On the Natural Boundaries of Empires. 105 



of these states are continually at variance, and as the west is 

 generally the most extensive, as well as fruitful, it is grad- 

 ually moving the seat of power further into the interior." 

 There is a small territory in New- Jersey which exemplifies 

 the difference between rivers and mountams as boundaries 

 of nations. It consists of a tract of land about thirty miles 

 long, and two or three miles wide. It forms the " ultima 

 Thule" of the state towards the north, and is situated between 

 the Blue Mountain and the river Delaware. The inhabi- 

 tants of this section belong to New Jersey by political ar- 

 rangement, but are completely excluded from it by the Blue 

 Mountain, which is near a thousand feet high. The other 

 part of the state would have been almost ignorant of their 

 existence, but that they have recently petitioned the legisla- 

 ture to open a road near the foot of the mountain that they 

 may have a communication with their fellow citizens to the 

 south. All the trade of the district, is carried on across the 

 river with Pennsylvania. 



MOUNTAINS IN GROUPS. 



Where mountains are placed together in groups, with 

 intervening vallies which are susceptible of cultivation, a 

 different rule obtains as to their boundary. It will then be 

 found, not at the summit of the first chain, nor at its base, 

 but extends into the surrounding country in every direction. 

 The inhabitants of these districts resemble the garrison of a 

 fortress, who not only command the fortifications, and the 

 interior town, but also the resources of the country to a dis- 

 tance of several miles. 



Thus the mountaineers of Switzerland are not content 

 with the rugged summits, and the picturesque vallies of the 

 Alps, but have conquered and retain Neufchatel, La Pays de 

 Valais, and the city and territory of Geneva. 



The mountaineers of Caucasus compel the payment of 

 tribute from their neighbors. 



No individual could formerly live within twenty miles of 

 the mountains of Scotland, unless he would submit to con- 

 tribution. The demands of the king at Holyrood might be 

 evaded, but those of the kings of the Highlands it was im- 

 possible to escape. 



Vol. XVI.— No. 1. 14 



