The province of Friesland is a flat country, and the • north-west coast particularly being below the level of the sea, is secured against the encroachments of the ocean by very strong dykes, constructed and preserved at a vast ex pence. former tims, when the care of these dykes was left to the proprietors of the adjoining estates, they were often suffered to fall into decay, and the most destruc tive inundations were frequently the consequence of this neglect. In order to preserve themselves and their effects in such calamities, the inhabitants, in the want of natural sand hills, constucted circular eminences about twenty or twenty-five feet in height, upon which at length they gra dually built their habitations, so that many of the towns and villages of the province are now situated on these ar tificial mounds. Since the year 1570, when the dykes were all raised and strengthened at the public expence, these irruptions of the sea have been less frequent and fatal.
Friesland very much resembles the provinces of Hol land in its climate and soil. The country has been origi nally full of marshes; and many lakes are still found in the south-west districts; but in the south-east are several extensive heaths and woods. The whole country is intersected with canals, which at once carry off the super fluous water to the sea, and facilitate the intercourse of traffic. One of them extends from Harlingen to Lieuwar
den, and thence by smaller branches to Groningen ; and another passes front Slooten to a small gulf on the south coast. The north-west districts abound in excellent pas tures ; and, in these quarters, immense quantities of butter and cheese are produced. The cow-pock is said to have here been known among t+.e peasantry from time immemo rial. Besides excellent cows, sheep, and oxen, numbers of large horses are reared in these pastures, and sent for sale to Germany and other countries. In the more ele vated parts good corn land is found, and the wheat which it produces is greatly esteemed for the whiteness of its flour. Barley, pease, and potatoe• al.io are commonly raised ; but oats and hemp are the products. The inhabi tants, however, derive their chief support from the fish eries, which are numerous along the coast. Friesland is famed for its woollen stuffs, and still more for its linens, Nvhi are said to be the finest in Europe. The fuel prin cipally used in the country is peat or turf, but of an infe rior kind to that which is found in Holland. See Modern Univ, fist. vol. xxxi.; and Playlair's Geography. (q)