rous and affable, fond of state and high living; but the peasantry are in a state of vassalage.

Prussia.

This kingdom, though of modern erection, under Frederic the Great, shewed energies which astonished Europe; as it has done also in its late struggle against the tyranny of Buonaparte. The general face of the country is level; the soil is pretty fruitful in corn, and the climate tolerably mild. The principal towns are, Berlin, the capital, and Koningsberg-The Prussians have a strong resemblance to their neighbours the Germans; are a manly race, and, when led by able generals, have performed prodigies in war.

Germany.

Germany may be described as a level country, abounding in pasture and arable, rich in corn and wines, containing several extensive forests, and intersected by some noble rivers, the principal of which are the Danube, the Rhine, the Maine, and the Elbe. Many changes have lately taken place in this country. Germany, or the Holy Roman Empire, which was formerly divided into nine great circles, and consisted of an infinite number of independent states, all, however, bearing a nominal subjection to its head, the Emperor of the same name, by the want of unity among the members, and the overwhelming power of France, has been lately parcelled out into the kingdoms of Saxony, Westphalia, Bavaria, and Wirtemberg, belonging to what was called the Confederation of the Rhine; and its Emperor, shorn of his power, and a considerable part of his hereditary dominions, is now styled Emperor of Austria. He still, however, retains a great part of Austria Proper, Hungary, and Bohemia, with some provinces adjoining to Turkey; and by the recent events which have taken place in Germany, will, in all probability, resume his former influence in the scale of nations. The chief cities of Germany are, Vienna, on the Danube, the capital of the Emperor of Austria; Dresden, the residence of the King of Saxony; Hamburgh, on the Elbe, one of the most commercial cities of Europe; Leipsic and Frankfort, celebrated for their fairs; Hanover, Munich, Manheim, Wirtemberg, the capital of the king of the same name; Heidelburgh, Ausburgh, Constance, Prague, Presburg, and Buda; besides the universities of Gottingen, Jena, Halle, and Leipsic, already mentioned.-The Germans are grave and cere

monious, but fair and honest in their dealings; have a genius for mechanics, and possess much passive bravery.

Holland, or Batavia.

This country, when it was a republic, displayed prodigies of valour, and extended its commerce and influence to the remotest parts of the globe. The Dutch are a very hardy race, and make excellent mariners. The country exhibits a flat surface of fields and meadows, intersected by rivers and canals, with immense banks or dykes, which protect it from the encroachments of the sea. The principal cities are, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Leyden, Haerlem, and that large and beautiful village, the Hague, which used to be the seat of government, and the residence of the principal people. It should likewise be observed, that a peculiar degree of neatness pervades the towns, which commonly have canals of communication, not only between the principal streets of each, but between each other.

France.

France is bounded on the north by the British Channel, and Holland; on the east by the Rhine, Swisserland, and the Alps; on the south by the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees; and on the west by the ocean; extending about 750 miles in length, and 600 in breadth, and containing upwards of 30,000,000 of inhabitants. The climate of France is the most agreeable in Europe; the air is generally temperate, the soil is excellent, and, except in some mountainous tracks, which are chiefly on the frontiers, the face of the country is pretty flat, well watered by many fine rivers, of which the principal are the Somme, the Scheldt, the Meuse, the Moselle, the Rhine, the Seine, the Loire, the Garonne, the Charante, and the Rhone. Its chief productions are corn, fruit, oil, wine, and most of the luxuries of life. The wines of Champaigne, Burgundy, and Bourdeaux, are well known. Much brandy is likewise made here.

This country, which was always important in the scale of politics, rendered itself formidable and tremendous, by a revolution which broke out upwards of twenty years ago, the object of which was to establish the reign of liberty; but which, after a vast effusion of blood, and the commission of crimes and cruelties almost unheard of before, ended in a military despotism, and in enslaving other neighbouring nations, which formerly possessed some share of freedom. Situated in the centre of

Europe, it has been till lately a volcano, issuing destruction and death on all around; and even the British Islands have felt it severely in its remote consequences, though happily preserved from its overwhelming force.

This system of military despotism, though supported by the immense resources of Buonaparte, is, however, now at an end. Russia, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, and the German States, have at length united with England to crush a power, to which all the former had been nearly subjected; and we now behold their combined and victorious armies in the very heart of France, accomplishing the downfal of that tyranny which has so long enslaved and oppressed the inhabitants of Europe.

The principal towns of France are, Paris, the capital, which in magnitude and population, is only inferior to London; Lyons, Marseilles, Bourdeaux, Lisle, and Geneva. The French are lively in conversation, polished, gallant, and brave, but light, inconstant, and unconquerably vain. They love the arts and sciences, yet in general their knowledge is not profound in either.

Swisserland.

This country is situated in the Alpine regions, which separate France from Italy, and formerly consisted of thirteen cantons, in some respects independent of each other, but forming one offensive and defensive body. Since the French revolution, however, it has undergone considerable changes. Situated in the Alps, some of whose ridges, such as St. Gothard, and Mont Blanc, are the highest in Europe, it is only in valleys, and on the lower sides of the mountains, that cultivation can take place, or pasturage be found. In this country the Rhine and the Rhone take their rise, flowing in almost opposite directions; while the lakes of Constance and Geneva, are not only among the largest, but the most beautiful in Europe. The Swiss are an honest, simple race, fondly attached to liberty and their country, robust in their persons, and courageous in their hearts.

Italy.

Except towards the Alps, Italy is wholly surrounded by the sea, and its figure has been aptly compared to that of a boot. It has lately been divided into the kingdom of Italy, of which the late Emperor of France had assumed the rule, andappointed a viceroy; and the kingdom of Naples, which, as far as its continental dominions are concerned, was also under the influence of France; but owing to the recent

events in France, the future state of Italy may be considered as uncertain: it is a fine country, blessed in general with a genial and not intemperately hot climate, and a rich soil; producing corn, wine, and oil in abundance, with a variety of the choicest fruits, it may be styled the garden of Europe, and the parent of its arts and civilization. The chief mountains, exclusive of the Alps, which form its boundary on one side, are the Appenines, which run in a grand chain through its whole extent, and Mount Vesuvius, a celebrated volcano, though far inferior to Etna. Its rivers are the Po, the Tiber, the Var, the Adige. The principal cities have been thus characterized Rome, the holy; Naples, the noble; Venice, the wealthy; Genoa, the proud; Milan, the great; Florence, the fair: Bologna, the fat; Ravenna, the ancient; Padua, the learned; on referring to a map, however, you will find some others, of consequence little inferior to these. The islands that belong to Italy are some of them of great magnitude and importance: Sicily, a rich and fertile island, famous for its volcanie mountain Etna, as well as its principal towns, Palermo, Messina, and Syracuse; Sardinia, another large island, the chief town of which is Cagliari; and Corsica, the birth-place of Buonaparte, the chief town of which is Bastia. As for Malta, now an appendant to great Britain, Candia, and Rhodes, though European islands, it is doubtful whether they ought to be refered to Italy or to Turkey.

The Italians are a handsome, ingenious people; but, from the influence of their civil, religious, and political institutions, are indolent, crafty, jealous, and revengeful.

Portugal.

Portugal lies between Spain and the Atlantic Ocean, and is the most westerly country in Europe. It is intersected with hills and mountains; but along the course of the rivers, the chief of which is the Tagus, are some spacious and fertile plains, producing corn, wine, and fruits of various kinds. The principal towns in Portugal are, Lisbon, the capital, memorable for the dreadful earthquake by which it was destroyed, in 1753, though since elegantly rebuilt; and Oporto, a commercial town, from which the Port wines are chiefly exported. The Portuguese trust too much to the riches arising from their colonies and foreign possessions, and like their neighbours, the Spaniards, are degraded by bigotry and superstition.

Spain.

Spain is much intersected with mountains; but some of its provinces are level, and blest with a rich soil, producing corn, wine, and fruits; while the more mountainous tracks support vast flocks of sheep, of the Merino breed, whose wool is so necessary in the manufacture of fine broad cloths. In summer the climate is hot and sultry, especially in the central provinces. The principal rivers in Spain are, the Ebro, the Tagus, and the Douro. Its principal towns, Madrid, the capital; Barcelona, Seville, Corunna, and Cadiz. Gibraltar, which for more than a century has belonged to Great Britain, stands on a promontory in the south of Spain, and is considered as impregnable. On its coast lie the islands of Majorca, Minorca, and Ivica. Minorca has more than once been in the possession of Great Britain.

Turkey in Europe.

This country, which includes ancient Greece, is bounded on the north by Hungary, Poland, and Muscový; on the east by Asia; on the south by the Mediterranean Sea; and on the west by the sea of Greece, the Gulf of Venice, and Germany; being about 1000 miles in length, and 900 in breadth. The climate is certainly very fine, though rather hot; and the soil was once abundantly productive; but, under the indolent, enslaved, and sensual Turks, agriculture is neglected, and the very air is contaminated by filth, so as to give rise to frequent visitations of the plague. Turkey, however, almost spontaneously produces corn, wine, and fruits. The principal mountains are those which are so much celebrated in classical learning, Pindus, Olympus, Parnassus, Athos, and Hamus. The principal towns in Turkey are Constantinople, frequently called the Porte, by way of eminence, the residence of the grand seignior, and Adrinople, which was formerly the capital. The chief rivers are, the Danube, the Save, the Neiper, and the Don.

Its islands are very numerous, but Rhodes and Candia are the most considerable of them. The new republic of the Seven Islands (of doubtful duration) lies to the west of Turkey, including Zante, Cephalonia, Corfu, and others.

The Turks are idle and ignorant, devoted to their religion, which is Mahometan; but inclined to hospitality, when the more malignant passions of jealousy and revenge are not excited.