TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 795 



consideration of geographical position has a most all-iuiportaiit hearing. In this 

 latter class a complete knowledge of geography is an absolute necessitj-, as the 

 question ariseti so often as to whether the acquisition of geographical positions will 

 weaken or strengthen a kingdom. For example, were Ireland two degrees further 

 to the west, it is probable that all our views as to the method of connecting it for 

 administrative purposes with Great Britain would be greatly moditied. Again, the 

 particular points at which our coaling stations may be situated about the world 

 may depend upon a variety of circumstances, changing from year to year. Thus 

 Gibraltar, from its geographical position, was an absolute necessity to us thirty 

 j'ears ago, but, owing to various changes, it is not now of equal value, either 

 as a coaling station, for protecting our commerce, or as a depot for our wares, and 

 the question is arising with some geographers whether it might not with advantage 

 be exchanged for Ceuta on the opposite coast. 



It is possible that a more full geographical knowledge of Egypt and the Suez 

 Canal might have materially modified our present occupation of Egypt. The canal 

 could not be held without a fresh-water supply, and the possession of Cairo and 

 the Nile is the key to the fresh-water canal supplying Ismailia and Suez. Had 

 it been known that a plentiful supply of water coidd be obtained close to the 

 maritime canal, independent of the Nile water, it is questionable how far any occu- 

 pation of Egypt would have been necessary. 



In such cases it is not sufficient that the Government subordinates should have 

 a knowledge of geography, for even if they are fully conversant with what they 

 ought to know it would be almost impracticable for them to convey to statesmen 

 knowledge which their untrained minds render them incapable of retaining or 

 making use of. 



In settling political boundaries it may appear at first sight that they shoidd 

 coincide with certain geographical features, forming natural boundaries not only 

 in international matters, but also in cases of provincial, county, town, and parish 

 boundaries, and also in accordance with historical associations ; but we must do our 

 statesmen the justice to admit that the deviations they adopt may not always be 

 the result of ignorance, but arise from an astute perception that it may be necessary 

 in the future to liave a cause for further moditication, or even for raising the whole 

 question anew. It is difficult, however, to see how this can with any propriety 

 arise in domestic matters, and, apart from the doubtful political morality involved, 

 it would only occur in international matters on the assumption that our empire is 

 paramount, and can quarrel when it chooses ; and, moreover, in such a case could 

 only be justified by being carried out with so perfect a knowledge of geography 

 that in any reopening of the question our country should be in the right ; whereas 

 bitter experience has shown us that our statesmen have almost invariably placed 

 us in the wrong. 



It is fatal in domestic matters to ignore the physical features within a country, 

 and attempt to obliterate its historical and topographical associations, as the French 

 Revolutionists attempted, by substituting their departments for the old provinces. 

 This has only led to an artificial division, which has not taken root among the 

 people, and French geographers are still calling attention to the absurdity of present 

 divisions. In such cases, we must keep alive to what are the ostensible and what 

 the actual reasons for such changes, and if the so-called simplicity introduced by 

 lawyer statesmen leads to increased law expenses, we may reasonably look with 

 suspicion on such an interference with the economical administration of the affairs 

 of the nation. In our own country geography is intimately connected with all kinds 

 of divisions of land, which are dealt with by the administration. A simplification 

 of the arbitrary political divisions, and a modification and synchi-onisation of 

 boundaries may lead directly to simplification of administrative machinery, and 

 saving of expenses in salaries, &c. London itself is a glaring instance of the waste 

 of money and friction of departments, from the extraordinary overlapping of boun- 

 daries — political, magisterial, petty-sessional, police, statistical, postal, public works, 

 &c. Probably a gi-eat portion of the time and energies of the superior officers in 

 the various departments is occupied in waging war on one another, keeping the 

 peace, or temporising with or watching each other ; and this not from their own 



