ushed. considerably reduced, and the mayor's dues wholly aboBut notwithstanding this greater weight of local taxation must have operated seriously to the injury of Bristol, too much stress has been laid upon it in accounting for the slower progress of the trade of the port. The real cause of the rapid rise of Liverpool, Glasgow, and other sea-port towns, is to be found, not in the lowness of their port charges, or in any peculiar advantages they individually enjoy, but in their having become the ports of the great manufacturing districts. The extraordinary growth of Liverpool is a consequence of the still more extraordinary growth of the cotton manufacture. Her rise has been dependent upon, and consequent to, the rise of Manchester, Bolton, Blackburn, &c. | N. parts of France, the Low Countries, Denmark, and the S. parts of Sweden and Norway, between 50° and 59° N. lat., and 2o E. and 110 W. long. Great Britain, which, from its superior magnitude and importance, gives name to the United Kingdom and the empire, is not only the largest of the European islands, but one of the largest in the world. It lies to the E. of Ireland, and approaches at its S. E. extremity at Dover to within 21 m. of the opposite coast of France. But as the coast of Great Britain stretches N. N. W. from Dover to Duncansby Head, the extreme N. E. point of the island, while the opposite shore of the Continent recedes in a N. E. direction, the intervening space, called the North Sea or German Ocean, is of very considerable dimensions. To the S. of the British Islands we have St. George's or the Bristol Channel, and W. and N. the broad expanse of the Atlantic. Great Britain is very irregularly shaped, being deeply indented by numerous gulphs and arms of the sea, but on the whole it approaches to the figure of a wedge, being narrowest at its N. and broadest at its S. extremity. The longest line not intersected by any considerable arm of the sea that can be drawn in Great Britain, extends from Rye in Sussex (lat. 50° 57′ 1′′ N., long. 0° 44' E., to Cape Wrath in Sutherland (lat. 58° 36' N., long. 4° 56′ W.), a distance of about 580 m.; and its greatest breadth from the Land's End (lat. 50° 4' 8" N., long. 5° 41′ 31′′ W.) to a point near Lowestoffe, on the coast of Norfolk (lat. 52° 28′ 30′′ N., long. 1° 46′ E.), is about 367 m. But, owing to the indentations already referred to, its breadth in some places is much less, being between the friths of Forth and Clyde under 40, and between the Moray Frith and the Minch under 30, m. from shore to shore. Its area is estimated at 83,828 sq. m., of which England contains 57,812, and Scotland (exclusive of its dependent islands) 26,016 sq. m, The arca of the Scottish islands is estimated at 4,224 sq. m.; but this is only a rude guess. According to Camden (Gibson's ed. of the Brit. i. 74.), Bristol first rose into notice towards the close of the Saxon dynasty. The most common mode of spelling the name, till the 13th century, was Bricstowe; but in the oldest, and in all the subsequent charters, it is spelt Bristoll'. Its castle was built by the Earl of Gloucester, brother to the Empress Matilda. During the wars of the Roses the town was comparatively undisturbed and flourishing; but in the civil war of the 17th century it suffered most severely: at the commencement of hostilities it was garrisoned by the parliamentary forces; subsequently, it was stormed by the king's forces, and surrendered to Prince Rupert: the following year (during which it suffered under the united evils of pestilence and war) it was again stormed, and retaken by Cromwell, who subsequently demolished its castle. The earliest notice, with reference to the trade of Bristol, occurs in the Anglia Sacra (ii. 228.); it is there noticed as having a mart for slaves of both sexes, brought from all parts of the kingdom; and also, as having much intercourse with Ireland. In 1247 a great improvement in its port was effected, by cutting a new channel for the river, and forming a double line of quay between Bristol and Redcliffe: a bridge, on the site of the present, was built at the same period. Thence to the 16th century, its manufactories supplied a large portion of the kingdom with woollen goods, soap, and glass: in the reign of Edw. III. it was made a staple of wool; and it then traded extensively with Ireland, France, and Russia. In the Itinerary of Botoner are details of its trade and shipping in the 15th century, which prove its extended commerce and great enterprise at that period In 1578 Frobisher returned from an unsuccessful attempt to find a N. W. passage: at the close of the century Hen. VII. granted charters to John Cabot and his two sons, which resulted shortly after in the discovery of Newfoundland, and a large part of the American continent: in 1609 Newfoundland was first colonised by Bristol. In October, 1831, a most disgraceful riot occurred here; which, owing to a want of decision on the part of the civil and military authorities, was allowed to attain a most alarming height. The mansion-house, Ireland lies to the W. of Great Britain, beepiscopal palace, and several private houses were burnt tween the parallels of 51° 25′ and 55° 23′ N. lat., down, and a large amount of property destroyed. Among the distinguished individuals that Bristol has and of 60 and 11° W. long. Its figure is rhom produced are William of Worcester, the topographer; boidal; and though it has many noble bays and Wm. Cannynge, the most eminent merchant of his day; harbours, it is less indented by gulphs and arms Sebastian Cabot, born at Bristol, of Genoese parents, of the sea, and is decidedly more compact than discovered Newfoundland in 1499; Edw. Colston; Sir Wm. Draper; Thomas Chatterton, the poet, whose uncle Great Britain. It is every where surrounded was sexton of Redcliffe church, where the Rowley MSS. by the Atlantic, except on its E. shores, which were alleged to have been discovered; Robt. Southey, are separated from Great Britain by St. George's Esq.; and Bayley, the sculptor. (Dr. Seyer's Hist. of Channel, the Irish Sea, and the North ChanBristol, and the Royal Charters of do.; Municip. Commissioners' Report in 1835; Ann. Reports of the Cham-nel. From St. David's Head in Wales to Carnber of Commerce; Eighth Report of the Charity Commissioners, &c., and Private Information.) BRITISH EMPIRE (THE), one of the most civilised, powerful, and important states that have ever existed, consists of the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, with the smaller islands contiguous to them, and their dependencies in various parts of the world. Great Britain, the largest, and by far the richest and most populous of the British Islands, includes what were formerly the independent kingdoms of England and Scotland; the former occupying its S., most extensive and fertile, and the latter its N. and most barren portion. These two kingdoms, having been united, form with that of Ireland what is called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, which constitutes not only the nucleus and centre, but the main body and seat of the wealth and power of the empire. The islands of Great Britain and Ireland are situated in the N. Atlantic Ocean, off the W. shores of continental Europe, opposite to the sore Point, the distance across is about 47 m.; from Port Patrick in the Rhynns of Galloway to Donaghadee, the distance is 22 m., but from the Mull of Cantire to Tor Point in Ireland, the distance is only 13 m. The longest line that can be drawn in Ireland, in about the same meridian, extends from the Old Head of Kinsale in Cork to the Bloody Farland Point in Donegal, a distance of about 237 m. : the longest line that can be drawn crosswise in Ireland, in nearly the same parallel of lat., extends from Emlagh Rash, on the coast of Mayo, to Quintin Point, at the mouth of Lough Strangford, on the coast of Down, being about 182 m.; but in other places the breadth is a good deal less. So conveniently is Ireland situated in respect of water communication, that there is no part more than 50 or 55 m. distant from the sea, or from one of its arms. The area of Ireland is estimated at 32,512 sq. m. As separate articles will be appropriated to the description of England, Scotland, and IreG g land, and their dependencies, it is only intended | till after Christmas; and in some years there is in this article to take a rapid view of those particulars that have reference to the empire as a whole, and which could not, with propriety, be placed under the description of any one of its separate heads. Natural advantages of the United Kingdom. · Perhaps no country ever existed more favourably situated, or placed under more advantageous physical circumstances, than the United Kingdom. It is sufficiently extensive to be the centre of a mighty empire; and to support, independent of any extrinsic resources, a very large population, and, consequently, possesses that native and inherent power that is necessary to secure the first of political blessings-national independence. Its insular situation is also of immense advantage; it gives us a welldefended frontier, on which there can be no encroachment, and about which there can be no dispute; and while it renders us comparatively secure from hostile attacks, it affords unequalled facilities for commerce; every part of our frontier being, as it were, a terminus to the "great highway of nations." The surface of the country is agreeably diversified with hill and dale, mountains and plains; and while the soil is not so very fertile as to yield crops with little labour, and so to encourage sloth on the part of the cultivator, it is in general sufficiently productive, and yields abundant returns to the laborious and skilful husbandman. It has been well observed of Great Britain, and the same thing is equally true of Ireland, that "it is not fertile enough to make men indolent, nor barren to such a degree as to deny grateful, if not ample, returns to the industrious cultivator. In a word, it enjoys the fortunate medium between fertility and barrenness, or (to speak more properly) between easy and difficult culture; inclining rather to the side of difficulty, and affording opportunity sufficient for industry and improvements; which is just the circumstance a person would wish for who truly understands the good of his country. Rich soils infuse case and indolence into the inhabitants; but soils that require laborious cultivation stimulate industry and invention, and impress on the population a hardy enterprising character." (Harte's Essays, p. 188.) All the most valuable species of the Cerealia, as wheat, oats, and barley, succeed quite as well in the British Islands as in any other country. Potatoes, too, and a vast variety of useful vegetables and fruits, are raised in the greatest abundance. Owing to the peculiar aptitude of the soil and climate, no country can compare with the United Kingdom in the luxuriance of its verdure, and the richness of its pastures. And in consequence principally of this circumstance, but partly, also, of the care bestowed on the selection of the most improved stock, our horses, cattle, sheep, and other useful animals, are all equal, if not superior, to the finest breeds to be found in any other part of the world. little if any frost. The great defects in our climate are the prevalence of cold blighting E. winds in April and May; and not unfrequently, of rainy weather in August and September. It is but rarely that our crops suffer from excess of drought; but they occasionally suffer from backward summers, and autumnal rains. On the whole, however, the climate of the British islands is, notwithstanding its defects, one of the best, if not the very best, in Europe. It requires, indeed, the most anxious and watchful attention on the part of the husbandman; but, instead of being a drawback, that is an advantage. There is also much truth in the remark of Charles II., as quoted by Sir William Temple:-"He thought that was the best climate where he could be abroad in the air with pleasure, or at least without trouble and inconvenience, the most days of the year, and the most hours of the day; and this he thought he could be in England more than in any other country of Europe." Among the other physical circumstances that have promoted, in no ordinary degree, the power and prosperity of the empire, may be specified the number and excellence of our harbours, affording asylums for the ships, and depôts for the goods of the most distant countries; and the number of our rivers, their depth, and the facilities they afford to internal communication. The last-mentioned circumstance is peculiarly worthy of remark: Great Britain and Ireland being islands, with no part very remote from the sea, it might be supposed that their rivers would be of comparatively small magnitude, and of but little use in navigation. But the fact is distinctly and completely the reverse. The Thames, Trent, and Severn, in England, and the Shannon, in Ireland, are all navigable to a very great distance. The first, notwithstanding its limited length and volume of water, ranks, as a navigable channel, among the first rivers of Europe; its embouchure is unencumbered by any bar, and it is navigated from the sea to London Bridge, a distance of 45 m., by the very largest ships, and to a much greater distance by barges. The Severn, Trent, and Shannon have been rendered navigable for barges and steam-boats for the greater part of their course; the latter, which flows through the interior of Ireland, almost to its very source! The means afforded by the rivers for facilitating internal communication, have been vastly extended by the construction of canals; and, with the single exception of Holland, the United Kingdom has a greater extent of artificial navigation than any other country. The mineral riches of Great Britain are not merely equal to those of any other country, but superior. We cannot, it is true, boast of mines of gold and silver, but we possess what are really more important and valuable. Iron, the most useful of all the metals, is found in the greatest abundance, and of an exceedingly good The British Islands have also been singularly quality, in most parts of the empire. Our tin fortunate in respect of climate. If we desiderate mines are the most productive of any in Europe; the clear skies of Italy and the south of France, and we have also very productive mines of copwe also want the long-continued droughts and per, lead, manganese, &c. Our salt springs and exhausting heats to which they are subject. beds of fossil salt are alone sufficient for the Though exposed to sudden changes, we are ex-supply of the whole world. But coal is by far empted from all violent extremes of heat and cold. The general impression seems to be that the climate of Great Britain has been considerably modified since 1750; and that our winters have become milder, and our summers less dry and warm than formerly. In most seasons, indeed, the winter can hardly be said to commence the most important and valuable of our mineral treasures. It is hardly, indeed, possible to overrate the advantages Great Britain derives from her vast, and, to all practical purposes, inexhaustible beds of coal. In this climate, fuel ranks among the principal necessaries of life; and it is to our coal mines that we owe abundant and cheap supplies of so indispensable an article. Had they not existed, wood must have been used as fuel; and it is quite impossible that any attention to the growth of timber could have furnished a supply equal to the wants of the present population of Great Britain, even though a large proportion of the cultivated land had been appropriated to the raising of trees. But, however great and signal, this is not the only advantage we derive from our coal mines: they are the principal source and foundation of our manufacturing and commercial prosperity. Since the invention of the steam-engine, coal has become of the highest importance as a moving power; and no nation, however favourably situated in other respects, not plentifully supplied with this mineral, need hope to rival those that are, in most branches of manufacturing industry. To what is the astonishing increase of Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, &c., and the comparatively stationary or declining state of Canterbury, Winchester, Salisbury, and other towns in the south of England, to be ascribed? It cannot be pretended, with any show of reason, that the inhabitants of the former are naturally more ingenious, enterprising, or industrious than those of the latter. The abundance and cheapness of coal in the north, and its scarcity, and consequent high price, in the south, is the real cause of this striking discrepancy. The citizens of Manchester, Glasgow, &c. are able, at a comparatively small expense, to put the most powerful and complicated machinery in motion, and to produce results quite beyond the reach of those who have not the same command over coal, or, as it has been happily defined, hoarded labour. Our coal mines have been sometimes called the Black Indies; and it is certain that they have conferred on us a thousand times more real advantage than we derive from the conquest of the Mogul empire, or than we should have reaped from the dominion of Mexico and Peru. They supply our manufacturers and artisans with a power of unbounded energy and easy of control, and enable them to overcome difficulties insurmountable by those to whom nature has been less liberal of her choicest gifts. Estimate of the Mineral Produce of Great Britain, at an Silver Copper 13.000 tons 5,500 50,000 1,500,000 34,000,000 Salt, alum, and other minor produce more than Total value probably exceeds Value. £45,000 1,200,000 550,000 1,000,000 9,000,000 14,000,000 1,000,000 £26,795,000 Romans, though they subdued Great Britain, did not settle in great numbers in it; and the Belgæ, by whom it had been colonised at the epoch of their invasion, may be regarded as the principal progenitors of the English nation; for, though the various Gothic tribes who passed over into Britain after the departure of the Romans were sufficiently powerful to subdue it, and one of them (the Angles) succeeded in giving its name to the greater portion of Britain, they were far too few in number to have occupied it fully, or given it a new language, had their own differed materially from that previously in use. (Pinkerton's Geog., art. England, and his Dissert. on the Goths, passim.) But the ancient and the more recent Saxon and Belgian colonists being essentially the same people, readily amalgamated. The invaders having expelled the original or Celtic inhabitants from the lower and more fruitful parts of the country, the latter were compelled to resort to the fastnesses of Wales, the Highlands of Scotland, and the remote parts of Devon and Cornwall. The facilities which these countries afforded for resisting and eluding an invading force, prevented them being overrun by the Goths. They were never even fully subdued by the Roman legions; and at this moment we find them a distinct race, speaking the language of their remote ancestors. The temporary conquest of England by the Danes, and its subsequent subjugation by the Normans, however important in other respects, made no sensible change in the stock of the inhabitants. The Normans, though long settled in France, where they had acquired the use of the French language, originally emigrated from Norway; and belonged, as well as the Danes, to the Gothic family. Except, therefore, in so far as we may suppose the Celtic and Belgic inhabitants to have been blended together, the Gothic blood would seem to have been preserved pretty pure in all the country S. of the Tay, and E. of the Severn and the Exe. The Romans did not invade Ireland; and the Goths do not appear to have passed over into it, at least in any considerable numbers. Hence its population, in so far as it is not alloyed by emigrants from England, since the invasion under Henry II. and their descendants, may be regarded as of Celtic origin. In fact, the Irish language, a dialect of the Gaelic, is at this moment spoken to the almost total exclusion of English, in various pretty extensive districts of Ireland; and we should be disposed to consider nearly two-thirds of the people of that island, as being lineally descended from the ancient occupants of the country. Population. The progress of population in Great Britain and Ireland was long very slow. Races of People. At the earliest period to Latterly, however, it has increased with extra. which history ascends, the British islands were ordinary rapidity. This, in the former, has been occupied by Celts or Gael, who, it is probable, a consequence of the wonderful increase of mahad passed over into Britain from the contigu-nufactures and commerce since 1763, and in ous coasts of France, and from Britain into the latter, of the splitting of farms, and the endIreland. To the Celtic population of Britain less division and subdivision of the land. The succeeded the Gothic. At a period long preced-progress of population in the different portions of ing the Christian æra, the Goths or Scythians, advancing from the cast, had occupied a large portion of the N. and N. W. parts of Europe. The Low Countries and the N. provinces of France were in the age of Cæsar peopled by Goths, who had acquired the distinctive appellation of Belga; and it appears from Cæsar, that long previously to his invasion of Britain, colonies of Belgians had passed over into it, and then occupied its maritime and most fertile portions. (De Bello Gallico, lib. v. 12.) The the U. K., down to the beginning of this century, according to the best attainable information, will be seen in Table at top of next page. The population of England and Scotland was, for the first time, determined by actual census in 1801; since which a census has been taken every 10 years. In Ireland, an incomplete census was taken in 1813; but it was not till 1821 that the population of that part of the empire was exactly ascertained. For the results of the censuses hitherto taken, see Table in the following pages. |