_1810.] | Practicability of discharging the National Debt. 443 
the reign of Joseph ITI. the number was 
diminished to twenty, which was suf- 
‘ficient fur a population lately estimated 
at $8,878 souls, amongst which are 
13,232 Jews. Another third of the 
population consists of Greeks and 
Armenians; all these sects have their 
different temples and churches, and, as 
in all Gallicia, the free exercise of their 
religious worship. Lemberg carries on 
an extensive and advantageous trade 
with Russia, Turkey, and the other 
neighbouring countries. The city is sur- 
rounded by a rampart, which is now 
changed into streets and promenades. 
The suburbs are extensiveand handsome; 
the environs afford a number of delightful 
views and situations, 
Brody, the second city in eastern 
Gallicia, is inhabited by 5,000 Chris. 
tians and 15,000 Jews. It bas a con- 
siderable trade; the castle is well for- 
tified: the other towns are but inconsi- 
derable. It is computed there are 5,400 
souls at Przemysl or Premislaw, a town 
situated on the Sann, which there begins 
to be navigable: we are not acquainted 
with the population of Jaroslaw, a flou- 
rishing place, situated on a gentle plea- 
sing ascent fromthe Sann. The hand- 
some church of Panna Maria, that is the 
holy Virgin, is much admired; as well as 
the delightful situation of the ancient 
college of the Jesuits. The trade in wax 
is considerable, and a great deal of lin- 
en is fabricated there also, The neigh- 
bouring forests abound with bees. 
Sambor, a town of about 3,000 souls, 
has also its manufactories and bleach- 
grounds. Belz has a manufactory of pot- 
ash. ITalicz, the ancient capita! of Galli- 
cja, does not reckon more than 4,000 inha- 
bitants: we have already noticed the 
salt springs near.that city. 
In the country between the Pruth and 
the mountains called Pokutia, is the 
flourishing town of Sniatyn, with a po- 
pulation of from 6 to 7,000 souls, which 
is much frequented on account of the 
great fairs which are beld there: quan- 
tities of cattle, horses, wax, and honey, 
are annually sold there, which chiefly 
come trom Moldavia. Kutty contains 
5,800 inhabitants, who make consider- 
able quantities of salt, as well as at 
Colompa. Lue tbe 
More than two thirds of the peasantry 
of Red Russia. or of eastern Gallicia, 
are of Russian origin; their language 4s 
very different from that of the Poles, and 
they have also a different ritual for their 
worship, - Although the government of 
Austria has no doubt preatly improved 
and ameliorated their condition, yet they 
are still hut few degrees removed from 
savages ; their pointed sheep-skin caps, 
their buskins made up of a bundle of 
rags tied round with thongs of raw hides; 
in fact, their whole appearance indicates 
poverty and filth: their food chiefly 
consists of milk, old cheese, sour-krout, 
and potatoes. 
The different sovereigns who have 
ruled over this country have endeavoured 
to enuce colonists from all nations. The 
Russian princes invited and encouraged 
the Armenians: their morals, and the 
unanimity which prevails amongst them, 
are entitled to much praise. Under the 
Polish government, the Jews formed a 
second part: having made themselves 
masters of all the trade, and almost all 
the capital, they exercised an almost 
sovereign influence, and even held the 
nobility as it were in their power. In 
later years, Gallicia has received whole 
colonies at once from Germany, it being 
the policy of Austria to give every en- 
couragement to these new settlers. 
In my next I shall give you a descrip- 
tion of Polish Prussia, and the duchy of 
Courland. Weider 
‘ ee 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
On the PRACTICABILITY Of DISCHARGING 
the NATIONAL DEBT... 
HAT the national debt 1s a subject 
which at the present crisis involves 
considerations of the greatest national 
importance, few persons, | am persuaded, 
will be disposed to deny. It would be 
no difficult matter to shew, that so long 
as it exists to the same extent, and in 
nearly similar circumstances, it will be 
impossible, in the present situation of 
Europe, for this country 'to make peace 
with France without being liable to be 
made in some sort tributary to her. Tt 
must necessarily be too on account of the 
revolutionary apprehensions of the stock- 
holder, an almost insurmountable bar 
rier to every species of reform, and an 
obstacle to every amelioration both of 
the moral and political condition of the 
great bulk of the people. 
Struck with the various mischiefs it is 
calculated to occasion, and persuaded 
‘that it is impossible to discharge it 
fairly, Mr. Cobbett, and some others, > 
have proposed that it should be cans 
celled at once. ‘This, no doubt, is a 
harsh measure, and ean only be justified 
on the supposition that the ruin of the 
country is inevitable without having re. 
course 
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