On the Natural Boundaries of Empires. 99 
Art. XIV.—On the Effect of the Physical Geography of 
the World on the Boundaries of Empires; by Joun Fincnu, 
F. B.8., M.S. D, &e. &e. 
Essay, Part 11.—Continued from Vol. XIV, p. 18. 
To acquire a true eh ith of the eee of nations, 
we must first study the-physical structure of the soil. 
This is the leading event on which the Niatopiead details 
are nearly always dependan 
Mountains, seas, lakes, as deserts, form natural divisions 
on the surface of the earth, which serve as boundaries to the 
several nations, and beyond which they can seldom pass with 
impunity. It is not in the contest between nations as on the 
pa os n the vrs ce of the world: the natural bar- 
riers between nations restrain them when prosperous, and in- 
clined to invade their neighbours, and serve as a protec- 
ting shield in adverse fortune. 
These natural barriers separate nations, not only by the 
b because the ons, which they surround, have 
each their peculiar habits, customs, and feelings, which ren- 
it difficult for them to coalesce with the surrounding 
states. To form a permanent empire, hie must be some 
common feeling to unite the people under its sway; as all 
governments are nded, more or less remotely, on the 
opi: of the people, where they are established. 
to impress these facts on the mind, read an ac- 
count of the boundaries of any nation of ancient times, let 
us take Cesar’s description of the limits of the Helvetii. 
“Undique loci natura Helvetii continentur; una ex parte, 
flumine Rheno latissimo atque altissimo, qui agrum Wales: 
tium 4 Germanis dividit: altera ex parte, monte Juré altissi- 
mo, qui est inter Sequanos et Helvetios ; tertia, lacu Lema- 
no, et flumine e Rhodano, qui ——— nostram ab Hel- 
vetiis dividit.”—Ji a 6. 
Or examine a oe of the Lagden of the world as they 
were arranged a thousand years ago, and one of the present 
time; you will find the great political divisions nearly alike. 
In an historial chart, although the divisions do not corres- 
pond to the relative size of nations, they afford some guide 
