SWEDEN. 



787 



Dy the Canal of Stromsholm ; and with the Bahic, by the Canal of Sodeitelge. The Canal 

 of Gotha extends from Soderkoping, on the Bahic, across the peninsula, by the lakes Wener 

 and Wetter, to Gotlenburg, on the Cattegat, 150 miles ; this canal is 21 feet deep, and 24 

 feet wide. 



16. Towns. Stockholm, the capital, is situated at the junction of the lake Malar with an inlet 

 of the Baltic. It stands upon seven small, rocky islands, beside two peninsulas, and is built 

 upon piles. A variety of picturesque views are formed by numberless rocks of granite rising 

 boldly from the surface of the water, partly bare and craggy, partly dotted with houses, or 

 adorned with gardens and trees. The central island is bordered by a stately row of buildings, 

 the residences of the principal merchants. It contains the palace and other public buildings ; 

 but the houses being high, and the streets narrow, its appearance is somewhat gloomy ; the 

 number of bridges, great and small, in tliis capital, is 13. At a short distance from the royal 

 palace stands a tine statue of Gustavus the Third, in bronze, on a pedestal of polished porphyry. 

 Constantinople is perhaps the only city in Europe that surpasses it in beauty of situation ; the 

 royal palace is hardly exceeded in splendor by any on the continent. The city has likewise an 

 arsenal, a mint, an exchange, two theatres, the palace of the diet, numerous learned institutions, 

 &c. The hangar, or great iron warehouse, is remarkable for the immense quantity of that article 

 deposited in it. The commerce and manufactures are extensive ; the harbor is deep and capa- 

 cious, though difficult of access ; a thousand sail of shipping may lie here in safety, and the 

 largest vessels can approach close to the quay. Population, 80,000. 



Upsala, formerly the metropolis of Sweden, is situated on an extensive plain, upon the small 

 stream Fyrisa. In the centre is a square, from which the streets extend in straight lines. This 

 town is famous for its beautiful cathedral and for its universit}^, which has a library of CO, 000 

 volumes. Population, 5,000. 



Gothenburg or Gottenburg, near the mouth of the river Gotlia, has a circumference of three 

 miles. It is regularly fortified, and, in the upper part of the town, the streets rise above each 

 other like an amphitheatre. Some of the modern buildings are of brick, but the greater number 

 are of wood, and painted red. The harbor is spacious, and the commerce considerable. 

 Population, 25,000. Carlscrona, on a bay of the Baltic, is the station of the Swedish navy, 

 and has a harbor which is defended at its entrance by two strong forts. It is celebrated for its 

 docks, which are separated from the town by a high wall, and one of which is cut out of the 

 solid rock. Population, 13,800. 



Oerebro, at the western extremity of Lake Hielmar, carries on an extensive iron trade. 

 ]*opulation, 3,400. JMalmoe, exactly opposite Copenhagen, contains about 5,000 inhabitants, 

 and possesses some commerce, though the harbor is bad. Faldun, 160 miles north of Stock- 

 holm, is remarkable for its extensive copper mines. The number of forges here give the town 

 a very sombre appearance. Population, 4,700. Grfle, on the Gulf of Bothnia, is a well-built 

 town, with some foreign commerce. Population, 10,000. J\''orrJ:.oping, 10,000 inhabitants, 

 with extensive woolen manufactures ; Lund, 3,500, containing a university, observatory, and 

 other learned establishments ; Wisby, on the island of Gothland, formerly one of the principal 

 cities of the north of Europe, and still, though much declined, carrying on a brisk trade, 4,000 

 inhabitants ; and Calmar, noted in Swedish history, are the other principal Swedish towns. 



17. Agriculture. Much attention has been paid to agriculture, and the peasants are very 

 industrious ; but owing to the deficiency of the soil, they are hardly able to raise enough of grain 

 for home consumption. Com, rye, oats, potatoes, flax, hemp, hops, and tobacco are very 

 generally cultivated ; and several kinds of fruit are raised with success. 



18. Commerce and Manufactures. Sweden has few manufactures, and Norway even less ; and 

 \he products of their manufacturing industry cannot sustain a competition with those of other 

 countries. The working of the mines, the manufacture of glass and hardware, ship-building, 

 and the felling and preparation of timber, employ many laborers. The peasants in general make 

 their own rude implements and materials of dress. The fisheries form an important branch of 

 industry, particularly in Norway. The maritime commerce of this country is active and exten- 

 sive ; and a brisk inland trade is carried on between Norway and Sweden, and between the 

 latter and Russia. The imports are chiefly manufactured and colonial goods ; the exports are 

 iron, steel, lumber, dried and salted fish, iron wares, cordage, &c. 



19. Revenue, Population, &c. The annual revenue of Sweden, arising from the rents of 

 crown-lands, capitation taxes, customs, and various other articles, amounts to 4,500,000 dol- 

 lars. The national debt is 17,264,812 dollars. The military force amounts to 45,200 men. 



