SAXONY, a kingdom in the north-east of Germa ny, hounded on the north, north-west, and north-east by Prussia; on the south and south-east by Austria; on the west by the principality of Reuss and Saxe Go tha; and on the south-west by Bavaria. The domi nions of the Elector of Saxony were established into a kingdom in 1807 by Buonaparte, who enlarged it by the addition of Prussian Poland, and by considerable portions of the Austrian states. This additional ter ritory, however, was restored to Prussia and Austria at the congress of Vienna, when the kingdom of Sax ony was composed as it is at present of the following divisions: The general form of the kingdom of Saxony is tri angular, the longest side of which is on the frontiers of Bohemia, from which it is separated by a long range of mountains stretching in a south-westerly di rection.
The surface of the northern part of Saxony is in ge neral of a level or gentle undulating character; but in the south it rises into three successive ridges of moun tains, called the Vorgeberg, the Mithelgeberg, and the Hochgeberg. The following are the elevations of their most lofty summits: A portion of the mountainous region which lies be tween Dresden and Bohemia, has received the appel lation of Saxon Switzerland, from the similarity of its scenery to that of the Helvetian Alps. It is about 28 miles long and 23 broad. The Elbe forces its way through this elevated region, at the base of precipices 1000 feet high. The almost impregnable fortresses of Koenigstein, Litherstein, and Lillienstein, situated on elevated rocks, display all the resources of modern fortification.
The kingdom is about 140. miles long, its maximum breadth about 75 miles, and its extent in English acres is about 2,620,000.
The principal rivers in Saxony are the Elbe, the Black and White Elster, the two Muldas, and the Ple isse, all of which, except the Elbe, (see ELBE,) have their sources in the south of the kingdom, but are not navigable within its limits.
The principal agricultural districts in Saxony are the circles of Meissen and Leipsic, where the land is well cultivated, and produces wheat, barley, oats, and other grains in abundance. Tobacco, hops, flax, anise seed, woad, &c. are also raised; and in Meissen some. wine is made in favourable situations. In the southern mountainous districts there are extensive forests, which yield good timber and pitch, but which are maintained principally for the purpose of supplying the miners with fuel. Coals, which are found in seve ral places of the country, and turf, are used by the people in various parts for domestic fuel.
Wool has long been one of the staple commodities of Saxony, great attention having been fora long time bestowed on the breed of sheep, and Merino lambs having been introduced about the year 1768.
Saxony has long been celebrated for its mineral wa 11 n tern. which have been found principally in the lofty range of the Erzegebirge. The basis of this range is granite, upon which rest gneiss, mica and clay slate. Basalt in regular columns occur in various parts. There are a few silver mines here. Iron is found in the primitive mountains, and copper and lead in the secondary ones. Arsenie, cobalt, tin, cinnabar, mer cury, bismuth, antimony, &c. are also found. Among the valuable stones, are topazes, amethysts, chryso lites, garnets, tourmalines, and all the varieties of the quartz family, such as agates, cornelians, &c. The porcelain earth found in the neighbourhood of Meis sen gave rise to the celebrated porcelain manufactory of Meissen, which we have already described in our article PORCELAIN.
Saxony has long possessed extensive manufactories of woollen goods; and the weaving of linen is carried on to a great extent. At Chemnitz, Plauen, &c. cot ton spinning is extensively carried on. Leipsic con tains some silk manufactures. In our articles CHEM NITZ, DRESDEN, and LEIPSIC, will be found an account of various other Saxon manufactures.