Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

2,955 feet. In Devonshire are Cawsand Beacon 1792, and Pippin Tor 1549 feet high.

Besides many other mountains, there are numerous Hills dispersed through the several counties.

[ocr errors]

The vales of Carlisle, and of the Tyne are rich and beautifully variegated. The vale of York is one of the most extensive and fertile in the kingdom; besides these there are yet a great many in the country.

The most extensive plain spreads from the banks of the Thames, to those of the Humber; and even stretches beyond that river.

The hand of cultivation has greatly diminished the marshy waste, or Fens in Northampton, Lincoln &c., and will probably, soon render the whole of it, subservient to the purposes of rural economy.

Among the natural curiosities of England, the wonders of the Peak, in Derbyshire, have always been the most celebrated. Poole's Hole, Elden Hole, the Peak cavern, Mam Lor, the Crystalized Cavern, St. Ann's well, and The Ebbing and Flowing well, demand more than usual attention. The falls of the Cayne and the Mouddach in Merionethshire deserve particular notice. Below the first, a sheet of water is seen pouring down a rugged declivity 200 feet in perpendicular height, and is very magnificent. The latter is different from that of the Cayne, and consists of three distinct falls all of which are submitted to the view at once. The agitated waters of the Cayne are received at the bottom of their descent, into vast hollows of the rocks, and boil and force their way to join those of the Mouddach a little below.

Rivers, canals, lakes.

England, perhaps, possesses a greater number of rivers and rivulets, than any country of equal extent; Camden enumerates 550. The principal rivers are the Thames, the Severn, the Mersey, the Dee, the Tyne, the Tees, the Humber, the Trent, the Ouse, and the Medway.

Its commercial importance, its local situation, and other circumstances, confer upon the Thames a pre-eminence above all the other rivers of England. Passing Abingdon, it is joined by the Thame, where the Isis is changed into the Thame - isis, or Thames. Its whole length is 140 miles, and from the sea to Lechlade, on the confines of Gloucestershire, it is navigable. It passes through some of the most beautiful as well as the most fertile districts of the kingdom; but even where the country is hilly, it never can be called a rapid stream; but is chiefly distinguished for its majesty. As it approaches London, its character changes, and the richness of nature gives place to the power, the wealth, and the skill of man. Mighty works of art adorn its banks, which abound in populous towns and villages. At London it is a superb tide river, full of vessels of every description. The Severn is one of the most rapid rivers. Most rivers are navigable.

Canals, as a means of extending and perfecting inland navigation are of vast importance, and there are a great number, of which the Canal from Worsley to Salford, Manchester on the one side and Pennington on the other is the most important extending to nearly 40 miles. The Duke of Bridgewater is regarded as the founder of it. More than thirty Canals from 22 till 92 miles in length. The Grand Junction Canal running from Braunston till to the Thames at Brentford, completes an extent of 90 miles, including 121 locks, and 3 tunnels.

The most celebrated Lakes are in the mountainous counties of Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire, and are for the most part adorned with picturesque and sublime touches of nature. Derwent-water, is about 3 miles long and two broad, its shape is nearly oval, and adorned with several wooded islands. When visited by moonlight, the deep shades of

[ocr errors]

the frowning mountains, the reflected light of the moon on the unruffled surface of the water, and the silence of the night, only broken by the murmer of the waterfalls, are represented as filling the mind with inconceivable pleasure.

Ulls-water, about 9 miles long, but seldom more than 1 broad, surpasses any other in the North of England. The impression made by the surrounding scenery, are greatly heightened by the peculiar property of the numerous projections, and inlets that envelop its deep waters and islestudded surface, of reverberating sound.

Windermere, the largest of the northern lakes, occupies a space of about 15 miles in length, and from one to two in breadth; but, as it winds round the mountains, on the west the whole cannot be seen at once. The margin of this lake is skirted with rich, varied, and picturesque scenery, heightened by several beautiful and woody islands, rising from its waters. Its eastern shore, more gentle and sloping, is adorned with numerous villas; nor are the islands altogether destitute of buildings. The scenery on the western side is bold and rugged, with a sufficiency of romantic character to diversify its beauties.

Near the town of Brecon, there is a singular lake, called Lyn-Savadhan about 2 miles in length, and nearly the same in breadth. The breaking up of the ice in spring, is attended with a great noise, resembling long and repeated peals of thunder, which may be heard at a considerable distance.

There are a great many more Lakes or Meres, remarkable for their romantic scenery, or something or other, so for instance Coniston water, besides its romantic scenery, for a singular species of fish, called char1).

Climate.

The Climate varies in several parts of England. The situation of the Island admits only of a diminished portion of solar influence. Hence cold is more predominant than heat. Its insular position, however prevents those extremes of temperature, which are common in continental countries under the same parallel. The circumstance, however, of its interposition between the vast Atlantic and the continent, subjects the climate to great variations, and renders it more favourable to the growth, than to the ripening of vegetable products. This also imparts to it that beautiful and continued verdure, and that perpetual smile of fertility, which so preeminently distinguish it from other countries. The north-eastern counties are subject to a greater degree of cold than those on the north-west. The north and south of England differ less in the temperature of winter than in that of summer. The extreme temperature generally takes place in the month of July, or early in August, and that of cold, in January, or the beginning of February. In the one case Fahrenheits thermometer seldom rises above 85 degrees, and in the other, it seldom sinks lower than 14 or 15 degrees, though it has been known to descend below 0. The state of the wind is so variable in this country that it cannot be reduced to any general principles. It is generally found to blow with the most strength and constancy from the west and southwest, as it is strongly evinced by the leaning of the trees, in all parts exposed to its influence, towards the opposite quarters. Next to these, the east and north-east winds are most prevalent. It generally blows least from the south and north-west.

The Moisture of the atmosphere, as indicated by the quantity of Rain and Dew, which fertilizes the surface, and invigorates vegetation, also

1) Eine Art Forelle.

affects the climate. The air of the northern counties is more moist and cold than that of the southern. The average quantity of rain, for the whole of England, is 31. 3 inches, Dew 5 inches, which in addition to the quantity of rain gives a total of 36 inches, for the medium depth of water that annually falls on the whole surface of England and Wales. The annual evaporation is supposed to amount to about 23 inches.

In continental countries, the Seasons follow each other in regular succession; but in England, mild weather frequently occurs during winter, and bleak winds often blight the hopes of spring. Spring is of short and uncertain continuance; but it is often diversified with those balmy. intervals that have all the genial glow of summer without its fervid languor. In June and July, England generally presents a scene of uncommon verdure and beauty. Warm and settled weather frequently extends through September, and, in the southern counties, even far into October. November is often obscured by fogs, or deluged with rain; while December usually introduces winter, with all «his rising train, vapours, and clouds, and storms.>>

Soil and Produce.

The English Soil possesses great variety, and when judiciously cultivated, much of it is extremely fertile. In the lower parts of the north of England, clay, with other strong soils, commonly prevail; in the more elevated lands, loams of a lighter kind predominate, while peat earth, and rock, generally divide the highest regions. The soil of the midland counties is chiefly a strong loam, though sandy soils cover a large space in Nottinghamshire, and calcereous soils abound in many parts of Northamptonshire. Some counties contain that species of ferruginous soil, which the farmers call red land; some present many tracts of peat or moss. In many of the vallies in Wales, the soil is rich and loamy, near the sea often sandy, and in the elevated regions thin and cold.

The various forests cover large districts, and the value of timber and other wood annually cut down in them is estimated at one Million sterling. The principal timber-trees in this country, are the oak, ash, elm, lime, beech, chesnut, sycamore, maple, birch, alder, abele, hornbeam, aspin and poplar. The Oak of Britain exceeds that of most other countries, in strength and durability; qualities that have contributed greatly to the superiority of her Navy.

The whole quantity of land in England and Wales is estimated at 39,334,400 acres. The uncultivated lands, have been computed at nearly seven millions of acres, but a great part of it is either subjected to the operations of husbandry, or covered with useful timber.

Agricultural enterprise, in England, is principally directed to three objects, arable, dairy and grazing husbandry. Arable husbandry is pursued to the greatest extent in Northumberland, Durham, part of Yorkshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Essex, Herfortshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire.

The chief dairy counties are Cheshire, Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire, Devonshire, Dorsetshire, Essex, Suffolk &c.

The counties most distinguished for grazing are Lincoln, Leicester, Northampton, Somerset, part of Durham, with Cleveland and Holderness, in Yorkshire.

Wheat is the most important agricultural product. The average produce per acre is about 20 bushels. The cultivation of rye has greatly declined. Barley, oats, beans and peas are plentifully cultivated. Tares, clover and sainfoin are generally diffused, potatoes are produced in all

parts of the country. Turnips are considered as a general crop. Various kinds of small seeds, and some medicinal plants, are reared in several parts of the kingdom, as canary seeds, coriander, carraway, mustard, rapeseed, poppy, saffron madder and woad, chamomile, liquorice. England has long been noted for its hops. Extensive orchards are found in Worcestershire and many other counties. The produce of these is either employed in making cider and perry, or in supplying other parts of the country with fruit. They yield annually about 60,000 hogsheads of cider. Kent is distinguished for the production of cherries and filberts. The number of horses of various breeds kept in Great Britain amounts to near 2 millions; and are now superior to those of other countries.

Great care has been bestowed on the cattle, and where they have been crossed with each other and with foreign stock, till they have attained almost every quality they are susceptible of.

The sheep are objects of great importance to the farmer, and of equal interest in a national point of view. With respect to their wool, they are divided into two classes, the long and the short wooled. By the introduction of Merinos from Spain, the most successful exertions have been made for their improvement. If the lambs be added the total number will amount to 26 millions, and their wool to more than 400,000 packs of 240 each. Bullocks at an average weigh at present, 800, calves 140 %, Sheep 80 and lambs 40 till 50 ; more than twice as much hundred years ago.

The deer and other animals, which formerly inhabited forests, have either been extirpated or confined to the parks of the nobility and gentry.

Pigs, rabbits, pigeons, turkeys, geese, and various kinds of domestic poultry, are still objects of the farmer's care. The love of rural sports, always a characteristic feature in British amusement, has caused great attention to be paid to the various kinds of dogs for the huntsman and fowler. The mastiff and bull-dog are distinguished for their strength and courage, but degenerate in foreign climes. The fox, the stag and the hare are now the only quadrupeds, for the chase. The wolf and wild boar have long been extinct. The wild cat is yet found in mountainous and woody parts, as well as the badger, otter, marten, weasel, the squirrel, mole, dormouse and hedge-hog. The seal is chiefly confined to the coast of Wales. The chief birds of prey are of the eagle and hawk kind. The golden eagle visits the Welsh mountains and the black eagle the peaks of Derbyshire, but the osprey has become very scarce. The bustard is only seen in the most unfrequented parts of the eastern and southern counties. Singing birds of all kinds are found throughout the country, but the nightingale only in the southern parts. Birds of passage abound in many places. The coasts are frequented by numerous flocks of sea-fowls.

Of the finny tribes, the pilchards, mackerels, herrings, turbots, soles, cods, ling, hollibut, plaice, haddock, whiting, smelt, mullet, doree and brett are numerous at certain seasons of the year. Some constitute a valuable article of export. The rivers, lakes and ponds of England and Wales afford fine salmon, trout, pike, eels, perch, carp, sturgeon, and various other kinds. It is computed that not less than 30,000 salmon are annually sent to London from the Tweed alone. The whale seldom appears in the English sea; many years ago, one was caught in the Thames.

The reptile species, as toads, frogs, lizards, and two or three kinds of serpents, are the principal. The viper is the only one that is venemous.

The various Minerals found in England, in the bowels of the earth, are for the most part, by the skill and industry of her inhabitants, either converted into the most precious and exquisite, or the most useful and important articles, that the taste, the luxury, the comforts, or the wants of man demand.

Gold is only occasionally found, Silver is chiefly met with in conjunction with lead and copper oar, Iron abounds in various places, but Coal is the most profusely bestowed. Blacklead is almost peculiar to England, rock salt furnishes a valuable export. Marble, spar, and various kinds of stone are plentiful in many districts, with fuller's earth and potter's clay.

Coal is obtained in many counties and places in both England and Wales. The Newcastle coal formation alone has the length of 23 miles from north to south, and its medium breadth is 80 miles, more than 180 square miles. The thickness of all the seams, considered worth working, is about 10 yards. The quantity of coal in this formation, therefore amounts to 5,575,680,000 cubic yards. More than two millions of chaldrons are annually exported from this district, for the county of Durham alone, annually exports upwards of one million and three quarters, and these mines may be worked at the same rate, for 1500 years, before they will be exhausted. The deepest mines are those in Northumberland and Durham, some of which are worked to about 300 yards below the surface.

The iron mines supply 200,000 tons of pigiron, the present produce of lead in Derbyshire alone is about 1200 tons. Tin is confined to Cornwall and the adjacent parts of Devonshire, which have been celebrated for this peculiar metal, ever since the time of the Phoenicians, by whom it is supposed to have been discovered. The present produce exceeds 400 tons annually. Copper is found in various parts of the great chain of mountains, stretching from Cumberland to Cornwall. The Isle of Anglesea, and North Wales, also contain an inexhaustible store of this valuable metal, there are besides Salt mines. The amount of the exports of salt at Cheshire alone is 140,000 tons &c.

Few countries contain more Mineral Waters than England. The most celebrated are those of Bath, Bristol, Cheltenham, Harrogate, Scarborough, Buxton, Matlock and Tunbridge Wells.

Manufactures.

The use of machinery and steam power, the employment of large capitals, and the division of labour, which has been carried further in England than in other countries, have enabled the manufacturers to maintain a competition in foreign markets, from which they would otherwise have been excluded.

The Cotton manufacture of England affords an unparalleled instance of rapid increase. Manchester is the centre of the cotton district. The quantity of cotton wool imported and employed is stated at more than One Hundred Millions of pounds.

The Branch of British Hardware Manufactures is most extensively celebrated. The principal metallic manufactories are at Birmingham, Sheffield and the adjacent districts, with the exception of London, where many of the finer and more valuable works are executed. Brass, Iron and Steel, Buttons, Bracemaking, Burnishing, the making of nails (Locks and iron work belonging to the sadlery business, are principally executed at Wolverhampton and Walsal), cutlery and plated goods are brought to the highest perfection. Sheffield is distinguished for the manufacture of files, and the process of converting iron into steel. The total value of the whole of the metallic articles produced in England and Wales, is about 18 till 20 Millions, and the number of people employed 400,000.

Clock and watch movements, with the tools by which they are executed, are extensively made in several parts of the kingdom, particularly at London, Coventry, Derby, Prescot and Liverpool. The whole value of the watches and chronometers, made in the metropolis, is estimated at a million sterling. Astronomical, mathematical, optical, and philosophical inII. Vierte Auflage. 16

« AnteriorContinuar »