296 Geographical Collections, 



Bural and Domestic Economy The number of cattle, particularly of 



sheep, increases rapidly. The latter has doubled in a very short time ; and 

 as there are no estates proper for the breeding and improvement of sheep, 

 and as there are few merinos, the price of wool, notwithstanding the increase 

 of manufactures, is considerably decreased. Whilst, in 1815, there were 

 scarcely 100 looms for weaving common cloths, Poland now contains more 

 thai) 6000, which annually produce more than seven millions of ells of cloth, 

 of every colour and quality, part of which is exported even to China. This 

 cloth, and the woollen stuffs, such as casimir, flannel, circassias, &c. are 

 almost the only. articles of export from this Isingdom into Russia ; whilst 

 it imports, in return, cotton and silk stuffs, linen cloth, leather, paper, 

 metals, porcelain, ironware, wax, candle, oil, tar, hops, corn, cattle, and 

 even game, fish, and butter. Industry and commerce are maintained by 

 newly made highways, which already extend 138 miles. Thus, for example, 

 the new road from Warsaw to Niemen unites the commerce of the west 

 with that of the east. 



Population The population of the kingdom, at the commencement of 



1829, was 4,088,289, exclusive of the army. In many towns, particular 

 quarters are still assigned to the Jewish population, estimated, in the whole 

 kingdom, at 384,263 individuals. The population of Warsaw, not counting 

 the garrison, was, in 1829, 136,554 j with the garrison, 150,000; the number 

 of Jews was 30,146. 



Military .Condition The army obtains horses partly from Russia. The 



clothing of the troops is manufactured in the same country, producing a 

 revenue of nearly two millions. A manufactory established at Warsaw 

 furnishes the engineers and the artillery with mathematical instruments, 

 which used to be obtained from abroad. Several military schools, established 



in the country, have furnished, during the last six years, 311 able officers 



Nouvelles Ann. des Voyages, Jan. 1831. 



Terrific Mountain Pass in the Department of Isere A path, worn in the 



rock by the feet of mules rather than by the hand of man, forms the only 

 communication between some districts and the Chef-lieu of the Canton, 

 (de Pont en Royano) ; but this path, although uneven, narrow, and verging 

 on precipices, is not the greatest difficulty which is met with on this passage. 

 When the path has reached a certain point, it is blocked up by a perpenr 

 dicular rock, which joins directly with that in which the torrent has dug 

 itself a deep and narrow bed. To advance, it is necessary to get to the 

 other side of the stream ; and the only means of accomplishing the passage, 

 is a basket, suspended by a pulley on a rope stretched across the chasm. 

 Rudely assailed by the impetuous gusts occasioned by the configuration of 

 the mountains, this frail machine is drawn across the opening by a cord 

 attached to it ; and, if the unfortunate passenger should feel alarmed at the 

 prospect of returning in the same way, he has no alternative but to remain, 

 and partake of the privations and the miserable condition of the inhabitants 

 of Rencurel, as impassable mountains shut them in from the rest of the 

 world on all other sides. — D'llaussez' Statistical Account of the Dept, de 

 t Isere, (Dauphine.) 



