Rurepe. 
— 
re 
Oder. 
Rhone. 
Population. 
238 
between Turkey and Russia, derives its source 
from the side of the Carpathian mountains, and 
falls into the Euxine at Akerman, after a course of 
about 600 miles. The Dvina and Pelchora direct their 
course to the Arctic Ocean. The course of the former, 
which falls into the White Sea, is about 500 miles ; and 
that of the latter 450.. The Dvina rises in the province of 
Smolensk in Russia, and falls into the Baltic at Riga, 
after running 500 miles. The Vistula rises in the Car- 
ian mountains, passes Warsaw, and joins the sea 
near Dantzic, after a course of 450 miles. The Oder 
has its source in the mountains of Moravia, and, after 
watering Silesia, Brandenberg, and Pomerania, joins 
the Baltic, after a course of 380 miles. The Rhone 
pees from the Glacier of Furca, and, flowing through 
Lake of Geneva, bends its course to the south, and 
enters the Mediterranean ; its course is 400 miles. The 
Loire rises in Languedoc, and after running 500 miles, 
enters the ocean beyond Nantes. The beautiful stream 
of the Seine, on which the city of Paris is built, falls 
into the English Channel at Havre de Grace, after a 
course of 250 miles. The Ebro rises in the mountains 
of Asturias in Spain, and after a south-easterly course 
of 350 miles, falls into the Mediterranean Sea. The 
‘Tagus has its source in the west of Arragon, and hold- 
ing a course of 450 miles, falls into the Atlantic at Lis- 
bon. Nor in enumerating the rivers of Europe, ought 
we to ft the Thames, which, though one of the 
smallest, is one of the most celebrated ; the seat of Bri- 
tish.empire, and the grand resort of the commerce of 
the woud. 
Excepting a small portion of its most northern limits 
which stret within the Arctic circle, Europe is en- 
tirely situated within the temperate zone, is con- 
tly exempted from the utmost extremities both 
of beat and of cold. In so extensive a track, however, 
the climate must necessarily be very various. While 
its northern states are often cold and bleak, and during 
pean Es ttt lay bound in the frozen chains of winter, 
one 
furnishes them with all the comforts an 
of life. 
even luxuries 
energy and activi 
in knowl 
EUROPE. 
like the Samoids of Asia, in the furthest north. Those 
ancient inbabitants, who seem to have been thinly scat- 
tered, were driven towards the west and north by the 
Scythians or Goths 3 Asia, whose descendants occu- 
y the ter H by the 
g eek eihaiaies from Asia, the ancestors of the Rus- 
sians, Poles, &c. From cenaniytatety unser Iberi 
passed into Spain at a v od ; a late 
ter period, the netnasion of ts Trigarleanea Turks 
took place from Asia. wt 
The irruptions of 
ran the Roman*empire, 
ry quarter of Europe, rise to a new and sin- 
state of society, distinguished by the name of 
Feudal System. As these conquerors of Europe 
had their acquisitions to maintain, not on’ ail 
such of the ancient inhabitants as they 
but also against the more formidable inroads 
invaders, self-defence was their chief care, and seems 
to have been the chief object of their first institutions 
and ‘policy. With this view, mgt soldier, upon re- 
ceiving a portion of the lands which were 
bound himself to in arms against the enemies of 
the community. This tenure, by which they held their 
land, amongst a warlike people, was reckoned both ea- 
sy and honourable. The king or general who led them 
to conquest continuing still to be their head, had, of 
course, the portion allotted tohim. These lands: 
he parcelled out amongst his adherents, binding those 
on whom they were bestowed to resort to his standard 
when required, with a number of men ioned te 
thie extent of territory they. received. :Flis chief olcets 
ed themsel 
imitated the example of their sovereign, and in distri- 
buting’ portions of land to their « dants, annexed 
the same conditions to their grant. Thusa feudal king- 
dom resembled a military establishment rather than a 
civil institution. The victorious army, cantoned out 
in the country which it had conquered, continued ar- 
under its proper officers, who were ordered to 
hold themselves in readiness to assemble whenever oc- 
casion should require their united operations. The 
names of a soldier and a awe to ane: sper Sw ns 
E roprietor, girt with a sword, was ready to 
jet a the sdintothe of his superior, and to soie aes 
field against the common’enemy. Such is the origin 
and outline of that celebrated system which for many 
centuries prevailed throughout the whole of Europ 
Though it seems well calculated for ing : 
assaults, yet it was ill fitted to promote the ends of m- 
ternal ps i and tranquillity, and was unfavourable to 
= 
these barbarous nations who over- political 
ves in eve= state, 
the cultivation of every art but that of war. By the . 
gradual tion of various causes, this barbarous 
structure has been overthrown in most of the states of 
Europe. In some countries, however, considerable re- 
mains of it are still to be found, and in all its former 
existence, may be traced in their laws, policy, and in- 
stitutions. } 
In E almost alone, or in its colonies, aré li+ 
berty and government to be found. In various 
states, freedom is established beyond the reach of ac- 
cident or caprice; and even those governments which 
in theory are more arbitrary or er absolute, 
the diffusion of knowledge, the state of European. 
society and manners, and the force m= 1 9 oom 
has rendered in ice comparatively mild, and atten- 
tive to justice and the rights of the subject: The uni-. 
versal hatred and detestation of which, in this quarter. 
of the world, where the principles of freedom and of 
government are so much better understood, they inva-. 
