the Orinoco, affords luxuriant pasturage for immense herds of cattle. There are rich mines of gold and silver, particularly in New Grenada. The most populous parts of Colombia, are the mountain plains on the west.

The principal cities, are Quito, Santa Fe de Bogota, Popayan, Panama, Porto Bello, Carthagena, and Caraccas, with its port La Guira.

Quito is the great city of the mountains. It is situated under the equator, about 10,000 feet, or nearly 2 miles, above the ocean level, and in the immediate vicinity of the volcano Pichinca. The seasons here, are naturally temperate and delightful the year round. But thunder and lightning, and earthquakes, often suddenly spread consternation among the inhabitants. In the earthquake of 1797, 40,000 persons in a moment were launched into eternity. The population of this city is estimated at 70,000.

Santa Fe de Bogota is the seat of government, elegantly built on an elevated and fruitful plain. Pop. 40,000. At the distance of 15 mues south-east from this city, is the famous cataract of Tequendama, in the river Bogota, which is here suddenly compressed from the width of 140 feet to that of 35 feet, and descends at two successive plunges, to the astonishing depth of 600 feet, into an awful chasm in the mountain. This is probably the highest cataract in the world; and the cloud of vapor thence rising, may be seen from the immediate environs of Bogota, and being embellished by the various colours of the rain-bow, it presents an object equally sublime and beautiful.

Popayan, is 200 miles south-west from Bogota, situated on an extensive plain at the height of 6000 feet above the level of the sea, and in the neighborhood of two great volcanoes. Pop. 25,000.

Panama and Porto Bello are sea ports opposite to each other on the Isthmus of Panama. The former was once distinguished for its pearl fishery.

Caraccas, is near the Carribean sea, and elevated 3,000 feet above it. 12,000 of its inhabitants, in 1812, were buried in an earthquake. Pop. 30,000.

There are four universities in Colombia. Education is in a progressive and hopeful state. The government is an Independent Republic. The religion is Roman Catholic.

QUESTIONS.

What are the boundaries f Colombia? Its lat. and long.? Its extent in square miles? Its population? What lake and gulf on the north? What two great provinces does Colombia include? When were these provinces united, forming the Republic of Colombia? In what part of Colombia is New Grenada? In what part is Venezuela? How is the surface of Colombia on the West? How on the

east? What and where is Chimborazo, and how high? What and where, and how high is Cotopaxi? What great river from Colombia, runs north-east into Atlantic ocean? What river running north-west? What is said of the great plains or llanos? What is the climate of Colombia in the low lands? What in more elevated parts? What of the soil? Of the principal products? Of the mines? Which are the most populous parts of Colombia? What and where are the chief cities? How would you describe Quito? Bogota the capital? What falls near it, and how described? What of Popayan? Panama and Porto Bello? Caraccas? What of the universities? Of education? Of the government? Religion?

GUIANA.

Pop. 180,000.

Formerly, the tract of country under the name of Guiana was of vast extent, embracing Spanish Guiana, which now belongs to Colombia, and Portuguese Guiana, now included in the Empire of Brazil. At present, Guiana includes only the British, Dutch, and French possessions.

The face of the country is almost uniformly level and low, along the coast, for some distance into the interior. The chief settlements are near the sea, and on the banks of the rivers. The climate is moist, hot, and unhealthy, but no country in the world possesses a more congenial and luxuriant soil.

The soil is best cultivated in British and Dutch Guiana, on the rivers Essequebo, Demarara, Berbice, Saramica, and Surinam. Here are meadows, extensive and delightful, and plantations of unexampled fertility, abounding in sugar, cotton, cocoa, and indigo. The fruits are of great variety, and most delicious flavor. The shrubs and plants of the country are innumerable, many of them possessing rare and valuable qualities. The trees of the wood often rise to the height of 100 feet, and are remarkable for their precious properties, and for their rich blossoms, and fruit which perpetually adorn them.

British Guiana is divided into three districts; Essequebo, Demarara, and Berbice, corresponding to the names of their rivers.

Dutch Guiana is often called Surinam, and French Guiana, has the name of Cayenne, and is famous for its pepper. The chief towns, are Essequebo, Stabroeck, and New Amsterdam, in British Guiana, Paramaribo in Dutch, and Cayenne, in French Guiana.

The whole population is estimated at 180,000, principally negro slaves. The warlike Indians, occupying the interior, are not reckoned.

QUESTIONS.

How is Guiana bounded? What mountains separate it from Brazil? What are now its three divisions? Which division is farthest west? Which farthest east ?

Which comprises the middle section? How would you describe the face of the country? Where are the principal settlements found? What is said of the climate? The soil? The principal rivers? Where do they empty? Where is the soil best cultivated? What productions are specified? What is said of the fruits? The shrubs and plants? The trees? What are the three districts in British Guiana? What is Dutch Guiana often called? What name is given to French Guiana? What is it noted for? What are the five chief towns? Which three belong to British Guiana? Which to Dutch? Which to French Guiana ? How is the whole population of Guiana estimated? Of what are they principally composed? What inhabitants occupy the interior? Which is the largest division of South America ?

BRAZIL.

Extent, 2,200,000 sq. ms.-Pop. 5,000,000-2 per sq. m.

This country derives its name from the Brazil wood, in which it abounds. The empire is of vast dimensions, and extends from north to south 2,500 miles, and about the same from east to west, containing a territory equal to that of the United States, and comprising nearly a third part of South America. It is divided into 19 provinces, or Captainships. It is traversed from west to east, by the Geral mountains, or the Andes of Chiquitos, and the Eastern coast, all along, is lined by mountains called the Brazilian Andes.

No country in the world is watered by more numerous or fertilizing streams. The tributary waters of the Amazon, flow down the northern declivity, and several branches of the La Plata rise in Brazil, and descend toward the south. The main body of Brazil is one immense wilderness, being, almost universally, overspread with forests in a state of nature, and to a great extent unexplored. Not one hundredth part of the empire is settled or cultivated.

The Portuguese settlements are almost wholly confined to the southern and eastern coasts. The interior, formerly called Amazonia, in its vast length and breadth, is occupied by hostile Indians and wild beasts of prey, and by herds of innumerable wild cattle and horses, which are hunted for their hides.

A great proportion of the country is of a low and level surface, especially in the more northern region bordering on the Equator. And there the climate is oppressive and sickly, and is subject to hurricanes, and dreadful deluges. But in other parts, the surface is pleasantly diversified, by hills and valleys, elevated plains, and lofty mountains. Toward the south and west, the climate is exceedingly healthy and desirable; being refreshed by the sea breezes, or tempered by the cool and salubrious mountain zephyrs.

The soil is naturally as rich as that of any other region of the globe; but these wonderful resources of nature are but poorly im

proved, through the characteristic indolence of the inhabitants. Cotton, sugar, coffee, &c. abound in the northern equatorial tracts, and wheat, and other grains, are natural to the southern provinces, and in the elevated mountainous districts. Horned cattle are produced in this country, almost without number, and without much pains taking.

The forests abound in rich and valuable materials for dyeing, and for cabinet purposes. But the gold and diamonds of Brazil, are her peculiar boast. They are found lying in the beds of the mountain streams, or are washed out from among the gravel or pebbles of the deep valleys.

The diamond country is in the eastern part, in the province north of Rio Janeiro. It contains above 1,000 square miles, and is perpetually guarded on all sides, by an army of cavalry, appointed for the express purpose of defending the precious treasures from the hands of smugglers; or of escorting them when conveyed to the capital city. The collection of diamonds in the royal treasury of Portugal, is the richest in the world, and is valued at more than three millions sterling. Portugal has received from Brazil more than 15,000 cwt. of gold, and above 2,000 lbs. of diamonds.

The principal towns, are Rio Janeiro, Pernambuco, Bahia or St. Salvador, Porto Seguro, which are sea ports, and St. Pauls, Villa Rica Tejuco, and Villa Boa, which are situated in the interior, among the mines.

Rio Janeiro is the Capital. It is situated at the head of a large bay, and at the foot of lofty mountains. Its harbour is capacious and secure, and its commerce extensive. This city is the grand Mart of Brazil. Pop. 150,000.

Bahia, or St. Salvador is situated on the bay of All Saints, and like Quebec, has an upper and lower town, and is strongly defended by nature and art. It has an excellent harbour, and is a place of great trade. Pop. 100,000.

Pernambuco is a commercial town increasing in wealth and importance. Pop. 30,000. Tejuco, is the capital of the diamond country. The inhabitants of these cities are chiefly negroes and mulattoes. The whites and Indians are less in number. Of the population of the Brazilian empire, about one sixth are Portuguese in their origin. The rest are negroes, mulattoes and independent Indians. The number of slaves is about 1,800,000.

The state of education is low. Ignorance and superstition prevail. Agriculture and manufactures are greatly neglected. Commerce is far from being in a prosperous and flourishing state. The indolence and listlessness of the Portuguese here, are most obviIn them the passion for mining swallows up almost every

ous.

laudable passion. The love of gold, and diamonds, and the love of sloth, are paramount to the love of liberty, learning, industry, and virtue, which are the only true sources of solid wealth and happiness. Though their country is naturally one of the richest, and finest in the world, their condition is unenviable. The people generally are far behind most others in the enjoyments of the common comforts and conveniences of life.

The prevailing religion is Roman Catholic. The government is monarchical, and is in the hands of one of the royal family of Portugal, who is styled an emperor.

Brazil was first discovered by Americus Vespucius, in 1498, but the settlement of it by the Portuguese, was not commenced till about 50 years after, when they founded the city of St. Salvador.

QUESTIONS.

From what does Brazil derive its name? How many degrees north of the equator does Brazil extend? How many south? What are its boundaries? Its length and breadth? Its contents in square miles? How does it compare in size with the United States? How great a proportion of South America does it comprise? What capes are found on its coast? Into how many provinces is it divided? What mountains traverse it from west to east? What mountains line the eastern coast? Is the country well watered? What rivers flow down the northern declivity into the Amazon, or into the Atlantic? What toward the south, into the La Plata? What does the main body of Brazil consist of? Has it been much explored? How small a part is settled and cultivated? To what parts are the Portuguese settlements chiefly confined? What name has usually been given to the interior or central region of Brazil ? By whom, or by what is it occupied? What are the wild cattle and horses hunted for?

What is the surface of the country toward the equator? What is the climate in those parts? How is the surface diversified in other tracts? How is the climate toward the south and west? What is the general nature of the soil? What productions are common in the northern parts? What in the southern or mountainous districts? Are horned catttle there numerous? What do the forests abound in ? What kind of treasures does Brazil peculiarly boast of? Where are the diamonds and gold generally found lying? In what part is the diamond country situated? How large is it? How is it guarded? What is said of the collection of diamonds in the royal treasury of Portugal ? At what sum is it valued? What are the principal towns? Which of these are sea ports? Which are in the interior among the mines? Which is the capital of Brazil? What the pop. of Rio Janeiro and St. Salvador? Which way is St. Salvador and Pernambuco, from Rio Janeiro? Of what are the inhabitants of these cities chiefly composed? What is the whole population of Brazil? What proportion are Portuguese? What are the rest? What is the general state of education, agriculture, manufactures and commerce ? What is the character of the Portuguese ? Is their extravagant eagerness for gold and diamonds a great injury to the country, and to themselves? What is their religion? The government? What is the Governor styled? When and by whom was Brazil discovered? When and by whom was its settlement commenced ? 11*