SECTION VII.

OF GREAT-BRITAIN.

GREAT BRITAIN and Ireland, with several

smaller islands in the Western Oceau, compose one united hereditary kingdom.

The island of Great Britain is divided into England, Scotland, and the principality of Wales,

England and Scotland were formerly two kingdoms, but were united under one sovereign in the year 1603, when James VI. of Scotland, became by inheritance, and by the last will of Queen Elizabeth, king of England; and in 1707, they were more firmly united into one kingdom, under Queen Anne.

Wales, anciently called Cambria, was united to England in the year 1282, under Edward I. who defeated and killed Llewellyn, the prince of that country. Edward's eldest son was afterwards declared prince of Wales; since which time, all the eldest sons of the kings of England have had that title.

The island of Britain is about 520 miles long, and near 300 miles broad; and lies between 50° and 59 north latitude.

This island was first invaded by Julius Cæsar, the Roman Emperor, 55 years before the birth of Christ. Several years after, the Romans made a second expedition, and the Britons a brave de→ fence; but they were at length defeated, and their king, Caractacus, carried prisoner to Rome. Afterwards

wards the Romans, the Saxons and Danes became successively masters of this country.

In the year 1066, William of Normandy possessed himself of it, during whose reign the Free Saxon constitution and laws were first acknowledged in writing; which were afterwards more explicitly confirmed by king John, in a famous, deed entitled MAGNA CHARTA. The beheading of king Charles I. produced another remarkable revolution; and in 1689, the prince of Orange was called to the throne, under the title of William III.; he was the grand son of Charles, and had married Mary, Charles's grand-daughter, who reigned with him.

His present Majesty is George III.; who was proclaimed in 1760. Since the Union of Ireland with England, the King's title, in English, is expressed by these words:-" GEORGE the THIRD, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith."

SECTION VIII.

OF ENGLAND.

ENGLAND is bounded on the

North, by Scotland,

South, by the British Channel,

East, by the German Ocean,

West, by St. George's Channel and the Irish Sea. It is divided into 40 counties, besides 12 counties in Wales, making in all 52.

The

The 40 English counties are as follow:

Six in the North, viz.

England is 360 miles from North to South, that is, from Berwick on Tweed to the Isle of Wight; and about 300 miles from East to West, that is, from the Isle of Thanet, in Kent, to the Land's End, in Cornwall.

It lies between 50° and 56° North Latitude.

SECTION IX.

OF ENGLAND.

1. IN NORTHUMBERLAND, the chief towns are, * Newcastle, upon the river Tyne;

* Berwick upon Tweed, a town and county of itself;

Tinmouth, Shields, and Hexham, all upon the Tyne.

Newcastle is famous for coals and Salmon.

2. In CUMBERLAND, the chief towns are, *Carlisle, Penrith, Cockermouth, and Whitehaven on the Sea.

3. In WESTMORELAND, the chief towns are, * Appleby and Kendal.

4. In DURHAM, the chief towns are, * Durham, Stockton, and Sunderland on the Sea.

Durham is noted for its mustard; Sunderland for coals.

5. YORKSHIRE is the largest county in England, and is divided into three Ridings, called the North Riding, the East Riding, and the Weft Riding.

* Towns where the Assizes are held.

The

The chief towns of the North Riding are, Richmond, Scarborough, Malton, Whitby, and Northallerton;

Of the East Riding, Kingston-upon-Hull, Beverley, Burlington.

Of the West Riding, * York, Leeds, Halifax, Wakefield, Ripon, Pontefract, Boroughbridge, Sheffield, and Doncaster.

York is reckoned the second city in England, and has a noble minster; but little trade is carried on here.

Scarborough is famous for its Spa.

Sheffield is noted for its hardware manufactures; and Leeds for its cloth trade; which branch is also carried on in several other towns in Yorkshire.

6. In LANCASHIRE, the chief towns are, * Lancaster, Manchester, Preston, Wigan, and Liverpool upon the River Mersey, a considerable sea-port.

In this county are a great number of cotton and linen manufactories, more especially at Manchester.

7. In CHESHIRE, the chief towns are, Chester on the river Dee, Namptwitch, and Macclesfield. Cheshire is a county-palatine, and has distinct privileges.

Chester gives the title of Earl to the prince of Wales, and the county is noted for cheese and salt. 8. In DERBYSHIRE, the chief towns are, * Derby and Chesterfield.

This county is celebrated for many natural curisities; among which is the Peak.