196 HISTORY OF 



Thus, whatever quarter of the globe we turn 

 to, we shall find new reasons to be satisfied with 

 that part of it in which we reside. Our rivers 

 furnish all the plenty of the African stream, with- 

 out its inundation ; they have all the coolness of 

 the Polar rivulet, with a more constant supply ; 

 they may want the terrible magnificence of huge 

 cataracts, or extensive lakes, but they are more 

 navigable, and more transparent ; though less 

 deep and rapid than the rivers of the torrid zone, 

 they are more manageable, and only wait the will 

 of man to take their direction. The rivers of the 

 torrid zone, like the monarchs of the country, 

 rule with despotic tyranny, profuse in their boun- 

 ties, and ungovernable in their rage. The rivers 

 of Europe, like their kings, are the friends, and 

 not the oppressors of the people j bounded by 

 known limits, abridged in the power of doing ill, 

 directed by human sagacity, and only at freedom 

 to distribute happiness and plenty. 



CHAPTER XV. 



OF THE OCEAN IN GENERAL, AND OF ITS SALTNESS. 



IF we look upon a map of the world, we shall 

 find that the ocean occupies considerably more of 

 the globe than the land is found to do. This 

 immense body of waters is diffused round both 

 the Old and New Continent, to the south ; and 

 may surround them also to the north, for what 



