of the United States of the North American republic. It is bounded by the sea and the bay of Chesapeake on the east, by Maryland and Pennsylvania on the north, by Ohio and Kentucky on the west, and by North Carolina on the south. Its greatest length east and west is 350 miles; its breadth 220; and its area is about 56,000 square miles. About one-third of the surface of this state is occupied by the different ridges of the Alleghany chain, which traverse it in the direction of north-east and south-west. These ridges rise to the height of about 3000 feet, and are generally covered with natural wood. That part of the country which lies immediately along the shores of the ocean and the Chesapeake bay is generally flat, sandy, and so poor as to admit of cultivation only on the banks of the rivers. This tract extends about 60 or 80 miles inward. Beyond it, as far as the foot of the Blue ridge or eastern chain of the Alleghanies, the soil is greatly superior, and bears excellent crops of wheat, maize, barley, tobacco, hemp, &c. The soil of the broad valleys between the Alleghany ridges is similar, and that on the western slope of the mountains reaching to the banks of the Ohio, is believed to be the richest of the whole.

In point of climate, this state is probably one of the most agreeable in North America. The extremes of heat and cold, at Mr Jefferson's seat of Monticello, are 98° above, and 6° below zero. The mean annual temperature at Williamsburg is 57°; and the average annual quantity of rain 47 inches.

It is remarkable that, proceeding on the same parallel of latitude westwardly, the climate becomes colder in like manner as when you proceed northwardly. This continues to be the case till you attain the summit of the Alleghany, which is the highest land between the ocean and the Mississippi. From thence, descending in the same latitude towards the Mississippi, the change reverses; and, if we may believe travellers, it becomes warmer there than it is in the same latitude on the seaside.

The principal rivers of this state are, James's river, which falls into the Chesapeake bay after a course of 270 miles, through the greater part of which it admits of boat navigation; York river; Rappahannock; the Patowmac, which separates Virginia from Maryland; the Shenandoah, which falls into the Patowmac; the Monongahela; the Ohio; and the Kenhawna. These rivers afford a great extent of inland navigation, and have contributed much to the improvement of the state.

Iron and lead ores are found and worked in several places. Native copper, manganese, and antimony, have also been discovered. Lime is abundant on the west side, and coal is found on both sides of the mountains. Salt is also extracted in great quantities from springs on the banks of some of the branches of the Ohio.

The wild animals are now scarce on the east side of the Alleghanies, but the bear, wolf, deer, racoon, opossum, are still numerous in the western parts. There are rattlesnakes and serpents of a large size, but they are rarely met with. The remains of the mammoth have been found also in this state. There are various species of wild fowl, of which the most esteemed are the turkeys. The rivers and bays contain a great variety of fish; with which the towns on the coast are generally well supplied.

This state was first settled in 1607 when the whole inhabitants amounted only to 40 persons. In 1703 they amounted to 60,000; in 1790 to 747,610; and in 1810 to 974,672, including 392,518 slaves. The inhabitants of the upper country are generally much above the average stature of Europeans, and strong and active in proportion. On the coast, where the climate is rather unhealthy, the inhabitants are not so tall or athletic. The Virginians are polite, frank, liberal,

liberal, and high spirited; but they are charged with being impetuous, proud, indolent, superficial in their acquirements, addicted to gaming, and lax in their morals. The most prominent defects in their character may be attributed to the debasing influence of slavery.

The legislature consists of a senate and house of delegates; the former composed of 24 members chosen for four years; the latter of two freeholders for each county, and one for each city, chosen annually by the persons possessing land. The executive power is vested in the governor, assisted by a council of eight members chosen annually by both houses of the legislature. The judges are appointed by the legislature, and hold their offices during good behaviour. The clergy are supported by voluntary contributions. The Presbyterians are the most numerous sect.

There are two colleges in this state: That of William and Mary, founded in 1692, is under the direction of 20 governors, who appoint the president and professors, and frame regulations. There are five professorships, viz. law, medicine, mathematics, philosophy, and modern languages. Hampden and Sydney college in Prince Edward county has been lately established. There are academies in all the considerable towns. Hitherto there has been a want of the means of elementary education in this state; but in 1816 the legislature set apart one million of dollars for the support of schools.

The produce of this state consists of tobacco, which is cultivated to a great extent eastward of the Alleghany mountains; maize, or Indian corn, which yields from 12 to 50 bushels an acre; wheat, which yields on an average 15 bushels an acre, being generally raised from land that has been exhausted by crops of tobacco; rice on the borders of the swamps; buck wheat, oats, hemp, and cotton; the last not to a great extent. Potatoes are in general use. Among the fruits are plums, almonds, pomegranates, figs, peaches, and melons. The breeds of cattle and horses are much inferior in general to those of Pennsylvania. Mules and oxen are much employed in agricultural labour. Merino sheep have been introduced, and are extending through the state. Great numbers of hogs are fed on acorns in the woods.

The manufactures of this state are inconsiderable. They consist chiefly of spirits, brewed liquors, salt, cabinet ware, leather, and linen for domestic use. The whole value of manufactures in 1810 was estimated at $12,634,473.

The exports consist chiefly of tobacco, wheat, maize, lumber, tar, turpentine, beef, pork, peltries, &c. The imports are manufactured articles of all kinds, and West India produce. In 1817 the exports amounted to $5,621,442, of which $62,224 were for foreign produce, and the rest for articles of domestic growth. In 1815 the shipping belonging to this state amounted to 71,492 tons. The principal trading port is Norfolk; the next in importance is Richmond the capital.

Virginia, like the other states, has advanced rapidly since the revolution; and having still vast tracts of uncleared land, she has yet a great progress to make. The baneful influence of slavery, however, will undoubtedly throw her behind the northern and middle states, and the restrictions on the elective franchise have also a tendency to prevent the industrious classes from settling here. The value of lands and houses in Virginia in 1799 was estimated in the official returns at $71,225,127, and in 1815 at $65,608,199 dollars. But including slaves the value in 1815 was $263,737,699 dollars. Virginia has had the honour of giving four presidents to the republic; Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. The two first, as well as several other citizens of this state, have been ranked among most distinguished men whom America has produced.