4 



Notes afid Reflections made during a Tour 



4. In applying these principles to those parts of the Continent 

 comprehended in our tour {jigs. 1. and 2.), we shall find in- 

 struction derivable from gene- 

 ral novelty, particular points of 

 excellence, and what may be 

 called historical practice, or a 

 view of arts and civilisation in 

 different stages of their progress. 

 ^51 We shall find that though the 

 tract passed over extends to 

 above 1 2° of longitude, yet that 

 it is included in 2° of latitude ; 

 that the general character of the 

 .5(,surface is not materially diflfer- 



1 2 ;? 4 5 



ent, that the chief rocks are limestone, and that therefore the 

 soil must be characterised by that earth ; that the climate must 

 be nearly alike, and in consequence, that the same indigenous 

 animals and vegetables must prevail. The domesticated ani- 

 mals and vegetables, and the native character of man, must 

 also be nearly the same. The causes of variation in this tract 

 of country will be, the difference of latitude, which though it is 

 only one degree, yet still the more northerly degree will be 

 the colder ; the difference in geographical position relatively to 

 Britain, which, being low and surrounded by water, will have 

 a humid and temperate climate; and the difference in eleva- 

 tion, by which Munich being very high and dry, its climate 

 will be cold and its atmosphere clear. Another cause of vari- 

 ation may be traced to the two varieties of man which inhabit 

 France and Germany, and are considered by some natural- 

 ists to be permanent and distinct, and to the mixture of 

 varieties which inhabit Britain. 



Comparing this theory with what actually exists in these 

 countries and in Britain, we find the general character of 

 the Continental surface undulating with some hills, but few 

 mountains : the soilj for the most part, calcareous, on a cal- 



