Education. As to education, there are three head "boards of studies"; one at Vienna, for superintending and controlling whatever concerns the business of education in every province but Hungary and Transylvania; a second at Buda for the former, and a third at Klausenberg for the latter principality, which also takes cognizance of all ecclesiastical affairs. The various provincial authorities, in conjunction with the clergy and consistories, act under the immediate sanction or directions of these boards. The same system obtains with regard to the Greek and Protestant schools, though it will be conceived that the state of the latter is not likely to have been improved by subjecting them to the visitation of Roman Catholic deans and episcopal consistories. A director is appointed for every branch of instruction to every province and academical district, and he is assisted by a pro-director in matters of external, and by an exhortator in matters of religious discipline. In the universities, both are intrusted to their own magistracy. The lower class of schools are subject to the inspection of the local clergy at each spot, but that of whole districts is vested in the dean or vice-dean appointed by the bishop; and the general superintendence and conduct of all matters connected with education is in each province carried on by its own local government. The several descriptions of schools are as follows:- National schools, which exist in every place where there is a parish registry, and are open to all ages; and head schools, each of three classes of pupils, in most cities and market towns, for educating youth intended for handicrafts, mechanical employments, &c. There are normal schools of four classes, each for educating teachers; and civic schools for the acquisition of practical knowledge, with three classes in each, to which youth, intended for the higher branches of the arts, commerce, the station of surveyors, &c, resort. Inde

pendently of Hungary and Transylvania, the whole number of national schools was stated, three or four years since, at 24,931; pupils, 1,993,522; teachers, 33,053. The number of national schools in Hungary, in 1820, has been stated at 5,505. — The universities of Austria are the following nine, to which the number of students, according to last accounts, are annexed.

The Austrian Empire is composed of several States or countries, which are situated towards the south of Europe, which are inhabited by different nations, speaking different languages; and which differ in their laws and institutions. The empire is more extensive in territory than the kingdom of France, and comprises also a greater population. It is the leading State in the Germanic Confederation, and it exercises a great influence in the political affairs of Europe.

Austria is unfavorably situated with respect to foreign commerce. Its maritime trade centres in the ports of the Adriatic, and is confined principally to the Mediterranean. The total amount of exports is esti mated at about £6,000,000; imports about £5,900,000.

The Austrian navy is under the management of a naval commandant at Venice. It consists of from 30 to 34 vessels of war, of which 3 are ships of the line in ordinary, 5 frigates, 5 sloops, 8 brigs, and 6 schooners.

The government is an absolute monarchy, limited, however, with respect to Hungary and Transylvania, which have diets or legislative bodies. Most of the other provinces also have provincial assemblies, but they impose little check on the prerogative of the monarch. Protestants enjoy religious liberty throughout the Austrian dominions, a privilege granted to them by the edict of toleration promulgated by the Emperor Joseph, in 1784. The censorship of the press is rigidly enforced, and a powerful influence is exerted by Austria to keep it enforced throughout Germany. Prince Metternich, the Prime Minister of Austria, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, in 1809, has been, for about 30 years, the leading spirit in the government, and the director and manager of the Austrian policy.

Each Canton is an independent republic. In some of the Cantons the form of government is a democracy, but in most of them, an oligarchy. But, for the general security, the cantons are confederated together, and the regulation of affairs, which concern the whole confederation, is intrusted to a Diet composed of deputies from the 22 cantons, who assemble commonly on the first Monday in July at Zurich, Berne, or Lucerne, the place of meeting being changed in rotation every two years; and the deputy of the Canton in whose capital the Diet assembles, presides. In 1839 and 1840, the Diet will meet at Zurich; in 1841 and 1842, at Berne; and in 1843 and 1844, at Lucerne.

XV. SPAIN.

Spain, a mountainous country, comprising the most of a great peninsula lying in the southwest of Europe, is advantageously situated, and two centuries ago, it was the most formidable power in Christendom; but it is now comparatively weak, and is backward with respect to agriculture, manufactures, the arts, and education.

It is divided into 14 large provinces, and subdivided into 31 smaller

The population of Spain, in the above table, is given according to Has

sel and other authorities. It is probably, however, an over estimate.

The population given in the table of the "States of Europe" (see page 225), is 11,963,000, and is the statement contained in the "Appendix to a Decree in the Madrid Gazette' of August, 1836."

ISABELLA II. (Maria Louisa), Queen of Spain; b. at Madrid, Oct. 10, 1830; succeeded her father Ferdinand VII. Sept. 29th, 1833.

Mother of the Queen, and Queen-Regent during her minority. Maria Christina de Bourbon, daughter of Francis, late King of the Two Sicilies, b. April 27th, 1806.

Sister of the Queen.

Maria Louisa Ferdinanda, Infanta of Spain; b. Jan. 30, 1832.

Uncles of the Queen.

-m.

Charles, or Don Carlos, Infant of Spain; b. March 29th, 1788; Sept. 29th, 1816, Frances, Infanta of Portugal; — Issue, 3 sons. Francis de Paul, Infant of Spain; b. March 10th, 1794; -m. June 12th, 1819, Louisa Charlotte, Princess of the Two Sicilies: - Issue, children.

Since the death of Ferdinand VII., in 1833, Spain has been harassed by a civil war, carried on in the name of Donna Isabella II., Queen of Spain, the daughter of Ferdinand, by her mother Donna Maria Chris. tina de Bourbon, Regent of the empire, on one part, and by Don Carlos, the Pretender, brother of Ferdinand, on the other part; and the contest is yet undecided.

On the 16th of June, 1837, a Constitution was proclaimed at Madrid in the name of the Queen, and signed by the Queen Regent, the ministers, and deputies. This constitution is similar, in many respects, to the present constitution of France, and guaranties the liberty of the press, and other fundamental principles of freedom.

By this constitution the nation is obliged to maintain the public wor ship and ministers of the Catholic religion professed by Spaniards. The power of enacting laws resides in the Cortes in conjunction with the King.