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GUATIMALA, OR CENTRAL AMERICA.

1. GUATIMALA occupies the narrow tract between the northern and southern divisions of the Western Continent; and has, in consequence of its position, assumed the title of the United States of Central America.

2. It became independent in 1824, and adopted a form of government modelled after that of the United States; but instead of acquiring the order and prosperity of that republic, it is the seat of anarchy and civil war.

3. The country is traversed on the western coast by lofty ranges of mountains, which contain many volcanoes, one of which, the Water Volcano, is remarkable for throwing out vast quantities of water; while the eruptions of another, the volcano of Cosiguina, were, in 1834, heard 1000 miles distant, and the ashes thrown by it were carried to Jamaica,

800 miles.

4. The soil of this region is prolific, and yields, in perfection, all the most valuable tropical products. Its indigo and cacao are of superior quality. Mines of silver are numer ous, but few of them are at present productive.

5. One-half of the population of Guatimala is composed of Indians, one-fifth whites, and the remainder of the mixed The Catholic is the established religion, no other

races.

being tolerated.

6. Part of the east coast of this republic is called the Mosquito shore. It is covered with vast forests, and peopled by independent Indians; of whom, some of the tribes have long been in alliance with the English.

7. St. Salvador, the capital, is situated nearly half way between the northern and southern extremities of Guatimala. Its inhabitants are chiefly employed in the indigo trade. Old Guatimala, formerly the capital, was destroyed by an eruption of water from the Water Volcano, but is now reviving.

8. New Guatimala is the most populous place in the country, and is a handsome city. Leon and Cartago are considerable towns. Omoa and Truxillo, on the bay of Honduras, are the chief sea-ports.

Guatimala. Q.-1. What does Guatimala occupy? What has it assumed? 2. When did it become independent? What is said of the government? 3. Of the country? Water Volcano? Cosiguina? 4. Of the soil? Mines? 5. What is said of the population? Of the Catholic religion? 6. Of the east coast? 7. Describe St. Salvador. Old Guatimala. 8. New Guatimala, &c.

Map No. 3.

East? C.-Sa. West and south? P.-On.

- What bounds Guatimala on the north? Mo., Be. What bay on the north? Hs. On the east? Ga. What lake in the south? Na.. How long is it? What river connects it with the sea? S.-Jn. - Which is the most populous city? N.-Ga. - The four next in population? Ln., Co., S.-Sr., O.-Ga.. What is the population of these places?

Map No. 5.- Guatimala comprises five states. Point them out? Ga., Hs., S.-Sr., Na., C.-Ra.. What is the capital of each? N.-Ga

Ca., S.-Sr., Ln.. Co.- In what state is the Water Volcano situated Ga.-Volcano of Cosiguina? Na. - Lake Nicaragua? Na.

WEST INDIES.

1. THE West Indies consist of a large collection of islands situated between North and South America. They are all, with the exception of Hayti, subject to different European powers.

2. These Islands comprise four great divisions: the Bahama Islands, the Great Antilles, the Little Antilles, and the Caribbee Islands. The latter are divided into two groups, the Windward and Leeward Islands.

3. The climate is mild and pleasant in winter, which lasts

West Indies. Q.-1. Of what do the West Indies consist? 2. What do they comprise? 3. What is said of the climate? What sometimes

Y

from December to May; but the remainder of the year is hot and unhealthy for strangers. Between August and October, tremendous hurricanes or storms sometimes occur, which often do great injury to towns, houses, and shipping.

4. The West Indies abound in nearly all the productions of warm climates, and are rich in a variety of articles of great importance in commerce; while the forests furnish mahogany and several other woods useful in the arts.

5. The principal fruits are, oranges, lemons, pine-apples, papaws, bananas, plantains, &c. The two last afford a supply of excellent food, with but little attention to their cultivation. A great variety of birds is found in the West Indies, nearly all of which are, however, common to the neighbouring continents.

6. The green turtle and guana lizard are both highly prized, as afford ing delicious food. The former are sent in considerable numbers t Europe and the United States. They come on shore in the night, whe. the fishermen turn them on their backs, and collect them at leisure The guana is from four to five feet long; it is very nimble, and is hunt ed with dogs. The flesh is tender, sweet, and delicate.

7. Commerce is carried on from the West India Islands with great activity, and to a larger amount than in any other country of the same extent and population.

8. The chief articles of export are, coffee, sugar, rum, cotton, cocoa, pimento, mahogany, logwood, &c. The imports. are, manufactured goods of all kinds from Europe, with flour, lumber, fish, and salted provisions from the United States and British America.

9. The islands of the West Indies are under the control of Governors,

occur? 4. In what do the West Indies abound? 5. What are the principal fruits? What is said of birds? 6. Of the green turtle, &c. ? 7. What is said of commerce? 8. What are the chief articles of export? Imports? 9. What control are the islands under? How are

appointed by the powers to which they respectively belong. The white inhabitants of the British Islands are represented in the Houses of Assembly, which exercise some of the functions of the British Parliament. Hayti forms an independent republic.

10. The inhabitants of the West Indies consist of whites, free blacks, and slaves, of whom not more than 500,000 are whites. The remainder are of Negro origin; and, except in Hayti and the British Islands, the principal part are in a state

of slavery.

12. THE western colonies of Spain, which formerly comprised the greater part of the American Continent, are now limited to the two islands of Cuba and Porto Rico.

13. Cuba, the largest of the West India Islands, is nearly equal in extent to all the rest of the islands taken together. Porto Rico contains about one-tenth the area of Cuba. They are both fertile islands, and carry on an extensive trade, chiefly with the United States.

14. Havana, the capital of Cuba, is the largest and most flourishing place in the West Indies. Matanzas, Puerto Principe, and St. Jago de Cuba, are, after the capital, the most important towns. St. John's is the chief town in Porto Rico. It has a safe and capacious harbour, and is strongly fortified.

BRITISH WEST INDIES.

15. JAMAICA is the largest and most valuable of the British islands. The towns of Jamaica, and the other islands, are all sea-ports, and supported by commerce.

16. Kingston is the largest town in the British West Indies, and contains about 30,000 inhabitants. The chief of the other towns are, Bridgetown in Barbadoes, with 20,000 inhabitants; St. John's, in Antigua, with 15,000; and Basseterre, in St. Christopher's, with 7000 inhabitants.

the white inhabitants of the British islands represented? 10. Of what do the inhabitants consist? How many are whites? 11. What is the population of the different islands?

12. What are the colonies of Spain? 13. What is said of Cuba? Porto Rico? 14. Havana? Other towns? St. John's? 15. Jamaica? 16. Kings

18. The Bahamas comprise about 650 islands, of which only fourteen are of considerable size. The soil is arid and rocky, and these islands are, in consequence, not fruitful in the usual products of the West Indies.

19. The Bermudas lie to the eastward of the United States, and are a collection of rocks and small islands, of which only eight possess any importance. They enjoy an almost perpetual spring, and are clothed in constant verdure.

25. Hayti was formerly called Hispaniola, and also St. Domingo. It is one of the finest of the West India Islands, and once belonged jointly to France and Spain. The French portion was uncommonly flourishing, and the exports were nearly equal to that of all the other West India Islands united.

In 1791, an insurrection of the negroes broke out in the French part of the island. In 1793, the slaves were emancipated by a decree of the French National Assembly. In 1801, the independence of Hayti was declared; and in 1822, the Spaniards were expelled from the island: since which time, it has been entirely under the control of the coloured population.

ton, and the other towns? 17. Which is the most populous of the British islands? Ja.-The next? Bs.-The least? Aa.- What do the Bahamas comprise? What is said of the soil? 19. Of the Bermudas? What do they enjoy? 20. Which is the most populous of the French islands? Ge.-21. Of the Danish? S.-Cr.-22. Dutch? S.-Ea. — 23. What islands belong to Sweden? S.-Bw.-24. To Venezuela? Ma. 25. What is said of Hayti? The French portion? 26. Of the