RHODE ISLAND. 



201 



and easily accessible. The entrance is defended by Fort Walcott, on Goat's Island, and Fort 

 Adams, on Rhode Island ; the latter is a large stone castle, of great strength. 



5. Climate. This whole State enjoys a salubrious climate ; the winter in the maritime parts 

 is sensibly milder, and the seasons there are more uniform than in the rest of New England ; 

 the heat of summer is much alleviated by refreshing seabreezes. In other respects, the climate 

 of Rhode Island resembles that of Connecticut and Massachusetts. 



6. Soil. The soil is pretty uniform ; on the continent, it is generally a gravelly loam, which 

 is tolerably fertile, but difficult of cultivation. Upon the islands, the soil is slaty and productive. 

 There are few pine plains in the State, and but very little alluvial land. 



7. Geology. The continental part is primitive, but the islands in Narragansett Bay display 

 a transition character. Granite abounds on the continent, and limestone occurs in the north- 

 eastern part. Slate and coal formations are exhibited in the islands, and on the mainland. 



8. JSTatural Productions. There are no extensive forests ; the trees are generally of the 

 deciduous kind ; oak, chestnut, and walnut are the most abundant ; pine and cedar are more 

 rare. 



9. Minerals. Anthracite coal is found in Rhode Island in extensive beds ; these were 

 wrought to a considerable degree some years since, but the discovery of the more valuable mines 

 of Pennsylvania, has now rendered the Rhode Island coal of little estimation. Iron ore occurs 

 in the northern parts, and there is a mine wrought at Cranston. There are quarries of limestone 

 at Smithfield, and the same place affords excellent marble. Beds of serpentine are found at 

 Newport. The mineral treasures of this State, as far as yet discovered, are not on the whole 

 either extensive or valuable. 



10. Face of the Country. There are no mountains in the State, nor any hilly tracts, yet the 

 general face of the country is somewhat rough and rocky. There are some level districts upon 

 the borders of Narragansett Bay, and some flats on the Atlantic shores. The aspect of the 

 country, on the whole, is picturesque ; the highest eminences are. Mount Hope, in Bristol ; 

 Hopkins's Hill, in West Greenwich ; and Woonsocket Hill, in Smithfield ; but they are not 

 remarkable for elevation. 



1. Divisions and Population. 



POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

 Rhode Island contains 5 counties. 



Counties. 



Providence, 

 Kent, 



Washington, 



The towns are 31. 



County Towns. 



Providence. 

 East Greenwich. 

 South Kingston. 



Counties. 



Newport, 

 Bristol, 



County Towns. 



Newport. 

 Bristol. 



Population at different Periods. 



83,059 

 (Slaves, 17) 97,199 



1790, .... 69,110 1820, 

 1800, .... 69,122 1830, 



1810, .... 77,031 1840, 



2. Canals and Railroads. A portion of Blackstone canal lies in Rhode Island. This has 

 oeen already described. The Boston and Providence railroad terminates in this State, but hes 

 principally in Massachusetts. The Providence and Stonington railroad, 47 miles in length, 

 "s a continuation of this route to Long Island Sound, and enables travelers to escape the ex- 

 posure to the swell of the sea oft' Point Judith. 



3. Cities and Towns. Providence., the second city in New England for population, wealth, 

 and business, stands at the head of Narragansett Bay, which, at this extremity, becomes nar- 

 rowed to the width of a river. It is built on both sides of the river, the two parts being con- 

 nected by a bridge. The new town, on the west side of the river, has all the bustle and live- 

 liness, and displays the flourishing appearance, of a commercial city. The hill on the opposite 

 side, or East Providence, is chiefly occupied by private mansions, beautifully situated, and adorn- 

 ed with gardens and court-yards. On the summit of a steep eminence stands the college, over- 

 looking the city. The streets are irregular, but there are many beautiful situations and fine 

 edifices in the town. 



The Arcade, extending from Westminster Street to Weybosset Street, is the handsomest 

 building of its kind in the country. It is 226 feet long, and three stories high, with 28 rooms 

 on each floor. The front on each street consists of an Ionic portico, with granite pillars. 



26 



