the government, and to prevent all innovation or discussion of political institutions. Bohemia, as well as Hungary, is a distinct kingdom, and limited monarchy, but under the immediate government of the Emperor. In the Tyrol, the four estates, including the peasantry, are convened to grant supplies for the expenses of government. The laws in Austria are mild, and the administration of them just. The civil code introduced in 1811 is considered good. 8. EXTENT AND REVENUE OF THE AUSTRIAN EMPIRE. The whole empire of Austria extending from Bohemia on the north to the Italian States on the south, contains 261,300 square miles, and a population of 31,566,395. The revenue in time of peace is sufficient not only to cover the expenses of the state and support the army, but to pay the interest of the national debt. The revenue amounts to 52,000,000 dollars, and is derived from a ground rent, different taxes and tolls, the regalia of salt, money, mines, and ports, and the imperial domains. The Emperor has a large private fortune uncon nected with the property of the state, from which he defrays a part of his pri vate expenses. 9. ARMY. The peace establishment is 270,000 men; in time of war the empire can maintain 650,000. In the campaign of 1813, Austria brought into the field 315,000 men. The maintenance of the army costs more than a third of the whole revenue. 10. HISTORY. Austria began to acquire significance in the 12th century, when it was made a duchy. In the following century the house of Hapsburg laid the foundation of the Austrian greatness. New territories were subsequently acquired, and the electoral crown of Germany was obtained by this dynasty in 1438. Austria was raised to an archduchy in 1453, and with the acquisition of Bohemia and Hungary in 1526, it was allowed the rank of a European monarchy. It was erected into an empire in 1804, and though much abridged of its territory and influence by the conquests of Napoleon, its losses were subse quently retrieved, and it is now both in name and effect, one of the chief powers of Europe. CHAPTER LXXV.- PRUSSIA. 1. BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT. This kingdom is composed of two distinct portions of territory, separated by the German states. They are bounded north by the Netherlands, Hanover, Mecklenburg and the Baltic Sea, east by Russia and Poland, south by Austria, Saxony, several of the German states, and west by the Netherlands. The northern extremity is in 55° 46', and the southern in 49 N. lat. The eastern extremity is in 232, and the western is 6 E. lon. The eastern division contains 87,169, and the western 18,271 square miles. Total 105,440.† 2. MOUNTAINS. Some parts of the eastern division are skirted by the Hartz and Sudetic mountains. In the western part, there are some ranges of hills; but in general the country is not mountainous. *The different territories comprising the Austrian Empire, are commonly regarded as consisting of 4 grand divisions-1. The German States of Austria, comprising the Archduchy of Austria, the Duchy of Styria, the Kingdom of Illyria, Tyrol, the Kingdom of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. 2 The Galician States including the Bukowine and Lodomiria. 3. The Hungarian States, comprising the Kingdom of Hungary with Slavonia and Croatia, Transylvania, the Military Frontiers, and the Kingdom of Dalmatia. 4. The Italian States or Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom. These have all been described in their several places. The canton of Neufchatel in Switzerland, acknowledges the sovereignty of the king of Prusia; but this is in his own right, and not as king of Prussia. 3. RIVERS. The Oder rises in Moravia and flows through the whole of eastern and southern Prussia northwesterly into the Baltic: it is 400 miles long, and for the most part is navigable. The Elbe enters Prussia from Saxony, and flows northwesterly into Hanover. The Spree, Saale, Havel and Elster, are tributaries of the Elbe. The Pregel, Niemen and Vistula water the northeastern part. The western part is traversed from southeast to northwest by the Rhine. 4. COAST AND BAYS. Prussia has 500 miles of coast upon the Baltic, comprising two large bays, the Tanzker Wyk, and Rugge Bodden, and three Haffs or gulfs; the Kurische Haff, which receives the Niemen, the Frische Haff at the mouth of the Vistula, and the Stettin Haff at the mouth of the Oder. 5. ISLANDS. On the coast of Pomerania, on the Baltic, is the island of Rugen, the largest belonging to Germany. It contains 370 square miles, and is partly covered with a forest of beech trees. Many parts of it are fertile. It has 28,150 inhabitants. The chief town is Bergen, with a population of 2,200. Several small islands are scattered around it. 6. CLIMATE. The climate is temperate and healthy in general, though varying much in the different provinces. Along the Baltic it is cold, damp, and variable. In the interior it is much more agreeable. 7. SOIL. In the eastern part there is little fertile land, except strips of low marshy territory along the coast and rivers. The remainder is sandy and overgrown with heath. In the western part the soil is much superior: yet here are many tracts that are stony and unproductive. 8. MINERALS. The mountainous parts contain iron, copper, lead and silver. Salt is obtained from springs in Prussian Saxony. Eastern Prussia is the only country of Europe which produces in any abundance the remarkable substance called amber; naturalists are yet ignorant of its origin, and it is uncertain whether it should be ranked among vegetable, mineral, or animal productions. It is found on the shores of the Baltic, thrown upon the beach by the strong northeasterly gales. Sometimes it is found in sand hills near the sea, in regular strata, which are worked as in a mine. It is also found in the interior, but in small pieces and to a trifling amount. The portion of the coast from which it is taken is 8 leagues in extent, from Pillau to beyond Polangen. About 200 tons are produced annually, yielding a revenue of 22,000 dollars to the king. 9. FACE OF THE COUNTRY. The eastern part is an immense plain, so flat toward the sea, that the coast would be exposed to inundation were it not protected by downs of sand. The rivers have so little descent to carry off their waters that they run into stagnant lakes. The western part is somewhat hilly. Forests of great extent exist in both divisions. 10. CANALS. The Canal of Plauen unites the Elbe and Havel. It is 20 miles long, and forms part of a communication between Berlin and Magdeburg. A canal 13 miles in length, unites the Spree and Oder. The canal of Bromberg joins the Vistula to the Notez; it is 20 miles long. The canal of Finon joins the Havel and Oder. 11. CITIES AND TOWNS. Berlin, the capital of Prussia, stands on the Spree; with its suburbs it is 12 miles in circumference, but this extent incloses many gardens and fields. It is defended by a wall and palisades. The city exhibits striking contrarieties of aspect in the admixture of magnificent buildings with ruinous houses, and the whole mass of edifices composing the city have a straggling, discrepant look. The streets in the better part of the town are straight and well paved: and there are several handsome squares, with pleasant walks. The houses in general are built of white freestone. The suburbs are of wood, stuccoed to imitate stone. There are 15 gates to the city. The royal gate is defended by a half moon, and two bastions faced with brick. On the stone bridge over the Spree is an equestrian statue of the Great Elector William. Beyond the bridge is seen the Royal Palace; a superb edifice containing magnificent apartments, and the most splendid service of plate belonging to any palace in Europe. The royal library has 150,000 volumes. Berlin has 4 colleges, 5 gymna siums, and 250 other seminaries of learning, with various charitable institutions. It is the centre of learning for the north of Germany, and has manufactures of silk, cotton, woolen, porcelain, jewelry, &c. Pop. 220,000. Potsdam, on the Havel, is one of the most elegant cities in the Prussian dominions. It has a splendid Royal Palace, and many fine architectural em bellishments. It has also a cannon foundry and manufactures of silk and velvets. Pop. 30,000. On a hill in the neighborhood, stands the palace of Sans Souci, erected by Frederick the Great. Konigsberg, on the Pregel, is 7miles in circumference, and contains many elegant buildings, and an university of high reputation. Part of the town stands on an island in the river. It is a place of considerable trade. Pop. 55,000. Breslau, in Silesia, stands on the Oder. It is well built, strongly fortified, and famous for its large gates. It has manufactures of linen, and an extensive internal trade. Pop. 70,000. Dantzic, on the Vistula, near the southern shore of the Baltic, has a good harbor, and was once the chief town of the Hanseatic league. The houses are high and the streets crooked. It has much commerce and internal trade, exporting hemp, flax, linen, timber, potash, &c. It has a great annual fair in July and August, which lasts 6 weeks. Pop. 45,000. Posen, on a branch of the Oder, is a compactly built town with an university. Pop. 15,000. Magdeburg, on the Elbe, is a handsome city with a noble palace, an arsenal and a magnificent gothic cathedral. It has manufactures of silk, woolen, cotton, linen, &c, Pop. 30,500. Stettin, near the mouth of the Oder, has a great trade. Population, 20,000. Frankfort, on the Oder, is a rich and handsome city, with an university, 3 great annual fairs, and manufactures of woolen, silk, and leather. Pop. 12,000, Halle, in Saxony, is a flourishing city on the Saale. It is celebrated for its university and literary institutions. It has also many manufactures. Pop. 24,000, The foregoing cities are in the eastern part of the Prussian dominions. In the western part the most noted are the following. Cologne, on the Rhine, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It has a great number of ancient churches. The cathedral is an immense gothic pile, founded in the 13th century, but yet unfinished. The city has a decayed look. It has manufactures of silk, linen, woolen, lace, thread and cologne water. Pop. 64,000. Aix la Chapelle, once the capital of the German Empire, is famous for its warm baths. Many parts of it are elegant, and it has manufactures of cloth, and needles. Pop. 27,000. Coblentz, at the junction of the Rhine and Moselle is a well built city with considerable trade and some manufactures. It has a bridge of boats over the Rhine and one of stone over the Moselle. Pop. 15,000. Munster, in Westphalia is an ordinary place, but has an university with several colleges and schools. Pop. 18,000. Dusseldorf, on the Rhine, is a handsome modern city, with considerable trade and manufactures. Pop. 27,000. 12. AGRICULTURE. Agriculture in many parts is very imperfect, and the instruments of tillage are very rude. The farms are deficient in inclosures, and the crops are scanty. Yet the country is not without portions of territory under high cultivation. Upon the sandy soil the chief articles are buckwheat, rye, turnips and potatoes. In other quarters are raised all the various sorts of grain, hemp, flax, tobacco, madder, wood and hops. The vine is cultivated. along the Rhine. 13. COMMERCE. Prussia exports corn, yarn, linen, woolen, iron, timber, carpenter's work, amber, Prussian blue, scented waters, wine, hams, starch and refined sugar. External commerce is much fettered. The exports amount to 20,000,000 dollars American money annually; the imports to 16,500,000. 14. MANUFACTURES. The chief articles are linen, woolen, iron, cotton, silk, leather, copper, tobacco, china and Prussian blue. The yearly value of manufactured articles exclusive of raw materials is 33,000,000 dollars. 15. GOVERNMENT. Prussia is an absolute monarchy; the king directs the whole machinery of government. There is a council of state, having deliberative functions, which is composed of the princes of the royal family, the field marshals and ministers. 16. DIVISIONS, POPULATION, &C. In a political point of view, the Prussian dominions are regarded as composing two divisions, which do not coincide with the geographical distinction of the eastern and western parts of the kingdom already alluded to. The two great political divisions consist of 1. PRUSSIA' PROPER, Or East and West Prussia and the Grand Duchy of Posen. 2. The GERMAN STATES OF PRUSSIA, Consisting of the provinces of Brandenburg, Pomerania, Silesia, Saxony, Westphalia, Cleves Berg, and the Lower Rhine. The population of the whole kingdom in 1827 was 12,552,278. 17. REVENUE, ARMY, &c. The revenue is estimated at 30,477,600 dollars. The national debt is 114,840,440 dollars. The military force in time of peace, amounts to 165,000 men. In war Prussia is able to maintain an army of 500,000. race. 18. HISTORY. The present kingdom of Prussia comprises nations of different origin. The Pruzzi, or ancient Prussians, were a barbarous Slavonic The Teutonic knights introduced Christianity into their country after exterminating a great part of the inhabitants. In the 15th century Prussia became subjected to Poland. The Elector of Brandenburg acquired the sovereignty of the country early in the 17th century. Additions were made to the territory and it assumed the rank of a kingdom in 1701. Frederic William I. who reigned from 1713 to 1740 laid the foundation of the military power of Prussia. His son and successor was Frederic. II. sometimes called the Great. He carried on ruinous wars, yet augmented his territory by the The French Revolution was attended with important consequences to Pr d beard 1. KINGDOM OF BAVARIA. This kingdom is bounded north by Hesse Darmstadt, Hesse Cassel, Saxe Meiningen, Saxe Cobourg, and the kingdom of Saxony, east and south by the Austrian states and west by Wurtemberg, Baden and Hesse Darmstadt.* It contains 31,108 square miles and 4,301,004 in habitants. The northeastern limit is skirted by à chain of mountains, and another range extends across the northern part. The country is watered by the Danube and its numerous head streams: the northern part is traversed by art the Mayne and the western by the Rhine. The lake of Constance lies partly within this territory and there are other small lakes. Bogs are numerous, some of which cover 100 square miles. The air is sharp in the elevated parts, but the climate in general is temperate and healthy. Much of the soil is unproductive from its ruggedness and marshy quality. The best arable land lies along the Danube and Inn. A great part of the country is covered with forests at The mountains contain quarries of marble and mines of quicksilver. Iron Coal is and copper are also produced. mer bere. ed. D in Munich, the capital, is seated in a plain on the Iser. It is a well built city Dre and many of its edifices are very splendid. It has an university, a library e all of 400,000 volumes, and a gallery of paintings ranked among the finest ins and Europe. Pop. 60,024. Ratisbon, on the Danube, was once an imperial city. It is built in the form of a crescent and is strongly fortified. It has considerable commerce by the river. Pop. 26,000. ducati brarie lain W built an the town great Augsburg, was also formerly an imperial city and was founded by the Ro- Lip mans in the reign of Augustus. One fourth of the houses are built of stone and the remainder of timber and clay. The public buildings are magnificent and the city is one of the handsomest in Germany. Pop. 36,000. Nuremburg, on the Regnitz, has large manufactures and several churches noted for their beautiful paintings. Watches, brass and globes were invented et fa in this city. Pop. 40,000. Landshut, on the Iser, has an university, and a library of 100,000 volumes. Pop. 7,817. Passau, at the confluence of the Inn and Danube, is an ancient town, strongly fortified. Pop. 10,300. Bamberg, on the Regnitz, is a fine city with a magnificent castle. Pop. 20,000. of purch dollars a Wurtzburg, on the Mayne, has a large trade in wine. Pop. 20,000. A portion of territory belonging to Bavaria lies detached from the main body of the kingdom to the west, bordering on France, Prussia, Hesse Darmstadt and Baden. Manufac and line two most Ter the Pup, 40, Meisse Frerberg Lofty sit 22.000. Chemn hand |