word lately introduced to express a view or survey of any kingdom, county, or parish.

A Statistical view of Germany was published in 1790 by Mr B. Clarke; giving an account of the imperial and territorial constitutions, forms of government, legislation, administration of justice, and of the ecclesiastical state; with a sketch of the character and genius of the Germans; a short inquiry into the state of their trade and commerce; and giving a distinct view of the dominions, extent, number of inhabitants to a square mile; chief towns, with their size and population; revenues, expenses, debts, and military strength of each state. In Prussia, in Saxony, Sardinia, and Illyricum, attempts have also been made to draw up statistical accounts; but they were done rather with a view of ascertaining the present state of these countries, than as the means of future improvement.

A grand and extensive work of this kind, founded on a judicious plan, conducted by the most patriotic and enlightened motives, and drawn up from the communications of the whole body of the clergy, was undertaken in Scotland in the year 1790 by Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster, one of the most useful members of his country. Many praises are heaped upon genius and learning; but to genius and learning no applause is due, except when exerted for the benefit of mankind; but gratitude and praise is due to him whose talents shine only in great undertakings, whose happiness seems to consist in patriotic exertions, and whose judgment is uniformly approved by his successors. A work of this kind, so important in its object, so comprehensive in its range, so judicious in its plan, and drawn up by more than 900 men of literary education, many of them men of great genius and learning, must be of immense value. Sixteen volumes octavo are already published; and it is supposed that the work will be completed in two or three additional volumes.

The great object of this work is to give an accurate view of the state of the country, its agriculture, its manufactures, and its commerce; the means of improvement, of which they are respectively capable; the amount of the population of a state, and the causes of its increase. Statistics, viz. political or statistical philosophy; that is, the science, which, in preference to every other, ought to be held in reverence. No science can furnish, to any mind capable of receiving useful information, so much real entertainment; none can yield such important hints, for the improvement of agriculture, for the extension of commercial industry, for regulating the conduct of individuals, or for extending the prosperity of the state; none can tend so much to promote the general happiness of the species.