Rivers.—The principal river is the ELBE, which is navigable for large river boats through the whole of its course, a.s far as it lies within the boundaries of Saxony. It is joined, within Saxony, by a few small rivers, which are used to float down timber and fire-wood. The rivers which fall into the Elbe are the Black Oster, with its tributary the BOder, from the east, and from the west the Freyberger and the Zwickauer Mulda, which unite within Saxony, and the White }aster, with its tributary the I'leisse.
Productions.—The chief crops are corn, potatoes, rape-seed, hops, flax, hemp, chicory, tobacco, madder, woad, saffron, medicinal herbs, anise, coriander, poppy, its The meadows are most carefully culti vated, and yield several crepe in the year. Spanish clover is much cultivated. Culinary vegetables are abundant, and large quantities are exported. With the exception of the mountainous district, Saxony resembles a vast orchard, the produce of which is a never failing source of wealth to the inhabitants. The culture of the vine was introduced in the 11th century. The annual produce is about 2,400,000 gallons. Almost a fourth part of the country is covered with forests, consisting chiefly of pine and fir. Of other timber-trees the most common are the beech and the birch ; the maple, the elm, and the ash are less common, and the oak very rare.
The breed of cattle has been very much improved within the last century. The horses are good. There are swine and goats in most parts of the country, and domestic poultry abounds. Among wild animals are boars, foxes, badgers, hares, lynxes, and wild cats; birds of prey, with the exception of eagles, which are seldom seen, are everywhere met with. There are also bustards, storks, heathcocks, pheasants, partridges, wild geese, ducks, and swans. The breeding of bees has declined. The breed of sheep has been gradually and greatly improved since 1765, by successive importations of merinos from Spain, so that there are above 2,000,000 sheep of the improved breed, and Saxony wool is preferred even to the Spanish.
The minerals are some gold, copper, iron, lead, tin, cobalt, arsenic, vitriol, bismuth, nickel, zinc, antimony, quicksilver, calamine, rock crystal, amethyst, carnelian, garnets, diamonds, jasper, chalcedony, Labrador stone, potters'-earth, fine porcelain clay, basalt, serpentine, granite, marble, alabaster, fluor-spar, sandstone, limestone, slate, porphyry, black amber, brimstone, alum, saltpetre, and coals. All
the kilt is imported from Prussian Saxony.
The manufactures are very important. The most important branch of linen manufacture is that of damask table-linen at Gross-Schonau (1000 looms). Thread-lace of extraordinary beauty is manufactured In the Obererzgebirge and the Voigtland. The annual value of the linen manufactures is 3,000,000 dollars. Woollen manufactures are very extensive, and those of cotton stuffs and cotton hosiery have rapidly increased in recent times. There are eilk-manufacturea on a small scale; numerous paperenenufactories; and tanneries, breweries, and distil leries in almost all the towns. The manufactures connected with the mines are of great importance, especially at Freiberg, where are also cannon and shot foundries, and smelting-works. Cobalt is made intosmelts, and some places are noted for the manufacture of verdigris. The manufacture of straw bonnets, mate, &c., employe 10,000 hands. Meissen has become universally famous for the manu facture of porcelain and glass. Steam-engines, mill-machinery, tools, and toys are also manufactured In Saxony.
Corneterce.—The centre of the commerce of the country is Leipzig. The whole foreign and domestic trade of Leipzig at three faire amounts to from 20 to 22 million dollars. The book trade is likewise to the amount of some millions. Tho principal exports are fine woollen manufactures, linen, lace, &c.; thread, wool, wprated, hosiery, amalts, porcelain, straw-manufactures, woodenwarea, glass, fruit, timber, toys, and mineral products. The imports are salt, cotton, silk, flax, hemp, colonial produce, salt and dried fish, fancy goods, &c. The value of the exports is said to exceed that of the imports by 3,000,000 dollars. The chief towns are all connected with each other and with tho great cities of Germany by railroads.
Pcligion.—There is no state religion ; the great majority of the inhabitants are Lutherans, but tho royal family is of the Roman Catholic faith, and both religions are placed on an equal footing.