sidl-see in Hungary, Cirknitz in Carinthia, and Garda in Venice.

Soil The soil of a large portion of the Austrian territo ries, is very fertile, particularly in Hungary and the Lom bardy.

• Productions Austria abounds in various articles both of necessity and luxury. Corn, wine, saffron, cattle, horses, gold, mercury, copper, iron, lead, and precious stones, are among the exports.

Mines. In Hungary are rich mines of gold, silver, copper and iron; in Galicia, salt; in Illyria, quicksilver, lead, &c. History. Austria was erected into an empire in 1804, and is now one of the most powerful states in Europe.

Geneva is remarkable for its beautiful and romantic situation on the southern extremity of the lake of Geneva at the efflux of the Rhone. The views from it embrace the most magnificent mountain scenery, including the summit of Mont Blanc. Geneva is famous for having once been the centre and asylum of the reformed religion; also as a seat of learning, and for the manufacture of watches. Population 26,000.

The other principal towns are Bâle on the Rhine, next to Geneva in population; Berne, a beautiful town on the Aar; Zurich, a manufacturing and trading town on the lake of Zurich; Lausanne, delightfully situated on the Rhine Schaffhausen, near the celebrated cataract of the Rhine.

Government. Each canton is an independent republic ; but for general security the cantons are united in a confederacy, governed by a general diet. The diet meets alternately at Berne, Zurich, and Lucerne.

Religion. The inhabitants are Catholics and Protestants; the former being the majority.

Education. There are universities at Bále and Geneva. Education is well provided for by the support of common schools.

Language. The prevailing language is German, but French is spoken on the borders of France, and Italian on the borders of Italy.

Climate. The climate is generally salubrious, but severe in the elevated regions.

Face of the country. Switzerland is by far the most mauntainous and romantic country in Europe. It is much visited by travellers, and to the admirers of nature it of fers scenes of grandeur almost unrivalled.

Mountains. Switzerland is overrun by the Alps, the highest mountains in Europe. They are divided into three branches, the Helvetian, Pennine, and Rhætian Alps.

Glaciers. The Glaciers, are lakes or fields of glittering ice and snow. They occupy the elevated hollows, between the peaks of the highest mountains, extending sometimes 15 or 18 miles in length. Enormous masses, called avalanches, sometimes detach themselves and roll down with a frightful noise.

Rivers. The 4 principal rivers are the Rhine, Rhone, Aar, and Reuss.

Lakes. Switzerland is remarkable for its romantic lakes. The lake of Geneva is the largest, and is esteemed the most beautiful lake in Europe. Some of the others are Neufchâtel, Thun, Lucerne, Zurich, and Wallenstadt.

Occupations. The breeding of cattle is the most considerable scource of subsistence.

Inhabitants. The Swiss are hardy, industrious, and temperate; of simple manners, well educated, and ardently attached to liberty,

History. The Swiss are descendants of the ancient Hel veti The foundation of their liberty was laid about the year 1300, by William Tell, the celebrated Swiss patriot,

FRANCE.

Divisions. Before the revolution, France was divided into 32 provinces; it is at present divided into 86 depart

Chief towns. Paris, the capital of France, is situated on the Seine, and including its suburbs, is 18 miles in circumference. It is one of the finest cities in the world, and much superior to London in palaces and public edifices. It is greatly distinguished for its eminence in science and the arts, and abounds in grand public institutions; and it is likewise one of the gayest and most luxurious cities in the world. The houses are generally from 4 to 7 stories, built of freestone taken from quarries, which run in various directions under the city. The three royal palaces are the Louvre, Tuileries, and the Luxembourg. Lyons, situated at the conflux of the Rhone and Saone, is accounted the second city in France, and is superior to Paris in trade and manufactures. It is celebrated for its

rich silks and gold and silver stuffs.

Marseilles and Bourdeaux are the chief commercial ports. Marseilles is in possession of most of the French commerce of the Mediterranean. Bourdeaux is situated on the Garonne, 16 leagues from its mouth, and trades largely with the East and West Indies, and the north of Europe, and to a great extent in wine.

Nantes, situated on the Loire, has an extensive commerce, and is celebrated for its fine brandy.

Brest and Toulon are the principal stations for the navy.

Montpellier is finely situated 5 miles from the Mediter ranean. It is celebrated for the salubrity of its air, and is much visited by invalids from foreign countries.

Strasburg, near the Rhine, is an ancient and celebrated town, and is remarkable for the spire of its cathedral, the loftiest in the world, being 574 feet high.

Among the other towns are Rouen and Lille, remarkable for manufactures; Versailles, a magnificent royal residence; Toulouse, the ancient capital of the Goths; Havre de Grace, L'Orient, Rochelle, Rochefort, Bayonne, Dunkirk, and Cherburg, important seaports; Fontainbleau, famous for its royal castle, and Calais for packets to England.

Education. The university of Paris is at the head of the seminaries of education. There are 26 provincial seminaries styled academies, but constituted like universities in other counties. The 2 principal Protestant seminaries

are at Strasburg and Montauban.

The French excel in belles lettres, mathematics, astronomy, and chemistry. Literary associations are very numerous; at the head of these stands the Institute in Paris, the most celebrated scientific body in the world.

Language. The French language is derived from the Latin. It is esteemed the most polished, the best adapted to conversation, and the language most generally dif fused among the nations of Europe.

Religion. The established religion is the Roman Catholic, but all others are tolerated. Seven eighths of the inhabitants are Catholics, the remainder chiefly Calvinists and Lutherans.

Government. The government is a limited monarchy, resembling that of Great Britain. The legislative power is vested in the king, a house of peers composed of up. wards of 200 members, whose dignity is hereditary, and a house of delegates consisting of not less than 256 members, chosen by the people.

Army and Navy. The French army under Bonaparte, was composed in war of nearly 600,000 men; but the peace establishment is now reduced to about 90,000 men. The navy consists of about 60 ships of the line, and about 40 frigates.