late arduous and heroic struggles of Poland, to recover her lost liberties, have lamentably failed, and she has been compelled, through weakness and despondency, to sink down again under the iron yoke of bondage.

Poland in general, is a plain country, with a temperate climate and a soil which is by nature extensively fertile and productive, especially in grain and pasturage. But the cultivation of the land has been wretchedly conducted, and in many instances, the fields have been tilled till they are worn out. Manufactures, commerce, education, religion, and almost every important interprise and interest, are here in a languishing condition, through a want of the pure air of liberty, and the genial influence of a mild and free government. There is due proportion of noble manliness in the persons of the Poles. Their complexion is fair, and they are constitutionally animated by a generous, hospitable, active and heroic spirit. The Polish gentlemen have been distinguished for their skill in horsemanship, and their fondness for military pomp and show. The peasantry have long been accustomed to a passive and patient submission to the offices of menial servants. The heart-rending distinction between nobility and absolute slavery has been peculiarly visible in this country. Many of the nobles have been possessed of vast estates, and been surrounded, at home and abroad, by a numerous train of degraded vassals, who have been in the habit of looking up to their lords as a kind of superior beings, on whom they were dependent for daily bread, and to whom they considered themselves owing all possible subjection and servitude.

Before the commencement of the late insurrection, the people of Poland were estimated at about four millions, of whom about one tenth were Jews. As many as three fourths are Catholics. Warsaw, the capital, is on the Vistula, and is surrounded by a wall and strongly fortified. It has contained many elegant palaces and public buildings, and a population of 126,000; but having recently been exposed to the fierce fire of the Russian artillery, and been made a scene of anarchy, blood and carnage, its present situation must be deplorable. Cracow on the south, lies in the vicinity of the salt mines, and is favorably situated for trade, on a plain watered by the Vistula.

QUESTIONS.

What was Poland formerly? When did it cease to be an independent nation? Among what nations has it been divided? Which has taken the largest portion ? What are the extent, boundaries and population of Poland at present? What has been the result of the late struggles in Poland? What kind of a country is Poland? What of the climate and soil and productions? What of the cultivation? Of the manufactures, commerce, education, &c.? How are the persons of the Poles de

scribed? Their complexion and character? What of the Polish gentlemen? Of the peasantry? What part of the people are Catholics? How many Jews? Where is Warsaw and how described? What is the situation of Cracow ?

NETHERLANDS.

Extent, 25,000 sq. ms.-Pop. 6,250,000.

Netherlands is east from England, and is distant about 90 miles across the German or north sea. It is nearly equal to the half of England, in size and population. It has two principal divisions, viz. Holland on the north and Belgium on the south. These for several years were under one government and constituted one kingdom, though in language, character, manners and institutions, they are very different from each other. But since the year 1830, when the independence of Belgium was acknowledged, these two divisions of the Netherlands have been considered as separate kingdoms, each having a king and government of its own. will therefore take a view of them separately.

HOLLAND.

Extent, 13,000 sq. ms.-Pop. 2,750,000-211 per sq. m.

We

Holland is a name frequently given to the seven United Provinces in the northern part of the Netherlands and is inhabited chiefly by the Dutch.

It is uniformly a low, level country, or one continued marshy plain, intersected by canals and ditches, in every direction, and almost without number. As it is, to a great extent, lower than the level of the sea, it is secured from inundation, by dykes or artificial embankments, with incredible labor, and at vast expense. The climate is cold and extremely moist, and usually unpleasant and unhealthy to foreigners. The soil is a deep, rich mould, but in general, not well adapted to cultivation.

By draining it is rendered good for pasturage, and produces many fine meadows. So that the wealth of the Hollanders consists principally in the vast number of their herds and flocks, and in the abundance of beef, butter and cheese, of the finest quality.

The character of the Dutch is remarkably suited to their situation, and in a great measure formed by it. They are described as of a cold and phlegmatic temperament, as deficient in vivacity and in the tender sensibilities of the heart; but wonderfully patient of toil, and steady, industrious and persevering, in the pursuits of every desirable object, especially gain. No people in the world are better acquainted with the art of acquiring wealth, or of preserving it. The effects of their industry and enterprise are

very striking. They excel the most of European nations in commerce, and the fisheries, and hold a respectable rank in learning and science. There is a peculiar neatness visible in and around their dwellings. They treat their cattle and horses with particular and tender care, and have the credit of keeping some of the largest and finest in Europe. Their dairies also receive laborious and unremitted attention and yield great profit. Smoking tobacco is a universal custom among them, and the youth are extremely expert in skating.

The common language in Holland is called Low Dutch and is a dialect of the German. The government is a constitutional, hereditary monarchy. The legislative congress is called the States General, and is composed of two chambers, whose members meet once a year. In religion, the Dutch generally are Calvinistic Protestants. The principal cities are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Hague, Utrecht, Leyden, Groningen and Harlem.

Amsterdam is situated on an arm of the Zuyder Zee, and is divided into two parts by the river Amstel. The ground on which it stands is of so marshy a nature, that almost the whole city has necessarily been built upon oaken piles driven into the earth. It has long been considered as one of the most commercial and opulent cities in Europe, but for several years its prosperity has been declining. There is a striking beauty and grandeur in its public buildings and works. The Stadt house in the centre of the city, built upon 14,000 large piles, is an edifice of superior magnificence. And the numerous canals intersecting the town in every direction, and adorned with rows of trees and pleasant walks,add greatly to the interesting view here presented. Pop. above 200,000.

Rotterdam is 36 miles south of Amsterdam, on the Meuse, and is a place of great commercial advantages. By means of its capacious canals, large ships are introduced into the middle of the city and brought to the very doors of the merchants' ware-houses. Hague is a large and beautiful town, not distinguished for trade, but as a seat of government and the residence of the Royal family. Leyden, Utrecht and Groningen are celebrated for their universities.

The Grand Duchy of Luxemburg in Germany, belongs to Holland.

QUESTIONS.

What is the course and distance of the Netherlands from England? What sea lies between them? Of what extent and population is the whole of the Netherlands? What are its two chief divisions? When did Belgium become a separate and independent kingdom?

Where is Holland and of what extent and population? What are the people called? What kind of a country is it? By what intersected? By what secured from inun

dation? What of the climate? Of the soil? In what does the wealth of the Hollanders chiefly consist? What of their character and temperament? In what do they excel? What of their learning? Their neatness? Their treatment of cattle? Their dairies? Their language? Their government? Their religion? What are some of the principal cities? What is the situation of Amsterdam? On what is it built? What of its stadt house? Its canals? Which way from it is Rotterdam and how described? What of Hague? Leyden, Utrecht and Groningen? What part of Germany belongs to Holland?

BELGIUM.

Extent, 11,500 sq. ms.-Pop. 3,600,000-304 per sq. m、

Belgium is a name given to what was formerly called the Austrian Netherlands. It is south of Holland, west from Germany, and north from France, and is divided into eight provinces. It is of a plain surface or moderately variegated with an agreeable climate. The lands are excellent and highly cultivated, and rich in crops of grain, hemp and flax. This country has long been celebrated as one of the richest and fairest portions of Europe.

The Belgians are hospitable, industrious and energetic, in character, skilled in manufactures, of linen in particular, and like the Dutch, remarkable for economy and cleanliness in their domestic arrangements. They are generally Roman Catholics by profession, and in a degree superstitious, and very fond of religious ceremonies. The number of Protestants among them is but about 10,000, and there are not far from 30,000 Jews. The government is a limited, hereditary monarchy. The Belgians for the most part, speak the French language and imitate the French in their dress and manners. They have three universities, viz. at Louvain, Ghent and Liege.

The chief cities are Brussels the capital, Antwerp, Ghent, Liege, Bruges and Louvain. Brussels is a rich, gay and splendid city, celebrated for its public walks and fountains, and for its manufactures of lace, camlets and carpets. Pop. 80,000. Ten miles south from Brussels, is Waterloo, famous as the field of the great battle of 1815, which resulted in the termination of the European war and the downfall of Napoleon. Antwerp on the Sheldt, has a harbor sufficient for the accommodation of 1,000 vessels, and was once the greatest in commerce of all the cities of Europe. It has much declined, but is now reviving. In the year 1832 the citadel of Antwerp was besieged by the French, and taken from the Dutch. Pop. 66,000.

QUESTIONS.

What are the boundaries, extent and population of Belgium? How is the surface described? The quality of the lands? For what has Belgium been celebrated? What is said of the character and employments of the people? Their religion ?

Government? Language and manners? Their universities? Chief cities? What is the description of Brussels? Where is Waterloo and how celebrated? What is said of Antwerp?

DENMARK.

Extent, 22,000 sq. ms.-Pop. 2,000,000-90 per sq. m.

Denmark consists of the peninsula of Jutland, between the north sea and the Baltic, with several adjacent isles in the Baltic sea, the principal of which are Zealand, Funen and Laland. It also includes the duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg, in Germany N. of the Elbe and the Duchy of Sleswick, between Holstein and Jutland.

Denmark is generally a plain, fertile country, without mountains and with inconsiderable hills. The streams are numerous but small. The climate is very moist, yet temperate for the lati tude, and healthy, resembling that of England. The soil being peculiarly adapted to grass, the rearing of cattle is a leading pursuit; so that great numbers of horned cattle, horses, sheep and swine, are annually produced for exportation.

Agriculture is skilfully conducted, and the lands in the southern portion are well improved, yielding large quantities of grain, hemp, flax and tobacco. Manufactures are not flourishing; but the commerce of the Danes is considerable, as their advantages for navigation are peculiar. For several years, however, their commerce has been diminishing. As a people, they are not distinguished for activity, enterprise, or ambition; but they are honest and diligent in business, and well instructed in the rudiments of common learning. Literature is patronized by the government, and common schools are found in almost every village. There are respectable universities at Copenhagen, the metropolis, and at Kiel, the capital of Holstein.

Copenhagen is situated on the eastern side of the island of Zealand, with a good harbour, and is one of the largest and finest cities in the north of Europe. It is the residence of the royal family, the seat of literature, and of the great public institutions of the kingdom. Pop. 105,000. Altona is near Hamburg, on the Elbe, and is the second city in Denmark for commerce, and with respect to population. Elsenore is on the island of Zealand, 20 miles north of Copenhagen, at a point where the width of the sound is only four miles. It is noted as the place where toll is collected of all ships passing into the Baltic. The toll amounts annually to a large sum, and constitutes an important source of revenue to the Danish government.