Manufactures and Commerce.-These are two fertile subjects in this interesting state. The people of Massachusetts are proverbial for industry, and manufacture not only a great part of the articles necessary for the consumption of the state, but export largely to their neighbours. In 1810 the manufactures were valued at $17,516,000, and since that period they have greatly increased, particularly within the last three years. Boston is now a city, and has extensive and thriving manufactures in almost every branch, and the environs, to the distance of many miles, are planted with thriving manufacturing establishments. The principal articles are cottons, woollens, linens, iron, glass, leather, cordage, soap, wire, cut nails, earthen ware, paper, straw bonnets, &c. Ship building is carried on extensively in many places, and a great many people are extensively employed in the fisheries. The number of persons employed in the manufactures by the census is 33,464.

The commerce of this state is very extensive, Boston being the chief town for the importations for the supply of all the New England states. The exports consist of fish, beef, lumber, pork, ardent spirits, whale oil, flax seed, and a great variety of manufactures. The amount of the exports in 1821 was $12,484,000, of which $3,638,000 was domestic produce, and $8,846,000 was foreign. The number of persons employed in commerce by the last census is 13,301.

Cities, Towns, and Villages.-Massachusetts is a very thickly settled country, and contains a great number of manufacturing and commercial towns, of which a few only can be noticed; and it may be proper again to mention, that in giving the population from the census, it includes all the incorporated townships which, in the NewEngland States, are called towns.

THE CITY OF BOSTON is the seat of government, and being one of the large commercial cities, has been described in the general view. The population is 43,940.

Charleston is opposite to Boston, and is so closely connected with it, that it may be considered one of the suburbs. The population is 6,591.

Lynn is situated N. E. from Charleston, 8 miles on the Salem road, and is celebrated for its extensive shoe manufactory. Population, 4515.

Salem is 14 miles N. E. from Boston, and is, next to that city, the most commercial town in the state, having a great quantity of shipping, particularly in the India trade. Population, 11,346.

Beverly is opposite to Salem, on the same harbour, and is largely concerned in the fisheries. Population, 4283. Marblehead is situated on a peninsula, 16 miles N. E. from Boston, and is largely concerned in the cod fisheries. Population, 5630.

Gloucester is near Cape Ann, about 13 miles N. E. of Beverly, and is also a great fishing station. Population, 6384.

Newburyport is situated on the Merrimac River, three miles from its outlet, and 33 N. E. from Boston, and is the third commercial town in the state. It has a fine harbour, but difficult of access. Population, 6852.

Dedham is situated 11 miles S. W. of Boston, and is a handsome manufacturing town. Population, 2493.

Plymouth is situated on Plymouth Bay, 36 miles S. E. of Boston, and is remarkable as the place where the first settlers landed in the year 1620, little more than 200 years ago, and we now see the extensive settlements which have been made under wise regulations and just laws. Plymouth has considerable trade, particularly in the fisheries. Population, 4348.

Taunton is situated 36 miles S. from Boston, in Bristol county, of which it is the chief town. It has considerable manufactures, and is in a thriving state. Population, 4520.

New Bedford is situated 52 miles south of Boston, on a river flowing into Buzzard's Bay, and has a safe harbour, and considerable trade, particularly in the whale fishery. Population, 3947.

Cambridge, the seat of the celebrated Harvard University, is situated 3 miles west from Boston, in a pleasant country, and is a most excellent seat of learning, in all its various branches, having an extensive philosophical apparatus, and a library containing upwards of 25,000 volumes. Population, 3295.

Worcester is situated 40 miles west from Boston, and is a flourishing inland town. Isaiah Thomas, Esq. the oldest Printer in America, resides here, and has lately erected a building at great expense, for the reception of the library and cabinet of the American Antiquarian Society, of which he is the president. The library consists of about 6000 volumes, many of them of great antiquity; and the cabinet is also very valuable. The population of Worcester is 2962.

Northampton is situated on the west side of Connecticut River, 97 miles W. from Boston, and has several flourishing manufactories. Population, 2854.

Springfield is also situated on Connecticut River, 17 miles below Northampton, near the Connecticut state line, and is the seat of very considerable manufactures, and a great inland trade. The armoury of the United States is situated about half a mile east of the village, and is in a flourishing state. Population, 3246.

Roads, Canals, and Public Improvements.-Massachusetts is chequered in every direction with excellent turn

pike roads, so that travelling is easy and agreeable. The Middlesex Canal, already mentioned, is a work of great magnitude and importance. It is 31 miles in length, and connects the waters of Merrimac River with Boston harbour. It is 24 feet wide and 4 feet deep, and has on it 16 locks, each 90 feet long by 12 broad. It is supplied with water by the Concord River, which it passes at the summit level, and from thence it descends 107 feet to Boston, by 13 locks, and 21 feet to the Merrimac, by 3 locks. It was commenced in 1793 and finished in 1804. The expense was upwards of $700,000. The people of Massachusetts are very active and enterprising, and their other public improvements are very extensive and important. Surveys have been made for several new canals in various parts of the state, from Worcester down the Blackstone River to Providence, and from Boston to the Hudson River; also across the isthmus from Buzzard's Bay to Cape Cod Bay.

Government and Laws.-The Constitution of Massachusetts was adopted in 1780; and in 1820 a number of amendments were made. By the constitution as amended, the powers of government are legislative, executive, and judiciary. The legislative power is vested in a general court, consisting of a senate and house of representatives, both chosen annually by the people, and they assemble annually in January and May. The senators are chosen by districts, and the representatives by townships; each township having 150 rateable polls, sends one, and another for every additional 225. The executive consists of a governor, lieutenant governor, and a council of 9 members. The governor and lieutenant governor are chosen annually by the people; and the council is chosen by the legislature from among the senators, and if they decline, then they are chosen, in like manner, from among the peo

ple. The judiciary is composed of a supreme court and different county courts. The right of voting at elections belongs to all male citizens of 21 years and upwards, who have resided one year in the state, and paid any tax assessed upon them within two years. Paupers and persons under guardianship are excluded.

Education and Manners.-Harvard University has been noticed, and there are a number of colleges and academies in different parts of the state. Common schools and academies are general throughout the state, so that the people of Massachusetts are remarkably well informed. They are also agreeable in their manners, and very industrious, so that it may be confidently predicted that this prominent state will long continue to be an ornament to the union of which it is a member.

Boundaries.-On the north and east, Massachusetts; south, the Atlantic Ocean; and west, Connecticut. Face of the Country.-This is the smallest state in the Union, but its surface is much diversified and very interesting. The southern part toward the sea is generally level, and the upper part hilly. The beautiful Narraganset Bay occupies a large portion of the eastern part, and there are several pretty rivers that flow into it and Long Island Sound.

Rivers, Bays, and Islands.-The principal rivers are Pawtucket, Providence, Pawtuxet, and Pawcatuck.

Pawtucket River rises in Massachusetts, and falls into Providence River a little below the town of Providence.