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His power is limited by a legislature, consisting of a senate and house of representatives, chosen by the electors.

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The government of Turkey is a pure despotism, there being nothing to check the will of the Sultan. He is considered the successor of Mahomet, and thus increases his authority by laying claim to a sacred character. Nothing can exceed the fear and awe inspired by the Sultan. Even his wives call him the "lion." The court is called the Sublime Port, and treaties are dated "from our stirrup." The divan, or council of state is composed of the ministers of the interior, exterior and finance. There is no security for property; public officers thrive by extortion. The idea of patriotism is not known in the country.

Switzerland consists of twenty-two cantons, each of which is a sovereign state, but they are united into a confederacy for the preservation of order and

the security of independence. The diet, or feda congress, is composed of deputies from the cantons, each canton having one vote. The president is styled the landammann. This diet has nearly the same power as our congress; but each state or canton is governed by its own laws. Justice is generally well administered; but this is more from the good spirit of the people than from the excellence of their laws.

Austria is an absolute despotism; the sovereign is styled emperor. In some of the provinces, as in Hungary and Transylvania, his power is checked by a diet. Justice is well administered, and the government generally exercises its authority with mildness.

Prussia is an absolute monarchy; yet the sovereign wields his power with a regard to the interests of the people. All the men are drilled in military exercises, and all are compelled to go through a course of education, provided by the government. There are twenty-two thousand common or primary schools in the kingdom.

The principal German States are united in a federacy, called the German diet; the object of which is to secure general tranquillity. It embraces thirty-six monarchical states and four republics, called free cities.

Holland and Belgium are monarchies with legislatures. Denmark is an unlimited monarchy, with much practical freedom; the laws are just, and well administered. Sweden is a limited monarchy. The diet has some resemblance to the British Parliament, but is composed of four bodies, meeting in different houses. These are the nobles, clergy, peasants, and inhabitants of towns. Norway is

united to the Swedish crown, and is governed by a viceroy, whose powers are limited by the representative assembly, called horthing.

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Russia is an absolute despotism. The emperor is called czar. He exercises his authority with rigor, and sometimes with capricious injustice. The nobles are numerous, and large portions of the people are no better than slaves. The courts are by no means free from corruption, and the rich have always an advantage over the poor. The punishments, though greatly mitigated, are many of them barbarous and severe. Banishment to Siberia is common for political offences.

The revenues and resources of the government are extensive, though it is much embarrassed by debt. The navy is considerable, and increasing. The army is extensive, well trained, and more

formidable than that of any other European power. The position of Russia is commanding, and under the auspices of its present emperor, Nicholas, is making rapid progress in civilization, wealth, and power.

CHAPTER XLV.

Discoveries in America, &c.

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Indians of America bringing fruits to Columbus.

HAVING now taken a brief view of foreign governments, let us turn our attention to our own country. In order to understand the political institutions of the United States, we must take a glance at our early history.

In 1492, Columbus discovered the islands of the West Indies, before which time the existence of America was wholly unknown to the people of Europe, Asia, and Africa. These countries being called the Old world, the American continent was called the New world.

The inhabitants of this entire hemisphere were of the copper colored race, to whom the name of Indians was applied. Most of them were in a savage state, though two extensive empires existed, Mexico and Peru, both of which had made considerable progress in the arts of civilization. These had cities, the art of writing by hieroglyphics, a knowledge of working certain metals, and established monarchical governments.

The origin of the American Indians is hidden in mystery. They had themselves no certain records and no traditions which satisfactorily solved this interesting question. It is only by considering that Asia and America are so near together at Bhering's straits, that a rude people might cross in boats; and by remarking the resemblance between the customs of Mexico and Peru, to those of the ancient Persians and Egyptians; that we infer, with a good degree of probability, that the first settlers of America, and the progenitors of the Mexican and Peruvian Indians, came from Asia. The time of their emigration cannot be determined; but as no monument of the event is distinctly traceable in any country, it must have been ages ago. The other tribes of Indians, scattered over the continent, probably emigated also from Asia, at later periods, but still, long since.

The discovery of Columbus having been made under the flag and by the aid of the king of Spain,

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