RHODE ISLAND, one of the United State, of North America, lies between 41' IS' and 42' 2' N. lat., 71' 6' and 71' 58' W. long., except Block Island, which lies between 41• 6' and 41° 15' N. lat. 'l'he state is bounded E. and N. by Massachusetts; W. by Connecticut ; and S. by the Atlantic Ocean. The area is about 1200 square miles. The population in 1850 was 147,545 (of whom 3670 were free coloured persons), or l22.95 to the square mile. Rhode Island is the smallest state in the Union, but with the exception of Massachusetts the most densely peopled. The inhabitants being all free, the federal repre sentative population is the same as the entire population in 1850; this according to the present ratio of representation entitles the state to send two representatives to Congress. To the Senate, like each of the other states, Rhode Island sends two representatives.
Surface, Ilydrogrophy, Communications.—The largest part of the state lies to the west and north-west of Narragansett Bay, and corn preheade about 900 square miles; a small portion lies to the east of Narrananeett Bay ; and the rest is composed of the islands of Rhode Canonicut Island, Prudence Island, Patience Island, Hope Ielaud, Hog Island, and Dyer's Island in Narragansett Bay ; and Block Island in the Atlantic. Rhode Island, which gives its name to the state, is the largest of the islands which belong to it. The central part of it is in 41° 32' N. Ian, 71° 15' W. long. Its length is about 15 miles from north to south, with an average width of about 3i miles. This island is the most fertile part of .the state; the coil is suitable either for tillage or grazing, and is well cultivated ; and the climate Is so temperate and healthy, that the island is a place of resort for the inhabitants of the southern and central Mates in the summer months, and for invalids at all seasons. Near to Rhode lelaud is Canonicot Island, which is seven miles long and one mile broad, and has some beautiful scenery. Prudence Island higher up the bay, and partly between Rhode and Canonicut Islands, is a little lose than the latter. The only other island requiring epecifio mention is Block Island, which lies about 12 miles S.W. from Point Judith on the main
land ; it is about 8 miles long, and from 2 to 4 miles broad ; and in chiefly inhabited by fishermen : the population of Block Island in 1850 was 1262.
Narragansett Bay, which intersects a large portion of the state, is about 30 miles long from Point Judith, on the south, to Bullock's Point, and about 10 miles wide. The entrance extends from Point Judith on the west to Point Seaconet on the east. The bay forms a safe road during the north-west storms, is navigable in all seasons, contains several excellent harbours, and has many pointe suitable for defence, which have been strongly fortified. Newport Harbour in the channel between Rhode and Canonicut Islands, is oue of the finest in America.
The surface of the continental part of Rhode Island is generally hilly and broken, but the hills nowhere attain a greater elevation than about 300 feet above the level of the sea. Along Narragansett Bay, and on the islands, the surface is level or slightly undulating.
The rivers of this state are not more than 50 or 60 miles long, and have but an inconsiderable quantity of water. They are therefore of little value for navigation, but having generally a considerable fall, they afford a large amount of mechanical power, and work numerous mills. The Paweatuck, which in the lower part of its course forms the boundary between this etato and Connecticut, is navigable for about six miles. The Pawtucket, the principal river iu the state, rises in Massachusetts, where it is called the Blackstone Itiver ; traverses the north-eastern part of Rhode Island; and falls into Providence River about a mile below Providence city. At Pawtucket village, four miles from its mouth, there are falls of about 50 feet, below which the river is known as the Seekonk : it is navigable up to the falls. The Provi dence, formed by the union of the Wanssquiatucket and the Mohasuck, opens into the north-western arm of Narragansett Bay: it is navigable for vessels of 900 tons burden up to Providence city. The Pawfuzst falls into the Providence about three miles below Providence city.