sovereign county of Switzerland, bounded on the west by the Franche Compte, on the north by the bishopric of Basle, and on the east and south

(a) We have given the detail in Mr Coxe's own words, as it appears to us to deserve attention on account of the greatness of the project, which would have excited admiration had it been attempted by one enlightened by science and liberal arts, much more when it comes through the humble medium of a Russian peasant. It was never executed, as we are just informed by a gentleman who left St Petersburgh about the beginning of June 1793; but the model remains, and is still shown. The same gentleman (we quote his own words) adds, "that every mechanic thinks it practicable; and that the general belief is, that the empress would have built it, had she not found use for all her money in carrying on her warlike and diplomatic transactions with other courts." Neuchâtel south by the cantons of Berne and Friburg. This principality of Neuchâtel and Vallengin extend from the lake of Neuchâtel to the borders of Franche Comté, being in length about 12 leagues, and six in breadth. The plain with the lower part of the mountains is occupied by the district of Neuchâtel, but Vallengin is totally enclosed by Jura. Parallel chains of these mountains run from east to west, forming several valleys in the most elevated parts. The lower grounds of this chain consist of arable lands and vineyards; the higher of large tracts of forest, which in many parts have been cleared and converted into pasture grounds, intermixed with fields of barley and oats. The inhabitants are numerous, and remarkable for their genius, politeness, and active industry. It contains three cities, one town, 90 villages, and about 320 houses dispersed in the mountains. The inhabitants are all Protestants, except two Roman catholic villages: and in 1529 they entered into a strict alliance with the cantons of Berne, Friburg, Soleure, and Lucern. The air is healthy and temperate, but the soil not everywhere equally fertile: however, there are large vineyards, which produce white and red wine, which last is excellent. The pastures on the mountains feed a great number of cattle; there are plenty of deer in the forests; the lakes and rivers abound with fish. The mildness of the government, and agreeable situation of the inhabitants in general in these districts is evident from the great increase of population in the space of 32 years. In 1752 they contained only 28,017 subjects and 4318 aliens: but in 1784 the number was augmented to 31,576 subjects and 9754 aliens; being an increase of near a fourth part in that time. The facility with which the burgheership of Neuchâtel is acquired, may also be accounted one of the means of augmenting its population; for between the years 1760 and 1770, the magistrates admitted 41 persons to this privilege; from 1770 to 1780, 46; from 1780 to 1785, 51; in all 138; many of whom had children before they purchased their burgheership, and 38 of them were foreigners, either German, French, or Dutch. This country has experienced similar changes with the rest of Switzerland during the usurpation of the French.