V. DEPARTMENT: 



GEOGRAPHY. 



IN the department of Geography, we would comprise a general 

 description of the earth ; and especially of the nations by which it is 

 inhabited ; in reference to their position and extent; their productions 

 and resources ; their institutions and improvements ; their manners 

 and customs ; and including the subjects of Statistics, and Voyages 

 and Travels. The name is from the Greek, 7^, the earth ; and ypa<j>, 

 I describe; or ypa^, a description: and it is a term which admits of 

 indefinite extension ; since in describing a nation, allusion must be 

 made to its language, laws, and religion, arts and literature ; and in 

 treating of the earth and its productions, we might include the whole 

 range of the physical sciences. The propriety, however, of restricting 

 the term to a single department of human knowledge, as above defined, 

 instead of extending it to comprehend the whole, will, we think, be 

 self-evident : and for this department, we have adopted the present 

 name, in compliance with popular usage, and to avoid the necessity 

 of coining another ; even though one more definite might be found. 



Geography is properly subdivided into Mathematical, which 

 describes the form, imaginary circles, and different modes of repre- 

 senting the earth ; Physical, which relates to its structure, and ele- 

 mental changes, and to its natural productions ; Topographical, which 

 relates to places, and their situation, as shown by maps and gazet- 

 teers ; Statistical, which relates to the extent, strength, and resources 

 of nations ; Civil, which relates to nations, in regard to their man- 

 ners and customs, forms of religion and government, and progress in 

 improvements ; and Historical, or Progressive Geography, which 

 treats of discovery and colonization ; and changes of names or of 

 boundaries, of places and states. Strictly speaking, Mathematical, 

 and Physical Geography, belong to the studies of Natural Philosophy, 

 and Natural History ; but as some knowledge of them is necessary 

 for the understanding of the other divisions, we shall here treat briefly 

 of them, as an Introduction to the main subject ; presupposing the 

 slight mathematical knowledge required for their comprehension. 



The propriety of considering Statistics as subordinate to, and a 

 part of, Geography, will, we think, be sufficiently evident ; though 

 some German writers have so enlarged ils boundaries, as to leave 

 little to Geography besides the name. Statistics first received its 

 name and systematic form, from Prof. Achenwall, at Gottingen, in 

 1749 ; and the term has been but recently introduced into English 

 works. It relates especially to the strength and resources of nations : 

 and collects from Geography, all the data which bear upon this point. 

 The classification of Voyages and Travels, as a part of Geography, 

 nnd as the sources from which systematic works on this department, 

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