own. There are besides, Lutherans, Baptists, Jews, Quakers, Armenians, and Greeks. The sabbath is observed in many places, nearly as strictly as in New England.

28. GOVERNMENT. The government is a constitutional monarchy, with some resemblance to the British, though the sovereign in Holland has greater powers, and the two houses of assembly are much less powerful than the British Commons and Peers. The constitution provides for the security of persons and property, for trials within three days, and for the liberty of the press, under the responsibility of him who writes, prints, or distributes. Re ligious toleration is secured, and judges cannot be removed by the execo

tive.

29. COLONIES. Many of the ancient Dutch colonies have fallen into the hands of other powers. In Asia, the Dutch possess the island of Java, with the governments of Amboyna, Banda, Ternate, Malacca, Macassar, and fac tories on the coasts of Coromandel and Persia. In Africa, they have 13 small forts on the coast of Guinea. In America, they hold the West India Islands of Curaçao, St Eustatia, and St Martin's, with Surinam on the coast of Guiana.

30. POPULATION, REVENUE, &C. By a census taken in 1831, the population of Holland was 2,445,550. From the confusion into which the affairs of the kingdom have been thrown by the recent revolt of Belgi um, nothing satisfactory can be stated in relation to the finances. The revenue of the kingdom of the Netherlands was 12,000,000 dollars: the debt 178,000,000: this debt was mostly contracted by Holland. The army of the Netherlands consisted in 1828, of 43,297.

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31. HISTORY. A portion of this country was occupied, a century before the Christian era, by a barbarous tribe called Battæ, who gave the name of Batavia to their territory. They fell under the Roman power; and their country was united to Germany in the 9th century. In the 15th century, the Netherlands, which included both Holland and Belgium, were held by the house of Burgundy, from which the sovereignty passed to the Spanish branch The of the house of Austria. Philip II. of Spain, who received these provinces from his father Charles V., attemping to crush the protestant religion, threw the Netherlands into a revolt, and after a long war, Holland became an inde pendent state in 1609. The country was organized as a republic by the name of the Seven United Provinces, and soon acquired the reputation of a formidable naval power; at one period the Dutch disputed the empire the seas with the English. After the revolution, Holland fell into the hands of the French. It was made a kingdom by Napoleon, and given to his brother Louis in 1806; but in 1810, Louis abdicated, and Holland was united to the French Empire. After the overthrow of Napoleon, it was united Belgium, and the two territories were formed into the Kingdom of the Neth erlands. Belgium revolted in 1830, and is now a separate state.

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1. BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT.

This kingdom is bounded north by Holland, east by Germany, southwest by France and northwest by the German Ocean. It extends from 49° 25′ to 51° 30′ N. lat., and from 2° 40' to 6° 30′ E. lon., and comprises 14,459 square miles.

2. RIVERS. The chief rivers are the Scheldt and Maese. The Scheldt rises in France and flows northeasterly into this country, where it turns to the north and northwest, and dividing into several channels falls into the German Ocean.

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te, Jews, Quim Though not remarkable for length, it is a wide and deep river. Antwerp and Ghent are situated upon it. The Maese flows through the eastern part of the

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country from France to Holland.

3. FORESTS. There are many large forests in the districts of Namur, Liege and Luxemburg, and along the French frontier, being the remains of the celebrated forest of Arduenna or Ardennes. In Brabant is the forest of Soignies. They consist mostly of beech, birch, elm and oak, and are used principally for fuel. Most of the trees fit for timber have been cut down. 4. CLIMATE. The climate much resembles that of the south of England. In the interior the air is salubrious but upon the coast of Flanders, and about the mouths of the Scheldt, the air is moist and unhealthy. 5. SOIL. The soil, in general, resembles that of Holland In Luxemburg, Liege and Namur are considerable stony and unproductive tracts. Flanders abounds with excellent corn lands.

6. MINERALS. In the south and southeastern parts are mines of iron, lead, copper and coal, and quarries of marble.

7. FACE OF THE COUNTRY. The whole country is level, but somewhat less so than Holland. In the south are some hills of moderate height. 8. DIVISIONS. Belgium comprises 9 provinces. South Brabant, Hainault, Namur, Liege, Limburg, Antwerp, East and West Flanders, and Luxemburg. 9. CANALS. The canal of Bruges, extends from that place to Ghent, with branches leading to a great many other towns: the main canal is 24 miles in length. The canal of Brussels, extends from the Senne at this city to the Scheldt at Rupelmonde, 15 miles.

10. CITIES. Brussels, the capital, stands on both sides of the little river Senne, flowing into the Scheldt. It is partly situated on a rising ground, and makes a fine appearance at a distance. The city was formerly surrounded by a double wall and ditch, but these have been demolished, and the space formed into a handsome public walk planted with trees. The suburbs are extensive, and there are many neighboring villages joined to the city by long avenues. The lower part of the town consists of narrow streets and old houses. The upper part is modern and regular, with fine buildings and a beautiful park laid out in large regular walks, shaded with trees and surrounded by palaces, public offices and elegant private houses. Public fountains are interspersed throughout the city, and a large canal here leaves the river. The Hotel de Ville is remarkable for its exquisite gothic spire, which looks like the work of fairy hands. There are many fine squares and palaces, and in the Orange palace is a library of 100,000 volumes. Half a league from the city is the splendid palace of Schoonenburg. Brussels is distinguished for its manufactures of laces, carpets, tapestry, woolen and cotton cloths, silk stockings, gold and silver lace, and earthen ware. Pop. 80,000.

Antwerp, on the Scheldt, is a large and well built city, surrounded by a wall with carriage roads on the top planted with rows of trees. The city is built in the form of a semicircle and is intersected by canals. The cathedral is one of the finest gothic structures in the world, and its spire is unrivalled; it is 441 feet high, and deserves according to the saying of Charles V. to be kept in a glass case and shown only on holidays. The Stadthouse and Exchange are noble edifices. The harbor is deep and capacious. In the height of its prosperity, Antwerp was one of the most flourishing and wealthy commercial cities in the world, and contained 200,000 inhabitants. Its commerce has greatly declined, and the city has a decayed and solitary appearance. Napoleon designed to make it a great naval station, and constructed here some of the noblest dockyards in the world. The inhabitants carry on a few manufactures. Pop. 62,000. In the late revolution of Belgium, Antwerp was bombarded and set on fire by the Dutch; and sustained much damage. Ghent stands at the confluence of three rivers with the Scheldt, and is 7 miles in compass, but contains within its walls many fields and unoccupied

grounds. Many of its canals are bordered with quays planted with rows of trees. The houses are large, but heavy and inelegant: here is a fine Gothic cathedral with marble floors and pillars. Ghent has manufactures of fine lace, cotton, linen, woolen, silk, paper and leather: the trade of the city has lately increased. Pop. 78,000.

Bruges, & miles from the sea, stands in a fertile plain. It communicates with the sea and the towns in the interior by canals. Here are a college, an academy for painting, sculpture, and architecture, several literary societies, a public library of 6,000 volumes and a botanical garden. The manufacture of lace employs 6,000 people, and there are 200 schools in which children are taught this art. The town house is a superb gothic edifice; its steeple is furnished with chimes of bells which play a different tune every quarter of an hour. Pop. 33,000.

Ostend, a few miles west of Bruges, is one of the most important seaports in the country regular packets sail from this place to England several times a week, and it has a great trade in the exportation of grain and other products. Pop. 10,554.

Liege, on the Maese, is divided into three parts by the river, and has extensive suburbs. The houses are high, and many of the streets narrow, crooked and gloomy. Most of the inhabitants are engaged in manufactures and trade. Iron, coal and alum abound in the neighborhood and afford occupation for all the industry of the place. The manufactures consist of iron, fire-arms, clock-work, nails, &c. Pop. 50,000.

Namur, at the confluence of the Maese and Sambre, is a well built town: the houses are constructed of a blue stone with red and black veins. It has a citadel on the summit of a precipitous rock. Pop. 15,000.

Maestricht, on the Maese, is strongly fortified. Pop. 18,000.

Louvain, is a large and ancient town with a famous university. Pop. 25,000.

Luremburg, is a strongly fortified city. Pop. 9,500.

Spa is famous for its mineral springs situated in a valley surrounded by steep woody hills: it has also some manufactures.

Gemappes and Waterloo, are celebrated for the battles fought in their neighborhood.

11. AGRICULTURE. The agriculture of this country has been celebrated for more than 60 years: all travellers bestow high praise upon the skill and industry of the Flemish farmers. Corn, flax, barley, oats, madder, hops and tobacco are raised in great quantities. Pasturage is abundant; the clover and turnips support great numbers of cattle, principally cows.

12. COMMERCE. Antwerp and Ostend enjoy some foreign trade; and in 1828 there entered at these ports 1529 vessels. The separation of Belgium from Holland has so far disturbed the regular operation of commerce, that it is impossible at present to estimate its amount.

13. MANUFACTURES. These consist chiefly of cotton and woolen cloths, lace, carpeting, linen, silk, fire-arms and cutlery. The principal establishments have been already indicated.

14. INHABITANTS. The Belgians have some resemblance both to the French and the Dutch. The other inhabitants are principally Germans, French and Jews.

15. DRESS. The mode of dress partakes of the French and Dutch. A black hooded cloak is worn in many parts by the women; a remnant of Spanish customs. Wooden shoes are worn by the common people.

16. LANGUAGE. The Flemish language is somewhat like the Dutch with a mixture of French and Walloon words. The French also is common.

17. MANNER OF BUILDING. This also partakes of the manner of the Dutch and French. Some of the towns are hardly rivalled for the neatness and ge neral effect of the buildings.

18. FOOD AND DRINK. These do not differ essentially from those of Holland, though more beer and wine are used.

19. DISEASES. The diseases are similar to those of Germany, or Holland. 20. TRAVELLING. This is similar to that of Holland, though there is less

water carriage.

21. CHARACTER, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. These are somewhat like those of France; for though the Belgians are in character more similar to the Dutch; they have a national antipathy to them, and a preference for the French. They are no less industrious and persevering than the Dutch, and they are nearly as phlegmatic.

22. AMUSEMENTS.

mon in France.

23. EDUCATION.

The amusements are generally those which are com

This rests on the same basis as in Holland; and on this subject as on some others, it is at present difficult to speak of Belgium, independently of the country with which it was lately united. There are universities at Ghent, Liege, and Louvain.

24. STATE OF THE ARTS, &C. The Flemish school of painting is distinguished by brilliant coloring, natural expression, and the wonderful effect of light and shade. It is however deficient in drawing. The great painters were Rubens, Teniers, and Vandyke.

25. RELIGION. The religion is Catholic, though there are Protestants and Jews.

26. GOVERNMENT, Revenue and POPULATION. The government is a constitutional monarchy; but owing to its recent establishment, and the present unsettled condition of the country, no satisfactory details respecting it can be given. The same may be said of the revenue, expenditures and military force. The population is estimated at 3,600,000.

27. HISTORY. The history of Belgium is connected with that of Holland till the revolt of the latter country from the Spanish dominion. Belgium or the Low Countries remained in the possession of the Spaniards after the independence of Holland. Early in the 18th century the country passed into the hands of the Austrians, and was held by them till the breaking out of the French revolution, when it was conquered by the French and incorporated with France in 1795. After the overthrow of Napoleon, it was united to Holland and formed a part of the kingdom of the Netherlands. This union was the work of the Congress of Vienna, and never obtained the cordial acquiescence of the Belgians. The two nations differed in character, manners, institutions, religion and language, and the policy of William of Orange who occupied the throne was far from conciliatory.

The Belgians were treated more as a conquered people than as subjects on an equality with the Dutch; few of them were appointed to important offices; the education of their children was taken out of their hands; their language was proscribed; the liberty of the press was abolished, and many other burdens imposed upon them. The revolution of Paris in 1830 set them the example of revolt, and in August of the same year they rose in insurrection at Brussels, and on the 4th of October, 1830, declared the independence of Belgium. Bloody combats with the Dutch armies followed at Brussels, Antwerp and other places. The troops of the king were at length driven from the country, and the independence of Belgium was acknowledged by the five great European powers. On the 4th of June, 1831, the Belgian Congress made choice of Prince Leopold of Saxe Coburg for king, who immediately accepted the crown and took his oath to the Constitution, at Brussels, July 21st, 1831.

CHAPTER LXXX. - DENMARK.

1. BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT. Denmark is a peninsula, divided on the north from Norway, by the Scagerack, and from Sweden on the east by the Sound; it is bounded on the south by Germany and the Baltic; and the German sea divides it from Great Britain on the west. The continental portion lies between 55° 21′ 5′′ and 57° 42′ 24′′ N. lat., and 8° and 12° 30′ E. lon Its length from north to south is about 300 miles, and its breadth 100.

2. KIVERS. The most considerable river is the Eyder, which, rising near the Baltic, runs westward, and after a course of 56 miles, falls into the Ger man sea at Tonningen. The Gudensal has its source between Silkeborg and Halds, and enters the Baltic at Udbye. The other rivers, or more properly rivulets, are numerous; but too inconsiderable to require mention.

3. LAKES. There are several lakes, but none of any magnitude. That of Ploen, in Holstein, is one of the largest, and does not exceed 10 miles in circumference. Among the others are those of Arre, Esrom and Sial in Zealand; the lake of Wyburg and the Long lake in Jutland; and the lake of Ratzeburg in Lauenburg.

4. ISLANDS. The islands in the Baltic are the most fertile and populous parts of the kingdom, and of these Zealand is the largest. It is generally flat, and, except in a small part of the coast, very little elevated above the level of the sea. It contains 3,103 square miles. Pop. 350,000. Funen, the next in importance, is separated from Zealand by the strait, called the Great Belt; and is about 50 miles long and 40 broad. Odensee is the capital. The is and of Bornholm is surrounded by rocks highly dangerous to navigators, and contains 7 towns, and 21 parishes. The capital is Roenne, known for its potteries and watch and clock-making. Pop. of the island, 20,000. The little isle of Moen, at the southern extremity of Zealand, contains 7,000 inhabitants. The island of Langeland, between Funen and Laaland, contains 11,000 inhabitants. Laaland or Lolland is peopled by 4,000 souls, and has a considerable trade in grain. The isle of Falster, to the east of Laaland, numbers 16,000 inhabitants.

5. BAYS, STRAITS, &c. The coasts of Denmark are indented by nume rous branches of the sea, called fiords, or firths, the principal of which is called the Lymfiord. The Sound, or Oresund, one of the three straits which connect the Cattegat and Baltic, is the most frequented strait in the world Its depth is from 10 to 19 fathoms; but close upon the coast, and round some of the islands, it is only 4 fathoms.

6. CLIMATE. The geographical situation of Denmark indicates severity of climate; but the vicinity of the sea renders the air more humid and temper ate than in the interior of the continent in the same latitude. The sky is often obscured by fogs, and rain falls at least on number of days in the year. The summer is often oppressively warm, it be‐ gins in June, and ends with September.

one third of the whole

7. SOIL. The prevailing soil is sandy. In some parts it consists of a very rich mould, of which the component substances are marl, and a bituminous matter. The soil in the island of Alsen and Angelen is chiefly com posed of a very rich vegetable mould. Marshes are found everywhere. The whole of Vendsyssal is one continuous marsh. Some fuller's earth, alum, and vitriol, found in Jutland, and porcelain clay obtained in the island of Bornholm, seem to constitute the whole of the mineral productions of Denmark.

8. ANIMALS. Deer, foxes, and hares are numerous, and hunting is a com mon amusement. Sea-fowl abound in the marshy districts. The horses of Denmark and Holstein are celebrated for their strength, beauty, and speed. 9. FACE OF THE COUNTRY. The general surface of Denmark is level,