Moscow is pleasantly situated on the river of the same name, standing in the very heart of the empire, and was formerly the capital; it is now inhabited by the chief merchants and manufacturers of the country, and such nobility as do not attend the court. Peter the Great cut a canal from this capital to Pe tersburg, and had Moscow paved, and adorned with noble edifices *.

ARCHANGEL is on the borders of the White Sea, and is a place of good trade. The Russians build some of their men of war here.

The whole of this immense empire, including the Asiastic possessions, is of greater extent than all the other European states together; comprehending the northern parts of Europe and Asia; stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean; but that part called Russia in Europe, is 1500 miles long, and 1100 broad, and is situated between 45° and 70° North latitude.

SECTION LII.

OF RUSSIA, IN EUROPE.

THE most remarkable rivers are, the Wolga,

which after a course of three thousand miles, dis charges itself into the Caspian Sea: the Don, or Tanäis, which falls into the sea of Asoph; the Boristhenes, or Dnieper, which empties itself into

This celebrated city has lately been destroyed.

the

the Euxine, or Black Sea and the Dwina, which falls into the White Sea.

The principal Lakes are those of Ladoga and Onega.

1

Russia is a flat level country, generally niarshy, and abounding in forests, lakes, and rivers. In the northern and middle parts it is intensely cold, and thinly peopled, being covered with snow more than half the year; but the southern, and those parts towards Poland, are more populous and fruitful, and supply the North with provisions. When the frosty season sets in, their conveyance on the snow, in sledges drawn by rein deer, is so speedy, as to enable them to convey fresh provisions to market a thousand miles by land.

The productions and exports of Russia are many and very valuable; the principal are, furs of various sorts, red leather, linen, sail-cloth, hemp and flax, iron, copper, pitch, tar, &c.

Russia carries on a commerce over land, by caravans, to China; and likewise to Persia, across the Caspian Sea.

The Russians were, in general, drunken, proud and selfish, harbarous, ignorant, and mean; but since the time of Peter the Great, they are become much more polished. They are of a good stature and inclinable to be corpulent; their features and com plexions are good, and they have hale, vigorous constitutions.

The Laplanders, who inhabit the coasts of the Frozen Ocean, are of the Tartar make, and clothe

themselves

themselves from head to foot with the skins of the rein-deer.

The established Religion is the Greek church, little differing from popery; but all others are permitted and protected.

This vast tract of land is under the government of one monarch, formerly called Czar of Muscovy,' till Peter the Great assumed the title of Emperor of all Russia.' He rules in a most absolute manner, having the lives and fortunes of his subjects wholly at his disposal. The succession is hereditary, but the reigning sovereign has the power of appointing a

successor.

The history of Russia is not very interesting till about the year 1540, when John Basilowitz reconquered it from the Tartars, to whom it had been many years subject, and restored it to independency. About the middle of the sixteenth century, the Russians discovered and conquered Siberia.

It became an empire in 1721, under Peter I. He is deservedly surnamed the "Great," and perhaps a more extraordinary character, or a more indefatigable prince for the welfare of his people, never appeared. The history of his reign, together with that of his empress Catharine I. is worthy of very particular attention.

The empress Catharine II. ascended the throne 1762, having deposed her consort, Peter III. The emperor John had been deposed some years before, while an infant he was now kept in close confinement, where he remained till 1761, when a feint

being made to release him, he was killed by the officer of the guard.

Her politics have been the admiration of all Europe; but the death of these two unfortunate sovereigns blacken her most illustrious actions. She died in 1796, and was succeeded by her son, Paul Petrowitz, who died suddenly in 1801, and was succeeded by his eldest son Alexander, the present Emperor.

There are several nations of Tartars subject to Russia, which will be spoken of hereafter.

Voltaire's Life of Peter the Great, is concise, and very amusing for young people; Mr. Tooke's account of Russia will be found of great service when they are further advanced.

SECTION LIII.

OF POLAND.

BEFORE the late extraordinary partition

of

this extensive country, it was bounded on the North, by Prussia and the Baltic;

South, by Hungary, and Turkey in Europe;
East, by Russia;

West, by Germany.

*Russia has the greatest extent of territory, viz. all the Eastern part of the country; Austria, the most fertile provinces bordering on Hungary; and Prussia the most commercial, viz. those on the Baltic.

Poland

CRACOW, in Little Poland, was formerly the capital; it is situated on the banks of the Vistula. This city is very extensive, and well built, but the streets are badly paved, though very wide and straight. Its public square is one of the largest in Europe. This city is in Austrian Poland.

WARSAW, in Masovia, was the capital at the time of the partition, and the residence of the court; it stands on the Vistula, is handsome, and well peopled, and is surrounded by suburbs more extensive than the city itself, for the nobility have here their palaces, and the monks their convents. It contains about 40,000 inhabitants. Warsaw, which belonged to Prussia, was occupied by the French in 1806; and, by the treaty of Tilsit, the city and adjacent country was given to Saxony, to be held under the title of the Duchy of Warsaw.

DANTZIC, on the Vistula, is the capital of Polish Prussia, or Prussia Royal; it is a large, beautiful, and commercial city, and a very considerable seaport. It contains about 200,000 inhabitants. In 1807, this town surrendered to the French; and, by the treaty of Tilsit, it was restored to its former independence, under the protection of Prussia and Saxony.

THORN