7i4 EEPORT— 1886. 



illustration of pure geography conspicuous in the second chapter, immediately 

 following the story of man's formation. To say that there is a special fascination in 

 Biblical research, whether geographical or archseological, is to say what those alone- 

 know who have made such studies a labour of love as well as a part of duty. But 

 those who do know this truth from experience are ready to assert it without 

 reservation. I have myself heard the assertion from the Hps of one of the most 

 zealous and industrious contributors to Smith's ' Dictionary of the Bible ' — one 

 whose versatile talent and comprehensive intelligence have now called him to a 

 difierent sphere of usefulness, but who is no less a sure and competent witness. 

 And is there no fascination in contemplating the marvellous fact 1 have just cited? 

 For assuredly it is a marvel that for nearly 6,000 years, or, so far as we can tell, 

 from the creation of the world itself in which we live, and the bestowal of names 

 upon things animate and inanimate up to the present day, we find two ancient 

 rivers retaining their names unchanged — Euphrates and Hiddekel. There is no 

 need to speculate here on the Aryan origin attributed to the first, nor upon any 

 broader meaning implied by the latter. I can myself answer for the local name 

 ' Farat ' or ' Al-farat,' and ' Digla ' or ' Dagla ' (with the article, Al-dagla, 

 Addagal, Addigal) in use between Baghdad and the Persian Gulf. 



In touching upon Bibhcal research, I may be told that — according to hard 

 thinkers at the present hour — I am taking a sentimental view of an argument 

 which should be mainly practical. But the geography of Mesopotamia, as of 

 Palestine, is to all intents and purposes a practical study, especially in these days 

 of possible railways and new lines of intercommunication east and west ; now, too, 

 that Cyprus is ours, and the immense advantages of its occupation have been 

 demonstrated by time and experience. Moreover, if any geography can be con- 

 sidered Biblical, it is that of Asiatic Turkey, both as regards the New Testament 

 and the Old. 



I am not, however, going to dwell upon this highest view of the subject. The 

 connection of geography with Holy Writ is self-evident, and the twenty-one years' 

 history of the Palestine Exploration Fund, only just written, affords an admirable 

 instance how public interest may be aroused to support, and individual energy and 

 intelligence may be exercised to prosecute, a work hallowed by association. Those 

 who were present at this year's meeting at the Royal Institution will not soon 

 forget the cordial manner in which the names of the foremost labourers in this area 

 of usefulness were received by the crowded audience. And rightly so. They have 

 been worthy labourers in a worthy cause, and merit the grateful honour of public 

 recognition and approval. 



Turning to secular things, I almost seem to be treading upon the threshold of 

 platitudes when seeking to explain why geography should be useful to young men 

 of ordinary culture, for whatever career they may be destined. In some cases it 

 is naturally more urgent as a study than in others. The military man, for exam- 

 ple, should be more or less a scientific geographer. His profession may require- 

 him to survey and describe new regions ; and a campaign over a beaten track 

 should find him acquainted with the minute topography and physical aspect of 

 places, at least the names of which are familiar household words. The sailor 

 should in like manner bear in mind the configuration and character of sea-coasta 

 and carry about the landmarks of his own observation as well as those to which, 

 he may refer in books. To both must geography be eminently a professional 

 study. But, considering the enormous extent of our Indian Empire and Colonies, 

 and the many foreign States with which we must have intimate relations, is any 

 Englishman, I would ask, competent to discuss, much less to serve, the interests of 

 his country who knows nothing of the physical features, resources, products, popu- 

 lation, and statistics of these ? It seems to me to be the duty of every loyal sub- 

 ject and citizen, high or low, rich or poor, to seek information on these heads 

 wherever it may be obtained. 



But of all men who should realise geography in its broad, comprehensive sense 

 — both as an aid to history, and as a science to which history maybe subordinate — - 

 first in order is the statesman in whose province falls the disposal and partitioning 

 of countries or regions. What should we say of the judge — we may be thankful 



