 766 305 427 422 332 708 682 G34 248 454 650 691 434 449 358 407 613 408 303 296 338 248 325 163 240 304 307 302 Scio island Scboo river Scilly isles Scotland original population of progressive geography of Sego Seine river Selinga river Senegal river Sennaar Serai or Serajo Serawoolies Seringapatara Serra d'Estrella Serra Mtjnchique Severn river Seville Shannon river Shetland isles Shiraz Siam original population of progressive geography of Sicily original population of Sierra de Molina mountains Nivada mountains Sierra Leone river mountains Silver mine of Kolhyvan Kongsberg Sinai mount desert Sindetic Hindostan Sire Sirian Sirr river Sitang river Siut or Assiut Siwah Skey isle Slavonians Smyrna Soan river Society isles Socotra isle Sofala Soil. See Agriculture Solomon islands Sooloo isles Sophia Soudan Spain original population of progressive geography of Spanish empire Spelding See Spey river Spice islands Statta Stanovi ridge of mountains Stepps of Russia in Asia Stepp of Siberia Sterling Stettin Stockhohn 829 Page. 454 712 89 91 93 93 778 S7S 774 742 423 780 593 379 379 77 356 137 125 612 547 54s S4g 400 400 S64 364 774 775 775 211 154 ^ 654 <54 58/ 751 541 637 542 735 785 122 190,191 443 574 693 658 756 683 66S 423 773 344 345 34r 343 225 110 670 121 467 468 25 105 223 176 830 Strasbuig Suakera Suez 051 Sumatra island Sunday river Siirat Stise river Svir river Sweden original population of progressive geography of Switzerland original population of Swuckustoet mountain Syene Sj'racuse Syrian Christians Szeged in Tabarka island Table mountain Tagus river Tana river Tangier Taranto Tartary, Independent Tatta Tanrian mountains Tay river Tchoka island Tebriz or Tawria Teffliz Teis river TenerifFe Tensift i-iver Terkire lake Ternat island Terradant Tetvan Texel island Thaluan river Thames river Thereseinstadt Thon^is St. island Tibboo3 Tiber river Tibet or Tangut progi-essive geography of Tidsi river Tigris river Timor island Timorlaut island Tino island Tinto river Tipteri nation Tirey isle Tlemsen Tobolsk Tokat Toledo Tolen island TombuctoD Tonningen Tonquin guU Tornea river Toulon harbor Toulouse Tournay INDEX. S2b9 746 , 735 GCl 7Cf) 591 713 307 168 170 170 3»3 334 153 735 403 sgs 324 724 764 363 145 709 398 625 589 450 109 502 613 612 328 790 712 510 672 707 70S 241 742 77 324 791 783 385 503 505 713 448 666 682 432 363 193 122 719 4C3 245 359 240 782 1G3 13 144 145 271 26g 245 Tranquebar rag. 594 Travelling, state t>f, among the Turk; 425 Trent 307 Trieste 325 Tripoli 724 Tschuvasches 193 Tuarick 783 Tula 201 Tunis, 721 city 722 Tunquin kingdom 519 Torfan 499 Turin 389 Turkey in Asia 441 in Europe 412 original population of 441 Tweed river 109 Tyre 447 Tyri lake 153 Tyrolese Alps 306 Tzana or Dembea lake 758 Valday mountains 209 Valencia 355 Valenciennes 346 Vallette, city of 409 Valladolid 359 Vallais 542 Van lake 449 Vandiemen's land 686 Vardari 426 Ubes, St. or Setuval 377 Vecchia Civita 409 Venice 393 Verona 394 Versailles 271 palace 273 Vesuvius mount 386 Vienna 323 VisiapouK 595 Vistula river 225 Vitima river IS Ulubad lake 450 United Principalities 308 Universities of Austria 322 England 57 Germany 289 Hindostan 570 Ireland 132 Netherlands 244 Poland 215 Portugal 374 Russia in Europe • 199 Scotland 102 Spain 354 Sweden 176 Volcanos of Japan 530 Voorn island 240 Upsala 177 Upsal university 176 Ural mountains 23 Urmia lake 619 Usbecks 633 ,634 Utretcht 236 Waldeck, principality of 305 Waijoo or Wadjoo isle €S2 Warsaw 297 Wassela kingdom 778 Waterford 134 inde:^:. Wenner lake Weser river Westphalia Wetter lake Weygat straits Wexford Whidah kingdom White 6ea Wilna Wiltenberg Wolga river Woole kingdoni Wurtemburg, kingdom of Wurtzburg, grand duchy of Yaik river Yakutsk Yani Yarkaiid Yellow sea Yenisea river town Ypres or Ipress Ythan river Yuthia Zante Zealand island New, island Zocotra or Socotra island Zoology of Arabia Austria Birman Empire Ceylon Chirift iVoper Page. 180 291 299 180 16 1.34 771 12 201 298 20 777 307 508 466 464 777 499 13 18 4&3 246 110 552 4l0 156 684 793 656 330 544 599 493 Zoology of Chinese Tartary Denmark Egypt England France Germany Hindostan Holland Japan Ireland Italy Lapland Morocco ?Jepaul New-Holland Norway Pei-sia Portugal Prussia Russia ia Europe Russia in Asia Scotland Siam Sicily Sweden Switzerland Tibet Turkey in Europe Turkey ia Asia Zouf Zurich Zuyder Zee Zwartcaps or Algoa Bay 331 166 74<» 84 5281! 295 580 240 531 140 370 146 sm 979 153 621 370 226 210 470 lis 554 406 182 341 511 428 45 .S 635 S27 2.i9 767 ^ I N I fi, ERRATA— VOL. I. ' la a work of this kind, containing so many uncommon names, and piluted, in great 'fart from manuscript, will not be expected to be wholly free from errors of the press. The Reader is requested to correct the following. For- Page. Line, 32 31 33 10 90 6 _ 28 94 16 96 13 99 24 102 16 106 25 124 11 129 7 157 29 169 13 18'9 49 226 13 384 10 586 21 387 28 468 39 614 12 613 18 712 30 Pa^e, Line. 23 37 25 16 25 40 27 23 42 41 89 23 172 5 218 3 284 32 287 4 288 18 346 17 377 •11 387 16 407 5 _ 24 424 18 26 704 18 713 48 716 24 717 1 729 7 757 20 -lUmuniiion, 1 [lead —diminution. in winter than in sumti^. - in summer than in winter those children. - the children. JBedoxvns, - Bedouins- ■virtue. _ virtues. I'resbyteriatxs, _ Episcopalians. Petsfwra, _ the Fetshora. 3320, _ 3230. Mississippi, - Missinipi. great bend. _ mouth of the Missouri, gulf oj Mexico, _ gulf of California. Sir David Keith, - Sir David. Rising Lake, _ Rainy Lake. JImerican Methodists, _ Armenian Methodists, fludsmi. _ James. iOO feet. _ 4000 feet. Corchangs, - Corchaugs. Oyster Point Bay, » Oyster Pond Point influence. - affluence. Escetan, _ Esceleu. cultivation. _ cultivators. unsuccessful. successful. ERRATA—VOL. II. Bled-el-Jezrede, ^ Rled-el-Jerrede, began. — be given. these. — three. Kaff, - Kaffa. diffidents. - dissidents. 215,000, ~ 21,500. Wisbray, - Wisbuy. of. — or. K. _ AV. are. _ were. , except — These, - . Except— these. to have. - as having. JSvovra, - Evora. ivest. *- east. uncultivated. - cultivated. 4000, _ 3000. Jlthniane, _ Athenians; Mistria, _ Misitra. Tarudanf, .. Terodant. cask. .. cork. JVumisia, ,. Nuinidia. • Maraboiets, .. Marabouts. ^feet, ... 4 feet wide. Stellenborch. -- Stellenbosch 1 i w