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and its principle of action is novel, the discharges |
having to be carried over an incline of inch to the
square foot.
This is contrived by the force of the
head-water. The water withdrawn from the harbour
is replaced by a purer fluid from the river near Han-
ham. Bristol, and its suburbs, till recently were
supplied with water from pipes laid into the houses
from Jacob's wells on the side of Brandon-hill, and
from several conduits and public wells, and there was
a scarcity of wholesome drinking water; but a water
company has now been established by whose works
an adequate supply of the pure fluid is brought from
springs at Barrow, West Harptree, and Chewton
Mendip. Baths and wash-houses have likewise been
erected on the Rope-walk, and extensive baths are
in course of construction at Clifton.

Climate and Vital statistics.] It appears from accurate observations taken by Mr. Stutchbury, F. G. S., curator of the philosophical institution for the 9 years from 1841 to 1849 inclusive, that the annual mean temp. at Bristol is 54.7°, ranging from monthly averages of 53.0° to 57.2°; the average mean fall of rain 31.52 inches, ranging from 22.95 to 43.76 inches; the annual mean of rainy days is 148, ranging from 98 to 179; and the climate may be characterized in the words of Sir H. de la Beche, as "mild and somewhat damp." The maximum height of the barometer during the 9 years was, on Feb. 12, 1849, 30-700, the minimum on Jan. 13, 1843, 27-975, giving a range of 2.725. The prevalent winds are W and SW. The registrar-general's returns show an annual mortality in districts of average salubrity of 2 per cent.; but on an average of five years the mortality within the five registered districts in Bristol appears to have been 2.9 per cent., or 1 in 337; while that of Clifton was 2.2 per cent., or 1 in 45.3. Dr. Kay, in his report on the sanatory condition of Bristol, calculates that there is in the city an yearly excess of 441 deaths, or 30-7 per cent., over what might be expected under more favourable and not impracticable arrangements; and for these remedies are suggested by the Health of Towns superintending commissioner, Mr. Clark, in his report to the general Board.

Ecclesiastical affairs] B. was erected into a diocese by Henry VIII. in 1542, when it was separated from the dio, of Salisbury. The sees of Gloucester and B. have recently been united. The nett yearly income of the bishop in 1835 was £2,351. In 1837 the income of the bishop of Gloucester and B. was returned at £3,968 nett; and in 1843, at £3,989; but a parliamentary return in 1845 states it to be £5,226. The bishop of the conjoined sees is to reside alternately in the neighbourhood of Gloucester and of Bristol. The cathedral church is a beautiful structure in the form of a cross, presenting specimens of the various styles of English architecture. The length is 175 ft.; the breadth of the transept 128 ft.; the height of the tower 140 ft.; and the breadth of the nave and aisles 73 ft. The ornaments are designed in the purest taste. The intermixture of a yellow limestone and red sandstone, in the plain and decorated parts of the exterior of this building, produces a singular effect, particularly in the unequal decomposition of these materials. The episcopal palace, which presented some specimens of Saxon and early English architecture, was burned down during the riot of 1831, and its site is now occupied as a cathedral training school. The chapter-house is a highly ornamented and spacious edifice in the Norman style; it has been recently renovated in good taste.-The church of St. Mary, which occupies the summit of Redcliffe hill, is one of the most elegant ecclesiastical structures in England. "It is," says Camden, "on all accounts the first parish-church in England." It was founded in 1249 by Simon de Burton, mayor of Bristol, and completed in 1376. The style of architecture is English of all dates, and the ornaments are of the most delicate and graceful description. It is built in the form of a cross, having a nave raised above the aisles, and lighted by a series of lofty windows on each side, in the manner of a cathedral. In the muniment room over the north porch Chatterton professed to find the Rowleyan manuscripts; and Sir William Penn, father of the founder of Pennsylvania, was buried in this church; which is now undergoing a restoration under the direction of those eminent ecclesiastical architects, Mr. Britten and Mr. Geo. Godwin. Besides St. Mary Redcliff, Bristol contains 35 parish churches and episcopal chapels. -The Independents have 15 chapels; the Methodists 12; the Baptists 7; and the Society of Friends, Moravians, United Secession, Huntingdonians, Unitarians, Jews, and Roman Catholics, have also places of worship in B. According to returns pro

cured by the Bristol Statistical society, the amount of accommo dation in the several places of public worship in the city in 1841, was as follows:

Established church
Independents
Baptists
Wesleyans

Other denominations

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In the present year, (1850,) the accommodation afforded by the Established church has increased to 31,000, and doubtless a cor. responding increase has taken place in the sittings of dissenting places of worship. An act was passed in the session of 1837 for the erection of a new general cemetery at Arno's vale near the city, which was much needed, as the whole area of the churchyards, including sites of the churches, in Bristol, was only 14 acres. This place of sepulture is much resorted to, and the provision of other district cemeteries out of the city is contemplated. Schools and educational statistics.] From a report on the educational statistics of B., read to the British Association, in August 1841, it appears that there were 598 schools of all classes in B, with 21,864 pupils, of whom about 53 per cent. attended the comschools. A partial return for 1850 gives 60 public and endowed mon day and evening schools, and 11 per cent. attended infautday-schools with 10,076 scholars, and 6 evening schools with about 600.-B. college was opened in 1831 by a proprietary body. The course of instruction in the senior department comprehended, in their fullest extent, all the branches of classical and scientific learning which are taught at Oxford and Cambridge. The junior department was strictly preparatory to the senior. The object proposed in its establishment was not only to lay a solid foundation for classical learning, but also to give a good English and commercial education. Some prejudice was however excited against the college, and it only existed for a few years, its site being now occupied by the Deaf and Dumb asylum. The principal public school is the Bristol Free grammar school, the foundation of which was, while under the management of the old corporation, practically abolished, there being for many years not a single free scholar upon it. The charity trustees having, through the intervention of the Court of Chancery, obtained the manage ment of it, it now affords to about 200 boys a liberal course of learning, including the classics and modern languages, mathematics, &c. The pupils at present pay £6 each per annum; but as the leases granted by the corporation fall in, the income of the school will be augmented by several thousands a-year, and admit of an entirely free education, with exhibitions and scholarships for a much larger number. The Bishop's college is a first class Church of England proprietary school. Queen Elizabeth's hospital is an endowed school, in which the sons of citizens are boarded and educated in English, the classics and mathematics, and afterwards apprenticed to trades. Under the old management the boys on the foundation varied from 29 to 44; they now number 150, and will be speedily, increased to 200. The school. is held in a handsome and substantial building recently erected, at a cost of £21,000, at the foot of Brandon hill. Besides these, there are the Colstone's school for the free education of 100 boys, the Red maids' school for the care and instruction of 126 girls; and other public educational establishments. The charitable establishments in B. are numerous and well-supported; they comprise an infirmary and general hospital, institutions for the blind, deaf and dumb, orphan schools, alms-houses, &c., and, pre-eminent over all, an institution which has had no parallel in history. An orphan asylum has been erected and furnished at Ashley Down, at a cost of £14,000 and upwards, in which 300 children are fed, clothed, and educated. The building fund was spontaneously, and, generally speaking, anonymously contributed, in answer, as the sect who raised it aver, to the faithful prayers of their pastor, the Rev. G. Müller, and it has not a shilling of endowment, but is supported by casual contributions made from day to day. It likewise possesses several literary and scientific institutions, among which the most important are the philosophical and literary society, and the Athenæum. Connected with these are libraries, reading and lecture rooms, a museum, chemical laboratories, and collections of philosophical apparatus. A city-library, contained in a handsome building, was founded in 1615: it now possesses upwards of 16,000 vols. About 1773 a society was formed, called the Bristol library society, to whom the corporation allotted a certain part of the building used for the city-library. The subscribers to the library-now containing 32,000 vols.-have the use of the books which belong to the corporation. A medical library, formed in 1831, contains upwards of 3,000 vols.

History.] By the Britons this city was called Caer Oder, 'the city of Oder,' or perhaps the city of the Chasm.' By some antiquarians B. is supposed to have been the Abona of Antoninus. It is referred to as a fortified city by Gildas in the 5th cent., and by Nennius in the 7th; but it appears first in authentic history during the reign of Athelstan. The Saxons gave it the name of Brito-stow, or Brightstowe, signifying the pleasant city. In Latin deeds it is called Bristowa, and Bristolia. Harold set sail from Bristowe to invade Wales. In the 11th century, a mart for the sale of English slaves existed here, which was suppressed by William the Conqueror at the intercession of Archbishop Lanfranc. By Edward III. B. was made a staple town for wool, and a city and county in itself. Henry VIII. made B. the seat of a bishopric. In the reign of Charles I. B. was first in the hands of the

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parliament. In 1643 it was taken by Prince Rupert, and remained in the hands of the 1oyalists, till Fairfax laid siege to and took it, when the castle and fortifications were destroyed. In the last week of October 1831, this great and wealthy city was the scene e a series of disturbances unparalleled in the modern history of England. Several hundred individuals were killed or wounded in the riot and its suppression; the custom-house, the exciseoffice, the bishop's palace, the public gaols, and more than forty private houses were set fire to; and property to an immense amant plundered and destroyed. This frightful disaster originated in an attempt made by Sir Charles Wetherell, the recorder of the city, who had rendered himself highly unpopular by his conduct in the reform question, to make a public entry into the city previous to holding the assizes.-The family of Hervey takes the title of earl and marquess from this city-Many eminent characters have been born here. Among these were the navigators Sebastian Cabot and Hugh Elliott; William Grocyn, a professor of Greek in Oxford; Sir William Draper, the opponent of Junius: the poets Chatterton and Southey; and T. E. Bowditch, the African traveller.

of township 1,450.-Also a township in Lapeer co., in the state of Michigan, 43 m. N of Detroit, drained by Bell and Clinton rivers. Pop. 884.

BRISTOL BAY, or KAMICHATZKAIA GULF, an extensive indentation on the S coast of Russian America, between Cape Newnham on the N, and the peninsula of Alashka on the S. It receives a river of the same name, the mouth of which in N lat. 58° 27', is 1 m. in breadth, and which abounds with salmon.

BRISTOL CHANNEL, an arm or gulf of the Atlantic, stretching between the S coast of Wales and Monmouthshire, and the counties of Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. It commences with the estuary of the Severn, which forms its eastern extremity; and its western limit may be regarded as defined by a line drawn from St. Govan's head on the coast of Pembrokeshire, 3 leagues WNW W of Caldy island, and Hartland point, a bold cliff [alt. 350 ft.] on the coast of Devon, bearing 104 in. SE from Lundy island. The distance between St. Govan's head and Hartland

the line joining these two points to the mouth of the Avon, is 90 m. The coast-line on both sides of the channel is very irregular. On both sides of St. Govan's head it is rocky, and full of caves and apertures; this character it maintains to the entrance of Carwhich Tenby is situated; the opposite horn by the point of Penmarthen bay. The N horn of this bay is formed by the rock on ryhn Gwye, the extremity of a singular peninsula in Glamorganshire, called Gower. On the other side of this peninsula lies the bay of Oxwich; and beyond this the bay of Swansea expands itinto a semicircular sweep. Beyond Swansea bay, the shore preself. The greater part of the sea-coast of Glamorganshire swells sents the castles of Dunraven, St. Donats, and Fienmuni. The bay of Glamorgan next succeeds; and from its shore, the channel being here much contracted, the heights of the opposite coasts of Devon and Somerset, between Ilfracombe and Minehead, appear finely elevated. The channel here contains the two small islands of the Steep and the Flat holms, which, however, are nearer the Welch than the English coast. The coast of Monmouthshire inclines chiefly to the S, verging at last towards the E. The W

part of it is marshy and low; but as we approach the Wye it becomes rocky and lofty. The width of the estuary of the Severn between the village of Frethern and the mouth of the Avon, varies from 1 to 3 m., according to the state of the tide. The coast of Somersetshire forms an extensive bay, the coasts of which at first present a broad plain bordered by marshes, and continue level to the entrance of Minehead bay, on the coast of which rises the majestic pile of Dunster castle. From this point, the coast of Somersetshire, together with that of Devonshire, which soon joins it, may be called mountainous, abounding in dark cliffs and rocky hollows: 24 m. of iron-bound coast, presenting few spots accessible even to a boat, intervene in fact between Minehead pier and then turning 8, forms Barnstaple bay, the SW point of which is Ilfracombe. The Devonshire coast extends at first due W, and Hartland point, marking the extremity of the channel on this side. Lundy island extends NNE and SSW nearly 2 m. Its mean breadth is only am. Its S end is in N lat. 51° 10′ 22′′, W long. 4° 40′ 15′′ [Denham]; and bears 10 m. NW from Hartland point, and 74 m. NE by E&E from Cape Cornwall.

BRISTOL, a township of Lincoln co., in the state of Maine, U. S., 39 m. SSE of Augusta. It is bound-point is 40 m.; and the length of the channel in a direct line from ed on the E by the Damariscotta; and on the S by the Atlantic; and is watered by the Pemaquid, which affords good water-power. Its harbours are good, and its coasting and fishing-trade considerable. Pop. in 1840, 2,945.-Also a township of Grafton co., in the state of New Hampshire, 30 m. N of Concord. It is generally hilly, and is intersected by the outlet of Newfound lake, a sheet of water 6 m. in length, and about 3 m. in breadth, on the NW confines. The soil is fertile. Pop. 1,153.—Also a township of Addison co., in the state of Vermont, 50 m. SW of Montpelier. The Green mountains run along the E side of it; but the greater part of its surface is level, and very productive. It is watered by New Haven river, and its tributaries Baldwin and Lewis creeks, which afford good water-power. Pop. 1,233.-Also a county in the state of Massachusetts. It comprises an area of 600 sq. m., bounded on the S by the Atlantic and Buzzard's bay, and is watered by Taunton river, which affords good water-power. This co. is chiefly distinguished for its manufactures and maritime trade. Pop. in 1830, 49,474; in 1840, 60,164. Its cap., New Bedford, is the second town in the state. Also a county in the state of Rhode Island, between Mount Hope bay on the E, and Narragansett bay on the S and W.,-a situation which affords it great facilities for navigation. The surface is hilly, and the soil, consisting of a deep gravelly loam, is very fertile. Pop. in 1830, 5,466; in 1840, 6,476.Also a township, port-of-entry, and cap. of the preceding co., on the E side of Narragansett bay, 18 m. SE of Providence. It has a good harbour, and is extensively engaged in the coasting-trade and fisheries. Its shipping in 1840 amounted to 15,890 tons. In this township is Mount Hope, on which the chief of the Pequods, the terror of the early colonists, held his court. It rises 300 ft. above sea-level, commanding a magnificent view. Pop. in 1840, 3,490.-Also a township of Hartford co., in the state of Connecticut, 17 m. SW of Hartford. It is hilly, and is watered by branches of Farmington river. Its soil is tolerably fertile, but this t. is chiefly distinguished for its manufactures. Pop. 2,109.-Also a township of Philadelphia co., in the state of Pennsylvania, watered by Tacony creek, which affords good waterpower. Pop. 1,743.-Also a township of Ontario co., in the state of New York, 212 m. W of Albany. It is hilly, and is watered by Mud creek. The soil is generally fertile. In the centre is a village in which there is an inflammable spring. Pop. 1,953.-Also a township of Morgan co., in the state of Ohio, drained by Meig's creek. Pop. 1,645.-Also a township of Bucks co., in the state of Pennsylvania, on the W bank of the Delaware, at the junction of the Pennsylvania canal, 20 m. above Philadelphia, and 115 m. SE of Harrisburg. It is handsomely built, and possesses an extensive trade in coal. Pop. 1,438. Pop.

The average run of tide up the B. channel varies in strength from 3 to 5 knots between neaps and springs between Lundy ishaving only Lundy island in the way. The N coast is clear from land and the Holms. The mouth of the channel is perfectly open; about Milford, about as high as the Wormshead. On the S coast, from the Land's-end up to 40 in. beyond Lundy, the coast is sufficiently clear for a steam-ship to make at all times; on the N shore are the Mash and Elwick sands, and some others, all in bays. The channel is well-protected from E and SE gales. The prevailing winds are W winds-foggy and thick weather winds. From S round to SW by the W, vessels endeavour, in ascending the channel in thick weather, to keep on the S shore, and can with perfect safety approach it close to in thick weather. [Lieut. Hoskins] "We can ascertain our position," says Lieut. Hoskins of the Great Western steamer, in evidence before a parliamentary commission, accurately by the lead when the state of the weather

will not permit the land to be seen. I have on 18 occasions run up to Bristol,-9 times out of those 18 in the night-time,--and have never stopped on any occasion. By night, and in thick rainy weather, I have ascended the B. channel so on 9 different occasions. In thick weather we ascertain our position from previous calculation of the ship's position, and by the lead. Under such circumstances we go up the channel with perfect safety as high as the Holms; in fact, the whole way, provided we have the right time of tide. The Holms are about 60 m. above Lundy, and 20 m. below Kingroad. In the event of reaching the Holms in very thick weather, and with a falling tide, I should probably deem it prudent to remain till half-flood; after that I do not think anyascend the Avon to Bristol; when we cannot ascend the river we thing could stop the ship's going up. We cannot at all times despatch the mail-bags in a small steamer or by boat. I have landed them nearly at all times of the tide, except at dead low water, by some means or other. The steam-boats either take them up the river, or land them at Pill; thence they are taken by

carriage to Bristol. The mail-bags reach Bristol under the most unfavourable circumstances in from 2 to 3 hours By means of a

pier at Portishead the mails could be landed at all times of the weather and tide."

Lieut. Claxton, harbour-master at Bristol, and managing director of the Great Western steamer, says, that "from Portishead pier to the West Indies is within one-half a point only for the first 6 m., one course, either one way or the other; so that steamvessels going from Bristol may come, in my opinion, nearly blindfold. The distance from Portishead to Samana is 3,633 m. From Portsmouth it is 3,685 m. The straight line from Bristol to Ja

maica would go 30 m. from Cape Clear, on either side." In connexion with this subject, the following details of 62 passages of

the Great Western steamer across the Atlantic, between Bristol and New York, may be interesting:

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Time by Dist run Pas-
chrono- in Naut. sen-
meter. m. gers.

The tide-stream from the Atlantic makes high water off Ushant, the Land's-end, and Cape Clear, nearly at the saine time, viz., from 4 to past 4 on full and change; and the B. channel is filled in two hours after high water at the Land's-end. From Hartland point to Kingroad, a distance of 90 m., the tide travels in about 1 hour. The bore which enters the Severn is 9 ft. high. BRISTOL ISLAND. See ANTIPODES. BRISTOLVILLE, a town in Bristol township, Trumbull co., in the state of Ohio, U. S., 173 m. NE of Columbus. Pop. in 1840, 806.

BRISTON, or BURSTON, a parish of Norfolk, 41 m. SSW of Holt, on the Bure, from which its name is derived. Area 2,450 acres. Pop. in 1841, 963.

BRITAIN (NEW) a group of islands in the S Pacific ocean, between New Guinea and New Ireland, between S lat. 6° and 5o, and E long. 153° and 148°. It consists of one large, and several smaller islands; and comprises several volcanoes. This group was 3,043 131 discovered by Dampier in 1699, and appears to be numerously inhabited. The larger island is supposed to have a superficial area of 24,000 sq. m.

7 57

Arrived.

April 23, 1838.

D. H. 15 10

June 17,

14 16

3.111
3,140

August 5,

14 18

September 24,

16 9

3,050 143

November 15,

19 0

3,100 107

February 16, 1839,

18 20

3,114 104

April 14,

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May 31,

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3,030 114

September 10,

16 20

3,025 113

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August 24,

October 19,

April 15,

July 25,

September 12,
November 7,
April 8, 1841,.
May 27, .

July 14,

September 1,

September 16,

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BRITAIN (NEW). See CANADA, and HUDSON'S BAY TERRITORY.

BRITANNIA ISLES, a group of islets in the S Pacific ocean, to the NW of New Caledonia, in S lat. 20°, E long. 164°.

BRITCHANY, a town of Russia in Europe, in the gov. of Bessarabia, district of Khotin, 12 m. ENE of Liptchany.

BRITFORD, or BURFORD, a parish of Wilts, 1 m. SSE of Salisbury, intersected by the Salisbury and 98 Southampton canal. Area 3,350 acres. Pop. in 1841, 878.

3,014
3,036 111
16 12
3,035 127
15 4 3,093 69
14 24 3,020 64

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Sept. 17, 10 p. m.

14 10

Nov. 6, 64 p. m.

15 8

May 11, midnight,

12 18

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July 1,

Thirty-one voyages,

Average,

Sailed.

May 7, 1838,
June 25,
August 16,

October 4,

November 23,

August 21,
October 7,

BRITH-DIR, a hamlet and chapelry in the p. of Gelli-gaer, Glamorganshire, 10 m. N of Caerphilly. Pop. in 1841, 1,835.

BRITH-DIR ISAF AND UWCHAF, two town60 ships in the p. of Dolgelly, Merionethshire. Pop. in 1841 of B. Isaf 327; of B. Uwchaf 140.

3,068
13 16 3,027 67
15 16 3,025 124
14 4 3,020 136
483 22 94.937 2,806

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BRITISH CHAIN, a ridge of mountains, near and running parallel to the NW coast of America, on the confines of the British and Russian territories, in about N lat. 69° 40′, and intersected by the meridian of 141°.

BRITISH EMPIRE (THE)

Consists of territories in every quarter of the globe, and presents a spectacle of military and commercial power in combination yet unrivalled by any state either of ancient or modern times. Its monarch rules over a territory exceeding 5,000,000 sq. m. in absolute extent, 3.152 80 and of which nearly 3,000,000 are habitable and colonized or settled territory; and commands a host of subjects greatly more numerous than that which owns the sway of any other crowned potentate. The old Spanish boast,-" On our sovereign's dominions the sun never sets,"-is true in the mouth of a Briton: for Queen Victoria's authority extends over two-thirds of the globe in reference to longitude, and within this vast range, various places have noon and midnight respectively at the same moment. Stretching also, with the exception of a few intermediate spaces, from the Arctic circle to the 33d parallel of S latitude, the four seasons are experienced in the dominions of Britain at the same time. "In Europe," says M. Dupin, "the British empire borders, at once, towards the N, upon Denmark, Germany, Holland, France; towards the S, upon Spain, Sicily, Italy, Western 29 Turkey. It holds the keys of the Adriatic and the Mediterranean; and commands the mouth of the Black sea as well as of the Baltic. In America, it gives boundaries to Russia towards the pole, and to the United States towards the temperate regions. Under the torrid zone, it reigns in the midst of the Antilles, and encircles the gulf of Mexico, till at last

3,071 70

94

3,109 81
3,081 68
3,063 43
3,049 30

May 11,1842, 4 a.m.1h. 12 7 3.245 77

June 29, 7.30 a. m.
August 24, 2 p. m.
October 12, 11 p. m.
November 30, 10 p.m.
June 8, .
July 26,

September 14,
November 1, .

12 12
12 19
13 4

3,225 99
3,106 70
3,048 35
12 15 3,077
13 8

12 21

13 8

. 12 17

3,716 126
3,106 104
3,090 73

3,069 99

410 18 96,271 2,458

13 6

3,105

79

it meets those new states which it was the first to free from their dependence on their mother-country, only to make them more surely dependent upon its own commercial industry. Midway between Africa and America, and on the road which connects Europe with Asia, it holds that rock to which it chained the Prometheus of the modern world. In Africa, from the centre of that island devoted of yore, under the symbol of the cross, to the safety of every Christian flag, the British empire enforces from the Barbary states that respect which they pay to no other power. From the foot of the Pillars of Hercules, it carries dread into the heart of the remotest provinces of Marocco. On the shores of the Atlantic, it has built the forts of the Gold coast and of the Lion's mountain. On the same continent, beyond the tropics, and at the point nearest to the Austral pole, it has possessed itself of a shelter under the very Cape of storms. Where the Spaniards and the Portuguese thought only of securing a port for their ships to touch at, and where the Dutch perceived no capabilities beyond those of a plantation, it is now establishing the colony of a second British people; and, uniting English activity with Batavian patience, it is extending around the Cape the boundaries of a tlement which will increase, in the south of Africa, to the size of those states which it has founded in the north of America. Finally, as much dreaded in the Persian gulf, and the Erythrean sea, as in the Pacific ocean and the Indian archipelago, Britain, the possessor of the finest countries of the East, beholds her merchant-factors reign over an hundred millions of subjects. The conquests of her merchants The nucleus of this vast empire is the island of in Asia begin where those of Alexander ceased, and Great Britain, the S portion of which is the kingdom where the Terminus of the Romans could never of England, while the N forms the kingdom of Scotreach. At this moment, - from the banks of the land. Since the legislative union of these two kingIndus to the frontiers of China,-from the mouths of doms, on the 1st of May 1707, the island has received the Ganges to the mountains of Thibet,-all acknow- in all national and solemn deeds the name of Great ledge the sway of a mercantile company shut up in Britain. It is situated in the N Atlantic, and is dia narrow street in the city of London!" An Ameri- vided from the W coast of Continental Europe by a can state-paper bears testimony not less emphatic, narrow arm of the sea called the English channel. though more soberly expressed, to the strength and Its general form is that of an irregular triangle, of resources of this empire. "From her vast possessions which the apex and most northern point is Dunnetin every quarter of the globe, and her peculiar com- head in Caithness, in N lat. 58° 42'; while its base mercial system, Britain has been made the reservoir is the line of coast extending from the N Foreland of the wealth of nations. Her internal resources, in Kent to the Land's-end in Cornwall, a distance of skill, labour and machinery, with her capital, are 320 m. The E side of this triangle has a length of beyond calculation. Her natural position, being 540 m.; the W side, nearly 600 m. Its total area about midway the coast of Europe, gives her great is 83,826 sq. m. Its most southern point is the control over the outlets and currents of commerce. Lizard point, in Cornwall, in N lat. 49° 58'; its Her military occupation of Gibraltar, Malta, the most eastern, Lowestoff on the coast of Norfolk; its Ionian islands, and recently St. Jean d'Acre, give most western, Ardnamurchan point in Argyleshire. her ascendancy in the Mediterranean and the Le-The island now described is the largest in Europe; vant; while St. Helena and the Cape of Good Hope give her possession over the currents of trade along those extensive coasts. Then Bombay, Calcutta, and her immense possessions in the East Indies, together with her recent movements in the China seas and islands, enable her to extend her power over those vast regions that have slumbered for ages in solitary and enervated magnificence. She possesses the Falkland islands but to control the commerce that passes round Cape Horn; while Trinidad gives her all she desires in the Caribbean sea. Halifax at one point, and Bermuda at another, stand out in great force over our own coast from one extremity to the other. Her positions all over the world are at this moment, in a military point of view, equal to 1,000,000 of men under arms. Her continued conflicts in the mighty regions of the East only enable her officers to become skilful and to improve in the art of war, while her great armies and extensive fleets draw their support from the immense countries | Kintyre and Tor-point it is only 13§ m. seized and occupied." It is neither an Englishman Referring the reader to our separate articles ENGnor a writer by any means over-partial to Britain | LAND, SCOTLAND, and IRELAND, for full details re

who writes thus:-" In England, or out of England, one is everywhere met with the evidence of her greatness: whether he stand in the centre of London, and feel the pulsations of that mighty heart which sends its life-blood to the farthest extremities of the British empire, or enter her palaces and manufactories, or walk along her docks, or travel the world, the exclamation is still, 'Great and mighty England!' Her power seems omnipresent; her ships circle the pole, and put a girdle round the earth;' her cannon look into every harbour, and her commerce flows into every nation. She has her word to say in every part of the habitable world. Scarcely a nation projects an outward scheme without first looking up to behold the aspect which England will assume toward it. Possessing the energy and valour of her Saxon and Norman ancestors, she has remained unconquered, unbroken, amid changes that have ended the history of other nations. Like her own island, that sits firm and tranquil in the ocean which rolls round it, she has stood amid the ages of man and the overthrow of empires. A nation thus steadily advancing over every obstacle that checks the progress or breaks the strength of other governset-ments,-making every world - tumult wheel in to swell its triumphal march,-must possess not only great resources, but great skill to manage them. Looking out from her sea-home, she has made her fleets and her arms her voice. Strength and energy of character, skill, daring, and an indomitable valour exerted through these engines of power,have raised her to her present proud elevation."

and one of the largest in the world, though greatly surpassed in point of extent by a few.

The island of Ireland, which, with that of Great Britain, politically forms what is called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, lies to the W of Great Britain, between N lat. 51° 26', the parallel of the N of Somersetshire in England, and 55° 21', the parallel of the centre of Ayrshire in Scotland. It is comprised between the meridians of 5° 20′ and 10° 26′ W. Its outline is proximately that of a rhomboid, of which the longer diagonal extends from Tor-head in Antrim to Mizen-head in Cork, and measures 302 m.; and the shorter, stretching from Carnsore-point in Wexford to Erris head in Mayo, measures 210 m. Its area is estimated at 31,874 sq. m. Between St. David's-head in Wales, and Carnsore-point, the breadth of the Irish channel is 47 m.; between Port-Patrick in Galloway and Donaghadee it is 22 m.; and between the Mull of

lating to these countries and their insular dependen- | 33. Prince Edward's island,
cies, we shall here present a brief and comprehensive
sketch of the British empire in general. The follow-
ing table presents an approximate estimate of the
area and population of this immense empire and its
colonial dependencies:

I.-EUROPEAN POSSESSIONS.
Area in English
square miles.

WEST INDIAN POSSESSIONS.
35. Honduras,
36. Bermudas [settled 1609],
37. Jamaica [taken 1655],
38. The Bahamas,

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34. Newfoundland,

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39. Barbadoes [settled in 1605],
40. Grenada [ceded in 1763],

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Population
by last

41. St. Vincent [ceded in 1763],

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42. St. Lucia,

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911.603

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47,975 48. St. Christopher,

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2,450,764

49. Nevis [settled in 1628],
50. The Virgin Islands,

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169,420

51. Trinidad,

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6. Ireland,

32,445

8,175,124

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9. Malta,

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10. Gozzo,

40

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14,345 210,915

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875

45,601

13. Gold Coast settlements:* viz.,

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15. Settlements in and on the Gambia: viz.,

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In Europe,

16. St. Helena [ceded 1673],

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In Africa,

17. Ascension,

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18. Cape of Good Hope [taken 1806],

110,256

170,695

19. Natal [taken possession of in 1843], 15,000

20. Mauritius (taken in 1810],

708

20,000 167,955

21. The Seychelles [taken in 1810],

80

22. Aden,

5

6,600 22,000

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Ancient population.] All the traces of the past which we can still read in the present, as well as all traditional and recorded history, point to Asia as the cradle of our species, the fountainhead from which all the nations of the earth have descended. At what time the great primitive wave of population first set in upon the western regions of the world, we have no means of conjecturing even with an approach to certainty. There are reasons, however, for concluding that it had overflowed a great part of the continent of Europe, as well as the half-separated peninsulas of Greece and Italy-in both of which it had by that time been partially displaced by a succeeding wave-fully a thousand years before the Christian era. It is the opinion of some of those who have most elaborately examined this question, of M. Gosselin, for instance, the learned French geographer, and of our own acute and ingenious Whitaker, the historian of Manchester,-that it could not have been long after this date before the first emigrants began to pass over from Gaul to Britain: there can be no doubt, at all events, that it was from Gaul that Britain actually derived its first inhabitants. The position of the two countries,-the testimony of ancient authorities,--the resemblance of manners and customs,-the identity of religious doctrines and practices,-and, above all, the clear and strong testimony of language,--all prove the one people to have sprung from the other. The whole of the southern coast of England, from Kent to the Land's end, appears to have been peopled before either the more northern or the midland districts of the island had been penetrated. As the descendants of the original settlers, however, increased in number, and new bands of emigrants successively arrived from the mother-country, the back woods were gradually cleared; till, at last, the whole island had become inhabited. There is abundant evidence that this result had taken place be120,000 fore the commencement of the Christian era. During this inter782.767 val, also, a great part of Ireland had been taken possession of, 710,745 and peopled, no doubt, from the neighbouring coasts of the west 156,162 of England.

602,500
270,000
70,000
230,000
85,000
38,450
37,706

2. Assam,

18,200

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100,000,000
192,289,542

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The numbers under this head are strictly confined to the territory occupied by British settlers; but it is supposed that the aggregate number of the pop. of those districts along the Gold coast which acknowledge and are amenable to British jurisdiction is not less than 275,000, scattered over a territory of at least 6.000 sq. m.

+ The total area of the immense region extending between the parallels of 49° and 70° and the meridians of 55° and 135° cannot fall much short of 3,000,000 sq. m., even exclusive of the islands. The numbers here given are mere approximations to the arca and pop. of the settled districts.

"

Origin of the names Albion and Britain.] The original name of our island is that by which it still continues to be designated in the language of the Scottish Gael,-the unmixed descendants of its primitive inhabitants. They call it Albinn, as we find Aristotle, the most ancient of the classic authors by whom it is mentioned, calling it Albion. Inn is the Gaelic term for a large island;' alb, though not now used by the Scottish Gael, anciently signified white.' It is preserved both in the Latin albus, and in the geographical terms Alps and Apennines, (that is, alp-pennin, or white mountain,') these ridges being so called from the perpetual snow seen on their summits. Albinn, therefore, means the white island;' and the name was probably given to Great Britain from the chalk cliff's which it presented to the view of the people on the opposite coast. As for the word Britain, numerous interpretations have been given of it; but perhaps the

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1,307,000

192,000,000

1,095,000

3,000,000

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