Pee) BL AARED EL. 
AS MO DIED. BY). MAW AC TRON. 
CHAPTER I. 
INTRODUCTORY. 
Natural Advantages of the Territory of the Roman Empire.—Physical Decay 
of that Territory.—Causes of the Decay.—Reaction of Man on Nature.— 
Observation of Nature.—Uncertainty of Our Historical Knowledge of 
Ancient Climates,—Uncertainty of Modern Meteorology.—Stability of 
Nature.—Formation of Bogs.—Natural Conditions Favorable to Geogra- 
phical Change.—Destructiveness of Man.—Human and Brute Action 
Compared.—Limits of Human Power.—Importance of Physical Conser- 
vation and Restoration.—Uncertainty as to Effects of Human Action. 
Natural Advantages of the Territory of the Roman Empire. 
Tut Roman Empire, at the period of its greatest expansion, 
comprised the regions of the earth most distinguished by a 
happy combination of physical conditions. The provinces bor- 
dering on the principal and the secondary basins of the Medi- 
terranean enjoyed in healthfulness and equability of climate, in 
fertility of soil, in variety of vegetable and mineral products, 
and in natural facilities for the transportation and distribution 
of exchangeable commodities, advantages which have not been 
possessed in any equal degree by any territory of like extent 
in the Old World or the New. The abundance of the land and 
of the waters adequately supplied every material want, minis- 
tered liberally to every sensuous enjoyment. Gold and silver, 
indeed, were not found in the profusion which has proved so 
baneful to the industry of lands richer in veins of the precious 
