rich and Lucerne; and it gives rise to two of the grandest rivers in Europe, the Rhine and the Rhone.

5. The various parts of this country, according to their elevation, exhibit all the changes of climate, from the Frigid Zone to the southern parts of the Temperate; thus the native plants of Greenland and Lapland are found growing not far distant from those of Italy and Spain.

6. The valleys and lower parts of the mountains in Switzerland are remarkably fertile; vineyards are common, and fruits of the choicest kinds come to perfection. Various kinds of wood adorn the mountains; first the oak, the elm, the birch, and the lime; then above these are found the larch, the pine, the fir, and the mountain ash.

The situation of this country is unfavourable for manufactures and commerce: the chief exports are cattle, butter, cheese, &c. and imports flax, raw silk, cotton, salt, and manufactured goods.

*It was in this town that the tyrant Gesler, the Austrian governor, placed his hat upon a pole, with orders that the inhabitants should pay the same deference to it as to himself. This so enraged the people, that, under the celebrated William Tell, they threw off the Austrian yoke, and laid the foundation of the liberties of Switzerland,

9. Two millions nearly, about 91 inhabitants to a square mile.

10. The Swiss have long been distinguished for their honesty, steadiness, and bravery; and, above all, for their attachment to the liberties of their country.

11. Republic.

12. The ibex, the chamois, and the marmot are common in the Swiss Alps; the bear and the wolf are also found in some unfrequented districts.

13. Helvetia.

GERMANY.

1. N. by Denmark and the Baltic-E. by the dominions of Prussia and Austria-S. by Italy and Switzerland-and W. by France and Holland.

2. Between 46° and 54° N. L. and from 6° to 16° E. L. 3. Exclusive of the Austrian and Prussian territories, Germany contains about 100,000 square miles.

4. Germany is watered by numerous rivers, as the Danube, Rhine, Elbe, Weser, Ems, and Oder, which empty themselves into the sea: and also the Mayne, the Neckar, the Lech, the Iser, and the Inn.

5. In the north the climate is cold, towards the south it is similar to that of Austria.

6. The chief of the German manufactures are velvets,

silks, cotton, linen and woollen cloth; tapestry, embroidery, porcelain, and paper.

open a

They are also expert in dressing leather, dyeing and printing; with the fabricating of various works in metals, glass, wood, and ivory. The situation of this country is favourable to commerce. Its numerous navigable rivers communication with the interior country; and from Hamburg, which is the first commercial city on the continent, the various products are exported: the imports are chiefly from the East and West Indies, China, and America.

7. It is divided into 9 great parts, called circles.

Germany contains four kingdoms, Bavaria, Wirtemburg,

Hanover, and Saxony; and also a great number of prin

9. Twenty-four millions, but excluding the territories belonging to Austria, and Prussia, it contains little more than twelve millions.

10. The Germans are regarded as a frank and hospitable people: the higher orders are extremely fond of titles and shew. But the strongest trait in their national character is

persevering industry, which has been carried to a great extent in the mechanical arts.

11. Germany is divided into about 200 principalities; each prince is arbitrary in his own dominions. The religion is partly Lutheran and partly Roman Catholic; but all sects are tolerated.

12. The bison is numerous in the Carpathian forests: the bear, the wolf, the lynx, the chamois, and marmot, are also common, nor is the beaver entirely unknown.

13. Germania.

AUSTRIA.

1. N. by Saxony and Prussia-E, by Russia-S. by Turkey and Italy-W. by Bavaria.

2. Between 45° and 52° N. L. and between 12° and 26° E. L.

3. Length from E to W. 600 miles; breadth from N. to S. 400; containing about 258,000 square miles.

4. The surface of Austria is greatly diversified with hills and valleys, elevated mountains and extensive plains. Bohemia is nearly surrounded with mountains, and the Carpathian chain bounds Hungary on the N. and E. The Danube runs from W. to E. through the whole of Austria, and receives several considerable rivers, as the Inn, the Drave, and the Tiess. The Elbe and the Vistula both rise in the Austrian territories.

5. The climate is in general mild and salubrious, except among the mountains, where it is sometimes very severe

6. The soil in this country is generally fertile, and produces all the necessaries and most of the luxuries of life. Hungary produces the richest wines. The mineral riches. of the Austrian territories are greater than in any other

country in Europe. Almost all the metals are found here -gold, silver, copper, iron (from which the finest steel is made), lead, tin, and quicksilver. This country also abounds with antimony, coal, salt, and alum. The opal is a gem peculiar to Hungary, and the garnets of Bohemia are the most beautiful of the kind. The manufactures are not extensive, and the commerce is chiefly internal.

7. The Austrian territory comprehends,

8. Austria is an inland country, and has no colonies or

foreign possessions.

9. About twenty-eight millions, having 109 inhabitants to each square mile.

10. See Germany.

11. The government of Austria is imperial, and may be styled an absolute monarchy: the present Emperor is Francis II.

*The Venetian territories are now also annexed to Austria.