Androscoggin, Saco, and Piscataqua, which divides Maine from New Hampshire.

Geological Formation. Nearly all primitive.

Soil. Along the coast, generally poor, interspersed, however, with fertile spots. In the interior, more fertile, but little settled. Between Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers, the soil is excellent; but on the mountainous track, in the north-west, it is very poor.

Natural Productions. The principal natural productions are timber, in great variety; grass, of good quality ; vegetables and fruit; wild animals, wild fowl; and fish in great variety and abundance.

Minerals. No great quantity of these have been found; the principal are iron, copperas, and sulphur.

Climate. The principal settlements are along the sea coast, which is tempered by the sea air, so that the climate is not materially different from other parts of New England, notwithstanding its northern situation. The winters are long and severe, lasting from about the first of November to the first of April, during a great part of which time the ground is covered with snow, and the rivers with ice. The summers are often very warm, and vegetation rapid. The average temperature along the sea coast is about 45°, but the thermometer usually ranges from 0 to 90°. The climate is healthy.

Historical View. This country was originally inhabited by the Abenaquis Indians. The first attempt at settlement by the white people, was in 1607; and in 1652 Maine became connected with Massachusetts. In 1691, Maine and Massachusetts were incorporated by a charter from William and Mary, and continued till 1819; when the union was formally dissolved; and in 1820, Maine adopted a constitution, and became an independent state, and a member of the federal union. In 1790, the

population was 96,540; in 1800, 151,719; in 1810, 228,705. The state is now divided into 9 counties and 217 townships, and is settled according to the following

Agriculture and Produce. A small portion of the state. comparatively, has as yet been brought under agricultural improvements. Where they have been introduced they have succeeded very well. The principal products are grain, grass, fruits, and garden vegetables. The people employed in agriculture, are stated in the census of 1820, to be 55,031.

Manufactures and Commerce. The principal manufactures in this state, at present are those made in families; but they are also increasing on an enlarged scale. In 1810, the manufactures were estimated at $2,138,000. In 1820, the people employed in manufactures are stated at 7,643. The chief exports from Maine, consist of lumber and fish. The number of persons employed in commerce in 1820, was 4297; and in 1821, the amount of

exports was $1,041,000; of which $47,000 was foreign articles.

Towns. PORTLAND is the seat of government, and the largest town in the state. It is situated on the coast between Saco and Penobscot Rivers, on a fine harbour, and is a place of considerable trade. The population in 1820 was 8581.*

Eastport is a place of considerable trade at the eastern extremity of the United States, opposite Passamaquoddy Bay-the township, in 1820, contained 1937 inhabitants.

Robbinstown is a post town, opposite to St. Andrews, in New Brunswick. Population of the township 424.

Machias. Situated on Machias bay; is a considerable port, particularly in the lumber trade. The township has a population of 2033, who own a large number of saw mills.

Castine is situated on a promontory on the east side of Penobscot bay. It has a fine harbour, and is a place of great importance. Population in 1820, 975.

Prospect is a flourishing town, on the west side of the same bay. Population 1171.

Bangor is a flourishing town, at the head of navigation on Penobscot River, which is the largest in the state. Population 1221.

Belfast is a considerable town on the west side of Penobscot bay. Population 2026.

Hallowell is a flourishing town on the east side of Kennebec River, containing 2919 inhabitants.

Augusta, the seat of justice of Kennebec county, is also

*The census of this state gives the population by townships, called in New England towns, without distinguishing that of the closely-built towns and villages. The population in this and subsequent towns and villages in Maine, therefore, includes that of the whole township. The townships are generally about six miles square.

a flourishing town on the west side of the same river, containing 2457 inhabitants.

Vassalborough, on the other side of the river, opposite to Augusta, contains 2434 inhabitants.

Waldoborough, on the sea coast, employs a great quantity of shipping in the coasting trade. Population 2449. Wiscassett, west from Waldoborough, is a considerable port. Population 2138.

Brunswick is situated at the falls of Androscoggin. Population 2954

Kennebunk is a port of entry and a place of considerable shipping. Population 2145.

York is an ancient town and port of entry, with considerable shipping. Population 3224.

Roads and Improvements. Maine has an active population, and the country is in an improving state. A great line of post road runs from west to east along the sea coast, and a number of roads are made into the interior of the country. A road has lately been laid out from Bangor to Quebec, and one has been surveyed from Hallowell to the Chaudiere River.

Government and Laws. The Constitution formed in 1819, distributes the powers of government into three departments-Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary. The legislature consists of two branches, a senate and house of representatives; and the members of both are elected annually by the people. The executive branch consists of a governor and a council of 7 persons. The governor is elected annually by the people; and the council are appointed in like manner by the legislature. The governor and council appoint all judicial and other officers. Every male citizen of the United States, of 21 years of age and upwards, (paupers and persons under guardian

ship excepted,) who has lived in the state three months preceding an election, is entitled to vote.

Education and Manners. The system of education is generally very good, and brings knowledge and information within the reach of the mass of the people; hence they are active and industrious, and possess good moral habits and a great deal of enterprise, which, under the blessing of providence and an excellent system of government, will lead to comfort and happiness.

Boundaries. North, Lower Canada; east, Maine; south-east, the Atlantic Ocean; west, Connecticut River, which separates it from Vermont.

Face of the Country. The sea coast extends about 18 miles, and is generally sandy. For 20 or 30 miles into the interior, it is partly level and partly undulating. In the interior it rises to considerable elevations, swelling out in many places to lofty mountains, the most eminent being the White Mountains; and the state continues very elevated all the way to the northern boundary. The mountains have been already noticed in the general account of the United States.

Lakes and Rivers. The principal lakes are Umbagog, between this state and Maine, and Winnippiseogee, at the head of the Merrimac river. The principal rivers besides Connecticut, already described, are Piscataqua and Merrimac Rivers.

Piscataqua River rises near the last-mentioned lake, and holding a south-east course for 40 miles, falls into the