VAUCLUSE

VAUCLUSE, a department in the south-east division of France. It has been formed out of the ancient province of Avignon, of the county of Venassin, of the principality of Orange, and of a portion of Upper Provence. It extends in north latitude from 43° 41' to 44° 26', and in east longitude from 4° 34' to 5° 38'. It is bounded on the north by the department of the Drome, on the east by that of the Lower Alps, on the south by the mouths of the Rhone, on the west by that of the Gard, and on a small part of the north-west by the Ardeche. Its extent is 1357 square miles. It comprehends four arrondissements, divided into twenty-two cantons, and those subdivided into 148 communes. In 1836 the population amounted to 246,071 persons, chiefly adhering to the Catholic church; but there are about 4000 Protestants, who have their own consistory to regulate their religious affairs. The inhabitants are of dark complexion, with penetrating eyes, spirited countenances, and are gay and lively in their appearance and manners. The face of the country in the whole of the eastern division is mountainous, and in the west is an extensive plain, which may be considered as a prolongation of the valley of the Rhone. The mountains in the eastern part may be viewed as a part of the Alps, or of spurs projected from that range. The highest point of these elevations is 6300 feet; but the main chain of the mountains can be scarcely estimated

higher than from 2400 to 3000 feet. These mountains are all calcareous, and for the most part sterile; but the valleys between them have a soil, partly of sand or of clay, covered with vegetable mould, which, when cultivated, is highly productive. The best soil is in the vicinity of the river Durance and of the Rhone, both of which streams deposit a rich muddy compost in their passage. The district between Carpentras and Avignon is almost covered with a mixture of pebbles.

The chief river is the Rhone, which enters the department from the Gard, and in it receives the waters of the Lizon, the Aigues, the Meyne, the Lorgues, and the Durance. The Durance, which flows from the Lower Alps, receives the waters of the Jabron and of the Cavallon before it joins the Rhone. The Rhone is the only stream that is navigable; but there are many small artificial canals, which, though chiefly designed for the purpose of irrigation, are made available for the transport of heavy goods.

The climate is mild and healthy, but subject to great changes. The trees in some seasons begin to blossom in February, but are often checked by severe cold and showers. The husbandry is in an imperfect state; green crops and even clover are not known, though lucerne is cultivated in some parts. The chief grains are wheat, barley, rye, buckwheat, and maize. The whole growth of these is annually 6000 quarters, which is not sufficient for the consumption of the inhabitants. The chief product for sale is wine. The vine trees yield some oil, which, with dried fruits and saffron, forms the chief object with which are exchanged the foreign luxuries that are consumed. Silk worms are kept in some districts. The spinning and weaving of silk is the chief occupation of the inhabitants; and the weaving is all to employ 2600 looms. These goods form a part of the exports, to which may be added madder, which is raised and prepared for the dyers. Some springs of saline water furnish culinary salt. This department returns two members to the representative chamber. The capital is the city of Avignon, with a population, in 1835, amounting to 2786.

VAUD or WAADT, a canton of Switzerland, in the west-most part of it, extending in north latitude from $46^\{\backslash circ\}\; 17\text{'}$ to $47^\{\backslash circ\}\; 5\text{'}$, and in east longitude from $5^\{\backslash circ\}\; 54\text{'}$ to $7^\{\backslash circ\}\; 1\text{'}$. It is bounded on the north by the canton and lake of Neuchâtel, on the east by Freyburg, on the south-east by Berne and Vals, on the south by the lake of Geneva, on the south-west by Geneva, and on the west by the kingdom of France. It is 893 square geographical miles in extent, and is divided, under a new constitution introduced in 1831, into nineteen districts, and subdivided into sixty circles, each of which comprehends either one or two, and a few three, communes or parishes. The population in 1838 amounted to 183,582 persons, of whom 175,000 are of French extraction, and speak that language; the remainder are of the German race. The prevalent religion is the Calvinistic, which possesses 7 parish churches; but in the district of Eschallans, the Catholic worship is established over seven parishes, and it is tolerated in all other parts of the canton. By the new constitution a simple democracy has been established. The legislative body consists of 184 deputies, who are chosen every fifth year by all the inhabitants. The executive and administrative power is vested in a council of seven members, selected from the members of the legislature, and appointed for six years. The judicial power is in a state of transition. The military administration is in a state of transition, and it superintends the army, or rather militia, which comprehends horse, foot, and artillery. The force mustered exceeds 24,000 men of all arms; and there are 1000 in Lausanne and at Morges institutions for the education of military students. The civil and moral education is conducted in two academies, seven colleges, and 613 primary

or parish schools. The annual revenue is derived from a land tax, a tax on patents or licenses to trade, a salt tax, a stamp tax, and some smaller items. It amounts to about one million francs, and the expenditure is nearly equal to it. The contribution to the general confederation is 59,280 francs, and the contingent of troops is fixed at 2964 men.

The face of the country in Vaud is generally undulating, with hills of moderate height and pleasing valleys, but inclosed by chains of mountains, which in the south reach the highest point among the Alps. The greater part of the canton is the finest part of Switzerland. It presents to the view rich and beautiful plains, valleys varying in extent, gentle acclivities, verdant meadows, and delightful shores around the most wonderful lakes of this romantic division of Europe. It must however be acknowledged, that in these plains the soil is generally so heavy and difficult to work, and that in the more elevated spots so thinly covered with vegetable mould, that agriculture is by no means a profitable pursuit, and the inhabitants are mostly occupied in the breeding of cattle and the cultivation of the vine. The best wine, called Vaud wine or Ryff wine, is made between Vevay and Lausanne. Those called Vins de la Cote, made between the latter city and Geneva, are all white, while the best red wine is that made on the lake of Neuchâtel; but much is made in other districts. The growth of fruit is very extensive, and there are many extensive woods of chestnuts. Tobacco is raised of good quality, and in some parts hemp and flax. The main object of rural husbandry is however the breeding of cattle.

In the mountains of Aigle and Bex is the only salt spring in Switzerland. There is very little manufacturing industry, except for domestic utensils. Some leather is tanned, and a few cutlery articles are made at Vallorbe; and there is a little porcelain and some coarse pottery ware prepared in different districts. The commerce consists chiefly of the transport of French wares to the interior of Switzerland and to Germany, and in the export of wine and cheese, and of live cattle. The imports consist of French brandy, snuff, sugar, coffee, woollen and cotton cloths, iron, leather. The corn grown is seldom equal to the consumption, and in most seasons wheat and barley form a part of the import articles.