was given to the latter, under which a new government was organised. The present state of Maine was a part of Massachusetts until the year 1819, when the legislature relinquished all authority over the district of Maine, upon certain conditions. The state of Massachusetts was then reduced within its present defined boundaries, having a connected domain; and the district of Maine was organised into a state, and admitted into the Union, in 1820, as one of the national sovereignties.

The area of this state is 7,800 square miles; the middle, eastern, and north-eastern portions are hilly and broken; the south-eastern, level and sandy; and the western portion, although slightly mountainous, is but inconsiderably elevated above the sea; Saddle Mountain, in the north-west extremity, 3,505 feet in altitude, being the highest land in the state. The next eminences of any consequence are-Wachusett Mountain, near the centre of the territory, having an elevation of 2,018 feet; Mount Tour, on the west of the Connecticut, of 1,200; and Holyoke, on the east side, of 910 feet. Saddle Mountain is a peak of the Green Mountain range, which enters the state from Vermont, and passes through it into Connecticut.

The water-power of Massachusetts is abundant; and it is employed to the fullest extent. Manufactories are scattered all over the state, giving employment to thousands who could not otherwise obtain a subsistence. The soil is sterile, and its products are stunted or dwarfish. The Indian corn grows to the height of five to six feet; in Virginia, and other central states, it grows to the height of nine and ten feet. The commerce of Massachusetts is

very extensive, and its ships are to be found throughout all the seas. This state has ever been foremost in learning, and its scholars have done much for the diffusion of knowledge throughout the whole country.

The first constitution of the state of Massachusetts was framed in March, 1780. Sundry alterations and amendments have been from time to time adopted; but the principles of government remain the same as organised by the constitution of 1780. It declares, "that all power residing originally in the people, and being derived from them, the several magistrates and officers of government, vested with authority, whether legislative, executive, or judicial, are their substitutes and agents, and are, at all times, accountable to them."

The government is composed of three departments-the legislative, executive, and judiciary. The legislative power is vested in a general court, composed of a senate and House of Representatives, the members of which are elected by the people. The former, according to the constitution, is composed of forty members, and the latter of 240. The governor, or executive of the commonwealth, is elected annually. He has, to aid him, a council, consisting of eight persons, annually chosen from among the people at large, by the inhabitants of the state who are qualified to vote. Every male citizen, of twenty-one years of age and upwards, is a voter. The organic law, however, declares, that "no person shall have the right to vote, or be eligible to office under the constitution of this commonwealth, who shall not be able to read the constitu- . tion in the English language, and write his name."

The state is divided into judicial districts. It has an appellate court; also other tribunals for the administration of justice in the larger cities, with especial jurisdictions.

Massachusetts has given to the nation two presidents; John Adams, and his son, John Quincy Adams.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

In 1621, Captain John Mason was granted, by the council of Plymouth, authority over certain lands lying between the river of Naumkeag and the river Merrimac; these were called the district of MARIANA. In 1622, another grant was given to Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Captain Mason, jointly, for all the lands lying between the Merrimac and the Sagadahoc rivers, and extending back to Canada. This tract of land was called LACONIA: it included a part of the Mariana grant. In 1629, Laconia was divided. The region east of the Piscataqua was given to Gorges, and named MAINE; the west tract was given to Mason, and named NEW HAMPSHIRE, in honour of Hampshire county, England.

In 1641, a large number of the inhabitants came under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. For some years there was a conflict of jurisdiction between many of the people of New Hampshire and the government of Massachusetts; aud, for a long time, the same governor presided over both colonies, but with distinct commissions. In 1737, commissioners were appointed by the crown to adjust the longsubsisting controversy; and finally, the whole was, by agreement, submitted to the king for his decision. George II.

decided in favour of New Hampshire. After this adjustment, the question of its western boundary arose; and, for a long time, New York and New Hampshire claimed the territory now known as Vermont. Both states issued land grants, and the dispute was conducted with much resolve and passion. The contest was quieted on the commencement of the revolutionary conflict with the mother country the claimants having entered into that struggle, forgot, for a time at least, all other considerations. After the war, and in 1791, by common consent, the disputed territory became the state of Vermont.

The area of the state is about 9,280 square miles; and it is of a mountainous, hilly, and broken character; and, with one exception, it contains the most elevated land east of the Mississippi; Mount Washington, the loftiest peak of the White Mountains, rising 6,428 feet above the sea-level.

The products of the state are Indian corn, oats, wheat, rye, &c. The timbers are oak, chestnut, pine, walnut, sugar-tree, &c. The soil is sterile, but repays careful culture by abundant harvests.

The constitution of New Hampshire was framed in 1792, and was amended in 1852. The powers of government are vested in legislative, executive, and judiciary departments. The first consists of a senate and House of Representatives; and, as a department, is styled the "General Court." It assembles annually. The senate has but twelve members; and, in the house, the number of members depends upon the voting population: thus, one member for each 150 ratable male polls, of twentyone years of age. The governor is chosen annually, by

the voters of the whole state. There are five councillors, one of which is elected by the people every year; each serving a term of five years. The councillors advise the governor in the executive department of the government. The state is divided into judicial districts, and the judges are appointed by the governor and council; they hold their offices during good behaviour.

Every male inhabitant of each town, of twenty-one years of age, is a voter, excepting paupers, and persons excused from paying taxes at their own request. The privileges of the Roman catholic religion are restricted. The constitution recognises the protestant faith as the legitimate religion, to be authorised by legislative authority to be promulgated to the people. Nevertheless, the Roman church is not prohibited.

New Hampshire has given to the nation one president, Franklin Pierce. It has enrolled upon its annals the names of many illustrious statesmen.

NEW JERSEY.

This state lies between the Hudson and the Delaware rivers, and has an area of 8,320 square miles. The first settlement was made on the Hudson river, opposite the upper part of the present city of New York, by the Danes, who accompanied the Dutch colonists under authorisation of the Dutch republic, in 1618. In 1623, a settlement was made, by the Swedes and Finns, on the Delaware river, below Camden-which was called Fort Nassau. In 1627, another was made on the western bank of the Delaware, near Christiana Creek. About 1640, the English began a