with ice, while ours, which lie in the fame latitude, are open. To this moderation of the climate is attributed the long lives of many of the inhabitants; and to the fame caufe is owing that almoft perpetual verdure, in a manner peculiar to this country; which in the fummer is frequently refreshed by feafonable showers, and by the warm vapours of the fea, in winter, is generally fecured from any long continuance of froft and fnow. This happy fituation of our island can never be fufficiently valued, as it renders Great Britain a world, as it were, within itself, intirely independent of other nations; and furnishes her with all the neceffaries of life, in fuch abundance, as enables her to fupply other nations. That part of Great Britain which lies toward the Western Ocean, is mountainous, as Cornwall, Wales, and Cumberland; likewife fome of the interior counties, as part of Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Weftmorland, Northumberland, and near one half of Scotland. The eastern and fouthern parts of the country, chiefly confift of little fruitful hills and vallies, champaign fields, inclosed grounds of arable, pafture, and meadow lands; agreeably intermixed with wood and water; and being much inclosed and cultivated, it abounds with profpects that in beauty can fcarcely be exceeded, even by the fictions of imagination. It has on all fides very convenient harbours, and many extenfive navigable rivers, that convey the riches of all the nations of the known world into the very centre of the kingdom. The most confiderable rivers in England are the Thames, Severn, and Humber; in Scotland, the Forth, Clyde, and Tay. Various are the names by which this island hath been known, and as different are the reafons affigned for them. It was called Albion by the Greeks, Bretanica by the Phoenicians, and Brittannia by the Ro mans, mans, who diftinguished that part, now the Highlands of Scotland, by the name of Caledonia. The inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland, according to fome calculations, fo late as the year 1758, allowing fix perfons to each house, are computed at eight millions; viz. in England and Wales 5,700,000; in Scotland 1,300,000; and in Ireland 1,000,000; to these may be added near 2,000,000 fupposed to be in the British fettlements in Afia, Africa, and America. With refpect to the perfons and character of the English, they are generally of a strong active make, well fhaped, and of good ftature. They are induftrious, lovers of the liberal arts, and capable of carrying them to the greatest perfection. They are neither fo heavy as the Germans, nor fo exceedingly mercurial as the French; but are obferved to be generally open and blunt in their behaviour, and particularly averfe to fervility and cringing. Their good nature, generosity and humanity, have been frequently fhewn to their enemies, in fuch a manner as to do honour even to human nature. The lenity of their laws in capital cafes; their compaffion for convicted criminals; even the general humanity of highwaymen and robbers of this nation, compared with those of other countries; are all convincing proofs that the spirit of humanity is natural to them. The many noble foundations for the relief of the miferable and the friendlefs; the large annual fupplies from voluntary charities to thefe foundations, and on every other occafion where their benevolence is folicited, are alfo ftriking proofs of true goodness of heart and greatnefs of foul, for which this nation has been always diftinguifhed. In point of courage no people exceed, and very few equal the English; who are remarkable for this particular, that no people fhew a more refolute obftinacy in battle, though under the greatest disadvantages. Their valour and bravery, both by fea and land, B 2 land, hath been fo frequently exerted in many parts of the world, that the most formidable kingdoms have been conftrained to yield to the fuperior force of their arms: fo that Great Britain, at this time, by their courage and prudence, gives liberty to Europe, and has acquired an extent of territory equal to the Roman empire when in its meridian of power, and infinitely more useful to the mother country. The women, befide their natural beauty, which is fuch as not to need the affiftance of paint, fo common in other countries, are ftill more to be valued for their prudent behaviour, thorough cleanlinefs, and a tender affection for their husbands and children. As to the faults of the English; foreigners have remarked that they are fomewhat paffionate, melancholy, fickle and unfteady; one moment applauding, what they deteft in the next; and that the lower fort of people have too contemptible an idea of other nations; and are thence apt to treat ftrangers with rudeness. But this latter accufation feems rather to have been founded on particular inftances, which a great relish for, and propenfity to humour, fo obfervable among the common people, may fometimes betray them into; than to belong to them as a national character. Of the GOVERNMENT and CIVIL POLICY of BRITA I N. In all ftates there is an abfolute fupreme power, to which the right of legiflation belongs; and which, by the fingular conftitution of thefe kingdoms, is vefted in the king, lords, and commons. Of the King. The fupreme executive power of Great Britain, ard Ireland, is vefted by our conftitution in a fingle perfon, king or queen; for it is indifferent to |