PRUSSIA. 



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Pregel, is a large city, with straight and spacious streets, and 70,000 inhabitants. It carries 

 on an active commerce, and it contains a university, observatory, several gymnasiums, &c. Its 

 port is Pillau, at which the largest vessels stop, as there is not sufficient depth of water in the 

 Frische HafF. Dantzic^ formerly the capital of a republic, is the principal commercial port of 

 Prussia, being the outlet for the products of Poland. It is beautifully situated, but badly 

 built, and is one of the chief Prussian fortresses. Population, 63,000. The other most im- 

 portant towns in this part of the country are Elbing, a manufacturing and commercial place, 

 with 20,000 inhabitants ; Thorn, the birthplace of Copernicus, with 11,000 inhabitants ; ana 

 Tilsit 1 with a population of 12,000. 



Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony, is one of the strongest fortresses in Europe, and is a 

 commercial place of some importance. Population, 51,000. The other principal towns of 

 this province, are Halle, important from its salt-works, its manufactures, its book-trade, and its 

 celebrated university, with 26,000 inhabitants ; Halberstadt, with an active trade, and a 

 magnificent cathedral, 16,000 inhabitants ; and Erfurt, noted for its literary establishments, its 

 flourishing commerce and its strong work?, and containing 25,000 inhabitants. JMunster, capi- 

 tal of Westphalia, is interesting from its historical associations. The peace of Westphalia, 

 1648, was signed in the council-house of Munstei'. Population, 18,000. 



Cologne, on the Rhine, the capital of the province of the Rhine, is a strongly fortified, 

 commercial, and manufacturing city. Its cathedral is one of the finest in Germany. Popula- 

 tion, 65,500. In the neighborhood are Dusseldorf, with extensive manufactures, and 28,800 

 inhabitants ; Elberfeld, which has lately been rendered one of the most flourishing towns of 

 Germany by its manufactures of wool, silk, cotton, &c., and its brisk trade, 30,000 inhabit- 

 ants ; Barmen, adjoining the latter, with 20,000 inhabitants, engaged in the same manufactures, 

 and Bonn, noted for its university, with 12,000 inhabitants. Coblentz, at the junction of the 

 Moselle with the Rhine, is chiefly remarkable for its immense military works, designed to 

 render it the bulwark of Germany on the side of France. Population, 15,000. 



Aix-la-Chapelle, an ancient city, pleasantly situated between the Rhine and the Meuse, has 

 long been a place of historical interest, and the mineral waters in its vicinity have for centuries 

 been much resorted to. It was the favorite residence of Charlemagne, who built the celebrated 

 minster. The old town-house, in which 55 German emperors were crowned, is also an inter- 

 esting object. The important treaty of peace, called the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, was con- 

 cluded here, in 1748 ; and, in 1818, a congress of the great powers was held in this city. The 

 inhabitants are actively engaged in manufactures of cotton and woolen goods, watches, and jew- 

 elry, and carry on a brisk trade. Population, 37,000. In the neighborhood is Treves, wuh 

 15,500 inhabitants, which contains many remains of its former splendor, and a celebrated cathe- 

 dral and church of Our Lady. The Roman bridge over the Moselle, and the vast structure 

 called the Black Gate, are the most remarkable monuments of antiquity. Crejield, with 16,000 

 inhabitants, and Wesel, 14,000, noted for their manufactures ; Saarlouis, an important fortress, 

 and Xanten, interesting from its magnificent cathedral and numerous antiquities, are also in this 

 section of the country. 



13. Agriculture. In much of the eastern section, the implements of husbandry are rude, 

 and agriculture is in a backward condition ; but in the western section, much of the country is 

 skilfully cultivated. The raising of cattle and sheep is the employment of many of the inhabi- 

 tants ; the vine is cultivated along the Rhine. 



14. Manufactures. The principal articles of manufacturing industry are woolen, linen, and 

 cotton goods, land hardware. Silesia and the Rhenish governments are the most extensively 

 engaged in this branch of industry. Iron and steel wares are made largely at Berlin, Solingen 

 and Iserlohn. The printing-presses of Berlin and Halle are numerous and productive. 



15. Commerce. Prussia has httle maritime commerce, and but a small commercial, and no 

 mihtary marine. Corn, provisions, cattle, the Silesian linens, the Rhenish and Moselle wines, 

 the Westphalian hams, and amber and metallic ornaments, are the chief exports. Colonial oi 

 India goods form the bulk of the imports. The inland trade is more extensive. 



16. Religion. Perfect religious freedom exi'sts in Prussia. Three fifths of the inhabitants 

 belong to the Evangelical or United Lutheran-Calvinist church. There is a Protestant arch 

 bishop of Koenigsberg, and there are bishops of Berlin, Stettin, and Potsdam. The Catholics 

 are most numerous in the provinces of Posen, Westphalia, and the Rhine. There are two 

 Catholic archbishops, of Cologne and Posen, and six bishops 



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