of France are considered, whether in regard to their agriculture or commerce, in every thing may be perceived, an analogous and almost always a proportional difference. It is also remarked, that those departments of the south where popular instruction is most carefully attended to, are the most industrious and opulent.

Mechanics schools are spread through the whole kingdom, under the patronage of his Majesty and the Dauphin. From a central school in Paris, teachers are sent to almost every town, and a great part of the expense attendant on such an extended system, is defrayed by the Government, and by liberal donations from the nobility. For the use of these institutions, many valuable text books have been published, exhibiting the doctrines and facts of science in a popular and attractive form. M. Dupin, whose indefatigable exertions in the cause of popular instruction, entitle him to the gratitude of his countrymen, is engaged in publishing for the information of mechanics, small tracts illustrative of the most important parts of his great work to which we have already referred, and which, from its high price, is inaccessible to such individuals.

In consequence of the exertions made in France for the instruction of the labouring classes, the products of French manufacture, at the last public exhibition in Paris, excelled, both in quantity and quality, those of any former year. The precious effects of mechanics schools are already becoming visible in the development of the inventive genius of the artisans, and an evident improvement in the whole appearance of the arts and manufactures. The enthusiasm of scientific men in France for the

instruction of the people, has affected the whole spirit and tone of their literature. Manuals, abridgements, popular views of the sciences and arts, are every day issuing from the press, and a zeal for the enlargement of the boundaries of science, has in a great measure given way to an anxious desire for the wide diffusion of what is already known among all classes of the people.

The progress of science in France during the year, may be best known from the labours of its scientific institutions. Among these the Royal Institute holds the first rank, which chiefly limits its inquiries to the physical sciences. This department of knowledge, is alone entitled to any notice, as, with the exception of the researches of M. Massias, no accession has been recently made to the philosophy of mind. In Zoology, the laborious researches of M. Geoffroy St Hilaire, are peculiarly remarkable, especially as illustrating the habits of the Cameleopard which were hitherto in a great measure unknown to naturalists; and the peculiarities of the Ornithoryncus, which has excited considerable attention among naturalists in Germany. M. Bory de St Vincent, has thrown much light upon the Oscillaria, which he considers as vegeto-animal substances. The chemical researches of M. Serullas upon the compounds of brome, and of M. Boullay upon the double iodurets, have enriched the interesting department of chemistry. Several memoirs were read in the Institute on the railways which have been introduced into France, and which will probably be of great advantage to the country. Astronomy has lost much by the death of Laplace; but Biot, and Arago, and Pons, still survive, and that sublime depart

ment of human inquiry is the favourite subject of their contemplation.

The Geographical Society are prosecuting their inquiries with increased ardour, and their labours will no doubt contribute much to the enlargement of our knowledge of the different parts of our globe. The French are making rapid advances in agriculture, and during last year, horticulture has become a more prominent object of inquiry, a society for its promotion having been formed in Paris.

The Fine Arts have been prosecuted with unabated activity and success in France during 1827. An English Theatre has been opened in Paris, and succeeded to a wish; a circumstance which strikingly indicates the rapid decay of that stupid nationality which has prevented so lamentably the liberal intercourse of nations. In the last exhibition of Paintings, which took place in Paris not many weeks ago, there has been a decided increase in the number both of paintings and statues. The liberal encouragement given to artists by Louis XVIII. has not been withdrawn by his successor; and as an abiding monument of the comparative merits of the most eminent living artists in France, it has been determined to employ them in adorning a part of the Louvre with paintings, each in his own style. This scheme will give an impulse to the labours of the artists, which cannot fail to be most advantageous to the progress of the Fine Arts.

EUROPE IN 1827.

III.

AUSTRIA.

A MORE Complete and regularly systematized despotism, can scarcely be found in Europe, than that which now exists in Austria. It was the wish of the late Emperor Joseph II. to introduce a more lenient system of administration. His intentions were excellent, but he was not possessed of sufficient influence or energy to accomplish his designs, which were unfortunately frustrated by the superior influence of the nobility and clergy. Amid such powerful opposition, the Emperor was discouraged, and very few reforms were really effected in the course of his short and troubled reign. His successor Francis has uniformly, since his accession to the throne in 1792, shown an inveterate hostility to even the most moderate improvements. The illiberal system of government, from which Joseph was desirous of delivering his subjects, has been restored in all its severity. The Jesuits alone have not been re-established, but other religious orders occupy their place.

Austria is composed of a great variety of States, of which several, recently subjected to its authority, will probably embrace the first favourable op