108 Remarks on the Theories of PT. IT. 



Tamerlane, or Attila one whit less arbitrary and 

 tyrannical than the Pharaohs? Were the ancient 

 Czars of Russia very humane and liberal rulers? 

 As I have noticed elsewhere, quoting from Montes- 

 quieu, all Asia has been immemorially governed by 

 despotisms, and the principle of fear has been the 

 sole and universal engine by which authority has 

 been maintained. 



Some of the most fertile regions in the World are 

 the banks of the Mississippi and the great rivers 

 of the North American Continent. Mr. Buckle 

 broaches a theory, that to produce fertility it is 

 necessary that heat and humidity should co-exist in 

 the same country, that heat is confined to the 

 Western coasts of America beyond the Eocky Moun- 

 tains, that humidity, without heat, is found in the 

 Eastern portion of that Continent. Nothing can be 

 more erroneous. It is possible that there may be 

 greater aridity in some parts beyond the Rocky 

 Mountains, but so far from there being any in- 

 sufficiency of heat in all the Southern Provinces 

 of the North American Continent, the Floridas, 

 Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and Virginia 

 are very hot countries, and there is quite sufficient 

 sun, combined with their moisture, to produce the 



