There are several literary societies at Geneva, the prin cipal of which is the Society of Natural Histciry, compos ed of all the distinguished individuals in the city. It meets, we believe, alternately at the houses of the different mem bers and the memoirs which are read are in general pub lished in the Bibliotheque Britannique, a monthly journal, which is perhaps the best conducted in Europe. It was founded by M. A. Pictet, who is one of the principal edi tors ; and the chief object of the work is to give an account of British publications. Geneva has t.lso a society for the advancement of the arts, founded by Al. Fuisar, a clock maker. There is a small observatory at Geneva, which con tains some good instruments ; and a botanical garden.
Geneva cannot be considered as either a commercial or a manufacturing town. It has long been celebrates for its manufactures of watches an jewellery ; and towards the end of the 18th century, five or six thousand persons of both sexes were employed in this occupation. London and Geneva were long regarded as the general magazines from which the rest of Europe was supplied with clocks and watches ; and it is stated by Pcuchet, that 25,000 gold and silver watches arc manufactured every year. The rough
part of the work is in general done by the inhabitants of the mountainous districts of Switzerland, and they arc sent to Geneva to be finished for sale. There are also in this city manufactures or velvet, India stuffs, silk stockings, hats, and leather. A great manufacture of imitation India shawls is carried on by M. Pictet of Rochemont. In order to accommodate the manufacturing class, a kind of bank called Caisse d'Escompte, has been established. Manu facturers and tradesmen can here obtain money upon good bills, at a moderate discount.
The climate of Geneva is extremely salubrious, though rather cold. The air is always colder than at Paris. In the greatest colds at Geneva, Reaumur's thermometer stands at from 14° to 18° ; and in the greatest heats, from 26° to 27'. There 4bl/try singular coincidence in the variations of the barometer at London, Paris, and Geneva. Geneva is situ ated in North Lat. 46° 12', and East Long. 6° 9' 30". Po pulation 26,140.