EUROPE, though the least extensive quarter of the globe (con- 

 taining, according to Zimraermann,* 2,627,574 square miles, whereas 

 the Habitable parts of the world, in the other quarters, are estimated 

 at 27,987,457 square miles) is, in many respects, that which most de- 

 serves our attention. Here the human mind has made the greatest 

 progress towards improvement ; and here the arts, whether of utility 

 or ornament, the science both military and civil, have been carried to 

 the greatest perfection. If we except the earliest ages of the world, 

 it is in Europe, that we find the greatest variety of character, govern- 

 ment, and manners ; and from its history we derive the greatest num- 

 ber of facts and memorials, either for our entertainment or instruc- 

 tion. 



Geography discovers to us two circumstances with regard to Eu- 

 rope, which perhaps have had a considerable tendency in giving it the 

 superiority over the rest of the world; first, the happy temperature 

 of its climate, no part of it lying within the torrid zone ; and, secondly, 

 the great variety of its surface. The effect of a moderate climate, 

 both on plants and animals, is well known from experience. The im~ 

 mense number of mountains, rivers, seas, See. which divide the dif- 

 ferent countries of Europe from each other, is likewise extremely 

 commodious for its inhabitants. These natural boundaries check the 

 progress of conquest or despotism, which has always been so rapid in 

 the extensive plains of Africa and the East. The seas and rivers 

 facilitate the intercourse and commerce between the different nations ; 

 and even the barren rocks and mountains are more favourable for ex- 

 citing human industry and invention, than the natural unsolicited 

 luxuriancy of more fertile soils. There is no part of Europe so diver- 

 sified in its surface, so interrupted by natural boundaries or divisions, 

 as Greece ; and we have seen that it was there the human mind began 

 to know and to avail itself of its strength : and that many of the arts ? 

 subservient to utility or pleasure, were invented, or at least greatly 

 improved. 



The Christian religion is established throughout every part of Eu- 

 rope, except Turkey ; but from the various capacities of the human 

 mind, and the different lights in which speculative opinions are apt to 

 appear, when viewed by persons of different educations and passions, 

 that religion is divided into a number of different sects, but which may- 

 be comprehended under three general denominations ; first, the Greek 

 Church; second, popery; and, third, Protestantism; which last is 

 again divided into Lutheranism and Calvinism, so called from Luther 

 and Calvin, the distinguished reformers of the sixteenth century. 



The languages of Europe are derived from the five following : the 

 Greek, Latin, Gothic (the parent of the Teutonic, or old German) the 

 Celtic, and Slavonic. 



* See Zimmeraaann's Political Survey of Europe, page 5, 

 Vo^. I, T 



