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Sketch of the Progress of Geographical Discovery during 

 the past year, (addressed to the General Assembly of 

 the Geographical Society of Paris, 10th Dec. 1830.) 

 By M. Jouannin, General Secretary of the Central 

 Commission. 



[From the Edinburgh Journal of Natural and Geographical Science] 



Gentlemen, — Wo have arrived at the termination of a year 

 •which will be memorable in the history of nations. The great 

 events which have marked its course, present a character of 

 which it does not belong to me to speak before an assembly, 

 ■whose concern is with facts of a different nature from those 

 supplied by politics; though they, at the same time, must have 

 their share of consideration. But, whilst 1 forbid myself from 

 entering upon the stormy field of politics, which absorbs uni- 

 versal attention at the present day, I cannot avoid saying, that 

 this general occupation of the public mind has probably affected 

 the proceedings of our society; at which, indeed, no one can 

 be surprised. And I may add, that less fortunate than my 

 three predecessors,* in the account which I have to give of 

 those proceedings, which always require your approbation and 

 encouragement, I shall have to traverse a more limited and less 

 fruitful field. 



General Notice of (he present state of the Geographical Society. 

 — 1 have not to speak to you of'any modification in the laws of 

 our society. Eight years of an existence, honoured by the 

 most distinguished support, and very recently (Aug. 15-, 1830,) 

 confirmed by the august protection of a l'rince, who, before the 

 voice of France had named him the " king of a free people," 

 had already signified his approval of your labours ; — these eight 

 years, I say, have allowed of all the improvements being made 

 in the regulations which experience has successively suggested. 

 However, if the results do not yet answer your wishes, — if we 

 have not yet commenced to collect materials which may sooner 

 or later be employed in the preparation of an indispensable 

 work, — 1 speak of a true and conscientious Geographical Dic- 

 tionary, which is wanted by the civilized world, — wc would 

 hope that the instructions lately addressed to our correspon- 

 dents in the different parts of the globe, will direct their 

 attention towards our important design ; Diul that the leisure of 



• MM. Malte-Brun, Rout Uc Rochellc, and Do Larenaudierc, who 

 have so ably traced tlie route to be followed by their successors. 



