EUROPE. 



613 



17. Classes of Society. In almost every European state, we find the citizens divided into 

 four distinct classes. The first is that of the nobility, which exists in every state, with the 

 exception of Norway and the Turkish empire. Nobility is, in most cases, viewed in Europe 

 as an hereditary rank; but it can be acquired by the will of the sovereign, and even, in some 

 instances, purchased by money. The clergy form the second class of the community. The 

 third is that of the citizens, or inhabitants of towns, which, in most countries, enjoys peculiar 

 rights and privileges. The fourth and lowest class includes the peasants, and forms the mass 

 of the population in every country. 



18. Industry and Commerce. With the exception of the Nogaiens, Lapponians, and Sa- 

 moiedes, in Russia, who yet lead the life of herdsmen or hunters, all the nations of Europe have 

 been permanently located for many centuries. The cultivation of the soil has, therefore, been 

 carried to great perfection in this part of the earth. Husbandry is pursued with the greatest 

 industry, in the British empire, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, some parts of Italy, 

 Denmark, and Sweden. The agriculture of the east of England, and Scotland, the Nether- 

 lands, Germany, and the northern parts of France and Italy, is most distinguished ; although 

 Russia, Hungary, and Poland, whose agriculture is not nearly so advanced, are the granaries 

 of Europe. The rearing of cattle is, in some countries, pursued only in connexion with agri- 

 culture ; in the mountainous districts alone, it forms the principal branch of rural industry. The 

 cultivation of fruits belongs to the temperate districts, particularly France and Germany ; but the 

 finer fruits can only be extensively reared in the southern parts of Europe. The manufacture 

 of wine is most considerable in France, the south of Germany, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Italy, 

 and the Turkish empire. The finest kinds are produced in Tokay, upon the Chalk Hills of 

 Champagne, the Gold Hills of Burgundy, the banks of the Rhine and Garonne, in Spain, the 

 two Sicilies, the banks of the Upper Douro, and some islands of the jEgean Sea. The olive 

 belongs to the warmer regions, particularly Apulia, Atino, in the Neapolitan territory of Terra 

 di Lavoro, and Spain ; the other vegetable oils are produced in the temperate parts of Europe. 

 The rearing of silk-worms is also peculiar to warmer climates, and is chiefly carried on in Lom- 

 bardy. The cultivation of forests has been greatly neglected in most countries, and in many, a 

 very sensible want of wood begins to be felt, although Europe is, on the whole, well-stocked 

 with wood.* Fishing is peculiarly important to the coast-nations of Europe, who take her- 

 rings, tunnies, anchovies, mackerels, and various other species of fish, from the surrounding 

 seas. Hunting forms a principal occupation only to a few small tribes in Russia. Mining is 

 conducted with great skill in England, Germany, Hungary, and Sweden. 



European industry is rivalled by no other part of the world, either in the diversity or the 

 5Xtent of its productions, althougli the Japanese and Chinese have cultivated some branches of 

 irt for many thousand years. Europe not only manufactures its own raw produce, but also 

 'hat of almost every other region of the earth. The principal seats of European industry are 

 tJreat Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, and Switzerland. The best woolen 

 ■^brics are made in England and France ; cotton, in England, Saxony, and France ; linen, in 

 Germany ; lace, in Brabant ; silks, in France ; paper, in Holland and Switzerland ; leather, 

 tn Turkey and Russia ; china, in Germany ; earthen-ware, in England and France ; glass, in 

 Bohemia and England ; hardwares, in England ; bijouteries, in France and England ; milli- 

 neries, in France ; straw-hats, in Italy ; and jewelry-work, in France, Germany, and England. 



The internal commerce of Europe is carried on in all countries with considerable animation, 

 and is facilitated by well-constructed highroads and canals, which are particularly good in the 

 British empire, the Netherlands, France, Lombardy, Prussia, and Russia. The British, 

 French, Danes, Netherlanders, Swedes, Hanseates, Ragusans, and Hydriots, are most d"s- 

 linguished in maritime commerce. But no nation can in this respect be compared with Great 

 Britain, whose fleets are in every sea, and colonies in almost every region of the earth. Asa 

 medium of exchange, all European states coin money. Many states likewise support a paper 



' Europe was doubtless covered with primitive forests, 

 previous to its being populated from Asia. These forests 

 disappeared before the gradual advance of the original No- 

 iDade tribes, from northeast to southwest. France was 

 pretty well cleared of forests in A. D. 950, though they 

 existed a much longer time in tJermany. Mountainous 

 districts preserve their forests longest, on account of the 

 difficulty of transportation. The mildness of the climate 

 ill Spain and Turkey, renders the destruction of the for- 



ests, for fuel, less necessary. Greater attention is paid to 

 the growth of wood in Germany and Switzerland, than in 

 Italy and France. Austria is covered with forests. Mo- 

 ravia is well- wooded ; Bohemia less so. Hungary l as 

 much wood ; and Transylvania possesses it in abundance. 

 But the best wood for ship-building is furnished by Russia, 

 Norway and Sweden. Britain affords some noble timber, 

 but in "small quantity. 



