stature, light hair, blue eyes, and fair complexion; they are intelligent, Literature. The literature of Scandinavia is adorned by many POETRY: Sternhjelm, Dalin, Creutz, Gyllenborg, Runeberg, Bishop Government, &c. - Norway is a limited hereditary monarchy, Army and Navy.-The armies of the two countries are separate, but Commerce and Manufactures.-At the end of 1868, the mercan- The Manufactures of Sweden consist chiefly of articles of home con- extensively prosecuted, and shipbuilding is carried on to some extent. There are few manufactures in Norway: brandy distilleries and sawmills are numerous; next to these are forges and metal-foundries, the produce of which is generally exported in a raw state. Iron-wire and nails are important items of industry, as also coarse woollen, linen, and cotton cloth for domestic use, glass, paper, oil, gunpowder, soap, tobacco, sugar-refining, and shipbuilding. Internal Communication. This is very deficient, especially in Norway, where few of the rivers are navigable for any considerable distance. The Glommen, the largest river in the kingdom, is navigable for only 14 miles; but regular steam communication has been established between the towns along the coast. The principal canals are the Gotha Canal, which connects the Kattegat with the Baltic, by the Gotha river and Lakes Wener and Wetter, avoiding the celebrated Trolhätta Fall; the Hielmar or Arboga Canal, uniting Lakes Mælar and Hielmar; and the Södertelge Canal, joining the southern extremity of Lake Mælar with the Baltic. In 1869, there were 1175 miles of railway open in the peninsula, of which 1103 miles belonged to Sweden. Railways connect Stockholm with Gothenburg, Jönköping, and Fahlun; while others are in progress in Gothland, which will connect it with Copenhagen and Stralsund, by Malmöe and Ystad. In Norway, a short line has been constructed between the capital and Lake Miösen, and another uniting the valleys of the Glommen and Logen. Foreign Possessions.-The only foreign possession belonging to Sweden is the small island of St Bartholomew in the West Indies. It was ceded by France to Sweden in 1784, has an area of 16 sq. m., and a population of 2898. Historical Sketch.-Sweden, Norway, and the greater part of Denmark were anciently known as Scandinavia, from which proceeded the Normans or Northmen, who conquered Normandy in the beginning of the 9th century, and England in 1066. Until the 7th century, Norway was governed by petty rulers. About 630, Olaf, of the race of Odin, was expelled from Sweden, and established a colony in Vermeland, which became the nucleus of a monarchy founded by his descendant, Halfdan III., in 824. The ancient inhabitants of Sweden were the Fins, a diminutive race, who retired to Finland, their present territory, on the appearance of the Goths, who have ever since been masters of Sweden. The Christian faith was established in Norway about A. D. 998, and in Sweden in the beginning of the eleventh century. Stockholm was founded in 1260, and Christiania in 1624. By the Union of Kalmar (1397), Norway, Sweden, and Denmark were united under Margaret. Denmark and Norway separated from Sweden in 1523, when Gustavus Vasa ascended the throne of Sweden. His illustrious descendant, Gustavus Adolphus, fell at the battle of Lutzen, in 1632. In 1524 Sweden embraced the Reformed religion. Finland, formerly part of Sweden, was ceded to Russia by the treaty of Frederickshamm, 1809; and Norway was united to Sweden by the treaty of Kiel, 1814. BY THE REV. ALEX. MACKAY, LL.D. F.R.G.S. Author of A Manual of Modern Geography, Mathematical, Physical, and Political, &c. &c. Seventh Edition, crown 8vo, pp. 304, price 3s. OPINIONS. Sir RODERICK IMPEY MURCHISON, K.C.B., President of the Royal Geographical Society, in his Anniversary Address, says: "Among the elementary publications, I may direct attention to a useful little work, by the Rev. Alexander Mackay, entitled 'Elements of Modern Geography' (Blackwood & Sons). In a former Address I ventured to commend the Manual of Geography' by the same author; and the present production is an improved and careful epitome of that work, which can be recommended as a text-book to be used in the educational establishments of the country. Considering that the author is as I know myself-actively employed as a minister of religion in the heart of Aberdeenshire, remote from access to libraries and the great marts of knowledge, I cannot but admire the assiduity and research displayed in the preparation of this elementary treatise." A. KEITH JOHNSTON, LL.D. F.R.S.E. F.R.G.S., H.M. Geographer for Scotland, Author of the 'Physical Atlas,' &c. &c.-"There is no work of the kind, in the English or any other language, known to me, which comes so near my ideal of perfection in a school-book, on the important subject of which it treats. In arrangement, style, selection of matter, clearness, and thorough accuracy of statement, it is without a rival; and knowing, as I do, the vast amount of labour and research you bestowed on its production, I trust it will be so appreciated as to insure, by an extensive sale, a well-merited reward." RICHARD G. GRAHAM, English Master, College for Daughters of Ministers of the Church of Scotland and of Professors in the Scottish Universities." No work with which I am acquainted so amply fulfils the conditions of a perfect text-book in the important subject of which it treats, as Dr Mackay's 'Elements of Modern Geography.' In fulness and accuracy of details, in the scientific grouping of facts, combined with clearness and simplicity of statement, it stands alone, and leaves almost nothing to be desired in the way of improvement. Eminently fitted, by reason of this exceptional variety and thoroughness, to meet all the requirements of higher education, it is never without a living interest, which adapts it to the intelligence of ordinary pupils. It is not the least of its merits that its information is abreast of all the latest developments in geographical science, accurately exhibiting both the recent political and territorial changes in Europe, and the many important results of modern travel and research. "By the publication of such a work the Author has conferred a boon upon the whole teaching profession, and I have no doubt that his labours will be duly appreciated." Daily News. "These 'Elements,' simple as they appear in their present form, could only have been written by one who had made the facts of geography the subject of long and profound study. The order and arrangement of the volume is superior to that of any other one likely to come into comparison with it, and immensely increases its utility." Spectator.-"The best Geography we have ever met with." Athenæum.-"Full of sound information, including the results of the most recent investigations, and in every respect corresponding to the actual state of geographical knowledge, both physical and political." WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS. A BOOK FOR BEGINNERS. BY THE REV. ALEX. MACKAY, LL.D. F.R.G.S. Ninth Edition, 18mo, pp. 112, price 1s. These Outlines-in many respects an epitome of the Author's 'Elements' are carefully prepared to meet the wants of beginners. The arrangement is the same as in the Author's larger works; minute details are avoided, the broad outlines are graphically presented, the accentuation marked, and the most recent changes in political geography exhibited. "The Rev. A. Mackay, whose 'Manual of Modern Geography,' and 'Elements of Modern Geography,' have met with deserved approbation, has now completed the course by publishing Outlines of Modern Geography: a Book for Beginners' (Blackwood and Sons), which possesses all the requisites of an excellent introduction. By means of a skilful arrangement of the materials, and a judicious adaption of the type, a vast amount of essential geographical knowledge is conveyed within moderate limits, and in a very convenient form. Due prominence is given to the natural features of the different countries; advantage has been taken of the latest discoveries and census returns; and the accentuation of proper names is marked in needful cases." "-Athenæum. "We must commend the judicious selection of the facts which are classified under the different headings. They are precisely such as it is most important to communicate early, in order to give the youthful student a good general idea of the character, people, and products of the countries of the world, and to interest him in prosecuting the study further."-Daily Review. "The Author has produced three of the best works on geography extant. The 'Manual' is universally acknowledged as by far the best work of its kind yet published. The Elements' are unsurpassed by any text-book on the subject. They are peculiarly fitted for the higher classes in our common schools, while the 'Outlines' are specially suited for classes less advanced, and for those schools in which the pupils do not remain long enough to admit of a thorough exhaustion of the larger text-books. We commend them most cordially to the notice of all teachers, assuring them that they will find them superior as text-books to any of those generally in use."-Wick Journal. "This is a most admirable epitome of Mr Mackay's two former works, the 'Manual' and the 'Elements,' executed with that painstaking care and economy which characterises everything that comes from Mr Mackay's pen."-Aberdeen Free Press. "Formed on the River-Basin system, like the larger volumes, it contains within the compass of 112 pages a vast amount of accurate information, carefully and judiciously arranged. The author has evinced peculiar aptitude for the undertaking."-Inverness Courier. WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS. Second Edition, Crown 8vo, pp. 336, price 4s. FACTS AND DATES; OR, THE LEADING EVENTS IN SACRED AND PROFANE HISTORY, PHYSICAL SCIENCES: THE MEMORY BEING AIDED THROUGHOUT BY A SIMPLE For Schools and Private Reference. BY THE REV. ALEX. MACKAY, LL.D. F.R.G.S. "A most valuable book of reference, which will be of immense service to students of history. His wide knowledge has directed the author at once to the most trustworthy guides in the various departments of the almost illimitable field he has traversed. Every date throughout is embodied in a mnemonic sentence, so happily and tersely illustrative of the event, as to leave us fairly astonished at the patience and ingenuity of the author."-Papers for the Schoolmaster. 'Facts and Dates,' "This work is a wonderfully elaborate production. which in some hands would furnish forth a cyclopædia of tolerable dimensions, have their essence extracted, and here appear in the moderate compass of 317 pages. Great care has been taken to bring the volume in all respects to the point which the material and historical sciences have at present reached, while deep reverence for the Bible breathes through the volume."-London Weekly Review. "Facts and Dates' is the name of a very neat and well-compiled collection of tables, not exclusively chronological, though all involving numbers. But the chief feature is an extremely simple system of mnemonics, by means of which a few appropriate words attached to each fact or event are made to carry with them a string of figures."--Guardian. "Dr Mackay's book is planned with great ingenuity and skill. It is a text-book of physical science and universal chronology, adapted for scholastic purposes, on a principle of natural mnemonics, and gives evidence of much labour and research."-Nonconformist. "A valuable text-book of physical science and universal chronology. The plan is exceedingly ingenious, and at the same time eminently simple and natural."-London Scotsman. "There are certainly the elements of a very desirable auxiliary to students and general readers in this portion of Dr Mackay's volume, and we hope he will expand and elaborate the part alluded to in a future publication."-Athenæum. "There is a most interesting chapter on Scripture chronology, written in an admirable spirit, and displaying much ingenuity and research. Our deliberate opinion is, that it is one of the finest books of the kind we have ever met with."-Daily Review. |