List of Works relating particularly to the History of Vermont.

Williams's Natural and Civil History of Vermont. 1 vol. in 8vo. Walpole, 1794. A new edition appeared in 1810, with a Map of the state.

Allen's History of Vermont. 1 vol. in 8vo. pp. 281. London, 1798.

Whitelaw's Map of this state.

CHAPTER XI.

RHODE ISLAND.

SITUATION AND EXTENT. This state lies between 41° 22′ and 42° of north latitude, and between 5° and 5° 50′ east longitude. It is bounded on the north by Massachusetts; south by the Atlantic Ocean; east by Massachusetts; west by Connecticut. It extends forty-nine miles from the Atlantic on the south to the Massachusetts line of boundary on the north, and the greatest width is thirty-seven miles. It stretches along the west coast of the bay twenty-two miles, and five along the eastern coast, containing about 1580 square miles, of which 190 are covered with water, and 90 consist of islands.

Surface and Soil.-This small territory, which includes Rhode Island* and Providence Plantations, has a low surface, except in the north-west

* Called Isle of Rhodes by the first settlers, who, in 1638, purchased it from an Indian chief for a pair of spectacles.

ern parts, and the township of Bristol, where Mount Haup is situated, formerly the seat of the Indian king Philip. The soil is interspersed with rocks and stones, and, though not fertile, it has been adapted by improvement for the reception and growth of all the vegetable produce common to the climate of New England. The pasture is generally fine, and more particularly in the Narraganset country, situated between South Kingston and the Connecticut line of boundary. The land of South Kingston, near the sea coast, and Narraganset Bay, is very fertile and productive, consisting of a deep rich loam, with a very small portion of sand or gravel; and the temperature is so mild, that it is seldom injured by drought or frost. The most barren parts are towards the north-west.

Temperature.-Extending on the south along the shore of the ocean, and embracing towards the east considerable islands, the climate of this state, owing to its particular situation, is somewhat milder than that of Massachusetts, situated to the north and east. The cold of winter, though nearly of the same duration, is less intense, and the heat of summer is not so oppressive. For many years Newport has been the resort of the rich southern planters during autumn, which season, always unhealthy in the low lands of the Carolinas, is here delightful, from the first of September to the close of Oc

tober. A late writer observes, “ that, were he to select the most favourable spot in America as the place of his abode, his choice would fall upon the southern point of Rhode Island." Another writer t observes, "that, in point of climate and productions, as well as of appearance, Rhode Island is perhaps the most similar to Great Britain

of

any state in the Urion. The winters are somewhat longer, and more severe; the summers, perhaps, a little warmer; but it resembles Great Britain in some measure in the defects of the climate, being from its situation subject to a moister atmosphere than many of the other states."

The

The

month of April is generally cold and rainy; May is temperate, regular, and favourable to rapid vegetation. The heat generally prevails during three months-June, July, and August. The winter is cold and rigorous during four months-from the first of November to the first of March. snow falls from the first to the middle of December, and sometimes at an earlier period. The air, throughout the year, is pure and wholesome, especially in the Narraganset track, where no destructive disease has ever been known to prevail. The Narragansets were distinguished for their saerifices. They had a spacious temple, and stated

times for their public assemblies. A fire was kindled in the temple, into which the Powacks cast the most valuable richess of the people, voluntarily brought by them, as skins, beads, hatchets, and knives. The Indians farther north, though not disposed to imitate their example, admired their piety, imagining that this was the reason why the plague or yellow fever, which had depopulated their country, had not raged there. *

Bays.-Narraganset Bay, one of the finest in the United States, runs above thirty miles into the country. The entrance of this bay is sixteen miles across. The north-west end forms Greenwich Bay, and the north-east Haup Bay. The latter is about five miles in length, and three in breadth. Point Judith Pond receives the waters of the Samatucket river, which are discharged into the ocean. This piece of water contains a cluster of islands, one of which has an area of ninety arable acres. † Providence Bay lies fifteen miles from Narraganset Bay, and is from one to three miles wide.

Rivers. The chief rivers are Providence and Taunton, both of which empty themselves into Narraganset Bay. The former, which has one of its sources in Massachusetts, is navigable for ships

• Morse and Parish's History of New England.

+ Dr Comstock's Description of South Kingston, inserted in the Medical Repository of New York for 1810, p. 227.