M72 THK PROGRESS OK GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE. 



deepest from time to time, or is it a lixture among a seore of minor 

 channels that shift and changed Perfect definition is, of course, hope- 

 less. It is not in the power of man to deal with all the inlinite vari- 

 ations of geographical feature and to classif}' them as he would speci- 

 mens of botanical origin or of natural histor3^ But we might arrive 

 at a much more satisfactor\' dictionary of geographical terms in our 

 own language than at present exists, and we might offer that dictionary 

 to the geographers of the world at large and say, ""Here we hiive at 

 least endeavored to explain our meaning when wo make use of geo- 

 graphical expressions. This is what is taught in our schools as the 

 best means of translating the general idea into a distinct mental con- 

 ception of natural features; and in future when we use these terms 

 you will know on the best authorit}- that England can produce what it 

 is that we mean by them." Then, possibly, instead of having to turn 

 to Germany and France for assistance in expressing ourselves clearly 

 when drawing up legal documents dealing with geographical condi- 

 tions, we may find the English language become the standard for this 

 special class of literature in spite of its verbal poverty. This, at any 

 rate, is what is now being attempted by the Geographical Society, 

 which spares no effort in order to obtain the best literary assistance in 

 its compilation that the country aft'ords. AVe shall soon have a geo- 

 graphical dictionar}^, 1 trust, and be able to enter with a little more 

 ease and confidence into the field of literary discussion of geograjjli- 

 ical subjects. ' 



PltOGKP:8S OF (!EOGKA]'HICAL EDUCATION. 



The progress of geographical education in the covmtry, although it 

 is b\' no means so universally appai'ent as might l)e considered desir- 

 able, yet sliows encouraging s3'mptoms of vitality in many directions. 



Tlie Civil Scb.ool at Oxford, for inst:uice.conductedl)y ]\lr. ]\Iackinder. 

 has already made most successful efforts to produce exj)ert teachers of 

 geography. Here, in addition to Kio undergi-aduates attending courses 

 during the past year, five students have already won the post-graduate 

 diploma gi'anted ])y the university, and it is encouraging to note that 

 four out of the live have already obtained distinctively geographical 

 work. Others similai'iy ([ualified, if of sulHcient al)ility, would prol)- 

 al»ly not have long to wait for oppoi'tunities. In addition to its r(\gu- 

 lar university functions, the Oxford school has this year organized a 

 sunuuer course of three weeks' study. This has l)een well attended 

 by teachei's and instructors from all parts of the country, and even 

 from America. 



In London a department of economic geography is in course of 

 organization at the School of Economics and Political Science, and 

 gcograpln' will become a com[)uls()r}' subject in examinations. Tn the 



