duty as guardians of the people, or assumed to themselves, or exercised other or greater powers than they are entitled to by the constitution. They are also to inquire whether the publick taxes have been justly laid, and collected in all parts of this commonwealth; in what manner the publick monies have been disposed of, and whether the laws have been duly executed. For these purposes they shall have power to send for persons, papers, and records; they shall have authority to pass publick censures, to order impeachments, and to recommend to the legislature the repealing such laws as shall appear to them to have been passed contrary to the principles of the constitution: these powers they shall continue to have for and during the space of one year from the day of their election, and no longer. The said Council of Censors shall also have power to call a convention, to meet within two years after their sitting, if there appears to them an absolute necessity of amending any article of this constitution which may be defective, explaining such as may be thought not clearly expressed, and of adding such as are necessary, for the preservation of the rights and happiness of the people. But the articles to be amended, and the amendments proposed, and such articles as are proposed to be added or abolished, shall be promulgated at least six months before the day appointed for the election of such convention, for the previous consideration of the people, that they may have an opportunity of instructing their delegates on the subject.

SEC. 3. Judiciary. The judiciary powers are vested in the Supreme and County Courts; a Court of Probate for the settlement of estates, consisting of one Judge in each district; and the Justices of the Peace in each town.

*

The Supreme Court, consisting of three judges, annually holds one session in each county, and has original jurisdiction in criminal actions, and civil causes, and those in which

3. Where are the judiciary powers vested? What is said of the supreme court? the county court? justices of the peace ?

*Except Grand Isle. Causes for the supreme court arising in this county are tried in Franklin county.

cilities for acquiring an education, and the general diffusion of knowledge, this state is surpassed by none. Every town is divided into districts, in which schools are supported most of the year. There are two colleges, twenty academies, and upwards of sixteen hundred common besides many private schools.

The Vermont University was established at Burlington, by an act of the Legislature in 1791. It did not go into operation till 1800; and although it has suffered a series of misfortunes, it is now in a flourishing condition.

"The President and Fellows of Middlebury College" were incorporated in 1800, and the institution commenced operations the same year. It is now flourishing, and has been supported entirely by private donations.

About 120,000 acres of land are reserved for the support of various establishments for education. In addition to the funds derived from this source, a tax is levied for the sup port of common schools. These are accessible to every one rich and poor, and persons unable to read or write are seldom to be found.

SEC. 8. Religion. In Vermont the institutions of the Christian Religion are very generally regarded. The whole number of preachers of all denominations, is about three hundred. They are principally the Congregationalists and Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Free-will Baptists, Christians, and Universalists.

SEC. 9. Population and Character. Vermont has been constantly increasing in pop

8. What is said of Religion? How many preachers are there? What are the principal denominations?

9. What is said of population? What was it in 1820? What is said of the early inhabitants? Has the character of the people undergone a change?

ulation with more or less rapidity ever since its first settlement. In 1781 the number of inhabitants was estimated at 7,000; in 1791, at 85,000; in 1800, at 154,000; in 1810, at 217,000; and in 1820, at 235,000.

The early inhabitants of Vermont were distinguished for enterprise, and from their situation were not remarkable for intellectual acquirements. They were rude and uncultivated, brave and intrepid; and from being constantly exposed to danger in various forms, and being obliged to surmount all their difficulties by personal exertions, they were very self-confident, and acquired lofty notions of liberty and independence.

In addition to the hardships and privations inseparably connected with an infant settlement, they often suffered severely from the depredations of the savages. The controversies in which they were engaged, were calculated to elicit their moral, as well as physical resources; and in the history of their times, we find much of that boldness and energy of character, that stern inflexibility of purpose, which characterised the ancients.

The manners and character of the people have undergone a considerable change. The former inhabitants, conscious of their own disadvantages, early made provisions for the establishment of schools.-Hence the superior facilities which are now enjoyed for acquiring an education, the diffusion of knowledge, and that general intelligence and comparative refinement which is seen among the inhabitants of this state.

The Vermonters have ever been characterised by their hospitality, temperance, industry and frugality. They are firmly attached to freedom; and we may indulge the hope that by the gradual introduction of the elegancies and luxuries of life, the sterner virtues which our fathers so emi¬ nently possessed have not been impaired by their posterity,

CHAPTER XI.

SEC. 1. The State of Vermont is divided into thirteen counties; Windham, Windsor, Orange, Washington, Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans, east of the mountains; and Bennington, Rutland, Addison, Chittenden, Grand Isle, and Franklin on the west.

These counties are subdivided into two hundred and forty-five townships, which are generally about six miles square. There are a number of gores of small extent, which have never been organized as town's

The seat of government is at Montpelier where a building has been erected for the accommodation of the Assembly. Each of the counties has a capital or shire town, where the principal courts are held, and most of the judiciary concerns of the coun are transacted.

SEC. 2.

Windham County, situated in the southeast part of the state, is divided into twenty-four townships. It contains 780 square miles, and near 30,000 inhabitants. It is one of the most populous and wealthy

1. Into how many counties is Vermont divided? Name them. Into how many towns are the counties subdivided? Where is the seat of government? 2. How is Windham county situated? What is said of it? What is its population? Which is the shire town? Which is the largest town? Describe it. These questions, with little variation, will apply to all

the counties.

counties in the state, and contains several very flourishing villages.

NEW-FANE is the shire town. It is a good township of land, and contains three villages. It is twelve miles from Brattleboro'.

BRATTLEBORO' is the principal town in the county and one of the most flourishing in the state. Within its limits at Fort Dummer, the first settlement was made in the state. It contains two villages; the east is a place of considerable business and supplies a great part of the county with their heavy goods, from its situation on the river. The scenery around it is remarkably fine and it is noticed by travellers as very peculiar. Printing and book-binding, and the manufacture of paper, cotton and wool, are carried on to considerable extent. It is said to be the richest village of its size in New-England.

ROCKINGHAM is also a rich town. At the village of Bellows Falls much business is done, and from the immense water power on the river it must eventually become a large manufacturing place.

SEC. 3. Windsor County contains about 990 square miles, and is divided into twenty three townships, containing near 40,000 inhabitants. Most of the towns are thickly settled, and several have populous villages. It is 48 miles long and 30 wide.

WOODSTOCK is the shire town. The principal village is situated on the Queechy river, and is generally known by the name of "Woodstock green." It is a place of considerable business, which is gradually increasing. The publick buildings are a court house, jail, and four churches.

Windsor is the largest town in the county and one of the most populous in the state. It is pleasantly situated on the banks of the Connecticut, is compactly built, and contains more elegant situations than any other village in the State. The publick buildings are the state prison, three churches, a court house and an academy.

SEC. 4. Orange County contains 650 square miles and is divided into 17 townships. It