ENGLAND.

PART THIRD.

In regard to common education or the general diffusion of knowledge among the people, England has not ranked so high as several other European countries. One sixth part of the population are left in ignorance. A fourth part are dependent entirely upon Sunday schools for education. The cause of education, however, is gaining ground in England. Peculiar efforts to promote it, have more recently been made. Schools on the Lancasterian plan have been instituted, promising great usefulness. Sunday schools, in number about 5,775, are exerting a wide and salutary influence. Both children and adults of the lower classes of society, are becoming in greater numbers, instructed and enlightened.

In her exertions to propagate christianity, England has as it were taken the lead, in modern times, and has set an illustrious example to the christian world. By means of those mighty moral engines, Bible, Missionary and tract societies, she has published and distributed the sacred volume in many different languages, and has sent the glad tidings of redemption to many heathen and benighted nations, who now, more or less extensively, are rejoicing in the light of the gospel and in the attendant blessings of civilization and peace. More than 8 millions of bibles and testaments have been distributed by the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the circulation of religious tracts, amounts to 180 millions in 70 different languages.

The established Church of England is the Protestant Episcopal Church, which is under the Government of two archbishops, and 24 bishops, who are ranked with the peers of the realm and are entitled to seats in the House of Lords, in parliament. The archbishop of Canterbury is the highest dignitary in the church, and the most noble lord in the kingdom, next to the royal family.

There are great numbers of Methodists in England and dissenters, viz.: Baptists and Independants, and Friends or Quakers, who are all tolerated in the free and conscientious enjoyment of their religious opinions.

The government of England, or of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, is a Constitutional hereditary Monarchy. The Executive power is vested in the king. The legislative power is divided between the king and Parliament. The Parliament consists of two houses or assemblies. First, The Upper House or House of Lords, containing 425 members, composed of the hereditary peers of the realm, together with the bishops and the repre

sentative peers from Scotland and Ireland. Second, The Lower House or House of Commons, in number 655, being representatives chosen by the people. The representatives from counties are called knights; those from cities are styled citizens; and those from towns or boroughs, burgesses. The 5 orders of English nobility, are dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts and barons.

The principal islands on the English coasts are the following: The Isle of Wight in the British Channel near the southern coast, enjoying a salubrious climate and a fertile soil, abundant in the production of grain. The Scilly Isles off the Lands End, on the south-west coast. The Isle of Anglesea and the Isle of Man in the Irish sea, on the west coast of England and Wales. The Isle of Anglesea is remarkable for its copper mines, and abounding in grain and cattle. The Isle of Man is considerably mountainous, and its soil by nature poor, but by laborious and faithful cultivation it is rendered to a gre it extent, fruitful in wheat, barley and oats, and annually produces many fat cattle for the market. Pop. 30,000.

The national character of the English stands high for intelligence, sensibility, generosity, highmindedness, enterprise and valour.

The naval force of Great Britain consists of 606 vessels of war, of which 165 are vessels of the line. The number of men belonging to the navy and army is not far from 277,000. The British colonies at large embrace about 813,000 slaves, but it is believed that the period of their universal emancipation is approaching.

QUESTIONS.

What is said of common education in England? What part of the population are left in ignorance? Is the cause of education gaining ground? What peculiar efforts are making to promote it? Has England distinguished herself in the propagation of Christianity? By what means? What Church is established in England ? How is the Episcopal church there governed? What other denominations are there found? What is the government of England or of the United Kingdom? In whom is the executive power lodged? In whom is the legislative power? What does the parliament consist of? Who are comprised in the house of lords? Who compose the house of commons? What are the principal islands near the English coasts? Where are they situated and how described ? What is said of the Isle of Wight? The Isle of Anglesea? The Isle of Man? How many vessels of war has Great Britain? How many men in the army and navy? How many slaves in all the British colonies ?

WALES.

Extent, 8,000 sq. ms.-Pop. 805,000-100 per sq. m.

Wales is situated in the western part of the island of Great Britain. Its length is 150 miles. It is divided into North and

South Wales and contains 12 counties. It is a mountainous or hilly region, especially on the north; but it embraces many fertile valleys, and affords to the traveller many grand and delightful prospects.

The soil generally, is fruitful in the necessaries of life. The principal mountains are Snowden and Plinlimmon. The vegetable and animal productions are similar to those of England. The cattle are smaller, but of valuable qualities. The horses also are more diminutive in size, but hardy and patient of fatigue. Numerous flocks of goats range and feed upon the mountains.

Wales is very abundant in mines of iron and coal, and in quarries of slate and marble. It embraces no very large cities or towns, but many pleasant villages and agreeable dwellings,-the abodes of industry and contentment, scattered here and there among the mountains and valleys.

The Welch had their origin from the ancient Gauls. They are proud of their antiquity, and fond of tracing back their pedigrees. They are of quicker passions than the English, but sincere and faithful in disposition, simple in manners, industrious in their habits, and remarkably jealous of their liberties. The chief towns are Cardigan, Caermarthen and Pembroke.

The Isle of Anglesea belongs to Wales. The immediate government of Wales usually devolves on the eldest son of the king of England, who is hence styled the Prince of Wales.

QUESTIONS.

How is Wales situated or bounded? What its length? Its extent? Its population? How is Wales divided? How many counties? What kind of a region is it ? What is said of the soil? Of the mountains? Of the vegetable and animal productions? Of the cattle and horses? Of the flocks of goats? What mines and quarries? Has it any very large cities or towns? Which are the principal ? Whence do the Welch derive their origin? What are they peculiarly proud or fond of? What is said of their passions? Their dispositions, manners, habits, &c.? What island belongs to Wales?

SCOTLAND.

PART FIRST.

Extent 30,000 sq. miles. Pop. 2,366,000. 79 per sq. mile. Scotland, in extent, is more than half as large as England, but not more than one third of it is under cultivation. It is divided into 33 counties.

The Highlands on the north, and the Lowlands on the south, are separated from each other by the Grampian Hills, which run from E. to W. across the middle of Scotland.

The northern or Highland country is for the most part, mountainous and dreary. It possesses a cold and tempestuous climate, but greatly abounds in beautiful small lakes or lochs, with here and there a verdant fruitful valley intervening. The Lowlands of Scotland, S. of the Grampion Hills, very much resemble England, in the face of the country, the climate, soil and productions. Extensive and fertile plains are spread open to the view, yielding abundant herbage, and sustaining great numbers of flocks and herds. Scotland generally, is far better adapted to pasturage than to tillage. The most common kinds of grain are oats, rye and barley. The minerals are coal, iron and lead.

The country is watered with numerous short rivers, which are generally not navigable. The principal are the Loch, the Tay, the Spey, the Dee, Don, Tweed and Clyde. The most noted lakes are, Loch Lomond, Loch Tay, Loch Ness, Loch Nan. The scenery around these lakes is often highly picturesque and romantic. They have excited the admiration of the traveller and awakened the song of the bard. And there is scarcely a lake, fountain, valley, cliff, or torrent in Scotland, that has not been delightfully sung by the original and unshackled geniuses of this interesting country. Poetry and oratory have here found a favorite home, and have been exhibited in all their native simplicity, energy and

charms.

The constitution and character of the Scotch Highlanders correspond in a measure with the roughness of their climate and country, or with the wild and rude scenes of nature among which they are bred. They are manly and robust, patient of hardship, but impatient of control, being of a bold and independent spirit, but generous and hospitable in their dispositions. They are averse to tilling the soil, yet fond of the pastoral life, having always taken good care of their flocks and herds, and looked well to the defence of their country and their rights, against every invader.

The Lowlanders are more mild, sober and refined, distinguished for vigorous intellect, common education and upright morals. There is no people in Europe more generally instructed from childhood, or more virtuously and piously brought up. Many of the Scotch have shone in literature and science with superior lustre. The state of agriculture is improving in Scotland. Manufactures and commerce receive industrious attention.

QUESTIONS.

Between what parallels of latitude is Scotland? In what part of the island of G. Britain is it? What are the boundaries? How large is it compared with England? How many square miles contained in it? How many counties? How many people? What proportion of Scotland is improved or cultivated? How are the Highlands and Lowlands separated? Which of these is north of the Grampian Hills ?

Which on the south? Which way do the Grampian Hills run? What is said of the Highland country? Of its climate? What does it abound in? What of the Lowlands? How does its plains appear and what do they yield? Is Scotland peculiarly adapted to pasturage? What are the most common kinds of grain? What minerals ? What kind of rivers? What are the names of the principal? Where does each empty? What lakes or lochs are mentioned? What is the scenery around them? What have they excited and awakened? What is said of poetry and oratory in Scotland? What of the character of the Scotch Highlanders? What kind of a spirit are they of? What dispositions? What are they averse to? What are they fond of? Of what do they take good care? What is the character of the Scotch Lowlanders, and for what are they distinguished? Are they generally instructed in common learning, in morals and religion? What is said of literature and science among them? Of the state of agriculture, commerce and manufactures ?

The principal cities or towns are, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, St. Andrews, Greenock,Perth, Paisley and Sterling. Edinburgh, the metropolis, is situated on three grand eminences, about a mile and a half S. of the Frith of Forth, and about 400 miles N. N. W. of London. It is composed of the Old and the New Town, between which lies a deep valley, once the bed of a lake, over which are constructed a mound and a bridge, connecting the two towns. The old town is irregularly built, on a lofty, rugged hill, the houses being very compact, and elevated from eight to twelve stories in height, each story containing rooms sufficient for the accommodation of a family. The new town N. of the val