DENMARK. 



779 



6. Climate. The geographical situation of Denmark indicates severity of climate ; but the 

 vicinity of the sea renders the air more humid and temperate than in the interior of the conti- 

 nent in the same latitude. The sky is often obscured by fogs, and rain falls at least on one 

 third of the whole number of days in the year. The summer is often oppressively warm, it 

 begins in June, and ends with September. 



7. Soil. The prevailing soil is sandy. In some parts it consists of a very rich mould, of 

 which the component substances are marl, and a bituminous n)atter. The soil in the island of 

 Alsen is chieHy composed of a very rich vegetable mould. Marshes are found everywhere. The 

 whole of Vendsyssal is one continuous marsh. Some fuller's earth, alum, and vitriol, found in 

 Jutland, and porcelain clay obtained in the island of Bornholm, seem to constitute the whole of 

 the mineral productions of Denmark. 



8. Animals. Deer, foxes, and hares are numerous, and hunting is a common amusement. 

 Sea-fowl abound in the marshy districts. The horses of Denmark and Holstein are celebrated 

 for their strength, beauty, and speed. 



9. Face of the Country. The general surface of Denmark is level, with slight undulations. 

 The coasts are in some parts steep, and bold ; but usually low and sandy. Towards the west, 

 where the Jutland peninsula terminates, the aspect of the country is exceedingly barren ana 

 desolate. 



10. ' Divisions. Denmark is divided into 3 parts, the first comprehending the kingdom of 

 Denmark Proper ; the second the 3 duchies of Sleswick, Holstein, and Lauenburg, which be- 

 'ong to the German confederation ; and the third embracing the Feroe Islands, and Iceland, 

 which are considered as foreign colonies. The kingdom of Denmark consists of the peninsula 

 of Jutland, and the islands contiguous. 



11. Canals. By the canal of Kiel, a communication is maintained between the German 

 Ocean and the Baltic. The canal of Steckenitz, unites the Elbe with the Baltic. The canal 

 of Odensee unites Odensee with the sea. 



12. Towns. Copenhagen, called by the Danes Kiobenhavn, the metropolis of the Danish 

 dominions, is situated on a low and marshy promontory on the east side of the island of Zee- 

 land. Its harbor is excellent, and its quays and dock-yards extensive. The regularity of its 

 streets, the beauty of its squares, and the great number of its elegant buildings, render Copen- 

 hagen one of the handsomest cities in Europe. The royal castle of Christiansborg is a mag- 

 nificent palace with a rich gallery of paintings, and a fine librar}' of 400,000 volumes. There 

 are 3 other royal palaces, and many fine palaces of the nobility. The halls of the university, 

 the town-house, and numerous other public edifices are distinguislied for the beauty of their ar- 

 chitecture. Among the churches are that of Our Lady, adorned with some pieces of statuary 

 by Thorwaldsen, and that of the Trinity, the round tower of which, used as an observatory, 

 can be ascended by a winding path in carriages. No city of its size surpasses Copenhagen in 

 the number and excellence of its learned societies, its scientific establishments, and its institu- 

 tions for education. The university has a good library of 100,000 volumes, and enjoys a high 

 reputation. Copenhagen is the centre of an active commerce and of flourishing manufactures, 

 and it contains a population of 120,000. Its vast docks and its massive and extensive fortifi- 

 cations, are worthy of notice. 



Sleswick, the capital of the duchy of that name, is a long, irregular, but handsome town, 



with 8,000 inhabitants. Mtona, on the 

 Elbe, about 2 miles from Hamburg, is a 

 place of considerable trade, and extensive 

 manufactures. Population, 30,000. Elsi- 

 nore, or Elsineur, at the narrowest part 

 of the Sound, is protected by the strong 

 fortress of Cronborg, and contains about 

 30 commercial houses. It has an excellent 

 roadstead, in which ships anchor almost 

 close to the town. At this place the tolls 

 of the Sound are collected. Population, 

 7,000. Kiel, the capital of Holstein, is a 

 fortified town on a bay of the Baltic, and 

 is the seat of a celebrated university. Pop- 

 ulation, 7,500. 



Cn->tie of Cronborg at Elsineur. Gluckstadt, near the mouth of the Elbe, 



