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lishes memoirs, is the oldest of the learned societies in the Northern provinces. Though, by the original plan, the field of its inquiries is very extended, its memoirs are chiefly on scientific subjects, particularly physics, chemistry, and political economy. It possesses a Museum of considerable extent. There are several societies in Holland on the same plan; but the most remarkable are the Society of Dutch Literature at Leyden; the Zealand Society of Sciences at Middleburg; and the Provincial Society of Sciences and Arts at Utrecht. The King has accepted the title of Protector of these four associations, which are consequently recognised by Government.

It is impossible, in enumerating the Literary and Scientific Institutions of the Low Countries, to omit the Dutch Society of the Fine Arts and the Sciences, which, though not patronised by Government, deserves peculiar notice. Its labours are almost solely confined to Dutch literature. It has four branches at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Leyden, and the Hague. The most distinguished literary men are members of this association.

At the head of the Philanthropic Institutions stands the Society of Public Utility, founded in 1787. To such celebrity has this association attained, that it reckons at present 170 sections in the kingdom, and two in the West Indies. The design of the society is to diffuse sound ideas of religion and morality, by propagating religious and civil toleration, and diffusing useful knowledge among the poor, and especially among the children and young people of both sexes. For this purpose it publishes useful works, which are sold at a very low price, so as to be within the reach of the low

est classes of society. It has for some time established Savings Banks, which will probably tend greatly to improve the habits of the working classes. To the same society is due, the progressive amelioration of the system of public instruction in the Low Countries. It has last year appointed a commission, with power to form a school for mechanics on a similar plan with those of France and England. Several institutions on an inferior scale, and supported by private subscriptions, are established throughout the kingdom, which direct their attention to particular departments of the sciences, literature, and the fine arts. Associations of this nature have been formed at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Harlem, Hoorn, Groningen, Bruges, Brussels, and the Hague.

The kingdom of the Low Countries can boast of having produced more eminent painters than any other country in Europe. Though the art is now more generally diffused, the people still feel an honest pride, in pointing to the works of the ancient Dutch and Flemish artists, which adorn the picture galleries at Amsterdam, Antwerp, the Hague, and Brussels. The King has lately founded two academies of the Fine Arts, the one at Amsterdam, the other at Antwerp. Public exhibitions of paintings take place every year, by turns, at the Hague or at Amsterdam, and at Ghent, at Antwerp, or at Brussels. In the latter town, there is a society for the encouragement of the Fine Arts, and a school for painting, architecture, and sculpture, under the name of an academy. Leyden possesses a suberb cabinet of Natural History, under the direction of M. Temminck. Utrecht can boast of the beautiful collection of Professor Bleuland, and

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the Hague of a royal library, and a collection of national antiquities.

For the encouragement of the progress of music, the King has lately founded four royal establishments for instrumental and vocal music at Amsterdam, Brussels, the Hague, and Liege. These establishments are maintained at the expense of Government and the towns where they are situated.

In Holland theatrical amusements have never been encouraged to the same extent as in other countries. For two centuries, however, a theatre, has been supported in Amsterdam at the expense of the town, and several Dutch pieces of some merit are represented with considerable success. The South of Holland has likewise a theatre, where only prose pieces translated from the German are represented; but no theatre has yet been established where the national language is used. The French theatre at Brussels enjoys the protection of the King, as well as the other theatres, but it is also conducted partly at the Royal expense.

Such is the activity, the intelligence, and the progressive improvement of the inhabitants of the Low Countries, that they are entitled to be ranked among the most industrious and civilized nations. Under the wise government of a monarch, whose sole desire it is to act as the father of his people, the administration, industry, commerce, legislation, and education are advancing with equal rapidity, and the people appear to second with their efforts and support with their confidence, the men who are placed at the head of the state; in such circumstances, we may well consider the nation as happy, and indulge the hope of a still happier futurity.

EUROPE IN 1827.

IX.

ITALY.

In their political condition, the Italian States are almost entirely regulated by the decisions of the Austrian Cabinet. Every improvement which, under the French supremacy, had been introduced in the different provinces, has been rooted out under the Austrian regime, and the restored princes are compelled to submit, in every point, to the will of the Court at Vienna. Since the last attempt which the Italians made to recover their liberty, they have been subjected to a more cruel military despotism, and a political inquisition has been established at Milan, equal in severity to that at Mayence. But even under Austrian tyranny, considerable exertions are making, especially in the north, to promote the progress of literature and science. There can be little doubt, that the influence of these efforts will soon be displayed, in the improvement of the manners, opinions, and general habits of the people. Notwithstanding the unfavourable circumstances in which the Italian

Peninsula is placed, considerable energy is displayed in the prosecution of literature. In every part of the country may be perceived a spirit of literary excitement, but it is developed in each of the States, with an intensity proportioned to the encouragement received from the local govern

ment.

Savoy, from its geographical position, has a favourable opportunity of participating in the progress of the sciences and arts, in the other European nations. At Chambery, a society has been recently formed, bearing the name of the Academy of Sciences, which has occupied itself since its formation in very interesting researches, on the physical geography of the province of Savoy. This institution has received, last year, a donation from Count Boigne, who, with well directed benevolence, has also founded at his own expense, an hospital for the insane.

Tuscany, and especially Florence, its capital, feels too much reverence for its illustrious ancestors, Dante, Machiavel, and Galileo, to neglect their lessons and example. It cultivates the sciences, literature and the arts, with equal enthusiasm and success. In no other part of Italy, is popular instruction more generally diffused. In Florence, there are four schools of mutual instruction, supported by the munificence of private individuals; three elementary schools following the old method, which are maintained at the public expense, and a great number of institutions conducted by private teachers. Classical instruction is given in two public schools, under the superintendance of monks; but the course of studies pursued in these classical seminaries is very defective. An esta

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