344 GERMANY. 



railway bridge 2,600 feet in length, was the birthplace of Copernicus, " terrœ motor, 

 solis stator." In 1724 the " Queen of the Vistula " was the scene of a disgraceful 

 massacre of Protestants. It is an important fortress. The river Derwenz, a 

 tributary of the Vistula, forms the boundary between Prussia and Poland, nearly 

 as far as Strmhurg (5,454 inhabitants). Inowrazlaw (9,147 inhabitants), to the 

 south-west, occupies the summit of a rock of gypsum, and mines of rock-salt are 

 worked near it. It is the agricultural centre of Cujavia, one of the most productive 

 corn districts of Central Europe. 



Bromhcrg (31,308 inhabitants), the largest town in the basin of the Vistula, 

 between Warsaw and Danzig, was founded by the Teutonic Knights, and occupies 

 a very favourable commercial position on the Brahe, a small tributary of the 

 Vistula, joined by a canal to the Netze. It carries on a considerable trade in 

 corn. Konitz (8.046 inhabitants), another town of the Teutonic Knights, lies 

 farther north. 



The Vistula, below its confluence with the Brahe, skirts the terrace upon which 

 rises the town of Kulm (9,628 inhabitants). It then passes Schwetz (5,210 inha- 

 bitants), at the mouth of the Schwarzwasser, and Graudcnz (16,615 inhabitants), an 

 important place of commerce defended by a citadel. Manemccrder (7,580 inha- 

 bitants), one of the earliest towns founded by the Teutonic Order, lies on the slope 

 of the plateau which bounds the alluvial plain of the Vistula on the east. Soon 

 afterwards the river bifurcates, its eastern branch, the Nogat, flowing to Marienburg, 

 whilst the main branch passes beneath the bridge of Dirschau (9,713 inhabitants), 

 one of the most remarkable engineering works of modern times. Prcussiseh- 

 Starrjanl (6,022 inhabitants), the political capital of the district, is far inferior to 

 Dirschau in trade and industry. 



DcDizig (97,931 inhabitants) is a very ancient city. Occupying the slope of 

 the bills overlooking the delta, it is the natural intermediary between the region 

 of the Lower Vistula and the countries beyond the sea. The view enjoyed from 

 the hills above Danzig is indeed one not easily forgotten, more especially that 

 afforded by the wooded heights of Ollra (3,284 inhabitants), a village rendered 

 famous by an ancient abbey. But the very advantages which geographical 

 position confers upon Danzig account for some of its vicissitudes. The town has 

 sustained many sieges, and its commerce has more than once been nearly destroyed. 

 Whilst a member of the Hanse, and subsequently, when subject to Poland, Danzig 

 had its own laws [Danziger WiUk'itr) and coined its own money. It was a kind 

 of Northern Venice, not only because canals intersect many of its streets, and 

 its houses often stand upon piles, but also because of its preponderating influence 

 upon the surrounding country. Several churches, a town-hall, an exchange, and 

 high houses with gable-ends recall these glorious old times. Philip Cluvier, one of 

 the creators of historical geography, Fahrenheit, and Schopenhauer were natives of 

 Danzig. One of the inlands of the town is exclusively occupied by granaries six 

 and seven stories in height. For fear of fire this island is deserted during the 

 night by all but its ferocious watch-dogs, which prowl through its alleys. The 

 export in corn has since immemorial time been the great source of wealth of 



