On the Natural Boundaries of Empires. 109 
the Romans, last by the Saracens; in the intervening peri- 
ods it has always presented small independent sovereignties. 
e western coast of Sout merica Is @ narrow district 
of ome, extending between the Andes and the Pacific 
ocean. It resembles the northern coast of Africa, and = 
that cannot well be formed into one dominion, The gen 
of Bolivar will not be vor to unite permanently the eat 
nies of Colombia and Per 
The central valley of Barope, bordering on the Danube, 
presents a district country of great length in proportion 
to its width, and never has any conqueror, in ancient or 
modern times, bas able to combine it in one empire. It is 
now divided between Bavaria, Austria and Turke 
e central valley of Africa, bordering on the Niger, 
bounded by the mountains of Kong and the desert of 7 Za. 
ara, resembles in its shape the central valley of Europe. 
It is impossible to unite it under one government. The dif- 
ficulty of discoveries in Africa has arisen from this cause; 
the traveller incurs the risk of losing his life and property 
from twenty various pepeess each invested with sovereign 
power and separate domini 
6. Where the natural bewattioiss are not very definite, the 
oscillation of dominion may be considerable. 
Thus in the smaller states of Germany, there appears to 
be no definite rule by which their elise can be determin- 
ed; in patie they possess both sides of the rivers where 
they are placed. 
7. Influence of internal communications on the boundaries 
of nations. 
It has generally — pepe that roads and canals, 
forming extensive lines of communication, are favorable to 
the extension of cperiterial pon When these are situated 
within a natural kingdom or state, they of course tend to 
_— the people of a country, but it is perhaps questionable 
ether they can ever be sufficiently numerous, as to join 
ips » sentiment people of distinct national habits, 
The five s across the Pyrenean mountains are not suf- 
ficient to unite France and Spain. 
The road of the Simplon, however magnificent, did not 
preserve a the viceroy of France the submission of his Ital- 
jan subject 
ds, het ver numerous, will not change the seasons ; 
will not alter oe geographical situation of a country. 
