visitors to and from it. The island has telegraphic communication with England.

SITUATION.

GIBRALTAR.

Gibraltar is situated at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, on a rocky promontory connected with the Spanish peninsula by a narrow sandy isthmus. The rock is strongly fortified, and commands the entrance to the Mediterranean. It is about 1,150 miles from Southampton.

EXTENT AND POPULATION. Length, 3 miles; breadth, mile; area, 1 square mile. Population, about 25,000, including the English garrison. The population varies considerably, according to the number of British soldiers present at any one time.

PHYSICAL FEATURES. The rock rises to a height of about 1,450 feet, and is inaccessible on the north and east. On the west it slopes gradually down to the Bay of Gibraltar. This being the vulnerable side, it is defended by fortifications of enormous strength. The rock itself is excavated into galleries containing guns of great strength. The southern extremity is called Europa Point.

OCCUPATIONS OF THE PEOPLE. Agriculture is carried on to some extent. The climate being warm, southern fruits are cultivated. The commerce is considerable, mostly with England. The imports are upwards of £1,100,000; the exports, £100,000. Much smuggling is carried on in the port of Gibraltar, to the great annoyance of the Spanish authorities.

PRODUCTIONS. Not very important. Southern fruits, as oranges, figs, etc., are grown. There are some wild animals, as rabbits, partridges, apes.

HISTORY. This rock was known to the ancients under the name of Calpe, one of the Pillars of Hercules. It belonged successively to the Romans, Saracens, Spaniards, and English. The latter came into possession of it in 1704, when it was cap

tured by Sir George Rooke. The Spaniards have made several efforts to recover it, but unsuccessfully. From 1779 to 1782 it sustained a memorable siege by the combined French and Spanish fleets and armies; but was gallantly and successfully defended by General Elliott. In 1842 it was constituted a see of the English Church.

TOWN. The town of Gibraltar lies at the foot of the rock, on the north-west. The harbour is not good, being exposed to the winds and the sea. The trade is chiefly in manufactured goods imported from England. The nearest Spanish town is Algesiras, lying on the other side of the Bay of Gibraltar, at a distance of 5 miles.

MISCELLANEOUS. Gibraltar is connected with England by means of steamships and the electric telegraph. It is one of the packet stations on the route to India through the Suez Canal.

MALTA

(AND ADJACENT ISLANDS).

SITUATION. Malta is situated nearly in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, about 54 miles south-west of Sicily, 180 from Africa, and 660 from Marseilles.

EXTENT. The largest island, Malta, is about 18 miles long, and 10 miles broad. Its area is 115 square miles. Gozo lies to the north-west of Malta, and has an area of about 18 square miles. Between these lies the small island of Comino, with an area of between 2 and 3 square miles.

POPULATION. About 150,000, including about 7,000 British soldiers and their families. The population is more than one thousand to the square mile. The Maltese are a mixed race descended from African and European nations. The great majority profess the Roman Catholic religion.

PHYSICAL FEATURES. These islands are mountainous

and rocky. The highest elevation is about 1,200 feet. The coast of Malta is indented. There are no rivers, but water from springs is abundant. The climate is hot.

OCCUPATIONS OF THE PEOPLE. The agriculture is good, notwithstanding the sterility of the soil. There is good pasturage for sheep and asses, which abound in these islands. Cotton, corn, the vine, olive, oranges, figs, and other southern fruits are grown. There are some manufactures, as jewellery. The commerce is important. Valetta is the chief port. Many of the people are engaged in the fisheries on the coast.

PRODUCTIONS. These are chiefly agricultural, as named under the preceding head.

HISTORY. Malta has belonged to the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, and barbarians. In the sixteenth century it came into the hands of Charles V., Emperor of Germany, who ceded it to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, after they had been expelled from Rhodes by the Turks. In 1798 it was treacherously delivered into the hands of the French, who retained possession till 1800, when it was captured by the English. Their right to it was confirmed by the treaty of 1814.

TOWNS. (1) Valetta, the capital. Population, 60,000. Chief port, with very fine harbour. Very strongly fortified. (2) Civita Vecchia, or Medina, in the centre of Malta, is the ancient capital. It contains a cathedral and the ancient palace of the knights of St. John. (3) Rabato, in Gozo, has a strong castle.

MISCELLANEOUS. These islands are very important on account of their central position in the Mediterranean. Valetta is one of the most important stations of the English navy. Vessels generally stop here on the voyage between England and India. It is on the Island of Malta that St. Paul is supposed to have been shipwrecked. An inlet to the N.W. of Valetta bears the name of St. Paul's Bay.

CHANNEL ISLANDS.

SITUATION. These islands are situated near the north coast of France, in the English Channel, at distances from 60 to 90 miles from England.

EXTENT. The principal islands are the following:-Jersey, area, 62 square miles; Guernsey, 24 square miles; Alderney, 4 square miles; Sark, 5 square miles; Herm, Jethou.

POPULATION. Jersey, 57,000; Guernsey, 32,000; Alderney, 3,000; Sark, 600. The people are mostly of French origin, and speak a dialect of the French language.

PHYSICAL FEATURES. These islands are rocky. The coasts are indented, and present bold cliffs to the sea. They are surrounded with rocks, many of which lie under high-water mark and render navigation very dangerous. The climate is very equable. There is much fertile land, especially in Jersey. These islands are celebrated for their beautiful scenery, which attracts many tourists from England and France.

OCCUPATIONS OF THE PEOPLE. Agriculture, commerce, and fishing.

PRODUCTIONS. Jersey produces cows, grapes, apples, pears, and potatoes. Alderney cows are very famous. Guernsey exports turbot and other fish, grapes, pears, potatoes, and

stone.

HISTORY. These islands are the last remains of our Norman possessions, and have been connected with England since the accession of William I., in 1066.

TOWNS. (1) St. Helier's, capital of Jersey.

Population,

30,000. It is a well-built town, strongly fortified, and having a considerable trade, chiefly with England. (2) St. Peter's Port, capital of Guernsey. Population, 16,000. The chief port of Guernsey. Strongly fortified. (3) St. Aubin's (in Jersey), on the shores of a beautiful bay.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Jersey and Guernsey have each its

own laws and government. Each has also a separate system of coins, weights, and measures. Numerous steamers ply from Southampton and Weymouth to Jersey and Guernsey. The English Government has expended vast sums in endeavouring to construct a harbour of refuge at Alderney, but without much success. The Channel Islands have telegraphic communication with England.

II. BRITISH POSSESSIONS IN ASIA.

CYPRUS.

SITUATION. Cyprus is situated in the Levant, or Eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. It is at the distance of about 60 miles from Asia Minor.

EXTENT. Cyprus is the third in size of the islands in the Mediterranean Sea, being next in area to Sardinia and Corsica. Its length is about 165 miles. Its greatest breadth is about 60 miles. Its area is upwards of 4,000 square miles.

POPULATION. About 150,000. The population has greatly diminished under Turkish rule. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, when occupied by the Venetians, it is said to have contained a million of inhabitants.

PHYSICAL FEATURES. The coast is extensive, and there are many capes. The north-eastern point is called Cape Andrea. The southern point is Cape Gata, and the Western Cape Arnanti. The principal Bays are those of Famagusta and Morphon. There is a want of good harbours. The Island is somewhat mountainous. The greatest height is Mount Troodos (in the range formerly called Olympus) nearly 7,000 feet high. The largest river is the Pedia, which flows into Famagusta Bay. The climate is variable, very hot in summer, and cold in winter.