Chap, v.] Geography, 61 



gium. The more recent works, of a similar kind, 

 bj Gosselin of France, and by Rennel of Great 

 Britain, also do honour to their authors, and to the 

 age. Nor ought the service rendered to the science 

 of ancient geography by Mr. Jacob Bryant to 

 be forgotten, or lightly esteemed. 



In few respects has the last century displayed 

 greater improvement than in the number, accuracy, 

 and elegance of its Maps. The maps of M. de 

 Lisle * were early and extensively celebrated. Since 

 that time the maps of Cassini-f, d*Anville, la Ro- 

 chette, Robert, Wells, Sottzman, Rennel, Arrow- 

 smith, and many others, are entitled to honourable 

 distinction* At the beginning of the period under 

 review, there was scarcely a map in existence of 

 any part of the American continent that deserved 

 the name. Since that time almost every known 

 part, and especially the United States, have been 

 delineated with accuracy and neatness. No gejieral 

 map of the U nited States, that can be called correct, 

 has yet been published. That of Arrowsmith is 

 the best, and is highly respectable. But good maps 

 of most of the individual states have been presented 

 to the public. Of these the following is an imper- 



rite science. He died in January 1782. The extent and value 

 of his labours, for the illustration both of modern and ancient 

 geography, are generally known. 



* William de Lisle, the great French geographer, was born at 

 Paris in 1675. He was appointed geographer to the kingj and 

 was celebrated as one of the greatest map-makers of his day. He 

 died in 1 726. 



t The map of France by Cassini was begun in 17^4, and 

 finished in 1794, in one hundred and eighty-three sheets. Tiiis. 

 is probably tlie largest map ever formed by human industry. 



